unbelievable. we need proof from the Governor

He is the greatest boxer

I saw Muhammad Ali as a small boy with my Dad when he came to Onikan Stadium in Lagos after his first Frazier fight. He did some exhibition fights in Nigeria before returning to the United States. He stood head and shoulders above everybody, and you could not miss him in the surging crowd. He was graceful to watch. His foot speed in the ring was amazing. I said "whao, how could someone move so fast and not trip over"? A Daily Times photographer took Ali's picture as he sat in the corner in between rounds, and published it with the caption "Ali, Beautiful Ali."

Muhammad Ali's life has always been a source of inspiration to me in my own life. His "I refuse to lose" slogan is deeply entrenched in my being, and has served me well in critical situations in my life.
Whatever the situation may be in life, I have learnt to "hang in there" and remain positive, and keep probing for whatever ways to make a good difference to other people's lives, to keep fighting, to avoid self-pity, to keep the head above the water, and not give in to despondency. And sure enough, after all the "wahala", the Lord always shines the light through the hordes of darkness, and good days always dawn again.

Muhammad Ali's life also reminds us that the masses, the majority in the population, are not always right. He opposed and spoke out against the Vietnam War, when it was extremely unfashionable -- and "unpatriotic" to do so. History has proven Ali right. The Vietnam War is now regarded with disgust by most people in the world, including most Americans. Ali followed his conscience rather than the herd. He suffered a lot for his convictions and was vilified. He could not practice his profession, jail time was imminent, but he never batted an eyelid. He stuck to his guns, and at the end he was vindicated. The world needs more people like Ali.

In the film "Champions Forever", George Foreman, who had every cause to be bitter against Ali, who had truncated his reign so soon after he became World Champion, said of Ali "Muhammad has been an inspiration to many people. Painters, Actors,, Cooks came to Ali and they became better in their professions. He inspired everybody."

Enough said.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin

I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for standing firm against all the protests regarding removal of fuel subsidy. The bulk of the fuel subsidy money ends in private pockets, and there is no way to control it. A policy which tends to bankrupt the nation and leaves little money for development in a country without pipe borne water for the population and where infectious diseases hold sway, should be scrapped.

President Jonathan should stand firm and do what is best for Nigeria. Those who oppose removal of fuel subsidy, though in the majority, are on the wrong side of history. History will vindicate Goodluck Jonathan.

Emmanuel Fashakin MD, Esq.

I am a physician residing in the US and I have financial obligations in Nigeria. I can exchange Dollars for you, less about N2 on prevailing exchange rate. You pay the Naira to my relatives in Nigeria.

You may e-mail me directly: mdfash@aol.com

Cell phone: +1-347-217-6175

Only serious enquiries only.

How much were you paid to write this? With all the inaccuracies, and embellishments?
You are trying to re-write history: to pull wool over our eyes. We are not fooled,

The determination with which our President, HE Jonathan Goodluck is pursuing the issue of the removal of fuel subsidy, in the face of stiff opposition from all and sundry, calls for a deep reflection. Hardly had any issue facing the Nigerian people faced such a unanimous outrage from the citizenry of our dear Motherland. Our President has been quoted as saying that he would remove the fuel subsidy, notwithstanding any attending consequences. From the look of things, the posture of Mr. President is either that of a rabid, irrational, insensitive leader, or on the contrary, a principled leader who, seeing a problem posing great danger to the Mutterland, is

determined to solve it. I think the latter.

In a country where only the salaried citizenry pay their due share of taxes, the most effective way to raise money for development is via use tax on products. A near 50% subsidy on fuel cannot be justified in a country where the roads are full of life-threatening pot-holes, the schools are ill-equipped, and the hospitals are mere consulting clinics. It seems more appropriate to me that money be made available to the Government for development for the common good, rather than dispersed in the form of subsidy, which the top 5% of the population, who consume over 90% of the fuel, do not really need. To make matters worse, it is common knowledge that the subsidized fuel is transported to the neighbouring countries and sold at high profits, to the great disadvantage of Nigerians. If removing the fuel subsidy will make more money available for development, ensuring maintenance of law and order, and provision of much needed jobs for our youth, and peace and security, then I am all for it.

Therein lies the crux of the matter: whether the money saved from removal of the subsidy will be used for the betterment of the people, rather than go the way of the legendary "2.8 billion." But despite the skepticism, the government has no way of managing the funds, if the money is not made available in the first instance. I visit Nigeria a lot, and I do not like what I see, especially in the last three years, as the social structures disintegrate and life becomes increasingly unsafe. If President Jonathan believes that removal of fuel subsidy will turn things around, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The boat of the country is listing perilously, and if more funds available to the government will right the ship, I will support the President and give him a chance.

In the last few days, the video of the brutal rape of a young female, said to be a student of Abia State University, by five men have circulated on the internet, particularly the Nigerian websites. It is sickening and disheartening that these young criminals, said to be fellow students and gang members who felt insulted by the victim, not only committed this dastardly act, but proceeded to video it, showing the full face and unclothedness of their victim. I have not seen any reports of any arrests being made. What is our society turning into? What is our country degenerating into? It appears that law enforcement has completely broken down in Nigeria. Is Nigeria on the brink of anarchy? Help!

The Bible says that "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people", Proverbs 14: 34. The poor girl in the video asked her attackers to please kill her, which only evoked a sarcastic laugh from one of her tormentors. No decent society should tolerate such depraved behavior. Is Nigeria on the brink of anarchy? Help!

About one week ago, a prominent businessman in Edo State was kidnapped by gunmen as he arrived home from church with his family. The kidnappers killed his two police orderlies and their househelp on the spot. The man's wife, who was fatally shot later died in the hospital. The businessman was released a few days ago, presumably after a heavy ransom was paid to the ruthless murderers. That incident, which in most societies would make national headlines received little reaction in the country where we are used to Boko haram killing in double figures. It was shocking to note that people visiting the man at home afterwards, including the State Governor were thanking God for His mercies in sparing the man's life, instead of talking about the appalling atrocity visited on the innocent man by hoodlums in the society. If this could happen to such an influential man with two armed police orderlies, what hope is there for the common man? Is Nigeria on the brink of anarchy? Help!

There is no effective law enforcement in Nigeria. Policemen are more interested in collecting N20 tolls from commercial vehicles, and hundred times that from motorists with defective papers, than in deterring crime. It is common knowledge that they usually wait for armed robbers to escape before they come on the scene, shooting into the air and asking "wey dem, wey dem?" Lawmakers are busy spending one quarter of the nation's resources to care; judges and magistrates accept bribes; court cases often take more than a decade to resolve, usually to the higher bidder. The politicians in executive positions are busy stuffing their pockets, EFCC is emasculated. Boko haram reigns supreme. Is Nigeria on the bring of anarchy? Help!

Yet all is not lost: we cannot afford to give up on our country. Pray for Nigeria. Righteousness starts with you and me. DON'T GIVE BRIBE; DON'T ACCEPT BRIBE. Every time you turn down a bribe, and you refuse to give a bribe, you make our country a better place. Pay your PHCN bills; pay your water bills, your land use, if you live in Lagos. Regularize your vehicle papers: license, renewal certificate, insurance, and yes, "road-worthiness" certificate. Refuse to offer any bribe to the extortioners in police uniform on the highways. Make Nigeria a better place. Help!

Emmanuel Fashakin

BUHARI SHOULD DO THE HONORABLE THING -- WITHDRAW FOR RIBADU NOW!

After such a miserable performance in the elections last Saturday, General Muhammadu Buhari should do the next honorable thing by withdrawing from the Presidential elections scheduled for Saturday, April 8, and endorse Nuhu Ribadu of ACN for the post of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. I realize that this will be a bitter pill to swallow, for GMB who has contested the Presidential elections three times in a row, and is obviously yearning with fervency to rule our great country again. We respect the ambition of our esteemed General, which is his inalienable right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the people have spoken last Saturday; and their voices ring loud and clear: "Babu Buhari!"

Buhari's further participation in this election will just hand over the Presidency to Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP on a platter of gold. I have great admiration for our President Goodluck Jonathan, but he is surrounded by a decadent chop-chop party which has no plan for Nigeria but more of the same: abandoned projects, bad roads, poor healthcare delivery, insecurity, bribery, corruption stinking to the high heavens, grand-scale larceny of public funds, poor power supply etc. There is still a great opportunity for progressive forces to take over the reins of power for the first time in the history of this country. For once, the votes cast in the elections actually count for something. This is a moment that should not be lost. Buhari can cement his legacy by making it happen: withdrawing from this election which he can never win from his extremely narrow base in Katsina, and throwing his support behind a true democrat and patriot, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

If GMB will do this honorable thing, he would have cemented his legacy forever in the history of the Nigerian nation. It is futile and dangerous to wait for a re-run to support Ribadu, because I am pretty sure that PDP will not risk having a re-run. PDP will do everything in its power (remember Akinjide's 12 2/3 of states IN 1979?) to clinch it on the first ballot. If there is a time to salvage our country for the forces of progress, that time is now! This is our finest hour.

OVER TO YOU, GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK. IT'S TIME FOR RIBADU.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

After such a miserable performance in the elections last Saturday, General Muhammadu Buhari should do the next honorable thing by withdrawing from the Presidential elections scheduled for Saturday, April 8, and endorse Nuhu Ribadu of ACN for the post of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. I realize that this will be a bitter pill to swallow for GMB, who has contested the Presidential elections three times in a row, and is obviously yearning with fervency to rule our great country again. We respect the ambition of our esteemed General, which is his inalienable right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the people have spoken last Saturday; and their voices ring loud and clear: "Babu Buhari!"

Buhari's further participation in this election will just hand over the Presidency to Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP on a platter of gold. I have great admiration for our President Goodluck Jonathan, but he is surrounded by a decadent chop-chop party which has no plan for Nigeria but more of the same: abandoned projects, bad roads, poor healthcare delivery, insecurity, bribery, corruption stinking to the high heavens, grand-scale larceny of public funds, poor power supply etc. There is still a great opportunity for progressive forces to take over the reins of power for the first time in the history of this country. For once, the votes cast in the elections actually count for something. This is a moment that should not be lost. Buhari can cement his legacy by making it happen: withdrawing from this election which he can never win from his extremely narrow base in Katsina, and throwing his support behind a true democrat and patriot, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

If GMB will do this honorable thing, he would have cemented his legacy forever in the history of the Nigerian nation. It is futile and dangerous to wait for a re-run to support Ribadu, because I am pretty sure that PDP will not risk having a re-run. PDP will do everything in its power (remember Akinjide's 12 2/3 of states IN 1979?) to clinch it on the first ballot. If there is a time to salvage our country for the forces of progress, that time is now! This is our finest hour.

OVER TO YOU, GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK. IT'S TIME FOR RIBADU.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

Good job! Please post results as soon as the votes are counted and certified

Saturday, April 2, 2011 will stand as a day in infamy in the annals of elections in Nigeria. Even though I was not in the country, from all the posts in the internet, I could sense the energy drained from the populace, together with a sense of helplessness and frustration. It reminded me of that fateful Saturday in April 1993, my last year of sojourn in the British Isles, when the Grand National Race, which had been eagerly anticipated by the entire population in England, was botched right at the start.

The Grand National, usually held at Aintree in England, is like America's Super Bowl, and there is usually a sense of anticipation throughout the country. In the days leading to the Grand National, in the market places, at the pubs, even in the hospitals, the talk of the town was always the Grand National as the national anticipation explodes into four minutes of climax. But the 1993 race, held on April 3, almost to the day of Jega's fiasco, was the race that never was. After a first false start, the horses were called back to the starting blocks easily enough. But the second false start did everyone in. For a very strange reason, the jockeys never heard that there was a false start and that they were being asked to return. The red flag was ignored by all, as the horses galloped in full steam round the track. It was a fiasco that drained the energy out of everybody. The race had to be canceled as there was no way to ask the horses who had run to total exhaustion to be asked to do it again. I got sick to my stomach just watching on TV. At the House of Commons the next Monday, Labour Party leader, John Smith blamed the Prime Minister, for "presiding over a country where the Grand National could not hold"!

Ironically, until last Saturday, April 2 used to have a better rap in Nigeria's folklore. It was on that day, at 6 a.m. in 1972, on a beautiful Sunday morning, that Nigeria changed from driving on the left side of the road, like the British, to the right side, like most of our neighbors. Maybe it was the "curse of the British", which was invoked when we dared abandoned the British side of the road in 1972, which event all but foreclosed further importation of cars from the Mother of the Commonwealth. Now after what Jega did last Saturday, all what is left of that memorable day is "the day of the Nigerian election that never was."

Perhaps Attorney Carol Ajie was right after all: Jega should probably not have been chosen to lead INEC. If I had known also that JEGA stood for Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Azikiwe, I would have lent my voice against Jega. I still think that he was bold to have postponed the election when he knew that disaster was looming. But it probably should not have come to that with proper planning. After the deflation of last Saturday, it remains to be seen whether the people can be motivated and energized to come out in good numbers next Saturday and vote again.

Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

You can get the daily Naira-Dollar exchange rate at this website:

http://www.exchange-rates.org/history/NGN/USD/T

I have found it to be uncannily accurate and mirrors the "mallam" rates to within 50k to one Naira variation

It's Maradona at his best (?worst). After losing out on the Northern consensus candidate plan, our own dear Maradona has to find a way to back out of the arrangement he solemnly agreed to with his Northern colleagues. "The court has spoken, and we must comply", cooed Maradona. But what did the court say? That the zoning arrangement is unenforceable!

The drama has begun; PDP should call IBB's bluff and let him go and pick up ANPP's nomination as he has always planned. It's been long speculated that IBB will back out if he is not the chosen one, and the expected is happening. Enough of all this window dressing; we expect him to declare for another party in the next few days.

I support team Ribadu! I just registered online

PANACEA FOR ZONING PROBLEMS, TRIBALISM AND NEPOTISM -- OPEN THE DEAR COUNTRY UP TO ALL CITIZENRY

Nigeria continues to be bedeviled by problems of sectionalism, tribalism, zoning, nepotism etc. which are threatening to tear us apart. I think this generation should take a good look at the present situation and confront it. The sectionalism in Nigeria plays a crucial role in our underdevelopment because in order to satisfy each part of the Federation, incompetent people are appointed into positions they do not qualify for: round pegs in square holes. A good example is the present controversy engendered by the zoning policy of the ruling party, the PDP. But there is a better way.

Isn't it time to open up the good God-given country to all her citizens? I think it is time to abolish requiring people to declare their "States of origin." Rather we should be concerned with people's domicile -- where they currently permanently live in and intend to remain at. I think it is time to move away the suspicion we have of each other and fear of ethnic domination: it is time to open up the country. I know that my idea is revolutionary in a country where we have been made to believe that the most important thing in your life is your "State of origin", but it takes a revolution to change our colonial way of thinking, which was devised by the imperialists, who divided us into arbitrary parts, in order to facilitate their rule over us.

In 1976, shortly before he was assassinated, our then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, in creating seven new States out of the previous twelve declared no matter the number of States created, there will always be minority problems. In his opinion, the answer to the agitation of minorities is for people to see themselves "first as Nigerians." General Mohammed tried to disabuse our minds from ethnic thinking, by changing the names of States from Western etc to Oyo Ogun etc, East to Imo, Anambra etc. Let us be the generation which will build on the work started by Murtala Mohammed, perhaps the most patriotic leader ever to rule Nigeria, by opening up this country to all it's citizens, so that we will start to see ourselves "first as Nigerians." If we do this, tribalism and ethnicity will lose its grip on us within one single generation.

I propose that Nigerians be allowed to claim as their home States, any State where they have resided in for a continuous period of two years, and where they intend to remain. This will be a panacea for all our zoning, tribal and sectional problems. Here in America, nobody asks you for your "State of origin "; they are only interested in your present domicile, and your prior addresses for the past five to ten years. As a matter of fact, many people I interview do not remember the "home State" of their parents. They see themselves first and foremost as Americans, and if they are politicians, they will represent the interest of their local communities. Here in America, anybody can move to any part of America and work there. Local schools charge differential fees if you go to a school outside your domicile, but you are not discriminated against, based on your nebulous "State of origin." You can establish residency in any part of the country as you wish.

Just pause and think what this type of policy will do for Nigeria. It will elevate the country, and break the chains of sectionalism which has deterred the development of the country since the days of Lord Lugard. People will move to the communities where they can find work, and establish domicile there, knowing that they are not going to be discriminated against. The best brains who could get the job done will take up offices round the country, and the mediocres will slide down the social ladder. In choosing our leaders, the primary consideration will be their past achievements and their philosophies and beliefs, not their "State of Origin." How nice would it be for "Okechuckwu to be elected Governnor of Oshun State, Adebayo to be elected Senator from Zamfara State, and Alhaji Gombe as the President, from Delta State? We will have a true united, and great country, Nigeria.

I think it is time to open up the country, and do away with division, sectionalism and the tribalistic "State of origin." It should be enough that we are Nigerians, and that we are ready to do everything we can, to make this country great. Let us be the generation that sets this country on the path of greatness!

Very Respectfully,


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

Nigeria continues to be bedeviled by problems of sectionalism, tribalism, zoning, nepotism etc. which are threatening to tear us apart. I think this generation should take a good look at the present situation and confront it. The sectionalism in Nigeria plays a crucial role in our underdevelopment because in order to satisfy each part of the Federation, incompetent people are appointed into positions they do not qualify for: round pegs in square holes. A good example is the present controversy engendered by the zoning policy of the ruling party, the PDP. But there is a better way.

Isn't it time to open up the good God-given country to all her citizens? I think it is time to abolish requiring people to declare their "States of origin." Rather we should be concerned with people's domicile -- where they currently permanently live in and intend to remain at. I think it is time to move away the suspicion we have of each other and fear of ethnic domination: it is time to open up the country. I know that my idea is revolutionary in a country where we have been made to believe that the most important thing in your life is your "State of origin", but it takes a revolution to change our colonial way of thinking, which was devised by the imperialists, who divided us into arbitrary parts, in order to facilitate their rule over us.

In 1976, shortly before he was assassinated, our then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, in creating seven new States out of the previous twelve declared no matter the number of States created, there will always be minority problems. In his opinion, the answer to the agitation of minorities is for people to see themselves "first as Nigerians." General Mohammed tried to disabuse our minds from ethnic thinking, by changing the names of States from Western etc to Oyo Ogun etc, East to Imo, Anambra etc. Let us be the generation which will build on the work started by Murtala Mohammed, perhaps the most patriotic leader ever to rule Nigeria, by opening up this country to all it's citizens, so that we will start to see ourselves "first as Nigerians." If we do this, tribalism and ethnicity will lose its grip on us within one single generation.

I propose that Nigerians be allowed to claim as their home States, any State where they have resided in for a continuous period of two years, and where they intend to remain. This will be a panacea for all our zoning, tribal and sectional problems. Here in America, nobody asks you for your "State of origin "; they are only interested in your present domicile, and your prior addresses for the past five to ten years. As a matter of fact, many people I interview do not remember the "home State" of their parents. They see themselves first and foremost as Americans, and if they are politicians, they will represent the interest of their local communities. Here in America, anybody can move to any part of America and work there. Local schools charge differential fees if you go to a school outside your domicile, but you are not discriminated against, based on your nebulous "State of origin." You can establish residency in any part of the country as you wish.

Just pause and think what this type of policy will do for Nigeria. It will elevate the country, and break the chains of sectionalism which has deterred the development of the country since the days of Lord Lugard. People will move to the communities where they can find work, and establish domicile there, knowing that they are not going to be discriminated against. The best brains who could get the job done will take up offices round the country, and the mediocres will slide down the social ladder. In choosing our leaders, the primary consideration will be their past achievements and their philosophies and beliefs, not their "State of Origin." How nice would it be for "Okechuckwu to be elected Governnor of Oshun State, Adebayo to be elected Senator from Zamfara State, and Alhaji Gombe as the President, from Delta State? We will have a true united, and great country, Nigeria.

I think it is time to open up the country, and do away with division, sectionalism and the tribalistic "State of origin." It should be enough that we are Nigerians, and that we are ready to do everything we can, to make this country great. Let us be the generation that sets this country on the path of greatness!

Very Respectfully,


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13
[flash=200,200]http://[img][/img][/flash]

Nigeria is very unlucky, very unlucky that people like Agbakoba will choose to upset the applecart at this crucial time in our history, when we are apprehensively facing a succession test, and when all hands should be on deck to ensure that our transition, succession, or continuation, goes smoothly.

Nigeria is unlucky, very unlucky that an unknown, obscure judge, exercising what is at best judicial adventurism, will be allowed to invalidate the Constitution of the land, based, not on some violation of some express provisions of the Big Book, but on some imaginary provisions which he felt should be part of the Document.

The absurdity of this judge's ruling will become apparent when one considers that the State Governors of the ratifying States are not required to sign the "Acts" emanating from the States. Why does he not insist that these resolutions from the States are Acts of the respective State assemblies and thus require the signature and assent of the respective Governors?

The Amendment of the Constitution is a unique occurrence that has its own peculiar methodology. The requirement that two-thirds of the States are required to built to pass resolutions to ratify it provides the necessary checks and balances against whims and frivolous amendments, and obviates the need for executive assent.

The ruling does not make sense, and I am sure that, as we say in American Football, it is "coming back": I expect it to be overturned on appeal. Mark my words.
The presiding Judge erred when he ruled that the Constitution amendment is like an Act of the Legislature and needs Presidential assent and signature. Because the Constitution itself does not say that.

Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius is a maxim of law interpretation which means that the expression of one thing is the exclusion of the other. When certain persons, things, or conditions are expressed in a law, contract, will or statute, an intention to exclude all others from its operation may be inferred. Here, the Constitution provides for ratification for two-thirds of the States for an Amendment to take effect, and made no mention of Presidential assent, or mode of override of a Presidential veto, as for other laws, after or before ratification of the States. Therefore, one can safely infer that Presidential assent is not required.


Nigeria is unlucky indeed that troublemakers like Agbako - ba are there to cause all these distractions, with the acquiescence of an ignorant judiciary. What Nigeria needs at this time is goodluck, not agbako.

Nigeria is unlucky indeed. Cry the Beloved Country.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

Source of info, please

The purpose of my writing was to focus our attention on Buhari's great opportunity, at a critical time in our nationhood, when he was head of a military dictatorship, and could have effected a radical change for the better at a fiat, and did nothing except terrorize professionals and compatriots who love the country more than he.

The mantle of leadership should pass on to the newer generation, who are willing to work with fellow progressives to bring Nigeria out of this quagmire. Every aspect of our nationhood stinks: our health sector, education, power, even the judiciary; our economy is almost completely dependent on oil. Most people in politics are there for themselves -- to steal, or in Buhari's sake, to satisfy a quest for power, rather than the love of the people. The nation yearns for true patriots.

I love the attributes Ribadu brings to the table -- Nuhu fought corruption in the country when it was unfashionable to do so. He brought Nigeria some semblance of respect abroad, which goodwill the present administration has all but squandered. I have heard of smears on Ribadu before -- houses in UK, Dubai etc which all turned out to be false. If someone has irrefutable evidence of corruption on Ribadu's part, except for the fairly selective prosecution induced by OBJ which I am willing to forgive, then I will like to see it.

If the progressives choose another leader -- and we have abundant talent in this country -- then I am willing to follow. But please not Buhari. He waged a War Against Indiscipline when he had the opportunity, when he should have tackled corruption and solve our problems to make us a better nation. Buhari left Nigeria a worse nation, in terms of development and infrastructures than he met it, and IBB finished us off. Buhari instituted WAI to instill discipline, which is defined as listening to and obeying Buhari without complaining or writing, even the truth, in the newspapers if it will embarrass Buhari. Buhari is not fit to be our elected democratic President

The struggle continues
PresenceIcon
Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

Support Buhari for President? No, No, Never!

In our search for a Progressive candidate to rally behind for the 2011 Presidential polls, I want to humbly submit that Buhari be not chosen as that candidate. I will tell you why.

Buhari presided over this country as the head of a ruthless military junta for twenty months. What did he achieve in office except intimidate the population, cower the press, throw people who dissent in jail, especially journalists and other professionals, including Doctors. Buhari unpatriotically ruthlessly suppressed the legitimate struggle of the Nigerian Medical Association to improve healthcare delivery in the country, and at the end of the day, he caused such demoralization of Doctors which resulted in unprecedented “Brain Drain” of the cream of the profession abroad.

Buhari seized the reins of power on December 31, 1983 from then President Shehu Shagari. I remembered the day very vividly. I was standing in the parking lot of St. Day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, waiting for other Doctors about to travel to Ede for the funeral of one of our Resident Doctors who tragically succumbed to cancer. We switched on the radio, and heard one Brigadier Joshua Dongoyaro announced the take-over of the government by the military, declaring, inter alia, “our hospitals have become consulting clinics.”

With such bold declaration of the raison d’etre for taking over the control of the country, Doctors had expected that Buhari was going to address the rapid deterioration in the healthcare of the country. The teaching hospitals were in shambles, and were shadows of what they once were, when for example, the University College Hospital, Ibadan was the pride of the continent and was taking referrals of complex cases from other African countries. There was no co-ordinated primary care to talk about in the country. Buhari did absolutely nothing, and there was no-one to hold him accountable, because he had cowered everybody, including the press, with the draconian Decree Number 4. It was left to the professionals to speak out, and Doctors did.

The National Association of Resident Doctors, and later the Nigerian Medical Associaion, demanded that improvements be made in the health sector, so that our hospitals would not be merely places where people would go to die “after a brief illness.” A few journalists who dared to write the truth commended the patriotic stance of Doctors, and I remembered one Ayo Ositelu, even though he was a sports writer, wrote as follows in the Punch: “for once the Doctors are not asking for extra-pay for themselves, but want improvement in the health of the nation; the government should listen to them, and dialogue.”

Dialogue? Hell, no! Buhari unleashed the might of the Federal Government against Doctors. NSO officials went round the homes of the leadership of the Association and hauled them off to detention. I was Secretary of the NMA Ife/Ijesha zone at that time, and my picture was once on the front page of the “Guardian” newspaper, attending a caucus meeting of the NMA at Luth, Lagos. When the government clamp down began, I learnt threw a local NSO official that order had been given out for me to be picked up, and I fled my home. I had to sleep in someone’s garage for many days, after evacuating my young son and pregnant wife to safety. True patriots like late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Dr. Oye Adeniran, Dr. Atoyebi, Dr. Jacob Akoh (ABU Zaria), Dr. Arowolo (R.I.P)(UCH, Ibadan), Dr. Adewole (UCH Ibadan), to name a few, were either arrested or laid off their good jobs they had labored had for.

The government won that battle, but lost the war to improve the health of the nation. The Government response to the Doctors’ action was so demoralizing that many of my colleagues, including myself, who had tenaciously held that we would not go abroad, but stay back in Nigeria to serve our people, started making plans to “check out.” As the top student in my graduating class at UCH Ibadan in 1979, I had lots of opportunities to go abroad, including one very good offer to do residency at a top hospital in London in 1980, right after my internship at Akure. Rather, I returned to Nigeria and did NYSC at Toro, Bauchi State, where I was the only Medical Doctor in the entire Local Government of over 300,000, and the very first Youth Corper Doctor who agreed to stay for the entire year at Toro, where there was no pipe borne water, electric power supply, or hospital admission facility. After the Buhari/Idiagbon clamp down, the sojourn of Doctors abroad, which was until then only in trickles, mainly by the older Doctors to countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and the younger ones to the UK and US, became an avalanche, and the genesis of the exodus of Doctors from the country, the beginning of the explosion of the “brain drain.”

Ironically, it was reported that the co-architect of the clamp down on Doctors, General Tunde Idiagbon was rushed into a hospital at Ilorin a few years ago, after he collapse, and had a heart attack. He did not survive the occurrence. I feel sorry for him, but I could not but wonder whether the outcome might have been different had his government heeded the clarion call from concerned Doctors to improve the country’s healthcare facilities. Even now in 2010, how many medical facilities in Nigeria can handle a full blown case of heart attack. Suffering a true medical emergency in Nigeria is virtually a death sentence, in a country where Cecilia Ibru stole 191 Billion Naira, and one billion Naira investment in the health sector in every state, if fully invested and not stolen, would make a huge difference. There is no co-ordinated ambulance service in the country, and many of the victims of the carnage on our ill-maintained highways die unnecessary deaths. The afore-mentioned Dr. Arowolo, laid off after the Doctor/Buhari confrontation of 1985, and a dynamic compatriot, Mr. Banji Adegboro, who was President of the Students’ Union of University of Ibadan, the year before I was elected Vice-President of the Union, were some of the cream of our society who died needless deaths after road accidents.

Back to Buhari. Buhari has not fared better in politics, and has held fast to his military dictatorial tendencies. He was Presidential candidate for ANPP, and after losing the elections in 2007, both he and his party filed petition against the declared winner, Yaradua. How Buhari, with only significant support in only a handful of states in the North thought he could have won the presidency is beyond me, but that is not the main issue. His party decided to withdraw the petition and channel another course. As a true democrat, Buhari should have dialogued with the leaders of his party, and once a decision is taken, abide by that decision. Rather, Buhari insisted on the incongruous cause of action of pursuing his election petition by himself, against the wishes of the party which sponsored him for the post. Absurd: very, very absurd.

We were told stories of how the Supreme Military Council ran by Buhari and Idiagbon was badly divided and fragmented. It appears that Buhari cannot work with anybody, because he always believes that his way is the only right way of looking at things. I can picture the situation were Buhari to be elected as an Executive President in the country. I can assure you that within a few weeks he would turn against the coalition that brings him to power. Politics is question of give and take, and the beauty of life is that one person is not the repository of wisdom. It’s a big problem if someone is, or more correctly, thinks that he is, right all the time. People who are worried about the “over-heating” of the polity better think twice about supporting Buhari for the Presidency, because he will not only over-heat the polity, he will take this country on a roller-coaster, and be at logger heads with the National Assembly, his party and even his own ministers, because he cannot work with anybody.

Nuhu Ribadu has my vote, but support Buhari for Presidency? “Objection, Your Honor” – very strongly!

emmanuel Fashakin MD, Esq

Wow, these are the words of wisdom, and I hope that the country listens. If Danjuma says that the leadership in the country has failed, and that a good leader would make a heck of a difference, I think that we should listen to him and heed his warning. Danjuma knows Nigeria inside out, because he has played a part in the political development of this country for the past 46 years. To those who do not know, Lt. Danjuma was the one who led the soldiers who killed Ironsi and Fajuyi in the second 1966 coup which brought Gowon to power, and he has remained in Government since them, except for the few interruptions of civilian rule.

I had no horse in this race, but I was leaning heavily towards Goodluck Jonathan and PDP, until Oceanic Bank/Cecilia Ibru saga. That made up my mind for me. I cannot in all conscience continue to support PDP when the plunder of the country is taking place unabated right under their noses. The subsequent revelations of OBJ's corruption and abuse of power by Prof Naiwu Osahon was shocking to me. PDP and his people have treated Nigeria as their private ATM to be plundered as they wish. The Progressives in Nigeria should bury their differences, shun tribalism, ethinicity, and sectional interests and rally behind one person to deliver Nigeria from this quagmire. The Goodluck Jonathan story is good, and he has been lucky, but this is not time for good and romantic story. Our dear beloved country with all its resources is sinking, and we the citizenry need to act now.

Buhari is a good choice from what I hear (my brother Rotimi, is an avid supporter), but he has had his chance, and he allowed sectional and religious interests (remember the OIC saga?) to derail his agenda. It is time to give someone else a chance. It is time for Nuhu Ribadu. The battle to wrest power from the cabal holding Nigeria in stranglehold will be tough, and that is why Progressives cannot afford to split their votes. We must rally behind somebody, and I think that person should be Nuhu Ribadu.

If you are a true Progressive, and you love this country, and you want us to be delivered from this mess, you will support whoever is most competent to run the affairs of the country at all Levels: Presidency, States and Local Governments, irrespective of their tribal or ethnic origin. Nigeria should come first and foremost. As long as we continue to engage in sectional and parochial politics, there will never be progress in the country.

You might argue that Ribadu does not have a big enough structure to dismantle the PDP, and he is therefore unelectable. I disagree. Power belongs to the people. INEC has promised a fair election, and I hold them to their promise. If we have a fair election, and we rally round Ribadu and give him a tailwind, he will be swept into office like Barak Obama. When Obama declared for the Presidency, he had less than 1% chance of being President, according to the opinion polls in the US. However as people listened to him more and more, it was obvious that he was the best choice to lead the country after the mess left by President Bush and the Republicans. The people of the dear country America, my other country in addition to Nigeria, buried its racial prejudice to support a worthy candidate to deliver their country from sinking. I canvassed on foot for votes for Barak Obama in the small towns in suburban Pennsylvania, together with other volunteers, 95% ofd whom were white. We set aside racial differences to support a worthy cause. That is what progressive people do. Now is the time for Nigerians to do the same. IT IS TIME TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK; IT IS TIME FOR NUHU RIBADU.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.:-)
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 1 Cor 2:13

Search | Advanced search
Home | News | Danjuma backs Ribadu
Danjuma backs Ribadu
Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font
Joseph Jibueze 29/10/2010 01:37:00
image Ribadu

I recommend Nuhu Ribadu to you. He will fight corruption to a standstill. People must be held accountable. If not, they will get away with murder literally – Danjuma

The taciturn general broke his silence last night on next year’s general elections and his kind of man to lead the country.

Former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.) endorsed the presidential aspiration of former boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Gen. Danjuma described the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential aspirant as the only one among the numerous aspirants for the top job capable of fighting corruption which he identified as the nation’s main problem.

“Corruption has assumed an oceanic proportion in Nigeria”, he said, warning that it might consume the nation if left unchecked.

Danjuma, who is the chair of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) spoke yesterday at a Business lecture series organised by the Lagos Country Club. The topic of his lecture is “The Nigeria of my dream”.

He said: ’The impunity with which perpetrators get away with corruption is a cause for concern.

“I recommend Nuhu Ribadu to us. He will fight corruption to a standstill. People must be held accountable. If not, they will get away with murder literally.

“If there is no restitution after persecution, we are sweeping the probe under the carpet because there is corruption of oceanic proportion in Nigeria.’’

The former Chief of Army Staff identified lack of transformational leadership as the greatest challenge facing this country.

Declaring that all that is needed to take Nigeria to the Promised Land is the emergence of a leader determined to set things right, Danjuma expressed regret that Nigeria had been unlucky with the kind of leaders it has had since independence.

He said: “One right man at the top can make all the difference in the life of a nation. Our country has so far been unlucky.’’

He lamented the nation’s economic backwardness despite the abundance of natural and human resources.

Danjuma wondered why Nigeria does not refine oil, a situation that has affected her economic fortunes negatively.

He said, ‘’we have added no value to the crude oil we sell to the world in crude form’’.

He said Nigeria would not develop economically without self reliance.

Danjuma bemoaned the inability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable.

‘’The average Nigerian is docile. They are very forgiving of those in authority. People don’t ask questions. Maybe it is because of poverty,’’ he stated.

He flayed criticisms of the 1999 constitution, saying it was not fair to reject the constitution simply because it was produced by the military.

He said the military created states which legally exist today.

‘’We cannot accept democratic rule while rejecting the fundamental laws upon which it is founded,’’ he argued.

He however said the constitution “requires radical reconstruction’’.

On insecurity, the former Chief of Army Staff said ‘the machinery of law enforcement is weak. Failure to punish crimes is responsible for the escalation of violent crimes in Nigeria.’’

He gave an insight into the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he failed.

He said: ‘’I strongly believed that Obasanjo was going to deliver but he failed.

“For instance, people who came to serve two terms decided to change their minds and go for a third term.‘’

Danjuma said the Obasanjo he knew in the Army was not the same person that came out of prison and became President.

‘’I was in the cabinet and I saw a totally different man. On so many occasions when memos were bought, we would be called upon to rubberstamp them because he had already given anticipatory approval.’’

He described the presidential system of government especially the legislature as very expensive and the least productive.

Danjuma however lauded the judiciary and the media for being virile in saving the nation’s democracy.

The time is now for the true Progressives in Nigeria to unite and throw out the
hegemony holding Nigeria captive. Goodluck Jonathan is a decent man, but he is
propped up by a fiercely corrupt cabal. A vote for Goodluck Jonathan is a vote
for continuation of the status quo in Nigeria; a continuation for endless
looting as evidenced by the recent looting of 191 Billion Naira by Cecilia Ibru.

All progressive parties should unite behind NUHU RIBADU and sweep him into Aso
Rock. This is our moment. We can take our country back. Yes we can!

Join our group at:

NuhuRibaduForPresident@yahoogroups.com

Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D., Esq.
Attorney at Law &President/Med Director
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash@aol.com
cell phone: +1-347-217-6175

Thanks Gowaga.
We appreciate your great service to the group

Dr Fashakin

I know it sounds crazy, it's bad but all is not lost. A Greece loss to Argentina (by any score), and a Nigeria win over S. Korea by any margin will see us through. Everything that could go wrong did today, but with a better bounce of the ball, we could still sail through. As a matter of fact, I think we have South Korea exactly where we want them -- letting them think that we are down and out

"It ain't over until it's over", says Yogi Berra, Hall of Famer Yankee. It ain't over until the fat lady sings. We are still in this thing. The Eagles will make World Cup history: becoming the first team, since the 32 team format began, to qualify for the next round after losing the first two matches. Nigeria will shock the world. Let's go Eagles!




Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

I know it sounds crazy, it's bad but all is not lost. A Greece loss to Argentina (by any score), and a Nigeria win over S. Korea by any margin will see us through. Everything that could go wrong did today, but with a better bounce of the ball, we could still sail through. As a matter of fact, I think we have South Korea exactly where we want them -- letting them think that we are down and out

"It ain't over until it's over", says Yogi Berra, Hall of Famer Yankee. It ain't over until the fat lady sings. We are still in this thing. The Eagles will make World Cup history: becoming the first team, since the 32 team format began, to qualify for the next round after losing the first two matches. Nigeria will shock the world. Let's go Eagles!




Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D.; Esq.
Attorney at Law & President/ Medical Director,
Alpha-K Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd Street, Flushing, NY 11367,USA
Tel: (718) 591-1600; Fax: (718) 591-0265
web address: www.alphak.org
alternative e-mail: mdfash2@gmail.com
Mobile phones: +1-347-217-6175; +1-267-907-3127

Cheers David. You admit error -- you are a great Nigerian!

You are wrong, Kgdavid!

The writer says $.25m which is same as $250,000.
You missed the initial decimal point, your error.

However, even the 0.25m is too much to pay as cancellation fees, more than a full month before the event.
How did the Nigerian officials enter into such a dumb arrangement?
What happened to the age old tradition of full refund by hotels if you cancel reservations up to 24 hours in advance?


Olusegun

It is beginning to smell like IBB is going to contest the Presidency on the platform of AC -- or his faction of it.
The PDP Presidential nomination arena is crowded, and IBB had already hinted that he could contest on the platform of any of the 51 parties. Like most people, I strongly suspect that he has an "arrangement" with our Comrade, the Governor of Edo, who apparently arranged the whole thing to "introduce" IBB to the other AC Chieftains.

The intrigues of 2011 is worth waiting for. I suspect that IBB will fail, despite all his money, because he has generated too much animosity against himself. To succeed in politics, you need to keep your negatives to the minimum. IBB has too many negatives, with the Dele Giwa, 12.8 billion and June 12 sagas. He should have come out boldly and apologize for June 12, instead of trying, unsuccessfully, to dribble around it. His re-entry will serve one useful purpose nevertheless -- the people will get to spend some of the money he has hoarded. I think even he now realizes that he does not need so much money, and that he is better of spending it -- while he still can.

Unfortunately, the excitement of the drama about to enfold before us will be incomplete -- unless we have honest -- or near-honest -- elections, which reflect, as nearly as possible, the will of the people.

Olusegun