₦airaland Forum

As I add another year I decide to reflect on the country of my birth under President Jonathan and the way forward.

Crisis are everywhere in North Eastern States (over 2million displaced), Rivers state, Edo State, Ekiti State, National Assembly, Governors Forum, even Peoples Democratic Party. Stella Oduah bullet proof BMW cars scandal costing 255 million naira each, missing $20 billion in 2013(CBN governor exposed the government and said $45 billion is missing and was technically sacked), $2.6 trillion naira imported petrol subsidy funds paid out to businessmen, Police pension scandal of over 33 billion naira, $49b PTF money, 2.1 billion naira mint scandal (printed money disappeared), paid out $8 billion in 2012 for subsidy on importation for a oil producing nation in fact it has been too much to remember.

Islamist Jihadist called Boko haram has been operating in the Northwest corridor of Nigeria for years now, killing innocent citizens, burning properties, attacking police and military base when will this end? Why should there even be election while citizens are dying (as against what is in the constitution)? I know People are saying since the President want election to take place why delay? if the President cannot handle this situation all this years and refuse to step down why not let the election kick him out?

I remembered how during President Obasanjo some youths were trying to distort the oil exploration and eventually killed 7 policemen and then more policemen totally 12 policemen were killed and buried. President Obasanjo gave an order that the community head/Chief should fish out the culprits within few days in which they did not. The army was deployed there and we heard while getting there the army was ambushed and 8 soldiers were killed but the village was leveled to the ground and no living thing existed there in a spate of hours save only the Anglican Church, bank and health center remain standing. Is it not the same army under President Jonathan that cannot handle boko haram (Islamist Jihadist)?

[b][/b]The National Security Adviser to the Federal Republic of Nigeria General Azazi openly said the issues of Nigeria, Boko haram (Islamic Jihadist) are all within the Peoples Democratic Party, shortly after that statement he was no more the National Security Adviser and later died in a naval helicopter with Governor Yakowa of Kaduna State. And till today nothings has been heard about the financier and those behind this terrorist group as they continue expanding, killing and carving out territory for themselves. I remember President Jonathan saying Boko haram have infiltrated his government years ago, I ask so what has he done?

It is no news that former militant are being giving contracts worth billions of Naira to guard waterways where crude oil are dredged. Is this not the work of the Nigerian Navy? So what is the Nigerian Navy doing? How come militants are the one ordering warships? How can military intelligence be on the streets and empowering a militant is like setting them up for future attack on the Nigerian state, who can stop these militant if they decide to do so? So militant are paid to become billionaires and thousands of graduates are begging for food and menial jobs to survive, I weep for Nigeria.

The usually phrase is the President have no hands in these allegations. These are real issues not allegations, these are facts and evident to the whole world to see and everything has been swept under the carpet, even if Mr. President does not know of all this issues, what has he done? With all the audit report and committee set up to investigate, what has been done to their reports? The names are mentioned, what has security arm of the government (EFCC and ICPC) done? what cases are in court and even if there are in court what are the outcomes?

Gentleman strategy that the President is using is definitely not working maybe it worked when President Yar’adua was sick and people clamored for him until he became the Acting President. I remember how Save Nigeria Group organized protest march in support of President Jonathan, now he wants those protesting over 300 girls kidnapped in their school by boko haram (Islamic Jihadist) to be arrested, what a life.

Where in the world today in any serious nation will a government owe her people wages? Tell me where? In fact it is a criminal offence not to pay wages in all civilized nation of the world today. Nigerian government presently owes her citizens’ wages 18,900 naira minimum wage (roughly $95 per month). What is the essence of government really? Mr President is saying he has created more millionaires, saying stealing is different from corruption and so on. Real pathetic statements from a President while the nation groan in pains and hardship.

I ask why will things not cost more with the recent devaluation of the naira? What is produced in Nigeria, almost everything is imported? How can an average minimum wage income citizen cope? Transportation will be more expensive as the cabal is still in full force but all over the world petrol is really getting cheaper. In fact I pity General Buhari if he wins, where will Buhari start from? Someone that left as head of state with 1 naira to 2 dollars will meet 200 naira to 1 dollar?

So vote wisely Nigerians; if it is another 4 years of this entire calamity you want? Good for you and if it is a vote just to reduce corruption to minimum only? Good for you. And if you are confused, remember there is a lady Professor I know have good intensions for Nigeria too among the eleven Presidential contestant Prof. Mrs. Sonaiya (KOWA Party) you can vote for her (although she might not have 21 billion naira to be contributed in 2 hours for her election though). The solution still lies within the intelligentsia to get together because a team is needed in saving this beautiful wrecking ship.

Ayodeji Aladegbami
Financial Expert and Sustainable Development Expert
daladegbami@gmail.com

Expect a write up on the intelligentsia tomorrow, thank you for reading

In numerology 2015 is 2+0+1+5 which equals 8. Does the number 8 mean anything to you? Is it just another year or you belief there are some significance that will be played out based on the number 8? Maybe it is just for the fun of it?
Being a the first day of this new year I decided to do something I have never done, which is to put my phone down and write on anything that comes to mind this early hours of the year before I rest. 2014 just ended and is now history but 2015 is brand new.
Recently a lot of prophets are already prophesying, the business world are running their big data to project the future, but I decide to go another uncommon traditional or cultural way to see how numbers could play in the forecast of events either in individual or national life of the peoples of the world.
Further bringing numerology to cultural philosophy, religion and also basic science discipline we are exposed to daily. Enough said let the wheel of the pen synchronize with the verse fields of the mind as we look into the essence of 2015 tagged as number 8 in this piece of writing.
Why in Biology is the 8th tooth the wisdom tooth? Why in Chemistry, Oxygen (what all living being cannot do without) have an atomic number of 8? Why in Technology all forms of computing is built on 8 bits making a byte? In Billiards or snooker why is the black ball the 8th ball that signifies the winner (and also the loser)?
The figure 8 stands for some many things to so many people. For example if you are a Chinese it stands for “Arise”, “Prosper”, “Wealth”, “fortune” or “good luck”. This explains why the Olympic in 2008 was hosted on 8/8/08 also starting at 8th hour, 8th minute and 8 seconds. China wanted luck and it was successful.
For the Christians the number 8 represents the day a boy must be circumcised, also it is the day that stand as the resurrection day (from the days Christ was chosen as a sacrificial lamb) or a victorious number (for triumph over death). Also it stands as a day of being a new creature in Christ symbolic to a new beginning, new world order as creation was done by God in 6 days, God rested on 7th so 8th day is a new beginning. Also after flooded earth only 8 people were saved that replicated to the over 7 billion we are today.
I would have loved going into Nigerian cultural religions but I better avoid unnecessary controversies at this junction but all will agree with me that some of the acts are same with other popular religions. A good example is why circumcise a male child on the 8th day same as Christians? While “IFA” worshippers claim it is the oldest religion in the history of man and not Christianity.
For the numerologist, number 8 stands for power and balance. 8 stands in between real and unreal, spiritual and realistic, 8 stands for authority, leadership, reaping what you have sown for luck or disaster, fame , finances, jackpot, bankruptcy, number 8 is a karmic equalizer.
8 is reality, 8 is destiny, ambition and as said a balance while some just conclude saying it stands for infinity (based on the design).
In Kabbalah and mystical teachings, the number 8 is mystical and above the natural as 7 ends the natural realm with perfection. It is a realm in the spiritual and that is why there is 8 days of Chanukah. 8 is a number beyond us, beyond our control in a way.
In Islam 8 is the number of angels carrying the holy throne of Allah? Also of interest are the 8 gates of jannah (heaven). Why the 8 pointed stars? Why is the “Rub el Hizb” a symbol at the end of every chapter in the Quran, is it to make each chapter different? Some old Islamic scholars said it helps in the memorization of the Quran, your opinion might be different but it is still a 8 pointed star.
I think am tired of writing so let me conclude, whatever 2015 is to you, whatever 8 is to you? Nothing will be achieved if you do nothing. Prayer without action is nothing so this year let your prayer be your action or your work. In all Plan, Pray and get to work, wishing you all the best as 2015 will be another exciting year for us all. As oil prices are crashing, currencies are getting weaker, investments are shaky 2015 will present her challenges but remember to plan, pray and get to work.
Nobody knows the leader in the multitude of people, choose your path and leave the rest to fate.

Written by Ayodeji Aladegbami