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Nigeria Is Sinking—Or Has Already Sank—Because It Has Never Had a True Natural Activist as President

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Nigeria Is Sinking—Or Has Already Sank—Because It Has Never Had a True Natural Activist as President *By George Omagbemi Sylvester*

Nigeria Is Sinking—Or Has Already Sank—Because It Has Never Had a True Natural Activist as President

*By George Omagbemi Sylvester*

Since independence (1960) till date, Nigeria has been governed by a long list of military rulers turned democrats, political opportunists, and power brokers driven more by ambition than by activism. The country is not just sinking; many would argue it has already sank. A nation so richly blessed with human and natural resources, yet so tragically mismanaged, has one fundamental and recurring flaw: Nigeria has never been led by a true, passionate, people-driven, natural activist as President. Not once. And this absence of authentic patriotic activism at the helm of affairs is the root cause of Nigeria’s perpetual regression.

Who is a Natural Activist?
A natural activist is not a professional politician who discovered “the people” after tasting the perks of power.
A natural activist is someone whose life is built around advocacy for justice, equity, development, and the empowerment of the masses. It’s someone who has consistently sacrificed personal comfort for the good of the collective, even before entering political office.
Let us think of the likes of Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Patrice Lumumba of Congo, or Nelson Mandela of South Africa—leaders who governed with the people in mind because their lives had already been a protest against injustice.

Nigeria Is Sinking—Or Has Already Sank—Because It Has Never Had a True Natural Activist as President
*By George Omagbemi Sylvester*

Nigeria’s Political Landscape: Bereft of Natural Activists From the first republic to the current dispensation, Nigeria has recycled a class of rulers disconnected from the pulse of the people.

While the names may change—Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan, Yar’Adua, Tinubu—the blueprint remains the same: politicking for personal gain, ethnic consolidation of power, and absolute disregard for the poor. Let us break it down.

– **Obasanjo (1976–79, 1999–2007)**: A former military general who returned as a “democrat,” Obasanjo’s second coming was marred by privatization scandals, excessive debt accumulation, and the infamous third-term agenda. Though praised for some macroeconomic stability, his administration hardly addressed the root causes of poverty and corruption. He was more of a power tactician than a people’s advocate.

– **Yar’Adua (2007–2010)**: A gentleman by all standards, yet not a natural activist. His brief tenure showed flashes of reform, but his political ascendancy was rooted in elite arrangements, not mass movement or public-driven ideals.

– **Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015)**: A man who rose from a humble background, yes—but not an activist. His failure to confront corruption, his helplessness during the Boko Haram insurgency, and his excessive tolerance of inefficiency revealed a man unprepared to challenge the rot of the system he inherited.

– **Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985, 2015–2023)**: Widely promoted as a man of integrity, Buhari’s civilian tenure will go down as one of the most economically devastating and socially polarizing in Nigerian history. Inflation soared, naira collapsed, insecurity worsened, and public institutions eroded under his watch. Activism was never his nature—discipline perhaps, but not a people-centered agenda.

– **Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2023–present)**: A political godfather and master strategist, Tinubu’s presidency has been about consolidation of political debts and patronage, not grassroots reform. Nigerians continue to suffer under the yoke of fuel subsidy removal without palliative alternatives, with worsening inflation, rising unemployment, and a sense of national directionlessness.

Why Activism Matters in Leadership Activism births empathy.
A true activist understands the hunger of the market woman, the hopelessness of the unemployed graduate, and the despair of the displaced family in the northeast. Activists don’t need a think tank to tell them what Nigerians need—they have lived it, fought for it, and been jailed for it. That moral conviction is missing in Nigeria’s leadership class. Instead, what we have are career politicians, most of whom see the state as a cash cow.

PDP: The Best Democratic Structure Nigeria Has Ever Had Despite its flaws and internal contradictions, the **People’s Democratic Party (PDP)** remains the best political structure Nigeria has ever produced in the democratic era. Its national outlook, internal zoning principles, commitment to electoral processes (especially under INEC leadership like Prof. Attahiru Jega’s during Jonathan’s era), and relatively peaceful transfers of power demonstrate a level of maturity the APC has never possessed. PDP is not perfect. It has harbored corrupt elements and mismanaged certain opportunities. But it has shown more commitment to democratic ideals than the APC, which has demonstrated autocratic tendencies, media repression, and election manipulation. Under PDP, Nigeria experienced her longest stretch of uninterrupted democracy (1999–2015), enjoyed debt relief, and implemented vital reforms in telecommunications, banking, and agriculture. Even under Goodluck Jonathan—often criticized for his slow pace—the country experienced freedom of speech, judicial independence, and a peaceful concession of defeat in the 2015 election. This singular act elevated Nigeria’s democratic image worldwide.

The Cost of Not Having an Activist-President

Here’s what Nigeria has suffered by not having a natural activist in Aso Rock:
1. **Corruption as Culture**: With no president ready to risk popularity for reform, corruption has become institutionalized. From inflated contracts to oil theft, leaders often turn a blind eye.
2. **Insecurity**: A true activist understands that every Nigerian life matters—Christian or Muslim, Hausa or Igbo, rich or poor. Instead, our leaders respond to crises with committees and condolence tweets.
3. **Brain Drain**: The mass emigration of young Nigerians (“Japa”) is a direct consequence of failed leadership. Youths no longer see a future in a country where hard work is not rewarded and where dreams are constantly suffocated.
4. **Economic Collapse**: With inflation at record highs, unemployment skyrocketing, and the naira in freefall, one wonders how long Nigeria can survive. An activist-president would prioritize local industry, cut government waste, and protect the poor—not travel the world seeking loans while public universities are closed for months.
5. **Loss of National Identity**: Tribalism, religious bigotry, and ethnic chauvinism have replaced national unity. A true activist leader would rise above ethnic sentiments and unite the nation with a common purpose.

What Nigeria Needs Nigeria doesn’t need another politician in agbada with empty campaign slogans. It needs a leader who feels the pain of the people—deeply and personally. Someone who has *fought* for the people, not just *spoken* to them. We need an activist-president who is not afraid to call out the elite, challenge the status quo, and lead reforms that may upset the powerful but uplift the powerless. Until then, Nigeria will continue to oscillate between failure and disaster. We need a president who sees Aso Rock not as a throne of privilege but a platform for purposeful struggle

Nigeria is where it is today—sinking, or perhaps already submerged—because its leaders have lacked the authenticity, empathy, and passion that only natural activists possess.

No nation can rise above the quality of its leadership. We’ve had generals, technocrats, politicians, and businessmen. What we haven’t had is an activist—someone who fights for the people before, during, and after power.

It is time for Nigerians to rethink leadership.
We must demand more than polished grammar and political propaganda.
We must demand passion, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Only then can we begin to pull this nation from the depths of despair.

Until such a leader emerges, we may continue to shout “Up NEPA” as if it’s a privilege to have light in 2025. And that, fellow Nigerians, is the greatest embarrassment of all. —

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Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)

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Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

 

January 29, 2026 – A prestigious appointment has been announced in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st, recognizing Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang as the *Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*. The official certificate, designated STE.001-1 E, was presented to Rt Hon Inyang during a ceremonial investiture.

 

As Secretary General, Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang will *monitor and coordinate* the implementation of government policies and programmes, serve as an advisory institution to the Government, drive policy formulation, harmonization, and implementation, and oversee the activities of ministries, agencies, and departments.

 

The appointment was proclaimed by *Emperor Prof. Dr. Solomon Wining*, Emperor of the United Kingdom of Atlantics and Empire Worldwide, and co-signed by *Empress Prof. Dr. Sriwan Kingjun*, Empress of Attica Empire, under the auspices of the 5 Billions Humanitarian Projects Incorporated.

 

The ceremony underscores the commitment to strengthening governance and humanitarian initiatives within the UKA (Worldwide) jurisdiction, effective immediately in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st.

Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*

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GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS BOKO HARAM VICTIMS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND RENEWED EFFORTS FOR PEACE

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GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS BOKO HARAM VICTIMS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND RENEWED EFFORTS FOR PEACE

 

In a solemn message of condolence and resolve, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu mni (Rtd), the Sarkin Yakin of Biu Emirate, has expressed profound grief over a recent deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on citizens at a work site. The attack, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives, has been condemned as a senseless and barbaric act of inhumanity.

 

The revered traditional and military leader extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, and all patriotic Nigerians affected by the tragedy. He described the victims as “innocent, peaceful, hardworking and committed citizens,” whose lives were tragically cut short.

 

General Biu lamented that the assault represents “one too many” such ruthless attacks, occurring at a time when communities are already engaged in immense personal and collective sacrifices to support government efforts in rebuilding devastated infrastructure and restoring hope.

 

In his statement, he offered prayers for the departed, saying, “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannan Firdaus.” He further urged the living to be encouraged by and uphold the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the victims.

 

Emphasizing the need for collective action, the retired Major General called on all citizens to redouble their efforts in building a virile community that future generations can be proud of. He specifically commended the “silent efforts” of some patriotic leaders working behind the scenes to end the security menace and encouraged all well-meaning Nigerians to join the cause for a better society.

 

“Together we can surmount the troubles,” he asserted, concluding with a prayer for divine intervention: “May Allah guide and protect us, free us from this terrible situation and restore an enduring peace, security, unity and prosperity. Amin.”

 

The statement serves as both a poignant tribute to the fallen and a clarion call for national solidarity in the face of persistent security challenges.

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When a Nation Outgrows Its Care

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When a Nation Outgrows Its Care.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“Population Pressure, Poverty and the Politics of Responsibility.”

Nigeria is not merely growing. It is swelling and faster than its institutions, faster than its conscience and far faster than its capacity to care for those it produces. In a world already straining under inequality, climate stress and fragile governance, Nigeria has become a living paradox: immense human potential multiplied without the social, economic or political scaffolding required to sustain it.

This is not a demographic miracle. It is a governance failure colliding with cultural denial.

Across the globe, societies facing economic hardship typically respond by slowing population growth through education, access to healthcare and deliberate family planning. Nigeria, by contrast, expands relentlessly, even as schools decay, hospitals collapse, power grids fail and public trust erodes. The contradiction is jarring: a country that struggles to FEED, EDUCATE and EMPLOY its people continues to produce more lives than it can dignify.

And when the inevitable consequences arrive (unemployment, crime, desperation, migration) the blame is conveniently outsourced to government alone, as though citizens bear no agency, no RESPONSIBILITY, no ROLE in shaping their collective destiny.

This evasion is at the heart of Nigeria’s crisis.

The political economist Amartya Sen has long said that development is not merely about economic growth but about expanding human capabilities. Nigeria does the opposite. It multiplies human beings while shrinking the space in which they can thrive. The result is a society where life is abundant but opportunity is scarce, where children are born into structural neglect rather than possibility.

Governments matter. Bad governments destroy nations. Though no government, however competent, can sustainably provide for a population expanding without restraint in an environment devoid of planning, infrastructure and accountability.

This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable and therefore necessary.

For decades, Nigerian leaders have failed spectacularly. Public education has been HOLLOWED out. Healthcare has become a LUXURY. Electricity remains UNRELIABLE. Social safety nets are virtually NONEXISTENT. Public funds vanish into PRIVATE POCKETS with brazen regularity. These are not disputed facts; they are lived realities acknowledged by development agencies, scholars and ordinary citizens alike.

Yet amid this collapse, REPRODUCTION continues unchecked, often CELEBRATED rather than QUESTIONED. Large families persist not as a strategy of hope but as a cultural reflex, untouched by economic logic or future consequence. Children are brought into circumstances where hunger is normalized, schooling is uncertain and survival is a daily contest.

The philosopher Hannah Arendt warned that irresponsibility flourishes where accountability is diffused. In Nigeria, responsibility has become a political orphan. The state blames history, colonialism or global systems. Citizens blame the state. Meanwhile, children inherit the cost of this mutual abdication.

International development scholars consistently emphasize that education (especially of girls) correlates strongly with smaller, healthier families and better economic outcomes. Nigeria has ignored this lesson at scale. Where education is weak, fertility remains high. Where healthcare is absent, birth becomes both risk and ritual. Where women lack autonomy, choice disappears.

This is not destiny. It is policy failure reinforced by social silence.

Religious and cultural institutions, which wield enormous influence, have largely avoided confronting the economic implications of unchecked population growth. Instead, they often frame reproduction as a moral absolute divorced from material reality. The result is a dangerous romanticism that sanctifies birth while neglecting life after birth.

The Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui once observed that Africa’s tragedy is not lack of resources but lack of responsibility in managing abundance. Nigeria exemplifies this truth painfully. Rich in land, talent and natural wealth, the country behaves as though human life is an infinite resource requiring no investment beyond conception.

This mindset is unsustainable.

Around the world, nations that escaped mass poverty did so by aligning population growth with state capacity. They invested in people before multiplying them. They built systems before expanding demand. They treated citizens not as numbers but as future contributors whose welfare was essential to national survival.

Nigeria has inverted this logic. It produces demand without supply, citizens without systems, lives without ladders.

To say this is not to absolve government. It is to indict both leadership and followership in equal measure. Governance is not a one-way transaction. A society that demands accountability must also practice responsibility. Family planning is not a foreign conspiracy. It is a survival strategy. Reproductive choice is not moral decay. It is economic realism.

The Nigerian sociologist Adebayo Olukoshi has argued that development fails where political elites and social norms reinforce each other’s worst tendencies. In Nigeria, elite corruption meets popular denial, and the outcome is demographic pressure without developmental intent.

This pressure manifests everywhere: overcrowded classrooms, collapsing cities, rising youth unemployment and a mass exodus of talent seeking dignity elsewhere. Migration is not a dream; it is an indictment. People leave not because they hate their country, but because their country has failed to imagine a future with them in it.

And still, the cycle continues.

At some point, honesty must replace sentiment. A nation cannot endlessly reproduce its way out of poverty. Children are not economic policy. Birth is not development. Hope without planning is cruelty.

True patriotism requires difficult conversations. It demands confronting cultural habits that no longer serve collective survival. It insists on shared responsibility between state and citizen. It recognizes that bringing life into the world carries obligations that extend far beyond celebration.

Nigeria does not lack people. It lacks care, coordination and courage. The courage to align birth with dignity, growth with governance and culture with reality.

Until that reckoning occurs, complaints will continue, governments will rotate and generations will be born into a system that apologizes for its failures while reproducing them.

A nation that refuses to plan its future cannot complain when the future overwhelms it.

 

When a Nation Outgrows Its Care.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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