“So, when you say you divide (Nigeria into Biafra, Yoruba Nations, etc), where do you draw the line with the inter-marriages and so on and so forth? It is going to be difficult.”
These were the views expressed today, August 12 by the former Nigerian Military Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar while speaking at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(IBB) legacy Dialogue 2021.
Insisting that separation of Nigerian won’t work, the former leader said that instead of various people to be agitating for separation, they should embrace their diversity and work towards maintaining unity.
“Even if you break Nigeria now, how are you going to do? When everybody, every Nigerian, anywhere you go in the village, you will find a Hausa man, a Yoruba man, an Igbo man, Itsekiri and so on and so forth.” he said.
He advised that all hands should be on deck to address the menace of insecurity and disunity, stressing the need for Nigerians to expose perpetrators of insecurity.
“So, let us expose them to the authorities and let us put our hands on deck to tackle the security challenges,”
Present at the event were former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor, former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Professor Jerry Gana; former Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu amongst many others.
File photo: The above photo is used to illustrate the story
We all detest dictatorship when we are the victims of its reverberations, but when we wear the jackboots and are handing down orders, censures; singling shots, cutting down, attacking and destroying other people we palliate our actions. In most cases, we subsume our venture in tyranny as ‘’activism’’ – a term that has now become nebulous and an umbrella for highwaymen clutching the banner of civil advocacy.
There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We want to be heard, but we do not want to hear others. Even when we listen, it is not to understand but to muster ammunition for a belligerent response. The falcon does not hear the falconer. We have become so regimented in our celebration that any view which does not follow a ‘’popular solitary narrative’’ is blitzed, and the messenger assailed ruthlessly.
It must be our way or the highway to hell. A straitjacket opinion dominates the landscape and all contrary perspectives sentenced to silence. If you dare to think different or say different, you are cancelled, ridiculed, vilified and slandered. In our world, everyone must be on the bandwagon of the solitary narrative. Is this not a tyranny of opinion? Are we not dictators?
I have become a staple for vicious internet hobgoblins. These imps find my unyielding stance on national issues vexatious. To them, it is uncharacteristic for someone from the south-east to speak in defence of Nigeria or take a position away from the prevailing socio-political doctrine. Their run-off-the-mill argument is that since I am Igbo, I must defend the Igbo – whether for good or for evil. But I cannot fit into that provincial receptacle. It is not me. My calling is for humanity regardless of tribe, religion or political persuasion.
When it is time to take a righteous stand for any group whether – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igala, Ibibio, or Ijaw – I will proudly do so. What affects one afflicts all of us.
Native mentation. This is our challenge — to see in tribal silos and do not to think beyond the tribe. We must evolve beyond this drawback. Armies of Nigerians from different sections of the country must rise up and defend Nigeria and Nigerians. We should not always retreat into ethnic shells and interpret national matters by sectional prejudice. We must stand in the beautiful middle dividing nonsenses.
My stint in activism enriched my knowledge of civil advocacies – and their ugly underbelly. The clouds are not always white and robins do not always sing. The Nigerian civil society space is one that is tainted and blackened by ego, rapaciousness, and sleaze. I participated in some advocacies in the past with a mind brimming with passion for Nigeria and a fist raised for a change in my country. I was naive. My dispassionate commitment to certain causes and conviction led me down the primrose path of deception. In my innocence, I assumed everyone raising a fist and parroting slogans had genuine intentions.
It was devastating for me when I realised some of these advocacies are well-oiled campaigns promoted by unclean characters. Most civil advocacies do not sprout organically. There is always a mighty hand behind the curtains pulling the marionettes.
There is also the all-knowing complex with the activism industry. ‘’Activists’’ appear to have the right prescriptions to Nigeria’s problems as well as the Midas touch to turn things around. They make pleasing noises; shout the loudest in the room, deliver wry but perfect one-liners, and seal every oration with powerful quotes from famous persons — all by rote. They know what to say in every situation. But many of these advocates from the Nigerian ‘’activism community’’ found themselves in government and became what they stood against in their days in the trenches – and instead of bringing change, they caused government to atrophy with a Sadim touch.
A once vibrant activist with a mouth full of hot words revealed his true plumage and betrayed his hypocrisy when he became state governor and then national chairman of a major political party. There are many like that in the activism community waiting for their turn at the table. And while they are waiting they must keep shouting until their mouth is fed.
While the ‘’activism community’’ claims to be at war with tyranny, it does not brook opposition. Members who do a volt-face or have a change of perspective are ‘’de-comraded’’ or dismissed as ‘’compromised’’. There is a dictatorship of opinion in the activism community. It must be ‘’attack, tear down, criticise and pull down’’. If you happen to point out the flickers of hope in the system, you are reduced to a quisling.
This does not obviate the place of genuine activists – those whose singular pursuit is to see a better Nigeria. Even in a crate of rotten eggs, we still have the unsoiled ones.
There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We hold those in government to scrutiny for alleged acts of tyranny while ignoring our own complicity. We should hear one another. If you insist only your way must stand, how are you different from Idi Amin? Dictatorship stirs resistance. When you come to people from a position of tyranny, naturally they will resist you. This is a normal human reaction. No one wants to be dictated to, no one wants to be pushed around or made to feel like an indentured slave. We should hear one another.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commended Abuja nurses for their heroic role in the fight against COVID-19.
The Minister, who gave the commendation today, August 12, at the 2021 annual FCT Nurses Week/Scientific workshop, said that the sacrifice of the nurses, for which some of them paid the ultimate price, ensured that the pandemic did not overwhelm the Territory.
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello called on them not to relent in their efforts towards saving lives and help to the realize the aspirations of the government in the health sector.
“Your sacrifices and indeed, those of all frontline health workers have ensured that we are not overwhelmed by this disease and for this, we will remain eternally grateful.
“As we once more confront COVID-19 and an old enemy, cholera, you are once again called into the trenches to offer your service of caring for the afflicted with dedication and compassion for which you are known. We are confident that we can, as usual, count on you to give your best – at your duty posts- in our quest of saving lives in these challenging times.”
The minister reiterated the commitment of his Administration towards the welfare of staff, especially in the area of professional capacity.
“Here in the FCT, we will continue to pay great attention to the professional capacity of our nurses with training programmers as well as their personal well-being with the provision of good working conditions and adequate amenities in our healthcare facilities.”
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello said that his government is open to suggestions and ideas from the nurses for collective move to build a healthcare system that is caring, functional and efficient.
He commended the nurses for the theme of the weeklong event, which is “Nurses : A Voice to Lead, A vision for Future Healthcare,” which he described timely, considering the critical role nurses and nursing profession play in the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has reminded Residents Doctors now on a nationwide strike of the no-work-no-pay policy of not just the government of Nigeria, but also that of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Briefing newsmen today, August 12 at the Presidential villa, on the progress made so far in the battle with COVID-19, especially Delta variat Dr. Ehanire regretted that doctors went on strike exactly at the time they were expected to rally round to stave off the dangers posed by various variants of COVID – 19.
As for the policy of no work no pay, the Minister said: “but that’s the standard thing. That’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendation that if you didn’t work, then why will you take your salary. The salary comes from taxpayers money.
“So if you did not work, why should you be paid? Because if that is so you can’t be encouraged to stay home for six months and your salary is running from public funds, from taxpayers money, or you have not given the community any service.
“So that no work, no pay is not just the government regulation, it is recommended. It is specifically stated in International Labour Organisation that if you do not work, if you have not given any service, you can’t expect remuneration.
“Because you can’t go to market and buy something for nothing. You must put down something, you must put down work.
“You can go to market and take goods without paying. So if you work, you will be paid. And we are strongly in support of government meeting it’s obligations to pay what is agreed.
