₦airaland Forum

@All,

there's a thriving Nigerian community here in Brisbane. We recently celebrated the Nigerian independence day last october.

The Association organises lots of events every year. For more information and in order to be included on our database, please send an email to naqueensland@yahoo.com. You can also join us on facebook at 'Naqueensland'.

@All,

there's a thriving  Nigerian community here in Brisbane. We recently celebrated the Nigerian independence day last october.

The Association organises lots of events every year. For more information and in order to be included on our database, please send an email to naqueensland@yahoo.com.  You can also join us on facebook at 'Naqueensland'.

@All,

there's a thriving  Nigerian community here in Brisbane. We recently celebrated the Nigerian independence day last october.

The Association organises lots of events every year. For more information and in order to be included on our database, please send an email to naqueensland@yahoo.com.  You can also join us on facebook at 'Naqueensland'.

The attention of Association of Nigerian Online Militants has been drawn to the smuggling of a contraband item into the country from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The package was flown into the country on a white unregistered aircraft. It arrived at presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on early hours of Wednesday morning, at about 1.30am.

According to sources, the unregistered aircraft carrier landed at the Abuja airport in the company of the presidential jet. It is unknown at this stage if there were other passengers on board both aircrafts.


It is believed that the contraband package was smuggled into the country with the aid of “unknown” soldiers. From our preliminary investigations, these unknown soldiers are alleged to have been deployed from the Nigerian Army 22nd Battalion Brigade. The soldiers took charge of the airport, while the staff were given marching orders.


As we know, President Umaru Yar’Adua is currently comatose; it is therefore unclear on whose orders the soldiers were acting. The Acting President has also denied any knowledge of any troops deployment.


The contraband package was alleged to have been transferred from the White unregistered aircraft to a White Ford E-250 bullion van. The last sighting of this bullion van was around the Presidential Villa at Aso Rock.


It is clear from all indication that, this is a well orchestrated crime. The perpetrators of this heinous crime are likely to be highly placed influential Nigerians. The audacity with which the smuggling was carried out is unprecedented in the history of our country.


Up until now, the location and content the contraband package remains unknown. The Nigerian online militants considers smuggling as a threat to national security. In view of this, all security agencies across the nation have been notified. The nation’s borders have also been put on high alert.


The Nigerian Online Militants are particularly interested in the location of the White bullion van and its content. If anyone has any information on its whereabouts please contact your nearest internet militant via Facebook or Twitter.


We urge members of the public to remain calm. In your own interest, please do not approach the driver of this vehicle as he may be carrying dangerous weapon.


Signed


Association of Nigerian Online Militants (ANOM)

Blogosphere

As we know, a group of individuals known as the ‘Face of Lagos’ recently, through paid newspaper advertorial, accused Gov. Babatunde Fashola of financial recklessness and impropriety. Following these allegations, the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) in a swift response constituted a panel to investigate these allegations.


As I write, the motive of the investigation panel is still been queried by members of the public. Some have described it as the proverbial “hand of Esau and voice of Jacob”. Some consider the investigation as the first step in the plot to impeach the state governor. There are insinuations that the disagreement between the godson and godfather is because the former has not allowed the latter to have an unfettered access to the state vault. There have even been comments about why the LSHA has not probed the 8-year rule of the supposed godfather.

For me, I’m not interested in delving into the motive behind the panel investigation. As I’m not privy to the facts behind the disagreement of these individuals, I don’t think its right for me to add to the current speculations.

What I find baffling however, are the comments that Gov. Fashola should not be investigated because he is a “performing” governor (!). For such commentators, they would rather have the “Fashola type” alleged corruption, because he built new roads, implemented new public transport initiatives, cleared Oshodi and planted flowers.

The view of such people is that systemic looting of the state treasury can be justified, if the alleged culprit has performed beyond their expectations. Performance to them is a justification for treasury looting? Na Wah! You may want to ask, what their expectations are. Such individuals lack basic understanding of what is required of people they have elected into office. It’s like an employer who engaged a staff without a job description or key performance indicators. So it would be very easy for such an employee and his employer to develop a false sense of achievement. Anyway, that’s an aside issue.

Interestingly, it seems deepening rift between the Lagos State Governor Fashola and his estranged godfather Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has created a new type of governance model, which I will describe as “Work-chop-cracy”.

So what is “Work-chop-cracy”? This is a type of government that allows a leader, that is perceived to be performing well, to also engage in looting of the treasury – albeit at a lesser scale when compared to the “do nothing” leaders.

In the Work-chop-cratic government, the masses accept corruption as a way life. And as a friend noted recently, corruption in governance is regarded as second to the air we breathe under the model. The principle is, everyone elected into public office must “chop”, however the public officer must justify his chopping through “hard work and performance”. Hmmm….!

The acceptance of work-chop-cracy as a style of governance further highlights the delusion among the Nigeria masses. In the past, I’ve always been critical of the nation’s leadership and their role in encouraging corruption at levels of government. However, following some of the public comments on the alleged feud between Gov. Fashola and his predecessor, I’ve come to realise that we the masses are the biggest problem affecting Nigeria.

The question I asked the promoters of “work-chop-cracy” is, if the same allegations were raised against Gov. Alao-Akala or Gbenga Daniel, what would have been their response? Obviously, because these Governors have no track record of performance, they are always easy targets. We shout to high heavens when we hear of allegations of corruptions against those we consider as non-performing.

We are happy to see James Ibori, Lucky Igbinedion, Orji Kalu go to jail, but we are not interested in investigating allegations of corruption levelled against Fashola because we think he his performing. Such attitude smacks of hypocrisy.

If we decide not to take the allegations of corruption against Gov. Fashola seriously, what moral standing do we have to take the allegations against Gbenga Daniel seriously? Where is it written that an administrator can mismanage taxpayers’ money simply because he has implemented people-oriented projects? Is that what we define as dividends of democracy?

So what exactly is the big deal about investigating a sitting Governor? Is it not taxpayers’ money that he is been accused of misappropriating? Or may be I’m mistaking. Instead of whipping unnecessary sentiments, why not let’s focus our attention on the panel itself. Our energy should instead be directed towards urging the LSHA to conduct the investigation in a fair and transparent manner. And if they don’t, we can start making noises.

Probity, accountability and transparency are the key tenets of democratic governance. The taxpayer has the right to demand for information on how his taxes are been spent. No matter how good a governor performs, he still needs to be held accountable. After all, it’s not that he has invested his personal wealth in the development of the state.

And don’t get me wrong. I’ve not said that Gov. Fashola is guilty of the allegations. Until proven guilty, the Governor remains innocent. However, I do not support the argument that he should not be investigated because of his performance in office. Irrespective of the motive, I consider the allegations raised by the Face of Lagos group to be very serious, hence need for ‘thorough’ investigation. These allegations cannot just be swept under the carpet.

culled from Heal Nigeria Blog

I recently came across a caption on a friend’s Facebook page. It was titled “Two percent passed WAEC (West African Examinations Council) Exam in Oyo State”. After reading the caption, the questions I asked the poster were, how many of supposed successful candidates ‘bought’ questions prior to sitting for the exams. How many wrote the exams by proxy? How many colluded with examiners to have their results manipulated?  For me these are reasonable questions to ask considering how desperate Nigerian students have become recently. Anyway, that’s not the issue here.

From east to west, north to south, evidence of the deplorable state of our education system are very glaring. Just like other sectors, the nation’s education system has been on a steady decline in the 20 years. Both the quality of teaching and infrastructure have been severely impacted by the comatose state of the education system. As we know, incessant school closures due to strike action have been the norm of the day. In fact, it will be considered unusual not to have schools shut down in any given academic year.

Also, most of the classrooms in Nigerian schools are dilapidated, sub-standard and unfit for human habitation. There have been cases of school buildings that have collapsed killing children in some parts of Nigeria.
Whilst the performance of Oyo state candidates looks very depressing to say the least, the fact remains that no state of the federation holds the monopoly of poor education performance. Lagos state is also not left behind in the race towards educational failure.

According to recent statistics released by the Lagos Ministry of Education, there’s been a decline of about 43 per cent in the enrolment figure between public primary and senior secondary school students, while there is about 31 per cent drop in the enrolment figure of primary school pupils by the time they move to junior secondary schools. The question one will ask is, where do these pupils go when they drop out of secondary school?

Only few weeks ago, WAEC noted Nigeria's performance in the 2009 SSCE as only 25 per cent(!). However, Head of WAEC National Office, Iyi Uwadiae was quick to point out that, we can take consolation in the fact that, Nigeria’s performance is the best among member countries, which include Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. According to Iyi Uwadiae, "In our excellence award, Nigeria dominated. Nigerian candidates are doing very well,"

With 25 percent performance, it’s very disappointing to hear the Head of WAEC saying “Nigerian candidates are doing well”. So what exactly is the benchmark for measuring examination success? Why are we so fond of celebrating mediocrity? I consider Mr Uwadiea’s statement ludicrous.

Mr Uwadiae can say whatever he likes.  As one will expect, he has chosen to be ‘patriotic’ rather than been objective in his comments. His statement however does not take anything away from the fact that our education system is comatose. Can his statement be accepted as evidence that our education system is better than that of Ghana? For me, the answer is No! If we do indeed outperform our neighbours, then why are Nigerians sending their wards to Ghana for secondary school education? Why have places like Benin and Togo, all of sudden become a destination for Nigerian students?

The result is a strong indictment of our education system. It exemplifies the rot in the education system. Is it not pathetic that our standards have now fallen so low, that the nation’s foremost assessing authority now considers 25 percent performance as “success”.

With the current state of education system, it doesn’t come as a surprise that 23million Nigerian youths are unemployable.  As they say, “knowledge is power”. No nation can excel without investment in quality education aimed at economic growth. The lack of investment in quality education is putting our youths at a huge disadvantage. The world is now a global village. Nigeria is not just competing with, Gambia, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

But with the continuous decline in our education system, how can Nigerian youths compete with their counterparts from other parts of the globe?

Culled from Heal Nigeria Blog

The Abuja Federal High Court, yesterday declared that Vice President Jonathan Goodluck is “empowered by the 1999 Constitution to exercise, in the absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua, all the powers vested in him, including signing of sensitive documents, so far such powers are delegated to him”.

Justice Dan Abutu made the pronouncement while interpreting sections 5(1) and 148 (1) of the 1999 constitution in a suit brought by a lawyer, Mr. Christopher Onwuekwe. Mr Onwuekwe had asked the high court to declare that “in absence of the President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Vice President, by virtue of the provisions of Section 5(1) and 148 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, could exercise all the powers vested in the President in the interest of peace, order and good governance pending when his boss, Yar’Adua, would resume office.

In his judgement, Justice Abutu noted that both sections 5(1) and 148 (1) are clear about how the president can transfer to the Vice President or any of the cabinet member. However it did not specify the manner or the procedure through which Mr. President could delegate any of the presidential powers.

So in simple terms, the Vice President could be instructed via a simple phone call from Saudi Arabia to sign the 2010 Budget Appropriation Bill. In fact the Judge went further that it’s no one’s prerogative to query the mode of transfer of power to the Vice President (!). In the current situation where it is rumoured that the president is comatose, how can anyone be sure that the president is actually passing instructions. Another implication of the judgement is that it indirectly legitimises the “unofficial” role of the First Lady as a conduit between president and cabinet members, since no one can challenge the ‘mode of power transfer’. 

Whether good or bad, the current political impasse has helped underline the ambiguity in the nation’s constitution. And from the events of the last few weeks, I have come to a conclusion that when you are dealing with Nigerian issues, matters of legal importance need to be spelt out in ‘black and white’. You cannot afford to have grey areas, because if you do, it will be exploited to its maximum as we are currently experiencing.

The truth is, as things currently stand, President Umaru Yar’Adua has not breached any provisions in the 1999 constitution. I’m sure some would ask, what’s this guy talking about?. Whilst it might sound harsh, that is the blunt truth.

There is nothing in the constitution about how much time the president can spend overseas, just as the Deputy Senate President said recently. So as far as the constitution goes, President Yar’Adua can stay in Saudi Arabia as long as he likes. Also, just as the Attorney-General once said, the constitution does not state that the president has to be physically present in Nigeria to rule the country. This means, President. Yar’Adua can continue to rule Nigeria from Saudi Arabia until kingdom come. In fact there is nothing stopping us from voting for an offshore president, if we so decide, in 2011. If people can contest and win elections while in prison, how much more having a ‘President in Diaspora’.

Also, we have been told many times by the Yar’Adua apologists that there is nowhere in the constitution where it is mandated that the President has to handover to his deputy. Whilst some might not agree, it is the fact. The president is not obliged by the constitution to do so. This could easily be interpreted as been discretionary.
Even on the issue of incapacitation of the president, the constitution does not clearly articulate what it means to be incapacitated. And like I wrote in one of my previous articles, does lying on a hospital bed mean been incapacitated? Or is it being brain-damaged? Or is it when you are in coma? Some might say these are trivial questions of which you can apply common sense. But as we all know, ‘common sense is not always common’. When an individual is allowed too much discretion, you cannot expect him/her not to exercise the discretion in his/her favour.

So the question is, how do we prevent a repetition of the current political crisis? You need not to be a Professor of constitutional law or political science to know that the nation’s constitution needs wholesale review. And when I say constitution review, I’m not talking about opportunity for state creation or tenure elongation. The loopholes currently being exploited needs to be plugged, as a matter of urgency. Legislative provisions need to be set in black and white, since it has become apparent that our political leaders cannot be trusted with the use of discretion. If it takes having clauses that limit the duration of the president’s absence, so be it!

The power to investigate the health status of the President should not rest solely on the Executive. The national assembly should be given powers to initiate such investigation. For me, vesting such powers on the Executive represents a major conflict of interest. Most, if not all, members of the federal executive council are the loyalists to the president. So how can anyone expect them to launch an investigation that could ultimately result I them losing their jobs.

Don’t get me wrong, there is no perfect constitution. You must be living in utopia to want to have a perfect constitution. Like every legal document, it can never be fool-proof. But at the same time, there is no point having a constitution that is not ‘fit for purpose’. Irrespective of how the current crisis is resolved, there is a growing urgent need for a wholesale review of the constitution. We cannot afford a repetition of the current political impasse. A situation where a nation’s president will go missing for 50 days is totally unacceptable in any jurisdiction. Nigeria is not a banana republic.

Culled from Heal Nigeria Blog

I read people's comments that this story should be taken with a pinch of salt because it was reported by Compass. However, it's not just Compass, below is an article from Tribune.

Whatever be the case, 'there is no smoke without fire'.

For me, the earlier BRF dissociates himself from BAT, the better for him. BAT is an unnecessary laibility on the State. The guy is beginning to turn himself into another Lamidi Adedibu.


http://www.tribune.com.ng/07122009/politics_2.html


2011: Fashola’s ambition and the powers that be

Babatunde FasholaLagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, may have done enough to merit a second term of office. But he is up against a cabal in the Action Congress (AC), his own party. Kunle Awosiyan reports.


No doubt, the achievements of the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), in the last 900 days are enough to earn him a second term in office but the “powers that be” may erode his ambition.


The governor has been so diplomatic about his bid for the second term. At various events, he had ceded the decision on second coming to his party, the Action Congress (AC).


Unlike some of the state governors, Fashola has been so careful in his utterances and public presentations on his second term issue. Despite his achievements in the area of environmental beautification,transportation system, security and health, he could not just beat his chest for the second term ticket.


Though he has wormed himself into the hearts of most Lagos residents, his political future depends solely on the powers that be, which perhaps are synonymous to his predecessor, Senator Bola Tinubu.


Tinubu, unarguably, holds the power to install anybody in Lagos at present. The incumbent governor, Fashola, whose status in Lagos politics today is a measure of Tinubu’s strength, is a good example. The former governor succeeded in convincing and confusing over 600,000 electorate to vote for his former Chief of Staff, Fashola.


