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Opinion: Nigerians and the Art of Asking for the Wrong Things

Published

7 years ago

December 5, 2018

Eric

By Abimbola Lagunju

We have all come to accept that Nigerians are as divided as we number on any issue. Not even poverty can unite the poor in this country. All debates on any issue, including pervasive national poverty in Nigeria are spiced with ethnic, political, religious, clannish, family affiliation flavours. In the end, the people remain as divided as they were at the beginning of the debate. Consensus does not exist in our national dialogue – people are rigid and unbending in their opinions even when these opinions are explicitly illogical and even to their detriment.

But in the midst of this national discordance, there appears to be something that Nigerians share across board irrespective of their socio-political leanings. Nigerians have this uncanny propensity to ask for the wrong things either as individuals or as groups. They ask for the wrong things from God. They ask for the wrong things from their government, institutions and fellow human beings. These bizarre demands symptomize either a mass confusion or lack of depth of thought process or an outright national psychosis.

When you listen closely to some prayers said over huge loudspeakers by Muslims or Christians to which adherents deliriously shout their “amen”, you will know that Nigerians put God to test more than any other nation or a religious group. They do not pause to listen to the wrong demands being put to God on their behalf by their frenzied leaders. The demands are frivolous and devoid of any logic vis a vis the condition and the reality of the petitioner. They are based on sheer fantasy fanned by collective delirium. “You will get that mansion!” Amen! “That limousine is yours!” Amen! “You will get millions this week!” Amen. “All your enemies shall die!” Amen! God must be wondering what the problem is with the mind of a Nigerian.

At the temporal level, organized pressure groups in Nigeria are not different. Recently, there was a crisis in the International School in Ibadan on the wearing or not of hijabs by female Muslim students. Of all the economic, infrastructural and security problems facing individuals in this country, the parents of these students felt that hijab-wearing was the most pressing for them. Over all the rights of Nigerians enshrined in the constitution that are being neglected, trampled and disregarded by the authorities, the most important part of the constitution for this group is the right to religious freedom as expressed by outward appearance. They are not bothered about the quality of education given to their wards nor concerned for future university admission of these children nor worried about availability and accessibility of good health services when these children will become mothers nor are they apprehensive about their ability to continue to be able to pay the school fees in this period of economic downturn. It is hijab the parents have organized themselves to ask for and for which they have gone to court. “Give us Hijab!” was their battle cry at the gates of International School Ibadan.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress have recently been threatening to call their members to embark on a national strike for a wage increase. They want a minimum wage of thirty thousand Naira or more. They want more Naira notes for their workers. The leaders of these unions have always asked for the wrong thing from the government. They prefer to cure malaria with paracetamol. They choose the frivolous over the fundamentals. They are not bothered about the state of the economy of which the most important that affects the quality of life and the purchasing power of Nigerians is the exchange rate. These leaders choose not to understand that the solution to purchasing power for their workers, and indeed all Nigerians is not in the thirty thousand or a hundred thousand as was carelessly promised by a presidential candidate but in the exchange rate. Just a few years ago, 100 Naira was being exchanged for one US dollar. Now, it is being exchanged in excess of 300 Naira to the dollar. And they are not asking questions. They have never threatened to go on strike for this anomaly. A weak currency is justified when a nation produces and desires for its products to be cheap in the world market. What does labour produce for export?

Being the largest organized pressure groups in the country, one expects these unions to go beyond shallow demands of wage increase and put pressure on the government to put a lid on the exchange rate. Of what use will the wage increase to thirty thousand Naira be if the government deliberately or inadvertently permits the exchange rate to fall to about 500 Naira to the dollar next year? I suppose the organized labour will again want to organize another strike. Whatever purchasing power the wage increase they are fighting for now will be undone by unfettered weakening of the Naira. The challenge before the unions is not the wage but the erosion of the purchasing power of the Nigerian which is tied to the exchange rate. The weakness of our currency is the root cause of our poverty.

Our lives will only be better when we start to think beyond the obvious and the frivolous and we collectively address the root causes of our predicament. In other words, we can only make progress when we deliberately learn to ask for the right things from our government and ourselves. Let the labour unions pressure the government to bring down the exchange rate to about 200 Naira to the dollar. This is worth going on strike for. And the lives of workers even at the present minimum wage will dramatically improve.

As we have learnt to say when reason and logic have taken leave of our numerous debates, “It is well!”

Abimbola Lagunju is a writer and author of several books.
abimbola.lagunju@gmail.com
http://afropointofview.blogspot.com/

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Tinubu’s ‘Boy-Boy’ Politicians

Published

4 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

Eric

By Emeka Obasi

There is a thin line between Stomach Infrastructure and Treachery. President Bola Tinubu will be in tears following the looming defections from other parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His question should sound like – where are the men?

Those who think the new normal is to fraternise with Aso Villa as turncoats probably do not know Tinubu well enough. He is one of the few Fourth Republic politicians that refused to run away from responsibility and challenge.

Did we ever hear that President Shehu Shagari bought over Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe or Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic? One prominent politician said Shagari held Zik in awe. And the last of Nigeria’s Governors – General and first President of independent Nigeria, retained his honour.

In the Second Republic, there were many credible governors. Dee Sam Mbakwe would not be trampled upon by Shagari. No, not a man who took up the Abandoned Property fight on behalf of the Igbo. That was why the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) could not snatch Imo State and run away like they did with Anambra and Oyo States.

In Gongola State, Abubakar Barde had the honour to resign, just like Abubakar Rimi did in Kano. They stepped aside so that deputy governors Wilberforce Juta and Dawakin Tofa could continue with the struggle to keep integrity intact.

The country’s first political party, the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) formed in 1922, had men of honour. Herbert Macaulay, Adeniyi Jones, Karimu Kotun, Egerton Shyngle and Thomas Horatio Johnson were not so cheap to be bought by colonial pounds and shillings.

When the the National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) was formed on August 26, 1944, the names behind it held their heads high. Macaulay as President, Zik , Secretary General, Adelakun Howells, Financial Secretary and Luis Ojukwu, Treasurer, the Imperialists could not divide them with cash.

The Fourth Republic has given Nigerian some of the worst politicians in History. Bandits, Armed Robbers, Terrorists and Cultists swagger like kings around us. Many of them walked into power from the motor parks and have continued to act like touts and street urchins.

Those who think that Tinubu is the beginning and end of politics, should go home, sit back and think well. As governor of Lagos State, the president, Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, was a retired Army Four – Star general. Lagos was starved of funds because the governor created new Local Government Areas.

Tinubu did not panic. He confronted Obasanjo and when all other Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors were swept away by Operation OBJ, Tinubu stood like a lone iroko tree, firm and unmovable. His colleagues, Segun Osoba, Lam Adesina, Bisi Akande, Niyi Adebayo and Adebayo Adefarati lost out.

That Tinubu is still standing today is because he never ran away from crisis. He fought back. And has remained committed to the same ideal. While some governors continue to run from pillar to post, Tinubu is the pillar. From AD he created Action Congress (AC), changed it to Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) before floating the mega coalition, All Progressives Congress (APC).

I call him the Governor – General of Nigerian politics even if I detest the earthquake that welcomed his presidency and the hunger and poverty that keep us below acceptable standards.

Tinubu was neither President nor Vice President but under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, he was known as Leader. Who will dare that today? Not even his predecessor who has quietly retired to Daura and Kaduna, to lead from nowhere.

Tinubu made Buhari. As APC leader, his men were in power and got juicy positions. However, after eight years, Buhari was bent on keeping power in the North. Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, was anointed to take over. The Central Bank passed death sentence on Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.

How Buhari, the general who promised to defeat Boko Haram, failed to realise that Tinubu was a political Field Marshal is something Strategists are still battling to unravel. The man who ran the Central Bank is still suffering the sins imposed on him by a Two – Star general.

This is where Nyesom Wike comes in. He may be painted darker than Lucifer. Give it to the FCT minister, he has remained in one party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for 27 years. I think he is more intelligent than some PDP governors. While brandishing the umbrella, he is also sweeping with the broom.

Tinubu did it with Jonathan in 2011. He worked with the Zoologist. Luck smiled on Goodluck in all but one of Tinubu’s South – West States. Buhari cried, retired from politics and went back to Daura. The same man who helped make the general cry, fished him out in 2015, wiped his tears and made Buhari president.

There are no such treasurers in the Fourth Republic. And Tinubu knows the truth. The same politicians who are running away from their parties now, like Allen Avenue Roundabout whores, will also party with Tinubu’s enemies tomorrow. I love the fact that Tinubu has employed them as House Boys (Boy – Boy).

@Saturday Vanguard.

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65 Gun Salute to Dele Momodu, A Pen General, Mentor and Reservoir of Knowledge

Published

1 month ago

May 16, 2025

Eric

By Sunny Irakpo

“A child that washes his hands clean dine with the elders” (Isoko Proverb) .

