IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY

DEREGEULATING THE OIL SECTOR

2011-10-02T09:50:00.001+01:00

The first oil refinery built in the country is located outside Port Harcourt in the southern part of the country known today as the south- south region, and it started operations in 1965 with a capacity of 38,000 barrels per day (bpd). Since the first refinery was built in the country three more refineries were built to cater for expanding domestic needs over the last thirty years.

In the 90’s, with a fast growing population, the country was caught in the situation with domestic demand for gas far outweighing supply, and with corruption, smuggling and mismanagement, the refineries were operating at less than optimal levels. Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) was done on the refineries to improve capacity but this was not getting the desired effect and NNPC (State Owned Enterprise) had to import heavily from abroad thereby cutting actual revenue derived from oil exports.

The Nigerian oil industry is divided into two sectors; the upstream sector (deals with Exploration and Production) and the downstream sector, which deals with refining of crude oil for domestic consumption. The Nigerian government has decided to emulate other developing and developed nations by privatizing and liberalizing the country’s downstream sector which was hitherto managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on behalf of the government.

The goal of the Nigerian government in adhering to the principles of privatization and liberalization is influenced by the successes of other countries in doing the same. Kupolokun (2004) the Group Managing Director of NNPC noted that the intended goals are;
• Dismantle the natural monopoly of the state owned enterprise by privatizing and deregulating price controls.
• Creation of competition in the downstream sector by encouraging more companies to get involved and eventually supplying the market at competitive pricing levels.
• Reduce the cost government spends on subsidizing the sector which runs as high as $1.5 billion annually, and can consequently used the resources freed up to handle the socio- economic and welfare needs of the Nigerian people.
• Boost in Foreign Direct Investment to the Nigerian economy.
• Reduction in transportation costs of products and people.

The Nigerian government has decided to go ahead with the policy even against widespread disapproval on the part of ordinary citizens. The government though is taking note of other countries that have privatized, particularly those in South America.

However,“Disruptions in the Nigerian downstream sector have deeper and more immediate domestic political implications for the country than those that may occur in the upstream sector” (Khan, 1994, p. 127). Nigerians believe that low gas prices are a given right and have protested vigorously through strikes each time the price of gas was increased in the last few years and are bitterly against the privatization and deregulation of the downstream sector. It is worth noting that the biggest gain will be in savings generated from divesting in the sector this will free up government funds for other activities.

Deregulation of the downstream aspect of the petroleum industry remains the best panacea to the continuous crisis of interruptions and scarcity of petroleum products in Nigeria, says Ibrahim Boyi, Managing Director/CEO, Eterna Oil & Gas Company Plc.

Boyi says the inability of the country to operate functional refineries to meet local demands has exposed both marketers and consumers to the dynamics of international prices, as the bulk of products consumed were imported from the international market.

According to him, there was no need for Nigerians to pretend that all was well with the continuous regulation of the sector, especially as the country are buying at prices far above government regulated prices.

What are the benefits: “It takes away a lot of inefficiency; it takes away a lot of wastages. It frees funds for government to do other development projects. And believe me, at the end of the day, the customer will still be better for it because products will be available, its supply line uninterrupted and facilities and services will improve,” he opined.

The question that arises is how does government stimulate competition? Well that is the challenge because since the refineries to be privatized are natural monopolies. Government must effectively make sure that collusion does not happen once the refineries are sold; government also must still be able influence price mechanism without actually fixing price ceilings otherwise the exercise of privatization would have been in futility.

The approach government has chosen to do this is quite interesting because it is novel in the third world. The Government has created a policy that affects the upstream sector; government has sent a bill to the Nigerian senate for approval. This bill which is receiving accelerated hearing makes it mandatory for major oil companies operating in Nigeria, i.e. Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Elf to refine at least 50% of their crude oil in the country.

What this means is that there will be many suppliers in the Nigerian market, thereby encouraging competition and attendant lower costs. The oil majors are not too thrilled about this but it is a price they have to pay if they want to remain in the Nigerian market.

The Nigerian Labour Congress is now gearing for another strike as President Jonathan has decided to deregulate the downstream sector, future events as they unfold though would determine what happens.

I for one actually supports deregulation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Economics of Privatizing and Deregulating the Nigerian Downstream Oil Sector
by Ifiok Ibanga

What the Police won't tell you.

2011-09-24T12:31:00.000+01:00

This has to do with fundamental rights. Fundamental right is a right that stands above the ordinary laws of the land and which in fact is antecedent to the political society itself.

The main purpose of guarantee of these specific Fundamental Rights in our Constitution is to prevent disorder and to leave an outlet for the oppressed to seek a redress and fair play in the sanctuary and temple of justice, thereby serving as the remedy for defect of the police and those ugly things one finds in the body polity.

People it is written languish in their ignorance, because we do not know our rights, policemen take us for a ride,we are duped because we do not know our rights. This article contain rights that you should know whenever you have dealings with the police.

RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE CRIME ALLEGED
This is the provision that the accused understands the charge against him. It is enacted in section 36(6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), that a person charged with a criminal offence is entitled to be informed promptly, in the language that he understands and in details, of the nature of the offence (that is, crime alleged).

RIGHT TO FAIR HEARING
The right to fair hearing is a constitutional right enshrined under section 36(1) and (4) of the 1999 CFRN. The right cannot be waived or statutorily taken away. Also, trial courts are enjoined to ensure that hearing notices are issued on parties before embarking on the trial of any matter before them.

PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE
In other words, an accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. However, it is the duty of the prosecution who alleges that the accused person committed the offence to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

RIGHT TO ADEQUATE TIME AND FACILITIES FOR DEFENCE
Under section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 CFRN, every person who is charged with a criminal offence is entitled to "be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence". Whether an accused has had been adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence as provided in this section is a question of fact

RIGHT TO DEFEND BY COUNSEL
This is the right of the accused person to defend himself in person or by legal practitioners of his own choice.
Section 36(6)(c) provides that a person charged with a criminal offence is entitled to defend himself in person or by legal practitioners of his own choice.

