Is The Minimum Wage Stupid? By Miebara Jato

As the president and state governors slow-roll on the N30,000 minimum wage, organised labor is poised to go on “a prolonged strike”.

It is unfortunate that workers have to resort to strikes and threats of a strike to prop government attention to their poor wages despite the explicit recommendation in the National Minimum Wage Act (amendment) 2011 for an upward review every 5 years.

As for the current minimum wage which is more than overdue for upward review, it is but a starvation wage. Sadly, most workers do not even earn close to the N18,000 ‘starvation wage’ as they are paid wages far lower.

Meanwhile, food prices are going up, health care costs are going up, child care costs are going up, education costs are going up, and house rents are going up. But wages remain stagnant. For workers to live in dignity in today's economy, there's a need for a significant boost in their pay.

The argument against the new minimum wage from some quarters is that it could potentially lead to runaway inflation, and job losses; and, of course, the state governors are making the flimsy and sour excuse that they do not have adequate funds to pay increased wage bills.

Insofar as these concerns are welcome, yet there's no gainsaying they are mostly unfounded and immoral. When the minimum wage was raised to N7,500 in 2003, inflation only grew marginally by 0.97 percent in 2004. The following four years, however, it actually fell to 5.38 percent (from 14.03 in 2003). More jobs were also added to the economy. Similarly, when the minimum wage was doubled to N18,000 in 2011, we experienced a -2.78 cumulative growth in inflation for the following four years.

The other point is that the new minimum wage would not only help the millions of workers and their families, but also provide a much-needed boost to our economy. Less than 17 percent of Nigeria’s GDP is dependent upon the purchasing power of consumers. If workers, especially low-wage workers, have more money in their pockets, they’ll spend that money on farm produce, shops, barbers, boutiques, restaurants, and businesses throughout the country. All these new businesses give companies a reason to expand and hire more workers.

Not convinced? Hear what the central bank said: “Given the negative output gap, the proposed increase in the national minimum wage would stimulate output growth due to prolonged weak aggregate demand arising from salary arrears and contractor debt”.

So, obviously, the wage increase would be a win-win-win for our economy: Poverty is reduced, new jobs are created, and the growing income inequality is reduced.

Taking the argument even further, there’s the moral and economic basis that if you work for 160 hours, you ought not to live in absolute poverty. But can we confidently say of this about our low-wage workers — the cleaners that clean our offices; the guards who protect buildings, the ones that open the door as you walk through a Mr. Biggs restaurant and the employees who work there; the janitors and groundskeepers who clean government office buildings, take out garbage, and mow lawns; the local government workers, etc?

It is worth noting also that a distinction exists even in this class of workers. In the public sector, the minimum wage (I prefer to call it starvation wage) do not apply universally. Local government workers (e.g. in Zamfara State), and others earn lower wages. For those employed in private companies with the same job description and qualification, on the other hand, too many instances earn even far below the minimum wage.

(The federal government must close every loophole and come heavily on public and private employers that pay wages below the national minimum rate.)

Though money seems to be the main story, it’s not the whole story. The other part of the story is that this group of workers is also in the lowest rung on the ladder of social status. They suffer from depression, are more prone to suffer from anxiety, and chronic pain.

That workers in the country are shortchanged and treated like slaves is bad enough. But to watch the government dilly-dally on the approval of the new minimum wage is not just appalling, but savagely unfair. Workers in Nigeria deserve a better deal from the government than they are getting.

In fact, what should be on the table for negotiation is a living wage?  N100,000 living wage tied to cost-of-living increases implemented in the next 10 years.

As for state governors making excuses, I berate them for their shortsightedness, laziness, and greed. Any governor that will not commit to workers welfare should simply resign, as the president of Nigerian Labour Congress had wisely admonished.

Tweet summary: workers are paid wages barely enough to live by — which is inexplicably wrong. Most important, the increased minimum wage is good for the economy.

