Jonathan’s Israel Jamboree

As if the controversy surrounding the inclusion of embattled minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, wasn’t enough, the recent trip to Israel embarked upon by the President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan has been nothing but a PR disaster for him.

It was initially revealed that he was being accompanied to Israel by 19 Christian governors and the sheer profligacy of that made Nigerians react.

This report was quickly denied by the Presidential spokesman, Rueben Abati, who set the records straight and revealed the names of a few government dignitaries who will be part of the president’s delegation to Israel. This made Nigerians focus attention on another aspect of the trip: the inclusion of Stella Oduah, who has been embroiled in a car purchase saga.

While they were on the trip, investigative journalism revealed that the President was accompanied on the trip by 11 governors and 8 deputy governors, not 19 governors as “erroneously” reported earlier.

I’m trying my best not to laugh here. What is the difference between “19 governors” and “11 governors and 8 deputy governors”?

And that is just the number of governors. Not counting the ministers and members of the House of Reps and Senators that would have been part of that delegation.

Each governor, House of Reps member, Senator and minister would have his or her own delegation.

In total it was reported that President Jonathan Goodluck too over 800 personnel with him to Israel.

Pictures have also emerged of the President cutting a giant cake while in the Holy land: the proverbial national cake to be shared only by the 800 government officials with him.

Sometimes one wonders: which is more profligate, a military or civilian administration?     

After Qualification, What Next

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face the Ethiopian national team in the second leg encounter of the final World Cup qualification match on the 16^th of November.

Having won the first leg encounter played in Ethiopia two weekends ago most people (actually, everybody except the most optimistic of Ethiopians) expect Nigeria to win the match and proceed to the World Cup talking place in Brazil next year.

If not because of the agony I suffered during the last World Cup Nigeria failed to qualify for I would have said qualification is only a postponement of our misery.

I really want Nigeria to qualify. The point I’m trying to make is that it is almost certain that Nigeria would not go beyond the group stage of the competition.

The last time Nigeria went beyond the group stage was in 1998 only to suffer a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Denmark. Having qualified for the 2^nd round after beating highly rated Spain and Bulgaria during the group stage most people had written Denmark off. As usual, Nigeria failed to deliver and it’s been a downward decline from there.

As a matter of fact, the last World Cup match Nigeria won was the second group match against Bulgaria in 1998.

The record has not been impressive for other African teams either. Statistics show that out of over a hundred World Cup matches played by African teams they have only won 37 - Less than half.

Administrative problems, lack of commitment from players and almost insurmountable political and economic problems are usually responsible for these poor performances.

I am looking forward to the World Cup but I’m not holding my breath that the present class of Super Eagles will surpass the record set by their predecessors and advance to the quarter-final stage of the competition.  

The Rich Also Cry In Nigeria

The recent Associated Airline crash in Nigeria is a very sad case of “The Rich Also Cry”.

In Nigeria, an aviation minister once opined that air travel was not for the poor. He didn’t even have to say it. 

Although saying it gave Nigerians a peep into the mind of the ruling class, they really don’t care about the rest of the population.

Air travel hasn’t become cheaper in Nigeria. Poor people still do not travel by air. Some of them cannot even afford to travel at all let alone travel by air.

It is only still the rich that can travel by air or board a private jet for that matter as was the case of the occupants of the ill fated associated airline jet.

On board was the very expensive casket carrying the remains of a former governor, his son, son-in-law, a commissioner whose father also used to be the “de-facto” number 3 citizen of the country, a  multi-millionaire funeral director and his scion.

With the exception of the first two mentioned all these rich and influential Nigerians died in the crash that occurred minutes after the plane took off.

The crash was such that could only have occurred in a country where a terrorist strike occurs with unbelievable predictability and the security forces are no closer to bringing the situation under control than they were when the first strike occurred.

A country where armed robbers warn residents in advance of a robbery attack and the attack would still take place as planned.

Where the authorities allow an accident black spot remains untouched for years, claiming several lives.

The plane crash on Thursday wasn’t an act of God, it was negligence. It was preventable. It happened because the people who should conducts safety checks have been bribed to look the other way.

When or if the cause of the accident is revealed, unless there is a cover-up, it will be discovered that it was preventable. That a safety precaution was compromised.

They will probably blame it on Human error, that the pilot fell asleep a minute after take off.

The collapse of public infrastructure in Nigeria is so bad now that it is not enough to have your money and pay for everything, generate your own electricity, drill your own water, attend a private university and so on.

At some point in time you will have to rely on a government service and then you will not be  immune from the decay that is the Nigerian society and the drastic consequences.   

Nigeria's Internet Trolls

The Internet is always a force for good and in so many instances a force for evil.

