PROUDLY NIGERIAN

Sometime, not too long ago, a very prominent Nigerian social critic was locked in a serious debate with hip-hop artists over the accuracy of addressing Nigeria as 9ja. . Very recently too, the minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili also made a statement directing people to stop addressing Nigeria as 9ja.
The argument enjoyed a long thread of reasoning and submissions from both sides. While it truly would appeal to common sense to query the morals behind such alias, it is almost out of place to pass a 'fatwa' that the alias is unpatriotic. . I particularly may not want to attend to the utterances of the Professor Minister for two reasons. First, she seem to have a history of picking on mundane issues to give a feeling that she is actually informing people and second, she is unarguably idle.
You may or may not agree with me on this, but I have come to realise that more Nigerians especially the youth seem to have readily identified more with this country since the 9ja tag came on board. It's trendy, easy to pronounce, fast to write and also stylish.
For all I care, style adoption by 9ja youth is taking over every phase at such a pace that even the abnormal trends are fast becoming a day to day sight to behold. From hairdos to dress codes the list goes on and on.
What matters to me is that we are beginning to take pride as Nigerians especially the Nigerian youth to the next level. Against this background, I would excuse myself from having to join issues with some out-of-fashion old men who are trying to put the ruins of our dear country at the mouth of the 9ja youth.
Beyond the controversy over names, I have also been opportune to listen to people from other countries talk about Nigeria; it is always a tale of how bad things are. It is sad enough to know that these people have never been to Nigeria and really have no plans to come but seem to know so much about our country. Their sources of information are mostly Nigerian managed blogs. While I do not have problems with people writing about the decay killing our system, it is important to be equally constructive enough to make the reader aware that these corrupt and embarrassing practices are not our norm but a path certain individuals have chosen to follow.
I feel embarrassed when I have to defend the likes of Cecilia ibru, Sanni Abacha, Bode George, and a host of other individuals known for sharp practices while holding their respective offices. We can’t afford to be seen as gold diggers and good for nothing people by bloggers.
What does 9ja as a name have to do with godfathers taking over our democracy or leaders stealing from us or greedy fathers handing power over to their greedy sons?
Like I have always told my friends, names like Shagari, Obasanjo, Yar'adua, and Babangida have been registered in my head as far back as 1984. At least, at that time, I had little control over my memory; it is not to say they weren’t in existence before then. So where were these men of the old, struggling to catch up with the new order when we were busy coining out a name for our country? The problem of this country is not in the name or names that we choose to call it but the attitudes of her people.
Man, they say, is man's worst enemy. What is in a name, after all, beyond identity?
I do not intend to bother you with the history of Nigeria from where we were and where we are. Very brilliant and passionate write-ups have been written over time to address that.
We are where we are and we want to move ahead, period! The question I hope to find answers to is, who triggers the movement and what principles would guide our path as we chart this new course?
A mere attempt to finding answers to these questions appears to me a worthier cause than dancing around the decay that presently rocks our dear country.
For a very long time, we have battled so much condemnation, even an outright declaration that ours is a wasted generation. Yes, one way or the other, our inactions, actions, utterances and passivity of the good heads earned us these. This generation witnessed the bloodiest era of cultism, our generation took fraud to a new height, “yahoo-yahoo”, examination fixing, kidnapping and drug peddling, prostitution and many more criminal minded activities seem to have been adopted by our generation. This is the truth about our generation in a few lines.
That however is not the whole truth about our generation, we have only consciously shied away from playing positive roles and actively participating hence giving credence to the devilish minded amongst us. It is also fair to say these bad eggs are a product of systemic misplace values; in the face of poverty, unemployment and other harsh economic conditions, one can only but try to carefully place blames, on the other hand however, there were so many options to choose from, why thread the wrong path.
With that said we have a duty to salvage our situation, rewrite our history and openly identify with the kind of Nigeria we want. We need to seek a paradigm shift from this recycled style of governance and busy ourselves with nation building thoughts and let those whose phobia for nomenclature understand the principles of generational ideological differences, especially as it affects our country.
To say we have not been actively involved is to be very prudent with the truth. What we have lacked over the years is defining our manner of participation and the end point. A new approach is to clearly define a consensus interest and work towards the same.
One of the most criminal yet historic youth movements was that which was led by the infamous Daniel Kanu, YOUTH EARNESTLY ASK FOR ABACHA. As sad as it is to say the young man missed the point totally, he successfully proved that youths can be mobilised irrespective of their shade of character. A list of many more movements with such unpopular drive have been recorded since then; while these guys chose to misrepresent the youths, the vast majority, who did not agree with these campaigns, chose to keep quiet.
The brief highlight of our participation clears the question as to whether or not we can make things happen, then we are left with what exactly we want to make happen and when.
I hope to make up a few notes as to what we can actually do as youths. I am sure you all know what they should be.
I am just a proud Nigerian.

BEFORE WE PARTY

History has again been written today for the people of Ekiti State and then, the entire Nigerians.
We certainly have seen couple of Governors lose their seats after a long drawn judicial battle and as such may not be so carried away by the recent judgment in Ilorin that unseat Segun Oni. What is special about the pronouncement of Kayode Fayemi as the real winner of the 2007 general elections is that it is as I write the longest appeal process to end on this note in the history of Nigeria's democracy.
In this special attribute yet lies the lesson of this episode in our collective history as we crave for a truly democratic atmosphere and a relatively balanced field for every Nigerian to participate.
It is not out of place to clink glasses of champagne to celebrate the conscious effort of the Judiciary arm to wake from her age long slumber compared to her back-footed sister arms. It is quite reasonable to roll out drums to jubilate the enthronement of the true wishes of the Ekiti electorate. Very much in order it is, to channel our prayer points in this direction that every other state currently held hostage by perpetual rape of justice be unchained by the dispassionate venom of the blindfolded effigy. We can go ahead to party but before we do, what lessons have we learnt.
The best of organisations and indeed nations are those that have preserved their past in preparation for the challenges of today and the unknowns of the future. Those that have remained focused even in wild celebrations and calculative in sober times. Verily I say unto you, those that have had a taste of justice, had fought tenaciously and indefatigably. Nothing about it is free and the first step to having a feel is to speak out.
We should proceed to ask ourselves what has taken it so long for the truth to be said. Were the facts presented before the Ilorin appeal court different from those that have been placed before other courts and tribunals? Were these facts viewed under different goggles? Would it be fair to conclude that it is within the scope of human errors to have missed these salient facts by other judges or were the omissions borne out of deliberate and willful manipulation of facts and truth?
If it is so established, would it be out of place to seek that we escorts these set of vultures to the gallows before coming back to raise our glasses. I can't stand the fact that these dishonourable men would still adorn the wig and gown and seat on some other cases. God forbid I stand before them!
If we refuse to take this bold step, justice in Nigeria may end up being a mere compensation by the ruling class to divert the watchful eyes of the masses.
Without sounding unnecessarily personal, I do not owe Kayode Fayemi a congratulatory message, i am sure hundreds of it would greet pages of national dailies; all sponsored by allies and sycophants. In similar vein, my write up seeks not to portray Fayemi in the light of a freedom fighter.
I owe the People of Ekiti who remained resolute even in the face of harsh brutalities. They spent endless days fasting and praying for justice to be done. Today, prayers have been answered; I equally owe the honourable men of the bench who chose the path of truth and refused to mortgage the mandate of Ekiti people for frivolous gifts. I owe Nigerians who have followed closely the Ekiti massacre of truth and false proclamation of office for the past three years.

We must also consider the length of this legal tussle and the resources that must have been committed to its execution. You would agree with me that it is not a common man's task. How many teachers, farmers or pensioners whose means of livelihood is tailored by genuinely earned remunerations would have been able to pursue this case thus far? How many inmates today, have continued to languish in prisons as a result of miscarriage of justice and their inability to afford legal charges? How many students' activists have been kept out of school because all they can afford is free legal services? How many more would still suffer grave injustice because of the true cost of Justice?
This is not the democracy we truly hoped for. We have only withdrawn into our shells and taken the best of what we are offered by the system. We have always wished for a system that enthrones principles and vision; not moneybags and over-laboured generals.
By my estimation, the only difference between Oni and Fayemi is the name they individually answer and the party they represent. Beyond that, they both represent a part of the rich few who have continuously held the poor majority to ransom.
Fayemi, would assume office and proceed to change the cabinet. The Oni allies need to be discharged for his boys to come in. That may just imply that Oni's selection was never based on merit but political connections; nothing says Fayemi's would be better off.
What is for sure is taxpayers' money would service yet another avoidable waste.
Just for quick rethink, how does one explain the fact that a Segun Oni who knew that he was never elected as governor, would be the one seeking tenure elongation? Men are just desperate and devilish.
The quest for fame and office more often than not exposes weakness and man's true appreciation and use of power. Fayemi has been enthroned; events of the next few months and years would vindicate me.
Good people of Nigeria, let's take sometime out to ponder over these and more from every other corners of thought. It would definitely shapen the type of party we are to throw before we party.
God bless Nigeria.
N:B
I hope Prof. Jega would not wait for people to ask him to relief Madam Ayoka Adebayo if she's still in service. She doesn't appear to me like a person that would be shameful enough to quit the INEC job.
INEC Chairman Sir, do the needful.

THE CHILEAN INSTANCE: MISION CUMPLIDA

This is yet another of my piece that should be perused for the fun of it and probably pick a few lessons. I am sure there is.
Many of you must have watched or atleast heard of the rescue mission in Chile; so, there really shouldn't be any need to bother you with so many details.
I picked interest in this event because it is something that has to do with Chile. If it were the US, Britain or any of those big names, it might not have appealed to me beyond my understanding of appreciating human dignity. But Chile has a history, one that does not make it a particularly 'ready made' and fantastic economy or even a place of immediate visit priority some few decades back.
This is the same Chile led by Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. To however say it was outrightly terrible under Pinochet might be totally unfair; though it was quite despotic. My point is that we actually saw development after the exit of Pinochet; just like the gradual process we have always wished for. In a space of twenty years, a new Chile, poetically referred to as the slender lady, was born and today we are all witnesses to what people oriented government means.
The little introduction points to the fact that every country has her peculiar story. Her history! None should therefore take as an excuse her dark days for her current problems.
Some 69 days ago, miners were trapped some 2257ft deep in the ground, while going about legitimate business. Give it to them to have demonstrated so much courage all through these trying days but you may ask, what is courage in the face of neglect?
The manner the case had been handled from the beginning by the Chilean authority doesn't deserve any less an ending as it witnessed today. The whole world stayed glued to TV sets, social media sites and radio transmitters to celebrate a government's response to the distress calls of her subject and a true definition of servant leader. Especially for a government of this tiny country at the end of the world as it is fondly called by her citizens, coming from a recent earthquake on February 27, this year.
The world today was united in celebrating human dignity.
Like I said, it is just a pointer to what we are not getting right, not necessarily to chide anybody.
At different times, our rescue system has been put to test and sadly we have failed. It is on record, the attitude and utterances of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the President of Nigeria aftermath the January 27 bomb blast at Ikeja cantonment. We have seen leaders pay lip service to distress calls over and over again. We can't but marvel at the approach of the Chilean government.
I have watched our own Jonathan visit sites destroyed by erosion and listened to him talk about it; it's nowhere near Sebestain Pinera's warm posture today.
The President was on ground to personally welcome miners on first hand with his first lady. Ours would have either gone unnoticed, or they would have been received by a red cross official only to be flown to Aso Rock after a month or two when Mr. president is less busy and a lavish 'Welcome Back to Life Party' thrown in their honour. Of course, such party would have a local organising committee and taxpayers’ money would have been misused again.
Just for the records, the Last miner, Luis Urzua, came out at exactly 22 hours and 37 minutes and he, the Chilean President was there for these 33 people. His presence there didn't stop other state functions nor was the first lady carrying retinue of servants.
Behold these simple first citizens, handling state matters.
I am sure Madam Patience Goodluck would not be watching this; but if she is, by accident, I pray she picks the lessons therein. There is more to offer your people, no matter how low they are, than flying around the globe at the expense of tax payers.
It would be more than a thing of joy to be a Chilean today. The Chilean anthem was sang with so much emotion after which Mr. Pinera made a brief but reassuring press statement.
I look forward to when our leaders can be as selfless without first considering the attached political gains.
A time when Nigerians wallowing in foreign prisons, their own collapsed mine, would get the attention of our government. A time when our citizens being brutalised and sentenced to death without (fair) trials would have a government stand for them.
For me, the thought of people having your back, working hard to get you succour, that singular feeling some people actually care about your welfare is enough to keep you alive for 69 days plus the grace of God.
Also for us as Nigerians, the conduct of the Miners has for the umpteenth time, emphasized the need to combat our challenges as one. It doesn't matter what religion we profess or the language we speak. Neither does it matter, the tribe we belong to.
What matters, is that, we are a people confronted by the same problems of leadership. A people starved of sincerity of purpose and commitment on the side of our leaders. A people wishing for a better Nation. There is no better time to ponder on Unity.
By this, I say congratulations to the 33 miners, the Chilean government and her people. Just as I call on our Leaders to take selflessness to the next level.
Viva Chile
Viva Nigeria
Viva World

BOMB BLAST @ 50

I have waited all these days to be told that the whole story about the October 1, 2010 bomb blast was a dream or better still a firework display gone berserk. Of a truth, I have made some comments about it on facebook; those were just to represent my immediate reaction to events around me.
Now that it appears to be nothing but the truth, then I can in the first instance re-affirm my facebook comments and then take a step further to present my views on the blast as a concerned Nigerian.
To start with, I, and indeed, a lot of Nigerians especially those who follow international news on terrorism should by now know that it is not a new thing for terrorist groups to claim responsibility for certain acts. There is this tendency to claim responsibility for attacks on supposedly secured places. Beyond the fact that such claims reduce the confidence of the public on the security promises of the government involved, it also paints a wider-than-ever picture of the terrorist group.
For MEND to have therefore come forward to claim responsibility is a question of reinventing the wheel and an attempt to step up their status to a terrorist group. If you for whatever reason address them as such, I have nothing to argue about; but for me, they continue to be an over-pampered militia group made up of opportunists with misplaced priorities.
Given that they have now taken that infamous but atleast BOLD step within the Nigerian context, the least person that would come to say they didn't do it shouldn't have been the President of our dear country, Dr. Jonathan. E. Goodluck. He is not alone in this anyway, when Michael Jackson died on 25th of June, 2009, President of the United States, Barrack Hussein Obama was the first to rule out homicide long before the matter was investigated; but a thorough country he leads, homicide was actually confirmed though nobody, atleast for the much I know, held Obama for his premature submission.
I would have expected a serving president and an aspirant for the seat come 2011 to display some level of direction and leadership by ordering immediate investigation rather than taking brief for mercenaries.
His unpardonable goof takes two very serious dimensions. One, MEND claimed responsibility; Mr. President said they weren’t responsible. By implication, Mr. President is either telling us MEND is not as matured for such attacks or that they are too sophisticated to target a distant from Eagle Square. Maybe, the MEND he knows would have gone straight for the jugular, blow up the whole of Eagle Square!
Second, of what use are the retinue of aides and media assistances if he must say a word, especially on an issue that should be subjected to serious investigation. Our man just had to say something fast enough to get credit, just as he banned every “footballing” activity to pacify an irked nation after our appalling performance at the world cup. A performance, which in my opinion, is fallout of maladministration and lack of will.
It is now the word of Mr. President against that of our security outfits. How else does one explain the arrest of Henry Okah far away in South Africa, if Mr. President is so sure MEND did not carry out the bombings? Are our police at their games again?
For all I care, the series of allegations flying around do not really make any sense to me and I refuse to take part in any discussion that has to do with them.
My reason is strictly informed by the characters involved. Henry Okah, Raymond Dokpesi, Jonathan Goodluck, “People trying to sabotage government effort” (as christened by Mr. President), the Nigeria police and other security outfits. Whom amongst this can I vouch for? None!
It pains me to place Okah by our President, but what difference does it make if they are now both involved in the mud fight. Of course, you wouldn’t expect oppositions who have been looking for a way to discredit Mr. President’s already discredited election bid to keep quiet at a time like this. The current political culture calls for such, so I very well understand the words from the Atiku and IBB camp especially.
What would have impressed me as an individual is really not the immediate unmasking and/or arrest of the mindless criminals behind the attacks, that in the real sense, might never happen, but a statement from the security outfits, something like, a word coming from the head of the Nigeria police bomb squad. That would give me a feeling that my country is organized. I am not even sure the place was sealed off after the event or did the bomb squad visit the spot. If they did, what are the preliminary findings?
By now, we should have had an idea of what kind of bombs where used, where such bombs could be found in Nigeria and some Hollywood kind of reports you get after LAPD bomb squad visits a scene. These expectations truly sound Hollywood; my apologies to Mr. I. Ringim.
He doesn’t appear to head an outfit positioned for such.
One golden lesson to be learnt apart from the fact that Nigerian politicians would do everything to remain in power or get into power, is that we are a much disorganized nation that needs a well informed leadership structure to put things in the right order.
Another lesson, and on this one, I don’t mind standing alone, is that, outright amnesty was never a solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta region. The real symbols of the struggle wouldn’t have even needed anything amnesty, the Saro-Wiwas I mean. When a group of over-zealous and armed idle men get supports from rich untouchables to wreck havoc within some regions causing the country a lot of embarrassment and resources, are pacified with such blanket offer called amnesty, you shouldn’t expect anything short of this.
A more principled government would have instead attended to their real and genuine grievances of the Niger Delta people and ask the armed bandits to lay down arms with minimum punishments maybe; but what we have is an escapist leadership even under the late Yar’ adua. Till date, the demands have not been met and they are not likely to be met judging from the insatiable craze for wealth this armed business has opened for the militant groups, the larger than life status of their patrons, support from outside the country, dirty dealings of the multinationals and above all, the irresponsible stance of the Nigerian government in the face of providing basic amenities for her people.
I am pained by the fact that innocent people have once again, like always, being killed to score political points. While I wouldn’t have even wished death for any of these corrupt and unprincipled leaders, they just have to suffer for their misdeeds; it would have been a different story if the bomb exploded inside Eagle Square. A story of pythons swallowing pythons may not be hard to tell as against that of sharks eating up fingerlings that would be.
This and many more are the questions we need to ask a nation at 50. The wasteful spending are by the way; key security issues are far more pertinent and they in many ways question the so called celebrations.
We truly cannot place our country side by side USA and co, but would we, after a sober reflection on our past, say we have done too well. I don’t care what the histories of other countries are nor do I agree we have to follow the same torturous path these advanced countries followed before becoming what they are, what I care about is that my country should learn from the history of others and get things done properly.
These are my thoughts for this country at a time like this and always when the issues bothering on leadership crisis cross my mind. I am just one of very many good citizens of Nigeria who have a lot of hope in this country. Such hopes, I may not necessarily be alive to witness but let my children and grandchildren have a fair share of the better Nigeria I am hoping for now.
Take this as a parting teaser, if Mr. President is very sure, as he has claimed he is from Niger Delta and knows his people too well, that MEND didn’t orchestrate the bombing of Friday, October 1 as against the claims of MEND and security reports; I think he stands a chance, a good one at that, to tell us who did the bombing.
With these said, I am still very proud to be a Nigerian and also very sure we would get it right one day.
Proudly Nigerian!

WHICH WAY TO GO

For the first time, I hope to be very brief with my piece. As an upcoming writer, I have always thought so much word would adequately convey my points; sometimes, it does help but on particular issues, it amounts to waste of time. One of such issues is that which bothers on Nigeria.
Now that I am writing about Nigeria again, I want to be brief so much so that what would really convey my point is the brevity and not necessarily the piece itself.
Enough said. Suddenly, the so much over advertised and over debated 50th anniversary celebration is here. To say a whooping 7 Billion Naira would go down the drain is another stale gist.
I am just as convinced as a lot of people out there that the said anniversary is a shameful display of bad leadership, corruption, and abuse of the rule of law.
So, why waste time?
I have engaged a couple of friends on facebook and other media sites on the possible outcome(s) of 2011; it has been very educative and broad. Nigerians are sharp analytically and brilliant. Oh Nigerians, what a people?! If only we could act as much as we speak.
My particular concern is the Presidential elections simply because of the characters seeking that exalted office.
None of the candidates has been spared in the course of this multi-perspective discourse by people. They all seem to have questions to answer.
While we are not God and we have no control over future events, it is permissible within the political scenarios to make calculative predictions based on public opinions, campaign strategies, manifestos (though they don't count) and many other factors and then focus on three or four likely candidates.
My four candidates in no particular order and reasons are:
Jonathan Ebele Goodluck (JEG): He is favored by the strength of incumbency, array of sychophants and goodwill-seeking governors and bootlickers.
He's financially competent based on his network, to power a strong campaign and effect proper mobilisation. Though he is viewed by some quarters as betraying the zonal arrangement, I don't share that point view.

Despite this, I have a personal misgiving for JEG and I am so unrepentant about it. He doesn't represent anything par say. He is not known with any particular principle, no style, just dry! Very soft, bereft of ideas and doesn't have any history of winning people's mandate. He has always reached the top by chance. What it takes to solve the problems of this country is way beyond chance but a well articulated workplan directed by a strong willed individual.
He also appears to me a puppet and an extension of the old syndicates who have held this country by her jugular. Some kind of marionette holding office in trust.
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB): The self style evil genius is favoured by his clout, gut and agelong hold on the political nerve of this country. IBB also has enough money to mobilize every sort of machinery needed to give a strong fight. He is a beneficiary of the zoning agitation and also has on his team a list of top notch, all time corrupt public officers.
My view of him is, he is a familiar evil whose first opposition is his past. He masterminded so many unity-threatening policies that many Nigerian can't afford to overlook.
The best slogan I would suggest is "RETURNING TO REDEEM". That's about all he has left to do. One other thing that would give him a load of trouble is the party, PDP factor.
He is a major player on the list of over recycled leaders who appear to be richer than Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar (AB): The Turaki Adamawa is also very rich owing to so many years of mismanagement in the Customs, 8 years as VP and some croonies doing his bidding. Like IBB, he is also a standing pro-zoning beneficiary.
He also seem to see more or better put has a well worked out plan than we think to have returned to PDP at a time like this. With the level of sympathy and warm reception he enjoyed with the then Action Congress, one would have expected he stayed back to consolidate.
For me, AB is as bad as those he tried to paint bad then; this unequivocally makes him very hard to trust, disloyal and hypocritical.
He is also a part of the cabal and cannot make a better leader in Nigeria.
Nuhu Ribadu (NR): The former EFCC no-nonsense tiny figure has very few but key things working for him. He has a publicly percieved impeccable anti-corruption record, that's one thing Nigerians are craving for. His sympathy soared to an amiable height when the Mike Okiro led-Nigeria Police rolled out its arsenal against this young man.
He also has a tremendous support of youths. Trust me, if the youths turn in their numbers as being mouthed on facebook especially, NR is unstoppable.
Please, note my bias, NR is my favourite.
For me, yes, I share his strong points too and would readily label his shortcomings at EFCC as inevitable human error!
However, I do not see NR as a magician who is going to turn Nigeria around at the flip of a magic wand just as my support for him doesn't extend to ACN automatically. It's to be negotiated. He only, to me, reprents a paradigm shift from the usual straight jacket (s)election process that revolves round some old but untiring individuals.
That is a proper step in the right direction; we would have successfully cut off the country from the grip of death. With this achieved, things can begin to be sorted in their right places.
My guess is, NR would run on the platform of ACN. If he does, we would be a little more than unrealistic to feel he would operate without the influences of the Lams, Akandes and Tinubus. This is to suggest that his leadership would have a taint of the usual political approach of nepotism and all.
The Buharis should take a well deserved rest and just respect himself. Chris Okotie, if he still hears God's voice as he claims, should check the voice again, it could be coming from a drunken friend in his backyard. Pat Utomi should manage his Lagos Business School and also start his education policies from LBS and make it affordable before aiming to manage the Nigeria education sector. Who else? I can't see.
2011 would definitely be interesting and also represent our chance of putting this country on a right track.
You may want to ask yourself again, which way to go?
I told you this would be very short, isn't it?
Happy birthday Nigeria.
N:B
Apart from the billion set aside for the independence day celebration, tax payer money has also being set aside to celebrate (im)Patience Jonathan's 50th birthday tagged 50 at 50.
Isn't that wonderful?
Hail 9ja!

WHAT MANNER OF ELDERS

In the words of Leon Trotsky, “Nothing is more dangerous in politics, especially in a critical period, than to repeat general formulas without examining their social content.”
I find this quotation most suitable for this write-up though, I must confess, I don’t know exactly what informed Trotsky’s statement and sadly, I am also not a socialist; yet, for me, it is just perfect.
Perfect because it simplifies the task of telling our elders that in a bid to seem to be simplifying a process, they have only succeeded in creating confusion and problem.
I am familiar with the African application of respect for elders and this would guide my submission is examining the roles being played by Ogun west elders in the 2011 gubernatorial aspiration of Ogun West. The boundaries are clear in terms of age and control over history especially in those days when the most reliable archives were the brains of the old folks; it is lot more different today, as the historical archive is generally assessable, leaving the old folks with an advantage of age and maybe, good deeds.
My submission here is that respect may not necessarily come with old age but with comportment and demeanor. If Lawrence Anini were alive today, a notorious armed robber that he was, I wouldn’t have had an iota of respect for him, period! So, it is not automatic for people to have through whatever means ganged up and label their association “Elders” to expect respect from the community to such a level that whatever they say not minding how irritating it is to human hear, should be taken hook, line and sinker without questioning.
My first question is therefore, with what criteria are community leaders chosen/ and by extension, these Ogun West PDP Leaders, how exactly did they come to be?
The idea of screening aspirants; is it the duty of the leaders or the party and then the electorates?
My answers are clear; all I beg for is your own understanding of these scenarios.
I have always before now questioned how certain individuals without paying close attention to their principles and what they really stand for; hastily gather to answer Elders’ council. Dr. Tai Solarin, of blessed memory, despite having maintained high moral standard at no time while he was alive claimed to be anybody’s elder. I am always marveled at how people just assume such positions because events have proved for the umpteen times that age does not necessarily substitute for wisdom or pedigree. All of these are based on individuals’ history of public service.
Funny enough, Trotsky, had this to say again “Old age is the most unexpected of things that can happen to a man.” It may as well mean that once a man manages to get old, he suddenly assumes the role of a deity and arrogates so much power to himself.
When people have taken their turn in public services without particularly imparted on this new bride, Ogun West, they seek for other places to remain relevant and such avenue is the Elders’ council.
The group of leaders that have prompted this write up comprises of the following “Elders”:

Ayo Otegbola, Iyabode Apampa, Alani Akinde, I.A Akinleye, Bolaji Aretola, Boye Adesina, The Traditional ruler of Ipokia, Oba Raufu Adeole.
Ogun West Project 2011 Apex Committee of the PDP, also known as Ogun West PDP elders, has decided to take us by some crazy surprise. They have gone ahead to declare Gboyega Isiaka as Ogun West PDP consensus candidate.
“Otegbola, whose address at the ceremony was read by his vice, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, enjoined other governorship aspirants who lost at the screening to work with Isiaka to win the primary election and the governorship election.
He explained that though the decision was not easy, it was taken “fearlessly to correct the mistake of the past,” adding that traditional rulers, clergymen, pressure groups, youth groups, market men and women and other stakeholders had been mobilized for the task ahead.
His words: “You, our people, as well as the 12 aspirants encouraged us that we members of the Apex Committee should prune the numbers down fearlessly to correct the mistake of the past. And so we first brought the number down from 12 to six, six to three and finally working on three to produce one that can beat other contestants from other political parties”.”(- http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68155:2011-ogun-west-pdp-picks-gboyega-isiaka-as-consensus-candidate-&catid=672:top-stories&Itemid=794, emphasis mine!)
Without intentions to sound rude, it doesn’t matter now anyway, I am concerned with the choice of words which seem to be very carefully chosen that convey the message of the “elders”.
Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, as directed by her boss, without even considering the opinion of people of the Ogun west divide as it were, hastily jumped into admonishing other contestants to support Gboyega isiaka. That quickly invalidates the principle behind the petty decision of these elders.
She went to claim that they arrived at their decisions to “fearlessly correct the mistake of the past”. Which past? Does that presuppose that there had been a kind of mistake made in the 34years of Ogun state that explains why an Ogun West person had never been governor? A mistake like not having any of our kinsmen enrolled in NDA or being a top officer to be a Military Governor? A mistake that elders before them did exactly what they are doing now, mortgaging our own future? What mistake of the past, if I may ask?
Now that our elders have taken a position, a position that is meant to address a future they may not necessarily be part of, like the proverbial heaven-seeker who doesn’t want to die, a position that ushers in an administration that is expected to represent a take-over by fresh bloods; I hope youths and other concerned and respectable elders can voice out their dissatisfaction with this arm-twisting standpoint. I have come to understand that once in a while we will stumble upon the truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up and hurry along as if nothing had happened. Now is another opportunity to stand for what is right.
Let records be set straight, we are not supposed beg to have Ogun West present the next governor without following due process. Let the orders of democratic selection be made supreme. We should not be seen forcing our belief and/or agitation on people of the other divides. Whoever feels he/she is capable should be allowed to declare and go in for the primaries. Let the people decide.
If this holds for people of the other senatorial divide, it is more than criminal to declare for a particular aspirant as the consensus candidate. On what scale was this decision placed?
Without doubt in my mind, this would only get the process dirtier than we have and also create more hurdles for Gboyega Isiaka.
So many things are at stake beyond the monetary gifts these elders stand to gain. How does Gboyega Isiaka stand out amongst other aspirants? What is history of participation? When did he become a name we mention within the political class? What is he known for? The list is endless. When exactly did the trimming begin? The array of questions left unanswered can only but put us in a messier situation of outright betrayal and disappointment.
This is not about Gboyega Isiaka, neither is it about any other aspirant. The press has done a bit about these individuals and so the public should be left to form its own opinion. This is about the so-called elders and their abracadabra arrangement.
Just like Dr. Titus Eweje rightly put it, this decision would create more enemies for the Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings.
I would advice this group of elders retract their comments and allow for a level playing field and to understand that the rules of democracy apply to all.
Muhammed Alli said, “If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize.” To the elders, I’d say, if you had dreamed you’ll get away with your infamous utterances, you’d better wake up and apologize.
The stage is set, let the race for true representation begin. We have had enough of undue meddling from the old folks; they can have some well deserving rest before finally resting in PEACE.

GBENGA: THE WONDER BOY

This is strictly about OGD, the all time dare devil magician.
Let's not take this too seriously; these guys as they were don't deserve any such seriousness. So let's catch the fun while it lasts.
This is not to say we won’t think or make our opinions known; we sure would. The only difference is we shouldn't lose our sleep anymore. They are not just going to change for any good.

When I heard that just nine lawmakers sat at about 6:30am to remove the Speaker and then suspend 15 lawmakers having elected a new speaker, I knew the hand manning the wheels and the voices singing the chorus was from different quarters.

What naturally should have annoyed is the impunity with which these acts are committed but the million dollar question is: is it worth it? To this I say, no.
No because, they don't care and they also won't change; not even in a country where law and order is a reserved right for the rich who are not on the wrong side of the President and his godfathers.
Yar'Adua, of blessed memory, slow as his ways were, would have at least commented on such heinous moves that to Jonathan mean nothing, judging by his silence or siddon look approach.

I have always wondered who these their ''The people of Ogun State'' whose interests and welfare they claim to be protecting are. Could it be our teachers, who are yet to be paid, doctors who are already on strike, unpaid civil servants or their spoilt children and prostitutes who have not the faintest idea of what public fund is; they just dip in their blood stained hands and spend lavishly.

Without paying attention to the insensitivity of the cult-like gathering held in the chambers, I am shocked the IGP, Mr. Onovo has not summoned the state commissioner of police to explain the involvement of the police. This in any case might amount to asking a blind man to check one's time piece; to expect a man with such sensitive position to flagrantly disregard court orders over and over again. An IG that would readily parade estranged petty criminals to substitute for the police ineffectiveness.

Had the lawmakers being so committed to their electoral promises so much so that they'd get to the house of assembly complex even before the cleaners, we would have today had good roads, stable academic calendar, well motivated civil servants and functional amenities. What we instead get is an oath driven, ritual seeking commitment to personal aggrandizement and continuous outright betrayal of a stolen mandate.

Of a fact, these 9 guys and their godfathers are desperate and unrepentant but much of their activities have been further encouraged by the fearful and back foot approach of the remaining 15 lawmakers. It is one of the times when you can't blame a stubborn minority considering the attitudes of an unwilling majority.

While I am committed to property writing another piece on poverty sometime soon, it's worthy to state in here that the specie of poverty we are battling in Nigeria extends from the bank accounts and pockets up to our thinking.
People in whom great hope and responsibility reside have continuously jettisoned their principles for morsels. When we finally adopted enthroning schooled individuals as kings and heads of communities, I, like a million and one Nigerians thought we have finally got to a point where Royal fathers would be able to critically read into governance and offer morally upright advices. We all have been proven wrong by the visit of the Yewa Committee of Obas led by Olu of Imashayi to congratulate these culprits. One can now understand why every big thief in Nigeria who have or are currently battling with EFCC and ICPC has series of chieftaincy titles in their kitty. Monarchs are so hungry that they don't mind feeding on the blood of their subjects. These are times I feel ashamed I have to chide our rulers as dutiful subjects. Where hath thy morals, Oh Rulers?!

My brief discussion with legal minds has further confirmed that it's a mere political craze that has deliberately disregarded the tenets of the main pillar that is meant to hold it in place; The Rule of Law.

Pained as we are, curiously as we seek help from wherever now, I pray we remain calm and watch the turn of events. Every episode definitely must have an end.

LOVE LETTER: UNEDITED OLD CLASSIC

There are times I get to ask myself if my real intention is to be a social critic, freelance blogger or a love stricken writer.

Whatever it is that I am or would be, time will tell.

We all must have at one time or the other had things to do with love letters. In those days, they were always ended with, YES or NO; underline one.
The unlucky one always had the girl reporting to a teacher with the letter, yawa don gas!

While looking through my archive, I saw one of the letters I wrote to a girl I was (maybe still) willing to give everything in exchange for her love.

Reading such piece now didn’t fail to amuse me.

I was amused because of things I wrote and also trying to rethink to see if I would have written the same kind of letter now, to any girl.

Then I made up my mind to share this with you all, it surely is an old classic because it did magic all round.

I still respect the girl wherever she is and wish her well.

Here is the Love letter as I sent it then, way back…..


@Bit,

As things are, we both have to go on.

That’s one obvious truth that should be told.

I had you once but you slipped.

Again, I had you with better and stronger hopes, and now, you are slipping.

Does this not tell you why I held on so tight over a little period?

I am a man; I will always fight like one.

That part of me that held your memory for that long and still holds it is the most sincere part of me.

I had loved you when nothing was up for grab and then, I fought hard to get you ‘cos what were at stake for me were the innocence of mind, purity of intentions and the tenderness of love.

Today, like yesterday and always, the heavens and the earth would witness my love for you.

I agree with every argument you raised; I probably would've felt the same way for my daughter, sister or niece as it may apply. “Once bitten”, they say, “twice shy”. I would never stand to see you bitten one more time.

I have prayed to God to make you a woman I would always love and preserve my love for. I have also told him to bring you to see the sincerity in my love for you and make you love me.

I have never been in a rush to get things done. I, as a matter of fact, would not pick such a salient issue without taking a careful look at it.

I have battled several days and night waiting for your calls to come, if only to say hi! I have forced tears back, but the stubborn ones took their turn and forced me to the hospital.

I have brought in friends from far and wide. India, UK, Nigeria and even a Turkish is willing to have her say! I have shown my readiness to combat every fear you nursed. If now, I have chosen to wait on the Lord to have His way; I should be fairly judged.

It pains my heart to tell you all these but I have to.


I probably would have stood a better chance if I was also in the US. If every other version of love bow to distance, words of discouragement or even the depth of the sea, mine would stand the test of time for YOU.

Take your time, just as you have told me to take mine; the only addition here is that I would wait for you for as long as you need to make a final decision.

This is one thing I have specially asked of God. If His mercies would continue to be boundless as always, WE SHALL MEET AGAIN AT THE END OF THESE LONG TRYING TIMES.

Once in a while, if your kind heart would permit, always remember that, in tears or laughter, joy or sorrow, I have built for myself a shade in the presence of your Love.
Your text messages have always given me succor.

For as long as this goes on, I would fight tears back, and make efforts to be the man I promised you I'd become for you and the kids. I don't see another woman taking this.

@BIT, this period is truly tough and rough but one sure thing is, if I have feigned my love for you, let providence take you far from my reach.
I LOVE YOU,
IFEMI.

SO MUCH RHETORIC ABOUT NONSENSE

I really don't have any intentions to carve out a particular introduction for this article; I just want to start out like, our Senators are rogues, Reps are touts and Governors, criminals.
Come to think of it, this already sounds like an introduction so let's just assume it is one.

Nigerians as named by the mistress of Lord Federick Luggard, Flora, Niger Area people, seem to make noise over an issue just for a little while and then move ahead waiting for the next shocker.

This is not about being extravagant with words but an overdue reaction to certain irritating postures of our leadership characters. Harsh as this might sound, the complacence window of Nigerians as widened geometrically in recent time that it appears we are getting just about what we deserve.

Weeks after the demise of Umar Yar'adua, a phoney profile of JEG, (Jonathan Ebele Goodluck, for those who are not facebook compliant) started spreading like uncontrollable fire. How his superiors either died or fell out of favour for him to assume top positions.
To my utmost dismay, Nigerians, atleast judging by my facebook experience adopted Goodluck as a middle name. Would that suppose these elements wish for their respective superiors to fall out of favour or die? Mention demons and I'd look at their directions!
With a little above average analysis of the Nigeria political elites, to single out JEG,(this is beginning to look like JPEG, does it explain why he looks good in his photos?) as a Saint would amount to great disservice.
Another highlight of this craze is the NO JONATHAN, NO SEX declaration by some misguided and disoriented women. My heart goes out to their Husbands, if they actually exist.
Mr. President, J(P)EG has decided to meet us at our facebook environment, politically identifying with our fantasies, reacting to selected comments with promises of change. It's all good! No smart person should miss such an opportunity given the 9ja rush for attention.
That's the character summary of our luck motivated Head and his rash and populist reactions.

Now, what do we make of the garage conduct of Dimeji Saboor Bankole. His glorious display of the Up National tendencies while commissioning the Ota Bridge should have earned him nothing but outright removal from the 'supposed to be' prestigious seat of the Speaker, instead he made headlines.
This appears to be a part of him as he had issues with being screened before boarding a flight in a manner similar to the Ota scenario.
The same Mr.Speaker outshined Don King in orchestrating of a free for all rumble right in front of some over pampered leaders of tomorrow. No apologies here. How many LGA primary schools would have been priviledge to view a Federal Bout for free? These children now already know whom they want to be like. I strongly recommend a critical high level investigation into Rt. Hon. Mr. Speaker's past, he should have a record of bullying colleagues or a cult membership.

I am a bit reluctant to introduce these two guys in my article. They have already graced to many pages but their style has earned them slots on the list of all time criminals.
The 'awada-kerikeri' misfit from Oyo State, Alao Akala and the crowned King of boys from Ogun, Gbenga Daniel. They both answer the Otunba title, I haven't seen much of the Otunba middle names like Goodluck on facebook though.
A state suffering from obvious neglect can afford to fund frivolous trips and parties outside the country with local drum men without a single foreign investment deal. Yet when he attends rallies, some 'arrangee' poverty stricken puppets are lined to waves our very own Nigerian flags. Without wasting my time, what can you expect from a skin bleaching Governor with a bling bling mannerism similar to Ja Rule?
How I wish suicide bombers where from the Oyo origin.
As for Daniel, he has successfully made his way through two terms employing all forms of thuggery and brigandage. This is a man that caught my fancy given his first two years in office only to abandon the state to confront existing and upcoming dynasties. He intends to hand over to one of his cronies and our votes is what he banks on.
The arrogance they radiate despite their ugly resume is what bothers my thinking, are these guys normal?

I don't see an end to this mess until we jointly seek a radical approach and stop these so much rhetoric about their nonsense.

Don't be bothered about my disjointed approach to this right up. I really couldn't have done any better writing about some guys' nonsense attitudes.

God bless Nigeria.

WHEREVER YOU ARE

I think for the first time, I should come out plain to confess that I have made frantic efforts to locate you. The fact that I haven’t seen you does not necessarily make me feel I am a failure nor that I would never get to locate you; it’s just a question of time.

Before we finally meet, there are certain things you may want to know and these things, I promise to be as explicit as possible. I don’t guarantee you’d understand all in any case so let me add that I would provide answers to your questions. All depends on whether or not we would meet. Oh yes, I know we surely will.

I am a young man that defies almost all characteristics of contemporary men. My style is dinstinct and that defines me. Certains things about me, I would not drop. I don’t intend to be rigid but those things are me and once they go, you can be sure it’s something else you have and not me.

So many other things are about me probably because you haven’t arrived; as soon as you show up, we can make a list and shed the ones you are not comfortable with. Trust me, I’ll go that far. What is important is; you have finally come to stay.

I am sure you also would have certain changes you intend to put in place as I have my expectations too. Just as I would understand these traits are products of more than 2 decades and would not expect you to adjust on the fly, I would appreciate if you also oblige me such gesture. What particularly matters is the will and conscious efforts being put into the process.

Nothing at all tells me you don’t exist. I know you do. I probably haven’t looked at the right direction or when I looked at that side, you weren’t there. The good thing is, I am likely to look back at that direction so, I hope you’ll there to be seen.
Efforts certainly are of no measurable significance until the end justifies them. You are the ‘end’ here; if I haven’t located you all these while, then I have not done enough. Period!

Could it also be that I have already seen you and walked away from you? This is a possibility no doubt but the chances are quite slim. I am very vigilant and careful about you. Should it however be that I have missed you probably because you were in the crowd cheering me and must have being missed by a wave of the hand, it’s a sad one but I’d come back. You are just one bridge I must cross.

Events of recent times have proven your importance beyond human comprehension and I have humbly mentioned you to God. It’s about time you come out of your shells. I can’t wait any longer.

You might feel this way too and also share the same spirit but don’t see yourself coming all out to say it. We have all felt this way at one time or the other so it would make no difference to me and I would understand. As much as you want to massage your own ego, please understand you have to be fast about it.

There is another way out and I sincerely hope it works. I probably might not have even looked into your possibilities as a result of so many distractions that rock the life of a young man that I am. I would have my trusted eyes to join me in the search. These eyes are such that understand my quest and whose judgement I don’t probe into. Theirs is a respect earned from a relationship built over a period of a decade or more. Now you know what I am talking about.

We both must have had our pasts, failures and successes. They have their places in the future we hope to build together but should get a fair judgement as to what made them what they were.

We were just exhuberant and restless individuals whose attachment to life fantacies beclouded our senses of judgement. That is one interesting thing about growing up. You always feel your actions are right, readily putting up strong defense for them. After about a year or less, you look back and smile because a simple message strikes you and its print on your mind is screaming: I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER.

That is a sign that you have matured into a right thinking fellow and that’s about what I have always wanted. This sense of refined judgement gives me very little or no reasons to dwell on your past, everything that happened must have happened for a reason and one of the very many reasons is for us to be where we are today. You are assured of such indulgence.

I have no manifesto to present nor do I have promises to make. I have no mansion to boast of nor limousines to drive you around but I have something you have been looking for; A GOOD HEART and a SELFLESS SPIRIT...

The future exerts no fear for it is prepared by Him in whom our fate resides. What is left is for us to journey into it together as one.

It’s being a torturous time threading this path alone, the thoughts of hard times are better shared and the sweet memory of success jointly celebrated. What else can we ask for besides such faithful compatriot. A comrade bound by a well thought-out heart desire and not oath. A Union ordained and blessed by God.

There are so many things to do, we are a little behind time. We can’t afford to wait any longer. Let’s begin this journey, the future is waiting. Please come out; wherever you are!

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

My colour has often lured me into saying 'black is beautiful'. This is something close to self gratification given very many things people on the other side of the barricade had said about being black. I'm black, so I have reasons to share the black bias.
I have heard this again and again but cannot get to understand so many ambiguities attached with colour black and its attendant beauty though I've chosen to agree my colour is beautiful.

Prehistoric facts about slave trade have affected me so bad that I really don't seem to agree whether genuinely, the words spelt out carry similar meaning to me or the authors talkless of forgetting the uttered brutality with which our forefathers were chained, marched and packed like commodities.

What is the beautiful about being black? Black people, black items and objects or just black as a standalone colour?
My disagreement with these words is simply when black has to do with us, the black race.
Like, if black people are truly beautiful, the slave masters should have kept us on the runway as models and not sugarcane fields as human machines; working without commensurate rewards. Mouths padlocked with horsewhips mercilessly bruising our princely skin.
This write-up would have had no basis, if they had said, Black is Strong!
What further compounds my misunderstanding of this sentence are certain things that black explains.

Black Death: the plague that killed large numbers of people in Europe in the 14th to 18th centuries.
Black Maria: a prison van.
Black Art: magic performed for evil reasons.
Black Sheep: a member of a family or group who is unsatisfactory in some way.
Blacklist: a list of people who are out of favour.
Blackmail: to obtain money illegally from (a person), usually by threatening to make known something which the victim wants to keep secret.
Black Market: (a place for) the illegal buying and selling, at high prices, of goods that are scarce, rationed etc.

All these definitions were lifted 'word for word' from Kernerman Semi-Bilingual Dictionaries MOT GlobalDix 3.0 on my Nokia E71.

There are others like, Blackbook, Black Days etc. You can remember the Black Sunday in Nigeria?
I might have somehow missed the point considering my bias but nothing about the series of definitions seem to me to have said anything about beauty.

From this point, we certainly should have some things to consider in almost the same direction.
I have not done any extensive reading before now on this topic but would really need not going by the sets of definition.
It is so bad that when people want to mourn, the colour is still black.
I have equally seen couple of films where Satan has been depicted a Black Man and Jesus, a White guy. Not only is He just white, He has long hairs. Yet, none of this physical attributes by my latest search is evident in the Bible.
He just has to be a white man because he is the Saviour of the world.
It is not impossible though to base colouration arguments on biological trends and all sorts. It bothers me no more. Black, to them, can't just be anything good.
The summary therefore presupposes that, black is bad. How do I then reconcile this mixup? This is my dilemma, my cross.
I hope one day, the world would truly come together to combat the ills of racial discrimination. So that when it is said, black is beautiful, we can rest assured everything said is meant. These were the dreams of Martin Luther, the agitations of Malcolm X and now, my Concerns.

My brethrens of the resilient black race, let it be known today and forever, the beauty in us lies not only in our shiny skin with a balanced melanin composition but in our hearts, generosity, respect for humanity; in our firm hold to our ancestral heritage.
We really aren't waiting to be told we are beautiful for already we know.
We are of God's perfect image. We are black, we are beautiful.
Thank God I'm Black.

LONELINESS: Whispers of good times.

I have been seated for barely 10 minutes and various ideas of what to do had crossed my mind. Take a stroll, see a movie or just gist with folks around.
As I settled down to do one thing, this feeling that it won't work crawls into me and I'd quickly abandon it trying to pick on something else.
This went on for a while before I finally decided to tell myself the truth, I'm lonely.
It's not the first time I have decided to keep to myself. The kind of feelings that consumes your spirit when you just think something isn't right and you need to figure it out.
Now, it appears to me that all the while, life had been spent following strict rules of an unwritten time table. Right from when one wakes up till it's time to go back to bed; we're pleased with our well utilised day plans and schedule. This one feeling guides our life until we get used to the routine.
Along the way, a crucial part of our over-beaten routine falls out; like, loss of job, a friend's absence or even the company of one we are fond of and then our journey back into memory lane begins.
You'd struggle to figure out where the problem is and lucky enough, we get to identify it but not readily find a solution to it.
The depth of this emptiness varies and it explains why different people take to different approaches to annul this biting feeling. Some just resort to drinking and/or smoking it over; some sleep while some try to dig into memorial archive to see if a replacement could be found.
It is at this point, we get to appreciate the significance of certain things we gloss over when things seemed right. We get marvelled at the 5 minutes we spend with the gate-man (who is no more) when we just return from work. The last minute gists with particular colleagues before the close of business, and other little things that we got used to trying to while away time.
The truth about this whole thing is time eventually heals everything. We get to overcome the effect of that missing component but we never fail to make the same mistake over and over. We always get so used to certain things or people that we find it very hard to adjust when they aren't there anymore.
Not everybody openly admits they feel this way. Some are either too arrogant or just fake.
In any case, if you feel this way or have felt this way at one time before, you are not alone.
It is something I call Loneliness and all you have to savour is the whispering of the good old times.
Why won't they just come back because, I AM LONELY.
Would you share my time?

IF I FALL IN LOVE

I am not sure this is one issue we all agree on. Lots of factors determine how we see life and its attendant mysteries and gift. It naturally would end up as the same thing we all think about albeit with different definitions and motives.

My Landlady’s daughter just developed this new thing for Westlife, the group of young guys who took us by surprise some years back. I really can’t say what has happened to that group now; they were such a band that you would at least have to sing some few lines each time you hear them sing. Oh Westlife, where hath thy voices?

I initially thought I was way beyond the Westlife thing considering my new romance with the Dagrins (R.I.P) and 9ces of today but this very young girl would just give you reasons to give some little attention not only because she turns the CD player to its maximum volume but also sings loudly along.

So finally, I’m forced to once again reminiscence. Those days when I just understood self consciousness, I was probably in my 1st or 2nd year in the University, I was a free man, I could just do things I felt like whatever the consequences. Nothing serious with girls, just did my thing, you know. I was quite innocent and very careful about things I was involved with. I still have some I can’t overcome, they keep coming back. They were informed by genuine feelings and true search for fulfilment of my heart desire; believe me, this is not to polish my resume, it’s the truth.
Much as I tried to be fair in these dealings, anytime I by accident stumble on Westlife and their love restricted lyrics, it bothers me if what I actually proposed then was truly Love.

All the ‘I will die for you’, ‘you are my only hope’, ‘I swear I won’t cry’ kind of lyrics make me wonder if that was all there was to Love. If that was it, who exactly should nurture this kind of thought the man, the woman or both? Then, I think again, is it ever worth it or would it be necessary?

In my quite times, these thoughts make me feel like I’m alone in the quest for true love but I am very sure it is general, we only don’t all have the courage to say it out of being timid or unnecessarily quite about our troubles.

There are times I feel girls listen more to this genre of music going by the kind of expectation they bring into any relationship. Their questions come in different forms but most times end up trying to understand a thing about how much commitment guys would show.
Would you cry if you see me cry? Maybe, I mean, if there is a need to, why not? I have tear ducts too.
Would you die for me? That’s too biblical. If I die for you however, who would you die for and how many more guys would have to die for you?
Would you cross the mountains for me? I’d say no, especially if I stay in Lagos. There aren’t mountains, at least none that I know of!
Trust guys, depending on motive and individual idea of love, you could get more varieties of answers just as girls would not stop formulating new questionnaires.

Love is Life, is that not true?

So why do people cheat? Why do people breakup? Why do we betray trusts? Why are we careless about the other person’s true feelings? Why do we carry a list of expectations though unwritten but engraved in our hearts even before we meet our partners?

I am not suggesting that we don’t have certain attributes to look out for in our future partners, no. It’s just that there are times I feel a manifesto presentation arrangement should be made before we even start any discussion. Here are things I have to offer, what are your expectations? Something close to bargaining and negotiation, then make a contractual offer; if our terms are acceptable across the table, let’s put pen to paper.

It appears to me we are selfish after-all. We all must have entered into relationships with divergent and extremely selfish motives. Very few always get lucky with some of their motives converging at certain points which eventually translate into collective goal. These set of people usually end up as models but deep down, it is all just based on selfish converging instinct. Something similar to Mr and Mrs. Smith!
It is not to say they still don’t get into trouble too, but well enough, they have more going for them to let one of their selfish intents destroy other promising prospects.

If the Westlife kind of love is the in thing, they should have at least died by now. There are probably no wells around them or their girlfriends are not demanding that much. Then they are lucky. Not all of their fans have been so lucky though!

Yeah love is real and somehow somewhere it exists but it still beats my imagination if I would ever fall in love!

If you share this thought, you are not alone!

If I fall in Love……

TO MY FRIENDS WITH LOVE

Friendship is like clothes. Good ones make you look great and gorgeous. A bad combination gives you an awful appearance. --- Elegbede M.D

I've started my life with the simplest view of friendship. So long we have had the opportunity to run after grasshoppers on the field or mould houses out of clay, you were qualified to be called my friend.

Examining the life of an innocent young boy whose immediate challenge was catching fun, you can't expect any less. The funniest, looking back is when I'm asked what I'd like to be when I grew up; without hesitation, I'd answer, I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR. The way my father patted my head now appears like he was actually indulging my childhood fantasy.
Now I know more; being a Doctor, judging by my experience in OAU, is a BIG-DEAL simply put.

My best friends, you wouldn't believe, where the few ones who always had things I don't readily have or have at all and are more than willing to share with me.
To make my list of enemies was as simple; when I beg you for something, don't give me, you are my enemy, end of story. My worst set of enemies were these creepy ones who would stand by me to enjoy all I can offer, from playing my video games,(don't ask me, I had them for real), to meddling with my toys and sharing my snacks only to disappear into thin air when they have theirs. Oh my God, if I could turn back the hand of time and be a small boy again, I still would dislike this people. The reason for this is that, this particular principle grew with me and I somehow kind of believe people with such tendencies should be kept far from me, as far as I can imagine.

Another funny thing about friendship back then was the endless list of friends I kept and the ease of moving from friend to enemy. I kept making new friends almost on per event basis. The rules were very fragile, so, more people became enemies after a very short tenure of friendship.

What has changed?

As I grew into adulthood with more experience and realistic goals to be pursued, I began to learn more about friendship. As a student of real life experience, I first understood that the true definition of friendship, by far exceeds the ease of calling someone a friend.

Second, whoever I call my friend, may not necessarily see me as close to him as I feel he is to me.

These two principles formed basis for other silent ones that have today made me who I am and how I choose my friend.

For all I care, friendship is more sacred than family ties, a very strong reason why I believe in fraternities (not the types practiced in our tertiary institutions). My blood relations' choice to love and cater for me is ordained naturally and whoever falls short can only be said to be irresponsible! A friend on the other hand, is coming from a different background and ideology, no blood link nor particular
association beyond unwritten oath of love, loyalty, care and duty. Irrespective of whom I am, my religion, colour or economic status, He calls me friend. This analogy probably explains why you pick friends even within your family members; friendship and blood ties are mutually exclusive.

I feel more shock when a friend hurts me than a family member. For friends, betrayal could carry grave consequences. Even at that, the best time you define true friendship is in the time of crisis.

Every of our utterances, actions and moves when we quarrel with people we call true friends are modified by the good times we have spent together before things went sour. No true friend would wish me death even in bad times. The irony however is that, my best friend in very extreme irredeemable situations may grow into my worst enemy. This is one situation I dread so much, although I have experienced few.

So as not to sound like you need to fill a form to be my friend, I have adopted a slang to define people we share some relative closeness, they are my 'Guys'. Yeah, we do stuffs together and hang out once in a while. I might not be able to stand in for them or vouch for them; just as I might not feel their absence when we lose contact. As a matter of fact, I would never expect that much from them either! They are only there to serve immediate purposes of association, something I truthfully respect while it lasts.

Sometimes, I look at some of these people I call my friends and ask myself whether I truly deserve them around me. This is not a question of low self esteem but genuine self examination. They give to me more than I can ever give back and when I try to limit their gestures, they appear not to have done anything at all.

The people I call my friends, have helped me discover more about myself and offered me platforms to express myself. They have spoken for me where I haven't been to and stood in for me at different instances. To be frank, I at times feel, I've been over-rated.

Each time I pray to God, I mention my friends and God knows who and who I'm referring to, irrespective of their religion. I miss them when we are far apart and try to catch up via mails or calls. When I miss their functions, I feel awkward and try to make up.

I hold my friends in high esteem and have a great deal of respect for them. I really don't have written criteria for choosing my friends but I think I have been fairly consistent with reasons I have for making whom I wish my friend.

One of my strong points with keeping friends is that I don't expect to get as much loyalty as I give just as I know I'm not giving back to some of them. Yet, they call me Friend.

If after this, you still think I'm your friend, this is for you:

Having you in my life is ordained by boundless love and it is important to me. Everything you have added to me has significantly contributed to whatever I'm today and I'm grateful. Whatever it is I am able to give back is a mere representation of how much I wish I could do and I hope you appreciate them.

For every action of mine that you consider inappropriate, please take them as my little mistakes and be assured I'm willing and working hard to be a better person.

If you are my friend or I've called you my friend, this is a faint picture of what you truly mean to me. There's always more to friendship.

As long as you are my friend, FOR YOU, I WILL.

This goes out to all my friends, with love.

A SAN’S IDEA OF LAGOS.FASHOLA AND THE NEW LAGOS PROJECT: FANTASY OR REALITY

I have carefully observed the spate of work being done in Lagos state before putting together this piece. It does not however mean that I might not have made mistakes in my observations. We should however understand we are a reflection of the way we see things.

I find it important to start off saying that I do not eulogize Governors atleast as far as Nigeria is concerned. This is not because I am cynical or unable to praise whoever deserves it but that you find our various Governors wanting in one area or the other; this areas are so much tied to the acclaimed dividends of democracy that you begin to wonder what exactly the job of a Governor is.

Over a period of time, some Governors have been adjudged best performing Governors for reasons best known to the award-giving organisations. Looking critically into what these Governors have done to deserve such award, you would be shocked that they have won such awards on the basis of overblown projects executed by the administrations without a commensurate effect on the lives of the people and their immediate environment.

On the other hand, when a slightly active Governor is placed side by side a dead heads, you would be cornered to award the latter; atleast someone has to take the award home. In the final analysis, it becomes a proverbial case of a one-eyed man in the land of the blind. I can readily place my fingers on your response!

Having said that, I like to weigh the two sides of every of our folks’ teaching. When we master the art of punishing a child for doing the wrong thing, we should be fair enough to reward such a child for the right things he does. This would to a large extent build a balanced justice system for our almost unjust system. The essence of this seeming academic exercise is to in the first instance understand the concept of reward and punishment and then delve into the aspect of who should be praise or punished.

I have spent a reasonable part of my life in Lagos State while growing up so much so that I’ll be qualified to have a say in any discussion that is set to x-ray the then Lagos and what it is now. I naturally would not have so many to say but you would agree it suffices for a little boy to tell what his name and surname is, whether he is AA or AS would be asking for too much at such a tender age. In a nutshell, I know enough to say whether or not Lagos is improving.

After the April 14 gubernatorial elections and subsequent swearing in of elected Governors across the country, the story of Lagos was set for a rewrite.

It truly has not been a full tale of roses for all Lagosian for what some people referred to as cleansening instantly took some back to square one. Better put, what brightened the days of some, darkened that of some others.

We in any case can all not have the same definitions for every actions of the state Governor. While we therefore relish a dawn of a new Lagos, there is a need to look the other way to see what some others are going through. The idea is to have a practical and balanced understanding of the Fashola’s transformation; so if we have to commend him, he’d get a full one that I have no doubt he deserves.

I have for a long while battled bagging my BSc from OAU, Ile-Ife; this was such a fierce battle atleast you can define fierce if I can now post on the alumni group's page of my alma matter!!!. The essence of mentioning this fierce battle is that it took me away from Lagos for such a long time, (for your consumption only; I had to put up in ibadan to finish my BSc palava once and for all).

On arrival in Lagos after the Ife chapter, my opinion couldn’t have definitely remained the same given what I saw happening in Lagos. Yeah, I missed my way couple of times and on one occasion I tried to get my friend to maneuver his way to get back on the right track; you can fill in the blank space. LASMA!!!

The Tinubu era in Lagos might have in the real sense laid a template for what is happening now, but we need to salute the resoluteness and will that has so far been displayed by our dear SAN Governor. I might truly not have a deep understanding of the political playings in Lagos, and you can hit me below the belt on that, the truth is you would agree with me that there seem to be a peck of seriousness in the drive to change the face of Lagos.

I was initially dancing round the BRT buses, though I have seen some of its Pilots behave in the most demeaning manners,(the Nigerian factor you’d say, I think we would gradually outlive that, thanks to the NAFDAC turned Minister of Info, Aunty Dora…that would come at another time!) but overall I think the BRT would outlive most of our misgivings and doubts.

The roads are also wearing new looks, illegal structures are bowing to the aggressive blades of bulldozers, concurrent building of roads and bridges, installation and planned deployment of CCTV around notorious areas in Lagos state. this is yet another aspect worth commending.

Anyone could have done this or could build roads though, but would we be fair to say not just anyone would have been able to pocket the menace in Oshodi and Mushin bringing the much sanity currently being witnessed.

Like I started earlier, a Nigerian Governor compared with his Nigerian counterparts may easily win an award for the best performing Governor but with the Fasholalistic style, the stakes may be a bit higher and we may have to pick Governors outside the shores of our country to compete with.

Here is the poser, would you nominate Gov. Fashola for the best Governor if Africa or not? Be fair about it and let’s know what you fill. One thing I would not do outside the shores of Nigeria is compare Senator. McCain of the USA with our very Senator. Omisore of Nigeria! (You definitely would have to remove the Senator title, it is worth the trouble!).

As if this is not enough, one other thing SAN has successfully done is to inculcate the spirit of development in the Lagos people. For once, Lagosians are willing to pay their tax without running after them; you can’t expect anything short though if the payment system is so convinient and also what payment of such monies is attached to.

What seized my breath is the mega city plan I have been priviledge to see; even if Fashola is 'scoping' us, I like to share that fantasy(whether it would come to pass or not, we are yet to see).

I do not intend to doubt the possibility of this, but having suffered this much neglect and abuse in the hands of democratic leaders, one may find this so hard to believe!

On a lighter mood as I sign out, I hope I don’t wake up one day and be told that all we have seen around Lagos and what we have been promised is APRIL FOOL!!!

EKO O NI B’AJE!

Same for Nigeria!