Since he became the governor, Fashola had been soaring high to the amazement of his critics. Opinion polls across the state also favoured him, as most residents would want the governor to run for the second term. But it is quite unfortunate that for now, leadership in this part of the world is not about public acceptance, but the skill to swindle the electorate.


Interestingly, Fashola lacks the skill to deceive the masses and may pay for it with his position. He has since stopped the activity of praise singers at public functions organised by his government.
The praise singers, led by a woman popularly called, “Mama Kalokalo” are not happy with the situation. They are grass-roots politicians selected across the state to promote AC. They appear unfavourable to Fashola’s academic approach to issues and have vowed not to sing at AC rallies, if Fashola eventually emerges as the party’s candidate for 2011 gubernatorial election.


Fashola’s style is also a thorn in the flesh of some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, most of who are Tinubu’s stooges. The governor believes in due process, which is not in the dictionary of the parliamentarians.


Recently, the House turned down the governor’s request to present the budget 2010 to the parliament. To the governor, budget presentation to the House of Assembly is an official assignment that should not hold any snag but he was surprised when the House turned him down.


He could not present the budget on a flimsy excuse that the notice was too short for the legislators to converge.


This perhaps would have not happened if the governor had been compromising his position with the House. The budget presentation was postponed and to most political umpires, the parliament’s action could best be described as the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob.


The powers that be used the House perhaps, to teach the governor some political lessons he had failed to learn at the Law School.


For a student of political science, the postponement of the budget presentation is not illegal but a show of parliamentary power. It is an indication that Fashola did not adequately lobbied the members of the House like his predecessor, Senator Tinubu.


It is not that lobbying is immoral or illegal, especially when it is about adopting a superior argument on the floor of the House, but it connotes different thing in Nigerian politics, including Lagos.


Lobby, to an average politician, could mean bribery, which Fashola might not want to indulge in. But he could still pay for it with his position. Since the inception of the present administration, bribery, as a weapon to lobby, is believed to have ceased at the state House of Assembly.


Tinubu was able to buy over the Assembly with his lobbying strategy, an idea Fashola had refused to embark upon.


When the budget was finally presented about two weeks ago, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, advised the governor to beware of flatterers. He made the audience realise that the legislature was in good terms with the state executive, contrary to the insinuations from various quarters.


He told the governor not to be carried away by sycophancy, adding that he would be judged by the amount of resources at his disposal, the prevailing conditions and environment under which he operated and how he made use of those resources.


Ikuforiji did not hesitate to announce to the audience, including Tinubu at the chambers of the Assembly, that no member of the House was bribed by the executive to do his or her job.


“Today, I can boldly state without any fear of contradiction, with the fear of God, that no House of Assembly in the entire federation can boast of being more productive and supportive without financial inducement of its executive arm, at no cost to the executive arm, as Lagos State House of Assembly has done. We are just fully committed to our responsibilities and our shared goals,” he said.


However, one thing is certain. The popularity of Tinubu is gradually fading due to the achievements of Fashola. Though Fashola has been decorous in his comment on the second term issue, his predecessor is disturbed by the heroic posture being given to him by flatterers. And one of the ways Tinubu might show the flatterers that he is still in charge in Lagos is by replacing Fashola in 2011.


In the interim, the governor has been so careful with his former boss. He could not reshuffle the state executive council because of the powers that be. He has had to accommodate some of members of the state executive council, despite their inefficiency because of the same reason.
He has continually echoed that his running for a second term in office as governor of the state will be determined by his party.


At the 2009 alumni day of the Lagos Business School, Fashola said that he would follow due process on the issue of second term and laid down nomination procedure of his party.


“I have not said that I would not serve a second term as the governor of Lagos State, if fielded by the Action Congress (AC). But it is too premature to do so now since my party has not called for nominations.


“My party will call for nominations, conduct its primaries from which the gubernatorial candidate would emerge, which has been the procedures adopted in the past,” he said

There is no doubt that Governor Fashola has been performing remarkably well since his assumption of office. In fact, his administration has provided some glimmer of hope for those who believed that nothing good can come out of our democratic governance.

Whilst the process from which he emerged as Governor remains questionable (a la Action Congress party primaries), he has no doubt grabbed the bull by the horn. He has taken advantage of the privilege he’s been granted, through effective leadership and vision.


Notwithstanding all the good work, I can still point to some key policy decisions taken by Fashola administration that are debatable. An example was the recent repatriation of destitute and beggars to Kaduna by officials of Lagos state government.

Some have argued that the street beggars need to be repatriated because they constitute a public nuisance and also, it is an offence under the state environmental laws to beg. Yes I agree, but what about the street urchins (area boys, the ‘omo isale eko’) terrorising innocent people to extort money? Will the Lagos state government deport them to their local governments? For me, the constitution is very clear. A Nigerian citizen is free to live wherever he or she chooses. And if anyone breaks the law, they should be charged to court under the applicable federal or state law.

Another example was the decision of the state government to introduce its own “driver’s re-certification cards”, which I will refer to de facto drivers’ licence. This again for me undermines the existence of the FRSC, an organisation that is legally charged with the responsibility of driver licensing.

The latest proposal which I find not only laughable but nonsensical - hence this article - is the plan to introduce an ‘identity card’ for Lagos residents.

According to Gov. Fashola,


"We have now reached a stage where it is no longer avoidable to ask: ‘How many people can Lagos State meaningfully employ and sustain?, The state is being faced with a daily influx of people from all over the country who want to take advantage of the opportunities of an economy that works…….But, the reality is that persistent uncontrolled population growth worsens the problem of poverty and negates the government's efforts to improve the quality of life for majority of the people."

Irrespective of Governor’s intent, I will state categorically that any plan to introduce an identity card by a state government is unconstitutional and thus illegal. One can only begin to wonder if Lagos is drifting towards becoming a ‘fascist’ state. Previously it was non-indigene street beggars that were repatriated, and now it is ID card.




There is no gainsaying that Lagos is under immense pressure as a result of continuous rural-urban migration. But the problem of urban migration is not just synonymous with Lagos. Major cities like New York, London and New Delhi also have to deal with same challenge. Whilst the influx of people also continues to put pressure on the local infrastructure of these major cities, I’m yet to read anywhere that the solution proffered by their administrators was introduction of ID cards. Instead of initiating policies that undermines the nation’s constitution, the Governor should rather agitate that Lagos be granted a ‘special’ status, in order to increase its federal revenue allocation.


So what exactly is Gov. Fashola trying to achieve? Who does he intend to issue with an ID card? Let’s assume the ID card will be only for Lagos residents. What about people who travel interstate to work in Lagos? Is Gov. Fashola thinking of rationing Lagos state infrastructure and services amongst Lagos residents only?

I sometimes don’t get it when people see Lagos as an ‘entity’ unto itself. Just because the state has been experiencing massive infrastructure development, when compared to other states – thanks to Gov. Fashola – does not give it any right to preclude non-indigenes from accessing state-funded services.

Already, we have a nation is divided along ethnic lines. This attitude of “if you are not a Lagos taxpayer, don’t come to Lagos” cannot be right for our democracy. Such attitude only entrench ethnic divisions, in country that has been blighted by years of ethnic violence.

We have situations where non-indigenes are not allowed access to some state-funded services. I know some state universities that an open policy of making it extremely hard for non-indigenes. There are some schools that charge students additional fees if there are non-indigene. And to think that a state government will go a step further, contemplating the introduction an ID card, is just preposterous.

Truth be told, no matter how inconsistent the nation’s constitution may be, Lagos is not a ‘sovereign’ state. Therefore, the Governor has no right to implement policies that will preclude non-indigenes. No state administrator has any right to control the number of people who choose to live in a state. Let the Governor be reminded that state government does not confer citizenship status. You can only be a Nigerian citizen.

There is no doubt that, for effective planning and service delivery, the state government needs to know the population of its local residents. I recall the controversies that ensued between the federal government and Lagos state following the last national population census. Which meant, depending on who you ask, the ‘official’ population of Lagos varies by as much as five million!

