*Gabonese Coup: Brice; the Jagun Jagun, Mob Psychology and Lessons For African Leaders*

Bankole Abdulhameed
1st September 2023
08035593418

The silent thunderous news of Gabonese soldiers usurping political power came as surprise to many. However, it snowball from failed ability to render democratic deliverables to Gabonese people and most probably inspiration/imitation from trending current military juntas in Niger, Mali et al.

Like the Gabonese Viper, the Guns men, led by Brice, the Jagun Jagun opted for palace coup investing heavily in logistics and planning. He saved a lot in terms of money, if going by David Pilling's estimation that about #2 billion dollar will be needed to be President. Brice did that with less than half the amount in coordination. In economic term, he took a more cheaper route. Although the regime lacks legitimacy; a strong feature and hallmark of democracy, still, he is not a president!

An interesting passage of understanding is that the 'Coup' was a family affair. A more younger cousin toppled his much older uncle from office. This coup is of course, a sharp contrast from other trending ones in Africa. More interestingly, power still resides with the Bongo clan and the Bateke ethnic group. A people who boast of themselves as the Bantu pride of Gabon.

And do you think a counter-coup is not imminent? I guess not!

A single family and ethnic group has ruled a culturally plural state for more than 5 decades and we expect other groups to let peace reign!

What an oxymoron!

General Brice Oligui Nguema will have to do more to stabilize his army. The possibility of divided loyalty should not be ruled out!

Like in the popular Jagun Jagun representation, solidarity will not be formed in war if a General cannot completely crush his enemies. There maybe repercussions in form of counter coup(s) that will form the concluding part of the drama. Let's watch out for the episode.

The Ogooué, including the Punu, the Nzebi, and the Mbete, who together form about one-third of the population can team up to reset the violence. After all, they are not Bantus, we should remember!

No Army General plans for prolonged war until events start unfolding. Even the Nigerian Civil War that occurred between 1967-70 was suppose to be a police action to arrest Ojukwu and put an end to the Biafran forces until it lasted for 30 months. Another instance was the thinking that Putin would defeat Ukraine in 2-6 months at most. However, it has now turned into a sad reality currently affecting the economies of Europe and Africa.

Unfortunately, a peep into the economy of Gabon gives a better rebuttal to the necessity of the coup at this time. Even though she is still foot dragging development, Gabon is not doing poorly economically. As reported by macro trends 2022, Gabon's GDP for 2022 was $21.07B, a 4.22% increase from 2021. In 2021 it had $20.22B, a 32.02% increase from 2020.

Its figure for 2020 was $15.31B, a 9.24% decline from 2019. For 2019, it had $16.87B, a 0.04% increase from 2018. These figures scale rationality test of development for a country of about 2.4 million people.

These figures speak to the potentials of a developing Nation. However, the insurrectionists have sold the narrative of corruption and underdevelopment by the erstwhile government as commodities to the emotions of mindless mobs. They rode on that to supplanting an oppressing clan with a more brutal class. That was well played, Brice, the Jagun Jagun!

The implications of this singular action will be gargantuan. At the micro level, Businesses will shrink and downsize since borders are closed. Scarcity will drive prices of household commodities up, thereby leading to hyper-inflation. At the macro level, Government revenue will dwindle while borrowing will increase, thus, sending it's debt profile to an unimaginable zenith.

At another level, anyone who thinks Coups do not affect international relations must be a Zenlensky! The re-scramble for Africa has yet commenced and the predators are on the prowl again after their first occupation about 139 years ago. Nothing much as really changed. There is still 1 pawn - Africa and there are 4 major players on the chess board now - Russian, USA, France and China.

No doubt the RUFC will exploit the vulnerability of the coup plotters, most of whom are mere revolutionaries with no progressive ideas to be in class of Chairman Mao, Sun Tzu, Murtala Muhammad, Thomas Sankara or Madiba. From evaluation, most of them fit into the prism of individuals with less sophisticated capacities to lead a Society but rather good fits to carry out orders and at best, ruled by their temperaments.

No wonder John Patrick Coby argued that the warriors are a troublesome addition to the city founded by Socrates. Continuous supervision and a heavy-handed pedagogy are required just to keep them from oppressing the producing class.

I am sure the Gabonese Army needs serious education to rethink its stance. Serious education must also be handed to young Gabon citizens to think and act right. They must not be swayed by the mob Psychology.

No reasonable citizenry should praise coup plotters in this age!

And what about Mob Psychology?

It is understood by theoreticians such as Gustave Le Bon, Gabriel Tarde, Sigmund Freud and Hebert Blumer as the thought process different from that of an individual. In fact, they posited that the psychology of the crowd tends to supplant that of the individuals who constitute the group.

