The idea that politics is dirty, deadly, and dangerous has gained traction beyond the shore of Africa and much of the global south.
Like wildfire, it has spread with remarkable gusto; especially in places often dubbed democratically stable and mature. In Nigeria particularly, this warped idea has congealed into a widespread anxiety.
Ask anyone on the street to express their views about politics and you will be gob-smacked at their ill-informed revelation and half-baked rhetoric. Oftentimes, they find a way to lump politics and democracy together.
How wrong can they be? For one, politics precedes modern-day democratic governance by a wide margin.
Perhaps, this idea of ignorantly painting anything and everything with politics as a dark and unsettling endeavor has extended beyond the realm of the literate and the elites alike.
Those at the bottom-most rung of the social economic and political ladder also suffer from this fallacy of false generalization.
Whether in Nigeria or America, this palpable apprehension that often grips people once the word politics is uttered appeared utterly confounding, manifesting in despair, apathy, and pessimism. In a way, the recently concluded elections in the US buttressed this cogent point vividly.
A.D.S. School, Ilero Wins Beulah Adeoye ‘Unity Debate Competition’ in Kajola LG
American people went to the polls to elect their President and members of Congress last week Tuesday.
The election held the world by the throats as global citizens watched with batted breaths the next US commander-in-chief whose policies will have an overarching effect and influence on foreign relations, global trade, globalization, global peace and stability among other things.
While the rest of the world had no stake in the choice of the American leaders, the eventual fallout of that democratic ritual is felt beyond the confines of the American 50 States well into the curves and contours of the rest of the world.
Described as one of the most keenly contested races in the modern time, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump fought a good fight, dragged each other in the politics of mudslinging, attacked each other’s policy ideas and matched on each other’s neck with unbridled passion, on campaign trails, interviews and in debates.
In the end, the American people finally returned Donald Trump to the White House, for the second time, thus capping one of the greatest political comebacks in the history of the American democracy.
For those who think politics is all shades of vilification and calumny, I have good news for you: politics can also serve as the avenue for intellectual debate and discourse.
It can help electorates to have a closer look into the mind, mindset and state of the mind of the candidates. It can provide an opportunity for those undecided voters to make up their minds through the place rhetoric and revelation of those aspiring for public offices.
Politics also reveal the minds of the smart and the strong. It offers insight into the heart of the kind and the generous.
While politics offers the ladder to the seat of power and influence, any aspiring public servant must look beyond politics to see humanity.
Amofin Beulah Adeoye is aware of this fact. He has devoted his life to lifting people up rather than pulling them down. His views about politics are devoid of desperation and power grab.
He knows that politics is just a step towards a higher ideal and the expression of greater ideas. He is prepared in spirit and soul to fight for the collective interest of the people regardless of their class or caste, region or religion.
[…] IGBA-OTUN: Beulah Adeoye — Beyond PoliticsThe competition produced the following winners from both Local Government Areas:Irepo Local Government Results:First Place: Anifalaje Jamiu, Irepo Grammar School – 75 pointsSecond Place: Abdulraheem Ashiat, Igboho-More Community Grammar School – 70 pointsThird Place: Abdullahi Roheemat, Ifelodun Grammar School – 65 pointsIwajowa Local Government Results; First Place: Babalola Ruth, Baptist High School Iganna – 83 pointsSecond Place: Hamzat Abubakar, Baptist High School Iganna – 79 pointsThird Place: Akinfenwa Janet, Ilupeju Community Grammar School Iwere Ile – 59 pointsThe following students also participated in Iwajowa LGA;Olaide Ayomide, Ilupeju Community Grammar School Iwere Ile – 57 pointsAjayi Theresa, Iwajowa Community Grammar School Ijio – 39 pointsEmmanuel Seyi, Iwajowa Community Grammar School Ijio – 35 pointsThe foundation awarded winners with cash prizes and certificates of excellence in recognition of their outstanding performances. The Chief of Staff of Amofin Beulah Adeoye, Comrade Ridwan Fasasi, in his remarks, expressed his appreciation, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Judge, the corps members, the teachers from the participating schools, and all the students who attended the event. On behalf of Amofin Beulah, I want to appreciate the management of the host school for the support and coordination in making this event a success.”“Together, we have nurtured a spirit of intellectual curiosity, healthy competition and unity among our youth, paving the way for future debates and discussions. As a foundation, we are committed to do more. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the numerous educational initiatives we have planned,” he concluded. […]
[…] Olajide Hamzat It is far easier to set eyes on ordinary things than fix our gazes by adding the extra effort that may eventually make all the difference. Call it ambition. Call it a dream. Call it mission. Those who rise strongly above and beyond the ordinary take the extra pain of going the extra mile, adding extra effort in achieving their goals, meeting their expectations, and fighting till victory is attained. When we see giants of all sizes and shapes, we often assume, albeit erroneously, that they are some sort of superhuman who are both blessed and endowed with some supernatural talents and gifts. We heard people say big success is only for big people and that the underdogs do not stand a chance in the grand scheme of things. For one, this is both fallacious and fictitious. Fallacious because history is replete with the underdogs, the misfits, and unknowns who took the world by storm and carved an incredible niche for themselves in life. Most of these stories have been captured in books while others have been adapted into blockbusters movies. In Nigeria, examples abound about those who have odds stacked against them but still prevail in the long run. Stories of success from slums abound in the backwaters of cities and backseat stage of communities. When asked what stand them out of the pack, most of these record breakers and wondrous souls often attributed their successes to the extra layers of efforts, uncanny ability to go the extra mile plus the intrinsic motivation to change their story from underdog to top-dog. In our quest for a system that delivers public good without fear or favours, we must look past the ordinary things that we do and jump right into making extra of it. System and structures that we admire as a people are built by ordinary people with extraordinary zeal, zest and potential. People who went the extra mile to change the trajectory of their nation’s development. We must borrow a leaf from them. Personally, and professionally, Amofin Beulah Adeoye is an extraordinary man. In law and life, he stands as a beacon of hope, inspiration and possibility. Not only has he achieved extraordinary success in a very short period of time, he has equally invested heavily in transforming other people’s lives in extraordinary ways. In thinking, Amofin thinks big thought. His foundation exists to address fundamental and extraordinary challenges. Perhaps, the simplicity, and accessibility of Amofin Beulah Adeoye easily gives him away as an ordinary private citizen who’s struck gold and the jackpot in his professional calling. But on the inside, he is an extraordinarily contented man who is devoted and committed his life thereby tackling big issues that affect the common good of our people. Amofin Beulah Adeoye rose up from ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary feat. So, practically, he is endowed with the talent and the skills to change an ordinary story to one of extraordinary. Through his numerous interventions and contributions, he has shown repeatedly the power of his vision, and the readiness to mobilize resources to solve humanity’s biggest challenges and the unbridled passion to settle only for extraordinary results amid the plethora of ordinary efforts. Olajide Hamzat writes about the various prospect and potential of Oyo state while projecting Amofin Beulah Adeoye as a solution provider, problem solver and creative, adaptive and innovative leader and thinker with compassion and empathy. […]