"the red oil of soup is easily noticed when eaten with a bright cloth on, it makes no difference to one whose cloth is coloured"
Coming back to the country after many months of self exile Mallam Nuhu Ribadu must really be feeling at home giving the present acceptance of his intentions to run for presidency, either as a result of his own self will or of people around him clamoring for his participation in the election. As the AC (Action Congress) embraces Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (Ex EFCC Boss) as one of its intending presidential candidates its not going to be as rosy as expected. The AC being the same party under which Atiku Abubakar who defected from the PDP to run for presidency was fought tooth and nail by all manner of allegations of which the then EFCC Boss was also an instrument, now Atiku Abubakar is back with the PDP (thats an issue for later) and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is tail wagging with the AC. It might not necessarily be a function of the party one belongs to but it definitely is a close derivative of what will happen in the nearest future. If pitching tent with the AC will fetch Ribadu the results he desires.more grace to his elbow but lest he make a mistake, it should be clear to him that even though he received presidential pardon by the withdrawal of the case against him, he can still fall victim at any time the powers that be decide so
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
PROF JEGA'S AFTERTHOUGHT
"a magician says to his crowd, the more u look the less u see...."
The status of a professor is far different from that of a Doctorate. Doctorate degrees can be awarded even non academics on merit, due to their reasonable contribution in a particular field of practice or as deemed fit by the awarder who can bestow such award as a mere honorary degree. The term Professor simply implies the in-depth knowledge of a particular art or science carefully studied over a period of years of which such a person now becomes an authority in that field, is not bestowed as a honorary degree or given out of friendship or goodwill, it has to be someone who has undergone the necessary process so as to acquire the respect that accords such a title.
As one who is well qualified for the job, having served in relevant capacities, (being a visiting research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs, visiting research fellow Department of Political Science University of Stockholm Sweeden, Deputy Vice chancellor Bayero University, Director Centre for Democratic Research and Training Bayero, Vice Chancellor, Bayero) there are a few facts that are in the highest degree unclear to the mind, which now come to limelight in an attempt to perform some kind of abracadabra.
Professor Attahiru Jega (Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Azikiwe) once served as National ASSU chairman alongside Professor Maurice Iwu (former INEC Chairman) who was then the National Vice Chairman ASSU.
Pofessor Attahiru Jega played the role of a hard boiled egg during the IBB regime when he used his position as the the then ASSU chairman to virtually compel the Government to sign the famous 1992 ASSU/FG agreement. To this credit also is his rejection of the offer of appointment by late General Sani Abacha as the Minister for Education.
After a granted request for the release of the sum of 87.7billion Naira, and the confident presentation of an election schedule, Professor Attahiru Jega now realise as an afterthought the seemingly impossibility of his well calculated time-table.
As another key player in this election game, the man Jega is yet another in the line up, in due cause his true colours shall no longer be covered by the chameleon of an "astute intellectual with a strong sense of ethics and morality"
The status of a professor is far different from that of a Doctorate. Doctorate degrees can be awarded even non academics on merit, due to their reasonable contribution in a particular field of practice or as deemed fit by the awarder who can bestow such award as a mere honorary degree. The term Professor simply implies the in-depth knowledge of a particular art or science carefully studied over a period of years of which such a person now becomes an authority in that field, is not bestowed as a honorary degree or given out of friendship or goodwill, it has to be someone who has undergone the necessary process so as to acquire the respect that accords such a title.
As one who is well qualified for the job, having served in relevant capacities, (being a visiting research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs, visiting research fellow Department of Political Science University of Stockholm Sweeden, Deputy Vice chancellor Bayero University, Director Centre for Democratic Research and Training Bayero, Vice Chancellor, Bayero) there are a few facts that are in the highest degree unclear to the mind, which now come to limelight in an attempt to perform some kind of abracadabra.
Professor Attahiru Jega (Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Azikiwe) once served as National ASSU chairman alongside Professor Maurice Iwu (former INEC Chairman) who was then the National Vice Chairman ASSU.
Pofessor Attahiru Jega played the role of a hard boiled egg during the IBB regime when he used his position as the the then ASSU chairman to virtually compel the Government to sign the famous 1992 ASSU/FG agreement. To this credit also is his rejection of the offer of appointment by late General Sani Abacha as the Minister for Education.
After a granted request for the release of the sum of 87.7billion Naira, and the confident presentation of an election schedule, Professor Attahiru Jega now realise as an afterthought the seemingly impossibility of his well calculated time-table.
As another key player in this election game, the man Jega is yet another in the line up, in due cause his true colours shall no longer be covered by the chameleon of an "astute intellectual with a strong sense of ethics and morality"
Sunday, September 26, 2010
ACTIVIST OR POLITICS
"without hope, the days roll by, girls become women and boys become old men, full of memories of what life should be, the only legacy left..."
The award winning Nobel prize for literature winner, Prof Wole Soyinka has eventually found his voice to making a political statement in the form of the DFPF (Democratic Front for a Peoples Republic). His reasons for turning his head the way of politics at the age of 75 is based on his aim to tackle corruption and improve health and education in Nigeria. Over a decade ago under the IBB regime prof Wole Soyinka accepted the offer to serve this nation, or help himself to a share of "The National Cake", but much to his surprise he found out that politics is not just all that meets the eye and indeed is thicker than blood, friendship and religion.
More interesting about the launching of DFPF months to the presidential election is how the party chairman Wole Soyinka intends to attain his goals within the short period of time. As an activist who marched with the SNG (Save Nigeria Group) earlier this year to protest the chilling silence over the whereabouts of the late former president Musa Ya'ardua, and why the constitution wasn't being followed to the latter, the floating of this party goes to show that there might be a few more tricks under his sleeves.
With the launching of Wole Soyinka's DFPF, the 2011 elections now have more to contend with. The only hope now is that Wole Soyinka has been able to learn the craft of politics from the right sources as he quotes... "And I believe that the best learning process of any kind of craft is just to look at the work of others"
The award winning Nobel prize for literature winner, Prof Wole Soyinka has eventually found his voice to making a political statement in the form of the DFPF (Democratic Front for a Peoples Republic). His reasons for turning his head the way of politics at the age of 75 is based on his aim to tackle corruption and improve health and education in Nigeria. Over a decade ago under the IBB regime prof Wole Soyinka accepted the offer to serve this nation, or help himself to a share of "The National Cake", but much to his surprise he found out that politics is not just all that meets the eye and indeed is thicker than blood, friendship and religion.
More interesting about the launching of DFPF months to the presidential election is how the party chairman Wole Soyinka intends to attain his goals within the short period of time. As an activist who marched with the SNG (Save Nigeria Group) earlier this year to protest the chilling silence over the whereabouts of the late former president Musa Ya'ardua, and why the constitution wasn't being followed to the latter, the floating of this party goes to show that there might be a few more tricks under his sleeves.
With the launching of Wole Soyinka's DFPF, the 2011 elections now have more to contend with. The only hope now is that Wole Soyinka has been able to learn the craft of politics from the right sources as he quotes... "And I believe that the best learning process of any kind of craft is just to look at the work of others"
Saturday, September 25, 2010
THE AL-MUSTAPHA JOKER
"In a conflict of emotions a little confusion brings understanding, a wave of thoughts stretch the mind thick as oak branches..."
The recent clamor for the release of Major Al-Mustapha who has been awaiting trial for the alleged murder of the late kudirat Abiola (wife of late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, M.K.O) and planning the assassination of former guardian newspaper boss Sir Alex Ibru is but another move on the chess board which has drawn necessary attention. Al-Mustapha has been unlawfully detained for over a decade now. His detention surely is of benefit to a few who would rather have him in kirikiri than in the court of law speaking the truths to so many unanswered questions for which he is privileged to be in possession of either hard copy documents or word of mouth testimony.
The Northern students forum trooped in mass carrying placards in a non violent protest to make their demands known, as indeed if amnesty can be granted militants in the south-south, why shouldn't a presidential pardon be granted a political prisoner (if he, Al-Mustapha can be called so)? even if its in form of a honest speedy trial? Well the answer rests on the lips of the presidency
This well timed agitation for his release is coming at a period when other concerns are paramount in the country at the moment, the seriousness with which this request will be considered will actually be the first answer to so many questions bound to follow....
The recent clamor for the release of Major Al-Mustapha who has been awaiting trial for the alleged murder of the late kudirat Abiola (wife of late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, M.K.O) and planning the assassination of former guardian newspaper boss Sir Alex Ibru is but another move on the chess board which has drawn necessary attention. Al-Mustapha has been unlawfully detained for over a decade now. His detention surely is of benefit to a few who would rather have him in kirikiri than in the court of law speaking the truths to so many unanswered questions for which he is privileged to be in possession of either hard copy documents or word of mouth testimony.
The Northern students forum trooped in mass carrying placards in a non violent protest to make their demands known, as indeed if amnesty can be granted militants in the south-south, why shouldn't a presidential pardon be granted a political prisoner (if he, Al-Mustapha can be called so)? even if its in form of a honest speedy trial? Well the answer rests on the lips of the presidency
This well timed agitation for his release is coming at a period when other concerns are paramount in the country at the moment, the seriousness with which this request will be considered will actually be the first answer to so many questions bound to follow....
NIGERIA @ 50
In times as these, there's need for a silent awakening, a gentle stir from within, for now be the hour of visions and dreams
Its more than interesting to watch the level of activities that eventually will culminate on the 1st of October the year 2010. It marks the 50th anniversary of a great country once called the "Niger Area" consisting of 4 great empires, ruled and colonized by the British. Named Nigeria at independence, it marked the begining of a new era, the begining of new ideas, the begining of a government of the people by the people, unfortunately not for the people. Over the years as the words of Prof Wole Soyinka put it "the worst of us have been ruling the best of us..." One look at the abundant resources this nation has been blessed with easily brings tears to the eyes of anyone labelled "the common man" he is common because his voice is not heard neither respected in the decision making process of which he bites the hard end of it.
A president once said about one of his cabinet members to his aide "i dont like that man's face" and the aide replied "but sir, u cannot hold him responsible for the way he looks" to this reply the president said "any man above 40 is responsible for the way he looks" that is to say a fool at 40 is a fool forever....is this the case of our great Nigeria?
Painful as it is the truth be said, Nigeria has failed in lots of ways, welfare for her faithful citizens who chant the national anthem for over 25years of their lifetime with nothing to show for it. The ever present darkness that broods over the country, as an epileptic power supply has remained a national pride nobody wants to deal with, even as successive governments have come-up wit supposed blueprints. The literacy level is amazingly not worse than it is, at 138th position out of 181 countries we rub shoulders with small town like countries (like Malawi) whose population is but a fraction of Nigeria's population, sad. Health wise, please dont even go there, while advanced countries with larger population and higher crime rates have expectancy levels of 70 (such as China)and above for both sexes, here in Nigeria to live up to 45years is like a blessing. Infrastructure and Agriculture and Education are worse off than when we first started. Not to mention the political hemorrhage and unaccounted theft of our oil resource, for which people have been died, been hanged, villages annihilated, activists clamoring for changes, militancy sprung up and almost lead to another colonization, this time by the introduction of a united states military base within the shores of this land, an idea that was resisted and spoken against by the entire public and Nigerians in the diaspora.
This regrettable list of unfortunate circumstance we've found ourselves in go on and on, but with the eye shade of corruption and a walking stick of greed issued political office holders on assumption of their duties its easy to see why the country is in a continuous backward moonwalk.
Now at 50 we adorn national colours, sing songs and prepare to celebrate, when we actually should be in mourning over the rape of our innocence, defilement of our sanity, robbery of our resources and future, by both living and the dead....we ask no questions we have become the proverbial zombies of the late Fela Anikulapo's music..wake up, pray for a better day and take no action
Its more than interesting to watch the level of activities that eventually will culminate on the 1st of October the year 2010. It marks the 50th anniversary of a great country once called the "Niger Area" consisting of 4 great empires, ruled and colonized by the British. Named Nigeria at independence, it marked the begining of a new era, the begining of new ideas, the begining of a government of the people by the people, unfortunately not for the people. Over the years as the words of Prof Wole Soyinka put it "the worst of us have been ruling the best of us..." One look at the abundant resources this nation has been blessed with easily brings tears to the eyes of anyone labelled "the common man" he is common because his voice is not heard neither respected in the decision making process of which he bites the hard end of it.
A president once said about one of his cabinet members to his aide "i dont like that man's face" and the aide replied "but sir, u cannot hold him responsible for the way he looks" to this reply the president said "any man above 40 is responsible for the way he looks" that is to say a fool at 40 is a fool forever....is this the case of our great Nigeria?
Painful as it is the truth be said, Nigeria has failed in lots of ways, welfare for her faithful citizens who chant the national anthem for over 25years of their lifetime with nothing to show for it. The ever present darkness that broods over the country, as an epileptic power supply has remained a national pride nobody wants to deal with, even as successive governments have come-up wit supposed blueprints. The literacy level is amazingly not worse than it is, at 138th position out of 181 countries we rub shoulders with small town like countries (like Malawi) whose population is but a fraction of Nigeria's population, sad. Health wise, please dont even go there, while advanced countries with larger population and higher crime rates have expectancy levels of 70 (such as China)and above for both sexes, here in Nigeria to live up to 45years is like a blessing. Infrastructure and Agriculture and Education are worse off than when we first started. Not to mention the political hemorrhage and unaccounted theft of our oil resource, for which people have been died, been hanged, villages annihilated, activists clamoring for changes, militancy sprung up and almost lead to another colonization, this time by the introduction of a united states military base within the shores of this land, an idea that was resisted and spoken against by the entire public and Nigerians in the diaspora.
This regrettable list of unfortunate circumstance we've found ourselves in go on and on, but with the eye shade of corruption and a walking stick of greed issued political office holders on assumption of their duties its easy to see why the country is in a continuous backward moonwalk.
Now at 50 we adorn national colours, sing songs and prepare to celebrate, when we actually should be in mourning over the rape of our innocence, defilement of our sanity, robbery of our resources and future, by both living and the dead....we ask no questions we have become the proverbial zombies of the late Fela Anikulapo's music..wake up, pray for a better day and take no action
Friday, September 24, 2010
THE POLITICAL SETTINGS
WELCOME TO MY BLOG PAGE
If you live a life of today, think about tomorrow.....because when tomorrow comes, its what you've done today that will actually count.
The journey to may 29 2011 started about four years ago when Umaru Musa Ya'adua (R.I.P) under the umbrella of the PDP (peoples democratic party) was sworn in as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria CFR on may the 29th the year 2007. Beside his able self was his deputy, Dr Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Azikiwe JEGA. The rest of story is one known by all especially those in the corridors of power and members of "THE CABAL". The circumstances that stood between Goodluck Jonathan assuming the seat of the president with full powers remains as controversial as the elections that brought him into power as the vice president under Africa's largest and infamous party the PDP. This is the coal train ride Nigeria as a country has been able to survive after enduring the canoe ride by former president Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, as he applied the engine expected to propel the nation foward at will. The Tinubu AC (action congress) and Buhari ANPP (all nigerian peoples party) all have their share of the booty been spoiled and exploited by the ruling party, though obviously its not just good enough. AC owns the largest commercial city in West Africa presently under the leadership of Babtunde Raji Fashola, who succeded Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu in 2007. Other political parties have had to be contented with what ever positions they were able to receive enough support to achieve. The LP (labour party) , APGA ( all progressive grand alliance) APP (all peoples party) just to mention a few of the so many parties registered under INEC ( independent national electoral commission)......More recently the declaration by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida to run for presidency under the infamous PDP hasnt just raised more that a few eyebrows, but also a deeper thought into the intrigues of the seat of the president of our great country Nigeria. Our humble incumbent president whose name forms an acronym for the present head of INEC Prof Attahiru Jega whom he appointed not too long ago also declared his intentions to run for presidency. In an interview granted the press, the Governor of Ilorin Bukola Saraki stated his intention to declare in days to come his aspirations of attaining the highest political office in the land. Another contestant who was a vice president under the PDP, and former presidential aspirant under the AC, Atiku Abubakar, is back with the PDP to run for president once again. Someone who's finally out of his shell of accusations is the former EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, though under what party he will be running hasn't been made public yet, ....
Now the stage is being setup and the heat gradually gaining momentum, the questions that beat the mind remain puzzles even after the finest analyses and dicussions. The closed door visit to the RCCG General Overseer Pastor E Adeboye by Muhammadu Buhari only tells the kind of visitations and consultations to expect in days to come. The ammendment of the constittution is yet another subject to be resolved. The recent confession by the INEC boss that the timetable will have to be rescheduled is far more expected than than surprising. Good enuf Obasanjo has been silent enough behind the curtains as he has a lot of questions waiting him in the limelight. One man whose voice has been heard strongly all year round is the Latter Rain Assembly pastor in person of Tunde Bakare, who has constantly been a critic of ill regimes and now the convener of the SNG (save nigeria group) who staged public march against "THE CABAL" during the period of Ya'ardu's ill health saga. while he was speaking very strongly against these ills in our society, another pastor Chris Okotie presidential aspirant under FDP (fresh democratic party) hasnt been saying as much as he is used to, we still await his mind boggling grammer which he brings from the pulpit. .
There is a connection to all these happenings and events, As the days go by and more truths unfold, be the first to read of the brewing conspiracy and the way out, how to make votes count in the oncoming 2011 elections
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