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Thursday, August 31, 2023

The Politician's Game: Exploiting and Abandoning Followers for Personal Gain.

The Politician's Game: Exploiting and Abandoning Followers for Personal Gain.
By: Mature Minds Community Media 
In many parts of the world, including Nigeria, politics has been marred by a pervasive practice: politicians using their followers as a means to an end, only to discard them once their objectives are fulfilled. This article explores the phenomenon of politicians in Nigeria, particularly in the southern region, using and subsequently abandoning their loyal supporters after achieving their goals. This pattern of behavior sheds light on the opportunistic nature of politics and its implications for governance, trust, and social development.

The relationship between politicians and their followers often follows a predictable cycle. During elections or when seeking political favor, politicians invest time, resources, and efforts in winning the loyalty of their followers. Promises of better living conditions, jobs, empowerment programs, and other incentives are doled out to create a sense of allegiance. These offerings, though often superficial, help to build a bond between the politician and their supporters.

Once the politician secures the coveted political position, the dynamics begin to change. Priorities shift from maintaining connections with the electorate to consolidating power and influence. The resources that were once generously allocated to followers and supporters are now redirected towards personal gains, bureaucratic machinery, and consolidating the politician's hold on power.

The most critical aspect of this exploitative relationship is the eventual abandonment of followers. The politician's once vibrant engagement with the community dwindles as they focus on other matters. Promised benefits, such as job opportunities, infrastructure development, and empowerment initiatives, often remain unfulfilled. Graduates among their media teams who were once hopeful for employment are left to struggle without the support they were promised.

While in power, politicians may resort to token gestures to maintain a semblance of support. These gestures, however, often fail to address the genuine needs of the people. During festive periods, for instance, politicians distribute food items and small amounts of money, portraying themselves as caring leaders. However, these acts are insufficient to uplift the community and are often perceived as mere attempts to pacify the masses.

The exploitation and subsequent abandonment of followers by politicians have far-reaching consequences for society. Trust in political leadership erodes, and disillusionment with the political process grows. The cycle perpetuates a culture of dependency, where citizens begin to lose agency and the motivation to engage in meaningful civic activities. This not only hinders social progress but also weakens the democratic fabric of the nation.

To break this harmful cycle, both systemic and attitudinal changes are necessary. Stronger regulatory mechanisms need to be established to hold politicians accountable for their promises and actions. Civil society organizations, media, and citizens' initiatives can play a vital role in monitoring political behavior and advocating for ethical governance.

Additionally, politicians must recognize the importance of genuine empowerment and sustainable development initiatives. Instead of providing temporary relief through token gestures, they should focus on creating opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship that can lead to long-term self-sufficiency.

In Conclusion, the exploitative practice of politicians using and dumping their followers after achieving their goals is a distressing reality in many regions, particularly in Nigeria's southern part. This phenomenon highlights the need for a more ethical, accountable, and people-centered approach to politics. For society to flourish and democracy to thrive, politicians must shift their focus from short-term gains to long-term sustainable development, and citizens must demand transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement from their elected representatives.

UCL DRAW: "GROUP OF DEATH."

UCL DRAW: "GROUP OF DEATH."
By: Olamide Akinwumi
The UEFA Champions League draw took place today, revealing the group stage matchups for the upcoming tournament. One of the most talked-about outcomes is the formation of what's being referred to as the "Group of Death." This term is used when a group consists of exceptionally strong and competitive teams, making it a challenging task for any of them to advance to the knockout stages. In this case, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Newcastle United have found themselves grouped together, creating an intense and exciting dynamic. The matches within this group are expected to be thrilling, as fans eagerly anticipate seeing some of Europe's top football clubs battle it out for a spot in the next round. The term "Group of Death" highlights the fierce competition and unpredictability that can arise in such groups, as any team could potentially advance despite the tough opposition. As the group stage matches unfold, football enthusiasts around the world will be closely following the progress of these teams in what promises to be a captivating UCL season. #UCLdraw

MY ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE ANCHORED ON EASE OF BUSINESS, COLLABORATION AND CONSTANT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT, PRESIDENT TINUBU TELLS NESG.

MY ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE ANCHORED ON EASE OF BUSINESS, COLLABORATION AND CONSTANT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT, PRESIDENT TINUBU TELLS NESG.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his support for a robust public-private sector partnership to grow the economy, saying that his administration’s sustained, bold and coordinated reforms are anchored on a "strong adherence to accountability and transparency."

Speaking at an audience on Thursday in Abuja with members of the Board and Management of the Nigeria Economic Support Group (NESG), the President reiterated his unequivocal resolve to fully implement the eight priority reform areas under the Renewed Hope Agenda within the next three years.

The President emphasized that Nigeria is blessed with rich human and natural resources, in addition to deficit opportunities, which can quickly be leveraged into new prosperity, calling for the urgent exploitation of Nigeria's diversity for collective gain, with an eye on new think tanks in the agricultural sector and the establishment of a commodity exchange.

E"We have gone through the past. I will not look back. The focus of my horse and my race remains forward-looking. We have an abundance of knowledge and untapped mineral resources, and an agricultural sector that is God-given, but we tend to shy away from taking those gigantic steps that will result in prosperity for our people.

"We are not exploiting our diversity for prosperity, we are at each other’s throats, arguing about unnecessary things, instead of thinking and doing for our people," the President said.

The President noted that he was elected on a "no excuses" platform for renewed hope and that he will not accept excuses from anyone in his government as they set out to deliver on his agenda.

"Looking backwards is retrogressive for any reformer. Looking forward can give you the leaps that will propel you in the right direction.

"We need think tanks in the agricultural sector. I don’t see why Nigeria will be so blessed with good soil and not have a commodity exchange. I don’t see why we have not been able to interrogate our real estate sector and propel it.

"I don’t see why we have not used consumer credit to build the purchasing power of our people and the capacity of our very own manufacturing sector," the President assessed.

While commending the NESG for believing in the reforms of his administration, the President said the "bitter pill" must be administered to an ailing nation and economy to build a better future for the country.

"I am here and I believe we can do it together. No single person succeeds alone. The world is dynamic.

"We are confronted with climate change and other challenges, but somewhere in the eye of the storm, there is a quiet and peaceful corner for those who can toil well. With patience and determination, we will succeed," the President assured.

The Chairman of NESG, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, welcomed the economic reforms announced by the Tinubu administration, specifically with respect to fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange rate harmonization, food security and palliatives to sub-national governments.

The NESG Chairman pledged that the NESG would work with the newly inaugurated cabinet to achieve the eight-point agenda of the administration.

"Your track record in the effective implementation of bold economic reforms as the Governor of Lagos leaves those of us in the private sector without doubt that you will achieve much greater feats as our nation's president," the NESG Chairman confided.

He used the occasion of the courtesy visit to formally request the President to declare open the NESG Summit in October, as well as to direct Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to partner with them and participate fully at the Summit as part of efforts to ramp up local and foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 31, 2023

Olatunbosun Cautions Motorists Against Flouting Traffic Rules, Diversions On Roads Undergoing Construction Works.

Olatunbosun Cautions Motorists Against Flouting Traffic Rules, Diversions On Roads Undergoing Construction Works.
Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti State Commissioner for Information.

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has advised motorists and commuters plying roads where construction works are ongoing to exercise patience and obey traffic diversions so as not to create undue hindrances to the construction work. 
He said motorists and commuters must also exercise caution to avert avoidable accidents which may lead to possible injury and needless loss of lives. 

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti, assured that Government would ensure delivery of good quality and timely projects, adding that concerted efforts have been put in place to guarantee the delivery of the projects on schedule.   

He said that the measures put in place to control traffic are in the interest of public and the State Government would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that the projects are completed within the stipulated period.

Stressing that the focus is to boost economic and social activities in the State and predominantly at the grassroots, Olatunbosun said that the Oyebanji administration would continue to embark on meaningful policies and projects that have positive impact on the lives of the people, adding that the wellbeing of the people remained Government’s top priority.

He recalled that Governor Oyebanji recently signed two bills that would ensure proper maintenance and rehabilitation of deplorable roads in the State into laws, stressing that the Ekiti State Rural Access Roads Authority Bill (2023) and the Ekiti State Roads Funds bill (2023) were enacted because of their potentials to have positive impact on people in the State, “especially on farmers who would have access to good roads to transport farm produce.”

The Commissioner added that another 12 rural roads would also be rehabilitated under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) as part of interventions to make community roads accessible. 

He highlighted roads undergoing rehabilitation in the State to include Oye- Iye --Ikun -Otun- Diary Farm Road, Ado-Iworoko-Road, Ikole township Road, Itapa- Ijelu- Omu Road, Moferere-Agric Olope-Odo  Ado, Ilawe-Erijiyan road and the Hospital Management road in Ado-Ekiti.

Olatunbosun said that while the Igbara Odo - Ikogosi Road, Iloro-Ijurin-Temidire- Ayegunle road and the failed Culvert on Igede -Ilawe road as well as the  Igbara Odo - Ikogosi Road are undergoing reconstruction, the State Government is undertaking fresh construction of the Omisanjana –Sije- Deeper Life- Ajebandele road, the GRA 3rd Extension road and the Okeoro-Ilokun-Ipoti road.

Stressing that construction of the roads handled by the Oyebanji administration were monitored to guarantee durability, Olatunbosun however appealed to the people to avoid acts that are inimical to the longevity of the roads.

He warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in gutters and waterways as well as the construction of unauthorized speed-breakers could lead to flooding and rapid destruction of the roads.

EKSG Will Be Impartial, Apolitical In Settling Land Disputes- Deputy Governor.

EKSG Will Be Impartial, Apolitical In Settling Land Disputes- Deputy Governor.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has assured all the towns enmeshed in boundary crisis that the government will ensure justice and act as truly impartial arbiter in the handling of all pending land disputes in the state.

The government said it won't view any land matter brought before it with political  prism in the interest of peace and unity, which are the two main pillars required to stabilise any society. 

Mrs Afuye gave the assurance, on Thursday, while interfacing with the critical stakeholders in the lingering land dispute between Ifisin and Esure Ekiti.

The parley was convened by the government sequel to a petition written by Ifisin Community, alleging that some Esure Ekiti  farmers were trespassing  on its lands.

Presiding over the matter, with the  representatives of the two communities in attendance, Mrs Afuye, said the Ekiti State Land Dispute Resolution Committee, comprising  the Permanent Secretary in her office, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi and the Ekiti State Surveyor General, Surveyor Adebayo Faleto will visit the disputed land to ascertain the veracity of the claims being made by the feuding parties.

Appealing to the communities to abide by whatever conclusion arrived at  by the committee, Mrs Afuye disclosed that peace and stability of the state are very dear to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and that nothing will be allowed to tinker with the relative peace being enjoyed by Ekiti residents.

She said the two towns had coexisted peacefully for years due to the strong cord of unity and love between them, saying the current crisis shouldn't be allowed to sever the long-standing relationship.

"Let me reiterate once against that What Governor Biodun  Oyebanji expects from all towns is peace and he has been preaching towards it  and anything that will affect our peace negatively , we want to be avoiding it. Let us learn how to be civil and decorous. 

"We have a standing committee to handle issues if this nature. The committee will come and visit the place. Please, warn you youths, don't let them bring thugs to come and harass anybody. Justice shall prevail in this matter.

"Let me assure you that we are not going to be biased or show political favouritism in any land dispute we handle and that we will apply in this matter. We must learn how to show love to our neighbours; that was what our forebears showed over some of these lands we are now fighting over.

"The cocoa and kolanut that Esure Ekiti farmers had planted on this land will be difficult to remove, even if the place called Omifunfun is taken as the boundary. So, Ifisin people will be made to show understanding in the interest of peace between the two towns.

"My submission doesn't preempt the outcome of what the committee will submit as recommendations. I am just laying emphasy that it is going to be a win-win situation for the two towns".

The Elesure of Esure, Oba Adebanji Ajibola and the representative of Onifisin, Surveyor Bamidele Fabode, lauded the position canvassed by the Deputy Governor that the committee will visit the land before taking its final position on the matter.

But speaking to the petition earlier written to the government, the representative of Onifisin, Surveyor Fabode, said a meeting had earlier been convened at the behest of  Onifisin and Elesure, where it was  agreed that "Omifunfun Stream" should be taken as the boundary .

He added that part of the resolutions was that, Esure farmers, who have cocoa plantations beyond the stream would be allowed to maintain the ownership of their crops. 

"It was agreed at the meeting held in Ifisin Ekiti where the two monarchs were present and the representatives of the two towns that Omifunfun Stream was the boundary. It was also agreed that Esure farmers  will be made to retain their cocoa even if Ifisin decided to survey the land up to the stream". 

But  Elesure, Oba Ajibola, countered the position, describing a rock  called "Aibayan" as the boundary contrary to the claim by Ifisin people.

The monarch lamented how his people were being arrested by Ifisin people and filed tresspass charges against them over a land they had owned for centuries, describing such as inhuman and wicked.

"The stream we mentioned had always been  the boundary.  But we will allow the  government to mediate in this matter and come out with a true position on who truly owns the land between us. I will continue to appeal to my people to maintain peace".

Rwanda Retires 12 Generals, Cameroon Reshuffles Defence Ministry After Gabon Coup.

Rwanda Retires 12 Generals, Cameroon Reshuffles Defence Ministry After Gabon Coup.
The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) has retired 12 generals and others in a move to reshuffle the military while Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has made changes to the Central African country’s Ministry of Defence. 

Both moves are coming in the wake of the Gabon coup, the latest in a series of military takeovers in Africa.

A Wednesday statement by the RDF said President Paul Kagame has retired 83 military personnel including 12 generals.

They include: General James Kabarebe, General Fred Ibingira, Lt. Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Major General Eric Murokore, Major General Augustin Turagara, Major General Charles Karamba, Major General Albert Murasira, Brigadier General Chris Murari, Brigadier General Didace Ndahiro, Brigadier General Emmanuel Ndahiro.

Kagame also approved the promotion and appointment of some officers to replace them, RDF added. The moves take immediate effect.

The Rwandan president, who has been in power since 2000, is one of the continent’s longest-serving leaders. A 2015 amendment to the country’s constitution means he can stay in power until 2034.

Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt Gen M Muganga also held meetings with HE Hazza AlQahtani, Ambassador of UAE to Rwanda, and Colonel JE ACHU, Defence Attaché of Cameroon.

“They discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation between their respective countries,” the RDF said in a tweet.

Just before RDF’s statement, Biya announced a reshuffling in the Central African country’s defence ministry.

“Decree appointing officials to the Ministry of Defence,” he wrote on Twitter, now known as X.

One of the posts changed was the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, navy, police, and air force staff.

The Cameroonian president began his reign in 1982 after a coup. While he later allowed for elections after severe criticisms of oppression and human rights abuses, Biya, 90, has remained president.

Wednesday’s move comes hours after military officers seized power in Gabon, prompting condemnations from world leaders and jubilation from residents of the oil-rich Central African nation.

FG announce closures of Murtala Muhammed Airport.

The Federal Government has announced the closure of the Murtala Mohammed Airport from October 1, 2023.

The FG made this disclosure through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The FG directed all international airlines to vacate the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, from October 1, 2023.

Keyamo said this was necessary to give room for total maintenance work at the airport.

The Minister said this during a tour of the international airports in Lagos, where he was accompanied by the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed.