The Parable of Mr. Reno Omokri and Jagbajantis Mathematics: What Future Awaits a Nation Where Gbájúé Defines Public Discourse?
Today, I remember Mr. Jagbajantis, that timeless song by the late Sound Sultan. A bold, satirical anthem that exposed the contradictions of Nigeria’s public life with unapologetic clarity. Sadly, decades later, not only do the lyrics remain relevant, they now read like a prophecy. The absurdities have grown louder, more audacious, now paraded in broad daylight with little regard for public intelligence.
I do not write as a politician. I write as a father in his twilight years, raising a child and daring to believe in a better Nigeria. And I am troubled.
Troubled because what should be national discourse has been reduced to theatrics, deceit, and distortion. Troubled because the common good is being sacrificed on the altar of self-promotion dressed up as patriotism.
As our elders say: “Àbéré bó l’ówo àdètè, ó dè tẹ.”
When a needle falls into the hands of a leprous man, retrieving it becomes a grave dilemma.
A simple question, what exact portion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been completed?, has devolved into a social media spectacle. Instead of clarity, we’ve been fed grandstanding, drone theatrics, and disjointed footage.
Throughout this drama, I have followed closely. I must commend ObjecTV Media for their unwavering clarity, raising issues of national conscience far beyond the spin of politics.
Let us be clear: this is no longer about Mr. Reno Omokri or his self-styled coastal inspection. It is about the quality of leadership, citizenship, and national conversation we are modeling for the next generation.
Are we teaching our children truth, honor, and integrity? Or are we showing them that performance, manipulation, and ego-driven drama are the new fast tracks to relevance?
The issues surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are too critical to be buried under personal theatrics:
- The Resurrection of Tolling
After the bloodshed at Lekki, where young Nigerians demanded justice and an end to exploitative systems, why are toll gates quietly resurfacing, rebranded and repositioned? At what cost? Must every so-called development come at the expense of the people’s peace?
- Displacement Without Justice
Citizens displaced by the road’s realignment are already speaking out. Many have received no compensation, no notice, and no resettlement plan. Is this the Nigerian dream we promised them?
- The Absence of Safety Infrastructure
From Victoria Island to Kilometer 19.5, there are no visible hard shoulders, no safety buffers, and no emergency planning. For a mega project of this scale, these are not luxuries, they are lifesaving necessities.
And yet, the most basic claim still lacks evidence:
Where is the video from Kilometer 30, the very point Mr. Omokri claimed to have inspected?No verifiable footage has surfaced. The farthest we’ve seen is Kilometer 19.5, and even that lacks timestamped clarity.
So again, I ask:
- Where did the inspection start?
- Where did it end?
- Why the sudden reliance on drone footage?
- Why avoid directly acknowledging that Kilometer 30 was never reached?
These are not attacks. These are legitimate questions of public accountability. If you made a claim, back it up. If you fell short, own it. Integrity is not weakness, it is the foundation of leadership.
As a father, I want to raise a son who believes that truth matters. That accountability is not optional. That public trust is sacred.
To our leaders and opinion influencers: Our children are watching. What are we teaching them?
Will we raise a generation built on truth and courage? Or one groomed in tactical deceit and social manipulation?
Let us not sacrifice the soul of a nation for applause or algorithmic fame.
Now, let’s return to the real questions that demand answers as ObjecTV Media has continued to clarify:
- How many toll gates are being planned, and what is their economic impact?
- What is the government’s resettlement and compensation plan for displaced citizens?
- Where is the safety infrastructure, especially hard shoulders and emergency exits?
- What is the total cost of this project, and where is the transparency framework?
Mr. Omokri, your distraction has expired.
The country is bigger than ego. The people deserve better than a performance.
It’s time to rebuild with truth, fairness, and accountability.
Because Nigeria deserves more than showbiz.
