A renowned Economist and Legal Practitioner, Dr. Gbenga Adeoye has saluted the high level of patriotism of the newly appointed Lead Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya as he led members of his congregation to raise an altar of prayer for the Super Eagles for victory against South Africa.



The Egba born technocrat said that at first he condemned the act of turning the altar to a platform for soliciting requests for a football challenge, but looking inwardly saw the level of love displayed by the Pastor, which is a real addiction of love towards ones nation.

He made this revelation in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta today through his media office.

Dr. Adeoye said that those dividing the nation using religion, political or ethnicity should desist or face the wrath of God.

Speaking on what earned the team the outstanding victory against South, he said that despite the ethnic colouration of violence and kidnapping, he strongly believed that no tribe is totally bad.

Reacting to the atmosphere in the country on February 7, 2024, Adeoye said that Nigerians if united can withstand any challenge either kidnapping, terrorism or political victimization by the ruling class.

He clearly mentioned the patriotic stand of the Nigerians in the Diaspora "No wonder our people in diaspora despite holding UK, US Or Canadian Passport still follow everything in Nigeria from politics to health care and security".

"Most people that rushed around and shouted with joy didn't do so because they are addicted football fans, they are not Manchester United or Chelsea Fans, but purely lovers of this great country.

Adeoye said that patriotism is like an addiction irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political leanings, even those who had Japa, the feeling is the same.

"Most times when I feature on Sunrise Daily at Channels to discuss Economy, Tax or Fiscal Policies; they seem to be more interested outside Nigeria.

Saluting the enviable patriotic standard of his wife, Dr. Gbenga reported how much her wife got entangled with the game, the Legal luminary said the wife forgot to restock the supermarket and the fact that inflation has wiped off more than 50% of working capital, the focus of her wife on 7th February is how Nigeria will win. "She even told me seriously to start praying and use my faith for Super Eagles, what a way to love one's dear country".

He said that his wife refused to put on the Television set in her office to avoid High Blood Pressure, "as she listens to people that converge around us, if they are too quiet; then it is because they are sad that we are losing but if they shout for joy, then we are winning. She will send one staff or call intercom to ask about the match".

The Chartered account believed that Nigeria will become great again, if we all join hands to address our challenges and those in Government become humble to listen to those outside and of course become flexible with our policies by adjusting or eliminating any policy that is counterproductive and breeding poverty and hunger to avert National Anger.

In Conclusion, Dr. Gbenga entreats all Nigerians including religious leaders to use their platforms to pray for the good of the Nation.

No sane people can insist that a clear need to restructure its policing framework will be delayed especially when it is obvious that things are getting out of hand.

Shall we wait until the people take laws into their own hands especially since it has become the norm to ethnically profile crime which is extremely dangerous?
A crime must be called a crime, all this nonsense of calling it tribal names is dangerous.

Those who draw security votes at the subnational levels must know that we are sliding into some form of ground zero.

On the specific killings of the traditional rulers in Ekiti, it is extremely provocative and suggests that those marauders have no sense of culture or good upbringing.

Those who put them to this rubbish are threatening the peaceful coexistence of this nation. All those who are remotely connected to this must be found and brought to book.

To those with responsibility to safeguard our people, that is governors, the earlier you come up with a comprehensive framework to secure our land, her people and those who live peacefully there the better.

The conspiracy of state destabilization as a tool of undermining government will not be tolerated.
There is no such thing as a highly highly-placed personality in my book when it comes to killing people, those who speak the language of those involved in this madness should call them to order immediately.

As for the president, it is time to open up to the enormous capacity that is available to stamp firm authority in this situation.

Intelligence Agencies are encouraged to profile all those who could be remotely connected with this unending, blood-draining insecurity with a matter of urgency.

Throwing money at it under security spending is not enough, it is time to bring down the sponsors of this demonic agenda. No one will allow any group under any guise to put the nation in disarray, as we owe it a duty to ensure that every inch of our country is save and every person in our country feels secured and protected. President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) do your primost duty.
May the soul of the departed find rest.

Otunba Segun Showunmi
Patriotic Citizen

Egba agenda 2027: Group roots for Adeoye as Abiodun's successor

A socio-political group, Youth Involvement in Good Governance (YIGGOM) on Tuesday said that with the Supreme Court affirming the governorship of Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State till May 2027, the stage is set for the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District to begin to look for a technocrat who could take over from the governor in 2027.

The group in a statement on Tuesday noted that though it was not unaware of the agitation of Ogun West Senatorial District to have a first shot at the governorship seat since the state was created about 48 years ago but this does not mean that the Egba people who are abundantly qualified should not aspire to lead the state again.

In the statement signed by National President of YIGGOM, Olayiwola Ahmed, the group said "we are unapologetically behind Egba Lokan Agenda, meaning that we are supporting and preaching that a thoroughbred, visionary, highly intelligent tecnocrat with passion for good governance and accountability from Ogun Central should take over from Gov Dapo Abiodun after May 29, 2027.

"We are not unaware of the agitation of Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the next governor of the state for the very first time but the governorship seat is not the exclusive preserve of any part of the state and additionally, the Egbas are equally abundantly qualified to seek to succeed Gov Abiodun.

"We have equally heard that some notable Egba indigines like the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Sharafadeen Tunji Ishola and host of others are also signifying interest to run the 2027 governorship race.

"However, with the benefit of hindsight, we are of the strong opinion that the next Governor of our dear state should be a thoroughbred technocrat, a full blown professional with cutting edge knowledge to manage, maximise and harness the abundant natural resources in the state.

"It is on this note that we are putting forward Dr Gbenga Adeoye, an accomplished Chartered Accountant, a lawyer, a socio-economic development expert and a humanitarian par excellence.

"Dr Adeoye is young, dynamic with exemplary leadership qualities and love for good governance and accountability. He is the next biggest fortune that will impact the state for the generation unborn to be proud of. We sincerely trust that his leadership is the much expected game changer in the affairs of Ogun State".

New Year Message 2024.
Thank you the owner of everything. Thank you sovereign over nations. Thank you for the spirit of the 4th man in the fire. Thank you the One who speaks and it is done.

The peace of a nation is the peace for everyone within and around the nation.
Come through for Nigeria and cause us your people to see the manifestation of the prayers of the saints.

I pray for the territorial commanders of this nation that there will be an alignment of visions, plans and actions to bring about speedy recovery on all sides for this blessed nation.

To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is time to bring the structural issues of the country to the front burner, no nation can keep having unknown organized killings of large numbers in villages and communities the type we have been experiencing in the Middlebelt of Nigeria without considering what must be structurally done to find a lasting solution.

We have circled this mountain for too long, enough is enough.

On the economy, money has only been stolen and hoarded, if you squeeze them they will return what belongs to the country, you need to understand that the poor cannot keep carrying the burden of abuse of office cum abuse of privileges from years past.

Mr President, this nation requires comprehensive and deliberate reimaging and reorientation. It cannot be the dream of our founding fathers nor the hope of the future to have a country where no one is good enough to serve us.

I encourage you to pay attention to the police force, once we have a fit-for-purpose, well-funded and motivated police force we will begin to deal with criminality which simply put is at the heart of most of our challenges.

Greatest of the greatest Nigerians, you are the forever heroes of our nation. Do not give up on our country. Tomorrow promises to be better, if we work very hard at nationhood. I pray the elements favour us all as Nigerians.

Happy New Year to us all. Nigeria Arise for your glory is come.

Otunba Segun Showunmi.
Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Happy Birthday

President Tinubu, there is still time not to waste time: By Worldfamous Ajibola Oluwafidipo.
When it all started, some of us believed that a seasoned democrat like you will hit the ground running and after four to five months, Nigeria that people thought was buried will emerge.

Not quite long after your inauguration Her Excellency your adorable wife said you don't need Nigeria money to survive as you already have sealike resources.

One will not expect that you will be party to those who will manage the country's hard-earned money from crude oil, knowing well that you are not money missed road, but the news of the proposed yatch, renovation of your house in Bourdillion are very disturbing having considered the Samaritan experience in the country.

President Tinubu, this warm message is not to undermine your capacity, trust me I know God can help you beyond your imagination, the pressing issue is simply have you for once asked God for the wisdom to lead the most populous Black nation, maybe you have forgotten that many predicted your death even before the election, some went as far as saying that you will not be the one to lead even if you ever win the election.

Everyone who said that they saw revelation could be right you know, that God showed you favour is simply uncommon grace that is not common to Abacha.

Dear President Tinubu, being a leader in Nigeria is not bread and butter, but tilting the camera of your administration in the right direction will help focus our camera lens on the object of view, you cannot have a bogus cabinet and still expect Nigerians to endure hardship the more.

In the Bible whenever Israel is experiencing famine, God will instruct their leaders to declare days of mourning and fasting, seeking the face of God in total repentance, your body language in recent time is like all is well in the country, there is still time to do something before the remaining time is totally wasted.

History will be kind to you if with your zealous desire you are able to navigate us out of economic darkness, but if otherwise, I hope you will find enough space in my coming publications.

My President, I sincerely know that charity must begin from home, your effort is noticeable but not effective, an impactful effort is what we desire, may the good Lord help your weariness of heart.

This is not the time to quit, it is time to be quick about the change you promised us.

God bless Nigeria.

DR SOLEYE MY MENTOR IS 90 THIS DAY 11/11.BY DR.GBENGA ADEOYE.

The world is full of men that appears like great men but actually most of those men that appear like great men are men with skeleton in their cupboard.

When I see many big men in our society; I shake my head when I remember I have someone who is a father and mentor with high integrity, honesty, Contentment and simple lifestyle...That is Who Dr.Soleye is...a Clean man.

Dr.Onaolapo Soleye do not have too many replica in Egbaland, Ogun State and Nigeria when it comes to honesty and integrity.

He served as a Commissioner in the old Western Region and was a Pioneer Commissioner when Ogun State was created in 1976.

Once a Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Commerce.( TIC).

He was Commissioner for Lands at a time and then Commissioner of Finance.

He later served as Minister of Finance with Tunde Idi Agbon and Buhari.

He was a member of NNPC Board at a time.

He was part of men that shaped the Mining office of Nigeria.

Daddy is so simple and friendly that no one can accuse him of bias.

Unlike men who steal our common wealth today whenever they get into government, he served at different levels and never stole a kobo.

The husband of Mama Womiloju Modupe Soleye.. an Industrious Mama with discipline. A woman that will force you to eat even when you say you just finished eating.

