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My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

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4 years ago

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My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Since 1993 when billionaire Moshood Abiola set the pace from the private sector by throwing his hat into the ring for the presidential election, he used his charisma to lure a lot of young people into partisan politics. Abiola ignited a mini revolution by going into some higher institutions in Nigeria and donating to several causes that would better the lot of the entire community. Many of them who were students in those days have graduated and some are still struggling to make ends meet till this day. He achieved similar feats outside the shores of this country which earned him the title of pillar of sports in Africa. His constituency was mostly young people and he never wasted opportunities to help them become better citizens. Almost 20 years after his demise, the opposite is the case, the present leaders keep recycling themselves. They don’t care about the young in spite of the so-called not too young to run bill which has been passed. In Nigeria today, the population of young people keep increasing and most of them have been edged out of the political system. And you know what that means, they will be bouncing back with violence if not well handled before the next general election.

If over 70 percent of the population of Nigeria is made up of some of these young people, who saw the winner of the June 12, 1993 election move around and received the kind of acceptance he got in company of his vice Presidential candidate Babagana Kingibe, then all those politicians in the older bracket of the age ladder should be terribly scared about the current enlightenment around the young people of today. I am talking about those in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s who form less than 6 percent of the population of Nigeria. These young people have been frustrated over the misbehaving political class and have vowed to take back the country from these political casanovas. People who defect from one party to another without principles. I mean the foundational principles laid down for them by Aminu Waziri, Solomon Lar, Obafemi Awolowo, Zik of African and many others who lived up to the early eighties. These people gave hope to their followers. And even when such hope is diminished, like when Awo lost to Shehu Shagari, the principles of being progressives guided them on.

Why politicians defect from one party to the other

Politicians who defect from one party to the other do so mostly for their personal interest and not for the people they claim to serve. That is why some of them who have contested for the same position several times unfortunately do so to oil the engine of me, my wife and children. And not for the generality of their people. Very few political stalwarts can actually claim to be innocent of this awkward behavior including the progressives. After defecting some of them are promised of sure victory because they are sure of using the young people to rig them into office. They believe that the winner takes it all mentality is a good thing and the shortest route to join the upper class. So let’s rig and win. This is so since there is no guarantee of such long term riches again in the middle class which is almost wiped out in Nigeria.

One senator acquires so many cars and houses yet the condition of his people does not improve in anyway. These young people are mostly used as his thugs and they see all these forms of ostentatious life oiled by stolen cash. Stolen mostly from the porous system created to favor a particular section of the country. They award contract to themselves in the name of settlement and patronage for those who work for them to be rigged into office. And they share the butty with the civil servants who are willing tools in the hands of these political plunderers.

Sadly some defect when they are deprived of stomach infrastructure or a chance to get to a particular office. And when they ultimately move to the new party they will contest several times until they are in position of power which is the ultimate aim. Some even see partisan politics as a profession that should feed them instead of a call to service. And that is what most Nigerians who flock around them know as feathering their nest by acquiring so much to keep them going during the rainy day. The sad reality of what is going on in Nigeria is that ignorance is perpetually used as a weapon to keep the followers from knowing the truth. And when that is done, they begin to hope that the next President will be better. If he is not better, their hopes begin to deem till it gets to a point of no return. The cult like figure that some of these politicians have will surely disappear if by the end of the 2023 election, the young people do not see hope at the end of the tunnel. The billions that some of them have will no longer work as a bait and these political stalwarts will no longer be safe. Some may be going back to their mansion in London to hide. This time not for politics but to stay underground. Of a truth some of them had billions made from businesses before coming to look for the power like Chief Moshood Abiola, who was a philanthropist and longed for power, while others came to power purely out of greed before looking for the cash using the very civil servants they met in the system. 

Bad influence of the politicians on the civil servants

Once upon a time, it was mostly the political holders that used to end up being stupendously rich before the present sick form of corruption in government which has become the norm disturbingly at the Federal level in spite of anti graft agencies breathing down their heads. Now it is the civil servants that are eying the billions. At present, the civil servants no longer want to teach the political elites how to steal while they go home with a paltry gratuity after 35 years. They too now steal with impunity as we have seen from the statistics churned out by the Economic and Finance Crime Commision (EFCC).

Indeed, some of the reasons why Africa has so much backwardness is because most of the people who clamoured to get into political offices are equally backward and possibly unemployable. So the only option is to steal through getting into the system or come in through the backdoor as a credible contractor, collect juicy contracts and steal most of it after the accountant general has been given his share. Some of them claim to have gone to school but gone are the days when the sound of their certificates draws one to attention. This is because most of them bought their teachers and acquired the certificates at all costs which is why when some of them stand up to speak for their people in the National Assembly watchers of the polity  wonder how this one got there.

Also Read: Italy-bound physically challenged man arrested with drugs…

When they get out of school, their mindset is channelled on how to get a white coloured job where they can be able to steal as much as they cannot spend in their life time. That explains why a man will climb the ladder of the ministry of finance only to get to the level of Accountant General of the federation and steal as much as N200 billion in the period of his appointment. The man who replaced him is suddenly replaced after being fingered as having soiled fingers by the financial intelligence agencies. And sadly these are the people that teach politicians how to steal. It is this stealing with impunity that these young people have been seeing that has built up these pent up anger. That is why the general election of 2023 will be a strange one because so many unthinkable surprises will emerge.

Strange reasons some Nigerian politicians are desperate to hold on to power

Most Nigerians want to get into politics because it’s the easiest way to get rich quickly and establish members of their families. The Nigerian polity is so distablized because you have people with no principles jumping from one party to the other wanting to situate themselves where it is happening so that they will participate in the sharing of the Commonwealth of the masses, making them worse than they met them. They rely on the politics of patronage and settlement to achieve their goals. That is why the nation has never had good governance since President Shehu Shagari left office. It’s either we have a military despot who was killing everyone to civilian leaders who ran the country based on trial and error. We have not had a Commander in Chief who has been able to handle security effectively for instance in the last 20 years. These are the worries of the young people.

What you have now are recycled and sick leaders who lack ideas but are holding tightly to parties to help them get into power. None of them can in their individual merit run as independent candidates and even win in their council areas. That is why they don’t be want the independent candidacy clause to be inserted into the reviewed constitution and passed in the National Assembly. 

 If not why would there be so much desperation in the realm of politicking to become President of Nigeria? Why would someone be so condescending to insist that it is his turn now? Even if we were in a federation of turn by turn inserted in the constitution, is it really his turn? How will these young people feel seeing someone desperately insisting that it is his turn? What about those in the south east don’t they have a right to say it’s their turn too?

Sadly, these are some of the questions these young and angry members of the public use to pose to us whenever we come across them. As a journalist, I am trained to ask the questions and not to pretend to understand the minds of all politicians including the diabolical ones who steal and are dragged to court by EFCC. Of course the innocent ones will escape even without a good lawyer but what marvels me is that some guilty ones still find time to go back and re-contest for offices. Such politicians hardly have shame. No need to name anybody here but they know themselves. Why is it that some of them who have actionable cases with the EFCC are not ashamed to contest? Known drug dealers and sniffers are in public offices with heads raised high up. Some of them contest elections and the same young people who take their drugs kill and steal ballot boxes on their behalf. Win or loose, they are allowed to walk around and pollute every one. Why should anyone vote for you when you disrespect and look down on the people by telling us that it’s your turn? Or you have contested 5times and you think you are the only one qualified to contest again. Why should I piety any sick one just because he has thrown his hat into the ring? Who says our tribe is not qualified to have the presidency? How about our religious group,  are we so useless that no one is qualified to represent us? Why is it that there is no ideology in the parties? All of them lean towards a common front?   The stomach ideology which is common to all the strong parties. 

The bottom line for a national front for the country is for a third force to come as canvarsed for by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo recently. A third force based on justice fairness and balance.

My Binoculars: Of partisan politicians, defection, lack of consultations and the pending rebellion of young people against the present unproductive political order

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Columns

IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University

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1 day ago

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August 9, 2026

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IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University

By: Balami Lazarus

Universities are major parts of nation building. its growth, progress, and developments, among other human endeavors. They are known for adding value to human capacity in the realm of intellectual/skills productivity. Therefore,

Universities are playing significant roles in research and development (R&D).

Their core aims are translated into their objectives of teaching, learning, and character, knowing fully well that universities are the citadel of higher levels of educational attainment a country needs.

Whereof, universities are faced with volumes of challenges, both academic and non-academic, laying more in academic works and activities with demands in teaching, learning, and research.

When NEWSng visited the founder of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Engr. Isaac David Balami, recently in Abuja in an attempt to follow up with the progress of this particular specialized private university, the only specialized academic institution in aeronautics and aviation management in academic disciplines/practicalities, including techniques and skills in aviation fields.

It is on record that IBUAM is the only private specialized university that trains and provides students with academics, practicals, techniques, and skills in aeronautics engineering fields and aviation management in sub-Saharan Africa.

Without prejudice, NEWSng has a fair understanding of the challenges our universities are faced with and are struggling to meet.

Be as it may, universities, whether specialized or not, are institutions for serious academic and intellectual studies where large funds are needed to run, manage, and cater to her teaching, learning, and research, including other services. In consideration of this, NEWSng commends kudos to IBUAM.

“I give glory to the Almighty. And let me state here with sincerity of purpose, appreciation, and gratitude to the Borno State Government under my able, progressive, and foresighted governor, Engr. Babagana Umara Zulum, who has made IBUAM see the light of day by her quantum support of sponsoring over 30 native students for various courses at IBUAM. The scholarship package runs in billions of naira. My gratitude also goes to well-meaning Nigerians who stood with me to make IBUAM a reality and the first of its kind on the African continent.”

NEWSng was further informed by the engineer. Isaac Balami, the IBUAM is not a conventional university where you have more academic theories and fewer practicals.

“Let me state here categorically that in IBUAM we are for both academic works and more practical applications. The aviation industry is all about safety, perfection, and security applicable to IBUAM in her courses. With this in mind, our challenges are more than a handful. The management spends hundreds of millions for just services. We are

We’re doing our best to see to the growth of this university. “Most people out there admired universities and their physical structures, including their names, without a second thought. “The aviation industry and its businesses the world over are not a tuft for unserious-minded businessmen or investors; everything surrounding the industry is all about money. Come to think of having a related academic institution (university) like IBUAM, whose objective is to produce graduates of international standard for best practices.”

Take for instance, a university with just three faculties: Sciences, Arts, and Management, with only 300 students. I suppose that, in your opinion, such a university is not impressive.

Thus, if you begin to consider what it takes to run and manage a university in terms of personnel, especially lecturers; facilities; tools; materials; and equipment, you will be shocked.

This has made NEWSng a reason why specialized universities like IBUAM need large funds to function. “You need more than two or three airplanes on the ground for practicals… excluding tax, insurance, and other charges to bring them.”

Reportedly, the challenges faced by a specialized university are much greater than what is commonly heard: “With the collective support of IBUAM management, we are progressing.”

The founder, Engr. Isaac David Balami, said that to bring the attention of the university closer to the people, the management has proposed to have an IBUAM liaison office in Abuja.

IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University

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Dadong: A Balanced Voice From Ungwan Rukuba

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2 months ago

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June 25, 2026

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Dadong: A Balanced Voice From Ungwan Rukuba

By: Balami Lazarus

What does it take to be a public mouthpiece? That was the question I asked Comrade Dadong Solomon Antibas. My chats with him were a balanced interface. The answers can be found in the write-up for your review.

Democracy like ours has brought to the limelight public mouthpiece voices; some are weak and political, while others are strong, progressive, constructive, and fearless, demanding progress, growth, and development as dividends of good governance in a peaceful atmosphere.

Governments created by democratic processes are never left alone without citizens asking questions and demanding dividends of democracy for their community and the country at large.

Comrade Dadong Solomon Antibas is a Nigerian, law-abiding citizen. Antibas, a security expert and popular public mouthpiece on the Jos Plateau, has earned the confidence of the people of his community, Ungwan Rukuba, and most parts of the state over the years. For his community, he is their immediate mouthpiece who has been speaking on their plights, calling the attention of the government under the leadership of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to do the needful.

Personality like Solomon Antibas’ public impression of him by some citizens of the state is all about seeking relevance and political appointments. “I have no interest whatsoever in any political appointment. My sincere concern for my dear country and my state, Plateau, is peace, progress, growth, and development for future generations.”

Nigerians should begin to speak out on good governance at all levels. Citizens are also responsible for failing to hold them accountable and demand good governance in terms of security, social amenities, and infrastructure.

Ungwan Rukuba is one of the wards in the Jos North Local Government Area. It is an integral part of the city center. Unfortunately, the peaceful Ungwan Rukuba became a flashpoint. The terrorist attack of March 29th, 2026, has put a scar of insecurity on the area.

On insecurity, he said that Mr. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has failed Nigerians woefully. “Insecurity is a bone of contention. The federal government must take decisive measures on the insecurity challenges bedeviling the nation.”

My findings on Comrade Dadong Antibas revealed that he is not a public affairs commentator or an analyst but a progressive and active public mouthpiece, a voice of the voiceless.

For some, Dadong is attacking the government under the leadership of Governor Mutfwang. ” Is speaking the minds of citizens on bad governance and holding the government of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang a crime”?

Despite threats on Solomon Dadong, they have not deterred him from speaking for and on behalf of other citizens living in the state. “I have no other way to hold the government accountable than to publicly speak and constructively criticize the leadership’s voicing out feelings and lots of the people…In democracy, governments are made by the people, and as such, they must provide for the collective needs of the masses who voted them in.”

Comrade Antibas is one among the few indigenous people of Plateau who are outspoken and speak with passion and a patriotic mind for his state and Nigeria. “I will live and die in Nigeria speaking, advocating, demanding, and/or holding both federal and state governments accountable for good governance.”

Balami, Publisher/Columnist, 08036779290

Dadong: A Balanced Voice From Ungwan Rukuba

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Columns

Facts for Understanding Capital Market Investment

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2 months ago

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June 23, 2026

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Facts for Understanding Capital Market Investment

By: Balami Lazarus

I grew up in an academic environment where the language is the same: study well, have good grades and be what you desire to be in the future through academic discipline and training.

Many of my contemporaries and I were not spoken to in the language of trade and commerce. But here are some of us as businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors and in other business enterprises far from the academic language we were bred with.

There has never been a market like the capital market the world over where trade per day runs into billions of cash. While market capitalisation is in trillions. The case of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), now Nigerian Exchange Group, with its trade symbol (NGX) on the floor, is a good example.

Investing in the capital market is profitable for traders and short- and long-term investors. But understanding the market requires some basic facts, which are cash, knowledge, discipline and patience, important for investors to appreciate the market.

Recently a member of my social group came to me to seek my advice on what it takes to invest in the equity market (stock exchange). I was very candid with the fellow, informing him that he needs cash, knowledge, discipline and patience to invest in the capital market after having defined his position as an investor.

First an investor needs cash in his possession set aside to invest in the capital market, the gateway into the market. You can have the other three, but without cash you are not yet an investor.

Lack of knowledge about a business or investments has made so many persons lose money worth millions.

This is typical with good number of Nigerians who attempted to start a business or invest in some going concerns without basic knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of these investments or businesses.

The information and technology age has
made acquiring knowledge very simple; therefore, understanding the stock market is easy these days.

Basically, the capital market depends on and responds to information, government policies, and economic and political happenings/events within and without, which most often determines the graphic movements of the primary market deals on the floor. ‘Bullish’ or ‘bearish’ simply means the plus or minus of the day’s transactions.

The need for monitoring of the market is important for traders and short-term investors. However, with knowledge and careful monitoring of the market, it is a suitable place for short-term gains for investors with multiple numbers of holdings in blue-chip companies like Dangote Cement, Bau Foods, Nestle, Aradel, Okumu Oil Palm, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and others. But for long-term investors, whether the market is bullish or bearish, his investment portfolio is for future use.

Investments like those of the capital market, discipline and being committed are necessary to build a strong, high-quality, profitable portfolio of a large number of holdings of units spread over listed companies of the stock exchange that come with capital appreciation and dividends. This is important, especially for long-term investors.

And the turn key in this type of investment is patience. Generally investments need patience for them to mature for harvest.

In stock market investment, patience plays a vital role in this business. Therefore, for an investor who lacks patience, the capital market is not a tuft for him and shall never be.

To navigate through this market, investors must at all times apply this formula and have it printed on their hearts. Cash = stock units over time + patience = capital apreciation/dividends.

Today there are changes in the exchange which have improved trading. The time of trade has been extended to transactions and payments (T+1). Other electronic applications to aid and encourage investors in the capital market in an attempt to boost the Nigerian economy.

Balami, Publisher/ Columnist 08036779290

Facts for Understanding Capital Market Investment

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