The David Mark Blood Offer
By Mas Damisa
The newly honoured Amulutoro of Egbaland, and President of the Senate, Brigadier General David Mark has offered his blood for the peace of Egbaland and Nigeria. “I will ensure that there is peace in Egbaland and Ogun at large. And I will do that even with the last pint of my blood. I will ensure that there is development from strength to strength and I will ensure that all Nigerians begin to do things according to the wisdom of God and all leaders will continue to rule according to the fear of the Lord.” He made this vow at St Peter’s Cathedral Church Ake, Abeokuta before dignitaries which included the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole. Mercifully, his office has not denied any part of the above quoted statement
Distinguished Senator David Mark is not averse to blood shedding given his background as a retired army one-star general. His offer came at a time his benefactors, the Egba people and kingdom are at odds with Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel. His mentor and political godfather, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a distinguished Egba leader whose relationship with governor Daniel is also frosty. The ex-president’s daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello is also at daggers drawn with Daniel, who is having a tango with Speaker Dimeji Bankole. I am not sure of the quantity of blood required to make peace between and among this quarrelsome quartet; but Senator Mark appeared to have enough pints to spare. And of course, by the time of his visit to Ogun State, the stalemate between the State House of Assembly and Governor Daniel had grown worse to the extent that the State has no sitting Legislature for months. This calls for some more pints of blood if peace is to return to the state. Don’t ask me of the quantity of blood required for this distinguished intervention please.
Back in the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives not long ago had a face-off on the question of which of the two Chambers was superior to the other, for which the national budget was delayed. Only Senator Mark knows how much blood he shed to appease the distinguished honourables. Nigeria is presently groaning from the burden of the outrageous income package of the Parliament that is reputed to be about the costliest in the world. It is also believed to be one of the most unproductive Parliaments and yet the most flamboyant, an Assembly credited with the worst self-serving legislation anywhere in the world. As a privileged insider, Amulutoro Mark could have estimated the quantum of hot blood required to right the wrongs, although be is yet to disclose the actual value of his sacrifice in that direction.
In his home state in Benue, his Idoma kith and kin are reeling from the domineering rule of the Tiv ethnic nation and are planning to escape it through the request for the creation of Apa State. He must have shed voluminous pints of blood in that struggle, even if with nothing to show for it. I have not taken care to know what quantity of blood an average man has in his body, but being a distinguished Senator, his stream of blood never runs dry, I swear! When one young Alhaji cried foul over his stolen senatorial seat, he pointed accusing fingers at Senator David Mark, the distinguished Amulutoro. A lot of red blood must have been shed before the matter was eventually resolved by the courts. Enough of this bloody offer?
As the military governor of Niger State in the 1980’s, the home state of General Ibrahim Babangida, David Mark offered his blood and made his mark on the sands (don’t say treasury) of the State. When he was appointed Minister of Communications by Babangida, he shed his blood to ensure that telephone was out of reach of the poor: it was not meant for the poor, he said. He claimed to have been opposed to the military’s continued stay in power and so, was a threat to General Sani Abacha’s government. Rather than shedding his blood to make his point, he voted with his feet to Western Europe where he spent some cossy time at classy Golf courses reputedly owned by him. No sooner than Abacha died in 1998 than David Mark landed in Abuja preparatory to actualizing his senatorial ambition. He achieved this in 1999 and ever since has remained in the Senate and became its presiding officer in 2007. Right now, he is rearing for another term in the Senate – that is after some twelve years on the job. Who knows how much blood he shed to purchase that seat for keeps? Perhaps the reason why he called for automatic return tickets for members of the National Assembly was to enable him generates more blood for nation-wide peace sacrifice. He failed to convince his party on this free ticket, though. But he is not one to take defeat for a verdict, and so he approached the issue again and with a legislative fiat, opposition within his party and other parties are now shut out of contest to the National Assembly with Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010. With political parties imposed with cost prohibitive primaries and conventions, only David Mark and his colleagues at the National Assembly possesses the wherewithal to contest the 2011 Parliamentary election.
There is no other time than now for Senator David Mark to fulfill his promise to make Nigerians and their leaders “to rule according to the fear of the Lord.” Where else should he start except from the National Assembly? David Mark was a prominent member of the infamous IBB boys and he made capital out of it. He became one of the Obasanjo boys and was crowned the Senate President even before the election results were counted; with his N60 million a quarter, and N240 million per annum income, Mark has made so much money in four years as a Senator and perhaps double that figure as Senate President. Having been fed so fat from the national treasury, his entire blood may not have been adequate to appease God for peace in Nigeria. There are those who died or suffered for the country without a kobo reward. Many are resting in their unmarked graves even as many more are half-alive in penury and misery. All we require from David Mark is to go and read Psalm 51 written by his Biblical name-sake, repent from his iniquity of misrule and gluttony and convince his colleagues in the Parliament to do likewise. We don’t need the blood of the Amulukoros but their restitution, chikena!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Lugardian Legatees of Power
The Lugardian Legatees of Power
By Sam Onimisi
If attempts at revolt or actual rebellion is dispassionately examined, the root causes are likely to be located at inequity, injustice and the quest for freedom and self-determination. While the reasons for revolt or rebellion may differ, the purpose is often more or less the same, although the rebel and those who labeled him so, may never agree on the causes of rebellion. Many ethnic nationalities in Nigeria have had cause to revolt against government or rebel against the nation-state. And each time it happened, the sovereignty of the country is questioned if not challenged. The sad result however is that the state had often repressed the revolt with maximum force to the effect that the victims of repression surrenders, albeit temporarily. Having been brutally defeated, they regress into latent animosity to continue the fight by some other subtle means. What are these means?
By means of sabotage and non-cooperation, the defeated rebel would continue to inflict damaging injury to the body-politic, against public policies and national institutions. But why should they do so? Because anyone who embarks on a righteous cause such as the struggle to enthrone equity or justice and is defeated in the process will not rest until he obtains justice. No one who is brutalized and humiliated for doing the right thing will give up the fight until justice prevails. When will they not fight if they are denied their just deserve? When will there not be a fight once mutual trust is lost through injustice, inequity and lack of fairness? The deprived cannot trust the cheat just as the oppressed can never trust his oppressor. The oppressor or the cheat can never trust his victim as he will always suspect him of revolt or sabotage. And so with prevalence of mutual suspicions, how can there be a conducive atmosphere or environment for peaceful development?
I am not one to say that some people may not have revolted out of ignorance or inordinate ambition and greed or both, but these are easily sorted out once they are defeated when they could now see more clearly that they were wrong or unfair. The answer to ignorance is to be informed and inordinate ambition could be checked or regulated but greed is a stubborn foe as it comes intermittently unabashed. The greedy is always also the guilty who never admit to greed; as he has an inner propeller that urges him on in a recaltricant manner, especially if he his strong, large, big or numerically so. They operate through the boldness of a troop and behave as if they are always right, going by the doctrine of might is right.
Nigeria as a sovereign state has had her sovereignty questioned on several occasions. These are occasions when she could have embarked on self-examination with a view of making amends and administering redress. But her responses in those challenges have been the wrong anti-dote or remedies. This is why the country is perpetually at war against herself, the reason why what works in other countries does not work in Nigeria – not necessarily because those things are unsuitable – but because of our attitude. While ambition and greed may be innate in man, they are often triggered by external stimuli or instigation. Political greed comes from many sources including instigators. It is my view that our colonial masters contrived the political problems confronting Nigeria today for reasons and purposes that are inimical to our progress or stability.
The quest for independence was limited initially to the South who had a head-start in Western education – which was why Chief Anthony Enahoro’s motion for independence in 1953 was defeated. The Northern Peoples Congress voted against it and being the Party in majority, it had its way. However, when freedom came our way in 1960, those who kicked against it became the beneficiary of power and those who had some ideas of what they could do for the country if we were independent were forced to stay behind. In democracy, majority is expected to have its way while the minority would have its say. The irony is that the majority is not and cannot be always right; and yet would always have its way, which is the tyranny of the majority. Sad enough and nearly 60 years after, the Boko Haramites are still fighting against Western education!
Perhaps we need to know how the majority came about their number. The creation of regions by the colonial masters in the source. The North was twice bigger than the East and Western region combined. While this was so in size or land mass, census population was also manipulated to tally with land mass, thus allocating to the North what demography could not prove or support. To think that in terms of ethnic, cultural and religious composition, the Northern region was never homogenous or monolithic; the design of the colonial masters to entrench inequity and injustice in Nigeria is clearly laid bare. This is one reason why the fault of Nigeria’s ills must always be put at the doorsteps of Britain instead of the Nigerian North, for the North as it was never created itself. When the people of Central Nigeria demanded for their region, the British colonial masters refused, as it could have destroyed their design for Nigeria. Britain harvests a lot of profit from Nigeria’s instability and lack of progress. It was all a master plan!.
We must agree that most people value inheritance and would do all in their power to preserve and defend it or maintain the status quo; we should not expect less from Northerners as the legatees of political power in Nigeria. And the nature of power does not lend itself to bargaining or negotiation unless it is challenged by a greater power or serious threat. Power shifted to the South in 1999 because there was sufficient threat to the locus of power, not because the wielders of power were tired of it; not even because they wanted it to rotate. The North reluctantly conceded it to the South and was eagerly awaiting its return to base. But the South-South who inherited it by accident is also desirous to continue with it, may be because they also are legitimate citizens of Nigeria, or are they not?
As it is, there are only two things that keeps Nigeria together and they are, oil income and the lure of political power. Don’t be deceived, no ethnic group remains in Nigeria today because they love the country. They love her for the oil money and the possibility of exercising political power over her someday. Is that not why when they get to power, all that interests them is to grab oil dollars as much as they could – making hay while the sun shines? Was that not the reason for tenure elongation or third term attempt, coup and counter coups or zoning by force or dole? Don’t you observe that many progressive politicians of the North joined forced with their conservative counterparts in singing the zoning anthem? Is the magnet not the allurement of power as the key to accessing our oil dollars? Can we attribute this to greed?
To be continued
By Sam Onimisi
If attempts at revolt or actual rebellion is dispassionately examined, the root causes are likely to be located at inequity, injustice and the quest for freedom and self-determination. While the reasons for revolt or rebellion may differ, the purpose is often more or less the same, although the rebel and those who labeled him so, may never agree on the causes of rebellion. Many ethnic nationalities in Nigeria have had cause to revolt against government or rebel against the nation-state. And each time it happened, the sovereignty of the country is questioned if not challenged. The sad result however is that the state had often repressed the revolt with maximum force to the effect that the victims of repression surrenders, albeit temporarily. Having been brutally defeated, they regress into latent animosity to continue the fight by some other subtle means. What are these means?
By means of sabotage and non-cooperation, the defeated rebel would continue to inflict damaging injury to the body-politic, against public policies and national institutions. But why should they do so? Because anyone who embarks on a righteous cause such as the struggle to enthrone equity or justice and is defeated in the process will not rest until he obtains justice. No one who is brutalized and humiliated for doing the right thing will give up the fight until justice prevails. When will they not fight if they are denied their just deserve? When will there not be a fight once mutual trust is lost through injustice, inequity and lack of fairness? The deprived cannot trust the cheat just as the oppressed can never trust his oppressor. The oppressor or the cheat can never trust his victim as he will always suspect him of revolt or sabotage. And so with prevalence of mutual suspicions, how can there be a conducive atmosphere or environment for peaceful development?
I am not one to say that some people may not have revolted out of ignorance or inordinate ambition and greed or both, but these are easily sorted out once they are defeated when they could now see more clearly that they were wrong or unfair. The answer to ignorance is to be informed and inordinate ambition could be checked or regulated but greed is a stubborn foe as it comes intermittently unabashed. The greedy is always also the guilty who never admit to greed; as he has an inner propeller that urges him on in a recaltricant manner, especially if he his strong, large, big or numerically so. They operate through the boldness of a troop and behave as if they are always right, going by the doctrine of might is right.
Nigeria as a sovereign state has had her sovereignty questioned on several occasions. These are occasions when she could have embarked on self-examination with a view of making amends and administering redress. But her responses in those challenges have been the wrong anti-dote or remedies. This is why the country is perpetually at war against herself, the reason why what works in other countries does not work in Nigeria – not necessarily because those things are unsuitable – but because of our attitude. While ambition and greed may be innate in man, they are often triggered by external stimuli or instigation. Political greed comes from many sources including instigators. It is my view that our colonial masters contrived the political problems confronting Nigeria today for reasons and purposes that are inimical to our progress or stability.
The quest for independence was limited initially to the South who had a head-start in Western education – which was why Chief Anthony Enahoro’s motion for independence in 1953 was defeated. The Northern Peoples Congress voted against it and being the Party in majority, it had its way. However, when freedom came our way in 1960, those who kicked against it became the beneficiary of power and those who had some ideas of what they could do for the country if we were independent were forced to stay behind. In democracy, majority is expected to have its way while the minority would have its say. The irony is that the majority is not and cannot be always right; and yet would always have its way, which is the tyranny of the majority. Sad enough and nearly 60 years after, the Boko Haramites are still fighting against Western education!
Perhaps we need to know how the majority came about their number. The creation of regions by the colonial masters in the source. The North was twice bigger than the East and Western region combined. While this was so in size or land mass, census population was also manipulated to tally with land mass, thus allocating to the North what demography could not prove or support. To think that in terms of ethnic, cultural and religious composition, the Northern region was never homogenous or monolithic; the design of the colonial masters to entrench inequity and injustice in Nigeria is clearly laid bare. This is one reason why the fault of Nigeria’s ills must always be put at the doorsteps of Britain instead of the Nigerian North, for the North as it was never created itself. When the people of Central Nigeria demanded for their region, the British colonial masters refused, as it could have destroyed their design for Nigeria. Britain harvests a lot of profit from Nigeria’s instability and lack of progress. It was all a master plan!.
We must agree that most people value inheritance and would do all in their power to preserve and defend it or maintain the status quo; we should not expect less from Northerners as the legatees of political power in Nigeria. And the nature of power does not lend itself to bargaining or negotiation unless it is challenged by a greater power or serious threat. Power shifted to the South in 1999 because there was sufficient threat to the locus of power, not because the wielders of power were tired of it; not even because they wanted it to rotate. The North reluctantly conceded it to the South and was eagerly awaiting its return to base. But the South-South who inherited it by accident is also desirous to continue with it, may be because they also are legitimate citizens of Nigeria, or are they not?
As it is, there are only two things that keeps Nigeria together and they are, oil income and the lure of political power. Don’t be deceived, no ethnic group remains in Nigeria today because they love the country. They love her for the oil money and the possibility of exercising political power over her someday. Is that not why when they get to power, all that interests them is to grab oil dollars as much as they could – making hay while the sun shines? Was that not the reason for tenure elongation or third term attempt, coup and counter coups or zoning by force or dole? Don’t you observe that many progressive politicians of the North joined forced with their conservative counterparts in singing the zoning anthem? Is the magnet not the allurement of power as the key to accessing our oil dollars? Can we attribute this to greed?
To be continued
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A Prophet most Vilified?
A Prophet most Vilified?
By Sam Onimisi
Elders, speaking from experience, often say that in every adverse situation, God has always left a room for hope and thanksgiving. The world of Nigeria has been so despondent and hopeless that very few optimists still has any faith in the survival, growth or development of the country. Humanly speaking, it is impossible to redeem Nigeria from self-destruct. In every index of development, the country has always been first - coming from the rear; to the extent that outside the shores of the country, it is a shame to be found to be a Nigerian. We are racing inexorably to the abyss of a failed nation-state even while we deny it vehemently – without doing anything worth while to reverse it.
Do you know that I have discovered an area of reprieve for Nigeria, and a Nigerian in whom God has invested His powerful virtues of miracle and wonders? I am not talking of wizards, witch-doctors or magicians. These are in legions and could be located in weird places and many buildings self-styled as shrines, house of God or worship centres. It is not about stage-managed magic of a few hours lifespan. It has nothing to do with intellectuals with chains of degrees and whose brain is abuzz with a staccato of theories, formulas and philosophies. Be assured that we are not looking at elegant grammarians shooting jaw-braking adjectives from both sides of the mouth at the same time. Or is it about show boys, stylists and entertainers of impressive eloquence and rhetoric. None of the above, please.
Some three years ago, an acquaintance who is also a journalist told me a story of a man of God who owned a newspaper in which he was employed. He said he left the job when he could not dissuade the publisher from interference in the editorial liberty of the paper as he was tired sore of the man’s intrusiveness. Although, I didn’t believe him because he never impressed me as a person of integrity or uprightness, I nevertheless became cautious of the man of God in question. Not too long thereafter, stories began to fly about the man of God in journals of questionable credibility. It was always allegations of false prophecy, doubtful miracles and immoral escapades. All these made me wary but curious and inquisitive about the man of God and his church. So, in my quest to establish the truth, I bought a decoder which granted me access to the church television channel. The more I watched their programmes, the more I was convinced that the man was real and the works of his hands are clean. I took another step in my efforts to convince myself – since I have a business of convincing others – that there is no camera trick in what I see. I travelled to Lagos, attended his Sunday Church service and deliverance hour and came out convinced and converted to the truth: that the man of God is a true servant and prophet of the Almighty God. Perhaps you need to know that I myself was ordained as a pastor some 15 years back and still retain some unction and spiritual gifts to discern the truth. Having established my facts, I feel bold to acquaint you with this man of God.
On Sunday 31 October, I tuned the church’s television channel and here is what I saw, among other things. A group of men and women on wheel-chairs entered the church and were allowed to introduce themselves one after the other. Apparently, they are familiar with the man of God and his church. The first to give testimony was a woman by name, Esther Oyema, a physically challenged lady who won a gold medal in the recent Commonwealth games in India. Her wheel chair has been a gift from the church; she displayed her gold medal and said she was feeling some discomfort in her arms – as a weight-lifter, this is expected. But I was astounded when the man of God announced a package of gifts and awards for the gold medalist. A Honda Acura automatic car, the sum of N1 million and a six month vacation at any country of her choice were her rewards from the church!
It was the turn of Mrs. Onyinyechi Chinedu, a Master’s degree student of Abia State University who had been on the Church’s scholarship. The wheel chair she rode was a gift from the church. She recently got married to a handsome able-bodied young man. She was given an automatic Honda car, the sum of N500,000 for her degree programme and N200,000 to fuel the car! Next was Adams Surajudeen, a Youth Corps member who read Computer Science at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba on the church’s scholarship. He got N150,000 as assistance to establish a computer training centre in the village of his primary assignment. Salami Lukeman, a blind student of University of Lagos on the church’s scholarship got N500,000 for the special equipment he needs to complete his master’s degree programme. There were Vivian Ozurumba of Imo State University, Sunday Adejo of University of Ibadan, Adekunle Saheed of Adekunle Ajasin University and 15 others who got various sums of money ranging from N100,000 to N370,000 for their needs in their studies. In all, over N6,000,000 were disbursed on that day. This was not the first time I have seen this type of philanthropy on air by this prophet and his church but this is the first time I took record of what I saw.
Yet, this man of God is the butt of wicked rumours, cruel jokes and sizzling insinuations by men and women who are either hired, or driven by envy and jealousy or simply misguided in their warped assumptions. Why will anyone speak so despicably against a person whose ministry and ministration depicts the presence of divine power and grace? Take note that this narration started on the physical and material benevolence of the man. When the supernatural and extraordinary healings, deliverance. restoration, reconciliation, rehabilitation of individuals, families, couples and communities and other acts of goodness of the church are examined, you will agree that God is mightily present in the Synagogue Church of All Nations and that Senior Prophet T.B. Joshua is truly, a quintessential man of God.
Indeed, what Jesus said in the gospel of John, chapter 14 and verse 12 is daily being fulfilled in the person of T.B. Joshua through his church as broadcast daily through Emmanuel TV. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do….” People from all countries are flocking into Nigeria to seek succor and blessings at the Synagogue thereby giving the country a face lift and redeeming her dubious image. If we will not appreciate him for this, we should not disparage him.
If we will not thank God for him, we should not thump him down. Prophet T.B Joshua is busy filling the void created by government’s neglect. He is improving our foreign exchange earning through spiritual tourism. God is doing through the hands of the prophet what our best doctors and medical science could not do. Let us tame the beast of envy and acknowledge the naked truth that great things are being accomplished in the Synagogue for the benefit of mankind. May God continue to strengthen Prophet T.B. Joshua to redeem and deliver Nigeria for God!
By Sam Onimisi
Elders, speaking from experience, often say that in every adverse situation, God has always left a room for hope and thanksgiving. The world of Nigeria has been so despondent and hopeless that very few optimists still has any faith in the survival, growth or development of the country. Humanly speaking, it is impossible to redeem Nigeria from self-destruct. In every index of development, the country has always been first - coming from the rear; to the extent that outside the shores of the country, it is a shame to be found to be a Nigerian. We are racing inexorably to the abyss of a failed nation-state even while we deny it vehemently – without doing anything worth while to reverse it.
Do you know that I have discovered an area of reprieve for Nigeria, and a Nigerian in whom God has invested His powerful virtues of miracle and wonders? I am not talking of wizards, witch-doctors or magicians. These are in legions and could be located in weird places and many buildings self-styled as shrines, house of God or worship centres. It is not about stage-managed magic of a few hours lifespan. It has nothing to do with intellectuals with chains of degrees and whose brain is abuzz with a staccato of theories, formulas and philosophies. Be assured that we are not looking at elegant grammarians shooting jaw-braking adjectives from both sides of the mouth at the same time. Or is it about show boys, stylists and entertainers of impressive eloquence and rhetoric. None of the above, please.
Some three years ago, an acquaintance who is also a journalist told me a story of a man of God who owned a newspaper in which he was employed. He said he left the job when he could not dissuade the publisher from interference in the editorial liberty of the paper as he was tired sore of the man’s intrusiveness. Although, I didn’t believe him because he never impressed me as a person of integrity or uprightness, I nevertheless became cautious of the man of God in question. Not too long thereafter, stories began to fly about the man of God in journals of questionable credibility. It was always allegations of false prophecy, doubtful miracles and immoral escapades. All these made me wary but curious and inquisitive about the man of God and his church. So, in my quest to establish the truth, I bought a decoder which granted me access to the church television channel. The more I watched their programmes, the more I was convinced that the man was real and the works of his hands are clean. I took another step in my efforts to convince myself – since I have a business of convincing others – that there is no camera trick in what I see. I travelled to Lagos, attended his Sunday Church service and deliverance hour and came out convinced and converted to the truth: that the man of God is a true servant and prophet of the Almighty God. Perhaps you need to know that I myself was ordained as a pastor some 15 years back and still retain some unction and spiritual gifts to discern the truth. Having established my facts, I feel bold to acquaint you with this man of God.
On Sunday 31 October, I tuned the church’s television channel and here is what I saw, among other things. A group of men and women on wheel-chairs entered the church and were allowed to introduce themselves one after the other. Apparently, they are familiar with the man of God and his church. The first to give testimony was a woman by name, Esther Oyema, a physically challenged lady who won a gold medal in the recent Commonwealth games in India. Her wheel chair has been a gift from the church; she displayed her gold medal and said she was feeling some discomfort in her arms – as a weight-lifter, this is expected. But I was astounded when the man of God announced a package of gifts and awards for the gold medalist. A Honda Acura automatic car, the sum of N1 million and a six month vacation at any country of her choice were her rewards from the church!
It was the turn of Mrs. Onyinyechi Chinedu, a Master’s degree student of Abia State University who had been on the Church’s scholarship. The wheel chair she rode was a gift from the church. She recently got married to a handsome able-bodied young man. She was given an automatic Honda car, the sum of N500,000 for her degree programme and N200,000 to fuel the car! Next was Adams Surajudeen, a Youth Corps member who read Computer Science at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba on the church’s scholarship. He got N150,000 as assistance to establish a computer training centre in the village of his primary assignment. Salami Lukeman, a blind student of University of Lagos on the church’s scholarship got N500,000 for the special equipment he needs to complete his master’s degree programme. There were Vivian Ozurumba of Imo State University, Sunday Adejo of University of Ibadan, Adekunle Saheed of Adekunle Ajasin University and 15 others who got various sums of money ranging from N100,000 to N370,000 for their needs in their studies. In all, over N6,000,000 were disbursed on that day. This was not the first time I have seen this type of philanthropy on air by this prophet and his church but this is the first time I took record of what I saw.
Yet, this man of God is the butt of wicked rumours, cruel jokes and sizzling insinuations by men and women who are either hired, or driven by envy and jealousy or simply misguided in their warped assumptions. Why will anyone speak so despicably against a person whose ministry and ministration depicts the presence of divine power and grace? Take note that this narration started on the physical and material benevolence of the man. When the supernatural and extraordinary healings, deliverance. restoration, reconciliation, rehabilitation of individuals, families, couples and communities and other acts of goodness of the church are examined, you will agree that God is mightily present in the Synagogue Church of All Nations and that Senior Prophet T.B. Joshua is truly, a quintessential man of God.
Indeed, what Jesus said in the gospel of John, chapter 14 and verse 12 is daily being fulfilled in the person of T.B. Joshua through his church as broadcast daily through Emmanuel TV. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do….” People from all countries are flocking into Nigeria to seek succor and blessings at the Synagogue thereby giving the country a face lift and redeeming her dubious image. If we will not appreciate him for this, we should not disparage him.
If we will not thank God for him, we should not thump him down. Prophet T.B Joshua is busy filling the void created by government’s neglect. He is improving our foreign exchange earning through spiritual tourism. God is doing through the hands of the prophet what our best doctors and medical science could not do. Let us tame the beast of envy and acknowledge the naked truth that great things are being accomplished in the Synagogue for the benefit of mankind. May God continue to strengthen Prophet T.B. Joshua to redeem and deliver Nigeria for God!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Obasanjo, Danjuma & Nigeria
Obasanjo, Danjuma & Nigeria
By Mas Damisa
Both men are characters one could define in the superlatives, depending on if you are for or against them. They are strong and bold and they are both soldiers who needs no introduction. Both are retired Generals of the Nigerian Army and while one was head of state in uniform and president in agbada, another was Chief of army staff and minister of defense; both also served in the same regime. The two elder statesmen spoke in Lagos on the same day, at the same town and on different subjects. I don’t need to reiterate the fact that they are also friends-even if now estranged.
General T.Y. Danjuma spoke at a business lecture of the Lagos Country Club on Thursday 28 October on the topic: “The Nigeria of my dream.” On the same day at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, General Olusegun Obasanjo told the story of his origin at a book launch. Public lectures and book lunch are events in the public domain for which-+ reactions and comments are normal expectation. Since the country is more important than the individual, let’s first take a look at Danjuma’s lecture. The kernel of Danjuma’s speech was his acknowledgement of corruption as having assumed an oceanic proportion in Nigeria; the impunity by which perpetrators get away with it and the fact that there has been no restitution of prosecuted cases. He warned that the nation might be consumed by corruption if it is not checked.
That corruption is walking menacingly and destroying everything on its trail is a fact the blind, the deaf and dumb will acknowledge. That we have been handling it with kid-gloves is another fact only few can deny. If corruption must be defeated, me thinks that it will take more than just ‘one right man at the top’ to do so. I suppose we need several men from below to deal decisively with corruption as we are all affected. Danjuma also said that we have added no value to the crude oil we sell to the world and that is equally true. No one can add or subtract anything from the truth. He even made a more poignant and factual statement about Nigerians. He said “the average Nigerian is docile. They are very forgiving of those in authority. People don’t ask questions. May be it is because of poverty.” For a man who is reputed to be one of the richest Nigerians and who is held in awe for his integrity, he no doubt feel for the common man to be able to identify with him. Those close to him attest to it that he is generous and magnanimous, except that he suffers fools gladly. These are the aspects of his lecture with which I agree, and they constitute the bulk of what he said on that day. And, now, to the aspect of his speech with which I disagree.
General Danjuma was not happy about the criticism of the 1999 Abdulsalam Constitution just because it was produced by the military; and pointed to the military created states which legally exist today, and added that “we cannot accept democratic rule while rejecting the fundamental laws upon which it is founded”. He however accepts the fact that 1999 constitution “requires radical reconstruction.” The fact is that whatever is bad and regardless of who did, it is bad. The criticism of the Abdulsalam constitution is not so much against its military authors but that it is unsuitable for the plurality of Nigeria; which is why it requires ‘radical reconstruction’, in the words of Danjuma. The pity is that those elected to administer the constitution were elected under military decrees and before it came into effect. Therefore, the 1999 Abdulsalam constitution lacks the input of democrats and is devoid of approval by democratic means - which is why it is not working.
The states – all of them – were created by military regimes and were never validated by referendum, and to that extent they are arbitrary and artificial creations devoid of democratic values. Nigerians tolerates the states not because they like them but because “the average Nigerian is docile. They are very forgiving of those in authority. People don’t ask questions. May be it is because of poverty”. It must be added that some of the states are homogenous, especially in the South West and South East, not so in the other four zones. Moreover, a Federal Union is supposed to be created by Federating Units. Evolving units then volunteer and apply to join the Unions. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria, which makes it more arbitrary and inorganic and which is why disharmony thrives in most of the states. While privileged military elites like Danjuma feels that the constitution needs radical reconstruction; the vast silent majority of the civil populace believes in total restructuring of the country and its constitution. In effect, ‘radical reconstruction’ and ‘total restructuring’ are questions of semantics whose bottom-line is the unsuitability of the 1999 Abdulsalam Constitution and subsequent amazements. In simple paraphrase, what Nigeria needs is not one right man at the top, but radical restructuring. While we concede to the military their pride, we cannot allow it to stand in the way of needed changes to the polity-even if now we lack the courage to enforce our will.
I am distressed to have to comment on the person of the age and status of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo more so, when it has to do with his paternity. But since he is a public figure and the issue is in public domain, he cannot escape commentaries. It should be recalled that Obasanjo’s paternity came into dispute some three years ago, when a newspaper published a photograph of an ex-policeman of Igbo origin who looked every inch like Olusegun Obasanjo. We need not go into the details of the story under the photograph anymore, for a book titled “Baba’s story: Nigeria is 50” has told his own version of his origin. Why am I distressed, you ask? If you must know, then here is why. The man in question is around 75 years of age and he was our head of state and president for a cumulative period of about 12 years during which time he helped to shape our country’s destiny for good or ill. He is probably the richest Ex-President in Africa and one of the most influential statesmen in the continent. If his origin was questionable, why did we have to wait all this while until recently?
You and I should be worried that our ex-president was found or alleged to have had a dubious origin and he kept mute for three long years as if to reiterate the fact that silence means consent. Haba, Baba Iyabo! A biography is a mirror of someone’s life history and is usually written by those who know him well enough. But Baba’s story was written by a Ghanaian, Abyna-Ansa Adjei. Where are the indomitable Owu’s; the wise Egbas, the suave people of Abeokuta or even any Yoruba author? Ex-President John Kuffor of Ghana was also there at the launch. What of our other ex-heads of state: why didn’t they honour their colleague at the auspicious event? Among the many governors Obasanjo helped to make, only Alhaji Saminu Turaki ex-governor of Jigawa State was at his side during the launch. Are the rest such ingrates that they forgot how they became governors? Why did they spurn their benefactor?
Rather than honouring or appreciating our elders, we leave that obligation to foreigners to do it on our behalf, why? Even Saminu Turaki, going by the account given some years back by Alh. Sani Zorro, a former President of Nigerian Union of Journalists attested to the fact that Saminu Turaki is a Nigerien and not a Nigerian. That being the case, it means there was no Nigerian ex-leader at the book launch. The absence of the Olowu of Owu and Governor Gbenga Daniel made a loud noise. Well, as for me the matter is closed by Baba’s story. My worry is some mischievous elements who averred that the book, its launch and the conspicuous absence of some people, keeps the paternal controversy raging. I think the man deserves a respite, don’t you?
By Mas Damisa
Both men are characters one could define in the superlatives, depending on if you are for or against them. They are strong and bold and they are both soldiers who needs no introduction. Both are retired Generals of the Nigerian Army and while one was head of state in uniform and president in agbada, another was Chief of army staff and minister of defense; both also served in the same regime. The two elder statesmen spoke in Lagos on the same day, at the same town and on different subjects. I don’t need to reiterate the fact that they are also friends-even if now estranged.
General T.Y. Danjuma spoke at a business lecture of the Lagos Country Club on Thursday 28 October on the topic: “The Nigeria of my dream.” On the same day at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, General Olusegun Obasanjo told the story of his origin at a book launch. Public lectures and book lunch are events in the public domain for which-+ reactions and comments are normal expectation. Since the country is more important than the individual, let’s first take a look at Danjuma’s lecture. The kernel of Danjuma’s speech was his acknowledgement of corruption as having assumed an oceanic proportion in Nigeria; the impunity by which perpetrators get away with it and the fact that there has been no restitution of prosecuted cases. He warned that the nation might be consumed by corruption if it is not checked.
That corruption is walking menacingly and destroying everything on its trail is a fact the blind, the deaf and dumb will acknowledge. That we have been handling it with kid-gloves is another fact only few can deny. If corruption must be defeated, me thinks that it will take more than just ‘one right man at the top’ to do so. I suppose we need several men from below to deal decisively with corruption as we are all affected. Danjuma also said that we have added no value to the crude oil we sell to the world and that is equally true. No one can add or subtract anything from the truth. He even made a more poignant and factual statement about Nigerians. He said “the average Nigerian is docile. They are very forgiving of those in authority. People don’t ask questions. May be it is because of poverty.” For a man who is reputed to be one of the richest Nigerians and who is held in awe for his integrity, he no doubt feel for the common man to be able to identify with him. Those close to him attest to it that he is generous and magnanimous, except that he suffers fools gladly. These are the aspects of his lecture with which I agree, and they constitute the bulk of what he said on that day. And, now, to the aspect of his speech with which I disagree.
General Danjuma was not happy about the criticism of the 1999 Abdulsalam Constitution just because it was produced by the military; and pointed to the military created states which legally exist today, and added that “we cannot accept democratic rule while rejecting the fundamental laws upon which it is founded”. He however accepts the fact that 1999 constitution “requires radical reconstruction.” The fact is that whatever is bad and regardless of who did, it is bad. The criticism of the Abdulsalam constitution is not so much against its military authors but that it is unsuitable for the plurality of Nigeria; which is why it requires ‘radical reconstruction’, in the words of Danjuma. The pity is that those elected to administer the constitution were elected under military decrees and before it came into effect. Therefore, the 1999 Abdulsalam constitution lacks the input of democrats and is devoid of approval by democratic means - which is why it is not working.
The states – all of them – were created by military regimes and were never validated by referendum, and to that extent they are arbitrary and artificial creations devoid of democratic values. Nigerians tolerates the states not because they like them but because “the average Nigerian is docile. They are very forgiving of those in authority. People don’t ask questions. May be it is because of poverty”. It must be added that some of the states are homogenous, especially in the South West and South East, not so in the other four zones. Moreover, a Federal Union is supposed to be created by Federating Units. Evolving units then volunteer and apply to join the Unions. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria, which makes it more arbitrary and inorganic and which is why disharmony thrives in most of the states. While privileged military elites like Danjuma feels that the constitution needs radical reconstruction; the vast silent majority of the civil populace believes in total restructuring of the country and its constitution. In effect, ‘radical reconstruction’ and ‘total restructuring’ are questions of semantics whose bottom-line is the unsuitability of the 1999 Abdulsalam Constitution and subsequent amazements. In simple paraphrase, what Nigeria needs is not one right man at the top, but radical restructuring. While we concede to the military their pride, we cannot allow it to stand in the way of needed changes to the polity-even if now we lack the courage to enforce our will.
I am distressed to have to comment on the person of the age and status of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo more so, when it has to do with his paternity. But since he is a public figure and the issue is in public domain, he cannot escape commentaries. It should be recalled that Obasanjo’s paternity came into dispute some three years ago, when a newspaper published a photograph of an ex-policeman of Igbo origin who looked every inch like Olusegun Obasanjo. We need not go into the details of the story under the photograph anymore, for a book titled “Baba’s story: Nigeria is 50” has told his own version of his origin. Why am I distressed, you ask? If you must know, then here is why. The man in question is around 75 years of age and he was our head of state and president for a cumulative period of about 12 years during which time he helped to shape our country’s destiny for good or ill. He is probably the richest Ex-President in Africa and one of the most influential statesmen in the continent. If his origin was questionable, why did we have to wait all this while until recently?
You and I should be worried that our ex-president was found or alleged to have had a dubious origin and he kept mute for three long years as if to reiterate the fact that silence means consent. Haba, Baba Iyabo! A biography is a mirror of someone’s life history and is usually written by those who know him well enough. But Baba’s story was written by a Ghanaian, Abyna-Ansa Adjei. Where are the indomitable Owu’s; the wise Egbas, the suave people of Abeokuta or even any Yoruba author? Ex-President John Kuffor of Ghana was also there at the launch. What of our other ex-heads of state: why didn’t they honour their colleague at the auspicious event? Among the many governors Obasanjo helped to make, only Alhaji Saminu Turaki ex-governor of Jigawa State was at his side during the launch. Are the rest such ingrates that they forgot how they became governors? Why did they spurn their benefactor?
Rather than honouring or appreciating our elders, we leave that obligation to foreigners to do it on our behalf, why? Even Saminu Turaki, going by the account given some years back by Alh. Sani Zorro, a former President of Nigerian Union of Journalists attested to the fact that Saminu Turaki is a Nigerien and not a Nigerian. That being the case, it means there was no Nigerian ex-leader at the book launch. The absence of the Olowu of Owu and Governor Gbenga Daniel made a loud noise. Well, as for me the matter is closed by Baba’s story. My worry is some mischievous elements who averred that the book, its launch and the conspicuous absence of some people, keeps the paternal controversy raging. I think the man deserves a respite, don’t you?
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