PROF. ADEPOJU ADESHOLA OLATUNDE

EXPOSING THE TRUTH

 

                     …… POLITICS … SPORTS … CARTOONS

 EDITORIAL SUIT 

CURRUPTION: NIGERIA’S ACHILLES HILL 

The Gordian Nut or “contraption” called corruption is assuming a proportion and scale never before known in the universe!  True, it has been whispered in some quarters that Nigeria’s experience with the monster called corruption is being if not “exaggerated” but uncharacteristically “overblown” compared to what goes on in other countries.  But when put on the same scale, the astonishing level and impunity with which “billions” are stolen, is if anything, dumbfounding. 

 

Now it is time for decisive action.  The fading Ghanaian example is reminiscent of one of the steps that could be taken.  Turkey is about to re-introduce the “death penalty” due to the monstrous scale of the coup attempt.  Nigeria must not dilly dally.  Time to throw away the garb of tribalism, selective judgment and make for the Jugular: punish offenders whenever necessary …… now! Corruption must not kill Nigeria!

 POLITICS 

NATION

 

The political temperature in Nigeria is rising albeit with the increasing “Northernisation” of Political appointments.  President Mohammadu Buhari appears determined to install those he calls “people he can work with” into key political positions.  The latest being the appointment of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the fiery Kaduna State Governor, former Chief of Staff, Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the behemoth Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).  Top notchers of the All Progressive Congress who contributed immensely to Mr. President’s electoral victory are on the sidelines watching.  

 STATE

Edo State is in the focus once again.  This time, two political gladiators square up to contest for the soon to be vacant – Executive Governorship seat!  On ground to do battle are the relatively unknown Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the popular, resilient Pastor Osaze Ize Iyamu, a scion of the Benin Kingdom.  The campaign which kicked off last Saturday 16^th July, 2016 has already gathered momentum with “Yabis” from the Comrade Oshiomole describing Chief Tom Ikimi as a “Serial failure”.  On current face value, Godwin Obaseki is no more a political neophyte as can be expected.

LOCAL

Somewhere in Gbazango, a far flung community in the dense of Kubwa, Abuja in the Federal Capital, the dust generated by the unnecessary murder of fiery Preacher, Deaconess Eunice Olawale is yet to settle down.  While fingers are pointing at different directions\, the motive for killing her remains unclear.  At the Kubwa General Hospital morgue where her body was deposited, a nurse there said, “This is a country where they see white and call it black”!

 INSIDE THE NATONAL ASSEMBLY

The standoff between NASS leadership and the Executive continues with the Saraki/Ekweremadu forgery case shifted to September, 28, 2016.  Interesting developments as the leadership of the Upper Chambers are publicly docked while talks of impeachment and shouting matches spearheaded by Senator Dino Melaye rules the airwaves.  In the bitter long drawn struggle for their own survival, it is, as expected, having its toll on the quality of legislative duties the nation would get.

 

THE NATIONAL QUESTION: PROLONG POWER OUTAGES!  

How can a nation survive without light? In the year 2016, Nigerians sleep and wake up without light….inspite of all the billions touted to have been invested? And the shame is apparent: crumbling infrastructures..Airports, hospitals, including the seat of Power; now gloom and of course insecurity has crept in! From 1999—the inception of Democracy—no Government got it right; instead they turned the contraption into a deadly conduit for stealing hundreds of billions of dollars—and pounds! Now, the Nation is at a crossroad and the puzzle continues.  Bewildered Nigerians are not only stupefied but gripped with the inevitable backlash – total failures!  A disgusted Nigerian, Solomon Alade was to voice his anger thus: “This is Nigeria’s own version of terror”. 

SHORT FEATURES

THE BLACKMAN’S TRAVAILS 

That the black man’s travails are visibly self inflicted may after all turn out to be true!  Nowhere else can this assertion be justified than in regular intercession points along major or minor roads where Nigerian motorists clash with wisdom thrown to the winds – especially during peak periods.  That’s when the “character” of the average black man – in this case the Nigerian – comes into play.  Fast-forward to Apo-Resettlement Centre, road junction, with Shoprite, along the Apo – Dutse – NEPA highway.  Here in Abuja, the Federal Capital for 8 years, despite the increasing outcry, federal and local authorities have largely left this road unattended to leading to daily logjam.  Officials – true to type-had turned deaf ears leaving motorists to wallow in frustration and sometimes violent.  This scenario turns deadly once the sky opens up and the rains pour down.  In the absence of self control, grid-lockl occurs.  This has been the bane since 2007 when that road last receives attention. 

INTERNATIONAL

The spate of terrorist strikes in renowned Capital Cities of Europe has become worrisome.  France, the worst hit had a grim experience in 2015 – remember the “Charlie Hepdo” attack and the massacre of 130 innocent citizens.  This year July 2016, a daredevil named Mohammed Bouhlel staged a horrific attack along the Southern French City of Nice and rammed into the crowd, killing 84 people and wounding nearly 104 others – on a French National Day!  The United States is not spared either with deadly assaults, first, in Orlando where a lone gunman shot to death 53 persons, wounding 52 others.  Then followed the Dallas shooting where five Policemen were gunned down in cold blood and another three in the Baton Rouge district recently in what observers termed “hate backlash”!  Now, the world is on the edge with no one knowing where and when the next rage would occur!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINE QUESTION

So far, there is momentary quiet in that region.  How long this fragile peace would last is left to imagination.  But no one is deceived about the underground arms build up especially from the ever growing and combative militant groups around.  Hezbollah, the most dangerous and deadly –Israel’s arch enemies – are currently bogged down in the Syrian quagmire, while Hamas, worn out from devastating wars with Israel are quiet. Much of their cities are in ruins anyway.  However, Iran, the real foe are busy major backer and Israel’s number one enemy are busy testing “ballistic missiles” and openly boasting about their ability to “wipe out the state of Israel”!  The Israelis, traditionally unknown to respond to such threats are quiet, but no one is fooled.  Their silent development of sophisticated weapons of mass destruction has however not gone unnoticed. Those “who know” say Iran had better tread carefully!

 

SPORTS

PREMIER LEAGUE … LA … LIGA … CLUBS STEP UP PREPARATIONS

With the surprise victory of Leicester as “Kings” of the Premier league, the four “main” clubs in England are in frenzy of preventing a repeat performance.  Renown clubs have begun reinforcement with Manchester United recruiting Jose Mourinho for the 2016 – 17 Championships; he will square up with Pep Guardiola, former coach   of  Barcelona and Bayem Munch is now in Manchester City.  With Antonio Conte in Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool, the battle for the next trophy will predictably become hotter.  Arsene Wenger of Arsenal is not expected to provide much as his habitual tight fisted fiscal policy will prove once again his undoing. 

In Spain, Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid, smarting from his European Championship victory is expected to go straight for the La Liga title.  Will Barcelona prove a stumbling block?  Can Athletic Madrid slip a third time?  The next few months will tell.

 Woman’s World

 The intriguing world of women and their affairs!  What makes a woman tick and how to maneuver with them will be brought to you weekly on this column.  A seasoned establishment officer and housewife and Mrs. Zainab Oyofo will serve you the dishes as appropriate.

 STRANGE HABITS DISPLAYED BY SOME NIGERIANS

Take a drive along major Nigerian roads and you notice the car in front of you slowing down; when you check properly, you will discover that the fellow is making phone calls and in fact sending text messages! Try to correct him or her and you will receive insults! Attempt to bully him and you will be told:”I know the Inspector General of Police”!

TIT BITS … QUIZ (Change the Way You Think)

Evil Philosophies

 

1.       “Whatever will be will be”

          (This is not true.  You have to make it be)

 

2.       “Half bread is better than none”

          (Not true.  This is a mediocre philosophy)

 

3.       “A fool at forty is a fool forever”

          (You may be a fool forever if you refuse to change)

 

4.       “Fingers are not equal”

          (Lose one and you will realize that they are all valuable)

 

5.       “What goes up must comes down”

          (Is your age coming down?  Are prices of food coming down)

 

NIGERIA: LOOK WHO IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION?

 1.       Mamman Daura is President Buhari’s closest friend and also his nephew.  His father is elder brother of Buhari.

2.       Kabir Daura (Mamman Daura’s son) is Personal Assistant to Buhari.

3.       Abba Kyari (Buhari’s Chief of Staff) is Mamman Daura’s foster child. 

4.       Hadi Sirika (Minister of Aviation) son to Buhari’s elder sister. 

5.       Amina Zakari former INEC Acting Chairman is elder sister to Hadi Sirika-and son to Buhari’s eldest sister.

 

6.       Aisha Abubakar (Minister of State for Trade, Industry & Investment) is daughter to Buhari’s elder sister.

 

Note: Does this show corruption is being fought in Nigeria?

 

 

 

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