Itua Live!

Collectivism: A Panacea to the Nigerian Conundrum

2016-12-18T04:14:00.001-08:00

The maladies bedeviling the Nigerian Homo Sapiens in her struggle for survival, transcend Darwinian evolution theories of Natural Selection in the Origin of Species- It is indeed fact, being Nigerian is daunting.

It’s as though our creator dealt us a wrong stack of cards- bad leaders, bad citizens, and a truck load of bad luck. Nothing good happens. And when we try to make good of ourselves, something sinister piles up on our plate. For example, we were sprinkled some cosmic dust of “Goodluck” (with high oil prices, awash with Foreign Direct Investments) yet at the same time Boko Haram sacked communities leaving the smell of charred flesh in its wake. The memories of Chibok and the Aluu four massacres linger, not to mention the iniquitous thievery that took place in that administration. The flicker was doused.

Enters Sai Baba, who ironically benefits from a process he truncates years before, ushering hope by his victory over the almighty PDP. Buhari came in at the time Nigerians were fed up with the draconian party at the centre. And you would think, finally, we can claw ourselves back from the pit. But with Jonathan out of the way, our luck turned for the worse: oil prices plummeted and our reserves took a hit not imagined by economists. A renewed militancy erupts in the Niger Delta championed by the Avengers while IPOB & MASSOB spark flames in the South East. Consider this, with Buhari, there is “no corruption” (at least not as glorified as it was with his predecessor) but we have to contend with new devils compounded by a ravaging recession. Buhari’s government has no clue yet on what to do, little wonder our citizens scurry towards danger like Alice in Wonderland going after Ponzis such as MMM and ultimate cycler in other to make ends meet.

If you take the biblical account of the Tower of Babel seriously, it would suggest that all a nation needs to prosper even if their creator didn’t approve is to cooperate in whatever goal they set out to achieve.

Cooperation as a nation is easier said knowing Nigerians well enough. We never agree on anything, even obvious problems. Issues are peered through cultural, ethnic and religious kaleidoscopes. Our moral compasses oscillate towards the satisfaction of our bellies and we have altogether lost our way (if we ever had one).

Does this mean Nigerians never come together at all? Yes, we actually do. Soccer brings us together! Remember how Rashidi Yekini, screamed out his lungs when he scored against Bulgaria in the world cup? The country was united. Remember Nwankwo Kanu’s miraculous chip against Brazil? Yes, that brought us together too. In fact after we won Atlanta 96, people filled the streets chanting and singing, not minding the language spoken. But these sporting events are few and far between and are usually short lived. Sports are a good rallying point, but it doesn’t hold the centre for us in the long run.

So what else can be a unifying factor?

Famous televangelist, TD Jakes says: “Nothing brings people together like adversity”. And he is right. Death in the family brings relations from far and wide. We see how America came together when tragedy hit them on 9/11. America was unequivocal in its stand against terrorism the way South Africa was united against the apartheid government of FW de Klerk.

Nigeria has had her share of adversity- the Civil War; Kano riots in 91 & 2001; Jos killings; Cynthia Osokogu; Mubi; Ikeja Cantonment mayhem; Independence Bomb blast; Madalla, June 12 and the fuel hike protests of 2013 among many others. But each time, the disasters wore a different color of interpretation depending on what religion, ethnic group, or culture you gleaned it from. We may have come together in these times but it is my opinion that these tragedies never defined us as a people the way 9/11 or apartheid did for America and South Africa. There was no common ground. There were in fact people who blamed Cynthia for getting lured to a hotel room; others defended the Aluu killings because they believed Lloyd, Chidiaka, Tekena and Ugo were members of some cult.

There is perhaps only one event where Nigerians saw the struggle through from start to finish. It was not a political tussle, or a civil rights movement or a protest against unlawful killings. It was a fight to save and preserve our individual lives. It was the fight against Ebola.

The fear of death from the Ebola Virus gave us a unifying language. The market woman in Kafanchan and the student in Ilorin greeted with their elbows. The prostitute in Obalende and the priest in Mbaise understood the language. There was neither friend nor foe when life was concerned. Bribes couldn’t get you into any public building without the use of sanitizers. Nigerians who would otherwise never obey simple instructions now wash their hands. Why?