But instead of thinking about how to regulate influx of people into Lagos through a ‘not fit for purpose’ ID card scheme, there are other ways through which the state government can manage its rapid population growth. As with major cities of the world, population growth is managed through implementation of sound strategic planning policies.

Strategic land use planning provides an opportunity for the government to channel population growth towards specific areas. It also helps to regulate any proposed changes to land use by prohibiting certain development in specific areas.

Culled from Heal Nigeria Blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDFh2_EBOhA

With prevailing realities, there is no gainsaying that Nigeria has failed as a nation since independence. President Umaru Yar’Adua also confirmed this when he expressed regret that the promise of independence is yet to be fully realised 49 years after. In his words the President said “today (October 1 2009) should be a forceful reminder of the promise yet to be fulfilled, of the dream deferred for too long, and of the work that is still outstanding”. However, one person that seems to see things differently is the Senate President, David Mark.

The Senate President in his “goodwill” message to mark the 49th Independence Day anniversary was quoted as saying “At 49, no one can argue that Nigeria has realised its full potentials. This notwithstanding, we have made remarkable strides, especially in our steady march towards democracy and the rule of law. There are some successes we have to celebrate and consolidate”. Having read this statement, I was convinced that Senator Mark lives in a world of utopia. For a Senate President, who is the nation Number 3 citizen to say Nigeria has achieved its full potential in the face of abject poverty and indiscriminate looting of the nation’s treasury is not only patronising but preposterous. Such a statement is a slap on the face and an insult on 70 percent of the masses who have been continuously impoverished and thus live in abject poverty. If indeed we have realised our potential, then what Senator Mark is saying that, it is these 70 percent that do have a problem, and not the leadership.

For me, I will describe Senator Mark has someone who is probably suffering from “Delusional Optimism”. By definition, “delusional optimism” is a habitual failure to accept reality, unless it matches the positive outcome you want. And this problem is not peculiar to Senator Mark. Ex-President Obasanjo during a recent interview on the BBC programme Hardtalk, was also quoted as saying “based on the nation’s (abundant) resources, that Nigeria has achieved its potential”. Can you imagine that? Our leaders sometimes try to fool their minds into seeing something “good” instead of facing reality. They impose their own standards of “good” and “bad” on issues that have no such qualities. Their thinking is confused, misinformed or simply wishful.

Now going back to Senator Mark’s comments, on what indices are the potential we have achieved measured? If realisation of our potential is about being a leading corrupt nation, then the Senate President should take delight in the report recently released by Transparency International, which ranks Nigeria as 121st on table of the world’s most corrupt nation.  Also, the Senate President will probably be the happiest person to know that we have lost almost $850bn through institutionalised corruption since independence. If the realisation of our “full” potential is about being one of the poorest nations in the world, despite being the world’s sixth largest crude oil producer, then we have indeed realised our full potential.  Senator Mark should be informed that more than 70% of Nigerian citizens live on less than $1 per day. In fact the pace at which the potential of being one of world’s poorest nation has been realised is quite phenomenal. According to research, from 1970 to 2000 the Nigerian government received over US$300 billion from oil sales while the percentage of citizens living in extreme poverty (on less than US$1 per day) increased from 36 per cent to around 70 per cent.

Also why wouldn’t Senator Mark think we have realised our full potential, when he enjoys 24-hr uninterrupted power supply, thanks to multiple generators at his official lodge. If the realisation of our “full” potential is measured by the number of days that the masses can survive in perpetual darkness, then we are definitely on the right track. Senator Mark will be happy to know, with a population of 140million, we can only currently generating 2,900mw.

If anyone takes an in-depth look into Senator David Mark life history, then you probably wouldn’t blame him for making such a condescending statement. This is a man that has occupied one government position or another since Buhari-Idiagbon regime. At the age of 44, he has already been the Military Governor of Niger and the Old Ondo states. Within that period, he also served as the Minister of Communications. And as we know, he is now the Senate President. Those who know him will agree that he has a strong tendency for making silly jibes. This is the same man who said, “Telephones are not for the poor” during his time as Communications Minister. Now tell me, how can a man that has enjoyed perks and luxuries of public office for almost half of his life, not think that Nigeria has achieved its full potential?

The likes of Senator Mark encapsulate the challenge we face as nation. As long as we have leaders who are so detached from the reality of occupy positions of power, then we can never move forward as a nation. These guys are stuck in the cocoon called Abuja. There very insensitive to the plight of the masses. Rather than face challenges, they bury their heads in the sand pretending all is fine. Their definition of nation’s potential is the amount of money they can loot from the state treasury. Their definition of the nation’s potential is the number of oil blocks in the Niger Delta that can be auctioned to their families and cronies. Their definition of the nation’s potential is measured by the number of state-owned assets that can be sold to their cronies through dodgy privatisation deals. And finally, why wouldn’t a Senator that presides over a legislature that is maintained with N1.3 trillion yearly, but has only managed to pass four bills since its inception, not think that Nigeria has achieved its full potential?

Culled from Heal Nigeria blog

KunleOshob:
If you guys only knew how much bi-courtney is loosing based on the federal goverment not keeping their part of the concession agreement which includes GAT you would be sorry for them. Personally i think Wale Babalakin is a National hero and his likes should be encouraged to move this country forward. How do we expect to develop as a country if we go out of our way to destroy those who are striving to make it great. His mma2 terminal is a pride to this country unlike the ramshackled embarrasment called airport terminals that we have all over this country. It is clear that goverment needs private sector participation to develop infrastructure in this country it would not do us anygood to bring down those who have pioneered, taken huge risks, sunk in their capital and borrowed heavily to develop our infrastructure.

@KunleOshob, I don't think anyone is trying to pull down Wale Babalakin. There is no doubt that the govt needs private sector participation in infrastructure development. But the fact remains that these so-called PPP contracts should be done properly. The govt should adhere to principles of transparency and probity when negotiating PPP agreements. Industry stakeholders should also be carried along. And most importnantly, protection of public interest should be paramount. PPP should never be used to create private monopoly.

Situation where award of multi-billion naira is PPP contract are only announced in front pages of newspapers is unacceptable. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway PPP (also Bi-Courtney) is a typical example. All we heard was that the FEC has approved the contract. The contrct was worth N89billion, but we were never told how many companies bidded for the contract. What was the criteria used in selecting Bi-Courtney? What is Bi-Courtney track in road tolling projects? How can we be sure that the govt is "receiving value for money"? Did the government undertake the "public sector comparison" for the same project? And again, why toll a road with no alternative? Why not ask the private sector to build a bypass and toll accordingly?

For me, I have studied all the PPP contracts signed in Nigeria both state and federal and I'm afraid PPP has been used to legitimise corruption.

In another of the mind-boggling manipulation and corruption stories involving the Attorney General, Saharareporters has found his hand in the controversial handover of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.

Mr. Aondoakaa, our impeccable source revealed, took huge bribe money from Mr. Wale Babalakin, the chairman of Bi -Courtney, the company now reputed for building sub-standard structures. Aondoakaa had worked with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited to grant the company a 36-year concession to run the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport".

During the Obasanjo's administration, Babalakin got Femi Fani Kayode to recommend that his lease on the airport be extended from 12 years to 36 years, but that proposal was rejected.

In came Aondoakaa, who, after receiving N400 million from Babalakin, got Bi-Courtney to sue his office for breach of contract after claiming that it had the right to manage both the MMA2 and the GAT for 36 years starting from April 2004. Curiously, Bi-Courtney did not include the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in the lawsuit. That strategy was deliberate. FAAN would have contested the lawsuit, but Aondoakaa's refused to diligently defend his office when put on notice about the suit.

Bi-Courtney then obtained a court judgement allowing it to forcefully take over GAT in a secret ceremony that had the airport workers protesting. The worker’s protests have so far yielded some positive results, as the office of the National Security Adviser has intervened and suspended the Bi-Courtney agreement until Yar'adua returns from his sick bed in Saudi Arabia.

Only last week, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), an umbrella body made up of 35 organizations fighting corruption in the country, joined the growing nationwide clamour for Aondoakaa to be relieved of his position. In a letter to Yar’Adua, it said CACOL had found the Attorney General “to be roguish, corruptible, insensitive and incompetent either as a Minister in any Ministry or (as) the Attorney-General.”

