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City People Lecture: Scraps Of ODIA OFEIMUN “How To Restructure NIGERIA Without Tears”

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The City People Magazine held its founders day lecture last week Thursday, 22nd September 2016 at the White House Event Centre along Toyin Street in Lagos.

Internationally celebrated writer and poet, Odia Ofeimun was the Guest Speaker and trust the Edo born writer he held his listeners spell bound as he delivered his well researched paper on How To Restructure The Nigerian Federation which earned him a standing ovation.

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His speech last week really showed Odia at his best as he dropped his bombshell on the need to restructure the Nigerian federation which he says is inevitable.

According to him, unless Nigeria is restructured not much can be achieved in the country. In his lecture he surveyed the history of Nigeria and concluded that the damage wrought by British colonialism needs to be corrected through restructuring so that all the various ethnic nationalities may become genuinely self-governing and ready to exercise the creativity that is so much part of the national character.

Odia says the real issue, as he sees it is not Regionalism or Ethnicity. He says it is a refusal to accept that Ethnicity is an important status in the life of all human beings irrespective of where they live, whether it is in Britain, America, Russia, wherever and those who are denying the embrace of their own nationality are been denied a way of having wholesomeness as human beings, and as spiritual beings and as human beings in the life that they live. “If you remove from a people, their sense of engagements with their close neighbours you are actually removing from them a sense of self. We all need it. And the idea that Tribalism necessarily distorts a sense of national unity is not true at all. In those days, a group in the North opposed Free Education for children in the North. But Awolowo didn’t quite understand why they would oppose free education since their kids are supposed to benefit more. But the Northern group argued that if they implemented Free Education, more money will be spent in the South than in the North because there are more children in schools in the South than in the North.

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Awolowo’s arguments was straight forward. If it is true that the population of the North is more than that of the South, if more children are in school, it will follow that the total in this period will outstrip the South, in the monies they collect. What this people want is for the North to continue to be the determinent of events in Nigeria.

Odia revealed in his lecture how the British colonialist prepared Northerners to rule by putting them ahead of other groups by the size of population, the land and by military power. Northerners were specially drafted into the Army to prepare for the day when soldiers will be the deciders of who to rule, he explained.

He also explained how to bring about and ensure True federalism via motions to be passed by all the Houses of Assemblies in Nigeria. He says Nigerians need to be mobilised to understnad how aspects of the National Conference recommendations can be implemented. He advocated that Nigerian political leaders should go back and read Awolowo’s recommendations on how to restructure Nigeria.

He says some of what is wrong with Nigeria is the absence of vibrant political parties that functioned in the way political parties functioned in the 1st Republic. He advocated for parties to have functional party offices.

He frowned at the budget padding scandal currently rocking the National Assembly. He wondered why although Buhari came in saying he wants to fight corruption but the minders of the National Assembly seemed uninterested in having an income policy that is of any value even to themselves or anyone else.

They just want to continue to make demands on the system and get away with it. There is nowhere in the world where a legislator who pads a budget will not be considered a thief and treated as such within the Law. It won’t happen in Britain because the process of putting your own special demands in the budget will pass through process which means you have proper bureaucracy that deals with it.

Odia advocated for the setting up strong and proper political parties that are based on subscription. What we have just experienced today tells you why it has been impossible. In the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria we never gave money to people to attend meetings. They actually come to the meetings and drop something if you call a senatorial meeting now and people know there will be no envelopes to be given out or money to be shared, you won’t see anybody. At some level you will actually find people who would actually meet people who would like to work for the party but they don’t have money of their own. These days’ people will do anything to collect money from the candidate.

Some people suggest a return to military rule as a way out. From what we have known from Military rule that is not an option. What people must remember is that the soldiers who took over in  1966, even within the army, were already more tribalistic and more corrupt than the civilians that they toppled.

The story of the Nigerian Army before that coup was the story of corruption and tribalism edged on by the system because, don’t forget, you have to have a quota to enter an army And if you are going to have a quota to enter an army, it means you are been told that you have to be a member of a proper ethnic group recognised before you could join the Nigerian Army.

There must be somebody one day who will come to fix all these and knock it together. I always knew that Buhari won’t have the spine to do it. To be able to do a thing like that you must be genuinely knowledge many of our leaders do not know Nigeria.

And they don’t seem to care enough about the country to be able to draw up programmes that will ensure commitment to goals. It was a good example when APC appeared to believe a social welfare programme that maybe could create a critical mass of people who are educated enough to be consciencetised and made to work for party subscription.

 

For those who don’t know this 66 year old scholar and researcher well, let’s quickly tell you about him and why everyone usually likes to listen to him speak on topical issues. It is because of his deep knowledge of Nigerian history and politics, so also the personalities who have shaped our public policy.

Ofeimum is an institution, a moving library. He is prodigious, profound and practical. He is the author of over 40 books and he has given himself a fresh target of writing 15 new books between now and when he is 70. He is modest, sociable, fervent and a conversationalist with empathy for all. Interestingly, his books cover so many issues dealing with the Nigerian situation with some of them reaching back to Edo kingdom of the 15th century, which he so deftly links to addressing present day challenges in the State.

Recall it was Odia that settled the dust raised about Obas ranking, in his highly famous essay: “Why Oba Of Benin Is Number One”. Odia Ofeimun is not just a literary icon; quite frankly, his credentials are intimidating. Or what do you make of someone who is an author of over 40 books, Fellowship from Oxford University, Graduate of Political Science, University of Ibadan, where his poem won 1st prize as a student, former Private (political) Secretary to the late sage and foremost political figure in Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Recipient of Fonlon Nichols Award for literary excellence and propagation of Human Rights by the African Literature Association.

Former member of Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers Former Chairman, Editorial Board, AM News, The News and Tempo Magazines in the era of Guerrilla Journalism, former Publicity Secretary, General Secretary and President of Association of Nigerian Authors, founding Member PAN Africa Writers Association, former Administrative Officer in the Federal Public Service Commission, Assistant Divisional Officer (A.D.O) Kankia, old Kaduna State, a teacher at Ansarul Islam Grammar School, Ijomu Oro,

News reporter at Midwest Echo in Benin City, Factory Labourer at West African Thread Company, Apapa.

As a writer he is definitively a commanding polemicist.

His seminal books on Politics and Culture include Taking Nigeria Seriously, when does a Civil War come to an end, Remaking the Nigerian Project, a House of Many Mansions, in Search of Ogun: Soyinka Inspite of Nietzche and an Agenda for a Progressive Nigeria.

Apart from being a poet and journalist, Odia is also a politician who is interested in the politics of Nigeria and Edo, his homestate which explains why in April he joined the governorship race in Edo on the platform of Labour Party, making 7 key promises, namely (1) To Wipe Out Illiteracy For All Citizens From Age 5 To 60 (2) To Replan And Rebuild Every Village, Town And City (3) To Build A Super Dome Underground Railway Station At Oba Square In Benin City (4) To Create Full Employment By Producing In The First Instance 60% And More, Of The Goods And 80% More Of The Foods Consumed In Edo State (5) To Establish A Health Care System, Free For Majority Of Citizens (6) To Mobilise An Aggressive And (7) His Promises To Make Edo State A Proper House Of Culture.

Odia Ofeimum learnt a lot from the late sage, Awo who he worked with closely. He was a former Private (Political) Secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s foremost political philosopher and leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria.

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Tinubu Appeals To Religious Leaders

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Tinubu Appeals To Religious Leaders

 

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Tinubu Appeals To Religious Leaders

 

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President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons.

 

Tinubu Appeals To Religious Leaders

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Speaking during Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President emphasized the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens.

He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions.

President Tinubu also declared that his administration is determined to turn Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity.

He reiterated that no terrorist can defeat the collective will of Nigerians, no matter how hard they try to prey on innocent citizens.

He urged traditional and religious leaders to forge a strong bond with the government to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in the country.

”Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in action at Okuama, Delta State. I saw their pregnant wives and little kids.

”The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important.

”Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘No matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there.’

“Leave the beads there. This is your country; do not condemn it in sermons, do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for change.

”Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land.

The President, who acknowledged the birthday wishes and goodwill extended to him on the occasion, reminded the leaders that his birthday on March 29, 2024, coincided with Good Friday.

“I have earned the honour of having my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your homes safely. May God guide and keep you and your families in good health, and lift your spirits,” the President prayed.

Different speakers at the dinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in the spirit of Ramadan to share a meal with the President and renew the bonds of friendship that unite the nation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized the pivotal roles of religious and traditional rulers in promoting peace and unity, urging them to continue to ‘‘build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides.’’

The Vice-President expressed delight that the nation’s economy is on a rebound, noting the strengthening of the naira against the dollar.

”The President means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The President took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner,” the Vice-President said.

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, assured the President of the unwavering support of traditional rulers and commended the government’s efforts to address the hike in food prices and the security challenges.

”You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” the Ooni said.

Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), highlighted the significance of Ramadan as a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

On the security situation in the country, the Emir of Zazzau, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of NSCIA, expressed optimism that the country will return to peace and stability.

”I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” the Emir prayed.

Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), noted that the Ramadan dinner with religious and traditional leaders, coincided with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.

The General Secretary, who delivered the address of CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Tinubu for fostering a harmonious relationship between the State and the Church.

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation,” CAN General Secretary said.

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Senegal Election: The Prophecy Of Primate Ayodele That President Macky Sall Ignored (VIDEO)

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Senegal Election: The Prophecy Of Primate Ayodele That President Macky Sall Ignored (VIDEO)

*Senegal Election: The Prophecy Of Primate Ayodele That President Macky Sall Ignored (VIDEO)

 

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The presidential election of Senegal have been held but if outgoing President, Macky Sall could turn the hands of time around, He would take the prophecy of Nigerian prophet, Primate Ayodele regarding the election seriously and follow his instructions – Maybe that would save his anointed candidate, Amadou Ba.

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Senegal Election: The Prophecy Of Primate Ayodele That President Macky Sall Ignored (VIDEO)

 

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The election saw the candidate of the opposition party, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye becoming victorious in an unprecedented manner; the ruling party’s candidate had to congratulate him even before the results were fully released just to show that it was a landslide victory.

Beyond what many experienced in the Sunday election, Primate Ayodele had warned President Macky Sall before the election about his anointed candidate, Amadou Ba, who was the immediate past Prime minister of Senegal.

The prophet in a video publication mentioned that the people of Senegal will not accept Amadou Ba’s candidacy in the election while also giving the president some advice on how to go about winning the election for his anointed candidate.

Primate Ayodele mentioned three major instructions to President Macky Sall and they include changing strategy, seeking the face of God for the candidate and ensuring that Ousmane Sonko, the major opposition leader doesn’t come out of jail before the election.

These were his words

‘’Senegalese president Macky Sall doesn’t understand what politics is. The people don’t want his candidate, he needs to quickly do two things; he should strategize urgently to seek the face of God for his candidate to have his way. Also, if the main opposition still produces the man he sent to jail and he wins at the court and faces his own candidate, He will defeat your candidate. Don’t allow him to come out, let him stay as long as you want him there but the moment he is released from prison, He will toughen your candidate.’’

@primateayodele

#africantiktok #africatiktok #African #Africa #primateayodele #iescworldwide #senegalaise_tik_tok #senegal #senegaltiktok

♬ original sound – Primate Ayodele

From the foregoing, it’s obvious Primate Ayodele had foretold the loss of the President’s anointed candidate and if he had known, he would have followed instructions by seeking the face of God for Amadou Ba or even changing him since the prophet revealed that people will not want him to represent them.

Unfortunately, instead of doing things as instructed, President Macky Sall went ahead to jeopardize the chances of his party by attempting to extend his tenure and postponing the presidential election indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Primate Ayodele had warned the president against attempting to create tension in the country to avoid a military coup. Macky Sall went through the wrong route and this affected the chances of his party greatly in the election.

Similarly, the opposition candidates, Ousmane Sonko and Diomaye Faye were imprisoned but released 10 days before the election. As the man of God stated, their release from prison generated so much buzz around the candidacy of Faye and contributed to his victory in the election.

President Macky Sall was warned in Primate Ayodele’s prophecy about an imminent loss, he was given prophetic solutions to salvage the situation in his favour but he ignored all of them and decided to do things his own way. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out well for him.

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General Buratai (CFR): From Battlefields to the Farms

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General Buratai (CFR): From Battlefields to the Farms

A Glimpse into the Retirement of a Nigerian Military Icon

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In what can be described as a stunning departure from his renowned military career, former Nigerian Army Chief and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, captivated the online world on Friday with a post on his Facebook page titled “Best Retirement Hobby.”

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The post featured General Buratai draped in exquisite Fulani traditional attire as he shared a series of snapshots showcasing his leisurely moments at his  farm.

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Renowned for his remarkable feats as a distinguished military strategist and seasoned diplomat, General Buratai earned widespread acclaim for spearheading critical military operations that led to the liberation of territories once held captive by the notorious Boko Haram insurgents in Northeast Nigeria.

 

Moreover, his visionary leadership was instrumental in bolstering the Nigerian Army’s capabilities and fostering a culture of excellence aligned with global standards.

 

 

 

Transitioning seamlessly from the battlegrounds to the serene environs of his snake farm, General Buratai’s post not only offered a glimpse into his newfound passion but also showcases his multifaceted persona beyond the realms of military valour and diplomatic finesse.

In this part of the world where transitions are often met with uncertainty and apprehension, General Tukur Buratai’s graceful segue into a tranquil retirement marked by his compelling engagement with nature testifies to his indomitable spirit, resilience, and enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations far and wide.

General Buratai (CFR): From Battlefields to the Farms

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