Nobody wants to die

These examples illustrate how individualism (or selfishness in this context) can be used to save the community. Usually it is our inherent selfishness and lack of consideration for others that make us cut corners. We take bribes in order to stop protests not minding if the objectives are achieved. We support thieving politicians and protect them with the “our son” mantra. We inflate contracts and still never build the roads not caring that pot holes kill people. We skip queues at banks and airports by settling attendants, just because we can. And recently, to think that food items desperately needed by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have gone through so much pain can be diverted by their own kinsmen privy to their plight would make you cringe at the deep seated selfishness in every one of us. Nigerians are selfish at heart.

But have you noticed how we obey flight attendants who ask that phones be switched off before take-off? And how everyone rallies against the passenger who just doesn’t get it?

Why?

Because, nobody wants to die. We will shelve our individualism for the collective interest of everyone so long as it spares us also. Our love for self is brought to the fore, but this time for the common good. The support for the flight attendant could in fact potentially save the plane couldn’t it?

Now, how can convert these individualistic tendencies to benefit the generality of Nigerians?

In the movie, Beautiful Mind, John Nash (Russell Crow) captures this concept brilliantly when he refutes Adams Smith’s claim on the positive influence of competition (individualism) alone. Nash was of the opinion that competition is only positive if it benefits the group (collectivism). Nash adds: "In competition, individual action (should) serve the common good".

He further explains: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. Nash’ argument was that when one does what is good for him and also for the group (or community) the system benefits more. Simply put, if our individual interest benefits the overall interest of the society, then that interest is worth doing but if it benefits us alone, it should not be done.

Going by the Ebola example, if a contractor sees himself or his loved one dying on the road he is meant to fix, he would not cart away public funds. Imagine if this were the attitude we took to our business places every day

What if major fuel importers thought they would make a better profit investing in building refineries that in importing fuel because it would benefit the country more in the long run?

What if, the solution to the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta and South East was “True Federalism?”

What if having only one chamber in the National Assembly would benefit the country more in the long run? What if our lives actually depended on this, wouldn’t we be willing to make the necessary sacrifices?

So many “what ifs”, but it is clear that focusing on ourselves rather than the group is costing us more that we can accommodate. The world is moving on, and every country is adapting and finding ways to survive as species often do. Our failure to adapt is causing the “extinction” we presently face.

Whether we live or die is left to us but the solution is clear. All we need to do is to love our fellow man as ourselves and possibly more.

Otaigbe Ewoigbokhan

FAR FAR AWAY IN AN EVIL FOREST (EPISODE 1)

2014-06-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

“Esther, Esther, Esther did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“They say the soldiers are coming for us. Salamatu just told me now that she heard one of the men say so”

“Don’t mind Salamatu, she always ferries rumors like a fly carries dung”. I don’t want her to get us into trouble again.
Wasn’t she the one that refused to recite the prayers?. She earned us all harsh whips from the men”

“That’s true. But Esther, do you think they will ever come for us?”
‪#‎Bringbackourgirls‬

ANOTHER WAY TO APPROACH 2013

2012-12-30T06:37:00.002-08:00

It is not possible to completely understand or comprehend life; we can only hope to make the best out of it. We often pray for luck or favor and we wish to handle our challenges or frustrations with grace in the face of adversity. We are but humans after all and we can only hope for the best. The philosophies of the origin and purpose of life have spanned generations and there appears to be more ques-

tions than answers. For me, trying to figure out life is an inquest into an endless river and every ounce of energy consumed swimming deeper leaves one more frustrated and exhausted. Spiritual books like the Bible and Koran lend advice about life; also philosophers like Socrates, Confucius, Sigmund Freud and more recently David Stafford-Clark sometimes leave us more perplexed. What ought to be important to us is how to make life more meaningful especially as we enter into a New Year.

We cannot deny that the New Year always ushers hope. The New Year helps us to psychologically wipe the slate clean. We recon we can press the restart button or do better, or do more. And this psychological boost reflects in virtually every area of human existence. For example, a woman with a bad relationship may hope for a new man to start over with or pray the misery experienced in the relationship dies with the old year. An alcoholic or chain smoker believes he would finally kick the habit; a childless woman or jobless man look up to heavens for a change in fate or status; even a bad student who has failed WAEC or JAMB twice fancies her chances in the New Year. Churches provide a ready elixir, and we drink to the messages of hope unashamedly. We christen the New Year with such profound and baroque nomenclatures as Year of Greatness, Year of Higher Ground etc. Truth is this: whether in Doha, Ottawa, Bujumbura or Abuja, the New Year is a harbinger of hope. No matter how bad a situation is, there is resurgence in spirit!

In football, a new season is like a new year and it is fascinating how football fans expect their teams to win trophies when they are not personally involved in the teams’ preparation. This is most typical of Arsenal FC fans who almost always forget the miseries of previous seasons and pray for some mystical force to change their fortune. They (I inclusive) act like Arsenal didn't just go 7 previous seasons without silverware. We wash Arsene Wenger’s sins away and yet wonder why we are out of every major competition by March. But why should we hope to win anything when Arsene has done nothing different in seven years? The only reason the fans continue in this act of masochism is because the new season offers fresh hope. In the same pattern, we here in Nigerian are ever so quick to forgive the sins of politicians. We do not forgive because we are good, but because it is easier to forgive than take action. We practice negative resilience and tell ourselves we are a strong people. We drink to new lies of hope the politicians tell every year. They tell us the economy grew by about 6% in 2012 and in the New Year it would be more. We do not ask if 6% translates to reduction in poverty in the country. We do not ask if 6% means better road infrastructure. We have forgotten to ask how the recovered subsidy fund was spent. And when we do ask, we do not get a response. We have forgiven Farouk Lawan. He will run for reelection in 2015 and we won’t protest. Why protests, is it our business? One may ask. Didn't he get himself there by himself in the first place? Another will retort. Unbeknownst to us, we have again mortgaged our future on the altar of “e go better”. I believe that if regular Nigerians had marched to the National Assembly Complex to demand his resignation he won’t be there today (but this is a message for another day). I am resolute in my belief that one of the most effective way to get anything done in our lives especially as a country is if we take responsibly and demand accountability the way we did in January of 2012. That singular action was far better than just hoping. We took our destinies' in our hands. Don’t get me wrong, hope is good. Faith needs hope to work. But a hope, where we expect things to change without our individual involvement or participation is sheer madness. And so every passing year, hope destroys the future. With passivism and wishful thinking destroying our individual lives and the country at large. Action is required for positive change to occur.

The year 2012 was by far one of the bloodiest years in the nation’s history. Boko Haram murdered Christians in churches virtually weekly and we hope it won’t happen in 2013. Armed youths mulled and killed students in the Mubi and Aluu disasters’, and we hope that 2013 would be better. We have done nothing to understand why these evil prevailed so as to prevent future reoccurrences. We act in the same destructive way and hope our luck shines in times ahead. We would soon forget the floods that ravished people killing many and leaving countless homeless. We would forget we promised to plan against future floods.

The fate of man is one with an endless cycle of vanities. And with nothing new under the sun, it becomes easier to predict 2013. In music, Wizkid and Banky will make us “roll it” in the clubs and more risqué music videos would be churned out. NollyWood would ship out more content bereft movies, but one or two will stand the test of time. A man will marry, makes love to his wife and they will breed children into the world who are more messed up that their parents. CNN, BBC and Aljazeera would be in competition amongst themselves for who reels out the bad news faster. AIT and Channels TV will tell us a former governor made away with 10billion naira before leaving office. The country is redolent with corruption as ever. The EFCC will promise to pursue, to overtake, and of course to recover all. But we know they are lying. The only way they will get near that money is if the thief goes to the plea court and “settles” the matter. We know this is bull shit, but the scam won’t be complete if they didn’t lie. What’s a scam without a lie? We understand and go along with it. “E go better, 2014 will be better”, we tell ourselves. We curse, we scoff, and we vent on Facebook and Twitter. We curse out the president. He doesn’t care. He is after all the Facebook president. His eyes are fixed on 2015. Another year of hope! One church will call it the Year of Redemption! The elections will come and politicians will promise a new fragrance of fresh air- this time it will be jasmine.

Passive hope is but foolishness. Year In year out, the same activities have guided our existence. I do not mean to sound schadenfreude but this seems to be the hand we have been dealt. How do therefore ensure that 2013 is different? How do we break free from the same cycle and who ends it? Again, we may look to the heavens, to metaphysics and philosophy in search of answers. Whatever we decide to embrace; be it asceticism, atheism or hedonism; change is the answer. Change will cause an imbalance in the status quo. We must begin to take our future in our hands. And the way to change the future is by changing our individual lives. Change is hard. Matter of fact, climbing Everest is easy compared to changing anything. It is hard to change. Change is difficult. The British colonial rulers’ resisted change; you will resist the change if your landlord wants to increase the rent; we resisted when the pump price of fuel changed from 65 naira to 97 naira; you resisted change when your wife started denying you the free sex. But what can man do? What will man do? There is no life without change. We must embrace it change. A caterpillar must change into a butterfly. For if we must become butterflies, we must accept that we are not meant to be caterpillars’.

What kind of change do I propose? Nigerians should start practicing what we preach. If we are angry at the bribe scandal between Farouk Lawan and Otedola; then we must not give bribes to LASTMA officers or the attendant at the fuel pump who demands an extra 100 naira so that we can buy fuel in jerry-cans. But how will we power our generator, you may ask me? Well, I didn't say change was easy. But we can’t achieve anything without changing ourselves. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was possible in the 1950’s because regular folks decided not to take the bus. They walked to their destinations for over one year! They didn't just wait for Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jnr. to fight for them, they took personal responsibility. The bible admonishes us to “be doers and not just hearers of the word”. So we can’t afford to sit at home and abuse politicians for inflating budgets when house wives do exactly the same to their husbands in their own corner.

This kind of change can be slow but if we commit to it and teach our children and they in turn their own children, we would have less thieves, and corrupt politicians and murderers’ like the ones in Aluu in the future. Change must include looking beyond ourselves. We must resolve to do good to our fellow man. We must help the poor among us. There are damn too many anyways. The majority of us are poor but there are poorer people. If you can afford to pay your DSTV bill monthly, then you shouldn't close your eyes at kids without slippers- children we know never go to school. We may know a teenager who is certain to be a prostitute the way she is leading her life now. A soft word, a good counsel might save her. Yes, she’s not your daughter, but you could be of help. We can take a second from our lives and think about doing good to someone else. That’s the change I propose. That’s the change I seek in 2013. That is true living. The one the Christ preached. This will make 2012 different from all the other years gone by. I pray you join me in this adventure; for in it lay true fulfillment. For true happiness and satisfaction in this life is how able we are to impact the lives of others for good.

Itualive!

P.S

ItuaLive! has officially moved to WordPress. I thank you all for reading my posts every time I share on Facebook or Twitter. Blogging for two years knowing you will always read it has been both encouraging and humbling. ItuaLive! was 2 years in October with over 24,000 hits! The move to WordPress is to enable me respond to comments better and avail myself to the technology WordPress offers. The Blogger account would still run and would be directed and some other projects in the future.

I want to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous 2013. God bless you all.

PHCN: HOW NOT TO FORMULATE POLICY

2012-11-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is a clear example of what happens when “leaders” in government lack the insight and compassion as well as common sense requisite for policy formulation and execution.

I live in Opebi, Ikeja Lagos. My monthly PHCN energy bill ranges from 2,300 naira to 3,500 naira (with the new energy tariff regime). I’m single, have few electronic gadgets and spend more of my time outside my house on weekdays. This explains why I have managed to maintain a fairly low tariff on my electricity bills.

So you can imagine my disbelief upon finding out that my bill read 16,000 naira for the month of October. My initial assessment was that it must have been human error by the person who read my meter. I went to the PHCN office on Ikosi Road, Oregun and lodged a complaint

I spoke with the both the marketing manager and the woman who reads my meter and was shocked to find out that the reason for the outrageous bill I was served was due to a new PHCN policy. The policy states or rather assumes that no individual can use less that 200 units of energy per month. In the event that this occurs, it must mean that the individual or household has tampered with the meter. The penalty for this (whether one is guilty or not) is to be slapped with a16,000 naira flat rate equivalent to about 1200 energy units of electricity!

It doesn’t matter whether you have one fridge or no TV set. It doesn’t matter if you do not have air conditioning sets or no electric cookers. It doesn’t matter whether you travel for three weeks on vacation with your family. It doesn’t even matter if the transformer has a fault. Once the energy unit reads 200 or less, you must be a thief and a scoundrel cheating the government.

Of course I tried to make a case by showing my bill payments from February to date which amounted to an average of about 3,000 naira per month. It was saddening to realise that no one could offer any satisfactory response or even empathize with me. All they could say was this: “just pay the bill and apply for the installation of the digital meter”.

The problem remains unresolved and I am faced with the stack reality of another 16,000 naira bill in November. Going by my average monthly energy consumption, I’m definitely in big trouble! It is wrong for PHCN to force me to pay for power I did not consume.

I tried to fill out the forms for the digital meters and the forms were not even available. And if it were, it could take ages to be installed. And while I wait, 16,000 naira electric bills would be forced down my throat except I decide to live in darkness.

Another option I may employ is to leave all my fans and lights on through the day, every day, whether I’m in or not. This may help push my monthly consumption to above 200 units of energy!

