We are in the middle of a certain level of hunger that is unreal. This is classic economic non-sense, because it does not make sense for a country that is not at war and is not in drought to be without food.
But, that is where we are.
There is no scarcity, but there is no food, because people can’t afford it!
Bingo.
This is an economic anomaly and it’s only possible in Nigeria.
Is there hope?
There could be. Maybe hope’s here already. Now that the NNPC has begun to sell crude to local refineries in Naira, which began on October 1st, we should see fuel prices settle at around N600 once the IPMAN concludes their fight to break the monopoly of the NNPC which has placed itself as sole off-taker of fuel from Dangote Refinery. It is hoped that the President will see the argument that IPMAN is making, and open up the market to willing buyer, willing seller. If we are running a capitalist economy, by all means let’s run a capitalist economy. Otherwise, IPMAN should go to court to fight the NNPC monopoly.
The key to our success as a democracy is economic freedom, and market forces without which we might as well call ourselves a Communist nation. The argument is simple as can be. You cannot remove fuel subsidy, float the Naira and turn around to make NNPC sole off-taker when you have already ruled that market forces should rule. Short of speaking French, I do not know what to call that—should we try gobbledygook?
If fuel prices go down with competition as it should, life will become more manageable. I hope the President can see this. It is in his interest too! Does he need to be reminded that 2027 is here already?
(Newsflash. The NNPC monopoly may have just been removed).
Election Integrity.
In faraway Venezuela, it appears that Maduro has gotten away with a stolen election as the main opposition figure has negotiated his exit to Spain. If “Maduroism” can work in Venezuela, why not in Nigeria?
Our elections are getting worse and worse with every new election conducted. Are we headed towards a One Party State? Let’s be guided by history.
Remember Omoboriowo.
In Nigeria, it’s hard to get a “loser” to congratulate a “winner” even when it is clear that both losers and winners rigged, but just that one did it better than the other. Imagine a ‘loser’ calling a ‘winner’ in Nigeria, how do you think the conversation would go:
Hello Chief Lagbaja, this is Chief Akanigbogbo calling.
Chief Lagbaja: This election has been tough.
Chief Akanigbogbo: My brother, (SIC) e get as e be. You try well, well. Me I think say if I give every voter 4k I will win hands down.
Chief Lagbaja: We were ready for you. The instruction we had from Oga at the top was to double anything that you offered.
Chief Akanigbogbo: I was thinking of going to court with my remaining N2B.
Chief Lagbaja: No wahala. The people who turned number 4 to number One are still there. (SIC) Which road you wan pass? Have you forgotten that we have a doubling machine?
Chief Akanigbogbo: (SIC)—I was just joking o. Anyway, congratulations ooo!!! I hope you know that Akanigbogbo Construction Company is still the best in town. We will be at your service, your excellent Excellency.
Chief Lagbaja: Roger that!!!
Rivers State is on fire because of Local Government elections. Any fire anywhere in Nigeria is a threat to our democracy. The President must know this and call for cooler nerves. Our Democratic journey may not be perfect, but neither is any anywhere in the world. We must nurture what we have.
The Nigerian-Venezuela virus reared its head in the United States in 2020. Its head is still reared as was evident in the debate between Tim Waltz and J.D Vance last week. In a very telling moment, when J.D was asked if he believed that Trump lost in 2020, he gave a classic “non answer.”
Trump is already preparing grounds to dispute the next election were he to lose again. So, if the people we look up to for examples of democratic culture are like Trump and Vance, what hope can there be for Nigerian democracy? The next time they come to question our elections, we would just tell them to first go and remove the log in their own eyes before they can see a speck 23,000 miles away through the thick rain forest of the West African jungle.
Hurricane Helene.
In other news around the world, Hurricanes by any number of names have wreaked havoc of biblical proportions. Across the American South, it’s been a nightmare. Close to 270 people are dead and hundreds more are still missing. It’s heartbreaking and there’s not much that man’s infrastructure can do to withstand so many inches of rain in a short amount of time. The time may have come first, for American builders to start to build with concrete like the rest of the world does, and also for people to evacuate when the warning says to evacuate. People should stop trying to be brave. It is folly to try to exercise bravery over nature’s fury. Even while the cleanup has barely gone halfway, hurricane Milton is already on its way as a Category 5 with a speed of over 160mph. May the Lord be merciful.
Hezbollah, Iran and Israel.
Again, last week, the world saw how Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel because Israel had caused harm to their friends, Hezbollah. That was foolishness at its worst folly. Israel has promised to do something about it. The end may be here for the Ayatollahs. There will be a reckoning for this level of foolishness. Not many Arab governments will be sad to see the demise of the Ayatollahs and they have been nothing but hell for every government in the region.
Tight Elections.
Kamala and Trump are neck and neck as we are less than 30 days out to November 5. This will be an epic battle as we either welcome the first female to occupy the White House, or else, the first man to win an election, lose an election and come back to win an election again to the White House. Either way, both of them will be making history.
October 7th is here.
It was exactly one year ago that the world was awakened by not only the foolishness of Hamas in attacking Israel but the sheer barbarity of the attack and the destruction and suffering they have brought upon their people by the foolishness of that aggression. They should know by now that Israel under Netanyahu is as near to normal as a goat entering a Lion’s den.
Just look at Gaza.
The psychology of how the original victim, (Israel), turned villain is one of those strange behaviors about humans. Many young people across America, and even to a larger extent across the world see only Gaza.
October 7th is hazy.
And for a place like Michigan with over 90 universities, and a significant Arab population of close to 300,000, the way they vote in November will matter.
Could Harris lose Michigan because of Gaza?
Michael O. Ovienmhada.
