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Do the Eagles have a manager?

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Nigeria has a fanatical football followership. Football is like a religion. Most Nigerians support teams from far and near, especially teams in the English Premier League. They know all the players, they follow every game and are very vociferous when they watch their teams play. Sometimes when such supporters discuss their teams you marvel at the level of knowledge they churn out about these teams. But the same cannot be said of teams in the Nigerian league. Our organization is so terrible that we do not have a specific time when our league begins or ends.

South Africa that had scant interest in football until the late eighties has a better organized league. And, because they are adept at what they do in South Africa, players from Nigeria go there to ply their trade making the league at home look like child’s play. Just like in every aspect of life, South Africa has overtaken Nigeria and we are struggling to catch up with a country that hitherto saw us as their big brother. Because we are so unorganized, we have not been able to provide players for our various national teams and that explains the regression that has been the lot of the national team.

Once upon a time Nigeria was feared when it came to playing the round leather game. Our league used to be graced by players from Ghana and other countries because of the level of discipline and organization that used to be present in our league then. Nigeria used to be the haven of professional football where so many players thronged to, to ply their trade.

From the early seventies, Nigeria showed so much promise and even engaged the services of some of the best coaches in the world. We remember the Otto Gloria period, when Nigeria was the cynosure of the world in African football. Through time, Nigeria’s football gained momentum and the world came to appreciate the level of passion that existed in the country thus predicting that Nigeria has the potential of becoming a football power house.

Indeed, the Westerhof period brought Nigeria’s football to its zenith when for the first time the Green Eagles went to the world cup (USA 94) and put their imprint on the game of football. That is apart from the Darman miracle in Saudi Arabia 89, when Nigeria came from four goals down to turn things around. Indeed, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics further announced and established Nigeria’s presence in world football where Nigeria beat Brazil and Argentina on the way to winning the gold medal.

Unfortunately, years after announcing its presence at various FIFA organized tournaments, things have continued to fall apart for Nigerian football. Just like other aspects of our national life, we have not been able to harness and sustain the talents that abound in our country. We have some of the best and most skillful players in the world yet nothing positive seems to be happening in our national teams. Football has become an avenue for the pilfering of our national wealth. Administrator who knows next to nothing about the game are allowed to destroy it because of pecuniary gains. They carry large contingents to FIFA organized tournaments just to make money. They pay scant regards to players welfare allowing these players to change nationalities and play for other countries denying Nigeria  of the services of these artists.

It is such attitude that has brought us to this sad path and we are on the way to missing out on two consecutive World Cup because of the employment of a low- grade coach. We were made to understand that Peisero was employed based on the recommendation Jose Mourinho his country man. Peisero was not interviewed to determine his suitability alongside other candidates but because he came highly recommended. Even Gernot Rohr who was sacked by the NFF had better credentials than the present manager. We have lost to teams that we have never lost to in the past and are struggling to maintain our clean records.

It is laughable the excuse given by Peisero on the draws secure against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the world cup qualifying games when he said,   “It was a tough trip from Nigeria to this place. The flight, the bus. It’s a lot of work, and the players didn’t have enough rest, coupled with injuries, but that’s not an excuse. We had more energy and could have won that match.”

Fortunately, Iwobi did not share his manager’s  views when he said, “Travel is not an excuse, we’re professional enough and we have a lot of quality in the side. The first half wasn’t good enough, but the second half was better, so we have to look at that and analyse the game and see what went wrong and what we can do to improve. I’ll just ask the Nigerian fans to stick by us,” the former Everton man told Soccernet.ng. For Iwobi, it is a disappointment to not come away with all three points and wants to fight for Nigeria’s spot at the next FIFA World Cup.

We therefore need to stop cutting corners and do that which is right. We cannot employ mediocre coach and expect to make any headway. Nigeria deserves a world class coach and nothing less. If we are to change this unfortunate stride, we must put the right pegs in the right holes. Our organization must be made to work. People who have no business in football management should not come near the Glass House in Abuja.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weaning judiciary of self -inflicted injuries

THE judiciary recently came under intense scrutiny from within when Justice Musa Dattijo, a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court fired darts at the rot going on in the once revered institution. He called for reforms in the Supreme Court failure of which would lead the Court down the path to perdition. According to Justice Dattijo, “Public perceptions of the judiciary have over the years become witheringly scornful and monstrously critical. It has been in the public space that court officials and judges are easily bribed by litigants to obviate delays and or obtain favourable judgments.”

Dattijo went on to say “His lordship Adefope-Okojie JCA, at the point of exiting, had enthused, inter-alia, thus: “Pleas are expressed everyday by the generality of the public begging the judiciary to be just to be truthful; and to save the country from collapse. My question is whether the judiciary needs to be begged or cajoled? What is it that qualifies any person to bear that exalted name ‘Honourable Justice’? Is it not for him to administer justice without fear or favour?…..”Unfortunately, It has been severely vilified, with the Apex Court so denigrated and called by a social commentator as a voter gaggle of useless, purchasable judicial bandits. How did the judiciary get to this level? Why is the whole country on edge for fear of what the public regards ​as​ unpredictable​judicial pronouncements?”

He further stated that “Recently, fresh allegations have been made that children and other relatives of serving and retired judges and justices are being appointed into judicial offices at the expense of more qualified candidates lacking in such privilege and backing. It is asserted that the process of appointment to judicial positions are deliberately conducted to give undue advantage to the “children, spouses, and mistresses” of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices.”

Saying that “In some quarters the view is strongly held that filth and intrigues characterize the institution these days! Judges are said to be comfortable in companies they never would have kept in the past. It is being insinuated that some judicial officers even campaign for the politicians. It cannot be more damnifying!”

This is how rotten the judiciary has become over the years and it has lost the sobriquet of being the last hope of the common person. The judiciary like it has been alluded to above is cash and carry. If you are not rich to buy your way through the courts, then you can not get justice no matter how good your case is. But truth be told, the judiciary is a product of our society where everything goes. If you cheat and get away with it, you are considered smart. If you follow the rules, you are considered a dunce and called names.

Nigerians generally have a penchant for doing the wrong things and push the blames on others. If they drive against traffic, it is not their fault but that of those who are supposed to manage traffic. They are quick to point that somebody is not doing their job. We must learn to obey the law and do what is right at all times even if nobody is looking. This is the general illness which has affected all facets of our society and which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. We must then determine to do right and bring back our society from the brink.

Justice Dattijo concludes that “This is how a society goes down the drain really quickly first overlook evil, then it permits evil, then it legalizes evil, then it promotes evil, then it celebrates it and then persecutes those that still call it evil.” Lastly, according to Dattijo, Adam Grant’s words, in moments like this, are also instructively apposite: “When you follow a concept, consider what would lead you to withdraw your support. If the answer is nothing, your integrity is in jeopardy. Your highest loyalty belongs to principles not concepts. No concept deserves unconditional love. Commitment is earned through character.”

As postulated above, Nigerians must decide what they want their society to look like. If you want growth you must work for growth and if you want rot continue doing those things that would lead you to damnation. Therefore, the judiciary must wean itself of the baggage and burden of being accused of being wrong footed. It must change and start towing the path of truth. That is the only way we can change the perceptions and narratives about the judiciary and indeed, the entirety of the society.

Playing politics with education

SINCE February of this year, students of Nigeria’s public universities have not smelt the four walls of their classrooms. Reason? Their teachers have been on a protracted strike that has defied all reasoning. Both the government and Union sides have stuck to their guns and refused to yield to any suggestion. Everyone is holding on to the fact that it is either their way or nothing at all. And, the students and their parents have been at the receiving end of this back and forth. For a course of four years, students end up staying seven or eight years and the ripple effect on the parents can only be imagined. Yet in the midst of all these, political activities have reached fever pitch with politicians jostling for various positions in spite of the hugely outrageous costs of nomination forms.

Even at this, ASUU and the federal government have not seen the need to sheath their swords, come to a round table and sincerely find a way forward for our education and the future of our children who have already been branded “lazy youths”. Both parties to all intent and purposes, fail to grasp the implications of their recalcitrance on the future of our country. They are so engrossed in fighting for the immediate that the dangers posed by their actions seem to escape them. Indeed, both parties are oblivious of the lessons of history which would definitely haunt them tomorrow.

For me universities are centres of excellence where ideas are not only conceived but are tested and made workable and flourish for the good of all.  It is, therefore, only logical to assume that they are and should be centres for finding solution to the many problems that challenge the society and once they fail to do this, they add no value and lose their place in the scheme of things. But ASUU which is the leading light in these revered institutions seem to be losing it. Or how else can one explain the unending and protracted strikes that have come to be second nature of these institutions of learning and which they have failed to find solution to? It is expected that by now, academics should know that embarking on strikes as is obtained in Nigeria yields no results. They should thus work out other means of forcing the governments to listen to them.

There have been cries that tuition fees should be introduced in these institutions yet ASUU has been in the forefront of fighting against this. For parents, that would be much better since it would guarantee some degree of sanity on the campuses. If parents are made to part with so much monies to pay for secondary education, why can’t they pay something to ensure their wards remain in school and leave at the right and appropriate time?

We have been inundated with arguments that public education should be made free for the common person. Much as I agree with this postulation, it would only make sense if a form of scholarship is worked out in such a manner that after graduation, students would be made to payback over time to make government provide for others who would come after them. This is the practice in countries that are our standard bearers. But if this has to be done, corruption must be curbed and seriously reduced.  Evidently also, ASUU has refused to explore new grounds to help fund education. If private universities can thrive and succeed without subventions from government, it is thus possible to find ways and means of surviving in an era with leaders who seem to care less about the future.

On the other hand, the arrogance exhibited by those who represent government must be checked. We cannot expect thugs to whose values are questionable to lead a process that is meant to grow our society. This “area boys” attitude must be jettison if anything meaningful is to come out of our society. Unless and until we encourage solution driven institutions, Nigeria would continue to rigmarole and make no headway. Finding solution should be the priority of every leader. If you cannot solve problems, you have no business seeking leadership whether it is in the Union or for the larger society. And as a caveat, we cannot succeed if we keep doing the same thing over and over.  We must accept that the only permanent thing in life is change, which is a constant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022: Year of the locust

THE year 2022 has come and gone. What remains are memories of the events that shaped the year and how these events affected the populace positively or otherwise. The year opened with so much promise yet it closed as one that the citizenry wished it never happened.

It was in the year 2022 that the Naira, Nigeria’s national currency went on a free fall, the worst ever to be witnessed in the history of the country. Indeed, the managers of the economy showed a lack of capacity never before seen.  This could however have been deliberate to allow the sharks that man the economy feast on it and bring it to the precarious state in which it is at the moment.

Apart from the free fall of the Naira, 2022 presented one of the harshest periods when the cost of living spiraled out of control and dealt severe blow on the people. Cost of food and living went through the roof and people found it difficult to meet their daily needs. This led to the pauperisation of the citizenry thus making life a lot more difficult for the people.

It was also the year when parents had it tough sending their children to school because of the high cost of school fees charged by proprietors to enable them keep their businesses afloat. As a result, more children left school, swelling the number of out of school children on our streets. This meant too that more recruits were made available to the criminal gangs that controlled most of our ungoverned areas.

2022 also witnessed one of the longest ASUU strikes ever in the history of the Union. Students were made to stay for eight months at a stretch at home because of the disagreements between their teachers and the government. The government’s lack of capacity was made even more manifest when appointees flagrantly disregarded the instructions of their principal and nothing was done to beat them back into line. Having lost this much time, not much was achieved at the end of the drama where the courts had to intervene to bring succor to the students who had become frustrated and tired of the antics of a government which cared less about education.

To add salt to injury, many more private universities were established by the government with their unfriendly fee regime which favours only the children of the well to do in the society. This also only further confirms the deliberate efforts at further pauperising the populace and government’s lack of ideas to strengthen and restructure public universities.

The army of the unemployed that litter the streets is a testament to the growing threat that the ever- present Boko Haram constitute to the youth population. We would never forget in a hurry the devastation caused by insurgency in the North East, Middle Belt area, Eastern and a lot other parts that suffered from the activities of miscreants who masquerade as freedom fighters. So many people have been displaced from their ancestral homes for no fault of theirs and nothing substantive has been done to return them to their lands. Indeed, foreign invaders have had a field day in our country so much so that we have become refugees in our own land.

With 2023 in the horizon, we must start refocusing our priorities and prepare to do what is right. We must strive to recover our country and make it truly a home not some killing fields that have become the lot of some communities in the past 20 years. Some parts of the country have been left to suffer their fate alone and nothing has been done to bring succour to them. Southern Kaduna has become a sort of juggle where government has been absent and its presence not felt at all. Banditry, kidnappings, stealing have become the norm. Nobody sees such crimes as an aberration anymore and do nothing to stop young people from perpetrating them.

We cannot afford to continue in this regard. We must stand up and ensure that the right things are done. Our ballots should determine who we employ to hold in trust political leadership positions. People with impeccable character only should be employed and when they are given the jobs, we must tell them in very clear terms that they must work as servants not the kind of leaders who become monsters once they mount the mantle of leadership. We have to set and get our priorities right once and for all otherwise, we would all be doomed.

Mission to kill education

IN the past eight months of this year 2022, public universities have been under lock and key. There were a lot of back and forth between the lecturers and government yet no concrete agreement was reached between the two. Some ray of possibility was, however, gleaned when the House of Representatives intervened by bringing together the two parties in the dispute promising to work out a political solution to the intractable problem.  But as soon as the situation seemed to be calming down and returning to normal some people who are not interested in settling the dispute put a spanner in the works.

Salary payment which was a pre -condition for the reopening of these public institutions was flatly disregarded and that turned the whole agreement on its head. Lecturers in some institutions were selected, some paid their salaries while in some institutions only seventeen days -worth of salaries were paid them. Reason for this was that one Minister for Labour had written and instructed that the Ministry of Finance only pay the lecturers, who are ASUU members, for seventeen days. On the other hand, members of CONUA, a newly registered university union were paid their full salaries.

This unfortunate event turned every hope of getting the institutions back working on its head. It forced university unions to respond to the action by putting on hold teaching of the students thereby prolonging the nightmares of not only the students but those of their parents who on daily basis have been praying for the amicable resolution of the protracted and unnecessary problem.

This action of the Minister of Labour is typical of the posture of some members of the cabinet of the present administration. First, was the attempt by the administration to cause bad blood and a split within the major Labour Centres, the NLC and the TUC. Unfortunately, this fell flat on its head when the two Labour Centres realised that they were being led to the path of perdition by those who did not mean well for them. Then it was the turn of the NBA. Everything was done to ensure a split but that too was dead on arrival. One wonders what it is that the administration wants to achieve by whittling down the powers of collective bargaining, when there is more than enough for it to chew.

One would not be far off the mark if one posits that there is a mission to destroy education by some who do not mean well for education in this country. It is no wonder then that there is the granting of a lot of new operational licenses for private owned universities. I think it is more noble to find better means of dealing with the situation than this crude and uncivilized way the so -called minister, who is the undertaker in this instance is doing. It is even sadder to think that the political party in power would sit by and watch whatever gains it has achieved being destroyed by someone who is supposed to help the party win elections.

The arrogance and nonchalance with which the minister attends to labour issues is sad. What is even more intriguing is the fact that those who are doing all to kill public university education are those who benefitted from it. Yes, even if government alone cannot afford to fund education, is there no way it can systematically introduce gradual changes without rocking the boat? Are there no models we could copy to smoothly introduce change rather than this primitive and insensitive manner? The Minister for Labour has adopted a tout like posture in dealing with the ASUU issue. But he must be called to order by sane and more calculative people. He cannot destroy the platform on which he rode to power with no one calling his bluff.

This is election year and he should be aware that most of these students who he has helped in prolonging their stay at home are watching. The last voter registration exercise should be lessons enough for any sane politician. The number of young people who came out to do the registration should send signals to saner people.

Indeed, the action of this undertaker only confirms and remind us of the Okija saga which almost turned democracy on its head. The sordid event that played out at the time is a sad reminder that such a character should not be trusted with such an important and sensitive position. As a matter of fact, the Okija episode left a sour taste in the mouth of all right -thinking people giving the character the unenviable status of being the only sitting governor that was kidnapped. The Presidency must intervene by doing the needful. It should support the House of Representatives to ensure that it wins back those that have been wounded by the unfortunate act of one who is supposed to promote its cause. From every indication Ngige is on a mission. Having lost the presidential primaries of the APC, he has sought and found a way of destroying the party he claims to belong to. And, now that ASUU has gone back on indefinite strike, one hopes that APC’s eyes would have been open to see the destruction that their Minister is doing to them.

Learning the hard way

THERE are times when being a Nigerian and a good citizen is a difficult task. Patriotism seems like some form of punishment meted out to those who seek to work for the growth of the society. These negligible are neither encouraged nor assisted. They are rather seen as those who do not know what to do with their lives. Imagine riding against traffic and no one sees it as wrong?

When you drive against traffic or do anything that is wrong, you are considered smart and bold for having the guts to do or go against what is right and acceptable in sane climes. When you bulldoze your way and get what you want, Nigerians hail you for being smart even when you know you are wrong. Only recently, while on a trip to Benin, the Edo State capital, I learned some hard lessons. If you want to do things right, you will end up being the victim. Road rules are disregarded and no one bates an eye. If you say you want to do due process, you end up sleeping on a journey that would ordinarily take you 8 to ten hours.

Cutting corners is considered smart and doing the right thing is considered dumb. But what country succeeds when its laws are flouted and abused? Why do Nigerians think that laws in their own country do not deserve to be respected? Why must we always go against the grain? once we step out of this country, we follow the laws of whatever country we find ourselves in. But come to Nigeria you would think you are welcome to organized chaos.

This attitude has permeated throughout the whole fabric of the Nigerian society. Civil servants do not do their responsibilities without expecting to be bribed. This has led to the systematic decay that the society is faced with and condemned to. ‘Nothing goes for nothing’ is the popular cliche leading to stagnation and lack of growth. We need to change gear and approach if we are to make any headway at all. We must be positive and patriotic in all we do. That way, we can hold to account those in position of leadership.

One scarcity too many

Since the early part of September when flood waters started over running most of our states, fuel scarcity has become the order. First we were told that supplies were short due to the cutting off of the roads due to floods. But since the flood waters have ebbed, fuel scarcity has persisted. Even in states that were not affected at all fuel still sells at an all time high, bringing untold hardship to the poor and further impoverishing them.

Sadly, the present administration rode to power on the mantra of change. It had claimed that subsidy was a scam and if given the chance to govern, it would change the narrative. In the twilight of the administration, things have become worse off and the change promised seem to be only rhetorical. It is our expectations that before making a promise, those running for office must ensure that they do due diligence and ensure that whatever they say they can deliver on, not to bamboozle people with sweet nothings just to scurry their votes. Nigerians are annoyingly forgetful too. They are easily carried away by sentiments and forget to hold leaders who make promises to account.

It is another season of campaign and promise making as the 2023 general elections etch closer. Nigerians therefore need to read in between the lines to sieve those with practicable and reliable manifestos not just anyone who can railroad them with big grammar. It is time we change the narratives and start doing that which is right and for the benefit of the generality of the people. We must endeavor to get it right this time.

Just like anyone else, our politicians must learn respect for those who put them into office. They must learn to live by their oaths of office. They must realise that it is only when the right thing is done that they would have served their employers. The situation where they service themselves and their families at the detriment of the larger society is unacceptable and should be discouraged.

 

 

 

Killing education

IN the past eight months of this year 2022, public universities have been under lock and key. There were a lot of back and forth between the lecturers and government yet no concrete agreement was reached between the two. Some ray of possibility was, however, gleaned when the House of Representatives intervened by bringing together the two parties in the dispute promising to work out a political solution to the intractable problem.  But as soon as the situation seemed to be calming down and returning to normal some people who are not interested in settling the dispute put a spanner in the works.

Salary payment which was a pre -condition for the reopening of these public institutions was flatly disregarded and that turned the whole agreement on its head. Lecturers in some institutions were selected, some paid their salaries while in some institutions only seventeen days -worth of salaries were paid them. Reason for this was that one Minister for Labour had written and instructed that the Ministry of Finance only pay the lecturers, who are ASUU members, for seventeen days. On the other hand, members of CONUA, a newly registered university union were paid their full salaries.

This unfortunate event turned every hope of getting the institutions back working on its head. It forced university unions to respond to the action by putting on hold teaching of the students thereby prolonging the nightmares of not only the students but those of their parents who on daily basis have been praying for the amicable resolution of the protracted and unnecessary problem.

This action of the Minister of Labour is typical of the posture of some members of the cabinet of the present administration. First, was the attempt by the administration to cause bad blood and a split within the major Labour Centres, the NLC and the TUC. Unfortunately, this fell flat on its head when the two Labour Centres realised that they were being led to the path of perdition by those who did not mean well for them. Then it was the turn of the NBA. Everything was done to ensure a split but that too was dead on arrival. One wonders what it is that the administration wants to achieve by whittling down the powers of collective bargaining, when there is more than enough for it to chew.

One would not be far off the mark if one posits that there is a mission to destroy education by some who do not mean well for education in this country. It is no wonder then that there is the granting of a lot of new operational licenses for private owned universities. I think it is more noble to find better means of dealing with the situation than this crude and uncivilized way the so -called minister, who is the undertaker in this instance is doing. It is even sadder to think that the political party in power would sit by and watch whatever gains it has achieved being destroyed by someone who is supposed to help the party win elections.

The arrogance and nonchalance with which the minister attends to labour issues is sad. What is even more intriguing is the fact that those who are doing all to kill public university education are those who benefitted from it. Yes, even if government alone cannot afford to fund education, is there no way it can systematically introduce gradual changes without rocking the boat? Are there no models we could copy to smoothly introduce change rather than this primitive and insensitive manner? The Minister for Labour has adopted a tout like posture in dealing with the ASUU issue. But he must be called to order by sane and more calculative people. He cannot destroy the platform on which he rode to power with no one calling his bluff.

This is election year and he should be aware that most of these students who he has helped in prolonging their stay at home are watching. The last voter registration exercise should be lessons enough for any sane politician. The number of young people who came out to do the registration should send signals to saner people.

Indeed, the action of this undertaker only confirms and remind us of the Okija saga which almost turned democracy on its head. The sordid event that played out at the time is a sad reminder that such a character should not be trusted with such an important and sensitive position. As a matter of fact, the Okija episode left a sour taste in the mouth of all right -thinking people giving the character the unenviable status of being the only sitting governor that was kidnapped. The Presidency must intervene by doing the needful. It should support the House of Representatives to ensure that it wins back those that have been wounded by the unfortunate act of one who is supposed to promote its cause. From every indication Ngige is on a mission. Having lost the presidential primaries of the APC, he has sought and found a way of destroying the party he claims to belong to. And, now that ASUU has gone back on indefinite strike, one hopes that APC’s eyes would have been open to see the destruction that their Minister is doing to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bangs: A rising star cut short

THERE comes a time in the life of a people that young people are appreciated for being consistent and dedicated to what they find doing. There are several of such examples, for which we may be witnesses of their sterling contributions, and who, when they are no longer alive; their contributions may be subject of concern, as long as they are not be left wasted.

Whatever you read here below are snippets of what I have gleaned from a myriad of comments made on the death of one of Nigeria’s talented music producers on the Plateau: Bangs Wuripba. The tangents he had affected are too nuanced that they remain a point of reference to other young people.

What sort of person was he that he made people like him easily? I have been informed of his easy disposition; having realized quite early that life was like the philosophy of the toad; you give and you take. Early in life, he knew what he wanted to become, therefore, he ‘didn’t wait for anyone to define his destiny but took control of it’ without delay and ran with it.

Being ‘a talented singer’, it was easy for him ‘to thrive in his career, it was easy to become popular amongst’ his peers, and for all intent and purposes, it enabled him and others formed a group to be able to exploit those potentials in them.  As has been stated, ‘he was on top of his game and a star waiting to shine so brightly’, for others to comprehend the essence of life.

I must confess that as a younger person, I may not have met him, however, for me, wherever a talent exists; I have always responded with a celebration of such talents, perhaps, they may serve as a springboard for many to want to climb up using the success of the person in question. That his death trended for weeks running, is enough evidence to appreciate the essence of his service.

In the week, I tried to ask around to know what happened to him, and four persons: Jiritmwa M Goyit, Mullengdang K Linus, Wuripba Ebenezer Chinang, Darshak Simon Gobum, and Mwarap Rinret, all his friends spoke glowingly of his antecedence while wondering why good persons often leave the stage when they were most needed. His case was a perfect example; serving for others to pick a lesson.

That is how God works; he does what he wants to do at the time that is right for him. Therefore, it is not out of place to state that Bangs Wuripba’s sojourn on earth was for the number of years, touching lives in more ways than one. Those who may have benefited from his entertainment prowess are indebted to those God-given talents.

The death of Mr. Bangs (as he was popularly called) was in many respects felt by the younger persons he might have come in contact with over the years. He related well with them mostly using his talents and he fitted well with them largely through the expression of his musical talent.

Perhaps you may have listened to One Voice Plateau which was sung by a group of Plateau artists recently. Yours sincerely did and repeatedly was largely educated on the essence of the initiative. He was the lead singer of that effort, combining with many other artists from various local government areas to preach peace and togetherness.

In the effort, they sang for the people of Plateau to be united despite efforts to divide them through various means. Anyone who has listened to it cannot but help reflect on the divisive tendencies that have held the state to its present station. Yet, for the group, hope is not lost: as the potentials of the state are too numerous and important to be wasted. What can bring the people of the together is to accept one another and live in peace.

The areas that are mentioned in One Voice Plateau are too familiar to be ignored by anyone. In the danceable Plateau Unity Song, Mr. Bangs, Solomon Damulak, Sarah Auta, Collins, Zabiya Caro, Brando Moses, Debbie Lex, Ezra Jinang and other artists could be heard eulogizing why the tribes on the Plateau have reason to come together for the progress and peace in the state and by extension, that of Nigeria. What better song could there be than this, celebrating a theme that is lacking in Nigeria? If we could hear them and key into the lyrics, what better state can there be for all, realistically.

Therefore, it is understandable why on the eve of his funeral service, during the candlelight procession on October 6, 2022, the venue of the event at Lamingo roundabout adjacent to Plateau Private was without space for his friends; what more, the next day at the Champion Royal Christian Centre (Solid Rock Ministry) Tudun Wada, Jos, the show of love for him manifested in the number and caliber of sympathizers present to pay their last respect.

If the large coterie of mostly youth at the two events were not convincing evidence of what he has become to them, what would one describe their presence several kilometers away from Jos? That same presence witnessed again at Nemel, in Kanke his local government area was indeed instructive of how much they love him. And are surely going to miss him in death.

This one cannot be an exception, so long as the lessons are elaborate enough for others to pick to run with. I have several reasons to believe that in the 33 years that he walked the earth, if anyone thought he came to just pass through without any impact, such a person may not have met or heard about him and indeed what he stood for while he lived.

Four days into the month (October 4, 2022) of his birth, he lost the struggle for his life after tragedy had struck a few days before. His house had caught fire and he was burnt in the cruelest manner that it would have only taken the grace of God to come back to his feet. The picture of him on the hospital bed was of a young man struggling between pains and hope towards regaining his life. As a result of the burns, he was in the hospital for some two weeks. How sad that could be.

When I read the post by Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, the All Progressives Party gubernatorial candidates for Plateau State after his death was announced, it was apparent that the loss was significantly felt by him. And it was not just ordinary, given the passion he has devoted to the development of the youth in the state as the campaign to the Government House in Rayfield progressed.

He had written: ‘I will never get used to death and yours is one of my worst’. Sure, it was given the circumstances surrounding his demise. However, the avalanche of sympathy messages that flooded the new media space got me thinking: Could this have just come from people who are going to feel his absence? It surely shows and the emotions were indeed palpable from what they either said or wrote. In his case, it was obvious; there were a lot of things he and others had planned to finish before long; depending on how much he may have affected such people’s lives in the curse of life’s journey.

It was for me a sad development, considering the myriad of comments on him necessitating yours sincerely to want to know who the young man Bangs Wuripba was, and why he was popular among the generality of young men and women cutting across ethnic and religious divides.

An occurrence which had the same colour had taken place about three years ago when another young person, Beka D Michael died on November 8, 2019 died, and was celebrated in the same fashion. He was popular with his peers; the young people, who mourned his death as has been demonstrated in the case of others in such similar fashion on several occasions; particularly those whose passage meant that the person means a lot to them was involved. It was a testimony that such a person was going to be missed.

I had written then that a person must not be celebrated only when such a one is old; younger persons could be so long as they have impacted well on their peers as well s the society. I am aware that there are enough Bekas and Bangs out there walking the streets and sowing seeds of love and charity on the way. They may not be easily and soon forgotten.

There are many other such young men and women out there daily working to change people’s perception about them. If he came to earth only on October 10, 1989 having been born at Ajikamai and has transformed himself into what he was before he died, pray, say what he would have become had he survived. Only God has the answer.

I have heard stories of who he was and what he meant to such groups as Area Gospel Music Artists, Shikrotkhinen Network and One Voice Plateau. They had written about his commitment to worship and a dedication to God and serving as an example. He had three albums to his credit, and what more; he had produced many music gospel ministers.

Life can be good or bad; depending on how one chooses; they say, and rightly so, ‘death doesn’t allow us to bid farewell to our loved ones’. That fateful day, he may have been engrossed on an effort when the inferno that engulfed his house rendered him cheap; leaving him writhing in pains.

The young man may have gone to the world beyond, the lessons of his life are too numerous to be discountenanced. If, as it has been observed variously by his peers; that he has helped shaped the society, those who remember what he stood for should be able to keep his memory incandescent by following the path he had embarked upon.

Of potholes and sanity of Plateau

It is no longer new that roads all over the federation have become eyesore and needing to be quickly fixed. It is also no longer news that Nigerians have cried to high heavens asking government to fix them without delay.

Of concern, however, are the potholes on the streets of Jos. There is virtually no street that has not been affected.

While they cause delay in vehicular movement, they nonetheless bring distortion in business. But it is the discomfort on citizens that should disturb all of us. About two years ago, the Plateau State Government launched the Operation Zero Pothole in the state. it succeeded largely and the effort was eulogized.

About two years down the line, we are back to where we were. The ferocity with which they returned, one would imagine that the last may not have been heard.

Meanwhile, we are waiting on the government; for it is its responsibility to put the roads into best shape.

 

Nigeria @62: Any reason to celebrate?

LAST Saturday, Nigeria celebrated its 62nd independence anniversary. As much as I love the country, I had refrained from celebrating its attainment of nationhood. There are many reasons, which we have repeatedly said should be looked into; it is not about being unpatriotic.

I know of many who also have reasons not to join the bandwagon to celebrate. For us, it is time for stocktaking; reflecting on how the journey has taken us to, and expecting leaders to direct the course of where to head to.

As it is, this year’s will be the last one to be celebrated by those whose tenures will end next May. At the federal level to the state levels, the tempo of the celebration was increased for obvious reasons.

The celebrations were in various shades; all planned to satisfy the complexities of the issues at hand. And there are many that may have risen in each case in the various states. That is why each state celebrated according to its complexities and circumstances.

First of all, the prevailing financial standings of most of the states are most worrisome. The cost of governance takes the largest chunk of the savings of the states. Most of the states have literally abandoned all capital projects they embarked upon or are even thinking about to start.

There are more abandoned projects than are new ones. Funds are indeed scarce to come by. Some of the states have used the resources for other purposes that are not productive for them.

In fact, some of them have squandered the limited resources available to them for political purposes. There are some of the governors who have always used state resources for other reasons other than what they are meant for. No wonder, many sectors are suffering needing intervention urgently.

Interestingly, the issue of internally generated revenue in states has increased phenomenally, thanks to the fact most states have up their revenue profile, ostensibly to help develop them.

But it is the issue of insecurity that has taken off the shine off the celebration in the nation. There is no state that has no complaint of one security challenge or another. Communities no longer sleep with their eyes closed. No one is sure of what will happen in the next hour. Communities have been desecrated, to the point that there are more camps of internally displaced persons in our villages and towns.

Everyone knows that it is the responsibility of government to protect lives and property, but to think that it always the reverse speaks volumes of that aspect of what to expect from the government.

Nigeria is a nation in search of leaders; the older ones do not want to give younger Nigerians, or are not prepared to mentor them for power. That being the case, there are lots of young people that are today frustrated on account of lack of jobs. There is a monopoly of the recycling of leadership over the years; and it does appear it will be here for long with us.

Millions of young men and women have, thankfully with pains been educated and may have even gone ahead to serve the nation; yet they are still roaming the streets in search for non-existent jobs. No wonder, there is anger, animosity in the minds of younger Nigerians.

Now the youths think they have been educated on what best they can do to ‘free’ themselves from the shackles of domination they perceived is being encouraged by the long stay of the older hands in power. But sadly for the youths, they have continued to be used for the wrong reasons by the older ones as thugs and all manner of negative tendencies.

Handling the youth has either been misunderstood or not taken as a project; knowing the army of unemployed roaming the streets in Nigeria. There are some of them who have been empowered repeatedly; while others haven’t been, no wonder that has made them mad. The state is the worst for it, as the army of the unemployed has turned out to be legions of armed bandits, kidnappers and insurgents terrorizing states. Our communities and neighbourhoods are no longer safe anymore for living and business.

It is not out of place to state that, Nigerians are despondent in many fronts.  Apart from being named as the world’s capital for poverty, there are many things working against us for the wrong reasons. Ordinary (sorry), majority of Nigerians go to sleep on empty stomachs, as the cost of living does not favour the people. Most Nigerians live from hand to mouth and are worried that if things continue in this fashion, the country will be in for the worse.

It has been reiterated in leader story of The Nigeria Standard on October 2, 2022 and would like to share it thus: Sixty-two years down the line, our democratic experience has shown that despite the vast human and material resources at Nigeria’s disposal, we are yet to make significant progress and take its rightful place in the comity of advanced nations’.

It continued: ‘Today however, the situation still remains almost the same if not worse than when we started from the onset at independence. It is a sad commentary that the Nigerian masses have been deprived of their right to growth and development for over 62 years by a few misled military opportunists and their civilian collaborators.

‘The real issue is that the state of the Nigerian nation now is that of hopelessness and is so monumental that majority of the citizens have even wondered whether the country is under a spell especially with the mirage of institutional decay and social ills ranging from corruption, cronyism, poverty, cultism, violent crimes, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other social menace in the society.

‘We now have a crop of ethnic bigots masquerading as leaders who have polarized the nation along sectional lines and interest while the society on a daily basis continues to disintegrate due to political, religious and ethnic cleavages. It is clear that our system has broken down as we are now faced with institutional crisis with evidence of collapse while our so-called elected leaders continue to feed fat from the state treasury at the expense of the tax payers’.

That is not what the founding fathers may have conceived concerning what the nation would go; even though, right from inception, the birthing of Nigeria may not have been rightly done. The British Colonial Government was in a haste to birth the nation, even if things were not done rightly.

Therefore, on account of the initial ‘mistake’ made, there are today agitations from sections of the country. It has taken the mercy of God to keep us as a nation. Repeatedly, there have been insinuations about the future of the country; stating apparent concerns about how its disintegration was on the way sooner than we ever imagine.

These agitations have given birth to security challenges that have threatened the foundations of Nigeria in more ways than one in the last thirteen years. Nigerians live in fear of what may happen the next minute. They know that, if things are not urgently done, the ‘one chance’ bus we are traveling in may not take us to our destination. It has been reiterated that it may crash anytime soon; but that may not be the way Nigerians think.

There is urgency for the leadership to be transformed. That is the sense in the agitations as the sections are worried that the country seems to belong only to a section. Why do they feel so? In the last seven years or more, appointments are skewed and essentially favour the north to the detriment of other sections. Nigerians from other section have lamented that they feel a sense of despondency as there are qualified Nigerians from other sections that play the second fiddle. There is no sense of togetherness whereas, on account of the challenges in the area of governance, they are limited to contribute their best to nation building.

Even though those who should know pretend as if all is well with the people, and never saying anything about the people’s concerns. They know it has been planned to go that way. Religion and ethnicity play a part never seen before in the annals of the history of the country; perhaps that is why even when some leaders are accused of sleaze, and depleting our common till, they don’t get to face the wrath of the law, as they are the favoured ones.

Until corruption and other vices are dealt with quickly, there is no way that we will be satisfied with our state of stunted development. We are in it because we are led by leaders who put self first; they come into various offices without a blue print, unprepared for the mission they are embarking upon.

No wonder, midway through the journey, they run out of ideas that may change the state of the states or governments. They employ all manners of charlatans, who are not ready to disagree with their principals; only so if they can keep their jobs and or remain relevant in the scheme of things.

Governments don’t survive that way; neither do they make any impact on this basis. They say, ideas rule the world, therefore, that being the case, it is expected that anyone coming government must be prepared by working on a blue print that would run for four or eight years as the case might be. Those who are bereft of ideas often falter and show eminent signs that they were not prepared for leadership.

Take the issue of internally generated revenue in the states; whereas some of them have made tremendous show of the idea on using what is available in the states for development, some of the states have remained stuck to receiving hand outs from the federal coffers. In this case, it will be difficult to eke out development of any sort, except payment of salaries that are difficult for some of the states for years.

Imagine that in the 21st century, university teachers have been out of the lecture theatres since February 2022. Since then, there has no success in negotiations between the Association of Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government. One can only imagine what the students and parents have gone through, however, Nigerians are as worried as this debacle remains unresolved.

Nigerians are worried as the running battle continues. ASUU rightly believes strongly in the struggle, as they know the funds that are being frittered away by government officials which would have been used to settle what they are asking for. If certain individuals are being accused of sleaze in hundreds of billions and at the same time government is saying there are no funds to pay ASUU; it should be reason enough to ask questions.

On this march to the 63rd and approaching an election year, who knows, this could be the road to the dream we all have longed for as a nation. Whoever wins the presidency must be our guide to get us out of the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marwa, the leadership we need

 

By CELESTINE ATTSAR

“LEADERSHIP is not just a position, it consists of action and transparency and a setting of high level of integrity, honesty and strive to achieve a goal” (anonymous).

When in January 2021 Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) was appointed Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it was received with applause as many who knew him as a strict disciplinarian knew quite well that the country was a new phase of illicit drug crisis. Also at that time, the increase in drug abuse was almost at an alarming rate.

The Retired General who before the appointment was known for his no nonsense attitude towards any public assignment given to him rolled up his sleeves and moved like a wounded lion to salvage the country from the menace of illicit drugs. His holistic approached to the fight against illicit drugs has within a short period of his stewardship added a  record that is  worth praising.

Within the period of his leadership, a lot of arrests were made; even those  untouchables in the illicit drug business were arrested and handed various jail terms. Marwa received commendations on his approach to rid Nigeria of the activities of illicit drugs barons. The agency  in its existence had many who led it who also had their fair share of leadership and contribution toward making it a strong institution. To remember a few of them,  General Musa Bamaiyi, Fulani Kwajafa, Iliya Lokadang, Farida Mohammed all did their possible best to achieve the goals establishing NDLEA. Of course,  having identified the consumers, Marwa collaborated with the Nigerian film industry on how to win the drug war which has affected millions of young people watching Nigerian movies even as they admire star actors  will be easily sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse through their moves. The approach has helped lot of youths to see the danger of abusing drugs in society.

In June this year when the drug Czar was featured on Channels Television programme ‘Hard Copy” says his officers have arrested some politicians in possession of illicit drugs which he described as disappointing. According to him, the agency had suggested drugs test for all those vying for political office to undergo drug test. He added that “as you know  the cartels are also active participants in political activities; they actually fund candidates into the various levels so that they can enact laws that can favour them”. The recommendation is 9 very goal approach to rid our political class of those that will use drug money to sponsor candidate and to have them trade or consumption of illicit drugs not given attention to by those in power.

Recently, in what appeared to be the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of the  agency, operatives of the agency had busted a major warehouse in a secluded estate in Ikorodu area of Lagos where 1.8 tonnes. (1.55kilogrammes) of the illicit drug worth more than 194 billion naira in street value were seized and the kingpin in the business was arrested including foreigners. In what the agency described as a well coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted for two days across different locations in Lagos State.

The Lagos operation which is said to be one of the biggest and successful operations of the agency received commendation from the Presidency.  In a telephone call to the Chairman of the anti-narcotics agency from New York where he was attending the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), President Buhari said that the news of the recovery gladdens his heart. “I deeply appreciate the good work that you have put into the eradication of the drug menace. It gladdens my heart as I continue to follow the success achieved under your leadership.”

The president added that “you have demonstrated over and again that choosing you to lead this fight against wicked merchants of death who sole aim is to endanger and truncate the future of our youth is a good choice. Please keep the good work.

It was also reported that the president still amazed with the achievement of the agency especially in the recent Lagos seizure, told the Nigerian delegation at a meeting in New York that,  “Buba Marwa is doing well. Two tones of cocaine, that is a haul.”

This exceptional commendation by the President to one of his appointees for doing well in his area of assignment is very rare looking at the poor performance of most of our institutions in the country. People like the NDLEA boss should be encouraged through both executive and legislative powers so that the goal of which they are established can add value to our society.

It is high time other heads of agencies that are saddle with the responsibilities of making Nigeria great emulate the NDLEA and it leadership.

 

Road to wealth has no shortcut

By HOSEA NYAMLONG

IN Nigeria today, a day cannot pass by without recording one crime or another, that has to do with quick money making.

Indeed, get quick rich syndrome has become one of the trending fashion among the present day Nigerian youth.

Unfortunately, many citizens don’t care about having a good name or image for themselves, rather they prefer to get involved in different crimes such as kidnapping, drug peddling, armed robbery, prostitution, cyber fraud, killing for rituals among others, all in a bid to get rich quick.

It is worrisome that today, the deteriorating nature of core moral values, societal norms, culture, tradition and beliefs is a cause for concern in the lives of citizens.

The way in which many youths idolized wealthy people and celebrities have contributed in fueling more crime in recent times in the country. Youths only want to be seen driving exotic cars, wearing designers clothes, gold necklace and living an expensive lifestyle, without any proof of legitimate work or source that earned them such.

In time past, the case of ritual killing was not rampant and it was not accepted in the society, because human life was very important to be wasted in an evil venture.

Sadly enough, under aged children are now involved in ritual killings for the purpose of making quick money, not minding the gravity of their actions to humanity. The fact is, life is sacred.

Recently, a 17-year-old teenager killed his girlfriend together with his friend for rituals and they were later arrested in the process of cooking her head in a clay pot.

Another case is that of a 14-year teenage boy in Lagos state who tried to escape with his employer’s 2-year-old son, with the intention of selling him to ritualists, before he was later arrested in the process of the negotiation.

Early this year, the Plateau state Police Command, paraded a 20-year-old, Moses Okoh, the suspected killer of Miss Jennifer Anthony, his girlfriend and a 300-level student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

In Abeokuta this year, a Magistrate’s court remanded four boys who allegedly beheaded a 20-year- old, Sofiat Okeowo, in Ogun State for ritual purpose.

In September a girl named, Maryam Salisu, was found killed in Babale community on the outskirts of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State for suspected ritual purposes. The body of the deceased according to residents of the community was found in a trench. The relatives of the deceased said that Maryam’s corpse was found in a trench with her throat, tongue, her breasts and eyes cut off.

Another issue to be considered is greed, as in the case of a 5-year-old girl, Hanifa Abubakar who was kidnapped and killed by her school teacher, who said that he was depressed and he needed money to pay for his kids school fees.

However, the get rich quick syndrome is slowly killing Nigerian youths who indulge in desperate pursuits to become rich at all cost, even at the expense of other people.

These societal ills have affected every citizen, directly or indirectly as this ugly trend seems to have taken the order of the day.

This is because some parents in some ways have encouraged their children negatively to make quick money, as in the case of a young man who was told to sacrifice his younger brother by his mother.

Notwithstanding, in the past, hard work  was seen as the pride of every person both male and female, old and young which was a mark of dignity and respect in the society, but today, is no longer considered as a legitimate means of earning a good living.

Many youths today would want to have their own way to get quick money at all cost in order to show to the world that they have arrived or they belong to the millionaires club, by way of displaying of wealth.

Also, some would want to oppressed others.In this same vein, many youths have loss their moral values by engaging in things that are not legitimate.

There are millions of jobs in Nigeria. The issue of passing through shortcuts to success has over shadowed most minds of the youths not knowing that today, wealth is knitted in dirty jobs that seems to be rejected by many, because they don’t want to be seen dirty by their peers, rather being neater and rich in ill ways.

To this end, things have gone wrong. And the question in the minds of every responsible Nigerian is how to curtail this evil menace in our society?

Who is to be blame, parents, peer groups, or the society in general. The suggestion is that parents, guidance and care givers should endeavour to bring up their children in a Godly way that they would inculcate good moral virtues in them.

It is very important, that the mind of materialism, be checked, especially among youths to see that wealth can be earned legitimately through hard work, determination, dedication and patience in life

Government as a matter of urgency should engage the youths meaningfully to enable them have a positive life so that they can add value to the society. Nigeria can be rebuilt on the foundations of integrity, transparency, truth, and justice.

On the part of the Nigerian youths, they are encouraged to embrace hard work, honesty, integrity as the hallmark to a sustainable wealth and peace of mind.The road to success has no short cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biker’s ride for charity and philanthrophy

WE conclude our series on bikers today. Gomez Adebowale is the President of SCAN. He is a software Engineer by profession. He coordinates the activities of some biker clubs in Nigeria. He informed Bangles that the Grand Patron of Bikers is the Emir of Gombe, Malam Shehu Abubakar.

He tells us that even though many people see bikers as cultists and ritualists, this is far from the truth. He said that amongst bikers are many professionals, from pilots to doctors to Governors, Such as Former Governor Donald Duke. He explained that the only ritual that bikers have is during their training. He explained of his experience while learning how to ride. He went to a training school. he added that after training, the young bikers are expected to be ushered into the road by their teacher who rides in front. The young bikers are surrounded by older bikers and what happens is that when the young bikers are being ushered, the older ones would put them in the middle and protect them. If a young biker is swaying or losing his grip, the older biker would stabilize him or her.

This is done to initiate the young bikers the road with safety in mind. This is also to protect the young bikers from motorists by acting as buffers. When this ceremony is over and the older bikers and the teacher are sure of the ability of the young ones to ride on their own, it is at this point that they are considered trained bikers. The teacher ensures that the young bikers can control their bikes in case of emergencies without panicking or fidgeting, when riding on their own. He reiterated that this is the only initiation that bikers have. He emphasized that bikers are not cultists or ritualists. He added that the mis-perception about riders is hinged on lack of communication. He explained that it is important for motorists to understand that bikers ride in a formation such as the diamond formation; something like a convoy with a different formation. He said that it would be a welcome development if motorists  learn to avoid breaking the bikers’ ranks on the road this is one of the ways that help them to ride in safety.

When questioned about the biker’s paraphernalia, especially the skull, he said that the skull is white. He explained that beneath the colour of our skin, we all have white skulls. This is the same across all races. It essentially means that all bikers are the same, whither white, black, or yellow. He said that this binds bikers all across the globe and this is why no brother is left behind. He speaks of his ride to Ghana and how he was warmly received and accommodated by brothers that did not know him from Adam, same also happened in Benin Republic. He said that the skull is a symbol of unity. He however pointed out that not all bikers wear the skull. He said that for bikers, an injury to one is an injury to all and so they look out for all brothers on two wheels. This has nothing to do with race, creed, or culture. He added that it should not surprise you to see 80-year-old bikers supporting a 20-year-old biker of any gender. A biker is a biker for life. He explained that bikers form clubs along the lines of common interest. He added there are even Christian rider clubs such as chariots of fire.

He gave an example of a biker who was travelling from Spain on a tour of Africa and posted a message on their bikers’ forum. The biker had a problem with his bike in Mali. Mr. Gomez sent this message to the bikers in Mali who rode out to meet the Spanish rider and rescued him. They accommodated him, fixed his bike and led him back to his tour. He said that today, they have formed a bond with the Spanish biker. He mentioned that bikers can go to many lengths for each other.

Mr. Adebowale spoke about the charity events that bikers engage in. He added that bikers are engaged in so many charity projects. Particularly visits to orphanages. He added that the doctors amongst them often organize health outreaches. Similarly, bikers also engage in tree planting campaign. He mentioned how bikers had an outreach during the covid-19 pandemic. They went from state to state raising awareness and distributing masks and hand sanitizers. He mentioned that they also work with senior medical personnel in carrying out charity events. During this period, they also went from hospitals to residential homes distributing medication to patients who take essential medication for conditions such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes. This they did in collaboration with the Ministry of health. He mentioned that most of the bikers that were picked for this assignment are also road safety Marshals. He mentioned that they have Doctors who are also specialist consultants in various areas.

Adebowale mentioned that there is an arm of the road safety marshal for bikers who help to decongest and control traffic and they give more coverage because of their bikes. He explained that they also use this platform to sensitize road users on safety so as to create a safety culture. They do this by organizing National safety campaign for all road users.

Furthermore, the bikers under the auspices of SCAN organize The School Uniform Project. This project is targeted at under-privileged young children. These group sews and distributes Uniforms to school children as a way of boosting their self-esteem. Teachers would help in identifying the under privileged students.

At the club level, we interviewed Mr. Misari, the Chairman of the Gombe Jewel bikers club which is under SCAN. Gombe jewel has been involved in tree planting campaigns for several years. Mr. Husseini Misari explained that Gombe Jewel Bikers is based in Gombe and is made up of about thirty members spread across the country. He said that the club is a Nigerian club based in Gombe. He explained that he comes from a family of bikers as most of his uncles are power bikers. He added that he has ridden for ten years so far, and it is a passion as he has a need for speed. However, overtime, he has used this platform for philanthropy and humanitarian activities. He points out that the biking community is into humanitarian and philanthropy and he uses that passion to give back to the society. This was why he joined the club.

Since 2019, he has been President of the club. The club has launched some campaigns starting with the tree planting campaign. Other charity projects include charity at the orphanages and giving back to schools through the Education must continue project a project which is a mentorship programme conceptualized and initiated by SCAN. This body mandated all clubs to get involved in this project. They are Professionals such as Lawyers, Doctors and Engineers who teach classes and encourage student to realize their dreams by working hard.

On the tree planting campaign, the club collaborates with the Ministry of Education on this project in Gombe during the first tree planting campaign. The first tree planting campaign was at the Federal University Keshere. This was due to the deforestation and desertification that was assailing the environment. So far, the club has had 4 planting campaigns. Three in Gombe and one in Bauchi. The 4th tree planting campaign was in Bauchi and the club collaboration with the Government of Bauchi State and a fertilizer manufacturing company called Notore. The Ministries of environment, sports and agriculture were on hand to support the project. The Ministries also gave their own quota towards the tree planting campaign. So far, the club has planted 12 thousand trees in the past 4 years and the aim is to plant 3,000 tree every year as this has become an annual event.

The giving back the school project was initiated by the National body. He said that they produced about 3,000 bundle of exercise books, 2500 was presented to the Emir of Gombe who has built schools. The Lamido of Adamawa was also presented with 1000 bundles towards the vision of education. The club mentors’ young children and makes them believe that they can be whatever they want to be, but they have to study first.

Mr. Misari said that motorcycles are a means of transport for him and some bikers. He said hat bikers are misperceived and the misconception may come from the noise of the bikes, which makes some people see them as a nuisance. He said behind their helmets are very responsible people who give back to the society meaningfully. Mr Misari said that they take money from their pockets for their charity events and the poor perception of bikers is tied to the misconception about who they are. As part of the charity they do, the chairman also told Bangles that they carry out bore-hold projects for poor communities.

As to the psychological effect of riding a bike, he said that he feels a sense of freedom when reading. He said that the concentration keeps him focus on himself. The breeze gives him a sense of nature. He said that when he is stressed up, he rides his bike and goes to see some beautiful sceneries after which he feels refreshed. He has a first degree and a master’s degree in marketing. He is a professional marketer who has worked with Guinness, Unilever and now, he is the regional manager for Phillip Morris.

Speaking on the marketing potentials of biking and how it can become a brand, he said that they have a proper structure with corporate documents. It is actually an NGO. They collaborate for partnership and sponsorship. He mentioned that publicity is low because most people think that no good can come from bikers, which is an error. He said that the club is also collaborating with jewel environmental. The NGO also collaborate with the government of Gombe State for the Gombe-goes-green vision. They supply them with trees. They also seek collaboration with some companies but because they do charity and have low coverage, companies looking for return on investment via wider reach for their products do not find the deal competitive enough.

He mentioned that in their community, there are soldiers, doctors, lawyers, architects, teacher, pilots, Olympic champions, governors, senators, interpreters, mechanized farmers and teachers to name a few. Mr. Misari was recently nominated by several African countries as biker of the month and went to Benin Republic recently to receive his award. He attested to the fact that biking is a uniting force because their brotherhood spreads across all African bikers. The club, black African rider is an umbrella body for bikers across the African continent. He said that in order to foster more unity, the francophone bikers learn English and the Anglophone bikers are learning French for the purpose of overcoming the linguistic barrier. The Brotherhood also helps in establishing business network across the continent. He said that the love bikers have for each other is different because they love each other like family, and they extend this love to other members of society.

Speaking of safety measures, he said that all bikers that are members of clubs, adhere to safety measures and it is bikers that are non-members that often create the image of lawlessness for them. He reiterates that the Majority of bikers are safety conscious and law-abiding members of society who contribute positively to society’s wellbeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In support of this awareness

Something is about to happen in the country. A new Nigeria is about to happen. Youthful energy and drive are being galvanized and a silent revolution is surely about to take place. Just two Sundays ago, I went to some part of the Jos city to sympathize with a relation who had been involved in an accident. While returning home, it began to rain. As the heavens opened up, I had thought that those struggling to register for their PVC would scamper for shelter so they are not soaked by the rains. To my utter amazement however, no one left the queue nor made for shelter. All of those on the queue remained where they were determined to get registered.

As I was ruminating over the uncommon patriotic zeal, it became obvious that things were about to happen. Considering the age of those who withstood the elements to get registered,  it was obvious that change had come. What for example, was responsible for the sudden change in attitude from a segment that had hitherto been nonchalant and uninterested about elections in our country?

Are our political fault lines beginning to close? Are these young and vibrant sector beginning to realise the need to get involved in the running of their country in view of the massive and unfortunate failure of leadership in our clime? Questions which answers are held in the bowels of time. The silent revolution was echoed by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki when he lamented and cautioned that the political elites need to look again at themselves and the way they play politics. He clearly has seen the handwriting and is cautioning his peers on the need to change gear so that the elites would not be swept away by the political tsunami that is raging on and threatening to explode.

But the signs are ominous even to the blind. So much is at stake for the politics of the country to be left to those who obviously have run out of ideas. Young and vibrant people need to take over the political space just like in other climes. They need to bring in fresh perspectives. They need to adopt technology in achieving their goals and targets which are the in thing now. You can not succeed in a fast moving economy when you are armed with 18th century tools. This is the era of the digital citizens and the digital aliens need to be retired.

It is obvious that nobody gives up power without a fight. But even in fighting, the political elites seem not to have the tools to prosecute the war. The pace at which change is happening is so breathtaking that they are not capable of keeping pace with. Truth be told my generation and those before me have failed those behind us. We have been so selfish that we are eating the tomorrow of our children. We need to tread with caution and tact. Otherwise we risk being forced into retirement. It has started happening and unless we manage the transition well, we would be the losers.

What we lack, the young generation has garnered. They are skilled. They are world citizens. They are aware of what is happening elsewhere. They have technology at their beck and call. Not only that, they are ambitious and willing to try out new things. There is nothing we can do to hold them back but we can manage the transition if we want. We can deliberately put in place measures which would help open new vistas for them. We can make them a part of the efforts at resolving the problems that are threatening to eat up our society and which we have not been able to solve.

ASUU has been on strike and nothing has been done about it in the last six months. Government and stakeholders have failed to find ways of navigating around the problem. In spite of this, new private universities are daily coming on stream in obvious disregard for the children of the poor. These are the kinds of policies that are exposing the elites and are making them vulnerable, yet they seem so stoned headed that they do not see the ominous signs in the horizon.

We must work together to resolve, restore and grow our society together. The world is changing and our elites can not continue to push citizens to the wall like they are doing. What just happened in Sri Lanka is a signpost for others to tow the path of caution. It is often said that if your neighbours house is on fire, you must take measures to contain the fire so that it does not consume your own property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making life worth living

YEARS ago, there were lots of guarantees for graduates of our higher institutions of learning. Once they are done with their studies, they had many jobs waiting for them to choose from. They did not have to stress themselves to get a job. Fast forward to the present. Even graduating from these higher institutions of learning is becoming a luxury. Students spend the better part of their lives struggling to get meaningless certificates they can hardly use to secure employment.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022 and there are no indications that the strike would come to an end soon. Government seems to care less about the fate of these young people even with the prevailing circumstances in the country. Insecurity has become second nature to all and sundry in our country. Nowhere is safe yet there are no deliberate measures to ensure young people are discouraged from pitching their camps with the miscreants. There are no incentives to discourage crime and criminality. Government seems to underestimate what these young and impressionable minds could do.

Unfortunately, we have ministers, so called aides to the President who are so arrogant and are complete misfits yet they are not punished for their misdemeanor. Personally, I expect that the Ministers in charge of Labour and Education should have honourably resigned yet they are holding on to offices which responsibilities they clearly cannot discharge. And those who should call them to order have not shown the courage to do what is right.

That being said, parents and guardians need to take more interest in the education of their wards and children. This set needs to be schooled in skills rather than acquiring certification that would end up gathering dust. If they acquire skills, they are not likely to waste at home even when ASUU decides that they would go on strike. But it should be made known that any society that fails to educate its citizenry is shooting itself in the foot. It would be breeding a set of criminals who would torment it in the future especially in a country that is sharply divided along ethnic and religious divides.

Sadly, the political class has refused to heed to the calls that they put their wards and children in public schools and see whether or not they would find it palatable. If only they realise the danger they are exposing their families to, they would begin to retrace their steps. The quiet revolution going on amongst the youths should concern any right-thinking and futuristic person. Look at the level of discontent and fashion measure to nip them in the bud. The trend in most countries is to hand over power to the young who can turn things around. The old brigade has shown its unwillingness to use artificial intelligence to change the course of things. It is this area that the young are adept at. If someone can harness their energies and provide them a platform, a lot of things would change.

Imagine being plagued by insurgency and other crimes yet we cannot deploy technology to help in the fight? You do not need to go to the theatre to cause collateral damage to the enemy. From the comfort of your office, technology could help do the damage before your ground troops do the mopping up.

We cannot pretend that we do not know where and when these people choose to unleash their fangs on society. If our security services are up and doing and are adequately funded, they can sure curb these unfortunate events that are plaguing our society.

The threat on the President’s life and that of the governor of Kaduna State is a litmus test of the effectiveness and efficiency of our security forces. If they are allowed to keep pushing the country to the brink, that may as well sound the death knell in our existence as a united and strong country.

What has happened in Sri Lanka must serve as an eye opener to our leaders. If they do not carry out their responsibilities, people are likely to resort to self-help.  And, if we reach that point of no return, then leaders would pay dearly for their misdemeanors.

We cannot afford to get to that pass. The SARS riots were signs enough that not all was well. We cannot afford such a wide-scale disagreement to happen again considering the very precarious state our economy is in. A word of caution they say is enough for the wise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INEC to end voter registration July 31

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared that continuous voter’s registration (CVR) would officially end on July 31, 2022 to enable them process all names of those registered ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Commission announced the extension after deliberations on some concerns around the exercise among other things as disclosed by the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter’s Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement in Abuja saying, “the Commission was projecting 95 million voters for the 2023 poll”.

Former NAWOJ Chairperson, others nominated for UN award

Former Plateau State Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Jennifer Yarima, and three others have been nominated for UN Ambassadorial Award.

Others include; Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Nasarawa Gwong Jos, SP Musa Hassan, Alhaji Abubakar Shuaibu Aljumma (popularly known as Sadeeq Plaza) and Plateau State Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Emmanuel Ado respectively.

UNICEF to support Plateau State on material health, sanitation

Plateau State has been given an assurance of getting support from UNICEF in the areas of reducing its Material Health Ratio and addressing the sanitation needs of its citizens.

The assurance was given during a visit by UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Officer, Dr. Tushar Rane at Government House Jos, where he commended Plateau State for being the first state to embark on passage and domestication of Child Rights Law in the country.

Gov. Lalong mourns Aren Eggon Bala Angbazo

The Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has mourned the demise of the paramount ruler of Eggon Nation, His Royal Highness (HRH), Bala Angbazo who died at the age of 89.

Lalong in a statement said he was saddened by the death of the royal father who was a great ruler of not only the Eggon people, but a father to many across Nasarawa, Plateau and beyond while in his 41 years of being in throne haven been installed in 1981.

PLHA hopeful pledges to address water challenge

THE Jos-North/West Constituency’s Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Danjuma Azi, has pledged to address the lingering water problem of his constituency where women and children have sleepless going to look for it when elected to represent his people in the Plateau State House of Assembly come 2023.

He made the pledge Monday while in an interview with THE NIGERIA STANDARD in Jos, the Plateau State Capital ahead of the  State Assembly in 2023 general elections haven known the water situation of his people over the years and would want to address.

2023: INEC to resume storage of materials with CBN

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that it will continue to keep sensitive election materials with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education of INEC, Festus Okoye, made to known in an interview with Channels Television on Monday saying, “The Commission will resume engagement with CBN on how to resolve issues concerning the storage of election materials.

France secure energy deal with UAE

France has secured promised of new energy supplies from the United Arab Emirates after talks between President Emmanuel Macron and UAE leader Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Paris.

Nentawe cheers Plateau United to victory against Eyimba

The Plateau State APC gubernatorial candidate and leader of the Generation Next Movement, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and his running mate Hon. Pam Botmang, were guest spectators at the Zaria Road Stadium to support Plateau United football club against Eyimba in their final match of the NPFL 2022 season.

The APC flag bearer, who is also a reputable sports analyst, led other members of the Generation Next Campaign Organization as well as hundreds of supporters into the stadium amidst cheers from the home fans.

Complained: EZEKIEL DONTINNA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecurity: North Central also requires attention

The issue of insecurity is one that has virtually come to stay in Nigeria except something urgent and drastic is done to bring the situation under control.

Ever since the emergence of the dreaded Boko Haram sect more than two decades ago, Nigeria has not remained the same and things seem to be going worse by the day.

According to available records criminal activities of insurgents, bandits, armed robbers and the likes have led to the loss of an estimated 35,000 lives in the North East zone of Nigeria alone. Also, the violence has devastated communities leading to the displacement of over three million people and plunged millions more into extreme poverty.

It is in response to this that the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) which is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating rebuilding of the North East region. It is also to assess, harmonise and report on all intervention programs of the Federal Government and to commence the process of resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their original homes or new communities and shift focus from humanitarian assistance to development and infrastructural projects such as reconstruction of houses, schools, etc destroyed by Boko Haram.

Although a step in the right direction, the worrisome part is that the issue of insecurity is one that is prevalent in virtually all the states of the federation as they battle one form of insecurity or the other hence the need establish commissions to take care of these areas.

Of utmost concern is Plateau State that has suffered years of crises and attacks by unknown gunmen, where thousands of people have been killed, driven out of their ancestral homes and nothing has been done this either resettle the people or give any form of assistance to help cushion the effects of the attacks.

It is on record that the South East had made a presentation to the House of Representatives for the establishment of a South East Development Commission which according to the presenter was to help in articulating specific interventions aimed at reintegrating the people of the South East zone who are mainly displaced persons from the North and other parts of the country whom he says form a great part of the worst affected and displaced persons.

Just recently, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) made an appeal to President MuhammaduBuhari to establish what is to be known as the Southern Kaduna Development Commission (SKDC) for reconstruction,, rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons in the state. The group stated that the destruction of life and property, as well as the displacement of communities in Southern Kaduna by herdsmen is of similar proportion to the Boko Haram-ravaged North East. Therefore, a Southern Kaduna Development Commission is of paramount importance and should be supported by every well-meaning and peace-loving Nigerian.

What is, however, worrisome is the fact that demands by groups or otherwise across the country are not treated equally or given the same attention. We are aware that the North West had also come under attack as bandits at some point had taken over most states in the zone unleashing terror on the people and kidnapping several school children as well as some paramount rulers in the area which led to the government claming down on them through military actions which have now brought some relief to the area.

It is worthy to note that all the agitations, demands that government threats all component parts of the country equally. It is our firm believe that if government at all levels is doing what they ought to do from the Local Government, to the state and federal level these agitations may not have even arisen in the first place.

To correct this therefore, government should also consider states in the North Central zone which have been badly affected by activities of insurgents and bandits particularly Plateau, Benue and Niger states in the provision of palliatives, emergency relief materials, renovation of houses and farmlands destroyed by these criminal elements. A military action in these states will go a long way in bringing activities of these hoodlums under control and avert a repeat of the recent attack in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas.

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