At my zonal presidential campaign rally in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Tuesday, I spoke about the place of the South-West in the Nigerian federation. Without mincing words, I spoke about the level of education and sophistication in the region.
In my opinion - and in the opinion of many informed Nigerians - the South-West is of critical significance to the economic and political advancement of the country. The progress of the zone is the progress of Nigeria. It makes perfect sense that such a critical segment of Nigeria is governed by those who have what it takes!

These were my exact words as accurately captured by the Nigerian Tribune of Wednesday, February 9, 2011:

"The entire South-West is too important, too sophisticated and too educated to be in the hands of rascals."

I had referred here to the fact that unreliable or mischievous behaviours or notions ought not to be acceptable in any part of our body politic especially not in the South-West where the population has had the privilege of a head start in education compared to other parts of the country.

It is unhelpful to public discourse if we constantly twist words beyond intended meaning. Surely, even the most zealous detractor of the interest of the South West would not desire that anyone would wish upon such a sophisticated part of our country, the activity of unreliable or mischievous intentions.
In other words, I had indicated that abhorrence for such behaviour should be our proclivity, especially considering the disposition of the people of the Western States to governance standards.
But by laying so much emphasis on the latter part of the sentence we dither profoundly on nuances, and this typifies the general tendency to dwell on the negative which we must, as a country, refrain from. My qualification of the West as highly educated and sophisticated was easily dispensed with, while the fact that we should not expose such civilized and educated populace to rascality was played more upon, with emphasis on the rascality.
But we easily forget, perhaps because we have neglected for far too long the important role that our educational institutions play in development, that the foundations of our independence movement burgeoned its fruits from the discussions which emanated from the sophisticated “Ibadan School of thought” as the liberal Arts faculties of the then University College Ibadanwas then known.
However, as true leadership requires, I take responsibility for any misunderstanding of the context in which my statement was made. In a time of active politicking, when scoring political points have taken precedence over our overarching goal of nation building, we must not allow those strong bonds which tie us together as a nation, and which brought our people to the streets, for the common cause of seeing that the right thing is done by all and for all the people of our country - an ideal which the western part of Nigeria has always been in the fore-front of aspiring for - to be dispensed with by the mere nuance which we attach to words.
The Western part of Nigeria by my estimation remains a very sophisticated and educated part of our dear country as sophisticated as the cultures in all other parts of our country and unique in its unequivocal stand for justice and equity. Therefore,as Architect Sambo and I move around the country seeking the mandate of our dear countrymen and women, we shall continue to respect and pay tribute to the hard work and patience of all our people. Our promise of a significant turnaround in the way our country operates and is governed is an article of faith.
I made a commitment to Nigerians that our campaign will be about issues and livelihood advancement. I am determined to remain true to this commitment.

In this regard, we made the promise and will zealously deliver on, amongst other things, a stable, constant supply of electricity which will revolutionise the way business is done in our country.We will pay special attention to the security of lives and property; we will focus on access to good quality health andeducation for all Nigerians and job creation for our youths, for this is the only way we can defeat poverty.

We are focused on delivering on our commitment to agricultural and infrastructural development, the expansion of our economy and the complete transformation of our national security architecture in other to better secure lives and property in our Country.

Let us all insist in building a united nation where justice, equityand the fundamental essence of freedom and democracy is sustained. GEJ

Go Patience, go. We dont need cars.

^^^

Otokx.

Dont mind them - how your trip?

This is baffling - moderators, who are supposed to be unbiased umpires on NL and everywhere, are now openly partisan, some openly declaring their party/political affiliation - like - Nuhu Ribadu 2011, Buhari for ever, Bakare my next VP, Death to GEJ etc.

Can these partisan moderators ever be fair on NL?

we demand justice.

Lioness should be warned.

I used the report to moderator button, but no response.

Why?

if there is no name calling, then the Pro Buhari people are asleep.

Citizens of a baboon country are called what?

Baboons.

^^^^

Were you there as well?

So everyone that comes in here and tell us he was there is telling the truth?

After most people have said to the contrary, he is still claiming money was distributed. But meanwhile, him no enter o - him dey inside him motor parked outside.

LOL

maimalari:

I was an eye witness to the stampede. Jonathan and pdp are solely responsible for the deaths. Pdp actually hired crowds from different villages to grace the occation at a fee and at an agreed time. the event started later than scheduled. when the agreed time was up, most of the hired people started to leave the stadium, but in a swift reaction the police hurriedly closed the big gate in the stadium in other to force them to remain in the stadium(monies were pledged to the crowd to remain, but most of them refused). This move resulted to a fight,which the police responded by shooting anyhow and people started scampering and forcing themselves through a 3feet door. If u can imagine when about 20000 people are forcing themselves through a small door. Thank God i was sitting in my car outside the stadium.

Funny -

You want attention?

No be so make Patience fiti chop money be this?

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38567:-govt-moves-to-revive-auto-industry-with-n550b&catid=1:national&Itemid=559



NIGERIA’S moribund automobile sector may be on the way to a rebound as the Federal Government mobilises funds for the operators. The project, to be executed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Bank of Industry (BoI), will cost about N550 billion. The money will be raised under a special intervention fund for the industry by the government.

The Guardian learnt at the weekend that the plan would be unveiled to the public within the next two weeks. This scheme, a CBN source told The Guardian, is targeted at encouraging Nigerians to patronise cars manufactured or assembled in Nigeria, adding that, the scheme will go a long way in encouraging such firms as Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) in Kaduna and the Nnewi (Anambra State)-based Innoson Automobile Manufacturing firm, among others.

He explained that if everything goes as planned and the policy is sustained between two to three years from now, fairly used vehicles would be phased out in the country as a brand new Nigeria manufactured vehicle can be bought at a maximum of N1 million.

To actualise this dream, The Guardian learnt that a bill that would give legal backing to the policy is already before the National Assembly.

The source revealed that the revival of the moribund Volkswagen of Nigeria is also on the card, adding that, a policy that will encourage local manufacturing of motorcycles is also being considered.

The scheme is divided into two parts, namely the supply side and the demand side. The supply side has to do with firms that are directly in the business of manufacturing automobiles or want to do so, while the demand side deals with incentives for individuals or organisations that may wish to purchase these automobiles.

He said when the policy comes on board, Nigerian organisations wishing to purchase vehicles for their workers are expected to shun foreign manufactured ones for those manufactured locally.

Both parties, he explained, can access the fund by applying through the National Automotive Council (NAC).
The NAC, he said, will forward these applications to the BOI for approval, while the funds will be disbursed through the commercial banks.

According to him, a previous idea, which was to use the micro-finance banks to disburse the funds due to their perceived closeness to the grassroots, was jettisoned when it was discovered that most of them lacked the capacity to handle such project.

On collaterals, he said the BoI would ask for collaterals from individuals or firms wishing to set-up vehicle manufacturing plants before the fund can be accessed, while individuals through their associations might not be required to produce any collateral before the fund can be accessed.

On the likely charges, he said loans of between two and five years would attract interest charge of 7.5 per cent from BOI, while for firms accessing the fund for working capital to establish a manufacturing plant will pay charges in the neighbourhood of 10 per cent, with payback period of about 20 years.

However, the charge for services by the disbursing commercial banks is yet to be spelt out, he said.
The terms of reference of the committee include to advise on policy formulation, competitiveness of products, better business models and tax relief matters, among others.

The committee is expected to make more findings, proffer resolutions and report back to the Vice President within two weeks, the statement added.

At the meeting, the management of PAN reportedly lamented the major challenge it said was threatening the company which was lack of funding and a steady market for its products, while it urged government to stimulate a demand for “Made in Nigeria” cars by banning the importation of other cars into Nigeria.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Josephine Tapgun, who, according to the release, pointed out that the challenges faced by PAN were similar to those faced by other others in the industry.

“ She called for a holistic look at most industries in Nigeria, especially those that have been privatised.
“This is to enable the forum proffer lasting solutions, which will also serve as a guideline for addressing the problems of other automobile industries such as British Leyland (Ibadan), Volkswagen (Lagos), ANAMCO (Enugu) and Steyr (Bauchi) in Nigeria.”

Wrong - it was the then Lagos State governor - Mudashiru - he stopped the project after Jakande was kicked as a fall out of the Buhari coup.

Ileke-IdI:

She is NOT Ekiti.


Nevertheless, amin.

Na true - I be Fulani, because na u born me.

mr.official:

E don reach make you dey swear, my ekiti sister?

2 known Ekiti brothers are not in support. We Ekitis are not dumb. What happened to you, sister?

It is only dumb people who toe the same line of argument and insist others must share their opinion as if the others dont have their own mind to think.

So because "2 known ekiti brothers" are not in support of GEJ, I should also follow them blindly like a mumu?

^^^

bingo - u need more bones?

^^^

bingo, do u need some bones to eat?

playmode.

thats life, hence i throw no stone in the market place.

As per GEJ, my point is this, it may be too early to judge him and pour such hot venom on him. He may not be the messiah, but he sure aint the cause of the Naija problem. some people here are as guilty of the Naija problem much as this man may be. example, this power problem that has bedevilled us for years, someone is making effort, and as if the power plants that will produce the kilowatts of electricity promised will rise up one day, people are already blaming him that he hasnt fulfilled his promise, i mean, comeon.

Naija has been spoilt over the years, expecting a total change in one or two years may be asking for too much.

Its not about GEJ has a person, its about being objective and seeing things as they are, not criticising him because he is from south south or because he is from PDP.

Remember these same venom was poured on YarAdua so much more that when he died, he became the best in the eyes of the same people who wrote tons of rubbish against him while alive.

Point is, its not about GEJ. I swear, a lot in here just want to talk and argue without facts and basic knowledge about governance and policy making. Ask them to give alternative and there alternative is as laughable and worse than what they condemn.

thanks sir. truth is scarce here.

manny4life:

It's quite unfortunate that the lives were involved ; I hope they RIP.

On the real though, why would people involve in this thing called "stampede" because of money? How much is involved would someone want to involve their life for something so unnecessary? This is same reason why I don't like crowded events, and even if I'm at one, I let the crowd go first before attempting to go because it isn't really worth it. I have seen people collapse (including myself) but not died due to stampede even a known case at WalMart, during the Black Friday event, the security guard at the door was so unlucky when the swarm of customers rushed thru those doors, they were trampling upon the man and no one knew. Anyway it's unfortunate and people should learn from this because I did.

No where was it said that money was involved sir.

source please?

10cirenoh:

So? stop making that dirty mouth, even if your father is GEJ AND OBJ COMBINED, SO WHAT? the fact is that you type and reason from your azz.

its past the time for your medicine, please take it or shut up.

Decryptor:

@maryjblidge, for u to type a comment about making some1 run into the market unclothed thru diabolical means shows the kind of person u r. I wonder who gave u access to a PC? virtually everyone on this thread has reprimanded u of your senseless comments. See person wey dey form Secret Service Informant for GEJ. If i make u sick, go on admission to the nearest clinic or better still, tell a doctor to give u "mercy killing". ANU OFIA NDI EKITI JI CHU AJA. mtchewwwww!

Another lunatic comes on the show un invited.

Is today the day for lunatics? Please bark for all you want, but dont bite me.

Nkita.

lol

The Oloras house is a stone throw from my house and they are not as proud as u are.

Ekiti people are not proud and will never come on the internet to say - I am a multi millionaire.

If I mention my family name, I am sure you will know never to say that where I am.

Cheif J E Babatola is a friend of my father.