LET THERE BE BIAFRA

Introduction
Recently, there came to be an upsurge on the demand by the Igbos for a sovereign nation. It is not like this call for the Republic of Biafra is new, it has been there since the 1960s and even culminated into the civil way which lasted for three years. Many Igbos have pitched tenth with certain factions of the divide, what I would like to call ‘ndi kwe na ndi ekweghi’; that is those who believe in the indissolubility of Nigeria and those who are die hard supporters of the Biafran cause. There is still a third group, the disinterested observers who are keen on leaving their lives much like the stoics and who would naturally fit in to any side when the need for that arises.

IF THIS BE THE CHANGE, THEN IT IS UNINTERESTING. By James Onyebuchi C.

IF THIS BE THE CHANGE, THEN IT IS UNINTERESTING.
 By James Onyebuchi C.

I managed to survive the heart attack that almost greeted me at the pre-declaration of President Buhari as the number one citizen of Nigeria. Well documented and even flying on air are my ills towards the person of Buhari and the platform on which he ran for his Presidency. But he is the president. It could not be more or less than this. So, it was imperative upon me to adjust since I could not and am incapable of changing the situation - He is indeed my President. But my expectations were high.

The antiphon in between the APC's litany of promises or in the main, that underlined the numerous campaign promises of APC was 'changi' (change).  Nigerians, apparently, needed, beckoned and voted for change. And Hallelujah to the heavens (though it could possibly not be), change came and is here. But the question is: How far change? My expectations are still high.

APC, by all means clinched to power.  The tune suddenly changed. They began to realise that Nigeria's problems are so numerous  that they could not be solved just in four years. Even the Messiah himself realised that he never had such miraculous powers that could in a few years put Nigeria to glory and to the jealous of the whole world. My expectations began to loose strength.

When the erstwhile president Jonathan called  for patience from Nigerians, the word was immediately mistaken for a vice and as such impossible amongst Nigerians. Oh, the right man; the Nigerian messiah; Buhari then asked for patience, then it became a virtue. Nigerians clapped their hands and celebrated this. Much was to come  in and out of third antiphon - 'I belong to Nobody and to everybody'.

The inauguration came. Undoubtedly and as expected, drew men of value across and within borders. Almost all, renewed their pledge and support for the newest government. Nigerians congratulated him. Oh! His directions to relocate the defence headquarters to Borno was a sign that actions have begun. Change has begun. My expectations were enlivened.

Ecstasy became the oxygen 'almost' every Nigerian breathed. The inauguration speech became a point of discourse among the electronic media commentators. But people like me who made the word "almost", possible as used above, saw nothing different in both the ceremony and the speech. Thanks to Balarabe Musa, the former governor of old Kaduna for not being driven by the illusive 'changi'. His skepticism was unambiguously pronounced. For him, there was no fundamental difference or quantum shift in the system, government and even person. His words seem to carry weight as the events that followed up days after the inauguration confirmed his point.

Saturday came, Sunday and up till this moment, key officials are yet to be named. Presidential fleet came to function and usefulness. What Jonathan did when he reached out for regional aid in the fight against Boko Haram which Many Nigerians including the incumbent condemned, turned around to be the right thing. The rate at which Bombs are detonated even at the powerful and evocative sound of  second the antiphon 'Sai Buhari' became wild.

The one reigning now is the asset declaration which in my opinion in unnecessary and already blown out of proportion. If he lies in the declaration, will I know? Just few days ago, it was discovered that Buhari has a property at Asokoro in Abuja which worths about  2Billion of Naira. So what about the only 2 bedroom house at Daura? My expectations wane.

Some people started returning from their self exile. And others submitting themselves to EFCC. Festus Keyamo, a learned wig, and an advocate to Fed. Government on the corruption charges against former governor Sylvia washes his hands off the case even as the federal government withdrew the case. My expectations water down all the more.

I do not wish to waste time over the events unfolding in the APC over the leadership of the 8th Senate. Tuesday will settle the matter.

But wait! This is a week and two days. What has changed? If anything, does it or do they interest you? For me, the topic of this writing have answer to this question. How about you?

#Godwin

"I Belong To Everybody and I Belong To Nobody"

The above was the words of the incumbent and new President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari in his inaugural speech.

The contents of this inaugural speech was anything but non-wonderful! It was superb, excellent, articulative and well rendered. It captioned the very troubling and grey areas of the yelling of Nigerians. I commend his backroom staff for the speech. It was well written.

I, for one, am not a fan of Buhari, bit as my President, I owe him respect and cooperation. I waited for 24 hours in order to air my view on yesterday's proceedings. The peaceful handover was historic.

Goodluck Ebere Jonathan must be commended for his Statesmanship. I do not personally think that I can do that which he did. His presence at the venue and his symbolic transfer of power was the highpoint of my admiration for him. Even Buhari was overwhelmed as he poured encomiums on the President in his speech.

At the inaugural gala, I was somehow disappointed. The APC said the country was in shambles and the economy was sick, but they accepted the gala and ate and drank....even as the economy was still sick!

But, I'm hopeful that the meal was to get themselves energized for the task ahead. I just hope so.

The presence of Obasanjo was very much expected, and the referral to him by Dickson was expected, even when we all know what is true. I hope to see how his romance with APC shall end. That is story for another day!

The first act of office was relocation of Army Headquarters. It's a step in the right direction. I hope it yields the desired result.

I must stop here due to lack of space. But I'll not end without wishing the new President and his team a successful tenure.

God bless Nigeria!!!

All Hail The Peoples' General!

Yes, the D-Day is coming. The historic day for which thousands have waited for; the 29th Day of May, 2015.

A contributor in one of the leading national dailies termed tomorrow, "Buhari's Day". Of course it sounds like that to the ears of those of us who are waiting in deep and serious expectation of the "Nigerian Political Messiah".

The topic of this short piece was coined from one of the prominent names which Gen... Ehhhm, - I guess it stops today- Buhari was called during the electioneering campaigns. I was sad he's not gonna keep the name! Whatever happens, he is The Peoples' General!

Many Nigerians are patiently waiting for tomorrow to come. A day on which they'll be liberated from every form of trouble, pains, difficulties and life threatening situations. Buhari is the key, Buhari is the Answer!

Hurray, at last the Boko Haram menace, the theft and kidnappings, the frequent clash between the Fulani herdsmen and the 'agricolae' shall be a things of the past; that is  top notch Security!

Further, our moribund and comatose economy would come alive and out do those of the first world! The Naira equalling the dollar in value and our being the largest economy in Africa translating into food for us, food on our tables!

Oh! Education will be free, our school children will receive free lunch, The youth corpers who were unable to find jobs after serving will be paid for one year, our universities will return to being the citadel of learning and it will be needless engaging in 'Academic Tourism'...Ghana must be sad, there'll be a reduced influx of students from Nigeria by Tomorrow!

The era of conservatism in the management of the resources of the state is over! Nigeria will strangulate corruption! Fare thee well oh corruption! The General has come!!!
All those who stole our money under any guise at all will be brought to book, the cost of governance reduced and NNPC unbundled! Waow!!! The cabals of the power sector and the oil sector, your field days are over! Nigeria is free at last!!!

I have litanies of expectations just like every Nigerian. In the coming days, they'll unfold.

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and Jesus' subsequent crucifixion shows on strong terms the nature of man. The same mouth that was used to praise, was also used to vilify. It is simple, Mr. Buhari, get ready for the pot with which you and your party APC used to cook for others, will be used to cook for you and the party. The recent blame game and downplaying of expectations will not, can never and shall not save you; get to work!!!

All Hail The Peoples' General!!!

Nigeria, A Country On Auto Pilot

I woke up yesterday, as any other living being and set out on my journey towards the search of life.

My journey led me to certain places and certain people. This is not as much concern to me as to the journey back home.

Due to some constraints, I had to start coming back later than I budgeted. And that was if I should say, suicidal!

The transport fares tripled! There was siege on the few filling stations, and black markets. A litre of fuel in the filling stations was N180 and black market was N200 and above.

You could imagine how it was Meeting such situation, unprepared. You just have no option, you either hop in and quietly gnash your teeth, or you stay put where you stood, stranded under the cold and with the night coming.

I hopped in, kept my peace and listened to the agony of the common man. There was no hope - even at the thought of the change of government. What I saw was sheer hopelessness, the feeling of a country without a leader, just like a plane in auto pilot mode.

The epileptic power supply in the country many ran away from by making use of 'I pass my neighbour' - generator...., but lo, even getting the fuel for this generator is almost impossible.

As I was about making my conclusion, texts from MTN and Airtel came in. They may not sustain their base stations nationwide if there are no fuel! It came like a shock! What else?, I asked myself- absolutely nothing!

Respite in form of a press release by the CEO of Capital Oil and Gas, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, came, but I doubt it'll go a long way, moreover, that is, if he succeeds in that quest.

I really do not know how to conclude.... I can only repose my hope in God. He only can save this country from Chaos, anarchy and doom.

Save Us O Lord!!!