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Is Esu really satan? By BABALAWO FAMILUSI AWOLOLA

It is alarming to note the level of misinformation that has befallen the Yoruba race in lieu of our inclination towards alien esoteric knowledge. When I see people referring to Esu in derogatory manners and in connection with the biblical Satan or the Aramaic shaitan, it tends to reiterate my belief and the agreeable truth of our misinformed stereotype in this part of the world.

The translation of the English bible into Yoruba version and the Quran in like manner did much damage to the Yoruba spiritual climate, as people do not want to be associated with anything labeled negative, albeit how untrue such claims might be.

In my over 28 years of Ifa study and divination, it would only be untrue to accrue that my own means of communication with the cosmic is most potent, for in truth every gate leads to cosmic consciousness, It goes further in my assertion that language is the fulcrum of life and at such every means of communication with the cosmic is valid and embedded in the language ingenious to our DNA.

The Yoruba spiritual system however, does not subscribe to what I call “the polarization effect” accrued to western spirituality to control mass action and for societal organization, through the fear mechanism.

Western spirituality ascribe to polarity based religious set-up, where there is an hero and a subsequent villain, this narrative brought the existence of an Holy God and unholy Satan, pitching one against the other.

In propagating the gospel that preaches spiritual polarity to a race that is not used to such rhetorics, one of the most potent Irumole’s in the Yoruba spiritual system had to be depicted as the villain, thus Esu whom the Yoruba’s revered for the wondrous work he has done; that the he had to be labeled “Ola ilu” the “wealth of society” became Satan.

As we celebrate World Esu day today 24th December 2018, I find it expedient to lay the truth bare and make the narrative clear. Answering the question Is Esu Satan? would not be explicit without citing with detailed explanation the usage of the word Esu in Yoruba cosmology.

Who is Esu?

Esu is one of the 801 Irunmole’s of Olodumare in fact, he is the “enforcer” otherwise the chief of staff to Olodumare.

According to Yoruba spiritual system Esu is the custodian of the “Ase” that Olodumare used in creating this world and also the progenitor between Man and “Ajogun” (the negative or evil occurrences happening to man, ranging from Iku-Death, Arun-Sickness, Ejo- Problem and other negativities. It is the duty of Esu to inform all the other irunmoles and Orishas on the demise about to befall a particular being while urging the irunmoles or predominant Orishas to take the message to the person.

Esu ensures that all prayers get to heaven and does any Job giving to him without complain, always citing repercussions and retribution.

Esu “Ola ilu” which directly translates to Esu being the wealth of society is a testament of how influential Esu is among the Irunmole’s and how important he is to all Ifa adept and yorubas alike.

It’s therefore baseless to assert that such important Irunmole is synonymous to the biblical devil known primarily for deciet, evil and other vices that antagonizes Gods will, Esu is an enforcer of that will.

In linguistics, translation according to the Yoruba language naturally adds suffixes to word to convert such word to ingenious Yoruba word.

Example of such words;

John – Johanu

Jesus – Jesu

Peter – Peteru

Satan – Sataani (not Esu)

How then did Satan got translated into Esu?

It’s important that this rhetoric changes completely so that Ifa adepts and Esu worshippers alike would find solace in publicly identifying with their spirituality as against the fear of societal rejection based on stereotypical ideology that has been generally accepted.

As we celebrate World Esu day today, it’s soothing to say ESU IS NOT SATAN!

Aseyi Samodun o! Ire o!

Babalawo Familusi Awolola is an Ifa divination and Toran specialist

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OBITUARY: Shagari, the ‘accidental president’ and author of ‘Ghana must go’ By Jemilah Nasir

Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari died on Friday a couple of months to his 94th birthday — but when he was 54, he had already written his name into the history books. The story of Nigeria will be inconclusive without his footprint.

When Shagari was sworn in as the new leader of Nigeria on October 1, 1979, he became the first executive president of the country. Previously, Nigeria operated a parliamentary system of government and only had a ceremonial president without executive powers. Shagari, at 54, became the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces under the presidential system patterned after the variant practised in the US.

