Joshua Ocheja
The rains are here again and might just be the dawn of a beautiful beginning for Nigeria, a great nation blessed with good people.
This special season avails to us basic necessities of life manifest in water and food at little or no cost, a season when dry bones shall rise again for our great nation. Yes this is April the fourth month of the year 2009, a year of extra ordinary achievements for Nigeria and Nigerians, The year that opened a new vista in our existence.
I patiently waited for this period of the year to write this piece and as God will have it, it’s actually raining outside. Thoughts flew and attacked themselves within the confine of my mind as to what the future holds for Nigeria. I rationalized, envisaged and concluded within my self that something good is about to happen.
Reading the newspapers has become a part of me that I do not envy in recent times due to the fact I am confronted with a barrage of ill feelings and emotional discontentment from Nigerians for Nigeria whenever I go through the papers.
A lot was said, has been said and is still been said about every government policy, every act of bravery or cowardice exhibited by either a government functionary or a top business executive.
Paramount is the re brand Nigeria campaign launched by the honorable minister of information and communications, Professor Dora Akunyili.
Oh that I wished it would rain down on me, was the solution to the bullets of grumbling that greeted the launch of the campaign, some questioned the rationale behind the re brand campaign and I began to wonder in my thoughts.
In my probing mind I wanted to come to terms with this stark reality, I wanted to put my sociological skills to use and as such I dusted old lecture notes, handouts on social movement, I equally consulted old school mates that were proponents of change all in my quest to proffer a solution as to why Nigerians have lost faith in Nigeria.
The outcome of my ponderings and research did not provide me with that which I yearned for. I was confused. So confused that tears trickled down my face, I never wanted to be in such depressing mood but all I have read in the papers about the re brand campaign did not help me in any positive way.
At last I resigned to faith and sat in the solitude of the four walls of my room and could not help but reminisce about the Nigeria of my dreams. Words outplayed each other; theories fought for relevance, all in my crowded and depressed mind and I unconsciously began to recite...Arise oh compatriots!! Nigeria calls obey to serve our fathers land!! With love and strength and faith, the labor of our leaders past shall never be in vain… Then I saw this blurred symbol I could not place or interpret in lucid terms.
I saw a black shield with two white stripes that come together, like the letter Y that looks somewhat a representation of the two main rivers flowing through Nigeria: the Benue River and the Niger River. There was also a shield that resembles Nigeria's good earth with two horses on each side imitating dignity. Gradually I became interested in this symbol that was playing in my mind. An eagle was standing on top the black shield guarded by the two horses, immediately I remembered the strength of the eagle in the kingdom of birds. I thought that was all until I saw green and white bands on the top of the shield reminding me of the rich agricultural land of an inspiring country with yellow Costus Spectabilis flowers at the base.
This symbol further compounded my worries as I tried hard to construct it to make sense or rather provide the much needed answers I yearned for. Mind you I still rhymed while all these were playing in my mind. Immediately I paused and I began to see clearly like I was watching a movie shot on celluloid camera.
Suddenly there was this realization that I encountered the Nigerian coat of arm! Oh my God I could not believe that I could not place the coat of arm of my country at first sight. I buried my head in shame and realized I was not in tune with the realities facing my country.
Gradually answers began surfacing, then I remembered the recent attacks and disenchantment displayed by Nigerians towards the re brand campaign.
The above clearly illustrate that though we live in Nigeria and are Nigerians, we have refused to let go the mistakes of our past. We are quick to draw references from events that have no direct benefit to our tomorrow. Ironically the average Nigeria believes every government policy is destined for the trash bin. Believing in our selves is the first step to greatness.
Yes just like it took a while for me to comprehend the coat of arm, I know it will take a while before Nigerian begin to see light in the re brand campaign.
We owe this great nation its continued existence, the labor of our leaders past shall never be in vain. We must lend credence to government and its policies not just the re brand project. We need to have at the back of our minds that should we fail as a nation, it’s simply because we refused to believe in Nigeria. Guess what? Everyone will bury his or her head in shame! Because we have failed as a nation blessed with great people with high intellectual abilities, but have channeled these abilities the negative way, by way of discrediting every government policies on the pages of newspapers, homes and offices.
The re brand project is more fundamental than any physical infrastructural development in the sense that if we have all roads tarred and 24 hours electricity supply stable, that will not change the perception foreigners have about Nigeria. Though good enough for our comfort but it will not bring in foreign investors that will consolidate on these feats because we have the whole world labeling Nigerians as criminals, an unsafe place for investment and the likes. So what social amenities we put on ground will not impress anyone outside. We may benefit from it but sincerely it won’t get us out of the woods.
What will and can get us out of the woods is as government is making efforts to improve on these facilities we as Nigerians have a part to play too by making conscious efforts to change our attitude to complement government.
I have learnt that we take delight in been heard and for you to be heard you just have to be a critic that seizes the slight opportunity to run the country down on the pages of newspapers and internet sites.
The time is now for us to pick up our hoes and cutlasses and begin to examine our collective conscience, actions and inactions. We must begin the task of planting seeds of a functional state, better standard of living and a generational shift from the clutch of disappointments and tribulations in this season that the rains are here again.
Manner will not fall from heaven. The key to our great future lies in the hands of every Nigerian, not Professor Dora Akunyili or her ministry. Not until we begin to change the way we feel about our country we will not get to the promise land.
Lending credence to the re brand project is the first step in the right direction, and then good leadership and the likes we yearn for will naturally fall into place.
We all want the Nigeria of our dreams, a Nigeria where Nigerians will start believing in themselves and the country, instead of running the nation down with unpleasant complements, a Nigeria where we can hold our passport anywhere in the world without fear of harassment and intimidation.
All these will be possible if we join hands together and re brand the country for the good of our tomorrow and benefit of the unborn generation.
We are on the part to greatness in this country. Nigeria belongs to all of us and such its success, is ours likewise failure. All hand must be on deck to ensure that the re brand project is a huge success.
I have seen the Nigeria of my dreams! What about you?
Nigeria Good people….. Great Nation…..
The Trails of Brother Ribadu
Joshua Ocheja
The nation has been startled with the trails of our dear brother Ribadu in recent times. This calls for great concern and show of solidarity for the phenomena called Ribadu.
Before now, one will be day dreaming thinking the hunter will become the hunted so soon. He towered like the rock of Gibraltar, he was appreciated and dreaded in some quarters, he was passionate about his job, and he thought Nigeria could be trusted! How time changes.
The pertinent question here is how did all go wrong in a jiffy for brother Ribadu? If you ask me I will say he was scapegoat of a (him). No doubt about his performances while at the helms of affairs at the nations anti corruption agency, by world standard he was fit to govern any country. But he goofed! Don’t ask me how? The paraphernalia of office blinded his sense of reasoning, taking into cognizance that Mankind is govern more by their feelings than by reason.
