President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that his predecessor, ex President Muhammadu Buhari inspired him and others not to give up in good cause they set out to accomplish. “Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up.” President Tinubu made the points in a message he personally wrote and signed, for Buhari’s 82nd birthday today, December 17. Tinubu began with: “Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to you on your 82nd Birthday. “As you celebrate this remarkable milestone in Daura, we reflect on your years of dedicated service and leadership, which have significantly shaped the course of our nation. “Your steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s advancement and unity inspires many, and your enduring legacy continues to guide our nation’s journey towards prosperity and stability. “Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up. “I will continue to build on the infrastructure legacy you bequeathed to our nation as the leader of our country’s first All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. “On this special day, may you be surrounded by the love of your family and friends and continue to enjoy good health, happiness, and fulfilment in all your endeavours, now and in the future. “Happy Birthday, and thank you for your services to Nigeria. “With respect and admiration, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
What astonishes me is that in all the stealing, of public funds by the Nigerian Politicians, especially those in public service, they have not the faintest idea of how to use money. I am getting scared we are caught up in an age of fools. What does Nigerian thieve do with money? He buys things. Then he buys power and more power. He traumatizes his community with his wealth. He makes the poor feel their poverty and the average person bemoan his averageness. Then he builds things: some big towers here and there which become the talking points of lesser idiots whose place in life is to praise those structures even as they hope to build same someday. He then goes after women; all shapes, sizes, tribes and tongues, for the sole reason of being able to boast about his conquest. He then gets honoured by religious homes devoted to Mammon where he gets praised by the worshippers of the idol who promise the money-man life hereafter for a slice of his goodies. Then he dies in hope that people will be talking about him. Soon he is forgotten like other fools. Why do we Nigerians find it hard to understand the use and meaning of big money and are stuck on this selfish; this perverted notion of wealth? All you get is, the man came to that party in a big jeep; he has an aircraft, or two. He has an estate in Maitama or Ikoyi. He built up a street in London. Then he unleashed that money to buy up consciences and to stamp down truth. His shopping list would include pressmen, clergies, judges and policemen. He funds his policial party and he is rewarded with even more money which he recycles the same old way. Why is our idea of wealth so narrow and underdeveloped! The challenge is not money, it is a lack of the knowledge of what actually to do with it. Where people have wisdom, they understand that once possessions go beyond a home and two cars with ample retirement fund, the use of money is to build your community and to build your nation. You invest wealth in people, beginning with your own children and those in your extended family who can be raised. Isn’t it wonderful that not a single man or woman among these people who have spirited away billions of naira has thought of establishing a factory manufacturing cellphones in Nigeria? None has thought he should put together something to address such a huge market and potential for homegrown development? They can’t come together and say, ‘Lets solve the electricity problem’. None has said, ‘I want to make a dent on the housing challenge. I will go into affordable housing and build new cities’. None has said, ‘Most of our universities have a shortage of hostel accommodation. I’d like to address that and put in two billion per school. It is a proof of lack of sense, a proof of scandalous stupidity that with all those billions, there is no impact on society and people are mostly unemployed and there are no spectacular undertakings to fire the imagination of the younger ones. Why haven’t these guys come together and built the second and third Niger bridge and the 4th Mainland bridge in Lagos? Why can’t they make their money work for the society and push people forward? What’s the use of money that doesn’t serve society but only buys little things like cars and airplanes, just toys to flatter the little ego of the owner? It is foolish to think this limited way and even more foolish to admire and applaud such people. It is like drinking from a gutter. I hope we can start to discuss money in terms of impact, not consumption. And when I say impact, I don’t mean those demeaning things politicians do when they give out okadas and wheel barrows to mock the poverty of their people. I mean real impact. Let’s solve the electricity problem. Let some rich persons decide to fix the 100km road linking Enugu to Port Harcourt. Let someone say, I want to train 500 youth corpers through an Oracle certification course and drop a cheque. Someone should fund the development of the Nigerian automobile in a university or two with N4 billion. Another should rise and rebuild all the houses in his village and connect them all to a potable water source. Let’s have some devotion to our country, to our people and put an end to this barbarism. Let’s make ourselves great on earth!
Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as president following a decisive victory in the 2015 general elections and was re-elected with an even bigger majority for a second consecutive term of office in 2019, underscoring the trust and confidence of the country in his administration. As he marks his 82nd birthday today, December 17, it is time to remind ourselves of certain qualities that stand him apart from the crowd. Buhari is a very different leader with a strong attachment to the weak and poor, dedicated to improving their wellbeing and alleviating their suffering. Politics and corruption go hand in hand in many countries, and Nigeria is not an exception. The general perception is that if you are a politician, you must be corrupt. He is known as “Mai Gaskiya,” the truthful one for his honesty and simple lifestyle. His campaign focused on a blend of economic development, security and the fight against corruption. His two terms ushered in a paradigm shift in governance with a strong focus on building the country’s long delayed infrastructure and leadership through personal example. Under Buhari, the country embarked upon remarkable initiatives to address multi dimensional poverty. The country became the first on the continent to have a social security system. Several measures aimed at reducing poverty, the bane of the poor were introduced through financial inclusion. Buhari prioritized efforts towards universal health coverage. His administration successfully removed the country’s name from the list of nations with endemic polio. In 2021, his administration launched a campaign for five million off-grid solar power connections to villages without electricity impacting 20 million Nigerians without power more than 60 years after independence; took reliable, clean energy to the country’s major markets, electrified several federal universities, teaching hospitals and set up a funding scheme for mini grids in 100 hospitals across the country. Agriculture was very close to the heart of the former president. Not only that he is, himself, a farmer growing crops and tending to livestock,President Buhari launched several initiatives in rice growing and 15 other agricultural communities leading to domestic self-sufficiency in some and boosting the export and increased foreign earnings in others. Buhari believed that transportation is a key path to the transformation of the country and embarked upon next generation infrastructure reconstructing the nation’s major roads and bridges,airports, inland waterways, the sea ports and significant advances in the development of standard gauge rail. Under the administration, the country made improvements in the Ease of Doing Business and in the strong belief that the level of science and technology will, not far from now determine the strength, even the destiny of a country, Buhari ensured a lot of money went to the ministry as well as the research institutions under it throughout the eight years. The president’s lifetime story, starting in Daura, a semi arid region and now within seizure of the Sahel desert taught him to be deeply passionate about the environment. The thrust of his policy was both reactive and proactive: it is easier to destroy the environment than to rebuild it. Buhari’s foreign policy initiatives led in many respects to the realization of the country’s goal as a leading power in the West African subregion and Africa as a whole. Nigerian leaders are praised while in office and discredited even after tremendous contributions by them after they leave office. Knowing this, President Buhari would rather be silent on the criticism of his administration-much of it unfair- in the belief that the truth, like oil buried under the soil has a way of coming to the top. To use the words of Leo Tolstoy, two most powerful warriors are patience and time. I make the admission that in all humans-leaders inclusive-there are limitations and shortcomings. As a leader, Buhari towers above many before him. The former president said to the hearing everyone that once he handed over to his successor on that May 29, 2023 he would be as far away from the nation’s capital, Abuja so as not to cast a shadow over the new administration, to give the space to them to effectively take off and stabilize without distractions. Being willing to renounce power is his extraordinarily admirable trait. Since leaving office, he visited Abuja just twice, first to officiate at the launching of Femi Adesina’s brilliant book “Working With Buhari,” and the second time as a guest of President Bola Tinubu when they convened a meeting of the Council State. Unlike others, the Nigerian constitution has created a platform for interaction between the present and the past leaders of the country, the Council State which is set up to advise the sitting president on some important appointments and on sundry issues affecting the state. Cooperation between serving and former Nigerian leaders is not new although it is difficult to know how much cooperation goes on between current and former presidents. General Gowon, the oldest surviving former leader would appear to be the most helpful of all of the nation’s past rulers. On the other hand since leaving office, first as military leader and subsequently as elected president after two terms, President Olusegun Obasanjo has called and written on every head of state after him to put him to shame or disgrace, and in some cases outrightly asking for his resignation or ouster in the next election. General Abacha alleged that Obasanjo had a hand in a coup plot against him and had him imprisoned. If President Buhari is not seen going about publicly for a while, it has to do with his expressed wish to be as far away as possible, not to be a distraction to the new administration. He earnestly is sympathetic to Tinubu in his challenging job of reforming the economy, and all the other leaders in expectations management of citizens, much of which is difficult- if not impossible- to meet. In the remoteness of Daura, he has found the atmosphere for a well-deserved rest, in silence and dignity and away from predatory pressures of Abuja. Buhari maintains a very simple daily routine of catching up with the news on radio and television each morning, enjoying the company of his grandchildren, meeting with scheduled guests and a one to two hour walk around his expansive farm inspecting crops and livestock. An avid reader who must get all available newspapers, President Buhari now has plenty of time to read and watch his favorite TV shows. As he marks his 82nd birthday, may he always be remembered and honored.