There are so many provisions in our laws that we should all know.
Ignorance is no more an excuse.
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25 million naira reward for Mamman Nur

2011-09-18T19:56:00.001+01:00

This man is Maman Nur, The Nigerian secret police has placed a N25 million ($175,000) bounty for his capture,he is the alleged mastermind behind the August 26 car bombing of the United Nations office building in Abuja.

Alhaji Nur was declared wanted on Septemeber 1st 2011 by the Nigerian government.
In a statement issued with Mr. Nur's photograph, the SSS reiterated that Alhaji Nur, a businessman with ties to Boko Haram, was still on the run.

What your LOCAL GOVERNMENT can\ should do

2011-09-17T17:35:00.000+01:00

1. The main functions of a local government council are as follows:
(a) the consideration and the making of recommendations to a State commission on economic planning or any similar body on -
(i) the economic development of the State, particularly in so far as the areas of authority of the council and of the State are affected, and
(ii) proposals made by the said commission or body;
(b) collection of rates, radio and television licences;
(c) establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm;
(d) licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows and carts;
(e) establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences;
(f) construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains and other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a State;
(g) naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;
(h) provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal;
(i) registration of all births, deaths and marriages;
(j) assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State; and
(k) control and regulation of -
(i) out-door advertising and hoarding,
(ii) movement and keeping of pets of all description,
(iii) shops and kiosks,
(iv) restaurants, bakeries and other places for sale of food to the public,
(v) laundries, and
(vi) licensing, regulation and control of the sale of liquor.

2. The functions of a local government council shall include participation of such council in the Government of a State as respects the following matters -

the provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education;
(b) the development of agriculture and natural resources, other than the exploitation of materials
(c) the provision and maintenance of health services; and
(d) such other functions as may be conferred on a local government council by the House of Assembly of the State.

From the above provisions of the constitution, it is evident the important roles our local government councils play in the administration of our various local government areas.
This is a call for everyone to demand accountability and high performance from our local government chairman and their commitees. It is our right.

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100 days of Goodluck

2011-09-07T08:29:00.000+01:00

In reviewing the first 100 days of President Goodluck Jonathan's' tenure as president, it is obvious there has been little leaps of achievements, I must presume that the government does not wish to consider itself satisfied by this little feats but intends to pursue vigorously the continuous and steady growth of our beloved country on all levels.

Every citizen should see this little successes not as the success of Goodluck Jonathan but as the success of our Nation, I would in no way paint Gej as the God sent messiah but I would describe him as a man who possesses a burning desire to see Nigeria grow into its rightful place amongst the comity of Nations.

In the last 100 days we have achieved the following as a Nation;

•Nigeria's oil industry expanded by 20% and we reclaimed our position as Africa's largest oil exporter which we'd hitherto lost to Angola. Nigeria was also recognised by OPEC in July as the 2nd largest oil exporter, 2nd only to Saudi Arabia. It is the first time Nigeria has recorded such a feat.
Though this results into more revenue for our country which we may now put into other sectors such as Education, Security and the development of critical infrastructure which is needed, I would advice the government to reduce its dependency on oil and focus on agriculture, though this has been the recent policy of government, I believe youths should be vigorously driven in this direction. Youths should be advised to abandon the lure of white collar jobs and delve into the abundance of agriculture. Also policies which would aid this youths in terms of availability of resources should be put in place.

• Secondly, Inflation rate has been reducing as the administration enforces tighter fiscal policies and in June the Consumer Price Index showed an inflation rate of 10.2% which dropped to 9.4% in July being the lowest rate in the last 4 years.

•Foreign Reserves Rose by 10% to $35 Billion, due to misinformation I once heard a young man say "Gej had spent all our foreign reserves on his campaign", apparently this was not the case.

•Nigeria has been declared top three investment destinations in Africa (number 2) by the independent Africa Business Panel in The Netherlands. Mr Henry Bellingham, UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State For Africa and Overseas Territories, said during a two-day investment forum in march 2011 tagged: "Making Nigeria Your Goal.''that;

"Nigeria has averaged growth of 8.9 per cent which is really stunning.
"Nigeria is the world's fourth fastest growing economy with solid growth in the next five years and beyond ; this is truly remarkable,'' he said. He also stated that the Nigerian economy may outpace that of South Africa in the next 10 years if the current reform in the banking sector was extended to the power, oil and gas sectors. The benefit of course is enormous for our economy.

•Nigeria now generates power at her highest level ever (4000mw) which is still far from enough but which will improve monthly according to Reno Omokri, the Presidents special adviser on media.

•Nigerian Railway Corporation commenced Mass Transit Services in 5 of 6 geo-political zones and the Last zone should come on stream by year's end.

•Furthermore with the establishment of the NSIA which would facilitate direct investments into infrastructure with priority areas being Power and Roads, Nigerians should rightly expect more infrastructure development.

• The Launch of NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X Satellites would help expand Internet Bandwidth and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters, with such technology we would be rid of the poor internet facilities we are currently experiencing and disasters such as the floods in Lagos and Oyo states would be well managed to avoid loss of live and property.

•The President also introduced the policy of engaging the Private Sector on kerosine pricing, this resulted into the price being reduced between May and September, 2011.

•In addition, by recognising the sacrifices of youth corps members, the President approved an upward review of allowances from 9,700 to 19,800 Naira. Corp members received the news with great joy in July and we hope that one day, Corp members would earn as much as 50,000 naira.

•The Implementation of Minimum Wage Increase for Nigerian Workers to 18,900 Naira monthly is another good step in ensuring the commitment of Civil servants to their duties.

• Women are also not left out as they were given a 16.35% Slot in the cabinet.
With this we hope to see the rise of more women in our polity.

•By deepening Security and expanding Peace in the Niger Delta, the reign of militancy and guerilla warfare amongst our youths in the Niger Delta has reduced. Also with governments recent commitment to cleaning Oil spills in the Ogoni land, we should hope for the better welfare of the Ogoni people.

