Video: Singer Seyi Shay falls on stage while performing at the AFRIMA 2017

Seyi Shay fell while performing at the All Africa Music Awards holding in Lagos today. Like a pro that she is, she picked herself up and continued her performance as if nothing happened. Watch the video below

The devil is a liar!
As a diva that she is, Seyi Shay brought life to that stage after the fall.?? ???#AFRIMA2017 #AFRIMApic.twitter.com/Tjq95MHm6S

— D O M N A N (@Ed007_Online) November 12, 2017

Proud mom Nadia Buari shares adorable new photos of her twin daughters (Photos)

Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari who has been keeping the identity of her twins and their father private shared these new adorable photos of herself bonding with her two-year-old daughters at an apartment garden.

The proud mother welcomed her twins in 2015.

See more photos below...

Africa Holds Key For Feeding 9 Billion People By 2050 – Adesina

Africa holds the key for feeding the nine billion people that will inhabit this planet by 2050, the President of the African Development Bank and 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said during his Norman Borlaug Lecture delivered on World Food Day.

The Laureate also called for land tax for unused agricultural land or underutilized agricultural land to provide incentives for faster commercialization of agriculture and unlocking its potential in Africa.

In a lecture titled “Betting on Africa to Feed the World,” delivered on Monday, October 16 before a large international audience at Iowa State University in Des Moines, Iowa, Adesina stressed why, more than ever before, the world must help Africa to rapidly modernize its agriculture and unlock its full potential.

“Africa sits on 65% of the uncultivated arable land left in the world, so what Africa does with agriculture will determine the future of food in the world,” he emphasized. “African farmers need more than a helping hand. They need a policy lift,” Adesina said.

He also highlighted how the challenge of addressing global food security is greatest in Africa where close to 300 million are malnourished. It is also the only region of the world where the proportion of the population that is food insecure has increased, he said.

The AfDB President paid tribute to Dr. Norman Borlaug, whom the lecture series was named after, and recalled how Africa was the last frontier for the late Borlaug.

Borlaug, the Founder of the World Food Prize, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for a lifetime of work to feed a hungry world.

Adesina stressed that despite the progress globally in food production (including in Africa, Latin America and Asia), the world still has 700 million people languishing in extreme poverty. This, he added, includes 800 million with chronic hunger, 2 billion people with micronutrient deficiency, and 150 million children under 5 years of age who are suffering from stunting.

He described the challenge of feeding the world as immense, with need for rapid increases in global food, feed and biofuel production to feed a global population of 9 billion people by 2050.

“If Dr. Borlaug alone could feed one billion people, we definitely can feed 800 million people globally and we definitely can feed 300 million Africans. Dr. Borlaug would be disappointed if we couldn’t and with all technologies and innovations, from gene revolution to ICT revolution, at our disposal, we won’t be able to face him and say we didn’t.”

Adesina decried the current situation where Africa spends US $35 billion annually on food imports, describing it as unacceptable. By his estimates, if the current trend continues, Africa is estimated to spend US $110 billion by 2030 on food imports.

“There is therefore absolutely no reason for Africa to be a food-importing region. Africa has huge potential in agriculture, but, as Dr. Borlaug used to say, nobody eats potential!”

Unlocking that potential must start with the savannas of Africa which covers “a mind-boggling 600 million hectares of which 400 million hectares are cultivable,” Adesina said.

Africa’s savannas, he said, are better than the savannas of Brazil, because their soils are not acidic and therefore do not need liming, which had to be done at massive scales in Brazil.

“Yet, while the savannas of Brazil feed the world, those of Africa cannot even feed the farmers there,” he lamented.

He further highlighted how technologies, innovations, research and development, mechanization, modernization of agriculture, policy support and massive investments in infrastructure made the difference to turn the savannas of Brazil and those of Northern Thailand into a food powerhouse.

To transform its agriculture, Africa needs to make a decision to develop new agrarian systems − one that combines smallholder farmers with a new dynamic generation of medium and large commercial farmers.

He also canvassed land tenure systems that make it easier to get access to land, and for smallholder farmers and their communities to have secured land rights.

A top priority must be to mechanize agriculture in Africa, he added.

Over 1,200 people from more than 65 countries will address cutting-edge issues related to global food security and nutrition at the 2017 Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium, October 18-20, 2017.

ENTERTAINMENTTagbo: Nigerians react to Davido’s video evidence

     Nigerians have reacted to video footage of the last meeting Nigerian pop star David Adeleke aka Davido had with the late friend Tagbo Umeike.

Music star, Davido released the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage to absolve and clear himself of any complicity in the death of Tagbo.

While some Nigerians have shown support to the “If” crooner, others seem not to believe in his innocence as most questioned his actions.

Below are some comments…

@Spiritualleadernigeria we know the trick you used when you sacfriced someone in your State (Ede) because of your Music, now you are here deceiving people, Davido denied not knowing about Tagbo an igbo boy’s death but they investigated and saw the car in.

@officiaIcharclie Can’t just tell why people believed Davido could kill his own friend what for? I think somebody else did that to tarnish his reputation, but knows the best.soon the real truth will come out.

@angelmarcel2417 Who are you fooling,how come is the same of this your car drop him at the hospital ,this is what they ask u to upload u have deleted the important part after all they have demote the DPO that is in charge of the case ,money speaks no p God knows the truth and it shall prevail one day ,if u are guilty u will meet your karma but if you are not God will set u free and someone child we are talking about not fowl.

@Archiekings, Let no one judge or take sides.only God knows best…. Looking at this vid Davido has no hand in his death but the thing is the hilux that dropped him at the hospital was later found in David’s house and the guys he provided said it was an instruction from DaVido.I still don’t get it.

@Babajidesotayo The late Tagbo lacks what most of us lack when drinking,that is the self discipline to know one’s gauge. I guess he over joyously drank himself to stupor because it was his bday.Davido,in the footage,was seen coming out of his car to give that late guy a hand, probably,of help but the guy refused and was just too restless with the other guys by Davido’s car. This is what youthful exuberance can cause to most of these small boys. RIP,notwithstanding.

OAU Suspends Students Over Alleged Criminal Activities

   The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State has suspended four of its students allegedly said to have engaged in criminal activities.

     It was gathered that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, approved their immediate suspension, following the investigation of the police and pending its outcome.

     The affected students include Omole Ibukun Ayodele, studying Civil Engineering, Jacob Tosin Grace, in the Faculty of Law.

Others are Udeh John, a student in the department of Arts and Social Sciences and one Oluwalade Babatunde, said to be studying English.

      Confirming the development, OAU Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, in a statement, said the students led some other persons in protest and violently disrupted academic and extra-curricular activities of the University by forcefully chasing other students out of the lecture halls under the guise of demonstrating against an alleged unsatisfactory power supply to the campus.

“The students, together with other persons, vandalised commercial transport vehicles of the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ile-Ife, and drove two other vehicles to more police stations where other students being interrogated by the police were forcefully released by their group.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, upon careful review of the facts and circumstances of the matter, has come to the inevitable conclusion that the students involved be suspended from the University in the interim, pending police investigation and until such time as the situation shall have been reviewed and resolved,” Olarewaju said.

Following their alleged misconducts, the students were further ordered “to vacate the campus and are accordingly forbidden to participate in any activity of the University, either within or outside the campus.

“The University management has, therefore, advised law-abiding students to concentrate on their studies and shun any act or utterance that is capable of elongating the academic calendar beyond the stipulated period,” the statement read.

ENTERTAINMENTPsquare reacts to fan’s condemnation of recent solo performance

         Peter of Psquare has reacted to a viral video of him performing to 9ice gongo aso and other songs on a show.

          In a viral video online, Peter was seen performing at one of his many shows in the USA to other songs from different artistes.

Some Nigerians slammed him for using other artists songs, therefore, advising him to go back to his brother.

        In reaction, Peter revealed that the video was re-edited, stating that he only told a story of how some Nigerian artistes inspire him on the show.

      He reiterated that the alleged Psquare split was true, asking fans that slandered him to get used to seeing him perform alone and stop hating.

“Hi guys. I saw a video post of one of my shows in the state and people are already jumping into conclusions that I performed other artiste songs.

“My dear whoever posted that video just re-edited it and din’t tell y’all I was telling a story of how I got inspired and motivated by some of our Nigerian artistes and the rest of the world.

“Besides we have over a more than 100 songs which I performed and entitled to.

“We even do this even when I was still in a group in most of our foreign concerts, you can verify that on youtube. So its nothing new!

“I know it’s because some people are sad and mad that psquare is no more. that s why they want to insult and say whatever

“But I understand take heart guys change is constant and I have moved on

“30 children cannot be together for 30 years. So please get used to it,” he wrote on instagram @peterpsquare

Man arrested with '$740,000 stuffed in suitcases' in South Africa

A 38-year-old man has been charged to court in South Africa for trying to travel with suitcases stuffed with more than 10m Rand ($740,000; £560,000) in cash.

Customs officials detained the man and seized the cash at Cape Town International airport. He had been planning to fly to Dubai, a spokesman for the elite police unit, the Hawks, was quoted as saying, 'obviously our probe in this will be to determine the trail and origin of the money. We cannot rule out unearthing illicit activities as we go along'.

 The suspect is expected to appear at Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on charges of contravening the Customs and Excise Act by failing to declare the cash.

Actress Moyo Lawal narrates how she was attacked by traffic robbers in Illupeju, Lagos (photos)

Nollywood actress Moyo Lawal was attacked in traffic yesterday night by robbers who smashed her car window to gain access, but failed to take anything after a struggle ensued. Narrating what happened, she took to her Instagram page minutes ago and wrote;

So I got robbed last night YES ..YES ...Thank GOD.....I'm fine. I just have little cuts from the pieces of the broken glass. NOPE...they didn't take anything. It all happened really fast. I just left the studio at Ilupeju and was about climbing the thirdmainland bridge to head back home ( you know that spot you either descend to Anthony or head on to the bridge).

Anyways..... I just look up to my back mirror and I notice, I see this person running behind ,there is traffic and it was raining,so we were moving slowly,it was just like eightish. I turn to ask my pa if he can see the person running behind us. Next thing I just feel someone strangling me trying to get my chain, trying to reach out to get my phones ...my pa starts hitting him and screaming..

Meanwhile the other robber is at the other side trying to get my pa to wind down....next thing they are gone (then that is when people started winding down asking if I was okay ). This literally happened in thirty seconds or so. P.s am so grateful, he didn't use whatever he used to break the glass on my face or any part of my body for that matter..because he literally broke the glass in one second. Shudders.....p.s..p.s just please help me thank God  Am so so grateful. #Soblessedandfiercelygrateful.. #ML

Photos: Gang members cut off man's fingers in Niger state

A man identified as Aminu had four of his fingers chopped off by angry gang members who attacked him at a football field in Tukura community in Kontagora, Niger state recently. According to reports, Aminu had gone to the field to watch football. While at the field, he met members of a gang that have been troubling the community for some time. He called them by the condescending name they were known as. In anger, the gang members attacked him and chopped off his fingers. He is currently receiving medical attention at a hospital in the state. See graphic photos of his chopped off hand below

Photos: Parents rush to schools to pick their wards after IPOB members alleged that soldiers are injecting pupils with Monkeypox virus

Parents in Anambra state are currently in schools to pick their wards after IPOB members claimed that some military officers have invaded school premises and are injecting students with the new monkeypox virus. See photos of parents picking their wards from school below

Former financial Secretary of NANS, Mohammed Yusuf, has died

A former National Financial Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, Mohammed Yusuf, has died. According to his friends, Mohammed died this afternoon after a brief illness. He is survived by his aged parents, wife and children. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites at his family house at Gandun Albasa Kano State. May his soul rest in peace Amen

Heartbreaking photos of Zambian footballer, Augustine Mulenga, weeping at the funeral of his daughter who died while he was playing in Uyo

Zambian winger, Augustine Diego Mulenga, lost his beautiful twin daughter on Saturday, October 8th while he and his team mates battled the Super Eagles for a ticket to play in the 2018 World Cup. He was told of his daughter's demise after the game.

The little girl was buried today at New Leopards Hill Cemetery. Augustine wept profusely as he watched her little coffin lowered into the ground. Sad! May her soul rest in peace and may God comfort him and his family. See more photos below

Zonal PPRO, Dolapo Badmus, reacts to reports that DJ Olu and his friend died of drug overdose, says autopsy report not yet out

There were reports online today that DJ Olu and his friend, Chime, who were found dead inside their car in an apartment complex over the weekend, died of drug overdose. In a statement released on social media this evening, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, wondered why such rumour is being peddled when the autopsy result for the deceased persons is not yet out. According to her, it is only the autopsy result of Davido's friend and Caroline Danjuma's man, Tagbo Umeike, that is out and that it would be made public at the appropriate time. Read what she wrote below...

"But why all these rumours that Olu Abiodun and Chime Amaechi died of drug overdose? The commissioner of Police Lagos State command CP Imohimi Edgar never revealed that the two friends died as a result of overdose! The command is awaiting the result of the autopsy and investigation is ongoing! Let's avoid peddling stories that are not confirmed especially when people have lost their lives. Only Tagbo’s autopsy just returned. It will be made public at appropriate time if need be. #policeawaitsautopsy #waitforreport".

Why Nigeria wants to remove police roadblocks

Nigeria’s police chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate removal of all police roadblocks across the country.

Many Nigerians will welcome the news because these roadblocks are often little more than excuses to demand bribes from both ordinary travellers and those transporting goods.

The police statement, however, said the move was intended to reduce time wasted at roadblocks and ease business.

What happens at a roadblock?

Meeting a policeman on the road can be an exhausting experience.

The Ak47 slung casually across his shoulder does little to reassure you about your safety.

More than likely he – and it is invariably a man – would ask you to identify yourself and provide a driving licence.

Then he would ask to check the boot of your car. Next he would verify that you have everything required by law – a fire extinguisher in each car, a warning triangle (C-caution), insurance, roadworthiness certificate and other documentation.

Any omission would lead to the choice of accompanying him to the police station, or an offer to “help you settle it” then and there, (pay a bribe to let you go).

Even if you are up to date on everything, that doesn’t mean you can proceed with your journey.

The officer would subtly ask if you have “anything for the boys”, or point out how hot the weather is (so he needs money for a drink).

This is not a rare occurrence, it is so common that Nigerian comedians often make fun of the police for soliciting bribes.

What not to do at a checkpoint

Receiving calls at a checkpoint can cause further delays.

Security forces generally take offence at people making calls in front of them.

Things could become worse if you try to film proceedings.

They do not take lightly to attempts to record them.

In 2013 police sergeant Chris Omeleze was sacked after a man filmed him trying to collect a bribe at the Lagos international airport. The victim posted the video on YouTube and it soon went viral.

How do you know which is an official roadblock?

There is no clear-cut way to distinguish between a real roadblock and a basic shake-down.

You will most likely see a barrel with the Nigeria police colours – blue, yellow and green – in the middle of the road.

At night a wobbling torch could be the only indicator of a police checkpoint ahead.

If you are unlucky it could also be armed robbers.

While some roadblocks are set up in order to catch criminals, others are merely a money-making scheme for corrupt police officers.

These often spring up at night and weekends.

The police chief has now ordered officers to wear uniforms with their name tags and service numbers visible. So a quick search on the police website could help you identify them and make a report.

How much is a bribe?

Nigeria’s Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2017 corruption survey said that 32% of adults who had come into contact with public officials had been asked for a bribe.

The NBS says a total of 82 million naira ($230,000; £170,000) was paid in bribes to public officials in Nigeria in the previous 12-month period. This equates to an average of one bribe per person per year.

A typical bribe from motorists would be 20 naira (five cents; four pence).

Worst hit are taxis and trucks transporting goods.

These groups are less likely to challenge authority and are often pressed for time, so they would rather pay a bribe.

A 2013 Transparency International global corruption barometer said that 92% of respondents in Nigeria felt the police were corrupt or extremely corrupt.

Will the roadblock ban succeed?

This is not the first attempt to rid Nigeria’s streets of roadblocks.

In 2012, then police chief Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar made a similar order and more than 3,500 checkpoints were cleared out.

However, they have since found their way back.

This fresh order is another attempt to improve the image of the police.

According to the statement, special “x-squad” teams have been deployed throughout the country to arrest, investigate and discipline any police officer violating the directive.

Every police department must now seek the permission of the inspector general of police to mount roadblocks.

This is just one of the measures that Inspector General Idris has introduced to try and improve the generally negative public image of his force.

But it will take a long time, and concrete evidence of change, before most Nigerians agree with the slogan proudly posted on most police stations: “The police is your friend”. Source: Pocket News

Newly Sworn In Senator Andrew Uchendu, receives his officials car from the senate

Newly sworn-in Senator Andrew Uchendu representing Rivers East Senatorial district has been presented with his official car. Uchendu took over office from Senator George Sekibo who was removed from the Senate by the Appeal court in August. He was sworn into office last week. See more photos below

R&B Singer Christopher Williams Arrested For Stealing $99 worth of Headphones

American singer, Christopher Williams was arrested for allegedly stealing a pair of JBL headphones priced at $99.99.

According to TMZ report, the incident went down on Saturday at a Kohl’s in McDonough, Georgia where Chris walked in with a tote bag while wearing a baseball cap. 

He reportedly went to the back of the store and grabbed a pair of JBL headphones priced at $99.99 and threw it into his bag and tried walking out. When security stopped him, Chris said he simply forgot he bagged them.

The singer was arrested and booked for petty theft, a misdemeanor but he was released after a couple hours.

The singer is known for the 1991 hit "I'm Dreamin" from the “New Jack City” movie soundtrack.

Nigeria Journalist , Tijan Ado Ahmad , slumps and die in USA

What Nigeria can learn from P-Square about restructuring - Reno

island of The Seychelles and how Nigerian music, especially P-Square’s music, had conquered that island nation and enthralled her youth. Little did I know when writing that piece titled ‘How Nigeria Conquered The Seychelles’ that I would be devoting another column yet again to the Okoye brothers. But as they say, when it rains, it pours. P-Square  

The twin brothers are again in the news, not for their collaboration with each other, but because of their confrontation with each other. From what I gather, Peter wants the group to split up and go their separate ways, while Paul and their brother, Jude have a slightly different agenda. The disagreement culminated with a fight at the offices of the recently coronated Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo. The fight which was ostensibly recorded by Peter, showed the trio (including Jude, their brother/manager), using gutter language that belied their status as international super stars. The whole drama reminds me of a nursery rhyme I learnt as a child:  Two little blackbirds Sitting on the wall, One named Peter, One named Paul.* Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul. Come back Peter, Come back Paul. Why do P-Square remind me of this nursery rhyme? Because this is not the first time they will quarrel and if they do reconcile, it will also not be the first or the second reconciliation. They have flown away before and they have also come back again. That is the reason why I am not so  bothered with their family quarrel. You see, the Okoye brothers are first business men before they are artistes. They are not in the entertainment industry. They are in show business, with particularly reference to the word ‘business’. To them, they are not entertaining their fans. They are providing them with a service that they are willing to pay for. In short, as they say in America, it is all about the Benjamins! I personally believe that when it is explained to the Okoye brothers what they stand to lose, they will adjust their attitudes faster than you can say Bank Alert! What do I mean? Let us learn from history. The Beatles were once in a similar position as P-Square. And just like some suspect with Peter and Paul, it was women, (Yoko Ono for John Lennon and Linda McCartney) that came between them. The women fed their individual man’s ego until he thought he was bigger than the group. Even though the Beatles were making hundreds of millions as the biggest group in the world, they allowed themselves to split over women on April 10, 1970. But the rude awakening was to come when the individuals who made up The Beatles began making much less money as solo artistes than they made together. As the renowned Nigerian award winning international flutist, Tee Mac, has said on this matter, “There is a lot of power in togetherness”! Having said that, I must say that there is a lot Nigeria as a nation can learn from P-Square. I believe that it is not that the Okoye brothers want to split up as it is that they desire a more perfect union. Not a Union where Peter works and Paul chops or one where Paul has oil but it is Peter that has oil blocs. P-Square- wants to restructure from unitary form of partnership to true federalism. You are Peter, I am Paul. Together, we are P-Square. Even if we part, we are still Okoyes. If Peter and Paul cannot live in peace, is it our own little Republics that will automatically lead to peace? Perhaps restructuring is a better option than dismemberment. Perhaps God is using the drama taking place between P-Square to teach us a lesson on the options before Nigeria-division, restructuring or family fight. Already we are seeing that the oil, that has made many in Nigeria insist on the status quo, is soon reaching the end of its shelf life. Maybe no one has told us, but largely due to free oil money, our population has exploded at the fastest rate of increase the world has ever seen. And now we have almost 200 million people that we will not be able to cater for in five to ten years if we do not look for alternative sources of income. If twin brothers like Peter and Paul can fight, let us not deceive ourselves that Nigerians love each other enough not to fight each other. Our present leadership may not have the intellectual capacity to know that the various tensions in Nigeria is not really about religion or ethnicity as it is about an increasing number of people competing for a reducing quantity of resources. As the British political economist, Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus, propounded In his 1798 book An Essay on the Principle of Population, Nigeria is caught up in what is known in economics as the “Malthusian trap”. The “Malthusian trap” is a phenomenon where a nation utilizes a sudden abundance for population growth rather than for maintaining a high standard of living, and when that abundance disappears, the population growth remains and becomes a problem to the nation because in the absence of the abundance that led to the population growth, the nation dissolves into conflict, skirmishes, crises and even war which happen naturally for the purpose of reducing that nation’s population to match with its post abundance economic resources. President Muhammadu Buhari may not know it, but what I have described above is what is currently happening in Nigeria. Except the price of oil increases faster than the rise of Nigeria’s population, it is only a matter of when, not if, that there will be an implosion in Nigeria. The only way to stop this coming implosion is if Nigeria restructured itself along the lines of true federalism and becomes a fiscal federation. As long as we are assured of free oil money, we will keep on marrying and giving our daughters away in marriage and popping out babies without a care to how they will feed tomorrow. But if we have to pay taxes to run our federal, state and local governments, we will cut our family size to match our pocket size. Why is this so? Because as Reverend Malthus puts it, “The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man”. And Reverend Malthus did not come up with that idea out of thin air. Being a man of the cloth, like I, he got that idea from the Holy Bible. Reverend Malthus was only reechoing the words of King Solomon (Nabi Suleiman in Islam), who said as follows in Ecclesiastes 5:11: “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?” Flowing from the above should we thus be surprised that the Okoye brothers fight restarted again after Paul announced in July that his wife had given birth to a set of twins? More mouths to feed requires more resources which in itself puts a strain on the one required to provide the resources, whether in a family or in a nation. Reno Omokri is a Christian TV talk show host and founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and the Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for orphans. He is the author of the worldwide amazon #1 bestseller (Conspiracy Theory) Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies and three books, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God, Why Jesus Wept and Apples of Gold: A Book of Godly Wisdom .

If I were president Bihari, I will start grooming a successor right now- Dele Momodu

Fellow Nigerians, let me say exciting times are here again. You may ask what is so exciting about this period with our myriad of problems? Please, allow me to put it this way. Politicians are like students while the voters are their teachers. Every now and then the chickens come home to roost and politicians are forced to test their popularity and performance. The examiners are the voters who have waited patiently for this time to come so that they can pass or fail their representatives as they deem fit. Sometimes the electorate get things right. Oftentimes they get it wrong, as we’ve seen on many occasions. What is important is that it is payback time, for good or for bad.

There is no time for any long preamble today. The nitty-gritty of this epistle is dictated by two major events that occurred almost simultaneously during the week, signalling the beginning of the 2019 Presidential race. First, was the open and frontal declaration of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose, a man of immense courage. Second, was the release of the electoral timetable by the electoral umpire, INEC. Prior speculations about who’s running or not will soon be affirmed or refuted. The time has finally come for the masquerades to come out of the groves and dance in the marketplace.

Love him or hate him, Governor Fayose’s declaration is bound to kick-start the electoral jamboree and give impetus to others who have been rather squeamish or “squirmish” about throwing their hats into the ring. Also, I love the fact that the ruling government can no longer afford to be complacent. We now have an aspirant, who for whatever he is worth will definitely keep the APC on its toes. The controversy has already started because Fayose is the quintessential hype-man. If he does not court publicity, propaganda would always trail him. He is a master of the game who understands that a bully only respects a bully. The ruling government may pretend that he is no threat, but they understand the adage that “a leper may not be able to squeeze milk but he definitely knows how to spill it…” Let no one dismiss Fayose. Remember the way some of us swore Donald Trump will never defeat Hillary Clinton in many lifetimes to come.

It would be a big shame if APC fails to see the urgent need to reposition and repackage itself as quickly as possible. My ideas may seem a bit radical and far-fetched but they remain my kobo advise to President Buhari and his team. If I were President Buhari, I will start grooming a successor right now. By the time he finishes his first term in 2019, he would have attained the age of 76, or thereabout. By then, he should be thankful to God for preserving his life after a rigorous battle with some near-fatal ailments. At that age and stage, Nigeria deserves some fresh leader, in body, mind and soul.

The world has moved beyond the type of leadership we are currently saddled with. Buhari was a choice for a special reason and purpose. He has served and fulfilled that righteousness. I believe, with all due respect, that he should set Nigeria on the path to higher glory by getting his succession plan right. Many of his predecessors were too pre-occupied with self-adulation that they forgot the future. By the time the future inevitably arrived, it was too late to turn the hands of the clock backwards.

President Buhari still has over one year to prepare for the epic journey ahead.. It is certain and obvious that he would be tempted like all mortals to cling to power, and as a matter of right anyway, but may God grant him the uncommon wisdom and that spirit of selflessness to be able to resist the allure of office and power. The APC has a lot to gain from his sacrifice and he would have placed himself on a higher pedestal in global reckoning. He has many able disciples who can carry his legacy to a much higher level. The world would remember him as a leader who came at a time of serious crisis and averted the cataclysmic collapse of Nigeria, laid a solid foundation and handed over to competent builders and performers.

In other to avoid an acrimonious transition, the President should invite some interested and influential members of his party and allow its politburo to vote or decide amongst themselves the shape of the new government they wish to form. Their decision is more likely to be binding on the party in general. President Buhari owes it to Nigeria to kill the ethnic and religious tension in our country. He’s always been viewed as a religious bigot and ethnic jingoist but he can redeem himself gracefully by championing new causes, breaking down walls of superstition as well as exterminating those primordial sentiments that have bedevilled our country and sent us several centuries backward. Buhari should help in combing every part of Nigeria and beyond for the best brains and talents that God has kindly endeared and endowed us with. He should realise that nothing could be as fortunate as being handed a second chance on a platter of gold as has happened to him. He has nothing more to gain but plenty to lose.

I would not be shocked or surprised if those currently enjoying the spoils of power dismiss my appeal to our dear beloved President as arrant nonsense. However, the truth is that Nigeria is in crisis and critical mode, deserving the most accomplished surgeons the country has, to excise the cancers and tumours ravaging her. We can no longer continue to wobble and fumble at the present snail speed. Time does not wait for anyone. And it will certainly not wait for Nigeria. APC parades many fantastic leaders but they are not able to blossom and glow in full bloom because of the overpowering aura of President Buhari. That power can be put to better use by helping APC to remain intact without experiencing the type of implosion that sentenced PDP to its shallow grave.

I will like to see APC retain the support and loyalty of Atiku Abubakar (who I believe should act like a true father of the party rather than desperately trying to return to power 12 years after he retired as Vice President) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu (who should continue in his now acclaimed role of kingmaker). These two titans of the party should support President Buhari in harnessing the talents and strengths of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Bukola Saraki, Dogara Yakubu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi, Olorunnimbe Mamora, and several others who may be hovering in the wings with the hopes of becoming President or Vice President in the not too distant future. If these great assets are not well-managed and encouraged to sacrifice their personal ambitions and interests for the sake of Nigeria, history might just repeat itself because a house divided against itself will not stand.

Such a similar situation was mismanaged by former President Goodluck Jonathan who inadvertently lost the election the day he allowed some key members of PDP, to saunter away to join a new coalition called APC. With the benefit of hindsight, I am sure Jonathan would have eaten humble pie and stopped those aggrieved party members, by fire by force. Unfortunately, he was goaded and egged on by sycophants who probably boasted that Atiku, Saraki, Amaechi, and company were easily dispensable. They were dead wrong. Their exit led to the tsunami that swept away the Jonathan government.

My prediction is that if Buhari decides to stubbornly pursue his own personal ambition and agenda by not making the necessary sacrifice at this crucial moment, he may be swamped and consumed by the lava of the volcanic eruption that would definitely hit his party in a most devastating manner. Truth be told, Buhari would not have even picked the ticket of APC in the last primary election but for the herculean task and audacious effort of Tinubu, Amaechi, Saraki and others who performed the miracle of turning water into wine.

Believe me, nobody wins election in Nigeria based on sainthood or clean records. Elections require the ability to raise cash, tonnes and tonnes of it. In case he is oblivious to what transpired in the last election, the President should ask his campaign team what it cost to oil that blistering operation that catapulted the “invincible” Jonathan out of power. Who donated what and how were APC agents funded nationwide? It is not going to be that simple this time around. Most of those who fell for the change mantra have since changed from billionaires and millionaires to paupers. Many supported Buhari hoping they would not be hounded but permitted to henceforth do business the proper way. They were unprepared for the fury unleashed against them which has ensured they’ve not been able to do business, clean or dirty. They are just licking their wounds with equanimity and hoping that this nightmare shall soon pass away. Undoubtedly the Nigerian economy has suffered as a result.  The main beneficiaries have been shady multinationals who continue to steal us blind whilst claiming to support a failing corruption crusade.

Therefore, APC has to urgently re-strategize by picking one of its trusted and tested younger personages, hoping that he may reignite the much-needed passion in Nigerian youths, the business community and all those who feel short-changed and brutalised by the Buhari government. If APC lacks the courage to rejig its modus operandi, it may be forced to swallow its own phlegm sooner than later…

I will soon offer an analysis on what PDP needs to do to bounce back and beat the APC. My advice to all those who think PDP is dead and buried is that they should perish the thought because Lazarus may still rise. As a matter of fact, PDP is not dead. It is merely a sleeping and snoring giant. We may yet be in for a rude awakening on all counts!

THE UNTOLD STORY OF CHIEF MOSHOOD ABIOLA

On July 7, 2018, it would be exactly 20 years since Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola suddenly died in solitary confinement. No one has been able to give a comprehensive account of the June 12, 1993, saga till this day. Nigerians, and the world at large remain in total darkness about why Nigeria’s best election was annulled, those with noble or dastardly roles, why the winner ended up in detention instead of Aso Rock, and how finally, only his lifeless body was brought back home.

Ovation Books, a new arm of Ovation Communications, is poised to offer a special publication on what remains another dark chapter in the chequered existence of our country. We need your help to make this dream a reality. All we need is access to hitherto never revealed information. We shall also be knocking on doors to seek definite answers to pertinent questions.

Did you know Abiola one on one, or do you have credible information that can help recapture the period of campaign, election, annulment, incarceration and disappearance from public glare from 1994-98? Were you a personnel at some of the detention centres he was kept? You may wish to write to us, even anonymously, about your experience. You may send text messages to us via +2348055069220, +233233751111. We promise prompt responses and where necessary will get one of our researchers to meet with you.

At Ovation Books, we plan to reduce the dearth of information on very distinguished Nigerians, by publishing biographies of great men and women. We are counting on your kind prayers as always.  The Abiola and June 12 debacle is just a tantalising beginning!