Many Nigerians thought he just materialised from nowhere to become president in 1979. Far from it. Before then, he had occupied various senior positions in government — he was minister of economic development from 1959 to 1960, minister of pensions from 1960 to 1962, minister of internal affairs from 1962 to 1965, and was minister of works from 1965 to 1966, when the military struck and ended Nigeria’s first experience of democracy.

After serving in other public positions up north during the Nigerian civil war, Shagari was back to Lagos in 1970 following his appointment as the federal commissioner (minister) for economic development, rehabilitation and reconstruction by Yakubu Gowon, the military head of state.

Shagari succeeded Obafemi Awolowo as the minister of finance in 1971 after the former premier of the Western Region resigned from cabinet following his successful management of Nigeria’s resources at war time.

Shagari was minister of finance during the first oil boom era, remarkably occupying that position for four years. In fact, he was effectively No. 2 to Gowon, or what many would call prime minister. During his tenure, he was a governor for the World Bank and a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) committee of 20.

ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT

Despite his impressive resume, Shagari was unassuming. When the ban on partisan politics was lifted by the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1978, Shagari only wanted to be a senator. For someone who had effectively been Nigeria’s No. 2 and a key member of the northern establishment, presidency was supposed to be the next natural aspiration. Shagari was humble, in the opinion of those who knew him closely. He was eventually persuaded to give for the nation’s No. 1 position.

In one of his articles, Eric Teniola, respected journalist  and columnist, went down memory lane in narrating how Shagari clinched the presidential ticket of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1979.

“On September 20 1978, the National Party of Nigeria was formed at a hall at the Satellite Town, Lagos. Protem officers were later appointed for the party. Alhaji Muhammed Aminu Kano (1920-1983) was made interim Publicity Secretary but he opted out and went to form The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) along with Mr. Samuel Gomsu Ikoku, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Kanmi Ishola Osobu (People’s Lawyer), Alhaji Sule Lamido, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr. Junaid Muhammed, Alhaji Sabo Barkin Zuwo and others,” Teniola wrote.

“On December 12 1978, the party held its convention at the now dilapidated Casino Cinema, Yaba, Lagos to select its Presidential Candidate. The Chairman of the Convention was Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro (1923-2010). 2,235 candidates attended the convention from all over the country. At the convention of the NPN which was attended by foreign observers, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari scored 978 votes while Alhaji Maitama Sule (1929-2017) scored 564 votes. Alhaji Adamu Ciroma scored 293 votes, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki (1933-2012) had 214 votes, Chief Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (1932-1980)—104 votes and Professor Muhammed Iyi Abubakar  had 93 votes.”

TWELVE TWO-THIRDS CONTROVERSY

He defeated Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigerian People Party (NPP) in the first ever presidential election to be held in the country. But Awolowo, whose 4,916,651 votes trailed Shagari’s 5,668,857, challenged the election at the court.

Awolowo contended that Shagari’s scores were insufficient because the law required a returned candidate must fulfill two conditions: to have the highest number of votes and not less than one quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two thirds of all the (19) states of the federation. While Awolowo agreed that his rival had the highest number of votes in the election, he said Shagari did not fulfill the other condition.

By the declared results agreed, Shagari got 25% of the votes cast in 12, not 13 states. Awolowo had asked the supreme court to declare that although Shagari received 5,688,857 nationwide at the said election, he still had less than 25% of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two thirds of all (19) states in the federation.

Richard Akinjide, who was then the NPN lawyer (and was later appointed attorney-general of the federation), argued that two-thirds of 19 was mathematically and legally 12 states and two-thirds of one state. In the end, the court ruled in favour of Shagari.

OVERTHROWN, DETAINED

Buhari overthrew Shagari in 1983

Shagari completed his first term and won another in controversial circumstances in 1983 in a controversial election marked by violence amid allegations of rigging. The economy also took a turn for the worse following the global financial crisis and a fall in crude oil prices.

On December 31, 1983, the military struck and ended his reign. His administration was regarded to have been replete with corrupt practices.

