₦airaland Forum

*I'M NOT AFRAID*
_Adewumi Adedeji (Nigeria)_

I'm not afraid of Boko-Haram and Fulani herdsmen rather
I'm afraid of the man that sends my brothers and sisters to war without adequate intelligence and weapon,
I'm afraid of the company that uses this menace to increase revenue and tax reduction mechanism
I'm afraid of the politician that uses this menace for campaign.


I'm not afraid of Religion, ethnicity and tribalism rather I'm afraid of the man that won't allow me marry his daughter because i'm kanuri and she is Ijaw,
I'm afraid of the University that won't grant me admission because i'm not from her catchment area regardless of my UTME score.
I'm afraid of the boss that won't promote me because we don't share the religious sentiment.

I am not afraid of the politician that travels abroad for his medical treatment, rather i'm afraid of the one that does so on tax-payers expense.

I'm afraid of the governor that won't pay doctors and nurses salaries causing them to strike
I'm afraid of the Nurse that sells drugs meant for public hospitals to private hospitals just to buy Aso-ebi.

I am not afraid of the politician that sends his sons and daughters abroad to school

I am afraid of the one that took history out of our syllabus,
I'm afraid of the professor of history that watch this tragedy happen.

I'm afraid of the lecturer that won't pass me because I did not buy his hand-out
I'm afraid of the teacher that sends me to her house to fetch water while her daughter learns in class

I am not afraid of unemployment rather i'm afraid of the Governor that hasn't paid civil servants for twenty-two months.

I'm afraid of of the firms that ask for 7 years experience with Masters Degree and professional certifications not more than 24 years old.

I'm afraid of the bank that asks me to meet a target of #10 million in two weeks only to pay me #50,000 at the end of the month.

I am not afraid of election, rather
I'm afraid of the senators that sleep on the Senate floor or the one that never attends sitting.

I'm afraid of the woman that sells her vote for #5,000
I'm afraid of the young man that won't hesitate to injure me because I won't say sai Baba or power to the people.

I am not afraid of accidents or bad road
I'm afraid of the local government chairman that drives on the same road in his hummer
I'm afraid of the senator that approves budget for that same road annually.

I am not afraid of shaking tables
I'm afraid of keeping silent

I am not afraid of the one that can kill my body
I'm afraid of he that can kill my soul and body.

What are you afraid of?


*Adewumi Adedeji*
Writes from Oke-Aro, Ogun State, Nigeria
+2348082790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
#D'PresidentsDiary.

NATION BUILDING (2)

Adewumi Adedeji

Nation building is an art of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state.

Permit me to explain the phrase _"Power of the State"_– The Powers not delegated to the central government by the constitution nor to its constituents governmental structures but reserved exclusively to the PEOPLE. i.e The idea of constructing or structuring a national identity is residue upon the citizenry of the said nation (Nigeria in this instance).

Nation building includes and involves every citizen of the state and every discipline or work of life from science and technology to Arts, commerce and governance, but at the centerpiece of nation building is "POLITICS".

The term POLITICS used here refer to "The act of participating in the political affairs of our nation.

Politics is the indispensable foundation for all things elegant and beautiful.

It is the duty of the first generation to get the politics essentials right and then keep it intact to nurture the future.

Why is politics the centerpiece or anchor to nation building?

Charles krauthammer said in his book; *THINGS THAT MATTER* While science,medicine, art, poetry, architecture, chess, space, sport, number theory and all things hard and beautiful promise purity, elegance and sometimes even transcendence, they are fundamentally subordinate. In the end, they must bow to the sovereignty of politics.

You can have the most advanced and effortless of cultures. Get your politics wrong, however and everything stand to be swept away.

The only power comparable to the destructive capacity of politics belongs to God and nature.

John Adams, the 2nd President of The United States said and I quote _I must study politics and war that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry and porcelain._

Politics determines the future and it is disastrous to leave such decision to chance or to a few minority, now is the time to get involved in nation building, get involve in local politics and let's build the nation of our dream.


Thank you.

God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adewumi Adedeji

Writes from Oke-Aro, Ogun State.


+2348082790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
#ThePresident'sDiary

*I'M NOT AFRAID*
_Adewumi Adedeji (Nigeria)_

I'm not afraid of Boko-Haram and Fulani herdsmen rather
I'm afraid of the man that sends my brothers and sisters to war without adequate intelligence and weapon,
I'm afraid of the company that uses this menace to increase revenue and tax reduction mechanism
I'm afraid of the politician that uses this menace for campaign.


I'm not afraid of Religion, ethnicity and tribalism rather I'm afraid of the man that won't allow me marry his daughter because i'm kanuri and she is Ijaw,
I'm afraid of the University that won't grant me admission because i'm not from her catchment area regardless of my UTME score.
I'm afraid of the boss that won't promote me because we don't share the religious sentiment.

I am not afraid of the politician that travels abroad for his medical treatment, rather i'm afraid of the one that does so on tax-payers expense.

I'm afraid of the governor that won't pay doctors and nurses salaries causing them to strike
I'm afraid of the Nurse that sells drugs meant for public hospitals to private hospitals just to buy Aso-ebi.

I am not afraid of the politician that sends his sons and daughters abroad to school

I am afraid of the one that took history out of our syllabus,
I'm afraid of the professor of history that watch this tragedy happen.

I'm afraid of the lecturer that won't pass me because I did not buy his hand-out
I'm afraid of the teacher that sends me to her house to fetch water while her daughter learns in class

I am not afraid of unemployment rather i'm afraid of the Governor that hasn't paid civil servants for twenty-two months.

I'm afraid of of the firms that ask for 7 years experience with Masters Degree and professional certifications not more than 24 years old.

I'm afraid of the bank that asks me to meet a target of #10 million in two weeks only to pay me #50,000 at the end of the month.

I am not afraid of election, rather
I'm afraid of the senators that sleep on the Senate floor or the one that never attends sitting.

I'm afraid of the woman that sells her vote for #5,000
I'm afraid of the young man that won't hesitate to injure me because I won't say sai Baba or power to the people.

I am not afraid of accidents or bad road
I'm afraid of the local government chairman that drives on the same road in his hummer
I'm afraid of the senator that approves budget for that same road annually.

I am not afraid of shaking tables
I'm afraid of keeping silent

I am not afraid of the one that can kill my body
I'm afraid of he that can kill my soul and body.

What are you afraid of?


*Adewumi Adedeji*
Writes from Oke-Aro, Ogun State, Nigeria
+2348082790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
#D'PresidentsDiary.

AM NOT AFARID
Adewumi Adedeji (Nigeria)
I'm not afraid of Boko-Haram and Fulani herdsmen
I'm afraid of the man that sends my brothers and sisters to war without adequate intelligence and weapon,
I'm afraid of the company that uses this menace to increases revenue and tax reduction mechanism
I'm afraid of the politician that use this menace for campaign.

I'm not afraid of Religion, ethnicity and tribalism
I'm afraid of the man that won't allow me marry his daughter because am kanuri and she is Ijaw,
I'm afraid of the University that won't grant me admission because am not from it's catchment area regardless of my jamb score.
I'm afraid of the boss that won't promote me because we don't share the religious sentiment.

I'm not afraid of the politician that travels abroad for his medical treatment,
I'm afraid of the one that does so on tax-payers expense
I'm afraid of the governor that won't pay doctors and nurses salaries causes them to strike
I'm afraid of the Nurse that sells drugs meant for public hospitals to private hospitals just to buy Aso-ebi.

I'm not afraid of the politician that sends his sons and daughters abroad to school
I'm afraid of the one that took history out of our syllabus,
I'm afraid of the professor(s) of history that watch this tragedy happens.
I'm afraid of the lecturer that won't pass me because I did not buy his hand-out
I'm afraid of the teacher that sends me to her house to fetch water while her daughter learns in class

I'm not afraid of unemployment
I'm afraid of the governor that hasn't paid civil servants for twenty-two months.
I'm afraid of of the firms that ask for 7 years experience with masters degree and professional certifications not more than 24 years old,
I'm afraid of the bank that ask me to meet a target of #10 million in two weeks only to pay me #50,000 at the end of the month.

I'm not afraid of election,
I'm afraid of the senators that sleeps on the Senate floors or the one that dance around town.
I'm afraid of the woman that sells her vote for #5,000
I'm afraid of the young man that won't hesitate to injure me because I won't say sai Baba or power to the people.

I'm not afarid of accidents or bad road
I'm afraid of the local government chairman that drives on the same road in his hummer
I'm afraid of the senator that approval budget for that same road annually.

I'm not afraid of shaking tables
I'm afraid of keeping silence

I'm not afraid of the one that can kill my body
I'm afraid of he that can kill my soul and body.

Adewumi Adedeji.
Writes from Oke-aro ( Ogun-state).
08082790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
#D'PresidentDiary.

BUILDING THE NATION
Henry Barlow(Uganda)

Today I dis my share
In building the nation,
I drive a permanent secretary
To an important, urgent function
Intact,to a luncheon at the Vic.

The menu reflected its importance
Cold bell beer with small talk,
Then fried chicken with niceties
Wine to fill the hollowness of the laughs.
Ice-cream to cover the stereotype jokes
Coffee to keep the PS awake on the return journey.

I drove the Permanent Secretary back.
He yawned many time in the back of the car
Then to keep awake, he suddenly asked,
Did you have any lunch friend?
I replied looking straight ahead
And secretly smiling at the belated concern
That I had not,but was slimming!
Upon which he said with a seriousness
That amused more than annoyed me,
Mwananchi,I too had none!
I attended to matters of the state.
Highly delicate diplomatic duties you know,
And friend,it goes against my grain,
Causes me stomach ulcers and wind.
Ah,he continued, yawning again,
The pains we suffer in building the nation?

So the PS had ulcers too!
My ulcers I think are equally painful
Only they are caused by hunger,
Not sumptuous lunches!


So two nation builders
Arrived home this evening
With terrible stomach pains
The result of building the nation -
- Different ways.
# D'PresidentDiary.

0802790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com.

NATION BUILDING (1)

The art of nation building is a marathon not a sprint, it's one that involves curves and laps. Nations that have fulfilled their potentials regardless of prevailing circumstances have been those ones which have imbibied in her leaders and citizenry this noble mindset.

Fellow Nigerians, Election is just another important lap in the race of nation building, it is not the destination and medals aren't awarded at the end of each lap but at the completion of the race. In same manner, election period is not a time to be divided across party, tribe or religious line, rather it's a time to come together as one entity speaking in unison irrespective of our prejudice to choose the next set of althete that will carry the green and white flag and run this four years lap.

Every successful althete understand that winning the race is a combination of boring practices, sleepless nights, efforts and instructions from their backroom staffs and coaches, and a win isn't for them alone but for the entire team.

In nation building the althetes are elected and appointed government officials, the backroom staffs and coaches are the citizens, therefore it is worthy of note that nation building is a combine duty of both the althete(elected and appointed government officials) and the backroom staffs and coaches(citizens), i.e it is a team effort and not a one sided events, play your part.

Thank you, God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adewumi Adedeji Oriyomi
#D'PresidentDiary.
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
08082790452.

THE PRESIDENT ADDRESS.

This generation of Nigerians has been tested by crisis that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. Decades of war that is seemingly unending. An economy whose recovery does not look feasible, yet we know that Nigeria's possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands : Youth and drive; diversity and openness; and endless capacity for risk and a gift of reinvention. My fellow Nigerians, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it - so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that Nigeria's prosperity must react upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that Nigeria thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our founding principle when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is Nigerian; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher. But while the means will change, our purposes endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single Nigerian. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our founding principles.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and diginity. We must make the hard choices. But we reject the belief that Nigeria must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build it's future.

We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face job loss, or a sudden illness or atrocities caused by insurgency but we're committed to ourselves, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risk that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Nigerians are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram, knowing that failure to do so would betray our children and the future generations.

The path towards a new and sustainable Nigeria will be long and sometimes difficult. But Nigeria cannot resist this global transition we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, That's how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure. That is how we will preserve our nation commanded to our care by God. That's what will lend meaning to the labor's of our heroes pasts.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost know too well the price thatvus paid for liberty. The knowledge of sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just war, who turn sworn enemies into surest of friends and we must carry those lessons into this times as well.

It sit now our generation's task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until no citizens is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote - until our bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until our all our children, from the streets of ututu Arochukwu, Abia state to the beautiful lane of Aso drive know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm.

For now decisions are upon us and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name - calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect, we must act, knowing that it will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years.

Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into the uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you. God bless you, and may He forever bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adewumi Adedeji Oriyomi
Writes from Ogun state, Nigeria.
+2348082790452
Dejijupiter@gmail.com.