Nigeria: Hardworking People, Non-working Government

Welcome to another special issue of our Naija BEST Magazine, your new go-to source for uplifting stories and positive narratives about Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad. Our mission is to shine a light on the achievements, culture, and potential of our nation, celebrating the spirit that makes Nigerians truly exceptional.

The Chaotic Paradox!

As we continue to celebrate and highlight our hardworking people’s achievements at home and abroad, we cannot feign ignorance of the catastrophic government failures resulting from erratic policies and the misplacement of priorities by successive leaders tasked with crafting progressive policies. The current administration, rife with corruption, has exacerbated the nation’s decline a hundredfold compared to its predecessors. Nothing seems to be working at present. At every turn, stark failures confront us. The economy is in complete disarray. Insecurity in Nigeria has taken on various dimensions, and enforcement agents are either ill-equipped or incompetent to tackle the menace head-on. Today, more than 80% of Nigerians have fallen below the global poverty line. Our foreign exchange is ranked among the world’s poorest exchange regimes.

How can we be insensitive to the plight of millions of mothers who cry as they see their children go to bed hungry every night? How can we turn deaf ears to the frustrations of poor market women who scream non-stop at the top of their voices, calling on customers without purchasing power? The times have never been more harrowing, and the pain is gruesome!

The True Nigerian Spirit Will See us Through

Against this vile and repulsive backdrop is the Never-Say-Die spirit of the Nigerian people. Emotionally, Nigerians never wail or whine. Wherever you find Nigerians all over the world, we are renowned for our unparalleled courage, boldness, and resilience, qualities that have seen us navigate through countless adversities. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated an unyielding spirit. We take challenges head-on, displaying a remarkable capacity to adapt and thrive despite seemingly insurmountable odds. This tenacity is deeply ingrained in our cultural fabric, inspiring a collective determination to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities.

No More “Renewed Hope”

This resilience is not just about survival; it is about forging ahead with optimism and creativity, proving that no matter the hardship, the Nigerian spirit remains unbroken. Our TRUE HOPE for survival is rooted in this unwavering determination to excel in any circumstances we find ourselves and this is the True Nigerian Spirit, the never-say-die spirit! If this spirit can drive individual excellence among Nigerians, it will undoubtedly guide Nigeria through its current economic and political challenges.

In this edition, we delve into the indomitable Nigerian Spirit that consistently distinguishes Nigerians on the global stage. One of our lead stories this time is that of Kemi Badenoch, the new Opposition Leader in the UK parliament.

As Nigerians around the world continue to celebrate Samson Dauda’s extraordinary victory at the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on October 12, 2024, another momentous event has captured global attention. On November 2, 2024, Kemi Badenoch defied all odds to win the Conservative Party’s leadership election in the UK, becoming the first Black woman to lead a major British political party.

This historic achievement has sent shockwaves across the globe, leaving those with prejudiced views reeling in disbelief. Born in the UK to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos, Kemi Badenoch has become an inspiration for people of colour worldwide and a motivational figure for women everywhere. Her story is one among several that exemplify the True Nigerian Spirit.

Expectedly, her success story was not without controversies, especially from many Nigerians who felt deeply betrayed by Kemi’s denial of her heritage. These controversies nearly overshadowed the excitement her victory initially sparked. No doubt She had occasionally made certain allusive derogatory remarks towards her roots and race. Unfortunately, not many Nigerians have taken the pains of investigating her peculiar circumstances, has Kemi Badenock really betrayed her people? Of what significance is this perceived betrayal to her overall life ambition?

In the wake of Kemi Badenoch’s historic achievement in November 2024, four other Nigerians are also celebrating their electoral victories in the United States. These trailblazers are Dr. Oye Owolewa, Chiaka Barry, Segun Adeyina, and Adeyemi Mobolanle, each basking in the glow of their respective successes at the polls.

As we were still savouring the electoral accomplishment of these four Nigerians at the polls in the United States, another breaking news surfaced online again! Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian prodigy in the United States made ground-breaking news again. She developed an Air Filter that removes 99% of Virus Particles. The state government has now approved a whopping $11.5 million (about N20 billion) investment in the statewide installations of the Air Filter.

We also proudly present another distinguished yet lesser-known Nigerian titan in the United States, Dr. Osatohanmwen Osemwengie. This renowned robotic engineer from Edo State stands as one of the best brains within American military engineering as well as NASA, where he excels in developing and building combat and surveillance drones and robots for the U.S. military.

Dr. Osemwengie’s remarkable academic achievements are nothing short of astounding, with seven master’s degrees in various fields and an impressive four PhDs. His accomplishments further cement the widely recognized fact that Nigerians rank among the most educated minority groups in the United States.

From the home front, we feature two remarkable investors as our Industry Icons for the month: Hajia Bola Shagaya, CEO of Bolmus Group, and Dr. Cosmas Maduka, Chairman of Coscharis Group.

Hajia Bola Shagaya has consistently ranked among the top 10 richest women in Africa for the past 15 years. With a net worth nearing a billion dollars, according to Forbes magazine, she presides over a vast conglomerate spanning various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Her extraordinary success story is built on courage, determination, and discipline. Shagaya has thrived where even the bravest of men have faltered, inspiring women of all generations to recognize that the only limitations they face are the ones they place on themselves.

Dr. Cosmas Maduka’s story is another testament to extraordinary resilience, exemplifying the invincible Nigerian Spirit and the unyielding will to persevere. Rising from a street hawker to one of Nigeria’s wealthiest billionaires through sheer hard work, tenacity, and perseverance, his automobile company, Coscharis Motors, is renowned as the leading dealer of luxury cars in Nigeria. But how did this spare part seller hit his Goldmine? You will get to know all these under the Industry Icons category.

This issue is brimming with incredible and inspiring stories you won’t want to miss. Enjoy them and share your feedback under each story. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported us on this journey, especially you, our dear readers. Your belief in our vision has fuelled our passion and determination, and we promise to honour that trust with every issue we bring forth.

Wishing you a Joyous Yuletide in advance!