Buhari Pro Max and some riffraffs here are campaigning for this vegetable to become president.

Nigeria: Presidential Hopeful Tinubu Jets Out for medical treatment After Consulting

January 28, 2022

One of Nigria’s 2023 presidential hopefuls and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has reportedly left the country to rest after holding consultations with prominent Nigerians on his presidential bid, which he once described as his lifelong ambition.

This, nonetheless, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has insisted that Tinubu was the most qualified Nigerian to be president in 2023.

Tinubu on Thursday, was absent at the inauguration of the working committees of a new movement in support of his ambition, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT), in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The movement was conceived and set up by members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos for the actualisation of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

The event that was graced by some of the known political heavyweights in Lagos, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, GAC members, APC leaders across the state’s 57 local councils and a large number of party supporters, did not feature the principal actor, Tinubu, and thus raised concerns about his whereabouts.

The self-styled national leader of the APC, though a non-existent party position, had first met with President Muhammadu Buhari a couple of weeks ago, to intimate him of his intention to give the presidential run a shot in 2023, after which he held a press conference within the Villa precinct to further dwell on his mission.

He also recently met with former Military President and annuller of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, General Ibrahim Babangida, from whom he told the media, he had gone to “seek his blessing” over his presidential ambition.

Tinubu, who had also visited some northern states, including Niger and Katsina, under the guise of commiserating with the governors and the people, over recent incidences of insecurity and killings, further used the platform to sell the idea of his presidential bid.

However, believed to have been tired from the trips, Tinubu was said to have seen the need to quickly take a break, rest and also see his doctors outside the country.

Although some sources hinted he travelled to London, others were not particularly sure of his destination but could confirm he had since left the country to rest and also run some medical check-ups.

But Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, said Tinubu’s indisputable capability to effectively manage human and material resources for visible progress stood him out as the most qualified to be president next year.

A statement quoted Sanwo-Olu as saying Tinubu’s qualification rested on his demonstrated capacity in deploying a mix of genius and statecraft to nurture a city on the brink to a flourishing economy, noting that the progress in Lagos remained a visible experiment initiated by the APC National Leader.

Sanwo-Olu, had drummed support for the Tinubu candidacy during the formal inauguration of ABAT movement’s working committees in Ikeja, GRA.

The governor was in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and all members of the State Executive Council.

Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria had continued to shoulder the burden of the black race, stressing that the country’s transformation into a stable economy, would be a source of pride to the black man.

In 2023, the governor said, the country was in need of a capable leader with progressive ideas to succeed President Buhari and build on the progress recorded by the current administration.

Tinubu’s practicable ideas in governance, Sanwo-Olu added, made him the most qualified successor and salable choice for the job.

According to him, “Our country is the most populous black nation in the world and the responsibility that comes with that is enormous. No doubt that the destiny of the entire black race is tied to the greatness of Nigeria.
“If our country must be great, we have the responsibility to choose the leadership that will bring about true transformation across every facet of our national life. Who is that rallying figure that should lead us in this journey?

“The answer is deeply connected to our mission and purpose here today. That person must be a detribalised Nigerian and a bridge builder, who has been tested and trusted. A thinker, who must sustain the legacy our current president is leaving behind.

“That person is the reason we are inaugurating this movement for the actualisation of his presidential ambition. That person is our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let us tell the naysayers and those, who are still in doubt that we are ready to work for the realisation of this ambition, because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the number one salable candidate for president.

“We will preach this gospel with diligence, dedication and high sense of commitment. Asiwaju is an unfolding success story our nation deserves at this time.”

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s name was synonymous with growth and development, noting that he possessed a midas touch to positively turn around the resources of the country for general good.

“We must see ourselves in line with Asiwaju’s political ideals. To be open to all, tolerate various interests and embrace everyone. We must reflect those ideas of our leader in our utterances and actions. You cannot afford to disappoint us on this mission,” Sanwo-Olu said.

An APC stalwart, James Odumbaku, otherwise known as Baba Eto, said the forthcoming general election presented another opportunity for Nigerians to make the right choice to keep the country on the path of development.

He said: “Tinubu is a tested leader to lead Nigeria out of the woods. We will work with passion to ensure he emerges as our party’s candidate and also win the presidential election.”

© Arise News - Part of the Arise Media Group.

Nigeria: Presidential Hopeful Tinubu Jets Out for medical treatment After Consulting

January 28, 2022



One of Nigria’s 2023 presidential hopefuls and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has reportedly left the country to rest after holding consultations with prominent Nigerians on his presidential bid, which he once described as his lifelong ambition.

This, nonetheless, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has insisted that Tinubu was the most qualified Nigerian to be president in 2023.

Tinubu on Thursday, was absent at the inauguration of the working committees of a new movement in support of his ambition, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT), in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The movement was conceived and set up by members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos for the actualisation of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

The event that was graced by some of the known political heavyweights in Lagos, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, GAC members, APC leaders across the state’s 57 local councils and a large number of party supporters, did not feature the principal actor, Tinubu, and thus raised concerns about his whereabouts.

The self-styled national leader of the APC, though a non-existent party position, had first met with President Muhammadu Buhari a couple of weeks ago, to intimate him of his intention to give the presidential run a shot in 2023, after which he held a press conference within the Villa precinct to further dwell on his mission.

He also recently met with former Military President and annuller of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, General Ibrahim Babangida, from whom he told the media, he had gone to “seek his blessing” over his presidential ambition.

Tinubu, who had also visited some northern states, including Niger and Katsina, under the guise of commiserating with the governors and the people, over recent incidences of insecurity and killings, further used the platform to sell the idea of his presidential bid.

However, believed to have been tired from the trips, Tinubu was said to have seen the need to quickly take a break, rest and also see his doctors outside the country.

Although some sources hinted he travelled to London, others were not particularly sure of his destination but could confirm he had since left the country to rest and also run some medical check-ups.

But Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, said Tinubu’s indisputable capability to effectively manage human and material resources for visible progress stood him out as the most qualified to be president next year.

A statement quoted Sanwo-Olu as saying Tinubu’s qualification rested on his demonstrated capacity in deploying a mix of genius and statecraft to nurture a city on the brink to a flourishing economy, noting that the progress in Lagos remained a visible experiment initiated by the APC National Leader.

Sanwo-Olu, had drummed support for the Tinubu candidacy during the formal inauguration of ABAT movement’s working committees in Ikeja, GRA.

The governor was in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and all members of the State Executive Council.

Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria had continued to shoulder the burden of the black race, stressing that the country’s transformation into a stable economy, would be a source of pride to the black man.

In 2023, the governor said, the country was in need of a capable leader with progressive ideas to succeed President Buhari and build on the progress recorded by the current administration.

Tinubu’s practicable ideas in governance, Sanwo-Olu added, made him the most qualified successor and salable choice for the job.

According to him, “Our country is the most populous black nation in the world and the responsibility that comes with that is enormous. No doubt that the destiny of the entire black race is tied to the greatness of Nigeria.
“If our country must be great, we have the responsibility to choose the leadership that will bring about true transformation across every facet of our national life. Who is that rallying figure that should lead us in this journey?

“The answer is deeply connected to our mission and purpose here today. That person must be a detribalised Nigerian and a bridge builder, who has been tested and trusted. A thinker, who must sustain the legacy our current president is leaving behind.

“That person is the reason we are inaugurating this movement for the actualisation of his presidential ambition. That person is our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let us tell the naysayers and those, who are still in doubt that we are ready to work for the realisation of this ambition, because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the number one salable candidate for president.

“We will preach this gospel with diligence, dedication and high sense of commitment. Asiwaju is an unfolding success story our nation deserves at this time.”

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s name was synonymous with growth and development, noting that he possessed a midas touch to positively turn around the resources of the country for general good.

“We must see ourselves in line with Asiwaju’s political ideals. To be open to all, tolerate various interests and embrace everyone. We must reflect those ideas of our leader in our utterances and actions. You cannot afford to disappoint us on this mission,” Sanwo-Olu said.

An APC stalwart, James Odumbaku, otherwise known as Baba Eto, said the forthcoming general election presented another opportunity for Nigerians to make the right choice to keep the country on the path of development.

He said: “Tinubu is a tested leader to lead Nigeria out of the woods. We will work with passion to ensure he emerges as our party’s candidate and also win the presidential election.”


© Arise News - Part of the Arise Media Group.

The power of weeds

Meaning that Tinubu should like 80 years old.
Karma will visit all those riffraffs campaigning for his presidency.

Jaruma should prove her statements in court. She talks too much.

Saturn444:


Because America is a wasteful country that has created so many enemies and are now afraid of their own shadows.

This comment must be from a terrorist. US will continue to destroy you all.

chatinent:
America is very much afraid of Russia and China than the world joined together.

America fears no one....Stop deceiving yourself.

This food looks scary.

ARK Invest's Big Ideas 2022: The 14 transformative technologies to watch this year


ARK Invest's Big Ideas 2022 annual research report identifies five innovation platforms that are evolving and converging and 14 transformative technologies that are approaching tipping points as costs drop.

Written by Vala Afshar

on January 26, 2022 | Topic: Digital Transformation



ARK Invest BIG IDEAS 2022 Research Report

ARK Invest solely invests in disruptive innovations. ARK's thematic investment strategies span market capitalizations, sectors, and geographies to focus on public companies that we expect to be the leaders, enablers, and beneficiaries of disruptive innovation. ARK's strategies aim to deliver long-term growth with low correlation to traditional investment strategies.

ARK Invest defines "disruptive innovation" as the introduction of a technologically enabled new product or service that potentially changes the way the world works. ARK focuses solely on offering investment solutions to capture disruptive innovation in the public equity markets.

ARK released their annual BIG IDEAS 2022 research report centered around the belief that five innovation platforms are evolving and converging at the same time: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Energy Storage, DNA Sequencing, and Blockchain Technology. ARK has identified 14 transformative technologies that are approaching tipping points as costs drop, unleashing demand across sectors and geographies, and spawning more innovation.

ARK Big Ideas 2022: 14 transformative technologies that are approaching tipping points

ARK Invest
Here are the 14 transformative technologies that are approaching tipping points in the ARK 2022 Big Ideas Report:

Artificial Intelligence
Digital Consumer
Digital Wallets
Public Blockchains
Bitcoin
Ethereum and DeFi
Web3
Gene Editing
Multi-Omics
Electric Vehicles
Autonomous Ride-Hail
Autonomous Logistics
Printing and Robotics
Orbital Aerospace 

ARK research forecasts that disruptive innovation technologies will grow from a $14 trillion market in 2020 to a $210 trillion market by 2030. ARK research forecast of market capitalizations by 2030:

AI innovation could increase nearly 10-fold to more than $100 trillion in equity market capitalization by 2030. The research points to AI ($85T) as well as mobile-connected devices ($8T), the internet of things ($4.6T), and cloud computing ($10T) as drivers of AI adoption. 
Battery technology could enable autonomous mobility, generating more than $30 trillion in market capitalization by 2030. 
Robotics advances could generate more than $10 trillion in equity capitalizations by 2030. Technologies like 3D printing ($1.1T), Robotics ($8.6T), and reusable rockets ($500B) contribute to the projections.
Genomics technologies could drive more than $3 trillion in equity market capitalization by 2030, including gene sequencing ($1.6T), live therapies ($1T), and gene editing ($1T). 
Cryptoassets ($40T) and digital wallets ($9T) to command nearly $50 trillion in equity market capitalization by 2030.
5 innovation platforms are evolving and converging at the same time: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Energy Storage, DNA Sequencing, and Blockchain Technology.

Convergence across technologies could amplify their potential. For example, the convergence of robotics, battery technologies, and artificial intelligence is likely to collapse the cost structure of transportation, impacting the economics of auto, rail, and airline activities. Let us take a deeper look at 5 of these critically important transformative technologies in the ARK 2022 report: AI, Digital Consumer, Digital Wallets, Web3, and Electric Vehicles. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Per ARK, Artificial Intelligence (AI) training costs appear to be declining at more than twice the rate of Moore's Law1 as performance is increasing significantly.  By automating the tasks of knowledge workers, AI should boost productivity and lower unit labor costs significantly. An example of cost reduction:  Given 240 trillion synapses, the cost to train a neural network equivalent in size to the human brain in 2021 would have been $2.5 billion and is likely to drop 60% at an annual rate to $600,000 by 2030.

ARK suggests that the market capitalization of AI hardware and software companies could scale at a roughly 50% annualized rate, increasing from $2.5 trillion in 2021 to $87 trillion by 2030. Based on Write's Law, ARK forecasts that convergence of hardware and software could drive down AI training costs by 60% at an annual rate by 2030.

ARK suggests that AI could automate the tasks of knowledge workers and boost productivity. ARK's forecast is that by 2030, AI will increase the output of knowledge workers by 140%. 

ARK suggests that by 2030 AI will increase the output of knowledge workers by 140%.

By 2030, artificial intelligence is likely to boost the output of global knowledge workers by 9% at an annual rate, from $41 trillion in expected human labor output to roughly $97 trillion in AI + human output.

ARK estimates that organizations will increase spending on enterprise software by 42% at an annual rate of $14 trillion a year. If automation boosts productivity by 140%, AI software could increase the output of global knowledge workers at an annual rate of 9% to $97 trillion in 2030. ARK estimates that SaaS companies spend 50%+ of their cost of goods sold (COGS) on infrastructure hosting costs. As demand for AI software grows, the demand for hardware could rise accordingly.

AI Could Accelerate Productivity Gains

Spending on global AI software and hardware could reach over $20 Trillion by 2030. AI could scale from almost $2.5T to $87T in enterprise value by 2030. By 2030, AI software companies could produce $14 trillion in annual revenue collectively. The resulting $4 trillion in free cash flow could create over $80 trillion in enterprise value, up from $2.3 trillion in 2021, generating returns of 48% at a compound annual rate during the next nine years. By 2030, AI hardware companies could produce $1.7 trillion in annual revenue collectively. The resulting $350 billion in free cash flow could create $7 trillion in enterprise value, generating returns of 57% at a compound annual rate during the next nine years.

Spending On Global AI Software And Hardware Could Be More Than Triple The Consensus Expectation By 2030

DIGITAL CONSUMERS 
 According to ARK: the new digitally native consumer is spending an increasing amount of time socializing, playing, and purchasing online. As digital takes share in our daily lives, we believe the market — as measured by online entertainment spend, advertising spend, and platform e-commerce fees — is likely to grow at an 18% compound annual rate during the next five years, from $1.8 trillion today to $4.1 trillion in 2026.

ARK estimates that on average in 2021, internet users spent 38% of their free time online and 62% offline. By 2030, we expect these averages to flip, with users spending 52% of their free time online and 48% offline. Social platforms are scaling like never before. The accelerating adoption of online platforms gives businesses and individuals the ability to reach global audiences. Today, 6 platforms have more than 1 billion monthly active users, and 29 platforms have at least 100 million monthly active users.

Social Platforms Are Scaling Like Never Before

Digital channels are how businesses are reaching their customers.  By the end of 2021, global digital advertising totaled roughly $440 billion, or 62% of the total advertising market. ARK forecasts the global digital advertising market will grow at an 11% compound annual rate over the next eight years, surpassing $1 trillion in expenditures by the end of 2029.

  Social Commerce Is The Next Wave In Online Shopping

Social commerce is the next wave in online shopping. When implemented correctly, social commerce combines the convenience of online shopping with the network effects of social media. ARK expects social commerce gross merchandise value (GMV) to grow at a compound annual rate of 41% over the next five years to $3.7 trillion, more than doubling it from less than 10% of total e-commerce today to 22% in 2026. ARK estimates that the revenue associated with discretionary online time will increase from $1.8 trillion today to $4.1 trillion by 2026.

DIGITAL WALLETS
Today, digital wallets like Venmo, Cash App, and others around the globe are penetrating traditional financial services, including brokerage and lending, thanks to superior user experiences and much lower costs of acquisition. In ARK's view, digital wallets could scale at an annual rate of 69% in the US, from more than $400 billion in market capitalization to $5.7 trillion, and 78% globally, from $1.1 to $20 trillion, during the next five years.

Digital wallets are the number one payment method offline and online. Dominating e-commerce payments since 2017, digital wallets surpassed cash last year in point-of-sale (POS) payments, likely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number one digital wallet users have surpassed the number of deposit account holders at one of the largest US banks. Based on publicly available data, Square's Cash App and PayPal's Venmo have amassed 74 million and 82 million annual active users in the past 8 and 11 years, respectively. J.P. Morgan hit 60 million deposit account holders after five acquisitions in more than 30 years

 Digital Wallets Are The Number One Payment Method Offline And Online

Differentiated customer acquisition strategies result in lower customer acquisition costs. ARK shows a customer acquisition cost variance from $2,500 per customer to $1 (Nubank). ARK estimates that each digital wallet user in the US could be worth $22,500 at maturity. The US digital wallet opportunity could scale 69% at an annual rate of more than $400 billion in 2021 to $5.7 trillion by 2026. The global digital wallet opportunity could scale to 78% at an annual rate from $1.1 trillion to $20 trillion in 2026. 

The US Digital Wallet Opportunity Could Scale 69% At An Annual Rate From More Than $400 Billion In 2021 To $5.7 Trillion In 2026

WEB3 - AN INTERNET REVOLUTION 
Now that consumers are spending more time and resources online, the importance of digital assets is likely to increase considerably as consumer spending shifts to virtual worlds. A global framework like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) provides a stable way of taking the ownership and control of digital assets away from corporations, to the benefit of individuals. By 2030, ARK expects Web3 to depress annual offline consumption by $7.3 trillion, boosting direct online expenditures at an annual rate of 28%, from $1.4 trillion today to $12.5 trillion per year.

Also: What is Web3? Everything you need to know about the decentralized future of the internet

Public blockchains enable the ownership of digital assets.  Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) serve as smart contracts that verify the ownership of digital assets on public blockchains. They usurp the power of centralized platforms to house, control, and verify assets. In 2021, NFTs generated $21 billion in sales as the number of monthly unique buyers soared nearly eight-fold to more than 700,000.

Web3:  Public Blockchains Enable The Ownership Of Digital Assets

Public blockchain infrastructure serves as the backbone for new forms of economic coordination: it minimizes the need to trust centralized institutions. The decentralized, open, and permissionless characteristics of public blockchains lower the cost of coordination, among other advantages.

Public Blockchains Have Unique Characteristics - Web 3 

 Currently, collectibles and digital art account for more than 75% of NFT sales on Ethereum. Based on the evolution of the video gaming market, NFT demand for blockchain-based games and virtual worlds could exceed that for digital collectibles and art, especially as collectibles and art begin to exhibit more utility in various games during the next five to ten years. ARK believes NFTs will blur the lines between consumption and investment. 

ARK:  NFTs Will Blur The Line Between Consumption And Investment

ARK believes that if Web3 proliferates, the monetization rate of online spending should approach that of offline spending by 2030. ARK research suggests that the monetization of time spent online will grow at a compound annual rate of 19% with Web3 but only 8% without Web3 during the next ten years. Web3 annual online spending could reach $12.5 trillion in the next decade. 

ARK: Thanks to Web3, Annual Online Expenditures Could Reach $12.5 Trillion In The Next Decade

ELECTRIC VEHICLES
 As their range increases, the prices of electric vehicles (EVs) are declining, overcoming the most significant barriers to customer adoption. Based on Wright's Law, ARK forecasts that EV sales will increase roughly eightfold, or a 53% annual rate, from 4.8 million in 2021 to 40 million units in 2026. According to ARK, the biggest downside risk to our forecast is whether traditional automakers will be able to transition successfully to electric autonomous vehicles.

ARK: Electric Vehicle Sales Continue To Take Share

Electric vehicles costs could rival gas-powered options by 2023.  The total cost of ownership for a like-for-like EV dropped below that of a Toyota Camry in 2019.1 EV production costs and sticker prices are likely to drop below those of gas-powered vehicles in the next one to two years and undercut them by 25-35% in 2025.  ARK's research shows that the median performance of EVs in 2021 is approaching Tesla's performance in 2018. Both should continue to improve.

If traditional automakers navigate the shift from gas-powered vehicles successfully, EV sales could scale 8-fold from 4.8 million to 40 million during the next five years. 

ARK expects that sales of smaller, cheaper "neighborhood electric vehicles" will take off by 2026.

The ARK Big Ideas Report 2022 is comprehensive research covering five innovation platforms (Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Energy Storage, DNA Sequencing, and Blockchain Technology) and 14 transformative technologies that are approaching tipping points. I highly recommend that you take the time to review this important research.

Jobless youths

Masturbation didn't make you fail JAMB, you failed because you weren't prepared. Study hard and you will pass.

APC primary: Seven Ekiti gov aspirants withdraw amid protest, call for cancellation

Former Minister of Works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, and six other governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have withdrawn from the party’s primary election in Ekiti State.

Others, who withdrew according to a statement on Thursday are a former governorship aspirant, Kayode Ojo; Demola Popoola; Femi Bamisile; former House of Representatives member, Bamidele Faparusi; National Assembly member, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; and Afolabi Oluwasola.

They alleged that the primary election committee is made up of loyalists of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, claiming that the governor is attempting to impose former Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, as the Ekiti APC governorship candidate.

This is as some members of the party protested against the process of the governorship primary election scheduled to take place on Thursday (today).

The statement read, “The seven aspirants herein received with rude shock and dismay the purported list of local government election committee and ward election committee made up solely by party members and political appointees that had before now openly endorsed the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji the immediate past secretary to the state government.

“It is on record that the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi has given its unwavering support to the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji, it is common knowledge that the Governor and most appointees of the governor are openly rooting for and supporting Biodun Oyebanji’s aspiration to become the flag bearer of our great party.


“What is more disturbing is the fact that a simple glance at the names of the persons appointed as members of both committees would reveal that it is made up of appointees of government who are all supporters of a candidate in the primary election they are appointed to superintend on.

“The seven candidates herein are loyal, faithful and committed party members who are sincerely concerned about the chances of the party in the forthcoming 2022 governorship election where an imposition is allowed to override a democratic primary election for determining its flag bearer.

“We request that both the local government election committee and ward election committee that were constituted on the list already in circulation be disbanded and replaced with names that would reinforce internal democracy and uphold the aims and objectives of the party.”

https://punchng.com/apc-primary-seven-ekiti-gov-aspirants-withdraw-amid-protest-call-for-cancellation/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social

FLASHBACKS

Nigeria, A Nation In judgement! By Simon Kolawole

January 29th, 2020


Eleven years ago — to be specific, on July 7, 2008 — the title of my column was: “One Day, the People Will Rebel”. I warned that the extravagant lifestyles of our elite in the face of crippling poverty in the country would come back to bite all of us one day. At the time, kidnappings were a Niger Delta thing as militants agitated for resource control, but I was talking about what I called the “non-oil” kidnappings which I said would become the fad in the near future. I said the Nigerian elite must get the message that they could not continue in their ways and expect peace and safety. I warned that there was a lot of frustration, anger, bitterness and resentment in the land.

I wrote that when “blood relations of wealthy people are being kidnapped in exchange for ransoms, that is a clear danger signal to the elite. You have a driver. You have a cook. You have a security guard. You have policemen guarding you. They are all human beings. They see things happening around them. They hear your phone conversations as you conduct your mindless transactions. They are hearing the mind-blowing figures. They see the movements of Ghana-Must-Go bags. In an attempt to ‘redistribute’ the loot, they will resort to kidnappings and demand ransoms. It is happening already. More are in the offing, I think.”

A reader was so angry with me that he sent me this SMS: “Simon, you are sowing evil ideas in the minds of our drivers and domestic staff. You are highly irresponsible. I will never read your column again.” Typical of me, I did not respond. I had realised early in my column-writing career that those who really want to engage in constructive debates normally use decent language. I hate street fights. As a kid, I was never involved in street fights. My grandmother (God bless her soul) was always proud to show me off to her friends as a “good boy”. I would be letting “Iya Kola” down in her grave if I engage in internet street fights. So I always let attacks and insults pass — with all pleasure.

However, I am always unhappy whenever I lose a reader because of my views. I feel I have lost a potential co-evangelist in my “leadership by example” approach to the building of a nation “where peace and justice shall reign”. That reader clearly misunderstood me: I was only forewarning on a disturbing development with the sole aim of gingering our leaders to act. Growing criminality is a product of our broken social system that deprives the majority of Nigerians the basics of life such as roads, water, healthcare, education, security and jobs. I was fighting for social justice. I was warning the elite that they were not safe in their fortresses no matter how many police escorts they have.
As a philosopher said, all I did was to hold up a mirror for the society to look at itself. Breaking the mirror — as that angry reader decided to do — would not change the picture. The inequality in Nigeria has been too much for too long. In a country where people lose their lives because they cannot afford drugs of N1,000, you have people buying private jets and flashy cars not from some hard work but by feeding on the commonwealth. Our hospitals are rejecting poor patients because there is no bed space. Pupils are sitting on the floor to learn chemistry and biology in schools the governor cannot allow his relatives to attend. Such a society cannot escape doom.


In that “offensive” article, I asked, sarcastically: “What is the way forward? More policemen? More bullet-proof SUVs? More private jets? More Banana Islands? More signs of ‘military zone, keep off’?” I then replied myself: “I don’t know, but I have a hunch that more equitable management of resources could be of help. I suspect that more jobs, more housing, more medicine, more books, better roads, and better power supply would be of use. I suspect that less looting, less waste of resources would go some way. But if things continue the way they are, there is no doubt about it: one day, the long-suffering people of this country will react. They will rebel. Mark my words.”

The rebellion seems to be in full motion today as Nigerians groan under the pandemic of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, internet fraud and all kinds of criminality. Worse still, the security system cannot protect either the rich or the poor. We should ask ourselves how we got here. One of my favourite Yoruba proverbs, as oft-repeated by my late grandmother, says “when a child stumbles, he looks at his front; when an adult stumbles, he looks at his back”. Someone else would add: “Where did the rain begin to beat us?” If only we could retrace our footsteps, we will gain insight. We can then begin to sow a different seed today so that we can reap a different harvest tomorrow.

Last week, I watched as some members of the house of reps took turns to lament the state of insecurity in the country. One speaker after the other complained that they can no longer travel to or sleep in their villages because of insecurity. They are overwhelmed by the army of criminals. However, they just cannot see a link between their greed — their obscene allowances, their extortion-driven oversight activities as well as the padded budgets — and the poverty and insecurity in the land. That is the problem with Nigerian politicians: they think Nigeria is like this by mistake. They think if we are able to deploy more troops, kidnapping will stop. If only it were that simple!
Let me say this yet again: the Nigerian ruling elite need to have a meeting, perhaps a “meeting of minds”, and agree to change their ways. We cannot continue to run a system of an overfed elite minority and a malnourished majority and expect to keep travelling to the village in glittering SUVs without consequences. No. It won’t work. We cannot run a system where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer and expect peace. We have been living a lie for too long. Commonsense tells us that inequality comes with a price. We cannot sustain a system that ruins the lives of the majority of 200 million Nigerians and hope to sleep and snore at night.

Although the economic downturn in the last five years and some of the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari are implicated in the current socio-political crises, the truth remains that for too long, we ignored the warning signals. For decades, the UNDP told us that 70 percent of Nigerians were living on less than $1 a day. What did we do to prevent the incoming disaster? It was all Greek to us. We spent our petrodollars as if there would be no tomorrow. Well, today is yesterday’s tomorrow. You don’t have to be a development expert to know that any country where the bulk of the youth are unemployed or unemployable is headed for chronic insecurity.
Don’t take my word for it. Check the poverty and unemployment rates of countries with the least incidence of crime and you will get a better idea of what I am driving at. When young men and young women wake up in the morning with nowhere to go, they are tempting the devil. He will give them something to do. Their energies will be misused and abused as they struggle to survive. No human being will sit down at home and die of hunger. Survival is a basic human instinct. The human being will survive by any means necessary — even if it is to steal, beg or borrow. The police and the army combined cannot contain crime when the factory producing criminals has not been closed.

Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. We have sown the wind and we are reaping the whirlwind. The teens and teenagers that we refused to care for yesterday have become our nemesis today. They are now in our neighbourhood and on the highway, making life unbearable for us. The security system we failed to overhaul and modernise for ages — despite security budgets in billions of dollars — is now unable to protect us. But if I may ask, what are we doing today to make sure our trouble does not double tomorrow? Are we investing properly in the future? Are we striving hard to make the country conducive in the future so that ordinary people can enjoy the basics of life? The elite must realise that it is in their own interest to make Nigeria habitable. This milking must subside.

Until the elite across board reach a consensus to curtail their greed and put Nigeria first, we cannot begin to make meaningful progress as a nation. Our predatory system will continue to breed terrorists, kidnappers, ritual killers, yahoo boys and circumstantial sex workers. What we are witnessing today would be child’s play compared to what is ahead. Nobody is safe in Nigeria, including those who think they are covered by a convoy of armed escorts. It is just a matter of time. Until we begin to sow the good seeds at all levels — federal, state and local — our troubles will keep multiplying. Nigeria will not develop overnight, but if we fail to act decisively and intelligently today, we cannot hope to reap gainful jobs, lasting peace, security and national prosperity tomorrow.”

Culled from THISDAY.

That's not an original LG TV. It is refurbished one.

BREAKING NEWS: Oil Price Hits $90 Per Barrel For First Time Since 2014


Oil prices rose on Wednesday to $90 a barrel for the first time since 2014 — amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Over the past months, oil prices have continued to surge amid increasing demand for the commodity.

Brent, global oil benchmark, topped the latest milestone while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also witnessed a corresponding increase of 1.96% to $87.27 a barrel.

The current price is $28 higher than the $62 per barrel pegged in the 2022 budget of the federal government.

https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oil-price-hits-90-per-barrel-for-first-time-since-2014/amp


*At least Buhari will stop crying about low oil price.

And stop borrowing our future away since they’d be more money into government account.

Meanwhile with higher oil price comes with higher subsidy to be paid on petrol.

This is what Nigeria could gone past had Tinubu and his urchins not engaged in a politically motivated and malicious protest against subsidy removal in 2012.

Buhari even called oil subsidy a scam.

Today he’s complaining of how this “scam” is making NNPC not to remit a single kobo to govt purse.

Today he’s battling to remove this “scam” he said was inexistent.

And in all these, myopic souls would foolishly defend without being ashamed of themselves.

Ndi ala! �

My list of people who shouldn't be anywhere near the presidency & NASS in 2023:

Tinubu
El-Rufai
Anyim Pius
Rochas
Orji Uzor
Fashola
FFK
Lai Mohammed
Rotimi Amaechi
Fayemi
Ahmed Lawan
Femi Gbajabiamila
Saraki
Atiku
Lamido
Kwankwaso
Matawalle
The lying SANs

Add yours.

Criminals

My list of people who shouldn't be anywhere near the presidency & NASS in 2023:

Tinubu
El-Rufai
Anyim Pius
Rochas
Orji Uzor
Fashola
FFK
Lai Mohammed
Rotimi Amaechi
Fayemi
Ahmed Lawan
Femi Gbajabiamila
Saraki
Atiku
Lamido
Kwankwaso
Matawalle
The lying SANs

Add yours.

Massiveglory:
Tinubu, rochas, wike, etc should not waste their cash. They should rest for now.

Osinbanjo, Orji kalu, Atiku. Watch out for these 3 for the presidency.

Sariki , Umahi have an outside chance. But I dont see it happening now.

Atiku kill you there.

You've been abusing and laying curses on those supporting and campaigning for Tinubu for presidency only to come out supporting Atiku and Saraki, the psychiatrist when go cure your craze still dey 200 Level dey count amoeba for lab.

Tinubu, Atiku, Saraki, Kwankwaso are retired thieves and only zombies can vote for them.

JAMO84:
So? He should have nominate a PDP member?

You are a total disgrace to Nigeria.

JAMO84:
So? He should have nominate a PDP member?

Are you mad or insane? See a certified psychiatrist asap.

NoSentiment:


Why insult him for exercising his fundamental human rights?

Did he insult you or your father in the village for the hypocrisy of making a public show of monogamy and covertly being promiscuous?

Keep to your (you and your father in the village) hypocrisy while the Honourable Member keep to being himself unapologetically.

I pity your gullibility and stupidity. Ewu

Sammie Okposo apologises for fling with American lady, seeks wife’s forgiveness


Gospel artist Sammie Okposo has apologised to his wife, family, friends, and fans for his recent act of infidelity.

The singer took to his verified Instagram page and Instagram story to tender the apology.

“I need to bring a very unfortunate incident to your attention as I am not proud of it but know that this is the right thing to do,” he began.

“On my recent trip to the USA (late 2021), I got intimately involved with a lady, knowing that this was not appropriate as a married man and a minister of the gospel.

“I am ashamed and regret my actions as it has caused a lot of pain to my dear wife, Ozioma, my family and I.”



Continuing, he said’ “As I work in making peace with God, repenting and asking for His forgiveness, I am suspending myself from all ministry work until full restoration as this is what is proper and what I know I owe God and His people.



“To my wife, Ozioma. I am sincerely sorry I put you through this shameful and embarrassing situation. I broke your trust and disappointed you.



“Your forgiveness of my moral failure and poor judgment is important to me. I pray I will eventually be able to build back the trust and confidence every single day for the rest of my life.

“I want to take this moment and apologise to all Fathers and Mothers of the Faith and ministers of the Gospel for my behavior and moral failure. I won’t be here if not for your investment and belief in what God has called me to do. I sincerely apologise for this embarrassing situation.

“To all that have been a part of my ministry, followed my ministry or know me personally, I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news of my moral failure and poor judgement may cause you and I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me.”

Okposo got married to Ozioma in July 2010.

https://thenationonlineng.net/sammie-okposo-apologises-for-fling-with-american-lady-seeks-wifes-forgiveness/

Idiotic elements campaigning for our ancestors.

He is mad including his myopic supporters here.

Dokpesi is mad. Atiku is stupid.

2023 presidency: Crab theory as burden of Southern Nigeria



For those abreast with the times, one issue that will dominate public discourse this year in Nigeria is the 2023 general elections. Already, there is anxiety over who will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari when he completes the constitutionally guaranteed eight years in office next year. And characteristic of elections in the country, the signs of what to expect began to unfold early enough. From North to the South, the political space is heating up.

But one major contention from the ensuing political battle is the aspect of power shift from the North to the Southern part of the country. The argument has been going back and forth since President Buhari started his second tenure in 2019. While the majority of power brokers in the North seem reluctant to concede power to the South, gladiators in Southern Nigeria are insisting that power must shift from the North in 2023 for reasons of equity and balance.

Apart from other stakeholders, the Southern Governors Forum is at the forefront of insisting that power must shift to the South after President Buhari’s tenure.

 At the end of one of their meetings held on July 5, 2021, the governors reiterated their commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agreed that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president should emerge from the Southern region.

For many, it is not contestable that the South has a valid argument in demanding for power in 2023 but those who understand the psychology of the gladiators from the region know that it would remain a tall dream. Why? Historically, many variables have continued to work against the South having a fair share of the nation’s power equation.

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, power had continued to elude the South as a result of the crab mentality syndrome among their power brokers.

The crab theory is a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you”. The metaphor is derived from a pattern of behavior noted in crabs when they are trapped in a bucket and none can escape as each tries to pull the other down.

For followers of historical events, the distrust between the Yoruba and Igbo is not only age-long but deep-rooted. The animosity dated back to the pre-independence era but was aggravated during the unfortunate civil war (1967-1970) and the perceived role the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, played during the war.

Most unfortunately, opportunist politicians have, over the years, exploited the situation and have continued to harvest parochial political fortunes, to the detriment of the majority of Yoruba and Igbo people whose collective political future is at stake.

Worse still, stakeholders from the two major ethnic regions have not been able to build a new paradigm between generations of Igbo and Yoruba who have been divided by hostile narratives which have sown seeds of discord since the beginning of the campaign for Nigeria’s independence.

And the permutation ahead of 2023 is that political power is there on a platter of gold for the South if only the gladiators from the region can speak with one voice and work towards one goal. But the snag there is still how to overcome the age long rivalry between the South East and South West. For obvious reasons, it would be easy for the South South to support a candidate from the South East but otherwise with the disposition of the South West against a candidate from the South East. Critical observers familiar with the cultural and historical dimensions of the nation’s politics agree that the cat and mouse game between the two major ethnic regions in Nigeria may likely continue in the politics of 2023.

 Ordinarily, many would agree that for fairness, equity and justice, no other region is better placed than the South East to produce the next president of the country. However, in real terms, it would be difficult for the South West to support the quest for Igbo presidency. Already, politicians from the zone are hiding under one argument despite the facts on ground. And what is their position? It is that power is not served ala carte, hence must be struggled for. The thinking among the majority of power brokers from the South West is that having contributed and sacrificed a lot to make the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) to win power in 2015, it would be preposterous to imagine that they would support a candidate from the South East, a zone that is clearly in the opposition. But that will depend on if the APC where their strength is will win the next general elections.

However, since 1999, the leader of Afenifere, the apex Yoruba socio-cultural group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has been making a case for a president of Igbo extraction but he is in the minority. Asked if he sees the possibility of presidency returning to the South West in 2023, Adebanjo had said, “you talk about unity, that is where you will know where the sincerity lies. If you are keen about unity, will there be a unit of the country that you will deprive presidency? What does that mean for unity?

“We are talking about people who want Nigeria to stay together. How can anybody who loves this country talk of the presidency coming to the South West in 2023? That’s why I tell you all these people are not serious, including Buhari. Why should you exclude the South East? Is South East not part of Nigeria?

“South West has had, South South has had, the North has had, why exclude the South East if you want them to be there? That is the point.”

But those who have been following the trends in the arguments of gladiators from the South West would agree that Pa Adebanjo’s position does not resonate with the majority in the zone.

For instance, a former federal minister of Works, and later day supporter of Bola Tinubu presidential ambition, Adeseye Ogunlewe speaking recently on Arive TV’s ‘The Morning Show’, said the inability of the people of South East Nigeria to come together under a leadership would hamper their chances of producing a president in 2023.

He said the Igbo of South East must invest in party politics to stand a good chance at the next general election.

Ogunlewe continued: “Another set of people that are appropriate, are the people from the South East but they have the problem of leadership. They are so endowed that they are spread all over Nigeria and they can gather a lot of votes, but they are too divided. An Imo person, an Enugu person, an Ebonyi man will not listen to themselves.”

But is Ogunlewe’s narrative on the Igbo right? Those who really understand the Igbo would say no but that is the argument being pushed forward to put the South East at a disadvantage politically ahead of 2023 general elections.

Another major stakeholder from the South West who is fully disposed to a president of Igbo extraction but who did not want his name in print was frank with Daily Sun when he said that the only reason why the North is still aspiring to retain power in 2023 is because politicians there know that the Yoruba would be reluctant to support a president of Igbo extraction. He also observed that the gladiators in the North are also aware that the Igbo would not support a South West candidate if the Yoruba would not support their well deserved quest for the presidency. Among the Igbo including artisans and those on the streets, the thinking is that the Yoruba have had a fair share of power since 1999 after eight years of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Professor Yemi Osinbajo who would be completing eight years as vice president in 2023. The dominant position among the Igbo is that it is only fair that this time, the South West and the South South should rally round the East to realize their quest for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.

One of the commentators writing on the subject of a president of Igbo extraction, Okey Anueyiagu captured the situation better when he wrote: “Now, by natural justice and equity, that it seemingly appears to be the turn of the South East( The Igbo) to produce the President, the rest of Nigeria appears now to be bending the rules and distorting facts to prevent this from happening.

“There are many ways to interpret this disturbing trend, including the historical and hypocritical stance of the haters of the Igbo who are now deploying absurd and iniquitous theories of ethnicity not being part of our national politics; asking us to now consider the notion of Nigerian nationhood as an ideal for selecting or electing who will lead us.”

The calculation among critical observers is that in 2023, it would be easier for the North to relinquish power if they see politicians from the South rallying round a presidential aspirant from the Igbo extraction. Analysts argue that it would amount to a contradiction for the South West to demand power shift for equity and justice when the South East is yet to produce the president since 1999. So, the question is: can the South especially the South West and South East achieve a paradigm shift in their relationship this time? Only the events and outcome of 2023 presidential elections would prove that.


