Nigeria Is in Crisis: She Needs Statesmen to Fix Her, Not Politicians

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” – Frederick Douglass

“The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism.” – Murray Rothbard

“The State is the systematization of the predatory process over a given territory.” – Franz Oppenheimer

Introduction

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy by GDP, is battling an existential crisis. Over six decades after independence, the nation continues to lurch from one crisis to another — economic collapse, extreme insecurity, chronic corruption, social fragmentation, and institutional decay. The root cause? A bankrupt political class that thrives on manipulation, patronage, and a zero-sum view of power.

The current Nigerian crisis cannot be resolved by politicians, for they are the very architects and beneficiaries of the broken system. It is statesmen — men and women of integrity, foresight, and sacrifice — who can heal Nigeria’s festering wounds. To understand the depth of the crisis and the way forward, we must take a comprehensive look at Nigeria’s historical trajectory, structural failures, and leadership deficit.

1. Nigeria’s Economic Nightmare: A History of Squandered Opportunities

Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has earned over $1 trillion in oil revenue. Yet, more than 133 million Nigerians — about 63% of the population — live in multidimensional poverty (NBS, 2022). Nigeria overtook India in 2018 as the country with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty.

Key Economic Indicators (1960–2024):
Unemployment: Currently at 33% (NBS, 2023); youth unemployment is over 42%.
Inflation: As of 2024, inflation stands at over 30%, driven by food prices, energy shocks, and monetary instability.
Public Debt: Nigeria’s debt has ballooned from ₦2.4 trillion in 2006 to over ₦97 trillion in 2024. Debt servicing now consumes over 90% of government revenue.
Currency Devaluation: From ₦1 = $0.80 in 1980 to over ₦1,500 = $1 in 2024.
Industrial Collapse: Over 70% of Nigeria’s manufacturing firms operate below capacity or have shut down due to epileptic power supply, corruption, and insecurity.

This economic failure is not by accident — it is the product of predatory governance. As Franz Oppenheimer rightly explained, when a band of elites seizes power to extract wealth by political means rather than by production or innovation, a parasitic state emerges — this has been Nigeria’s fate.

2. Insecurity: A Nation Under Siege

The Nigerian state has lost its monopoly over violence. From Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast, to bandits in the Northwest, herdsmen militias in the Middle Belt, secessionist agitations in the Southeast, cult wars in the South-South, and rising urban crime, the entire nation is at war with itself.

Casualty Statistics:
Boko Haram Insurgency (2009–2024): Over 100,000 lives lost, more than 2.5 million displaced.
Banditry in the Northwest (2015–2024): Over 12,000 deaths, hundreds of schoolchildren kidnapped.
Farmer-Herder Clashes: Over 4,000 lives lost in the last five years alone.
IPOB and Security Forces Clashes: Over 1,500 deaths since 2020.

The inability — or unwillingness — of the political class to address root causes such as poverty, inequality, and ethnic tension has allowed non-state actors to flourish.

3. A Broken Social Contract

The fundamental basis of governance is a social contract: the governed surrender certain freedoms in exchange for protection and services. In Nigeria, that contract is in tatters. Citizens receive neither protection, nor infrastructure, nor justice. Rather, they are taxed, exploited, and ignored.

*Public trust in institutions is at an all-time low:*
Police: Ranked among the worst globally in public perception and corruption.
Elections: Marred by vote-buying, violence, and rigging — 2023 general elections recorded lowest turnout in history (27%).
Education: Over 20 million out-of-school children.
Healthcare: Nigeria accounts for 20% of global maternal deaths despite being only 2.5% of the world’s population.

4. Leadership Crisis: The Root of All Problems

Politicians in Nigeria see public office as a reward and means of accumulation, not a platform for service. As the popular saying goes, “politicians think of the next election; statesmen think of the next generation.”

From Tafawa Balewa to Buhari, Nigeria’s leadership has been largely reactive, transactional, and self-serving. Despite pockets of progress under leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Murtala Mohammed, or Dora Akunyili (as minister), the system remains rigged against visionaries and reformers.

5. A Compromised Constitution: The Sharia Contradiction

The 1999 Constitution is riddled with contradictions and imbalances. It proclaims Nigeria a secular state, yet embeds Sharia law into the justice system of some states. This dual system undermines national unity and violates the rights of non-Muslims in affected regions.
12 Northern states operate Sharia courts, with cases of amputations, floggings, and religious persecution.
This contradicts the universal application of civil law and creates two-tiered citizenship.

The constitution, imposed by a military junta, was never subjected to a referendum and lacks legitimacy. Without a people-driven constitution, the Nigerian union remains structurally defective.

6. Why Politicians Can’t Fix Nigeria

Politicians thrive on the status quo. Their loyalty is not to the nation but to godfathers, ethnic cliques, or economic interests. They:
View governance as patronage.
Weaponize poverty to win votes.
Lack ideological commitments.
Suppress dissent and intellectual independence — the very threat Rothbard warned about.

*Nigeria is structured to benefit the elite at the expense of the masses. Expecting politicians to dismantle a system that enriches them is wishful thinking.*

7. Statesmen: The Urgent Need of the Hour

A statesman is defined by vision, moral courage, and commitment to the public good. Unlike politicians, statesmen seek legacy, not luxury.

Qualities we must demand in leaders:
Character: Integrity, discipline, and faithfulness.
Competence: Proven capacity to deliver and innovate.
Conviction: The courage to make tough, unpopular but necessary decisions.

Think of Nelson Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, or Thomas Sankara — leaders who rose above their narrow interest to serve posterity.

Nigeria has such men and women — in academia, churches, communities, and business. But they must rise. And we, the people, must create the platforms for them to lead.

8. A Call to Action: The Church Must Lead the Renaissance

The Church — the Body of Christ — is not exempt. If we are truly the light of the world and salt of the earth, we must step out of the pews and into the public square. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity.

We must:
Mobilise at the grassroots: From Ward to LGA to State and Federal levels on the national Christian Political Platform; Christian Social Movement of Nigeria | Occupy.ng (Luke 19:13)
Educate the people: Political awareness, voter education, and civic responsibility.
Mentor new leaders: Through discipleship, leadership training, and character development.
Build platforms: Political movements, advocacy groups, and value-based political parties.

*The liberation of Nigeria will not come from the top. It will come from the bottom-up revolution of consciousness, anchored by godly leadership and a Christocentric political culture.*

Summary
Nigeria stands at the edge of a precipice. The failure of politics as usual is undeniable. The days of celebrating politicians who offer nothing but tokenism must end. It is time for statesmen — men and women of purpose, principle, and prophetic vision — to take the reins of leadership.

Let history not record that we watched our nation crumble while we prayed passively. Let it be said that in the moment of Nigeria’s greatest peril, a generation arose, equipped not with guns, but with truth, courage, and a burden for the next generation.

The hour is late. The need is urgent. The call is clear. Nigeria must be reborn — not by politicians, but by statesmen.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” – Proverbs 14:34
“If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Let us answer the call.

Written by: Kingsley Shola Ayinde
For inquiries, permissions, or mobilization efforts click: Christian Social Movement of Nigeria | Occupy.ng (Luke 19:13) (CSMN) or call:+2348033642068; email: kingsleyayinde@gmail.com

Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria: Roles, Responsibilities, and Remuneration*

By: Steve Bond
Public Affairs Commentator

Local Government Chairmen play a vital role in Nigeria's grassroots governance. Their responsibilities include overseeing local government administration, budgeting and financial management, infrastructure development, maintaining peace and security, policy implementation, revenue collection, and representing the local government.

Responsibilities
*Overseeing Local Government Administration*: Managing council operations, departments, and staff to ensure smooth delivery of services like healthcare, education, and sanitation.
- *Budgeting and Financial Management*: Preparing and presenting the council's budget, ensuring proper utilization of local funds, and accounting for development projects.
- *Infrastructure and Development Projects*: Leading projects that impact local communities, such as road grading, building health centers, and renovating schools.
- *Maintaining Peace and Security*: Collaborating with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to resolve conflicts and maintain peace.
- *Policy Implementation*: Executing federal and state government policies at the local level to benefit the community.
- *Revenue Collection*: Overseeing the collection of local taxes, levies, and rates to fund community development projects and council operations.
- *Representing the Local Government*: Representing the local government's interests in meetings with state government, donor agencies, or international NGOs.

Salary and Allowances
The salary structure for Local Government Chairmen varies across states, but the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) determines their remuneration. Here's a breakdown:
- *Basic Monthly Salary*: ₦336,000 to ₦400,000
- *Total Monthly Package (with allowances)*: ₦1,500,000 to ₦2,500,000 or ₦500,000 to ₦850,000, depending on the source and state
- *Allowances*:
- *Hardship Allowance*
- *Constituency Allowance*
- *Security and Duty Tour Allowance*
- *Furniture Allowance* (once per tenure)
- *Vehicle Maintenance*
- *Entertainment Allowance*
- *Housing Allowance* (or official housing)
- *Medical Care*
- *Security Personnel*
- *Travel Allowances*

Local Government Chairmen also enjoy other benefits, including:
- *Official Vehicles*
- Pension or Gratuity (depending on state laws)
- *Other Support Services* to ensure effective discharge of duties

Keep in mind that actual salaries and benefits may vary depending on the state and local government area.

A heartfelt Father's Day tribute from Star Plus Battery, celebrating the often‑overlooked dads—dealers, distributors, and installers—who power Nigerian homes. Through their dedication, they ensure families stay lit during outages, support loved ones, and embody fatherhood both on and off the job.

https://starplus.com.ng/blog/dads-who-deliver-power-saluting-the-backbone-of-our-battery-network-this-fathers-day/

#nigerianpowersolution #batterynetworkheros #fathersday #nigeria #powerbacjknigeria

*God Is Interested in Politics—Because God Is Interested in the City.*

Politics, from the Greek polis, means the affairs of the city—and God has never been silent about the city. In *Zechariah 1:17b,* the LORD declares:
*“My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.”*

This is not just a promise to ancient Israel, but a prophetic pattern for our time. God’s redemptive agenda always starts with the transformation of His people, then extends to the Seven Spheres of the Society or cities, and ultimately to disciple their nation.

In *Zechariah 3:1–7,* God delivers Joshua the high priest—the spiritual leader—from satanic accusation. Then in *Zechariah 4:6–9,* He empowers Zerubbabel—the civil leader—with the Spirit of Grace:
*“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”*

God does not separate the sacred from the civic. He moves in both the temple and the Presidential palace, the pulpit and the public square. When the Church in Nigeria rises in righteousness and leadership, God will visit our national leadership with reform, prosperity, and restoration.

Just as prosperity flowed from Jerusalem to all of Judea and beyond, so shall revival and righteous governance flow from God’s house in Nigeria to Aso Rock in Abuja, the corridors of power.

*The solution to Nigeria’s problems will not come from foreign powers or political parties alone—it will come when the Church takes its rightful place and God visits both the ecclesiastical and the civil leadership by His Spirit.*

Let the Church arise. Let the leaders be purified. Let the mountains become plains.

*For the time has come for His cities to be rebuilt, His kingdom to be spread, and His glory to cover Nigeria as the waters cover the sea.*

#KingdomGovernance #GodInTheCity #KingsleySholaAyindeMandate

*Title: Ultimately, God Has the Trump Card—But You Must Play Your Part*

As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, our nation stands at a critical crossroads. Corruption, insecurity, economic instability, and failed leadership have left many disillusioned. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, we declare with confidence: *Ultimately, God has the trump card.*

This is not a call to passive hope—it is a call to faithful action. Yes, God is sovereign. Yes, He holds the final move in His hands. But throughout Scripture and history, *God uses people of faith to shape the destiny of nations.*

Now is the time for Christians in Nigeria to rise—not just in prayer, but in participation. *We must register, vote, run for office, speak truth to power, support godly candidates, and advocate for justice and righteousness at every level of governance.*

To effectively influence political outcomes, *Christians must take two critical steps: first, obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to vote in elections; and second, register as party members by obtaining their Party Registration Card (PRC).* Without the PRC, we cannot influence party primaries, candidate selections, or internal policies. If we are absent at the decision-making tables, others will choose for us—and often not in the interest of righteousness or justice.

