News From Nigeria
All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Hopeful, Dr Austin Orette, will on Friday speak on the future of Delta South Senatorial District.
Orette, who is running for next year’s Senate Election, will be in Isoko South, Isoko North, Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West as part of a series of town halls across the senatorial district.
‘’Dr. Austin Orette will hold talks with leaders and stakeholders on March 27, 28, and 29 in Owhelogbo , Ozoro, Oleh and Patani’’ a statement released by the Director of Communications, MediaGate Nigeria, Henry Ebireri said.
Orette declared his intention to contest for the Delta South Senatorial Seat in the 2027 National Assembly Elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) early 2026.
He outlined a vision focused on using his professional skills to empower constituents and reform governance.
He also vowed to fight for a new constitution that decentralizes power from Abuja and empowers local citizens.
His platform includes setting up digital libraries, retraining artisans (welders, carpenters, and mechanics) with modern tools, and encouraging vocational education.
Titled “The way forward”, the Statement said Dr Austin Orette would shed light on healthcare, education, and legal reforms in Nigeria.
“Dr Austin Orette intends to introduce modern equipment and extension services to make the senatorial zone self-sufficient in food production’’
According to Ebireri, a wide demographic of Delta South residents, including students, market women and government officials are expected to gather in Patani on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Orette, who recently promised a more active, service-oriented leadership, is expected to have a strong crowd response from stakeholders in Warri, Koko, Ogbe-Ijoh, Burutu and Bomadi.
‘’The town hall is significant as a chance to hear Dr. Austin Orette talk in person’’
The statement urged Delta South stakeholders to attend the town hall meeting.
‘’The good people of Delta South will get to know Dr Orette and what he actually stands for. We believe by going out to hear Dr Austin Orette speak, people will get a better understanding that he is dedicated to what he’s talking about. Dr. Austin Orette genuinely wants to better Delta South and he believes that his policies are the way forward.”
’The statement said the floor would be opened up to questions and comments from the constituents.
‘’It is also an opportunity for the stakeholders to voice their own opinions and be better represented. Constituents will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Austin Orette and participate in a question-and-answer session’’ the statement added.
Okpe Union on Tuesday emphasized that growth and development would continue to elude Okpe Kingdom unless the people stop blind support for political parties and candidates.
‘’We call on all Okpe nationals to vote for only candidates that subscribe to the 14 points Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties and candidates since 1999 has failed Okpe Nation in all indices of growth and development’’
The Union also advised Okpe nationals to register and obtain their permanent voter’s card (PVC).
‘’It is time to reclaim Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpe land’’
In a statement on political participation by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union Worldwide, the Union vowed to support only candidates committed to the actualization of the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda.
‘’Okpe Union, like other responsible ethnic organizations, will only endorse candidates for elective offices who subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda’’
The statement signed by Okpe Union President General, Prof Igho Natufe and National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Victor Oruno called on Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National, Assembly and the State Assembly of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027.
‘’As we enter the season of another election circle in Nigeria, we expect politicians to be flocking town and village halls distributing cups of rice, beans, wrappers, etc to buy the votes of Nigerians, including Okpe nationals. This is an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates – for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National Assembly, and the State Assembly – of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027. Therefore, we call on Okpe nationals to begin the process of assessing the performances of current incumbents and prospective candidates of all political parties not through the prism of political affiliations, but on the basis of individual candidate’s suitability’’.
The union identified the development and sustenance of Okpe identity as a distinct ethnic nationality, concern over the threat of extinction posed by Okpe language, the need to teach Okpe Language in all primary and secondary schools in Okpe land, the restoration of Okpe language news broadcasts on the state owned television and radio stations, postgraduate scholarship funds, the ploughing of ten percent of funds accruing from oil firms donations to Sapele and Okpe Local Government Councils into an Okpe Scholarship Fund and the establishment of a Board of Trustees to manage the scholarship fund as key elements Okpe must address in order to facilitate the rebirth of the Okpe Nation.
‘’The Okpe Nation Agenda derives from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele on November 17 – 19, 2006 organized by the Okpe Voice. It gave rise to the renaissance of Okpe identity as an ethnic nationality. In fact, it also derives from the coronation brochure of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, which recognized Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The Okpe Nation Agenda, as expressed in the communiqué of the 1 Okpe World Conference, was approved by HRM Orhue l and his Palace Chiefs on November 20, 2006 at a meeting with the delegates of OKPE VOICE, which included the leaders of the Okpe Union Nigeria, Okpe Union of North America, and the Okpe Union UK Branch’’
The union also listed the conversion of the Sapele Technical College to a polytechnic, involvement of Okpe in state and national politics, periodic meetings between elected Okpe leaders and the Okpe people, the establishment of an Okpe Leaders Forum or Leaders of Thought, empowerment of Okpe women, establishment of an Okpe Monitoring Board and the twinning of Okpe towns with major roads and cities in Europe and North America as a way of attracting foreign direct investment to Okpe land.
Okpe Union statement on political participation by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union (Worldwide)
As we enter the season of another election circle in Nigeria, we expect politicians to be flocking town and village halls distributing cups of rice, beans, wrappers, etc to buy the votes of Nigerians, including Okpe nationals. This is an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates – for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National Assembly, and the State Assembly – of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027. Therefore, we call on Okpe nationals to begin the process of assessing the performances of current incumbents and prospective candidates of all political parties not through the prism of political affiliations, but on the basis of individual candidate’s suitability.
Promoting the Okpe Nation Agenda
The Okpe Nation Agenda derives from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele on November 17 – 19, 2006 organized by the OKPE VOICE. It gave rise to the renaissance of Okpe identity as an ethnic nationality. In fact, it also derives from the coronation brochure of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, which recognized Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The Okpe Nation Agenda, as expressed in the communiqué of the 1 Okpe World Conference, was approved by HRM Orhue l and his Palace Chiefs on November 20, 2006 at a meeting with the delegates of OKPE VOICE, which included the leaders of the Okpe Union Nigeria, Okpe Union of North America, and the Okpe Union UK Branch. The communiqué identified several key elements that Okpe must address in order to facilitate the re-birth of the Okpe Nation. These included, inter alia:
The development and sustenance of an Okpe identity as a distinct ethnic nationality; concern over the threat of extinction posed to Okpe language; the need to teach Okpe language in all primary and secondary schools in Okpeland; the restoration of Okpe language news broadcasts on the State owned Television and Radio stations; post graduate scholarship fund; the ploughing of ten percent of funds accruing from oil firms’ donations to Sapele and Okpe local government councils into an Okpe Scholarship Fund; the establishment of a Board of Trustees to manage the scholarship fund; the conversion of the Sapele Technical College to a polytechnic; involvement of Okpe in state and national politics; periodic meetings between elected Okpe leaders and the Okpe people; the establishment of an Okpe Leaders’ Forum or Leaders of Thought; empowerment of Okpe women; establishment of an Okpe Monitoring Board; and the twinning of Okpe towns with major towns and cities in Europe and North America as a way of attracting foreign direct investment to Okpeland.
As the mouth-piece of Okpe Nation, it is the responsibility of the Okpe Union to work towards the realization of the Okpe Nation Agenda outlined in the 14 Points above. This Statement directs us on how to approach this Historical responsibility as we march towards the 2027 elections.
Okpe Union and positive Neutralism
Okpe Union, like other responsible ethnic organizations, will only endorse candidates for elective offices who subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda referenced above. Thus, while Okpe Union is not affiliated with any political party, we remain resolute in our support and endorsement of candidates who are committed to the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda. We shall embark on an intensive voter’s education campaign across Okpe Nation, so as to sensitize Okpe nationals on this existential matter ahead of the 2027 elections.
Identifying Okpe Agenda Friendly Candidates
We shall identify Okpe candidates seeking to represent Okpe Na on at any level (local, state, and federal), who are committed to the actualization of the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda, irrespective of their political affiliations. Okpe Union shall contact all such candidates to ascertain their positions on the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda, before advising Okpe nationals on whom to vote for.
Concluding Remarks
We call on all Okpe nationals to vote for only candidates that subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties/candidates since 1999 has failed Okpe Nation in all indices of growth and development. It is time to reclaim Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpeland. We therefore call on Okpe nationals to register and obtain their permanent Voter’s card (PVC) as soon as possible.
Long Live the Okpe Union!
Long Live the Orodje of Okpe!
Long Live the Okpe Na on!
Prof. O. Igho Natufe
President General
Okpe Union (World Wide)
Barrister Victor Oruno
National Publicity Secretary
Okpe Union (World Wide)
Business mogul, Felix Aganbi, on Friday unveiled plans of a major golf tournament to celebrate Canaanland Golf Course and Country Club’s second year anniversary.
“The second-year anniversary of the 18-hole golf course will attract international talent and create opportunities for emerging players” Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi said in a statement.
Powered by Sir Alfred and Mrs. Warami Temile, the mission of Canaanland Golf Course and Country Club, according to Aganbi, is to strengthen the game in Nigeria, deliver significant benefits to the Niger Delta, bring men and women, officials and fans to Koko and boost tourism and hospitality industries in Delta State.
“Aganbi said, ” On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Canaanland Golf Course and Country Club, Koko, we will host local and foreign investors, amateur and professional players, highlight the benefits of investing in Koko Town and celebrate Delta State’s exceptional history and culture”
Designed to prepare men and women for numerous and significant roles in all facets of life, Aganbi urged chief executives and managers of private and public organizations in the country to show the people of Delta State how committed they are to the development and promotion of sports in Nigeria.
He said positive steps have been taken towards providing the necessary standard sporting facilities in Koko Town.
“The second anniversary is an opportunity for the men and women to earn prize money”
Aganbi, who is also the Chairman of Canaan Land Golf & Country Club, expressed the happiness of the management and members of Canaanland Golf Course & Country Club at celebrating the second anniversary on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
“The one-day event marks our club’s two-year anniversary and expands our horizons beyond golf to include badminton, table tennis and darts”
The statement emphasized networking and socializing, skill development, health and wellness, career advancement and exposure.
“As part of the activities, we will host a special anniversary ceremony to reflect our growth, complete with refreshments and networking. Additionally, we will be incorporating a give-back medical outreach program focused on eye care and full health checkups at our Christiana Aganbi Sickbay.
“Our goal for this event and beyond includes strengthening community ties, promoting wellness and showcasing the potential and opportunity in Koko town through the Canaan Land Smart City, a sustainable development featuring eco-friendly residences, a tech hub, wellness facilities and tourism attractions”
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Tuesday, proudly demonstrated its unflinching commitment to being socially responsible when the leading engineering construction company’s Academy marked the successful completion of its Batch 2025 Vocational Training Programme with the graduation of 36 trainees across key technical disciplines, including carpentry, masonry, and plumbing. The initiative underscores the Company’s continued commitment to skills development, youth empowerment, and sustainable capacity building within its host communities.
Delivering his address at the ceremony, the Director, Administration, Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita, described the occasion as more than a graduation ceremony, but a celebration of purpose and measurable impact. He emphasised that Corporate Social Responsibility must be measurable, sustainable, and impactful, noting that the Vocational Support Programme clearly meets these standards.
Kaita stated that the graduation of Batch 2025 trainees does not mark the end of their journey, but rather the beginning explaining that the Company’s vision is to scale the initiative sustainably, ensuring that more Nigerian youths acquire certified technical skills that contribute meaningfully to the economy. Highlighting the broader economic value of vocational excellence, he noted that skilled artisans reduce dependence on imports, improve construction quality, enhance productivity, and create micro-enterprises, adding that this is how grassroots economic transformation begins.
