Nigeria on the brink

We are always in the news for the wrong reasons. Boko Haram promised a Christmas day present for the FGN or Nigerians. The security forces went to sleep on this day. And who am I to blame them when their heads are clinging to power like their life depends on it.

Rather than tackle security issues which is engulfing the nation, the FGN prefers to remove oil subsidy which we doubt if it exist in the first place. A lot of their effort is channelled to selling this venture. The presidency has drawn the battle line against all who oppose the oil subsidy removal. Not even a revolution can make him change his mind.

The unity and patriotism amongst the people is at a record low. The populace are not bothered if the nation divides. The ruling class wants the nation intact because there is still a lot to loot. The opposition may want it divided because it’s an opportunity for them to mount the throne and reign supreme. We have entrusted our life and future into the hands of criminals turned politicians and we expect so much from them.

There is no silver lining to keep our hopes. There is little or nothing at stake for the common man and I pray the President sees it. I implore the president to ignore his advisers and listen to the people because there is a disconnect between the people and the government. He also has the option of ignoring the people and going ahead with his stubborn stance. For the nation to remain one and for the peoples hope to be rekindle, the government has a lot of listening to do…so that we may remain one while you all are in governance

Letter to the Economic Team.

I have listened to your arguments on televisions. Unfortunately i could not watch the question and answer segment due to power failure in our area. That’s a natural phenomenon in Nigeria. I am sorry to say i really don’t understand the charts, graphs and digits you guys where quoting. I still don’t understand if there is a difference between removal of oil subsidy and increament in pump price of petrol.
Perhaps, i should tell you my situation and you should use it to explain the benefits of oil subsidy removal. I am a graduate and i teach in an unapproved school where i earn 20k per month. I spend 4k on transport monthly and feeding takes about half of the salary. Luckily for me I don’t pay rent as i stay with my parents at age 35. I have never enjoyed anything from Nigeria has I have to pay for all. The government has always been telling to sacrifice and hope for a better future which never comes. Now, this administration has also come with messages filled with promises, telling me to sacrifice once again. I give given so much in terms of sacrifice to Nigeria and it’s only the ruling class who have benefited from my toil. Give me reason why I should sacrifice once again? Tell me these crops of leaders are not part of the previous deceitful administration. Will I ever enjoy a good Nigeria in my lifetime?
So can you explain to me in simple terms how life will become better after subsidy removal? Sorry, i lied somewhere. I lost my job. Please don’t tell me you feel my pains because none of you have ever been in this situation in your life. Not even the man who had no shoes.
Angry Nigerian 

Withered flower

When Babatunde Fashola was re-elected as Governor of Lagos State someone told me we sure aren’t tired of flowers. It’s amazing the greenery of major roads and major parts of the island and mainland. I don’t understand what is happening with the maintenance of these gardens ever since the administration was returned to power. The people have witnessed past administration with no achievements thus seeing so much flowers and paved walk ways was like gold.

IMF assisted road projects; concessions, take almost the whole percentage of road works in the state. The state has spent a lot more money on showcasing their so called achievements in the media. The LCC commenced collection of tolls on the Lekki road. Lagos State Government with the help of the media played down the protest even though the state resulted to the use of violence. Nothing is being said of the acclaimed life(s) that was lost. No touts were arrested rather the peaceful protesters were arrested.

The scales are falling from the eyes of Lagosians but it hurts that it took so long for people to see clearly. Little is heard or seen on activities of the administration since returning for second term. Even, those who voted predicted nothing fresh or new is expected from the leadership.

Now, we have to wait and sit out the remainder of the tenure and watch the flowers wither...

Starting point...

We lost our morality, lost our family values. Our religious leaders have failed us in every way. They preach while they who should be role models act in contrary. Our churches are PLCs making more money comparable to the NNPC. The Overseers have made it a family business. Followers are taught not to ask questions, they are to follow blindly or remain gullible. The Muslims are not left out; some of their leaders tread this line of business.

It should be easy to differentiate between wrong and right but a whole lot of us are lazy and won’t use our brain. We can’t read the Holy Books to help direct our path. We prefer our so called religious leaders to read and ‘misinterpret’ the meaning to us. We also prefer a congregation that says the Holy Books allows bum shorts and nudity in places of worship. I thought we are to adjust our lifestyle to suit the religion. Rather we are adjusting religion to suit our lifestyle. We claim to be righteous yet we act in an opposite direction.

We can’t look unto our political leaders for development and neither can we look to our religious leaders for guidance to salvation. We have been brain washed to the extent that we demarcate religion from politics. How could both which have so much impact on our life be separated? Shouldn’t the people go against a tyrant and wicked leader? We prefer to let them carry on with the misappropriation and embezzlement.

Woe unto whoever said religion is the opium of the people. By the time we go back to true religion, we’ll realize we don’t deserve the kind of leaders we have. We will realize God wants the best for us. Until then, we continue to complain and wail.

If we can ask a Goodluck Jonathan questions, why can’t we ask our religious leaders? And if we can’t ask them, it’s time we start reading to understand the holy books and using it as our guide. 

Comedians-In-Chief (CIC)

The budget proposal is out and there is no provision for oil subsidy. As it is now, there will be increase in price of petrol. The President sounding a note of warning to ‘troublemakers’, said even a revolution won’t make him go back on the fuel subsidy removal. So it’s the people’s wish against the presidents wish.

