Highly talented upcoming spoken word poetess shares her writing experience

 Interviewed by Blessed Adjekpagbon

In this interview with Bulkybon News, a highly gifted Nigerian upcoming poetess, Peace Ileleji shares information about her background in the field of writing, says “I started writing poems at the age of 10”

Qst: What is your discipline or area of study and which school did you attend?

Ans: I'm a graduate of English and Literary Studies from the Delta State University, Abraka.

Qst: Which genres of literature do you specialize in?

Ans: Poetry and prose.

Qst: When did you start writing and what gives you the inspiration to write?

Ans: I started writing poems at the age of 10 after discovering my talent for poetry at age 7. However, reading the Book of Psalms and performing Prof. Patrick Lumumba's powerful piece, 'If Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba were to rise up' at my secondary school's Graduation and Prize Giving Day ignited my passion to craft verses that inspire and uplift. What gives me inspiration is reading and touring because it stirs me up to fill a gap in knowledge via my words.

Qst: Have you written any published creative work either as a book or featured in a newspaper?

Ans: Not yet but soon.

Qst: Are you a member of any writers’ association in Nigeria or outside Nigeria?

Ans: Yes, the Creative Writer's Workshop (CWW).

Qst: Have you attended any writers conference or convention before?

Ans: Yes, last year I attended the Southcosels '23 in Bayelsa State.

Qst: Are you interested in meeting other writers to perform your spoken words with them?

Ans: Yes it will be my utmost pleasure.

 Qst: Will you encourage any of your children (if you are already married or in future) to do what you are creatively involved in now?

Ans: Yes I will because I see life in Word Art. It cultivates critical thinking, creative expression and effective communication.

Qst: Who is your idol in in the field of creativity that you have decided to showcase your skills in?

Qst: Ib Quake.

Qst: What is motivating you to do what you are doing (promoting Nigerian culture through spoken words) now in the present tough situation Nigerians are facing?

Qst: Well, the contemporary Nigeria society is experiencing a silent exodus of her citizens popularly called 'japa' and my daily interactions with youths and teens as a Teens Coordinator in my church, let me into the life of young people and their constant fears about the fate of the remaining citizens of a 'japad' (deserted by many citizens for greener pastures abroad) nation. I recently went on a tour to six different states where I saw the true beauty of nature in Nigeria. So, I believe as we are blessed with these resources, there is definitely hope for a better future.

Qst: How many languages among the many languages in Nigeria do you speak? What is your state of origin?

Qst: I speak Igbo (not perfect though but beginner's level). I'm from Delta State and Urhobo by tribe.

Qst: How do you spend your free time and what is your favourite meal?

Qst: I love spending time with my family and close friends. Also, travelling, reading books, cooking and listening to music uplifts me. Lastly, my favourite meal is Naija jollof and fried plantain.

END

Calculus College sets pace for academic excellence, sports

 

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

Mr. Ifeanyi Egenti,
Calculus College proprietor.

It was a very entertaining sight penultimate week ago when the junior (JSS) and senior (SSS) students of Calculus College played two rounds of football matches to showcase their mastery of football skills, at the Aiyedere Sports Ground, Ketu, Lagos.
While the SSS team was captained by Femi Animashaun, the JSS side was led by Victor Nwagwu. The first round match ended in favour of the senior team who trounced the junior side with seven goals against the junior who scored only two. However, during the second round, the junior team who might have gone to consult the god of soccer during the interval of rest, came back smoking with tactical skills that made their seniors' jaws drop in awe.
During the second round, the junior showcased great technical depth that the senior team had no rival antidote for. At the end of proceedings, the match ended with six goals in favour of the junior team while the seniors managed to score only two.

Nonetheless, during a chat with Bulkybon News, the proprietor of Calculus College, Mr. Ifeanyi Egenti, popularly known as Mr. Solution gave insight about the school's background and why he encourages his students to engage in sporting activities coupled with academic orientation.
He said "I have been a tutorial center owner since 2012, preparing people for external exams such as the WAEC, JAMB, SAT and TOEFL. My motivation for delving into the educational sector is to educate and transform dull students to excellent students."
When asked why he is called Mr. Solution, he informs that "The name of my tutorial centre is Solution Tutorial College. I chose the name 'Solution' because l believe l am a problem - solver, especially in Mathematics, as l am a specialist in the field."

Some of the students at Magodo
Estate swimming pool.

Calculus College students displaying 
their soccer skills.

On the reason he established Calculus College in 2014 while still operating a tutorial centre till date, the Anambra - born highly gifted Mathematician offers that "l observed that most private schools are not producing good students for academic excellence at secondary level; hence, l decided to establish Calculus College to add my quota towards improving the academic excellence of students."
He also posits that "The only challenge l have been facing is that most teachers are not willing to do their best because of the poor economic situation in the country. This makes it quite challenging to retain good teachers for a long time, because many keep engaging in other activities that can fetch them money than teaching."
In conclusion, the proprietor avers that "There is a saying that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' That is why I engage my students in sporting activities as a form of exercise and opportunity to discover their sporting talents. You can recall that many talented Nigerian footballers were discovered in the olden days during secondary schools academicals football competitions. My students practice football every Saturday every week, except on every last Saturday of every month when they engage in swimming practice at a very decent swimming pool in Magodo Estate, Ketu, Lagos." 

                                                          END

Asenyinism: Landmarks of good leadership in Isenyi

Book title: Ten Years In The Service Of His People: Oba (Dr) Abdul Ganiyu Adekunle Salau, Ajinase1

Author: Wale Okediran

Publisher: Ebedi International Writers Residency, lseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria

Year published:* 2016

Pages: 148

Reviewer:* Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga

One of the best legacies any good leader can leave for posterity includes the praises he enjoys from his people during his lifetime and after his last inhalation of oxygen on earth. 

 

That is exactly what Oba (Dr) Abdul Ganiyu Adekunle Salau, Ajanise 1, the 29th Aseyin of Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria, accomplished before joining his ancestors, which Wale Okediran analyzes in the book titled "Ten Years In The Service Of His People: Oba (Dr) Abdul Ganiyu Adekunle Salau, Ajinase 1." It is a historical analysis of how the 29th Oba (King) of lseyin, became the Aseyin (Traditional King) of the town, on the 17th of December 2006 till his subsequent handshake with his ancestors forever. 

The King's noteworthy achievements that the author projects in the book, are what gave birth to the concept of "Aseyinism," hereby propounded by the reviewer. It simply means how to be a good Aseyin or a remarkable traditional leader.

Divided into four parts, the 148-page book digs into the footsteps of irreversible time, it excavates how the town of Iseyin came into being through a legend known as Ebedi and his followers.

Part One is titled "Historical Perspectives." It boasts subtitles such as "Facts and Figures," "Legends and History," and "Ebedi and Other Heroes." It talks about how lseyin came into being from the pre-colonial era, up till date. This portion is very enlightening too, about the mystical metamorphosis of the famous Ebedi Hill, which the reviewer recently created a record as the first Ebedi Fellow who climbed the hill to its peak, in the history of all other writers who have been accommodated at the Ebedi International Writers Residency, since it was established over a decade ago. The town's last official population figure is also stated in this section. According to the author. "The primary industry of the area is cotton-based textiles. Iseyin is the fourth largest city in Oyo, after Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo town. Iseyin is also known as the 'Home of Aso Oke.' 'Aso Oke' or 'Ofi' is a popular traditional fabric mostly used for ceremonies amongst the Yoruba people of Nigeria."

Part Two is titled "The Kabiyesi." It has sub-titles such as, "Early Life and School Days," "The Ascendancy," "Achievements," "Challenges,” and "Future Plans." It is the part that discusses the life history of the 29th King of Iseyin, whose picture occupies the book's front cover. The struggles the Kabiyesi (another word for 'King' in Yoruba language) went through from childhood until God elevated him to the position of Aseyin of Iseyin, are principally punctuated in this portion. His achievements are remarkable and worth talking about at this juncture. Among many encomiums by commentators whose opinions feature in the book about the Aseyin's style of leadership, is Asiru Kamoru's, a youth of Iseyin. On page 84, he says "...The Aseyin of Iseyin is a gentleman, good ruler and an educated veterinary doctor. Also, he is kind, caring and listens to the aspirations of the people of Iseyin."

 

He further states, "Before he came to the throne, there was great confusion between Muslim worshippers and traditional worshippers with regards to the celebration of the Oro festival. However, upon his assumption to the throne, he was able to bring about peace between the two groups of worshippers. ...It was during his tenure as Aseyin of lseyin that there had been great developments, such as; the construction of the two-lane road passing through the town, the establishment of Saf Polytechnic and other projects. And everyone is hailing him for these development projects..." 

Kamoru's views are also corroborated by a lot of Iseyin's indigenous and non-indigenes' comments about the King's leadership style in the author's narratives. What impressed the reviewer most about the people's commendations of the King's administration, was his love for peace and the development of his people. It is quite rare in modern times to have such a good leader as described by the numerous folks’ eulogies of the Aseyin. Any visitor to Iseyin, can certainly see the landmark achievements of the said King without sentimental attachments.

Moreover, 'Part Three' which is titled "What The People Say," has sub-themes, namely;  "The Chiefs and The Baales," "The Elders," "Non-Indigenes," and "The Youths." At page 82, a non-indigene of lseyin, posits, "My name is Mrs Chuka Bridget from Ebonyi State. l have been in lseyin since December 1984. Iseyin is a peaceful town and the people are very accommodating. They love strangers....l am aware that Aseyin is a veterinary doctor, and was living in Lagos before he was chosen as the king of lseyin....He has done a lot. For instance, when the NYSC camp was being established here in lseyin, some people in the higher authority wanted it to be moved to Oyo town, but the Aseyin insisted that it must remain here in lseyin."

These, and many other testimonies are part of the unforgettable legacies the 29th Aseyin of lseyin achieved during his reign on the throne for a decade, which the author documented. They are truly achievements worth documenting by any person who appreciates good leadership, peace and progress in the annals of the town.

The last part, which is "Part Four," is titled "From the Archives." It has two sub titles, namely "Photo News" and "Two Press Clips." It contains varieties of colourful pictures of the Aseyin, some landmark structures in the urban areas of the town, different elders, youths and a market scene. An article published by the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper about the dualization of lseyin township roads, Ebedi International Writers Residency, and an interview with a cross-section of the populace in lseyin, are part of the meat and potatoes in the last part of the book.

Nonetheless, despite some typos in the contents, and a repetition of Chief Lateef Fasasi's comments about the Aseyin at page 64 and 66, the author has done a great job, by taking time to carry out such highly tasking research about his town's ancestral history. As a Historian too, the reviewer knows what it takes in terms of time, energy and money to embark on any ancient and modern historical findings, the way the author has done. 

In conclusion, the book needs an eagle eye editor and proofreader such as the reviewer, to drop all the errors in it, before reprinting new copies. The front cover picture can also be reduced to give the book title more visage. The colour of the title's text will be more visible by changing it from white to very deep blue. It is a book that all lseyin indigenes ought to have, to acquaint themselves with their historical foundations. non-indigenes can also benefit from the book, as it will help to broaden their knowledge about how to relate with lseyin's very friendly folks. There are many great business opportunities one can also venture into in the town.

Okediran, a Medical Doctor cum Iseyin's Historian, is well known for his novels, short stories and essays. He has won various literary prizes.  He was the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), from 2005 to 2009. He is a native of lseyin, and the founder of the popular Ebedi International Writers Residency in lseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. At present, he is the Secretary of Pan Africa Writers Association (PAWA), with headquarters in Ghana.

-----------------------------------------------

*NOTE:* The reviewer is a prolific author, versatile reader, writer, editor and marketer of books online and offline. He is among the current Ebedi Fellows of the ongoing First Edition of 2024 Ebedi International Writers Residency programme in lseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Direct call: +2348067538922

WhatsApp: +2348059265333

Okada Rider

 Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

There are three different categories of motorbike riders in Nigeria. They are "Okada" riders, Dispatch riders and Power bike riders. The brand and quality of the bike determines the type of service it is usually used for according to government regulations. 

Among the three categories, an Okada rider is the most popular because a lot of folks in the city patronize him as a commercial motorcyclist. He can navigate to rugged nooks and crannies where commercial cabs and buses cannot access. Therefore, Okada is a local word used among Nigerians to identify a commercial motorcyclist.

Different factors distinguish an Okada rider from both the dispatch or power bike riders. Firstly, it is an individual commercial motorcycling business for transporting folks and goods to different places within a suburb or from one suburb to another.

Unlike an okada rider, a dispatch rider works for a particular courier company. He delivers small parcels to clients on behalf of the company he works for. In most cases, a delivery box is usually mounted on the position of the bike's back seat. However, a power bike rider is a private individual that uses his highly superior machine for his personal movement at a fast pace to wherever he likes.

Both the dispatch and power bikes' riders are usually well kitted with safety helmets to protect their skulls from cracking in case they get involved in an accident. But most or nearly all okada riders in Nigeria don’t wear safety helmets despite government rules and regulations that ordered them to do so.

The second difference is that an average okada rider belongs to a special union of "Okada Riders Welfare Association of the National Union of Road Transport Workers" in the country. He operates in any branch of the association he chooses to ply especially in Lagos. He pays tax daily to the association, unlike a dispatch or power bike rider. This makes him always eager to make as much money as he could to cover his daily expenditures on tax, fuel and maintenance of his bike. The back seat of the bike that is meant for carrying one passenger at a time is sometimes used to carry two or more passengers to make extra money. He is fond of meandering sometimes dangerously between many cars or vehicles whenever he runs into traffic jam. He does so like a snake running between trees in an orchard, to get to his destination as fast as possible. This is one of the reasons a lot of folks patronize him.

Despite their appreciable contributions towards making some Nigerians overcome the delays caused by traffic jams, many okada riders are not professionally trained. Although there are a lot of graduates practicing okada riding in various places in the country, the majorities of the riders are illiterates and disobey traffic laws. This has caused a lot of avoidable accidents on the roads.

Prior to the advent of commercial motorcycling business in Nigeria's major cities such as Lagos, Kano, Warri and Port Harcourt to mention a few, the informal act of using motorbike as a means of transporting people from place to place was commonplace mostly in underdeveloped or rural environments of the country. 

As time went by, as the population of the country began to increase astronomically, it caused serious rural - urban drift. For instance, as people keep trooping from rural areas into the city of Lagos to look for greener pastures in the face of continuous yearly increase in the production of graduates by Nigeria's higher institutions on one hand, and lack of employment opportunities to accommodate them on the other, many took to "Okada riding" as a source of making a living.

Nonetheless, to be a successful okada rider in a vast commercial city like Lagos, one should have a great knowledge of the roads networks. Whether an okada rider is operating within the streets in a suburb or plying the major expressways, he has to be able to appropriately calculate how much fuel he will burn to cover a distance to and fro. This will enables him to charge the right amount of money from any passenger that solicits his service. If he is not good at calculating the cost of fuel required for transporting passengers or goods to and fro any given destination, he may run into a loss.

In conclusion, the business of a commercial motorcyclist is very dangerous as an average ckada rider in Nigeria is always in a haste to make money, and disobeys traffic laws most times. Several accidents have been recorded between some reckless drivers and okada riders in Lagos. Some vehicles’ drivers see an average commercial motorcyclist as a rival contesting speed with them on the expressways. Therefore, an okada rider operating on any expressway is usually exposed to getting knocked down either due to the recklessness of some vehicles drivers or due to negligence of traffic rules and regulations by commercial motorcyclists.

END

 

 

Freedom From Spiritual, Physical, Emotional Darkness Of Disobedience

Title: Grow Where You Are Planted

Author: Saviour Ekere

Year: 2022

Reviewer: Blessed Mudiaga Adjekpagbon

Saviour Ekere's newest work titled "Grow Where You Are Planted," is an inspirational book which the author says the Holy Spirit inspired him to write for the benefit of mankind in this period of global crisis.

Its foreword is written by Pastor Daniel llori who says: "To connect with purpose, you need to connect with the purpose driven God who is interested in opening you to what matters most in your life. This book opens the mind to the need to get connected and grow purposefully. It gives insight to why you need to be planted where God's purpose for your life can be fulfilled. Once you are connected and stay connected, you will be directed (Psalm 37:23, 32:8)."

Divided into six chapters, the topics in the book are: "Grow Where You Are Planted," "The Garden ls Your Place," "Adversity ln The Garden," "You Are A Fruit Tree," "Everyone Created by God ls Great," and "Just Trust And Obey."

Mr. Saviour Ekere

The cover title, "Grow Where You Are Planted" is very insightful as it tends to advise folks to obey the voice of God by following the direction He asks them to follow to their promised land, instead of just following or copying others blindly in a world where many people prefer to listen to the voice of men instead of God's. Hence, the cover story xrays why some folks fail to prosper in life. lt however, provides remedies to how one can overcome the spirit of disobedience to God's voice, so that one can grow where he/she is ordained to prosper.

"The garden is your place," is a reminder about where God originally created humans to live and enjoy. Aside the beauty of the garden, this topic says the garden nourishes and enriches the body with various herbs and fruits in it. It dwells on how some folks fall out of their garden of enjoyment into the abyss of suffering into a "forest of life" that involves pain and sorrow. What to do to avoid falling from the garden of enjoyment are also pinpointed in the chapter.

"Adversity in the garden," portrays a saying that "Life is full of ups and downs." Here, the author shares his experience about the adversity of life. He refers to a poem about the adversity of life, which is one of his creative works, to boost folks moral in the face of adversity. The poem is titled "Press On." It is a  stylistically woven  sonnet, crafted with heroic or even couplet rhymes of aa, bb, cc, dd, ee and so on and so forth. This shows the creative gift of the author by using poetry in a simplified manner to pass across a message of encouragement to inspire readers to be hopeful by the grace of the Holy Spirit. He delves the reader's mind into different situations that have been overcome by those that positively press on.

"You are a fruit tree," is a periscope of what Psalm 1: 3, says, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither, and whatever he does shall proper." Using this as a bedrock, Ekere talks about the folly of being ignorant and pretentious. He posits that "If you are operating below the benchmark of God's expectation, there is a problem. You need to go back to God who will recreate, rebrand and remake  you." One could sense his play with alliteration in his quoted advice to those that want God's immediate intervention in their life. It is one of the author's hallmarks of writing as a creative scholar with inspirational light.

Moreover, "Everyone created by God is great," is an expository of the author's experience as a teacher in a secondary school. He shares his observation in his interactions with students, teachers and parents on one hand, and the underrating of latent  skills in students by parents / teachers who give too much attention to grades, on the other. ln this regard, he avers that "My concern is this, most of these students we label 'poor' have potentials of creating something apart from being confined to school subjects and grades." What the author is simply saying in this chapter is that "Education should develop the minds and not to confine children to conventional life style." 

He makes reference to Albert EInstein, Robert Kiyosaki, Thomas Edison, Lao Tzu and Psalm 4:7 to buttress the need to also develop skills of students instead of focusing only on the grades they make in subjects.

In "Just trust and obey," the last but not the least chapter, the author presents a microscopic and macroscopic analysis of a popular song known as "Trust and obey." It examines the power of obedience in conjunction with Romans 4: 18 -12 and various biblical verses to encourage folks about how to become successful by growing where they are planted, instead of trying to dictate to God what He should do.

By and large, the messages in the book are very insightful about how we can overcome different challenges in life with reliance on scriptural and positive attitude of obeying the Holy Spirit towards doing things that may not appear significant to our egos, yet ordained by God to take us to great heights of accomplishing our individual destinies in life. A versatile reader will certainly observe that the author carried out commendable sociological, scriptural and scholarly researches that gave birth to the highly inspiring book. With the situation of happenings in the world today, the book could help to save many folks from loosing hope or going astray, and also help those that have already gone astray to retrace their steps, to embrace salvation and success.

Saviour Ekere has written various inspirational books over the years. One of them is titled "Think Outside The Box."  "Grow Where You Are Planted" is available on amazon platform via this link: https://www.amazon.com/GROW-WHERE-YOU-ARE-PLANTED-ebook/dp/B09Y98TYXQ/

Ekere teaches English Language at a private secondary school in Lagos. He is married and living fine with his family.

 

END

 

Magazine Review: ln retrospect: Nigeria's private schools' proprietors activities in 2021

 Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

The first edition of The Nigerian Education Times magazine of 2022 is replete with a lot of interesting and insightful stories concerning some notable news and events that happened in 2021 after schools fully resumed from Covid - 19 induced lockdown.

The cover story titled NAPPS Establishes Conference Centre / Estate In Agbowa, Lagos, talks about the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and its proposed establishment of a conference centre / estate in Agbowa, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

According to NAPPS President, Chief Olawale Amusa, "
NAPPS Conference Center / Estate will start soonest with the acquisition of already out 120 plots of land, fenced in an easily accessible area at Agbowa, Lagos State." 

Other interesting articles in the magazine's contents includes In search for quality education in Nigeria; Enough of distraction to education of the Nigerian child; Name Lagos State University (LASU) after Jakande, Curbing act of bullying in schools, Challenges in managing the secondary education sector, Press Release: Step up school safety measures, Lagos urges school administrators; There is the need to address the challenges faced by women and children in Nigeria.

ln addition, some notable topics that also feature in the magazine are: "Reforming Education in Nigeria; No nation makes meaningful progress in its development, without embracing science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship; WAEC announces release of results of the West African Senior School Certificate examination for school candidates; and My husband is not the true biological father of our son.

However, the press release by the Lagos State Ministry of Education is worth highlighting as it urges administrators in both public and private schools operating in the state, to step up school safety measures to curb negative happenings in their environment.

Part of the press statement by the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo says "School administrators should devise appropriate strategies to advance teacher/student interaction in order to gain an insight and expose negative tendencies before they metamorphosed into unfortunate situations." This is very imperative at this time because of recent happenings among some private schools’ students in the state, in terms of the death of a student of one popular private school in Lekki suburb, and a pornographic video of a junior female student of another private school that went viral on the internet.

Another noteworthy article in the magazine is the one titled "No nation makes meaningful progress in its development, without embracing science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship." This assertion is credited to Nigeria's current Minister of Science, Technology and lnnovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. In the article written by Ebenezer Oloyede, the minister says the "political will" to provide quality education is important for innovation, sustainable growth and socio - economic development across nations.

Nonetheless, the concluding part of the magazine is a human interest story titled "My husband is not the true biological father of our son."  In the article, a woman confesses that she got married 35 years ago and the marriage is blessed with three children- a male and two females. The trio are university graduates. lt is an interesting read and highly recommended for those who might want to know the details in order to learn some lessons from it. 

Some commendable qualities of the magazine are its glossy and colorful pages from its beginning to the end, bright/clear pictures of various notable personalities, divers schools' advertisements; coupled with very simple diction. These make reading it worthwhile.

Chief Tunde Ogunsola is the magazine's Editor - in - Chief and CEO. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

 END

Are Nigeria’s politicians making impact in the life of the citizenry?

 

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

Impacting positively on people's standards of living is the reason a lot of countries in the world have been embracing democracy from the beginning of the deaths of feudalism, totalitarianism, "militocracy" and monarchical systems of governance for centuries.

In the case of Nigeria, after several years of military rules occasioned by the regimes of former Generals; Olusegun Obasanjo; Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Badamasi Bangida, Sani Abacha and Abdulkarim Abubakar, before the re -enthronement of democracy in 1999 that brought Chief Olusegun Obasanjo back to power as the first retired Military - General that became a Civilian President, Nigerians were full of hope that civil administration would bring positive development in terms of respect for human right and improvement of the people's economic, educational and social standard of living. 

During a recent sampling of some Nigerians opinion, many said politicians have generally failed in impacting the life styles of the people in a positive way. Some cited that the only period a particular politician impacted Nigerians life was in the South West region in the days of yore. Who could that person be? It was no other person but late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that promoted free education in the South West and in the old Mid - Western regions. Other regions politicians were busy satisfying their personal interests. 

Another notable politician that impacted Nigerians standard of living with mass educational and housing policies style was late Chief Lateef Jakande alias Baba Kekere in Lagos State. He built a lot of schools and housing estates that are still being enjoyed especially by Nigerians living in Lagos for over a period of more than three decades till date. 

Moreover, in recent past years, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State, and Mr. Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa - Ibom State were hailed by some Nigerians for improving the infrastructural, environmental and educational standards of the states they governed. There is no notable development by other states governors in the present dispensation. What has been used to occupy the folks ears are reports of fantastic corruption and cross - carpeting of politicians from one party to the, from time to time?

Aside the few aforementioned politicians that put a glow in the faces of the people in some places, Nigerians have been waking from one nightmare to another since democracy was fully restored from 1999 till date.

From the views of Mr. Matthias Pantaleon, a poet, playwright published author and member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), one can clearly grasp the general opinion shared by some other Nigerians about the glaring non-positive impact of politicians on the populace.

Matthias offers that; "Impact is far from the people. I think the reverse is the case. Nigerian politicians are actually making life unbearable for the average citizens. The executives are busy enforcing draconian laws, the legislative arm is now a pay-as-you-go arm of government. Back in the days, we used to say 'Judiciary is the last hope of the common man,' nowadays we say 'Judiciary is the worst thing to happen to the common man.' The way and manner politicians are toying with the lives of Nigerians is heartbreaking. 

"There is untold hardship in the country. As if that is not enough they failed to call SARS operatives to order or checkmate their excesses which eventually birthed the #EndSars protest. Politicians can deny all they want, but we know the truth and it stares at us in the face like life and death; a reminder of our own mortality."

He further points that, "Politicians should know that people are listening to what they are not saying, people are talking to families that have lost their loved ones to bad governance, and some days to come,, people will actually act. It is left to them to do right and heal the nation or be prepared for the inevitable."

Nonetheless, going down memory lane, one could recall a similar maltreatment of the people by a previous civilian administration. For instance, Obasanjo's civilian rule was characterised by blatant disregard for human rights in the Niger Delta where he ordered soldiers to wipe out two communities known as Choba and Odi due to a fracas some Niger Delta "resources control" agitators had with some soldiers there. Yearly increase in fuel pump price was another bitter hallmark of Obasanjo's civilian tenure.

 ln addition, blatant display of corruption  by many politicians was the order of the day during Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's administration. It was as if you are a fool if you were honest during his administration. He also unwittingly increased fuel pump price on January 1, 2012 after he had previously promised Nigerians a better standard of living during the twilight months of 2011. That singular deceit and blunder of increment of fuel pump price was what the opposition party (the APC) politicians capitalized on, to rubbish his administration and campaigned vigorously for a change of government. The citizenry swallowed it hook, line and sinker. The rest is now history.

Since the advent of the current administration led by Buhari/Osinbajo from 2015 till date, Nigerians have tasted real hell like never before in the country's democracy's history. Hardship has become phenomenal with the majority of the people turned into walking skeletons with emaciated bones.

However, as rightly pinpointed above by a respondent, Police brutality courtesy of the now proscribed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) went unabated against folks especially living in the Southern region of the country. This culminated to the now popular #EndSars protest that led to the massacre of some Nigerians at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

By and large, one can say Nigeria's politicians have not impacted the folks in any commendable ways except for the few trickles of examples by Awolowo, Jakande, Fashola and Akpabio earlier mentioned. The rest have been tales of "suffering and smiling" as aptly sang many years ago by Nigeria's late Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo of blessed memories.

At this point, it is imperative to ask that, "What are the indices for measuring positive impact?"  It is measured by what has been done by politicians towards rapid economic, educational, infrastructural and social development. How many tourists have been visiting the country and how many foreign investors have invested in Nigeria since 2015 till date?  Many indigenous and foreign companies have folded up, which caused serious massive unemployment nationwide. More graduates have taken up menial works such as bus conductors and bike riders to survive. These are jobs hitherto done by school drop outs and illiterates. There could have been better roads all over Nigeria, constant electric power supply and adequate security of lives and property if politicians had the interest of the citizenry at heart. There may still be some rumblings if the aforementioned basic amenities were made available, and people might still be hopeful and believe that things will get better. But the current state of things in Nigeria is that of total despair everywhere. People are suffering and have no hope or belief in the government anymore.

 END