Governance

Political office holders have been called upon to treat their fellow Nigerians with a touch of humanity, for God to bless their activities and works.

This call was made by an Ibadan-based Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.

''Nigeria's leaders must start to treat their fellow Nigerians with a human face, by addressing the core causes of hunger, poverty and unemployment. This would go a long way in straightening the paths they thread for God to bless their activities and works. When they treat their fellow human beings very well, of course God will bless all they do,'' Pastor Ajayi noted.

The improvement in the system of transportation, to a very great measure, increases the physical extent and economic size of a country.

However, in the Nigerian context, a number of factors have negatively affected the transport system and this has resulted in an astronomical rise in the prices of goods and services beyond the reach of a majority of the population.

The prohibitive transportation costs coupled with the multiple taxation across the country and the unabating insecurity have all succeeded in ensuring that Nigerians remain in a perpetual state of hunger and poverty.

Curiously, levels of government have channeled generated revenue from multiple taxes, unproductively, to real estate, while Nigerians continue to daily count their landed property losses.

Indeed, the government at all levels have always contended with inadequate financial organization and the relevant knowledge.

Sadly, economic stagnation is now a major characteristic in most cities that are contending with overpopulation. Petty trading and individual investments in consumables have become the preference of the people, in the absence of proactive, visionary leadership.

Nigerians have been advised to shun evil practices as the nation approaches a new dawn.
This advice was given by a Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.
''I wish to call the attention of Nigerians to the rising cases of the propagation of evil and diabolism. We should shun all these satanic acts as we approach the light at the end of the tunnel, Pastor Ajayi counseled.
In recent times, pedophilia, sodomy, homosexulity and other evil acts have been on the increase in different parts of the country.

Political dissatisfaction and social discontent are major characteristics of living in Nigeria today.
The problems of nationhood revolving around power sharing have brought about perpetual anger in the land.
Interestingly, the economic reforms of the outgoing administration have violated the country's constitution-Section 15(3) of the 1999 constitution, which states that the government must promote a balanced economy and that the government must not allow the resources of the country to be in a few hands of individuals or groups.
Sadly, all the institutions that ought to sustain democracy-the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Police and the political class are already vigorously  undermining it.
The silence and inertia of a number of state governors, occasioned by self-interest, have not helped matters in the face of bizarre acts and conduct that have left Nigerians amazed, helpless and dumbfounded.

An Unambiguous Description
The scenario in Adamawa state, before, during and after the supplementary election in the state have become concise summaries of the February 25th and March 18th polls in Nigeria. A written script that now tastes sour.

Non-Indigenes in Ibadan and Oyo state have appealed to the  re-elected Governor of the state to vigorously sustain the prevailing peace and tranquility in the state in his second term in office.

This appeal was made on behalf of the Non-indigenes by the Eze ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, who doubles as the chairman of the Association of Non-indigenes Traditional Heads in the state in their congratulatory message.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also called on the state Governor to ensure the speedy rehabilitation of several bad roads in the state capital and across the state.

''I am saying a very big congratulation to our young, amiable and dynamic Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. I am saying this on behalf of myself, all Ndibgo and Non-Indigenes Traditional Heads in Oyo state, of which I am the chairman . We are happy because God has answered our prayers and blessed him, the Governor, with the opportunity to serve a second term. We wish him all the best and we pray to God almighty to continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and guidance from above, for him to even do better during his second term.''

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''He will now become the second person to run for a second term in Oyo state. I want to give him a challenge as partners in progress to continue to ensure that there is peace and unity which is already in place in Oyo state and to continue to be in place. Let him continue to show love to all and sundry in the state and God will continue to bless him. And let him try as much as possible, to fulfill promises he made during his campaign for a second term. More importantly, we are still noticing roads that are bad in Oyo state, particularly in Ibadan. The governor should strive to revamp those roads and make sure they are in a good state, particularly the inland roads.''

''Most of the major roads are in good condition, but the inland roads are terribly bad. Let him use his second term to give Ibadan city very good roads. I am assuring him that we, in our positions as leaders of the people, of our maximum cooperation towards the maintenance of peace and orderliness in the state. I believe that anywhere there is good leadership, the followers always listen and they all keep peace wherever they reside. So, we wish the governor good luck and God's favor in all ramifications,'' Eze(Dr.) Anozie stated.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also blamed the unpleasant happenings on political leaders who fail to caution their followers, saying, ''Let me use this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate all the political parties ' gubernatorial candidates, those who could not make it and those who made it. The greatest achievement they have to their credit is the prevailing peace in Oyo state. Oyo state is more peaceful than so many other states. That has portrayed various parties' gubernatorial candidates as gentlemen and good politicians. I am saying kudos to all of them.
I have always said that the best should be doing politics without bitterness. Then I am appealing to the authorities and to all the mercenaries concerned in midwifing our elections to find a solution to the rigging of elections and violence during elections.
This is in addition to all other vices bringing about tension in our elections.
And I believe that thuggery in whatever form in our elections will be a thing of the past if the needful is done.
I want to put the blame on the doorstep of political groups, because if the leaders caution their supporters on the need not to cause violence, the snatching of ballot boxes and the  breach of peace, their followers will listen.
So one is tempted to take the blame on most political parties. Followers always like to listen to their leaders. So maybe the leaders are not cautioning their followers enough. Maybe that is why we are having violence everywhere.

The Sacredness of Human Lives
The apex bank has decided to force business owners in Nigeria to close shop with its suicidal 18 per cent lending rate. This is worrisome, even when it is a known fact that a lot of innocent blood has been shed. Those responsible will account for their evil deeds. Human lives ought to be sacred.  

The leaders have woefully failed to ensure participatory governance, which is facilitates the protection of the interests of Nigerians.

From the center to the states, self-centered interests are the preference, since a sizable number of these leaders attained political offices through under-the-table means. Stagnation is the order of the day for most Nigerians, while suppression, manipulation and enforcement have become indispensable tools in the hands of Those-in-Authority.

Without doubt, nearly all the democratic institutions have been deformed and rendered prostate, even as a criminal conspiracy against Nigerians has eventually been legitimized.

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King Herod as a Role Model

Insensitivity, heartlessness, lack of accountability and deceit are now the hallmarks of those who claim to have been democratically elected. Nigerians now look up to God for deliverance from the dark powers that have constituted themselves into the Biblical King Herod. Their role model. Perhaps.

God has always been with Nigerians, regardless of the pains, anguish, sorrows and hardships.

This assertion was made by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.

''Nigerians should not despair or lose hope. We are not alone. God has always been with us in our times of sorrow, pain, anguish and hardships. God remains our protector and fortress. There is light at the end of the tunnel,'' Pastor Ajayi stated.

In another development, a university Don has described the attitude of Nigerians towards change as unencouraging.

According to Prof. Benjamin Ehige of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, this is despite the fact that the concept of change is attractive.

Prof. Ehige made this known on Thursday at a business summit organized by the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PROSAN), Ibadan, Nigeria.

''The concept of change looks attractive, but our attitude to change is not encouraging. People find it difficult to a change in behavior. We must think of a change of attitude, place and perceived need for change. There are attempts to dig deep into where an individual comes from during elections.

Self-Indictment

Shutting down secondary schools for unruly, wayward, unbecoming and criminally-friendly behavior exposes lapses in the education sector. In other words, the government of the day has indicted itself. This is leadership by example

Events have since proven that the votes of Nigerians did not count in the just concluded Presidential and national assembly elections.

Interestingly, Those-in-Authority have continued to vigorously rationalize the failed elections.

The present reality is that Nigerians no longer have the freedom to choose their leaders and the right to identify alternatives of choice.

Since the electoral umpire is comfortable taking directives from its paymasters, rather than asserting its independence, Nigerians insist that the elections were a good reflection of organized fraud.

Indeed, as the days go by, towards May 29th, the definition of governance for Those-in-Authority, which is access to sudden wealth and equitable rewards system for all who are involved, gradually fades into oblivion.

Ominous Times Ahead

The uncomfortable silence of Those-in-Authority, days after the apex court delivered a people-friendly judgment on the Naira Re-design policy, has exposed the ominous times ahead.

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) successfully conducted the Continuous Voters Registration exercise in states and Abuja, but sadly, millions of potential voters were disenfranchised in the Presidential and National Assembly elections

Indeed, the 25th February general elections were anything except free, fair and credible.

The rush to collate the results manually and announce the same, confirmed the long suspicions and fears of Nigerians.

On the day of the election, the harrowing experience of voters confirmed that the electoral umpire was part of a grand scheme to impose unacceptable candidates on Nigerians.

The resentment at the electoral deceit cuts across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and indeed, such resentment, justice will prevail.

It is now crystal clear that the loyalty of the present administration in the country has never been to the nation as a whole, but to a pyramidal sequence of enforcers, under-bosses and influence peddlers among others.

The present status quo intends to resist the acceptable, reasonable and justifiable but the quest for genuine leadership succession, respect for the nation's diversity and equitable national integration may erode this intention.

Those Behind All the Evil

Nigerians have now known those behind lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality, evil, diabolism and injustice for almost eight years. The leadership, for example, songs are everywhere as illustrations.

Also, Nigerians are anxious to know the roles played by law enforcement  and security agencies in the evil, lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and diabolism that pervades Molusi, Olorunsogo, Molete, Solanke, Oyegbami, Oshodi, Scout Camp, Aluko, Felele and several other comunities in Ibadan Oyo state.

State governments majorly borrow money to pay contractors and loans collected for the quick finance of workers' salaries and retirees' pensions.

All these are offset when the states receive their monthly federal allocations. Indeed, most state governments obtained loans to finance their first choice priorities, road projects, in governance.

Sadly, the wearing costs of these road projects are unknown, while their benefits remain speculations. Interestingly, Those-in-Authority continue to play god, instead of allowing the supreme being to play God and then they play the human element of the process. They have forgotten that government is not the laboratory where experiments are carried out.

Regrettably, the ''new generation leaders'' in the states have brought in their stride-for the young and old-criminality, fetishness and diabolism.

The phrase, ''one of the safest states in Nigeria'' suggests a covert invitation to criminals as seen in some states of the federation.

It is not a surprise that career officers and political appointees are now jittery, as the failures and shortcomings in governance gradually unfold, weeks before the general elections.

Note-The leadership in Nigeria, while abroad, insisted that it has approved all the requests of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023, even though the daily record of casualities from violent crimes-rape, killings, ritual killings, kidnappings, armed robberies and terrorism-are on the increase.

In the process of developing new locations in many states, those-in-authority have displaced thousands of Nigerians.

Indeed, the forced displacements include the dubious sale of several houses to conspirators, who pull down original buildings and erect something different on the land.

The forgery of property and land documents is the trend.

Sadly, this development has attracted in its wake, criminal elements, who have to a large extent damaged the reputation of the government.

Interestingly, the law enforcement and justice system have been compromised to accommodate this evil; while the people now see those-in-authority'' as bad dreams.

However, Nigerians are optimistic that the days of bad dreams would soon be over in the nearest time to come.

Note- Free, fair and credible elections can only be achieved if Those-in-Authority are not products of flawed elections. The political parties' primaries that produced candidates for political offices in 2023 were manipulated, while the arguments over the acceptability and eligibility of such candidates are still subjects of disagreements. Imposition is definitely not the true face of DEMOCRACY.

The experiments guided by the creditors have resulted in devastating socio-economic instability in Nigeria. The situation has been made worse by the obsession of today's leaders with the politics of exclusion.

This is glaring at all levels of government. Noticing that the failure in governance is now noticeable, the ''accidental'' leaders have resorted to the creation of an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, to bulldoze themselves back to political offices.

Political office holders ought to quickly realize that failure is collective in politics and should take responsibility for posterity's sake.

Fraud and deception have trailed the activities of a number of administrations at the state level, while several communities have a high concentration of illiteracy, ignorance and poverty.

Indeed, the hidden fact is hinged on the strength of lies and falsehood that are the backbones of governance in the three tiers of government.

Note- Olorunsogo, Molete/Oshodi/Felele communities, among several others in Oyo state, Nigeria, are now hideouts to various categories of criminals, whose lawless behaviors establish the fact that Those-in-Authority provide moral and financial support for their criminal activities. The saying, when the head is rotten, the whole body is also rotten, best describes the situation in many states.

Equity, Justice and Fairness currently remains perpetually in the refuse bins of many offices, just as injustice has occupied space in most states of Nigeria.

Sadly, the activities of those in the Judiciary have further aggravated the worrisome situation, while millions of Nigerians continue their lamentations for those who care to listen to their plight.

Interestingly, those-in-authority who facilitated the pitiful state of justice delivery are now vigorously promoting alternative dispute resolution in the states to disguise their evil deeds.

Indeed, the evil that men have done and shall do now will live with them in their twilight days.

Note-For the credibility, transparency and reliability of the judiciary to be preserved and remain unblemished, responsible and focused career officers ought not to abandon their duty posts for trips into controversy.

In the last seven and a half years, the approach to governance has been impulsive and embarrassing.

Most sectors of the economy are gasping for breadth-particularly education, health, electricity and most importantly security.

This is worrisome considering the huge oil revenues that have been generated during the period under review.

Indeed, miscarriage of justice and the violation of human rights have been the major features of the present administration in Nigeria, even as the deliberate impoverishment of Nigerians, hunger and poverty have become tools of governance.

Sadly, unfolding events indicate that Those-in-Authority are desperate to use their positions to ensure that the 2023 general elections are anything but free, fair and credible.

Without doubt any electoral process hinged on widespread improprieties and the absence of meticulous background checks on candidates of political parties would never attract widespread acceptance.

The coming days and months are ominous for peace, law, order and sanity in the polity.

Note- It is very disturbing that a number of states in Nigeria have failed to attract direct foreign investments up till this moment, yet some state executives travel overseas for unknown reasons. Such travel has not impacted positively on governance. The trips are for self-centered interests. Perhaps.

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) is set to change the design of the 200, 500, and 1,00 Naira notes, months before the 2023 general elections. 

Interestingly, those who call the shots insist that the change is long overdue, although the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed argues that the government of the day was not carried along.

The question now is, Why did it take so long for this change since 2015?

So far, the CBN has destroyed 6 Trillion Naira-bank notes-  in this dispensation.

Indeed, a lot is wrong about national security, the economy, and socio-political space; while abnormalities persist.

The suggestion is that the government of the day is pushing forward face-saving strategies to becloud the sensibilities of worried Nigerians who are conscious of the nightmarish journey presently.

Of worry, is the uncertainty that trails the statement of Those-in-Charge, with particular reference to the transition of the government of the day in 2023, although the action and inaction of the powers that be are responsible for the situation in Nigeria today.

 Note- The refusal of candidates for the 2023 general elections to suspend campaigns in the face of very negative security pointers suggests that self-centered interests override national interests.

In several states of Nigeria, the lack of goodwill has made those presently in the saddle build on the encouraging foundation previous administrations have laid in most sectors; the health sector is inclusive.

Record keeping in health institutions in these states is obsolete and outdated and has for long influenced waste and redundancy.

Transparency and accountability are crucial to the management of health facilities only if those- in-charge realize this fact.

The provision of accurate health data and storage results in a robust health care administration that is reliable and efficient.

Sadly, however, the absence of an electronic medical system in several government-owned institutions has promoted difficulties in accessing patients' data, to enable health care professionals to deliver improved and prompt health care services.

Health care records hinged on technology would go a long way in ensuring functional health care services and in the process facilitate an enduring health system for people.

Note- 7 million Nigerians have been disenfranchised by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), while the electoral umpire is in the process of recruiting 1.4 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 general elections. When consideration is given to the commission's budgetary allocation for the election, the plight of eligible voters and the rising debt of the present administration, then Those-in-Charge ought to thread the paths of winding up with caution.

Posted 19 minutes ago by Solomon Adewunmi

Inspiring strides from viable societies have proved that agriculture has the potential to solve several internal challenges, including food shortages, prohibitive prices of foodstuffs, unemployment and the heavy dependence on the monthly federal allocation, among others.

Unfortunately, the agriculture sector in several states has been unable to provide jobs for the majority of the unemployed, particularly the youth, even as kidnapping for ritual and ransom purposes are now the preferred choices.

In addition, the worrisome state of government-owned farm settlements has made the cultivation, processing,packaging and storage of varieties of crops impossible.

Sadly, the lack of capacity, policy bias, underinvestment and misinvestment have all along been impediments to the development of agribusiness in affected states.

In addition, the government at all levels have failed to create a conducive environment to attract investors into the sector, even though a number of them still insist that their major focus is agribusiness, but this is not in tune with happenings in so many states.

Note- It is a source of serious concern that those who have aspirations for political offices are only dissipating energy to actualize their self-centeredness, while human lives are sacrificed daily under the guise of violent crimes. This is the height of inhumanity and insensitivity.

Panama came into being in 9103 as a breakaway province of Colombia.
General Manuel Noriega became the country's leader after Brigadier Omar Torrijos was taken out in controversial circumstances that were trailed by conspiracy theories.
Leadership at that point in Panama's history revolved around subversion of the opposition, blackmail and intimidation of the electorate and rigging of elections.
However, most countries of the world have since realized, understood and keyed into technical skills and competences as credible and reliable methods to build and sustain leadership and other positions at different levels of government.
Sadly, leadership examples in Nigeria suggest that Gen. Noriega is a role model.
Knowledge and experience have proven to be among the crucial indices to economic and political development of any nation.
In Gen. Noreiga's time, Panama was a  vast criminal empire where lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil reigned supreme.
Several countries having the desire to prosper economically and politically have since embraced methods hinged on strategic leadership and leadership excellence to handle problematic situations that have threatened their stability and peaceful existence.
Note-The localized network of evil and diabolism has brought along the internalization of the acts of inhabitants of the Biblical Sodom and Gomorah, in addition to the dismal performances of pupils and students in examinations.
Of course, parents, guardians, teachers and the government are to blame for this worrisome development.

 

The lapses in the government over several years at all levels have emboldened cultists and other categories of criminals to persist in their stock-in-trade in several communities in Oyo state. The covert support by the political class across party lines has not helped matters. Residents have for long been having sleepless nights, while those-in-power are still reluctant to take decisive steps to put an end to lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil. Dr. Raymond Adegboyega an indigene of Ile-Oluwo, Odo-Osun, Ibadan, holds a doctorate degree in Finance and is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in the state.

In this interview, the finance analyst and lecturer opines that cultism is new in the state and, as a result of certain factors, it persists. Excerpts :

The activities of cultists and other categories of criminals have continued unabated in several communities in Oyo state. The State House of Assembly has not helped matters by not coming up with legislation to outlaw evil. What do you think is the way out?

In the first instance, cultism is new in Oyo state, which we have had over the years revolving around youth violence and exuberance. The issue of cultism is new in this state. Several factors are responsible for this. Firstly, we have politicized everything in Oyo state. Secondly, rural/ urban drift has made people who are in the rural areas migrate to Oyo state. They have moved due to the lack of basic infrastructure in the rural areas. There is also the issue of non-indigenes from other states in Oyo state, especially from Lagos. We have been advising the state government for several years, but successive governments refused to listen. If the government made agriculture a priority, then a major part of the problem would be solved. This would preoccupy a majority of the restive youth population. The government should also create a very conducive environment for the young people because most of them are now okada riders. The touts everywhere are useful to society. All the government at all levels have to do is to rehabilitate them. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies also have to be restructured for efficiency. All efforts should be focused on resuscitating the economy of the state to guarantee prosperity.

The development of Nigeria's economy has regrettably suffered devastating setbacks due to illiteracy, mediocrity, corruption and compromised government institutions.

Since the setbacks are systemic, all attempts to turning to the positive side of development have failed, while trial and error is now the acceptable approach.

Sadly, Those-in-Power are presently counting the number of days to handover while the economy continues to deteriorate.

In several states of the federation, economic activities have declined drastically, this has compiled Nigerians to seek alternative means of income.

These means are criminal in nature. Interestingly, unfolding events suggest that terrorism, ritual killings, banditry, kidnappings and other violent crimes have become sources of livelihood not only for those outside government service, but for those in service.

The situation is not abating, and the criminals are not relenting, even as tears, sorrows and blood characterize living in different parts of the country.

Those-in-Power ought to salvage the almost helpless situation, but for their confused state of mind.