₦airaland Forum

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You don't need to abuse each other to make a point

*Contending forces within government*
By Abdulrazaq Hamzat

No government is short of progressive and regressive forces within its folds. It doesn’t matter if it is in Nigeria or America.

The fact is that, no matter how progressive a government claims to be, there are always regressive forces within it and no matter how regressive we think it is, there are always progressives within it and each of these forces would be struggling to drag government towards their direction.

The question would therefore be that, which of these forces is making headway in its strive at driving government towards its direction?

By progressive, I do not mean a formal group which calls itself progressive by name, neither do I mean regressive as a formal caucus which calls itself that name.

Progressive and Regressive forces here would be identified by the issues they are pushing within the government, either rational or emotional (factual or deduction), the direction they seek to convince government to take (conservative or liberal), the agenda they seek to prefer (status quo or reforms) and most importantly, the tactics they adopt in pushing these agenda (lobby or blackmail).

Although, there is another third force in government, which I would simply describe as anywhere belle face, because they are usually on the fringe and not decided. They are always waiting to see where the pendulum swings before following the trend.

But, substantially, civil service and sometimes, media and civil society are mostly the pawn in the chess game of political governance and they amplify the voices of either of the contending forces, knowingly or unknowingly.

To say it differently, civil servants, media and civil society will largely determine which of the contending forces will succeed in making significant headway in its quest to drag government to its direction.

While civil servants have cultivated a reputation for resisting reforms that would affect their personal comfort, no matter how progressive, the bias of media and civil society on the other hand often tilt towards controversial contents that would attract readership or gain visibility for prominence and either of the contending forces that can aid the process of creating such content would naturally get media goodwill.

When you read media reports quoting unknown sources within government or referring to certain secret documents, you should know that a contending force within government is trying to influence certain decisions in its favor or shift public attention towards something that would advance its position.

What they release sometimes maybe correct, probably distorted or out rightly fabricated, but irrespective of what it is, the aim is to use the public reaction generated as a leverage to advance certain interest within government.

As citizens, our duty therefore is to pay attention to these issues and determine for ourselves, if we want to be the tool or loud speakers of either progressive or regressive forces, or better still, join the forces of the anywhere belle face.

As I have earlier noted, in every ruling government, 3 categories of people are always trying to pull government to its direction.

These 3 forces include, the regressive, the progressive and the anywhere belle face.

The first and fiercest of all three (3) are the regressive forces, which are often very powerful, strategic and desperate.

Their tactics are often very subtle, deliberate, but brutal, because they often utilize high level instrument of blackmail to neutralize any perceived opposing voices of reason close to the decision maker.

These groups may be the first to call for change in unfavorable government, but when the change arrives, they are the first to resist it, if its reforms and policies are seen to be capable of threatening their political hold and personal leverage.

In reality, they want to influence government to their advantage and if they could not, they will blackmail it to secure some concessions, but if that didn’t work, then they want to de-market and change it.

However, the change they seek is not one that would be fundamentally different, but that which will still retain the status quo and old ways of doing things.

They will maintain that, this is how it is done or this is how we used to do it as if they have made anything worked before, arguing that doing it differently will make the people unhappy.

To them, every policy must be viewed from the prism of electorate, not people.

However, what they will forget to tell you is that, doing it their way has never made life any better; neither does it holds any prospect of making it better.

Because this group will claim to be fighting for people’s interest, considerable percentage of the populace will queue behind them, bullying, threatening and attempting to forcefully suppress other more reasonable voices.

The progressive forces on the other hand are often not so conscious of political intrigues.

They are often relatively individualistic, strongly willed and principled and most importantly, have penchant for pushing difficult reforms with possibility of high long term impact.

To be a progressive force within a government is to risk losing goodwill and being at the receiving end of constant blackmail, not only from the opposition to government, but by the regressive forces within government.

Every leader understands that reforms are often very difficult, because they affect people’s way of life and seek to take them away from their comfort zone.

But still, reforms are inevitable, if we have to move the society forward.

Upon assuming the position of authority, a leader will therefore be torn between associates, who will encourage him to take the important, but difficult direction, and those who will convince him to sustain the status quo and continue on the path of cosmetic improvements.