You know you are coming home here; why should you eat before coming here.?

Mummy the mummy Ekiti Kete...Once we Crack such jokes she will laugh.

Daddy will say..Gbenga ...Ma ba mummy argue.Awon Ekiti Lori yen.( Gbenga, don't argue with mummy..That is Ekiti woman for you)

Daddy ki le eyin nso ..? Baba atomo ...( Daddy what are you saying there ..Father and son?).

Lover of his wife even at 90.

I love the company of great men like Dr Soleye and I enjoyed our conversations over the years.

Daddy will tell me..when you start going to School after becoming a sound Professional Accountant, you have your integrity to protect.

Every stage of my PhD; Daddy will ask me, how is your Thesis?

When I went back to School to Study Law; He will say, when a man with PhD and over 40 goes to JAMB office to obtain form to study Law full time; nobody should pity you.. Because it is a "Self Inflicted Injury"

Whenever Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo want to ask me my nick name around my journey to Legal Profession...She will say what is that Dr.Soleye's Phrase to describe what you are doing ...." Self Inflicted Injury".
That is her own way of asking about my study as a a Law student through that joke.Very loving.Dr.Soleye was the one that told Olori Gbadebo ..my view about a Staff that acted in unethical manner in her office.Then Olori started looking for me.

Alake loves Dr.Soleye so much...and he will say Teacher mi nko.? (,How is my Teacher ) because he went back to teach at BBHS after graduating from the school.I recall on 1st January 2022, Alake was meant to join us in my house for the usually new year celebration ...He was busy somewhere and he forgot...Then when he had that Dr
SOLEYE was in my house...He said..why didn't you call me immediately Dr.Soleye arrived and that would have been a good opportunity to celebrate the New year with him as well.

I did that on 1st January 2023..and in minutes Alake arrived at the house..

What a man who may not have plenty of money like some people who stole but yet a man of honour ..respected by Kings..

I whispered to Olowu when we met at Ake Palace .at that time Daddy was admitted at Red Wood Hospital ..He left Ake palace and went straight to say hello to Daddy.

That same period.Chief Obasanjo said he was going round to greet the Arugbo of Owu Baptist Church ..When he got to the house he didn't see Daddy
.He called..Ngbo ibo ni Baba Lola wa...? ( asking where Daddy was...) within minutes OBJ arrived.

The worth of a man of integrity is more than what money can buy.

To talk about Patriotism, He is man who cares so much about the situation in the country.

His voice whenver he call is super...He will speak with Bro Lola..The way he use to call Baba Obasanjo...

GENERALLLLLLLLLL.

He will call your full name....Olugbenga Adeoye.

Lakin.. is not Lakin...

Lakin is Oluwafunmilakin.

Bro Lamide is not Lamide.

Olamide.That voice..How is Kumbi..whenever he is talking to him is worthy of note to celebrate as you turn 90.

Sister Bimbo is not Bimbo...She is Abimbola.

Tayo is not Tayo...
EYITAYO...also known as 2.I/C.

Tayo's greeting even at 10 pm is Mornimg Sir..standing like a Soldier.

He cracks jokes so much.

MororeofeOluwa your grand daughter and MorowoOluwa your grand son and my wife your daughter from Ijebu ..Oluwakemi Adeoye.. say happy birthday ..Daddy sometimes calls my wife Olori Oluwakemi Adeoye.

He is always asking ...Hope you are resting ..Then I will say ..actually ..Then he will say ..Shim biro e su ja( We use joke with Ijebu language..Meaning am only asking ..it is not a fight ..When you start with actually...instead or Yes or no...it means you are not resting..

I promise you henceforth I will.be resting very well and return to the course of golf play.

To my wife ...He will ask .
How is Supermarket.?

A man who cares about everyone.

He will call everyone and check on you.

That text to.my phone is ( How are you and where are you.Ona.) .I must call to respond.

Daddy knows the day you are returning whether your trip is to Abuja, Enugu, PH and in fact out of the country.

There are some people that like to take advantage of his kindness and good nature; I leave those people to God to deal with on this 90th birthday whether they are far or near.

Daddy does not like to ask for help...He always wants to give..and that accounts for why he never lobbied for help for anyone anywhere .

He is so passionate about the country that he will ask me to see him; let us discuss Nigeria.

I recall one time; Daddy met the Accountant General of the State..Pastor Seye Senfuye as he then was at an event and they talked about me..he .Said that restless boy Gbenga is my adopted son..I don't see him often but at least 4 times between Monday and Friday and every weekend as long as he is in Abeokuta.

The man laughed.He passed a message across to him in proverbs about how close we are.

Daddy does not compromise his stand for you at all time.

I recall one tenant did not know how close we are ...He probably thought I was an agent not knowing that Daddy is my father and mentor ...He went to him to tell Daddy about me...Daddy stood and said to him..would you get out of my house..How dare you talk about Gbenga like that.? You can't reach him..?.so what ?

He does not shift his ground of love for you.

No one can speak evil about you in his presence.

One attribute about him is that he loves all his children equally .

He knows the areas of strength and weakness of everyone and never get offended that one child is not the same with another.

Mama Ore Sister Bimbo of Texas ..When that one comes.. now. She will rearrange everywhere and put your things the way she wants it and not the way you want it.

2.I/C...That one...idi re ki gbe bi kan.( He does not stay in one place.) Lakin; Hmmm.. Oluwafunmilakin...If you ask him to come and see Land far away in one bush ..He will say..How.much is the value in that bush....You better sell it.....once it is not Lekki ..VI or Canadq ..It is village.for Lakin...Alangba Eko..Too Posh for some local sites...He will say it with laughter.

The same Alangba Eko now almost relocated to Abeokuta since March showing love to Daddy almost every day.

Try to force Daddy to do anything..or complain about certain moves he did not make in the past..He will say ..Ejo tiyin niyen( That is your own cup of tea )

He does not live in regret.

A man who hates show off.

He does not go to parties unless it is essential.

Very disciplined and homely.

No drinking..no smoking..a Baptist per excellence...No record of sexual immorality...What a value..?

His voice is so deep in my heart and brain..."Accountant Generallllll....The Lawwwwwwww."

In my life...I have not seen any man that is a Daddy like Dr.Soleye.

My Biological father Late Moses Aremu Adeoye..has something in common with Dr.Soleye and that is Peace with everyone.

He is not a Complex man.

You are an ICON at 90.

In my house on 1st January 2023.. You gather with us and spoke about an Accountant who turned to a Lawyer.

Your body started showing some signs after March 13 because of our dear brother we lost but in the midst of all of these you still say...Ani lati gba fun Olorun..(.we can't blame God)

You don't like to be pitied and so your composure in the midst of pains and Adversity taught me a great lesson.

A man who is concerned about the extended family.

He cares about all Soleye's Family and in fact anyone who is close to him.

Happy birthday Dr.Onaolapo Olusegun Soleye in your style of full name.

You are not an ordinary man.

Your 90 years birthday is a life full of memories of someone who touched lives and showed a good example of honesty, integrity and tolerance.

Even in your old age ..I still see people come around to ask him for help in cash.

I said to him Daddy..Your pension from UI is not even enough for you;; tell anyone that comes that you are a retired lecturer and you did not steal money as Minister of Finance.

He will say...Ma worry...Things are tough for them; you talking now...you are helping a lot or people too...Ika odogba...( Fingers are not equal)

Even the take home of many cannot take them home.

What else do I want in life.?.All of you are around me and I lack nothing.

If you are honest, if you have integrity, if you are Godly, if you are hardworking, if you like to study well, if you are patient; then You will be a friend to Daddy.

When Daddy want to sit you down for gist...

"How Country" is that word and then we would begin.

Daddy will brief me what happens before I arrived.

Very common...report I get from Daddy goes like this " Stephen sese kuro nibi ni...Tokunbo Debi laaro.(.Stephen just left; Tokunbo came in the morning."

Deacon Oyedele..Baba Ibeji...is also an ally of Daddy.

I remember Engr.Tony Ojesina who is another nephew of Daddy...I also remember Bro Toyin Jokosenumi too...I met them at Daddy's place.

The two regular persons are Uncle Steve and uncle Toks..

The three of us..must meet at Daddy's place by all.means .A good.man to us all.

ECONOMY is a must anytime i.go to the house.

Wo.( look).."What are they doing about Exchange Rate"?

Daddy will say now that Court has affirmed the President , .Kiwon Fi Bola Tinubu sile kan je o Govern.Ilu o rogbo now
( let them leave Bola Tinubu alone and let him Govern because things are tough for people.).

Happy birthday to You sir as you celebrate this 90 years in the land of the living .

No matter what happens after now; You lived well and we are all proud of you

Dr.Gbenga Adeoye writes from Abeokuta .He is a Lawyer and a Chartered Accountant and one of the Professionals Mentored by Dr.Onaolapo Soleye.

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The major leading posture in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and conscience of the nation, Hon. Segun Showunmi has sent a congratulatory message to the newly appointed Security Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu saying that he is a round peg in a round hole.

The Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in his statement eulogized Mallam Ribadu as he is settling down in office for the great task and also urged him to bend his torch light towards Ogun state to help curb the incessant violence of the All Progressive Congress Political thugs that attacked him some weeks ago in a broad day light at the premises of the Election Petition Tribunal at Abeokuta.

The hoodlums who invaded the Court premises with cudgel and other dangerous weapons were seen chanting the name of the Governor as they assulted Otunba Showunmi and chased him away from the court premises.

Segun Showunmi encouraged the New Security Adviser to ask President Bola Tinubu of the immense sacrifice made before becoming a democratic nation, therefore, this sacrifice should not be rendered worthless by selfish politicians who are using the common wealth of the people to oppress them.

He further urged Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to investigate them assault on him and take the necessary action to call the Governor to order before he turns Ogun state to another dens of terrorists.

In Conclusion, the former Spokesman to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed his commitment to national unity, development and cohesion.

FIRS NEW EXCEL SHEET UPLOAD TO FILE VAT RETURNS IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE By Dr. Gbenga Adeoye

Let me start with three proverbs, if they don't want you in a city, do not raise song. If you do, nobody will join you to sing it.
Tax is not something people enjoy to pay especially when they cannot see corresponding benefits; Hence, making it difficult is like someone not wanted in a city raising songs.(Yoruba Proverb)

The second proverb is that a man they want to roast as suya that rub palm oil on his body and then stand beside fire thereby making the work of those who want to roast him easy.

