Come Out to Vote on March 11- Christian Cleric

Nigerians have been called upon to come out in their large numbers on Saturday March 11 to exercise their voting rights. This call was made on Tuesday by a Christian Cleric,Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi in Ibadan,Oyo state,Nigeria. ''Nigerians should not be afraid, come out,exercise patience,come out to vote,monitor your votes for the sustenance of DEMOCRACY in the Presidential elections.Those responsible for the ugly situation have been identified and they will be brought to justice,'' Pastor Ajayi stated. In another development, the misappropriation and mismanagement of the resources-financial and otherwise-of the states has prompted labor leaders and their followers of trade unions to grab whatever is available from candidates for the next round of elections. To this end, workers have formed groups for engagement with candidates, while labor leaders vigorously defend anti-people policies for pecuniary reasons. In his reaction, the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff and other Associated Institutions Union(NASU) University College Hospita(UCH)branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona argued that he was not aware of the activities of some workers saying, '' the Governorship candidate has not even come to UCH talkless of having any deal with him. I am not aware of any NASU member that is on the campaign team of the state Governor. NASU comprises different trade unions.''

Four Days to Polls-Nigerians are Hungry and Afraid.Oyo CSOs Representative

Hunger, fear and other forms of hardships now constitute the mindset of millions of Nigerians less than four days to the general elections. This assertion was made on Monday by the representative of Civil Society Organizations(CSO), Hadjia Aisha Ismail, at an enlarged stakeholders meeting organized by the Oyo state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)in Ibadan, Nigeria. ''People are hungry, people don't have what to eat, there is no fuel, they can't get anything from their neighbors, banks are not dispensing cash, Point of Sale(POS) shops are also not dispensing cash. The masses are afraid to come out, we have to go out to tell them not to be afraid to come out. We have told them that when there is trouble, they should go back home. Please, we don't want hooliganism. We must not vote for the wrong people in this election, Hadjia Ismail concluded. In his remark, the Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) in the state, Dr. Adeniran Tella expressed worries over the flashpoints in the state, saying, ''the security agencies have assured them of adequate security before, during and after the elections. All hands must be on deck to achieve successful elections.'' The representative of the Inter Party Advisory Council(IPAC), Pastor Biodun Popoola appealed to political parties to act within the ambits of the law, adding ''let us educate our members. I also appeal to our religious bodies to pray more this time for God's intervention.'' However, the meeting got rowdy when the issue of the actual figure of collected and uncollected Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) was raised by a political party representative. The gathering dispersed when the organizers hurriedly brought the meeting to an end for another official engagement. No public holidays were set aside for Nigerians in Oyo state to collect their PVCs. In another development, the spokesman of INEC in the state, Mr. Awolowo has disclosed that the registration for the accreditation for Journalists that will cover the general elections in the state has closed. Overcrowding The additional population which has brought about overcrowding in several communities in Oyo state, has resulted in evil, lawlessness, crime, criminality and evil in those communities. Who are those responsible for the overcrowding? Nigerians continue to ask.

The Political Fog

Election manipulation begins when new polling units are clandestinely created in the guise of overcrowding in the original polling units. Indeed, Those-in-Authority are working round the clock to ensure that their preferred candidates emerge even before the elections. Certainly, a lot is wrong with the system. Without doubt, Nigerians have lost faith in the system. Among other reasons for this, include the fact that millions of Nigerians have been impoverished without hope, dehumanized and disenfranchised. Now, they look up to Those-in-Authority for austere stipends and handouts. Not surprisingly, the quest to sustain power has placed a high premium on securing power for self-centered interests. The plots of Those-in-Power and the counterplots by others out of power have almost brought Nigeria to its knees, even as desperation continues to trail the ongoing political fog, with abortive attempts at labelling the same preparations for the general elections. The Future.......? The criminal tendencies continually exhibited by children who reside with their parents or guardians, in the Molusi, Oyegbami, Solanke, Oshodi, Aluko, Scout Camp, Felele and several other communities in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria; is a pointer to the fact that most public and private schools in the state have become breeding grounds for future criminals.

Use your PVCs to vote in Credible Leaders-Prof. Olagoke

The much awaited general elections are just 11 days away and preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) are in an advanced stage. However, Nigerians have continued to express mixed feelings about the elections. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke JP outlines the reasons why Nigerians must vote in a new set of leaders that possess the political will to address the country's myriad of challenges. Excerpt: Do you think the outcome of the general elections will usher in a new set of leaders in Nigeria? Credible leadership in the Nigerian context is a farce, if we are to consider the socio-behavioral status of each of the presidential candidates as well as others who are vying for other sensitive positions in the next political dispensation. Each of them, however, have varying degrees of image issues. Without doubt, a winner must emerge among them. The present situation in the country is a reflection of the cumulative deficiencies in our leaders-past and present consequences of poor socio-economic conditions of our people and their environment due to a low level of performance, institutional indiscipline and corruption, as against the main objective of democracy which we are operating as our political philosophy. The justice system remains selective in the dispensation of justice. The legislative arms are weak and usually act out the script written by the executive, resulting in very weak policy formulation and implementation at the expense of the welfare and wellness of the people. In effect, the excesses of the executive remain uncontrollable, resulting in unwarranted marginalization and poor infrastructure that is dysfunctional, making the lives of Nigerians to be at the mercy of deteriorated services. The general elections, therefore, as it will come by God's grace, in this month and in March, is going to be a date with our resolve to take our destinies in our hands. Hence, we must not toy with it and we must let it be free,fair and credible and without acrimony. Nigerians are now more conscious and aware of the importance of good governance to effect peace and sustainable development as observed in many nations where democracy is functional. For us in Nigeria, we are tired of playing around democracy for its dividend to be mere tantalizing mirages. In addition, various indicators of development are at the lowest ebb. For example, human development and infrastructure indexes, high inflation rates, poverty, hunger and diseases, devastating climate change effects and institutional corruption. Nigeria needs credible leaders that will be visionary and proactive with a network of wisdom to passionately solve the problems in the land. The President and other political office holders that will emerge after the general elections must be ready to fix the weak areas and must be very selfless in discharging their duties to be able to minimally deliver the expected dividends of democracy. Above all, we need a detribalized President and a non-religious bigot who will be able to bring sanity into the religious system to be able to spiritually have a united voice in correctin all the wrongs. This is the only way by which good governance can be nurtured through the spiritual drive for accelerated socio-economic development. Various lessons have been going on with respect to how best to vote without wasting the exercise. The only wisdom in collecting the Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) is to use them wisely on the days elections will take place to ensure that credible leaders emerge and correct all aberrations in the land, for Nigeria to become a better place to live in and to prosper at a sustainable level.

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The Stubborn Refusal to Learn from History

1963/64, 1983, 1993, and 2003 are significant years in Nigeria's history. A number of political office holders may have learnt a lot of lessons from history, even though others have become perpetual leaners and have continually repeated avoidable mistakes of the past. In a number of days to come, Nigerians will elect a brand new President and the statutorily stipulated lawmakers. Sadly, February 25th, a date that ought to attract happiness and hopes for Nigerians, has become a source of great worry. This date will serve as the long awaited JUDGMENT day for Nigerians to either reward good governance or effect a change in the present status quo, where and if necessary, in the center and the 36 states on March 11. Indeed, the gloomy faces of Nigerians constitute a major indication that the democratic experience has been that of despondency, anguish, sorrow and bitterness. Without doubt, the journey has been a political mis-adventure directed by the political class, who have, overtime, displayed a stubborn resolve not to learn any lessons from history. The Truth in Agonies and Hardships A school thought has it that the agonies, hardships and difficulties, Nigerians are presently experiencing were deliberately designed to make the electorate vulnerable to evil influences on election days. Perhaps this is true.

Votes of Nigerians Ought to Count

The conception of political development by leaders in Nigeria ought to bring about positive change that will usher in a stable and prosperous democracy devoid of corrupt lifestyles. But the utterances, outbursts and attitude of aspiring leaders, suggest that winning elections by whatever means rather than convincingly has now become the guideline. Indeed, Nigerians are hoping that the general elections will be deviod of compromise and winning by any means and at whatever cost to the country. Sadly, unfolding events, a number of days before the elections, are already giving the electorate visible worries, while the international community watches with keen interest, the response of Those-in-Authority to the concerns and issues raised by various stakeholders. Indications from every part of the country point to the fact that it is either the Independent National Electoral Commission's(INEC) preparations for the elections have deteriorated or that the commission is preparing to fail. However, those knowledgeable of the written script being played out, disclosed that pretensions continue to characterize the well thought out plans, deliberately contrived and awaiting execution by those within the leadership cubicles. The first round of elections will definitely determine the way forward. The votes of Nigerians ought to count; for them not to feel used and cheated. Indiscretion by Those-in Authority Nigerians are now at the mercy of Point of Sale (POS)Operators and questionable and dubious staff of Money Deposit Banks as a result of the indiscretion of Those-in-Authority.

The Elusive Naira notes

Governments guided by accountability, responsibility and transparency have always been constant never to retain card-carrying party members who aspired to political positions but failed to emerge victorious in sensitive positions. Such party members, if allowed to continue in such public offices, would bring to bear their partisanship. Sadly, high standards have been eroded. Interestingly, the expectation of Nigerians is that the newly redesigned 200, 500 and 1,000 Naira notes will be made available for everyone through the banking system. Although the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has insisted that the new naira notes are in abundant supply to the commercial banks, the experience of Nigerians in banking halls, ATM machine points and P.O.S shops has proved the contrary. Much as the commercial banks would wish to comply with the directive of the apex bank to make the new notes available, the old notes have been, up till this moment, still being dispensed. Indeed, if there is no hidden motive in fixing the deadline for the withdrawal of the old notes, which is 31st January, the reasonable and rational step to take ought to be for the old notes to circulate side by side with the new ones, until the former is withdrawn. However, the desperation and hurried actions of the apex bank to withdraw the old notes suggests that there is more to it than meets the eyes. Unfolding events in urban, and most especially rural areas indicate that the CBN would have not option but to extend the deadline; only if it is sensitive to the plight of Nigerians. 2023 and Beyond The daily occurrence of violent crimes, the sorry state of electricity supply and the lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria are enough advice for the electorate to determine the next crop of leaders in 2023 and beyond. Perhaps

Elections-We don't want a Sectional Leader-Prof. Olagoke

Nigeria needs a detribalized leader who will be able to address its multiferous challenges. This assertion was made over the weekend by the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke in his address titled, ''Governance and Leadership : 2023 Election and Effective Participation'', at the grand finale of the 40th Annual Shafaudeen International Convention, ''Ishrat 2023'', in Ibadan, Nigeria. ''Our challenges are solvable problems. We don't want a sectional leader. We don't want a tribal leader, but rather, we want a leader who will lead all Nigerians leaders who have not been able to solve the country's problems, and are not supposed to get to the exalted position. Nigeria deserves to have Godly, but non-religious bigot leaders for good governance for our unity and development. He must be able to see to the restructuring of the country and the amendment of the 1999 constitution for us to have fiscal federalism in place that will allow regions, states, local governments to control resources for their development through the right placement of items on the exclusive list and consider concurrent lists. All eligible voters must get registered, collect their Permanent Voters Cards and come out to vote for candidates of their choice, but with the positive mindset of objective exercise to elect a credible leader for real change, Nigeria deserves to have to be truly united and developed.

General Elections-Be Vigilant-Labor leader to Nigerians

Unfolding events that have characterized the last few weeks until the general elections have been described as a written script by Those-in Authority being played out. This was made known by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze. ''Nigerians should be very vigilant and resist any attempts to either manipulate or postpone the general elections. Happenings have indicated that the government is desperate to scuttle democracy regardless of denials. What is happening is very suspicious and calls for worry and vigilance.'' Illicit and Outlawed substances The use of illicit and outlawed substances is now the status quo in several communities in Nigeria. Indeed, it has become a source of livelihood for a sizable number of Nigerians. The inaction of Those-in-Authority to reign in those involved suggests that there is clandestine support for their activities.

Use Elections to Establish functional Education-Prof. Olagoke

The general elections have been described as a good opportunity to establish functional education in Nigeria. This assertion was made on Tuesday by the Founder, Spiritual head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke in his address titled, ''SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA-THE FUTURE IS NOW'' at the 3oth Annual Shafaudeen-in-Islam stakeholders' Conference in Ibadan, Nigeria. ''Functioanl education is deserved by a nation like Nigeria to promote inclusive society, civility and patirotism, credible leadership and good governance driven through zero tolerance to corruption and institutional indiscipline. Education will make us realize achieving this sanity-prone environment for development. Luckily for us, the 2023 general elections will avail us the opportunity to achieve this if we make give the right choice of a visionary leader that would be spirit led to operationalize democracy through justice and equity to propel Nigeria into peace and sustainable development and a safe and secured environment.''

As the General Elections Approaches

Nigerians are hopeful that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) will justify the mind-boggling money the Federal Government set aside for the successful conduct of the general elections. This will become a reality if the elections are free, fair and credible. However, the violent crimes occurring on a daily basis in different parts of Nigeria is a major threat to the smooth conduct of the elections. Of worry, is the safety of lives and property. The electoral umpire has already made public, selected observers for the elections and part of that allocation will be for the observers. The journey so far, has been a far cry from what Nigerians envisaged when the present administration mounted the saddle in 2015. Indeed, the chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners(REC) in the states where elections will take place should be above board and ought to maintain a non-partisan attitude before, during and after the elections, to ensure that the confidence reposed in them by the Nigerians does not wane. In the same vein, other categories of officials of the INEC ought to be mindful of their responsibilities by not engaging in acts that will undermine the smooth conduct of the general elections. Violent Crimes Community leaders, elders and residents, landlords and tenants associations in communities in Nigeria ought to be held responsible for lawlessness and criminality in their domains, since they live and know those who are involved. The law enforcement agencies must cease scratching the surface and act according to the dictates of their primary duties.

Insecurity, Economic Hardships and Uncollected PVCs will affect elections-Prof. Olagoke

The actual population of displaced Nigerians is still unknown. These bonafide citizens were displaced majorly by violent crimes and economic hardships. The suggestion is that the uncollected Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) belong to the displaced Nigerians. In this piece, the Founder, Spiritual head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu OlagokeJP warns that the unending insecurity, economic hardships and the large number of uncollected PVCs will impact negatively on the 202 general elections.

  Excerpts: Nigerians are apathetic to matters relating to the collection of their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) to be able to be eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections because of the perceived disturbing state of the nation. For example, the high prices of consumables and essential commodities coupled with the prohibitive prices of petroleum products has made life unbearable for millions of Nigerians. The result is the hunger, poverty and high unemployment rate in the country. Indeed, the organized attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission's(INEC)offices across the country by the enemies of the state has not helped matters. The terrible state of security in the South East is also an issue. Nigerians in this part of the country live daily in fear. However, it is wrong for Nigerians to continue to cry over bad governance and the poor conditions of living without working to rekindle their hopes for a real change which the 2023 general elections may bring about, by producing the right leader who will not only transform the nation, but also carry out major reforms. There is therefore, the need for the uncollected PVCs to be claimed to ensure that eligible voters are involved in the electoral process because this is one of the ways we can fix Nigeria. The collection of the PVCs will ensure that Nigerians participate in the electoral process because if we fail to choose a credible leader, a random person will lead us. Therefore, we must all realize that the power of electing candidates of choice depends on the collection of the PVCs by the electorate. The failure to collect the PVCs will negatively affect the coming elections. Efforts should be geared towards encouraging Nigerians to collect their PVCs, by making the collection process easier than the process of registration. The INEC must also improve its communication strategy to ensure that all eligible voters are adequately informed on the need for them to exercise their voting rights.

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PVCS Collection-Trade Unions in Oyo Express Divergent Views

Trade unions in the formal and non-formal sectors in Oyo state have expressed divergent views on the unimpressive turn out of Nigerians in the collection of their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) in the state. A sizable number insist that the frustrating and cumbersome process for the collection of PVCs has greatly discouraged thousands of Nigerians from collecting their PVCs. Others insist that the difficult process is deliberate for unknown reasons. Sadly, others opine that in the absence of good governance, they have no choice but to make do with handouts. In his view, the chairman of Day Old Chicks Association of Nigeria(DOCAN) in the state, Alhaji Tijani Mudashiru lamented that their votes in previous elections were yet to have an impact on the association, saying,''our members come from different homes and they have been voting for several years, but up till this moment, there has not been any government intervention. We do not have public toilets. The government has never thought of giving us interest-free loans. We need a place near this environment to continue with our business. All these would go a long way to encouraging members to collect their PVCs.''

However, for the chairman of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Comrade Solomon Olugbode it is imperative for his members to collect their PVCs,''because the PVCs are the ticket to vote.'' ''For everyone to participate in the 2023 general elections, I think everyone should collect their PVCs, so that they can vote for candidates of their choice. But the process of collection is difficult. The hardships that go with collecting PVCs are what people avoid. The process is worrisome. My advice to my members is that they should collect their PVCs and vote for those who will not stop their business. They should vote for people who will not be intoxicated by power.''

The Days of Bad Dreams

In the process of developing new locations in many states, those-in-authority have displaced thousands of Nigerians. Indeed, the forced displacements include the dubious sale of several houses to conspirators, who pull down original buildings and erect something different on the land. The forgery of property and land documents is the trend. Sadly, this development has attracted in this wake, criminal elements, who have to a large extent damaged the reputation of the government. Interestingly, the law enforcement and justice system have been compromised to accommodate this evil; while the people now see those-in-authority'' as bad dreams. However, Nigerians are optimistic that the days of bad dreams would soon be over in the nearest time to come. Note- Free, fair and credible elections can only be achieved if Those-in-Authority are not products of flawed elections. The political parties' primaries that produced candidates for political offices in 2023 were manipulated, while the arguments over the acceptability and eligibility of such candidates are still subjects of disagreements. Imposition is definitely not the true face of DEMOCRACY.

Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie Welcomes Peter Obi and Yusuf Baba-Ahmed to Oyo state

I, Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, His Royal Highness, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, the chairman, of the Non-Indigenes Traditional Council, Oyo state, and Ohaneze Ndigbo, Oyo state heartily welcome our brother, Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate Alhaji Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, as they arrive for the presidential campaigns in Oyo state. We trust God that all shall go well in peace, order, and success. I am personally happy that the electioneering campaigns across the country ought to be peaceful and I am calling on all bonafide Nigerians to ensure that everything about the forthcoming elections ends in peace. As I have always stated, we should learn to play politics without bitterness. Let's make political campaigns fun. All presidential candidates going across the country should be able to campaign peacefully in any part of the country. I am appealing to all Nigerians to approach the 2023 general election with the mindset of the fear of God, justice, fairness, and equity in mind while casting our votes for God to give us the best candidate.

2023-Igbos are expecting to hear from us-Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie

For some time, now a number of faceless indiviuduals have been parading themselves as the leadership of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state for slef-centered reasons. In the light of the worrisome development the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie warns Nigerians

to be wary of such individuals. Excerpt: Any individual or group who allows himself/themselves to be deceived by some people is/ are on their own. Everyone knows the genuine leader of the Igbos in Oyo state. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry knows the authentic leadership of the Igbos in Oyo state, and I Eze(Dr.) Chukwudum Alex Anozie, the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, and the Ohaneze/Igbo Community Development Association(ICDA) ably led by the President, Chief Emma Nididi Nzeako, we are the true leadership in Ibadan and Oyo state. God has confirmed this, Ndigbo who chose us has confirmed this, and the courts also confirmed this, so anybody or group who allows himself/themselves to be deceived by anybody is on his own because politics has come up again. This is an electioneering dispensation. Mushroom groupings are springing up. After the elections, you will not hear them again. Igbos are expecting to hear from us the leadership on the way forward.

Street Trading- The Need for Political Preservation

Environmental pollution has become part and parcel of daily life in major cities in Nigeria as a result of the lack of political will by the appropriate authorities to enforce relevant laws. Street trading and hawking on the main road, road verges, medians, setbacks, drainages, pedestrian bridges and walkways have become permanent features in these cities, since those responsible for the menace are well wishers, supporters and loyalists of political office holders. Even though there are designated market locations, Those-in-Charge are very reluctant to wield the big stick because of the urgent need for political preservation. Indeed, pickpocketing thrives in these locations, as it has become a veritable source of income with the covert cooperation of commuters, transporters and law enforcement personnel. The free flow of human and vehicular traffic would continue to be hindered in these cities, if the political overlords today fail to facilitate not only the regulation of street trading and hawking, but the enforcement of relevant laws in this respect. Note- The conferment of national awards and prize giving have little or no impact on the citizenry, in the face of hunger, poverty, unemployment and insecurity. Those-in-Charge ought to leave behind legacies that would impact positively on impoverished Nigerians.

Ignoring Urgent Internal Issues

The Powers-That-Be had, in the course of time, lamented that age was a limitation to the capacity to deliver the much expected dividends of democracy to millions of impoverished Nigerians. Indeed, in 1999, a presidential aspirant and a former Governor of Old Andambra state, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu had explained, stressed that no sacrifice was too much for national unity and progress. This was after the merger of the Alliance for Democracy(AD) and the All Peoples Party(APP). Almost eight years later, the APP changed its name to the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) after the merger with the United Nigeria Democratic Party(UNDP), Dr. Onu was elected the party's national chairman and three years later, the ANPP merged with four other political parties to form the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Today, Dr. Onu, who by 2023 will be 72, remains the second presidential aspirant from the South East, after Dr. Alex Ekueweme of blessed memory, even though presently he is not a presidential candidate. Interestingly, the former Old Abia state Governor has been a consistent and busy political ally of the Commander-in-Chief, all these years. Of note, is the fact that Nigerians of the South East extraction have continued their agitation that Nigeria's next President must come from their geo-political zone, while the most prominent choice, to achieve this end, spends valuable time in the diaspora. This is obviously a source of discomfort for several Nigerians, who believe that such action is unfortunate, in the face of urgent internal issues that remain unattended to.

The President Nigeria Needs by Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie

I want to encourage our people, South Easterners, to continue in their prayers trusting God, because I can see God's hands at work trying to use a personality from the South East to deliver and secure Nigeria. To use a personality from the South East as a messiah like God used Moses in the Bible. And I can see a lot of good things, positive things beginning to happen when that person gets into the position of President, and I am very happy because that person is a person of integrity, and he respects everyone from the North, everyone from the South. I have never heard him using any foul or abusive language on any personality. That scores him very high, gives him very high marks in my own assessment. I hail him for that. I don't like the way, for whatever reasons, anybody is using abusive language on anybody, it is not good for our politics, it is not good for our country, Nigeria, because that is how war started in many African countries. Throw me, I throw you. We must not fight another war in Nigeria. But I am appealing to everyone to stop using abusive words against anybody, just make your point that would be contributing to the peace of the country.

All the presidential candidates contesting are good materials, but so many things would have to be put into consideration. One, conscientiously putting our conscience into use, let us ask ourselves the question as people who fear God and worship God among all the contestants, who among them can be chosen, and the question becomes balanced as we are searching for the peace and unity of the country. If truly we are searching for not only peace and unity, but also progress. Among them, we know those of them, who come from the zone that has produced the President for several years in the past and present, and also those among them from the side where the presidency has not gotten to them for once. That is one of the criteria I am looking at, then the age of each one of them, knowing our country Nigeria as a country that is so large and the challenges of Nigeria are numerous and needs somebody who is younger and agile. Then, I want to plead with all Nigerians not only Igbos, to look at the whole issue critically-justice, equity and fairness because when in a family you have 3, 4, 5 or 6 children, all must benefit, others have benefited, or a particular section has benefited, then when it is supposed to be the turn of another section, everybody jumps in, including those who have benefited, it is not the best for the country. It is like a situation where we are three in a family and in the plate of soup we are eating from, there are three pieces of meat and one person takes one, another takes the second meat and the third meat is left for the last person, but instead of allowing the third person to take it, the others scramble for it. There is no fairness in that, there is no justice in that. But if the three pieces of meat are shared equally among the three persons, this would contribute greatly to the growth, peace and unity of the nation. So, the last person should be allowed to take the third meat, that is the essence of been Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists, we all believe in God. Had it been in the particular family in question, one of them is not qualified, that would be a different matter entirely. Thank God, someone has sprung up in the South East, who is over qualified in all ramifications. So, I appeal to Nigerians to look at the issue with conscience and the fear of God. Finally, I appeal to everyone to cease from using abusive words against each other, it is not the best for the country. Let's apply the live and let's live approach and the country will enjoy, peace, unity and more progress. Let everybody remember what I said earlier on that all the candidates are good materials, so this very one coming from the South East is a good material and younger. So to me, the law of justice and equity favors him more. Eze( Dr.) Anozie is the Ezeigbo, Ezechukwujiegosioluebube nala,Ibadan and Oyo state and Chairman Non-indigenous Traditional Heads, Oyo state

Nigeria needs a Selfless President-Dr. Farounbi

A former ambassador to the Philippines, Dr.Yemi Farounbi has declared that Nigeria urgently needs a President that is conversant with the needs and expectations of Nigerians. Dr. Farounbi made this declaration on Wednesday at an even tagged 2022 Mega International Summit in Ibadan, Nigeria. ''A leader ought to prepare his country for the challenges ahead. The leader must be creative and visionary and must have his legs on ground. But when your leader travels by helicopter or aeroplane, he does not know hunger, he does not know poverty because his feet is not on ground, he does not also know the fate of the poor.'' ''What kind of President do we need in 2023? What re the problems the President must solve? We need a well educated and rounded person, it is not whether it is my turn or your turn, it is not whether it has been my life time ambition. Can you solve the problem of electricity? Can you solve the problem of education? Can you change the mentality of the education administrators? Do you have intellectual resilience? It is not whether I have been competing since 1992; it is not every leader that is good at implementation, competence is very important. He called for the restoration of family values, while lamenting that,''family values in Nigeria have broken down, we need spiritual regeneration and the restoration of family values.''