“We have said that we shall push for that, you know, working with the salaries and wages commission, the head of service, we are working to support that, including paying all the insurance dues.
“But we cannot say again what the ILO says, pay people who didn’t go to work. I mean, I think before God and man, you can’t defend that position, but there is no question of threats.
“These young doctors, they are professionals, not just professionals, they are young people who we need to also mentor and treat well, to the best of all our capacity here.
“So, the strike is not what we want now. We would like to again, use this platform to ask doctors to return to work, let us negotiate. We can do that among us. “There are many areas the Ministry of Health supports them.
“But part of the problem we have is that some of the grudges that they have, or let us say the demands are with state governments not the federal government. So if the state government has not paid some people salary why go on nationwide strike.
“We say if you want to talk to that state, which I will support you and appeal to the state.
“Among the 12 original demands that they made, seven were state related. “They are not federal, federal government cannot compel a state to pay you a certain salary that you want.
“But the ones that are concerning us at federal level, many of them are not even exactly the Ministry of Health either.
“But we support them and those with what strike is not a good tool to use. And especially, when the health of the country is threatened. “When people will come out or volunteer in other countries to work.
“That is not the time to withdraw your own service. And I think again, we’ll continue to appeal to young doctors not to use strike as a tool, especially at a time of national need that will not rest welcome your conscience.
“We have said openly that this is not a good time for doctors to go on strike. We are having a strike for the third time this year that is not good. You have appealed to them. They will be having long meetings with young doctors to tell them that look we have a certain responsibility to our country.
“Every country which has difficult situation at this time should understand that responsibilities is on all of us if you have any problem, any grudges let’s talk about it.
“If we can’t solve it now, let’s continue talking about it until we fine solution but don’t drop work.
“I think Nigeria is probably the only country in the world today where doctors are dropping work in the middle of a threat to the whole country.
“So that’s why we have advised. There has been no threat. Nobody threatened anything. Just appeal; all of us are doctors, all of us went through the same residency. We are saying this is not the time let’s continue to talk about it.
“Do not put people’s lives at risk. That’s what the Minister of Labour has been saying, that is what the Minister of Health has been saying. Nobody has threatened anybody with anything.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians to rally round and nip in the bud, the festering disunity caused by all types of insecurity in Nigeria.
“There is no great nation anywhere that has not had this sort of challenge, especially where you have a multi-racial, multi-religious setup. And the greatest nations in the world are multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic.”
Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, August 11 during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Arewa Concerned People for National Unity and Religious Tolerance from Kano, led by Alhaji Auwal Maidabino and Prince Usman Ado-Bayero, said that security and unity are as important as the economy.
According to him: “a united people; people who see themselves as one, are more likely to be economically successful, more likely to be able to secure themselves and secure their borders, and more likely to work together for the goodness and greatness of their people.”
The Vice President stressed that it is the duty of the leadership, as much as it is the duty of the political leadership, as well as the leadership of social groups and organizations such as yours, to ensure that we are focused on these issues of unity and tolerance.
Professor Osinbajo said: “as you know, religious tolerance and unity, is for me, a matter that goes beyond mere advocacy. I believe very strongly that the greatness of nations, wherever those nations may be, have always been on account of leaders who thought it fit to build those nations on the basis of unity and tolerance.
“I think that it is such an important issue that we cannot afford to discount it. There is a need for us to pay more time and attention to these issues in whatever way we can because every once in a while, we see some threats to the unity of our country, and we must not allow it to happen at all, we must continue not just in the advocacy, but in action that will bring about unity and religious tolerance.” Prof. Osinbajo added.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Maidabino commended Professor Osinbajo for his innovative approach to governance and the several initiatives of the Buhari administration anchored through his office and prayed God to provide the opportunity to enable him continue to serve the nation.
Alhaji Maidabino noted that through schemes such as TraderMoni, National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, N-Power, and the Ease of Doing Business initiative, among others, the Vice President has impacted many Nigerians across different sectors.
“We wish to commend and congratulate you for your contributions in the area of promotion of good governance, transparency, and efficiency as exemplified with the core principles behind the Ease of Doing Business initiative of this government, and for the continuation of your uncompromising dedication to peace, unity, and economic progress, among others.”
He informed the Vice President of plans by the group to convene a national forum on unity as part of its contributions to entrenching peaceful coexistence and unity among Nigerians.
The World Bank has extended an assistant to the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to the tune of $15 million, through the Federal Government, to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its impact on lives and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable.
The federal government World Bank-assisted economic recovery fund is put at $750 million for Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, Olusade Adesola, who stated this while inaugurating the FCT Steering Committee on COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, known as FCT CARES, said that the committee will use the money to help restore the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, maintaining food security and facilitating recovery of small and medium scale enterprises.
Adesola, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources Management in the FCTA, Mallam Bashir Mohammed, explained that the advent of COVID-19 in Nigeria in 2020 had a devastating impact the people and that the lockdown which was imposed as part of containment measures against the virus severely affected income, as businesses were limited and restricted in the FCT. According to him, a significant reopening of the economy has been on several months, but the recovery from last year’s forced contraction and economic difficulties continues.
“The FCTA is especially eager to support the acceleration and expansion of this recovery to help businesses regain markets, income, and confidence. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy arising from the global lockdown and its severe negative impact on livelihoods and food cannot be overemphasised.
“As a result of this, the federal government in collaboration with the World Bank and the Nigeria Governors Forum developed the States/FCT CARES programme to cushion the effect of the pandemic, most especially on the most vulnerable segment of the Nigeria population. CARES is a result-oriented programme to deliver the results in the following three key areas; result area one; to increase social transfers, basic services, and livelihood support to the poor and vulnerable household. “Under this, 42, 606 individuals are expected to benefit directly, while over 180,000 people will benefit indirectly.”
He further explained that the result area two would be to increase food security and safe functioning of the food supply chain under which a total of 12, 293 farmers will benefit directly, while over 100, 000 people will benefit indirectly.
“Result area three, to facilitating recovery of SMEs through grants, under this, a total number of 612 business will benefit directly, while over 10,000 people will benefit indirectly. “Outcomes from the three result areas reinforce one another, enhancing the wellbeing of poor and vulnerable households, together with employment and livelihood grants can help boost demand for the agricultural produce of farmers and food suppliers and other goods and services offered by SMEs.”
Adesola said that the newly inaugurated steering committee is expected to provide oversight and policy guidance to the implementation of the program (PforR) at the FCT, by the financial agreement and operations manual, that they will also liaise with the National Assembly for adequate allocation/appropriation of resources. Among other expectations, the committee is expected to consider and clear the work plan and budget of the FCCU and delivery units/platforms to be funded from the NG CARES resources of the FCT.
Five companies: Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Sterling One Foundation, Big Bottling Company and the United Nations Global Compact have joined forces under the Global Alliance for Youth to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria.
The Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria is a business-driven movement of like-minded organisations passionate about working together to help young people around the country get the necessary skills to thrive in the world of work, today and tomorrow.
With 62 percent of the Nigerian population below age 25 years, Nigeria has one of the highest youth population in the world. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, as of the second quarter of 2020, over 13.9 million young Nigerians were unemployed. Millions are also underemployed or in uncertain jobs.
High youth unemployment presents serious global social and economic challenges including increased poverty and insecurity. The members of the Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria have positioned themselves to invest in various joint and individual initiatives to give young Nigerians meaningful work experience, internships, readiness-for-work training, and mentoring opportunities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all by 2030.
The Alliance plans to reach more than 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them get gainful employment or set up businesses of their own within the next 3 years.
In a statement at the Press Conference to launch the Alliance, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Nigeria PLC said: “We are excited to announce the Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria today. If there was a time where an alliance for youth is needed, it is today. Yes, our youth are confronted with multiple challenges, but the critical challenge is that of a lack of opportunities. Our youth have great potential, and those who have been privileged to find the right opportunities have thrived in remarkable ways. This is what this alliance seeks to do: create the opportunities for our youth to attain their highest potential as productive and contributive members of society.
“For us at Nestlé, contributing to a better future for younger generations is a core part of our purpose as an organization. We are confident in the potential impact of the alliance to drive change at scale, leveraging the resources, expertise and network of member companies.”
According to Norena Francis, HR Manager of The Big Bottling Company, “The youths are the future of the world, but the future is now, it therefore means that the youths are the NOW of the world and as such, deliberate actions to make the NOW happen to the benefit of all of mankind is vital.
“Hence, we join the rest of the world in celebrating this year’s International Youth Day… Happy International Youth Day!”
For Rolake Rosiji, Chief Executive Officer, Jobberman Nigeria, “We are excited to be a part of the Alliance to tackle the employment and employability challenge in Nigeria today.
“Through the Alliance, youth will gain access to high-quality trainings, and will be able to gain the critical skills needed to swiftly enter the workforce, as well as grow in their respective fields.”
In her comments, Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director UN Global Compact Network Nigeria said, “It is no longer fashionable to ignore the youth, never has it been.
“The time is now for all stakeholders (government, private sector and civil societies) to pivot towards harnessing the powers and potentials of the youth demographic. Our participation, which we are proud of, as a member of the Global Alliance for Youth is a clear statement of our intent to engage with the private sector to further entrench the corporate sustainability agenda particularly in the areas of Women and Youth inclusion, Sustainable Innovation, Decent Work and Economic Growth.”
Also speaking about the Alliance, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe said, “We have prioritized partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across our focus sectors as we believe effective collaboration is the only sustainable strategy for holistic social impact at this time.
“In line with this, we are glad to partner with the Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria as we mark the International Youth Day and look forward to the various innovative projects that will be executed for young people across the country.”
The Global Alliance for Youth – Nigeria member companies are committed to working in collaboration with policymakers, government, and other stakeholders to develop solutions to address youth unemployment and foster job employability and job creation in the coming years.
Together, the Alliance intends to drive concrete actions, providing solutions for measurable change. The International Youth Day, which is celebrated on August 12 annually, serves as an opportunity for Governments and stakeholders to draw attention to youth issues worldwide while celebrating the potential of young people as active partners in the global society.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) have resolved to work together to bring about a robust economic development as well as advancement in the communications sector of the economy in the post-pandemics world. This position was canvassed during a courtesy visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, by a delegation of the National Assembly Business Environment Round Table (NASSBER), a policy unit of the NESG, led by Nnanna Ude and a member of the technical committee of NASSBER, Yemi Keri. The need for stakeholder collaboration and engagement between the Commission and other stakeholders in order to conduct an impact assessment and gap analysis of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which will lead to improvement of the legal instrument and reflect new trends, especially in a post-pandemic world, was the primary focus of the visit. The two bodies also considered synergy in the area of Research and Development (R&D); while NESG has expressed its desire to have the Commission feature prominently in the forthcoming Nigeria Economic Summit (NES), an annual summit organised by the NESG, scheduled to hold in October this year. While receiving the delegation on behalf the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said that the meeting was a welcome development, as it aligns with the telecom regulator’s strategic partnership and collaboration objectives. Dr. Adinde said that the NCA 2003 is a robust regulatory instrument, which has given the NCC the mandate to regulate the telecom sector effectively, as seen in the contribution to the overall economic development of the country. According to him, by virtue of Section 70 of the NCA 2003, the Commission has developed various regulations and issued guidelines that have helped in addressing critical issues pertaining to its regulatory activities. Dr. Adinde said that the Commission is excited by the prospects of partnering with NESG and NASSBER, adding that such partnership will further enhance telecoms contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. “All the issues discussed will be articulated in a memorandum, which will be submitted to Management for consideration.” Other senior management staff of the Commission, including the Director, Licensing & Authorisation, Muhammed Babajika; Director, Technical Standards & Network Integrity, Bako Wakil and representatives of the departments of Legal & Regulatory Services; Policy Competition & Economic Analysis and Financial Services of the Commission, took turns to talk about the activities of the Commission in implementing its regulatory mandate for the benefit of the country. Babajika spoke on the licensing regime of the Commission and its impact on innovation in the economy, while Engr Wakil spoke about NCC’s regulatory efforts and collaborations with various stakeholders, such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) towards addressing challenges to quality of service (QoS) in telecom industry. The impact of these challenges such as multiple taxation and regulations, fibre cuts, vandalism, high cost of Right of Way (RoW), theft of telecoms facilities and the need for the passage of the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Bill into law. Earlier, speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of NESG, Laoye Jaiyeola, Ude acknowledged the critical role NCC is playing in the provision of essential digital support for the Nigerian economy. He noted that, in 20 years of telecoms liberalisation, the Commission has been contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ude explained that the visit was part of the efforts of the NESG to strengthen collaboration with key institutions of government such as the NCC. He extolled the role of the Commission in driving telecommunications sector growth through efficient and result-oriented regulations, saying that the impact of the regulations are evident in industry performance indicators which have shown upward trajectory over the recent years. “The NCC is key to the digital transformation agenda of the government and we can see the footprints of the readiness of the country on that journey, in terms of the level of broadband penetration, internet subscription, teledensity and other critical indicators.”
Nurses operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, August 10, began a week of activities, known as Nursing Week. They began with what they called “nursing walk,” trekking from Eagle Square, through Area One, to FCTA and terminating it at Labour House where leadership delivered addresses.
The nurses walk on.
The week is scheduled to end on Friday with carnival.
Wife to Bright Ben, Mrs. Tina, who was accused of Adultery after she left her husband to marry the General Overseer of World Bank Assembly, Pastor Moses Adeeyo has owned up her action.
Reacting to news making the rounds that she left her husband, Bright Ben to marry Pastor Moses Adeeyo, Tina described the pastor as a god-sent who helped heal her from the bruises sustained from Ben Bright.
Tina, in a series of videos, said that her husband had made her to borrow a huge sum of money from people nut that the debts were later offset by pastor Moses Adeeyo.
She claimed that her husband had never given her money for both his children and her upkeep, adding that he stopped her from going to work and made her quit her music career.
Tina said that her husband always accused her of adultery, pushing her out of his house and leaving her on the streets to cater for herself.
She said also that how he used to threaten to disfigure her, apart from assaulting her on countless occasions.
Tina said that it was her family that dissolved the marriage between her and her ex-husband when the maltreatment became too much.
Bright Ben, had, via his Facebook account, made the allegations against his former pastor who he claimed was a full financial member of the church alongside his wife, Tina Bright.
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“So, when you say you divide (Nigeria into Biafra, Yoruba Nations, etc), where do you draw the line with the inter-marriages and so on and so forth? It is going to be difficult.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians to rally round and nip in the bud, the festering disunity caused by all types of insecurity in Nigeria.
The World Bank has extended an assistant to the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to the tune of $15 million, through the Federal Government, to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its impact on lives and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable.
Five companies: Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Sterling One Foundation, Big Bottling Company and the United Nations Global Compact have joined forces under the Global Alliance for Youth to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria.
The Dictator In Every Nigerian, By Fredrick Nwabufo
We all detest dictatorship when we are the victims of its reverberations, but when we wear the jackboots and are handing down orders, censures; singling shots, cutting down, attacking and destroying other people we palliate our actions. In most cases, we subsume our venture in tyranny as ‘’activism’’ – a term that has now become nebulous and an umbrella for highwaymen clutching the banner of civil advocacy.
