society
The Nigeria of Now, by Idegu Ojonugwa Shadrach
The Nigeria of Now, by Idegu Ojonugwa Shadrach
Acutely, Nigeria under democracy has not gotten anything reasonable to compare under the military. Most of Nigerians are old enough to be sign-posts of history. Likewise, we have written documents that serve as histories. In all these, we see clearly how Nigeria is becoming a failed nation in the course of democracy. Seriously, this is a great pandemic that needs swift attention before we have no Nigeria to defend. No one is happy going back. But, if the democratic governance continues this way, other system of government may test-run to see where real problems are – as the political leaders blame citizens for misfortunes of the nation. And same way, citizens blame political leaders for the nations’ misfortunes. However, democracy is the best for us at this time. So, we as citizens and political leaders must put things together to save our dear nation.
Relatively, there should be democratic parameters to checkmate democratic workings under the government. Above all, in various measures, if a nation doesn’t have this, it can be simply termed, relegated governance. This should be operationally identified to project meaningfulness of our democracy. Hence, if all developmental features are in standard oblivion, we have no hopes and on that note, it is as good as calling all well-meaning Nigerians to work towards good future of our dear Nigeria in all corners in order to safeguard ourselves and the loved ones as our government never put us in standard consideration.
Bribery, corruption and insecurities should be top notches for consideration; the government must desist from laying blames on past governments and to work tirelessly to amend where necessary, government should be enveloped with high-profiled selfless and dignified politicians; and politicians who are well-groomed on how to verbally and practically – on stylish mannerisms; buy and trade time for the attentions of the poor masses; an administration shouldn’t reward evil-performed politicians and the qualified and noble ones are to be fixed in political offices -and basically, in the wake of this, we can see our nation growing and developing. Be as it may, Nigerians wish the government to re-strategize on time to bring the peoples’ mandates. Nigerians are tired of empty hopes and attractive speeches. A working is what Nigerians need at this moment that the country is seriously sinking. So reasonable things must be scaled before happiness and joy of the citizens can showcase.
However, government to do greatly, it should listen and always create platforms to interact with activists and intellectuals within and outside government. Most importantly, government must grant rooms to journalists to disseminate original information so that issues raised can get fair solutions.
Sincerely, to regulate political and democratic governance, our political leaders must change for good and better. Doing this would definitely help them and the citizens. That is why; it is always advisable to discharge primary duties of dedicated offices. Our politicians must shun antagonistic ways for societal-oriented attitudes that could make good progress for the national values. Our politicians should learn of their great counterparts in the developed and developing countries to do alike or better so that we can have a stable and good economy. If they can do this, no one is ready to fight them. Note; now that everything is happening under quick manners, Nigerian political leaders must prepare to change for better. The growing generations do things faster without consulting and checking attached results. It is on this note, our political leaders must wake up to do greatly in offices before unusual begin to happen from all angles. Enough of embezzlement and open insult, please. Therefore, youths must carry fearless and unbiased human rights activists, and intelligent investigative journalists to help penetrate these wicked politicians as soon as possible, if only, they are not ready to work on dividend of democracy. Hence, youths have no reason to relent under government that has no control over insecurities and unemployment.
In a more cordial way to get this development, well-mannered and productive Nigerians must get ready to join politics. Their aspirations and plans are to be tabled in royal palaces and intellectual, influential and wealthy citizens in the villages are to be summoned by council of elders for support and sponsor of possible ways. Oaths can play good games in constituting this as all planning and supporting committee members manage such affairs under the oath. This should be recommended as quite numbers of individuals come into agreement with hidden agendas. I believe so much on how politics and religion are the great pillars of societal growths and developments. It is therefore a thing of joy to see good people on the affairs of the state.