The point to note here is that, nobody is an island and as human being, no matter the good intention, capacity for transformation and preparedness of a leader, he or she will at one time or the other, listens to the voices of people around him and the more progressive voices he hears, the greater the tendency of his government tilting towards progressive direction, and the more the regressive voices, the greater the chance of the government moving towards regressive direction.

Ofcourse, there are leaders who will take their own direction irrespective of what their associates are saying, but in reality, how many issues can the leader individually handle?

Therefore, people who understand this reality and want the society to progress, through the delivery of good governance, will develop thick skin to blackmail, device strategic means to limit its effect and make it impossible for regressive forces to dominate and determine the direction of government.

*Abdulrazaq Hamzat is a Peacebuilding Professional and can be reached at discus4now@gmail.com*

orlahtohbadt:
You no even tell us which state oyan dey. Half journalism leleyi

orlahtohbadt:
You no even tell us which state oyan dey. Half journalism leleyi

Oyan is in Osun State.

Although, there's another Oyan in kwara. History has it that some people from Oyan in osun migrated to the Oyan in Kwara and still retain the name

*Oyan, a Nigerian Town with people in all countries of the world*

The three major factors that make Oyan people to travel out of their homeland are:
a. Businesses
b. Marriage, especially the females
c. Formal Education studies

Researches have proved it that there are over 300 countries in the world but United Nations recognized only 195 countries. The most amazing part of this is that there are at least one hundred (100) indigenes of Oyan City in each of the countries. ☑️

There are 36 states in Nigeria with a federal capital territory (Abuja) and there are at least fifty thousands(50,000) indigenes of Oyan city in each state of the federation.☑️

There are thirty (30) local government areas in Osun state and there are at least ten thousands (10,000) Indigenes of Oyan city in each local government.☑️

*Wonderful!*

In the uploaded chart are some towns and their relative distances from Oyan.

I'm 276km away from my city for business motive. *How about you?*

Ilu Oyan a dara si lagbara Olorun Oba.

*Cislac, Budgit, Enetsud, others review Legislative Watch*

A novel legislative assessment report, Legislative Watch by leading Pro democracy group, Kwara Must Change in partnership with Grand Plan Consult has been reviewed by two leading civil society organizations in Nigeria, namely Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and BudgIT.

Legislative Watch was also reviewed by Kwara based Elites Network for Sustainable Development (Enetsud) and other individuals.

In a statement by Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat on tuesday, the group explained that, diverse institutions, organizations and individuals were given the opportunity to review Legislative Watch and the outcome of the pre-release reviews have helped in a great way, to present the maiden publication in the best possible manner.

According to Hamzat, the decision to subject pre-release report to review of different organizations is to ensure that we receive third party opinion about the novel project, aswell as possible questions that can be answered in the maiden publication, while other issues that cannot be addressed will be used as bases for post release conversation and the exercise has achieved just that, with all observation taken into consideration.

"As we had rightfully expected, the diversity of responses we got from the reviewers helped us to respond to as many questions as possible in the opening page of the report, which was not part of the initial plan"

Hamzat explained that, this is a risky venture, because we understand that not everybody will agree with the work that we have done, which actually took us over 1 year to produce, and as a matter of fact, different people will have different opinion about it.

However, we are confident that this is a worthy venture that would not only strengthen legislative accountability and improve citizens understanding of the legislature, but would also assist in improving the project. He said.

Hamzat therefore appreciated the contributions of all the reviewers, especially BudgIT, which didn't only review the report as expected, but also invited us for joint review session with its team, and also offered technical support in the final output.

End

?

*UNREASONABLE CRITICISM OF NIGERIA'S 1999 CONSTITUTION*

*1.* PROMULGATED BY MILITARY DECREE 24 OF 1999.

A constitution is to by adopted by a government and the military government of Nigeria, headed by Gen Abubakar Abdulsalam promulgated the constitution, to make it a legal document while handing over government to a democratic government.

If we reject the constitution because it was promulgated by the military, then we should reject the democracy the military also handed over.

*2.* NOT SIGNED INTO LAW BY NASS OR PRESIDENT.

Was there a president or Nass when the Constitution was made? No, there's a head of state and he approved the Constitution.

*3.* NOT SUBJECTED TO REFERENDUM.

1999 constitution was a replica of 1979 constitution and 1979 constitution was the amended version of 1963 constitution. While there was significant disagreement over the 1963 constitution, all Nigerian founding fathers endorsed 1979 constitution and the 1999 constitution was the replica. It doesn't require any referendum.

*4.* WAS WRITTEN BY A SELECT FEW NIGERIANS.

Selected few write constitution all over the world.

*5.* DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR STATE CONSTITUTIONS TO CREATE TRUE FEDERATION.

We do not require the Constitution to provide for state creation. That's the job of National Assembly.

*6.* KEPT A SECRET TILL AFTER ALL INAUGURATIONS IN 1999.

It has already been adopted by the government.

*7.* NOT PRINTED BY GOVT PRINTER IN 1999.

That is not a requirement

*8.* TAKES CARE OF ONE RELIGION IN *SECTIONS 275 - 279* & NEGLECTS ALL OTHERS.

That was a decision jointly taken during the 1979 constitution, replicated in 1999 constitution.

*9.* OVER CENTRALISED GOVERNANCE.

That is not an issue. National Assembly can always make amendment when necessary

*10.* CENTRALISED THE WHOLE JUDICIARY.

That is not an issue. National Assembly can always make amendment when necessary

*11.* GAVE NASS POWER OVER CONCURRENT ITEMS.

That is not an issue.

Every item is subject to review as time dictates

*12.* CREATED A UNITARY GOVERNMENT, NOT FEDERAL GOVT.

Nigeria is a federal state, with semi independent federating unit.

*13.* FALSELY CLAIMS NIGERIANS WILLINGLY HANDED OVER THEIR LAND & RESOURCES TO THE FG, THUS PAUPERISING STATES & NIGERIANS.

There was no false claim. Every claim is backed by law

*14.* *SECTIONS 275 - 279* NEGATE *SECTION-10* REGARDING NON-STATE RELIGION.

Any perceived contradiction can be corrected by Nass

*15.* CALLS STATE GOVERNOR'S CHIEF SECURITY OFFICERS BUT DOES NOT GIVE THEM SECURITY OUTFITS OR POWER OVER NIGERIA POLICE.

Nass can make necessary amendment to empower state Governors

*16.* A CIVILIAN GOVT CAN NEVER MEET *SECTION-8* REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CREATION OF NEW STATES & LOCAL GOVTS.

Nass can make amendment, if need be.

*17.* SAYS MARRIED GIRLS LESS THAN 18 YEARS OLD ARE ADULTS WHO CAN SUE, BE SUED, VOTE & BE VOTED FOR, FOR NO CLEAR REASON.

The court can always adjudicate in case of any doubt

*18.* THE MILITARY LAND USE DECREE (LATER, ACT) AND NYSC DECREE (LATER, ACT) WERE EMBEDDED IN THE CONSTITUTION SO NOT EASY TO AMEND FOR NO STATED REASON.

Nass can make necessary amendment if need be.

*19.* PROVIDED FOR ONLY ONE POLICE FORCE UNLIKE OTHER FEDERATIONS.

We don't have to be like other federation.

*20.* *SECTION-6* FREES GOVT FROM LIABILITY REGARDING CITIZEN RIGHTS PROVIDED IN *CHAPTER-2*, THUS, THESE RIGHTS ARE NOT JUSTICIABLE.

The judiciary can always interpret the Constitution rightly.

*JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO #END1999CONSTITUTION*

This is a baseless and jobless campaign

Lagos Community Cries Out Over Insecurity, Govt’s Neglect

Residents of Orile Iganmu in Lagos at the weekend called on the state government, donor agencies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs)to come to their aid over the ravaging poverty and insecurity in the area.

Orile Iganmu community was designated as “threat to peace” in Lagos State in the January edition of State of Peace report released by popular peace building organisation, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro.

The community lamented government’s absence in the area, noting that almost all infrastructure in the area were built through community contributions and security has remained a serious challenge.

During a peace building outreach to the community, Chairman of the community, Elder Olubunmi Diyaolu, who spoke on behalf of the 12 Community Development Associations (CDAs), said poverty and lack of security presence have turned the community into a threat to peace in Lagos State.

According to him, apart from the absence of security, there are no good roads, drainage and healthcare.

“Everything you see here was put on ground from community efforts and contributions,” he said.

Daily Trust learnt that in an effort to address the security challenges in the area, a N500 million security trust fund project was initiated under the chairmanship of Chief Olabode Simeon Anifaloyin.

