He said he was stunned when the official reportedly defended the expenditure by asking, “Do you know who he is? Do you know his wealth?” and saying, “What is the big deal?”
Disu contrasted this attitude with public service in the United States, where he said even wealthy cabinet members can fly economy because of the responsibility attached to their positions.
He also referenced billionaire Aliko Dangote, saying he had known him for decades and did not believe he owned a Rolls-Royce, adding that the latest vehicle he had seen him use was an electric car.
“There is something called understanding purpose. He has a purpose. Set an example,” Disu said.
There Is No Hope For Nigeria In Our Lifetime. I Don’t See A Miracle Happening — Journalist Jimi Disu gives up.
Veteran journalist Jimi Disu has expressed pessimism about Nigeria’s prospects, saying he does not expect a major turnaround in his lifetime.
“There is no hope oh… not in our lifetime. I don’t see it,” Disu said, referencing the biblical “threescore and ten” and adding, “I don’t see a miracle happening.”
He attributed his outlook to what he described as the influence of “Boys Quarters boys” who have “completely overrun the system,” arguing that many people in leadership no longer understand sacrifice or the responsibility that comes with public office.
Disu cited a recent exchange involving Seun Okinbaloye and an FIRS official over the purchase of an expensive vehicle by the President during difficult economic conditions.
He claimed some Ghanaians learnt the trade in Nigeria for about nine months before considering themselves trained, unlike the longer Igbo apprenticeship system where young people learn under experienced business owners before being settled to start their own ventures.
Kanayo said the difference in training and financial backing contributed to why Ghana’s movie industry is not as progressive as Nigeria’s.
“That’s why your industry is not as prosperous as Nigeria’s,” he said.
He also recalled the sacrifices behind Nollywood’s early growth, saying filmmakers sometimes used cooking allowances, borrowed cars and relied on people’s houses to shoot movies.
“Some women make movies with their cooking allowance given by their husbands,” he said, adding that filmmakers once stopped cars on the street and asked owners to allow them to use the vehicles for scenes.
There are more rich men in Nigeria than Ghana. They’ve not finished learning from us. That’s why their movie industry isn’t as progressive as ours — Actor Kanayo Kanayo.
Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has attributed the Nigerian film industry’s greater prosperity to the country’s apprenticeship culture and stronger financial support from wealthy individuals.
Speaking in Ghana during the press event for Lil Win’s Journey to Africa, Kanayo said Nigeria has more wealthy and generous individuals who are willing to support people learning the trade, even when there is a risk of losing their money.
“There are more rich men in Nigeria than Ghana, that’s true, more rich men who are more generous,” he said.
He also argued that Ghana’s film industry has not fully completed the kind of apprenticeship process that helped build Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
“Ghana started this apprenticeship under this kind of circumstance in Nigeria. But did not stay to finish the apprenticeship,” Kanayo said.
Odumeje also warned pastors against telling young Nigerians that their primary responsibility is to pray, saying such messages could discourage them from pursuing their talents and careers.
“You want to deceive the youth… so that the youth will be turned to be pastors. You go out there and fight for your right,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to demand greater accountability from government, saying, “Everybody come out, let us fill the street and take back our government.”
However, Odumeje stressed that his criticism was not directed at Christianity itself.
“Everybody must know Christ, everybody must serve Christ,” he said, while adding that serving Christ should not prevent people from pursuing their professions.
“Everybody has a talent. There are doctors, there are engineers,” he added.
You Want To Deceive The Youth So They Won’t Fight For Their Rights; Nigeria Should Prioritise Development— Pastor Odumeje Reacts To Arome’s Prayer Remarks.
Pastor Odumeje has criticised the idea that Nigeria has a special “calling” to prayer or revival, arguing that the country should focus more on development, innovation and responsible leadership.
Reacting to Apostle Arome’s call for Nigerians to stop comparing themselves with the Chinese, whom he described as productive and innovative, Odumeje questioned the claim that Nigeria’s calling is primarily spiritual.
“I heard a pastor saying Nigeria has a calling to prayer. What kind of calling is that? Are we meant to be prayer warriors?” Odumeje asked.
He argued that other countries have developed by building and creating, while Nigeria should similarly prioritise development.
“Developers, builders, creators,” he said, adding that Nigerians should focus on creating and developing the country rather than being told that prayer alone will solve its problems.
