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Editorial

2019: AMOSUN AND YEWA AGENDA

Published

6 years ago

December 15, 2017

Sahara Weekly

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By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
At times, we place some comments not even analysis in their proper perspectives and come to stack truth that they should be left at the realm of the delusional imagination of the people.
The latest bombshell by a renowned writer and Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu (Nigeria, What Are We Restructuring) and application of the article to Ogun State politics, has awakened the sensibility of the political spectators that most postulations by Governor Ibikiunle Amosun’s 2019 Yewa Agenda are mere political gestures.
Partly, democracy is a game of numbers and maneuvering, and attaining political power through it, requires adopting the right permutations, acquiring the best strategist, planner and executioner to get the job done.
Governor Amosun clearly understands this and has tactically thrown in the towel in Yewa’s camp with all its attendant challenges. Secondly, note that political power is not served a-la-carte; you have to think it through hard work for it in all ramifications, and applying the right mix of political options.
Let us get down to the brass tacks and tackle the matter of zoning or political arrangement in the state.
The socio-economic and political stability of our dear Ogun state is collapsing in the hands of the current gladiators and the need to urgently rise to rescue the dwindling fortune of the state’s resources cannot be anymore entrusted in the hands of the charlatans who are parading themselves today as true democrats.
For those that are in myopic desperation and unjustified tribal sentiments, foolishly imposing on us unconstitutional zoning arrangement to beguile the sensibility of the people of Ogun State for their wishful thought and selfish interest should ensure that their desperate ambition would not thrown the state into another state of emergency after 2019 general elections.
Those who have controlled the state politically in the last 40years have shown no capacity to explore their immense power to the overall benefit of the people. All they have succeeded in doing was to empower a few of their cronies who become tin-gods during their reign.
We should ask many of those saying they felt cheated in the political setting of Ogun state to explain what they meant and you will be amaze from their answers that it is more of politics than anything else.
The point is that, if the Yewas argue that they want the Governorship seat as a matter of legitimate right, then, the answer is that they must keep working like others. Democracy or politics is a game of mathematical numbers and it should not be a gift to anyone.
Out of the four geo-political zones of the state, (i.e Remo, Ijebu, Yewa, and Egba), a governorship candidate must not lock down on his territory, living on the apron string of some godfathers and power of incumbency to realize his dream. The point is that, you can never become Ogun state governor simply by virtue of where you come from but by what you can offer to the development of the state.
Unfortunately, many of those agitating for Yewa governor, are doing so due to their believe that, the zone has not really enjoyed government impact in that area in terms of infrastructure and rural development.
If their zeal for power is based on the lack of dividends of democracy as highlighted above, then, they should stop crying foul, but rather hold their leaders responsible.
Governor Amosun clearly understands that, the Yewa people would continue to fight over supremacy and portend hindrance to their aspiration. He knows that, the Yewa agenda cannot be achieved. He understands his support for an Imeko person to clinch the governorship ticket will not augur well with Ilaro people and Aiyetoro et al. Governor Amosun knowing full that, the unity of Yewa is at stake with the endorsement of any minority from that zone will definitely spring up intra-tribal crisis and this will create room for many aggrieved group from the zone to fall out with his candidate which will incidentally be at the advantage of the other unified political zone in the state to present a formidable candidate.
What the Yewa people should be afraid of, is the joker of Governor Amosun’s hidden card. What has happened to past leaders, deputy-governors, senators, lawmakers, Ministers, political appointees, local government chairmen from Yewa? What has been their contribution to the development of their region, if they felt they have been indeed marginalized and did not felt impact of government in their region?
Does it mean that, those present and past political representatives from the region are only representing their pocket? If the previous Senators and House of Representatives members and local government chairmen have failed to facilitate federal government and state developmental projects to that area, of what use will a Yewa governor be to that region?
Governor Amosun’s support for the Yewa agenda should be his personal opinion, not forceful imposition on the rightful thinking indigenes of the state. The resources of the Gateway state are being carelessly wasted on self-prioritized project in a single region. If we truly love ourselves, we must bury our foolish pride and do the needful.

The principle of rotation is unconstitutional. It is left to the parties to accept or not. Any Nigerian is free to contest his popularity at the polls and should never be threatened into abandoning his dream. That is why Nigeria is a multi-party state with about 45 registered political parties.
The decision of who becomes Ogun State Governor should be the unilateral decision of the electorate at the poll without any inducement or intimidation.
We should take our destiny into our hands in pragmatic terms now. I enjoin our people to rightly make the right choice in voting person of unblemished character above party interest for the job at hand. The time to embrace logics over tribal sentiment has come. The stakes are too high for rhetorical sentiments and innuendo.

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The submission here is that, there are more attaining democratic power than mere postulations and individual’s grandstanding.

OGUNSIJI, is a public commentator and analyst based in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

michaelogunsiji@gmail.com

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Editorial

NGIJ Commences Governance Assessment Tour In Ondo State

Published

4 years ago

December 2, 2019

Sahara Weekly

The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) will on Monday commence Governance Assessment Tour in Ondo State to assess impact of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration on the people.

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A statement issued on Saturday by the Guild Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Obadimu said NGIJ delegation would arrive Akure, the Ondo State Capital on Monday to commence the Governance Assessment.

Obadimu noted that the Governance Assessment aimed at rooting for the truth, getting firsthand information from different stakeholders and assessing impact of current administration in Ondo State.

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”Our members from every part of the country will on Monday converge in Akure, Ondo State Capital for commencement of Governance Assessment Tour to assess Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration impact on the people.

”Our crew will engage critical stakeholders including traditional rulers, civil servants, labour unions, pensioners, top government officials, students, market men/women and others in order to get firsthand information about the current administration led by Governor Akeredolu.”

Obadimu disclosed that the guild has carried our similar assessment in Kogi and Bayelsa states, saying ‘this is part of our contributions to deepen Democratic rule in Nigeria’.

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Business

Heritage bank partners with Multi choice to flag off BBN third edition

Published

6 years ago

February 5, 2018

Sahara Weekly

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Sequel to successful outing of season-2 of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) last year, Heritage Bank Plc, has again partnered with MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of the DSTV and GOTV brands to bring the third season of the entertainment to viewers across Africa and beyond.

The Big Brother Naija 2018 was launched on Sunday night with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as the host with 20 house mates battling for the winning prize of N45 million which include a cash gift of N25 million and SUV Jeep among others. The theme of this year’s edition is “Double Wahala.”

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The host said one of the innovations in this season was that viewers could give housemates secret tasks to do and some lucky viewers could win cash prizes of N1 million during the duration of the show.

The house mates will stay at the Big Brother House for the next 85 days to entertain viewers and the show promises to show case a lot of drama, intrigues and romance.

Speaking at the live streaming of the opening session in Lagos at the weekend, Mr. Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communications of Heritage Bank said, “When the last season of the reality show was about to start, some of us did know what we were getting into. We are back here again because last year was successful.’’

He said Heritage Bank believed in creativity and innovation and expressed appreciation to MultiChoice for the opportunity to be part of this edition of the show.

About 20 house mates were invited to the house in the third season of the show which began last Sunday night, with four of them debuting in a reality show for the first time in their lives.

This is an increase over 12 that participated in last year’s edition.

The new comers are Nina Chinoso 21 years- old, Vanessa Williams aka Vandora from Edo State, Teddy A 29 and Kelvin Burle aka K-Brule 23 years-old.

The others are Alexandria (a lady) 22, Adedayo Adewunmi aka Dee-One, a comedian; Princess Onyejekwe 25, Miracle Igbekwe, a pilot and model; Ahneeka 25 years and a TV presenter; Rico Savey,25; Bam Bam,28 years-old freelancer in acting and singing; Bitto Brain 26, Ifu Ennanda, an actress and business broker; Leo 25 years-old corporate hustler with a retail firm; Khloe 24 and a fashion designer; Angela 31 years-old film maker, Anto, Tobi- 23, Cee-C and Omololu Adetokunbo aka Lolu.

In the season two of the show, besides providing financial assistance to the BB Naija contenders, Heritage Bank helped them with business and advisory support services for between six to nine months.

This support helped to chart a veritable course and equip the housemates with the necessary tools to make informed business choices during their individuals’ careers.

In a bid to bring additional value to Nigerian culture, Heritage Bank also ensures that in partnering with the housemates, they take positive steps towards creating, preserving and transferring wealth to Nigerians.

Heritage Bank had also organised an SME enhancement capacity programme for the Ex-Housemates of the BB Naija and other emerging 21st century entrepreneurs at an SME enhancement capacity training programme.

Big Brother Nigeria was designed by its creators to attract controversies and create agenda for social discussions.

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Business

How civil defence corps became a millionaire overnight with Skye bank Promo

Published

6 years ago

February 4, 2018

Sahara Weekly

Mrs Eunice Odubor, a 48- year old staff of the Civil Defence Corps, yesterday won the 4th edition of the season 2 reach for the Skye millionaire reward.

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Forty other lucky loyal customers across Nigeria also went home with various cash gifts ranging between N20, 000, N50, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.
The cash bonanza and draw which took place at the busy Ekiosa market in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, had in attendance top management staff and Zonal officers of National lottery Commission which witnessed the occasion.
Presenting the cheque to Mrs Isibor, at the resident of the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osaro Idah, the group head Product and Innovation of the bank, Ndubisi Osakwe, said the presentation was a clear demonstration of Skye Bank’s commitment to continue to impact the lives of loyal customers.
He said: “Today Skye Bank has shown its capacity in supporting individuals and retail businesses. We started this journey a couple of months back…now in its 3rd year and this is the fourth in the series.
“We have given given rewards to customers who are loyal to Skye Bank, who have responded to our promo to put N10, 000 for 30 days in savings account and they will qualify to win up to N1m. Mrs Idubor of Foresty branch Benin who has been loyal invested N10, 000 and has won N1m and her account will be credited”
In his remark, Chief Osaro Idah, who presented the cheque to the winner commended the bank for blazing the trail in corporate social responsibility among banks.
Elated Mrs Idubor, who could not hold back tears expressed her gratitude to Skye Bank for the money and promised to tell others to bank with Skye Bank.
She said part of the amount will be invested into the education of her child who had dropped out of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma due to paucity of funds.
The Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Commission, Mrs Kate Okocha, also commended the bank for the transparency and encouraging people to save by opening account.

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