Departure (July 11, 2009. 1615hrs)
As Peace my travelling partner and I boarded the shuttle bus waving to our friends who were waving us goodbye, the reality that I was finally going to Nigeria after a long time dawned.
Thoughts of similar departure scenes for the victims of the two air-crashes: Air France and Yemeni Airlines came to my mind. Some of them would have waved goodbye to their loved ones and some more of them would have called ahead to their loved ones to await their arrival at their point of disembarkment.
All the way to Ercan Airport and after boarding the plane, I was still empathizing with those who had lost their loved ones in those ill-fated flights.
As the plane taxied and took off into the skies, it was time for confessions of sins. What could have gone wrong with those flights? What could have caused the malfunction of those planes? It beats me.
As the place touched down at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, people started clapping, joyful and thankful for a safe flight.
TRANSIT 1: ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT, ISTANBUL.
Our connecting flight to Amsterdam was not going to take off until 5:55am the next morning. We got on the queue to clear Immigration. The Immigration Officer on duty brought out his magnifying glass and checked our Nigerian passports thoroughly. That was something he did not do for the others who preceded us. He checked the bio-data and visa pages one ‘mm’ at a time for any sign that we had tampered with the passport somewhat. After a while, he let us go.
How do we pass the time and not get bored before our early morning flight out of Istanbul? Peace and I decided to take a walk round the airport and we ended up boarding the bus to Taxim at the heart of Istanbul. The crowd at Istanbul is same to what you will see at Idumota in Lagos some years ago. Not even in Central London would you find such a thronging crowd.
We had a cub of roasted corn each before we went looking into the shops and came out with some nice stuff. We got tired and went back to Taxim Square where we sat down on the steps and were talking about stuffs. After a while we headed to the café so that I could make a call to someone.
We boarded the Airport Shuttle around 12:30am back to the Airport. The parts of Istanbul we went through were beautiful. Old buildings interspersed with modernity dotted the whole area. I would love to go back soon.
At about 1:30am, we got back to the Ataturk Airport, got confused at the local terminal and finally found our way to the International Terminal and the storage facility where we stowed our luggage before we ventured into town.
TRANSIT II: Schipol Airport, Amsterdam (July 12, 2009 0820hrs)
At about 2:30am, we checked in our luggage, Peace, Abutu and I at the KLM Counter A22. From the storage facility, I got a porter who carted my luggage for me. He wanted me to give him Abutu in exchange. He was a crooked dirty old man who should go home and die in peace. What a fool! Do I look like Abutu’s father?
My passport was checked, scrutinized, re-checked and rechecked over and over again. Finally, I was allowed into the boarding area and allowed to join my two friends who had less trouble clearing Immigration this time around. We went into the Duty Free Area and we almost missed our flight. Not until we heard our names over the loudspeakers before we started rushing to our boarding gate to board.
The flight from Istanbul became interesting towards the end because it started raining and it had been a long time since I saw rain fall.
LAGOS:ARRIVAL
The first thing I saw on arrival was the remains of a Nigeria Airways Plane. The plane we flew in from Amsterdam to Lagos was much more bigger with three aisles and good entertainment facilities. They were really giving us value for our money. Also, unlike minimal services for people in Economic class, the KLM crew went all out to make sure that everybody had enough to eat and drink and were comfortable.
At the check-out counter, we were made to wait endlessly while the immigration officials held sway. We waited and waited until they finally checked us all out.
My Uncle and Aunt drove us to a restaurant where we had a proper Naija welcome with Jollof Rice and fried Snails.
Need I say that there was no public power supply by the time we got home? They had been counting three weeks of no supply and were on generators. I would have to wait five more days to catch a 20secs glimpse of power supply.
26 November, 2009
28 September, 2009
9ja Rumbling: A Nation in Darkness.
I cultivated the habit of keeping a journal to detail the rich experiences I have been encountering from Girne to Lagos. However, militating circumstances have forced me to stop. I just couldn't keep on detailing the scenes I get to see playing themselves out as I travel in cars/buses, walk on the roads and atimes just stepping aside, watching people go by. What I see is like a movie playing out and me a dissatisfied spectator.
There is a frustration in everybody that you can almost touch. Everywhere is in darkness. I begin to wonder; how can you move forward in darkness? We seem to forget that a Nation in darkness is a nation in peril.
How can a nation that sets an unrealistic goal of being one of the top 20 economies in 10years from now not invest massively in the Power, Education and the Transport Sector?
Everywhere you go, people complain and grumble and more complains. You get to hear people proffering both workable and unrealistic solutions to the Nigerian problem.
Information flow is at its lowest ebb. Infact one can argue that information is not flowing. It took a long time for people to know that a new IG of Police had been appointed. How many even know his name?
Asides Nigerians who have access to Cyberspace, how many are informed about happenings as it happens or that affects the country?
Everything with a touch of goverment in them are in terrible states of dysfunctionality.
Nobody seems to care for the lot of the people.
The President would rather attend to his personal interests than to the welfare of the nation, leaving the country on "auto-cruise". Bo le baje, ko baje.*
Road networks are death traps. Seeing dead bodies on Nigerian highways are now common sights. Everybody just looks the other way.
Last saturday, I saw Federal Marshalls trying to arrest a driver whose boot was not properly closed while 15metres down the road, there was a bloated body of a human being.
Rail networks that can boost economic activities in the country are comatose. Officials of the NRC are content with collecting rent on properties around rail tracks than providing rail services.
There is still no reliable air transport network to all parts of Nigeria. The Murtala Mohammed Airport is now more of an eye-sore and only a tourist attraction to toddlers.
The situation currently in Nigeria makes one wonder whether contributing to Nation Development is really worth it. However, there is no other place to call home. Naija must be free from these shackles of oppression.
Who is the man to lead Nigeria from this abysmal depth of darkness, hopelessness and failure? Certainly not Yaradua.
*Bo le baje, ko baje - Yoruba expression meaning if it can[is] spoil[spoiling], I'm not bothered.
pls go to http://olukunle.blogspot.com to read more
There is a frustration in everybody that you can almost touch. Everywhere is in darkness. I begin to wonder; how can you move forward in darkness? We seem to forget that a Nation in darkness is a nation in peril.
How can a nation that sets an unrealistic goal of being one of the top 20 economies in 10years from now not invest massively in the Power, Education and the Transport Sector?
Everywhere you go, people complain and grumble and more complains. You get to hear people proffering both workable and unrealistic solutions to the Nigerian problem.
Information flow is at its lowest ebb. Infact one can argue that information is not flowing. It took a long time for people to know that a new IG of Police had been appointed. How many even know his name?
Asides Nigerians who have access to Cyberspace, how many are informed about happenings as it happens or that affects the country?
Everything with a touch of goverment in them are in terrible states of dysfunctionality.
Nobody seems to care for the lot of the people.
The President would rather attend to his personal interests than to the welfare of the nation, leaving the country on "auto-cruise". Bo le baje, ko baje.*
Road networks are death traps. Seeing dead bodies on Nigerian highways are now common sights. Everybody just looks the other way.
Last saturday, I saw Federal Marshalls trying to arrest a driver whose boot was not properly closed while 15metres down the road, there was a bloated body of a human being.
Rail networks that can boost economic activities in the country are comatose. Officials of the NRC are content with collecting rent on properties around rail tracks than providing rail services.
There is still no reliable air transport network to all parts of Nigeria. The Murtala Mohammed Airport is now more of an eye-sore and only a tourist attraction to toddlers.
The situation currently in Nigeria makes one wonder whether contributing to Nation Development is really worth it. However, there is no other place to call home. Naija must be free from these shackles of oppression.
Who is the man to lead Nigeria from this abysmal depth of darkness, hopelessness and failure? Certainly not Yaradua.
*Bo le baje, ko baje - Yoruba expression meaning if it can[is] spoil[spoiling], I'm not bothered.
pls go to http://olukunle.blogspot.com to read more
24 September, 2009
Abiodun…the boy died: Who is to blame?Pt 4
Abiodun was lost in thought. He was sitting at the foot of the pedestrian bridge that was at Iyana Oworo with a rectangular board that held his petty wares which mainly consists of peppermint and chewing gums. How could life be so unfair he thought? Here he was at 17… Baba, e no get job…mama is pitiable…almost all his older siblings have deserted home in search of greener pastures…Could he continue living like this?
Is God cruel? How could he create some people to enjoy this life while he wallowed in poverty? How could he keep on running after cars trying to eke out a living? Add that to the daily harassment from KAI officials….hmmm…this life…
[the scampering of people around him jolted him back to consciousness...d shout of KAI!KAI!!KAI!! rented the air]
Abiodun paused, looked right and left…where should he run to?
He ran up the stairs with some others hoping that the KAI men would just grab some wares from the people that were unlucky to be caught under the bridge and then move on a bit farther and wait for the traders to come and bail out their wares.
Some of the KAI men crossed the expressway to the other side and blocked both exit of the pedestrian bridge. What was he going to do? The KAI men are now on both ends on top of the bridge. They started closing in and seizing people goods. Abiodun was confused. He wished he had Aferi* to ferry himself out of the booby trap on the bridge. Abiodun had never been trapped like that in his life. He was the only one whose goods had not been seized and the two KAI officials were closing in on him. No, they would kill me first, he thought to himself. A crazy thought formed in his head and he smiled wryly. He placed his free hand on the railings that bordered the bridge and crossed his legs over the railing. He was now standing at the edge of the bridge. Haa…e ma pa mi leni yi o**…Move any closer and I’ll jump, he said to the KAI men…the KAI men were confused. What should they do? Advance and Abiodun jumps from the bridge in front of oncoming vehicles and die or they retreat and lose face in front of the crowd that had started forming at the foot of the bridge watching the unfolding drama on top of the bridge…
What happened next?
The older of them told Abiodun to step back over the railing and that his goods will not be seized. As he made to do that, his slippers caught on the edge of the railing, the board which his petty wares was displayed tilted backward and in a bid to hold fast on to it, Abiodun jerked backwards and fell off the bridge landing on his head. The oncoming trailer simply grinded his skull and crushed his body.
*Aferi - juju that can make one disappear
**Yoruba expression meaning you will kill me today
For followers on facebook, go to http://olukunle.blogspot.com/ for the full story
Is God cruel? How could he create some people to enjoy this life while he wallowed in poverty? How could he keep on running after cars trying to eke out a living? Add that to the daily harassment from KAI officials….hmmm…this life…
[the scampering of people around him jolted him back to consciousness...d shout of KAI!KAI!!KAI!! rented the air]
Abiodun paused, looked right and left…where should he run to?
He ran up the stairs with some others hoping that the KAI men would just grab some wares from the people that were unlucky to be caught under the bridge and then move on a bit farther and wait for the traders to come and bail out their wares.
Some of the KAI men crossed the expressway to the other side and blocked both exit of the pedestrian bridge. What was he going to do? The KAI men are now on both ends on top of the bridge. They started closing in and seizing people goods. Abiodun was confused. He wished he had Aferi* to ferry himself out of the booby trap on the bridge. Abiodun had never been trapped like that in his life. He was the only one whose goods had not been seized and the two KAI officials were closing in on him. No, they would kill me first, he thought to himself. A crazy thought formed in his head and he smiled wryly. He placed his free hand on the railings that bordered the bridge and crossed his legs over the railing. He was now standing at the edge of the bridge. Haa…e ma pa mi leni yi o**…Move any closer and I’ll jump, he said to the KAI men…the KAI men were confused. What should they do? Advance and Abiodun jumps from the bridge in front of oncoming vehicles and die or they retreat and lose face in front of the crowd that had started forming at the foot of the bridge watching the unfolding drama on top of the bridge…
What happened next?
The older of them told Abiodun to step back over the railing and that his goods will not be seized. As he made to do that, his slippers caught on the edge of the railing, the board which his petty wares was displayed tilted backward and in a bid to hold fast on to it, Abiodun jerked backwards and fell off the bridge landing on his head. The oncoming trailer simply grinded his skull and crushed his body.
*Aferi - juju that can make one disappear
**Yoruba expression meaning you will kill me today
For followers on facebook, go to http://olukunle.blogspot.com/ for the full story
17 September, 2009
Random thot
In retrospect, Obasanjo's third term agenda doesn't seem to have been a bad idea afterall. Even though, it has been proven that some of those around him were corrupt, corrupt practices were not as brazen as this under his watch.
Everybody knows that Obasanjo doesnt have long term friends like that...methink that the anti-corruption war would have gone round to haunt his seemingly untouchable friends back then.
Yaradua was a mistake from the start. I was so surprised yesterday to find out that the new slang for a snail is now yaradua...Interesting...lol
Everybody knows that Obasanjo doesnt have long term friends like that...methink that the anti-corruption war would have gone round to haunt his seemingly untouchable friends back then.
Yaradua was a mistake from the start. I was so surprised yesterday to find out that the new slang for a snail is now yaradua...Interesting...lol
09 September, 2009
Bez Idakula
Bez Idakula is one fine musician with a quiet mien that conceals what he is capable of. You would be pardoned for thinking he is one “Ajebota” that is spoilt rotten.
Don’t be deceived. Behind that quiet disposition and glasses that you can’t catch him without, is a music genius.
I met Bez Idakula in passing a couple years ago at Covenant University. I heard him sing and play his guitar (crablike in those days) a couple of times.
There are a lot of wannabe artistes out there who shouldn’t go so close to a microphone talk less of singing (read bleating).
Anytime I see mediocre music /artistes being promoted, I always wonder when the real musicians like Bez would step out into the klieg light.
Now is Bez’s time. Please tune into Big Time on RHYTHM 93.7FM at 4PM today (September 9) to listen to Bez and the other contestants in the ongoing Hennessy Artistry Nigeria 2009 Competition.
If you are a lover of good music, don’t miss out. Be at Saipan Restaurant and bar, 9pm Thursday and 9pm Friday nite at Volar Club, VI(read fi-eye)...lol...Lagos to give all the support you can to Bez.
Bez has been nominated by the legendary Producer Cobhams Asuquo alongside four other contestants nominated by other producers in Nigeria.
Bez Idakula has paid his dues. He was the opening act alongside Cobhams at Asa’s Concert in Lagos, 2008. He has played alongside almost all the current heavyweights in the industry. He is one artiste that always churns out good quality music anytime he sings and plays his guitar. Expect him to leave you thirsting for more...For all its worth, take my word for it.
08 September, 2009
Who is to blame? Pt 3...[Captain Danjuma Maigeri (rtd), KAI Boss + The Olarogun’s Family]?
The scene is set in Captain Danjuma Maigeri (rtd) expansive office at Alausa. One wonders what the helmsman of the KAI is doing with such an expansive office when you are entering it for the first time.
Nigerians like big things and the higher you move in an organization/corporation, the bigger your office space becomes.
Captain Danjuma Maigeri (rtd) was lost in thought as well…
How could it have come to this?
We started well on a very good footing. Now, all the achievements we have recorded are being flooded away by our errant personnel. Where did we get it wrong? Is it in the expansion of the force or is it that we have not pay attention to the quality of the men and the women that we were recruiting? Hmmn…there was no way we could have avoided expanding. Our scope of operational reach had to be expanded for optimal effectiveness. Should I throw in the towel now? No o…the KAI Brigade is at a very low point…if I leave now, I will not be celebrated. I have to do something fast to redeem my image. What should I do o? How can I turn the psyche of this meat-and-soup cum cigarettes and ogogoro snatchers around to do what they are supposed to do effectively?
I have to convene a meeting of the Area Commanders as a first measure, brainstorm with them and then go all out to prosecute the war on errant Lagosians. Wait o…come to think of it, these people have to eat. With all this reports that my people raid roadside hawkers and release their goods to them less recharge cards and other quick disposables, how will they not be encouraged to keep on going back to the same place to trade? My personnel at Oshodi are even emboldened up to the point of collecting royalty from street vendors and hawkers. KAI!
I think I know what I have to do, wage a war on two fronts; get my men to go out more and then set up a taskforce to monitor their activities. I hope that works.
As if on cue, Bisi, Captain Danjuma Maigeri’s delectable secretary walks in bringing in a file. He tells her to convene a meeting of the Area Commanders for 10:00am the following morning.
The Olarogun’s Family
The Olarogun’s family is an interesting one. Pa Adeniyi is a retired civil servant whose last post was Head of Revenue Board. At the end of the month, he was getting three times his normal salary from extras he got from people trying to curry his favor. From that, he could afford to take extra wives and he at that time barred them from working. Unfortunately, his good times didn’t last long. All his fair-weather friends deserted him after his retirement because he couldn’t dole out cash again like before. Little by little, Pa Adeniyi couldn’t keep up with feeding his large family. The change in government effectively changed all the old guards at all State parastatals.
Now, Pa Adeniyi has four wives and a total of 17 children. His last two children, Risikat and Abiodun were the worst affected of all his children. They were not really fortunate to have a somewhat opulent upbringing like their older siblings. Now, Risikat tries to make ends meet by engaging in one of the oldest professions in the world while Abiodun sells peppermintand Recharge cards at Iyana Oworo, Ilaje Bariga.
Nigerians like big things and the higher you move in an organization/corporation, the bigger your office space becomes.
Captain Danjuma Maigeri (rtd) was lost in thought as well…
How could it have come to this?
We started well on a very good footing. Now, all the achievements we have recorded are being flooded away by our errant personnel. Where did we get it wrong? Is it in the expansion of the force or is it that we have not pay attention to the quality of the men and the women that we were recruiting? Hmmn…there was no way we could have avoided expanding. Our scope of operational reach had to be expanded for optimal effectiveness. Should I throw in the towel now? No o…the KAI Brigade is at a very low point…if I leave now, I will not be celebrated. I have to do something fast to redeem my image. What should I do o? How can I turn the psyche of this meat-and-soup cum cigarettes and ogogoro snatchers around to do what they are supposed to do effectively?
I have to convene a meeting of the Area Commanders as a first measure, brainstorm with them and then go all out to prosecute the war on errant Lagosians. Wait o…come to think of it, these people have to eat. With all this reports that my people raid roadside hawkers and release their goods to them less recharge cards and other quick disposables, how will they not be encouraged to keep on going back to the same place to trade? My personnel at Oshodi are even emboldened up to the point of collecting royalty from street vendors and hawkers. KAI!
I think I know what I have to do, wage a war on two fronts; get my men to go out more and then set up a taskforce to monitor their activities. I hope that works.
As if on cue, Bisi, Captain Danjuma Maigeri’s delectable secretary walks in bringing in a file. He tells her to convene a meeting of the Area Commanders for 10:00am the following morning.
The Olarogun’s Family
The Olarogun’s family is an interesting one. Pa Adeniyi is a retired civil servant whose last post was Head of Revenue Board. At the end of the month, he was getting three times his normal salary from extras he got from people trying to curry his favor. From that, he could afford to take extra wives and he at that time barred them from working. Unfortunately, his good times didn’t last long. All his fair-weather friends deserted him after his retirement because he couldn’t dole out cash again like before. Little by little, Pa Adeniyi couldn’t keep up with feeding his large family. The change in government effectively changed all the old guards at all State parastatals.
Now, Pa Adeniyi has four wives and a total of 17 children. His last two children, Risikat and Abiodun were the worst affected of all his children. They were not really fortunate to have a somewhat opulent upbringing like their older siblings. Now, Risikat tries to make ends meet by engaging in one of the oldest professions in the world while Abiodun sells peppermintand Recharge cards at Iyana Oworo, Ilaje Bariga.
07 September, 2009
Who is to blame? Pt 2...Babatunde Raji Fashola?
If you haven't read the Part 1...[http://olukunle.blogspot.com/2009/09/who-is-to-blame-pt-1umaru-yaradua.html#links]
At the same time that the President’s plane was descending, Gov. Fashola was sitting at his table at the Governors office, Alausa, deeply in thought. What should I do about the overbearing influence of Tinubu? People have said they really appreciate what I am doing but can I stand on my own politically without Tinubu’s support? I don’t want to have any confrontation with Tinubu. He has a lot of money and he is a seasoned politician. Who are those that can be considered as my henchmen when the chips are down? Have they not at one time or the other been part of the Tinubu machinery? See me o, as if there is another machinery in place in Lagos right now. I don’t think I have the might or the will to take on his well oiled-political machinery. Let’s assume that I even do, do I want to? Can I afford it? Will that not wreck me financially? I’m confused. Everywhere I go, people sing my praises. What exactly have I done? If only they know that I have not done much more than 20% of what I am supposed to have done? Even though they are singing my praises, there is still a lot more that can be done in terms of improving security, whipping KAI and LASTMA officials into shape. What is the next step that I should take to tackle those two agencies? Do I scrap them and build new agencies in their place? There are a lot of OND, HND and university graduates who can do a better job than the glorified Agberos, little educated personnel that the outfit currently parades. I’ll look for a way to increase their pay, give them better training and be on their neck to deliver. However, can the state afford the bill that will come with that? Severance pay for the personnel that will be laid off and finance for the new training facilities and all that…Will that not draw criticism from the civil society? Some really stupid people would start shouting that they’ve been doing a good job as if picking on harmless people on the street and exploiting them can be regarded as part of the good job they’re said to be doing.