Again, in order to make up to this development on time, I have always advised our youths to put aside cybercrimes to face our ill-hearted politicians. I have severally encouraged them to create light atmosphere within one another so as to get stronger bound for effective and effectual collaboration. Our youths need to shun jealousy, backbiting and the host alike so they can work with one another to fight the evil politicians parading on the natural resources. We all know how these politicians are strongly connected to one another on a goal of trading our efforts and all we have for their interest. That they always achieve because of strong collaboration. Youths should equally embrace such so that we dismantle their evil practices only if we want to secure our future and that of our children in the nation. These politicians have already done theirs. Our youths should be apprehended with a fact that these politicians have managed all means to make unproductive activities sponsored and promoted so as to keep little-minded youths busy; and to a length that they do use some of these activities to initiate hatred and problems between the little-minded and able-minded youths so they have enough time to keep stealing. On that note; Nigerian youths are encouraged to do well to get into government properly.
In the middle of these present chronic issues surrounding our dear Nigeria, we are yet to get some of the intellectuals questioned and interviewed. Good government must summon intellectuals for public opinions, analyses, suggestions and recommendations on things that can make a state forward and governable. It is by thoroughly working on demanding issues. Because, a government is the most insightful organization to identify gifts and talents of her citizens who have demonstrated themselves in past and in present – as a good government must initiate possible ways to deal with economic and security matters to set standards for living.
Former heads of states and presidents need to have a reconciliatory committee to ensure these groups come in terms with one another with loudable rewards. After that, our intellectuals at home and abroad should be invited for economic review; our wealthy Nigerians should contribute financially; our religious leaders to work on peace and collaborative spirits and many more. As a matter of urgency, online medium should be created to communicate one another due to factors of personal engagements. However, there is no singular reason that can credit someone who fails to attend to his or her family in critical time like this.
Our journalists, academics, innovators and activists must get ready to do more in order to have a progressive nation. Misinformation and misrepresentation of information is the mother of societal destruction. Until we learn how to resourcefully manage our information, we barely understand our score of economy and security – the two vitals of societal workings. So, we must learn how to manage information for and against the present government.
Definitely, I do urge our youths to make patriotic criticisms which are constructed with solutions and not baseless criticisms that can plug our dear Nigeria into a laughable and unrest state. Hence, collective bargaining and ideologies of the youths when channeled appropriately would help the government and citizens. If we don’t work together in peace and unity, the good Nigeria we ever desire wouldn’t come to stay on time. I do know the powers of youths and that is why, I have ever advocated for youth inclusion in government. I am certain, this government would make the way as the youths are committed to work closely with the government for the comfort and advantage of Nigerians.
Our problems are within. It is better we tackle it together. We must learn to do our own things now. Nigeria is one of the most hated nations due to our surplus natural resources. So, no nation is ready to help us make economic alignments without exploitation. Politics and religion can’t help us manage these, except humanity and technology. We should give prime concerns to these so we have human and infrastructural growths and developments in this time of economic shutdown.
Now that everything is accompanied with high prices, our religious leaders must continue to preach endurance, peace and unity to their members – they should teach them how though times don’t last. Our political leaders must cut expenses on things that couldn’t speak well to human and infrastructural developments. Our political leaders must not keep distance and disconnection from the poor masses. And, our political leaders must show and talk how they are seriously working ways to curb present sufferings. If steps to curb this are apprehendable, the promissory future would encourage and force angry citizens to exercise patience. Additionally, I do encourage my dear Nigerians to dwell in peace, unity, courage and efforts even in the middle of our sufferings. Certainly, and sooner than later, we would have our desirable Nigeria.
Our community leaders are encouraged to preach humility, endurance and morals to villagers. Insecurity which is one of the dangerous effects on agriculture must be addressed. Preaching of love which should highlights needs to be to kind and generous to one another, and harmless to one another is so paramount at the time. Hence, it is needed to destabilize antagonistic groups that terrorize humans and properties in societies.
If we can achieve the above highlighted points, Nigeria is fast moving to a standard state. Note; agriculture, electricity, technology, roads and companies should be given maximal attention. Then, schools and churches should be regulated in order not to keep plenty graduates unemployed and keep religionists lazy – as handiwork and diligent cover educational workings and love, obedience and orderliness cover religious workings. Together, we can do this easily and cheaply.
I am so certain that, if the government can yield to effective suggestions from our intellectuals both home and abroad, it would help Nigeria grow a bit under the government.
Ajadi Rejects Pay Rise For President, Others, Says Proposal Insensitive To Nigerians Suffer
A South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) has said that he rejects the reported plan by the Federal Government to raise the salaries of political office holders, including the President, Vice-President, Ministers and others, saying such move is insensitive to the current plights of Nigerians due to the present economic challenges.
Ajadi said many Nigerians are groaning under unprecedented hardship due to the harsh economy, saying what is expected of the political office holders is to make sacrifices.
It could be recalled that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC) has hinted at plans to review the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria, describing current earnings as inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated in the face of rising responsibilities and economic challenges.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu presently earns N1.5m monthly, while ministers receive less than N1m, figures that have remained unchanged since 2008.
According to Shehu, “You are paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria N1.5m a month, with a population of over 200 million people. Everybody believes that it is a joke.
“You cannot pay a minister less than N1m per month since 2008 and expect him to put in his best without necessarily being involved in some other things. You pay either a CBN governor or the DG ten times more than you pay the President. That is just not right. Or you pay him [the head of an agency] twenty times higher than the Attorney-General of the Federation. That is absolutely not right”.
However, Ajadi in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, said at a time when reforms demand sacrifice, this proposal smacks of greed, tone-deafness and moral bankruptcy.
Ajadi said a progressive government in moments of economic crisis like Nigeria is currently going through will reduce the cost of governance rather than inflate it.
According to him, it is insensitive to increase political office holders’ salaries while workers have been struggling for a living wage without appropriate response from the governments.
“The proposed increase in salaries of the President, Vice and other political office holders at this time of economic hardship will amount to insensitivity to the plights of ordinary Nigerians
“The current Workers’ minimum wages is not enough to provide the means of livelihood for any worker. The inflation is biting harder on Nigerians. Contrary to the poor conditions of Nigerians, political office holders are flashing their riches, and displaying their wealth openly with utter disregard to the conditions of ordinary citizens. To now increase the salaries of these political office holders will not augur well for our country.
“In countries where the economy is bad, what obtained is for the political office holders to reduce their earnings as a sacrifice. It is with this that they will have the moral right to preach to ordinary citizens to make.sacrifice.
“In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her cabinet reduced their pay by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the 2008 financial crisis, Ireland slashed ministerial and parliamentary salaries by as much as 30%.
“In the midst of Greece’s sovereign debt crisis, ministers and the Members of Parliament took salaries cuts in solidarity with citizens.
“True leaders tight their belts first before asking citizens to bear the burden of reform. For Nigeria’s political class to even consider “jumbo salaries” at a time of rising inflation, subsidy removal, unemployment and worsening poverty is unconscionable.
“RMAFC must immediately drop this self-serving scheme.What the nation requires today is fiscal discipline, leadership by sacrifice, not political overlords fattening themselves while citizens starve”.
Fubara Behind Campaign of Calumny Against Tinubu Over Rivers Emergency Rule – CJD
The Coalition for Justice and Democracy (CJD) has accused the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, of orchestrating a campaign of calumny against President Bola Tinubu as revenge for the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday and signed by its president, Comrade Raymond Aighona, the coalition alleged that Fubara was also behind the circulation of a document on social media which falsely accused the Sole Administrator of Rivers, Ibok-Eket Ibas, of mismanaging half a trillion naira and inflating contracts under the guise of funding President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The group dismissed the allegations as “baseless blackmail”, insisting that the sole administrator had acted strictly within the limits of the emergency powers granted him and under the constant oversight of committees set up by both chambers of the National Assembly to monitor Rivers during the emergency rule.
“Siminalayi Fubara has chosen the path of bitterness and deceit. He has not forgiven President Tinubu for saving Rivers State from total political anarchy through the declaration of emergency rule. Now, in an act of reckless vengeance, he is sponsoring falsehoods, pushing forged documents, and trying to smear the reputation of the President and the sole administrator. These antics will not succeed,” Aighona declared.
The CJD said it had carried out its own checks and found no evidence to support the claims of financial recklessness being circulated online against Ibas.
“Every action of the Sole Administrator is monitored by oversight committees from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. His expenditures are scrutinised and subjected to due process. For anyone to claim that he single-handedly pulled out half a trillion naira from the coffers of Rivers State is not only laughable but deliberately mischievous,” the group added.
