Two Lives And Other Stories By Reuben Abati

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Two lives lost recently in the creative industry convey useful messages in terms of the import of their careers and the circumstances of their departure: the elderly actress, simply known as Bukky Ajayi, and the music entrepreneur, multi-talented artiste, producer and musician, Babatunde Okungbowa, popularly known as OJB Jezreel. Bukky Ajayi died aged 82, and she has been well mourned by the artistic community especially members of Nollywood who have described her as a role model, an iconic figure and a motherly figure to younger actors and actresses.

Many mourners have added that her death is shocking: every death in Nigeria is considered shocking ironically, even when the dead is as old as 100, or has been known to be terminally ill. In March 2016, when Bukky Ajayi received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Ceremony, she was already wheel-chair bound and terminally ill. But I guess we are always shocked by death, because we always expect our loved ones to live forever. And 82-year old Mama Ajayi was truly a lovable figure.

Deregulation and The Politics of Public Policy By Reuben Abati

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This thing called democracy, particularly the Nigerian brand, never ceases to throw up new and intriguing lessons about the relationship between government and the people, and the larger, complex socio-political environment. I had gone to Lagos on an assignment in the last two days of the year 2011, when around midnight I received a phone call from someone close to the corridors of power, informing me that a meeting had just been concluded in Abuja where a decision had been taken to deregulate the downstream petroleum sector, and thus, in effect remove the subsidy on Petrol.

I told him I was aware of plans to that effect, since the President had been holding a series of meetings with various stakeholders and constituencies on the same subject, but as at the time I left for Lagos, no final decision had been taken. The fellow insisted he knew what he was talking about and that in the morning, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulation Agency (PPPRA) would make the announcement. Sometimes in the corridors of power, informal stakeholders could enjoy faster access and be even more powerful than persons with formal responsibilities. There are persons and groups whose livelihoods are so dependent on government and the people in power that even a whisper at the highest level resonates immediately as an echo in their ears. I learnt very early never to underestimate such persons. 

Adams Oshiomhole’s Deputy Escapes Assassination Attempt

Gunmen on Saturday opened fire on the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and his entourage in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Accoring to Punch, a policeman, an operative of the Department of State Security and three other persons were injured during the attack and were taken to an undisclosed hospital.

Odubu had last Wednesday formally declared his intention to contest the September 10 gubernatorial election in the state under the All Progressives Congress amidst wide speculation that his decision did not go down well with Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

It was learnt that the former lawmaker had earlier been denied access to the party’s secretariat in Fugar, allegedly on the instruction of an official at the Government House.

The Senate, CCT & The Politics of Saraki’s Trial By Reuben Abati

The present Senate serving the Nigerian people runs the risk of being remembered as the worst since 1999.  Public Relations Consultants and media officials of this particular Senate have done their part flooding both the print and the online media with details of how productive the Bukola Saraki-led Senate has been, and they have been quite aggressive in telling us about 30 important Bills which when passed, will change the face of Nigeria and deliver change.

The Senate according to one report has considered over 125 bills, debated over 48 motions, and passed three bills. But nobody is apparently impressed. During the Jonathan administration, the Senate was the better regarded of the two legislative chambers. While members of the House of Representatives in the Seventh Assembly behaved as if they were a band of students’ unionists, the then Red Chamber projected an image of maturity and temperance, even if it was also self-serving! With the 8^th Assembly, the House of Representatives, apart from the shameful resort to physical combat over the distribution of “juicy” committees in November 2015, has shown itself to be better organized than the present Senate. The critical difference is that of leadership. It is one of management. It is a matter of weight and politics. 

Senators Reject Proposed Loan To Buy Their Vehicles

The Nigerian Senate yesterday, revealed, that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to buy their vehicles, adding that none of the 108 lawmakers wanted any part in it.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who spoke with journalists said the upper chamber never spent over N4 billion to purchase 108 cars for lawmakers, adding that only 36 SUVs were bought at the cost of N36.5 million each.

Nigerian Army Discovers Large Cache of Stored Boko Haram Weapons in Borno, Nigeria

The Nigerian Army yesterday disclosed that it has recovered a large cache of arms buried at a spot made to look like a graveyard in Borno state. At a press briefing Biu, Borno state, ‎the theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Leo Irabor, said the cache of high calibre ammunition, worth over N20 million was discovered by vigilant troops three days ago.

“We conducted some various scale of operation as well as specific operations that led to the recovery of arms cache in the village called Gursum, around Alagarno general area; and there we had a very sterling discovery of Boko Haram terrorists burying large quantities of ammunition on the ground. This operation was in conjunction with the Civilian JTF because they led us through the routes.

Who Governs Nigeria? by Reuben Abati

During the Jonathan administration, an outspoken opposition spokesperson had argued that Nigeria was on auto-pilot, a phrase that was gleefully even if ignorantly echoed by an excitable opposition crowd. Deeper reflection should have made it clear even to the unthinking that there is no way any country can ever be on auto-pilot, for there are many levels of governance, all working together and cross-influencing each other to determine the structure of inputs and outcomes in society. 

 

To say that a country is on auto-pilot is to assume wrongly that the only centre of governance that exists is the official corridor, whereas governance is far more complex. The question should be asked, now as then: who is governing Nigeria? 

Who is running the country? Why do we blame government alone for our woes, whereas we share a collective responsibility, and some of the worst violators of the public space are not even in public office? 

Leave Matter For Matthias By Reuben Abati

“I saw something yesterday. I thought it was a joke.”

“What happened?”

“Nigerians and their sense of humour; we always manage to squeeze laughter out of every situation, no matter how sad.”

“I don’t like the suspense. What is it?” 

“I attended a wedding engagement ceremony.”

“And?”

“When the groom’s family was presenting gifts to the bride’s family, do you know what they did?”

“I am with you”

“They suddenly brought out two 50-litre jerry cans of fuel, which they presented to the bride’s father, with a declaration that they don’t want their in-law to go through any stress during this season of fuel scarcity”

“Correct in-laws!”

Panama Papers, Zuma and the DNA of Corruption By Reuben Abati

Where corruption is involved, African leaders seem to be utterly beyond shock.  Blacks folks in office often regard as normal business, the kind of infractions that draw alarm and apologetic resignations in other parts of the world.  

This is not meant to be a racist comment, but it is curious that the African sense of shock is mediated so often and so conveniently by other considerations, including politics, ethnicity, religion, and a certain lack of a feeling of shame: that measure of restraint that defines the idea of being human.

Two major scandals in the international arena in the last week would seem to prove the point. The first is the leakage of troves of documents, now known as the Panama Papers, revealing how the rich including world leaders, celebrities, public officials and business men, have over the years hidden away their wealth in tax havens with the help of a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca. 

We The Government Acknowledge The Pains You Face - VP Osinbajo Tells Nigerians

PDP Responsible For Fuel Scarcity, Says Bola Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has asked Nigerians to hold the Peoples Democratic Party responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity across the country.

According to Punch, speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, Tinubu said the PDP destroyed Nigeria during its 16-year rule.He said

 “We want to stay focused and redirect Nigeria. We want to reverse the decay of 16 years. We are hearing comments from the PDP left and right. We are saying we want to clear the mess they created.

A Country In Search Of A Miracle By Reuben Abati

“You look tired” 

“Ha, my brother. Thanks for being observant. I have been trekking.” 

“Trekking?” 

“I went to buy fuel at that fuel station by the Estate gate. I had to abandon the car there. On my way back home, I could not find okada or any other form of transportation.” 

“No wonder you are sweating.” 


“All the tricyclists and the okada people claim they have no fuel.” 

“It is good for you big men to have a taste of what poor people go through. This fuel scarcity is an effective leveler. It is no respecter of persons.” 

“I can’t wait for April 7 to come.” 

Of Tyrants, Martyrs and Heroes (Part 2) by Femi Fani-Kayode

It is with the foregoing in mind that we must examine and critically analyse the performance of the Buhari administration. I have nothing personally against President Muhammadu Buhari and, as he knows, I have the utmost respect for his office.

 

Yet, like Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas More, despite the sign of the times and the hazards and perils of standing against injustice and tyranny, we must rid ourselves of our fears and speak the bitter truth. And that truth is as follows.

The more our government persecutes its perceived enemies, the more they are sowing the seeds of disintegration in our country. The more they oppress and attempt to intimidate those they seek to silence and subjugate, the more they engender anger, rebellion, alienation, enmity and division. 

The CHANGE I Promised Will Come To Fruition - President Buhari

Fellow Nigerians,
I rejoice with you all, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, as we celebrate Easter.

For Christians all over the world, this celebration is in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for the salvation of mankind.
The Gospels also tell us that during his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ repeatedly urged his disciples and followers to "love one another as I have loved you".

As we celebrate Easter this year, I sincerely believe that it will serve our dear nation very well if we all imbibe this essential message of Jesus Christ and truly learn to love our countrymen and women as we love ourselves.

Indeed, we will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country

Singer 9ice Going Into Politics... In 2015

The singer posted this pic on his instagram page last night and wrote "Your Honourable Come 2015. Ogbomosho North Constituency."

Follow Me On Twitter & Instagram: @effiongeton

7 Rebel PDP Governors join APC!

The seven aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party have announced their decision to merge with the All Progressives Congress. The governors, at the meeting they had with the leadership of the APC in Abuja on Tuesday, said their decision was aimed at rescuing the country.

A former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, announced the decision after the meeting, which was held at Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

Among the governors at the meeting were that of Rivers (Rotimi Amaechi), Kano(Rabiu Kwankwanso), Adamawa(Murtala Nyako), Kwara(Badulfatah Ahmed) and Niger(Dr. Babangida Aliyu).

Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] Falls Apart; As Party Splits

A major crisis on Saturday hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party as seven governors and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar formed a faction of the party at the national level.

The press conference at the Sheu Yar’Adua Centre  Abuja, where the faction announced its emergence, was attended by many members of the national and state houses assembly.

The National Chairman of the faction, Baraje, said the leaders of the party came together to rescue it from undemocratic tendencies of “the former national chairman,” Bamanga Tukur.

He said, “We address you today as leaders of the PDP, who are worried by the increasing repression, restrictions of freedom of association, arbitrary suspension of members and other such violations of democratic principles by a faction of our party led by Tukur.”