₦airaland Forum

Katsumoto:

Why are you backtracking?

Without waiting for the evidence which would have enabled you to form an informed decision, you proceeded to provide a conspiracy theory to establish innocence for Oduah. In a court of law, we don't necessarily trust the words of a criminal because a criminal will lie through the skin of its teeth to escape punishment. However, there was enough information to establish a case of fraud and misappropriation of funds against Oduah. You simply ignored that information, preferring to base your position on the a conspiracy theory that Oduah was being witch-hunted.

The grilling only confirmed that Oduah is guilty because she couldn't lie her way out of trouble. If the grilling resulted in a misunderstanding, then those who are calling for her head would have been wrong.

Like I said before, this case has proven that most Igbo people support corruption when it is committed by one of their own and also that most of you are the worst ethnic bigots in Nigeria. My words are harsh and I stand by them. Total budget was 240M but Oduah bought cars of 255M for herself alone and signed a contract that will result in Nigeria paying 600M. Is it her father's money?

And yes our values are different because I will never stand with a thief. You just made it clear to the world that you will stand with a thief if you are from the same ethnic group.

Dude you sound angry. I'm not taking this issue personal I expect you to do so unless, perhaps, I'm asking for too much.

You're throwing comments like "In a court of law, we don't necessarily trust the words of a criminal because a criminal will lie through the skin of its teeth to escape punishment," carelessly like it means something. Take a step back and tell me if that's not how other people percieve Nigerians, if thats not how white Americans see blacks - they're 'criminals,' there words don't mean sh*t, dont trust them, and other blah blah blah.

The point is - if that's how you give people a chance to state their case then I feel sorry for whoever seeks justice under your powers. This has been my beef with the Lagos echo-chamber, which as it seems you have started following; why do you call someone who has not spoken a criminal, why is it easy for you to call her a thief and others who advocate due process criminals and whatnot? Its really insane. But you know what - I'll let you do your thing cause quite frankly my plate is full today and I dont have much time for people with fixated mindset and bigotry but are too quick to call others names.

Have a nice day.

Katsumoto: That is disgraceful on your part.

You didn't seek the facts but you chose to take yourself and some others on a journey through conspiracy theories.

The part in bold are not wild accusations; they are present realities. Igbo people have been defending oduah en-mass save for a small minority.

The most vicious villifications of Bunmi Etteh, Bode George, Awoniyi, Bankole came from the SW press and people; do you know why, because most folks from the SW will not defend someone who has been found to be guilty. Some folks are so guilty that you don't need a court conviction to determine their guilt.

In civilized societies, people who are found to be embroiled in scandals, step aside to clear their names.

For the evidence you seek, go and read the transcripts of Oduah's grilling at the NASS.

To be honest, I am shocked at your displays.

Well bro, maybe we have different standards. It looks like yours is about pronouncing the accused guilty when you're not even privy to events that took place in your absence while mine is to have both sides of the story and weigh them objectively. Whatever is the case, I suspect that perhaps you have not seen an innocent person punished wrongly. We live in a modern world now so to say there's an offence that is so clear, especially in Nigeria politics, that we all should pronounce guilt before our courts look into it makes me wonder what happened to you.

You said Oduah is been grilled now and that I should get my facts from there and I say you're right. However, my question to you is - did you get yours before she was grilled? If the answer is no then why did you condem her before this time? If it is now that she's spilling the beans why then did you pronounce her guilty yesterday and the day before? That my friend is where we diverge. I want her to speak before I make conclusions but it seems you made yours before she spoke and my question is why? Tell us.

Katsumoto: What is your opinion about her offenses?

Offense 1: Only the FEC can approve budgets in excess of 100 million. Her ministry spent in excess of 650 Million

Offense 2: Her ministry purchased used vehicles with a market value of 170k at 850k

Offense 3: The agency which purchased the cars are not in possession of the papers for the cars

When OBJ prosecuted his friend SM Awoniyi during the ID card scandal, how many Yoruba folks did you see up in arms? Did the Lagos media castigate OBJ for what he did? Did the Lagos media report it or not?

What was the position of the Lagos media when Bode George was accused of corruption? What about Patricia Etteh? How did the Lagos media react to these open and publicized cases of corruption?

The one thing we have learnt from this saga is that Igbo people openly support corruption as long as the corrupt person is Igbo. If the corrupt person isn't Igbo, then they start mouthing off about nepotism, meritocracy, etc

Lastly, please explain to us why her history with FFK or Babalkin is relevant to this scandal? Did they make her steal? Did they introduce Oduah to Coscharis? Did they drug her?

Please explain the relevance otherwise we know that you wrote these epistles simply because you condone corruption if committed by an Igbo person.


please excuse any errors.

The emboldened are wild accusations and you should be better than that. However, on other points you raised that are relevant to Oduah's case I would say that I have no verifiable facts to reach any conclusions and that, my friend, is the crux of the matter. We dont have facts, all we have is Sahara said this, kinsman said that. We should not absolve or condem until our justice system makes a pronouncement. How hard is that? I ask that you go and check punch news since this Oduah thing came to light and tell me if what they're doing is remotely professional.

Like I said, I don't have any verifiable facts on Oduah but if you do then furnish us with them. I will not join the unholy noise to destroy someone until the person is found guilty. Go back and check my posts in NL you'll see that I've never advocated jungle prosecution, even to Boko Haram members, so I will not begin today. Thank you.

drnoel: OP thanks alot. I have always being unpartial in this experiment called Nigeria but its no use if other ethnic groups are partial. History will not repeat itself as it did in the case of Awolowo and Zik. I have said my own, we will now watch our yoruba brothers

Brother, the problem lies with the cabal that feeds each section of the country their daily news. They know their potential consumers and they know how to stretch the news to get the desired reaction given our unwavering loyalty to ethnicity abd religion. These cabal right now are responsible for the viciousness coming from the Lagos echo-chamber and they're getting the desired effect. It is based on this show of shame that I decided to say something. I have nothing against any section in Nigeria, in fact if I had anything at all it is to be left alone as independent Igbo nation. I careless how others or where others want to run ther affairs. So bro, its not really a Yoruba thing per se, but the cabal controlling some media houses resident in Yoruba land - they want Stella down and out by any means possible with or without due process. This is what I detest.

Katsumoto: This is rather shameful. I assumed the OP had a better head on his shoulders.

Regardless of whatever conspiracies may be flying around, there is enough evidence to suggest corruption on Oduah's part.

In normal situations, she would have resigned to clear her name.

Is Oduah the first official to be accused of corruption? Everyone knows most officials are corrupt but once you are caught with your hands in the cookie jar, you should not only lose your job but also go to prison.

Clearly one of the main issues with Nigeria is about differences in cultural practices. Apparently, in some cultures, excuses and conspiracy theories can be proposed to excuse stealing.

SMDH

If a priest is found to be stealing, should we ignore the theft simply because he is a man of God?

I will pay you mind somewhat cause I have some regard for you.

I will put it this way: I guess its ok to give a cheap jab rather than debunk the shoot-at-sight strategy of Lagos echo-chamber. I've lost count on how many times I stated my position on corruption but it seems you guys have inexplicable niche for avoiding the position of the messenger and latching on to his percieved ethnic motive.

I will say it again - If Oduah illegally enriched herself using state means, then she needs to serve the punishment impossed by the state. But until then lets give her a chance to state her side. Stop the nonsensical media bully coming from Punch, Vanguard, Osun Defender and the rest of them. These news houses have completely pronounced her guilty and their gullible consumers are re-parroting what those news-outlets are saying. Can y'all do that? Thank you.

A living breathing person deserves a chance to table his or her case, deserves a right to fair hearing, and must not be pronounced guilty until the justice system says so. Those above are essential ingredients without which a nation becomes a jungle. Lets ask this question - Did Punchng, Vanguard, Osun Defender, and other Lagos media echo chamber giver Oduah that? If not then why? You dont have to like me to ask yourself why, just do it.

There are things some folks don't easily get and that is - faceless online media is different from established News-outlets that physically exist and pay taxes to the state. Those established outlets give stories enough weight, and by and large majority of Nigerians who're between 45 and above and who really matter in the scheme of things as regards the affairs of this nation including many more who are working-poor get enough dose of their news from media houses. The Netizens are semi to full literate fellas between say - 15 and 45 and who, for all their braggadocio, are less inclined to street demonstration. Their job is only to stay indoor and incite the born-to-die/Almajiri.

So anyway what's my point - it is that, while I do not support any form of excess, I firmly believe we all deserve a fair legal and public prosecution devoid of any media intent, be it sectional or general, to muddy, bias, or overwhelm the public with facts and fiction in a bid to get an expected outcome regardless of the guilt or innocence of the accused. Any human that shares a contrary belief to the above needs a serious check upstairs.

My condemnation of Lagos media lynch group is because I've seen, with utter dismay, that they're irresponsibly throwing everything at Oduah with the hope that something sticks. This action is shameful and dangerous. The job of the media is bring the news and cover every side of the story. I would like anyone here to dare me and show a story from Punch, Vangaurd, Osun Defender, et al, where Oduah was given a fair presentation. Are we saying all these years Oduah's been working there is no one available to make a positive remark about her? Common!

What's going on is game wise folks know too well and that is - if you want to destroy a fellow first strip him of humanity by making him appear irredeemably dirty that no one, even his family, would have pity or any form of kinship with the accused. After the coast is clear pound on him - at this point the accused is guilty as charged - straight to jail.

For folks who say they thought I was detribalized, and this and that. Yes you bet I'm detribalized, at least to my knowledge I feel I am. But I would be a fool to deny the evident media gang-up against this woman. Let me make clear - I want Oduah to pay for her alleged crimes if they were true. If she enriched herself illegally using the state apparatus then the law must run its course. But until then, until the court says she stole from us I believe all detribalized men and women of honor should cross their arms and wait. To do different by trying to influence the outcome and expect Oduah's family, kinsmen, and well-wishers to not say a word is disingenuous and hypocritical - plain and simple.

emmatok: Na noting is going to happen.
You people have been having wet dreams and Lagos falling Yorubas been destroyed for too long.

I even thought the Op is going to mention the "many more"

Nonsense.

Bro don't worry about that. I have enough material, I mean enough dirt on many of her accusers that will, hopefully, make you see this whole thing is a modern day media lynching, orchestrated and sustained by a set of people. I will gradually dish out the info here bit by bit on Saturday night or sunday morning (thats when I have enough time for it). I don't have much time for it now neither do I want to muddy things up. But be assured I will do like I said.

Hopefully in the end you'll see that there is a spread of dirt but only this time Oduah and some select people have been a target from Day one.

gbanikiti: Why is she ignoring the calls made to her to defend the purchase of the vehicles? The more she runs away from facing probe panel,the more she makes things difficult for her.

How can she be running when she's doing the assignment Nigeria gave her in Isreal. Isn't that funny? The goal of Lagos media/echo chamber is to attack from all angles and overwhelm the public with so much mis-information to the extent that we all join in singing the chorus -Oduah must go! Oduah must go!

When Tinubu was docked what I heard was he was been persecuted by GEJ. Yesterday one fella here wrote how GEJ was persecuting one Timprye Silva's ally in Bayelsa State. To them everything is 'persecution' but when it comes to others oh! they must be criminals. Sounds like Fox news echo chamber in the US? You bet it does.

I guess it would've been fine if we kept quiet in face of mounting evidence of sectional gang-up. And for people who think we need anyone in Nigeria I say - shut it up once and for all. We left you guys didnt we? what did we get? 20% of our population killed to force us back into this hell-hole, so who needs who. We don't need nothing from any section of this country. Is a joke when some not so-smart people use the help of their international criminal world powers to force a budding nation into a colossal mess and appropriate all the national assets and put them in their back-yard. The same people turn around and say why do you come to our region, why do you need us, and other garbage they spew. Negro why wont I be in your region when you've taken everything.

I put it in a plain language - We don't need any jack from any place. When you guys are ready lets cut this BS into a million pieces so peace can reign. I'm sick of treating people with so much decency yet can't recieve same in return. Oduah is getting the amount of heat she's getting simply because some felt she stepped on their toes - simple and short. All Nigerian politicians are criminals, be they Igbo or Hausa. I would appreciate if my own 'criminal' recieves the same treatment yours recieves. Who didn't read what Fani wrote about employing his people? How many papers brought it up? But as soon as he pens his usual "Igbo is enemy" rants Osun defender would rather die than miss it, Punch and vanguard would rather burn than not publish it.

Tell me why Fani has not been questioned? Tell me why the billions Nigeria lost under Fani is not been called to question. But as soon as 'Agagu corpse' fell of the sky, Oh! it must be Stella. Lets kill her! Fani went beserk - sack her! sack her! But guess what? the fault turns out not to be Oduah's. Plane's captain caused it but no! they dont want to hear that. Its either Stella's head is used to appease Agagu or nothing is acceptable. We know the game and its either it stops here or I say lets play for the next 100 yrs and see what will become of Nigeria.

And if you don't like us go to the conference and vote us out. Lets stop pretending. Its either we're fair to all or we call it an open season.

gurnam: All these conspiracies theories you guys are spewing would not help a Minister accused of mountainous corruption hanging her neck to be left off...

Let her answer the charges with the authorities concerned.

Is she getting that now? Be honest. If you were treated as a guilty criminal by a section of the nation even when you're on an international engagement would you not be offended? Would you not be shocked if your kinsmen didnt speak on your behalf?

I would be a fool to think any person in govt was a saint but what the consumers of Lagos media and their paymsters are doing is shameful. I can't find any other reason than pure witch-hunt. As a matter of conviction at this moment I feel that any Igbo who sheds tears on this issue must be insane. The right thing to do is for our people to engage in pull-me-down I pull-you-down syndrome that many of our so-called southern brothers are always doing. Maybe when we all get sick of destroying eachother we would call a time-out or better yet, go our different ways. Is any one still wondering why Nigeria is a mess? Is any person still in doubt why Nigeria never walked since the end of civil war when booties were shared?

over 60% of aviation workers and stakeholders are from SW, think about it and if you're in doubt check stats. The hub of aviation is in Lagos while the rest of us eat chaff yet we have not destroyed anybody. Since the end of the civil war you guys have had the lion share on any concievable thing worth sharing in Nigeria, tell me if I'm lying. Why can't Easterners get a breather for God's sake. If a section of the country takes all positions in a sector and the time for triming comes where do you think the trimmer will go? who do you think will be on the chopping block more? is it the new employee or the old man that's been there since eon?

