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You are a precious gem to me; Prophet Genesis marks Kemi King’s birthday with inspiring tributes and admiration

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You are a precious gem to me; Prophet Genesis marks Kemi King’s birthday with inspiring tributes and admiration.

 

Prophet Israel Genesis, a prominent televangelist, honors Kemi King, a woman of exceptional beauty and substance, on her birthday

I would also like to extend my admiration for her as an active and illustrious daughter of mine, an exceptional individual whose influence will forever be treasured in my life, exceeding the worth of diamonds, gold, and oil wells. I am deeply indebted to her for her unwavering commitment to supporting countless people around the world and myself

Your birthday provides an outstanding opportunity to acknowledge God’s kindness in your life and honor the wonderful gift that you are to many of us

Kemi Kemo the King, whom I fondly address as such, you embody a unique blend of sisterly love and angelic compassion, making you a precious gift to humanity, and as we celebrate your birthday, I express my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering dedication to your family and community

On this wonderful day, at the same time, a dedicated black and shining pretty woman was born, she remains a trailblazer, an humble and spiritually nourished, a woman who can handle matters with wisdom, a woman who can let go even when provoked, a woman with quoted and unquoted vibes

As you mark another year of existence, I rejoice with you and express my heartfelt wishes for a bright and prosperous future. May the divine blessings of good health, happiness, and smooth realization of your aspirations be bestowed upon you, and may your labor yield rich dividends without obstacles

Please accept my heartfelt birthday greetings, my charming angel. I wish you continued success, happiness, and fulfillment in all aspects of your life. And many happy returns of the day

Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos

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

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

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April 18, 2025

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

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

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Celebrity journalist, Ajibade Alabi, gets new appointment

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April 17, 2025

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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.

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Reclaiming Identity: Why Nigerians Must Know Their State Flags, Capitals, and Heritage

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22 hours ago

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April 17, 2025

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Reclaiming Identity: Why Nigerians Must Know Their State Flags, Capitals, and Heritage By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Reclaiming Identity: Why Nigerians Must Know Their State Flags, Capitals, and Heritage

By George Omagbemi
Sylvester

 

In the intricate mosaic that is Nigeria, a federation of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory, it is both ironic and alarming that many citizens are unaware of their own state’s flag, capital, or historical relevance. In a nation grappling with identity crises, ethnic disunity, and declining national consciousness, such ignorance is not merely a trivial gap in civic knowledge but a serious deficit that weakens our collective fabric.

This article argues, with 100% factual backing, that every Nigerian should know their state flag, its colors and symbolism, the capital city, and what their state is uniquely known for ie. economically, historically, and culturally. More so, it is time to elevate state flags to the same civic prominence as the Nigerian national flag. This is not merely a symbolic gesture, it is also a critical step toward nurturing inclusive patriotism, strengthening federal identity, and reviving cultural pride.

The Foundation of Identity: States as Building Blocks
Nigeria’s current federal structure, enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is built upon 36 constituent states, each with a unique cultural and economic identity. These states are not arbitrary divisions; they are legacies of historical evolution; from colonial provinces to regions and finally states. From Lagos to Borno, Bayelsa to Sokoto, each state carries a story of struggle, resilience, and distinction.

Knowing one’s state flag and capital should be the minimum requirement of citizenship. These are not mere symbols but they are repositories of history and pride. In the United States, individual state flags are displayed in government offices, classrooms and even private homes. In India, every state celebrates its own formation day with fanfare, highlighting local heroes, culture and achievements. Nigeria must follow suit if it hopes to rebuild patriotism from the grassroots up.

A Legacy of Leadership: Military and Civilian Administrations
Nigeria’s journey through governance, military and civilian has shaped the identity and development trajectory of each state. For instance, the creation of 12 states by General Yakubu Gowon in 1967 was a direct response to ethnic tensions and a strategic move to weaken Biafra’s secessionist agenda. Subsequent expansions under Murtala Mohammed (1976), Ibrahim Babangida (1987 and 1991), and General Sani Abacha (1996) brought the total to 36 states.

Each state has evolved through this complex political history, yet citizens remain uninformed of the very symbols that represent them. How can one claim state pride when they cannot identify their flag or describe the meaning of its colors?

