BY Adediji Abdulwasiu Adeshina

Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has gone through uninterrupted cycles of elections that have elected five civilian presidents. Many have argued that all but Olusegun Obasanjo lacked the visionary zeal required to propel Nigeria onto the global stage. Despite the nation's abundant resources, the outcomes have consistently fallen short of expectations. Observers argue that external forces have exploited our vulnerabilities, reducing Nigeria and Africa to mere suppliers of raw materials in the global marketplace.

Let us delve into the statistics, as numbers don’t lie. Nigeria stands among the world's top oil producers, yet a significant proportion of its populace still languishes below the poverty line. Commentators, both local and international, have pointed an accusing finger at the size of the bureaucratic government we run at all levels, with little room for innovation. Many often cite examples of Singapore, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and even the closer Rwanda here. This glaring disconnect underscores the imperative for Nigeria to move away from a centralized governance model that stifles progress and is rigged against its own citizens.

Our nation's complexities demand a departure from a one-size-fits-all approach, recognizing the need for decentralization to effectively govern such a diverse populace. We cannot continue to shy away from this collective helplessness. Our inability to define priority grey areas as a country to map out where we want to be as a country has continued to rob us of many great things we ought to have achieved. To grasp the complexity of Nigeria's democratic journey of nowhere, one must traverse its vast expanse, from the creeks of the Niger Delta to the bustling metropolis of Lagos and the agriculturally thriving Savannah expanse land of Arewa. The prevailing narrative resonates with tales of hardship and struggle for the ordinary citizen, from inflation to insecurity coupled with darkness. The exodus phenomenon, colloquially known as "Japa," reflects the desperation of many Nigerians to seek refuge abroad, despite the uncertain prospects awaiting them across the Atlantic. This mass exodus underscores the disillusionment with the prevailing socio-economic conditions and the determination of Nigerians to escape the prevailing human tragedy unfolding within our borders.

During the recently concluded AFCON, Nigeria's shortcomings, notably our lack of electricity resulting in pervasive darkness, were openly exploited to criticize us as a weightless giant by many Africans. This criticism highlights a poignant irony: while Nigeria proudly bears the title of the "giant of Africa," many smaller nations on the continent boast infrastructure surpassing ours. Perhaps the true "giant" lies not in grandiose titles, but in the resilience and tenacity of the Nigerian people, who refuse to yield to anyone or anything—a spirit that has sustained us through countless challenges and can propel us towards a brighter future.

Nevertheless, amidst these daunting challenges, the solution lies in introspection and collective action. Addressing the deep-seated mistrust and discord within our society is paramount, alongside the imperative of decentralizing power. Nigeria's diverse complexity necessitates a decentralized governance approach; this uniform model is impractical. It is time to earnestly consider redistributing power to better cater to our diverse needs. A parliamentary system of governance holds promise in returning power to the people and fostering healthy competition among regions to harness viable economic opportunities.

Moreover, the shortcomings of democracy in Nigeria, and by extension, in Africa, should prompt a broader discourse on the suitability of the democratic framework for our continent. The current system is faltering. However, our challenges, while formidable, are not insurmountable. What we lack is not a solution, but rather the right approach to governance.

In essence, the time has come for Nigeria's government and its elite to rise to the occasion, embrace unity, and chart a new solution that genuinely serves the interests of its people. We stand at a pivotal juncture; it's either we come together, forget our political differences, and navigate a path towards a more inclusive and prosperous future, or we perish together. By learning from past experiences, embracing diverse perspectives, and taking decisive action, we can surmount the obstacles ahead and build a nation of which we can all be proud.

Like Nigeria, like India: How far can they go to challenge China as the next powerhouse.

By Adediji Abdulwasiu Adeshina

Nigeria's population is projected to increase to 263 million in 2030 and 401 million in 2050 when it will become the third most populous country in the world while India has been projected to displace China as the world’s most populous country if the current demographic projections are maintained at a constant level in the next decades.

To some extent, India has been described as a big Nigeria owing to many similarities between the two British colonies from population to economy, way of life to things that create wealth. For Instance, there's no big difference between life in Lagos and Delhi, due to many factors, the two megacities are characterized by the breakdowns of law and order, descent into confusion partly occasioned by lack of enforcement the order, to disregard for traffic rules which leads to bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion and disorderliness.

Many have attributed China's economic acceleration growth to one of the factors of production which is the concentration of a cheap labor force that supports the quantum growth of China's manufacturing industry. After independence, China was riddled with poverty which made her one of the poorest countries in the world, but in 1978, however, after many years of planning, development, and strategizing, the country embraced economic modernization, leaving behind decades of poverty to become the premier maker of consumer electronics, car parts, and manufactured goods, in general, generating nearly as many jobs. The question is can Nigeria and India turn her much talk about projectile population and rise to challenge China as the next frontier of a global economic powerhouse?

Though it's better not to talk about her social inequality because facts are stubborn, despite these gains recorded, like other extractive jurisdictions, China has not achieved much difference from the other two countries- India and Nigeria in terms of human rights violations, that's why her citizens have continued to suffer decades of censorship despite being the leading technological hub after silicon valley. This is partly because the building blocks of these societies left by the colonial rulers at the end of their colonial rule create more pernicious and complex extractive institutions.

Like in China, even though there are many billionaires, they are creating state selective manipulation. Incentives that create wealth are primarily concentrated in the hands of a few privileged individuals, that reality is the factor why China, India, and Nigeria are lagging behind their economic potential.

Moreover, on one hand, both India and Nigeria are being ruled by a democratic system of government, on the other hand, China is ruled by a one-party system run by communist leaders. Though, China with all her human rights violations impasse is far greater than those of a democratic society. China is by far the richer of the three, with a nominal GDP of $14.1 trillion nearly five times that of India's $2.9 trillion, and 32 times Nigeria's $448.12 billion. It will be extremely interesting to see to what extent India and Nigeria can do to replicate China as the next powerhouse of the global economy.

The first and the last time I engaged in a fight with someone, I nearly lose my eye. It happened that the guy was bullying me in a madrassa, so have had enough of such shenanigans, I summoned the courage from nowhere by hitting the guy hard in the face. We were separated, I relaxed not knowing he had evil plans for me.
On our way home, as soon as we're a meter from the madrassa, the guy came from nowhere and engage me in hand to handle. I was like I would rather die than give up in front of my younger sister. After throwing all my weak blows without getting any chance to hit him hard as I would want it, suddenly he throws a bag of blow in my right eye, na so I shout I am blind I, I am blind o. Everywhere became dark instantly, before I know it my eye became swelling. I had to confide in my sister not to tell our parents what happened. I lie to my parents that I collision while running in the darkness. I managed to see with the other eye for two weeks before I regain my sight.

Since that day, have resigned to my faith that fight is not my thing. I would rather rake than engage in a fight with anyone.I will rather use my mouth to finish you than pick a fight with you.

Islam gotten his root name from peace clearly stated that killing a soul his as if one has kill the whole humanity. Yes to some point my fellow countrymen and those from far and beyond may argue that how come Islam always have link with one terrorist group or the other if its religion of peace. The best answer to give those asking such clarity is to tell them to study Islam form unbiased mind to x-ray teachings of Islam. Today people believe Muslim are the most cruel being on earth by sighting difference Mayhem perpetrated by Muslim but to be kindid to our self few black sheep among Muslim community can't project to represent Muslim in totality. Those among us claiming to be propagating jihad by killing their fellow being are noting but slowpoke who tend to seek pleasure of this world than the herefater. Islam is the only religion that clearly stated tge right of non Muslim in a Muslim community and that is why saudi Arabia, Dubai and other ancient Muslim nation are the best place to live. 2) Majority of attack orchestrated in most middle East Nations are not solely carried out by Muslim as it was being circulated in the media but it is carried out by western nations and I will just give example of recent Libya war orchestrated by America and till date Libya has not recovered from the anguish and economic downturn of that war. Yes, Gaddafi trespass the law of the land by trying to imposed his son on those he has ruled for over 20 years but looking at it from infrastructure and economic benefit, Gaddafi has done everything humanly possible to make sire hardship facing by his country men and woman are things of the past. Libya is not as rich as Nigeria in terms of natural resources but yet they have 20 working refinery when Nigeria can not boat of one working to it fullest capacity.
We are the best of mankind, I can tell you authoritatively that book haram, Fulani herdsmen and all that are political motivated crisis, being orchestrated by those seeking to govern us at all cost with backing of some western nations.They are Muslim and Christian but deeply rooted they are not in the sense that they live by what suit them not by what their religion books teach them.
Muslim and Christain should leave in one accord just as we have been leaving those years when terrorism, religion crisis and ethnicity has no root in our nation so that we can move Nigeria and Africa forward. A nation that will be truly independent to fight those playing with our national intelligence

YOUR PATH TO GREATNESS.
Successful life begin with a single successful step.If you want to success and land in the land of greatness it must be something they never compel you to work for instead its what you resolve and strong desire to achieve, not just a vague wish.If your capacity to succeed is strong, well plan and deep enough, you will certainly will! you will probably won't realise that you are almost there but over a period of time as you have made small inroad, accomplished small Victories and experienced small success, you'll find your entire your journey to a greatness more valuable and worth doing. people will start considering you lucky because of tremendous results your life will begin to have in your life as a whole.
Success is not a big things. its all of the little ventures and experience along the way.
A successful life is not a destination, but rather a journey that required enormous task .The path to greatness is a lonely path. is as lonely as path to lion den. It required to concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand, to consider the consequences,it required a thoroughly preparation to draw a plan that can achieve a result added value and to take it a step at a time. by a taking. it a steps it a step further it will result in a result driven success.
Succes has a greatness is defined in different way by different speakers, however, today success has become house hold name/synonymous with money, material acculturation and status.
Real success is less about wealth creation/accumulation, bottom line its more about the concept of achieving a goals and dream that can stand the test of time.
You are a potential successor, become intensely result oriented. success comes in different sizes, the different in it sizes is what differentiate us from one another. No success without prize tag, success become yours once you read to to subscribed to the payment required of you. The prize for real success required task. the task is is interconnected, each of this task need to be carried out diligently for it to produce for you a life of success and accomplishment hence there is need for diligent planing and time oriented. A student going to study a higher institution of learning with mind to become the over all best in his/her field of endeavor must willingly to prepare both spiritually and physically in order to achieve is mission and set target. Thus,their is need for him/her to cultivate proper planing that will drive his mission to fruition.
Have said that success comes in different sizes, once you realise the measure if success your intend to achieve. prize that comes along with it and how long it can last and all a that matter then success become closer to get.
In the process of searching for greatness, we find ourselves stumbled upon many blocking stones but we dare to use the stumbling block as a stepping stone to to attained to greatness. We make common scarifies and compromise lot of things but how connected are this scarifies we made to our greatness? if our scarifies is not rightly used we found dumb folded or if it only serve the purpose of carrying man above fellow man for own solitary glory thus, the scarifies is not worth endure nor to take and it become unacceptable.
To achieved a success that will stand tall, we need to recognize the common fact that success and failure are interwoven.They are inter connected therefore we must used failure as a tools to realise ones dream and seen it as an opportunity to try more instead of stumbled on the way.we must seen failure more of opportunity,blessings to us rather than a stumbled block. When we work so hard to achieve a purpose and the result it produce never materialised nor achieve it aim we label it failure but when the result is opposite we label it success.
Here are the ten (10) strategies to help you succeed.
We are what we repeatedly do.Excellence is not a culture but an habit.Try and developed an excellent habit. your habit determine how your future turn out.
1 Decide exactly what you want to achieve within frame time. you can't hit a target you never work for.Define what levels of success you desire to acquired in life and never stop working for it until your dream become realised.
2.Select the right the type if company to move with. Are they dream killer or success motivated ones. As a positive minded person don't just associate with just anybody that comes your way. Its important to decide who your friends are. Associate with people who can enrich your dream and have capacity to move your dreams to reality.
3.Endeavor to start working for your dreams stop being procrastinate, work hard for your dreams and never competing with any one instead set your own modalities to go to extra miles.Always remember that hard is a core tools and an engine room that must start working in moving forward. Backwardness is not an option
4.Be time conscience and time manager in pushing to the front. Dedicate your time to the thing's that can enrich your dreams. Your can only be the best you can be if your dedicate your time and energy to it.
5.Focus on your future, with this singular act your future is zeal. channel your energy toward future realization with this singular act your dream will come to fruition.
6.Focus in capacity building. Determine exactly what you intend to achieve within stipulated time and endeavor to work for it with a single step.
7.Never allow problem encounter on your path to greatness instead re - strategies and give attention to the area that needs considerable attention in other to lift yourself above board.
8.Never consider given up a solution to your problem instead endeavor to be patient,humble and you will be surprised that the result will change and your dream will becomes actualize.
9.Never resolve to follow short cut. remember short cut only achieve give you push it can never get you to your dream land and if it do it can not produce a result that will last longer.Resolve for success and decrease your mental energy which ultimately wreaks havoc on your self esteem. so avoid it.
10. Any success that will last the test of time must build on God's temple. Therefore place God in the right middle of it all.
lastly, You need courage, perseverance to unmask your true identity and show your blemishes to a condemning world and integrity they say it stand as the only way through which one can arrive at a personality that is strong to move humanity. Be conscious of your integrity.
Copyright @MUTDAM
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I join my fellow country men and women to celebrate our dear leader as a he turns 73 year today. Happy birthday to His Excellence President Muhammadu Buhari on his 73rd birthday. Today is the day to celebrate you and your wonderful leadership as you strive hard to return our nation to social morally and economy viable society.
May God give you the strength and wisdom to take this country to the promise land we so much envisage. President Muhammadu Buhari in the last six month has demonstrated the readiness, passion and vision to redefine our nation from corruption society to a corruption free society. indeed you are a true leader, confidant, and visionary leader. The support you continue to received from other world leaders each day means the world is with us in this time of rebuilding process. There is no doubt in the minds of all patriots that our country can do much better than it is doing in the last 16 years and at the moment if given a proper leadership that can put the interest of the people and the nation above the selfish and parochial of politicians which you has demonstrated since inception of your administration. On this day i prayed to God Almighty to grant you the grace and the wisdom to discharge the functions of your office to the benefit of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe nor religion.
Thanks for all you do for our country and its citizen.
Happy birthday to the true leader who live above personal interest.
Long live president Muhamadu Buhari,
Long live to the patriotism no one citizen of our great nation and Africa as a whole,
Long live the federal republic of Nigeria,
Signed.
Adediji Wasiu Adeshina

YOUTH AS AN AGENT OF POSITIVE CHANGE
In the process of building an enabling, viable and prosperous environment, youth need to be path. This is because youth are the bedrock of any viable society. The role of youth in decision making can not be over-emphasized thus, no nation can developed beyond the quality of youth it produce nor parade as case may be. Any nation that denies its youth the necessary enabling environment in the process of building a solid society does so at it own risk Any nation that is energies, resourcefulness, creativity and maintain good orientation achieved all this as a total commitment of its youth toward the above measure.
Accordingly, have being ask to speak on youth as an agent of positive change by a very good friend of mine to commemorate her birthday anniversary. Firstly I shall speak briefly on youth as an agent of positive change by hyphenating some important key words and propose what needed to be done to become positive change agent in the Nigeria context.
Youth,Agent of positive change.
According to my dictionary define youth on the basis of chronological age, as anyone below 40 years of age or the state/period of being young. Within this broad categories of youth according to age,social class, cultural back ground, faith and ideological persuasion. The point am making here is that youth is not homogeneous category it has to deal with contextual in changing circumstances cum mentally alertness.
Change agent is define as anyone who intervene in a problem solving effort of social group or organization or an individual who lead change. positive change is euphemism for development usher in a better dispensation. To furthermore expand this point, change would not exist without dissatisfaction of ideas on issue bothering us. This means change is created due to dissatisfaction with individual, government on issue bothering us collectively or in persons. The participant of a situation that out the action in the situation. It entails individual or corporate initiative springing from within, even if its triggered by external stimuli either positive or negative. However, our area of focus is positive change. the one that is progressive, purposeful, edifying and developmental to our common well being.
A community/ society can only be productivity, peaceful, resourcefulness and security stable if and only the youth imbibe those afore mentioned quality thus, youth are the engine room of any viable society. Therefore the role youth in making a society stable and peaceful can not be overemphasized. This is because in any society, youth constitute the chunk of larger percentage.
Right from time in memorial youth has been very instrumental, during colonial era, apartheid era and pre-independence youth as demonstrate different role at different situation. During colonial era in Nigeria,youth were very instrumental in struggle to sustain independence. During this era, youth constitute different pressure group,drum support for independence and not only that they sought for end to colonialism in Africa and Installed it leadership.The likes of Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu kano,Samuel Akinsanya, Ernest okoli were at their youth age when they lead this struggle, form pressure group,rid off our nation off colonialism. During this era, youth are united with one voice through a combination of nationalistic leadership, multi sectoral policy, changes strategies reform accounted for the success record But now are day, the case is totally different, youth that suppose to be a dreamer,great scholar,distinguish doctor, obelisk engineer have lost hope and dash away their rich dream instead searching for quick alternative to make money. African is the youngest continent on the planet with highest percentage of youth as it stakeholders (AFDB 2011) .With the majority of occupant of Africa continent tips to be youth, The youth population should be an added advantage, blessing rather than curse but unfortunately the reverse is the case. Youth has constitute nuisance to the society at large.Youth that suppose to be a path in solving problem are even the one worsening the situation by rallying around a problem. Youth of now are days has given up and allow politicians to use one group against another to the detriment of one self. Its dishearten to see youth who suppose to be an agent of change are leaving a worthless life, playing, gamble, kidnappers, smoker, heavy drunker, rapist and arm robber. Where is the future of Africa lies?
Unlike yesteryears that youth had little access to information, youth of this present generation has nothing to show for the abundant of resource (information) at their disposal. Them seem to be to lazy to dream, lazy to purse vibrant future instead searching for miracle or short cut as available platform to get rich at all cost.
It can be argue that youth in general are the product of their society, its system, workability and process of socialization. To that extent , youth play a pivotal role in sustainability of a moral and economy balance society.
Not quite long, Vice President of federal republic of Nigeria, prof Yemi Osinbanio on his twitter handle gave a very challenge excuse why Nigerian youth were not include in the ministerial nominee that they couldn't find an outstanding, outclass youth to form a cabinet is a challenge excuse that youth need to think about in other to brace up and wake up from slumber to avoid future occurrence. Despite the mere known fact that Nigerian youth are 2:3 of Nigeria population with the population of over 60,000,000 million persons, yet government couldn't get just a single outclass and prodigy's youth to nominate as a minister what a shame to Nigerian youth hood.
The quality of youth Nigeria produce is far below average unless something dramatic is done on our part, government to alienate this issue the future of Africa is at stake. Nigeria government must wake up from slumber and address this issue by engaging Nigerian youth in a seminar, workshop,conference of mind and begin to reward the best among the youth as away of boosting moral of individual to key into vision of Nigeria. Nigeria youth has neither been given a sense of belonging and fair deal nor been equipped for the leadership role as a change agent in our society. Government need to address issues of disruption of academic calendar facing our education sector due to unending series of strike, poor funding of eduction, poor reward for honest endeavor in a political economy dominated by worship of money and erosion of time honoured among all if we are to sustain positive change in our society.
The loss of discipline in our society has naturally give birth to generation of problematic youth that want to excel with out paying the prize attached to success. The point am making here is that youth need to take the paradigm by exercising initiative in overcoming problem facing us collectively and other constraint which hamper the progress of individual and hamper our potential.
In this age of globalization certain action needed to be erode in our life if truly we are ready to pay the prize of becoming an agent of positive change.
We need to do away with culture of celebrating mediocre that could hamstring youth development. We need to practically demonstrate against things that affect our collectively well being by unite in voice and collectively rise up against such action through nation wide peaceful protest.
The youth should take responsibility of current plight bevelling us in other to channel for common solution. To join other change agent, the following excessiveness needs to be address.
1) Culture if impunity, nepotism favourites, peculiarities,s
ectionalism and miscarriage of justices need to be address among youth. Youth needs to treat fellow being with respect irrespective of culture and religious diverse.
2) Mentality of get rich quickly without considering the hard work,scarifies needed to fulfil in other to unleash the potential endowed on you to the universe instead keeping searching for short cut,abuse of social media, committing violence, defrauding innocent soul, playing gamble and sort of short cut available to mankind.
3) Culture of competing with western world. Dressing nude,unethical adoption of negative foreign influence, doing all sort of things that has no place in our cultural belief, religion.
4) Poor rewarding, or lack of motivation for excellence in school,home and office. Non governmental organization, government and individual personality need to revive the tradition of rewarding hardworking pay by extolling the virtue of excellence among the youth who have excel in their chosen field.
5) Promotion of mediocrity needs to put a stop, status quo needs to be challenge by asking questions when such needed to be asked.
6) The habit of this can not work need to be stop, poor reading habit,lack of intellectual curiosity and examination malpractice need to be address. Taking responsibility and transforming Nigeria youth into agents of positive change.
I think at this point what is left for me is to propose dynamic ways in which youth needed to adopt to tour the part of positive change agent to safe our hand off water.
1) As a youth we need to channel our energy, resource to play a pivotal role in creating a better environment through community development programs such as by engaging in community work, keeping government properties clean and safe.
2) Exercises personal initiative to shun youth excessiveness e.g lead a campaign against examination malpractice,drug pusher and all things that can jeopardy peace. Promote self policing against anti moral behavior e.g pipe vandalism, illegal electricity connect.
3) Dare to shake your generation by touring different path and dare to be different by being a role model and discipline oriented. Do not join crowd to do evil or compound problem instead be a think thinker and initiate a solution to a problems
4) Youth need to prepared at all time with mindset of defeating problem that we meet on our way to land if greatness. As a youth, challenge suppose to be insurmountable therefore we need to be creative in mind and seen problem as an opportunity to try more.
4) Be creative in approach, visionary and taking a successful step at a time. follow your heart and positive dream.
5)Clearly define goals and objective
6)Think big, think and act beyond narrow or sectional/self interest;envision the desired positive change and clearly define how you fit into achieving it. Be part of solution not problem.
7)Be a good follower,understand that to play a leadership role, youth has to learn to be a good follower but it doesn't amount to uncritical one's. Where a leader need to be challenge we must endeavor to challenge such leader.
Have a strong positive role model and good mentorship to walk you through and endeavor to develop a good civic engagement to your environment.
9) Developed a positive mindset toward work and endeavor to develop of i can do it mindset even if it's you are not sure.
9) Learn from other people's experience who had scale through the bridge you are planning to climb.
10) Take a practical step at a time to explore your potential.
11) Understand the reason why you take up the challenge.
12) Always be cheerful.
Conclusion
Youth is a very dynamic adventure endeavor to use the opportunity to unleashed your blemishes color to the whole world.Take your dream at a step understand that too often great to start small don't be discouraged by initials hiccup, bite what you can sew at a time, stay to your dream, join the league of positive change agent and make a different.
Thanks wishes you happy reading.
Signed.
Adediji Wasiu