Bob Dee as we fondly call you sir, You keep dinning with the elders till today because you have washed your hands clean.

You are very Proverbial, so I have come to pay my homage thus, knowing that what we eat surely tells on us.

My path crossed with you 3rd of May, 2010 at the University of Lagos, where a programme was organised by a fellow corper during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days.

As a personality whom I admire so much on National television and long to see, on that fateful day, my joy was endless to see you walked in and after the event boldly walked-up to you to introduced myself and as a sharp Delta boy briefly share my vision to campaign against drug abuse in Nigeria, used a stone to kill two birds by extending an invitation as Guest Speaker for my progam that took place on the 21st May, 2010 at Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, Nigeria.

You replied me immediately, I love your Vision and I will be there.

I kept following up with prayerful text messages though without reply from you, my feeling was in doubt and slimmer resulted me to concluded that this, na one of these Nigerian elites characterized with promise and fail.

To my greatest surprise, 30mintes to my event, Bob Dee gave me a call and said I am close to your event Oga.

He likes to call everyone Oga. A sense of bosslessness to make everyone feel adequate around him.

My heart was merried and excited that a high profile Nigerian like him graced my occassion.

So Dele Momodu landed at the venue with shout of joy from corpers who filled the hall to the brim to welcome him with me. His reply to me after he saw the crowd was “Sunny you are a great man”. I smiled and said Thank you sir. I will support this Nation building cause with the little I have, and through the Ovation media group , I have enjoyed his support, giving media mileage to the SILEC Initiatives that have move from local to become a global brand to the glory of God and benefit to humanity.

You have given me your shoulder to stand to see further in life. Many have that same shoulder but they refused to allow such standing.

From entertainers you have helped in the entertainment industry to the common Nigerians whom you have touched their lives in one way or the other can also testify of your benevolence.

We have not started not to talk of getting there because the journey of success is a long one. For all that you have done to support me and vision, once again I use this opportunity to say thank you in a million times sir. Your birthday is so special because its reminds me of my struggle for the good Nigeria, and coincide with SILEC Initiatives anniversary of 15years campaign against drugs and substance abuse to rescue the Nigerian youth from drug addiction.

As you officially attain the status of an Elder Statesman today being 16th May, 2025, On behalf of my family, friends,partners, the Board of Trustees and Members of SILEC Initiatives, I join men and women of goodwill to celebrate a distinguished Nigerian of International repute, a Pan Africanist, Pen-Tyson, Political J.J, Philantropist, Media Guru, Patriot, Socialite, Nation Builder, Role Model and a Voice to the Voiceless in our society.

On this joyous occassion where we shall be receiving former Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and His Excellency Olusegun Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (GCFR) respectively to the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture tagged: How to End Hunger & Poverty in Africa ,is a true testament of my earlier proverbial statement as a child who have washed his hands clean, to pull these Heads of State with good State of Heads, we are thus inspired and motivated, as we learn the more from the political fathers of our time at this critical moment of our national life.

You are a beacon of hope, living legend, and an inspiration to many young people like myself.

Heaven and earth knows that you have paid your due.

“Expect God’s Dew.”

It is my prayers that this landmark achievement launches you to another glorious realm to accomplish all that you have dreamt.

May evil nor sorrow finds no expression in your life and family.

Multiplicity of years in good health,God’s mercies and fervent Grace to enjoy your wealth, see your grand/great grandchildren.

Oh Lord be good to them that are good. Dele Momodu is a good man!

My mentor, I rejoice and celebrate you today and always.

You know that I am proud of you sir.

Happiest 65th Birthday to the latest Elder Statesman in Nigeria.

Amb. Sunny Irakpo is the Founder/President, SILEC Initiatives (IVLP USA)

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Tinubu Salutes Osun State Governor Adeleke on 65th Birthday

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2025

Eric

“President Bola Tinubu extends warm felicitations to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his 65th birthday on May 13.

“The President notes that the Peoples Democratic Party governor has created a niche for himself as a politician of reckoning not only in Osun State but also across the country and beyond.

“Adeleke was first elected Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in 2017, taking over from his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, before becoming governor in 2022.

“Commending Governor Adeleke, President Tinubu notes that he has proven to be pan-Nigerian in his way of life and governance philosophy, exemplified by his Yoruba and Igbo heritage.

“The President personally prays for more years, good health and God’s infinite mercies on Governor Adeleke, the Asiwaju of Edeland, his hometown.”

Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information & Strategy)
May 13, 2025