Coming to terms with new developments in Nigeria is such an arduous task. The dynamics in politics and the economy have never been this dynamic. Particularly with the change in government and the falling price of crude oil in the international market, the need for new leaders to champion the course of redirecting Nigeria’s economy is more pressing.
If you are a regular reader of our magazine, you'll note that a few names have dropped from the list because of the change of guard in Aso Rock, while new names have sprung into the list. We tried to make the equation more dynamic, but our team of mathematicians couldn't come up with a better formula than we used in 2015. While we promise not to relent in the research for a new formula, we still had to work something out.
With an equation as unique as Einstein’s law of relativity, this equation should get you thinking. We arrived at this list of those who were most prominent in the Powerplay for the year 2015 and should be closely watched this new year 2016.
Powerplay Equation = C + B + I + H, where:
- C: Control over issues and people
- B: Bankability (the money factor)
- I: Influence in various fields of the economic and social sectors of the nation
- H: Heat and Controversiality, it just gets everyone talking about you.
Everyone in this list possesses at least traces of the above factors. Some have modest levels of C but less of H, others have limited B but oodles of I. Nobody has all four elements in equal measure; if they did, the whole country would blow up. But enough of any one of them is all it takes to rise to the top.
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President Muhammadu Buhari: On the fourth time of asking, PMB rode on the back of the desire of Nigerians for change to become the first civilian opposition candidate to win the presidential elections. Since taking over, he has re-energized the war on corruption and repositioned the armed forces to battle the Boko Haram menace.
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Olusegun Obasanjo: Like the cat with nine lives, OBJ seems to have found the formula to steer clear of the negative publicity that trailed the former ruling party and has gradually started building a statesman reputation that allows him to comment on various national issues without being partisan.
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Aliko Dangote: Little needs to be written about the Kano-born billionaire. He is the richest African and the biggest private sector employer of labor in Nigeria.
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu: BAT was the pointsman in opposition? Fast forward to 2016, he is the leader of Nigeria’s ruling party and a godfather to many political and business heavyweights.
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Pastor Enoch Adeboye: The General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God has proven that there’s a lot a country can benefit from the pulpit.
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Mike Adenuga: The Ijebu chief remains the gold miner in Nigeria.
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Babatunde Raji Fashola: BRF, the darling of Lagosians, has been saddled with the responsibility of three powerful ministries that would determine the scorecard of the PMB administration.
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Bukola Saraki: Rich, young, versatile, and controversial. Against all odds, Saraki emerged as the President of the Senate.
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Kemi Adeosun: Described by critics as a greenhorn in the finance industry, Kemi’s disposition is one that is ready to transform the economy of Nigeria.
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Ibrahim Magu: The new helmsman at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission can aptly be described as the face of the president’s fight against corruption.
For more juicy stories, get your copy of GENESIS INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE, (Issue 9). Available with the vendors, and online on jumia.com.ng, konga.com. Available also internationally in the USA in all Barnes & Nobles Stores, Chapters booksellers in Canada and isubscribe.com in UK.