The LCDA’s are now more of recruitment centers for thugs and miscreants. The ordinary okada men cannot ply the roads without one or two of them having a broken head or nose at the end of the day. If we revert to 20local government which is not fair and commensurate with what our counterpart states have in the north, there is no harm in that. Wait a min though…wont I be looked on as a weakling? This issue is way beyond me now and to give in to the Federal govt will be termed as a Northern Victory by some people. No o, I don’t see it as such but a very good way of reducing overhead cost and with proper coordination, we can achieve much more without having to create LCDA’s which are actually redundant. Who created the initial local governments? The concept has been wrong from the start. I think it should be scrapped/reorganized and by then, we can make our ministries much more effective in delivering dividends of democracy…that would require the constitution to be changed…I am tired…its like you approach a problem to tackle it and the more you approach it, the more dimensions you see about the problem and then people expect you to wave a magic wand and solve all their problems. How can I stop LASTMA/KAI and especially the police, yes the Police from receiving kickbacks from motorists and Agberos? If I can get them to stop thinking it is their natural right to collect kickbacks from these people, the others would follow suit. The report reaching me is that they are regarded as tin-gods and they don’t even pay bus fares. If a commercial bus-driver carries any uniformed personnel on board, that gives him a license to become a momentary King of the Road. The problem is that I don’t have direct control over them. They are subject to the Commissioner of Police who in turn is subject to the Inspector General of Police. A showdown is risky. What can I do to tackle them? Are they the only impoverished Nigerians? They and not anything else …haa not forgetting the PHCN, which is a story for another day. The Police Force is actually a source of headaches for most people in Lagos today. It’s not their fault too…if not for the bus drivers and operators who claim ignorance and just continue to give them money instead of calling their bluff and challenging them to do the real duty they are being paid for.
I’m tired, tired, tired. I just want to get over with this first term. Should I go for a second term or not? IF I don’t, I will be betraying the people of Lagos state who have faith in me. How will I explain that decision to them? Even sick Mr. President is going for a second term? If I don’t go for a second term, I will be looked on as a weakling. I am the true son of my father…chuckles…infact I am the reincarnation of my grandfather and I have been here long enough and I’ve acquired a lot of sense overtime. I am the man with the seven lives…Not one thousand Tinubus can stop me. I will continue to fight for the common man and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos state.
At the same time that the President’s plane was descending, Gov. Fashola was sitting at his table at the Governors office, Alausa, deeply in thought. What should I do about the overbearing influence of Tinubu? People have said they really appreciate what I am doing but can I stand on my own politically without Tinubu’s support? I don’t want to have any confrontation with Tinubu. He has a lot of money and he is a seasoned politician. Who are those that can be considered as my henchmen when the chips are down? Have they not at one time or the other been part of the Tinubu machinery? See me o, as if there is another machinery in place in Lagos right now. I don’t think I have the might or the will to take on his well oiled-political machinery. Let’s assume that I even do, do I want to? Can I afford it? Will that not wreck me financially? I’m confused. Everywhere I go, people sing my praises. What exactly have I done? If only they know that I have not done much more than 20% of what I am supposed to have done? Even though they are singing my praises, there is still a lot more that can be done in terms of improving security, whipping KAI and LASTMA officials into shape. What is the next step that I should take to tackle those two agencies? Do I scrap them and build new agencies in their place? There are a lot of OND, HND and university graduates who can do a better job than the glorified Agberos, little educated personnel that the outfit currently parades. I’ll look for a way to increase their pay, give them better training and be on their neck to deliver. However, can the state afford the bill that will come with that? Severance pay for the personnel that will be laid off and finance for the new training facilities and all that…Will that not draw criticism from the civil society? Some really stupid people would start shouting that they’ve been doing a good job as if picking on harmless people on the street and exploiting them can be regarded as part of the good job they’re said to be doing.
The LCDA’s are now more of recruitment centers for thugs and miscreants. The ordinary okada men cannot ply the roads without one or two of them having a broken head or nose at the end of the day. If we revert to 20local government which is not fair and commensurate with what our counterpart states have in the north, there is no harm in that. Wait a min though…wont I be looked on as a weakling? This issue is way beyond me now and to give in to the Federal govt will be termed as a Northern Victory by some people. No o, I don’t see it as such but a very good way of reducing overhead cost and with proper coordination, we can achieve much more without having to create LCDA’s which are actually redundant. Who created the initial local governments? The concept has been wrong from the start. I think it should be scrapped/reorganized and by then, we can make our ministries much more effective in delivering dividends of democracy…that would require the constitution to be changed…I am tired…its like you approach a problem to tackle it and the more you approach it, the more dimensions you see about the problem and then people expect you to wave a magic wand and solve all their problems. How can I stop LASTMA/KAI and especially the police, yes the Police from receiving kickbacks from motorists and Agberos? If I can get them to stop thinking it is their natural right to collect kickbacks from these people, the others would follow suit. The report reaching me is that they are regarded as tin-gods and they don’t even pay bus fares. If a commercial bus-driver carries any uniformed personnel on board, that gives him a license to become a momentary King of the Road. The problem is that I don’t have direct control over them. They are subject to the Commissioner of Police who in turn is subject to the Inspector General of Police. A showdown is risky. What can I do to tackle them? Are they the only impoverished Nigerians? They and not anything else …haa not forgetting the PHCN, which is a story for another day. The Police Force is actually a source of headaches for most people in Lagos today. It’s not their fault too…if not for the bus drivers and operators who claim ignorance and just continue to give them money instead of calling their bluff and challenging them to do the real duty they are being paid for.
I’m tired, tired, tired. I just want to get over with this first term. Should I go for a second term or not? IF I don’t, I will be betraying the people of Lagos state who have faith in me. How will I explain that decision to them? Even sick Mr. President is going for a second term? If I don’t go for a second term, I will be looked on as a weakling. I am the true son of my father…chuckles…infact I am the reincarnation of my grandfather and I have been here long enough and I’ve acquired a lot of sense overtime. I am the man with the seven lives…Not one thousand Tinubus can stop me. I will continue to fight for the common man and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos state.
Gani Fawehinmi[1938-2009], RIP
Two weeks ago, I was going to do a piece on the legendary Fidel Castro of Cuba. What has kept the man relevant after all these decades? Is he really a bad man, What would he be remembered for? What is his legacy?
I just wanted to learn as much as possible about the man before he passes on to the great beyond and people just start pushing a lot of data about him that will be difficult to sift through.
Then came the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim of Iraq. The deaths of those prominent people spurred me to learn all I can about Fidel Castro while I have the time. Who is going to be the next in line to go? Is it going to be Fidel Castro, Robert Mugabe, Anthony Enahoro, Nelson Mandela or King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz?
I was wrong and totally off the mark. It was Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAM/SAN. Gani is gone, killed by the Nigerian state he lived his life for. If you think that statement is far-fetched, try and do a research into how Gani contracted Cancer of the lungs.
Gani. just like Jesus Christ, you have lived a life that will forever be remembered in the light of John 15 vs 13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
You have lived a good fight. Your contributions to the Nigerian Nation-building are well appreciated. Rest in Peace with this assurance, The fight continues...
For a detailed tribute to Gani Fawehinmi, please go to [http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/ubochi/090609.html]
I just wanted to learn as much as possible about the man before he passes on to the great beyond and people just start pushing a lot of data about him that will be difficult to sift through.
Then came the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim of Iraq. The deaths of those prominent people spurred me to learn all I can about Fidel Castro while I have the time. Who is going to be the next in line to go? Is it going to be Fidel Castro, Robert Mugabe, Anthony Enahoro, Nelson Mandela or King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz?
I was wrong and totally off the mark. It was Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAM/SAN. Gani is gone, killed by the Nigerian state he lived his life for. If you think that statement is far-fetched, try and do a research into how Gani contracted Cancer of the lungs.
Gani. just like Jesus Christ, you have lived a life that will forever be remembered in the light of John 15 vs 13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
You have lived a good fight. Your contributions to the Nigerian Nation-building are well appreciated. Rest in Peace with this assurance, The fight continues...
For a detailed tribute to Gani Fawehinmi, please go to [http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/ubochi/090609.html]
04 September, 2009
Who is to blame? Pt 1...Umaru Yaradua?
I managed to write a short story in the faction genre. I hope you enjoy reading it. I am going to serialize it for your reading convenience.
Umaru Yardua, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As the plane descended into the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja, President Yaradua was lost in thought. He was barely aware of the happenings around him. If only the short ceremony at the Presidential wing of the Airport could be passed over. His aides and his wife had told him to go ahead with it. They told him that would quell rumors that he was sick and that keep his detractors quiet for a while. Any opportunity to be in the public eye should not be passed over, they had said.
How much longer can he continue to govern Nigeria like this, he thought. Even though, majority of Nigerians don’t know what ails me, they surely deserve better than this. I know myself. I could have done better than this if only I am not sick. Should I resign? I’m confused. If I resign, I have to constitutionally hand over power to the Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan. My fellow northerners would brand me a traitor and a sellout. They want power to remain in the North for eight years. If I resign, power would just go to the South south…all those hypocrites…everybody is either a criminal or an accomplice. No, that is not even an option. I have to sit out the next two years and all this criticisms would just blow away. I am already the President; they can do nothing to me.
Should I seek a second term? People even see Turai as more of the President than I am. What if I set her up to run for the second term in my place? At least, that would keep the Presidency in the family and I can even create history by being the ‘first man’ in Nigeria. He chuckles. From being President to being first man. I’ve explored everything I met on the ground to at least provide power supply to the People. From reports reaching me, even the FCT has blackout these days. How would I be remembered? As Nigeria’s worst president or as a sick man who tried to rule Nigeria? Abeg…even if I don’t do much more, I can’t be as worse as Abacha in People’s perception.
I don try now. It is just that all these so-called activists would never see anything good in any of our initiatives and castigate all our moves. The 2011 elections are just around the corner. I will sit tight until like march next year. The Ramadan is here and Christmas is coming up soon afterwards and then the New Year rolls in, that’s enough activity to keep people busy, occupied and not have to worry about the seeming non-performance of this government. There is still enough time to achieve Vision 2020. If we can have our banks strengthened and have relative peace in the Niger Delta plus increase power output to around 6,000MW by the end of this year. Chei! That’s what we promised the people. Not to worry, if we don’t get up to 6,000MW, I never went on National TV to promise the people that. I’m tired of ruling Nigeria. Putting on the same plastic smile everyday and lying to my people. They just cant afford to know the truth.
