Teryfik:
Hello Wailing Wailers,i want 2 ask u dis :: Hope u r wailing,wailing wailers,hope u r wailing well

Mending of Nigeria’s Fractured Relationship with the World Powers

Nigeria’s relationship with the global powers, especially the West, sank to its post-1990s nadir prior to the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the country’s president. The assent of ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the anti-gay marriage bill that was passed by the National Assembly, the confusion surrounding the abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls and the government’s slow response to it, alleged human rights abuses perpetuated by the Nigerian military, mounting allegations of unbridled widespread corruption as well as some economic and political disagreements with the West behind the scenes all conspired to make Nigeria very unpopular in the international community. At some point, Nigerians were being treated with disdain and subjected to inhuman treatments in foreign lands as a consequence. But, so far under President Buhari, things are discernibly beginning to look up.

Prioritizing Regional Cooperation

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari has made regional integration within the West African subregion one of the priorities of his administration. This policy direction is not only economically vital, but it will also be critical if the war against insurgency is to be won.

Returning Discipline to the Polity

Due to the president’s no-nonsense personality as against his predecessor’s more laissez-faire disposition, some level of discipline has been restored to various sectors of the country, especially the public sector. A laissez-faire approach may work in more civilized countries, but in an unruly country such as ours, an uncompromising approach is the only thing that can bring us back to sanity.

Reducing the Size and Cost of Governance

When – and if – implemented, President Muhammadu Buhari’s vow to significantly cut down the number of ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) in the country by merging the duplicates and jettisoning the non-performers will inadvertently save Nigeria monies to the tune of hundreds of billions of naira that are needlessly spilled from the national treasury into their maintenance. The successful blockage of these leakages does not only make economic sense, but it will also be a giant leap in the fight against corruption.


Chinedu George Nnawetanma wrote in from Owerri.Contact him via email,cnnawetanma@gmail.com

Below are 8 of the key achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in his maiden 100 days in office:

Renewed Vigour in the War against Boko Haram

One of the key achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari administration thus far is the overhaul of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian military. Since May 29, new service chiefs have been brought in, the military command centre has been moved to the heart of the war in Maiduguri and the troops’ morale and confidence are on an upswing. Furthermore, the United States government has finally agreed to commit their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous Nigerian government, citing alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military. The Israeli government has also indicated their interest in helping Nigeria win the war,if the words of Speaker Yakubu Dogara are anything to go by.

Waging a “Non-Negotiable” War against Corruption

On August 30, President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the war his administration is currently waging on corruption in the country as “non-negotiable.” In his words: “It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social system which have suffered destruction and severe denigration under the last administration.” Be that as it may, the present government must learn to go about its probe of the immediate-past Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration with more hush and decorum, so that it looks less like a persecution and more like an actual prosecution.

Appreciable Improvement in Power Supply in Various Parts of the Country

Though some parts of the country are yet to witness it, there’s been a marked upswing in power supply in many parts of the federation since May 29. According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power generation in the country reached an all-time high of 4,810.7MW on August 25, 2015. This represents a major departure from what was obtainable in the past, when it usually hovered around 2,000MW and sometimes dipped below that. However, it should be noted that the power supply is still far from stable and hardly is 4.8 thousand megawatts enough for a country of over 175 million people.

Cleanup of the Messy NNPC

As the “juiciest” fragment of the national economy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has, for decades, been the nexus of unchecked, gargantuan corruption. Administration after administration either abated the wild corruption going on in this organization or simply failed to properly keep it in check. This, it seems, will no longer be the case as concerted efforts are now being made to declutter the cesspit.

Today, September 5, 2015 is an unusually momentous day in Nigeria. Its build-up lasted for several weeks, while its anticipation stretches back as far as May. It’s neither a national holiday (it’s a Saturday) nor a day of religious importance. Rather, it’s a day when several state governors in the country mark their 100thday in office. More importantly though, it’s also the day that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, clocks 100 days in office.

All over the world, the anniversary of the first 100 days of any administration is treated with much importance. It’s a day of stocktaking; a day that affords the leaders and the led an opportunity to measure the performance of their government.

“The First 100 Days in Office” was coined by former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt in a July 24, 1933 radio address to his countrymen and it has since gained global currency. Over here in Nigeria, it’s been consistently marked since the country’s return to civilian leadership in 1999. The administrations of presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were all assessed during this milestone. Today, it’s time for President Buhari’s administration to be assessed.

The verdict, it seems, had already been passed several days before the actual 100thday in office. Throughout last week, hashtags by disappointed Nigerians, such as #100WastedDays and #100FailedPromises, trended on microblogging site Twitter and they are likely to reappear today. Predictably, diehard supporters of President Buhari will not take it lying down, they are expected to counterattack with their own panegyric hashtags.

I’m neither a diehard supporter of the president nor a sworn enemy; I like to be objective. My dispassionate personal assessment of PMB’s first 100 days in office shows that he has not performed as badly as we’ve been made to believe. Bearing in mind the country we are in, he’s not expected to perform wonders within 100 days. Not even a Harry Potter, a Merlin or a Gandalf can turn around in 100 days a country that has been enmeshed in a deep mess since the 1960s.

However, in spite of these difficulties, President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to record some successes in his first hundred days in office.

Duru1:
Chinua Achebe was a graduate of University of Ibadan not UNN.

Over the years, it has continuously churned out graduates and nurtured professors who have gone out to conquer the world in unique ways.

kokoA:
I should be asking you that question. How did you arrive at your conclusion?

eitsei:
do u want them to bring out that of oau or ui?

kokoA:
How are they the "best graduates" in Nigeria?

deadZONE:
See this one

psucc:
Nigerians with figure, analysis and inference.

Do you also take other factors into consideration before arriving at that conclusion?

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Alumna): Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain; Nigeria's former Ambassador to Ghana; former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria; first African Miss Intercontinental; LL.B.

Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Alumnus): Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); former Vice President of ExxonMobil in Nigeria; LL.B (First Class).

Ike Ekweremadu (Alumnus): 3-time Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate; Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament; LL.B.; LL.M.

Peter Obi (Alumnus): Former Governor of Anambra state; former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); B.Sc. in Philosophy, 1984.

Enoch A. Adeboye (Alumnus): General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); B.Sc. in Mathematics, 1967.

Chuba Okadigbo (Don): Former President of the Nigerian Senate.

Chinedu Nebo (Don): Former Minister of Power; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 2004 to 2009.

Olisa Agbakoba (Alumnus): Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); LL.B., 1977.

Eni Njoku (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Sullivan Chime (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; LL.B., 1980.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Alumnus): Incumbent Governor of Enugu state; B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Business Administration.

Chris Ngige (Alumnus): Former Governor of Anambra state; ex-senator; MBBS, 1979.

Chimaroke Nnamani (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; ex-senator; MBBS, 1983.

Peter Odili (Alumnus): Former Governor of Rivers state; MBBS.

Okesilieze Nwodo (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); MBBS, 1977.

Niki Tobi (Alumnus): First person to earn a PhD in Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1983.

Pat Utomi (Alumnus): B.Sc. in Mass Communications.

Lam Adesina (Alumnus): Former Governor of Oyo state; member of the pioneer class of 1963.

Viola Onwuliri (Alumna): Former Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs; former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; former Minister of State for
Education; B.Sc. in Biochemistry, 1979.

Humphrey Nwosu (Don): Former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), now the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).

Eme Ewa (Don): Former Chairman of NECON, now INEC.

Maurice Iwu (Don): Former Chairman of INEC.

Miriam Ikejiani-Clark (Don): Former of Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Stella Oduah (Alumna): Senator; former Minister of Aviation.

Joy Emordi (Alumna): Ex-senator; former Senior Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; B.Sc. in Geography Education, 1979; LL.B., 1985.

Fidelia Njeze (Alumna): Nigeria's Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein; former Minister of Aviation; B.Sc. in Pharmacy.

Osita Chidoka (Alumnus): Former Minister of Aviation; former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission of Nigeria (FRSC), B.Sc. in Management, 1995.

Uche Azikiwe (Alumna/Don): Wife of Nigeria's first President; BA in English; M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies; M.Ed. in the Sociology of Education/Women Studies; PhD in Sociology of Education/Women Studies.

Fabian Osuji (Alumnus): Former Minister of Education; former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; B.Sc. in Zoology, 1967.

Azikiwe Peter Onwualu (Alumnus/Don): Former Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).

Oserheimen Osunbor (Alumnus): Former Governor of Edo state; LL.B. (First Class).

Ojo Maduekwe (Alumnus): Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada; former Minister of Foreign Affairs; former Minister of Culture and Tourism; former Minister of Transport; LL.B., 1972.

David Ogbueli (Alumnus): Founder of the David Ogbueli Ministries; B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry.

Sarah Ogbueli (Alumna): Wife of Pastor David Ogbueli; B.Sc. in Computer Science.

Chris Okotie (Alumnus): General Overseer of the Household of God Church International Ministries; LL.B., 1984.

Zack Orji (Alumnus): Actor; B.Sc. in Estate Management, 1984.

Kenneth Okonkwo (Alumnus): First leading actor in a Nollywood movie; B.Sc. in Business Administration.

Herbert Wigwe (Alumnus): CEO and Group Managing Director of Access Bank PLC Nigeria; B.Sc. in Accountancy.

Ogbonnaya Onovo (Alumnus): Former Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force; B.Sc. in Political Science, 1976.

Nnamdi Okore-Affia (Alumnus): Former Director-General of the National Youth Servive Corps (NYSC); B.Sc. in Political Science, 1981.

Ousman Jammeh (Alumnus): Former Gambian Foreign Minister; former Gambian Energy Minister.

Boniface Egboka (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; B.Sc. in Geology, 1974.

Ola-Rotimi Matthew Ajayi (Alumnus): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Landmark University.

Ilochi Okafor (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; LL.B.

Abhulimen Anao (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin.

Celestine Onwuliri (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); B.Sc. in Zoology, 1975.

Chibueze Ogbuagu (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).

Christian Anieke (Alumnus): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu (GoUni); B.Sc. in Education and English, 1989.

James Epoke (Alumnus): Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal); B.Sc. in Microbiology.

Dennis Onah Christopher (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); B.Sc. in Veterinary Medicine, 1981 (Best Graduating Student).

J. O. Onah (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Ogwo E. Ogwo (Alumnus/Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Renaissance University, Ugbawka (RNU); former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU); B.Sc. in Business Administration, 1975.

Gilbert Onuaguluchi (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos (UniJos).

Cyril Onwumechili (Don): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife (now known as Obafemi Awolowo University); former Vice Chancellor of the Anambra State University of Technology (now known as the Enugu State University of Science and Technology).

Michael Echeruo (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU).

James O. C. Ezeilo (Don): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano; pioneer Director General of the National Mathematical Center.

Gaius Igboeli (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Makurdi (now the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi); pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Paul University, Awka.

Cyril Enweze (Alumnus): Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); B.Sc. in Economics.

Established on the 7th of October 1960 by Nigeria's first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (popularly abbreviated as UNN) is Nigeria's first full-fledged indigenous university. Over the years, it has continuously churned out graduates and nurtured professors who have gone out to conquer the world in unique ways. Below is a list of a few (just 70) of those outstanding, accomplished and celebrated individuals opportune to have passed through UNN:

Chinua Achebe (Don): Acclaimed father of modern African literature; author of the best selling African book of all-time which has been translated into over 50 global languages, Things Fall Apart; recipient of over 40 doctorate degrees honoris causa.

Fabian Udekwu (Don): Led the team that conducted black Africa's first successful open heart surgery in 1974 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

Adiele Afigbo (Don): Professor of Igbo and African history; lectured in UNN between 1966 and 1992.

Babs Fafunwa (Don): Educationist; former Minister of Education; former Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Dora Akunyili (Alumna/Don): Former Minister of Information and Communications; former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); B.Pharm., 1978; PhD, 1985; Professor of Pharmacology, 2000.

Laz Ekwueme (Don): One of Nigeria's pioneer professors of music.

Alexander Enukora (Don): Nominated 3 times for the Nobel Prize in Physics; a pioneer of solar energy in Nigeria.

Arunma Oteh (Alumna): Vice President & Treasurer of the World Bank; former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC); B.Sc. in Computer Science (First Class).

Chukwuma Soludo (Alumnus/Don): Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 2004 to 2009; B.Sc. in Economics, 1984 (First Class); M.Sc., 1987 (Best Graduating Student); PhD, 1989 (Best Doctorate Student); Professor of Economics, 1998.

Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele (Alumnus): Current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); former Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank PLC; B.Sc. in Banking and Finance, 1984; MBA, 1986.

Obiageli Ezekwesili (Alumna): Former Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa department; former Minister of Solid Minerals Resources; former Minister of Education; #BringBackOurGirls leader.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Alumna): Multi-award-wining novelist; Grammy Award nominee.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Alumna): Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain; Nigeria's former Ambassador to Ghana; former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria; first African Miss Intercontinental; LL.B.

Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Alumnus): Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); former Vice President of ExxonMobil in Nigeria; LL.B (First Class).

Ike Ekweremadu (Alumnus): 3-time Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate; Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament; LL.B.; LL.M.

Peter Obi (Alumnus): Former Governor of Anambra state; former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); B.Sc. in Philosophy, 1984.

Enoch A. Adeboye (Alumnus): General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); B.Sc. in Mathematics, 1967.

Chuba Okadigbo (Don): Former President of the Nigerian Senate.

Chinedu Nebo (Don): Former Minister of Power; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 2004 to 2009.

Olisa Agbakoba (Alumnus): Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); LL.B., 1977.

Eni Njoku (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Sullivan Chime (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; LL.B., 1980.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Alumnus): Incumbent Governor of Enugu state; B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Business Administration.

Chris Ngige (Alumnus): Former Governor of Anambra state; ex-senator; MBBS, 1979.

Chimaroke Nnamani (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; ex-senator; MBBS, 1983.

Peter Odili (Alumnus): Former Governor of Rivers state; MBBS.

Okesilieze Nwodo (Alumnus): Former Governor of Enugu state; former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); MBBS, 1977.

Niki Tobi (Alumnus): First person to earn a PhD in Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1983.

Pat Utomi (Alumnus): B.Sc. in Mass Communications.

Lam Adesina (Alumnus): Former Governor of Oyo state; member of the pioneer class of 1963.

Viola Onwuliri (Alumna): Former Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs; former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; former Minister of State for
Education; B.Sc. in Biochemistry, 1979.

Humphrey Nwosu (Don): Former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), now the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).

Eme Ewa (Don): Former Chairman of NECON, now INEC.

Maurice Iwu (Don): Former Chairman of INEC.

Miriam Ikejiani-Clark (Don): Former of Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Stella Oduah (Alumna): Senator; former Minister of Aviation.

Joy Emordi (Alumna): Ex-senator; former Senior Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; B.Sc. in Geography Education, 1979; LL.B., 1985.

Fidelia Njeze (Alumna): Nigeria's Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein; former Minister of Aviation; B.Sc. in Pharmacy.

Osita Chidoka (Alumnus): Former Minister of Aviation; former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission of Nigeria (FRSC), B.Sc. in Management, 1995.

Uche Azikiwe (Alumna/Don): Wife of Nigeria's first President; BA in English; M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies; M.Ed. in the Sociology of Education/Women Studies; PhD in Sociology of Education/Women Studies.

Fabian Osuji (Alumnus): Former Minister of Education; former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; B.Sc. in Zoology, 1967.

Azikiwe Peter Onwualu (Alumnus/Don): Former Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).

Oserheimen Osunbor (Alumnus): Former Governor of Edo state; LL.B. (First Class).

Ojo Maduekwe (Alumnus): Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada; former Minister of Foreign Affairs; former Minister of Culture and Tourism; former Minister of Transport; LL.B., 1972.

David Ogbueli (Alumnus): Founder of the David Ogbueli Ministries; B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry.

Sarah Ogbueli (Alumna): Wife of Pastor David Ogbueli; B.Sc. in Computer Science.

Chris Okotie (Alumnus): General Overseer of the Household of God Church International Ministries; LL.B., 1984.

Zack Orji (Alumnus): Actor; B.Sc. in Estate Management, 1984.

Kenneth Okonkwo (Alumnus): First leading actor in a Nollywood movie; B.Sc. in Business Administration.

Herbert Wigwe (Alumnus): CEO and Group Managing Director of Access Bank PLC Nigeria; B.Sc. in Accountancy.

Ogbonnaya Onovo (Alumnus): Former Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force; B.Sc. in Political Science, 1976.

Nnamdi Okore-Affia (Alumnus): Former Director-General of the National Youth Servive Corps (NYSC); B.Sc. in Political Science, 1981.

Ousman Jammeh (Alumnus): Former Gambian Foreign Minister; former Gambian Energy Minister.

Boniface Egboka (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; B.Sc. in Geology, 1974.

Ola-Rotimi Matthew Ajayi (Alumnus): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Landmark University.

Ilochi Okafor (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; LL.B.

Abhulimen Anao (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin.

Celestine Onwuliri (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); B.Sc. in Zoology, 1975.

Chibueze Ogbuagu (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).

Christian Anieke (Alumnus): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu (GoUni); B.Sc. in Education and English, 1989.

James Epoke (Alumnus): Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal); B.Sc. in Microbiology.

Dennis Onah Christopher (Alumnus/Don): Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); B.Sc. in Veterinary Medicine, 1981 (Best Graduating Student).

J. O. Onah (Alumnus): Former Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Ogwo E. Ogwo (Alumnus/Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Renaissance University, Ugbawka (RNU); former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU); B.Sc. in Business Administration, 1975.

Gilbert Onuaguluchi (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos (UniJos).

Cyril Onwumechili (Don): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife (now known as Obafemi Awolowo University); former Vice Chancellor of the Anambra State University of Technology (now known as the Enugu State University of Science and Technology).

Michael Echeruo (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU).

James O. C. Ezeilo (Don): Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano; pioneer Director General of the National Mathematical Center.

Gaius Igboeli (Don): Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Makurdi (now the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi); pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Paul University, Awka.

Cyril Enweze (Alumnus): Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); B.Sc. in Economics.

Established on the 7th of October 1960 by Nigeria's first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (popularly abbreviated as UNN) is Nigeria's first full-fledged indigenous university. Over the years, it has continuously churned out graduates and nurtured professors who have gone out to conquer the world in unique ways. Below is a list of a few (just 70) of those outstanding, accomplished and celebrated individuals opportune to have passed through UNN:

Chinua Achebe (Don): Acclaimed father of modern African literature; author of the best selling African book of all-time which has been translated into over 50 global languages, Things Fall Apart; recipient of over 40 doctorate degrees honoris causa.

Fabian Udekwu (Don): Led the team that conducted black Africa's first successful open heart surgery in 1974 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

Adiele Afigbo (Don): Professor of Igbo and African history; lectured in UNN between 1966 and 1992.

Babs Fafunwa (Don): Educationist; former Minister of Education; former Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Dora Akunyili (Alumna/Don): Former Minister of Information and Communications; former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); B.Pharm., 1978; PhD, 1985; Professor of Pharmacology, 2000.

Laz Ekwueme (Don): One of Nigeria's pioneer professors of music.

Alexander Enukora (Don): Nominated 3 times for the Nobel Prize in Physics; a pioneer of solar energy in Nigeria.

Arunma Oteh (Alumna): Vice President & Treasurer of the World Bank; former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC); B.Sc. in Computer Science (First Class).

Chukwuma Soludo (Alumnus/Don): Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 2004 to 2009; B.Sc. in Economics, 1984 (First Class); M.Sc., 1987 (Best Graduating Student); PhD, 1989 (Best Doctorate Student); Professor of Economics, 1998.

Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele (Alumnus): Current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); former Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank PLC; B.Sc. in Banking and Finance, 1984; MBA, 1986.

Obiageli Ezekwesili (Alumna): Former Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa department; former Minister of Solid Minerals Resources; former Minister of Education; #BringBackOurGirls leader.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Alumna): Multi-award-wining novelist; Grammy Award nominee.

Is It Time for Ndi Igbo to Panic? By Chinedu George Nnawetanma
Sahara Reporters

I will keep this write-up as short as possible and straight to the point. Ever since the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government assumed office on the 29th of May, 2015, the Igbos have been massively and thoroughly shortchanged.

Out of the more-than-a-dozen appointments that have been made by President Buhari over the past two months, there is no single Igbo man, woman, or child among them. The only Igbo that managed to rise to the leadership of a government parastatal under the present dispensation, NIMASA to be precise, was quickly booted out in controversial circumstances just days after he took over on the so-called principle of seniority.

A few weeks ago, the service chiefs that were appointed by ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were sacked and replaced by four new service chiefs along with two security advisers. Surprisingly, out of the six, none was Igbo.

In the legislature, the situation is not different. On Tuesday the 28th of July 2015, the House of Representatives' All Progressives Congress' caucus appointed its 4 principal officers. The Majority Leader came from the Southwest (which had already produced the Deputy Speaker), the Deputy Majority Leader came from the North-central, the Chief Whip came from the Northwest, while the Deputy Chief Whip came from the South-south. None of the 4 principal officers of the lower chamber, in addition to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, is from the Southeast.

The Senate has since appointed its APC principal officers. As expected, no one from the Southeast was deemed worthy of holding any position over there. The Senate Leader is from the Northeast, the Deputy Senate Leader is from the Northwest, the Deputy Chief Whip is from the South-south, while the vacant post of the Chief Whip is reserved for the Southwest.

The events in the Senate did not come as a surprise, because no APC member from the Southeast made it to the 8th Senate. However, what happened in the lower chamber on the 28th of July paints the true picture of the situation the Igbos have now found themselves in Nigeria.

The implication of these arrangements in the country's lawmaking organs is that there's no APC principal officer from the Southeast. This goes to show that the Igbos have, by and large, been reduced to nonentities and mere passengers in the present Nigerian political setup.

Is this the agenda the All Progressives Congress has for the Igbos? Is it a sign of what is to be expected in the next 4 years? Yes, it's true that the Igbos did not support the APC in the past election, but what are they doing to support and justify the actions of the few who, against all odds, risked their lives, reputations, and those of their families by throwing their weight behind the Party?

The beauty of democracy is that everybody is FREE and AT LIBERTY to choose whomever he wants to be governed by. He is not to be victimized, punished, or marginalized for doing so. If the reverse were the case, then the American region popularly referred to as the "Bible Belt" would have been marginalized and severely dealt with by President Barack Obama for rejecting him, not once, but twice, in a presidential election. His predecessor, the Republican Party's George W. Bush, would have also done the same to the US Northeast, which repeatedly votes in favor of the Democratic Party.

These are true democrats who have had democratic principles ingrained in them from infancy. Nigerian politicians must also learn to be democrats, not vindictive and self-serving tyrants.

The sine qua non reason why the Igbos voted so overwhelmingly against the APC in the past general election was that the Party had, prior to the election, made no effort whatsoever to identify with them. The Igbos were treated as irrelevant while the People's Democratic Party warmed up to them. With the way things are going, the APC is all but making those suspicions well founded.

Democracy is all about making people feel included. Thomas Jefferson, one of the men who penned what became known as the American Constitution, once said that "government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors." So does leadership.

Be that as it may, the Igbos have clearly lost out in this current set-up. Now is the time to start re-strategizing for 2019. 2019 is not as far away as some of us may think. I still remember 2011 like it was yesterday; that was four years ago. 2019 is four years from now and it will come faster than expected. It is only wise that the Igbos meet it prepared.

All Igbos must come together to build a formidable political bloc devoid of the usual infighting and divided loyalties; a new sociopolitical platform that will not be driven by lust for power or wealth, but by a burning desire to represent the interest and meet the needs and aspirations of the Igbo nation. It should be led by a coalition of seasoned politicians and statesmen, leaders of thought, and intellectuals, as well as brilliant, vibrant, and focused youths.

If anything, the events of the past few months have proven that the time has finally come for Ndi Igbo to put their heads together, evaluate their current state in the Nigerian entity, and work towards a future with or without it.

I also wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to dear President Buhari to carry everyone along in his administration. Need I remind him that he's the president of the entirety of Nigeria, and not just a section of it?

I usually don't conclude my write-ups with quotes because I believe it's a bad way of writing. But I'll have to break protocol for this one by leaving you with a quote from Chinua Achebe in his magnum opus, Things Fall Apart: "The bird says that since hunters have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching."