₦airaland Forum

The fear of Donald Trump. That man no fit enter Yankee o

...Urges Amnesty International, others to wade in

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as the Voice of Truth Nigeria (VTN) has accused the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani of keeping political prisoners in spite of valid and subsisting orders of court of competent jurisdiction granting them bail.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by VTN's Programmes Coordinator, Dare Quadri, the group stated that the political prisoners are Jimi Adebisi Lawal, the former Senior Advisor and Counsellor to ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Umar Waziri, the former Accountant-General of Kaduna State; Bashir Saidu, a former Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance and Yusuf Inuwa, also a former Commissioner for Finance in the state.

The statement reads in part "It is worrisome that a man who parades himself as an activist and a member of the civil society would abuse his office and resort to using his position to compromise the judiciary and victimize political opponents who were charged on trumped on charges even when the court has granted them bail and they have since met the bail conditions. It is commonplace that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But, in Governor Uba Sani's Kaduna State, the reverse seems to be the case.

"It is a sad commentary on our judiciary that the application for the variation of the bail terms have been stalled over one flimsy excuse or the other.

"According to credible information available to us, while Saidu was accused of laundering N155 million; Lawal, Waziri, Inuwa and a company known as Solar Life Nigeria Limited were charged for allegedly laundering N64.8 million by the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the 21st of January, 2025, contrary to the earlier unfounded claim of misappropriating the sum of N423 billion.

"After taking their non-guilty pleas, the Federal High Court heard their bail applications and consequently granted them bail.The court ordered the defendants to provide two sureties with N50 million each, who must have landed property in Kaduna with verified Certificates of Occupancy.

"Shortly after the defendant were granted bail, the agency responsible for the verification of Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O), Kaduna Geographical Information Service (KADGIS), suddenly suspended verification services for Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O), just as its Director-General was said to have suddenly travelled out of Kaduna to an unknown destination and without any information as to when he would return.

"All these schemes, we were reliably informed, were at the instance and under the direction of Governor Sani who has vowed to keep the defendants behind bars for as long as he desires. And to make through his boastings the defendants has remained in prison custody since the 21st of January, 2025 even when they have met all the bail conditions because KADGIS, acting on the instruction of Governor Sani, refused to verify the Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O) in spite of two letters written by Mrs Anthonia Layi Oyibo, the Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, seeking their verification. The first was dated 21st day of January, 2025 and the second was dated 3rd February, 2025."

The group therefore urged all well-meaning Nigerians, the international community and foremost human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), among others, to prevail on Governor Sani to stop the abuse of power and free all the political prisoners "without further delay".

Keep exposing them

That man is truly drowning and he doesn't know

Good news

All these pastors sef

Press their neck

Why is El-Rufai stirring up sentiments? There will be no coup in Nigeria, regardless of what he says.

You need to give it to this man

YouLay doctor needs to do bettr

Dr. Olufunmilayo this is the annual list for the year here topchartsafrica.com/30-most-talked… you lied. The list you used is the list for the month of November

This is very bad of a so called doctor

This guy, give it to him

This is serious....Continue to press their nexk

THIS IS SAD! RENO PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF YOUR ENEMIES O

Steeezeee -- No this thing fit this guy

As usual, they will leave the message and attack the messenger. Facts here

Good point from Afenifere.

Omo, this na sucker punch from Omokri

But why now? Maybe she feels Tinubu wants give Reno an appointment sha.

Those familiar with Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s penchant for exploiting other people’s misfortune for personal benefit will easily see through his latest diatribe against the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON.

In a publication titled, “On Governor Bala Mohammed’s Latest Tirade and Truculent Buffoonery”, the former Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives threw all decorum to the winds by hurling unprovoked expletives at the Governor whose only crime was to have stated that the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were inflicting untold hardship on the people of Nigeria.

As usual, the opportunistic political turncoat left the substance of the current national discourse in an ignoble and unpretentious effort to ingratiate himself with a president who, but for providence, would have been a victim of Dogara’s legendary betrayal.

All along, Dogara had been looking for an opportunity to retrace his step after abandoning Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of his party in the 2023 presidential elections, for another candidate on the pretext that he was averse to a joint Muslim ticket. Unfortunately for the political conman called Dogara, it was common knowledge that his real reason was the loss of the vice presidential slot, which he had severally bragged was already in his kitty. So, what has changed? Or is he now at home with the ticket? Maybe after finding himself adrift due to his inconsistency and treachery.

He must be taking the President for a ride. Or how else does one describe a character who plainly accuses the President of masterminding a miscarriage of justice through a subversion of the electoral process. Hear him: “... When Governor Bala Mohammed was in court after rigging himself into office and desperately needed BAT to save him, he was busy singing his praises to the highest heavens and telling the world how amazing PBAT was, not even minding the fact that he is the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. Just months after PBAT saved him, he has turned around to describe the President as...”

Really? What is Dogara telling the public? To the best of our knowledge, the President is neither a judge nor an advocate. What we know and for which we will always commend the President is that there is indeed no evidence that he interfered with the judicial process either for his party or anyone else. For Dogara to now suggest that the President helped Governor Bala Mohammed to protect the landslide victory given to him by the Bauchi electorate is the height of political rascality, juvenile recklessness and unbridled indiscretion. His statement is a slur on the judiciary and the mindless vituperation of a self-seeking scoundrel who has little or no regard for the judiciary.

But we can understand Dogara’s predicament, indeed desperation. Now a political orphan due to his inconsistency and betrayal of the ladder through which he secured uncommon political ascendancy, he sees his only way back as heaping hubris on a man whose political ascendancy was preceded by an illustrious career in the Federal Civil service where not only, did he acquire broad inter-ministerial exposure but indeed rose to
the directorate cadre.

We had thought that as a lawyer, Dogara would be less unintelligent as he has publicly displayed. While we understand the unwritten dictum that a lawyer could resort to insulting the opposition when confronted with an untenable situation, never did we realise that Dogara would be blinded to facts that are in the public domain, particularly the utterances and actions of two presidents produced by his party, sorry one of his parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC). Dogara’s claim of non performance against Governor Bala Mohammed is laughable as it crumbles in the face of practical evidence of the Governor’s performance. The award of Best Governor of the Year 2022, in the provision of rural infrastructure presented to him by former President Muhammadu Buhari and the award of Governor of the Year 2024 in urban renewal presented to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ridicule the laughable claim by this jester with an over-bloated political relevance but who has been consigned to where he rightly belongs.

To further buttress the falsity of Dogara’s allegation, here is an excerpt on Bala Mohammed from the speech of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the commissioning of the Bauchi Regional Water Scheme in May 2022: “I am happy that the Bauchi state Government has executed the project creditably. I am not surprised by this accomplishment because the state government personally pursued the project with vigour and determination through the allocation of resources and intervention to eliminate bottlenecks and challenges including even the COVID-19 which affected the project extension as well as paying attention to details. This is what leaders from the country should emulate from the Governor of Bauchi State”.

The Governor of Bauchi State in May 2022 was Senator Bala Mohammed of the PDP. That was the person President Buhari of the APC had charged other leaders in the country to emulate. Does Dogara not understand simple English? To the extent of suggesting that the president had advocated emulating a failure? Or has his unprovoked and maniacal obsession with Bala Mohammed’s rising political profile pushed him to the point of infantile dementia?

Since Dogara is not aware of the achievements of Bala Mohammed, a track record that earned him the two awards and for which a former president had recommended him to other leaders as a role model, we would want to take him on a brisk tour of the constituency he has since abandoned, chasing the restoration that has so far eluded him, may be until his new job as President Tinubu’s Man Friday. Who knows, he could be angling to take over the job of either Information and National Orientation Minister Muhammed Idris or Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga! Country hard jare!

