society
The Funeral of the Nigerian Conscience: Why Citizens, Not Politicians, Are Nigeria’s Biggest Problem
The Funeral of the Nigerian Conscience: Why Citizens, Not Politicians, Are Nigeria’s Biggest Problem.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“We are not victims of bad leaders; we are architects of our own decay.” Until Nigerians change themselves, no leader will save this country.
Introduction: A Nation in Denial.
Nigeria bleeds daily, not only because of corruption in high places, but because the very soul of its citizens is corrupted. We curse politicians as thieves, yet glorify fraudsters on the streets. We denounce bad governance but demand “MOBILIZATION FEES” before carrying out even the smallest task. We complain about looters in Abuja, yet we sell our votes for ₦10,000 and a bag of rice.
The bitter truth is this: Nigeria is not destroyed by TINUBU, ATIKU, OBI, JONATHAN or SOWORE. Nigeria is destroyed by NIGERIANS themselves. Our leaders are not aliens from Mars; they are our BROTHERS, SISTERS, CLASSMATES, CHURCH MEMBERS and UNCLES/AUNTIES. They did not fall from the sky; they are the true reflection of us.
As Chinua Achebe, the father of African literature, once noted: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Though here is the wicked twist Achebe did not fully expand; leaders are produced by the people. Leadership is only the magnifying mirror of the moral collapse of its citizens.
The Nigerian Disease: Corruption Without Shame.
From the grassroots to the presidency, corruption is not just an event in Nigeria; it is a culture. We condemn politicians who loot billions, but we bribe policemen with ₦1,000 and call it “SETTLEMENT.” We decry inflated contracts, yet we inflate our CVs, fake receipts and cheat our own employers.
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, Nigeria ranks 150 out of 180 countries, a shameful position for Africa’s largest economy. Yet, who fuels this corruption? The average Nigerian. Every election season, vote-buying becomes a festival. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) admitted in reports that 2023 elections witnessed widespread vote-trading, with citizens willingly exchanging their future for ₦10,000.
As Wole Soyinka once thundered: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” In Nigeria, it is worse. The man dies not in silence, but in collaboration with tyranny.
Religion and Tribalism: The Twin Chains of Slavery.
Nigerians are not ruled by politicians alone, they are ruled by PASTORS, IMAMS and TRIBAL LORDS. We pay tithes to BILLION-DOLLAR MEGA CHURCHES while praying for divine intervention to solve potholes on our streets. We sow “SEEDS” of faith for prosperity, yet trek home while our pastors fly private jets. According to a 2019 Pew Research survey, Nigerians are among the most religious people in the world; yet among the most CORRUPT.
Similarly, TRIBALISM remains Nigeria’s greatest disease. We pretend to preach unity, but our patriotism begins and ends with “MY TRIBE MUST EAT FIRST.” This is why elections are never about COMPETENCE but ETHNICITY. In 2023, political campaigns collapsed into tribal wars online, where Nigerians fought themselves more viciously than they challenged the system.
Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, warned: “Seek ye first the political kingdom, and all things shall be added unto you.” Though Nigerians seek first the tribal kingdom and everything else (justice, unity, progress) gets subtracted.
Poverty as a Tool of Enslavement.
Over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty (National Bureau of Statistics, 2022). Yet, even in hunger, Nigerians laugh at the wrong jokes. They line up for bags of rice and ₦5,000 during elections, mortgaging four years of their lives for a week’s survival.
This is why CLOWNS in AGBADA and PUPPETS in CASSOCKS keep owning Nigerians like livestock. Poverty has hypnotized the people into obedience. As Karl Marx said, “Religion is the opium of the masses.” In Nigeria, poverty is the opium and religion only intensifies the addiction.
Nigerians Don’t Hate Bad Governance; they Envy It.
Let us stop deceiving ourselves: Nigerians do not hate looters, THEY ASPIRE TO BECOME THEM. Ask a struggling young man what he would do if given the chance to rule and he will tell you he would “SECURE HIS FAMILY FIRST” before serving the people. This mindset is the reason Yahoo-Yahoo (internet fraud) is celebrated as “SMARTNESS.”
EFCC reports that internet fraud cases have risen by over 200% in the last five years, with university students making up the largest percentage of culprits. These same youths will call politicians “THIEVES,” yet they run Ponzi schemes, fake forex platforms and scam their own neighbors.
As Mahatma Gandhi warned: “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Nigeria is drowning not because of lack, but because of greed; greed that lives in the heart of the people themselves.
The Generational Betrayal.
Our parents lived modest lives with dignity; many of them farmed, traded or worked civil service jobs and still raised large families with peace of mind. Today, Nigerians are poorer than their parents, yet more arrogant, more wasteful and more gullible.
Instead of building industries, young people chase fast wealth through fraud. Instead of demanding accountability, they worship celebrities who flaunt ill-gotten wealth. Instead of producing leaders of integrity, we produce CULTISTS in POLITICS and THIEVES in CASSOCKS.
What do we pass on to the next generation? Poverty, silence, tribalism and blind religiosity. This is why the Nigerian dream has become a nightmare.
The Way Forward: Mirror, Not Messiah.
Nigeria does not need another messiah. Not Tinubu, not Atiku, not Obi, not Sowore. Nigeria needs Nigerians to change themselves first.
Stop selling your vote.
Stop demanding bribes for ordinary services.
Stop glorifying Yahoo boys.
Stop defending corrupt politicians because they share your religion or tribe.
Start holding your leaders accountable in local communities, not just in Abuja.
Start practicing the integrity you demand from others.
As Nelson Mandela once declared: “We are the masters of our own fate. The power to change the world is in our hands.” Until Nigerians confront themselves in the mirror, NO ELECTION, NO PRAYER and NO REVOLUTION will save this country.
Final word: The Funeral of the Nigerian Conscience. This is not just a critique; it is a funeral service. The corpse being buried is the Nigerian conscience.
We say politicians are thieves, but the truth is they are only reflections of us with better opportunities to steal. We say the country is broken, but in reality, Nigerians are broken. Until the people admit that the devil they are fighting is inside them (not Aso Rock) their children will inherit the same foolishness they inherited from their parents.
Nigeria’s greatest tragedy is not bad leadership. It is the citizens who love bad governance, envy it and secretly wish to practice it when given the chance.
Until Nigerians change themselves, Nigeria will remain a graveyard of wasted potential.
George O. Sylvester
Political Analyst & Commentator
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
GOVERNMENT MUST TACKLE NATION’S PRESSING CHALLENGES — BISHOP MARTINS URGES AT CHRISM MASS
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, was filled with joy, reverence, and renewed commitment on Holy Thursday as Catholic faithful across the metropolis gathered for the annual Chrism Mass — a solemn celebration marking the institution of the priesthood, the Holy Eucharist, and the blessing of sacred oils used throughout the liturgical year.
During the ceremony, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, described the Chrism Mass as a profound moment in the life of the Church.
He noted that it offers priests an opportunity to renew their vows and reflect on the centrality of the Eucharist, which he emphasized remains the heartbeat of the Catholic faith.
Addressing national issues, Bishop Martins acknowledged the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle Nigeria’s current challenges.
However, he stressed the need for more decisive and accelerated interventions, particularly in securing lives and easing the economic burdens confronting citizens.
He congratulated priests on their feast day and reflected on the rising influence of digital evangelization. While recognizing that many people now “inhabit online spaces,” he warned clergymen to handle social media with caution, discipline, and fidelity to Church teachings. According to him, digital influence must never overshadow spiritual integrity.
“The oils blessed today are not simply symbols; they speak of being set apart by a mark not earned, not crafted, but given,” he said. “As we renew our promises, we do not recreate ordination; we awaken memory. We were not ordained to build profiles but to bear Christ.”
He further noted that the digital world has become a place where people “gather, argue, celebrate, confess, misunderstand, and sometimes encounter truth.” For this reason, he said the Church recognizes the need to take the Gospel into that space without compromising its authenticity.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Paul Akin-Otiko, Chaplain of St. Thomas More Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Lagos, emphasized the enduring significance of the Chrism Mass as an ancient tradition where sacred oils are consecrated.
He urged priests to pray fervently for the sick using the blessed oils, reminding them that true healing comes from God.
Fr. Akin-Otiko encouraged clergy to remain selfless, warning them never to turn the Church into a source of personal gain.
He stressed that their primary duty is the salvation of souls and the welfare of the people entrusted to them.
Monsignor John Aniagwu took a moment to appreciate Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie for his fatherly guidance and exemplary leadership. He prayed for God’s continued blessings, asking that all present be granted good health to witness many more Chrism Masses.
The highlight of the ceremony was the renewal of vows by hundreds of priests, who reaffirmed their commitment to lives of dedication, chastity, and obedience to the Church and their bishop — an act that drew heartfelt applause from the congregation.
The celebration concluded with songs of thanksgiving, joy, and renewed devotion.
society
Liberian Leaders, Citizens Bear Witness as Apostle Suleman Hosts Two-Day Power-Packed Crusade
Liberian Leaders, Citizens Bear Witness as Apostle Suleman Hosts Two-Day Power-Packed Crusade
It was testimonies galore on Tuesday, March 31, the first day of the famous servant of God and founder of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman’s power-packed two-day crusade. The event documented impactful moments with the Gospel and miracles, emphasizing the power of faith and the tangible confirmation of God’s Word through signs and wonders. It was equally an atmosphere of miraculous healing, restoration of lives, and the strengthening of faith.
At the crusade, which was held at the SKD Sports Stadium in Paynesville City, and themed, “Liberia Outpouring Crusade” witnessed testimonies of impact and miracles with participants experiencing instant healing of various kinds of challenges.
Apostle Suleman’s first port of call was Paynesville, the office of Liberian government’s president, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who received him in an audience with his junior ministers. Apostle Suleman, who also met with the vice-president, Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, was welcomed by the Liberian leader’s office as part of the president’s ongoing engagements with religious leaders aimed at fostering spiritual support for national development.
The president expressed profound appreciation to Apostle Suleman for the visit and continued prayers and intercessions by men and women of God on behalf of Liberia, emphasizing his firm belief that sustained spiritual guidance and prayer remain vital to the transformation and progress of the nation.
During the visit, Apostle Suleman offered prayers for President Boakai, his cabinet and the Liberian nation, invoking divine alignment, wisdom, and insight in Liberia’s path toward growth and stability. He prayed that the Almighty God would position Liberia for relevance and fulfillment of its national destiny.
Apostle Johnson Suleman, an evangelist who knows no bounds of where preaching the gospel comes to a stop, visited Liberia prepared with the message, compelling power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, and bringing people to a point of decision where they surrendered their lives to Christ.
Aside from being prophetic and timely, OFM sources disclosed that the servant of God’s visit underscores the importance of faith-based partnerships in supporting governance and national renewal efforts.
society
Middle Belt Forum Hails Tinubu’s Jos Visit, Calls for United Civil-Military Effort to Restore Lasting Peace
*Middle Belt Forum Hails Tinubu’s Jos Visit, Calls for United Civil-Military Effort to Restore Lasting Peace
The Middle Belt Peace Forum (MBPF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his profound demonstration of empathy and responsive leadership following his decision to postpone an official engagement in Iperu in order to visit victims of the recent attacks in Jos.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Pastor Bulus Garba, in Jos on Friday, the Forum said the President’s decision to personally identify with grieving communities sends a powerful message of solidarity and reinforces public confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government to the protection of lives and property.
“The Middle Belt Peace Forum warmly commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising compassion over ceremony. At a time of deep sorrow for the people of Plateau State, his decision to visit Jos stands as a mark of true leadership—one that listens, responds, and stands with the people in their moment of pain,” the statement read.
The Forum described the perpetrators of the recent attacks as “cowards who prey on innocent and defenceless citizens,” stressing that such acts of violence are not only inhumane but also a direct assault on the unity and peace of the nation.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of these cowardly attackers whose only aim is to instil fear and destabilise peaceful communities. Their actions must be met with firm and decisive resistance from all arms of the state,” Pastor Garba said.
The MBPF further used the opportunity to salute the courage, gallantry, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, noting that their continued efforts remain central to restoring stability across troubled parts of the country.
According to the Forum, the Armed Forces have demonstrated resilience and professionalism in the face of complex security challenges, often operating under difficult conditions to safeguard communities and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“We salute the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices. Their gallantry in confronting criminal elements and reclaiming territories is a testament to their dedication to national service. We recognise that the path to peace is demanding, and we honour those who stand daily in defence of our nation,” the statement added.
The Forum pledged its full support to ongoing military operations and called for strengthened collaboration between security agencies and local communities as a critical factor in achieving lasting peace.
It also urged citizens across the Middle Belt to cooperate with security forces by providing timely information and fostering unity within their communities.
The MBPF, however, expressed concern over the need for greater synergy among security agencies, particularly the role of the Nigeria Police in consolidating gains made by the military.
“We call on the Nigeria Police Force to rise fully to its constitutional responsibility by effectively supporting the Armed Forces in stabilising and securing areas that have been cleared of criminal elements. Holding and policing such territories is essential to preventing a resurgence of violence,” Pastor Garba stated.
The Forum emphasised that sustainable peace requires a coordinated approach in which the military clears and secures areas, while the police maintain law and order to enable displaced communities to return and rebuild their lives.
The MBPF concluded by reiterating its commitment to peacebuilding efforts across the Middle Belt and expressed optimism that with sustained leadership, coordinated security efforts, and active citizen participation, lasting peace can be achieved.
“Together, through unity, vigilance, and collective resolve, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer and more peaceful Middle Belt,” the statement added.
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