©The Sun Nigeria

Eden Hazard and lessons for Nigerian youths


“To my Chelsea friends and family. You now know that I will be joining Real Madrid. It’s no secret that it was my dream to play for them since I was a young boy just scoring my first goal… Now, the clubs have reached an agreement, I hope you understand I had to pursue my next chapter, just as each and every one of you should when you have the chance to pursue your dreams”
— Eden Hazard

After seven years, 352 games and 110 goals for Chelsea, Eden Michael Hazard, one of the finest footballers of his generation, bid farewell to a club that made him a star and shot him into the global limelight. Warm tears almost made their way down my cheeks as I read his heart-melting farewell message. You would be wrong if you think I’m a Chelsea fan. Well, I hope you take it as normal football banter if I tell you Chelsea is a team I loathe thanks to the irking noise of their fans, many of whom would not only have painted the sky blue but the soil, hills and every other creation, were they powerful enough to do that.

The unmatched trio of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez in 2008 had successfully arrested my initial interest in football and I found myself nursing deep affection for Manchester United, a team that housed three destructive fronts who made defenders suffer and got many nets pregnant. What triggered my emotions for Hazard was what would trigger those of many other football lovers — sheer emotional football moments. Seeing a full-fledged player like Hazard, who occupied a kingship status among his peers, leave his comfort zone, typically, would call for emotion.

Fit. Flexible. Technical. Tactical. Hazard did not only make football a pleasure for watching fans, he was also a toast of his fellow players. “Hazard has a lot of quality. He is a different football player who can unbalance [defences]…” said Lionel Messi; Cristiano Ronaldo also lauded Hazard when he listed him among 10 outstanding players. So exceptional Hazard was, that his former teammate, Nemanja Matic said, “Whenever I don’t know what to do with the ball I just give it to Eden! He usually finds a way to create an opportunity.” But then, what made Hazard, a lion in the games, become a powerless dog that could no longer go for a successful kill?

Following his (£86/$120m) massive transfer from Chelsea in 2019, Eden has only contributed four goals and seven assists to the Blancos cause and has been graduating from one injury to the other. I recall a funny moment, when a Nigerian football enthusiast, like many other emotional Nigerians, made an emotional stance that Hazard could be having a series of injuries because “the player who benches him at Real Madrid, Vinicius Jnr, is a Brazilian, and you know Brazilians deal a lot in voodoo.” Well, his stance was wrong, but his assertion about Brazil and voodoo could be right. According to the New York Times (Voodoo Rites in Brazil, Feb. 15, 1976, & TRAVEL ADVISORY: CORRESPONDENT’S REPORT; Bahia Makes Room for A Candomble Pantheon, June 14, 1998), Brazil had developed many cult practices and diasporic spiritual beliefs that had spread throughout the country, like the Candomblé that came on board via the syncretism of the West Africans, who were at a point, slave captives in Brazil. That they take advantage of the venerated “orixas” for occultic attacks. However, this would not jettison the fact that Nigerians maintain a notable share in emotional discussions and are quick to attach spiritual sentiments to human difficulties.

While Hazard should have rather made a tap from the success principles of footballers like Messi and Ronaldo, who he looked up to, Eden wrecked his own career with careless consumption of pizza, burgers, buns and other junk which are liable to cause injury or affect a footballer’s fitness. On his own choice of foods, listen to what he said while recovering from a calf injury that he suffered in late-February 2021: “The sauce on burger was my favourite thing. I’m trying not to eat a lot. I’m trying not to go into the pantry to eat a lot of buns, but it’s not easy.” His former Chelsea teammate and goalkeeper, Marcin Bulka, also revealed Hazard’s penchant for some greasy junk food: “He loves hamburgers and pizza. I saw him all the time in pizzerias,” he said, as per Goal. “He doesn’t care about anything other than football and having a good time. In Chelsea, this was not a problem, but at Real, especially with the recent injury, he probably went a bit overboard with the weight.”

Away from Hazard’s junks, he has also been described as the “most lazy player I’ve ever played with ‘’ by his former Chelsea teammate, John Obi Mikel.  Another former teammate, Felipe Luis, said of Hazard, “Eden, along with Neymar, are the best players I have ever played alongside – up there with [Lionel] Messi. But He didn’t train well. Five minutes before the game he would be playing Mario Kart in the dressing room. He would warm up without tying his bootlaces up.” His former coach, José Mourinho, also lamented his laziness, saying, “The truth is what you see from him, he is an amazing player with awful training. When he gets onto the pitch you don’t see the reflection of a week of work, you just see a reflection of his talent.”


Junk foods and laziness had wrecked Hazard’s fitness and career; he got to Madrid five extra kilos overweight. Right to say he brought himself fame but ruined his game with careless enjoyment and laziness. He watched his own talent get clipped, shorter than he had wished. Like Hazard, like Neymar, the duo of who were kings in their games and supposed successors of the two best players in football history – Ronaldo and Messi – but ended up watching their talent recede. Like Hazard, like Neymar, like Nigerian youths. Many of the latter have an unlimited stream of talents bu-t watch it evaporate like vapour with their careless enjoyment and laziness. They spared no listening ears to John C Maxwell’s message that “Talent Is Never Enough.” Everlasting professionalism is never gifted on a silver platter; it requires relentless work, determination, sacrifice and many other principles.

Many talented Nigerians would rather blame the government for their shining penury though they were the ones that threw hard work and success principles out of the window. Success without patience, results without consistent hard work have overwhelmed their thoughts. The others would rather take all sorts of hard substances, unhealthy junk and everything that could mar their health, sanity and profession, all in the name of enjoyment. They forget that there could be negative effects to all they consume. This makes it expedient to remind Nigerian youths that the decisions they make today will either make or mar their future and career. Laziness and careless enjoyment spoil long time dreams.

Finally, I hope Nigerians would rather tap success inspiration from Ronaldo and Messi, who maintained their fitness and professionalism at the riddance of laziness and careless enjoyment. Long-Lasting success requires hard work, sacrifice, principles and not “anyhowness.”

Hashim Amao writes from Ibadan, Oyo State

Copyright PUNCH.

https://punchng.com/eden-hazard-and-lessons-for-nigerian-youths/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social