GREAT Misconceptions about the CHANGE Era!

Before you start reading,I wish to let you know that whatever you read is solely from my own point of view and not the Government's,A.P.C. or any other body's. I'm in no way linked with the aforementioned groups.I don't know their intents.Yes,they may have bloggers on their payroll but,I'm certainly not one of them.I just bear my mind as a Patriot should,that's all!

Change was Inevitable!
I'll like to start from the situation that led to the crave for a change.Well,I was a PROUD advocate of the Change that we are currently experiencing today and I still do NOT regret it.
Of all the reasons why I saw the need for a change,the challenge of the United States that Nigeria would dis-integrate by the year 2015 is perhaps the GREATEST motivation for me.The statement credited to the Americans really got the better part of me especially when I saw Nigeria truly drifting towards making the break up happen.Nigerians were IGNORANTLY working hard for dis-integration except for a few.So when an alternative...a formidable one presented itself in the person of President Buhari,I had no choice but to market and defend the integrity of this choice and help place it above all others in the hearts of Nigerians and I'm glad I did!
Very many thanks to such online news outlets like the SAHARA REPORTERS that continued to dish out updated news about the then incumbent government and their very many corrupt and careless dispositions to the Nigerian issues.I was actually pretty active in the social media outlets,especially the facebook where I got to meet common Nigerians like myself and helped to make them see the reasons why we needed the change.
Now,the change is here and it hasn't been palatable at all... things are getting harder without a SPECIFIC hope of it coming to an end anytime soon.As such,a lot of bloggers,media professionals as well as our so called elites have been airing their grudges and views which has to do with condemning the President Buhari's regime,a regime that's barely a year old.This is why I've taken it upon myself to clear the air about some misconceptions about the Change I so passionately preached and promoted during the electioneering period.
Let me warn you,however,that I'm NOT here to enumerate the achievements of the present regime but to inform you about the need for the change,the change itself and the end product of the change.To start with,the Change was inevitable 'coz the Country was at the brink of destruction and we needed succor ASAP!

Now,what was the Change we voted for?
I can't but marvel at the disposition of so many Nigerians out there that are still embittered about the Loss of the former President Jonathan.I've noticed with a great dismay that most of these aggrieved guys aren't aware of the impending fall of the Nigerian state,what they saw was the ouster of a president from the MINORITY group for another candidate from the MAJORITY group!They were not looking at the quality of leadership but the persons involved,their ethnicity as well as their religion.They didn't the see the helplessness of President Jonathan in the face of Boko Haram that didn't only established a Caliphate within the Nigerian territory but also,was fast ranking among the deadliest terror groups in the world.They didn't see the decay in government where a civil servant has the audacity to embezzle public funds to the tune of N32 Billion and got away with a fine of a few millions.They didn't see the distrust of investors in the Nigerian Economy that saw the Central Bank Governor turning a preacher and prophet in the stock exchange market prophesying better days ahead.They didn't see the numerous shortcomings of the Jonathan regime,what they saw was the North trying to ouster a South-South Minority government with the aid of the hypocritical South West so as to continue the imperial rule over their 'Inheritance' (Nigeria) from their father Uthman Dan Fodio.This is most unfortunate!
Well,as a Nigerian and happily,the majority of the electorates,the terror acts of the Boko Haram was taking its toll on our economic lives and there was absolutely no guarantee of our lives and properties even down South.Boko Haram had spread to the North Central from the North East and the fact that they have already established a Caliphate is an indication that they were going no where,they were here to stay.Their consistent call for a merger with ISIL was so terrifying that any help from any corner would be much appreciated.So,it was quite unfortunate that what was coming from the news stead weren't encouraging at all. The shameful act of 'Tactical Manoevre' of the Nigerian Army that was rated among the very best in field combat in the world was not only embarrassing but highly discouraging and horrific.Yet,trillions were voted to tackle the insurgency.Gaskia,the Boko Haram insurgency alone was more than good enough reason to seek for a change of government.It wasn't Jonathan that we voted out of office,but,the incompetency and insecurity that went with the regime that we voted out. Jonathan,to me, is that humble MEEK lamb type that unfortunately,found himself among a park of wolves,foxes and jackals! Now, we got it,but,the question is,is this the type of change we voted for?
In my opinion,we voted for total change...it's like the proverbial statement of 'One blow seven die'. We wanted a better Nigeria,a better future,freedom from the shackles of insecurity, poverty and corruption.We voted for total socioeconomic rehabilitation of the Nigerian state.

Is the Change Happening?
Yes,it is.I see Boko Haram crushed,their Caliphate wiped out forever,(insha Allah) and life returning to normalcy up North...all these within a year of Buhari's regime.I think that's a remarkable change.I also see the 'Untouchables' are not just touched but also rounded up and made to answer to the laws of the land just like anybody else...that's another BIG change if you ask me.Our refineries coming back to live after such a long period and the defeat of the so-called oil cabals is a BIG plus to this regime...I'll stop at that 'coz like I said earlier,I'm not here to enlist the achievements of Buhari regime but to reveal the CHANGE IN PROGRESS!

Change is Gradual Process,so...Patience!
The other day,I read from a friend on facebook how a former minister was discrediting Buhari on his refusal to take advice from his team.That he was totalitarian in nature and that his approach to economic reforms are archaic in nature.Personally,I'm yet to see anything wrong with his approach...maybe it's because of my believe in the 'unorthodox' methods of resolving issues I don't know.But,what I do know AND VERY SURE OF is that President Buhari was voted to effect a change,therefore,he's the only one answerable to Nigerians which means that the blames are on him as well as the credits.He's therefore,the one to be convinced and not his subordinates!
Guys,I think we should exercise a little patience here for the F.G. and NEVER give room for sabotage in any form.The change is here,the change is happening,change ain't easy but the results are sweeter than honey!
God Bless Nigeria!

What has Politics got to do with the Economy?

Very little!
In the real sense of it,politics has very little to do with the economy.But considering the diversity of peoples running the countries of the world,in some cases like Nigeria's,economy has everything to do with politics!
You see,ideally,politics has to do with managing,organizing and running the affairs of the generality of the people in a country while economics is all about the economic activities of the citizens,it's all about what they produce and consume.So,ordinarily,politics involvement in economics (through government) is mainly an oversight thing,it's NEVER meant to be a very deep involvement...except,of course the communist and socialist mode of governance where the government is in charge of everything!
Having said that,I'll like to focus on the Nigeria's case,a country that practices the Capitalist system where winners take all!

Just after independence,Nigeria was doing pretty well economically,having inherited a robust economy from the whites.But,just a few years later,everything nose dived all because of the discovery of Oil in the Niger Delta region.What was meant to be an additional blessing became a curse upon us!
Nigeria gradually started to stray from Agriculture which was our main source of income during those days to concentrate only on oil.We,as a nation have STUPIDLY allowed our ever green non-stop money spinners of Agriculture to slip away for the easy money coming from the Niger Delta.In fact,the Head of States then was reported to have said that 'Money is not our problem,but,how to spend it!' Can you imagine?!
Because of the easy money and the lesser attention that's being paid to Agriculture,people started  moving into towns and cities where it's happening while Agriculture continued to suffer setbacks in the villages.This has been the case till date.

We are all still after the oil money,no one wants to work hard anymore,nobody likes to be called a farmer.Today, we import virtually everything especially food stuffs.We import frozen chickens,turkeys and fish like there's no tomorrow.There was a year when our import of fish was about 700 000 tons (1 ton = 1000kg! Guy,do the maths!!!). I learnt that we even import tooth pick and paper today.What a shame!
Since oil that now serves as our only major foreign exchange earner is government controlled it turns that whoever is the President becomes the sole determiner of our fate.
State governments depends heavily on federal allocation to pay their workers...the internal generated revenue is next to nothing in most states.In fact,except for Lagos state,I doubt if there's any other state that pay salaries without the Federal allocation.Should this be the case,I thought working means providing goods and services,how come,then,state governments can't pay their workers or are the states not paid for goods/services they render through their workers,where does the money go if they get paid?These are questions begging for answers especially now that the crude oil we so much depend on is no longer selling as high as it used to.
Just before Buhari's resumption to work at Aso Rock,I learnt that oil sold for about $120 but just a few weeks after his resumption, oil prices came crashing down to a very low level of only $30!That's about 75% fall! What this implies is that if we were sharing N120 Billion before the fall,we must now manage with just N30 Billion...all of us! Let me try to make it look simpler.

Mr Kamaldeen is a businessman with a very large family.Normally,he finds feeding his family and catering for their needs pretty easy because of his large in-flow of income.But suddenly,things went bad and sales went down so much so that even selling is almost like a loss.
After a month,the demand of the family gradually became so hard to meet that he sometimes yell at his wives and children when they refuse to manage the little he could offer!In your own opinion,what should Mr Kamaldeen do to satisfy his family? Unless his family understand his plight and bear with him,a huge crisis looms over which Mr Kamaldeen has no power to prevent!
That's the situation that President Buhari finds himself.Oil prices suddenly went down and the Dollar saw no other time to rise other than this same time Nigeria's income fell way below expectation.
The Solutions Economists and financial experts are giving is that he should simply move with the tide,devalue the Naira and dance to the Imperial tunes of the Oil Cabals just as Jonathan did.
But the man has a different idea,he chose to stand his ground as the Chief-in-Command of the Armed Forces and the Head of States of Nigeria to pave a new way out of the mess for Nigeria.All he asks of us is that we persevere with him for a while and that we too,should stop playing dumb in the Nigerian Project.
'Ask NOT what your country can do for you,but,what YOU can do for your country' - JFK
Oh! I love this quote from the late and formal president of the United States.It says it all...the solution to our national problems of today.
Everyone wants to be a politician no one wants to be the Farmer or the Teacher...everyone wants the easy money.We all want to be the President,the Governor,Local Government Chairman or any other political post holder not because we want to serve but because we want to be served!In any democracy,including ours,political holders are meant to serve us the civilians...they are not called servants for nothing you know ? They are so called because they are our servants!
I would be dwelling a little into that tomorrow God's willing,please do keep it date with me.One more thing,please don't just read,do share this message with your friends on social media.God Bless us All!
Ameen.

The Grazing Reserves - Way to go!

Gaskia,I don't know why any Nigerian should oppose the grazing reserve...it's the best of all options so far available to us!At least,the continuous killings of farmers and the destruction of their lives and properties would cease!

The Bill was sponsored by Hajia Zainab Kure,a senator from Niger state.If you had read my last post,you'll discover that I made a similar suggestion on the rural leaders' level.We should all be excited that the bill is now up for discuss in the National assembly.Why,then,should anybody oppose the bill???

Fear of Farmland Seizures
The general distrust in the government policies which is certainly not misplaced (judging by the past experience of the people in regards to similar policies),but,this is the CHANGE era where all things are subjected to the rule of law.Besides,I don't see how saving farmlands involves the seizure or take over of the same farmlands.Yes,a couple MIGHT be taken,if taken and compensations aren't made,you can be rest assured it won't just pass by!I think we should give the FG the element of doubt and allow the law to pass,why?
Because,we all want to see TRUE criminals among the Fulanis be identified,arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.This,honestly can't be realized in the rather 'MOB' way people have been taking the matter.In a situation where the Fulanis are reported to have struck and the next thing you hear is that some unknown gunmen had gone to attack the Fulanis in reprisal,then,you start to hear how the Fulanis are ransacking hamlets and villages non-stop!This leaves no one to be arrested,I mean you can't expect the Police arrest just any Fulani man on the streets for the crimes of another Fulani,do you?
Funny enough,you'll hardly hear of the unknown gunmen who carried out the first reprisal...what follows in the news is the counting of bodies and pictures of burnt down structures...this is usually the case. If the Bill is passed and a grazing reserve is provided for the Fulanis,whoever it might be among the Fulanis that encroaches or destroys any farmland would be easily arrested and made to pay for his crimes in full!

What if Farmlands are taken and the Crisis still persists???
No,it won't happen!The people in government aren't that stupid.Okay,it's a possibility,let's talk of how to deal with it if it eventually happens.
I think it's pretty easy to deal with it.All that need to be done is that complaints should be filed in relevant government offices and a reasonable time frame be allowed for response.If the time frame elapses and the government haven't responded,then,it would be time to report the case to both State and the National Assemblies through our representatives in both houses.Simple!!!
You should start seeing the matter making news in our national dailies...if it doesn't,then,your representatives are not doing what you have required of them.It's now up to you to either force them to work by threatening to call them back or you actually fire them by passing 'votes of no confidence' on them and a new election process would arranged to replace the erring reps. SHIKENA!!!
You see,some matters are better dealt with the VERY easy way.Truly,in a democracy,EVERYONE IS EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW!
The problem,as I've explained in my previous post has been the failure of our so called leaders both political and rural to defend and protect us and our properties.The sponsor of this bill is long over due...kudos to Hajia Kure who broke the Ice!

Why Must Lands be Confiscated For the Fulanis? This is Cheating!
I was discussing this matter with a friend from Jos (who has lost a few relations to the crisis). He was of the opinion that farmlands were the target of the F.G. He strongly believes that farmlands would be seized and compensations not satisfactorily paid. Obviously,he was emotional about the matter for which I don't blame him.
But, in my argument,I told him that there are so many unused lands in the country that can be made use of.I argued that it doesn't make sense to target farmlands as grazing lands because,the grazing reserves were to be provided so as to protect the farmlands and the Farmers!
I think our leaders,political and rural alike need to meet over this matter and reach a common ground ahead of time.On our own part,I think we should be discussing the matter a little more on social media and polls be created to seek people's opinions on the matter.
No one would confiscate any land,everything would be based on mutual agreement.I want the Federal and State governments arrange a town hall meeting between the local farmers and the Nomadic Herdsmen so that all issues and grievances would be resolved before the Bill becomes law!But,are our leaders ready for such meetings???

Draw a Battle Plan and Organize Yourselves well for the Impending Grazing Bill
It's quite funny how people easily forget the fact that we are in a democracy which is all about the numbers.Instead of crying foul and staging rather very unnecessary protest both virtually and physically,I think people should spend more time in winning as many as there is to their sides and of course perfect their negotiation plans 'coz,if you ask me,I think the Bill is already passed into law!
This is not hard to see,the voices coming from both the South East and South West are very strong and very aggressive against the Fulanis.The Northern Governors had no choice but to defend the Fulanis and have naturally done so.Now,the Bill for grazing reserves has been sponsored,do you think the Fulanis in the House would vote against the Bill especially considering the aggressive attitude of the South to the Bill and the Fulanis in general???
Let's be very sincere with ourselves,the Bill would be read and passed into law,if the South have concerns,let them table it now for consideration instead of opposing the UNSTOPPABLE!
I think both the political and elite groups of the South should meet and agree on a single ground ahead of the passage of the Bill instead of complaining,protesting and opposing the Bill.The Bill passage would save so many lives and properties.We should get a copy of the proposed bill and discuss every phrase there in and help modify it to suit both the Fulanis and our farmers.I'm from the North Central and any law that would put an end to the bloodshed should be supported.This is why I'm backing the Bill.
Everyone,including the Southerners knows that the surest way to put an end to the perennial incidents of clashes between the Herdsmen and the local farmers is the grazing bill,why not accept it and modify instead of opposing and getting no chance to make any meaningful contributions to the law???