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 Politics / Forcados Shutdown: Nigeria Loses N356.6bn In Five Months by hilltop93(m): 5:13am On Jul 28, 2016 |
Five months after it was attacked and shut down, Shell’s Forcados export line remains offline, causing the country a loss of about $1.6bn (N356.6bn) in revenue. It is still uncertain when the pipeline would come back on stream, although the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had said earlier this month that repairs would be completed by the end of July. In February 21, Shell declared force majeure – a legal clause that allows it to stop shipments without breaching contracts – a week after militants blew up a pipeline feeding the Forcados export terminal, knocking out at least 250,000 barrels per day. The International Energy Agency had in April estimated that Nigeria could lose an estimated $1bn (N197bn) in revenue by May, when repairs of the Forcados terminal was expected to be completed. The IEA said, “The Forcados terminal in Delta State, one of Nigeria’s biggest terminals, was scheduled to load 250,000 barrels of crude per day. At $40 per barrel, Nigeria could stand to lose an estimated $1bn between February, when force majeure was declared, and May, when repairs are expected to be completed.” At an average oil price of $40 and exchange rate of N197 to the dollar, the country lost at least N246.4bn as of June 19 and N110.2bn from June 20 to July 27 (using $290/$). The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had said the deficit and low revenue recorded by its exploration and production subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, from February to April, was due to production shut-in, resulting in loss of entire NPDC’s revenue from crude oil sales of about N20bn occasioned by vandalism of Forcados export line. The corporation said recent upsurge in vandalism had negatively impacted on the Nigerian crude oil production output, losing its African top crude oil producer to Angola. It said, “About 380,000barrels per day remained shut in due to vandalism of the 48-inch subsea export line on February 15, 2016. “Also, the nation has lost over 1,500MW of power supply to the damage as gas supply from Forcados, which is Nigeria’s major artery, accounts for 40 to 50 per cent of gas production. Incessant pipeline vandalism poses the greatest threat to the industry.” Nigeria’s oil production is now 700,000 bpd lower as a result of persistent militant attacks on oil pipelines and infrastructure, Reuters reported, quoting the NNPC. In addition to Forcados, Qua Iboe and Brass River are also under force majeure, while Escravos and Bonny Light are facing significant loading delays. The militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, has claimed most of the strikes, which continued even during a one-month ceasefire announced by the government in late June. Other groups have also claimed attacks. The groups have primarily targeted pipelines belonging to oil majors Shell, ENI and Chevron, NNPC itself, and Nigerian company Aiteo. “As one terminal comes back online, another goes offline,” analysts at Barclays wrote in a note, adding that “with militants wanting a greater share of the country’s oil wealth, outages are likely to prevail until any agreement can be made.” This month, Shell shut the Trans Niger pipeline, which is one of the pipelines that carry crude to the Bonny light export terminal, following a leak in Ogoniland. While crude export was briefly reduced to 30-year low at the peak of the attack, Nigeria’s export has recovered sharply. Analysts at Ecobank Capital, led by Mr. Dolapo Oni, in a report said, “However, indigenous operators in the country are expected to be significantly affected by the shutdowns. Most of the country’s indigenous producers operate onshore fields which require the loading terminals for export. “The local producers could see 2016 financial performance worsen considerably due to the security challenges of the region.” http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/28/nigeria-loses-n356-6bn-five-months-forcados-shutdown/ |
| Politics / Aisha Buhari Seeks Support For N’east Malnourished Children by hilltop93(m): 5:00am On Jul 28, 2016 |
The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has called on all Nigerians to get enlisted in the fight against malnutrition in the country. The nation and the rest of the world’s attention was drawn to the threat of malnutrition with the reported death of over 200 persons’ at internally displaced persons camps in Borno State. Mrs. Buhari made this appeal on Tuesday during the distribution of relief materials to 1,500 family members of the IDPs in Maiduguri. Distributing the relief items which included bags of rice, millet and other supplements with cash donation to beneficiaries at the Government House in Maiduguri, Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said, “It is time for everyone in the country to get involved in the fight against malnutrition in order to prevent more deaths.” She said, “Everybody should get involved to prevent the death of our people, especially women and children from malnutrition, and this they must do now.” She added that with the active involvement of everyone, the battle to put a stop to the death through malnutrition among the IDPs would be achieved. The President’s wife said, “The collective efforts of all well-meaning Nigerians will ensure that no child at IDP camps as well as other parts of the country lacks good diet.” She noted that the distribution of food items to 1,500 families within Maiduguri on Wednesday was the first, after about 4,000 peoples had during the last Ramadan benefitted from her pet project, ”Future Assured. ” While thanking Mrs. Buhari for the gesture and her unflinching support for IDPs and victims of insurgents in the North-East, Hajiya Shettima called on well-to-do individuals to donate towards the well- being of people who had been displaced as a result of Boko Haram and other communal clashes in the country. The Emir of Mubi in Adamawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Isa, has lauded the existing synergy among security agencies in his domain. http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/28/aisha-buhari-looks-support-north-east-malnourished-children/The |
| Politics / Re: House Of Reps To Invite EFCC, ICPC To Probe Budget Scandal by hilltop93(m): 2:06am On Jul 27, 2016 |
Even common sense is no longer common. Some have exchanged there's for plaates of fufu. 5 Likes |
| Family / Re: Death Of Six Siblings Sparks Controversy by hilltop93(m): 2:03am On Jul 27, 2016 |
May there tender soul rest in peace. May God grant the parents fortitude to bear the lost. |
| Family / A Quadruplet Mother Says Bye To Childbearing by hilltop93(m): 1:56am On Jul 27, 2016 |
A 25-year-old mother of six children, Mrs. Patience Abantelhe, has accepted to embrace a family planning technique after she was delivered of quadruplets. The babies, who weigh 1.7, 1.7, 1.2 and 1.3 kilograms respectively are currently in an incubator at the hospital and are the third, fourth, fifth and sixth children of the Abantelhe, who already have two children. Southern City News learnt on Tuesday that Abantelhe's desire to embrace family planning technique was influenced by the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, who visited her in the hospital. In a message related to Southern City News by the director-general after the visit, Abantelhe said, "I know about family planning and I will do it before I leave the hospital, I do not want any other children now." However, Edu said the economic situation in Nigeria called for a review of family planning techniques. Edu said, "Just five days ago, a woman in the northern senatorial district of the state delivered quadruplet, she already has six children while the husband is a carpenter and she is a full time housewife."Family planning is like a vaccine for maternal mortality. If there is family planning, there is the likelihood of reducing maternal mortality. "Again, family planning will help them manage their situation economically considering what Nigeria is going through. If women can embrace family planning, they can take good care of the few children they have." http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/27/quadruplet-mother-says-bye-childbearing/ |
| Family / Death Of Six Siblings Sparks Controversy by hilltop93(m): 1:40am On Jul 27, 2016 |
Contrary to allegations making the round, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Hosea Karma, has stated that the six siblings, who died in Ekwulumili, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra state, about two weeks ago after eating a meal of rice and beans, were not poisoned. Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone, Karma said the six children died after eating their mother's meal. "Nobody killed them. They died after eating jollof rice and beans. One of the children first complained of runny stomach before giving up. So, nobody killed them."Our suspicion is that the beans might be contaminated by preservative chemical. "Ekwulumili is not known for such diabolic acts. We're predominantly a Christian community with ancestral consanguinity and affinity. So, nobody can think of such an evil act here. Why should somebody think of killing such innocent souls? For what purpose," the source queried. Corroborating the source, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police said, "The parents of the children, who spoke with us, did not tell us that anybody poisoned or killed their children."The mother of the children told us that the children died after eating a meal she cooked by herself and served to her children by herself. "So why should we start arresting people on the issue when the parents of the children have not said they were suspecting that somebody poisoned their food or killed their children?"The six children died after eating their mother's food. Another anonymous source insisted that "The children were killed by an unknown person by poisoning the food they kept in their kitchen."The killers should be figured out and punished. http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/27/death-six-siblings-sparks-controversy/ |
| Politics / Re: APC Governors Resolve To Seek Ekweremadu’s Removal As They Meet With Buhari by hilltop93(m): 1:24am On Jul 27, 2016 |
Perfectdanny: I Taya for Nigeria sef, Men logs of wood in their eyes are looking for splint to remove from another man's eye. May God help Nigeria 31 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics / House Of Reps To Invite EFCC, ICPC To Probe Budget Scandal by hilltop93(m): 1:15am On Jul 27, 2016 |
