IS EMEFEILE VICTIM OR CULPRIT?

Modest Thoughts with

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, June 12, 2023; 08116181263)*

When transition speaks, guilty men quiver. This hypothesis is a classical reality during the adolescence stage in humans and governance transitions as we are currently witnessing in Nigeria and many states of the country. On June 9, 2023, news filtered on social media about the embattled CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. As it stands, I do not know whether he should be addressed as former governor of the apex bank or embattled head of the institution that could be returned when found innocent after investigation.

The press that floated the media was signed by one Willie Bassey, Director, Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The title and full text of the press release are reproduced verbatim for readers' appreciation:

"OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

"PRESS RELEASE

"PRESIDENT TINUBU SUSPENDS HEMIFIELD FROM OFFICE AS CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.

"This is the sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

"Mr. Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms."

For obvious reasons, upon seeing and reading the press paper, I placed a puzzling reaction on my WhatsApp status aimed at gauging the mood of the public on the latest news in town. It reads: "CBN GOVERNOR, GODWIN EMEFIELE IS DOWN, WHO SHOULD BE NEXT? YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE:...!Modest Thought is just thinking!"

Many replies started pouring in but I found one attractive. It was a question from one of my contacts which reads: "Who pls oo!!

No, guess here o!! Help out!!!". My initial take was that the person asking the question might either not be in Nigeria for a while, secluded or could he be out of touch with recent happenings around the country? Just as Cleopas and Simon would ask Jesus on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem as recorded in the book of Luke 24: 18 - 35.

Anyway, I replied promptly saying: 'Professor Mahmud Yakubu is on my mind but will the president sack him for having been the alleged beneficiary of the former's alleged abracadabra associated with the management of the 2023 electoral processes and outcomes?' It is no news that some frontline presidential candidates are in court to challenge the declaration as the winner and the consequent swearing-in of Tinubu as President of Nigeria by the Independent Election Commission (INEC) which Mahmud chairs!

Anyway, the mind of the man who asked the referenced question could not have gone the way of Professor Mahmud because those who are likely to politically sweat under this present regime are perceived political enemies who did not support Tinubu's most cherished political, that is, presidential ambition, especially, those who served in the former administration of Buhari.

I cannot hold brief for Emefiele but because of trends in politics of vendetta, what the president is likely to do with those who are at cross purpose with his highest political ambition. Things are happening very fast, it has been reported that Godwin Emefiele is already in the dragnet of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for interrogation. For me, if he is found wanting, then, the law should take it cause but which law are we talking about here? Nigeria is full of ironies. Ideally, those who come to equity are expected to come with clean hands but, substantially, this is not the case in Nigeria!

In this country, state institutions are so weak to the advantage of corrupt elements. It seems, with illicit wealth, a criminal is likely to escape justice effortlessly. It is so sad to observe that in Nigeria, the dubious survival strategy is for a potential criminal to learn to steal big and, then, use the elicited wealth to bribe his or her way into vantaged corridors or positions of power where crime is seemingly protected and legitimized.

Nigerians are living witnesses to how highly placed people in government who shortchanged the system in the most wicked manner faked ill-health while appearing before panels of enquires or oversight or special committees at the National Assembly and after those staged comedies nothing will be heard about the issue or issues again because a lot of water has gone under the bridge. Bribery and corruption, that is, dubious giving and taking, call it exchange of blood fortune has taken place and the matter dies naturally without any mention of it again!

The legal and prosecuting system or philosophy has to be changed if any progress can be made in stemming all manners of corruption in the system. Left for me alone, the idea of declaring a suspect innocent until proven guilty by the accused which is the practice in the Nigerian legal system should be changed so that any suspected person is declared guilty until such a person proves himself innocent as it is the case in the United States of America (USA). The paradigm has to shift because the burden of proof in any case is often very heavy and criminals could easily leverage it to escape justice. If anything, such a heavy burden should be on suspected persons.

Born on August 4, 1961, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, CFR is a Nigerian economist, banker and, most recently, politician who served as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and unsuccessfully aspired to be Nigeria's president during party primaries leading the just concluded 2023 general poll. He will go down in history as the only serving CBN Governor, who against all odds and the conservative nature of his banking profession, contested to be president of Nigeria.

From the plump job of a CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele is entering a new but trying phase of his life. The question which begs for answers at this juncture is thus: Is Godwin Emefiele a victim of circumstance or a culprit caught in the web of institutional corruption? Recall, the embattled CBN governor was appointed by former President GGoodluckEbele Jonathan on June 14, 2014, following the removal of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who later became Emir of Kano under former governor Kwankwaso's regime but was deposed by Tanduje's administration.

Perhaps, Emefiele is the longest-serving CBN Governor in Nigeria who presided over many monetary policy decisions in the country including full implementation of the cashless policy which started in 2010 under Sanusi's watch, and the currency redesign that has somersaulted.

In particular, the currency redesign and cashless policy which were concurrently implemented by the apex bank close to the 2023 general election which produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president were perceived, in some quarters as a deliberate ploy by former president Buhari who recently handed over power to the incumbent with his political associates to frustrate the incumbent's chance of becoming Nigeria's president. Whether this insinuation was true is a matter of conjecture. What is in the public space is the excuse the apex bank gave for the implementation of the policies.

According to the press released by the CBN on October 26, 2022, the justification and attraction for the currency redesign were predicated on glaring contradictions arising from the management of the current series of banknotes and currency in circulation, particularly, those outside the banking system in Nigeria. It explained that in recent times, currency management in the country has faced several daunting challenges that have continued to rise in magnitude and sophistication with attendant and unintended implications for the integrity of both the CBN and the country. One of such primary challenges includes significant hoarding of banknotes by members of the public with statistics showing that over 80 percent of currency in circulation is outside the purview of commercial banks. The cashless policy and the currency redesign were, in particular, targeted at the repositioning of Nigeria's monetary policy towards better performance for inclusive growth, stability, and sustainable economic development to take place.

Not satisfied with the justifications provided, however, the matter was challenged and tested in court up to the supreme court by mostly pro-Tinubu governors like Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Nyesom Wike of Rivers amongst others. The currency redesign was consequently scuttled but the CBN stuck to its decision of continuing with it. The reality now is that the policy has badly somersaulted or halted and it is no news that Tinubu won the presidency and has since been sworn in on May 29, 2023!

A week or thereabout before the inauguration of President Tinubu, it was widely rumored that former president Buhari had granted study leave for Emefiele to travel for school abroad. Some public observers felt that if the leave rumor turns out to be true, then, the suspended CBN boss will be planning an escape from a perceived vendetta that could come from the new government. The truth or otherwise of this insinuation is a matter of speculation too and only time shall tell.

What is known is the list of weighty allegations the government has against Emefiele which include money laundering, politically motivated employment to power brokers toward brightening the chance of his presidential ambition amongst other weighty breaches of public trust. Anyways, skeptics have their reservations about the objectivity of the investigation against Emefiele but time shall tell who is right and who is wrong and what can be done about it. 

As Nigerians watch the investigation unfold, what is fresh on their minds is the possibility of another high-profile government official going down the abyss or traveling the Dasuki Gate road of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Ibrahim Dasuki code-named "Dasuki Gate" and the fall of the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremadu. At a point, these men were powerful movers and shakers of things in the politics and governance of Nigeria but the table has turned against them with ffar-reachinglessons for us all to learn that power is transient and no matter how powerful you become, the passage of time can bring you down to nothing, especially, when you have skeletons in your cupboard!

Let me project that Emefiele's travail might end up becoming the Dasuki Gate of the present time and should that happens, then it will be proper to code name it Emefiele Gate which will provide a lead way into Pandora's box of the immediate past regime. Let me assert that genuine and thorough investigation/interrogation of the past regime of Buhari and its extended legacies (those appointed by him but whose tenure extends into the current time) is a welcome development. However, it is only good that the searchlight be put everywhere without any political bias, sentiment, or vendetta. 

Corruption is a menace in Nigeria and any initiative or action that could help the country root out this hydra-headed monster is expressly welcome. Godwin Emefiele has nothing to fear if his hands are clean. I wish all Nigerians a happy June 12 democracy celebration!

WALLOK: A HOUSE MEMBER WITH A DIFFERENCE

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, June 10, 2023; 08116181263)

Hon. Barr. Wallok Phillip Goma is a specimen in leadership having been a house of assembly member that represented Kanke State Constituency from June 2019 to June 2023. Leadership is a unique opportunity to serve but with responsibility to account as well. As a matter of fact, the pairs of vision and forthrightness; intellegence and emotional decorum; probity and accountability as well as courage and morality are key elements that make a difference in purposeful leadership but these demands are always hard to keep up with by most leaders.

In history, while anybody can be in a position of leadership; not all are accountable in such vantage position. It was Warren Buffet, one of the world's greatest Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) who aptly said that in hiring manpower, 'you are looking for three things, generally, in a person: intelligence, energy, and integrity. And if they don't have the last one, don't even bother with the first two.' This assertion underscores the superior importance of integrity also referred to as public accountability. Truth be told: It takes classical self discipline and high sense of morality for someone in leadership position to keep sharp focus on things that really matters while navigating through the tempting tendencies that come with it without failing or hurting badly.

Having been on the spotlight for four good years, Hon. Wallok has substantially demostrated clear understanding of the dynamics of leadership and has tried to make a difference living the true meaning of such understanding as will be seen in this concised reflection or peer review that is before us. It is important to mention, upfront, that after serving his four years term in office, the focused legislator, on June 4, 2023, promptly brought together people from far and near for a thanksgiving service which took place at Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN), Golkung, Shiwer, his ancestral village.

The motivation for the thanksgiving service, in the estimation of the humble house member, was that it was a symbolic act of appreciation to God and his constituents. He used the platform to thank God for the great opportunity of serving Plateau people, generally, and Kanke State constituency, in particular. In the course of his representation at the state assembly, Hon. Wallok who became Deputy Majority Leader, Chairman House Committee on Finance (CHCF), Chairman House Committee on Judiciary Ethics and Privileges (CHCJEP) of the house as well as the Legal Adviser APC States' Assemblies Forum (ASAF) of Nigeria, went memory lane to to tell the poetic story of his entrance into politics as he presented the scorecard of his stewardship before the people he served.

While telling the history of his entrance into politics, he said, it can only be God that guided his truimphant inroad into the game of politics. The people's legislator recounted how he left Kano where he was staying and practicing noble law profession; his miraculous employment with the Plateau State Ministry of Justice (PLSMJ) where he made his lovely wife and, then, voluntary resignation from the state civil service after serving for three (3) years to contest for the house of assembly seat which he won landslide and was sworn into office on June 10, 2019 to serve his people.

Daring to leave a government paid job to dabble into uncertain and murky waters of politics is a clear pointer that Hon. Wallok is an adventurous man who believes in the audacity of courage.  Even though some colleagues at the PLSMJ discouraged his decision to quit, he had the guts and tempered steel to try and it paid off. Perhaps, his sourjourn at the justice ministry was just a point of contact for him to meet his heart throb, the wife he married. Who knows, some mysteries can only be fathomed by God who knows everything about us and our destinies from the beginning.

Through practical experience, Hon. Wallok who is fondly regarded as the smiling legislator pointed out that leadership in an age where people are critical is a very difficult task. Outside leadership position, any favour one extends is appreciated but in power, you hardly can satisfy everyone. In fact, the best of charity can be bilttled and thrown back at you with insult but you have no freedom to defend yourself because you are the leader, especially, in a democracy under which the social contract was signed with the people. Anyway, Hon. Wallok has long learned to come to terms with the philosophy that 'critics are the unpaid guardians of our souls', be they objective or subjective critics. Objective or constructive criticism is to a politician what mirrow is in a barber's shop. It helps in shaping the methods and moves of the politician toward becoming a celebrated servant leader.

In a social contract pact, that is, leader-followers set up, no monument can be built in honour of a subjective critic. The bad news for a subjective critics and goodnews for any objective leader which Hon. Wallok practically exemplifies, is captured in the words of former American President, Theodore Roosevelt who said: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Leadership is practical politics within the contest of service. If anything, it is about deliberate action(s) not utopian ideal which exists only in the imagination of lazy thinkers whose only joy derives from criticising others, just for the sake of it. In all honesty, Hon. Wallok acknowledges his infallability when he noted that he could not have pleased everybody but God preserved him throughout his going out and coming in. In practical humility, the house member noted that whatever he was able to do for his constituents could not have been enough because the community he served was backward and in dire need of concentrated attention from government and other development partners. He, then, presented a comprehensive catalog of his achievements in line with his primary and secondary responsibilities as a house member.

Hon wallok core-sponsoring many bills in the 9th assembly and was the main sponsor of the traditional remuneration bill which has since been passed and ascent to by the executive. Amongst the motions he moved include the motion for the completion of Kanke cottage Hospital which has now been successfully completed and commissioned; motion seeking justice for Late Rinji Bala who was sadly killed by an STF police personnel and motion for on quick resolution of Somji -Dongha community clash and was also part of all the resolutions reached the 9th assembly.

Hon. Wallok was a representative whose voice was loud towards ensuring Kanke people had full benefit of state resources and projects due to it. He tries to organise town hall meeting to keep his constituents abreast with happenings in the state. The house committee chairmanships and memberships he belonged spoke about his oversighting functions he performed in ministries and agencies of government that led to improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was and the rehabilitation of court rooms across the state.

Some of the community interventions by Hon. Wallok include successful construction and completion of 34 meters Shiwer-Golkung bridge, the first of its kind constructed by any legislator in plateau state; construction and completion of two classroom blocks at Nemel and Goktok with that of Dungyel, Garram under construction; construction of a shed at Dawaki Dog international market; renovation of a classroom and office apartment at Primary School Belbu. Others are sinking 2 motorised boreholes at Amper Central and rehabilitation of some in many communities; donation of bundles of zinc toward renovation of Gyangyang clinic as well as influencing the speedy completion of the community's access bridge; donation N200, 000.00 towards Gugur road construction; payment of counterpart funding for the construction of community library at Garram; repair of transformers at Shiwer and Munok; donation of 20 bags of cement and, also cash support towards the reconstruction of collapsed bridge at Tipik; distribution of farm inputs like fertilisers to constituents; donation of a printer to NANGS Business Centre as well as one year payment of school fees of selected secondary school student in Amper.

The legislator sponsored and supported the following skills acquisition and empowerment programmes: Training with start up capital of 300 women in the production and marketing of household products;  empowerment of 500 constituents with cash and varying items like sewing, grinding and water pumping machines; barber clippers to boost the businesses; financial support to NDA skill acquisition centre towards youth training amongst others. He also gained sizable number of permanent jobs for his constituents and was always there to support all through thick and thin. No wonder, these gestures were appreciated with many awards which include but not limited to Icon of Democracy in African by African Students Union Parliament(ASUP); Arewa Youth Council Award of Excellence; Award of Excellence by ungraded Village Heads, Kanke.

Hon. Wallok, through graces in due diligence and the fear of God, tethers the path of honour throughout his tenure. This submission is validated, also, by the rainbow of comments, accolades and goodwill messages which poured in from various community leaders and representatives of groups who spoke at the thanksgiving service. For instance, the representative of the PLSHA, Hon. Eng. Hussaini Amurudu noted that Hon. Wallok  has been a team player, trusted and dedicated law maker whose resourcefulness was brought to bare throughout the four years he held sway at the house of necessary actions and wished him well in his future engagements. The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kanke Chapter who, also, doubled as the Chairman Regional Church Council (RCC) Dawaki of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Abner Gyikatda, also, remarked that the house member remembered  the church and carried it along in all he does, therefore, thank God for his life and wished him well too.

The representative of the forum of ungraded Village Heads of Kanke Local Government Council (LGC) and village head of Jaksham noted that, Hon. Goma Wallok kept a date with their forum and, so, said their blessings were with him. The secretary and representative of the local assembly where the honourable worships in Jos, COCIN Local Church Council (LCC) Jiyep, Elder Sati Abednego congratulated and thank God for seeing him through, noting that greater things were loading ahead.

More accolades came from the Chairman Shiwer Development Association, Nde Shedrach Golen who stated that his community celebrates Hon. Wallok as 'one of its best', maintaining that he did not disappoint neither the people of Kanke nor their community while at the state assembly, therefore, wished him better opportunities ahead. Also,  Rev. Peter Tor MSule, a consistent prayer partner of the house member thank God for his safe landing while hoping and praying that, for keeping a date with God, God was going to open another window of opportunities for greatness. The Central Planning Committee of the thanksgiving through Rev. Nanle Nenfa, the Chaplin Baptist Theological seminary, Lamingo, Jos, observed with great satisfaction and pointed out that the mystery behind Hon. Wallok's success in office was that he surrounded himself with people whose heart God had touched. For the man who has not disappointed his constituents and state, God will graciously bless!

While preaching at the thanksgiving service, Rev. Ezekiel Z. Dakup who took his text from Luke 17:11-19 pointed out that thanksgiving and gratitude to God is a must but most people hardly do it. He also noted that leadership was a great responsibility which only God can help someone to measure up and so it was a wise decision that Hon. Wallok and family took to thank God who protected, guided and provided him throughout the four years leadership. Wopinne Wallok, a son God blessed the family with during the four years in the house was dedicated to God during the thanksgiving service.

It is important to note that Hon. Barr. Wallok Phillip Goma contest to represent the people of Pankshin Kanke Kanam (PKK) in the Federal House of representatives but could not scale through the All Progressives Congress' (APC's) primary. However, he is grateful to God who has the sole power to give leadership responsibilities. Hon. Wallok asserted that there is a catalysing place of God even in political offices. Therefore, he firmly upholds the scripture that says, 'all things work for good in favour of those who believe in God.' Whatever God wills, definitely shall because He is the 'uncaused cause and the unmoved mover'!

When the end is good, the beginning could not have made any difference. The beauty of any journey is for the one who embarks on it to arrive or return safely. For four years down the line, Hon. Barr. Wallok Phillip Goma embarked on a tasking voyage of discovery in the service of Plateau and Kanke people which sometimes took him outside the shores of the country yet returned safely to the glory of God. Because nobody takes the glory of God, he is saying thank you to God for his care; thank you to Kanke people for the support and opportunity to serve them and, more importantly, apologising to communities or individuals whom his hands could not have reached. May God forever bless and empower his people and grant the people's legislator peace, now and always, amen.

Nigeria: A COUNTRY SMILING IN TEARS

Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, May 29, 2923; 08116181263)

In present day Nigeria, only a few are happy with the way things went in the last decade plus. You must have seen the sarcastic "Survivor Certificate" that is trending on social media these few days. The content reads: "The Bearer ... of this Certificate is Hereby Proclaimed as a Survivor of the Muhammadu Buhari led Administration from May, 2015 - May, 2023, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We made it alive." The insinuation and implication is that the eight years of president Muhammadu Buhari have been hell as far as survival in Nigeria was concerned. 

Under the regime, Boko Harm insurgency which was prevalent in the North East was minimised but other forms of insecurity such as armed banditary and kidnapping escalated in other parts of Nigeria, namely, the North West, North Central, South West as the violent activities of separatists agitators,  Indegeneous People of Biafara (IPOB) intensified in the South East with needless fatalities. This is not even to mention the brazen bunkering and crude oil theft in the South South.

Under the administration still, Nigeria became the poverty capital of the world after overtaking India with over 133 million Nigerians living in abject poverty in 2019. The country's problems were existential, complex and practically hydra-headed in nature.

Nigerians literarily went through the valley of the shadow of death. It was as though the citizens were under the sceptre of death. The country's situation could better be described in terms of the words expressed by Nora Roberts in his novel, 'Ceremony in Death' which was published in 1997. The first paragraph of the novel's chapter one reads: "Death surrounded her. She faced it daily, dreamed of it nightly. Lived with it always. She knew its sounds, its scents, even its texture. She could look it in its dark and clever eye without a flinch. Dead was a tricky for, she knew. One flinch, one blink, and it could shift, it could change. It could win." When Nigerians stepped out of their home, they were not sure if they could return safely. The citizens had to die to live. It was that bad!

Buhari's regime as democratically elected president of Nigeria began on May 29, 2015 after his historic defeat of the then incumbent president Goodluck Ibele Jonathan in a keenly contested poll. It was the first time an incumbent president was soundly defeated in any president polls in the country. Prior to the contest that brought Buhari on power, he had made three consecutive but fruitless attempts at becoming president in Nigeria. The first was in 2003 when he stood election against former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003; the second was when he contested against Late Umaru Yar'Adua in 2007 and the third was when he attempted the contest against former President Jonathan in 2011 and serially lost the bids. It is pertinent to note that in all the three (3) Buhari has never lost the north where he had cult followership.

After the third unsuccessful attempt in 2011, president Buhari vowed never to try it again. He lamented and even cried publicly as to why Nigerians were suffering under failed or underperforming governments and how his planned mesianic effort at becoming president was being frustrated. He literally wept over the level of excalating issues of insecurity, corruption and economic failures in Nigeria and said Nigeria and Nigerians shall miss the great president he could have been at the time. It is important to note that Nigerians, especially, northern electorates believed Buhari and when he lost the poll in 2011, there was violent protest where many lives and properties were destroyed under the guise that the poll was rigged in favour of former president Goodluck Jonathan.

After vowing never to contest for presidency again following the third unsuccessful attempt in 2011, President Buhari backtracked on his words and tried again in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which was a coalition of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a faction of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). A splinter group from the then ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) called the new, nPDP which later joined the coalition with seven (7) governors. The coalition deployed its strategic propaganda machine, worked and Buhari became president with the firmed promise to fix Nigeria's security woes, ailing economy and corruption. It was the first time a coalition party could win any election in Nigeria's chequered history and, therefore, it made Buhari a jinx breaker and a historic legend also.

Even though some Nigerians, especially, the older generation were sceptical about Buhari's ability to deliver as president; vast majority of the citizens were lured and convinced to believe that Nigeria will automatically work under a Buhari presidency. Part of the hope-trigger was when Buhari insinuated that, 'if corruption was not killed, it would kill Nigeria'. This insinuation was not only true but politically correct and it was the kind of thing Nigerians were eager to hear. 

Buhari's campaign in 2015 was successful because of it populist appeal. It was masses-centred campaign which promised to reorganise Nigeria in favour of the toiling masses, frontal fight against corruption that was believed to be more prevalent amongst the country's elites. At Buhari's inauguration on may 29, 2015, the populist president thrilled anyone who cared to listen that 'he was for everybody but for no one.' In other words, he was saying he was going to be neutral, a president for all irrespective of social status, tribe, region or religion. After serving eight years (2015 - 2023), Nigerians now know better.

After serving two (2) tenures of eight years, Buhari's hyped integrity is under critical scrutiny. How are Nigerians viewing the president today? Is Buhari now a better person, in terms of his public image, than if he were never elected president? Has the president kept his promises to the citizenry? These are germane questions that begs for answers and, trust Nigerians, every one of them has a view to express on those questions. Perhaps, Buhari's regime will go down in history as one which suffered the worse of summersault, it had relatively good laws and policies which include border closure, economic diversification policy, cashless policy, the 2022 Electoral Act which provided for electronic transmission of election results, etc but there was no strategic mechanisms and the political will to ensure practical implementation to put Nigeria on the path of progress and sustainable. That was the missing link. The regime promised so much but practically delivered so little!

President Buhari promised to conduct most freest and fairest election in Nigeria before leaving office; now the citizens know better. Burahi promised to end Boko Haram (BH) insurgency and, also, rescue Chibok and Dapchi girls including Leah Sheribu, the Dapchi lady who refused to denounce her Christian faith in captivity; now Nigerians know better. Buhari promised to end insecurity in the country but BH which was narrow in scale has only metamophosed into wide scaled kidnapping and banditary; Nigerians now know better. Buhari promised to end corruption but snakes were swallowing billions of naira under his watch; Nigerians now know better. Buhari promised to fixed the economy but the country's macroecomic indicators have shown worrisome signals; Nigerians know better. 

Nigerian have stories to tell in respect of inflation, unemployment, poverty rate, exchange rate, subsidy, industrial actions, insecurity, corruption, issues of marginalisation, religious division, selective justice, just to mention a few. Senator Shehu on his varified Twitter handle, @shehusani, chronicles the regime as follow: "He led the country without economic direction. He presided over a government that failed to secure the lives of Nigerians, 63 thousand dead, 3 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 366 thousand refugees in neighbouring countries. He failed to restructure as he promised. He granted waivers to the rich and empoverished the poor. He closed the borders for those who import bags of rice on motorcycles and permitted those who use ships. He built magical pyramids that disappeared after 3 days. He left uncompleted projects with huge debt to service for decades. He enabled, enriched and reinforced a cabal for eight years. He announced and and retained failure and rewards them with extensions. He was weak in taking decisions and run away when it is tough. He has no house in London but made London his home. He left behind record inflation, record devaluation, record, unemployment, record fall in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), record figures in poverty and record plunder of state resources. He left behind a nation with 60 million people suffering from mental illness. He is leaving behind the health workers on strike. He setup traps for the next government in order to make his own look better."

To say the least, Nigerians are victims of extended-broken promises under Buhari's government. Many who could not survive had died through controversial and needless existential struggles. Nigerian citizens who survived saw their survival as a miracle. The regime was practically very tough in all ramifications. It is leaving Nigerian youth with bruised ego and the entirety of the citizenry in survival limbo.

In an oxymoron fashion, Nigerians are smiling in tears and there are, possibly, three theoretical explanations for this classic and pratical expression of this oxymoron in the country: Survival Strategy Hypothesis (SSH), overwhelming hypothesis (OH) and Religion as Opium Hypothesis (ROH). The SSH argued that 'If you worry about a trouble it becomes double but when you smile at it, it disappears like a bubble

so always smile at your problem.' The OH has to do with smiling in tears because one is overwhelmed with a challenge which left him smiling like a mad person. The idea is that even when the victim cries; it would not change anything and, therefore, the best he can do is to smile in utter shock and bewilderment. The RHO derives from Karl Marx's hypothesis that religion is like a soothing balm that massages the pain of a suffering people and make them see all misfortunes as acts of God. It is a fated disposition constructed by a conceding belief system. 

In Marx's days, religious leaders who were in active collaboration with the state were always in the habit of encouraging suffering people to see their frustrations as acts of God and, so, were not doing anything to change the harsh conditions of their congregation. This way, the people were constrained and conditioned to smile in tears. There nothing wrong in propagating hope but religious leaders must learned to speak in defence of the defenseless and not the other way round. They must shy away from being cowards and be frontal in condemning evil when the see one to make the society an all inclusive and just one.

After representing all that he truly is for eight on Nigeria's most coveted seat, the office of the president, Buhari gave himself and regime a solo pass mark saying, he is fulfilled and will be remembered as that president who laid a solid foundation for enduring national development in Nigeria. He also noted that his successor and president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) was "the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well". These assertions were made in his Sunday broadcast and valedictory speech to Nigerians on May 28, 2023. How Nigerians receive this self assessment by the president is left to be seen and a matter for another day!

Leadership is transient and whether president Buhari performed creditably or not shall be at the mercy of history. God rules in the affairs of men. Today Nigeria is heralding the end of an era and the beginning of another. Buhari is stepping out; Tinubu is stepping in. There is no vacuum in governance and time as a natural order and changer of seasons has spoken. May Nigeria triumph over its most daring travails and grow into greatness!

WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTRY TRAINED PERSONNELS

In a bid to deepen the gender components of the security system in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, kicked off a three-day high level Sensitization and Capacity Building Workshop on the revised 2021-2026 National Gender Policy.

Minister Women Affairs Dame Paullen Tallen noted that Nigeria developed its first National Policy on Rights of Women in the year 2000 and was replaced with the National Gender Policy in 2006 as a result of review and integration of lessons learnt from the implementation of the Women Policy 2000. 

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Shinkafi said the aim of the policy was to ensure that national development benefits all and sundry – women, girls, boys and persons with disabilities, the elder, the poor and Strengthen institutions and systems for gender mainstreaming and building partnership with male-led institutions to deliver results oriented for girl-child, women and the socially excluded.

Shinkafi said the overall goal of the 2021-2026 National Gender Policy is to build a just society in which women girls, and other vulnerable groups will enjoy the same opportunities, rights, obligations in all spheres of life, devoid of discrimination; where their needs and concerns are mainstreamed equitably into all sectors of National development.

Others are to advance women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance; Support women and girls’ education, lifelong health, survival and sustainable development; Ensure that gender equity concerns are integrated into social protection and complex humanitarian actions, legislation, policies and programmes of Government.

On her part, Director Gender Affairs Mrs Friya Kimde Bulus noted that the provisions of the National Gender Policy are in line with this administration’s aspiration of achieving a gender sensitive Society and inclusivity in national economic growth and development.

Mrs Bulus stressed that the 2021-2026 National Gender Policy focuses on the Protection of the Girl – child in Addressing violence against Women and Girls with special focus on issues of conflict, especially as it affects women and girls.

Participants at the workshop were from Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Center Service, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others.

COV/AD

NIGERIA ARISE

Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, May 14, 2023; 08116181263)

I forcefully hold the belief that those killing our fellow human beings are altered species of humans. Their desperate and determined motivation to spill blood is a clear statement confirming the sorry state of deprivity they found themselves. 

Those who kill at will, killers' sense of reasoning has glaringly slept with their hearts badly condensed like wasted cement. They have been brainwashed and indoctrinated through sustained diabolic, cheap and manipulative orientation and, so, cannot think straight. 

Who will rescue these ones,  our prayers and the determination to halt their proliferation can be achieved through strategic and practical engagement. In a democracy, dialogue means a lot but can fail, especially, in rooting out crass and perennial acts of criminality.

It is important to note that there is no force no matter how strong, can stand the superior and legitimate force of the state. Therefore, it is an ominous sign of failed statism when non-state actors appear emboldened and stronger than the state. 

Oh mother Nigeria, you are called upon to arise and restore your dignity. Let's end the killings in north central, north west, north East, south east, south south, everywhere in the country. 

Our security odds are reversible. Achieving this reversal is not a brainer, rocket science but deliberate political will from our state actors and state institutions - Law enforcement agencies, our law courts and anti-corruption commissions, etc!

As we herald the handing over and taking over of reign of power both at state and national levels in Nigeria. May we witness the dawn of a purposeful government whose only ambition is to make our country productive and better. A new Nigeria is possible even in our time! 

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, May 22, 2023)

HON. DR. GOLU TIMOTHY SIMON: STORY OF AN ACHIEVER

HON. DR. GOLU TIMOTHY SIMON: STORY OF AN ACHIEVER

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, May 14, 2023; 08116181263)*

It was American business woman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics incorporated, Mary Kay Ash who once observed that, "There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened." Hon. Dr. Timothy Golu falls in the category of those who make things happened. The evidence of this abounds in his towering profile and achievements.

Born on November 18, 1972, to the humble and God fearing family of retired Pastor, Simon Golu, he has continued to prove himself a worthy son of his parents, community and nation. Just last year November, he celebrated his 50th birthday and for the five decades of being on this planet earth, the honourable has carved a niche for himself in the field of journalism, politics and academics. The speed with which this man of many parts recorded his achievements is relatively legendary and unequal in a country where life is difficult, especially, for peasant families.

Hon. Golu attended the Model primary School Sokoto (where he was born) for his nursery school and the Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school Limpye in present Kanke LGA from 1979 - 1985 where he obtained his First School  Leaving Certificate (FSLC). This was after the civil war and voluntary retirement of his father from the military on health grounds.

Upon the successful completion of his primary school, 'the man in the mirrow' got admission into Gonerit Memorial College (GMC), Tuwan - Kabwir, a missionary school, from 1986 -1991. He then proceeded to the prestigious University of Jos from February 1992 - 1996 where he graduated with Second Class Upper degree in political science.

Between 2005 - 2007, Hon. Dr. Golu pursued and earned a Master's degree (Msc) in International Relations and Strategic Studies which qualified him to embark on the rigourous PhD journey in the same course between 2014 - 2021. Having been convocated on May 13, 2023, we are living witnesses to the successful consummation of the mountain -climbing journey to the peak of his academic career!

Hon. Dr. Golu, a much younger university graduate, at the time, picked up appointment as a News Reporter with the Nigeria Standard Newspaper,  then, the Daily Times, National Interest before joining the Leadership Newspapers where he resigned in December 2010 to join partisan politics. This was after his successful completion of the mandary, one year, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) from June 1997 - June 1998 where he served at Government Secondary School Biu (located inside Army Barracks),  Biu Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, North East Nigeria. He was the pioneer Politics Editor and Group Political Editor of the popular Leadership newspaper and through due diligence and dedication to duty, he became its political correspondence at the presidential Villa, Abuja from 2004 - 2010. During his stay at the Presidential villa, Golu worked with three Presidents namely: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo 2004 - 2007, Alhaji Umaru Musa Ya’Adua 2007-2009 and Dr Goodluck Jonathan 2009- 2010. During this period Golu travelled to many countries of the world in the course of his work and attended both national and international workshops and seminars in development and investigative journalism.

Golu performed with great distinction until he left to contest for the state House of Assembly  in 2012 in which he won landslide.

The spur brief I got from his achievements at the state assembly indicated that he electrified 7 kilometres road from Sharram to Dungung and power is very stable up to this moment; graded about 24 kilometres rural roads: Dawaki - Tabulung - Somji, Myet - Nemel, Myet - Lerpye roads; construction of about 40 boreholes. Apart from over 40 jobs he gave to his state constuents, he was, also, the first person to clear and open the new Dawaki new market site. And having meritoriously served as the House of Assembly member representing the good people of Kanke and the Chief Whip of the house between  2011 - 2015, he contested and, again, won as member representing the good people Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam (PKK) in the National Assembly where he creditably served between 2015 - 2019. While in the green chambers, he was the Chairman House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research under Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara's led 8th House of Representatives.

Suffice to state that while at the National Assembly, Hon. Golu attracted 4 huge federal road projects to his constituency namely: Pankshin - Ballang (12 billion), Chigwon - Wuseli - Tapshin (N14 billion), Sharram - Babban Lamba (N19.2 billion) and the extension of Bogoro - Gobiya - Talbushi Road. He drilled over 200 motorised and hand pumped boreholes;  two (2) well furnished skill acquisition centres; graded over 10 rural roads; built Dams and other irrigation facilities; two (2) modern Primary Health care centres  at Mwel in Kanke and Talbushi in Kanam LGCs); Fifteen (15) primary schools; donated 1000 bundles of zincs towards community building projects and relief materials. He also gave over 200 various jobs to his constituents amongst others.

During the just concluded 2023 general election, Hon. Dr. Timothy Golu, a very experienced former state and federal legislator was one of the frontline governorship aspirants under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State. Even though he stepped down from the race, I want to believe that his being in the race  significantly expanded and deepened Golu's practical experience of the dynamics of Nigeria and Plateau politics.

Aside politics, Hon. Golu is a successful academic giant (PhD holder). A PhD degree is a 'terminal degree' because it is the highest degree in the academic ladder. How Dr. Timothy managed to combined the rigours of politics and journalism with that of academic pursuit at this level is what has kept many in deep surprise. The great feat is a pointer that with determination and strategy, there is no mountain that one cannot clime in this life.

It is important to note that educational certificates, a PhD degree for that matter, can only be awarded to people who are worthy both in 'learning and character'. By this standard, therefore, Dr Golu has been satisfactorily found worthy in character and learning to be awarded this degree by a prestigious and second generation university like the University of Jos. What is left is for this awardee to bear the ambassadorial torch of the university anywhere he goes and to make the institution proud as an alumni.

The Nigeria's political system is in dire need of moderation or even reconstruction to meet contemporary realities. A juandiced political system cannot guarantee rapid and holistic development in a country. Therefore, hatching political scientists of Dr. Golu's kind in an abnormal and distorted political system like ours is very apt. At this time of Nigeria's history where there are so much contradictions in our political culture, the input of seasoned and practical political scientists like him is necessity to shape our political orientation as a nation.

Combining politics, journalism with academics can be a harculean task but through dexterity and strategy, Hon. Dr. Golu successfully combined the three. He has continued to use his Sunday Leadership newspaper column, "Melting Point",

formerly known as "Point Blank", to shape political discourse in Nigeria. In fact, to maintain a weekly column in a leading Pan Nigeria Newspaper like Leadership is no mean feat. You have to try publishing an article in such newspaper to know how difficult it is to have access.

Hon. Dr.  Golu's developing story is a testament to the power of good habits. His qualitative and winning habit has validated William Makepeace Thackeray thesis that, "successful people aren't born that way, they become successful by establishing the habit of doing things  unsuccessful people don't like to do". This emerging political giant is very determined, resilient and has always demonstrated capacity in travelling roads less travelled and most often he ended up in huge success.

Hon. Dr. Golu is a daring risk taker,a frontal goal getter, dynamic opinion moulder and a practical mentor who became a great  achiever through self development. He is a rallying point and grassroot political mobiliser. The man is a keen political observer, analyst and an active political participant who will not want to be left behind in the scheme of things. Hon. Golu is a respected and committed family man. To say the least, he represents many things to many people.

The story of Dr. Timothy Simon Golu is the story of a distinguished achiever who rose from grass to grace. He is an index of winning ways in a challenging world. He is not in anyway perfect but a lesson in the power of self-development.There is no better route to success than through the power of learning by doing and doing by learning. It is sweet when a man emerged from obscurity to be a man of honour.

The future looks bright for a nation that is committed to the development of human capital. Let me sincerely congratulate Hon. Dr. Timothy Simon Golu and others who were convocated during the 33rd and 34th combined convocation of the University of Jos which took place on May 13, 2023, for attaining this great academic feat. I salute your wonderful accomplishments and look forward to a future where the motivations arising from these sterling attainments will bear noble fruits for the advancement of our country and humanity. Press on, Honourable!

PLATEAU STATE SECURITY EXCO HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING OVER ATTACKS IN MANGU

The Plateau State Security Council has held an emergency meeting to review and assess the recent attacks in various villages in Mangu Local Government which left many dead, property destroyed and others injured.

The Security Meeting which was held at the Government House Rayfield Jos was chaired by Governor Simon Bako Lalong. 

Governor Lalong while briefing newsmen after the meeting said the council reviewed the situation and resolved that all suspects arrested for allegedly carrying out the attack must be immediately prosecuted transparently and openly to send a strong message to the public that no criminal conduct will go unpunished. 

He said the council condemned the dastardly act and remains committed to sustaining the search for other fleeing perpetrators who must be arrested and dealt with swiftly.

The Governor also stated that the Security Council mandated the security agencies to sustain the presence of their personnel on the ground to rebuild confidence and halt any further affront on innocent citizens. 

Lalong also disclosed that Government will immediately step in to address the plight of displaced persons in the area and work towards restoring normalcy. 

The Governor also announced the plans to step up engagement both at local and State levels which will lead to the setting up of an Engagement Committee to douse the tension generated by the unfortunate incident. 

The council also appealed to citizens to increase vigilance and avoid any action that can lead to escalation of the situation. He assured that Government will not fold its arms to see its citizens being maimed and killed by criminals for no reason.

It would be recalled that the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, and security Chiefs in the State visited the affected areas on Wednesday. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 

19th May 2023.