Nigeria on the brink

We are always in the news for the wrong reasons. Boko Haram promised a Christmas day present for the FGN or Nigerians. The security forces went to sleep on this day. And who am I to blame them when their heads are clinging to power like their life depends on it.

Rather than tackle security issues which is engulfing the nation, the FGN prefers to remove oil subsidy which we doubt if it exist in the first place. A lot of their effort is channelled to selling this venture. The presidency has drawn the battle line against all who oppose the oil subsidy removal. Not even a revolution can make him change his mind.

The unity and patriotism amongst the people is at a record low. The populace are not bothered if the nation divides. The ruling class wants the nation intact because there is still a lot to loot. The opposition may want it divided because it’s an opportunity for them to mount the throne and reign supreme. We have entrusted our life and future into the hands of criminals turned politicians and we expect so much from them.

There is no silver lining to keep our hopes. There is little or nothing at stake for the common man and I pray the President sees it. I implore the president to ignore his advisers and listen to the people because there is a disconnect between the people and the government. He also has the option of ignoring the people and going ahead with his stubborn stance. For the nation to remain one and for the peoples hope to be rekindle, the government has a lot of listening to do…so that we may remain one while you all are in governance

Letter to the Economic Team.

I have listened to your arguments on televisions. Unfortunately i could not watch the question and answer segment due to power failure in our area. That’s a natural phenomenon in Nigeria. I am sorry to say i really don’t understand the charts, graphs and digits you guys where quoting. I still don’t understand if there is a difference between removal of oil subsidy and increament in pump price of petrol.
Perhaps, i should tell you my situation and you should use it to explain the benefits of oil subsidy removal. I am a graduate and i teach in an unapproved school where i earn 20k per month. I spend 4k on transport monthly and feeding takes about half of the salary. Luckily for me I don’t pay rent as i stay with my parents at age 35. I have never enjoyed anything from Nigeria has I have to pay for all. The government has always been telling to sacrifice and hope for a better future which never comes. Now, this administration has also come with messages filled with promises, telling me to sacrifice once again. I give given so much in terms of sacrifice to Nigeria and it’s only the ruling class who have benefited from my toil. Give me reason why I should sacrifice once again? Tell me these crops of leaders are not part of the previous deceitful administration. Will I ever enjoy a good Nigeria in my lifetime?
So can you explain to me in simple terms how life will become better after subsidy removal? Sorry, i lied somewhere. I lost my job. Please don’t tell me you feel my pains because none of you have ever been in this situation in your life. Not even the man who had no shoes.
Angry Nigerian 

Withered flower

When Babatunde Fashola was re-elected as Governor of Lagos State someone told me we sure aren’t tired of flowers. It’s amazing the greenery of major roads and major parts of the island and mainland. I don’t understand what is happening with the maintenance of these gardens ever since the administration was returned to power. The people have witnessed past administration with no achievements thus seeing so much flowers and paved walk ways was like gold.

IMF assisted road projects; concessions, take almost the whole percentage of road works in the state. The state has spent a lot more money on showcasing their so called achievements in the media. The LCC commenced collection of tolls on the Lekki road. Lagos State Government with the help of the media played down the protest even though the state resulted to the use of violence. Nothing is being said of the acclaimed life(s) that was lost. No touts were arrested rather the peaceful protesters were arrested.

The scales are falling from the eyes of Lagosians but it hurts that it took so long for people to see clearly. Little is heard or seen on activities of the administration since returning for second term. Even, those who voted predicted nothing fresh or new is expected from the leadership.

Now, we have to wait and sit out the remainder of the tenure and watch the flowers wither...

Starting point...

We lost our morality, lost our family values. Our religious leaders have failed us in every way. They preach while they who should be role models act in contrary. Our churches are PLCs making more money comparable to the NNPC. The Overseers have made it a family business. Followers are taught not to ask questions, they are to follow blindly or remain gullible. The Muslims are not left out; some of their leaders tread this line of business.

It should be easy to differentiate between wrong and right but a whole lot of us are lazy and won’t use our brain. We can’t read the Holy Books to help direct our path. We prefer our so called religious leaders to read and ‘misinterpret’ the meaning to us. We also prefer a congregation that says the Holy Books allows bum shorts and nudity in places of worship. I thought we are to adjust our lifestyle to suit the religion. Rather we are adjusting religion to suit our lifestyle. We claim to be righteous yet we act in an opposite direction.

We can’t look unto our political leaders for development and neither can we look to our religious leaders for guidance to salvation. We have been brain washed to the extent that we demarcate religion from politics. How could both which have so much impact on our life be separated? Shouldn’t the people go against a tyrant and wicked leader? We prefer to let them carry on with the misappropriation and embezzlement.

Woe unto whoever said religion is the opium of the people. By the time we go back to true religion, we’ll realize we don’t deserve the kind of leaders we have. We will realize God wants the best for us. Until then, we continue to complain and wail.

If we can ask a Goodluck Jonathan questions, why can’t we ask our religious leaders? And if we can’t ask them, it’s time we start reading to understand the holy books and using it as our guide. 

Comedians-In-Chief (CIC)

The budget proposal is out and there is no provision for oil subsidy. As it is now, there will be increase in price of petrol. The President sounding a note of warning to ‘troublemakers’, said even a revolution won’t make him go back on the fuel subsidy removal. So it’s the people’s wish against the presidents wish.

My concern lately is the presidency’s comments in the media. I find it disturbing when some comments come from the Presidency. The statement on cassava bread was laughable and outright irritating. I wonder if the speech was written or rather the president thought of it and just said it without weighing the implications.

‘Trekking to school barefooted’ was the pioneering statement. A lot other statements have followed and I wonder what the advisers of the president are paid for? Perhaps, they want to ridicule the presidency or is it that the president doesn’t take advice from them?

Past administrations created the impression that the presidency was corrupt and insensitive. The current leadership should have redeemed itself but it chose to add to the negative perception. The presidency displays arrogance, lack of direction and this is quite (un)impressive.

Word for them, we lost all hope in this administration. Just like the immediate past administration which had nothing to show, we expect not little but nothing from this administration. Keep up the comic works for the remainder of the administration.

A bigger monster

Many of those who champion the course against corruption, bad governance and social injustice face huge task. Those who are supposed to encourage them are sometimes among the people who will say they are wasting their time shouting at a deaf government.

Our problems in this part of the world ought to have been solved by electing a new government but it’s certain this approach may never be fruitful. The electoral commission which should serve as an umpire in the change process may not totally be independent and unbiased. Though the current leadership of the electoral body is a big improvement to former one, that doesn’t make them near perfect or perfect. The judiciary, the common man last hope is just an extension or tool of the ruling class. A lot are so positive about the activities of the oppositions but they are just another cabal of rogues fighting for their own portion of the loot. The opposition is waxing stronger, claiming territories with the support of the people (who are been deceived). The media only inform the people on what their financial stakeholders want them to.

The opposition have a stronger grip on all of its pawns, the judiciary and even the independent electoral commission of their regions. They claim to represent true democracy but we have seen clear signs of dictatorship. They are riding on the gullibility, illiteracy and trust of the people. Why should I blame them so much when the enlightened ones who ought to be neutral umpires have sold their soul? We have allowed sentiments to erode our rational thinking and have failed to ask questions. We have overlooked corruption within them all because they are opposition who claim to be on our side. We love their corruption as long as they use the media judiciously to brain wash us.

The ruling class as well as the opposition seem to be on different path but yet they are after the same thing. I hope we will realize that the nation is really divided into two; the ruling class which also includes the opposition; and the masses on the other end. When this sinks deep into us, then we will take the future into our hands.

Corruption is the monster we are facing but looking at the tentacles the elites have spread all over the nation which engulfs the judiciary, the security agencies and all others, then we have a bigger monster against us. We have failed as a nation and as a people. We have also failed as a family and society because our leaders are a good representation of what the average man is. Its time to correct these anomalies because enough is enough.

Why there won’t be a revolution in Nigeria.

The current economic hardship been felt by the people coupled by insensitivity of government makes it look like Nigeria may have its own share of uprising against government. This is a country where it is the suffering masses who have to 'tighten their belt' and brace up for more hard times whereas the governing class makes it very important to show off ill-gotten wealth at every opportunity.
There is no gainsaying if I list the achievements and living conditions of Libyans during Ghaddafi era. Egypt which is still in mild turmoil has citizens who have a better living standard. I looked at the scenes of protesters clashing with police and I see beautifully lit streets. They have a functional health system where ambulances are ready to take injured protesters to hospital. I was asked to ask myself what these people want again. Could it be that they lack the basic things? If they lack good governance and basic things then where do we stand as Nigerians?
The former leaders which the Egyptians, Libyans and currently Syria are fighting against have some things in common. They have frozen out western influences on their economy if not totally. These are countries that have enjoyed peace for a long time with a very good economy. What could have provoked the populace to confront the government? Is it because they don’t have the support of the western world? Or because power might shift hand if these once stable nations continue on a part of growth and peace?

We Africans especially Nigerians whose policies are dictated by the western world yet have an awful economy won’t stand against government injustice. Perhaps our stooge leaders are puppets to the 'powers that be' of the world. Maybe the western world has a lot to gain with the state of our nation and economy. We may not experience even non-violent revolution because we are indirectly ruled by some who make so much gain from the current deplorable situation
I expect no revolution, not even a non-violent revolution from lily-livered Nigerians. We are so much pleased with the decay. The corruption means little to us. So, let’s keep castigating the Ghaddafis, the Mubaraks, the Assads and let’s continue to applaud The Jonathans, The Tinubus and also justify all wars by the US and western worlds when its obvious the wars are un-called for.
As it is, i see doom in future, cause the generation of the present youth is wasting away. No one will tell anyone not to wait for his destiny. You go grab it. 

Tinubu is a saint. Victory for democracy

The Code of Conduct tribunal recently quashed the entire 3-count criminal charge that was preferred against the erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I guess it’s a victory for democracy. He was charged for operating foreign accounts while serving as governor which is in violation of section 7 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal Act.

Though the charges were quashed because it was legally defective the Governor who has so much regard for rule of law and morality doesn’t deem it fit to tell the people if truly he operated those accounts. Some South-West ACN governors were around to give him moral support. Rather I call it show of shame.

In as much as the Prosecuting Lawyers did not do their homework right the judgement never said the self-acclaimed leader was innocent of those crimes. Once again, I say it is victory for democracy. So, all Ashiwaju supporters, ‘jeun soke.’

Staying single

Every African will want to look and act western. Not only have we copied their ways buy we also copied the negatives too. The content of what we see on TVs is enough for us to forget our culture. Right from our dressings to our morals, all has been affected by them.

It would have been a thing of joy if it’s only the technology and other advancements we imported. But alas! We now have record number of gays and lesbians. These are people with odd kind of sexual orientation who before are ashamed but today they want to be legally recognized and socially accepted.

Our family value is at a record low. Survey in Japan says a record number of young Japanese do not have boyfriends or girlfriends and many not want one. Ours is a little different. Though getting the ideal partner can be tough but the disturbing trend on increase is the number of single parents. This is not exclusive to the semi-illiterates and illiterates alone. A good number of literates nowadays can’t keep a family. Marriages hardly last for five years, and that’s when so many ladies realize they don’t really need a man in their life. They call themselves the Independent Women and quiet funny most of these women are closely knit. They advice each other on staying single and they make it a thing of joy. Those married in their perception are in bondage. Yes, they don’t take sh** from men and no man or boyfriend can tell them what to do.

The fairly lucky ones among them with a child or two orientate the children right from childhood that marriage isn’t an ideal institution. This they do consciously and unconsciously. This is not to say there are no exceptions among single parents or single people. There are a few good ones who value family and marriage but due to circumstances within and outside their control they can’t get that family or partner they desire.

A family is the smallest unit of each society and our leaders come from a family in our society. Thus, they are product of our society. Until we churn out good children, husband and wife that’s when we can relax and be satisfied with our leaders.

Religion

The developed world will always be ahead of us in all facets, technology wise and even in religion which we claim to accept more than them. The number of religious centres has increased considerably yet the rate of morale decadence is increasing geometrically.

Religious leaders should be models. They ought to direct us to the right path with their words and actions. Many of them play their part by preaching what and how it is meant to be. Some other religious leader’s actions cannot be emulated. It is a common scenario for the congregation to live in abject poverty and the religious leader to swim in wealth. Despite this, we still have to take from the poor and give to the rich.

Religion has become a lucrative business and so many of the congregation cannot ask questions. What private business do our religious leaders have to be ranked amongst the richest in the society? And many can device any means to attract the largest number of crowds; even times deviate from the doctrine of the religion itself. It is only a lazy or unrepentant people that the doctrine of religion has to be doctored for. We don’t change religion to suit our ways but we change our ways to suit religion.

Until we start reading, making researches and asking fundamental questions about religion, we will continue to be slaves to them. Your spiritual or religious leader may not be righteous than you so dig deeper for answers to questions. No religion goes against searching for knowledge or truth and every religion covers all sphere of our life.

If hell were real, would God accept excuses that the leaders mislead us when we are blessed with brain to make judgements and seek for knowledge to guide us right?

National honuors for clowns and cronies.

The Federal Government wasn’t so happy when popular writer Prof. Chinua Achebe rejected the National honour to be conferred on him. Achebe had declared that the issues which made him reject the offer during Olusegun Obasanjos regime remains unresolved till now. Rather for the presidency to keep mute and try to work on those issues, the widely respected Novelist was tagged ignorant about developments in Nigeria. I wonder who is ignorant with happenings, if its Achebe or the presidency whose policies are unpopular with the people.

I used to think it was the right of everybody and anybody to reject a gift if he feels he doesn’t deserve it or its coming from an unreliable person or group. No serious minded individual ought to receive any award from the government save for those who enjoy directly or indirectly from the government. Prof. Achebe’s actions speak volume and we all should learn from it. So many a people would be happy to grab those awards, especially people who have impacted nothing in the society. Those who really deserve it and love the country will reject it. The list of those who got the honours ranges from the political elites, the capitalist down to those whose contribution to the society isn’t known. Imagine an Achebe sitting to get honours with the likes of Tambuwal, Ita Ekpeyong, the Director General of SSS who has been sitting down and watch Nigerians die from Boko Haram. His counterpart, the ever non-working IG of police hafiz Ringim was also there to get his. Others include Jim Ovia (***cough**),Diezani Madueke and clown Osita Iheme. The beautiful Genevieve whose only contribution is dressing in expensive clothes was honoured. The list goes on and on

LASU fee hike

In Lagos Nigeria, whatever the state government does is almost always applauded by majority of the populace. When Oshodi was transformed, we hailed the governor. When roads are constructed, we thank the governor. It’s so sweet we also applaud the former governor for giving us the present governor though the former has no physical achievement.

For what reason will a government that enjoys the support of the masses will cut them out from getting education? Fee from an average of N25,000 was increased to N250,000. Who can tell me how a civil servant with N18,000 minimum wage afford to send his or her child to such university? But the all-knowing governor has justified the hike. He said critics of the increment are indirectly calling for a Nigerian Society which will be divided into poor university for the poor and rich University for the rich. He claimed there is nowhere in the world university education is as low as N25,000. According to him, LASU will be rescued and it will not be made a school for the poor.

And that’s a good excuse to increase the fee. I once said Lagos State is running a government for the elite by the masses and for the elite. Lets not forget you can go get transport fee if Lagos is not suitable enough for you. With time, the scales will fall from our eyes and we will know what good governance is. The government should enjoy the euphoria of support it enjoys for now. But, they shouldn’t forget to think if their so called achievement (if there is any) will stand the test of time

Landlord Tenant palava

For a long time to come the issue of house rent in Lagos will continue to raise eyebrows. Landlords have been charging exorbitant fees for rents and due to the congestion in lagos, so many people have no choice but to squeeze out his money from whatever means to secure even not-too-good an accommodation..

The Lagos state government in order to reduce the plight of the people or rather to pass a message of being in the forefront for fighting for the poor passed a bill banning the two years rent paid by new tenants in Lagos. Just as expected, lagosians were jubilant and happy and others wonder if it was possible for the government to dictate to Landlords how they should manage their property. Fines and jail terms are for offenders who go against the new bill.

I would have thought the Lagos state Government would build Low-Cost Housing Estates to supplement and bring down prices of rents. I know for sure the State Government was and is aware the bill will have no effect on anything.

Maybe it is time the government addressed the issue of housing in the states or try to enforce the law.

Odumegwu Ojukwu, a villain or hero

Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead and I wonder if he was a fulfilled man when he passed on. He spearheaded the civil war to break Biafra away from Nigeria. This dream never came to past. Whenever I look at the level of marginalisation of the Igbos, I think he fought a just war. But what’s a just war when you and your immediate family are the most secured from external forces?


Talking of marginalization, the principle of federal character would always make an ethnic group feel marginalized. There is no way in Nigeria all ethnic groups will be included in an equal way in governance. Manning a post with the most qualified person regardless of his tribe is the way forward.


We should note that the northerners see all Southerners as one, whereas we divide ourselves into South-West: Yoruba, Eastern: Igbo and South-South. We also see d Northerners as Hausas but they also divide themselves into North-Central, North-East etc.


Ikemba Nnewi Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu may have fought for secession of Biafra, but what he really fought for was good governance. Enough cries for calls to immortalize him. We don’t need a Bianca given a political post. We don’t need his children been made ministers. We don’t need the dilapidated Niger bridge be renamed Ojukwu Bridge.


Immortalise him by giving us good governance. 

Relationship doctor is here. Part 2

There is no secret on how to hold on to a partner. It’s either ones partner is deceiving or not. No one will walk to you and tell you your relationship is headed for the rocks if u can’t see the obvious


It is saddening that single people yearning for 'a completing partner' are not sure of what they want. So many young ladies are still after the tall, handsome, caring, non-smoking guy from the M&B novels. The guys too still want that perfect body as well as attitude of a dove.

Anyone, who can’t reason with his/her brain when in love or when seeking for love will end up heart-broken. The youths will make decisions with their heart but when dawned with realities of life, they switch to making relationship decisions with their brain. The most effective is the combination of the heart and brain to make decisions.


 Some are fearfully in love to the extent they can’t ask their partner where he/she wants the relationship to lead to. It’s not only asking our partner what directions the relationship is heading, we should also ask ourselves if we want it in same direction. If the destination for love isn’t marriage then it should rather be classified as lust.


Like I said earlier, no one will tell you your relationship is heading for d rocks when it’s obvious for you to see. If he/she fools you with words, he/she can’t fool you with actions. Even when fooled by words and actions, ladies are not to share their cookie. Not giving out your cookie will help separate the chaffs from the wheat. How many a player will wait for marriage to share your cookie? None; because marriage isn’t their plan. It’s a hard thing to do but who loses if you do give him.


It takes more than emotions and feelings to have a perfect relationship. It requires rational thinking and avoiding temptations.


Read Part 1 (Relationship soctor is here) here: http://bit.ly/vJfTD9