Misplaced Priorites

The lack of domestic purchasing power of citizens has been a set back for economically backward countries of the world. Monetary expansion in these countries has resulted in the inflation of prices of goods and services to the detriment of the people. Indeed, in a number of countries, the great majority who are poor are manipulated to focus on smart phones and related products as urgent priorities even as they wallow in abject poverty. Sadly, these products are not locally produced, but imported from economically viable countries. Of worry, is the fact that the real income of the workforce is side by side to the subsistence level-with little or no hope for a raise. The unimpressive income of the workforce has ensured that productivity remains at the lowest ebb, while redundancy, inefficiency and mdeciority take the center stage. Curiously, the prevailing hunger and poverty in a given geographical location not only inhibits the inducement to invest but also discourages economic progress. Nigeria is made up of an estimated land mass of 923,773km2, including varied vegetation and soil types suitable for a variety of agricultural initiatives. Solid minerals, namely coal, coumbite, liginite, talc, marble, baryte, gypsum, iron, crude oil, among others abound in the country. The mentioned resources ought to be a concrete foundation for development. The improvement in the well being of citizens is usually the ultimate objective of visionary leadership all over the world. In addition, this is achievable by formulating an economic policy that would ensure unhindered access to the basic needs of life by citizens. There is no doubt that today's political office holders ought to put in place policies that would have an immediate, visible and positive impact on the quality of lives of millions of impoverished Nigerians. The Desperate and Wicked Heart Well wishers, supporters, admirers and loyalists of political office holders are indeed, having a field day in Molusi, Olorunsogo, Onafuwa Solanke, Oyegbami, Oshodi, Aluko and Felele communities in Ibadan, Oyo state among several other communities in Nigeria. The situation is disturbing even as lawlessness and criminality persists. The Wicked Hearts Indeed, long before now, pick pocketing has become a means to an end in different parts of Nigeria, with no convincing effort from Those-in-Authority to combat the ugly trend.The hearts of those who insist that they are representatives of the people have become seemingly desperately wicked.

God is always with Nigerians-Cleric

God has always been with Nigerians, regardless of the pains, anguish, sorrows and hardships. This assertion was made by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi. ''Nigerians should not despair or lose hope. We are not alone. God has always been with us in our times of sorrow, pain, anguish and hardships. Go remains our protector and fortress. There is light at the end of the tunnel,'' Pastor Ajayi stated. In another development, a university Don has decribed the attitude of Nigerians towards change as unencouraging. According to Prof. Benjamin Ehige of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, this is despite the fact that the concept of change is attractive. Prof. Ehige made this known on Thursday at a business summit organized by the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PROSAN), Ibadan, Nigeria. ''The concept of change looks attractive, but our attitude to change is not encouraging. People find it difficult to a change in behavior. We must think of a change of attitude, place and perceived need for change. There are attempts to dig deep into where an individual comes from during elections. Self-Indictment Shutting down secondary schools for unruly, wayward, unbecoming and criminally-friendly behavior exposes lapses in the education sector. In other words, the government of the day has indicted itself. This is leadership by example

A Dubious Loyalty

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) successfully conducted the Continuous Voters Registration exercise in states and Abuja, but sadly, millions of potential voters were disenfranchised in the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Indeed, the 25th February general elections were anything except free, fair and credible. The rush to collate the results manually and announce the same, confirmed the long suspicions and fears of Nigerians. On the day of the election, the harrowing experience of voters confirmed that the electoral umpire was part of a grand scheme to impose unacceptable candidates on Nigerians. The resentment at the electoral deceit cuts across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and indeed, such resentment, justice will prevail. It is now crystal clear that the loyalty of the present administration in the country has never been to the nation as a whole, but to a pyramidal sequence of enforcers, under-bosses and influence peddlers among others. The present status quo intends to resist the acceptable, reasonable and justifiable but the quest for genuine leadership succession, respect for the nation's diversity and equitable national integration may erode this intention. Those Behind All the Evil Nigerians have now known those behind lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality, evil, diabolism and injustice for almost eight years. The leadership, for example, songs are everywhere as illustrations.

Ominous Times Ahead

In the last seven and a half years, the approach to governance has been impulsive and embarrassing. Most sectors of the economy are gasping for breadth-particularly education, health, electricity and most importantly security. This is worrisome considering the huge oil revenues that have been generated during the period under review. Indeed, miscarriage of justice and the violation of human rights have been the major features of the present administration in Nigeria, even as the deliberate impoverishment of Nigerians, hunger and poverty have become tools of governance. Sadly, unfolding events indicate that Those-in-Authority are desperate to use their positions to ensure that the 2023 general elections are anything but free, fair and credible. Without doubt any electoral process hinged on widespread improprieties and the absence of meticulous background checks on candidates of political parties would never attract widespread acceptance. The coming days and months are ominous for peace, law, order and sanity in the polity. Note- It is very disturbing that a number of states in Nigeria have failed to attract direct foreign investments up till this moment, yet some state executives travel overseas for unknown reasons. Such travel has not impacted positively on governance. The trips are for self-centered interests. Perhaps.

