I almost concluded that bank cum highway robbery had become a thing of the past in every facet of Nigeria not until the second quarter of 2018 when my likes were proven wrong.

In the period in review – precisely on Thursday, 5^th April 2018 – in broad daylight, a gang of well-armed robbers serially invaded five different commercial banks alongside a micro-finance bank in Offa town situated in Kwara State, the home State of the then Nigeria’s number three citizen Sen. Bukola Saraki who was the President of the Nigerian Senate.

The affected financial institutions included Eco, Guaranty Trust, First, Union, and Zenith banks. The firms weren’t just invaded but equally robbed by the invaders. In the process, many were reportedly murdered, several individuals maimed and injured while others managed to escape for their dear lives. It’s noteworthy that some of the police personnel on duty were part of those brutally killed.

It was gathered that the culprits’ ammunition outshined that of the policemen guarding the various banks. According to the ugly report, the robbers were said to be armed with firearms like machine gun, magazine and other related weapons whereas the police officers could at most boast of AK-47 and its likes.

Upon investigations, the police thereafter informed that some of the criminals had been apprehended as the government vowed to ensure every person involved in the dastardly act was duly arrested and prosecuted without much ado. This implies that as other suspects were still seemingly at large, there was apparently no hidden place for each of them.

It was indeed hard to believe that in the contemporary Nigerian society, six different financial institutions could be successfully invaded and robbed in broad daylight by a certain group of miscreants. It became more mind-boggling when realized that the disaster took place in an era when the apex government had ostensibly considered security as priority.

Whatever the case might be, it’s pertinent to painstakingly dissect the Offa incident towards reaching a tangible conclusion. Every discerning mind could comprehend that the affected firms were not robbed simultaneously.

It was also very crucial to take into cognizance that the incident took place amidst the digital age; an era when even a kid could easily assess telecommunication; a period that makes a distance amounting to various kilometres seem so short.

The above observation, as rightly raised by me as at then, is trying to notify us that the concerned security outfits were so sluggish or reluctant towards responding to the robbery attack.

Let’s assume the security men on duty were overpowered as claimed. But it was difficult to assume or believe, as the case may be, that the various security authorities domiciled in the affected State were equally engulfed by the attacked.

For six banks to be robbed one after the other was enough indication that there was a serious lapse as regards curtailing the numerous lingering security challenges not just in Kwara State but across the lengths and breadth of Nigeria. The pace in which the police respond to distress call was exactly the worries raised by the teeming Nigerians when the incident came to public notice.

However, since apportioning blames couldn’t solve the societal plight or could rather result in further crisis, there was then need for the concerned citizens to focus on the way forward.

It was indisputable that no existing bank in Nigeria lacked the Closed Circuit Television (CCT) camera as at then, hence the need to concur with the government’s avowal that there was no hidden place for the culprits.

Though the said device would serve as an aid in capturing each of the suspects, those that were already apprehended by the Police were meant to further assist in providing the consequential details surrounding the ones that were still on the run.

More so, while analyzing the matters arising of the ugly incident, I unequivocally stated then that for apt deterrent to be served, adequate prosecution mustn’t be overlooked. Hence, the crusade wasn’t supposed to stop at just capturing the entire fugitives.

The concerned authorities were expected to further ensure that the jury’s verdict was duly served, and such needn’t be delayed if they were truly determined to serve a placebo to the people.

It’s worrisome and disturbing that till this moment, no one has been convicted as regards that cruel incident that transpired in Offa a few years back. This no doubt signifies enough reason to worry over the Nigeria’s Justice System and other related institutions therein.

Away from justice, the governments at all levels in Nigeria are required to lay emphasis on how best the personnel that have been mandated to safeguard the people’s lives and property can be well-armed with a view to rendering effective and efficient services in their respective jurisdictions.

Above all, the benefitting companies domiciled in any part of the country must on their part endeavour to materially, and otherwise, support the security outfits – particularly the police – so there won’t be any room for excuse when any unfortunate and unforeseen circumstance befalls them. They shouldn’t leave all responsibilities for the government, because the latter cannot handle it alone.

It is part of the Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) of these firms, especially the financial ones that are more in need of security services, to from time to time extend hands of fellowship to the law enforcement agencies in question, mainly in the area of equipment procurement and workers’ incentives.

It’s therefore needless to reiterate that all hands are expected to be on deck towards boosting the country’s security system, as we eagerly wait for the needed justice to be duly served without further ado.

The last time I checked, Nigerians in their entirety could not wait to embrace the 2023 general elections which are already by the corner. Before now, they waited patiently to witness this epochal moment.

As Nigerians in their number are basked in the ecstasy that accompanies the long awaited national ritual, before they eventually embrace the D-day, there are prime inevitable factors that mustn’t be swept under the carpet by the key actors of the impending exercise.

In any political clime across the globe, the major actors remain the political parties, electoral umpire and the electorate, hence that of Nigeria wouldn’t be exceptional. These three groups are mainly the reason for this piece, though the stance of the security outfits cannot be possibly overlooked.

It’s noteworthy that, according to record available to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), countless registered political parties would be participating in the elections come 2023, and each of these platforms is entitles to contestants.

These parties alongside their respective flag-bearers need to take into cognizance that their activities before, during and after the polls will go a long way in communicating to the electorate what they are really made up of and their real intentions.

The various parties are the main players in the pitch, hence the way and manner they play the ball as well as dribble their rivals would determine the amount of followers to be attracted to them. It suffices to enthuse that if they refused to play well or reasonably, they are liable to lose millions of fans among the spectators.

On the ballot papers meant for the contest, what is legibly written are the names/acronyms of the various political parties vying for the available positions, not the names of the recognized contestants. Thus, political wise, the electorate cast their respective votes in support of the parties as disclosed on the ballot papers, not the politicians or flag-bearers.

Acknowledging the above indisputable fact, each of the parties are expected to conduct itself in a manner where people would see it as the most suitable party for the posts being contested for. It’s noteworthy that the way they dress would surely determine how the viewers would address them.

It is primarily the duty of the parties to market or advertise the aspirants in a mature pattern, to enable them attract large and good number of prospective buyers to their shops. If the shops or products are not looking attractive and sound, no reasonable buyer will walk up to them or be moved by the wares let alone making a purchase. There are no two ways about it.

On their part, the electorate must be mindful of the product they intend to purchase. They must note that “all that glitters is not gold”. That a certain shop or ware is very attractive doesn’t actually mean the content is good or sound enough for consumption. This implies that the electorate must not only be watchful, but equally careful and cautious.

As the parties go about marketing their various flag-bearers, the electorate need to be prepared to get very close to the aspirants with a view to assessing them thoroughly and carefully towards ascertaining the qualities they truly possess.

So, don’t be deceived. And, in order not to be carried away by deceit, you need to know what you really want or desire. One who doesn’t know what he/she actually desires would be easily cajoled into purchasing the wrong product or brand. You must, therefore, discover your desire and stick to it.

Inter alia, the electorate are also urged to realize their needs. There is a great dichotomy between want and need. What a certain set of people want might only quench their personal/individual thirsts, but their need will surely satisfy the urge of the entire constituency, state, or country, as the case may be. Hence, one’s need supersedes his/her want. You are by this exegesis enjoined to go only for your needs at all cost.

The electoral umpire, the INEC, is not left out. You are the referee in this pitch, thus shouldn’t be reminded that all eyes are on you. You are, therefore, required to settle any score without sentiments. Your neutrality must not be compromised or in doubt. You must remain neutral, impartial and strict, no matter whose ox is gored.

Do not mortgage the future of our constituencies, states, or country for a mere pot of porridge yam. Posterity will undoubtedly judge you if you walk on the wrong path, and sooner and later, you would be disgraced in the public sphere. Be duly notified that no one will ever escape from the Law of Karma. It’s a law that has come to stay, hence absolutely nothing will truncate its existence.

Like I hinted earlier, the security outfits are equally part of this ritual. You have been contracted by the Nigerian people to ensure absolute calmness and peace as long as the exercise lasts, thus the citizenry aren’t expecting any excuses from you irrespective of the circumstance. If you ceased to be patriotic in carrying out the consignment, then you aren’t good or needed for the job.

Before we embrace the long awaited polls, we mustn’t be reminded that Nigeria as a country doesn’t need second best, but second to none.

It is an everyday occurrence that the men of the military take it as a serious affront when they find a civilian using the army green colour, a colour that is said to have been specifically reserved for them and they don’t hesitate to make sure that the person meets his waterloo. The military go as far as beating, harassing, intimidating and melting all kinds of punishment on the unfortunate civilian they catch “flying” their colour or using the camouflage. 

In Nigeria, the army green is the colour that is claimed to have been specifically reserved for the military men and it is hence regarded as the army colour and any civilian found using or wearing that colour within the territory of Nigeria is an usurper who is looking for troubles.

The everyday news of the men of the armed forces manhandling any civilian they caught using the army green color which is regarded as their colour has made people question the rationale and the legality behind this act. Citizens have asked lawyers and those knowledgeable of the law, if there’s a law to that effect that specifically prohibits any person other than the military men using the army green color, or any law specifically reserving that colour for the military men within the confines of Nigeria or the military men are just taking laws into their hands by restricting people from using the color green just like secret cult groups that restrict individuals who are not members of that secret cult from “flying” their colours which they chose and reserve for themselves alone.

Yes!, there’s a law in Nigeria that reserved the colour of army green for the men or armed forces alone and thereby prohibiting the use of such colour by civilians.

The Army Colour (Prohibition of Use) Act is the extant law in Nigeria which is still in force up till this very moment that prohibits civilians from using the colour of army green as that colour has been reserved specifically for the use of the men of the armed forces.

S.1 of the act (The army colour prohibition of use act) clearly prohibits civilians or anybody who is not a member of the armed forces to drive or be incharge of any vehicle that is painted with the colour of green unless such vehicle belongs to the Nigerian army or its members. This act subsequently provides for punishments in s.2 of this act for any civilians who are caught driving or using a vehicle painted with the army green. The punishment is that the offender will be jailed for six months or more or made to pay a fine.

Therefore, even if the army green colour is your favorite colour, when you are using it as a civilian you are a law breaker and even if you are not caught you are still a law breaker.

Be it as it may, no law empowers the men of the armed forces to harass, beat up, frog-jump or intimidate any civilian they caught using the army colour. The due process of the law is to  be followed in prosecuting such offender which is arrest and trial and then conviction of the offender if found guilty.

In a surprising move, two Tanzanian rival companies have decided to put their competition differences aside and team up to win more market shares. Classified platforms, ZoomTanzania and Kupatana, announced that they are merging to form a new online marketplace.

The two companies are among leading marketplaces in Tanzania. The decision means that their marketplaces will henceforth become one in aim to boost growth as competition grows intense in the market.

The Tanzanian marketplace is made up of competitors such as Kaymu, kivuko, jumia, inazuwa and shopping, who are each fighting for the market’s soul.  ZoomTanzania and Kupatana believe the merger will give them a competitive edge over the rest.

ZoomTanzania is owned by Roam while Kupatana is backed by Frontier Digital Ventures.

Afrieuro Digital Ventures, a Tanzanian private limited company, obtained the exclusive rights to market and operate the two classified sites last year.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us, but particularly for the Tanzanian internet users since we will be able to further develop the already strong online marketplace presence and provide even more sales opportunities and a better user experience across all categories,” Makusaro Tesha, General Manager of Afrieuro Digital Ventures said.

Under the merger deal, Kupatana.com will be kept as the brand name in the future but for now both websites will be kept as they are. This is due to the high brand awareness rate in Tanzania and mobile adoption of users. In the beginning of next year the plan is to launch a new website that will merge both brands.

“From a technical standpoint, the new platform will be a new version that will combine the best of the two platforms, but also bring new and exciting features so that we can provide a safe, fast and user-friendly experience to buy and sell online,” says Makusaro Tesha.

Tanzania, with a population of 60 million people, has an agricultural-based economy, but is working to boost the tourism sector. The East African country’s economy is expected to grow from the current 5% to 8% in the next five years. This means, the second-largest economy in East Africa, will have larger growth potential for its marketplace industry.

Merger has over the years proved effective in helping companies in different industries to stay afloat amidst economic crunch or fierce competition. ZoomTanzania and Kupatana’s merger is likely going to set a precedent in the Tanzanian marketplace industry.