The Miracle on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

If you do not believe in miracles then you had better believed it now. Miracles still happen. And if the miracle I saw today is anything to go by then miracle is on the way to solving Nigeria’s problems or at least part of the problems. This miracle was not done by any man of God. I know some people will be thinking it was because along Lagos-Ibadan expressway there are several camps of some churches. This miracle was done by government officials.

I travelled to Lagos today by road through Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Can you guess what I saw around Ogere Toll Gate? I couldn’t believe it. The expectation was that we might spend some good number of minutes on that hectic part of the journey to Lagos but contrary to expectation it was a free flow of traffic.

The first thing I saw as we approached that part of the expressway was a cleared portion of land with tankers parked like soldiers on parade. They were so organized that I couldn’t believe my eyes. As we drove further I saw more of such arrangements and orderliness. I had to say to a co-passenger that this must be a miracle. It was actually a long time I had been through that way. You see why it is good to travel by road, you will learn a lot.

There was time that they tanker drivers were ordered to move their vehicles off the expressway but they were deviant. The more the government tried the more resistance they get. There were threats and counter-threats. It was like the issue was not going to be resolved. What I saw today was beyond my expectation.

Whoever was responsible for this feat must be applauded and commended. I believe that it was collaboration between the Federal Government and Ogun State Government. Whatever methods they used to get these tankers and trucks off the expressway were working methods and should be replicated. I see hope that better days are ahead. I know, as a scientist, that you cannot use one case to generalized but I am trying to express hope and faith here.

There are several areas of the Nigeria’s life that need such intervention. If they did it in this area, they can do it elsewhere. So I am begging those in authority to adopt this strategy in solving more problems in Nigeria. We need intervention in education, health, security, economy, corruption, unemployment, and so on.

I know that Nigeria will find her bearing soon. And the stories that we will be hearing will be similar to the one I just related. Success stories in every area in Nigeria.

Long live Nigeria. God bless Nigeria

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel

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Leaders of Tomorrow, Any Hope for Nigeria?

There is common saying that children are leaders of tomorrow. I agree that this is a true statement because the child today will become the adult tomorrow and from among them the leaders will come forth. This means that the leaders we have today are the tomorrow’s leaders that were talked about yesterday.

If the leaders we have today who were talked about yesterday as the hope for the future are failing us then it means that they hope upon them has been dashed. What happened to them that now the hope seen in them did not become a reality? What changed along the way? Who cause the dashing of that hope? Many questions, abi?

This write up is not about the leaders we have today who were ‘leaders of tomorrow’ yesterday. This is about the leaders of tomorrow who are children today, the children that will grow to become leaders tomorrow. So what about them?

Secondary schools are writing their final examinations precisely Senior School Certificate Examination. A friend hinted me on something happening in the exams going on now. She mentioned something like ‘Magic Centre’. Immediately another phrase that I have heard about exams came to mind, ‘Miracle Centre”.

Magic or miracle centre is any examination centre where examination malpractice is the norm. Candidates pay any amount of money necessary to bribe the supervisors to condone malpractice. In these centres, this money is factored into the registration fee for the exams. The school management is responsible for sharing the money among those concerned and also mobilise those that will supply the answers to the examination questions.

Failure rate in these centres is very small as most of the candidates come out in flying colours. Candidates from these centres brandish a result fit for Ivy League schools but can hardly defend these results. These centres are usually bloated with candidates seeking for miracle every year.

This act is connivance between school management, teachers, parents and even examination officials. And students readily gravitate to these centres in the bid to passing their examinations. These students are the leaders of tomorrow, aren’t they?

If they can cheat in WAEC or NECO then they can also cheat in JAMB. If they cheated in JAMB, they can repeat it in Post-UME. The tendency to cheat in their other exams is very high. If they can cheat in examinations then they can also cheat when they start to work. And when they become occupiers of authority they can also cheat there.

If the group of students described above is leaders of tomorrow, is there any hope for a better Nigeria? Are they not exhibiting a trait likely to lead to corrupt practices in the future? Can these set of leaders of tomorrow lead Nigeria to El Dorado we all clamour for? Will they not plunge Nigeria into more problems if they take the mantle of leadership?

We cannot afford to have these kinds of ‘leaders of tomorrow’ if Nigeria must move forward and be taken seriously among the comity of nations. Something needed to be done quickly to change the trend of things. It starts with all of us. We are parents, brothers, sisters or at least related to these youngsters in secondary schools. We have a duty to show them the right path. If we condone or support these acts of indiscipline and malpractice, we are building a foundation for a Nigeria that is doomed to ruin.

Are you prepared to work for change? It starts with all of us.

#2015OnMyMind

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Who Is Responsible For Our Problem, Nigeria?

The Nigerian movie industry has been growing in leaps and bounds. Progress is being made in different aspects of the film industry. The content has drastically improved in quality. There was a time that after watching a Nollywood movie for 10 minutes you can tell the end of the story.

I know many people still have their researvation about Nollywood productions. Many even have sworn not to watch any Nigerian movies. I watch the movies and I enjoy many of the storylines. I can categorically say that they are improving.

I was watching ome this morning when a woman made this statement to her son. She said, "Weak men blame others for their problems when they fail but real men don't blame others for everything, they take responsibility for whatever happens to them."

I have heard this statement several times. I have even uttered it to in my discussions and presentations. I agree that this statement is all true. It is common practice to blame others for whatever happen. The only person we hardly blame is ourselves. If a person fails an exam he says they failed me. If he loses his job he says they fired me. Whatever happens someone else must take the blame.

I want to ask a question today. Who is responsible for Nigeria's problems? I have heard name calling when it comes to discussing our problems in Nigeria. Some people will blame the military, others will blame the politicians. Some want to blame the civil servants while every Nigerian has also been fingered as a cause of our problem.

I have not taken any position in this write up because the purpose of this is to ask this question. I really want you to share your opinion with me. If you identify the culprit, please also add a reason why you think he/she is responsible for our problem.

Please, let us share our opinion.

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel

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Political Parties in Nigeria: Any Differnce Between Them?

I am looking at the political parties in Nigeria and I want to ask, are there any differences between them really? I told a friend that I like PDP and he was surprised. I am not surprised anyway because of what is happening in the polity. 

PDP is synonymous with corruption, lack of democratic ideals, in fact all negative things. That is what people have painted the party to be. That name calling has been on for a long time and is bound to continue. Today, APC is the new name on the lips of people as the long awaited hope for Nigeria. I pray that becomes a reality.

I wish to state early here that I am not a member of PDP. I have my reasons for saying I like PDP. I am not endorsing PDP. My reasons are subject of another day.


However, I ask this question about whether there are any difference between the parties. Or maybe I should ask if there are differences between the politicians who are members of all the political parties. Is one party full of corrupt members and the other full of saints? Are members of one party blameless without blemish and the others criminals, suitable for the hangman's noose?

If we go back to history we can remember that all parties in Nigeria were formed by strange bedfellows. They were looking for avenue to grab power. And because everyone is looking for power he doesn't mind who else is in the boat. When it happened that power has eluded them some move out to form their own parties. When they leave the other party is now bad and so on.

Does this means I am justifying that PDP is wrongfully accused? Far from it. I am saying every party has its own faults. None of them is free from the tendency to do wrong. No one is infallible. We have heard reports of lack of internal democracy in some parties, we have heard of imposition of candidates in some parties, we have also heard of corruption by politicians from other parties.

It is people that make up these parties. The people make the party good or bad. It is the people we should condemn. If we can shape the people into the kind of people we want, we can get the kind of Nigeria we want. Let us challenge the people directly. Let the world know when any member of any party does any wrong. Let us expose the person. There are good people in all parties. But if we carpet the whole party as being bad what chances are we giving these good people in the party.

If you know any difference between the political parties in Nigeria, I implore you to please share with us.

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Lessons From A Cancer Patient For A Better Nigeria

On The Doctors Tv yseterday, it was an exclusive feature of Valerie Harper, an Actress who is living with a terminal tumour of the meninges. She survived a lung cancer in 2009 but four years later she was diagnosed with this rare kind of cancer. The challenge with this kind of cancer is that it is difficult to use chemotherapy because of the brain-blood barrier. However, her doctors are applying and trying a new mechanism to treat her condition.

What caught my attention and got me thinking is the way she is carrying on even in her condition. Unless you are listening to what is been discussed, you will hardly think that this woman has cancer of any form. Coupled with the fact that she has a few months to live, it is amazing that she was lively and laughing on set. She was beaming with hope and joy.

She was filled with hope and enthusiasm. The way she was talking about her condition you will see a person of hope. She has inspired a lot of people by her attitude and actions. While some people may be dejected and in endless state of sadness, this woman was lively even though she was in pains.

The outstanding factor is the she has a lot of hope. She has a different outlook of life which is worthy of emulation. She has an invitation to attend an award ceremony for Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh, she was not sure whether she will be alive to attend but she has made an arrangement for someone to stand in for her.

One other thing which I noticed too is that she relived her best memories. The programme featured some clips from the show she acted in and some co-actors and you can see the excitement in this woman. She didn't behave as if she was going to miss all those good times. She beheved as if they had just happened.

The programme ended by her last words and she encouraged people not to give up hope. She said in whatever situation we find ourselves we should continue to have hope and live our lives to the full. She also called out for sacrifice. We should render help wherever help is needed. It could be material, emotional and in any way we can. That she said will make life better and make us feel better.

How does this concern #PoliticalGabriel? It does. In Nigeria we are faced with myriads of problems and challenges. Many have lost hope because of the problem they are facing as individuals and collectively as Nigerians. We are hit very hard from all directions and the tendency is to lose hope.

This a call to restore hope. A call to you that you should not despair. If a woman with a terminal condition is so hopeful and filled with such enthusiasm, we can also do same because for a lot of us it is not a terminal condition. Even if it doesn't seem like the government is helping us as we desire, there is hope because things can turn around. This woman's story is showing us that it is not over until it is over.

We have a role to play. The government has her role to play too. But many times we leave everything to the government and take the position of the victim. We can do a lot. That woman called for sacrifice. We need to do that if Nigeria has to get better. What are we ready to sacrifice to achieve the chaneg we desire?

One sacrifice we can do is to speak out and speak up. We must not be docile in the affairs of our great nation. We can tell the government what we want done for us. If they don't listen we can shout again and again. If they remain deaf, we have the ultimate weapon in our hands, the power to cause change.

We have the power vote out whoever we do not want. What should occupy our mind now is how we can contribute to making this nation on great place either by telling the government what to do or by getting ready to bring a change.

I have decided to do my own thing, have you?

God bless Nigeria!

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel

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Baga Killing: What Is Happening Nigeria?

It is all over the news the incident that happened in Baga, Borno State. Reports have it that about 185 people lost their lives in the massacre.

Residents of the town said the victims died during the clash, from Friday night to Saturday morning, between insurgents and the Nigerian Joint Task Force, JTF; with majority dying from a resulting fire that razed the community. While residents claim the fire was started by the soldiers, the JTF said the fire was caused by the Rocket Propelled Grenades used by the insurgents.

Apart from the people killed, about 2000 houses, 64 motorcycles and 40 vehicles were also burnt in the attack; even as the Nigerian Red Cross said the casualty is 187.

There have been claims and counter-claims. Who caused what? How many people died, how many did not die? Government has set up a committee to look into the incident. Anger and condemnation is coming from different quarters.

But is this killing not becoming one too much? Innocent lives been lost, properties destroyed and people's future been destroyed. The insecurity and fear among the people is palpable. The trust for the government and it capacity to bring result is plummeting. Where is Nigeria heading? What is happening Nigeria?

The attack by BH has crippled the economy of the north but the approach by the government does not seem to be helping matters. The use of force is been misdirected in my opinion. There have been reports of innocent lives been terminated by the Armed personnel sent to protect lives and fight the insurgents. 

Is their brief to use their weapons indiscriminately? Are there no rules of engagement in this assignment? Are the commanders not using their discretion? What is happening to intelligence gathering? Are the intelligence working at all or are their reports put aside until a committee can ascertain the report?

Now that the government has set up a committee, I hope that the report of the committee will be made public. I also hope that action will be taken instead of setting up another committee to look into the report of this committee. I am not in anyway satisfy with the activities of this government in terms of restoring security to the north in particular and Nigeria in general.

It is a shame that human lives are being treated without regard or respect. Nigerians' lives are just like the lives of goats and cows which can be snuffed out at will by anybody, soldier or BH. When a Nigerian is killed you can be sure that our government will not react in any way even after many calls from different quarters. US will never behave like that. In the recent Boston bombing, the US president said the culprits will be caught and, you know what, they have been arrested. 

In Nigeria, many bomb blasts have occurred and several lives lost, how many people have been arrested? In fact when the bomb blasts occurred the government did not give any categorical statement except to say that they are on top of the issue. They are on top of it and cannot pick the culprits, what a shame.

It is time our government woke up to their responsibility. Nigerians are tired of committees, we are tired of 'we are on top of the situation", we want to see action, we want to see arrests of the real culprits.We want the government to come out and tell us what they have done and the result they have achieved. Enough of the standstill, we need more of action. We are waiting even though we have waited enough.

God help Nigeria!

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel

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Thinking vs Worrying

I have heard many people say that someone became hypertensive because he/she was thinking too much. While I won't want to discuss the causes of hypertension, I want to talk about what people mean when they say someone is thinking too much.

The question that comes to mind is whether people are really thinking or worrying.

So I decided to check the dictionary for the meaning of the root words (Think and Worry):

Think means to ponder, to go over in one's mind, to communicate to oneself in one's mind, to try to find solution to a problem.

Worry means to be troubled and to give to mental anxiety.

It is a known fact that stress is detrimental to one's health especially as relates to someone's blood pressure. Of thinking and worrying which one can cause stress? Back to what people say, is it thinking that causes hypertension or worrying?

What I observed is that people worry on issues and say they are thinking. When you worry you put yourself under stress and hurt your body as a consequence. Worrying is an unproductive endeavour and should be avoided as much as possible.

On the other hand, thinking is a productive act. When you think you put your brain to work and the result is solution to the task you gave it. I encourage that we do a lot more thinking. Task your brain with any challenges you have and it will produce the solution.

As it relates to our challenges in Nigeria especially in our political arena, I implore us not to worry because worrying does not solve any problems. Let us put on our thinking cap and get our brains to work out a solution that is how problems are solved. Our political problems can only be solved if all citizens can put hands together and get thinking to get a way out of this quagmire.

Both the political class and the followers have a role to play. We should not leave it to the political class, after all we are saying they cause the problem. We have a role to play and the beginning is to start thinking of a way out. Silence or complacency is not the answer. The solution is on the way and it will come from our thinking.

#2015OnMyMind

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Reawakening The Political Animal In Me

I was with a colleague this evening and we had a long discussion. We talked on a lot of subjects spanning governance in Nigeria, people in government, the impunity of politicians, the legions of problems bedeviling Nigeria.

We talked about jobs, managers and subordinate relationship. We talked about finances, life as workers and the ultimate plan B. We even talked about retirement and pension. We talked about people cutting corners and asked ourselves what hope for Nigeria. What a long talk!

We finally exchange some business ideas on how to contribute to this country. We are looking forward to making some difference and putting in our own quota. Let me just implore you all to be on the look out. We are coming out big.

On my way back, I started reminiscing on the past. My political activities in school. Campaign and all that. Standing election, losing and then winning. Occupying positions. Being in committees. The agitations. The attacks on my person. I remember I was labelled a cult member because I won an election.

I remember that some people were asking me what happened to my political life. Whether I was going to contest elections in my local government or state or even at federal level. I remember telling them that I was not thinking about it,

After this discussion, I asked myself why am I sitting on the fence? Will my attitude help achieve the growth this country needs? Are those in government, who are plunging this country into the quagmire we find ourselves today, better than me? So why can't I also get into government and make a difference?

Even if I am not holding elective position or an appointment in government, can't I contribute in other ways? Can't I speak out against injustice? Can't I say what is right and what is wrong? Can't I make suggestions to government for a change? Can't I create an avenue for others to participate in the struggle?

So many questions on my mind, So many things I wish I can do. Now I have taken a stand. I am awakening the political me. I have a role to play in the politics of this country and I am in the struggle to bring a change. The world had better be prepared, I am on my way.

Who wanna join the train?

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel

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