More so, they enthused that a person in a mob losses his sense of responsibility through the process of de-individuation, so that there can be universality of behaviors. In simpler sense, it's an aggregation of emotionally laden crowd where the outcomes of the action of the group cannot be borne by any individual member of the group.

Since most mobs are malleable groups that allow unhealthy ideas to permeate, it is then imperative that African Governments must live up to their responsibilities. Mobs are easy to convince through simple appeal to emotions and sentiments. They are expressive, aggressive, violent and destructive.

The most potent way to distabilize the mob is for democratic governments to deliver on their mandates.

African Governments should live up to their responsibilities.

In conclusion, the Jagun Jagun of Gabon should as a matter of existential necessity draft out plans to quickly hand over power and return the country to democracy. Fresh elections should be conducted in order to usher in a new government that will deliver good governance to the people.



If this piece was a worthy read, kindly share widely. Thank you.

The season is just getting started and the smaller teams are eager and still in form to show what they have to offer. Give them 15 games more, they will get fagged out. The big teams will bring forth their experience as the games progresses.

No need to criticize Thomas Tuchel yet. The boys are still heavy and they are yet to mentally play to instructions and tactics. Let's give them time.

Why a lot of people are mocking Chelsea FC is because, some of their fans are lousy, loud that lack basic understanding of football. In fact, when Chelsea loses, almost everyone is happy and at peace.

However, there is hope. Chelsea fans, make una take heart.

Good morning fellow PTDF scholarship hopefuls. How do I go about paying 50 dollar application fee to a school abroad from my Nigerian account?
I have tried the bank but they said I cant do more than 20dollar per month.

I will await your responses on this.
Thank you

iheke73:
Good one too..

A Whatapp group is more enclosed and you can find direct answers to queries easily. However, you can be added to an existing group and exit later at your discretion. This is only important at this time
What is necessary now is how do we get a compendium of past questions and answers for the interview or we should just read heedlessly. I will await your response, please.

respectfully:
sociology is z useless course. I studied sociology and anthropology with good grade but today I'm into scavenging. I graduated since 2012. I want to reapply for social work. Social work is the best social science course now. I wouldn't mind starting from 100level despite my age.

Unemployment in Nigeria cut across all disciplines. It's only more for social sciences and arts. However, there are jobs too. I feel your pain bro. But since time is going why not consider other options:
Personal business
Japa or
Tech

No one will be responsible for your dulling ooo. Brace up bro. Push

justebuka:
Am a student of sociology and currently feeling insured because of the labour market.

I was thinking of going for my MSC in other to become a lecturer
Any advice?

Sociology offers you the avenue to study human beings in groups, their interaction and how society shapes their behavior. The prospects of Sociology is limited in Nigeria but depending on the skills you possess (through self development) you can work in various places. Specifically, a graduate of Sociology can work in:
i. Public Service - Teaching/Lecturing, Police, Customs
ii. Public Complaints Units: Servicom ...
iii. Human Resources
iv. IGO/NGO
v. Media: Journalism, OAP, Compere and so on.
Gender based Organizations: Mirabel Center, ...

Most importantly, for a course like Sociology, the need to be self developed (up skill) so as to attract desired jobs. Imagine that you a graduate of Sociology and can
i. Manipulate large data
ii. Can speak eloquently and write to make the readers spell bound or
iii. Tech savvy and has large social media followings.

The above skills will offers you the opportunity to work and earn good pay irrespective of your course. So, brace up and know what you are doing.

The current DG/NAPTIP studied Sociology, DG/NPA and some other notable persons did study the course too. No course is useless except the individual who studied that course put his brain to less use.

Ji..Masun.... Welcome to the real World.

Princedapace:


yes..

Humans should stop forcing people into all these creations. It should be simply done by willful choice.

Africa is a clan based society and the earlier we accept this reality, the better. To avoid all these, build a society that is not centralized

What started all these problems was when Ethiopian prime minister started centralizing the country and appointing his tribe into key federal positions. Lol, that can cause war.

What Buhari did with nepotism could have caused war anywhere.

That is why USA today is not centralized, that is why UK is not centralized. That is why u could see small countries in Europe based on their tribe and language.

Centralizing any country in a multi ethinic society is dangerious. No ethnic group would love to be dominated. Nigeria also has to be sincere and stop all these ethnic domination shit else it will surely explode.

Good submission.

But does one cut off his own head because he is down with headache?

These pockets of violence is putting Africa into greater mess. After destroying all they can, then the rebels and the state goes into negotiation.

Why not negotiate in the first instance?

Why resort to 'Jumping the Gun approach'! And who need to hear this:
War is not lucrative again. We should be much more sensible now. Ask Somali, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and others how far

If we had an arrangement like 'EU' and Nigeria wants to pull out for instance, just like Britain did, I can comfortably say it for free that it may not be violence free as the case of Britain. Must we fight all the time. Who do us sef

Let's say this again and again, it is better to 'Jaw Jaw than to War War'.

CSTRR:
On a normal level, that is our strategic national interest in Ethiopia.

We should keep an eye on that investment and be ready to do anything even if it means negotiating and bribing the rebel forces.

Very sensible comment. I love your logic and understanding. Typically, Dangote will find his way around it except if the impossible happens.

superemmy:

For this nice economy wey things no cost at all, na him una dey get mind to dey talk about food and sex. Where una dey see power to reason all these things sef.

Anyways, since the country is working, if na you drop the money for the food, then food is the way to your heart, if no be you, then no food for you, talk more of sex.

In reality, most guys want to marry a well cultured lady that can cook decent meal (not super super sumptuous oo) and who give his man peace (in form of: no too much nagging; empathetic ...). Even if the woman is not good in bed interventions, the man can still understand.

No man wants to make love/sex or be in an atmosphere where is he is not at peace.

Bolarineliza202:
Between an introverted person or an extroverted person,who will you go for.
What's your reason.

For me, I will go for an extrovert,I'm more or less an introvert myself.

Personally, I think a significant number of introverts are very intelligent and perfectionists' of a kind. I don't mind having one as a partner. An extroverted partner is a no for me. Must everyone in the bus know say you get problem �� or whom you are talking to/with.

However, given the overwhelming effect of 'Capital' a.k.a 'Money' in our daily interaction, I'll advise people should go get money oo. Weather introverted or extroverted, a large number of people will accept you if you have money. No forget say life is now fast becoming a transaction and that transaction is dictated by 'Money'.

pretydiva:
Being an introvert is not easy

E get wetin easy for this country. If you are introverted, bus conductor go carry your change go, if you are extroverted, SARs go arrest you.

Maxymilliano:


https://punchng.com/i-stopped-attending-a-church-because-pastor-always-attacked-buhari-adesina/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1636098683-1

So, some people still take the words of politicians too seriously. No, I don't. It's just a political statement. You will be surprised that he may not even miss his church. Get across to friends in Aso-Rock and they'll tell you first hand how they roll. All the antics maybe aimed to divide the Youths along direct lines and it's interplaying in NL already. The political class has only one religion 'Their interest' and anything beside that is secondary.

More so, Adesina is trying to make a mountain out of a mole's hill by building on what Paster Kumuyi said. Only those ignorant of politics will follow him in that direction. It's a diversion. A poor tactics for me.

DeGLORIOUS:
What did you you expect from Adesina? A man who is neck bent in the defense of his master amidst glaring injustice and political arrogancy. The scales on his face will be removed when he leaves in 2023 and he will be marveled at the level of madness they've let this country through.

Would you have him criticize his paymaster or what?

The best we can expect from him it to be subtle and look for more reasonable premise to justify the actions of the boss. His loyalty is to his boss and not you. You should understand better.

Aufbauh:


Most of you kids and those that egg you on are just Christian by religion and not by your way of living.
However the Buhari administration has really exposed a lot of MoGs and their sheeples, that they're generally fickle, hypothetical and greedy of gain.

Don't be quick to throw shades. Everyone has a price, even you. Take up the position first and let's see if you will not protect the interest of your paymaster.

Who no go, no know. Ask Reno

iwaeda:
Manchester United host Manchester City in the first Manchester derby of the season on Saturday – and you can follow all of the action live on Sky Sports.

Manchester United will look to ease the mounting pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when champions Manchester City head to Old Trafford for Saturday's early Premier League kick-off.

The Man U team may do well today giving that it's a derby match. Anyways, I wish Man U all the best. Someone should help with the link to stream the match when it's time please.

Going to a view the match in a public arena at this crucial time in Man U's football history can be depressing.

Someone watch at home jejely

MITCHELL96:
See money Guys that do heavy fraud, how do you guys sleep at night after defrauding someone in millions ?

Most of these fraudsters are heartless beings with deplited conscience. He'll sleep well. More so, since our society hail them too, he'll go to club pop bottles and spray on the hype man.

The resultant effect of this is that innocent people like you and I may suffer in the hands of officials of embassies and consulates. At the sight of a Nigerian, the questioning increase and the resentment out of control.

I think the economy has to be rejigged in a way that people can have lawful means of making money. This is to say we cannot rule out the current economic quagmire in the outset of internet fraud.

However, ojukokoro on the part of young people is a major factor coupled with dwindling moral values.

How can you even be a fraudster and the society will accept you?

Something is wrong with our value orientation

presidency:
ADDRESS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE DIGITAL SWITCH OVER (DSO) IN KANO, KANO STATE, ON TUESDAY, 2 NOV. 2021

Protocol

I am delighted to be here today for the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Kano State. I want to most sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and indeed the people and government of Kano State, for their support and cooperation in making today's launch a reality. Please permit me to emphasize the fact that His Excellency's passion for the DSO Project is admirable and unparalleled. I have had occasions to discuss the DSO Project with His Excellency, and he has never left me in any doubt about his passion and commitment to the success of the project, especially in Kano State. His Excellency even invited me to address, in Abuja, members of his cabinet, as well as state and federal legislators from Kano State on the benefits of the DSO Project. Your Excellency, I thank you once again.

2. I also wish to commend all the stakeholders who have worked hard for the success of today's launch. They include the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Digiteam, Broadcast Signal Distributors, Set-Top-Box Manufacturers, the Middleware providers - Inview and Renmore -, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and all members of the Ministerial Task Force on DSO, which I personally chair.

3. Let me take us through the recent history of our efforts at rolling out the DSO project across the country. Our last DSO launch was in Lagos on April 29th 2021, and it marked the beginning of the second phase of the DSO rollout. Since we launched the pilot programme of the DSO in Jos, Plateau State, on 30 April 2016, we have rolled out the DSO in the Federal Capital Territory, in Kwara State, in Kaduna State, in Enugu State and in Osun State. The journey may have been slow, but it has been steady and we will keep it so!

4. The Federal Government is vigorously implementing a comprehensive nationwide process of transitioning from analogue to digital television broadcasting, which is referred to as the Digital Switchover (DSO) project. The decision to transition from analogue to digital television followed a treaty that was signed at the Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2016 to usher in ‘all-digital’ terrestrial broadcast services for sound and television. This is aimed at creating a more equitable, just and people-centered Information Society, which would connect underserved populations and remote communities, thereby bridging the digital divide.

5. The key benefits of digital television broadcasting are:
- Wider choice in TV and radio channels;
- Improved picture, e.g. HD, UHD and High-Fidelity sound
- Greater flexibility with the potential for portable and mobile reception;
- Enhanced information services including the Electronic Programming Guide or enhanced ‘teletext’ services (with enhanced graphics);
- Potential for interactivity; and
- Increased market competition and innovation thanks to the potential arrival of new entrants at different levels in the value-chain, for instance new service providers, broadcasters, etc.

6. Additionally, the DSO process can enable a variety of competing service offers, improve digital service coverage even in remote places, and improve access to communication networks while acting as a catalyst for better management of spectrum resources. Due to bandwidth restrictions, analogue television only offers a small selection of programs and is therefore outmoded. The same transmission channel used to broadcast a single analogue program can carry a multiplex of up to 20 digital programmes of better quality. Thus, the DSO television platform, branded as FreeTV, provides users with over 60 digital channels, ranging from sports and music to movies and the latest headlines. Both DTT and DTH transmissions of FreeTV are readily available throughout the country.

7. In addition to the broadcast services, FreeTV offers Value Added

Services such as:

i) Enforcement & Collection of TV Licenses
ii) Premium PayTV channels
iii) Push Video on Demand
iv) Information Services, and
v) Audience Measurement.

8. The Federal Government is prioritizing the DSO project because it is critical to the post-Covid recovery and prosperity of the Creative Industry. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, working with its relevant agencies - NBC and APCON - has commenced the process of implementing Audience Measurement, which will go a long way in driving advertising spend to the DSO platform, thus helping the channels to fulfill their obligations to the Signal Distributors. We have also instituted a number of reforms, some of them necessitating amendments to the Broadcasting Code which we have since carried out, with a view to encouraging investments in the Broadcast Industry in particular and the Creative Industry in general. On Monday (yesterday), I received the good news that a Federal High Court in Lagos has thrown out the case brought by some busybodies challenging our power to amend the Broadcasting Code. This laudable judgement has cleared the way for investments to flow into the Broadcast Industry.

9. As I have always said, the absence of a world class audience measurement regime has resulted in under-investment in the sector, which is necessary to foster the growth of the industry, as the Advertising community continues to rely on subjective factors when making decisions on the content they want, as opposed to how many viewers the content truly attracts. Consequently, television platforms are subjected to renting out space on their channels to sustain their businesses, and content producers are at the mercy of sponsors, a development which, unfortunately, skews the authenticity of their creative output in favor of a few decision makers, instead of the millions of TV viewers. The existing model will never enable Nigeria’s Creative Industry to reach its full potential. It stunts the quality of the content that can be created and also limits the capacity of television platforms to invest in dynamic contents that consumers will be attracted to.

10. The Federal Government is also putting in place an Industry Framework that will ensure that content producers receive their just due for the value of the content they create, as well as provide objective guarantees to the Advertising community with regards to Return-On-Investment on media placements. This will then have the overall effect of guaranteeing greater spend by the Advertisers, who are all seeking to grow their market share. The Ministry, through NBC and APCON, has implemented a system to monitor the media purchases and ensure that advertising revenues are earned by the broadcasters in due time. The collaboration between NBC and APCON is to guarantee zero advertising debt for the broadcasting Industry.

11. I want to put on record that since I inaugurated a 14-member Ministerial Task Force in February this year to drive the DSO rollout
across the country, we have made notable progress. Following the approval from the Federal Executive Council and the release of 50% of
the outstanding payment, we have since disbursed part payment to all stakeholders who are being owed. We have also initiated the process to complete the payment and put the stakeholders in good stead to carry
out their obligations to the DSO project.

12. But I must say that, with the termination of subsidy, the funding of the DSO through the establishment and operation of a Public
Private Partnership (PPP) made of States and private equity is critical to achieving a faster rollout and introducing new investment into the sector, with shared infrastructure costs.

13. Let me also say that no meaningful DSO Project can happen unless Set-Top-Boxes or Decoders are widely available and affordable, and
some channels catering for children's programmes, sports and religion are encouraged to thrive. Those channels are also critical to the
success of the DSO, because they have the potential to attract many eyeballs to the DSO platform. Still talking about Set-Top-Boxes,
affordability is a key factor in making digital television available to all. Indeed, Set-Top-Boxes represent the very minimum entry point
in the world of digital television broadcasting. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a reliable supply of low-cost STBs for purchase by the general public. I want to use this opportunity to implore state governments to be at the vanguard of providing Set-Top-Boxes to their people. This is because the provision of Set-Top-Boxes is a social
service that will take governance to the grassroots and bridge the information gap between the government and the governed, among other
advantages. For Kano State in particular, with a population of over 15 million peoples, governance will be revolutionized if each of the 2.4 million television households can have a Set-Top-Box.

14. Finally, I want to thank the NBC, Gospel Limited and Inview, which have worked in collaboration with the Kano State Government to
organize a technical empowerment training for 50 technicians and 50 dealers drawn from the 44 local government areas of Kano state. The 50
technicians have since been given starter packs for installation and activation of decoders. I am reliably informed that the NBC has also
conducted awareness training on the DSO for Information Officers of the NOA in the states and the local governments, and that about 500,000 decoders have been deployed to Kano by the Set-Top-Box Manufacturers, These are all very commendable efforts that will ensure that the good people of Kano State enjoy the benefits of
digital television, starting with the 24 channels that are coming on board in Kano state immediately after this launch.

15. On this note, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for your kind attention.

Good development.
We hope it's gonna be free to air. The clearer pictures and motions are what we all have longed for. Going forward, with how Government engages in policy somersault (changing laws like someone in a gymnastics training session), We will be glad there is relative rigidity in this regard. Nigerians deserve to watch clear TV stations and NOT those that are never clearer than AIT even with an antenna.

In all, the national stations too be adequately funded with staff going on training to be consummate professionals. The last time I watched NTA, so many flaws. Names of guests were wrongly spelt, conflicting colour of dress of the presenters and the background stage, poor pronunciation of words and so on.

If we have funded gadgets and equipments, let's develop the people to put the G&E to better use. God bless our dear country.

One this one, thumbs up.

OhBritannia:
Just like when they appointed Guadiola, this is the beginning of a new era that will shake the world. Xavi will replicate what Guadiola did in Barcelona and Just watch it, after years in Barcelona, he will leave the job, take a One year break and Man City will sign him just like Guadiola as at when Guadiola will be the coach of Spain and wins a world cup with Spain and then after xavi leaves man City, he will then coach Spain and win the world cup too.

This is the future i have seen.

Let's not deceive ourselves, Barca needs a more experienced coach at this time. The team fell out long before Messi left but because Messi fixed some little mess for them, the bigger mess wasn't obvious then. Now that Messi is out, boom, the team crumbles. I would have preferred a more respected coach in the class of Pep, Simeoni or Jurgen. The Barca is too big a task for Xavi. Make him no use Barca start him coaching career oo. He can try lesser clubs. Even the supposed former Chelsea coach (Frankie) with an IQ (Chelsea Fans info) close to that of Einstein sef fail, now you want to carry one home boy for a great team as Barca. Let's see how it pans out.

Penguin2:
From Edo to Akwa Ibom to Anambra to Kano and now Gombe, ex governors have kept falling out with successors they helped install.

This goes to prove that fighting tooth and nail to install a successor might be a stupid, fruitless and worthless venture since these niggurs would always wanna break off the shackles of their godfather who seldom kneel on their neck and wouldn’t allow them breathe.

Our democracy is still new sha. But very soon, outgoing incumbents would understand that the best thing they can do while elections are approaching is to allow a level playing field for all candidates and it’d surprise them that a candidate who emerges through a transparent process might even be more loyal and appreciative than the idiots they help install.

It was Kwankwaso who couldn’t enter Kano in 2019. Now it is Danjuma Goje who can’t enter Gombe.

And all these torments keep coming from guys they helped into power.

On point. The incumbent Governor wants to clip the last wing of influence of Goje. It's normal about Governors to do so. Now that Inuwa controls the party structure, it's smooth sai for him. Unlike, Obaseki, he can't do same, he can't control the party structure in any of the party but only controls political power. Same is for Lagos, Ogun and Osun.

I think giving the characteristic features of Northerners rallying around their Governors within the party, control becomes easy unlike in the west or East.

Anyways, the clash is not only bad for our democracy but further question what we practice in real terms.

presidency:
He rarely speaks on things that do not have to do with the work of the Kingdom, which he is completely sold out to, and has been engrossed in for over 50 years. In fact, he exemplifies the words of the prophet that “he shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.”

But someone stuck his fingers in the mouth of Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, recently, and the man had to speak. He didn’t cry or strive, and “a bruised reed he did not break,” smoking flax he did not quench. But the cleric gave some home truths on what the attitude of a true Christian should be to secular government, particularly of his own country.

This was how it all happened. Professor Dapo Asaju, a cleric and academic, former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, had called out Pastor Kumuyi, and Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), telling them that it was not enough to just concentrate on their massive congregations, but that they must seek to meet President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the nation, and tell him “enough is enough.”

Prof Asaju added: “All ministers of God must speak out...I (am) looking forward to Baba (Kumuyi) addressing a World Conference, with Baba Adeboye seated beside him. Let them call people and say enough is enough. They need to lead other people to convene a high-powered meeting with the President.” As if the two men of God had not met with the President at different times, where they counseled him, and prayed for the nation. They equally lead their congregations to do so, almost weekly.

If you read between the lines, the respected academic was vexed and exasperated with the security situation in the country, and its concomitant spin-offs. Who is not? Who will not be? Are things normal? Far from it. But is the government up and doing to turn things around for the people? Very much so. Then, is a subtle sponsoring of insurrection by ministers of God the next thing to do? Far from it. At least, for those who know the purpose of their call, and how they should comport themselves in a troubled polity. Like our Master, “a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” (Matthew 12:20).

Pastor Kumuyi last weekend responded to Prof Asaju through a statement titled ‘The Church and the Challenges of a Nation,’ which I recommend that all Christians should read, and which is also very instructive to non-Christians.

What is the purport and summary of what the Deeper Life G.S said? He noted that the concerns of Prof Asaju could not be dismissed, and the man must be seen as a patriot, but “at Deeper Christian Life Ministry, we are far more aware of the existential crossroads than many perceive.

“We present the Word of God as delivered in the Holy Bible, alright, but we warn that in the long run, the Lord is interested in a fusion of obedience to His Word and relating amicably with fellow human beings, regardless of class, color, caste (religion) or culture. We teach that if you genuinely believe in Christ, you wouldn’t hate your neighbor. Nor would you disdain those in power because they appear not to be delivering on electoral pledges such that you would go on the rampage, destroying government property or pilfering the public till. We teach a linear life of Christian walk: you can’t be a saint on Sunday and a monster on Monday.”

Profound. Earnest. Well said. Deep as in Deeper Life. Pastor Kumuyi, where have you been all our lives? Thank you, thank you for speaking out now. “If you genuinely believe in Christ, you wouldn’t hate your neighbor. Nor would you disdain those in power because they appear not to be delivering on electoral pledges such that you would go on the rampage, destroying government property...”

Profound, again I say, profound. But this is not what we hear from most preachers today. What we rather see is the pulpit being turned to a soapbox, where hatred is preached, where fake news is spread week after week, and where congregants are instigated against the leadership of the country. And I know what I am saying. I used to attend a church in Abuja from 2015 to 2018, till the pastor began to see himself as someone who must bring the Buhari government down. Sunday after Sunday, it was all sorts of criticism from the pulpit. But I endured, since it was branch of a church I had attended for over 30 years. Till one day, he overdid it. The Dapchi girls were abducted, and there was no name the pastor did not call President Buhari that Sunday. It was horrendous that such things could come from the pulpit. But I suffered long, and sat through the sermon, or rather, what was supposed to be a sermon. I then went home, wondering what the church of God was turning to.

If you recall, the Dapchi girls were recovered within a week, except for Leah Sharibu, and a few others. Awful, quite sad, but still there was cause for one to be thankful to God. So, the following Sunday, I went to that church, waiting to hear what the pastor would say, having excoriated and flagellated the government so badly the week before. I was dazed, nay, stunned. Throughout the sermon, not a word, not even a whisper about the recovered Dapchi girls. Bad faith. “If you are a genuine believer in Christ, you wouldn’t hate your neighbor. Nor would you disdain those in power...”

Pastor Kumuyi also says if you are a true believer in Christ, you wouldn’t go on the rampage, destroying government property.... But that was not what we saw in the country in October last year. The country was almost burned down under the subterfuge of EndSARS. And sadly, they were encouraged by pastors and preachers, who simply hate the fact that a Fulani man is their President. Many of them are on record as having encouraged the protesters, till things went ugly, turned awry. And the pastors vanished into the thin air. Not a word of caution or restraint as the cities were burning, and policemen were being killed, and even eaten up. “If you are a genuine believer in Christ, you wouldn’t...go on the rampage, destroying government property.”

Irrespective of the titles they bear, I hear Bishops, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, cursing the government, and issuing doomsday notices. One even said publicly that the Buhari administration was over, before the 2019 elections. But the man won handsomely, and that preacher still struts and frets on the pulpit every week, not repenting in sackcloth and ashes. “If you are a genuine believer in Christ, you wouldn’t hate your neighbor. Nor would you disdain those in power...” Thank you, Pastor Kumuyi.

Without sitting in judgment over anybody, I just believe that majority of our preachers need to be born again again. If what we hear them preach and teach is anything to go by, they need to be born again again. Otherwise, Heaven seems to be very far away. May God help us all. Amen.

In his reply to Professor Asaju (please get the full text, and read) Pastor Kumuyi gave many instances on how God has intervened in the situations and circumstances of humanity through the works of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, both within and outside the country. He then concluded: “I see more of the Lord’s focus on attending to the challenges of our nation and the countries of the world. I see Him containing the conflicts confronting His people as we pray in the name of Jesus.”

And I say amen. A resounding amen. That is the balanced perspective, the approach of a true man of God. That is the ancient landmark, which we must not shift or remove. We must “earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude, verse 3). But some would say Kumuyi is of the old school. And I say yes, the old school is the real school, and remains ever faithful, ever sure.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Femi Adesina deftly picked some of the words to Pastor Kumuyi and made it into a political statement and a piece to rally support for President Buhari. That was smart of him. Kumuyi typically will not delve into politics. He is cool and being careful of politicians and their antics. All the best to them all. 2023 is here

D1Wonder:
Reports like this requires media houses to be culturally sensitive to the people and recognize that the West is never the ideal model to impose culturally.

Whether LGBTQ+++, I do not have a single issue with the individual choices of who they choose to be. But this must never be stamped, propagated and championed by the media on the whole populace. Can Al Jazeera push this agenda in Saudi Arabia or Iran?

I agree with you but you need to understand the complexity in social relationship affects everyone including media houses. To add, some top media executives have close allies who are not trans, but gays and lesbians and since there is class consciousness (a la Karl Marx), the need to push the class interest is always reinforced. Thus, weather it is Al-Jazeera, CNN or beIN, same can happen.

In conclusion, the West World have reached an advanced scientific stage and as such most 'Rubbish' is not being rationalised on the pretext of freedom. What we have is not freedom but 'Overfreedom' with it's attendant problems.

SmartPolician:
Ohaneze and igbo politicians never knew how powerful the IPOB was until they started shutting down the entire region. Without mincing words, no group in Nigeria commands that clout so nobody saw that coming. The next challenge before security operatives will be to deal with hoodlums who would want to hijack the Anambra elections. They shouldn't be pitied at all.

The IPOB understands what's at stack in Anambra and knows when logic has to come in. The struggle should continue with the right governor in charge, not an APC stooge like in Imo State. To the IPOB, I say this move is really commendable.

Good. Now that IPOB went to the table, negotiated with Ohaneze to stop temporarily the sit-at-order, why not apply same to it's struggle for the Republic of Biafra.

Why jump the gun and now revert to the method you should have deployed in the first place. It's because we dont keep records here, if not, only God knows the number of SMEs that have crumpled due to it sit at home order.

We may tend to emotionally want to align with the struggle for Nation state given the perceived failure of the current Government, but the truth it how many countries went to war/violence and came back stronger?

festacman:
All this bitterness from Dame Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu because she wasn't given APGA Senatorial ticket. And what a time to attempt to pull down the house down completely. All attempt to appease her failed because she was waiting for this day. She insisted that Ikemba's name and picture should not be used for current campaign. So, why complain? Why avoiding to mention Peter Obi who installed Gov Obiano and abandoned the party while focusing only on Gov. Obiano because of personal beef that has nothing to do with Ikemba? Obviously, Bianca inherited the STUBBORN heart of his father Chief C.C Onoh.

In the first place, APGA originally belongs to Chief Chekwas Okorie who single-handedly toiled and registered the party in Abuja but was was pushed out by Ikemba Emeka Ojukwu in an internal political fight. APGA is not Ikemba's property but that of every registered member. APGA is political party with inherent internal politicking which inevitably produces fallouts and realignments.

I know APGA members across wards in Anambra State are working hard to deliver on 6th November. But if for whatever reason, APGA loses, (God Forbid!) it won't be the end of the world. Life goes on as members will regroup to fight any act of official rigging as well as prepare for other elections.

Well said and articulated. But do you expect her to be happy with a party that refused her the senatorial ticket?
More so, history is written by victors or their allies. History has it that Ojukwu formed APGA. This narrative will go years before it will be mended or erased. Its like saying who formed 'OPC' Gani or Fredrick.

More so, I think you should be more decent in your criticism of Bianca Ojukwu. She still remains the wife of the greatest Igbo leader that we know at the moment.

Maxymilliano:


https://punchng.com/army-cant-fight-terrorists-others-with-n579bn-coas-tells-senate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1636003047

The argument that the money earmarked for defense is small may be through given the high of criminal activities going on in the country combined with raising concerns of violent nationalist agiatations.

However, one will be bemused that a fraction the 'small' will still be looted or managed (in conservative term).

In furtherance, even with all the money being allotted by previous Government, it seems the conspiracy theorists (on using the continued spate of insecurity to make sure defense gets more and probably loot it) are being proved right.

Same is happening in the global North too. Anyways, for us down global South, any public officer who loots the defense treasury is a terrorist himself. From Ihejirika to Buratai and the in betweeners, these defense guys have shown the definition of corruption in the defense sector.

Nothing is too small for the defense sector giving the current economic malady of the country. Except these guys don't want to work. They should go and manage it like that.

valentineuwakwe:



Source: https://dailypost.ng/2021/11/03/anambra-election-Igbos-plans-to-frustrate-poll-must-be-resisted-northern-elders/

The NEF is just making a cheap statement peculiar to most pressure groups. Everyone wants to heard now.

SmartPolician:
Why is Bishop Kukah getting into this election madness? He should keep speaking truth to power and leave the IPOB and the Nigerian authorities to settle their scores on Saturday.

The logic is simple. Bishop Kukah is a revered Catholic clergy and since most of the locales (in Anambra State) are presumably Catholic or Anglicans, he is passing as a charismatic leader of the faith. Also, giving the obvious silence of Rev. Fr. Francis Mbaka, there is a need to fill the void.
More so, I presume the Anambra people will take him seriously especially as he has been apolitical for a long time. He said yesterday at the stakeholders meeting 'Anambra people should go out and vote as it is safe to do so. If you refuse to vote, you have also voted and will live with the consequences of those who voted'.

From a standpoint of a religious leader of a popular faith, I strongly believe his assertion is apt and on point.

hisexcellency34:

https://independent.ng/2023-buharis-successor-can-come-from-anywhere-zoning-not-our-problem-in-nigeria-fintiri/

I beg to diasgree with this opinion. The political class had agreed on zoning and in practice played that out. The formular had been used since from 1999 till date. So, that opinion is invalid. Although power is not given without wrestling, so this antics is part of the game. Let's wait till 2023 first.

Let Invictus face the music and let's move on. It is inappropriate to say why was other person not charged or asked to forfeit their property. No need bring a 'what about you' fallacy here.

I think playing the ethnic card hasn't really help us in reality.

More, I think we should talk more on the effect of these actions on innocent, young and smart Nigerians like you and I.

I would say that some ladies may which to be dominated. Let's rest this opinion on the principle of 'Unlike poles attracts while like poles repels'. However, the rule is not the same for all. Most calm and nice easy going ladies wane good guys too. Why Okonjo, Alakiji, Awosika no go marry Agbero? Most times we need people to complement our goals and visions, not people who cannot fix into the mix.
Also, there are no statistics to work with, so hasty generalisation will not be cool in this instance.
In addition, there is a medical condition known as 'Hybristophilia'. This condition explains why an upright/good person may fall in love with a bad person or someone who has committed a crime. The case of the police officer in 'Money Heist' suffices here.

In conclusion, good ladies are supposed to be attracted to good guys if there is proper upbringing, correct socialisation, nice circle of friends and value.

Hello emerging scholars, please share your test experience with us.

From my end, it took me a while to get logged in. Internet wahala and all sorts. However, I logged in successfully only for me to see essays on "Sahara Ants" 'EEGS" and all. As fast as I could, I attempted the ones my head could process in mili-seconds. The general knowledge part was very easy and that on basic governance too. I think Dragnet strayed from their usual shapes, and quantitative questions these time. Abi, na my own questions be like that ni. Anyways, lets hope for the best. For me, it was a 'Wow' experience.

Good evening.

It's not news that the list for successful applicants into the 2021/2022 African in Governance (AIG) initiative is out. Following from that, test date have been announced (30th October, 2021) and from a reliable intel the test is precursory to the next stage of interview.

Please, if you have been shortlisted like myself, let's gather here to cross fertilize ideas on how best to go about it. You may choose to reach out


Let's roll.