As the plane touched the tarmac, the President was aroused into consciousness. He sighed…He looked out of the window and saw the tarmac. How much would it cost to make this airport have the feel of the King Abdul Aziz International Airport or the Frankfurt International Airport? Pull it and build another one? Of course, that would serve to rejuvenate the rebranding of the Indefatigable Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili but by then, people would start complaining that there are a lot of people living on less than a USD per day, kai…hypocrites, if only they spend more of that money they spend more on feeding those poor people they claim to be fighting for. Life would surely be better for those class of Nigerians. I have to be proactive on this issue. How can I make life better for those in the rural area but then that would be done at the detriment of those living in the city…kai! The wahala for this country, e too much for me…na superman go fit come solve am for us.
...to be continued
Umaru Yardua, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As the plane descended into the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja, President Yaradua was lost in thought. He was barely aware of the happenings around him. If only the short ceremony at the Presidential wing of the Airport could be passed over. His aides and his wife had told him to go ahead with it. They told him that would quell rumors that he was sick and that keep his detractors quiet for a while. Any opportunity to be in the public eye should not be passed over, they had said.
How much longer can he continue to govern Nigeria like this, he thought. Even though, majority of Nigerians don’t know what ails me, they surely deserve better than this. I know myself. I could have done better than this if only I am not sick. Should I resign? I’m confused. If I resign, I have to constitutionally hand over power to the Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan. My fellow northerners would brand me a traitor and a sellout. They want power to remain in the North for eight years. If I resign, power would just go to the South south…all those hypocrites…everybody is either a criminal or an accomplice. No, that is not even an option. I have to sit out the next two years and all this criticisms would just blow away. I am already the President; they can do nothing to me.
Should I seek a second term? People even see Turai as more of the President than I am. What if I set her up to run for the second term in my place? At least, that would keep the Presidency in the family and I can even create history by being the ‘first man’ in Nigeria. He chuckles. From being President to being first man. I’ve explored everything I met on the ground to at least provide power supply to the People. From reports reaching me, even the FCT has blackout these days. How would I be remembered? As Nigeria’s worst president or as a sick man who tried to rule Nigeria? Abeg…even if I don’t do much more, I can’t be as worse as Abacha in People’s perception.
I don try now. It is just that all these so-called activists would never see anything good in any of our initiatives and castigate all our moves. The 2011 elections are just around the corner. I will sit tight until like march next year. The Ramadan is here and Christmas is coming up soon afterwards and then the New Year rolls in, that’s enough activity to keep people busy, occupied and not have to worry about the seeming non-performance of this government. There is still enough time to achieve Vision 2020. If we can have our banks strengthened and have relative peace in the Niger Delta plus increase power output to around 6,000MW by the end of this year. Chei! That’s what we promised the people. Not to worry, if we don’t get up to 6,000MW, I never went on National TV to promise the people that. I’m tired of ruling Nigeria. Putting on the same plastic smile everyday and lying to my people. They just cant afford to know the truth.
As the plane touched the tarmac, the President was aroused into consciousness. He sighed…He looked out of the window and saw the tarmac. How much would it cost to make this airport have the feel of the King Abdul Aziz International Airport or the Frankfurt International Airport? Pull it and build another one? Of course, that would serve to rejuvenate the rebranding of the Indefatigable Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili but by then, people would start complaining that there are a lot of people living on less than a USD per day, kai…hypocrites, if only they spend more of that money they spend more on feeding those poor people they claim to be fighting for. Life would surely be better for those class of Nigerians. I have to be proactive on this issue. How can I make life better for those in the rural area but then that would be done at the detriment of those living in the city…kai! The wahala for this country, e too much for me…na superman go fit come solve am for us.
...to be continued
01 September, 2009
Y
Dunno why the title is 'Y' but i guess i've been bitten by the crazy bug that Lagos is infested with. I really wish i can be walking around and be able to record my experiences on the streets in and out of lagos and at work. No day has gone by in Lagos without me seeing something out of the ordinary in Fashola's paradise.
Okay...have a feel...on the way to Ota last sunday evening at Abule Egba, i saw this man in white Agbada come down from a Toyota Corolla[2008], got down from the car in the middle of the road[traffic] and started urinating on the culvert in the full glare of everybody,policemen, commuters stuck in traffic and the salespeople there...lol
Okay, you've seen that before, try this...have u seen someone give birth on a public bus?
The constant subject of Okadamen and other hapless Nigerians by security operatives[thugs in uniforms] leaves much to be desired....
I have seen uniformed men throwing blows at Obalende...
Lets brainstorm on something...It is an idea that I picked up somewhere. Instead of the hollow vision 2020 of the Nigerian Government[more on this later], can we drive development through a much improved vision of hosting the World on Nigerian soil in the year 2006 by hosting the World Cup?
The South Africans can testify to the level of development that their country's public infrastructure has undergone in preparation for the World Cup 2010.
Can we make it happen in Nigeria?
Okay...have a feel...on the way to Ota last sunday evening at Abule Egba, i saw this man in white Agbada come down from a Toyota Corolla[2008], got down from the car in the middle of the road[traffic] and started urinating on the culvert in the full glare of everybody,policemen, commuters stuck in traffic and the salespeople there...lol
Okay, you've seen that before, try this...have u seen someone give birth on a public bus?
The constant subject of Okadamen and other hapless Nigerians by security operatives[thugs in uniforms] leaves much to be desired....
I have seen uniformed men throwing blows at Obalende...
Lets brainstorm on something...It is an idea that I picked up somewhere. Instead of the hollow vision 2020 of the Nigerian Government[more on this later], can we drive development through a much improved vision of hosting the World on Nigerian soil in the year 2006 by hosting the World Cup?
The South Africans can testify to the level of development that their country's public infrastructure has undergone in preparation for the World Cup 2010.
Can we make it happen in Nigeria?
24 August, 2009
Dabo
People like Godwin Dabo should be held responsible for Nigeria's plight. I heard his interview with Daily Sun on Radio this morning and I was amazed that men of his ilk can not just keep their mouth shut and atleast by that, we wouldnt know the amount of folly stored up in them. Agbaya.
A portion of the interview is reproduced below.
“He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency,” he said.
Dabo launched a virulent attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ANPP standard bearer in the 2007 elections, Major General Muhammadu Buhari for nursing the ambition to become Nigeria ’s president, saying that the former vice president had failed in his political career, just like his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Presidency is zoned to the North. So, at the appropriate time, the North will sit down and decide the person they are going to field. For anybody to say there is no alternative to Yar’Adua, that person is not speaking the truth. The North is now filled up with a lot of credible people who can replace Yar’Adua. I tend to support what some people are saying that Mrs. Yar’Adua will be a more effective President than her husband. Of course I will support her if she is fielded. The husband, because of several factors said he was going to do just one term. The enemies of Nigeria should not push Yar’Adua for a second time. I’m in Abuja and I have not had light for the past six days. I’ve been on generator for the past six days and I’m in the heart of Abuja.
I believe President Yar’Adua has made his point. He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency. Everybody who has met her leaves with the impression that he has met a woman who is in charge. She is like Margaret Thatcher of Britain . She is like Mrs. Clinton. For God’s sake, let Yar’Adua allow his wife continue or in the alternative, there are many Yar’Aduas who are ready to step in. there is Babangida Yar’Adua and other people. But Atiku cannot come in because he’s the same failure like Obasanjo who gave us the worst government. Atiku was part of his administration for a very long time before they had a misunderstanding and parted ways."
My grouse is not with the fact that Yaradua should not recontest. Rather it is at Dabo's suggestion that Yaradua should put his wife as if that will just make everything alrite. Dabo himself said that Turai is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency yet he hasn't had power supply to his house in the heart of Abuja the FCT in six days. What a shame for someone of Dabo's stature to consider the Presidency a family affair.
As far as Nigerians should be concerned, the Presidency was zoned to the North by the PDP. If someone from another part of Nigeria comes around tomorrow and he promises to give us succour from the visionless government of President Umaru Yaradua, what stops us from voting that person in as the next President of Nigeria?
What we expect from Statesmen is to convey an emergency conference and look into how the power of the masses can be harnessed to make the Federal Government wake up from its slumber and provide proper governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If people like Dabo have nothing better to say other than to take up public space with stupid commentary on state of affairs of the Nigerian Nation, I regret to say this because of ur supposed old age, but I've got to say it, just SHUT UP!
A portion of the interview is reproduced below.
“He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency,” he said.
Dabo launched a virulent attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ANPP standard bearer in the 2007 elections, Major General Muhammadu Buhari for nursing the ambition to become Nigeria ’s president, saying that the former vice president had failed in his political career, just like his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Presidency is zoned to the North. So, at the appropriate time, the North will sit down and decide the person they are going to field. For anybody to say there is no alternative to Yar’Adua, that person is not speaking the truth. The North is now filled up with a lot of credible people who can replace Yar’Adua. I tend to support what some people are saying that Mrs. Yar’Adua will be a more effective President than her husband. Of course I will support her if she is fielded. The husband, because of several factors said he was going to do just one term. The enemies of Nigeria should not push Yar’Adua for a second time. I’m in Abuja and I have not had light for the past six days. I’ve been on generator for the past six days and I’m in the heart of Abuja.
I believe President Yar’Adua has made his point. He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency. Everybody who has met her leaves with the impression that he has met a woman who is in charge. She is like Margaret Thatcher of Britain . She is like Mrs. Clinton. For God’s sake, let Yar’Adua allow his wife continue or in the alternative, there are many Yar’Aduas who are ready to step in. there is Babangida Yar’Adua and other people. But Atiku cannot come in because he’s the same failure like Obasanjo who gave us the worst government. Atiku was part of his administration for a very long time before they had a misunderstanding and parted ways."
My grouse is not with the fact that Yaradua should not recontest. Rather it is at Dabo's suggestion that Yaradua should put his wife as if that will just make everything alrite. Dabo himself said that Turai is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency yet he hasn't had power supply to his house in the heart of Abuja the FCT in six days. What a shame for someone of Dabo's stature to consider the Presidency a family affair.
As far as Nigerians should be concerned, the Presidency was zoned to the North by the PDP. If someone from another part of Nigeria comes around tomorrow and he promises to give us succour from the visionless government of President Umaru Yaradua, what stops us from voting that person in as the next President of Nigeria?
What we expect from Statesmen is to convey an emergency conference and look into how the power of the masses can be harnessed to make the Federal Government wake up from its slumber and provide proper governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If people like Dabo have nothing better to say other than to take up public space with stupid commentary on state of affairs of the Nigerian Nation, I regret to say this because of ur supposed old age, but I've got to say it, just SHUT UP!
11 August, 2009
Fashola’s Lagos: Not yet Uhuru.
I lived in Lagos long enough to be well acquainted with the kind of life Lagosians live before going after the proverbial golden fleece. Fast-paced, chaotic, all day long adrenaline-pumping activities in a very challenging environment devoid of good governance, swarming with men of the underworld, rickety buses, bad roads, corrupt inept policemen, noise-polluted with the Kings of the Road, Agberos holding sway.
It is very heartening to see people believe in the present government of Lagos State. It is a sign of better things to come. The way people talk about the Governor of Lagos State without finding faults, praising and eulogizing the achievements of the young man makes you wonder what He has really achieved in his two years in office.
The way people describe Lagos is like describing El Dorado. Lagos is now different, there are flowers in most public places, Lagos has been beautified and all that and People in the Diaspora rely on what they see on TV to form an opinion of the state of things in Lagos. How far can they be from the truth?
I arrived Lagos just over two weeks ago and I was disoriented for a whole week before I started pulling myself together. There was no light. Yes, there was no constant supply of Power Supply but in all my growing up years, the light situation was never as bad as what I met on ground. My folks told me there had been no power supply to their area in three weeks. I waited five days to catch a 20secs glimpse of power supply and a full week to have 2-hours supply. At least I remember growing up and having constant power supply on an estimated average of 12-15hrs everyday.
Well, constant power supply falls under the prerogative of the Federal Government under the bungling leadership of President Umaru Yaradua. Constant power supply to Lagos state is technically not under the control of the Lagos State Governor.
On the Second Day I arrived, I had to go to MMT-2 with a friend of mine who was catching a flight to Abuja. There were no more flights to Abuja a night before when we arrived in Nigeria.
From the MMT-2, I went to the Computer Village where so little has changed. The perimeter fence protecting the rail tracks before you get to the computer village proper was down and people were doing business as usual despite the supposed wahala from KAI personnel. From there, I went to Oshodi to see the new wonderful glorious Oshodi. I was disappointed.
Last Sunday, Segun Odegbami during the Dreams come true TV Show with Jazzy B at Ibadan reiterated something that had been in my mind for a while. Nigeria is in darkness. Politicians who are elected into power do nothing and the few ones who do something small are idolized and praised to no end.
Gov. Fashola has no doubt raised people’s morale level about governance in Lagos State but what he has done so far is like trying to drain a swimming pool with a 1Litre bucket and scooping the first 2Litres.
No doubt, his sincerity, open-mindedness and frankness have endeared him to Lagosians but the Oshodi I saw on that day and a number of times after that has always left me thinking that Oshodi can still be much more better than what it is right now. The people have seen the difference that a responsible government can bring to bear on a situation. Work is still ongoing but it should be noted that half of the lights especially the ones under the flyover-bridges are working absmally. In previously cleared areas, people are now selling and getting more confident day by day. Earlier this evening, I saw a small relaxation spot with 6chairs springing up under the flyover bridge where people sat smoking and drinking with the woman vendor ready to refill.
Take a trip round Lagos. I was at Aguda, Surulere earlier today. Asides the removal of structures that were jutting into the streets, nothing of note has happened in that area. The roads were still in a bad state of disrepair and some areas I walked through are worse off than when I last saw them. Take a trip to Ilaje, Bariga, Itire and you will see that there are a lot of things to be done in those areas.
Oshodi which is hailed as having being transformed is still filthy and I saw some people driving against traffic despite the KAI, Police and mobile enforcement personnel stationed there.
“Eko o ni baje o” is a popular slogan in Lagos but I humbly suggest another slogan, “Ka parapo, ka tun Eko se”. Eko sure needs the participation of everybody to make it better.
The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola surely deserves some pat for a good job well done so far but not the accolades he is showered with now. Like Obama that was denied a honorary degree at the Arizona State University, Gov. Fashola needs to do much more to deserve the accolades.
It is very heartening to see people believe in the present government of Lagos State. It is a sign of better things to come. The way people talk about the Governor of Lagos State without finding faults, praising and eulogizing the achievements of the young man makes you wonder what He has really achieved in his two years in office.
The way people describe Lagos is like describing El Dorado. Lagos is now different, there are flowers in most public places, Lagos has been beautified and all that and People in the Diaspora rely on what they see on TV to form an opinion of the state of things in Lagos. How far can they be from the truth?
I arrived Lagos just over two weeks ago and I was disoriented for a whole week before I started pulling myself together. There was no light. Yes, there was no constant supply of Power Supply but in all my growing up years, the light situation was never as bad as what I met on ground. My folks told me there had been no power supply to their area in three weeks. I waited five days to catch a 20secs glimpse of power supply and a full week to have 2-hours supply. At least I remember growing up and having constant power supply on an estimated average of 12-15hrs everyday.
Well, constant power supply falls under the prerogative of the Federal Government under the bungling leadership of President Umaru Yaradua. Constant power supply to Lagos state is technically not under the control of the Lagos State Governor.
On the Second Day I arrived, I had to go to MMT-2 with a friend of mine who was catching a flight to Abuja. There were no more flights to Abuja a night before when we arrived in Nigeria.
From the MMT-2, I went to the Computer Village where so little has changed. The perimeter fence protecting the rail tracks before you get to the computer village proper was down and people were doing business as usual despite the supposed wahala from KAI personnel. From there, I went to Oshodi to see the new wonderful glorious Oshodi. I was disappointed.
Last Sunday, Segun Odegbami during the Dreams come true TV Show with Jazzy B at Ibadan reiterated something that had been in my mind for a while. Nigeria is in darkness. Politicians who are elected into power do nothing and the few ones who do something small are idolized and praised to no end.
Gov. Fashola has no doubt raised people’s morale level about governance in Lagos State but what he has done so far is like trying to drain a swimming pool with a 1Litre bucket and scooping the first 2Litres.
No doubt, his sincerity, open-mindedness and frankness have endeared him to Lagosians but the Oshodi I saw on that day and a number of times after that has always left me thinking that Oshodi can still be much more better than what it is right now. The people have seen the difference that a responsible government can bring to bear on a situation. Work is still ongoing but it should be noted that half of the lights especially the ones under the flyover-bridges are working absmally. In previously cleared areas, people are now selling and getting more confident day by day. Earlier this evening, I saw a small relaxation spot with 6chairs springing up under the flyover bridge where people sat smoking and drinking with the woman vendor ready to refill.
Take a trip round Lagos. I was at Aguda, Surulere earlier today. Asides the removal of structures that were jutting into the streets, nothing of note has happened in that area. The roads were still in a bad state of disrepair and some areas I walked through are worse off than when I last saw them. Take a trip to Ilaje, Bariga, Itire and you will see that there are a lot of things to be done in those areas.
Oshodi which is hailed as having being transformed is still filthy and I saw some people driving against traffic despite the KAI, Police and mobile enforcement personnel stationed there.
“Eko o ni baje o” is a popular slogan in Lagos but I humbly suggest another slogan, “Ka parapo, ka tun Eko se”. Eko sure needs the participation of everybody to make it better.
The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola surely deserves some pat for a good job well done so far but not the accolades he is showered with now. Like Obama that was denied a honorary degree at the Arizona State University, Gov. Fashola needs to do much more to deserve the accolades.
07 July, 2009
Taking Bush to the Cleaners.
It is really funny how you try to make sense of the world and it just doesn’t add up. A lot of things that should ordinarily be are out of place and a lot of things that shouldn’t be the way they are allowed to stand to please some people and people with common sense are appalled.
A discourse on Iraq is an over flogged issue. However, the reverberation around the world is enough to drive sane people to seek workable solutions. I have been thinking about something for a few weeks now.
The United States of America invaded Iraq going against all international norms, conventions and rules of engagement, also not forgetting the UN was not in support of the war from the beginning.
America allegedly invaded Iraq because they were suspected of having Weapons of Mass Destruction. Overtime, that reason was found to be untrue. Even if Iraq had weapons of Mass Destruction, did Saddam Hussein leave anybody in doubt that he had the capability and the will to launch an attack against any country? Though, the invasion was later being justified because Saddam was a monster who was killing/terrorizing his own people. Was he the only one who killed/terrorized his people? There are lots of other countries where their leaders are disconnected from the people and they are terrors to their own citizens.
The fact which is out there on the table is that President Bush sanctioned the invasion of Iraq and is a very good candidate for the International Criminal Court in the Hague. A lot of people have been killed, maimed and millions of people will never return to normalcy.
What more does the ICC need to prosecute the former President of the USA?
A discourse on Iraq is an over flogged issue. However, the reverberation around the world is enough to drive sane people to seek workable solutions. I have been thinking about something for a few weeks now.
The United States of America invaded Iraq going against all international norms, conventions and rules of engagement, also not forgetting the UN was not in support of the war from the beginning.
America allegedly invaded Iraq because they were suspected of having Weapons of Mass Destruction. Overtime, that reason was found to be untrue. Even if Iraq had weapons of Mass Destruction, did Saddam Hussein leave anybody in doubt that he had the capability and the will to launch an attack against any country? Though, the invasion was later being justified because Saddam was a monster who was killing/terrorizing his own people. Was he the only one who killed/terrorized his people? There are lots of other countries where their leaders are disconnected from the people and they are terrors to their own citizens.
The fact which is out there on the table is that President Bush sanctioned the invasion of Iraq and is a very good candidate for the International Criminal Court in the Hague. A lot of people have been killed, maimed and millions of people will never return to normalcy.
What more does the ICC need to prosecute the former President of the USA?
21 June, 2009
Dear Mr. President by P. O. Agbo
Dear Mr. President,
I'm sure you are tired of people saying you are not performing as a
president. Mr. President, for your own name in the annals of Nigerian
history, pull out the check book and contact these companies listed
below immediately. If you call these companies, Nigeria's power
problem will be a thing of the past. These are companies with decades
of experience in everything Nigeria needs to move the country forward.
If you start the process of solving Nigeria's power problem by
contacting these companies, Nigerians will forever remain grateful.
1. Bechtel USA
www.bechtel.com
415-768-1234
2. AECOM USA
www.aecom.com
213-593-8000
3. ABB
www.abb.com
Mr. President, call these companies, sit down and ask them to:
1. Give you a satellite image of Nigeria:
Sit down around a table, draw a line going from North to South, Draw
another line going from East to west. Ask them to give you a quote to
build a six lane freeways that goes along these lines.
Draw a circle half way from the center of the previous line. Ask them
to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build another six lane freeway
and railroad along this circle you just made.
2. Ask them to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build a
21st century power generation and distribution grid.
3. Ask for a 5 year commitment for them to run the power station and
train Nigerians on the job.
Mr. President, you will not solve Nigeria's infrastructure problem by
going anywhere else. Please, this is the 21st Century, how can you
award a contract to a company where Nigerians cannot get online and
see the company previous projects. How can you give Nigeria's money
away without a serious due diligence to see if the company has the
wherewithal to handle a project of that magnitude. You have a duty to
lead Nigeria out of darkness, please Sir, do something. I am hopeful
these 3 companies will give Nigeria a chance and come and help us.
