Oyedele made the call while delivering a keynote address at the hybrid 16th annual lecture of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The theme of the event was “Nigeria’s Economic Policies: Effects, Challenges, and Strategies for Sustainable Economic Stability”.

Oyedele explained the principles and importance of fiscal and monetary policies in shaping the economy.

He said that the problem with the economy was not the cost of governance but rather the lack of adequate finances to run the nation.

“If you look at the budget of all the states, it is N16 trillion. If you add 16 to 29, it is about 45 trillion Naira.

“That N45 trillion is barely 30 billion dollars for 200 million people.

“That 30 billion dollars is less than the budget of Kenya, which is 32 billion dollars for 54 million people.

“It is less than one-quarter of the budget of South Africa and less than 30 per cent of the budget of New York City, not New York State, which is 107 billion dollars,” he said.

Oyedele pointed out that Nigeria’s budget was higher than its revenue, and at about N18 trillion, representing only half of the funds required.

He added that the nation’s revenue was not enough to pay salaries alone under the proposed minimum wage being agitated by labour unions.

“If you take the entire revenue of the Nigerian government, local government, state government, and federal government, and you pay only the salary of civil servants, you cannot pay N500,000 per month.

“If you pay N500,000 per month per civil servant, that whole money is gone, leaving no money for defense, roads, or anything else,” he explained.

He urged NIQS to sponsor bills that tackle critical issues related to taxes and obsolete legislation affecting land, construction matters, and the economy.

Dr Olujide Oke, Managing Partner at Jim Partnership, spoke on policy mistakes of previous and current administrations and how the challenges of COVID-19 affected productivity.

Oke called for the upscaling of social skills and the provision of an enabling environment, including a stable power supply, to stabilise the economy.

He listed strategies for sustainable growth, including reviewing the cost of governance, improving security, strengthening monetary policies and rehabilitating the nation’s refineries.

According to him, others include boosting the ease of doing business, investing in accessible and affordable power, enhancing revenue generation, diversifying the economy, providing social safety nets, and exploring alternative energy sources.

Dr. Paul Alaje, a financial expert, described Nigeria as a nation chasing its tail by not properly utilising its human and natural resources.

Alaje, Chief Economist and Senior Partner at SPM Professionals noted that unemployment figures have worsened, but current statistics appear low due to changes in measurement parameters.

He suggested some indicators and provided statistics for the economic development while also urging the government to build strong institutions to curb corruption.

Alaje also emphasised the need to tackle insecurity affecting food production, boost manufacturing, address unemployment, stabilise the exchange rate and combat corruption.

He appealed to Nigerians to consume local products as an act of patriotism to grow the economy.

Other speakers called for an enabling environment, fair taxation, sustained spending and responsible borrowing for Nigeria to surmount its economic challenges.

They also advocated for improved power supply, investments in infrastructure, enhanced productivity, and quality healthcare delivery.

Mr Kene Nzekwe, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), commended the Lagos chapter for organising the event and choosing a topic that addressed current challenges facing Nigerians.

Represented by his deputy, Aminu Bashir, Nzekwe urged the conference to provide solutions to the exodus of investors and the high cost of living eroding capital and increasing poverty.

The NIQS Lagos State Chapter chairman, Olanrewaju Farotimi, highlighted the importance of effective economic policies for sustainable growth and stability.

He welcomed participants and urged discussants to provide deeper insights into Nigeria’s economic journey, the challenges faced, and strategies for achieving stability and prosperity.

The post Experts seek collaboration on Nigeria’s economic development appeared first on Sunrise News.

Comrade Debo Adeniran CDHR National President made this assertion while addressing the media in the state of the nation briefing on Thursday at the Rights House, Ikeja.

“We as activists are not happy with the President’s performance so far. During his campaign, we believed so much in him going by his antecedents as one of those that spearheaded the PRONACO in those days.

“We thought his reign would bring succour and relief to the people especially as we missed that golden opportunity during the June 12 election, but the reverse is the case right now.

“We would like to call on the President to explore the possibility of reaching out to more professionals even outside his cabinet so that his policies and programmes can have a more beneficial effect on the populace.

Comrade Adeniran who touched on the ranging issues in the nation’s polity, took out time to highlight some misnomer cited while proffering workable solutions as it pertains: corruption, high cost of foodstuffs, illegal proliferation of arms and ammunition, crude shortage and Dangote refinery, SSANU/NASU strike, deplorable state of road networks and the River State impasse amongst others.

On food security Adeniran tasked the government at various levels to stop being lazy and care free about the situation, adding that they should make concerted efforts in addressing food sufficiency given our fertile lands while charging the security agencies especially the Nigerian Armed Forces to also take to agricultural ventures, to scare away marauding herdsmen and bandits pillaging the lands across zones.

“For some time now, Nigerians have been under torment by the astronomical rise in the prices of basic foods in the marketplace. This surge is reflected mainly in the prices of garri, millet, yam, fermented cassava meal (akpu), palm oil, vegetable oil, beef, rice, beans, among others.

“The high cost of these foodstuffs is alarming primarily because these food items are staples in most homes across the land. The absence of these items would contribute seriously to hunger and malnutrition in the country. This gives room for a huge concern as the steep prices have battered the purchasing power of citizens, leading to uncertainty, an increase in poverty, and an unpalatable cost of living. The disruption caused by rising food inflation has further decimated the low wages of the people.

“A 2022 survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty. How on earth will the people that fall into this group be able to afford these staples which has skyrocketed beyond the reach of an ordinary Nigerians?

Incessant killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farmland have led to farmers abandoning their farmland for fear of bandits and herdsmen, thereby contributing to food shortages across the country.

“The situation is rampant in Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Borno, where violence plagues the states often regarded as Nigeria’s food belt. In Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and other states, bandits and terrorists hold sway, collecting levies or tributes from farmers before they can plant or harvest their crops.

“So insecurity has contributed greatly to the high cost of food in the country. The government should make it a priority to secure lives and properties of the entire citizens of the country and not only the farmers as this would contribute immensely to the greater output and more investment opportunities in the economy of the country.

 As a temporary measure, the government at every level should undertake tangible programmes to defeat hunger in the land and introduction of various social safety measures at a time like this would be a welcome development.

He stressed that the existing bottlenecks in the administration of the country was due to the refusal of the powers that be to be accountable to the people with whom the sovereign powers of the land ought to reside originally.

Regarding the academic sector Adeniran critiqued the situation citing several untoward developments from the government’s end to the workers demands.

“Recently, two non-teaching staff unions mull an indefinite strike at the expiration of a two-week strike notice, over withheld 4 months salaries, and the unpaid 13 months salaries to Abia State University workers.

“The unions are the Senior Staff Union of Universities (SSANU), and the Non-teaching Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU). SSANU President at a briefing in Abuja said beyond the withheld and unpaid salaries, most institutions still owe between three and six months of the N35,000 wage award as it accused the Federal government of being slow and dodgy with regards to announcing a new national minimum wage.

“Other issues the unions concerned about are the limited number of educated individuals in the reconstituted Boards of Federal tertiary institutions and the proliferation of State Universities, amidst poor funding of existing ones.

“We would like to call on the government to do everything within the ambit of the law to avert the strike considering the negative effects of the strike on the academic activities on our campuses. Their concerns should be looked into in order to avoid another industrial unrest.”

Commenting on the Dangote refinery and the seemingly no impact felt in the sector up till now by virtue of it coming up stream, the issue he said is shrouded in secrecy and that they need come out clean.

“We felt this will help reduce the hardship but unfortunately, Dangote imports crude which in clear terms is substandard to our own Brent crude.  We should resist selling of substandard products. We are calling for the reintroduction of fuel subsidy given the suffering experienced by Nigerians.

“We should not pay for their inefficiency. Did the purchase go through sighting of appropriate authorities in the first place. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should block the loopholes being an accountant and someone who had knowledge of how the oil industry runs prior to now.

“As concerns mount over the lack of domestic crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we would like the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to inform Nigerians on what is really happening.

“If the refinery is finding it difficult to access domestic crude oil and have to rely on importation from foreign countries then what exactly is happening in our oil and gas sector.

“We would also like to align with other groups like the Independent Petroleum Producers Group who has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider declaring a state of emergency on crude oil production in Nigeria following the lingering crisis associated with this.”

On the River State impasse Adeniran maintained that the erstwhile governor of the state Nyesom Wike ought to concentrate maximally on his newly assigned task as the FCT minister and allow the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara to function without hinderance in any form.

“The power play that is being displayed can be likened to the Godfatherism principle commonly practiced in Nigeria’s political arena. We would not like to delve into the details of what has happened in the state in recent time but considering the prevailing circumstances, we feel strongly that all lovers of democracy should be concerned about the situation in Rivers State.

“If not properly handled, it will definitely have catastrophic consequences for our democracy as it may snowballed into other states.”

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It evidently marks the commencement of an eternal journey to the great beyond as his mortal body takes on immortality.

Pa Kasunmu who held the following titles prior to his demise- Amoye-Ilu of Lagos, Fiwagboye of Abuja and Akeweje of Egbaland exemplifies what it really means to be an enigma, as prominent Nigerians thronged the venues of his burial programmes.

In his lifetime, the late High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu, was a very industrious personality, a renowned socialite, an astute political leader in Ifako Ijaye local government, a consummate Christian and community leader. He was a successful civil engineer and business personality who made made great impacts on a lot of lives.

His late mother, Chief (Mrs) Elfrida Williams originated from the Coker and Williams families of Iporo Ake, Abeokuta while his father came from Onilegbale royal family of Lagos. As a young man, he got married to Abiodun Arafat, the beautiful daughter of the late Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who was then the best friend of Mama Elfrida Williams. The marriage produced only one child, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, who is currently the Deputy Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly. Chief (Mrs) Abiodun Kasunmu died in 2006.

Chief Kasunmu’s second marriage to Mrs Oluwakemi Kasunmu (a beautiful Customs officer) is blessed with three wonderful daughters who are currently doing very well in their educational pursuits.

His only surviving sibling, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Anyaoku is married to former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

This explains why the Anyaoku siblings, Mrs Adiba Anyaoku Ighodaro and Yemi Anyaoku were fully involved in the planning and execution of the burial ceremony. During the event Hon. Kasunmu commended them immensely for their contributions and support towards the success of the ceremony.

It is worthy of note to state that the Kasunmu’s are traditionally Anglican by faith and this fact resonated loudly from the Service of Songs held at St. John Anglican Church Iju Ishaga Lagos on Tuesday 18th June, 2024 followed by a well-attended Wake Keep Service at St Peters Church, Faji, Lagos Island on Wednesday 19th June,2024 and which climaxed in a final interment service at the Church on 20th June,2024 before his body was finally committed to the mother earth at Ikoyi Cemetery.

The final burial ceremony of Pa Kasunmu started on a cool note on Thursday with regally attired pall bearers from Lagos-based elite funeral handlers, TOS Funerals arrived at the church premises with his remains amidst dancing, drumming and singing under the early morning drizzle.

At exactly 10am the final interment service commenced in his honour and was handled with precision by the officiating priests led by the lead Vicar, who eulogized the deceased for his commitment to the things of God and urged his children and everyone present to emulate his fatherly legacies.

Dignitaries present at the church service include Oba of Lagos, who was represented by his Staff of Office and 10 white cap chiefs.

Others include the wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hazmat; Secretary to the Government of Lagos State (SSG), Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin(who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu); former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku,; Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

Also present were Sen. Babajide Omoworare; Afrobeat Star, Darey Art Alade; Executive Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Engr. Mojeed Alabi Balogun and his cabinet; the Iyalode of Lagos; Chief (Mrs) Bintu Tinubu; mother of Former Governor Fashola, Mrs Omolara Fashola; Chief Funso Ologunde; Prince Ranti Olufon and his wife; Ikeja LGA Vice Chairman, Hon. Yomi Mayungbe; Ikeja LGA SLG Comrade Akeem Dauda (AKOD); former House of Representatives member, and father of Hon. Kasunmu’s wife; Hon. Matthew Omegara; and many other dignitaries.

In course of the service, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu was inducted into the prestigious YMCA group of the church in order to sustain the legacies of his father.

A resplendent reception immediately kicks-off on the 5th Floor of The Bell Event Center on the island and was no gainsaying a 5-star class of an event, given the panache and finesse of the ambience that regaled the hall with mouth-watering cuisine listed on the order-guide placed on all the tables with ready hands to attend the needs of guest, it typifies an intense Caribbean theme common with Hollywood events.

The first son of the late patriarch of the Kasunmu dynasty-Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (ARK) again asserts his tasteful style, by ensuring a classified arrangement for guests’ convenience while the eminent personalities, women and men graced the occasion well decked in the choice green and lemon Ankara Asoebi, painted a beautiful scenery with their different styles, designs and captivating comportment.

The ever-graceful compare Gbenga Adeyinka de 1^st was evidently at his best as he anchored the event flawlessly, making welcomed all gathered in honour of the late Pa Kasunmu.

Gospel Saxophone Minister, BeeJay Sax Hon. Kasunmu’s favourite artiste set the tone for an evening of praise, worship, entertainment and fun as he dished out various popular tunes, moving from table to table, creating a frenzy of dance and symphony of excitement among the guests. Faith Band and Ajobiewe’s son also thrilled guests to high pitch performances.

The arrival of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Mudashiru Obasa at the event with a retinue of 10th Assembly lawmakers created a buzz that paused the event momentarily.

Mr. Speaker came to honour the No 4 Principal officer of the biggest State House of Assembly in Africa, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu.

Obasa left a charge with all gathered at the event while delivering a goodwill message, he urged the guests comprising both the high and mighty in the society to live a life of impact, touching lives in their various communities and neighbourhood positively while he also welcomed the son of the late Kasunmu to the orphan club which he declared he also join recently when his father died.

Hon Kasunmu while speaking with newsmen at the event recaptured the personae of his late father whom he said was caring, kind and compassionate, while taking out time to appreciate his uncle the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Yeye Oluremi Tinubu for the condolence letter and identifying with the family over the demise of his late Dad.

“My father now late, High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu was a humane and compassionate person, who always have your best interest at heart no matter what and would go to any length to make sure it is satisfactory to what your heart desires are.

“He has also been a loving father. His giving spirit is second to known and I have emulated that from him, both my late mother Chief Mrs. Abiodun Arafat Kasunmu who was his wife before she passed on were givers and it is a trait that I have grown to imbibe over the last four decades and I am better off for it.

“I will miss so dearly his fifteen missed calls at 5:30 am.”

The wife of the lawmaker Mrs. Esther Morenike Kasunmu also shared fond memories of late Pa Kasunmu, she recounts how graceful her father-in-law is, citing his loving mien to life and his dispassionate style of showing care to all.

“Chief is a fantastic man and we are happy today to come celebrate a life well spent. He is resting in the bosom of the Lord now because he was a great man that had so much impact in the lives of so many.

“He had a beautiful caring characteristic he catered for everyone, chief loved everyone so dearly even if you are not his family and we his children learnt it from him so far it has been wonderful.

Stating what she would miss about the late Pa Kasunmu, “His consistent calls to check up on me. Chief will call me ten times between five and six am to ensure that I am fine. He loved me so dearly but we believe that he is in a better place.”

Hon. Kasunmu’s delectable wife, Princess (Mrs) Morenike Kasunmu stole the show with different enchanting assembles she adorned during the ceremony.

The Chief Executive Officer of Dassah Empire shone like a thousand stars as she looked after her husband’s guests and ensured they were well taken care of.

Her colleagues and fellow wives of legislators (LASLEWA) were also there in large numbers to support her because She’s well respected and loved among the group.

Political Apex Leaders and members of Hon. Kasunmu’s Ikeja Constituency 2 were fully present in large numbers.

Apart from Alhaji Adekunle Dally-Adeokun (Ikeja LGA APC Chairman and Conference 57 APC Chairmen), his deputy Prince Oluranti Olufon;  Engr. Kehinde Akinola; Barr. Adebola Ladigbolu, Comrade Kayode Ajakaiye, Chief Omolabi and other apex Leaders, there were over 200 political personalities from Ikeja Constituency 2 who came to rejoice with Hon. Kasunmu at his father’s burial. 

Siblings of Hon Kasunmu, Oluwaseun Kasunmu, Omorinsola Kasunmu and Omosalewa Kasunmu gave their patriarch a befitting burial honour as they participated fully in all the programmes even though the feelings of their father’s departure obviously still on their minds.

Their mum, Mrs Olukemi Kasunmu also did extremely well by comporting herself courageously.

Other dignitaries at the reception include: Hon. Lasbat Meranda (Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly); Hon. Noheem Adams (Majority Leader, LSHA); Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole (Former Speaker of House of representatives); Chief Jumoke Okoya Thomas (APC Woman Leader Lagos); Olu of Agudaland, Oba Agbaosi Eweobaja; Chief Nojeemu Aro, (Baale of Ojodu);

Mrs. Adiba Anyaoku Ighodaro and her husband, Mr. Ighodaro; Engineer Kehinde Akinola; Alhaji Adekunle Dally-Adeokun (Chairman, Lagos APC LGA Chairmen Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola (GM, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency); Hon. Princess Funmi Tejuosho,Hon. Jude Idimogu:Clerk of the House of Assembly, Barr Lekan Onafeko; Hon. Sola Giwa; Mr. Ade Oyekan (GM, LNSA):

Alhaja Taibat Elemosho;(Montai); Olori Alara of Ilara Kingdom; Dare Art Alade; Hon. Ladi Ajomale; Hon. Ajani Owolabi; Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (OSMAK); Hon. Saka Fafunmi; General Manager, LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola, Mrs Yemisi Deji-Tinubu and several other dignitaries.

Other personalities who played key roles in the ceremony were His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; Chief (Mrs) Oluyomi Coker-Okubamowo; Chief (Mrs) Fehintola Muri-Okunola; Princess Debo Odutola; Chief Mrs Omolara Fashola; Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; Mrs Yemisi Deji-Tinubu; Mr. Kofo Fashola; Alhaja Bintu Fatimah Tinubu; Alhaja Folasade Salako; Alhaja Badmus.

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The All-Progressives Congress (APC) UK South West states Caucus has urged the Senate of Nigeria to expedite the passage of South West Development Commission Bill, so as to fast track even development of South Western Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the group’s general secretary Mr. Ayodele Adigun on Friday in London, UK, the call for the Senate to tag along with the Federal House of Representatives which had already passed the bill was made.

The group maintained that this bill if passed into law aims to establish a commission that will coordinate and facilitate the development of the South Western Nigeria.

Adigun who commended the Governors of South West States for their tireless efforts in advancing the socioeconomic development of south western Nigeria.

He also congratulated the Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu the forum’s newly elected Chairman, who takes on the baton of leadership after the demise of its ex- chairman Late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the former Governor of Ondo state.

The group’s chairman Hon Andrew Taiwo showered encomiums on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, which in his view is expected to boost economic growth and connectivity in the region.

Taiwo however, advocated for further road rehabilitation and infrastructure development to enhance the region’s economic potential.

The caucus also threw its weight behind the establishment of State Police and collaboration between security agencies and the Amotekun Corps, This, they believe, will improve security and safety in the region.

Speaking to the importance of DAWN Commission, the caucus opined the need for its enhancement, as it is responsible for promoting economic integration and development in the South West region.

The APC UK South West states caucus also calls for partnership and unfettered collaboration from stakeholders in other for it to make good its resolve for the socioeconomic progress and prosperity of South Western Nigeria.

The post APC UK South West Caucus to NASS: Expedite SW Development Commission Bill Passage appeared first on Sunrise News.

(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 17 June, 2024)

The University of Ibadan is 75 years old. Chief Bisi Akande celebrated his 85th birthday on January 16 this year. He was made Secretary to Oyo State Government 45 years ago at the age of 40. He was Deputy Governor of Oyo State 42 years ago. He was elected Osun State Governor in 1999 – 25 years ago. He left the office of governor 21 years ago. Last Friday, the 85-year-old man was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to serve the University of Ibadan as its pro-chancellor and chairman of council. When you heard Chief Akande’s name as the appointee, you were almost as sure as I was that the old warrior would reject it in a jiffy. I told myself that he would tell his friend, the president, that his choice for UI’s top job must be an error; that only today’s hound can successfully chase today’s hare. But today is Monday – four days after, Chief Bisi Akande has not rejected the ‘juicy’ job. We have no business rejecting it for him.

An elephant chooses how he wants the forest to address him. If you schooled at the same time as I did, you must have read the poem ‘Salute to the Elephant’. It is there that you meet Elephant – “possessor of a savings-basket full of money” who is “huge as a hill, even in a crouching posture.” The Elephant is that mighty one “who carries mortar and yet walks with a swaggering gait…, animal treading ponderously.” The Elephant, more importantly, is that “mountainous animal, (the) huge beast who tears a man like a garment and hangs him up on a tree.” The sight of the Elephant, the chanter-hunter says, “causes people to stampede towards a hill of safety.” Now, imagine that elephant coming down from the height of his high reputation to mingle with deers in a scavenge-rush for forbs. An elephant would do that if it does not see itself as an elephant. It is his choice. I am not qualified to tell this chief’s elephant not to eat what common goats eat. But if I were his son, I would beg him to say “no, thank you.”

Chief Akande is not alone on that geriatric podium of self-diminution. With him is General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu (Rtd) who was made chairman of the University of Nigeria governing council. The University of Nigeria is 69 years old. It was founded in 1955 but formally opened on October 7, 1960. General Nwachukwu will be 84 years old on September 1, this year. He has been everything anyone would ever want to be in Nigeria. As a soldier, he rose to be Major-General and General Officer Commanding. He was governor of Imo State 40 years ago. He was Minister of Labour 39 years ago. He was Foreign Affairs Minister 34 years ago. He was elected senator 25 years ago. He is back from the bench in this season of renewed past.

Must it be them? Don’t they have around them, in their political party, sleek-headed younger people with knowledge and ideas who can handle these assignments? They have them, but those ones are useful only as aides and as bag carriers.

Writing in May last year for US’ satire newspaper, The Onion, grand old Dianne Feinstein satirized America as “an out-of-touch gerontocracy” where “the average age of a senator is 65” – and the president eighty-something years old. She said she was “glad” not to live and get stuck in that country of “dementia-addled” leaders “who keep a stranglehold on power” and “who prioritise their own careers and bank accounts over the common good.” Then she wondered, angrily “how selfish you’d have to be to cling to power when you’ve long since ceased to understand the needs of ordinary people.” I will be shocked if I am the only one who thinks strongly that Feinstein wrote about Nigeria of today.

I read a sonnet of William Shakespeare where he deplores “age” staying “too long.” In his ‘The Passionate Pilgrim’, Shakespeare explains why “crabbed age and youth cannot live together.” Shakespeare sings of “Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare.” He says “Youth is full of sport, age’s breath is short; Youth is nimble, age is lame; Youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold; Youth is wild, and age is tame…” Yet, our country’s vote is for the old and cold; the lame, the tame.

We have more of them. Our universities are now a rest home for the ancient. There is also 72-year-old Alhaji Yayale Ahmed who was announced as the chairman of 62-year-old Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was appointed Head of Service of the Federation in the year 2000 – 24 years ago. He occupied that post for seven years, retiring in 2007 to be appointed as the Minister of Defence. He left the office of minister in September 2008 to be appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He held sway there till May 2011. He left thirteen years ago. He is back from retirement to preside over ABU’s highest governing body.

These king-size men and others on that long list will be interfacing with a 70-year-old minister. Professor Tahir Mamman is our minister of education. If he had remained in the university system, he would be due for retirement in three weeks’ time. The minister reports to a president who is officially 72 years old. Essentially, these 20th century men are the drivers of the 21st century vision of Nigeria’s knowledge industry. That is the way we roll. The National Universities Commission (NUC) regulates Nigeria’s university system. Who is NUC’s substantive executive secretary? Check if it has. And, who presides over its board? As I write this today, Sunday, 16 June, 2024, the commission in charge of our universities has on its website, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo as the chairman of its board. Baba Professor Banjo died last month – he was 90 years old. NUC has not remembered to update its website to reflect that fact – or it is reluctant to let go of the late Professor Banjo.

Beyond the dead, shall we ask the new octogenarian appointees where they hope to start from in this digital age? With their appointments, Nigeria is asking its Gen Z students to use fatigued eyes of tired men to prepare their journey into the future. May God help them.

A leader must know when to say enough to seeking power. Someone (I can’t get their name) said knowing when to walk away is wisdom. He also said being able to walk away is courage. Yet, there is a third line: walking away with your head held high is dignity. Why would an eighty-something-year-old man want to be a baggage carrier – porter – to the youth of his land? Someone said it is the love of service. I replied that it is simply a case of an Egungun, because of perks, dancing itself into irrelevance.

Apart from them being his friends, are there patriotic reasons why the president posted these men to those schools? We may not know the real reason why our president made those geriatric choices – unless he tells us. Raul Magni Berton and Sophie Panel in 2017 did a paper on why non-democratic systems produce older leaders. They postulate that leaders’ “ruling styles” are “partly shaped by the rules that brought them to power.” They ask why anyone, even the old, would want to be ruled by aged people. They dissect types and motives of gerontocratic rule. They say “the selection of aging leaders based on premeditated considerations” is the definition of strategic gerontocracy. They contrast this with what they call ‘taste’ gerontocracy “which is based on genuine preference for old leaders”. They speak on ‘skills’ gerontocracy which assumes that the chosen had “specific skills acquired with age.” What special skills do our eighty-something-year-old ‘chairmen’ have that recommended them for our universities as pro-chancellors? Tinubu is not known to be a wine connoisseur who flaunts the old as the better. So, I wonder why the president loves old stuff – old, fossilized national anthem and aged administrators.

This government’s choice of yesterday’s men for today’s work has natural consequences. You know menopause, its complications and implications. That is what the University of Ibadan, UNN and ABU and some others in their geriatric shoes are now married to. Escaping the schools’ climacteric suitors and their creaky beds looks futile. When Humphrey Hawksley wrote his 2009 book, ‘Democracy Kills’, he probably had our case in mind. There is hardly anything which today’s democracy inherited that it has not fed to the dogs. While we fantasised on what the textbook says democracy is, the leaders have unitised the benefits in it; they’ve warehoused the gains in their family silos – for the comfort of their generations and for their friends’.

I am wasting my time writing this. The same applies to you raising complaints about how our planes are being run aground. The government does not care about the public and its opinion. You can’t blame it. There is a problem with winning all bouts all the time. It intoxicates the winner, making them look down on the street and disdainful of even their fans. “At being humble, I’m the greatest”. A Minnesota, United States mother in about 1970, was horrified to hear her young wrestler-son say this as he recorded wins after wins. The woman described that statement of her son as “silly” – but that was hubris at work. We read such ‘humility’ in the insults the Nigerian leadership rolls out almost daily. Everything points at the end of sanity in the conduct of our affairs. Yet, long before this present darkness, there had been eras of rationality and hope. There had been an age when leaders insulted not the people’s sensitivities and the people bowed in respect of fair leadership. We had a past of values which even those who colonised us acknowledged in their own moments of sobriety.

Between the last days of 1927 and the early weeks of 1928, a group of United Kingdom’s Members of Parliament visited Nigeria. They moved from the coasts in Lagos through the hinterland forests to the grasslands of the North. They thoroughly toured the East of Nigeria and the creeks of the Niger Delta – then went back to London through Lagos. At a dinner of the African Society in London on 13 March, 1928, leader of the delegation, Major Walter Eliot, presented his team’s report. In that report, Major Eliot said while in Nigeria, his team saw an “honest attempt” by the black man to build “a house” for his soul; a house “where the black man could find a shelter” against the impact of a strange alien culture; a house “from which in years to come, he may take his own share as a partner in the progress of the world – not as an inferior and certainly not as a serf…” Eliot’s optimism – expressed in that report 96 years ago – was hasty and misplaced. If the Briton visits Nigeria of today, he will meet 200 million people shuffling and struggling (not) to be serfs of power.

That is not all from Eliot. Everywhere they went, his team said they saw a people who had very high regard for their leaders and who had their leaders’ respect. He disclosed that his team members were surprised (and impressed) and were of the conviction that “the black man should look to the black ruler as the keystone in the arch of rule; that the white man should not be the keystone…that the rule should be of the black man by the black man and – as far as we can devise it – for the black man.”

They are long dead, those proud, upright people who were met in Nigeria by the British in 1927. About a hundred years after the Eliot team experience and the positive testimony from London, and 64 years after foreign rule, a virulent strain of disdain for the ruled – and disgust for the ruler – reigns. Our democracy is a despicable bazaar; the classic “every man for himself and God for us all.” What the 1927/28 visitors envisioned as the rule “of the black man by the black man” has turned out not “for the black man.” The rule serves the strongman and his clan whose ways are decidedly not necessarily the ways of their people.

They take the benefits; their children take. Their concubines and mistresses also pick theirs while your own portion is tucked away in their pouch. It is the reason they can’t reason with us when we say Nigeria cannot survive as a unitary presidentialism. They take our call for federalist sanity as a threat to the advantages they enjoy. They think a truly federal Nigeria would be too tight to structurise into personal fiefdoms. They work that federalism won’t happen. Not now, not tomorrow. And they are winning. They spring on us federal surprises everywhere. They set up institutions and make appointments that are designed to unitarise our lives under Big Brother. Because they are smart, they easily know that they can’t compete and feed their greed in a Nigeria that is properly structured. The result of their knowing is that we can’t breathe without their permission.

A restructured Nigeria has the prospect of not surrendering to Comrade Napoleon’s unitary dictatorship in the Animal farm. Less than one week into this democracy, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, in the Friday, 4 June, 1999 edition of the Nigerian Tribune, warned that Nigeria was on the way to a most destructive form of unitarism. “The road to the hell of unitarism is paved with good intentions. They should be careful…”, he warned the inheritors of the gains of the struggle for this democracy. They ignored him. We were too hopeful to hear him. But, words of elders, if they don’t come true in the morning, they will in the evening. The evening of Nigeria is here.

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In a statement signed by the CHSR National President Comrade Alex Omotehinse on Wednesday, the group call for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted activist whose offense was only linked to being one of the organizers of the We Are Hungry Protest slated for today 12th June 2024.

The group was quick to remind the Nigerian Security Agencies involved in the abduction of the inalienable rights of Nigerians to stage peaceful protest as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

The statement read:” CHSR call for the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade JUWON SANYA-OLU the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement who was reportedly been abducted on Monday 11th June 2024, by some agent of the state and taken to an unknown destination just because he was one of the organizers of the WE ARE HUNGRY PROTEST slated for today 12th June 2024 in commemoration of democracy day 2024.

“We are using this medium to remind the Nigeria security agencies and state very clearly that protest is part of democracy every Nigerian reserve the right to protest peacefully as its enshrine in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended.

“Arrest of Comrade JUWON SANYA-OLU by any section of the Nigeria security agencies is a ploy to bastardize our hard-earned nascent democracy.

CHSR wish to remind the Nigeria security agencies that this democracy was achieved through protest during the darkest day of the military rule.

“Several of our leaders in the struggle lost their lives while some who are still alive nursing one terminal disease or the other in the cause of fighting for the enthronement and returning Nigeria to a democratically elected Government.

“In the foregoing, the CHSR without any reservation hereby DEMAND THAT COMRADE JUWON SANYA-OLU SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASE for him to join host of other cadres on the barricade currently exercising their right to freedom of expression in various part of the country in the WE ARE HUNGRY PROTEST.”

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In a statement signed by the group’s Chairman Hon. Andrew Taiwo on Tuesday in UK, he described this year’s June 12 democracy day celebration as one which avails Nigerians, both the leaders and followers the opportunity of reflecting on the gains that this particular day in history has brought about in the country.

According to him the eventual victory of democracy was affirmed when Tinubu took on the reigns of power, as many great and impactful moves were made to better the lots of Nigerians.

“This date June 12 is historical and worth all the pomp it can harness, owing to its impact in our democratic experience, the emergence of our national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President also signed the pact with this history of hope renewed.

“We at APCUKSWSC believe strongly that given the proactive mien of our leader PBAT Nigeria and Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief in all facets of life.

“We want to also salute specially, South West Governors’ Forum now ably led by the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the viable integration and thoughtful moves towards making the region safer and saner.”

Hon. Taiwo appreciates the worthy conclusions of the forum sequel their recent parley to chart way forward for the region, and as well suggest some required steps for the government at the national.

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May 29 Democracy Day is an all-encompassing reflection of the past struggle for Democratic rule, interrogation of The Current Democratic rule and meditation for better future of Democratic governance in our dear mother Land. Whatsoever the narrative the advocates of June 12 Democracy Day May have pushed, May 29 remains most significant in our journey to Democratic rule. Every struggle, pains, losses and goals, pre and post June 12, cumulated into reality, return of military to the barracks, on May 29.

 To my mind, the APC government and the so-called progressive were in their usual hate moods to eliminate PDP/Obasanjo government legacy and contributions to sustenance of democracy in our country, Nigeria, unfortunately they failed, when they enact June 12 Democracy Day into federal law. Another voyage of pettiness and disdain for the pass years they have just embark on, is the reversal of the national anthem.

As expected, but saddening, the APC politicians and they sycophantic supporters are very loud to announce their latest voyage to our ugly past, return of old national anthem – “Nigeria we hail thee.”

These self acclimated Democrats forgot that the anthem referenced is a composition of the colonial masters and handed to our founding fathers on Independence Day. They forgot the lyrics of that anthem never made any sense to our people, given the turbulence of the twenty – eight years of its redemption, political betrayals, political thuggery and violence, bloody military coups, civil war, ethnic suppression and discrimination, abandoned properties, these are the sign post of that era.

Even at the current time, with enormous poverty and economic downtown, should a sane government involve in careless spending of the national wealth? Billions will be expended in this process to re-introduce the old anthem.

Come June 12 Democracy Day, we will be hearing about how the election of that day was absolutely transparent, free and fair for all parties. The question therefore, these acclaimed Democrats and Progressives are they atoned to the principles of transparent, free, fair elections, and government of the people by the people for the people? Their conduct has proven the contrary. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was a hero and remain an enigma in both our national life and humanity endeavours. That he deserves to be immortalise can not be overemphasized. And this has been done adequately. Another soothing possible thing for the government to do is to declared June 12, National Heroes Day, not a national holiday please.

I want to empathetically suggest that the peoples Democratic Party National Executive Committee should pass a resolution to the effect of May 29 remains the democracy day and urge their state governors to implement same in their states. Remember, the south west states of AD, AC/ACN government celebrated June 12 Democracy Day during the sixteen years of PDP government.

As I conclude, let me say my upward looking career in the MINT was cut short in 1995, by the then military government as consequences of NADECO movement. Hence, my career is one of the too many collateral damages of June 12 struggle. Also, I was enlisted into the SDP at the formation stage ’89/90 in my Ward 06, Estako-West LGA Edo state. Hence, I was an ardent adherent of “HOPE ’93. The joy of June 12 victory was ecstatic just as the sadness of Association of Better Nigeria (ABN) midnight Court injunction was depressing.

Happy Democracy Day!

Alhaji Kasimu Ofeimukpiaha Ebozogie.

LGA EXCO Member

Peoples Democratic Party

Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA

Lagos State.

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The young and innovative council boss (Oshinowo) revealed the summation on Monday, at the monthly empowerment programme where another set of no fewer than 400 petty traders got empowered with N50,000 each to bolster their businesses.

Over N20 million grant was disbursed to mitigate the current socio-economic hardship through the council’s monthly “WeLift 400 Petty Traders Initiative” as Oshinowo harped on the fact that grassroots governance should be all about empowering the people and making life better for them.

The Lagos State Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and other party stalwart in the state all witnessed the direct transfer of N50,000 cash support to 400 traders selected from various markets in the council area.

“The WeLift400 initiative is designed to empower 400 residents of Agboyi-Ketu by providing them with a grant of 50,000 naira each, this financial support aims to enhance their means of livelihood, alleviate their burdens, and pave the way for greater economic stability.

“This is what I have been doing in the last five years. Our “WeLift Empowerment Programme” has just taken a new dimension now with better methodology to ensure transparency.

“The rational behind it is to lift people from abject poverty and alleviate their suffering. We have decided to help them with token we believe will have multiplier effects on their trade,” Oshinowo said.

Commenting on the criteria used in selecting the beneficiaries of the gesture, the council chief said that his team went round markets and streets to do on-the-spot assessment and market values of some traders, and those who met the criteria, were selected to enjoy the gesture.

According to him, the council partnered with Sterling Bank in the May Edition of the initiative which empowered 450 traders with N50,000 each, but decided to partner with Providus Bank in June gesture.

He said that all the beneficiaries had received the N50,000 bank alert right from the event and the ATM issued to them for withdrawal.

Oshinowo added: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of every member of our community.

“Our administration will continue to be a pillar of support, fostering an environment where opportunity knows no bounds and every individual has the chance to realize their full potential.

“We will continue to do this, empowering our people is very important especially during this difficult time that our President is trying to put the country on the path of sustainable prosperity and progress.

“This is what we are doing and we are going to continue to do that till the end of my tenure. We will continue to empower our people, build infrastructure, improve on grassroots healthcare, helping our youths, elderly people, building our security and community.”

The council boss added that his team always engaged the community development associations CDA, so no political motivation behind the gesture as it really cuts across the divide.

The Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi showered encomium on Oshinowo for the laudable gesture while also recounting all his worthy developmental feat and populist programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the residents.

Ojelabi said that everyone including the party’s state executive had been watching Oshinowo’s initiatives for the betterment of the people, adding that the party was not disappointed in the council boss.

“You as truly serving the people with all your strengths, and complementing the efforts of the state government, promoting and expanding the goodwill of our party. You are growing the economy and putting food on the table of the vulnerable.

“With these you are doing, you are securing a better future for yourself. Continue to do what you know how to do best, you shall be rewarded,” he said.

While advising the beneficiaries to make the best use of the grant, Ojelabi urged Oshinowo to do more to make life better for the people at the grassroots.

Urging the people to persevere the more with the Federal Government in its efforts to right all wrongs, Ojelabi assured the people that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

Also speaking, Chief Jumoko Okoya-Thomas, the APC Women Leader in Lagos State, applauded Oshinowo for prioritising the people above personal and political interest, she also was quick to state the chairman’s track records as it pertains helping the less privileged impressed her greatly.

Okoya-Thomas advised all the beneficiaries to see the N50,000 as a seed and turn it around and create wealth with it, ” it is not for party or social functions. The chairman has done very well and he deserves to go further politically, ” She said.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke glowingly about the empowerment initiative, note that their businesses would receive a boost and survive the present economic predicament.

Mrs Yemisi Ayeni from Ward G, who commended Oshinowo for the gesture, added that it would go a long way to alleviate the current economic challenges.

Also expressing her joy about the initiative, Mrs. Yinusa Adejoke a food vendor said, ” Oshinowo is doing well. He is always surprising us. May God reward him.”

Alhaja Kadijat Badejo said that the multiplier effect of the gesture would go beyond her trading activity as the daily sustenance of her immediate family better assured through the gesture.

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The President rejoices with parents, guardians, and families across the nation, and calls for a reinforcement of the family unit as a place where the sacred values of honesty, modesty, hard work and charity are passed down to the shining lights of tomorrow.

President Tinubu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity Chief Ajuri Ngelale affirms that society is a reflection of each family unit as a collective, urging the preservation of those principles that make us a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation.

The President states that his administration is sparing no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realization of their dreams.

With increased investments in education, and the recent overhauling of the entire education system to provide both human and material resources for learning, as well as the efforts of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to get the nation’s precious gifts off the streets, the President emphasizes that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.

President Tinubu reassures the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure ambience of learning for the children while improving the standard of education.

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