Its just like the north crying about the massive retirement of their military boys and i wonder if its me that should retire when I havent even served. When my people are just getting employed, Haba! Common people who should we fire? the 10 Easterners that just got the job or the 1000 SW that have been there since 1970?

We're not blind you know. If this new low is how the game is played then I say let it begin.

I will begin by saying this is just a preamble to what I intend to pen down on the ongoing Oduah issue. I have watched with utter disgust on how Princess Oduah has endlessly endured unspeakable vicious attack from all corners of Lagos media, spearheaded by punch Newspaper. It seems they have concluded she must go, guilty or innocent - makes no difference.

As a human with firm belief in justice, my first action when I read the news was to wait and hear her own side, wait to see what facts she brings and then make my own personal conclusions. However, this simple action seems to be lacking on the part of Lagos media cartel and their consumers. So the question is why? Why are we currently seeing over 90% of punchng.com headlines devoted to Oduah's departure as opposed to other printed news outlets in Nigeria? Why are we seeing about 70% of Vanguard's lead stories mapped on Princess' destruction?

Like I said earlier, this is just a prelude to what I'm going to say on Oduah so based on that lets take a quick peak into why Oduah story must be blown out of proportion, why other objective voices must be muffled before they gain traction, why Princess' case must recieve a kitchen-sink strategy to avoid allowing her regain any footing, and why the public must be overwhelmed by all means using sensational headlines like "New scandal on Oduah," "Oduah's kinsmen are shocked!" "GEJ has finally moved against Oduah," "Hired hoodlums tried to stop Dino Maleye and thousands who protested against Oduah's excesses," "Oduah's BMW more expensive than Obama's Limo," "Oduah bought 3 more limos," "Odua's ex-husband speaks," "Three women more powerful than GEJ," "Airport workers protest against Oduah."

In fact just as I'm writing this, punch newspaper has three headlines and they are thus: (1) Jonathan places Oduah on ‘tactical suspension,’ (2) Oduah in another car scandal, faces Reps panel today, (3) Anger as Oduah takes credit for BASA. Folks, something is seriously amiss here and, to buttress it, I will show a sneak-peak genesis of Oduah's travails and, perhaps later today, will pair it up with other Aviation ministers' actions, sins, virtues, and whatnot.

Vanguard Newspaper, February 24, 2013 Dele Sobowale wrote: Minister of Aviation have specialized in sacking the Yoruba from agencies under their control and replacing them with favourites from their preferred ethnic groups. She is the first Minister to ever attract my attention in this regard because of mounting evidence of her deliberate tribal hostility. She has started the war; she will not determine when it will end and how.


He continues: Of all the Ministries in the Federal Government, one, above all others, is headed by a Minister who has virtually declared war on Yoruba people in every area of her Ministry. That is the Minister for Aviation. The reason for singling her out of the several MDAs in the Federal Government is again simple. It is strategic to focus our energies on the worst offender, fight her to a standstill as an example to others that Yoruba people will not be pushed around by any transient holder of power. And she will not be the last holder of the Ministry. She will go, sooner or later. But, the war will continue.

As an aside, let me point out to the Minister that the Yoruba can defend themselves in this war. She might be the Minister of Aviation or anything; she might even be waging an ethnic war – for reasons known to herself. But, one thing she must know is this. The Southwest is host to every other ethnic group in Nigeria – far more than any other zone. Even the airports and other Aviation Ministry agencies are surrounded by Yoruba territory. We hold the nation’s assets.


He finally lands: That, however, is small potatoes compared to the main issue; the one that has left no doubt in my mind that, ethnic cleansing and persecution of Yoruba is a deliberate policy, is in connection with the problems of Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, who I never met. This issue, in my view, should demonstrate the resolve of all Yoruba people to fight a battle declared against one of us by someone else for fairly clear motives.

And, it is a struggle that must be non-partisan. This is no PDP versus ACN affair. It is Yoruba versus the Minister of Aviation. Incidentally, the Minister of Aviation, I now believe has an ally in the Asset Management Corporation, AMCON, Mr Mustapha Chike Obi. Together, they want to reduce Babalakin to zero. Let me present the case as documented.

Lets look at what Fani Kayode did during his tenure as Aviation minister. In one of his usual diatribe he said this:
[b]More importantly I gave more sons and daughters of Ife and indeed Osun state indigenees more jobs in the various parastatals of Aviation and Culture and Tourism when I was Minister in both than ANY other Minister in the history of our country. If you doubt that go and ask the people and the families from Osun that benefitted or the Ooni of Ife himself and the local and political leaders of that ancient community who were all fully aware. I gave those young men amd women those senior managerial jobs only because they were encouraged to apply for them and they were well qualified for them and I have no regrets about doing so. As a matter of fact I was very proud of doing so because some of them had not worked for years or since they left university. I made so many efforts for those from my ''home region'' that in 2008 the Senator Anyim Ude-led Senate Aviation Commitee on Aviation wanted to ban me from public office for 5 years simply because I put ''too many yoruba people in the aviation parastatals''[/b]


For people who may not know, Fani Kayode didnt stay as aviation minister for too long, but even in his short duration we can vividly see from above who he hired and who Oduah fired. It seems Oduah overstepped her boundaries when she made changes and from that moment she was put on their crosshairs. It also seems to me that it wont take long before Mustafa Chike Obi feels the wrath of Lagos media and their sponsors.

I will let this 'my preamble' stop here for now as I'm compiling a list of what's going on under our noses and why tears should dry in Nigeria. However, before I put on the brakes, its important to let us know that Oduah is not charged yet, she is only been crucified based on what sahara reporters wrote, and last time I checked no one killed Obama because of wiki leaks. But in Nigeria, faceless online gossip sites' news are enough to hang a minister before she even gets a chance to answer her case, unbelievably shocking isn't it?

From militants to emirs and obas and obis to rep members all the way to senators, they all have 2 to 4 security fortified autos. Its no longer a secrect in Nigeria today cause people see those autos on the roads. Where did they get the money to buy those and while you're pondering on it tell me if those NCAA cars belong to Oduah.

To show you how adept these head-hunters are, they recently decided to line up women who they consider more powerful than GEJ. Guess who they put up? 3 Igbo women. Now show me a president that enjoys that kind of mischievous comparison. Its all game to make GEJ feel insecure and hopefully change those women.

In the History of Nigeria I have never seen a time when Easterners were massively out in one voice to get rid of someone from another ethnic group. Check history, it has never happened. I know some folks will say its because they're "sophisticated," but that's BS because many groups in Nigeria know it has absolutely nothing to do with sophistication but rather ethnicism. And if you doubt me look at all the reasons military struck in Nigeria. You can bet your life it was rooted in the endless clamour for some sort of intervention by Lagos media.

Concorde Newspaper we all know was why Buhari took out shagari because the owner was told presidency is not for sale. Its the same concorde that pushed IBB to topple Buhari because he would not play ball. In the end both the trumpet and the blower perished in the whole tiger and the rider dance of death. The same axis called for conference and jettisoned it when it came. The same axis still makes references of some kind of intervention every now and then, and woe betide any adventurous group in the military that takes it up to correct the 'assumed' ill in the Nigerian space cause that same axis will turn on them so swiftly you would think you saw just a new breed of UFO.

I will close it for now by saying this: Oduah is one person, she may or may not be relieved of her duty and in the event GEJ shows her the door, no one knows who will replace her. The new person might turn out to be a witch-hunter himself and then turn around to do a real house cleaning. In the end there's a lesson for Igbos and that is - remain on course and hit who hits you. We've been both at the top and bottom of the Nigerian mountain and we survived it all, so this destroy-them-at-all-cost syndrome is a relatively new addition and therefore we need to adjust and return the favor.

I will be back.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/minister-of-aviation-declares-war-on-yoruba-1/

collynzo2: @ sam-Ikenna Just check out what you wrote above. The OP raised valid points questioning what Niger delta republic will look like. He raised concerns about corrupt political and traditional leaders, violent and lazy youth, but all you could do was write a long epistle that didn't in anyway address the issues he raised.
So long a post, without any meaning. People amaze me on Nairaland.

There's a popular saying in Igboland that when a grown man is given a proverb with its interpretation, then the dowry his father paid on his mother has been rendered useless.

So bro, the OP said he's from Niger Delta, if he's truely from Niger Delta geographical location then I'ld be shocked if he didn't understand the response I gave which, by the way, was carefully marinated in Eastern Nigerian communication characteristics which sometimes allows us to curve around a subject knowing that the recipient would understand and act appropriately. After all who wants to render his father's expensive dowry useless? Certainly not a grown man from former Eastern Nigeria or Niger Delta. But if you need help with figuring out my "long epistle," I will understand.

Brother, I understand your worries. But the only problem with your worries is that it is capable of holding you hostage or chained to another man's filthy and overbearing influence and domination. I believe all nations are created with everything they need to thrive. No nation was made by God to depend on another nation for food and security. When we depend on others for our livelihood let it be clear that it's because we have failed as a people or nation and we must make haste to stand on our own as soon as possible.

Slaves can never be good slaves unless their identities are completely destroyed and replaced with the master's artificially imposed subservient mentality. Colonial masters used this trick and master-slave practice and dependence on us. I believe it's dangerous for us to use it on ourselves in this day and age. We're humans, we should not be afraid to try. So what's my point - If Niger Delta is actually a nation, a people, like they say they're, then they need not worry too much about the demise of Nigeria. I'm not questioning their nationhood, not at all. I don't care what a people call themselves or how they want to run their affairs, I'm interested in how my own people will thrive and not be a dependent nation.

A people do not and will not break apart. They may drift but eventually will close rank and become who they truly are. Look at Germany, Vietnam, India and Parkistan, Soviets, The Koreas, etc. A nation will always be a nation while a forced nation will never stand a chance. Nigeria does not stand a chance in this life so, in my humble opinion, I think the nations that make up Niger Delta should do their homework rather than pitching their hope/security with Nigeria.

Any nation that fails to survive in the event of the demise of Nigeria does not deserve to live. This is the reason it's better to identify and remove any component of a nation that does not share in the national ideals and culture from the start. By 'remove' I do not suggest genocide rather I advocate that component be on their own and create their own society where they'll be free to pursue their dreams.

Nigeria's current structure does not and will never make any meaninful progress possible. That's my belief and you don't have to hook on it. So, if my assertion that Nigeria is not likely to make any headway is true then where does that leave all the nations that make up Nigeria, Niger Delta inclusive. Are we doomed?

There's an Igbo saying that "when a 'god' becomes arrogant then its time to show it the tree from which it was carved." Nigeria has long been arrogant, prodigious, and wayward so maybe its time to take a break from it.

I have no fears for the peoples of Niger Delta. What they must do is to check if they're about to be another Nigeria in the making. If the answer is yes then chances are they'll kill themselves like you said. To that end I say let nations that make up Niger Delta stay on their own just like God made them and stop creating togetherness that may end up like Somalia.

Remain Blessed.

Listen to the universe now, lol!

The wind has blown and we've seen the priest's pant.
We love Ojukwu. All Igbos great and small love him so suck on that Gowon or should I say "Go On With One Nigeria." We know who's bleeding now, we know those that are roasting and eating their former comrades today. Nigeria is angry because we didn't deliver Ojukwu's head to them. Well, guess what? we don't turn on our own. And that's more reason GEJ's haters should put their energy to use in other ethnic groups because we're not about to learn 'double talk' and backstabbing now.

If we're with you then we're with you - end of the story. Our elders instructed Ojukwu to declare Biafra while you, Gowon, declared war. We fought it and lost but we didnt lose our dignity. Time has shown we even won the war and incase you don't believe me check the stats on university enrollment, admin cut-off point, human development index, employment rate - be it self-employment or otherwise, access to health, female literacy rate, mother/child mortality rate, number of students and professionals in the disapora, etc. I can go on and on.

But what has the so-called core winners of the battle got to show after their premature celebration? Boko haram, matasine or whatever they call it, 10 million Almajiris, desert encroachment, Fulani vs Berom, Fulani vs Hausa, Fulani vs Oyo, Fulani vs all, Polio epidemic, educational disadvantage label for all their states, loss of their Ijaw and middle belt war friends, hunger for the presidency, bombing all over the north, roasting and eating of eachother, illiteracy all over the place despite 2 points cut-off point for some of their states as opposed to 134 average for 5 south eastern states. And I haven't even added Igbos in Rivers, Delta, and Edo, Lol!

Incase you dont't know it, your war gave us a united Igbo nation. We're holding on to that while your Hausa-Fulani instigators have almost totally wiped out your people, and guess what? The rest of your so-called southern friends have not and will never lift a finger to say jack. The same way they bailed on us is the same way they've kept hands akimbo while your people duel it out with blood thirsty Jihadists. Tell me when last Lagos media or any other media house down south yelled and called out Fulani in their quest to turning your people to cattle forage crop? Never, never gonna happen. So who lost then?

So next time before y'all start yapping about Ojukwu, civil war, or Igbo, ask your selves what did you gain from the so-called victory. Today SE and SS are interestingly united and shivers are going down y'all spine. You balkanized Igboland yet today Igbos world over are indentifying with their ancestry. Before the civil war most Igbos never used the word "Igbo" as maiden names, but in your grand design to destroy us you made the opportunity possible for Igbo nation to be, perhaps, the only nation in the face of the earth to have over 10% of their population use their ethnicity as their first names. Suck on that Gowon!

Our heads are high and there's nothing you can do about it. We have documented all you and your fellow criminals did during and after the war so go ahaed and run but can never hide. All generations of Igbo people will know it and at the appropriate time you will pay. It doesn't matter how long it takes. The only saving grace will be apology from you and the nations that joined in slaughtering 3 million of my kinsmen simply because they rejected a murderous jihadist nation. If it takes one thousand years from now we will wait. Take the presidency, take all our abandon property - we will wait. Chide us, taunt us, humiliate us, give us 20 pounds - we will fight back, but most importantly, we will wait.

You can only match our patience, resilience, and resolve to collect this debt if and only if you've been through what you made us go through simply because Nigerian, Britain, Russia, Egypt, Sudan, the rest of Arabs, and Christian friends of Jihadists down south felt they could.

Our heads and shoulders are high and we're loving the one Nigeria you created. Hopefully no one will talk about GEJ paying Tompolo or how Asari is rich or how GEJ is letting Boko Haram destroy the core north - sounds like Gowon keeping mute when 50,000 of Easterners were meeting the Jihadists' matchetes. Karma baby, karma. Don't fight it.

Long live Nigeria.
Once you're in you are in, no going out.

lacasa: God bless you Op.


I've already said it time and time again.

Those militants are working towards a goal, and that is the goal u point out here.


It's just So sad that a lot of peeople have brains but are to dumb to utilise them.



#.. No victory. For the wicked. GEJ and Co will fail like Ojukwu woefully did. They should ask the ibos how far that venture took them. .

Did you really mean that? Lol, I'm beginning to think the born-to-rulers are not as smart as I thought they were.
Let me first address a point you raised us being dumb and not using our brains to utilize whatnot. On the contrary we do have plenty of brains and to show you how much we really possess this God given resource - look at how much joke born to rule mantra and its proponents have become. They have become suicidal to point of unleashing their Boko Haram dogs thinking it would rattle us, instead we watched as they lost control and their dogs turned on them. Now, that's a master stroke. So, next time think deep before you arrogate intelligence and wisdom to your kits and kin.

Now, for the "No victory for the wicked," I agree with you on that totally. In fact I want to up it a bit that there shall be no peace for the expansionists, for the killers of minorities, for the usurpers of others' resources, for the creators of bogus states and local govts, for the defenders of bogus census, for the defenders of lopsided political structure, for the defenders of cattle herders who kill, rape, and maim poor farmers and their household, for the murderers of natives in the dead of the night, for the killers of Akaluka and Oluwatosin, for the breeders of Alamjiris, for the killers of coppers who're serving their "supposedly' fatherland, etc. I can go on and on. Mind you, I haven't even touched on the senseless killings and pogroms that happened to Nigerians in the hands of the born-to-rule from 1945 through 1980.

I guess all I can say is that you guys have nerves. I mean, there's no other way to explain how a section of the country that has been killing their fellow country men since 1945 through 2013 would have the balls to call others wicked expect that they have stupid nerves.

Anyway, on the "GEJ would fail like Ojukwu" BS, I'm not going to entertain that here 'cause I've already given my piece on that idiotic cliché a few hours ago. However, on this statement, [b]"They should ask the ibos how far that venture took them," [/b]I would say its taken us way farther than you can ever imagine. It has unleashed our, by the grace of God, inherent creative minds. Think about this: If only Imo state is producing more graduates than all core northern states combined, year after year, decade after decade, then what else do you want?

In fact to help your little mind grasp where we are as Igbos, I'll advise you go to the best engineering schools in the US and tell me which ethnic nationality in Nigeria dominates numerically. Every where you go if its not Igbo its Yoruba. The same thing is replicated all over the US institutions. In fact, my school, at some point had more Igbo Engineering students than African American engineering students and I'm talking about the 6th or 7th best E/C engineering school in the US and the 13th in the whole world. Guess what? There was no single Hausa-Fulani student in it both then and now and you still have the nerves to ask my people where our venture took us, negro it took us to heights you might not get to.

Well, now that I have landed your plane let me help you with some frank words and its this: I have no joy in having or seeing any part of Africa lag behind, it doesn't matter if its Hausaland or Beromland. And I take no delight in chest-beating or engaging in my papa-pass-ur papa kind of debate. But what you should drill down your skull is that this country we call Nigeria can only move forward or become a true one-nation when all sections agree to it. you can't rob me and be parroting one-Nigeria and foolishly thing I will subscribe to it. If you think so then you're dumb. I have never seen an automobile that has its tires moving in different directions and still making appreciable distance, it doesn't happen.

Nigeria can never move except Igbo is in it, Yoruba is in it, Hausa is in it, Ijaw is in, Isoko is in it, etc. Whoever thinks because Biafra lost the war and therefore its time to move this behemoth without the East is in for a rude shock. We will rock this boat and everything in it - plain and simple so you can get out if here with your "GEJ and Co will fail like Ojukwu woefully did. They should ask the ibos how far that venture took them."

Have a nice day!

Boboedom: @op, it is not as simple as you think and make it look. Nigeria is a very complex country and we have been brought together by fate and to divide this country will be working against a force that is beyond anyone's comprehension. The union is not perfect but we must go to God for guidance and wisdom in trying to correct the so many defects. We need GOD in this country. In truth and in Spirit not in words alone. God bless Nigeria.

No, what we need is to call a spade a spade. If you think Igbo is the problem kick them out. If its Yoruba, slice them out. If its Arewa, by all means get them out of here.

There's no power that's holding us together, I'm not that dumb to be a fatalist. Not that I'm calling you one but I think you're giving back to God the choice he gave us when he made man. We have a choice to decide what we want, good or bad. The only thing in life that God binds together is marriage and that is if both agree.

I wont be shocked if people in the former Soviet said the same thing - God brought us together, lets stay together, we will suffer if we break up, and other yati yati yati. Man is scared of the unknown, thats understandable. However, when the kitchen is on a fire that's fixing to take the house down then its time to get out. Get out and build a new one bro. Its only fools that would stay in the titanic when its going down and pretend - oh no this is unsinkable, its God's ship, he built it so it can't sink. Negro it will!

Nigeria will sink faster than a titanic because there'e no love or anything that binds us together except oil money and mutual suspicion. How can such nation move forward? How can we not sink when Boko Haram is audacious to make a video where a citizen's throat is slit? How can we not sink when citizens are killing eachother in the Jos and even eating the flesh to show their fellow citizens how prepared they are for war? How can we not sink when a section of the country think they're born to rule?

Look at what we call a nation today, is it not a joke? When are we going to get off this ship, is it when Nigeria clocks 300 million in population with 50 million Almajiris to reboot the jihad every now and then? Do you see the size of Nigeria? you think it can take in 300 million people? Yeah right! If we wait any longer, considering how disjointed and hateful we're now, I guarantee you it'll be one hell of catastrophe for Nigeria. Lets change direction while we can.

Willy2willy: We are in 2013 not in 1966

Where did Ojukwu fail? Was Ojukwu the president who kept hands akimbo while a gang of jihadists unleashed genocidal pogrom on their fellow country men? Was it Ojukwu who went to Aburi and signed agreement only to turn around to spit on it leading to an avoidable war that killed over 20% of our people?

You guys think you're sleek but you're not. If GEJ likes let him pay Tompolo or Polotom with all the crude under ND's soil. It's ND's oil not mine and I will not fight for what's not mine. Everybody should pay mind to what's in his backyard, no more robbing Peter to pay Paul. It was good and dandy when northern military men wasted Nigeria's time and money, created multiple states, and made every hamlet a local govt to the detriment of others. It was ok when they played god and wasted our commonwealth on useless ventures. You guys were not in a hurry then, right? Now all of a sudden everything is GEJ - absolute BS. In fact, I would say that this is why the core north should stop all the noise and table their pains before the confab. Go their and tell all how GEJ is paying his foot-soldiers with oil money in preparation for a break-up.

You all should stop complaining about GEJ because after the few years he's been on the saddle we can tell what's going on and that is - you can't live without power. This is the sole reason we must make sure you're frustrated out of it.

Taste your medicine bro and feel what we felt.

adepojuot: how many enemy did Jesus killed when he was alive??how many war did Jesus fought during his life timehow many wives did Jesus marry when he was alive??did Jesus Christ slept with a teenager like prophet Muhammed??the answer is NONE. Muhammed married Aisha when she was 6yrs old,Muhammed married 13 wives plus sex with slaves.,prophet Muhammed invaded Jewish settlement killing more than 800 Jewish ,how do I follow murderer,lie er,fornicator like prophet Muhammedback to the matter: did Christians kill in the name of Jesus?did Christians bomb mosque,school,church,government properties,network providers property,UN building,media houses and many more in the name of Jesus??did christens wage war in the name of Jesus??did redeem Christian church bomb catholic church like the one going on across Muslim countries,where sunnis bomb shia mosque. do we have any Christians global terrorists organisation like boko haram,Taliban,al shabbab?aqada??the answer is NONE...God will open your eyes.

Nwanne, I think you're backing the wrong tree. I'm in agreement with you ok. Though I consider it unnecessary to engage in religious argument, I posted that portion so the fella who brought it up in the first place would see how he mutilated the bible. He used a parable by Jesus to condone the evil political and fundamental Islam is wrecking on humanity.

What I think is more shameful about the behavior of extremists' defenders is not that they're defending their religion or the violence in it, if I may use that langauge, but the fact that they try to use the bible to justify the holy war, killing, and maiming that are endlessly going on. They're quick to tell us that Jesus did violence too or that Christians did it too. And I wonder - so even if Jesus did it or christians did it, does it make it right? does it mean you have to do it? Aren't your religion suppose to be a better version of the old one you're trying to replace? How can you do more violence than the person before you yet your preaching to be replacing the former? People, am I the only person seeing this sham?

And to make matters worse, Christ or his followers never did any violence that we know of yet these people want us to believe they're more peaceful than Christ. Anyway, goodluck to whoever wishes to follow their logic, as for me and my family we follow Jesus and Jesus only.

solihu: You may like to take a peep at Luke 19 : 27. International Version (NIV)

27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.

Luke 19:11-27

New International Version (NIV)


The Parable of the Ten Minas



11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

[quote author=ndu_chucks]Story story.

You people are not interested in any national dialogue, the only thing many of you want to discuss is how to break this great nation up. I'd suggest that you start by making this admission.

I do feel sorry for you because that particular topic is off the table. Deal with it.[/quote]What if he and his group wants out, are you going to force him to stay? And incase you missed the bus, that topic is not off the table.

This conference will have equal representation per group. We're not deciding democracy, we're deciding people's fate. Just like one Nler told you above, British didnt consider population before merging us. They considered group. I think its time Hausa came as Hausa, Fulani came as Fulani, Berom as Berom, Ogoni as Ogoni, etc.

A people's voice must not be muffled by another people whose only interest is to take, take, take and not give, Kill, kill, and kill and not seek peace. This conference is the last bus-stop. Its either we fix the unholy union now or ditch it for good and meet in the trenches if need be. Like Nworgu told Anthony Sani, we shall meet at the coneference. Get prepared.

In the end GEJ has shown he's the boss. They said they would make his admin impossible and they delivered. They unleashed their dogs and incidentally lost control. Now the dogs are maiming and beheading everything in sight. Well, GEJ has pull the SNC card and its time for Akaluka and Oluwatosin to emerge from the grave and do justice to their souls. Its time for those young corppers killed during 2011 election to speak their minds. Its time the world knew we're sick of both the political sharia and unquenchable thirst for blood.

Like I said yesterday, maybe GEJ did it for selfish reasons or maybe not. After all its Awo who said if the devil gives you free eduaction take it, so I'm taking GEJ's free conference. So Bro, the point now is the train has left the station, genie is no longer in the bottle, and the bullet is out the barrel. The word is out and can't be put back. I wish luck to whoever feels like not coming. As for me and my people we're coming as one entity and must not be accorded any right greater than any group be they small or mighty. If Ikwerre people want to come as a different group I welcome them with the same respect I give to any other group. If Igbanke, Agbor, Onitsha, Owerri, or even my family want to show face as a different group, by all means they should do so.

Its equal representation, like it or not. And I suggest some people make peace with all the neighbours that have suffered untold hardship all these years, else they might be in for a rude shock.

Also I hope the conference organizers have some kind of option where other groups can decide which group they want to kick out should one Nigeria survives. Dont care if its mine and hope you dont care if its yours either.

I'm loving this.

This so-called nation is about to unravel, so my advice to people who want to always disagree no matter what the subject is is this: we have seen what the last 99 years of forced marriage, bogus census, unholy quota system, unquenchable expansionist jihadism, political sharia and its attendant massacre of innocent citizens, unabating pauperization of the masses from both sides of the divide, born to rule mentality, etc is capable of doing to a promising nation.

We can disagree one more time and spend another 100 years wondering what happened or we can get our act together and say enough is enough. This is it. Maybe GEJ did it for selfish reason or mabye he didn't, but the truth is this is it, there is no going back. If we miss this time and a core northerner gets the power you better believe he will take a page from their age-long book on divide and rule.

Its no longer news that before independence, Tafawa Balewa, our first PM and a man I respect so much, told us how they would continue the quest to dip their religious text into the ocean. Fellas, he sincerely believed British presence halted this "noble" quest.

Lets all leave the usual hatefest for a moment and get it right. This time is swim or sink!

My people, ukpana okpoko gburu nti shiri ya.

Whoever pays this man any mind is, perhaps, unwell himself. For folks who forget easily, let me rewind FFK a little bit for you. This was a man who praised Ojukwu for his courage awhile ago. In fact in the piece he penned, he clearly informed all who cared to listen that the North may have gotten away with Aburi then but this time if such event were to repeat he and his 'likes' would put up a fight. He even wished he were from Ojukwu's ethnic group, great right? Not so fast.

One year after Ojukwu praises he slammed Ojukwu's Igbos for destroying Nigeria after the book, There was a Country, by Achebe was published. He raved on the indiscriminate slaughter of Ojukwu's people and called them all sort of unprintable names. In case you've forgotten, he accused Igbos of trying to dismember Nigeria. Let me back up a little and chronologize this for folks. 1) He was for Ojukwu's courage and would have put up a fight were he present. 2) In less than one year after Ojukwu's passing he blamed Ojukwu's people for trying to balkanize Nigeria and raved on the massive slaughter of Igbos. He implicitly believed the massacre was collateral damage and nothing more.

To add to that FFK glorified Adekunle, one of the actors of the ensuing war and a man whose actions during the war were genocidal. Ok, let me be clear, Adekunle's utterances regarding the war were, without doubt, genocidal. Whether he followed through with his "shoot everything that moves or don't move" mantra remains a debate. But we know he said he wanted to prevent any Igbo woman, child, or elderly, from eating a thing before their "capitulation." Folks you'll agree that such a war actor and field commander deserves no praises, especially if you believed a year earlier that those the commander was fighting were right in their cause.

Ok, another one. If you recall earlier this year, I think around Jan or Feb this yr, this same fella came out with a huge sensational headline where he accused GEJ of trying to secede from Nigeria should he not win the presidency in 2015. We know he took his attack to the next level as soon as he joined APC. He believed GEJ will dismember Nigeria and it's APC that's about to save it. In the interest of full disclosure, I have no qualms with APC or PDP. On the contrary, I think they're all the same. Just bunch of unclean characters switching allegiance. Anyway, lets move on. So, according to this fellow, GEJ wants to break up Nigeria but he and his 'likes' must resist it. Well, folks there you have it. The same FFK has just told us we should consider parting ways because Nigeria ain't working and may never work.

I do not dislike his message, I'm just confused right now. I really dont know which FFk is talking. He seems to be talking from both sides of his mouth that, quite frankly, I wished he blessed us with some silence until he takes care of his bi-polar. We, the people of this geographical expression deserve that from FFK.

ilugunboy: SS and SE will not make GEJ President again come 2015. It is foolhardy to be depending on the votes from MB to tilt the election in favour of GEJ

He still need people that can help him mend fences with the people of the SW...that is where his electoral fortune lies...any other alternative is not a fool-proof alternative. The MB is too fluid to count upon.

You're correct, and neither does core north. The game changers are SW and MB. Anyway, this whole shabang could come down to a hung outcome, hence a run-off. In the event of that I'm not sure if it'll ever be easy to remove GEJ without ending the Nigerian union. I could be wrong though but the way I see it is this - if the core north still want Nigeria its wise they let GEJ have another shot if they cant defeat him cleanly. Also they should consider removing Ango Abdulahi as their spokesman. He's destroying the remaining infinitesimal good-will of the core north.

Folks, just thinking about it. For those who use the 'prophet' as their justification, how about we make it ok for a 50+ woman to marry a toddler. Or is that against the prophet's wishes? And for those who use a monumentally decayed culture as a reason, I ask - won't it be ok and equally generous to marry off your little male children to 50, 70, 80 year old women and then wait for the boys to reach puberty so they can consumate the marriage? I mean whats wrong with that?

If you support a senile old male fool's lust and hunger to marry a little baby girl why not support same for women, or are we more equal than women? Any man that marries a little girl is a very weak man with a pathological obsession for control. Marry your equal and stop hiding under outdated and ungodly religious/cultural practices.

Shame on Yerima.
Shame on all the senators who voted for this infant violation.
Shame on all supporters of this evil.

Let it be on record that senators from North East and North West voted in favor of this ignomy, which, in my opinion, is not unusual. They would rather deflower little girls than work hard to improve Unity School admission scores of their wards. In 50 years when the fruit of this idiocy would have mutated and metastasized into another full blown Haram, perhaps, Paedophilia Haram, be assured they'll blame us. And who knows how many body bags we'll take to the north to bring back our kinsmen when the blame game begins.

Also let the record show that two senators from the south broke ranks with their fellow cultured and sensible southern senators and went rogue.

The names of the two despicable southern rogue senators are:
Sen. Akinyelure Ayo (Ondo Central, Labour Party)
Sen. Ugbesia Odion (Edo Central, PDP)


If you come from any of the two senatorial zones above its time to demand the recall of the senators.

Folks, just thinking about it. For those who use the prophet as their justification, how about we make it ok for a 50+ woman to marry a toddler. Or is that against the prophet's wishes? And for those who use a monumentally decayed culture as a reason, I ask - won't it be ok and equally generous to marry off your little male children to 50, 70, 80 year old women and then wait for the boys to reach puberty so they can consumate the marriage? I mean whats wrong with that?

If you support a senile old male fool's lust and hunger to marry a little baby girl why not support same for women, or are we more equal than women? Any man that marries a little girl is a very weak man with a pathological obsession for control. Marry your equal and stop hiding under outdated and ungodly religious/cultural practices.

Katsumoto: How can they be representing 12-14 year olds who contract health problems that last a life time? On Sharia and other issues, I might agree but on this issue, the old perverts are only representing themselves because the little girls don't have anyone fighting their corner.

But can we change that? Yes they're old men who're pretty much acting like old soviet leaders, hanging on to a decaying system simply for self-preservation and whatnot, but what can we do? Its a fight we can't win so we might as well count our losses and move on.

Let me ask you this - Do you think if the south was holding the core north with this sort of backwardness we would still be talking of One-Nigeria?

My brother, we're losing this war. Let someone tell me one thing the south has helped the core north change. Now they have added child slavery and paedophilia to their list of unending ignomy. In another 50 years or so we'll be back here fighting the consequences of this idiotic law plus that of Almajirism. Lets run while we can lest we get blamed for it when in the next 50 years all the victims of this law start killing us like boko haram.

Katsumoto: Well put - Nigeria needs to be re-organized or dissolved. I guess its better for these senators to discuss the merits of underage marriages instead of discussing the future of Nigeria.

Each day, Nigeria moves closer to violent destruction.

I have lost all hope for the revival of this nation. In fact, this latest nail in the coffin comfirms to me that I was right. I had hoped that, maybe, just maybe, the senators would do the right thing and lampoon this Yerima fella, instead they gave him a victory. What on earth will make a grown man look at a kid in an intimate way? My God! Why am I in the same universe with such a man. Yet this same man or men are members of a house that's charged with making laws for me - for me and you!

This must be the greatest joke of all time. I mean if a man is sexually unrestrained that much, what about grown women with all the assets in the right places. Why choose a little kid that's practically undeveloped both in physical and mental aspects. They say its their religion. They say their prophet took a kid to bed. Duh, if your prophet took a kid to bed maybe its time to denounce such prophet.

Our best bet is to cut North West and North East loose. The more we wait the longer we remain in this backwardness.

Pastor Ola: ANTI-PEOPLE SENATORS

I beg to differ. I would say they're representing their people and culture. However, we dont have to take it. We can cut them loose to go and have their paedophilistan, sharianistan, Bokohorostan, or Arewistan republic. We have been dealing with this backwardness for almost eternity yet we as a people keep sucking up to them. For as long as we remain Nigeria with this sort of mindset, we will remain a third-world country.

I no longer feel ashamed of Nigeria, its not worth it anymore. I only feel sorry for those who still have hope for a true one-Nigeria.

I don't know how Nigeria will move when its been pulled in opposite directions by equal forces. A look at the senators who voted for this historic disgrace tells it all. The same reason they voted for this ignomy is the same reason they refuse to let Almajiri die a natural death. According to them its either culture or religion, meaning - you cant touch our ways and whatnot, yeah we might be in the same nation but I dont have to respect our common laws 'cause they're not consistent with my culture or religion.

I ask my fellow "so-called intelligent" people of MB (and I mean southern-leaning MB), West And East, when are we going to realize there's no benefit in trying to pull a weight that's bigger than us?

A people want sharia, the same people want child marriage, they refuse to vacinate against polio, they insist on owning Aso rock, their young males marry 3 or more wives at a drop of a hat and, in a jiffy, send the kids into Almajiridom, their Almajiris in turn kill our graduates for nothing other than election losses or religious extremism, they drag us into OIC, they unleash Boko Haram on us, their youth abhor western education, we give give them a score of two as opposed to a score of 138 for a kid from Anambra, yet we still dont see the unfeasibility of a one true nation with this people?

If we're not a mad people for putting up with this mess for over 50 years, then I think madness must and should be redefined ASAP.

@Op, I believe your intentions are great but it seems like every time a core northerner talks, he or he never fails to hint on this false claim that the north fed the south before the oil-boom. While the issue of who fed who is not the main subject of your piece, it think its note-worthy to reiterate that the north was amalgamated with the south for the benefit of the north. I wonder how the West with its relatively huge cocoa wealth with which it used to fund free education became too poor as to need assistance from the north. I also wonder how the East with its abundant palm oil and her multitude of enterprising citizens turned out to be poorer than the north. Mind you, the East, even with no free education and unarguably behind the West in education, pursued education with all her strenght so much so that they leveled the field academically with the West before independence. And if you must know, it was their personal money that was the engine behind the massive education drive. so I ask again, how come the north fed the south given the picture I painted above?

The truth of the matter is that the north would have been better off without the south. The hunger to control the southern resources, precisely oil, is the undoing of the north. In fact, it got worse after they "won" the civil war. Since 1970 the north, especially the core north, has developed unmatched sense of entitlement which effectively destroyed their God-given hunger to improve and compete. I hope you don't misunderstand my post, I hope it doesnt come off like I despise the north. I have nothing but love for all black people be they Zulu, Berom, Ijaw, etc. I think that Africans have had enough troubles and that its time for us to change and win, adapt and live, or remain stagnant and be finally enslaved by the last master - Asians.

So whats my point? The north is a victim of its own manipulations. As much as the whole of Nigeria is an eye-sore, the core north is just something else and its high time it changed some of its outdated model. Take for instance, why is the core north still allowing Almajiri system in their society? Why are they comfortable with the label of "educationally disadvantaged?" Why do they support extremely low cut-off mark for their people? does it not occur to them that such practices kill an individual's inherent competitiveness? Dont they understand that the world is intensely competetive and that there is no federal character in the wider world?

In this day and age any African that is not tough is in trouble. So, why would the north stick to a practice that doesnt incentivise improvement and doggeness? Even here in the US, I have always believed that time has come for America to revisit Affirmative Action for Blacks. Affirmative action with no expiry date is a call for complacency. In the long-run the recipient becomes a mediocre, and I can confidently say that that's what the core north is now. In the absence of power and govt support, the average core-northerner will be in hot waters if left to compete with an average southerner. It should not be so becuase all men are created equal.

In summary, I believe that for the core north to measure up and be competitive in the long run (the same thing applies to other regions), it must stop looking for handout from Abuja, it must stop looking to corner and usurp the oil through power, it must pull back and revive its agriculture, enthrone religious moderation, allow the MB to have some peace, end the culture of multiple wives, cease almajiri system, and educate! educate!! educate!!! If Nigeria splits today, the core north is going home with millions of uneducated almajiris and extremists. Ask yourself if there is any reasonable foreign investor that would risk his resource in such combustible environment.

The Asians are already kicking our butts, we'll be dammmmd if we end up dumbing down ourselves with miseducation and quota system. Lets run while we can. Let every region pull back and add value to whatever it is they have, thats the only way we can position ourselves and avoid this impending social and economic slavery. Remember, before we all said we didnt see the white man coming. We said he masked his intentions and caught us off-guard. Can we say the same with regards to Asians? The truth is if we keep the existing Nigerian structure of quota system, oil money, fictitious census, over-bloated local govt-for-money-sharing, cattle herding impunity and its attendant massacres, born to rule, and turn-by-turn presidency, then we need not worry about the future 'cause we already sold it.

Good to know Nigerians can discuss politics without name-calling or ethnic mudslinging. Good so far. Afam, I think Fashola has a good chance, perhaps equal chance as GEJ. Looking at it this way - here is a Gov that's leading the most complex state in Nigeria and so far has managed to stay away from controversy - that tells you something about him. He's a politician like others so am not in any way absolving him of games politicians play. However, his ability to play it stealthly in a hostile and open environment means he has it together.

One more thing - Fashola doesnt wear his religious affiliation like Buhari and others. And most importantly, I believe that if given a brand new computer or smartphone today, he probably would not need a manual to go virtual or make a call - you feel me? What am I saying? Nigeria has moved past the likes of IBB, OBJ, Buhari, Abdulsalami and co. We're in the era of Ribadu, Okorocha, Fashola, Chime, Amaechi, Ajimobi, Duke, Tanbuwal, etc.

Ping me when APC fields one of the above.

My goodness! When you think we've turned the corner on misplaced priorities there comes another one. Going to the space at this stage of our national life for what? For bragging right? Someone should tell GEJ to shelve this nonsense idea. This is akin to building an atomic collider for an Almajiri. What is he going to do with it? Is it not better to first build a primary school for an Almajiri before proceeding to secondary school? Who told this admin to embark on this vainglorious project when engineering schools in Nigeria don't even have enough computers to teach computer science undergrads ordinary c-programing.

A computer science degree holder in Nigeria recently told me she doesnt know what C compiler looks like. She knows nothing about Low-level language, nothing about Java or C. She's only programmed in Basic. And this is coming from a very smart girl (currently pursuing her masters in a one of the 3 best universities in Nigeria). With this picture one begins to wonder what the priorities of our govt are.

A first semester junior in most US universities (in ECE or CS) knows how to analyse X86 architecture, can program very complex algorithm both in low and high level languages, and can design and implement a simple architecture - like LC-3. Guess what? he's not even considered an engineer yet - perhaps, has about 2-3 yrs away from graduation. Unfortunately, in our own case the govt is talking about Space program. Space program when our graduates have no tools to function as proper graduates.

And you ask - How does a person move from Almajiri to professorship and from miseducation to space astronaut? Simple - good schools coupled with incentives to do better. Right now we have none of the above. Instead of wasting this money on a project that will certainly collapse in 5 years due to zero readiness and preparedness, I 'll advise GEJ to put the money on the existing engieering colleges. Make them better and at the right time we will be in space. If we go ahead with this project now, the only thing we will achieve is to take a ride in another man's space-craft.

Pls dont waste this money.