Thisisfolu.co.uk

Category: Politics

  • Nigeria at 65: A Tribute to My Motherland

    By Folu

    Sixty-five years ago, on October 1st, 1960, the Union Jack was lowered, and the Green-White-Green flag of Nigeria rose high into the sky. That moment marked the birth of Africa’s most populous nation as a sovereign state. But independence did not arrive overnight. It was the fruit of decades of resistance, negotiation, and sacrifice.

    Before Independence

    Colonial rule brought both forced unification and division. Nigeria’s diverse peoples, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, and over 250 ethnic groups were merged under one administrative umbrella by Britain. The colonial economy exploited our resources groundnuts from the North, cocoa from the West, palm oil from the East, yet left us with little industrial infrastructure.

    But the human spirit yearned for freedom. From the 1920s to the 1950s, movements for self-rule grew stronger. The voices of nationalists, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro, Herbert Macaulay rose above the colonial noise, calling for independence. They gave Nigerians belief in their right to self-determination.

    Independence and the Aftermath

    When independence came in 1960, joy filled the land. Nigeria was celebrated as a beacon of hope in Africa, rich with natural and human resources, positioned to become a global leader. But soon, challenges emerged. Tribal tensions, power struggles, and weak institutions led to military coups and civil war. The promise of unity was tested again and again.

    Democracy and Military Rule

    The 1960s and beyond became a cycle of democracy interrupted by military rule. Military regimes justified their takeovers by pointing to corruption and inefficiency, but too often, they worsened them. Yet each return to democracy 1979, 1999 rekindled hope. Nigerians have never given up on democracy, however imperfect.

    The Decline of Infrastructure and Rise of Corruption

    Instead of the prosperity our resources promised, we saw the disintegration of infrastructure. Power supply became unreliable, roads crumbled, refineries stopped working, public education weakened, and hospitals decayed. Corruption, looting, and mismanagement drained the nation’s wealth.

    Nigerians, like the Israelites in the wilderness, found themselves scattered across the world, not because of war, but because of wasted opportunities. We became economic migrants, doctors in London, engineers in Canada, students in the US, entrepreneurs in Dubai chasing dreams that Nigeria should have made possible at home.

    The Spirit of Nigeria Refuses to Die

    And yet, Nigeria endures. The spirit of resilience in Nigerians is unmatched. Wherever we go, we excel. From Chimamanda Adichie in literature, to Burna Boy in music, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in economics, Tobi Amusan in athletics, Nigerians continue to show brilliance. We still love Nigeria. We still long for Nigeria. We still believe in Nigeria.

    What We Must Do to Be Truly Independent

    True independence is not just freedom from colonial rule; it is freedom from poverty, corruption, and self-sabotage. To be truly independent, Nigeria must:

    • Build strong, corruption-proof institutions.
    • Prioritise education, innovation, and technology.
    • Invest in infrastructure and healthcare for all.
    • Embrace unity in diversity, not division.
    • Empower the diaspora to “japada” to return home and rebuild, turning brain drain into brain gain.

    Happy Independence Day, Nigeria

    At 65, we reflect on how far we have come and how far we must go. Nigeria is still a work in progress. But as long as Nigerians refuse to give up on Nigeria, there is hope.

    Happy Independence Day, my motherland. May the next 65 years bring the Nigeria we dream of.

    #NigeriaAt65 #HappyIndependenceDay #WeMove #JapadaNotJapa

  • Why My Childhood Friend, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, Should Be the Next Governor of Osun State

    I rarely write about politics, but sometimes life compels you to speak from the heart. Today, I want to tell you a story, my story with a childhood friend who has remained one of the most brilliant, disciplined, and principled individuals I have ever known: Engineer Dideolu Falobi.

    We met in primary school in Nigeria, where both of us quickly earned reputations as “the cerebral ones.” Our biggest rivalry wasn’t in sports or mischief, it was in academics. If he came first in class and I came second, I would cry. If I came first and he came second, he would cry. Our friendship was forged in that mutual hunger for excellence, the kind of bond that only true respect can sustain.

    Life soon took us to separate paths. I went to an academic girls’ grammar boarding school, while he attended a top-tier academic day school. Dideolu later gained admission to the University of Lagos, one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, where he graduated in Engineering, a feat that speaks volumes about his intelligence, discipline, and determination.

    His professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Today, he is a Fellow of Engineering in Nigeria and the Managing Director of Kresta Laurel Lift Company, arguably one of the finest lift companies in the nation. Over the years, he has won multiple awards in the engineering field and has also been honored as the Bobajiroro of Ijesa land, a recognition of both his professional excellence and community leadership.

    When Dideolu told me he wanted to go into politics and contest for the governorship of Osun State, I must admit, I was apprehensive. Nigerian politics is not for the faint-hearted. It can be dirty, dangerous, and unforgiving. From my vantage point in the diaspora, I’ve often worried about what it does to even the best of men.

    But true to form, Dideolu challenged me with clarity and conviction. He told me: “If credible, competent, and accountable people stay away from leadership, then who will rebuild Nigeria for the sake of our children and the generations to come?”

    And in that moment, I could not disagree.

    You see, Dideolu is one of the few people I can say without hesitation that I trust in Nigeria. He is loyal, intelligent, accountable, and exceptionally organised. He is a born leader, a man whose life has been a blueprint of integrity and competence.

    Nigeria and Osun State in particular needs leaders who are not driven by personal greed but by a genuine desire to build. Leaders who understand the weight of responsibility. Leaders who can merge technical brilliance with human empathy. That is who Engineer Dideolu Falobi is.

    I believe strongly that there are countless reasons why Dideolu should be the next Governor of Osun State:

    • His proven track record in leadership and engineering excellence.
    • His discipline and organisational ability, tested in both corporate and community spaces.
    • His deep sense of accountability and loyalty.
    • His vision for a better Nigeria, grounded not in empty promises but in decades of lived excellence.

    As Osun State looks toward its future, I can think of no better steward of its destiny. If you love Nigeria, if you believe Osun deserves a leader of integrity and vision, then you will support my dear childhood friend, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, alongside his amiable wife and children.

    This is not just about politics. It’s about the kind of Nigeria we want our children to inherit. And if men like Dideolu are not given the chance to lead, then we forfeit the hope of true progress.

    Written by: Folu

    http://www.thisisfolu.uk

  • Nigeria’s Democracy Day: Remembering June 12 and the Legacy of MKO Abiola

    On June 12 every year, Nigeria pauses to honour the sacrifice, struggle, and symbol of democracy—Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. June 12 isn’t just a date. It is a national memory, a watershed moment that reshaped Nigeria’s political destiny and paid the ultimate tribute to the ideals of free choice, accountability, and democratic governance.

    The Political Rise of MKO Abiola

    MKO Abiola was not your everyday politician. A wealthy businessman, philanthropist, and respected figure in Nigeria’s civil space, Abiola began his political journey while maintaining close ties with the military elite, particularly General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s military president in the late 1980s. It was under Babangida’s regime that a democratic transition programme was promised—one that Abiola would later engage with wholeheartedly.

    Abiola declared his candidacy in what would become Nigeria’s most credible, free, and fair election, held on June 12, 1993. Running under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Abiola’s campaign transcended ethnic and religious lines—a rare feat in Nigeria’s divided political landscape.

    The Election Annulled, A Nation Betrayed

    The results were clear: MKO Abiola had won. Nigerians, north and south, had chosen a leader. But instead of inaugurating him, the military government annulled the results. The reason? Officially unclear. Unofficially, fear—fear of losing control, fear of true democracy.

    What followed was national outrage. Protests, civil disobedience, and the emergence of pro-democracy movements swept across the country. But Abiola didn’t back down. He declared himself the rightful president of Nigeria in 1994—a move that led to his arrest by General Sani Abacha, the new military ruler.

    The Price of Democracy: Imprisonment and Death

    Abiola was imprisoned for four years without trial. During this time, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, who had become the face of resistance and activism, was assassinated in broad daylight—a brutal act widely believed to be orchestrated by the military junta.

    In 1998, following Abacha’s sudden death, global pressure intensified for Abiola’s release. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other dignitaries were reportedly due to meet him. Tragically, just days before his expected release, MKO Abiola died in custody—under suspicious circumstances. He became, in the minds of millions, the sacrificial lamb for Nigeria’s democracy.

    The Aftermath: June 12 and Nigeria’s Democratic Journey

    Abiola’s death ignited a renewed national conscience. The military government, now discredited, handed power to a civilian regime in 1999. But June 12 remained in the shadows of May 29—until 2018, when President Muhammadu Buhari officially declared June 12 as Nigeria’s new Democracy Day, posthumously honouring MKO Abiola as the President-Elect of the 1993 elections.

    This recognition was not merely symbolic. It was a step toward acknowledging the truth, no matter how long it took.

    The Abiola Family and Nigeria Today

    Years after, the Abiola family remains fragmented and their legacy divided between admiration and tragedy. Many of MKO’s children have spoken publicly about their father’s ideals and the personal toll the struggle took on them.

    And the nation?

    Nigeria remains a work-in-progress democracy. Elections are more frequent—but not always fair. Voices are louder—but not always heard. Corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship still challenge the very essence of democratic dividends.

    Pros and Cons of Democracy in Nigeria

    Pros:

    • Civil liberties have expanded.
    • Multi-party elections give people a voice.
    • Civil society and media enjoy more freedom.

    Cons:

    • Elections are often marred by violence and fraud.
    • Corruption is deeply entrenched.
    • The democratic process often feels disconnected from governance outcomes.

    The Lasting Benefit: A Dream That Still Lives

    June 12 gifted Nigeria something priceless—a reminder that democracy is not given, but fought for. MKO Abiola’s courage and ultimate sacrifice remain a moral compass for all Nigerians. The democracy we have today, flawed as it is, exists because someone dared to dream of something better—and died for it.

    As we mark another Democracy Day, we remember not just a man, but a moment that defined a generation. The best way to honour June 12 is to protect the democracy it gave us.

    Let June 12 not just be a date on the calendar. Let it be a call to action.

    #June12 #MKOAbiola #NigeriaDemocracyDay #NeverForget #ForThePeople

  • An Ode to the Ceiling Shatterers of Our Generation

    In an era where diversity and inclusion are still on their journey toward genuine acceptance, there stands a league of phenomenal women—women of color who have shattered ceilings and risen against all odds. They have not only rewritten history but have also become beacons of hope and inspiration for countless women around the world. Each one of them, with her distinct story and unmatched resilience, has paved the way for generations to come. This is an ode to those women—to Indra Nooyi, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Kamala Harris, Kemi Badenoch, and every woman of color who dared to dream beyond the limitations imposed upon her.

    The Struggle for Recognition

    For a woman of color, the path to success is often riddled with obstacles—systemic biases, societal expectations, and cultural stereotypes. From the first step, you are met with challenges that question your capabilities simply based on your appearance, accent, or ethnicity. In corporate boardrooms, political arenas, and global organizations, colored women have historically been expected to be silent, to occupy only the spaces allotted to them. And yet, time and time again, we have risen above, showing not only that we belong but that we are indispensable forces of change.

    Indra Nooyi: Redefining Leadership

    Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, defied countless odds on her journey to the top of one of the world’s largest corporations. An Indian immigrant with a thick accent and a knack for bold decisions, she ascended to lead a company in a space where women—let alone women of color—rarely held power. Nooyi’s leadership style, a powerful combination of vision and empathy, led PepsiCo to new heights, transforming it from a simple beverage company to a globally admired powerhouse in sustainable and health-focused business practices. Her success sent waves of encouragement, showing that women with “unconventional” backgrounds, accents, or cultural identities are not liabilities but assets to any organization. Her success echoed a profound truth: it’s not about changing who you are to fit in; it’s about changing the world to fit you.

    Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: From Nigeria to the World Stage

    Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shattered glass ceilings when she became the first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Hailing from Nigeria, a country often stereotyped and misrepresented, Okonjo-Iweala rose to this esteemed position with grace, intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to global equity. Her ascent to leadership was no easy journey; it demanded resilience against racial, gender, and national biases. In her own words, “I’ve learned that in life, no matter the obstacles, you have to keep going. You have to work hard and stand firm for what you believe in.” Today, her name is synonymous with tenacity and excellence, proving that neither gender nor nationality can dim the brilliance of true capability.

    Kamala Harris: A Historic First in the White House

    Kamala Harris made history as the first female, first Black, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States—a trifecta of identities that had never been represented in the second-highest office of the nation. Her story represents the powerful impact of intersectionality and diversity in leadership. She carries with her the dreams of immigrant parents and the hopes of every little girl who sees herself in her. Harris has shown that diversity is not just a talking point but an invaluable asset to policymaking, perspective, and change. Her journey is a testament to the fact that when women of color ascend to powerful positions, they bring with them rich experiences and insights that can redefine the future.

    Kemi Badenoch: Leading the Opposition

    In yet another groundbreaking achievement, Kemi Badenoch, a woman of Nigerian origin, has become the first Black woman to lead the opposition party in the UK. Her rise in British politics, a landscape historically dominated by a specific demographic, has turned heads and inspired many. With her unrelenting determination and dedication, Badenoch is breaking down stereotypes about what it means to be a Black woman in politics. She is boldly navigating her role, making waves with her policies and her stance on national issues. Badenoch’s leadership is proof that women of color are not only deserving of places at the table but are also equipped to lead those tables with authority and purpose.

    The Unbreakable Resilience of Women of Color

    The journeys of these extraordinary women embody the indomitable spirit of colored women across the globe. They have endured countless hardships, from blatant discrimination to silent biases, yet They rose. They rose with unshakable resilience, a relentless sense of purpose, and an undying belief that they were destined to break through the limits imposed upon them.

    Through every battle they fought, they have paved the way for others, demonstrating that every crack in the glass ceiling brings them one step closer to a future where ceilings no longer exist. Their stories echo across cultures and continents, reminding young women of color that they, too, are capable of rewriting history. They remind us that no obstacle is too great, no bias too strong, to keep them from achieving greatness.

    A Call to Action for Future Generations

    To every young woman of color who dreams of a brighter future: know that the journeys of these women are mirrors of your potential. Yes, the world may sometimes seem unwelcoming, but remember that impossibility is nothing. These women have shown that every “no” can eventually become a “yes,” every ceiling can be shattered, and every stereotype can be rewritten. Believe in your dreams, persist in your journey, and hold tight to your purpose. You stand on the shoulders of giants, and with your own resilience and hard work, you will continue to shatter every ceiling in your path.

    This is your time. The world may not always be ready for the fire and brilliance you bring, but you are more than ready for it. The future is yours to shape—let nothing hold you back.

    #WomenOfColor #ShatteringCeilings #Inspiration #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenEmpowerment #Trailblazers #BreakingBarriers #Empowerment #RoleModels #IndraNooyi #NgoziOkonjoIweala #KamalaHarris #KemiBadenoch #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #CorporateWorld #Politics #GlobalTrade #WorldLeaders #YouCanDoIt #Resilience #PurposeDriven #BelieveInYourself #ImpossibleIsNothing #DreamBig