I was coming to the office yesterday, when I remembered while driving that I need some certain sum of money from her, so I call her to find time to go to the bank and collect the sum from her account and when I come back from office, I would need the cash.
I was in the office when she called me informing me that she has been conned of the money she withdraw from the bank as well as the one she has in hand.
How it happened, when she narrated it to me is really provoking, it is a mixed of conning, hypnotising and rendering assistance.
I decided to let fellow bloggers especially in Nigeria aware that 419 by con men really exist, though this one happened in Abuja. Fellow bloggers should try and tell their wards, close relations to desist from engaging in a long conversation with some people they dont know or never met, it always start from that scenarios.
More of those people that needs to be careful are those who are in diaspora, especially when sending money home through MONEYGRAM or WESTERN UNION, they should try and remind the beneficiaries of such cash to be cognizance of those people they talk to as soon as they are leaving the bank.
Ever ponder as I do why some people cannot look for a decent job, other than just to con other people of their own money? Have they ever pause to ponder that nemesis will surely meet with them?
The lady that this happened to yesterday was seriously stressed, but what the con men failed to realised was that, she chosed that day to observed fasting, and at the end of the whole episode, after I had persuade her to let them be, she rained curse on them. A curse I have every reason to believed will surely stick with them in a very near future.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Pictures in me
From Omodudu to kulutempa to chxta's world and now me, see the pictures in me with the help of Imagini.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Double Standard (1)
Today, I start a series of double standard notion of Nigerians and the people against the fight against corruption. I will kick off today with the outcome of Senate action on PTDF.
When Ndoma Egba committee submitted its report, there was only one dissenting voice, who insisted that the report of the committee was compromised, there was uproar, and some senators even lectured Nigerians on how important a 'dissenting voice' is all about. The principle of a simple majority was put into dustbin, since out of 11 members committee, 10 support the report and 1 against, which clearly shows that, the majority voice should carry the day, but since they agenda is to rope in Obasanjo, the dissenting voice was more important than the 10 others members voice. It was as a result of this that a new 5 man review committee was set up to look at Ndoma-Egba committee report.
Now that a member of the five man review panel- Senator Akin Olasunkanmi, has equally protested the review report and tendered a dissenting report, one would have expected the senate to start preaching the rules surrounding the 'dissenting voice' and its importance again, infact, will the Senate constitute another review panel to review the Tsauri panel report?" The answer is no, the Tsauri panel report has satisfied their agenda and that is to nail Obasanjo. Case closed. For instance, The Tsauri panel submitted that his committee finds that in the case of the additional approval of $20 million on 14th October, 2003, the then Executive Secretary, Hamisu Abubakar, misrepresented the facts and wrongfully obtained approval from His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria', Meanwhile, the VP continue to swore that the approval was from the President.
Now, that is a double standard, and it can only be allowed to go without unchecked so long as Obasanjo's foes and enemies are growing each day because of his anti-corruption crusade. Now, has anyone ever ponder, who can fight agaisnt corruption as President of this country, just name one person that you think if he become the president, he can fight corruption?
When Ndoma Egba committee submitted its report, there was only one dissenting voice, who insisted that the report of the committee was compromised, there was uproar, and some senators even lectured Nigerians on how important a 'dissenting voice' is all about. The principle of a simple majority was put into dustbin, since out of 11 members committee, 10 support the report and 1 against, which clearly shows that, the majority voice should carry the day, but since they agenda is to rope in Obasanjo, the dissenting voice was more important than the 10 others members voice. It was as a result of this that a new 5 man review committee was set up to look at Ndoma-Egba committee report.
Now that a member of the five man review panel- Senator Akin Olasunkanmi, has equally protested the review report and tendered a dissenting report, one would have expected the senate to start preaching the rules surrounding the 'dissenting voice' and its importance again, infact, will the Senate constitute another review panel to review the Tsauri panel report?" The answer is no, the Tsauri panel report has satisfied their agenda and that is to nail Obasanjo. Case closed. For instance, The Tsauri panel submitted that his committee finds that in the case of the additional approval of $20 million on 14th October, 2003, the then Executive Secretary, Hamisu Abubakar, misrepresented the facts and wrongfully obtained approval from His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria', Meanwhile, the VP continue to swore that the approval was from the President.
Now, that is a double standard, and it can only be allowed to go without unchecked so long as Obasanjo's foes and enemies are growing each day because of his anti-corruption crusade. Now, has anyone ever ponder, who can fight agaisnt corruption as President of this country, just name one person that you think if he become the president, he can fight corruption?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Corruption War - Now we know it is not easy
I remember some people were hell bent that IBB should be investigated for corruption when OBJ first came to power, they even said that, if he is serious about his corruption war, he should start from investigating IBB, the President reply then was that, they should bring enough proof for him to prosecute IBB and that he still maintained that he is ready to step on powerful toes. But nobody was able to bring any proof that IBB enrich himself during his tenure. It shows that powerful men are not easy to prosecute especially in Nigeria as far as corruption is concerned.
But with the case of Atiku Abubakar, the current VP of Nigeria, we all know and to me, Obasanjo is vindicated by the fact that enough proof is needed to prosecute IBB then. Even though there is proof from outside the country that the VP gave a bribe and that Nigeria should investigates the VP and some other notable politicians at the instance of US, which Obasanjo did by asking the EFCC to do the job, see the end results.
When alamieseigha the then governor of Bayelsa state was caught in UK, he escaped back to Nigeria and instead of his house of assembly to immediately impeach him for money laundering, it was the intervention of EFCC that finally make the house of assembly to nail him and impeached him from office. Even at then, there are still some people who are still grumbling that his manner of impeachment is not constitutional, while some niger delta militants are demanding for his release.
When Dariye, the then Governor of Plateau State was also arrested in UK for money laundering, he also jump bail and escaped back to Nigeria. Instead of his House of Assembly to impeach him, or what else proof do they need? they habour him and continue to propel him in office, when the EFCC intervenes and arrest those who are corrupt among the state house of assembly, the rest impeach Dariye. Instead the court still declare his manner of removal as unconstitutional.
When Buhari/Idiagbon wage war against corruption during their regime, what was the end result of their efforts, they were overthrown by those who support corruption. Today, Buhari still has adversaries who still habour that hatred with the way they rule the country in their quest to stamp out corruption.
I also remember that our own WS not William Shakespeare but Wole Soyinka also has a taste of how the war against corruption taste like in this country when he was the pioneer boss of Federal Road Safety Commission, he ended up resigning his appointment when he discovered that his name was about to be drag into mud.
When Murtala Mohammed (May God bless his memory) determined to put the nation on course to stamp out corruption, we all know where it ends. He was so determined and resolute about good governance and dedication to duty, he detest corruption so much that he end up laying down his life as he fell to the assassins bullet.
When El-Rufai decided to diligently work as FCT Minister and stamp out those who have been profiteering from illegal issuance of C of O, where illegal structure are built in the FCT, he end up being a victim of hatred from the people. He in his own way, stamp out corruption by making sure that the Abuja master plan which has been distorted by corrupt officials of FCDA by conniving with past powerful people, he is also paying the price by being enemy of people. The House of Reps even pass a resolution preventing him from holding any public office for life.
As for the present Senate, they are worse on fight against corruption, they are there to represent us, but instead they are fighting for their own selfish interest. Some of them that are denied the return ticket to the house have taken the fight to the President, vowing to deal with him, while some of them are even crossing the carpet. We dont expect anything less from the outcome of their decisions.
Those who had venture into stamping out corruption in this country end up one way or the other with bad taste in the mouth. Nigeria is deeply corrupt that even if you are wont be a part to corruption, you are either a miser or you are selfish.
I am quite too sure that there are so many other atrocities committed by Atiku that OBJ did not have enough proof, but the only one he had the proof was also turn against him. This clearly shows that the war against corruption is not easy. Like I said earlier on, it is like someone going for a vengeance, the person will not come out unscathed.
Atiku might be happy that he has achieved his aim of denting the image of the President, but it will be on record that OBJ came out to point out one out of many of corrupt activities of his VP, and it done the nation a good service by pointing out that the VP is not fit to be our our next president, a corrupt president for that matter.
Has anyone ever ponder that those past leaders that refuse to probe any corrupt leaders are afraid of what is happening to Obasanjo now? The truth is war against corruption is not a war that is easy to fight in this country. Those who are closed to the President should tell him that he has done well, and as far as I am concerned, I am proud of him. As I am done in writing this, I doff my hat and truthfully I take a bow for a man who has done his best in the midst of the country who are hardliner to a fight against corruption.
But with the case of Atiku Abubakar, the current VP of Nigeria, we all know and to me, Obasanjo is vindicated by the fact that enough proof is needed to prosecute IBB then. Even though there is proof from outside the country that the VP gave a bribe and that Nigeria should investigates the VP and some other notable politicians at the instance of US, which Obasanjo did by asking the EFCC to do the job, see the end results.
When alamieseigha the then governor of Bayelsa state was caught in UK, he escaped back to Nigeria and instead of his house of assembly to immediately impeach him for money laundering, it was the intervention of EFCC that finally make the house of assembly to nail him and impeached him from office. Even at then, there are still some people who are still grumbling that his manner of impeachment is not constitutional, while some niger delta militants are demanding for his release.
When Dariye, the then Governor of Plateau State was also arrested in UK for money laundering, he also jump bail and escaped back to Nigeria. Instead of his House of Assembly to impeach him, or what else proof do they need? they habour him and continue to propel him in office, when the EFCC intervenes and arrest those who are corrupt among the state house of assembly, the rest impeach Dariye. Instead the court still declare his manner of removal as unconstitutional.
When Buhari/Idiagbon wage war against corruption during their regime, what was the end result of their efforts, they were overthrown by those who support corruption. Today, Buhari still has adversaries who still habour that hatred with the way they rule the country in their quest to stamp out corruption.
I also remember that our own WS not William Shakespeare but Wole Soyinka also has a taste of how the war against corruption taste like in this country when he was the pioneer boss of Federal Road Safety Commission, he ended up resigning his appointment when he discovered that his name was about to be drag into mud.
When Murtala Mohammed (May God bless his memory) determined to put the nation on course to stamp out corruption, we all know where it ends. He was so determined and resolute about good governance and dedication to duty, he detest corruption so much that he end up laying down his life as he fell to the assassins bullet.
When El-Rufai decided to diligently work as FCT Minister and stamp out those who have been profiteering from illegal issuance of C of O, where illegal structure are built in the FCT, he end up being a victim of hatred from the people. He in his own way, stamp out corruption by making sure that the Abuja master plan which has been distorted by corrupt officials of FCDA by conniving with past powerful people, he is also paying the price by being enemy of people. The House of Reps even pass a resolution preventing him from holding any public office for life.
As for the present Senate, they are worse on fight against corruption, they are there to represent us, but instead they are fighting for their own selfish interest. Some of them that are denied the return ticket to the house have taken the fight to the President, vowing to deal with him, while some of them are even crossing the carpet. We dont expect anything less from the outcome of their decisions.
Those who had venture into stamping out corruption in this country end up one way or the other with bad taste in the mouth. Nigeria is deeply corrupt that even if you are wont be a part to corruption, you are either a miser or you are selfish.
I am quite too sure that there are so many other atrocities committed by Atiku that OBJ did not have enough proof, but the only one he had the proof was also turn against him. This clearly shows that the war against corruption is not easy. Like I said earlier on, it is like someone going for a vengeance, the person will not come out unscathed.
Atiku might be happy that he has achieved his aim of denting the image of the President, but it will be on record that OBJ came out to point out one out of many of corrupt activities of his VP, and it done the nation a good service by pointing out that the VP is not fit to be our our next president, a corrupt president for that matter.
Has anyone ever ponder that those past leaders that refuse to probe any corrupt leaders are afraid of what is happening to Obasanjo now? The truth is war against corruption is not a war that is easy to fight in this country. Those who are closed to the President should tell him that he has done well, and as far as I am concerned, I am proud of him. As I am done in writing this, I doff my hat and truthfully I take a bow for a man who has done his best in the midst of the country who are hardliner to a fight against corruption.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
PTDF: The issue, not politics
Has anyone noticed that once a counter accusations is made in the person of the president from the Atiku's camp, the whole world quickly forget the real issue?
Here is a list of exact corrupt accusations against the VP, but instead of us to address the real issue, and let him prove himself against the allegations, we leave the real issue to issue that can crucify the president. Since Atiku camp are profiteering from such scenarios, they in turn find an avenue to hide their misdeeds.
Here are the findings of EFCC as stated below:
Here is a list of exact corrupt accusations against the VP, but instead of us to address the real issue, and let him prove himself against the allegations, we leave the real issue to issue that can crucify the president. Since Atiku camp are profiteering from such scenarios, they in turn find an avenue to hide their misdeeds.
Here are the findings of EFCC as stated below:
FINDINGS:
From the investigation so far conducted the following facts have been established as follows:-
• That PTDF came into existence in 1973 following the promulgation of Decree No. 25 of 1973 for the sole objective of building capacity in the Oil and Gas Sector of the Nigerian Economy through various activities.
• That to realize this objective, funds are released to PTDF from time to time by the Federal Government after due processes have been followed and approval obtained from the Federal Executive Council.
• In line with this process the sum of $125 Million was approved by His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on 25th April, 2003 for PTDF vide a memo, dated 10/04/03 presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and Energy, Alhaji Rilwan Lukman who was the Chairman of the Technical Implementation Committee of the Fund.
• The Vice President (VP), through a letter Ref:SH/VP/254 dated April 29, 2003, granted approval to PTDF to invest the proceeds of US$125million in the following banks and amounts:-
*Trans International Bank (TIB) –US$10m
*Equitorial trust Bank ltd (ETB)- US$115m
•In compliance with the approval –US$62,100,000:00 was transferred to PTDF Dollar Domiciliary Account with Equitorial Trust Bank on 17/07/2003 at an interest rate of 15% per annum.
• By its letter of August 20, 2003, PTDF transferred additional US$52,900,000:00 to ETB, which brought the total deposit of the fund with ETB to US$115,000,000:00 as approved by the VP.
• The VP also approved that the US$115million be invested as follows:-
*US$100million to be converted to Naira at N128 to $1 and the proceeds invested under Term Deposit at 14% interest per annum.
*US$15million be held in PTDF Domiciliary Account under Term Deposit for 180 days at 1.5% interest per annum
• That on 18/10/03, the VP gave the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) approval to release $20m to PTDF, without referring to the Executive Council, following a request from the Executive Secretary, Yusuf H. Abubakar for an urgent release of the fund to enable him complete some projects of PTDF, but contrary to the purpose of the request to execute the projects, the ES placed the funds in a term deposit in TIB for 365 days at 1.75% interest rate.
• That the placement of the PTDF’s fund were not done arbitrarily, but deliberately designed to promote some business ventures in which the VP and some of his friends has interest.
• That the placement in TIB for instance was designed to promote Netlink Digital Television – NDTV, a satellite television project and Mofas Shipping Company where the Chairman of both companies is Otumba Fasawe, a long standing friend of the V.P.
• That as soon as the first placement of $10million Dollars was made by PTDF at TIB, the Bank granted loans to NDTV and Mofas in the sums of N400million on the 20/10/2003 and N420million on the 22/10/2003 respectively.
• That equally interesting is the fact that as soon as the second placement of $20million Dollars was made by PTDF with TIB, another loan of N730million was granted to NDTV on the 1/1/2004.
• That it was from this loan of N730million, that NDTV remitted the sum of $6.5million Dollars to iGATE in January 2004 as their contribution to their joint business venture.
• It has also been revealed that Otumba Fasawe remitted the sum of N400milliom to the V.P’s Personal Assistant Alhaji Umaru Pariya on the 4/10/03 which he conveniently recovered through a loan of N420million he received from TIB on the 22/10/03 after the PTDF’s funds placement.
• That a clear demonstration of the V.P’s business interest in NDTV is the fact that on 07/01/03 he paid the initial sum of N30million deposit from his Marine Float account in Bank PHB for the purchase of the property situated at No. 555, Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Wuse II, Abuja and used as its Headquarters.
• That the balance of N170million for the purchase of the NDTV Headquarters was not paid until after PTDF has made the initial $10million Dollars deposit with TIB and loan of N400million was granted to NDTV.
• That to further buttress the long standing business relationship between the V.P. and Otunba Fasawe the latter paid the V.P. the sum of N61million on 29/01/01 from his Mofas shipping account with TIB.
• That a further sum of N250million from Mofas Shipping Company account of Otunba Fasawe in TIB was transferred to V.P.’s Marine Float account in Bank PHB on 18/02/03.
• That one Mrs. Maureen Scurry, now Maureen Edu, a former employee of U.S Exim Bank as a business Development Specialist on Africa who, that time represented Exim bank during the NDTV /iGate deal was wired sum of $100,000 on 27/02/04 to her personal account with FSB Washington DC by NDTV through TIB. And this formed part of loan granted NDTV by TIB.
• That the sum of $133,870 and $40,312 were paid to Sofitel Incorporated by NDTV as commitment and processing fee for the repayment of the $6.5m paid to iGate and exclusive of all the loans granted to NDTV by TIB.
• That the U.S based Lawyer, Jean Michael Malek P.C was also paid the sum of $5000 as legal fee in part as a lawyer representing NDTV in the US over the project with iGate.
• That the loans granted to Otunba Fasawe and related companies by the bank, TIB, stood at N1.5 Billion beside the $6.5m granted the NDTV/iGate venture.
• That the NDTV/iGate venture collapsed and iGate agreed upon negotiation to repay the sum of $4m to NDTV, which uptill date only $1.75m had so far been repaid in two tranche of $1m and $750,000.
• That out of the $30million placement made by PTDF in TIB, $23.75million stood as the current balance yet unpaid.
• That another loan of N300m was granted to Ahmed Vanderpuije (MD NDTV) through his other Company Trans-vari Services Limited on 23/10/03 even without collateral just at the time when the two placements from PTDF had already hit TIB.
• That from these funds granted Ahmed Vanderpuije the sum of $110,000 was used in publishing the Nda Yakubu’s book entitled; Nigeria Laws on Public Finances.
• That the first placement of funds by PTDF with Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), took place on the 25/06/02 in the sum of $50million Dollars from the account of PTDF with UBA New York.
• That it was after the placement of the $50million that Otunba Mike Adenuga paid $20million Dollars non refundable deposit to NCC for the bidding of the Second National Order (SNO) to Globacom on the 06/08/02.
• That the V.P. directed PTDF to make two additional placements of funds with ETB in the sums of $52.9million Dollars on the 20/08/03 and $62.1million Dollars on the 17/07/03
• That the trio of the Vice President, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Yusuf H. Abubakar and Otunba Mike Adenuga met in the office/Residence of the Vice President to discuss the placement of the $115m in ETB by PTDF.
• That Globacom equity structure was found to be Conpetro Ltd 51% Alh G. Subair 24%, Prince Babatunde Akinyera 12.5% and Festus Okechukwu Igbomor 12.5% contrary to Chief Adenuga’s claim of sole ownership. That Prince Babatunde Akinyera is believed to be fronting for His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the 12.5% against his name.
• That the Federal Executive Council meeting that approved the NSO license to Globacom was chaired by the V.P.
• That the erstwhile Executive Secretary of PTDF Alhaji Hamisu Yusuf Abubakar was also rewarded with a N200million loan from ETB and a trucking contract with Conoil, a company owned by Mr. Mike Adenuga.
• That contrary to the believe that it was only the sum of $115million Dollars was placed in ETB by PTDF, it has been discovered again that another $50million Dollars was transferred from UBA New Work PTDF Account to ETB with the knowledge of the approving authority just at the time Otumba Mike Adenuga was to pay his $20m fee deposit for Globacom to NCC.
• That $165million invested in ETB by PTDF was returned to CBN, including the accruing interest, when directives were issued in July 2004 that all accounts of Government Ministries and Parastatals were to return to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
• That even the initial N30 million paid by NDTV as deposit for the purchase of the property situated at No. 555, Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Wuse II, Abuja and used as its Headquarters was sourced from an account in Bank PHB owned and controlled by His Excellency the V.P.
• That it has been ascertained the V.P. stood as one of the referees to Otunba Fasawe when NDTV applied for Value Added Network (internet) Service from NCC and the offer was granted.
• That the given address of Alhaji G. Subair, 2/3 Dawaki Road Kaduna is a property belonging to Mohammed Badamasi Babangida, first son to the former military President, pointing to the fact that the shares might belong to the latter.
• That it has been established, Yusuf H. Abubakar, demanded and received $2million kick back from UNIVATION Ltd a UK based Company that was awarded $5million upgrade contract of PTI by PTDF in which he has already retuned N200million out of it.
NOTE:
His Excellency is hereby invited to note:
i. That this investigation was initiated at the instance of a request from the United States Department of Justice.
ii. That the request was sequel to an investigation carried out by the U S authorities which involved certain Government officials, institutions and Private individuals in both U S and Nigeria.
iii. That among those directly affected by the investigation in Nigeria, is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
iv. That two state Executive Governors in the persons of their Excellencies Chief Victor Attah and Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Jigawa States, respectively were also mentioned in the request.
v. That in the investigation so far carried out, no wrong doing could be traced to them unlike the case of the Vice President who has been found to have mismanaged the PTDF funds and abused his office.
vi. That the use of the PTDF funds to promote businesses is instrumental to the large scale mismanagement, misappropriation and abuse of office as highlighted in this report.
vii. That Otunba Mike Adenuga who was earlier arrested, interrogated and granted bail failed to turn up when he was invited for further interview as he was said to have absconded.
viii. That the investigation is still on going and may lead to more individuals being prosecuted.
PRAYERS
The Government is hereby requested to approve the following:
a) That PTDF should be removed from the supervision of the office of the Vice President.
b) That the Commission should recover all Public funds embezzled from individuals and institutions involved in this case.
c) That the erstwhile Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Otunba Fasawe and all those who aided or facilitated in the embezzlement and mismanagement of the funds should be prosecuted.
d) That the corporate entity of Globacom will be protected and preserved, while legal processes will be taken to recover all shares acquired fraudulently or with public funds.
Sir, I respectfully submit to you this report for your kind consideration and necessary action, please.
NUHU RIBADU
Executive Chairman
Here below is also the findings of Administrative panel report that indicted the VP
Findings
a) We are of the view that His Excellency, Vice President Atiku Abubakar (hereinafter referred to as the VP) abused his office and position by diverting funds approved for the PTDF operations to placements in ETB and TIB Plc instead of implementing the projects budgeted for. The funds were deposited in the two banks at below-market rates over a period of time.
b) Indeed, the projects are only being approved for implementation in 2006 which raises the question why the funds were withdrawn from the Treasury in the first place, so many years ago. It is the view of the Panel that these actions benefited private business interests and those of the VP’s friends and associates like Otunba Fasawe and Chief Mike Adenuga rather than the public interest of accelerated implementation of the projects.
c) We also find that the VP’s action in unilaterally approving the disbursement of the sum of US$20m (without the approval of the President and the Federal Executive Council as was done for the initial US$125m), violated the constitution and amounted to conduct unbecoming of the VP’s high office.
d) We view the VP’s explanation to the Panel that he thought the President and FEC’s global approval of the sum of US$125m covered him on this subsequent approval as untenable.
Recommendations
i) On the basis of the findings above, the VP should be indicted and held accountable for the various acts of embezzlement and fraud that took place in PTDF with his approval and under his supervision.
ii) In view of the VP’s constitutional immunity, the matter should be referred to the Code of Conduct Bureau for necessary action.
The above is the real issue, has anyone ponder whether the VP has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he did not commit those offences and therefore not liable to be indicted, no, what he did mostly instead of disproving the allegations is to raise counter-allegations. But because that is what most Nigerians wants especially those that the president has stepped on their toes, we all go haywire.
Just thought may be you may want to ponder along this line again.
From the investigation so far conducted the following facts have been established as follows:-
• That PTDF came into existence in 1973 following the promulgation of Decree No. 25 of 1973 for the sole objective of building capacity in the Oil and Gas Sector of the Nigerian Economy through various activities.
• That to realize this objective, funds are released to PTDF from time to time by the Federal Government after due processes have been followed and approval obtained from the Federal Executive Council.
• In line with this process the sum of $125 Million was approved by His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on 25th April, 2003 for PTDF vide a memo, dated 10/04/03 presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and Energy, Alhaji Rilwan Lukman who was the Chairman of the Technical Implementation Committee of the Fund.
• The Vice President (VP), through a letter Ref:SH/VP/254 dated April 29, 2003, granted approval to PTDF to invest the proceeds of US$125million in the following banks and amounts:-
*Trans International Bank (TIB) –US$10m
*Equitorial trust Bank ltd (ETB)- US$115m
•In compliance with the approval –US$62,100,000:00 was transferred to PTDF Dollar Domiciliary Account with Equitorial Trust Bank on 17/07/2003 at an interest rate of 15% per annum.
• By its letter of August 20, 2003, PTDF transferred additional US$52,900,000:00 to ETB, which brought the total deposit of the fund with ETB to US$115,000,000:00 as approved by the VP.
• The VP also approved that the US$115million be invested as follows:-
*US$100million to be converted to Naira at N128 to $1 and the proceeds invested under Term Deposit at 14% interest per annum.
*US$15million be held in PTDF Domiciliary Account under Term Deposit for 180 days at 1.5% interest per annum
• That on 18/10/03, the VP gave the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) approval to release $20m to PTDF, without referring to the Executive Council, following a request from the Executive Secretary, Yusuf H. Abubakar for an urgent release of the fund to enable him complete some projects of PTDF, but contrary to the purpose of the request to execute the projects, the ES placed the funds in a term deposit in TIB for 365 days at 1.75% interest rate.
• That the placement of the PTDF’s fund were not done arbitrarily, but deliberately designed to promote some business ventures in which the VP and some of his friends has interest.
• That the placement in TIB for instance was designed to promote Netlink Digital Television – NDTV, a satellite television project and Mofas Shipping Company where the Chairman of both companies is Otumba Fasawe, a long standing friend of the V.P.
• That as soon as the first placement of $10million Dollars was made by PTDF at TIB, the Bank granted loans to NDTV and Mofas in the sums of N400million on the 20/10/2003 and N420million on the 22/10/2003 respectively.
• That equally interesting is the fact that as soon as the second placement of $20million Dollars was made by PTDF with TIB, another loan of N730million was granted to NDTV on the 1/1/2004.
• That it was from this loan of N730million, that NDTV remitted the sum of $6.5million Dollars to iGATE in January 2004 as their contribution to their joint business venture.
• It has also been revealed that Otumba Fasawe remitted the sum of N400milliom to the V.P’s Personal Assistant Alhaji Umaru Pariya on the 4/10/03 which he conveniently recovered through a loan of N420million he received from TIB on the 22/10/03 after the PTDF’s funds placement.
• That a clear demonstration of the V.P’s business interest in NDTV is the fact that on 07/01/03 he paid the initial sum of N30million deposit from his Marine Float account in Bank PHB for the purchase of the property situated at No. 555, Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Wuse II, Abuja and used as its Headquarters.
• That the balance of N170million for the purchase of the NDTV Headquarters was not paid until after PTDF has made the initial $10million Dollars deposit with TIB and loan of N400million was granted to NDTV.
• That to further buttress the long standing business relationship between the V.P. and Otunba Fasawe the latter paid the V.P. the sum of N61million on 29/01/01 from his Mofas shipping account with TIB.
• That a further sum of N250million from Mofas Shipping Company account of Otunba Fasawe in TIB was transferred to V.P.’s Marine Float account in Bank PHB on 18/02/03.
• That one Mrs. Maureen Scurry, now Maureen Edu, a former employee of U.S Exim Bank as a business Development Specialist on Africa who, that time represented Exim bank during the NDTV /iGate deal was wired sum of $100,000 on 27/02/04 to her personal account with FSB Washington DC by NDTV through TIB. And this formed part of loan granted NDTV by TIB.
• That the sum of $133,870 and $40,312 were paid to Sofitel Incorporated by NDTV as commitment and processing fee for the repayment of the $6.5m paid to iGate and exclusive of all the loans granted to NDTV by TIB.
• That the U.S based Lawyer, Jean Michael Malek P.C was also paid the sum of $5000 as legal fee in part as a lawyer representing NDTV in the US over the project with iGate.
• That the loans granted to Otunba Fasawe and related companies by the bank, TIB, stood at N1.5 Billion beside the $6.5m granted the NDTV/iGate venture.
• That the NDTV/iGate venture collapsed and iGate agreed upon negotiation to repay the sum of $4m to NDTV, which uptill date only $1.75m had so far been repaid in two tranche of $1m and $750,000.
• That out of the $30million placement made by PTDF in TIB, $23.75million stood as the current balance yet unpaid.
• That another loan of N300m was granted to Ahmed Vanderpuije (MD NDTV) through his other Company Trans-vari Services Limited on 23/10/03 even without collateral just at the time when the two placements from PTDF had already hit TIB.
• That from these funds granted Ahmed Vanderpuije the sum of $110,000 was used in publishing the Nda Yakubu’s book entitled; Nigeria Laws on Public Finances.
• That the first placement of funds by PTDF with Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), took place on the 25/06/02 in the sum of $50million Dollars from the account of PTDF with UBA New York.
• That it was after the placement of the $50million that Otunba Mike Adenuga paid $20million Dollars non refundable deposit to NCC for the bidding of the Second National Order (SNO) to Globacom on the 06/08/02.
• That the V.P. directed PTDF to make two additional placements of funds with ETB in the sums of $52.9million Dollars on the 20/08/03 and $62.1million Dollars on the 17/07/03
• That the trio of the Vice President, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Yusuf H. Abubakar and Otunba Mike Adenuga met in the office/Residence of the Vice President to discuss the placement of the $115m in ETB by PTDF.
• That Globacom equity structure was found to be Conpetro Ltd 51% Alh G. Subair 24%, Prince Babatunde Akinyera 12.5% and Festus Okechukwu Igbomor 12.5% contrary to Chief Adenuga’s claim of sole ownership. That Prince Babatunde Akinyera is believed to be fronting for His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the 12.5% against his name.
• That the Federal Executive Council meeting that approved the NSO license to Globacom was chaired by the V.P.
• That the erstwhile Executive Secretary of PTDF Alhaji Hamisu Yusuf Abubakar was also rewarded with a N200million loan from ETB and a trucking contract with Conoil, a company owned by Mr. Mike Adenuga.
• That contrary to the believe that it was only the sum of $115million Dollars was placed in ETB by PTDF, it has been discovered again that another $50million Dollars was transferred from UBA New Work PTDF Account to ETB with the knowledge of the approving authority just at the time Otumba Mike Adenuga was to pay his $20m fee deposit for Globacom to NCC.
• That $165million invested in ETB by PTDF was returned to CBN, including the accruing interest, when directives were issued in July 2004 that all accounts of Government Ministries and Parastatals were to return to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
• That even the initial N30 million paid by NDTV as deposit for the purchase of the property situated at No. 555, Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Wuse II, Abuja and used as its Headquarters was sourced from an account in Bank PHB owned and controlled by His Excellency the V.P.
• That it has been ascertained the V.P. stood as one of the referees to Otunba Fasawe when NDTV applied for Value Added Network (internet) Service from NCC and the offer was granted.
• That the given address of Alhaji G. Subair, 2/3 Dawaki Road Kaduna is a property belonging to Mohammed Badamasi Babangida, first son to the former military President, pointing to the fact that the shares might belong to the latter.
• That it has been established, Yusuf H. Abubakar, demanded and received $2million kick back from UNIVATION Ltd a UK based Company that was awarded $5million upgrade contract of PTI by PTDF in which he has already retuned N200million out of it.
NOTE:
His Excellency is hereby invited to note:
i. That this investigation was initiated at the instance of a request from the United States Department of Justice.
ii. That the request was sequel to an investigation carried out by the U S authorities which involved certain Government officials, institutions and Private individuals in both U S and Nigeria.
iii. That among those directly affected by the investigation in Nigeria, is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
iv. That two state Executive Governors in the persons of their Excellencies Chief Victor Attah and Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Jigawa States, respectively were also mentioned in the request.
v. That in the investigation so far carried out, no wrong doing could be traced to them unlike the case of the Vice President who has been found to have mismanaged the PTDF funds and abused his office.
vi. That the use of the PTDF funds to promote businesses is instrumental to the large scale mismanagement, misappropriation and abuse of office as highlighted in this report.
vii. That Otunba Mike Adenuga who was earlier arrested, interrogated and granted bail failed to turn up when he was invited for further interview as he was said to have absconded.
viii. That the investigation is still on going and may lead to more individuals being prosecuted.
PRAYERS
The Government is hereby requested to approve the following:
a) That PTDF should be removed from the supervision of the office of the Vice President.
b) That the Commission should recover all Public funds embezzled from individuals and institutions involved in this case.
c) That the erstwhile Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Otunba Fasawe and all those who aided or facilitated in the embezzlement and mismanagement of the funds should be prosecuted.
d) That the corporate entity of Globacom will be protected and preserved, while legal processes will be taken to recover all shares acquired fraudulently or with public funds.
Sir, I respectfully submit to you this report for your kind consideration and necessary action, please.
NUHU RIBADU
Executive Chairman
Here below is also the findings of Administrative panel report that indicted the VP
Findings
a) We are of the view that His Excellency, Vice President Atiku Abubakar (hereinafter referred to as the VP) abused his office and position by diverting funds approved for the PTDF operations to placements in ETB and TIB Plc instead of implementing the projects budgeted for. The funds were deposited in the two banks at below-market rates over a period of time.
b) Indeed, the projects are only being approved for implementation in 2006 which raises the question why the funds were withdrawn from the Treasury in the first place, so many years ago. It is the view of the Panel that these actions benefited private business interests and those of the VP’s friends and associates like Otunba Fasawe and Chief Mike Adenuga rather than the public interest of accelerated implementation of the projects.
c) We also find that the VP’s action in unilaterally approving the disbursement of the sum of US$20m (without the approval of the President and the Federal Executive Council as was done for the initial US$125m), violated the constitution and amounted to conduct unbecoming of the VP’s high office.
d) We view the VP’s explanation to the Panel that he thought the President and FEC’s global approval of the sum of US$125m covered him on this subsequent approval as untenable.
Recommendations
i) On the basis of the findings above, the VP should be indicted and held accountable for the various acts of embezzlement and fraud that took place in PTDF with his approval and under his supervision.
ii) In view of the VP’s constitutional immunity, the matter should be referred to the Code of Conduct Bureau for necessary action.
The above is the real issue, has anyone ponder whether the VP has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he did not commit those offences and therefore not liable to be indicted, no, what he did mostly instead of disproving the allegations is to raise counter-allegations. But because that is what most Nigerians wants especially those that the president has stepped on their toes, we all go haywire.
Just thought may be you may want to ponder along this line again.
Predictions
I wasnt predicting anything, but I just felt jolt by series of predictions coming from Men of God in Nigeria. It was during the last qualification for world cup in germany which Nigeria failed to make the list, one man of God came out openly to predict even before the final qualifier matches were played that Nigeria will be in Germany. He continue to be so sure of his preduction that when th elast match were played, and Nigeria failed to qualify through head to head rule, he still maintain that we would be in Germany. All said and done, his prediction goes hawire.
Of recent, there have been predictions coming from men of God in Nigeria about the forthcoming elections. First was from Nabi Coz Haim, the prophet from Okposi Okwu Izo in Ebonyi state, whose predictions in the Daily News of January, 28 2007 were as follows:
"Some are outright outlandish, perhaps as outlandish as his satorial preference. For example, his revelation that the sitting president will be ousted in a coup and even detained is one such. With less than four months to quit as president of Nigeria, it is highly unlikely to conceive of any change of government against Obasanjo. Still, Nabi Coz not only foresees that but even allows that an interim government in sure to be, “to be headed by Alex Ekwueme.”
He does not stop there. “Nothing,” he says, “nothing can stop an Igbo man from becoming president of Nigeria in the next April polls.” Some political science students are likely to thumb their noses at this prophecy but certainly not the man foreseeing it. Strangely enough, it isn’t even the man who will head the interim government that will morph into the next president. Nabi Coz’s man is Ebitu Ukiwe.
Whether its because of their enterpreneurial drive or because he is an Igbo himself, Nabi Coz says that by the time an Igbo man becomes president, “Nigeria will become another Japan in the world.”
And on and on he goes, even recommending that Nigerians go into fasting from March 1 – May 31, and even stipulating portions to read in the bible – Psalm 20, 115 & 121; Romans 9, 1-33. But the prophet did not say whether Muslims should also read the verses, or where they should turn to in the Koran.
However, Nabi Coz has a message for pastor/ politician Chris Okotie. “He should stay away from politics because it will affect his ministry between now and 2009.” Clearly, Okotie is a new person in his crystal ball. But not so Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. Three years ago, Nabi Coz predicted that Kalu will become vice president.
Last week, he stood by his forecast about Abia state chief executive officer. but has extended it now by a few more years. “He will become vice president on or before the year 2021. Orji Kalu should also pray for this coming regime may not favour him.” What he forsees is some difficulties Orji Kalu is likely to experience in his businesses.
Nabi Coz’s predictions not only concern people. Businesses and banks are mentioned. Even after Professor Charles Soludo’s consolidation to strengthen the banks, a popular bank, Nabi Coz predicts, will go under this year but he didn’t mention no names. Even airlines are not left out. Whether its because of the spate of air disasters in the past or just a smart speculator’s intuition that something might go wrong in the aviation sector is hard to tell. But Nabi Coz predicts there will be some five or so crashes this year.
Also in the line of disaster are some African countries that “will experience earthquakes this year.” The countries, as with the bank, remains unnamed by the prophet.
Nabi Coz is not all about disasters, however. Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, appears in Nabi Coz’s crystal ball as well. “The in-coming government will give Soyinka an international appointment.” Whether ambassadorial or something else, Nabi Coz wasn’t specific. Soyinka, he says, should continue with his struggle for equity and justice.
Others in the prophet’s sight-lines are footballers and evenagelists, and more politicians, even medicine. And here is the best of all his predictions: a cure for HIV/ AIDS is in the offing by way of a vaccine that will be discovered by, wait for it, Jewish scientists."
Another Man of God, Fiery senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare also has some prediction for the country especially in the forth coming election.
Also in the Daily Sun of 19th March, 2007, he said “I don’t see any election till October 1,” he declared. Bakare told the congregation at the Sunday worship service that the much anticipated polls might not hold next month, warning that “the lame” would subsequently mount the saddle of leadership. According to the pastor, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua came into the race after General Ibrahim Babangida had been frustrated out.
“Unfortunately, he is not fit. He will eventually step down for another man and we will have a limping president from October 1,” he said.
Now has anyone ponder whether those predictions by the men of God usually come to pass. As it is with the Man of God that predicted that Nigeria will go to World Cup in Germany, and his predictions go haywire, some of the predictions by this two Men of God could be verified as the time come, no wonder I made effort to document them, less anybody forget about them.
Of recent, there have been predictions coming from men of God in Nigeria about the forthcoming elections. First was from Nabi Coz Haim, the prophet from Okposi Okwu Izo in Ebonyi state, whose predictions in the Daily News of January, 28 2007 were as follows:
"Some are outright outlandish, perhaps as outlandish as his satorial preference. For example, his revelation that the sitting president will be ousted in a coup and even detained is one such. With less than four months to quit as president of Nigeria, it is highly unlikely to conceive of any change of government against Obasanjo. Still, Nabi Coz not only foresees that but even allows that an interim government in sure to be, “to be headed by Alex Ekwueme.”
He does not stop there. “Nothing,” he says, “nothing can stop an Igbo man from becoming president of Nigeria in the next April polls.” Some political science students are likely to thumb their noses at this prophecy but certainly not the man foreseeing it. Strangely enough, it isn’t even the man who will head the interim government that will morph into the next president. Nabi Coz’s man is Ebitu Ukiwe.
Whether its because of their enterpreneurial drive or because he is an Igbo himself, Nabi Coz says that by the time an Igbo man becomes president, “Nigeria will become another Japan in the world.”
And on and on he goes, even recommending that Nigerians go into fasting from March 1 – May 31, and even stipulating portions to read in the bible – Psalm 20, 115 & 121; Romans 9, 1-33. But the prophet did not say whether Muslims should also read the verses, or where they should turn to in the Koran.
However, Nabi Coz has a message for pastor/ politician Chris Okotie. “He should stay away from politics because it will affect his ministry between now and 2009.” Clearly, Okotie is a new person in his crystal ball. But not so Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. Three years ago, Nabi Coz predicted that Kalu will become vice president.
Last week, he stood by his forecast about Abia state chief executive officer. but has extended it now by a few more years. “He will become vice president on or before the year 2021. Orji Kalu should also pray for this coming regime may not favour him.” What he forsees is some difficulties Orji Kalu is likely to experience in his businesses.
Nabi Coz’s predictions not only concern people. Businesses and banks are mentioned. Even after Professor Charles Soludo’s consolidation to strengthen the banks, a popular bank, Nabi Coz predicts, will go under this year but he didn’t mention no names. Even airlines are not left out. Whether its because of the spate of air disasters in the past or just a smart speculator’s intuition that something might go wrong in the aviation sector is hard to tell. But Nabi Coz predicts there will be some five or so crashes this year.
Also in the line of disaster are some African countries that “will experience earthquakes this year.” The countries, as with the bank, remains unnamed by the prophet.
Nabi Coz is not all about disasters, however. Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, appears in Nabi Coz’s crystal ball as well. “The in-coming government will give Soyinka an international appointment.” Whether ambassadorial or something else, Nabi Coz wasn’t specific. Soyinka, he says, should continue with his struggle for equity and justice.
Others in the prophet’s sight-lines are footballers and evenagelists, and more politicians, even medicine. And here is the best of all his predictions: a cure for HIV/ AIDS is in the offing by way of a vaccine that will be discovered by, wait for it, Jewish scientists."
Another Man of God, Fiery senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare also has some prediction for the country especially in the forth coming election.
Also in the Daily Sun of 19th March, 2007, he said “I don’t see any election till October 1,” he declared. Bakare told the congregation at the Sunday worship service that the much anticipated polls might not hold next month, warning that “the lame” would subsequently mount the saddle of leadership. According to the pastor, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua came into the race after General Ibrahim Babangida had been frustrated out.
“Unfortunately, he is not fit. He will eventually step down for another man and we will have a limping president from October 1,” he said.
