Joseph Oyeboade

5 Things to Consider Before going into Nigerian Politics

The rate at which individuals are getting involved in politics is getting alarming. Almost everyone wants to have a taste of the so-called “National cake”, which past leaders have also enjoyed. Nowadays, most people go into politics not because of a pressing need to serve their country or selflessly work towards the progress of their community and society at large, but because they have an ulterior motive, and they see being a politician a great way to become alleviated from poverty or as a get-rich-quick scheme.

There is a popular notion of politics being a “dirty game”, and this notion or idea has been factually established by the political system that we have in Nigeria. Being a politician nowadays should be an idea or thought that one should rethink over and over again, before delving into it.

So, here are 5 things or factors an individual should consider before going into politics in Nigeria:

1. Choice of Political Party

The role of one’s political party in determining how far one can go or the apogee of one’s success cannot be overemphasized. Whether you are founding a new party or joining an existing political party, having a group or team where you can share your ideas and visions is very important. Having joined a political party or created one, there is a need to examine the party’s constitution and manifesto. In the present Nigeria, creating a political party is a really good idea but is not the best thing to do. It puts you at a disadvantage because the party’s popularity will determine how the mass will view you. So, the best idea is to join a popular political party. There are many political parties in Nigeria, but only a few of them are popular. There is also a pressing need to check the reputation of the part you have joined and the rate of its success in past elections. You need to consider how successful your party is at winning elections. You also need to check the way things are done in the political party you have chosen. Favoritism, nepotism and tribalism are cankerworms which have eaten deep into the fabrics of most political parties in Nigeria. You need to know if you will be able to succeed in the party you have chosen, or there will be people who will always want to antagonize whatever decision and opinion you make during party meetings.

2. Building a Good reputation

This is also a great factor you should consider when deciding to go into politics. Having a good reputation that precedes you is a great item to be added to your political CV. In your political career, there is a need to have as much goodwill as possible. The society and community which you belong to need to know you for being a good person, and this will give them the confidence to vouch for you when advertising for you or campaigning for others who do not really know much about you. You need to be disciplined in whatever you do. Your YES should be your YES and your NO should be NO. Let people know you for being a person that does not take nonsense but this does not mean you should be a strict disciplinarian, as being too strict may have its own consequence. You also need to be responsible and own up to your actions. Don’t just make rash decisions, you need to be a creative thinker as this would also determine how other party members assess you.

3. Be informed: News and recent happenings of our modern society travel around like the speed of light. An event that is happening currently in Ontario, Canada can be viewed by someone who is in a faraway land or country. There is a need to stay updated and informed if you want to build a successful political career as people who are unaware or not handy with up-to-date information are always regarded as being unserious. You need to start listening to the news if you have the ambitions of building a political career, read local newspapers and national ones also. Having vital information in hand will greatly help you whenever you are engaged in discussions with other political colleagues and party members. It would also help you to have ideas and opinions on ways that you think problems ravaging the country can be nipped in the bud.

4. Have an experienced political mentor: If you ask 50 politicians if they have a godfather, most of them might not be straightforward when answering but from the hints which they will give from their answer you can decipher that there is someone whom they give reverence to for guidance on steps to take and decisions to take. The same also applies to anyone who is bearing the thought of going into politics. In our present country, godfatherism has become a popular factor in gauging your success in politics. You need an experienced person who has been into politics for a long time to teach you the ropes and guide you in your chosen career. Choosing a respectful and responsible godfather is also another factor to consider. You also need to give reverence to the leaders of your party and those put in charge of your constituency, these people might also come in hand in the course of your political career.

5. Have good communication skills: Being a good Nigerian politician requires you to be excellent and skilled at communicating with others. A bad communicator won’t go far in politics as communication is a very great tool in sharing your ideas to the general population. You need to be able to devise means to pitch your tent and sell your vital ideas to your party and constituency. Being a good orator is one factor which most politicians usually fail to consider when building their political career and this usually stands as a stumbling block when they are eventually called on to deliver their opinions. You can develop your communication skills by learning to write speeches and granting interviews to firms who want to know your opinion on a particular topic.

There are also other factors one should consider when planning to plunge into the pool of politics, but the highlighted factors are quintessential and must be considered by anyone who wishes to build a political career.

Top 10 Uniben Graduates Making Great Moves in the Entertainment Industry

The Nigerian Entertainment industry, known as Nollywood is largely recognized globally and is ranked as the second largest film producer in the world, after Hollywood. Its importance is well recognized as its worth is around $9bn as at present. There are many people who have made huge success through this industry and we will be taking a look at some of them, specifically those who graduated from the University of Benin.

1. Richard Mofe Damijo

Popularly known as RMD. Richard Mofe Damijo is a Nigerian actor, writer, producer. He studied Theatre Arts in Uniben and has also acted in various movies like castle and castle, fine wine and is also the producer of the popular TV series, Mr X.

2. Bright Okpocha (Basket mouth)

Basketmouth is a Nigerian actor and comedian widely known for his rib-cracking jokes and acts. Bright Okpocha is a graduate of Uniben having studied sociology and anthropology.

3. Lota Chukwu

Lota Chukwu is an actress. She gained popularity after starring in the popular Nigerian TV series, Jenifa's Diary, produced by Funke Akindele. She played the role of 'kiki', a close friend of Jenifa. She studied Agricultural Economics and Extension Service in Uniben. You can read Lota Chukwu's full biography here

4. Omoni Oboli

Omoni Oboli is a Nigerian actress, script writer, film director, digital filmmaker and producer. She has written several screenplays including the popular movie, The Figurine. She studied French in Uniben.

5. John Ighodaro

Known by his stage name, Johnny Drille. John Ighodaro is a Nigerian singer and songwriter and is one of my favourite artistes. Johnny Drille studied English and Literature while in Uniben.

6. Nosa Omogie

Professionally known as Nosa. Nosa Omoregie is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter and performer. He studied Engineering in Uniben.

7. Kelvin Ngozi Ikeduba

Kelvin Ngozi Ikeduba is a Nigerian actor who won the award for Best Cross Over Actor at the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards in 2014. Kelvin Ikeduba also graduated from the University of Benin having studied Economics.

8. Edward Young

Edward Young (Edward Osaretinmwen Erhahon) is a Nigerian filmmaker known for his debut production film, Kasanova. He studied Adult and Non-formal Education at University of Benin.

9. Oghenekaro Itene

Oghenekaro Lydia Itene is a Nigerian actress, businesswoman and humanitarian. She is a graduate of the University of Benin.

10. Mildred Okwo

Mildred Okwo is a Nigerian film director and producer. She is the director of the award winning romance comedy-drama film, The meeting. She studied Theatre Arts while in Uniben.

Biography of Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji

Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, fondly called 'Mo Bimpe', is a Nigerian actress and model. She hails from Ijero, Ekiti state but was born in Akure, Ondo state. She was born on the 23rd of March, 1994 into a family of five children with herself being the youngest.

Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree, having studied English Language in Ekiti State University (EKSU). Adebimpe delved fully into acting in 2016 when she acted in an English-Yoruba movie titled Crossroad, produced by Yomi Fabiyi. She became a hit with the fans due to her role in the movie, Adebimpe Omo oba.

Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji is happily married to Lateef Adedimeji, a co-actor and movie producer

Movies by Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji

Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji has starred in over fifty movies in her acting career. These movies include

Imole Ife
Ponle
Damaged

For her education, Adebimpe Oyebade attended the Asset College, and Omolete School for her elementary and secondary school education respectively.

She had her National Youth Service Corps program in Benin City, Edo State

Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji is active on social media. You can connect with her via her official handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

With the 2023 election looming, many candidates have already made their ambition to run for various political post known to the public, and with time their manifestos will start rolling in. Different manifestos will be read to the attentive ears of the masses at strategic locations chosen for campaigning. At the end, the best man wins and is sworn in to his/her office after every ‘rite’ has been performed, with he/she resuming duties almost immediately.

The joy of being a leader is indescribable but what about the burden that comes with it?

The expectation to always outperform the former administration is always high as the present administration is expected to defy all odds but at the end of the designated term, the hype of the current government turns into a flop. This then leads to the question – How cumbersome or burdensome is the role of a leader?

Having the prospect of becoming a leader would turn out to become a thing of regret if one does not envision how/she wishes to lead his/ her intended followers. Having the mantle of leadership is always an arduous task as the supposed leader is always deep in thoughts about how to make the society better and make progress.

Being a leader is not a decision you can just wake up one day and make. The situation of Nigeria’s leadership is extremely pitiable as different candidates have aspired out of the blues to becoming the leader of different posts without having pure intentions or a clear vision of how they intend to rule their country. Even leadership at the grassroots is not a joking matter. Some past leaders have died as a result of being a leader, others have been victims of heart attack and hypertension due to the problems faced with while in office. Perhaps, this might be a reason why leaders are celebrated for fulfilling a specific amount of days in office.

Having the notion of becoming a leader is an abyss that no one should just plunge into. A candid advice for those who are aspiring to become leaders if various political posts us to think twice and be solidly positioned in order not to be shaken when they finally get their desired post. Remember, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

As 2023 edges closer, the fate of a country on who will become its face in various political positions becomes hotly debated. In few months' time, Nigeria will once again experience a mass activity and participation from its inhabitants as each and everyone will troop out in numbers to canvass for support and vote for their beloved candidates. Enmity will be sworn, love will also be spread. There has always been the case of bloodshed and destruction and the coming year is expected to be no different.

With the coming year expected to be full of hope and optimism severely overshadowed by pessimism, as to what the next leader brings to the table. Each of these ambitious candidates are already starting to reel out what they intend to achieve if elected. As at the time of publishing this article, more than 20 individuals have declared their interest in running for various political posts, with the presidential post being the one in the minds of most of these individuals.

While the primaries have not been done yet, many aspirants have made their ambitions known and have made it official, with some of these figures purchasing the nomination forms of their various political parties. The coming elections promises to be a tense affair as some of these aspirants aim to battle it out for the post without allowing the popularity and power some of their opponents wield, intimidate or rule out their interest. Each of these candidates who were once or are still leaders of a political post or the other rely on different concepts, ideology which gives them the assurance that they can boldly come out to declare their interest and win the elections.

Most of these leaders believe in their plans. While some of them have read out the plans they have for the country once elected, others are still drafting out their intentions. The plans of each of these candidates will go a long way to determine how people's opinion on who to vote for. Their plans are like their voices.

Just as their plans are important, their popularity is also quintessential in determining who will win the coming elections. Being a popular figure among the mass is also a great factor which each of these candidates are hoping to make use of, and this is where strategic campaign movements come into play.

Some of this candidates also believe they wield power. Having been former leaders of states and members of the National assembly, different opponents believe the power they wield from these posts will also have a great effect as to how they perform in the coming elections.

While bearing all these factors, let's have a look at some of these aspirants who publicly and formally declare their interests in running for the presidential post, while examining what they intend to achieve if elected:

Senator Ibikunle Amosun has officially declared his interest, and he promises to provide a leadership that will galvanize Nigeria to achieve her destiny as a leader in Africa.

Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade also made his intentions known as he hopes to concentrate on power, security and economic challenges if elected as president.

Yahaya Bello, also made his aspirations known and was one of the first candidates to purchase the presidential nomination form.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has also declared his interest.

Rabiu Kwankwanso, the former Governor of Kano state feels it is high time the problem of insecurity was looked into, among other things.

The Minister of Labour and employment, Chris Ngige is not left out. He has also declares his intention Nas he believes he has all it takes to steer the ship of Nigeria to a safe harbour.

Current Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo declared his intentions also ,while holding the belief that the time for business and entrepreneurs to grow has come.

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor also made his intention clear with the aim of returning the power in the hands of the ruling party to his own party - The People's Democratic Party.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria's minister of Transportation and Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State have also declared their interest, with the latter believing he has a compassionate heart to care for the poor and downtrodden and also the masses of the country.

The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi is also not left out in this race.

Atiku Abubakar has also decided to rerun after failing to win in the last presidential election. He promises that his administration will focus on unity, security, economy, education and devolving more resources to federating units, which he believes are key areas affecting the country.

One of the major figures who has been tipped to win and is also viewed by many as being the favourite is former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a big political figure.

2023 indeed promises to be pregnant with loads of expectations and all we can say is May the best man with the purest of intentions win!