To sit back and watch is to surrender our nation to forces of darkness and selfish ambition. But to stand up in faith, with integrity, courage, and conviction, is to align ourselves with the purposes of God for this generation.

We believe that *God’s trump card for Nigeria may very well be hidden in the hearts of righteous men and women who dare to engage the political space.* You may be that voice. Your vote may be that turning point. Your leadership may be the answer to our national prayers.

Let us not be weary or cynical. Let us not leave politics to the corrupt. *Let us act—believing that God is still at work, and that with Him, nothing is impossible.*

*The future of Nigeria will not be determined by political strongmen or wealthy godfathers, but by the will of God working through people like you.*

*It’s time to rise. It’s time to act. It’s time to lead.* Because ultimately, God has the trump card—but He is calling you to play your part.
#KSA.2025

*Title: Ultimately, God Has the Trump Card—But You Must Play Your Part*

As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, our nation stands at a critical crossroads. Corruption, insecurity, economic instability, and failed leadership have left many disillusioned. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, we declare with confidence: *Ultimately, God has the trump card.*

This is not a call to passive hope—it is a call to *faithful action.* Yes, God is sovereign. Yes, He holds the final move in His hands. But throughout Scripture and history, *God uses people of faith to shape the destiny of nations.*

Now is the time for Christians in Nigeria to rise—not just in prayer, but in participation. *We must register, vote, run for office, speak truth to power, support godly candidates, and advocate for justice and righteousness at every level of governance.*

To sit back and watch is to surrender our nation to forces of darkness and selfish ambition. But to stand up in faith, with integrity, courage, and conviction, is to align ourselves with the purposes of God for this generation.

We believe that *God’s trump card for Nigeria may very well be hidden in the hearts of righteous men and women who dare to engage the political space.* You may be that voice. Your vote may be that turning point. Your leadership may be the answer to our national prayers.

Let us not be weary or cynical. Let us not leave politics to the corrupt. *Let us act—believing that God is still at work, and that with Him, nothing is impossible.*

*The future of Nigeria will not be determined by political strongmen or wealthy godfathers, but by the will of God working through people like you.*

*It’s time to rise. It’s time to act. It’s time to lead.*
Because ultimately, God has the trump card—but He is calling you to play your part.
*#KSA*

This article is a Must Read article. Trust me, it's worth your time if you love to see a better Nigeria.

*THE WAY OF OUR ELITES*

*by Moses Oludele Idowu*
*Saturday, 13 July 2024*

_*Copied from his Facebook page*_

A major challenge facing this nation today is that people who are trying to fix Nigeria don't seem to understand the problem of Nigeria. What they are focusing as the problems are not the real problems but the offsprings which the problem brought.
I have heard repeatedly trumpeted by many including scholars that corruption is our major problem. Well, It is not. It is merely the effect or symptom of the problem.

The problem of Nigeria is neither stealing nor corruption. It is the absence of a *culture of honour* among both leadership, elites and the commonality. The trouble with Nigeria, the real trouble with this nation dying on its legs under a succession of weak, corrupt and incompetent rulers deficient of honour and credibility is the absence of what some sociologists call "culture of honour."

You see it everyday and everywhere. In the churches, mosques, universities, government, boardrooms, palaces, streets etc. The trouble with Nigerians is that they lack honour. They don't even know what honour is. And as is the people so is the leadership. This is the cancer that has eaten this nation to carcass and corruption is merely the effect, the symptom.

It amazes me that even Nigerian scholars have never seen this and have stumbled on it. It is a mystery to me.

Today you can do anything in Nigeria and get away with anything. Yes, virtually anything. Once you have money and the right links and connections. The only crime is to be poor and powerless.

Because Nigerians can do anything for money - anything. With money anything -and everything- is possible in Nigeria. You can turn a prison room to a 5- star hotel, you can turn policemen to your errand boys or girls, you can rig election and overthrow popular will, you can kill a story and plant another in newspapers, you can alter grades of your ward in universities, exchange scores, change postings, acquire any title, influence judgement of the courts, torpedo results.... Tell me what is not possible in a land without Honour and without shame.

A politician was freed by all the courts in Nigeria for corruption only for the same politician to plead guilty in Britain for the same offense that he was freed by Nigerian courts. What is the difference? One land knows something about culture of honour and it has not completely died among them while another land inspite of her loud religiosity has none.

That is not the tragedy in itself. The real tragedy?

When that politician finally came home after serving his jail term, he was received with such a rousing and roaring welcome by his people that even the world wondered what kind of people are Nigerians; what specie or breed of humanity are these people called Nigerians?

The Wadume whose kidnapping led to the loss of policemen on duty was only given 7 years in jail - a slap on the wrist. Because Nigeria runs a two - tier system one for the poor and for the rich. And this system is.most visible in its justice system. When that fellow returned home he was received with joy by his people the same way a hero is received after returning from a dangerous expedition.

That is the land called Nigeria.

The trouble with Nigeria is not the Constitution, Igbo Triumphalism, Yoruba Traditionalism or Fulani Hegemony or Islamic Fatalism or even effete Christianity or bribery and corruption. It is that we are not a people of Honour. We lack honour. We can do anything for material gain.

I want this essay to be brief so I will only cite one example that you can also independently verify.

Karl Marx rightly believes that attitudes, opinion and moral quality of the elites of any given society shapes the generality of that society. Assuming that is so let us look at our elites today to establish the thesis that I put forward here.

It is easy to prove that our political elites lack honour. They demonstrate it daily by their ways, their actions and their modus operandi.

A common practice now among our political elites is to rush to court to stop the process whenever their tenure is about to be investigated. You were in power for 4 or 8 years spending public money and now a legally approved body wants to make an inquest to establish how you serve the people and what you did with your oaths of office and how you dispense public funds yet you are angry. Isn't that strange?

A man of honour should be happy that a real opportunity has landed for him to clear his name and establish his honesty.

A true scholar will be happy when other scholars want to assess his works and interrogate his ideas and submissions for proper scrutiny. Here is an opportunity to test his theories and the authenticity of his ideas before an enlightened audience.

Not so for our politicians because they lack that culture we are talking about.

A former governor of Lagos served for only 4 years. But after his tenure, the State House of Assembly decided to investigate some of the transactions he made as governor. I thought someone with a culture of honour should be happy that finally, the opportunity has come to establish his honesty. Not so. He went to court to stop what an assembly was empowered under the Constitution to do.

That is the way of the Nigerian elite.

Another former governor in Rivers State went to court to procure "a perpetual injunction" restraining anyone from investigating, inquiring, examining - and what have you? - into his tenure. What Nigerian courts cannot do, only God knows.

I used to think very highly of Mallam Nasir El- Rufai just as I used to do of another Fulani, that non-starter from Daura. Abraham Lincoln has warned that you don't know a man until you have tested him with power. He was right.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly is investigating his 8-year murderous and disastrous leadership when Kaduna became a killing field for the Fulani insurgents. Pronto, he quickly rushed to court to stop a body of legislators from doing what is their Constitutional right to do.

You can see that the elites are the problem of Nigeria. It is not just that they are ignorant, sometimes they could be downright mischievous and nationally subversive. They lack culture of honour. Why put obstructions on the path of examining your tenure if you have done well? Why use the court to obstruct the normal functioning of democratic organs?

Because there is an absence of culture of honour.

Our elites would do anything if they know they will get away with it.

Have you noticed another trend in Nigeria?

Whenever any of these people is brought to trial, he feigns sickness and pain and even collapses before live camera. Suddenly, they lack strength, stamina, health to withstand trial. After trying to use the court to stop their trial without success they move to the next stage: drama. Pretending to be sick and in pain so as to escape trial.

How many will I cite? They are always sick when it is time to try them.

A former power minister is the new sensation. He is been tried for misappropriation of N30b and suddenly he is in pain and can't continue with trial. Next he wants to travel for overseas medical check-up to delay the trial....

That is our elites and that is their way. Deficient of honour and truth, bereft of credibility and even honesty they are leading the way to beat the system and game the system. What nation rises to the top with an elite such as this?

That is the trouble with Nigeria.

One thing is certain: the politicians of the Fourth Republic are not as manly and honourable as their predecessors in the Second Republic. Those ones, some of them had honour and they were real men not cowards. At least they faced military tribunals as men and without buckling or betraying emotions and without pretense. Some of them gave fire to the military by firing back at them like Abubakar Rimi, Jim Nwobodo and even Bola Ige. These were real men who were not afraid of even soldiers and spoke boldly at their own trials. These were men with strong backbones not like those of today who are feigning sickness and pain because they have backbone of jellyfish. Even an old man like Pa Adekunle Ajasin went through the ordeal of trial and detention without weakening or fatigue. These were real men of honour, men who fought colonialism who could not be intimidated by the small boys in khaki.

I can't remember a single politician of the Second Republic who feigned sickness during trial or collapsed even when the judgment was given as harsh as it was then. These were real politicians, strong men, not boys in adult frame or women in men's attire.

We do not have such men again in leadership. In their place we now have cowards, crooks, thieves, scallywags, morally - deficient and intellectually- denuded company leading an unfortunate nation on the path of perdition. They are always looking for means to circumvent the system and game the system.

This is where the problem is. I don't know where an elite such as we now have will lead a nation to except to perdition.

There is plenty truth though uncomfortable in what investigative journalist, David Hundeyin said about Nigerian elites that in their mental capacity (and depravity too) and orientation and even worldview and moral quality they are not better than okada riders.

A WikiLeaks has one of Nigerian First Ladies named in illegal oil bunkering. Another First Lady is documented for money laundering. Another recent one is involved in kickbacks from helicopter sales for Army. Even when they ate free food, travel at government expenses and receive all the perks they still must steal. It is in the blood. Because there is no honour.

I can take every segment of Nigerian Society - clergy, media, police, Army, private sector, scholars etc for the Honour Test and they will all fail. And fail woefully too.

The Watergate scandal is the proof that when a culture of honour exists in a nation even a President can do nothing but bow out in shame. If Nigerians decide to act with honour and imbibe the culture of honour it will be difficult for a wicked ruler to arise and to have his way. It is not easy to steal public money. It is not easy to take money from government ministries. But when there is no honour and all the board members and governing council members and MDAs are manned by thieves then it becomes easy.
That is what we are facing. That is the real trouble.

Fix honour first. Teach the children to act with honour. Let all the universities begin to teach Civics to all students about Culture of Honour.

* Fear God.

* Pursue Right relationship with your fellow man.

* Dont take what does not belong to you.

* Don't pay more than a fair price for any item.

* Don't pay anyone for doing what the government already pays him.

* Don't receive the pay you didn't earn.

* Submission to rule of law.

* Don't pervert or subvert legitimate authority..

This is where we missed it. This is what we lost and why we are lost. And this is the way to return and retrace the steps.

Without honour, Constitutions won't help us; Parliamentary or Presidential system will be a waste of time. Nigeria is like a car stuck in the mud: the answer is not more fuel but traction. Nigeria does not need more money, more fuel, it needs traction, it needs to get out of the mud. And that traction that will remove its tyres from the mud is called *Culture of Honour*

Study history. Every true revolution begins here. No nation has witnessed a revolution without a segment or sections of that nation first discovering this Culture and imbibing it. The English revolution had the Puritans, the French Revolution had the Jacobins; the Russian Revolution had the Bolsheviks, the American Revolution had the Sons of Liberty... Okay, tell me who will spearhead the Nigerian Revolution? Which segment of Nigerian nation today do you have any group with a culture of honour who has not been compromised?

That is where the trouble lies. That is where we missed the road and lost our bearings. The last time I heard there is Yahoo Boys Mother's Association. Soon there will be Armed Robbers' Wives Association and Successful Looters Association. Once honour is lost in a society, everything begins to fall apart. Everything is possible because there is no more shame. It is like that.

Let us return to this Culture, old and young, rich and poor. And we will be blessed.

©️ Moses Oludele Idowu
July 13, 2024

_Moses Oludele Idowu is the President of People of Honour Initiative, an NGO dedicated to inculcating the culture among Nigerians._