Now has anyone ponder whether those predictions by the men of God usually come to pass. As it is with the Man of God that predicted that Nigeria will go to World Cup in Germany, and his predictions go haywire, some of the predictions by this two Men of God could be verified as the time come, no wonder I made effort to document them, less anybody forget about them.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Judiciary and the fight against corruption
Not OBJ, but the Judiciary will derail this transition, not with this judgment they issue out at will. Was I the only one that read it that one politician has instituted aa suit to seek a judgment that INEC should be restrain from holding the election in April? Those have started once more, doing what they know how to do best, seeking interlocutory injuctions and the Judiciary are already playing into their hands.
Ony yesterday, a Federal High court in Kaduna has issued a judgment compelling INEC to list a candidate in among those cleared to contest the forthcoming election. The same judge also ruled that the white paper issued by the government on the Administrative Panel set up to investigate some corrupt politician is of no consequence. The reason the learned judge gave was that, they are not given time to defend themselves. Must that be the reason that could lead to quashing the administrative panel's report and the government white paper. The truth is, those politician are not the only one out of numerous politician in this country, the fact that there name was there is to say the least unspeakable of their type. Our judiciary should mind the way they dish out judgment nowadays, or else, the next election date is being threatened. Why not such judgment like asking them to be given more time to defend themselves and at the same time not setting aside the government white paper on it. By the action of the judge, it is making the fight against corruption difficult, because government of the day are not encourage to prosecute those who are found wanting in corruption. If EFCC investigates a politician and another Administrative panel indicted the same politician, what manner of investigation is needed to vouch that such a politician is guilty of corruption.
I must have to say this, that perhaps, the corruption war should start from the judiciary, the EFCC should start investigating some of this judges and their aseets together with assets of those closed to them.
Government should be given benefit of doubt whenever any polician is indicted by the necessary apparatus, since we all know those politicians are well connected and they are powerful, as could be seen with the case of the VP.
Now that election is drawing near, the judiciary must be mindful of the way they grant judgement, especially the type that can derail the next coming election. I ask you to ponder over this too, just as I just ponder aloud.
Ony yesterday, a Federal High court in Kaduna has issued a judgment compelling INEC to list a candidate in among those cleared to contest the forthcoming election. The same judge also ruled that the white paper issued by the government on the Administrative Panel set up to investigate some corrupt politician is of no consequence. The reason the learned judge gave was that, they are not given time to defend themselves. Must that be the reason that could lead to quashing the administrative panel's report and the government white paper. The truth is, those politician are not the only one out of numerous politician in this country, the fact that there name was there is to say the least unspeakable of their type. Our judiciary should mind the way they dish out judgment nowadays, or else, the next election date is being threatened. Why not such judgment like asking them to be given more time to defend themselves and at the same time not setting aside the government white paper on it. By the action of the judge, it is making the fight against corruption difficult, because government of the day are not encourage to prosecute those who are found wanting in corruption. If EFCC investigates a politician and another Administrative panel indicted the same politician, what manner of investigation is needed to vouch that such a politician is guilty of corruption.
I must have to say this, that perhaps, the corruption war should start from the judiciary, the EFCC should start investigating some of this judges and their aseets together with assets of those closed to them.
Government should be given benefit of doubt whenever any polician is indicted by the necessary apparatus, since we all know those politicians are well connected and they are powerful, as could be seen with the case of the VP.
Now that election is drawing near, the judiciary must be mindful of the way they grant judgement, especially the type that can derail the next coming election. I ask you to ponder over this too, just as I just ponder aloud.
The president has spoken
Of recent I had pondered why most people leave issues and take on the president, or even blame president for every issue. We all know the Vice President mismanaged his office, but instead of us to hold him responsible for his actions, we ended up blaming the president, saying at the same time that he is not also clean, and that he also gave anticipatory approvals for certain projects outside the PTDF mandates. Some people of recent even call for his impeachment for BREAKING THE LAW he swore to protect. I really found this very amusing. So the President is guilty for embarking on some project to benefit Nigerians compared with his VP that mismanaged his office.
In any case, for those who seek clarifications from the President, he has spoken, and the response was in reply to the Committee on the review of Senator Ndoma Egba committee report.
In his letter dated March 16, Obasanjo told the committee that every approval he made was only after he was satisfied that the mandate of PTDF accommodated it.
The President's response was in three main areas where the committee asked for his clarifications - approvals for the African Institute of Science and Technology (AIST), Abuja (aka) Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI), Computer for All Nigerians Initiative (CANI) and PTDF Approved Specific Projects
According to Obasanjo, “there is therefore no iota of truth in the wild allegation that the funds released were diverted to any purpose other than the specific projects approved for. I hope the Review Committee will be able to physically verify these projects and payments to debunk this irresponsible and false allegation.”
He explained that the guiding principle for all his actions in the PTDF matter from the 70s till now was the three key words found in the title of the PTDF legislation: Petroleum, Technology and Development.
The President said this entailed, "to his understanding", - "capacity building and local content development – two great issues on which the administration has endeavoured to make significant change and impact.”
Giving the genesis of the PTDF, he noted that the PTDF Act was promulgated by the General Yakubu Gowon Administration in 1973 for the purpose of building the capacity of Nigerians to be active participants in the then emerging oil and gas (petroleum) industry following the Arab Oil Embargo and subsequent quadrupling of oil prices by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Stating that the Act clearly mandated the Federal Government to take whatever actions it deem necessary to ensure that Nigerians were educated, trained, and developed to be experts and key players in petroleum technology, the President said that what constituted ‘petroleum technology’ in 1973, and what it is today were two key issues for reflection as his government attempted to derive the intentions of the government that enacted the PTDF law for general application and utility not only for 1973, but for the 21st century.
Disclosing that he served the Gen Gowon government as a minister, he stated that those who enacted the PTDF Act could not have foreseen a tip of what was to happen in the petroleum technology field since the information revolution that began in the mid-1980s. These include the invention of IBM Personal Computer, the development of optical fibre, digital microwave and cellular technologies, deployment of low earth orbit satellite technology and the Internet – all in quick succession, which have had a profound impact on not only oil and gas education, training and capacity building, but on the way governments and businesses conduct their affairs. He said because of this, “a lot of changes in the scope and content of the fields of study leading to a career in petroleum technology have occurred with the rapid development of miniaturization and digital technologies that have brought down the cost of these telecommunication, computer and television technologies.”
The government’s funding of Information and Comm-unications Technology (ICT) projects, the President said, arose from its understanding of the role of ICT in capacity building, education and government as “a nation without these basic ICT facilities cannot develop or compete or compare to one with proper ICT facilities in the 21st century."
Hence, the PTDF funding of ICT, he explained, “generally can be justified to enhance development of the petroleum industry in Nigeria as well as other industries. No business, industry or government can compete in the increasingly integrating global economy without a robust, ubiquitous and accessible ICT infrastructure, tools and continuous training for its people.”
On the approval of $25 million for the Nelson Mandela Institute, a not-for-profit foundation established by African Academics teaching in Europe, America and Asia with the sole objective of establishing four world-class universities of technology in the continent, the President said, “within the AIST is the Gulf of Guinea Institute – G2i. This is intended to be the premier faculty of oil and gas technology to serve as center for excellence for education, training and capacity building in petroleum technology for the Gulf of Guinea region and indeed the African Continent. It is on the basis of the foregoing that PTDF was approached to intervene in the development of the G2i of the AIST. The intervention of USD 25 million was approved out of the USD 40 million requested."
The first AIST, he restated, was to be established in Tanzania, but with his intervention and involvement of former finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, NMI was persuaded to agree to locate the first AIST in the Abuja Technology Village.
Obasanjo noted that “the intervention of the PTDF is to build the G2i “for the purposes of training Nigerians to qualify as graduates, professionals, … in the fields of engineering, geology, science and management in the petroleum industry in Nigeria in the express words of Section 2 of the Act, and more particularly section 2(b) – "subsidies for training", and section 2©) – "endowments to faculties in Nigerian universities or institutions approved by the Minister,” he said. "It will be indeed a surprising interpretation of the Act to say that the intervention of PTDF in G2i is outside its mandate, in the light of the foregoing and clear express provisions of the statute,” he added.
Obasanjo may be unpopular, but, must we put all blames on his head? Ever ponder along this line?
In any case, for those who seek clarifications from the President, he has spoken, and the response was in reply to the Committee on the review of Senator Ndoma Egba committee report.
In his letter dated March 16, Obasanjo told the committee that every approval he made was only after he was satisfied that the mandate of PTDF accommodated it.
The President's response was in three main areas where the committee asked for his clarifications - approvals for the African Institute of Science and Technology (AIST), Abuja (aka) Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI), Computer for All Nigerians Initiative (CANI) and PTDF Approved Specific Projects
According to Obasanjo, “there is therefore no iota of truth in the wild allegation that the funds released were diverted to any purpose other than the specific projects approved for. I hope the Review Committee will be able to physically verify these projects and payments to debunk this irresponsible and false allegation.”
He explained that the guiding principle for all his actions in the PTDF matter from the 70s till now was the three key words found in the title of the PTDF legislation: Petroleum, Technology and Development.
The President said this entailed, "to his understanding", - "capacity building and local content development – two great issues on which the administration has endeavoured to make significant change and impact.”
Giving the genesis of the PTDF, he noted that the PTDF Act was promulgated by the General Yakubu Gowon Administration in 1973 for the purpose of building the capacity of Nigerians to be active participants in the then emerging oil and gas (petroleum) industry following the Arab Oil Embargo and subsequent quadrupling of oil prices by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Stating that the Act clearly mandated the Federal Government to take whatever actions it deem necessary to ensure that Nigerians were educated, trained, and developed to be experts and key players in petroleum technology, the President said that what constituted ‘petroleum technology’ in 1973, and what it is today were two key issues for reflection as his government attempted to derive the intentions of the government that enacted the PTDF law for general application and utility not only for 1973, but for the 21st century.
Disclosing that he served the Gen Gowon government as a minister, he stated that those who enacted the PTDF Act could not have foreseen a tip of what was to happen in the petroleum technology field since the information revolution that began in the mid-1980s. These include the invention of IBM Personal Computer, the development of optical fibre, digital microwave and cellular technologies, deployment of low earth orbit satellite technology and the Internet – all in quick succession, which have had a profound impact on not only oil and gas education, training and capacity building, but on the way governments and businesses conduct their affairs. He said because of this, “a lot of changes in the scope and content of the fields of study leading to a career in petroleum technology have occurred with the rapid development of miniaturization and digital technologies that have brought down the cost of these telecommunication, computer and television technologies.”
The government’s funding of Information and Comm-unications Technology (ICT) projects, the President said, arose from its understanding of the role of ICT in capacity building, education and government as “a nation without these basic ICT facilities cannot develop or compete or compare to one with proper ICT facilities in the 21st century."
Hence, the PTDF funding of ICT, he explained, “generally can be justified to enhance development of the petroleum industry in Nigeria as well as other industries. No business, industry or government can compete in the increasingly integrating global economy without a robust, ubiquitous and accessible ICT infrastructure, tools and continuous training for its people.”
On the approval of $25 million for the Nelson Mandela Institute, a not-for-profit foundation established by African Academics teaching in Europe, America and Asia with the sole objective of establishing four world-class universities of technology in the continent, the President said, “within the AIST is the Gulf of Guinea Institute – G2i. This is intended to be the premier faculty of oil and gas technology to serve as center for excellence for education, training and capacity building in petroleum technology for the Gulf of Guinea region and indeed the African Continent. It is on the basis of the foregoing that PTDF was approached to intervene in the development of the G2i of the AIST. The intervention of USD 25 million was approved out of the USD 40 million requested."
The first AIST, he restated, was to be established in Tanzania, but with his intervention and involvement of former finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, NMI was persuaded to agree to locate the first AIST in the Abuja Technology Village.
Obasanjo noted that “the intervention of the PTDF is to build the G2i “for the purposes of training Nigerians to qualify as graduates, professionals, … in the fields of engineering, geology, science and management in the petroleum industry in Nigeria in the express words of Section 2 of the Act, and more particularly section 2(b) – "subsidies for training", and section 2©) – "endowments to faculties in Nigerian universities or institutions approved by the Minister,” he said. "It will be indeed a surprising interpretation of the Act to say that the intervention of PTDF in G2i is outside its mandate, in the light of the foregoing and clear express provisions of the statute,” he added.
Obasanjo may be unpopular, but, must we put all blames on his head? Ever ponder along this line?
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Turaki is Truncated
Now that INEC has refused to list the name of of the VP in the list of eligible candidates for the April 21st Presidential election, it is quite clear that the Turaki has been caged. The INEC relied on the section 137 of the constitution which state that any person that had been indicted by Administrative panel of inquiry stand disqualify from participating in an election.
INEC is relying on the constitution to de-enlist the VP, INEC itself is created by a constitution, The panel of EFCC that investigates the VP and found him guilty of corruption was created by a constitution, The panel of enquiry that indicted the VP was constitutionally constituted by the President who has such power, so as far as we are concerned, the VP stand indicted.
I dont know why there is so much noise about the dis-enlistment of the VP name on the candidate list, were it to be Prof. Pat Utomi, or even Rev. Chris Okotie, I dont think it will generate so much noise like this. The truth is the fight against corruption is not easy, it is like a fight for revenge where the person seeking revenge will also taste some large considerable loss in the vengeance. By investigating his VP, the president has stepped on powerful toes, and he can only get what he is getting for being so bold to confront the corrupt activities of the VP.
Let us call a spade a spade, the INEC is merely relying on the constitution, and i dont think they need the interpretation of the court to do just that, just like they dont need any court to interprete their duties for them.
Whether obasanjo is corrupt or not, time will tell, in any case, he has finsihed his term, but why are we all fighting tooth and nail over somebody that was adjudged to be corrupt, whom i see as a clear opportunity for us not to rule us. The VP had participated in this seeming 'corrupt' regime, he cant offer anything less.
Let him stand disqualified. Ever ponder along this lines?
INEC is relying on the constitution to de-enlist the VP, INEC itself is created by a constitution, The panel of EFCC that investigates the VP and found him guilty of corruption was created by a constitution, The panel of enquiry that indicted the VP was constitutionally constituted by the President who has such power, so as far as we are concerned, the VP stand indicted.
I dont know why there is so much noise about the dis-enlistment of the VP name on the candidate list, were it to be Prof. Pat Utomi, or even Rev. Chris Okotie, I dont think it will generate so much noise like this. The truth is the fight against corruption is not easy, it is like a fight for revenge where the person seeking revenge will also taste some large considerable loss in the vengeance. By investigating his VP, the president has stepped on powerful toes, and he can only get what he is getting for being so bold to confront the corrupt activities of the VP.
Let us call a spade a spade, the INEC is merely relying on the constitution, and i dont think they need the interpretation of the court to do just that, just like they dont need any court to interprete their duties for them.
Whether obasanjo is corrupt or not, time will tell, in any case, he has finsihed his term, but why are we all fighting tooth and nail over somebody that was adjudged to be corrupt, whom i see as a clear opportunity for us not to rule us. The VP had participated in this seeming 'corrupt' regime, he cant offer anything less.
Let him stand disqualified. Ever ponder along this lines?
Friday, March 16, 2007
English teams and the colour of Blue and Red
'Blue for life' that is the present slogan of chelsea fans, while the Manchester United fans will stick to 'Red Devil' they actually have a picture of a devil in their logo. But the appellation of 'the red' goes to so many of them but only make popular by Liverpool football club who has won the league more than any club.
Has anyone noticed that most clubs in premiership has red either in their shirt or in their logo. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Charlton Athlectic, middlesborough etc all have red as their shirt colour. Chelsea are probably the only 'Blue' that has won the Premiership, and they just did that twince when Mourinho and Abrahamovich came to their rescue. Today, we have club like apart from chelsea that adorn the blue colour either in their shirt or their logo, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Everton, Birmingham city etc.
Very soon, the liverpool fans will be disturbing the atmosphere of English fans club in Nigeria with the slogan of the 'Red for ever' as chelsea are now doing, because they also have been taken over by American businessmen, that means more money to buy quality and good players.
Has anyone ponder when it will be the turn of Watford supporters to start the slogan of 'Yellow for life" since they seem to be the one that adore yellow colour shirt, there is however 'the Yellow submarine' in spain, is a nickname for the Spanish football teams Cádiz CF and Villarreal CF . How about 'brown for life' which english premiership adore brown colour? Though we know of Plymouth Argyle that adore the colour of green shirt, they even have the nickname of, 'the green' to me, that probably should be the club Nigerians should be supporting, going by the colour of our flag. There are clubs like Bolton, Totenham Hotspur, Leeds who adored the white colour.
Has anyone noticed that most clubs in premiership has red either in their shirt or in their logo. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Charlton Athlectic, middlesborough etc all have red as their shirt colour. Chelsea are probably the only 'Blue' that has won the Premiership, and they just did that twince when Mourinho and Abrahamovich came to their rescue. Today, we have club like apart from chelsea that adorn the blue colour either in their shirt or their logo, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Everton, Birmingham city etc.
Very soon, the liverpool fans will be disturbing the atmosphere of English fans club in Nigeria with the slogan of the 'Red for ever' as chelsea are now doing, because they also have been taken over by American businessmen, that means more money to buy quality and good players.
Has anyone ponder when it will be the turn of Watford supporters to start the slogan of 'Yellow for life" since they seem to be the one that adore yellow colour shirt, there is however 'the Yellow submarine' in spain, is a nickname for the Spanish football teams Cádiz CF and Villarreal CF . How about 'brown for life' which english premiership adore brown colour? Though we know of Plymouth Argyle that adore the colour of green shirt, they even have the nickname of, 'the green' to me, that probably should be the club Nigerians should be supporting, going by the colour of our flag. There are clubs like Bolton, Totenham Hotspur, Leeds who adored the white colour.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By their teams, you shall know them
The rate at which the chelsea fans are growing are alarming, and in the past when they have won no laurels, or has millions at their disposals, their fans are very very minimal. The truth is that 90% of Chelsea fans in Nigeria are post Abrhamovich. Does that means, Nigerian fans identified more with laurels or rich. There was a guy telling me the other time, that most chelsea fans in Nigeria are from the east, because of chelsea millions, can you believe that?
Others also believed that most Nigerians soccer fans identified with laurels and rich as seen from the supporters of Manchester United. They believe that Man-U has large supporters of Nigerians because of the way they dominated winning of laurels in England because they had money to spend on quality players, the same with Real Madrid.
Others believed that, those who are Arsenal fans or Brazillian soccer are the real lover of the game, who believed in free flowing football and entertainment that goes with it. They argued that, there is no game involving Arsenal that you wont enjoy, the same goes with Barcelona of spain.
Lastly, that those who are fans of Italian teams are those who are either aggressive in nature, or love the physical aspect of the game, while those who are fans of argentine teams are those who have cheating tendencies in their system.
Ever ponder along this reasoning?
Others also believed that most Nigerians soccer fans identified with laurels and rich as seen from the supporters of Manchester United. They believe that Man-U has large supporters of Nigerians because of the way they dominated winning of laurels in England because they had money to spend on quality players, the same with Real Madrid.
Others believed that, those who are Arsenal fans or Brazillian soccer are the real lover of the game, who believed in free flowing football and entertainment that goes with it. They argued that, there is no game involving Arsenal that you wont enjoy, the same goes with Barcelona of spain.
Lastly, that those who are fans of Italian teams are those who are either aggressive in nature, or love the physical aspect of the game, while those who are fans of argentine teams are those who have cheating tendencies in their system.
Ever ponder along this reasoning?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Do the opposition fight fair?
Recently, I noticed that most of the fights of politicial opposition in this country are not fair at all. They get away with them because this present administration has made more enemies than friend with its policies of anti-corruption, pulling down of houses, power supply problems, unemployment and poverty.
Have anyone ponder that, the opposition one way or the other are also guilty of the same thing we accused this government of? All you need to do is take a glimpse of how some of this opposing party rule their present state? Was there any different? Must this administration take all the blame?
Yar'adua was taken ill last week, and the rumour was spreading like wild fire that he is dead, some even went as far as castigating him for not treating himself in this country, and wondered what manner of a president he would be? Perhaps I have been too forward to wondered on the same vein about the health of the Vice-President too? He has also been flown abroad for surgery, because he had an accident. Treatment abroad became inevitable because it was discovered that equipment needed for urgent surgery were not available even at the apex National Hospital.
So what happened to the surgery needed by thousands of Nigerians who are involved in more serious accident than that of the VP, but also need surgery? What is good for geese is also good for the gander, while we want this present government to go at all cost, we must be careful, who we give our support to, because it might turn out that they are worse than this present government.
Ponder along with me, do the opposition fight fair in this democractic settings? Ponder very well before you give your support.
Have anyone ponder that, the opposition one way or the other are also guilty of the same thing we accused this government of? All you need to do is take a glimpse of how some of this opposing party rule their present state? Was there any different? Must this administration take all the blame?
Yar'adua was taken ill last week, and the rumour was spreading like wild fire that he is dead, some even went as far as castigating him for not treating himself in this country, and wondered what manner of a president he would be? Perhaps I have been too forward to wondered on the same vein about the health of the Vice-President too? He has also been flown abroad for surgery, because he had an accident. Treatment abroad became inevitable because it was discovered that equipment needed for urgent surgery were not available even at the apex National Hospital.
So what happened to the surgery needed by thousands of Nigerians who are involved in more serious accident than that of the VP, but also need surgery? What is good for geese is also good for the gander, while we want this present government to go at all cost, we must be careful, who we give our support to, because it might turn out that they are worse than this present government.
Ponder along with me, do the opposition fight fair in this democractic settings? Ponder very well before you give your support.
I hate Mondays
I have read about the above captioned sometimes in the 90's, I cant recalled now who actually was credited with the quotes. "I hate Mondays, the weekend should have continued" Particularly, I remembered that someone put the quote in his office, apparently showing the type of a guy the chap was. He is definitely the guys that love the weekends so much that he would not wish the Monday to come so soon, because it is another day of the week for work.
Come to think of it, have you ponder how Mondays has always been in your own life too. In my school days, I hate mondays, because when you sneak out of the school on weekends, you just have to come back on sundays because of Monday, because on that day, there is assembly where a roll call is carried out to catch those who are absent during the weekend.
In my working years, I hate mondays, especially after working for 5 days in a week, you rest for 2 days, and on monday, it is work again. In my former office, Monday morning is always busy day for me, because of Communication meeting, which is always on mondays. But in my present employment, i dont think I hate mondays as such except for the fact that, the weekend is over, but in the office, I aint on any pressure, because Mondays definitely is not a routine for me for any particular duties.
Having said all this, Mondays sometimes spell what is in stock for some people in that week, for example, some people do not want to start mondays by spending money, because it is an indication that throughout that week, they will be spending money. To me, I think it is only superstition that, whatever you start doing on mondays, weill haunt you for the rest of that week.
As for me, my mood for the week is mostly reflected on mondays, because if there is a particular something that will make me happy that week, I will know. This week in particular, pray for me fellow blogger, I need it, something great is about to happen to my life, it is this week that will make it happened. So this particular, monday, it is with mixed feelings, whether to hate it or like it because of the oncoming events. Please pray hard for me, so that I get it right.
Come to think of it, have you ponder how Mondays has always been in your own life too. In my school days, I hate mondays, because when you sneak out of the school on weekends, you just have to come back on sundays because of Monday, because on that day, there is assembly where a roll call is carried out to catch those who are absent during the weekend.
In my working years, I hate mondays, especially after working for 5 days in a week, you rest for 2 days, and on monday, it is work again. In my former office, Monday morning is always busy day for me, because of Communication meeting, which is always on mondays. But in my present employment, i dont think I hate mondays as such except for the fact that, the weekend is over, but in the office, I aint on any pressure, because Mondays definitely is not a routine for me for any particular duties.
Having said all this, Mondays sometimes spell what is in stock for some people in that week, for example, some people do not want to start mondays by spending money, because it is an indication that throughout that week, they will be spending money. To me, I think it is only superstition that, whatever you start doing on mondays, weill haunt you for the rest of that week.
As for me, my mood for the week is mostly reflected on mondays, because if there is a particular something that will make me happy that week, I will know. This week in particular, pray for me fellow blogger, I need it, something great is about to happen to my life, it is this week that will make it happened. So this particular, monday, it is with mixed feelings, whether to hate it or like it because of the oncoming events. Please pray hard for me, so that I get it right.
Monday, March 5, 2007
The New Naira Notes and Arabic Inscription
Those habouring the hatred of appearance of arabic inscription on the Naira notes can heaved a sign of relief since the new ones does not have arabic inscriptions. The religious intolerance we have in this country is alarming, arabic incriptions on the naira notes is a mere the nature of denominations of each notes in arabic, it is not islamic in nature or was it a means to islamise our currency. I want to believe that the policy makers at that time felt the best way to make the currency acceptable to the people in the north is to make it more ethnic friendly, that was why the denominations were written in Arabic.
But Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo whose parents or descendants was not not in position to complain when those decisions were made, made history by being the first person to take it upon himself to make a mess of our past leaders collective decision to write the naira denominations in arabic. Let us wait for the time when the arabic inscriptions on the other naira notes will be removed, since these ones are being used to test the ground whether there is going to be any upheaval to the recent removal.
Perhaps, ever pause to ponder when another Prof. Soludo will emerge in the Nigerian Army to also remove the Arabic inscriptions in the logo of our Nigerian Army, or perhaps when our recently built national assembly building will be pulled down and rebuilt so that it wont resemble a mosque, as most people are now insinuating.
But Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo whose parents or descendants was not not in position to complain when those decisions were made, made history by being the first person to take it upon himself to make a mess of our past leaders collective decision to write the naira denominations in arabic. Let us wait for the time when the arabic inscriptions on the other naira notes will be removed, since these ones are being used to test the ground whether there is going to be any upheaval to the recent removal.
Perhaps, ever pause to ponder when another Prof. Soludo will emerge in the Nigerian Army to also remove the Arabic inscriptions in the logo of our Nigerian Army, or perhaps when our recently built national assembly building will be pulled down and rebuilt so that it wont resemble a mosque, as most people are now insinuating.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Victory for Democracy?
Obasanjo sure has many enemies nowadays, the enemies are so much that the achievements of OBJ so far in his 8 years rule was swept under the carpet. Baba as he is fondly called has stepped on so many toes so much that they have labelled him a dictator, a name I want to believed is coined as an appelation for any serious person who really want to rule this country the best way we know how to be handled. There is no gainsaying that Nigeria needs a stubborn president, and this is very clear in the candidacy of Obasanjo whose stubborness in governing this country make him to achieve what he has achieved so far, albeit fearlessly not minding whose ox is gored. Even though, he warned in his first broadcast as President that he is going to step on toes, which is excactly what had happened.
Has anyone pause to ponder that it was only of recent and indeed after the 3rd term saga that all enemies Obasanjo has made made bold faces to confront headlong and hinging their confrontation on only one thing the world would love to hear - Democracy. Just pause and ponder, whenever they succeed in either a favourable court ruling against Obasanjo, they will say it is a victory for democracy, as if Obasanjo is an enemy of democracy. Now where the court ruling is not in favour of their fight against Obasanjo, they will say it is a sponsor ruling against democracy. The truth is no democracy anywhere in the world can succeed without a fight against corruption, which to me, Obasanjo took headlong, not minding whose ox is gored. Today, instead of us to give gratitude to him for even starting the war at all, a war that any past government has corniously sidelined, we continue to labeled him enemy of democracy.
Has anyone pause and ponder whether any president can fight corruption and nip it in the bud like Obasanjo did and go scot free without stepping on toes, i mean powerful toes? Even if it is a selective fight as the corrupt politicians made us to believe, has anyone in the list able to clear his/her name in a competent court of law before we can believe it is selective?
I want us to use this period as a reflection point in Obasanjo's 8 years rule, he did his best, we should not let those who think his stubborness is blocking their way to progress as it was in the past, befuddled our judgement that this man Obasanjo is an enemy of democracy. What name would we called those who are used to enriching themselves as public office holder in the past, but cannot do so under his regime? Should we call them Anti-Corruption politician? Pause and ponder?
In another development, I enjoined us to pause and ponder again on the feud between Obasanjo and his deputy, who is more confrontational between the two? Has anyone noticed that it is Atiku that is always at slightest opportunity exposing the dark secrets of his boss? It is from him we hear that Obasanjo bought a car for a woman friend, it was from him we heard that Obasanjo has business all over Nigeria, as if Atiku himself has never bought a car for a woman friend or has Business all over Nigeria. I mean, it is just a matter of small investigation for Obasanjo to carried out to know his Vice dark secrets, but he chose not to revealed any of them, but unconcerned about Atiku's unending exposition of his own secrets - talk of who the type of a man Atiku is?
Has anyone also pause and ponder what manner of a dictator Obasanjo was? Here is a president who has lost more cases in his feud with his deputy, if he is a dictator, I thought he will take his dictatorship to the Judiciary by prevailing on the judges loyal to him to handle cases.
As it is with Nigeria, it is only when you leave an office that your worth is noted, I guess it is the same with the case of President Obasanjo, it took looking beyond selfish interest to note that, he did his best, just pause and ponder over this.
Has anyone pause to ponder that it was only of recent and indeed after the 3rd term saga that all enemies Obasanjo has made made bold faces to confront headlong and hinging their confrontation on only one thing the world would love to hear - Democracy. Just pause and ponder, whenever they succeed in either a favourable court ruling against Obasanjo, they will say it is a victory for democracy, as if Obasanjo is an enemy of democracy. Now where the court ruling is not in favour of their fight against Obasanjo, they will say it is a sponsor ruling against democracy. The truth is no democracy anywhere in the world can succeed without a fight against corruption, which to me, Obasanjo took headlong, not minding whose ox is gored. Today, instead of us to give gratitude to him for even starting the war at all, a war that any past government has corniously sidelined, we continue to labeled him enemy of democracy.
Has anyone pause and ponder whether any president can fight corruption and nip it in the bud like Obasanjo did and go scot free without stepping on toes, i mean powerful toes? Even if it is a selective fight as the corrupt politicians made us to believe, has anyone in the list able to clear his/her name in a competent court of law before we can believe it is selective?
I want us to use this period as a reflection point in Obasanjo's 8 years rule, he did his best, we should not let those who think his stubborness is blocking their way to progress as it was in the past, befuddled our judgement that this man Obasanjo is an enemy of democracy. What name would we called those who are used to enriching themselves as public office holder in the past, but cannot do so under his regime? Should we call them Anti-Corruption politician? Pause and ponder?
In another development, I enjoined us to pause and ponder again on the feud between Obasanjo and his deputy, who is more confrontational between the two? Has anyone noticed that it is Atiku that is always at slightest opportunity exposing the dark secrets of his boss? It is from him we hear that Obasanjo bought a car for a woman friend, it was from him we heard that Obasanjo has business all over Nigeria, as if Atiku himself has never bought a car for a woman friend or has Business all over Nigeria. I mean, it is just a matter of small investigation for Obasanjo to carried out to know his Vice dark secrets, but he chose not to revealed any of them, but unconcerned about Atiku's unending exposition of his own secrets - talk of who the type of a man Atiku is?
Has anyone also pause and ponder what manner of a dictator Obasanjo was? Here is a president who has lost more cases in his feud with his deputy, if he is a dictator, I thought he will take his dictatorship to the Judiciary by prevailing on the judges loyal to him to handle cases.
As it is with Nigeria, it is only when you leave an office that your worth is noted, I guess it is the same with the case of President Obasanjo, it took looking beyond selfish interest to note that, he did his best, just pause and ponder over this.
Friday, February 23, 2007
After the Judgment
This is a dangerous precedence, and I must add that our parliament must quickly amend the constitution. The danger inherent in this is that, as soon as another government is installed, so long as the VP have the support of the house, he can change party and continue to remain in the opposition, simply because his allegiance is not to the President but the constitution. What a flaw in our constitution! Anyway, I want to believe that the supreme court will right this error of judgment.
That was my comments on Nairaland on the Appeal Court judgment that Atiku should remain the VP. It was a dissappointing judgment and leave a very bad taste in the mouth.
To confirm my fears, Chief Gani Fawehinmi wrote to shows his own dissatisfaction on the rulings too. Hear him.
"I completely disagree with that decision which I consider to be constitutionally wrong, illegally untenable, technically illogical and politically dangerous for the sustenance of the nation's peace, order and good government. It is also capable of taking integrity out of politics, particularly party politics.
"The judgment is laden with disturbing consequences. For instance, if the President who is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dies today, the Vice President who was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but now of Action Congress becomes the President by virtue of Section 146(1) of the Constitution.
"He will then appoint an Action Congress (AC) Vice President subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly. He will also appoint Action Congress (AC) Ministers to administer the affairs of the nation with him. But the electorate did not vote in 2003 for an Action Congress (AC) President.
"Equally, the electorate did not vote for the programmes of the Action Congress (AC) as there was no Action Congress (AC) in 2003.
"Clearly, by Section 224 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, every party must have a programme.
"At the moment, Atiku Abubakar is competent by this decision to attend the Federal Executive Council meeting as Vice President armed with the political, economic and social programme of the Action Congress (AC). What a new constitutional disorder!
"The decision of the Court of Appeal has spelt the death knew of the institution and constitutional importance of political parties as the basis of our constitutional democracy.
"In this respect, the Court of Appeal has by this critically unfortunate decision re-written a new but absolutely confusing constitutional order which has the tendency of causing political and constitutional instability in the country.
"I pray and hope that the Supreme Court will set aside this judgment, which in my view is contrary to the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999."
That is vintage Gani for you. Please pause and ponder on what Gani posited above, the decision of the Appeal court is a bad precedence. I had not thought about the angle Gani raised. The judgement is preposterous, and it cannot pass through the Supreme court. Either the Appeal court judges are bribed or they are taking the issue of liberation of democracy too far, the judgment is too bazaar.
That was my comments on Nairaland on the Appeal Court judgment that Atiku should remain the VP. It was a dissappointing judgment and leave a very bad taste in the mouth.
To confirm my fears, Chief Gani Fawehinmi wrote to shows his own dissatisfaction on the rulings too. Hear him.
"I completely disagree with that decision which I consider to be constitutionally wrong, illegally untenable, technically illogical and politically dangerous for the sustenance of the nation's peace, order and good government. It is also capable of taking integrity out of politics, particularly party politics.
"The judgment is laden with disturbing consequences. For instance, if the President who is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dies today, the Vice President who was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but now of Action Congress becomes the President by virtue of Section 146(1) of the Constitution.
"He will then appoint an Action Congress (AC) Vice President subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly. He will also appoint Action Congress (AC) Ministers to administer the affairs of the nation with him. But the electorate did not vote in 2003 for an Action Congress (AC) President.
"Equally, the electorate did not vote for the programmes of the Action Congress (AC) as there was no Action Congress (AC) in 2003.
"Clearly, by Section 224 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, every party must have a programme.
"At the moment, Atiku Abubakar is competent by this decision to attend the Federal Executive Council meeting as Vice President armed with the political, economic and social programme of the Action Congress (AC). What a new constitutional disorder!
"The decision of the Court of Appeal has spelt the death knew of the institution and constitutional importance of political parties as the basis of our constitutional democracy.
"In this respect, the Court of Appeal has by this critically unfortunate decision re-written a new but absolutely confusing constitutional order which has the tendency of causing political and constitutional instability in the country.
"I pray and hope that the Supreme Court will set aside this judgment, which in my view is contrary to the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999."
That is vintage Gani for you. Please pause and ponder on what Gani posited above, the decision of the Appeal court is a bad precedence. I had not thought about the angle Gani raised. The judgement is preposterous, and it cannot pass through the Supreme court. Either the Appeal court judges are bribed or they are taking the issue of liberation of democracy too far, the judgment is too bazaar.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Hero of February 13th
General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was born on November 8, 1938 to Risqua Muhammed and Uwani Rahamat in the ancient and historic city of Kano. He had his early education in Kano and finished up at Government (now Barewa) College, Zaria in 1957. In his early years General Murtala Muhammed was known as Murtala Rufai Mohammed. He changed this to Murtala Ramat Muhammed when he came to office as Head of State.General Mohammed enlisted into the Nigerian Army and was sent to Britain for training at Sandhurst Royal Academy as an Officer Cadet. His other advanced training courses and successes paved way for his rapid promotions in the rank and file of the Nigerian Army.
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1961,he rose to the rank of Brigadier in 1971. After a year's course at Joint Services Staff College in England, he took his first political appointment as Commissioner for Communications in 1974 which he combined with his military duties.
In the short span of 201 days in office before he was assassinated, General Mohammed's dynamic administration gave this country a new sense of direction, duty and patriotism.
General Murtala Ramat Muhammed's colorful life thus came to a tragic end at the tender age of 38 years. Many monuments in the country are dedicated to his memory, including the International Airport in Lagos and a park in Benin City
He would also be remembered for the creation of 19 states out of the 12 carved out in 1967 and the setting up of a Public Complaints Commission which gave probity to our personal and public lives.
Before the Court gives Judgement
The imbroglio between the Nigerian President and his Vice is no more news, what is the news and still being news is the cross carpeting of the Vice from PDP that brought him into power as Vice President to AC, an opposition party. The news is that, the VP was expected to resign his position as VP since he had decamped, but the VP stated that, he would not resigned. The President had taken steps to show that his VP had ceased to be in office as a result of his cross-carpeting, but slow down his measures apparently because he felt the Court should wade into the matter. The case is now in the court and judgement is expected anytime from now since the determination of the matter is going to be a landmark of court decision in our political history.
What however troubled me so much is the new insinuation some people are spreading that you cant bring morality into law and that morally, it is wrong for the VP to decamped and still hold the office, but constitutionally, he is allow to decamped and still hold the office. My annoyance is that, since when did morality not part of the law? or are we interpreting this particular morality to suit our political selfishness? As far as I am concern, anything that is morally wrong is cater for in the constitution, if the act of the VP is morally wrong, then the constitution needs to be amended to allow it.
While the world anxiously awaits the decision of the court on this very important and landmark judgment, I want to state clearly that it is a dangerous precedent on our political existence to allow the VP to continue in the office while he had already decamped from the party that brought him to power. Part of the outcome is what we had seen with the activities of the VP in recent times especially after his decamping, by condemning the government he was also part of for good 7 years. Ironically, he is asking for the electorates to vote for him as the new President and at the same time condemning all his efforts as the VP for 7 years. To me, I think he is unknowingly campaigning against himself by condemning the government he participated in for 7 years by telling us that he has nothing to offer us, because if all his 7 years effort as VP is what he is now condemning, then his sojourning as President is going to be nothing to write home about.
Ever ponder along this lines?
What however troubled me so much is the new insinuation some people are spreading that you cant bring morality into law and that morally, it is wrong for the VP to decamped and still hold the office, but constitutionally, he is allow to decamped and still hold the office. My annoyance is that, since when did morality not part of the law? or are we interpreting this particular morality to suit our political selfishness? As far as I am concern, anything that is morally wrong is cater for in the constitution, if the act of the VP is morally wrong, then the constitution needs to be amended to allow it.
While the world anxiously awaits the decision of the court on this very important and landmark judgment, I want to state clearly that it is a dangerous precedent on our political existence to allow the VP to continue in the office while he had already decamped from the party that brought him to power. Part of the outcome is what we had seen with the activities of the VP in recent times especially after his decamping, by condemning the government he was also part of for good 7 years. Ironically, he is asking for the electorates to vote for him as the new President and at the same time condemning all his efforts as the VP for 7 years. To me, I think he is unknowingly campaigning against himself by condemning the government he participated in for 7 years by telling us that he has nothing to offer us, because if all his 7 years effort as VP is what he is now condemning, then his sojourning as President is going to be nothing to write home about.
Ever ponder along this lines?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Friday, November 17, 2006
Gone in November
Like a flash, he left me in November, and it is exactly 1 year today when the tragic event occur. I must confess that, I still cannot believe he is gone forever, each time I remember him. His demise certainly makes death a challenge to me, for since the time he left me, the great beyond had not been something I dreaded anymore. No days, weeks or months had ever passed that I had not remembered him, feeling the pain every day, weeks, months and the date of 17 November, 2005 ringing in my ears. There are certain places in the house we shared together, that I dreaded going to or touch some things that we both share in the house. I solely build my life around him, and alas, he had left me.
The best way to keep his memory alive is to remember him and adore his life and times with me in an occasion like this, and I am proud that he is my son even though, death snatch him too soon for him to realise the type of life I had planned for him. I had wanted to compensate him for my separation with his mother, and to compensate him for my seeming neglects because of his stubborness by the time he grown up to know I was merely trying to correct his way of life. I had plans with his name as my next of kin, and with him to benefit an insurance policy, the policy I had since lost interest in paying the premium ever since he left me. Were him to be alive today my son, he will have few months to his 14 years, I missed him so much.
At a time, I felt since he had gone, perhaps emptiness is what is left for me in this world, but the rapid growth of his brother who was 3 months old when he left us keeps me alive. To commemorate his one year demise today, I had started a blog in his name. Please feel free to visit the blog on Hazards of life See link since his demise is an accident that could have been avoided.
Rest in Perfect Peace my son. I Missed you so much. Adieu.
The best way to keep his memory alive is to remember him and adore his life and times with me in an occasion like this, and I am proud that he is my son even though, death snatch him too soon for him to realise the type of life I had planned for him. I had wanted to compensate him for my separation with his mother, and to compensate him for my seeming neglects because of his stubborness by the time he grown up to know I was merely trying to correct his way of life. I had plans with his name as my next of kin, and with him to benefit an insurance policy, the policy I had since lost interest in paying the premium ever since he left me. Were him to be alive today my son, he will have few months to his 14 years, I missed him so much.
At a time, I felt since he had gone, perhaps emptiness is what is left for me in this world, but the rapid growth of his brother who was 3 months old when he left us keeps me alive. To commemorate his one year demise today, I had started a blog in his name. Please feel free to visit the blog on Hazards of life See link since his demise is an accident that could have been avoided.
Rest in Perfect Peace my son. I Missed you so much. Adieu.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
American Citizens power lies in their votes
They have been drumming it into the ears of their President George Bush Jr. ever since he invaded Iraq, now the people of America have used their power to make a statement, No to the war in Iraq.
I mean no one who has a blood run run in his/her veins will not be disturbed with the daily occurence of bloodshed in Iraq. Day in day out, it is highly disturbing so much that questions are beginning to being asked as to whether the invasion was justified or not. The truth however is that, should Saddam is still on the throne, the daily killings will certainly not have existed. Further truth is that, Bush once again failed in this invasion, and it is only a matter of time before the world will summarise this failure to a disgrace. Just pause to ponder over this!
I mean no one who has a blood run run in his/her veins will not be disturbed with the daily occurence of bloodshed in Iraq. Day in day out, it is highly disturbing so much that questions are beginning to being asked as to whether the invasion was justified or not. The truth however is that, should Saddam is still on the throne, the daily killings will certainly not have existed. Further truth is that, Bush once again failed in this invasion, and it is only a matter of time before the world will summarise this failure to a disgrace. Just pause to ponder over this!
Thursday, November 2, 2006
Sir Alex Fergusson and Chewing gum habit
Each time I took great reluctancy to watch Manchester United Matches, (I am an Arsenal and Pompey fans) I noticed the rate at which the Scott man, Sir Alex chew gum, like Michael Jordan who also chew gum during games because he believed it help him concentrates. It was not long however when I ponder at the real reason why Sir Fergusson choose to chew gum. After careful research into internet I came to conlusion that, he probably resort to this habit because of the following reasons:
On a lighter note however, I ponder seriously as to when actually did the Scott man started chewing gum and of course what type of gum is his favourite and how many number of gum has he murdered to date? Another research also into internet yield no results, but I stumble on a rumour that he is known to a brand of gum call 'Juicy Fruit' and that to-date, he has been estimated to have consumed over million numbers of gum since he started the habit. Can you believed that? It was also rumoured that,the underneath of some chairs in dressing room of Manchester United is not without sticked chewing gum pasted after some matches. Ever Ponder whether those are true?
Lastly, pause and ponder along with me when next you are watching Manchester United play, watch Sir Alex Fergusson while chewing his gum and if you are lucky to see him smile at the same time, tell me how the Scott man look like?
Chewing gum has been identified with improving memory according to various studies. Also, it is known that gum-chewers scored 25% higher than the control group on immediate word recall tests, and 36% higher on delayed word recall tests. Scientists point to three, non-mutually exclusive reasons, the simplest of which attributes the higher scores to the gum-chewers' increased heart rate (and, by extension, increased blood flow to the brain). [3] Despite this, chewing gum is banned in many schools. The chewing process expends approximately 12 calories per hour (14 watts) and chewing gum when travelling on an aircraft can counteract the irritation caused by changes in air pressure. [4] Gum containing the sugar alcohol xylitol can help counteract tooth decay. Minty chewing gum can help clear nasal passages.
On a lighter note however, I ponder seriously as to when actually did the Scott man started chewing gum and of course what type of gum is his favourite and how many number of gum has he murdered to date? Another research also into internet yield no results, but I stumble on a rumour that he is known to a brand of gum call 'Juicy Fruit' and that to-date, he has been estimated to have consumed over million numbers of gum since he started the habit. Can you believed that? It was also rumoured that,the underneath of some chairs in dressing room of Manchester United is not without sticked chewing gum pasted after some matches. Ever Ponder whether those are true?
Lastly, pause and ponder along with me when next you are watching Manchester United play, watch Sir Alex Fergusson while chewing his gum and if you are lucky to see him smile at the same time, tell me how the Scott man look like?
Funny Ringtones and Catchy Adverts et al
Trust Nigerians, the ringtones craze is the in thing now. There abounds different types of ringtones manufacture to suit Naija settings. I have heard of the famous one - I dey ring o, there is also the phone is ringing, and of course This is a phone call for you.
Of all those ringtones, I love I dey ring o, the part I love best is 'I don cut o' Has anyone heard of all those ringtones? It is a pity I cant upload them here for readers. But, mail me if you need any of the ringtones.
However, talking about catchy adverts, while I hate MTN adverts though they are somehow very sweet, interesting and entertaining, I hate those adverts because what the MTN knows how to do best is advertising, so each time they come up with those sleaky adverts, I ended up watching it once and each time i come across them again, I change my channels. But of particular advert I love to watch nowadays is that of Skye Bank. Check the lyrics:
I wish I had a friend
helping me grow in everyway
Saying Yes to my needs
I wish that I knew it feels
like to be free
Oh, to smile everyday of my life
and I wish I can go far in life without stress
Skye Bank always there
saying yes to your needs.
Now isnt that interesting?, not to talk of the tunes which nimbly and swiftly drums nice sounds into your gentle senses.
Ever pause to ponder what I enjoy about that advert of Skye Bank, try and catch the advert when next it is being air on TV.
Of all those ringtones, I love I dey ring o, the part I love best is 'I don cut o' Has anyone heard of all those ringtones? It is a pity I cant upload them here for readers. But, mail me if you need any of the ringtones.
However, talking about catchy adverts, while I hate MTN adverts though they are somehow very sweet, interesting and entertaining, I hate those adverts because what the MTN knows how to do best is advertising, so each time they come up with those sleaky adverts, I ended up watching it once and each time i come across them again, I change my channels. But of particular advert I love to watch nowadays is that of Skye Bank. Check the lyrics:
I wish I had a friend
helping me grow in everyway
Saying Yes to my needs
I wish that I knew it feels
like to be free
Oh, to smile everyday of my life
and I wish I can go far in life without stress
Skye Bank always there
saying yes to your needs.
Now isnt that interesting?, not to talk of the tunes which nimbly and swiftly drums nice sounds into your gentle senses.
Ever pause to ponder what I enjoy about that advert of Skye Bank, try and catch the advert when next it is being air on TV.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
MTN sponsorship of Who Wants to be a Millionnaire
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is a general knowledge television quiz programme that started in the United Kingdom in 1998 and has now been exported to over 100 countries including the USA, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia; making it the most popular television programme in the world. Nigeria is the 104th territory. I want to believe that something is wrong with the MTN sponsorship of that programme. For God's sake how can they limited the participation in that programme to MTN subscribers only? That to me is a fraud, a fraud of telling Nigerians that MTN has the highest number of subscribers, a subscribers who merely bought MTN line just for the purpose of pariticipating in the programme and probably discard it the moment the goals of purchasing it is achieved.
Besides this, I dont see the reason why the organiser of the programme should deviate from its principle of making the participation available to all Nigerians afterall the programme is for all Nigerians. MTN on the other hand is becoming notorious of sponsoring programmes for their selfish interest other than the love of Nigerians at heart. Are we now saying that should for instance Nokia or sony ericsson decided to sponsor the programme, it should be for only Nokia or Sony Ericssson users. The organiser should not have compromised that aspect of the sponsorship, it left so many colour off the programme.
By the way, have you paused to ponder too that those who are being call on the lifeline of friends and family are always MTN subscribers? I guess participants are warned before hand to supply only friends or families with MTN line only. Na wah o!
Besides this, I dont see the reason why the organiser of the programme should deviate from its principle of making the participation available to all Nigerians afterall the programme is for all Nigerians. MTN on the other hand is becoming notorious of sponsoring programmes for their selfish interest other than the love of Nigerians at heart. Are we now saying that should for instance Nokia or sony ericsson decided to sponsor the programme, it should be for only Nokia or Sony Ericssson users. The organiser should not have compromised that aspect of the sponsorship, it left so many colour off the programme.
By the way, have you paused to ponder too that those who are being call on the lifeline of friends and family are always MTN subscribers? I guess participants are warned before hand to supply only friends or families with MTN line only. Na wah o!
The Aftermath of GSM Free Calls
If you have not not noticed this, try and observe it, Nigerians who indulge in staying awake to make free calls are easy to notice nowadays, it is either they doze off while in the car, bus or come late to office or schools.
Ever since two GSM operators Glo and MTN announced free calls from midnight until early in the morning, nigerians who had been noted to love free things have swoop on the advantage. They now stay awake till midnight to make their calls free of charge. As a Glo subscriber, I noticed that one is able to put a call through at several trials before one can succeed, and it is no more safe to make calls as from 12 midnight because there are so many subscribers trying to make a call.
The danger inherent on this is that, even in emergency, there will be problem of getting your call across to seek for assistance.
Ever Pause to ponder that some decorum need to be put into this free calls facility?.
Ever since two GSM operators Glo and MTN announced free calls from midnight until early in the morning, nigerians who had been noted to love free things have swoop on the advantage. They now stay awake till midnight to make their calls free of charge. As a Glo subscriber, I noticed that one is able to put a call through at several trials before one can succeed, and it is no more safe to make calls as from 12 midnight because there are so many subscribers trying to make a call.
The danger inherent on this is that, even in emergency, there will be problem of getting your call across to seek for assistance.
Ever Pause to ponder that some decorum need to be put into this free calls facility?.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Retro Reflective Sticker Craze
In Nigeria, pasting of a retro reflective sticker at the back of your car, is the new craze going on now, and this stickers came in two form, either it is original or a fake.
El-Elyon Limited, producer of the original argued that it can reflects from a distance of 300 metres and lasts for a minimum of five years. They insisted that one can easily identified a fake ones because it breaks immediately when you use your finger on the red portion, while it is more shining than the fake ones. Motorists are advised and encouraged to go for the original retro-reflective sticker, as it help during rainy season and in a pollution atmosphere.
That is Nigeria for you, where the different between the rich and the poor is always a major necessity in the scheme of things. An original stickers go for as much as N1,500 while one can get the fake ones for N500. Now an unsuspecting motorists can pay for the fake ones with the amount of original if they are not careful enough.
The truth is every vehicle already comes with reflective points on its rear lights, so I dont see the idea behind the sticker anyway, but the public are not grumbling, so it seems, or nobody wants to be heard. ever pause to ponder that, since nobody complain but instead comply generally with this order, it will be a matter of time for another order to perhaps ask the motorists to start painting our vehicle in a particular colour to either differentiate the rich from the poor or better still, to reflect our categories of vehicle.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Aftermath of Okada Ban in Abuja
A visit to Queen ebong's blog Read here reminded me that I need to comment on the aftermath of the Okada Ban in my blog. Being a resident of Abuja, I found out that the aftermath of outright ban of commercial motorcycle operators (popularly called Okada) in Abuja is taking its toil on everyone. While the non car users are complaining seriously of exorbitant fares they have to coughed out to Kabukabus (private vehicle used as commercials) for their daily business transactions, the car owners too are into some serious experience of hold ups, go slows and traffic jams.
The available buses could definitely not go round, so those who will want to abandon their cars and pursue their daily business transactions with Okada had no alternatives than to go with their cars nowadays, the result is perennial hold ups, traffic jams and go slows. This normally occurs in the morning, afternoon and closing hours.
The truth is the government did not do their home work very well before discarding with Okadas. I had always ponder that, the move is a life saving for the Okads operators, but another look shows that, the commercial motorcylce operator business needs careful regulatory in the capital city, less the rate at which things are going on now, we will witness a real traffic congestion, worse than that of Lagos, that at the end of the day, government might be tempted to ban the use of certain categories of transporation again.
The journey that will take you some 5 minutes drive in the past now take you up to 20 - 30 minutes because of hold ups, jams or go-slows. I had just contributed the habit of driving in the outskirts of towns to get to my house, because that is more free and faster even though it is a long route.
Though the menace of Okadas is now a thing of the past, the menace of the Taxis, Bus drivers and the Kabukabus are the next nightmares on Abuja roads nowadays. Dont jump into conclusion, I am not saying those too should be ban to ease the traffic hold-ups, jams and go-slows. I just pause to ponder aloud.
The available buses could definitely not go round, so those who will want to abandon their cars and pursue their daily business transactions with Okada had no alternatives than to go with their cars nowadays, the result is perennial hold ups, traffic jams and go slows. This normally occurs in the morning, afternoon and closing hours.
The truth is the government did not do their home work very well before discarding with Okadas. I had always ponder that, the move is a life saving for the Okads operators, but another look shows that, the commercial motorcylce operator business needs careful regulatory in the capital city, less the rate at which things are going on now, we will witness a real traffic congestion, worse than that of Lagos, that at the end of the day, government might be tempted to ban the use of certain categories of transporation again.
The journey that will take you some 5 minutes drive in the past now take you up to 20 - 30 minutes because of hold ups, jams or go-slows. I had just contributed the habit of driving in the outskirts of towns to get to my house, because that is more free and faster even though it is a long route.
Though the menace of Okadas is now a thing of the past, the menace of the Taxis, Bus drivers and the Kabukabus are the next nightmares on Abuja roads nowadays. Dont jump into conclusion, I am not saying those too should be ban to ease the traffic hold-ups, jams and go-slows. I just pause to ponder aloud.
My Birthday
I just added another day today. As usual, as in the past, I will be celebrating alone with no any fun fare. I cant remember celebrating any of my birthday, I mean I had never celebrated it with all those cacophonous or with epicentre of celebration. Instead, I always mark it with just some sober reflection that I just added another year. Recently, I will continue with my work and at the same time let the music of King Sunny Ade (Birthday) play on, and as I am writing this, the music is playing in the background.
I also put on my wife's birthday present, a beautiful suit, which she presented to me. The fact that I dont celebrate my birthday also explain why I dont remind people when my birthday knocks my door. Perhaps this explain why I hardly receive birthday greetings in form of cards, gifts or text messages. To me, I believe, if I meant a lot to you, you should remember my birthday without reminding you. So among my friends, who make it a duty to send birthday greetings to me even without reminding them, I used to appreciates such gestures, no matter how it is sent.
Have you ever pause and ponder what birthday celebration is all about? I remember my boss telling me in one of my past birthday that, the fact that one is alive to witness another year is enough a celebration. What is your own perception of celebrating birthday?
I also put on my wife's birthday present, a beautiful suit, which she presented to me. The fact that I dont celebrate my birthday also explain why I dont remind people when my birthday knocks my door. Perhaps this explain why I hardly receive birthday greetings in form of cards, gifts or text messages. To me, I believe, if I meant a lot to you, you should remember my birthday without reminding you. So among my friends, who make it a duty to send birthday greetings to me even without reminding them, I used to appreciates such gestures, no matter how it is sent.
Have you ever pause and ponder what birthday celebration is all about? I remember my boss telling me in one of my past birthday that, the fact that one is alive to witness another year is enough a celebration. What is your own perception of celebrating birthday?
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Kanu Nwankwo
By the time I come of age, I am oblivious of who I adore as a person, similarly I had always wonder at such truism as adoring someone you had never met as a hero. Equally in my amazement is to have someone you love to meet in person, all this I only wanton in fantasy by choosing either those who are heroes at that time or personalities that are popular.
However, by the time the Nigerian U17 triumph in Japan in 1993, I remember there is one Nwankwo Kanu, who perform excellently well at the tournament. As if that was not enough, his sojourning at Ajax Amsterdam together with Finidi George makes him an instant public figure. The Nigerian Dream Team triumph at the Atlanta 96 Olympic put him into final limelight as a world celebrity.
I had to confess here that my likeness for Nwankwo Kanu dated back to his playing days at Ajax, there I make sure I monitor his progress. By the time he won Gold at Atlanta 1996 soccer events, I have loved him with everything in me.
Like I said earlier on, Nwankwo Kanu must be the only person in my life that I love and does not know I existed. I adore him so much. I always pray for him consciously or unconsciously, monitoring his progress daily and eager to hear news of his sojourning in every premiership games.
I remember what I went through at the beginning of this season, I need step by step progress reports on his tranfer, so I had to add his name in Google alert to enable me monitor any available net news about him, this is to monitor his transfer progress to assuage my fear of him leaving England. I know it as a fact that he will prefer to stay in england and i keep monitoring whether there is any available club in England that is willing to sign him.
I am always devastated anytime I learnt of any negative views, comments about him. My entire household knew quite well that I am accustomed with one phrase about him - "I JUST LOVE THAT GUY".
My house, desktop, laptop, mobile phone are adore with his pics. Kanu is my man. The only opportunity I had to see him physically was at Abuja Stadium. I think we were playing against Malawi, I went to the stadium purposely to see him, and I am glad I did. The only thing i could do to stamp my presence was the shout of Papillo as he was returning to the dressing room after the match. I remember him waving back, probably not to me, but the waving back did a lot of consolation to me as if I am the one he is acknowledging.
My friends are in the habit of making jest of me because I dont have a particular club I support in England except any club that Kanu Nwankwo play for, So you can see that I have been and still be an admirer of Ajax, Inter, Arsenal, WestBrom and recently Portsmouth.
Ever ponder why football is a passionate game? I guess one of the reason is because we all have one or two of the players we adored, like I have in KANU NWANKWO.
Monday, September 25, 2006
The long absence
Ever ponder why it took me long to update this blog. I have no excuse but to apologise. I guess I got carried away with so much works in the office, and perhaps because of lack of apettite to write again. I guess I am tired of the political atmosphere going on in my country, or the war in Lebanon or better still, the sudden uprising of Taliban in Afghanistan. It may perhaps be the unending death in Iraq and the looming of civil war or perhaps another mistakes of leveling Iran under the pretext of amassing nuclear power even though Tehran has constantly said it is for energy. The same denial Saddam keep telling those who cares to listen when it was accused of having WMD, until after he was overthrown and the world were made to understand that he neither possess WMD, nor has any link with Al-Qaeda. So why was his government toppled? of course the answer is because the Bush government want the Shites and the Shias to be at logger heads resulting in daily dozens of deaths.
I hope to have more time on this blog as time progresses to shed more lights on all the above.
I hope to have more time on this blog as time progresses to shed more lights on all the above.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Nigerians reaction to CNN Low Blow
CNN recently aired a programme that portrayed Nigerians in bad light which has led to reactions from Nigerians. You can read the report on this link if you dont have the privilege of watching it. http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/18/identity.theft/.
Here are some reactions from Nigerians
"why should CNN aired a programme that focused solely on Nigerian fraudsters and made absolutely no mention of the fact that fraud in the United States is not a Nigerian-created industry. ‘Anyone, particularly the less knowledgeable - who watched this programme would probably come away thinking that Nigerians are all fraudsters because this programme completely ignored the crimes committed by the other ‘foreigners’ that make up the diverse American culture. It’s a good thing Nigerians are not responsible for the collapse of world giant companies such WorldCom, Enron, Arthur Andersen among others, resulting in the lost of billions of dollars by innocent shareholders, customer and so on".
One Nigerian questioned why we have not seen or heard CNN generalise and make stereotypic attributes about Italian Americans because of a few who are involved in organised crime; or portray all Colombians in America as cocaine dealers or drug lords, because of the act of a few Colombians. ‘CNN knows that it would be wrong to portray every Afghan in America as a Taliban terrorist! So why would CNN paint Nigerians with such negative broad-brush generalisations? Why should CNN be engaged in such pedestrian journalism? Could this be attributed to racism? What was the motive behind this negative portrayal?’
"The truth of the matter is that the credit card fraudsters, the con artists, the drug couriers who seem to attract the attention of the international media constitute a minority. The majority of Nigerians is made up of honest, hardworking persons who are trying to earn a living. There may be problems in terms of the value system, in terms of an obsession with money for its own sake. But there is nothing in Nigeria that is so different from other countries. There are more criminals in America than there are in the whole of Nigeria. How about the ENRON scandal, the mismanagement of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the robberies and killings on the streets of America: do these necessarily make every American a gangster? Indians and Koreans come to this country to do business and they treat our people badly but I don't consider either Indians or Koreans superior to Nigerians. If the CNN were to investigate Italians and Hispanics, its investigators would find a lot to put on air, except they may not consider it politically correct to do so.
Malawians and Kenyans complain about too much witchcraft in Nigeria: they are responding to fiction not reality. Nigerian home videos are shown on MultiChoice, so they base their impressions on what they see on television. American films are full of violence but it hasn't stopped people from thinking that it is "God's own country". Nigeria is not as Hellish as they imagine. South Africans are flocking to Nigeria and setting up businesses through which they exploit the population to make huge profits! Average Americans come here and live in big mansions that they would never dream of owning in their own country. Indians, Lebanese and Koreans set up factories here and they never want to go back home. The Chinese are also flocking to Nigeria, and setting up Chinatown everywhere. Other Africans from Benin, Cameroun, Ghana, Togo, Niger and Chad struggle, illegally to obtain Nigerian passports and identity cards. Portfolio investors from Europe and the United States are all over our hotels, looking for business. It may well be that they are exploiting the country's limitations but if this was truly Hell, they wouldn't stay this long!"
"I work eighty hours a week in New York City and there are many Nigerians who hold two jobs in America. The great majority of Nigerians in America are decent and dignified persons and we have no apologies to make to anyone for the behavior of a few Nigerians. We resent being measured and grouped with miscreants or criminal elements.
Unless the new logic is that all Americans should bury their heads in shame because of the frauds and criminal acts of Mr. Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling of Enron? All Americans should be ashamed for the criminal behaviors of the executives of Enron which joins WorldCom, Adelphia and Tyco, AIG, Halliburton etc, all of them, American companies that have engaged in the most egregious corporate frauds.
Unless the new logic is that all Americans should now bury their heads in shame for the brutal killings by some American soldiers in Haditha in Iraq, and the now infamous abuses by American military personnel in Afghanistan or Abu Gharib in Iraq and at Guantannamo Bay prisons in Cuba or the Mai Lai massacre in Vietnam. Decent Nigerians in America and worldwide have nothing to apologize for or be ashamed about!"
"CNN has engaged in pedestrian journalism with its generalizations about Nigerians. We are sure than CNN would not generalize about Italians Americans because of a few who are involved in organized crime or Mafia. And I am sure that CNN will not portray all Colombians in America as cocaine dealers, because of the act of a few Colombians. CNN knows that it will be wrong to portray every Afghan in America as a Taliban terrorist!"
Nigerians worldwide object in the strongest of terms, to CNN’s false and stereotypical depictions and negative portrayal of Nigerians carte blanche.
Here are some reactions from Nigerians
"why should CNN aired a programme that focused solely on Nigerian fraudsters and made absolutely no mention of the fact that fraud in the United States is not a Nigerian-created industry. ‘Anyone, particularly the less knowledgeable - who watched this programme would probably come away thinking that Nigerians are all fraudsters because this programme completely ignored the crimes committed by the other ‘foreigners’ that make up the diverse American culture. It’s a good thing Nigerians are not responsible for the collapse of world giant companies such WorldCom, Enron, Arthur Andersen among others, resulting in the lost of billions of dollars by innocent shareholders, customer and so on".
One Nigerian questioned why we have not seen or heard CNN generalise and make stereotypic attributes about Italian Americans because of a few who are involved in organised crime; or portray all Colombians in America as cocaine dealers or drug lords, because of the act of a few Colombians. ‘CNN knows that it would be wrong to portray every Afghan in America as a Taliban terrorist! So why would CNN paint Nigerians with such negative broad-brush generalisations? Why should CNN be engaged in such pedestrian journalism? Could this be attributed to racism? What was the motive behind this negative portrayal?’
"The truth of the matter is that the credit card fraudsters, the con artists, the drug couriers who seem to attract the attention of the international media constitute a minority. The majority of Nigerians is made up of honest, hardworking persons who are trying to earn a living. There may be problems in terms of the value system, in terms of an obsession with money for its own sake. But there is nothing in Nigeria that is so different from other countries. There are more criminals in America than there are in the whole of Nigeria. How about the ENRON scandal, the mismanagement of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the robberies and killings on the streets of America: do these necessarily make every American a gangster? Indians and Koreans come to this country to do business and they treat our people badly but I don't consider either Indians or Koreans superior to Nigerians. If the CNN were to investigate Italians and Hispanics, its investigators would find a lot to put on air, except they may not consider it politically correct to do so.
Malawians and Kenyans complain about too much witchcraft in Nigeria: they are responding to fiction not reality. Nigerian home videos are shown on MultiChoice, so they base their impressions on what they see on television. American films are full of violence but it hasn't stopped people from thinking that it is "God's own country". Nigeria is not as Hellish as they imagine. South Africans are flocking to Nigeria and setting up businesses through which they exploit the population to make huge profits! Average Americans come here and live in big mansions that they would never dream of owning in their own country. Indians, Lebanese and Koreans set up factories here and they never want to go back home. The Chinese are also flocking to Nigeria, and setting up Chinatown everywhere. Other Africans from Benin, Cameroun, Ghana, Togo, Niger and Chad struggle, illegally to obtain Nigerian passports and identity cards. Portfolio investors from Europe and the United States are all over our hotels, looking for business. It may well be that they are exploiting the country's limitations but if this was truly Hell, they wouldn't stay this long!"
"I work eighty hours a week in New York City and there are many Nigerians who hold two jobs in America. The great majority of Nigerians in America are decent and dignified persons and we have no apologies to make to anyone for the behavior of a few Nigerians. We resent being measured and grouped with miscreants or criminal elements.
Unless the new logic is that all Americans should bury their heads in shame because of the frauds and criminal acts of Mr. Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling of Enron? All Americans should be ashamed for the criminal behaviors of the executives of Enron which joins WorldCom, Adelphia and Tyco, AIG, Halliburton etc, all of them, American companies that have engaged in the most egregious corporate frauds.
Unless the new logic is that all Americans should now bury their heads in shame for the brutal killings by some American soldiers in Haditha in Iraq, and the now infamous abuses by American military personnel in Afghanistan or Abu Gharib in Iraq and at Guantannamo Bay prisons in Cuba or the Mai Lai massacre in Vietnam. Decent Nigerians in America and worldwide have nothing to apologize for or be ashamed about!"
"CNN has engaged in pedestrian journalism with its generalizations about Nigerians. We are sure than CNN would not generalize about Italians Americans because of a few who are involved in organized crime or Mafia. And I am sure that CNN will not portray all Colombians in America as cocaine dealers, because of the act of a few Colombians. CNN knows that it will be wrong to portray every Afghan in America as a Taliban terrorist!"
Nigerians worldwide object in the strongest of terms, to CNN’s false and stereotypical depictions and negative portrayal of Nigerians carte blanche.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
With 4,300 Naira, You cant Watch the World cup on DSTV
I am a lover of Soccer that is perhaps the main reason I subscribe to DSTV so I can watch the English Premiership Live. For those readers of this blog outside Africa, DSTV is an acronym for Digital Satallite Television being run by Multichoice South Africa, they are the only DTH who can transmit Live Premiership matches to Africa.
With their full buoquet of N9,000 naira every month, you can watch the premiership live, while you wont be able to do so with their N4,300 mini bouquet. I am used to subscribing for their full bouquet as I stated earlier on in this blog, but on this particular occasion, i thought since Premiership will be on in August, let me save some cost and subscribe to Mini bouquet. It is very sad that, when the world cup kicked off, there is no any single channel on DSTV that is showing the match either delayed or live. So I have to resort to watching the matches on the local TV stations.
Have you pause and ponder along with me that with the sum of N4,300, it is a shame on the part of DSTV that its subscribers canno watch FIFA 2006 World Cup on Multi Choice DSTV!
With their full buoquet of N9,000 naira every month, you can watch the premiership live, while you wont be able to do so with their N4,300 mini bouquet. I am used to subscribing for their full bouquet as I stated earlier on in this blog, but on this particular occasion, i thought since Premiership will be on in August, let me save some cost and subscribe to Mini bouquet. It is very sad that, when the world cup kicked off, there is no any single channel on DSTV that is showing the match either delayed or live. So I have to resort to watching the matches on the local TV stations.
Have you pause and ponder along with me that with the sum of N4,300, it is a shame on the part of DSTV that its subscribers canno watch FIFA 2006 World Cup on Multi Choice DSTV!
Monday, June 5, 2006
Big Brother Nigeria and my Narrow Escape
A nearly tragedy could had befell me just because of Big Brother Nigeria. It happened that my DSTV subscription expired on 25th May, but I don’t intent to subscribe for another full bouquet because I can always watch World Cup in local media or even in ESPN which is available in the mini bouquet. So I was left with a dilemma whether to subscribe for full bouquet or mini bouquet, because of Big Brother Nigeria which is just 3 days away. Having converge with my kitchen cabinet members, I decided to subscribe for mini bouquet and wave the idea of watching the Big Brother Nigeria in my home. So on the final grand finale day, I decided to watch it in a friend’s house. After the show, we set for home, and the heavenly gift started pouring down. Couples with the fact that it is in the night and the rain was pouring down heavily, lots of motorists were cautious on the road. I was about a stone throw to my house when this car came on rushing to my car. Before I could avoid it, it crashed into the car am driving. The passenger door is a write off, but we are all hale and hearty to continue the gist of the joy that Katung won. It was indeed a narrow escape. But I am left with the wrath of my wife whose car we took out on this fateful day.
I continue to pause and ponder that, had it been I decided to subscribe for the full bouquet of DSTV, perhaps, I wouldn’t have gone out at that particular time, moreso when the full bouquet subscription and the repair to be performed on the car is almost the same.
I continue to pause and ponder that, had it been I decided to subscribe for the full bouquet of DSTV, perhaps, I wouldn’t have gone out at that particular time, moreso when the full bouquet subscription and the repair to be performed on the car is almost the same.
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