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Light shedrack

The Menace of “New Year Prophesies” And Aura of Negativity (Part 1)

by Folarin Kehinde February 7, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

By: Light Shedrack

The trend of “New Year Prophesies” by different religious leaders is fast becoming a norm, especially among the Christian community in Nigeria. While it is believed that God truly speaks to people, the prophecies and visions about Nigeria mainly border on social frivolities.

It mostly foretells what does not bear relevance to the growth and development of the country – Something like which politician and party stand a chance to win elections. It predicts doom and gloom and hardly points to a way out of Nigeria perennial crises.

Our prophecies, just like our religion hardly encourage hard work and creativity as antidotes to poverty and crime. It hardly calls out leaders by their names and rebukes them for squandering our national and state treasury.

In the scriptures, we read about prophets who, against all odds, called out leaders for their evil and wicked acts. Prophet Nathan and Prophet Elijah in the Bible come to mind. Prophet Nathan rebuked powerful King David for causing the death of Uriah while Prophet Elijah, despite the danger of being killed by wicked Queen Jezebel continued to speak against the evil of his time perpetrated by King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. But today in Nigeria, we only have so-called prophets and seers who prophetically align with politicians and political parties of their choice for material benefits.

These religious leaders are beneficiaries of the prevailing corruption and untamed looting of the nation and state’s treasury by the public and civil servants.

Despite these “thus-says-the-lord” claims that spring from our religious places every year, Nigeria is still worse off in all its socioeconomic facets. Despite the presence of these so-called God’s advocates, Nigerians have continued to experience bad leadership. Ironically, while the people plunge further into abject poverty, these religious leaders continue to garner fortune, mostly from the very corrupt political elites. Who pays tithes and gives generous offerings from which massive cathedrals are built? Who patronizes the expensive schools owned by religious leaders? Your guess is as good as mine.

These ‘prophesies’ usually reach their peak when elections are around the corner. In some cases, Nigerians choices of voting those who will lead them are shaped by deceptive prophesy and visions of Nigeria religious leaders. An average Nigerian is religiously vulnerable making them easy preys in the hands of Nigerian politicians and the so-called prophets. Nothing sways an average Nigerian as claims of prophecies and visions. The religious leaders understand this susceptibility and they are cashing in and out.

Most deceptions perpetrated by religious leaders in Nigeria and Africa at large started in form of prophecy and vision. Once caught in the web of their ‘thus-said-the-lord’ visions, one becomes like a caged bird in the hands of these religious elements. But how far has all these prophesies stirred growth and development in the polity? How far has the prophesies shaped the morality and integrity of those saddled with leadership positions in the country? We have never been better off with the crop of leaders we have in Nigeria and the “prophecies” that bring them to power have never helped matters either. Rather this “yearly prophesy trend” has grown the “Prophesy Industry” more than it has grown the country’s collective fortune.

At the end of every year, Nigerians wait eagerly to hear from those who claim they have heard from God. Interestingly most of these prophesy only point to looming dangers and doom. From politics to the economy, we hear all manners of so-called negative prophesies. Esoterically, negative prophecies connote the presence and influence of the negative spirit. We have seen situations where a particular prophet claimed God told him a particular politician would win an election, while another prophet would claim that God prefers a different politician. The same God, different prophesies!

In 2015 when the likes of Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka and other pro-Buhari prophets claimed to have heard from God that the then President Goodluck Jonathan has been rejected by God. In his stead, that God has “anointed” the current Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari as President Goodluck’s successor and the person to bring the good luck he claimed eluded Nigerians under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Using a pigeon as a symbol of his spiritual experiment, Rev. Mbaka claimed that “Jonathan’s pigeon” refused to fly; an indication that President Jonathan would not make any headway in the general election that was then around the corner. In the same vein, he claimed: “Buhari’s pigeon” soared to the skies, an indication that God has chosen Buhari as the “Messiah” of the time and the next president of Nigeria.

That prophesy from a popular preacher like Mbaka was among the many factors that aided President Muhammadu Buhari’s in winning the 2015 Presidential Election. President Buhari eventually won the election as predicted, but unfortunately, Nigerians are yet to see the messiah in him as the economy keeps plunging under his watch, and insecurity worsening. This is simple to interpret. People should be wary of prophecies. Most prophesies are products of the mind of the prophets.

This brings us to the question, who truly hears from God? Who is God’s mouthpiece? Who has He sent and who has He not sent to speak?

….….. To be Continued
Light Shedrack is a public issue commentator. He writes from Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory. He could be reached via lightsheddie26@gmail.com

February 7, 2022 0 comments

Tinubu the veiled face behind Mafab Communication Ltd 5G license? alleged role of Remi Tinubu and how it could benefit Tinubu’s presidential ambition

by Leading Reporters January 30, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The recent 5G license awarded to Mafab Communication Limited on 13^th December, 2021, a company owned by Dr. Musbahu Mohammad Bashir, by the Nigeria Communication Commission has once again brought to fore the widely held belief that Nigeria is a country where favouritism and other sentiments hold sway.

Since Mafab Communication Limited won a 5G license, tongues have been wagging around how a company with no history in telecommunication industry surfaced from the blues and won a coveted 5G licence. Another allusion in the front burner is the actual ownership structure of the company.

While some said Tinubu is a major stakeholder, the communication regulatory agency Nigeria Communication Commission has come out to say that due process was holistically followed in the award of the licenses. But whether Ahmed Bola Tinubu has stake in Mafab Communication Limited or not, one thing is certain. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a master strategist who understands that morality has no place in power-game.

Tinubu is believed to have taken mastery of using fronts, associates, friends, and relatives to achieve anything he intends to achieve. Although, some would say Tinubu is an opportunist and a ruthless entrepreneur with ravenous appetite for wealth and more wealth. But who is not? We all are! Whatever impression anyone has about the Lagos big-man, it has not deterred him from vigorously pursuing his ambitions, the latest of it being to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as president.

Allegations have been made that the former Lagos State Governor and the ruling party National chieftain is one of the veiled faces behind Mafab Communication Ltd, a company that suddenly emerged from the blues and raked in a license that big player in communication industry like Airtel could not get.

Curiously, a hitherto unknown Mafab Communication Ltd won one of the only two 5G, 2.3GHz spectrum band licenses offered for sale by President Muhammadu Buhari APC-Led Federal Government through the Nigeria Communication Commission after paying $273,600,000. Tinubu, according to a source who claimed to be in the know is a major stakeholder in Mafab Communication Ltd. Plans and discussions are already on top gear with some USA and China based telecommunication equipment suppliers that will supply and man the equipment for Mafab Communications Ltd, according to the latest update from the company.

Although the Nigeria Communication Commission has come to Tinubu’s defence through its spokesman, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde that the subject company has the wherewithal to be awarded the said license, event that played in 2022 budget of the commission may be a cue to what played out. Ahmed Tinubu’s wife, Senator Remi Tinubu is the Senate Committee Chairman on telecommunication. Communication technology is key in every election. Mrs. Tinubu was believed to be instrumental in the passage of N633.4billion budget for NCC in 2022 fiscal year.

Tinubu critics have opined that Tinubu is a man who stubbornly brings his tomorrow before it comes. To that extent, they said that Tinubu ensured that his wife becomes the Senate Committee Chairman because of the role she would be needed to play in the telecommunication sector and by extension, in his presidential ambition. In fact, communication, and technology are everything for Tinubu in a time like this.

The question then arises, should Tinubu have a hand in Mafab Telecommunications Ltd 5G license, how can that favourably affect his presidential ambition?

5G network is an emerging network that has a lot of possibilities. It guarantees greater speed and access to information at a higher speed. As beautiful as the benefits, there are other sides that could be used to manipulate information to one’s advantage and to other’s detriment. That includes the fact that small antennas could be installed in places of interest such as street lights, buses, selected collation centers, and other places of interest. This implies that the antennas may not be centrally located and monitored, thereby giving room for manipulation by those who intend to use it to their own advantage.

Part of the challenges associated with 5G which could be cashed in for electoral manipulation is that it may become difficult to access these locations owned by various stakeholders, which would hinder the large-scale deployment of this type of antenna. What it means is that companies of interest may be used to site small antenna in areas that it may favour their paymaster. An integrated Internet of Things (IoT) could work in anyone’s favour. Again, this innovation, could as well mean that there would not be a cohesion in deployment of small cell antennas and this could be used in a candidate’s favour against others.

Furthermore, there have been allegations of security breach against Hauwei, one of the largest players in the 5G innovation. It is said that the software and firmware used in Hauwei’s devices can be leveraged for manipulation.

Whether Ahmed Tinubu has hand in Mafab Telecommunications Ltd 5G or not, communication and technology can be used for venal purposes

***Contributed by Light Shedrack, a public issues analyst and commentator. .***

January 30, 2022 0 comments

Business Opinion

Why CBN Rice Production Intervention Fund May Prove A Misplaced Priority Overtime

by Leading Reporters January 27, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

(By Light Shedrack)

Rice is one of Nigeria’s major staple foods. Prior to now, Nigeria spent billions of dollars every year on rice importation from Thailand and India, majorly. To encourage local rice production, the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN came up with intervention schemes, under its Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). The scheme is aimed at increasing local rice production which thus would discourage rice importation.

As much noble as the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria looks, there are lots of questions left unanswered such as the environmental impact of the scheme and looming protein deficiency that may hit the country.

This could possibly be because Nigeria is a country that hardly makes long term plans or considers the long term effects of certain policies it pursues. We believe in make-shift and fire-brigade approach to issues of national interest.

While Nigeria sees local rice production as the next big thing, some countries that are hitherto major rice farmers are considering divesting from commercial rice production. India is one of such countries. Priority may soon leave rice for other crops with higher economic value and better environmental impact. India knows that if it continues its commercial rice farming, in the nearest future it would be hit by acute water shortage, or worse still water scarcity.

Research has shown that rice cultivation and production is a major water consumer. Rice must be planted in areas with body of water. Nigeria consumes about 7million tons of rice annually. To produce just one kilogram of rice, about 2500 liters of water is required. Nigeria rice revolution is targeted majorly in the Northern Nigeria, and that axis is currently witnessing acute desert encroachment, untamed insecurity resulting in lull in economic activities. There is as well the case of diminishing water level in Lake Chad, which has not only fueled insecurity but would sure worsen agro-allied businesses and farming.

2022 would witness protein deficiency among Nigerians, especially children. The rising cost of beef and egg would sure mean that most families may not be able to afford these sources of protein. What next could come as the handiest alternative? Beans! Beans are relatively affordable food that are considered rich in protein, carbohydrate and fibre. But how much has Nigeria Government and by extension the Central Bank of Nigeria invested in beans production. Beans production in Nigeria has received little or no government attention or intervention. This could partly be because beans are not elites’ preferred food. Rice is.

Common sense should have revealed to us that Nigerians need more beans than rice now. This is because there is deficiency of protein among the greater number of Nigerians. From 2022, protein-deficiency among Nigerians may worsen. Most people cannot afford beef, egg and other foods rich in protein because of the skyrocketing cost of these essential foods. To make up for this deficiency, beans can easily come handy.

Nigeria economic policies have perennially favoured the elites. In fact, the elites that make up less than ten percent of Nigeria’s population are mostly put into consideration whenever any policy is to be formulated. Better put, the elites make the laws and initiate policies that favour them. Instead of the Bottom-top approach used in policy formulation in most economically viable countries that run inclusive system, Nigeria policy makers are mostly elites who sit in the comfort of their offices and over feast-like sessions, formulate policies that favour the elites.

There are other factors that may overtime prove that the Central Bank Rice Production Intervention schemes may boomerang and hit us worse than it helps us. One of such factors is the environmental effect of rice production, when matched with the reality of climate change. Another is the absence of data, the manipulation and fraud that have characterized the scheme. But let this be a discussion for another day.

Light Shedrack is a serial entrepreneur, and an SME ideation specialist. He writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

January 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Do you know Government Interventions In Agriculture May Not Yield Any Positive Result?

by Leading Reporters May 22, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

That scares right? Nigeria Governments at Federal and State levels are desirous of feeding its exploding population and earn from export.

But all that may still equal zero despite hundreds of Billions of Naira Government has plunged into agriculture through NIRSAL/CBN.

Have you wondered why despite all the intervention policies, prices of food are skyrocketing and shortage of food still persist? The answer is simple. Government is facing only a side of what needs to be done. We’re just scratching around the solutions. We’ve not fully delved into the solutions proper.

Perennially, our interventions have been that of brigade-approach without proper and result-oriented planning. We are trying to grow AGRIC sector without efforts at growing the technology that drives the desired growth.

I’m awed at how much India is leveraging technology to solve most of its problems. We just tidied up a two-week training on Disruptive Agri-Tech Initiatives, sponsored by African Asian Rural Development Organization New Delhi and National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises NiMSME Hyderabad.

It was 8 days of interactive session with presentation from some of the best tech-companies in India. Today, you can have a clue of what the next farming season looks like vis-a-vis the soil texture, weather condition, your farm vulnerability in terms of pest and bacterial attack and what the yield will look like even before you till the ground.

There are other simple technology in form of Apps that can increase growth by over 40%. Indian rural farmers are becoming players in the international market and export. All thanks to disruptive Agri-Tech and many interventions by the Indian Government. Agric sector contributes over 21% of Indian export of these AGRIC produce are coming from rural farmers in India.

In Nigeria, the Government is doing great in supporting farmers with low interest loans ans other forms of intervention policies. But Government intervention in Agri-Tech is almost zero. Most of the start-ups in Agri-Tech are private sector driven and they’re walking okay silken soft thread, all by themselves.

21st century is a technology-driven century. Billions of Dollars intervention in agric will equate nothing if there’s no technology driving growth in AGRIC sector.

May 22, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

First “African Climate Clock” to be received in Nigeria

by Leading Reporters April 27, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

Watch Virtual Event here: http://bit.ly/africanclimateclock

Abuja, Nigeria. — The first CLIMATE CLOCK to be received by an African nation will be presented in a high level official presentation ceremony of the Government of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

The handheld clock will be presented to Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, social activist and Climate Champion, by Jerome Ringo, former chair of the National Wildlife Federation, and currently Goodwill Ambassador to the Pan African Parliament.

Nigeria will be the first African nation to receive a CLIMATE CLOCK. Ringo received the clock at an event in New York City on Monday, April 19 where Ringo delivered a clock to UN Ambassador from ECO WAS, which represents 15 West African nations, including Nigeria. Ringo plans to take a number of clocks to several other African nations. The presentation of the Climate Clock to Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma in Abuja on Tuesday would be followed, at a later date by a high-power delegation to present the clock to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari .

WHAT: First climate clock to be received by an African nation

WHEN: Tuesday April 27, 2021, 1.00pm to 3.00pm (WAT), 8:00am to 10:00am (EST) USA

WHO: Jerome Ringo presenting to the Government of Nigeria, delivered to Climate Champion Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma. With H.E. Pauline K. Tallen Minister of Women’s Affairs, and Dr. Paul Abolo, Ecologistics, African Climate Clock Initiative.

WHERE (Physical): Bon Hotel Elvis, #2 Monrovia Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

WHERE (Virtual): http://bit.ly/africanclimateclock

The Climate Clock project is known for the giant clock in New York’s Union Square, as well as portable handheld clocks that climate leaders took to the front of the White House and projected onto the Department of Energy in DC earlier this week.

Ringo stated: “This clock is a call to action. Future solutions are great, but we need NOW solutions. Solutions that create green jobs that can replace the fossil fuel economy.”

The CLIMATE CLOCK shows the deadline before our global Carbon Budget runs out, i.e. the time left before we emit enough carbon into the atmosphere to set the world on a course to exceed 1.5 C warming, which scientists say is a critical tipping point. The now famous giant clock recently added a sign of hope. The Deadline that has been displayed since it’s launch in September is now joined by a new “Lifeline” that displays the percentage of global energy currently supplied from renewable sources — 12.2 percent, and going up, but it needs to be going up much faster to meet our deadline. The world must do whatever it can to raise our lifeline to 100% before the deadline runs out. For more information on the science behind the clock: https://climateclock.world/science.

Ringo used the shift in the clock to speak to the different responsibilities that different nations had for meeting our climate deadline. “Africa, like other developing regions who suffer climate impacts from CO2 historically released by industrialized nations, deserves a lifeline. They need countries like the US, that are the greatest contributors to the problem, to contribute the most to this renewable lifeline that is on the clock. The United States is only 5% of the world’s population but is responsible for 25% of the world’s carbon emissions.”

“The CLIMATE CLOCK says we must do what the science demands, and pursue solutions that leave no one behind.” said Laura Berry, research director for CLIMATE CLOCK.

The original prototype for the handheld clock was built in partnership with Ayodomola Okunseinde.

Earlier this week, the iconic CLIMATE CLOCK in New York’s Union Square added a “Lifeline” to show the percentage of global energy currently supplied from renewable sources — 12.2 percent, and going up, but nowhere near fast enough. Handheld “action” clocks were unveiled and distributed to youth leaders, who carried them to their own respective events.

Light-projected clocks were launched simultaneously in DC and Glasgow this week. In DC, on the Dept. of Energy. In Glasgow, on the landmark Tolbooth Steeple. The Glasgow Climate Clock will run continuously every night for the six months from Earth Day until the COP26 begins, turning the eyes of the world to the upcoming UN Summit in November.

Climate justice groups brought a clock to a rally in front of the White House on Wednesday, April 21.

Jerome Ringo, the Founder and Chairman of Zoetic Global is taking climate clocks to the heads of state of Nigeria, Ghana and other African nations to promote energy efficient and renewable energy solutions throughout the African continent.

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April 27, 2021 0 comments

Opinion

There is Shortage of Leaders

by Leading Reporters March 19, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

“Nigeria In Dire Need of Leaders That Understand The Moral Dimension of Leadership In Service Delivery”

Light I. Shedrack

“If you understand what sound leadership is all about, you’d know that the world, and indeed Nigeria have serious shortage of leaders in the truest meaning of leadership. When I talk about leadership, I do not mean the politicians that mount the podium during campaign and brand themselves “tested and trusted” leaders.

I am talking about leaders who understand the moral dimension of leadership in service delivery; leaders who have conquered selves, egos, and their ravenous appetite to steal from the treasury; leaders who understand the principle of stewardship; leaders who are followers and not bosses; leaders who understand how to optimize human, natural and other resources”.

The above were part of the opening address given by Light I. Shedrack in his talk to members of the Civil Society Organizations during its maiden edition of a two-day capacity building on Leadership/Basic ICT application training for civil society groups in Nigeria organized by Transparency Advocacy For Development Initiative (TADI) in conjunction with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Speaking on the topic “Leadership Capacity Building (Quality of Good Directive/Leadership Skill), Mr. Shedrack leveraged some legendary stories, including “Reformers of Selves Wanted in America’s Early History”, “The Sage Who Tied An Earthen Pot to His Waist” and “Mahatma Gandhi and The Woman Whose Son Had Sugar Addiction” to buttress the fact that leaders are first reformers who have reformed themselves.

“There is a silken thread of morality that holds great leaders together”.

In Mr. Shedrack’s words “leaders are those who have reformed themselves. Those who are selfless; Those who are driven by passion to serve and not to be served. Those who inspire others and build them to succeed”.

“There is the moral dimension of leadership and unless it is present, no society moves in the right direction. Forget about those that brandish the name “Leaders”. If they are truly leaders in the best definition of leadership, why have we not made any tangible progress since we got independence? He described a true leader as an organizer, a mentor, a manager and someone who truly inspires others to succeed. A leader is a Shepherd and not just a herder who only takes the sheep to the field. A shepherd stays with the sheep in the face of danger. He has emotive connection with the flock that he hurts when the flock hurts.

“Leaders always know the “Why”. They know why they are saddled with the responsibilities they are saddled with. They know why they need to deliver results. Mr. Shedrack reiterated the words of Raymond Smith, a USA business leader who said that leaders are in short supply and the society is not doing much to raise more.

“A leader is visionary and he thinks SMART. He is assertive. He teaches and is teachable. They are driven by passion to succeed and they do not only delegate authorities and responsibilities, they are part of the doing-team.

Mr Shedrack frowned at the system of leadership in Nigeria which sees others with bright ideas as a threat. He said that Nigeria public office holders, including civil servants and those in private sectors do not feel comfortable when they have subordinates or staff who look and act brighter than them.

“We only have managers and so-called leaders who will never allow those who exude more brilliance and intelligence to be promoted because they feel threatened that such brilliance and intelligence may take them out of business. It is called law of Injelitance”.

He encouraged the attendants to rejig their leadership consciousness towards promoting social cohesion, love, peace, intellectualism, merit and patriotism, among other virtues that build strong nationhood. He charged the attendants to begin to replace symbols of violence and divisions with symbols of peace, unity, love and creative engagements.

March 19, 2021 0 comments