Be A Champion!

By Olowogboyega Oyebade

Do you know you should aspire to be a champion where you are? Do you know humanity transcends race, sex, colour, creed and religion? Do you know an institution recently demonstrated it in Germany? Do you know a Yemeni student came to Germany to study Medicine and he scored distinctions in all his examinations? Do you know his lecturers and students were remotely observing that he had not gone home for more than six years? Can you believe he was spending his holidays working there and they noticed no one ever came to visit from his home? Do you know they gathered his parents were humble but poor  and this student could not save enough to buy a ticket to visit them once in six year? Guess what they did? Can you believe that the lecturers and students quietly contributed and decided to bring his parents to Germany without informing him? When the parents arrived, do you know as this Yemeni student sighted his parents in his classroom, he bursted into tears? Do you know as he was sobbing with tears, holding his parents in warm embrace, all the other students and lecturers bursted into tears too? Can you see humanity triumphing over colour, race, religion, sex and politics? What are you representing to the world?  Be  champions, friends!

    Are you aware that a new champion has been born quite in a manger in the north-eastern Nimba region of Liberia in this continent of Africa? Coincidentally, do you know his name is equally Emmanuel? Do you know that on Monday 18th October, 2021, Liberian President George Weah  honoured an 18-year-old motorcycle rider, Emmanuel Tolue, who found and returned $50,000 to a businesswoman who lost the cash in the north-eastern Nimba region, thus became a national hero and a champion of rectitude in a crisis-ridden world? The boy said: “I was afraid because it was plenty; and so I brought it home and gave it to my aunty to keep until the owner could ask for it”? Do you know that day, Musu Yancy, the businesswoman who had lost the money, went on the radio “crying for her money and appealing to anyone finding it,” he took it to her? And what were the reactions? Do you know while the owner of the money was happy, all the friends of this young teenager were seriously aggrieved? His voice cuts in: “Since my decision, when I have a breakdown on the highway and some of my rider friends see me, they don’t help; they say I acted stupid to find and return money. I should let the money help me. My parents thought me not to steal and return what does not belong to me. What if I had not returned that money, who knows what would have happened to me.”

Are you a parent out there? What lessons are teaching your children in your home? Do you know Ms Yancy appreciated him with cash and goods valued at about $1,500? Do you know President Weah hailed Mr Tuloe’s “exceptional sense of morality and good citizenship” as an inspiration for the youth and the Liberian leader promised to recognise and award the young man with one of Liberia’s highest honours – The Order of Distinction – for his honesty? The voice of President Weah cuts in:  “This is a young man who could not afford to go to school but he found US$50,000; US$50,000 could take him to school but he decided to give it back. It doesn’t matter his condition he decided to be honest so we, too, have to be honest with him. I am made to understand that you are in the 7th grade with no money to continue your education; that you have no means of income except to occasionally borrow a motorbike from one of your friends when he is off-duty in order to earn a few dollars to sustain yourself. You are a Champion, Emmanuel, and we are all very proud of you. Although it is often said that virtue is its own reward, I believe that you should be additionally rewarded for this virtuous act, which brought miraculous rescue and relief to a hardworking businesswoman.”

    Do you know that virtue of honesty is in short supply in the world? Do you read Human Angle stories? Can you recall Gao’s journey from the forecourt to fugitive which played out in April 2009 when Australian bank Westpac credited his account by error that gave him access to $7 million (NZ$10 million)? Do you know this guy did not act Tuloe? Do you know he acted Gao? Who was Gao and what did he do? Do you know Gao was a New Zealand gas station owner who had applied for overdraft financing for the gas station he co-owned with his mother in Rotorua, New Zealand? Do you know the bank approved his application with a $100,000 limit? Do you know while inputting the figure a bank employee made a clerical error and gave him access to 100 times the intended amount? Do you know Gao discovered the error the next day and told his girlfriend, Kara Hurring that he was “fucking rich” and had millions of dollars? Do you know in less than one month, the couple withdrew $6.8M from Gao’s bank account and transferred it to accounts in Hong Kong and China? Can you believe that in late April 2009, Gao fled to Hong Kong where he was joined a few days later by Hurring?  Alas! Do you know in early May, the bank became aware of the error and alerted authorities who issued an Interpol alert for the missing couple? Do you know Hurring, the wife, spent almost two years on the run before returning to New Zealand in February 2011 to renew her daughter’s passport, an occasion that led to her arrest and prosecution? In May, 2011, do you know she was found guilty of 28 counts of theft and two counts of money laundering? Can you believe Gao was arrested in Hong Kong in September 2011, extradited to New Zealand in Nov., 2011? Do you know in June, 2012, he pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft? As a worker, which virtue do you cherish in your service, marriage and life…Tuloe or Gao?  Do you know in June, 2012  at his sentencing, his lawyer, Ron Mansfield, told the court his client could not resist the temptation placed in front of him by human error as he was  sentenced to 5 years in prison? .

As we are having many Gao and Hushpuppi in Nigeria, do you know there are some people in Tuloe’s camp? Do you recall the virtue of Muibi Sonubi, a taxi driver in Ibadan, who discovered huge amount of money forgotten in his taxi cab and returned the whole money? Can you recall Durojaiye Adeyemi Job, a student of Oyo State Polytechnic, Ibadan, who checked his account balance in October, 2010, and found that it had been mistakenly credited with N9.3 billion? Do you know he did not withdraw a dime from it? Do you know he acted Tuloe? Can you recall Umeh Usuah, an Abuja taxi cab driver who found about N18 million misplaced in his car and surrendedred it, intact?  Can we forget in a hurry the cleaner Ugwu, a cleaner with a concessionaire of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Patovilki Industrial Cleaning at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport who found and returned about  N12m Naira on 16th February, 2015? Do you know this woman was on a salary of N7, 000 per month? Comrades! How far can you travel on Tuloe’s road and Ugwu’s street? Do you know Gao’s boulevard leads to shame and dishonour? Can you be a champion?

Are you aware that honest Nigerians are getting right placement in various jurisdictions in the world? Have you heard the news? Do you know that on Friday 22nd October, 2021, President Joe Biden of the United States of America has appointed  Nigerian-born Ms Enoh Titilayo Ebong as Director of United States Trade and Development Agency? Do you know Ebong had served as the Acting Director of the agency since her appointment by United States President in February 2021? Prior to the appointment, do you know she had served in a variety of roles in the agency between 2004 and 2019, including as the Agency’s General Counsel, and Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer?   Do you know Ebong’s appointment is the latest Nigerian appointment by President Biden who appointed Nigerian-born Adewale Adeyemo as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Department? Can you see Nigeria still has hope? 

Are you a man or woman of great tolerance? How do you feel about people of other ethnic or religious extraction? Can you buy air ticket for a stranded foreigner? Can you organise parents to see their children leaving in distant climes? Do you know the bias in our minds are locking development against us? Do you know religious sentiment had been with us for a long time? Have you read about the October tragedy of 1761, the family heist of religious tolerance? What happened? Do you know the clamour for religious freedom came with heavy prizes? Do you know in October 1761, Marc-Antoine Calas, a young man from a protestant family living in Catholic France, was found dead in his father’s shop in Toulouse, popularly thought to likely be  by suicide? As events unfolded, do you know public opinion fingered his father, Jean, as the prime suspect?  Do you know it was alleged that he had killed Marc-Antoine, his son, to prevent him from converting to Catholicism? Do you know Jean was harassed, tortured and eventually executed? Do you know the injustice created by the trial conducted in this case outraged some public opinion molders including Voltaire of France? Do you know Voltaire pursued the case until he  succeeded in securing Jean a posthumous pardon, and went on to write his famous treatise on religious tolerance? How well do you tolerate your bosses? How well do you tolerate those serving under you? How well do you tolerate your partners in marriage and your God-given children and friends? Are you Mr ‘Know-all’? The voice of Voltaire cuts in: “What is tolerance? It is the prerogative of humanity. We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies – it is the first law of nature.” 

Are you aware the United Nations is to strengthen tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples through the UN Charter, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Can you see where rising and violent extremism are leading us to conflicts and brazen wars? Can you recall that 1995 was the United Nations Year for Tolerance as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO? In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, do you know UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence? Do you know the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence? Do you know the prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November?  Do you know each State in Nigeria is to compete for this prize to see how compliant they are in the calculus of tolerance?  How?  Come along! 

Do you know that the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance adopted on 16th  November 1995 by  UNESCO’s Member States should be part of our school curriculum?   Do you know intolerance is sailing us to the abyss of perdition? Have you read the current security report of once glorious Kaduna State which is the melting-pot of Nigeria? Are you aware that on Wednesday 20th October, 2021, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, while presenting the third quarter of 2021 Security report to Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, hinted that 830 people were kidnapped in the State, 343 killed and 210 were injured in 3 months from July to September, 2021, in Kaduna State due to banditry and other violent attacks? Do you know he reported that 69 bandits were killed by security agencies, 210 citizens were injured across the State, while 10 victims were raped, while 101 persons were rescued  by troops during patrols and operations? According to him, do you know 1018 animals were rustled ,while there were 77 reports received, relating to destruction of farms across the State within the period and that the actual figure could be higher taking unreported cases into account, adding that such destruction of crops had exacerbated tensions in frontline LGAs,many times leading to violence? 

Have you heard the news? Do you know the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended train services on the Kaduna-Abuja route following the bombing of the rail tracks on Wednesday 20th October, 2021 by yet-to-be-identified persons who bombed a portion of the rail track on the Kaduna end during an attack on Wednesday night? Do you the attack was carried out by armed bandits who opened fire on the train, targeting its driver? Senator Shehu Sani in a Facebook post on Thursday 21st October, 2021, cuts in: “Yesternight, bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train. They planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train engine. They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank. It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station. This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railing. The train nearly skidded off its track, then we miraculously escaped.”

    And now the major news! Do you know he disclosed that the main sources of revenue for bandits, include among others ransoms for kidnapped hostages, profit from gun running arms trade,leasing of weapons to other criminal groups, proceeds from joint operations with other criminal groups, protection levies imposed on farming communities and individuals? Do you know he hinted that the bandits purchase commercial motorcycles and vehicles for informants who remit proceeds to the bandits, even as they recruit informants who manage businesses on their behalf and remit profits to them? His voice cuts in: “The money made by bandits is expended mainly on purchase of more arms and ammunition, food, logistic and medical aid, psychotropic substances(drugs), payment of informants and accomplices , establishment of apparently legitimate businesses managed by informants and associates within communities and maintenance of marabouts who provide supposed spiritual support for successes in operations.” 

Can you imagine where deficit in tolerance is leading us in Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno and other frontline States in terrorism in Nigeria? Are you aware that on Wednesday 20th October, 2021, following the latest killing of over 40 innocent persons at Goronyo Market in Sokoto by bandits on Sunday 17th October, 2021, appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more troops to the State to stop banditry? Can you recall that before Sunday’s attack, bandits had subjected markets in Sokoto State to frequent attacks, killing scores of people? The voice of the Governor cuts in: ”I wish to call on the federal government to inject more personnel and resources to make operations much easier for the security agencies.  The frequency of attacks of the state by the bandits requires that more troops are deployed to flush out the bandits in record time.’’

Have you quipped to ask: How can intolerance be countered? Do you know this can be done if we insert the UN Principles of Tolerance in what we teach in schools?  Do you know this is in short supply in Nigeria as politics, ethnicity and religion colour everything, including the water we drink? Do you know the rule of law is suspect on the altar of discrimination? Do you know Nigerians need sufficient education to stave off the abyss of intolerance? Do you know  greater emphasis needs to be placed on educating more and better, even the gamut of the elite? Are we fair to publish the financiers of Igboho when the list of the financiers of Boko Haram remains in mute mode by our elite?  As 2023 elections are drawing nearer, as more weapons find their ways in, to ensure that elections are held, and as more clauses are amended in the Electoral Act, do you know it will not be a bad idea if the causes of the spate of intolerance are discussed before 2023 elections?  Do you know  weapons never deterred men of war? Do you know those who encourage full scale war are simply ‘Dogs of War’ well documented by Fredrick Forsythe in his book? Do you know the time to discuss our differences is now?  The Declaration of Principles on Tolerance Proclaimed by  UNESCO on 16 November 1995, cuts in:

Preamble

Bearing in mind that the United Nations Charter states: ‘We, the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, … to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, … and for these ends to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours’,

Recalling that the Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, adopted on 16 November 1945, states that ‘peace, if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind’,

Recalling also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’ (Article 18), ‘of opinion and expression’ (Article 19), and that education ‘should promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups’ (Article 26),

Noting relevant international instruments including: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and regional instruments, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief, the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights, the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Summit for Social Development, the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, the UNESCO Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education,

Bearing in mind the objectives of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the World Decade for Human Rights Education, and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People,

Taking into consideration the recommendations of regional conferences organized in the framework of the United Nations Year for Tolerance in accordance with UNESCO General Conference 27 C/Resolution 5.14, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of other conferences and meetings organized by Member States within the programme of the United Nations Year for Tolerance,

Alarmed by the current rise in acts of intolerance, violence, terrorism, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, exclusion, marginalization and discrimination directed against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, refugees, migrant workers, immigrants and vulnerable groups within societies, as well as acts of violence and intimidation committed against individuals exercising their freedom of opinion and expression – all of which threaten the consolidation of peace and democracy, both nationally and internationally, and are obstacles to development,

Emphasizing the responsibilities of Member States to develop and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, gender, language, national origin, religion or disability, and to combat intolerance,

Adopt and solemnly proclaim this Declaration of Principles on Tolerance

Resolving to take all positive measures necessary to promote tolerance in our societies, because tolerance is not only a cherished principle, but also a necessity for peace and for the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

We declare the following:

Article 1 – Meaning of tolerance

1.1     Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.

1.2     Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.

1.3     Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments. 

1.4     Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.

Article 2 – State level

2.1     Tolerance at the State level requires just and impartial legislation, law enforcement and judicial and administrative process. It also requires that economic and social opportunities be made available to each person without any discrimination. Exclusion and marginalization can lead to frustration, hostility and fanaticism.

2.2     In order to achieve a more tolerant society, States should ratify existing international human rights conventions, and draft new legislation where necessary to ensure equality of treatment and of opportunity for all groups and individuals in society.

2.3     It is essential for international harmony that individuals, communities and nations accept and respect the multicultural character of the human family. Without tolerance there can be no peace, and without peace there can be no development or democracy.

2.4 Intolerance may take the form of marginalization of vulnerable groups and their exclusion from social and political participation, as well as violence and discrimination against them. As confirmed in the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, ‘All individuals and groups have the right to be different’ (Article 1.2).

Article 3 – Social dimensions

3.1     In the modern world, tolerance is more essential than ever before. It is an age marked by the globalization of the economy and by rapidly increasing mobility, communication, integration and interdependence, large-scale migrations and displacement of populations, urbanization and changing social patterns. Since every part of the world is characterized by diversity, escalating intolerance and strife potentially menaces every region. It is not confined to any country, but is a global threat.

3.2     Tolerance is necessary between individuals and at the family and community levels. Tolerance promotion and the shaping of attitudes of openness, mutual listening and solidarity should take place in schools and universities and through non-formal education, at home and in the workplace. The communication media are in a position to play a constructive role in facilitating free and open dialogue and discussion, disseminating the values of tolerance, and highlighting the dangers of indifference towards the rise in intolerant groups and ideologies.

3.3     As affirmed by the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, measures must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and rights for individuals and groups wherever necessary. In this respect, particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups which are socially or economically disadvantaged so as to afford them the protection of the laws and social measures in force, in particular with regard to housing, employment and health, to respect the authenticity of their culture and values, and to facilitate their social and occupational advancement and integration, especially through education. 

3.4     Appropriate scientific studies and networking should be undertaken to co-ordinate the international community’s response to this global challenge, including analysis by the social sciences of root causes and effective countermeasures, as well as research and monitoring in support of policy-making and standard-setting action by Member States.

Article 4 – Education

4.1     Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. The first step in tolerance education is to teach people what their shared rights and freedoms are, so that they may be respected, and to promote the will to protect those of others.

4.2     Education for tolerance should be considered an urgent imperative; that is why it is necessary to promote systematic and rational tolerance teaching methods that will address the cultural, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance – major roots of violence and exclusion. Education policies and programmes should contribute to development of understanding, solidarity and tolerance among individuals as well as among ethnic, social, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and nations.

4.3  Education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.

4.4  We pledge to support and implement programmes of social science research and education for tolerance, human rights and non-violence. This means devoting special attention to improving teacher training, curricula, the content of textbooks and lessons, and other educational materials including new educational technologies, with a view to educating caring and responsible citizens open to other cultures, able to appreciate the value of freedom, respectful of human dignity and differences, and able to prevent conflicts or resolve them by non-violent means.

Article 5 – Commitment to action

We commit ourselves to promoting tolerance and non-violence through programmes and institutions in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

Article 6 – International Day for Tolerance

In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, we solemnly proclaim 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance

Are you aware of the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign), managed by UN Women? Do you know the body calls on the entire UN system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, particularly? Do you know prevalence figures released by the World Health Organization based on 2018 data confirmed that 1 in 3 women around the world have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner, indicating that levels of violence against women and girls (VAW/G) remained disturbingly high, and gains in women’s rights fragile? Do you know in most cases, violence against women is lethal? Globally, do you know an estimated 137 women are killed by their intimate partner or a family member every day? Do you know that an estimated 1 in 7 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or husband in the past 12 months (13 per cent of women aged 15–49)? Do you know millions of women are raped annually and at times infected with AIDS? Do you know many ladies are killed by organ-harvesters and thousands of girls are sacrificed by ritualists? Can we continue with this orgy of intolerance of the womenfolk? Do you know our world is like a bird that cannot fly with one feather, one wing? 

Do you know the world is moving towards Big Data? As our country migrates to it, do you know it is important to carry people along lest we are slid down on the sofa of intolerance? Are you aware of Big data? Do you know it is a field that treats ways to analyze, systematically extract information from, or otherwise deal with data sets that are too large or complex to be dealt with by traditional data-processing application software? Do you know big data often includes data with sizes that exceed the capacity of traditional software to process within an acceptable time and value? Do you know it tends to refer to the use of predictive analytics, user behavior analytics, or certain other advanced data analytics methods that extract value from big data, and seldom to a particular size of data set? Do you know analysis of data sets can find new correlations to “spot business trends, prevent diseases, combat crime and so on? Do you know scientists, business executives, medical practitioners, advertising and governments alike regularly meet difficulties with large data-sets in areas including Internet searches, fintech, healthcare analytics, geographic information systems, urban informatics, and business informatics? Do you know scientists encounter limitations in e-Science work, including meteorology, genomics, connectomics, complex physics simulations, biology, and environmental research? Do you know the size and number of available data sets have grown rapidly as data is collected by devices such as mobile devices, cheap and numerous information-sensing Internet of things devices, aerial (remote sensing), software logs, cameras, microphones, radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers and wireless sensor networks? Do you know a major practical application of big data for development has been “fighting poverty with data”? Do you know DNA database contains the genetic information? Do you know privacy advocates are concerned about the threat to privacy represented by increasing storage and integration of personally identifiable information? As we migrate to Big Data, do you know that Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued President Buhari, asking the court to declare illegal and unconstitutional the plan by the administration to track, intercept and monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and text messages of Nigerians and other people? Do you know SERAP stressed that any form of monitoring calls, messages severely threatens and violates the right to the preservation of privacy? Do you know the suit followed the proposal in the Supplementary Appropriation Act signed in July 2021 to spend N4.87 billion to monitor private calls and messages, an amount which is part of the N895.8 billion supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly? Do you know SERAP is seeking: “an order of perpetual injunction restraining President Buhari and any other authority, persons or group of persons from unlawfully monitoring the WhatsApp messages, phone calls and text messages of Nigerians and other people.. A declaration that any monitoring of WhatsApp messages, phone calls and text messages is oppressive and draconian, as it threatens and violates sections 37 and 39 of Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; and Articles 17 and 19 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.”

Do you know SERAP maintained: “The plan to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls and text messages is an arbitrary interference by the administration into respect for family and private life, the home, and correspondence. It also fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality..The Buhari administration has legal obligations to protect Nigerians and other people against arbitrary interference and violations of their human rights. Monitoring of WhatsApp messages, phone calls and text messages would grant free rein to government agencies to conduct mass surveillance of communications of people…Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provide for the right to freedom from arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy and correspondence, communications and private data. Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 19 of the Covenant also guarantee the right of everyone to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any media. and The UN General Assembly has condemned unlawful or arbitrary surveillance and interception of communications as ‘highly intrusive acts’ that interfere with fundamental human rights (see General Assembly resolutions 68/167 and 71/199).”

Are you aware of the developments in climate change and the oil industry? Do you know OPEC which Nigeria is a member, has indicated its willingness to cooperate with all initiatives put in place to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while ensuring a secure supply of energy for the world and addressing the scourge of energy poverty? Do you know fossil fuels are coming under pressure, including the oil industry as evident from regular protests, to investment banks backing away from spending and investing in fossil fuels? Do you know many OPEC member countries are leaders in combatting climate change through policies such as zero flaring and investing in solutions such as carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) and energy efficiency improvements? Can you believe there is a mistaken public perception that renewables are the only solution to the climate challenge, and that the oil and gas industry is the only or main source of pollution? Do you know this is not the case and does not match the views of either scientists or experts contained in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since its inception? Do you know many leaders have spoken out, from Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, who said climate proponents would be better off abandoning their divestment crusades and instead encouraging investments in alternatives such as disruptive technologies that will slow emissions? Do you know CEO of BP, Bob Dudley at the Oil and Money Conference in London sometime held that when tackling emissions there needs “to be recognition that … there are many paths and we need to pursue them all”? Do you know in the context of sustainable development, it is imperative to promote social justice within climate justice, including eradicating the scourge of energy poverty? While supporting the UNFCCC and energy efficiency improvements, do you know OPEC needs to canvass that all forms of energy must be embraced to meet growing energy needs and eradicate energy poverty? Do you know many OPEC member countries are investing strongly into technology to mitigate Green House Gases? Do you know developing energy-producing countries stand to be hit hardest by discriminatory climate response measures, along with the actual manifestations of climate change itself? Do you know there is crisis of perception among countries now on the matter as little or no thought is spared for energy transition? Do you know some pundits are of the view that the energy transition will take place and will be challenging as Saudi Arabia declared that the world needs to be aware that oil and gas are still essential and will be at the heart of the global energy mix for years to come? Do you the impact of a ‘crisis of perception’ on long-term investments in the oil and gas industry, if it continues, could leave to supply shortfalls which may  hurt national economies, threaten energy security and potentially create social disruption by making energy less affordable? Do you know that United Arab Emirates aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 70 per cent by 2050, and has delivered a long-term strategy in the region promoting low-emissions energy and it has laid down plans to spend $1.8 billion by 2023 in projects involving CCUS; abatement of flaring; and reduction of unintended emissions? Do you know other OPEC member countries are similarly addressing this issue in relation to sustainable development, energy poverty and the environment? A statement of caution from  Total chief executive, Patrick Pouyanne, on the need for oil and gas industry to act now to maintain a license to operate amid growing public concern about climate change, cuts in: “We have a lot of stakeholders today who look at us as dinosaurs. Dinosaurs have disappeared. I don’t want Total to disappear. But the only way not to become a dinosaur is to act, to invest and progress together. We have the technologies, people and financing.”

In another development, are you aware that on Tuesday 17th October, 2021, the Deputy Managing Director, IMF, Antoinette Sayeh, during a conversation on ‘Supporting Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and Climate Change, said the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a 20 per cent increase in the number of undernourished persons in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to 264 million in 2020? Her voice cuts in: “The Sub-Saharan Africa has made substantial economic and social progress over the past two decades. Yet, the region is facing difficult challenges, including vulnerability to climate change. Indeed, we have seen a marked increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, which are driving the desertification of the Sahel, for example, and threatening growth, employment opportunities and food security. Climate change  can also act as a multiplier for conflict and fragility in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic has also disrupted production, imports and supply chains of food, resulting in volatile and rising food prices. And that, along with falling incomes from the pandemic, has led to an increase in the number of undernourished in the region by 20 per cent in one year to reach 264 million in 2020. It is also deeply worrisome that the global recovery that is now taking hold is driven by only a few countries that have had greater access to vaccines and resources, leaving others, especially low-income countries, at greater risk of falling behind. In this context, safeguarding food security is clearly a daunting challenge for sub-Saharan Africa.”

Do you know we owe this nation a duty to shun any coach teaching us intolerance in religions and politics like Anthony Joshua just did? Are you aware Anthony Joshua has met with several American-based trainers as he considers a shake-up to his coaching set-up following his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk? Do you know that the British heavyweight has faced calls to part ways with long-time coach Rob McCracken since losing his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles to Usyk last month, thus met Virgil Hunter, Eddy Reynoso and Ronnie Shields in the US? Do you know McCracken has trained Joshua since his amateur days, but was heavily criticised for the gameplan against Usyk? Can you recall Joshua was completely outclassed by Usyk and convincingly beaten after deciding to try and outbox the former undisputed cruiserweight champion? Do you know we must change the game of intolerance in politics, religion and sex? Do you know we need to act like dog in this next fight to end insecurity, poverty, unemployment and ethnic bias in the coming game? The voice of Shield cuts in: “I guess he didn’t feel it was the right [gameplan against Usyk] so he wanted to make a change.  They reached out to me and they asked if I would be interested in taking a look at AJ and that he wanted to come down to Texas and see if things would work out between him and I. I said, ‘No problem, I would love to see if we had a connection together. European boxing is different from boxing in the US’. He realised he had to come to the US to get something different. He told me, ‘Listen, I know people don’t think I’m a dog. I’ve got to be a dog in this next fight’. And that’s his words. He told me, ‘I just need you to show me how to be the best dog you can teach me to be’.” 

 Do you know the spate of insecurity is affecting our performance in every field? Do you know that for the month of October, the Super Eagles dropped in ranking by two steps despite the fact that football is equal to but not less than a religion in Nigeria? Do you out of 264 million people seriously malnourished in Africa, Nigeria’s share is in the majority? Do you see how road accidents kill us in thousands every day despite the fact we spend billions of Naira on Road Safety?  Do you know we are enough bad news to the world as a nation with opportunities but chooses to fritter away the opportunities? Do you know the outgoing German Chancellor was honoured by all the leaders of the European Union for teaching the world a new lesson in leadership? What is this lesson? You care? Come along!

 Are you aware Angela Merkel spent 16 years in power? Do you know she is an outstanding Physicist  and Quantum Chemist who did not yield to the conspicuous consumption and opulence in office? Do you know for 16 years, she did not change her wardrobe? Can you believe that in a press conference, a journalist put this poser to her: “”We realised that you are wearing the same suit, don’t you have another?” She replied: “I am a civil servant, not a model.” Do you know in another press conference, journalists queried her:  “Do you have a housemaid cleaning your house, preparing food, etc”? She replied: “No, I have no servants or need them. My husband and I do this work every day at home.” Do you know another journalist fired another question: “Who is doing the laundry, you or your husband?” She politely replied:”I’m fixing the clothes and my husband is the one who runs the washing machine”,

 Do you know Angela Merkel as the Chancellor of Germany still lives in a normal apartment like any other German and lives in the same apartment where she was before she was elected despite the fact that she served as the Chancellor of the largest economy in Europe? Can you see the champion that she is to the world and to womanhood? With her integrity in power, can you now see that we need more women in positions of leadership? Can you see we must extend tolerance to children, youth and women to make them champions of our world? The voice of President Weah cuts in again:  “This is a young man who could not afford to go to school but he found US$50,000; US$50,000 could take him to school but he decided to give it back. It doesn’t matter his condition. He decided to be honest so we, too, have to be honest with him. I am made to understand that you are in the 7th grade with no money to continue your education; that you have no means of income except to occasionally borrow a motorbike from one of your friends when he is off-duty in order to earn a few dollars to sustain yourself. You are a Champion, Emmanuel, and we are all very proud of you.”

Long live, Osun! Long live, Nigeria!