Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani, former Second Vice- President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) clocks another year today. In this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, the Chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), shares his thoughts on the state of the nation and what needs to be done to get Nigeria out of the woods. Excerpts:

How do you feel clocking another year?

I feel really good. I am very happy especially in these times when you hear about some of your colleagues dropping dead anyhow. When you look at the fact that God has been kind enough to preserve one’s life to see another year, it is enough reason to be thankful for. It also reminds me that I need to do more for humanity because if you leave this world, it is not how much you acquire that people will remember you for but the kind of impact you have made in people’s lives. So, my desire every time is to do something that will impact positively on people’s lives. That is why this year; I have decided to celebrate it by empowering some of the youths, especially in my village with the little resources that God has given to me. My vow to my creator and the covenant I have entered with Him is that I will keep on doing this until I die. I will never celebrate my birthday without doing one thing or the other to elevate somebody from their present state to the next level. That is my desire as I mark birthday yearly.

Also, I believe that society would continue to breed miscreants if the wealthy do not assist the poor. The consequences of not being our brother’s keeper is what bred Boko Haram; it is breeding other societal miscreants all over the place. God knows what else, what next, where else, when next the next terror will hit us. The danger is growing within; it is drawing nearer and nearer to our door step, just as the storm gathers. The good news is that we can avert the next crisis, contain and correct the current crisis today. All we need to do is to extend a hand of help with a heart of love, however little, to that next door neighbour, or stranger seeking your assistance. There is a limit to how many Nigerians a good Samaritan with limited resources can help, but I am convinced that if I get your support in your capacity as an empowered Nigerian, together we can create a system that will lift majority of Nigerians, young and old, out of poverty and hunger. It takes just a little more creative thinking and brainstorming to build that enabling structure outside of the box. That motivated me in establishing the Onyekachi Ubani Foundation which was inaugurated in August 2016. Even before the establishment of the foundation, I have been doing charity work and one of them was when God used the foundation to be able to save the life of a baby Somaya Olayinka that had a hole in her heart. We have also given people the training opportunity that enables them to fend for themselves.

Are you really happy with the state of the nation under the current administration?

I am not happy with the way we are. I must also confess that I am not so happy with the pace that we are going at this point in time. I would have wanted a better administration that will make better impact in the lives of the citizens. I am sorry to say that I am not happy when a government we fought and canvassed votes for is not obeying the rule of law, does not pay attention to judgment of the court, disregards rights of individuals. Look at the ban on Twitter. I thought by now, the government would have realised its mistake and unban Twitter, but they are still hell-bent arguing that Twitter must come and register and all that. They also came up with all manner of arguments which were not the reason why they banned Twitter. It is because of the fact that they removed the tweet the President posted on the platform which they considered a breach of their community rules. The President now felt that the best way to hit back at them is to do what he did by banning them in Nigerians and he has refused to buckle despite all the reasons advanced by Nigerians to unban it. So, I am not happy the way things are in this country. Look at the issue of electronic transmission of results. The National Assembly who are elected to be the peoples representatives are taking us back to 15th century by saying they don’t want it. Instead of moving forward, we are going backwards as a nation. With the crop of politicians that we have, unless there is a change, we may not get to that level of development that we all desire. These present crop of politicians are not forward looking at all. They don’t mean well for the people. All they are after is their selfish interests which cannot take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

What kind of leaders do you think Nigeria need at the moment?

We want the kind of leaders who have genuine passion to lead and cause positive transformation. If you go to Singapore today, you will weep for Nigeria. That is a country that is a third world nation taken to a first world by one man, Lee Kuan Yew who stood his ground and said the nation cannot continue like that. That is the kind of spirit I want Nigerians to imbibe at any level or position they find themselves. It is only when you have i-can-do spirit, that is when a nation moves forward. Nigerians are really suffering but these people don’t care. Average citizens can’t afford three square meals a day and they can’t live in decent accommodation. There are no good roads; no electricity and our hospitals are dead. So, what can these people point out that they have done since we are under democracy? Since 1999 till date, there is none of our infrastructure that is functional and I can’t point at anywhere that we are faring well in our national life. So, I am not happy as a Nigeria, especially given the role I have played so far in supporting this government to power. I have not seen the change that we all canvassed for. It is one sad thing that makes me unhappy even as I celebrate my birthday but I thank God for keeping me alive.

What should be the role of the masses in all of this?

They should rise up and insist that the government do the right thing. The government must be made to have a conscience and run the government that will favour everybody, not the government that they want. They should not run the government according to their whims and caprices; they must run the government according to the whims and caprices of the majority. So, they have failed in the fight against insecurity and against corruption. The economy is in the doldrums. People are becoming more frustrated every day. There are no employment opportunities; the basic infrastructure they say they are doing, I am yet to see if one can go from here to Abuja without passing through dangerous and terrible roads. Where is the infrastructure?

Are you optimistic things will improve for the better or get worse?

I have this hope that things will not continue this way. There is going to be a change. Nigeria will change for the better and it will certainly recover and fly. By the time we get the kind of leadership that we desire, our lost glory will be restored. It will find its place among the comity of nations. We will put our hearts to it, rely on God and do what we are supposed to do as human beings. It is good for us to pray, but we must also work hard because prayer without works is useless.
https://independent.ng/i-expect-fg-to-have-realised-its-mistake-and-unblock-twitter-now-ubani/

It is unfortunate to say the least. This despotic regime led by a Jihadist and a Dundee has already gone down as the worst the world has ever seen

The government doesn't care...they don't have anything to offer. They wake up everyday, goes to work, gist about how to enrich themselves, laugh at the poor citizens, then go back to their families in the evening, and eat fura.

Twitter needs to learn it's lesson the hardest.

If the most populous nation in Africa can nail it's ass, Nations will stand against it influence and also nail it.


The government in right direction. If ban must be over turned, should be after an average of 5 years. Probably after 2023 election.

So they think after banning Twitter and make us suffer, they will impose another slowpoke on us come 2023 Bah....

How will they know the importance!! If they value you or Twitter, A president of a country can't Ban people from COMMENT'S SECTION!!

This is the End for APC in this country... Including PDP

Too shallow to think

Stupid man.. clout chaser

Even Twitter has moved on dwarfing d committee set up by FG making it clear they can do without Nigeria

Hubris!
The pride of a Fulani man, is very long and too deep,

Staphylococcus:
Twitter needs to learn it's lesson the hardest.

If the most populous nation in Africa can nail it's ass, Nations will stand against it influence and also nail it.


The government in right direction. If ban must be over turned, should be after an average of 5 years. Probably after 2023 election.

U mean same Twitter that BBN and other Nigerian news is trending LMAO

Twitter Nigeria traffic didn't reduce by more than 10% at most which is relatively nothing

When will we realize this sh*t is bigger than just twitter, this is an indirect punishment for a lot of things starting from endsars to ipob and yoruba nation to #buharimustgo, revolution now, pantami resign, e.t.c and all the vocal critics of the govt who use twitter and have a large following. The government is using twitter to direct it's fury. Twitter in Nigeria has been a great mobilization tool against their evil.

They are all using Twitter and Bitcoin

How will he realize that, does he use the app? To him, twitter is something that Ipob is using to break nigeria. That's probably what his handlers told him it is.

Ubani my man way back from mofe and Moyo on star fm ! Av loved this man for saying the truth no matter what.

Aidejay:
When will we realize this sh*t is bigger than just twitter, this is an indirect punishment for a lot of things starting from endsars to ipob and yoruba nation to #buharimustgo, revolution now, pantami resign, e.t.c and all the vocal critics of the govt who use twitter and have a large following. The government is using twitter to direct it's fury. Twitter in Nigeria has been a great mobilization tool against their evil.

you are right when it's obvious they are trying to swallow their vomit and bring Bitcoin back but restrict it to the trash they created.

I don't think they would unban Twitter and we aren't interested either

You cant make a foolish illiterate your president and expect progress

bolaayenimo:
Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani, former Second Vice- President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) clocks another year today. In this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, the Chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), shares his thoughts on the state of the nation and what needs to be done to get Nigeria out of the woods. Excerpts:

How do you feel clocking another year?

I feel really good. I am very happy especially in these times when you hear about some of your colleagues dropping dead anyhow. When you look at the fact that God has been kind enough to preserve one’s life to see another year, it is enough reason to be thankful for. It also reminds me that I need to do more for humanity because if you leave this world, it is not how much you acquire that people will remember you for but the kind of impact you have made in people’s lives. So, my desire every time is to do something that will impact positively on people’s lives. That is why this year; I have decided to celebrate it by empowering some of the youths, especially in my village with the little resources that God has given to me. My vow to my creator and the covenant I have entered with Him is that I will keep on doing this until I die. I will never celebrate my birthday without doing one thing or the other to elevate somebody from their present state to the next level. That is my desire as I mark birthday yearly.

Also, I believe that society would continue to breed miscreants if the wealthy do not assist the poor. The consequences of not being our brother’s keeper is what bred Boko Haram; it is breeding other societal miscreants all over the place. God knows what else, what next, where else, when next the next terror will hit us. The danger is growing within; it is drawing nearer and nearer to our door step, just as the storm gathers. The good news is that we can avert the next crisis, contain and correct the current crisis today. All we need to do is to extend a hand of help with a heart of love, however little, to that next door neighbour, or stranger seeking your assistance. There is a limit to how many Nigerians a good Samaritan with limited resources can help, but I am convinced that if I get your support in your capacity as an empowered Nigerian, together we can create a system that will lift majority of Nigerians, young and old, out of poverty and hunger. It takes just a little more creative thinking and brainstorming to build that enabling structure outside of the box. That motivated me in establishing the Onyekachi Ubani Foundation which was inaugurated in August 2016. Even before the establishment of the foundation, I have been doing charity work and one of them was when God used the foundation to be able to save the life of a baby Somaya Olayinka that had a hole in her heart. We have also given people the training opportunity that enables them to fend for themselves.

Are you really happy with the state of the nation under the current administration?

I am not happy with the way we are. I must also confess that I am not so happy with the pace that we are going at this point in time. I would have wanted a better administration that will make better impact in the lives of the citizens. I am sorry to say that I am not happy when a government we fought and canvassed votes for is not obeying the rule of law, does not pay attention to judgment of the court, disregards rights of individuals. Look at the ban on Twitter. I thought by now, the government would have realised its mistake and unban Twitter, but they are still hell-bent arguing that Twitter must come and register and all that. They also came up with all manner of arguments which were not the reason why they banned Twitter. It is because of the fact that they removed the tweet the President posted on the platform which they considered a breach of their community rules. The President now felt that the best way to hit back at them is to do what he did by banning them in Nigerians and he has refused to buckle despite all the reasons advanced by Nigerians to unban it. So, I am not happy the way things are in this country. Look at the issue of electronic transmission of results. The National Assembly who are elected to be the peoples representatives are taking us back to 15th century by saying they don’t want it. Instead of moving forward, we are going backwards as a nation. With the crop of politicians that we have, unless there is a change, we may not get to that level of development that we all desire. These present crop of politicians are not forward looking at all. They don’t mean well for the people. All they are after is their selfish interests which cannot take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

What kind of leaders do you think Nigeria need at the moment?

We want the kind of leaders who have genuine passion to lead and cause positive transformation. If you go to Singapore today, you will weep for Nigeria. That is a country that is a third world nation taken to a first world by one man, Lee Kuan Yew who stood his ground and said the nation cannot continue like that. That is the kind of spirit I want Nigerians to imbibe at any level or position they find themselves. It is only when you have i-can-do spirit, that is when a nation moves forward. Nigerians are really suffering but these people don’t care. Average citizens can’t afford three square meals a day and they can’t live in decent accommodation. There are no good roads; no electricity and our hospitals are dead. So, what can these people point out that they have done since we are under democracy? Since 1999 till date, there is none of our infrastructure that is functional and I can’t point at anywhere that we are faring well in our national life. So, I am not happy as a Nigeria, especially given the role I have played so far in supporting this government to power. I have not seen the change that we all canvassed for. It is one sad thing that makes me unhappy even as I celebrate my birthday but I thank God for keeping me alive.

What should be the role of the masses in all of this?

They should rise up and insist that the government do the right thing. The government must be made to have a conscience and run the government that will favour everybody, not the government that they want. They should not run the government according to their whims and caprices; they must run the government according to the whims and caprices of the majority. So, they have failed in the fight against insecurity and against corruption. The economy is in the doldrums. People are becoming more frustrated every day. There are no employment opportunities; the basic infrastructure they say they are doing, I am yet to see if one can go from here to Abuja without passing through dangerous and terrible roads. Where is the infrastructure?

Are you optimistic things will improve for the better or get worse?

I have this hope that things will not continue this way. There is going to be a change. Nigeria will change for the better and it will certainly recover and fly. By the time we get the kind of leadership that we desire, our lost glory will be restored. It will find its place among the comity of nations. We will put our hearts to it, rely on God and do what we are supposed to do as human beings. It is good for us to pray, but we must also work hard because prayer without works is useless.
https://independent.ng/i-expect-fg-to-have-realised-its-mistake-and-unblock-Twitter-now-ubani/

Twitter has moved on....let Fulani government keep on mumu itself...I'm very sure before the end of this year, they will call Twitter back and unblock it for the next year's political campaign for 2023...

Twitter has more advantages than them....let them the go-ahead and be mal-administrate...

Staphylococcus:
Twitter needs to learn it's lesson the hardest.

If the most populous nation in Africa can nail it's ass, Nations will stand against it influence and also nail it.


The government in right direction. If ban must be over turned, should be after an average of 5 years. Probably after 2023 election.

Twitter revenue and shares are going up while naira is falling yakata. Nigeria has been infected with mdr
staphylococcus

Fake news has reduced greatly with the banning of Twitter.

Fake news : 14K likes

Retraction and apology : 123 likes

No more of this.

They are still waiting for Twitter's negotiation team

Jack Dorsey will never bow to Nigeria

Glink2018:



Twitter has moved on....let Fulani government keep on mumu itself...I'm very sure before the end of this year, they will call Twitter back and unblock it for the next year's political campaign for 2023...

Twitter has more advantages than them....let them the go-ahead and be mal-administrate...

Staphylococcus:
Twitter needs to learn it's lesson the hardest.

If the most populous nation in Africa can nail it's ass, Nations will stand against it influence and also nail it.


The government in right direction. If ban must be over turned, should be after an average of 5 years. Probably after 2023 election.

Surprisingly, Twitter is more popular than Nigeria.

Normal and richer

ImmaculateSpenc:



Surprisingly, Twitter is more popular than Nigeria.