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The herds, the herdsmen and men in Nigeria
Tuck Magazine
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By

Prince Charles Dickson

Today I saw two blind people fighting; I shouted, “I am supporting the one with the knife.” They both ran away.

I have watched, read and listened; it’s been one news report after the other, commentary-by-commentary, grief, pain, sorrow, and trading of blames. The causalities have been on the increase, it’s close to averaging two dead per day, and depending on whose figures we are relying on.

However the issues still remain virtually the same, very little is known about the true causes of what narratives have termed the Herdsmen Killings. But a fact remains that we are on our way to Mogadishu…one brutal step at a time.

In many parts of Nigeria, it has all gone so sour; we all talk about peace, without realizing the amount of hate in the open market free for grasp. Everybody has his/her version based on religion, ethnic cleavages, and economic leverage.

In Nigeria, no one has opened up to say, how we got to this point…Where children and women are butchered with savagery irrespective of faith and creed, where family breadwinners and bakeries are hacked down in their prime.

We have closed our eyes, ears and noses, lost our consciences, as we have become victims of our own self-inflicted docility. In parts of Benue, local youths now will kill and eat those they perceive to be enemies…The Newspapers did not tell you this, nor did anyone tell you that in many parts of Nigeria today, there is an average of one gun for every ten houses, unlicensed arms and ammunition.

These exclude cutlass, machetes, and other such forms. That when these fights break out the orgies of killings and wanton destruction are only comparable to places like Rwanda, Kosovo, etc.

I am sure most Nigerians in other parts are unaware that we have gotten to the level where we get text messages and WhatsApp communications that bother from the mundane to the highly insane.

I am sure many Nigerians on facebook, twitter, various social network groups and listserves do not know that we have redefined terms that are part of our conflictology. There is the ‘them, us, they, namu, nasu, harane, dan kasa, tiv, and the fulanis’.

It all depends on which parts you belong to. Benue vs Fulanis, Hausas vs natives, Hausas vs Igbos; as this was being penned it was vs students. Landowners vs settlers, the dominant vs the domineering, PDP vs APC, Obj vs PMB, Kwankwaso vs Ganduje, the rich vs the poor, the state government vs the special task force, women vs army; it’s just endless.

It all depends on where you stand, how it affects you and how much you care.

Whether it is in Enugu, Taraba, South of Kaduna, or Zaria, Zamfara or Benue, Adamawa or Nassarawa, the narratives are similar, neighbors have not been seen for weeks…many killed and burnt! Several even killed by their own in mob frenzy, as they are not given the opportunity to state tribe, religion or anything.

How did we get to where we are? When did we descend to a state where we have to be careful of the kinds of clothes we wear, you dare not wear a kaftan if you are not Muslim, and trust me it’s no use wearing jeans and a shirt looking like James Chuwang in an environ where you should ordinarily be Aminu Mohammed.

Did you know that motorbikes have their operational zones, that you do not dare enter a vehicle without making sure the composition of the passengers?

That no matter the situation peradventure you are Muslim, you dare not by mistake, error or omission hit a Christian on the road, even if the accident was his fault and that the city centre is on a self-imposed curfew, with citizenry all home and in their comfort zones between 5 and 6pm.

Most of us, or put rather politely some of us sit in comfort zones and watch as militias take over in the name of vigilantes, commit arson, and look for justification forgetting that in the real sense these are acts of treasonable felony.

Some say Buhari is the problem, others say it’s his enemies, Natives are killed by the dozens almost weekly in their local villages, settlers, indigenes, Christians, Muslims, Fulanis and pagans are slaughtered, hacked down and accidentally discharged by fellow Nigerians in uniform and without uniforms.

No sane person is going to have his ward serve or even get to school in some states of Nigeria.

No one is being held responsible. There is a threateningly alarming increasing level and dose of distrust. Mr. Buhari, his administration, security agents, the legislative and judicial arms have completely failed, not as a multiple result of a person but a function of a complete failure of the entire security network and leadership and citizens apparatus.

In Benue, The Special Task Force reports to the Defence Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police reports to Abuja, and Ortom sits receiving sympathizers, he cannot even pay workers as he battles saboteurs from his own backyard and contends with his self-denial that he is in charge, after an abysmal failure before now.

It’s more of Buhari’s problem than a collective problem of a people; of course he is the President. The Fulanis are aggrieved, rightly so too, the Igbos are weighing the option of Biafra, with right to do so. Yorubas are caught in-between with its Christian and Muslim population. Indigenous persons are tired and believe that the answer is wholesale, pursuing of all strangers, which is not a bad idea too, so let’s see how it plays out.

I once said when this year’s killings commenced that it represent a failure in all ramifications on the part of those that have been vested with authority whether by votes or rigging, from Buhari as C-in-C to Ortom, religious, civil, opinion, and traditional leaders.

But as a people we are all even more concerned about Trump and Jerusalem, forgetting that even these places and persons have a far more enhanced level of comfort than our backyard here. Yet these places are feeling the heat. So we have failed, we have just failed to live as brothers and sisters because ‘maybe’ we are not?

Civil wars or uprisings only need a conflagration point to explode. People live their lives in fear; neighbourhoods are raising militia groups in the guise of neighbourhood watch. We are breeding a disaster.

Better a bomb, than pathways riddled with landmines. We see it as it has become in Borno, Kaduna, Benue, Adamawa, and Taraba states…I could go on and on. But what is there to say, to families that have suffered losses in these senseless killings, how do we explain to the orphans, are we sure we discern the magnitude of socio-psycho economic damage we are planting?

To families that have lost loved ones, in this Farmer and Herdsmen ethno-religious cum political crisis. I say take heart, as painful and naive as I sound, still preach peace. We read of different solutions, and colonize all the bitterness, and the elite watch on, and very little is done.

God save Nigeria, but Nigerians need to save themselves. Do we really desire peace, or will we continue until the last man is standing—Only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

Currently Prince Charles, is based out of Jos, Plateau State, and conducts field research and investigations in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria with an extensive reach out to the entire North and other parts. Prince Charles worked on projects for UN Women, Search for Common Ground, and International Crisis Group, among others. He is an alumnus of the University of Jos and the prestigious Humanitarian Academy at Harvard and Knight Center For Journalism, University of Texas at Austin. A doctoral candidate of Georgetown University

Born in Lagos State (South West Nigeria), Prince Charles is proud of his Nigerian roots. He is a Henry Luce Fellow, Ford Foundation grantee and is proficient in English, French, Yoruba Ibo and Hausa. Married with two boys, and a few dogs and birds.

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The herds, the herdsmen and men in Nigeria
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Neither Coalition Nor Third Force, But A Restructured Mind
Tuck Magazine
Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

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By

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Truth, in the words of Thomas Aquinas, is the agreement of what is in the mind with what is on the lips. Considering this remark in relation to the truth as told by the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his memo to President Buhari, and the ripple reactions that followed, one may be tempted to view the letter as more of a connotation than ordinary. Though, an interesting argument, but again, may not be true as the former president is well known as an open, straight talker, who cares less about strategy or diplomacy.

To Obasanjo, the letter was not aimed at impressing anyone, but it did impress. It was not targeted at winning a cheap political point, instead, focused on restoring hope to the masses while providing political access to direction – hungry politicians. Interestingly, the memo has attracted similar ones with the latest coming from another former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Conversely, the well-chiseled letter excelled in the issues raised but suffered structural deformity in strategy/action plan proffered. The call for, and decision to lead a coalition to save Nigeria by the author in my view is not well thought out as it points to another round of political crop rotation. The caliber of dignitaries that graced the inaugural ceremony of the coalition and Obasanjo’s statement that the coalition will work with some relevant political parties underscores this assertion. Again, the composition of the group so far, and the support structure further points to the age long palace; Problem Has Changed Name’ (PHCN).

No doubt, OBJ as an elder statesman, propelled by ‘’holy anger”, needed to affect a positive change coupled with the burning love for his country, has done the needful by igniting the needed consciousness but forming or leading a coalition may be an off-side role.

The world has witnessed great leaders such as Lyndon Johnson, a onetime President of the United States, stopped from seeking a second term in office by virtue of such letters. Notably, it was after such a letter condemning his poor handling of the war against the Vietnamese that he (Lyndon) issued a statement which read in parts ‘’I shall not seek and, I will not accept the nomination of my party as president.’’ The rest is now history, and who knows?

The memo and not the coalition remain the most dynamic and cohesive action expected of a past leader like OBJ to earn a higher height of respect. Therefore, the knowledge gained, and awareness created via the letter will assist Nigerians in the pursuit of their political destiny without the orchestrated coalition. To further support my voiced opinion, ‘a tree generally bears no colourful flowers, but if decked with false blossoms, it can look like something it is not’. Similarly, the call for the coalition, from observations so far, is nothing but an assemblage of outsmarted old horse riders in a rebranded package.

Specifically more interesting is his remark on the “lice of poor performance in government- poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed-if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality.’’

Going by reports, the memo has started bearing fruits with President Buhari’s recent comment that he will no longer accept mindless killings while celebrated corruption cases now receive attention.

However, Nigerians are yet to spot the difference in their socio-economic wellbeing as a nation between 1999 when OBJ was in power and now. This fact alone is enough of a moral burden that discredits the former President’s proposed decision to lead a coalition against a situation he partially created.

Viewed differently, his interventionist role is acceptable, nevertheless, it will be more rewarding if the former president concentrates on preaching; honesty in government and need for a multicultural society of equal citizens, where opportunities are equal and a person’s contribution is recognized and rewarded on merit regardless of tribe, language, religion or culture’. That, in my view is expected of the former president and not forming or leading a coalition.

These calls for a coalition or third force are a sign that as human beings, we think of ourselves ‘as more generous, selfless, honest, kindly, intelligent or good looking than in fact we are.’ Such disposition, in all fairness, makes it extremely difficult for us to be honest with ourselves about our own limitations. This development becomes more worrisome when we remember that some of these calls are superficial without genuine repentance from the proponents.

Objectively, one thing we must not fail to remember is that our political challenges were created by our leaders, accelerated by the masses, and can only be reduced by all of us. Hence, we do not need a movement, coalition or third force, but a personal political reorientation via mind restructuring that will bring a national political rebirth. Learning from the silent points raised by former President Obasanjo is important. But developing the will to hold our leaders accountable and using the knowledge gained to reshape our support structure come the 2019 general election should remain fundamental to all as a nation.

Getting the above process catalyzed will require an urgent reworking of our faulty political mentality vis-a-vis party preference against credible candidates, instant gratification mentality which is fast becoming a native and developing the needed political consciousness built on value.

To conclude, for us as a people that are interested in turning our nation to a space for peace, freedom and prosperity, for us to ‘create leaders with virtues that we can respect and moral principles we can applaud,’ for us to make real progress and build the Nigeria of our dreams come 2019, what we urgently need is personal political mind restructuring to vote the right people irrespective of their; age, tribe, party or financial muscular as achieving such will definitely open the floodgates of development and prosperity.

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Jerome-Mario is a Social Entrepreneur and an alumnus, School of media and communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

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Neither Coalition Nor Third Force, But A Restructured Mind
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We like or we not like Buhari 2019
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CH photo

By

Prince Charles Dickson

Whether you like or you no like

After you hear this true talk

Whether you like or you no like

After you hear this true talk

If you like e good

If you no like you hang

If you like e good

If you no like you hang

If you hang you go die

You go die for nothing

We go carry your body go police station

You die wrongfully

I have struggled to avoid discussing the matter of Buhari‘s presidency as it concludes its first sojourn, not as an act of cowardice, but truly, who am I, to discuss, a president of the federal republic of Nigeria, who rode onto power on the incorruptible toga; especially when I am not on a praise-singing mission like many are want to do?

However with each passing day, I know that I am compelled to make my opinion known, and it’s not just my opinion but it’s that of many Nigerians. And I make these comments so that someday in the future when I am asked what did I say or do, these words would hold me liable. I will not sit on the fence and watch, I will talk, I will write and let my words stand for posterity.

Before I go far, let me state the following facts…as of today comparatively Mr. Buhari is a decent man… (Note my word, comparatively). He is not as tainted as most players in our power block. However trust me, he is tainted. He may not have helped himself to the treasury till, but he is culpable for several indecisions, comments and actions that are ludicrous.

Mr. Buhari has proved that he is not the guy you can sit with in Uncle Joe’s palm wine shed, do a bottle or two of palm wine with good Madam Ngozi pepper soup. He has proved that despite that documentary on his human side, you cannot chat him up on one or two issues. He has this smile about him. He is no Donald Duke, he is no Fashola either but then he does not have the guts of Ibori, or Dariye. He is just there, and trust me that’s part of the problem.

I can tell you that since this administration came on board fully, it has been one hell of deceit, after another.

A host of us know that the current administration and that which commences come May 2019 will share a lot in common, and that is “living deceptively”. Buhari is a ‘yes man’ and is far from a departure of the business as usual set of leaders that have plagued this nation.

Like Jonathan before him praise singers have again simply caught the messiah bug or reinforced what is known. I am surprised some persons have not called him a god. The expectations were high, and for a nation that has for decades lived below its potentials we had a right to expect much but sadly we are again (saddled with our permission) a government that is largely a deceptive one, or at best performed below par, and wants permission again to continue.

Has the current administration built one school, from scratch to finish, have they built one refinery, have they completed one major road…I mean one original idea that has its conception, incubation, and birth and functionality in this administration.

Millions still lost on subsidies that otherwise would have helped other sectors of the economy. Besides what really is the obstacle in having functional refineries that in turn would provide thousands of jobs for a teeming unemployed population.

Mr. Buhari not just by his will but by powers beyond him has towed the known path. It is the only road we know for now…road contracts abandoned, commissioning of hospitals without facilities. Schools neglected, strikes within various sectors of the economy amongst many shortfalls and long falls has characterized the administration with a couple of its own fair share of ‘elephant and hippo’ projects.

There is nothing Buhari can do about the National Assembly and their outrageous million naira salaries for doing nothing, while as part of the deceit the government cannot negotiate a few extra thousands, in fact just 50,000 for another set that does at least a ‘small thing’.

Did anyone think that the Buhari-led APC was the answer, than we really needed a re-think? We have all been witnesses to the deceit called change. Or do we need a soothsayer to tell us that the best that we have now is a conglomeration of deceit…

By 2019, what will Buhari’s greatest achievements be, (actually for those of us thinking, he will lose the polls, we have very little in choice).

A cursory look at the policy thrust of this government is the very essence of my lamentation. For those who have asked for more time, I have argued that a change in government, if free, fair and credible does not mean that government should restart its engine. On the contrary, it calls for a refueling and moving ahead. Our experience is that government had to start all over again and the same old music is remixed and few months after we notice same old thread in action. Has it occurred to us that the same issues that the last administration sought to solve or made comic of, is the same ones we are facing again.

Obasanjo-Yardy-Jonathan-Buhari…it’s all been cosmetic dressing, in terms of the resources at our disposal. For those that ask for more time, I hope they are aware that we earned 2.8trillion, in 2010, an increase of almost 30% from 2009; fast forward to 2017 we have spent some excess of 6trilion in budget.

We have equally borrowed from everywhere, it remains to be seen if Benin Republic will give us money for some Private-Public-Partnership project.

It is strange that we have not seen wild protests fueled by inflation, insecurity, mass unemployment and poverty; all of which are present in Nigeria. However Mr. Buhari may be blessed as Nigerians are so divided on these issues by religion, ethnicity, nepotism, chopism and other selfish modules.

To curtail the downward trend in the country, Buhari and his team do not have the plan, the will; it simple pays lip service to change…just like a labourer changes his shirt day by day without choice to the same work wear he is used in 50 long years.

I know that Buhari despite the best of intentions by 2019, his APC cohorts will not have urgently and comprehensively addressed the job issue, nor improved on the business of government. There are no plans that will translate to the provision of housing, water, and education for all Nigerian children to the Senior Secondary School grade.

With more billions spent, electricity will still not be available, reliable and affordable.

I beg to re-echo again that except there is a honest search for understanding, education, organization, action that raises the cost of state violence for its perpetrators or that lays the basis for institutional change. There would be no answers; rather we would continually be plagued by the same questions.

Mr. Buhari has not solved our problems, like Jonathan before him, he has not disappointed with superlative performances. I and many like me would surprisingly with shame eat our words if there is a remarkable surge forward, if we can stop complaining about the same problems.

If Nigeria can join the speed train age and stop the government of celebrating borehole water in communities that deserve more.

Finally Mr. President, you are not under obligation to read, or listen to me. Besides you are not the root cause of why 50+ years after we are still a nation of potentials and little in achievement. You cannot do anything about it…but certainly you can do something…You cannot surprise many of us that do not believe in you. But you can shut us up by performing. It’s your choice sir, but really—Only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

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We like or we not like Buhari 2019
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The Catalyst for a New Order
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By

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Participants at a symposium held recently in Lagos unanimously agreed that common sense has a limit in public leadership and should not be the sole requisite for public leadership consideration; a position that supports sound education as an indispensable ingredient for achieving a people-purposed leadership. The symposium, which had as its theme; Leadership And Performance In Africa; the challenges of the continent’s economic competitiveness, was organized by the Centre For Leadership and Value (CVL) to celebrate its founder, Professor Patrick Utomi who recently marked his birthday.

The event had the former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the Special Guest of Honour while Kandeh Yumkella, former Director-General, UNIDO and a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming presidential election in Sierra Leone, was the keynote speaker.

Chief Obasanjo in his remark gave the gathering, made up of eminent Nigerians, members of the diplomatic community, captains of industries, traditional rulers, members of the civil society Organizations (CSO) and students, a graphic sequence and interrelatedness of leadership, governance, and development. OBJ’s glowing leadership insight as demonstrated at the event caused critical minds to query his inability to articulate this volume of knowledge into his 8 year reign as president; a period many say was riddled with pockets of socio-economic challenges.

His performance at the event in my view stands as a pointer to a bigger frame of challenge and further lays credence to the age-long claim that public office holders are largely insulated by protocol; a development that adversely laces their performance in limitation. OBJ may not be a lone traveler in this journey as the nation is littered with an endless list of ex-political office holders who upon the expiration of their tenure, suddenly turn eloquent preachers of good governance despite their inept record while in office.

What is more, there was a voiced opinion among participants regarding the dearth of leadership in our nation’s greatest challenge. The passionate plea for us to vote in the right people come 2019 general election underscores this assertion.

Kandeh Yumkella’s keynote speech on its part was apt, practical and realistic. To him, knowledge must grow to retain knowledge. And the prerequisite for public leadership must transcend common-sense to accommodate sound/formal education. He argued that banking on common sense alone may be defective as it has a limit to how far it can go. Leadership, he told the bewildered gathering calls for a proportionate mixture of both nature and nurture; hence the position of sound education in the provision of authentic and development focussed leadership has become inescapable.

He used detailed illustrations to drive home his argument while pointing out how leadership challenges have become our major undoing in Nigeria as a country and Africa as a continent. How faulty leadership style has turned us to a nation/continent of; ‘waiting for somebody to come and solve the problem, perfect practitioners of the Garden of Eden syndrome, and a people of aid receivership mentality.

Keeping issues where they are, this non-possession of sound education has made it pretty difficult for some leaders to differentiate between politics and leadership, a situation that has resulted in our leaders playing politics all the way while relegating leadership to the background. And the effect on the nation as we can see includes but not limited to;’ using the people to further their own ends, become selfish, unpleasant, narrow-minded and petty. Playing politics in place of leadership invariably involves intimidating people, getting things done by lying and other dishonest ways, not being yourself or true to others and generally behaving appallingly.’

To further support the above, keen political watchers have since observed that Lagos as a state is working, and has become a model of a modern leadership for both the state and the federal government to emulate simply because of the handlers’ decision to keep the ‘monkey’ called politics with the owners while leaving the provision of leadership with the technocrats.

No doubt, participants left the MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos venue of the programme, with a vivid picture of how ill-equipped and blurred abilities of our leaders has advanced our dwelling in the wilderness of poverty and hopelessness despite being gifted with enormous mineral deposits.

Occasioned by the above, a report recently stated that ‘technically, the poverty in Nigeria is not relative poverty but absolute. It is not the type of poverty that is caused by famine, drought, civil unrest, but bad leadership. It has been in existence for more than three decades without respite in view.’

However, various speakers at the forum were unanimous in hope and rock-solid in faith that the nation’s greatness is achievable if we can do the needful. Getting this regeneration process catalyzed they opined, will require first, a demand for a shift in leadership paradigm ‘as we cannot be doing a particular thing in a particular way and hope for a different result.’ This step is not just important but fundamental in retrieving the country from the ”political capitalists’’ and have it positioned on the part of a hypermodern society.

In the same token, achieving the hypermodern development/society will again necessitate a careful search for individuals with the above-listed qualities to take over from the demagogues masquerading as leaders. This, we must internalize and put into action when making our choices come the 2019 general election.

In like manner, for us to achieve a fast-tracked development and economic growth, the gathering opined that a democratized industrialization of the nation, integration of the nation’s economic towns/cities with effective transportation infrastructure will be key. Similarly, giving the rightful people devoid of booty sharing mentality but investment minded their rightful positions in the management of our ‘’Garden of Eden” while turning the aid received from donors and other interventionist groups to prosperity as in the case of Asian tigers will be a right step taken in the right direction.

Very germane also, the gathering agreed on the need to educate our political leaders that the youths are not in any way rivals but partners in the business of moving the project called Nigeria forward. Imperative also is the need for co-opting the youths into their political apprenticeship as it smacks every logic that the fates and the futures of the youths are discussed daily without any input coming from the youths.

For a deeper understanding of the above, ‘a good leader knows that when the youths take wings and soar, they too will soar. Getting the followers to soar takes courage, grit, determination and overwhelming passion. It is the responsibility of the leaders to make the followers better than you, which means trusting them, getting them the best resources, trusting them not to stab you in the back when it is time to take over from you and being confident enough not to be jealous of them when they do take off.

Once more, this auspicious moment of our existence calls for a collective view of leadership as a counterpart arrangement demanding from us a vetting responsibility of our leaders, questioning the so-called politically settled answers and providing answers to the unsettled political questions. This to my mind should be our preoccupation as we prepare for the 2019 general election.

On the importance of this symposium, the timing and theme were appropriate and apt to the season as the knowledge gained has further sharpened our vision and made our goals clearer even as we race towards the 2019 general election.

The clarion call by the gathering for an immediate revamping of our civil service is commendable as the action is long overdue. Our civil service in my view is currently shaped with too many hands, with too little work and all lacking in the habits needed for civilization. Getting the sector restructured by stripping it of bureaucracy, which serves as the bedrock for the monumental corruption that exists in the sector, shall be considered by all as another right step taken in the right direction.

To conclude, it is worthy of note that Professor Patrick Okedinachi Utomi out of his personal accord has become a tireless advocate for good governance and promoter of human capital development via youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. Having done these consistently and persistently, Utomi, has among the youths and the true progressives earned himself a new title; The Catalyst for A New Order.

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Jerome-Mario is a Social Entrepreneur and an alumnus, School of media and communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

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A Conspiracy of Three: How Corruption, Curriculum and Callousness Hamper Development in Nigeria
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By

Amara Femoh Sesay

If you ask for a prayer, I will pray for showers from heaven that will take away all this anger, fear and mutual recrimination. Is there a country with a name that reminds you of abundance as much as Nigeria does; this ceaseless flow of great rivers, oil wells, milk and every God-given beauty that forces envy and admiration from many people who were not blessed with Nigerian citizenship? How did you ever get to this place looking and sounding like mere spectators in the drama of your own lives and destinies, shedding tears in recognition of the waste your country has suffered in the hands of those who have mismanaged it? The teardrops become maps leading to the universe of frustration whenever you consider how ignorant the Nigeria youth is of the resources around him. Maybe not exactly ignorant, but the trio of dearth of role models, corruption and curriculum conspired against the typical Nigerian youth and deprived him of all that greatness and energy lodged in him. Don’t the older generation ever think that these neglected young people will be the ones to pay their pension, and even more, that they are the successor of God’s Great Gift to humanity?

The aspirations, needs, values and beliefs of the young ones are the key focus of every effective national curriculum. Youths should be more useful to their societies than mere patient seekers of white collar jobs. When sound values and character escape the curriculum, how will dignity and progress not escape the people? The hope of Nigeria is in its curriculum! If Nigeria is to present to the world those great nation-builders it once won the attention of the world with, then it should be reflected in what is going on in the schools presently. You and I know that the worst kind of slavery a country will ever suffer is to leave its abundant resources in the hands of ignorant successors.

I think nothing-absolutely nothing-will go wrong in this country if its citizenry choose to restrain themselves from those destructive desires that will not only ruin the perpetrators but the nation as well? Kindly tell me what Nigeria will lose if it loses all its corrupt citizens? And know that no war, no commission, no vision and no might will end corruption in Nigeria until the people have the courage to unsheathe the swords of patriotism and kill the corrupt instincts that reside within. Nobody wanted to grow up and be identified with corruption and crime, but I know that we grew up in systems that never emphasized the value of integrity as much as they emphasized getting rich by all means possible. Many started with the courage of living a decent life, but at some point, I know we lost focus of our true purposes in life when the realities of life in Nigeria started descending in thousand folds..expensive marriages, privates schools, private hospitals, foreign universities, demanding extended families, village projects, retirement and the fear of living children who would have to beg for a living.

I know you never wanted to do this. Never wanted people to die because you felt entitled to half of the medical revenue for your local government, you could have constructed that road that links you father’s village to your mother’s village, but you wanted your daughter to have the best education in Oxford or MIT. I know you feel this guilt sometimes, but you firmly believe it was meant to be like this forever and that there is no hope for Nigeria. But this is false! You have never seen the power of a mind determined for reform-maybe you should ask a Malaysian or a German! It is common knowledge to both the corrupt ones and those who are not, that nobody gains from harming fellow human beings. Surely, the criminals are running to the evil consequences of their crimes. What do we gain when all we have toiled and killed for is left in the hands of our enemies and the only thing left with us is a grave? If we turn our backs to all opportunities for reform, what use will a big and deformed nation be to our modern world? How dare you sit here with arms between your legs, crying and cursing when you could stand up and do something about what you call “a mess”?

Despite the problems and conflicts Nigeria as a nation endures, no sane mind can ever deny the fact that Nigeria holds a great potential, if its people cooperate in development and nation-building. When the people become good neighbours to one another they won’t suffer and perish in the midst of abundance. But know that you may perish if you continue to feign ignorance to this simple reality.

I dream of a Nigeria that will no longer be Nigeria (in a sense that the word Nigeria is almost becoming a synonym for crime and corruption). I dream of a Nigeria that will ever be Nigeria (in the sense of its blessings, beauty and abundant human and natural resources). Let the brave ones among the good-doers come forth from wherever they are. Let the hope of the people reflect in the willingness of the young ones to embrace reform. Let the air be filled with patience and the less talked about narrative of the young Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas and Fulani writers and techies that work night and day to shine the glory of this country in every competition. Let us talk more of Nasir Yammama and less of Boko Haram, more of Abayomi Adebayo and less Badoo guys, more of Noo Saro-Wiwa and less of Niger Delta Avengers.

Hundreds of energetic and peace loving Nigerians are out there working for a counter-narrative, it will amount to a crime against humanity to let them die with that deep sense of guilt of not having done much to their beloved nation. If you look deep you will see the deep hole these mutual attempts at blackening the Green, White and Green brand has dug in their hearts. Be that one doctor who will heal their hearts through a change of attitude.

And to you the peace loving, hard working and patriotic young soul, never allow frustration and despondency to push you to do crazy things. It is not your fault that Nigeria is the way it is. It may be one of you that will be given that great mandate in the near future. So, be patient and never lose hope.

Amara Femoh Sesay

Amara Sesay is a Sierra Leonean writer, education innovator, and journalist who resides in Nigeria. His works have been published both locally and internationally. He is a Fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency and an alumnus of British Council (Nigeria) Leaders for Tomorrow. In 2016, he was shortlisted for Youth Innovation Award by United Nations in Sierra Leone. Amara can be reached on femohsesay@gmail.com

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A Conspiracy of Three: How Corruption, Curriculum and Callousness Hamper Development in Nigeria
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Nigeria: A nation that has been swallowed
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SF/Kristian Buus photo

By

Prince Charles Dickson

“Sà á bí olóògùn-ún ti wí.” Meaning, ‘invoke it exactly as the maker of the charm instructed’

One cannot eat crab in secret.

Nigerian politics, economics, social, cultural and every facet of national life naturally should follow Ecclesiastes; nothing is terribly new under the sun.

So let me start this way, from the book of Exodus 7:9-12

Then God spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, “When Pharaoh speaks to you and says, ‘Prove yourselves. Perform a miracle,’ then tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh: it will turn into a snake.'”

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what God commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his servants, and it turned into a snake.

Pharaoh called in his wise men and sorcerers. The magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their incantations: each man threw down his staff and they all turned into snakes. But then Aaron’s staff SWALLOWED their staffs.

The operational word there is swallow. So it was that in the 9th and 10th day of the second month of the year 2018 after the death AD, Nigerians woke up to the story that a sales clerk has been suspended after she told auditors that a snake had swallowed the equivalent of more than £70,000.

The woman, Philomenia Chieshe, was working at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, which collect examination fees. After N36Million (£72,050) went missing from the exam board, Ms Chieshe blamed the animal.

But the government organization dismissed her claim and has started disciplinary proceedings, according to reports.

Local reports said that the clerk claimed her housemaid and a work colleague had confessed to using the mysterious snake to “spiritually” steal the cash from accounts office.

And in the year 2004, it also happened that in the 9th Month and the 21st day, Nigeria admitted a “national embarrassment” after a Russian tanker laden with 30,000 barrels of oil disappeared without trace from the custody of its navy.

The vessel, African Pride, was seized in Nigerian territorial waters a year earlier on suspicion of oil smuggling. The navy impounded it and detained its crew of 13 Russians. The African Pride was last seen in August. The navy admits that the ship has since disappeared with its cargo and crew.

The Lagos Guardian, a Nigerian daily newspaper, described the whereabouts of the African Pride as the “one billion naira question”. The waters in the ocean SWALLOWED the ship. It never was and will be found like the snake and the money.

In the 9th month also in the year 2017, in the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo Assembly Investigates 320 Missing Tractors in 20 LGAs. The tractors that were distributed to 20 of Oyo State’s 33 local government areas in 2013 might have developed wings.

And to know whether or not the 320 tractors are deployed for the purpose they were bought, the Oyo state assembly has mandated the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to investigate.

The committee is expected to question ?present and former chairmen and members of transition committees in order to retrieve the tractors from beneficiaries who have reneged, or neglected to fulfil their responsibilities on the tractors leased out to them .To be unravelled also are the amount gained or recovered from the leasing out of the tractors and whether the four meant for hiring are at local governments.

The committee, led by Hon. Bolaji Badmos was mandated by the Assembly to submit the report of its investigation in the next three weeks.

The tractors till date remain SWALLOWED!

We have always had the penchant for swallowing things as a nation, from Plateau State where a fake commissioner was created and he was swallowing all the enumerations and pay of one. To the years of yore when wind blew away tractors purchased by the Bauchi state government. The wind just SWALLOWED!

Mysteries are a way of life, we SWALLOW all sorts of lies, contortions and deceit from leadership, so do you remember how one Veronica Onyegbula of the Police Pension scam during interrogation in 2012 when she was arrested, said she made $544,000 from sales of pure water.

With each passing day we SWALLOW all sorts, from teachers that cannot pass the exams they set for their students, to the fact that budgets have been known to simply either go missing or padded so they can conveniently keep swallowed monies.

Once upon a time it was that woman Hairdresser, beauty therapist & politician and House Speaker SWALLOW-ing monies for House Renovation, the next man in white followed suite SWALLOW-ing, and then there was that Integrity man, the short one, that allowed his CAP to equally SWALLOW.

From the local to the federal level, at ministries and MDAs, parastatals, various staff or rods simply turn to snakes and swallow our national patrimony.

The truth remains that as a people we are religious, we don’t joke with our Fridays, and Sundays. We don’t joke with our “juju” either. We swallow all sorts of black powder. We love music, we are intelligent and yes, we excel in many a thing we put our hands to do as a people. We are resilient, while people talk about the American dream, we as Nigerians are not dreamers, we are simply swallowing nation.

Amongst us are the ethnic jingoist and nepotic parapoist, we have those that do not see beyond faith, creed and clan. We are divided on many fronts, united in soccer and corruption. However we are equally a dramatic national, one full of drama, with so much suspense.

Lives have been SWALLOWED in various conflagration points from Zamfara to Benue, Adamawa to Kaduna, Taraba to Nasarawa; no one state is really spared in the ethnocentric faith based and conquest-like killings. We see them swallow but no one is held responsible for the SWALLOW-ing. Someone appears on the scene picks a target, commences the swallowing and we suffer the tragicomedy of it and case closed.

And as with many things Nigerian, this too shall come to pass, that we would soon have forgotten, and move along and ahead to the next SWALLOW-ing. Are we tired of the bizarre, the laughable, the oddly magically and mysteriously sickening? No methinks, and would we ever be tired—Only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

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Banter in Lagos, Poverty and Disease in the Niger Delta
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Surlan Soosay photo

By

Jerome-Mario Utomi

The Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, venue of the meeting was lavishly decorated to impress, and it did impress. The participants were corporately kitted; men and women alike. All seated in such a manner that could be mistaken for fresh law graduates being called to the Nigerian Bar or shareholders on an Annual General Meeting (AGM). They listened to the various speakers with disciplined attention and said little; with exchange of banter/pleasantries coming at intervals.

Certainly, it was neither a meeting of lawyers nor shareholders but a collection of chief executives and representatives of different oil firms from the nation’s up, mid and downstream sectors united by a 2 –day West African International Petroleum Exhibition and conference (WAIPEC), hosted recently by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

As expected, the meeting featured well-crafted topics for discussion geared towards moving the industry forward as well as increase the market shares of the participating organizations. But then again, like every other oil and gas related gathering in the past, the speakers were unanimous in silence about their operational base; the Niger Delta.

A development that further supports the long established belief by the Niger Deltans and civil society organizations (CSO) that Niger Delta in the estimation of these multinationals is an endangered species strategically marked for extinction, using neglect and abandonment as a formidable tool. To the oil Majors, so far the eggs are secured, the condition of the goose that lay the eggs becomes secondary. A recent visit to the region supports this assertion.

What is more, while the exchange of banters/pleasantries was on in Lagos, poverty, disease and illiteracy walked the creeks, rivers and estuaries of the Niger Delta. While the oil giants were looking into the future with high hopes, the people of the region bemoaned their fate in their sorrows and their hardship. And while the Oil Chiefs were in Lagos singing the ‘songs of Solomon’, the Niger Deltans were back in the creeks studying the ‘book of lamentation’.

Equally regrettable is a shocking discovery that most of the multinationals find it more convivial getting entangled in legal battles with the host communities as against imbibing good corporate citizens attributes. In the words of the creek dwellers, these operators go to the extent of inciting troubles between the elders and the youths using financial inducement.

The trip also presented majority of these organizations as a bunch that are neither interested in the practice of ‘equal sorrow’ nor abide by the tenets of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) as they eloquently preached everything good corporate citizenship but inept in the practice; vivid examples to support this position abound.

First, as you read this piece, the Ogonis are waiting patiently like a dove for the promised cleanup of their environment devastated by the activities of the Dutch Oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which has lasted for decades despite the African Commission’s decision in the case of SERAC vs. Nigeria (Ogoni case) handed down almost two decades ago. And the UNEP Report recommending a total clean –up of Ogoni land.

In the same vein, the people of Bielema/Offoin-Ama, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area also in Rivers state have joined in chanting this chorus of highhandedness and neglect orchestrated by the same organization, Shell. They accused Shell of operating with neither a human face nor best practice in dealing with the host communities, particularly in the provision of the basic social amenities.

Correspondingly, the people of Odimodu/Forcados communities are still fighting to overcome the trauma suffered in the hands of the Mobil Producing Unlimited in an oil spillage case that spanned for 17 years before justice was given in their (the community) favour. But their environment, eco-system, remain destroyed while the economic activities have since been disrupted.

Tragically unique is the deplorable situation of the Erovie community in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government of Delta state, after their ordeal in the hands of Shell Petroleum Development company in a case between Hon. OdegholorAbikelegba vs, Federal Ministry of Environment and others that lasted endlessly.

These Communities have since resigned to fate and handed their situation to God almighty.

Bemoaning the fate that has befallen the people of the region, critical stakeholders believe that the FG and the oil companies are responsible for the woes of the Niger Deltans as they listen without being attentive to the excruciating situation in the region. A state of affairs they explained is responsible for the youth’s restiveness, eco-system destruction, and high unemployment rate.

Buttressing the above point further, some pointed to the non-implementation of the Akure-accord as a pragmatic example of a government that is lacking in political will to enforce development of the region. Others seem to nurse the opinion that the federal government has not opened the 16points development agenda as drafted by the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF) and handed over to the FG. The federal Government and its agencies were roundly accused of incoherence and lacking in coordination.

Indeed, the situation in the region has further served as a proof that ‘poverty of our leaders certainly does not mean material poverty, but lack of commitment to duty, lack of vision and greediness characterized by corruption’.

It has consequently brought poverty, illiteracy and diseases as its resultant effects to the people of the region; forcing many children out of school not because of their unwillingness to learn , but occasioned by non availability/provision of schools in the region by the government.

In the light of the above, it becomes pertinent that the FG’s draw a modern regulatory/monitoring lesson from a well-documented account of the youthful PaddyAdenuga’s strong move to buy Chevron Netherlands, A story I view as a must-read for all. Part of the account which is relevant to this discourse read in parts;

‘Essentially, the Dutch government required all operators to restore their areas of operation back to how nature intended – which meant all infrastructure had to be removed at the end of production. The cost of this is what is termed “abandonment liability” or “abandex’. I doubt if such framework exists in our space.

Surprisingly also, if the above is coming from the Dutch government, the homeland of Shell Petroleum Development Company, why is Shell finding it difficult to comply with similar demand in Nigeria?

Sadly, if we are unable to develop a monitoring framework as demonstrated above, which I consider a challenge we currently face, chances are that the much celebrated Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), despite the superlative result it is crafted to achieve may go the same way like other policies formulated in the time past.

In reality, there is no single answer to the multi-faceted plights of the people of Niger Delta, but be that as it may, it is my opinion that the place to start is that of addressing government insensitivity and failures.

To effectively confront this scourge, the federal government needs to take responsibility and come up with steps for a strong, aggressive leadership by addressing the issues of weak regulation on the parts of its ministries and agencies, tackle the oil companies lackadaisical handling of the environment, and ensure compliance by the oil firms with the implementation of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) so entered with host communities.

Another key point raised by the stakeholders that may guarantee a fast-tracked development in the region is the call for immediate relocation of the headquarters of (both private and government-owned) oil companies to the region. It is my view that such step will add up to a new relationship while soaking up the existing tension.

Again, a government agency such as the National Oil Spill Detections and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in my opinion, has no business being in Abuja since the chunk of its responsibility is in the Niger Delta region. In the same manner, implementing the 16points agenda as submitted to the FG will be a right step taken in the right direction.

A compelling point also we must not forget is the call by stakeholders on all other oil companies to emulate the Chevron Nigeria Limited template in community engagement. A template that deals directly with the host community. An approach the communities claimed that has worked perfectly in the area of infrastructural development but still requested that Chevron gets it well funded,

Though faced with interminable socioeconomic and environmental challenges, one thing is sure. Niger Deltans are troubled but not despondent. A situation that makes it easy for them to be managed and contained if only the federal government could come up with a plan and will to tackle the challenges as currently faced by the people of the region.

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Jerome-Mario is a Social Entrepreneur and an alumnus, School of media and communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

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Education
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World Bank photo

By

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

It is worrisome that the falling standard of education in Nigeria keeps growing bigger by the day. Asian countries like South Korea and China have advanced in terms of technology. Their governments see investment in education as a priority. My admiration of their achievements made me conclude writing this essay to express my concern for education and outline its importance. My choice of education as essay topic is also because it covers all aspects of life like agriculture, ICT, science, etc, all of which are academic fields.

According to the Oxford English dictionary, education is the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at school or university. Wikipedia defines education as the process of facilitating learning, acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits.

Education plays a significant role in preparing leaders of tomorrow. Nelson Mandela says education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. Albert Einstein also claimed that once you stop learning you start dying. There is no doubt that education boosts the nation’s economy through acquiring skills necessary to make productive citizens of a civilized society. Increasing knowledge of the youth can produce changes thereby making them productive for attaining business innovation, political and economic objectives. As we can see, Asian countries are leading the world in information technology. The question we should ask ourselves is: How do we produce intellectuals that can compete with their peers from other parts of the world? It should be through exemplary education.

Nigeria’s economy has been fluctuating whenever the price of oil drops at the international market. But if the government will pay more attention to the educational sector, our economy will be stable. The world economy is changing from oil-based to knowledge-based. Asian countries like South Korea and Japan don’t have natural resources like oil but they are talented and their governments invest much in their educational sector. This is what makes them dragons of Asia. Why can’t we do this? Is it the intelligent minds that we are lacking? We just need to cooperate with one another to build our state irrespective of our differences.

Education is what the youth can use for better development not only in Bauchi state but in the whole world. Education holds the key for our future. But much of the work lies in the hands of the government and parents. They should equip the students with good learning facilities and create a conducive learning atmosphere for studies. If our government could do this, the youths as the back bone of the society are ready to collaborate with them in developing our dear state through learning.

Qualitative education can affect one’s personal life, community and generation entirely. Moreover, the importance of education in the 21st century is that the world is at a stage where opportunity will only come from learning. Education can make one achieve his goals in life because it is the key to success.

Furthermore, education improves the development of any society, hence the need for the educated ones to occupy significant positions in order to improve the society.

In conclusion, education is the best legacy a state can give her indigenes. Education is very important in our society in the sense that we cannot do without it. Everyone in society, whether he is a leader or an elder encourages us to learn. I also tried to show in my essay that education and knowledge are interwoven. Education always remains the top priority of everyone that likes progress.

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim is a young poet, playwright and author. He was born in the year 2001. He is a final year student at Gombe High School. He is also a member of Poets In Nigeria, Gombe Connect Center. His works on poetry have been published in Tuck Magazine.

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There is no fuel scarcity: Marketeers stop hoarding it
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AFP photo

By

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

When people say there is fuel scarcity, I used to be surprised because on several occasions I did see people in queues buying fuel from black marketers in town. I wonder where those black marketers got fuel from or is it not ordinary fuel that is bought from the filling station?

Frankly speaking, those who own filling stations are greedy, selfish, unpatriotic, they prefer to hoard and sell in high quantities/price to black marketers. It is profit they look on not the masses and the nation at large.

To be sincere with ourselves, there is no fuel scarcity in Nigeria, marketers are hoarding it.

On Friday evening, I was trekking back home from school and saw a car parked along Pantami drive by the roadside. The next thing I saw was a man transferring fuel from his car boot to gallons. This reminds me of the same incident that happened last year along Water Board route, that one was not even bold enough to open his boot but he went to transfer the fuel from his vehicle. It was the smell I perceived that made me look where it was.

If you don’t know, Nigeria is the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world, second in Africa after Libya. Nigeria exports many barrels of oil each day, why should she lack fuel? Tell me!

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

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Politicos naija and monkey business
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GCIS photo

By

Prince Charles Dickson

A family in Nigeria was puzzled when the coffin of their dead mother arrived from the U.S.A sent by their sister. The tiny corpse was so tightly squeezed inside the coffin that their mother’s face was practically touching the glass cover.

When they opened the coffin, they found a letter from their sister pinned to their mother’s chest, which read: ‘Dearest Brothers and Sisters, I am sending you our mother’s remains for burial there in Lagos. Sorry I could not come along, as the expenses were so high.’

‘You will find inside the coffin, under Mama’s body 12 cans of Libby’s corned-beef and 12 cans of Luncheon Meat. Just divide it among yourselves. On Mama’s feet is a brand new pair of Reeboks (size 8) for junior. There are four pairs of same type for Tunde’s sons.’

‘Mama is wearing six Ralph Lauren T-shirts; one is for Omo, Roy and the rest are for my nephews. Mama is also wearing a dozen wonder bras (Funke, your favourite), this should be distributed among my nieces and female cousins. Mama is also wearing six-docker pants-Ikeja keep one and the rest are for the boys. Bawo the Swiss watch you asked for is one Mama’s left wrist. The Omega on her right wrist is for Papa.’

‘Mama is also wearing the jewellery Aunty Ronke asked for-Roland Cartier earrings, ring and necklace. Also, the six pairs of channel stockings that Mama is wearing should be divided among Aunty Mabel, Bubemi and Papa’s younger sisters; I hope they like the colour. Mama is also putting on a head phone by her side is a Sony disc player for Kene and inside is the 50cents CD Yemi’s son asked for. The disc player is for Uncle Thomas; I hope he likes it.’

Your loving Sister Nene.

For a nation which boast of more shrewdness than the Italian Mafia, this shrewdness has only been demonstrated through our fantastic display of the absurd. A political terrain that blatantly parades brain boxes in the art of crookedness, the Nigerian politician today has turned Nigeria into a nation where its citizens fight from womb to tomb.

In my nation the greatest asset for political adventure as it is, is failure, just fail and you are on your way to a big time pie in the national cake. That is the reason, while Nigerians are still basking in the euphoria of a snake swallowing N36 million in Benue JAMB office, it has been alleged that monkeys have taken N70 million belonging to the Northern Senators Caucus. The caucus had sacked Sen. Abdullahi Adamu as its chairman following allegations of misappropriating N70m belonging to the group. Briefing newsmen after Plenary, Senator Shehu Sani said that since the money could not be accounted for, maybe this time monkeys have made away with the money.

“There are some things some of my colleagues will not say but I’m not used to holding back. When we assumed office, Senator Ahmed Lawan tendered the sum of N70 million to the 8th Senate. That N70 million was money gathered from the 7th Senate. It was handed over to northern senators of 8th Senate. The rumours going round, which I don’t know whether it’s true but I believe other senators know, is the fact that there were allegations that some monkeys raided the farm house of some of the executives of the northern senators forum and carted away some of this money.

Our politicians are swift in looting the national treasury and then start to jaw-jaw over non-issues while important matters are left on the burning pot unattended to. Politicians who promise they would eradicate mosquitoes when they knew all they needed to do was tackle malaria, do you blame them after landslides, oceanslides and airslides victories. The first rule in the commandments of the politician in Nigeria is learning how to lie truthfully. Thank God we don’t do the polygraph (lie test) in Nigeria and for politicians.

The average commercial sex worker would covertly envy the Nigerian politician who will in a life time belong to at least four major political parties and as many minor ones.

Finally it hurts to see a nation so touted to be the heaven of all manner of potentials suffer in the hands of a (s)elect few who refer to themselves as politicians and leaders. The issue is that we are beginning to get to a stage where our problems have become over flogged to the point the problem is now us.

I know of a State that has 23 Ministries, another one has a Commissioner of Information, Director of Press, Deputy Director of Press, Personal Assistant on Public Relations, Senior Special Assistant on Media and then a Media Consultant; all political jobbers, involved in one monkey business or the other.

I am not an unrepentant pessimist or see no-good critic, politics is dirty but then there is principle, and integrity. In Nigeria we have suitcase-carrying politicians. No plan, no focus except a strong objective to loot. That is why a man born in Lagos, grew up in Lagos, works in Lagos, is elected into office and the next thing; he embarks on a familiarization tour of his very own backyard.

Naija is a nation where the players in the power game are a three-course meal of deceitful, lying and magical people because the more you look the less you see, they serve you deceit as appetizer, lies as main course and magic as dessert, when it is not rats at play, snakes are hissing or the monkeys are no longer content with bananas, for how long—Only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

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Should children’s careers continue to be ruined?
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By

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

How the falling standard of education in Nigeria keeps growing bigger by the day worries me whenever I see how Asian countries like South Korea and China had advanced in terms of technology. How? – through government investment in education. They had achieved their enrolment in schools.

I am writing this piece to express my concern for education because it is necessary.

We should know that we are in a period when developed nations no longer rely on natural resources like oil, their attention is on how to boost human resources (talent), an example of such country being China.

We at Nigeria know how our economy is fluctuating whenever the price of oil drops in the international market. So, if our government really wants to diversify our economy should turn to the education sector.

Then, we would become whatever we want in the world. I’m not saying that the government should neglect oil but also give cause for concern to the educational sector. What they did was a way of lifting the falling education standard. Education is children’s top priority.

Should children’s careers continue to be ruined by incompetent teachers?

Should every Thick, Tom and Harry teach in public schools? Education holds children;s future.

What he did is a way of raising the standard of education in Nigeria.

NUT, train your members to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria. Going on strike is not the solution.

NLC, go and see how children are learning in public schools. Education is the best legacy the government can give to the masses.

Let’s all join hands in building Nigeria.

Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

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Should children’s careers continue to be ruined?
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Why African Leaders Disobey Political Prophecies
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By

Jerome-Mario Utomi

One of the most exciting teachings I received during my formative years was the lessons on prophecy. It was during my catechism class as a Catholic Christian, and prophecy as a topic posed a huge but thrilling challenge to me.

On that day, at that time and in that place, the Catechist (teacher) told the class that ‘prophecy is the certain foretelling of a future event by a person supernaturally informed of it and supernaturally moved to announce it.’ This, he added, ‘comes in two ways; prophesy of foreknowledge and prophesy of denunciation.’

In the same breath, while the prophecy of foreknowledge according to him, deals with what is certain to come, prophesy of denunciation tells what is to come if the present situation is not changed; both acting as information and warning respectively.

However, this knowledge gained has since transcended to the political circle as it naturally comes flooding whenever I ruminate about leadership challenges in Africa. Regrettably, our continent is littered with information and warning prophecies booming across our wavelength without our leaders listening.

Notably, flagrant disregard for public opinions, ignoring advice/admonitions from well-meaning Africans and groups, paying no attention to political and socioeconomic concerns expressed by the people as well as undermining institutions are but, vivid examples.

From Zimbabwe to South Africa, Kenya down to Nigeria, the story is the same; a penchant for ignoring advice, warning signals, and an inability to read the political handwriting on the wall.

No doubt, prominent among the reasons behind this flagrant disregard for political warnings is a barefaced illusion on the part of our leaders that they are more patriotic than the other citizens; a character that is fuelled by inordinate view of their countries as a personal property.

This baffling disposition in effect, prepares the ground for African ‘leaders’ to exercise power and responsibility not as a trust for public good, but as an opportunity for private gains.

Acting as a boost to the above is the excruciating poverty and starvation orchestrated by these ‘leaders’ and visited on the continent in such that it drives more people into the ranks of the beggars, whose desperate struggle for bread renders them insensible to all feelings of decency and self-respect.

A similar reason is the established fact that Africa is a continent where tribal loyalties seem stronger than the sense of common nationhood. A state of affairs that blurs our vision about public leadership and promotes nepotism, cronyism and corruption while making our political judgments bigoted

Also working in favour of these African leaders’ proclivity to disobeying political prophecies is their gross poverty of history, a condition that roundly prevents them and their followers from learning from the consequences that befell some of the past African leaders who ignored political prophecies. In our living memories are; Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo and Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, among others.

Regardless of what others may say, leadership knowledge is gained by probing the past and using the knowledge derived to tackle the present. Or, analyzing the present and using the information gained to predicting the future.

But now that the information coming from our past and present leaders is faulty and defective, now that we are faced with the reality that tomorrow has become now, how do we as a continent tackle the future?

If you are in doubt of how enormous these challenges are, then check out the brazen impunity recently demonstrated by one of the so-called African leaders. Mr Raila Odinga, of the People’s Republic of Kenya, recently decided to, and afterwards had himself, albeit, illegally sworn-in as the parallel president of the Republic despite his non-participation in the rescheduled presidential election in Kenya.

With this move, Odinga, again, as an average African ‘leader’ demonstrated his political blindness to prophecies and in effect, proved to the world that public opinion makes little or no meaning to him. To Odinga, it is not about the people but personal aggrandizement. To him, it is not about service but selfishness.

Yet, if you think that Odinga is alone on this inglorious voyage, wait till you cast a glance at this. Jacob Zuma, the ousted South African president recently among other things stated as follows: ‘I have come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect. Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organization. No life should be lost in my name. And also, the ANC should not be divided in my name.’

Arguably well crafted and a reasonable statement but notwithstanding, a deeper probe of this statement again like Odinga, presents Zuma as a leader enmeshed in an inordinate evaluation of self, position and incurably blind to public opinion. His disagreement with the party’s position is but a pragmatic exhibition of a man that failed to view leadership as a trust that was freely bestowed on him by the people, which can also be withdrawn at any moment when observed that the value-addition role expected of a leader is no longer felt.

Back home, political warnings and handwritings have been obvious, torrential with hope for abating not in sight. Prominent among these was a well listed and considered leadership deformity associated with the present administration as authored by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In the same vein, a similar warning came recently from Transparency International stating that corruption in Nigeria is on the increase. Of which the situation in my view, may become worse if something dramatic is not done to arrest the drift.

Nevertheless, such a development should not be a surprise as it is considered a useful ingredient in a democratic environment. Questioning, condemning when we should, and commending when we can, forms evolving democracy. What our leaders do with the issues raised should also be of concern to us.

Looking ahead, therefore, If truly a people-purposed leadership is what we seek in Africa, if accelerated economy is our goal, if social and cultural development is our dreams, if promoting peace, supporting our industries and improving our energy sector forms are our objectives, then the solution to these critical demands calls for overwhelmingly urgency and demands a generational change.

Why? The simple answer is that Africa as a continent has a well talented and well educated youth that can build a modern continent.

Apart from other fears so entertained, one area of interest the people must watch in the interim is our political leaders’ expertise in adopting the tactics of the coquette. ‘Tactics that make the public fall in love with excitement while these leaders remain inwardly detached; while keeping them in control. Such entreaties must be watched and controlled if we are to move forward as a continent.’

Very instructive also, it’s my view that fighting the dearth of leadership is a war that we must win. But for us to be successful, we must first realize that to safeguard democracy, ‘the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect and oneness’, and insist on choosing the right people as their leaders against all odds.

Finally, leaders on their part should not live under the illusion of a misguided cleverness but should ‘study history, study the actions of the eminent men, to see how they conducted themselves and to discover the reasons for their victories or their defeats so that they can avoid the latter and imitate the former.’

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Jerome-Mario is a Social Entrepreneur and an alumnus, School of media and communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

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Why African Leaders Disobey Political Prophecies
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The Ahiara Diocese Saga in Nigeria
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By

Joseph Besong

Priesthood, as known by the church, especially the Catholics, is a sacred call from God. No one takes it by merit, power, riches, class or ethnicity. Many vocation stories affirm that assertion despite human frailty in decisions taken by the formators which has left many Christians wondering whether man can make a mistake in determining who finally gets ordained as priests. Some Ahiara priests, parish members and elites who rejected bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke, have proven without doubt that man is human and at times goes his/her own way abandoning the ways of God.

Pope Francis’ intervention into the matter didn’t help to deter the Ahiara people standing their ground. They want a bishop from the Ahiara area. They want one of them even though Bishop Okpaleke is not a stranger. He might not be an indigene of Ahiara but a neighbour who understands the people, cultures, way of life and needs but the Ahiara people say no to him and even to the pontiff. It has been heart-breaking for the world to perceive the reality and motive behind the rejection of this man of God. Many are quick to suggest that tribalism is the brain behind the whole saga. The Ahiara people have complained since the crisis broke out about the fact they don’t have a bishop who comes from Ahiara considering the fact that Ahiara produces more priests than any area in the country. Many agree with them but forgetting priesthood is a call and being a bishop is a mere appointment. They might have a point but refusing to listen to church hierarchy, especially with the position of Pope Francis, is gross disobedience that is going to hunt them later in life.

To add, this rejection fell more in the hands of the appointed bishop of Ahiara diocese Mgr. Peter Okpaleke who couldn’t stand the rejection but asked for permission to resign. The resignation of Mgr. Okpaleke of Ahiara diocese has exposed the politics that exist in the church today. You might argue that there are no politics in the church but what just happened in Ahiara is a clear indication that there is some form of political infighting in the Catholic Church. Many Catholics don’t want to believe that behaviour like the rejection of a bishop is happening in the Church of God in the 21^st century. Many have rejected priests in different parishes in the world but not compared to this magnitude.

Again, the diocese of Ahiara will need a bishop after this resignation. It’s a big test for the Church and to Francis who might want to please the people of Ahiara or stick to the teachings of the church. We are waiting to see how it plays out in the appointment of the new bishop. The Church is a house of God and the people constitute that Church. Africa is becoming a nursery for missionary priests for the Catholic churches in Europe and the U.S. This is because young people no longer join the seminaries, monasteries, convents, etc. The Ahiara saga might complicate the process of accepting these priests from Africa. The West might feel the African priests being tribalistic; politics might contaminate the good but few priests in their land. The world is watching Ahiara and waiting for a new shepherd for that diocese. God help the church.

Joseph Besong

I am the editor-in-chief of Kilimandjaro radio. I hail from Africa, precisely from Cameroon in Central Africa.

I did my secondary education at Bishop Rogan College Soppo-Buea located in the South West Region of Cameroon. After graduation, I proceeded to the University of Buea-Cameroon where I read English minor in Journalism and Mass Communication. I later worked in Cameroon as a broadcaster with Two radios namely Radio Evangelum and CBS Radio all located in Buea.

Presently, I work with Kilimandjaro radio, an online radio station based in Canada.

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The Ahiara Diocese Saga in Nigeria
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Expatriates Disobey Court Orders, Attempt To Take Over Company
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By

Morakinyo Samuel

Despite a subsisting court order to maintain status quo placed on West Africa Ventures (WAV) and Sea Trucks Group (STG) by the court in Nigeria, the management of STG (in liquidation) has gone ahead to forcefully take over the properties of WAV.

WAV had gone to court to seek an order preventing STG managed by expatriates from liquidating its assets and taking over its business in Nigeria and West Africa, as it affirmed that STG was formed from the proceeds of WAV and its intent was to manage offshore investments while WAV manages local investments.

It was gathered that STG, led by Fraser Moore, hired in 2002 by Jacques Roomans, founder and owner of WAV/STG, allegedly attempted to cart away Jascon 55 on Nigeria’s territorial waters in partnership with Iyke Ejizu and one Ikioda, a retired rear admiral of the Nigerian navy but were stopped by men of the Nigerian Navy.

It was further learnt that this occurred after they had allegedly taken possession of four vessels outside Nigeria’s territorial waters namely Jascon25, Jascon 28, Jascon 31 and Jascon 34 which Fraser has brazenly renamed Telford 25, 28, 31 and 34, with Telford based in Dubai, the name of the new company formed by Fraser and other expatriates that left WAV/STG.

Fraser was once the chief operating officer and managing director of WAV/STG as Jacques Roomans stayed behind as the chief executive officer but problem started when Fraser wanted to be the Chief Executive Officer which Jacques prevented and led to the resignation of Fraser in 2016.

Fraser was alleged to have instigated other expatriates hired to resign, but not after luring Jacques into taking a $456 million bond, transfer his assets to a Trustee in Jersey named Anglo Saxon Trust (AST) and made him defaulted in the repayment of the bond by two months, though Jacques had paid $120 million of the bonds face value by 2016, through Graeme Pennycook, the acting COO appointed after Fraser left.

Jacques had hired Fraser Moore, Stephen Assiter, Graham Pennycook and other expatriates to oversee WAV/STG businesses in Nigeria and West Africa.

But reacting, Fraser led STG, now Telford said there was no order preventing them from doing business in Nigeria and West Africa.

Morakinyo Samuel

Morakinyo is a passionate freelance reporter with experience in the business sector beats. He writes for various mediums after his degree in English Literature from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State.

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Expatriates Disobey Court Orders, Attempt To Take Over Company
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God sent or well deserved: A view into the dichotomy of political power and position in Nigeria
Tuck Magazine
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Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung photo

By

Ogunniyi Abayomi

“The major concern of states is the acquisition of power, defined as man’s control over the mind and action of another man“- H.J Morgenthau

Elections are sensitive, reflective, decisive and interesting moments in the political history of a state globally. They are definitive moments whereby the guilty entice the innocent via the stratagem of manipulating electoral processes, maneuvering figures and estimates to attain their desire for political post.

The masses anticipate a new political identity, the masses crave for a new political structure, seeking the attention of their leaders, ensuing the enactment of laws and policies along with new ideas that would oust the ideologies of the preceded administration.

Political campaigns evoke a dramatic scene between the political candidate, party and electorate. The persuasion, competition and engagement among the political party and candidate are effusive, evoking an emotional engagement between the political candidates and the electorate. The electorate are impressed by the analysis and data collation by their political candidates and party, seeking their support by the effective impression of personae and charisma. It is a tool and strategic movement, capturing your audience with your ideas and manifestoes creating an impression that cannot be erased from the political mind of your electorate.

Elections create autonomy for the masses of different class and age groups, ensuring they are given the authority to select leaders that serve the purpose of common interest, selfless service and integrity; it is what defines sovereignty, it is what upholds a state.

The narrative is clearly missing in the political atmosphere of Nigeria, a tale of manipulative acts between political thugs, political candidates and the electoral commission, its stories of rigging to ensure a political candidate attains its political position creating a dichotomy in the mind of the masses. Our votes don’t count, hereby they are not convinced rather they are disappointed with our political ideologies.

The belief of the electorate about politics and its ideologies are judged by the character of political actors who are seen and observed as swift, sugarcoated talkers who entice yet leave the society in shambles. The political positions are bought at a price beyond the imagination of its audience, it’s amazing but the truth cannot be discarded, there is spot for you if you are ready to negotiate well with your godfather who understands the drift and political tricks to implore.

In Nigeria, 2015 took a different twist to the story we have read about political positions, candidates and parties, the atmosphere was different, the electorate clamoured for a new party to rule the nation. In 2015 the streets were rowdy across each region, chanting, Sai Baba, the kiosks and its occupants eager for a new party, the slogan change was the language of the people and members of All Progressives Congress, the masses moving in groups to ensure a new political structure was in place.

In 2015 the masses turned out inspite of its challenges in the coordination and collection of permanent voters’ cards, marching forward to the electoral polls to vote for their new leader. The atmosphere was controversial while several regions across the country were in turmoil over the coordination of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Revolution was the topic, change was the anthem yet we had not foreseen the harsh reality and challenges we encounter today by the administration the masses fought for.

In 2015 we fought, prayed, sanctioned and moved for something different, we saw a leader observed as a staunch disciplinarian, placing our responsibility on his shoulders with the belief he is our Messiah. President Buhari was seen by the masses as the sent one, saving the people from the crises and catastrophic atmosphere of crises enacted by the past administration, this premonition having become a fairytale rather than fulfilling the reality of its promise.

In 2015 an election was conducted, Sai Baba was the choice of the people, Sai Baba was the saviour and messiah the masses clamoured for. The masses fought against the incumbents considering their administration the worst in the political history of Nigeria. It was a historic moment whereby a different political figure, party and administration were elected into power.

The APC was impressive, the eloquence of the leader won the hearts of the masses pondering on the issues of terrorism and insurgency, education, likewise the promise to restructure the system. The masses with these promises at heart cast their vote, chanting Sai Baba as the change we need across the country.

President Buhari won the hearts of the masses with his confidence and aura, and a persistent drive to tackle corruption within every tier of governments. He won the election, the street was rowdy and the chant Sao Baba was on the lips of the masses once again. He was sworn in as the 15th president of Nigeria, and the 4th president of the Federal republic on Friday 29 May, 2015. It was a new day for New administration, it was the beginning of a new tenure for President Buhari and his political cabinet. The tide changed its wave during the fuel scarcity crisis across the state, the difficulties expanded, leading to a raging chaos at each petrol station.

The economic and social growth was distorted hereby the exchange rate dropped, the rate of unemployment did not reduce. The political thugs and crises erupted activities within the state rather we have forgotten the policies that have not been active. Inspite of these actions, it’s glaring no one has come to rescue us from Boko Haram, Fulani Militia and the controversies we have encountered.

Political leaders instead look to 2019, discarding the problems on the ground, this act endearing the masses to question the credibility of our leaders within the country. Our hope has been shattered, questioning our votes over an administration. A sad moment for the country.

Ogunniyi Abayomi

Ogunniyi Abayomi was born July 11, 1991 in the city of Lagos, where he resides. A poet and essayist whose works have been published in various journals.

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God sent or well deserved: A view into the dichotomy of political power and position in Nigeria
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Administrator Yobe Abductions: Imagine if your child was in Dapchi Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

Michael Fleshman photo

By

Prince Charles Dickson

“No truth can cure the sorrow we feel from losing a loved one. No truth, no sincerity, no strength, no kindness can cure that sorrow. All we can do is see it through to the end and learn something from it, but what we learn will be no help in facing the next sorrow that comes to us without warning.“ – Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood.

Boko Haram, the Islamist terrorist group, after being ‘technically’ defeated has struck. On Monday, February 19, the group, whose name often translates to “Western education is a sin,” stormed a girls’ school in the village of Dapchi in northern Nigeria to abduct students. Of the 907 schoolgirls who were in the school the day of the attack, more than 100 are still missing.

The entire drama is akin to that of the Chibok girls…

It took Boko Haram’s massive kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls at a school in Chibok, Nigeria in 2014, and the shocking announcement that the girls would be sold in the “marketplace” as “slaves” or forced into marriages to raise global awareness. Four years later, many of them have been released, but more than 100 are still missing.

Some three years ago I wrote under the title “Coming To A Cinema Near You–‘Yobe State'”. And indeed just like then, I can say that it really has come.

Three years ago it was the Yobe tragedy, the Yobe state massacre, the Yobe killings and all the headlines, the reactions, from outrage, to rage. Then it was Jona as Mr. President and his explanations and assurances came to naught.

I gleaned to catch knowledge from commentaries, all I saw was largely a repeat episode. Nigerians asked what would have happened if the kids massacred were those of the Atikus, Tinubus, Buharis, or Jonathan.

We have been told that the army left few hours before the Boko Haram guys struck, the army saying it was given false intel. Defending itself, saying X, Y and Z occurred. Again in 2018 it is the same story!

Nigerians say they would March in March, that they will protest in ‘protember’…others are praying, but few really understand. Why do we always get it wrong?

As all these killings were taking place, life simply went on, nothing halted. Centenary awards, 2015 politicking and strategizing went ahead, APC screaming blue murder accusing the President; but the truth sadly is very few of us know sorrow. And today the reverse is the case, 2019 politicking going on, PDP crying wolf, and the sorrow of Yobe continues.

Sorrow: a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others.

Nigerians are not sad enough, we have not shown that we are unhappy, the nation is not dejected, beyond all the prayers of God will confuse them (Boko Haram), God will punish our leaders et all.

Nobody really is in deep regret; we only have a handful of depressed people.

There is despondency, and despair, permit me to add desolation, gloom, and heaviness of heart for those directly concerned and that’s all. We have lost our sense of feel, our ability display deep distress.

We are not truly sad, we cannot feel sad, be miserable, or be despondent, we cannot despair, or see the suffering, and ache because last night we tucked our kids in bed, kiss them good night and sweet dreams, and with a big smile we answered to their “good morning daddy, good morning mummy.”

All the drama, we cannot agonize, or anguish, be wretched, be dejected, be heavy of heart, weep, shed tears, or mourn. Really because we took our kids to do the movie at some galleria, mall.

How can we lament, or wail when our children are running about the neighborhood without fear.

In ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.”

‘It is not about leadership, it is about you and me, we cannot see because we cannot weep’ is a phrase in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

The Yobe state attacks have become serial; at the last count 4 of such, and more 1than 20 students and about the same figure abducted. There was also the Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Potiskum local government area, about 90km from Damaturu where 29 students were slaughtered in a midnight attack. The College of Agriculture in Gujba local government area was also a target with some two-dozen students killed, also at midnight.

As you read this, even as Journalists we have failed, maybe not on intent, but out of fear, we have skipped details, details like these kids; don’t they have names, why is it that the news of such dastardly acts get stale so quickly?

In 2018 students were abducted, their names, and figures became politics; who confirmed the abductions, what the government has done or is doing became political. Don’t let me share the Boston experience, where a city was locked down to get suspects.

How do we tell ourselves that meat that touched the mouth disappeared and we don’t know how?

I am not a military tactician, I love education whether western or eastern, I am not a terrorist, Islamist, puritan or otherwise. Whether the Cameroonian border is closed or Niger Republic gate is fixed with barbwire is not an issue. The question is what would be different if your child was in Dapchi?

The essence of Boko Haram whether it started as a revolution, or sponsorship is from Timbuktu or arms are coming from tripoli or fivpoli. The current administration, like the one before it, has not been entirely honest about Boko Haram, and that their technical defeat, and if we all keep mute, the movie called Yobe is coming to a cinema near us, how brutal, while we scream Allah forbid–only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

%%AUTHORLINK% Yobe Abductions: Imagine if your child was in Dapchi Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

Administrator Nigeria’s Hate Speech Bill: Issues And Concerns Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

AFP photo

By

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Looking at the ripple reactions that greeted the hate speech bill currently before the Nigerian senate; one will but agree with the words of John F. Kennedy, that ‘a man who creates power makes an indispensable contribution to the nation’s greatness. But the man who questions power makes a contribution just as indispensable, especially when the questioning is disinterested; for it is in this, that we determine whether we use power or if power is using us’.

Essentially, the bill, among other things, proposed that any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person shall die by hanging upon conviction. This is in addition to its call for the establishment of an ‘Independent National Commission for Hate Speeches’, which shall enforce hate speech laws across the country.

But however noble the initiative/bill seems to be, and following the understandable controversy and worries already raised, it has become a moral duty for all to collectively and objectively take a disciplined look at the proposed bill in order to –adjust, adapt, incorporate or reject.

Without labour, the most telling evidence about the bill’s good intention is signposted in its resolve to promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigerians. However, Nigerians are worried that dissipating energy on such which many described as trivial in the mixed of the nation’s legion of socioeconomic woes, portrays our parliamentarians as a group that is out of tune with the yearnings of the masses as our failures lie in the system and not in hate speech.

To further lend credence to this argument, the Christian holy book, the Bible, stated that ‘without wood, the fire goes out, charcoal keeps the ember glowing as wood keeps the fire burning.’ The same is applicable to the factors propelling hate speech. It is a barefaced truth that the dearth of leadership, the asymmetrical posturing of our political space and the refusal to have it restructured, among others, propels hate speech; as every tribe/group jostle to be more Nigerian than the other. A development that has since morphed into a hydra-headed challenge such as insecurity, youth restiveness, nepotism, cronyism among others; with all, culminating to a nation in grief.

The effort to having these scourge reduced should be the preoccupation of our dear parliamentarians. Being shameless in getting to the root cause of the monster called hate speech, having it tackled from that point will be well appreciated by Nigerians as any other formula will be viewed as synonymous to making a subsidiary issue become fundamental.

Still on the negative side, what is most frightening about this proposed bill is that, at a time when the United Nations and international communities are standing up against capital punishment, this has become the time for us as a nation to nose-dive into the out-fashioned practice. A country such as the Gambia and other countries that were notoriously known for capital punishment has recently placed a moratorium on it

Critical minds have argued that if capital punishment is to be encouraged in any form, corruption fight should be the right Guinea pig as it remains a scourge that has brought so much grief/sorrow to the people. And an effort to voice condemnation by the poor masses or group against this malady is now erroneously tagged ’hate speech.

Apart from this baffling development coming when the nation is still in the throes of economic hardship, Nigerians are not particularly happy about the insensitivity of our leaders towards the grinding poverty and the excruciating pains the masses are going through. Very instructive, no volume of excuse generated by the lawmakers to defend their position for coming up with such bill can be sustained as the whole episode in my views is perceived as misguided, ill-timed and a decision arrived at without adequate socio-political feasibility studies.

As the debate rages, another area of interest to watch with suspicion is the relationship of this bill with the media/press. I am aware that every media should reinforce and not undermine the government effort. But in the same token, Nigerians are also aware that ‘a free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a society. That without criticism, reliable, and intelligent reporting, the government cannot govern. For there is no adequate way in which it can keep itself informed about what the people of the country are thinking, doing and wanting’.

Like the global audience, Nigerians also believe that ‘‘the function of the press is very high. It is almost holy. It ought to serve as a forum for the people, through which the people may freely know what is going on. To misstate or suppress information is a breach of trust’’. Still, in the same line of argument, one established truth we cannot shy away from is the fact that the sole aim of journalism is service and in providing this service, they enjoy great power and followership.

Thinking that the proposed move will solve the problem of hate speech can only but meet with a mirage of a challenge as it will increase the already soured relationship and suspicion among tribes/ethnic groups. Allowing this bill to fly in my views will further heighten the already polarized political environment, present hate speech as alluring as ‘whatever that is forbidden is most admired’

Contrary to speculations, a critical appraisal of some of these comments tagged ‘hate speech’, will reveal that the reader or the listener must have put a statement together with previously known facts to come up with a hate speech. What this implies is that some of these so-called ‘hate speeches’ may actually be personal or subjective interpretation, opinion or commentary garnished with a basket full of prejudice by the reader or the listener.

So, how will Nigerians know when to draw the line between hate and non-hate speech as it is not a leftist or rightist decision?

In the same vein, it is antithetical for an administration that had ‘change’ as its mantra and a party that promised us a new order is the one coming up with such a bill. Our leaders should be reminded that some of these people that are commenting when they can and condemning when they should are not in any way enjoying it but are compelled to do so based on the love of their nation.

From what the people are saying, most of the comment tagged hate speech in my understanding are not directed to any individual, group or tribe but to the government; criticizing either their policies or inactions. So, the government, in my opinion, is using the bill to shield itself from being further criticized.

It is my submission that ‘when millions of people have been cheated for too long, restitution becomes a costly process; inferior education, poor housing, unemployment, poor health care facilities’ These are but the real propellers of hate.

What is more, the government should assiduously work on these issues listed above that led to the polarization of our political space as against coming up with such a bill which I view as obnoxious in taste and draconian in outlook.

Viewed differently, ‘knowledge will forever govern ignorance. And as a people who need to be their own governors must arm themselves with power that knowledge gives’. This is the way to go. Let our leaders go to the ‘people’s college’ to seek knowledge of what they want so as to arm themselves with the power they need to destroy hate speech as no bill, act or decree can stop the movement occasioned by internal dissatisfaction.

Jerome-Mario Utomi

Jerome-Mario is a Social Entrepreneur and an alumnus, School of media and communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

%%AUTHORLINK% Nigeria’s Hate Speech Bill: Issues And Concerns Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

Administrator Where Are We Heading? Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

AP photo

By

Abdulyassar Abdulhamid

Recently while having a fruitful discussion with my patron, a humble man of resourceful knowledge and tremendous experience, on what should be the future of our youths whose minds are carried away by drug abuse, football and trivialities, he asked me many unanswerable questions that are still troubling my mind. The one that has beaten my mind to a pulp among the array of questions he threw at me is: what should be the future of our society, especially of our youths, in the next twenty years or thereabouts? I was left speechless by this question, although I have often toyed with questions of this kind before. This has led to more searching questions: Will sheer laziness allow our youth to compete with their peers in other climes and free them from the shackles of poverty? This train of questions is endless. Will drug abuse give our youth a sense of good judgment? Should football, or games as a whole, give our youths that once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete with other societies?

If there is anything these days that unites our youth and gives them that strong bond that only blood can give to brothers. it is football. I was so surprised when I first found out that meetings take place in solidarity with other supporters abroad to celebrate Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Manchester United’s victory by people here who cannot produce commonplace secondary school leaving certificates. Football is the only umbrella under which our youths experience something called unification, perhaps embellishment, many analysts have argued. Youths can readily avoid their works or duties to grace the scattered viewing centers here and there in our communities. They love and hate for football’s sake. As literature (or rather scholarship is) to the West I fear football is gradually substituting religious institutions here. This may sound a lesser irresponsibility compared to what will come in the next few lines.

Drug abuse, which is the “habitual use of drugs not needed for therapeutic purposes, solely to alter one’s mood, affect, or state of consciousness, or to affect a body function unnecessarily (as in laxative abuse)” as defined by medical dictionary, is gradually becoming the order of the day. The youths nowadays take refuge in intoxicants arguably to avoid or replace their endless idleness. The most widely abused drugs and substances among the youths are: cough syrup, anti-allergy, caffeine pills, laxatives, painkillers, paint fumes, solvent, glue, marijuana, codeine, and even lizard droppings, among a host of others.

Recently there was a report released by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) through its Kano State commander, Garba Ahmad, the most populous state in the country, topping the drugs/substances abuse chart in Nigeria. This, the report concludes, has become a social menace, and has a direct correlation with the high unemployment rate in the state with many factories closing due to an epileptic power supply.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, drug abuse can lead to brain damage by flooding the brain circuits and dopamine (neurotransmitter that is responsible for storing, cognition, etc); and can also lead to physical injuries. This can be seen on the scarified faces and toothless mouths of most drug addicts.

Where do we begin? There is a need for urgent measures to be taken by all stakeholders, especially at all levels, parents, community leaders, clerics, schools, CBOs/NGSs, multi-lateral organizations, etc, to arrest this ugly situation for the future of humanity to be secured as drugs/substances abuse is a global problem, but with devastating consequences on developing countries. It is a collective responsibility as all hands must be on deck to bring a lasting solution to this socio-economic crisis. Families, traditional institutions and political institutions have failed us.

The family which is the first, principal social institution and center of social activity a person comes in contact with (which is considered the backbone of society) is no longer as effective as it used to be. Are parents, especially fathers, ready to shoulder their responsibilities? Are parents even aware of those responsibilities they are saddled with? Parents care more for bringing children into this world than giving them a proper upbringing; they do not bother to know their children’s whereabouts nor do they care to know with whom their children associate. This, no doubt, has given peer groups some advantages over the family and is why most victims of drug abuse are products of broken or violent families.

The traditional institutions that have their origin in pre-colonial Nigeria and were later incorporated into the British colonial (mostly indirect) rule especially in the northern region are no longer after their Talakawas (the masses); before they were well aware of who was or who was not on this or that street. But today they are, I suspect, more or less preoccupied with what they will get from the sale of a house or piece of land.

The political institutions that enact laws, apply them, mediate conflicts, represent the population, and initiate/implement policies for the overall socio-economic well-being of the overwhelming majority of the people have not kept up with their mandate. The state is a total failure. The masses have lost faith in them; they are not always there to give support to the common man.

Supported by the conviction that none of these institutions: family, traditional institutions, political institutions can do anything to improve the condition of their lives, the youths have drug abuse as a means of escaping from this world moving at a breakneck speed.

The religious institutions (the clerics) should use the wisdom they are endowed with to call these strayed youths, families, social institutions and political institutions to order and remind all the institutions of their responsibilities, for all laws are meant to preserve social organizations and cultures.

Where are we heading to? Our movement is directed to a cul-de-sac or a narrow blind alley with no way of escape; that will hardly open doors for more opportunities. This can neither favour the society nor its members that shape it with time. Potential manpower that should have been deployed elsewhere, if given rigorous, formal training, has ended up under chocking bridges, on heaps of garbage and filthy alleyways.

Abdulyassar Abdulhamid

Abdulyassar Abdulhamid, Kano based, is graduate of B.A English from Bayero University, Kano. He is a budding writer, social analyst, freelancer at Sunrise Language Practitioner (SLP) and regular contributor to Nigerian dailies.
His writings have appeared in The Communicator, a magazine published by Kano State Polytechnic and in Dailytrust, The Triumph and The cable newspapers. He has a strong interest in literary theory.

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Administrator Presidential State Visits and all the Boju Boju Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

Reuters photo

By

Prince Charles Dickson

‘Boju boju, akara nbo, she kin shi‘ meaning the masquerade is coming with a (Bean ball) delicacy, do I open it.

“…A stifled, caged and gagged populace can be only marginally propensible to positive political interaction. In a similar vein, political restriction, political repression imbues in the citizens a feeling of depression, depravation and a sense of loss. These are basically non-conformable with democratic attitudes and principles. By extension, such citizenry cannot be expected to contribute their innovative best to the national development. In a nutshell, a society that denies an integral stratum of its constituent units the exercise of its fundamental human rights is nothing but a moribund if not dead society. Incontrovertibly, a dead society cannot be a strategic imperative in the realization of national development…

“…On the other hand, the erroneous belief that one can stay in power ad infinitum, makes a government careless, irresponsible, authoritarian, dictatorial and with an imbued sense of self glorification…” General Olusegun Obasanjo PhD.

And so there was electricity; at least for almost 24 hours, and that was a first in ages, but after the President left, it was back to status quo. In fact as I share these thoughts there is no electricity.

There was also fuel in various fuel stations, selling at the official benchmark price of N145, this was a first in the city, after months of non-availability of the product and when available selling at cut throat prices.

Women that sold their perishable items were asked to vacate because the president was going to pass through. This I did not understand because these were the same women whose votes the President would need for 2019, or got him there in the first place. These same women did not get any compensation as their livelihood was affected at least for a day, many of them their fruits perishing.

There was also a public holiday, and yet another lost in this nation that loves holidays. But really I won’t mourn that. However, as with the previous administration what is it with deployment of police personnel every several meters, in a state that was experiencing scattered killings and well under-policed. And you need too see that under-equipped officers.

Did I inform us that some roads were done in barely weeks, and roads were painted, trees adorned the same roads all of a sudden? Roads that had been abandoned for ages witnessed contractors working day and night to deliver on schedule. And all the areas he was going to pass through were wearing new looks, and sadly if he wasn’t coming towards your neighborhood you would not feel the vibe.

What are we like this, a special budget was made for the visit, and persons got contracts to deliver this or that. Millionaires created overnight for doing exceptional nothing. People got funds to hire praise singers, the governor’s protocol office was tasked with drawing up a list of friendly journalists and loyalists for the town hall.

Is it that the President is naive, or has it become an acceptable norm, an African thing, nay a Nigerian phenomenon, when the chief is around we do a ‘boju-boju’. How did we get to this point where only when the high and mighty are around we get the best of what we deserve?

And they continue to treat us like thrash–my take is that we do not know the concept of peoples’ power, they continually divide us across faith and ethnic lines this makes us negate the following principles.

The fundamental rules of governance, which no one should change.

The principles of democratic consultation among governing institutions have been thrown to the gutters.

Lack of conferred dignity, Nigerians lack the right to dissent, and basically the right to challenge on the premise of superior and correct argument against oppressive leadership has been lost.

The Courts are not necessarily the last resort, neither is there a hope for a popular uprising.

We have seen the nation brought to its knees courtesy of a meal of ‘APC al carte’. As the present administration pursues her window dressing of setting a society on the change mantra, we are yet to establish what the change means. Many still view the change from that stereotype that sees it as only for the proletariat class, while the poor walk miles to get food, the rich walk miles to ease digestion.

Ironically I maintain that what the nation is in need of is not all these change hinged state visits. I argue that there can be no change without taking into consideration socio-economic rule of law, social and distributive justice, and equal access. Change that ultimately ends for the benefit of citizenry.

The APC’s change mantra, as good as it should be, suffers from the ‘kwashikor ‘of legitimacy; this is so, because the legitimacy of law is essentially a function and an interface of the legitimacy of the lawgiver.

This will continue to hunt this government…

So much has been said about the change as we approach 2019, and in fact for whom we are, in some quarters we have celebrated it. The question however is, as we preach the sermon, is there any procedural mechanism at ensuring effective compliance, do we possess agreed legislation or what we have is a set of unwritten rules and regulation for which public holidays are set, and poor traders are molested because the President is in town.

We equally need to move away from the practice of conceptualization to practice and like I said in a public function there is no difference between due process and rule of law, fresh breath, and change Obasanjo came with his, Yar’Adua the latter, Jonathan and then Buhari. Just a case of semantics, nomenclatures, abbreviations, and the nation continues to dance the traditional Yoruba folklore dance, ‘Boju boju, akara nbo, she kin shi’ meaning the masquerade is coming with a (Bean ball) delicacy, do I open it.

There is a thinking that we are making progress, I do not agree given our potential, it could get better, but I remind us that it could also get worse. The French revolution despite the issues was precipitated as a result of the price of bread; the change agenda if pursued with intent would for us, had heralded a new beginning, and a revolution…sadly what we have is still boju-boju visits of Mr. President and a lazy citizenry, for how long—Only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson

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Administrator Violence Over Innocence Tuck Magazine Tuck Magazine - Online political, human rights and arts magazine

Allan Leonard photo

By

Ogbonnaya Joel Nwanneka

At around 1:30pm on Sunday 11th March, on Ayepe Street, one of the ruling streets of indescribable boys in Osun State’s Gbongan town, there was a sudden shout of :”ole! Ole!! Ole!!!” meaning “Thief”. People rushed to the scene and, as fortune would have it, the accused was caught while on the run by the accuser with the help of the street boys.

He was beaten black and blue, and considering his agility, was able to stand the beating to the point of his tiredness, when he started pleading for mercy. “Have mercy people, I am not a thief, I have come with my friend all the way from Ibadan to see a lady whom I love, not knowing to me that she is married to the man who has accused me of stealing, holding me firm here.” The accused bled from the head, nose and mouth, which attracted people’s pity prompting people to ask for the evidence of theft against him. As the accuser couldn’t provide any, he gently released the accused from his grip.

The accused furthered his story… “I was in her house when a heavily built man came in and became unfriendly to my friend and I. His manner of approach made my friend and I restless, so we decided to leave the house as we perceived he might be the husband of the lady they’d come to see, but as we were leaving, he raised a loud cry of ‘thieves’ on us, so we had to bolt away, hastening our step and, while on the move, were caught and messed up like this.”

At this point, the people turned against the accuser for having being impatient, hot tempered and having caused much pain on the man and his friend regarding the alleged theft. People said he should have spoken with his wife before he took any action against the supposed visitors who came for ‘love’. Some said that his wife’s promiscuity should have been shunned by him, after all he knows the kind of wife he has.

As people were putting the blame on him, another group of street boys came and were told the story which led to the ugly scene. On seeing the profusely bleeding head, nose and mouth of the accused, they beat up the accuser while an unknown Samaritan on a bike came and took the accused and his friend to an unknown location for treatment.

At the point of the beating the accuser fled. People blamed the accused and his friend for not being bold enough to state the reason for their visit, as there was nothing wrong in going to see a woman a man loves for marriage.

It was said that a catastrophe that led to the suffering of the accused is the result of supposed promiscuity on the lady’s part, as well as impatience on the part of the accuser, foolishness and a lack of boldness on the part of the victim, not to mention the incompetence of the town to dispatch security to remote areas in its town.

Ogbonnaya Joel Nwanneka

Ogbonnaya Joel Nwanneka is a poet writing from Osun,Nigeria, an indigene of Ebonyi,Nigeria. He’s a student and a budding lawyer who believes in changing the world positively through creative writings.

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