The House of Representatives said on Tuesday that it would investigate the budget-padding allegations its former Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, levelled against the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and three other principal officers. http://punchng.com/reps-invite-efcc-icpc-probe-budget-scandal/
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| Foreign Affairs / Re: Hillary Clinton Is Democratic Presidential Nominee by hilltop93(m): 1:06am On Jul 27, 2016 |
Bolustic: You are too sure! Categorically saying it. Anyway your opinion, let's watch and see who wins. 8 Likes |
| Politics / Re: APC Governors Resolve To Seek Ekweremadu’s Removal As They Meet With Buhari by hilltop93(m): 12:59am On Jul 27, 2016 |
SamMilla1: Gbuam! You said it all. 125 Likes 6 Shares |
| Politics / APC Governors Resolve To Seek Ekweremadu’s Removal As They Meet With Buhari by hilltop93(m): 12:40am On Jul 27, 2016 |
State governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have resolved to do all within their powers to ensure that Senator Ike Ekweremadu is removed as the Deputy President of the Senate, The PUNCH has learnt. http://punchng.com/apc-govs-meet-buhari-resolve-seek-ekweremadus-removal/
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| Foreign Affairs / Re: Hillary Clinton Is Democratic Presidential Nominee by hilltop93(m): 12:29am On Jul 27, 2016 |
modelmike7: Yes! She can. 39 Likes 3 Shares |
| Foreign Affairs / Hillary Clinton Is Democratic Presidential Nominee by hilltop93(m): 12:19am On Jul 27, 2016 |
Hillary Clinton became the first woman in history to win the White House nomination of a major US political party Tuesday, securing the backing of Democrats at a convention in Philadelphia. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state took a monumental step on her quest to become American’s first female president, by besting party challenger Bernie Sanders. After a tumultuous convention opening which saw Sanders and Clinton supporters trade jeers and chants, Clinton passed the 2,382-delegate threshold needed for the nomination, setting up a showdown with Republican Donald Trump in November. “History,” said a post on her Twitter account. Although the outcome was a foregone conclusion, the state-by-state vote saw rowdy displays on the convention floor. Some diehard Sanders delegates expressed frustration with their candidate’s defeat, but the divisions seen were much less pronounced than on Monday. Clinton’s nomination was formally put forward by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, the longest serving woman in the history of the US Congress. Civil rights icon John Lewis, a congressman from Georgia, seconded the nomination. ‘Show a little class’ The Clinton camp is looking to unite the party’s factions. Monday saw disruptive protests and a rancorous fight over leaked emails that showed party bias against Sanders. Frustration boiled over as his delegates jeered speakers who mentioned Clinton. Vice President Joe Biden, who will address the convention Wednesday along with President Barack Obama, dismissed concerns the party was not uniting behind Clinton. “We’ve got to show a little class and let them be frustrated for a while. It’s OK,” he said of Sanders supporters as he toured the convention arena Tuesday. Sanders meanwhile called on his supporters to get behind Clinton. “What we must do, or forever look back in regret, is defeat Donald Trump and elect Hillary Clinton,” he said Tuesday while addressing the California delegation. “In my view, it’s easy — it’s easy to boo, but it is harder to look your kids in the face who would be living under a Donald Trump presidency,” he said. Trump took the usual shots at Clinton during a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte, North Carolina, calling her “Crooked Hillary” and charging that her use of a private email account as secretary of state “put America’s entire national security at risk.” A Clinton campaign official said Tuesday’s convention events aim to draw a sharp contrast with Trump. The line-up of speakers will talk about her life-long fights to make a difference. Chief among them will be former president Bill Clinton, who will take the stage during primetime to hail his wife as a “change-maker,” the official said. But Clinton and the others — including mothers who have lost children to gun violence or in clashes with police — will also have the unstated mission of mending fences with Sanders’ army of vocal young activists. Source: [url] http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/26/hillary-clinton-makes-history-democratic-presidential-nominee/[/url] 6 Likes
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| Religion / Religion: A Unifier Or Diversifier? by hilltop93(m): 2:39pm On Jul 24, 2016 |
