LIST OF 'FAILED STATES' - Nigeria is .......

LIST OF 'FAILED STATES'

The 60 most vulnerable states of the 148 countries examined in the second annual "failed states index" of Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for Peace:

1. Sudan
2. Democratic Republic of Congo
3. Ivory Coast
4. Iraq
5. Zimbabwe
6. Chad
6. (Tie) Somalia
8. Haiti
9. Pakistan
10. Afghanistan
11. Guinea
11. (Tie) Liberia
13. Central African Republic
14. North Korea
15. Burundi
16. Yemen
16. (Tie) Sierra Leone
18. Myanmar
19. Bangladesh
20. Nepal
21. Uganda
22. Nigeria
22. (Tie) Uzbekistan
24. Rwanda
25. Sri Lanka
26. Ethiopia
27. Colombia
28. Kyrgyzstan
29. Malawi
30. Burkina Faso
31. Egypt
32. Indonesia
33. Syria
33. (Tie) Kenya
35. Bosnia-Herzegovina
36. Cameroon
37. Angola
37. Togo
39. Bhutan
39. Laos
41. Mauritania
42. Tajikistan
43. Russia
44. Niger
45. Turkmenistan
46. Guinea-Bissau
47. Cambodia
47. (Tie) Dominican Republic
49. Papua New Guinea
50. Belarus
51. Guatemala
52. Equatorial Guinea
52. (Tie) Iran
54. Eritrea
55. Serbia-Montenegro
56. Bolivia
57. China
57. (Tie) Moldova
59. Nicaragua
60. Georgia

In its second annual "failed states" index, Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for Peace concluded that Sudan is the country under the most severe stress because of violent internal conflict.

Eleven of the 20 most vulnerable countries of the 148 examined in the survey are in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ivory Coast, both chronically volatile in recent years, ranked second and third.

Each country was given a score based on data from numerous available sources. A "failing state" was described as one in which the government does not have effective control of its territory, is not perceived as legitimate by a significant portion of its population, does not provide domestic security or basic public services to its citizens and lacks a monopoly on the use of force.The study debunks the notion that steady growth rates in China are making the country more stable. It found that China lost ground last year.

Pauline Baker, president of the Fund for Peace, said in an interview that the major factors behind China's vulnerability are inequality and corruption, which, she said, led to about 87,000 peasant protests last year.

Foreign Policy senior editor David Bosco said China is made up of the booming coastal region, and the interior, which has been left behind.

"There is a lot of discontent. The government is aware of the problem," he said.

Baker said India has greater social mobility and is more decentralized than China, possibly giving that country the upper hand over its more populous neighbor over the long haul.

Among countries that lost considerable ground last year in the survey's "index of instability," besides China and Pakistan, were Zimbabwe ("poor governance and endemic corruption) and Nigeria ("regional and religious fissures").

CBN bill bans spraying of naira notes

CBN bill bans spraying of naira notes

Ibanga Isine, Abuja

President Olusegun Obasanjo has sent a new Central Bank of Nigeria bill to the National Assembly, which seeks to curtail the abuse of the country's currency.


At the moment, hawkers trade openly in the currency, while socialites spray the naira at parties.

The bill also prescribes a five-year jail term for falsification or counterfeiting of the currency.

According to Section 21, subsection 1-4 of the bill, "Any person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both cash fine and imprisonment.

"A coin or note shall be deemed to have been tampered with if the coin or note has been impaired, diminished or lightened otherwise than by fair wear and tear or has been defaced by stumping, engraving, mutilating, piercing, stapling, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing or any other form of deliberate and willful abuse whether the coin or note has or has not been thereby diminished or lightened.

"For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or marching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under subsection (1) of this section.

"It shall also be an offence punishable under subsection (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the naira note or any other note issued by the Bank."

Spraying under the new law includes adorning, decorating anything or any person or any part of any person or the person of another with naira notes or coins.

The bill also includes sprinkling, sticking of the naira notes or coins regardless of the amount, occasion or intent.

It also explained "marching" to include spreading, scattering or littering of any surface with any naira notes or coins and stepping thereon.

When passed into law, it shall be cited as the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2006 and will repeal the CBN amendment Acts of 1991, 1993, 1997,1998 and 1999.

The bill that was exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Saturday was sent under the seal, signature and stamp of the President and dated April 12, 2006.

Under the CBN's powers to issue guidelines to persons and institutions connected with the performance of its functions, the bill prescribes a fine of N2million for individuals and N10million for institutions that flaunt its rules.

Where any debt due to the bank is considered endangered, the bill empowers the CBN to acquire the property of the debtor and resell it at the earliest suitable time.

It is also empowered under Section 41, subsection 2, to grant loans and other accommodation facilities to any bank facing liquidity problem at such rate and interest and terms it may determine appropriate.

The bill is yet to be listed for first hearing.

THE PUNCH, Monday, May 01, 2006

World Fuel(Gas) Prices Around the World

Nation City Price in USD Regular/Gallon
Netherlands Amsterdam $6.48
Norway Oslo $6.27
Italy Milan $5.96
Denmark Copenhagen $5.93
Belgium Brussels $5.91
Sweden Stockholm $5.80
United Kingdom London $5.79
Germany Frankfurt $5.57
France Paris $5.54
Portugal Lisbon $5.35
Hungary Budapest $4.94
Luxembourg $4.82
Croatia Zagreb $4.81
Ireland Dublin $4.78
Switzerland Geneva $4.74
Spain Madrid $4.55
Japan Tokyo $4.24
Czech Republic Prague $4.19
Romania Bucharest $4.09
Andorra $4.08
Estonia Tallinn $3.62
Bulgaria Sofia $3.52
Brazil Brasilia $3.12
Cuba Havana $3.03
Taiwan Taipei $2.84
Lebanon Beirut $2.63
South Africa Johannesburg $2.62
Nicaragua Managua $2.61
Panama Panama City $2.19
Russia Moscow $2.10
Puerto Rico San Juan $1.74
Saudi Arabia Riyadh $0.91
Kuwait Kuwait City $0.78
Egypt Cairo $0.65
Nigeria Lagos $0.38
Venezuela Caracas $0.12

Source: air-inc.com

The country of anything goes.......

The country of anything goes
By Olusegun Obasanjo

FOR over four and a half years - from November 17, 1993 to June 8, 1998 - Nigeria, which had been under military rule since the end of 1983, was reduced to a police state: a big prison with gallows, where intimidation, assassination, and deprivation were the instruments of misgovernance of the state by General Sani Abacha, a sadistic, apparently mentally deranged, corrupt, incompetent, arrogant, and ruthless military dictator. The question on almost everybody's lips was: why? What went wrong in a country of well over one hundred million people which used to take pride in its large educated and cultured population?

The answer lies in the gradual but steady erosion of moral and ethical standards that took place during the earlier military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who carried out a military coup at the end of 1984 and ruled between 1985 and 1993. It was at this time that, facing the gun, civilian political leaders acquiesced and abandoned their responsibility.

Some adopted the attitude of "sit down and look on". Others joined in the pillaging of the country by seeking patronage, recognition, and easy money from the ruling military cabal. As a result, the economy was shattered during the 1980s. Whether you were a politician, a businessman, an intellectual, or a retired military man, the seemingly easy avenue for personal economic gain was to accept a job from the military or to seek favour from or support by the military. Some academics abandoned their lecture rooms or research laboratories where they could only make a pittance; they accepted the cozy, cushy embrace of a corrupt, deceitful, and unscrupulous military administration.

Previously, independent and respected intellectuals became the mouthpiece and apologists for the military; they made excuses for General Babangida and his fellow military leaders, and helped them deceive and confuse the people. Respected social critics accepted money from the government and became compromised. To take an independent stand became an exception and an extremely risky one. Many outspoken critics of the government were assassinated. Dele Giwa, the founding editor of the weekly Newswatch, was killed by a letter bomb in 1986.

The Nigerian military men, who once could claim to be officers and gentlemen, became men of double-talk, unkept promises, and devious actions and behaviour inimical to public order and proper military conduct. But what was most deplorable was that with the pillaging of the society and the destruction of moral and ethical standards, those who might have been expected to try to sustain such standards - the by-now bought-up, co-opted, and corrupted members of civil society: politicians, intellectuals, journalists, business people - made excuses. They became defenders of a military administration which consciously or unconsciously embarked on systematic destruction of all that matters in a society - politically, economically, socially, morally, ethically, and culturally. The press and publishers who were not directly under government control were corrupted; they in turn hired and corrupted writers who pretended to be objective and independent, but who vigorously and viciously attacked opponents of the military regime.

In this way Nigeria became a nation of "anything goes", where anything could be rationalised and justified. Babangida shifted his ground and broke his promises so often that he earned the popular nickname "Maradona" for his fancy dribbling; his deceitfulness was widely defended and even praised as political cleverness, dexterity. There was no moral standard left in public life. Corruption and fraud became habits that trickled down to every level of society.

Nonetheless, the citizens of Nigeria persisted in calling for democracy. And Babangida, who had been promising a return to civilian government since September of 1987, and who was also facing increasing pressure to relinquish power, both from the international community and from members of his own divided military regime, finally seemed to be taking steps in that direction late in 1992. In December of that year he replaced his Council of Ministers with a civilian Transitional Council, headed by the businessman Chief Shonekan, which was given the task of monitoring and overseeing a return to democratic government by August 27, 1993. And on June 12, a presidential election was indeed held, although the only parties allowed to compete in it were two that had been created by the military regime in 1989. This election was apparently won by Moshood Abiola, of the Social Democratic Party.

Even though the election was considered a fair one by international observers, however, it was annulled a week later without any plausible excuse being given. Although, both a national commission monitoring the voting and one of the Nigerian courts were involved in the rigmarole of challenging the election, it was General Babangida who acted to invalidate it. Riots broke out in Lagos, and there followed a chaotic summer in which a number of possible solutions to the situation, including promises that the election would be rescheduled, were floated and then quickly cancelled; no one seemed sure what would happen next.
Finally, at the eleventh hour, Babangida decided to relinquish power. On August 26, the day before the deadline he had set himself the previous year, he stepped down, naming Chief Shonekan the head of an Interim National Government. On the same day, General Sani Abacha - who had been intimately associated with the Babangida regime since 1983 - was promoted to minister of defence.

The responsibility of leading Nigeria was too much for Shonekan; he had had power thrust upon him only because he posed no serious threat to the continuing power of the military. The real power in this government belonged to Abacha, and Shonekan had neither the savvy nor the backing to challenge him. Within a month, Abacha had arranged to replace all the chief supporters of Babangida within the new government. Then, on November 10, the High Court pronounced the Interim National Government unconstitutional. A week later Shonekan stepped down, in favour of Abacha.
It had been clear to many discerning observers well before Abacha struck that he had his own ambitions. But even after he took power, there was also a great deal of confusion about his intentions and abilities. Many Nigerians thought him nothing more than a light headed and empty-minded military officer who wanted nothing more than to occupy the presidency long enough to enrich himself and reward his supporters. But in the confusion surrounding the annulled election, some politicians and their followers looked for a "messiah", who, they believed, would proclaim the annulled election valid after all. That was the situation in which Abacha was able to take power. Some of the people who gave him encouragement and support believed that he would act in the public interest; that they could successfully use undemocratic means - the installation of a military government - to attain democracy. They ignored the fact that the man in charge was undemocratic at heart, as his record clearly indicated.

For his part, Abacha showed an unexpected capacity for deception. He brought the key men in the two political parties he had disbanded into the government he appointed, apparently with the promise that he would hand over power to Abiola within three months. But he made sure that he never committed himself to any definite date for the transfer of power, he used the nebulous phrase "brief period". Meanwhile he consolidated his position.

As could be expected, through all this time some people stood firm, un-purchasable, advocates, despite all intimidation and discouragement, of truth, good governance, and the interests of the country. But by November 1993 - when lying and deception of the people by the government, and deprivation of the rights of the people, and pervasive corruption had been made into an art - there was no critical mass, not enough of such men and women of integrity and conscience, to stand solidly against Abacha.

His model, as it soon became clear, was Mobutu of Zaire; it was his ambition to be the richest man in black Africa and the longest-ruling Nigerian leader. He could not achieve these two objectives without silencing the opposition of anyone who might stand in his way. Babangida had tried the tactics of domination through patronage, corruption, acquisition, deceit, and selective elimination of his opposition. Abacha had learned that these methods were insufficient; they had not worked for his tutor and they would be enough for him - and in any case, he did not have his predecessor's knack for subtlety.

So he used those people he thought could help him, and then, particularly if they seemed capable of questioning him, discarded them. His first cabinet, for example, included many important figures from the civilian government of the early 1980s, and even human rights activists; but within a year Abacha felt secure enough in power to replace almost all of these people. After that he embarked on a ruthless campaign of oppression, directed not only against those who opposed him but against those he believed uncompromising enough that they might oppose him. In this way, Abacha stole the property he was meant to guard and prevented the promised rescheduling of the annulled election. In the end he brought about both his own death and that of the presumed winner of that election. But before he died this summer, he managed to become the worst affliction suffered by Nigeria since it became an independent nation in 1960.

I fell into the group of those whom he could not corrupt and who would not make a deal with him. He knew this from my criticism of Babangida for holding on to power through error and intimidation. He decided to take preemptive action, and manufactured claims that I was plotting an impending coup. He used this fiction as a pretext for jailing, in addition to myself, some forty of his potential opponents including my former deputy, Major General Shehu Yar'Adua; Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, head of the Campaign for Democracy; prominent journalists; and some of the most capable middle-level officers of the army.

To be continued

Think Jamaica is bad? Try Nigeria

This was an article posted in the Jamaica Observer by an English MP by the name of Diane Abbott. I don't know what you make of it.
.................................................................................... .

As Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller takes the helm of the nation, there has been intensified debate about the state of Jamaica. And some Jamaicans are very gloomy about the current plight of the country.


There is no doubt that Jamaica faces challenges. But I travelled around Nigeria last week with a group of British MPs. This West African country is potentially much richer and more powerful than Jamaica could ever be. Yet, in certain crucial aspects Nigeria is in an even worse position than little Jamaica, and contemplating the Nigerian situation might cause even the gloomiest Jamaican talk show host to count their blessings.

Nigeria's greatest blessing has been oil; but it has also been its greatest curse. It is the sixth biggest oil producer in the world. Oil accounts for 95 per cent of exports by value and 80 per cent of government revenue amounting to billions and billions of pounds. But the discovery of oil has been an ecological disaster for the Niger Delta (one of the most populous parts of the country) where the oil is extracted.

Shell and other Western Oil companies have, in collusion with successive military dictatorships, raped the region. Petrol contamination of the water table has made local water undrinkable. Farming and fishing grounds have been ruined and gas flaring in the Delta is cited as Africa's single biggest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

It is symbolical of the brutally exploitative nature of the oil industry in Nigeria that the natural gas by-product (which other oil producers like Trinidad liquefies and markets) is simply burnt in giant flares which cause incalculable environmental damage. This compares with Jamaica's experience with the bauxite industry where a more organised and genuinely patriotic civil society has been able to insist on reasonable environmental standards and some contribution to infrastructure.

