₦airaland Forum

Police training standards must be raised to weed out bad characters. Their pay must reflect this high level of training. The logistics needed for rapid response must be well maintained and secured to avoid extortion and brutality on the streets. It is not enough to pledge new policing each time Inspector General is appointed, bribes collected by Police superiors must be transparently punished in order to stop it. The fact that junior Police officers were bold and courageous enough to testify against it indicated their frustration.

It is not Family Support or Allowance Abacha and Babangida encouraged during their time that degenerated into fatal extortion against Transport Workers and civilians on the streets.

Spare Innocent Lives & Bunissess Do not Turn Revolution Into Jungle Justice


It is no more a saying but a historical fact that the Privileged Class that prevented Peaceful Change against a system that was rigged against them, made a Revolution inevitable. No reasonable people want to see riots, carnage and human blood on the streets, in exotic cars or the humongous homes of the Privileged. But if they fail to see beyond their noses, continue to ignore warning signs and bathe in their own decadence, they and their cronies that stand by, will lose it all.

The saddest part of revolutions are the lives of innocent people that are lost, their businesses devastated and other irreplaceable loss in an instant after years of building. Revolution often turned into Jungle Justice. No matter where the Privileged and Opportunists hide or live all over the world, the stubborn and unrelenting class that are resisting Change can no longer escape. There is no place in the universe that you will not find relatives of those you oppressed and dispossessed.

Revolution may smoke and glow slowly before it catches fire. Boko Haram was well before #ENDSARS. The irony was, it started from the same Privileged class that were trying to control and retain Political Power. So Adamu Ciroma and others warned that if Ebele Jonathan became President, they would make the Country ungovernable. Those that rode on the back of the tiger would be consumed by it. They forgot or ignored the fact that Jonathan was widely elected with votes from North to South; until he messed up big time and singularly helped elect Buhari.

It is hard to put genie back into the bottle as Boko Haram exploded. They refuse to learn. Buhari, despite all expectations, could not defeat Boko Haram sponsored by his colleagues, not the previous government as he once indicated when out of power. If he could not contain Boko Haram; #ENDSARS is just a tip of the iceberg. The Revolution is here already. They are just waiting for the Army and Police to turn against the Privileged class where they can extort more money than they do from the Poor and working class on the streets.

Trainers of Boko Haram and Niger Delta had met at the Libya Training camps and so testified. The Moneybags from the South and North arranged and sponsored the foreign currencies that enabled their "postgraduate" education through the Central Bank foreign exchange approval. Arab and European countries using religion (African opium) that became business endeavors in Africa, made hard currencies available to gain influence and economic advantages in African countries.

Therefore, when we heard that #ENDSARS is being sponsored by foreign destabilizers: we wonder what is new? Despite the looting of innocent small businesses, which reasonable people despised; some rioters exposed the cold blooded acts of politicians hoarding Covid-19 palliatives meant for the hungry and destitute. Some of these palliatives were rebadged and sold, others kept for feferities and birthdays. This is in the face of unprecedented poverty in a land that used to flow with honey and wara.

Where were those appealing to the Youths to shelve #ENDSARS when the country was turning into the world's capital of poverty? These are the same people that are still flashing cars, houses, weddings or foreign graduations of their children or airplanes in the social media. Most of these are from the looted money of the people used to dare and tempt the angry. The people that work hard for their money do not spend foolishly and if they do, they bore the consequences. There is something wrong mentally if you think you can tempt, dare and flaunt whatever you stole in the midst of poverty and not expect repercussion.

There used to be a time when most of the wealthy people were modest as exemplary models and inspiration for the Youths. Since society has gone to the dogs, every wealth either by hard work or crockery has become a suspect of ill-gotten gain. The Youths have lost motivation for accomplishment in more rewarding endeavors other than money. This has resulted in the meagre pursuits of discoveries, adventures and little heights in a country that had a Region known for many Firsts in Africa, higher standard than many Asian and European countries.

No matter how peaceful a demonstration, there are rogues waiting to capitalize on people's misery. They are opportunists taking advantage of the situation. These are the hoodlums and thieves authorities empowered to brutalize and hijack peaceful demonstrations. Even worse, unscrupulous agents in authority hire their own thugs to cause havoc in order to discredit peaceful and orderly demonstrators. We have seen these distractions and mischief in the so-called "civilized" world and we must not be surprised to see the same in our communities, especially after Police and Army are trained by militia that joined Police camps abroad.

It takes centuries to build civilization but about a day to bomb it into the Stone Age. Indeed, accomplishments have been destroyed not only by the acts of men but by Nature. But the problems with Africa is that, a well developed and civilized people have been destroyed not by Natural Disaster but by greed, inhumanity of man against man and intransigence on the part of the Privileged Class that hung on to Power from the days of their youth to their old age. They have refused to give the Youths the same opportunity they had in their youth.

The best of them were Activists as youth fighting for African Independence while others in their youth seized Power by force and came back as civilians after rigging themselves into Power. They have created a palpable fear in many communities where Police have withdrawn their services because their lives are in danger. It is the type of atmosphere that encourages a fertile ground for chaos where hoodlums, thugs and militia become more dangerous than the solutions demanded by #ENDSARS. Just ask people at the mercy of Boko Haram.

Police training standards must be raised to weed out bad characters. Their pay must reflect this high level of training. The logistics needed for rapid response must be well maintained and secured to avoid extortion and brutality on the streets. It is not enough to pledge new policing each time Inspector General is appointed, bribes collected by Police superiors must be transparently punished in order to stop it. The fact that junior Police officers were bold and courageous enough to testify against it indicated their frustration.

It is not Family Support or Allowance Abacha and Babangida encouraged during their time that degenerated into fatal extortion against Transport Workers and civilians on the streets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq29fhtwfC0

When masses are fed up, it only takes the last straw to break the camel's back as we saw in Morocco where one unemployed graduate sparked revolt. Recovery becomes hard and long resulting in the rich eating one another as the poverty stricken cold hands reach into privileged class and grip those that refuse to listen to the voices of reasonable masses. It happened in Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan before it got to Libya (made worse by imperialist opportunists). Yet, greed for loot and power, blind Nigeria’s stubborn Vagabonds in Power.

The sheer complacency that hunger, anger and spite can be suppressed by brutal force of the Police and the Army, is unsustainable to prop up civil peace, law and order. Maybe for a while, until it erupts out of the bottle when enough numbers of the Armed Forces revolt against the same people they are supposed to protect from the masses. You can never pay the Police or Army enough to kill large numbers of people before they put their own lives and that of their families at risk.

We witness the difference between Police that have lost the support of their communities and People that surrounded the Queen, Oba's Palace or Traditional sites. They are like the Supreme Court without the Army or Police to enforce its order. Authority from the People is broader, more durable and cannot be violated with impunity because nobody would dare provoke the ire of their Culture. Africans call it Abomination.

However, poorly paid police living in African slum barracks are more dangerous than the rogues. People are not sure who to fear more. Instead of equating Police functions in Western to African countries, politicians and “Oga at the Top” must stop looting Police funds that are supposed to take care of our Police Force before they would stop extorting money from the community. How can police maintain their vehicles and uniforms with meager salary, who cheerfully does that?

Every community needs the enforcement of law and order. The Police also need the cooperation of the community in solving and preventing crimes. When cooperation and trust between Police and the communities they serve breaks down, the lives of the people are in danger. If you cannot report crimes to the Police, nobody is safe, not even the Police themselves. Each time you use Police to collect taxes by issuing tickets in Ferguson Missouri USA or by extortion in Nigeria, Liberia or Ghana, you are encouraging gun violence.

Moreover, African Police are underpaid which explains the reason for extorting their communities for bribes as if they are collecting taxes. Some of the Police are worse than Armed robbers and sometimes lend their assistance. By supplying or renting arms to Armed Robbers, informing armed burglars of potential rich sources and sharing the loot with them.

Compared to Police in Western countries that have the support of the majority to put their minorities in their place, African Police do not have the same support and respect in our communities. Our Police are used to repress the majority and protect the politicians, leaders and the rich that never make up or come from the majority as in Europe and America.

Promises, Police Reform and Commissions are slogans to buy time not a cure. Do not be fooled, the majority of people in the Western communities support their Police Force. Police are used to enforce old conservative traditional values. Until lately, most of their recruits come from old organizations of militia that kept their culture, forced the poor and minorities to accept the privilege of the white population. They are the enforcers of the old Southern "good old days" many of whom still worship the Confederate Flag in the United States.

Police and some of their courts of law are used to enforce voters' suppression. Police could kill and go simply by claiming some subjective threats to their lives in court of laws. This is why it is still difficult for minorities to get hired into the Police Force abroad. Once hired, they get punished and discriminated against more than their white colleagues; despite more Black Police Chiefs today. African Police are all Black making it difficult to shoot maliciously based on color of the skin. Mourning over and over again. Police Reform and Promises without actions and results are empty.

