₦airaland Forum

To be honest, I prefer that those of you who are familiar with Awo, educate us on Awoism, if the poliical philosophy actually exists. We do know that the similarities between Awo and GEJ listed in my first post are indisputable. To say that GEJ or anyone else cannot be an Awoist because of your superiority complex alone, does not hold water.

eggheaders: This section has gone to the dogs, like seriously putting awo and gej in the same sentence is not only a taboo but an irredeemable abomination. Awo brought about the biggest development in sub sahara Africa with meager profit from cocoa sales. And you are comparing him with the ret..ardinho that can't use the oil windfall profit for any meaningful development. Ndu dem mix skunk join your fura de nunu breakfast this morning??

You superiority complex has no bearing whatsoever in this discussion. Have an open mind and reread the post, and I urge you, if you have the capability to enlighten us about Awoism, if you know what it is. Stop the emotional tantrum, it does not fit you.

[quote author=B.L.S]@OP

It's been ages since I have read such pretentious garbage and that's saying something as I view NL regularly. Your desperate attempt to create your own dots and connect them into some sort of articulate argument is entirely laughable. You compared a. humble scholar with a charlatan, a man of honour and forthrightness with one who surrounds himself with crooks and nincompoops, a beloved leader with an unfortunate accident, a true serious Christian with one who makes one question "Christianity" and uses it to score cheap political points.... OP you are a big BIG fool. Infact I take that back, this must be some sort of temporary INSANITY, how can anyone sane compare the educational record of AW0 to JONATHAN... Are you trying to rewrite history.. Show me a school DR Jonathan built and I'll show you a 100 AWO birthed. Show me a student of DR GEJ (you will only be able to show me one, PATIENCE) and I will show you 1000s of real Professors our beloved letter writer produced, influenced and inspired. Or should we ignore the fact that DR GEJ has been a political power broker since 1999 till now, the richest era in Nigerian History (Financially) and he has nothing but a falling standard of education and incessant strikes to show on his CV.... While a man used cocoa to make the Western Region of Nigeria the envy of Africa? Even till now you cannot compare Ogun with Bayelsa in anyway educationally and you have the gall to bring up such a laughable comparison... you must have lost your senses!

Anyway I will leave others to savage the stupidity of your claims.... But the way you fools keep brining up this dead mans name and comparing him with all your failed leaders needs to be checked! The fact remains Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo was never the President or defacto leader of Nigeria and cannot be blamed for your woes, he offered and you fools refused... live with it and deal with it. We in the Western Region are happy to assess his legacy over and over again.[/quote]What is wrong with you people and deep rooted prejudices?

I challenge you to show that the similarities I listed in my first post do not exist. You are free to open your own thread about their dissimilarities if you wish. You disdain for GEJ and/or hatred for GEJ is acknowledged. I choose not to believe that you are an illiterate or someone who is half educated who is unable to read and comprehend simple English. Go back and reread my initial post and come back with a more appropriate response.

I am not in the business of teaching people English comprehension.

[quote author=Akanbi_edu]You and I know this is not about Awo and GEJ, this is about getting Igbos and Yorubas on each others throats. Since that is not my interest here, I would leave those people who are interested to attend to the thread.[/quote]But you are understandably wrong, your prejudices helped you reach the above conclusion. Reread the thread carefully and you'll note that Awoism or being an Awoist is more of the issue, as opposed to being in the same 'category' as Awo, or an Igbo vs Yoruba issue.

lygn19: I don't blame u...
An Igbo man can sell a bald man shampoo if care is not taken, Don't make me insult u...

Oga, take a chill pill!! You don't even recognize compliments, mumu.

[quote author=Great_Skess]Concerning the constitutional crisis I remain mute.[/quote]Why? What are you afraid of?

1Wilywily: Jonathan can not be compared with that Tribalist cursed by Oba of Benin, That thief as the minister of Finance conspired with his Yoruba kinsmen descended on our National Coffers and committed one of the most secret looting of Nigeria wealth.