Unemployment and destitution in the Delta are sky high. The local people are so desperate that the region is in a state of virtual civil war. Over 1,500 people a year are killed in Delta clashes.In Jamaica, religion is generally a force for good. And Prime Minister Simpson Miller has called on the churches for help in nation building.


OBASANJO has many achievements to his credit, but is trying to amend the constitution so that he can serve a third term. Nigerians are a deeply religious people with high levels of church attendance and a host of remarkable pastors. But religion has also been yet another cause of instability. Religious tensions between Christians and Muslims have caused periodic riots.

In 2003, there was serious rioting in the Muslim north because of the staging of the Miss World Beauty Pageant in Nigeria. In February 2006, there were clashes between Christians and Muslims following the publication of the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Dozens died and the Anglican Primate Peter Akinola was accused of stoking inter-religious tensions. The rioting was the more remarkable because most Nigerians had not actually seen the cartoons.

On this visit I asked some educated Nigerian Muslim women what they thought of the 2003 incident in which a Nigerian woman had been convicted of adultery and under Sharia (Muslim) law was sentenced to death by stoning. They insisted that the procedure had not been followed correctly. (Apparently there had only been one witness and there should have been four.)

So I asked whether, if the procedure had been followed correctly, they would have been in favour of the stoning. They said yes. Whatever the educational challenges in Jamaica, you would be hard put to find women (however illiterate) who thought stoning a woman to death for adultery was correct.

And when it comes to corruption, Nigerians make Jamaicans, and every other nationality in the world, look like mere amateurs. Billions of pounds of oil money have been looted by politicians. By 1998, 70 per cent of private wealth had been taken out of Nigeria. Under pressure from Western donors, the government is beginning to take action against corruption. The inspector general of Police and the ministers of education and housing were dismissed last year.

The minister of education is currently on trial for corruption, along with six former senators including an ex-Speaker. And a state governor was arrested at Heathrow Airport on corruption charges. But no-one believes that this is any more than scratching the surface. And there is a suspicion that the government is using the corruption issue to take out its opponents, while its own equally corrupt supporters sit tight.

Since independence in 1963, Nigeria has enjoyed only short periods of democratic rule, but there have been 29 years of military rule under a succession of generals. In 1999, the country returned to democracy with the election of President Obasanjo (himself a recycled general). He has many achievements to his credit and has appointed some able technocrats to key positions, including a brilliant woman finance minister on secondment from the World Bank.

But electoral democracy in Nigeria is a fragile flower. Now Obasanjo is trying to amend the constitution so that he can serve a third term; and there are even rumours that he wants the presidency for life.

Jamaica has some problems, but people who want to dub it a 'failed state' should look more carefully at other countries in the developing world with far more serious social, political and economic problems.

Vice President Atiku's plans on becoming President Atiku....

VP Atiku Abubakar writes Obasanjo
says he'll contest 2007 presidential election


When as President, you led us out of the ‘years of the locust’ in 1999, we inherited a country in deep economic crisis owing to decades of excessive, direct state involvement in all spheres of economic activity, corruption, inefficiency and unsustainable debt profile. Our physical infrastructures were in a serious state of dilapidation, and security of persons and property could not be guaranteed. Admittedly, we have encountered a lot of challenges in the implementation of these policies. These include the discovery that the level of infrastructural and, especially, institutional decay was deeper than we thought, stiff opposition from entrenched interests as well as serious inadequacy of the available number of competent and committed personnel. In spite of these enormous challenges, we have, under your exemplary, inspiring, patriotic and courageous leadership, made tremendous progress in moving the nation towards a private sector-led economy, improved infrastructure and security.

Your skilful conduct of our foreign relations has moved us far away from the pariah status which we inherited to a position where we command the respect of the international community. You have provided effective leadership not only in the West African sub-region but also in Africa and, indeed, the Commonwealth. Your untiring crusade for fairness in matters of foreign debt and international trade has brought a lot of benefits to all the disadvantaged nations of the world. Our journey so far may have been chequered but I have never shied away from challenges and responsibilities. Each time I have been assigned a role either on an adhoc or long-term basis, I have approached it with the determination to work assiduously and to act decisively to deliver the desired results.

Each time I was called upon to assist you in identifying individuals who could help in actualising our vision, I did so with the main objective of identifying those who can add value. By the same token, I should have no difficulty whatsoever in identifying those who can assist me in running this country efficiently if offered the opportunity. Besides, I believe that God will keep you physically strong and intellectually sound so that you can continue to assist and guide your successor. It is in the light of the foregoing that I write to respectfully inform you of my intention to offer myself as a candidate in the 2007 presidential election that is expected to usher in a new government at the expiration of our tenure in May 2007. I have come to this momentous decision with a deep sense of responsibility after careful reflection on the state of our nation, what we set out to achieve when many of us came together to form the Peoples Democratic Party at the end of the most brutal military dictatorship, what we have achieved in the last seven years and what, I believe, I can contribute in the years ahead to consolidate these achievements.”

Mr. President may be familiar with Henry Kissinger’s profound assertion that every statesman is, to some extent, a victim of circumstances because he inherits a situation which he did not create and he is the product of a background which he can no longer change. As two people with different backgrounds working together in a very challenging environment and dealing with enormous problems and different individuals, it is understandable that we have had some disagreements over the years. It is quite instructive that you have said repeatedly that we have no disagreements in personal or policy issues but we only have political differences. I am not ashamed of admitting the existence of political differences because it is in the nature of politics that none of us involved can claim to have retained our innocence. In the process, we may have been a bit unfair to each other and even to ourselves.

I only pray that we will live long enough to write our memoirs and that, with the passage of time, we will be as kind as possible in judging each other. Mr. President, let me assure you, however, that I do not and have never taken things personal. By the same token while I sincerely hope that you would support me in my effort to seek the mandate of the electorate, I will take it with philosophical equanimity if the support is not forthcoming. Whatever your decision in this regard, I will still hold you in very high esteem as a benefactor.

Wondering........how true..................

OFFICE ARITHMETIC
Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
_____________________________

SHOPPING MATH
A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.
A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.
_____________________________

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife
can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a
man.
_____________________________

HAPPINESS
To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and
love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not
try to understand her at all.
______________________________

LONGEVITY
Married men live longer than single men do, but married men
are a lot more willing to die.
______________________________

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he
doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't
change, and she does.
____________________________

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new
argument.
_____________________________

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling,telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

"Much Needed Build-Bridging & Howard Univ.'s Recognition Of Nigeria's Dr.Inyang"

Dear Friends,
It is other people's business to "share"(or rather,spread) bad news about Nigeria and have people give up rather easily on the country that has produced (and continues to----) some of the Brightest Minds in the World. This is not to say important news about everything bad with Nigeria must be swept "underneath the carpet". But,somebody must also try and share some encouraging news that rarely make the headlines. And this is where my "secretive" self and fellow compatriots at "Nigeria-Before-Self" come in.
In one of my earlier mails, I mentioned Dr. Uford- Inyang ( Director Of Nigeria's Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development or N.I.P.R.D ) while discussing about "Hope & Help On The Way For Sickle Cell Patients". The soon to be released drug "NICOSAN"("NIPRISAN") was developed by Nigeria's very own N.I.P.R.D . It's Director, Dr. INYANG, will receive an Award from his alma-mata ,Howard University ( a Prestigious University located in the heart of the World's most powerful Country,the good ole U.S of A ). Howard University is a predominantly African-American University which takes pride in searching for answers to the many problems (especially in Healthcare and Social issues) which plagues all people of African-descent and humanity in general. The Event will take place at the Howard Univ. Campus on Thursday April 6,2006 with many officials in Nigeria's Healthcare & Scientific Industry in attendance.

Unbeknownst to many, there has been an on-going collaboration between
Howard University,N.I.P.R.D & XECHEM NIGERIA PHARMACEUTICALS. The latter is a U.S-Based Pharmaceutical Company which decided to do something unique in Nigeria. Upon discovering the amazing potential of Nigeria's "NIPRISAN",a drug that's shown tremendous potential in the management of "Sickle Cell Disease", the C.E.O, Dr. Ramesh-Pandey decided to buy the patent and manufacture the drug "ON-GROUND". I must confess that, as a Practicing Pharmacist, I am truly sick and fed-up with Pharmaceutical companies always preferring to import "ready-made" (mostly
adulterated drugs) into Nigeria,my native land. This is why XECHEM Nig. holds a "Dear" place in my heart. The board members which include Nigeria's Prof. Soji- Adelaja ( a Distinguished Professor at "Michigan State Univ.") truly have there hearts in the right place. Nigerian students will benefit tremendously from visits and internship programs at the enviable site located inside the "SHEDA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX" based at SHEDA , Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria.

Personally, I like to think of these emerging wonderful developments as
part of the on-going ties between The U.S.A, Nigeria & India (perhaps an "AXIS OF GOOD" in political terms). It is a wonderful thing when some great minds share similar views about what needs to be done in order to wake Africa's Sleeping "Giant" up from it's slumber. I remain a firm believer that Nigeria will become the Pride of all Africans in our lifetime and the "Axis Of Good" will certainly help speed up the process.

My Heartfelt Congratulations goes to Dr. Inyang and his wonderful staff at N.I.P.R.D.Much credit also goes to Dr. Ayodele- Coker ( Director of The Sheda Science & Tech.Complex or "SHESTCO"),Prof. ISOUN (The Minister For Science & Tech.), Prof. Lambo ( Nigeria's Minister For Health), Dr. Ramesh-Pandey(XECHEM),Prof. Soji-Adelaj(XECHEM),Dr.Segun- Ajuwon (C.E.O-National Hosp.,Abuja-Silent Operator), Hon. El- Rufai (The F.C.T Wonder Man ) and so many others who are doing Nigerians proud everyday. God Bless Nigeria,The U.S.A & India ("Axis Of Good").

Finally, I commend the good folks at Howard University for having the foresight to start a relationship that will help build the much-anticipated Bridge between Africa and it's people in America via the search for answers to difficult issues that affects us as a people. I predict other prestigious Universities here in the U.S will soon follow suit and discover the hospitality,uniqueness & magic in the African spirit by discovering Nigeria.

UP HOWARD !!!

Sincerely,
Tola - Sobande

"HOPE & HELP ON THE WAY FOR SICKLE CELL SUFFERERS"

Dear Friends,
I've just returned from another fulfilling trip to Nigeria in search for Answers to so many questions relating to issues that affects people of African-descent and specifically Nigerians. Nigerians in Diaspora "worry" so much about their Beloved Country. We worry about issues ranging from Elections,Census?,e.t.c & then "Healthcare". We all say "Health Is Wealth",but, we have our priorities completely "mixed-up" ( we say "screwed-up" in America- Pardon my Spanish!).

I am still baffled by the fact that many (not all-before I get someone upset) healthcare Professionals are yet to realize the basic fact that a Blood Glucose Monitoring Kit,kept along with one's "Bible" or "Quran" at all times, makes all the difference for a Diabetic Patient. Thank God, after five years of making about 3 or 4 yearly trips, things are about to change for the better.

In Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T-outside Abuja) lies a small town called SHEDA. Nigerians will soon discover what has been going on quietly in SHEDA and just like me, everyone will be pleasantly surprised. In SHEDA, we have THE SHEDA
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX ( SHESTCO). Normally, I do not give out names,but, Dr. Ayodele - Coker ( Director/C.E.O),The Minister Of Science & Technology, Prof.Isoun, Dr.Pandey & Dr. Adesanmi will soon be very familiar names for all the hard work
these folks have been doing. In collaboration with The Nigerian Institute Of Pharmaceutical Research & Development (N.I.P.R.D) and it's Director,Dr. Inyang, we have a joint exercise in progress between The Ministries Of Health ( and it's very humble Minister,Prof. Lambo)& The Ministry Of Science & Technology. The Complex boasts of a "Gamma-Radiation Plant" which will help give credibility to Nigeria's Products meant for exportation or for use within the Country due to it's ability to ensure products are sterile or rather,free of any sort of contamination.

I am most excited about the launching at this site of XECHEM Nig. Pharmaceuticals.
For the first time in Nigeria's history,the country can boast of a state-of-the-art Pharmaceutical Facility which will start off with the production of NICOSAN (NIPRISAN),a drug discovered by Nigeria's N.I.P.R.D for the management of Sickle Cell Disease.
After several visits to XECHEM's facility in recent times and noticing the amazing positive changes that continues to take place within a relatively short period of time, I decided to do something different on my most recent trip.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, I moved on to Ile-Ife after a quick visit to my hometown of Abeokuta. My Mentor and friend, Dr. Gbola- Olayiwola who has been teaching at The Distinguished "Obafemi Awolowo University" O.A.U (formerly, Univ. Of Ife), had done much of the groundwork. His genuine attitude towards such diseases as Sickle Cell Disease, Diabetes e.t.c drew us together. I would later find out why he decided much early in life to be a Healthcare Professional. His students had already started conducting screenings for Diabetes and keeping the data for what will eventually be the first real research and study on Diabetes in Africa. I was so happy that someone was finally making use of my noble donations of kits and taking-on the same causes.
Efforts are underway to spread the gospel to "Olabisi- Onabanjo" University in Ogun-State. I spoke with my new Friend & Mentor, Dr. Oyewo,The Dean at The Pharmacy
School and I trust that with her abilities,we will get a lot done. I did not get to do much with my friends at The University Of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu-State) this time,but,they will not be left off the hook ( Prof. Aguwa, I'm coming for you,Sir!).

From "IFE", I traveled to Abuja with Dr. Olayiwola and we spent about 5 days
together. He quickly caught the fever that has kept me going back to Nigeria when he discovered the developing events at SHEDA. Rumor has it Mr. President too is eagerly awaiting The launching of the site ( perhaps in early June). I have always felt we are more than capable of carrying out our own research and making discoveries in so many areas. This is why I figured we must get the Universities involved since they keep "pumping" out beautiful minds who quickly (like many of us) take-off to far-away countries in search of so-called "greener pastures". We can create jobs and plenty of "green pastures" in our own back-yard. We have missed out on many opportunities for so many reasons. But,we are not in the business of making excuses anymore. I will continue to praise all the "true soldiers" (that's what I call those doing the heavy lifting back home). This brings me back to O.A.U . Much to my amazement,this Prestigious University has remained "rock-solid" despite the
terrible collapse of many Institutions of higher learning over the years. The reason,
according to Dr. Olayiwola is that,the school's alumni makes up about 80% of it's
faculty and these "wonderful Staff" (some of whom I got to share quality time with)
will only let the spirit of the school die "over their dead bodies". God Bless Dr.
Olayiwola for a precious time well-spent and God Bless anyone still reading. We
are heading for higher heights together. "NICOSAN" is only the beginning of better
things to come in the area of new Pharmaceutical discoveries out of Nigeria. Let's
all keep HOPE ALIVE . Once again, my heart goes out to the family of the 19 year-old student who committed suicide this past Monday, while trying to save her parents from the agony of caring for a "Sickle Cell" patient. Remain Blessed , Always !!!

Much Love,
Tola

"Bird Flu.","Cow Flu.","Mad Cow"e.t.c. What's Nigerians To Do ? (Is Mad Fish Next ?)

Dear Friends,
I'm writing this piece just as I am slowly recovering from a terrible case of "The Flu",perhaps Bird Flu. Thank God for Africa that it struck me before my upcoming trip. If it had happened upon my arrival, I probably would have volunteered myself for major testing at any major hospital in each of the state in the U.S.A. What in the world is going on with this "Bird Flu" business ? The way I see it,some issues are meant for the developed world to deal with. Until we have equal playing fields,it is absolutely insane to try and apply the same rules equally on some issues just because it serves the interests of some. What am I talking about now ? Well, I have a serious problem with killing all the cows ("Mad Cow Disease") and Chicken ("Bird Flu"-The new one). What will be next ? Perhaps "Mad Fish Disease" ? So,what are we going to "chop" after that ? Christmas and "Ileya"(the wonderful
Muslim celebrations) will never be the same. Perhaps,a medicinal agent will come in handy?

I kept reading about the discovery of cases of The Bird Flu in various parts of the Rich World without much concern since I know the likes of China, South-Korea,Europe,U.S.A e.t.c can take good care of themselves even after wiping out entire stock of Chicken and Cow. Then, I read about a case of "Mad Chicken" ( or "Bird Flu") in Kaduna. Then, something prompted me to try and call Abuja to beg them not to start killing the much valued Chicken stock. Two of the easiest ways you can start a riot in a place like Nigeria where the masses are already shouldering a heavy burden from lack of many things is either to turn off electricity when The Super Eagles are playing or to destroy the people's livestock. Never mind whether the Chicken or The Cow is Mad. With the death and destruction all around us, We all seem to be Mad people living in a Mad World anyway. Stay Tuned On This Mad 'business" since it will not go away anytime soon. Africa has been found guilty of harboring enough diseases already.Am I right ?

Finally, regarding RELIGION, I want to get serious for a minute and beg people of all religious faith to respect other people's religious practices. You do not have to agree or like another person's religion. But,you must show absolute respect for other people's religious practices. This means not poking fun at Jesus- Christ Or The Prophet Muhammad e.t.c I am deeply saddened to say that many of the leaders in the developed world have done a terrible job in handling the on-going crisis regarding the mockery of The Prophet Muhammad. Freedom of expression must come as a package with responsibility especially at a time when our Muslim Brothers & Sisters feel they are under siege. I am a proud,tolerant Christian . Every person who truly loves his faith will wish the whole world convert to their religious faith. But, I honestly do not see the whole world turning to Islam or Christianity,Judaism,Hinduism or Bhuddism e.t.c anytime soon. So, let's all find a way to continue to live and learn from each other before we take steps that will turn our worlds upside down . AMEN !!!

Much Love,
Tola- Sobande

"British-American Tobacco Must Look For Another (Healthier) Line Of Business"

Dear Readers,
I'd like to start by offering my most sincere condolence to the "Ransome-Kuti" Family.
I was told yesterday of the death of Dr. Beko - Ransome-kuti from Lung Cancer possibly
due to his long history of smoking. This brave and tireless fighter for the people will be
sorely missed. In light of his death, I'd like to seize the opportunity to highlight a thriving
business in Nigeria. Anyone who travels the Lagos to Ibadan expressway (towards Ibadan)
will not miss one of the most beautiful-looking factories in Nigeria just before the old Toll
area in Ibadan. The problem is that the beautiful company does not produce food,medicines
or anything healthy that one can think of. They produce cigarettes for Nigerians to smoke
their lives away. The company strategically shows up at various functions and make some
"que-que" (little,little) donations. They also prefer to use Nigerians as their spokesperson
which would have been fine if they were marketing anything good for human consumption
(even Viagra will get my nod).

Each time I think about this Tobacco company, I remember all the lawsuits they've had
to settle out of court. I remember seeing abandoned buildings between Virginia and North-
Carolina where these Tobacco companies used to thrive but now left vacant because the
Western World have been cracking down heavily on Cigarette makers and banning
smoking in many places. At the recently concluded "Nigeria-Summit" in New-York,they
were the only sour part for me. They put up one Nigerian Man to speak on the company's
behalf. The guy was lucky they stopped taking questions before i got around to asking
him some rather "interesting" questions. God-willing, I will get another shot at asking my
question(s) at the right place and time. On behalf of all Nigerians, we truly appreciate all
donations,but,they need to go into production of anything that will help maintain good
health for Nigerians or something that will keep people happy (yes,maybe a Viagra-like
drug-just kidding. I'm too "Shy" for all that ). In fact, I don't know who has paid out more
money (in the hundred millions or Billions U.S $) between "Tobacco Companies" and
"The Catholic Church" who are still very much caught up in child abuse and molestation.
Lord help save us from these Evil types. I Pray that Dr. Beko- Ransome-kuti's Soul Will
Forever Rest In Perfect Peace. Most importantly, I pray that some of us who have followed
the family's struggles on behalf of Nigerians will find the courage to pick-up where this
courageous Man and the rest of his Great family left us. AMEN! The Struggle For A Better
Nigeria Must Continue !!!

Remain Blessed In The Struggle !

TOLA - SOBANDE
P.S : Remember to check out www.nb4s.blogspot.com .

How Africa Can Succeed, By Jack Straw

United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, Right Honourable Jack Straw has listed ten conditions, which he urged African countries to confront if they must succeed.

Delivering the 10th Annual Murtala Muhammed Memorial Lecture yesterday in Abuja entitled, ‘Africa A New Agenda’, Straw named the conditions to include poverty reduction and development, governance, peace and security, conflicts, terrorism, migration, crime and drug. Others are energy security, environment, Islam and China Straw, who is also a member of British Parliament traced the present predicament of most African countries to miss governance and expressed optimism that,”If Africa pursues the right policies, tackles the right issues and gets the full support of the international community, this continent could be the success story of the 21st Century”. He regretted that poverty in Africa is getting worse, not better and that, “Unless growth accelerates and the fruits of growth are distributed more widely, by 2015 around 100 million more Africans than now will be living below the dollar-a-day poverty line”. Straw also regretted that Africa has unfortunately failed to take advantage of the globalization trend as the world economy becomes ever more competitive, resulting in the continent risking increasing marginalisation.

The result according to him is that, ”Straw said the good news from the African continent however, is that in recent years, Africa and its leaders have been taking responsibility for their own fate, noting that, Africa governments are now espousing the right policies , good governance, the market, peace-building, regional cooperation, and they are having some success.”

Straw also observed that Africa is emerging on the world stage as
international players, noting that,”Africa rightly aspires to play that
role, and seeks greater African membership on the UN Security Council, an aim UK strongly supports, not least since some 70 per cent of the Security Council’s business now concerns Africa.” He said ending poverty through successful, sustainable development should be at the heart of Africa’s agenda over the coming decade as it is with the UK, noting that this informed Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to make 2005 the year of Africa during his presidency of the G8 group of industrialized powers and the European Union. He commended Nigeria and some other African countries for making progress on governance in the last few years, stating that the international community has a role to play here. Straw announced that the UK last week, February 9, ratified the UN Convention on Corruption, which will help the country seize illicit and stolen assets and return such assets more quickly to their countries of origin. He assures that Britain was committed to returning to Nigeria assets stolen from the country in accordance with the UK law.

