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Green or Grey Nigeria Photo Credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-tree-growing-old-dead-dying-rotted-tree-image-symbolizes-rebirth-reborn-new-birth-overcoming-obstacles-image68357891 She was once proud, the home of gods and royalty. Now, people under her care depend on charity. If they are not displaced, they live in fear. Conflict up North, robbery down South. Terrorism coated with religious biases, And armed with ethnic prejudices. Who will paint her vibrant green white and green? True peace will not remain an elusive dream. Nightmares will not hunt me if I stay awake. I may be slow but I am far from weak. She has become drier than the Atacama Desert. Water and life only appear as mirages. She has become like quicksand. Struggle and go down faster. Fight the wind at your peril. To your ever-sure doom. Who will paint her vibrant green white and green? Poverty cannot continue to reign supreme. To me, 'dawn' is but minutes away. Alive! ...

Democracy, Elections and Nigeria: Problems and Way Forward (1) Continued from previous post on democracy and elections Can cosmetics help me to hide my ulterior intents? Everyone sees right through me. Domage! Maybe, I need a better make-up kit. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that as at 2015, the proportion of Nigerian children (aged 15 and lower) was more than twice the percentage of adults and elderly combined [7] . Children and youths make a significant chunk of the population, as such, the impact of manipulations of under-aged voting is astronomical. During the 2015 general elections, it was argued that under-aged voters participated and cast votes. Recently in Kano, there were complaints that under-aged voters (voters below the 18-year-old cut off), participated in elections and skewed the outcome of the State’s council elections. Some persons even insisted that INEC officials colluded to escalate this illegal practice. This is being investigate...

Democracy, Elections and Nigeria: Problems and Way Forward (1) You have given me the power to make and unmake.  Go to sleep, I will decide on your behalf.  The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (now amended), states that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice... It … declared that: (a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution” [1] . Building on this knowledge, can citizens confidently say that their intentions would naturally shape their leadership in Nigeria? Has Nigeria been experiencing true democracy only on paper? Has our form of democracy been diluted to emasculate citizens...

Immortal Nigeria Credit: Wilson Atumeyi, 2017; Vwiere Irikefe, 2017 I am the current running down the mountain. Obstacles may bar my path. But I will break through. I am resilient and immortal Nigeria. My guardians conveniently use me for private gain; unguarded plundering. They dig their graves. They don’t know that there is no greater hunger than one which can’t be satisfied. My rich ethnicity is manipulated to raise false allies and regional enemies. They create pain that can’t be undone. There is no greater deception than one that leads you to conflict. My appreciation for the supernatural is distorted for division. They have strangled my offspring for too long. Leaving me vulnerable; easy prey for hunters and scavengers. But the fog will dissipate; friends and foes will be made known. I am water trapped underneath rocks. Soon to become a spring. I will break free. I am resilient and immortal Nigeria. By Sylvanus Ebiegberi Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

What the Future Could Be They take three steps forward but hundreds backwards. A vicious cycle, Sinking us to penury. Three right actions, many wrong. A plaguing vehicle, Birthing daydreams of times long gone. Gideon lives in the past, the perfect yesterdays. When he believes honest leaders were countless. And officials were not endlessly self-centred. Maybe, he lives in an era that never existed. Three steps forward, hundreds backwards. His world is in chaos, When he hears about Death's meals. Strangers are gone, loved ones are heaped. Meaningless slaughter, Nursing daydreams of the good old days. Fatima longs for the past. Blissful former times. It was rare to witness 'no conscience'. Visitors valued locals and their friendliness. Maybe, she craves an era that never existed. Three steps forward, hundreds backwards. They long for yesterdays, Which shouldn't be. Maybe the regression will come to an end, If they do not stay, Where man...

Technology and Civic Engagement: The Way Forward, by Ahmed Inuwa Technology today is at the core of modern-day activism, with civil society organizations like Connected Development (CODE), BudgIT, Enough Is Enough, TransparencIT, FollowTaxes and others utilizing social media, data analysis tools, and infographics tools available to simplify contents, increase reach and also make advocacy data driven. Efforts of these organisations exemplify the importance of technology and data to active citizenry. Many civil society organizations are learning to build up their skills to ensure that advocacy on issues are backed by facts. Nigeria has an active technology space with almost 93 million internet users. Facebook has almost 15 million users in Nigeria; and as of 2015, over 250 million tweets came from Nigeria. This coupled with the work Andela, Ventures Park, Google, Colab, and Facebook are all doing tirelessly to build capacity of youths on programming, digital skills and to creat...

Not Too Late to Wake Up http://moziru.com/images/violence-clipart-violence-against-woman-8.jpg She disagreed with him, so missiles attacked her face. Her baby cheeks were now engraved with his palm. Constellations of stars heralded her slump. Time was frozen. She had entered limbo.                 I just hope that she wakes up. She finally regains consciousness but disbelief is stronger than the impulse to cry. Maybe this is penance for her wrongs of before. She ponders for what feels like ages and decides to ignore. “It was an accident. He wasn’t himself". Her last thoughts to bed.                 I just hope that she wakes up. At dawn, she is baptised in rivers of apologies. “It won’t happen again”. He insists on bended knees. He is pleading and swearing in the name of several deities. Assuring her that everything will get better.               ...

The Lunacy of Inaction Credit: https://clipartxtras.com/categories/view/4d94fde5e5e890bed9148d2e7dc39cb7b853ae85/wolf-eating-clipart.html Various packs of wolves are hunting and gathering prey. Prey so many to feed generations unborn. Ravaging one deer, then two, then thousands. Several groups are doing it. The bandwagon effect continues. But greed will fade when the deer act differently. Like fast trains with no brakes, the hunters are rampaging. Gunning down pigeons. Ignoring wolves and hyenas. Preaching of lack whilst their pot bellies are jiggling. Eating up everything like a restless volcano. But greed will fade when the pigeons act differently. The commanders are puppets to the highest bidder. Who prefer that the voices from their subjects stay on mute. Trading people for less than silver is more routine than breathing. The quality expected from their job is now a mirage. But greed will fade when the subjects act differently. Greed will ...

Poor but Strong Credit: https://openclipart.org/detail/240490/poor-mother-and-kids Like a driftwood, she is rocked around by life Daily hustle barely provides her food She consumes garbage with gratitude Her empty pockets limit her plans to a day She prays for the warm summer But, Antarctica becomes her lover She prepares for the cold weather But, she is embraced by the desert heat Each new dawn comes with a fresh cycle of thorns And no one seems to care if she crashes and burns Suffering clothes her as the flesh clothes bones The gate to wealth is more guarded than Alcatraz She is accustomed to grovelling and begging With every benefactor attempting to take advantage Crumbs embedded inside layers of manipulating Further compounding the odds against her Reality of lack has even made her so brittle Constant fever remains her pain relief Frequent dementia fuels her hope for a better future She has realised that she has only ‘her’ to alleviate ‘her pain’ Wh...

We Own the Crown Credit: http://clipart-library.com/crown-cliparts.html Every day we sing praises to our kith and kin Our local leaders, who seem to have no sin Brothers of before, but cruel gods of now How did we get to this point? Na juju? We cherish their tight-fisted charity They give us peanut and we reflexively ‘jaiye’. The remaining gold, they freely plunder Unwillingly given. But who can question them? Wake up! We have refused to recognise dishonesty Even from hypocrites in authority Who sandwich deceit in piety When will we see people as they are? We rather blame others for our demise Those whose crime is that they are not ‘one of us’ Countrymen or not, we can’t but despise Rioting cancer. Is there no cure to this virus? Wake up! “This country will never improve". A passive man's mantra We complain unending but do nothing “Our opinions do not count”. Another blasphemy! Eternally indifferent. No will to act. Na so common sense dey sc...

Nigeria Wake Up Credit: http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ctv-morning-live/wake-up-call They come to us in times of election But flee from us afterwards as though we have infection Excuses are their steady companion Devious so we resolve with prayer but no action Wake up my people! Their mistakes have become law They are always never listening Stolen wealth, they gladly harbour Only sweet doom is beckoning Wake up! The condition of ‘before’ is clearly not the same as ‘now’ Yet they stick to an unending doctrine of lies and tricks Night and day, eternal pain, our future has been strangled bleak Yet they dare to flaunt their elegant crown so everyone would bow Wake up Nigeria! Do we have recurring amnesia? Or we want to sleep and not wake? Is the solution always militia? Why must we allow them to take our cake? Wake up! Remember who you are for Nigeria’s sake Citizens. Born royalty Renowned bedrock of any society With the power to make and unmake U...

Internal Security #ReviewConstitution  series on the constitutional amendment continued . Click  here  to see the status of the entire process as at 10th October, 2017. Nigerian Police Force Name Change This amendment seeks to change the name of the Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Police to reflect the organization’s core mandate. Consequential Amendment on Civil Defense This amendment ensures that core functions of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are incorporated in the Constitution. #ReviewConstitution  Stay empowered by knowing more! Stay satisfied by engaging  more ! Check out the amendments strengthening the Local Governments ( click here ), Auditor General of the Federation and the States ( click here ), Legislature ( click here ), Elections such as the NotTooYoungToRun Bill ( click here ), Budget ( click here ) and the Judiciary ( click here ). We have a duty to influence these critical decisions. We must tell our sta...

Strengthening the Judicial System #ReviewConstitution  series on the constitutional amendment continued . Click  here  to see the status of the entire process as at 10th October, 2017. Judiciary Bill to Further Strengthen the Judiciary for Speedy Dispensation of Justice This bill incorporates submissions made by the judiciary that will speed up the dispensation of 'justice' in the country. It is aimed at addressing administrative and operational bottlenecks slowing down the wheel of justice administration. It also provides a framework for allowing appeals from the industrial court to be considered at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for dispensations of labour/ trade related disputes. Investment and Securities Tribunal This amendment reflects the establishment of the Investments and Securities Tribunal under the Constitution to enhance the dispensation of investment and trade disputes. It allows appeals from the tribunal to lie at the Court of Appe...

Credit: www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/ Enhancing Budget and Governance Processes #ReviewConstitution  series on the constitutional amendment continued.  . Click  here  to see the status as at 10th October, 2017. Authorization of Expenditure before Budget Passage This amendment seeks to reduce spending of money from the consolidated revenue fund of the Federation pending the passage of the budget from 6 to 3 months. One reason why the budget is usually presented late, is because of the current half year period of grace which the president and governors enjoy. It promotes early presentation and passage of the appropriation bill (budget). Time Frame for Submission of Names of Ministerial and Commissioner Nominees with their Portfolios This amendment provides for the President and Governors to submit the list of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly and State Houses of Assemblies within 30 days of being sworn into office to ensure that the business ...

Strengthening Key Accountability Institutions #ReviewConstitution  series on the constitutional amendment continued. Click  here  to see the status as at 10th October, 2017.  First Line Charge for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and States This amendment, empowers the Office of the Auditor General (OAuG) of the Federation and those of the States with the requisite funding or access to its budgeted funds to enable them function efficiently and effectively. The OAuG is the foremost anti-corruption and accountability platform or institution created by the Constitution with the mandate to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively, transparently and for the greater good of the citizenry. This is an important amendment to the Constitution. Separation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation with that of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (exi...