Opinion

Irony Of Tinubu/Shettima Bishops

Published

4 years ago

July 25, 2022

The drama and intrigues of 2023 began long before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the election timetable. The wave of politicians who were jumping from one political party to the other in the hope of improving their electoral fortunes was nothing new. In fact, is expected.
The Nigerian political drama series have a fixed timeline, and every four years a new season is released with never-ending twists and turns like Indian soap operas on Zee World; but instead of getting better, things are falling apart, and the centre is currently unable to hold.
The 2023 season of the Nigerian political drama served us a one in a lifetime episode last week; the setting was the Shehu Musa Ya’ Adua event centre in Abuja. And the event was the unveiling of the APC vice presidential candidate, in the person of Senator Kashim Shettima of Borno State. However, it was a low-budget episode that was poorly written; and the cast included people from a nearby motor park. To make matters worse, both the director and the costume designers did a terrible job; and as a consequence, the reputation of the main producer, Bola Armed Tinubu’s has been marinating in the mud since last week Wednesday.
The APC tried to plagiarise a line from the 1964 American musical fantasy film; Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson. The film had a song describing how a spoon full of sugar helps a bitter medicine go down. Tinubu and his APC knew that the idea of a Muslim – Muslim ticket, or Alhaji and Alhaji, as some persons called it, is a bitter pill for christians across the country to swallow. Therefore, to create a sense of acceptance by the Christian community in the country, Tinubu, Shettima, and APC hired some upcoming Bishops, according to the Director of Media Communication of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The Shettima Bishops as they are referred to in some quarters were attired in a mishmash of orthodox vestments, particularly of the Roman Catholic Church. But Mr Onanuga lied or spoke out of ignorance when he used the term upcoming Bishops because there are no upcoming Bishops in the Roman Catholic Church. Aside from the Pope, Cardinals, and Archbishops, the position of a Bishop is the peak of a clergyman’s carrier. It could take as much as twenty years to become a Bishop in any orthodox church.
Nigerians are cognisant of various shades and categories of churches, and pastors, so they are not surprised. But APC’s deception and shame are already out in the public square. Their Bishop recruiting committee, because of endemic corruption was unable to pay some of the bishops the amount agreed when they met with them in their Motor Park Cathedral. According to one of the bishops, Joseph Odauda, who spoke to the People’s Gazette, that the APC promised to pay each of them the sum of N100, 000, but some of them received N40,000, while others got a paltry some of N30,0000 for their appearance.
Why was it necessary to deceive Nigerians? The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chose political expediency over national unity; and his choice of a Muslim from the North speaks to the value, relevance, and capacity of Christian APC members of that region. It creates an unhealthy perception of entitlement for some, and subjugation for others.
Political elites and some religious bigwigs in the North are always trying to sell to Nigerians the idea that the northern electorate is a monolith, controlled by the levers of religion and tribe. This idea is mischievous and most unfortunate, because in some states in Northern Nigeria, there might be more Christians than Muslims. And in some other states, the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups might actually be in the minority. In fact, the use of the Hausa language as a lingua franca bellies the true nature of the demography of Northern Nigeria. That is the issue for another time.
The APC, by its action, is telling the Nigerian voter, particularly Christians, that they have no stake, or say in who rules this country; and that their sensibilities do not matter. Already, the average politically aware Christian must have come to the unfortunate conclusion that a win for the APC in 2023 would cement twenty-four years of Muslim rule. It would be unprecedented, and it might change this country forever. Even now, after only seven years of President Buhari’s administration, it is very hard to recognize this country.
The APC might have elected to field a Southern presidential candidate to beguile Nigerians into thinking that they are the party of equity. But Nigerians are not fooled. Their vault face was apparent to all when they delayed and severely postponed their presidential primaries because of the uncertain outcome of the primaries of the major opposition, PDP. Their duplicity was as clear as glass then.
Going by the performance of Tinubu as governor of Lagos State, Nigerians know that he will be multiple times better than President Buhari. But they are also aware that Buhari’s misrule and mismanagement of the economy in the past seven years have significantly dwindled Tinubu and APC’s electoral fortunes. Another note of caution for Nigerians is that APC’S presidential candidate is no longer the man he used to be, age has taken its toll on him. Even though no one knows exactly how old he is.
In APC’S 2023 presidential calculus, a Muslim – Muslim ticket seems the only variable capable of remedying the albatross of their eight years of misrule, and mismanagement of our economy and diversity. Nigeria is indeed a secular state; however, every aspect of our national life, including politics has a religious component. For instance, aside from Independence Day and Workers Day, all other national holidays are religious holidays of the two major religions in Nigeria, namely, Christianity and Islam.
Beyond public holidays, some Muslim groups led by MURIC are agitating that Muslim students should not be compelled to write national exams on Friday, because of Jumat prayers. In addition, every federal building, including all Central Bank offices across the federation has Mosque. Even though we are a very religious people, there was a time when the religion of the person in power never mattered.
Those were the golden years of national unity, when a Southern presidential candidate, a Muslim, could pick a Northern running mate, also another Muslim, yet win an election. That was in 1993, when MKO Abiola won the presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, with a landslide, with Baba Gana Kingibe, a Northern Muslim.
Nigeria is in the valley of the dry bones, with only a flicker of hope. Presently, the country is bleeding, and on life support, unable to breathe because of the nepotism, tribalism, and the unbridled religious sentiment of the current administration. But the party in power is applauding and giving itself accolades whereas the average Nigerian finds it difficult to feed his family with one square meal a day.
The pantomime Nigerians saw last wednesday was enough to show that another eight years of lies and deceit is loading. But Nigerians are now wiser, and votes are beginning to count, as evidenced in the off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun recently. Hopefully, in 2023, a consensus candidate representing every dream of the ordinary Nigerian will win.

By: Raphael Pepple

Opinion

Monthly Environmental Sanitation Imperative

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “A clean environment is not a government gift; it is a civic duty that protects our health, preserves our cities, and reflects our national character.”

For many Nigerians who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the last Saturday of every month followed a familiar pattern. Roads were deserted, markets closed, and residents swept compounds, cleared gutters, cut overgrown weeds, and disposed off refuse. The monthly environmental sanitation exercise became a national ritual that promoted cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility. As an environment correspondent about two decades ago, I joined officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on sanitation monitoring tours across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Although enforcement officers were sometimes accused of excesses, the exercise succeeded in creating public awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean. Over time, however, the practice faded away in many states.

In its absence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainages and environmental neglect became increasingly common. Today, heaps of waste line roads, markets and motor parks, while gutters clogged with plastics contribute to perennial flooding. Given the mounting environmental challenges facing Nigerian cities, there is no better time to revive environmental sanitation. Its return is no longer a matter of nostalgia; it is a practical necessity for public health, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Poor sanitation remains a major cause of disease. Stagnant water and uncollected waste create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rodents, increasing the risk of malaria, cholera, typhoid and other infections. Floodwaters contaminated by refuse also expose communities to serious health hazards.

Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation. Cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are expanding faster than their waste management systems can cope. As populations grow, so does the volume of waste generated daily. Monthly sanitation exercises can help rebuild environmental consciousness. Beyond cleaning streets, they remind citizens that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. They also offer an opportunity to educate children and young people about hygiene, public health and community participation. Critics argue that the old sanitation policy restricted movement and was sometimes abused by security personnel. Those concerns were valid, but they do not invalidate the concept itself. Rather than abandon it, governments should reform the programme to make it more humane, participatory and transparent.

That is why the recent decision by the Lagos State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation deserves commendation. Even if participation is largely voluntary, the move sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility must be taken seriously. Other states should emulate this initiative. In Rivers State, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency has intensified efforts to improve waste collection and restore Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City. Reintroducing monthly sanitation would complement these efforts and deepen public involvement. At the federal level, policies such as the Digital Waste Marketplace, the Plastic Waste Policy and the National Waste Management Network are commendable. However, environmental sanitation remains one of the most direct and visible ways to mobilise citizens toward cleaner communities.

The exercise, however, must be supported by efficient waste management infrastructure. Citizens cannot be expected to maintain clean surroundings if there are inadequate waste bins, irregular refuse collection, and limited recycling facilities. Governments at all levels should invest in modern waste management systems, properly fund sanitation agencies, and promote recycling programmes. Waste sorting should become standard practice to reduce the volume of refuse ending up in landfills and drainage channels. Countries such as Singapore, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated that waste can become a valuable economic resource. Recycling industries in these countries create jobs while protecting the environment. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies and turn waste into wealth.

Environmental laws must also be enforced consistently. Regulations against illegal dumping exist in many states but are rarely implemented. Offenders should face penalties, but enforcement must be fair and free from extortion. Urban planning is another critical factor. Poor drainage systems, overcrowding and inadequate sewage infrastructure worsen sanitation problems. Governments must prioritise road construction, drainage maintenance and orderly urban development. Markets deserve particular attention. They generate enormous quantities of waste every day, yet many lack organised disposal systems. Local councils and market associations should work together to establish effective waste collection arrangements in commercial centres. Religious institutions, schools, traditional rulers and civil society groups also have important roles to play.

Environmental responsibility should be taught and reinforced as a social value. Community leaders can help change attitudes by consistently promoting cleaner habits. This issue is even more urgent in an era of climate change. Flooding, erosion and extreme weather events are already threatening many Nigerian communities. Poor waste disposal worsens these challenges by blocking waterways and reducing urban resilience. A clean environment also offers economic benefits. Well-maintained cities attract investors, tourists and businesses. Reduced disease outbreaks lower healthcare costs and improve productivity among workers and students. More importantly, cleanliness reflects national values. A nation that allows public spaces to deteriorate projects an image of disorder and neglect. Nigerians deserve cleaner streets, healthier neighbourhoods and safer communities.

Reviving environmental sanitation will not solve all environmental problems overnight, but it can serve as a powerful starting point. Combined with effective waste management, public education and stronger infrastructure, it can restore environmental consciousness across the country. Ultimately, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Government must provide leadership, infrastructure and enforcement, while citizens must demonstrate discipline and civic commitment. From disposing of household waste properly to keeping drains free of obstruction, every Nigerian has a role to play. If Nigeria is serious about protecting public health, reducing flooding and building livable cities, the return of monthly environmental sanitation is a step whose time has come.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

God’s Intentionality in Ecological System

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole”.

From the very first chapter of Scripture, the Bible presents a profound truth: creation was not accidental, random, or without meaning. The universe emerged from the deliberate counsel of an all-wise God who fashioned every aspect of life with purpose and precision. The heavens were stretched out by His command, the earth was carefully positioned, the seas were bounded, and every living creature was assigned a distinct role within a perfectly coordinated ecological system. When God surveyed His completed work, He pronounced it “very good,” affirming that creation was whole, harmonious, and exactly as He intended. The natural world remains a visible testimony to God’s intentionality. The sun provides warmth and energy at the right intensity to sustain life. The moon governs tides and seasons. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Rivers irrigate the land and quench thirst. Bees and butterflies pollinate crops. Birds disperse seeds. Animals maintain biodiversity. Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole. Nothing was made without significance, and nothing was left to chance. Among all created beings, humanity occupies a unique and privileged position. Unlike plants and animals, man was created in the image and likeness of God. This divine imprint endowed human beings with intelligence, moral consciousness, creativity, and the capacity for relationship with their maker. It also established mankind as the steward of creation. God granted humanity dominion over the earth, not as a license for reckless exploitation, but as a sacred trust to cultivate, protect, and preserve the world He had declared good.

Dominion, in God’s original intention, was to be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Human beings were meant to care for the land, use natural resources judiciously, and ensure that all forms of life flourished in accordance with divine order. The earth was to be managed as a trust from God, not plundered for selfish gain. Unfortunately, this divine mandate has been grossly misunderstood and widely abused. It is deeply regrettable that man has deviated so drastically from God’s original intention. Instead of stewardship, humanity has too often embraced greed. Instead of preservation, there has been exploitation. Instead of gratitude to the Creator, there has been reckless consumption and abuse of the environment. Across the world, forests are felled indiscriminately, rivers are contaminated, and fertile lands are stripped of their productivity.

Species disappear as habitats are destroyed. Air pollution threatens public health, and climate change disrupts weather patterns and livelihoods. What God created as a life-supporting ecosystem is increasingly treated as a disposable commodity. In Nigeria, the consequences are especially painful. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have devastated farmlands, poisoned rivers, and destroyed fishing communities. Poor waste management clogs drains and contributes to flooding. Erosion eats away homes and roads. Illegal mining and logging scar the landscape. In many cases, communities suffer while those responsible evade justice. At the root of much of this destruction is corruption. Funds earmarked for environmental protection, sanitation, and erosion control are often diverted for personal enrichment. Regulatory agencies are compromised through bribery.

Powerful individuals and corporations place profit above human welfare. Corruption thus becomes not only a moral failure but an assault on God’s creation. This environmental abuse is also a tragic expression of man’s inhumanity to man. When water is polluted, children fall sick. When farmlands are destroyed, farmers lose their means of survival. When rivers are contaminated, fishermen are plunged into poverty. When floods and erosion displace families, communities are torn apart. The burden of environmental degradation falls most heavily on the poor and vulnerable, while future generations inherit a diminished world. Yet, despite humanity’s failures, there remains hope for restoration. God’s purpose for creation has not changed. He still calls His people to responsible stewardship and righteous living. When individuals and nations return to God’s principles, they begin to view the earth not as an object to exploit, but as a sacred trust to preserve.

Responsible stewardship means protecting natural resources, planting trees, reducing pollution, disposing of waste properly, enforcing environmental laws, rejecting corruption, and treating others with justice and compassion. It requires governments to act with integrity, businesses to operate ethically, faith communities to teach creation care, and citizens to take personal responsibility for the environment. Creation care is therefore more than an environmental concern; it is a spiritual obligation. Our treatment of the earth and of one another reflects the sincerity of our reverence for God. To exploit nature, oppress the vulnerable, and enrich ourselves through corruption is to rebel against His purpose. To protect creation and uphold justice is to honor the Creator and participate in His original design. The world God made was declared “very good.” It is our solemn duty to ensure that our actions preserve rather than destroy that goodness.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Confronting National Development In Chinese Style

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “China’s rise was not a miracle. It was the result of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a national determination to make poverty reduction the foundation of national development.”

A short TikTok video by @ancientchinaforever recently offered a compelling summary of China’s remarkable transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations to a global economic powerhouse. In just a few minutes, it captured a lesson that developing countries like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore: meaningful development does not happen by chance. It is the product of vision, consistency, and a deliberate commitment to confronting poverty. In 1981, according to the World Bank, nearly 88 percent of China’s population lived in extreme poverty. The country was overwhelmingly rural, industrially weak, and lacking in modern infrastructure. Millions of people had limited access to quality healthcare, education, and basic social services. Yet China refused to accept poverty as its destiny. Its leaders made a strategic decision to treat poverty reduction as the starting point of national development.

Rather than relying on slogans or isolated welfare programmes, they created a coordinated system that mobilised government institutions at every level toward one overriding goal: improving the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

This was the turning point in China’s history. Poverty alleviation became a national mission. Clear targets were established, responsibilities were assigned to provincial and local governments, and officials were evaluated based on measurable results. Data was used to identify poor households, monitor progress, and adjust strategies where necessary.In effect, China built what may be described as a national development machine.The first major reforms focused on agriculture. Through the household responsibility system, farmers were given greater control over their land and allowed to sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.

This policy created incentives for productivity and innovation. The results were dramatic. Agricultural output rose significantly, rural incomes increased, and millions were lifted out of poverty.With food security improving, China turned to industrialisation. The government established Special Economic Zones, most notably in Shenzhen, to attract foreign investment and promote export-driven manufacturing. What was once a small fishing community quickly transformed into one of the world’s leading industrial and technology hubs. Factories created millions of jobs, drawing workers from rural areas into expanding urban centres. China soon became the manufacturing capital of the world, producing electronics, textiles, machinery, and consumer goods for global markets.The revenue generated from industrial growth was reinvested in infrastructure and human development.

China understood that development requires more than factories. It demands modern infrastructure that connects people, goods, and markets. Massive investments were made in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity, and telecommunications.

Today, China’s high-speed rail system, modern cities, and efficient logistics networks stand as visible proof of decades of purposeful investment. Equally important was China’s commitment to education and healthcare.Schools were expanded, literacy improved, and vocational training equipped workers with the skills needed in a modern economy. Healthcare reforms reduced preventable diseases and protected families from being pushed deeper into poverty by medical costs.These investments ensured that economic growth translated into tangible improvements in living standards.

Another defining feature of China’s development model was policy continuity. Through successive Five-Year Plans, national priorities were clearly outlined and pursued over decades. While leaders changed, the core development agenda remained consistent. This stability encouraged investment, strengthened institutions, and allowed long-term projects to be completed. Unlike countries where each administration abandons the policies of its predecessor, China sustained a clear sense of direction.The results have been extraordinary. According to the World Bank, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty—the largest poverty reduction effort in human history. A broad middle class has emerged, and the country has become the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group now compete at the forefront of global innovation.

China’s journey has not been without challenges. Rapid industrialisation has contributed to environmental degradation, regional disparities, and demographic pressures. However, these challenges do not diminish the scale of its achievement. They underscore the complexity of transforming a nation of over one billion people. For Nigeria, China’s experience offers valuable lessons. First, poverty reduction must be treated as a strategic national priority rather than a campaign promise. Second, development requires long-term planning and policy continuity. Third, sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare is essential. Fourth, institutions must be strengthened to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Finally, leadership must combine vision with disciplined execution. Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a youthful population.

What remains missing is a coherent and consistent development strategy that places national interest above politics. China’s transformation demonstrates that development is not a matter of luck. It is the outcome of clear priorities, effective institutions, and unwavering commitment. For countries still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, China stands as compelling proof that when a nation confronts its challenges with strategic intent and collective discipline, extraordinary progress is possible.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi