JAMES IBORI : THE TITLE MAN OF HONOR. - TUNDE ADENUGA

James Ibori was given a title?
Wow! That's really great.
Why so many Nigerians aren't feeling OK with it especially those from the South West?
Why really?
Oh ok. He is an ex-convict. He is corrupt right? He stole money I guess.
But whose money really if yes? Lagos Money? Ogun? Of cos, it was Delta money.
Some even said during his time as a governor, he built roads, paid teachers, people were happy. So, there is nothing wrong if he steal some, after all, nobody is perfect. Just the same way some learned guys in Lagos once challenged me that Fashola could steal as well since he was working . Same goes across other regions. Ekiti cannot be left out as well.
Aren't we becoming funny as a people? Well, it is understandable. If a man stays too long in chain, his right is given to him as a gift.
Then who are those giving him title really?
Of cos the Deltans themselves. And that makes it interesting and a good story to write but let me make it as short as possible.
When people say our greatest problem as a country is corruption, I just laugh profusely. Because I have come to realise that there is something stronger than corruption. Because corruption to me is just a symptom of the fundamentals that gave birth to it.

It is that fundamental that has kept Yari of Zamfara as the Governor of that state after his declaration that Meningitis was a product of fornication. You don't

MAGU’S REJECTION: THE EXECUTIVE FAILED HIM, NOT THE SENATE

As a farmer, when your hoe and cutlass don't seem to understand your target, what do you do? You discard them. If not, you will end looking incompetent before your customers.
Someone said online, "The Senate deliberately failed the acting EFCC Boss, Mr Magu because they had a lot to hide. I responded, “He that must eat with the Devil, must always be on top of his game”
The failure of Magu didn't come in the second presentation as some might have claimed. The entire damage commenced and ended in the first presentation. The President Presented Mr Magu before the Senate for confirmation about 3 months ago. At the same time, The DSS which is under the same President sent a letter to the same Senate that Mr Magu was not qualified to be confirmed. Isn’t that funny , ridiculous and unacceptable?

Someone said, ‘that goes to show the independence of the agencies and the President doesn't want to get involved”. Interesting really. He was correct but not absolutely. Yes! In as much as there is a need for some levels of independence among the agencies, there is also a need for cohesion and unity of purpose in the rule of engagement. Or else we will achieve nothing in the end. The CIA needed to work in unity with the SEALs for them to send Osama Bin Laden below 6 Feet.

In proactive governance, what does it take the President to call the DG of DSS, Mr Daura to update him before any letter goes to the Senate? Is the President no

NIGERIANS!: WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FISH IN THE DESERT? – TUNDE ADENUGA

Nigeria cannot change from what it is as long the word "development" means different thing to different people. So until we have a system in place that measures development by default in comparison to what is minimally attained in a saner society, we will continue to remain here no matter how long we pray and fast. If God grants prayer just for the sake of it, Nigeria would have been up there. We have always prayed. But it seems the more we pray and prophesy the worse we become. Because my God is too JUST and FAITHFUL to reward laxity.

Until someone in Kaduna pays a visit to his friend in Enugu, returns and fights his governor over the state of things in his state, there won’t be development. Until someone from Oyo returns home on a visit to Zamfara with great curses for those in charge of his state affair, there won’t be stable power supply and hospitals in Oyo state.

When I heard that Governor Ambode was planning

ANDREW YAKUBU’S 9.8M DOLLAR CASH FOUND AND SO WHAT? - TUNDE ADENUGA

The former NNPC GMD Andrew Yakubu was alleged to have stolen and kept 9.8M dollars in a safe and Nigerians started screaming at the sight of cash. How much is 9.8M dollars really to those guys at that level? Was it because the EFCC decided to display the funds in cash and what if it came in bank statement?
What if the 12 Billion dollars that was alleged by Lamido Sanusi to have been diverted in the same NNPC was also displayed in cash? What if the 3Trillion that was alleged by Lai muhammed to have been diverted in the past also displayed in Cash? What if the uncountable Abacha loot was also brought in cash? Have we all forgotten that the 12Billion oil wind fall that was said to have disappeared under the Babangida regime was in dollars and not Naira? Won't the Nigerian masses run mad at the sight of these funds if they were all displayed in cash/

Once again, how much is 9.8M dollars really? I think Andrew was even magnanimous in it. Because as at 2014 when he was sacked, both the official and parallel rate were less than N200 to a dollar. Unfortunately, more will still be revealed as I strongly believe that more are still being stolen at the moment. I will advise we begin to drop solutions rather than our usual display of emotion.

The lasting solution to corruption is sustained on a

SHOCKING: How Nigeria’s secret police, SSS, “tortured” man to death; then paid family N15 million to keep mum

After “torturing” a man to death, Nigeria’s secret police, SSS, exploited the influence of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, to pay a paltry N15 million compensation to the victim’s family, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.
At about 2.30 a.m. on April 4, SSS operatives on the trail of a suspect accused of cloning the phone number of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, stormed No 37, Aje Street, Pleasure, in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos in commando style.
Residents of the address said the operatives scaled the fence of the compound, screaming and threatening as they knocked down doors and shattered ceilings. They rough-handled residents, who thought they were armed robbers as they did not introduce themselves, dragged them from their beds, ordered them out of their apartments and forced them to sit on the dusty ground of the compound.
About an hour later, when they were done harassing the residents, Saheed Eyitayo, 34, a friend to the suspect the operatives were looking for, laid in the dust motionless – beaten to a pulp by the operatives.
One resident, who described the entire experience as “nightmarish,” told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Eyitayo was so battered that he couldn’t stand unaided – three operatives had to drag him into one of the vans the armed men brought with them.
Unfortunately, that was the last time he would be seen alive in public.
The operatives were led to the residence by Adejoke Ogunbona, the wife of the wanted man, Rilwanu Jamiu. While on the run for the alleged crime, Mr. Jamiu, who is now facing trial alongside another suspect, had spent few days at Mr. Eyitayo’s apartment before moving on to another place in the Oke Aro area of Lagos, where he was eventually arrested.
It is not clear if Mr. Eyitayo knew his friend was a fugitive when he allowed him to stay at his apartment.

Mr. Jamiu’s wife had visited her husband while he was

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESENCE IN GOVERNANCE (The Four Ethic Rules) by Tunde Adenuga

I had a brief chat with a middle aged man yesterday evening. He was lamenting the NCC data plan development. Then I asked him. “Sir, with the current situation of the country, what will your desire be in 2019?” He responded in a loud voice “nothing than to vote them out!” I allowed him to land well. I asked again “If you vote them out, who will you bring in?” Then, he suddenly developed a cough flu. He left all to fate.

RULE 1: Never become reasonable with those in charge of your government.

By nature it is natural for the government to throw anything at your table. It is you that must learn to say NO! It was because Nigerians suddenly became unreasonable, that was why the 16 years rule of the PDP had to go. Nigerians refused everything that was sold to them in the last election even without a clear picture of what they were going into. It was just over with their marriage of convenience with PDP.
So, how come have we suddenly become reasonable with the government again? For the first time in history, a fuel pump price moved from N86 to N145 and the economy of this nation was not grounded for just 1 hour. Everybody went about their normal duty. The Power supply tariff went up by 45% and it scaled through also. Even when a reputable court of law said No to the development and called for it immediate reversal. But Nigerians could not support the judge with just on

To get international passports, Nigerians to show evidence of tax payment

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on Monday said soon, Nigerians might begin to show evidence of tax payment before obtaining their passports.
Tunde Fowler said this at the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board which had the theme: “Increased Inter-Agency Co-operation to Enhance Tax Compliance and Optimise Revenue Collection” in Abuja.
“We did take a position and I believe it would be implemented in the very near future that before you get any services from the immigration department: renewal of passports etc, you’d have to show that you are a tax payer.
“These things are normal all over the world,

Grace Mugabe declares herself as President of Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe has declared herself as the new president that would take over when current President, Robert Mugabe finally steps down.
Mrs. Grace Mugabe said to the ruling Zanu-PF party women’s league that;  she is already the president, as she has made plans and arrangement with President Robert Mugabe”.
President Robert Mugabe has disclosed that he is making plans for his retirement. Mugabe made the announcement to veterans, who came to solidify their support for him. There, he admitted that Zimbabwe is apparently in a financial crisis – which spe

The true meaning of recession – Reuben Abati

There have been interesting arguments over Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun’s observation that “recession is just a word”, and NAN MD, Bayo Onanuga claiming that reports of hardship in the land is exaggerated propaganda. I think we need to break down the subject further from a layman’s perspective. Recession is a word, no doubt, but it is more than a word, it is an experience: the experience that the majority of Nigerians is going through. If you are at a significant remove from that experience, it may be difficult to know how it feels, and if you are an economist, you are likely to be conveniently obsessed with textbook ideas. Reuben Abati Reuben Abati Recession is when Nigerians begin to shift the traditional dates for social parties. 

You know we love parties a lot. Virtually every weekend, there is one party or the other, very loud celebrations where people wear the famous aso ebi, and the Naira becomes a flying object, being thrown all over the place, at the musician, the celebrant, and her friends and family, with so much joy floating in the air, and plates of jolloff rice, eaten half way and left to waste, area boys having their own share of the fun, and Nigerians showing the world that life is indeed for the living. Sometimes, these parties make no sense: imagine a man throwing a big party to “turn the back” of his great grandfather who died 50 years ago (!) – a great grandfather he never knew, or a lavish party to celebrate the purchase of a second-hand car. 

Those things are very rare these days. And when some parties are held, the date on the invitation card is during the week: can you imagine being invited to a wedding on a Monday? I have seen that happen. The event was over and done with before 5 pm. Smart way to save money in a season of recession. There were guests of course, but not the kind of crowd you’d get at a typical Nigerian party on a Friday or Saturday. The celebrants actually confessed they didn’t have the means to feed too many people. That is what recession has done. 

Nobody boasts anymore about “declaring surplus” – a once-upon-a-time very famous phrase in this country! When I was much younger, my friends and I used to gate-crash parties. Bored, with not much to do, we would dress up and go from one party to the other. It was called “mo gbo mo ya” – I heard and I came. In those days, all you needed was to go to a party to which you had not been invited, and without knowing anybody, you took a seat and before long, someone would come along and ask if you had eaten. In a matter of minutes, whatever you wanted would be placed before you. Drinks? Some friends used to boast about “finishing” a carton of beer, and they would have their fill and quietly sneak away. 

Try that these days and you would know that recession is more than a word. Virtually every party is now strictly by invitation. Even when it is not boldly stated on the invitation card, you’d get to know the truth when you attempt to gate-crash. Parties are now organized with such strict protocols, it is like trying to access Aso Villa. You would be screened, your bag will be checked, and don’t think it is Boko Haram attack they are afraid of, they just want to be sure you are not gate-crashing, and if you don’t have an invitation card, you would of course be turned back. There are some exceptions of course, where the protocol is a matter of security: particularly at those parties where there would be many VIPs. Nigerian VIPs don’t like to mix with just anybody. Even if you manage to gatecrash, nobody will attend to you. What operates at parties these days, is a KYG (Know-Your-Guest) system. After sitting down, someone has to identify you as his or her guest. You don’t get served food, unless your host or hostess gives specific instructions. And you can’t drink a carton of beer anymore at your host’s expense! I certainly can’t remember when last I saw anyone getting drunk at other people’s expense at a party. 

Even close friends of celebrants, the ones who are a bit comfortable, go to parties these days with their own small cooler of drinks. The celebrant will offer you one or two bottles. If you want more than that, the ushers could become hostile or they could tell you pointedly: “drinks have finished.” I have had on one occasion to give the ushers, money to go and get me the drink of my choice. But once upon a time in this country, drinks don’t stop flowing at parties. The host will be so ashamed he or she would order more drinks and apologize to no end. Where I come from, local women used to go to parties with cellophane bags, hidden away somewhere, and when they are served food, they would pull out the cellophane bag and pour food into it, all of that is done under the table. Next thing: they will start harassing the ushers: “we have not eaten here oh. Nobody has given us drinks: drinks they have moved to their collection cellophane bags! But party organizers have also learnt to be vigilant: they serve table to table; map out the space carefully and monitor the tables. Before 2019, perhaps a time will come when ushers will take your photograph, or there will be CCTV monitors at social events, just so you don’t come back and say you have not been served. That is change. 

That is recession. If you are a man-about-town, you can’t fail to notice this: that something has indeed changed in the social circuit. But there is that one per cent crowd, whose pockets are still so deep, if you get invited to their parties, it is like going to a surplus-declaration event, what Nigerians call “too much money.” Even that is changing though, people are learning to be careful, so they don’t get invited to come and explain how they came about so much money. Recession is when you now read in the newspapers virtually every week about people committing suicide. Nigerians are so fun-loving we were once described as the happiest people on earth. Right now, we will fail the test. Suicide used to be so rare in this country. It was considered impossible. Why would anyone want to kill himself? I used to hear people say: “eba is sweet oh, I can’t come and die” or “life is for the living”, or “e go better”. People are not so sure anymore. In the past month, there have been reports about two foreigners doing business in Nigeria who have also committed suicide. 

Every reported suicide in recent times, has been tied, one way or the other, to the recession in the country. One man had an argument with his wife over school fees and housekeeping money and he went and ended it all. Another man actually left a note saying he had to kill himself because there is too much hardship in the country. Marriages are collapsing. Domestic violence is on the rise. Husbands that are out of work can no longer maintain their families, they can’t pay school fees, they have become useless in their own homes, they are helpless. 

Their wives want to leave, even when they are not too sure of the next destination. There are at least two celebrated cases of women who have either slain their husbands or wounded them badly. In both cases, there was that notorious thing about a second woman in the background. Sharing what is not enough for one person with another woman, in a season of recession, could be a crime, but the biggest dysfunction is that of the pocket. One woman, a lawyer oh (!) stabbed her husband in the neck. Another after having sex with her husband, and putting him to sleep, got a machete and butchered him. The man is presently in what

Why Boko Haram insurgency can’t be said to be over by Atiku Abubarkar

This past year has been particularly challenging for us and for Nigeria. The country’s economy, which had remained weak, slid into a recession. There has been little public spending as the new government in Abuja and most state capitals try to figure out how to proceed with governance, just as oil production and revenues have plummeted. And when citizens, including parents, have little income to spend, especially in the midst of uncertainty, the effect spreads to various sectors of the economy, including higher education. But it was also a year that saw significant improvements in the security situation in the North-East, our catchment area. 

The commitment of the Federal Government and the state governments in this zone, as well as the support of the governments of our neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, have pushed back against the violent insurgency and improved the security of citizens in the area. The improvement in the security situation also means that some internally displaced persons

Presidential Election: Fayose warns Ghanaians against voting for “change”

As the December 7 presidential election in Ghana draws near, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has counselled the people of Ghana to be mindful of making the same mistake made by Nigerians in the 2015 presidential election by voting for change, which he said brought hunger, sufferings and economic recession to the country, such that even the entire West African sub-region is being affected.
He said “by buying into the All Progressives Congress (APC) message of change, Nigerians are now facing a kind of hunger and suffering never experienced in the country in the last 30 years and Ghanaians must not fall into that kind of trap.”
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Public

U.S. expresses concern about Nigerian govt. treatment of Shiites

The United States government on Friday expressed deep concern by reports of the deaths of dozens of Nigerians involved in clashes between individuals participating in a Shia procession and the Nigerian Police Force in Kano State on November 14.
The U.S. government said in a statement from its Embassy in Abuja that while the matter was still being investigated, it was “troubled by the apparent disproportionate response by the police” during the clash.
“This is the latest in a series of violent incidents between security forces and members of the Shia Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), some of which have resulted in deaths, destruction of property, and the arbitrary detention of IMN members.
“The United States calls for calm and restraint on