My concern lately is the presidency’s comments in the media. I find it disturbing when some comments come from the Presidency. The statement on cassava bread was laughable and outright irritating. I wonder if the speech was written or rather the president thought of it and just said it without weighing the implications.

‘Trekking to school barefooted’ was the pioneering statement. A lot other statements have followed and I wonder what the advisers of the president are paid for? Perhaps, they want to ridicule the presidency or is it that the president doesn’t take advice from them?

Past administrations created the impression that the presidency was corrupt and insensitive. The current leadership should have redeemed itself but it chose to add to the negative perception. The presidency displays arrogance, lack of direction and this is quite (un)impressive.

Word for them, we lost all hope in this administration. Just like the immediate past administration which had nothing to show, we expect not little but nothing from this administration. Keep up the comic works for the remainder of the administration.

A bigger monster

Many of those who champion the course against corruption, bad governance and social injustice face huge task. Those who are supposed to encourage them are sometimes among the people who will say they are wasting their time shouting at a deaf government.

Our problems in this part of the world ought to have been solved by electing a new government but it’s certain this approach may never be fruitful. The electoral commission which should serve as an umpire in the change process may not totally be independent and unbiased. Though the current leadership of the electoral body is a big improvement to former one, that doesn’t make them near perfect or perfect. The judiciary, the common man last hope is just an extension or tool of the ruling class. A lot are so positive about the activities of the oppositions but they are just another cabal of rogues fighting for their own portion of the loot. The opposition is waxing stronger, claiming territories with the support of the people (who are been deceived). The media only inform the people on what their financial stakeholders want them to.

The opposition have a stronger grip on all of its pawns, the judiciary and even the independent electoral commission of their regions. They claim to represent true democracy but we have seen clear signs of dictatorship. They are riding on the gullibility, illiteracy and trust of the people. Why should I blame them so much when the enlightened ones who ought to be neutral umpires have sold their soul? We have allowed sentiments to erode our rational thinking and have failed to ask questions. We have overlooked corruption within them all because they are opposition who claim to be on our side. We love their corruption as long as they use the media judiciously to brain wash us.

The ruling class as well as the opposition seem to be on different path but yet they are after the same thing. I hope we will realize that the nation is really divided into two; the ruling class which also includes the opposition; and the masses on the other end. When this sinks deep into us, then we will take the future into our hands.

Corruption is the monster we are facing but looking at the tentacles the elites have spread all over the nation which engulfs the judiciary, the security agencies and all others, then we have a bigger monster against us. We have failed as a nation and as a people. We have also failed as a family and society because our leaders are a good representation of what the average man is. Its time to correct these anomalies because enough is enough.

Why there won’t be a revolution in Nigeria.

The current economic hardship been felt by the people coupled by insensitivity of government makes it look like Nigeria may have its own share of uprising against government. This is a country where it is the suffering masses who have to 'tighten their belt' and brace up for more hard times whereas the governing class makes it very important to show off ill-gotten wealth at every opportunity.
There is no gainsaying if I list the achievements and living conditions of Libyans during Ghaddafi era. Egypt which is still in mild turmoil has citizens who have a better living standard. I looked at the scenes of protesters clashing with police and I see beautifully lit streets. They have a functional health system where ambulances are ready to take injured protesters to hospital. I was asked to ask myself what these people want again. Could it be that they lack the basic things? If they lack good governance and basic things then where do we stand as Nigerians?
The former leaders which the Egyptians, Libyans and currently Syria are fighting against have some things in common. They have frozen out western influences on their economy if not totally. These are countries that have enjoyed peace for a long time with a very good economy. What could have provoked the populace to confront the government? Is it because they don’t have the support of the western world? Or because power might shift hand if these once stable nations continue on a part of growth and peace?

We Africans especially Nigerians whose policies are dictated by the western world yet have an awful economy won’t stand against government injustice. Perhaps our stooge leaders are puppets to the 'powers that be' of the world. Maybe the western world has a lot to gain with the state of our nation and economy. We may not experience even non-violent revolution because we are indirectly ruled by some who make so much gain from the current deplorable situation
I expect no revolution, not even a non-violent revolution from lily-livered Nigerians. We are so much pleased with the decay. The corruption means little to us. So, let’s keep castigating the Ghaddafis, the Mubaraks, the Assads and let’s continue to applaud The Jonathans, The Tinubus and also justify all wars by the US and western worlds when its obvious the wars are un-called for.
As it is, i see doom in future, cause the generation of the present youth is wasting away. No one will tell anyone not to wait for his destiny. You go grab it. 

Tinubu is a saint. Victory for democracy

The Code of Conduct tribunal recently quashed the entire 3-count criminal charge that was preferred against the erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I guess it’s a victory for democracy. He was charged for operating foreign accounts while serving as governor which is in violation of section 7 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal Act.

Though the charges were quashed because it was legally defective the Governor who has so much regard for rule of law and morality doesn’t deem it fit to tell the people if truly he operated those accounts. Some South-West ACN governors were around to give him moral support. Rather I call it show of shame.

In as much as the Prosecuting Lawyers did not do their homework right the judgement never said the self-acclaimed leader was innocent of those crimes. Once again, I say it is victory for democracy. So, all Ashiwaju supporters, ‘jeun soke.’

Staying single

Every African will want to look and act western. Not only have we copied their ways buy we also copied the negatives too. The content of what we see on TVs is enough for us to forget our culture. Right from our dressings to our morals, all has been affected by them.

It would have been a thing of joy if it’s only the technology and other advancements we imported. But alas! We now have record number of gays and lesbians. These are people with odd kind of sexual orientation who before are ashamed but today they want to be legally recognized and socially accepted.

Our family value is at a record low. Survey in Japan says a record number of young Japanese do not have boyfriends or girlfriends and many not want one. Ours is a little different. Though getting the ideal partner can be tough but the disturbing trend on increase is the number of single parents. This is not exclusive to the semi-illiterates and illiterates alone. A good number of literates nowadays can’t keep a family. Marriages hardly last for five years, and that’s when so many ladies realize they don’t really need a man in their life. They call themselves the Independent Women and quiet funny most of these women are closely knit. They advice each other on staying single and they make it a thing of joy. Those married in their perception are in bondage. Yes, they don’t take sh** from men and no man or boyfriend can tell them what to do.

The fairly lucky ones among them with a child or two orientate the children right from childhood that marriage isn’t an ideal institution. This they do consciously and unconsciously. This is not to say there are no exceptions among single parents or single people. There are a few good ones who value family and marriage but due to circumstances within and outside their control they can’t get that family or partner they desire.

A family is the smallest unit of each society and our leaders come from a family in our society. Thus, they are product of our society. Until we churn out good children, husband and wife that’s when we can relax and be satisfied with our leaders.

Religion

The developed world will always be ahead of us in all facets, technology wise and even in religion which we claim to accept more than them. The number of religious centres has increased considerably yet the rate of morale decadence is increasing geometrically.

Religious leaders should be models. They ought to direct us to the right path with their words and actions. Many of them play their part by preaching what and how it is meant to be. Some other religious leader’s actions cannot be emulated. It is a common scenario for the congregation to live in abject poverty and the religious leader to swim in wealth. Despite this, we still have to take from the poor and give to the rich.

Religion has become a lucrative business and so many of the congregation cannot ask questions. What private business do our religious leaders have to be ranked amongst the richest in the society? And many can device any means to attract the largest number of crowds; even times deviate from the doctrine of the religion itself. It is only a lazy or unrepentant people that the doctrine of religion has to be doctored for. We don’t change religion to suit our ways but we change our ways to suit religion.

Until we start reading, making researches and asking fundamental questions about religion, we will continue to be slaves to them. Your spiritual or religious leader may not be righteous than you so dig deeper for answers to questions. No religion goes against searching for knowledge or truth and every religion covers all sphere of our life.

If hell were real, would God accept excuses that the leaders mislead us when we are blessed with brain to make judgements and seek for knowledge to guide us right?

National honuors for clowns and cronies.

The Federal Government wasn’t so happy when popular writer Prof. Chinua Achebe rejected the National honour to be conferred on him. Achebe had declared that the issues which made him reject the offer during Olusegun Obasanjos regime remains unresolved till now. Rather for the presidency to keep mute and try to work on those issues, the widely respected Novelist was tagged ignorant about developments in Nigeria. I wonder who is ignorant with happenings, if its Achebe or the presidency whose policies are unpopular with the people.

I used to think it was the right of everybody and anybody to reject a gift if he feels he doesn’t deserve it or its coming from an unreliable person or group. No serious minded individual ought to receive any award from the government save for those who enjoy directly or indirectly from the government. Prof. Achebe’s actions speak volume and we all should learn from it. So many a people would be happy to grab those awards, especially people who have impacted nothing in the society. Those who really deserve it and love the country will reject it. The list of those who got the honours ranges from the political elites, the capitalist down to those whose contribution to the society isn’t known. Imagine an Achebe sitting to get honours with the likes of Tambuwal, Ita Ekpeyong, the Director General of SSS who has been sitting down and watch Nigerians die from Boko Haram. His counterpart, the ever non-working IG of police hafiz Ringim was also there to get his. Others include Jim Ovia (***cough**),Diezani Madueke and clown Osita Iheme. The beautiful Genevieve whose only contribution is dressing in expensive clothes was honoured. The list goes on and on

LASU fee hike

In Lagos Nigeria, whatever the state government does is almost always applauded by majority of the populace. When Oshodi was transformed, we hailed the governor. When roads are constructed, we thank the governor. It’s so sweet we also applaud the former governor for giving us the present governor though the former has no physical achievement.

For what reason will a government that enjoys the support of the masses will cut them out from getting education? Fee from an average of N25,000 was increased to N250,000. Who can tell me how a civil servant with N18,000 minimum wage afford to send his or her child to such university? But the all-knowing governor has justified the hike. He said critics of the increment are indirectly calling for a Nigerian Society which will be divided into poor university for the poor and rich University for the rich. He claimed there is nowhere in the world university education is as low as N25,000. According to him, LASU will be rescued and it will not be made a school for the poor.

And that’s a good excuse to increase the fee. I once said Lagos State is running a government for the elite by the masses and for the elite. Lets not forget you can go get transport fee if Lagos is not suitable enough for you. With time, the scales will fall from our eyes and we will know what good governance is. The government should enjoy the euphoria of support it enjoys for now. But, they shouldn’t forget to think if their so called achievement (if there is any) will stand the test of time

Landlord Tenant palava

For a long time to come the issue of house rent in Lagos will continue to raise eyebrows. Landlords have been charging exorbitant fees for rents and due to the congestion in lagos, so many people have no choice but to squeeze out his money from whatever means to secure even not-too-good an accommodation..

The Lagos state government in order to reduce the plight of the people or rather to pass a message of being in the forefront for fighting for the poor passed a bill banning the two years rent paid by new tenants in Lagos. Just as expected, lagosians were jubilant and happy and others wonder if it was possible for the government to dictate to Landlords how they should manage their property. Fines and jail terms are for offenders who go against the new bill.

I would have thought the Lagos state Government would build Low-Cost Housing Estates to supplement and bring down prices of rents. I know for sure the State Government was and is aware the bill will have no effect on anything.

Maybe it is time the government addressed the issue of housing in the states or try to enforce the law.

Odumegwu Ojukwu, a villain or hero

Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead and I wonder if he was a fulfilled man when he passed on. He spearheaded the civil war to break Biafra away from Nigeria. This dream never came to past. Whenever I look at the level of marginalisation of the Igbos, I think he fought a just war. But what’s a just war when you and your immediate family are the most secured from external forces?


Talking of marginalization, the principle of federal character would always make an ethnic group feel marginalized. There is no way in Nigeria all ethnic groups will be included in an equal way in governance. Manning a post with the most qualified person regardless of his tribe is the way forward.


We should note that the northerners see all Southerners as one, whereas we divide ourselves into South-West: Yoruba, Eastern: Igbo and South-South. We also see d Northerners as Hausas but they also divide themselves into North-Central, North-East etc.


Ikemba Nnewi Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu may have fought for secession of Biafra, but what he really fought for was good governance. Enough cries for calls to immortalize him. We don’t need a Bianca given a political post. We don’t need his children been made ministers. We don’t need the dilapidated Niger bridge be renamed Ojukwu Bridge.


Immortalise him by giving us good governance. 

Relationship doctor is here. Part 2

There is no secret on how to hold on to a partner. It’s either ones partner is deceiving or not. No one will walk to you and tell you your relationship is headed for the rocks if u can’t see the obvious


It is saddening that single people yearning for 'a completing partner' are not sure of what they want. So many young ladies are still after the tall, handsome, caring, non-smoking guy from the M&B novels. The guys too still want that perfect body as well as attitude of a dove.

Anyone, who can’t reason with his/her brain when in love or when seeking for love will end up heart-broken. The youths will make decisions with their heart but when dawned with realities of life, they switch to making relationship decisions with their brain. The most effective is the combination of the heart and brain to make decisions.


 Some are fearfully in love to the extent they can’t ask their partner where he/she wants the relationship to lead to. It’s not only asking our partner what directions the relationship is heading, we should also ask ourselves if we want it in same direction. If the destination for love isn’t marriage then it should rather be classified as lust.


Like I said earlier, no one will tell you your relationship is heading for d rocks when it’s obvious for you to see. If he/she fools you with words, he/she can’t fool you with actions. Even when fooled by words and actions, ladies are not to share their cookie. Not giving out your cookie will help separate the chaffs from the wheat. How many a player will wait for marriage to share your cookie? None; because marriage isn’t their plan. It’s a hard thing to do but who loses if you do give him.


It takes more than emotions and feelings to have a perfect relationship. It requires rational thinking and avoiding temptations.


Read Part 1 (Relationship soctor is here) here: http://bit.ly/vJfTD9 

Role models and bad influence

Rihanna recently revealed she is sick of having to behave like a role model to kids. She said: “People — especially white people want me to be a role model just because of the life I live.

Do we demand so much from these people to the extent they can’t feel free and be themselves. This is a girl who wants to ‘bare it all’ but for the dads and moms whose little one has chosen her as a model. It is now scary to put the TV on when your children are around. All what we see are adult contents. Immoralities are now seen as a thing of vogue. Marriage of 72days isn’t a big deal anymore. Hopping from one husband to another is a common trend. Lesbianism is so in vogue that we could say the holy books are wrong. These are what our kids are exposed to on TV and in the society at large.

Parenting can be as wide as biology and can be more complicated than we thought. 
Go gurl, and do what you want. I can assure you that my girls won’t see you as a model but will see you as a disturbed lady who is finding it hard to cope with fame and who also needs counselling. 

Sales boy President Jonathan

If Nigeria were a commodity, who among us can place our hard-earned money on it? Patriotism is expected from well-meaning Nigerians and it’s the same thing the President is doing by selling Nigeria as a haven for foreign investors.

Have you ever wondered what perception outsiders have about us, the country and sometimes our leaders? The general insecurity lately due to the activities of Boko-Haram is a signal to show that all isn’t well with our security. The inadequacy and epileptic power supply is also a turn-off for prospective investors. Cheap labour and lackadaisical attitude of relevant regulatory agents should be a plus for investors but the insecurity and power issue guarantees no return on investment.

Nigeria is safe to visit. These are the words of the President. He gave the assurance while exchanging views with the French Ambassador.

Let’s stop speaking until our actions and realities on ground is at par with our words.

Lost Decade

The Euro Zone is in deep crisis and if care is not taken some countries may opt out of it. The Greek Government can’t fund itself anymore thus seeking a bailout. The Prime minister was forced to resign and the trend moved to Italy too where the Mafioso , Berlusconi himself could not wriggle himself out of this one. The IMF chief said these signs may be part of the Lost Decade where there will be low growth and massive unemployment. Quite sure the IMF was part and parcel of economic plans in Europe at the early stage of the forming of Euro Zone.

Sure it is some of the economist in this part of the continent that makes up the IMF and I find it strange when Nigeria accepts the policies of the IMF hook, line and sinker. Nigeria has a peculiar economy with peculiar problems and no IMF initiative or policy will ever lead us out of the so called crises if we truly are in one. The only challenge the country has is corrupt and inept leaders. I don’t see the economic team making any head-way achievement but only in papers which will never amount to improvement of standard of living for its citizenry.

We have had enough of pen and paper talks. Let the people give testimony of improvement in their living standard.

LASTMA, how far?

If my eye no deceive me and na true be the thing I dey hear…. Femi, where you dey na?

Is it true that LASTMA is still arresting traffic offenders? If it’s true,then thumbs up.

Is it true they lure drivers to commit traffic offences? That’s gross.

Do they collect bribes? I know BRF won’t be proud of that.

Do they stiil fine offenders despite the court ruling? Chineke! Haba! Must they be the judge, investigator and prosecutor in their own case?

Someone got involved with them and parted with two thousand naira. Another was involved but sorted herself with forty naira. 

Please Lagosians, use your bargaining power against LASTMA if you can go through the court process. You can pay as low as forty naira.

Silifa, Olaibe, Ken and I may not contest Bayelsa Guber.

Olaibe according to people in the street is just the typical politician who works hand in hand with corruption. He is a well-known prostitute who has slept with the famous “fidifi” and his rivals. How will he (or should I refer to him as her) come back in a short time and want to be the heir? It is very “imposicant”. It is done nowhere in the world (except Nigeria) where a prostitute will come back to be the official wife. So, no way for Olaibe.

Whoever told Ken he can get there? This is more than examining bosom and curves of twenty year olds. Its more than asking ‘why you think you should be the queen’? This is a serious business for serious people. We are not organizing a party or jamboree here. Don’t worry, we’ll call you to handle the victory party. And please, where are you from? You don’t look any inch like us. Because we allowed you do business here and we treated you like our own doesn’t mean we’ll let you taste that juicy position.

Silifa, your campaign looks much like a victory party. You are so certain of repeating this class. We gave you a pass mark for making the state stagnant so why repeat. You dare call my beloved Johnny a lame duck. If I catch your baby face, I will pinch it till you cry. The words on the street are that you threatened to send Boko to Johnny. Just because you know Boko is Johnny’s weakness. Well, between you and Johnny, God dey. I am sure Johnny has nothing to do with your predicament. So, no need sending your fellow Ashewo to go plead on your behalf. They should be concerned with treating their own hepatitis.

As for me, I haven’t accumulated enough wealth and I haven’t changed my name to Forklift. I am also not ready to lie I schooled in Chicago. If I am ready with just these three weapons, you will see two fingers in the air.

Who is the real liar?

May be this should be called a confirmed rumour because none of the parties involved have come out to deny it. Journalists covering the Economic Summit in the French Resort of Cannes overheard President Sarkozy blasting the Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu as a “liar” during a chat with the United States President Obama. President Obama’s response did little to deny that Israeli Prime Minister is a liar but also confirmed it.

Though the offices of both Presidents have not denied these but this says a lot about the character of the Israeli Prime Minister. It is either; he is truly a liar or the two Presidents talking about him are liars; or the media is lying. Since the President’s offices are not commenting on the issue, maybe indirectly they are telling the Israeli Prime Minister to stop lying. So happy, the French and Americans have learnt how to keep mum from the Israelis.

If I can reach out to Boko Haram

It’s a thing of delight when the citizenry wake up to the fact that the government is performing below par. I am happy we are getting more conscious of the activities of our government and people nowadays are ready to vote out un-performing public office holders.

Aggrieved individuals or groups take to different methods to show their dissatisfaction at government’s neglect. The approach which Boko Haram as well as MEND has been using calls for concern. Whichever way they see the injustice being meted at them, they shouldn’t forget that the ordinary man on the street isn’t their enemy. The man next door isn’t the cause of their plights. The Imam or Pastor across isn’t the one guilty of the oppression.

We all have a common enemy in the political elites and the capitalist that shape and decide the harsh economic policies. The ordinary Igbo street trader has nothing to do with irregularities in electioneering process. The Yoruba Vulcanizer has nothing to do with the increment in fuel pump price.

It’s time we recognize our enemy and stop the killing of one another. It’s time we move together to wrestle power from the insensitive corrupt leaders. This is the time to stop the killing of innocent people and direct our anger towards our true enemy.

Dream

How big your dream is will determine how great your accomplishment in life will be. Those who limit themselves to little dreams or aspirations seldom accomplish anything at all. Always have dreams that are bigger than your resources.

Do not be bothered about your present state; if you dare to dream big, only God can stop you from achieving it, if it is not in consonance with His plan for your destiny. Don’t limit yourself to what people call you, if you can choose to dream big, you will soon prove your critics wrong. You must not belittle yourself by the consideration of others. It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you.


When a man's dream is big enough to contain his mind, such person will appear to possess superhuman power for well-defined products.Our dreams differ and can never be same. What is yours? 


By Guest Blogger HOLLAH 

Public figures and scandals.

It takes just a little time for political figures vying for positions to have their name in murky waters. This is story of the Republican Presidential hopeful, Hernan Cain who is been accused by three women of sexually harassing them while heading the United States National Restaurant Association in the ‘90s.

It is not strange for someone to always come out with stories from the past to taint the image of politicians, if they really had any. But when three different people come out with the same type of accusation it is interesting. In Nigeria, the accusers after sometime may go back on their words or maybe after receiving financial inducement or death threats.

Nigerians will say ’there is no smoke without fire’ and I agree. Ironically, Cain says the accusations are having positive impact on campaign donations. Maybe it’s a sort of motivation for him, I know not. But I am sure, this will leave a scar which will dent his political career.

When does life start? (Who is a person?)

The voters of Mississippi came out to decide what amounts to a person. They rejected the call to legalise a fertilized egg to be regarded as a person. If they had voted in the other direction and accepted a fertilized egg as a person, it would have almost totally put an end to abortion in the state and also questioned the use of some birth control methods.

Life starts at about when the sperm is released and travels to meet the egg or when it fertilizes the egg. If life starts at this point, then the embryo can be regarded as a person. In my opinion, the people actually voted in order to keep abortion legal. To some extent, I want to go with their stance because I look at the incidence of rape and incest. What happens to a fertilized egg conceived during rape or incest?

Many will rather not talk about this issue while some other people’s position is influenced to justify their actions or decisions at some point in their life. Could the use of condoms and diaphragms be regarded as abortion or putting an end to a life? Could the use of some birth controls methods be regarded as abortion?

In my opinion, life starts around the time the egg is fertilized. This is merely my opinion and not a medical or scientific fact.

Lifeline to Tevez

Tevez was suspended for two weeks by Manchester city for failure to warm up against Bayern Munich. Roberto Mancini at that time said Tevez was finished at the club. But the boss as the magnanimous and compassionate and has said he will forgive Tevez if he apologises.

Tevez as well as Mancini is known to have a strong attitude and also head-strong. 

Looking at how this will play out.

Of what essence is governance?

Education, health care, power supply, food, and security. These are just a few of what the government is supposed to provide for its people. The Nigerian people have lost faith in governments’ ability to provide these basic things for its survival and are not complaining nor do we need these things from them. Not minding the fact that we pay tax directly and indirectly; some companies grumble due to multiple taxes. We still go ahead to provide for ourselves what ought to be provided for us with the tax we pay.

A nation that is supposed to be developing is unconsciously taking steps backward. Every household has an electricity generating set because we have no power supply. No one waits for pipe-borne water again as wells or bore-hole is in every compound. We still have to pay the policeman on the street for a job not done with a 50 naira note despite the fact that we also pay them with the tax we pay. We don’t expect security from them thus we set up a vigilante group. No more street lights, we settle for halogen lamps and flood lights bought by residents to light our streets at night. The ghetto do not expect bridges after decades and decades of promises so they take fate in their own hands and build scary looking wooden bridges. Who now waits for government to fill pot-holes on the road as the boys in the area can fill it with broken blocks or a wealthy man can tar it. The street does not believe in the judicial system and will rather set ablaze the suspected thief, murderer or witch.

The only thing the government has succeeded in providing at an over-bloated price will be made more expensive again. Looking at all these holistically, what’s the essence of governance? Do we really need one?

Barcelona’s free-flowing style and the EPL

Almost everyone loves to watch Barcelona play. It’s magical when Iniesta and Xavi hold on to possession and throw beautifully accurate passes. It’s a wonder to behold. Almost all top flight teams want to play this kind of football. This is the benchmark Sir Alex Ferguson set for himself. This is what Arsene Wenger has been trying to achieve for fifteen years and it is also what Andre Villas-Boas wants to introduce into the once rugged Chelsea.

For years to come I don’t see any team getting this style of play to perfection even Real Madrid. Barcelona will be the king in this area and anyone who plays that kind of attacking football against them will be humiliated.

The EPL top teams have tried this style and we have seen how crazy it can get when the top teams meet. Though, it is interesting to see lot of goals and goal opportunities. The only team that seem to be a little safe is Manchester City due to its almost uncrack-able defence. The other English team can’t claim to have a better defence than Manchester City. This doesn’t mean Manchester City wont be spanked my Barcelona.

The only style which I see besting Barcelona is the old, rugged, rough and defensive style being played by Inter Milan and Chelsea under Jose Mourinho. There is no way you can be better than the master at his game

Strange case of Baba Suwe

Everything is strange from the time of his arrest till now. The popular comedians arrest drew lots of attention.  For him not to have excreted the much awaited ‘shit’ for this long is odd. The court injunction permitting NDLEA to keep him for 15 more days is a curious one. For him not to have passed out the drugs at the second and third excretion is even more curious.

The most strange of all was the court’s ruling granting him bail in the sum of N500,000 with the condition that the bail will take effect immediately after the 15 days a court earlier ordered for his detention. After all, the fifteen days expires on the said 4^th of November so why the bail when the man is supposed to walk home free at that date. Strange things only happen to strange people governed by strange people in a strange country.

Consulting-The Board Room Experience

Recently, I was at the Board Room of one of Nigeria’s leading retail Bank having a session with the members of the Executive Management (EMs) of the Bank. Of course, the MD and his subordinates were present at the session or else, why would I be there lounging in the aristocratic built room with ceramic and glass plated table? The chairs were so comfy to sit on -it was custom-made for my bum. And yes! I was served tea. Though, I would have preferred coffee with lots of cream and sweeteners.

Anyways, (donning my reality cap); rubbing shoulders with the members of EMs of organizations – having chit-chat with them might count as a no big-deal to you. To me, it is a ‘biggie’ (catch phrase used by my team lead). If you have been fortunate to work in an organization where you join at the lowest cadre and have to walk and talk your way up to the EMs cadre, you’ll appreciate this feeling.

Going into the Board Room as a very junior staff in one of the country’s leading institutional and now a leading commercial and retail Bank is like walking into the lion’s den. As far as I know, as a junior staff, there is only one reason that can bring you to the Board Room: A report to your Group Head. Mind you, you don’t even get to enter the Board Room lest you turn the focal point of attention and shredding. Yes shredding! Reprimanding! Only that reprimanding is an under-statement. No matter what, the report must get to your Group Head by any other means asides from entering. The other reason which we gag ourselves with that can take you to the Board Room is: ‘to serve tea’.

Nowadays, even if the session didn’t go as planned at the Board Room, it still feels so good to be served tea rather than to serve tea. Makes me thinking…

...Digital Jewels is the place to work at.

By: eeNDee (A guest blogger at Truth_Hurts)

Between CAN, the people and the Government.

A showdown is imminent from the stance of the Federal Government on the proposed oil subsidy removal. The people on their part are also not relenting and they are unflinching despite promises of palliatives. Different associations, groups and bodies are taking their positions on this contentious issue.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) headed by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been in the news for one or two reasons recently. He recently said Nigerians should be allowed to carry guns so as to reduce this rate of insecurity. I wonder if carrying guns will curb that. Rather it will escalate the insecurity level. Just last week, the association threw its weight behind the proposed oil subsidy removal, arguing that the Federal Government must just convince Nigerians that the gains from the exercise will be judiciously managed for the benefit of the masses. He was represented by the secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Wale Adefarasin at a symposium on Christian unity.

Truly, I doubt if this is a true representation of Christians in Nigeria. I believe the masses who bears the brunt of previous subsidy removal and who will bear the brunt of the proposed one are unanimous in their total opposition of it.

This is a call for Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor to consult with the people before making pronouncements on issues that affect them.

Gaddafi and Nigeria

It’s no surprise that some Nigerians also celebrated the death of Muhamar Gaddafi, the ex-leader and tyrant of Libya. He won’t be forgotten easily both in Libya and the rest of the world. There are some people who think the dictator did more good than harm to the people of Libya. I look closely at the arguments of Nigerians concerning the dead dictator and all I can see is that this judgement is spread mostly across religious divide.

Gaddafi was said to have killed opposition and wasn’t ready to hand over power but to one of his sons. From all the negatives, I never for once read that he mismanaged or impoverished the people of Libya. When I read some of his achievements within the borders of Libya, including the assistance he provided to some African Countries in paying their debt, I was dumfounded. Libya had a big and good economy with one of the cheapest petrol. Electricity was provided for the people for free. He was a dictator and tyrant and his people and western world did not like that. Sincerely, I think there is an ulterior motive behind NATOs invasion.

I asked myself this question; which Nigerian leader in the past and present has achieved just a little of what Gaddafi achieved. Some have hailed the death of Gaddafi while others have condemned it. But we as Nigerians should reflect on it. Let’s just imagine if we could get just a little of those achievements. How much life would have been easy for us? Just to show how pathetic we are, we prefer a democracy that the only people who benefit from it are the political elites. There are other lessons to learn from his life and death. He ruled for more than forty years. Could he have believed he would die in such manner? This is a lesson to our leaders. One day, Nigerians will be fed up with all their ineptitude. Libyans had a better government under Gaddafi than Nigerian has ever had under anyone. If they can so no to him, then Nigerians too will one day revolt.

Gaddafi was brave and he said he’ll rather die for what he believed in. His final words was ‘do you know what is right or wrong?’. He may not know what is right or wrong, but do we Nigerians know what is right for us? Can we go to any length to fight for what is ours? Do our leaders possess passion to live and die for what they believe in? They’ll rather run out of the country than stay here to suffer like the masses.

I implore us all to sit and think about our lives; what we believe in; to what length can we go to fight corrupt leaders. Like some Lagosians will say’ even if Fashola is corrupt, they prefer his own corruption. I am sure those people will enjoy Gaddafi’s tyranny more.

Lest I forget, Gaddafi is dead and Libyans have enormous task of rebuilding and surpassing his achievement. But we Nigerians too should learn, think and act towards liberating ourselves from the shackles of insensitive government

A country where no one ask questions

The Local Government Election in Lagos has come and gone and most of Lagosians are indifferent about the outcome. There was evidence of voter’s apathy; so much reason why people refused to come out to vote. The closest government to the people which includes the Local government, the Action Congress of Nigeria’s Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as well as the wards have made no impact on the people. Some have questioned what their duties are and others have called for the scrapping of the Local Governments.

The Local governments ought to be agents of developments in the grassroots, and this ought to be the reasons for the creation of the Local Council Developmental Areas.  The new LCDAs seem to be a way of creating more positions for the increasing number of people seeking political posts. I have never been an advocate of creation of more Local Governments or states because it is obvious some of the States and Local Governments are not self-sustaining but rely heavily if not solely on allocation from the Federal Government.

It’s disheartening when I see the calibre of people jostling for the positions in the wards and local governments. These positions have been left to the semi-illiterates who have no idea what governance or administration is all about. There is still the question of the legality of the LCDAs and the issue of transparency regarding how the allocations are being shared amongst the LGAs and LCDAs.

(Good) news on subsidy

The minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke has said categorically that kerosene will not be affected in the federal government’s proposed removal of subsidy in the oil sector. Though she said the subsidy on kerosene was totally inefficient. How come kerosene subsidy which is inefficient is left while the subsidy on petrol is been removed? She also said part of the reason the government will keep subsidizing kerosene was that there is no alternative fuel to give to the people. I come to think if there is an alternative to the petrol being subsidized.

We really thank her for shedding some lights on the deceits the government is putting forth to the people. It’s either the government is taking us on a ride or we are just being mocked. I also remember the President, GEJ saying the money which ought to be used to subsidize petroleum product will be used to provide mosquito nets. I am sure the President wasn’t serious about that because I remember we got those nets few weeks ago. And come to think of it, is mosquito net our major problem?

Greatest, biggest football match

The Liverpool and Manchester United match of last weekend was so drab. Even the whitewash of Arsenal by Manchester United was more entertaining. When Sir Alex Ferguson before the match said Liverpool and Manchester United match is the biggest and greatest football rivalry, I doubted him for the first time. Could such a match be compared to Real Madrid and Barcelona matches?

Save for the last twenty minutes with the introduction of Rooney, Nani and Hernandez the match would have ended without any entertaining moment. In my opinion, the Manchester derby coming up this weekend is far greater than the Liverpool and Manchester United match

The real ‘shit’ is taking longer to come

Shit business is truly serious business. Many make a living from the business of human faeces and some get stupendously rich with it. Babatunde Nurudeen Omidina otherwise called Baba Suwe has been in custody of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for some days. He is suspected to have ingested some hard drugs according to the reports.

The NDLEA boss has come out to clarify some issues. He said they are not interested in newspaper investigation but this has been the case so far. It is reported that Baba Suwe (has the comedian is popularly called) has excreted three times without traces of the drugs. Meanwhile, the NDLEA boss earlier said it takes about three excretions for the drug to come out or in rare cases four. So, Baba Suwe’s case may be among the rare one.

I only hope there are no high powered negotiations going on behind the scene because the wait for this expensive shit is getting tiresome.

The oracle has spoken

Now that the oracle has spoken, your opinion doesn’t really matter anymore. The local government election is almost here and many political parties are fielding candidates for the election. It’s laughable that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is fielding candidates in all Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) which I am not sure of their legality. I expected the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) not to have also fielded candidates in those Local Council Development Areas because they have always claimed to respect the rule of law.

There is widespread discontent amongst the people regarding the under-performance and non- performance of the incumbent chairman of most of the LCDAs. It’s so obvious to the extent that there is internal tussle not to return most of them. ACN which is the most acceptable political party in the south western Nigeria ought to have acted on the people’s opinion but alas all the chairmen were returned.

The chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the ACN said since the Governor was returned for second term thus all LCDA chairmen too should be returned. So, despite their non-performance they should be returned, but at whose detriment. It shows that the ACN doesn’t even practice internal democracy nor does it value the feelings and opinion of the masses that will vote for it (that is, if the votes actually count). This issue also came up during the last general election where some of the candidates fielded by ACN were imposed on the people.

Just as it has always been, the (most) respected man (the oracle) came forth and told everyone to accept all the candidates. And trust my people, they accepted the oracles verdict. Let’s wait to see if the people accepted the oracles saying and if they will it’s going to be another long years of no-development

Good African culture replaced by western conceited culture

The religious people who think the world is coming to an end are very mistaken. The world isn’t ending any time soon based on our understanding of time. Nonetheless, the world of each one of us is coming to an end. Generations before ours have claimed the world is coming to an end due to the mysterious signs seen such as; man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the prevalence of moral decadence etc. What we have realized is that it is those generation that are no more, not the world.

I SMH (shake my head) with concern and grief when I watched the video of the child been crushed by a van in China. Passersby walked by without the thought of helping the child. The Chinese Government has a regulation on/against? helping the victim of an accident.  Could it be so bad that because people are not willing to pay a fine illegally charged on them, they decided to leave the child to die? Though this happened far away in China, if we are not careful such may start happening in our society.

We seem to be forgetting our good cultural values of morality and care for our kinsmen. The western culture which we are inculcating makes our neighbours total stranger to us. I wonder how many people know who their neighbour really is. I will find it strange if an elder can correct the child of his/her neighbour. All we fancy is dressing naked, riding in expensive cars and showing-off to others our ill-gotten wealth.

There has been widespread criticism about the event of the child. The child is in coma and lots of questions are been asked regarding the morality of not just the people who walked past the child but the society at large.

Even Fashola has no problem with bend-down-select

Nigerian people just have this love for used things. From cars, airplanes, electrical gadgets and even the popular bend-down-select clothes are what majority settle for.

It was with awe that I read that the Governor of Lagos State defended the procurement of used coaches for the light rail project. He claimed that the government isn’t paying for the coaches but the concessionaire is paying for them. 

The concession itself is a topic for another day because majority of projects in Lagos are assisted projects. I won’t be surprised if his ardent supporters don’t accept we the masses are paying for this directly because we will be the end users. The coaches are 15 years old and are in good condition according to him. The governor said it will take a period of about eight years to build new coaches so the best option is to buy the used ones.

I wish them luck in the purchase and use of the bend-down-select light rail coaches and I hope it would be durable enough for Nigerian environment.