February 21, 2011

Why I’m Voting Buhari-Bakare in 2011 Elections


I wrote this article about 3 weeks ago, and it seems to have made the rounds, and is gradually becoming viral. I wrote it on the BB2011 Volunteers Group forum and titled it it, “Why We Will Win!”. I’m glad it’s creating the much needed buzz, and circulating fast. People have developed slides with it, made videos with it, and cut out some part of it for emails, bb chats e.t.c. While my loyalty to great men like Prof Pat Utomi is still intact and unwavering as someone who will lead this nation in it’s near future, I humbly submit with the words of Donald Duke, that the current terrain requires firm and strong princes to clear the cub webs and create a level playing platform. The duo of these two honest men wins my vote this year, and hopefully 10 million others with me. Enjoy reading.

I am glad to announce to you, that the future of our burning desire seems even brighter today. I don’t know if you feel the energy or if you know what is going on around the country. The chances of our winning are getting higher by the day. In 2007 without us, the General Won in Oyo and Ogun State, thanks to a team of ardent believers in the leadership of GMB. In seeking the rule of law in contesting the elections, 3 judges ruled in his favor for having also won the entire elections- these rulings were based purely on integrity of the Judges, as GMB could not afford to hire a lawyer, much less bribing his way through.

In 2011, GMB is not alone. He’s supported by a team of volunteers online and offline like me, who never voted for him before. We didn’t vote for him, because we didn’t know. We didn’t know that he supervised and birthed our only existing refineries. We didn’t know that what he did in road construction while in the PTF hasn’t been matched by 12yrs of the PDP, even though we claimed they were lopsided. We didn’t know that in his time as head of state he reduced inflation from 23% to 4%, by fiscal discipline and a homegrown economic team (not achieved under any other era, even military). We didn’t know that there was no religious crisis while he led. We didn’t know that JJ Rawlings of Ghana took over 2yrs before him, and killed all the corrupt leaders, while GMB merely gave his own, long-term jail sentences. We didn’t know that the hospitals and universities around the country never witnessed as much benefits they got from the PTF from any government after or before his time. We did not know, that this man haven been in all the oil sectors in Nigeria, has no petrol station, much less a refinery or an oil rig like so many of our leaders. We never voted him, because we did not know.

But now we know… We know that he has followership in the north that money can’t buy. We know that those who follow him are poor, and follow him out of hope and belief in his values. I have met old men who know him, who have said… “All I need from Buhari is his word, I can take it to the bank”. Now we know that here is someone that has been in everything to make him a Dan-Something, but didn’t take the road. We feared he was an Islamic fundamentalist, but he challenged us to provide any human being who can point at anything he did to show the same. His Cook and Drivers… two roles that can be influenced to have your life are Christians. In his passion for discipline, he has pulled down mosques, punished emirs, and followed principles over the respect of people. Then this year, to the utter shock of the world, he picks the most radically outspoken no nonsense Christian Preacher in Nigeria to be his vice. Now we know, that it’s about the values, not religion and certainly not the fact that he becomes the first (correct me if I’m wrong) Nigerian president without multiple wives or an array of concubines.

On the other hand, we analyze the man, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and every interaction with him is inspiring. His words are laced with wisdom, and his actions show he didn’t only read Awolowo…he follows him. Very personable, very charismatic and yet so very humble and approachable. No nonsense no doubt and honest to an extreme. One day he spoke of how he had the opportunity of saving a few millions by accepting the favour of a government official… he turned it down and gladly lost the millions. A good name to him, is more than silver or Gold. I judge myself patriotic, but sometimes I wonder if it was not Pastor Bakare’s Patriotism that inspired mine. One thing is sure; our treasury is safe under these men. Another thing is sure, the expectations we’ll have of them, and what they will set out to do, will radically turn Nigeria forward.

I long for light in Nigeria. I long for when we will travel overseas without humiliating ourselves early in the morning to queue at embassies for VISA. I long for when our roads will be motor-able, and when the best of our men and women will find it normal to go for political office.

I have never carried the card of any party or taken sufficient interest. Now I have.

Ladies and Gentlemen… We Will Win… Oh Yes we will! I saw we, because it’s in the best interest of our future and collective destinies, that we reset the button on corruption and start building the Nigeria of our dreams. This time it’s not about empty promises, it’s about promises with a will and character to execute it.

-      Adeolu Akinyemi

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October 2, 2009

Our Year of Jubilee


It’s one of those days when I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad that as a nation, it’s been 49 years since we have been free! Where we are, and where we could have been by now is such a big gully apart that if we really knew any better we would not find so many things so funny.  Imagine for example that we are the darkest nation on earth, and parallel that with the fact that we are one of the wealthiest nations on earth in all the elements that can be used to generate power. We became independent 49yrs ago, but can we truly lay claim to freedom? In 49 years  Nigerians have willfully submitted to the recycled leadership of the same set of people. It would have been exciting if those people were actually our brightest and fairest, but it is appalling to consider that we averagely agree that our leadership is not representative of our intelligence, values and good naturedness. Year in year out however, the strongest arm of government – the people, silently reneges it’s powers to those whose voices ought be be subject to theirs, and for 49yrs we have allowed the tail to wag the dog!

It’s bad, but thank God, this is our year of  Jubilee! Without going into detailed biblical references and deep exhortations on the origin of Jubilee and the concept, let me quickly summarize. God is very structured and very detailed, and uses numbers quite well (I’ve written a number of articles on numbers). On the 7th day of creation, God rested. He then appointed the 7th day for man as a day to be separated from all labours to rest. It is meant to be a day of freedom, a day of liberty, a day when you just stay off all work and rest. For the slaves in captivity in Egypt back then, rest was a luxury indeed. God then established a number of events characterised by this number 7. After 7 sets of 7 days.. meaning 7weeks, there was the celebration of a week of weeks, same for years. The 49th year is the end of the 7 sets of 7years, and marks the beginning of a year of years. The actual Jubilee is on the clock of 50, but the proclamation of it starts from the 49th year. It is a year when two key things are guaranteed –  1. Freedom! 2. A repossession of inheritance! Nigeria, welcome to your year of Jubilee! Continue reading

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July 27, 2009

The Future Started Yesterday


“The Future Started yesterday, we are already late” – John Legend

At the political round table meeting yesterday, my confidence was multiplied by 100 on the fact that come 2011 we can actually ensure that our preferred candidates win more than 60% of all the political offices in Nigeria including the very important positions. I had been motivated by optimism and passion in the past, but now I know behond doubt that we can make change happen in Nigeria! I used to think that if we fight, we may lose, but if we don’t we have already lost. Now however, I know with confidence in my heart that we actually have a good chance of not only fighting, but winning!

I am not a political strategist, I’m a patriotic and visionary Nigerian who had always prefered to be neutral, be non political and not partisan. Just face my business and leave governance and government to those who have nothing more important to do with their lives. All that started changing recently, when I began to get serious nudgings on a regular basis that -”if it is to be, it is up to me”. I discovered very quickly that all the efforts we mustered in education, empowerment, community development, enlightement, re-orientation, sponsorships and scholarships involved too much struggle, too much effort and very little lasting effects. I and a few compatriots discovered, that to make significant difference and progress, we must be involved in the leadership of Nigeria. We must be involved in more than merely voting, we must ensure that we have a voice before the elections, and ensure that our voices cannot be silenced. Knowing all these, I was still motivated by optimistic faith and the youthful passionate belief that all things are possible. Yesterday however, our movement took on a new turn as we had a political strategist with 33yrs experience join our team. This man’s experience was inspiring, haven led two presidential candidate campaigns successfully, led a few State government campaigns and delivered several local governments to power. From yesterday, we ceased operating on zeal, belief, energy and thoughts, our gears have shifted to practical strategies, reapplication of things that have worked in the past, an indept understanding of the current systems and the only ways to beat them. Continue reading

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July 1, 2009

Pastor E.A.Adeboye for President!


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Today, I really want to welcome you into the second half of the year 2009. The match started January 1 this year and it was you vs 2009. It’s a great time to ask yourself what the scores are, and what your strategy for the next half should be. It’s a good time to do your life audit, and a good time to seek Gods face afresh for direction, for grace and for help! While this is something I’ll like to write about very well, I’m sorry that today I must write about something else that really bothers my heart – Nigeria!

I’m sure you read the title and wondered what was going on, I’ll like you to join me in this video I’m about to paint with words. Sorry, I could have done it on You-Tube, but our link in Nigeria is not strong enough to allow most people to watch it, it’s even going to be difficult for me to upload. So bear with me, and use your minds eye to follow me in this journey of our imagination!

Imagine with me if you can, that Pastor E.A. Adeboye indicates interest in becoming the president of Nigeria. What do you think will happen? Let me tell you what I think. First of all he’ll likely win, I do not attend the Redeem Christian Church of God, but I know many people from different churches and religions who will gladly and passionately vote for him. We’ll have the largest voters turn out in the history of Nigeria’s voting. I know many churches that will align, I know many people from diaspora that will fly in if voting was restricted to Nigerian soils. I know that many things will shift, peoples attitude to participating in Nationhood will dramatically change, Nigerians will know that something different was in the air.  All our dreams and aspirations for a New Nigeria would all of a sudden seem possible to millions of Nigerians who believe in this man of God.  All these if he indicates interest in becoming president, now imagine what is possible if/when he wins. In case you don’t know who Pastor Adeboye is, he’s the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God, and Newsweek ranked 49th most influential man in the world and 1st most influential person in Nigeria. Continue reading

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March 27, 2009

Rebranding Reloaded


I had two great meetings yesterday, one was the Future Movement’s steering committee meeting, and the other one was a  New Nigeria Club Online Conference. I’m so thrilled at the key issues we were able to trash out in both meetings yesterday. I’m particularly impressed with how much we are achieving with the online conferences, technology is sure making things easier.

There was an interesting eye opener during the NNC online conference though, and I think it’s an idea I should quickly bring back on board and re-communicate. With so many great heads brainstorming together, we were able to obtain a good variation of personalizing our issues with our leaders’ name concept. I was thrilled with the additions and have decided to capture it as Rebranding Nigeria, Reloaded! Rather than sound abusive or use words that might ultimately lead us nowhere, we have decided to add an interesting positive tweak to the personifications. Here are the thoughts. Continue reading

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January 28, 2009

The Nigeria we deserve!


I’m sorry if I’m digressing from the better life gist a little. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel really really moved when I think about Nigeria. Do you? I know I am not alone, I certainly am not. I’m not even the first to feel this way, but I feel so strongly that I must contribute my quota into transforming Nigeria into the future I know it has.  We might be divided in our past, but we are united in our future. We might have diverse tribes and languages, but we can aspire to one vision. My destiny and if you think about it, yours as well, is tied to this country! When we pray for the peace of our Jerusalem, we are qualified to prosper in it!

I’ve had an opportunity to attend a few brainstorming sessions recently with Fela Durotoye and a number of other passionate change agents in Nigeria, and I know that the cloud is gathering, and the rain will fall! I have had the opportunity also of speaking with accomplished Nigerian business leaders, and the question I find on the lips of the ones with the right values is, “after we have made all this money what next, what legacy will we leave to generations unborn, is this our best as a country?” Continue reading

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October 2, 2008

Random thoughts – 1


On Death

“Zec 11:2 “Howl fir tree, for the cedar is fallen.”

Unrest hits the forest when all of a sudden the crashing sound of a mighty tree is heard. For them, it announces the presense of the woodman, and each is aware once again of it’s unbreakable appointment with the edge of the axe. Each remembers that it’s marked for death and there is an end to it’s journey in this frame of existence. All mortals must like the fir tree, howl and not scorn at the events that remind us of the temporary nature of life on earth. Death is the weightiest of all of life’s events, and he who does not prepare for death is worse than an ordinary fool. Continue reading

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September 10, 2008

Complainers didn’t build the Ark


One of the most annoying sites I see littered around Nigeria or even diaspora these days, is two Nigerians or more, gathering together to complain about Nigeria. It’s so easy to make friends these days, just talking rubbish about our country.

Nigerians are so intelligent, we know how to conjure words together to aptly describe the failings of our leaders, the uselessness of government and the insecurity of our environment. None of us alludes to being corrupt, but our leaders are suddenly all corrupt. We complain and talk like people whose leaders were forced on them rather than through a process. If it is indeed true that people get the type of leaders that symbolize their constitution, does it not say something about us? Rather than focus on the issues we all have as individuals however, we are taken over by finger pointing, complaining, bitterness, and gossiping. We badmouth the government, crucify our leaders, defame our business men. And don’t look far away to cast this blame… you have been a part of the complaining culture as well, but tell me today, has complaining ever created anything good? Continue reading

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