Mustay's Travails

APRIL 2-TODAY

Today was declared a public holiday by the f.g.to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammed's birthday.

   So,I was opportuned to see d PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE AND THE LAUNCHING OF TINAPA SIMULTANEOUSLY.
tINAPA TINAPA TINAPA!!!

There's has been so much noise 'bout this stuff especially on DSTV to the extent that i was like "make them open this stuff sharp sharp make we hear word sef!"
Anyway, thumbs up 2 DONALD DUKE.

this day next week is my day of birth!
an easter monday and 5 days before d elections.

I don't look 4ward 2 it  although I'll be celebrating with 3 other people I know.

Reminiscing, I was just a small guy some months back is what i'll be sayin 2 myself but I'll also remeber that am getting nearer 2 my grave!(no one likes 2 think of that)

Am expecting readers 2 wish me d usualor aren't y'all? (no?, yes?)

"ooh yeah, i wish you happy birthday"
"oooooh yeah, and many many happy returns. . ."
na wetin them dey play 4 party before be that o. Proudly nigerian song
now it's-
go go go go go
sho-- it's your birthday
we going to party like, it's your birthday
we going to sip barcadi like, it's your birthday
and you know we don't give a f-!] that's your birthday. . .
Na wah o.   Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Me!
yesterday, i was a year younger. . . Thank you lord

Climate change: Why the silence in Nigeria?
By Luke Onyekakeyah
WORLDWIDE, concern over a possible swing in the global climate pattern has aroused attention at local, national and international levels. Individual scientists, universities, research institutions are all joined in the united effort to unravel the facts about the climate change and the nature of its impacts on humans and the natural world. Meetings, conferences, symposia and workshops are being organised around the world to determine the emerging trends of the phenomenon. The debates are intense as scientific facts are being released.

In 1988, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) jointly established the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The body was to evaluate the risk of climate change brought on by humans, based mainly on peer reviewed and published scientific/technical materials. The Panel is open to all members of the WMO and UNEP.

The role of the IPCC is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. IPCC reports are expected to be neutral with respect to policy, although they may need to deal objectively with scientific, technical and socio-eonomic factors relevant to the application of particular policies. Since it was established, the IPC has released three reports and the fourth is being awaited.

The IPCC first assessment report served as the basis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The highlights of the report include: there is certainty that natural greenhouse effect and emissions resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gases (GHG) - CO2, methane, CFCs and nitrous oxide. These increases will enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in additional warming of the Earth's surface. The main greenhouse gas, water vapour, will increase in response to global warming and further enhance it. There is confidence that CO2 has been responsible for over half the enhanced greenhouse effect; long-lived gases would require immediate reductions in emissions from human activities of over 60 per cent to stabilise their concentrations at today's levels.

Based on current models, it is predicted that there would be increase of global mean temperature during the 21st century of about 0.3oC per decade (with an uncertainty range of 0.2 to 0.5oC per decade); with progressively increasing levels of controls, rates of increase in global mean temperature of about 0.2oC to about 0.1oC per decade. Uncertainties abound in the predictions particularly with regard to timing, magnitude and regional patterns of climate change due to incomplete understanding of the sources and sinks of GHGs, clouds, oceans and polar ice sheets. Nevertheless, the conclusion is that global surface air temperature has increased by 0.3 to 0.6oC over the last 100 years. The size of this warming is broadly consistent with prediction of climate models, but is also of the same magnitude as natural climate variability.

The IPCC second assessment report was completed in 1996. Its main summaries are that (1) Greenhouse gas concentrations have continued to increase. (2) Anthropogenic aerosols tend to produce negative radiative forcings. (3) Climate has changed over the past century (air temperature has increased by between 0.3 and 0.6oC since the late 9th century). (4) The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate. (5) Climate is expected to continue to change in the future. (6) There are still many uncertainties with respect to some variables. This report formed the basis of negotiations over the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The IPCC third assessment report was published in 2001. The summary of the report indicates that an increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other changes in the climate system. (The global average surface temperature has increased over the 20th century by about 0.6oC; temperatures have risen during the past four decades in the lowest 8 kilometres of the atmosphere; snow cover and ice extent has decreased). Emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols due to human activities continue to alter the atmosphere in ways that are expected to affect the climate.

Confidence in the ability of models to project future climate has increased. (Complex physically based climate models are required to provide detailed estimates of feedback and of regional features). Such models cannot yet simulate all aspects of climate. Nevertheless, confidence in the ability of these models to provide useful projections of future climate has improved due to their demonstrated performance on a range of space and time-sales. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human influences will continue to change atmospheric composition through the 21st century. Global average temperatures and sea level are projected to rise under all IPC scenarios.

Work on the fourth IPCC assessment report is underway. The Working Group summary for policymakers was published on February 2, 2007. Its key conclusions were that warming of the climate system is unequivocal. Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas concentrations. Hotter temperatures and rises in sea level "would continue for centuries" no matter how much humans control their pollution, although the likely amount of temperature and sea level rise varies greatly depending on the fossil intensity of human activity during the next century. The probability that this is caused by natural climatic processes alone is less than 5 per cent. World temperatures could rise by anything between 1.1 and 6.4oC during the 21st century. Both past and future anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions will continue to contribute to warming and sea level rise for more than a millennium. Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values over the last 650,000 years.

The foregoing review shows that the world is not resting on its oars over this potentially impending disaster. The question is where is Nigeria in the scheme of these activities? What is the country doing about climate change? Who is doing research on this important matter? Is there a body charged with the responsibility of coordinating research and activities, gather facts and make pronouncements on behalf of government on these issues?

There is nothing to indicate that the country is conscious and facing up the challenge of global climate change. Nothing is happening at the national level. The universities that would have spearheaded research on this matter are in limbo. Nothing is heard from the few research institutions in the country. For instance, the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) is dead silent on the matter. Since the country has a long 800 km coastline and is prone to submergence of its coastal low lying communities, NIOMR ought to be proactive in educating the nation on the likely impacts of a sea level rise.

Probably, the apathy of the Nigerian authorities and their institutions over climate change is based on doubts and a general feeling that climate change is improbable and most unlikely to happen. But we must not forget that it was not raining when Noah was building the Ark. It took about 120 years before the deluge occurred. When the floods rose and lifted the Ark with Noah and his household inside, those who ridiculed the old man were caught shouting for help. The climate change drama would most likely follow the same pattern.

If for nothing else, the fact that Nigeria's oil infrastructure, the backbone of the nation's vulnerable in the event of economy, is located in the Niger Delta, which is prone to submergence, it is foolhardy for the authorities to ignore the global concern over climate change. Furthermore, from the global perspective, Lagos is projected to be vulnerable to submergence should there be a sea level rise. Our fragile agricultural system and water supply schemes are threatened by climate change. Above all, it has been globally stated that the poor would suffer most when these unfortunate incidents take place. With over 75 per cent of Nigerians living below the poverty line, climate change portends disaster for the nation. Climate change should be de-politicised because everyone is at risk. Government should wake up and establish a panel of scientists to monitor climate change and how Nigeria stands to be affected by the phenomenon.




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THIS IS AN ARTICLE I CULLED FROMGUARDIAN NEWSPAPER. I WONDER WHEN WE SHALL LEARN IN THIS COUNTRY

     Talking about the Virginia Tech. incident; I think the Americans are the source of their problems!
     In a country where guns are sold just the way we buy recharge cards here, what do you expect?
     I just pray such a thing never happens here because I can't imagine the 'loner' of my class now being the killer!!!
    It's so tragic. . . .the boy shooting those jumping out of the window, killing the lecturer and . . .gosh! Make e no just happen ere sha
    I guess the sholarships US schools 'll render to non-citizens 'll be Stringent now

Yesterday. Oh no!
Friday was a public holiday and it seems like 2007 is beating 2006 in terms of number of holidays observed.
Yesterday's election was drab although reports in maryland by journalists had it that elections started as at 9.30 am. The electoral officer had to commence 30 minutes before time because those waiting were old people.
Maybe the oldies wanted to lead by Example!

Back to the Virginia Tech stuff-
If he were an african, he's a millitant.
If he were an arab, he's a terrorist.
If he were an european, he's a murderer.
Now it was an Asian.
What do we call him? Nuclear bomber? Loner? Killer?
Boo haa haa.
It's just a good thing the guy wasn't a North Korean because we never can say. . .

Listened to and saw a political  program on Galaxy  tv( i don't like the station) yesterday where they were talking about the Elections.
Yes, I actually watch Galaxy every Sunday from 4-6 pm to keep myself informed.
A lawyer commented on the Ministers(fani-kayode and frank nweke) reply to senate president nnamani-
"look at all these small boys obj has appointed. They just talk anyhow. I'm happy with the response nnamani have to the minister of information who didn't get himself informed on the need for the senate to recovene after the president declared a state of emergency. . . . I even like the way he(nnamani) said- I was with your father(frank's father) and both of us didn't vote. . . Look at all these people that are old enough to be their father. The other day, it was the vice-president they were abusing. . .  ".

God help us.
Despite the us' fair that nigeria'll break down, it's worthy to note that despite the flaws, we've put them to SHAME!

One thing I like about the excavation carried out by d Lagos Government is the absence of the petty traders.
Those guys are an eyesore to the road.
Although there are some never-say-die individuals who still sell despite the dust raised, my concern is whether Lagosians 'll let the BRT lane be for BRT buses alone! 

Concerning the coins, I'm yet to see any with my 'koro koro' eyes.
By may 31, d old naira note becomes invalid.
The truth is that CBN instead of setting deadlines for the 'extinction' of old notes, they should just let the old notes fizzle out. Chikena!  

Tuesday- May 1st will be another public holiday to celebrate the worker's day.
I like the holidays though but I definitely don't like the restrictions we've experienced in  the last 3 saturdays due to d elections.
We probably mightn't observe the environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos till june.

Today is very boring.
There are less movements around and it just as if it's a holiday. Probably, people don't see the need to go out since tomorrow is a holiday.
The sun is so hot that I'd to go back home. This weather is weird. It was cold in the house, but terribly hot outside!     

     I get tired of reading the 'letters section' of newspapers especially when (SAN) Chief Gani Fawehimi fan's keep writing that they're dissapointed with the man's opinions these days.
I read about 5 different papers and there  was even a 'fan' who dedicated a FULL PAGE to express his dissapointment.
    I guess the respected lawyer had better supporting the rule of law he is known for 'because I never knew it was easy to lose fans like this

Petrol is now 75Naira!
Maybe that's Obj's parting gift.



I don't know y things are so comatose in this nation.
Few days to OBJ's handover:
VAT RATE IS INCREASED
FUEL PRICE IS INCREASED
EGBIN POWER STATION IS SOLD; hence the MAY 30 strike by electricity employees
The REFINERY IS SOLD(at a cheap price!); hence the PENGASSAN strike.

Our president promised and failed. Therefore, he has asked us to forgive him 'because he's only human!

Infact I'm fed up. Probably this was a PLAN to make Yar'Adua land well. Whwn the guy comes in, he reduces the price to about 70 naira and NIgerians 'll now thank God that the messiah has come abi?

     The legislative chambers were inaugurated yesterday and I was thrilled by the election of Hon. Babaginda Nguroje as Dep. Speaker of the House of Reps at the age of 35!
     More compulsive was the election of Mrs Patricia Etteh as the Speaker of the House of Reps. as she returned unoppposed. But what 'marred' her election to me(from a moral point of view) was the 'legislative advertisements' of cleavages when she accepted her nomination and during the swearing in. I'm sure the raunchy ones 'll get giddy on seeing that.
    Of course the senate was full of intrigues as former governor of Enugu state; Chimaroke Nnamani is said to be on the run in Morrocco with his wife. Whatever the case, I'm sure the women are quite satisfied this time in their participation in governance.

". . . a sensational feeling. Women folk walk up 2 me on the street. Every place I go, they are so thrilled . .  what it means is that I've to uphold the HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS. . ." 
(statement culled from SUNDAY PUNCH; Pelosi(Etteh's equavilent in the US))

THE 54 YEAR OLD sPEAKER SHOULD LET HER FASHION DESIGNERS KNOW THIS O!