Stop your Ministers from looting Nigeria's treasury by bringing all
these companies from Asia and Eastern Europe to loot our treasury.
Remember few billions was given to Chinese Engineering & Construction
Company to build railroad. Sir I have been searching the web to find
this company, to see the projects they've done before, to see a blue
print of what they are going to build for Nigeria. I have not seen
anything.
Fighting online bloggers and press is not going to solve any problem.
These journalists are doing what journalists do: report on things that
affect Nigerians. Every single one of these online reporters have
cried for Nigeria just like I have. To watch a country so richly
blessed be plundered by a bunch of kleptomaniacs makes us all cry. To
see the police shoot innocent Nigerians and call them armed robbers
makes us all cry. Mr. President Nigeria belongs to all of us. Large
percentage of us want to come home but how can we do that when you,
the President, cannot guarantee the safety of property or life. Nobody
hates you as a human being. We hate that you are in that office and
seem not to know what to do.
Stop the killing in Niger Delta, enough is enough. Get these multinational companies devastating the region to become partners, build
schools, bridges etc in the region where they tapping oil and reaping
100% returns. Remove the name militants and talk these Nigerians. An Army should never point a weapon at its own citizens.
Out of these companies, choose one for power and one for the road
construction. Sir, they are afraid that a new government will come in
and not pay them. That's one of the reasons why reputable American
companies doesn't want to do business with Nigeria. So open escrow
account and write a check for the whole project. These companies do
not abandon projects. They do not give kickbacks. They will get
Nigeria back on track. Do something Mr. President, Do something. Obama
chose to go to Ghana because we have become irrelevant. Do Something.
Show the world you know what to do.
These kids who are being called militants, kidnappers, 419ers will
have the ability to open a bakery and know that power will not go out.
My mother, Mr. President will be able to sell cold water knowing that
power will not go out. A country without middle class cannot survive.
Sorry, I had to break it down to you like this. We love our country.
To solve our problem doesn't take a rocket scientist. And as you can
see, no mention of tribe or ethnicity here because we are all the
same, Nigerians. I am tired of my fellow country men and women saying
"na God/Allah dey doam". No, we have to do this. God has done his part
by given us the resources. It is up to us to use the resources to
better our people.
Create Your Legacy. Like Obama said "You will be remembered by what
you built, not what you destroyed."
Thank You Mr. President.
P. O. Agbo
Los Angeles.
etep007@gmail.com
I'm sure you are tired of people saying you are not performing as a
president. Mr. President, for your own name in the annals of Nigerian
history, pull out the check book and contact these companies listed
below immediately. If you call these companies, Nigeria's power
problem will be a thing of the past. These are companies with decades
of experience in everything Nigeria needs to move the country forward.
If you start the process of solving Nigeria's power problem by
contacting these companies, Nigerians will forever remain grateful.
1. Bechtel USA
www.bechtel.com
415-768-1234
2. AECOM USA
www.aecom.com
213-593-8000
3. ABB
www.abb.com
Mr. President, call these companies, sit down and ask them to:
1. Give you a satellite image of Nigeria:
Sit down around a table, draw a line going from North to South, Draw
another line going from East to west. Ask them to give you a quote to
build a six lane freeways that goes along these lines.
Draw a circle half way from the center of the previous line. Ask them
to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build another six lane freeway
and railroad along this circle you just made.
2. Ask them to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build a
21st century power generation and distribution grid.
3. Ask for a 5 year commitment for them to run the power station and
train Nigerians on the job.
Mr. President, you will not solve Nigeria's infrastructure problem by
going anywhere else. Please, this is the 21st Century, how can you
award a contract to a company where Nigerians cannot get online and
see the company previous projects. How can you give Nigeria's money
away without a serious due diligence to see if the company has the
wherewithal to handle a project of that magnitude. You have a duty to
lead Nigeria out of darkness, please Sir, do something. I am hopeful
these 3 companies will give Nigeria a chance and come and help us.
Stop your Ministers from looting Nigeria's treasury by bringing all
these companies from Asia and Eastern Europe to loot our treasury.
Remember few billions was given to Chinese Engineering & Construction
Company to build railroad. Sir I have been searching the web to find
this company, to see the projects they've done before, to see a blue
print of what they are going to build for Nigeria. I have not seen
anything.
Fighting online bloggers and press is not going to solve any problem.
These journalists are doing what journalists do: report on things that
affect Nigerians. Every single one of these online reporters have
cried for Nigeria just like I have. To watch a country so richly
blessed be plundered by a bunch of kleptomaniacs makes us all cry. To
see the police shoot innocent Nigerians and call them armed robbers
makes us all cry. Mr. President Nigeria belongs to all of us. Large
percentage of us want to come home but how can we do that when you,
the President, cannot guarantee the safety of property or life. Nobody
hates you as a human being. We hate that you are in that office and
seem not to know what to do.
Stop the killing in Niger Delta, enough is enough. Get these multinational companies devastating the region to become partners, build
schools, bridges etc in the region where they tapping oil and reaping
100% returns. Remove the name militants and talk these Nigerians. An Army should never point a weapon at its own citizens.
Out of these companies, choose one for power and one for the road
construction. Sir, they are afraid that a new government will come in
and not pay them. That's one of the reasons why reputable American
companies doesn't want to do business with Nigeria. So open escrow
account and write a check for the whole project. These companies do
not abandon projects. They do not give kickbacks. They will get
Nigeria back on track. Do something Mr. President, Do something. Obama
chose to go to Ghana because we have become irrelevant. Do Something.
Show the world you know what to do.
These kids who are being called militants, kidnappers, 419ers will
have the ability to open a bakery and know that power will not go out.
My mother, Mr. President will be able to sell cold water knowing that
power will not go out. A country without middle class cannot survive.
Sorry, I had to break it down to you like this. We love our country.
To solve our problem doesn't take a rocket scientist. And as you can
see, no mention of tribe or ethnicity here because we are all the
same, Nigerians. I am tired of my fellow country men and women saying
"na God/Allah dey doam". No, we have to do this. God has done his part
by given us the resources. It is up to us to use the resources to
better our people.
Create Your Legacy. Like Obama said "You will be remembered by what
you built, not what you destroyed."
Thank You Mr. President.
P. O. Agbo
Los Angeles.
etep007@gmail.com
A cashless World
Imagine a world without cash. Imagine a world where physical money becomes extinct. What would a world like that be like?
Before the invention of the paper money by people in China a long time ago, people have always had forms of transaction which invariably leads to Trade-by-barter of goods and services.
Since the introduction of paper money that has different values, it has subtly become the next free-flowing thing after water.
In today’s world, what can you do without money? You can certainly move around with your debit and credit cards in your wallet and do most of your transactions but a bill or a coin to toss here and there is not at all out of place.
Taking reality into cognizance, the world from the UK to the Cayman Islands, Somalia to Italy, Niger to Taiwan does not have the capability to eliminate cash from the system.
Imagine taking your card to Bolade Oshodi, Lagos to swipe your card for just two oranges. Even if the orange seller tells you there is a machine available for use, you’ll probably think it is a ploy to steal your card information.
Cultures, Norms and Values will be challenged leading to a new world order.
Some people will flow with the dynamics and make more money while some would become poor in no time because they can’t just get the concept and survive without physical cash in their transactions.
By legislation or something, if everybody in the world, residents and visitors alike need to have a consolidated card that will contain their bio-data, bank account details and balances…I presume that financial crime will drastically reduce. There would be financial accountability that will make the world a sane place. Morals as well are bound to be on the increase as some people would not want to have a traceable anomaly behavior to them.
Developing countries will now have a real chance of infrastructural development.
People in developing countries can now walk the streets at anytime of their choosing without the fear of the men of the underworld.
In developed countries, illegal immigrants will be virtually non-existent.
What is your take on this?
Before the invention of the paper money by people in China a long time ago, people have always had forms of transaction which invariably leads to Trade-by-barter of goods and services.
Since the introduction of paper money that has different values, it has subtly become the next free-flowing thing after water.
In today’s world, what can you do without money? You can certainly move around with your debit and credit cards in your wallet and do most of your transactions but a bill or a coin to toss here and there is not at all out of place.
Taking reality into cognizance, the world from the UK to the Cayman Islands, Somalia to Italy, Niger to Taiwan does not have the capability to eliminate cash from the system.
Imagine taking your card to Bolade Oshodi, Lagos to swipe your card for just two oranges. Even if the orange seller tells you there is a machine available for use, you’ll probably think it is a ploy to steal your card information.
Cultures, Norms and Values will be challenged leading to a new world order.
Some people will flow with the dynamics and make more money while some would become poor in no time because they can’t just get the concept and survive without physical cash in their transactions.
By legislation or something, if everybody in the world, residents and visitors alike need to have a consolidated card that will contain their bio-data, bank account details and balances…I presume that financial crime will drastically reduce. There would be financial accountability that will make the world a sane place. Morals as well are bound to be on the increase as some people would not want to have a traceable anomaly behavior to them.
Developing countries will now have a real chance of infrastructural development.
People in developing countries can now walk the streets at anytime of their choosing without the fear of the men of the underworld.
In developed countries, illegal immigrants will be virtually non-existent.
What is your take on this?
18 June, 2009
Iran
On the eve of the Iranian elections, an Iranian friend of mine, Majid walked up to me and asked me whether I was following the Iranian elections. I replied in the affirmative. We talked for a little while on what the election portends for the people of Iran.
When you meet an Iranian for the first time, you will be forgiven for having the misconception that you are meeting a potential terrorist.
As far as I know, democracy as it should be is still alien to the people of Iran. How and why did a cleric become the Supreme Leader? Isn’t that title supposed to be God’s?
For a while now, world news is not complete without a mention of the alleged role of Iranian-backed activities in Iraq, their grandstanding against the United States on Nuclear Programs and their defiance of United Nations sanctions.
The elections gave the people of Iran two choices. The first choice is to stay with Ahmadinejad and rubber-stamp his continued opposition to the United States and make continuous headline news for all the wrong reasons on major news channels all over the world.
The second choice is for them to break away from the past and embrace the world. I have met a lot of Iranians and they are not just Iranians. They are human beings, intelligent, active people always shying away from trouble.
The people of Iran are tired of being of Ahmadinejad that has put them at war with the world. They want to meet the world on their own terms and not what the establishment says. The women are tired of being oppressed in the name of Religion. They want to dress as normal people and interact with their fellow countrymen on their own terms. They are simply tired of being remotely controlled and being zombies.
Of course, Ahmadinejad is not the cause of the Present perception of the Iranian people. That can be traced back to the US embassy holdup from 1979-1981. I have read about the experience of a French-American-Iranian whose father worked for the Iranian Oil Company in the 70’s.
The grouse of the Iranian people is that Ahmadinejad with the backing of the establishment that he represents is worsening their situation.
The Presidential election as we understand was a farce and is causing a lot of unrest and reverberations around the world. Since the Islamic uprising of 1979, Iran has never seen anything like this. The people have taken a stand.
I cannot begin to imagine the backroom deals going on right now to calm the situation but any deal made with Mousavi is going to hold up for just four years. Any attempt to rig future elections would be met with better organized and well-orchestrated opposition.
The situation in Iran should be noted by people from Africa and the rest of the developing world where sham elections are conducted and justified. The people can rise up to say defend their votes and not allow any Supreme Leader or Court to decide their fate.
When you meet an Iranian for the first time, you will be forgiven for having the misconception that you are meeting a potential terrorist.
As far as I know, democracy as it should be is still alien to the people of Iran. How and why did a cleric become the Supreme Leader? Isn’t that title supposed to be God’s?
For a while now, world news is not complete without a mention of the alleged role of Iranian-backed activities in Iraq, their grandstanding against the United States on Nuclear Programs and their defiance of United Nations sanctions.
The elections gave the people of Iran two choices. The first choice is to stay with Ahmadinejad and rubber-stamp his continued opposition to the United States and make continuous headline news for all the wrong reasons on major news channels all over the world.
The second choice is for them to break away from the past and embrace the world. I have met a lot of Iranians and they are not just Iranians. They are human beings, intelligent, active people always shying away from trouble.
The people of Iran are tired of being of Ahmadinejad that has put them at war with the world. They want to meet the world on their own terms and not what the establishment says. The women are tired of being oppressed in the name of Religion. They want to dress as normal people and interact with their fellow countrymen on their own terms. They are simply tired of being remotely controlled and being zombies.
Of course, Ahmadinejad is not the cause of the Present perception of the Iranian people. That can be traced back to the US embassy holdup from 1979-1981. I have read about the experience of a French-American-Iranian whose father worked for the Iranian Oil Company in the 70’s.
The grouse of the Iranian people is that Ahmadinejad with the backing of the establishment that he represents is worsening their situation.
The Presidential election as we understand was a farce and is causing a lot of unrest and reverberations around the world. Since the Islamic uprising of 1979, Iran has never seen anything like this. The people have taken a stand.
I cannot begin to imagine the backroom deals going on right now to calm the situation but any deal made with Mousavi is going to hold up for just four years. Any attempt to rig future elections would be met with better organized and well-orchestrated opposition.
The situation in Iran should be noted by people from Africa and the rest of the developing world where sham elections are conducted and justified. The people can rise up to say defend their votes and not allow any Supreme Leader or Court to decide their fate.
31 May, 2009
Cheating the system...
Why do Nigerians like cheating the system?
We Nigerians have created and cultivated a very negative image of ourselves to the world.
Everybody likes the good things of life but we have an insatiable desire to acquire the very best of things the world has to offer. In trying to acquire these stuffs, we go to unimaginable lengths in trying to do so.
What got me thinking a few months ago is the yahoozze culture that an alarming proportion of Nigerian youths are involved in…IT has now become a way of life insomuch that a lot of people have perfected the art and now people undergo training to become certified yahoo dons…
Even People who are not into ‘yahoo’ have a tendency to do the wrong thing needlessly as if we have been accursed with the spirit of wrongdoing.
We always try to find a shortcut to do things in and out of the country. We don’t ever want to go through the normal channel…A Nigerian believes there is always a way round everything.
For days, I mulled over the question, why do Nigerians like cheating the system?
I wondered if it was malfunctioning gene in our genetic make-up that is responsible or we were made to be so by the Creator?
Perpetuation of bad acts is not peculiar to Nigerians, home and abroad alone. Nationals of other countries also engage in nefarious activities.
The main reason why we get picked up on is the fact that our country is seen as the arrow-head of the black race. Therefore, Nigerians are expected to blaze the trail in the socio-economic & political landscape on the African continent and our country, Nigeria is supposed to be a good model for other African countries.
Unfortunately, such is not the case.
Nigerians like cheating the system because the system has never been fair to them.
The system has been manipulated to favor an elite few while a lot of people out there, out of the establishment suffer the brunt of their misdeeds.
So, if a naija youth does something to skirt the system and he is successful, he’s happy because in his own thinking, he has been able to conquer the system.
That is why Nigerians are ever so ready to break laws or experiment with law breaking because it gives them a sense of victory over a system.
It doesn’t matter in which system you find us…Rules are meant to be broken!
May 5, 2008
Olukunle Samuel Sogeke
We Nigerians have created and cultivated a very negative image of ourselves to the world.
Everybody likes the good things of life but we have an insatiable desire to acquire the very best of things the world has to offer. In trying to acquire these stuffs, we go to unimaginable lengths in trying to do so.
What got me thinking a few months ago is the yahoozze culture that an alarming proportion of Nigerian youths are involved in…IT has now become a way of life insomuch that a lot of people have perfected the art and now people undergo training to become certified yahoo dons…
Even People who are not into ‘yahoo’ have a tendency to do the wrong thing needlessly as if we have been accursed with the spirit of wrongdoing.
We always try to find a shortcut to do things in and out of the country. We don’t ever want to go through the normal channel…A Nigerian believes there is always a way round everything.
For days, I mulled over the question, why do Nigerians like cheating the system?
I wondered if it was malfunctioning gene in our genetic make-up that is responsible or we were made to be so by the Creator?
Perpetuation of bad acts is not peculiar to Nigerians, home and abroad alone. Nationals of other countries also engage in nefarious activities.
The main reason why we get picked up on is the fact that our country is seen as the arrow-head of the black race. Therefore, Nigerians are expected to blaze the trail in the socio-economic & political landscape on the African continent and our country, Nigeria is supposed to be a good model for other African countries.
Unfortunately, such is not the case.
Nigerians like cheating the system because the system has never been fair to them.
The system has been manipulated to favor an elite few while a lot of people out there, out of the establishment suffer the brunt of their misdeeds.
So, if a naija youth does something to skirt the system and he is successful, he’s happy because in his own thinking, he has been able to conquer the system.
That is why Nigerians are ever so ready to break laws or experiment with law breaking because it gives them a sense of victory over a system.
It doesn’t matter in which system you find us…Rules are meant to be broken!
May 5, 2008
Olukunle Samuel Sogeke
30 May, 2009
Letter to Mr. President
Mr. President Umaru Yaradua, saanu o. Mo ki yin toloogun toloogun, mo sit un ki yin t’alagbada t’alagbada.
Friday 29th May marked two years of your administration in Nigeria…God be praised!
With a very heavy heart, Mr. President, I have to tell you this…I am ashamed of you. I’m ashamed not because of your reported sickness but by the under-performance of your government and your lackadaisical attitude towards governance. By the way, May God bless you with good health.
By the time your predecessor, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration clocked two years on 29 May 2001, a lot of achievements had been recorded.
Civil servants were motivated to work…salaries had been increased…the NLC was championing the cause of the people and their leaders were not clamped in jail…the economy was growing.
Civil servants could afford a decent car without being tied up in debts. Parents could afford to send their children to decent private schools instead of the misfit public schools we have around. Businessmen and women had hopes of making it in life through hard work. The environment was just right for investing. “Gbemu Aremu” became a slogan, not because OBJ paid anybody but it came about because people credited him with the boom in the economy.
Though fuel price was increased, it was affordable and available.
Furthermore, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd.) was junketing around the world trying to redeem our dear country’s image…we never felt at any time that the country was without a leader.
Bilateral relations between Nigeria and other nations were improving and the hitherto sleeping giant of Africa was beginning to be reckoned with in the comity of nations. Technocrats started taking over ministries. Institutions to combat corruption started springing up.
Mr. President, I am sorry to have to tell you that your administration has disappointed Nigerians. Nigerians never trusted you for a second because of the way you came by the office but they hoped that you would at least prove yourself to be the true servant-leader that you are self-styled.
You have proven to be nothing more than a dove “mouth-piecing” for serpents, an assertion I held since 2007.
I would have loved to sit at your feet and let you regale me with the tale of the situation of things when you took over government: the unaccounted millions of dollars, the bad state of our Federal Roads, a grossly abused electoral process, politicized EFCC, epileptic power supply, corrupt-ridden NNPC, NPA, demoralized police force, etc.
Spare me, sir! Mi o ko je…
A leader in your position takes ultimate responsibility takes the full responsibility for everything that happens under his watch.
Though you started on a good note by reversing some anti-people policies put in place by the OBJ administration, I have to ask you: What has been the resultant effect on the lives of Nigerians?
Your ministers, special advisers and some members of the NASS have been busy quietly eating the cake meant for the whole nation. What has your government been doing to stop them or get them to share with the masses? We are not asking for too much…just a bite that will hit us like the “gbemu” that OBJ hit us with at this same time of his administration is enough.
Mr. President, can you name five ministers in your cabinet that have done anything significant? I’m sure that the Minister of Justice and & Attorney General would be first on the list…hmmm…
The truth is that the only news-worthy thing about their portfolios is whether they returned or conveniently forgot to return unspent funds at the end of the year.
On 29 May 2007 when your government was inaugurated, you promised Nigerians and the world that you would set electoral reforms into place. You just sent the honorable members led by Justice Uwais on a wild goose chase…though the rerun elections since the inception of your administration fell short of being credible, we still kept faith with you…e go better…the charade, maiming and killings that characterized the Ekiti elections showed us the kind of elections that your government is capable of organizing with extensive preparations. Kai! You disappointed Nigerians again…worse still, I’m ashamed of you. I’m pretty sure that the mothers, wives, husbands and children of those killed during that period will not spare a moment to pray for Gods blessings on your health and your administration.
You might also want to argue that you are building a strong foundation for tomorrow…eh…what about today? Ti a ba fi ogun odun pi le were, igba wo lo ma to ja?*
You keep hiding behind your rule-of-law mantra but magistrates are now being beaten up on court premises by the Police. Rule-of-law, my yansh…
Your sycophants have been busy using state powers and resources to hound and rubbish opposition and progressive Nigerians.
I love my country but I keep being embarrassed at your actions and inactions that is making my beloved country look like a joke. You have unleashed the military on people you are supposed to dialogue with, protect and serve…people who are agitating for a fair share of their own resources…
In short, you are a colossal failure and I would be surprised if you achieve anything meaningful after your first & second terms. We’ll just have to bear with you for a second term because it looks likely that you’ll foist yourself on us…OBJ doesn’t have to do that for you this time around.
Friday 29th May marked two years of your administration in Nigeria…God be praised!
With a very heavy heart, Mr. President, I have to tell you this…I am ashamed of you. I’m ashamed not because of your reported sickness but by the under-performance of your government and your lackadaisical attitude towards governance. By the way, May God bless you with good health.
By the time your predecessor, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration clocked two years on 29 May 2001, a lot of achievements had been recorded.
Civil servants were motivated to work…salaries had been increased…the NLC was championing the cause of the people and their leaders were not clamped in jail…the economy was growing.
Civil servants could afford a decent car without being tied up in debts. Parents could afford to send their children to decent private schools instead of the misfit public schools we have around. Businessmen and women had hopes of making it in life through hard work. The environment was just right for investing. “Gbemu Aremu” became a slogan, not because OBJ paid anybody but it came about because people credited him with the boom in the economy.
Though fuel price was increased, it was affordable and available.
Furthermore, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd.) was junketing around the world trying to redeem our dear country’s image…we never felt at any time that the country was without a leader.
Bilateral relations between Nigeria and other nations were improving and the hitherto sleeping giant of Africa was beginning to be reckoned with in the comity of nations. Technocrats started taking over ministries. Institutions to combat corruption started springing up.
Mr. President, I am sorry to have to tell you that your administration has disappointed Nigerians. Nigerians never trusted you for a second because of the way you came by the office but they hoped that you would at least prove yourself to be the true servant-leader that you are self-styled.
You have proven to be nothing more than a dove “mouth-piecing” for serpents, an assertion I held since 2007.
I would have loved to sit at your feet and let you regale me with the tale of the situation of things when you took over government: the unaccounted millions of dollars, the bad state of our Federal Roads, a grossly abused electoral process, politicized EFCC, epileptic power supply, corrupt-ridden NNPC, NPA, demoralized police force, etc.
Spare me, sir! Mi o ko je…
A leader in your position takes ultimate responsibility takes the full responsibility for everything that happens under his watch.
Though you started on a good note by reversing some anti-people policies put in place by the OBJ administration, I have to ask you: What has been the resultant effect on the lives of Nigerians?
Your ministers, special advisers and some members of the NASS have been busy quietly eating the cake meant for the whole nation. What has your government been doing to stop them or get them to share with the masses? We are not asking for too much…just a bite that will hit us like the “gbemu” that OBJ hit us with at this same time of his administration is enough.
Mr. President, can you name five ministers in your cabinet that have done anything significant? I’m sure that the Minister of Justice and & Attorney General would be first on the list…hmmm…
The truth is that the only news-worthy thing about their portfolios is whether they returned or conveniently forgot to return unspent funds at the end of the year.
On 29 May 2007 when your government was inaugurated, you promised Nigerians and the world that you would set electoral reforms into place. You just sent the honorable members led by Justice Uwais on a wild goose chase…though the rerun elections since the inception of your administration fell short of being credible, we still kept faith with you…e go better…the charade, maiming and killings that characterized the Ekiti elections showed us the kind of elections that your government is capable of organizing with extensive preparations. Kai! You disappointed Nigerians again…worse still, I’m ashamed of you. I’m pretty sure that the mothers, wives, husbands and children of those killed during that period will not spare a moment to pray for Gods blessings on your health and your administration.
You might also want to argue that you are building a strong foundation for tomorrow…eh…what about today? Ti a ba fi ogun odun pi le were, igba wo lo ma to ja?*
You keep hiding behind your rule-of-law mantra but magistrates are now being beaten up on court premises by the Police. Rule-of-law, my yansh…
Your sycophants have been busy using state powers and resources to hound and rubbish opposition and progressive Nigerians.
I love my country but I keep being embarrassed at your actions and inactions that is making my beloved country look like a joke. You have unleashed the military on people you are supposed to dialogue with, protect and serve…people who are agitating for a fair share of their own resources…
In short, you are a colossal failure and I would be surprised if you achieve anything meaningful after your first & second terms. We’ll just have to bear with you for a second term because it looks likely that you’ll foist yourself on us…OBJ doesn’t have to do that for you this time around.
13 April, 2009
A Brief on Zimbabwe
The greatest disaster of leadership begins to happen when a leader wilfully convinces himself that there is no other person that can lead effectively as himself...Olukunle Samuel Sogeke
The Republic of Zimbabwe, the official name of the land fondly referred to as “Zim” is a country in Southern Africa bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.
The current population estimation is 13.3million people. An interesting fact worth mentioning is that over 90% of the adult population is literate.
The official languages are English, isiNdebele and Shona.
Interestingly, the Motto of the Zimbabwean people, “Unity, Freedom, Work” does not reflect in the daily lives of the local people. Though the average Zimbabwean is educated, hardworking and resourceful, there is no work to do. The labor market is highly controlled by government, which makes it difficult for employers to recruit workers who are literate and often highly skilled. Zimbabwe is the home of Arthur Mutambara, a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe who is a renowned Robotics Professor and NASA robotics specialist.
The Republic of Zimbabwe was a former colony of the United Kingdom. The British Southern African Company played a prominent role in establishing British rule and the disruption of a once orderly and prosperous land.
Zimbabweans like subjects from other British colonies were veteran World War II Veterans who have largely been uncelebrated and their place in history erodes with each passing day.
In the Republic of Zimbabwe today, men and women who live above 37 and 34 respectively have reached the official end of their lifetime. Every extra day they live is just a bonus that they are just too happy to experience.
The genesis of Zimbabwe’s current travails is traceable to the domination of the country’s political system & mineral resources and by the colonial masters. Chimurenga, an unsuccessful revolution by the Shona people of Zimbabwe to reclaim their land led to a massive loss of their remaining land and the government at that time effectively ceded control to Europeans.
However as I have maintained in some other fora, I refuse to hold any white man or woman responsible for the plight of the African Continent. Though they contributed largely to its origin, the resources at the disposal of the Continent plus the gains from trade which have been squandered or embezzelled outrightly have been more than enough to right the wrongs of the 19th/20th Century.
The downfall of a country begins when its leader with the ultimate responsibility usually, the President or Prime Minister sees himself as the only one capable of managing the affairs of State usually with a gentle push from sycophants. At the point where that happens, attention/priority shifts from programmes capable of developing the country to putting machinery in place to propagate his self-rule. The country is gradually steered towards a course of destruction where it is extremely difficult to recover from in extremely unquantifiable terms of wasted human potentials and eventual loss of sacred human lives.
The praise and admiration people had for Mugabe has effectively given way to scorn and ridicule by people within and outside of Zimbabwe. He has overseen the metamorphosis of his country from a once prosperous nation into one plagued by hunger and diseases.
Currently, Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC-T faction and incumbent Prime Minister has successfully battled Mugabe to relinquish partial control of the country using legal and diplomatic moves and more importantly winning elections in the Presidential elections of March 29, 2008.
The battle Morgan Tsvangirai waged is similar to that Mugabe against minority rule pre-1980 Zimbabwe.
The vast majority of Zimbabweans are hungry, frustrated and in dire need of protection from the police and armed forces. Lives have been wasted, people have been displaced and a once prosperous nation has been plagued with the curse of leadership.
However, there is hope for Zimbabwe.
Affluent citizens of Zimbabwe have started asking themselves how they got to this point and what they can do to help their country. Most importantly, the vast majority of Zimbabweans have elected someone they trust to lead them but Mr. Mugabe still would not allow that...
//This is a piece i wrote for the soon-to-be-launched Hope for Zimbabwe website, a charity organisation founded by Miss Azaliah Mapombere
The Republic of Zimbabwe, the official name of the land fondly referred to as “Zim” is a country in Southern Africa bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.
The current population estimation is 13.3million people. An interesting fact worth mentioning is that over 90% of the adult population is literate.
The official languages are English, isiNdebele and Shona.
Interestingly, the Motto of the Zimbabwean people, “Unity, Freedom, Work” does not reflect in the daily lives of the local people. Though the average Zimbabwean is educated, hardworking and resourceful, there is no work to do. The labor market is highly controlled by government, which makes it difficult for employers to recruit workers who are literate and often highly skilled. Zimbabwe is the home of Arthur Mutambara, a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe who is a renowned Robotics Professor and NASA robotics specialist.
The Republic of Zimbabwe was a former colony of the United Kingdom. The British Southern African Company played a prominent role in establishing British rule and the disruption of a once orderly and prosperous land.
Zimbabweans like subjects from other British colonies were veteran World War II Veterans who have largely been uncelebrated and their place in history erodes with each passing day.
In the Republic of Zimbabwe today, men and women who live above 37 and 34 respectively have reached the official end of their lifetime. Every extra day they live is just a bonus that they are just too happy to experience.
The genesis of Zimbabwe’s current travails is traceable to the domination of the country’s political system & mineral resources and by the colonial masters. Chimurenga, an unsuccessful revolution by the Shona people of Zimbabwe to reclaim their land led to a massive loss of their remaining land and the government at that time effectively ceded control to Europeans.
However as I have maintained in some other fora, I refuse to hold any white man or woman responsible for the plight of the African Continent. Though they contributed largely to its origin, the resources at the disposal of the Continent plus the gains from trade which have been squandered or embezzelled outrightly have been more than enough to right the wrongs of the 19th/20th Century.
The downfall of a country begins when its leader with the ultimate responsibility usually, the President or Prime Minister sees himself as the only one capable of managing the affairs of State usually with a gentle push from sycophants. At the point where that happens, attention/priority shifts from programmes capable of developing the country to putting machinery in place to propagate his self-rule. The country is gradually steered towards a course of destruction where it is extremely difficult to recover from in extremely unquantifiable terms of wasted human potentials and eventual loss of sacred human lives.
The praise and admiration people had for Mugabe has effectively given way to scorn and ridicule by people within and outside of Zimbabwe. He has overseen the metamorphosis of his country from a once prosperous nation into one plagued by hunger and diseases.
Currently, Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC-T faction and incumbent Prime Minister has successfully battled Mugabe to relinquish partial control of the country using legal and diplomatic moves and more importantly winning elections in the Presidential elections of March 29, 2008.
The battle Morgan Tsvangirai waged is similar to that Mugabe against minority rule pre-1980 Zimbabwe.
The vast majority of Zimbabweans are hungry, frustrated and in dire need of protection from the police and armed forces. Lives have been wasted, people have been displaced and a once prosperous nation has been plagued with the curse of leadership.
However, there is hope for Zimbabwe.
Affluent citizens of Zimbabwe have started asking themselves how they got to this point and what they can do to help their country. Most importantly, the vast majority of Zimbabweans have elected someone they trust to lead them but Mr. Mugabe still would not allow that...
//This is a piece i wrote for the soon-to-be-launched Hope for Zimbabwe website, a charity organisation founded by Miss Azaliah Mapombere
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