₦airaland Forum

I was in a classroom yesterday when the Provost of my school came around monitoring, he saw a tap dripping water in a wash hand basin and angrily drew our attention to the wastage when we're complaining of lack of water in the hostels. Some of us know that the tap is bad even among the Maintenance Dept but we have all been ignoring it. We had to go back to tell the Provost that the tap seems faulty. He didn't bother to blame us but he just put a call through to the Head of the Maintenance Dept to go fix it.
The SUG should take responsibility to inform the Provost or Rector.

TonyeBarcanista:
By Tonye Barcanista

On Tuesday, governors of southern states under the umbrella of Southern Nigeria Governors Forum, SNGF, met in Asaba, the capital of Delta state at the instance of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo state and Chairman of Southwest Governors Forum; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta state and Chairman of Southsouth Governors Forum; and Engr. David Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi state and Southeast Governors Forum chairman.

The meeting, which had in attendance 15 Governors from the 17 southern states, including, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Willie Obiano of Anambra state, was to address the lingering economic, insecurity and other issues confronting the southern Nigeria region.

At the end of the meeting, the Governors, among other resolution, appealed the President Muhammadu Buhari to review the appointments of service chiefs and other officers of government to reflect fair representation and banned open grazing of cattle across the seventeen states in southern Nigeria. The Governors also appealed to the President Buhari to convoke a National Dialogue to address the rising ethnic tensions and other associated issues bedevilling the country.

While I concede that the Governors did well for taking collective decisions on several national issues, especially with respect to the ban on open grazing and the call on the President to revisit his sectional appointments, I am of the opinion that their call for National Dialogue is highly unnecessary as it would lead to another round of wastage of scarce resources and time, and would end up as another talk shop just like others before.

Four National Conferences, Zero Improvement
Since the year 1942, Nigeria has had different National conferences where people, acting on behalf of their various constituencies without mandate of those they claim to represent, would gather themselves discuss and reach resolutions- without subjecting their resolutions to the people through referendum to test whether they meet the yearnings and demands of the people they claim to represent. Worse still, the resolutions of these delegates are either left to rot in the shelf of the government in power or the government would appoint a committee to look into the report; which will lead to its natural death altogether.

The first national conference that was held for the "Nigerian people" was the Lanchester House Constitutional Conference. This conference, was held in London, United Kingdom and which gave birth to the Constitution of Nigeria at independence, had political leaders and other elites as delegates without subjecting themselves to being selected by the people of Nigeria. Resolutions were reached by these delegates, which formed the basis for our pre independent constitution. The problem with that conference was that the people of Nigeria were not allowed to have a say on those to represent their ethnic nationalities, and they were also denied of the privilege of deciding (through referendum) whether or not the resolutions of the conference met their expectations as a people or represent their interests.

Between the year 1994 and 1995, there was a constitutional conference that was convoked by General Sani Abacha, the then military head of state. The conference was to address the issues in the country with respect to several agitations, and propose appropriate solutions. Abacha's military administration appointed about 96 delegates to represent the government to the conference, while others were elected along state delineation rather than ethnic nationalities. The conference gulped a lot of resources, resolutions and recommendations were reached. The conference reports were handed over to Abacha, who arrogated himself the power to have the final say rather than subject it to the Nigerian people to decide through referendum whether or not its content was acceptable.

In 2005, the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo okayed another round of constitutional conference to still discuss the issues of Nigeria that has lingered since pre independence. The then President alongside other 36 states governors, singlehandedly picked the 400 persons to serve as delegates to the conference to represent over 120 million people without the input of the people. The conference wasted another round of money and made resolutions. As usual, the people of Nigeria and all ethnic nationalities were denied the right to affirm or reject the content of the resolutions through a simple referendum. Instead, the conference report was handed to President Obasanjo without recourse to the people they claimed to represent, who in turn condemned it to a shelf in his presidential office.

In 2014, the administration of Goodluck Jonathan announced convocation of National conference. Just like its predecessor conferences, Jonathan's government alongside 36 state governors singlehandedly picked delegates for the conference without recourse to the people of Nigeria, who they claim to represent. As usual, the resolutions of the conference was not subjected to the approval or disapproval of the Nigerian people. Instead, it was handed over to President Goodluck Jonathan, who in turn appointed a committee to advice on implementation leading to its natural death.

Considering the aforementioned, it is right to say that the call on President Buhari for a convocation of National Dialogue Conference by the Southern Governors is tantamount to repeating the same thing and expecting different outcome.

The only conference that will lead to solution of the problems of Nigeria is the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference of ethnic nationalities. This conference should have the various ethnic nations in Nigeria electing their delegates, it should be a 'no hold barred' summit, and resolutions be subject to referendum in each of the ethnic nations. Other than this, we will continue on our wild goose chase without any end. Despite that the call for a conference with sovereign status has been advocated by numerous stakeholders across the 250 ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria in the last four decades, successive governments, political leaders and other elites that are benefitting from the incumbent unfavorable system have consistently ignored it.

Conclusively, every unbiased and sane mind will agree that Nigeria's problem is structural. The various ethnic nationalities and the citizens don't see themselves as stakeholders in the country because they were neither consulted nor did they play any part in the process that led to the creation and promulgation of the 1999 Constitution, and only a Sovereign National Conference can usher solution.

May God bless us all and bless Nigeria.

Tonye Barcanista is a political commentator and analyst, he writes from Abuja.

tonyebarcanista@gmail.com

1000% ✓ NIGERIANS are yet to have TRUE representatives as POLITICIANS after the end of the first Republic. This reason and yours are why Senate President, Ahmed Lawan's statement make sense to me even though I am aware of the hypocrisy within it- I have not read of Lawan responding to the killings going on in the country. Pot cannot call kettle black. May God help Nigeria.

The man who cursed his father (elder) has just cursed himself. I pity Sunday Igboho when he starts reaping the fruits of his curses.

donnie:
Last last Yoruba and Igbo political class want to use secession to negotiate for presidency. What a shame and total disregard for the people they claim to represent.

You get it! This is the fight of the Political Class and not in the interest of the Igbo masses many of whom are not interested in this presidency or Nigeria project thing.

McStoic:
Obasanjo and Babangida are two of the most detribalised presidents Nigeria has ever had both in recent times. I know they had their flaws but I love them for respecting and rewarding merit over mediocrity. Statesmen as Obasanjo don't come everyday. The most lucky Nigerian president ever!!


I may be Igbo but I have got lots of love for the man. I remember April 2001 when he paid a visit to Imo state At Dan Anyiam stadium, he and the late Sam Mbakwe were throwing funny jabs and bantering with each other. The late Sam Mbakwe even threatened that Imo state would take back their daughter who is Obj's wife if he didn't bring federal presence to Imo state. Obasanjo also quipped in his own clapback. Come see laughter all over the stadium.

This was the man that gave us Ngozi Okonio-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Segun Agangan, Nuhu Ribadu, Dora Akunyili and the list goes on. He is not a perfect man but with him, you know where we were headed! Give me half Obasanjo over ten complete Buharis anyday anytime (though I know he also helped put Buhari there, but I forgive him))

A humourous person is always fun to watch and listen to, how much more when he is your president. The north have really finished this country walahi...

Very right OP. I know that OBJ is the ONLY Person the Northern Nigerian Politicians fear.

Today is really market day for APC spokespeople! Lai Mohammed spoke and now is Femi Adesina. Which one would Shehu Garba release?

CSoul:
(Created this new account to post for a sister)



Please help advice a sister in confusion.....


Background:


"I reconnected with my old school toaster who always spoke marriage and love.
Got serious in 5 months.
I've met a lot of people from his end within this period.
He shows me off.
Introduction was done and wedding date fixed."

Issues:
Traditional is barely a week away; yet she's bleeding and scared of the future because of her discoveries:

1. The husband to be has anger issues. Ok, he's all nice and good when in good mood. But once something triggers him, all hell is let loose. The trigger can be a simple missing his call(while at work/meeting). No amount of sweet talk or explanations calms him down.

2. The shocker is that he cheats/has a fuckmate living nearby. She discovered this with evidence from their chats and hasn't been herself. The chat is detailed description of their exploits right up to the present and future plans how they'll continue after he's married. (From same chat, the other lady is aware he's getting married.
He tried denying it; when it didn't work he started making excuses/begging he'll change.

3. He doesn't want any third party intervention in their affairs, not even counseling.

She's scared of the future and yet feels stuck as court marriage is done already, most preparations have been done(publicity and most of other physical arrangements), both for the traditional and wedding.


Kindly give your mature advice; she'll be reading every bit of it.
(Admin kindly push to front page)

SHE BETTER RUN FOR HER LIFE!!! IF THIS IS NOT A MOVIE SCRIPT.

I was shocked when I read Pantami saying that the NIN is also meant for foreigners living in Nigeria So, I ask what now makes it NATION+AL(+I+TIES)?

Is there not supposed to be a different database for visitors or foreigners living in Nigeria?

Is it supposed to be ASUU that should talk Where is the Minister for Education

Airports See the way our dealers love their nation

Duru9:
There's something I'm not understanding

Last week Thursday/Friday I saw the military escorting this same armored vehicles along that kubwa Express here in Abuja
They were heading towards Kaduna

I saw 4 of it being carried by long truck and being escorted by 3 military hilux



Something isn't right honestly

Bro, a lot of things are not right

If he it was not crocodiles' tears, he should have moved a motion for impeachment of the president.

doggedfighter:
Is he still a senator?

I wondered?

GuyWise101:
Nna mehnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Fact check: All the iron and other materials used in building this airport was manufactured in Aba and not imported and you wonder why we need Biafra.

Truly? That's good news.

festacman:
National Assembly should as matter of urgency commence work on RESTRUCTURING Nigeria through amendment of the vital parts of the constitution. The failure to respond before now led the nation into this raging regional self-determination chaos.

Any further delay in acting will most likely lead to any of the following:
1. Military interrupting the democracy to take over government in order to restore order, of course, with far reaching consequences. They are losing too many men.
2. Negligently allowing the regions to slip into the hands of hot-headed separatists who, so far, have not shown clear governance and developmental plan.

However, acting on restructuring NOW will empower the current of political class and intelligentsia in different geopolitical regions to assume control with little destructive disruption with the armed forces restoring order. I suggest the following actions immediately:

-- NASS leadership should immediately wake members up from ongoing slumber to do their duties.
-- Set up a joint NASS Restucturing Committee
-- Meet and convince Nigerian Governors' Forum to set up regional committees covering broad interests to negotiate transfer of critical things on exclusive list to concurrent list and other federations issues.
-- Amend the constitution to reflect the new political realities of Nigeria.
-- We have Switzerland, Canada, US, etc federation models to look at to adopt what is best for us given our peculiarities.

Northern Nigerian legislators and politicians should note that any attempt to frustrate immediate restructuring of the Nigeria at this critical point will bring nothing but doom.

Which National Assembly? United States own or United Kingdom? Is it these ones 'spending' billions for 'renovations' of the complex? These ones burying their heads in the sand like ostriches?

Great feat indeed! See what a good environment can produce! One of my friends is going through hell now just to get admission into the university for his daughter.

Good article. Also, the mindset of getting a degree because of job/ employment should be changed drastically. Education is meant to expose one to ideas that can make one a change agent or solution provider in society. When the mindset to solve any of the myriad of problems goes with a person, no matter the course, the person will do well. Legitimate and sorrowfree wealth and riches are rewards from providing solutions to problems.

This is why I say that any revolution for change needs to start from the states. Youths must start asking their state governments to be accountable. What's the result of #EndSARS judicial panels by states today?

Good for her. By the way, where is Jumoke the former bread seller? I just remembered her as I saw this.

Sad!!! Who shall we call to help this country?

Why single out Professors (Academia)? Because they are the only organised resistance remaining to be overcome before politicians finally finish this country. Thank God, He will not allow you people to do that

Igbochief001:
Those 40 are grouped into two oga

Mention dem!

Igbochief001:
It's obvious this country is divided ...our moral standards and expiration are wide apart

Some people just want to make paradise

While others want their country to be paradise

Break this country into two for heavens sake

Two? Which Kain two be that? More then 40 nations are enclosed herein.

NwaNimo1:
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/04/17/ezekwesili-its-time-buhari-convoke-sovereign-national-conference/

Wasteful jamboree! What about implementing the reports of all the ones that have been convened since 1960?

figure007:
To make matter worst,he is a minister of a very dangerous and powerful position in the country (information and communication is power )..In a sane country,by now this terrorist should have resigned and go into hiding but this is africa .. anyways we also don't have sane leaders nor president to sack him ..they are all evil.. no wonder fight against insurgency is not yielding positive results when those rulling are terrorist.. can this happen in USA OR Other countries ? God help this nation o..

This should provide an insight into the futility of finding ending solutions to insurgency, militancy etc

helinues:
Pantami is the new target for wailers to wail on.

The Buhari you people called a terrorist has been your president for almost 6 years, what would this wailing, gnashing of teeth bring? Absolutely nothing..

Even if Pantami resign, what different would that make? Is Buhari going to appoint Wailers as Pantami substitute?

Farooq claiming to be Panatami's friend.. Would read friends give their friends out?

resigns... difference...real

musicwriter:
Of course, you'll do that too if you were born there. If you grew up there, the culture would teach you to grow up doing and behaving like everyone else.

And it's not that we weren't that way in Africa too. In fact, no other culture could be more sane than African cultures but what happened is that Europeans and Arabs interfered with our reality during slavery and colonialism. Those good norms are created with your own LANGUAGE, EDUCATION, RELIGION which evolved with, of, by your ancestors millions of years ago, creating unique ways of doing things for their and your own good. But once a foreigner interfers with yours, you'll end up disoriented. This's why those of us who've checked the histories are kind of angry with Europeans and Arabs, not because we hate them but because we've realized how much they destroyed us.

What they call culture shock is what I have discovered is actually a philosophy mismatch. There's nothing wrong with the way the white people and Arabs behave or view the world as long as they keep it to themselves, neither was anything wrong with the way we Africans behaved or viewed the world before our unfortunate contact with them. Foreigners interfered with our truth, forcing us to adopt an alien perception reality to our detriment. That's why we're in this state of cultural, mental, intellectual, spiritual maladjustment.

Thank you OP for this clarification. There was a time when people leave their wares in the public and go home without fear. If a customer comes, he sees the amount put close with stones then he pays in cowries which he leaves in the place of the goods e.g yam. Achebe THINGS FALL APART captures some beauty of the African ways of life.

True colours coming out!

Imagine comparing Ghana to Nigeria If this country has been restructured for every state to be independent, can Ghana be compared to some states in the country? Yet, our politicians are busy burying their head in sand that all is well.

Bag of "pure water" now N200. A bottle of Malt now N200. A modu of Garri now N1000-1200. What about Rice and Beans? A satchet of tomato now N120. Energy nko! Transport- nko!

Interesting times indeed! But must we quarrel to separate? Anyway, If you don't hit or drive a mosquito away from you, it will jejely be sucking your blood.