Leadership by Wishful Thinking and Make Believe

The three point agenda of the present administration in Nigeria has painfully not taken the country anywhere in the face of widespread ignorance and illiteracy among the p[opulace in the last seven years. The failure to put the right people in the right positions has been the major challenge. In this clime, followership demands patronage, handouts and favors. These have impeded the search for credible leadership. Although certain political actors and national leaders have made invaluable contributions and given worthwhile counsel, their efforts have overtime been ignored.

Suspicions, hurts and doubts now characterize the relationship between Nigerians and their leaders. Sadly, the priorities of those-in-authority are yet to include the critical areas which continue to plague efforts at engendering meaningful economic growth and development, since peace and security are achievable, bit seemingly elusive. Culprits of heinous and grievous crimes are still on the loose, while it is very worrisome that the government at all levels have continued to tolerate the culture of impunity that has become an unwelcome part of the country's socio-political life. Interestingly, excuses have continued to be put forward for failures, just as the inability to ensure the security of lives and property is now very glaring. Those -in-authority ought to be committed to good governance, accountability and transparency. But unfortunately, this is not the case. Instead, activities of the government at all levels now revolve around wishful thinking and make believe.

The Complicity of Those-in-Charge

In the last three years, various meetings held between Those-in-Authority and individuals who insist that they have been shortchanged in the political and electoral process in a number of states. These meetings have only successfully exposed the self-centered and selfish mindset of Those-in-Authority. The decision not to honor the agreements and abide by decisions taken jointly has dimmed the prospects of an unspecified number of political office holders to cling on to power in 2023 and beyond. Indeed, the realization that their choices for political offices are not fit and proper persons to be entrusted with such offices took a long time to manifest. The illiterate population in several communities is a significant part of the problem.

Seasoned politicians opine that Those-in-Authority presently had from the onset prepared a different agenda which has resulted in the bad shape of governance in the affected states. It is a known fact that the POLICE are constitutionally authorized to effect the arrest, to apprehend persons who have committed offenses or who are alleged to have committed offenses. In the same vein, it is the duty of the state to, afterward prosecute all these persons who were arrested. What is the situation? Non-state actors who have continuously terrorized citizens are left as though they have committed no offenses and to this extent, Nigerians believe that this does not go down well for democracy. The selective enforcement of the law is the order of the day, while certain non-state actors still operate as though they are above the law, which suggests that they are acting on orders from above to create all kinds of havoc in these states. Lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality, and evil continue unabated right before the eyes of Those-in-Authority with no sign that any action shall be taken to curtail this ugly trend. This attitude of Those-in-Authority is not only contrary to the spirit and laid down rules of the constitution, but it is also diabolical and evil.

Chasing Shadows

Today, a new breed of political office holders have emerged. They are scramblers for notice, office and boot lickers exhibiting a convoluted understanding of their obligations to the constitution and the state. Even though it is obvious that they are fats losing grip of political power, their open-hear ted gesture of generosity targeted at deceiving and manipulating the gullible and unsuspecting at will, has got to a desperate stage. Their spirit of nepotism and favoritism has been to the detriment of the collective good. Nigerians insist that the Government at all levels are insincere and dishonest. They also argue that Those-in-Authority are busy chasing shadows when the real challenges are visible for everyone to see.  Those-in-Authority have made sure that all relevant officials-appointed and elected- toe their line of reasoning through arm-twisting tactics. Their secret agenda has been the catalyst for corruption, kidnappings, killings, ritual killings, armed robberies and other voilent crimes in different parts of the country. Confusion, distrust and uncertainty are now the signposts of unending unfolding developments.

The Quest to Protect Self-Interests in 2023 and Beyond

The hundreds of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) in the offices of the Independent National Commission(INEC) across Nigeria are reflections of the fact that Nigerians have lost faith in the electoral system. Millions of Nigerians are impoverished and disillusioned, to the extent that they now live on handouts given by men and women; who by whatever means get into political offices. The suspicious deaths of unspecified number of Nigerians under unexplainable circumstances, is an indication that Those-in-Charge are evil In a bid to meet the crumb requirements in their constituencies and senatorial districts, these men and women resort to corrupt and fraudulent practices.

