As a growing child, I strongly nurtured the concept that if I eventually joined politics in future, I would like to serve in the Senate whereby I would be involved in making national laws and would be able to be addressed as Senator.

But it seems currently, I’m gradually losing that dream, which I once nurtured with great passion and vigour. The loss of interest might not be unconnected with the ongoing trend across the federation I’ve taken time to observe.

With all due respect, the continued melodrama being displayed by serving governors in Nigeria has ostensibly made the revered Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) to inadvertently lose its honour by the day. My choice of words ought to be considered apt if you make a bit effort to be in my humble shoes.

I wouldn’t be informing us if I say these various serving governors have made the Senate to be seen as their retirement hub. Virtually all wanted to land in the NASS’ upper chamber having been handed over as the Executive Governor of his State. This glaring situation is pathetically fast becoming a norm.

It has amusingly continued unabated that any governor who’s serving his second term and almost completing the tenure wouldn’t hesitate to start dreaming how he would be addressed as a senator the moment he left office.

They continually think in this direction as if it has become statutory for them to vacate the Government House for the Senate upon the expiration of their tenures.

The question remains: how did we get here or who actually initiated this? Aside from ascertaining the brain behind the initiative, there’s equally need to realize the reason the electorate are yet to question – in its entirety – this practice, which has succeeded in truncating the chances of ‘virgin’ Nigerians securing a senatorial seat.

As the purported political tradition lingers, most concerned analysts are engulfed in uncertainties as they ceaselessly argue that there’s no good side of the unending practice.

According to this set of thinkers, the system is unwittingly throwing normalcy to the dust by allowing a few gladiators to hijack what belongs to all. I concur wholly with this school of thought, hence deeply perturbed about the existence of the uncalled act.

As I keenly observe the intrigues and intricacies surrounding the perverted political system, I can’t help but remain sober. The unfriendly ripples emanating from the anomaly is enough reason to worry over the future of our nascent democracy. This, therefore, calls for an alarm from any well-meaning onlooker.

It becomes more worrisome when realized that any of the said politicians who intends to retire to his country home, or outside the Senate, after serving as a governor is strongly ‘scolded’ by his teeming followers for nurturing such interest let alone disclosing it.

This implies the followers are partly, if not mainly, the reason the leaders have apparently chosen to remain the bidders while the former continue to clap with their teeth widely open.

It’s so sad, to assert the least, that no Nigerian politician – on the average – wishes to retire having served ‘successfully’ in a certain position of authority; rather, he would want to taste virtually every other political post as he leaves office. This has abruptly become a recurring decimal among these politicos. One could boldly opine that this is an aberration.

Retirement is a good thing that every right thinking person should yearn for. It is a time when an individual is required to take a resounding rest having meritoriously served in a particular position within a given duration. Such a period in one’s life deserves to be celebrated by all and sundry. But it’s absurd that in this part of the world, people fear to go for such rest.

On the part of the civil servants, particularly the state employees, their fear is understandable. They are invariably afraid to embrace retirement owing to the fact that receiving their pensions, and even gratuities, would be far-fetched. So, in this case, we are moved to sympathize with this class of persons.

But in the case of the politicians who may have acquired ‘all’ while in office, such fear of the unknown is laughable, thus not in any way acceptable. Funnily enough, these past governors would gladly collect pensions while serving as senators. How do we reconcile this?

My prime worry and furry is that the country’s revered Senate is fast becoming a retirement ground for its various politicians. Lawmaking, which is a very critical and sensitive activity, hence supposed to be reserved strictly for only ‘fresh bloods’, is now seen as a duty meant for retirees. This ugly development is mischievously implying that our young ones cannot handle the said portfolio as expected. What a nation!

We cannot continue to mortgage our collective future for a mere pot of porridge yam. It’s conspicuously high time the youth rose up from this slumber that has already unequivocally consumed their fortune. This arrant apathy, or perhaps ignorance, that smacks of cowardice, ought to be wholly terminated headlong.

As I weep on this rostrum, I don’t seek for one that could wipe the tears but someone who would truly and fully comprehend the real essence of the sobriety.

Online gambling goes hand in hand with fun and excitement, and people all over the world are eager to discover new operators and innovative games to play. If you are looking to join an online wagering site, here are some valuable tips you should consider before you start playing in South African online casinos. Let’s dive in.

Check Laws and Regulations

First things first – before you start playing, it would be wise to go through all the relevant legal information to avoid any complications, especially as a South African player, since online casinos are somewhat of a gray area in the country.

For example, some banks will not even support transactions made through certain platforms from South Africa, which, in the end, could make your winnings impossible to gather. That is why the safest way to enjoy online gambling is to double-check (emphasis on this!) every platform’s licensing and registration data or choose one of the reliable foreign websites.

In this regard, there are great sites from different parts of the world that welcome South African casino players and support the local currency, where Malta is among the most popular

Find a Reputable Listing Website

The best way to pick the right platform is to find a reputable listing that analyzes and compares the best online casinos for South African players, like Playcasino.co.za. Places like this can be your guide to understanding the key criteria behind choosing the right platform. They will provide you with a list of suggestions supported by hundreds of casino reviews that will help you make an informed decision.

And the best part – casino listings sites kind of operate as the Wikipedia of the digital gambling world, keeping track of all the industry news and innovations for all kinds of game types ranging from exciting table games to simple scratch cards.

Look at the Variety of Games

Thanks to technological developments and providers such as Microgaming, Playtech, and Net Entertainment, the selection of online casino games is constantly on the rise. Seeing the copyright of one of the above-mentioned developers also adds to the reliability of the gambling shop you’re about to join.

Players can enjoy new versions and variations of classics such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, slots, and the rest, and discover some innovative solutions such as live dealer table games and video poker. That is why you should make sure to choose a site that offers a wide selection of options. For example, if you are a fan of slot machines, you will hardly be satisfied with an operator with just one or two kinds available.

Explore the Payment Options

The variety of payment options provided by an online casino is something more to consider before you place your first wager. Since you will be making money deposits and winning withdrawals on a regular basis, you want to make sure the site accepts your preferred payment methods. Nowadays, many platforms also provide their members with innovative gateways such as e-wallets and even cryptocurrencies.

Moreover, it is also a good idea to take further care of your money by creating a smart bankroll strategy.  That way, you may save a bonus amount of money you can use in the future.

Review the Bonuses

In order to make your wagering experience as fun as possible, never miss a chance to make use of online casino bonuses. From deposit bonuses to free spins and amazing jackpots, you can access a variety of rewards supported by the industry.

Once you choose the right website, check your email for promotions so you wouldn’t miss a casino bonus you might like. Some sites will give them on a weekly basis, while others may have a different schedule. You can read online reviews to get an understanding of the site’s bonus structure, or go through their basic rules to fully understand your rights and obligations.

Find a Game You Love

All players have their own preferences when it comes to the choice of gambling entertainment. Some prefer simple forms like slot machines, while others are more interested in games like poker that require strategic thinking. If you are entirely new to the world of digital operators, you may want to try out several games before you focus on just one.

Ideally, you should find a website that offers some free playtime so you could test as many games as you can before investing money for the first time. That way, you can figure out how each of them works, and choose your favorites. Once you’ve selected the game you’re most comfortable with, you may even start following the news about the tournaments available. Whether it’s a team game or individual entertainment, you can try your luck and take part in a competition.

There are many operators available to South Africans, and before you settle for one, make sure you explore your options. Now that you know what criteria to keep in mind before choosing an online establishment, you are ready to make the right decision.