My wish for Nigeria at 55 by Joe Igbokwe

Makeno mistake about it. There is a finger of God in the coming of President Muhammadu  Buhari at this critical moment in the nation’s history. After previous attempts in 2003, 2007, 2011, he eventually clinched the presidential slot on Saturday, March  28, 2015. Whoever is not deep in the knowledge of how God works, may not know the full meaning of President Buhari’s emergence at a time like this and what he is doing now. There was nothing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its followers, with deep pockets did not do to stop him, but their efforts  were not enough to stop an idea whose time has come.

Those who did not follow the campaigns fully may not have known what the wreckers, the ruiners and destroyers of Nigeria did to stop him but the grace of God and the love of God for Nigeria stopped them. Huge amount of money in various currencies were deployed, mercenaries were hired to deploy the worst form of hate campaign ever known in the history of Nigeria, the instrumentality of the full weight of the Federal Government was fully deployed, the full weight of the security forces were fully and maximally deployed to stop President Buhari but God had other plans for Nigeria . Despite these onslaughts and desperation to change  the will of God for Nigeria, the will of God for Nigeria prevailed.

Since Buhari came to power, I have seen a lot of deep changes which  the ordinary eye may not see. The fear of President Buhari is now the beginning of wisdom. Yes, they have stolen enough for the real owners to notice, but they have not stolen the brains and ideas of the people. With brains and ideas, Nigerians can now  begin the process of rebuilding the country. Ideas, people say, are better than money and top positions.

It is historic and prophetic that new ministers will be coming into the saddle when Nigeria clock’s 55 on October 1 2015. My late father once told me that you will never get up unless you have fallen down. I have an idea of the kind of people that will make the ministers list in a Buhari-led government and I know that 70 per cent of them know that we have to build Nigeria now or never. We have the political will to recover every stolen cash and use it effectively to rebuild our dilapidated infrastructure, create job opportunities,  rebuild our institutions, feed our teeming population and provide maximum security for all. This is not the time to eat but time to work and work for the good of the commonwealth.

The incoming ministers must know that it is no longer business as usual. President Buhari has a mission and time is not on his side. It therefore behoves on all of them to key into the man’s vision of zero tolerance on corruption and indiscipline. They have no choice. Nigeria has gone full cycle in stupidity and selfishness and this is the time to build or we all perish.

Nigeria at 55 with Muhammadu Buhari as President provides a new window for all of us to sit up and be smart in re-ordering the way we do things. The massive flow of refugees from Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Africa into Europe should be food for thought for the leaders. Boko Haram insurgents, MASSOB and Niger Delta militants remain a big challenge to all. We must rise above ethnic sentiments in order to confront these threats and build the Nigeria of our dream. Diversity remains our greatest assets and should we bungle it as a result of greed, selfishness, ethnic preoccupation and political irresponsibility, woe betide us.

President Buhari’s team should be our first eleven for the first time in 55 years and we demand nothing less. I pity any minister who will mess up  when the need is greatest. I pity any minister who will go there to think it is still business as usual. I pity any minister who will go into public office to betray the President and the country. This is our chance to prove to the world that we did not go to school to learn how to accumulate what we do not need. This is not the time to stand and stare. This is not the time for bedtime stories and frivolities. This is the time for us to free ourselves from primitive accumulation of wealth to service delivery. This is the time to grow up. This is my wish for Nigeria at 55.

 

• Igbokwe is the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary. Lagos.

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Church marks fifth anniversary

As part of activities marking its fifth year, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, “The Father’s Place Parish” last weekend, partnered a non-profit organisation to provide free medical services to residents of its host community, Onike/Iwaya, Yaba.

The church conducted free health examination, distributed free eye-glasses and drugs to residents.

Resident Pastor Ben Atebe said the gesture was to give a practical essence and meaning to the biblical injunction of loving and caring for your neighbor as thyself.

“We decided to reach out to the people in this community as part of activities marking our fifth anniversary. We are also doing this to cater for those who are in need.”

Atebe described the people’s response as exciting, and appreciative of the gesture.

Leader of the medical team, Dr. Funmi Shokunbi said the Church’s initiative came at the right time as many of the residents, hitherto, took their health status for granted.

Dr. Shokunbi enjoined faith-based organisations and institutions to emulate the RCCG gesture, saying it was the best way to give meaning to biblical teachings.

A community leader and a beneficiary, Chief Josiah Omolewa, hailed the church for its efforts, stressing that he would have remained ignorant of his hypertensive status if not for the health check.

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Eight arraigned for Sallah Day disturbance

Eight persons were yesterday arraigned in an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court in connection with the disturbance at the Muslim prayer ground on September 24.
The accused are Aliyu Immam, 24; Sheu Ibrahim, 23; AbdulKadri Sharafadeen, 25; Yusuf Olayinka, 26; Mohammed Abiola, 27; Ayo Giwa, 65; Zakariyau Abubakar, 50, and Kareem Ajape, 35.
They are facing a charge of disturbing a religious assembly, contrary to Section 212 of the Penal Code Law.
The prosecutor, Insp. Nasiru Yusuf, told the court that the accused threw stones at personalities, which led to the disturbance of the religious assembly.
He said investigation into the case was on and urged the court to remand the suspects in prison custody pending the outcome of the investigation.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mercy Adebola, granted each of the accused bail for N100,000 with two sureties each and adjourned the case till October 12.

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33 suspected vandals held with 330,000 litres of fuel

The Police have arrested 33 suspected vandals and recovered 330,000 litres of fuel from them.

The fuel, loaded in 10 trucks, was siphoned from National Petroleum Corporation (NNDC) pipelines.

Commander of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on pipeline vandalism, Valentine Olumese, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), while handing over the products to NNPC officials, said the arrest and recoveries were made in the last two months in different parts of the country.

Olumese said the task force would adopt advance and effective techniques in stopping pipeline vandalism without attendant loss of life.

 He said:  “This strategy is paying off immensely and it is aimed at discouraging the vandals. The number of arrest and recoveries made so far, with no bloody confrontation with the vandals has shown that we are winning the war. I want to assure members of the public that we are not going to relent in our efforts, and we will also ensure that those arrested are prosecuted.  As I speak, all the suspects have been arraigned in court and they have been remanded in prison custody. “

Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Public Relations Officer Imodagde Nasir, who confirmed receipt of the products, said returning of such products was an ongoing process between NNPC and the security agencies.

Nasir said the recovered products would be returned to the system for decanting, adding that they have received over 80,000 litres and “we are expecting more”.

 “This is not the first time we are receiving stolen petroleum products from security agencies. A few months ago, the Nigerian Navy made huge recoveries from Majidun in Ikorodu and they handed over the products to us and we had them returned into the system for decanting. We all have a collective role to play in the fight against pipeline vandalism.  The act of vandalism has an enormous ecological effect on our society. Every Nigerian must see it as a duty to protect his environment by assisting the security agents in fighting pipeline vandalism,” he said.

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‘We will no longer tolerate street trading’

Ikorodu Local Government Executive Secretary, Wasiu Adesina has warned traders to stay off the streets.

Adesina said the council would no longer tolerate street trading and illegal parking of vehicles.

He spoke while inaugurating a 10-man Task Force on street trading and illegal parking in the secretariat, Ikorodu.

The council chief said no meaningful development would take place in a society of lawlessness, chaos and disorderliness.

“It is only with orderliness, sanity and decorum that any society can move forward economically and socially,” he said.

He said it is the duty of the government to protect citizens.

The members of the committee include Neighbourhood Watch Lagos State Coordinator, Alhaji Kola Sanni as chairman, Divisional Police Officer Igbogbo Police Station, Mr Remi Adesoye, the Coordinator, Onyabo Security Organisation, Chief Kamorudeen Bombata and the Iyaloja-General, Ikorodu local government, Alhaja Taofeekat Allyson.

Others are the Serikin-Hausa in Ikorodu, the Eze Ndi-Ngbo of Ikorodu, Mr Tunji Owolabi, a journalist with Radio Lagos, among others.

Alhaji Saani said there would not be any form of nepotism, favouritism or undue preference for anubody, stating that “the law is no respecter of any individual”.

He urged members to maintain their dignity and integrity which the society has always known them for.

Representing the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the Lisa of Ikorodu, Chief Zacheus Odusoga thanked the council chief for the initiative.

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Nigeria/Chad AFCON Qualifier: CAF slams N996,250 on Nigeria

The African football governing body, CAF, has slammed a $5,000 fine on Nigeria for pitch invasion during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations(Afcon) qualifier against Chad.

The match took place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium  in Kaduna on June 13.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles won the  game 2-0 with goals from Gbolahan Salami and Odion Ighalo.

The CAF disciplinary board in its decision taken on September 20 and announced this week revealed that the offence committed during the AFCON qualifier is “pitch invasion when Nigeria scores.”

The former African champions are  second in Group G of the AFCON qualification with two points less behind leaders Egypt who have maximum points from games against Tanzania and Chad.

The two nations meet on March 23, 2016 for the first time in the group with the Nigerians playing the hosts. Four days later, Nigeria will travel to Egypt in the return clash that could determine who will be  top of the group.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to pick a venue for the game against the Pharaohs of Egypt as the Eagles have shuttled their home games among the UJ Esuene Stadium, the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Ahmadu Bello Stadium and the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in recent months.

The last time CAF fined Nigeria in an AFCON game was in February 2010 when they played co-hosts with Ghana for that year’s edition of the African tournament.

CAF did fine Nigeria $10,000 in 2010 for pitch invasion by fans who thought the Super Eagles had won by the golden goal rule against Senegal after Julius Aghahowa scored in extra time in a quarterfinal match.

The African football body later reduced the fine  by half.

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United Nations mark peace day in style

The 2015 International Day of Peace has been marked in Lagos with fanfare as youths, government and NGO partners trooped to the street to ‘Walk for peace’.

The peace day observance, which started with a press briefing, was addressed by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami and the Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja.

The conclusion of the press briefing marked the beginning of an exciting ‘Walk for Peace’ as organised by UNIC in Lagos and Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC).

Delivering his message on the theme for 2015 observance – ‘Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All’, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire.

“To them I say: stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace.” The Secretary-General who was represented by the Director of UNIC Lagos further said: “There is no group more poised to help realize this dream than today’s young people. They are part of the largest generation of youth in history, more aware and connected than any before.”

Speaking earlier, Governor Ambode thanked the UN Information Centre for the partnership and pledged that the CMC would adopt the International Day of Peace as an annual event to propagate the ethos of peaceful co-existence among residents in Lagos State.

Flagged off by Mrs Odunlami and led by Mr Kayanja and the CMC Director, Mrs Oluwatoyin  Odusanya, the road show started from the Lagos State Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja through Obafemi Awolowo Way and terminated at Ikeja-under-bridge where a citizens’ mediace dayation session was held by the CMC, an agency of the Lagos State government under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.

The CMC serves as a non-adversarial dispute resolution Centre using mediation mechanism in dispensing justice fairly and speedily to the satisfaction of both parties.

With participants numbering over 100 and clad in branded T-shirts, dancing to contemporary songs, to the admiration of members of the public, the ‘Walk for Peace’ road show stopped intermittently at intersections to give room for professional dancers to entertain while leaflets with peace building messages were shared with members of the public.

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