Tafawa Balewa in London after Nigeria declares its independence

Crawling and Wobbling - Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed

“Do not swim in shallow waters if you do not want your back to show.” Malawian Proverb.

The meticulously-planned 50th Independence Anniversary of our nation was blasted into infamy two years by criminal elements who wanted to make a statement to the effect that they have a large chunk of our political space. Since then, our independence anniversaries, events which had been marked by two generations of Nigerians with deserved pomp and pride, have been hushed affairs. Leaders who used to inspect school children parades with military fanfare now release statements and retreat further behind barricaded official residences. Now the loudest sounds we hear are those of citizens who choose to blast their grievances, or criminals after millions in banks, or of security agents who run after them. A nation which started its journey on a confident trot is now crawling and wobbling. It is uncertain how long it can stay on all fours; and it is even more doubtful if our leadership has the capacity to prevent it from collapsing on its belly.
A few years ago, comments which suggest a perilous future for Nigeria would have been roundly condemned as doomsday prophesy. Even when the foundations of our nation began to be exposed to massive assault by corruption and impunity, Nigerians thought we could still turn our nation around. When our political system began to resemble everything else but a democratic system, with massively-rigged elections, non-accountable leadership and power produced by a combination of cynical manipulation of our structural weaknesses, violence and corruption, those who thought they could tell when a nation was sick enough to set alarm bells going began to warn of dangerous slides.
A few years on, we have a nation floundering under an ineffective and isolated leadership. Elder statesmen who mouth tired clichés such as the certainty of the survival of our nation; the indivisibility of our union; the irreversible unity of our people and iron-clad confidence that our security forces will defeat a determined insurgency and endemic crimes spreading themselves around our daily lives in every part of the country, now look pitiable in the eyes of most Nigerians.
During this independence anniversary, the President and other leaders will reaffirm their faith in the indivisibility, survival and greatness of our nation. They will assure citizens that all our problems will soon be things of the past. They will ask all citizens to remain steadfast in their support for them, to raise their levels of patriotism and commitment to the nation, and to re-dedicate themselves to rediscovering the ideals of our founding fathers who fought so hard to wrest our freedom from imperialism.
This year too, Nigerians are likely to ignore these empty and meaningless messages, because they will not assure or inspire anyone to do what they have not done. They will not give citizens confidence that our lives will be safer or more secure in the next few months, or this time next year. They will not console citizens who worry that politics is pushing the nation very close to the abyss. They will not assure our young people that they can live in a united, prosperous and secure nation. They will not assuage the worry that large-scale corruption has eaten too deeply into our politics and the management of our economy; and therefore the entire edifice of the Nigerian state is precariously balanced. It will take only a push which will certainly come from the massive resources that will be mobilized and deployed towards the dangerous jockeying for the life and soul of the nation in the 2015 election to tip our nation into an irretrievable slide. The same leaders who say we are safe, are fighting over resource mobilization and distribution; over which region, not voters or parties, will produce the next President; and over the nature of our federal system. All these quarrels are putting our fragile unity at great risk. Some Nigerian women may celebrate the independence anniversary of their country caged like animals or criminals in Saudi Arabia because they are citizens of a nation which is weak or indifferent to the welfare of its citizens. Many citizens are taking up arms against their nation. Others see little difference between its survival and collapse. Poverty and helplessness are redefining the Nigerian political map.
If a look back at the record of the Jonathan administration since the last independence is a depressing exercise, a look towards the next independence will alarm even the most level-headed. The maneuvers towards the 2015 elections are well and truly visible. It will require the most monumental sacrifice for President Jonathan (and the people who benefit most from his presidency) not to run for the office again in 2015. Events unfolding will not wait for him to make up his mind beyond 2013. If he could renounce personal ambition and the pressures of those who milk his government, he could concentrate on damage limitation around key issues such as insecurity and corruption. He could run his term until 2015 and attempt a relatively free and fair election, and then allow history to judge him for doing what his predecessors failed to do. But this is highly unlikely. His people will tell him that the second term is the only guarantee that he can complete all he has started; correct mistakes made, and then acquire enough influence and resources to live in relative peace in Nigeria. They will say he represents a people and a region which must have two terms, and only their enemies wish they will not. They will tell him to ignore criticisms of weakness and incompetence because it comes from people who are used to ruling, and who cannot wait to reclaim power.
So he is likely to throw his hat more openly into the ring. It will join those being thrown in by General Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and about five or six Governors. There are yet others who are keeping low, but all of them are likely to reinforce the existing liabilities of the nation; rather than give it a new lease of life.
President Jonathan laments that he is unfairly criticized by the Nigerian media. He could try to improve the performance of his administration, and attempt to break new grounds to reduce the hostility of the media. He could also lower the fences around him
self, and let in some of that fresh air he promised Nigerians in 2011. He is not in touch with the feelings and pains of most Nigerians because apparently those around him tell him he is doing very well, and all critics are his enemies. If President Jonathan does not get a firm grip on the Boko Haram insurgency, and if he does not address very low levels of competence and capacity in his administration, and if he does not facilitate a reduction of the dangerous gaps which are evident in political groups and regions, and if he does not deal with corruption more decisively, our nation will be a lot worse than it is by this time next year. Since no patriotic or sensible Nigerian would wish this, here is to wishing President Jonathan a stronger will to do those things he swore to do as President.

Via Nasir El-Rufai

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“I’ve got more swag than Oshiomhole” – President Jonathan… in last week’s news with a pinch of salt

inShare

by Stanley Azuakola

Oshiomhole causes headache for the president
There seems to be too many leaks coming out of Aso Rock these days. Last week, the audio recording of a strategy meeting which the president had with some of his aides leaked to the press. The president and his men were heard discussing the move by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to ride in a canoe to go help out in rescue efforts in some of the flooded areas of Edo State. The move gave the ACN governor good publicity. The recording begins with President Jonathan asking his aides, “Why didn’t I think of doing that first?”
“We don’t know sir,” said two unrecognisable voices.
“Ok,” said the president. “So how do I respond now? Should I ride to the flooded areas in a speed boat or a submarine and show them that the president has more swag?”
“No sir, that is already stale. Social media people will say you’re a copycat. So do your own. Visit one of the places grappling with insecurity like Maiduguri or Damaturu,” said an aide.
The president seemed to love the idea. “I see your point,” he said. “So I’ll visit Maiduguri, not with a canoe, but with a bullet proof vest, right?” he asked, with pride in his voice at his inventiveness.
“No sir, no sir,” the congregation of aides chorused. “A bullet proof vest will make you seem selfish. It can’t save anyone but you, unlike Adam ‘s canoe. Go instead with an AK-47. The Maidugurites need to know that you are capable of protecting them. Trust us, that’s why we are your top advisers.”
“Hmmm…ok, cool, cool, but biko, let me set up a committee that will determine if I should go with bullet proof vest or AK 47,” the president said.
And with that, the meeting came to an end. And that is the story of how neither the flooding nor the bombing victims got to see their Commander-in-Chief.

Senate President is Heart Broken
It was a sad week for Senate President David Mark, as his various attempts to please Nigerians were not enough to move them. His first attempt at pleasing Nigerians was his announcement that, “the Senate would stop the culture of take a bow and go during ministerial screening.” Nigerians responded to that with “We have heard that lie before sir, please try another.” Then he said, “we would impeach President Jonathan if he doesn’t take time.” To that, Nigerians responded with: “we have heard that threat before, try something new sir.” So Mark went back and came with what he thought was the greatest new strategic insight of this dispensation. “Information Minister Labaran Maku talks before thinking,” he declared triumphantly. But to his utter shock, Nigerians were not impressed: “But Mr. Senate President, we knew that before. Who doesn’t know Maku? In fact, you are wrong. Maku doesn’t talk before thinking; he talks before talking again. There is hardly any room for thinking with Maku. Please tell us something we don’t know.”

CROWNED CLOWN (CeeCee) OF THE WEEK

How do you solve a problem like Arik? Arik Airline is a Nigerian politician – it doesn’t give a damn what you think about it. It will play dirty, make serious allegations and then go behind and settle like it did in the case of the Aviation Minister, which it accused of demanding for a stake in the company. Some call the Arik style ‘blackmail,’ and isn’t that what all politicians accuse their opponents of? If Arik doesn’t like you, it blacklists you, simple; just as a Nigerian politician does with journalists and contractors it doesn’t like. It doesn’t have to give any reason. To Arik, a simple “management decision” will suffice. Arik doesn’t care about its customers, as various video evidences have shown, neither does the politician care about his people. Arik is a PR professional’s nightmare; it is impossible to handle the image of an airline whose philosophy is as hazy as that of a Nigerian political party. Perhaps it makes sense then that Arik’s major backers/financiers are some of Nigeria’s shadiest politicians. Arik airline is a Nigerian politician, and Nigerians hate their politicians. It was inevitable then that Arik gets the Crowned Clown (CeeCee) award this week. Act responsibly, Arik.
YNaija.com

“Don’t exceed $10000 forex limit” – EFCC advises travellers

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Sunday advised persons travelling out of Nigeria not to exceed the statutory $10,000 foreign exchange limit.
EFCC Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Akomaye, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, said any traveller carrying any amount above the limit should be prepared to declare it to Customs.
Akomaye blamed Nigeria’s fraud, terrorism, money laundering and drug vulnerability on its cash-based economy and commended the National Assemby for showing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws.
The commission on Thursday arrested a 24 year-old Nigerian, Abubakar Tijani Sheriff, for allegedly attempting to travel out with the sum of $7 million (N1,120,000 billion).
He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos as he was trying to travel to Dubai aboard a United Arab Emirates flight.
After his arrest, he said that he had a total sum of $4.5million.
But when he was thouroughly searched, he was found to have $7,049,444 on him.
He later confessed that he was a courier for 20 individuals who hired him to take the money for them to Dubai.
Authorities said they were working on the theory that he was a money laundering courier.
He has reportedly named 20 individuals who sent him on the errand.
 BusinessNews

Deportation of female pilgrims cost over N1 billion – Experts

An estimated N1 billion may have been lost as a result of the deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, experts have said.
This is coming on the heels of accusation by the Nigerian envoy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Bunu, who said that the authorities in the holy land had allegedly violated the Geneva Convention when they blocked him and his team from reaching the distressed female pilgrims at the airports.
Bunu, who could not hide his anger, told the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service in an interview monitored in Kaduna at the weekend that it was unfortunate that the Saudi authorities denied them access to the female pilgrims while they were in detention at the airports, which was a violation of the Geneva Convention that was soft on the women folk.
However, a group, the Arewa Youth Forum, has called for the immediate resignation of the ambassador for alleged poor handling of affairs in the holy land and accused the United States of America (USA) of complicity in the unwarranted deportation of the Nigerian female pilgrims.
They said that since the USA was always behind Saudi Arabia and had enormous control over the major international organisations across the world, the Kingdom could trample upon the rights of Nigeria and Nigerians and remain unchallenged.
AYF also called for the immediate reorganisation of all state agencies handling hajj matters in Nigeria for not “being proactive” and advocated the injection of fresh blood into the system in line with the demands of modern times.
The AYF said from their investigation, over one billion naira might have been lost as a result of the deportation of the female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria and sought for adequate compensation for the distressed women.
According to AYF leader, Gambo Gujungu, hajj is a multi-billion dollar business and Nigeria had always been the favourites of Saudi traders, who he was sure, might not be happy with the current diplomatic row.
He, however, expressed delight that reports emanating from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) indicated that all the affected pilgrims would be taken care of and would not lose a kobo due to the problem encountered.
Ambassador Bunu had said in an interview that hard as they tried to convince the Saudis on the need to settle the matter amicably, they failed to respond in writing but were only giving verbal excuses.
The envoy said the Saudis stood their ground and only allowed aged women to gain entry into the holy land.
He still expressed optimism that the relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia would continue to flourish in spite of the diplomatic row.
On whether the Saudi authorities were skeptical that some of the women would defect after the pilgrimage, he explained that they had written a letter of undertaking that all the women would be returned to Nigeria after the hajj rituals but the Saudis did not agree.
 BusinessNews

2015 Presidency: Igbos should wait – Arewa Consultative Forum

As clock ticks for the general elections, Northern social-cultural group, under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dismissed the possibility of a president of Igbo extraction in 2015.
This came following recent declaration by some Igbo leaders’ that the destiny of Nigeria as a nation lies in the hands of an Ndigbo.
Kicking against the declarations, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Anthony Sani, affirmed that the south-easterners should hold on, noting that north’s quest for president in 2015 was based on merit.
Sani said, “By voting a southerner in the 2011 presidential election, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted against zoning and rotational presidency. So, anybody bringing up the issue of zoning is trying to draw us backwards.”
He further said, “It was Alex Ekwueme and his delegates that recommended this principle of geopolitical zone during the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference. The suggestion was that the presidency should rotate from one zone to another. Then it was put to vote and it was agreed that it would rotate between the North and the South.
“The South started with Obasanjo. After Obasanjo, it was the turn of the North. They chose Yar’Adua, may be because they knew he was likely to die. When he died, they said Goodluck Jonathan must become the President, we agreed. Then in 2011, they said there was no more zoning; that it should now be on merit and that is how Jonathan got elected as President. So, why are southerners now bringing up the issue of zoning again? We in the North are ready to contest the presidency in 2015 based on merit.”
It would be recalled that frontline political stalwart, Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, during a press briefing in Owerri, Imo State, recently demanded that the six zones should be given an equal opportunity to produce the president through a zoning arrangement.
Also, former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu recently averred that the only panacea to Nigeria’s problem is for an Igbo man to be given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the country.
Third Republic governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife also believes that except an Igbo man is given the opportunity to rule Nigeria, the country would remain stunted.
He said, “I don’t know what Iwuanyawu’s line of thought was when he said that, but I say Igbo presidency in 2015 is possible and we will get it”
“I wish to state that those who think that they are punishing the Igbos by keeping them out of power are deceiving themselves. It is Nigeria that needs and Igbo President for this country to move forward. In fact, until Nigeria produces an Igbo man as President, this country is going nowhere. Igbos are number one agents of development wherever they may be. They are known for transforming their environment.” He added.

DailyPost

Fear arises over Bayelsa Governor’s health

Tongues are beginning to wag over the continuous absence of Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson from office.
City wag says, his absence from the government house in the oil-rich Bayelsa may be connected to his ailing health.
It was gathered that the serving governor left the shores of Nigeria for the United Kingdom on medical ground, but the state government maintains that the governor is as fit as fiddle, noting that he went on a working leave.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Chief Fred Agbedi, disclosed that his absence has not in any way affected the affairs of the state.
He said, “Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has gone abroad in his bid to woo investors and develop the state. On a private note, the Governor is also on holiday. He has not gone on holiday since his election into the House of Representatives, which he won after the turbulent rerun, and shortly after that, he went into the governorship primaries.
“He went through a rigorous campaign. Since then he has not taken a deserved rest and that is what he is doing now. The Governor did not travel because of ill-health but he traveled for the interest of the state and to rest.
It was gathered that the governor may miss all the activities lined up for Nigeria’s 52 Independence celebration and the 16th anniversary celebration for the creation of Bayelsa State, but the state government insists that there was no law that made it compulsory for the governor to be present during any of the anniversaries.
The absence of the governor has left yet another vacuum at the state government house following the absence of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan who is also a serving permanent Secretary in the State to Germany for medical treatment.
DailyPost