Solomon's Column

The use of alcohol, illicit substances and hard drugs by students and youths has reached an all-time high in different parts of Nigeria. 

It has in fact become a social problem and menace.

Indeed, in states where Those-in-Charge generate revenue from illegal structures, illicit substances and alcohol are sold in makeshift kiosks along the road, under bridges and motorparks.

The insinuation is that the cream in society may be benefitting from the sales.

That is why it goes unabated.

These hard drugs have negatively affected the behavior and appearance of students and youths.

Of worry are the grievous and heinous crimes that are committed on a daily basis under the influence of alcohol and hard drugs.

It is high time the government at all levels take decisive steps to salvage those affected before it is too late because it has started having adverse effects on the socio-economic fortunes of the giant of Africa.

The future seems bleak for children and the youth in Nigeria as the cost of education at all levels goes beyond reach. 

The leadership at all levels may not be sensitive to the difficulties the citizens are passing through to meet the increasing cost of education.

Sadly, the children of these leaders are in choice schools around the globe.

Democracy ensures that citizens have access to uninhibited and quality education.

But in this case, the cost of education may not justify the service delivery in the education sector.

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The evil deeds of some state governors are limiting factors when it involves interface with law enforcement agencies, as their heads visit the states.
Interaction is preferably by representation because a lot  is still hidden, that is gradually coming to light.
Indeed, the evil that men do lives with them and has become their shadows.
No responsible law-abiding and right-thinking Nigerian will subscribe to calls by some individuals to cooperate  with criminals. Perhaps

It is to the knowledge of millions of Nigerians that the basic social-economic institutions have been destroyed.

The challenge now is how to fix the nation's health, education, judiciary and other institutions or ensure a satisfactory turn around.

In developed countries, economic activities are the backbone of politics and, as such, distortions or reversal of economic policies or long-term strategic national objectives are rare.

Sadly, little or nothing has been achieved to guarantee a good economic foundation, which ought to be the backrest of politics.

This is reflected in the awkward power sharing, power rotation and inequitable distribution of resources and good governance.

The kind of economic reforms by the government would go a long way in determining if Those-in-Charge are neophytes in the herculean task of governance.

Aiding and Abetting Criminals

For so long, cultists such as one Wolex and Lekan Adewale of 8 Kehinde Aderibigbe steet, Olorunsogo, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria, have been terrorizing, robbing and attacking innocent Nigerians in the above-mentioned community and so many others. Although the law enforcement agencies feign ignorance, the confidence exuded by the criminals, who  have continued commit heinous and grievous crimes with impunity, exposes the deep involvement of the police in violent crimes, not only in Oyo state but in different parts of the country.

The burden of a nation is too multi-dimensional for a single power broker to manage.

There are entrenched interests in the military, security services, a section of the judiciary and also the bureaucracy, while the population at large remains distraught and impoverished.

Indeed, to inherit a badly managed and shattered economy is disturbing to those who know what is in stock aside from the high level of insecurity.

Those-in-Charge need not feign ignorance about the pressing issues at stake, but go all out to tackle the issues, even as reservations, doubts and suspicions grow among the populace by the day.

The Situation

It is now very glaring that millions of Nigerians-outside the workforce- are contending with hunger, poverty, unemployment and a number of other hardships. However, it is the responsibility of those-in-Charge to save the situation.

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.

In Nigeria, millions of citizens, most especially the poor and vulnerable, remain without internet access.
For a long time, internet users have had to  put up with very sub-standard services.
This is as a result of inefficiency and inadequate infrastructure.
Sadly, most of those who are fortunate to have internet access use it negatively.
Indeed, digital literacy is a major challenge across the country and this has translated to limited internet use in most  sectors of the economy.
Youths have taken to crime due to the attitude of the leadership at all levels of government, while pornographic content has exposed minors to immoral acts.
Of worry, is the lack of funding for research and infrastructure for Information and Communication Technology(ICT) by today's leadership.
The Backbone
The Nigerian youth involved in crime is not acting alone, some of those in positions of authority are his or her backbone. This becomes glaring when an individual takes a keen interest in unfolding events.

The education sector is weighed down by multiferous challenges in Nigeria.

Sadly, the education policy of a number of states may not be responsive to the needs and problems of primary and secondary schools.

The focus on hotels, eateries, night clubs, beer parlors and event centers by some state governments has psychologically defeated the interest of pupils and students in education.

The existing schools in the affected states are yet to be satisfactorily catered for and this has resulted in the unimpressive academic performance of pupils and students.

Of worry, is the conversion of so many schools to a base and launch pad for criminals of all sorts, while school authorities are benefiting commercially from the rentage of classrooms and premises to members of the public.

The attitude of government and other stakeholders in the education sector is suggestive of a mounting opposition to learning.

The Resort to Hard Drugs

Illicit and outlawed substances are now in regular use and abuse among the young and old in several communities in Nigeria. How did these hard drugs get into the country? Only those in charge of law enforcement are in a position to provide an answer. Perhaps.

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.

On Monday, 20 July 2001, at a remembrance lecture and book lunch in honor of the late Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi in Ibadan, Nigeria, Major General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo(RTD) of blessed memory has summarized the situation in Nigeria in the following words:

''In our country, the system has produced despots that foist totalitarianism regimes on us and allows mediocrity to triumph over merit, hence our continued backwardness as a nation.''

Those who possess the political power today must have started taking stock of the legacies they are about to leave behind, particularly the huge debt burden at the center and the states.

Another legacy to be left behind are thousands of lives that have been lost for economic and security reasons, in addition to those who remain unaccounted for under this administration.

The leaders in their second and final lap are anxious to throw in the towel, while the ones still having a term to go are working vigorously to cover their tracks a bit longer.

The desperation to conduct the National Population Census, the huge amount set aside for the Kano/Marahadi rail project, the rush to commence the Nigeria Air flight operations and the imminent airport concession among others in the twilight of this administration speaks volumes.

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Wielding the Big Stick

Several grievous and heinous crimes have been traced t commercial motorcyclists a.k.a Okada riders, who are mostly foot soldiers, supporters, admirers and well wishers of the ruling political parties in a number of states.

For peace to reign and for the safety of innocent Nigerians to be guaranteed, leaders must wield the big stick on their followers with criminal tendencies.

However, sadly, lawlessness, crime and all forms of criminality are now a lingering culture and tradition in several communities, including Molusi, Onafuwa Solanke, Oeygbami, Oshodi, Kehinde Aderibigbe, Olorunsogo, Molete, Aluko, Felele and Scout Camp communities.

Indeed, the overbearing indicators are that the government at all levels are complicit.

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.

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.

Avoid all that is evil so that you will not be consumed by evil.
1Timothy 6 : 1-12

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

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.