According to the CJD, the social media document, which alleged that inflated contracts were being used to bankroll the President’s 2027 campaign, bore “all the fingerprints of Fubara’s political desperation”.
“This is nothing but a forged narrative manufactured by those who lost relevance under the emergency rule. Fubara is the unseen hand behind these malicious reports. He hopes to poison the minds of Rivers people against President Tinubu and to discredit Ibas, whose steady leadership has restored calm and order to the state,” Aighona said.
The group further warned that such “propaganda politics” could inflame tensions and destabilise Rivers if not exposed for what it truly is.
“What Fubara is doing is reckless and dangerous. Rather than take responsibility for the failures of his short-lived administration, he is weaponising lies, sowing distrust, and dragging the President’s name into his personal vendetta. This is not only unfair to President Tinubu but also a betrayal of Rivers people who are finally enjoying stability after months of turmoil,” the statement continued.
The CJD praised Ibas for what it described as “disciplined and transparent stewardship” since his appointment as Sole Administrator.
“Ibas has not gone beyond his authority. He has been meticulous in carrying out his duties and has kept faith with the mandate to stabilise Rivers State. He deserves commendation, not blackmail. Anyone suggesting otherwise is only doing the bidding of embittered politicians like Fubara,” Aighona said.
The group called on security agencies to investigate the origin of the circulating document and to expose those behind the “malicious forgery”.
It also urged the Nigerian public to treat such reports with contempt, stressing that the claims were designed to smear the President and destabilise Rivers.
“There is no half-trillion naira missing from Rivers’ coffers. There are no inflated contracts funding the President’s re-election. These are lies from the pit of desperation. The real story is that Fubara, who has been constitutionally sidelined under emergency rule, is fighting back with propaganda. He must be called out,” the CJD stated.
The coalition reaffirmed its support for the emergency measures in Rivers, insisting that the intervention had prevented total collapse and restored a measure of peace and governance to the state.
“President Tinubu acted to save Rivers, not to exploit it. Ibas has executed that mandate with dignity. The blackmail campaign being funded by Fubara cannot erase these truths. Nigerians should see through his desperation and reject his propaganda,” Aighona advised.
Beyond Optics: Setting the Record Straight on Nigeria’s TICAD Booth
I feel compelled to clarify misconceptions around Nigeria’s so-called “unmanned booth” at TICAD, which has unfortunately become the subject of misleading commentary.
First, the space in question is not a national pavilion. It is a designated spillover area—typically used by delegates without access to the main auditorium to follow proceedings, hold side meetings, or work quietly. Countries may choose to convert such spaces into national showcases, but it is not compulsory. Any Nigerian delegate can use the space at any time. Several other countries also had similar spaces today that were quiet or lightly used. It is neither unusual nor a sign of disengagement.
Now, to the real issue: Nigeria is not in Japan for optics. Visibility is not the only metric. Value is.
While some chase appearances, Nigerian officials are working deliberately and with focus:
HM Pate is finalising a landmark health sector agreement with Japanese partners.
HM Power is advancing a major energy partnership.
BOI and BOA are deep in investment negotiations.
HM Foreign Affairs is leading ministerial-level engagements and aligning national plans.
Mr. President is meeting Japanese investors, Nigerian diaspora business leaders, development partners, and fellow heads of government.
The work is being done—quietly, strategically, and with impact.
So what purpose is served by amplifying an incomplete visual to imply national failure? Even if unintended, this kind of knee-jerk commentary can undermine progress and reinforce misrepresentation. Visibility should not be confused with value; applause is not the same as achievement.
Koko of the Matter: Nigeria’s space was not “unmanned” in the sense implied. We are under no obligation to adopt the performative routines of others. In diplomacy, presence is not always performance—and substance will always outweigh spectacle.
In line with TICAD’s structure, Nigeria’s space will see more active use on Day 2 and Day 3, which focus on Economy and Society, functioning as an open national stand accessible to all delegates.
Let us focus on outcomes, not optics—in the best interest of our country.
~ Otega #TheTiger Ogra
@NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @NigeriaMFA
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