Many a time we are always in a haste to conclude and personalize issues possibly because of ignorance or deliberate mischief. We will all agree that the Coronavirus is a global pandemic that has brought all socio-economic and political activities around the globe to a halt as it is facing the worst global economic decline ever experienced. The situation is not different in Nigeria where there have been challenges including loss of lives, jobs, as well as hunger and starvation.

We often make reference to other countries when it is rosy including clamour for the adoption of some of their policies, laws and so on but have failed to emulate them in areas that really matter, especially in these trying times. Most political leaders, members of the opposition parties and other unscrupulous individuals will always want to exert pressure on the government by exploiting a sensitive situation like the global pandemic for pecuniary reasons.
They have accused the government of neglecting its people by keeping mute on the ongoing distribution of palliatives and welfare packages, as well as infrastructural developments in the health sector aimed at containing the spread of the disease. These new selfish activisms and agitations are tailored towards 2023 general elections despite the growing concerns over the spread of this virus.
As political leaders from different divides and ideals, one would expect them to put aside politics and pre-existing bitterness and rancour to consider the global challenge as a common enemy which requires concerted and unified effort to defeat it by using their platforms and political structure to intensify sensitization in a bid to enlighten their supporters and followers on the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, they choose this critical time to wage a fruitless war with the government.

It is unavoidably true that the administration is fighting the pandemic with limited funds and resources in areas such as insufficient testing kits, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), amidst prevailing Illiteracy, poverty, and the dwindling status of the Nigerian economy. However, the government is putting efforts in place to mitigate these challenges by sustaining public sensitization.
An earlier four-week lockdown was equally imposed in some selected States, as well as and the introduction of the compulsory use of face mask in public places, among other measures only to be criticized by the opposition. The lockdown which has since been eased following a review of the current economic situation of the country and these same misguided activists on the payroll of politicians have equally condemned it unconstructively.

The actions of these selfish individuals backed by selfish politicians since the outbreak of the disease in the country highlight a deliberate ploy for mischief which requires well-meaning citizens to stop patronizing their machinations which is not benefiting to the COVID-19 global concern.
God bless Nigeria!

Negative reactions have trailed the decision by the Federal Government to accept the offer of assistance from the Chinese Medical Team in the ongoing fight against coronavirus in Nigeria. At the forefront of this skewed and one-sided antagonism was the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). The group described the government’s decision as ill-timed and inappropriate.

In a quest to sway public opinion and curry sentiment, the NMA further claimed that the spike in the number of cases recorded in Italy including fatality rate occurred shortly after the arrival of a similar medical team from China. Furthermore, the group described the move as embarrassing and spiteful to Nigerian health workers who have been working tirelessly to curb the spread of COVID- 19 in the country.

Admittedly, the efforts of Nigerian health workers in the prevention, containment and treatment of the virus cannot be wished away. They have demonstrated professionalism and commitment, the kind the nation had rarely witnessed.
While their efforts deserve national commendation, it is said that the cardinal ground for vehemently kicking against the arrival of the Chinese is the fact that they do not want to share their glory when all this is over. Obviously, the group would never admit this.

As a medical practitioner, I know the antics of the group, but this isn’t time to do that. National health emergency of this dimension requires the deployment of ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR THE CONTAINMENT OF THE CHALLENGE. COVID-19 ought to be regarded as a common enemy which can only be defeated with solidarity and cooperation.

For those afraid that the presence of China could worsen the situation, they are yet to see the economic importance of the nation to China. China has more to gain by ensuring that Nigeria gets back on its feet as soon as possible. Aside from the fact that Nigeria is currently has a robust balance of trade with China, the economic war between China and the US has made Nigeria, as the largest economy in Africa, one other most beautiful global bride. Everyone wants Nigeria as an ally.

Life is gradually returning to normal in China with special reference to Wuhan city, the epicentre of this pandemic. China is opening up its factories after the lockdown and needs to start exporting its products as soon as possible to recover from the setback. They also need Nigeria to be back to normal so that business can begin to take place between both countries.

NMA was quick to make reference to the situation in Italy but failed to look at other countries like USA, Spain and United Kingdom which have recorded more cases even and deaths without the intervention of the Chinese. The NMA failed to recall how it directed its members to embark on industrial action just a day after the first index case was recorded in Lagos without considering the implications of such action when the nation needed it most.

Already, the Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire (Dr.) has explained that the Chinese Medical team is not coming to take over the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria as widely claimed by several media houses, but rather they are here to share their experience and offer advice on measures used in containing the disease in their country. These measures have evidently worked, like Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic has reopened after ten (10) weeks of lockdown.

Research, knowledge and experience sharing in medical practice, just like every other field of human endeavour is a global phenomenon aimed at improving efficiency. The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages it. Some world powers lobby for it. It brings about innovation, especially in a globalized world. This shows that Nigeria has a lot to learn from China.

Thankfully, the government has received and isolated the Medical team to ensure they are safe, in accordance with international best practice. The next issue is for the NMA and other affiliate health groups to give them all the necessary assistance. Where necessary we must learn from their experience and allow them to learn from ours too. We must allow for knowledge interplay.

Nigerians are becoming increasingly worried over the spread of this pandemic which has occasioned socio-economic uncertainties. We need our lives back. We must go back to work. If the Chinese would assist us in recovering quicker, we should cooperate with them. The welfare and general wellbeing of Nigerian are paramount, especially at this critical time.
COVID-19 must be defeated in Nigeria, whatever it takes.

[url]https://www.vigil360.com.ng/exclusive-report/58-special-reports/16883-covid-19-stay-at-home,-god-does-not-live-in-a-man-made-house.html [/url]

That the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, is ravaging the world is no longer news. At the last count, global fatalities have surpassed sixteen thousand (16000) deaths with over 386000 cases. Countries like Italy (50,000+) USA (45,000 +) Spain (29500+) France (16000 +) and Iran (14500+) are some of the worse hit.

In Nigeria, the country has recorded forty-two cases (42) as of Tuesday, 24th March 2020. So far the government has taken measures to contain the spread of the disease including a ban on an international flight from worse hit countries, close down of schools, stay at home order for a section of the civil service and ban on public gathering exceeding fifty (50) persons.

The ban on public gathering has attracted reactions, especially from some religious groups. Some pastors and Imams objected to the ban even to the point of holding prayers and church services in defiance to the order. Nigeria is a very religious country and many citizens take the words of the spiritual leaders very seriously. This is why these men most not out the lives of their congregation at risk.

The ban on public gathering and closure of places of worship is not peculiar to Nigeria. So far, all major international and local sporting events have been cancelled including the European Football Championships and the Olympics which have been postponed to 2021.

Furthermore, in Italy, the Vatican had to close down all churches and stopped mass in response to the COVID-19. Similarly, despite not recording any known case, the Saudi Authority had to shut down its airspace, cancelled Umrah and other religious visits to the Holy sites and encouraged its citizens to stay at home as a proactive prevention measure.

Islam forbade anyone who eats garlic or from going to the Mosque because the smell would be a source of irritation to others. It is, therefore, safe to say that anyone carrying a deadly disease as the coronavirus would do well to stay away from the congregation. Similarly, biblical accounts clearly show that persons with communicable disease were banned from mixing up with the public. This is why lepers were isolated from the community.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 26:20, the people were encouraged to “go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.” This clearly demonstrates that in a desperate situation, isolation is advised.

Beyond the issue of containing the disease is the matter of obedience to constituted authority. The Quranicenjoins thus: “O you who believe, obey Allah and the Messenger, and those in authority among you” (Qur’an 4:59). The bible says: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Rom. 13:1-2).

Like we say in the Nigerian parlance, you can’t be more Catholic than the Pope or more Muslim than the Sultan. God does not live in a house built by men. God lives in our heart and is expressed best when we show love to one another. We must be wise at this time. As we have already seen, the coronavirus is no respecter of person and as such, the best weapon against it must be social distance by avoiding large gathering.

Stay Safe!

Stay At home!

Pray at home!

[url]https://www.vigil360.com.ng/exclusive-report/58-special-reports/16883-covid-19-stay-at-home,-god-does-not-live-in-a-man-made-house.html [/url]

That the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, is ravaging the world is no longer news. At the last count, global fatalities have surpassed sixteen thousand (16000) deaths with over 386000 cases. Countries like Italy (50,000+) USA (45,000 +) Spain (29500+) France (16000 +) and Iran (14500+) are some of the worse hit.

In Nigeria, the country has recorded forty-two cases (42) as of Tuesday, 24th March 2020. So far the government has taken measures to contain the spread of the disease including a ban on an international flight from worse hit countries, close down of schools, stay at home order for a section of the civil service and ban on public gathering exceeding fifty (50) persons.

The ban on public gathering has attracted reactions, especially from some religious groups. Some pastors and Imams objected to the ban even to the point of holding prayers and church services in defiance to the order. Nigeria is a very religious country and many citizens take the words of the spiritual leaders very seriously. This is why these men most not out the lives of their congregation at risk.

The ban on public gathering and closure of places of worship is not peculiar to Nigeria. So far, all major international and local sporting events have been cancelled including the European Football Championships and the Olympics which have been postponed to 2021.

Furthermore, in Italy, the Vatican had to close down all churches and stopped mass in response to the COVID-19. Similarly, despite not recording any known case, the Saudi Authority had to shut down its airspace, cancelled Umrah and other religious visits to the Holy sites and encouraged its citizens to stay at home as a proactive prevention measure.

Islam forbade anyone who eats garlic or from going to the Mosque because the smell would be a source of irritation to others. It is, therefore, safe to say that anyone carrying a deadly disease as the coronavirus would do well to stay away from the congregation. Similarly, biblical accounts clearly show that persons with communicable disease were banned from mixing up with the public. This is why lepers were isolated from the community.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 26:20, the people were encouraged to “go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.” This clearly demonstrates that in a desperate situation, isolation is advised.

Beyond the issue of containing the disease is the matter of obedience to constituted authority. The Quranicenjoins thus: “O you who believe, obey Allah and the Messenger, and those in authority among you” (Qur’an 4:59). The bible says: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Rom. 13:1-2).

Like we say in the Nigerian parlance, you can’t be more Catholic than the Pope or more Muslim than the Sultan. God does not live in a house built by men. God lives in our heart and is expressed best when we show love to one another. We must be wise at this time. As we have already seen, the coronavirus is no respecter of person and as such, the best weapon against it must be social distance by avoiding large gathering.

Stay Safe!

Stay At home!

Pray at home!

The Punch newspaper on December, 11 published an article titled “Buhari’s Lawlessness: our stand”
In the first paragraph of the write up the Punch writes:

“As a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and military-style repression, PUNCH (all our Print newspapers) will henceforth prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80’s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law”

I, first of all, begin by thanking the Punch for reminding our President what he ought to be. The Punch should note that Nigerians voted Buhari to power for his past antecedents and records as an incorruptible and no-nonsense leader whose first priority is always the National Interest.
Well, informed Nigerians voted Buhari knowing well that he was a tough man who wouldn’t condone rubbish from gangsters and criminals who may want to threaten and destabilise the nation. Nigerians needed a tough man who will crush/repress Boko Haram insurgency which almost overran the northern part of the country.

Nigerian voters needed someone who will instil discipline in Nigerians just the way Buhari dealt with open defecation in Lagos and introduced War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAIC) nationwide during his military regime.

Our countrymen thank the Punch for reminding President Buhari that Nigerians needs his military-style of leadership to tackle corruption, insecurity and indiscipline that are prevalent in the country.

Buhari’s resolve to become a true democrat has yielded no or less positive result as far as average Nigerian is concern. Corruption seems to be on the increase likewise Banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality all because the man doesn’t want to be seen as a military dictator.
President Buhari needs to be reminded that Nigerians wouldn’t have killed themselves just to vote him to power if they knew that he is going to be democratically weak when he ought to be tough and not an autocrat as being portrayed by the Punch.

If Buhari’s military-style will bring back Nigeria on track by fighting corruption, insecurity and other endemic national problems, Nigerians will vehemently support and welcome that approach wholeheartedly.

In All Saner Climes, National Interest Supersedes All Other Interests

Yusuf Maikasuwa wrote from Kontagora , NIGER STATE.

According to the Advanced Learners Dictionary, the word Criticism is defined as a critical judgement expressed or passed over an idea through detailed observation or feeling, or simply put, it is a critical observation derived from a detailed examination of a situation and subsequently pointing out fault observed therein.

The same dictionary described revolution as a violent process of creating an abstraction to the process of governance through unconventional process and subsequently replacing the government with the interest of the rebel group who caused the change.

While the former is recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria encapsulated in the universal Freedom of Speech, expression, holding and impacting of opinion, the latter only exists in the dictionary of rebel groups who position themselves as power grabbers either through the power of a barrel or by causing civil disobedience.

Accordingly, a lot of governments across the globe have been confronted with various revolutionary groups in recent time. Typical is the Arab Spring which started in Algeria, one Buazizi a fruits seller set himself ablaze to attract sympathy. The incident ended up causing widespread civil disobedience. Ultimately, the outcome led to the creation of terrorism and various opposition armed groups now spread across the West African Region that our country is still battling to survive.

In Saudi Arabia during the height of the Arab Spring, those who identified themselves as Revolutionaries were publicly beheaded in broad daylight by the government of the Saudi Kingdom. The government justified its reason that it did so to deter the would-be revolutionaries and discourage them from thinking in that direction. Consequently, the United State Government clapped for the Saudi Government for successfully decimating the opponent and sold more weapons to them.

Also, we are all witnesses to Catalan Separatist leaders in Spain who bagged various jail terms for organising an independence referendum for a separate state of Catalonia. Their action pushed the Spain government to the extent of ordering an international arrest warrant to bundle the personality who was the former Catalan President and was subsequently arrested in Belgium, currently awaiting deportation to Spain.

During the United State civil war, the southern secessionists campaign started as “revolution” However the then President, Abraham Lincoln swiftly moved to stop them, In his inauguration speech, he said “I am not aware of any oath taken anywhere by anybody to subvert the authority of the State, but I shall have the supreme authority to preserve the State and the territory of the United State. He ultimately crushed the rebels into oblivion.

In Bahrain, opposition leaders were arrested and detained without charges, some imprisoned while others killed and others their citizenship were stripped off. In all this happening, the United State has kept mute. It went to the extent of providing diplomatic cover for Bahrain authorities against criticism during the United Nation Security Council meeting.

In the year 2013 Abdul Fatah El-Sisi of Egypt ousted the democratically elected government of Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sisi massacred thousands of those who went against him as revolutionaries at the Tahrir Square in Cairo, all in an attempt to retain the power to himself. Till today, the United State rewards El-Sisi handsomely with annual arm subsidy of $1.2 billion.
Similarly, in the late 80s in China, some so-called revolutionary protester who organised themselves at the Tienanmen square never lived to tell the story.

Coming back to home Nigeria, some unpatriotic elements are suddenly advocating that President Buhari should clap for Omoyele Sowore who blatantly on a live Television organised a #RevolutioNow, to be treated with kids gloves. Calling Sowore’s claim as “freedom of speech”.

Sowore openly said he was going to remove Buhari from Presidential Villa wheather Buhari was ready or not. He further stated that the DSS was going to face dissolution while the armed forces will be disbanded. Yet people expect President Buhari to just sit down and clap!

Mind you, Kaduna Nzeagwu who assassinated Sir, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Ladoke Akintola, Brigadier Maimalari and Okotie Ebor during the 1966 coup also claimed to be a revolutionary fighter.

Colonel Haile Mengistu Mariam who toppled the Ethiopian Imperial Dynasty and assassinated Empero Haile Sellasie and subsequently buried him in soak away pit also called himself a revolutionary.

A stitch in time they say saves nine.

Biodun Ademolaju from Eti-osa , Lagos state

I woke up this morning to realize that the new CBN directive to collect an additional N50 per POS transaction over N1000 is worrisome and senseless. Take, for example, you request for service worth N3000 and per an extra N50.

You have gotten N3000 worth in value and dashed out N50 to "Who"? It is heartbreaking to hear that the cashless policy in Nigeria has now become a new source of the money-spinning venture.

I want to believe there are about 2 Million POS transactions Nationwide in Nigeria daily. So do the arithmetics, you will be racking in N100M on a daily basis. What for?

It's an interesting country where we leave in because our docility has been seen to be stupidity.

On Monday, the Spanish Supreme Court jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders over their roles in the failed bid for secession about two years ago. While Catalonia’s former vice-president Oriol Junqueras was convicted of sedition and misuse of public funds and sentenced to 13 years in prison, former Catalan foreign minister Raül Romeva, labour minister Dolors Bassa and regional government spokesman Jordi Turull were each convicted of the same offences and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and handed 12-year bans on holding office.

Carme Forcadell, Joaquim Forn, Josep Rull, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, also received various jail terms and banned from holding public offices for several years.


One of the offences that all the convicts were accused of is sedition. Sedition means conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against authorities or monarch.


Sadly, the lawful arrest of individuals in Nigeria whose comments and actions have threatened national security have been widely condemned by elements that pretend to love the country. These elements who have politicized everything government does, have continued to turn the Nigerian law upside down, vilified government officials, conspired with foreign hostile elements to further acts inimical to peaceful co-existence.


In Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu, after a failed call for a referendum established a military arm for his Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group with the intent of violently facilitating the breakaway of his purported imaginary "Biafra". Before his IPOB went on full scale operation, Kanu had solicited funds from Ndigbos in Diaspora for the purchase of arms and ammunition. Video evidence still flood the media. His IPOB loyalists had also confronted military operatives with petrol bombs, machetes, missiles and other weapons.


Using a different tactics, Omoyele Sowore, a presidential candidate in the last election who lost woefully to another candidate, in his desperate bid to grab power by all means also resorted to preachments of violence in the guise of "#RevolutionNow" protest. He had even vowed to cause the cessation of Nigeria's secret police (DSS) after his botched August 5 planned revolution. Apparently, Sowore who had earlier met with Nnamdi Kanu in New York was covertly working with some hostile elements to truncate the nation's democracy and enthrone anarchy.


Nigerians must remember to put the nation above every other primordial interest. We must know that the only country we can proudly call our own is Nigeria. Those seeking to divide us or succumb to entreaties by foreign hostile elements to cause hostilities must realize that the nation's collective resolve cannot be broken.


The decision by Spanish authorities to prosecute Catalan separatists leading to the various jail terms should be an eye opener to Government officials in Nigeria. They should pursue current cases involving Nnamdi KANU and Omoyele Sowore to a logical conclusion. Successful prosecution of the two agitators will no doubt present the Nigerian state as a serious country willing and ready to prosecute those trying to undermine our resolve to forge a united and virile nation.


On Kanu and Sowore, let the law take its cause. !!!!!!!!!!

cc:lalasticala
@Mynd44
@Lalasticlala
@Semid4lyfe
@Obinoscopy

https://www.vigil360.com.ng/exclusive-report/58-special-reports/15182-catalan-separatists,-nnamdi-kanu,-sowore-and-the-nigerian-government.html

As Nigerians continue to talk about the alleged marriage between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadiya Umar Farouq, I am left puzzled that our sense of thought has come this far! Fake news everywhere as Donald Trump would say.

One would wonder why the President's personal life has become so much of concern to the opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose former media aide, Johnson Ude first tweeted the alleged news of a planned marriage between the President and Minister. Ever since Ude brokered the "fake news" all current and former PDP's aide such as Reno Omokri have since keyed into tweeting and sharing doctored videos and photos of the first citizen.

Little wonder that Jonathan's former aides are not like their boss, going so low to making fake wedding invitation cards. I laughed when I saw the quality of the card! When did Dr. Farooq Adamu Kperogi and Reno Omokri, miss it? Supposedly, a Ph.D. holder like Kperogi should be busy writing articles that would better the life of his students and the country, but NO he got it all wrong...commenting and sharing snapshots of the marriage that never was.

Let the wailers continue their gimmicks, while our very President Muhammadu Buhari stays determined to the course of bettering the lives of Nigerians.

By MUSA JANBULO

In the last few days Social Media platforms most especially twitter and telegram have been inundated with call for Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and the founder of Sahara reporters to be set free.

Sowore lost his presidential contest during the 2019 general elections to Muhammadu Buhari who was the presidential candidate under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

In July 2, 2019, Sowore had what they called a crucial meeting with Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in New York City. It was after the meeting that Kanu mentioned their resolve to stage a revolution in Nigeria.

Staging a revolution in Nigeria simply means removal or replacement of a democratically elected government. In this context, can any responsible democratically elected government holds its arms and watch some miscreants trying to truncate the peace of the country in the name of seeking for a better country.

Let's imagine Sowore and co were from US or Britain and initiated a similar move with the intention of bringing down the government of Donald Trump or Parliament of Britain, will those governments allow the revolutionists to go ahead with their plans in the name of respecting their rights? I'm quite sure that, the police or FBI and M15 or M16 will swiftly pick the so-called revolutionists and charge them for treason or something similar.

In fact, I most commend the DSS for Sowore's arrest and the charges being preferred on him because it shows that we still have government and Nigeria is not a banana republic.

It is very unfortunate that some Social Media activists who are ostensibly scared of the consequences of Sowore’s inevitable indictment and imprisonment are demanding his unconditional release. Government should not be cowed by these Noisemakers. The Court where SOWORE has been taken to is the only competent arm to make a pronouncement on Sowore.

Nigeria would have been a Banana republic if these guys were not arrested.

I advise Nigerians not to be part of any move aimed at causing civil disobedience taking cognisance of the fragile security situation of the nation. We need to learn a lesson from Libya which is very close to us.

Let's channel all our grievances to appropriate authorities for amicable resolution rather than opting for violence!

John Paul, Writes from Lagos.

This guy is my real gee. He has sampled the back and front as seen in the picture. Congratulation, sharp guy.

AfricaGotTalent:
During an hiking session in Abuja, a young man proposed to his girlfriend he met in the hiking group. Love can be found anywhere.

Congrats! To them

Check out this link. It is disturbing but very surprising how he does it.

I hope Shiite followers will not obtain something like this and confront the police soon?

Video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1153920219439599617

One would wonder why Former President Olusegun Obasanjo continue to ventilate his anger on President Muhammadu Buhari with his numerous long letters. Only recently, did an answer come to mind? Buhari of all people (a Northern-Fulani Muslim) recognized and celebrated late MKO Abiola as the Presidential winner of the annulled June 12th, 1993 election, an opportunity Obasanjo had, but NEVER did.

In his confession, Babagana Kingibe who was Abiola's running mate noted that Obasanjo, who became Nigeria’s first democratically elected president in the 4th republic that followed the tensed annulment period, was one of those who helped IBB in making that decision.

Kingibe was also quoted on NTA program and other media platforms saying “In the aftermath of the annulment, one of the architects of the annulment, former President Obasanjo tried to get some elder statesmen (former presidents and so on); I think of the African Leadership Forum to see how the aftermath of the annulment could be addressed or to see how the problems arising from the annulment could be mitigated”.

This recent letter may not be unconnected with the inherent sadistic and domineering attitude of Obasanjo being the fact that Buhari again surpasses his expectation of doing great and unimaginable things, even those he wished he could have done such as righting his wrongs for the role he played in the annulment of 12th June 1993 election.

History has not been kind to Obasanjo who backstabbed his kinsman, brother and ally for political gains, forgetting the fact that both of them ( Abiola & Obasanjo) hails from the same Yoruba-Egba clan in Ogun state. Astonishingly, he was visibly absent during the Nation's new Democracy day held on 12th June 2019 at Eagle square in Abuja the nation’s capital.

Nigerians are not much impressed with this letter as it makes no difference with the previous ones. Let Obasanjo continue to express his ill-opinionated sentiments in long epistles as President Buhari continue to make indelible mark in infrastructural development, fight against corruption, reviving the economy, creation of jobs through Social Investment Programme (SIP) and putting smile on the faces of over 9.2 million children (and their parents) who are being fed daily in public schools, nationwide.

Umar Maikasuwa
Minna, Niger state.

I read with utter dismay, the suspicious rejection and condemnation of the Ruga Settlement project proposed by the Buhari administration. Sadly, some of the states that have witnessed severe carnage arising from violent fallouts between pastoralists and farmers were among those at the forefront of negatively projecting a well-thought-out solution to farmers/herders clashes.

No doubt, ranching had been proposed without sentiment by all stakeholders to address the perennial issue of encroachment on farmlands and ensuing fracas that often leads to killings and destruction of properties. The system has been proposed at National conferences. It has also been put forward by religious and traditional leaders across divides. Even politicians that are not favorably disposed to the current administration including Governors Tambuwal, Samuel Ortom, Umahi, Wike and Fayose among others had also campaigned for same, with some of them enacting laws to ban open grazing while expressing preference for ranching.

More interestingly, the PDP presidential candidate in the last election while fielding questions at the presidential debate also canvassed for the confinement of livestock as part of efforts towards promoting feeding laws. He had, to the admiration of his supporters mapped out strategies that could culminate in the establishment of settlements across the country for herdsmen.

The question now is what is the difference between what Atiku and PDP proposed and Buhari's Ruga system? What is the difference between ranching and Ruga? Ruga just like ranching simply seeks to confine the rampaging Fulani herdsmen in a place. By so doing, their actual data (names, families and aliases) could be obtained.

This week I had the opportunity of visiting Botswana and visited Rudi Lemcke whom I had read about. Lemcke and his wife maintain 5,000 animals in a ranch he established several years ago. Today, apart from devising a workable system to manage his farm, Lemcke has become so established that he is giving back to the society in the form of construction of roads, hospitals, schools and even runways for aircraft. Botswana today is one of the leading exporters of beef without incidents of farmer/herders clash.

The sentimental rejection of Ruga, especially by the South smacks of innate and sheer hatred for Buhari and his government. The script may have been clinically executed in cohort with Obasanjo, TY Danjuma and co to continually fuel insecurity and ultimately project the administration in a negative light. It demonstrates in clear terms resolve by opposition elements to oppose the government despite its lofty idea, primarily because it is yet to recover from the hangover of the defeat at the polls.

Nigerians of good conscience must, however, speak out. The world over, ranching is the way forward. It would drive the economy by stimulating interest in farming. Jobs will be created. Clashes would be avoided. The Ruga program articulated by the Federal Government is the smartest way of forcing nomadic Fulanis to commence ranching without them even knowing it.




OAM4J, Mynd44
@OAM4J, @Mynd44

I read with utter dismay, the suspicious rejection and condemnation of the Ruga Settlement project proposed by the Buhari administration. Sadly, some of the states that have witnessed severe carnage arising from violent fallouts between pastoralists and farmers were among those at the forefront of negatively projecting a well-thought-out solution to farmers/herders clashes.

No doubt, ranching had been proposed without sentiment by all stakeholders to address the perennial issue of encroachment on farmlands and ensuing fracas that often leads to killings and destruction of properties. The system has been proposed at National conferences. It has also been put forward by religious and traditional leaders across divides. Even politicians that are not favorably disposed to the current administration including Governors Tambuwal, Samuel Ortom, Umahi, Wike and Fayose among others had also campaigned for same, with some of them enacting laws to ban open grazing while expressing preference for ranching.

More interestingly, the PDP presidential candidate in the last election while fielding questions at the presidential debate also canvassed for the confinement of livestock as part of efforts towards promoting feeding laws. He had, to the admiration of his supporters mapped out strategies that could culminate in the establishment of settlements across the country for herdsmen.

The question now is what is the difference between what Atiku and PDP proposed and Buhari's Ruga system? What is the difference between ranching and Ruga? Ruga just like ranching simply seeks to confine the rampaging Fulani herdsmen in a place. By so doing, their actual data (names, families and aliases) could be obtained.

This week I had the opportunity of visiting Botswana and visited Rudi Lemcke whom I had read about. Lemcke and his wife maintain 5,000 animals in a ranch he established several years ago. Today, apart from devising a workable system to manage his farm, Lemcke has become so established that he is giving back to the society in the form of construction of roads, hospitals, schools and even runways for aircraft. Botswana today is one of the leading exporters of beef without incidents of farmer/herders clash.

The sentimental rejection of Ruga, especially by the South smacks of innate and sheer hatred for Buhari and his government. The script may have been clinically executed in cohort with Obasanjo, TY Danjuma and co to continually fuel insecurity and ultimately project the administration in a negative light. It demonstrates in clear terms resolve by opposition elements to oppose the government despite its lofty idea, primarily because it is yet to recover from the hangover of the defeat at the polls.

Nigerians of good conscience must, however, speak out. The world over, ranching is the way forward. It would drive the economy by stimulating interest in farming. Jobs will be created. Clashes would be avoided. The Ruga program articulated by the Federal Government is the smartest way of forcing nomadic Fulanis to commence ranching without them even knowing it.




OAM4J, Mynd44
@OAM4J, @Mynd44

Buhahahahahahahah! The Nigerian story is interesting. So Obasanjo had the chance and couldn't hold the bull by the horn. Shame. Goodluck Jonathan even joined the bidding of his master, OBJ. Buhari has been able to do what most psychophant politicians couldn't do. So after Twenty years of Democracy, one person (Buhari) has been able to acknowledge the success story of the first good attempt at enshrining democracy in 1993. The next four years will not be fun for the so-called political pillars of the country. What a shame, OBJ goofed indeed.

Yimuuuuuuuu! OBJ

Imagine what the pot belly contributor to our predicament as a country has to say? I am not even listening... We know your agenda if given the opportunity. Power can shark some men when they are hungry.

I have read with intriguing amusement the recent claim by former President Obasanjo that the activities of Boko Haram and other splinter groups operating in the North East and the Lake Chad are in furtherance of the Fulanization of West Africa and ultimately the Islamization of Africa as a whole.

Sadly, Boko Haram started when Obasanjo was still in power. His government failed to be proactive by dealing decisively with the group. This inaction allowed the sect to metamorphose into a full blown terrorist organization. More worrisomely, his political sons, who were rigged into office, could not effectively address the issue. Rather, Billions of budgetary allocation meant for security was diverted into private pockets, with some of the perpetrators facing trial today.

Obasanjo's attack was seemingly directed at Buhari. He has refused to hide his disdain for the man, especially after defying his advice not to contest the 2019 presidential election. Worst still, Buhari emerged victorious, thus demystifying the Owo self-styled kingmaker.

There is no Fulanization agenda or Islamization plot anywhere. No President has been committed to the security of the country as Buhari. Apart from authorizing military operations including "Operation Whirl Stroke", "Python Dance", "Puff Ader," "Crocodile Smile," "Exercise Ayem Akpatuma," among others towards addressing insecurity in parts of the country, the President has also strengthened the capability of the Nigerian Military by procuring huge modern equipment. The morale of the operatives has also been boosted.

While pockets of incidents remain, the situation has been confined to few places in the region unlike before when the sect threatened to take over the FCT, Lagos and parts of South-South. Before the emergence of Buhari, at least three states and several Local Governments were seized and controlled by the insurgents. Today the story is different. People travel and work freely in Borno. People are gradually returning home and the threat of food insecurity occasioned by activities of Boko Haram has since died.

Leaders like Obasanjo should be encouraged to desist from his traditional blame shifting tendency and assume the role of a statesman that he ought to be. He should not be a bitter loser. The interest of the country must be paramount. Statesmen x-ray situation and proffer solution. What solution has he proffered other than attack in his characteristic fashion?

¬ Wale Adelana¬

I am compelled by recent happenings in the country to advise Nigerians on the need to tread with caution when discussing political developments in the country. As children of God, Christians are supposed to be guided by the scripture when analysing events. Whenever I am discussing Nigerian politicians especially those with the same mannerism like Obasanjo, Proverbs 6;16-19 keeps creeping in my mind; it states inter-alia ;

“There are six things that the Lord hates… that are an abomination to him;

(a) Haughty eyes
(b) A lying tongue
(c) Hands that shed innocent blood
(d) A heart that makes haste to run to evil
(e) A false witness who breathes out lies; and
(f) One who sows discord among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-17)

When looking at the life of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, I am saddened to observe that he has fallen short of most of these things that the Lord hates. His current utterances on Fulanisation/Islamisation which are ostensibly aimed at sowing discord among brothers and fellow countrymen another very sore point indeed.

Other painful antecedents of Obasanjo can be gleaned from historical records when in 1979, he foisted on Nigeria a reluctant Shehu Shagari at the expense of a cerebral Obafemi Awolowo or Nnamdi Azikiwe. After his second coming, he so manipulated the electoral system such that he fraudulently installed an unhealthy Umaru Yar’Adua as President alongside another reluctant character in the person of Goodluck Jonathan as the deputy. He denied every other interested member of his party opportunity to contest while employing all sort of machinations including threat and blackmail.

Then came 2015, he told Nigerians Muhammadu Buhari is the best man for the job. As he has done to every presidential candidate he installed or supported, a few years down the line, he says Buhari is unfit for the job again.

This was a man who once gave a damaging testimonial against ATIKU Abubakar when he said; “with what I know of Atiku, if I support him to be president of Nigeria, God will not forgive me”? but later came back to promote the same Atiku. – “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” – James 1:8.

This is a man whose flirtatious lifestyle led him to an open confrontation with his son Gbenga. The son was forced to file a divorce suit against wife when he discovered his father (Baba Obasanjo ) was having a sexual relationship with her. Perhaps Obasanjo needs to be reminded of the spirit of latter and former wordings in Leviticus 20:10

“the man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20;10)[/i]

At this point, I am compelled to ask the question whether Obasanjo truly serves the same Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ, which all true believers worship or is just another anti-christ professing Jesus but working to subvert the gospel of Christ.





OAM4J, Mynd44
@OAM4J, @Mynd44

[i]Pastor Oyemide Makinde from Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Obasanjo has a point. What is wrong with this administration sef? Now, "Baba go slow" after being sworn in, immediately jetted out of the country to attend one OIC meeting, without a sense of direction. Don't call me a prophet, but these terrorists OBJ is talking about are watching with keen interest and may likely take advantage of the lapses. Please, baba, Nigerians want to know what your plans for the next four years are. I remember during OBJ days, short, medium and long terms goals were properly highlighted and articulated. Is OBJ lying?

Recently, some Nigerians, yet to get over the overwhelming victory of the President at the recently concluded poll took to the Social Media to vilify him over his reported joke about the Acting Inspector General, shortly after his return from the United Kingdom. Some had even attempted to describe him as unserious.

Others out rightly advised him to be as serious as United States President. Hellooo!!! No world leaders joked during their times in office than US presidents. Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Obama, Trump all joked.

Regan was so notorious in-jokes that classic Washington yarn says he wasn’t even afraid to jest with the queen of England. In 1982, while he was on a horseback ride with the Queen on the grounds of Windsor Castle, he joked about the Queen when her horse was said to have had a bout of prolonged flatulence.

Jimmy Carter even after leaving Office continued to poke at himself, leaving Americans with the notion that he didn't leave his sense of humour at the White House.

Abraham Lincoln was renowned for his self-deprecating humour and elaborate story spinning especially at long meetings.
Obama while speaking about Cyber Security in the US, joked about many Americans having guessable passwords including himself. Apart from gun violence, cyber-related crime is the most worrisome security threat in the US.

Obama had also joked about his own Obamacare, a policy that dominated Trump's campaign. Obama also joked about his family, job, Turkey, and America as a whole.

Trump recently joked about North Korea's nuclear weapon and his relationship with Kim Jong Un. He also joked about how Americans ought to 'sit up at attention when he speaks' as North Koreans do with Kim. The "Make America Great Again" crooner also joked about staying in office for 14 years. When the US media blew one of his jokes out of proportion recently, Trump asked reporters if they understood sarcasm.

Nigerians must understand sarcasm and learn to differentiate jokes from governance. Buhari remains human and must not detach himself from his innate qualities because he is President?

Insecurity is real. He has met with Security Chiefs several times in the past week. Nigerians must realize that they also have an obligation in the war against insecurity especially in providing information to relevant authorities about activities of criminals. Who has carried out such noble act? Who even has the dedicated phone lines of the Police, Army, DSS or even Civil Defence? Food for thought.

OAM4J, Mynd44
@OAM4J, @Mynd44

Femi-Fani Kayode on 15th May, 2019 wrote on his twitter account; “Nigeria is not a nation: she is an occupied territory of slaves, Vassals and quislings that are not prepared to confront the monstrous beast that has held them captive and in bondage for the last 4 years. Most Nigerians are so cowardly that they dare not even speak truth to power”.

It is rather very unfortunate and disgraceful for a person that held several official positions including Ministerial posts to descend so low and issue this kind of statement.

At times one wonders whether our politicians actually have our dear country at heart or they just pretend to love the nation when they are no more in power. If not, how can a Cambridge trained lawyer post these kind of treasonable statements which basically incite members of the public to revolt against a democratically elected government? How can an Evangelist, a so called born again be beating the drums of war?

I want to remind FFK that, if Nigeria is a failed nation as you insinuate, then you were also among those who plunged/dragged the country into the mess. We would have taken you very serious if you held the same position during Obasanjo’s regime when things were clearly going wrong.

However, I’m quite impressed with the kind of responses that trailed the tweet. More interesting is the manner in which some of your followers demanded that you come out and lead the revolution, they are tired of you ranting on the Social-Media while lying down on an expensive couch acquired through proceeds of corruption while in government, they are ready to participate if you initiate and come out to lead it.

This shows most of your followers do not take you serious because they are aware that you are among the type that will instigate crisis and flee.

It is high time that, the government put a stop to this kind of madness initiated by frustrated politicians, before they turn the country to a war zone!


(Mynd44, OAM4J)
@Mynd44, @OAM4J

It's nothing surprising that the man who claimed he was going to get Nigeria Working again has now become the forgotten man at the background. Atiku has been relegated to the background to only watch proceedings of the tribunal he is likely to lose. His loyalists are now trying to change their statements and positions to reflect their interest All Progressives Congress. Shame! This four years will be interesting. Atiku sorry sha!

@Myn44

After listening to that audio leak, I felt like eavesdropping on many corrupt Nigerians. What these people do between 8 am and 5 pm eh! God will help us. But disregarding the politics behind the audio leak, Buhari did a good job reappointing Emefiele, BECUASE his CBN reforms repositioned the economy and pull the plunging country out of recession. Therefore, I am rooting for Emefiele for another 4years. Meanwhile, shame on corrupt politicians with a selfish, self-centred interest driven by temporal gains against the posterity of the country. Tinubu for one. Emmm, let me not mention names. But he is the leader of greedy dirty pigs who doesn't care about anything but the (pocket). Like it is in GOT, what goes around, comes around. Jaga-Jaga-ban, watch and see, your next four years will be like a game of chess, "Check Mate".

Idokojimmy:
Few days ago, President Buhari approved the reappointment of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emiefele by forwarding his name to the senate for confirmation.

Prior to this, the media was replete with reports that Buhari had handpicked a northern Muslim to replace Emiefele. These reports re-echoed known baseless rhetoric that Buhari is irreparably clannish and to say the least nepotic. The purveyors of these narratives also warned that Nigerians, particularly those of southern extraction would suffer tremendous neglect in Buhari's second term. Proponents of these malicious propaganda include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, Buba Galadima, Atiku, Nnamdi Kanu, Fayose and the PDP in general.

These had forced agitated socio-cultural organizations in the South to issue unwarranted statements calling for caution as well as making outrageous demands for political positions in a manner unknown to law.

Alas, President Buhari in his usual character shamed them again. He reappointed a southerner to head an institution that is central to the economy of the country, despite having in his pool, numerous northerners with better qualifications and track records. He demonstrated that he is a listening President who is willing to exploit this second opportunity to reunite the country and concentrate on building a lasting legacy.
Apart from Emiefele, Buhari has also appointed another Southerner, Abike Dabiri to Chair the Diaspora Commission.

Reno Omokri and the Governor of Delta State have already showered Buhari with praises, we hope that others would recognize this and follow suit. Buhari has merely given us a glimpse of his next level agenda, it's a dawn of a new era.

Nigeria must move forward, corrupt politicians seeking to drag us behind by constituting a clog in the wheel of progress should be ready to be grounded by the moving train, destined to stop only at 'Next Level Station'.




Garba Mohammed wrote from Jada LGA in Adamawa State