10 LESSONS FROM THE MONTH OF JUNE

Photo credit: www.timeanddate.com

10 LESSONS FROM THE MONTH OF JUNE

The month of June had awkward beginnings. Our dear President Buhari was to commission the cleaning of Ogoni land. Some threats were made by the avengers and our daddy fell sick and vice president Osibanjo had to go carry out the function. Now I have not said Mr. President was not sick but the timing was just too convenient. Anyways, this is to Keshi and Amodu and the ten things we learnt in this month of June.

1) Hello Libya! Say Hi to Tom Polo

I can only imagine the feeling of being the most wanted man in the whole of Nigeria. But I bet Tom Polo must be relishing it. While the Nigeria Military were busy ravaging his home town Oporoza scavenging for him, uncle Tom was settled somewhere in Libya probably sipping a bottle of beer and laughing at the Federal government. Chai, it’s a funny world but if anyone is close to him over there, be sure to hi and let him know Nigeria is greeting.

2) RIP Keshi and Amodu

Arguably, the two biggest coaches in Nigeria died within a space of three days in the same city. Hmm, what a pity? We love them but God loves them more. Meanwhile we are calling on our other good coaches including Siasia, Amuneke and Bosso to avoid going to Edo state for some time especially Benin City. But if Sunday Oliseh decides to go to Benin, he should feel free; I am very certain that many Nigerians will not mind.

3)  Live and Let Live

A popular saying but one we should try to assimilate. The dust was yet to settle on Mrs. Bridget Agbahime’s beheading in Kano on account of blasphemous statements, then Francis Emmanuel a Christian brother who was having lunch in his own shop was attacked and stabbed by Muslim mobs because he was not observing the Ramadan fast. Abeg wetin concern Agboro and overload. The way we Nigerians act at times confuses my reasoning. We Christians have Lent seasons and never has it been heard before that a Muslim was killed because he did not fast in lent. Thank God for Governor El Rufai’s intervention but I must confess that if these kind of religious extrajudicial killings continue then a point will come when Christians will bounce back from the wall. Please live and let live.

4) Respect for the Rule of Law Shown Again

When Mr. President travelled to London to meet a specialist about his ear infection, he duly handed power over to vice president Osibanjo, the second time this year. This off course will mean nothing elsewhere but in a country like Nigeria that stayed over six months without a president sometime in late 2009 and early 2010, I would rather be skeptical. In any case, vice president Osibanjo in a locked up part of his mind might be praying that one of such journeys becomes permanent especially with the way men of God are beginning to prophesy about the Mr. President. Lol, I have not said anything o, so do not misquote me.

5) Osun State Students Serve up the Drama

It was just a normal day when Osun state high court passed a bill that the female Muslim students could wear their hijab to classrooms. What followed from the Christian association of the state would make you wake in the middle of the night just to laugh. They dressed their own children in church garments and sent them to school. But on a serious note, this should be the standard for any religious group because if that bill was passed the other way round, we would have been talking of how many people were killed in the aftermath.

6) Farewell Ikpeazu

An old saying goes “when you enter through a crooked path, you can only leave shamefully”. Even though that has not always been the case in our political atmosphere in Nigeria, but the case of the present Abia state governor. This is not the first time it is happening as Amaechi came in through the same means, but the Cabal of Theo Orji will never stand, not after the evil they perpetrated on the Abia indigenes. It does not matter if the chief Judge of Abia disappears from now till next year, Ikpeazu will go. PDP won the elections after all and not APC. Congratulations Governor Ogah, and to Ikpeazu I say; Fare-better.

7)  Ekiti Residents Change it for Fayose

This lousy governor has always been in the news for the wrong reasons. But it was not business as usual for Ayodele Fayose on June 24^th when Ekiti citizens trooped to the streets in their numbers to protest against their governor asking EFCC to continue their anti-corruption war against him, and clamoring that he pays salaries. Now this is what Nigeria should be like, Governors should feel the Pressure from the masses and not be allowed to live like Kings. Besides Okorocha who felt the wrath of Imolites earlier this year, Ortom of Benue and Yahaya of Kogi owe workers significantly and yet they are still been revered in their various states.

8) EPL 2016/2017: A Show for Mad Men

Finally Jose Mourinho was appointed the Manager of Manchester United. That means the English Premier league next season will entertain Mourinho, Guardiola, Wenger, Klopp, and Conte. One thing is similar about these genius tacticians; they are a fine collection of mad men when standing on the touchline. I just cannot wait for 13^th August.

9) I Remember Beeson Saro Wiwa

When a man dies for the injustice done to his people and his place, then he died for a just cause. It looked like Ogoni was forgotten after all they had suffered, but no, President Buhari finally commenced the cleaning up of Ogoni land. This is an Ode to Ogoni, to all the atrocities of royal dutch shell and Sani Abacha, to a suffering and polluted land, but most importantly to Kenule “Ken” Beeson Saro Wiwa and his 8 comrades from Ogoni, who laid down their lives for the struggle. The achievements 21 years after your death shows it was never in vain.

10) Sayonara Post UTME

The bringer of money to higher institutions, the terror of students seeking admission. The chief extortionist; most times you buy scratch cards of exorbitant prices before and after the exams. Thank Goodness it has been finally scrapped and this time I hope the Federal Government has the balls to see it through. This exam where I had to answer 50 questions under 30 minutes, it’s a good thing I survived it. But for now, I am saying goodbye in Japanese, “Sayonara”.

As we hope for better things to come this new month, I wish you enjoy this summer season and to my Muslim brothers “Eid Mubarak”.

                                                                                                       Written by Dubem Val