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Tag: tomorrow

  • By this time tomorrow!

    Text:”… Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel….” (2Kings 7:1)

    Following the besiegement of Samaria and the concomitant effect on the economy of Israel, things were so bad as price increases were out of control and the concept of inflation became meaningless.  Things were economically so bad that an ass’ head was sold for 80 shekels of silver which would be $52 and a quarter of a cab of dove’s dung was sold for 5 shekels of silver which would be about $ 1. Cannibalism became a feeding option and the King of Israel was not only helpless but was hopeless concerning the future of Israel.

    Suddenly, God, who dictated what happened yesterday, who is in charge of happenings today and will determine what He wants to happen tomorrow (Heb. 13:8), intervened and sent Elisha to go and inform the King of Israel that, against every economic indices, tomorrow shall be the beginning of things that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and things that are yet to come to human imagination (1Corinthians 2:9). He said that tomorrow, the land’s economy shall be taken away from man and the economic portfolio of the land taken over by God, and that within 24 hours, scarcity shall disappear for advent of prosperity, sicknesses shall be a thing of the past as divine health shall step in, roads that had hitherto been closed shall open of their own accord, help from above shall be available where support from abroad had been abated, sadness shall surrender to joy, the unmarried shall heave a sigh of relief for they shall locate the bone of their bones, marital problems shall die and barrenness of whatever sort shall give way to fruitfulness etc.

    This new beginning promised by God in Isaiah 43:18-19 that “I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” led into a debate between the King of Israel’s Personal Adviser, maybe a Prime Minister or his Minister of Finance and the servant of the King of Kings on what bordered on economic principles and what the One who directs life economies without a recourse to economic principles can do within 24hours. The learned man, who was adept in the things of the world carried out an empirical analysis of the political, social cum economic situation of the country, viewed and reviewed the prevailing indices juxtaposed them with global best practices and declared that it was an impossible stunt. He concluded sarcastically that such a feat was even beyond the capacity of the Unlimited God to perform. For doubting what God can do, the man of God replied him thus;  “….thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof” (2 Kings 7:2 cf 1 Corinthians 1:20).

    The Almighty God, the God who has all powers, went into action, turned the unimpressionable ambulation of four lepers into deafening noises of chariots, horses and a great host in the hearings of the Syrian army. They consequently ran for their lives leaving behind food, clothing and other utilities thinking that the king of Israel had hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to fight against the Syrian army.  By the time the lepers got to where the soldiers were, they didn’t meet anyone but food. On God’s promised morrow, all He said through His servant that ” two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria” came to pass. Besides that, the man who countered God’s word was trodden upon in the gate and he died.

    Doubting God’s supremacy over human knowledge and political permutations has been from time immemorial. When Paul alongside other prisoners were being taken in a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy, using spiritual binoculars he said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives” but hence this was contrary to the postulations of the professionals, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by Paul. At last, the words spoken by Paul, through leading of the Holy Spirit prevailed over the professional counsel and they had no option but to surrender to the leadership and direction of Paul the Apostle after they had suffered unimaginable losses (Acts 27:1-36).

    The Unlimited God has ability to turn the challenges of today to  a glorious tomorrow. With Him, a cock that isn’t clinically dead still has hope to eat corn tomorrow. In fact, even a dead cock can be brought to life by the Resurrection and the life who raised the dead Lazarus back to life (John 11:25-44; Job 14:7-9). God can make a nobody of today into somebody for tomorrow. It is possible in Him to sleep as a miserable person and wake up the following morning with a change of story. As He lives, this shall be your testimony during this lenten season. All that you have hope of ever acquiring shall locate you in the name of Jesus.

    Are you experiencing storms in your home, family, finances or health today, it is not over as in Christ, there is a better tomorrow. Don’t lose hope concerning the things you are seeing and experiencing today because “weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Tomorrow is coming and it shall be the dawn of a new beginning – a beginning of peace, an advent of pervasive security, the baseline of economic revival, the kickoff of celebrations unlimited and the morning of unity of purpose, peace, joy and tranquility in the name of Jesus.

    To experience this power of a new tomorrow in your life, family and work, you need to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the power of God and the author of creation, like Apostle Paul. You must be dead to yourself and be ready to say that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 cf 1 Corinthians 1:24; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:3). Secondly, you must allow the Holy Spirit take over the leadership of your life, ask Him to lead you and you follow His directives (Ephesians 1:19-22). You must also have faith in Him and His ability to do all things  (Hebrews11:6; Philippians 4:13) and lastly, you must be ready to stand by His word, which is the truth (Hebrews 4:12), you must hold on to His promises no matter what (John 2:5) and confess what is written as against what you are seeing today for a glorious tomorrow, which is going to be the beginning of new things.

    Prayer: Oh Lord, use what make you the Almighty to give me a better tomorrow in the name of Jesus.

  • I will not write about tomorrow

    Last Friday, I wrote about ‘tomorrow’. ‘Tomorrow’ came but not the way we expected. ‘Tomorrow’ was postponed till tomorrow. We were supposed to queue, get accredited and cast our votes for our next President and National Assembly members, but the umpire messed us up and pushed ‘tomorrow’ till tomorrow. Now that I am not certain about the whole thing again, I will rather write about books— yes, books; those paperback or hardcover or e-books that can fly you to Jamaica, Cyprus, Liverpool, United States and more while you are in the comfort of your home.

    They make you laugh, they make you cry and they make you think. Books. They make you enjoy your own company. They make you steal, yes— steal time to be alone to live in the world of men and women far or near. They make you crave deeper meaning. Books, oh books!

    I will not write about tomorrow. Instead I will tell you about Of Women and Frogs, written by Bisi Adjapon. In this debut novel, we see Nigeria, we see Ghana. The Ghana we see is a country that went to hell and returned. One fact that a deeper meaning will reveal on account of reading this book is that like Ghana, Nigeria has also been to hell, but unlike Ghana, Nigeria is not back. We are still trying to find our way back. It is taking so long that many are wondering if the labours of our heroes past are not in vain.

    I will not write about tomorrow. Instead I will tell you about another book that brings the sorry state of things in our nation to heart. Chigozie Obioma’s sophomore titled An Orchestra of Minorities can easily be mistaken as the tale of the main characters. In this case, an average reader will see Obioma’s sophomore as the story of Nonso, a poultry farmer, and Ndali— who he calls Mommy. A deeper reader will discover much more in this tale. The big takeaway for me in this book is the subtle political sub-theme in the book. It is encapsulated in these words: “But he thought even more that these people were happy because they had been lifted from places where they were suffering into this new country. The plane had lifted out of the land of lack, of man-pass-man, the land in which a man’s greatest enemies are members of his household; a land of kidnappers, of ritual killers, of policemen who bully those they encounter on the road and shoot those who don’t bribe them, of leaders who treat those they lead with contempt and rob them of their commonwealth, of frequent riots and crisis, of long strikes, of petrol shortages, of joblessness, of clogged gutters, of potholed roads…and of constant power outages.” This is like telling the sad story of our nation in one relatively long paragraph. And from the look of things, changes are not about to happen.

    Let me also tell you about Nze Sylva Ifedigbo’s debut novel My Mind is No Longer Here.  It is the story of four men—Donatus, Chidi, Osahon and Haruna. Connecting all of them is Yinka, who preys on their avarice and ignorance.

    Donatus is a photojournalist, who worked for a newspaper whose publisher is a big-for-nothing fool. Salaries were not paid promptly, allowances non-existent and welfare zero. Chidi is an undergraduate who suddenly feels the urge to hit it big. Osahon, on the other hand, has been on the run from Benin where he is wanted for cult-related offence. As for Haruna, his case is different. The medical doctor just feels tired of Nigeria after his mother’s death and he feels going abroad is it.

    Their displeasure with Nigeria leads them all to Yinka, whose motive for wanting to help them go abroad is far from noble. The signs that Yinka’s gestures may not be noble are glaring, but these men are blinded by their frustration with Nigeria. Their minds are simply no longer here. Even when family members call these guys’ attention to possible danger in the offer from Yinka, they lie to make the whole thing look good. All that is important is to just get out of Nigeria, which is likened to hell.

    The near monologue between these guys and Otunba shows how crooks with money prey on the desperate.

    Otunba says to the guys: “You see, eyin boys, let me tell you something nobody else will tell you. Hunger is a very good thing. Our people do not know this. That is why they remain poor. They think hunger is a bad thing. No Hunger is a blessing, I tell you. There is no motivator like hunger. It is only hunger that can make you do anything without fear. You see, when I see young men like you wallowing aimlessly about, I tell myself they have not yet tasted hunger. Because when you taste hunger, nobody will tell you to get serious and do something about it.”

    In another instance, he says: “I tell people I am rich today because I was hungry yesterday.” But he adds the icing on it all, when he says: “But I was not just hungry, I did something about it. Today, see where I am? All those mouths that were running like watery toilet, talking nonsense against me back then, where are they today? The ones that are not dead yet are well on their way there. Every day they are on my phone, begging me for pocket money. These are the same people who said I was doing boy-boy for the military and that I was a friend of killers.”

    The main message in this book is: “When your home cannot offer you a bed to sleep peacefully on, a neigbour’s home becomes appealing.”

    I will still not write about tomorrow. Instead I will tell you about more books I have read with messages for our nation.

    In Eghosa Imasuen’s second novel Fine Boys, boys love blood, love violence and they feel insecure without the badge of confraternity. Confra, as they like to abbreviate their affiliation, is life. These boys remind me of politicians like Colonel Dibarama and Eunice Pam in Richard Ali’s debut novel City of Memories. Eunice and Dibarama have followers who are ready to kill and die for them.

    Our situation reminds me of a conversation in Toni Kan’s Iron Age, one of the short stories in Nights of the Creaking Bed:

    “Motu, you must leave with me. The land is doomed. There is no hope here.”

    “Exile is not an option. I would rather die than flee.”

    “Motu, this is not about exile.”

    “Then what is it about?”

    “It is about safety.”

    My final take: I will not write about tomorrow. However, whatever tomorrow brings, do not waste your life on anybody’s account. Your blood is precious; after all, you are made in God’s image. Go out and vote, but remember that your safety must come first.

  • Tomorrow

    Tomorrow will be an interesting day. It will be better for some people; it will be bad for others. Some people will cry; others will rejoice. Although there are 73 candidates seeking to be president, it is a two-horse race between All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.

    The also-in-the-race are: Moghalu Kingsley (YPP), Ositelu Isaac Babatunde (Accord); Abdulrashid Hassan Baba (Action Alliance);  Omoyele Sowore (AAC); Chike Ukaegbu (AAP); Shipi Moses Godia (ABP); Nwokeafor Ikechukwu Ndubuisi (ACD); Ezekwesili Obiageli Katryn (ACPN); Mailafia Obadiah (ADC); Yabagi Sani Yusuf (ADP); Nwachukwu Chuks Nwabuikwu (AGA); Umenwa Godwin (AGAP); Obaje Yusufu Ameh (ANDP) and Durotoye Adetokunbo Olufela (ANN).

    This list also includes: Shittu Moshood Asiwaju (ANP); Fasua Tope Kolade (ANRP); Ibrahim Aliyu Hassan (APA); President Buhari (APC); Shitu Mohammed Kabir (APDA); Gbor John Wilson Terwase (APGA); Yusuf Mamman Dantalle (APM); Obinna Uchechukwu Ikeagwuonu (APP); Dara John (ASD); Angela Johnson (AUN); David Esosa Ize-Iyamu (BNPP); Ojinika Geff Chizee (C4C); Abah Lewis Elaigwu (CAP); Etim Emmanuel Ishie  (CNP); Ukonga Frank (DA); Awosola Williams Olusola (DPC) and Osakwe Felix Johnson (DPP).

    The presidential ballot will also have: Dr Onwubuya (FJP); Okotie Christopher Oghenebrorie (FRESH); Akhimien Davidson Isibor  (GDPN); Eke Samuel Chukwuma (GPN); Albert Owuru Ambrose (HDP); Madu Nnamdi Edozie (ID); Chukwu-Eguzolugo Sunday Chikendu (JMPP), Fagbenro-Byron Samuel Adesina (KP), Kriz David (LM); Muhammed Usman Zaki (LP); Adesanya-Davies Mercy Olufunmilayo (MAJA) Bashayi Isa Dansarki (MMN); Santuraki Hamisu (MPN); Rabia Yasai Hassan Cengiz (NAC); Ademola Babatunde Abidemi (NCMP); Salisu Yunusa Tanko (NCP); A. Edosomwan Johnson (NDCP); Akpua Robinson (NDLP); Ishaka Paul Ofemile (NEPP); Asukwo Mendie Archibong (NFD); Atuejide Eunice Uche Julian (NIP); Ike Keke (NNPP); Maina Maimuna Kyari (NPC); Ibrahim Usman (NRM); Moses Ayibiowu (NUP); Felix Nicolas (PCP); Abubakar Atiku (PDP) and Ameh Peter Ojonugwa (PPA).

    They include: Victor Okhai (PPC); Major Hamza  Al- Mustapha (PPN); Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (PT); Israel Nonyerem Davidson (RAP); Osuala Chukwudi John Kennedy (RBNP); Nsehe Nseobong (RP); Da-Silva Thomas Ayo (SNC); Ahmed Buhari (SNP); Balogun Isiaka Ishola (UDP); Mark Emmanuel Audu (UP); Inwa Ahmed Sakil (UPN); Nwangwu Uchenna Peter (WTPN); and Ali Soyode M. (YES).

    Although these also-in-the-race candidates will openly claim they are in it for victory, I believe losing will not come as a surprise to them; and they are not expected to cry. After all, what one knows already should not make one open mouth in amazement!

    The cries are expected from supporters of either Buhari or Atiku—depending on where the pendulum swings.

    Cries will also be heard among the 1,904 candidates vying for the 109 seats in the Senate and the 4,680 battling for the 360 seats in the House of Representatives. Figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that 225 women are contesting for senatorial seats. The figure is the highest in the country’s history. Not a few of them will cry tomorrow. The omens are scary.

    Will any of the incumbent governors seeking a space in the Senate have cause to cry? Five APC governors, Ibikunle Amosun, Kazeem Shettima,  Abiola Ajimobi, Rochas Okorocha, and Ibrahim Gaidam, made the list for election into the Senate.

    I have a feeling that at least one of the two oldest candidates, former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu (72) and Tanno Patrick Onobughakpo (71) of Kowa Party, will lose and cry.

    The race will also be interesting in Kogi State. Will Dino Melaye make it back to the Senate and make Smart Adeyemi cry? What fate awaits Godswill Akpabio and Senate President Bukola Saraki? Tomorrow will tell.

    Please in the spirit of tomorrow, let me once again share with you what I expect after tomorrow’s presidential race.

    All I want is change, real change! I also want ethnicity to stop rearing its head; I cry when the issue of who is an indigene insists on taking the front row; and I wonder why I cannot be an indigene of anywhere I choose to live in Nigeria.

    I want a president who will end the migration of Nigerians through the Sahara desert, a development which is akin to walking with eyes open into enslavement. The exodus is to escape the Animal Farm we currently inhabit. Most of the men and women who take this route are educated but hopeless.

    Please I need a President who will fix the health sector. Not a few have died this week all because what we call medical centres are consulting rooms that they have been since the military era. Even the private clinics where we pay through our noses cannot compete with their counterparts overseas.

    I want a President who will ensure we never go back into recession. The fears of relapsing into recession are coming at a time many in their private lives cannot feel the fact that we ever got out of recession. In fact, millions are in depression.

    In the past, our leaders have been callous in the management of our resources. Past error is no excuse for the current government not to change our fortunes like it promised. In Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s award-winning Season of Crimson Blossom, a woman was well over 50 before she experienced what it really means to be a woman! It is not too late for Nigeria. We can experience the much-desired orgasm even at this age!

    The President I want is the one who can right the wrongs of the past. I want a President who will make nepotism a thing of the past. I want a President who will ensure no Nigerian feels left out because of which part of the country he or she comes from.

    This era of epileptic supply of electricity must end, and I certainly want a president who can do just that. It will be good that one day our electricity generating sets will only be useful for picnics at beaches and such places where temporary source of power is required.

    I want a President who will provide enough direction for members of the National Assembly to truly legislate in the interest of the people and not out of any pecuniary interest. I am sick and tired of the current situation where everything but national interest seems to take the first position.

    I also want a President who will give us a Nigeria where our schools can compete with others in the advanced world. I long for a President who will take Nigeria out of the Third World. What is wrong with being a First World?

    I look forward to a President who will deliver a Nigeria where we can reap from medical tourism instead of the current situation where we are the major loser to this trend.

    I look forward to a President who will make our economy so robust that we can hold our head high anywhere in the world and our green passport will command respect and not scorn.

    My final take: I want a President who will give us a Nigeria where oil takes the back seat and agriculture and tourism take the front seat and contribute more to our foreign exchange earnings and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

     

    • Part of this piece appeared on this space last week.

  • Kwara APC NASS, governorship primaries for today, tomorrow

    •Minister hails aspirants’ perseverance

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed the primaries of the party in Kwara State for today and tomorrow.

    The primaries had been shifted severally for what the party described as “logistic reasons”.

    Aspirants jostling for various positions in the state have opted for the direct primary and it was subsequently accepted by the national leadership.

    The Senate and House of Representatives primary will hold today while the governorship and House of Assembly primary will hold tomorrow. Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed hailed the aspirant for persevering. He attributed the delay in the conduct of the primaries to logistics.

    Chairman of the eight-man electoral panel Chief Iyiola Oladokun urged the aspirants to cooperate with the panel.

    Oladokun, who noted that the panel’s assignment was herculean, said: “We crave the cooperation and support of the aspirants and executives. We pray that winners will lead the party to greater success in the 2019.”

  • Tomorrow is World Environmental Health Day

    SIR: The theme of this year’s world environmental health day is ‘Global food safety and sustainability’ which aims to support the provision of more safe food, to make use of precious water and nutrient resources, and for communities to increasingly value sustainable food production.

    In Nigeria, food safety seems to be at the background notwithstanding various organizations that directly or indirectly regulates food. For instance, canned, plastic and package food is the order of the day in major parts of the nation; unfortunately, many producers are not stating the exact ingredients and its concentration on the labelling of their products.Where it is stated, it is either above what is stated or even below, or outright false. Some of our package food do not contain any information beside its name and address [some of which are fake], and yet are getting access to our market for sale.

    Some package food, pure [read poor] water sachet are prepared in the most unhygienic and unfriendly environment; it is common to see particles and other avoidable items in it, in fact, majority of the food handlers are not even certified to handle food medically. Food and water are inseparable, but access to potable water [in quantity and quality] is poor in many parts of the nation, thus, giving rise to many food borne diseases [food borne intoxication and food borne infections], couple with non-availability of reliable data of occurrences of food borne diseases.

    The intensive use of agro chemical in our agricultural activities without proper guidance from agricultural extension workers and others leaves much to be desired as the effect of residual pesticides is gaining ground in our foods; the use of dangerous chemical-calcium carbide in the ripening of oranges, mangoes, banana, etc. is on the increase; the use of tyres and other chemicals in drying of animals skin, which will be cooked for human consumption; and many other activities that requires use of chemicals, most of which are carcinogenic are a source of concern to our food safety.

    Stakeholders in food regulation should join hands with media, do town hall meeting, one-on-one meeting with the general public, to raise awareness on food safety, and make sure our food in whatever form is safe and fit for human consumption, for, recently, our beans were rejected in some countries over safety issue.

    We must control the imports of all food related items to be in tune with our national standard; any food tested and found below standard should not be allowed to be in Nigeria.

     

    • Sani Garba Mohammed,

    Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano.

  • Council election holds tomorrow, says Oyo govt

    •Seven opposition parties join APC

    The Oyo State government has said the local government elections will hold tomorrow.

    It said movements will be restricted between 8 am and 3 pm.

    The Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner Oluseun Abimbola said the suit against conduct of the election was dismissed by a Federal High Court in Ibadan.

    The suit, filed by some persons from Eruwa, said Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) could not conduct elections into new wards.

    Abimbola said Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, of the Federal High Court in Ibadan held that the powers of OYSIEC is being challenged by the plaintiffs and not those of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is joined as a federal agency.

    He said: “She (the judge) agreed with the submissions of …Abimbola that the joinder of a federal agency will not automatically confer jurisdiction on the court if the subject matter contested is outside the jurisdiction of the court.

    “The court then held that the suit was not for the Federal High Court but for the State High Court and accordingly struck out the suit in its entirety along with any previously made orders.”

    He added: “It will be recalled that the court had earlier made an order of injunction restraining defendants from using the new ward delineation for the elections. That order is equally now vacated.

    “With this ruling, the coast is clear for the exercise of democratic rights by residents to elect chairmen and councillors into Local Government Councils, Local Council Development Area (LCDAs) and their constituent wards on tomorrow.”

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said students with proof that they are writing the National Board of Technical Examination (NABTEB) would be allowed to move to their centres.

    He said the election will hold in 33 local government areas and the 35 LCDAs.

    He urged the public to troop out and vote for candidates of their choice.

    Also, seven opposition parties have confirmed their participation.

    The election is coming 11 years after the last one held by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    The parties, participating are: Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Unity Democratic Party (UDP), African Peoples Alliance (APA), People for Democratic Change (PDC), Young Political Party (YPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP).

    They urged security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

    In a statement by Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday, State Publicity Secretary Dr. Smart Afolayan said the opposition urged the electorate to come out and participate in the poll.

    They said they decided to participate after OYSIEC dropped the N150,000 and N100,000 for chairmanship and councillorship nomination forms.

    The statement reads: “As we have no other state we can call our own, we are thus saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and ensuring that the election is peaceful and devoid of rancour and disruption from any quarters.

    “We call on security agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere to facilitate a free and fair local government election devoid of rancour and blood-letting.”

    Court dismisses suit against poll

    Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday dismissed a suit challenging the conduct of the local government election tomorrow.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit was instituted by some aggrieved member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.

    Justice Abdulmaleek held that the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) was duly constituted to conduct the election.

    He said: “The position of the law on jurisdiction on this matter is well settled.

    “This court is mindful of the fact that the law does not give the Federal High Court jurisdiction over local government issues.

    “The act of delineation carried out by OYSIEC, which is the second defendant in this case, is duly backed by law.

    “Therefore, this court has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter and the position of the plaintiffs is hereby struck out.”

    NAN recalls that the plaintiffs challenged the powers of OYSIEC to carry out delineation and create new polling units in the state.

    Commenting after the judgment, Justice Commissioner Seun Abimbola said the ruling was a victory for democracy.

    But lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr Solomo Adeseun, could not be reached for comments.

    NAN reports that others joined in the suit are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyo State governor and commissioner for Justice.

  • A better Lagos today, tomorrow and generations to come

    It is easy to underestimate the challenges of leading a  state like Lagos. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode took  office in May, 2015 on a promise of ‘Continuity’ – an apt message considering that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been the ruling party in Lagos since 1999.

    But it was not just ‘Continuity’ for its own sake, instead, ‘Continuity with Improvement.’ Taking what he inherited and making it progressively better for the good of all. In the governor’s words, “We want to run a government of continuity, but continuity with improvement, to make life easier for the people. In a nutshell, that is what our goal in the next four years will be.”

    This is a governor that is determined to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors, while also making his own unique mark on the city – leaving it better than he met it. And that has guided every vision, action and innovation of his since 2015.

    There has been the occasional baseless accusation that Ambode has been dismantling the legacies he inherited. Wrong. In fact, what he has been doing is acknowledging those legacies, building on them, taking into account the fact that changing times require new and better approaches.

    Ambode’s goal has been to bring fresh thinking and innovative technology to bear on the solid legacies he inherited, to reposition them to meet the evolving needs and demands of Lagos and Lagosians at large.

    Let’s start with security. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has seen significant investments to upgrade and rebrand it, and provide more equipment: power bikes, patrol vans, communication systems and helicopters.

    Connected to security are the emergency services. A state-of-the-art LASEMA Response Unit (LRU) has been launched to deliver speedy response to emergencies and situations requiring evacuation and safety, and there are a growing number of testimonials to the speed and efficiency of this service.

    In transportation, the introduction of lay-bys – the best known being the one at Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge – has eased traffic gridlocks, and resulted in increased productivity for those who work in the city. In the Lekki area, the removal of roundabouts from the Lekki-Epe Expressway has proved to be an inspired decision, smoothening the flow of traffic and making commuting times more predicable for residents and visitors.

    Lagos is showing Nigeria and the world that, sometimes, the seemingly minor decisions – a layby here and a traffic light in place of a roundabout there — are as important as bigger stuffs. Little tweaks like these are helping to maximize the potential of the legacies Ambode inherited, and Lagosians are benefiting.

    And in the ‘bigger’, grander stuff as well, the government has been just as prolific. New flyovers in the Abule Egba and Ajah have transformed the cityscape and its traffic situation. Pen Cinema, Agege, will sometime this year be the latest beneficiary of an overhead bridge.

    One of the most pressing problems that Lagos has had to deal with, on account of its population, is waste management. On the surface, it has felt like the existing system had been working. But in reality, it was grossly inadequate; a system that had never quite found answers to the question: what happens to the mountains of waste after they are collected from homes, offices and industries?

    Until recently, much of Lagos’ waste ended up in unregulated dumpsites like Olusosun, posing a health and environmental hazards to the city’s dwellers. Today, we can see the results of that approach: the raging fire that has in recent weeks poisoned the city.

    Ambode has been very clear about what needs to be done. Olusosun will be decommissioned and redeveloped into parks and gardens for the benefit of the people of Lagos, while the designated landfill sites at Owu Elepe in Ikorodu and in Epe will be fully operationalised.

     

    • Continued online www.staging.thenationonlineng.net

  • Lagos declares tomorrow work-free day for Buhari’s visit

    The Lagos State Government yesterday declared Thursday as work free day in the state.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said it will enable Lagosians come out en masse to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a two-day visit.

    The statement urged residents to adhere to the security guidance earlier announced to make the visit as peaceful and orderly.

    Announcing traffic diversions and alternative routes ahead of the visit, Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal, at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, said adequate preparations have been made to mitigate the impact of the road diversions on residents, while access would be given to any emergency situation.

    Edgal, who addressed the briefing alongside heads of security and emergency agencies in the state, said while in Lagos, the President would commission the new Ikeja Bus Terminal, attend a colloquium in honour of national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and as well as embark on tour of the Eko Atlantic City, among others.

    He said: “To ensure smooth, security-free visit of the President, we would need to do some diversions. Some certain roads will be closed at certain times; some diversions will be made but I want to use this opportunity to appeal for the support and understanding of Lagosians that this temporary road closures and diversions might cause a little inconvenience.”

    He listed the areas to be affected to include Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Agege Motor Road, a section of Eko Hotel Road in Victoria Island and Old Marina in Ikoyi axis.

    Buhari will inaugurate the world-class Ikeja Bus Terminal built by the Lagos State Government.

    The terminal, which is behind the Ikeja rail line and about 1km from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, will connect 22 routes and transport a projected 70,000 commuters daily.

    It is one of the 13 terminals being constructed across the state in the first phase of the project.

    The one in Alapere was inaugurated yesterday.

    The one at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has also been completed.

    Buses to service the Ikeja terminal will come from the over 5,000  acquired by the  government, which have started arriving in the country.

  • Four-hour power cut at Itire, Ilasamaja, others tomorrow

    THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)  yesterday said there would be a four-hour power outage at the Itire 132KV Transmission Sub-Station in  tomorrow because of ‘’routine maintenance’’ of its equipment.

    Its General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs Ndidi Mbah,  said, in a statement that the maintenance was necessary for the sub-station to maintain effective supply of electricity to the affected areas.

    It explained that the  maintenance would disrupt 34 megawatts of electricity supply to customers around Ago, Okota, Ilasamaja, Ijesha, Itire and environs.

    Mrs Mbah said: “The planned outage will enable TCN engineers from the Akangba sub-regional office in Surulere to carry out routine maintenance work on all the equipment at its Itire Transmission Sub-Station.

    “The maintenance will also cover a 132KV insulated indoor switchyard for improved electricity supply to customers in the above-mentioned areas.

    “TCN, therefore, appeals to customers that take supply from distribution load centres covering the areas mentioned above, to bear with it for four hours on Tuesday, March 27.

    “The management of TCN apologises for the inconveniences that may result from the temporary disruption of supply to customers within the affected areas.

    “TCN promises to continue upgrading and maintaining its equipment to serve Nigerians better, in line with the Federal Government’s strategy on incremental power supply to the people.’’

  • By this time tomorrow!

    Following the besiegement of Samaria and the concomitant effect on the economy of Israel, things were so bad as price increases were out of control and the concept of inflation became meaningless.  Things were economically so bad that an ass’ head was sold for 80 shekels of silver which would be $52 and a quarter of a cab of dove’s dung was sold for 5 shekels of silver which would be about $ 1. Cannibalism became a feeding option and the King of Israel was not only helpless but was hopeless concerning the future of Israel.

    Suddenly, God, who dictated what happened yesterday, who is in charge of happenings today and will determine what He wants to happen tomorrow (Heb. 13:8), intervened and sent Elisha to go and inform the King of Israel that, against every economic indices, tomorrow shall be the beginning of things that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and things that are yet to come to human imagination (1Corinthians 2:9). He said that tomorrow, the land’s economy shall be taken away from man and the economic portfolio of the land taken over by God, and that within 24 hours, scarcity shall disappear for advent of prosperity, sicknesses shall be a thing of the past as divine health shall step in, roads that had hitherto been closed shall open of their own accord, help from above shall be available where support from abroad had been abated, sadness shall surrender to joy, the unmarried shall heave a sigh of relief for they shall locate the bone of their bones, marital problems shall die and barrenness of whatever sort shall give way to fruitfulness etc.

    This new beginning promised by God in Isaiah 43:18-19 that “I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” led into a debate between the King of Israel’s Personal Adviser, maybe a Prime Minister or his Minister of Finance and the servant of the King of Kings on what bordered on economic principles and what the One who directs life economies without a recourse to economic principles can do within 24hours. The learned man, who was adept in the things of the world carried out an empirical analysis of the political, social cum economic situation of the country, viewed and reviewed the prevailing indices juxtaposed them with global best practices and declared that it was an impossible stunt. He concluded sarcastically that such a feat was even beyond the capacity of the Unlimited God to perform. For doubting what God can do, the man of God replied him thus;  “….thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof” (2 Kings 7:2 cf 1 Corinthians 1:20)

    The Almighty God, the God who has all powers, went into action, turned the unimpressionable ambulation of four lepers into deafening noises of chariots, horses and a great host in the hearings of the Syrian army. They consequently ran for their lives leaving behind food, clothing and other utilities thinking that the king of Israel had hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to fight against the Syrian army.  By the time the lepers got to where the soldiers were, they didn’t meet anyone but food. On God’s promised morrow, all He said through His servant that ” two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria” came to pass. Besides that, the man who countered God’s word was trodden upon in the gate and he died.

    Doubting God’s supremacy over human knowledge and political permutations has been from time immemorial. When Paul alongside other prisoners were being taken in a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy, using spiritual binoculars he said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives” but hence this was contrary to the postulations of the professionals, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by Paul. At last, the words spoken by Paul, through leading of the Holy Spirit prevailed over the professional counsel and they had no option but to surrender to the leadership and direction of Paul the Apostle after they had suffered unimaginable losses (Acts 27:1-36).

    The Unlimited God has ability to turn the challenges of today to  a glorious tomorrow. With Him, a cock that isn’t clinically dead still has hope to eat corn tomorrow. In fact, even a dead cock can be brought to life by the Resurrection and the life who raised the dead Lazarus back to life (John 11:25-44; Job 14:7-9). God can make a nobody of today into somebody for tomorrow. It is possible in Him to sleep as a miserable person and wake up the following morning with a change of story. As He lives, this shall be your testimony during this lenten season. All that you have hope of ever acquiring shall locate you in the name of Jesus.

    Are you experiencing storms in your home, family, finances or health today, it is not over as in Christ, there is a better tomorrow. Don’t lose hope concerning the things you are seeing and experiencing today because “weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Tomorrow is coming and it shall be the dawn of a new beginning – a beginning of peace, an advent of pervasive security, the baseline of economic revival, the kickoff of celebrations unlimited and the morning of unity of purpose, peace, joy and tranquility in the name of Jesus.

    To experience this power of a new tomorrow in your life, family and work, you need to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the power of God and the author of creation, like Apostle Paul. You must be dead to yourself and be ready to say that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 cf 1 Corinthians 1:24; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:3). Secondly, you must allow the Holy Spirit take over the leadership of your life, ask Him to lead you and you follow His directives (Ephesians 1:19-22). You must also have faith in Him and His ability to do all things  (Hebrews11:6; Philippians 4:13) and lastly, you must be ready to stand by His word, which is the truth (Hebrews 4:12), you must hold on to His promises no matter what (John 2:5) and confess what is written as against what you are seeing today for a glorious tomorrow, which is going to be the beginning of new things.

     

    Prayer: Oh Lord, use what make you the Almighty to give me a better tomorrow in the name of Jesus.