society

TANKER EXPLOSION: OSINBAJO VISITS LAGOS, SAYS FG SADDENED BY INCIDENT …Measures Underway To Prevent Reoccurrence – Ambode … As Aregbesola Advocates Revisit of Road Worthiness Certification For Vehicles

Published

7 years ago

June 29, 2018

Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Friday evening visited the Lagos House in Alausa Ikeja to convey the condolences of the Federal Government to the State Government on the tragic tanker explosion on Thursday at the Otedola Bridge which claimed lives and properties.

Osinbajo, who spoke shortly after a closed door meeting with the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the Federal Government was deeply saddened by the incident, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had delegated him to visit the State to commiserate with the people of Lagos on the unfortunate incident.

“I am here to commiserate with the government and people of Lagos State on the tragedy that occurred just yesterday. It’s a very terrible thing and all of us were deeply saddened by it. Before Mr. President left this morning he asked me to express his sincere condolences to his Excellency and also to the people of the State. It’s a very deeply saddening event and we pray this sort of thing will never repeat itself.

“We also hope that all of those who have suffered injury will recover soon and we pray for comfort for those who lost their loved ones and properties in this very tragic event. That’s why am here.

Responding, Governor Ambode thanked the Vice President for finding time to visit to condole with the people of the State in this moment of grief, saying that it was a testament to the fact that the Federal Government was deeply concerned about the safety of lives and property of residents in the State.

“We just want to say a big thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari and also a big thank you to Mr. Vice President for finding out time to quickly commiserate with us in Lagos and also with the press statement of Mr. President who is not able to be here personally but has sent the Vice President, because they feel so strongly that this kind of incident is not what should be occurring in this time in Lagos and they feel so concerned that beyond the incident, if there are other remedies that we need to do, we have already discussed on those issues that we need to quickly put in place to make sure that we do not have such reoccurrence,” he said.

Governor Ambode also assured the Vice President that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy had been restored within the axis where the incident occurred, saying that all hands are on deck to prevent such incidents in future.

“Normalcy has come back to the city and we believe strongly that other measures will be put in place to make sure that things go on normally,” he said.

The Governor equally thanked his counterpart in Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was also at the Lagos House to express his condolences, while commiserating with all the families who lost their loved ones as well as properties in the inferno.

Speaking earlier, Aregbesola commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State, particularly those who lost their loved ones and properties to the tragedy, but said the incident called to question the need to revisit road worthiness certification for vehicles initiated by the Lagos State Government.

“Lagos initiated a process that we all refused to follow through because of the agitation of those who are affected and that process is the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Road Worthiness Certificate. We have to now ask again for our governments to revive the MOT certification of vehicles because if all vehicles are very road worthy, probably the dastardly accident of yesterday would have been avoided.

“Our sympathy can only be meaningful if we do the right thing to prevent such occurrence and so let us revive the spirit of ensuring road worthiness of vehicles on our roads particularly those ones that have capacity for mass destruction such as articulated vehicles,” Aregbesola said.

SIGNED

HABIB ARUNA

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JUNE 29, 2018

Related Topics:coverstory Tanker explosion VP Osibanjo

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Good Friday: Ambassador Ajadi’s Bold Call for Nigeria to Embrace Christ’s Sacrifice to Overcome Corruption and Injustice

Published

5 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Good Friday: Ambassador Ajadi’s Bold Call for Nigeria to Embrace Christ’s Sacrifice to Overcome Corruption and Injustice

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

As Christians across the globe commemorate Good Friday today, April 18, 2025—a sacred day marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Chairman and CEO of Bullion Records, has extended a heartfelt message of reflection, urging Nigerians and the international community to draw enduring lessons from Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

In a statement made available to The Merit Newspaper and other media platforms, Ambassador Ajadi described Good Friday as more than a religious commemoration. According to him, it is a day of deep moral introspection and a call to purposeful sacrifice, love, and justice—principles sorely needed in Nigeria’s current socio-political landscape.

“Good Friday reminds us of the depth of love and sacrifice that Christ showed to humanity. He gave His life not for a select few, but for all mankind—regardless of race, tribe, or religion. It is this level of selflessness that our leaders, especially at the federal level, must emulate in service to the people,” Ajadi stated.

He noted that at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, the message of Good Friday should challenge those in authority to govern with compassion, humility, and a genuine heart for service.

“Christ didn’t die for Himself. He died for the weak, the poor, and the oppressed. That lesson should not be lost on those in power today. The federal government must place the needs of the suffering masses above personal or political interests,” Ajadi emphasized.

The music executive and philanthropist also appealed to citizens not to lose hope but to remain committed to doing good in their communities. “If every Nigerian—Muslim, Christian, or traditional believer—embodies the sacrificial spirit of Christ by showing love, tolerance, and respect to others, we will rebuild a nation we can all be proud of,” he added.

Reflecting on his own contributions through entertainment, Ajadi revealed that Bullion Records remains committed to producing music that uplifts, unites, and educates. “As we reflect on today’s spiritual significance, let us also appreciate the role of art and culture in healing society. Our artiste, Harcher, will be releasing more inspirational tracks aimed at promoting peace and national consciousness.”

Good Friday, observed during Holy Week, is a solemn reminder in the Christian calendar of the pain and price of redemption. Across Nigeria and the world, it is marked by church services, fasting, and prayers—particularly emphasizing forgiveness, humility, and hope in the face of adversity.

Ajadi went further by calling on both the government and citizens to renew their commitment to nation-building. “The resurrection story teaches us that even after pain, there can be restoration. Let us rise from this moment of hardship with a renewed resolve to serve one another, speak truth, and live in love,” he said.

This call from Ambassador Ajadi, a respected entrepreneur and patriot known for his vocal support for youth empowerment and national development, comes at a time when Nigeria is searching for healing, unity, and visionary leadership.

society

There Was a Country: Chinua Achebe’s Testament of Nigeria’s Lost Promise

Published

13 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Sahara Weekly

There Was a Country: Chinua Achebe’s Testament of Nigeria’s Lost Promise

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

When Chinua Achebe published There Was a Country in 2012, he did more than write a memoir of the Biafran War. He issued a damning verdict on Nigeria’s descent from promise to peril—a once-hopeful post-colonial state now defined by corruption, ethnic strife, impunity, and the persistent betrayal of its founding ideals. Through a blend of personal recollections, literary reflections, and searing political critique, Achebe chronicled the tragedy of a nation that lost its soul to tribalism, mediocrity, and greed. More than a personal account, his work is a national epitaph and a warning that remains as relevant today as it was over a decade ago.

Achebe begins by reminiscing on Nigeria’s early days, when a generation of dreamers imagined a country that could stand tall among nations. As a young man, he had every reason to be optimistic. Nigeria’s independence in 1960 was greeted with joy and international acclaim. The country was rich in human and natural resources, boasting an educated elite, a vibrant press, and a federal constitution that promised unity in diversity. But Achebe, ever the realist, understood that these were fragile gains. The cracks were already visible in the foundation.

The seeds of Nigeria’s unraveling were planted by colonial rule and hastened by post-independence mismanagement. The British had left behind a deeply divided society: a North shaped by indirect rule and Islamic conservatism; a Western region dominated by Yoruba culture and political sophistication; and an Eastern region led by an industrious, commercially successful Igbo elite. This artificial federation, created for imperial convenience, lacked a cohesive national identity.

Achebe’s Igbo heritage played a central role in There Was a Country. The book reflects the trauma of the Biafran War (1967–1970), during which the Eastern Region attempted to secede from Nigeria following pogroms against the Igbo in the North. Achebe writes of the horror of starvation, the bombing of civilian targets, and the silence of the international community. Over two million people—mostly children—died in the conflict. Achebe, who served as a Biafran diplomat, watched with sorrow as his country turned on its own, driven by what he described as a “failure of leadership.”

Perhaps no phrase in There Was a Country is more enduring than Achebe’s declaration: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” He argues that the post-independence generation of politicians, many of whom were products of missionary schools and early nationalist movements, quickly abandoned the principles of service and justice. Instead, they embraced tribalism, nepotism, and opportunism. Merit was sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity, and elections became contests of identity, not ideology.

Achebe’s indictment of successive Nigerian governments is unrelenting. He condemns the military coups of 1966 and 1983, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by Chief Moshood Abiola, and the rise of what he called “an ignoble class of millionaires who are neither industrialists nor farmers nor professionals.” He viewed Nigeria’s oil wealth not as a blessing, but as a curse—a source of unimaginable corruption that enriched a few while deepening the poverty of the many.

The relevance of There Was a Country in contemporary Nigeria is sobering. Over a decade since its publication, the problems Achebe decried have only worsened. The country is still grappling with insecurity—terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, secessionist agitations in the South-East, and kidnapping-for-ransom across the country. Nigeria remains among the top 10 countries with the highest number of out-of-school children. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2023), over 63% of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, while youth unemployment hovers around 40%.

Corruption remains endemic. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (2024) ranked Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries, reflecting a lack of progress in tackling systemic graft. Public infrastructure has decayed. The power sector still generates less than 5,000 megawatts for over 200 million people. Universities frequently shut down due to strikes, and the health sector has been hollowed out by the exodus of professionals. The Nigerian dream, once luminous, now flickers dimly.

Achebe’s reflections on the civil war also serve as a warning about the dangers of unresolved ethnic tensions. Nigeria has never fully reconciled with its Biafran past. History was removed from school curricula for decades, and official narratives often ignore the suffering of Eastern Nigerians. As Achebe wrote, “A people without knowledge of their history are like a tree without roots.” Today’s South-East youths, many of whom feel excluded from national politics, are increasingly attracted to separatist movements, echoing the unhealed wounds Achebe documented.

Internationally, Nigeria’s image has suffered. Once hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” it now battles negative headlines—ranging from cybercrime to human trafficking. The failure to project soft power, coupled with diplomatic missteps and internal instability, has eroded its regional leadership. Achebe warned of this decline, noting that a country that cannot manage its diversity, reward merit, or provide security, risks becoming irrelevant on the global stage.

Yet, There Was a Country is not a book of despair. Achebe believed in the possibility of redemption. He admired young Nigerians who defied the odds, who built businesses, won scholarships, and used the arts to challenge injustice. He called for a return to core values—honesty, empathy, accountability, and service. For Achebe, the soul of Nigeria could still be reclaimed, but only through courageous and ethical leadership.

His call is more urgent now than ever. As Nigeria prepares for the next round of elections in 2027, Achebe’s words should guide both leaders and voters. The nation must abandon the politics of tribe, money, and manipulation. It must invest in education, rebuild its institutions, and reward competence. Most importantly, it must tell the truth about its past so it can chart an honest course for the future.

Achebe’s legacy is a challenge to all Nigerians—to remember that there was a country, full of promise and possibility. The question is whether there still is, and if so, what must be done to save it. He wrote not as a cynic, but as a patriot who loved his country enough to tell it the truth. As he once said, “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” In a world of compromised ideals and broken promises, Achebe’s voice remains a clarion call to conscience.

society

Celebrity journalist, Ajibade Alabi, gets new appointment

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Celebrity journalist, Ajibade Alabi, gets new appointment…Appointed as Media Director of Omolaja Solidarity Forum (OSF) and National Director of Publicity of National Liberation Patriots (NLP).

Celebrity journalist and international award winner, Comrade Samson Ajibade Alabi (aka Murphy) has been appointment as the Media Director for Omolaja Media Team which is a Committee of the Omolaja Solidarity Forum (OSF), a political support group under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The versatile journalist with over 25 years in print journalism that spread across Nigerian newspapers like Nigerian Tribune, Compass Newspapers, Daily Times, Westerner Magazine, Leadership Newspapers, Daily Newswatch among other established national newspapers, is also appointed as the National Publicity Secretary of National Liberation Patriots (NLP), another prominent support group under the same Party (SDP). In addition, Comrade Ajibade Alabi is also the National Publicity Secretary of the Coalition for Sustenance of Democracy still under the same Social Democratic Party. In an appointment letter that was signed by Professor Muhammad Omolaja, the Ike Mba 1 of Africa, the triple appointments start immediately.”Your appointment starts with immediate effect. Your first official assignment will be at the forthcoming meeting of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Henceforth, any official journey I am to make, you will be physically present with me. You will be assisted by Comrade Abdulsalaam Yusuf, another good hand, from Niger State. Congratulations on this laudable appointment. I hope you will always do good jobs on this journey of professionalism”.
Responding, Comrade Samson Alabi, the Nigeria Media Award Winner in 2014 (Entertainment) accepted the challenges and promised to justify the appointment given to him:”Even though I am still ruminating on the euphoria of this noble assignment, I will rather delay the celebration till when I have delivered on what I was given to do, which is to place the ambition of Prof. Muhammad Omolaja for his political race under the Social Democratic Party he might contest for. I want to appreciate Prof. Muhammad Omolaja and the team for entrusting on me the task of paddling the canoe of the media sector of the political group”Comrade Ajibade Alabi is currently with the Daily Monitor newspaper as their entertainment and society line editor.