The history of the world should be divided into, before and after the Internet was discovered. It has brought us the e-mail, search engines, social media and has made a few people billionaires not to talk of the millions all over the world employed in Internet and mobile phones related companies.

The Internet has also in its handbag latent evil like the explosion of paedophilia, the ease with which terrorists can now communicate and trolls.

A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, troll may have been a negative synonym for a jötunn (plural jötnar), a being in Norse mythology. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings.

Later, in Scandinavian folklore, trolls became beings in their own right, where they live far from human habitation, are not Christianized and are considered dangerous to human beings. 

The activities of certain Internet users have been so bad that they have been likened to these mythical creatures in Norse folklore.

In industrialised countries where Human Rights are taken seriously the activities of trolls are taken rather seriously and there have been a few convictions.

In Nigeria, however, trolls still have a field day as people still take the liberty to abuse and threaten other people on blogs and network forums.

On Nairaland.com hardly any thread that has responses goes without someone contributing to the thread turning it into an opportunity to sling mud at another tribe or abuse someone else.

With a troll it is not enough to disagree with an opinion an insult has to be thrown it as well.

Celebrities have not been spared either. Trolls insult celebrities on Twitter and on blogs.

Most of these trolls get away with the security, which anonymity gives them in Nigeria.

Fortunately, in more technologically developed countries, such security does not exist as every device connected to the Internet has an IP address, which can always be used to trace and track down the troll.

Here is calling on the National Communications Commission to invest on such tracking devices. 

Jonathan’s Inaugurates National Confab Committee

Jonathan’s Inaugurates National Confab Committee

The President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces launched a committee on Monday to begin the process of organising a National Conference as promised in his 53^rd Independence anniversary speech.

Below is a full text of the president’s address at the launch: 

Remarks by

His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

On the Occasion of the Inauguration of the National Advisory Committee

On our Country’s Conversation towards a Greater Nigeria

State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja

Monday October 7th 2013

PROTOCOLS

 Today, we are taking historic and concrete steps that will further strengthen our understanding, expand the frontiers of our inclusiveness and deepen our bond as one people under God.

 In my address to the Nation on the occasion of our 53rd Independence and Golden Anniversary as a Republic, I announced that in response to the yearnings of our people, we had decided to take on the responsibility of decisively and genuinely exploring the option of a National Conversation.

 In furtherance of this objective, Government announced the names of some Nigerians, with wide experience from various disciplines, to form membership of an Advisory Committee to facilitate a most acceptable process that will bring our aspirations to fruition. Our gathering here today is to formally inaugurate this child of necessity, the Advisory Committee to midwife this Conversation.

 Permit me to very quickly review the foundational principles that drive our action, and also address a few matters arising. Firstly, let me emphasize that this is a National Project, a sincere and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving, longstanding impediments to our cohesion and harmonious development as a truly united Nation.

There is a view by some of our people that we do not need to sit together to dialogue over the socio-political challenges facing our country. Some believe that because we have held several Conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I was one of those who exhibited scepticism on the need for another Conference or Dialogue. My scepticism was borne out of the nomenclature of such a Conference, taking into cognizance existing democratic structures that were products of the will of the people.

 However, we are in a democracy, and in a democracy; elected leaders govern at the behest of the citizenry. As challenges emerge, season after season, leaders must respond with best available strategies to ensure that the ship of state remains undeterred in its voyage.

Nations rise to the challenges that each epoch presents. It is imperative therefore, that in our march to nationhood, we have to be dynamic in our approach and response to the problems, even as we seek solutions to them. We cannot proffer yesterday’s solutions to today’s problems.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us remind ourselves of the gains from previous Conferences and Dialogues. The Conferences that were held before 1960 were designed to produce a political system and a roadmap to Nigeria’s independence.

The Constitutional Conference of 1957 in London, for example, effectively prepared Nigeria for Independence. The Eastern and Western regions were granted self-government in 1957, while the Northern region got its own in 1959. The Office of the Prime Minister was created and it was also decided that the Federal Legislature would be Bi-cameral.

 Furthermore, the Constituent Assembly of 1978 gave us the 1979 Constitution and also created the current Presidential System with its attendant checks and balances and Fundamental Human Rights provisions. The 1999 Constitution we operate today, is a successor to the 1979 Constitution and records show that the 1999 Constitution also benefited from reports and recommendations arising from the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.

Although not enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the idea of the current Six Geo-Political Zones that have become one of the avenues for equitable distribution of projects and public offices in Nigeria was also a product of Dialogue that emerged from the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.

 The 2005 National Political Reform Conference produced a number of key recommendations that were sent to the 5thAssembly, which were however not perfected. In 2010, I reasoned that the outstanding recommendations from the 2005 Conference be revisited.

 It was my view that Government is a continuum and that we must find ways to strengthen the foundation of our Union. I proceeded to set up the Justice Alpha Belgore Committee with a mandate to review the report for possible implementation, especially the areas where there was a common agreement. The committee worked hard and came out with its report that included a number of Bills, which were forwarded to the National Assembly.

 We believe that these Bills will form key components of the on-going Constitutional Review by the National Assembly.

 Clearly, every dialogue adds something valuable to our evolving Nation. The urgency of a National Conversation in the present therefore, need not be over emphasized.

 Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we continue to strive to build a strong and virile Nation, especially in the midst of agitations and tensions, we cannot deny the fact that sitting down to talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channelling our grievances, misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the good of our Country.

 Let me use this opportunity to thank the Senate President, and the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the support they have given to this important National Project.

 The concept of participatory democracy is such that even after the people have given their representatives the mandate to make laws and act on their behalf, there is also a space for the governed to make further input into the political processes, without undermining the authority of the statutory bodies. Sovereignty continues to be with the people even as the people evolve strategies and tactics to strengthen its foundation for the benefit of successor generations.

It is this sort of collaboration between the people and established institutions of government, that will allow for a robust outcome that leads to greater understanding and a more cohesive and inclusive Union. For me, there is no alternative to inclusivity, equity and justice in a modern democratic state.

I will therefore like to allay the fears of those who think the Conference will call the integrity of Nigeria into question. This National Discourse will strengthen our union and address issues that are often on the front burner, and are too frequently ignored.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Committee Members, this is a serious task, and history beckons on you not to disappoint our people. I want to charge you to consult widely before sitting down to develop the framework that will guide and guard the proceedings of the discussions.

 In the task before you, no voice is too small and no opinion is irrelevant. Thus, the views of the sceptics and those of the enthusiasts must be accommodated as you formulate this all important framework. This Conversation is a People’s Conversation and I urge you to formulate an all-inclusive process that protects the people’s interest.

 Let me also urge the Advisory Committee not only to be alive to the expectations of our people, but to bear in mind, that what we desire is what can work for the good of our people and country. The goal is to bequeath a better and a greater Nigeria to the present and the generation that is to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have wasted too much time and resources, bickering over sectional versions of what define reality. This is an open-ended luxury we can no longer afford. Let us move forward, with honest conviction and patriotic courage, to strengthen this Republic, and get it to work better and brighter, for all of us, to the glory of God.

 On this note, I hereby inaugurate the National Advisory Committee on this significant National Assignment and give the Committee six weeks to submit its report. I thank you for accepting to serve and I wish you the very best of wisdom in this very important call to duty.

 Congratulations. I thank you.

British Obama? Er...., Not Quite!

The conservative MP for Windsor, Adam Afriye, on Saturday made a move that many saw as another bid for the leadership position of the conservative party.

Adam Afriyie is the first mixed-raced conservative MP ever. He was born to an English mother and a Ghanaian father. He grew up in a Council estate in Peckham.

Adam Afriye had been accused earlier in the year of trying to launch a leadership bid, which never really took off but he denied it.

He had been quiet for a while until Saturday when he surprised everybody by suggesting that the proposed referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the EU should be brought forward before the 2015 general elections because he did not trust that David Cameron would honour his word and hold the referendum as promised in 2017.

David Cameron had promised to hold a referendum in 2017 to determine if Britons want the UK to remain in the UK but that is if he wins the election in 2015 and remain Prime Minister in 2017.

There is already a bill in parliament to make the 2017 referendum law. Adam was seeking to amend the bill.

The opposition he received from Euro sceptic members of his party, who are in support of the referendum, was so severe that pro-EU MPs, who are opposed to the idea of Britain leaving the EU, did not even receive any floor space to comment on his ill-advised move.

What is particularly galling about Afriyie’s leadership bid being disguised as a patriotic move is that should Britain withdraw from the EU, the immigration status of thousands if not tens of thousands of British residents born outside the EU could be thrown into jeopardy if legislation is not enacted to take care of the situation. 

Given the Tories attitude towards immigration, enacting a new law to cater for those affected will be way below their priority list.

It’s a shame that the son of a Ghanaian immigrant would propose a move that could jeopardise the immigration status of thousands of other immigrants, a number of whom could be in the same situation his father was many years ago, because of an ambitious leadership bid that was never going to succeed in the first place.    

Privatisation Of Power

The recent privatisation of power companies that used to operate as Power Holding Company Nigeria (PHCN) should really come as good news to Nigerians but in a country where there is very little to cheer about it’s being greeted with cautious optimism.

If privatisation of the telecommunication sector in the early 2000s is anything to go by then the privatisation of the power sector should come to Nigeria as very good news if not a complete game changer.

Before the telecommunication sector was privatised there were fewer than 400,000 land lines in Nigeria and even far fewer mobile telephones almost all operated by the now defunct NITEL. Owning a telephone set at home was considered a luxury that a former minister who is now a high ranking Senator once insensitively remarked, “telephone is not for the poor.”   Today merely twelve years after the first call was made with a GSM phone there are not fewer than a hundred million subscribers in Nigeria opening up several business opportunities in the country. In addition to that, thanks to smartphone technology most of these subscribers have Internet access on their phone making Nigeria one of the countries with the fastest growing amount of people with Internet access in the world.

I could also talk about business opportunities that GSM has brought to Nigeria in terms of employments that have been provided by the telecommunication companies and the millions of Naira paid out to artistes in endorsement fees but this post is about the power sector and not the telecommunication sector.

The power sector is potentially bigger than the telecommunication sector how bigger is what cannot yet be determined. The impact on the economy would even be felt more again to what extent is what we are yet to see.

It is expected that services will surely improve maybe not to the point of uninterrupted power supply like they have in the first World but there would surely be an improvement.

Baraje 8-Point Demand

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has made an eight-point demand which it says must be heeded if the Goodluck Jonathan administration is to take Nigeria out of the woods.

The demands are contained in an Independence Day Message to Nigerians by Baraje as contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.

“As I salute my fellow country men and women on this special, epochal and historical event of the 53rd Anniversary of our independence and knowing that many of our leaders have spoken to Nigerians on this special day, let me reiterate on behalf of our great party that no matter the obvious shortcomings and challenges facing our nation in areas of education, health, infrastructure, roads, security, governance, etc, I will suggest that we don’t give up hope as there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Baraje said in the statement.

On what his group, otherwise known as New PDP, wants, Baraje said as follows:

•We demand the constitution of a critical management team made up of apolitical, eminent technocrats and knowledgeable Nigerians to take over the management of the national economy given the woeful failure of the economic management team of the Federal Government.

•We call for a similar team to arrest the infrastructural decay that is threatening the nation’s infrastructural base at present.

•In view of the present quagmire in the education sector particularly in our public universities, we are suggesting on behalf of our great party a state of emergency particularly on the area of funding with view of arresting the present conflict and demands of ASUU as it is becoming very embarrassing keeping our children at home for over three months now.

•We demand the empanelling of a credible, independent and resolute anti-corruption body to cleanse the country of the thick stench of corruption that has overwhelmed it at present.

•We demand a re-ordering of the inchoate federal structure we are running with a view to allowing the states and the other federating units more access to resources to attend to the numerous responsibilities placed on them.

•We call for the introduction of state police as an antidote to the worsening security problems, which the present inept and highly politicised Nigerian Police had been unable to deal with.

•We see the clamour for a national dialogue as timely and appropriate as there is an urgent need for Nigerians to come together and discuss matters affecting them as well as the way forward. We, therefore, welcome Mr. President’s announcement in his Independence Day broadcast about the establishment of a committee to advise him on the modalities for the holding of the conference. We, however, wish to warn the proposed conference should not serve the same cosmetic purpose served by previous efforts; it should be empowered to discuss all issues agitating the minds of Nigerians – there should not be any no-go areas except the unity and oneness of Nigeria, which is not debatable.

•Finally, we urge Nigerians not to lose hope but to remain resolute in demanding good governance, transparency and accountability from government at various levels as that is the only way to force the corrupt clique in power to change their ways. 

British High Commissioner To Nigeria Clears Air On 3k Visa Bond

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, has once again cleared the air on the controversy surrounding a proposed UK government’s bond on visa applicants from some countries, including Nigeria, Channels TV reports.

He clarified that, ‘the visa bond, as it is being called here, is not a £3,000 charge for a British visa. That is not the case, it is not going to happen now and it is not going to happen in the future. Visa fee, which is what you pay for a visa, will not go to £3,000 or anywhere near it.’

Pocock also explained that there are plans to influence the inflow of more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from British companies into Nigeria.

He said this after ringing the closing bell  at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

The United Kingdom is reviewing its plan to introduce a £3,000 visa bond scheme.

“We have made it very clear to our government in London that there is concern about this. So, this is being reviewed and considered in London as we speak now.” he said

He further said the visa bond is yet to be approved and if even its approved it will only apply to a very minute number of the over 150, 000 Nigerians that will apply for UK visas.

He also said while there were security concerns in Nigeria, they were not overwhelming in many respects and could be managed.

He said the British government will not jeopardize diplomatic ties with Nigeria with any move that will call the relationship between both nations to question.

The British government had proposed a new scheme under which some visitors from six commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, would be asked to pay a £3,000 cash bond in return for visas that allows them to stay in the UK for up to six months.

Other countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana.