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Jobs/Vacancies / Re: N-Power: Thread For Payment Status And Issues by DonDraper: 5:21pm On Aug 26, 2017
Tsam1959:
Sir be patient, to what mail address did you send your complain ?

I am patient. I just want an acknowledgment of receipt of the mail or status update of my request. I sent the request to support@npvn.desk-mail.com with supporting docs: marriage cert, affidavit, newspaper publication, account details and BVN. Isn't it the correct email?
Jobs/Vacancies / Re: N-Power: Thread For Payment Status And Issues by DonDraper: 2:56pm On Aug 26, 2017
npowerng:



Did you receive a mail . Saying your issue has been resolved or rectified ?

No response at all. I have sent several reminders. Kindly assist so my profile is updated and stipend payment unaffected.
Jobs/Vacancies / Re: N-Power: Thread For Payment Status And Issues by DonDraper: 1:18pm On Aug 26, 2017
npowerng:


When did you send your new bank details and proofs to the helpdesk mail.

Thanks for your swift response. I sent it on the 11th August, 2017 at 2pm.
Jobs/Vacancies / Re: N-Power: Thread For Payment Status And Issues by DonDraper: 12:43pm On Aug 26, 2017
npowerng:
Dear Existing Beneficiaries,
Some of you have payment issues and don't know what to do.
Please read carefully and ask follow up questions below.
#NPowerNG


Changed my bank account name and bvn details. Sent proofs for the name change to the support team via emails but yet no response.
Jobs/Vacancies / Shell: Apply For Livewire Nigeria Programme 2017 by DonDraper: 2:47pm On Aug 07, 2017
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operator of the NNPC/Shell/Total/Agip Joint Venture (SPDC JV) announces the commencement of the 2017 SPDC JV Regional LiveWIRE Programme.

Livewire is a youth enterprise development programme supported by the SPDC JV. The programme aims to inspire, encourage and support young people aged 18-35 with training and finance to start their own businesses.

The LiveWIRE programme objectives are:

Enable youths to establish businesses by exposing them to business planning and management skills through the ‘Become a Successful Business Owner Course’.
Provide business start-up grants for candidates with the best business plans.
Link successful candidates to third parties like financial institutions and non-government organisations (NGOs).
Provide a volunteer mentoring programme for successful candidates.
Programme content:

Pre-start up: - Value and Organise Yourself (VOY)
Bright Ideas workshop (BI)
Become a Successful Business Owner (Business Planning & Management)
Value Chain workshop
Business Start-up (How to access finance & technology)
Post start up (Mentoring and Market linkages)
Applications eligibility:

Male and female applicants from the region (South-South).
Must possess a University degree or HND in any discipline.
Must have completed NYSC if within mandatory bracket.
Must be resident in their states of origin.
Must not be in paid employment.
Must have an innovative business idea.
Must desire to own and manage a business.

Application period:

Monday August 7 – Monday August 21, 2017

Click link below to Apply Now!

https://www.livewire-nigeria.org/application-form



You may also apply by sending an email to info@livewire-nigeria.org stating:


*Full name; *state of origin; *community; *LGA; *date of birth; *email; *marital status; *telephone no; *residential address; *educational qualification; *subject area; *type of business; *description of business; *years of experience; *disability if any; *business name; *CAC registration if any; *business address; *Name of Referee; *telephone no; and *address.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email or sms.

1 Like

NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 11:50am On Jul 12, 2017
NaijainTexas:


Got your message, but have been dealing with a lot of stuff these past few weeks. I will email you back.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Travel / Re: Give Birth In USA: Cost And Procedures Part 5 by DonDraper: 8:28pm On Jul 07, 2017
Hello @miczyn @coolcathy and others using HNWMC, DH and I will be in Houston next month (August). However, we are yet to firm up accommodation. Any suggestions of affordable suites close to the hospital will be appreciated. We've tried airbnb but still on the high side.

And has anyone found a way to ensure the pediatric bill is commensurate with what is charged elsewhere (less than $500)?


Thanks for your understanding and swift response.


Any Houston bound mum in August can hit me up too.



mizcyn:
Hi. Anyone currently in houston northwest region and using hnwmc. Please pm . Bored and just wanna chat
Forum Games / Re: Crack Ya Head by DonDraper: 1:13pm On Jul 07, 2017
I.T.S.
Jobs/Vacancies / Shell Nigeria Graduate Recruitment 2017 by DonDraper: 1:04pm On May 30, 2017
Shell Nigeria is looking for graduates who have studied the following courses:

- Social Sciences
- Law
- Finance
- Petroleum Engineering
- Mech Engr
- Chem Engr
- Civil Engr
- Met Engr
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Statistics

To apply, please visit www.shell.com.ng/careers or www.shell.com/careers. Application portal opens 1st of June, 2017 and closes 14th June, 2017. See attached for more details.

5 Likes 4 Shares

Programming / African Tech Startup Of The Year: Investment Call For Proposals by DonDraper: 9:15am On May 11, 2017
Hello, I am a venture capitalist looking for tech startups to support and fund. If you have a great idea that is impactful and worth sharing with the world, send me a message so we can materialise it. What am I looking for?: solution to a local or global challenge; ideas that can be monetized; and simplicity.
Romance / Re: Best Wedding Photos In Nigeria by DonDraper: 2:26pm On Dec 25, 2016
Niceeee
NYSC / Re: Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 3:51pm On Oct 10, 2016
cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove, Seun

NYSC / Re: Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 5:04pm On Oct 08, 2016
Thanks and Amen.
Benjom:
That's quite generous of her. May God replenish her.
NYSC / Re: Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 5:12pm On Oct 07, 2016
Dear @Seun and @Lalasticlala, Thanks for all the usual support, kindly accord this Rural2Rural Education Initiative the necessary attention it deserves by moving it to FP. Many thanks in anticipation. More pictures coming up.
NYSC / Re: Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 4:35pm On Oct 07, 2016
Pix 1: Picture with excited students
Pix 2: From another angle

NYSC / Re: Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 4:33pm On Oct 07, 2016
I would say today is one of my best days and all thanks goes to God. Initially I didn't want to talk about my service year but I've decided to share this. Little did I know things would turn out this way when I came to the community. Love and giving walk side by side. I loved them and gave all I had. In return see what I succeeded in making them do; they learnt the act of giving/appreciation/self development . No matter how small always remember to reach out. To my family, friends and sponsor I say a big thank you for making this happen. I have decided to continue with Rural 2 Rural Education Programme. JOIN ME!

Pix 1: POP
Pix 2: Gifts from students and teachers
Pix 3: Letter of appreciation and gift
Pix 4: Send forth party

NYSC / Abia: Corps Members Implement An Impactful Rural2rural Education Initiative by DonDraper: 2:32pm On Aug 29, 2016
Remember the story of a corps member that changed lives in Abia https://www.nairaland.com/2985776/how-corper-changing-lives-abia; so here's another bigger event from her. A second edition called "Rural 2 Rural Education Programme" was held in the same community and this time took a different turn. Free Summer School was organised for children in the entire community for a period of six weeks. Free textbooks, notebooks and stationaries were provided for the kids in attendance. A new curriculum was drafted from the scratch to close the identified gaps in the students’ academic state. Some of them, though in advanced class, still lack the basic foundational knowledge in core secondary school subjects.
This is a plight suffered by students who attend rural primary schools where the educational system is poor. After the classes, we conducted an assessment and observed remarkable improvement in their performance. For that reason an award ceremony was held on 24th August, 2016 with so much joy as various gift items were awarded to the students ranging from scholarships, notebooks, school bags and stationaries. We are very grateful to sponsors that supported us to impact lives and this has given birth to the initiative. Let's all work together to ensure that rural education is improved.


Attached picture shows a group picture of awardees, corps members and school management.

Politics / Anambra@25: Rewriting The Anambra Narrative by DonDraper: 1:10pm On Aug 21, 2016
The travel alert by the United States of America to its citizens, over some states in Nigeria, penultimate week, meant different things to different people. To the American citizens living in the country or intending a visit, it was a clear warning on where to avoid.

Until some years ago, Anambra would have featured prominently on the list. That would have not been for nothing. Then, the state was literally a jungle of sort. With petty criminals, kidnappers and other armed gangs virtually holding various communities of the state to ransom, life in Anambra was hellish.

In the process, insecurity became the order of the day. The immediate result was that many businesses went under as prominent residents and citizens of the state, relocated to other parts of the country. Even with spirited efforts of the government of the day to rid the state of crime, the situation was hardly encouraging. It was under that state of uncertainty that a former governor of the state, Peter Obi, raised the poser; “Is Anambra State cursed or are we (indigenes) the cause of our problem”.

That was the ugly state of affairs when Dr. Willie Obiano was inaugurated the governor on March 17, 2014. With a wholly civilian background, many were apprehensive over whether the governor has all it takes to weather the storm of insecurity in the state. But today, the story is different, hence the omission of the state among those declared unsafe by the US Department of State.

This feat however did not come on a platter. Obiano from the onset mapped out a clear agenda to make Anambra crime-free, if his vision of making the state first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities, was to be realised.

What added weight to this thinking was that since the end of the Civil War, the State had been the theatre of crime and criminality in the South Eastern part of the country.

Obiano spoke it all. “I figured out that there could be no meaningful progress in this state without a successful attack against crime. I knew that no investor would go to a crime-ridden environment. So, we launched an all-out war against kidnappers, armed robbers, drug-dealers and child-traffickers.

“We smashed crime syndicates and pulled down the warehouses used for keeping kidnap victims. We donated smart cars to the police, a gunboat to the Navy and last Christmas, we launched police helicopters to watch over our skies.

“And so, for the first time since the creation of this great state, we made sure that Anambra was effectively covered on the land, in the waters and in the sky! With that effort, we achieved 360 degrees security coverage of the state”, he said.

The result is that Anambra currently ranks among the safest states in the land. Aside Awka, the state capital, other major cities and towns in the state, attest to the new lease of life in Anambra. Even Onitsha that motorists and other road users dreaded both day and night, holds out a different story currently. With traffic lights at strategic sections and well-equipped security officials on watch, criminality in the commercial town has been considerably degraded.

Aside the strategic investment on security and allied engagements, what also seems to be driving the crime rate low in the state, is the unprecedented involvement of the government in capacity building among the citizens. Education, for instance, has been receiving unparalleled attention from the state. Statistics indicate that in the last two years over 1000 units of 10-classroom blocks have been renovated across the 21 local government areas in the state.

It was also gathered that N733 million was expended on renovation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) mission schools. Scholarships, it was also learnt, had been awarded to over 200 students at all levels of education, including children and victims of insurgency in the country. The effect is that the state has consistently remained tops in overall performance in West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) in recent years.

Anakwe Onuorah, Nnewi-based civil engineer, identified the government’s human capital development effort as one that will put the state ahead of its peers, in due course. According to him, the principled investment in education by the current administration and its predecessor, is all that the state needs to harness the latent entrepreneurial energy among its citizens.

“I can attest to the beauty of what the government is doing (investment in education) because I am a beneficiary of the goodness of education. An average Anambra man or woman, is by nature, adventurous and industrious. We dare where others fear. What the state is doing in education now, may not be readily seen by an ordinary eye. But by the time the efforts begin to yield fruits, we shall be the envy of others”, he enthused.

Mrs. Cecilia Okeke, who runs fruit supermarket on Eke Market, Awka, agrees with Onuorah on the silent revolution taking place in the state. “My children are proud beneficiaries of the qualitative education in the state. Unlike before when being indigenes of Anambra attracted jeers to us, we now sing it from the roof tops that we are truly the Light of the Nation, she stated.

Analysts locate the enticing revolution in the state on continuity of the good efforts of the previous government by the Obiano administration. In this instance, even the harshest critics of the administration give it to it that it has not abandoned any of the road projects initiated by the immediate past Peter Obi administration.

If anything, it is rather consolidating on those projects while forging ahead. The three flyovers in Awka speak eloquently of the government’s ambition to transform Anambra with world class infrastructure. It has also built two bridges and a Five-Cell Culvert in Awgbu-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma axis. Within the same period, the administration has asphalted over 102 roads.

The applause coming on the way of Anambra on account of its re-engineering process, transcends its shores. In fact, while the state glows, it elicits joy in other parts of Igboland. And this is not without cause.

Among the Igbo, there is a strong attachment to Anambra State. It has not been easy explaining why the essentially internal affairs of the state attract attention of even non-indigenes.

Despite the apparent failure in identifying why Anambra remains dear to the entire Igbo people, the state has always provided the barometer for measuring the tempo of activities in the South East.

In the build up to Nigeria’s flag independence in 1960 for example, apart from a handful of individuals from other neighbouring states, most of the personalities that called the shots from the eastern flank sprang from the present Anambra. There were for instance, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor-Orizu, both at different times, President of the country and Senate President, respectively. They had younger contemporaries in the late M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, Mbazulike Amaechi (The Boy is good), Igwe Osita Agwuna and Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani. These at the time, sustained the fire for Nigeria’s nationalism.

Even after independence, when the ship of the Nigerian state left no room for the Igbo, the task of charting the path for self-actualization of the people through the instrumentality of the Peoples Republic of Biafra, fell on General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, again form the state. At the height of the civil war, when the federal authorities were looking for an administrator for the East Central State, they settled for late Ukpabi Asika, from Onitsha.

When the Second Republic was being inaugurated and the position of Vice President was zoned to the South East by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Dr. Alex Ekwueme, from Oko, readily became the choice. While Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, also from the state, emerged the Speaker of the House of Representatives. During General Ibrahim Babangida’s political transition exercise, Agunwa Anaekwe, had emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives from the state.

In the current political dispensation, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, from Ogbunike, had held the Senate Presidency for the zone at a time.

As eminent Igbo representatives have risen in politics from Anambra, so have they in other fields. In the state, as the saying goes, nothing good lacks.

Incidentally, despite the pleasant array of stars from different fields in the state, Anambra before now, not made serious efforts locating its correct bearing.

It was in this regard that Obi, shortly on assumption of office, had rhetorically asked “Is Anambra cursed or are we the cause?”

But with the turn of events, 25 years after its creation, Anambra appears to be locating its pride of place in Igbo land and Nigeria, at large.

1 Like

Jobs/Vacancies / 2016-2017 Shell/petan Graduate Internship Programme by DonDraper: 8:52am On Jun 06, 2016
smiley

2 Likes

Jobs/Vacancies / Youth Unemployment, Skill Acquisition And Job Creation by DonDraper: 10:01am On May 30, 2016
The massive church auditorium of a popular Pentecostal church in Utako area of Abuja, buzzed with activities, recently. Curiously, it was not essentially, a religious gathering. The crowd, which comprised youths and women, sat in groups of about 50 each. With pronounced concentration, they engaged themselves in various tasks that underscored the value they attached to the programme.

The event was a one-month Skill Acquisition Programme, organized by the church to impact the lives of this category of its members and others in the environ. Participants received trainings in different fields, such as: hat making, decoration and event management, catering, bead making, soap making, make-up artistry, photography and cinematography, phone repair, electrical installation, barbing, among others. Lectures were also given on entrepreneurship, as part of the package.

The training cost was written off by the church, apparently, as part of its social responsibility, because they might have reasoned that it was not enough for a pastor to continue telling the congregation “it is well with you”, when many of them bore the brunt of hunger and unemployment.

Although a number of the participants had university education, some had only basic education. But in this era of crippling unemployment, it was rightly considered that acquiring skills in any of the fields, coupled with entrepreneurial knowledge, would open opportunities for the participants to either become small business owners, or even become employable in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector of the economy.

A similar programme, with remarkable success, had been implemented a few years ago, by a non-governmental organization promoted by Hon. Victor Ogene, in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, of Anambra state. Ogene represented Ogbaru at the House of Representatives, in the last assembly. Over 350 youths benefited from the skill acquisition and grassroots job creation scheme.

I was privileged to be part of the team that designed the programme. The enthusiasm exhibited by the participants in course of the exercise and the feedback, were simply, amazing.

It is in fact, gratifying to learn that many of the beneficiaries are currently doing well in their chosen fields. For instance, a young lady, who received catering training at the programme is now a valued caterer in her locality. She currently has three employees in her outfit.

An encounter with a proud beneficiary of a similar skill acquisition by another private organization, was not only revealing but insightful. Boldly written on a sign post in front of his office in a popular shopping complex in Abuja, is: “Engineer Amos Phone Repairs”. The stream of clients waiting for his service, was only indicative of his mastery of the phone repair business.

In one of the sessions, a young micro finance marketer showed up and Amos effortlessly handed over the sum of N4, 000 to her – a daily savings contribution, as was later understood. That was most likely only a part of his daily earnings. Two young boys, also work under him.

Such profitable skills would no doubt be vital tools for addressing youth unemployment in the nation.

It has therefore been rightly argued that if private organizations are adding value to the lives of the youths through skill acquisition schemes, government should be in the driving seat for such job creation initiative.

This is the more reason it is always disheartening to many, when some political office holders do not think beyond distribution of okada (motor cycles) or Keke (tricycle), when they embark on “youth empowerment”. Some even donate snooker boards to youths in their communities in the name of youth empowerment.

Many have argued that for youth empowerment to be meaningful, it should essentially add value to the wellbeing of the beneficiaries, who will in turn, be useful to the society. An idle, snooker-playing youth, with no identifiable skill or visible means of livelihood, will most likely become vulnerable to negative tendencies and may constitute a threat to the society.

This reinforces the argument that job creation is pivotal to the success of any government that has the agenda of wealth creation, social security for its citizens and importantly, the internal security of the nation.

Such engagement, it has been rightly noted, serves as a proactive means of addressing insurgency, militancy and other forms of restiveness among the citizenry, especially the youth population.

A careful survey would certainly reveal that perpetrators of terrorism in the Northeast, militancy in the Niger Delta region, kidnapping and arm robbery across the nation, are mostly youths.

Such disturbing realization, makes it incumbent on government to adopt practical, creative ways of ensuring that the youth population are positively engaged in activities that would insulate them from vulnerability to crime and other social vices.

Realistically, not everybody would benefit from government employment, as such opportunities are scarce and expectedly, competitive. But it is the right of every citizen to sustainably earn a living in a country of his nationality.

In the absence of any social welfare programme in Nigeria, or the ambiguous proposed N5,000 monthly palliative package to the very poor, by the federal government coming handy, a short term skill acquisition programme, would no doubt be more profitable to both the beneficiaries and the government. The self-reliance and the value chain gains of this programme, in the overall peace and prosperity of the nation, cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

But the problem with government in handling such a programme, is often the usual frustrating bottlenecks of government bureaucracy. Bogus budgeting, over centralization and the general absence of transparency are also factors that could hinder a smooth nation-wide implementation.

However, if a relevant government agency such as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), is given a marching order, with the necessary budgetary backing, using the 774 local government areas as units for the training programme, the possibility of success would be high.

For instance, if 2000 youths are trained in 774 local government areas in Nigeria in one year, in four years of consistent implementation of this programme, over five million jobs would have been created. The multiplier effect of that on the economy can only be imagined.

While people in some quarters might argue that funding would be a challenge for the implementation of a wide-spread project like that, it should be noted that the proposed N500b for palliative would go a long way. Even relevant international donor agencies would most likely buy into the programme. All that these donor agencies need, is transparency that would ensure that their money is not diverted to other non-people-oriented projects.

By Edward T. Dibiana is a journalist and creative writer.

https://www.thecable.ng/.V0v5qW5QB_w.facebook
Politics / What Is The Value Of Our Democracy? by DonDraper: 6:31pm On May 20, 2016
In the scorching sun and draining heat of a sweltering afternoon, at a building construction site recently in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some artisans tangoed vociferously in a heated debate.

The debate, expectedly, centered on the current touchy hardship in the country, occasioned by lingering economic challenges, that engineer diminishing faith by the citizenry in the political leadership of the country. The argument was specifically on who to blame between the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government or the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, for the wide-spread difficulty in the land.

In the encounter, coloured with passion, anger and disappointment, but undiminished logic, one of the artisans, shouting at the top of his voice (while performing the job that brought him to the site), said: ” Make una no dey give me headache, abeg. The only president I know is this Site Engineer. Na only him dey remember me. My only governor na this Oga Foreman. Na only them two dey carry me come work make hunger no kill my family. Government no dey remember me. Dem no know me sef. APC no know me, PDP no know me. For election APC go give you T-shirt, PDP go give you T-shirt. Na shirt go feed your family? Politicians na the same for my village, for Abuja, for Kano and for everywhere.

