I just got a clip titled THE PEOPLE’S CURSE IN AFRICA. I watched it and it registered so many things in my mind — some others see what I have observed and been convinced about for twenty years. I opine that _Nothing_ will change until we hold the view in this clip as sacrosanct.
The clip says: The problem is not the leader, it is the people. From Nigeria to Kenya, Zambia to South Africa, Ghana to Congo, the story is the same. We blame leadership, but leadership did not descend from the sky. It came from among us.
We wear party colours like jerseys, celebrating the same leaders who loot our future. We celebrate thieves because they come from our tribe. In Kenya, tribes become weapons. In Zambia, ballot has become new chain. In South Africa, we wear political shirts like football jerseys. In Ghana and Congo, democracy has become theatre of deception, not tool of transformation.
We ignore laws, we litter streets, we bribe small officers and then complain about big corruption at the top. We demand heaven while living like devils in small spaces. We wear same torn rags yesterday, today, tomorrow, believing rags will turn into robes tomorrow.
Then it landed the fatal blow: No leader can save a people unwilling to save themselves. No law can change a people who refuse to change their hearts. Africa does not need more elections. It needs continuity, accountability, citizens who act like owners, not spectators. Real change begins when citizens grow up — Read, Think, Question, Work.
NOTHING WILL CHANGE UNTIL THIS IS SACROSANCT. I agree.
This is where my project WITNESS 2026/2036 and Miniature Map of Nigeria 3.0 meets this clip. I have argued that Nigeria was amalgamated by God, divided by man. That the truest Nigerians are not those who shout tribe, but those who by birth cannot be tribalists.
I identified 5 Families.
One, my own: Ijebu father from Southwest, born in Enugu heart of Igboland, Idoma mother from Benue Middle Belt. Three in one body. Which coop do I enter? All coops.
Two, General Ike Nwachukwu: Igbo father, Fulani mother, Yoruba wife.
Three, Adeleke’s of Ede: Igbo mother + Yoruba father.
Four, Maryam Babangida: Igbo Delta father + Nupe mother, who during civil war married Nupe soldier Ibrahim Babangida.
Five, until now I wrote simply as General Murtala Ramat Muhammed/Ajoke: Gyanawa Fulani + Kanuri father who married Yoruba wife. But history has given us living proof that completes the turnaround. That proof is his eldest child, Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode. She is THE CURE to THE CURSE.
WHO IS THE CURE?
Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, eldest offspring of late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, former Head of State 1975-76, and Ajoke Muhammed, Yoruba woman. Group CEO Asset Management Group (AMG) Limited founded 1991, CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation founded 2001.
Boards that tell capacity: Lekoil Nigeria Limited, CSCS Plc, NEEM Foundation, Alliance for Women and Girls UK, Women’s Leadership Board and Global Development Council at Harvard Kennedy School, Diamond Bank Plc, Fenikso Ltd, Crusader Insurance Nigeria Plc, AMG Petroenergy Ltd.
Education that shames tribalism: LL.B University of Buckingham, called to Nigerian Bar 1989, LL.M Public International Law King’s College London, MBA Finance Imperial College London, PhD Law SOAS University of London.
Married to Gbenga Oyebode, Yoruba, founder Aluko & Oyebode Law Firm. Three children.
Father Fulani/Kanuri North. Mother Yoruba Southwest. Husband Yoruba Southwest. Children blended North-Southwest. Where does tribalism enter? It cannot.
Score her on 5Cs where Vagabonds In Power score ZERO: Conscience — Foundation since 2001. Competence — Four UK degrees + Bar + 34 years CEO. Character — Built AMG from scratch. Courage — Woman leading in oil, finance, security. Capacity — Running real estate, petroenergy, foundation, Harvard boards simultaneously.
She cannot be tribalist even if she tried.
MY FAMILY COMPLETES THE MINIATURE MAP — BETHEL AT 22
Today Sunday 11/10, my youngest offspring turns 22. Her name is Bethel Olayinka Chissom Odusanya
Bethel — House of God. Olayinka — Yoruba — Wealth surrounds me. Chissom — Igbo — God is with me. Odusanya — Ijebu.
I am Ijebu father Southwest, born Enugu, Idoma Northern mother Middle Belt. I married Igbo mother Southeast — Chissom lineage. Our three offsprings: first two British/Nigeria, youngest Bethel American/Nigeria who turns 22 today.
Ijebu + Igbo + Idoma + Yoruba Olayinka + British + American + Nigeria — Six in one lineage, seven identities in one 22-year-old Princess. Which coop does Bethel enter? All coops.
She is American flag + Nigeria flag. Her siblings are British flag + Nigeria flag. Her mother is Igbo. Her father is Ijebu born Enugu with Idoma mother. Her name is Yoruba + Igbo + Biblical.
If tribalism is evil, Bethel is living proof of its defeat. Just like Aisha.
The People’s Curse says we celebrate thieves because they come from our tribe. My children cannot celebrate tribe because they have no single tribe to celebrate exclusively. They are miniature map of Nigeria and miniature map of the world.
The People’s Curse says no leader can save a people unwilling to save themselves. True. But the reverse is also true: No people can save themselves if they keep celebrating tribal leaders who loot. We need a new national model that produces Aishas and Bethels, not Vagabonds In Power.
From God Amalgamated To Man Divided. Opposition is conscience of state. Anyone calling for suppression of opposition is confirmed anarchist. Tribalism is evil.
Real change begins when citizens grow up. Read, Think, Question, Work. Africa needs continuity, accountability, citizens who act like owners not spectators.
I am Ijebu, born Enugu, Idoma Northern mother. I see my sister in Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode. I see my future in Bethel Olayinka Chissom Odusanya — 22 today. We are 5 Families, One Nigeria, One World.
This is sacrosanct.
WITNESS 2036.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Olanrewaju Odusanya
Ijebu Man, Born Enugu, Idoma Northern Mother
Married to Igbo Mother — Father of 3: 2 British/Nigeria Bethel Olayinka Chissom Odusanya American/Nigeria @ 22 Today Sunday 11/10
Author: NIGERIA NEEDS NEW NATIONAL MODEL
Convener: WITNESS 2026/2036
5Cs: Conscience • Competence • Character • Courage • Capacity
TRIBALISM IS EVIL
From God Amalgamated To Man Divided
