Several years ago, the Creative Center for Leadership, were resource trainers for the United Nations University / International Leadership Academy’s extended Leadership program. Before the end of their session, the Vice Rector of the University who was acting as the Director of the Academy in Jordan called for an appraisal of the trainers. The students condemned in totally the style, depth and materials of the Center, when asked, mine was at variance. I opined that we experience the British / Oxford Templeton College Team before crucifying the Americans, thanks to my Nigerian British style education and the Sheraton American Style trainings. The class judged better when the two were compared.
Nigeria’s Masses cried during Late Yaradua’s time and Kerosine and Petrol were pegged to N50 and N65 per litre, the Nigeria Police stopped collecting toll fees on the road, the Military were struggling for United Nations Missions. Why was that, because somebody spoke for the down trodden and they were considered favourably.
We have reached a very disturbing cross road and yes there is need for the iron curtains to be pieced so Presidents and their Vice can be on the same page with the electorate/masses.
How can you truly explain the reason why Fulanis who were known for grazing their cattle peacefully out of sight, now are everywhere as petty traders, tailors, motor bike riders et al, you ask them why, they tell you Cattle Robbers have stolen their cows and refused them peace in the bush. What has the Government done to return them to their status quo? Ask me. Then who are the cattle owners that the National Assembly is always talking of Graze Land or Ranch bill for? It is definitely not the poor fulani’s who now do not even have the cows to breed. From the President, who we know has cows in his asset declaration to the likes of the Governors of Ekiti and Kwara, and their likes, are the graze land seekers (not the masses) this is maybe to further galvanise more lands to a few in every nuke and crannies of Nigeria? When the poor fulanis were grazing we did not have sophisticated weapons and burning of villages, there was symbiotic coexistence with farmers allowing cattle rearers on lands needing manure. So where did all this violence come from and why now? Even the fulanis in the bush suffer kidnappings and destruction of lives and properties by these people causing havoc in our land.
The African / Nigerian Press is so muzzled that if you go counter the rulership you are made a black sheep. And because they are first a business and want to have a green bank accounts and not red; The Governors and leaders now have praise singers and not a true representation of the realities on ground.
Buhari’s getting a Christian Vice, was because he listened to suggestions. His suspension of the NIA Chief and SGF was because he listened to the out cry of his people. The Chibok Girls, Boko Haram and many others are all because he listened. But how can he hear correctly, when he is surrounded by a very thick iron curtain of the AGIP machinery of power brokers that only have their interest in front and not the electorate?
Shehu Sani suffered his persecutions and is still, they have looked for all ways possible to ground him, including suspension from Kaduna chapter of the party to no avail.
El-Zakhy Zaky, is one person I have known from my days in ABU Zaria to be a forthright person, who government monies can’t buy. The politicians go to him to canvass from votes, which his supporters give them. How do I know, all politicians do and I have also benefitted from such vote support, without which no politician can have a comfortable win, unless rigged. This man has followers in villages unexpected and he cares for the followers more than the elected governors. If you remember, when the child marrying Governor of Zamfara brought in Sharia during the Obasanjo’s tenure, El-Zahky Zaky was about an only voice that said, it wont succeed. He was criticized for being anti-Islamic. In his defence, he mentioned the insincerity of the promoters and their using it for political intent and not true religion. Was he proved right? You tell me. The same Zamfara officials were known in Abuja as the highest users of hotels and restaurants. They bring ladies in droves, shagalinku restaurant (and the like) will be fully booked at breakfast, lunch and dinner times, when the Zamfara harems come to eat. Zaria’s religious peaceful stay cannot be without the synergy of such religious leaders and the Traditional Houses in the city and the environ.
Bishop Oyedepo – who mentioned the need to defend yourself against any provocation by any group, is not unfamiliar with the antiques of persons using religion, tribe or regions to foment trouble. His Ministry was started in Kaduna and he has a very large followership in Kaduna and the North. Some of his places of worship suffered bombings like the one in Bauchi, North East.
Apostle Johnson Suleman – Who re echoed the defend yourselves song and was termed provocation. He became a target when he warned El-Rufai of the Preaching License, he wanted to enforce in kaduna State. His trouble increased when the DSS was barred from arresting him by the Governor of Ekiti and Eminent Christian Leaders Escorted him to Abuja. Getting to discredit his ministry and calling came as an aftermath.
The Emir of Zaria, who mentioned a political variance in favour of a crowned title holder (the former Governor). Demolition inside the city was to spite the Emir; Zaria and Kaduna Traditional Houses started seeing the unseen, including locking of a traditional ruler for weeks in prison custody.
While Kebbi is working with Lagos, the Central Bank and Bank of Industries amongst others to further Agricultural synergy, Zamfara is stigmatizing the people with curse instead of vaccinating and treating them against deadly diseases in the state.
I reside in a state where you hear men saying, marrying one wife is like being single. A gardener was added N5000.00 to his salary, to my surprise he added a wife, I asked why and how will he maintain them, in a chorus, i was told God will feed all who He gave mouths to. Cases abound of parents who do not know where their children sleep, eat or play and are not disturbed about that. They end up as political thugs, so the learned politicians are not bothered because their children are learning abroad and will hope the children of these masses serve their children like the parent did the fathers.
Boko Haram has not finished, it was started by politicians, Cattle rustlings is yet to be stopped, villages being ravaged and so many innocent blood lettings still abound. From the Zamfara axis to the Ile –Ife and the East every case shows an unbalance that Nigerian politicians are not ready for the truth.
In all cases people who speak or stood against some persons are placed on a pedestal of disgrace, after warning them in some cases.
The Sultan and Emir of Kano did us proud in Kaduna, because some body needs to tell them. Kaduna is the Power Seat of the North, Kaduna is home for all we accept, but the Gbagis that have suffered displacements from Zaria, Kaduna, Minna and Abuja deserve a better treatment for the kits and kins than what they are experiencing in the name of someone is in charge.
During the KADINVEST, i see the peaceful loving nature of this people, it wont happen in terrain like we are seeing in Kaduna. Kaduna for the exigencies of Politics is under the purview of the Emir of Zaria, who is the Traditional head of the State Traditional houses. The Government invited the Emir of Kano without the presence of any Traditional Ruler from Kaduna. The Sultan was invited, he stands as a Islamic Religious Leader and their was no thought of inviting a Christian Leader to also be in attendance. Am sure the likes of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, who is the present Bishop of Sokoto would have been a good accompaniment of the Sultan (they have severally), Kukah is from Kaduna State El-Rufai was not ready for what the Bishop would have mentioned maybe.
So for many silenced mouths, in and out of prisons for saying what some politicians do not want to hear, the Emir of Kano and his likes should not stay quiet.
Now is not the time to use the usual old antiques to silence people, our politicians should be more responsive and responsible to the electorate. As electorates, we need to disturb the National Assembly to remove certain privileges leading to abuses and give the electorate the power to recall their elected officers, when they see them not responsible enough. That will keep our leaders on their toes to the needful for the enhancement of their constituents.
Let the speakers keep speaking and the silent ones should join speaking. I long to see the State Assemblies stop singing the Governors sing songs and start acting like Honourable. I long to see the State Houses call their Governors to order in especially the case of Local Government Elections, so people can feel the Government more and have easy access to the officials.
abujanig 