Anifaloyin, who gave insight into the Orile Iganmu security trust fund, explained that the community is determined to protect its environment, create opportunity for its youths and build a more peaceful environment.

He called on the government, donor agencies and NGOs to support its initiative.

The Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said the peace-building outreach is to advance PeacePro’s efforts in promoting peace from foundation.

https://dailytrust.com/lagos-community-cries-out-over-insecurity-govts-neglect

PEACEBUILDING OUTREACH: CRISIS INFESTED LAGOS COMMUNITY, ORILE IGANMU CRIES OUT OVER NEGLECT
Posted on March 14, 2021

An abandoned Lagos community, Orile Iganmu, ravaged by endemic poverty and insecurity has called on the Lagos State Government, donor agencies and Non Governmental Organizations to come to its aid, in addressing the sustained community violence and insecurity occasioned by lack of opportunity and government presence in the area.

Orile Iganmu community, designated as “threat to peace” in Lagos State in PeacePro’s January edition of State of Peace report, lamented government absence in the area, noting that almost all available infrastructures in the area were built with community contribution and the most basic needs from government, which is security presence is still not available.

The community leaders and elders made this submission over the weekend, during a peacebuilding outreach by popular peacebuilding organization, Foundation for Peace Professional also known as PeacePro.

The Chairman of the community, Elder Olubunmi Diyaolu, who spoke on behalf of all 12 Community Development Association’s (CDA) chairmen and secretaries all present, explained the challenges of the community, particularly poverty and lack of security presence, which has turned the community into a threat to peace in Lagos State.

According to him, there’s no security presence from the government, there’s no good roads or drainage, there’s no health care facility and everything on ground are from community efforts and contribution.

In an effort to address the security challenges in the area, a N500 million security trust fund project was initiated, under the chairmanship of High Chief Olabode Simeon Anifaloyin.

High Chief Olabode Simeon Anifaloyin, who gave an isight into the conception of the Orile Iganmu security trust fund explained that the community is determined to protect its environment, create opportunity for its Youths and build a more peaceful environment, thereby calling on government, donor agencies and Non Governmental Organizations to support its initiative.



The leadership of PeacePro in Lagos State, led by Board of Trustee member, Mr Adedayo Buremoh, Acting Coordinator, Amb. Afodum Charles and Project Director, Hamzat Barshan explained the purpose of PeacePro’s Peacebuilding outreach to the community, noting that the organization is there to understand root causes of crisis in the community and work with them to not only raise awareness on the issues affecting the community, but to also jointly fashion out ways to address the concerns.

Earlier, the Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, through a message shared on the organization’s online page said that the Peacebuilding outreach is to advance PeacePro’s efforts in promoting peace from foundation.

According to him, “identifying the issues as contained in State of Peace report is not enough, as the the organization would be making efforts to bring all Stakeholders together to jointly address security concerns across the country”.

Similarly, KKF Foundation led by Mrs. Kirti Sudhanshu was also at the Peacebuilding outreach at Orile Iganmu.

Mrs Kirti, who promised to adopt Orile-Iganmu as her second home, assured the community of the intervention of her Foundation, particularly in the area of Healthcare delivery, Community Empowerment for Youths and Educational supports.

https://pmexpressng.com/peacebuilding-outreach-crisis-infested-lagos-community-orile-iganmu-cries-out-over-neglect/

*Crisis riden Lagos community "Orile" cry out, as PeacePro makes peacebuilding outreach*

An abandoned Lagos community, Orile Iganmu, ravaged by endemic poverty and insecurity has called on the Lagos State government, donor agencies and Non Governmental Organizations to come to its aid, in addressing the sustained community violence and insecurity occassioned by lack of opportunity and government presence in the area.

Orile Iganmu community, designated as "threat to peace" in Lagos State in PeacePro's January edition of State of Peace report, lamented government absence in the area, noting that almost all available infrastructures in the area were built with community contribution and the most basic needs from government, which is security presence is still not available.

The community leaders and elders made this submission over the weekend, during a peacebuilding outreach by popular peacebuilding organization, Foundation for Peace Professional also known as PeacePro.

The Chairman of the community, Elder Olubunmi Diyaolu, who spoke on behalf of all 12 Community Development Association's (CDA) chairmen and Secretaries all present, explained the challenges of the community, particularly poverty and lack of security presence, which has turned the community into a threat to Peace in Lagos State.

According to him, there's no security presence from the government, there's no good roads or drainage, there's no health care facility and everything on ground are from community efforts and contribution.

In an effort to address the security challenges in the area, a N500 million security trust fund project was initiated, under the chairmanship of High Chief Olabode Simeon Anifaloyin. He said.

High Chief Olabode Simeon Anifaloyin, who gave Insight into the conception of the Orile Iganmu security trust fund explained that, the community is determined to protect its environment, create opportunity for its Youths and build a more peaceful environment, thereby calling on government, donor agencies and Non Governmental Organizations to support its initiative.

The Leadership of PeacePro in Lagos State, led by Board of Trustee member, Mr Adedayo Buremoh, Acting Coordinator, Amb. Afodum Charles and Project Director, Hamzat Barshan explained the purpose of PeacePro's peacebuilding outreach to the community, noting that the organization is there to understand root causes of crisis in the community and work with them to not only raise awareness on the issues affecting the community, but to also jointly fashion out ways to address the concerns.

Earlier, the Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, through a message shared on the organization's online page said that, the peacebuilding outreach is to advance PeacePro's efforts in promoting peace from foundation.

According to him, "identifying the issues as contained in State of Peace report is not enough, as the the organization would be making efforts to bring all Stakeholders together to jointly address security concerns across the country".

Similarly, KKF Foundation led by Mrs. Kirti Sudhanshu was also at the peacebuilding outreach at Orile Iganmu.

Mrs Kirti, who promised to adopt Orile-Iganmu as her second home, assured the community of the intervention of her Foundation, particularly in the area of Healthcare delivery, Community Empowerment for Youths and Educational supports.

End

https://peacepro.org/crisis-riden-lagos-community-orile-cry-out-as-peacepro-makes-peacebuilding-outreach/

PeacePro's team

More pictures

Images from PeacePro's peacebuilding outreach in Orile Iganmu community to end violence and insecurity.

Orile Community is one of the hot spot in Lagos State, designated as "threat to Peace", in the january edition of PeacePro's state of Peace report.

State of Peace report identify threat to Peace in the 36 States of Nigeria and this peacebuilding outreach is to understand issues instigating crisis in the community for a joint solution to be proffered.

#PeacePro #Nigeria #Lagos #Orile #peacebuilding #insecurity #violence

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*CoNS meets with Kwara State Govt, Solicite Supports For NOUN Students*

Congress of National Open University Students of Nigeria (CoNS) led by the Senate president, Sen Rukayat Shittu and other team member paid a courtesy visit to the office of His Excellency, Deputy Governor of Kwara State Mr Kayode Alabi, situated along government house road in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The CONs Senate President and other members of the congress in Ilorin study centre were warmly received by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor.

Mr Kayode Alabi, who commended the women only delegation for their passion in Leadership and governance also listen attentively to the remarks of the students.

In her remarks, Sen Rukayyat Shittu commended the high performance of the present administration in Kwara State on education. She also acknowledged the meritorious efforts of the state government in ensuring quality education, citing the massive renovation of 37 schools and the ongoing plan to build about 600 schools in the next two years as positive development.

Rukayyat also gave kudos to the state government for the transparency in the ongoing recruitment of SUBEB and TESCOM teachers in the state, aswell as on the recent payment of teachers arrears that has accrued since 2017.

On issues affecting Students of National Open University of Nigeria, she appealed to the state government to support Congress of NOUN Students (CONs) project in facilitating online classes for students of National Open University of Nigeria in order to complement the efforts of Federal Government in assuring better and accessible quality education.

Furthermore, Rukayyat also solicited for His Excellency Intervention on the matter of bursary for the indigenous students at NOUN Ilorin and Offa Study Centres.

In his response, the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi pledged government full support towards NOUN and he referred the delegation to meet with the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science And Technology (MOTEST) for further deliberation.

In a seperate meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tertiary Education, Hajia Hafsat AbdulRahman, CONs Senate president laid down the request of the students in line with their discussion with the Deputy Governor and she solicited for more recognition and support from the Kwara State Government.

In her reaction, the Perm Sec, Hajia Hafsat AbdulRahman assured them of Government total support, adding that she would follow up with their conversation.