He fought a pragmatic anti corruption war that impressed his masters, resulting to his astronomical rise from the rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Police to a Commissioner and subsequently an Assistant Inspector General within a short span. Of course this caused ripples and it was believed in some quarters that he was been positioned to become the next Inspector General of Police, a dummy his masters sold to him. If he is not dismissed from service going by the avalanche of queries he has received, that dream might materialize.
In a commando fashion the Police Service Commission announced his demotion from the exalted rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police to a Deputy Commissioner of Police, the first in the annals of the country. What was the criterion used? The Police Service Commission did not sanction his promotion and it beached service procedures. The implication of the above is that all officers hitherto promoted should be demoted along with him. Its suffice to mention that Sir Michael Okiro, current Inspector General of Police was promoted from the rank of a Commissioner of Police to a Deputy Inspector General of Police. He skipped a rank. Ironically, the Police Service Commission approved his accelerated promotions.
Funny as it may sound, it was the same President that promoted Ribadu that promoted him Okiro. What makes it even messier was the fact that he the Inspector General of Police was promoted above and over his senior, Ogbonaya Onovo currently a Deputy Inspector General of police. Who are we deceiving in this country?
It’s pathetic that honorable members of the Police Service Commission could allow them selves to be used in settling personal and unethical scores. The implication of the above is that the current Inspector General of Police is not qualified to be the Inspector General for three reasons. One he skipped a rank, two; he was not the most senior police officer then and three, due process was not followed as at time of his promotion so in other word his promotion should be voided. Yes Michael Okiro benefited from a system that allows the President prerogative to reward gallant and exceptional officers by way of promotion to the next rank. Why should brother Ribadu’s case be different?
If you ask me what the brouhaha is all about? I will say it’s all about brother Ribadu’s guts! Certain cabals who felt humiliated or challenged by him in the discharge of his duties are bent on extracting their pond of flesh.
There is no moral justification as regard the manner which Ribadu is been treated. Sincerely we cannot make a head way as a nation when personal interest supersedes national interest. The President’s silence and attitude is annoying. We all know the reason for our brothers predicament, simply because he challenged the monster called corruption and in the process touching the celebrated untouchables.
This is clearly the effect of rigging elections in the country; I termed this fight against Ribadu the PDP’s fight. They alone know what they are up to. A critical look at all prosecuted in the fight against corruption reveals an identity exclusively PDP! This explains the President’s silence, because I cannot place the rationale behind his unholy silence.
This is sad for a country like Nigeria. What we are saying is that our country is not worth the struggles suffice to mention that Yar’Adua to an extent owe his ascension to the throne to Ribadu’s fight against corruption and tough stance that no corrupt person will rule Nigeria. That act of bravery paved the way for him to emerge the flag bearer of the PDP. Is this the price for dedication to duty and course for a better Nigeria?
This attitude portends grave implication in the future. Those at the fore front should realize that the youths are watching as events unfold. Who would want to serve this nation with zeal, when all you will get is humiliation from a bunch of anti progressives at the end of the day?
Its understandable that Ribadu took the anti corruption war to the extreme by disregarding court rulings in most cases, if we can be objective to his plight, the blame should not be heaped at his doorstep. The simple reason being that the courts dispense justice at a snail speed and in some cases susceptible to the caprices of (them) thereby hindering the job at hand.
Brother Ribadu painted the country’s image abroad in gold, respect came our way. With him it was bad business for scammers and corrupt government officials. My joy as it stands is that no form of corrupt practices can be tied to our dear brother.
The nation has been startled with the trails of our dear brother Ribadu in recent times. This calls for great concern and show of solidarity for the phenomena called Ribadu.
Before now, one will be day dreaming thinking the hunter will become the hunted so soon. He towered like the rock of Gibraltar, he was appreciated and dreaded in some quarters, he was passionate about his job, and he thought Nigeria could be trusted! How time changes.
The pertinent question here is how did all go wrong in a jiffy for brother Ribadu? If you ask me I will say he was scapegoat of a (him). No doubt about his performances while at the helms of affairs at the nations anti corruption agency, by world standard he was fit to govern any country. But he goofed! Don’t ask me how? The paraphernalia of office blinded his sense of reasoning, taking into cognizance that Mankind is govern more by their feelings than by reason.
He fought a pragmatic anti corruption war that impressed his masters, resulting to his astronomical rise from the rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Police to a Commissioner and subsequently an Assistant Inspector General within a short span. Of course this caused ripples and it was believed in some quarters that he was been positioned to become the next Inspector General of Police, a dummy his masters sold to him. If he is not dismissed from service going by the avalanche of queries he has received, that dream might materialize.
In a commando fashion the Police Service Commission announced his demotion from the exalted rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police to a Deputy Commissioner of Police, the first in the annals of the country. What was the criterion used? The Police Service Commission did not sanction his promotion and it beached service procedures. The implication of the above is that all officers hitherto promoted should be demoted along with him. Its suffice to mention that Sir Michael Okiro, current Inspector General of Police was promoted from the rank of a Commissioner of Police to a Deputy Inspector General of Police. He skipped a rank. Ironically, the Police Service Commission approved his accelerated promotions.
Funny as it may sound, it was the same President that promoted Ribadu that promoted him Okiro. What makes it even messier was the fact that he the Inspector General of Police was promoted above and over his senior, Ogbonaya Onovo currently a Deputy Inspector General of police. Who are we deceiving in this country?
It’s pathetic that honorable members of the Police Service Commission could allow them selves to be used in settling personal and unethical scores. The implication of the above is that the current Inspector General of Police is not qualified to be the Inspector General for three reasons. One he skipped a rank, two; he was not the most senior police officer then and three, due process was not followed as at time of his promotion so in other word his promotion should be voided. Yes Michael Okiro benefited from a system that allows the President prerogative to reward gallant and exceptional officers by way of promotion to the next rank. Why should brother Ribadu’s case be different?
If you ask me what the brouhaha is all about? I will say it’s all about brother Ribadu’s guts! Certain cabals who felt humiliated or challenged by him in the discharge of his duties are bent on extracting their pond of flesh.
There is no moral justification as regard the manner which Ribadu is been treated. Sincerely we cannot make a head way as a nation when personal interest supersedes national interest. The President’s silence and attitude is annoying. We all know the reason for our brothers predicament, simply because he challenged the monster called corruption and in the process touching the celebrated untouchables.
This is clearly the effect of rigging elections in the country; I termed this fight against Ribadu the PDP’s fight. They alone know what they are up to. A critical look at all prosecuted in the fight against corruption reveals an identity exclusively PDP! This explains the President’s silence, because I cannot place the rationale behind his unholy silence.
This is sad for a country like Nigeria. What we are saying is that our country is not worth the struggles suffice to mention that Yar’Adua to an extent owe his ascension to the throne to Ribadu’s fight against corruption and tough stance that no corrupt person will rule Nigeria. That act of bravery paved the way for him to emerge the flag bearer of the PDP. Is this the price for dedication to duty and course for a better Nigeria?
This attitude portends grave implication in the future. Those at the fore front should realize that the youths are watching as events unfold. Who would want to serve this nation with zeal, when all you will get is humiliation from a bunch of anti progressives at the end of the day?
Its understandable that Ribadu took the anti corruption war to the extreme by disregarding court rulings in most cases, if we can be objective to his plight, the blame should not be heaped at his doorstep. The simple reason being that the courts dispense justice at a snail speed and in some cases susceptible to the caprices of (them) thereby hindering the job at hand.
Brother Ribadu painted the country’s image abroad in gold, respect came our way. With him it was bad business for scammers and corrupt government officials. My joy as it stands is that no form of corrupt practices can be tied to our dear brother.
Nigeria's Polity and Paradigm Shift
Joshua Ocheja
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, a step forward or a step backward.
The recent political events in Nigeria calls to question the type of democracy we are perceived to be practicing.
Some of us still harbor the illusion that Nigeria is a democracy just because we elect our government. We seem to have some pretty odd ways of demonstrating our commitment to the ideals of democracy as an institution.
Democracy is not simply a political catchphrase but something very definite for us that we have relentlessly striven for a great deal, having in mind the inglorious years of military rule.
The beauty of democracy is when those vested with the responsibility of acting in the people’s interest, exercise swift and resolute initiative in the face of challenging circumstances and the foolishness of democracy is when the governed armed with an inalienable right to express discontent against unpopular government policies suddenly turn deaf and dumb. “Nigerians”
We have condescended low to accept everything that comes hook, line and sinker. the anguish of helpless masses have fallen on deaf ears that I continue to wonder if those people tagged leaders are humans after all.
This anomaly is visible in all stratum of the Nigerian nation; it is indeed ironic that lots of irregularities have been smuggled into the contemporary Nigerian society with misinterpretation of the constitution as a veritable tool.
Take the issue of governance in the context of majority and minority tribes as a case study. There is no constitutional provision placing the right to govern to the majority tribe or a particular geographical zone should produce who, what and when. This unwritten rule has further limited us than uplift us.
In my analysis, I like to use Kogi state as a case study, because of its uniqueness and importance in the country at large, but it’s indeed a pathetic situation there if you ask me.
The potentials of Kogi state cannot be equaled in any other state, aside oil producing states, suffice to mention its rich arable land is capable of feeding the nation if properly harnessed not to talk of its huge mineral deposits too.
In Kogi state, there are three major tribes; The Igala’s the Okun’s and the Ebira’s just like the wider Nigeria with the Ibo’s Hausa’s and Yoruba’s. The Igala’s are the majority tribe in terms of population and landmass and the rest is better confined to the books of history.
This trend has collaborators in virtually all state of the federation too, so it’s more of a general phenomenon. It’s only in this country I see that eligibility for political position takes the dimension of tribe and the infamous zoning arrangement.
What happened to content of character of individuals and Blue print for development? What about exposure and experience? These are fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves.
Tell me of what difference will it make if an Okun or Ebira man that is intelligent, exposed and experienced governs Kogi state? Does it mean that the state will not move forward? Does it mean that because they are minorities, they cannot actually be better leaders?
This applies to the larger Nigeria; where I think emphases should be placed on the intellectual ability and blueprint for development of aspiring individuals rather than majorities, minorities, zones and catchments areas jargons.
I might sound a bit hard, but it’s a total deviation from the tenets of democracy for a group or sect to hold onto power like a birthright.
It’s time we began to view issues from a holistic perspective, sentiments in whatever form does not have a place in the scheme of affairs globally. The Nigerian dream will remain a mirage if urgent measures are not put in place.
We are all Nigerians and not first or second rate Nigerians. We need to aggressively face our challenges. We need to imbibe the principle of structural functionalism in the conduct of national interest.
I think what we need is not just a paradigm shift but a fundamental one if you will agree with me.
Funny as it seems, I strongly believe that the coming elections will change a lot of archaic political arrangements with Kogi state serving as the catalyst for the much needed paradigm shift.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, a step forward or a step backward.
The recent political events in Nigeria calls to question the type of democracy we are perceived to be practicing.
Some of us still harbor the illusion that Nigeria is a democracy just because we elect our government. We seem to have some pretty odd ways of demonstrating our commitment to the ideals of democracy as an institution.
Democracy is not simply a political catchphrase but something very definite for us that we have relentlessly striven for a great deal, having in mind the inglorious years of military rule.
The beauty of democracy is when those vested with the responsibility of acting in the people’s interest, exercise swift and resolute initiative in the face of challenging circumstances and the foolishness of democracy is when the governed armed with an inalienable right to express discontent against unpopular government policies suddenly turn deaf and dumb. “Nigerians”
We have condescended low to accept everything that comes hook, line and sinker. the anguish of helpless masses have fallen on deaf ears that I continue to wonder if those people tagged leaders are humans after all.
This anomaly is visible in all stratum of the Nigerian nation; it is indeed ironic that lots of irregularities have been smuggled into the contemporary Nigerian society with misinterpretation of the constitution as a veritable tool.
Take the issue of governance in the context of majority and minority tribes as a case study. There is no constitutional provision placing the right to govern to the majority tribe or a particular geographical zone should produce who, what and when. This unwritten rule has further limited us than uplift us.
In my analysis, I like to use Kogi state as a case study, because of its uniqueness and importance in the country at large, but it’s indeed a pathetic situation there if you ask me.
The potentials of Kogi state cannot be equaled in any other state, aside oil producing states, suffice to mention its rich arable land is capable of feeding the nation if properly harnessed not to talk of its huge mineral deposits too.
In Kogi state, there are three major tribes; The Igala’s the Okun’s and the Ebira’s just like the wider Nigeria with the Ibo’s Hausa’s and Yoruba’s. The Igala’s are the majority tribe in terms of population and landmass and the rest is better confined to the books of history.
This trend has collaborators in virtually all state of the federation too, so it’s more of a general phenomenon. It’s only in this country I see that eligibility for political position takes the dimension of tribe and the infamous zoning arrangement.
What happened to content of character of individuals and Blue print for development? What about exposure and experience? These are fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves.
Tell me of what difference will it make if an Okun or Ebira man that is intelligent, exposed and experienced governs Kogi state? Does it mean that the state will not move forward? Does it mean that because they are minorities, they cannot actually be better leaders?
This applies to the larger Nigeria; where I think emphases should be placed on the intellectual ability and blueprint for development of aspiring individuals rather than majorities, minorities, zones and catchments areas jargons.
I might sound a bit hard, but it’s a total deviation from the tenets of democracy for a group or sect to hold onto power like a birthright.
