Opinion

Voice of Emancipation: The Balance of Power

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2022

Eric

By Kayode Emola

Events over the recent days and weeks in the UK have left many people around the world wondering what is happening in this country. Whilst to those accustomed to life in the UK, this is not a surprise at all – the system is built to ensure that no one person has absolute control of everyone. Simply put, there are checks and balances to ensure that power is not abused.

People often think that those with political power control everything around us, from what we can earn to what we can spend. However, if the story of the now resigned UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, can teach us just one thing, it is that those who hold political power are supposed to be a check for those who wield the economic power and vice versa.

The UK’s economy revolves around trade, with the market dictating many events of the ordinary man’s life. This principle has been the bedrock of the country since the British created their vast empire of the late 19th/20th century. The entire impetus for the empire centred on trade, creating a system where it is impossible to separate the political power from the economic. Any changes in the one inescapably impacts upon the other.

From the initiation of her campaign to the duration of her tenure Prime Minister, Liz Truss’ fate seemed irrevocably sealed by the policies to which she clung, policies designed to please the public but which, with hindsight, would never have been feasible to implement. The world was only just recovering from the economic shock waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the UK had incurred $600 billion of debt. In the wake of the slow recovery following this came the war between Russia and Ukraine: causing further disruption to the global market and the resulting surge in inflation of the costs of goods and services. The consequences of these events were felt across the globe; even the UK, in all its hubris, was not immune.

Disregarding the fact that the UK inflation had hit double digits for the first time in over four decades, Liz Truss rode into office on the promise of financial gratuity for all. Ultimately, time would reveal this to be nothing more than a slogan without any thought given to the practical realities of how this was to be achieved. These policies, if implemented would result in a deficit of over £60 billion in the UK expenditure that would need to be met, one way or another. In the absence of any proposed alternative, it seemed that it could only be funded through increasing the country’s borrowing, which would lead to future cuts and possible austerity. The markets reacted to her proposals immediately, and the resultant crash in the value of the UK economy signalled the end of Liz Truss’ journey before it had even begun.

Amidst the mess, however, one thing that may be commended is the swift reaction by the UK parliamentarians. They chose to take a decisive action, rather than attempting to merely plaster over a very precarious situation. Ultimately, common sense prevailed and the UK Prime Minister did the right thing and resigned her position.

What we need to take from this is that we, too, need to not allow ourselves to be soothed by the empty promises of politicians who we know will go to fail the people again and again. Recall, President Buhari promised to make the naira equivalent to the dollar. It has been over seven years since that pledge, and the Naira has, in fact, depreciated against the dollar by over 400%. At his election, the exchange rate was around ₦150 to $1. Today, $1 buys over ₦700. Moreover, Buhari promised that there would be a stable supply of electricity for all Nigerians within six months of his entering office. None of us could say that our national electricity supply is reliable, yet we continue to settle for empty promises from ignoble politicians. Even at the time of writing, Nigerians are preparing to elect another recycled leader from the pool of those who destroyed Nigeria in the first place.

Rather than continuing this path of self-abasement, allowing ourselves to be placated by the empty promises of corrupt and self-serving politicians, we need to change our path. We elect these people ostensibly to look after the interests of the populace at large – when they fail to do so, they ought to be held to account.

The Yoruba struggle for an independent nation is a crusade for real governance. We must ensure the political elite are made to know that they do not hold the economic power of our land. Any political power that does not have regard for the economic power is bound to fail woefully and this is exactly the situation we are witnessing in Nigeria. The country’s economy is in shambles, derelict to the point of being unable to ever recover. Therefore, there is no reason for Yoruba to remain part of this failed state.

The Yoruba people need now to rise up in unison and reject any and all forms of bad governance going on in Nigeria. We must now take a resolute stance on what is acceptable in our politicians, and we must make it clear that we will not settle for even one iota less – for as soon as we accept one compromise, the bar will slip lower and lower until we find ourselves in a worse situation than surrounds us even today. We must stand firm for truth, justice and integrity, for this is a battle that can be won. All that it requires that we hold fast to our standards and unite.

Opinion

Dele Momodu: Charismatic Gentleman @65

Published

4 days ago

May 10, 2025

Eric

By Yemi Edun

Aare Dele Momodu is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names, voices, and personalities to emerge from the world’s most populous Black nation Nigeria.

Anyone who has travelled with Bob Dee would understand the magnetic presence he carries from Atlanta Georgia, Accra to Nairobi, down to Central London. He receives nods of admiration, requests for photos, and warm pats on the back wherever he goes. A true cultural ambassador, effortlessly at ease in rich native attire, which his commanding presence makes look truly majestic, he wears native outfits like royalty.

He is a consummate storyteller, an indefatigable workhorse, and one of the most selfless and hospitable people I know. His generosity is legendary. Mention Dele Momodu at any Marriott Hotel in East Africa, and you can expect the red carpet to be rolled out.

I was stunned at Kotoka International Airport as immigration and customs officials broke into chants of “Ovation! Ovation!” while we walked through, it was surreal but perfectly fitting for a man so deeply respected.

Bob Dee is at home with the old and young, with royalty and regular folk alike. There are countless moments that reflect his goodness, but allow me to share just one:

In Summer 2023, while holidaying in Accra with my family, Aare generously assigned his Ghanaian chef to us for two full weeks serving delicious meals until we had to kindly ask him to pause! Not long after, he flew into Accra and hosted us at La Chaumiere his favourite upscale French restaurant, where his presence is evidently cherished.

As my daughter and I prepared to return to London, we discovered shockingly that her passport had expired just a day earlier. I had to remain behind to resolve the issue. By divine timing, Bob Dee called to check in, and upon hearing the situation, immediately sent his driver. We spent that night in his elegant Accra home.

The next morning, using her Nigerian passport, we flew into Lagos. On his advice, I contacted Mr. Governor, and thanks to that call and Bob Dee’s understanding of the terrain, a new British passport was issued the same day.

Happy Birthday, Aare. A charismatic gentleman, who treats all with warmth and deserved respect.

@yemiedundf

Opinion

A Tribute of Grace to My Younger Brother, Dele Momodu, @65

Published

6 days ago

May 8, 2025

Eric

By Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

My Beloved Aburo,

Your heart beats with the rhythm of compassion,
Your laughter softens the storms of men,
And your pen—yes, that mighty pen—has built bridges where once stood walls.

Today, I speak not only with words,
But with the rhythm of gratitude,
The poetry of love,
And the dance of legacy.

You are more than a name—
You are Dele Momodu.
A spirit of honour.
A vessel of humility.
A generous soul.
A quiet strength wrapped in dignity and thunder.

In you, kindness flows like a river,
And generosity walks hand in hand with wisdom.

You have fed minds, lifted voices,
And sewn hope into the very fabric of Africa.

You write—oh, how you write—
With fire, with elegance, with truth.
You publish, you speak, you dream aloud.
You carry the soul of a president, even when the title passed by.

But allow me this honest moment:
As I turned through the pages of Ovation Magazine,
I searched for a picture of us—
You and I,
Captured in joy, frozen in memory.
But it was not there.

*Yes, I am jealous!*
I say it with a loving smile.
It’s alright… this time.
But when the next milestone arrives,
*When seventy comes knocking—*
*By the grace of God, we shall all be alive.*
And when that time comes,
Let my picture rise with yours,
Let our laughter live in history.
Let it not be forgotten—*again.*

So, as you are honoured today,
And as voices rise in celebration,
Know this, my dear brother:

You are deeply cherished.
You are profoundly celebrated.
And I—your sister, your friend, your family—
Walk with pride in your light.

May joy crown your 65 years,
And may heaven prepare glory for your 70th.

With all my heart and prayers,
Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

Opinion

Towards a Non-Violent Local Government Election in Lagos State

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2025

Eric

By Tola Ogunnubi

The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Election in Lagos State is a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.

The election of executives at the grassroots level to run the affairs of the Local Government has always been a mixture of peace and violence between leading political parties, aspirants, indigenes and settlers in the various area councils. Local government elections is a critical element of democracy and governance which provides a vital pathway for new political participants to engage communities and impact governance from the ground up in their quest for good governance.

In Lagos State, elections have always been characterized with violence and peaceful conducts. Clashes between APC supporters and main opponents’ supporters from the PDP have been reported from various parts of the state like Surulere, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo and Kosofe LGAs of the state.

Election violence can diminish voter turnout, influence election outcomes, and erode public trust in the electoral system raising concerns about the legitimacy of results according to Yiaga Africa. Political parties should ensure that the local elections is not a zero sum game, whereby the winners takes it all and the benefits of good governance is limited and retained to only party members and loyalists.

The violence that led to the death of Jide Badaru and one other with several people injured in August 2018 in Surulere Local Government should not be allowed to happen again. According to the cousin of the deceased Mr. Babatunde Badaru, a former Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant in his accounts of the violence that characterizes elections in Surulere LGA.

The wanton destruction of properties, continued threat to lives of opposition supporters should be a thing of the past. Since it is a grassroots election, the African communal sense of being should be displayed during the elections. Perpetrators of electoral violence and their sponsors should be arrested and should be diligently prosecuted so as to deter others who see violence as a viable pathway to electoral victory.

Tola Ogunnubi ANIPR wrote in from Abuja Abuja