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Opinion: It’s Not Uhuru Yet in Nigeria

Published

8 years ago

April 12, 2018

Eric

By Wale Adedayo

There is something wrong, and very wrong too, with strategists of the ruling All Progressives (APC) at the very top. Not all critics of President Muhammad Buhari are looters or friends of looters, contrary to their assertions. And I have a very strong feeling they know this too. It appears the strategy of Team Buhari is to keep the heat of name-calling on the opposition in order to starve off criticisms of their principal.

To me, those opposed to Buhari because their friends or political associates have been implicated in corruption cases are less than 10% of those currently involved in campaigns to vote him out. Majority of those in the current unorganized anti-Buhari campaign were deeply involved in bringing the president to office. And they have genuine reasons for going against him despite working for his success at the polls in 2015.

Quality strategists would have paused to ask questions. Buhari became president on the crest of a hope by many that things would change. Yes, former President Goodluck Jonathan looted the treasury silly. But the lootings by Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Sanni Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar were of Guinness Book of World Records proportions when compared with Jonathan’s.

Buhari and his associates have not mentioned these lootings once, despite the fact that Abacha’s loots are still being recovered several years after his death. If it is not abuses galore against the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, it is Jonathan and his wife, Patience, being taken to the cleaners. To Buhari’s handlers, the false narrative that corruption started and ended with either PDP or Jonathan remains the major item.

Yet, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who got into office shortly after the lootings by IBB, Abacha and Abdulsalami initiated policies that are still being followed by successive presidents till date.

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme was initiated by Obasanjo barely six months of becoming president. It made education free and compulsory for Nigerian pupils up to JSS3. Obasanjo built Primary Health Care Centres in Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments with generating sets, well-equipped laboratories, boreholes and secured each building with a fence.

It was Obasanjo that brought EFCC and ICPC. He freed the Telecoms sector from Government monopoly thus allowing MTN and the rest into our world instead of the old NITEL. He made Nigeria proud on the international scene, where he also worked to secure our economy through debt forgiveness among others. He appeared well-prepared for his job, despite having just left prison.

APC strategists at the very top should know that unlike Obasanjo, our current President DID NOT improve himself or expose himself to modern ways of doing things after leaving office as military Head of State. Until he began seeking to occupy Ask Rock as a born again democrat, Buhari did not mix with others at either local or international conferences and seminars to exchange ideas or learn new ones.

Nigeria is not getting better. Majority of those feeling it are the lowest of the low, who by reason of the propaganda deployed during his campaign in 2015 should be his natural constituency. At the international level, we are becoming the butt of jokes, again. Nigerians being sold as slaves in Libya, may not have started under his watch. But it got worse under Buhari. Many have died in the waters of the Mediterranean while trying to become economic refugees in Europe.

Of course, our internal security situation has worsened under Buhari’s watch. It got closer home recently with the killings in Offa, Kwara State, where armed robbers killed many. A number of Buhari’s supporters hardly see humans among the Shiites killed in Zaria, the villagers of Zamfara or those killed on a regular basis in Benue State. They are just statistics to such Buharists. To make the security matter worse, Mr. President claimed in London that the killer herdsmen were trained by Libya. How inconsiderate by someone who should have been a credible C-IN-C?

Change, in a Third World country like ours, comes when key political actors suspend individual ambitions to rally round a figure, who on the AVERAGE has the ability to lift the polity away from the precipice. The figure so supported cannot be a saint, no doubt. To me, all saints are in heaven. Son of man has his many shortcomings too. So, one is not a saint.

In more ways than one, it was a similar process that brought Buhari to office. He had, and still has his shortcomings. But individual ambitions were shelved by others, who remained within the major opposition party to ensure that divided votes did not allow Jonathan to be returned to office.

Today, the situation is different. Both the serious and jesters are seeking the office of president. They are more than those who showed serious interest in the same office towards the 2015 presidential election. The sad aspect is that they are scattered across the space, with majority of them not even seriously identifying with a political party less than one year to another election.

Yet, the 1999 constitution expressly stated that you cannot seek elective office in Nigeria without belonging to a political party. Yes, some have joined some new political parties. It is very doubtful they can win a Councillorship seat, no matter the grandiose promises being made about the change they are talking about. They simply lack the structure to make an effective presence in just one state, not to talk about across Nigeria.

