By Thompson Eferakeya

The late British fiction writer, Edward Morgan Forster, once stated that “spoon-feeding in the long-run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” In other words, a person who is being constantly spoon-fed, in the long run, will never be capable of doing anything on his own.

Indeed, in a seminal article titled “Spoon-feeding is bad for students – and their countries” in 2022, jointly authored by Michael Antwi and Eric Fredua-Kwarteng, they argued that spoon-feeding has many negative consequences for students’ present and future learning and job performance. Hear them:

“Since the lecturer does everything, a sense of intellectual dependency is perpetuated among students. Eventually, such students develop a culture of intellectual laziness, making them vulnerable to manipulation, deception and media propaganda. This situation is very serious in this era of digital technology, with the multiplicity of information sources and information overload.

“Students who grow up in a spoon-feeding environment lack problem-solving, problem-identifying and problem-posing skills. This is in sharp contrast to students who are allowed to learn how to solve different problems, real or imagined, and to experience the intricacies of decision-making, analysis and synthesis of information and to engage in critical reflection.”

The above brings us to what happened few days ago when Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, in a bid to portray his party as having an edge in the run up to the September 21 governorship election in the state, argued on a television programme that while leaders and elders of his party are always with their candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the case is different for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo, because the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has not been seen campaigning with him.

Unfortunately, it was an own goal for Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu, popularly called POI, because he only succeeded in exposing the soft underbelly of his candidate, Okpebholo.

The truth of the matter is that Governor Obaseki has performed well and everybody knows this. The problem is with POI’s candidate, who is not equipped with the requisite capacity or competence or the ordinary general knowledge needed to be able to stand alone. And the good people of Edo State know this for a fact that Okpebholo is not a governorship material.

What are we talking about? Call Okpebholo to address a gathering or a Town Hall meeting? Honour an invitation for interactive sessions physically or virtually? C’mmon, are you kidding me?

How many of such public addresses has he engaged in as a sitting senator in the last 12 months representing Edo Central Senatorial District? Nil. Nobody gives what he doesn’t have. So, it’s no wonder leaders and elders of APC in Edo are strapping him to their back everywhere like a mother would do a toddler so that he wouldn’t fall and be fatally injured.

It’s no wonder his contact with the microphone in any public engagement is jealously guided and regulated to avoid those involuntary gaffes and regrettable performances. But be that as it may, he still manages to disgrace himself and the party elders nearly always.

His recent USA Diaspora engagement which ended in a spectacular fiasco is a case in point. He was tightly policed that day. But the only few minutes the microphone was in his hand, he did what he knows how to do best – displaying so much ignorance in everything. In this instance, he failed to differentiate between a Museum and a Zoo. It was such a disaster!

Let it be said, and in very clear and unambiguous terms that it is not for lack of popularity or due to poor performance that Governor Obaseki hasn’t been seen campaigning with Ighodalo as claimed by POI. No. The demand of state duties may not have allowed the governor the luxury of time to feature in the kind of hectic and extensive engagements Ighodalo has been involved in recently.

In anyway, if Governor Obaseki has been everywhere with Ighodalo, POI would be the first to shout on mountain tops that Obaseki has abandoned governance for campaigns.

The truth is that Ighodalo’s competence and capacity for this office is beyond doubt. He doesn’t need to be constantly spoon-fed. He doesn’t need to be guided or tutored at critical moments on what to say and what not to say.

His ability to articulate, process and clearly communicate his thoughts and ideas is top notch and guaranteed. This has tremendously endeared him to Edo people across party lines. He doesn’t need to be policed to avoid committing blunders, no. That’s the difference between Ighodalo and Okpebholo. Whereas Ighodalo is unquestionably a gubernatorial material fit for purpose; Okpebholo is simply not ready and doesn’t have what it takes to aspire for this position.

That Obaseki hasn’t been seen publicly campaigning for Ighodalo also establishes the fact that Ighodalo is his own man. It is instructive to note that APC keeps crying that Governor Obaseki is Ighodalo’s godfather, a claim that Ighodalo has debunked times without number. They keep shouting Governor Obaseki is working towards a Third Term, how can that be? Is he on the ballot. Must everything be the subject of lies, manipulation and propaganda?

The happy thing is that there’s nothing that is hidden to the good people of Edo State. They know that all these frenzied engagements by APC leaders and chieftains are designed to cover Okpebholo’s massive inadequacies and shortcomings.

The aim is to impose a puppet on the people while they go back and play the puppeteer. If they succeed, which Edo people will never allow, they would certainly become the de facto governor.

And in a situation where you have several people calling the shots, the ship of state will probably forever remain in the doldrums because of the pursuit of individual interests, personal agendas and different tendencies.

Edo state, however, cannot afford that situation because it would mean an unmitigated disaster and retrogression. Edo people are rather poised and determined to move forward and progress with Ighodalo from November 12, God willing.

Eferakeya writes from Benin City, Edo State

By Michael Ovienmhada

Once every 70-80 years approximately, the periodic Halley’s Comet blazes a truly spectacular trail across the heavens in a majestic confluence of power and glory that portends uncommon brilliance.

Just such a confluence can be personified in one person, with duty, on a mission to shape and change things beyond seasons in timeless, fundamental ways.

Over 70 years ago, we had all these qualities come together in one man, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.

He was a man on a mission to tell and to show us that possibilities existed which most others could not wrap their heads around. He looked at the Western Region, and he saw the wealth of extensive arable land and flowing waters where others simply saw bush.

He looked at the teeming population as far as his eyes could see. In his boundless imagination, he thought to himself—-“if only I could put these men and women to work, nothing would be beyond our reach as a people.” He did. Western Region was first in everything. As the world went at the time, if the Western Region were a country, it would have been rated a First World nation. Awo’s work was a gift—one that keeps on giving.

In Edo State today as things stand, a candidate in the image of Awo may be here with us. I had a one-hour meeting with him in December 2023, as a friend of mine for 30 years introduced me to Asue Ighodalo, his friend of 50 years. Our paths had never crossed even though his younger brother, Ituah, had also been my friend for 38 years.

It was quite easy to immediately recognize that we would be fortunate as a State to have Asue Ighodalo as our horse in the race for Governor. Beyond great upbringing, great education, and great leadership skills, this man brings a certain level of camaraderie to the room, an attribute which is rarely found in people like him whose work has been crowned with outstanding achievements.

I found myself sitting in a meeting with the Comet Haley of our time as we finished each other’s sentences. There was hardly any daylight in our ideas and concepts and possibilities of what could be done with the vast arable land in Edo State that stands at 19,000 sq km, an expectant population of 5.2 million people, and 3 million thick vibrant youth population who yearn for jobs, and a safe and secure State where they can express themselves and reach for the moon.

Asue Ighodalo had no doubt in his mind that the best way to grow our IGR from a paltry N48 Billion a year to N1Trillion a year would be in the ability of the State to establish a connection between man, machinery and land.

When I heard him speak, at one point, I stopped him and I said—“Man, you are almost as smart as I am!” He replied, “That’s arrogant.”

We had a good laugh as our mutual friend interjected—- “I told you, you would love his brilliance. You both think alike.”

I left the meeting saying to myself, “Hey Meekey, you made a promise to ‘Esan Okpa,’ an Esan Cultural Group. You told them that if you found a candidate of superior quality, intelligence and firepower, you would gracefully bow out of the race and work to ensure that the candidate makes it to the finish line.”

In fulfillment of that promise, I am today making a happy decision to shine a spotlight on a candidate of very high quality, great pedigree, and first class education, in the Edo Gubernatorial race for 2024.

In assessing the three major candidates in the Edo Governorship race, it is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that—Heads and Shoulders, he is without peer.

At a time like this, when we are fortunate to be presented with a candidate of transcendental credentials, what would be ground-breaking is—-great minds coming together to create a grand coalition across parties. It is my proposition that 2024 should be a negotiated compromise. Let all the major parties come together. Let them bring their best men and women for consideration into the different commissionerships and parastatals and let us speak with one voice and shoo in this uncommon aspirant at the top of the ticket.

Add to that the selection of a gentleman, loyal Party man, a man focused and knowledgeable in administration with an unbroken stint in government since the beginning of the current political dispensation in Osarodion Ogie, and Edo State will undoubtedly emerge as the State with the greatest potential to be an insurmountable number one as history has ever assembled.

Oshiomhole needs to huddle with Igbinedion, Dan Orbih and Obaseki in a mini conference of Edo elders for the sake of the future of Edo peoples.

It’s time to make a deal.

Let’s put our best foot forward. Our State is bigger than any combination of parties, personal grudges or interests.

Politics aside, grudges aside, Obaseki nailed this.

Without equivocation therefore, I am today endorsing the candidacy of Asue Ighodalo, (Batman) and Osarodion Ogie, (Robin) to be our Pilots for the next four years.

From one Edo man to another, my friends, I wish you both God speed. God bless Edo State, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Michael Ovienmhada
Author, Poet, Playwright,
and Public Affairs Commentator.
[email protected]. Former aspirant for Governor.

Culled from theconclaveng, June 6, 2024.

In a landmark move that has captured the hearts of many, His Excellency, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has reinstated His Royal Majesty, Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after his controversial dethronement. This decision, coupled with the dissolution of the additional emirates created under the previous administration, signifies a significant step towards restoring the historical and cultural integrity of the Kano Emirate.

His Excellency, Governor Yusuf’s bold action not only honors the rich heritage of Kano but also reaffirms the traditional values and unity that the emirate has long represented. By reinstating His Royal Majesty, Lamido Sanusi, a respected figure with a distinguished career in banking and public service, the governor has demonstrated a commitment to preserving the dignity and legacy of the Kano Emirate.

His Majesty’s ( Lamido Sanusi’s) previous tenure as Emir was marked by progressive leadership and advocacy for transparency, which resonated deeply with many Nigerians. His return is anticipated to bring renewed vigor and integrity to the emirate, fostering a sense of continuity and stability.

Furthermore, the Kano State House of Assembly’s decision to repeal the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, thereby abolishing the newly created emirates, is a confirmation to the assembly’s alignment with the governor’s vision. This move consolidates the emirate under a single, respected ruler, which is expected to strengthen the traditional institution and promote cohesion within the state.

The dissolution of the additional emirates and the reinstatement of Sanusi are seen as necessary corrections to past decisions that were viewed by many as politically motivated and divisive. This restoration not only respects the wishes of a significant portion of the populace but also aims to heal the rifts that have emerged in recent years.

His Excellency, Governor Yusuf and the current assembly members deserve commendation for their foresight and courage in making these decisions. Their actions reflect a deep understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the Kano Emirate and a commitment to upholding its esteemed traditions.

This move is likely to have positive ripple effects, boosting morale among the people of Kano and reaffirming their trust in the state’s leadership. It underscores the importance of governance that is responsive to the cultural and historical contexts of its people, a principle that other states can learn from.

In conclusion, the reinstatement of His Majesty, Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano and the dissolution of the additional emirates represent a commendable effort to restore the glory of the Kano Emirate. Governor Abba Yusuf and the Kano State House of Assembly have shown exemplary leadership, and their actions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the cultural and historical landscape of Kano. This decision is a beacon of hope for preserving Nigeria’s rich heritage and fostering unity among its people.

Hon. Adeboro Onibalusi
Write from Akure Ondo State.