The Innoson/GTB Saga: Why Nigerians Are The Easiest People To Rule by Bayo Adeyinka

I used to think Nigeria was a very difficult country to govern. Now, I think I know better. This country is one of the easiest to rule over. Once you understand the psychology of the average Nigerian, it's easy to have a field day. This current Innoson versus GTB saga exposes the mind of the average Nigerian.

The average Nigerian has the concepts of right and wrong blurred. Right is only right when their personal rights are breached. At other times, it doesn't matter. The average Nigerian loves to get involved in fights that don't concern them. Especially when big men are involved. In Nigeria, we have little men fighting in different corners for big men. In saner climes, big men fight for their little men. We either fight for Atiku or we are throwing punches on behalf of Buhari. We shout in support of Wike or demonstrate in support of Amaechi. Meanwhile, big men never fight big men- they employ smaller men. Our leaders understand our make up perfectly. The average Nigerian loves drama. So they make sure, it is one week, one drama. Just last week, it was the hijab episode. Give a Nigerian good soap opera and he forgets his misery.

An average Nigerian doesn't really care about corruption. What he is worried about is that the crumbs are not coming his way fast enough. The Nigerian politician understands that perfectly. So they throw packs of Lipton tea and Gala at us. Some are magnanimous and they increase the crumbs to packs of Indomie 'Hungry Man' size. Others will allow the citizens enjoy free train rides. The average Nigerian loves freebies. They really don't care that there is really no freebie anywhere. It is Abu's money that is being used to give Abu a treat but Abu doesn't even care to understand. The average Nigerian doesn't have any ideology. That's why he finds it easy to explain away anything- including how politicians jump ship.

And here's the big two- tribal affiliations and religion. Our leaders understand that if you want to muddle up a case, introduce the twin evils of tribal affiliations and religion. Our colonial masters understood this strategy and used it to their advantage. Have we really considered critically what they termed 'indirect rule'? The strategy of 'indirect rule' continues till this day. While the characters have changed, the modus operandi remain the same. Even the most upright are caught in those traps at times. Here, some make very sweeping hasty generalizations- Yorubas are betrayers. Yorubas hate Igbos. Igbos are fraudsters. Hausas are the problems of Nigeria. We forget that we are all victims held together unwittingly and unwillingly in this contraption called Nigeria.

And here's where I'm going: the Innoson versus GTB case has now become a tribal issue. What was a mere business matter between two business partners has become a national trouble. Our leaders understand that we joke too much and we are never a serious minded people. Maybe that's why the comedy industry is booming even in recession. We make jokes about everything. Is it not a joke when some are encouraging others to close their GTB accounts even when they barely understand the issues on ground? Nigerians lack capacity for deep introspection, truly. So if there's a run on GTB because it is a Yoruba bank that wants to kill an Igbo business, what will happen to branches of GTB all over the South East? What will happen to the branch managers (who are most likely Igbos), the Relationship Officers, the tellers, the security men and several hundreds employed by the Bank? If you really don't care, what about those who supply products and services to GTB branches in the South East such as diesel, their kitchens and restaurants, stationeries, local artisans like electricians, carpenters and painters who are called to attend to one issue or the other? Is it not an irony of sorts that it is this same set of people who are rushing to close their accounts? A case of the real victim not knowing he's the victim- a flea attacking a dog in order to kill it but not knowing it will die before the dog! I saw a poster where an individual said he asked his two billionaire brothers to move their funds. Well, one thing he forgot is that most likely these billionaire friends of his might also be indebted to the bank. All big men use debt to expand their businesses- it's not a crime. The bigger you are, the bigger your debt usually- especially once you have demonstrated capacity. But if they want to move, they need to pay down first. It's not quite easy, you know.

The Innoson versus GTB saga should never have been a social media war. E no concern us. It's a purely business relationship gone sour between two business partners. People are too emotional rather than logical. Most of those rushing to close accounts can't even apply for a loan of N1m not to talk of N1b or more like Inmoson was given. So why are they losing sleep over matter wey no concern them? How many of them can afford to buy the least of Innoson's vehicle? Both of them will bury the hatchet and shake hands very soon. And you, O little men, will not be there. When big men shake hands, little men are never invited. Meanwhile, if Innoson has been accused of committing a financial crime, does helping the economy as a home-grown industrialist invalidate the act?

Anyway, our big men understand we don't have staying power. In a week, the music would have changed as another movie debuts.

Please I'm looking for fuel. Who has 25 liters to borrow me?

How People Make Their Rulers Monsters and Other lessons by Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo

When Otunba Niyi Adebayo won the election to be the Governor of Ekiti State, in 1999, not many people gave him a chance of making any meaningful impact because he was considered a greenhorn. What people, however, did not know was that the young man watching his father, late General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, former Military Governor of the old Western Region of Nigeria, had gained a lot of insights even without being an active participant.

Niyi, a lawyer by profession, shares notes on his life in the Government House in Ekiti, and lessons for other professionals who want to venture into politics. Enjoy the reading.

Lesson 1: Politics is not dirty.

People use statements like ‘politics is a dirty game’ to drive good people away from politics. For me, what I have come to discover is that the more good people go into politics, the cleaner it will become. If you have clean people going into politics, they will clean up the system. Interestingly people who are insider want to prevent other people from coming in because they don’t want competition, they tell you it is a dirty game, don’t come. No, it is not. That is what I found out. What is politics about? It is about the people who will be in charge of the country. If you don’t have good people in charge of the country, you do not have a good country. So, the cleaner the people that come in, the better it would be for the country. My advice to professionals, Christians, Muslims, and religious people is that the more good people we have in politics, the better for our country. Once you have something good to offer, give it a shot. You never can know what impact you can make.

Lesson 2: You need to create your own identity

For me, going into politics was not to make money; it was about making a name. When you are the child of a successful man, you are always in his shadow. I wanted to come out from under that shadow and make my own name, so that people would not refer to me as General Adebayo’s son, but rather as Niyi Adebayo. I believe I was able to achieve that because my going into politics was not self-serving. It was about service to my people and I saw it as stepping stone to greater things. I do not believe my political life has ended yet. I believe there is still more on the horizon for me politically which I am working towards.

Lesson 3: People turn their rulers into monsters.

One lesson I learnt while in government is that it is people that make governors or presidents to misbehave when they get into office. It is the people that you are governing that turn you into a monster. As a governor, people believe that their whole lives are dependent on you. That is, if they get into your right hand, they can become billionaires tomorrow, even without doing anything. To a large extent, that is true. It will only take one contract and you are made. Consequently, people do not tell their rulers the truth because they want to be in their good books. They elevate them to a god-like status. Even when you are doing foolish things, they will tell you ‘brilliant’, and because everybody is praising you, after a while you too will begin to believe that you are doing the right thing and you begin to question your judgment. And as you keep imbibing their praise-singing, you may lose control of yourself. So, to be a good governor or administrator and not lose control, this is where a good wife comes in handy because when you are losing control, she will tell you things as they are -frankly. But if you don’t have that kind of wife, you will lose control and start to believe everything they tell you even when you know they are not accurate. You start fighting real critics that are criticising you for the good of all. The sycophants will be telling you ‘what do they know, don’t mind them, they are only seeking attention.’ You know as you keep listening to them after a while, you begin to believe the sycophants and everybody that disagrees with you becomes an enemy. I experienced this first hand. It was my wife who helped me to keep my focus.

So, you need a good wife and good old friends, preferably those you grew up together with. Make sure you give them access to you because they will tell you the truth because they know where you are coming from.

I had my father’s experience to teach me. I saw my father as a governor. I saw him after office; I saw how people were with him when he was the governor, I saw how fewer people were with him afterwards. I was able to come to terms with the fact that this thing is temporary; it is not forever. Another luck I had was that I grew up in Lagos; I lived in Lagos. I went to be the governor in Ekiti. When I ended up being governor I came back to Lagos and what I did whenever I was in Lagos as governor, and I want to go out to the polo club or any other such places to relax. I would drive myself; I would take along a security man in mufti. He would wait for me in the car; I would move normal like before. So, I tried as much as possible to be my normal self.

Lesson 4: Give access to as many people as you can

As the governor then, I saw that you could be imprisoned and shut away from good people. But if worked against that by ensuring that as many people that needed to see me had access to me. I would read any letter somebody wrote to me. If it is something I should pass to someone else, I would minute on it. If I needed to reply, I would reply. I was doing that because that was the only way I could get a feel of what was going on in the state. You knew how people were feeling about you. That way, I knew what was happening in the state. Sometimes even before I get security report from the security agencies, I already knew what happened because somebody had already written and told me about it.   I got very useful information this way including an experience where I learnt that my associates were using my name to collect money from those who wanted to get Cof O. I was able to address that by information by an ordinary person who I allowed to see me on a Sunday.

Lesson 5: You need a good home to achieve your dreams.

First of all, I would say that I have been blessed by God because I married a very wonderful woman. My wife is a very wonderful, brilliant and very supportive woman. At a time when I was a struggling lawyer, she was in employment. She had a salary, but I didn’t have. Well, I started with a salary but after working for two years, I set up my own practice. So for quite a while it was a bit of a struggle. But she was there very supportive; she had her salary. If she had not been supportive at the time, life would have been difficult. As a politician, you need a supportive wife. If your wife is harassing you at home, you won’t concentrate in the office. As a matter of fact, as a governor, if your wife is not supportive, you just wouldn’t have the mental wherewithal to perform your duties as a governor.

I must say the women in my life have been supportive because to a large extent I was brought up by my mother.

Lesson 5: God is number one.

I am a practising Anglican; I try as much as possible to go to church every Sunday. I say my prayers every morning before I leave my house. I try to

my duty to God because He has been very good to me and my family. I will continue to praise and glorify his name.

Lesson 6: Friendship is important.

Making and keeping friends has been an important aspect of my journey. I don’t have problems making friends. I have lots of friends. I always tell people that you will not encounter a problem with your friends if you know who they are. So, I always try to know and understand what people are, so that we don’t have problems. If I know you to behave in a certain way and you behave that way to me, it doesn’t create a problem for me because that is what I expect. You hardly ever hear that OtunbaAdebayo and somebody are fighting. Friendship is important to me. I am faithful to my friends and my friends are faithful to me.

Lesson 7: Fun time

I like to have fun. I like to hang out with my friends, sit down have drinks, gist, play. Now and then I go to parties. It is important to enjoy the day as it comes and as you are allowed by God to experience it.

Best advice

One thing my father used to say to all his children while we were growing up was to remember your name. It is not only for you; it is for everybody. If you spoil it, it affects everybody not only you. So, whatever you do in this life, make sure you have a good name. I hold unto that and I have passed it unto my children.

Books

I enjoy reading history. I can’t think of any book that was written on Nigerian Civil War that I have not read. I like biographies. I love reading John F. Kennedy. The other one that has impacted on me greatly was the biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Regret

I started the medical school for the University in Ado-Ekiti. When we collected money from the bond, there was a certain amount of money I was supposed to

release to them for the takeoff of the college. Unfortunately, because of administrative lapses I wasn’t able to release that money to them before I left office: that is regret. Other people have tried to take credit for starting the College of Medicine, but I refuse to accept that. I started it; I appointed the first provost; but unfortunately, we were not able to release funds to them for the takeoff before we left office. To a large extent, I have that regret.

My Precious: a goddess Poem to the wife of Femi Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation has showered an encomium on his wife, Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode, after winning an award as the Most Influential Beauty Queen in Nigeria. The award was powered by TheGuardian to celebrate real women with true stories. Get some parts for your Precious too. Fine the Poem below.

My Precious, my soul-mate, my wife, my friend, the mother of my beautiful son Aragorn and the one that brings me joy.

The one that gives me strength and offers me hope. The one that stood with me before my accusers and laughed them to scorn.

The one that renews my youth, that makes me smile and that expands the horizons of my inner-most thoughts. The African Khaleesi: the Mother of Dragons.


The Regent of the Western shores of Westoroth and the Guardian of the Iron Throne. The Elf Queen of Gondor and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan. The Protector of the Shire and the beloved of Aragorn.

The one that is cloaked in God’s glory and favor, that wields the razor-sharp two-edged sword and that is known as Queen of the Kingdom and the Daughter of Zion.

The one that wears the glistening crown, that bears the ring of power, that is blessed with splendor and honor and that is worthy of adoration and worship.

The one that blossoms with the fragrance of a thousand daffodils, a touch of poppy-seed and the scent of Alliage perfume.

The one who wines and dines with gods and giants in the halls of Elysium and who dances like Arwen in the fields of Lothlorien.

The one whose beauty is stunning and relentless and who carries the glory of the sun and the moon.

The one that is a special gift from the Ancient of Days, whose blood is royal blue, who wears the purple robe and who carries the mantle of a future Queen.

The one that refuses to tremble at the lion’s roar or to quiver before the raging storm. The one that dared satan to do his worse and that, in total faith, took the Lord God of Hosts at His word.

The one whose fortitude and courage is simply inexplicable and whose strength of character, firm resolve and iron will is incomprehensible.

The one who stood firm like the Rock of Gibraltar when all others fled and fell. The one that harbored no fears and doubts: that walked with titans and that danced with the immortals.

The one that is as refreshing and reinvigorating as the morning dew. The one that conjures love with her simple and innocent smile. The one whose noble birth gives her an edge over others.

The one whose integrity, character, honor and heritage is unquestionable and unimpeachable and whose loyalty is as constant as the northern star.

The one whose beauty surpasses all others and whose noble qualities leaves lesser mortals standing. The one whose purity dispels the darkness, who brings life and hope and who is the beloved of the Lord.

My Precious, you are a rare gem though you may not even know it: a rare gem that is encrusted in topaz, sprinkled with diamonds, clothed with emeralds and crowned with the finest gold.

You are envied by most yet loved by many: let not your joy be cut short. Let not another take your beautiful crown. Let not your glory and your star be dimmed.

Let not sorrow and doubt blight your love or dim your purpose and vision. You were born to be a Queen: settle not for less and cultivate the firm resolve to make the necessary sacrifices to satisfy your calling.

Do not look for the crown for it shall surely look for you and, as it was with Esther, in God’s time, it shall surely find you.

Activate your faith and, like the true Queen that you are, remain aloof, shun the crowd, defend the weak, stand up for justice, help the poor, counsel mercy and immerse yourself in righteousness, knowledge, understanding, sobriety and true humility.

Clothe yourself with grace and prepare to receive, for the Lord has already given you the land and all the fat and goodness that springs forth from within it.

The matter is settled. You need not struggle. Your beauty and purity in body, spirit and soul surpasses all others.

You deserve the best. Yours are men of power and learning: men with vision and that are blessed with keen and bright minds. Men that are filled with the Spirit of the Living God and that will bow to none.

Yours are Kings and Presidents: men of authority and destiny and not just mediocre mortals who toil to build, nurture and sustain their worldly empires and their ephemeral wealth.

You were not crafted for the benefit of traders and merchants but rather to the glory of God and for the joy of the King: the Lord’s beloved.

You are a Queen of noble and royal birth and you are graced with a royal mien and a regal disposition. The world can hold nothing back from you because the Lord has already spoken and given it all to you.

It is just a matter of time. It is your destiny, your glory, your star, your future, your role and your purpose and it was ordained before the oracles of time. Let not sorrow or sadness take it away from you.

Hear not the whispering voice of doubt and fear because, as long as He is with you, you cannot fail. Rebuke the enemy, go forth boldly in the name of the Lord and take what is yours.
Don’t let them rob you.


Stand on the prophecy, yearn for it, protect it, nurture it and pray for it to come to pass. It is your right, your due, your portion and, most important of all, it is the will of the Living God and He has decreed it.

Lose it not, ”for the vision is for an appointed time and, though it may tarry, it shall not fail or prove false”. Royal and noble is your blood, your spirit and your soul. You are excellent in all your ways and your gait is magnificent.

So regardless of whatever circumstances you find yourself in, always remember who you are, hold your head up high and let the peace, joy,strength and confidence of the Lord envelop you.

Wear that peace morning, day and night. Not the peace of the world which is premised on vanity, deceit, self-adulation and guile.

Not that hollow peace which is nurtured and sustained by carnal minds, reprobate thoughts and deviant philosophies but rather that inexplicable, mysterious, deeply profound and divine peace that the bible says ”passeth all understanding” and that comes only from deep intercession, from being hidden in Christ and from regular communion, interaction and fellowship with the Most High God.

Take that divine peace and cherish it. Take that confidence, strength and joy and let it fill you to the brim. Take that wealth and the fat of the land to which the Lord will add no sorrow.

And take that crown which He has bequethed to you even before the oracles of time. Like Esther, you are royalty and almost divine, though this was hidden from you by the peculiar circumstances of your humble origin and noble birth.

You were chosen carefully even before you were conceived in your mother’s womb by He that is the Creator of all things and that is the God of all flesh.

I therefore urge you to go forth into the world in confidence and in strength and play your divinely-ordained role in your nation’s history. Stand by your Lord and Master, the King, the beloved of the Lord and defy the arrows and distractions of the enemy and mere mortals. Let none deter you.

Let none overwhelm you. Let none cower you. Let none suppress, intimidate or silence you.

Always remember that greatness comes with a heavy price. Yet, whatever that price may be, do not be deterred for the Lord has already given you the land and all the fat that is in it.

I urge you to stand firm and take it. Loved deeply by many, you are unstoppable and unbeatable. You are my Precious: my joy, my pride, my strength and my hope.

You are everything that God wants you to be and that I have ever wanted in my life. Shine My Precious, shine: for the Lord is with you and He has blessed you in more ways than you can possibly imagine.

Never forsake or forget your favorite word and battle cry: ”fearless”. This is YOUR word and it is a powerful. It is filled with faith and strength. The Lord will surely honor it in your life.

You shall excel and prosper, you shall wear the crown, you shall sit on the iron throne, none shall come between us and I shall always love you. Shine My Precious, shine!

Unbelievable True Life Story of Success

It takes courage to share true life stories especially when it has to do with failures. You might find this unbelievable but this is my true life story. I'm sharing with you so that you can as well have success at the end. 

Let me go straight to my story. I like to keep this brief because I don't want to bore you.

My name is Sola Mathew. I was born in the far Northern state of Nigeria, Jalingo, Taraba state. 

As you know, not everyone is born with a silver spoon. Some were born with golden, some with clay spoon and some with wooden spoon. Mine was with a semi silver spoon and it was almost taken away from me.

The Struggle After The Death 

All things were going smoothly until 1996. I was 6 years old then. My Dad gave up the ghost. For some that don't understand that, I meant, he died. 

My family started struggling but thank God for my Mum who was a Tailor and trader. 

Of course, she was into those businesses to support her husband who was a soldier in the Nigeria Army. 

After 7 years of loneliness, my mum decided to remarry. 

On the day she gave birth to her last child, she died. So pathetic! I cried and my eyes almost gushed out but that couldn't bring her back. 

Consequently, we all moved to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, My hometown. 

The Orphan Life

Nobody to take care of us. Only my Aunt, the younger sister to my Mum took us in.

My only sister gained admission to college but because of fund, she had to drop out. She is now into tailoring. 

I had to stay with several people and attended several denominations. 

Angels As Humans 

Through a woman, Mrs Ige, I gained admission to Ado Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti. 

I was DEDICATED TO WIN. 

I graduated as the best student and senior boy in that school. 

I was able to do that because of an advice by a woman, Mrs Fatoba, who said READ AS IF YOU ARE NOT PRAYING AND PRAY AS IF YOU ARE NOT READING.

I hope that helps someone struggling academically. 

After secondary school, I couldn't gain admission in time and when I eventually did, there was no school fees. 

Again, Mrs Ige resurfaced and we began to look for school fees.

To cut that story short, we got help from two churches, Anglican and CAC. That was how I paid my 100 Level School fees. 

In my 100 level, I was serious and had good set of friends. I had 3.55 as my CPA even though I resumed late because of my school fees.

Distracted

Second semester of that 100 level, I bought a BB phone and that affected my academics. I had a cumulative CPA of 3.05 in 100L.

Later, I had a message by some folks in school that almost destroyed my academic career. They preached that academics is babylon. That affected my studies the more. 

His Word

However, thank God, He restored me. He told me I would pass out with a Second Class Upper Division. 

That came to pass when I reapplied the advice of Mrs Fatoba. 

Wait! At that time (my final year) I was the Assistant Drama Coordinator of my Fellowship, the Zonal Congress Coordinator, The President of my NGO, the Financial Secretary of the largest group on campus (Watchtower) and I had my project.

With all that, my results for that section was the best. It shot me to the Second Class Upper Division that God told me about. I made Ain all my courses including my Final Year Project. Except for a Bin a course. 

Truly, there is nothing God cannot do. 

Favoured by Grace 

How did I pay the rest of my school fees? I'll quickly go through that.

In 200 Level, my former secondary school teacher, Mrs Adejuyigbe connected me with a woman who gave me ₦100,000 to pay my school fees. The school fee was ₦99,750. That's EKSU! 

In 300 Level, the woman gave me ₦50,000 out of my school fees. That was what she had. I borrowed to complete it. 

In 400 Level, I wrote an article on my Facebook about how God has been helping me and one man saw it. The man never liked or commented on my posts before. 

He called me over phone and you know what happened? He paid my school fees and my project fee. 

Becareful what you post on social media. It can either make or mark you. 

I was able to pay up the money I borrowed in 300 Level with the remaining money. 

Today, I'm a graduate and serving currently in Taraba State. 

While in University also, I was not idle, I used to repair people's laptops including my lecturers and I was into blogging. That helped my feeding and purchase of handouts. Thanks to my friends who also helped.

I know I am not where I am going yet but I am not where I used to be. God's favour, Mercy and grace have found me.

Quickly, I'll like to tell you some of the things that helped me. 

• Suffering is not a yardstick to failure or success, it's what you define it.
• Read books. Great Men read books. You're a sum total of what you read. 
• Build your character. Your gifts would open doors for you but it's your character that would keep the doors opened. 
• Invest but investigate first. Don't invest in what you have not investigated. 
• Fail many times, it's part of success. It shows you're doing something but learn from your failures. 
• Live a life of love. You can give without love but you cannot love without giving. 
• I didn't write for you to get emotional but that you might learn from my story. 

About the Writer:

Sola Mathew is a Blogger and Podcaster at Charity Connect Podcast. He helps individuals and businesses set up their blogs and podcasts. You can download his simple guide on How to start a Blog/Podcast on www.charityconnectpodcast.com/start-your-podcast. You can also connect with him on Facebook and twitter.
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Angry Letter To The Nigerian Youth (5): Our National Destiny Lie In Your Hands

Dear Nigerian Youth,

Looking around the contraption called Nigeria should bring you to tears and evoke outrage within your circle. You should tear your clothes and pour ashes on your head as you seek to be part of the solution but rather you're part of the problem. When you should be seeking answers, you're a significant part of the question. I have watched and read in utter dismay- not shock as you can't shock me anymore- as one group of youth after another celebrate their looters and oppressors. "In youth we learn, in age we understand", said Marie Von Ebner but I wonder if you learn anything at all. You fight for your looters and oppressors when you should fight against them. Is it any wonder then that Herbert Hoover said "Older men declare war but it is the youth that must fight and die"?

Story: THE DREAM I WISHED I NEVER HAD

The Book

That night, which was yesterday, 'something' had been disturbing me not to sleep but to pray before I slept. I thought to myself that after I finished reading the book I was reading, I would pray.

A girlfriend had earlier given me the book to read. I promised her I would read and return the following day. The book was so interesting but also full of terror, hatred and betrayal.  I felt the writer of the book must have gone though such. The writer captured the scenes, the voices and the culture of the people he wrote about so succinctly that I felt I was with him. I wouldn't advise you to read the book if your the emotional type because you would cry your life out. I did actually. I will tell you the name of the book later.
I was ruminating over the book after reading that I felt asleep without praying. Oh. I wished I had prayed.

Youth Arise: A Movement of Ordinary Nigerians Doing Extraordinary Things

After reading this communique, I felt a strong force in me to support the vision with my blog and I decided to offer CloudGossips for the propagation of the Vision.

Read the communique below and get inspired.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE YOUTH ARISE MEETING HELD AT YARD 158, OREGUN, LAGOS ON 17TH DECEMBER 2016.

The meeting started at about 5:15 Nigeria time with taken of the second stanza of the national anthem as the opening prayers. The meeting was moderated by Babajide Kolawole from Ekiti State Nigeria.

Attendance during the meeting was a total number of 29 members who came across the states of Nigeria especially the South West, South South and Niger Delta. Jide Kolawole appreciated the members who came from Uyo, Benin and Delta State for their nation building sacrifice. Mr Kayode Osunnubi from Ogun State briefed the meeting about the imperative, ideology and the vision of the movement.


In his briefing, he x-rayed leadership in all African nation and gave the average age of African leaders to be 65years, he posited that leadership has failed in Africa especially Nigeria and that the older generation has had their share in leading the nation and has proved beyond doubt that they lack the ideas, zeal and patriotism to build a great nation.

Hence, the youth being the larger percentage of the nation must rise from their slumber and decide to rescue the nation from valley of bad governance. He emphasized that youth must come together irrespective of their religion, ethnicity and educational background to wrestle with the nations principalities and power to get our nation back from the backward thinking leaders that has seized the instrumentalities of power for a long period of time without any record of achievement.

He concluded that Youth Arise 2019 is not a platform formed by ambition or personal interest but a front for a more calculated youth participation with a vision not to support old politician but to support and front the introduction of young Nigerians with great idea, passion, strength, patriotism and zeal to deliver leadership devoid of personal interest but greatly motivated by the interest of the people and the mindset of heralding a great revolution of the mind that will change the political landscape of the country.

Olawale Kadri from Ekiti State was called by the moderator to brief the meeting on where we are. In his response he maintained that the nation has been

dragged into an abyss of humanistic regression through visionless and purposeless leadership and we have only two options to choose from, either to seat down and continue to watch while complaining and wailing especially on the social media or stand up and fight to bequeath of children a better nation. He said that we have decided to back our words with action and the revolution is already starting. He posited that since we don’t have the weapon to win a war, we can win an election if we strategically position ourselves to wrestle power and connect with all other youths in the country.

He said we are more than them, and we can win them (referring to the old generation leaders) Currently we are extending the movement to our friends across all other geo-political zones and the report has been overwhelming, he stressed that Kano and Abuja comrades who believed in the ideas and ideology of the movement has started mobilizing and we shall start visiting each state to meet with other young Nigerian with the intention of extending the frontiers of the movement.

Kolawole Babajide buttressed further that while we are creating awareness and meeting people to extend the frontier of the movement, we’ll continue to engage in value addition activities by training the youths, educating them and empowering them to be self reliance through skill acquisition programmes and solution focused event.

The floor was opened for opinion and good will messages and members gave suggestions and opinion to move the organization forward.

DECISION EXTRACT:
1. That Youth Arise must engage in mass awareness and extension drive through communication of the movement ideology, ideas, vision and programmes to the larger society
2. Visitations to States where youth has shown interest starting from Oyo State, Abuja and Kano in the first quarter of next year.
3. That campus activation of revolutionary mind must start in earnest.
4. That we must always publicly identify with the yearnings and aspiration of the people through our actions and programmes.
5. That personal interest must not be our driving force but the general interest of the Nigerian people through provision of policy alternatives and outline a blue print for the movement in preparation for leadership.
6. That a social media platforms be created to further acclimatize people with our ideology, ideas and visions.
7. That we must engage every means possible to support the not too young bill until it becomes law
8. That consultation to join a political party where we can build together must start in earnest as we cannot get political power without political platform. However such platform must be a platform where we’ll join in building from the scratch as youth may not be able to compete with the money bags, corrupt Nigerians and old generation in all the already established political parties.
9. That we must get a legal consultant to handle our litigations
10. That we must be ready to sacrifice all for the revolution ahead as it may means some night in police net, some bullets in some chest and some days, month, years in the jail.

The meeting therefore collapsed into round table get to know better and discussions. The meeting was adjourned till a date to be announced and in Ibadan, Oyo State, after adjournment motion had been validly moved.

Please note this is not a minute of the meeting but a communiqué and decision extract.

Signed: All members present.

N/B: More pictures shall be added as we await the photographer

The Wife of Mr Adeseke Confirms and proves He molested his daughters in an interview (Photos)

After interviwing Mr Adeseke (you can read the interview here), I went further to interview his wife.

Although, I couldn't meet her in person, she granted the interview on phone. She said the article that was posted on SDK Blog is damn true.

I have decided to write few here. you can read the details on SDK  Blog.

1-How come you are blaming your significant other for rape?people are stating you set him up.please clarify in the event that you caught him in the act or noise from the children.

- Is it conceivable to charge a PHD holder and a senior speaker erroneously? It is very unimaginable. I have been battered, smashed and extremely beaten a few times throughout the years yet I hushed up about this.

He had an opportunity to attack the kids after we isolated and he compellingly hushed up about them for 5months in year 2014 from July to November at Ado-Ekiti. I became acquainted with this when I saw release on my little girls clothing and torments in their private part while washing them on fourteenth April,2016.

25 things you should stop by Maria Ude Nwachi

This is a sponsored post.

Maria wrote this on her Facebook wall and I believe it is one of the posts that you shouldn't miss.  Here are the 25 things she said we should stop.

1. Stop moaning & brooding over a failure. – Say after me; Mirror, mirror on the wall, I'll always get up and after I fall. Whether I run, walk, or have to crawl, I'll set my goals and achieve them all.

2. Stop lying all the time even when not necessary. – In the long-run the truth always reveals itself. Either you own up to your actions or your actions will ultimately own you.

My Mother's Beatings and A Practical Guide To Beating Recession-Bayo Adeyinka

The only time I ever hawked in my life was 1984. Even though my family could be classified as middle class at that time, things had become tough. My mum got a bag of what was called 'Iyan Buhari' (Buhari's pounded yam), re-bagged it into smaller packages and bowls, put them on a tray and I hawked them around our neighborhood. I still remember how I shouted, 'E ra'yan Buhari o' (please buy Buhari's pounded yam). 'Iyan Buhari' was a substitute for those who couldn't afford pounded yam again. It was actually poorly made 'poundo yam' flour at that time. For those who are surprised that tea without milk is now called Buhari while garri and groundnut have now been christened Buhari and Osibajo, this is not the first time something negative or below accepted societal standard is named after Buhari. It is simply history repeating itself.

Ojudu and his intolerance for contrary opinions by Bola Agboola

Someone sent this on a group I'm on Whatsapp. Could this be true? Give your opinion at the end of the post in the comment box.

Ekiti Sons and Daughters' is one of the numerous Whatsapp platforms where bright minds of Ekiti extraction but different political ideology or background are gathered to chat course for t he development of the state vis-a-viz  happenings in the polity. Reputable politicians, captain of industries, movers and shakers of Ekiti and to some extent, Nigeria constitute membership of this Noble platform.

As obtainable in this group on daily basis, Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor, Lere Olayinka like every other member of the group posted last night a statement detailing  alleged plan by some Ekiti sons, led by Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Self-Acclaimed Human Rights Activist, Barr. Femi Falana, some police officials from Alagbon, Lagos to invade Ekiti State on Monday,10th of July, 2016 to effect the arrest of some prominent PDP members in the state.

Reactions trailed the statement, some against, others in favour.  A member of the platform Ayan Kolawole commented that "These vicious cycles of disruptive clandestine adventures in our state should stop! Our people are the ultimate victims of the debacles. Enough is enough".

Ibadan is truly a mix of the ancient and the modern - Bayo Adeyinka

More than 15 years ago, I met an Italian who had lodged at KS Motel at Total Gardens, Ibadan. He was in Ibadan for the first time and he was very fascinated with the city when I informed him that Rome and Ibadan shared a very unique similarity: both of them are built on seven hills. He asked me to take him round Ibadan which I did. The seven hills are Oke Padre, Oke Ado, Oke Bola, Oke Mapo, Oke Are, Oke Sapati and Oke Mokola. But Ibadan is not just a city of hills. It is also a city of 'bottoms'. Loosely translated, 'idi' means bottom or the backside. Several people have attached sexual innuendoes to the names. However, the actual translation indicates that some of the 'idis' indicate how the settlers converged at a point thereby leading to how they arrived at the names given. Go round the city and you can locate Idi-Arere, Idi-Ose, Idi-Ishin, Idi-Ape, Idi-Ayunre, Idi-Obi and Idi-Ito.

280 Nigerians died, 43 missing in Hajj stampede – NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja submitted the report of the 2015 Hajj to the Federal Government and put the number of casualties involved in two tragic accidents at 280 while 43 have been declared missing.

While receiving the report in his office, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, commended the chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Mohammed, and its entire board members for their exemplary performance in Saudi Arabia, especially during the tragedies that occurred during the Hajj.

Joy it - Get refreshed by reading this article by Femi Ibitoye

The year is finally at the tail end. I know you had expectations, wishes and desires that topped your list since the beginning of the year. Some actually have become testimony and some seems as if God is not giving ears to them- and they seem to be the tough ones. Disappointments, broken heart, failed promises and all of it gather to make it seem as if you are off the track.

Almond nut prevents heart attack, diabetes – Expert

Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, a Nutritionist with a private hospital in Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, said consuming almond nut helps reduce the risk of heart attack and diabetes, among other diseases.

She said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, people who consume almond nut five times a week have 50 per cent reduction in risk of developing heart-related diseases as well as diabetes.

Abdullahi stated that almond nut added to daily diet helps lower bad cholesterol, protect against cancer as well as guard against damage of arteries.

EKSUITES; MY SILENT NOISE, PART 1 - COMRADE CANDID

Eksuites; my silent noise. PART 1
Dearest ones, though, I've decided not to open up issues to you, but for the sake of already misconstrued and mismanaged persons, I thereafter sees necessity in deeming it expedient to uncover parts of the whole scenario for your consumption.
.
PRE-ELECTION.
As one of you, I shown my intention to aspire for the position of the students unions' President, though, I've served once as the unions' Welfare Director,been that as it might, I saw encouragements from all
sections of the University, with my uncommon midas touch of radicalism, my love ones began to counsel me on how imperative it could be for me to start hiding my radicalism for pretense, that if I could
embrace pretension, I won't be noticed till they pave way for me, but as a very fussy lad, I don't know how to pretend, I keep doing my things my way.
.
TRANSFER OF AGGRESSION.
As a students' activist, my interest grows in fighting for the rights of students from my immediate University, I don't show much enthusiasm in outside my University's students' politics (like NANS JCC,NANS ZONE, FESSU etc), however, I have respected friends and associates in those spheres though.As a leader and former UNADSU PRESIDENT, Deji
Oso (aka Dejavuu) hailed from my local government (Ido-Osi), with this alignment, we used to relate like any other persons such as Owoeye Olumide aka Navigator, Ogunjana Jide aka Jide Alute, Sola Fayemi aka Senator el al, as it is difficult to dispute, Dejavuu
is a leader/mentor/role model to virtually all the students' leaders of these aforementioned associations (FESSU, NANS JCC et al) in Ekiti-State,when the going was good, it was usually "God bless my leader!".
.

Subsisting with Perpetuity in Panorama

I get perturbed and perplexed as I keep on witnessing the rate at which moral and spiritual decadence is exacerbating in our today world.

By the phrase "our today world" I mean, our Universe at large, our Continent, our Nation, our communities, our families, and our individual lives.

We actually think that things are changing for the good, but I see evil under the skies.

Let the Truth be Said: a Lesson to our Student Politicians

I'm not a Politician so you won't say I wrote this to tackle you or you. Even if I do, it's for the benefit of you and you.

Many years ago when there was no phone talk less of having Whatsapp or BBM, what many Politicians or Unionists do was to go from house to house telling and convincing people of what and what they had for them.

At that time, these Politicians and Unionists (I'll prefer to call both of them politicians as from now on please) would meet in person with the people and answer questions regarding their manifestos, leadership skills, characters and so on.

Go And Do Likewise by Olawale Perfect

I was just scrolling through my facebook timeline when I saw this story again of the guy that trekked from Lagos to Abuja because Buhari won the election. Sincerely, it is a commendable effort.

Somebody might say why is he wasting his time but the truth is that he was able to process a point
which is that anything is possible for the determined person. I can imagine him get tired and hungry some of the time, I can imagine some people calling him to say "why are you wasting your time like this".

I can imagine people saying

My Last Girl (Series 2)

On Tuesday morning, Frank called me to remind me of the tutorial class he had organized for his class in which he wanted me to take.

He heard I made an 'A' in the course when I was in 200Level while most students failed the course that year. I could remember, the next grade to me was a 'C', the only 'C'. The rest were 'D's and below.

 

So, being the Governor of his class, he made arrangements for me to come and tutor them.

 

Apart from the fact that I love teaching, another factor I would denied food to tutor students, especially lower classes, was that I met new preys I predate on.