₦airaland Forum

My stand on those calling out those who led the Save Nigeria protest during President Jonathan's Era. (Most especially the Youths)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3367287266664193&id=100001488573361

They have done their part, the rest is left for us. It has always been an African way to call on the ancestors for help and that is what those who are calling them out now is doing. Must it be them? Infact the key political figures of this protest are those in government now.

Soyinka as an individual has spoken against this Government countless times, Obasanjo too, Sowore too and a whole host of others but what do we tell them each and every time they speak up, we tell them to shut up and enjoy the government they helped install.

It's time we start taking responsibility, all of us, instead of continually calling on our ancestors, it's time we start acting instead of shifting blames #wearetired ✊���

Olabode Samuel
Ado-Ekiti
4th September, 2020


Com Tosin Ajibare reveals why the country is not moving forward, Admonishes the masses to take responsibility.

Ekiti State based PDP stakeholder and business man, Com.Tosin Ajibare has lent his voice on controversies arising on those calling out activist who led the save Nigeria protest during President Jonathan's Era.

The leader of Ekiti youth socio-political revolution, Tosin Ajibare admonished why the country is not moving forward and also pointed that the ruling party has a way of blackmailing any opposition leader that leads a protest against them.

The young PDP leader who had earlier said "it has always been an African way to call on ancestors for help" encouraged the people to stand for themselves and be The Superman instead of waiting for a savior.

He wrote on his Facebook wall:

"#truthhurts
#TruthOrDare

To those asking PDP and Political leaders to come and lead a protest, let me just clear your eyes once and for all.

Political parties and politicians only think and act on the next election, they don't fight negative policies to a standstill, highest is to do a press release and condemn it in strongest terms.

You know why?

1. The ruling party has a way of blackmailing any opposition leader that leads a protest, especially those that contested the Election with them. The yarn is that he or she is doing it because he/she lost the election and out of bad blood. if he had won, will he want a protest led against him bla bla bla. if you looking for reference, "Sowore" #RevolutionNow

2. Negative policies of the ruling administration are materials for campaign for the opposition, It will be used to campaign against APC when it's election time but in between now and then, if you depend on political parties and their leaders to lead a life changing protest, OYO lo wa, (you are on your own).

3. Each party wants to be the one to fix Nigeria, each party wants the trophy for a particular achievement. I for one think this is one of the reasons we are not moving forward.

4. I won't tell you today....,

with those three I hope I have been able to clear your eyes that everything depends on the people, the masses, no saviour is coming from any flag, we have to be our own superman.

God bless y'all
#wearetired"

Tosin Ajibare breaks silence on Ex-NDDC MD, Joy Nunieh, encourages people to rise and stand with her

Olabode Samuel
Ado-Ekiti
17th July, 2020

The leader of Ekiti Youths Socio-political revolution, Tosin Ajibare breaks silence on Ex-NDDC MD, Joy Nunieh's saga.


He wrote on his Facebook page,

"On the Road to Progress:
Strong Institutions;

To have strong institutions, what is required are established & set rules/laws (which we have), strong characters and "a public that is strongly committed to defending established values" - these are the parts that make up wholesome and strong institutions which now seem to have a life of their own.

It takes resignations and a group of people willing to go the whole nine yards to implant a new way of doing things.

Institutions are not buildings, they are me and you. Right now, what is the body language of the common people in the nine oil producing states that own NDDC, - Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers - are they showing concerns about the level of corruption leveled against the leadership? Are they even interested? Do they care?

When next you think about why corruption persists & impunity reigns, always remember that we as a people are culpable.

We live in a cocoon of individuality as against communalism. Until we understand and accept that these things are our collective concern and not just that of politicians, we won't move forward.

NDDC is not about Akpabio, Lady Joy, Gov Wike & the other Governors, it's about the people.

In a sane society, the duty of rescuing Lady Joy from the police siege should not have solely rest on the shoulders of Gov Wike, it was the duty of the people, we must learn to stand up for what is right.

Just imagine if Wike had been an APC Governor, what would have happened yesterday.
Think.

Tosin Ajibare Gold.
#MoreForThePeople"

Olabode Samuel
Ibadan
Sunday, April 19, 2020.

A group of young Nigerians who are beneficiaries of N-CREATIVE, an arm of the N-POWER initiative of the Federal Government has written a letter of condolence to President Buhari on the death of His Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari who died of the COVID 19 pandemic.

However, they also used the medium to solicit for their monthly stipends which have not been paid since January this year.

Below is a copy of the letter as signed by their leader, Mr. Farouq Olaotan Shitta. Please read...

His Excellency,
President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Abuja.

NCREATIVE BENEFICIARIES CONDOLENCE TO THE PRESIDENCY OVER THE LOSS OF CHIEF OF STAFF

Your Excellency, On behalf of the entire beneficiaries of Ncreative under Npower scheme, we sympathize and convey our heartfelt condolences to the Presidency over the demise of our reputable, industrious, innovative and hardworking COS in person of late Abba Kyari whose death occur as an infection of the pandemic virus, Covid 19 while serving the Nation.

Its saddening and disheartening that we lost a gallant, brave and courageous soldier to the cold hands of death at a time his intellectual acumen, capacity and competency is most required.

We pray that God in HIS infinite mercy grant his family, Friends, well- wishers and most especially the Federal Government fortitude to bear this great loss.

Your Excellency, we wish to equally cease this medium to crave your indulgence to our plight which is the none payment of Ncreative beneficiaries stipend since January 2020 till date without no official communication for the reason.

The stipend has been use as upkeep of Beneficiaries before now and is very essential at this challenging period across the country due lockdown over Covid 19 pandemic which we don't pray for unfortunate incidence among the beneficiaries as some has been contemplating on suicidal mission due to the hardship consequence of the lockdown.

Please look into the ministry of humanitarian service and disaster management, NSIP and N-Power Scheme to ensure speedy payment of Ncreative beneficiaries stipend backlog because we are Vulnerable to the pandemic and affected by the lockdown order.

#ncreative #payncreative #payncreativestipend #Npower

God bless Nigeria.

E-signed

Together we can!

E-signed:

Comrade Farouk Olaotan Shitta,
Beneficiary & Chief Admin,
General Ncreative Beneficiaries Whatsapp, Facebook Group 1& 2.
08087476363

About Ekiti Subeb Employment Examination Fees......
Tosin Ajibare Gold.

Firstly, I still do not fully grab this thing called examination fee, the concept is alien to me, you see that employment form sale tactic ehn, that's a direct scam, we all understand that one, it's 9ja scam, very straight forward, very common but you see this one, this one called examination fee, it is like a fraudulent fraud, an indirect scam, it's like britico scam, imported and it's even worse than that employment form sale format because it reeks of insincerity.

From inception, there was no indication that this present recruitment exercise will be made to milk job seekers, it was presented as a departure from the regular, a recruitment directed at specific class of graduates capable of delivering. Only for the applicants to get midway and now told they have to pay a toll gate fee else they are automatically disqualified.

I have read about how the logistics for the examination has increased beyond expectation due to the number of applicants, I must say this excuse is unacceptable. The said logistics ought & should be taken care of out of the taxpayers money.

To ask that job seekers pay for examination belittles the institution of this very Government and everything it should stand for.

Truth be told I don't see this issue ending well, a good number of applicants will pass, na only frustrated our job seekers dey, dem no be dumb heads.
Eye go come tear after pasting (or not pasting) the list of successful applicants and those subsequently employed.

The list and number of people passed/employed will generate controversies.

And for this exam fee wey people pay, if dem hear not up to cutoff mark pere, dem go call for individual script & marking scheme.

The aftermath will shake the foundations of this very Government, great caution is needed.

All that been said & done, this thing yaff tire me, how long ago was it that we all were complaining about Fayose selling Employment forms, calling him all kinds of printable names...... O sun mi o

Tosin Ajibare Gold
8/9/2019

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2508671195859142&id=100001488573361

Buhari got into Power:

1. Naira lost value
2. Economy in Dispair
3. Insecurity magnified
4. Boko Haram reinforced
5. Killer Herdsmen got Licensed to kill
6. Democracy turned Dictatorship
7. Vote Buying and Vote Selling became magnanimously adopted during election
8. Inflation at it's worst state ever
9. Hunger and starvation like never before
10. Number of IDP refugee camps increased
11. All public sector retrogressed
12. Nigeria's bad image in league of nations magnified
13. Unemployment and joblessness refueled
14. Kidnappings and Fraudulence on the rampage in his "anti-corruption" themed administration
15. Police brutalization of citizens now the order of the day
16. Maltreatment of Nigerians in diaspora like never before
17. Intra-nation and inter-tribal crisis on the increase
18. Nepotism and Favouritism - Empowerment of His Kinsmen, the Fulanis over every other tribe - RUGA
19. Celebration of Terrorists by his government
20. Handling the killing of Nigerians in the Xenophobic attack in South Africa with levity!

Buhari is simply a curse, but more cursed are those who helped him into power!

I am Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, Youth Advocate and Social Reformer. Like many other reasonable Nigerians, I'm bothered by how badly things are getting out of hand under Buhari's failed administration.

"Anybody who will lead the ministry of Youth and Sports should be below 30yrs of age" - Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State speaking while inaugurating Seun FAKOREDE, a 27yr old as commissioner of Youth and Sports!

This should be the standard for all states in Nigeria; GIVE THE MINISTRY OF YOUTHS AND SPORTS TO THE YOUTHS AT LEAST!!

AFTER ALL, THE OLDIES CAN HOLD ON TO THE REST!

OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY TO INVESTIGATE ASSAULT AGAINST BOVAS FEMALE STAFF

Investigations will commence today, Wednesday, 14th of August into the assault case that happened at a BOVAS filling station in Ado Ekiti last week.

The victim had earlier petitioned the office of the First Lady but the Salah break had necessitated the postponement until holidays were over.

Standby for updates...

BOVAS Supervisor Assaults Staff in Ekiti.

A Supervisor working with BOVAS assaulted a female staff at one of their filling stations in Ado Ekiti. The victim had to be rushed to the State Specialist Hospital over injuries sustained.

Details as it unfolds...

Jamiu just Died and I'm ANGRY!!!
By: Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa

Late Jamiu is a genius. I was privileged to meet him a couple of weeks ago and it was worth the while. He was a great animator in the making, having completed a short course in 3D animation with unimaginable flying colours - a rare feat to accomplish.

He died some moments ago due to injuries sustained in an accident he had on his way back home from the said short course. According to his account on the hospital bed, they encountered armed robbers on their way back and, in a bid to escape, the driver of the bus he was in tried to maneuver his way round the robbery squad.

Things didn't go according to plan as the bus hit a barricade that led to instant casualties. 'Luckily' for our beloved Jamiu, he sustained some injuries and was admitted in hospital. I got to hear about the incident on Monday and I spoke with him. He was doing fine.

Two days later, he's dead!

In summary, the death of Jamiu is avoidable as well as senseless. We keep on saying it that security is zero in Nigeria yet it's as if we are against the government. Nigeria just lost a rare gem due to insecurity and, perhaps incompetence. I say incompetence because there's the possibility Jamiu died due to internal injuries that led to internal bleeding he sustained during the accident. This wasn't detected on time and a genius dies cheaply.

Here we are; citizens of a country that has no security nor good health care. We are as good as doomed!

RIP dear Jamiu. I miss you... We all miss you already!

TODAY IN HISTORY:

14TH JULY, 2018, exactly year ago on a faithful Saturday morning, Ekiti witnessed a market place of vote buying and selling rather than a credible, free and fair election that was promised. It was a show of shame that got the world baffled; it was a day that highlighted how gullible we are as a people. Some even voted on credit while some took unredeemable tallies that were useless in the long run.

Party A waylaid Party B and showed them that they are better riggers.

14th of July, 2018 should be a day never to be witnessed in our history.

1 year later, we are the architect of our destinies and predicaments.

Rest on in the the bosom of the Lord, dear Value and Integrity!

To be candid, Nigeria's Super Eagles 3-2 win over Cameroon's Indomitable Lions is perplexing... I never saw it coming, not with their shambolic performances...
Interesting!

Welcome to Nigeria where BEST GRADUATING STUDENT wins NGN100.00 (ONE HUNDRED NAIRA ONLY) for brilliance while a LAZY NONENTITY wins NGN25,000,000 (TWENTY FIVE MILLION NAIRA) for messing around; sleeping, snoring and having sex on TV for just 90 days! It's unfortunate!
Pathetic!

For the first time in recent days filled with various disheartening news; from #COZAGate to #RugaSettlements and #ElishaAbboMustPay we have a good news that gladdens the heart - @MikelObi_12 is injured! Now, there's hope for the eagles!

Nigeria - Yoruba's For Sale - Going, Going, Gone.

The Conspiracy of Our Political Leaders and the Complacency of Our People.
Tosin Ajibare Gold
1/7/2019.

Foolishness is when you being wise think others are fools and as such you can outsmart and outplay them. In fact this is the prerequisite for self destruction.

And this Self destruction is what our Political Leaders and Representatives are playing at, over hyping themselves as elites and learned folks, thereby undermining the frail seasoned Warrior, by & by the so called Illiterate Baba Go-slow will play them and win them as he has always done.

Hasn't he always gotten away with everything? The Service Chiefs, The World Bank focus, The Radio Fulfulde... e.t.c

History is a reliable guide, An obvious tact by an ethnic group to #OccupyNigeria and perpetuate itself in every facet of leadership as their supposed God given right is progressing and succeeding with the speed of light and our leaders are playing loyal to His Highness, calculating 2023 presidency.

The Almighty Yoruba Nation has been demoted to just a pawn on a board of Chess in exchange for a shot at 2023 presidency, our leaders playing dumb to all facts and figures, to the extent that our own pastor, our foremost Yoruba political entity said the spate of insecurity and kidnappings is being exaggerated.

Our Father Oduduwa is on the altar of 2023 presidential ticket and about to be sacrificed.

Our Political Leaders will not save us, they will not save our heritage, they will not protect the sanctity of our land, they will sell us as they have always done.

I will not be sold, don't know about you.

Tosin Ajibare Gold

Days ago when Nigeria qualified to the next phase of the tournament by back to back 1:0 wins over Burundi and Guinea, I made it clear that the super eagles were evidently struggling so far. They were hapless in both games. I was almost roasted by people, I was tagged 'enemy of progress' by many but I think the Madagascar result justifies my argument. And please note that it will take a miracle for Nigeria to go beyond the Quarter Final stage, mark my words!

THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE OF EKITI STATE MISS TOURISM 2019


It's the Second Edition of Ekiti State MISS TOURISM 2019 brought to you by FASHFAM MEDIA HOUSE.

FASHFAM MEDIA HOUSE is pleased to introduce you to one of the biggest and Ultimately one of Nigeria’s largest markets through THE MISS TOURISM EKITI PAGEANT.

The objective of the MISS TOURISM EKITI pageant is to promote the positive images of women from different part of the country, highlighting their backgrounds and what stands out as a potential state of choice. We encourage the contestants to display their rich culture, share their diversity in the spirit of unity, and showcase their talent to a multicultural society.

The programme is slated to commence with an audition in Ado-Ekiti and camping programme follows after the auditions. Camping of Contestants before the final Event on the 17th November, 2019.

Miss Tourism EKITI pageant aims at supporting top five (5) contestants young women in our society, as they achieve personal growth, professional success, self-assurance, and community involvement.

BENEFITS:

•OFFICIAL CAR attached to her Office.
•Cash Prizes
•Trip to represent EKITI at the next Miss Tourism Nigeria
•One year modeling contract and so many other consolation prizes.


HOW TO REGISTER

•You must be a Nigerian
•You must be a Female
•You must be between the age of 18-27yrs
•You must be at least 5.0ft tall

Any interested applicant should pay the sum of N3,100 through the Registration Portal designed for the Event.

In an open interview in person with CEO Fashfam Media House (Comr Olumide Fasubaa) he disclose and declare the commencement of the event Officially.

Miss Tourism EKITI 2019
With a principal objective to identify and showcasing the Nation’s Best Fashion Style, Beauty, as well as Tourism Potentials; the Miss Tourism EKITI Contest provides the most appropriate atmosphere and opportunity for corporate brands, private businesses, government and non-governmental agencies/parastatals, fashion and beauty as well as accessories producers, manufacturers and retailers/wholesalers including lovers of Tourism to meet and further forge a way for tourism promotion in Nigeria.

Miss Tourism EKITI event will witness the exclusive gathering of the affluent professionals, fashion designers, musicians and technocrats in an atmosphere of glamour and luxury. It’s our top priority to make the event a meaningful and rewarding experience for all; projecting the brand image of all our support/sponsoring brands.

Enquiries: 07033020407, 08135629407.

Actions speak louder than words, when you're in charge, you don't go about convincing everybody that you're, we'll naturally know. The #PMBIsInCharge campaign is a reflection of how badly @MBuhari has lost it.
A piece of advice, do what's right because you won't be there forever.

Thank you Eagles for flying to the next round, even if you can't soar...
We're so used to winning by 1:0...
#NGAGUI

Patriot Group Launches Campaign for Positive Values in Ekiti

27th March, 2019
Olabode Samuel
Ado-Ekiti

Patriot Group Launches Campaign for Positive Values In Ekiti.

The Patriot Group, a youth and Community development organization have launched a grassroot campaign in Ekiti State to awaken lost morals & encourage positive values.

The Group has called on Nigerians, especially the youths to shun negativity and embrace positive values.

During an interview with journalists in Ado Ekiti, Tosin Ajibare, President Of the Patriot Group remarked that it is imperative to deal with the issue of moral deficiency if we are to move forward as a People, as a State and as a Nation. He said, "When one looks at all the happenings going on in the country, the retrogressiveness, the rise in crimes, political violence, domestic violence, the level of corruption across board both private and public, ritual killings, fraudulent acts and the height of greed across corridors of power, one will realize that our matter is beyond shifting blames or making excuses.

"At no time have we had as much security agencies tackling every kind of crime, yet every form of negativity is still ballooning off the charts. This points to the fact that there is something inherently lost amongst the people & that thing is nothing other than Positive Values."

He said, "the Patriot Group will be collaborating with different youth groups and Civil Societies to make the campaign far reaching and productive."

He also pointed out that the issue of moral deficiency is not just a youth problem but a general problem that manifests itself in every category of citizens, saying, "which is why our campaign is not just about youths but about the populace as a whole, it is not a youth campaign but a youth driven campaign and we will be taking our message across board, into every nook and cranny, into every sector, from the schools to the market, from the civil service sector to the artisans, from talking about exam malpractices and internet fraud to dishonest scales, from corrupt practices to fraudulent & deceptive attitude.

"It is our goal that our people become better, it is our goal that our people embrace honesty in all their dealings, It is our goal that our people eschew greed & avoid self-centeredness.

"We want a better State, we want a better Nation and we believe that one can only give what one has", he concluded.

Oluwalana Daniel a 200level student of Faculty of Law Ekiti state university and member of the Patriot Group advocated the need for our religious institutions to teach and encourage moral uprightness, not just by way of mouth but by matching deeds with action. In his words, "you cannot condemning fraud and corruption but keep exalting fraudulent & corrupt people on the basis of being rich, it doesn't tally". He also recommended that, "it is high time educational institutions add the teaching of moral education to their curriculum and maybe even make anti-corruption a GST course in our tertiary institutions."

Comrade Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, a youth advocate and secretary to the Joint Council of Ekiti youths said, "it is important that the Nation looks at Value reorientation as a solution to the numerous problems plaguing the Country." He made a call on both private and public institutions, most especially the National Orientation Agency to rise up to the issue of moral deficiency saying, "they should make it a task to teach our people, to be Good, to be Kind, to be Hardworking, to be Dutiful, to be Honest in Our Dealings, to Eschew Greed, to Avoid Self-Centeredness and most especially, to be Patriots."

ARISE, HEED THE CALL OF LIBERATION!
(Song - Tune: Joyful, Joyful)��
By: Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa

(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

1. Arise o compatriots
Heed the call, Nigeria calls obey
Harken to the cry of Liberation
A cause long overdue
Brace yourselves as one
Thou battered people
Come together as one army
(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

2. How can a microscopic few
Hold d'majority to ransom
How can our Commonwealth
Be looted by greedy elements
Yet we stand still
Our arms folded
Waiting for a miracle
(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

3. Now that things have fallen apart
And the center no more holds
It's our duty as a people
To be responsible
Sack every looter
Claim what is ours
And bring back our lost glory
(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

4. Before now it was the bondage
Of the colonial masters
Now it is the bondage of
The indigenous task-masters
Just as we over-
Came the colonists
We shall also overcome them
(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

5. Arise o compatriots
Heed the call, Nigeria calls obey
Harken to the cry of Liberation
A cause long overdue
Brace yourselves as one
Thou battered people
Come together in unity
(Refrain)
Arise o compatriots
Heed the call; Nigeria calls, obey!

SPECIAL PRAYER FOR NIGERIA ON THIS SPECIAL DAY

All powerful and merciful Father, You are the God of justice, love and peace. You rule over all nations of the earth, power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand You.

We present our country Nigeria before You. We praise and thank You for You are the source of all we have and are. We are sorry for the sins we have committed and for the good deeds we have failed to do. In Your loving kindness and forgiveness, keep us safe from the punishment we deserve for Your Name's sake.

Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties, but also by moral, economic and political problems. Father, listen to the cry of Your people, Your elect who confidently turn to You.

We pray against corruption, bribery and other atrocities driving our dear country towards doom. Father in heaven, You always provide for all Your creatures so that all may live as You have willed. You have blessed our country Nigeria with rich human and natural resources to be used to Your honour and glory and for the well being of every Nigerian.

We are deeply sorry for the wrong use of these Your gifts and blessings through acts of injustice, bribery and corruption, as a result of which many of our people are hungry, sick, ignorant, defenceless and vulnerable.

Father, You alone can heal us and our nation Nigeria of this sickness called corruption. We beg You, touch our lives and the lives of our leaders and people so that we may all realize the evil of bribery and corruption and work hard to eliminate it such that we would not delight in doing evil like vote buying and selling.

God of infinite goodness, our strength and adversity, our health in weakness, our comfort in sorrow, be merciful to us Your people. Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom even as we step out to vote this Saturday. Cause Your peace to overshadow us roundabout before, during and after this election. And, cause Your Will to be done.

Raise up for us God-fearing people and leaders who are for us and who will lead us in the path of peace, prosperity and progress. Bless us with Your Kingdom of justice, love and peace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. Amen!

Please, show love to our dear country Nigeria by rebroadcasting this special prayer for all

NEVER SAY NEVER!
Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa

I write to every good citizen of Nigeria, especially the 'reasonable' youths who against all odds strive daily to make ends meet; to all those who want the best for our dear country, to those who don't just complain about Nigeria's deteriorated state but take actions towards reviving her, to those who are bold enough to challenge the existing modalities, to those fronting for better alternatives to the existing dubious political structures, to those brave enough to run for political offices against all odds - in the midst of scavengers who are bent on sucking us dry of our God-given resources and fortunes.

To the market women, traders and business owners who diligently struggle everyday to make ends meet without 'cutting-corners', to every parent in Nigeria who keep spending their hard earned monies on sponsoring their wards to school everyday, year after year even though the hope of securing jobs thereafter is almost 'impossible' without connection. To those who notwithstanding the government's irresponsibility to the welfare of workers still do their jobs diligently even when they are owed months of unpaid salaries. To those children whose future seem bleak because of structural and infrastructural inadequacies.

To the teaming youths who are stranded, strapped and frustrated, who have given their all with virtually nothing to show for it. To their parents who have invested so much in them but are experiencing hunger even at old age, I want you to know that there is hope it you don't give up. You will definitely make it if you keep pressing!

Let us consider the story of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America who never quit despite failing in many attempts to make it in life.

Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.

He could have quit many times – but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the United States history.

Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s road to the White House:

1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818 His mother died.
1831 Failed in business.
1832 Ran for state legislature – lost.
1832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834 Ran for state legislature again – won.
1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
1840 Sought to become elector – defeated.
1843 Ran for Congress – lost.
1846 Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
1848 Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
1854 Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – get less than 100 votes.
1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
1860 Elected president of the United States.

If this supposedly destined-to-fail-man could become a world renowned because he didn't give up even after failing in many attempts to becoming great in life, then I am rest assured that you too can.

God bless Nigeria and all of her citizens who seek her betterment.

I am Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, Youth Advocate and Social Reformer, Convener of #TooRichToSuffer. I believe in a country where things work. I believe in a New Nigeria!

Happy New year! Welcome to 2019; the year of my Dominion!

MUST READ!!!

It is no secret that nobody is safe no more in Nigeria but information reaching me now is ritual killings has taken a new dimension. Apart from extrajudicial killings everywhere, I heard that there are even those targeting fresh human faeces for money rituals; a relative of mine shared with me how someone wrestled with her to forcefully collect her son's faeces from her (because the boy had to defecate in a potty). It was an unbelievable scene as she was lucky other ritual killers didn't join in to overpower and perhaps kill her in the process. Ladies' underwears are also being targeted for rituals, bathrooms are being bugled into in order to cart away ladies' panties... The other day, an innocent university student seeking accommodation was dismembered by desperate guys seeking blood money! All these are because people must survive; survive because our commonwealth is not circulating! Yet some people think we can continue this way! It's unfortunate that we keep deceiving ourselves that all is well with us even when it is otherwise, truthfully, things are getting out of hand! This country is burning already and our leaders pretend not to know all because their children are secure abroad? A day will mark the beginning of a bloody revolution in this country, no Governor or senator or even the president would be speared. The earlier they fix this country for good, the better for everyone!

I'm Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, a Youth Advocate and Social Reformer, it's bothering to me what Nigeria is turning into, you should also be bothered!

OURS IS DEFINITELY A RADIANT GLOOM
Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa

"...even though turbulent time as we are presently experiencing was prophesied before now, let it be known that we have successfully fast-tracked our own 'end time' and, I doubt if it can be gloomier than this, for ours is that of a radiant gloom!" - Sharpminds

While the world around us is evolving; new innovations springing forth daily, competitive inventions rolling out every minute, science and technology taken to the next level and a number of milestones achieved by everyone else but us, we are busy languishing in disunity, political instability and poverty. Speaking of poverty however, we have done well enough to make Nigeria its world headquarter.

In the nineteenth year of the new millennium, we are still struggling with meeting basic needs of life as a people while others have gone beyond meeting primary and secondary needs, to meeting tertiary needs. Structural and infrastructural inadequacies keep costing us lives worthwhile. Hope against hope, visions upon visions; it is getting more and more difficult to fulfill one's dreams, visions, ambitions and aspirations in an opportunity-dry country like ours.

Watching the TV yesterday, I saw Festus Keyamo boasting on behalf of the President, how Buhari's administration has changed the story of Nigeria for good; how insurgency and any threat to civil living have been 'drastically' dealt with. He said those rubbish on Aljazeera! Pathetic, isn't it? It's a pity that many Nigerians are being subjected to the most inhumane treatments ever, being made refugees even in their home country all because we have failed woefully.

I cannot agree more with Chinua Achebe when he said, “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically 'wrong' with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”

Obafemi Awolowo did more justice to the above statement when he said, "...the influence which a nation exerts, the respect which it enjoys, and the prestige accorded to it on the world scene, depend on two important factors: the size of its wealth and the calibre of its leadership. Granting an incorruptible, courageous, public-spirited, enlightened and dynamic leadership, the wealth of a nation is the fountain of its strength. The bigger the wealth, and the more equitable its distribution among the factors and agencies which have helped to produce it, the greater the out-flow of the nation’s influence and power." Chief Obafemi Awolowo said this in a speech he delivered in London on November 3rd, 1961, a year after Nigeria's independence.

We have come to that point in our national life when we have to tell ourselves the gospel truth. Nothing is truer than the fact that Nigeria is at a record low because nothing seems to be working. Nigeria leaders over time have caused her to retrogress more than they have 'attempted' to make her progress. If nothing else, at least we all know that the same sets of people have been parading themselves in the corridor of power since 1960.

It is shockingly embarrassing to know that anyone would still pride in being a leader of such a devastating place like ours. Oh, how time flies, [b]leaders used to willfully take their own lives when they failed the people in times of old, those were the days when men were honourable! [/b]Even if this present breed of shameless ignoble marauders parading themselves as leaders would not end their own lives honourably, it is at least a reasonable thing for them to vacate the seat! How beautiful it is for rulers to be Noble!

As a young boy, I witnessed the first riot by market women in my town when price of foodstuffs 'skyrocketed' suddenly without prior notice. A Congo/mudu of garri suddenly became 7 naira from its initial 5 naira, and the same applied to aroso rice (imported) which became 15 naira from its initial 10naira. Everybody knows how badly these commodities have skyrocketted now. The former costing as high as around 200 naira and the later costing as high as around 800 naira respectively. I remember when I used to buy pms (petrol) for 11 naira per litre, I would go to the 'Total' filling station across the road with a 20 litre keg and get it filled up with 220 naira, a few naira more than 145naira which is the official price of a litre today!

Without mincing words, 'a national day for cursing' should at least be set aside annually to lay curses on everyone who has contributed to Nigeria's undoing in anyway. I mean, this same 50 naira that can hardly buy cookies today used to be my pocket money for a whole term when I was in boarding school in those days (even though it wasn't the standard then). I didn't only witnessed, I also partook of it when the transport fare between Ikere-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti was just 5naira, it's now 150 naira (3000% increase)! I'm talking about a time as recent as two decades ago! For crying out loud, where did we get it all wrong?

It is mere self deciet if we believe that any of those who have spoiled us so far would come around to fix Nigeria, it's nothing but a very glaring lie which would be bought only by a gullible people. We've chosen gullibility as a core value. An obnoxious attitude injected into us as part of a long term plan by greedy politicians in order to remote us cheaply. We've been treated so badly that sometimes we forget that we are human beings, hence, we behave like animals. We forget that government exists because of the people. We forget that, our representatives are suppose to be answerable to us. We stoop so low, extremely low for God's liking, limiting our own options. Even if we are under a curse, our actions and inactions have made such curse more effective on us.

God, while seated on His throne in heaven must have most times wondered how His investment on us has not yielded reasonable fruits, having situated us in a geographical location flowing with milk and honey, where nothing short of bliss is expected in return. We have by our misbehaving turned God's blessings to curses; still needing aid from countries with less than 10% of our resources. It is a misnomer that we are where we are presently!

It can only happen in an 'insane' society like ours that few months to a general election, the praises of marauders who have been in the business of embezzling our Commonwealth are still being sung everywhere. Heaven only help those who help themselves they say. As a religious people who believe in God, it is unfortunate that even the Supreme Being cannot help us as long as we aren't ready to do away with bad leaders who keep robbing us of good lives.

On a final note, a tsunami is coming, it will be worst than a horrible tempest, it will sweep away many, especially those who have benefited from Nigeria's problems. It would not matter if they are young or old, former soldiers cum politicians or religious leaders, they will all be swept away. The soul of every innocent Nigerian who has been a victim of their game of doom will fight back. Today as a Sabbath day is more fitting for a day of praying than being a day for cursing. Therefore, that day is left for you to choose. However, as it stands, we are not just hopeless as a people, our hopelessness is actually gross darkness. A radiant gloom!

I am Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, a Youth Advocate and Social Reformer. I believe in a New Nigeria where things work.