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.

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]

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

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?

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!

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.

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?