Shagari, on a short holiday in Abuja, woke up abruptly that morning at his Akinola Aguda residence, now the vice-presidential lodge at the presidential villa. The soldiers, on whom he had received persistent reports of a pending coup, were at his doorsteps. Led by one of his trusted friends in the military, Ibrahim Bako, a brigadier, the soldiers took over control of the villa. Shagari was said to have foiled many attempts to overthrow him but he just couldn’t  this time around.

Buhari, then a major general, became the military leader of the new government, citing charges of corruption and administrative incompetence as reasons for military intervention. Shagari was placed under house arrest, just like his deputy, Alex Ekwueme, but nothing was found against them.

But Shagari probably forgave Buhari. In a tribute to the deceased on his 90th birthday, Buhari said: “Alhaji Shehu Shagari is now the Grand Old Man of Nigerian politics, having been in the frame of public affairs since the colonial days. Although my government forcibly removed his government, he has always shown me civility and much courtesy.”

‘GHANA MUST GO’

Over a million West African migrants, most of them Ghanaians, were forced to leave Nigeria in 1983

Ever wondered where and how the chequered plastic bag got its name? It is not unconnected to Shagari.

Nigeria was badly shaken by the international economic crisis of the early 1980s, worsened by low oil prices. Shagari took several steps to strengthen the economy — cutting the budget, calling in the IMF for help and expelling two million foreigners without official immigration documents in 1983.

Ghanaians were the worst hit, with over one million of them affected by the order. Ghanaians were mostly attracted to Nigeria because of the oil boom of the ’70s, but by 1983, the economy had weakened and was fast falling apart.

The migration was then named “Ghana Must Go” and the bag, what Ghanaians used in moving their belongings, was named after the migration and the name stuck till date.

RUMOURED DEAD

In March 2015, Shagari was rumoured to have died. However, family sources had told TheCable that he was on his farm in Sokoto when the false report made the rounds.

“Please ignore the rumour. I can tell you specifically that he was in his farm this afternoon. And he was back home in the evening,” a source told TheCable then.

“As a Muslim, Shagari would have been buried before sunset on Sunday if indeed he died in the afternoon as reported. And there is no way this will not be officially announced.”

PROPHESIED TO DIE BETWEEN DECEMBER AND JANUARY

Marcus Tibetan, a spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ, Elisha Parish, had prophesised that Shagari would die between December and January. Tibetan made the prophecy in an interview with Asabe Afrika TV, last month.

“You see in 2019, there will be no tension because a lot of people are still going to die between December and January and that will shock you. Because Nigeria is going to finish with the first phase. Shagari is going, Shagari will die. He will die in his sleep,” Tibetan had said.

Shagari passed on on Friday at the National Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

Shagari lived life to a ripe age of 93. Until his death, he was the oldest living former Nigerian president.

Elder statesman, icon, hero, father—these and many more positive words are pouring out from Nigerians about Shagari. His family, must indeed, be proud to have him as one of their own.

He was born on February 25, 1925, to Aliyu and Mariamu in northern Shagari village in Sokoto state. The village was founded by Ahmadu Rufa’i, his great-grandfather, who was also the village head.

Shagari’s father died when he was five but losing his father that early in life did not limit him. He started his education in a Quranic school and then went to live with relatives at a nearby town, where he attended the Yabo Elementary School from 1931-1935. Between 1936 and 1940, he attended the Sokoto Middle School, and from 1941-1944, he schooled at the Kaduna College.

via: TheCable

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KARMA by Adeogun Titus

The above title may not make any sense to you reading this. You are free to give it a caption that suits you.

"No evil deed can go unpunished. 
Any evil done to man by man will be redressed 
If not now certainly later 
If not by man, certainly by God
For the victory of evil over good is temporary" - DELE GIWA

The evil that men do no longer live after them. Evil men do now live with them. Men should reap the fair share of their deeds if not full. It will be an earthly unfair judgement if men deeds whether good or bad goes unrewarded or unpunished. I haven't been anywhere apart from this planet to know if there is further judgment beyond. Assuming there is, it will be fantastic, reaping a handful down here, then proceed to harvest in full dose up there in paradise or down below in the lake of fire.

Those saddled on positions of responsibilities whether before or presently should have lessons to learn now.