Importance of State Flags: Colors and Meanings
Although Nigeria’s federal system permits states to create their own emblems and flags, public awareness and usage are dismally low. A few examples illustrate this deficit:

Lagos State Flag: Green, blue, and white. Green symbolizes agriculture, blue denotes the Atlantic Ocean, and white stands for peace. Lagosians should proudly display this flag alongside the Nigerian green-white-green.

Delta State Flag: Green, white, and blue.

Green – agriculture and the state’s rich vegetation.
White – peace and unity among the diverse ethnic groups.
Blue – the River Niger and the state’s vast water resources.

Delta State, known as the Big Heart of the Nation, is rich in oil and gas, cultural diversity, and resilient people. A flag reflecting these attributes deserves prominent display in public institutions to foster pride and unity.

Rivers State Flag: Blue, white, and green. Blue symbolizes the River Niger, white peace, and green for agriculture. Given its status as the oil capital of Nigeria, this identity should be celebrated more openly.

These flags were not arbitrarily designed—they reflect deep-seated realities and aspirations of each people. Yet, due to poor civic education and lack of emphasis by successive administrations, many Nigerians cannot recognize these flags, let alone interpret them.

A comprehensive list of state flags and their colors, though not officially standardized in all 36 states, must be curated and taught in schools. States without official flags must be encouraged to develop them, backed by legislative frameworks to ensure adoption and proper display.

Cultural and Economic Uniqueness: What States Are Known For
Each state in Nigeria has a comparative advantage and cultural uniqueness. For example:

Kaduna is a hub of military and educational institutions.

Enugu is known as the “Coal City,” rich in mining history.

Benue is Nigeria’s food basket, dominant in yam and fruit production.

Ogun is a cornerstone of industrial activity.

Osun is home to the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cross River boasts of Obudu Cattle Ranch and Calabar Carnival.

Understanding these unique identities fosters internal tourism, regional development, and national cohesion. Citizens must be taught to appreciate their state’s economic potential and cultural wealth, not just as passive observers but as participants in its growth.

The Map and the Mind
Cartography is not merely a geographical exercise; it is a psychological one. The Nigerian map should be etched into every citizen’s consciousness. Every school should have a detailed political map of Nigeria highlighting all 36 states, capitals, and flags. Ministries, agencies, and local government offices should display both national and state flags as part of standard protocol. National pride must be decentralized.

Institutionalizing State Identity
To make this a reality, the following steps must be taken:

Compulsory Civic Education: Every primary and secondary school curriculum should include detailed instruction on state symbols, capitals, governors (past and present), cultural heritage, and economic potential.

Public Display Protocol: Just as the national flag is hoisted in schools and offices, state flags must be displayed prominently in all state institutions.

Flag Registration and Standardization: The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), should catalog all existing state flags and coordinate with state assemblies to design and ratify flags where absent.

National Day for State Celebrations: Like Nigeria’s Independence Day, each state should mark its creation day annually with parades, flag hoisting, cultural exhibitions, and public lectures on its identity and contribution to Nigeria.

Recognition in Diplomatic Missions: Nigerian embassies abroad should reflect all 36 states through visual displays, promoting investment, tourism, and diaspora engagement.

Reclaiming Nigeria from the Bottom Up
We often bemoan the disunity and lack of patriotism in Nigeria, yet overlook the fact that national unity is not built from the top, it is built from the states upward. A man proud of his hometown is more likely to be proud of his nation. A woman who understands her state’s history is more likely to value the nation’s struggles.

When citizens see both their state flag and the national flag waving in unison, they are reminded of the federal promise: unity in diversity.

Final Thoughts
A country that does not know itself cannot lead itself. It is time for Nigerians to stop reciting only the green-white-green and begin embracing the colors of their roots. We must teach our children not only who the president is, but who their first governor was. Not only where Abuja is, but where their ancestral hometown lies on the map. Not only what Nigeria is, but what their own state stands for.

Let us raise the flags of our states, not in competition with the Nigerian flag, but in harmonious complement. In those colors, shapes, and symbols lie the future of our unity, the power of our diversity, and the soul of our federation.

Reclaiming Identity: Why Nigerians Must Know Their State Flags, Capitals, and Heritage By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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