• Also, there has been reduced kidnapping in the South East with implementation of President's order establishing the 14 Brigade of the army in Ohafia, Abia state. Maritime Safety has also been ensured and stabilized in the last 100 days.

•A stellar cabinet comprising former MDs of the World Bank & Goldman Sachs, Chairperson Accenture and multiple PHds and the approval of genuine foreign investors to obtain visas at the point of entry to facilitate FDI investments, we hope would formulate policies that would help grow and promote the Nigerian economy.

•The National Automobile Council established an Automotive Development Fund to resuscitate the automobile industry and generate jobs is also a platform for providing employment for our youths.

• Model Skills Training Centers in Abuja- collaboration between Industrial Training Fund & the Institute for Technical Education,Singapore have been established as well.

•Finally, there has been established the Nigerian Vehicle Credit Purchase scheme, which would help the common man to acquire vehicles.

I would advice the Federal Government to continue in this direction of development and growth, though there are other sectors of the economy which still require drastic reforms, I pray God grants government the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to continue to provide the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

God bless Nigeria.

Adedunmade Onibokun
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Nigerian Constitution

2011-09-05T09:29:00.000+01:00

Reno Omokri said on his twitter account that "Our present Constitution isn't a perfect document and needs the people's input. But until it is amended it's all we have. Read it and use it!"

Every Nigerian should have a copy of the constitution, download a copy of the Nigerian constitution free by following this link: http://t.co/wWDjbgl

Share the link with friends as well.
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Is this a Northern Coup?

2011-08-15T09:44:00.000+01:00

Of Nigeria's 50 years of Independence, she has been ruled mostly by men from the Northern part of the country,men like Ibrahim Babangida, Sanni Abacha, Muritala Mohamed, Buhari, Yar'adua, Abdusalami Abubakar and Tafawa Balewa. It is no news that they intend to produce the next president of this country come 2015.

Members of the oil producing community have also cried out that all the money gotten from their environment is being spent in the North. It is a fact that Northern Nigeria though the largest region has the best connection of roads in Nigeria, the potholes on the Lagos - Ibadan expressway alone are more than the potholes on express roads in the whole Northern region.

They have their own militia consisting of irate youths and the Islamic sect; Boko Haram. They also now want to own the banks via introducing Islamic Banking. Could this be why the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is vehemently rejecting its introduction and would give their support if only a form of Christian banking is introduced as well.

This may just be a conspiracy theory but it may also be the big picture. What do you think?
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ISLAMIC BANKING; AN INTRODUCTION

2011-08-10T14:02:00.000+01:00

Islamic banking is banking based on Islamic law (Shariah). It follows from the Quran and the Sunnah, and other secondary sources of Islamic law such as opinions collectively agreed among Shariah scholars (ijma’),analogy (qiyas) and personal reasoning (ijtihad). The first Islamic bank was established in Malaysia in 1983 while In 1993, commercial banks, merchant banks and finance companies begun to offer Islamic banking products and services under the Islamic Banking Scheme (IBS banks).

The common Shariah banking concepts include:
• Safety Deposits
• Profit sharing
• Mortgage
• Higher Purchase
• Joint venture
• Agency
• Interest-free loan

Islamic banking is not meant for Muslims only and the most important difference between Islamic and conventional banking is that Islamic banking must follow the Shariah.

Advantages of Islamic Banking
1. Islamic banking is becoming a very popular amongst international investors. Having committed itself to a text accessable to all and Prophetic precedents available easily, Islamic banking is open to any innovations that are in congruence with its fundamentals. It is not a closed system. It has no regional, ethnic or class affiliations.

2. In Islam banking, only one kind of loan and that is qard-el-hassan (literally good loan) whereby the lender does not charge any interest or additional amount over the money lent.

3. In Wadiah (safekeeping), a bank is deemed as a keeper and trustee of funds. A person deposits funds in the bank and the bank guarantees refund of the entire amount of the deposit, or any part of the outstanding amount, when the depositor demands it.

4. Islamic banking is more efficient in that it allocates investable funds on the basis of the expected value productivity of projects rather than on the criterion of the creditworthiness of those who own the projects, which is the case in debt-based finance.

5. Islamic banking is less prone to inflation and less vulnerable to speculation, which are currently being fueled by the presence of huge quantities of debt instruments in the market.

6. Islam encourages people to invest their money and to become partners in order to share profits and risks in the business instead of becoming creditors. As defined in the Shari'ah, or Islamic law, Islamic finance is based on the belief that the provider of capital and the user of capital should equally share the risk of business ventures, whether those are industries, farms, service companies or simple trade deals.
Disadvantages of Islamic Banking
1. Investments should only support practices or products that are not forbidden or considered unlawful, or haraam, by Islamic law. Trade in alcohol, for example would not be financed by an Islamic bank; a real-estate loan could not be made for the construction of a casino; and the bank could not lend money to other banks at interest.

2. Money is only a medium of exchange, a way of defining the value of a thing; it has no value in itself, and therefore should not be allowed to give rise to more money, via fixed interest payments, simply by being put in a bank or lent to someone else.

With the CBN's controversial introduction of Islamic Law in Nigeria, there has been many controversies, while others are in keen support others are vehemently against it. There is a certain gray area however that is attributed to this form of banking.I would like those who have evidence or theories about this so called gray areas to kindly comment and enlighten us about them.

This Bitch of a Life

2011-08-02T11:11:00.000+01:00

Fela Anikulakpo kuti lived a very turbulent life, he was always arrested and hassled by the police and military, especially on that faithful day when his house was raided by solders,his wives raped, his house burnt and his mother thrown out a window.

Reading his biography opened me to his mind, his beliefs and way of life. Fela was an enigma whose life was spent in service to his fellow man, his residence was always open to any and everyone. His shrine,an abode to many.

However not many know that fela grew into a young man who neither womanized or smoked at least till he met SANDRA.

I would hate to tell you everything in the book and take out all the fun, I would employ you though to buy a copy and while you read it, listen to fela's songs.

If you are an advocate or activist,it may multiply the passion in you.

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Why should a police man hit me?

