₦airaland Forum

presidency:
The Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari last week. Two names were very prominent in the assemblage: Margery Chuba Okadigbo, the Chairman, and Constance Harry Marshall.

The presence of the personalities gives more than an inkling into the character of our President. It confirms what some of us had always known. Muhammadu Buhari never
forgets a good turn. He repays every kindness, every justice done to him, as much as it lies in his power.

When you show kindness to the living, it is a good thing, something to applaud. But when you go further to do the same to the dead, it is something that places you on a very high pedestal; a man to be emulated, acclaimed, a blessed of the Lord.

Hear what the Good Book says: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.” (Ruth 2:20).

Examples abound of many people serving in government today, who are there at the behest of the President. Their paths had crossed at one time or the other, they did him a good turn, showed him loyalty, faithfulness, and many years later, one good turn deserved another.

Before we dwell on Margery Okadigbo and Constance Harry Marshall, let’s consider what the President did to two jurists, who had given bold and fair judgments in the many litigation processes the then Candidate Buhari got involved in, on his way to the Presidency.

In 2003, his first shot at the country’s number one seat, the electoral umpire gave victory to Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party, over Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP. Buhari and his party went to court, and the Court of Appeal upheld the electoral victory of Obasanjo, the then sitting President.

But there was a man who gave a dissenting judgment. He was Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, from Oguta, in Imo State. In nullifying the election results, he declared: “I find that the substantial non-compliance with the mandatory electoral law amounts to no election. I also find that there was violence perpetuated by President Obasanjo. May Nigeria never and never again see a black Saturday like April 19, 2003.”

Justice Nsofor is Igbo. Buhari is Fulani. But justice knows neither race nor ethnicity. He ruled according to his conscience, though it was a minority judgment, which did not succeed in overturning the election results.

But what did Buhari do? Fourteen years later, when Nsofor was 82, and long retired, the President nominated him as Ambassador, and posted him to the United States of America. The Senate first balked, citing the man’s age, but the President re-presented him. Eventually, Justice Nsofor served in America from 2017, and died in 2020. Two times I met with him in the USA. What always struck me was his firm, strong handshake, and the quality of his mind. If you are healthy and strong, age does not truly matter. Age doesn’t mind, if you don’t mind it, goes the saying.

A second example. Anther jurist, this time, of the Supreme Court. George Adesola Oguntade. In 2007, Candidate Buhari felt shortchanged again, in the election in which Umaru Yar’Adua was declared winner. The victor himself confessed that the election was flawed. The case went as far as the Supreme Court, where the majority ruling gave victory to Yar’Adua and the PDP. But Justice Oguntade would have none of it. He upheld Buhari’s appeal, cancelled the polls, and ordered a rerun. But it was also a minority judgment.

What did Buhari do again? Ten years later, with Oguntade long retired, the President picked him as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Showing kindness to the living, and rewarding their good deeds.

Many other of such examples abound, but let’s go to the flip side. Showing kindness to the dead.

In his first outing in 2003, Buhari ran with the former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, as vice presidential candidate. They both challenged the result of the election, and were determined to get justice. But in September of that year, Okadigbo died. Very painful.

Now, 19 years later, who has Buhari made Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board? Margery, Okadigbo’s widow. “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

What of Constance Harry Marshall, a relation of Marshall Sokari Harry, a political ally of the then Candidate Buhari in ANPP in 2003. A day before Buhari would flag off his campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers Sade, Marshall, who had decamped from PDP to become National Vice Chairman of ANPP, was assassinated. Painful. And those truly behind the murder were never known.

Today, 19 years later, Constance Harry Marshall is on the NNPC Ltd Board. Yet, ignorant people say evil of this President. He’s a tyrant, wicked, unforgiving. Really? “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

The lesson: Let us not be quick to condemn what or who we don’t know or understand. President Buhari is strict, unbending on certain issues. But wicked? Not so. In the days of Gen Murtala Ramat Muhammed as head of state, one senior military officer described him as a bully, “a kind-hearted bully.” Same with Buhari. Not a bully, but strict man with a kind heart. A man who does not forget to show kindness to both the living and the dead.

You now see why some of us have chosen to follow the President through thick and thin? “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

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

I see why most of his recent appointments are political settlement.
I see why he was nominating the living and the death for political positions.

Cameroon will be the first team to qualify for the round of 16 of the AFCON 2021.

Cameroon performance have improved compare to their first game.

Ethiopia have lost it.

Help us to do what is right always.

I am looking for the day Nigeria Ministers, Aides, NASS and other political appointees will go on strike as a result of non payment of their salaries and bogus bonuses.
N-power beneficiaries receiving #30k have not been paid for the past 3months, January will make it 4months. Prices of goods and services are increasing everyday.
It's well.

Prechgold1180:
Shut up oga
There is nothing wrong with dat
Even white players Dey do am

Ask him if we are all not Africans. Mo Salah even when to shake super Eagle players.

No yellow card, No red card. Very good officiating. Neat play by both teams.

Gullah:
Good first half by the eagles, egypt no even dey game at all.

The possession statistics dey show was won by Egypt, I shock.

The key in locking Mo Saleh should not be found.

Nigeria nor get who dey play 7?

PUSSYHOE:
I am the only licenced N-PUSSY Beneficiary that can call it N-PUSSY.

Congratulations

TemmyT002:
They want you to trek there like a patriot.

Even Nigeria is paying for their trips abroad and paying for everything they use.
More than 3months now, no stipend for N-power beneficiaries.

Why is Nigeria government never sincere with her citizens? You employed people into N-power scheme, as beneficiaries, they are supposed to pay #30/month of the work done by the beneficiaries in their respective PPAs. After waiting from June 2020 to September 2021, the beneficiaries were asked to do their physical verification and other things. Resume their various PPAs, carryout their respective duties but the stipends are not forthcoming. They paid September, 2021 stipend in October, 2021. Now, October stipend was paid to few beneficiaries in January, 2022 while majority of the beneficiaries have still not receive their stipend, the N-power is saying they have paused the payment to resolve what we don't know. From one excuse to another, January is far running, No October, November and December stipends.
Why is Nigeria government so wicked? Will they say they have not receive their salaries, allowances and bonuses since October, 2021?
They have included N-power beneficiaries to their political achievement.

guobe:
I don't really know where this country is heading to,just yesterday I bought a tin of peak milk and milo for 4700 naira, small can for that matter. I can't figure out how the less privileged are surviving in this country. God help us.

This is what #2200 can buy before Buhari came to power.

Na wa

uthlaw:
you actually told us everyone will be paid once...what is the excuse this time around?

I seconded this question

They should pay batch C stream 1 beneficiaries their November and December, 2021 salaries.

Fake news

samuel051:
keep opening threads upon threads on how npower is starving u,no go fine better work do even if na small mechanic ODEson,

Keep on following N-power trends, at least, it will keep you busy since you lack what you are doing.

They put November payroll and remove it just to let us know they will pay November?
We too joke for this country.

Bread and tea.

samuel051:
when dumb mofos like u were saying rubbish about batch B,ur eyes wear pampers abi?
Whey ur October stipend?
Welcome to the club comrade..

Your psychotic problem is first grade.
Did you see any of my comment on batch B issues?
Go get a job.

samuel051:
As if u are not experiencing worse at this early stage ode,have you been paid for October to December,even batch B were paid before new year two years ago. Where ur October stipend. Agbakara..

If batch C Beneficiaries have not been paid October salary, must you kill yourself about it?
Go look for job and stop killing yourself about batch C Beneficiaries.

samuel051:
Exactly,but when this new intake wants to talk,they always say batch B serve same tenure as batch A,whereas batch B didn't even complete 2years,no device,some are being owed 6months to 1year Backlog. It's good we all experience it so that we can come together and fight the common enemy which is fmhds.

What batch B experienced, Batch C Beneficiaries will not experience it. Carry your negativity go your house.

samuel051:
Why waste ur time,shey they were d ones asking what batches And B did with their stipend and should get out so they can come in..now they are in and should gain first hand experience what their predecessors went through so that they will know how to talk next time over things they know nothing about. Abeg nobody should complain because what is good for d goose is also good for d gander.

Must you appear in all N-power trends to say rubbish against Batch C Beneficiaries?

Brighton was the better side. Their finishings were poor, they would have won.

Welbeck don do am.

Chelsea is back in the game.

Brighton have not been good in their finishing, if not, Chelsea would have received up to 3goals.

End of first half.

Brighton should have had more than two goals in this match, Mandy have been excellent and the Brighton team have wasted alot of chances.