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has turned his back on a prominent leader in the party who is currently serving as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nyeson Wike. Wike celebrated his 57th birthday on Friday, December 13. This was even as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a chieftain of the APC, attended the celebration, with a book launch in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State. Atiku, who is known to be sending birthday greetings to prominent leader in the party and outside it, went silent on Wike’s birthday, but later congratulated the new President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. However, the National Vice Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja was at the occasion, describing Wike as one of the most committed and loyal party leaders who believes in the politics of fairness, equity and justice. This was even as the Senate President, who unveiled a 536-page book titled: “A Remembrance of the Pragmatic Footprints of a Visionary Leader,” praised Wike for his excellent performance as two term of eight years as Governor of Rivers State. The book features pictures of the minister’s projects and achievements as governor of Rivers State. The Book was distributed to guests. In a paper he presented, Professor Julius Ihonvbere lamented that many Nigerian leaders still thought along ethnic, religious and opportunistic terms. “There is no national philosophy, no national consciousness. We believe that during football, we all come together and support; that is something we can sleep on and after the match…” One of the paper discussants and publisher of This Nigeria newspaper, Eric Osagie, believes that both leaders and followers are from the same stock and proceeded to extoll the virtues of the FCT Minister. In his remarks, the celebrant, Nyesom Wike, expressed surprise at the large turn out of people. He thanked all the associates that organized the event. He said that the day was not meant for political statements and rhetoric but for celebration. The event also featured traditional dances from various cultural troupes, and gifts were presented to the celebrant.
The Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security (NIIS) has advised the federal government of Nigeria to embrace technology by equiping security agencies with advanced facilities to confront the rising insecurity across the country. Rising from its 2024 17th Annual Security Conference in Lagos yesterday, December 14, the NIIS said that the only way to speedily address insecurity, including kidnapping, terrorism and others is for the government to adopt advance technology. The NIIS, headed by its President, Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami OFR, commended the efforts of the nation’s security forces for their commitment to securing the country from criminals, but stressed that with provision of state-of-the-art fighting tools, they would do better. The theme of the 17th Security Conference was: “Holistic Security in the Industrial Age: Integrating, Innovation, Ciber Resilience and Human Factor.” Experts in security system, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Fayode Adegote took turn to speak at the Conference and reached a consensus that there is need for government to equip security agencies with sophisticated, and technologically advanced tools to face the modern security challenges. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the conference, the Institute’s President, Isa Ozi Salami said that the conference did not bother itself about what happened in the past, but “looked forward to what needs to be done to holistically address the insecurity in the country.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that it has never been in his character to inflict pains and hardship on fellow Nigerians. President Tinubu, who spoke at the 48th convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State yesterday, December 14, said: “I am not unaware of the harsh economic situation of our country, neither do I take pleasure in inflicting pains and anguish on my compatriots.” The President, who was by his Special Adviser on Economy, Dr. Tope Fasua, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government. He said that his government has been working to ensure that the country works in favour of every citizen by correcting the mistakes made by past administrations. He stressed that his government will not embark on blame game but ready to change the country for better through his economic reforms. “Our reform policies were aimed at making Nigeria work for everyone, but the pains that come with the reform must be endured in the meantime.” Tinubu admitted that the country is faced with the stark reality of results of some policies hitherto executed by past administrations but which had no direct positive impact on the generality of our people. “We have gladly accepted the assets and liabilities of our heroes past without any intention of apportioning blames or pointing an accusing finger at any individual or group of people. “As we are trying to fix, reconfigure and correct past mistakes and errors, we implore all Nigerians to cooperate with us, to endure this unintentional hardship so that, like the graduates of today, we all can celebrate and be celebrated at the end of the day. I am certainly seeing the light at the end of our tunnel.” This was even as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, advised the graduating students to think outside the box so as to seize the opportunities that would be coming their ways. “I charge you all to think out of the box to seize the opportunities coming into the country. We must accept that things will be done differently to achieve meaningful development.” The Chancellor of the University and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said that the backbone of every nation is its investment in education which will drive its developmental drive in the competitive world. Also, the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, called on the 977 post graduates to deploy the knowledge to continue to build a nation full of opportunities for the coming generation.
