Opinion
2022: Wẹ Thought We Saw ‘Shege’
I didn’t know Ibadan’s famed On Air Personality, Abraham Ogunleye until someone shared a video of his “Eti Oba” programme with me. In that particular edition, Ogunleye sympathized with everyone going through a lot and encouraged them to keep going through it.
His words, “and this is for everyone going through one thing or the other at the moment, please keep on going through it. You go still see shege (hardship) self”. His standpoint was based on the submission that “everybody would go through a lot” and therefore, no one should expect motivation from anybody.
Of course, very few people would disagree with him. Thanks to the fact that Nigerians by reputation are incurable optimists known to have highly functioning coping mechanisms. The “e go better” spirit is what has been keeping many of them going. Those who would not stretch their endurance any further have however switched to the “já pa” mode by relocating abroad. Who would blame them?
Those who thought with COVID-19 and the EndSARS protests, 2020 would go down as “annus horibilis” changed their opinions before December 2021. And now, we are already comparing the prices of goods and services to what was obtained in 2021. We thought we had seen shege in those years.
It had never crossed anyone’s imagination that a dollar would exchange for over N 700. When the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol was increased the other time, the scant consolation was the availability of the product. We never knew we would still queue up at fuel stations to buy petrol at an unprecedented N 250 per litre.
One other event that showed Nigerians shege in 2022 was the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike that went on for eight months. The Federal Government and the Union simply chose to be obstinate while the time of enrolled and prospective university students ticked away by the second.
Lagosians and Nigerians generally were jolted to the marrows when news broke that a female bus passenger, Bamise Ayanwola was raped, viciously thrown down from a moving bus and left to die.
And in terms of security, the hitherto impossible happened! In what seemed like a scene from a commando movie, gunmen stormed St. Francis Catholic Church, Ọwọ, Ondo State during a Morning Mass and with bursts of their automatic rifles, killed 42 people. Never had the kind of fear that gripped Nigerians in 2022 been felt in Nigeria’s Federal Capital. Though the government denied and tagged media reports of an impending attack on the seat of power as misleading, its agents arrested suspected terrorists who were plotting attacks!
The abduction of Professor Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway further loaded the cloud of doom many feared was hovering over the country. It drove the point home that the terrorist’s southward movement as reported was not a ruse after all.
While Nigerians were eagerly waiting for a peaceful end to a tumultuous year, some officers put the already distrusted Nigeria Police Force in the news for the wrong reasons. A young man and a pregnant lawyer were felled by police bullets on the Lekki-Ajah expressway within three weeks of each other, thereby increasing the Force’s potential for controversy.
For Olanrewaju Omiyinka, fondly referred to as “Baba Ijesa”, 2022 would be a year that shouldn’t have come. His peak performance in movies notwithstanding, he was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on charges bordering on child molestation.
And by the time the governorship election in Osun State was concluded, the scale tilted in favour of Senator Ademola Adeleke. He and his late elder brother, Isiaka Adeleke have since earned themselves a place in the record books as the first set of siblings to be elected as governors. Some people attributed Governor Oyetola’s loss at the poll to the rift between Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It was in 2022 that it became obvious that the latter duo was no longer together.
One of the surprises of the year was the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere’s open declaration of support for Peter Obi’s presidential aspiration. Not a few people had thought the Afenifere would support a Yoruba candidate.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued its war against corruption with the arrest and prosecution of fraudsters, culminating in the conviction of many. The Commission would however make a corollary show of strength with the invasion of former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s residence.
Videos of a visibly terrified Okorocha reciting Bible verses as EFCC operatives broke in through his ceiling soon emerged on the internet. The former Governor had shared the videos online while the operation lasted. That was however not enough to stop it; an indication that shege comes in varying degrees and is not a respecter of status.
The former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu happened to be another Nigerian politician that had it rough last year. He recovered well from the Yam Festival brouhaha of 2019 and his respect as Ikeoha in his community was never in doubt. That he spent Christmas and New Year in a British jail was however one of the most unexpected events of 2022. No one saw it coming.
Nigerians who fondly referred to the Pound Sterling as “Owo Iya Charly” (Charly’s mother’s money) will have to find another sobriquet for the currency under reference, especially now that the face of King Charles III is on the British Pound.
Some deaths shook Nigeria in 2022. The Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji transited on the second day of the year. Nine days later, he was joined by the former Head of Nigeria’s Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adéyemí III joined his ancestors in April. His burial, especially the earlier part was ample proof that the core Yoruba tradition was gradually fading away. Mohammed Barkindo, the Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) President passed away barely 36 hours after receiving a presidential commendation in Abuja. Christians were particularly jolted by the death of Osinachi Nwachukwu whose song, “Ekwueme” is a popular Gospel hit.
Allegations that her death was domestic violence-related made it the more saddening. Perhaps a rather shocking one was that of Sammie Okposo. Fans were still reacting to his post on social media when they heard of his demise.
As the year was rounding off, Demola Seriki, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain died in Madrid. It is believed that his death may affect part of the political equation in Lagos, his home state ahead of the 2023 polls.
Perhaps 2022 was not shege all the way; at least new vocabularies were added to Nigeria’s Political Dictionary with “O Lulẹ, Eleyi and Emi Lo Kan” gaining prominent usage. The term “Obedient” was also coined in the year.
Like his predecessors, Derin Ologbenla, Abewe Ila and Adelekan Olubuse I who made history for different reasons, the current Ọọni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ọjaja II proved his mettle as an epitome of grandeur. While many men have adduced “Buharinomics” and the economic situation of Nigeria to their refusal to get married, His Imperial Majesty the Ọọni married five new Oloris within a month!
Well, away from the gloom that characterized the year; Nigerians had things to cheer about. Tobi Amusan broke the 100m Hurdles Commonwealth Games and World Records in 2022. She ended the year as Africa’s Best Female Athlete, courtesy of the Confederation of African Athletics.
Some are however afraid that the real shege may be ahead, since the Federal Government has announced that fuel subsidies will end in June 2023. Nigerians will therefore need to brace up for a hike in the price of petrol. Be that as it may, personally, I see 2023 as a year of “Open Doors” that will herald new opportunities.
Shege or no shege, Nigeria will have a new President come May 29, 2023, and a maybe not entirely new set of people will run the affairs of the country.
While those who can ja pa are gleefully doing so, those who cannot are preparing for whatever is to come. One can only hope and pray that this time next year, we will not look back and say we thought we saw shege in 2022, not knowing that 2023 would be tougher.”
Adejumo sent this piece from Ibadan
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State stands on the edge of a consequential decision—one that may define not only its fortunes in Ibadan North Federal Constituency but also its broader political relevance in the state.
As the countdown to the party primaries intensifies, the question before APC leaders is no longer routine. It is strategic. It is urgent. And it is decisive: will the party align with the clear preference of the people or risk repeating costly political miscalculations?
At the centre of this debate is Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega, widely known as Repete—a name that has, over time, evolved from a political identity into a grassroots phenomenon.
A Candidate Rooted in the People
In contemporary Nigerian politics, where voter awareness is rising and expectations are shifting, candidates are increasingly judged not by promises but by presence. On this scale, Adegboyega stands tall.
His political journey is marked by consistent engagement with constituents—far beyond the optics of election seasons. From youth empowerment initiatives that provide practical skills and startup support, to sustained interventions in healthcare access for the elderly and indigent, his footprint across Ibadan North reflects a model of leadership anchored on service.
Unlike the transactional approach that often defines political relationships, Adegboyega’s connection with the people appears organic—built on trust, accessibility, and continuity. These are not mere campaign attributes; they are political assets.
The Danger of Political Disconnect
History offers the APC a clear lesson: parties that ignore grassroots sentiment often pay a heavy electoral price. The imposition of candidates perceived as distant or untested has, in several instances, resulted in voter apathy, internal dissent, and eventual defeat at the polls.
Ibadan North presents no exception.
With opposition parties closely monitoring the APC’s internal dynamics, any misstep in candidate selection could provide a ready opening. A divided house, coupled with a candidate lacking widespread acceptance, is a formula the opposition is well-positioned to exploit.
The implication is straightforward: this is not merely about party loyalty; it is about electoral viability.
Echoes from the Grassroots
Across the length and breadth of Ibadan North—markets, motor parks, religious centres, and community gatherings—a consistent pattern emerges in political conversations. The name “Repete” resonates with familiarity and acceptance.
Such organic support is not easily manufactured. It is cultivated over time through visible impact and sustained presence. For a party seeking electoral certainty in a competitive environment, this level of grassroots validation is not just desirable—it is critical.
A Test of Leadership and Judgment
For the APC leadership in Oyo State, the moment calls for clarity of purpose. Decisions driven by narrow interests, personal alignments, or short-term calculations may carry long-term consequences.
The task, therefore, is to balance internal considerations with external realities. Elections are ultimately decided by voters, not by party caucuses. A candidate who commands public confidence offers the strongest pathway to victory.
The Stakes Are Clear
Ibadan North is too strategic a constituency for experimentation. The cost of error is not limited to a single seat; it extends to party cohesion, credibility, and future positioning within the state’s political landscape.
In this context, the argument for Adegboyega is less about sentiment and more about strategy. His visibility, acceptability, and record of engagement place him in a strong position to consolidate support and mobilise voters effectively.
Conclusion: A Choice with Consequences
As the APC moves closer to its primaries, the decision before it is both simple and significant: align with a candidate who reflects the mood of the electorate or risk conceding advantage to a watchful opposition.
In politics, moments such as this often separate foresight from hindsight.
For APC in Ibadan North, this may well be one of those defining moments.
Aderibigbe Akanbi, a political analyst, writes from Ibadan.
As the road to 2027 gradually unfolds across Oyo State, political conversations are shifting from routine permutations to deeper questions about competence, generational leadership, and measurable impact. In Ibarapa East, that conversation has found a new voice in Yusuf Abiodun Ramon — a Lanlate-born technocrat whose entry into the race for the State House of Assembly is redefining what representation could mean for the constituency.
In a political environment often dominated by familiar faces and conventional calculations, Ramon presents a profile shaped by technical discipline, structured thinking, and solution-driven engagement. His professional background, anchored in analytical precision and systems management, forms the foundation of his public service aspiration.
For him, representation must move beyond ceremonial presence to practical responsiveness — laws that reflect local realities, oversight that protects public resources, and advocacy that translates into visible development.
Ramon argues that the future of Ibarapa East lies in leadership that listens deliberately, plans strategically, and delivers measurably. He speaks of strengthening rural infrastructure, expanding youth-driven economic opportunities, and institutionalising transparency as core pillars of his agenda. In his view, governance must not merely be symbolic; it must be structured, accountable, and people-centred.
Rooted in Ile Odede, Isale Alubata Compound, Ward Seven of Ibarapa East Local Government, and maternally linked to Ile Sobaloju, Isale Ajidun Compound, Eruwa, Ramon’s story is not one of distant ambition but of lived experience. He is, in every sense, a son of the soil — shaped by the same roads, schools, and economic realities that define daily life in Ibarapa East.
“I was born here. I grew up here. I understand our struggles, our strengths, and our untapped potential,” he says. “Representation must go beyond occupying a seat; it must translate into preparation, competence, and genuine commitment to development.”
His academic journey mirrors that philosophy of steady growth. He began at Islamic Primary School, Lanlate (1995–2001), proceeded to Baptist Grammar School, Orita Eruwa (2001–2007), and later earned a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, between 2009 and 2011. Refusing to plateau, he advanced his intellectual horizon and is now completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Lagos. “Education,” he reflects, “is continuous capacity building. Leadership today requires both technical knowledge and administrative insight.”
That blend of engineering precision and managerial training has defined a professional career spanning more than a decade. Shortly after his diploma, Yusuf joined Mikano International Limited as a generator installer, gaining hands-on experience in industrial power systems — a sector central to Nigeria’s infrastructural backbone. He later transitioned into telecommunications at Safari Telecoms Nigeria Limited, where he received specialized training in Industrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands, strengthening his expertise in network operations.
In 2013, he became a Field Support Engineer at Netrux Global Concepts Ltd., then a leading ISM service provider in Nigeria. Over four formative years, he immersed himself in telecom infrastructure deployment and maintenance, mastering field coordination, logistics management, and real-time technical problem-solving.
Since July 2017, he has served as a Field Support Engineer with Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd., a power solutions firm providing services to major operators including MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria. In that capacity, he operates at the frontline of ensuring energy reliability and network uptime — responsibilities that demand discipline, accountability, and systems thinking.
For political observers in Ibarapa East, this trajectory matters. It reflects more than résumé credentials; it speaks to a mindset anchored in efficiency, coordination, and measurable outcomes — qualities increasingly demanded in legislative representation.
Beyond the private sector, Ramon’s political exposure is neither sudden nor superficial. A loyal member of the progressive political family in Lagos, he once served as a personal assistant to a former lawmaker, gaining practical insight into legislative procedure and constituency engagement. Within his community, he has quietly extended financial support to small-scale entrepreneurs and students — modest but consistent interventions rooted in personal responsibility.
“My interest is my people,” he states firmly. “Ibarapa East deserves strategic, responsive, and capable leadership at the State Assembly. We must move from rhetoric to results.”
Across the constituency — from Lanlate to Eruwa — development priorities remain clear: youth employment, vocational empowerment, rural road rehabilitation, stable power supply, agricultural value-chain expansion, improved educational standards, and stronger lawmaking that directly reflects community needs.
Political analysts argue that Ramon’s technocratic background positions him uniquely at the intersection of policy formulation and practical implementation. At a time when national discourse increasingly favours competence over grandstanding, his profile resonates with a broader generational shift toward performance-driven governance. His engineering discipline reinforces problem-solving; his business training strengthens administrative understanding; his grassroots roots anchor his empathy.
For Ibarapa East, the 2027 election cycle may represent more than a routine democratic exercise. It may mark a recalibration of expectations — a demand for representation that understands both the soil beneath its feet and the systems that drive modern development. As political alignments gradually crystallize in Oyo State, Yusuf Abiodun Ramon’s declaration signals the arrival of a candidate seeking to translate private-sector structure into public-sector impact.
One thing is clear: the conversation about the future of Ibarapa East has begun — and it is now framed around competence, credibility, and capacity.
Oluwasegun Idowu sent in this piece from Eruwa, Ibarapa East LG, Oyo State
“In a sky where delays are normal, one airline flies with precision and trust. Ibom Air shows that reliability can be a strategy”.
In Nigeria’s skies, where flight delays and cancellations are often taken as routine, Ibom Air has quietly rewritten the rules. From the moment it launched in June 2019, the Akwa Ibom State–owned carrier has treated reliability not as a bonus, but as a core strategy—turning punctuality, discipline, and operational excellence into a competitive edge that passengers can count on.
While most airlines chase rapid expansion or flashy promotions, Ibom Air has chosen consistency. Flights depart on schedule, disruptions are minimal, and communication with passengers is clear and timely. This predictability has quickly earned the airline a loyal following among business travellers, professionals, government officials, and families for whom time is invaluable.
The airline’s approach is methodical. Every flight is treated as a commitment, and operational decisions are guided by structured planning, not improvisation. This discipline underpins everything from scheduling to fleet management, ensuring passengers experience flying without surprises.
Central to this model is Ibom Air’s modern fleet. Its Airbus A220-300 and Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft are fuel-efficient, comfortable, and rigorously maintained to meet both manufacturers’ specifications and the regulatory standards of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and international aviation bodies. Safety here is a culture, not a compliance exercise.
Cabin cleanliness and aircraft health are equally prioritized. Passengers consistently step into neat, hygienic, and professionally maintained cabins, reinforcing confidence and comfort even before take-off. In a sector where small details signal operational quality, Ibom Air’s standards speak volumes.
Technology quietly drives reliability across operations. From booking and check-in to flight coordination and customer service, modern systems enhance efficiency, reduce disruptions, and ensure smooth communication. These tools allow the airline to anticipate challenges rather than merely react.
R–L: Dr. Solomon Oroge, a consultant, and Mr. Idowu Ayodele, journalist and media practitioner, aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Service delivery follows the same disciplined pattern. Pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff operate under strict professional standards. Courtesy is paired with efficiency, and calm, structured service ensures passengers feel confident throughout their journey.
The Ibom Flyer loyalty programme reflects this structured approach, rewarding consistent passengers and fostering long-term engagement. It turns reliability into a tangible benefit for frequent flyers.
From its hub at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Ibom Air serves major Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Enugu, while extending its reach to West Africa with flights to Accra, Ghana. Expansion is deliberate, prioritizing sustainability over rapid growth that could compromise service quality.
Measured growth allows the airline to maintain operational excellence and service consistency even as demand increases—a strategy that contrasts sharply with competitors whose rapid expansion often strains resources.
Mr. Idowu Ayodele, journalist and media practitioner, pictured inside an Ibom Air aircraft.
Beyond commercial success, Ibom Air has become a national example. It has created employment, stimulated tourism, and strengthened regional connectivity, projecting a positive image of Nigerian aviation at a time when confidence in the sector is often fragile.
The airline has also challenged assumptions about government-owned enterprises. By combining professional management with operational autonomy, it demonstrates that public investment can achieve efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness.
Reliability, in the case of Ibom Air, is than a promise—it is a deliberate business philosophy. It shapes operations, informs decisions, and builds passenger trust consistently.
Technology, discipline, and attention to detail converge to produce an airline that works. Every element, from fleet maintenance to cabin service, supports the promise that Ibom Air delivers what it advertises—without surprises.
In a market where uncertainty has been the norm, Ibom Air has shown that consistency can be a strategic advantage. Passengers no longer fly with anxiety; they fly with confidence, knowing their schedules will hold and service will meet expectations.
Ultimately, Ibom Air is not just an airline—it is a model of operational excellence in Nigerian aviation. By prioritizing reliability over spectacle, discipline over improvisation, and planning over shortcuts, it sets a benchmark for the industry and a standard for passengers: in the skies, predictability is priceless
Idowu Ayodele – Journalist, Ibadan, Oyo State
0805 889 3736 | megaiconpress@gmail.com
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Oyo APC Set for Credible Direct Primaries, Says Alake Adeyemo
-
News1 week agoTCN plans power outage in Ibadan over substation maintenance
-
News5 days agoTegbe clarifies: No 3-month promise on power grid, outlines realistic reform timeline
-
News5 days agoYoruba Heritage Festival Honouring Ogedengbe Begins July 29