Beyond that, do they even understand that Nigeria remains divided, and because of that there is need for multiple approaches in carrying voters along towards 2019? The equity-seeing Ogoni people of Rivers State hardly participated in the 1993 presidential elections. They wanted an immediate need – equity in the abnormal exploitation of their natural resource.

Obasanjo apparently wanted a Niger Delta indigene to become Nigeria’s president one day so that the individual thus ‘arranged’ could work towards bringing about the needed structural change in the polity to assist his people. It did not happen. Instead of a focus on communal interest, it was private interest Jonathan went for, looting Nigeria silly along with his associates in the process.

The president that’ll change Nigeria cannot serve for two terms, due to obvious reasons. He has to step on toes including those of those who brought him to office. We are in a democracy. Such a person might want to return to office for a second term once the bug of office bites him. Of course, he will need the good, the bad and ugly in the polity to return to office. That will naturally dictate a selective process of change, which would have been no change at all as we are witnessing today.

A change agent in charge of Nigeria would have come prepared. The president MUST be involved in the selection of the National Assembly leadership. He must have a firm control of the legislature at the national level, not just the security agencies. A purge of the Judiciary must begin within his first six months in office. Some Judges must be sent to prison, while others continue to watch their BPs, afraid they might be next on the list of those to go.

Obasanjo made a half-hearted attempt in his first term. His anti-corruption efforts, which became a tool to silence others for political reasons instead of a positive change in the polity remains the best in the history of Nigeria since independence. Obasanjo quietly instituted a probe into ALL Federal Government contracts since 1976 through 1999.

The report was audacious in painstaking work. If the old man had implemented 50% of the recommendations in the two-volume report, Nigeria should have been on its way to sanity by now. But the Ota Chicken farmer chickened out. He left the report to rot till he left office. And from all indications today, Buhari too is not interested in it beyond the propaganda about anti—corruption, which is mainly directed at the opposition.

To the young men and women making all efforts to outdo one another on the social media about the need for change in Nigeria, it goes beyond PVCs. Get involved with a major political party. Today in Nigeria, there are just two – APC and PDP. The others could win Governorship or State/National Assembly elections, but CERTAINLY not The Presidency.

Those genuinely concerned about the need for a change in Aso Rock should join hands with others to do what was done with the formation of APC towards the 2015 general elections. A coalition, transforming into a political party, can do it. But it is almost too late for that now, thus the counsel to move into one of the major political parties to support an AVERAGE individual.

The last item, for me, is the need to move into the National and State assemblies. Some of those currently campaigning for president will make good legislators. Go back home with your less than enough resources to mobilise. A Fela Durotoye, Omoyele Sowore or Alistair Soyode will be quality additions to the Nigerian Senate. It is the same advice from here to the others.

It is not Uhuru yet in Nigeria. Our Messiah is yet to be conceived!

Featured

Expert Tasks Youths on Education, Skills Acquisition

Published

9 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Eric

‎The Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Entrepreneurship Development, Donald Peterson has tasked youths to be prepared for their future and acquire skills relevant to the demand of today’s market.
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‎He spoke at Youth Empowerment forum in Asaba via his non governmental organization outfit, D-Peterson Foundation.
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‎Donald Peterson who has built a reputation within Nigeria’s development and public policy space, stated that Nigerian youths should dig deep within and arm themselves with the required discipline and skills acquisition to become a better version of themselves.

“The future awaits only those that prepare themselves and you need to do prepare yourself with the right skills to forge out a career and not give excuses why you cannot attain at your dreams,” says Peterson.
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‎The professional with a background spanning academia, governance and nonprofit leadership, operates at the intersection of policy formulation and grassroots implementation working closely with state institutions and local communities to translate entrepreneurship policies into practical programmes aimed at job creation, small business development and inclusive economic participation across Delta State.
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‎Peterson who is the President and Founder of the NGO, D-Peterson Foundation, dedicated to education, youth development and community empowerment, has implemented structured interventions supporting access to higher education, vocational and digital skills training, as well as small business grants—particularly targeting women and young people. Its impact has grown steadily, attracting attention as Nigeria continues to confront challenges related to youth unemployment, educational gaps and economic inclusion.
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‎Speaking during the foundation’s 2025 Yuletide outreach programme, Peterson says, “The organisation was established in response to an urgent need for practical, community-based solutions. He noted that the foundation prioritises long-term impact over short-term relief, with a deliberate focus on equipping beneficiaries with skills and resources that promote self-reliance and sustainability.”
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‎Peterson has also been vocal about the role of nonprofit organisations in national development. He argues that Nigeria’s social and economic challenges are too complex for a single approach, stressing that complementary initiatives can help reach underserved communities while fostering collaboration rather than competition within the development sector.
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‎An academic by training, Peterson holds degrees in economics, business administration and finance from institutions in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Featured

Legendary Gospel Singer, Ron Kenoly, is Dead

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Eric

Legendary gospel singer, Ron Kenoly, has passed away.

Kenoly’s death has been confirmed by several artistes via their social media pages.

He was 81.

Top Nigerian minister, Nathaniel Bassey, wrote on Instagram: “Dr Ron Kenoly crosses to yonder side.

“Thank you for inspiring generations of psalmists like me.

“I grew up on these songs. And today, others are growing up on ours.

“Thank you sir.”

Kenoly was behind hit songs like Majesty, righteousnes, peace & joy, Anointing, All honour, Sing out, among others.

Featured

Memoir: My Incredible 10 Years Sojourn at Ovation by Eric Elezuo

Published

3 days ago

February 1, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It seems like yesterday, but like a joke well cracked, a whole 10 years have come and gone since I ventured into the new lease of life called Ovation Media Group. The experience has been a pot pourri of incredibilty, sensation, hits, near hits and a mixed fortune of the good, bad and ugly. Of course, what does one expect?

The Ovation brand has been not only big, but larger than life. To us out there savoring their sensational releases in terms of publications, it was much more than a media organisation, but something in the neighborhood of myth tingled with legendary. In my little circle, people talked about Ovation Magazine as a garden of Eden that can only be imagined with utmost reverence, but can never be reached or accessed.

Sometimes, you hear people talk about an event, and the next thing you hear is ‘even Ovation covered it’. That alone is a proof that there was nothing ordinary about the occasion. It was only meant for ‘gods’ in human form; the be all and end alls of world politics, entertainment and enterprise. Ovation was just big, so big among Africans that describing it will completely leave one gaping and lost for words.

If the brand was this huge, you can imagine what the mention of the brain behind it, Dele Momodu, conjure to the mind, of both the speaker and the listener. He was the big masquerade that can only be felt, heard and never seen except for the members of the inner caucus. At a stage, I vowed to be a member of this inner caucus. I didn’t know how it would happen, but I decided something; that when I would get married, Ovation would be there to cover it, the cost notwithstanding. I knew I would’ve been rich enough to afford their services, and so come face to face with the big masquerade, Dele Momodu himself. Well, I’m still not ‘rich enough’, but I have not only come face to face with the big masquerade, but has risen to become the Editor of the most sought-after celebrity journal in Africa, and all its appendages or titles including The Boss Newspaper and Ovation Television.

The day was Wednesday, January 20, 2016, when I first sat face to face with Chief Momodu, who over the years has steadily and graciously transformed into Aare, Dr among many impressive titles, in the company’s then new office at Opebi, Ikeja. It was my interview to be absorbed as a Correspondent into the organisation. The opportunity dropped on my lap, made possible by my good friend and ex-classmate at the University of Lagos, Mr. Mike Effiong, who was the substantive and hardworking editor then.

My desire to work with Ovation transformed into hunger when I discovered that Mike, as I use to call him at UNILAG, or Editor, as I called him when with I joined the organisation, was the second-in-command. I told myself, and to wife that if only I could reach out to Mike, it would be easy to know availability in the organisation. We were very close at close though he was already very career minded then, supping and dining with those that matter in the industry at that level. The last I saw him before his Ovation rise was when he was at Encomium Magazine. We lost contact afterwards. It was the days of no GSM. They were moving with pagers. I had no such privilege. I can’t remember exactly how his number dropped on my lap one day many years after. I called and got to him. We reconnected, and reminisced. I was a school teacher then. I seized the opportunity to explain that I still wished to practice journalism. We have had the discussion earlier shortly after graduation. He invited me to his office – then at Excellence Hotel, Ogba. We met in the ‘luxurious’ lobby of the hotel the day I came. There was no place for me then as he told me. Though I was disappointed, I doubted if I was ready for the kind of job description I noticed that day. Mike seasoned my coming by patronizing my book. Yes, I was marketing my first book then, ‘The Dedication Tragedy’, and was fresh from Master’s degree class after getting my Masters in International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) from the University of Lagos.