The unclear ways those in power represent their constituencies and senatorial districts have put a high premium on attaining power for self-interest. The suggestion is that the present administration in the country has been overwhelmed by known evil forces; that is why it seeks to influence who takes over power in 2023, to ensure that its secret deals and self-centered interests are protected. The total goodwill and support that heralded the coming of the present administration in 2015 have evaporated and in its place are frustrations and complaints.

Call for Interim Govt in Order-Ex-Officio TUC

The call for the emergence of an Interim Government for six months after the expiration of the tenure of the present administration in Nigeria is the solution to the myriad of problems confronting the country. This assertion was made by an Ex-Officio of the Oyo state Council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), who is also a former chairma of the union in the state.

''The system has collapsed, governance is now upside down. The government is not capable of conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2023. The call for the emergence of an Interim Government after the expiration of the tenrue of this government in order. It is glaring that Nigeria is not working, the government has failed in most sectors of the economy. Nigerians have to sit down and rework Nigeria,'' Comrade Emelieze stated.

Power Shift and the Same People

Powershift from one geographical area to another emphasizes the need for justice and equity. Curiously, in reality, has power shifted all these years, considering the set of people involved? The cosmetic transfer of power from the North to the South in the Nigerian context does not really hold water because it is the same class of people that are holding on to power. Granting pardon, at the twilight of an administration, to former public office holders convicted of corruption, is worrisome.

But it is very important for those who have mismanaged the country's resources to cede power to those who are fit(mentally and physically)competent and capable to manage the country very well. Those who have massive resources, deploy these resources to purchase their candidacies within their political parties either for Governorship, State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or the Senate. They don't care about individual voters but focus on how to manipulate the electoral process. Rather than submit to the democratic process, they either want to continue in power or attain power by all means.

The Moles Within

Advice to those in authority revolves around self-centeredness, greed, and treachery. Indeed, such advice has all along misled the present administration to the point that policies are formulated without consideration of the devastating effect of such policies on Nigerians.

Interestingly Those-in-Charge acts on speculations and rumors, without recourse to accessible accurate reports, even though at all levels of government they are favorably disposed to clandestine and evil motives. The existence of moles in the security system is no longer in doubt, as subversion and inducement are now tools of governance. The political and economic policies of the present administration have pitched it against Nigerians, while some of those in the political class have for long promoted the non-performance of those in authority. Of note is the fact that nothing is new under the sun, what would be, once was and what was once was, would still be. The past, present, and future comprise the cycle of Life. Indeed.

The Patient Wait

The Legislature at all levels of government have from time immemorial depended on the executive for their survival. To this extent, the lawmakers are always exposed to the arm-twisting tactics of Those-in-Charge. Read-Helplessness in the Face of Dirt Several instances abound wherein the committees on public accounts and other committees discover irregularities in the budget preparation and implementation of a sizable number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDA)in the course of carrying out their oversight functions. The committees usually send out notice of invitations to the Ministers and other heads of the MDAs, sadly, such invitations were ignored without consequences. Indeed, all those in this dispensation are witnesses to the promotion of impunity and double standards, even as the suggestion is that Those-in-Charge are now preoccupied with preparations for life after governance.

The suffocating security situation across Nigeria and the priorities of certain heads of law enforcement agencies including focusing on the mode of dressing of their personnel has not brought reprieve in any way. Security lapses in several states have been recorded with a wave of the hands, even though lives were lost. The fact that concrete efforts are yet to be made to address the worrisome situation, puts the blame at the doorstep of the Powers of today. Criminals now perpetrate various forms of crime-heinous and grievous- without the expected consequences. The followers are also an integral part of the hydra like problems. Unfortunately, personalities who ought be role models to all and sundry have continuously and repeatedly identified with the non-state actors responsible for the insecurity all over the country. However, the people are already making the above mentioned a major reference point. Nigerians across the six geo-political zones are now patiently waiting for the general elections in 2023 to vote out all those who have been labelled the Powers of today at all levels of government and are behind the sorrows, evil, pains, anguish and lamentations in the land. The failure of a government involves all who are in the government. It is a collective failure. In addition, aspirations to political offices ought to revolve around integrity, performance and accountability rather than blind loyalty and sycophancy.

Sunset-The Farewell Days are Here

From all possible indicators, the Government is either already helpless or deliberately playing out a well written script, as the pump price of the Petroleum Motor Spirit(PMS) gradually soars above the reach of disillusioned and impoverished Nigerians. Interestingly, a bottle of Kerosene now sells for 300.00 Naira and the attitude and performances of Government at the State and Local Government levels, have not in any way ameliorated the almost hopeless situation. It is very sad to come to terms with the fact that the 30, 000 Naira national minimum wage is nothing compared with the suffering occasioned by the Government facilitated economic hardships Nigerians are passing through.

