FirstBank Virtual Community for women: A platform for women's empowerment
In a world that is resonating with varying technological advances especially in the area of Information Technology [coupled with human's fascination for different kinds of hand-held gadgets], it can only be reasonable to seek out ways of engaging and/or optimizing the avenue for greater gains and adding value to lives. This appears to be the inspiration that has led Nigeria's premier financial institution, First Bank Limited, to create a virtual community where women from all works of life can meet to share what they have got. It is worth noting that this latest feat only goes to show FirstBank's commitment [and continual effort] towards women empowerment; it should be recalled that back in 2016, the bank came up with the FirstGem initiative which was designed to help women actualize their financial goals.

According to a report on ThisDay, the Group Head, Products & Marketing Support, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Famuyiwa while speaking during the launch of the virtual community asserted that: "FirstBank is focused on creating opportunities that are instrumental to ensuring healthy financial decisions are made by women with a view to living their dreams and achieving fulfillment in not just their careers or business ventures but all areas of life". In essence, it can be said that this latest initiative will not only complement the bank's vision [in respect to women empowerment] but could also help to fast track the rate with which businesses are done.

A check on the website further reveals that the bank's objective is to create an interactive platform where women can share ideas and get inspirations that will aid their progress in whatever they venture into. As it stands, a good number of women have already keyed into the initiative, and it does look as though the encomiums will not stop pouring in just yet. It is really good to know that- rather than logging on to a social media platform just to satisfy pleasure- you have a place (that is, the virtual community) where you can turn to for informed advises on how you can move your business forward and also interact with other professionals who can make immense and/or important contributions towards ensuring that you have a commendable financial standing. But as Mr. Famuyiwa earlier emphasized, it is not all about business and finance alone as there are benefits [which cut across other facets of life] that women can derive from joining the community.
This (initiative) is coming at a crucial time considering the rise in the number of self-starters who are aiming to find their feet in business with the hope of taking their enterprise to the next level. Although it might still be early to judge how successful this would be but going by the buzz it is already generating [and with the bank's reputation], the handwriting on the wall seems positive. And it must be said that FirstBank has indeed taken a bold step as a pacesetter in the aspect of women empowerment, and it remains to be seen if any other bank beat her to it.

Being rich or poor can be said to be a thing of mind and/or lifestyle. It becomes a lifestyle as an individual begins to live the mental picture of what he had already conceived in his mind- though someone with a 'poverty mentality' may not even be conscious of this as he keeps striving to live a better life. The irony is that even if an individual with 'poverty mentality' dwells in the midst of abundance, he can still remain poor because his mind has been programmed to see and/or do things in a particular 'self-limiting' way. But then, put a person with an explorative mind with a scintilla of resources, and watch him blossom after maximizing what he has around him. It's no wonder that Napoleon Hill once said: " There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge. Both poverty and riches are offsprings of thought".

The difference
The rich and the poor are men and women who have the same amount of hours- 24 hours in a day- allotted to them but how they spend their day goes a long way in determining what they become and what becomes of them. It is in this view that I have chosen to talk about the difference between the rich and the poor by looking at the following:

Knowledge
'The way of the poor is hard'; this, I say not because of the possibility of him not having the cash to settle his rent, put food on the table or take care of some other exigencies but for his 'narrows-mindedness'. The poor finds it hard to add to what he already knows- as it were, he is 'okay with how he is', and is not open to self-development. Even if such a one eventually attends seminars and read as many motivational books as possible, he may still remain poor because his mind is fixed on 'his own way of life'. On the other hand, the rich not only adds to what he already knows but also employs the services of those who may be more knowledgeable than he is.

Creativity
To the rich, 'the norm is not just normal' as he looks into innovative ways of making things better. This stimulates his creative groove and ideas [that add value to life] are generated. At this point, it is important to note that those who are rich today did not set out to 'make more money' but made it a point of duty to add value to the lives of others; it is this value-adding tendencies that end up bringing in the riches for which the poor jostle.

Decision-making
We often conclude that rising up early every morning to go about a routine is a panacea for breaking free from poverty but the truth is that far more than that is needed for one not to be 'eternally enslaved' by poverty. It is necessary that the right decision be made and acted upon without delay. The poor takes pleasure- albeit ignorantly sometimes- in going through a narrow strait called 'comfort zone' without making efforts to do things differently. The rich is however daring and ready to take decisions that are needed for his growth. Here comes a call for setting one's priorities aright.

Vision
Both the poor and the rich get to face some challenges from time to time but something keeps the rich going, and that's his vision. While the poor lives for today; the rich projects into the future. Again, it's possible that the poor quantifies his vision by what he is getting in the 'now' while the rich dares to dream big and keep his vision in full focus even in the face of challenges. Vision is more like 'the vehicle of destiny' that drives life, and make life worth living.

Discipline
When it's all been said and planned out, everyone requires discipline- and maybe determine- to become anything great in life. While the poor may not stay committed to the course of development, and rich hardly jokes with his commitments. In fact, with discipline, the rich gets richer, and for the poor [who chooses to break free], discipline enriches; discipline gives everyone a lift in life.

Nigeria and the long-standing battle against corruption
Corruption is a word an average Nigerian may not even need to look up in the dictionary to get its meaning. The reason is because it is all around us, and it's often encouraged in both low and high places. While corruption is no strange thing in Nigeria; the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International shows that Nigeria is still 'highly' corrupt as it places 148 in the list of 180 countries that were under review. Compared with the 2016 report, Nigeria dropped 12 places to occupy the 148th position as one of the most corrupt countries in the world- Nigeria scored 28% out of 100, and ranked 136th in 2016 and in the current index, the score is 27/100.
The present result is coming against the backdrop of the Federal government's claim at making efforts towards fighting corruption. The rank can be seen as a dent to the government's assertions, and could even give credence to claims that the government's anti-corruption fight has been a rather selective one since there exist top government officials [who are perceived to be corrupt] that are yet to be tried.
Though the Corruption Perception Index defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private benefit" and Nigeria may feel that it is logical to make the government run the gauntlet for not doing enough to quell the proliferation of corrupt practices, it is expedient that we [Nigerians] look inwardly and see ways through which we may be encouraging corruption in our immediate communities. Corruption is not just about the government alone; the ordinary Nigerian out there could easily- without a second thought- engage in an activity that would pass off as a corrupt practice without him/her even being conscious of it.
In compiling the report, Transparency International used data generated from surveys and assessments obtained from some reputable organizations [such as World Bank, World Justice Project, International Institute for Management Development, Economist Intelligence Unit, African Development Bank and a couple of other relevant bodies] to create the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). CPI focuses on indicators such as bribery and embezzlement among public office holders, the judiciary and security agencies; government's adherence to the rule of law; press freedom among other important parameters. Based on the report, the agency observed that countries that scored in the index were those with higher degrees of press freedom, access to information about public expenditure, stronger standards of integrity for public officials, and independent judicial systems.
Maybe it's high time we took a clue from countries such as New Zealand, Finland, Denmark and even Botswana- which happens to be African country with the most impressive anti-corruption tendency as it occupies the 34th position on the index. It is really pathetic that Nigeria is yet to break into the first 100- not to even talk of the first 50- countries perceived to have an effective corruption-fighting model in place since the inception of CPI.
For this plunge [into the abyss of moral decadence as highlighted by the indulgences in corrupt practices] to be abated, all hands- from the government to NGOs and other private organizations as well as individual citizens- must be on deck. We all owe this nation the civic responsibility of being faithful and honest in order to uphold her honour and glory before the world at large.

Peace Corps of Nigeria and the quest for prominence
For awhile now, the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) have been up against different oppositions particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). In fact the police had to seal off the national headquarters of the body sometimes last year; arresting some members of the group in the process, and till this very moment, the police still maintains a presence within the premises of the national headquarters of PCN despite the fact that the body is a legitimate organization. It is in the face of all these oppositions that PCN has been striving to survive and create a solid foundation needed to outrightly carry out its activities without any disturbance.
The latest challenge this Peace Corps of Nigeria has to contend with is the Preaident's refusal to sign the establishment bill transmitted to him [by the Clerk of the National Assembly] on behalf of the group. Although there has been no official statement from the presidency as to why the bill has not been signed but speculations are rife that since the time frame- a 30-day period- stipulated by law for a bill to be signed has passed, there is a likelihood that the bill has been turned down by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to a report in Vanguard newspaper, a top official in the presidency stressed that "the president could not have assented to the PCN bill because there was no need for such an outfit under the Nigerian security architecture".

A brief history about the Peace Corps of Nigeria
Peace corps is certainly not exclusive to Nigeria as there are similar entities in different countries across the globe. Looking down history lane, the American Peace Corps once had a presence in the country as it envisioned establishing its Nigerian arm.
However, the Peace Corps of Nigeria was founded in 1998 by Amb (Dr.) Dickson A.O. Akoh who is also the group's national commandant. The group is incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1990, Part C, and has the backing of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The vision of the Peace Corps of Nigeria is centred on youth development and ways of actively involving the Nigerian youths in nation-building.

The Challenge
The major challenge PCN is presently facing is that it is yet to get the full backing of the government as there have been allegations that its functions overlap that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies. It has been a tug of war between PCN and the Nigeria Police Force who have [at various times] flouted court orders that were in favour of PCN.
Meanwhile, going through the functions of PCN, it is clear that there are distinctions in the activities performed by these two agencies. The Peace Corps of Nigeria does not disturb the Police Force from carrying out its duties rather, it (PCN) will only complement the security framework. Furthermore, PCN is more inclined towards harnessing the energy of the Nigerian youths for the nation's development.
Some of the functions of PCN [as drawn from the papers made available by the group's media consultant, Mr. Rogers Ochela] are stated as follow:

• list itemEmpowering and providing gainful employment for youths through peace facilitation, volunteering, community service and other credible avenues.

• list itemFostering social and economic development by working hand-in-hand with the government, nonprofit organizations, schools, NGOs, etc.

• list itemTraining youths on models of conflict resolution, mediation, peace education, reconciliation and confidence building.

• list itemTraining youths on how to build commendable moral attitude and also evoking a consciousness of patriotism and nation-building in them.

• list itemProviding security- be minded that PCN is not an arm-carrying security agency- in educational institutions and checking examination malpractices.

My Submission
Instead of trying to 'snuff life out' of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, the President should earnestly support the movement since it will help, to some extent, in ensuring that unemployed youths are engaged in something gainful, and also help in promoting peace across the nation. And I do not think the police have any reason to be worried over the existence of PCN- there is no way PCN will make NPF less relevant as it will remain the nation's primary crime-fighting agency. PCN needs the support of the presidency as well as that of other well-meaning Nigerians.

So much banter about a 'panther'
Black Panther has been out for about a week now, and we are really loving it. Ears have heard; eyes have seen and the mind is filled with memories of scenes from a 'panther' like no other. Well, it is no surprise that the Black Panther has become a blockbuster already since it was previously adjudged to be the second most anticipated film of 2018. Moreover, considering the powerhouse (that is, Marvel) from where it emerged, one cannot expect anything less than 'amazing'. For the records; in its opening weekend alone, Black Panther generated over US$370.8 million in the global box office- that figure has since been surpassed with the movie having raked in something in the excess of US$400 million.
But wait a minute; what do you go to see when you visit a cinema? - Movies, of course, you will say but the truth is that not all movies are the same; while some may not appeal in a special way, there are those that stand out; taking their place at the top of the box office- and you know what? Black Panther is one of such.
So, why the rave reviews- or shall I put it this way: what makes Black Panther ticks? Here is what I feel:

Cultured
We are already aware of Marvel's 'culture of excellence' but one thing that sets Black Panther apart as we make foray into 'Wakanda' is the 'Africanness' it oozes out. The film's cast was predominantly African-American, and some inspirations were drawn from some African tribes. One can be forgiven to conclude that this is a movie by Africans- with Marvel's backing- for Africa and the world at large. From the cast down to the plot and even the premiere [at Dolby theatre], the African undertone was never amiss.

Cinematic
For me, if a movie has got an outstanding visual then it's worth my time. The filmography is another area where Black Panther scores a huge point; this is a wonderful complement to a great piece from Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kudos to Rachel Morrison.

Captivating Storyline
The African nation of Wakanda was formed after a superhuman warrior- who happens to be the first black panther after ingesting a heart-shaped herb that had been affected by a meteorite- succeeded in uniting some warring tribes. The plot hovers around the sustenance of political prominence as T'Challa (Black Panther) made his way back to Wakanda to take over the really reins of power after his father's (T'Chaka's) assassination. Then, at different times came challenges against the leadership of T'Challa- one of such challenges [that was instigated by the antagonist, Erik Killmonger] overthrew him (Black panther) from the throne and nearly terminated his life. One exciting twist to it is Wakanda's technological prowess that projects the nation as a world power.

Coogler touch
In Ryan Coogler, Marvel did find a director with an unquenchable passion for comics. The selection of Coogler is very well justified as we can all see the outstanding result. It's obvious that Coogler went into production with his whole heart in what he was doing. We can be sure that there will be more works for him [from Marvel] in the future.

Commandeering Cast
The Cs- though the movie has an A+ rating- will not be complete without the cast. When you have got the right ingredients, you should be on your way to making a sumptuous delicacy, isn't it? From Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa) to Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), Winston Duke (M'Baku), Martin Freeman (Everett K. Ross) as well as other seasoned artists, Marvel brought together the right mix that was needed to feed our eyes with pleasurable scenes. They all masterfully played their parts, and what we have is truly a masterpiece- Black Panther.

Divorce: Who got the script wrong?
In our society today, people have varying dispositions towards marriage; some hold the union of a man and woman in high regard and some go into relationships just to have a fling. Yet there are those who cherish being single parents probably because they are wary of having a broken home or marriage. But still some dare to go where others dread to tread only to get hurt emotionally and end up with a failed marriage. It is with this in mind that the ensuing question popped up: why divorce?

"I (...) take you (...) to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, TILL DEATH DO US PART".

The above statement is one the two main characters (that is, the bride and groom) eagerly anticipate with great excitement as they transit from singlehood to what is meant to be a lifelong union. The exchange of marital vow [and rings] is the highpoint of any marriage, and that vow ends with 'till death do us part'. However, in some cases, couples do not even need something as strong as death before calling it quit. Why is this so? Inasmuch as the question 'who got the script wrong?' was raised in the topic, I will like to address the issue from the angle of what could have gone wrong. So, I will now make my humble submission under the given headings:

Deception
When the heart of a man is deceived, there is a possibility of seeing what is not meant for one as 'apparently good' enough for him/her. Relating this to marriage; going into a relationship with the wrong motive- desiring to marry just because of beauty or material gain. Those who took their marital vows without good conviction can end up having a troubled marriage.

Lack of will
It is very easy to point out that lost love is the primary reason why most divorces happen. Though I will not outrightly strike out this claim but I strongly believe that the willingness to do certain fundamental things could be responsibility for failed marriages. It takes two willing individuals to make love work in the first place. Again, the lack of will can be evident in neglecting to add 'fresh wine' to the union- talk about instances of going on a date and engaging in activities that will strengthen the bond.

Pride
Pride is a 'silent killer' that is capable of ruining an individual as well as whatever he/she has laboured to build. Pride in a relationship can result in a situation whereby a person is always proving his/her right over another. A union where pride thrives will always give rise to the root of bitterness which could make 'things fall apart'.

Infidelity
Another stark reality that could make individuals in a marital relationship part ways is infidelity- and this is really rampant today as the world keeps plunging into moral decadence. Unfaithfulness has killed many relationships let alone marriage. Being unfaithful to one's spouse simply denotes a lack of satisfaction which could eventually make him/her feel 'unwanted' and then walk away from the relationship.

Well, despite the probability of divorce, I earnestly believe that marriage is a 'beautiful thing' but it should not be rushed into; those who desire to get married have got to take their time; be sure that they understand what they are stepping into and also pray.
And I will like to leave you with this: that the marriage vow ends with 'till death do us part' does not mean you have to tolerate an abusive relationship. It is advisable that you seek help if you are in an abusive relationship before matter go from bad to worse.

The evil that men do
Evil resides in the hearts of men and it is hard to tell how dangerous man is until he shows his 'true color' for all to see. Talking about men who harbor evil in their heart, we have an exemplar in Ade Lawyer- a notorious hired assassin who took delight in seeing families mourn. Ade Lawyer (born Adeola Williams) who had been on the wanted list of Nigeria Police Force was arrested in Akure by the police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) which was mandated [by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris] to arrest the culprits of a murder that occurred around Lagos Island on the 23rd of January, 2018.
Luck ran out on the serial killer who have been connected with a number of notable murder cases- the assassinations of Hamburger, Babajide Dosunmu, Salawe and the killings of five (5) occupants of a car in Ajah area among other atrocious deeds- in Lagos state as the Police followed up on a lead in connection to the killing of a certain Ganiyu Ayinla (A.K.A Pinero). Pinero was the personal assistant to the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Azeez Lawal (A.K.A Kunle Poly). In his confession, Ade Lawyer said he was contracted to kill Kunle Poly by the ex-chairman of the Lagos chapter of NURTW, Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa but he eventually missed the primary target only to kill Pinero who was with his boss on that fated day. Mr. Olohunwa who has since been arrested, affirmed that he knows Ade Lawyer but denied ordering him to kill Kunle Poly.
Although the link between Olohunwa and Ade Lawyer has been the point of attention as the police is presently making frantic efforts to arrest other members of the murderous gang but we cannot overlook the fact that Ade Lawyer's client base seems to be somewhat large, and as he said, he had previously carried out assassination jobs on behest of some traditional rulers- the question is: who are these traditional rulers?
What struck my mind as I watched the video of Ade Lawyer's interview with the Press was his meanness and the pride he takes in his heinous job. One can hear him boldly stating- after being about the nature of the job he did for his client- that his job is 'killing work'- truly so, you will say. With such statement, one can begin to imagine how ruthless he would have been in his 'field of operation' after the 'price of a soul' has been paid to him. Here, is a killer whose ears would have been shut to the cries of mercy his victims raised as they came face-to-face with his notoriety which was smeared upon them by his weapon of destruction. Ade Lawyer has really tormented Lags state, and many families whose loved ones' lives have been cut short by his bullet will only be wishing he had been apprehended- or have not been born into this world- right before he pulled the trigger and hit 'target'. Notwithstanding, with now in police custody, and as we look forward to the police making further arrest, Lagos state and its inhabitants can, at least, heave a sigh of relief. Ade Lawyer's evil is right before him and will remain long after he is gone.

What a thriving foreign reserve implies
Nigeria's foreign reserves have been going through some ups and downs in the last couple of years. These fluctuations are strange considering the changing patterns in international trade and some other dynamics in the economy of the state. The nation's foreign reserves, in particular, have been affected by the reduction in oil prices, increased demands for foreign exchange and the instability of the naira- a situation which had often made the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the currency by falling back to the foreign reserve.
However, some discrepancies and the non-implementation of watertight economic policies may have also contributed to the fluctuations. Back in December, 2011; Nigeria's foreign reserve stood at US$44.6 billion but in the space if three (3) years- by the end of 2014- there had been a reduction of about 22%. That downward spiral continued into 2015 and 2016- although there were some minor rise recorded around 2016- as the we had to grapple with the devastating effects of recession and pipeline vandalization on the nation's economy, and by October 19, 2016, the reserve had fallen to US$23.89 billion. As the country came through the turbulent waters of recession [with the increase in oil price and a crude oil production rate in excess of 1.7 million barrels per day], we began to see a considerable rise in the foreign reserve- from US$26.0 billion in January 2017 to US$34.53 billion by the end of the same year. That figure fell below CBN governor's projection [of US$40 billion] for that year but in no distant time, that prediction was surpassed as the foreign reserve hit US$42.8 billion in February- the highest we have had in thirteen (13) months. The US$3 billion raised from the sale of the Eurobond issued by the federal government late last year also played a major part.

But what does this accretion in the foreign reserve imply?
Before I proceed, it is important to point out that the government's decision to clamp down on the importation of certain commodities is now heeding dividend.
Now, while a thriving foreign reserve could be indicative of an economy that is set on the right track, it is worth noting the specific ways this (foreign reserve) can affect the overall economy of the nation. With a continual accretion [and the eventual realisation of a large foreign reserve], the following advantages are probable:

• list itemCushioning effect against external shock: A thriving foreign reserve makes it easy for a nation to hold its economy in shape- albeit temporarily- when incidences of financial crisis or unfavourable market trends occur. For instance, a robust foreign reserve can serve as 'saving grace' in moments of dwindling oil prices.

• list itemMakes the country investors' destination: In some instances, the state and/or strength of the foreign reserve is one of the indices investors use in measuring how friendly or safe a particular economy is to do business in. With a flourishing foreign reserve, investors' confidence is won, and the likelihood of them doing business in the country is high.

