AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI (RTD)ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FULANI HERDSMEN by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

16th March, 2016


Dear Mr President,

  It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter and I pray уσυ would get the message and act swiftly as expected. To begin with, I am not a politician neither do I belong to any political party. I remain a witness to conscience and a disciple of truth. It's only when I observe the belligerent posture of things, that I get prompted to write. When I wrote few days ago that the hardship in our land is pregnant with twins and nursing a baby, it appeared as if I exaggerated the situation on ground. Today, things are getting worse. We have been through worst in the last few days and suffered enough under the weigh of this economic crunch. No electricity, no fuel, no job, no money..
   I know the people around уσυ may detest any news report that tends to suggest that people are going through excruciating hardship but some of us who are ordinary Nigerians would say it as it is. However, I shall leave this matter for another ∂αy.

  My concern and the main reason for this letter is to call your attention to the activities of your kinsmen on most land they visited throughout the country. I mean the Fulani militias and herdsmen who wreak havoc and slaughtered innocent Nigerians for reason best known to them.

I have read several articles online where уσυ were mentioned as the Life Patron of the Fulani Cattle Rearers' Association, which is the umbrella organisation of the Fulani herdsmen and militias. If true, then уσυ can use your position and the office уσυ presently occupy to call this people to order. Things are getting out of hand and уσυ  don't have to wait till your brothers wipe out some tribes before уσυ spring into action.

   Late last year, former Delta State police commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba, insisted there is something more dangerous than terrorism in Nigeria. According to the interview he granted Nigerian Guardian in Asaba, the retired officer raised alarm over the illegal activities of Fulani cattle rearers and urged уσυ to address the situation before it is too late. He stated, “Boko Haram war is a minor issue when compared with what we are going to experience in the hands of Fulani cattle rearers in the nearest future if the issue is not addressed.
“In some places, especially in Delta State where I served as the commissioner of police, many people cannot go to the farm anymore for
fear of being attacked in the bush by cattle rearers. Many women have been raped in front of their husbands and children. Many people killed by the cattle rearers. It is a pathetic situation if cattle eat up people’s crops in the farm and the farm owner challenges them, it is a
big problem. If the farm owner keeps quite, his toil for the year will be in vain.

 Just a few days ago over 300 people were killed by same well-armed Fulani herdsmen in Agatu, Benue State. This is one of several cases all over the nation. What about the recent one in Ketu where some lives were lost? Yet in all of these and I stand to be corrected, that up till now no strong statement has come out from the government at the centre, as regards the activities of the fulani helpmsmen. I therefore want to beseech уσυ to carefully look into the matter and do justice. It would even be more appropriate to set up a committee to investigate some of these killings in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

FEMI ADETAYO: A Tale Of One Outstanding Nigerian Who Makes Me Feel Optimistic About Nigeria's Future. By Saint-Olawale Jimoh

I have met many young people in my life; I chose few as my friends but only three inspire me the most and Femi Adetayo is one of them. I think it was in 2008 if my memory serves me right, that I first met this prodigiously talented safety professional and motivational speaker. Before then, I had been seeing him around at the campus ground of the prestigious Gateway Industrial & Petro-Gas Institute we both attended few years ago. I heard few things about him but I clearly knew who he was and what he stands for when he stopped to talk with me while canvassing students to attend GIPI Students' Fellowship, a campus christian students' fellowship he founded with the support of few other persons.
   That day, I imagined what manner of person he was. We had only few lines of discussion and I was overwhelmingly impressed. It was not so much of his composure and pleasing countenance, it was more his sharpness of mind and his intrepidity of utterance. His words were rich and I hoped the conversation would not end that afternoon. He had faith. His mindset was different and for the first tιмє since I began interacting with people, I met a young man whose reasoning was absolutely different from that of any youth I know. He commands things yet nothing moves him, not even material things. Many at times, our anxiety about tomorrow gradually makes us backsliders at some points but here's a young man full of faith, yet so confident about the future.
   Today, this public speaker and life coach has touched the lives of so many Nigerian youths as a foremost motivational speaker and youth advocate. Through many radio programmes and several inspirational series on his website, he has helped many young ones find their purpose in life and build outstanding careers. Adetayo has in the last few years inspired numerous Nigerians to create solutions to the overwhelming problems the country is facing.
 He simply demonstrates hope that there is much more to us than what people in citadels of power spew at us. Indeed he's an asset to this generation.

For more of Femi Adetayo's inspirational series visit: https://onestopmotivate.wordpress.com/

De-goatification Of Our Yam Eaters by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

"..and so to dinner with Nduka Obaigbena- Dinner features giant snails, shrimp, smoked chicken and lamb, washed down with pink champagne. Every 10 minutes, Nduka’s cell phone rings. Every 30 minutes, a giant fist pounds a silver bell to demand more champagne.."
-Kehinde H. Thompson
(Twelve Days in West Africa: Abuja-Lagos -FT.com)

Nduka Obaigbena the Chairman, Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY newspaper only received #670m from the immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki (out of the squandered $2.1b meant for procurement of arms for Nigerian army) as compensation for terrorist attacks on his Abuja and Kaduna offices. He sure had good times with his share of Dasuki's largesse except that you cannot eat Nigeria's yam without problem even though we have been told we cannot put a goat, yam and plantain together and say that the goat should not eat yam.
   Prof Adesanmi once warned our yam eaters to desist from eating because Karma had poisoned it with all manner of illnesses ranging from cancer to kwashiokor to coccidiosis. But goats are habitually stubborn animals. Their sole intention is to eat not minding the economic condition; efforts involved in producing a tuber and the future of the owner of the devoured yams.
   Unlike in other civilized climes, pot belly is one of the distinct features of a typical Nigerian yam eater. Someone once said he was wondering when heavily 'pregnant' Reuben Abati whose phones no longer ring would give birth. Dokpesi's pregnancy cannot be hidden no matter what he wears; even as tiny as Amechi might want to appear at times, the quantity of yam trapped in his abdominal region is enough to feed more than three small African countries.
Some have perfected the art of eating without traces while some are specialist in denying the obvious. The other day, one former Executive squandering more than #200b without 'signing a cheque!'

Those who claim to know Pius Ayim before Jonathan's regime expressed shock seeing the change that has taken place in him after working under President Goodluck. His neck has become so fat that turning it has since become a difficult task for this former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF). He probably had eaten more yams than he could contain that the excess spilled to his neck region.

By definition, we the people and the abundant wealth of our nation are the “yam”. We unleash the “goats” on our “yam” when we choose leaders with no clear-cut vision; who has no mission in public office than to loot the treasury dry. This has been left to continue over the years so much that more the 75 per cent of our collective wealth are under the control and custody of these people. In those days, when a thief gets caught, he would be held at his throat to confess or pay for his offence with his life. The case is different when someone eats more than he could stomach or over drunk. He would be laid to the ground with his belly pressed repeatedly to enable him vomit what he wrongfully took in. This is the best treatment our looters deserved. They must first be made to vomit whatever that has been stored inside of them illegally. This will discourage our intending yam eaters.

#DASUKIGATE: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE TO CHIEF OLU FALAE'S ROLE. By Saint-Olawale Jimoh

Considering how some supposedly enlightened and educated Nigerians react to issues of FB, one needs to be careful of what to comment on. These days, it's easy to get branded to a group while expressing your opinion. Some people basically can't admit that others can hold opinions without being APC or PDP. If you authored a piece that flawed any of Buhari's policies you're instantly branded 'PDP paid agent'. Write another which puts Buhari in good light, you are branded APC member. Yet we cannot because of these intentionally blind critics allow issues pass unaddressed.
   The ongoing Chief Olu Falae's case in #DasukiGate is another area I'll again disagree with those calling for the head of this elder stateman. Many faulted the old man's role in the corruption case and asked government to jail him if need be. I'm not soft pedaling for Chief Olu Falae neither am I against the anti-corruption war of President Buhari, only that we cannot all be on same page irrespective of the shape our submission takes, uncouth or mannered, petty or meaningful, lacking in substance or otherwise.

    Two lawyers among my Facebook friends wholeheartedly supported the argument. One analyzed the concept of 'accomplice before and after' in law while the other mentioned the 'Tainted Fruit of The Forbidden Tree' in Criminal Law. I assumed Chief Falae may be found culpable going by the analysis given by these two learned persons. In my layman view, I believe the man may really not have a case to answer as far as #Dasukigate is concerned asides the fact that he may have been unfair to his party members by not disclosing the exact amount he took from the 'unknown PDP official' that he claimed gave him just N5m. There's nothing wrong in taking money to mobilize for a particular candidate during election time. It's a tradition in this part of the world. In fact, only God knows how many billions were expended on Buhari/Oshinbajo campaign project.

  All my life, I had never seen a situation where a contractor asked his client the source of the money paid him for a project. Tony Anineh, a recognized PDP chieftain, approached Chief Olu Falae, who is equally an SDP chieftain  to canvas his party members to work for President Goodluck Jonathan in the last election. The man agreed and was given N100m to work with.  How the hell was Falae supposed to know the money was originally meant for arms procurement and kept in Sambo Dasuki's custody?  I had written many times that NOT BEING CORRUPT IS LACK OF OPPORTUNITY. Millions of Nigerians condemning Chief Falae today would have done same if they were in his shoes.
It's improper when some critics adduce corruption to Falae's action. As a matter of fact, it's similar to accusing Professor Wole Soyinka of corruption aftermath of the dinner wherein his host, Rotimi Amechi (now Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) allegedly spent a whopping 85million Naira to fete him.
I rest my case.

NIGERIANS AND 'NO MONEY SYNDROME' - DEJA VU. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

I had written earlier that what a dog sees and barks at, is nothing compared to what the sheep contemplates in silence. There's nothing we have not seen. The worst are happening all around. Democracy has impoverished many Nigerians more than in the military days. Those in the rich class who accidentally witness one of such scenarios consider it unusual and take to social media to become hero. Some of us, who relate well with the grassroots will say 'na today?'
I once read about how Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, while embarking on a village to village campaign prior to the general elections, ran into an old classmate who was a village farmer. At first he was shocked seeing how suddenly the man has grown far older than his age but the real shock came when after El Rufai offered him a 1000 Naira note and the fellow commented he has never seen it before. He has only heard about it. Throughout his brief stay in that village, he was still wondering how it was possible for a fellow Nigerian not have or have seen a 1000 Naira note in this same country.

  During my service year at Alladim, which is one of the five communities constituting Nkum Ibor Ward under Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State (apologies to my old friends from the area who are now my friends on facebook), I witnessed poverty firsthand! No money, no job, no water, no road, no electricity.. You cannot get TV or radio signal to connect with happenings around. I saw youth of my age wasting away with tedious farm works only for family consumption. Government teachers were like gods; they saw more of the new 1000 Naira notes that El Rufai's friend never saw anytime Government remembered to pay them.

Chijioke Amu-nnadi once lamented, "this does not feel like a country any more!"
The other day, Pa Ikhide cried, "it is time for people of conscience to speak up. Nigeria is headed in the wrong direction. Where are our writers? Why are we quiet?"

What have we not mentioned. Has Pa Ikhide not heard how an innocent guy was locked up in detention over ordinary facebook post in Imo State and on the order of some people in government? Few weeks ago, a very good friend of mine, who's equally a blogger, was arrested and locked up for daring to exposing how money was laundered abroad from my State. It is easier for Nigerians living abroad, to seat at comfort of their homes and post arrogant comments on some issues and blame some of us at home for not acting. Come home and try that, especially now that anti-social media bill is being rumoured to be on the way.

So, let no Nigerian leader come and tell us, he's unaware there's poverty in the land. Let them not tell us they are oblivious of the fact that the ongoing fuel scarcity is killing Nigerians. Heavens will not be happy with them if they claim they don't know over 65million Nigerian youths are unemployed. Governor Oshiomole who hiked Ambrose Ali University school fees by 200 percent cannot say he's unaware of the negative implications of such decision on the children of the commoners. They all know and we have reminded them times without number, the implications of their inaction and lest I forget, this is just my personal opinion. I stand to be corrected!

WHEN MUSLIMS' VEIL BECOMES A SECURITY THREAT IN NORTHERN NIGERIA. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

   When I first wrote the Northerners are their own worst enemy, while reflecting on how their rigid religious practices aid terrorism in the North, I got over a dozen messages in my inbox from those who saw no sense in the write up.
Today, the responses of those who attacked Prof Wole Soyinka who suggested the use of Hijab or other uniforms depicting pupils' religion be stopped left me utterly bewildered. Majority of those who attacked the nobel laureate were Northerners.

  Is a mere facial covering more important than human lives being wasted almost on daily basis through Boko Haram activities? Do these people prefer a situation where the female suicide bomber taking advantage of the Hijab being worn by female students to kill innocent Nigerians there in the North?
Day in day out, bombs explode in places of worship in Northeastern Nigeria and few communities are becoming desolate already.
Speak of restricting the use of certain facial coverings, and you'll promptly realize that a piece of black cloth can be more sacred than the lives of the entire members of the community.

   After the World Trade Centre was attacked in New York City in 2001, new tough measures were put in place, to secure airports and other places of public accommodation. We haven't heard of any case similar to it after the measures were put in place. When Ebola came to our land, people were asked to wash hands regularly. I did not hear anyone claim that such a practice amounted to gross violation of their culture. Southern religious leaders were instructed to end the practice of Christian religious revivals and crusades, as it was an excellent breeding technique for Ebola. Shaking hands, a sacred religious rite, was suspended in all Catholic churches. Ebola was nipped right in the bud. It did not fester because government had the balls to take tough measures, and the people were liberal enough to adapt themselves to change.
In some Islamic nations like Senegal, here in Africa, the use of facial covering has been banned yet their religion hasn't changed. But the reverse is usually the case in the Northern Nigerian. They are too religious to see sense in suggested preventive measures to help curb the loss of lives to the terrorists' activities in their domain. They simply never imagined the  number of lives that will be lost while defending the sanctity of the cloth

BEFORE WE CONDEMN FRENCH FLAG WATERMARK APPLICATION. By Saint-Olawale Jimoh

I almost joined the bandwagon of those criticizing Nigerians whose facebook profile pictures were watermarked in French flag in honour of those killed in Paris terrorist attack.
What initially came to my mind was why Facebook never deemed it fit to come up with such an innovation when worse cases occurred in Nigeria.
I repented after reading Mark Zuckerberg's side of the story, who stated "many people have rightfully asked why we turned on Safety Check for Paris but not for bombings in Beirut and other places. Until yesterday, our policy was only to activate Safety Check for natural disasters. We just changed this and now plan to activate Safety Check for more human disasters going forward as well".
In essence, facebook is constantly changing features for better, coincidentally, the Paris attack happened around when they were getting ready for the new profile feature and that started the whole arguments.
But come to think of it, did they make the application compulsory for us? Nope! I think it's about time we look inward and come out with our own inventions. Even if there was no explanation for French flag application, what can we do? If for instfance facebook refuses to include Africa in the feature there is nothing we can do. Today, China is developing alternatives like weibo, so they can boycott the West. Why should the West do all the innovative thinking and expect them to dance to the tune of Africans? So long as we're contented to being consumers they will always dictate the pace. So, enough of the unwarranted arguments of being ignored. If we feel ignored by these developed nations, let's rise to the task of investing in technology. And lastly, the the international communities have always stood by us. West and other continents showed solidarity during the #‎BringBackOurGirls‬ campaign.
#‎IstandWithParis‬