“Politicians no care about us. We suffer for our money. We suffer everyday for here. Last election, I vote under sun. Next election, never…never…”, the sweaty and visibly livid construction hand added, before he went into a less audible monologue in a local language, with obvious sad tune, laced with resentment, as he continued with his task, under a largely unfriendly weather condition.

While this construction assistant might not have acquired formal education, not many can fault his logic and understanding of the concept of true leadership and loyalty, which is far from the charade being exhibited by some members of the political class that are insensitive, banal, self-serving and deceptive.

This simple political analysis that informed the realistic opinion of this uneducated and probably unskilled construction hand, shows that he and many people of his ilk are not fooled by the rhetoric of political campaigns that are usually oiled with bogus promises and inanities that add no actual value to the well-being of the ordinary man. Neither are they perturbed by the showmanship or self-adulation of political leaders and their agents, who often forget that they are essentially in positions of authority to serve the people and not to be served.

These set of people might have the misfortune of being far from the plundering ground of the common wealth of the nation or the proverbial national cake, but are obviously far from being ignorant of happenings in the society. They are obviously more politically informed than the political class would want to accede to them. They understand that current economic crisis is a direct consequence of failure of leadership by integrity-challenged political class that constitutes successive administrations in the nation.

They are not particularly unaware that the current difficulties are not necessarily the making of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, or that of the PDP or APC, as political parties, but that of the political class in positions of authority at all levels, who failed to provide genuine people-oriented leadership that could improve the well-being of the people and guarantee the security of the citizenry, which ought to be the core responsibility of every government.

When for instance, a local government chairman turns to a “king of kings” in his domain and becomes richer than his local government by converting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) that should accrue to the LGA to his private income but allows government facilities that ought to be maintained rot away through neglect, the people take note. And perceptions are formed about his quality of leadership because leadership is like a mirror; what is presented is what is reflected.

When half of the Nigeria Senators abandon their legislative duties to accompany the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, every time to attend his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), in Abuja, where he is facing charges, the ordinary man wonders if such anomaly would have been tolerated in a private sector establishment, where official hours are not wasted for unofficial activities. People observe these occurrences and query the morality and sensitivity of such actions and the leadership credentials of these leaders.

These category of ordinary Nigerians are also bemused when they go through the endless list of who-is-who in the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) ongoing probe. Many of the alleged looters are members of top echelon of the military and other government agencies. Beyond being amazed by the sheer magnitude of corruption going on in the system, ordinary Nigerians who sweat for their daily bread under difficult conditions, are further dazed by the volume of money maniacally looted by these supposed leaders. When things like that continue to take place in the society, perceptions are formed, leading to further gulf between the leaders and the led.

When some middle-range civil servants buy several houses in exclusive areas of Abuja, where such properties cost N500m and above and send all their children abroad to school or enroll them in expensive private schools where each child pays about N2m and above per term, the common man wonders if such civil servants inherited such fortunes from aliens! Or they are citizens of another planet.

Another May 29 is here and governments at all levels are rolling out drums to celebrate yet another Democracy Day. But what is there for the ordinary man to celebrate? What is the value of democracy when quality of life and living is increasingly diminishing? To the common man across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, life is a nightmare: Poor healthcare, poor electricity, high cost of living, unemployment, horrible roads, high rate of infant and maternal mortality. Yet they are told that democracy is the answer to most societal problems.

Such people are unlikely to be hoodwinked by the thumbing grandstanding of the current divided Nigerian labour leadership, whose schism mirrors the larger challenge of ever compromised process of leadership selection that ultimately leads to questionable leadership in Nigeria. Are these labour leaders in a position to command the respect, solidarity and belief of the ordinary man, when there is an obvious suspicion that they are not entirely different from the government they are supposed to hold accountable? A recent Internet viral image of a latest Toyota Land-cruiser SUV, with a number plate, “NLC 1″, which is allegedly the official vehicle of one of the labour leaders, estimated at over N25m, sends instant message to the public that such leadership might serve all but the genuine interest of the ordinary Nigerian workers. How can they in all honesty rationalize such display of crass ostentation in the face of the plight of the ordinary worker who is still taking home a monthly pay package of N18,000?

These ordinary Nigerians are everywhere – in every state, every community and every neighborhood. They are the real people. They constitute the greater percentage of the population of our nation. Sadly, they feel neglected and forgotten by a political leadership that has alienated itself from the true source of its power: The people.

Although the responsibility for change or transformation is not only that of the occupants of the presidential villa or government houses, they no doubt will take the front role in changing negative public perception by consciously taking steps that would genuinely and positively impact the lives of the ordinary man, thereby winning the trust and belief of the citizenry.

Beyond that, people in leadership positions at all levels, whether elected or appointed, should in the interest democracy and its survival, inspire hope and faith in the people by not only their actions, conducts and lifestyles, but also the genuineness of interest in the overall well-being of the people under their leadership. The public mirror for leadership remains unbroken. Just as it is applicable in elementary literature, you analyze a character by “what he says what he does and what people say about him”.

No democracy can survive without the patriotic support of the people. And the people cannot realistically continue to support a system that tramples on their welfare. Democracy would only be nurtured where there is genuine peace among the people. This informs the maxim that no meaningful development can take place in a society characterised by rancour and crisis. Democracy that neglects the interests of the people is unwittingly inviting crisis.

Therefore, as governments across the nation (irrespective of political parties) are celebrating Democracy Day, they should be weary of the growing negative vibes and tension in the land, which are symptoms of trauma inflicted on the people by leadership failings of successive governments. The people are keenly watching.

https://www.thecable.ng/whats-value-democracy#.Vz7_EzYmkUo.whatsapp
Crime / Re: Pls Help Fill Quick Online Survey On Cybercrime by DonDraper: 6:09pm On Apr 25, 2016
Crime / Pls Help Fill Quick Online Survey On Cybercrime by DonDraper: 8:26am On Apr 25, 2016
I hope you are well.

Could you please help me to complete this 'short' survey on cybercrime (less than 5 minutes). I would also appreciate if you could give 'a helping hand' in distributing it to all friends and colleagues
(18 years and above, of course). Many thanks!

http:///UniversalCybercrimeSurvey

Thanks for this.

Preview: Kindly participate in this academic survey on cybercrime. The survey aims to identity the diverse ways online crime affects citizens of different countries in the World.
Politics / The 2016 Budget Brouhaha by DonDraper: 5:20am On Apr 13, 2016
As always, the omni-creative cartoonist, Mike Asukwo, has captured the 2016 budget dilemma in a very hilarious cartoon. He titled his latest piece... "Big Kids" [refer to picture below]. I am very sure Senator Ben Murray Bruce will love this!


Teaser: Who can dentify PMB and SBMB?

NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 6:51pm On Mar 30, 2016
A big Amen to that! How's it going Stephen?
oyestephen:

God bless you
NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 11:24am On Mar 30, 2016
Jhonnyboy:
DonDraper are u a CU Grad? u seem familiar

Yeah.....an Eagle

NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 7:01am On Mar 24, 2016
Thank you Coolguy89 for the love. Have a pleasant day!
Coolguy89:
Beauty wit brain,may God bless you,I love educated creative women,Beb i love you
NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 6:50am On Mar 24, 2016
Wooow! Thanks NaijainTexas for the kind gesture. My team and I would really appreciate strong support from Abia State Government (State Ministry of Education) to ensure that we build a robust model to tackle this spelling difficulty once and for all. We see an opportunity here. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

NaijainTexas:
Not only are you beautiful outside, it is clear you are beautiful inside. May the Good Lord bless you in all you do.



Please, send me a private message, I want to get you in contact with some State leaders-- you deserve recognition. I am sending this to my father to read right now.
NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 9:34pm On Mar 23, 2016
Thanks mrkels. We appreciate.
mrkels:
I ll love to be a stake holder.

Hit me on 0815 865 9034 .

NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 9:33pm On Mar 23, 2016
Hehehe. Funny dude.
Slimchase:
Plz Corper, re u still single or taken already ?
I have a good reason for asking........
NYSC / Re: How Corper Is Changing Lives In Abia Community (Photos) by DonDraper: 5:59pm On Mar 23, 2016
Thanks for all the compliments and prayers *blushing*. Special appreciation to the Moderators for moving it to front page.

Hopefully, this thread will encourage enlisted and potential corps members to see the service as an opportunity to shine and give back to our nation. If you are blessed to be posted to a "remote" location like me, don't ask "ohh why me?" but say "try me!"...

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