• list itemGives CBN more control in the foreign exchange market: Since foreign reserve can be used as tool for monetary policy, and with Nigeria's inclination towards a fixed exchange rate, a healthy foreign reserve will enable the Central Bank of Nigeria have some degree of control in the foreign exchange market thus ensuring that the rates are stabilized.

Child-voting: A dent on democracy
Elections in Nigeria have not always been free from eventualities; from the spates of violence that may precede the D-day [at the polls] to incidences of certain individuals [that are not officially saddled with collation responsibilities] being found with thumb-printed ballot papers and the unraveling of voting taking place at unaccredited centres, the list of misfortunes plaguing our electoral system just seems to keep broadening.
One disturbing drift that came up in 2015- but was never taken so serious- is the case of child-voting which is prevalent in Northern states. This was brought to the fold again as images of children queuing up at polling stations flooded the internet. The images were supposedly taken during the February 2018 local government elections in Kano state. As we have all come to terms with; only those that have attained the age of 18 years [and above] are legible to vote, and anything to the contrary is a stark disregard for the constitution of the nation. This, in turn, means those who encourage the act are punishable under the law, and votes from the areas of it is noticed to be rendered invalid. But the thing is that most of the pictures did not give a hint on the specific location where child-voting took place.
It is definitely not possible to leave the Independent Electoral Committee (INEC) out of this very matter. But the crux of this is that while we may not want to leave INEC out, the national electoral body, through one of its directors, Oluwole Uzzi did say that under-aged voting [as it concerned the recently concluded elections in Kano state] was out of its control as the election was conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission- KANSIEC, in this case.
From the submission of Mr. Uzzi, it can be drawn that INEC is not ruling the possibility that child-voting was indeed allowed to go on. And since SIEC was meant to work with the list of registered voters it obtained from INEC, the national body cannot just come out to tell Nigerians that the anti-democratic practice of under-aged voting was out of its control. If INEC is claiming innocence; how then did those children get registered in the first place. Plus if INEC had supplied the list [of voters that are legible] and KANSIEC failed to adhere to that list then is not logical for INEC to question the activities of the state electoral body in a bid to sustain the sanctity of the electoral system? It is often said that 'to whom much is given, much is expected. That INEC aims to stay within its legal purview- being the national electoral system- should not stop it from canvassing for the sustenance of ethical standard of elections anywhere within the nation. Moreover, under-aged voting is a breach of the constitution, and failure to address it [by taking the necessary correctional actions]- irrespective of the elections in view- is not only a dent on democracy but also a slap on the nation's electoral system.

The voice of man and the voice of God
'Vox populi vox dei' (the voice of the people is the voice of God) is a popular statement we are quite conversant with especially when a crucial decision is about to be made- for instance, during elections. But let me consider what a voice really is for a moment: one can easily conclude that a voice is a projected sound that emerges from an individual's mouth. Beyond that however, a voice is meant to carry a message or relate one's stance on a particular issue...a voice can therefore be said to be an 'instrument of communication'.

Every man has got a voice even when he chooses not be expressive in his assertions; this means silence could pass across a message to those around him/her. The focal point of this discourse is that as man has got a voice so does God have His but then is the voice of man really the voice of God?
To answer the question raised above, I will like to go into the Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:7: And the Lord said to Samuel, hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them. From this (Bible verse), it possible to infer that 'the voice of the people' is 'the voice of God'. But let us ponder on the precedent that brought that made God to make that proclamation: God took delight in ruling the people of Israel but then they started desiring- the people's voice- to have a king like the other nations thereby making it clear that they are not satisfied with God's original plan for them, and since God will not strive with men, He decided to let them have a king (that is, Saul). So, we see here that there is a 'permissive will'- which does mean that God's hand can be forced though- and a 'submissive will'. Basing one's judgment on the permissive will of God, you can end up concluding that the voice of the people is the same as the voice of God.
However, if one is to follow God's original plan, it obvious that the voice of man is not always the same as that of God...as the Lord says in Isaiah 55:8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

Furthermore, when one reviews what became of Saul [in the end], it is very clear that prioritizing the voice of the people over the voice of God can be detrimental to the fulfillment of an individual's destiny [Ref.: 1Samuel 8:7].
So, it is from the foregoings that I will like to submit that the voice of the people is not necessarily the voice of God. In this wise, it is advisable that before taking certain steps in life [and not just go with popular opinion], you should seek to know what God is saying about your situation, for God truly rules in the affairs of men. As it is written: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5 - 6).

But you may ask; how then do I hear the voice of God?

• list itemBy studying and meditating on the Word of God regularly. God speaks through the written word.

• list itemThrough prayer. Prayer here should not be seen as monologue but a dialogue whereby you get to listen to know what God has to say to you [concerning a particular matter] after making your supplications.

• list itemYou can also hear God through visions.

One thing I will like to leave you with is this: while the voice of the people can be distorted or manipulated, the voice of God is always original, and helps you to ARRIVE at a glorious destination- irrespective of the rough tides you may encounter along the way. God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent...(Numbers 23:19)

Robbery in Lagos traffic
Having to face the heavy traffic after a hectic day at work is enough stress on its own but the stress level could get heightened when one considers the possibility of being harassed by robbers while one is stuck in a gridlock. Some places have become known spots where these robbers hang around to carry out their notorious activities; Anthony, Mile 2, Oshodi, Iyana-Oworo, Third Mainland Bridge, Agege Motor Road to mention but a few are some of the areas where hoodlums lie in wait for their victims.
Well, I was prompted to put forward this writeup upon hearing the ordeal a friend suffered from the hands of hoodlums as he was steering his car through the heavy traffic at Oshodi. With the visible logjam, the robbers swung into action, attacking my friend and carting away some valuables. His (experience) was not the first either was it the second- and one can be sure that it will not be the last of such at Oshodi- that I have heard of. There was once a scenario whereby these thugs shattered the window of a car, hit the driver [who happened to be a lady] with a heavy blow on the face and then robbed her of some items. The straw that broke the camel's back in my friend's case was the way a police officer approached him asking: ' how much was taken from him'? So, it was quite probable that the officer was aware that a robbery was going on but decided to stay back and watch things unfold without taking any crime-fighting measure to either dissuade them from carrying out their heinous activity or go after them [calling for backup if need be] in order to make an arrest. There's a saying that: "Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph"- Haile Selassie.
Any solution in sight?
At some point in time, security agents were hot on the heels of those who hawk goods in Lagos traffic as they were not expected to be on the road beyond a particular time in the evening. It is possible that some of these hawkers have ulterior motives but the truth is that most of them are just out to find a means of survival in this hard economy- this does not necessarily mean canvassing for them to stay beyond the stipulated time though. So, it is imperative for the government as well as the Lagos State Police command to focus more on that which would ensure a far-reaching result, and that is making sure that those miscreants lining up various roads- especially the marked areas- are taken off the road and given proper orientation. Isn't it obvious that these boys are only waiting for the opportunity- which they get when there is a gridlock- to strike?
Furthermore, the Police Force have to be more proactive in seeing to it that their men are present in areas where traffic congestion is likely to occur [most especially in the evening]. This will help to ward off the hoodlums from robbing motorists and eventually make the route safe to ply. I must say here that I have seen police officers in strategic spots on a number of occasions but I believe more needs to be done in order to keep traffic robbery from festering and turning into something that will not be easy to manage in the future.

Snake in the building
Looting is not new to the Nigerian populace; there have been different dimensions to it. The surprising- or rather funny- thing is that animals are now involved [whether directly or indirectly]. The story making the rounds is that of the snake that made its way into the vault in the account office of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Makurdi where it gulped a whopping sum of N36 million. The money was said to be proceeds from the sales of JAMB scratch cards [when the cards were still in use].
As one would have expected- since snakes are not known to consume paper or cash- the matter has been given a spiritual painting. The individual (that is, JAMB’s sales clerk, Philomena Chieshe) who is at the centre of the whole saga was quoted as saying that “she did not steal the money but confessed that her housemaid connived with another member of staff at JAMB to spiritually (through a snake) steal the money from the vault in the account office".
The Board has since come out, through its spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, to debunk the claim of the money-gulping snake related by the clerk; stressing that the case at hand is one of absolute criminality and fraud. The fraud was discovered after the team of auditors [appointed by the board] assessed the board’s inventory as the registrar made moves to ensure account stability and also curb incidences of corruption and/or financial misappropriation. He also pinpointed that it was in this view [of fighting corruption] within the system that the pin vending method was introduced for students’ JAMB registration.
In a related development; Chairman of Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, paid a visit to JAMB office with a group of snake charmers whom he said have the capability to unravel [and deal] with the mysterious snake that has now become an entity of national interest.
However, given that we are to ‘play the fool’, and put the ‘snake story’ under scrutiny; how did Mrs. Philomena get to know that the snake sneaked into the vault and made away with the money? Has she got an ‘all-seeing eye’? Plus, though I do not know how activities are run within the account office but should such a huge sum of money (as N36 million) not have been taken to the bank- irrespective of how safe the vault might have been? There is no doubt that the lapses that exist within the system was one of the reasons why the perpetrators were able to cart away that huge amount of money.
While investigations are still ongoing, it is hoped that the board will get to the root of the matter and bring the culprit(s) to book. A statement attributed to Dr. Fabian [in one of the national dailies] has it that a report on the matter has been forwarded to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and that disciplinary measures will be meted out after the report has been approved [by the minister].
Philomena Chieshe might have tried her best in attempting to fool a whole nation by selling us her ‘snake story’ but we are surely having none of it; she has got to come out clean with the whole truth and let the ‘lying snake’ have some good rest.

Prevalence of domestic violence
The concept of “domestic violence” is on its own could exude some level of ambiguity; therefore there is a tendency of it being misconstrued as many still have varying and conflicting perspective of the true meaning of this volatile subject matter. That said, it is imperative that the true meaning of domestic violence be understood [before steps could even be taken towards curbing it]. Domestic violence conventionally could be said to be the infliction of physical injury by a relative [or household member] on another, and this pattern of behavior is often repetitive. Domestic violence encompasses spousal or intimate partner violence, child abuse, child maltreatment and suchlike. More often than not domestic violence is misunderstood as just cases of man beating spouse but beyond that, cases of women maltreating their spouses are also becoming a common trend.
Domestic violence is not [and has never been] exclusive to our society; it is in fact a human problem prevalent in advanced countries as well as developing countries but the difference lies in the ways these two 'worlds' handle cases of domestic violence. Cases of domestic violence are potential murder cases and are treated as such in advanced nations while here in our society they are treated as cases of mere dispute or misdemeanor, perhaps the presence of the term domestic there waters down the adverse effect this vice has upon the society- the saying that 'it's a family matter' is often used to quell the severity of the abuse. And in many cases of domestic violence, it is often seen that perpetrators hinge the blame on the devil or perhaps are left wishing things turned out differently, no sane individual would wish to murder- let alone harm- the person whom he/she promised to spend the rest of his/her life with but situations arise and it could happen to be that one push, punch or slap that deals the fatal blow.
As the above explanation of domestic violence goes, it is obvious that it occurs in a cycle; re-occurring abusive tendencies and/or traits may have been observed but silence and somewhat misjudged perseverance keep victims in such abusive relationship. However, this ends up not only to harm of the victims but could yet leave an imprint in minds of the offsprings- whereby procreation is involved- thereby causing a greater threat to the society as this deviant behavior endlessly fester [from one generation to another].
So rampant is domestic violence in our society today that people often make bold and 'unrepentant' confessions about hitting their spouses. Again, viewing it from another angle; some women believe in the very paternalistic nature of the African society that they often see no wrongdoing in getting beaten by their spouses. So, it is very important to reorient the people [most especially women] that they are not properties of their spouse but rather their helpmate, and it is imperative that people understand that under no circumstance should men hit women regardless of her offense as there are several non-violent ways of dispute resolution between a couple.
As earlier emphasized, domestic violence is not about the man and woman alone; even the inability of parents to understand the line between discipline and brutality of their children can result in cases of domestic violence. And it often circles around abusive homes because chances are high that one who was raised in an abusive environment would not know how to adequately cater for their own family [if they have one]- even when they find themselves in a non-abusive setting.

Prevalence of domestic violence
The concept of “domestic violence” is in its could exude some level of ambiguity; therefore there is a tendency of it being misconstrued as many still have varying and conflicting perspective of the true meaning of this volatile subject matter. That said, it is imperative that the true meaning of domestic violence be understood [before steps could even be taken towards curbing it]. Domestic violence conventionally could be said to be the infliction of physical injury by a relative [or household member] on another, and this pattern of behavior is often repetitive. Domestic violence encompasses spousal or intimate partner violence, child abuse, child maltreatment and suchlike. More often than not domestic violence is misunderstood as just cases of man beating spouse but beyond that, cases of women maltreating their spouses are also becoming a common trendin
Domestic violence is not [and has never been] exclusive to our society; it is in fact a human problem prevalent in advanced countries as well as developing countries but the difference lies in the ways these two 'worlds' handle cases of domestic violence. Cases of domestic violence are potential murder cases and are treated as such in advanced nations while here in our society they are treated as cases of mere dispute or misdemeanor, perhaps the presence of the term domestic there waters down the adverse effect this vice has upon the society- the saying that 'it's a family matter' is often used to quell the severity of the abuse. And in many cases of domestic violence, it is often seen that perpetrators hinge the blame on the devil or perhaps are left wishing things turned out differently, no sane individual would wish to murder- let alone harm- the person whom he/she promised to spend the rest of his/her life with but situations arise and it could happen to be that one push, punch or slap that deals the fatal blow.
As the above explanation of domestic violence goes, it is obvious that it occurs in a cycle; re-occurring abusive tendencies and/or traits may have been observed but silence and somewhat misjudged perseverance keep victims in such abusive relationship. However, this ends up not only to harm of the victims but could yet leave an imprint in minds of the offsprings- whereby procreation is involved- thereby causing a greater threat to the society as this deviant behavior endlessly fester [from one generation to another].
So rampant is domestic violence in our society today that people often make bold and 'unrepentant' confessions about hitting their spouses. Again, viewing it from another angle; some women believe in the very paternalistic nature of the African society that they often see no wrongdoing in getting beaten by their spouses. So, it is very important to reorient the people [most especially women] that they are not properties of their spouse but rather their helpmate, and it is imperative that people understand that under no circumstance should men hit women regardless of her offense as there are several non-violent ways of dispute resolution between a couple.
As earlier emphasized, domestic violence is not about the man and woman alone; even the inability of parents to understand the line between discipline and brutality of their children can result in cases of domestic violence. And it often circles around abusive homes because chances are high that one who was raised in an abusive environment would not know how to adequately cater for their own family [if they have one]- even when they find themselves in a non-abusive setting.

The Champions League is back
Europe's elite club competition generates a lot of frenzy world over, and Nigerians are not left out of the fun. It has become commonplace to see soccer fans troop out en masse to viewing centres to catch a glimpse of their favorite football teams. That trend is bound to be sustained as the Champions League makes a return with the round of 16 fixtures to be between 13th of February and 14th of March. So, we take a look at the interesting matchups that will involve some of Europe's best clubs.

Basel FC Vs Manchester City
Manchester City is a team that is on fire at the moment, and this (form) is expected to be taken into the game against Basel. The Swiss club may not be pundits' favorite to progress against the EPL side but as it is in football; never say never as anything can happen. The first leg comes up on February 13 while the second leg will be at the Etihad stadium on March 7.

Juventus Vs Tottenham
Losing finalists in the 2016/2017 Champions League, Juventus go into the game against Tottenham with the hope of having a go at the trophy on one more occasion. However, they will be up against a Tottenham side that have already created some sort of upset by defeating Real Madrid- and subsequently emerging as group winners. Tottenham Hotspur will be out to prove a point that their group stage feat was no fluke.

FC Porto Vs Liverpool
As long as this contest is concerned, both teams will fancy their chances of upstaging one another for a place in the quarterfinal stage. This is one game that is poised to be a thriller and could be decided by the little details in between. Though Liverpool have been very prolific in front of goal but their defense line has often let them down- this is something Porto's coach, Sergio Conceição, would have been well aware of. First leg comes up on February 14 and the return leg is billed for March 6.

Real Madrid Vs PSG
This is obviously the most anticipated game of the round of 16 and that is informed by the array of stars that will be paraded on both sides plus the prize that is at stake. Going by their high profile standard, Real Madrid have not had the best of season thus far as they are currently struggling to replicate the form that saw them claim the domestic league title and the Champions League trophy last season. And with the La Liga nearly [and/or realistically] slipping out of their grip already, the team will be raring to defend the Champions League title- and probably aim to claim the trophy for an unprecedented third time- but then PSG and Neymar await.

Bayern Munich Vs Besiktas
Bayern Munich is on a roller coaster in the Bundesliga and it remains to be seen how well that will be translated into the match against Besiktas- a team that has thus far proven to know how to hold its line against some of Europe's top teams. Jupp Heynckes' men will be up against a well drilled Besiktas side that is yet to lose a match in the Champions League this season. First leg is at the Allianz Arena on February 20 while the second leg comes up on the 14th of March.

Chelsea Vs Barcelona
Here is another game football fans will be looking forward to with great expectations. Considering Chelsea's present struggles, one may be tempted to give this to Barcelona but writing Chelsea off could be at the Catalan's peril. Plus the world will be watching whether the little magician, Lionel Messi will find find the back of the net against the Blues.

Sevilla Vs Manchester United
The rivalry between EPL sides and La Liga sides continues as Sevilla welcome Manchester United to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for the first leg fixture on the 21st of February while the second leg is scheduled for the 13th of March.

Shakhtar Donetsk Vs AS Roma
It's been a 'fairytale' run for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League this season. The Ukrainian side beat Napoli to the second spot- coming behind Manchester City- and they will be jostling for a spot in the quarter-final against another Serie A side, AS Roma who have also had their fair of Champions League bliss this season.

Meet the athletes representing Nigeria at the Winter Olympics
For one reason or the other, sport is one 'universal language' everyone has come to appreciate whether at a competitive level or otherwise. While sports such as football, lawn tennis, basketball, baseball and some other ones are quite notable and gaining huge following; there are those that do not really enjoy rave reviews but this is is not stopping athletes who are so passionate about them from having fun in the sports they have come to love. At the moment, athletes from different countries across the globe are currently participating in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and one of the major talking point is that Nigeria is also participating in the competition for the first time- that's probably not news any longer. However, let's beam focus on the four ladies that are representing Nigeria at Pyeongchang 2018. Three of them will be competing for a place on the podium in bobsleigh while the fourth will be participating in the skeleton bob event. Those two (2) events are certainly not sporting activities that are making wave in Nigeria, a nation where football dominates the sporting arena. So, it wouldn't be out of place to briefly talk about these 'strange-sounding' sport before I proceed further.
Bobsleigh can be compared with car race in some ways but there is no car involved, and track [on which it is performed] is of ice. As Wikipedia puts it: "Bobsleigh is a Winter sport in which teams of two or four teammates make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled". Skeleton bob, on the other hand, is a variation of bobsleigh only that the sled used [in the skeleton event] is smaller and is controlled by a single rider.
So, let's talk about the heroines- or shall we call them pacesetters?

Seun Adigun
Seun Adigun has given so much to the course as she pioneered the movement to have Nigeria represented at the Winter Olympics for the first time. She had to raise the fund for the project through a 'Go FundMe' campaign and was able to persuade other teammates- including the coach- to join in before they began to draw interest from sponsors, fans and other sport personalities world over. Well, for the records, Seun is a 100m hurdle athlete who represented Nigeria at various international competitions that included the London 2012 Summer Olympics and a number of world championship. She will be participating in the two-women bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics.

Akuoma Omeoga
Akuoma was born into the family of a Nigerian couple in Minnesota 25 years ago. Prior to teaming up with Seun Adigun, she had been actively involved in track and field events at her alma mater, University of Minnesota. She will be joining the pilot (that is Seun Adigun]- and representing Nigeria- in the sled as the 'brakeman'- you can choose call her a 'brakewoman', though.

Ngozi Onwumere
Ngozi Onwumere was born in Texas, U.S.A. Like Seun, Ngozi has also represented Nigeria in a host of track and field events; she had previously competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m races and also the 4 X 100m relay race. Ngozi will double as the coach and second 'brakeman' of the bobsleigh team at this year's Winter Olympics.

Simidele Adeagbo
Simidele Adeagbo was born in Toronto and spent some of her childhood years in Nigeria. Inspired by the achievement of the trio [of Seun, Akuoma and Ngozi], Simidele decided to chart a slightly different course as she vied for a slot- which she eventually got- in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Before undertaking this new adventure, she had represented the University of Kentucky in triple jump events.

As we bask in the sweltering heat of the sun here at home, we can take solace in seeing the Nigerian flag hoisted in the freezing weather of Pyeongchang; all thanks to the heroics of Seun Adigun, Akuoma Omeoga, Ngozi Onwumere and Simidele Adeagbo.
The heat event of skeleton will begin on the 15th of February, 2018 while that of the bobsleigh starts off by February, 21. So, watch out for these Nigerian ladies with the heart of lion participate in the highly technical [and yet risky] winter sports of bobsleigh and skeleton.

Top earners in Nigeria’s football circle
The saying that ‘football is a beautiful game’ is best validated by the level of interest the game commands. But how will that interest be generated without the skills of the men who play the game? Football is fun and rewarding- maybe for satisfying the pleasure of fans but that is not the focal point of this article. Football is one of the richest sport in the world today, and while many are reaping huge dividend from football marketing and probably bets, those at the forefront (that is, the star players) are making a fortune from the game of soccer.
The likes of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi are just some football stars who are earning big from the sport as a result of their talents. Let us however bring it closer to our own by looking at Nigerian stars who are top earners in the round leather game.

Odion Ighalo
Leading the pack is Odion Ighalo who currently plays for Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League. The ex-Watford smiles home with a whopping £200,000 every week- a billionaire in his own right back at home in Nigeria.

Mikel Obi
Mikel plays for Tianjin Teda and turning out for his Chinese employer brings him a fortune of £140,000 weekly. The highly experienced midfielder has always been among the highest paid Nigerian players while he was in Europe, playing for Chelsea FC.

Obafemi Martins
Martins might have been left out of the national team’s set-up for a long time now but that has not stop the cash from streaming in. He features for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and earns £100,000 on a weekly basis for his services.

Victor Moses
Talk about reward for hardwork and perseverance; Moses’ improved contract at Chelsea FC sees his bank account ‘swelling’ by £75,000 on a weekly basis.

Kelechi Iheanacho
Now into Europe where we have Nigerian forward, Kelechi Iheanacho who plays for Leicester City in the English Premiership earning £70,000 weekly.

Ahmed Musa
Ahmed Musa’s pay packet at Leicester City sees him earning £60,000 on a weekly basis. Musa has however secured a loan move to his former club, CSKA Moscow on the final day of the winter transfer window.

Brown Ideye
China has proved to be the land of great harvest for Nigerian players and Brown Ideye- who teamed with John Mikel Obi about a year ago- is one of the reapers. He earns £60,000 playing for the Chinese side. Ideye has since moved to Malaga on a six-month loan.

Wilfred Ndidi
Tenacious Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has at one point talked about how tough life was for him as an aspiring footballer but that belongs to the history books now as the young midfielder takes home £50,000 for the Foxes.

Alex Iwobi
Arsenal winger, Alex Iwobi is among the top ten earners in the Nigerian football circle; he gets a weekly wage of £30,000 for his services- maybe not very massive but it will surely rise in coming years.

Vincent Enyeama
Veteran goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama may be out of favour at Lille but that is currently ‘not causing any harm’ to his purse as he earns £30,000 every week.

4 Things to take away from the CHAN tournament
The weekend was indeed one to forget for the home-based Eagles who lost out on claiming the Total African Nations Championship trophy for the first time upon their third appearance at the competition. The team looked hapless as the Morocco ran riot, beating them by four goals to nil. That result means that the CHAN Eagles have now lost two final games in the space of one year- the first being the West African Football Union championship final in which they also conceded four goals.
While the bitter pills swallowed by Eagles at the hands of the Atlas Lions might have left us with some negative memories, I will like to draw out some positives and/or salient points from the Eagles’ run at the tournament.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa looks good for the World Cup
With the retirement of Vincent Enyeama and Carl Ikeme’s health issue, finding a pair of safe hands to man the Super Eagles’ goalpost have been quite challenging for the coaching crew of the national team, and coach Gernot Rohr does seem to have some reservations about trusting Ezenwa with such responsibility as he makes aim to bring Enyeama out of retirement. But going by Ezenwa’s performances [prior to the injury that ruled him out of the final game] then there should not be so much cause for alarm; the goalkeeper gave a good account of himself, winning a ‘man of the match’ award on one occasion- in the quarter-final match against Angola. Though the world cup is at a different level altogether but his (Ezenwa’s) input at the CHAN competition might have his world cup spot [in the squad] a lot of good.

There are treasures in Nigerian Professional Football League
It was no doubt a disappointing run at the end but that does not mean there are no treasures that can be unraveled from the production line- the NPFL. There are a good number of players that showed great promises whenever their services were required. Ikechukwu Ezenwa is already a popular NPFL star; however, players like Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Osas Okoro, Stephen Eze, Sunday Faleye, Dayo Ojo and Kalu Orji are also worth taking note of. Digging deeper, there are yet some other players with great potentials [in different NPFL clubs] that did not make the cut for the tournament.

Preparation remains crucial
The old saying that ‘when one fails to plan, he/she plans to fail’ still holds truth, and that somewhat applies to the poor preparation of the team for the tournament. Although the team was involved in a friendly game with Cameroon and also played in the super six- a competition that involved Plateau United, Eyinmba, Akwa United, Kano Pillars and MFM- but more should have been done for a group of players that had not been involved in competitive games for up to three (3) months before the friendly matches were played. Adequate preparation could have helped to address the issue of players’ fitness. The lack of match fitness might have had a telling effect on the team’s performance as a couple of key players were lost to injuries.

The League needs an upgrade
Though the team scaled through to the final of the competition but if Nigerian clubs’ performances at continental competitions are anything to go by [and if we are to win any competition with our home-based setup], then you will agree that the standard of the Nigeria Professional Football League needs to be upgraded. It is no coincidence that Morocco emerged winners; the Moroccan league is one of the strongest in Africa, and the core of the team that represented Morocco at CHAN composed of players from Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca- two clubs with rich vein of history at continental competitions. Again, other national home-based teams that have gone on to win- or put up a strong showing at the competition- the trophy have always had a heavy presence of players whose teams are actively involved in continental competitions. In essence, talents may not be enough to win the elusive CHAN title; we have got to look inward- not necessarily going back to the drawing board- and the national football league a huge lift.

The tale of the thin cow and the fat cow: Thought on Nigeria’s economic implosion
I begin this write-up with a short tale: two men- say A and B were both given a fortune apiece; to A was given a thin cow and to B, a fat cow. Upon receiving his gift, B started reaping great rewards [from his cow], going straight into production while A took some time to assess the state of his newly acquired gift. So, while B was working his cow to give more produce, A was working on his (thin) cow, and in the course of time, A’s cow gained more weight, becoming as huge as B’s cow. Eventually, A’s production line began to take a surge while B suffered a decline in production. Here is the thing: while B failed to develop his ‘estate’, rather depending on its innate production capability, A took time to develop his venture and ended up building sustainable business overtime.

Let me bring this home; I have, on different occasions, read of how the Nigerian economy was thriving in the past. Nigeria was- and I believe it still is- so blessed that it extended a helping to other nations without having to be in debt but in no time, gross mismanagement has since the nation’s economy plummet and managing to keep its head above the water. I could recall reading about how vast Nigeria was in the oil palm production and exploration: prior to 1934, Nigeria was well ahead of Malaysia in oil palm production but in the space of about four (4) decades, the Asian country did not only overtake Nigeria in production but also became a major exporter of the crop, and this happened after British administrators- the ones governing the nation then- gifted some Nigeria’s oil palm seeds to Malaysia. Till this very moment, the oil palm sector is yet to be resuscitated as we keep watching it become a shadow of itself.

Again, in the aspect of crude oil exploration, we are not really making the most of all the byproducts obtainable from this natural resource, and this is simply due to the fact that the crude oil is processed in refineries outside the shores of the country. Furthermore, crude oil exportation has now been negatively affected as countries- Peru, Japan, United Kingdom and some other European countries- that used to be major importers of crude oil from Nigeria have found the U.S as a more fitting partner. It should be recalled that U.S itself used to be a major importer of crude oil from Nigeria [and Africa] but ever since it has been recording an improved oil production rate, there is hardly any reason to keep importing the resource from this part of the world. Plus, the idea of using bio-fuel to power automobiles is now gaining more grounds as the days roll by. Hence, Nigeria ought to wake up and start fashioning out other ways of sustaining her economy.
Where the problem lies
On the periphery, it is very obvious to see that the overreliance on crude oil has been our greatest undoing. We kept on ‘milking’ the earth of the natural substance without creating something that will be sustainable enough to hold the land in a whole piece. But more indepthly, the lack of visionary leadership has brought us to where we are today. What we keep witnessing is a scenario whereby different administrations come on board and leave some critical areas and/or resources untapped. The agricultural sector which was the mainstay of our economy [back in the 80’s] is still struggling to regain prominence; industries and government-run refineries [for crude oil] are nearly non-existent.
In seeking a lasting solution, we need not get too technical; the burgeoning oil sector should be used in consolidating other sectors that are functioning below par in order to build a ‘well-oiled’ economy that can stand the test of time. Nigeria has everything- both natural and human resources- it needs to be counted among nations with sustainable economy- it is quite pathetic to see an economy rated as the third fastest growing in the world in 2014 grappling for survival almost four (4) years later.
Though we may still have the crude oil in abundance but should the trend of overly depending on crude oil [and overlooking other areas] continue, we may end up ‘thinning out’ the wealth of the nation and have nothing tangible to fall back on in the future.

Most of the times, letters are means of communication between two parties or thereabout but when it comes to a letter of national interest, it is impossible to keep the public from knowing the contents [of the letter and/or memo]. The writing of letters to the president, admonishing him shed the intention of seeking re-election in 2019, has been trending for a while now. First of such letters that commanded huge interest was General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) and some weeks later, we have got the memo from General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). The two ex-generals highlighted the President’s [and the present administration’s] ineptitude to fashion out good strategies and policies that can help fast track development in the nation hence the call for him (President Buhari) to drop his ambition of ruling beyond 2019. While Obasanjo’s letter made wave with some individuals making profit from its (printed copy) sales in traffic, it is necessary that we ponder upon the salient issues raised in these letters. In this wise, I will like to review IBB’s memo- which, as stated, was written to compatriots and not just for the president alone. The letter is quite weighty and touches upon a whole lot of issues- albeit briefly but pointedly- which border on the state of the nation.

Doing away with the old
One of the major concerns raised in the memo is the need to do away with the trend of making leadership revolve round a particular set of individuals thus setting the stage for a new generation of leaders. Recall that Obasanjo also made a remark in line with this view while on BBC HARD talk. Babangida also stressed the need to incorporate intellectual prowess into governance; so, it is not just about calling for a new generation of leaders but those with the wherewithal and/or potentials to aptly engage the country’s resources and bring about sustainable development and thereby setting Nigeria on the course of greatness.
On the other hand, this very issue should not be about President Buhari alone as it also has to do with political parties in the country. Now, more than ever before, is the time to groom a new set of leaders or search out for citizens [within the party’s framework] who have the qualities to govern the affairs of a multi-ethnical nation like Nigeria. We may not be able to have an Emmanuel Macron in a short while but we truly need something different- the best brains should be allowed to rule this nation.

A new dimension to governance
IBB also pinpointed the need to start seeking new ways of doing ways as he talked about the projection towards a dynamic governance that will be in tune with the times we are in. he emphasized that governance should be brought up to speed with the digital age by engaging technological advances and the input citizenry. In his words; “we cannot continue to use old methods and expect new results”. This very line reminds me of the postulation of Albert Einstein that ‘you cannot solve a problem using the same level of thinking you had when it (the problem) was created’ [paraphrased]. There is a need to make clear cut plans [and decisions] in order to give Nigeria a breather.

Giving the electorates an unbiased platform to express their views
It is interesting to see IBB speak about preserving democracy by allowing the electorates to be more involved in the affairs of the country. He envisaged that every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the political economy of the nation, and as such their voices cannot [and should not] be silenced. Quoting him: “Opinions in Nigeria are not limited to the borders of political elite; in fact, every Nigerian no matter how young or old, has an opinion on any national issue”…”I am particularly enamoured that Nigerians are becoming more and more conscious of their rights; and their ability to speak truth to power and interrogate those elected to represent them without fear of arrest and harassment. These are parts of the principles of representative democracy”.

Security issues
General Babangida also decried the fallen state of security in the nation- a situation that has led to the deaths of many innocent citizens across various states in the Federation; this, especially, is in consonance with the growing concerns over the activities of Boko Haram and the herdsmen. He particularly punctured the Federal government’s claim that Boko Haram has been defeated; emphasizing that the menace of the terrorist group is yet to be wholly quelled. In his view, the military have got to launch a full offensive on the group [in the inner fortress of Sambisa forest] rather than waiting to hit them on the counter. Furthermore, he called for the institution of State Police to supplement Federal Police, and also asked that the Federal government look into installing and/or utilizing sophisticated devices for detecting and fighting crimes.
As one would have expected, the barrage of letters [that have been written in connection with the state of the nation] has been generating a lot of tensions and controversies among Nigerians. In the weeks following the release of IBB’s memo, we have seen the Police declaring IBB’s media spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, being declared a ‘wanted man’ [by the Police] only for the IGP to claim it was not so after a N1 billion suit had been filed against the Police.
Again, Nigerians have been questioning the moral rights of the men- OBJ and IBB- from whom these letters emerged as they bring to the fore their past ills- while they were in charge of the nation’s administration. But then, before we harden our hearts and condemn the message and the messengers, it is expedient that we face the truth about how things really are; for it is only after doing so, we can clearly chart a course for a holistic national development. Obasanjo has written to the President, and so has Babangida written to compatriots- of which the President is also one- and have they raised issues we need to look into [without sentiments]? – YES; I believe they have raised some thought-provoking matters, and we [you and I] as stakeholders in this democratic setup cannot afford to be negligent of that.
You can read the full details of IBB’s memo here:
http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/04/babangida-asks-nigerians-vote-out-buhari-2019-read-full-text