When people are looking for how to avoid tax, do not compound the problem by making payment difficult for them.

The last proverb is that palm oil and white clothes are not friends.Tax payers and difficult payment systems are not compatible.

1. Any student of Taxation knows that one Major principle of tax administration is that it must be easy to pay.

2. This is hinged on the Canon of Convenience among others by Adam Smith.

3. Recently acceptance certificate for asset worth N500, 000 was discussed extensively and 99% of Nigerians are of the opinion that such policy is outdated because even just one laptop and table is in excess of N500,000 and asking people to go get any acceptance certificate is more or else an attempt to impose unnecessary burden on SME's... Some FIRS Team still ask for this during audit when we all know it is unreasonable. There are other ways to verify asset cost.

4. Let me return to the main subject of the day, March 2023 VAT filing which was meant to be filed on or before April 21 suddenly requires that you upload an excel sheet showing the following :

A. Name of your Customers/ Client.

B. Tax Identification Numbers.

C. Amount of Sales.

D. Code representing Nature of Transaction which is either of the following :

O for Vatable.

1 for Zero Rated.


2 for Exempted.

E. Type of Services
or product

F. Description of Product or Service.

5. As a matter of fact a video was posted on Tax Pro Max asking that each sheet can take 1000 line items.(Funny Numbers)

6. How do you begin to fill an excel sheet Containing all the above fields with 1000.?

7. You will not actually be able to file if you sell items in pieces such as soft drinks.

8.FIRS claimed that once you indicate the TIN of a tax payer; the respective VAT against such tax payer will go to the system as input VAT as a second leg.

9.Hence, there is no room for you to post local purchases that will enable you to claim or enjoy input VAT.

10. The question is; does FIRS think all tax payers will file at the same time.?

11. If the person you bought from is yet to file, it means you will have no input VAT. That means you will have to pay double VAT.

12. Most companies CEO's could not sleep from 19th to 21st of April 2023 all over Nigeria because many couldn't file the VAT. Some eventually chose to give up.

13. Another issue about VAT is that FIRS is yet to understand the reality in business and a good example is as follows.

You buy goods for N100,000.

You sell with 2% profit.

Meaning you sell for N102,000.

In any case, because of competition, you cannot sell above N102, 000 and no buyer will listen to your explanation that you actually charged VAT on it and as such price had to be higher than N102, 000.

Meanwhile, Most times when you bought from, there is nothing like input VAT in your favour and as such, FIRS is looking at your sales of N102, 000 and asking you to come and pay VAT of N7,650.(Quite Logical ? Isn't it? But Very unreasonable and against ease of doing business and a show of lack of understanding of industrial practice in such sector)

Once you pay N7,650 as expected, your profit of N2,000 is gone. Then FIRS takes another N5,650 from your trading Capital.

Do you think any businessman is stupid to pay such.?

Assuming you are trading with N100,000 and you pay the N7,650, which is rare, but let us assume you actually pay, if the business maintained the same level of transactions over a period of 18 months, the entire Capital would have been wiped off in the name of VAT without considering overheads.

14. For so many tax payers; nothing was shown as input VAT and yet no room for posting cost which the system uses to calculate input VAT.

15. Many posted their cost to Imported Cost so that their actual VAT can be seen.

16. The Excel sheet introduction is not going to work when it comes to input VAT claim because the entity you bought from may not have filed as at the time you are filing and as such, there should be a space for the posting of local purchases.

17. Over the counter transactions also does not give room for you to start asking for Tax Identification Numbers of customers. Yes it is also there that you can put zero if you don't know the TIN, but the question is why the stress.?

SUGGESTIONS TO FIRS.

1. Allow normal VAT filing to continue as it used to be.

2. You can ask for schedule of sales as mere additional documents with or without TIN and where customer's name is unknown, allow tax payers to insert "VARIOUS" to combine many customers... The truth is that such favours FIRS in that no one will claim such VAT as input anyway.

3. Leave the role of requesting for additional information with various tax offices. They know what to do to validate claims of sales and purchases.

4. Use VAT monitoring and Audit exercise to cross-check records of filings and stop stressing tax payers with unreasonable additional burdens.


Conclusion

1. The newly introduced system is counter productive and that account for why FIRS had to extend filing till April 30 for March VAT.

2. If step is taken to verify collection for the month of March, it will be below expectation.

3.FIRS and indeed all agencies dealing with the public should engage stakeholders and Professionals before introducing any policy.

4. Please note that many companies have not recovered from the damage done by CBN Naira redesign policy on the Economy and so, introducing this new filing method will amount to adding salt to injury

5. Such pain is not good at the time of tax payments as it negates Canon of Taxation and contrary to ease of doing business because productive time is wasted on irrelevant and counter productive exercise.

6. All these circulars going around about seminars on the new policy should be converted to apologies to tax payers as it constitute medicine after death where cart have been put before the horse.

The Author.

Dr.Gbenga Adeoye is a Lawyer and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria

He is an Arbitrator of the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

He is Passionate about Social Economic Development of Nigeria and Africa.

He is an advocate of Tax Justice and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

He can be reached via dga@gbengaadeoye.com

The name Segun Showunmi rented the air on Thursday when he openly embraced his gubernatorial rival Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, who is also from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party during a live broadcast on four radio stations.

Hon. Ladi Adebutu had called in on the programme to solicit for Otunba Segun Showummi's support as efforts to broker peace between them had failed repeatedly.

Otunba Segun while on the programme said that he has being to Hon. Adebutu's house more than three times and that the Peoples Democratic party candidate recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to reciprocate the gestures.

It was then on the programme that Hon. Oladipupo agreed to have lunch with the former Spokesperson to Alh. Atiku Abubakar, which took place yesterday with both parties followers in attendance.

The lunch which had in attendance members of the press was the first of its kind in the political history of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

The quadruple media interview that was put together by Worldfamous Publicity Company owned by the media guru Ajibola Oluwafidipo became the platform for conflict resolution as the popular radio presenter Mr. Olatoye Aknyemi (a.k.a Alawiye) threw a bombshell question as to who will Otunba Showunmi vote for in the coming election.

In all of this, Segun Showunmi has been in the centre of the process as the former Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has approached him to work with him, the incumbent Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has also tried to win himto his side, but Segun Showunmi has put the interest of the party above his personal interest.

During the lunch meeting, songs of victory rented the air as Ladi Adebutu and Segun Showunmi joined hands in readiness to discomfit all oppositions in the March 18 gubernatorial elections.

Hon. Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party has appealed to Otunba Segun Showunmi to join hands with him to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

Hon. Adebutu made this plea during a consolidated top four radio stations interview put together by Showunmi Media Team involving Fresh, Splash, Smash and Rockcity FM today in Abeokuta.

He called on well meaning Ogun indigenes to help appeal to Segun Showunmi and his followers as all players must be on board for electoral victory to be a reality.

The son of Baba Ijebu who phone in while the programme was on cannot hide his readiness to work with the former Spokesperson for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as majority of his followers are now in Governor Dapo Abiodun's camp.

Showunmi assured Ladi Adebutu that he will do everything humanly possible to give Adebutu his utmost support now that he has reached out to him.

Showunmi Performs Civic Duty, Says Buhari Will Be Remembered for Good*
The Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and a frontman in the Atiku for President Campaign, Chief Segun Showunmi has described the election very peaceful and well coordinated even as the turn-out is not encouraging.

The Party Chieftain who has taken the campaign message of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the nooks and corners of the country said that the President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has laid a legacy in the sense that for the first time in the history Nigerians voted despite the scarcity of cash in the system.

Segun Showunmi said as against the erroneous belief that elections are impossible without physical cash, the ongoing procedure is an eye-opener that money is not a major influencer if the people have made up their minds.

Reacting to whether the procedure is adjudged free and fair, Showunmi advised the government that the only way to increase maximum participation is to emulate the template of Brazil in which all citizens are duty bound to vote, by this no one is allowed to sit on the fence.

He said in the affirmative that the Peoples Democratic Party will emerge victoriously as people are genuinely tired of the All Progressive Party.

He left the voting centre in his convoy after responding to the press.

The most vibrant and exposed gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state, Otunba Segun Showunmi said that he has nothing personal against his political rival, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, just that Ogun state will fare better under him.

Showunmi made this known today while addressing selected party members during a-day workshop put together to conscientize party mobilizers and agents in order to put up a good show during the forthcoming elections.

He said that he had visited Hon. Oladipupo more than once to show that he has nothing personal against him, all he cannot say is if Hon. Oladipupo has something against as he is yet to reciprocate his mature gesture.

Speaking on the reason for his political ambition, Showunmi expressed his disappointment that our politics is being reduced to the politics of the wealthy, hence, his resolution to give common men platform to aspire having set an agenda for them.

The former Spokesperson to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Otunba Showunmi charged party faithfuls drawn from the 236 wards in the state to go back to their various constituencies and spread the tidings of restructuring being propagated by the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate.

In Conclusion, he encouraged party members to watch over their votes and discourage every form of over voting as the introduction of BVAS will expose such fraudulent acts and the affected polling units will be cancelled.

NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS CAUSED BY SELFISH, ARROGANT, IGNORANT AND INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP.

Over the years; government agencies have been led substantially by people who possessed insufficient education, experience and exposure.

What we fail to understand is that in Latin, we learnt that you cannot give what you don't have.(Nemo dat quod non habet)

The worst aspect of it is the interpretation of a Yoruba Proverb that described unfit leaders as someone who ought to be sleeping on the floor but suddenly finds himself on the bed with a good mattress.

Misbehaviour and foolishness occasioned by Pride becomes inevitable from such people when they occupy leadership position.

Let us take a look at the following to underscore my view.

1. National Assembly since 1999 has refused to touch the most important aspect of our Constitution which is Restructuring. There is no one among Senators and House of Representative Members who does not know that the only way to move forward is devolution of powers.

As a matter of fact; the party in power today had a committee that came up with recommendations on the need to restructure Nigeria. Even Jonathan led government spent money on the conference, but it was never implemented.

2. Who does not know that Security is local ? Why would it take us 24 years to remain at the level of talking without acting on just one important solution to our security problem.? STATE POLICING.

3. How do we explain the policy of Naira redesign that has caused more harm to the poor than the rich.? How do we describe the quality of the new notes compared with the old ones?

4. How do we explain the exchange Rate in Nigeria.?

5. How do we explain the cases of Multiple Taxation where non-state actors collect road taxes, make arrest and impound vehicles.? Why would it take eternity to rule on VAT Collection right of States and stop multiple tax such as Consumption Tax from Hotels and eateries.?

6. How do you explain the statement by certain persons in the name of religion where human lives does not mean anything again to people.?

7. How do you explain that our best brains at all levels cannot get Ticket to run for office ? Only those who have money can get it even if they are incompetent.?

8. How do you explain that you need billions to win election as a Governor, and yet we say they are corrupt.? Why would they not take back their investment?

9. How do you explain the level of Ignorance and the level of illiteracy in the North ?

10. How do you explain that Nigerians travels a lot, yet we cannot set up our National Airline in 24 years of democracy and after the death of Nigerian Airways killed by mismanagement.?

11. How do you explain the timing of Naira redesign and the hardship on the people ?

12. How do you explain the level of migration of our youths to Canada, United Kingdom and USA? Doctors and Nurses and now Teachers are leaving.

13. How do you explain the poor quality of graduates from our Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities.?

14. How do you explain the level of Ignorance in the church where a Pastor ask people to raise their phone up, and he prayed for miracle bank alerts?

15. How do you explain underage marriage and out of School Children in the North.?

16. How do you explain that most leaders goes for medical treatment abroad.?

17. How do you explain the poor treatment of our security officers (Police, DSS, Army, Civil Defence and all of them)?

18. How do you explain that people retire for over a decade but not paid their gratuity.?

19. How do you explain that Pension and Cooperative Deductions are not remitted for years.?

20. How do you explain the Jumbo Salary of Politicians and cost of Governance.? Why should someone suddenly become a billionaire after winning election or after taking an appointment.

21. How do you explain that a Presiding Judge while sitting in court can be killed right inside the court? How do you explain that some judges had to file a writ to make their claim from government? What signal are we sending to those in the bench as they hear such matters.

22. How do you explain the level of poverty in the land.?

23 How do you explain that able-bodied young men are thugs without work and at just little spark they ensure crisis erupts in cities.?

24. How do you explain the destruction of properties in Lagos during EndSars Protest?

26. How do you explain that most Federal Medical Centres and State's General Hospital do not have MRI and other Scan facilities.?

27. How do you explain cultism in Secondary Schools?

28. How do you explain the increasing numbers of girls around our cities working as harlots or doing runs or whatever they call it ?

29. How do you explain the number of jobless graduates in Nigeria ?

30. How do you explain that we deliberately ignored Technical Education

31 How do you explain that up till now, electricity problem is yet to be resolved.
Without Power, can any country be industrialised?

The only way to answer these 31 questions is to conclude that wrong people have been in leadership for too long and at various levels whether it be Federal and State Agencies, office by election or by appointment.

To move Nigeria forward, we must ensure that incompetent, selfish and arrogant people are not allowed to lead at any level again.

The Author; Dr.Gbenga Adeoye is a Lawyer and a Chartered Accountant, and he believes that the development of any country or organisation depends largely on the quality of people in leadership.

He can be reached via e mail on dga@gbengaadeoye.com

"May You All Be Comforted - Showunmi Condole Sir Kesington, Ladi Over Loss


A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi has commiserated with Sir Adebutu Kesington, and Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu over the recent demise of Mrs Oladunni Caroline Adebutu.

Segun Showunmu in a release made available to newsmen today said the demise of Ladi Adebutu's mother cane at a critical time when her counsel is much needed.

The Peoples Democratic Party stalwart who also had his primary to run for the gubernatorial seat in the state under the Peoples Democratic Party prayed that God almighty will comfort Sir Kesington as their marital journey over 55 years cannot be forgotten in a jiffy.

Otunba Segun Showunmi described Mama Dame Caroline Adebutu as a very loving mother and community leader who would be sorely missed because of her exemplary leadership character and love for humanity.


The PDP chieftain said Ogun State has again lost one of its illustrious and dependable citizens who was quite passionate about the welfare of others praying the almighty God to grant the Adebutu's dynasty the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss


The statement reads "I, Otunba Segun Showunmi condole the entire Adebutu family, our revered Odole, Sir Kessington Adebutu, my brother, Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu on the departure of their matriarch, Dame Caroline Oladunni Adebutu, the Iya Ijo of Methodist Church, Ibu Road, iperu - Remo, Ogun State, the Otun iya laje and the Iya Apesin of Lagos.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Chief Adebutu Kessington and his family, it is my prayer that the Lord will comfort the family from all sides. May Mama’s soul rest in peace".

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Zambia/Malawi, and one of the leading personalities advocating for good governance and women involvement in Nigeria politics, Mrs Folake-Marcus-Bello has lost farm products running into millions of naira, as a result of the inferno which gutted her farmland located in Onipepeye axis of Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State.

FocusNigeria confirmed from the Ex- Ambassador that the fire incident occurred at the early hours of Tuesday, and ravaged the 10 hectares of the farmland known as Folake B Farm, destroying over 500 palm oil trees among other farm products.

According to an eyewitness who spoke with our correspondent about the source of the fire at the farmland located along Siun-Sagamu-Abeokuta expressway said no one knows the genesis of the ugly incident.

Focusnigeria said that according to journalists that visited the scene of the fire incident, said that the farmland was badly destroyed, while different sources attributed the cause to some hunters who might have put fire in the neighbouring bush while trying to kill animals known as bush meat, another source has it that it maybe deliberate handiwork of some unscrupulous elements.

Responding to questions from Journalists, the manager of the farmland, Mrs Adesola Adebayo, while conducting journalists round the farmland after the incident that lasted for hours said she got a phone call from the villagers at about 4.30pm, informing her about the fire, and had to rush down to the scene.

She further said that the situation was beyond control because when she arrived, she and other villagers were helpless on the volume of the fire, which was spreading uncontrollably, adding that the weather condition contributed to the fast spread of the fire which caused serious damages.

‘I am the farmland manager, I got information at about 4,30pm from the villagers informing me that the farm is on fire, and had to rush down. On getting to the farmland, the fire was spreading fast, and we became helpless because of the volume of the spread’, she said

‘I don’t know the cause of the fire, but maybe it was caused by hunters looking for bush meat, who might have put fire on the bush to track the animals. One cannot also rule out activities of some unscrupulous elements who may deliberately set the farmland on fire. The harmattan further worsened the situation’, Adebayo stated

When our reporter reached out to the former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun state who said that the incident was indeed a sad development, adding that she is yet to get out of the shock as she stressed that she has committed millions of naira to the farmland.

Her Excellency, Mrs Folake Marcus Bello, who is also a legal practitioner lamented the huge loss, posited that the farm is already ripe for harvesting when fire consumed the farmland.

"This is disturbing and worrisome. I am short of words, and it was difficult to believe, just as we are looking forward for harvest, the inferno caused havoc destroying millions of naira farm products. The larger part of the 10 hectares of the farmland has been consumed’, Marcus-Bello emphasized.

In Conclusion, Mrs Bello said she is optimistic that the Lord will replenish what she had lost as she has not come out of the shock caused by the fire incident.

The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Dr.Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo Okukenu the IV has described Dr. Gbenga Adeoye as an illustrious son with great vision and passion for helping humanity.



Oba Adedotun joined other Egba Sons and Daughters from all walks of life to Celebrate the New year and the Call to Bar with Dr.Gbenga Adeoye.



Kabiyesi said that a lot of determination is required before one can decide to go all out to achieve success by combining Law with Accountancy even after PhD in Management Accounting .



He prayed that the new year will be a great year for the country and Ogun State while encouraging him to keep moving; he expressed his appreciation to the wife Mrs Oluwakemi Abolaji Adeoye for standing by her husband all though his career development goals.



Alake of Egba land in his remark described Dr. Adeoye as a talented and hard- working man with integrity and that was why so many people from all over the country joined him to celebrate the New year and his call to Bar despite their very busy schedule especially on 1st January and prayed that this type of success will go round in Jesus name.



The Alake of Egbaland in his goodwill message to the people, he pleaded with Nigerians to pray for peaceful election and declared that the hardship of the past will be wipe off this new year.



Also speaking at the event, the former Minister of Finance, who is also a mentor to the celebrant, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye emphasized the charismatic posture of Barrister Adeoye and his role in resolving tax dispute all over the country and expressed joy that several top people in different entities has approached him to expressed their satisfaction and delight with Dr.Adeoye's integrity in Professional Service which has earned him good reputation with Government at all levels in Nigeria.



Dr. Soleye said that the celebrant is always happy to speak for the oppressed and help lift the downtrodden out of penury and several has reported directly to him the positive contributions made in their lives by Dr.Adeoye. without knowing that the Lawyer and Chartered Accountant is his adopted son.



Dr.Onaolapo Soleye stated further that Dr.Gbenga Adeoye is generous to a fault and that his wife is worthy of celebration because without his wife Mrs Kemi Adeoye, he would not have been able to achieve his goals.



Speaking in the same development the Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji posited that Dr. Gbenga Adeoye and himself have the same type of background and worldview and all that was said by Dr.Ona Olapo Soleye the former Minister of Finance was the absolute truth and that he has close relationship with both Dr.Adeoye and His wife who also passed through the same school before proceeding to further his education in the various universities he attended and that he knew the wife in Mass Commuication department where he taught for over 23 years ago before becoming the Rector recently.



Speaking on behalf of the Community, the Chairman of the CDA, Elder Sola Adelakun noted that Dr.Adeoye is so humble that he does not look down on anyone and he is one person that you can run to in solving any problem in the community.He expressed delight at the level of network of the Accountant turned Lawyer who will always find solution to any problem reported to him for help and that while he was far away in Canada, he met another man who also told the same stories about Dr.Adeoye's generousity to all the people that comes his way .



In a sermon delivered by Elder Sam Adeogun from Alleluia Christian Chapel who is also the project Cordinator for IFAAD/ Ogun State Agric Project, he admonished everyone to trust God because God has all the powers to make anyone great.



Quoting from 1 Chromicle 29 verse 10 to 13 which is the anchor scripture of the church for the year 2022 but relevant for this kind of celebration, he emphasised verse 12 that

"Both riches and honour come from God and that God reignest over all; and in His hand is power and might; and in His hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all as He has given to Dr.Adeoye.



Speaking on behalf of Class Mates at Nigerian Law School, Bukola Sottin- Oyekunle who is a member of Group 1 with Rex Nwadoka stated that Dr.Adeoye touched the lives of 80 to 90% of Nigerian Law School students in Lagos Campus.



She stated that whatever is your problem, spiritual, physical, academics or financial, just go to Dr.Adeoye and your matter will be resolved. Bukky who said she was Dr Adeoye's seat mate in Law School said that though he was a student but a father to many on campus when they were in Law School.



The daughter Mororeofeoluwa Anuoluwapo stated that her father is so loving and caring and despite his busy schedule, he is a family man who care for the spiritual, physical and academic well being of the family.



The son Morowo- Oluwa Adedamola mentioned that his father is a good example of a man that love the family and that he gives equal treatment to children who were not even his biological children and you will not know the difference. He said that his father's commitment to study and work is enough to push anyone around to work hard and that he is a good example to follow .



The wife in her remark stated jokingly that she wonders atimes if her husband wanted to do 360 degrees, she buttressed that her husband is God fearing and caring and a goal getter who does not joke with any of His pursuit and that their home have been a bundle of divine endowment and only the grace of God can help a man to achieve different things at the same time especially combining Accouning which is a Mathematical Oriented Profession with Law that is more like literature.



She explained that one of the things that she really enjoy about her husband is that he thinks about the welfare of people.That many times he will say, that car is good for this family and once he makes up his mind to give anyone anything, he will do it without looking back. That his life of giving has also spread into the DNA of the children.



The younger sister Kemi Elemide on behalf of the siblings said that if there is anyone who care for every member of the family, Dr Adeoye is so passionate that he takes up the burden of all family members and to express his deeds will require 10 hours for her but only pray that the new year will be greater than all the past years.



Speaking also on behalf of the family Adeola Olubode who is also a lawyer for about 15 years expressed the fact that although Dr.Adeoye is her cousin but he is more of an uncle as he has not relented in providing guidance and career guide at all times.



She expressed how caring Dr Adeoye has been to everyone in the family and pray that the new year will be to greater height.



In his remark, Abiodun Falomo who also claimed to have encountered Dr Adeoye at Genade Africa at Federal University of Agriculture, explained how he has supported him in his vision to become a great man and refer to him as his adopted father and mentor.



In the Paramount Ruler Entourage is The Asiwaju of Egbaland; Chief Maxwell Ayinla, the first African Tutor at London School of Accountancy who later joined Lever Brothers in England and eventually retired as a Director of Unilever in Nigeria.



Several others expressed their joy for the new year from the church and neighborhood while reeling out the various support that have been received over the years from him.



In his remark while giving his vote of thanks and in a close door meeting with Alake and other leaders in his house, Dr. Adeoye expressed his joy that he would not have achieved much in life academically if background is to be the only consideration but affirmed that just like Dr.Soleye said, he has never hide it for everyone that he was never born with silver spoon and that his background while at Anglican Central School in Ajebo and Ajebo Community High School and while growing up in an environment where his parents emphasised integrity and hardwork as a currency for greatness coupled with several examples of men and women in Nigeria that has risen in life regardless of their background like the Late M.K.O Abiola, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Akintola Williams, Kuforiji Olubi, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (whose father was a priest and at a time posted to Abeokuta which made Gbenga Daniel to attend BBHS) Ibikunle Amosun (whose mother was into frying stuffs yet became a governor) Asiwaju Maxwell Ayinla (who was the first black Tutor at London School of Accountancy in his early years as a Professional in Britain, ) Chief Olusegun Osoba (a journalist who turned Governor and Party leader) Chief Taiwo Adeoluwa who was overall best in Law School in his set despite low background, Amb.Toye Okanlawon, Chief Tunji Sunmonu (a successful business man in Houston, Texas ) Ayobami Biobaku ( A banker turned building material importer and developer and now supermarket owner in Lekki) and Engr.Ola Sobande (who despite his childhood life around a village in Ifo area went to Kings College with Scholarship and University in UK to study engineering and was later employed by the same Shell) among other examples of how people can consistently rise in life regardless of their background.



He prayed that 2023 election will reshape Nigeria and give us a new name in the comity of nations but urge everyone to shun political violence and charged all Nigerians to vote massively for their respective candidate but in his usual way emphasised that after the election, it is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians to solve our problems and develop Nigeria and no one should sit on the fence.



Happy New Year was the Chorus here and their as people relax and enjoy the day while Motunde Ogunsola provided the Music as a one man band after Ibukun Akinola led the worship song during the short service for the day.



Great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see was the hymn for the celebration and Kikelomo Badejo was the MC of the day on her feet.





Other dignitaries at the events includes:



1. The president of Egba Economic Summit Group and former President of PENGASAN; Chief Sina Luwoye FCA.who retired from Shell to form Ecogas.



2.The Vice President of Egba Economic Summit Group and a retired Oil Guru from Mobil ..Mr Yinka Chris Coker .



3.Engineer Ola Sobande; pioneer member and originator of Egba Economic Summit Group who also retired from Shell Petroleum.



4.Prince Abiodun Karunwi; the Chairman of the Board of Egba Economic Summit.



5.Past President of Egba Economic Summit, Past President of Abeokuta Club and Chairman of Ogun State Civil Service Commission; Engr & Chief Tokunbo Odebunmi mni who is more or else an uncle to Dr.Adeoye from his mother side at Gbagura in Abeokuta and husband to Joko the former Commissioner under Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Ogun State who was blessed with twins in US in 2022 as well as Mrs Funmi Fadahunsi the M.D of Wok City Restaurant



6.Retired Justice Demola Bakre, OON (almost 92 years old, yet still play golf) who joined Dr.Adeoye to celebrate the new year and his call to Bar in 2022 who hails from Gbagura from where Dr.Adeoye's mother hails from and a mentor in legal profession to Dr.Adeoye.



7.Major General Lola Soleye (retired)



8.Mr Opaleye a legal ICON of over 30 years based in New Jersy, United State.



9.Eyitayo Soleye; the M.D of Laflamingo Laundry and Tobani Apartment and Chairman of Ini Hot Pots in Abeokuta.



10.Barrister Demola Badejo who was in the Governing Council with Dr.Adeoye at Tai Solarin University of Education in 2019 and a golfer expressed satisfaction that Dr.Adeoye has proved everybody wrong that busy people cannot study further and came to a conclusion that you can achieve anything in life if you set your heart at it.



11.Femi Adeyemi who is a close friend of Dr Adeoye and the son of Late Deacon Poju Adeyemi the former SSG and head of Service of Ogun State.



12.Mrs Womiloju Modupe Soleye (The wife of Dr.Onaolapo Soleye the former Minister of Finance who retired from Ogun State Water Corporation and went into business who is the adopted mother of Dr.Adeoye.)



13 .Representative of Egba Legazy Network, Engineer Ogunmuyiwa.





14.The Council members of Alleluia Christian Chapel and some other leaders in the Church led by ..Pastor Paul Adeniyi Daniel, Pastor Mrs Adebola Daniel, Pastor Gbemi Akinbande, Pastor Funmi Kushimo, Pastor Isaa Akogun, Builder Yinka Olatunji, Pastor Adebamowo, Pastor Oduyale, Pastor Kunle Ajayi who narrated how he was the MC at the wedding of Dr.Gbenga Adeoye & his wife in the year 2003, Engr. Seye Maku ( The GM of Ogun State Water Corporation.)



15.The Auditor General of Ogun State, Mr Balogun who is a professional colleague of Dr.Adeoye, Deacon Atilade Bolarinwa a past Chairman of ICAN Abeokuta District and a past President of Abeokuta Sport Club.



16.The representative of the Chinese Community from New Hope Agriculture and Technology Nigeria Ltd .Mr Kelvin who expressed his delight in associating with Dr.Gbenga Adeoye who was their contact in Nigeria and assisted the company in buying Land and almost everything about initial set up and more importantly guiding them on Tax Compliance from inception till date.



17. Worldfamous Ajibola who was on hand as a journalist to capture the event unknown to Dr.Adeoye that he was present in the crowd.

WHY NO STATE IN NIGERIA CAN CATCH UP WITH LAGOS ECONOMICALLY.

I read a book in 2022 with a Title Success is not an accident.

In deed the author has a clear understanding of the impact of deliberate decision.

One of the reasons I like one young man I am providing mentorship for is that his words of prayer reads every time as follows : "God will intentionally bless you sir."

The word that attracted me most in this prayer is that word "intentionally".

Lagos is a state that have been so deliberate and intentional in what they do. The development in Lagos is not an accident

Recently I got an SMS in Lagos stating that I have been penalized for driving with expired vehicle license and the vehicle papers was actually renewed that same day after it was brought from a workshop where repairs and upgrade were carried out.

How do they get to know this was the first question I asked ... Through Traffic Camera probably at Ikoyi was the answer from a brother who understand Auto database management.

Of course the only error was that the system has time lag between the renewal of papers and the database to which camera pictures were synchronised.

They understand that they may not be right at all times and so there is a room for you to contest or object to the bill if you can prove the basis was wrong, and they will delete the fine.

Payment option was also there with card. I objected because my papers were renewed that same day when the car were brought out of workshop.

What a wonderful state moving towards US and UK in billing and traffic offence management.

Beyond this experience, there are two major factors and one of the factors had 13 other reasons why no other state in Nigeria can catch up with Lagos State.

Factors:

A Lagos as the Capital of Nigeria in the past.

B. Intentional and Deliberate Development Programmes.

Let us discuss the two factors.

A. The fact that Lagos was a former Capital of Nigeria is an advantage that will continue to work for the state.

That has made it the Commercial Capital of Nigeria to the extent that even when the Capital was moved to Abuja, Lagos remains a centre of Excellence.

Apapa Sea port and the Airport at Ikeja could be regarded as part of key projects that put Lagos at an advantage, which is as a result of being the Capital of Nigeria as at when most of such projects were developed.

B. Regardless of the Capital Advantage of Lagos, there are deliberate and intentional projects that set Lagos apart.

Since the time of Baba Jakande, Lagos have been so deliberate in their development programmes.

If we take it from 1999, here are the list of deliberate projects whether completed, ongoing or those about to start.

Join me as we take a look at those projects.

1. Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Most manufacturing that aimed at solving our import dependence problem are at Lekki Free Trade Zone.No State in Nigeria can stand shoulder to shoulder with Lagos on this.

2. Lekki Deep Sea Port.

One major asset that any nation require for international business is sea but sea can only be useful if the port is well-developed.

Newly completed Lekki Deep Sea Port is a Lagos state idea and that is one key project that is unique in Africa.

3.Dangote Refinery

If anyone is in doubt about the impact of Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, the person just needs to wait a little and see how Nigeria will stop Importation of finished petroleum products. In addition to that, Fuel Scarcity and heavy demand for Forex to import fuel will end with Dangote Refinery.

Again, kudos to Lagos. Even though I am Jealous of Lagos because I was expecting that project at Olokola in Ogun State but Lagos and Ogun are two states difficult to separate and as such we rejoice with Lagos in South West. It is our collective gain and glory.

4. Ikoyi Link Bridge & Lekki Epe Expressway.

These two projects are wonderful. Those who link ikoyi from Admiralty way in Lekki Phase 1 understands better.

The kind of traffic people use to experience before that bridge was hell.
When the road from Victoria Island is fully completed to Epe, then driving around Lagos Island will be as easy as eating Pap and Bean Cake and everyone can testify that these projects are not cheap and in my view Toll fee when compared to the reliefs for Lagosian is not excessive. Nevertheless, today is not a day to discuss desirability or otherwise of tollgate but one Yoruba proverb says "A good and sweet soup, it is money that cook it."

5.Lekki Airport.

There is no doubt about the fact that the population of people in Lagos require more than one Airport.
When the airport at Lekki is fully completed by Lagos State since there is a Federal Government approval to do same. The Economic impact is so huge that it will be difficult to project the positive impact now. No State in Nigeria can match that as well.

6. The new Blue Rail Line.

Very soon, moving around Lagos will become so easy as most cars will be off the road, once traffic is reduced, productivity will increase.

Rail Transportation is one thing that set London apart from any city in the world.

China is doing all that can be done to have rail lines and stations that beat the western designs.

7. The Tax Collection System.

The Lagos Tax System is Super.
If you pay tax in any bank in Lagos, they will issue you the coloured receipt instantly.

In some states in Nigeria, you may not get receipt for one month.

In Lagos, there are some dedicated staff that calls taxpayers and they are so pleasant on the phone while reminding tax payers to pay within a particular time. The system is really working in Lagos. Other state should go and learn from Lagos.

8. The BRT Lanes and Buses.

This is one project that is unique and it will compliment the metro rail. No state can match it.

9.Lagos Judicial System.

Lagos has Fast Track Courts, Small Claims Courts and a lot of uncommon innovations in the administration of Justice in Lagos State.

God bless Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for his role when he was Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice but in addition, kudos to those who came after him and continue to improve on those foundations. The system is different.

Lagos can also be regarded as The Capital of Commercial Legal Practice.
Most of the law firms that are of international standard are located in Lagos. Even Lagos Campus of Nigerian Law School is said to be the most tedious in Nigeria for students.

I can testify to that having passed through that Campus, but for me, I will say it is positively tedious.

10. Entertainment and Social Gatherings.

There is no state in Nigeria that has the kind of Social life like Lagos, we call it EKO FOR SHOW, may be because Ijebu and Egba people are plenty in Lagos, because when it comes to social gathering in Nigeria, you cannot beat the Egbas and the Ijebus.
In fact may be Egbas and Ijebus can say in Yoruba that" Awa laleko".meaning we own Lagos. There is no need to prove this it is just a mere expression of demography or their percentage in Lagos Social gatherings)

Except Abeokuta Club, Lisabi day and and some Regberegbe associations and clubs in Ijebu Land with the Ojude Oba day ; where in Nigeria can you find the kind of men at Ikoyi Club, Metropolitan club, Polo Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Boat Club and so on? No State has such.
Lagos is unique. Everyone wants to be in Lagos.

One interesting thing is that members of these clubs in Lagos are drawn from the entire country and not necessarily Lagosians by birth.

The network of these men and women is beyond normal.

Even young people for their NYSC, want to be in Lagos. Many still want to live in Lagos despite the traffic . There is something so special about that Lagos.

11. Churches and Church Leaders are more in Lagos.

Even though a lot of people argued that churches should have been factories, but God's factor in history have been instrumental to the greatness of Israel and some other countries founded on the foundation of righteousness. America started like that till today, you still hear .. God bless America.

RCCG model parishes in Lagos are unique places of worship,
House on the Rock, Winners Chapel, CMS Church, Ikoyi Baptist, Methodist, Foursquare, MFM, Trinity Church in VI, Deeper life, Citadel formerly Latter Rain, Apostolic Church, Covenant Christian Centre, Day Star Christian Centre, The Shepherds Flock among many others are wonderful places of worship.

The fact that Pastor Kumuyi and Pastor Adeboye (who are exceptionally Holy men God)are touching the soil of Lagos regularly is like Elisha & Elijah dwelling in a given land.

Ogun State shares in the unique blessings of having RCCG camp, MFM, Canaan Land and Deeper life Camp too but more importantly having the first Church in Nigeria.; (The St. Peters Cathedral in our own Ake @ Abeokuta) is not in vain.

Back to Lagos, the Church Community in Lagos is beyond human imagination. You need to just worship in these churches, and you will know that Lagos must be blessed.

12. Eko Atlantic City in VI.

US Embassy has laid the foundation of their embassy which has the office and residence of staff.
The project is one unique one that attracted investors from all over the world. No such anywhere in Nigeria.

13. The giant of it all is the 4th Mainland Bridge which has a 4 years completion time. The kind of business impact along that bridge is beyond explanations and imagination.

The bridge will traverse Abraham Adesanya to Badore and then on the lagoon to Ikorodu, and it will burst out on Lagos Ibadan Expressway way around sparklight. This is more than a Miracle because it means that anyone going to Lekki from Abeokuta or Sagamu have no business to drive to Berger and Alapere nor Iyana Oworo but just join the 4th Mainlamd Bridge from the express.

Channels Television will become CNN indeed as access to Channels TV from Lekki will be so straight and direct to Isheri. It will also ease their reporting.

The impact on real estate for offices, residential, and cottage industries will be phenomenal.

Congratulations to Lagos State and Congratulations to South West and Nigeria.

If any state want development, they should attend a School in Lagos to learn strategic development and I am recommending to Lagos Business School to start an Executive MBA Programme titled :

Lagos Strategic Development Model.(MBA-LSDM)

Jokingly . They should pay me Royalty of 10% on all fees paid by students for this course.

I recommend that all Governors in Nigeria should send 5 Directors & 5 Commissioners from their Key Ministries as students for this course.. Comprehensive for 90 days... If they pay 20m per student, it will worth the benefit and development gains.

Practical nexus between development, increase in IGR and those projects will show clearly why no state in Nigeria can catch up with Lagos.

Some will even say, Lagos can stand as a Country, and they may not be wrong.

The Author,

Dr.Gbenga Adeoye is a Lawyer and a Chartered Accountant.

He believes that National and Economic Development is a function of the Quality of People in Leadership.

He can be reached via e-mail on dga@gbengaadeoye.com

1m jobs? this is huge

HOW NIGERIA LOST THE CREATION OF 1M JOBS IN 2021.BY DR.GBENGA ADEOYE.

I hear stories of how young Nigerians leave in droves to other countries in search of greener pasture.



There is hardly no week without a call coming from people who want to relocate.

Some have good jobs and in their case, it is about looking for another working system. System that are predictable with Public wealth..

Most of those leaving are people who concluded there is no hope for them here.Their perception may be justified based on their experience.

Having laid this foundation, it is important to itemise things we MUST STOP forever and things we MUST DO URGENTLY .

I was privileged to know entities set up with less than N10b from land to Equipment and initial working capital now creating about 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

fI we look at the N20,000 meant for 1,000 youths in 774 local government for three months , it would have amounted to N46,440,000,000.

By adding just N13,560,000,000 it would have amounted to N60b.

We could have set up six factories based on comparative advantage in each geopolitical zone.Some argued with me that oh ! Government cannot run any business successfully. The answer is NO.We could have handed it over to Professionals even if they are foreigners.As a matter of fact, we can ask them to double capacity every 5 years by establishing one more in the respective zone.

Empirical Data available to me shows clearly that entities established with up to N10b could generate over 20b revenue annually.

Instead of 774,000 people to get N20,000 for three months and thereafter return to poverty...There is a better option in perpetuity.

We could have successfully mop 1m people out of unemployment forever through direct and indirect jobs.

Assuming we flow along this direction of long term and enduring policies, It means that by 2026, if we are able to double that expansion, another 1m employment would have been created.

I know this is a possibility and I know it is not Rocket Science and I know many intelligent Nigerians who knows that this is achievable without needing any Rocket Science or some sorts of magic...Just critical thinking and implementation.

Giving N20,000 or any of such amount for three months does not eradicate poverty.

I have seen with my eyes, direct investment in serious manufacturing sector with figures less than the N10b doing turnover in excess of the projection I stated above. Most Financial Consultants will be my witness on this fact.

17.We could also say, for 10 years, all tax payable would be ploughed back into a plan to double the business and employment every five years.Hence the Tax Holiday will be to achieve massive creation of jobs.

Imagine we do this consistently for 20 years...Just with the seed investment of N60b , we would have successfully reduce unemployment by 16m,( Year One 1m jobs, year five 2m jobs, year Ten, 4m jobs, Year Fifteen 8m jobs, Year Twenty 16m jobs.)

This analysis is based on the current challenges with power .If we deliberately and aggressively address power, it means we could do more as cost of energy would have reduce and as such, the capacity could increase leading to higher rate in terms of expansion every five years.

China actually embarked on these type of aggressive setting up of factories by providing INTEREST FREE LOANS to companies to do this.Imagine we say instead of paying back..just keep expanding..They were able to make 100m Chinese millionaires and they are not stopping at all.



Another way to do this is by promoting Vertical Mergers which is a merger of entities producing complimentary goods or providing complimentary services to achieve economy of scales.

I therefore urge whoever becomes the next president or let me say all the Presidential Candidates to start collating data on the following :

What can we produce or do in each Geo Political Zones, South West, South South, South East, North Central, North East and North West.?

What is the volume of raw materials available in such areas.? What type of skills do they have in abundance there.?

How much do we need to set up a standard company with collaboration with Nigerians in diaspora in such a way that each factory can create 1000 direct and indirect job.?

How best can we structure the entities legally with water tight clauses to avoid political influence and nepotism that will result in mismanagement that characterised government owned entities in the past.( Nigerian Airways as an example of failed Government business but we can safeguard such failure now )

How do we ensure that state government get actively involved.?They own the land anyway .

Let me conclude by stating that as fearful as it may sound to most Governors (excluding Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Kano and perhaps any other state with reasonable Internal Generated Revenue). We can close our eyes and in my considered opinion I think we should plan to close that eyes and do it soon and foreclose sharing in a given month.

If we decide that one month every year for the next 5 years, we would not share anything directly to any state account or local government but this funds will go into a trust fund that will be used to set up enduring factories and entities such as mentioned above. Then we would be close to our deliverance, We may say 20% of what is available for sharing will be taken out for this purpose...Imagine in months when we share 600b...our 60b is just 10%. What a wonderful success that will follow .!!!

Safeguards from corruption will be that we would not keep the money in any fixed Deposit account but to start working immediately with time table set for each milestone.( Or else some guys could start collecting cash interest into their pocket for the fund to remain idle for years.)

State Governors can be asked to set aside land for factory clusters considering what is good for the kind of comparative advantage of their respective states in each local government.

As we focus on the coming generation by the end of 2050, which is just 28 years from now, ( it is not far away...1994 was 28 years ago..We watched Tunishia 94, it is like yesterday) each local government can have entities that can comfortably employ most of the youths.

If 20 year gives us 16m jobs, every five years we double the base for each year...by end of 25 years...we would have 32m jobs. By end of 30 years we would have 64m, If we start now, by 2052, 64m jobs would have been created.We must be deliberate with affirmative actions.

There are low hanging fruits we can attack immediately.

This is do-able if we set out for it.

Finally here...My projection of generating revenue of over 20b with an entity set up with 10b is modest based on what I know.Am also sure many people in Nigeria also know this.

While we pursue this, I want to beg our people in government to be consistent with good policies.Stop all forms of harassment of businesses either on the road or in their premises.

Encourage Friendly Tax Compliance mechanism like VAIDS introduced by Kemi Adeosun..Even though it is painful that FIRS slept off on this and woke up five years later to start talking about VAIDS..I will rather suggest we introduce a second scheme of VAIDS...to bring additional people on board ..If you do not know what to do...Many of us love this country we are willing to offer free service to move the country forward and those who thought the policy out are alive and reachable...We need collaboration with those that have served before now to revive good policies that are dead.



In the words of Mr Kayode Sofela (a legal ICON), on Friday 8th July, 2022 during a mentoring lecture in Victoria Island Lagos, we must embrace Design Thinking by having proper understanding of the problem , leading to ideation and we must subject those ideas to test but we must implement same using the information available to us while defining the situation to Chart a course of action from among the alternatives by thinking on our fit and out of the box.

Toyota has one of the best advert I love....GOOD THINKING...GOOD PRODUCT.

We must think out of the box and the time is NOW .

Like the youths will say. WE MOVE ....BUT I WILL SAY , LET US MOVE AND WE MUST MOVE WITH SPEED....



The Author ;

Dr.Gbenga Adeoye holds a PhD in Management Accounting, a Bachelors Degree in Law( LLB).



An MSc.in Banking and Finance, a diploma in Criminology and Security Studies,



He was among Law Graduates admitted to Queen Mary School of Law for Master in International Business Law at the University of London in 2020.



He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of UK and Nigeria (ACIArb)



He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.(FCA) and a member of International Federation of Accountants ( IFAC).



He is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.( FCTI)



He was part of 3 Nigerians trained at Harvard Business School, Boston USA on Innovation and Building New Businesses in Established organisations in 2011 along with other CEO's and Heads of Strategy from multinationals all over the world.



He is the founder and Principal Partner of Gbenga Adeoye & Co.(Chartered Accountants)



He is a member of Egba Economic Summit and Nigerian Economic Summit Group.



He is a member of Professional Practice Committee (PPC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.



He is also a contributor to National Policy on Taxation, Development Economics and Good Governance.



He is the founder of Gbenga Adeoye Foundation; an NGO focused on the eradication of poverty, ignorance and sickness in Nigeria especially in the rural areas.



He is Passionate about Social & Economic Development of Africa and Nigeria.



He believes the quality of people in leadership determines development in any country.



He can be reached via e mail : dga@gbengaadeoye.com



TEL : +(234)8034050773

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Former Nigeria's Ambassador to Zambia and Malawi and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare during Otunba Gbenga Daniel led administration in Ogun state, Mrs Folake Marcus Bello has said that the recent breakdown of laws and orders in the country was as a result of the ineffective local government administration in the country.

Mrs. Marcus Bello decried that the government is too far from the people, the people can no longer feel the presence of the government they elected to represent them,this is reason for high rate in kidnapping, terrorism and other social menace.

The prominent motivational speaker, who is also a legal practitioner, posited that government at all levels have not been able to curb crimes because the judicial system is too slow to discourage Nigerians from perpetrating criminal acts.

She made these points known while featuring as a guest on Ogun state television weekly programme titled "Focus", where she analyzed the topic of discussion "Nigerian Democratic Experience, How well, How far?".

The Ogun state born grassroot politician posited that the country is yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy despite the fact that it has been over 22 years of democratic dispensation, referring to lack of good leaders as another major problem bedeviling the country, it is time for rational young Nigerians to take over the baton of leadership, while the old generations take the backseats to guide them.

She further stated that it is high time that young Nigerians are given the opportunity to take over the leadership of the country as many of them are effectively handling private businesses in different sectors.

Reacting to questions from the anchor person, Mrs Folake admonished the Federal government to compel the governments across the states to give autonomy to local governments as this will strengthen the bond between the masses and the government.

Looking at the Health sector while in government, Mrs Folake Marcus-Bello spoke with nostalgia, the positive impact of the late Professor Olukoye Ransome-Kuti in Ogun state which gave birth to an effective and enviable heath centres in the state.

She lamented the failure of the immediate past administration in the state to properly manage one of the laudable projects embarked upon by their administration.

Speaking on the calibre of leaders being produced to occupy elective offices, she said that the people should begin to query the process of selecting leaders at the party levels and that electorates should be interested to know about the candidate, his background, source of revenue and means of livelihood, with all these questions noble people would be given chance to lead the country.

The former Commissioner said that there are few Nigerians whose interest is to take the country to greater height but the money politics being played in the country is one of the militating factors to selecting good leaders.

Describing Nigerians as great followers, the Ambassador said that Nigerians are always easy to lead as they easily adapt to change.

She took a step further to sensitize Nigerians that the political party is like conduit pipes, therefore, people should not make their choices based on party affiliation, rather, noble men of integrity should be given the chance to take the nation out of the miry clay.

According to the United Nations statistics"Nigeria's population is fast-growing. It is expected to be the world’s third most populous country by 2050 with 400 million inhabitants, with nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population below the age of 35, it is therefore crucial that young people are represented in the country’s political systems."

"There have been welcome steps on this front. In May 2018, Nigeria passed a new law which lowered the age limits for political office from 35 to 30 years in the Senate, and 30 to 25 years in the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly".

The bill which is known as the “Not Too Young to Run” bill, the move was intended to reflect the changing demographics of Africa’s most populous nation and help usher in younger leaders.

While this is a great step towards youth inclusion in politics, the patriot said that it is clear that more still need to be done to put young people at the very heart of politics, governance and decision-making process in Nigeria.

Calling on Nigerians in diaspora, Mrs Marcus Bello enjoined them to stop the blame game and give their all in order to be part of the democratic process, saying that active involvement in the political process will give us the quality leadership we are all craving for.

The Legal luminary condemned the way the government has abandoned local government administration in the country explained that the problem started from the grassroots, people need to be determined and canvass to register and vote during election period.

In addition, she described governance as a business, therefore, it is imperative for young Nigerians to come out and seek political knowledge from rational politicians who by now ought to have taken backseats for young minds to take charge.

In Conclusion, the former Ambassador appealed to all young Nigerians to be confident enough and step forward to participate in politics as they have viable solutions to the nation's present predicaments

Family Lawyer writes Gov Abiodun, to charge OLU OF ILARO for comptemt if ......


Asade Royal family of waye-Dodo ruling house of Ipokia in Ipokia local government area of Ogun state, have written to the governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun to ensure that all actions relating to filling the vacant stool of Onipokia of Ipokia was stopped forthwith as the matter was still pending before an Ogun state High Court sitting in Ipokia.

The family members in a letter written by their lawyers, Dr Yemi Oke and Olukayode Sanni of MJS Partners, a copy of which was obtained by our Correspondent said that the government was well aware of the ruling of an Ogun state High Court sitting at Ilaro on the 19th of August, 2019 declaring that the stool of Onipokia of Ipokia remained vacant due to gross non compliance with the Chief Laws of Ogun state 2006 and that the parties involved should maintain status quo.

The family claimed further that the state government  had also nullified the purported selection process for the new Onipokia of Ipokia initiated by the kingmakers on the 10th of May, 2019 and the report of same action duly communicated to relevant stakeholders including the governor's office.

They explained that they were however taken by the storm when on November 13th, 2019 they received a letter dated 9th of September, 2019 and signed by one Adesoji Adewuyi, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogun state intimating them that the vacant stool of Onipokia of Ipokia was among the subject matters the Oba Kehinde Olugbenle (Olu of ILARO) led Chieftaincy Review Committee set up by Gov Dapo Abiodun deliberated upon.

It would be recalled that, Gov Abiodun on assumption of office had appointed Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land to lead the Chieftaincy Review Committee set up to take a second look at the hurriedly promoted 75 Coronet obas among others about two days to the end of previous administration of Gov Amosun.

The family held that the Chieftaincy Review Committee ought not to have deliberated on the vacant stool of Onipokia of Ipokia since the matter was already before a competent court of law and that doing otherwise only amounted to contempt of court.

They alleged that the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle who also doubled as the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Review Committee in connivance with some of the defendants in the case and his allies, including one Akeem Adigun (Socopao) and Mr. Isiaka Abolurin have remained resolute in their bid to install one Yisa Olusola Olaniyan who they claimed was never from any of the ruling houses in Ipokia as the next Onipokia.

The family has however threatened to institute a contempt of court action against the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Olugbenle, the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Review Committee, others members of the committee if action on the forceful installation of the new Onipokia against a substantive court order was not put on hold within the next two weeks.

They equally demanded that Mr Adewuyi Adesoji, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the state  Ministry of Local Government should retract the letter sent to the family lawyer on the subject matter within two weeks as it was judicially prejudicial and contemptuous otherwise he should be ready to face contempt of court charges as soon as possible.

*Note to President Buhari*

Mr President, the unpleasant optics of horror from the Kogi and Bayelsa elections, is a bright Code Red, an emergency - the nature of a fire alarm in a hospital except that this is about the fundamental idea of democracy in our country. I am particularly concerned, and I think you should also be for I cannot imagine what this portends for our country Nigeria especially as we begin to march towards future elections.

In future, should all parties in a democracy go and procure arms and soldiers in a bid to match the members of your party, the APC, and security agencies under your watch? Mr President, how do you explain that this is happening under your watch? I have reflected soberly as to what could be your reading of things. I am sure you have access to security reports indicating that all hell was let loose on the citizens you swore to protect while your police and other military agencies looked on, or in some cases, perhaps participated in this show of shame.

I need to remind you that between 1999 till 2015, the election process has continually improved with less human interference and violence. I need not overemphasize this to your good self for I have often imagined how you must have felt given that you participated in a few elections which could not have been perfect but to see that by 2015, the process had improved enough to allow an election that produced you and your government.

How do you feel watching the gains and improvements in elections and attitude to the process go literally to the dogs? The way things look now, it is as though we are now back to one of the backwater fascist inhuman dictatorships - the likes of which no longer exists in the world. One will have to look for the eras of Mussolini, and his irk to find anything remotely resembling what Nigeria has been reduced to under your watch.

What is to be gained in all this is what I am yet to fantom. We might as well save ourself the huge embarrassment within the comity of nations and spear the mothers of our children who we waste needlessly to the election process.

How do we reinforce failure and misery in such a brazen manner?
There is no gainsaying that all of this in a country with a high level of youth unemployment can only spell doom. When you also know that poverty is at an all-time high, then the matter gets elevated to a catastrophe. What we must do is to clean up the entire process. There is a need for us to ask the question, how do we have an election process that can be credible, easy to understand, transparent and fit for purpose. The Independent Electoral Commission needs to be completely reformed. What we are doing right now cannot define us going forward, we must ask the tough question. First, what are we doing with so many parties that makes the whole election process cumbersome from a logistics and costing point of view?

Everyone can accept the result of an election if it is credible but to expect a political party and its followers to look helplessly while they get killed and cheated cannot be allowed to continue. What about the needless anxiety we subject our citizens to just because they wish to exercise their franchise to choose leaders in a democracy?

Mr President fix this before it consumes all of us. I do not see this as a partisan issue for I do not know how your party can genuinely survive if we don’t reform the election process. At best, everyone will run to claim they are members of your party only to implode it and we are back to square one. It has taken us so long to birth two national parties. Therefore, we must ensure that elections and party politics must become a contestation of ideas and not some barbaric, uncivilized gang-up of criminals. Once our values collapse, our country will surely follow. Democracy is meant to give the people the power to choose their leaders and to booth them out if they feel not well served but what is going now right now is that even that right is brutally being taken from them by the agent of the state and their thugs. None of these can happen without the active encouragement and connivance of government agencies, especially as there seem to be no consequences to the perpetrators. As a self-styled champion of change, it is time to show the change in all ramifications. Mr President welcome back.

Shakespearean Femi Adesina

A fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. (William Shakespeare, As you like it)

In this season when the Villa has become dangerous to the men of your tribe, with the man known as VP now minimized, you have in an unprofessional and despicable manner tried to do a revisionist explanation full of sycophancy on your warped reading of things around the 2019 election. Why would any sane person even consider there is anything to gloat about in one of the most disgraceful, and embarrassing sham of an election, also adjudged to be the worst in our history by those not drunk on filthy crumbs from the table of Buhari. Mister Adesina, will you keep quiet and let serious-minded historians speak some sense into you and by extension the nation.

Do you pride yourself to have done noble in a process that has called to question the dignity and otherwise credibility of INEC, the security agencies and the judiciary? Not sparing the huge consequences of a joke that Nigeria has become where affidavits without evidence now represents academic qualifications in our beloved Nigeria - thanks to you and your master. Or is it the brigandage and killing of our people that characterized that sham that has produced a stolen mandate that you gloat about. Please come near and explain how it is that you do not reflect on the greater implications of what the 2019 elections has turned out.

Nigeria has disgraced herself within the comity of African nations who have shown significant improvement in their election management processes. And need I tell you relative to Kenya where their Supreme Court has demonstrated that they are independent enough to rule on the issues in their country notwithstanding whose ox is gored.

You must think that Nigerians are fooled by that huge embarrassment that took place in our election. Well, I suppose you need to read the views of the eminent Nwabueze, and you will be tamed, that is in case your soul is not lost to the devil.

I noted that you spoke about Obasanjo and his role in Atiku's life, I would have preferred you consider that not everything said in anger could be the real state of the human mind for sometimes when people are annoyed they say things most of which they really don’t mean, and all of which there are no evidence to substantiate. As far as I see, Atiku Abubakar in the words of Shakespeare is; "I am a man more sinned against than sinning.’
(King Lear Act 3, Scene 2)

As those who called him all sorts of names have seen the light, let’s say they have been forgiven, for indeed, it is human to err and divine to forgive.

You spoke about our supporters; the great Atikulators. Please don’t go there for there is nothing to be compared between a civilized set of people when compared with your mostly illiterate, uncultured, and barbaric minions you called Buharist. You only need to see how ours behave relative to yours. I suppose if you would be happy to have yours as children, I pray your children behave that way and as I am happy to have mine, I pray mine act like atikulators; a dedicated, educated, well driven, full of purpose and brave lot. Let me hear a resounding amen to our respective prayers.

You talked about money, this gave you and yours up as hypocrites that you all are, and you all will forever be. Thank goodness, you also can attest to it that Atiku has no access to the National purse unlike your 'see no evil do all evil leader' who pretends that it was with cow milk that he funded his election. It is painful when the head-thief is calling decent people out as one without any evidence.

Remember what Shakespeare said about the evil that men do live after them. Don’t worry, you will soon be called to account for your sojourn in government. I am sure that jail awaits most of you hypocrites who have plunged Nigeria into debts inching us to the status of a failed state. Yet, we can see little or nothing to show for it, sake of say you are smart rouges who will need forensic auditors to help the country unearth the corruption that is all around your government and the government you serve in.

You wonder where else we would take our petition, well you said something like tennis court, again I say, come close my child there is the court of the hearts, and minds of Nigerian people who know in truth that Buhari is sitting on a stolen mandate, and that the president they voted for was Atiku Abubakar. In any case, there is the court of history and how this era will be recorded, and certainly, as people of faith, there is the Court of God where each and every soul will give account and be recompensed for each and every action of theirs. Pray, can you and Buhari stand before the Throne of Judgement?

As far as we at Atikulators are concerned I leave you with a song
Onward Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.

2 At the name of Jesus
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise:
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!

3 Like mighty army
Moves the Church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided,
All one Body we—
One in faith, and Spirit,
One eternally.

4 Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane;
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
’Gainst the Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
Which can never fail.

5 Onward, then, ye people!
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honour
Unto Christ, the King;
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

Shakespearean Femi Adesina, go about your duty and do not inch the nation into instability. Gloating over a sham of election is not the way to go. Peace Profound.

Segun Showunmi
Spokesman Atiku Abubakar.

Independence Day Message

By

Segun Showunmi

Dear Nigerians,
The occasion of this Independence Day must cause us to reflect on genuinely building the nation for the benefit of those here now and for the future generation.

What shall the next Generation say of us if we fail to dedicate ourselves to becoming the hope, not just of Nigeria, but of Africa, with the audacity to find what works for us to the benefit of all humanity?

While preparing the stage for purposeful leadership and growth enablers, we must reflect on the fact that between 1914 and 2019, we have had 105 years of an amalgamated country; and from 1960 to 2019, we have had 59 years of self rule, which we call Independence. But I would ask: has Nigeria been as independent as it ought to be, especially from the thinking around the idea of nationhood.

We must reflect on all we have endured from coups and counter coups, through a devastating civil war that seems not to have settled the issues of nationhood brought to the fore by the activities of the self styled IPOB (independent people of Biafra), aided by the mismanagement of our diversity, which has left thinkers pondering: what exactly did we achieve with the no victor no vanquished idea of post civil war Nigeria?

As it stands now, we have abused the lofty idea of the quota system, which was meant to give every part of our country the access to equality, hoping that from an imbalanced social order, we could give everyone a sense of inclusion. But as we can see, it appears that this idea has enthroned cynicism and parochialism, which have not allowed the best to be promoted but push incompetence to the fore.

This has further encouraged needless tribalism, making the entire country and its people unable to settle into an idea of one united indivisible entity. Our tribes and tongues, rather than make us a rainbow of culture and tradition, have now become tools in the hands of unpatriotic elements to fan the embers of destabilisation.

We are also confronted with a difficult to comprehend terrorism war known as the Boko Haram insurgency, which beats the imagination of lovers of Nigeria, for really, what is to be gained in a war that does more devastation to people of the region and costs the country way too much in human and material resources?

Most indicators, especially from foreign rating agencies, score our country very low in terms of sustainable human development, and however patriotic we may wish to be, we cannot argue much with the reality that we see in the nooks and crannies of our country. Just a moment ago, we were reminded that when push comes to shove, Nigeria must fix its own issues, otherwise, how do we explain the Afrophobia erroneously termed Xenophobia in South Africa, where Nigerians are the target of violence from fellow Africans, simply because of the competing needs of Africans to survive in a less than fair world economic agenda that has done nothing but put black Africans in a seriously disadvantaged situation.

As we move forward, I wish that Nigeria, because of our strategic position in the affairs of Africans, must settle down quickly and begin the process of working out an acceptable development agenda, home grown, big and ambitious enough, not just to cater for the needs of every Nigerian, big or small, but that must become the bastion of hope for all Africans at home and in the diaspora. I leave with this prayer from my soul, asking God to help us.

The Great I AM, Guardian of the nations, Ruler of the universe, Be Thou exalted for Your faithfulness and mercy on our nation Nigeria! It has been some journey. Yes, Lord, it could have been worse. We as a people, with so many hopes and aspiration for a great and prosperous Nigeria, thank Thee. Please bless our country the more, and keep us strong and united. Amen.
Arise and Shine Nigeria.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!