2011-07-31T22:58:00.000+01:00

Really,aren't you thinking the same?. A police man would order you to do manual labour and punishments. He would order you to frog jump or go on your kneels, a police man! Even solders would beat you mercilessly and expect you to still beg them for mercy.

Really, what section of the constitution or police act empowers an officer to physically assault you?

This happens because we are mentally enslaved as Nigerians that we fail to appreciate the common fact that we are not 2nd class citizens in our own country.

I commend the efforts of a brave few, who have challenged such illegal abuse of power and received financial awards in courts. Only by constant engagement with government authority can we get what rightly belongs to us.

During the british fiasco when parliament deliberated increasing tuition fees by over 200%, thousands of students took to the streets in protest. When a final year student was asked why he per took in the rally since he would not be affected by the decision, he stated that "I may not be affected but I have younger ones who my parents would still have to sponsor through school,if I don't fight for them,who will?"

I was deeply touched by this statement,if Nigerians worked together with this principle in mind, we would wrestle with government, for if the educational sector is not reformed,it is my children that would suffer a great deficiency in education, if the government cannot provide jobs for the youths, then my siblings would never be able to earn their living,hence placing a greater burden on my parents,who are over age and cannot succesfully or vigorously provide adequate labour.

Everything in this country concerns you and I. No one,I repeat no one,would fight for Us, if we don't first take up arms ourselves.
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Young Nigerians to look up to

2011-07-30T12:26:00.000+01:00

Yes it is true that Nigeria is full of 60 and 70 year old men running the show and a youth population that is not constructively engaged, it is these old men who serve as role models for our teeming young population,little wonder why young Nigerians perpetuate frauds and commit crimes,its just as a result of what the people before us are doing.

It should be noted however that there are a new crop of young Nigerians who we can emulate and gain from. A new generation of Nigerians who are changing the orientation of our society through their lives stories. In the following weeks,there would be a number of articles on such Nigerians. Hope you find a worthy mentor amongst them.

Let me however introduce you to one of such young Nigerians.

Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) is a Partner in the firm of Sofunde,Osakwe,Ogundipe and Belgore. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2001 at the age of 40. He is one of a few to have been conferred with that coveted rank at that age.

As a lawyer he specialises in Admirality & Alternative Dispute Resolution, as well as banking & finance,Commercial Litigation,Natural Resources

Dele Belgore holds an LL.M from Bristol University, England and the LL.B from the University of Hull England. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar, 1985.

Belgore joined the Nigerian Merchant Bank Limited from 1985 to 1986 as a Legal Officer. In 1986, he joined Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers where he worked as Counsel until 1989 when he left them to establish this firm. He is founding member and partner in Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore (Legal Practitioners) from 1989 - to date.

Dele Belgore was made Notary Public in 1997; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIarb) in March 1997. He is also an approved tutor of the Institute and the current 3rd Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Branch.. He lectures widely on arbitration in Nigeria and abroad. Mr. Belgore is also a Member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association.

Politically, Dele Belgore was the ACN governorship candidate in the just concluded Nigerian general elections for the Kwara state.

He is a young Nigerian I would like top emulate.
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Una dey madt abi

2011-07-21T19:18:00.001+01:00

Wetin dey do una naija people sef,e be like say una don dey madt,una
no dey see as our country dey fuckup abi, una don dey too fear I
beg,any small thing una go talk say una no wan die,una no wan
suffer,na wa o,as tuface talk "nobody wan die but they wan go heaven".
Na long thing una dey do.na wa o

Me I ready carry placard enter road o,this government gats dey collect
steady for our hand, but una dey form butter. Na wa o

Na untill this country fall finish na him una go soji abi,untill Boko
Haram don bomb the whole nigeria finish, I dey talk my own now,una dey
form say una no dey hear me. Na so fela talk am wey una no hear.
Funny, na since 1977 na him fela don talk am but una no wan hear.

See e,this people for govt don build estate on top our head o, na we
money dem dey use jaye.Police sef go dey beat boyz as if say na dem
pay person school fees, sojo sef go dey waka as if say na him get the
whole world.

I no know as una dey take reason am o,but I no go lie,me I don tire,
na y I jus dey talk all my frustration for here so.

I dey take God dey beg una,make una stop to dey fall my hand. If we no
fight for our rights,na who go fight na,una think say Bros J go cum
from heaven cum carry placard for road abi or u think say him go cum
help una sweep una parlour. I beg make we soji o.

Me I don talk my own sha,if una ready fight,make una go join NIGERIAN
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE for facebook.

Make una no vex as I take talk o,na jus say I dey para for where I dey.

Anyhow sha,we go still dey yarn... Safe

The Weakest Link; Northern Nigeria

2011-07-19T13:35:00.000+01:00

There is a common belief that amongst the 3 major regions in Nigeria,the North is the weakest link, though Its leaders have ruled Nigeria more than any other ethnic group (Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha,Abdulsalami,Muritala Mohamed, Yakubu Gowon, Musa Yar'adua)

The sheer scale of violence in the North has been a real threat to Nigeria's continued existence as a Nation and the north is generally blamed for squandering the nation's wealth and leading the country to ruin.

The major problem attributed to northern Nigeria is lack of orientation and education. According to Yaned Afuwaj, a retired teacher and former president of the Southern Kaduna People's Union, "before 1972, schools in the north were well equipped,there existed moral teaching including everything needed to make a good nation. The objective of government taking over the schools from british colonials was to suppress the general progress of the north",he said. From Afuwaj's view point,the government's neglect of education reflects something deeper in the culture of the hausa and fulani, in hausa culture, no child, no matter how intelligent, could attend school unless he was the son of an emir or of the emir's extended family. They wanted the administration of the community to be controlled by their children. This was at a time when Western Nigeria was promoting free education for all.

Northern Nigeria however was introduced to sharia Law through Usman Dan Fodio who promoted religious jihads. While Nigerians in other regions were orientated to question societal norms and to adhere to rules of moral justice and good conscience, Northerners were groomed to believe in the words of their spiritual leaders, they attributed all aspects of their lives to Islamic law and viewed everyone who did not follow their religion as infidels whose eradication they believe is their sole responsibility,these misguided people are called Almajiri,meaning people schooled in Islamic law but not in western education.

A census conducted in 2006 found that there were 1.2million Almajiri boys in Kano alone; recent national estimates put the total number of such boys at 10million. These Almajiris, in return for the Islamic education provided by the Mallam are required to provide support for him even as they fend for themselves usually by roaming the streets to beg for alms.

A UNICEF researcher found that 60% of these kids never return home.
The Arewa Youth Mobilisation, a non-governmental organisation some time ago presented statistics showing that 30 per cent of Northern Nigeria youths are street beggars
Wole Olabanji, in his "Almajiri (Coaxing an Evil Genie - The Almajiri Challenge", published by Elombah.com said:
"These kids are then from an early age schooled in Islamic knowledge; in certain instances of a radical bent. Put that together with the fact they are not given any other knowledge or skills that will enable them participate in the economy and what you get are young adults who have lived deprived of parental love; who are excluded from the economic life of the society; and in many cases indoctrinated with radical, negative ideas about people who are different in some respect from them".

Wole Olabanji cited that:
"When the average 13yr old Southern Nigerian Christian female child is preoccupied with Introductory Technology as a school subject, her northern Muslim counterpart is discussing the upcoming introduction to her prospective in-laws with her envious mates (she is going to be the fourth wife). Trace the trajectory of their lives and you will find that when the southerner is entering university at 18, her counterpart is in the third trimester of her fifth annual pregnancy. When the southern girl is getting married at 27, it falls on the same date as the wedding of the first daughter of her northern friend, such that nine months later she is a new mother and the northerner is a grandmother – they are now generations apart"

Daniel Elombah in his article " Nigeria; the turbulent North and the Almajiri threat (part 1)" noted that these religious and political problems stemming from the North is fueled by poverty, lack of education, neglect, ignorance, poor judgment and perceptions of their fellow Nigerians; due to lack of basic informational structure in place to sustain the peace and harmony that we need to prosper as a nation.

He further stated that one other thing to understand about these problems is that, the brainwashing of the uninformed in the North will continue unabated, and as the epicentre of barbaric activities from religious intolerance in Nigeria.

I however believe that only the youths of the north can salvage the region and only through mass education and value re-orientation can this be achieved.
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Vision 2020; An Introduction

2011-07-16T10:40:00.000+01:00

The NV 20:2020 economic transformation blueprint is a long term plan for stimulating Nigeria's economic growth and launching the country onto a path of sustained and rapid socio-economic development. The blueprint articulates Nigeria's economic growth and development strategies for the eleven-year period between 2009 and 2020, and will be implemented using a series of medium term national development plans.

NV20:2020 is a rallying call for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, economic status, or religion to unite and stand behind a common cause of placing the country firmly on a path of sustainable growth, and taking it to its rightful place in the comity of nations. The blueprint has, therefore, been designed to reflect accurately the collective interests of the people of Nigeria, using a bottom-up approach that is anchored on a deep understanding of the aspirations of all Nigerian citizens, and knowledge of the future needs of the country. The vision is underpinned by the need to effectively and efficiently mobilise the nation's resources to serve and improve the lives of its citizens, and to respond appropriately to the growing challenges of an increasingly smaller, mutually dependent, and interconnected world.

NV20:2020 encapsulates the key principles and thrusts of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the Seven Point Agenda of the current democratic administration (2007 – 2011), situating both within a single, long term strategic planning perspective.

The development of the NV20:2020 blueprint commenced with the approval of the Framework for NV20:2020 at the apex of which was the National Council on NV20:2020 (NCV20:2020), by the Federal Executive Council. The NCV20:2020 was given the mandate to spearhead the development and implementation of the NV20:2020 Economic Transformation Plan, in collaboration with the National Planning Commission.

The visioning process involved active participation and input from a broad spectrum of Nigerians. Experts from various ministries, agencies, state and local governments, representatives from the private sector, as well as development consultants and non-governmental organisations, all participated in developing the blueprint. The effort was co-ordinated by the National Planning Commission, working with Messrs Accenture, a global management consulting firm.

The visioning process commenced with the development of comprehensive strategic plans for each sector of the economy at the conclusion of detailed diagnostic assessments and visioning sessions. The country was analysed across 29 thematic areas for this purpose and the effort was delivered through 29 National Technical Working Groups (NTWGs), comprising leading experts on each thematic area. Each of the NTWGs submitted strategic plans that included sector specific visions, policy targets, objectives and priorities for their respective thematic areas and formulated strategies, initiatives and implementation plans. The rigorous strategy development effort, undertaken by the NTWGs, was also replicated in each state of the federation and each Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) at the federal level, by Stakeholder Development Committees (SDCs) set up for this purpose. The development of strategic plans at the state and MDA levels, which involved the facilitation of several interactive SDC workshops across the six geopolitical zones of the country, was designed with a view to generate sufficient public dialogue and input into the process. The work of the NTWGs and SDCs was also complemented by twelve (12) Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to ensure that all relevant perspectives and stakeholders were included in the visioning process. The SIGs were made up of the Legislature, Judiciary, Media, Women, Youths, Traditional Rulers, Religious Groups, Security, Nigerians in Diaspora, Persons with Disability (PWD), Labour and the Civil Service. Responses from a call for memoranda from the general public were also relevant as input into the process.

To develop the final blueprint, two working groups were constituted. The first working group was mandated to develop a consistent macro-economic framework to underpin the vision, and the second, the Central Working Group, to develop the first draft of the blueprint, using all the inputs received in the course of the visioning process. The Central Working Group developed the first draft of the NV20:2020 Economic Transformation Plan across the three broad themes defined as the central thrusts for the Vision.

The NV20:2020 Economic Transformation plan was developed for and by the Nigerian people. It realises the role Nigerian citizens' play in achieving the targets set forth by NV20:2020, and rightly places our citizens and their welfare at the forefront of the agenda. The Vision prioritises and offers strategies to drive the full realisation of Nigeria's potential and her emergence as one of the leading global economies in the world within the next decade.

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POLITICS or POLIRICH

2011-07-12T11:56:00.000+01:00

In the last 24hrs I have met 7 youths who told me they would like to partake in governance and politics,when I asked why, their reply was because they wanted to be rich,in their words they wanted to join politics so they could embezzle govt funds.

I was always perplexed whenever I got such a reply, why not for reasons such as to deliver dividends of democracy, to serve my Nation or to serve my people,everyone just wants to join politics in a search for personal gratification.

This is a great shame, the youths on whose shoulders this country rests and whom it is believed would take us forward is fast loosing its way.

If our leaders of tomorrow are already planning strategies on how they would promote corruption then we may as well just kill one another because our future is already doomed.

Adedunmade
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The Publication that got El-Rufai arrested by the State Secret Service

2011-07-08T13:26:00.000+01:00

What Nigerians Pay the Federal Government - El Rufai

by Nasir El-Rufai

This year, every Nigerian – all 162 million of us – man, woman and child will 'pay' the sum of N27,685 each to help run the federal government. What we cannot afford, government will borrow on our behalf to pay for its activities. That is why the federal government, on behalf of you and I will spend the sum of 4.485 trillion (over four thousand billion) naira in 2011. This is against the backdrop that our entire oil earnings for the year cannot pay the generous salaries and allowances of politicians on the one hand, and the meagre pay cheques of other public sector workers on the other, while infrastructure and unemployment are barely getting attention.

When you walk into a government office to request for a basic service, the staff you meet may not even bother to reply to your greeting and barely has time to listen to you; the policeman that should protect you on the roadblock, stops you and demands for bribes and has no qualms shooting dead any motorist that refuses to give him twenty naira; the customs officer at the border who is supposed to stop smuggling takes a bribe and actually connives with the smugglers to bring in banned products into the Nigerian market, while harassing the traveller entering Nigeria with two new pairs of shoes; the hospital staff that, contrary to every professional oath, refuses to attend to dying patients because they are on strike; the soldiers who get so bored that they occasionally go on a rampage, using policemen for target practice. With live ammunition, of course; the politician who rigs himself into office then proceeds to loot the treasury: these are all the people whose standard of living we are spending nearly 75 per cent of the 2011 budget to pay for – and borrowing some after spending all our collections from oil and taxes!

It will cost nearly 2.5 million naira this year on average to pay for the salary and upkeep of each of Nigeria's nearly one million federal public sector workers – in the police, civil service, military and para-military services and teachers in government schools and institutions. Whether this amount justifies the service that is rendered is left for Nigerians to decide. In all, the 49 line Ministries, Departments and Agencies specifically mentioned in the 2011 Appropriations Act will each cost an average of N49.49 billion to run.

We elect a total of 360 members to the House of Representatives and 109 Senators to make laws and enhance good governance by checking and balancing the excesses of the executive arm of government. For this privilege, the 469 members of the federal legislature and their support staff at the National Assembly will spend N150 billion this year. It is worth noting that NASS only passed 8 bills as at the end of May 2011. So assuming that they manage to pass another 7 bills before the end of this year, it would cost the Nigerian citizen an average ten billion naira to pass a single bill! This implies that to pass the 2011 budget (which allocates N150 billion to NASS), Nigerians paid 10 billion naira. An even more interesting statistic is the cost of maintaining every legislator every year. It works out to princely N320 million per legislator per annum. At this rate, every four year stint at NASS works out at N1.28 billion per legislator. No wonder machetes, guns and thugs are used at will to "win" primaries and the elections. How many new businesses can achieve a turnover of N1.28 billion within four years with net tax-free profit in excess of 50 percent? Is this social justice?

For the NASS, even the amount of N150 billion above is just what we can see easily but is not broken down for further analysis or accountability. There is a bit more hidden all over the Appropriation Act – another N1.595 billion was tucked away for "In-lieu of accommodation for the Seventh Session of NASS" and another N200 million for "Funding of House Resolution Mandates." What these two provisions mean is best explained by those that legislated them and the executive that will release the sums! What is clear is that none of these will ever be accounted for, or audited!

Last week, I wrote about the cost of justice. I got a few things wrong because I did not appreciate fully the unique role of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in the administration of the nation's judicial system. My friend and former classmate Mrs. Maryam Wali Uwais clarified this and educated me, for which I am grateful. The NJC's budget of N95 billion covers the salaries and allowances of all judges of superior courts of record in Nigeria – that is State High Courts and their federal equivalents, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The NJC also funds the overheads of all the Federal Courts only – the Federal High Court and the appellate courts, as well as the salaries and allowances of all Federal Judicial support staff. The State Governments are responsible for the salaries of all other judicial staff (magistrates, support staff, etc.) and the overhead costs of all courts within their respective jurisdictions. It is therefore slightly more complicated to compute what it costs to keep our entire judicial system running without adding up all the budgetary allocations to the Judiciary in all 36 states. We will return to this sometime soon.

An interesting observation is the fact that the government says the problem of power shortage is a priority, yet the Ministry of Power only got 91 billion naira as total appropriation in 2011, while the National Security Adviser (NSA) controls and will spend 208 billion naira (Recurrent – N51 billion, Capital N59 billion, and another N98 billion for the Amnesty Programme!). This amount does not include the Defence budget. The Defence Ministry will get N348 billion, while the Police will get 309 billion naira. In other words, though Nigerians have never felt so insecure in recent history, the NSA, Police and Defence will spend a combined 865 billion naira – more than 2 billion naira a day, weekends included! This does not include the 36 states' so-called security votes. Even state assembly members and local government councillors now have security votes. Clearly their security is more important than ours!

The point of these statistics is to show how expensive governance has become and how little Nigerians get in return. And the unproductive portions of our national budget have been rising rapidly in the last 4 years, to the detriment of capital investments in infrastructure and human development. Four years ago in 2007, the entire federal government budget was 2.3 trillion naira; today we are spending 4.485 trillion. In 2007, statutory transfers amounted to 102 billion naira or 5% of the total budget. Today, transfers amount to 418 billion or 9% of the total.
This year, the federal government will spend 495 billion naira or 11% of the budget on debt servicing compared to 326 billion naira or 14% it spent the year we finally exited from the London Club debt. More telling is the 1.05 trillion naira or 46% for recurrent expenditure in 2007 against the 2.425 trillion or 54% government will spend this year. Just four years ago, capital expenditure accounted for 36% (830 billion naira) of the budget. This year, the amount for capital expenditure has fallen to 25% (1.147 trillion naira – out of which N1.136 trillion is the budget deficit – that is to be borrowed!).

To the uninformed eye, the figures may seem to represent increases in all aspects, but to what cost, and to what effect? Apologists would want us to believe that the astronomical increase in the cost of government services can be explained by inflation, but even taking into consideration the high inflationary trend (thanks to Jonathan's profligate campaign year spending), statutory transfers in the budget has gone up by a whopping 310%; debt servicing has a 52% increase; recurrent expenditure has gone up by 131% while capital expenditure has increased by 39% over four years. In real terms however, and accounting for inflation, the total budget has increased by 33% with recurrent expenditure going up by 58% while capital expenditure has actually reduced by 6%.

Facts and figures do not lie. Every figure used in this analysis came from official government records. What is the justification for allocating such huge amounts to running the government when a staggering 30 million Nigerians are unemployed? Only N50 billion has been budgeted to create employment, forgetting that money by itself does not create jobs without a well thought out plan to stimulate small and medium scale enterprises and the creation of appropriate regulatory environments. What are the strategies to ensure that these funds are not diverted? How many jobs will be created this year or in the next four years? Are our priorities right?

All these come down to the questions: Will government's 4.485 trillion naira budget make life any better or even provide security for Nigerians? Can we feel the impact of this huge spending? Is the cost of governance justified? If we do not have the courage to ask these questions, we will be doing ourselves a disservice and endangering our people's future.
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20 Million Nigerian Youths

2011-07-05T10:38:00.000+01:00

Nigerian youths are the people facing first hand the economic,social and political decay in this Nation.

It is we, the youths who don't have jobs,who are worried about our bleak future, who do not know how we would cater for our children, who cannot afford descent accommodation because of the high cost of living, we live without social security and without hope.

What would happen to us by the year 2020,if we continue to derail this way, Chinua Achebe once wrote "Nigeria is a country that has fallen down". I ask "who would help raise this giant,"would Hercules come down from Olympus?

Power is enshrined in the people, says the doctrine of democracy, however our corrupt leaders continue to cover our eyes with scales so we do not know our rights. Enough is Enough.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Pastor Tunde Bakare,have said Nigeria will not be able to move forward without virile social activism by its citizens. The sacrifices of patriots such as M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi and other past leaders must not be the end of social activism.

Prof. Wole Soyinka, further noted that Syria and Greece are smaller countries than Nigeria, but when "push comes to shove," they fight for their rights because they know they have been corrupted and stolen blind by their leaders. So they say 'no, no more',day after day.

In 1970, China actually had a per capita income lower than Nigeria. Today, China holds $2.3 trillion in its reserve accounts, only good leadership accounted for such transformation.

If you a Nigerian and you want to fight for your rights by constantly engaging your local, state and federal government, then join the Nigerian Youth Development Initiative, all you have to do is follow this link http://m.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_140664993008&refid=27 and invite everyone you know too.

Let's us collectively fight our irresponsible government.
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THANK YOU READERS

2011-06-28T01:04:00.000+01:00

Thank you readers for nominating IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY among the first 5 political blogs in Nigeria, however its now time to vote our blog as the Number 1 political blog in Nigeria,all you have to do is:
1. Click this link http://nigerianblogawards.com/vote.php
2. Fill your name and email
3. Click on IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY on the list for BEST POLITICAL BLOG
4.Click submit
5. Tell your friends to do the same
Thank you so much once again.
Adedunmade
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How Stupidity Saved My Life

2011-06-25T13:03:00.000+01:00

Okechukwu Ofili is the author of the inspiring memoir HOW STUPIDITY SAVED MY LIFE and has been featured in magazines and radio stations across the globe. His www.ofilispeaks.com "Monthly Success Tips" have been viewed and downloaded in over 30 different countries.

I was opportuned to meet him at the book reading session held at the Silverbird galleria, Abuja,which was also attended by other prominent writers.

Okechukwu Ofili is a charming young man with a witty way of crafting his words and inputing valuable moral lessons into his writing.

His book "How Stupidity Saved My Life" is a book I would recommend for young readers and young professionals. It is filled with motivational quotes,witty jokes and inspiring moral lessons.

I enjoyed reading every page of it.
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Lost Values

2011-06-21T18:42:00.000+01:00

Why do Nigerian men and women come home to marry instead of marrying the women/men they’ve dated abroad. After all, most of the women/men who are already abroad are well-educated, well-read and well-traveled. These women/men know Nigeria and also understand the Western society. But in spite of their advantages,majority of these women/men are likely to lose their partners to women/men back home.

Maybe the reason is that Nigeria is still home to some of the most disciplined, well-behaved, well-schooled and well-brought up women/men. It is a shame that most of our young men and women who traveled abroad have lost their moral upbringing. The Women are believed to be loose while the men are believed not to be true Nigerian men.

These young men and women abroad are ambassadors of our great country, and the actions of every one of them plays a large role in forming the opinions that other members of the world would have of us. Nigerians complain about being put through rigorous checks and searches in international airports and public ridicule, we have been termed a Nation of Scam artists,and its because we painted ourselves in this light.

This lack of morality is seriously plaguing Nigerian youths in the diaspora and i believe it should be checked. A massive campaign on value re-orientation should be carried out for Nigerian youths. I have had the opportunity to interact with few of the ladies who spent their early life abroad and i was disappointed by some of the things that i noticed. This lack of values is now being emulated by young Nigerians within the country. In a bid to copy characters of the western world, we are fast losing our culture and heritage. We forget that character cannot be successfully copied. We must remain ourselves at all times, we must be original in our thinking and actions. We must never forget where we are coming from.

Its such a very sad experience that we are loosing young men and women to moral dearth. This should not be the case, the only way our generation can lead this country right is to be grounded in African principles of good moral upbringing. We must lead by example and prove that we are worthy leaders of our generation.

Kindly join me and lets build a generation of morally upright people, lets save our future and the future of our children.

THE NIGERIAN WEAKNESS

2011-06-16T21:12:00.000+01:00

Sitting in my living room and listening to Olakunle Soriyan as he teaches about the concept of weakness and the way it cripples the mindset of people, I cannot help but agree with his theories.

As I continue to ponder on these principles,my mind is brought to the effect of how this folly as rubbed Nigeria of the capacity to fully attain its potential as a Nation.

Take for example the common belief that Nigeria's greatest weakness is the amalgamation of different tribes who share nothing in common and the forced marriage between the people of these different regions.

This factor has been the theme of various arguments,the results of which has led to a number of people proposing that the country be divided and each region should go its seperate way.

However I ask myself,is our union truly a weakness or is it actually opportunity and strength in disguise, Should we regard it as a disability or as a unique ability. Should our country be a salad bowl instead of a melting pot?

I believe there is no such thing as a weakness so I always look for the strength in all things. Doesn't our union bless our country with;
1. A beautiful landscape and a viable centre for tourist attractions

2.An opportunity to share cultures,food,languages and beliefs.

3.Hasn't our multiculturalism been a platform for social growth.

Kindly comment and share your views. What strengths and opportunities do you believe our union affords us as a people. Instead of looking at our perceived weaknesses,why don't we focus on our strengths.
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VISION 20 2020; A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

2011-06-11T11:26:00.000+01:00

“By 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world, able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena.” NV2020

The Nigeria Vision 2020 economic transformation blueprint is a ten year plan for stimulating Nigeria’s economic growth and launching the country onto a path of sustained and rapid economic growth to become one of the top twenty economies by 2020.

The following critical priority areas were identified for immediate attention: Decentralisation of governance; sustainability; electoral reforms; land use/property reforms; public service reforms; national security; human capacity development and critical infrastructure (with particular emphasis on power and transportation).

According to NV 2020, the government intends to achieve the following goals by 20:20

GUARANTEE THE WELL BEING AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE PEOPLE through the following;
• Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
• Enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare
• Provide sustainable access to potable water and basic sanitation
• Provide accessible and affordable housing
• Build human capacity for sustainable livelihoods and national development
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Improve access to micro credit
• Foster a culture of entertainment and recreation of enhanced productivity

OPTIMIZING THE KEY SOURCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH through the following;
• Stimulate primary production to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s real sector
• Significantly increase production of processed and manufactured goods for export
• Stimulate domestic and foreign trade in value- adding products and services.

FOSTERING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT;
• Develop efficient accountable, transparent and participatory governance
• Establish a competitive private sector led business environment characterized by sustained macroeconomic stability
• Enhance national security and improve the administration of justice
• Promote unity in diversity, national pride and the conversation of the nation’s cultural heritage
• Develop sufficient and efficient infrastructure to support sustained economic growth
• Preserve the environment for sustainable socio- economic development
• Promote the development of geo-political regions into economic pole

In other for Nigeria to achieve these goals, not only must all hands be on deck but the Leadership in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan would have to fasten his belt. Countries like Singapore have achieved similar feats but not in a society where corruption reigns supreme, where Legislators are stealing national resources and where public offices in whose responsibility this drive is entrenched is given to politicians and not technocrats.

One mistake being made by the Federal Government is that it believes this project can be achieved solely by its agencies; the Nigerian people must be made to key into this dream and work together in achieving it. Nigerian youths most especially should see this focus as affecting them greatly because we would be around in the year 2020.

I would encourage everyone to download the mobile application of the VISION 2020 from this link; http://www.vision202020.mobi/app/ lets all study this document and find a way to make achieving it our collective goal.

VOTE FOR ME

2011-06-06T19:25:00.000+01:00

Hi friend,
kindly help vote my blog as the best political blog in the Nigerian blog awards,all you have to do is;
1. click on this link http://www.nigerianblogawards.com/register.php
2.Write your name and email address
3.Copy and paste this link http://adedunmadeonibokun.blogspot.com on the slot for "the best political blog"
4. Click submit

Thank you so very much,time is running..you are highly appreciated

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Vote for me

2011-06-06T17:38:00.000+01:00

Hi friend,
kindly help vote my blog as the best political blog in the Nigerian blog awards,all you have to do is;
1. click on this link http://www.nigerianblogawards.com/register.php
2.Write your name and email address
3.Copy and paste this link http://adedunmadeonibokun.blogspot.com on the slot for "the best political blog"
4. Click submit

Thank you so very much,time is running..you are highly appreciated
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED LAWMAKERS

2011-06-04T19:08:00.000+01:00

As the 6th National Assembly was dissolved on friday, the true nature of our legislators became apparent, we asked for selfless law makers however it is apparent that we had selfish and greedy people as members of the national Assembly, little wonder why this so called past law makers were unable to deliver to Nigerians credible dividends of democracy but were to busy seeking personal gratification.

Not only were this past leaders intellectually bankrupt but they were also suffering from the highest levels of mental poverty, what would you call a law maker who carted from his office every movable furniture put there for his official use in the national assembly, i mean televisions, fridges, security monitors, computers, waste bins, fans and printing machines. This means these law makers were just in government to milk our National treasury, not forgetting that they were also the highest paid law makers in the world.

Fellow Nigerians, on monday the 6th of June,2011 members of the 7th National Assembly would be sworn into office, Heaven knows what mindset they would be bringing into the discharge of their official duties, we must continue to match advocacy with action, condenming the government on social networks is not enough, we must cotinue to peacefully engage the government and demand credibility, integrity and accountability. This is not a duty only for activists but for every Nigerian. Only together can we achieve this feat.