Whether it is in social services or infrastructure or people empowerment, the Bala Mohammed Administration has acquitted itself creditably, delivering milestone after milestone democracy dividends, to the admiration of the Bauchi electorate. Granted that the out-of-school children crisis is more pronounced in the north, under Bala Mohammed, the problem has been reduced from the 1.3 million at the inception of his administration to about 700, 000 presently.
Before Dogara pulls a wool over the eyes of the unsuspecting public, the Bala Mohammed Administration has recorded other milestones in the education sector. These include the construction and renovation of many primary schools leading to the provision of over 5000 new classrooms, and general improvement in the learning environment. The net impact has been improved performance in external examinations. In the health sector, the performance of the administration has been no less impressive. With a functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 323 wards of the state, upgraded general hospitals and provision of long sought after facilities such as the recently commissioned diagnostic and dialysis equipment in the Specialist Hospital Bauchi, affordable and critical healthcare are being brought closer to the people. Because Dogara has long been far removed from Bauchi, and in his jaundiced predilection this renegade son of the state cannot appreciate the unprecedented infrastructural development that has taken place. What a pity.

If Dogara is running away from the several abandoned 419 constituency projects, he should be told that Governor Bala Mohammed is ready to remedy the situation. Or could it be that he is haunted by his reputation for budget padding or the possession of the biggest warehouse of motorcycles in Jos Plateau State (not in Bauchi) that was looted by unknown persons during the EndSARs protest or his malicious opposition to his benevolent uncle, Professor Sulaiman Bogoro, which led to his removal in TETFUND or his usual blood thirsty record in all the deadly violence in Bogoro?

To imagine that this political fraud has the impudence to rear his ugly head again is not only irritating but a grotesque insult on the people of his constituency who have since regained confidence in civil authority, thanks to the even handedness of the Bala Mohammed Administration. Among the several initiatives of the Bala Mohammed Administration in Dogara’s Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro/Dass Constituency are:

Roads

1- Design and construction of the 2.6 km Bununu Township Road awarded in 2020 (completed)

2- Design and construction of the 11.5 km Bogoro-Lusa-Malar Road awarded in 2020 (completed)

3- Design and construction of the Boi-Tapshin Road awarded in 2020 (completed)

4- Design and construction of the 2 span Bridge/2km Zakkam Bridge and Road to Zakkam Community awarded in 2022 (completed)

5- Design and construction of the 29km Boi-Sara-Marti-Lere Road/Spur Road to Dutsen Lawal awarded in 2024 (ongoing)

6- Design and construction of the 1.6km Spur road to Dunga Community awarded in 2022 (completed)

7- The 12.5 km abandoned Dass-Wandi-Bassam-Lamdi-Durr Road rewarded in 2024 (ongoing)

8- The 3.2 km Dass Township Road awarded in 2024 (ongoing)

9- Design and construction of the 6Km Dott-Bajar Road awarded in 2024 (ongoing)

Health:

Achievement of HE Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in Primary Healthcare and General Hospitals in Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa LGAs.

Tafawa Balewa LGA

1- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Lere PHCC,

2- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Tapshin PHCC,

3- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Zwall PHCC,

4- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Tafawa Balewa PHCC,

5- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Katsinawa PHCC,

6-Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Bununu PHCC,

7-Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Dajin PHCC,

8-Procurement and distribution of medical equipment across 16 PHCs of Tafawa Balewa LGA

9- Procurement and distribution of drugs and medical consumables with establishment of drug revolving fund across 16 PHCs of Tafawa Balewa LGA

Dass LGA

1- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Bagel PHCC

2- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Gultukurwa PHC

3- Procurement and distribution of drugs and medical consumables with establishment of drug revolving fund across 13 PHCs of Dass LGA

4- Procurement and distribution of medical equipment across 13 PHCs of Dass LGA

5- Procurement and distribution of ultrasound scanning machine across the 13 PHCCs of Dass LGA

6- Renovation of Hospital Complex and Staff quarters at General Hospital Dass

Bogoro LGA

1- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Lusa PHCC,

2- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Gobbiya PHCC,

3- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Kurum PHCC,

4- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Boi PHCC,

5- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Gamba PHCC,

6- Renovation, upgrading and equipping of Bugum PHCC,

7- Procurement and distribution of drugs and medical consumables with establishment of drug revolving fund across 13 PHCs of Bogoro LGA

8- Procurement and distribution of medical equipment across 13 PHCs of Bogoro LGA

In the area of people empowerment, many youths and women have received training as well as empowerment equipment from the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP). In education the people of Dogara’s constituency have benefitted through the construction and renovation of many primary schools and the provision of classroom desks and chairs. This is in addition to the provision of books and other educational materials in the three local governments of his constituency. Similarly, reminiscent of the situation in other parts of the state, the state government has prioritized the provision of adequate security operations in the constituency, in collaboration with the security agencies.

Given that we do not share Dogara’s poverty of the mind, we shall resist the temptation to be drawn into our party member, His Excellency Nyesom Wike’s performance except to remind Dogara that the starting point of any such comparison is to look at the track record of the immediate APC administration vis-a-vis what this PDP loanee to the APC-controlled Federal Government is doing.

Finally, because Dogara is so consumed with himself that he lacks the presence of mind to appreciate historical currents, he probably forgot that the Buhari APC-led Federal Government had, after unwarranted vilification and persecution, publicly acknowledged that the Land Swap Programme of the Bala Mohammed FCT-Administration was a laudable initiative. We leave Dogara with this parting Bala Mohammed’s successor in the office of minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammadu Bello. His words: “The Land Swap Programme is expected to save the FCT Administration nearly N1 trillion which the Administration would have required to procure comprehensive district infrastructure in the 13 districts earmarked under the programme.

“Developing the city using the annual budgetary allocation is simply not possible because of the way the city has grown astronomically in terms of physical expansion and a rising population.

“Its primary objective in its simplest form includes the encouragement of home ownership and the reduction of housing deficit in the FCT”.

When it comes to vision and foresight, some people have it. But certainly not self-conceited impostors like Yakubu Dogara. That is why the former Speaker, will never understand the rationale for the flyovers in Bauchi or the remodelled Government House Complex that includes the ultra modern international conference centre, ICC , with its huge potential for transforming Bauchi State from a small traditional city to a robust melting pot of civilisations, businesses, intellectual intercourse and financial deals.

It is the prevalence of opportunistic characters like Dogara, masquerading, as opinion leaders and advisers, in the corridors of power, that the country has sunk into the morass that led to the present quagmire and not a statesman, patriot and quintessential administrator like Bala Mohammed whose transformational administration is placing Bauchi State on the path of sustainable development.

Signed
Mukhtar Gidado
Special Adviser Media & Publicity
to the Governor
11th August, 2024

This is my state o. God bless you people

In the vibrant world of music, anticipation is building as fast-rising artist Dabuilda gears up for the release of a highly-anticipated new song.
Set to be a chart-topping hit, this upcoming track features collaborations with none other than superstar Portable and rising talent Gem.

Music enthusiasts and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of this musical masterpiece, scheduled for release in the coming days.
Dabuilda, whose name has been steadily gaining prominence in the music industry, has been making waves with his unique style and captivating performances.

With an innate talent for crafting infectious melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, Dabuilda has garnered a dedicated following and earned recognition for his contributions to the music scene.

Teaming up with Portable, known for his electrifying stage presence and charismatic delivery, Dabuilda brings an exciting dynamic to the collaboration.
Portable's distinct style and ability to effortlessly blend various musical elements are expected to add depth and richness to the upcoming release.

Additionally, the inclusion of Gem, a rising star on the music scene, further amplifies the anticipation surrounding this project.
Gem's fresh perspective and undeniable talent promise to elevate the song to new heights, making it a must-listen for music enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

What adds to the excitement of this collaboration is the involvement of S&D Records as the song's producer. Known for their commitment to quality and their knack for nurturing emerging talent, S&D Records brings their expertise and industry insight to the table, ensuring that the upcoming release reaches its full potential.

The collaboration between Dabuilda, Portable, and Gem, with production by S&D Records, represents a fusion of talent, creativity, and passion for music.
Together, these artists are poised to deliver a track that will resonate with listeners and leave a lasting impression on the industry.

As the release date draws near, excitement continues to mount, with fans eagerly counting down the days until they can experience the magic of this collaborative effort.

With its infectious energy, catchy melodies, and undeniable star power, Dabuilda's upcoming song featuring Portable and Gem, produced by S&D Records, is poised to make a significant impact on the music charts and cement the artists' places in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

Music producer Olatunbosun Akande, with the stage name Teeboz, spoke about his efforts in the Nigerian music industry since 2007.