On Islam, the Foreign Secretary observed that one of the greatest challenges for Africa and indeed the whole world was ensuring that the Christians and the Islamic worlds become partners in the 21st Century rather than enemies, noting that, ‘Nowhere is this more important than in Africa.’ On China, the Prime Minister acknowledged Chinese’s increasing presence and influence in the African continent, particularly in the area of energy, construction, commerce etc. He said what matters to the West is not the fact of China’s engagements in Africa, but that such engagement should ‘support the agenda, which President Obasanjo and the African Union have set for this continent: support for democratic and accountable governance, for transparent business processes, for economic growth and effective poverty reduction for human rights and the rule of law’. In his remarks at the occasion, President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation observed that if there is no good governance it will be difficult to achieve real development, noting that ‘governance that does not lead to development will be sterile.’. He stated that while good governance constitutes internal state issue in Africa, development involves African development partners. The President commended the role of the UK in Nigeria’s debt relief from the Paris Club, stating that, ‘If we had not had the strong support of the UK government we would not have had the debt relief.’ He said without debt relief the pace of the nation’s development would have been hampered. The President also applauded the UK for signing the UN Convention on Corruption and stated that with this development Nigeria would expect some return of stolen funds from the UK. Recalling the era of the late Murtala Muhammed, Obasanjo revealed that what made the regime unique was that they worked with total trust, loyalty and commitment to the country. What have been driving us is our love and commitment to our father land, Obasanjo said. The President noted that in 1976 when Murtala was in office Nigeria ranked 28 among the countries with the highest GDP, but regretted that subsequent regimes before the present administration dragged the country to the 158th position. In the past, we have gone up and gone down, now we are determined to go up and continue to go up, Obasanjo assured.

Gen Malu is regretting not organising a Coup

I wondered if the statement attributed to Gen Malu should be viewed without any implications for the future.

On the other hand, this statement is a testimony to democracy and the Freedom of Speech which is truely alive in Nigeria.

Read a portion of Gen malu's statement below:

Former army boss Gen. Victor Malu, yesterday expressed regret for not toppling the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo before his retirement. ''My retirement was a blessing in disguise, because I might have been tempted to carry out a coup'' Malu who had a well publicised spat with the president before his exit said. ''My action would have been borne out of the various undemocratic acts such as the subversion of the constitution and national security that Obasanjo is committing''. Malu said Obasanjo compromised national security by allowing the United States too much access into the nation's intelligence unit. ''I would have done what I was supposed to do, but I believe in democracy. So, I didn’t organise a coup to overthrow him. Because I am a principled, trained officer, I insisted on the principles being applied'' Malu said at the Arewa Consultative Forum General Assembly.

"Thoughts On Prof. Wole- Soyinka's Advice To OBJ"

Dear Readers, I'd like to once again welcome you to "NB4S" as we move along in the wonderful dialogue aimed towards creating a GREAT & DIGNIFIED NIGERIA. Our Country is truely Blessed with some of the best "MINDS" The Almighty ever created. Of course,such minds include that of Prof. Soyinka, the Noble Laureate. I am proud to announce that he comes from my hometown of Abeokuta just like My Favorite Nigerian President,so far (that will be OBJ). A viable Democracy needs the likes of Wole-Soyinka, Tunji-Braithwaite,Gani-Fawehinmi,Chinua-Achebe,The NLC Leader (whom I can't remember his name at the moment). Unlike many Nigerians who will quickly ""sell-out" once given some money,these fearless types remains the conscience of Nigerians and continues to engage in holding our governments accountable even when their lives are at risk. We can only pray to try and follow in their footsteps. Now,having said this, it does not mean that I agree with everything these heroes of my very humble self and of many nigerians, say. Fortunately, we all have our own minds and we can think through issues and either agree or disagree and remain friends. Such is the beauty of living in a vibrant Democracy such as we presently enjoy in Nigeria. So many viewpoints are thrown out via various medium of information these days. The majority of information are either sensationalized by the media for reasons bordering on profit or otherwise too truthful,thus provoking the ire of the powers that be. In our recent past of military dictatorships that we've "enjoyed" so much since independence (tragicomically speaking,that is),anyone involved would have been subjected to turture or death ( as in Dele-Giwa'd). The irony of it all is that countries like The U.S.A (my adopted homeland) has been engaging in stifling this much-cherished "freedom of expression" all in the name of the "war on terror". Many Americans recently discovered that much eaves-dropping and wire-tapping has been going on . Their's been much talk about a third term ambition by OBJ these days and it's hard to blame Nigerians since promises made by many leaders in the past has not been kept. Nonetheless, i strongly believe Nigerians ought to give OBJ the benefit of the doubt. It is not fair to equate OBJ and Kenya's Arap-Moi who wanted to be President-For-Life. I strongly believe OBJ will leave the scene come 2007. My fear is who should take over as Nigeria's new leader ? It looks like I.B.B wants to be the "come-back kid",but, I'm not sure what he wants to come back and "re-do" after having about 8 years without much to sing about. Please, do not get me wrong since I like his "smile" and he has my late father's beautiful gap between his teeth. But,enough of I.B.B already. Then again,knowing us Nigerians ,money can do and undo. How else can you explain M.K.O Abiola's Brother and wife trying to get a early start on campaigning for the man who obviously shares some responsibility in the tragic death of M.K.O ? My people just love money too much. My wish is to see an emergence of one of the "new-blood" Leaders who are presently working hard on behalf of Nigerians in the present administration. Charles-Soludo is way up there along with El-Rufai & Okonjo-Iweala. Unfortunately, these true Honorables may not have the money they will need to be Nigeria's President unless they have a "god-father". "God-fatherism" is bad for business as we've seen in Anambra & Oyo-States. I do not share My Mentor (Wole-Soyinka's) views that OBJ is to blame for the most recent crisis in Oyo-State. Although,the state is blessed with some of the best minds in Nigeria, it's affairs continues to be dominated by certain elements who are very powerful in the state. As my elders,I truly respect people like Adedibu,Ladoja,Arisekola e.t.c. However, I am afraid some of these types behave as either illiterates or educated fools ( my apologies if the truth hurts,but,we will never be able to progress as a people unless we say it like it is) . Everyone wants to be your best friend when you are The President. Mr. Ladoja was one of such best friends,but,I'm afraid it's hard for any human being to be everyone's best friend. God-willing,the will of the people of Anambra & Oyo-States will one day prevail and they will escape from the grip of "God-fatherism". I certainly hope our leaders and elites that wield much influence will start spending more time on issues such as healthcare,poverty,infrastructure (i'd like to be able to drive on a three-lane highway from LAGOS To SOKOTO)e.t.c Nigerians will be better served by dealing with these types of issues which affect the day-to-day situation of the average citizen than spending every single day talking about some third term agenda. OBJ has been around long enough to know that his legacy will be tarnished if he attempts to do such. Finally, let's continue to hold our leaders responsible & accountable but in a constructive way so that we do not continue to predict doomsday for our people and country. We must all join hands to work with our leadership so that we can realize the dream of a Nigeria we can all be proud of. "UP SUPER EAGLES FOR SPANKING GHANA (1-0) in the on-going African Cup Of Nations Soccer Tournament in Egypt. GOD BLESS YOU ALL & GOD BLESS NIGERIA !!! Sincerely, TOLA-SOBANDE

Nigeria Spanks Ghana

Nigeria beats Ghana at the on-going Afican Cup of Nations in Egypt (1 - 0). Await Details!Tola

"Oh My Goodness, Mr. OSAMA Is Back !!! "

Dear Friends,
Perhaps I was the only one that watched T.V yesterday. But, every channel you turn to,you find a reporter trying to make a name for himself. After the present U.S administration spent more than one-half Trillion Dollars of our hard-earned American "Greenbacks" ($),Mr. Saddam in a cage is all we have to show for it.Many young U.S Soldiers have lost precious lives while others have lost eyes or limbs. Many more Iraqis have senselessly lost their lives. I once read somewhere that Baghdad was once one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Well, you don't have to take me on a trip there to figure that "Babylon" has been "disfigured" in the process of being "democratized". And the whole world is scared silly to talk.

With Mr. Osama's new warning that "Qaida" is in the final stages of attacking mainland U.S.A, I suppose the government will soon have to order a "decree" which many of us Diasporans who has since fell in love with America,remembers too well. We will all soon have to be taught how to fire a gun. My goodness !!! I didn't even seize the opportunity to kill a chicken in the good ol' days of growing up in Nigeria. Well, I'm ready to show my love for my adopted homeland under one condition. I would prefer to have one or both of the Bush twins (daughters) in front of me with my helmet on tight and Dick-Cheney as my Commander. How come these guys do not have family members in the war front ?

I want to assure all Americans that Nigerians are ready to play host to those who might be contemplating that much-delayed African vacation. The first lady Laura) and "Condy-Rice" just came back from Africa for the inauguration of Liberia's Prime-Minister (The First Woman To Head An African Country). For those of us in Diaspora who may have forgotten due to the influx of negative news we receive daily about Africa,the continent has more love for everyone than any other in the entire world. Whatever remains to be fixed is all of our individual responsibilities. I hope we do not wait until we are desperate before reclaiming our God-given land. In the meantime, can somebody please try to beg Mr. Bush that we do not wish to continue to work hard and pay taxes to fund a never-ending war ? Let's try to "Live and Let Live". I'm no chicken,but,I've never had to kill anything and I'd like to preserve that child-like innocence. Thank You All & Stay Safe. God Bless The U.S.A & God Bless Nigeria. Amen !!!

Much Love,
Tola

Press statement issued by Professor Wole Soyinka in which he urged President Olusegun Obasanjo to quit office

Dear Readers, the Press statement below will go down in Nigerian folklore as an all time classic. Read inorder to re-tell the story accurately.........Jide Salu

Lenghty and worth reading !!!!!

This is one of the gravest encounters I have ever requested with you. I would like to make yet again that demand which, to some of you, may have become a boring preamble to these sessions, but I must make it again. Let me simply add that perhaps, at no time as ever before in our numerous exchanges, has this request taken on a more critical importance: I demand that you report my words with the greatest sense of accuracy and responsibility. It is only out of this same sense of responsibility – towards our nation, and our people – that I have summoned this meeting. Do not misquote me. Do not put words in my mouth.Within that context, I shall immediately start by denying a statement attributed to me in a report of the brief press encounter that followed the opening event of the Development Policy Centre Workshop on Corruption in Ibadan this last Monday, the 17th. That statement claimed that, regarding the on-going Oyo crisis, I demanded that the President of the nation, Olusegun Obasanjo, should speak up. I could not have made such a demand, and the reason is quite simple: I am not deaf. President Olusegun Obasanjo has already spoken. He has spoken loud and clear over the Oyo crisis, and all that is left is for the people to respond. Actions speak louder than words – that’s common wisdom. And for those who try to suggest that there has been no overt action by the president before, during, and after the Oyo State crisis, I can only respond that there are times when inaction, speaks even louder than both action and words.

Inaction becomes eloquent when it involves a deliberate avoidance of duty, a failure, in the case of any citizen in a responsible position, to take preventive action to head off anarchy and disaster. Inaction becomes even criminal where such an individual, by virtue of his or her special position, is saddled with that very special responsibility. However, it would be pure self-deception to propose that Obasanjo’s conduct lies in inaction, in a failure to arrest the state of anomie into which Oyo State is now plunged. He has been an active, propulsive and unabashedly partisan participant in the formulation of that crisis, so the burden of guilt that rests on the presidential shoulders is not simply one of failing to act, but of instigating, stoking and guaranteeing the state of chaos.This is no time to beat around the bush. The presidential hand in this affair is blatant. Obasanjo has openly endorsed violence as a means of governance, embraced and empowered individuals whose avowed declarations, confessions and acts are cynically contrary to the democratic mandate, that alone upholds the legitimacy and dignity of his office. Let me repeat this: The contempt of President Obasanjo for the demands for a democratic self-realisation by the electorate is no longer in doubt and can be proved., chapter and verse – from Anambra to Oyo.For Nigerians who may be somewhat befuddled by the legal issues involved in the impeachment saga of Oyo State, let another layman provides an illustration. You all know that legislators constantly travel out of this country for various causes – some purposeful and productive, others purely opportunistic jamboree. Well, imagine that twelve out of twenty legislators take off to attend a trade exhibition abroad. Any rich individual can even offer to underwrite their expenses if the stakes are high enough – the goal is simply to ensure their absence for the execution of some political conspiracy. Well then, in their absence, the remaining colleagues impeach their governor, claiming that they have a two-thirds majority among the sitting members.

This, in the simplest terms, is the constitutional issue at stake. This is why certain safeguards have been implanted within such procedures to ensure that the elected representatives of the polity do not act frivolously, mischievously – or, at least, ensure that they do not have an easy time doing so. If ‘suspension by caucus’ this time, believe me, the next proceeding will be absenteeism through deception. We are moving towards a total mockery of constitutionalism.
First with Anambra, and now with Oyo State, the president has crossed the line of political toleration. You failed in Anambra, but you felt you had learnt certain lessons in the use of state coercion. Hence the armed takeover of Bayelsa’s state radio by federal might during the Bayelsa impeachment saga, an illegal and unnecessary act that merely pandered to presidential ego and lust for domination. You felt that you had been too subtle in Anambra in the use of the police – poor Ige was a mere fall guy – and so, in Oyo, you decided to go the brutal distance with what overt state power can do. If you succeed in Oyo, the nation will be at your feet. The nation? No, the state maybe, but not the nation. And even less likely, the people. Do not be fooled by appearances.The authorship of the on-going illegalities and abuse of the Nigerian Constitution in Oyo State – this being only the latest of such manipulations – lies squarely within the presidency. There are only two relevant questions: Has the police, by its actions, not flagrantly set itself above and against the judiciary, whose decisions it is lawfully bound to enforce? And the second question follows from this: Who gives the Inspector-General his orders? The finger points in only one direction – President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo’s misuse of the police to enforce his private political vendettas has become a notorious governance perfidy that screams for remedial action.

I am no acquaintance or partisan of Governor Ladoja. The intra-party politics of any political organisation is none of the business of non-members of the party. They became the business of one and all however, indeed, a life-and-death issue, when the protocols that bind us together as a nation are flouted, mocked and debased.Those protocols are not articles of convenience, to be cited as guiding authority when convenient, then discarded at will whenever they prove an obstacle to misgovernance. Obasanjo has mangled the constitution and turned its polluted pulp into a weapon of offence against the rights and legitimate expectations of the people. We are confronted by a mind that has gone awry, a mind that is subject to no order except that of the crudest, most despotic notions of dominance in a primitive society. Nigeria is not a primitive, or private fiefdom. It is governed by law. The respectful ‘Baba’ accolade has turned to be yet another Baabuism, mimics the culture of the ‘dons’, literally actualised by Obasanjo as that of a Mafia godfather whose hand you either bow and kiss, or receive the kiss of death.
Let me ask this of our president: Are you proud of what you have unleashed? When the chairman of your political party insults the Nigerian people by referring to a state as a garrison, and instructs elected representatives to obey orders, do you voice any disapproval? And was Chairman Ali’s pronouncement merely the arrogant advance notice of the well-laid conspiracy to destabilise that state? Did you watch, by any chance, yesterday’s NTA news at 9p.m. – Wednesday, January 18? Did you watch the raucous debate on the Oyo State imbroglio? Is this what you planned? Is this what you wanted? Is this the crowning glory of the politics of your second term in office? The perennial battle of conscience and corruption, played out in seamy corridors of power.

Till today, we have yet to sort out the origin of seventy million Naira bribes offered to legislators in the House of Representatives, with a hundred million promised to senators for promotion of the scramble for Third Term agenda. These accusations are in the public domain, outlined with details of place and time and we await in vain the probing of this and other signal contradictions of high-profile exposures with their commendable punishments for corrupt acts. Have you publicly denounced the givers? Have you let loose the agencies of investigation on them?The EFCC especially? These are not faceless saboteurs of the political will –is their purported act criminal, or is it not? Why is there such deafening silence from the man who would have benefited from these corrupt practices? Are the moves over, or is there still a constitutional joker to come? I met former President Arap Moi a few years before his ‘retirement’ from office. At that time, he was still in that now painfully familiar phase when the incumbent cannot imagine life after power. We met at his request, and I ensured that I was accompanied by a Nigerian, who was then working for a UN Agency – I was afraid that the civilian dictator might later use our encounter as some kind of photo-op for boosting his then ongoing last-ditch intrigues to cling on to power. When our conversation offered the desired opening, I said to him, Mr president, what are your plans after you quit office? He was taken aback and mumbled something about returning to his village and doing some farming etc. etc.

Good, I said, I shall come and visit you. The final and lasting service African leaders can provide future generations is just a manner of departure that would make it possible for one to visit them in retirement and drink from their wisdom and experience. Arap Moi appeared to relax, brightened up somewhat at the idea, and assured me I would be most welcome and we parted, promising to keep in touch.I was never an acquaintance of Arap Moi, but the nation knows very well that I can claim some kind of friendly relations – albeit quirky-based on mutual though critical respect. I thus feel that, in your case, Mr President, I may claim a sense of personal commitment to your well being.In your heart of hearts, you cannot deny evidence of this. And my urging today is the same as that offered to Arap Moi: Leave quietly, peacefully, take your quite considerable successes in governance with you. Make it possible for us to call on you in retirement as a respected elder statesman. Do not leave the nation with such lacerating memories, with such a bad taste in the mouth that the people dismiss even your successes as mere accidents, as flashes in the pan or the work of others. Leave now, pleading governance exhaustion, age, betrayal, resentment at the ingratitude of the governed, anything at all but leave. Leave today, right now.If you do wish to serve out your term, however, which is predictable, then you must begin a reversal of unconstitutional acts. You must begin by obeying the decisions of the courts to the letter. No hedging, no trimming, no renewed delaying tactics – just obey them, and get on with the positives of your administration. Anything less will be unacceptable. It is time to remind the Nigerian people that in the mad days of Sani Abacha, a march on Aso Rock was actually planned. Those who were in the know can attest as to why that march was eventually aborted. You will recalled that the strategy was mapped out at Mayflower School, Ikenne, even as the Mobile Police surrounded the assembly hall, fully armed and kilted, noisy, restless and menacing, awaiting orders.

At that point, Abacha had not yet reached the absolute height of impunity, and there was indecision at the top. Heaven alone knows what the result would have been if the likely orders had been given and carried out, but they were not. After that conference, pressure was mounted on us to abandon the march on the grounds that too many innocents would be needlessly, slaughtered by a demented dictator. Why do I nurse that feeling in my stomach that, under this regime, those order would be given, and they would be carried out with a sickening brutality? Well, perhaps it is time to put it to the test.The instrument for the removal of a sitting president, is, however, laid out-impeachment. If this presidential conduct persists, we have an obligation to call on our legislatures to rescue that instrument of constitutional remedy from current debasement and apply it to the author of our present predicament. And so I urge the nation to commence plans for an orderly convergence on our elected representatives from all parts of the nation to compel them to act. We know that the instruments for coercion are in the hands of one man, whose rationality we now have every cause to question, but the present presidential rampage must be stopped. If anyone has more effective ideas, we would gladly consider them, and would most contentedly follow any lead, as long as such a lead takes into consideration the daily consolidation of anti-people power by one who is now convinced of his divine immunity and blatantly tramples on the conditions of association that hold this nation together. A campaign of civil disobedience is an another option – it remains a legitimate instrument of resistance against governance by illegalities.

We must exhort the Nigerian Bar Association, the civil rights movements but especially the NLC – you have made a good beginning, but do not let us down. Do not back down, or the consequences of any recourse to extreme, uncoordinated responses will be on your head. You are best placed to undertake for the containment of this rampaging bull-oh, what jokes history plays on us! Was this not the same individual who, during Babangida’s discreditable ploys to cling to power used words to the following effect: “When you see a mad bull in a China shop, you must find ways of leading it out gently so as to avoid destroying the contents of the shop” – words to that effect, by Olusegun Obasanjo.Our situation today is identical, and the question I ask the NLC is simply this: Can you accept the responsibility of leading this bull, through peaceful mass action, out of the china shop that is called Nigeria? It is not the responsibility of the Labour movement alone, however, but that of all the civil rights movements, the professionals, student organizations, the clergy of every faith, women movements… indeed of every citizen who cherishes decency and justice in governance.

We know what risks we run, and when people ask us sometimes, - why do you not rest? At your age, why do you continue to confront these ogres? Well, the answer to that is obvious. If another old man of seventy can muster the energy to conspire against a nation, there should be enough old men of seventy to say No?

So, desist, I urge, so we can all go into peaceful retirement. Retire, so I can visit you in your farm and resume our days of both harmless and pungent controversies over pounded yam and egusi. But you conduct robs me of sleep, deprives me of my planned retirement, encroaches on my normal preoccupations, plays havoc on my concentration within my own field but most of all desecrates all I have ever believed in, fought for all my life, including those years when you had one foot at the very edge of the grave. In the name of that very God whom you thank for yanking you back from the abyss, I implore you – Go! Go while it is still possible to forgive you for robbing us all of our earned retirement. Go! Go Just go!

Dear Nigerians and Friends of Nigeria

Dear Readers,

Welcome to "NB4S" which stands for "Nigeria Before Self". Our name is self explanatory.

Although,our core membership are made up of Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora,we also have some outstanding citizen core members on ground in Nigeria. We are an association which do not believe in divisions by ethnicity,language or other barriers that often keeps people of African-descent divided. We all truly cherish our heritage and have deep love and affection for our people and country called Nigeria.

Our GOAL is to bring like-minded Nigerians and her friends together through discussions via this medium to help create a country we can all be proud of. While we acknowledge the hard-work some dignified Nigerians are presently doing to improve the country's image
internationally,we would like to join hands and share ideas in helping to move discussions forward so as to help make Nigeria The Great Nation That The Almighty intends For Her To Be.

So Help Us God !!!

TOLA SOBANDE