It’s time we began to view issues from a holistic perspective, sentiments in whatever form does not have a place in the scheme of affairs globally. The Nigerian dream will remain a mirage if urgent measures are not put in place.
We are all Nigerians and not first or second rate Nigerians. We need to aggressively face our challenges. We need to imbibe the principle of structural functionalism in the conduct of national interest.
I think what we need is not just a paradigm shift but a fundamental one if you will agree with me.
Funny as it seems, I strongly believe that the coming elections will change a lot of archaic political arrangements with Kogi state serving as the catalyst for the much needed paradigm shift.
Nigeria: A path of folly!
The time is exactly 12:09am and sleep has eluded my eyes, I began to wonder and possibly find words or sentences to describe our cherished nation. I was lost in thoughts and I began reminiscing about the wanton display of illegalities in recent times, needless I mention the Abdulmutallab Image laundering adventure.
For a while now I have been off the radar commenting on societal issues as it concerns Nigeria for the obvious reason that I am tired of having to repeat the same thing over and over again with no solution near sight.
Only last week, I was jolted from my seat when I saw a newspaper caption that said N7billion for the construction of a befitting residence for the vice president, by Julius Berger and for a period of 20 months. Is this not the height of stupidity I asked no one in particular as I collapsed into a sofa close by.
The Nigerian nation and situation reminds me of a comical magazine, where everybody is expected to laugh at the end of the day, because our multifaceted problems are comical in nature and smack a mockery of the institution of democracy. In previous articles I wrote, I have had cause to compare the Nigerian democratic setting to that of a limited liability company, where proceeds goes to the pocket of a few, a few that views the citizenry with disdain and levity, a few that have continued to insult our sensibilities and further compound our woes as a nation, yet they pride themselves as leaders.
This is really amusing and pathetic, as it’s only in Nigeria that the president will be playing hide and seek with the citizenry, God knows I pray for our President, wherever he is resident at the moment, morning and night. God knows that Aso Rock Villa is packed with sycophants and hypocrites, whose ambition is to milk the country dry, but guess what? I had a dream last night and I saw what looked like people scampering to safety, mainly people in designer suits and flowing babariga.
I was confused and could not place why they were running in such manner, at the same time I saw a group of people standing and laughing at the show of shame playing out. What is happening was all I kept asking till I woke up.
I woke up sweating profusely, yet the fan was running at full speed, i tried to disabuse my mind that it was only a dream, but the thoughts would not just go, as I sat up, I reminisced on the many down moments we experienced in Nigeria in the year 2009, it was such a terrible feeling I had that I put a call to my bosom friend Audu in America, as it was about noon there owing to the time difference.
What transpired was somewhat funny; it ended up as if it was Audu that initiated the call. Our conversation was laced and spiced with all sort of lamentation and despair occasioned by the failed attempt by a full blooded Nigerian to blow up a plane.
I ended the call on a sour note. I imagined what hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in America will be going through psychologically, I imagined what fate befalls thousands of Nigerians seeking American visa for legitimate reasons and I ended up on the wrong side of the bed.
My conscience was at war with me for the fact that I have been an apostle of the rebrand Nigeria campaign Good People Great Nation, not because Madam Dora was at the forefront, but simply because I believe passionately in Nigeria my dear father land, my spirit became weak as I heard Madam Dora’s briefing on the matter. Simply pathetic was how I summed it.
Enough of the Abdulmutallab show of shame, generally things are going from bad to worse for Nigeria. Nobody knows the where about of the president for months running now, not even the vice president as it stands and not even the Information minister. God! What manner of country is Nigeria? Hearing all sorts of government programs that sound like a joke, I mean for goodness sake, what do these people take us for? Slaves or what? The electoral calendar is not uniformed, misinterpretation of the constitution and all sorts.
As a fact this issue has been bothering me for a while as it concerns annulled elections and illegal tenure extension. Using Kogi state as an example, the incumbent Governor ruled for a year and his election was annulled, he was eventually declared winner in the rerun elections, which automatically translate to an additional one year extension. Now the question is what happened to the previous one year the incumbent ruled? And who told them that there are supposed to stay an additional year? Am not vast in constitutional law, but in common sense its assumed that in the event that the incumbent governor is defeated in the rerun polls, the new governor governs for four years, but in the event that the incumbent returns back to power, he serves out his tenure and leave in peace, so the automatic tenure extension is indeed an illegality.
These and many more can only happen in a country where complacency has eaten deep into our sense of reasoning, selfish interest far above national interest, a nation where all citizens have gone mute in solidarity to the president, a situation where James Ibori with all his attendant illegalities and factual cases of high scale corruption will be declared innocent by the judiciary and many more instances and everybody seems unperturbed.
Nigeria we hail thee! Where is Obasanjo? My people where is Obasanjo I ask again? He is in the farm Mirabel my little niece volunteered with an answer. Hmm in the farm I asked myself, doing what? With apologies to all farmers, Obasanjo should be brought out from the farm to the village square for all children within the age bracket of 3 to 11 years to flog him very well. He deserves more than that, he is the architect of our misfortunes. He imposed on us chaos and instability simply because he was denied a third term. He was a modern day Adolf Hitler; he deserves the Samuel Doe treatment. As it stands I really don’t care what happens, we are tired of the same set of old people calling themselves leaders, we want a change and that change shall come in the year 2010!
Enough of the mediocrity and arrant display of stupidity by these people, the time to act is now! We need liberation from the clutch of these people; we need a salvation from their evil machineries and plots, we need to see the light! We deserve to see the light, we are entitled to see the light and the time to see the light is now!
I dropped my pen on an angry note, I am angry with Nigeria and I believe I speak the mind of millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. The change we truly deserve must originate from home, every impediment to change will be crushed by the united spirit of over 140 million Nigerians, and we cannot afford the luxury of subjecting our unborn generation to an environment where second-rate people will continue to hijack our way of life.
On this note unlike before, I really don’t know if I should end this piece with the slogan of Good People Great Nation? What’s good about us, when we sit, watch and digest all manner of rubbish from people that we did not vote for! What’s great about us, when the government cannot provide the basic necessities of life!
I am upset and angry!
For a while now I have been off the radar commenting on societal issues as it concerns Nigeria for the obvious reason that I am tired of having to repeat the same thing over and over again with no solution near sight.
Only last week, I was jolted from my seat when I saw a newspaper caption that said N7billion for the construction of a befitting residence for the vice president, by Julius Berger and for a period of 20 months. Is this not the height of stupidity I asked no one in particular as I collapsed into a sofa close by.
The Nigerian nation and situation reminds me of a comical magazine, where everybody is expected to laugh at the end of the day, because our multifaceted problems are comical in nature and smack a mockery of the institution of democracy. In previous articles I wrote, I have had cause to compare the Nigerian democratic setting to that of a limited liability company, where proceeds goes to the pocket of a few, a few that views the citizenry with disdain and levity, a few that have continued to insult our sensibilities and further compound our woes as a nation, yet they pride themselves as leaders.
This is really amusing and pathetic, as it’s only in Nigeria that the president will be playing hide and seek with the citizenry, God knows I pray for our President, wherever he is resident at the moment, morning and night. God knows that Aso Rock Villa is packed with sycophants and hypocrites, whose ambition is to milk the country dry, but guess what? I had a dream last night and I saw what looked like people scampering to safety, mainly people in designer suits and flowing babariga.
I was confused and could not place why they were running in such manner, at the same time I saw a group of people standing and laughing at the show of shame playing out. What is happening was all I kept asking till I woke up.
I woke up sweating profusely, yet the fan was running at full speed, i tried to disabuse my mind that it was only a dream, but the thoughts would not just go, as I sat up, I reminisced on the many down moments we experienced in Nigeria in the year 2009, it was such a terrible feeling I had that I put a call to my bosom friend Audu in America, as it was about noon there owing to the time difference.
What transpired was somewhat funny; it ended up as if it was Audu that initiated the call. Our conversation was laced and spiced with all sort of lamentation and despair occasioned by the failed attempt by a full blooded Nigerian to blow up a plane.
I ended the call on a sour note. I imagined what hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in America will be going through psychologically, I imagined what fate befalls thousands of Nigerians seeking American visa for legitimate reasons and I ended up on the wrong side of the bed.
My conscience was at war with me for the fact that I have been an apostle of the rebrand Nigeria campaign Good People Great Nation, not because Madam Dora was at the forefront, but simply because I believe passionately in Nigeria my dear father land, my spirit became weak as I heard Madam Dora’s briefing on the matter. Simply pathetic was how I summed it.
Enough of the Abdulmutallab show of shame, generally things are going from bad to worse for Nigeria. Nobody knows the where about of the president for months running now, not even the vice president as it stands and not even the Information minister. God! What manner of country is Nigeria? Hearing all sorts of government programs that sound like a joke, I mean for goodness sake, what do these people take us for? Slaves or what? The electoral calendar is not uniformed, misinterpretation of the constitution and all sorts.
As a fact this issue has been bothering me for a while as it concerns annulled elections and illegal tenure extension. Using Kogi state as an example, the incumbent Governor ruled for a year and his election was annulled, he was eventually declared winner in the rerun elections, which automatically translate to an additional one year extension. Now the question is what happened to the previous one year the incumbent ruled? And who told them that there are supposed to stay an additional year? Am not vast in constitutional law, but in common sense its assumed that in the event that the incumbent governor is defeated in the rerun polls, the new governor governs for four years, but in the event that the incumbent returns back to power, he serves out his tenure and leave in peace, so the automatic tenure extension is indeed an illegality.
These and many more can only happen in a country where complacency has eaten deep into our sense of reasoning, selfish interest far above national interest, a nation where all citizens have gone mute in solidarity to the president, a situation where James Ibori with all his attendant illegalities and factual cases of high scale corruption will be declared innocent by the judiciary and many more instances and everybody seems unperturbed.
Nigeria we hail thee! Where is Obasanjo? My people where is Obasanjo I ask again? He is in the farm Mirabel my little niece volunteered with an answer. Hmm in the farm I asked myself, doing what? With apologies to all farmers, Obasanjo should be brought out from the farm to the village square for all children within the age bracket of 3 to 11 years to flog him very well. He deserves more than that, he is the architect of our misfortunes. He imposed on us chaos and instability simply because he was denied a third term. He was a modern day Adolf Hitler; he deserves the Samuel Doe treatment. As it stands I really don’t care what happens, we are tired of the same set of old people calling themselves leaders, we want a change and that change shall come in the year 2010!
Enough of the mediocrity and arrant display of stupidity by these people, the time to act is now! We need liberation from the clutch of these people; we need a salvation from their evil machineries and plots, we need to see the light! We deserve to see the light, we are entitled to see the light and the time to see the light is now!
I dropped my pen on an angry note, I am angry with Nigeria and I believe I speak the mind of millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. The change we truly deserve must originate from home, every impediment to change will be crushed by the united spirit of over 140 million Nigerians, and we cannot afford the luxury of subjecting our unborn generation to an environment where second-rate people will continue to hijack our way of life.
On this note unlike before, I really don’t know if I should end this piece with the slogan of Good People Great Nation? What’s good about us, when we sit, watch and digest all manner of rubbish from people that we did not vote for! What’s great about us, when the government cannot provide the basic necessities of life!
I am upset and angry!
Nigeria: Tales by Moonlight
Welcome to another wonderful episode of tales by moonlight from your favorite channel Nigeria, the giant of Africa.
I sat in the comfort of the four walls of my room and could not help but reminisce on the happenings in the country since our President left for urgent medical attention. I could not help but nod in utmost disbelief the caricature that is playing out. I was dumbfounded and confused to say the least. I dread been confused, especially as it concerns common sense issues of national interest. This mindset of mine, is occasioned by the great cover up and web of lies been propagated by the unelected aides and allies of the president as to what is actually wrong with our President, and how he is faring generally.
I guess we are complacent as a people, for allowing such illegality to thrive even in the face of the nation grinding to a halt. Now in fairness to humanity, I wish Mr. President speedy recovery and best of health, as Mr. President is only human and deserves our prayers in as much as his loyalists have done him a great disservice by shrouding everything about him in secrecy and thus insulting our patience.
Common sense demands that we as citizens of this country ought to be kept informed on the health of our President; this same common sense has become uncommon in the corridors of power in Nigeria. I stand to be corrected, a situation where unintelligent people, manifest in members of the inner or Kitchen cabinet, will deem it apposite to tell us barefaced lies about our President and they expect us to buy it hook line and sinker, is the height of absolute disregard for the Nigerian race .
Some days back I was amused when a text message found its way into my phone stating that our president had passed away! It didn’t stop there, as there was an accompanying link that referred me to the webpage of an American Newspaper named American chronicle or something that appears like that.
What I read there was not pleasant to say the least, and there was an instant rage in my spirit. What the hell is the meaning of this? I yelled out. For you reading this piece to have a feel of what I felt, I decided to replicate the exact words of the report “Nigerian President, His Excellency Umaru Yaradua is dead according to authoritative sources at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.
He died on the 10th of December at 3.30pm at an Intensive Care Unit at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah Saudi-Arabia. Sources at the Hospital say that the First lady wants to keep the news secret for the next few days for personal reasons.
At the time of his death he was surrounded by his wife, Turai and a childhood friend, Nigerian Member of Parliament,
The president left Nigeria fifty days ago after complaining of Chest pains. Sources at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah say that the president suffered among many other things, kidney failure, stroke and massive brain damage. The President has been bedridden ever since. Nigerian officials had previously lied to the country that the president's health was getting better while his situation got worse. The president was conspicuously silent regarding the Christmas day bombing in which a 23-year-old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate a bomb on an aircraft that carried nearly 300 people. Source: American chronicle newspaper.
Then came another report that our President and not the British Prime Minister granted an interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation. I yelled out! What happened to NTA, AIT, and a host of other indigenous media outfits? It was even more embarrassing that all the man behind the voice said was, wishing our Super Eagles success at the ongoing nation’s cup. Is football our problem? The funny thing is that Madam Dora seems calm at the moment; well I blame her less as I guess she is as clueless as me and you.
Mum is the watch word now and the nation seems heavily pregnant of which everybody, including the outside world are waiting for delivery day.
Using Nigerian local parlance, “this is see finish” them don see us finish! What stops the president from addressing the nation from his sick bed to say the least? What stops the president from wishing us a prosperous new year, instead of granting an interview to a foreign media outfit?
This is day 52 of a country without a president and the truth is that we can hardly believe anything from these people anymore.
The American Chronicle report also stated that Nigerian government officials had previously lied and are still lying that the president is getting better, while systematically keeping the citizenry in complete darkness.
I can only wonder why government propagandist resorted to this mode of information dissemination in the first place. The implication is that the disenchantment for the Yar’adua administration has actually enveloped the personality of the president, now the anger is not directed at the ruling party but the person of Yar’adua. The president is calm and nice as a person, he actually meant well for the country and I repeat his greatest undoing is surrounding himself with the wrong set of people.
As it stands, God forbid that the inevitable happens; I see a larger chunk of the population, rejoice instead of mourn. Yes this is what his advisers and associates that are intellectually bankrupt have caused him. I strongly believe that these same set of people are equally hiding the true picture of events from him.
I am really tired of all of the lies and rumors making the rounds, I believe every sensible being ought to know that the citizens have an inalienable right to know the health status and location of the president at any point in time. We are not that bad as a people to wish the President dead, but we have been compelled to wait in anxiety, and this anxiety has actually developed into rage.
Bad communication strategy, is at heart of the disillusion been felt in the polity. Ordinarily, I expected a situation where the nation will be united in prayers for the president, but ironically the reverse is the case, and that is what it means to be united we stand and divided we fall.
Well as it stands, the tales by moonlight continues with our fingers crossed.
I sat in the comfort of the four walls of my room and could not help but reminisce on the happenings in the country since our President left for urgent medical attention. I could not help but nod in utmost disbelief the caricature that is playing out. I was dumbfounded and confused to say the least. I dread been confused, especially as it concerns common sense issues of national interest. This mindset of mine, is occasioned by the great cover up and web of lies been propagated by the unelected aides and allies of the president as to what is actually wrong with our President, and how he is faring generally.
I guess we are complacent as a people, for allowing such illegality to thrive even in the face of the nation grinding to a halt. Now in fairness to humanity, I wish Mr. President speedy recovery and best of health, as Mr. President is only human and deserves our prayers in as much as his loyalists have done him a great disservice by shrouding everything about him in secrecy and thus insulting our patience.
Common sense demands that we as citizens of this country ought to be kept informed on the health of our President; this same common sense has become uncommon in the corridors of power in Nigeria. I stand to be corrected, a situation where unintelligent people, manifest in members of the inner or Kitchen cabinet, will deem it apposite to tell us barefaced lies about our President and they expect us to buy it hook line and sinker, is the height of absolute disregard for the Nigerian race .
Some days back I was amused when a text message found its way into my phone stating that our president had passed away! It didn’t stop there, as there was an accompanying link that referred me to the webpage of an American Newspaper named American chronicle or something that appears like that.
What I read there was not pleasant to say the least, and there was an instant rage in my spirit. What the hell is the meaning of this? I yelled out. For you reading this piece to have a feel of what I felt, I decided to replicate the exact words of the report “Nigerian President, His Excellency Umaru Yaradua is dead according to authoritative sources at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.
He died on the 10th of December at 3.30pm at an Intensive Care Unit at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah Saudi-Arabia. Sources at the Hospital say that the First lady wants to keep the news secret for the next few days for personal reasons.
At the time of his death he was surrounded by his wife, Turai and a childhood friend, Nigerian Member of Parliament,
The president left Nigeria fifty days ago after complaining of Chest pains. Sources at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah say that the president suffered among many other things, kidney failure, stroke and massive brain damage. The President has been bedridden ever since. Nigerian officials had previously lied to the country that the president's health was getting better while his situation got worse. The president was conspicuously silent regarding the Christmas day bombing in which a 23-year-old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate a bomb on an aircraft that carried nearly 300 people. Source: American chronicle newspaper.
Then came another report that our President and not the British Prime Minister granted an interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation. I yelled out! What happened to NTA, AIT, and a host of other indigenous media outfits? It was even more embarrassing that all the man behind the voice said was, wishing our Super Eagles success at the ongoing nation’s cup. Is football our problem? The funny thing is that Madam Dora seems calm at the moment; well I blame her less as I guess she is as clueless as me and you.
Mum is the watch word now and the nation seems heavily pregnant of which everybody, including the outside world are waiting for delivery day.
Using Nigerian local parlance, “this is see finish” them don see us finish! What stops the president from addressing the nation from his sick bed to say the least? What stops the president from wishing us a prosperous new year, instead of granting an interview to a foreign media outfit?
This is day 52 of a country without a president and the truth is that we can hardly believe anything from these people anymore.
The American Chronicle report also stated that Nigerian government officials had previously lied and are still lying that the president is getting better, while systematically keeping the citizenry in complete darkness.
I can only wonder why government propagandist resorted to this mode of information dissemination in the first place. The implication is that the disenchantment for the Yar’adua administration has actually enveloped the personality of the president, now the anger is not directed at the ruling party but the person of Yar’adua. The president is calm and nice as a person, he actually meant well for the country and I repeat his greatest undoing is surrounding himself with the wrong set of people.
As it stands, God forbid that the inevitable happens; I see a larger chunk of the population, rejoice instead of mourn. Yes this is what his advisers and associates that are intellectually bankrupt have caused him. I strongly believe that these same set of people are equally hiding the true picture of events from him.
I am really tired of all of the lies and rumors making the rounds, I believe every sensible being ought to know that the citizens have an inalienable right to know the health status and location of the president at any point in time. We are not that bad as a people to wish the President dead, but we have been compelled to wait in anxiety, and this anxiety has actually developed into rage.
Bad communication strategy, is at heart of the disillusion been felt in the polity. Ordinarily, I expected a situation where the nation will be united in prayers for the president, but ironically the reverse is the case, and that is what it means to be united we stand and divided we fall.
Well as it stands, the tales by moonlight continues with our fingers crossed.
The Igala Kingdom and the Imperatives of an Economic Summit
The Igala Kingdom and the imperatives of an Economic Summit
By
Joshua Ocheja
The Igala people constitute the major ethnic group in Kogi state, strategically occupying the eastern axis. Idah serves as its traditional home and houses its paramount ruler, Agabiadu, Attah Aliyu Obaje, who actively communes with the “Gods” of the land on behalf of his subjects, hence the conjecture by historians that Idah is the ancestral home of the Igala’s.
The Igala man is regarded as intelligent with a brave heart. This can be traced to exploits recorded by Igala sons and daughters from time immemorial, which also dates back to the years of Atta Ameh Oboni of blessed memory, who wielded enormous powers and influence in the then Northern Nigeria.
The quintessential Igala man is creative, views issues from a broad perspective, is a blend of strength and perseverance, embraces the doctrines of Togetherness (Udama), Love (Ufedo), Truth (Ogecha) and Peace of Mind (Uredo) as ingrained by our forefathers. He sees and utilizes every opportunity available, while focusing on surpassing standards.
In recent times, we have descended from the once enviable position of the second richest Native Authority after Kano Native Authority during the colonial era, to the second poorest economy in the country. Whereas Kano has maintained its pivotal role as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, Idah and the whole of Igala land have continued to experience decline, with dilapidation and increasing poverty.
It becomes a case of what went wrong, when it is on record that the first commercial export from Northern Nigeria was through Idah port.
There however can be light at the end of the tunnel but only if and when proactive measures are embraced. I belong to the school of thought that believes that the solution to every problem lies in the inside of it.
We cannot bring about the much anticipated Igala renaissance in this generation, if the current trend in our polity is not arrested. Our leaders owe us a duty to go back to the drawing board, and to retrace their steps in preparation for a mindset re-orientation. They need to reflect on the level of decadence in the Kingdom.
There must be a consensus amongst the stakeholders of the imperative to objectively address the socio-economic and political problems currently afflicting us.
The major step to addressing this is the convoking of a people centered Economic Summit that leads to an Igala Development Strategy (IDS). The IDS should set in motion the machinery that will translate our dreams and aspirations into sustainable realities.
An Economic Summit that will point a way forward for the Igala race. A summit that will set Igala land in a specific positive direction, a summit that will indeed articulate a definitive agenda for where Igala land should be in a decade, century and a millennium.
A summit that will marshal strategies that will manifestly translate the peoples hopes and aspirations into tangible realities. A summit that will lay a rock-solid foundation for the much awaited Igala renaissance. One that will advocate and inspire confidence in the viability and sustainability of investments and the abundant resources in Igala land.
The proposed Igala Economic Summit will encourage and foster the ideals of unity, peace love, as worthy basis for individual development and continued corporate existence, that will evolve sustainable, economic and intellectual structures to train and equip the generation-next. The Igala Economic Summit: Harnessing Potentials for Development.
Joshua Ocheja is a multi-media advertising practitioner, writer and publisher. He is a member of the Igala Economic Summit Steering Committee.
By
Joshua Ocheja
The Igala people constitute the major ethnic group in Kogi state, strategically occupying the eastern axis. Idah serves as its traditional home and houses its paramount ruler, Agabiadu, Attah Aliyu Obaje, who actively communes with the “Gods” of the land on behalf of his subjects, hence the conjecture by historians that Idah is the ancestral home of the Igala’s.
The Igala man is regarded as intelligent with a brave heart. This can be traced to exploits recorded by Igala sons and daughters from time immemorial, which also dates back to the years of Atta Ameh Oboni of blessed memory, who wielded enormous powers and influence in the then Northern Nigeria.
The quintessential Igala man is creative, views issues from a broad perspective, is a blend of strength and perseverance, embraces the doctrines of Togetherness (Udama), Love (Ufedo), Truth (Ogecha) and Peace of Mind (Uredo) as ingrained by our forefathers. He sees and utilizes every opportunity available, while focusing on surpassing standards.
In recent times, we have descended from the once enviable position of the second richest Native Authority after Kano Native Authority during the colonial era, to the second poorest economy in the country. Whereas Kano has maintained its pivotal role as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, Idah and the whole of Igala land have continued to experience decline, with dilapidation and increasing poverty.
It becomes a case of what went wrong, when it is on record that the first commercial export from Northern Nigeria was through Idah port.
There however can be light at the end of the tunnel but only if and when proactive measures are embraced. I belong to the school of thought that believes that the solution to every problem lies in the inside of it.
We cannot bring about the much anticipated Igala renaissance in this generation, if the current trend in our polity is not arrested. Our leaders owe us a duty to go back to the drawing board, and to retrace their steps in preparation for a mindset re-orientation. They need to reflect on the level of decadence in the Kingdom.
There must be a consensus amongst the stakeholders of the imperative to objectively address the socio-economic and political problems currently afflicting us.
The major step to addressing this is the convoking of a people centered Economic Summit that leads to an Igala Development Strategy (IDS). The IDS should set in motion the machinery that will translate our dreams and aspirations into sustainable realities.
An Economic Summit that will point a way forward for the Igala race. A summit that will set Igala land in a specific positive direction, a summit that will indeed articulate a definitive agenda for where Igala land should be in a decade, century and a millennium.
A summit that will marshal strategies that will manifestly translate the peoples hopes and aspirations into tangible realities. A summit that will lay a rock-solid foundation for the much awaited Igala renaissance. One that will advocate and inspire confidence in the viability and sustainability of investments and the abundant resources in Igala land.
The proposed Igala Economic Summit will encourage and foster the ideals of unity, peace love, as worthy basis for individual development and continued corporate existence, that will evolve sustainable, economic and intellectual structures to train and equip the generation-next. The Igala Economic Summit: Harnessing Potentials for Development.
Joshua Ocheja is a multi-media advertising practitioner, writer and publisher. He is a member of the Igala Economic Summit Steering Committee.
Nigeria and its weak political class
The political class of any nation to a large extent determines the level of development it can record over a period of time. The economic predicament of Nigeria can be attributed to the nature and practice of politics and government, and the collapse of the economy. These are attributed to bad governance and its consequences, establishing a political system capable of ensuring opportunities for the people to participate in the decision making process and in economic production and distribution is of huge importance, if we must move forward as a nation and as a people.
The task, among others, is to bring about a new political culture, which, like a veritable fountainhead, will bring forth a suitable, strong and dynamic economy and polity. Such arrangement will enable us to harness the human and natural resources of Nigeria towards building a cohesive and self-reliant society.
This essay might elicit either laughter or tears, depending largely on which side of the divide you belong to. Is Nigeria a cursed nation? A question that has been battling for relevance in my mind, God forbid I kept reassuring myself and at a point, I saw a symbol that reminds me of the coat of arm, sinking into what looks like a quick sand.
The nation is battling for unity and survival, occasioned by a weak political class, mainly comprising of selfish people that views the citizenry from a disdainful perspective. we might not understand the enormity of the challenge at hand until it gets out of control. Those saddled with the responsibility of preserving our unity and cultural heritage have put sentiments and selfish interest at the fore front.
The everyday life in Nigeria is laced with difficulties, for the ordinary man and woman on the streets. It’s even more pathetic to realize that we have the resources in abundance, yet a large chunk of the citizenry wallow in abject poverty and untold hardship.
Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb at the moment; these people are playing with the destinies of over 139 million people, excluding Farouk Abdulmutallab. The constitution is clear as to when the vice president should step in as acting president in order not to run government business to a halt, but instead, the polity is been polarized by some people I label enemies of the state, sheep’s in wolves clothing’s.
This brings to the forefront the type of political class that is present in Nigeria, a political class that is weak and confused, even Yar’adua will be laughing at the political class if given an insight into the affairs of the country he left behind.
Selfish interest is the bane of their predicament, nobody wants to be caught unawares, and hence people that are supposed to act are dragging their feet, and systematically avoiding entering the bad books of the president, pledging a picture of loyalty to party lines and Mr. President. Slate
Ordinarily, I did not intend to comment any more on this commonsensical issue, but I made a detour, when I read on one vibrant online news site that majority of state Governors have rejected the Vice President, claiming that they do not trust him to govern the country. This is the height of madness if you ask me, I mean the constitution is explicit on this matter, the constitution did not lay emphasis on the issue of governors and trust, the constitution does not permit inputs from governors, the constitution is clearly spelt out for all and sundry to see, which in the case of a vacuum, the legislative arm of government is expected to invoke the relevant constitutional sections and the judiciary is supposed to implement it.
Nigeria is really a joke, the case is always different in this country; must someone out there play politics all the time? This simple issue describes the caliber of people we have lined up as leaders, selfish interest towering far above national interest. This is sad and unthinkable that at this stage of our existence we cannot differentiate our right from left.
If we must be honest with ourselves, Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing item in the world over. We have been labeled a terrorist nation, we have been labeled a corrupt nation, we have also been labeled a confused nation and someone dare say Nigeria Good People Great Nation?
Hmm Good people Great Nation indeed! Nigeria, what a pathetic situation we have found ourselves. For the records, I have suddenly developed insomnia, I just can’t sleep, why should I sleep? What am I sleeping for? When there is fire on the mountain. What do we do? How did we find ourselves in this situation and all manner of question are begging for relevance in my head.
Lexsotan tablets cannot give me sleep, only good governance can give me sleep and the implication of sleeplessness is left to be imagined than told. The Nigerian nation is equally suffering from insomnia, God forbid that we use our own hands to cause our downfall.
We are tired of the Nigerian life; we are tired of hypocrisy and display of sentiments in the conduct of issues of national interest by a political class that has refused to rise up to the challenges at hand.
Like I mentioned above, this essay might elicit laughter or tears and as for me, its tears that have continued to run nonstop. I have not lost faith in this country; because I know that one day we shall overcome our self inflicted challenges.
At this point, I guess Nigeria: the best is still possible, ought to replace Nigeria Good People Great Nation!
The task, among others, is to bring about a new political culture, which, like a veritable fountainhead, will bring forth a suitable, strong and dynamic economy and polity. Such arrangement will enable us to harness the human and natural resources of Nigeria towards building a cohesive and self-reliant society.
This essay might elicit either laughter or tears, depending largely on which side of the divide you belong to. Is Nigeria a cursed nation? A question that has been battling for relevance in my mind, God forbid I kept reassuring myself and at a point, I saw a symbol that reminds me of the coat of arm, sinking into what looks like a quick sand.
The nation is battling for unity and survival, occasioned by a weak political class, mainly comprising of selfish people that views the citizenry from a disdainful perspective. we might not understand the enormity of the challenge at hand until it gets out of control. Those saddled with the responsibility of preserving our unity and cultural heritage have put sentiments and selfish interest at the fore front.
The everyday life in Nigeria is laced with difficulties, for the ordinary man and woman on the streets. It’s even more pathetic to realize that we have the resources in abundance, yet a large chunk of the citizenry wallow in abject poverty and untold hardship.
Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb at the moment; these people are playing with the destinies of over 139 million people, excluding Farouk Abdulmutallab. The constitution is clear as to when the vice president should step in as acting president in order not to run government business to a halt, but instead, the polity is been polarized by some people I label enemies of the state, sheep’s in wolves clothing’s.
This brings to the forefront the type of political class that is present in Nigeria, a political class that is weak and confused, even Yar’adua will be laughing at the political class if given an insight into the affairs of the country he left behind.
Selfish interest is the bane of their predicament, nobody wants to be caught unawares, and hence people that are supposed to act are dragging their feet, and systematically avoiding entering the bad books of the president, pledging a picture of loyalty to party lines and Mr. President. Slate
Ordinarily, I did not intend to comment any more on this commonsensical issue, but I made a detour, when I read on one vibrant online news site that majority of state Governors have rejected the Vice President, claiming that they do not trust him to govern the country. This is the height of madness if you ask me, I mean the constitution is explicit on this matter, the constitution did not lay emphasis on the issue of governors and trust, the constitution does not permit inputs from governors, the constitution is clearly spelt out for all and sundry to see, which in the case of a vacuum, the legislative arm of government is expected to invoke the relevant constitutional sections and the judiciary is supposed to implement it.
Nigeria is really a joke, the case is always different in this country; must someone out there play politics all the time? This simple issue describes the caliber of people we have lined up as leaders, selfish interest towering far above national interest. This is sad and unthinkable that at this stage of our existence we cannot differentiate our right from left.
If we must be honest with ourselves, Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing item in the world over. We have been labeled a terrorist nation, we have been labeled a corrupt nation, we have also been labeled a confused nation and someone dare say Nigeria Good People Great Nation?
Hmm Good people Great Nation indeed! Nigeria, what a pathetic situation we have found ourselves. For the records, I have suddenly developed insomnia, I just can’t sleep, why should I sleep? What am I sleeping for? When there is fire on the mountain. What do we do? How did we find ourselves in this situation and all manner of question are begging for relevance in my head.
Lexsotan tablets cannot give me sleep, only good governance can give me sleep and the implication of sleeplessness is left to be imagined than told. The Nigerian nation is equally suffering from insomnia, God forbid that we use our own hands to cause our downfall.
We are tired of the Nigerian life; we are tired of hypocrisy and display of sentiments in the conduct of issues of national interest by a political class that has refused to rise up to the challenges at hand.
Like I mentioned above, this essay might elicit laughter or tears and as for me, its tears that have continued to run nonstop. I have not lost faith in this country; because I know that one day we shall overcome our self inflicted challenges.
At this point, I guess Nigeria: the best is still possible, ought to replace Nigeria Good People Great Nation!
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