There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We want to be heard, but we do not want to hear others. Even when we listen, it is not to understand but to muster ammunition for a belligerent response. The falcon does not hear the falconer. We have become so regimented in our celebration that any view which does not follow a ‘’popular solitary narrative’’ is blitzed, and the messenger assailed ruthlessly.
It must be our way or the highway to hell. A straitjacket opinion dominates the landscape and all contrary perspectives sentenced to silence. If you dare to think different or say different, you are cancelled, ridiculed, vilified and slandered. In our world, everyone must be on the bandwagon of the solitary narrative. Is this not a tyranny of opinion? Are we not dictators?
I have become a staple for vicious internet hobgoblins. These imps find my unyielding stance on national issues vexatious. To them, it is uncharacteristic for someone from the south-east to speak in defence of Nigeria or take a position away from the prevailing socio-political doctrine. Their run-off-the-mill argument is that since I am Igbo, I must defend the Igbo – whether for good or for evil. But I cannot fit into that provincial receptacle. It is not me. My calling is for humanity regardless of tribe, religion or political persuasion.
When it is time to take a righteous stand for any group whether – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igala, Ibibio, or Ijaw – I will proudly do so. What affects one afflicts all of us.
Native mentation. This is our challenge — to see in tribal silos and do not to think beyond the tribe. We must evolve beyond this drawback. Armies of Nigerians from different sections of the country must rise up and defend Nigeria and Nigerians. We should not always retreat into ethnic shells and interpret national matters by sectional prejudice. We must stand in the beautiful middle dividing nonsenses.
My stint in activism enriched my knowledge of civil advocacies – and their ugly underbelly. The clouds are not always white and robins do not always sing. The Nigerian civil society space is one that is tainted and blackened by ego, rapaciousness, and sleaze. I participated in some advocacies in the past with a mind brimming with passion for Nigeria and a fist raised for a change in my country. I was naive. My dispassionate commitment to certain causes and conviction led me down the primrose path of deception. In my innocence, I assumed everyone raising a fist and parroting slogans had genuine intentions.
It was devastating for me when I realised some of these advocacies are well-oiled campaigns promoted by unclean characters. Most civil advocacies do not sprout organically. There is always a mighty hand behind the curtains pulling the marionettes.
There is also the all-knowing complex with the activism industry. ‘’Activists’’ appear to have the right prescriptions to Nigeria’s problems as well as the Midas touch to turn things around. They make pleasing noises; shout the loudest in the room, deliver wry but perfect one-liners, and seal every oration with powerful quotes from famous persons — all by rote. They know what to say in every situation. But many of these advocates from the Nigerian ‘’activism community’’ found themselves in government and became what they stood against in their days in the trenches – and instead of bringing change, they caused government to atrophy with a Sadim touch.
A once vibrant activist with a mouth full of hot words revealed his true plumage and betrayed his hypocrisy when he became state governor and then national chairman of a major political party. There are many like that in the activism community waiting for their turn at the table. And while they are waiting they must keep shouting until their mouth is fed.
While the ‘’activism community’’ claims to be at war with tyranny, it does not brook opposition. Members who do a volt-face or have a change of perspective are ‘’de-comraded’’ or dismissed as ‘’compromised’’. There is a dictatorship of opinion in the activism community. It must be ‘’attack, tear down, criticise and pull down’’. If you happen to point out the flickers of hope in the system, you are reduced to a quisling.
This does not obviate the place of genuine activists – those whose singular pursuit is to see a better Nigeria. Even in a crate of rotten eggs, we still have the unsoiled ones.
There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We hold those in government to scrutiny for alleged acts of tyranny while ignoring our own complicity. We should hear one another. If you insist only your way must stand, how are you different from Idi Amin? Dictatorship stirs resistance. When you come to people from a position of tyranny, naturally they will resist you. This is a normal human reaction. No one wants to be dictated to, no one wants to be pushed around or made to feel like an indentured slave. We should hear one another.