I will like to say a huge Thank you, for the warm welcome, and show of solidarity. Indeed our founding fathers were right when they said "Kowa yabar gida, gida ta barshi"….which further emphasizes the African proverb "when the hair is fully grown, the trimming must be done at home”.Permit me to start with this background; After the 2019 General Elections and the unprecedented hardship and incompetence wrought upon the Nation by the APC led administration, Some well-meaning Nigerians, myself included, who were totally dissatisfied with the poor governance and lack of direction , decided to forge a common front, and save this country from the malady and tyranny that had been unfolding. 

These collective efforts, midwifed the emergence of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi and Dr. Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmad, two people of impeccable integrity and well proven track record, to champion the movement that is now known as the Obidient Movement. For the first time in our national history , Nigerians, especially the Younger generation, came together with one voice, in their millions , irrespective of their ethnic origin, social background and political affiliation. And so, Stretching far and wide across the country and equally as strongly, globally, across the diaspora, this unprecedented movement of organic and passionate joint purpose, was born. With 12.5m Obidients, registered in a few weeks and growing by the hour.

The movement from inception, faced numerous challenges, among which was coordination. However, with the 2023 elections at hand, we proceeded with our best efforts, overwhelming our opponents convincingly, despite the unfortunate, official outcome.

Now, at this time, with the same dire situation of directionless governance and extreme hardship persisting, it was time for us to leverage on our gains, to consolidate our organization. This has precipitated in the creation of the National Coordinating Council of The Obidients Movement, and my endorsement as the Interim National Coordinator of the Movement, world wide. After some consultation from the length and breathe of the Ntaion, we decided to start this consolidation process, from the North West, which, incidentally, is also my home zone.

Comprising of the seven (7) states of Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto which make up the North West zone with 22,672,373 registered voters, out of the national total of 96,303,016, making it the most populous zone in Nigeria But in spite of these prospects and voting strength, the Zone continues to be left behind, in terms of infrastructural development and adequate social amenities, giving rise to untold poverty and deadly insecurity, thus this deterioration must be checked. Fellow Obidients , today being 30th September 2024 marks a new chapter in our collective journey as a Nation, and our objectives and collective will, remain stronger than ever before. As a son of this ancient city, I pledge to unite our diverse voices, foster inclusivity, and promote equity for all.. For these are norms and values, well entrenched in our tradition and education, and are the orientation and legacy, we must pass on, to our children and generations, in perpetuity .

Today, dear brothers and sisters, I stand here not only, as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, but also as an unflinching advocate for Good Governance, Justice and equity. As a firm believer, in equal rights and social justice, I vow to prioritize by the special grace of God the needs and views, of every individual, regardless of background, religion, or socio-economic status.

Let us all today renew our resolve , that in our quest to create opportunities for all, ensuring everyone has a stake in our collective success, we must put aside our differences, and work towards a common goal which is a better future for our nation. By harnessing our strength and our commitment, we can, in our diversity, unlock the potential for growth, innovation, and progress. We must continue to live for one another, in order to thrive together, which is what the Obidient Movement represents;That movement that aims to emancipate you and i. That Movement that will be a major rallying force in bringing change, and overcoming the conspiracy of corruption and incompetence.

I have no doubt that we can achieve this, by addressing the systematic inequalities that have held us back for too long. Our policies will promote fairness, justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. The Obidient Movement aims to rekindle the spirit of patriotism, encouraging every citizen to take ownership of our nation's progress. And by fostering social cohesion, we will build a society, where everyone feels valued, respected, and protected. In conclusion, Let me call on every Nigerian, at home or abroad, to join us in this journey towards a united, inclusive, and equitable society.

Social Media and the internet, provides us veritable platforms for communication, networking, enlightenment and Organisation and we must use this, relentlessly and responsibly, in furthering our objectives. Let us work together to check this drift of cluelessness, end this cycle of hardship, and build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.

We expect every Obidient, indeed, every patriotic and passionate Nigerian to get registered as an Obidient, regardless of your political affiliation, as long as you share our desire for a New Nigeria, the registration you are about to make, is for efficient coordination and enhanced impact, not only for the sake of the present, but for the future of our Children, The protection of our Women, The progress of our Men, for our generations unborn, And Indeed, for the future of our Nation. It's Time to Register. May God Bless the Obidient Movement May God bless NigeriaDr Yunusa TankoInterim National CoordinatorOBIDIENT MOVEMENT

“Share our similarities, celebrate our differences”- M.Scott Peck 

Notwithstanding the distance and geography, Nigeria and China share significant traits worthy of acknowledgement. In terms of population, the two giant nations! With a population of 1.5 billion (official 1.3 billion) China is the largest in Asia and largest in the the world. Similarly, Nigeria with estimated population of 250 million people is the largest concentration of African people in the world. In fact, one of every two Asians is a Chinese, while one in every three persons in Africa is a Nigerian. Nigeria’s population is as diverse as China’s in terms of languages, cultures and religion The two countries also boast of remarkable resource endowment. Whatever the parameters, the two are regional powers: China almost actual power no less than Nigeria which in many respects still strives in making enormous potentials a reality. 

Of special importance is that, Nigeria and China shared the similarity of what the former Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian once described as double “joy and happiness of the month of October”. Nigeria celebrates 64th anniversary as a sovereign and independent country. Ten years before Nigeria’s independence, precisely on October 1st 1949 following the socialist Revolution led by Chairman Mao Zedong, China proclaimed People’s Republic as an independent nation. The similarity between China and Nigeria can only be better appreciated against the background of imperial dominations of the two. Lest we forget! “Lagos was bombarded by the British in 1851, annexed on 6 August 1861 and declared a colony on 5 March 1862”. Nigeria got independence by lowering the Union Jack flag of imperial Britain on October 1960. Effectively, Nigerians suffocated under the heels of British rule characterized by tears and blood spill of brutal oppression, racist violations of human rights, Lugardian brutal military campaigns of occupations, annexations, forced labour and wholesale exploitation. Notwithstanding the current challenges of nation- building, we must learn to raise the noise level of Independence celebrations. Or better still, Africans should overcome the false consciousness that Europe which hitherto imposed slavery and colonialism would in turn help in transforming our continent. The century long struggle for freedom should not be stepped down as a “low key” event. On the contrary. There is a lot to celebrate in freedom. Amartya Sen the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics argues (and rightly too!) “Development as Freedom”. The late sage, Kwame Nkrumah was the first to audaciously brake the British colonial chain in 1957. Ghana is the first independent African nation. Nigeria followed in 1960. Nkrumah’s quotable quote about the imperative of freedom remains valid today: “We prefer self-government with danger to servitude in tranquility”. Both China and Nigeria also parade ancient civilizations dating back to some 5000 years! Early authentic (as distinct from colonial) history of Nigeria records great Benin, Oyo, Sokoto and Borno empires dating back to some 4000 years. However the point cannot be overstated that Colonialism negatively impacted the growth and development of both countries. 

The great historian, Walter Rodney in his classic: ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ observed (and I agree!) that “Colonialism had only one hand – “It was one-armed bandit!” 64 years after independence, we must undoubtedly agonize about the declining fortunes of the economy, worsening energy and income poverty, low growth rate. Even more agonizing are the prohibitive costs of working and living. And free fall of the Naira! There was once a Nigeria which as part of decolonization project, independently replaced British colonial pound sterling on January 1973 , 13 years after independence at the rate of £1 = ₦2!. Today a bagful of some Nigeria’s N2,230.94 miserably exchange for £1, 64 years after independence. It’s time we reflected on how Nigerians have inadvertently underdeveloped Nigeria. But even at that, lest we forget only in independence can we return to prosperity. In colonial Nigeria, growth or development discourse was an aberration, indeed an absurdity. The colonial policy was intentionally to under-develop Nigerian colony and deliberately develop colonial Britain through perverse criminal capital transfers out of the colony. With respect to Industrialization for instance, colonialism in Nigeria deliberately prejudiced against the establishment of local industries. The key drivers of colonial Nigeria, were extractive non-processing, non-value adding agriculture and mining and timber felling. Colonial authority deliberately undermined the growth of local enterprise such that 100 years of British rule did not set up a single textile mill! The first textile mill was Kaduna Textile mill in 1957 by the regional government of late Sardauna to be followed by Nigeria Textile Mill in the Western region of Awolowo and Aba Textile mill in the east by late Namdi Azikwe Zik. 

There must be a Renewed Hope to urgently re-industrialize the nation, revert de-Industrialization of the present neo- colonial era. The best independence anniversary gift to Nigeria is the recent inauguration of the $25 billion-650,000 barrels per day (BPD) Dangote Oil Refinery, replacing Nigeria’s pessimism with optimism. Colonialism never built a single refinery. It gladdens that from from “1st October, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385k barrels per day (bdp) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira”. This is an original patriotic private/ public creative independent policy initiative by the present administration outside the mantra of the received policy wisdom of the IMF and World Bank. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in line with the Renewed Hope agenda must also ensure that the four public refineries come on stream to give Nigeria’s independence genuine energy security at 64 and beyond. At 64 Nigeria must learn and copy China, which at 75, (just a decade older) has almost banished illiteracy, gone to space, lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty.At 65, next year, Nigeria should be as up-beat to say like China: that independence has “brought enormous changes to the country, creating an unprecedented miracle of development in the world history”. The Chinese aptly put it better; the “path you take determines your future”. At 64 Nigeria and Nigerians should stop agonizing but organize like China at 75, (or like Nigeria at 20 in 1980 with double digit growth rate which once dwarfed China’s growth!). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hit the nail on the head in his keynote address, during the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) meeting, held on the sidelines of the recent 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Africa, he said, is underdeveloped because it’s resources were primarily extracted and exported to foreign countries for refining and manufacturing. It’s time to promote beneficiation and manufacturing value added like China. I hail the recent smart decision of President Bola Tinubu in appointing appointed Mr Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership, following the agreements reached during Tinubu’s visit to China in early September 2024. His expressed mandate is to “immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing recently with “specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation, including priority projects, projected investments, and expected socioeconomic outcomes.” I bear witness that Nigeria at 64 and China at 75 not only celebrate their great similarities but set to close the gap in difference in the match to, transformation modernization and sustainable development. 

VIVA Nigeria!! and Viva China!!  

Happy Independence celebrations.

Issa Aremu, Director General,

Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin (MINILS) and Member National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS ) Kuru Jos 

END

Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum believes it’s time for British heavyweight Anthony Joshua to retire from boxing, according to reports on GiveMeSport.

The Top Rank founder, who has managed the careers of boxing icons like Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao, says Joshua should retire following a series of tough losses.

Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, has built an impressive resume with victories over top fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin, and even former MMA star Francis Ngannou. However, Arum feels the 34-year-old has little left to prove after a storied career.

Despite bouncing back with a four-fight winning streak following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua suffered another shocking defeat on September 14, losing to Daniel Dubois in a highly anticipated IBF heavyweight “Battle of Britain.” fight.

“Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr., and now Dubois have all knocked Joshua down in brutal wars or one-sided fights,” said Arum. “Those kinds of battles take a toll on a fighter’s body. At 34, with his legacy already secured, it may be time for him to step away from the sport.”

Arum’s comments echo growing concerns about the physical toll Joshua has endured throughout his career, and the promoter suggests that Joshua should consider retirement to preserve his health and long-term well-being.

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum and one of the largest holders of the asset has for some time now been suspected to be secretly dumping Ethereum assets.

Series of On chain transitions by Wallets generally believed to be linked to Buterin have fueled these suspicions although the Ethereum Co-Founder has repeatedly said that he has never seemed to profit off Ethereum.

Vitalik Buterin has earlier said that he has not sold ETH for personal profits since 2018 and these recent flurries of transactions are either for the Ethereum ecosystem or to fund philanthropic causes.

On Sept. 30, Spot on Chain an onchain analytics tracker reported a transfer of 649 ETH ($1.72 million to cryptic exchange Paxos.

The transaction marked the end of a series of sales by the Wallet in question which was funded by Vitalik Buterin

The Wallet which can be Identified by “0x556,” received 1,300 ETH ($3.21 million) on Sept. 19 from “0xd04”, an Ethereum wallet said to be controlled by Vitalik Buterin. This “0xd04” wallet was funded by Vitalik in 2022 when he transferred 70,000 ETH.

The exchange of transactions between these two wallets didn’t start today. According to on-chain data, “0xd04” had previously sent 2,000 ETH, then valued at $5.265 million on September 2023. This transfer was preceded by a transfer of 999 ETH valued at $2.63 million the same month.

Meanwhile, another transfer of 1701 ETH valued at $4.47 million was made the month before, bringing the total ether received to date to 5,999 ETH.

Sell Pressure Fears  

The speculations on whether Vitalik Buterin is secretly dumping Ethereum all point to the potential effect on the asset if that is true. The selling pressure that could hit the asset should the allegations be confirmed can drive down the price of the asset seriously.

The concerns intensified earlier this month as another wallet which received 3,800 ETH from Buterin in August, was seen offloading the funds across multiple transfers.

However, Vitalik Buterin clarified the transaction saying that they were carried out by a Bio defense group he funds.

What to Know  

• Besides the speculation on Vitalik Buterin dumping Ethereum, he is also heavily criticized for having too much control over the asset. His grip on the assets has been likened to a dictatorship given how he personally drives the policy direction of the asset.
• Ethererm is currently exchanging hands for $2,606 down by 46.6% from its all-time high. The asset has performed the worst among the top 5 biggest assets in the crypto industry.

[Nairametrics]

President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will uphold the judiciary’s independence and sanctity.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tinubu said his government would be mindful of the line demarcating the executive and the judiciary.

He said his administration would not interfere in the matters of the other organs of government.

The event held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

“The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check.

“Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.

“For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

“While we may have reasons to interface as complementing components of the same government, under my watch, the government will also be mindful of the clear line demarcating the two of us.

“We will never interfere or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is important for sustaining our constitutional democracy.”

He urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to continue upholding the principles of ethical leadership, fearlessness, and honesty which he said defined the CJN’s career.

Tinubu added: “The Nigerian judiciary needs a leader with these qualities at this time, and I have no doubt that you will set the pace for others to follow.

“This day has also cemented the judiciary as a self-evolving and progressive institution. I specifically congratulate the Nigerian women. Any girl child can dream big and have her dreams come true. It is worth celebrating.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun is the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history.

[DailyTrust]

Russian President, Vladimir Putin has vowed that his country will accomplish ‘all goals set’ in Ukraine.

Putin released a video message to mark the second anniversary of “Reunification Day”, two years since Russia formally claimed the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as its own.

Russia held a referendum in the four regions on 30 September 2022 with Putin signing a document with the Russian-installed leaders of the occupied regions to unilaterally incorporate them into the Russian Federation, despite Moscow not fully controlling the territories.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022, Kyiv has stepped up its pursuit of Nato and EU membership

Putin said when he started the war that his aim was to demilitarise and “denazify” Ukraine.

“The truth is on our side. All goals set will be achieved,” Putin said in his video message on Monday.

He went on to criticise “western elites” who he claims “turned Ukraine into their colony, a military base aimed at Russia” and who fanned “hate, radical nationalism … hostility to everything Russian”.

“Today we are fighting for a secure, prosperous future for our children and grandchildren,” Putin said.

[DailyPost]

The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the list of countries with highest U.S. visa rejection rates.

The list shows that Nigeria has 29% rejection rate, while North Korea and Micronesia have 100% rejection rate respectively.

While countries like Monaco and Liechtenstein boast of 0% rejection rate, Israel, UAE and Saudi Arabia have 3%, 4% and 5% respectively.

The list places Nigeria in the upper tier of nations with significant challenges in obtaining U.S. visas, alongside countries like Ukraine (34%), Russia (39%), and Pakistan (41%).

For Nigerian applicants, the 29% rejection rate indicates that nearly one in three visa requests is turned down, reflecting the difficulties faced by many Nigerians seeking entry into the United States for business, tourism, or educational purposes.

Other countries with higher rejection rates include Canada (52%), Liberia (78%), and North Korea, which, alongside Micronesia, faces a 100% rejection rate.

Here is a list of countries with highest U.S. visa rejection rate

1. Monaco: 0%

2. Liechtenstein: 0%

3. Israel: 3%

4. UAE: 4%

5. Saudi Arabia: 5%

6. Japan: 6%

7. Czechia: 8%

8. Argentina: 8%

9. France: 10%

10. Mexico: 10%

11. Italy: 10%

12. Denmark: 10%

13. Germany: 11%

14. Indonesia: 11%

15. India: 11%

16. Brazil: 12%

17. Vatican: 14%

’18. South Korea: 14%

19. UK: 15%

20. Spain: 16%

21. South Africa: 16%

22. Australia: 17%

23,. Norway: 18%

24. Ireland: 19%

25. Turkey: 21%

26. Sweden: 21%

27. Finland: 23%

28. Egypt: 26%

29. China: 27%

30. Nigeria: 29%

31. Ukraine: 34%

32. Iraq: 37%

33. Russia: 39%

34. Pakistan: 41%

35. Afghanistan: 49%

36. Canada: 52%

37. Iran: 53%

38. Liberia: 78%

39. North Korea: 100%

40. Micronesia: 100%

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the implementation of enhanced security measures nationwide to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for the 64th Independence anniversary.

The IG also ordered the deployment of adequate human and tactical resources to ensure maximum security for the celebration.

The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated on Monday that the police, in synergy with other security agencies, would fortify various designated event venues and major highways across the country to forestall any threats to lives, property, and the celebration.

The statement, titled, “IG orders water-tight security felicitates with Nigerians on 64th anniversary, orders clampdown on miscreants,” read, “As we celebrate our nation’s 64th Independence, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered water-tight security across the country to create a safe and conducive environment for citizens of our great nation to celebrate this landmark occasion.

“As part of the IGP’s comprehensive plan to ensure a seamless celebration, the IGP has ordered the deployment of adequate human and tactical resources to enable a maximum level of security for the independence celebration.

“The police, in synergy with other security agencies, will fortify various designated event venues and the major highways across the country, to forestall any threats to lives and property and the celebration.”

Egbetokun also urged police officers deployed for various operations to be professional in their conduct.

The statement continued, “Additionally, the IGP has directed all personnel deployed for various operations during the celebrations to be courteous and firm in their engagements with members of the public.”

“The Inspector-General of Police also felicitates with Nigerians as we commemorate our independence anniversary, noting that Nigerians are urged to reflect on the journey, triumphs and challenges that have shaped our nation, honouring the sacrifices of our founding fathers and the generations that have contributed to our nation’s growth, unity and progress.

“IGP Egbetokun reiterates that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding our nation’s security, ensuring peaceful coexistence, and upholding the rule of law. We are dedicated to serving our communities with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. As we move forward, let us rekindle our sense of national pride, foster unity, and work together towards a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

[Punch]

The Federal Government has inaugurated an independent investigative panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee on Monday in Abuja.

He said the committee must also look at the recent allegation that some correctional service personnel had provided an alternative accommodation for convicted cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.

The panel, according to the minister, became necessary to sanitize the Service towards attaining transparency and accountability.

Recall that the Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, had suspended several officers overseeing the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, following allegations of misconduct involving Bobrisky.

Dr Tunji-Ojo noted the need for a holistic approach to unravel the issues being investigated, through empirical and fact-finding processes that will proffer lasting solutions to the challenges.

“We want to reform the correctional service. Your core responsibility is to investigate specific allegations of corruption, torture, and mistreatment of inmates by correctional officers, especially the immediate one on Bobrisky which I expect to be out in two weeks,” he said.

Headed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Minister charged the committee to uphold justice without fear or favour to any party.

The minister said: “We will rely on your legal guidance to be sure that whatever we do is in line with the law of the land.

“We will rely on you to be able to come up with a way forward, as well as facts that would be made public to Nigerians.

“I want to say this very clearly, nobody will be shielded. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded.”

While proposing medium and long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences, the minister further charged the committee to identify systemic issues contributing to violations within the service and recommend concrete actions for immediate redress and policy reforms.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, who is also the Chairperson of the Investigation Panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, stated that the committee would do their best to deliver on the mandate.

Members

The committee comprises Omotese Eva (Mrs.), Director Legal; Nasir Usman, Director, Joint Services; Dr. Uju Agomoh, President, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA, who is a former Board Member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA); and Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugo, Human Rights Radio consultant, a Forensic Researcher and Social Impact Expert with over 27 years experience in corporate leadership.

Vanguard News

Fellow compatriots,

On this Independence Day anniversary, I will do something no Nigerian president has ever done in our 64 years as an independent nation. I will speak to you from my heart.

I will not read a speech prepared by civil servants and rehearsed and recorded in front of my media aides and image-makers. I want to have an honest conversation with you, my fellow countrymen and women.

I won’t be telling you something you do not know if I say things are hard in our country. While privileged people like us live comfortable lives, ordinary men and women from Sokoto to Port Harcourt find it difficult to make ends meet.

I won’t tell you I feel your pain. Saying so will be lying to you. It had been a long time since I knew what it was like to survive on noodles and garri soaked in water.

I won’t list things we are doing to fix our economy and bring everyone prosperity. You have heard that from me long enough, and things have gone from bad to worse.

My advisers said I should tell you that the hardship you are experiencing now is the birth pang of the new Nigeria coming soon. If I am sitting where you are today, I call it nonsense.

My ministers said I should blame the unbearable hardship you are going through as unintended consequences of tough decisions we must take to save Nigeria from total collapse. Even though it is the truth, the bigger truth is that we, the ruling class, are not sharing the hardship with you.

We, your leaders, have been living large while more and more of you fall into what the big grammar-speaking consultants call multi-dimensional poverty. More of you are finding it hard to eat two square meals a day, pay the school fees of your children, and buy life-saving medications to deal with chronic illnesses. Some of you working do not even make enough money to pay for your transportation to work.

It is not right. It is not fair. It should not be happening in a country like ours. It is abominable. It has to stop. Now.

And that is what I want to talk to you about today.

While I cannot say to hell with those countries and financial institutions to which we owe money, I can say that the days of waste in the government are over. While we must continue to service our debts, which take a substantial amount of revenue that we get, we, the leaders, must sacrifice much of our perks of office so that our people will survive these tough days and be alive to see the glorious days we promise them.

I plead to you all to forgive me for coming into the office and feeling this sense of entitlement that has disconnected me from the people I am in the office to serve. Years of privileged life made me lose touch with what a servant leader should be. It instilled in me an arrogance that had become second nature. Deep down, that is not me. It is an acquired taste. And I have expelled it out of me.

Moving forward, you will get a lean government that aligns with the meagre resources at our disposal—no more jamborees by government officials, my wife, children, or hangers-on. Government officials will no longer display flamboyant lifestyles at any level in this country. We must live by example.

Here are the concrete steps I have made along these lines. And I am starting with the Office of the President.

Having acknowledged that Nigeria is rich but currently poor because we have mismanaged our resources, I am cutting my travels abroad to six times a year. People who need me so badly should come to Nigeria and meet with me. We will sell off all the planes in the presidential fleet. I will travel on my plane or a chartered one if I must.

I am abolishing the office of the First Lady. Besides receiving security details, the government will no longer spend Nigerian resources sustaining the First Lady. The same goes for my children and siblings. They should spend their time pursuing meaningful employment and not hanging on my coattail.

We are cutting the overhead cost of every ministry and government parastatal by two-thirds. It means the many assistants and aides seen around government officials across this country will disappear. When I say lean government, I mean no fat, no fills, no padding.

Working with the National Assembly, I will divert the billions of Naira that the state governments in this country collect as security votes each month. We will redeploy it for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

The members of the National Assembly are going to make sacrifices, too. I am asking the agency in charge of fixing their salaries and allowances to reduce them to what this country’s highest-paid civil servants make.

The party is over. Henceforth, those interested in public service must serve the public. Public service must cease to be for those interested in stuffing their pockets.

Though these measures are mere symbolism, the message is simple. We are serious about fixing this country. We cannot be pleading for loan forgiveness while living like oil magnets. Even though I indulged in this, it never made sense.

On this Independence Day, this is the greatest gift I want to give you all. From tomorrow, we will make public things about your government that the public needs to know.

Starting tomorrow, anyone with a smartphone should be able to find out from government websites how much any government official makes in salaries and allowances. Information about any contract awarded by any government agency in this country will henceforth be public. You should be able to know the name of the company awarded any contract, how much the contract is, how much the government has disbursed to the company, and when the company is supposed to complete the job. With one click on the name of the company, you will find out all you need to know about the owners.

If you hear that Alpha Beta is collecting taxes on behalf of the government of Lagos State, in a click, you will find out when they started, how much they collected each year, how much the Lagos State government paid the company for the job and the people who owned it.

We are removing all secrecy from the government’s operations in this country. Corruption thrives in secrecy. The Nigerian people have the right to know how their government functions. It is the only way to know the people to hold accountable.

So, on this 64th Independence Day anniversary, I do not have rice and beans for you, for palliatives are mere bandages on infected wounds. But what I bring you is transparency and accountability. I believe that with those, everything else shall be given unto you.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches post-colonial African History, Afrodiasporan literature, and African folktales at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include “This American Life Sef” and “Children of a Retired God,” among others. His upcoming book is called “Why I’m Disappointed in Jesus.”