Author: Richard Odusanya

Let us begin with the profound words of Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo, a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who played a key role in Nigeria’s independence movement (1957–1960). Awolowo, in his book, “Voice of Courage” Awo, remarked as follows: Africa’s Dependence on Former Colonial Masters “Today, Africa is a continent of COMPETING BEGGAR-NATIONs.  “We vie with one another for favors from our former colonial masters; and we deliberately fall over one another to invite neo- colonialists to come over to our different territories to preside over our economic fortunes…Unless a beggar resolutely shakes off and irrevocably turns his back on,…

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Nationalism and patriotism can be thought of as consequences of national identity that represent positive evaluations of one’s group but imply different social goals. In the golden words of Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle, a French army officer and statesman who led the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government of the French Republic from 1944 to 1946 to restore a republic in France.  The former French President Charles de Gaulle summed it up best when he said: “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism when hate…

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Religion is a social phenomenon. It is a religion that is confusing, not God. Man-made religions. God did not! God is merciful and not difficult to please. Therefore, the biblical phrase “Do for others as you would have them do for you.” Be kind, be caring, and be loving. Treat everyone with respect and understanding. Do not harm and do as your father teaches you inside your heart. Does he tell you that you should say mean things? If so, that is not god. That is religion. The mere fact that there are so many religions in existence boggles my…

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In our highly pluralistic society, superstition is not easy to define. One person’s superstition may be another person’s religion. But for the sake of discussion, let’s say that superstition is characterized by techniques and expectations that are not scientifically provable (or falsifiable) and apt to be regarded by many as irrational. Let’s add that a superstition is a human attempt to control the uncontrollable, to manipulate chaos, and produce a favorable outcome. Superstition is born of ignorance and, fear, and thrives the most when reason is asleep. This is similar to the words of Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, a Nigerian musician,…

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Hopelessness, recklessness, corruption, and leadership paralysis defined the current state of our beloved country Nigeria after 63 years of independence. For the record, greed, and inefficiency are the twin evils and veritable grounds for corruption. At age 37 Betta Chimaobim Edu represented a vocal section of youths in this era. This generation is critically and sufficiently arrogant, with wishful expectations of the emergence of good leadership in the country.  Being the most active and most dominant, demographically in this country, this wish would remain a pipe dream if they remain in their uncoordinated laissez-faire state. My observation leads to this…

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The lesson of history and recent political events sweeping democratic strongholds around the world reflect a deep loss of faith in government. Citizens perceive their institutions to be captured by elites who are disconnected from the needs of their constituents or complicit in schemes that benefit the powerful at the expense of ordinary citizens. Therefore, it is remarkable to find an African President in the example of Zambia’s President. President Hakainde Hichilema, a Zambian businessman, farmer, and politician who is the seventh and current president of Zambia since 24 August 2021. After having contested five previous elections in 2006, 2008,…

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So what is truth, that it should have such gravity and such a central place in people’s lives? Truth is the aim of belief; falsity is a fault. People need the truth about the world to thrive. Truth is important. Believing what is not true is apt to spoil people’s plans and may even cost them their lives. Telling what is not true may result in legal and social penalties. Conversely, a dedicated pursuit of truth characterizes the good scientist, the good historian, and the good detective – ultimately, truth to ourselves and truth to power. Sadly, the state of…

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The genuine true Christians, particularly those folks in Acts of Apostles, were called Christ-like because those who saw them up and close at Antioch, who obviously didn’t even know Christ since Christ never went close *to* the place, heard about Christ and saw what they heard in those folks. Sadly, these days, many of those who are supposed to be successors in title to that name, tag, style and heritage don’t even bother to impersonate let alone imitate Christ – they are notorious for the opposite of what Christ represent; egregious, materialistic, self-righteous and untrustworthy. The book of Isaiah 55…

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Courtesy of the blunders and mismanagement of Godwin Emefiele, the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Meffy, crippled the economy and left the nation on the brink of collapse. This is in contrast to the words of John Stuart Mill, which goes thus: “It is part of the irony of life that the strongest feelings of devoted gratitude of which human nature seems to be susceptible, are called forth in human beings towards those who, having the power entirely to crush their earthly existence, voluntarily refrain from using that power.” Emefiele, ‘Meffy’ suspended as head of the central…

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Let’s begin with the profound words of Charles Grandison Finney, an American Presbyterian minister and leader in the Second Great Awakening in the United States. Finney remarked as follows: “If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.” Religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that you follow. Godliness is having your moral character conformed to God’s moral character. Following His commandments counts as religion, but it’s also possible…

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“Life is like the oil within a lamp. It can be measured, but the pace at which it burns depends on how the dial is turned day by day, and how bright and fierce the flame is. And there is no predicting whether the lamp might be knocked to the ground and shatter when it could have blazed on a great while longer. Such is the unpredictability of life.” – Margaret Rogerson. Life is indeed unpredictable, which means that it can be full of surprises, both good and bad. The unpredictability of life is what makes it worth living. Overall,…

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“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” – Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Quite a profound statement it is, and also a timeless truth. From whichever we may wish to look at it, there can’t be any doubt that the option of a Democratic System of Government is far more profitable for any people and nation than any other system we may think of. Certainly, it is infinitely more productive and rewarding for the country than the option of autocratic Military Governments. Nigeria has mercifully outgrown that sad phase of our history. Lest I forget,…

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“‘Under my leadership, these elections were organized with a promise to the Liberian people – a promise of fairness, transparency, and credibility. I am proud to say that, for the most part, we have fulfilled that promise. The Liberian people have spoken, and their choice will be honored and obeyed.’ “At this juncture, I would like to congratulate the National Elections Commission for a job well done. You have earned the respect of all Liberians, our foreign partners, international observers, and the world at large for completing this difficult task to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, including the contesting parties,”…

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What does not kill you makes you stronger, if you master it. The most horrendous times in my life have always had the final result of my becoming wiser, more patient, less frightened, and over-all a better problem-solver. But then I have the irrational belief of a un-seen ‘helpers’. Yes, a psychologist with spirituality. Certainly better to trust my holy spirit than to trust drugs or alcohol or ‘white knights.’ I now always say ‘thanks’ for whatever trouble is sent my way as I know I will grow from the experience. In the golden words of Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi…

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The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – the coming together of physical, digital and biological spheres – promises to revolutionise fields such as manufacturing and engineering, but one sector of the economy has some catching up to do on adoption of new technologies. For the records, this contribution focuses on the Oil and Gas Downstream Sector, particularly the Refineries. Importantly, it identifies key drivers that will spur the growth of the refining sector in Nigeria. The article also highlights refining asset economics and structural commercial considerations for investors and identifies the modular refinery, an off-the-shelf solution, as the cost effective supply…

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Following the recent declaration of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the World Oil Outlook in Saudi Arabia that Nigeria is set to witness the set-up of some modular refineries with a capacity of 20,000 barrels per day, Gasoline Associates International Limited (GAIL) has concluded plans to begin the construction of a 100,000 barrels-per-day (BPD) capacity refinery in November 2023. Recently licensed by the Federal Government of Nigeria for 100,000 BPD production, Gasoline Associates International Limited (GAIL) will construct a 100,000 BPD refinery and petrochemical plant in Ipokia, a local government area bordering the Republic of Benin, in…

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Let’s begin with discussion on the homily of Matthew Hassan Kukah, the current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. A tireless advocate for justice, democracy, and human development. Bishop Kukah, had posited: “We Pray Too Much In Nigeria, It’s Time To Embrace Science And Technology. After independence, in order to build a great nation, each country went to work. But in Nigeria, after independence, our people went to pray and fast. So, while we were praying, Malaysia came here and took our palm seedlings and build a great factory of it.  “While we were praying, India went into…

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Nigeria could have been a rich country where no one lives in poverty and millions are living in hunger. Economic inequality in Nigeria has reached extreme levels, despite being the largest economy in Africa. The country has an expanding economy with abundant human capital and the economic potential to lift millions out of poverty. But this is not happening. In fact, despite Nigeria’s richness in solid minerals, oil and arable land, it is still poor. What a Paradox!   Interestingly, in 1956, Nigeria discovered its oil resources. In the subsequent years, Nigeria started to exploit its oil by opening it up…

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Nigeria as a nation is passing through persistent, complex, and terrible evolutionary challenges in the quest for attaining cohesion and development in the midst of shameful abuse of gospel grace by men of crafty pretense in religious ropes, which has brought a stigma of infamy to the venerated image of God’s church —diminishing its moral voice. Sadly, one of the major factors threatening the unity and stability of Nigeria as a nation is traceable to religious sentiments, ethnic jingoism, and emotions driven by fallacies and hatred – the consequences of these on our nation and Nigerians have been exceedingly harsh.…

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Our beloved country Nigeria, a nation in dire strait, wunbling and fumbling at 63 in a critical moment; Nigerians are hungry and angry. Hunger is in the land…we are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more people into poverty through unfriendly policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policies and no policy at all. Nigeria is at a precipice; its future is at stake. Conversely, the need to pull Nigeria from the precipice of economic decline, disunity, internal insecurity, social insecurity, and ultimate disintegration has become imperative. Therefore, there is a need for cautious optimism about phantom accomplishments. …

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Let’s begin with the golden words of Abraham Lincoln, an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln profoundly posited: “Ballots are the rightful, and peaceful, successors of bullets, and that when ballots have fairly, and constitutionally, decided, there can be successful appeal, back to bullets; that there can be no successful appeal except to ballots themselves, at succeeding elections.” A case for introspection as all five Judges of the Appeal Court unanimously upheld the election of Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President C-in-C of…

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Let’s begin by discussing Obj’s interview. Obasanjo: “I knew Buhari didn’t understand economics but didn’t know he was so reckless.” The octogenarian retired general and former HoS/President, has been a regular phenomenon in Nigeria’s history both in and out of office, offering comments — even if controversially — on political and economic issues. In this interview with TheCable, he gives his account of the past and present in such a paradoxical and somehow contradictory manner of a self-inflating rhetoric. In his words “How Buhari Mismanaged Nigeria’s Economy in Eight Years”. Is it a case of the tail wagging the Dog?…

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Let’s begin with the postulations of Barack Hussein Obama, an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African-American president. Obama famously posited: “I am in my second term”. “I can find other ways to serve. Nothing will unlock Africa’s economic potential more than ending the cancer of corruption.” Furthermore, Obama said he doesn’t understand why presidents try to stay in office for long, especially when they have a lot of money, jokingly. “But I can’t”, Obama said in Ethiopia. He was…

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By Richard Odusanya and Co-contributor Dr Adebisi Abiola Let’s begin with a quotation from Walter Anthony Rodney, a Guyanese historian, political activist, and academic. His notable works include “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,” first published in 1972. Rodney was assassinated in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1980. Rodney, famously posited: “There is a perennial debt to be paid to black people for continuing enslavement and degradation. There are those who believe that the matter is over. They are completely wrong. Actually, there are those among us who believe that the demand and struggle for justice and restoration to full dignity would take a…

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Let’s begin by discussing the wise counsel and profound words of Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, (PLO), a Kenyan lawyer and activist. PLO, a former director of the Kenya School of Law also served as the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission from July 2010 to August 2011. PLO, profoundly posited: “The day Nigeria wakes up, Africa will never be the same again”. Lumumba added, “We are still suffering from our inferiority complex. We must also ask ourselves are we the only countries that were colonized? India, Japan, Singapore, and others were colonized but they have liberated themselves.” Sadly, hope is…

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PAN-AFRICAN VISION: Acceptance Or Confutation  Let me begin with the spiritual awakening of Pan-Africanism as exemplified by Robert Nesta Marley OM, a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Over the course of his career, Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. Bob Marley profoundly posited: “Emancipate yourselves (Africans) from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds”. Nonetheless, in spite of the rich volume of scholarly examination of the work of this musical genius, no study has specifically addressed his use of music as a platform to articulate and disseminate…

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As an advocate of constitutional democracy, firmly believing in the government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE; the situation in Niger République deeply concerns me and makes some of us very uncomfortable. The coup d’état in Niger resulted from ethnic and geopolitical power play. For example, in the aftermath of the coup, events have unfolded rapidly, revealing that a considerable number of Nigeriens support the military intervention, viewing the interventionists as saviors who will liberate their country from foreign dominance and exploitation of its resources.  Unarguably, the July 26 adventure appeared to have some form of…

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The best antidote for obliterating coups from Africa’s political landscape is good governance. Presidential decrees or “Executive orders” cannot stop coups and revolutions. Only good governance and total commitment to the welfare of the citizens can stop coups. The truth is that the overrated prevailing system, with its built-in fraudulent democracy of government of rogues by rogues and for rogues and their families, can no longer be tolerated or indeed, sustainable. It is the antithesis of true democracy. For democracy, the sine qua non is accountability by all – top to bottom. This is the best time to re-evaluate Abraham…

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Blackmailing or desperately trying to arm-twist God is a defeatist mindset, programmed and suspectable to manipulation. ‘Man, Know Thyself’ – this simple admonition by Socrates, speaks volumes. If you take it as a command then hearken to it and towards understanding who you are, your life will have more meaning. The match towards an African cultural renaissance is not a speculation that should be left hanging on an ivory tower but rather a reality that is praxis-oriented.  Interestingly, so much has been written about how to move Africa forward along the path of peace, progress,, and prosperity. Even the so-called…

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Africa’s cultural renaissance is a precursor to peace and a preemptive strike of coups in the continent. Since 1963, the quest for African Unity has been inspired by the spirit of Pan-Africanism, focusing on liberation, and political and economic independence. It is motivated by development based on self-reliance and self-determination of African people, with democratic and people-centered governance. This is the African dream; the Africa we want and the continent that our heroes envisioned. The African continent has the longest history in the world: it’s where human beings originated. Africa’s democracy has progressed slowly – as such, poor governance is…

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