September 13, 2013 is a day to remember when a former governor of Ondo State who was also a former aviation minister, Olusegun Kokumó Agagu's corpse was involved in a plane crash. #DoubleWahala4DediBody. This happened exactly 16 months after Dana Air crashed into a crowded Lagos killing about 163 people on board as well as dozens on ground. If the right things were done by him sanitizing the aviation sector during his tenure, I can prophetically tell that his corpse would have arrived his ancestral home safely for burial.

Nigerians Tuesday morning 18th December 2018 woke up to the news of the assassination of former chief of Air Staff and also ex defence chief, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh. This according to reports happened along Keffi - Abuja road on his way back from his farm.

The questions on the leaps of some of my friends as we discussed the issue are Where were his security aides? What about his driver? One of them said if he was the one, with all the money Badeh embezzled he can afford to buy bullet proof SUVs.

Reading Alex Badeh’s career profile, he indeed, rose from the scratch to the highest rank his military career and also has opportunities of flying two United States of America Presidents at two different occasions. He was later fingered by anti-corruption agency EFCC. At this time, several reports of financial fraud allegations were leveled against him. Reports of his son rejecting a multi-million naira mansion he bought for him also came up.

Below is a tweet from BBC News way back 2016:

#Nigeria ex-defence chief #AlexBadeh stole $20m. https://t.co/x62Hfy2S4d. How is #Africa ever going to progress with Scumbags like him??!!

— mark boderek (@MBoderek) March 9, 2016

Alex Badeh also rebuffed the complains from soldier at the war fronts against boko haram of been ill equipped. The same man on the last day of his carrier claimed he inherited an ill equipped armed forces.

There were lots of reactions on social medias concerning this tragedy. Here are some of the many tweets below

''Alex Badeh fueled insecurity, he was collecting N580M every month from military coffers after paying salaries, insecurity has taken his soul.

I’m not sure what’ll happen to his soul and not even sure if I care''

— SoulJah (@jeffphilips1) December 18, 2018

''These are the true heroes in the fight against insurgency. Not some chiefs somewhere that misappropriated funds meant to fight insurgents. These men laid down their lives in terrible conditions. We will never forget. #AlexBadeh'' pic.twitter.com/rnwYiylzzw

— Le Comte (@Iam_Jackpot) December 19, 2018

Action and reaction are equal but opposite. Karma can be very beautiful and at the same time ruthless according to urban dictionary, since there is good and bad karma. This makes me remember a primary school rhyme back then

You will reap whatever you sow   2×

Up on the mountain, down in the valley

You will reap whatever you sow

Wishing you a Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance.

You can reach Adeogun Titus Here On TWITTER Or titusadeogun@gmail.com

Adeogun Titus

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I Was Diagnosed Dyslectic; Your Child Could Also Be Dyslectic — Learn from my story

My name is Kayode Ogundamisi and the following was published on Twitter as a thread. Since publishing the thread, I received overwhelming messages from parents and fellow compatriots who are dealing with the issue of dyslexia. Many compatriots requested it should be published as an article.

Here is my experience with dyslexia. It is a personal non-political message, it is an issue I always do not want to talk about, or too embarrassed to acknowledge, but that changed one night during a conversation with my 12-year-old daughter. It is about dyslexia

I started my formal education at Command Children School Ikeja Cantonment in Nigeria. Dad was in the army as an ‘order rank’ but he was resolute to have me attend the prestigious CCS meant for senior Nigerian Army officers, he convinced his boss, then a major in the Nigerian Army, Major Dasilva, to enrol me as he would his own son.

Dad did not want me to attend Army Children School (basically for ‘other ranks’) staff sergeants down to private in the Nigerian Army. He would pay my school fees (more than half his salary) directly into Major DaSilva’s account. That was how I ended up being enrolled in Command Children School Ikeja.

Command Children School had upper class elite military officer’s kids. In class, we had a child of a former and then head of state, kids of most members of the ruling armed forces, generals etc. I did not fit in, always skiving to Army Children School in the same cantonment.