We lost contact again. It was not until 2015 he returned my call, after several calls, and talked about a certain ‘The Boss’, which is the newest brainchild of the organisation. I was ready to move to anything, that can help me offset my highly accumulating bills. I was working with National Mirror, where I was owed months of salary. The funniest part was that I moved from Newswatch, where I was owed years of salary to National Mirror. Incidentally, both organizations were owned by one person. That’s a story for another day.

So on that fateful January 20th of 2016 after several failed appointments owing to Chief Momodu being out of the country, we finally met. The interview was sharp but detailed. It was beyond paper qualifications though I was armed with requisite qualifications. It was a case of wits, reposition of knowledge and ability to navigate through the world of news gathering and dissemination, and not forgetting ability to withstand pressure and travel at short notice. I did not only nod in the affirmative to all, but proved my hunger in words and action to take up the challenge. I was found worthy, and asked to assume duties. I requested for the rest of the month to sort myself out. There was nothing to sort out. I just needed time to calm my head, and douse the euphoria so as not to make a mistake on the first day.

So on Monday, February 1, 2016, I appeared completely suited with tie to begin a new trend in professionalism. The suit was just appropriate for a worker, who has not been paid for ages, if you get what I mean. I was slammed with the title of Correspondent, but given a job description that equalled editor, reporter and supervisor combined. I wrote, edited, proofread, set page, go on field assignment, publish and share. It was a handful, but I was happy to have a job, and the job I wanted. So I adapted with equanimity. In fact, my publisher was a no-nonsence person. Mistakes were not permitted. Missing deadlines were taboos. Tough as it was, it toughened me. Today, I’ve graduated from being a better journalist to whatever you can think of.

Shortly after assuming office, I got the privilege to interview and engage staff, mostly interns to work directly under me. My first staff was Temitope Ogunleye, a young corper from Kogi State University. She is still with me today, having grown in leaps and bounds. Others followed including Morakinyo Ajibade from Nigerian Institute of Journalism, David Adeyemi, Isaac and Annabelle from Babcock University and Mariam. Ajibade is also still with me today. His level of growth is tremendous. There were many others, and they are all helpful to my career success. There was also Joguomi, Victoria, Christiana and many others. I did my best to support their mentoring, and they are performing brilliantly in their various worlds.

This is not forgetting the men with the camera I met on ground and those that joined afterwards; Koya, Ken, Iroko, Funmi, Solomon, Abraham, Femi, Ben, Tunde, Daala Taiwo, Abbey and a host of others. We did many things together including our botched Christmas party. That happens to be the biggest blow any staff has suffered. Today, it’s worth looking back at, and laughing loudly at.

It has not all been rosy though; twice I have been sacked for operational deficiency (not incompetence), and twice I have been restored for obvious reasons. And today, God is still helping us.

In 2020, I was upgraded to the post of Assistant Editor of The Boss Newspaper, and in late 2021, I was elevated to the position of Editor, The Boss Newspaper.

In November 2023, precisely on the sixth, I was privileged to be considered and appointed as the Editor of the Ovation brands or Ovation Media Group. The editor of Ovation is a title for the General Administrative and Editorial Head of the Group, answerable to only the Publisher and Board of Directors.

My appointment was sequel to the elevation in politics of my immediate boss, Mike Effiong, who was appointed as Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

It’s not yet uhuru though. I’m still learning and taking instructions from superiors in the industry and elsewhere. I must add that humility and acceptance of everyone I’ve met in the line of duty, has helped in no small measure to fasttrack my growth. Yes, I can beat my chest and say that I have delivered, and still delivering.

Yes again, I’ve not been able to traverse the globe as regards traveling or amass wealth, but my experience can dictate for any world leader. It is worth noting that waking up to work for Ovation every day (morning, afternoon, evening, night and midnight including wee hours), and this is not an exaggeration, but bare facts, has taught me life, in both the hard and acceptable ways.

To my boss of inestimable value, Chief Dele Momodu, my appreciation is limitless; my friend of many years, Mike Effiong and past and present staff of the brand, thank you for the opportunity. I don’t know where the next 10 years will meet us, but I know for sure it would be in a good place, and much bigger than we are today.

Cheers to February One!

Eric Elezuo is the editor, Ovation Media Group, and writes from Lagos