₦airaland Forum

ETHIOPIA VS NIGERIA IS ON WATCHESPN

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/787231/gameId/358587/size/condensed/

What about all the murders, robberies and kidnappings even in GEJ's backyard at Bayelsa?

IT'S TIME FOR THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES TO TAKE OVER POWER.

Arise O Compatriots; Nigeria's call obey. It's time for the patriotic elements in the Nigerian Armed Forces to take over the reins of government and rescue the Fatherland from disintegration. Things have never been this bad, even during the civil war. Life is very cheap in Nigeria nowadays: human deaths are counted in the hundreds with each skirmish from Boko Haram and other terrorist militias. Kidnappers reign supreme in the major cities; murders are rampant. We need the military to restore law and order, NOW! The cost of Government is too exorbitant at all levels. Corruption reigns supreme while the common man suffers. We need to press the reset button and start over. We need the military back, NOW! Arise O Compatriots; Nigeria's call obey!

no king as God

I have a Black Mercedes Benz C 240 2008 45k original miles for sale. Pristine condition and fully loaded. AM/FM CD Changer, In Vehicle ipod capable of holding 50,000 songs; etc. Brought from US two years ago but little used; owner in US. N2.8 million or best offer.

E-mail: mdfash@aol.com.

Serious enquiries only. Will arrange inspection. Vehicle in Ikeja, Lagos

I have a Black Mercedes Benz C 240 2008 45k original miles for sale. Pristine condition and fully loaded. AM/FM CD Changer, In Vehicle ipod; etc. Brought from US two years ago but little used; owner in US. N2.8 million or best offer.
You can e-mail me at mdfash@aol.com

Both vehicles still available. Prices negotiable for quick sale

Both vehicles cleared Apapa but not yet registered

I have for sale two 1998 Toyota Sienna for sale. Just arrived from New York two weeks ago. In very good condition. One is LE 153,000 highway mileage. Runs great. Second one is XLE 183,000 Highway miles. Good condition.

Both vehicles ideal for Transport business or Ambulance or Family use.

Both vehicles are in Ikeja, Lagos.

Contact Joseph. 08033025866; 08173025866 or 08054327958.

Serious buyers only please.

Is it true that autopsy showed that he was strangled to death?

Vbomb: I am not a member of the PDP but I got this info from the PDP website. Goodluck.

ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

8.1 Membership of the Party shall be open to all Nigerians who:

(a) Are at least 18 years of age, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, and gender, social or economic status;

(b) Accept the principles, policies and programmes of the Party; and

(c) Who undertake to abide by the Constitution of the Party.

8.2 A register of members shall be maintained at the Ward Secretariat of the party and the register so maintained shall not be removed from the Ward Secretariat.

8.3 Membership cards and registers shall be classified as party security documents.

8.4 A prospective member shall:

(a) Register at his or her Ward of origin or where he or she ordinarily resides or carries on business; and

(b) Pay the prescribed registration and other fees before admission into the party, otherwise loses all rights of membership.

8.5 Application for membership shall be considered by the Ward Executive Committee, which shall have power to accept or refuse any application for membership.

Provided that such acceptance or refusal shall be subject to review by the next higher organ of the party.

8.6 The membership register shall be maintained at the Ward and authenticated by being signed by the Ward Chairman and the Ward Secretary.

8.7 A membership card shall be issued to a registered member of the Party upon which shall bear the photograph of the member.

8.8 Membership cards shall be produced by the National Executive Committee and authenticated by the National Chairman and National Secretary.

8.9 Persons who desire to rejoin the party after leaving it shall, unless exempted by the National Working Committee, be placed on probation for a period of time not less than a year.

(IN)JUSTICE HUSSEIN MURKTAH AND (IN)JUSTICE MARCEL AWOKULEIN SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY. SHAME ON THEM!
　
CASE 1
Vanguard
Gov Ibori wins
By Ise-Oluwa Ige
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
ABUJA — AN Abuja High Court yesterday handed Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State a clean bill of health after dismissing in its entirety the suit filed by two chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Messrs Goodnews Agbi and Anthony Alabi, alleging he (Ibori) was an ex-convict.
Justice Hussein Murhktar in dismissing the case held that the plaintiffs failed woefully to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt that the governor was the one convicted in CR-81-95 by an Upper Area Court, Bwari, Abuja.

CASE 2
! Federal Kangaroo High Court Of Asaba Discharges James Ibori
« on: December 17, 2009, 11:38 AM
　
The federal high court judge in Asaba today discharged and acquitted former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, of all the 170-count charge of corruption proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Saharareporters had reported that Justice Marcel Awokulehin, personally approved for appointment to lead the newly created federal high court in Asaba by Ibori had struck a deal with the ex-governor and two-time ex-convict to quash the charges for a princely sum of $5 million.
Signs that the judge was going to deliver his highly compromised judgement showed early when heavy security was noticed at the venue, our source said the director general of the state security services, personally coordinated security from Abuja.
At today bizarre ruling, the judge arrived at 8:41 AM, but Ibori until 8:58 AM. Our reporter described Ibori’s arrival to the venue with the air of "absolute confidence" in uncommon swagger.






-----Original Message-----
From: N. H. Ibanga <ibanga.nh@gmail.com>
To: NIgerianWorldForum <NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 28, 2012 11:24 am
Subject: Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] THE IBORI MATTER: SHAME ON THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY!



MD Fashakin, please allow me to put the right emphasis on your post because it is necessary to do so:

"

Shame on the Nigerian judiciary. Shame on the two dishonorable "justices" who sat on the Ibori cases.

Shame on the Abuja High Court Judge who declared that it was not Ibori who was convicted of theft crime in 1999 and allowed him to run for the second term, when he stole more money with impunity and reckless abandon. Were it not for this Judge, the Niger Delta people would not have been put through the second coming of Ibori. The EFCC should scrutinize this obviously tainted judge's accounts during the period of that trial.

Shame on the Federal High Court Judge who acquitted Ibori of all 170 counts when he was charged to court for corruption after his second term ended. Like his Abuja colleague, he should be ashamed of himself.

We should not lose sight of the fact that these politicians brazenly steal money because they know that in Nigeria, they can bribe their ways out of punishment with a corrupt judiciary. These corrupt judges are just as guilty as the Governors bribing them. They should be exposed, and their careers on the bench ended. They should be probed, and if unable to explain their wealth thrown in jail, at least for evading taxes on their ill-gotten gains.

The Nigerian justice system has eggs all over its face today, thanks to the two dishonorable "justices", who sat on the bench, misjudging Ibori.

Publius


On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 4:50 AM, Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D., Esq. <mdfash@aol.com> wrote:



It took the British court to bring Ibori to justice finally, after this "notorious rogue" has been twice acquitted of all charges by Nigerian courts.
Shame on the Nigerian judiciary. Shame on the two dishonorable "justices" who sat on the Ibori cases.

Shame on the Abuja High Court Judge who declared that it was not Ibori who was convicted of theft crime in 1999 and allowed him to run for the second term, when he stole more money with impunity and reckless abandon. Were it not for this Judge, the Niger Delta people would not have been put through the second coming of Ibori. The EFCC should scrutinize this obviously tainted judge's accounts during the period of that trial.

Shame on the Federal High Court Judge who acquitted Ibori of all 170 counts when he was charged to court for corruption after his second term ended. Like his Abuja colleague, he should be ashamed of himself.

We should not lose sight of the fact that these politicians brazenly steal money because they know that in Nigeria, they can bribe their ways out of punishment with a corrupt judiciary. These corrupt judges are just as guilty as the Governors bribing them. They should be exposed, and their careers on the bench ended. They should be probed, and if unable to explain their wealth thrown in jail, at least for evading taxes on their ill-gotten gains.

The Nigerian justice system has eggs all over its face today, thanks to the two dishonorable "justices", who sat on the bench, misjudging Ibori.


Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D., Esq.
Attorney at Law and Medical Director,
Abbydek Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd St., Flushing, NY 11367
web address: www.abbydek.com
alternative email: mdfash2@gmail.com
Cell phones: 347-217-6175; 267-907-3127.




__._,_.___

This man, working with little equipments and no protective gear of any kind, gave his life to keep the Motherland safe. The entire country should be grateful to this man who selflessly gave his own life so that others might not suffer harm.

This man deserves the highest honor the country can bestow. In a civilized society, this man's identity should have been revealed by now, and his picture (the good one showing him alive and well) splashed all over the place to celebrate his heroism, and as examples on how to serve the Motherland selflessly.

I hope that the Government will take care of his dependents without delay with very sizable award. This man is not a mangled piece of flesh. LYING IN THAT HEAP IS MY HERO, A WORTHY NIGERIAN, A TRUE SON OF AFRICA!

Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D., Esq.
Attorney at Law and Medical Director,
Abbydek Family Medical Practice, P.C.
79-35 153rd St., Flushing, NY 11367
web address: www.abbydek.com
alternative email: mdfash2@gmail.com
Cell phones: 347-217-6175; 267-907-3127.

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
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