At a very recent function in Lagos, a participant placed this question before the gathering; what exacerbates Nigeria’s current political and socioeconomic challenges? And just immediately, he got two separate but related responses from two personalities I consider well informed, self contained and quietly influential Nigerians. The first stated thus; the situation (poor leadership) in the country is not party, tribe/ethnic, religion, state governors or Federal Government insulted. Rather, it is a ‘total national leadership collapse in the country from ‘top to bottom’. It is a brazen manifestation of a bunch that is yet to internalize the fact that power…
Author: JEROME-MARIO UTOMI
As a background to this piece, it is important to underline that this author would be the very last person to insinuate that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta state, has not done good things as Governor of the state-that would be a lie from the pit of hell, itself. Aside from demonstrating this fact in my previous opinion articles, commentaries and interventions which favoured or supported policies, actions, inactions and decisions of the Delta State government, I have recently argued that he(the Governor) is not only eminently qualified to be the nation’s Vice President and would stupendously…
Friday August 12, 2022, is a very important date in the global calendar. It is a day that the global community sets aside to celebrate this year’s International Youth Day. The important purpose of this annual celebration going by information from the United Nation (UN) is to among other things raise voices against any injustice or discrimination happening in the world with the youth. Again, going by available records, The International Youth Day was recognized by the United Nations when they passed a resolution towards creating it in 1999 at the United Nations General Assembly. This day came into existence…
The title ‘a nation governed by Strange Liberators’ was first used in my October 9, 2018 intervention. But I first encountered the phrase: “Strange liberators’ ‘, while studying the words and speeches of Martin Luther King Jnr, American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesman and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. The phrase was used then as the title of a piece on the role played by the American government in Vietnam. Luther, in that account stated thus: “I speak now not of the soldiers of each side, not…
Similar to the Famous novelist, poet and critic, Chinua Achebe (1930 – 2013) who in his widely circulated book, ‘The trouble with Nigeria’, among other things stated as follows: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.” Likewise, Smart Madu Ajaja, United States Of America Based, Human and Environmental rights…
Even when there is no codified word or structured documentation adequate enough to evaluate a public office holder, there exist presently, a compelling need to evaluate the present administration in the country, via a broader view of the people’s paramount concerns and legitimate expectations in order to unravel its values of fiscal discipline, prudent management, robust and continuous community engagement, effective and efficient public communication, and excellent public service delivery for the benefit of this generation and the next. This logical, rational and practical belief is predicated on the current unpalatable happenings and failures recorded in recent times and traceable…
There is no shadow of the doubt any more that Nigeria as a country, has, in the past seven years suffered leadership hemorrhage. What is however new and relevant to the present discourse is the sudden collective resolve by commanding majority of Nigerians made up of mostly youths to rescue the country from its present leadership challenge. Out of some many examples of alignments and realignments geared towards achieving this new order, the freshest stemmed from a recent telephone talk with Smart Madu Ajaja, United States Of America Based, Human and Environmental rights Activist and founder of a politico-philosophical ideology/initiative…
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Mark 3:24, Matthew 12:25. If there is any factor/actor that has kept the People Democratic Party (PDP), as the dominant party in Delta state in the well over two decades of democratic experiment in the country, it is the existence of one robust, indivisible and united political family. Again, if there is any reason that presently works in favour of the party in the state as the nation braces up for the 2023 general election,…
Recently, precisely on Sunday July 17, 2022, the Deputy President of the Senate and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Delta, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, going by media reports stated that the Delta Government had not been fair to the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the state. The lawmaker, representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, said he was pained by the sufferings the Ijaws were subjected to in the state. “I have always felt the pain of the Ijaw nations because I know their contributions to the economy…
Throughout the early decades, the world paid little attention to what constitutes sustainable development. Such conversation, however, gained global prominence via the United Nations introduction, adoption and pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, which lasted between the year 2000 and 2015. And was among other intentions aimed at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger as well as achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health among others. Likewise/comparatively, in the early years of Delta as state, the coastal region of the state was visibly plagued with similar development challenges such as widespread poverty, insecurity, gross…
This piece stemmed from two uniquely similar but different sources. First is a Whatsapp picture of Peter Obi, Labor Party Presidential Flag bearer, and his running mate Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, which I recently stumbled upon in a group platform. The referenced portrait was laced with the following inscriptions; Nigeria Has Never Had It This Good!; No missing certificates, Excellent academic achievements, Good, verifiable track records, Good business administration and no criminal records. While reflecting on the portrait and its messages, I got yet another Whatsapp message. Like the first, it reads; ‘Obicracy is a system where the masses choose…
The political terrain in the country is truly tensed up and filled with a lot of intrigues. Only those strong hearted politicians will be able to wade through the political landmine and come out successful. Even the electorates are not equally taking the preparation for 2023 general elections easy. The number of people that have lately registered for the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and those still pushing to register are not only frightening but mouth numbing. It is now a statement of fact that Nigerians want to see the political and challenges of this country fizzle in and out in…
During an address by Harvard Political Professor, Samuel Huntington, in August 1995, at Taipei, he was, among other things, asked of his impression about Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s effort to develop Singapore, and he scantly summed it up this way: the honesty and efficiency Senior Minister Lee has brought to Singapore are likely to follow him to his grave. However, like faith which is a belief in things not seen, coupled with the fact that ordinary calculation can be upturned by extraordinary personalities, not only did Lee’s efficiency survive him, but history has since assisted in providing answers to…
Taken objectively, there is no doubt that as a people, we derive more comfort, protection and security from our ethnic identity than our common sense of nationhood. It is equally a statement of fact that during the forthcoming elections, most people will vote along sectional lines, be it religion or ethnicity, corporate world, the academia and other sectors of our national life. Under this condition, can Nigerians truly say in both concrete and moral terms that they are united in all aspects of nationhood? If not, what is holding the nation back? Is it leadership or the people? As a…
It is evident based (go and verify) that Nigeria youths occupy some top corporate and diplomatic positions in global bodies, while also calling the shots in development of affairs on the world stage. Also relevant to the present discourse is the sad recognition that whilst these talented Nigerian youths are being celebrated abroad; same youths of ours are helplessly relegated to the background in the scheme of political and socioeconomic affairs of their own nation. Also, Nigerian youths are often made not by external aggressors but by their own leaders, to watch the political and leadership affairs of their nation…
It is no longer news that following the grievances which flows from the alleged unfair treatment and disrespect of Mr Nysome Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers state, by the presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubabakar in the process of nominating running mate, a wave of ‘secessionist’ sentiments is sweeping across the People Democratic Party (PDP) with some of the party men publicly expressing their reluctance to back their party’s presidential candidate for the general election. For example, the face-off aside from worsening recently when two associates of Mr Wike, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and a former Ekiti State governor,…
As the nation Nigeria braces up for the 2023 general election in the country, many personalities, mostly of the old order, with a sprinkle of very distinguished and development focused personalities, have indicated interest to contest for the nation’s number one position- the Presidency. However, as this angling rages, one thing stands out; with the prevailing security challenge, harsh economic situation in the country, a state of depression (or is it a recession) that has been designed by yet to be established architects, the countdown to the next general elections appears to be comical, yet laced with trepidation. Many young…
There is no doubt any more that in Nigeria leadership corridor, once a direction is chosen, instead of examining process meticulously and set the right course; one that will allow us to overcome storm and reach safety before we can progress and achieve our goals, we obstinately persist with the execution of such plans regardless of a minor or major shift in circumstance. Eloquent example of the above assertion is the controversial water resources recently reintroduced to the House of Representatives and sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina). The bill, which…
Very recently, I wrote an opinion entitled ‘2023; PVC and Future of the Republic’. The referenced piece among other things narrated how in my effort to obtain my permanent Voters Cards (PVC), I took a trip to one of the Government buildings in Lagos venue of the programme. And in the process, met with courageous Nigerians and came across Nigerian youths, mostly boys with a sprinkle of girls, who narrated how they have met resistance from their own government in the past but refused to give up in their quest to build a better Nigeria. I listened to them explain…
Acting on the strength of the current political tempo (or is it temperatures) in the country which encourages all to obtain their permanent Voters Cards (PVC), I took a trip to one of the Government buildings in Lagos venue of the programme. The venue was filled to capacity and dotted with all manners of Nigerians of the major ethnic groups. I met with courageous Nigerians and came across Nigerian youths, mostly boys with a sprinkle of girls, who have met resistance from their own government in the past but refused to give up in their quest to build a better…
This piece stemmed from the content of conversations held, and recommendations made during the recently celebrated International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, marked on 26 June every year to among other aims strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse as well as raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs pose to society. Essentially, during this year 2022, celebration, it was reported that The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a United Nations office (UNODC) among other things addressed transnational drug challenges stemming from situations of crisis…
With the recent passage for second reading the Bill for an Act to establish the National Commission on Child Destitution in Nigeria, it is now evident that the nation handlers’ have finally come to the sudden realization that history has over these years thrust upon our generation an indescribably important destiny – to complete the process of learning and modernizations which our nation has too long developed too slowly, but which is our most powerful for world respect and emulation The bill, cited as “National Commission on Child Destitution in Nigeria, if passed, would provide the legal and constitutional frameworks…
Recently, MS Keiso Matashane-Marite, the Chief Section, Gender Equality, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), says Africa is making progress on issues around gender equality and youth empowerment. Matashane-Marite, going by media reports, said this when a team from UNECA paid a courtesy visit to the National Population Commission (NPC) in Abuja on Wednesday. She said the UN commission was in Nigeria to evaluate the country’s commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment for Demographic Dividend. According to her, Nigeria and other African countries are doing their best to include women and youths in the development agenda. She expressed the…
In 2011, the United Nations introduced the concept of International Widows’ Day to ensure that widows are treated equal to other women in the society. International Widows’ Day 2022 is observed to highlight the voices of widows and to take steps towards the recognition of their basic rights. However, while the global community celebrates this day, back here in Nigeria, there exist one particular sin we all commit in the name of culture, and must all share in its guilt. This sin cuts across ethnic/tribal diversities and religious inclinations. It predates the nation’s independence and remains nourished till the present…
Electioneering period is without doubt an interesting season. It offers the masses/electorates golden opportunity to elect leaders-that will pilot their affairs for a specified period of time. To the fifth column in the fourth estate, it presents an opening for fierce political and ideological warfare; wars that negate our rationality as human beings. And in the effort to manipulate mass opinion by this media Machaiavellis, a great amount of innocent human character has been spilled, wars of words waged, countless souls/ambition persecuted and martyred. As a trademark, this group neither contemplates communicating noble ideas/ideals nor promotes social justice or inculcates…
It is no longer news that the World on Monday 20 June celebrated the annual event tagged; Refugee Day, an international day organized every year on 20 June by the United Nations, to among other aims celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. It is equally common knowledge that the day was first established on 20 June 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of refugees. However, as the world celebrated, what is in some way newsy is that while over 100 million people worldwide going by reports, find themselves displaced…
Like every new invention which comes with opportunities and challenges, when residents of Alapere/Ketu, lagos, got the news about the state Government decision to reconstruct/expand the Demurin/Agidi road, a major road within the community, it elicited two sets of reactions. For some, joy flashed on their faces despite the awareness that the execution of such project by the state will lead to destruction of property worth hundreds of billions of naira and terminate the stable means of livelihood of residents and business owners. This group was particularly happy because such a development when completed will reduce travel time and save man-hour…
Aside from the general discontent with the quality of governance, frustration and disappointment of the citizenry who feel betrayed by the All Progressive Congress(APC) led Federal Government elected into power, and anger, at the deplorable state of the nation, Nigerians (students, businessmen, traders, investors, creative people and women among others) have in the last seven years learnt that the difference between good and bad government sometimes lies in the number of obstacles leaders can remove from the path of their citizens or put before them. This believe is further fed by the fact that at no time in ‘the chequered…
If there is any reason in recent times strong enough to suggest why Atiku Abubakar, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must resist the temptation/calls by some fellow countrymen still stuck in the old normal of yesterday, and pick Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor Of Delta, as his running mate, it is a straw poll result Conducted by Guardians of Leadership and Democracy (GLD), a pro-democracy group with focus on leadership, good governance, sustainable democracy, innovation and human capital development, which paced Okowa in clear lead over three other top members of the PDP. A…
History does matter. ‘It has a way of repeating itself’, and has shown clearly that ordinary calculation can be upturned by extra-ordinary personalities. In the case of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta state, the ancient argument whether circumstance or personality shapes events are settled in favour of the latter. Adding context to the discourse, the nation is currently faced with economic crisis. This challenge stems from the country’s revenue crisis, which has remained unabating in the last seven years while the borrowings have persisted, an indication that the economy has been primed for recurring tough outcomes.…