Addressing the graduates directly, he charged them to step forward with confidence, build with excellence, work with integrity, and grow with discipline even as he expressed his hope that the training received would serve as a solid foundation upon which the graduands would construct prosperous futures for themselves, their families, and the nation, affirming that their future begins now.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Head, Human Resource Department, Olorunfemi Ojomo also commended the graduands for their dedication and reaffirmed Julius Berger’s strategic focus on investing in human capital as a critical driver of national development and organisational excellence, just as he emphasised the importance of vocational expertise in strengthening Nigeria’s construction sector. He also noted that beyond infrastructure delivery, Julius Berger remains intentional about creating meaningful opportunities that empower individuals and uplift communities.
In her address, the Talent Manager, Mrs Goodness Onoja reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to strengthening technical skills development in Nigeria through its Vocational Support Programme. She highlighted its growth from automotive training in 2024, with 36 participants and 30 graduates to its expansion in 2025 into masonry, carpentry, and plumbing, where 36 of 40 trainees completed the programme, including two female graduates. She announced that all graduating participants would receive Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 1 and Level 2 certifications in their respective trades, further reinforcing the programme’s objective of equipping them with industry-recognised qualifications aligned with national standards.
Looking ahead, Onoja revealed that the 2026 batch, scheduled to commence in late April, will introduce new training streams in electrical installation and solar technology. This expansion will be supported by a strategic partnership with GIZ, which has provided an integrated technical expert to strengthen curriculum development, training materials, tools, and infrastructure to meet international standards.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating cohort, the Class President, Ms. Victorious O Odah expressed deep gratitude to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the opportunity to undergo ten months of intensive vocational training in plumbing, masonry, and carpentry. She acknowledged the company’s provision of a structured learning environment that fostered discipline, professionalism, and technical excellence. According to her, the programme not only equipped participants with practical skills, ranging from water system installation and block laying to the construction of wooden structures, but also strengthened their confidence and preparedness for the realities of the working environment.
The comprehensive training programme was designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant competencies aligned with global best practices in construction and engineering. Over the course of the programme, the trainees received hands-on instruction, technical mentorship, and structured learning aimed at enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
Through programmes such as this, Julius Berger continues to reinforce its role as a responsible corporate citizen, committed to building structures, strengthening communities, and shaping futures.
Key Julius Berger staff at the historic event include, the Director, Administration, Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita Isa, Head, Corporate Communications, James Agama, Head, Human Resource Department, Olorunfemi Ojomo, Coordinator, Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Academy, Ajamah Himernuel, Talent Management Manager, Onoja Goodness, Human Resources Coordinator, Nasiru Mohammed, Deputy Human Resources Cordinator, Samuel Adenuga, Snr. Training Manager, Akin Ogunfuyi, Commercial Manager, Abuja Building & Facilities, Aleks Serafimowski, Document Control Officer, Region Central North, Caroline Akani and representatives of the company’s Media Relations Office.
PRESS RELEASE
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, Mr Alfredo Miranda-Ortiz, have stressed the need for Lagos and Mexico to strengthen bilateral ties, to enhance their economic prosperity and areas of mutual benefits.
Sanwo-Olu and Miranda-Ortiz spoke on the need for the bilateral relationship during a courtesy visit by the Mexican delegation, led by the Ambassador at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating conducive business and tourism potential in Lagos State. He said the THEMES+ developmental agenda of his administration is further pushed to make Lagos hospitable, habitable and attract more investments.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the opening of a Honourary Consulate of Mexico in Lagos, under the leadership of the Honorary Consul of Mexico in Lagos, Mr. Abiodun Otunola, to boost relationships between both countries.
Speaking earlier, the Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, Mr. Alfredo Miranda-Ortiz, lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s giant strides, saying the State has proved its capacity to expand economic relationships.
He explained that with 53 free Trade Markets in Mexico, his country is poised to strengthen its economy by working collaboratively with Lagos as the economic engine of Nigeria.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
MARCH 10, 2026
I am in receipt of a letter that asked parents to pay for an excursion to England. I was very perturbed because this goes beyond the mandate of the school. These kids barely know the geography of Nigeria, and you want to export them to another culture for indoctrination and cultural imperialism.
What is London for the Nigerian child? Are we still under colonialism? This program has nothing to improve the child except to give them a false sense of elitism which has destroyed Nigeria.
In these tough economic times, you are asking parents to cough out so much money for the vanity project of indulgent children and nouveaux rich parents who want vicarious existence through their children. I weep for my country.
Nigeria used to be a place where the children of the rich and poor went to the same school without anyone being subjected to any form of alienation. It is becoming very clear that the Nigerian educational system has been bastardized by actions like these.
We send our children to learn and have a better understanding of themselves and the world, but you are teaching them a sense of entitlement. As someone who has travelled around the world, there is nothing any of those kids will gain from this stupid enterprise than egotism that alienates them from their mates. Even if I can afford it, it does not make any economic sense. I will never participate in this hubris you mistake for education. It appears your school has substituted foreign cultures for education.
Teach the Nigerian child how to be Nigerian. Education is supposed to start from the home. It appears a large percentage of the parents are people who came into so much money without a modicum of common sense. This is the reason why they consider it a thing of dignity when their child is being culturally miseducated. This trend where everything foreign is romanticized must stop. We should never raise our children to feel inferior to anyone.
The moral decadence that has become prevalent in Nigeria is due to this wrong education of the Nigerian child and his parents. They employ maids for their children; drive them to school in expensive limousines. At the end, the child grows up entitled and does not have any sense of service or allegiance to his community, as he is trained from childhood that the world owes him a living.
We must teach our children how to serve. Service to others is the rent we pay for the space we occupy. If parents must take their children overseas, that should be done in their private time not under the pretext of education.
A good education will be an excursion to the numerous slums in Lagos and let the children produce an assignment about creating sustainable neighborhoods that are livable.
If you don’t stop this practice, I will make a formal protest to the Ministry of Education and your school and other schools that are introducing this odious culture should be sanctioned.
The Nigerian child must be trained to think instead of making him a consumer of foreign cultures that have disdain for our way of life.
I used to complain of wayward parents who have destroyed Nigeria until I found out that the Nigerian schools are becoming incubating chambers for producing wayward and dysfunctional children who will perpetuate the vicious cycle in the Nigerian decay.
DR AUSTIN ORETTE WRITES FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS
Begin golf training for 50 girls
Business mogul, Felix Aganbi, on Saturday expressed commitment to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.
“All the young women, young kids out there, join us on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area”
He also urged parents in Nigeria and abroad to allow their daughters to attend the one day Canaan Land golf training and tournament in Koko, Delta State.
“The golf training and tournament will introduce girls to golf in a social and engaging environment. It will also help them build confidence, learn vital skills, and connect with others in a friendly community” Aganbi said in a statement issued Saturday morning.
Scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, the event celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women as well as raise awareness for accelerated gender parity.
“A series of tests focusing on building foundation skills for some girls in preparation for the golf training took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Cannan Land Golf Course, Koko” Aganbi said.
Tagged “The Biggest Giving Day of the Year” the event, according to Aganbi is projected to entrench attitude of excellence and develop young, highly quality golfers in terms of their golf quality and personal character,
“Open to girls in years 8-16, the training and tournament provide high quality coaching to assist the girl child in pursuing excellence in the sport of golf”
He listed technical skill development, comprehensive fitness and mental conditioning as key features of the training.
The statement emphasized the well-being of women and girls in Nigeria.
“The girls will learn the basics of golf grip, stance, posture alignment, golf rules and etiquette. They will also be taken for an 18-hole playing lesson”
It also highlighted the efforts of Akogate and Canaanland Club to help children and women obtain enough skills”
‘”The training and tournament will broaden opportunities for girls in Nigeria to realize their potential through education”
In particular, Aganbi invited young girls from Koko, Abigborodo, Asaba, Oghara, Mosogar, Jesse, Sapele, Warri, Ughelli and Benin to the training.
‘”Canaanland Country Club shall continue to encourage the education of females, improve the economic position of women and enhance their participation in matters relating to both the family and the society.
“It is also to join hands with the government in making our state a better place to live, campaign for the dismantling of systemic barriers and push for the power of reciprocity and abundant giving”
The girls will be taught techniques like chipping, putting and driving to give them a complete picture of the game. Our aim is to deliver great learning experiences which in turn encourages the girls to forge a lifelong love affair with the game’”
Driven by Sir Alfred and Mrs Warami Temile, Aganbi said the club would continue to provide necessary assistance for the general development of people, especially those who live in the rural areas.
“The March 8, 2026 training will celebrate women’s achievements, reinforce commitment to gender equality and rally for change”.
“Lunch will be served by Kashogi Restaurant during the International Women’s Day girl-child training session” the statement added.
The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Golf Classic, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, has been cancelled” a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi, said.
“This is to ensure all parties are on the same page”
The statement expressed the commitment of Akogate Group and Canaanland Golf Club to improving the lives of Nigerian women and girls.
“We are currently working to get approval for the event” the statement said.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank our attendees for their understanding and continued support” the statement added.
If an individual can steal from the government willy-nilly and we find out many years later, and only after the fact, it means we have no checks and balances. Due to lack of checks and balances, the nation has become a prison where everyone is trying to escape.
Why was it easy for a former South-South governor to use state money for his campaign? What was the role of the members of the State House of Assembly? The primary responsibility of the members is to have oversight duties. They failed in this primary duty and the state is shortchanged.
This could have been prevented. Due to our military past, we have developed a culture of absolute power for the executive branch of government. The legislators see their roles as that of onlookers. They have a responsibility to devise checks and balances that will prevent executive lawlessness.
Finding out someone stole money only after they left office is a sign of timidity and lack of prerequisite for their positions. No one should have absolute power in a democracy. Executive arrogance, legislative incompetence and citizen apathy have become the standard practice in Nigeria.
It is difficult to prosecute such a person in a country with a rickety judicial system like Nigeria. The thieves have become the law and the nation is one big prison where all the inmates plan to escape.
The role of democracy is to develop checks and balances that will prevent such occurrences. Democracy demands preemptive and proactive measures to prevent such occurrences.
Nigeria is still practicing military dictatorship. Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is always absolute. It is not placed under check and scrutiny.
From local associations in the village to the highest places in Nigeria, those who have power become absolute and behave recklessly.
Just look at what the police and soldiers do at check points. They have absolute powers. Any person in uniform can order a person into an unmarked vehicle and that is the last we see of that person. This is a clear and present danger.
It is our duty to safeguard public safety by subjecting these actions to scrutiny and interrogations that are needed in a democracy.
Our failure here is due to years of military dictatorship and outright brigandage. That is the micro representation of Nigeria. Those complaining about the stealing now will not be different if they are given those positions. The reason is that the probability that they will get away with the abuse of office is one hundred percent.
A former governor in North-West made an allusion to this fact in his interaction with his most strident critic in Kaduna. After one abrasive criticism from this man, the ex-governor decided to invite him. He sent a cab driver to pick him up, asked the taxi driver to wait and take him back home. After the meeting, he gave the journalist about one hundred thousand (this figure may not be accurate) and fifty thousand for the taxi drive. The critic was told to give the driver 50,000. The Journalist was full of praise and ebullience. The journalist left. He gave the taxi driver N5, 000 and kept the rest of the money. After they exited the gate, the security stopped them to say the governor has one last discussion. When they arrived back, the governor asked the taxi driver how much was given to him by the journalist. The driver said he received only N5, 000.
This is our conundrum. The governor only wanted to make a point but people praised him for his wisdom.
I am not fooled. If the governor actually was interested in solving the problem, he would give the driver his money directly in the presence of the journalist. That would have been better news but he decided to entrap the journalist.
Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is absolute. Nobody questions it. This behavior is antithetical to democratic norms. This is a carry-over from military dictatorship. We only knew late head of state stole money after he died. What about a former head of state from the North Central? How come no one talks about him? No one does because his power is absolute.
Democracy has to do with checks and balances at all level. Everyone in a democracy is a servant of the law. The opposite is true in Nigeria. Everyone is a servant of those who rule in Nigeria.
Those who hold power must be interrogated. The people in power in Nigeria are like kings and manors. Elected officials are not responsive to those who elected them. They behave as if they got to their present position through a coup. They are arrogant and distant from those who elected or rigged elections for them. They have no sense of justice and anything they say is considered the law by the oppressed. They bellow orders to Nigerians.
Where leaders of advanced democracies would tip toe around thorny issues, the Nigerian governor will come with a bulldozer and loudspeakers to intimidate the citizens. There is no intellectual application in finding solutions to problems because they consider themselves the law. The undeserving voters have surrendered and they just watch as those they elected violate and brutalize them.
If someone challenges these absolute monarchs, they pass an edict to make the illegal legal. They have supporters who they whip into emotional frenzy and use as an army of thugs to intimidate those who think otherwise.
No one personifies this arrogance than the governors in Nigeria. These people are dictators who have no understanding or respect for the rule of law.
Now let me settle on the whipping boy, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This is not because he is the worst; it is because he has the enviable position of being the governor of Lagos State which is a microcosm of Nigeria. Any action in Lagos State is under the microscope. If not for the seriousness of what he does, this man gives me comedy relief.
Apart from his demolition crusade in Lagos, there are things he does that are so funny and outright absurd. He has been sitting on the Supreme Court Judgement that told the people of Magodo to vacate and leave the place for the real owners. This man actually told those who won the case on national television that he is looking for alternative place so that they will leave the oppressors to enjoy their stolen land on Magodo. This is wrong. This people should vacate the place as ruled by the Supreme Court.
The governor refusing to surrender Magodo to those who won is a gross and severe violation of the law that he should be cited for contempt of the Supreme Court.
The time to negotiate with the original owner was before the court made a ruling. Any negotiation after the court ruling is a violation of the court order and continued abuse of his powers. You don’t mediate after a ruling has been made by the Supreme Court. He must be called to order on this.
Sanwo- Olu never stops to tickle me. There was the case where he saw a soldier going the opposite way in a one-way street. This was a comedy of errors and was very hilarious to watch. Sanwo-Olu confronted the man, arrested him and put him in one of the convoy cars for violating the law. The soldier immediately protested and told Sanwo-Olu that he is a soldier and as such that one way rule does not apply to him. The governor told him he doesn’t care, nobody is above the law. He is right with this statement.
Let us scrutinize what happened there. The soldier believes he has a right to violate traffic law. Sanwo-Olu believes he has a right to arrest and detain this man because the man violated the law. Both are wrong. Sanwo-Olu does not have the power to arrest any citizen. He is not the DA or the police. He, like any other citizen, can only make a complaint to the appropriate authorities. The soldier is wrong for violating the law. No one is exempted from the law.
In a democracy, that soldier can sue Sanwo- Olu for wrongful detention and imprisonment. If that car moves from that location with the soldier still inside, the governor will be arraigned for kidnapping.
This is the level of idiocy of those in power in Nigeria. Their horizon is very narrow and they have egos that are unchecked. They have no respect for the rule of law because they think the law doesn’t apply to them and their followers agree.
Nigeria is a big theatre of the absurd. We need to restructure so that we can get away from this big tent of idiocy.
Any time I watch the robust debate of parliaments in other countries, I whip for Nigeria. In the midst of all the killings and centrifugal forces tearing the nation apart, why is the National Assembly so quiet?
Since the inception of this democratic order, there is no quotable quote from any of these Senators or representatives. There is no debate. The president is now the one that makes laws and no one is asking any questions.
Democracy requires vigilance and continuous interrogation of the status quo. Democracy dies when the citizens fall asleep. We must wake up to keep our democracy alive. Everyone has a role to play. Democracy is not a spectator’s sport. Everyone must be a participant. Any attempt to shirk this responsibility of citizenship is an invitation to tyranny.
Another election time is upon us and we are being inundated with an election by automatic ticket. There is no democracy if people are automatically selected. Democracy means the voters have to re-evaluate those they elected periodically. Any deviation from this is an assault on the will of the people. Any deviation from this is not a democracy but a bad omen that will truncate the rights of the people to choose.
DR AUSTIN ORETTE WRITES FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS