In the second and last installment of this header – the first part on Monday, July 1, 2024, having dealt with the High Chief Francis Inegbeniki’s angle to the instant issue of “suitability” of Senator Monday Okpebholo for Governor of Edo State – I plead to recall a seemingly anecdotal but factual reporting on March 29, 2024, by Mr John Mayaki, a topshot of the Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dubbed as a “Media icon,” Mayaki, who’s vowed to work against Sen. Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central), in the September 21, 2024, governorship election, had captured, in lucid, descriptive, and interpretative prose, the arrival of the APC candidate from Abuja, following the primary that returned him to contest for the governorship.

Posted on his Facebook page @JohnMayaki.com on March 30, Mayaki quoted “Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo” as expressing his profound gratitude to Edo people for the overwhelming reception accorded him upon his return to Esanland yesterday (March 29) to commence a thank-you tour, saying, “Edo people cannot go outside its shores to borrow a governor,” and that, “somebody who cannot speak his language cannot be an Esan man. A true Esan man is here.”

(That’s a dig at the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo, accused by political opponents as not a “homeboy” or Esan or Edo enough because he’s reportedly born, bred, schooled and worked outside Edo State, and can’t communicate in Esan language, as if these are qualifying criteria for Governor. A few of us – I don’t know if Mayaki’s among – wrote several times to condemn the stereotyping of Ighodalo.)

Excerpted below is the Mayaki report on the Okpebholo arrival from Abuja: “In a stirring address to a gathering of supporters and well-wishers, the APC candidate articulated his vision for unity and progress in Edo State.

“May God bless us all… Amen,” Senator Okpebholo began, invoking blessings upon the entire community gathered before him. With a fervent ‘Amen’ echoing through the crowd, the atmosphere was charged with hope and anticipation.

“Okpebholo extended his blessings to the three senatorial districts within Edo State. ‘May God bless you all… Amen,’ he declared, emphasising his desire for divine favour and prosperity to be bestowed upon every corner of the state.

“Speaking directly to the people of Esanland, the Senator invoked the traditional saying, ‘Esan di fure’ (It shall be well with Esanland), expressing his commitment to the welfare and prosperity of the region.

“Turning his attention to Benin, the historic heart of Edo State, the candidate proclaimed, ‘Edo di fure’ (It shall be well with Benin), reaffirming his dedication to the city and its people. The crowd responded with enthusiastic approval, signaling their endorsement of his message.

“Addressing the Afemai region, Senator Okpebholo declared, ‘Afemai di fure’ (It shall be well with Afemai), underscoring his inclusive approach to governance and his commitment to serving all constituents, regardless of geographical boundaries.

“‘We will work in Esanland, we will work in Afemai, and we will work in Benin,’ the candidate proclaimed boldly. And the crowd erupted into applause, affirming their endorsement.

“In a moment of unity and clarity, Senator Okpebholo posed a rhetorical question to the crowd: ‘Are these not what you people want and looking for?’ The resounding response of ‘Yes’ echoed throughout the crowd, affirming their collective desire for positive change and effective leadership.

“Concluding his address, the APC candidate asserted, ‘Edo State cannot be held to a standstill again…’ and there was a resounding ‘yes,’!

“Earlier, his (Okpebholo’s) convoy made its way from Abuja to Ikabigbo in Etsako West local government area, where he was hosted by the acting Chairman of the party, Emperor Jaret Tenebe. He later proceeded to Esanland, where a jubilant crowd welcomed him at Irrua and accompanied him all the way to his private residence.

“His kinsmen lined the roads from Irrua, enthusiastically waving and expressing their joy. The motorcade from Edo North did not disembark; they joined in the welcome frenzy. This marks the Senator’s first visit to his hometown after his declaration as the APC candidate.”

Of course, some would argue that Mayaki’s doing his professional job as a reporter. But would he’ve done a similar beautiful story if it were, for instance, Dr Ighodalo of the PDP or Mr Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP), that’d arrived from Abuja and rode in a convoy into a welcoming reception in his hometown since clinching the PDP or LP ticket, as Mayaki, perhaps, still believed in the supremacy of the APC then?

This was barely three months and one week ago, but today, Mayaki, and several chieftains of the APC in Edo State, have “discovered” that Sen. Okpebholo isn’t qualified in terms of character, capacity, competence, congnition, carriage, charisma, eloquence, exposure, political maturity, popularity and vision to be the APC candidate for the September poll!

Let’s look at the reason(s) for Mayaki’s avowal to work against Okpebholo’s election. Mayaki had lined behind Sen. Adams Oshiomhole’s preferred aspirant, Hon. Dennis Idahosa (APC, Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo South), who Okpebholo defeated twice at the controversial primary, which’s upheld by the APC leadership as reflecting the mandate of the party’s voters.

While Oshiomhole successfully negotiated the Deputy Governor’s position for Idahosa, Okpebholo, who named Mayaki as Director (New Media) for the Campaign Council, reportedly met with resistance from APC members, who argued that the Media and Publicity arm of the council should go to another person, as it wasn’t Mayaki’s “birthright” to occupy it again.

Recall that Mayaki’s Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Governor Oshiomhole, and Acting Chief Press Secretary (CPS), for a few months, to Governor Godwin Obaseki, before he’s sacked (Mayaki claimed he resigned) under controversial circumstances.

In rejecting the Okpebholo offer on Sunday, June 9, Mayaki’s ambivalent: That he turned down the job due to the potential impact on his working relationship with a colleague initially penciled for the role, saying he prioritised maintaining a harmonious work environment. Then, he shifted the gear to his “still recuperating from an accident,” and needed time to come back to full steam for the rigours of electioneering.

Finally on Friday, June 14, Mayaki quit the obvious rigmarole, and declared that Okpebholo wasn’t a “sellable material for Governor in the 21st century Edo State,” and that he’d campaign and vote for a candidate on another political platform.

Noting that competence must trump party supremacy, Mayaki said he’s showcasing a candidate who’s an embodiment of “capacity, competence, connections, experience and sincerity to provide the leadership required to tackle the enormous challenges in governance and take the state out of the woods.”

In a prepared message titled, “2024 Governorship Election: Party Supremacy, Competence, and the Future of Edo State” — delivered at the 5th Edition of the ‘John Mayaki Roundtable with Friends in the Media’ at the NUJ Press Centre in Benin City, Mayaki alleged that a factionalised and fragmented APC might not throw up a competent flagbearer (after almost four months of the primary).

Mayaki’s words: “My candidate is the man we can all trust. The man, who have networks and connections, both home and abroad. The man with ‘moral,’ or ethical reputation, not a novice. This man is not of the APC stock because irrespective of party supremacy, the future of Edo state is more supreme in my heart. My first commitment is to the state while the party is secondary.

“From the communicative to the managerial and cognitive. Does the leader know what to do as a leader at every point in time? Is he always available? Does he have vision and good understanding of what to do? If he does, does he have the required skills and political will to do same? I have accessed (sic) all the candidates and have come to the conclusion that the candidate I will campaign for has all these qualities in abundance.

“The strength of a leader’s vision, the methods he employs in driving the vision, his communication and ensuing goodwill and popularity, all add up. I mean the candidate who has a clear vision and thorough understanding of the mandate he’s seeking for.

“One who has remained focused and committed to taking development to all corners of Edo State and alleviate the sufferings of the people in our various communities. The one who has equally applied the right leadership style and judiciously applied his limited stock in governance.

“For me therefore, I have made up my mind to commit myself to encouraging my numerous supporters across the state, especially in my local government area, ward, and unit, that they vote for the candidate who will best develop the state, regardless of political affiliation. I mean a man who has the carriage, clout and charisma befitting of a governor.”

Politics aside, Okpebholo – and not the “choice” Mayaki’s yet to unveil or any other – is the only candidate in the running for the Edo governorship in 2024, who’s the “moral, ethical reputation, and knowledge of governance system” that the community people of particularly Esanland, and Edo State in general, could identify and associate with for standing by and for them over the years.

The highfalutin qualities Mayaki bandies about his “candidate” are relative, which most politicians or technocrats parade outside of governance, but given the opportunity to wave the same acclaimed magic wand in government, they fall flat, and perform abysmally. Do we need to travel outside Edo State for example of such a dismal performance from a “wonder technocrat” imposed on the people for years now?

To round off this article, it’s beyond belief that Mayaki could label, as a “novice in governance system,” Okpebholo, who’s a Senator, and had years of tutelage under the late “political oracle and kingmaker,” Chief Anthony Anenih, aliased “Mr Fix It” in political circles by friends and foes alike!

While pulling himself up by the bootstraps, Okpebholo combined schooling and business, and made success of both, before going full-time into politics, where he became a “giant killer” – as noted by President Bola Tinubu when he handed the APC flag to Okpebholo and his running mate, Idahosa, on March 18 – who assisted in uprooting an entrenched PDP, and planted, for the first time, the APC in Edo Central since 1999.

Mayaki’s inalienable right to choose a candidate and campaign for them. But on the premise of “suitability” of Okpebholo to be Governor of Edo State, he appears to lack indepth knowledge of current peculiarity of Edo politics – and what propelled Okpebholo to clinch the 2024 governorship ticket.

On his “late discovery” of the quality and governance flaws in Okpebholo, Mayaki’s only acting out the character traits of the typical Nigerian politician, whose first – and only priority – is self-interest, and not the affected promises of fighting for or representation of their people, talkless of the interest of Edo State.

On this score, Mayaki should leave Okpebholo to Edo people, who can tolerate his alleged “lack of capacity, competence, connections, experience and sincerity to provide the leadership required to tackle the enormous challenges in governance and take the state out of the woods,” and concentrate on marketing his “sellable candidate” to the voters for the September 21 election.

Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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The onset of the 2024 rainy season has once again brought devastating floods across Nigeria, casting a shadow of despair over both urban and rural communities. Among the hardest-hit regions are Lagos State, Ogun State, and even the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, it is the densely populated and economically vital Lagos State that bears the brunt of this natural calamity, particularly affecting areas like Lekki, Lagos Island, Iyana-Oworo, and their surroundings, including the critical Oshodi Express Way.

The recurring cycle of flooding in Nigeria stems from a complex interplay of natural and human factors. Climate change exacerbates rainfall patterns, intensifying the volume and frequency of downpours. Rapid urbanization, especially in coastal cities like Lagos, has led to extensive land use changes such as the paving over of natural waterways and inadequate drainage systems. These alterations prevent rainwater from naturally infiltrating the soil and instead channel it into already overwhelmed urban drainage networks.

In Lagos State, the consequences are starkly visible. Lekki, once renowned for its beaches and upscale housing developments, now regularly experiences inundations that disrupt daily life and threaten infrastructure. Similarly, low-lying areas like Lagos Island; Ibeju-Lekki, and Iyana-Oworo face recurrent flooding, endangering residents’ lives and livelihoods.

The recent ten-hour non-stop rainfall on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, severely impacted Lagos State, particularly the Lekki area, where houses were almost submerged. Similar challenges were reported in other parts of Nigeria, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

Earlier in June 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Ilasan Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki, where a resident lost his life while clearing blocked drainages. His attempt to assist ended in a fatal accident when he drowned in a flooded gutter. This incident underscores the urgent need for effective flood management strategies to prevent such tragedies.

Floods pose a significant threat to communities across Nigeria, necessitating immediate and sustainable solutions. Addressing drainage systems and improving infrastructure are crucial steps toward mitigating these risks and safeguarding lives and property.

To mitigate these challenges, Nigeria urgently needs a multifaceted approach. First and foremost, enhancing urban planning and zoning regulations is imperative. Strict enforcement to prevent construction on floodplains and the restoration of natural water channels should be prioritized. Investment in resilient infrastructure, including robust drainage systems and flood barriers, is essential to safeguarding vulnerable communities.

Furthermore, public awareness campaigns are crucial to educate residents about flood risks and preparedness strategies. Community-based early warning systems can empower citizens to take proactive measures during flood emergencies, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage.

Public awareness campaigns play a crucial role in educating residents about responsible waste management, particularly during the rainy season when gutters must efficiently carry rainwater. It is essential to discourage dumping refuse into these drainage systems both before and after the rains.

Landlords, landladies, and builders should receive guidance from state building agencies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency. These agencies are vital for enforcing minimum standards in construction and renovation, ensuring that buildings are safe, healthy, accessible, and habitable for current and future generations.

Additionally, policymakers must prioritize ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management practices. Preserving wetlands and green spaces can enhance natural flood control mechanisms, such as water absorption and retention.

In conclusion, addressing Nigeria’s annual flood crisis demands coordinated efforts from the government, civil society, and private stakeholders. Immediate action on urban planning reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and community resilience building is essential to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the socio-economic impacts of flooding.

Only through proactive measures and sustainable practices can Nigeria navigate the perilous waters of its rainy seasons and build a resilient future for all.

Ibrahim Taofeek Kegbegbe is the Head of Media and Publicity Secretary of Bullion Records, Nigeria.

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In one of the statues along the coast of the city of Santos, in São Paulo, we see Father José Anchieta portrayed in a grandiose manner and an indigenous man crouching at his feet. It is estimated that there were between 600 and 1,000 different ethnic groups when the Portuguese arrived in Brazil, with the current census accounting for 270 ethnic groups. The statue demonstrates that the most effective way to make a way of life dominant is to exterminate, repress, or rape other forms of life. When we talk about worldview, this is what we are talking about.

There were many worldviews that inhabited the world before the process of colonization of the majority of the world by a European elite. The fact that one worldview has become hegemonic is also the reason we have gotten to where we are. The climate crisis is above all a crisis of a way of thinking and acting. It is the result of assumptions that shape our choices as a society. A view that nature is inanimate and at our disposal. And yet, the discussion about climate change often stops at technocracy. How can we then expand our understanding of ways of life, since the one we live is just a possibility?

The same countries that were colonized are also those that emit the least carbon dioxide, the main component of global warming. Countries outside Europe that had natural resources became cursed. As writer Amitav Ghosh tells it, the island of Bantam, where nutmeg was born, went from being a gift of nature to a colonial curse and the reason for the murder of thousands of people and the ruin of a territory, a people, a place, a language, a way of being.

Last year, during a call with industry colleagues, there was a round table on Pan-Africanism and the principles that should or should not underpin this concept. Many contributed, but we had difficulty agreeing that this versatile and diverse concept should be restricted only to the borders of Africa. We believe that Pan-Africanism, if applied well, can build bridges and disrupt social and cultural systems in a way that amplifies the voices, impact and identity of Africans both within and beyond the continent. To achieve this, we must reach out to the peoples and cultures with whom we share intrinsic similarities in terms of social norms, political and historical struggles, and aspirations for a better world.

For this reason, Surge Africa’s partnership with Instituto Procomum, supported by UMI Fund, puts things into perspective. It shows that we have moved forward and achieved a goal. This unprecedented action of simply bringing together allies from Nigeria and Brazil represents two continents coming together with diversity in culture, history, social structure, religions and endless possibilities of what can be achieved through strategic partnerships and collaboration.
For us at Surge Africa and the Procomum Institute, the goal is to shape a global majority movement together with our allies, where grassroots voices and activists across the global south can access opportunities, reinvent concepts, and create new ideas around social structures, and inclusive governance that integrates sustainable and inclusive development. At the heart of this are cultural organizations that shape narratives and amplify grassroots struggles through cultural and knowledge exchange, campaigns, deliberate and strategic communication, ensuring that our vision for change is well illustrated to define the future we want.

The event “Climate Narratives Lab: The Global South at the Center of Solutions for Good Living” is a call to expand understanding of the problem. We believe that solidarity and cooperation between peoples, territories and communities, and the meeting of knowledge that this generates, is what will take us further. Researchers with public managers, community leaders, localized experiences that can be disseminated. We can no longer just think globally and act locally, we need to think and act globally and locally. Thinking about solutions for us is above all thinking about forms of organization, other institutionalities where non-hegemonic knowledge plays a preponderant role and where power is effectively distributed. Once the rules are clear, then we can talk about policies, as we will have shared information, resources and decisions.

Nasreen Al-Amin is the Founder and Director of Surge Africa.
Georgia Nicolau is the General Director of the Procomum Institute.

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There is no gain saying that God in His infinite wisdom does not make mistakes – I know that most of the widely accepted religions, in the world, Islam and Christianity, hold strongly to this belief. He does as He pleases Himself in the affairs of man, with absolute precision.

This can be said of those that God has chosen and used to run the affairs of men in the world. From the days of prophets, Kings, Queens and rulers up to the present day leaders, we believe that there is a hand of God in their individual emergence as controllers of men’s affairs.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the 15th Governor of Lagos State is a good example of “Godsend” and a perfect description of God-does-not-mistakes.

Calm, humane, urbane, visionary and exemplary in many respects, Governor Sanwo-Olu personifies character, giving credence to what we describe as Omoluabi in Yorubaland.

I remember one of his election slogans, “When Lagos speaks, Sanwo-Olu listens”, which attracted some criticism from naysayers who believed at the time that no leader would fulfill such a promise. They dismissed it, concluding that it was a mere political talk. Five years after, I see a man who does not only listen to the yearning of his people but takes immediate action to address their concerns. Yes, Sanwo-Olu listens!

In a space of five years, Governor Sanwo-Olu has touched many lives in a million ways than one could have imagined. In fact, his THEMES+ development agenda was carefully and deliberately designed to help the course of humanity. And he has painstakingly worked on each of the pillars in ways that they directly impact the lives of Lagosians.

It is common for politicians to go to the market with bricks and mortar- after all that is what the people can see and physically feel. He has done more than enough of the physical infrastructure and millions of Lagos residents can attest to such projects as roads, hospitals, schools, museums etc that Governor Sanwo-Olu has constructed to make life abundantly easy for Lagosians. Other areas of his magic touch, which perhaps are more major in my estimation are those that are not necessarily bricks and mortar in nature but those that help to build the minds of our people.

In education, Governor Sanwo-Olu revamped the educational system in Lagos, and today, Lagos ranks among the top five in the West African Examinations Council performance index. He has created additional two State-owned universities and he is already proposing a university of medical sciences. That to me is a bigger achievement.

The health sector has received so much attention that Lagos has been adjudged one of the best 10 cities in health delivery across Africa. Work is still going on in physical infrastructure in the health sector.

There are several other areas like the environment, technology and tourism, which have stood the Governor out as a thinker and doer. I consider most of these as the real deal because they provide the basis for the future of Lagos and her residents.

Lagos State has grown increasingly in global liveability index, using some of the above factors as parameters.

The huge impact of the country’s economy has challenged most of the leaders. In Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu has risen up to the challenge and has provided leadership.

As a leader, he recognises the importance of food security in the State. He initiated the widely acclaimed subsidised food market and the Ounje Eko food palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic downturn for the vulnerable people in the State.

There are many sides to Governor Sanwo-Olu, that I have been privileged to witness firsthand. His genuine love for the masses, his uncommon generosity, humility and simplicity are worthy of emulation. Perhaps these personal qualities are what endear him to the people he currently serves.

Today is his 59th birthday and in celebrating, the Governor would be laying a foundation for what would give birth to sustainable water supply at the Lagos State International Water Conference as well as open talks for safety at the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference.

One would wonder why he would approve those very important assignments on his birthday, when others like him would prefer to stay at home to receive guests and probably party. It is because Governor Sanwo-Olu understands the enormity of the tasks of governance and the expectations of the people whose needs he must attend to at every hour of the day.

I want to wish my boss, mentor and benefactor a special birthday full of happiness, peace and great health. May God continue to direct every single of your steps as you work very hard to leave Lagos State better than you met it.

Congratulations, sir.

• Gboyega Akosile is the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity.

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In Nigeria, cholera has been on the rise since the 1970s majorly due to extreme poverty and lack of good potable drinking water. The probable reasons are the result of government negligence in embarking on initiatives that will improve the lives of an ordinary citizen. The majority of the people in Benue State, Nigeria, are rural dwellers who have little or no access to basic modern facilities; hence, the outbreak of diseases is inevitable.

Cholera was first reported in Nigeria in 1970. Since 1990, large outbreaks were reported in 1991, 1996, 1999 and from 2009 to 2011. Between 2004 and 2016, a total of 154,910 cases and 5,127 deaths were reported (CFR ≈ 3.3%). The largest outbreaks were reported in the northern states of the country. In the north, outbreaks often spread from Nigeria to neighbouring countries around Lake Chad (Niger, Chad and Cameroon) and in the south along the Gulf of Guinea.

A multi-sectoral study, linking water, sanitation, hygiene and health sectors, was carried out in the four countries of the Lake Chad basin, and especially Nigeria. This study aimed to propose an integrated WASH and Health response by first describing the epidemiology of cholera in the Chad Lake Basin and secondly by suggesting actions of prevention, preparedness and response to cholera epidemics. The Lake Chad Basin is a specific area with a climate typical of Sudan and the Sahel. The lakeside area and the lake’s tributaries as well as a marked seasonality structure the agriculture, pastoral and transhumance activities that take place here. In this essentially rural space, cross-border communication channels attract commercial activities. Population displacements occur between the several major agglomerations where dense neighbourhoods have structural difficulties with water conveyance and sanitation.

Cholera is an infection caused by the bacteria vibrio cholerae. More often than not, the bacteria is transmitted via contaminated water or food that has come into contact with contaminated water. The most common symptoms of cholera include extensive watery diarrhoea, severe vomiting, nausea, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and muscle cramps. Severe cases may result in death, especially among children and the elderly.

The bacteria that causes cholera is usually passed out of the body of an infected person via the faeces. These bacteria may then contaminate a common source of drinking water and become widespread among populations. Poor water hygiene and sanitation are therefore important factors in the spread of the disease.

Cholera has been almost eradicated in most developed nations worldwide. It is, however, still a major health hazard in sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia, some parts of the Middle East and South America. Outbreaks of cholera may occur after natural disasters such as earthquakes or after war when there is overcrowding and lack of sanitation. Travellers are also susceptible to catching cholera, especially if they are travelling to areas where cholera is still endemic.

Good hygiene, access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hand washing before eating and after using the toilet are simple measures taken that have reduced the incidence of cholera worldwide. Travellers are also advised to avoid ice creams and fruit juices offered by street vendors who display their sales goods in the open where they are exposed to flies and contaminants. In addition, travellers should not eat raw, unwashed vegetables, fruits, salads, or shellfish.

There is an oral vaccine that can help prevent cholera and is estimated to be 85% effective. Vaccination is recommended for travelling to areas where cholera is endemic, such as refuge camps and war zones.

The severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes from the body through vomiting and diarrhoea can cause death among victims of cholera. The first and foremost therapy is, therefore, replenishment of fluids and electrolytes in the form of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). An ORS sachet contains a powder made up of salts and glucose, which can be dissolved in clean drinking water. Antibiotics are also useful in reducing symptoms and treating the disease.

Although cholera can be life-threatening, it is easily prevented and treated. In the United States, because of advanced water and sanitation systems, cholera is not a major threat; however, everyone, especially travelers, should be aware of how the disease is transmitted and what can be done to prevent it. Cholera has been very rare in industrialized nations for the last 100 years; however, the disease is still common today in other parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.

The National Biosafety Management Agency has called on the general public to exercise caution over the recent cholera outbreak in some states across Nigeria, as the outbreak has now trying to become an epidemic as it is spreading across the state, just last week or thereabouts, it was recorded in Ogun state as announced by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, which occurred in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

Head, Information and Communications for NBMA, Mrs. Gloria Ogbaki, in a statement recently in Abuja, quoted the Director- General, NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, as saying there was need for carefulness, “Asagbra said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records over 30 deaths and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.

“Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.’’

Asagbra said NBMA, in collaboration with health authorities, was actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease. She also called on Nigerians to imbibe various hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water or using certified water purification methods. According to her, there is a need to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating or preparing food.

The Director-General also urged Nigerians to always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, cook food thoroughly, and consume it while it was hot, advised that Nigerians to avoid raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables, unless they could be peeled or washed with safe water and to always keep the environment clean and dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination

It is now imperative to all Nigerians to be vigilant and adhere to these hygiene practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from cholera. Nigerians should also to be on red alert and report any case of cholera to the nearest hospital to aviod or avert the spread of the dearly disease.

• Òrúnbon, an opinion writer, poet, journalist and public affairs analyst, writes in from Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He can be reached via: orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com, or 08034493944, 08029301122.

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Religion and falsehoods about marriage have made many believe that a fruitful marriage is a marriage that is blessed with children, money and all the materialistic things money can buy; but unfortunately, that is not so. 

Some marriages have children and the children are nothing but a disgrace to the parents and the Society at large, that is not a fruitful marriage. Some marriages have all the money, wealth and everything money can buy and yet no joy, no happiness, everyone in the marriage lives like a prisoner and slave; my friend, that is not a marriage, that is a prison yard.

A fruitful marriage cannot be defined by money even though money is important to some extent to survive and sustain the marriage in terms of feeding, clothing and taking care of bills. 

A fruitful marriage Is a marriage where comfort, contentment and friendship reign. It’s a marriage where the Man and the Wife are comfortable being with each other and are ready and willing to support each other’s dreams and aspirations and never be in a competition against each other or trying to take advantage of one another.

A fruitful marriage Is a marriage where both the Man and his Wife are content with what they have and are managing their lives with it without any complaints of any kind while working towards a better tomorrow. 

It’s a marriage where teamwork works and never a boss and a subordinate. It’s a marriage where everyone takes care of everything and everyone, and no one necessarily cares about who does what or whose responsibility it is to do XYZ. A marriage where anything and everything is everyone’s responsibility. That is a fruitful marriage.

A fruitful marriage Is a marriage where the spirit of friendship reigns between the husband, the Wife and the children. A marriage where everyone is everyone’s friend. No enemies. No jealousy. No hatred. No backstabbing. No negativity of any kind but true friendship.

In such a marriage, you don’t pray for love to reign, love is already reigning and it will be impossible for the enemies to penetrate such a marriage because it is a marriage that is established and is standing on a sure foundation.

A fruitful marriage is not money, wealth or having children; neither is it something you can pray for, no you can’t. A fruitful marriage is a marriage you work at by working on yourself and not on your partner. When your partner notices the changes in you, he/she will either fall in or fall out either way, don’t push for it, just be yourself.

Having a fruitful marriage requires effort, communication, and commitment from both partners. Here are some tips to help you have a successful and fulfilling marriage:

Communicate openly and honestly: Communication is key in any relationship. Make sure to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs to your partner in a respectful and understanding manner.

Show appreciation and gratitude: Make sure to show your partner that you appreciate them and all that they do for you. Small gestures of kindness and gratitude can go a long way in strengthening your bond.

Spend quality time together: Make time for each other and prioritize your relationship. Plan regular date nights, take trips together, or simply spend quality time at home enjoying each other’s company.

Support each other: Be there for your partner in good times and bad. Offer support, encouragement, and understanding when they need it most.

Resolve conflicts peacefully: Disagreements and conflicts are a natural part of any relationship. Learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully, without resorting to hurtful words or actions.

Keep the romance alive: Keep the spark alive in your marriage by continuing to show affection, surprise each other with thoughtful gestures, and keep the romance alive.

Work as a team: Remember that you and your partner are a team. Work together to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and build a strong and lasting relationship.

By following these tips and putting in the effort to nurture our marriage, we can have a fruitful and fulfilling relationship with our partner.

It Is an act of foolishness for anyone to believe that God will keep their marriage and make the marriage work without them doing all that is necessary and required on their part to make the marriage work, even when it’s falling apart. 

I guess this is one lie that religion and the hypocrites have taught us over the years. Read your Bible or Quran well if you cannot study it, even God cannot keep a marriage or make a marriage work. None of the people who diligently serve God have a successful marriage. If He could, Sarah wouldn’t have left Abraham. 

Abraham wouldn’t have ended up with Three Wives, Jacob with Four Wives, Moses with Two Wives, and David with Seventeen Wives and Two Hundred Sex partners, don’t even let me make mention of Solomon. None of the people God used in the Bible have a successful marriage. Isaac that have just one Wife ends up with a Wife to questions his decision and divides his home even turning the children against each other. Marriage will always fail once the motives for getting married are wrong. 

It is not God’s responsibility to keep your marriage, it is your responsibility. Neither is it Satan’s fault that your marriage could not old, it is your fault. When a sense of taking responsibility is lost or lacking in a marriage, then life becomes unbearable to live. If your marriage is not working, take responsibility for whatever it is and correct it. If it can no longer hold, take a walk before one person will kill the other. Wise up

Keeping your marriage strong and healthy requires ongoing effort and commitment from both partners. Here are some tips to help you maintain a happy and fulfilling marriage:

Communicate regularly: Make sure to communicate openly and honestly with your partner. Discuss your thoughts, feelings, and needs, and listen to your partner’s perspective as well.

Show appreciation: Express gratitude and appreciation for your partner regularly. Acknowledge their efforts and show them that you value and love them.

Spend quality time together: Make time for each other and prioritize your relationship. Plan activities that you both enjoy and create special moments together.

Keep the romance alive: Keep the spark alive in your marriage by continuing to show affection, surprise each other with thoughtful gestures, and keep the romance alive.

Support each other: Be there for your partner in good times and bad. Offer support, encouragement, and understanding when they need it most.

Resolve conflicts peacefully: Disagreements and conflicts are a natural part of any relationship. Learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully, without resorting to hurtful words or actions.

Work as a team: Remember that you and your partner are a team. Work together to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and build a strong and lasting relationship.

Seek help when needed: If you are facing challenges in your marriage that you cannot resolve on your own, consider seeking the help of a therapist or counsellor. Professional guidance can help you navigate difficult issues and strengthen your relationship.

By following these tips and making a conscious effort to nurture your marriage, you can keep your relationship strong and fulfilling for years to come.

However, taking responsibility for the success of your marriage is crucial in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship; and there are so many ways one can take responsibility for the success of their marriage, such as:

Communication: Take the initiative to communicate openly and honestly with your partner. Be willing to listen, express your thoughts and feelings, and work together to resolve conflicts.

Self-awareness: Take the time to reflect on your behaviour, attitudes, and actions within the relationship. Be willing to acknowledge your mistakes and take responsibility for them.

Commitment: Make a conscious effort to prioritize your marriage and invest time and effort into nurturing your relationship. Show your commitment to your partner through your actions and words.

Support: Be there for your partner in good times and bad. Offer emotional support, encouragement, and understanding when they need it most.

Respect: Treat your partner with respect and kindness. Be mindful of their feelings, opinions, and boundaries, and strive to create a safe and supportive environment in your relationship.

Growth mindset: Be open to learning and growing together as a couple. Be willing to adapt, compromise, and work through challenges to strengthen your relationship.

Seek help when needed: If you are facing difficulties in your marriage that you cannot resolve on your own, be proactive in seeking help from a therapist or counsellor. Professional guidance can provide valuable insights and support in navigating complex issues.

By taking responsibility for the success of your marriage and actively working towards building a strong and healthy relationship, you can create a fulfilling and lasting partnership with your partner.

It is important to bear in mind that in a marriage, it is the responsibility of both partners, the husband and the wife, to work together to keep the relationship strong and healthy. Both partners play a crucial role in nurturing the marriage and ensuring its success. And there are some key points to consider which include:

Mutual responsibility: Both partners should take equal responsibility for the success of the marriage. It is important for both the husband and the wife to actively contribute to the relationship, communicate openly, and support each other.

Communication: Effective communication is essential in any relationship. Both partners should be willing to listen, express their thoughts and feelings, and work together to resolve conflicts and challenges.

Support: Both partners should be there for each other, offering emotional support, encouragement, and understanding in times of need. It is important to show care and compassion towards each other.

Commitment: Both partners should be committed to the marriage and willing to invest time and effort into nurturing the relationship. It is important to prioritize the marriage and make it a priority in your life.

Respect: Both partners should treat each other with respect, kindness, and consideration. It is important to value each other’s opinions, feelings, and boundaries.

Collaboration: Both partners should work together as a team, making joint decisions, setting goals, and facing challenges together. It is important to support each other and work towards common objectives.

Ultimately, a successful marriage requires mutual effort, commitment, and collaboration from both partners. By working together and taking responsibility for the health and well-being of the relationship, the husband and wife can create a strong and fulfilling partnership.

It is important for both husband and wife to feel safe and supportive in a marriage. But it’s so unfortunate that the majority of us still believe in this lie and falsehood that is of no use. Why support a Woman who cannot support you as a Man? Marriage is supposed to be both a Man’s and a Wife’s full responsibility to support one another and lead each other right. 

Have we ever asked ourselves what happened to a marriage in a situation whereby the Man’s head is incorrect but the Wife’s head is well functioning and yet the Wife still wants him to act as her Man and be up and lead? That is a failed mission. If as a Man you are not capable of leading your family and your Wife is, let her lead. It is better that you marry a Lady who can support you and see you accomplishing your dreams than to settle down for one that will further destroy you. 

Men, marry a lady who can freely step in when you are incapacitated to lead, and Ladies, marry a Man who can help you birth your dreams into reality, not the one who will kill them. If your life is not moving forward after getting married to that Lady or that Man, then you are in prison not in a marriage.

Now, it is important to note that Ladies are not the only ones who are entitled to safety in a marriage. As you want to feel safe being with a Man, the Man also wants to feel safe being with you. The question is, while you are safe with him, is he also safe with you?

Feeling safe in a marriage is crucial for the health and well-being of both partners and the relationship as a whole. Here are some reasons why feeling safe in a marriage is important:

Emotional security: Feeling safe in a marriage provides emotional security and stability. It allows both partners to be vulnerable, express their thoughts and feelings openly, and trust that they will be supported and understood by their spouse.

Trust: Feeling safe in a marriage fosters trust between partners. When both partners feel safe and secure in the relationship, they are more likely to trust each other, communicate openly, and rely on each other for support.

Communication: Feeling safe in a marriage encourages open and honest communication. When partners feel safe expressing their thoughts, feelings and needs without fear of judgment or criticism, it creates a safe space for effective communication and problem-solving.

Conflict resolution: Feeling safe in a marriage enables partners to address conflicts and disagreements healthily and constructively. When both partners feel safe expressing their concerns and working through issues together, it promotes understanding, compromise, and resolution.

Physical safety: Feeling safe in a marriage also includes physical safety. Both partners should feel physically safe and secure in the relationship, free from any form of abuse, violence, or harm.

Emotional support: Feeling safe in a marriage allows partners to provide emotional support and comfort to each other. When partners feel safe and secure in the relationship, they are more likely to offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement during challenging times.

Overall, feeling safe in a marriage is essential for building a strong and healthy relationship. It creates a foundation of trust, communication, and support that allows both partners to thrive and grow together. Prioritizing emotional and physical safety in a marriage can lead to a fulfilling and lasting partnership.

• Pastor Sam Adeoye lives in Lagos.

The post Marriage 107: Fruitful Marriage appeared first on Sunrise News.

A disturbing sad chapter was closed on Thursday, June 14, 2024, in the Delta State House of Assembly, when the “suspension” of a member, Matthew Omonade, representing Ughelli North I State Constituency, was lifted following a couple of apologies reportedly  extracted from him.

Omonade, a Lawyer and Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, was suspended on May 14, 2024, for 14 days – but was recalled on June 14 after one month – for asking that his contribution, as the author of a supposed Executive Bill, be recognised and acknowledged.

However, Omonade’s request was viewed as a direct affront to the Speaker, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the entire House, and by extension, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who, via the Speaker’s seeming subterfuge, was inadvertently and unnecessarily drawn into a matter that could’ve been “cut with a finger nail” (literally, ‘settled easily’), according to a saying by Esan people of Edo Central of Edo State, Nigeria.

Let’s get the lead-up to the story. The National Assembly (NASS) passed an Electricity Act in July 2022 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu assented to the Electricity Act 2023, which authorises states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

The new electricity law repeals the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), signed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, which provided the legal, regulatory and governance frameworks guiding the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

As reported by PREMIUM TIMES on May 17, 2024, with the new law, states would issue licenses to private investors, to operate mini-grids and power plants, but such licenses are not to extend to inter-state or transnational distribution of electricity. Accordingly, state governments began the process of domesticating the Electricity Act 2023, to regulate the sector in their jurisdictions.

Enugu, Ekiti and Ondo states have established the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EERB) and the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB), respectively. In April 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directed the transfer of regulatory oversight of NERC’s to the electricity markets in Enugu, Ekiti and Ondo states.

Delta State didn’t have an electricity regulatory body, prompting lawmaker Omonade to produce a draft copy for a Bill to Generate, Transmit, and Distribute Electricity in Delta State, co-opted 16 lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill, and gave a copy to Speaker Guwor in advance of presenting it to the House.

Going by reports by The Townhall.com, which followed up on the story from start to finish, “the bone of contention centred on the issue of a Bill on Generation and Distribution of Electricity to be domesticated in Delta State.”

“It was learnt that Omonade actually carried out extensive research on the Bill, and after working on it, he passed a copy to Mr Speaker, who subsequently forwarded same to the Governor.

“And when he (Omonade) kept on asking the Speaker for access to table it, he was denied only for the bill to return to the House as an Executive Bill, without crediting Omonade with regard to his intellectual property, thus amounting to alleged plagiarism.

“His suspension came as a punishment for daring to ‘harass’ Mr. Speaker, by pestering him to allow him present the bill, which originally was his brain child.”

Without the Speaker giving effect to the bill, with different excuses for the “delay” whenever Omonade asked for the update, the bill – with its inherent mistakes as a draft copy – was suddenly introduced at plenary as emanating from the executive arm of government.

A disappointed Omonade asked that he be recognised as the author, or the bill be withdrawn entirely. Pronto, the House suspended him for 14 days, his rights and privileges withdrawn as a lawmaker of the assembly, and a five-member Ad-hoc Committee empanelled to investigate his alleged gross misconduct, with the committee report returning a verdict of “guilty as charged.”

Did Omonade commit misconduct to warrant sanctioning by the House? Certainly not! He wasn’t asking for too much, just to be allowed to table the bill, or in the worst case scenario, recognise and acknowledge him as the author of the document.

Still, Omonade failed to exercise caution and discretion, particularly when his draft Bill had grown execitive wings! In Nigeria, Deputy Governors and Speakers of State Assemblies “don’t scratch their teeth with the Executive,” talkless of floor members of the legislature in the mould of Omonade.

Nonetheless, priding himself as a “Man of the People and Father to all Deltans” without discrimination – as he’s accordingly demonstrated publicly – Governor Oborevwori ought to invite Omonade, and talk things over with him, to have a middle ground on the bill.

Two benefits from such a meeting: The Governor would seek Omonade’s “permission” to adopt the material as an Executive Bill, and for the lawmaker – if the rules of the House of Assembly so allow – to present the bill at the plenary.

That way, Omonade would feel recognised, and honoured by the Governor asking him to present an Executive Bill to the House – a rare privilege any legislator would jump at. With that personal contact and interaction, the Governor would gain, and recruit a fiercely loyal member in the House.

Instead, the House – perceptively seen by the public to be influenced by the Governor – resorted to intimidation, threats and punishment for Omonade’s “effrontry” to request that his right over the draft Bill be guaranteed.

If anyone’s at fault – and should be censored – it’s the assembly Speaker Guwor, who betrayed the confidence Omonade reposed in him, by presenting to him a copy of the draft Bill ahead of laying it before the House.

Had the Speaker employed tact rather than legislative brawn, he would’ve discussed with Omonade his intention to turn the draft over to the government for an Executive Bill, and Omonade wouldn’t resist the buy-in so long as there’s protection for his authorship.

The Speaker, who’s only the “primus inter pares” (‘first among equals’) in the House, perhaps wanted to ingratiate the Governor by hijacking the intellectual property of a fellow lawmaker, and secretly sent it to the Governor, who, perhaps, the Speaker didn’t tell the whole truth. Who knows, he could claim to generate the copy, for the government to adopt as an Executive Bill, and the Governor would appreciate his “hardwork”!

The deepest cut against Omonade was for the Speaker to parrot the ad-hoc committee that investigated his alleged gross misconduct, and classify laws as “universal, for which reason laws made by one State or country can be domesticated in another State or country to serve the interest of the citizens without anybody from any quarter crying out for plagiarism.”

Outside the “Hallowed Chamber,” Speaker Guwor – pressed by journalists at a press conference marking the first anniversary of the 8th Delta Assembly, to comment on the Omonade saga – said: “It is very, very unfortunate that a member was suspended; that is not our prayer. In life, certain things happen.

“The truth is that, there is a committee set up to investigate, and I don’t want to preempt the outcome of it. However, Laws are universal, Laws are not books. Books are plagiarised, Laws are not plagiarised.” What hogwash! Omonade’s draft Bill wasn’t a law yet at the point of contention, and thus he retained proprietary ownership over it.

Speaker Guwor unduly applied legislative powers to intimidate and punish an innocent member fighting for his right to ownership of a draft Bill laid before the House. If not for his threats – and maybe fear of repercussion from the Governor – the co-sponsors of the bill wouldn’t chicken out, and leave Omonade to carry the can.

As he’s “let off the hook,” and “his rights and privileges as a member of the 8th Delta State House of Assembly immediately restored,” Omonade’s sternly warned against “future occurrence of such actions that tend to undermine the integrity and sanctity of the office of the Governor and Speaker of the House.”

Hon. Omonade need no telling that he’ll be under “political surveillance” ahead of the next cycle of elections in 2027! As his suspension is reversed, he should “familiarise himself with the rules of the House” – as urged by the Speaker and the investigative ad-hoc committee – to enable him achieve legislative success, and serve his constituents well in line with the mandate they gave to him at the poll on March 18, 2023.

• Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

The post Delta Assembly and hounding of lawmaker Omonade appeared first on Sunrise News.

I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits. On behalf of soccer-loving Nigerians, I write to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your incredible performance in the recently concluded Serie A season. Your hard work and dedication to football have not gone unnoticed, and you have undoubtedly been a pivotal player in helping Napoli clinch the Scudetto after 33 years, following in the footsteps of the legendary Diego Maradona.

To be compared or mentioned in the same breath with a soccer demigod like Diego Maradona is not a small achievement. It’s the ultimate nirvana – the highest accolade any footballer can ever dream of. I am so touched by the way Napoli fans idolise you, wear your famous mask and chant your name in stadiums as their soccer messiah and reviver. I have seen murals featuring Maradona crowning you as his successor. Nothing stops you from becoming a better footballer than Maradona as long as you live and you keep perfecting your skill.

I read in one interview where you said your goal is to win the African Footballer of the Year award. Ah, with what you have achieved this year as the highest goal scorer in the Italian league (with 47 goals beating George Weah’s record of 46 goals) and piloting Napoli to win the Scudetto which has eluded Napoli for 33 years, I think you more than deserve to be crowned the King of African Football this year. The question then is: Who else, if not the Victorious Victor Osimhen, the one who has been on fire all through the year?

From my analysis of your skills, performance, and statistics, I must say that your contribution to Napoli’s success this season is invaluable. Your energy, speed, positioning and agility on the pitch were nothing short of awe-inspiring, and your ability to score crucial goals in important matches is remarkable.

Everybody loves a fairy tale, a Cinderella story. Yours is an inspiring story that excites me as a journalist and biographer: how you were born into poverty, grew under harsh impoverished circumstances, selling bottled iced-water inside the Lagos traffic along with your sisters selling oranges, all in the bid to support the family economically. Such was the depth of poverty that according to you “no one could imagine that anything good could come from the Osimhen family.” It was as if the curse of poverty had been tied like juju around your neck and around each member of your family. Then your mother died. And your sorrow knew no bounds. But God had a plan for you.

In your free time, you took to playing football bare-footed together with the children of the neighbourhood. Topmost among your heroes was Didier Drogba of Chelsea, a player who was simply unstoppable and unplayable. An attacker who was a terror to defenders and to goalkeepers alike. You watched Drogba on YouTube and learnt a few tricks from him which you perfected on the harsh, dusty pitch which was your training ground. “Drogba shaped my game,” you said, giving credit to whom credit is due.

Practice makes perfect. You continued to improve day after day and time after time. There were challenges and obstacles leading to rejections. They thought you were not good enough for the local clubs. But you forged on. You never gave up. God was on your side. Then the light of God started shining on you. And coaches started seeing something good in you. Then you started rising from one team to another. Until you became a member of the Golden Eaglets and playing in the FIFA Under 17 championship as a 16-year-old whose talents and exploits were beamed to the watching world that stood transfixed. There you emerged the top scorer and set an all-time record for the most goals scored by a single player in a single FIFA U17 World Cup competition. You had earlier emerged as the best scorer at the U17 Afcon in 2015 even though the Golden Eaglets didn’t win the championship.

With that background, the world was your oyster, yet you still suffered rejections by two clubs in Europe before Lille of France finally signed a deal with you. From Lille, you later moved to Napoli to become their star player and awaited messiah. To sum up, from humble beginnings in Nigeria, you worked hard to hone your skills and become a professional footballer. Your talent caught the eye of scouts across Europe, and soon, you found yourself playing for top-tier clubs in France and Italy.

In the midst of this, you experienced major setbacks, the prominent one being when you suffered a horrific head collision injury with Inter Milan’s defender Skriniar and had a fractured skull which drew out your eye socket in Napoli’s 3-2 loss at San Siro on November 21, 2021. You underwent immediate surgery and had six plaques and 24 screws attached to your face and was forced to miss the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. The injury kept you out of action for several months. I remember you also tested positive for COVID. What didn’t you suffer? However, you did not let all that deter you from pursuing your dream. Instead, you worked even harder to recover and get back on the pitch, and your resilience paid off in the form of your incredible performances this season.

Your dedication to your craft and your relentless pursuit of excellence is something that every aspiring footballer can learn from. Your ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it mattered most is a testament to your mental strength and your unwavering focus on achieving your goals.

As a football fan and historian of sorts, I do understand the significance of Napoli winning the Scudetto, and I know that this achievement is something that will be remembered for years to come. The fact that Napoli was able to achieve this feat after 33 years, with you playing a significant role in the process, is a testament to the resilience and determination of the team.

I am sure that you must be feeling a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment right now, and rightfully so. Your contribution to Napoli’s success this season has been immense, and you have cemented your place as one of the most promising young talents in football today.

Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things in your footballing career.

Once again, congratulations on a remarkable season, and I wish you all the very best for the future. I pray you are crowned as Africa’s best footballer of the year. I go to bookshops in Europe and all I see are biographies of non-Nigerian soccer stars who are not better than you. It makes me wonder: why is no one writing books on Nigerian soccer legends like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and of course you Victor Osimhen? I hope one day to write your biography. I will try and find the time. Till then, keep on scoring and winning!

The post Dear Victor Osimhen 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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Having a mother is not enough because that all mothers are responsible or know what it means to be a mother. But having a mother who can lay her life down for her children and see them becoming great in life is indeed a great honour. I know that the poverty mentality has made many believe that doing great is when one has so much money and can spend lavishly as he/she wants. But that’s not greatness. That’s foolishness. Greatness is when one is making a positive impact in the lives of others and he/she is a role model others are looking up to and it doesn’t matter if the person has money or not.

There are many great mothers in the world, but one example people often cite is Mother Teresa. She dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in India, and her selfless acts of kindness and compassion have inspired people around the world. Other great mothers include Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, and Malala Yousafzai’s mother, who supported her daughter’s education and activism despite facing threats and violence. But I’m not talking about any of these people. Rather, I’m talking about Madam Christiana Amope Adeoye my gentle, strong and hard-to-break mother who was born on July 19, 1942, and died on June 1, 2024. My mother is great in every sense of life; she is someone who loves, supports, and nurtures her children, no matter the circumstances.

My mother has some characteristics that I’m yet to see in so many mothers except in some of my sisters that I believe will be a great benefit for any parents who truly wish well for his/her children to emulate.

Unconditional love: A great mother loves her children unconditionally, no matter what mistakes they make or the challenges they face.

Patience: Motherhood can be challenging, and a great mother demonstrates patience in dealing with her children’s behaviour and emotions.

Supportive: A great mother supports her children’s dreams and aspirations, providing encouragement and guidance along the way.

Nurturing: A great mother creates a loving and nurturing environment for her children to grow and thrive.

Selflessness: A great mother puts her children’s needs above her own, sacrificing her time and energy to ensure their well-being.

Empathy: A great mother is empathetic and understanding, able to see things from her children’s perspective and offer comfort and support when needed.

Strong communication skills: A great mother communicates openly and honestly with her children, fostering a strong and trusting relationship.

Role model: A great mother leads by example, demonstrating values such as kindness, compassion, and resilience for her children to emulate.

Boundaries: A great mother sets boundaries and enforces rules to help her children learn responsibility and respect for others.

Sense of humour: A great mother knows how to lighten the mood and find joy in the everyday moments of motherhood.

Great mothers stand out from others because of their exceptional dedication, love, and selflessness towards their children. They go above and beyond to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for their children to grow and thrive. Great mothers prioritize their children’s well-being and happiness above all else, often making personal sacrifices to ensure their children’s needs are met.

Great mothers also possess qualities such as patience, empathy, and strong communication skills, which help them navigate the challenges of motherhood with grace and understanding. They serve as role models for their children, demonstrating important values and behaviours that shape their children’s character and future success.

What sets great mothers apart is their unwavering commitment to their children, their ability to love unconditionally, and their willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure their children’s happiness and success.

It is very important to note that having a great mother is incredibly important for a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. A great mother provides love, support, and guidance that help shape a child’s sense of self-worth, confidence, and resilience. Here are some key reasons why having a great mother is important:

Emotional support: A great mother offers emotional support and comfort to her child, helping them healthily navigate their feelings and emotions.

Role model: A great mother serves as a positive role model for her child, demonstrating important values, behaviours, and life skills that shape their character and future success.

Nurturing environment: A great mother creates a loving and nurturing environment for her child to grow and thrive, fostering a sense of security and stability.

Encouragement and motivation: A great mother encourages her child to pursue their dreams and aspirations, providing motivation and support along the way.

Communication and problem-solving skills: A great mother teaches her child effective communication and problem-solving skills, helping them navigate challenges and conflicts constructively.

Self-esteem and confidence: A great mother boosts her child’s self-esteem and confidence through positive reinforcement, praise, and encouragement.

Resilience and coping skills: A great mother helps her child develop resilience and coping skills to navigate life’s ups and downs with strength and grace.

Unconditional love: A great mother’s unconditional love and support provide a strong foundation for her child’s emotional well-being and sense of security.

Having a great mother can have a profound impact on a child’s life, shaping their values, beliefs, and relationships positively. A great mother’s love and support are invaluable gifts that can help a child thrive and succeed in all aspects of life.

The role of a great mother In the life of her children is profound and far-reaching. A great mother plays a crucial role in shaping her children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, and her impact can last a lifetime. Here are some key roles and impacts of a great mother in the life of her children:

Emotional support: A great mother provides emotional support and comfort to her children, helping them healthily navigate their feelings and emotions. This support helps children develop strong emotional intelligence and resilience.

Role model: A great mother serves as a powerful role model for her children, demonstrating important values, behaviours, and life skills that shape their character and future success. Children often emulate their mother’s actions and attitudes, learning important life lessons from her example.

Nurturing environment: A great mother creates a loving and nurturing environment for her children to grow and thrive, fostering a sense of security, stability, and belonging. This environment helps children develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence.

Encouragement and motivation: A great mother encourages her children to pursue their dreams and aspirations, providing motivation, support, and guidance along the way. This encouragement helps children develop a sense of purpose and ambition.

Communication and problem-solving skills: A great mother teaches her children effective communication and problem-solving skills, helping them navigate challenges and conflicts constructively. These skills are essential for building healthy relationships and resolving conflicts positively.

Self-esteem and confidence: A great mother boosts her children’s self-esteem and confidence through positive reinforcement, praise, and encouragement. This support helps children develop a strong sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities.

Resilience and coping skills: A great mother helps her children develop resilience and coping skills to navigate life’s ups and downs with strength and grace. This resilience helps children bounce back from setbacks and challenges, building their capacity to overcome adversity.

Unconditional love: A great mother’s unconditional love and support provide a strong foundation for her children’s emotional well-being and sense of security. This love helps children feel valued, accepted, and cherished, fostering a deep sense of connection and belonging.

The role of a great mother in her children’s lives is immeasurable. Her love, support, guidance, and example shape her children’s values, beliefs, and relationships, influencing their development and well-being in profound ways. A great mother’s impact can last a lifetime, shaping the course of her children’s lives and destinies.

The role of a great mother in the life of her children is irreplaceable. Her love, guidance, and support shape her children’s values, beliefs, and behaviours, influencing their growth and success in profound ways. A great mother’s impact can last a lifetime, leaving a lasting legacy of love and strength in her children’s lives.

Now, losing a great mother to death is an incredibly painful and profound experience that can have a lasting impact on a person’s life. The pain of losing a mother, especially one who was loving, supportive, and nurturing, can be overwhelming and deeply felt. Nothing and I mean nothing can be compared with a mother that laid down her life for her children. Such mothers are the perfect example of the words of Jesus Christ in John 15:12-13 saying; “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” Another translation says, “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” But I love this translation more; “My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.”

My mother loved us and died loving us just as Christ loved His disciples and gave His life for all. I doubt if I will ever get over my mother’s death. But I strongly believe that there are lessons to learn about her life and some of the things I’m personally going through at the moment. Some aspects of the pain of losing a great mother to death are unexplainable such as:

Emotional grief: The loss of a great mother can trigger intense emotions of grief, sadness, and despair. The emotional bond between a mother and child is often one of the strongest and most enduring relationships, making the loss particularly devastating. Unfortunately, the majority don’t recognize this bond until the mother is no more.

Sense of loss: Losing a great mother means losing a source of unconditional love, support, and guidance. The absence of her presence can create a profound sense of emptiness and loss in a person’s life.

Identity and belonging: A great mother plays a central role in shaping a person’s identity, values, and sense of self. Losing her can disrupt a person’s sense of belonging and connection, leading to feelings of disorientation and confusion.

Regret and unfinished business: The death of a great mother may bring up feelings of regret, guilt, or unresolved issues. There may be a sense of unfinished business or unspoken words that can weigh heavily on a person’s heart.

Loneliness and isolation: The loss of a great mother can leave a person feeling isolated and alone, as they navigate life without her presence, love, and support. The void left by her absence can be difficult to fill.

Coping with memories: Memories of a great mother can be both comforting and painful after her death. Reminiscing about shared moments, traditions, and experiences can bring solace but also trigger waves of grief and longing.

Support and healing: Coping with the pain of losing a great mother to death often requires support from loved ones, friends, or a therapist. Finding healthy ways to process grief, honour her memory, and seek healing can help her navigate the complex emotions of loss.

Legacy and remembrance: Keeping a great mother’s memory alive through storytelling, rituals, or acts of remembrance can be a way to honour her legacy and find comfort in the enduring impact she had on one’s life.

The pain of losing a great mother to death is a deeply personal and profound experience that can shape a person’s grief journey and emotional healing. It is important to allow oneself to grieve, seek support, and find ways to honour and remember the love and legacy of a great mother who has passed away.

Madam Christiana Amope Adeoye rest on. I love you

Pastor Sam Adeoye lives in Lagos.

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