The letter was copied to the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (the position Aondoakaa officially occupies); the Chairman of the National Judicial Commission; and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3788:how-aondoakaa-sold-murtala-mohammed-airport-to-wale-babalakins-bi-courtney-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

naijamini:
@sbo
I agree with most of your points, especially the statement:

"The government should also implement mechanisms that will guarantee transparency at all stages in the tendering process. These mechanisms must include setting procurement specifications, open public hearings for major government contracts, and the final selection of contractors; and Involvement independent agencies to oversee the bidding process. Unfortunately most of the PPP contracts in Nigeria are announced on the front pages of newspapers. The process of awarding these contracts is shrouded in secrecy. A classic example is the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway N89billion concession contract. Up till now, the public is yet to be advised of the process that led to the selection of Bi-Courtney Ltd. Where was the tender for the procurement advertised? How many companies bidded for the contract?"

However, the attitude of seeing any type of privatization as "selling our assets" is so rampant with Nigerian workers that I am not sure the legitimate concerns you stated above are the underlying reason for the strike. I often find myself musing that we don't know what our government is doing - particularly when you see how the American President is challenged to explain his decisions each and everyday. This is especially ironic since Nigeria is one of the remaining countries that maintain a full "Information Ministry" and governments continue to control radio and television houses. Yet they refuse to pass a FOI bill.

Don't get me wrong I think the impact on workers must be adequately addressed, and an agreement that freezes any airport development for 36 years is not only monopolistic, it is downright thievery, but capitalist will look for a monopoly whenever possible. The government officials in charge of that agreement probably did not read the documents, nor cared, as long as their already greasy palms are well oiled.

Now they are waiting for the President to be involved in this issue! Amazing. We think statically and run a country of 150 million like a small town.

naijamini


@

@Naijamini, you are right. Privitisation is always seen as "selling our assets", even in the developed world. The main concern of the union is potential job losses. You will agree with me that job losses is inevitable after privatisation, as any investor will be looking to cut its overhead as much as possible. However, this is something that should have been resolved prior to the execution of the PPP agreement. The future of the staff should have been resolved. Those that will be made redundant should have known. And that's why I made the point that "communication" is the key. I'm really interested to know who advised the govt on the deal. The agreement must have been drafted by Bi-Courtney.

I'm keen to see how the President will act on this matter

naijamini:
@Gamine

Not too frequent, but airport worker strikes occur in other places too, and not just developing countries.

My main concern here is whether it is within the purview of airport workers to say who manages the airport.

It seems peculiar with Nigerian worker strikes that with one mouth they complain about corruption/bad management of government run operations, then go on strike when private enterprises are called in to do the business they know how to do best. The moribound NITEL is the classic case of this phenomenon in Nigeria. We cannot have our cake and eat it too.

Thanks.

naijamini

I don't think that is issue. The question we need to ask is? Did the PPP Agreement between the FG and Bi-courtney follow due process? Did the govt carry along FAAN workers during the contract negotiation process? What was the communication between the govt and Union was the idea of Concession was mooted?

Below is my blogpost on this issue.


On Bi-Courtney, FAAN, MMA2 and GAT Brouhaha

As we know, in 2003 the Obasanjo regime signed a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) for the construction of the second terminal at Murtala Mohammed Airport (MM2). The new airport terminal was opened in 2007. However following the approval of the PPP agreement, the status of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) – whether or not it’s part of the agreement - has been subject of controversy. But after years of argy bargy and legal fireworks, the FG finally handed over the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to BASL.

Stakeholders in the Aviation industry have expressed their concern on the government decision. According to the National Union of Air Transport and Engineers (NUATE), the handover of the terminal by the FG to BASL was undertaken without regard for “rule of law” and “due process”. In protest, the Union threatened to shut down the terminal, noting that the handover will inevitably result in job losses. In the same vein, Arik Air through its Counsel Chief Assam E. Assam, told newsmen that the airline – who operates 50% of domestic flights in Nigeria - might stop operation because it could not operate in any facility that is “under the control and monopolistic management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services”. FAAN on its part is had held the position that GAT was not part of the property given to Bi-Courtney in the PPP agreement it has with the organization and had sided Arik Air in the struggle to retain GAT as FAAN entity as it has been the major source of revenue to the agency. According to FAAN, the handover of the GAT would result in about 40% shortfall in revenue for FAAN.

Based on the foregoing, it is evident that all is not well with the MMA2 PPP Agreement. I have always expressed my concerns about how PPP contracts are negotiated in Nigeria. I have specifically queried the purpose of the exclusivity clause in the MMA2 PPP Agreement –which is also been contested by FAAN, - that prohibits development of an airport in Lagos for 36 years. Many have disagreed with my viewpoint on this issue. Some have argued that it is in the “commercial interest” of BASL to have such a clause (i.e protect its investment). Some even insinuated that I have a personal grouse with BASL. Firstly, l will state categorically that I do not have any personal issue with BASL. I respect and appreciate BASL position as a commercial entity that is looking to maximise its opportunities and protect its financial investment. And if I were in their shoes, I would probably be seeking the inclusion of such a clause, if not more. However, my criticism is directed to the government for their ignorance and short-sightedness in agreeing to such a clause. The inclusion of such a clause in contractual agreement does not encourage competition. It only creates a private monopoly, and does not offer consumers “value for money”. The role of the government is to make sure that public interest in protected in signing such contracts. The clause also does not offer any incentive for BASL to be innovative. With guaranteed income for 36 years and no other competing airport, passengers and airline operators can be expected to be at the mercy of BASL.

Also, such a clause makes mockery of the government so-called Vision 2020. How can nation that intends to be one of the world’s top 20 economies prohibit airport development for 36 years? How can an aspiring G20 nation prohibit airport development in a city predicted to emerge as the third largest city in the world with a population over 20 million people by 2015? Whatever anyone thinks, I’m of the view that this sort of arrangement cannot be right.

In terms of the GAT handover and threats from Arik Air and NUATE, there are few questions which need to be answered by the FG. FAAN denied that GAT was part of the PPP contract, and its handover means loss of revenue. My question is, as a major stakeholder, what was the role of FAAN in the contract negotiation? Was the decision to concession GAT as part of the MMA2 contract taken unilaterally by the FG without following due process? Who were the government advisers on the contract? Arik Air also threatened to halt its operations. But since the PPP agreement predates the commencement of Air Arik operations, was Arik Air not advised of the PPP agreement and imminent transfer to BASL? As for NUATE, did the FG consult with the Union during the contract negotiation?

Whatever be the case, there are important lessons to be learnt from the MMA2 Agreement. One of the keys to success of any PPP is “communication”. It is inevitable that more people will be affected by a partnership than just the public officials and the private-sector partner. Affected employees, the portions of the public receiving the service, the press, appropriate labour unions and relevant interest groups will all have opinions, and frequently significant misconceptions about a partnership and its value to all the public. It is therefore important to communicate openly and candidly with these stakeholders to minimize potential resistance to establishing a partnership. If the FG has taken its time to educate all stakeholders, then the reported protest by Union wouldn’t arise. Also, there would not be the need for the threats from Arik Air.

The government should also implement mechanisms that will guarantee transparency at all stages in the tendering process. These mechanisms must include setting procurement specifications, open public hearings for major government contracts, and the final selection of contractors; and Involvement independent agencies to oversee the bidding process. Unfortunately most of the PPP contracts in Nigeria are announced on the front pages of newspapers. The process of awarding these contracts is shrouded in secrecy. A classic example is the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway N89billion concession contract. Up till now, the public is yet to be advised of the process that led to the selection of Bi-Courtney Ltd. Where was the tender for the procurement advertised? How many companies bidded for the contract?

Interestingly, the notion of public-private partnership has been touted in some government circles as a magic formula that will fix the country’s infrastructure blockages. The complexity of PPP contracts and the high costs involved means care should be taken in the way it is approached. PPPs are not a panacea for development. The principles that underlie successful PPPs are affordability, cost effectiveness, value for money, transparency and risk management.

Nigerians at home and in diaspora,


Take a stand NOW against corruption in Nigeria, send an email expressing your distaste for Aondoakaa's meeting with the British authorities now or in the future to protect Ibori, Edevbhie and Gohill (about to be prosecuted by the British govt) and asking for the extradition of James Ibori and David Edevbhie to stand trial for their crimes against Nigerians! The time is now, zero tolerance for corruption and AONDOAKAA MUST GO!, when?, NOW!!!



You can email the British Attorney General at correspondenceunit@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk or

complaints@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk



Fax: 020 7271 2434



or call:



Ph: 020 7271 2492


You can also attend the Court proceedings in Southwark Crown Court, starting at 10am on 21/09/2009


UK Govt!, Please Extradite James Ibori & David Edevbhie!



Please note that the more complaints they receive the more encouraged they will be to protect our interests by bringing these criminals to justice!, send your protest now!


Culled from blog

Kobojunkie:
Imagine living in your own country and getting treated like you are a leper simply because you are destitute, thrown from place to place!! Sigh!!  

@Kobojunkie, I understand where the nation is going with this repatraition. Firstly it was Lagos, then FCT and now Kaduna. I don't where it is written in the constitution that a Nigerian citizen can be reptraited. Pathetic!

Tmoni:
@Proudly9ja,

I wrote a dissertation on PPP (Private Public Partnerships), in the transportation sector of Nigeria with specific reference to roads using the PFI (Private Financial Initiative) scheme,

A brief explanation here on PFI scheme is a contract between the government  and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Most SPV's include funding organisations (i.e banks, investment houses), construction companies (Julius berger, setraco etc), facility management companies (Dnt knw any).

On interviewing people from this institutions, all of them in one way or the order agree that the main opposing factor i.e risk to this arrangement was "Political Instability", uncertanity about continuity,

Clear example of this is Yara' Go-slow revoking some of the contracts made by the Obasanjo government (even if they are both from the same political party), imagine what it would be like if it was an AC or ANPP candidate.

Top Five Risks

1. Political Instabiity
2. Corruption
3. Source of Adequate Funding
4. Maintenace Capability
5. Perception of General Public to Infrastrucure

@Timoni, is it possible for you to email me a copy of your dissertation. I'm a Transport Planner with special interest in infrastructure funding. My email address is heal.nigeria@gmail.com
Cheers

@Proudly9ja, I have to agree with A-town, that you idea is nothing new. What you have suggested a PPP model known as Build Operate Own and Transfer (BOOT). As A-town noted, the Lekki-Epe expressway is been widened under the same PPP model.

However, that does not mean it couldn't work. HOwever, I wouldn't support a 50 year contract. 25-35 yrs is more appropriate.

Jarus:
Wow! This guy beat me to writing rejoinder to that Dele Momodu article. I have been thinking and conceiving my rejoinder to that article since I read it in his column, PENdulum, this week Sunday. I have already captioned my rejoinder: DELE MOMODU: THE COLUMNIST AS A PRAISE-SINGER but have not had time to sit down and pen it.

My own rejoinder however slightly differs from the guy up there's. I do not support envy and Pull Him Syndrome syndrome, and Indeed, in my piece, ENTER SANUSI THE SANITY HARBINGER , I also expressed reservation over how some people went beyond issues to jubilate over the sack of Ibru and Akingbola, but Momodu's slighting of a genuine move, to me, is praise-singing taken too far. I'm not unaware of his association with the Akingbolas and Ibrus. My own piece is more general. I follow Dele Momodu's writings in his Sunday column, PENdulum, and if he's not praising MKO Abiola or Mike Adenuga, he will be praising Ghana. The most predictable columnist. It's not a crime to praise-sing really, but I just can't help penning my view of his writings in that my DELE MOMODU: THE COLUMNIST AS A PRAISE-SINGER and it was triggered by his latest piece on the sacked bank chiefs.

I will be happy to paste your Rejoinder on my blogsite.

Culled from Heal Nigeria

It is no more news that five banking executives were sacked by the CBN because of their banks’ exposure to excessively high level of non-performing loans. This exposure according to the CBN Governor was attributable to poor corporate governance practices, lax credit administration processes and the absence or non-adherence to credit risk management practices

The media however has been awash with all sorts of stories and conspiracy theories following the sacking of these five CEOs . Opinion seems divided. Some argue that the CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, is only acting the scripts of the Northern Oligarchs who lost out during the last bank consolidation exercise. Some say, he is out to make an impression, and the only way he can do that is to rubbish Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s legacy of banking consolidation. One article that however caught my attention was Chief Dele Momodu's titled “The rise and fall of a man”.

The article seems to focus on the public reaction to the recent sacking. Dele Momodu is of the opinion that we are a nation of envious people, looking for every opportunity launch scathing attacks on successful people within the society. He further noted that we have become so disillusioned, and therefore incapable of objective reasoning. According to him “No one was ready to give them (Banks CEOs) the benefit of the doubt. Nigerians have become too disillusioned. Everyman we see with a measure of success must be a rogue”. Mr Momodu also couldn’t understand how a man who spent his whole life in banking profession, and that was seen shaking hands with the Sultan of Sokoto days before his sack can be subject of savage media attack.

I’m in agreement with Dele Momodu that it is inappropriate for any person to gloat over the misery other individuals, especially if you are ignorant of the facts behind their travails. However, the recent sacking of the banking executives is somewhat different. Most of the stories reported in the media about the allegations of impropriety against the executives were not concocted out of rumours. Let’s get this right. The CBN conducted an investigation. The bank executives were found guilty of sharp banking practices, and the CBN took appropriate action.

So what exactly is the gist of Mr Momodu’s write-up? Is he saying that envy is only peculiar to Nigeria? Does he want us to believe that the ‘Pull Him Down” syndrome only exists in the DNA of the average Nigerian. Or is Dele Momodu agitating for a soft landing for the sacked CEOs?

Envy is not peculiar to Africa, neither is it just a Nigerian problem. In every society, there is the tendency for people to be envious of others that are perceived to be more successful than they are. There is also a strong correlation between poverty and envy. Unfortunately, some of the so-called big men in Nigeria don’t understand this. Some of these rich men are very insensitive to the plight of the common man. They look for every opportunity to flaunt their wealth (whether it is genuine or fraudulent), and even sometimes oppress the poor. As individuals, we need to learn to conduct ourselves in humility, especially in a society with some much poverty and deprivation. For as long as the masses see themselves been oppressed by the rich, then the sort of wanton attacks launched against the bank CEOs will be inevitable.

Truth be told. The fact that a former CEO was seen shaking hands with the Sultan of Sokoto doesn’t mean appropriate action shouldn’t be taken against him. It is not the first time that corporate high-flyers or highly influential individuals have been found guilty of mismanagement and financial irregularities. Dele Momodu noted that one of the CEO spent his whole life in the banking profession. But does Dele Momodu know that Bernard Madoff, who ran the biggest finance scam in history, also spent his whole life in finance/investment banking. And at one time Madoff was non-executive Chairman of NASDAQ stock exchange. Can Dele Momodu remember Kenneth Lay, the former Chairman of Enron? Kenneth Lay oversaw the biggest corporate fraud in the US history? Ken Lay was former President Bush right hand man, who was at one time considered for the position of Treasury Secretary. We may also have to remind Mr Momodu about the former Billionaire Sir Alan Stanford. So, let’s not be deceived, Nigeria is not exception and perhaps worse. At least the Madoff, Lay and Stanford of this world were convicted and jailed. In Nigeria, our Madoffs are the Pro-Chancellors of our universities. They are President of professional institutions. They run our stock exchange. Let’s make not mistake, the Nigeria system breeds corruption. The more influential you are, the higher the propensity for corruption. These high-flyers sleep, drink and eat in the corridor of power. They are the ones celebrated on the pages of the national newspapers. They are the same people bestowed with national honours. They are the biggest donors at corporate and social functions.

So having read Dele Momodu’s article, I struggled to understand where he is coming from. Is he suggesting that people shouldn’t talk? If we can openly criticise the corrupt former governors, most of who - strictly speaking – have not been found guilty of corruption, why can’t we talk about bank CEOs? If it is right to launch scathing attacks on President Yar’Adua because of his incompetence, why is it not right to criticise the sharp practices of the banks CEOs?

Do you work for the World bank in Nigeria?

Kobojunkie:
That is just ridiculous thinking right there!!!

@kobojunkie what do u mean?

posakosa:
Heal Nigeria from Australia, noice!

Why do you think it is impossible to organise a group from Australia?

"You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness. In this case, it comes from nonconformity, the courage to turn your back on the old formulas, the courage to invent the future. It took the madmen of yesterday for us to be able to act with extreme clarity" Capt. Thomas Sankara (1949-1987)

"HEAL NIGERIA" supports democractic governance, fiscal federalism, rule of law, probity, accountability, transparency, fundamental human rights, and Freedom of Information.

Join the HEAL NIGERIA group on facebook!

Jobs! Jobs!! Jobs!!!

Salary – N65, 000 ($500) per month

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

All applicants
· must be a registered member of Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) or Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF)
· must have lived in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, within the last 10 years
· must have previously engaged in militancy or guerilla warfare
· must have proven track record of human kidnapping, especially expatriates.
· must have proven track record in destruction of oil pipelines and other major oil installations
· must have proven track record in the use of AK-47 and “rocket propelled grenades”
· must have track record of driving speedboats, dingy, and canoes.

Desirable
· must understand the operation of onshore and offshore oil exploration facilities
· must understand oil bunkering techniques
· must be willing to engage in election rigging.
· must be willing to be a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)

All applications must be submitted in person to

Mallam Umar Yar’Adua
The Presidency,
Aso Villa
Abuja
Nigeria
Tel: +234 9 6500000 E-mail <a href="mailto:mallam.yaradua@presidency.gov.ng">mallam.yaradua@presidency.gov.ng</a>

Please note that only the first 10,000 applications will be accepted. Submission of multiple applications will result in automatic disqualification.

Closing date – 60 days from the date of this advertisement

Notes for all applicants
· The government reserves the right to extend the deadline for submission of applications.
· The government reserves the right to refuse application from specified persons.
· There is no right of appeal for applications that are refused.

signed

Head of Human Resouces
Ministry of Niger Delta
Abuja
Nigeria

Friends and Comrades,

After serious consideration and extensive consultation with my political supporters, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring for 2011 Presidential elections. You will agree with me that the race for Aso Rock has begun to gather momentum, and therefore, it is only right that I launch my Presidential bid.

We are a nation at a crossroad. Our leaders have continued to fail us. Our nation’s infrastructure is in state of comatose. As a result of this continuous decay, every previous government have been made to look better by the ineptitude of its successor. My aim is to salvage our great nation from the shackles that has held us down since independence.

Moving forward, I hereby outline my 5-point Agenda, which focuses on Energy, Infrastructure, Niger Delta, Economy and Anti-corruption

Energy
All attention will be focussed on resuscitating the nation’s ailing power sector. Fellow Nigerians, I can promise you that epileptic power supply will be a thing of the past.

Since we are now so much dependent on generators, I intend to meet with Chinese manufacturers within my first 100 days in office. I will encourage production of “disposable generators”. My aim is to make power supply affordable to every Nigerian. Nigerians should be able to own 3-4 generators has they do with mobile phones. These generators will be cheap and affordable for all households. In recognition of the impact of climate change, these generators will be made of recyclable materials.

I will also make sure that the manufacturing industries are established in Nigeria to facilitate knowledge transfer and skills development. This will be through government grants and tax breaks for interested companies.

Infrastructure
The government has demonstrated its ineptitude in building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure. I will therefore actively seek private sector participation in nation building. All federal-owned highways and railways will be sold to the private sector, who will be allowed to charge as much toll as they wish in order to keep the transport system functioning. The private-sector will be allowed to plan and develop new roads and railways, in return for their investment. Government-owned Corporation and Authorities such as Nigerian Railway Corporation, Inland Waterways Authority will be sold off to the private sector.

The nation’s refineries will be sold to Messrs Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote. NITEL will be sold to Otunba Mike Adenuga. All the nation’s airports will be sold to Bi-Courtney.

Niger Delta
Desperate situation they say “requires desperate measures”. The militancy in the Delta region must stop! However, it clear that military action is not the answer. In dealing with the Niger Delta crisis, I will initiate a Resource Re-distribution Plan. The RRP will include proposals to allocate oil blocks to Niger Delta militants. Foreign oil companies engaged in business in the area will also be forced to enter into agreement with local militants for provision of security.

Economy
I will continue to strengthen our nation’s economy through creation of more Oligarchs. Government-owned Corporation and infrastructure will be sold to businessmen who have distinguished themselves in the area of business entrepreneurship. The wealth of the nation will be concentrated in the hands of these few individuals, some of whom are currently biggest importers of rice, cement, diesel etc. This will guarantee long term economic security. These Oligarchs will also be consulted in major banking and finance reforms. They will responsible for nominating the Governor of Central Bank.

Anti-corruption
I’m ardent believer in the anti-corruption struggle. I will continue to respect the principle of “rule of law” as promoted by the Yar’Adua government. It is also believe the former Governors have a critical role to play in fighting corruption. The Yoruba adage says "only a thief can unravel the mystery of theft"

In tackling corruption I propose the following. Firstly I will absolve the Office of the President from the appointment of Chairman of EFCC and ICPC. Secondly, within 100 days in office, I will forward a Bill to the Parliament seeking to recognise the Governors’ Forum in the Nation’s constitution. Following that, the Governor’s Forum will be tasked with responsibility of selection and appointment of the Chairman of EFCC and ICPC.

In addition, I propose to amend the EFCC and ICPC Acts, so that only former State Governors are allowed to head the nation’s anti-corruption agencies.

Comrades, I believe this represents a blue-print for moving our nation forward.

Nigeria! Great Nation!! Good People!!!

Concerned Nigerian (June 2009)

Friends and Comrades,

After serious consideration and extensive consultation with my political supporters, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring for 2011 Presidential elections. You will agree with me that the race for Aso Rock has begun to gather momentum, and therefore, it is only right that I launch my Presidential bid.

We are a nation at a crossroad. Our leaders have continued to fail us. Our nation’s infrastructure is in state of comatose. As a result of this continuous decay, every previous government have been made to look better by the ineptitude of its successor. My aim is to salvage our great nation from the shackles that has held us down since independence.

Moving forward, I hereby outline my 5-point Agenda, which focuses on Energy, Infrastructure, Niger Delta, Economy and Anti-corruption.

Energy
All attention will be focussed on resuscitating the nation’s ailing power sector. Fellow Nigerians, I can promise you that epileptic power supply will be a thing of the past.

Since we are now so much dependent on generators, I intend to meet with Chinese manufacturers within my first 100 days in office. I will encourage production of “disposable generators”. My aim is to make power supply affordable to every Nigerian. Nigerians should be able to own 3-4 generators has they do with mobile phones. These generators will be cheap and affordable for all households. In recognition of the impact of climate change, these generators will be made of recyclable materials.

I will also make sure that the manufacturing industries are established in Nigeria to facilitate knowledge transfer and skills development. This will be through government grants and tax breaks for interested companies.

Infrastructure
The government has demonstrated its ineptitude in building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure. I will therefore actively seek private sector participation in nation building. All federal-owned highways and railways will be sold to the private sector, who will be allowed to charge as much toll as they wish in order to keep the transport system functioning. The private-sector will be allowed to plan and develop new roads and railways, in return for their investment. Government-owned Corporation and Authorities such as Nigerian Railway Corporation, Inland Waterways Authority will be sold off to the private sector.

The nation’s refineries will be sold to Messrs Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote. NITEL will be sold to Otunba Mike Adenuga. All the nation’s airports will be sold to Bi-Courtney.

Niger Delta
Desperate situation they say “requires desperate measures”. The militancy in the Delta region must stop! However, it clear that military action is not the answer. In dealing with the Niger Delta crisis, I will initiate a Resource Re-distribution Plan. The RRP will include proposals to allocate oil blocks to Niger Delta militants. Foreign oil companies engaged in business in the area will also be forced to enter into agreement with local militants for provision of security.

Economy
I will continue to strengthen our nation’s economy through creation of more Oligarchs. Government-owned Corporation and infrastructure will be sold to businessmen who have distinguished themselves in the area of business entrepreneurship. The wealth of the nation will be concentrated in the hands of these few individuals, some of whom are currently biggest importers of rice, cement, diesel etc. This will guarantee long term economic security. These Oligarchs will also be consulted in major banking and finance reforms. They will responsible for nominating the Governor of Central Bank.

Anti-corruption
I’m ardent believer in the anti-corruption struggle. I will continue to respect the principle of “rule of law” as promoted by the Yar’Adua government. It is also believe the former Governors have a critical role to play in fighting corruption. The Yoruba adage says "only a thief can unravel the mystery of theft"

In tackling corruption I propose the following. Firstly I will absolve the Office of the President from the appointment of Chairman of EFCC and ICPC. Secondly, within 100 days in office, I will forward a Bill to the Parliament seeking to recognise the Governors’ Forum in the Nation’s constitution. Following that, the Governor’s Forum will be tasked with responsibility of selection and appointment of the Chairman of EFCC and ICPC.

In addition, I propose to amend the EFCC and ICPC Acts, so that only former State Governors are allowed to head the nation’s anti-corruption agencies.

Comrades, I believe this represents a blue-print for moving our nation forward.

Nigeria! Great Nation!! Good People!!!

Concerned Nigerian (June 2009)

The question is, why invest N114 billion of taxpayers’ money in company that will be put on sale next year? What happens if the government cannot recover this investment in the proposed sale? How much is NRC actually worth? There is saying that, “an item is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay”. The government should have undertaken a due diligence to ascertain the worth of NRC before investing anymore funds in the corporation.

The NRC has been transformed from been a strategic national asset to a national liability – thanks to corruption! Available records of a five year financial summary of the NRC reveal that in 1999, the Federal Government allocated as much as N900 million to the NRC and N1billion in 2000. That figure increased to N2billion in 2001, but in the following year, that allocated fell short to the tune of a billion naira only to be increased again to N3billion in 2003. Therefore, in less than five years, the NRC had received close to five billion naira, without commensurate income generated from that huge investment.
To this end, investing N114 billion into what can be described as a ‘depreciating’ asset is waste of taxpayers’ money. The NRC should be privatised ‘as is’. The privatisation could either be a total ‘sell-off’ to the private sector, or a concession over a period of time. It is up to the private to assess the financial benefits the NRC offers and tailor their business plan to suit. The government N114 billion might just be government money gone into the drain.

Dear Mrs Waziri,

Firstly, I will like to wish you happy first year anniversary, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Madam, as you are aware, ‘corruption’ has been the bane of human and infrastructure development in Nigeria. I need not to educate you on how much of the nation’s wealth has been stolen and stashed overseas by many of our leaders since independence.

You will also agree with me that you were appointed as anti-corruption Czar at a very important time in the nation’s history. It was at a time, the nation lost one of its finest and passionate law enforcement officers in strange, but not unusual circumstances. This is in the person of Nuhu Ribadu. Whilst he had his flaws, your predecessor Nuhu Ribadu demonstrated that it was possible to fight the ‘beast’ called corruption. Up until 24 months ago, “the fear of Nuhu Ribadu was the beginning of wisdom”.

Although your apologists may say that you’ve only been in office for 12 months, but I think it is important that we start asking the right questions. As they say, “the signs of a good weekend should be obvious on Friday”. Firstly, should you have accepted the EFCC job? And secondly, what has been your achievement so far?

For me, your 12 months in office has been marred with nothing but sleaze. Your appointment in itself was controversial. The fact that you were appointed under controversial circumstances was enough to demonstrate that you were brought in to do your masters’ bidding. And so far, you have done perfectly well in protecting the interest of your lords and masters.

In a country with endemic corruption such as Nigeria, the position of EFCC Chairman is for people with unblemished moral integrity and financial accountability. However, it is on record that prior your appointment; you were retained as a consultant by many of the former Governors to help fight their corruption charges. This represents serious conflict of interest, and for this reason you should have been the last person to be appointed as the EFCC Chairman.

Madam - in the last 12 months - in concert with the Attorney-General you have successfully subverted the anti-corruption campaign. Under your leadership, the EFCC has now become an appendage of the Justice Ministry. You have colluded with Attorney-General to undo what Nuhu Ribadu achieved in five years, in less than 12 months! Only God knows what will happen by time you complete your tenure in four years time.

I also noted your recent comments, that 2010 will be hard for corrupt politicians. Madam, if I may ask, is there anything you will do differently in 2010? Because your track record at the EFCC is telling. Since your assumption of office, you have been unable to successful prosecute any of the former governors. All you do is to look for excuses and lay blames on the judiciary. If Nuhu Ribadu was able o secure court judgment against the likes of Tafa Balogun and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, then what is your problem? Instead of getting on with your job, you keep asking for special courts to try corrupt individuals. For your information, Nuhu Ribadu did not ask for a ‘special court’ to prosecute corrupt individuals. For me, I can’t seem to understand the need for these special courts.

Madam, let the truth be told, you have failed in your role as the EFCC Chairman. You have failed to build on the foundation laid by your predecessor. Your ineptitude has only encouraged our leaders to continue to steal with impunity. Instead of concentrating on the task at hand, you look for every opportunity to launch scathing remarks against your predecessor. It is the likes of you and the Attorney-General that will continue to make Nuhu Ribadu a hero.

Madam, for how long will you and Attorney-General continue to destroy our nation? We have now become a ‘rogue’ state, thanks to your subversion of anti-corruption principles. We are now been perceived as a nation of time wasters when it comes to corruption, thanks to your ‘rule of law’ syndrome. Foreign countries will not even share intelligence with your agency due to lack of trust. You collude with Attorney-General to embark on wild goose-chase that is devoid of any sense of purpose. You even had the moral authority to criticise an organisation such as Human Rights Watch. Now that you have spent one year in office, can you point out any non-governmental organisation local or international that has commended you for job well done.

And by the way, whilst reading the transcripts of your one year anniversary media briefing, I noted that the name of the Ex-Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori was ‘conspicuously’ missing from the list of former Governors under investigation. Can we assume that it was an oversight? Or can we simply take it as an indirect confirmation that James Ibori is no longer under EFCC investigation?

Madam, please consider these issues very seriously. I want to believe that there is still ample time for you to redeem your image.

Kind regards

sbo

No2Atheism:
So do you sincerely think the USA would expose the corrupt people, knowing that the USA directly benefits from our corruption. Please get real.

The only people that can stop corruption is us Nigerians or Yorubas ourselves. All this nonsense about outside help is just nonsense. No western nation would ever do something that is not in their best interest.

Spot on! Hence, why the shouts of the likes of Nuhu Ribadu will sound like 'noise' in the ears of the US congressmen!

Let's forget about the Halliburton case for a while. How can you be relying on a foreign nation to help sort out your corruption problem - if it is not in their interest. And by the way, what does the US have to gain from cooperating with Nigerian authorities.

If this government is really serious about this case (and I mean serious), they can undertake a thorough invesigation of LNG and the way contracts were handled in the last 15yrs. You don't need a US Justice Dept for that!

Anyway for the Halliburton scandal, it is 'game up'! Anondokaa 1 Anti-corruption 0!

The isue here is;

why appoint people who have almost reached retirement age into top bureaucratic position. There needs to be continuity in government. Ms Pepple was only appointed last year, and she will retire in five months time! The same with the appoint of IGP Mike Okiro. When we all know that he will have to retire in 2009, what is the point of appointing him as IGP.

Western bureaucratic system will NEVER appoint anyone reaching retirement into any senior position. The truth is most of this people really have nothing to offer.

But I know the answer - Federal Character! This issue of federal character is killing us softly!