Religion has really brought with it many hurdles as well as much progress to the Nigerian nation. It was Ojakaminor who avers that; ‘‘Nigerians are like yams tied into an amulet and so cannot sprout. The few who are smart to break this jinx use and abuse the masses because they (the masses) do not react and also have no convictions and courage to speak out’’ (28). Religion which is greatly influencing national development has played its toll in the unification and diversification of the Nigerian nation. It is in this light that the influence of religion on the eruption and management of the above mentioned shall be brought into cognisance herein by looking at: the concept of religion, religion and the African and the workability of religion in the Nigerian society. WHAT IS RELIGION? Religion as defined by the Webster’s New International Dictionary Second Edition is ‘‘an apprehension, awareness or conviction of the existence of a supreme being or more widely supernatural powers or influences controlling one’s own; humanity’s or natures destiny. It is the service and adoration of God or a god as expressed in forms of worship, in obedience to divine commands especially as found in accepted sacred writings or as declared by recognised teachers and in pursuit of a way of life regarded as incumbent on true believers’’. Karl Marx; a philosopher cum sociologist avers that this unconscious projection of our perfection and unlimited possibilities into a transcendent supreme being in the great beyond which we call religion is ‘‘a dose of opium that anesthetises people, keeping them from realising the true source of their suffering’’ (Lawhead 381). HAS RELIGION FAILED US IN NIGERIA? The above was captioned in the column ‘‘Rise Youthspeak’’ of one of the Nigerian dailies. The writer of the article avers that religion has really affected Nigeria. He tried to show that churches and mosques which were regarded as sacred places are now bombed and also used to launder money while religious leaders who were always looked up to as upright, pious, trustworthy, honest, disciplined and highly incorruptible are now linked with dehumanising activities as divorce, illegal arms deals, ritual killings, armed robbery, hobnobbing with politicians and even terrorism (Obaro 2014). Despite these ills which religious groups and individuals have committed under the guise of religion; the two main religions in Nigeria viz Islam and Christianity contain inherent in them the solutions to the many atrocities, social ills and terrorism which have bedevilled our society and diversified our diversity. The author of the above named article acknowledging the fact that both Islam and Christianity are essentially peaceful and motivating factors to national development avers that: ‘‘Since both religions teach against killing of human beings, stealing, corruption, all forms of indiscipline, bearing false witnesses and terrorism, the task of making Nigeria a peaceful and harmonious country devoid of these prevailing evils, lies directly on the shoulders of our religious leaders, that is; if the Islamic clerics and Christian clergies preach the truth and what is right’’ (Obaro 2014). S has been seen, religion has not failed us, rather; we have failed it by not following its dictates but our own selfish inclinations. It is and will continue to be a unifier if and only its true teachings are upheld which are aimed at primarily the good of all humanity It has diversified us today in Nigeria into sections, because of radicalism, selfish ambition of clerics and clergy and indoctrinations. WAY FORWARD Anything therefore that aids in maintaining peace and promoting human continuity and progress should be encouraged- religion does just this if applied earnestly. But is it enough to bring about this harmony by the leaders alone? No, even if the leaders are up and doing; the followers also have to wake from their fanatical slumber and embrace the reality that as Nigerians, our religion is the sub-strata on which all other stratus in our society stand on and so has to be revived and made indubitable so that in spite of our diversity; it may be a uniting force. All hands therefore have to be on deck to stir this rudder of religion so that it may achieve its goal. This does not mean an end to the conflict of religion, ethnicity, regionalism, Sectionalism, or politics because conflict does not end as it is a necessary condition for change, development and progression and as Ngare avers: ‘‘conflict is a condition of harmony hence; the struggle is the balancing of power among people. This diversity is not an obstacle that its elimination will be a condition for social interaction. Rather, maturity is; which is neither peaceful co-existence nor open minded tolerance, but an active commitment to cooperate for the sake of truth’’ (IX). CONCLUSION The ball has been set rolling and as Martin Luther King jnr. Once said: ‘‘ I think the people of ill-will have used time much more effectively than the people of good-will, we’ll have to repent in this generation not merely because of the hateful words and bad actions of the bad people but over the appalling silence of the good people’’. But in our case, this can be rephrased thus: ‘‘I think the people of ill-will have used religion much more efficiently in Nigeria than the people of goodwill, we’ll have to repent in this generation not merely because of the hateful words and bad actions of the bad people, but over the appalling silence and inaction of the good citizens’’. If only we would speak out, the bad will not continue to make a caricature of religion and use it as they wish. The change needs to start from individuals for the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. It is a clarion call for the reader and all and sundry to be the change we wish to see in the world. http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/24/religion-unifier-diversifier/ |
| Religion / Re: Divine Deciet: A Tool For The Commercialization Of Christianity by hilltop93(m): 7:45am On Jul 17, 2016 |
Is really a lecture "note" to those concern. |
| Religion / Divine Deciet: A Tool For The Commercialization Of Christianity by hilltop93(m): 7:30am On Jul 17, 2016 |
By Agbo Owoicho Hilary The inability of man in his search for meaning to the everyday events of life and the ultimate realities thereof has inevitably led him, and rightly so, to rely on the Supreme Being for answers, under the umbrella of religion. Although the truth of the reality of this Supreme Being do not enjoy universal acceptance – as revealed in the ideologies of atheists, humanists and the likes – the continuous growth of world religions today makes this position to remain contested. The Christian religion as taught by Christ and revealed in the Scriptures presents one whose concern centres on the love of God and one another through good works and generosity to the needy, and especially the poor, with the final goal of salvation, uniting the Christian with God in heaven (cf. Luke 4:18). This all important ‘enterprise’ is manned by people chosen from amongst men to stand as intermediaries between God and man (cf. Heb 5:1); and we see them in pastors, priests, evangelists, bishops, prophets and the likes. They are to act in line with the dictates of the master, Christ, who instituted this ministry. Nigeria today is considered to be a highly religious country, evidenced in the fact that there is an ever increasing number of churches on her streets and cities and also an attitudinal character of having always to rely on God in virtually every event of life and also as being the reason for any occurrence. One would expect that the proliferation of churches would translate into a country of justice and fairness where the rights of the individual are upheld; but we are faced more often than not with cases of corruption, immorality, injustice, and the likes. A country so blessed and said to have more than its fair share of human and natural resources is paradoxically thriving in cases of hunger, poverty and unemployment. A further twist to this dilemma is revealed in the fact that the very ones who man this all important ‘enterprise’ are identified mostly with the high and mighty who are considered to be the causes of the Nation’s backwardness. This is because, like the very rich few, they also own the best houses, drive porch cars, own private jets and the likes when the only job they are known to be doing is leading God’s people, a people who are the very opposite of their status. The question then would be that ‘is the increase in the number of churches due to financial gain?’ What is man’s understanding of business in religion? Are we to be concerned about the business of religion namely- salvation of souls or the use of religion for business purposes? Is Christianity about ‘the business’ or it is ’a business’? These questions continue to becloud curious minds who would want to know how this trend became the norm. A close relation shared her encounter on a visit to one of the Pentecostal churches around on the occasion of a thanksgiving service of her friend in the said church. At the end of the service just before the people were to disperse, the pastor prayed for the people during which he was led into a trance, as he said, and he told them that there was someone in the church whom, before coming to church that day, picked an underwear but on second thoughts dropped it to pick another one to put on. He said that it was God who saved her from an imminent danger had she worn it. He said if you were the person you should come to the altar for more prayers. More than half the population of the ladies in the church came forward. One would think that it would stop there but not at all. All who came out were asked to sow a seed for more of God’s protection of which to my sister’s surprise the least donation was five thousand naira. You could see clearly those normal everyday events that surround our activities as humans could be exploited by our ‘pastors’ for their selfish interests. In a paper presented to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Sr. Teresa Okure SHCJ titles this ‘fear de work’. “At a Sunday Mass, a priest called from the pews all those who had not paid their tithes to come forward and stand in front of the altar (what is called in charismatic and Pentecostal settings, “Altar Call”, calling people to come and give their life to Jesus). That done, he pronounced a curse on them in such words: “Unless you pay up what you owe God, God will destroy your businesses, make life difficult for you and may even strike you dead before you reach home after this Mass”. This seed of terror sown in the psyche of the people yielded the priest six million naira. He returned to the rectory to boast of his exploits. “Fear de work-o” he said, and then he narrated what he did to get the money the people allegedly owed God”. Clearly this priest knew he was terrorizing the people into coughing out tithes, using God’s vengeful anger as weapon to get the money. “God watched that happen and perhaps wept, not for himself betrayed, but for the people who were thus deceived into thinking God was a tyrant avid for “their life or their money”; and for the priest for mortgaging his Christian and priestly vocation”. A Pentecostal pastor on a Sunday service came to church with thirty apples in a basket that he had blessed. And just before dismissal, he told his congregation that he had special gifts for them which would give them a fruitful week ahead. He brought out the apples and told them anyone who picked any of the apples (with a sum) would receive favour unimagined from God. Moving round the Church, he gave out these apples to people whom I considered to be well to do, based on their appearances, while the others showed interests but were not given. I watched these persons pay for these ‘blessed apples’ (since I had gone there with a friend) with large sums of money to get God’s blessings. Trying to answer the why of this misnomer would reveal that the crave for material wealth is the fuel that has kept the fire of this divine deceit still burning. As a result, the central theme of homilies in churches today is prosperity. The prosperity gospel preachers have so penetrated the lives of their members that they no longer see suffering as part of human reality, and as such when they tell the people what they want to hear, they in turn give their ‘pastors’ the monies they require of them. But we know that the very essence and root of Christianity is evidenced in suffering, the death and resurrection of Christ. Hence no Christianity that is devoid of suffering. The business of Christianity has thus been neglected and now made a business. Little wonder then the General Overseer of a particular Church in Nigeria, when asked why he turns his church affairs into a business venture would say that “after all Jesus said that he had to go about his Father’s business”; no doubt an out-of-context interpretation of Scripture. To toe this path would only be sacrificing authentic religiosity on the altar of wealth and prosperity. This means that the people would go any length to acquire wealth since God never wants his people to suffer, more Churches will continue to spring up since this would only mean the financial empowerment of the ‘pastor’. Also, the role of Christ’s suffering and death in saving mankind would be rubbished, and the Incarnation of Jesus would be rendered irrelevant. The call to prophecy is not of human origin but rather from God and remaining as faithful as possible to the business of this call is equally very important. Recognizing this fact; especially as portrayed by Jesus, who identified with the poor and needy and also sought out to better their situations, is the first step towards curbing this ugly trend. As a result, all pastors of souls must be adequately trained in this regard; although this may prove difficult since everyone claim being called by God. The mind of the Master when He said he must be about his Father’s business (cf. Luke 2:41-52) I believe was not business in the economic sense of the word but rather the reason why he came, namely the salvation of souls. It makes no point deceiving the people of God for selfish purposes and worse still by those who represent him on earth. Realizing that we will all give account of our stewardship in the end, and after which we’ll all be rewarded in that light, is our consolation as it is only then we would know who was concerned about the business or made religion, and particularly Christianity, a business. [url]Www.politicalcritics.com.ng[/url] Edited by Okonkwo Emmanuel Editor in Chief, Gadfly Magazine, 2015/2016 Edition. http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/17/divine-deciet-tool-commercialization-christianity/ 1 Like |
| Politics / Re: You Can’t Put A Crown On A Clown And Expect A King by hilltop93(m): 9:28pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
HungerBAD: Your "ok" means affirmation I guess |
| Politics / You Can’t Put A Crown On A Clown And Expect A King by hilltop93(m): 9:20pm On Jul 14, 2016 |
The heading above clearly depicts the situation we have in Abia state today. So when I read all the comments made on print and social media about the Abia Supreme Court Governor and his failures in office I feel bemused and vindicated. Were we not fore-warned? Is his poor performance as Governor not anticipated or expected? Of course, like a prophesy it was predicted, but some ignored those warnings and still voted for him as well as the greedy Abians who enabled him rig the elections. Today we all are suffering from regret, wondering what would have been if Alex Otti had emerged victorious rather than this bone-headed clown. It is true that a majority of the Abia people voted for Alex Otti, but then Ikpeazu was able to get the 25% vote he needed from many of our local government areas. Which is to say, there were people who despite knowing what they knew about the PDP and its 8 year misrule of the state went ahead a voted for him. Those of us who predicted the maladministration we are witnessing today and made various attempts to caution the Abia electorate were verbally abused, called all sorts of names and asked to go a hug a transformer. Today we have been vindicated. But things have begun to change in terms of people’s expectations, support and impressions. Any intelligent observer of political events in Abia State or any regular visitor of social media outlets like facebook would have noticed that even the vociferous defenders of the Governor, many of whom were from his Ngwa extraction in the Obingwa area have suddenly gone silent. Many are now missing in action as they have come to realize that their son has not lived up to their expectations of him .That instead of being a source of pride the Governor has become an object of shame and public ridicule. As a matter of fact the teachers and civil servants amongst them are suffering the same fate as the rest of their colleagues from other parts of the state with the non- payment of their salaries for 5 months and their pension arrears. Despite the Governor being their son and having realized the dream of producing a Governor of Ngwa extraction, they’ve not benefitted much if anything from this administration. Their children are still attending the same dilapidated and ill-equipped classrooms. The sick amongst them still receive substandard medical treatment from the same poorly equipped hospitals and clinics. Their pregnant mothers still seek the services of poorly trained local midwives and quacks. The roads that lead in and out of their communities are still dusty and filled with potholes and non- motor able especially when the rains come. But even then, there still exist a band of sycophants who continue to sing the praises of the Governor, though in hush tones because they are no longer confident of their convictions. There still exists people like one John Okiyi, a professional sycophant in the mode of Madubuko Hart, you remember him during the Ochendo regime who has now gone into hiding. For Mr Okiyi, his obsession seems to be Alex Otti’s refusal to congratulate the Supreme Court Governor as if getting one will accord them the legitimacy they crave for. Well, that congratulation will never come. Honestly I feel sorry for Mr Okiyi and his ilk for he is a disgrace to his community and whatever institution he attended for his education. Like Madubuko Hart before him, he too shall one disappear into a witness protection program to be heard from no more. Recently the Governor fired his Chief press Secretary and his 15 member media team for failing to adequately defend him from media attacks. What the Governor however failed to realize is that he is ... Continue http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/12/cant-put-crown-clown-expect-king/ [url]Www.politicalcritics.com.ng[/url] Nnanna Ijomah is a new York based Political Science lecturer Nna2ijomah@aol.com[b][/b] |
| Politics / Ndigbo: Why Joe Igbokwe’s Self-enslavement Worries Me by hilltop93(m): 10:15pm On Jul 13, 2016 |
By Jude Ndukwe In his well published diatribe against the Igbo people of Nigeria, Joe Igbokwe, the Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lagos State chapter, who is also a son of Igbo, poured invectives on the Igbo nation while making spurious allegations against them. For those who know Igbokwe’s leanings and past stance on national issues, his latest scurrilous attack on great people of the South Eastern part of Nigeria did not come as a surprise, the only surprising thing is that this latest attack seem to come somehow awkwardly late and too far apart given the man’s relentless and unrepentant penchant for always attempting to ridicule Nigeria’s most resilient and enterprising people in an essay full of contradictions, lame postulations and outright insults. His grouse is that, according to him, the Igbo have refused to move on since after former president Jonathan lost the last presidential election to the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari. In one fell swoop, he accused the Igbo of ethnic bigotry and still went ahead to wonder why it is that the people of the South South region have since moved on while their South Eastern brothers have refused to move on from that election. If the Igbo were ethnic bigots, how would they be so concerned about the loss of a Bayelsa man in an election to the extent that a certain Joe Igbokwe is riled by their stoic and unwavering support to such a man even more than a year after his loss? Rather than paint the Igbo in such uncomplimentary, yet, false light, Joe should turn his focus on his principals and paymasters who are working tirelessly to continually divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines. When the president of a country has officially divided his nation into two political, ethnic and religious lines by the virtue of the “97% vs 5%” declaration of no person less than the president himself, the Igbo view him as one who does not mean well for the nation. In this light, the Igbo view Jonathan as a hero because, even though he is not Igbo, he would never have made such a divisive and unpresidential statement not to talk of acting it out. And as if to prove that declaration as an official policy of his, President Buhari’s appointments have not been federal either in character or in intent. To this extent, the Igbo view themselves as endangered species in a nation that easily preaches one Nigeria but state actors do the exact opposite. The president’s continued seclusion of certain parts of the country from State offices and projects, if there is anyone at all, is what is crippling Nigeria. The cry of the Igbo, which the likes of Igbokwe have misinterpreted to serve their own selfish purpose, is that Buhari should not crash the nation with his own hands. If anyone sees this as ethnic bigotry, the person has urgent need for an optician and a psychiatrist! With the level of poverty visited on us in Nigeria by the Buhari administration, it is enough to make people like Igbokwe spew nonsense in the name of criticism, and also makes it imperative for regular brain checks to be part of such people’s daily menu. When armless and harmless Igbo embark on peaceful rallies and the military shoot at them without provocation, killing many in the process, not once, not twice, and hurriedly bury them in mass shallow graves in military barracks and elsewhere in order to cover their evil, Joe Igbokwe expects Ndigbo to applaud rather than criticize state actors for their wickedness and insensitivity. Enough is enough! What is not good is not good no matter those involved even if they are Igbo. It is high time we started calling a spade by its name. When about a thousand defenceless and helpless core northerners including women and children were shot at and killed by the same military in Zaria sometime in December 2015, and their leader, El Zakzaky wheeled in a barrow in a pool of his own blood, it is this same Igbo “ethnic bigots” who took up the fight and condemned that action of the military in its strongest terms. The Igbo are not bigots, brother, they just believe that injustice and oppression of anyone anywhere is injustice to all. It is the Igbo that have condemned in the loudest voices the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu as much as they have done for Sambo Dasuki and Femi Fani-Kayode. That is not a trait of bigots! It is this same Igbo that elected a Fulani... Continue reading www.politicalcritics.com.ng Source: http://www.politicalcritics.com.ng/index.php/2016/07/13/nigeria-fight-corruption-way-forward/ 3 Likes |
| Webmasters / Re: Can I Register And Host A Domain With Just 2500 by hilltop93(m): 11:42pm On Jun 21, 2016 |
DomainKingTeam: Thank you very much for clarification |
| Webmasters / Re: Can I Register And Host A Domain With Just 2500 by hilltop93(m): 4:31pm On Jun 20, 2016 |
Please help a brother in need |
| Webmasters / Can I Register And Host A Domain With Just 2500 by hilltop93(m): 3:02pm On Jun 20, 2016 |
Please webmasters in the house come and help. I have been itching to register a particular domain name. I have been contemplating DomainKing which I saw here on NL. I have a problem with the hosting because when I started I was thinking the cycle billing will end at the #1600 that I have been seeing. Now after following the process and added to cart, I saw a total billing of 3300. Going through my order I realised that, this is what increased the billing "DNS Management to setup A, CNAME, MX, TXT Records, » Email Forwarding & 2 Free Email Accounts" My question is; can I unmark the above options? Or is there any alternative? I have only 2500 aside my minimum balance. Suggestions please. |
| Celebrities / Re: E-Money At Onazi Ogenyi's Wedding, Sprays Money by hilltop93(m): 6:34am On Jun 19, 2016 |
| Career / Re: Help: Between This Four Professions Which Should I Go For? by hilltop93(m): 10:25pm On Mar 07, 2016 |
HALIX16: Please why did suggest interior? |
| Career / Help: Between This Four Professions Which Should I Go For? by hilltop93(m): 10:19pm On Mar 07, 2016 |
In a dilemma: Between Immigration, civil defense, prison warden and ministry of interior which would you advice a friend to go for? A very close friend consulted me this afternoon that I should help him make choices between four professions mentioned above. I wasn't surprised because his the last son of a retired soldier, last out of six sons of his parents and has two female sisters, they are all working with different ministries with the above mentioned ministries inclusive and I guess they are all willing to offer him job. He is in a dilemma that is why he is asking me, but must sincerely admit that, I am not different from him because am as innocent as he is as regards making such decisions. Please NL which will you suggest, he should pursue. He needs your advices please. |
| Culture / Re: Human Face In Awube Stream, Benue State (Photos) by hilltop93(m): 8:03am On Feb 27, 2016 |
Naija and superstition ehn. For there mind na Awube should be made a wonderland. Walk out of thread |
| Fashion / Re: Girl Slammed For Flaunting Curves In Hijab by hilltop93(m): 1:20am On Feb 27, 2016 |
Pls if u knw clubs where Muslim girls usually club, pls info me. I wan2 chi-chumchin |
| Health / Re: Have You Ever Been Molested By A Male Doctor? (share Your Experience Ladies) by hilltop93(m): 1:00am On Feb 27, 2016 |
Strahovski1: Bro, Modest silence is better than truth said without charity. 1 Like |
| Celebrities / Re: Latest On AY's Marriage Scandal - From Stella Dimoko's Blog Visitor by hilltop93(m): 12:21pm On Feb 24, 2016 |
Na who go explain weetin de happen to me because I didn't get d real gist. 1 Like |
| Travel / Re: 6 Catholic Seminarians Die In Accident - Graphic Photos by hilltop93(m): 2:24am On Feb 24, 2016 |
May their soul rest in peace |
| Religion / Re: "We Killed Michael Jackson" - Nigerian Girl 'Confesses' In Church (VIDEO) by hilltop93(m): 10:54pm On Feb 22, 2016 |
Fake and unrealistic media stunt. This Pastor looking for cheap popularity. U will definitely fail fraudster. Try again o. This one is a bad market. |
| Religion / Re: Buhari Plans To Install Northerner As C.A.N Leader, Group Alleges by hilltop93(m): 12:00pm On Feb 22, 2016 |
Bugatie: |
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