The Nigerian chapter of International Press Institute (IPI) has re-elected the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times online newspaper, Musikilu Mojeed as President. Also re-elected at the end of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Media Trust Group, Ahmed I. Shekarau as Secretary. Their re-election, including that of other four officials, to run the affairs of the Nigerian affiliate of the global media body for the next three years, was unopposed. A statement by a member of the global executive board of the IPI, Raheem Adedoyin, said that other members elected into the executive committee of IPI Nigeria include Fidelis Mbah of Al Jazeera Television (deputy president), Rafatu Salami of Voice of Nigeria (treasurer), Yomi Adeboye of Herald Newspaper (assistant secretary) and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News (legal adviser). Speaking during the inauguration of the new leaders, Mojeed promised inclusive administration and solicited the support and commitment of members to enable his team achieve the organisation’s set objectives of enhancing the Nigerian media operating environment. The election of new leaders was preceded by the organisation’s annual general meeting where the Mojeed-led executives rendered account of their three-year stewardship and updated members on the financial state of the body. Some sections of the organisation’s constitution were also amended during the AGM. A major highpoint of the event was the arrival of ex-Governor Segun Osoba, a renowned journalist and prominent, longtime member of the IPI. He praised IPI Nigeria members for their commitment to press freedom, journalists’ rights and independent journalism. Chief Osoba, who recently returned from an overseas trip, further commended the organisation’s leadership for ensuring a successful conference. Apart from ex-Governor Osoba, some other prominent journalists who attended the AGM included a former Editor-In-Chief of Tribune Newspapers (who chaired the forum), Folu Olamiti; former presidential spokesperson and ex-President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Malam Garba Shehu; chairman of the Editorial Board of the Herald and member of the global board of the IPI, Adedoyin; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Oluwafisan Bankale and the Executive Director of the organisation, Dayo Aiyetan. Other dignitaries at the congress were Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos; Kunle Babs, the Nigerian Bureau Chief of Feature Story News; Danlami Nmodu, publisher of Newsdiary Online; Fabian Benjamin, editor-in-chief of JAMB Bulletin; Sule Yau Sule of Bayero University, Kano; Dotun Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online; Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Ochiaka Ugwu, an editor with Peoples Daily; Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist; Lawal Sabo Ibrahim, former managing director of The Triumph newspapers; Mohammed Danjuma, publisher of Katsina Times; Christopher Isiguzo, former president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ); Lanre Arogundade, executive director of the International Press Centre; Zainab Suleiman Okino, chair of the editorial board of Blueprint Newspapers; and Hameed Bello, chief operating officer of Peoples Daily newspapers. Earlier on Wednesday, IPI Nigeria hosted a well attended conference with the theme: “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space.” The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who chaired the conference’s opening day session said press freedom exists in Nigeria. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Tony Iredia. He disagreed with the minister, arguing fiercely that press freedom does not exist in Nigeria. The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, gave a presentation on “Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies” while the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, spoke on “How the Media and Journalists can Partner Anti-corruption Agencies in the Fight Against Corruption.” Similarly, former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, addressed participants on the topic “Government Vs Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship.” The three-part event concluded on the night of 12th December with a dinner for the organisation’s members, partners, and supporters. The International Press Institute (IPI), with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists. Since its establishment in 1950, it has consistently advocated for journalists’ rights and media freedom worldwide. IPI Nigeria is the Nigerian branch of IPI Global and is totally committed to credible and independent journalism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information in Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s biggest economy.
The Odovidi (traditional head) of Egbira speaking people resident in Kuje, the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Momohjimoh Abdulsalam, has paid a solidarity visit on the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello in the Kuje Correctional Center (prison). The Chief was accompanied on the visit today, December 14, by some leaders, including an elder statesman and retired school principal, Alhaji Yakubu Ozi Salami; Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and Author of Standard Ebira English Dictionary, Yusuf Ozi-Usman; a Director in the services of the FCT Administration, Alhaji Yusuf Momohjimoh, a youth leader, Asana Abdulsalam and others.
The visit came about 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the former Governor bail in the sum of N500 million. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had, yesterday, December 13, granted the bail and ordered him to provide two sureties with landed property in Abuja and that the title documents for these property should be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court. The court said that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means. It directed both Yahaya Bello and his sureties to submit recent passport photographs and to surrender his international passport, barring him from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval. “I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum who must possess landed property in Abuja.” The court directed that Yahaya Bello should remain in Kuje prison until the bail conditions are met. The bail was granted without opposition from the EFCC, which left the decision at the court’s discretion. The court scheduled February 24 and 28, 2025, for the commencement of the trial on the 19-count money laundering charges brought against the former Governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Yahaya Bello had pleaded not guilty to allegations of N80.2 billion fraud. Aides of the former Governor, friends and well-wishers swarmed Kuje prison today, on similar solidarity visit, offering prayers to him for quick return to his normal vibrant life.
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Nuhu Yakubu and the current Provost of the National Defence College, Abuja, Professor Adam Ahmed Abere Okene are among the first class scholars of Egbira extract that are expected to participate in a lecture being hosted by De Club 10 Kogi Central on December 26. According to the President of De Club 10, Alhaji Abdulrazak O. Leramoh, Professor Nuhu Yakubu will lead as keynote speaker on the topic: “Salvaging Egbira language from extinction: what must be done.” The President, in a chat with our Editor, said that other scholars expected to brainstorm on the topic at Afims Hotel in Okene are Professor Mariam Tenuche, Professor Abdulhameed Onsachi; President of the umbrella body of Egbira nation, Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Dr. Godwin Oyibo; Dr. Habiba Suleiman and Dr. Kabiru Abarkaka, as well as the chairman of Egbira Development Scheme, Alhaji S.S Salami (PEN).
He said that the Ohinoyi of Egbiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Anaje will be the father of the day, while the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will be Special Guest of Honour, adding that the governor will also be honoured with an award of good governance. Also to receive award of recognition are Professor M S. Audu, Chief J. O Omuya, Chief Edward Jatto, and Alhaji Hamza Lawal. De Club 10 President said that for a long time, government had neglected the development and teaching of Egbira language at the elementary education level as against what happened during and immediately after the colonial rule in Nigeria. He lamented that the efforts of a few authors who have written books on Ebira language to educate the younger ones across the world, have never seem to be yielding good result because of lack of encouragement from relevant authorities.
A total sum of N1.727 trillion, being November 2024 Federation Accounts Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils. The Director of Press and Public Relations in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, in a statement today, December 13, said that the revenue was shared at the December 2024 meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) held in Abuja. The N1.727 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N455.354 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N585.700 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.046 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N671.392 billion. A communiqué issued by the FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N3.143 trillion was available in the month of November 2024. Total deduction for cost of collection was N103.307 billion while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N1.312 trillion. According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N1.827 trillion was received for the month of November 2024. This was higher than the sum of N1.336 trillion received in the month of October 2024 by N490.339 billion. Gross revenue of N628.972 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2024. This was lower than the N668.291 billion available in the month of October 2024 by N39.318 billion. The communiqué stated that from the N1.727 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N581.856 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N549.792 billion. The Local Government Councils received total sum of N402.553 billion and a total sum of N193.291 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. On the N455.354 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N175.690 billion and the State Governments received N89.113 billion. The Local Government Councils received N68.702 billion and the sum of N121.849 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. From the N585.700 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N87.855 billion, the State Governments received N292.850 billion and the Local Government Councils received N204.995 billion. A total sum of N2.257 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N15.046 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N7.523 billion and the Local Government Councils received N5.266 billion. From the N671.392 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N316.054 billion and the State Governments received N160.306 billion. The Local Government Councils received N123.590 billion, while the sum of N71.442 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. In November 2024, Oil and Gas Royalty and CET Levies recorded significant increases, while Excise Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax(PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) decreased considerably.
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The visit came about 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the former Governor bail in the sum of N500 million.
He said that the Ohinoyi of Egbiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Anaje will be the father of the day, while the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will be Special Guest of Honour, adding that the governor will also be honoured with an award of good governance.
How Nigerian Politicians Use Stolen Public Funds In Senseless Escapades
What astonishes me is that in all the stealing, of public funds by the Nigerian Politicians, especially those in public service, they have not the faintest idea of how to use money. I am getting scared we are caught up in an age of fools.
What does Nigerian thieve do with money? He buys things. Then he buys power and more power. He traumatizes his community with his wealth. He makes the poor feel their poverty and the average person bemoan his averageness. Then he builds things: some big towers here and there which become the talking points of lesser idiots whose place in life is to praise those structures even as they hope to build same someday. He then goes after women; all shapes, sizes, tribes and tongues, for the sole reason of being able to boast about his conquest. He then gets honoured by religious homes devoted to Mammon where he gets praised by the worshippers of the idol who promise the money-man life hereafter for a slice of his goodies. Then he dies in hope that people will be talking about him. Soon he is forgotten like other fools.
Why do we Nigerians find it hard to understand the use and meaning of big money and are stuck on this selfish; this perverted notion of wealth? All you get is, the man came to that party in a big jeep; he has an aircraft, or two. He has an estate in Maitama or Ikoyi. He built up a street in London. Then he unleashed that money to buy up consciences and to stamp down truth. His shopping list would include pressmen, clergies, judges and policemen. He funds his policial party and he is rewarded with even more money which he recycles the same old way. Why is our idea of wealth so narrow and underdeveloped!
The challenge is not money, it is a lack of the knowledge of what actually to do with it. Where people have wisdom, they understand that once possessions go beyond a home and two cars with ample retirement fund, the use of money is to build your community and to build your nation. You invest wealth in people, beginning with your own children and those in your extended family who can be raised.
Isn’t it wonderful that not a single man or woman among these people who have spirited away billions of naira has thought of establishing a factory manufacturing cellphones in Nigeria? None has thought he should put together something to address such a huge market and potential for homegrown development? They can’t come together and say, ‘Lets solve the electricity problem’. None has said, ‘I want to make a dent on the housing challenge. I will go into affordable housing and build new cities’. None has said, ‘Most of our universities have a shortage of hostel accommodation. I’d like to address that and put in two billion per school. It is a proof of lack of sense, a proof of scandalous stupidity that with all those billions, there is no impact on society and people are mostly unemployed and there are no spectacular undertakings to fire the imagination of the younger ones. Why haven’t these guys come together and built the second and third Niger bridge and the 4th Mainland bridge in Lagos? Why can’t they make their money work for the society and push people forward? What’s the use of money that doesn’t serve society but only buys little things like cars and airplanes, just toys to flatter the little ego of the owner? It is foolish to think this limited way and even more foolish to admire and applaud such people. It is like drinking from a gutter.
I hope we can start to discuss money in terms of impact, not consumption. And when I say impact, I don’t mean those demeaning things politicians do when they give out okadas and wheel barrows to mock the poverty of their people. I mean real impact. Let’s solve the electricity problem. Let some rich persons decide to fix the 100km road linking Enugu to Port Harcourt. Let someone say, I want to train 500 youth corpers through an Oracle certification course and drop a cheque. Someone should fund the development of the Nigerian automobile in a university or two with N4 billion. Another should rise and rebuild all the houses in his village and connect them all to a potable water source. Let’s have some devotion to our country, to our people and put an end to this barbarism. Let’s make ourselves great on earth!