He spoke of his work with veteran dancehall singers Marvellous Benji, Daddy Fresh, Oritsefemi, and many more.

Teeboz, the creative force behind S& Records, has collaborated with some of the Nigerian music industry's finest talents.

With the real name Olatunbosun Akande, Teeboz continued to leave an indelible mark on the Nigerian music scene.

From iconic figures like Ruggedman and Oritse Femi to rising stars like Mr Real and Lord of Ajasa, S& Records has served as a launchpad for musical excellence.

Teeboz highlights the production of Daddy Fresh's "Eleru" remix featuring Jblack as a standout moment in his journey.

He shared how the journey into the music business started:
"Social & Domestic Records ( S& Records) started in 2006 in Sydenham, South London, United Kingdom.

"The inspiration came from listening to Nigerian musicians of that time, like Baba Fryo, Daddy Showkey, Marvellous Benji, Daddy Fresh, Alariwo, etc.

"We realized that we have many special music talents in Nigeria who are at the grassroots trying to make it to the mainstream.

"We decided to invest in them because we believe in them. We have been doing music business in Nigeria since 2007 started with a group of two artists called Jblack (Ayobami Akande, aka AYOBAMII and Jibola Laoke, aka Skippur) we released their first album titled “Small Beginning” in 2008.

"Since 2007, we have done lots of events in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Ghana and (Dubai) United Arab Emirates."

He also reflected on the label's commitment to innovation and creativity.

Teeboz said: "Music is deeper than what people think of it. We have been involved in music production and promotion, artists management, entertainment (events), etc., since 2007.

"The visionary behind Social & Domestic Records (S& Records) teases fans with exciting news of upcoming releases from Ayobami and Junzy.

"We have worked with artists like Ruggedman, Mr Real, Oritse Femi, Lord of Ajasa, Daddy Fresh, Marvelous Benji, Intruda, etc we produced Daddy Fresh’s Eleru remix featuring Jblack.

Drawing inspiration from top Nigerian music producers like Indomix and OgaJojo and international luminaries like P2J and Richard Isong, Teeboz has pushed the boundaries of music production and promotion.

Under Teeboz's visionary leadership, S& Records has become synonymous with quality, authenticity, and collaboration. With artistes like Ayobami, Junzy, and Dabuilda under their banner, S& Records continues to set the standard for excellence in the Nigerian music industry.

As S& Records looks toward the future, Teeboz remains steadfast in his commitment to nurturing talent and pushing the boundaries of musical innovation.

With a legacy built on collaboration and creativity, S& Records is poised to shape the future of Nigerian music for generations to come.

Robert Azibaola has urged the supporters of Goodluck Jonathan and those of Timipre Silva to sheathe their swords.

The social media space has been set into a meltdown following the conclusion of the 2023 Bayelsa Election won by incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Ex-president Jonathan had congratulated Diri, saying his victory would further improve the security situation in the state.

During a post-election visit, Jonathan expressed relief and hinted at potential relocation plans if Diri had not been reelected, citing improvements in security during Diri's administration.

Supporters of Timipre Silva had been left upset as they continued to trade words.

But in his remarks, Jonathan's confidant Azibaola disclosed that both Bayelsa State leaders have no known disagreements.

He cautioned supporters of both politicians to respect their principals, adding that both have a long road of collaborative leadership of Bayelsa state and mutual assistance of one another far into to the future. He said:

"In the last few days, there have been several firestorms on social media between supporters and antagonists of President Goodluck Jonathan and His Excellency, Timipre Sylva of a supposed statement made by President Jonathan, and a response likewise made by HE Sylva.

"It is instructive to note that President Goodluck Jonathan and HE Timi Sylva have no known tangible disagreements that would warrant their respective supporters and fans to feast on and get disrespectful of their elder statesmen.

"Both President Jonathan and HE Sylva are leaders of Bayelsa in their respective rights and standings. And both have a long road of collaborative leadership of Bayelsa state and mutual assistance of one another far into the future.

"Most importantly, it is undisputable that the mother of Goodluck Jonathan is also a mother to HE Timi Sylva who has in the past held her as such and I’m sure he’ll continue to so hold her.

"The various supporters and fans of both leaders need to sheathe their swords; rather than expecting water in a mirage pool.

"We Bayelsans and our leaders are better together, irrespective of our party affiliations."

The president of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has responded to a letter by Nigerian-American IT Specialist Mac Eze Nwachukwu, who seeks to help the Nigerian government fight corruption with the use of technology.

Nigerian-born Nwachukwu had penned a compelling letter addressed to US President Joe Biden's office, under the title "Leveraging Technology to Combat Corruption in Nigeria and Foster Unity in America."

Nwachukwu, a seasoned Senior IT Analyst and a former digital communications intern at Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton's office draw attention to critical issues affecting both the United States and Nigeria.

In his letter, the IT guru noted that corruption has continued to plague Nigeria since its independence in 1960, resulting in an estimated loss of $500 billion. He likened corruption to a cancer that erodes citizens' trust in democracy, innovation, and creativity.

Having forwarded the letter to the White House, Nwachukwu, received a response from the US President. The message reads:
“Dear Nwachukwu, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Hearing from passionate individuals like you inspires me every day, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to your letter.

“While the challenges we face are among the most difficult in history, I have never been optimistic for the future of America.

“Our nation has always turned crisis into opportunity, and I believe we are better positioned than any country in the world to lead the 21st century and deliver results for the American people.

“Even though we may not agree on how to solve every issue, I will continue working to be a president for all Americans. I am confident that we can find common ground to make America a more just, prosperous, and secure nation.”

In his initial letter to the US president, Nwachukwu disclosed that his company could help Nigeria combat corruption via the use of technology.

He said:

“This technology streamlines the procurement process, effectively preventing contract fraud, embezzlement, and contract inflation.

“Furthermore, it can be utilised to ensure transparent elections by instantly uploading polling unit results to an accessible portal, enabling citizens to view the outcomes without the need for authentication.”

He then urged President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria to prioritise the battle against corruption as he anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with his administration to effectively curb corruption in the country.

https://twitter.com/futureNGA/status/1719229002252943380

Hello Justice Ori, you COPIED this post from a platform. The writer must have made efforts to put this together. The only little thing you should have done is to credit Sports Brief.

For the umpteenth time, the latest in a steady line of Nigerian government officials and elite, this time President Bola Tinubu, made an appeal to Diaspora Nigerians to consider returning to Nigeria to contribute their proverbial quota to the development of the country. This was when Tinubu recently addressed Nigerians in New York during the yearly United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Later, one of the Nigerian news reports (the September 21st online edition of Nigeria’s Guardian newspaper) of Tinubu’s meeting with Diaspora Nigerians in the US cheekily spun the encounter like this: “…President Tinubu has called on Nigerians abroad to shift their mindset towards success and consider returning to Nigeria to settle down”! Never mind that many of the Diaspora Nigerians Tinubu addressed directly during the meeting in New York and those he reached through media reports of that meeting are very successful professionals / individuals in the United States who have made meaningful impacts across all strata of life and endeavours in the self-proclaimed “God’s Own Country” and are firmly established in same (forget about “settling down”).

At this point, let’s cut through the bulls**t, shall we? I am a Diaspora Nigerian who has spent many years in the foreign country in which I reside in the West---and which remains a favorite destination for Nigerians with “Japa” on their minds. Thank God that against all odds, I have done well for myself since I got to the country, professionally and financially. I am also a very frequent traveler to Nigeria and meet up with old acquaintances and colleagues quite often when I am there.

I can tell you, my dear fellow Diaspora Nigerians, that the Tinubus of this world and other Nigerian politicians and elites who bellow for Diasporans to return home to contribute their hackneyed “quota” to the country’s development are actually deceiving you. Sadly, Tinubu is one of the chief culprits regarding this elaborate deception---and not just serves as Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief. Again, Diasporans, please don’t be deceived by the very insincere and constant bellowings of Nigerian elites that they want you to come back; if indeed they do, most of them seek Diasporans of a certain persuasion and preference, a point that will be highlighted later on in this piece.

At this point, fellow Diaspora Nigerians, let’s reveal a truth many of you will find quite surprising, if not shocking: most of those Nigerian government and private sector elite shouting their best in the public arena for you to return to Nigeria (many of these may even be friends and work colleagues you had before you travelled out of the country) have become the most arrogant pieces of s**t you will ever meet or encounter (yes, in a country that can hardly generate 24-hour electricity for its citizens or refine petroleum products it has in abundance, among other “achievements” the so-called elite there believe they should be “arrogant” about). Like it or not, these arrogant-over-nothing characters actually view you, the Diaspora Nigerian, as the failure. That is especially so if you worked in Nigeria with them many years ago, left for a foreign country then returned to contribute your “quota” to Nigeria’s development that the shameless hypocrites keep bellowing over and over. These arrogant-for-nothing types will view you as a failure who needs their “rehabilitation” (gasp!)---even if you belong to one of the professions people believe are highly-remunerated in Western or other countries Nigerians are known to flock to when they “Japa”.

Worse still, these cartoonishly-arrogant characters you will return to meet in Nigeria---many of whom shouted in the public square for you to come back and “contribute your quota” prior to that time---will now do everything in their power (particularly the “financial power” afforded by their looting of Nigerians’ common patrimony, especially the politicians and other public office holders among them) to reinforce their message to you that you are the “failure” who has come to them (the rich, “successful” stay-backs who never had to leave Nigeria to make their mostly ill-gotten fortunes) to be “rehabilitated”! They will continuously flaunt their mansions, late-model cars, choice plots of lands, etc., at you, most of which are proceeds of monumental acts of public and private corruption that have contributed to leaving most Nigerians destitute and their country virtually unliveable, decades after the country attained political independence.

Always watch out for this attitude, even if some of those “successful” home-based Nigerians you will approach for one thing or the other after your return make an effort to hide the same attitude from you. Most won’t, though, for with you, the “abroad-returnee”, they almost always feel the need to assuage an ever-present inferiority complex on their part (despite all their “riches”!), along with what must be a gnawing realization within them that most of the wealth they flaunt to you is ill-gotten and has contributed to Nigeria’s perennial status as a “developing”---even under-developed---country that cannot provide 24-hour electricity supply to its citizens and residents, close to 63 years after the country attained “independence”, among other major failings.

The arrogant-for-nothing Nigerian elite that perennially pretend they really want to see you, the Diasporan, return to Nigeria actually view your coming back as a threat to their “interests”, and / or their chance to oppress and “rehabilitate” the “beggar”---you---who made the monumental mistake (in their perverted minds) of not staying back in Nigeria to participate in politics or enter choice areas of public or private service, then outrightly steal or “misallocate” government and private sector resources or aid and abet those activities in such support roles as Special Assistants, Special Advisers, Media Advisers, editors, etc., both in the private and public sectors.

What is particularly nauseating is that these “successful” idiots that populate the ranks of Nigeria’s elite never appear to see the link between the “success” of their personal circumstances they continuously seek to project (largely funded or secured by mind-boggling acts of corruption, both in the private and public sectors, especially the latter) and the continued deterioration of the quality of life in Nigeria throughout the years they have racked up their “successes”.

Another bitter truth Diaspora Nigerians will have to confront if they actually decide to take the plunge and return to Nigeria to contribute their “quota” is that many of those in Nigeria urging you to return actually resent the fact---and most likely hate you because of that---you have been able to live in and function in a society that is far from perfect but which allows you to live life as it should be lived. It’s not even the 24-hour public electricity and water supply, among other markers of how life is supposed to be lived in the 21st Century; they actually really resent the fact you did not need to carve out a successful existence by largely indulging in activities that stain your conscience, character and legacy---which cannot be said for many of the characters hypocritically and facetiously urging you to return and contribute your “quota” to what constitutes their warped vision of “developing” Nigeria.

Such shameless and hypocritical characters (which is the majority of Nigerian elites and politicians, by the way) flaunt those “riches” to you, the “beggar” Diasporan, and their “fellow Nigerians” they have trampled underfoot beyond all redemption, without even considering the clear fact that their ill-gotten riches are inexorably linked to the fact that no local government administration in Nigeria can boast all the roads in its jurisdiction are tarred (in fact, most of them are usually untarred, while the most breath-taking mansions that can be found anywhere in the world dot those non-existent roads, monuments to the corruption that holds Nigeria, its leaders and populace in an eternal vice-grip).

There’s more, dear Diaspora Nigerians: the sly and shameless Nigerian leaders and elite urging you to come back and develop Nigeria actually also think you are a thief who cannot wait to join their looting spree in Nigeria. That will explain the haughtiness and arrogance you will first notice on their part when you give them an indication that you are ready to heed their (very insincere) call to return and develop Nigeria. Related to this is the problem or issue of the larger public’s perception; put simply, and starkly, the prevailing perception of the leaders / leadership in Nigeria and even the rest of the citizenry is that the country is so messed up that even if you land from the coziest part of heaven (forget America, Europe, etc.) to join any level of government in the country, you are regarded by most of those on the outside looking in as a person who came to steal from the public exchequer, like those you are joining. Such a level of distrust for official spaces in the country is hardly surprising: a shameless serving Minister, in a previous but dissimilar iteration of his present position, once boasted about the number of houses he owns or has corruptly acquired in the United States, not about the efforts he has taken to enable lower-class Nigerians own homes in their own country.

On his apart (in fairness to him, before he became President), I know Diaspora Nigerians who made strident efforts and expended resources to bring themselves to Bola Tinubu’s direct attention as persons interested in joining the “return to contribute your quota” train but were snubbed or otherwise frustrated in this endeavour, either by Tinubu or his close aides, often in very inexplicable ways.

This brings me, my dear fellow Diaspora Nigerians, to yet another rot one believes has eaten deep into the ranks of Nigeria’s elite and leadership at all levels, both public and private. It is a deeply-personal issue / conduct but which a past government in Nigeria wisely decided was serious enough to be nipped in the bud by passing a law which imposed a prison sentence of 14 years for those who engage in the conduct. Without exactly mentioning the “H word”, dear Diaspora Nigerian (and assuming you are not already an aficionado of said conduct yourself!), be very wary of those who now populate all cadres of Nigeria’s leadership and elite class (both public and private) and who make giving them favours regarding the “H conduct” an unspoken prerequisite of their lifting a finger to assist you in contributing that fabled “quota” to Nigeria’s development. So, if your quest is to serve in government and you are not willing to play that particular ball (pun intended), forget it. Hopefully you would not have disposed off your property and other assets in the foreign land you chose to settle in years ago and placed all your “eggs” in that particular come-back-and-contribute-your-quota “basket”. It will be a real basketcase!

In view of the above, my candid advice to Diaspora-Nigerians who catch the “return home and contribute your quota” bug spread by the likes of Tinubu is as follows: always know the character and preferences (in ALL ways) of those who are encouraging you to “come back home”. Don’t automatically trust anyone because they were your friends, colleagues, etc. when you lived and worked in Nigeria many years ago before you travelled away from her shores. If you have been promised a position, whether in the government or private sector, make sure it is not a banana peel disguised as a favour, by those who secretly see you as someone who needs “rehabilitation” or a supposed “failure”, instead of an-already distinguished person invited to contribute his or her “quota” … (you know the rest of that drivel).

Also, if you do decide to return without any invitation to do so (i.e. to establish your own business in Nigeria), make sure you leave one and a half legs planted firmly in the foreign country where you now live or are about to leave, even as you make your way to Nigeria or are already there. If you are a professional in that foreign land, make sure your sources of income (i.e. law firm, medical practice, etc.) are not wound down before you make your way to Nigeria to “contribute” that “quota” among the hordes of your “fellow Nigerians” who secretly view you as a “failure” and, in most cases, wish you same in your new enterprise among them---even if your efforts in the country of your birth has resulted or will soon result in employment for scores or hundreds of the same “fellow Nigerians” that now wish you evil and failure, even in your own fatherland / motherland.

It's sad but still the truth---the seemingly “patriotic” bellowings of the likes of Tinubu and his ilk notwithstanding.

--- Badatope is a public affairs anal-yst.

You copied from Sports Brief - At least you should have credited the platform or the writer.

Imagine

Great job. We dont want a drug addict as president

I'm joining Reno in celebration