The Problem with Africa

GOUGE MY EYE

In a story, an African man was given the opportunity to ask for
anything he wants. The condition was that, whatever he gets, his
brother would receive double. He thought about asking for a
house; but he did not like thought of his brother having two
houses. So he thought about asking for a million dollars to go to his
bank account; but again, he was unhappy with the thought of his
brother having two million dollars in his account. The man sat down
and thought hard, “What can I have and still be better than my
brother when he has double?”

 
So, he thought of having one of his eyes removed so that his
brother might have his two eyes gouged. This sounds like a very
unlikely story; however, this is the typical mentality that has set
Africans backward for ages and caused witchcraft to thrive in
Africa. An African wants to be better than his brother at all costs.
The African man is only careful to share his beer, not his books; to
spread his diseases, and not the cure; to transfer his problems, and
not the solution.

When an African man fails, he wishes his brother same fate so that
he won't be the only one who had tasted the bitterness of failure.
An African man is happy when evil besets his brother.
When most African men succeed, they want to enslave their
brothers; they try to make the class gap between them and their
brothers widen daily. An African man wants to outperform his
brother in every area and most African men do not want to let their
brothers have any chances of success because they want to be the
only ones succeeding.

When an African man gets to sit on a seat of authority, he wants to
keep it to himself and refuses to give anyone else a chance to sit. In
African schools, students who can afford textbooks do not let
other students borrow their textbooks because they want to stay
top of the class or they don't want to give another student the
opportunity to perform better than them. 

When one independently discovers the way to success, an African man who
refused to give directions would still do all he can to stand in the
way of that success. An African man is ready to spend money to
intimidate his brother and make him look like nothing.

 
Africa will become better; 

When we begin to share books to pass
knowledge, not just our drinks. When we begin to let others also
lead without our influence. When we begin to give the same quality
of food and clothing to both our children and our maids. When we
let our servants eat on the same table with us. When the boss lets
his lower staff get paid before him. Africa can become progressive
when we begin to look out for each other rather than stand in the
way of one another. When we can sincerely say, “let my brother get
it too, and if I can't get it, let me help him get it”.

Excerpt from the book
The Problem with Africa

JAMB: How to register for 2019 UTME 10/Jan/2019,

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) commenced sale of registration forms, for the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, yesterday Thursday, January 10, 2019.
And sale of forms will last for six weeks.

There are few documents requirements and they include:

– Personal e-mail address and mobile phone number
– Create your JAMB profile.
– JAMB ePIN registration payment
– Visit any accredited CBT centers with your personal details, the profile and evidence of payment.
– The CBT centers or JAMB State Office, supplies, at no extra cost, the prescribed reading text and the CD containing:
a) e-brochure showing guidelines on admission detailing list of tertiary institutions and available programmes of study.
b) Syllabus (e-syllabus) for the examination.
c) Step by step guide on completion of the application form.
d) A video messages from the Registrar of JAMB and a demo on how to use eight (8) keys for UTME examination without mouse. (For candidates with little familiarity with Computers).
vii. Each Candidate is to complete the online application form by supplying the required details such as name, e-mail address, L.G.A., academic qualification, etc.
viii. At the CBT centers, Candidate’s ten fingers biometric and image will be captured and uploaded.
ix. O/L and/or A/L grades are to be provided by candidates. Candidates who are awaiting result should supply the result online as soon as the results are available on JAMB’s portal.
x. Each Candidate is to collect his e-slip at the end of registration as evidence of registration.

There will be no offline registration, as all the accredited CBT centers have been empowered for real life online registration.
Note: No candidate should register at any centers other than the accredited CBT centers and JAMB State office. Any candidate who is registered outside approved centres, will be identified and disqualified.

Innjoo Pro 4G LTE Specifications, Features And Price

It seems InnJoo don't want Tecno and Infinix to bench them in the production of the blow one's mind devices. Innjoo Pro is the latest flabbergast device from Innjoo and the device is already available for sale in Saudi Arabia. Obviously Innjo attention might be a little bit shifted from Nigeria, because most of their LTE they secretly launched are yet to available in Nigeria market.

The InnJoo Pro 4G Android Smartphone features a 2.5D diamond cut glass that perfectly meets its 8.6mm thin edges at the corner. The design has a small bezel to glass ratio that accentuates its sleek, metal body design. The sandblasting finish at the back gives it a gorgeous shimmer for a premium visual appeal.

Innjoo Pro runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, a 6 inches Phablet with fingerprint, massive 3GB of ram and 32GB internal memory. Not just that, but it also comes with 2.5D diamond cutlass glass.

Innjoo Pro's touch sensor is far beyond user-friendly, it's intelligent. It needs only 0.35 seconds to recognize your fingerprint, in all directions, and the passing rate is higher than 99%. You can also overlap one or more fingerprints on top of another, to unlock the phone with any of your fingertips, simple and effective.




It comes with 4000mAh Polymer Li-ion battery of high-capacity is packed into the 8.6mm slim body. It supports two-day long normal usage. Save your mind of running out of battery, and immerse yourself in reading, watching, gaming and surfing.




Below are the highlights of its specification


Technology

2G: GSM 900/1800.

3G: WCDMA 2100.

4G: FDD 1800.


SIM Type: Dual SIM (Micro SIM, dual standby).

OS: Android 5.1 lollipop.


Design

Dimensions: 160.2 * 82.4 * 8.6 mm.

Weight: 193g.


Display: 6-inch, 1280 * 720 pixels HD, IPS Capacitive touchscreen.

Build: Metal (Aluminum) design.

Colours: Grey, Gold & Rose Gold.


Hardware

Processor Name/Technology: Mediatek MT6735P.

Processor Speed: 1.0 GHz.

Number of Processor Cores: Quad-core.

Graphic Processor: Mali-T720 MP1.

RAM: 3 GB.

Internal Storage: 32 GB.

External Storage: microSD, up to 128 GB.

Sensors: Accelerometer, Light, Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint Sensor.


Camera

Rear: 13 MP, Autofocus.

Video recording: Yes.

Front-facing: 8MP.


Multimedia

Music Support: OGG, AAC, AMR, MP2, MP3, M4A, MKA,.

Loudspeaker: Yes.

Audio Technology: LRC lyrics synchronising, Photo Album, Stereo speaker.

Video Support: AVI, MKV(XVID/px/H.264), MOV, TS, M2TS, RM/RMVB, FLV, 3GP, MPEG, DAT, MP4(support to 1080P:1920×1080).

FM Radio: Yes.


Connectivity

Bluetooth: v4.0.

Bluetooth Profiles: –

WiFi: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot.

GPS: Yes, A-GPS.

USB: micro USB v2.0.

USB OTG: No.

NFC: No.

3.5mm audio jack: Yes.


Battery

Battery: Li-Polymer 4,000 mAh.

Charging: Fast Charge – Yes.


Miscellaneous

Extra Features: Office software, Skype.

Launch Date: October 24, 2016.

Availability: October 24, 2016.

Launching price: 555.00SAR


I wonder why InnJoo mobile is dodging the Nigeria Market. What do you think is the reason? Let heard your opinion, by making use of the comment box.

How To Transfer MTN Data From One MTN Sim To Another

This simple tutorial will show you how to transferMegabytes from one Mtn line to another just like the way Airtel users normally transfer their own.


How Can I Transfer Megabytes To Another MTN line?

Make sure you have enough Megabytes on your MTN line if not you will get an error message.

Dial *131#  then choose ‘Register Data Service’. by click on Answer then Press 1, Once you choose that, a text will be sent to you that you have successfully registered on Mtn services and your default pin is ‘0000’. Just follow the instruction their and change your pin.Click on Data ShareAdd BeneficiaryEnter Beneficiaries NumberEnter the amount of Megabytes you want to transfer.

That’s it.  [√]

NOTE: Should in case you get an invalid pin in the process of doing this, try it again as it may be a temporary network problem.

Hope this information helps?
If it works for you, don't forget to Comment here and remember to Click Share/Like buttons for the benefit of others.

MMM operators blast federal government...

Members of the Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox (MMM) in Nigeria, have criticized the House of Representatives  them for ‘witch hunting’. A member identified as Tonye Ibim, said: 

“There are people that now have more than a million in their accounts in few months via the scheme and have not scammed or been scammed by anybody.”

The House of Representatives had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, arrest promoters of MMM

Promoters of the Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox, popularly known as ‘MMM’, have criticized the House of Representatives for ‘witch hunting’ them.

This is after the lower house of legislature on Wednesday, November 9 agreed that the scheme meant trouble for Nigerians and should therefore be stopped.

The lawmakers directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to immediately go after the promoters of MMM in Nigeria.

The lawmakers observed that the current economic recession in the country gave popularity to the scheme which offers 30 per cent return on investment for any money put into the scheme within 30 days.

The investment scheme has a Russian origin and “involves directing clients to make money available for an anonymous person with a promise of 30 per cent return within one month.”

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) had revealed plans to shut down the scheme in Nigeria, insisting it is fraudulent.

A branch manager of a new generation bank in Nigeria, speaking anonymously to Daily Post said: “All these people that are against MMM are not ready to take risks or they have been victims of networking schemes and online businesses that didn’t pay them well.

“It’s not like they doubt MMM, they are just naïve about how the whole thing works. It’s magical, you know.

“Even the banks are furious because they can’t just believe that any deposit scheme can promise a 30% interest rate after 30 days, but I am a banker and I am not in doubt.

“Even some bankers are enjoying from MMM; the unemployed also are not left out. To an average Nigerian, the benefits of MMM is not far-fetched.

Another member, identified as Tonye Ibim, said: “There are people that now have more than a million in their accounts in few months via the scheme and have not scammed or been scammed by anybody.

“I only can’t understand why members of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives are witch hunting the scheme.

“The government should be happy now that people are surviving- not begging and living in penury.

“They have refused to pass a bill that will bring about employment and revive the bad economy, yet they have the time to debate on a scheme that is saving us in this bad economic recession. Do you know how many people would have taken to crime due to lack of jobs in the country if not for MMM?”

Meanwhile, Nigerian has cried out on how the scheme has been of help to their house hold. 

8 Things You Should Never Post On Social Media.

Day by day people put themselves and their family members at Unnecessary risks Just by Carelessly Posting almost every thing about their life privacy , All in the name of showing of , Having Fun , Luxurious Life attitudes..etc



Not Only that its wrong, Some of your status get to fight you later in life, fake accounts are also in abundance, which is why it is vital to keep the information you share to a minimum.

Not here to stop your from your steady and careless posting habits but please refrain from sharing the following

1) HOLIDAY PLANS

A lot of peeps are guilty of this ,some even go to the extent of even telling you who and who in the family are going and who is staying, Informing the public that you are off to Ibadan for new yam festival and would be there for two weeks might also end in dire consequences. as you could be alerting robbers and bad people of the situation at hand. you could post whatever you wanna post on social media especially Facebook, but when it comes to the holiday/vacation/traveling aspect , Just refrain from sharing.

2) WINNING TICKETS

where are my betting and gambling peeps ,Them who cant do without going to Nairabet ,those streets urchins who cant sleep unless their legs greets the floor of the betting houses.. you see guys on Facebook with status like “Guess What i just grabbed 750k from bet9ja, they must surely pay, on my way to the bank with them” ,Well my question to you guys is, “How would you feel after winning your game and then get kidnapped,or on getting home your debtors are already sitting and waiting at home , its not going to end well.
you can as well prevent this by not posting your winning tickets on social media better to keep this to thyself.

3) HOME ADDRESS/CURRENT LOCATION

Most people give out their home address location more than you think , its not as dangerous as posting about your holiday plans but can be used against you. lets say “you get someone angry on Facebook, and maybe forget about it but the person doesn’t , He seeks for retaliation and he seems not to be getting any, and then you post your home address on your status innocently, see you in the hospital if lucky.
current location is as dangerous as getting a matchstick to the petrol station we all know what will happen when its lit , Never disclose where you are at the moment , There are a lot of Risks associated to it which you know and don’t need me to tell you about.

4) BANK DETAILS

Posting details about you Bank account on social networks has no much risks associated to it , But i would advise that you don’t post your bank details publicly on social media. There is no need for it. Anyone who wishes to send money to you should message you privately, Hackers are everywhere and just need a little detail from you and your money is a thing of the past.

5) YOUR RELATIONSHIP / RELATIONSHIP ISSUES

Almost everyone is a student of the above course , Social media has a hand in 48% of ruined relationship . Relationships that have been taking to the social networks don’t last.
Social media is not a place for solving relationship issues Infact it does the opposite, and those who bring their relationship to social networks the networks looking at you like, “Welcome Chioma, so how do you want us to help you ruin your relationship” ??

6) LUXURIOUS LIVING

People who show off their wads of cash , Gold plated items, Mansions , Cars , Expensive cloths etc. on social media should reduce this character to its minimum or refrain totally from doing such. especially celebrities , we all have heard cases of people being held at gunpoint , robbed at home , etc. doing this does not tell people that you are wealthy its just going to give robbers a reason to…..

7) NUDE/EXPLICIT CONTENTS OF YOU

i don’t think any sane person as of this modern era will go on social media to post Their nudes (Unclad pictures) , especially someone who wants to build a personality and be respected later in the future.
Even if you think your privacy is strong remember Facebook could be hacked and all those pictures could be leaked to people you don’t want it to be showed to – Your parents and colleagues as examples. i read a short joke on twitter that said ” All this girls posting there nudes online, i hope you know explaining to your parents that your bride price is no more than a bottle of soft drink wont be hard”

8)  STATEMENTS THAT WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU LATER

I can recall this guy who wrote something about first bank in his second year at school , when he finally graduated 3 years later , he went for an interview and was disqualified because of it , after it was Dug up later.

Doing the Ebola outbreak , a single status from a lady about using salt to cure the dreading ailment, killed people and left the rest seriously unconscious,she was arrested later, the rest is history. The power of social media.

You should mind what you say on social media, they could fight you later. Always speak with caution, accuse with facts and update your status with correct information.

Please don't allow anything to happen to you before you learn from it. 

What do you think of this post, let know by making use of the comment box.

If He Does These 3 Things, — He's sure Gonna Cheat On You

If you remember one rule about cheating, let it be this: There are always signs in the beginning. What are those signs? How can you tell if someone you’re dating will one day cheat on you?

Watch out for these particular things, and save yourself unnecessary heartbreak.

Once you start dating someone, how much time does it take to see the signs?


While there is no perfect answer to this complex question, it is safe to say that you will have seen most of the personality traits in someone you’re dating after several months of knowing that person.

In other words, if you have been dating someone for four or five months or longer, it’s safe to say that you know that person pretty well. By the time you have dated someone this long, you have likely seen them in a wide range of circumstances and you have a sense of whether this is a person you can trust to be monogamous or not.

Sadly, many people continue relationships even after they sense their partner might be cheating, so the second purpose of this article is to tell you to trust your instincts and terminate the relationship soon after you sense potential trouble.

1. Past history of cheating.

ands down, the number one sign that your new date will cheat on you is if that person cheated in their past relationship. You may not find out this information early on, but it will often come out over time. Some individuals have cheated in the past and won’t ever do it again, but most people who cheated in the past will cheat again.

To feel convinced that someone won’t cheat on you even though they cheated on their ex, you need to have a lot of conversations on the subject and, ideally, you want to know that this person went to therapy or sought other help (self-help books, etc.) to deal with the underlying issues.



2. Going MIA for hours or being unreachable by phone.


If your date or new partner occasionally disappears during the day or evening and can’t be reached, this is a sign that he or she may be cheating. If he or she is unreachable for a couple of hours, that individual might be at the movies or the gym. But if someone is out of contact for a few hours — especially at night — it is a sign that cheating may be taking place.

When you talk to your new partner about the “disappearance,” be honest and share that these absences trigger anxiety or insecurity in you. More importantly, however, if this behavior becomes any sort of pattern, the real task you need to take on is to consider whether it’s time to end the relationship.



3. Flirting with others (right in front of your face!).

Who would do such a thing — flirt with someone right in front of their date? Millions of men and women! It happens all the time so be on the lookout for unbridled flirting right before your eyes.

If your date or new partner flirts with others in front of you, there is a problem. Odds are that this individual needs a lot of attention and that this individual will one day cross the line when you’re not present and shift from flirting to full-blown sexual contact.

If you want to have a long-term monogamous relationship, set a rule with your partner that neither of you will ever flirt with someone in front of one another. If your date takes the plunge and flirts in front of you, talk to friends about whether it is worth terminating the relationship. This kind of behavior is extremely difficult to change, so why not just invest in someone who doesn’t need that much attention from the start?


Simple reminders to take with you…

One of the best rules to remember when it comes to cheating is — wait for it — that your worries about cheating are probably founded unless you have a long history of paranoia with no justification. Most people don’t want to believe that the new person in their life is cheating, so having that sneaking feeling probably means that there really is something to worry about.

If you sense that the person you’re with is cheating on you, take good care of yourself and protect yourself emotionally. Detach a little from the relationship and take a lot of quiet time by yourself so that you can get in touch with your feelings and then make a sound decision about how to proceed.

By Dr. Seth Meyers

Now my question is
1. How realistic is Dr. Meyers thought to you ladies?
2. To the gents how faulty is this argument of Dr. Meyers.
Love to read your humble opinions.

“I don’t experience orgasms” – Kemi Olunloyo says #StopFemaleGenitalMultilation

Kemi Olunloyo has revealed she is a victim of Female Genital Mutilation and she is not shy to talk about it.

Kemi in an interview with International Business Times, says her sexual life and mental health were affected after she was mutilated as a child.

According to her, the grave act was committed on her at age five when a family member took she and her sister to meet a man who placed them on his lap and “then cut part of our vagina and clitoral area off.

“There was no anaesthetic and a sharp razor blade was used. I remember my sister and I screaming afterwards,” she said. Adding, “We went home bleeding. Deep down, mom was not happy for some reason.”

Olunloyo told IBTimes UK after years of resentment towards her mother, she finally confronted her in 2012. “She burst into tears telling me that our late paternal grandma ordered my dad to have us do it.”

“It was a cultural barbaric act used to decrease the female libido. It caused me post-traumatic stress disorder for life. I don’t experience orgasm during sex and when I tried to promote the use of sex toys among Nigerian women, men started attacking me saying I was discouraging African women ‘from the real thing.”

“Sex is not important. I have no libido or urge to have sex and I’ve been celibate for 10 years. Millions of women in Nigeria go through this, but they cannot talk or be outspoken like me. It is shameful and a disgrace to them.” 

#StopFGM #WalkAgainstFemaleGenitalMultilation

“Early Morning Sex Is Beneficial To Health” – Nigerian Professor Educates

A professor of Biochemistry as enumerated the amazing health benefits of having sex first thing in the morning. Prof. Musa Yakubu of University of Ilorin has said having sex in the early morning lowers blood pressure and reduces risks of heart attack.

Yakubu of the Department of Biochemistry made the assertion in a paper, “Knocking Down the Barriers to Four O’Clock Activities and Reproductive Inadequacies”, presented at the 163rd Inaugural lecture of the university on Friday.

He said that having sexual intercourse, three to four times a week, was good for love life. He said

“Research has shown that sex boosts immune system by stimulating the body’s first line of defence and production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), against cold and fever,” he said.

Immunoglobulin A is one of the most common antibodies in the body system. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to fight bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

Sex, according to Yakubu also regulates menstruation in women by influencing the levels of lutenizing hormones that control menstrual period and promote better sleep.

He said sex also releases the feel-good chemical, known as oxytocin, which enhances closeness with one’s partner and makes people feel happier for a longer period of time.

“Lovemaking of about 20 minutes reduces 150 calories,” he said.

The professor of Biochemistry postulated that sex is the most powerful creative force given to human by God for pleasure and deep companionship.

Yakubu, however, noted that any marriage in which the man or woman could not enjoy sexual intercourse or satisfy their partner in bed was a dead marriage.

He said lack of sexual satisfaction had led to the collapse of many marriages in Nigeria, and urged couples to seek for solutions to the problem.

“Sexual and reproductive dysfunctions are common among men and women in Nigeria, which necessitates regular screening and check-ups,” he said.

_{Source from NAN}

Between BBOG group, police and new pro-Buhari group

\

Having stopped the first silent protest of September 2nd 2016, embarked by the Bring Back Our Girls Group, by the Nigerian Police has, the group rescheduled its cause to Tuesday, 6th September 2016.

However, there was a repeat performance by the police as the authorities, once again, obstructed the BBOG group from attending to their business.

Co-founder, Oby Ezekwesili and other supporters of the BBOG movement are, as expected, disappointed at these turn of events; particularly since the last administration took the same stance about the BBOG protests.

As if to test the BBOG movement, a rival group tagged the Pro-Buhari group was also on hand to thwart the efforts of BBOG group.

In a series of tweets below, this was how the incident unfolded:

Arrey Elvis Ntui @ArreyMcNtui

#BringBackOurGirls so their parents can have a good sleep.#ChibokGirls should be priority. https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/773051150237044736 … 

Oby Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

DAY876 of OUR #ChibokGirls.
WE @BBOG_Nigeria deferred our March of Sept. 2nd. Today, >72 working hours after our August30 one, WE MARCH.

Oby Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

DAY876 of #ChibokGirls abduction.
Mr. President @MBuhari :
NO MORE EXCUSES.
DECIDE NOW!
ACT NOW!!
WE WANT RESULT!!!

Oby Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

DAY876 of OUR #ChibokGirls
REMINDER NOTE to @PoliceNG
"BBOG: Police Has no Right to Ban Protests, Court Rules"

Oby Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

Pres @MBuhari History should be A GOOD TEACHER.
How could you instruct @PoliceNG TO STOP @BBOG_NigeriaADVOCATING FOR #ChibokGirls?

by Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

President @MBuhari
Our March today is a TEST.
Is the heavy @PoliceNG deployed to the Unity Fountain out to RESTRICT @BBOG_Nigeria MARCH?

Oby Ezekwesili 

✔@obyezeks

Pres @MBuhari
WE ARE IN A DEMOCRACY.
The 1999 Constitution & the Court of the LAND UPHOLD@BBOG_Nigeria 's RIGHT TO OUR MARCH. @PoliceNG 

We ask every good hearted individuals to help us Bring Back Our Girls, So  that their mothers can sleep with their eyes close. #BBOG

Meet the 25-year-old SUPERMUM that has given birth to 9 kids including a set of triplets and twins (photos)

Hello! the lady pictured below is 25 years old and she had 9 amazing kids including a set of triplets, a set of twins and four individual ones! She recently posted this message below on her Instagram for her critics:

“Folks be so busy making fake pages tryna bash me for having 9 kids but don’t gotta take care of none of them. It’s love knowing that your greatness goes unnoticed by complete strangers… Yes it get hard, yes they work my nerves but I got my kids…”I see lawyers, doctors & athletes” 

Lol, that what being a supermom is all about…… record breakers

We Worship Olodumare And Not Idol - Ooni of Ife

Ooni Alayeluwa Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi – Ojaja II has reinstated God as his God. The Ife monarch was reacting to criticisms he faced when he led a praise and worship session in a Redeemed church in the United States. 

He wrote on his official Facebook page, We are tagged as idol worshippers, but truth be told we are not idol worshippers. Our traditions give all the glory, adoration and honor to the almighty God which we know as Olodumare.

TIME TO SAY OUR LORD’S PRAYER by DELE MOMODU,

This is why I’m flabbergasted that President Jonathan is allowing some rascals to mislead and drive him down that same evil alley. A man who was rescued and raised up by God should never play God. 

Fellow Nigerians, please I have no intention of scaring anyone today but to paint a realistic scenario of what may likely happen soon. Experience has taught me not to dismiss anything as mere rumour these days. I vividly recollect the damage even unfounded rumour can cause in a country so prone to malicious gossips as Nigeria.
Permit me to take you down memory lane especially those who were yet to be born, or old enough to experience first-hand certain events, in1989 that culminated in what was dubbed the SAP Riots. It so happened that an evil genius somewhere had released a bazooka of a rumour about General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and his family. The tale-bearer had mentioned that there was a story in Ebony, an American magazine, which purportedly listed the stupendous wealth of the Babangidas, including coded accounts in Switzerland, a sprawling boutique in Paris, choice properties in a few world capitals and so on.
The rumour ignited like bush-fire in harmattan just as some livid and obviously rabid Nigerians went wild and took to the streets. I don’t remember the exact date of this conflagration but it was on a particular Wednesday in May 1989. I was a reporter working for the Weekend Concord at the time and was out of Lagos when the demonstrators unleashed mayhem in different parts of Nigeria, most especially in Lagos and Benin City. I had returned on a Friday to my desk while the first edition of our wave-making and audacious newspaper had already gone out. And the cover read: Black Wednesday in Lagos.
I immediately approached my Editor, Mr Mike Awoyinfa, a man with an uncanny nose for news and scoops, and challenged him about the lack of adequate bite in the reportage of that important story. My Editor threw the challenge back at me and instructed me to write another version for the second edition. The story I was about to pen was so dangerously precarious under a military regime but I challenged fate and broke down the eventful riots into pieces and took the readers back into its original source. Every newspaper had celebrated the story but they were just too timid to situate the reasons for the total breakdown of law and order apparently for fear of a backlash from the petulant military rulers.

What I found preposterous was the fact that no one had made sufficient effort to look for the original publication that supposedly printed the satanic story. Even the famous social crusader, Dr Tai Solarin, who led a chunky part of the rebellion, said he had not seen an original copy of the magazine. Everything was thus based on rumours upon rumours and hearsay upon hearsay. Fortunately for me, as I sat down to write one of my most difficult stories ever, our Managing Director, Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, received some current editions of Ebony magazine from our Chairman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who had just flown in from one of his marathon trips abroad. Dr Abiola, as if in spirit, had urgently dispatched the copies of Ebony to my Editor who in turn sent them to me, and that confirmed our worst fears that there was no such story and it was all a mere fabrication to smear the government.
I must have written one of my best stories ever that night. I traced the origin of the rumours and painted a vivid picture of the allegations. I mentioned authoritatively that we had combed several issues of Ebony and there was no such story ever published. For extra effect, we made a bromide of the latest Ebony cover and plastered it on the cover of Weekend Concord. As I sweated over the story, I uncharacteristically sent for a bottle of beer to calm down my nerves. The Publisher of Classique magazine, May Ellen Ezekiel, had walked in to submit her MEE column which I had the privilege of editing, and asked why I was looking so tense. I told her about my delicate story and she was wowed by my bravery. That very night, she started working on how to poach me to her magazine. What was more, our Lagos edition of Weekend Concord sold 80,000 copies that Saturday.
My mind raced back to this experience about four weeks ago as I ran into a Nigerian lady in Madrid who told me she had left Nigeria in order to escape election violence but was returning because it was postponed. As I write this, I know of many families running away from Nigeria between now and next week. If you doubt the veracity of my gist, please call or try to book flights on any of the major airlines and tell me your experience later. Election has become a war and a matter of life and death in our country. I was hoping things would be different after watching the peace accord document that was voluntarily signed by our political gladiators in Abuja, before man and God.  I was particularly encouraged by the loud banter exchanged between President Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari. It is tragic that the accord broke down almost as soon as it was signed.
I won’t make you more miserable by regurgitating some of the nonsense campaigning we’ve been subjected to by adults and supposed nationalists who should know much better and act decorously. But the situation has so degenerated that no one can predict what would happen next. Now the scaremongering has reached a crescendo. The biggest rumour in town is that the ruling party has decided that it will never hand over power to the opposition no matter the outcome of the election. And these rumours are emanating from some of those very close to the corridors of power. The First Lady, in particular, has not hidden her disdain for her husband’s main challenger. I’ve taken time to watch most of her campaigns after my well-circulated open letter to her hoping to see a mellowing down in tone and tempo but she seems to have charged back with a vengeance thus spiralling out of control. The hate speeches have shone clearly that our nation is on tenterhooks and we need loads of prayers to have this cup pass over us.
The doomsday predilection should therefore be taken seriously since nothing can be ruled out in our dear beloved country. The power-mongers are never tired of trying new stunts. Who would have believed in 1993 that Chief Abiola would win the election and a few people would sit in a room and cancel what had the potential of unifying Nigerians forever! But it happened before our very eyes. Unfortunately, Nigeria has known no peace since then. We have become more divided and stupidly disunited since then.
The actors and characters currently in power seem to want to try their own June 12 fiasco. They have been going round taking lessons and tutorials in how to hold a whole country to ransom and by the jugular just because they must hang on to power. They do not mind wielding guns and cudgels in broad daylight on the streets of a megacity, with security agents in tow. They have reduced the issues of performance and under-performance to ethnicity and religion. I thought it should be obvious that elections are not won by force but through deliverables and persuasion. Rather than encourage Professor Attahiru Jega to do a better job this time, I’ve watched all manner of hirelings on television cooking some hocus-pocus in order to discredit the man and hopefully boot him out. Someone high up even assured me Jega will be removed by today because he would never be permitted to conduct the forthcoming election and it just didn’t make sense to me.

If I was going to dismiss the Interim Government rumour out of hand I was immediately jolted back to reality after the latest warning by no less personages than Professor Wole Soyinka and Lt. General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade both of whom have access to very solid and credible intelligence. General Olusegun Obasanjo had also spoken copiously against it and must have had good cause for doing so. In case some of the present warriors have lost their memory of the June 12 crisis, let me remind them about what happened to each of the dramatis personae one by one.
General Babangida was the President who supervised that election which Professor Humphrey Nwosu conducted efficiently.  After the annulment, Babangida, who went by the moniker Maradona, was forced to step aside and he never succeeded in coming back as he seemed to have planned and designed. He lost to boot what would have being his most glorious moment. Chief Ernest Degunle Shonekan was forced on the nation as Head of Interim Government but he hardly settled in before some soldiers put guns to his head and forced him to relinquish power in a jiffy. Chief Moshood Abiola was deceived into believing that General Sani Abacha would hand over to him after a coup that would flush out the Babangida renegades but it turned out to be a grand scam. Abacha took power and decided to sit pretty and the owner of the mandate was left out in the chilly cold.
Abacha wasted no time in arresting Chief Abiola and kept him for most part incommunicado and in solitary confinement. Abacha must also researched those likely to have voluble ambition to checkmate him and he discovered two influential Generals, Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and promptly hurled both into detention after arranging some felonious charges against them. The latter died in prison. Both Abacha and Abiola would later die in mysterious circumstances, just one month apart in 1998. Nigeria itself went into a coma. Over two decades after, we are still grappling with lack of basic necessities of life and we’ve never had things so bad minus the civil war era which some of our brethren in the East also appear to have forgotten by playing race card above potentials.

The danger of plotting against your people is you never know the punishment that awaits you and yours. I’m sure many of those who brought crisis upon us these past decades must be gnashing their teeth by now. Had they concocted a better Nigeria, things would probably have turned out differently today even for them. Our country would have been rescued from the vermin now plaguing our land. Only God gives power and HE is the one who can take it back.
I will give my last example. In 2010, everything was done by the so-called cabal to stop the then Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, from assuming power. The custodian of the power himself was too sick and totally oblivious to the power-game around him. Yet a few people commandeered Nigeria in his name. At the height of the higgledy-piggledy it was even suggested that power was going to be transferred to his wife. We were all afraid that Nigeria may collapse in the process but nothing of the sort happened because God the ALMIGHTY, as always, sorted Nigeria out. Without anyone firing a bullet those playing God ate the humble pie and left power without as much as a whimper.

This is why I’m flabbergasted that President Jonathan is allowing some rascals to mislead and drive him down that same evil alley. A man who was rescued and raised up by God should never play God. There is nothing more to gain by our President. He is the luckiest man I know, dead or alive. What more can he ever ask for? My advice as usual is simple and straight-forward.
Mr President has one week to make history and the only way to achieve that is not to end his career in unproductive acrimony. All those prodding him on, including his wife, have nothing to lose but he has everything to forfeit. I’m sure most of those who worked for the world’s most notorious dictators are still around to enjoy their loot while the despots have all been consigned to the dustbin of history. That is the tragedy that befalls those who listen to similarly wrong people that litter our political landscape and I see so many more of them along the corridors of Abuja.
There is a thin line between success and failure. What Nigeria needs is a visibly free and credible election. We need it now more than ever. If the President wins, so be it. And if the opposition candidate creates an upset, I expect the President to ring him up and concede defeat like other digital leaders such as him. The world shall rise up and give him a standing ovation. But if he plays for broke by deciding to fight dirty as pre-ordained by the hawks that appear to have enchanted and engulfed him, the rest of us shall take solace in the Lord’s Prayer:
“Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy Name
Thy will be done on earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.”

PENDULUM BY DELE MOMODU, Email: dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Four promises Buhari made to Nigerian women yesterday..

Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, among other things promised to end discrimination against women in all sectors in the county, if he is elected in the March 28 election.

According to Buhari, Nigeria women would enjoy equality and equity, especially in employment, education, housing and entrepreneurship.

Buhari made the promises on Thursday, March 19, at a Town Hall meeting with Nigerian women in Lagos.

Below are 4 key pledges the former Head of state made:

1. “My administration will have zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. “We will provide women with greater legal protection from all forms of violence and sexual harassment and there will be commitment to the implementation of all existing legislation on violence against women.”

2. “We will include gender as a component of the federal character and we will make a concerted effort to empower women in rural areas, who constitute the majority of Nigerian women”

3. “Ours, will be an administration that firmly believes that women hold up half the sky, my vision is for my daughters and your daughters to enjoy a world in which discrimination will be a thing of the distant past.”

4. “It might be a long journey, but with your support and votes, we will be on the right path together. “Nigerian women have been promised so much for so long. I stand before you now to make a solemn promise that I will not take your votes for granted." 

So women out here how truth do you take the Generals word? Let hear from you by commenting.