society
Only We Can Save Us: The African Redemption Must Come From Within
Only We Can Save Us: The African Redemption Must Come From Within
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Sahara Weekly Nigeria
Africa bleeds not for lack of resources, but for lack of vision, unity and self-determination. The continent remains entrapped in the cobwebs of post-colonial dependency, neo-imperialism and internal betrayal. We have become spectators in our own salvation. Yet, the truth is simple and sobering: ONLY WE AFRICANS CAN SAVE OURSELVES FROM THIS CALAMITY THAT HAS BEFALLEN US. No foreign aid, no white saviour, no international coalition will do for Africa what Africa must do for herself.
Our destiny has been outsourced for far too long to the IMF, World Bank, European Union, United States and now China. Each comes with their contracts, debts and doctrines of dominance. But as Thomas Sankara once declared, “He who feeds you, controls you.” This remains the reality of our existence, a continent that imports what it produces and exports what it needs; a shame.
The Colonial Hangover and the Curse of Dependence
More than 60 years after so-called independence, the legacy of colonialism still governs Africa’s political and economic frameworks. Our borders, languages, governance systems and educational structures are all relics of imperial design. It was Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s revolutionary leader, who once thundered: “Only a dead imperialist is a good one. We don’t need them to teach us democracy; because they never practised it.”
Yet our governments continue to beg for crumbs while sitting on golden thrones of untapped potential. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, is still grappling with unstable electricity despite spending over $29 billion on the power sector since 1999. How does a country so rich in oil and gas remain so poor in energy?
As Nelson Mandela aptly said, “It is in the character of growth that we should learn from others, but we must never lose our own identity and purpose.” Unfortunately, much of African governance today is mimicry of broken Western models that do not reflect African realities.
The Leadership Crisis: Greed over Nationhood
Leadership remains Africa’s greatest curse. The continent suffers not from scarcity of natural wealth, but from a plague of corrupt, visionless and comprador elites who serve foreign interests. Idi Amin Dada, though controversial and ruthless, once nailed the hypocrisy of Western meddling when he said: “I am not a politician but a professional soldier who is trying to save his people.” He, like many African strongmen, saw the dangers of bowing to Western pressure even though his methods were flawed.
In today’s Africa, elections are bought, not won; democracy is whispered, not practiced; and constitutions are shredded at will. Institutions are weak and leaders are beholden to foreign validation rather than domestic transformation. Rwanda and Botswana shine as exceptions but the rule remains grim across the continent.
Unity or Death: The Gaddafi Vision
Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s former leader, had a dream for a UNITED STATES of AFRICA. He envisioned a common currency, one military and an African Central Bank independent of the dollar and euro. He said: “There is no state with a future except the state that we build with our own hands.” But Western powers, aided by African collaborators, assassinated that dream in 2011.
The irony? Libya had one of the highest standards of living in Africa under Gaddafi with FREE EDUCATION, FREE HEALTHCARE and SUBSIDIZED HOUSING. Today, it is a fractured nation overrun by MILITIA and SLAVE MARKETS. This is what happens when we destroy our own for foreign applause.
The Intellectual Awakening: PLO Lumumba’s Call
Few voices speak truth to power today like Professor PLO Lumumba. He warns, “AFRICA is not POOR. It is POORLY MANAGED.” He has consistently challenged African youth to rise above TRIBALISM, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM and POLITICAL IDOLATRY. He preaches a pan-African renaissance built on self-reliance, accountability and cultural pride.
He asks a difficult but necessary question: “How can we be free when our education, food, clothes, medicines and technology are all imported?” This rhetorical bomb should shame any African leader still dancing to foreign tunes while their people starve, drown in the Mediterranean or rot in xenophobic camps across the world.
Mobutu: The Paradox of Patriotism and Plunder
Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (presently DR Congo) famously changed the country’s name to remove colonial identity, but simultaneously looted it blind. His contradiction teaches us something: nationalism without ethics is tyranny in disguise. Mobutu once said, “In Africa, there is only one party: THE STATE.” His iron-fist rule epitomizes how African nationalism can be weaponized against its people if not rooted in justice.
DR Congo today, with over $24 trillion in untapped mineral resources, remains one of the poorest nations on earth. Why? Because external powers partner with local elites to loot its cobalt, gold, diamonds and coltan; the very materials that power your smartphone and electric cars.
The Youth and Diaspora Must Rise
Africa’s salvation will not come from aged men who see power as a retirement plan. It will come from the restless youth and the exiled diasporans (those who understand the world and reject excuses). According to the African Development Bank, over 60% of Africa’s population is under 25. This demographic advantage must not be wasted on social media, TikTok trends and political apathy.
As Thomas Sankara warned, “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness.” That “madness” must be in the youth who reject imported democracy and design an African model rooted in communal governance, economic sovereignty and indigenous pride.
Steve Biko, the martyred South African activist, said it best: “The greatest weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” That psychological warfare continues today through IMPORTED BRANDS, FOREIGN EDUCATION, WESTERN NEWS NARRATIVES and CULTURAL ALIENATION.
What Must Be Done?
We must implement the following immediately:
Pan-African Curriculum: Teach African history not just colonial exploits. African languages not just French or English. Our children must grow with pride not confusion.
Economic Sovereignty: Cancel dependency on the IMF and World Bank. Promote intra-African trade. Adopt local currencies for regional transactions. Strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Diaspora Engagement: Leverage the skills, capital and networks of the diaspora. Offer dual citizenship, voting rights and opportunities for reintegration.
Technological Independence: Invest in African-made technology and innovation hubs. Local problems need local solutions and not Silicon Valley charity.
Military Unity: Form an African rapid-response force to deter coups, genocides and foreign interference. An attack on one African country must be treated as an attack on all.
Our Defining Hour: The Road Ahead Is Ours Alone
The TIME for BEGGING is OVER. The TIME for BLAMING COLONIALISM while ENRICHING NEOCOLONIAL AGENTS is OVER. The TIME for OUTSOURCING our DESTINY MUST END NOW. No SAVIOUR is COMING. We are the SAVIOURS we have been waiting for.
As PLO Lumumba thundered, “Let us not AGONIZE. Let us ORGANIZE!”
Let this be a clarion CALL to students, traders, teachers, farmers, engineers, politicians and artists: RISE! Wake up! Africa is not dying; she is being killed. And we are the only ones who can stop the bleeding.
The world will NOT respect Africa until Africans respect THEMSELVES.
And that begins not tomorrow… but NOW.
FRSC@ 38: SHEHU MOHAMMED STEERING NIGERIA’S ROAD SAFETY REVOLUTION TO GREATER HEIGHTS
By Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem (Rtd) fsi, MNIM, anipr
When Mallam Shehu Mohammed assumed leadership as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), he inherited not just an institution with history, but a national mandate that touches every family, every highway, and every community in Nigeria. At 38 years, the Corps stands tall as Africa’s model road safety agency, and under his stewardship, that legacy is not merely preserved, it is being boldly redefined.
Nigeria’s highways were once synonymous with fear. Before 1988, the World Health Organisation ranked Nigeria among the most dangerous countries in the world to drive. It was a troubling indictment that demanded courage and clarity of purpose. The establishment of the FRSC under Decree No. 45 of 1988 laid the foundation for reform. But sustaining and advancing that reform across decades requires visionary leadership, the kind now exemplified by Mallam Shehu Mohammed.
Today, under his command, the Corps is consolidating its position as one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient law enforcement institutions in Nigeria. With renewed strategic focus, the present leadership has deepened the Safe Systems Approach built on people, processes, and technology, ensuring that safety interventions are not reactive, but preventive and intelligence-driven.
One of the defining hallmarks of his administration is accelerated digital transformation. Within six months, over 3,000 personnel were trained to strengthen operational competence and technological adaptability. More than 95 per cent of the Corps’ administrative and operational processes are automated, supported by over 30 web-based applications that enhance traffic governance nationwide. From the National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS) to the upgraded e-ticketing platform, innovation is no longer optional; it is institutional culture.
Emergency response under the current Corps Marshal has become faster and more coordinated, with nationwide response time reduced dramatically from 50 minutes to 15 minutes. The 122 toll-free emergency line and 24-hour National Call Centre continue to serve as lifelines for distressed road users, reflecting a leadership that understands that every second counts.
Strategic stakeholder engagement has equally flourished. Safe corridor initiatives have been strengthened, collaboration with transport unions intensified, and enforcement around articulated vehicles tightened. The result is a significant reduction in tanker-related crashes, a development that speaks to deliberate policy direction and disciplined implementation.
Under Mallam Shehu Mohammed’s leadership, data has become a central pillar of enforcement and planning. Through strengthened collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Nigeria Customs Service, the Corps has advanced harmonized data systems that support evidence-based interventions. Transparent weekly crash trend reporting now guides targeted deployment and corrective strategies.
Nigeria’s standing on the global stage has also been reinforced. The country remains an active participant in the renewed UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) and continues alignment with international road safety conventions. These achievements build on the solid foundation laid by past leaders from Olu Agunloye and General Haladu Hannaniya to Chief Osita Chidoka, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and Dauda Ali Biu, but under the present Corps Marshal, the momentum has unmistakably intensified.
Operationally, the Corps’ footprint now spans 12 Zonal Commands, 37 Sector Commands, over 300 Unit Commands, over 700 Station Offices, 59 Zebra Emergency Ambulance Points, and presence in all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. Yet beyond physical structures lies a stronger institutional spirit, one driven by discipline, professionalism, and accountability.
From a nation once ranked among the most unsafe for motorists to a continental pacesetter in road safety management, Nigeria’s transformation story is inseparable from the strength of its leadership. At 38 years, FRSC is not simply celebrating longevity; it is celebrating purposeful stewardship.
Mallam Shehu Mohammed represents a generation of reform-minded leadership committed to smarter mobility systems, data-driven enforcement, and people-centered safety administration.
His tenure reflects continuity with courage sustaining the Corps’ proud legacy while boldly steering it toward greater innovation and measurable impact.
The road ahead is demanding. But under his steady command, Nigeria’s highways are safer, its systems smarter, and its future brighter.
Fashion/Lifestyle
Introducing “Atupaglowco” : Where Fragrance Meets Feeling; The Story of Our Beginning
Introducing “Atupaglowco”: Where Fragrance Meets Feeling; The Story of Our Beginning
Every great journey begins with a sense of anticipation. For us, it began with a simple belief that a space should do more than exist, it should speak comfort and glow.
In a world filled with noise, stress, and endless motion, we realized something powerful. Fragrance can transform not just rooms, but moods. A familiar scent can calm anxiety. A warm aroma can turn a house into a home. A gentle glow can bring peace after a long day. This realization gave birth to “Atupaglowco.”
Atupaglowco was not created to sell diffusers, room sprays, or candles. It was created to create experiences. To create moments. To create atmospheres where people can breathe, reflect, and feel whole again.
The name itself represents more than a brand. It represents warmth. It represents light. It represents presence. We remember the early days, the planning, the testing of scents, the moments of doubt, and the moments of excitement. Each candle poured was a step of faith. Each fragrance blended was a piece of our vision coming to life. We weren’t just building products; we were building something meaningful.
Our diffusers were designed to quietly fill spaces with elegance.
Our room sprays were crafted to instantly refresh and revive environments. Our candles were made to bring calm, beauty, and a soft glow into everyday life.
Atupaglowco was born from passion, patience, and purpose. This launch is not just the start of a business. It is the start of a movement to help people create spaces they love. Spaces that inspire rest. Spaces that inspire joy. Spaces that glow.
We believe fragrance is personal. We believe glow is emotional. We believe every space deserves both.
Today, we proudly introduce Atupaglowco to the world.
This is only the beginning.
Ajadi Hails Oyo Speaker Ogundoyin at 39, Describes Him as Beacon of Purposeful Leadership
A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has congratulated the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, on the occasion of his 39th birthday, describing him as “a symbol of resilience, maturity and purposeful leadership in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”
In a congratulatory message made available to journalists on Tuesday, Ajadi praised Ogundoyin’s steady rise in public service, noting that his emergence as Speaker at a relatively young age reflects the possibilities of responsible youth leadership when combined with discipline, vision and service.
“Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s leadership has shown that age is not a barrier to excellence,” Ajadi said. “At 39, he stands tall as one of the most impactful Speakers in Oyo State’s history—calm, inclusive and deeply committed to democratic ideals.”
Ogundoyin, who represents Ibarapa East State Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party, has served as Speaker since 2019 and was re-elected to lead the 10th Assembly in June 2023. His tenure has been marked by legislative stability, improved executive–legislative relations and youth-inclusive governance.
Ajadi commended the Speaker for fostering unity within the Assembly and prioritising laws that strengthen grassroots development across Oyo State. “His humility, accessibility and focus on people-oriented legislation have earned him respect beyond party lines,” he said. “He exemplifies the kind of leadership Oyo State needs—one anchored on service, accountability and progress.”
The governorship aspirant further described Ogundoyin as a rallying point for young Nigerians aspiring to public office. “In a country searching for credible leaders, Ogundoyin’s story offers hope,” Ajadi added. “He has shown that when young leaders are trusted with responsibility, they can deliver stability and results.”
Ajadi wished the Speaker many more years of good health, wisdom and greater service to Oyo State and Nigeria at large, praying that his leadership journey continues to inspire a new generation of public servants.
Ogundoyin, one of the youngest Speakers in Nigeria, has continued to attract goodwill messages from political leaders, civil society actors and constituents, as Oyo State marks another year in the life of a lawmaker widely regarded as a steady hand in the state’s legislative affairs.
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