Please refrain from turning this thread into another tribal and bigotry ridden thread.

Orlando Owoh: You can only be termed an "awoist" is you are taking after the policies and vision of Awolowo. He was a great man. No wonder his style is a template in the SW, and to some extent in Edo State, which was part of the defunct Western Region. Before any person win a governorship election in the SW, he must be able to convince the electorate, who are always politically conscious, that would do like Awolowo. If you go to any village in the SW during any election, the old people would ask, "se egbe Awolowo l'egbe ye?" (is that Awolowo's party?)

I'm glad we have students of SW history such as yourself here. I'd appreciate if you would itemize those policies and vision which would make a person an Awoist. If this political philosophy is documented anywhere, I'll appreciate a link, else I'll have to rely on historians like you to educate me. Please don't keep me waiting for too long.

Paul John: A comparism of Awolowo's write-ups while in prison to that of GEJ's in Aso villa is one of the obvious dissimillarities between them.

You comparism is like that of gold and wood, Awo being the gold..

Its not enough to make statements without adequately backing them up. Plese do the needful if you have the capability. What in your view makes one an "Awoist"?

[quote author=Akanbi_edu]You don't speak the truth, stop decieving yourself jare.[/quote]E karo sir. Did I hit a raw nerve? Please point out any lie in any of my posts (views contrary to yours do not count).

Your post is encouraging because it shows that you agree with my original post. You are not a shy one who would not state his disagreement.

GEJ now has some breathing room. If I were GEJ, I'll immediately get rid of Octogenerian Tukur, romance Oyinlola, and bring in a more loyal replacement for Tukur. Then make a deal with the wayward governors. N10 - 20billion naira should be sufficient to do the needful.

owolabifunke14: With what I was told and several articles I read,Obasanjo was the head of state then meaning that Awo had no incumbent power during the contest. So, can you please explain to me why you are so sure that Jonathan a sitting president in nigeria will lose an election?

I am not sure that Jonathan will lose the election, only a fool does not understand that the power of incumbency is almost supreme in Nigeria. Having said that, if GEJ does not put his PDP house in order and bring the nPDP governors back in the fold, I'm afraid he will be booted out come 2015.

[quote author=Great_Skess]The fact that a electric bulb produces light,does not means it serves the same function as the SUN!
Quite all right,^^^^Those point were congent,but let me infer in accordance to your post,the last sentence to be specific!
You said,Gej is an awoist,right? I must tell you, if a typical yoruba sees this post,they would come to a conclusion with this saying 'this dude just brought Awo low sha'
I must admit again, Gej has done some laudable effort just like in d case of EDUCATION, so do AWO!
But in terms of the River crisis and the earlier Western state crisis( state of emergency) i remain mute.
I would like to correct some+hing,it's satanic to quote a post online when the messages reads I wont vote Gej come 2015, some peeps here gullible. Dont change the orientiation they have![/quote]Thanks for your comments, but I'd like clarification on a couple of statements you made. You stated:

I would like to correct some+hing,it's satanic to quote a post online when the messages reads I wont vote Gej come 2015, some peeps here gullible. Dont change the orientiation they have!

Some of us are a bit slow: would you kindly explain what you mean in terms understandable by say, a 15 year old student? Secondly, what is offensive about stating that anyone is an Awoist? Being an Awoist is not the same as having the same achievements, skills, or notoriety as Awolowo, or is it? I detect a latent superiority complex in your remark and I hope you don't speak for a majority of Yoruba people.

I'll also be interested in the reason why, an intellectual such as you, is afraid to comment about historical events. Why have you, as you stated, chosen to remain mute about the 'River crisis and the earlier Western state crisis( state of emergency)' analogy? Let me state here that you are among friendly people so there is no need to be afraid or think that a muted response is appropriate.

naijaking1: As a major in the classics, some people even postulated that what Ojukwu meant when he said that Awo was the best president Nigeria never had, was that Ojukwu was indirectly saying "Thank God that such a traitor as Awo never had an opportunity to rule the country"
Everybody knows Ojukwu played with words, and he even tried to re-state his adoration for Awo as an ode, but his friends all over the World knew what he meant.

So while we adore, Awo, Ojukwu, Sarduana, Zik, and others, lets honestly do it in the true contex of their speeches.

Frankly I think your take on Ikemba's view on Awolowo is more accurate than what was expressed in Ikemba's book. The fact that Awolowo reneged on his 'promise' to Ojukwu is a major reason why many Igbos label Awo as a traitor and some have extented that label to all Yorubas for that matter. Ikemba's aides have stated this view uncountable number of times while the Ikemba never saw it fit to call them to order if they were wrong. There have been numerous times when Ikemba did just that, i.e. issues statements to correct some of his aides when they made 'inflamatory' remarks.

As far as what Katsumoto referenced from Ikemba's book, I have to agree that context explains it, but I don't buy the eulogy explanation. My explanation will have a jocular perspective. You see, not a single ofe mmanu intellectual will keep Ikemba's book in his library, if it contains derogative statements about Awolowo. The inclusion of the text referenced by Kats was advised by a marketing ploy to get our brothers from another mother to buy the book.

You have to watch these people, Igbo people will selll a bald man shampoo if care is not taken, they are Israelis.

tomakint: Ndu, for the first time we are on the same PAGE! I just hope you are not trying to play out your occasional sarcastic personae!

You should have known by now that I speak the truth no matter whose Ox is gored. I am not one of those who cannot find anything good about GEJ's administration - the man has done well in several areas. I acknowledge that, but that does not mean that I will support him in 2015.

I stand by my observations in this thread.

As you foumites are aware, I am not known for verbosity. That honor would go to the likes of Sam_Ikenna, and other epistle writers like Gbawe or Kats(when he is cornered ), so without further ado, here are my short, to the point, observations:

From the eve of independence, Awolowo led the Action Group as the Leader of the Opposition in the federal parliament, leaving Samuel Ladoke Akintola as the Western Region Premier. Serious disagreements between Awolowo and Akintola on how to run the Western region led the latter to an alliance with the Tafawa Balewa-led NPC federal government. A constitutional crisis led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region, eventually resulting in a widespread breakdown of law and order.

Awolowo insisted on interferring in running the Western Region instead of allowing Akintola to do his job, much like GEJ vicariously tried to do, through his wife in River state. We all saw the results of GEJ's actions which led to political crisis wherein the state legislature was seized by NASS, much like the Awo saga created a constitutional crisis in the Western Region. Thankfully, in River State, we have not yet seen the kind of violence, such as wetie where political enemies were doused with gasoline and burnt publicly - the barbaric acts which were reactions to Awolowo's interference. So far, all we've seen are disgraceful caining and beating inside of state assembly halls and intimidation of Amaechi by police. We hope things remain calm.

Secondly, Awo was big on Educating the masses, and in the spirit of Awoism, GEJ has ordered the building of over 400 Almajiri schools.

Thirdly, both Awo and GEJ are clueless when it comes to reading the handwriting on the wall, regarding when they need to stop running for office in the best interest of the nation. GEJ's 2015 presidential aspirations remain an open secret.

In Awo's case, his cluelessness and some would say, selfishness, kept him in the Presidential race in 1979. Even the blindman could see that if both Awo had stepped aside and gone into retirement thereby allowing younger and more progressive Nigerians to contest, we may all have been better off. The result of this cluelessness cum selfishness is the reason why Shagari won the elect by 33.7%, Awo 29.2, and Zik 16.8. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to note that if Awo and Zik had joined forces, the alliance would have won by 46% to Shagari's 33.7%. GEJ will follow Awo's lead and be booted out in 2015.

I can come up with tens of more similarities between GEJ and Awo, but as I stated, verbosity is not one of my skills, so it suffices to categorically state here that GEJ is an Awoist!

naijaking1: Dan iska, is that you?
Nagode!
I will in due course!

nwanne, na me you dey call Dan Iska ko?

I see that your maradonna traits remain intact. One would have thought by now, grey hair and age would have made you change. Anyway, I patiently await the contrary opinion expressed by Ikemba on this Awo issue. BTW, how bodi?

naijaking1: Oga, sorry-o, no vex.
I can understand your irritation. Transforming from a nationally reputable scholar to a petty tribalistic entity, cheered only by fellow tribesmen no dey easy at all!
You did not quote Lennox-Boyd or MacMillan on that passage, but you quoted Ojukwu and made it appear as if those were the only views he had ever expressed about Awo.
Like someone said, it's culturally appropriate to show magnanimity at funerals, so you can't truly gauge a person's assessment of the dead at the funeral, you have look at the whole picture, sir.

For the sake of some of us who may be ignorant, please tell us what some of the other views expressed by the great Ikemba or provide us with links. The forum has moved beyond made up stories. Thanks.

Kano Shed 1971


www.nairaland.com/attachments/1405840_CUsersA949824Desktopkano_jpgedaf163f0fa15560415faa2fce68e591




That's it for now.

Beautiful railway bridge in Makurdi way back in 1964. God go punish the leaders who ruined the system


www.nairaland.com/attachments/1405795_CUsersA949824Desktopmakurdi_jpg2f6b1f3a4666b53b8704a28d8c2cdb64

Next:



www.nairaland.com/attachments/1405781_CUsersA949824Desktopjebba1_jpg7776c80a95108f400df9475a77249c89

In order to truly appreciate what GEJ is doing in this case, I will post some old pictures of the old railway system which was destroyed by our 'leaders' and which GEJ and his crew are now reviving. Bear with me, I have quite a few.

@OP if you believe the pics will not add value to your thread, please speak up and I'll move the pics.

This one is from 1966. Here goes:


www.nairaland.com/attachments/1405776_CUsersA949824Desktopjebba2_jpgdeef2c2550d1871beee5d4e3966a3a0b

The conclusive conclusion in this birthday matter is that, OAM4J is a jolly good fellow! Well wishers span all NL political spectrum, from Eze NL gburugburu, to the laptop crew in chief, and even oga at the top! This is a good thing.

The only down side is that, babes are all over this guy with well wishes ( I go sorry for una when he shows you his unit when you least expect ).

Prof Corruption: What submissions are you talking about? Seriously? Our problem is not dearth of submissions or ideas, it's implementation. 1999 constitution was not made public before the 1998 elections. I meant Obasanjo sworn to uphold a constitution he had never read! It was decree 38 issued by Abubakar. Which referendum did Babangida or Abacha conduct before creating states overwhelmingly in favor of the North? It was forced upon the nation just like 1999 was forced upon the nation and is skewed to favor the north. The North exercises a permanent political veto on any decision in Nigeria and that's why the PIB bill will never be passed to law, at least not in its present form. That explains why many are openly supporting GEJ despite his obvious incompetence and failures. To them, it's the only opportunity they have to also skew something in their own favor. So , Nigerians see Nigeria as a lady to take turns to rap.e , not as a farm to cultivate.

Let us be deceiving ourselves and present a false image of all is well. Events ll soon prove otherwise.

As a practical matter, if you want results, you must participate in the process. This is your best option unless you are prepared to lead a popular revolution.

Katsumoto: First, are you asking if the Police would try you in a Sharia court after they arrest you? If your offense necessitates being arrested by the Police, you are going to be tried in the High Court.

Second, the system is far from perfect. Most times politics, personal relationships, corruption, etc interfere in proceedings in Nigeria. That is evident to all.

I hope you know that Islamic criminal law be applied in Sharia courts. The question you need to research is, who arrests the criminals? Police of course! You can call them Sharia police if you wish.

Prof Corruption: I would be deceiving myself to say you are wrong. You are perfectly correct! And that's why every discerning mind knows GEJ's national conference is a ruse.

But I am sure we ll continue to patch patch Nigeria until events force us to do the needful. Who knows? IF GEJ rigs 2015 elections and there is monumental crisis in the country, it can precipitate something like that.

But this present order is not sustainable. Kano has 44 local councils, Lagos 20 and Bayelsa 8. All were created by the military and all receive federal allocations. No state can successfully create local council without the input of National Assembly (reads Federal government). How's that sustainable considering what Lagos, Bayelsa and Kano contribute independently to federation account? You are just robbing peter to pay paul. That's the basis of agitation for resources control.

The country will always be in tension and vociferous cries of marginalisation will never stop.

I ask again, have you and/or any group you belong to made submissions which seek to address the issues you raised above to the constitutional review committee, or even plan to make submissions to Okurounmu's committee on national conference? If your answer is no in both cases, then you deserve the system you have. Aliens from space will not fix Nigeria for you people. Tough but true.

Katsumoto: There are customary courts in Nigeria as well. They all have their jurisdictions. If you commit fraud for instance, who will the Sharia court or customary court send to arrest you?

Hierarchy of Courts in Nigeria

1. Supreme Court
2. The Court of Appeal
3. The Federal High Court which is found in several states
4. The High court which is an extension of the judiciary in each state
5. The others - District, Magistrate, Area, Sharia

When you are arrested by the Police in any state, you will either be tried in the state High court or the Federal High court, depending on your offence.

OK. So when are you tried in the Sharia court in Lagos after being arrested by the police, and who makes that determination?

Prof Corruption: Constitution reviews will NEVER help Nigeria. We have been amending the constitution since 1999 and we will continue to amend it, nothing will come out of it. We need a new constitution.

Amended constitution ko New constitution, omi eko eko ni! If people like you stopped complaining and rolled up your sleeves and made tangible submissions to the constitutional review committee, attended hearings, put your resources where your mouths are, you may very well get the new constitution you seek.

My observations however, tells me that when you people talk of a new constitution, you really mean a dismantling of the current order and starting all over - SNC, Referrendum, or whatever you wanna call it. Unfortunately, that will not happen until you kill all the power brokers in the country

Your only option for now is to do your best to improve the current system and vote the clueless one out.

Let me help Omonna by throwing a baboonwrench into the equation - Kats, Is The Sharia court in Lagos an extensionof the federal judiciary?

GEJ needs to get Oyinlola on his side for GEJ's own survival at this point. PDP guys should hope that Oyinlola has not been as scorned as Amaechi, else hell will have the proverbial fury.

Prof Corruption: Sure, it does not fit it. That's why many consider Nigeria a fraud and the present constitution a false document which tells lies about itself.

That position is too extreme for my liking. We essentially have a hybrid system which does not fit nicely into your unitary or federal system. We have an ongoing constitutional review process in place, so your submissions should be what you provide rather than playa hating.

Prof Corruption: I don't know what's true federalism. What's true federalism? [It's either you are a unitary state or practise federalism)

Semantics. I agree with you that we do not have 'federalism/true federalism' in Nigeria. We call the country "Federal Republic of Nigeria" but the name does not fit.

Katsumoto: What access to vast amounts of natural resources do Luxembourg, Austria, Singapore, Switzerland, and Hong Kong have?

Just what I thought, you ignored my statement which applies to all the countries you listed. In case you missed the last sentence here it is below:

More importantly, the top 10 countries you may itemize have populations which are quite insignificant, relatively speaking.

Prof Corruption: Nigeria is a unitary state.

Why would anyone even debate the fact that we do not have anything close to true federalism in Nigeria?

Katsumoto: Correct.

If you look at GDP per capita, the top ten is dominated by countries with little or no natural resources.

On its surface, the above appears to be disingenuous. Would you please tell us which countries make-up the top 10. Do these countries have access to vast amount of natural resources by hook or crook? You'll agree with me that having full access to natural resources which a country does not have in its homeland, is as good or even better than having the resources in the homeland - but having the same squandered because of corruption and enslavement by other countries.

More importantly, the top 10 countries you may itemize have populations which are quite insignificant, relatively speaking.