Nation's Centenary Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off With A Bang !

From Leadership Newspaper

Former Heads of State and Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Alh Shehu Shagari and Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday night stormed the presidential villa for the flag off dinner of centenary celebrations billed to hold January next year.
Ironically, Obasanjo who presented the centenary theme challenged Nigerians to love their country and speak positively about the President. The former resident had been critical of the Jonathan's administration of late, accusing the president of being the cause of the Boko Haram insurgence.
High point of the event was the lighting of the centenary torch by Jonathan who walked straight to Buhari and held him hand in hand as they climbed the platform to conduct the lighting the torch.
They were later joined by Vice President Namadi Sambo, all former Heads of States, first lady Dame Patience and the vice president's wife.
President Jonathan in his speech expressed hope that the country was destined for greatness, as a powerful and great nation which would be the pride of generations yet unborn despite its challenges, including the civil war.
According to the president, what makes the country great is not the abundance of mineral resources, but the interactions of Nigerians everywhere in the country as well as the efforts of people from all works of life.
Citing the victory of the Super Eagles in the quarter finals against Cote D'Ivoire in the quarter finals of the on-going African Cup of Nations in South Africa, he said the hardwork of all Nigerians promotes the country's sense of unity.
Gowon who unveiled the centenary logo, described Nigeria as a nation of strong, peaceful and hard working people. He expressed hope in the future of the country.
The logo, he said embodies the country's values for faith and courage ans symbolises unity. He prayedl for Nigeria to experience peace and progress. He presented the logo to Mr President.
Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar presented the centenary theme song, while Speaker Aminu Tambuwal launched the centenary web portal before Senate President, David Mark launched the centenary lottery.
Also present at the occassion were SGF, Senator Anyim, Pius Anyim, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha also made the event as well as other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Others are Senators Ken Nnamani, Prof Jeryy Gana, PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Ben Obi, Andy Uba, Chris Ngige, Zack Orji, Aliko Dangote, Ben Murray Bruce, Barnabas Gemade
Governors present wre TA Orji (Abia), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe)
Nollywood stars present were Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze, Jide Kosoko, Charles Okafor, AGN president, Ibinabo Fibresima.

Source. Leadership Newspaper 

Lord Lugard created Nigeria to last for only a 100 years..... I regard it as a challenge

From www.naijapundit.com

From former military President, Ibrahim Babangida came a shocker yesterday when he revealed that Lord Lugard created Nigeria to last for only a 100 years.

The self acclaimed evil genius said this in Lagos yesterday at the presentation of 2 books in honor of his foreign affairs minister, Bolaji Akinyemi.

Speaking yesterday Babangida had said “As Nigerians, we are aware of the great doubts that have been cast about what 2014 portends for the continuing existence of our nation. I am aware that Nigerians have taken great umbrage at these predictions. Even Lord Lugard who founded what has been called Nigeria gave it a life-span of 100 years. I regard it as a challenge to our intelligence to ensure that these portends and prophesies do not become self-fulfilling.

“We should engage these predictions on an intellectual level, testing whether the facts justify the conclusions.

“But on a practical and public policy level, we must import honesty into our public policy assessment. First, we must identify the problems that need to be addressed. Secondly, we must address these problems honestly. Thirdly, we must identify the most current and the most appropriate mechanism for addressing these issues.

“Let me make this clear. My position is not dictated by the fact that foreigners are making these predictions. We don’t even need foreigner sources as a reference point. The Nigerian media is awash with alarming news about our problems.

“My position is dictated by my conviction that Nigeria is precious enough to be saved. It deserves an investment of our time and resources to make Project Nigeria a success. But the starting point has to be an admission that we need to fix things.”

Babangida also stated that mistakes of past administrations are putting pressure on the country today though he refused to identify the mistakes or the past administrations that made them.

Said he “Some of the mistakes of the past have now come to haunt us. But let me make one thing clear. Not all these mistakes were made out of callousness or bad faith or malice.

“Most people in office do their best. They act to the best of their ability. Unless we think that our leaders have divine ability, we have to admit that even with all the best of their abilities and even with the best faith and with the best of all intentions, human beings will still make mistakes,”

In his own comments, ProfessorAkinyemi called for a national dialogue saying “Zoning, federal character, rotation, marginalisation of the brightest and the best will only make the much prophesied collapse of Nigeria in 2014 a self- fulfilling prophecy. We cannot build a nation on a system that takes care of the few while condemning the many to penury. A system that cannot take care of the many that are poor cannot save the few who are rich."

Source 

Nigerian Farouk Lawan charged over $3m fuel scam 'bribe'

Nigerian legislator, Farouk Lawan who headed an inquiry which found that a fuel subsidy scam had cost the country $6.8bn (£4.2bn) has been charged with corruption.

It is alleged that last year he collected $500,000 of a $3m bribe solicited from Femi Otedola to drop his company (Zenon) from the investigation.

The legislator pleaded not guilty in court today but was remanded in custody until a bail hearing on 8 February.

Still on the controversy of Chinua Achebes memoirs........

I encourage more memoirs to be written as long as the writer writes it from truth, personal experiences and observations. Irrespective of the outcome.
Today the politician Alex Ekweme turns 80, now, I would love to read his memoirs!. Someone like MT Mbu, who had a lot to say about the way history has presented itself eg his surprise declaration that Tafawa Balewa died of an asthma attack not a gun shot wound never wrote his memoirs.

Its true when they say ‘Each time an old man dies a library is burnt.’

The Jan 1966 coup was the excuse given for the genocide that proceeded in Nigeria that ultimately led to the civil war.

People will like you to believe the first military coup was an Igbo affair. But how could it have been, when the objective was to free Awolowo and install him as leader? But no doubt that coup became the reason for a chain of events that would change the political culture of our Nation.

I still feel the truth has not fully been told. Maybe its just my suspicious mind and the conspiracy theorist within, but I think that the plotters (and some of the victims) were specifically chosen as part of an elaborate grand plan.

Maybe a memoir would have explained the bewilderment of someone like Nzeogwu, an outstandingly meticulous, young Major, clearly in possession of his senses. But uttered these words when he gave himself up:

“We have pledged allegiance to
General Ironsi on behalf of all men who were for some unknown reasons,
referred to as ‘rebels’. We feel that it is absurd that men who risked their
lives to establish the new regime should be held prisoners. We wanted to
change the government for the benefit of everybody else...” ....This reeked of betrayal.

How else do you explain their treatment?
The assassins of our founding leaders apparently going scott free?. Crazy! Nzeogwu and his colleagues were never court -martialed. Instead, they remained on government payroll and were set free after some time in protective custody. They were allowed to communicate with their families and friends.
Even when Nzeogwu was killed in the East his body was taken to Kaduna and given the honour of a military burial.

I have come to realize these young men, must have done something grossly
appreciating for the successive Juntas and governments!

Its my personal opinion that Nzeogwu was a tool in the hands of superior officers, including those who emerged as major beneficiaries of his action and they used the July counter coup of ridding those that would stand in their way.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK !

Patience Jonathan, President Goodluck Jonathan's wife, dances to the crowd upon her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria, Wednesday, October 17, 2012. Image: Sunday Agbaeze/Associated Press. Via Ambrose Ehirim

Lagos Okadas: What Next?

So the Lagos state government has proposed implementing a heavy restriction on Okadas (commercial bike drivers) and some are saying its an outright ban. What do you think about this? I personally think this is a bad idea which may have terrible consequences.

What are the drivers of these bikes to do? Are you aware of the implications of them being left jobless? It may actually be cheaper in the long run to put a strict training programme in place rather than create a mass of unemployed men who have to survive one way or the other.

A lot of these boys have been sent from their respective communities, often from the North to fend for their families. Yes they drive badly, but so does the average vehicle driver :). I think there needs to be a complete but gradual fool proof overhaul of the way drivers are trained and are issued licences! Or is it too much work trying to figure out how to train these young men so to make them road safe?

Yes there are plenty of accidents involving Okada riders, but I don't think these young men are suicidal, all they need is the necessary training on awareness and road safety.

Shutting down a whole way off eking out a living will only lead to the increase of crime!
I suggest a stringent course for drivers and a fool proof method of getting them to complete it.
Those that have made this decision may not use this form of transport but ultimately they may end up becoming a victim of the unemployed ex drivers they will have created.

What Can We Learn From Aluu ?

What happened to the 4 young men in the Aluu community happens very often in Nigeria, but its rarely caught on camera and the victims personal stories are rarely shared on the social network.

In effect, people think its their duty to take the law into their own hands thus making them judge, jury and executioner.
BUT NOW ! people are asking what sort of human beings are we becoming.... BECOMING? .

..ARE ! We have always been this way....what that community did is no different from the welcomed vigilantes like the Bakassi boys who unleashed their version of justice as they saw fit. They are no different from the executors of suspected thieves on the streets all over Nigeria and their goading spectators, no different from self proclaimed men and women of God who brand children as witches and so on .....and then, the reprisal attacks. WHEN DOES THIS STOP? Why has this not been addressed fully?
We continuously talk about our "democracy", A "democracy built on the rule of law", Isn't it closer to the truth that there is a growing number of Nigerians who have absolutely no regard for the rule of law?
Is it because there is a complete lack of trust in the Judiciary and people have resorted to jungle justice instead of allowing the "available" instruments of law to be applied to each case?

So here we are in 2012, where the regard for human life appears to be at its lowest. We risk falling into complete anarchy if we continue in this vein. The government has failed in its duty to maintain law and order, and in a society were there is no law n order people take it into their own hands.
The people need to be convinced that the police and the judiciary have the will and resources to deal with crime and protection of the citizenry.

We need to say NO to Jungle justice, whichever form it presents itself.

R.I.P Llyod Toku, Chiadikobi Biringa, Tekena Elkanah and Ugonna Obuzor