THE TALE OF TWO BROTHERS

The month of December 2016 will continue to remain a remarkable and unforgettable one for two Individuals. The first person is his Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahaya A.J.J Jameh Babil Mansa. Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Chief Custodian Of the sacred Constitution of the Gambia (don’t mind the Long Introduction ,That’s how he wants to be Addressed and his wish must be respected lol..) and the second person is His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama Executive President of Ghana. It will be remarkable for the two individuals whom I referred to as Brothers as they lost their re-election bid in their Country of Ghana and Gambia respectively.


President Yahaya Jameh have been in power since the 22nd of July 1994 through a military coup, he was later to be elected as Democratic President of Gambia in 1996. He was re-elected in the year 2001, 2006, and 2011 respectively. His last bid for the office this December was an exercise in futility as his opponent Adama Barrow defeated him in a resounding victory.on the other hand President John Mahama can be referred to as a child of circumstance, His case can be likened to that of Former President Goodluck Jonathan. He too never wanted to be President of Ghana his aim was to serve his boss as the Vice President of Ghana but fate played a fast one on him as his boss late President John Atta Mills succumbed to the cold hands of Death after a prolonged battle with a terminal Disease. Immediately this unfortunate event happened then Vice President Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the President of Ghana and was elected as the President of Ghana after his Victory in the Presidential election held few years after but his second term bid was not that successful as he lost to Ghana’s main opposition Leader Nana Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party. Now we have two incumbent Presidents losing their re-election bid. John Mahama and Yahaya Jameh all within a spate of two weeks.


This is the first time Yahaya Jameh is losing an election since 1994.Though some of his past winnings have been marred by one controversy or the other. On the 2nd of December when collation was still ongoing President Jameh conceded defeat in an unexpected manner of an individual that many have seen as a life-long President like Brother Robert Mugabe but the Mugabe spirit in Jameh died the moment he conceded . In the phone exchange transcript between President Jameh and Adama Barrow (The President-Elect) he said the following and I quote “Hello Your Excellency President Elect Mr. Barrow am fine, I am calling you to wish you all the best. The Gambian People have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of the Mighty Allah you are the elected President of the Gambia and I wish you all the best. I have no ill will and I wish you all the best” what a nice word from President Jameh! The whole word was caught unaware as there have been apprehension about what the man will do as news have been filtering everywhere earlier in the day that he is poised to lose the election but that singular action of him conceding changed People’s view about Yahaya Jameh. immediately after that conceding, torrents of wishes and applause was given to Jameh on social media and from world Powers including USA , UK, FRANCE ,GERMANY just as Jameh did President John Mahama never waited for the Electoral commission to declare him looser before calling and conceding defeat to Nana Akufo Addo.


His decision was not a surprise as anyone following John Dramani Mahama will know he is not a power monger unlike his other brother Yahaya Jameh, Mahama have pre-occupied himself with the business of promoting the unity, existence and oneness of the Gold coast country which he also re-emphasized in his concession speech he said “Notwithstanding our diversity, religious faiths, ethnic Groups and Political affiliation. We have also recognized that we are all on the same side which is the side of Ghana and its progress” with that speech he joined his brother President Jameh on that high pedestal of African Statesmanship but something strange happened in the sense that it wasn’t expected or foresee by anyone. On the 9th of December 8days after President Jameh have conceded defeat in the election the Mugabe Spirit in him manifested and he rejected the result citing unacceptable abnormalities. Immediately the news was out I thought it was a joke or a form of prank but it soon became clear that the man of the moment have fallen from the High Pedestal of African Statesmanship he once attained few days earlier. Many people were disappointed but I was not.


Any close watcher of Yahaya Jameh will know his love for Power knows no bound from his flamboyant lifestyles and multiple Proclamation of laws all aimed towards making himself the most powerful man of Gambia. I was watching a Video recently on YouTube where he abused an interviewer during a Programme; he accused the man of looking at his mouth. That one had to apologise immediately to avoid facing the wrath of Mr. President. That’s who Jameh is.He has been around for 22years and I think God have been favourable enough to him enough. in his 51 years in the land of the living he has been a President for 22years but Jameh won’t have any of that he has filed a Petition with the Supreme court of Gambia to contest the result. The United Nation through its African Representative Mohammed Ibn Chambas has met with him ditto the ECOWAS but there is no end in sight as Jameh have refused to let go of his decision of not accepting defeat.


The Failure of the ECOWAS Team led by President Johnson Sir leaf which included President Mahama himself and President Muhammadu Buhari among others was evident as Jameh said he cannot be intimidated by the ECOWAS team because he is not a coward, the Last time I checked no one called him a coward, all they are asking for is the respect of the will and right of Gambians to chose who leads them. Consequently the African Union have directed all President of the Union to attend the inauguration of Adama Barrow in January 2017, How that will happen is what we are waiting for as Jameh is not ready to go. There are more than enough means of unseating him forcefully which may include a military Intervention but I will advise Brother Jameh to learn from Brother Mahama that have turned himself to a Peace Ambassador and face of Democracy In Africa .as Yahaya Jameh said in his concession Speech the People of Gambia have Spoken, he have no reason to contest the will of Almighty Allah! He shouldn’t contest their will.


Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He Writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @donteeaaua
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WHEN CHAMPIONS TURN TO BEGGARS

Hear him… “Don’t forget that nobody even knew the team would emerge victorious. If we were confident they would emerge victorious, all the federation would have done is to plan for process of participation and entitlement” that’s Solomon Dalung the Man who took Buhari 6months to appoint as a Minister of Sports speaking on the inability of the federal  Government to pay the Falcons.

On the 3rd of December 2016, the Nigeria Senior female football team the Super falcons won the 10th Africa women championship cup finals in Yaoundé Cameroon defeating their opponents the lioness of Cameroon. It is worthy of mention  that Nigeria have won the cup 8th times out of the 10th edition held in the games. Few days later the victorious super falcons returned to Nigeria raising the banner of victory with lots of fanfare. But something Happened, the euphoria of their victory was cut short by no one else but their country Nigeria.That action made some of them ever regretting participating in the tournament. The entitlement and Allowances due to them were not Paid, in the words of Asisat oshoala one of the Playmaker of the team she described the situation as worrisome and embarrassing as the consistent habit of the NFF and the Ministry of sports in owing them their allowance and entitlements but despite the harsh conditions which these ladies were operating they still went ahead to win the tournament.

Since their return to Nigeria the President have not met the Victorious falcons to congratulate them on their Victory  a sharp contrast  to what exist during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan were they were handsomely rewarded for their hard work, what a Change!

The recent order given by the Federal Government concerning their payments have not been carried out as none of the falcons have been paid, the payment is only existing on paper, it’s so shameful that these African champions had to take to the street before their legal entitlement is given to them.Its shameful for a nation that prides itself as the giant of Africa and more shameful for those shouting Change begins with me!

The man behind the mess we’ve been  experiencing in the ministry of Sport over the last one year is still in office despite all the signs of incompetence trailing him, his tenure have been one mishap and Policy summersault over another. when Solomon Dalung was appointed as a minister his first task was to re awaken the long buried crisis of the Last NFF election between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, it took the intervention of FIFA that save the day for Amaju Pinnick.

As if that was not enough,the Nigeria Olympic team experienced all sorts of embarrassment from delayed flight  to inability to pay hotel bills and other logistics payment , one of our athlete had to open a Gofundme account to finance herself  to the Olympics and represent her country not even herself, the Opening parade of the Olympics was another pointer to the incompetency of the Minister of Sports as they had to wear a tracksuit for parade as their parade dress arrived late for their usage .the minister of sport was busy deceiving Nigerians that adequate preparations have been put in place but on the long run we got to see there is nothing on  ground , the Preparation was so adequate according to Solomon Dalung View  that Mikel Obi had to pay the Hotel bills of their team and a Japanese doctor had to foot part of their bills and render other Financial Assistance to the Team after the Olympics, Hmmm so adequate indeed.


In sharp contrast to how  the Federal Government o Nigeria have handled th Falcons, The Senior women national  football team of Cameroon that came second in the tournament were hosted and honoured at the Presidential Palace of their country by President Paul Biya and the First Lady, the environment was so conducive and accommodating for the girls ,the President  had to do away with Protocols as he was seeing taking selfies with the girls, and talking to each one of them same as the first lady .the Lioness of Cameroon never won the AWCON like Nigeria but they’ve been honoured by their country that’s how to treat heroes and champions, in the words of President Biya he said “ you may not have won the final but you have managed to win our hearts and encourage our administration”  that’s a country whose leaders hold its People in high esteem.The lioness never had to protest to get what belongs to them they never had to lock themselves up in  hotel before they were given what rightfully belongs to them unlike the way we treated our own .


Heroes and Champions have not been given their rightful place in Nigeria both sportsmen and non sportsmen. the later life of Rashidi yekini the man who scored our first world cup goal was  so embarrassing that he had to begged to survive ,there was even account of insanity about him and the family had nothing to take care of him ,he died and was buried like a nobody. it took the intervention of Nigeria’s senate President Dr Bukola Saraki to renovate their house and give yekini’s mother a new lease of life, the case of Rashidi Yekini is  one out of many the man that designed our national Flag Pa taiwo Akinkunmi had to come to who deserves to be a millionaire sometimes ago to raise money for his upkeep and health care when he has been abandoned by his country Thanks To MTN Nigeria for the Initiative . These two cases are one out of many of how those that have given all to Nigeria have received Nothing from Nigeria, in England we can see how David Beckham is being idolised, some Nigerians that played football the same time with David Beckham have disappeared into thin air today, there is no money and any other thing to boast of after giving their all to their country.


How do we tell upcoming generations to serve Nigeria with all their might when their heroes are not been rewarded for their good deeds? This shame has to stop, The Super Falcons are heroes, they are not beggars , they are not to be embarrassed and abused. They are to be honoured. President Buhari should meet these girls and Apologise to them for the way they were treated so as to repose confidence in them about the country called Nigeria. The Labour of Our Heroes shall never be in vain. Amen


Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @donteeaaua
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A NOTE TO GOVERNOR EL-RUFAI

Jean Claude juncker the President of European commission once said and I quote “We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it” that quote have summarized the sad state of Nigerian politics in particular, Politicians will come for campaigns, make promises and on the long run there won’t be anything to point out to as their major achievement. In contrast what will u say about those that know the right thing to do but they’ve refused to do it, this is the case of Governor Nasir Elrufai Executive Governor of Kaduna State. I’ve been a long standing admirer of Elrufai since his days as the Minister of FCT that was when he endeared himself to me and thousands of other admirers and it gives us hope that something good can still happen to Nigeria when we have the right hands in government.Despite all the challenge he had with the issue of demolition of illegal properties especially the one that led to a disagreement between him and Chief Tony Anenih he was unperturbed and he left the office head up high, after that he became a columnist with Thisday Newspaper and I was a constant reader and commentator under his articles then especially the Budget series he wrote about the 36 states of the Federation,as a result he was poised for greater exploits as the Governor of Kaduna state.

However, since assumption of office Elrufai have been embarking on some actions that is affecting the gains of development he want the state to achieve under his watch ,the Governor have Pre-occupied himself with things that could make him the worst Governor Kaduna ever had in recent years and that will cast a blithe on his shinning Curriculum Vitae. Kaduna as a state have been volatile and divided over the years with no sign of it been abated in recent years. From the Kaduna riot of 2000 that claimed over 3000 souls and displaced thousands to the 2012 riots now to the recent Shites- Army clash of December 2015. It’s all Pointer to the Volatility of Kaduna. These riots and clashes are unforeseen circumstances that any Leader is expected to confront but the ability to manage it well is what distinguish the leader from someone prepared for Governance and someone not prepared.

The Army- Shites clash is one of the occurrences that have put Elrufai in the news for the wrong reasons recently, this unfortunate incidence accounts for casualties on the side of the Shites. The casualty was so much that some shites members were given Mass burial, immediately this event happened the leader of shites Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky was arrested alongside his wife and detained by the DSS till this moment, a court of competent jurisdiction just granted them Bail but they are yet to enjoy the Bail, the Government of Kaduna state after the incident embarked on mass destruction of some properties belonging to the Shites from mosques to schools to houses on the basis of not having certificate of occupancy. As if that was not enough the Governor set up a panel of enquiry to look into the issue, the shites refused to appear but rather send their lawyer to the panel on the basis that they won’t appear before any panel until their leader is released , after sitting for over five weeks the Panel in its report indicted the Nigerian Army for complicity in the clash , the Governor also placed a ban on the activities of the shites which to me is commendable to forestall further breakdown of law and order .

However, the recent pronouncement of Kaduna State Government in which it labelled the shites group as insurgents calls for attention from well meaning, deep thinking Nigerians. The Shites Group according to reports has been in Kaduna for over 30 years and they have members across the country and across all Professions, they have schools, mosques, farms which show their seriousness about their religious dealings. I think Governor Elrufai should be Pragmatic in his approach towards curbing the excesses of these People. In the Build up to the 2015 elections Governor Elrufai and President Buhari visited Sheikh Elzakzaky Separately to seek for his support, so when did shites become Terrorist? Is anything happening behind the scene we are not privy to? cos this issue needs to be well monitored, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has already condemned the Governor on that decision labeling Shites as Insurgents and also the Borno Elders Forum alerted the President about the Veracity of Governor Elrufai decision Labelling them as Terrorist in relation to how the Boko Haram Crisis Started in Borno too. The Boko Haram sect also started like an Islamic movement but due to the mis-handling of their issues by Borno state Government it has become our worst Nightmare since 2009 till date killing over 20,000 Nigerians with attacks in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other locations, we can’t afford to have the second Boko Haram from Kaduna state.

The Kaduna Preaching Regulations bill introduced by the Governor too have been another source of controversy in the state, the Governor have not been able to manage the issue successfully despite all his defence that it’s not targeted at any particular Organization it has been condemned by all religious bodies in the state both Christians and Muslims . the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have dragged the Governor and some individuals before justice Hajara Gwadah of Kaduna state High court, urging the Court to declare the Bill Null and Void. This Bill has divided Kaduna more than it has ever been.


In the same vein, the Kaduna state Governor ongoing battle with senator Sheu Sanni which has led to the expulsion of the Senator from Kaduna APC is another endless battle the Governor have embarked on and the two sides have been throwing accusations at each other, just few days ago Senator Sheu Sanni office was attacked by Hoodlums and the Senator accuse the Governor that is expected to be the Chief Security Officer of the State as brain behind the attack


That Governor Elrufai is doing lots of wrongs and making himself unpopular by the day is not far- fetched as he hasn’t been able to promote the peace required in a volatile state like Kaduna. All this actions of his has beclouded other achievement he might be making in other sector of the state, it’s high time the Governor face the business of Governance and promote peace as expected of a Chief Executive Officer of a State, lots of Young Nigerian Youth are looking Up to him and he needs to make more friends than enemies, He was elected to work, He should work!


Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @donteeaaua
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THE ERA OF CHANGE IN NEGATIVITY

Dear Customer, please be informed that from 1st December 2016, some MTN Data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC to operators. Thank you. That was the message MTN sent to its subscribers including me on the 28th of November 2016 about their proposed increment in data tariffs. This plan was later halted on the 30th of November due to the backlash the decision received from Nigerians. To any close observer of the Buhari Administration the issue of tariffs and price increment is a norm. Since this government came into being it has been one increment or the other.



January 18 2016 the Federal Government of Nigeria imposed stamp duty of 50 Naira on bank customers for money received into their Accounts. When this directive was released to the Public there was outcry but the Federal Government have its way and it has been implemented since then. Fast forward to March 2016 the Federal Government of Nigeria through the President himself declared publicly that Nigeria can’t meet the forex demand for students studying Abroad. The President said this in an interview he granted Aljazeera Television Network during his trip to Qatar, he hinged the decision on the fact that high demand of Forex by Parents whose children are schooling abroad is putting a lots of pressure on the Naira which in turn is affecting the Nation’s Economy.



This decision was so unpopular that one of my mentor Dr Dele Momodu in his Pendulum backpage Column in Thisday Newspaper advised the President to shelve the decision in an article titled “President Buhari ,Don’t offend those kids” he highlighted why the forex demands should not be scrapped and how some of these kids have brought lots of glory to Nigeria but as the military man that Buhari was ,even though he claimed to be a repentant democrat, he had his way and till today some Nigerians have dropped out of school outside the country, some Parents have withdrawn their children back to Nigeria to school. The sad part of this is that some of these children are in their finals and some in Universities. One of my facebook friend Posted this on his timeline ‘A tale of two Presidents”, while in office Goodluck Jonathan kids schooled in Nigeria yet he provided forex for our kids to school abroad including Buhari’s Children, but now Buhari is denying us Forex to send our children abro
ad’ that message sums up how bad things have become .


This and other inactions of the President is making him unpopular everyday but I don’t think his advisers are telling him something is going wrong but to prove me right that the President is not concerned his Special Adviser Garba Sheu informed us that his oga at the top prefers reading cartoon inside Newspapers than news . as a result the President doesn’t know how we are feeling and the state of the Nation.



Also in January 2016 the Federal government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced a 45 Percent increment in electricity tariff. This among other unpopular decision of the Buhari Administration was rejected by the Public but the decision was imposed despite the protest by the National Assembly, Labour and other Public commentators .Till date the Electricity situation in Nigeria have gone from bad to worse despite increment in Tariff .so what’s the gain for ordinary Nigerian from the Buhari Government-nothing!



As if that was not enough on the 11th of May 2016. The federal Government jerked up the Petrol Price from #86.50 to #145 and this was followed by Nationwide protests and to summarize it all the Buhari led Federal Government have their way and we are still hearing news that the 145 is not sustainable so what’s the change for Nigerians ?? What’s that thing that we can point to as what have been better in Nigeria than it was in 2015? A bag of rice that use to be 10,000 is now 23,000, a bag of Beans that used to be 18000 is now 27,000 among other food commodities that have gained 100% increment.


No single Project have been commissioned by the Buhari Administration apart from the Abuja –Kano Railway that was built by the Jonathan Administration. Majority of their campaign Promises have been cancelled for one reason or the other, the 5000 Naira Stipend for unemployed Nigerians have been cancelled, the free school feeding Programme have been cancelled, The Police recruitment Failed, what we’ve seen is the recruitment of their wards into NNPC, CBN and other juicy Federal Government agencies while the children of the “mekunnu” have been restricted to N-POWER jobs.


Just Recently The Federal Government led by President Buhari Increased the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, pension and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, which were applied on gross salary which is making some of the workers to have as much 30 per cent reduction in salary.a Decision that have been condemned by the Ekiti State Governor Already but as expected Buhari will have its way, this is Happening when the Economy is In Recession Already.



The failure of the Buhari Administration received a grand endorsement by the First Lady Hajia Aisha Buhari when she declared that this hardship and other ills of the Buhari led Government was not what her husband promised Nigerians and she wont be supporting Buhari come 2019 but the President few days after replied her by saying she belongs to the Kitchen, the living room and the Other room. That comment also goes to show the view of the President concerning women empowerment as they have no place in his government compared to how they were honoured in the Jonathan Government. We can’t continue like this.


As former President Obasanjo said recently in Lagos that Buhari was not elected to complain, he was elected to work. Let the President work for us and make Nigeria better than he met it. Let there be Change in a Positive Manner !

Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a forward looking Nigerian Youth, He writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @donteeaaua
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Instagram – Dontee15

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NIGERIAN YOUTH IN A MOMENT OF RECESSION

Toyosi Ayeleso, Co-Founder of Csiredcarpetmedia in a tweet on the 10th of March 2016 tweeted as follows ’How do you convince upcoming generation that education is the key to success when they are surrounded by Poor Graduates and rich criminals’’ The Tweet was retweeted many times until it caught my eyes ,the tweet is a simple summary of How the Nigerian youth have been in Recession, the word Recession came to our national Consciousness recently due to the Poor state of Nigerian economy at the moment but unknown to many, Nigerian youth have been in this state before the economy joined them in the world of recession and it has become unabated.


The decline in thinking and innovation is on the increase especially in this century .youths no longer fancy education, innovation and they’ve stopped dreaming Big .Majority of people they see on a daily basis have made a mess of what should be the resultant effect of being educated . Youths nowadays are being influenced by the rich criminals they find on Instagram Facebook and other social media displaying money, gadgets, cars, expensive jewellery and others. These are people with no-known source of livelihood , Cross dressers, same sex advocates and corporate prostitutes have filled the air they all have one name they are “Business Men”,a quick Google search of their name won’t show any business they owe ,they are good in posting fake motivational messages with their pictures which doesn’t relate to their lives ,They’ve continued to put the youths in recession as they are now appreciated better .

The good ones around them like Ayodele dada ,Ola Orekunrin, Adebola williams,Bayo omoboriowo,chude jideonwo, Tosyn Bucknor , Linda ikeji, the list is endless have never inspired them, they’ve seen them as too “BOOKISH” but unknown to them they are the people we need to get out of this mental recession we are currently experiencing ,Recently Mark Zuckerberg was in Nigeria, only few serious Nigerian Youths that are not experiencing recession saw something good in his visit as it serves as a wakeup call to what Youths can do for themselves the mention on social media was not as heavy as expected but when it comes to Bayo, Bobrisky and other people like the rich criminals on social media that have not added a GDP to the mental capacity of Nigerian Youth the likes, mentions and retweets are in thousands.



This calls for a moment of thinking and sober reflection ,Nigerian youths Must fight their way out of this recession ,we must be thinkers, readers, stand up to challenge, improve our Value added ability to the society, set goals and most importantly we should never loose our Focus ,All Nigerian are Born great Naturally and this greatness must be unearthed and put to use .Hence this mental recession may not end soon and as Chief Obasanjo Said in his Famous letter to Former President Good luck Jonathan “Before its too late’’ let’s do something

Adesina Tosin Nathaniel
Ikorodu Lagos.
Adesinatosin1@gail.com.

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THE AUDACITY OF CORRUPTION

John Dahlberg-Acton an English Catholic Historian, Politician and Writer in one of his Famous Quote stated as Follows “Power corrupts and absolute Power corrupts Absolutely Great Men are almost always bad Men”. This simple quote is a summary of the resultant effect of Power and the evil it breeds.
The word Corruption is one of the most searched words about Nigeria according to Google.And anyone familiar or not familiar with Nigeria will readily and hastily tells you something about Nigeria and that thing is Corruption. From time to time it has dominated our national discourse from Pre-Independence Nigeria till this moment and there is no sign of it being abated. The former British Prime Minister David Cameron was once caught on camera telling the Queen of England of how “Fantastically Corrupt’’ Nigeria is. This shows how bad corruption have destroyed our international reputation, The Transparency International in its yearly report for 2016 ranked Nigeria as the 136th in its corruption Perception Index scoring 26 out of a Possible 100 .
The most intriguing part of the Transparency International report was where it submitted That “five of the 10 most corrupt countries also rank among the 10 Least Peaceful places in the world” which means the Boko-Haram crisis and other uprising being witnessed in Nigeria today are the resultant effect of Corruption.
The Government of former President Obasanjo established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) but what these two agencies have been known for doing is being used by Politicians and Parties in Power for political Witch-hunt and Media –Trial. They now go after Yahoo Boys while those that stole the Treasury dry are walking freely on the streets and receiving one Chieftaincy title or the other and Bagging Honorary PHD!
Recently the former Chairman of House of Representative Appropriation Committee Honorable Abdulmumin Jibrin blew the whistle on the Corrupt Practices behind the approved and padded Nigeria 2016 budget and he got suspended for it. He is challenging his suspension in court at the moment. The Audacity of Corruption in Nigeria even made the Speaker Honorable Yakubu Dogara to deny ever knowing about Padding in an interview with the Media after paying a visit to President Buhari at the Villa and in act of I don’t give a damn accepted to have the right to add and delete from the budget few days later which is normal but not by inserting fictitious projects inside the Budget. Till today Dogara and other alleged members of the House of Representatives are walking freely and they are both members of the “CHANGE” Party (Dogara and Jibrin) one is ready for the change while the other is not ready.
As if that was not enough the House of Representatives under Dogara have spent a whooping #3.6Billion on Purchase of exotic cars when the country is currently on recession. The Deputy Chairman House committee on media and Public affairs Mr. Jonathan Gaza said they needed the cars for oversight functions and these same house of Representatives members have collected Car allowance and other allowances. The ongoing recession have prevented the Federal Government from Paying the much Publicised #5000 stipend to unemployed Nigerians but the recession have not prevented the House of Representatives Members from spending #3.6Billion on exotic Vehicles. That’s what Nigeria has become under Politicians with insatiable acquisition of wealth. It’s not about Political Parties, The Corruption blood flows in both APC and PDP.
The former Governor of Delta State James Ibori is currently serving a jail term in UK on Corruption allegations levelled against him, late DSP Alamieyeseigha finally got a Presidential Pardon from the Jonathan led Government among other PDP members tried for corrupt Practices. The APC members too have not been different. In the Lagos State controlled APC billions of Naira is spent annually as Pensions for former Governors and their Deputies and the minimum wage in Lagos is still #18,000. These Former Governors and their Deputies have more than enough money and Properties and paying them pensions is like pouring a cup of water into the ocean which is needless but the Corruption blood flowing in Nigeria politicians will not make them see reasons to stop the so called Pension. People that served the state for 35years don’t earn up to 500 thousand Naira as monthly Pension but Politicians that served for just 8years are earning millions as Pensions with Cars and MANSIONS.
In Edo state, another APC State the House of Assembly have just approved millions of Naira to build houses for former Governors and their Deputies when the Country is undergoing recession and funds are needed to be channelled into infrastructure. As we can see the blood of corruption flowing in Nigerian Politicians is same for PDP and APC. While we are still recovering from the news of the Edo pension for Political office Holders, Thisday Newspaper on the 19th of November 2016 reported that the APC Governor in Ogun state Ibikunle Amosun Billion Naira Mansion located at First Avenue in ibara Housing Estate of Abeokuta is nearing conclusion. To show the taste of His “Excellency’’ a leading Italian Construction Company Monterosa which is regarded as one of the most expensive building construction company in the Country is building the mansion for the Governor with the M.K.O Cap. What a wonderful stuff (in Falz Voice). Not only that the Governor Mansion has an underground bullet proof banquet hall that can sit 350 People and another Underground Car Park that can accommodate 50 Cars. All the appliances in this mansion are imported from Dubai, France and Italy.The Governor cannot even Patronise made in Nigeria appliances. Besides the Governor is targeting January 2017 for completion of the Mansion.
When I first read about the mansion I thoughts it’s a joke but till this moment of writing this article the Ogun state Government have not re-butted the News as its their practice . This is an admittance of the Truthfulness in the reportage by Thisday Newspaper. According to the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) The salaries and allowances for Governors for their Four Years and even eight years is not up to 5billlion Naira so where did Amosun get the Money to build his Multi Billion Naira Bullet Proof Mansion, I’m very sure EFCC won’t act on this news so far it’s not Fayose or a PDP Governor nor the Yahoo Boys or the MMM participants. This has gone to show how fake the anti-corruption campaign of Buhari and His Party is. Ogun state at the moment owes workers backlogs of salaries and Pension, even Members of the NLC and TUC that called for the strike have been suspended from their work but Mr. Governor is more interested in his Billion naira mansion. This is what I’ve been saying about the audacity of Corruption.
Nigeria Political leaders have stolen us dry and they are still stealing as they will never stop and this has damaged the reputation of our dear Country. It’s high time our Political leaders realize that they’ve done more evil than good to us as Nigerians and stop blaming us for the misdeeds of Nigeria. Let the Change begins with them and the citizens will follow Suit!
Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He Writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @donteeaaua
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HOW NOT TO BE A LAGOSIAN

Democracy as we all know is the government of the people by the people and for the people. It is the most acceptable form of governance in the whole world, as it’s a people centred form of government compared to military dictatorship and others. Lagos as a state is not an exception when it comes to having democratic leaders that have endeared themselves to Lagosians due to the dividends of democracy that they’ve churned out since the time of ‘Alhaji lateef Kayode Jakande to the present government of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
Though He had a shaky start with little skirmishes here and there, but he has won the heart of every Lagosians. Where will I start from? Is it the investment in security, light up Lagos, the Lagos response unit, construction of internal roads in Lagos among others, the whole General hospitals across Lagos are wearing a new look an example is the General Hospital Ikorodu that was completely renovated and equipped. The average waiting time in this Hospital is about 5mins for each patient; even the main opposition party in the state the PDP couldn’t hide their feelings about the dexterity of Ambode as they have commended the governor for justifying his election with his numerous achievements.
This however should not be a surprise as he said in his inaugural speech as follows “we will make Lagos work for you” and truly Lagos is working. However some people have started reversing the gains of these good deeds of the Lagos state Government. The rate at which some Lagosians have taken it upon themselves to be a clog in the wheel of progress calls for attention from the Government and all well meaning Lagosians, to buttress my point I will give some examples.
On a Wednesday evening I was returning back to Ikorodu from work what I saw at mile 12 was embarrassing. A man that would be in his early 30s was seen cutting a railing that was used as barricade along the mile12 Ikorodu road to say I was shocked was an understatement. He was there cutting the railings unhindered, not even the Presence of Police in the RRS vehicle Parked about few metres away from the spot could stop him, then I started thinking what could have happened to his mental capacity that the next thing he could think of was destroying a Public Property, the next morning on my way to work I met the place empty. The Railing is gone!
As if that was not enough the part of the barricade made of iron gauge that was installed at ketu under bridge late last month have been destroyed ,people now cross the road instead of using the Pedestrian bridge and Police officers and LASTMA officers did nothing to prevent people from crossing through the destroyed barricade, The newly constructed BRT Bus Stops In ketu/ojota have been defaced already even when construction work is still ongoing. In my street some items were removed by some unknown souls and rendered our new Transformer useless until the CDA Fixed it again, the removal of manholes from roads especially in Marina, Costain axis of Lagos is a common sight to behold, another example is the conversion of Ebutte-Ibeshe road roundabout to a mini shrine as all form of sacrifices are placed on the roundabout ,this was a road commissioned with fanfare by Former Governor Fashola, the newly constructed fence at ketu market too have been defaced with job vacancies and other inscriptions. I have countless examples that I see every day that even Lagosians know in their environment.
The effect of this is that we are slowing down the rate at which growth and development takes place in our Dear state .if government spend tax payers money on infrastructure and it got destroyed by citizens we are not punishing the governor, we are punishing ourselves and its making life unbearable, increasing the amounts of funds spent on maintenance which Could have been used to construct more.
I will like to call on all Lagosians to make protection of Public infrastructures our utmost responsibility, these infrastructures are built with our money and it shouldn’t be destroyed same way we won’t pray for anyone to destroy the house we build and I will also call on Government to prosecute suspected vandals as this will serve as a warning to intending ones. Lagos won’t experience progress if we keep destroying what belongs to us. Let’s Protect our Infrastructure. It’s ours.
And one more thing…
Badoo is still around!
The Name Badoo is the name of a Popular Nigerian Rapper Olamide Adedeji who is known for delivering his lyrical raps in Yoruba language but that name is now a name the inhabitants of Ikorodu town in Lagos State don’t want to hear. It all started last year in Ibeshe axis of Ikorodu when a man engaged in the act of Raping, Robbery and killing of unsuspected victims casualty started from 1 until its now over 30 and still counting, some have died in the Process why some were lucky to escape the evil he represents . since then the Ibeshe area have been so unsafe for citizens as some have relocated from the area because of Badoo .there was reprieve last year when news went round that Badoo was lynched by some residents of Ibeshe, what we don’t know is that It has evolved into a group of criminals as the name Badoo is still in everyone’s mouth.
On the 9th of November 2016 the Igbo-Agbowa community of Ikorodu that have been peaceful for years was thrown into confusion when we all woke up to the news of Badoo’s attack on some residents of the community the Victims escaped Death by whiskers but were badly injured in the attack . since that day everyone have been Living in the fear of the unknown , Shops now close earlier than usual as early as 8pm, some residents have resorted to buying dogs and other security materials .the Nigeria Police Force have been doing their Patrols from the day of the attack till now and combing the environment for suspects but this is not enough, we need the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi to step into this matter and prevent Ikorodu town from becoming a den of criminals, Ikorodu have had its fair share of Armed Robbery, Militancy Attack, Kidnapping and now Badoo from Last year till date. Ikorodu needs Government intervention in area of security. May God protect us all From Evil!!!
Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He writes From Ikorodu Lagos.
For more of His Writings Visit http://www.donteewrites.wordpress.com
Tweets @Donteeaaua
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