So Far So Good - A National Review on Issues Affecting Nigeria

We can decide to make rants,  asking what could be the major problem of Nigeria and what our fifty nine years of independence has taught us? The reality in Nigeria has shown us the hard side of life with no remorse whatsoever.

You ask further - Could it be we are accursed? 

Without argument, it is said that predominant happenings in Nigeria are on the highly negative  side, giving lesser or no hope to an aspired future.  Going from the nature of social problems, developmental problems, economic crisis, political unrest, security problem, etc, we are certain that life itself has imparted a sense of adversity to Nigerian  citizens.

The major uproar now in Nigeria is the pandemic across the world affecting the four walls of Nigeria COVID-19. The pandemic came to Nigeria first month of this year and according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) the confirm cases has grown to four thousand one hundred and fifty one (4151) as at 9th may, 2020 with a discharged cases of seven hundred and forty five (745) and the death of one hundred and twenty eight (128) .

Does this speak volume of hope to the nation?

The lock down is another issue her citizen would not want to adhere to mainly because of the lack of trust she has on her leadership. During the first lock down, her citizen took upon herself through social media on the necessity of getting food on the tables as eighty percent of her population live on a daily income. The second lock down declared by the president on Monday, 13th April, 2020 opened the nation to insecurity problems as the AWAWA BOYS and ONE MILLION BOYS became the fear of the day.

What was the reason for the fear?

Why the cause of commotion?

To some, it was food. Some said it was the boredom and yet another came saying it was a political plot of the leaders to her citizens.  The issue is yet to be settled as the Ogun and Lagos States Commissioners released in statements in the early hours of the morning 13th of April 2020, saying it was just uproar and a false alarm by the citizen that the nation is at peace with her. However, the citizens would not have it as vigilante groups were formed at different areas in the Abule egba axis, Iyana ipaja, Sango, and Ogun environs. On social media, videos of apprehending the thieves were sent across to show what stay the country is indeed is. 27th of April of the year 2020 was another day of the delivery of the President's speech which reduced the tension of her citizen on the ease of the lock down on the 4th of may of the year 2020.

The issue which is predominant had shove every other problem that is faced by the country for now and the people strongly believe that this could be a sign of rest that the nation leader should take advantage of and give thought to solution and attention to problems of the nation.

Should we hope they make use of the advantage?

The pandemic also didn't leave the students out as academic curriculum is left to an halt due to lock down of public places and gatherings of more than twenty people. It has shown the level in full picture the level of our academic student. As social media which has been a major tool during this lock has it how patiently the citizens of the nation wait for current from the developed countries. Although, the reaction the citizen has is the fact that there might not be no pandemic which is just a general myth by the nation's citizen because of the level of interest of the government. The vaccine that was rumoured to be a possible cure for the for the affected cases was said to be tested in Nigeria pioneer by Bill Gates. The people went a full force in rejecting such act because of lack of trust and the reasoning of who among the affected countries beeds it the most?

The coming of the Chinese doctors is another issue that brings the lack of sincerity on the part of the government towards her citizen. On Twitter it was attend that their was no need of the doctors coming over, even while the doctor's of her beloveth country Nigeria gave their non approval of the coming if the doctor's it came as a shock when the minister of health on channels gave his talk on the government not knowing the coming of the doctors neither did the government invite them but they were a gift from a Chinese company.

Who are our leaders?

We may not say all is bad. We only have a positive position to all that is happening and continually say, "Where there is life there is hope"

Politics in Nigeria: Washing Dirty Linen in Public

The first answer you are likely to get from a person practising political apathy in Nigeria is that politics is a dirty game. It is a game of either you are here or there: a do or die affair. The Nigerian political space has not for long been associated with honour with politicians who do more to dent the image of Nigerians at the international scene - maybe a different type of political system is being studied in the first world countries. 

Politics, everywhere, is a dirty game, but these countries somehow know how to conduct themselves. For Nigeria, politicians only know how to display their show of shame to the public. Or how is a supposedly father and possibly grandparent caught on camera exchanging blows in the assemblies that are expected to serve as the law making house? Somewhat in 2016, the maze was taken when the plenary section was still ongoing by some senators. The budget of the nation was also missing in the National Assembly. That was unprecedented in the history of the country. I call these politicians 'yahoo boys' in 'agbada.'

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was founded in 2003 by the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering. Although, in existence since 2003, we have seen only fragments of them as they perform, but not up to expectations. In 2018, it was reported that the EFCC had the highest numbers of concluded corruption cases with the Nigeria Judiciary Council (NJC).

As noted earlier, Nigerian politicians share a sibling-like relationships with corruption. On May 2016, the former British prime minister, David Cameron was caught saying on camera that Nigeria was 'fantastically' corrupt. This was not surprising as that was the impression that had been created by our politicians. In 2015, one of the campaign promises of President Muhammadu Buhari was that he would rid the country of the corruption syndrome. I must note that the war against corruption is not in anyway won. We have just being promoted from the worst to the bad.

When you think you have seen it all, Politicians with their clownish nature would find a way to 'amuse' you, full of tricks and stunts. Diepreye Alamieseyegha, a former governor of Bayelsa state was arrested in the United Kingdom on count charges of money laundering. Hours after his arrest, he escaped to Nigeria disguised as a woman. This was a criminal thing to do for a supposedly ambassador of the country. Though he was later arrested by the Nigerian government, but this singular act has already left a stain on the country's white garment.

Do not forget so easily the  drama Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti state played with the EFCC. In 2012, the court ordered the closure of Fayose's two bank accounts with Zenith bank and also the forfeiture of some his properties because it was said to be acquired with illegally shared money by Dasuki, the then National security adviser. Due to his immunity as a sitting governor, he could not be arrested or charged to court. When his tenure was almost over, he made a promise to present himself to the EFCC's office. Yes, he did make himself present just hours after he handed over to Kayode Fayemi donned in a customised 'EFCC here I am' vest alongside his cohorts in PDP and some gullible youths. Many said his move was a bold one. Maybe, Or probably he was supposed to be pelted with stones.

Nigeria politicians have recently inculcated the habit of faking illnesses and diseases that had not manifested while they launder and stash away the nation's fund in foreign accounts. It is hard to forget so quickly the case of Allison Maduekwe who after milking the country dry was suddenly diagnosed of cancer at a time when she was supposed to face the music of her actions. The recent one was Maina who also suddenly developed a strange illness when his case was in court. His didn't hold any weight that much but because he was sentenced anyway.

In the words of Erstwhile President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he describes Democracy as a testament to the courage and resilience of Nigerians. As citizens of Nigeria, I think it is time we rose up from our slumbers and fought this corruption and its agent before it sinks us all.

Coronavirus and the Politics of Life

Since the Coronavirus pandemic has taken over the world like a raging storm with over five million confirmed cases worldwide. The disease which started in the later part of 2019 in Wuhan, a town in the Hubei province of China is said to be a respiratory disease and has claimed more than two hundred thousand lives in the world. It is a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) and in its contracted form, it is COVID-19. The disease has made the world's economies to be on a standstill as most countries are either partially or totally locked down.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the virus a pandemic which needed international attention. A new name for the disease, COVID-19 was announced by WHO on February 11, 2020. Nigeria confirmed its first case of the disease on 27 February, 2020 when an Italian citizen in Lagos was tested positive for the virus. Since then, Nigeria has experienced a rise of the disease. As at May 7, Nigeria had a total of 3526 confirmed cases with 601 discharged cases and 103 deaths across 34 states and

the FCT

Right from the confirmation of the first case in Nigeria, government officials and politicians alike showed signs of irresponsibility. Many politicians started off playing politics with the virus without cares that the time was not right for any form of politicking going by the happenings in countries with far more developed health systems. Politicians downplayed the presence of the disease in Nigeria, simply calling it a hoax and that it was a well coordinated effort of the government to embezzle public fund. Days later, another case was confirmed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). 

As the cases rose, it began to scare well informed Nigerians, but the rise didn't stop these politicians from inciting the public against the government with plenteous rubbish. People, believing in the 'madness' of these politicians started demanding for the pictures of the Italian and others who were confirmed infected with the disease. This continued until Muhammad Abubakar, the son of the former president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar was tested positive for the virus.

As the World's Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the virus a pandemic with information and guidelines as the virus could be transmitted from person to person, one of the standard prevention procedures was that anyone who had visited any countries with confirmed cases of the virus should self isolate for 14 days upon return to their countries. Around early March, the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari returned from his Germany's official trip. On his return to the country, he was supposed to self isolate, but he didn't do so. He instead attended theKogi state governor's mother's 3-day Fidau prayer the next day. Some days later, it was reported that he had tested positive for the virus. Also, at the time when the virus had gained momentum in Lagos, PDP  held a rally in Ibadan, Oyo State where Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor was  quoted to have said that the PDP members were immuned to the virus. Three days later, a case of the virus was confirmed in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State and many days after, the governor himself confirmed he has tested positive for the virus through his social media handle.  This means that if we assume that he was a ticking time bomb when the rally was held, then, we can not doubt the reality of having a thousand cases in Oyo state at this moment to grace.

While the Sanwo-Olu Lagos State Government and the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) increased their testing strength as a way to curtail the spread of the disease, the northern states except Kaduna and Borno states did practically nothing to prepare for the advent of the virus in the state. The Kano state governor didn't lift a finger except closing the state's border, a move that was quite ineffective until the deaths in the state became alarming. Concerned corners thus raised questions at the time  as regards the lateness before actions were made.

Government and politicians once again showed cold hearts in the distribution of relief materials and palliatives which were intended to help reduce of the effect of the lockdown declared in the country. Lagos was first to roll out its plan to distribute palliatives which was  'hijacked' by politicians. Streets with over a hundred dwellers were given small sacks of rice, few tubers of yam and loaves of bread in the most ridiculous manner. The same happened in Osun state where a household was given a cup of rice and far as a governor who asked his citizens to buy 'gaari' if they didn't have the money to stock their homes. 

With 774 local government heads, 36 state governors (including the ministers of the FCT), 109 senators, 365 house of representative members and 36 state assemblies, shouldn't there be concerns about the welfare of those who elected them?

Nigeria has a track record of having one of the worst health systems in the world despite billions of naira that is being pumped to it every year. Instead of improving the health systems, government and politicians busy themselves with funds to embezzle. The Coronavirus has highlighted how weak our health systems are. Truth is, with the present health systems in Nigeria, we will be overwhelmed by the virus way before we reach ten thousand confirmed cases.

On a final note, the Coronavirus has shown how inhumane and incompetent our politicians are. It shows politicians are only interested in sharing the national cake. The coming of this virus should be an eye opener for leaders in power corridors and politicians alike to plan ahead for future possibilities.

Biography of Asiwaju Dr. Oluwaseun Fakorede

Honourable Asiwaju (Dr) Oluwaseun Temidayo Fakorede was born on May 22, 1992 and hails from Ibarapa, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian entrepreneur, speaker and politician. At the age of 27, he became the youngest Commissioner in Nigeria's history when he was appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State in August 2019.

 

 

From his appointment as commissioner in 2019, Hon. Seun Fakorede has made great impact by revolutionising the face of excellence in leadership in Nigeria's Political Space while leading a vanguard of young history makers to do exploits wherever they find themselves.

 

Read also: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

 

Asiwaju (Dr.) Oluwaseun Fakorede is active on social media. You can connect with him via his official handles on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.

Opinion: Nigeria- A Fulfilment of What?

If you are scared of the truth, turning back at this point may be the best thing to do. In reality, the truth is a bastard while the Lie has a father.

Growing up many years ago, I remember my home lesson teacher's assignment. The home lesson itself was a punishment, much more the assignment. This home lesson came not because I was "unbrilliant" but because I was practically stubborn
This day, my aunt had me write in my lesson note:
"Write an essay on the topic: Nigeria, an empty giant of Africa."

 

This was a strong and wide topic for a boy of ten years- I was about rounding off my primary school education. Obviously, I barely knew about life in my family, much more Nigeria save for the fact that things have changed in comparison to now- living conditions and standards.

Till today, that topic rings a bell. I choose to remember that there was anomie in the Nigerian state back then. Now, it's worse.

At a point, I felt nothing could be done to change things. This was not because of pessimism- I've always been optimistic as relates to Nigeria.

Now, thanks to change. I see something making that proposition in my lesson note invalid, thanks to the present administration. However, I believe that her campaign slogan was too wide... Change is nice, change is wanted but change is gradual...

Shout out to PMN. He is a wise man, going after the principle of "tell them what they want to hear."
However, I choose to utter: "Cursed be anyone who lies to the masses in the want of Votes"
and
"Cursed be anyone who for the taste of pottage, sells his birthright"

This piece is coming at this point in time because everywhere near me, an election would take place- My Faculty, my department, my University, my state and Nigeria as a whole. Let Nigerians make open their stand, don't be gullible, yet be wise.

In the words of my Father:
"Go to the ants, consider their ways and be wise".

"This piece seeks to address salient issues as concerns politics. However, any resemblance in the nominal is not purposeful."

Biography of Alex Otti OFR

 Economist, Banker, Investor and Philanthropist. 

In 2023, Alex Otti won the Abia State Governorship elections under the umbrella of the Labour Party

Alex Otti is active on social media. You can connect with him via his official handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter