Niger Delta a Region Dying from the Negligence of its own People

Finally the people of the Niger delta, south-south Nigeria have their son in power yet the region remains a shadow of its self. This is a clear reminder that Nigerians must not allow herself to be drawn into electing people to power based on ethnic sentiment but rather they must take the courage to interrogate critically those who sought their mandate so as to see the substance of their candidature.

Judging by the attitude and mood of the people from the Niger delta before Jonathan was elected, a vote for their son means good bye to poverty and so those oppose even from within them are labelled as traitors who must be dealt with and never be allowed to raise their voice, even when their concerns were genuine. Today south-south Nigeria inspite of its enormous natural endowment remains a region whose people are faced with abject poverty, educationally backward and economically far behind places like Lagos.

A Jonathan ticket will never and can never be the solution to the plight of the people from that region but rather the people themselves must be active participant in any developmental quest it wishes to engage in. They must endeavour to engage government and other private concern in the development quest of the region. This is important because what the people of the Niger delta suffers today is not lack of infrastructure but lack of men and women with genuine interest and vision for the common good of all citizens of the region. What the Niger Delta parade as leaders are merely individuals with that egoistic tendency for the self.  

Since the era of Ken Saro wiwa, the region is yet to see true fighter who will stand up and say no to the banality and abuse going on. In fact after Ken Saro wiwa, the pen has suddenly gone dry of ink while the sword has become the potent tool for negotiation used by all who feels it’s time to take their own share of the oil wealth.  This fundamentally is the reason Niger Delta is a region dying from the negligence of its own people. If and only if the people from that part of the country are intellectually reawakened then they will truly see the darkness they have been in all these while. Mental darkness not just physical darkness is the most potent way to keep a people consistently suppressed. They cannot see who they truly are once they are in this state. This is the reason bad governance and corruption is prevailing not just in the Niger delta, but in Nigeria and Africa in general.

The key to bringing light therefore is to illuminate the minds of the people by getting them properly educated and skilled so as for the people themselves to have a greater mastering of their own destiny. This is because you cannot give development to a people but rather equip their minds so as for them to be creators of their own development. This is the sure way out of the mediocrity we see today in the region. 
yek keme
@yekeme

PUNCTUALITY

Punctuality which is derived from the Latin word “TEMPUS” means time. Punctuality is the characteristic of being able to complete a required task or fulfil an obligation before or at a previously designated time. It is regarded as the soul of business and when cultivated becomes a potent virtue for greatness.

Punctuality signifies diligence, discipline, prudence and judicious use of time. Only those who understand the value of time appreciate what it means to be punctual; as they are faithful to appointments and they plan and utilize every minute of the day and none is allowed to waste.

Life is a function of time. Anybody who waste time on trivialities invariably waste life and is oblivious of the fact that any minute lost is gone forever. Cultures that value punctuality considers being late as tantamount to showing disrespect for others time and may be considered insulting.

In work places, punctuality communicates a plethora of positive virtue to both employers and employee. As it shows dedication, interest in your work and capability in handling responsibilities and also honouring your word.

In 2011, Career Builder survey that 15% workers, were late once per week this resulted to low productivity and fall in the Gross domestic product of the United States. Research conducted by Delongor states “managers are less likely to promote late employee”

How we manage our time determines how far we will go in the success ladder of life. Beauty is born when things are done at the right time. God’s design of life on earth where season come at the right sequence of time is atypical example of punctuality.

One should consciously fight one enemy of time which is procrastination and do away with the tag known as “AFRICAN TIME” which fundamentally negates the very notion of punctuality and connotes Laziness and indiscipline.

The Romans will always say, “TEMPUS FUGIT NON REGAMUS EST” which means time can never be regained.

Punctuality when made our watch word presents us as a more serious and reliable person.

Being a speech present at the morning meditation in Rivers state Nysc Orientation camp 2013 Batch A by Platoon 4

The optimism of 2013 and the realities for Nigerians

Telling how far a nation goes is largely scripted in her national plan and agendas. The 2013 budget is one piece of such plans that clearly highlights the direction we intend taking as a nation. With a budget of 4.9trillion naira, it is indeed the largest in our nation’s history but how will this reflect on the lives of ordinary Nigerians in 2013 is a different ball game entirely.

The 2012 budget was 4.6trillion naira, therefore the begging question ought to be; how has its performance been thus far? Of cause government will tell us all kinds of tales but Nigerians are the once who have felt the harsh reality of it all.

As 2012 comes to its end, Nigerians most certainly will throng their various places of worship to thank God for seeing them through the rough road of the year and ask for Gods’ divine direction for their life in 2013. In fact many will brace up for a positive New Year as usual and make all kinds of New Year resolutions.  Whilst been optimistic about the future is a wonderful thing and should be encouraged, the reality for Nigerians in the coming year is one that we all must critically reflect on.

In the year 2013 Nigerians will still worry over the poor state of electricity, they will complain over the raising prices of basic food items; even another increment in fuel price is not in doubt given the antics of our political leaders especially with the antecedent of  2012 still fresh in our mind.  High cost of transportation is not in doubt still and the bad shape of our roads will probably remain the same no matter how much allocation earmark for them, at least the Lagos-Benin ore road proof to be a pointer to that fact. Affordable housing for Nigerians in 2013 will be another issue we all must prepare to debate about, just as the falling standards of education will take centre stage giving opportunities for politicians and pastors to build expensive citadels of learning that even their members cannot afford to send their wards. Kidnapping in 2013 will take a much more sophisticated approach just as Boko Haram will continue to make itself more relevant in our national life by proofing to all that it is indeed the angel of death. This to a great deal is the reality for most Nigerians.

On the other hand, 2013 for some Nigerians will be blissful. It will be a time where more state governors and pastors will acquire private jets to improve their already glamorous life style even as Nigeria is already rated as the country with the most private jet still we don’t manufacture any of it. I won’t be surprise if local government chairmen join the list of private jet owners in the coming year. 2013 will be a year of smart corruption and money laundering creating more space for EFCC and transparency international to make their usual noise and in the end nothing comes out of it or better still it will be resolve as family affair ways. The coming year will be a period where the Nigerian army will continue to proof its mettle on the continent of Africa while at home its unable to quell domestic and sectarian violence that threatens our collective existence as a country.

2013 will again be another year where president Jonathan makes his way to the redemption camp to re-echo his state of the nation speech  like he did in 2012 and the entire congregation will sing his praise before he kneels down before ‘baba’ for prayers, after all the almighty God is a loving and forgiving father no matter your sins.

4.9 trillion naira is enough to share and go round and whatever is left of it, definitely ordinary Nigerians will manage it and pray for a better budget in 2014. Who knows it could be 10trillion then so long as our oil is the world’s favourite.

Upon reflecting on the complex process of nation building such as ours, i came to this resolution that until our leaders see political power as that sacred trust vested upon them to carry out the legitimate aspirations of the people, then we are still in the same old vicious circle.......................................................................compliments of the season’s people

YEKEME

An observer

Yekeme4u@gmail.com

Twitter: @yekeme

WEEP NOT NUHU RIBADU NIGERIANS SAW IT COMING

one can hardly imagine what is going through the mind of Mr Nuhu Ribadu as he watches those who called him to come chair this committee criticise his entire effort without giving recourse to the original intent of the task force in the first place.

At the end of the day what seem to be a genuine investigation to the crises in the oil sector is finally been politicised exactly as the powers that be wanted it to play out in the first place. Mr Ribadu, I truly weep as you did; only if the Nigerian people knew what is going on behind the curtain, they will not only cry but seize the momentum and ask for proper probity.

As I watched in awe the level at which Mr Ribadu and Mr. Orosanya trade words on channels TV, it became clear to my mind that this Ribadu’s committee report will not make any meaningful impact going by the level of mockery the findings of the committee is been subjected to, otherwise how would one explain the authenticity and credibility of the committee’s work whose members are already appointed into the board of NNPC, An organisation it was supposed to investigate to the latter. To any discerning mind it therefore means that the committee’s work have been compromise and that is the last thing Mr Ribadu would want Nigerians to believe in. Going by the way Steve Orosanya spoke in that telecast, it is clear that, either the man is planted in that committee to be the spoiler or cover the track of vested interests. Otherwise why does he seem silent to the allegations of Mr Ribadu?

As the day goes by it is becoming clear that the protest on oil subsidy in January where few Nigerians sacrifice their lives was never really going to change anything after all. We have a president that appears to portray himself as a saint but surrounds himself with some of the worst advisers and aides whose interest always comes first before the interest of the nation. These are just some of the reasons I thought Mr Ribadu should have considered first before taking up the job as chairman of the Task force investigating the oil industry. If this whole exercise was an attempt at destroying the image and personality of Mr Ribadu, my candid advise for him is, weep not Nuhu Ribadu for Nigerians saw all these coming.

YEKEME

www.yekipedia.blogspot.com  Yekeme4u@gmail.com

An Independent Observer 

HOW BEST NIGERIA SHOULD RELATE WITH BOKO HARAM

In every age and time man has always been confronted by challenges. Sometimes it may seem insurmountable but the moment man finds a way out, he becomes ever better compared to where he was coming from.

Today Nigeria is faced with its own fair share of challenges from corruption to poverty and underdevelopment but none of these issues are more pronounced than the menace of Boko Haram which stands to threaten the basis of our collective existence as a nation except we find a creative approach out it.

 How best Nigeria should relate with Boko Haram becomes a fundamental question that stares not only the political authorities in the face but every concerned citizenry.

The history of this country is replete with examples of how we have overcome challenges that sought to tear this us apart. Two typical examples of such was the civil war and how the ‘‘no victor no vanquish’’ stance of Gen. yakubu Gowon brought us out of the war, another is the recent Niger delta militancy agitations and how the then president creatively engaged the youth of that region with an amnesty initiative. Thus curbing the restiveness in the Delta.

To this end therefore, a solution is possible with Boko Haram if we look in the right direction. Obviously finding a way out of this challenge that Boko Haram pose is impossible without understanding the factors that have led this group to evolve from just individual assassinations to large scale bombing, turning many state capitals in the north to theatres of war.

These factors hold the key as to how best Nigeria can relate with Boko Haram thus finding feasible solution to the reoccurring hostilities of this group.

The most fundamental factor to the threat of Boko Haram is the political side to the entire equation. Truth be told, politics and politicians in the country today help create this monster that threatens us all in Nigeria. The recent call by the group that it wants Gen Buhari to lead its peace talk with the federal government speaks volume as regards the level of political colouration of the violence so far. At least every discerning mind would clearly agree on this. On the other hand, the political option seems to be one of the most potent factors we can use to relate with them only if men of proven pedigree and character lead such an effort. Then the nation is can be said to be on the path to peace.

Another factor is the economic dimension to this entire situation. A large percentage of the young men recruited to carry out these attacks are largely jobless making them vulnerable to these kinds of enticement that is leading many of them to their early graves. Again we can relate with Boko Haram through economic empowerment. No society anywhere in the world makes meaningful progress where its active young population is idle. This is the case not only true in Northern Nigeria but throughout the country. When government fails in this task one begins to ask what then is the basis for it, even where the preamble of the 1999 constitution clearly direct that the purpose of a constitution was for the promotion of  ‘‘.........good government and welfare of all persons.........’’

Also, another significant factor we can use as a means to relate with Boko Haram is religion. The need to lay emphasis that Islam is a religion of peace and not war is of utmost significance too. In line with this view, we must let them know that this is a secular state and that everyman is free to find God the best way he deems fit. True worshippers of Allah know that the fundamental tenets of his teachings are ‘peace, harmony, love for your neighbour’, Boko Haram by virtue its conduct, is in clear violation of this principle

Yekeme

www.yekipedia.blogspot.com

an observer

A Bitter Taste Of The Nigerian Police In Oyingbo Market

It was a fateful sunny afternoon on May 16^th 2012 at oyingbo market. I and my friend Emmanuel were on our way for an assignment. There at oyingbo market bus stop, were we negotiating with an okada rider to take us to our precise location, some group of persons rounded us up as if we were common criminals they were waiting for from an hideout. Immediately, I took a thorough observation of the men. First they were not putting on the regular black police uniform but instead they were on okirika polo.

One of the men came to me and showed up an ID card that I could not read its letters because it was probably done with those olden days type writers. He claimed to be a police officer.  At first Emmanuel and I were embarrassed and I thought how degrading the Nigerian police had degenerated into. There was virtually no courtesy, not even  manner of approach.

With mouth oozing with the smell of ogogoro and cigarette, the so called officer ordered that I should disclose the content of the bag I was carrying while his other partner interrogated Emma abusively.

As infuriated as I was on the inside, I remain calm on the outside. Then I ask him again, “can I please see that ID card of yours again officer?” he brought it out and as I stared curiously at it, he immediately put it back to where it came from, and immediately made a stunning gaze at me. His partner in this presume stop and search who held a rusted AK 47gun began telling Emma to corporate or they will deal with the both of us. The ever busy market was bubbling with its usual trading with people. Yet, no body seems to be bothered with harassment going on. May be they are used to this visits of extortion by the police and so ours was nothing special to warrant any attention from any passerby.

As the okada we intend hiring drove off the scene, the police officer with the gun came to me and shouted at me to open up my bag for inspection. I told him the same question I already asked his tired colleague who looked famished and urgently needs to eat. This officer said that he did not have any ID card with him and that since I can see a gun with him why am I bothering on asking him for an ID?

How callous this police officer thinks Nigerians are, so because you carry a gun in broad day light and parade the streets of Lagos qualifies you for a police man? I thought to myself. The officer looking warnout then said:

“you no dey see the gun way him carry, why u go dey ask am for id card eh! Make you dey there they blow gramma ok na here una two go tanda” 

As embarrassing as this experience was for me, I began reflecting on the caliber of persons recruited to police our cities. No wonder when criminal tend to rob in broad light, police on duty run for their dear life, but when it comes to molesting innocent Nigerian they are ever ready. May be that is why “police is your friend”

Emma was already tired and been furious as I was. Then I asked both officers “can I see some warrant authorizing this stop and search exercise they claim they were engaged in?”

This time around, they were not ready to listen to neither myself nor Emma, the other grab his properly in a bid to threaten us. Then I said that to Emma, if these people don’t know how to be civil and that any attempt at forcing us would be a violation of our fundamental.” Emma nodded, but was ready to give in to their demand. Unknown to us their aim was to accuse us so as to lure us into a waiting yellow Lagos commercial bus parked distance away and filled with innocent people who fell for their antics.

In the heat of the argument an elderly baba walked into our midst, and as God would have it, the baba made the officers realize their action was wrong, I thought maybe he was an ex-soldier from the depth of his analysis. In the end, baba pleaded with me to open up the package I was carrying so as to stop the quarrel that has ensued. 

I did as baba instructed because of my respect for the wisdom of the elderly and since nothing implicative was found, Emma and I was let go.

The officers immediately jumped into their bus that has already approached us and it speedily drove off probably to another location to hunt down unsuspecting innocent Nigerians………….

As this experience lingers in my mind, I began asking questions with obviously no one around to answer. Why have the Nigeria police been reduce to this level of begging in streets without understanding its constitutional role to society? If this is what the future of the police is in this country, then none of us is safe anymore in the land.  

 YEKEME

LONDON OLYMPIC: THE SHOW OF MEDIOCRITY BY NIGERIA

LONDON OLYMPIC: THE SHOW OF MEDIOCRITY BY NIGERIA

One tweet i saw on twitter yesterday night that inspired this piece reads thus ‘‘No gold medal, No silver medal, No bronze medal......... at this rate we might not even get a certificate of participation’’. As funny as this statement may sound, it clearly reflect the character of Nigeria and why we got nothing at the Olympic.

As the Olympics come to an end, serious minded countries have started making plans and preparation for the next holding in Brazil. This is how you know nations who truly prepare for success. As for Nigeria we are never in such proactive state in our National evolution, which is why we get this kind of humiliation.  The show of mediocrity by Team Nigeria at the London Olympic truly indicate that until we remove politics from our sports activities, Nigeria will continue to encounter this type of embarrassment inspite of her abundant sporting talent in the country.

Rather than we concentrating on getting the best hands to run sports administration in this country, Nigeria prefer to make mockery of the entire process by recruiting charlatans to handle this sector. To this end, i don’t think we should be surprise or complain of our poor outing so far. We deserve what we got u may want to say.

As much as a lot of us don’t like our outing so far, many will still go about their business without probing into why we ended up in this path.  If indeed we cannot separate politics from our national life then we should ensure putting the right persons in public offices so that they will make decision that will truly bring national pride and not this show of mediocrity.

The minister of sports must be made to answer some questions as regards this unfortunate happening. What are the minimum criteria for the appointment to sporting administration in the country? Do we still make appointments base on ethnic sentiments? If this is the case then am sure those who made it to representing Nigeria are not the best quality of material the country has got to offer. One would begin to wonder the kind of feeling going through the mind of the top dignitaries and politicians that went along with team Nigeria to give them that courage letting them know their father land is solidly behind them. My guess, we all loss in the end......

YEK KEME

DEPT OF PHILOSOHPY

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

www.yekipedia.blogspot.com

 yekeme4u@gmail.com