OWOLOWO

Where Are The Patriots Of Nigeria? Patriot. We often read about it, we were taught in school, we use it as part of our daily lexicons and in political slogans. But do we really appreciate the essence of the word as citizens? Do some of the conceited fops in government and opportunistic opposition even know what a patriot is or what patriotism really entails? Patriotism is love and devotion to one’s country, nation or land. Patriotism is being ready to make sacrifices for one’s country, it is reciting the words of the national anthem and actually meaning it. Do the powerful words contained within the nation’s anthem still mean anything to most Nigerians anymore? “Arise O Compatriots...” I watched a programme recently about a successful Somali restaurateur in the UK who went back to Somalia to set up a restaurant. Some didn’t understand the rationale behind his decision as he wasn’t pressured into it. But he was convinced that after being successful in the UK, it was proper for him to do...

A CNN Interview & The Waffling “bulb lighting” President by M.B.O Owolowo The nation was agog about the President’s interview for obviously different reasons, both supporters and critics alike were waiting to hear their President discuss cogent national issues with Christiane Amanpour of CNN on Wednesday, January 23 2013. Initially I had mixed feelings before the interview, deciding whether to prepare for a laughter fest or watching-wall-paint-dry boredom. Though I must confess the Clinton- U.S Embassy in Libya Inquiry coming up at the slated time of the interview almost took off some of the steam. There were already jokes of the interview being so petrifying it was invariably postponed to discourage viewership.   After waiting an additional 2 hours, the interview got on the way. As usual President Goodluck Jonathan didn't disappoint his teaming “fans” with another coxcombical showing.   Below are excerpts from the interview with Christiane Amanpour, among the key ...

A Better Nigeria, 2013 and Beyond Nation building and development takes a lot of laborious time and consistency of effort. Only the sincere and steadfast will patiently persevere against all odds to achieve selfless aims and collectively progressive objectives. Only time will tell those who will toe the honourable Gani Fawehinmi path of genuine criticism fuelled by patriotism and those who will end up the attainted 'Abati' way. Individuals from all social strata must unite to challenge the dissipation, sending a stern warning out to all that Nigeria is evolving rapidly and socially diverse youth have come of age. The Occupy Nigeria movement of 2012 is a testament to the possibilities of social unity. If you are wealthy by sheer luck, genius, hard work or inheritance and you think the social decay doesn't concern you, you have a problem. Sooner or later the rot will affect or consume you, directly or indirectly. If you are wealthy by means of looting public funds, you ha...

A President and The Corruption Conundrum by M.B.O Owolowo   The corruption conundrum continues as some incredulous statements were recently attributed to the President during the burial service of the late General Andrew Azazi. He was responding to a factual and frank homily by Bishop Hyacinth Ogbebor blaming corruption for the helicopter crash, amongst other issues in the country. The President said, “Corruption is not the cause of our problems. Nigeria has more institutions that fight corruption. Most of the issues we talk about are not corruption. If we do things properly, if we change our attitude of doing things, most of the things we think are caused by corruption are not. If Nigerians would change their attitude, you will realise that most of these issues being attributed to corruption are not caused by corruption. If we change our attitude to life, if all Nigerians do what is right, Nigeria will change”. Pondering over these statements, the president should be reminded he ...

The Presidents Probity Perplexity by M.B.O Owolowo A depressing state of affairs in the leadership dearth is further compounded by a supposedly accidental president; whom has been consistently criticised as lacking tact or initiative. He has unfeignedly appeared flummoxed ab initio without the critical portrayal characteristic of his antagonist’s. His retinue of image launderers have been so preoccupied with defending absurdities that some have even resorted to fallacious ululation; or how does one explain the misinformation by the Minister of Information on his near death experience following the tragic loss of lives in the Bayelsa State air mishap. Other presidential aides have vainly attempted to justify the unjustifiable regarding the latest contretemps generated by the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident, as we were informed the president has ordered a probe into the accident; how comforting. What has been the outcome of the fuel subsidy probe that was in...

Happy Holidays (Holy Days)?   I attended a Christmas/end of year party at the behest of a client. Though I went out to relax, it ended up another noetic episode. It was a very enlightening encounter for me because I came across some Christians who didn’t celebrate Christmas or believe December 25th had anything to do with Jesus Christ. These guys aren't your average Christians; they not only know their bible verses but armed with historical facts too - definitely my forte. What actually started off the discussion was a lamentation by someone who wondered why one of my interlocutors kept greeting everyone 'Happy Holidays' instead of Merry Christmas. Well, according to the perpetrator, the supposed birthday of Jesus has lost its core spiritual essence and has been generally commercialized. It explains why in certain parts of the world, it’s not even referred to as Christmas anymore, it’s now Happy Holidays! Another one of his companions was very blunt, with the monik...

The Majesty of GOD; The One and Only Creator, shouldn't be based on materialism.  Anyone can be rich, be it a theist (monotheist, polytheist) or atheist. Riches are a false indicant for righteousness or credible parameters for piety.  Being rich isn't an accurate assessment for Godliness, else only the Godly would be rich.  Even buffoons can get rich, so can the God-less and worshipers of the d evil. GOD says He gives to whom He wills and takes from whom He wills. To assess and appreciate the majesty of GOD, look around you. You are a creation embodied within another creation which is embodied by another creation, co-existing with other creation: the soul in the human body, within earth, living with other beings. The reason some can't fathom the majesty of GOD is due to inherent psychological limitations caused by the intrinsic lack of knowledge of those who taught them about GOD. The methodology of initial exposures to divinity from an epistemological perspect...