In Nigeria II; A lost leadership, a lost Generation

By; Abdul-Rahman Baban Saibo

Prologue (Blunder);

On December 2^nd 2013, Nigerians awoke to experience one of the most shocking confessions they’d never anticipated. Former head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote a letter of appeal to president Goodluck Jonathan, a letter I can best describe as, “regrets to a Blunder”, which he titled, “Before it is too late”.

In my honest opinion I must say it is “too late”, when a former president like Olusegun Obasanjo would submit what was considered by many, ‘fearful out-cries’ to a Government well known to be his own edifice. Sincerely, when I say “too late” I mean not for the incumbent president neither for the former. I mean it is just “too late” for the country.

This year Nigeria celebrated its 54^th anniversary since its independence in 1960. Queer to ask, ‘how could a country be regarded independent by its citizens when the past leaders whom built the path ways to its grave and created even the elements to its decay, do also disapprove as to the contemporary station which they deliberately put the train to a halt?’ I quote from the letter former president Olusegun sent to president Goodluck, “PS; I crave your indulgence to share the contents of this letter at first instance, with General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who on a number of occasions in recent times have shared with me their agonizing thoughts, concerns and expressions on most of the issues I raised in this letter, concerning the situation and future of our country.” That sounded to me like these past leaders are regrettably asking themselves ‘what have we done?’ Well, I wouldn’t hesitate to say our past leaders have sent us to suffer the cataclysmic present of which they architected.

A former minister of the federation Mallam Nasir El Rufai, during the Olusegun democratic regime also caught on the social media passing messages of anti-incumbency of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. On the 19^th of July, Mallam Nasir wrote on his facebook page “JONATHANIAN NATION?: ‘Once a government is committed to the principles of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and create a country where everyone lives in fear.- Harry Truman, 3^rd president of the USA.” I couldn’t agree less, these are yes President Jonathan’s horrible practices, but I am a little puzzled as to why it’s coming from a man whom helped effetely to secure the incumbency of the president during the days of late president Yar’adua ill challenges. I remember reading in Olusegun Adeniyi’s Book, “Power, Politics and Death”, the former minister admitting being amongst the propagandists of the “Cabals” that were hoaxed to be said were running the affairs of the presidency during the late presidents’ sick days.

Today, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is one of the most prominent opposition politicians in Nigeria, I would presume he’d regretted to have never reasoned with the British writer, H. G. Wells’s assertions when he said “we were making a future and hardly any of us troubled to think what future we were making. And here it is!” here it is indeed. The former minister once said, “Even my corpse would reject PDP.” When he was asked when he will be decamping back to his former party? Sure the same will go for the former head of state for he confessed in his letter, “I will want to see anyone in the office of the presidency of Nigeria as a man or woman who can be trusted, a person of honor in his words and his character.” But of course!

A lost leadership;

In my previous article (a failed leadership and a grieving populace) I argued that the failure of leadership in this country was as a result of greed, corruption and dishonesty of the leaders, albeit I was able to evince only the grieving countenance posed as a facade of the nation, I didn’t actually explain why the leadership failed. Hence, Nigeria’s failure of leadership is firmly supported by the failed followership of its people. Sometimes one couldn’t fathom whether the failure is a result of deliberate actions or inadvertent doings of the followership.

“A leader is someone whom his people must trust, someone whom protects his people with the best of his power and ability, someone who would set aside all interests for that of his people… history will always remember when Goodluck Jonathan came and destroyed this country.” 23 year old Aisha Zubair Aliyu said in a youth conference held in June this year in Bauchi state. I’d actually come to align my opinions to those of this young lady’s.

The failures, wrecks and ruins of Nigeria are not ordinary disasters for the country, but as much as detrimental as it has come to being in the last few years. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Mr. clueless as the world knows him to be), took the liberty to declare his interest to re-contest for his seat. Gruesomely unfortunate that the president couldn’t exercise the humor to condole the death of about 50 secondary school students whom were lost in an attack by a suicide bomber in Potiskum, Yobe State just a day before his declaration. My wonders, like any sane Nigerians’ couldn’t do justice to my conscience, so, a president whose intentions to run for his office just one more time can’t make even a disdaining statement before declaring his selfish intentions which clearly benefits only and only the microscopic few particularly the ruling class, and yet, on the rush to doing so, still has no primary counterpart?

It has become crystal clear a situation that the terror of Boko Haram is an uncontrollable botheration to the Nigerian Government, as some may say the Governments’ gesticulations appears to be deliberate in not wanting to overcome the menace. I for one would say, if the Boko Haram could take over localities like Mubi in Yola State and Chibok in Borno state and a group of hunters, local vigilantes and ordinary civilians can liberate these towns using ordinary hunting guns, machetes and weapons never to be compared with the automatic lethal rifles, machine guns and the 30, 40, 50 calibers reported to be operated by the terrorists, then I and every other sane being should ask, why can’t a well-trained army of soldiers?

Last week, the Nigerian Vice President uttered in his statement during a press briefing in Kano state, what was considered by many “a halfhearted confession”. My worries remain to be, why would a Country’s Vice President make a statement that illustrates guilt in the middle of such chaotic dilemma? The people he says are spreading rumor of suspecting the Government to be behind the Boko Haram insurgency “while in the real sense we are doing our best to tackle it.” I believe the best Vice President Namadi Sambo refers to is one of which will lay the grounds for them to stay beyond 2015 in office.

A day after over 200 school girls were abducted by the insurgents the president was seen in Kano state dancing on the podium to a crowed. aAfter 7months and still counting, the girls are still in captivity. Yet again, a day after over 50 students were killed he declares his interest for reelection. Need I remind that early this year just a day after some 40 secondary school students were slaughtered in Buniyadi, Yobe state, the president celebrated with fireworks in Abuja calling it, “centenary celebration”? As it appears, every loss of life in the country is a thing to be celebrated the next day by the Jonathan’s administration. All events had no records of a statement issued by the President for the country’s shocking losses. Indeed Mr. Vice President you are doing your best and Nigerians can attest. Nigerians have had enough lies, denials and disdains from your boss to see how best your efforts are in tackling the situations.

True misuse of power indeed is when the leadership and the leaders directly attack their oppositions (or should I say ‘true fears of power’?). Series of events has evidences to prove that the presidents’ despair to win the coming general elections has grown medieval. Wole Soyinka (noble laureate) compared President Goodluck with 

Nebuchadnezzar (the Babylonian king who intended annihilating the Jews).

Just the previous week the Department of State Security DSS invaded and vandalized the All Progressives Congress APC data bank in Ikeja, Lagos. Few days after the security went back and arrested the workers there. After the claimed torture by the security men on the captives, till this hour no statement has been made by the DSS on why that happened. This in my opinion is just the beginning of the rigging of the 2015 general election, for this is no ordinary power tussle but rather pure tyranny.

When the likes of such events develop in the society, then the settlers of that society must understand that the leadership is lost, for indeed Harry Truman did speak the truth.

A lost Generation;

“The question of choice in selecting a leader in Nigeria is often an academic exercise, due to the election rigging, violence, and intimidation of the general public, particularly by those in power, but also by those with the means-the rich and influential.”- Chinua Achebe. It has yes, become a tradition for the Nigerian politicians to use all available force to impose in power someone that would sooth their ambitions (godfatherism). Were these imposed calibers of people whose services for the society is a little bit prioritized than that of their godfathers, it would have been (ethically and democratically) considered. Earlier, I asserted that the failure of leadership in this country was as a result of the failed followership, but do we (the masses) seem to realize how?

Today, is a Nigeria whose people care not of their tomorrow, a Nigeria whose people accept whatever hardship their leaders choose to indite upon them today, for tomorrow they’d come to compensate them with the ‘nothing out of the everything’ they looted. While these people keep talking and ranting for change in the morning, but when they come face-a-face with their leaders in the evening? They say to them “sai kayi, baka da makiyi dan amana. Allah maka nasara.” They praise them as if they weren’t the ones cursing them in the morning.

But one need ask why such happens? Why are the people afraid of their leaders? Why can’t the people tell those they elected with their sweat they want more? Well, the truth is that there are those who know and there are those who don’t know. For those who know, Chinuwa Achebe had this to say about them, “There is also the unpleasant factor of the violence associated with partisan politics that is often designed to keep balanced, well-educated, fair-minded Nigerians away.” And for, why the people are afraid of their leaders? He (Chinuwa Achebe) meticulously explained, “Well, once a people have been dispossessed and subjugated by dictatorship for such a long time as in Nigeria’s case, the oppressive process also effectively strips away from the minds of the people the knowledge that they have rights.” But of course!

Indeed the elites of this country have made it a habit to hide in their silence. That is one more reason why the uneducated are found drowning in further doom. Today, the ordinary Nigerian would come to appreciate the cheap bridge constructed in his village by his Governor, Senator or Representative. Whilst the politician (answerable to that project) would come the next day, seeking for re-election boasting about the cheap things they did (as if it were a favor for the people).

Today Nigerians choose to say “God sees all and shall judge all” whenever a high subject in the society commits a mischief rather than stand out and fight for the interest of the country’s national/international integrity. The result which brought about (in them) a subliminal and arbitrary patience and perhaps, forgetfulness which arrived with them a station where the worsts amongst the leaders anoint their successors and the people would accept without animosity.

Its saddest when one is made aware that the fat-part of these ill minded ordinary Nigerians are the youth, most of whom have been transformed to being blind political thugs for the rich politicians. Thus, the elites amongst the youth, instead of engaging in the political activities and democratic practices, they choose to tell you, “Politics is a dirty game, I despise it,” After, in their petty gist you hear them saying, “if I were the Governor or if I were the president, I’d do this and that.” Funny as it is a pity!

Nigerians as I argued in my previous piece (A failed leadership and a Grieving populace) have allowed the influence of ethnic, regional and religious sentiments, instead of, integrity, competence, credibility, experience, educational qualifications, plays the most vital role in determining who the leader becomes. However, I must regrettably report that it has become a culture for Nigerians to consider first these semi-relevant factors in selecting their leaders, thus, the architecture of the future of their country, the fate of “A failed Followership”.

Epilogue (Aftermath);

Indeed Ayn Rand was right when she asserted that “You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.” Just earlier this month, former President Olusegun Obasanjo released a new book which he titled “My Watch”. The book is said to contain mostly the atrocities, impunities and endless corruptions that is being committed by Goodluck Jonathan and his administration.

Well, one may be curious to ask, why Obasanjo is too frustrated with this administration whence himself ensured its victory in 2011 when other better alternatives were available for Nigeria? Simple, when Karma strikes, the disappointer gets disappointed.

The anti Goodluck’s administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, indeed caused him a whole lot of snags. I remember him being arrested and detained severally by the police and SSS for no known reasons. Today, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is the gubernatorial flag bearer on the platform of All Progressives Congress APC in Kaduna state. I hope he wins the general elections, for he very well deserves.

“How small the vastest of human catastrophes may seem at a distance of a few million miles.”-Herbert George Wells.

Whither Nigerians faith after APC Presidential primaries!!!

By; Abdul-Rahman Baban Saibo

I woke up this morning to start my day with a very depressing mood, a result of which was derived from the products of the screen of my phone. My facebook home page had me pour tears from the heart for the disappointment I encountered there. The screen of my phone was overly congested with talks of the forth coming Presidential primary elections of the All Progressives Congress party APC, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow 10^th of December 2014, against the 2015 general elections.

Yours sincerely must admit that I was shocked and utterly abhorred when I saw that amongst which are my friends, most are Northerners whom were updating their statuses out of fury and angst for their hopes of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory was fading, because the rumor in the atmosphere has it that his counterpart Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may likely buy off the delegates through to his victory.

These ill comments carried heating gravity in the anticipation of the outcome of the next general election, and with sincere honesty I admit that my hopes for the betterment of this country were disoriented. A friend of mine wrote on his ‘Wall’ “Dear APC delegates, its either GMB (Buhari) or Goodluck,” another one confidently wrote “Let these APC delegates know that if they vote for Atiku, we won’t sacrifice our lives to go out and vote.” Another dear friend wrote, “My stands are, if Atiku emerges as the APC Presidential flag bearer, I will go back to collect my previously declined offer as the state Intergroup Coordinator for Goodluck’s campaign.”

I am mesmerized. So all these young minds only have dreams of Nigeria becoming great in the existence of the man called Buhari? Or perhaps the upcoming general election stands to be a victory only if General Buhari wins the primary elections? Transfixed in these thoughts, I found myself asking more profound questions like, ‘what if Buhari could win the primaries but not the general elections as usual?’ or ‘What if Atiku could lose the primaries but might stand a chance to win the general elections against President Goodluck?’

I absolutely comprehend the aversive fears of my fellows toward the Former Vice President, for his known and famous corrupt character. But aren’t we yet aware of the adversity brought upon us by the present administration? Haven’t we yet had enough? Or perhaps as a friend use to say, “Nigerians are not yet ready for a change,” he is right. May be we should have more of the Jonathan regime just to apprehend what even his predecessors and other elites of the country are telling us about him, that he is a tabooed, vicious, greedy and corrupt man who has neither pity nor compassion for his people.

The joke of the context is that the people who voice out these hopeless comments are mostly Northerners. Do they not realize that all these gruesome afflictions are mainly based in their region? And why aren’t our Southern families making any such ill comments and decisions? Let me take the liberty of answering these questions with calming pleasure. See, although the seemingly endless hardship of life and the grossly detrimental predicaments of inadequate education is becoming indelible in the Northern part of this country, whilst the daily explosions, massacre and kidnaps have transcended to becoming just a notch in our day-to-day compose, our people are busy mongering for the highest bidder to display his expense. And while the heat of the APC primary elections furthers to intensify, our Southern families choose to stay calm for having known that at this moment of Nigeria’s dying hours, the only left opportunity for the stability of the country’s breath is for these grossly pathetic indolent rulers (PDP) to be thrown out of power.

Lest I remind us that albeit General Muhammadu Buhari remains Nigeria’s only best hope for a proper credible and responsible leadership as well as governance, any other citizen (if not a company of the Jonathanian organization) is better than this clueless sick. Today were Atiku Abubakar as bad and as corrupt as people say he is, he wouldn’t have been given a chance to run for Presidency on the same platform with General Buhari. And if that must be so, then what will be the real image of General Buhari and the APC party in whole?

I wish to call upon my fellow countrymen on a reminder that Nigeria is neither Buhari nor Atiku’s, regardless of who wins the APC party’s ticket, but it is rather, ours (the Nigerian masses). And for us (youths), we should dare not forget that the less privileged amongst us in the society looks up to us (the privileged and educated), for decisions that could ‘mend’ or further ‘ruin’ the future of our country. Let us (Nigerians) forget not that possible it can be for us to vote in a better leader in 2015, for all we need do is unite and agree upon a common goal (Great Nigeria).

Buhari if God wills, Atiku if God wills or any other candidate from the APC if God just so wills, we will stand to give him our utmost mandates and support for the sake of both National interest and personal developments.

For lest I remind us again, that that day in which the police and other forces will intimidate us so that we will falter and throw away the only remaining liberty we have, (rights to vote). The day INEC will make up excuses such as machine problems and loss of registries had occurred. O! It sure will come, the day men will offer us money so that our ballots may count in their favor instead of the Nations’. If that day comes, I expect Nigerians to go out and vote, and let Nigerians not go to vote for the sake of Buhari or Atiku, but for the sake of the hundreds of billions of Naira that is being looted every day. Nigerians must stand in line to vote for the sake of the lives of the innocent men, women and children that are taken and displaced by Boko Haram and yet the Government turns deaf, dumb and blind to them. Nigerians must strive to vote for the sake of the over 200 school girls that have been abandoned by the President and left to be tortured in the hands of terrorists. Nigerians must do this for… Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Persons of the ‘Year of endless Grief’ “2014”!

BY; Abdul-Rahman Baban Saibo

This morning’s surf for national news took me to further realize that my country’s hopes for bettering in the likely near future might just be possible. My encounter with the LEADERSHIP Newspaper daily reportage with their outstanding choices of Nigeria’s 2014 persons of the year, helped in rescuing my dying hopes for my beloved dying country.

Former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo whom made the papers’ Leadership person of this year (2014) did align with my personal apprehension for, I must say, ‘duly considerable reasons’.

The paper outlined their reasons for picking the former president to sooth this honorable recognized status, for reasons being , despite all ramifications that befell the country under his supervision during his CEO days of occupation, yet again, the paper looked beyond the ‘political architectural construct’ of the former President that brought to power the incumbent disaster, to reasonably consider and regard the role he assumed, considering the country’s cotemporary contretemps, saying they “were compelled to focus on the message rather than the messenger”, for his “persistence in speaking up when other statesmen preferred to play ostrich by burying their heads in the sand”.

This brought me to quietly ruminate over the questions; where are our past leaders? Does it not concern them that our country is falling apart? Do they even care about the country anymore or did them take-away their care with them whilst retiring? I ask with despair where the likes of Shehu Shagari, Maitama Sule, and Abdussalami Abubakr are? Why are they quiet? Are they utterly dumbfounded of the present situation and actions of the leaders or are they just too impressed and proud with what their descended successors have enveloped into? ‘A little birdy tells me it’s the latter, for the former is highly unlikely as they would have stood to bring a stop to it! I shall ask not of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, for all knows him only to sooth his personal ambitions, and if that means having the adequate tip-off from the incumbent Government, then so be it.

General Muhammadu Buhari may he be blessed for his tireless strife and contest on a journey to salvage Nigeria. Despite the violent false accusations of religious bigotry and other not only offensive but deadly crimes by the Jonathan administration in order to tarnish his golden framed reputation, yet Nigerians must attest to the reality that he did not just stand to offer words, but, determined to continue with a struggle of conquest to liberate the country he so holds dear.

The utter silence of our traditional rulers did not only arouse a sea of questions but to an extent, mountains of doubts. These Royal fathers have been playing the “ostrich” game since the days of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. It was alleged that they all received millions of naira just to play the “ostrich” game. Well, I must then ask, are they still playing the ostrich game even after the whistle of the subsidy days had been blown? Did they receive more millions just to engage in the new Olympic games of corruption, murder and impunity being played? Where is there royalty? Where is the traditional love for the people? Or perhaps it is just honest fear coz some of their fellows were attacked and others were killed because they took a stand for their people!

God bless his Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II the Emir of Kano state, whom despite his short time on throne stood by his people, and comforted them with encouragements to stay strong in this time whence courage is mostly needed. Just a day after a triplet bombs were detonated in this great Emirs’ mosque, he was found leading the prayers in that same mosque demonstrating to his people and the Nation, the absolute character of selfless leadership, altruism and willingness to sacrifice what is worth for their love and trust. I shall always look up to the day this man is enthroned the leader of the Nigerian Muslims, “Sultan”.

Thanks to Obasanjo I must confess, not for his making over what he brought upon this country, but for his concerns toward the country’s predicaments and adversaries which his predecessor chose to promote. I look forward to reading his 3 volumes book “My Watch” soon to be released.

LEADESHIP Newspaper made a responsible decision in picking Governor Kashim Shattima of Borno state as the paper’s Governor of the year. I personally would have voted for this man of honor, competence and integrity for his strong mindedness, a capacitated heart with abilities to comfort his people and as much elevate their status despite all intricate challenges and difficulties befalling his State. The likes of Governor Shettima are actually very few in Nigeria. For this man’s great might permitted him to continue the development of his state despite the daily loss of lives, bomb explosions, and loss of properties, homes and localities to the Boko Haram insurgents. This Governor thus, remains a dare challenge to other sitting Governors whom are faced not with even a fragment of what is faced by Governor Shettima and his people, for them to demonstrate to their people at least a fragment of the audacity, compassion and transparency of leadership shown by this Governor. May God bring an end to the afflictions befalling Borno State, Northeast and the whole of Nigeria!

The paper’s choice of Politician of the year is Alhaji Tanko Almakura, the incumbent Governor of Nasarawa State. The paper clarified that this governor was chosen “For surviving a malicious political onslaught, resisting a vicious attempt to undermine the will of the people and expanding the frontier of the rule of law.” Sure we all recall the politicking that took place a little while ago in this country. Governor Tanko Almakura and some other governors (mostly decamps of the ruling party) were faced with impeachment threats in their states most of which were suspected to be devised by the Presidency.

I recall reading on paper Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso saying “I am too big for PDP, Jonathan’s tricks.” This strong principled and well-disciplined Politician, made this declaration in reaction to the impeachment threat that pursued him he should have made Politician of the year for that (my take). His likes,  Rotimi Amaechi the Governonor of Rivers State, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, all known to have defected from the ruling party to the APC opposition party also suffered the Jonathans’ impeachment tricks. Unfortunate for the Governor of Adamawa, he fell a victim of the ploy, and was impeached by his State Law Makers.

Either ways, my opinion of national leadership persons and political figures should go for those young minds whom despite the opportunity to turn hedges against their kinds and work diligently for the big politicians to make what appears to be the ultimate element of power of the day. Instead, they chose to stand out distinctively to fight and protest against the wrong deeds by their leaders and also call for the unity of the youth to come together and make Nigeria anew. I wish to recognize a few of those young brothers and sisters of whom some I have never met, but of course I absolutely adore and respect their patriotic ideals and tenacity in hopes for a better Nigeria.

Let me begin with the writer/blogger and social media specialist Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, (one of those I’ve never met) whom made twitter a hobby for me and most youths by updating us with the latest news of the happenings around us. This young man stands as an international figure for the youth. He achieved more than most of our politicians are yet to achieve, in his young age. Just recently he was able to break open the Jonathan/Levick scam contract that raised a steaming heat in the country where the presidency and the Levick Company denied severally having anything to do with each other until he (Omojuwa) came to clear the atmosphere with a copy of the contract.

Abubakar S. Usman, also a blogger (abusidiqu.com), a social media specialist, a political commentator and a renowned writer. This young man whom spears neither effort nor time, in enlightening the nation about the insight state of the state, also deserves a national recognition.

The lady that caught my attention with her abilities of exercising political activism, human and women rights struggles, Hannatu Musawa whom is also a writer and a columnist should make Nigeria’s Iron lady of the year.

Despite the ongoing deadly social media war between Southern youth and their Northern brothers which would have ended thousands of lives were it fought on the fields. I’d be glad to commend the patriotism and true nationalism of the following people for their abilities to relinquish basic selfish sentiments and forge ahead with norms and goals that absolutely pacifies the nation.

Sa’idu Ahmed Enagi, an economist, writer/author and the country ambassador of CNRJ (International Federation of Youth Think Tank), this brother of mine is a believer that Nigeria “is a ship on sail that faces tornados and strong waves, and shall come to rest ashore,” he often says.

Jasper Azuatalam will have my most valued regards for making himself a true Nationalist by making General Muhammadu Buhari accepted and supported not just in the East but also in the whole of Nigeria.

Yadoma Bukar Mandara, the youngest person to attend Nigeria’s most recent National Conference. Yadoma is also a writer and a women rights activist, this young lady surely poses a figure for this country’s future women leader.

Amongst other youth political activists, Arc. Mukhtar Ahmad Jarmajo, also a blogger (jarmajo.blogspot.com) a writer and a social media political analyst, is one of Nigeria’s future leaders for his capacity in prime visions and conceptual perceptions for credible governance and leadership.

Kayode Ogundamisi (the canary), this brother whom I am yet to meet, maintained a dignified status of Human Rights activism since the days of military dictatorship down to this days of social media protests. Ogundamisi is also a correspondent of the Sahara Reporters paper, and a Twitter specialist.

I must honor and regard Sabi’u Zaranda and AbdulQadir S. AbdulQadir (binzaranda.wordpress.com and abdulsabdul.wordpress.com), both of which are bloggers and colleagues in youth activism, also Daniel Akinlami and Bello El-Rufai (whom seems to try his fathers’ shoes, Nasir El-Rufai),both of whom are writers and political activists. These young men in virtue are found to never keep silent when wrongs are done. Ayo Ojeniyi, Auwal Abdullahi and Chiagozie Durueke amongst other young social media activists/analysts, should be highly regarded by Nigerians.

Albeit the likes of Zik and Tafawa Balewa have passed I still see their residues in these young ladies and gentlemen, and I hope that we’d all unite in the near future to make a Nigeria of the dreams of our founding fathers.

Amidst other honored Persons of the year, the LEADERSHIP Newspaper picked the Chibok kidnapped girls to be the Young Persons of the year. Perhaps, this recognition should be rather a reminder to Nigerians. These young innocent sisters have been abducted by the deadly Boko Haram insurgents for over 7months and are still in the terrorist’s custody. Although the Government had us believed that it was doing all in possible to rescue and #BringBackOurGirls, unfortunately we have been led astray by the government as always. Our hearts, minds and prayers shall always be with them, as their remembrance shall always incline in our memories a wrong turn once made in the history of our country. And I continue to hope and pray that their immediate families will continue to withstand the heart-taking of which seems to have no notify-able termination date.

My fellow countrymen, the time is long due for us to stand firm not in prayers alone, but also in the ultimate strife to rescuing our dying home-country. As the February election is fast apace, I plead that we let not our personal sentiments outshine our primal norms and objectives, and may our decisions be of the righteous and deserved choices.