Indeed, a number of states take their workers for granted by ensuring prompt payment of salaries even though the national minimum wage is not yet in existence in the affected states. The Kano state Government is tinkering with the idea of reverting the workers' salaries to 18,000 Naira. This is a bad omen for Nigerians just as the Government at all levels are in their sunset period, putting finishing touches to governance. However, the explanations by an unspecified number of civil and public servants on the whereabouts of unaccounted funds shall go a long way in making the government at all levels convincingly accountable to the people.

The Need for Good Government

Concerned citizens, who are desirous to sustain the democratic form of government must meticulously understand the policies of dictatorships. In addition, the sections and clauses of the constitution obstructing good governance and the causes of social injustice must be removed. Towards achieving this, the citizens ought to have access to qualitative education that would aid sound judgment, and morally promote interest in and respect for fellow citizens. Indeed, democracy is a system that is least liable to abuse, most capable of adaptation to new needs and most favorable to prosperity.

Democracy does not deprive citizens of the use of their faculties, the relations between government and the people and between one citizen and another. Citizens resolve their differences without resorting to violence in sane climes. Furthermore, redundancy of spies becomes prominent and censorship is no longer the focus, when good government is in place.

The Necessity for Change

The function of a government goes beyond ensuring law and order, the arrangements to permit change must be functional. Change must revolve around consent and permission from the people. In several climes, the toleration of criticisms by governments attracted peaceful change and those who had visible potentials to partake in government are brought on board. But sadly, the fact that legislative chambers at the Federal and a number of states did not meet the minimum constitutionally stipulated sitting requirements in the outgone year is a great setback. Indeed, there is no ideal government for all places and there is no ideal for all times.

The security situation across Nigeria, the attitude of security and law enforcement personnel, and government go beyond scratching the surface.

When Government does not change promptly with the situation, the people become a major part of the challenges confronting the government. The experience of France at the end of the 18th century and Russia in the 20th century is instructive on the necessity for change. Note The docile nature of government officials, for pecuniary reasons, can be seen in the activities of an individual who sighted poultry at No. 2 Kehinde Aderibigbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria(red gate). Sighting poultry in a residential area constitutes a great danger to residents while the several numbers of doubtful characters who visit the poultry on a daily basis pose security threats for residents who still contend with crime and criminality.

The Standard of Learning

A moderate standard of learning must include the ability of a child to be able to spell ordinary words, correctly to write legibly and intelligently, to make out or check a common bill, to have sufficient geographical knowledge to know the position of the countries of the world and above all to be sufficiently acquainted with the Scriptures.

In every part of Nigeria today, most children leave school without attaining these standards. The present system of education at all levels of government is not only bad for the children but also for the teachers. The teaching profession has been debased by the government and the devices of the teachers.

Parents have a major duty to their children, but most parents habitually neglect this major duty. Untrained teachers and bad methods of teaching, projects by contractors that were not inspected with adequate motive, un-revised or ill-revised policies and the complete absence of all organizations of schools in relation to one another constitute an unspecified number of evils of public and private schools in Nigeria. The allocations in the budgets of the Federal and State Government over the years to the education sector has had little or no impact on the sector.

Poverty Stricken Nigerians and $1 billion

The Poor Report published in 1834 outlined the degradation and inefficiency of the Speenham system that had flourished across England for almost 40 years. The system encouraged demoralization, rude behavior, laziness, thriftlessness, and immorality of the poor. The lack of centralization, dependence on the parish initiative, and the absence of a responsive and responsible authority weakened the system. The resultant administrative anarchy gave rise to the emergence of several petty interests trailed by corruption. Poor relief was a disservice to the poor, a drain on the rich, and a threat to the government.

The Poor Law Amendment Act of August 14, 1834, made no difference but established administrative machinery, giving prominence to three remote impersonal Commissioners in London. Their activities resulted in despondency, disillusionment, and anger among the majority poor. In present-day Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management claims that the Federal Government spends$ 1 billion on the poor annually. This claim is not only questionable but ridiculous considering the hungry and poverty-stricken looks of millions of sickly, infirm, orphaned, able-bodied, and disabled Nigerians. These Nigerians who are everywhere in the Nigerian space, now believe that the government is not only deceitful but insincere.

The Mindset of Leaders and Economic Prosperity

By the 18th century, iron and coal became examples of industries that were capitalist in peculiar ways. From inception both industries were capitalist inclined,since they required heavy expenditure for the actual process of production. The labor force comprised of wage earners working for a master and were not owners of the forge, iron ore or coalmine. Similarly, as early as the 17th century, a sizable number of comparatively small industries emerged namely,soap,brewing, glass and salt-making industries. However, during this period the interest in agriculture was still very strong,with the handicraft men more prominent than the industrial or commercial capitalist. In the second half of the 18th century, the growth of the population prompting the increase in the demand for goods, improved transportation system, unprecedented mechanical inventions, new materials and improved chemical processes resulted in the industrial revolution. Industries such as coal and hardware made use of increased quantities of coal, just as coal was also used as fuel. After the repeal of the General Export Duty in 1834, coal and iron became foremost in the export market.

Birmingham, Sheffield and Glasgow known for cotton experienced economic growth between 1821 and 1831. Sadly,in Nigeria today, despite the presence of all the factors that prompted the industrial revolution in Britain and the large deposits of coal,iron ore and several other mineral resources in different parts of the country, Nigeria is still largely import dependent for most of its needs. The poverty rate in Nigeria is now 50 per cent in 2021 as a result of misplaced priorities, mediocrity and incompetence. Indeed,the colored race are the major investors in biscuits,sweets,detergents and furniture. Exploitation of labor, austere wages, poor working conditions and other sharp practices, have all contributed to the survival of these investors. Interestingly,the distribution of soft drinks produced in plastics, questionable alcoholic drinks in sachets among others are now the choice of business inclined Nigerians. Those-in-Charge are now tinkering with the idea of vigorously promoting activities in the agricultural sector, despite years of neglect and in the middle of unabating killings(for ritual purposes inclusive), kidnappings and other forms of violence in 2021,while Britain ceased to be primarily agricultural in the second half of the 18th century. The consensus among focused and development inclined leaders,is that the mindset of those that formulated policies to a great extent determines the economic fortunes and prosperity of countries of the world.

Between Wool and Crude Oil

Woolen manufacture was England's most prominent industry in 1750,while crude oil has been Nigeria's major income earner for several years.  Stakeholders in the wool industry were based in the West Riding of Yorkshire,here cloths of medium quality were made, In East Anglia, here coarser fustian were produced and in South west of England,where fine and good quality cloth was made. Woolen cloth was a major export product and as a result the industry was closely regulated. Production was still in the hands of small masters in the West Riding and East Anglia. The export price of cloth was fixed as far back as the 10th century,and extraordinary steps were taken to disallow the export of the raw wool.

As the market for woolen cloth expanded,the ownership of capital and the control of credit gained prominence. The cottage workers were financially incapable of purchasing large quantity of raw materials neither could they afford to sell the finished product on creditor source for market outside their homes.This brought about a more advanced form of capitalism which eventually replaced the cottage industry. In Nigeria today,the main export is crude oil and Those-in-Charge,their agents, proxies and cronies dictate happenings in the oil industry with impunity. Interestingly, oil bunkering and smuggling is the order of the day and their stock in trade. In addition,those with the power and means own crude oil refining companies abroad. Crude oil exported abroad for refining,are brought back in refined form as Petroleum Motor Spirit(PMS) for sale to unsuspecting Nigerians. The unimpressive state of the economy,is perhaps, a sad reflection of the domestic and foreign interests the present administration represents.

Avoiding Succession Pitfalls

William the Conqueror and Henry 1 of England were leaders whose authorities were to a large extent personal and not in any way attributable to the dynamic structure of the Government. Both of them had the extraordinary force of character with despotic tendencies. Interestingly, when Stephen, a man of feeble traits, succeeded Henry, civil war broke out. This was as a result of a succession dispute, which snowballed into a confusion of an unimaginable dimension culminating in the termination of the royal court. After the demise of Henry 1, the Government drifted into anarchy. However, the Royal court was restored and extended by Henry 11. Henry 11 was the son of Geoffery Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and Eleanor of Aquitaine. His personality impressed those of his time, while his friends and enemies were of the consensus that he was a man of ways, means, and passions beyond the imagination of average men. Henry 11 had an eye for details of law and administration and indeed relished legal argument even as he sat in judgment with delight. Personalities with similar behavioral attributes abound in the countries of Africa today, Nigeria inclusive.

The unabating crimes-killings, kidnappings(for ritual purposes inclusive), and armed robbery by criminals, in addition to the sustained underdevelopment, are all pointers to the fact that the leadership has veered off the road as the country makes preparations for the diamond jubilee celebrations. It is now the duty of the people to identify such personalities and ensure all is done to avoid the pitfalls of the Norma period.