My head teacher at Command Children School was so kind, she would always get soldiers attached to Command to go fish me out from Army Children School Ikeja opposite the Mammy Market. So, I spent half of my term in Command, other half roaming around Army Children School.

Though Command Children School was ‘cool’ we had ‘FAN milk’ ‘Gala’ and all sorts of exotic food, we even had tea in our hall with PEAK MILK supplied, a piano in the hall, even ‘White teachers’, my heart was always in Army Children School; authentic and represented my social reality.

I managed to complete my education at Command Children School but that was where I first had the word dyslexia.

Mrs Kukoyi would describe a few of us as being “dyslectic”. It never made sense to me, never bothered to find out what it meant. Was not really interested in Command Children’s School.

Despite my truancy at Command Children School, I was famous for being a good debater, a star goalkeeper for the school soccer team and ‘the go guy” by the ‘ajebotas’ for all the thrilling news in our ‘ajepako’ world. After primary school, I gained admission into Command Secondary School Ipaja but dad could not afford Command Secondary School.

Lucky for us, the progressive Unity Party of Nigeria won the election in Lagos and South West Nigerian States and that was the party of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose party had a policy of free and qualitative education for all as part of its party manifesto. Lateef Jakande who was Lagos governor took over all missionary schools and dad enrolled me in the first Muslim School in West Africa Anwar Ul Islam College in Agege, a Lagos suburb.

Anwar Ul Islam College, formerly Ahmadiyya College, was established in 1948. Before UPN threw it open, it was mainly available for elite wealthy upper-class Muslims and very few wealthy upper-class Christians, but with the new policy of free education for, all I enrolled and integrated well with my mum being Muslim and my dad a non-practicing Christian.

At Anwar Ul Islam College, I was fortunate to have an environment thanks to Jakande and Awolowo that broke social barriers. I had no inhibitions, I was a guy from an ‘ajepako’ background, who attended an ‘ajebota’ school and had the best of both worlds. I became a star from Form 1. At Anwar Ul Islam College, I never heard the word dyslexia, I did well in school, was amongst the top 3 students in class from form 1-5 in the subjects of Literature, Government and History.

Despite leading and representing my school and Lagos state in debates with my colleagues and defeating top schools like the elite Kings College Lagos in literary and debating challenge finals, my writing was very poor.

I would take notes in class, go home and be unable to read my own note. I had to rely on schoolmates who lived in our Alimosho neighbourhood to read notes they had taken and then go into exams. My main English teacher Mrs Oladipupo never gave up on me. I sat for the West African Examination Council exams and scored A2 in Literature and A3 in English.

From college, I proceeded to Fed Polytechnic Nasarawa to study business administration, then left for University of Jos, graduating with a 2nd class degree in Political Science and then a diploma in journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and followed up graduating with master’s in Public Administration from the Ogun State University. Not a word on dyslexia was ever mentioned as I successfully completed my journey. I knew it was tough but I was determined and earned my academic qualifications.

When I moved to the UK having migrated and lived in Holland and Germany, I decided to go for a Masters in International Relations, got admitted, wrote my first assignment and my Professor (Late Professor Gowan) called me into his office and suggested I go for dyslexia screening assessment. The words of Mrs Kukoyi’s many years ago as a child in Command Children School echoed.

I took my professor’s advice and went for a dyslexia screening assessment in London. What was identified by my primary school headteacher, never mentioned in secondary school, never came up at UNIJOS, NIJ or OSU became real. It was confirmed that I had some form of dyslexia and needed support. My university in London gave me all the support needed and I graduated with another Masters in International Relations. My thesis on small and light arms proliferation was adjudged outstanding and refreshing.

So, I had been dyslectic without knowing, without support and faced the challenge in Nigeria. There will be a child in Nigeria now in my position, a parent yet to identify a dyslectic child, how we view and treat dyslexia and other related issues in Nigeria needs to change. We cannot keep applying the ‘koboko’ solution if a child shows slow signs of progress in school.

In today’s world, assistive technology products and services are available to support people with dyslexia and those with other forms of disabilities. Teachers and parents need to be trained and supported on how to identify and deal with children with dyslexia, education reform should include support needs.

Dyslexia isn’t a disease, it is a learning disability related to slow reading, writing, and occasionally speaking skills. The education ministry in Nigeria hopefully should have a training programme that will equip teachers to identify kids with dyslexia.

Several great people in our world are dyslectic and it did not stop them from being great and impactful in our society. Our attitude must change.

But for that conversation with my daughter, my dyslexia assessment test in London, the attendant result and support I received would just have been my little secret, but if my thread here will help just one parent, one person, then my world is made.

To learn more about dyslexia, just type the word on Google. Since publishing that article on Twitter, I have also realised a lot of my compatriots are dealing with the same issue but do not want to be stigmatised.

It is also reassuring that we have many groups supporting children dealing with dyslexia, you can identify one, join them and seek professional support, you can also seek the help of psychologists. Don’t let your child wait his or her entire adult life to discover they could have done more as a child. I overcame life’s challenges without knowing, not a lot of our children will have the same opportunity that I had.

---

*Koboko (“A long flexible whip made of cow skin or horse tail the word “koboko” was originally used by the Hausas and Fulani of Northern Nigeria to describe a horsewhip or a highly dreaded whip used by military officials in disciplining the unruly”).

*Ajebota (“An ajebota (pronounced ah-jay-butta) is someone who lives a privileged, pampered life. In Nigeria”).

*Ajepako (“An Ajepako is someone who did not live a privileged, pampered life and predominantly from working class poor areas”)

Kayode Ogundamisi is a commentator on Nigerian and international affairs and host of PolitricksWithKO.

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Dear Santa, I Am Part Of The Nigeria Problem By Fredrick Nwabufo

Fredrick Nwabufo

In the past, I used to ask myself, “What has Nigeria done for me?” But these days, there is usually guilt when that thought intrudes. There is now the thought of, “What have I done for Nigeria?”

I have come to understand that I have been a part of the Nigeria problem. I have been more interested in taking from the country than in giving to it. I have been fiercer in criticising the country than in delivering solutions to its challenges. And I have expressed more passion for sentimental nothings than for real issues.

The bigger problem is that there are many of us citizens who are more interested, like me, in taking from the country than in giving to it, and who are imbued with ethnic and sectional passion. But I hope Santa Claus helps deliver this memo to many Nigerians like me.

Nation-building is not about building infrastructure. It is not about allocating projects to a section of the country to appease them. It is not about giving people from a certain ethnic stock federal appointments to pacify a region or group of people. It is not about distribution of state resources, even though that is inclusive.

It is about the people coming into a peaceful accord with one another; treating one another fairly; respecting one another’s views, religion, beliefs, culture and political leanings. It is about the people understanding their differences and protecting the other’s right to be different.

It is true; leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering unity and in nation-building. But leadership will fail if the people are unwilling to build the nation.  That an Igbo man calls a Hausa man “aboki” is symptomatic of latent resentment; that a Hausa man calls an Igbo man “Nyamiri” is also symptomatic of the same. 

What can the government do in this case? It is up to citizens to build that country they desire. And it starts by ending stereotypes, needless conspiracy theories and imaginary plots.  It also starts by giving – thoughts, time, energy – to Nigeria.

In conclusion, the government should consider framing a policy to encourage inter-ethnic marriage. The government should be intentional about this.  Marriage is an adhesive; it will help in bonding families and cementing ethnic ties.

In the old world, kings often give their daughters in marriage to other kingdoms to hold the peace and to solidify international relationships.

This may appear simplistic; but I do not think anyone will want to take up arms against his in-laws.

I will be better for Nigeria.

Merry Christmas.

Fredrick is a media personality.

He can be reached on Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo, Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo

OBITUARY: Alex Badeh, the dexterous chief air marshal who flew Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter By JEMILAH NASIR

To everything, there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven,

a time to be born, a time to die…

Alex Sabundu Badeh was born into a family of peasant farmers in Vimtim, a little town in Mubi local government area of Adamawa state, on January 10, 1957. He attended Vimtim primary school and obtained his school certificate from Villanova Secondary School in 1976.

He then proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 21 Regular Course in 1977. Badeh commenced his flying career at the 301 Flying Training School on the Bulldog Primary Trainer aircraft in 1979. Between 1981 and 1982, he attended the undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in the US air force.

He holds an M.Sc. in strategic studies from the University of Ibadan.

CAREER

Young Badeh

In 2002, Badeh logged over 6000 flying hours. He was given the green light to fly former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter on different occasions after an extensive check was done by the United States secret service.

Badeh eventually rose to the post of commander, presidential air fleet (PAF), under the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. He served in the capacity between 2002 and 2004.

His professional dexterity on duty earned him commendation and an autographed pen from Koffi Anan, then UN secretary, after flying him to an official trip.

He also served, from October 2012 to April 2014, as the 18th chief of air staff. During this period, the air force launched a partnership with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to curtail illegal maritime activities by providing aerial security support for the agency — an operation that was hugely successful.

As chief of air staff, Badeh ensured all personnel who had children in the air force primary and secondary schools got free tuition.

From April 2014 to July 2015, Badeh served as the 15th chief of defence staff. During the military operations against terror in the north-east, there was a need to feed the public with accurate and timely news.

Consequently, he established the Armed Forces Radio broadcasting on 107.7 FM to tackle the challenge of negative media coverage against the Nigerian military.

The radio station enabled the military to tell its side of events, particularly regarding security orientation and information.

Defence minister of state Augustine Akobundu, president Goodluck Jonathan and the chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, cmmission the Nigerian Army Radio Station at the Mogadishu Barrack, Abuja.

Other projects initiated by Badeh as chief of defence staff includes the armed forces DNA laboratory, which has allowed for easy identification of casualties of war, as well as the defence space agency

CORRUPTION ALLEGATION

Badeh in court surrounded by EFCC operatives

After rising to the topmost military position in the land, Badeh’s name became soiled in a corruption scandal. He was first arraigned in 2015 on a 10-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N3.9 billion.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe him on the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the armed forces from 2007 to 2015.

Read the alleged offences here.

During his trial, one of the prosecution witnesses had claimed that Badeh bought a N260m house at Wuse 2 for his first son, renovated it with N60m and furnished it with N90m. He also said that when Badeh’s second son turned down a property worth N340m, a second house had to be bought for N330m.

Badeh, who denied all the allegations levelled against him, was among those named in the ‘looters list’ and affected by the federal government’s travel ban.

‘A SOLDIER WITH A RIFLE IS NOT UNDER-EQUIPPED’

Badeh faced public criticism in 2015 when he said it was impossible for any Nigerian soldier to claim that he is inadequately equipped.

Responding to a question on the spate of mutiny in the army at the time, he had said: “The Nigerian military is very well taken care off. We live in houses we don’t pay accommodation for. We have buses that bring troops to work every day and take them back home. We don’t pay for light; we don’t pay for water.

“Our salaries are good compared with what is paid in the civil place. If someone with school certificate joins the army, by the time he is five years in the service, his salary has doubled that of a graduate. Why do you think Nigeria is doing that for us?

“Nigeria is doing that for us because we have vowed that we will defend our nation if need be with our blood. So for a soldier to come up and say ‘I’m not well equipped’ yet you have a rifle; what do you want? You want APC, you want tanks? The basic weapon of an infantryman is riffle, so why should there be mutiny? Why should you accuse your commander of leading you into an ambush? No commander will do that deliberately.”

HEADED AN INADEQUATELY EQUIPPED MILITARY

Badeh with the then service chiefs

Six months after saying a soldier cannot be said to be under-equipped, Badeh turned around to say he presided over an under-equipped military.

He claimed the armed forces under him lacked required equipment to prosecute the war against Boko Haram insurgents.

He described his tenure as the chief of defence staff as the most “complex and challenging assignment I have had in my over 38 years in service”.

Badeh bade farewell to life on Tuesday from gunshot wounds when suspected gunmen attacked him along Abuja-Keffi road while he was returning from his farm.

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