HOW DEMOCRATIC IS NIGERIA?

HOW DEMOCRATIC IS NIGERIA?

Let me believe that Nigeria is enjoying a democratic government since 29^th May, 1999. But how democratically is Nigeria democracy?

U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” Is this definition applicable to Nigeria?

Democracy has being viewed as a form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

Nigeria in order to deserve the label “modern democracy” needs to fulfil some basic requirements - and they need not only be written down in our constitution but must be kept up in everyday life by our politicians and authorities:

Real democracy is a guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis-à-vis the state and its authorities as well as vis-à-vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis-à-vis other persons.

No nation can practice true democracy in the absence of security of lives and properties. The insurgence of Boko haram and other militant groups in Nigeria is not a credit to Nigeria democracy. Nigeria can only enjoy democracy if the rule of law is hold in high esteem and the strict adherence to the elements of true democracy; these include

* Proper separation of Powers between the institutions of the state:
    Government [Executive Power],
    Parliament [Legislative Power] and
    Courts of Law [Judicative Power]

* Freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media

   Religious liberty

* General and equal right to vote (one person, one vote)

* Good Governance (focus on public interest and absence of corruption)

There seems to be a great confusion what the word “Democracy” in Nigeria. In spite of, one can only hear it from the media every day.  One wonders when Nigeria will be fully democratic.

A political scientist would agree with me that Nigeria seems to be practising “Representative democracy” Representative democracy would be fine if the representatives would really make all their decisions only after consulting their constituencies. In the least, after having a clear idea about the views of their constituents on a particular issue, and trying to accommodate these views as best as possible (or postpone the decisions until an overwhelming majority of the constituents would be happy with them).

Nigerians can vote usually only once every four years. They do not vote on any issues. They just elect their so called representatives who then until the next elections have no obligations by law and little incentives to base their decisions on individual issues on the wishes on their electorate. They hardly ever bother to consult them on their stands on various issues. Therefore, legislative bodies composed of such "representatives" act in a very dictatorial manner between the elections. Again the credibility of these elections makes one to ask “how democratic is Nigeria?” Selection has replaced election. What do you think? Are you happy with this? Isn't it time to do better? It all should depend on you, the citizens - which system you prefer.  Shun political lobbyists; stop mortgaging your votes. Are you willing to be morally sound and positively enlightened, to give some of your free time to be interested in public matters, and to participate in decision making?

There is no such thing as the "perfect form of government" on earth, but any other form of government produces even less desirable results than democracy. Until today, no other form of government has been invented that could regulate public affairs better than democracy. Politicians should be your humble servants, not your all-powerful masters. So let’s nourish and cherish our Nigerian democracy. God bless all Nigerians as we celebrate this year’s Nigerian Democracy day.

NIGERIA CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATION

To all the Nigerian Children and youths, happy children's day. I remember that today, we used to participate in the march - past competition in our various local government. I also remember those aborted Local government areas ...like Ikeala Ngwa with headquarters in Nbawsi, Etiti Ngwa with headquarters in Owerrinta. I also remember that today we always buy "Emerelotu" or "Agidi jelof " with coloured Ice cream from the proceed of our savings for this day.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 
and began to speak in different tongues, 
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim

CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!! ALLELUIA!!!

Are there any who are devout lovers of God? 

Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?

Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?

Let them now receive their wages!

If any have toiled from the first hour,

let them receive their due reward;

If any have come after the third hour,

let him with gratitude join in the Feast!

And he that arrived after the sixth hour,

let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.

And if any delayed until the ninth hour,

let him not hesitate; but let him come too.

And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,

let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,

as well as to him that toiled from the first.

To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.

He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.

The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike receive your reward;

rich and poor, rejoice together!

Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,

rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.

Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.

Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,

for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;

for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.

He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.

He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,

"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.

It was in an uproar because it is mocked.

It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.

It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.

It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God.

It took earth, and encountered Heaven.

It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting?

O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!

Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;

for Christ having risen from the dead,

is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

CHRIST SUFFERED FOR OUR SINS SO THAT WE MAY BE HEALED.

HE SUFFERED FOR YOU AND I TO BE SAVED. THANK YOU JESUS!

Isaiah 53:5. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so that we may be healed. Isaiah foretold of Jesus taking on the punishment that was due as a result of mankind’s sins. Isaiah 53:5, says “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Jesus was wounded in that he was pierced in his hands, his feet, and side on the cross. Jesus was bruised in that he was beaten unmercifully before he died. Though he was innocent, he suffered. He suffered to pay the price for our sins. He suffered to enable a sinful mankind to be at peace with God. He suffered that we could be healed and whole again as it was before sin entered our lives.

Why did Jesus do this? He suffered for our sins because he loves us. Sin, disobedience to God, must always be punished. God cannot be in the presence of sin, but at the same time he loves us. This why Christ suffered for our sins so that we can be reconciled with God who is both loving and righteous.

THANK YOU LORD, JESUS CHRIST!

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