When we send our Police abroad for training, it is enacting Foreign Police movies: "COPS" where minorities are abused in real life. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/10/cops-tv-reality-cancel/



The same way our politicians turned their thugs into warlords against their opponents as they learned how to gain political offices. If thugs can help politicians into positions of power, they might as well go straight for the power themselves. This was how the Army, without any idea or training of how to govern, seized Power in many countries.

You can only arrest so many people and put them in jails before they overwhelm their guards, break into your properties and invade your homes where you think there is comfort. Even Slavery, the worst form of human subjugation, became too dangerous and risky as commerce of European "necessary evil". Revolts on the seas and in plantations made it hazardous. Yet people refused to learn thinking danger could be avoided with promises, by divide and rule tactics or offering piecemeal relief.

Unfortunately, innocent people that are closer to the masses without the security or bodyguards of the filthy rich politicians, bear the anger first. Politicians turned blind eye to police harassment on the streets so that their lives would not be threatened. This is a trend that turns opponents and activists warning of impending danger, into political prisoners. But the punishment inflicted on the masses fighting for just cause can only strengthen their resolve. Remember, the prisoners of yesterday became leaders of today.

The problem with Revolts is that the guilty and the innocent pay the price. Nigerians in high places that claim they are not worried about foreign visa bans may be worried if they are located by angry masses in their hiding places in their communities. Even then, Africans Youths are everywhere so the perpetrators of poverty in African countries can only run but leaders cannot hide for long. There was a period, they got visas to foreign universities to celebrate the graduation of their children and as guest speakers, donating stolen hard currencies in order to collect Awards. These days, Africans are waiting overseas to disgrace and beat them up

There are African countries breeding more hungry and angry Youths than any other Continent in the world. We already know they are the face of poverty that has moved from Asia to Africa and sadly increasing. What is obvious in most African countries is the impunity, indifference and arrogance of the minority Nouveau riche that are spiteful to the majority of poor people under them. Though most call themselves civil servants.

All it takes is a few representatives of either Elders or the Youths to soil a whole group. Not all Elders are politicians and looters. Not all Youths are area boys and vandals.

But the Elders need to give way to the Youths. It is their future.

DesChyko:
Who is giving this message if not The Elders and The Youths?

Infants and foetuses?

One thing is clear. We are too big to fail.

Retire For Youths: Start Local Businesses Or Work Part-time

Soro soke! [/i]African population is very young around the age of 20 years. Most of them have been crowded out of government and the workforce by unproductive elders who use political offices as a means of succor for their families. They have lost the trust of their youthful population. Those old enough must start thinking of starting their own businesses after years of experience in government and stay in the private sector to create jobs and opportunities for the vigorous and locally educated Youths. Politics, welfare, pension and social services cannot be a way to riches, affluence, decadence or opulence for unproductive privileged few.

The experience, wisdom, maturity and advice of the older generation are valuable in the planning of effective strategies for developments that can be vigorously implemented by the Youths; not by Police or Army in any form to suppress Youths' aspirations, capabilities and abilities. While experience is the best teacher, it must be passed on, not hoarded for personal aggrandizement. The same generation that has gained immensely from the Freedom Fighters must not use the privileges gained to deprive the Youths of sustenance while creating poverty out of abundance.

Nobody gives up Privilege willingly. Some of the elders have been on government welfare payroll since Primary school. Oppressors are known for sending thugs as part of popular protests to discredit and divide the Youths. While the Protests are going on, the Poor Working class must not be denied the opportunity to make a living, patronize them. Watch out for the most violent ones during protests, they are usually the agents of the Oppressors to discredit worthy causes. Protesters must focus and keep their eyes on the Oppressors and how to snatch their sources of outrageous incomes and privileges.

The Youths also have responsibilities in their pursuit of equal playing field, justice and decent standard of living for the working poor. Most of the working poor depend on daily trade to sustain their families. This must be taken into consideration to gain their support because it takes months of Protests to bring Oppressors to the table and force them to relent on reasonable demands. Nigeria, like few African countries, makes foreign income from natural resources, Seaports, Airport, inland dry ports and loans that hardly get to the masses. These are areas to strike on since they do not benefit Youths and the Working Class appreciably.

The reason the Youths are angry and rightly so, has more to do with the deck stacked against them. In many countries worldwide, African Youths cannot get decent jobs with their good qualifications. The old and inefficient system of patronage for those well connected have become endemic in many developing countries, since bloated governments are the main employers. If you are over the age of 55 years, give way to the youths, establish a business to employ them instead of getting fat on their future.

Some African countries reduced the retirement age to 55 years some years ago to make way for the graduates. The unemployment among them has gotten worse while the older seniors have found ways to cling to power for more than 50 years after Independence. During their time in government and politics, they have failed miserably to move African countries forward. If anything, most of these countries have degenerated into poverty that used to be the face of famine in Asia.

The new generation of Africans do not know or remember when any African country was flowing with milk and honey or the right place to be in Africa. What they witness is hostility of one African country to another by angry youths that have been neglected since the 70s after many broken promises and rosy five years development plans that never materialized. The days we used to welcome one another to any African country have disappeared. Indeed, those days are now ancient history.

Unfortunately, the old civil servants and politicians perpetrated their follies on their own children sending them out of Africa on mis-education that denied them their own language, culture and induced them into religious Opium as if God only existed in Jerusalem and Mecca but not in Africa. A few even championed the competition between religions losing their lives for causes outside Africa. While a couple of African countries became the most religious in the world, they follow the steps of highly religious but poor countries while the rich countries that have lost most of their members at home determine the leadership of worship for Africa.

Older generation in whose lap trust for the management of the countries were placed, developed tastes and fell for the enticement of Foreign Powers that saw them as useful idiots defined as "naive or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda". The same Youths they trained with foreign designer tastes have risen up against them. It is now a debate if they are going to be brutally suppressed as in the past or surrender to reason.

How else can we explain Nigeria, the richest country in Africa, as the new capital of world's Poverty today? Many revolutions that gain steam against corruption, severe penalties for importation of used and new goods or services have faded over time. Indeed, those that implemented the War Against Indiscipline are examples today, mired in decadence, foreign glitters and designer bliss killing local initiatives, businesses, hospitals and universities.

A look at the padded salaries and allowance of Nigerian politicians sum it up. Even the godfathers and retired state governors are treated like Pharaoh with more allowances and houses at both Federal and state capitals. Youth leaders have the judicious tasks of rejecting or accepting well meaning people in privileged positions and contributors inside, outside the Country and Diaspora as long as they do not influence or torpedo their objectives and pathway to realizing their goal.

African cultures respect elders but reverence is given to achievement. When two youths are cutting a tree in the forest, it is the elders that know what side the tree would fall. These African proverbs remain valid today but the Youths can no longer standby while elders use them to fight one another like elephants while the grass suffers. Please listen to African Youths, they have remained docile and have been taken for granted for too long. If they do not speak loud, their own children would fault them for not rising up against injustice, brutality and corruption of their elders. [i]Soro soke!

https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/292946/retire-for-youths-start-local-businesses-or-work-part-time.html

We knew there is difference between the thugs disrupting the Protests, the security in suits giving them instructions riding the same vehicles with them and the politicians joining you in protest. They are all one caught on videos. Check your WhatsApp messages.

How else can we explain Nigeria, the richest country in Africa, as the new capital of world's Poverty today? Many revolutions that gain steam against corruption, severe penalties for importation of used and new goods or services have faded over time. Indeed, those that implemented the War Against Indiscipline are examples today, mired in decadence, foreign glitters and designer bliss killing local initiatives, businesses, hospitals and universities.

A look at the padded salaries and allowance of Nigerian politicians sum it up. Even the godfathers and retired state governors are treated like Pharaoh with more allowances and houses at both Federal and state capitals. Youth leaders have the judicious tasks of rejecting or accepting well meaning people in privileged positions and contributors inside, outside the Country and Diaspora as long as they do not influence or torpedo their objectives and pathway to realizing their goal.

Retire For Youths: Start Local Businesses Or Work Part-time

Soro soke! African population is very young around the age of 20 years. Most of them have been crowded out of government and the workforce by unproductive elders who use political offices as a means of succor for their families. They have lost the trust of their youthful population. Those old enough must start thinking of starting their own businesses after years of experience in government and stay in the private sector to create jobs and opportunities for the vigorous and locally educated Youths. Politics, welfare, pension and social services cannot be a way to riches, affluence, decadence or opulence for unproductive privileged few.

The experience, wisdom, maturity and advice of the older generation are valuable in the planning of effective strategies for developments that can be vigorously implemented by the Youths; not by Police or Army in any form to suppress Youths' aspirations, capabilities and abilities. While experience is the best teacher, it must be passed on, not hoarded for personal aggrandizement. The same generation that has gained immensely from the Freedom Fighters must not use the privileges gained to deprive the Youths of sustenance while creating poverty out of abundance.

Nobody gives up Privilege willingly. Some of the elders have been on government welfare payroll since Primary school. Oppressors are known for sending thugs as part of popular protests to discredit and divide the Youths. While the Protests are going on, the Poor Working class must not be denied the opportunity to make a living, patronize them. Watch out for the most violent ones during protests, they are usually the agents of the Oppressors to discredit worthy causes. Protesters must focus and keep their eyes on the Oppressors and how to snatch their sources of outrageous incomes and privileges.

The Youths also have responsibilities in their pursuit of equal playing field, justice and decent standard of living for the working poor. Most of the working poor depend on daily trade to sustain their families. This must be taken into consideration to gain their support because it takes months of Protests to bring Oppressors to the table and force them to relent on reasonable demands. Nigeria, like few African countries, makes foreign income from natural resources, Seaports, Airport, inland dry ports and loans that hardly get to the masses. These are areas to strike on since they do not benefit Youths and the Working Class appreciably.

The reason the Youths are angry and rightly so, has more to do with the deck stacked against them. In many countries worldwide, African Youths cannot get decent jobs with their good qualifications. The old and inefficient system of patronage for those well connected have become endemic in many developing countries, since bloated governments are the main employers. If you are over the age of 55 years, give way to the youths, establish a business to employ them instead of getting fat on their future.

Some African countries reduced the retirement age to 55 years some years ago to make way for the graduates. The unemployment among them has gotten worse while the older seniors have found ways to cling to power for more than 50 years after Independence. During their time in government and politics, they have failed miserably to move African countries forward. If anything, most of these countries have degenerated into poverty that used to be the face of famine in Asia.

The new generation of Africans do not know or remember when any African country was flowing with milk and honey or the right place to be in Africa. What they witness is hostility of one African country to another by angry youths that have been neglected since the 70s after many broken promises and rosy five years development plans that never materialized. The days we used to welcome one another to any African country have disappeared. Indeed, those days are now ancient history.

Unfortunately, the old civil servants and politicians perpetrated their follies on their own children sending them out of Africa on mis-education that denied them their own language, culture and induced them into religious Opium as if God only existed in Jerusalem and Mecca but not in Africa. A few even championed the competition between religions losing their lives for causes outside Africa. While a couple of African countries became the most religious in the world, they follow the steps of highly religious but poor countries while the rich countries that have lost most of their members at home determine the leadership of worship for Africa.

Older generation in whose lap trust for the management of the countries were placed, developed tastes and fell for the enticement of Foreign Powers that saw them as useful idiots defined as "naive or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda". The same Youths they trained with foreign designer tastes have risen up against them. It is now a debate if they are going to be brutally suppressed as in the past or surrender to reason.

How else can we explain Nigeria, the richest country in Africa, as the new capital of world's Poverty today? Many revolutions that gain steam against corruption, severe penalties for importation of used and new goods or services have faded over time. Indeed, those that implemented the War Against Indiscipline are examples today, mired in decadence, foreign glitters and designer bliss killing local initiatives, businesses, hospitals and universities.

A look at the padded salaries and allowance of Nigerian politicians sum it up. Even the godfathers and retired state governors are treated like Pharaoh with more allowances and houses at both Federal and state capitals. Youth leaders have the judicious tasks of rejecting or accepting well meaning people in privileged positions and contributors inside, outside the Country and Diaspora as long as they do not influence or torpedo their objectives and pathway to realizing their goal.

African cultures respect elders but reverence is given to achievement. When two youths are cutting a tree in the forest, it is the elders that know what side the tree would fall. These African proverbs remain valid today but the Youths can no longer standby while elders use them to fight one another like elephants while the grass suffers. Please listen to African Youths, they have remained docile and have been taken for granted for too long. If they do not speak loud, their own children would fault them for not rising up against injustice, brutality and corruption of their elders. [i]Soro soke![/I]

https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/292946/retire-for-youths-start-local-businesses-or-work-part-time.html

Until the Hausa are liberated by the South, Fulani will continue to mix with them and use them to divide Nigerians.

Look at those halfbred calling Hausa calling themselves Fulani but deprived and cannot speak Fulani language.

Now they are using Southern SARS to oppress Southern Youths.

For solution, it boils down to serious planning to deter violence at its source. The South must encourage specifically the Hausa to regain their cultural self-determination instead of being used as proxy for Fulani remnant warriors from the old ages. Until Hausa stand up by educating youths of their lost glory, and repel most of the violence used to keep them down as inherited from foreign religious wars, nobody will sleep in Nigeria.

END SARS may end corrupt and oppressive rulers in Lagos.

Wow, so there are this many Nigerians still in South Africa!

This is how Food Don Ready mentality spread. Some are maimed and killed, a few would ride them to leadership.

Not this time.

The question is: Will Africans ever learn?

Africans are reporting less deaths while countries with the best medical facilities are reporting more cases and higher death.

The same people that raised alarm during Ebola are now claiming myth of Covid-19 in Africa.

God ke?

If you are not a Lagosian, learn nah.

Edo nor be Lagos.

Owo Ondo, Ondo logbe. No matter who wins. Mimiko did it.

Eko gba gbere?

Godfathers: Enough Is Enough - O To Ge

Godfathers: Enough Is Enough - O To Ge Listen to article
How are the mighty fallen? The good news is that some Nigerians are getting better, wiser and sober when choosing and rejecting politicians. We expect more sophisticated voters for the next Gubernatorial Election. While it is true that too many still vote on selfish, emotional and ethnic attachments; we are witnessing a class of voters voting beyond stomach infrastructure.

We are now realizing that the hands of politicians are the wrong place to put all our trust and destiny just because they choose enemies for us. These godfathers are the real enemies we need to disgrace. Presidential Election is done, vote regardless of Party Affiliations and for the candidates that will implement the interest of your state.

Divided States votes reflects sophistication and principle beyond primordial instincts. Ironically, most of those that are godfathers today rejected their own godfathers after getting the Golden Fleeces. Saraki rejected his own father as political godfather, Tinubu sent Pa Dawodu to grave in regret and Oshiomole rejected Anenih’s demands. But note that our first Prime Minister did not forget that Ahmadu Bello put him there unlike the enmity between Akintola and Awolowo.

Obasanjo had crowned more Heads of State than other Godfathers but he was soundly rejected this time around. He overstayed his welcome as a political kingmaker. Most of the Presidential candidates usually parade themselves for these juggernauts fearing their political ambitions would be crushed without their blessings. It is not only immunity that godfathers demand: not be touched or probed for past transgressions but that they would get a cut of new loots and present candidates for juicy positions in government.

Nevertheless, Saraki and Tinubu share the same trait, privilege and belong to the same class of Machiavellianism. There are those that want to die with everything they acquired in life like the ancient Pharaoh. The Gubernatorial Election will show us how many more of the godfathers, Mighty, Powerful men of “Timber and Caliber” will fall. It is up to you, regardless of parties.

No Nigerian should see himself as loser or winner until all the godfathers are sent home. State governments have more impact on your lives if your resources and income are not sucked off by a selected few. Do not fool yourself, no state is living up to the potential of its income. We are in the life of a one-eye man thankful that he is not totally blind. No gubernatorial candidate can win a state on the propaganda of non-indigene. Indeed, such support can be detrimental.

There are a few more politicians that have been more reckless and indifferent, prostituting in and out of political parties like Bukola Saraki. Kwara finally woke up and sent him to ignominious defeat from his own state. No matter what our reservation is about democracy, it has been useful in sorting out garbage for recycling them into the next life. The stench some created and introduced into our debased communities would take some time to deodorize.

Buhari played his game well and he was forced to collaborate with Tinubu out of political expediency and for existential reasons. Buhari learnt after contesting a few times that he could not put all his eggs in one basket. The North under one people and one destiny has been shattered: divided into three, leaving him to North-East and North-West as his reliable base while North-Central has slipped away. In 1983 Buhari had tried to make up in the South by forming alliance with Okadigbo but lost against Obasanjo/Atiku ticket.

Even North traditional foothold in the South, South-South is no longer reliable. In Presidential Election, they allied with South-East because former President Jonathan had been displaced after gaining votes North and South in the first election he won. This alliance cannot be relied on since they fear being swallowed by either the South-West or South-East. This is for the same reason in 1979, Gov. Ambrose Alli Bendel State alliance with South-West did not last past 1983.

Though Tinubu was able to deliver divided West as expected in 2016, the adhesive force Tinubu had then has withered due to arrogance, overconfidence and indifference to those that helped him climbed in Lagos at the expense and demise of Funsho Williams. The arbitrary choice of candidates for political offices from local to state government has become overbearing. Indeed, Tinubu preferred one term candidates so that he could retain his grip on their successors.

It was not long ago that he tried and failed to torpedo Fashola for his second term. Oba Eko that should have respected himself by wisely playing down his involvement into politics, actually got Fashola to agree to Tinubu terms or “contract” on Lagos State; to satisfy his avarice since the Oba wanted his own cut as well. It was an ugly fight between Tinubu and Fashola. But Tinubu got his piece of flesh as Fashola got his second opportunity to contest and won.

Ambode was not so successful. Tinubu enjoys the power to bring anyone he wants, his wife, daughter, son-in-law or son; even from nowhere and promise them positions beyond their dreams as long as they accept his terms. This was the case with Fashola and Ambode. By the time these men realize the gravity of their complicity in deals, they had to submit to Tinubu. They had limited options but deeply involved in aiding and abetting financial crimes that could throw them in jail if and when exposed. Their collaboration was a safety insurance for Tinubu!

Tinubu, no matter how clever or cunning he is can never get off scot free wishing him long life. Indeed, his time to pay for the consequences of voracious appetite has come. Many of the Yoruba that accepted him based it on the devil they know compared to that they do not know. Many of us usually wonder why a Yahoo Yahoo boy would not stop, a drug dealer would not quit or a looter would not stop and invest the money they made into some legitimate business.

It is for the same reason most of us enjoy certain power, privilege, love certain materials, position or crowd. We get so used to certain way of life, it becomes inconvenient to change from a game you know so well to a new one. Many rich people do change before we associate past odious practices with them. Others are forgiven while many repent and gave most of their money away to good causes. We have Saraki and Tinubu as godfathers in every state.

Indeed, some of the grudge against Buhari were that he closed godfathers’ source of illegal incomes, rejected their nominations for positions and stifled their influence. Those actions have reduced or eliminated their reach into his Government. Some folks claimed that closing the flow of money by implementing Single Account also affected the Economy because wasteful spending to cronies ceased. Even pastors have to put their personal aircrafts up for sale since they got away with maintenance and service fees.

Farouk Martins Aresa, © 2019 https://www.modernghana.com/news/919049/godfathers-enough-is-enough-o-to-ge.html

Who are we re, obo-nu-joker?

obonujoker:
Lagos is better than New York... So we are contented with Tinubu crumbs at Bourdillon

ourema:
The jagaban will live forever - Slave mentality

Abi o!

The Wind Of Change Must Reach Lagos State

There are many African, European and Americana countries with same population but internal generated revenue less than Lagos State. While many of them are well managed, Nigerians tell us we should be grateful in the land of the blinds where other states in Nigeria are worse than Lagos. Starved African expectation is so low, we celebrate mediocracy and parte each time a road is tied or opened. Each over-inflated contract that produces even a clinic generates ariya.

Those celebrating the victory of APC in the Presidential Election may celebrate something else if the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Jimi Agbaje is elected the new Governor of Lagos State. Well, some people are so drunk in victory they refuse to pay close attention to the number of people that voted for PDP in the same Lagos State. The numbers are too close for your comfort.

The only reason ACN has been able to get away with so much looting in Lagos State is because of Yoruba complacency with Tinubu and his accomplice Fashola. After all they claimed, Tinubu is Yoruba and he has used the money to build a political machine that fought the PDP to standstill in terms of the number of seats won and changing the pinnacle of power. Many even went further, that Tinubu deserves to be praised for his political ingenuity, not vilified.

While this reason is good enough for many Yoruba, it is short sighted. We are saying the means is irrelevant. It is the end that justifies the means. Yoruba has its own bad boy and nobody has been able to defeat the adversaries but Tinubu. So Yoruba send fire to quench fire before fire destroys us all. Again Yoruba history has never vindicated a vagabond in power. Each time Yoruba relies on a vagabond, it come back to bite us.

Alimi is a case in point. Yoruba lost not only Ilorin but today's Kongi and Kwara. During the War, we almost lost Ore but the images and history of Ilorin haunted us. Most young men around Ondo Province willingly volunteered into the Army and we were able to hold on to Ore until reinforcement came. People volunteered their bicycles (not Ejoor cigarette) motor bikes, buses and lorries to get to Ore. At the same time Igbo students, men and women were well hidden from Federal Troops.

What has this got to do with Tinubu in Lagos? Yoruba are willing to spill their blood to protect their interest in the face of adversity, but not willing to sacrifice it all for one selfish interest. The legacies of avarice or a rat that eats your toes while blowing wind to sooth you, never has a good ending. The amount of money wasted in Lagos can lift the whole Yoruba and neighbors out of bondage at home and abroad. More money is stolen abroad than we get in foreign aids.

We have to be careful here. Coalition with Buhari or even the North was overdue. Coalition with our Igbo close relatives has always been disappointing. So much so, many Igbo realized it and faulted their leaders for not working with Awolowo. Igbo and Yoruba will always get back, no matter what. We cannot do without one another. Indeed, Hausa Igbo, Yoruba and the so called minorities need one another for Nigeria to move forward. Forward we must, back never!

In support of Tinubu, we can even make another point. Chief S. L. Akintola wanted this alliance a long time ago but he went about it in a different way. He did not take enough Yoruba with him. Those Yoruba that turned against him then, are celebrating the alliance of Buhari with Tinubu today.

There is a big difference here though. Akintola had a philosophical difference with Awolowo. On the other hand Tinubu has a greedy and voracious appetite for fortune.

Tinubu will not stop until he installs all his kin in power. He does not know better, he thinks he can take it all to his grave. While most Yoruba leaders fight for their legacies, Tinubu fights for money and immunity.

He has committed Lagos into foreign contract almost for life in the Atlantic Ocean. The service and operation of that project will continue to come from foreign countries after he is gone unless the Election change going on in our Country reaches Lagos.

Fashola has been one big disappointment. His supporters, including this writer at one point, claimed he would reject Tinubu in the second term. Whatever it is, he is in money and he has decided that if he cannot beat them, he would join them. He has become minority shareholder in Tinubu's projects. The way it is, they own most of Lagos and those that own the rest will continue to pay taxes to these two even to their children after they are gone.

This is where Buhari comes in. This writer thinks he has learned his lessons. The fanatic in him is gone because everyone except a fool now realizes that religion has been used as tool for power and oppression. The silver lining of Boko Haram, if there is any, is that those that supported them have been brutally killed, maimed and children recklessly deflowered. They have turned their staunchest supporters into enemies. This is why Buhari now wants a secular State.

Corruption is what we voted against. There is no way Tinubu's avarice can be compatible with Buhari vision. Tinubu must sleep with one eye open or better still with both eyes open. Sooner than later, Buhari will go after him unless he surrenders as much as they can get from him. We have dire needs in Nigeria and even in Africa. Lagos can go back and continue to be a paradise in Africa where Igbo, Hausa and other Africans can come and make it instead of crossing desert.

The amount of opportunity cost lost in Africa by wastage, greed and mismanagement of a few in Lagos can never be realized until Election change comes to Lagos State. If progress is generated in Lagos, it will catch on in Nigeria and Africa. There was a reason for so much hope for Nigeria after Independence that we were going to become a regional power. How has the giant of Africa lost and replaced by the greed and corruption of a few?

Farouk Martins Aresa Farouk Martins Aresa, MAR 31, 2015 Modern Ghana.

Each time you want to divide people outside Lagos State, all you have to do is mention Tinubu.

Our State is not Lagos State.

Nobody has more baggage than this one person. Defend him all you want in Lagos but outside Lagos, Tinubu is counter-productive.

It has nothing to do with being Yoruba or not. Yoruba have highly principled people of high moral characters.

For any problem, you have to take a break, refresh yourself anyway you can.

It is the only way you can think positively about moving on and recognize problems you can solve and those beyond your capability.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54225118

Coronavirus: Test rules set for Covid-19 African herbal remedies
BBC Published18 minutes ago

The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed rules for the testing of African herbal remedies to fight Covid-19.
Sound science would be the sole basis for safe and effective traditional therapies to be adopted, it said.

https://www.nairaland.com/6108491/africa-leads-low-covid-19-cases

Coronavirus: Test rules set for Covid-19 African herbal remedies
BBC Published18 minutes ago

The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed rules for the testing of African herbal remedies to fight Covid-19.
Sound science would be the sole basis for safe and effective traditional therapies to be adopted, it said.
Any traditional remedies that are judged effective could be fast-tracked for large-scale manufacturing.
Madagascar's leader has been promoting an untested product he says can cure the disease despite the WHO warning against using untested remedies.
The WHO said the new rules were aimed helping and empowering scientists in Africa to conduct proper clinical trials.
President's herbal tonic fails to halt Covid-19 spike
The move comes as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide passes 30 million, with reported global deaths standing at more than 957,000. In Africa there have been more than 1.3 million cases and than 33,000 reported deaths.
Around 140 potential vaccines for Covid-19 are being developed around the world, with dozens already being tested on people in clinical trials

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54225118