It is not fair for me to pay over 14,000 naira extra than I should every month for electricity. The fact that somebody somewhere behind a desk thought this policy out without considering that some people may by choice use less electricity is lunacy. This is a stupid policy at best and people with such unintelligent approach to issues should not be allowed to roam free let alone be policy makers.

I want to use this medium to ask anyone out there for help. If you know anyone who can correct this anomaly or can lend expert legal advice on what I should do about this matter, please do contact me.

Richard Obaitan

(08063805100, robaitan@gmail.com.)

Itua Live!: OKADA: HAS LAGOS DONE THE RIGHT THING?

2012-11-01T16:24:00.001-07:00

Itua Live!: OKADA: HAS LAGOS DONE THE RIGHT THING?: Okada is the name commonly used to describe commercial motorcycles in most parts of Nigeria. The name Okada was derived from Okada...

OKADA: HAS LAGOS DONE THE RIGHT THING?

2012-10-28T14:16:00.001-07:00

Okada is the name commonly used to describe commercial motorcycles in most parts of Nigeria. The name Okada was derived from Okada Air, the now defunct local airline popular in the 80’s. Okada Air earned its reputation by flying routes other airlines shied away from. It was considered the “all weather” airline and though not known for its comfort, if you needed to get to your destination as planned, you’d fly Okada.

The name Okada was “borrowed” from the airline and conferred on commercial motorcycles because they provided the same efficiency the airline was attributed with. The use of motorcycles as a means of transport gained momentum in the 90’s largely due to poor road infrastructure in many parts of Nigeria especially the urban areas. Okada motorcycles gradually became a mainstay as population outgrew development. The infrastructure couldn’t support the population growth and while big cities like Dubai and London built subway stations, successive governments in Nigeria handed out thousands of Okadas as poverty alleviation strategies. The Mumbai Metro is under construction in the Indian. The system is designed to reduce traffic congestion in the city, and will be built in three phases over a 15-year period, with completion expected in 2021. This is planning. They could have easily banned tricycles to attain the modern city status overnight.

The Lagos state government has begun to enforce its ban on Okadas from plying 475 routes within the metropolis. The Babatunde Fashola led government in its bid to “sanitize” the city has embarked on a journey that may prove difficult. Like most African leaders, he has gone all out against the symptom and not the disease.

To say the immediate impact of this enforcement has made life miserable for Lagosians is an understatement. First of all, the number of people who have to trek long distances; Ikeja to Akowonjo, Agidingbi to Allen, Mobolaji-BankAnthony to Opebi, to mention a few is too large to turn a blind eye to. Hundreds of people clump around bus-stops hoping for buses that never come. The already excruciating traffic situation has been worsened because commuters who would rather leave their cars at home are now forced to drive to work. It took me over 3hours to get from Ilupeju to Ogudu last week!

There is also the issue of adding to the already saturated labor market. It is hard to figure out what the thousands of Okada riders would do in the mean time. How will their families survive? These questions have to be addressed. They cannot just be wished away. I must state here that I have never liked Okadas. They have brushed my cars several times and sped off without apology. And when they do apologize, they wave a whimsical “sorry” as though that would fix my side mirror. They have no respect for traffic rules. They do not wait for street lights and truth be told, they serve as quick “get-away cars” used in robbery operations. Going by the statistics put forward by the Lagos state government, the number of Okada related accidents is staggering. Many have lost their lives because Okada riders are a law to themselves.

The issue now is how to find a middle ground. How do we harness the benefits of Okadas without their liabilities? Lagos is not a modern city, at least not yet. Modern cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai and Helsinki don’t have Okadas because they have good roads. London with its Oyster Card has one of the best local transport systems in the world. Speed trains span the lengths and breadths of these developed cities. They achieved all this by carefully planning and building infrastructure.

The Lagos state government’s action will succeed in creating artificial “sanity”. Yes, Okadas won’t scratch your fenders anymore but these riders may find new ways of being more “productive” to society.

I want Lagos to grow into a modern city. The government can work assiduously by passing sound policies and taking progressive changes. There was a time in Lagos when Molues were the popular means of transport. But with more Danfos buses and the entrant of the BRT scheme, they are gradually becoming obsolete. I do not support the argument that the law be repealed. I’m more inclined towards a more relaxed policy. Okadas should be banned from roads where speed limit is over 50km/h.

Okada riders have been hunted down like terrorist. Police rapid response vehicles have been stationed to impound motorcycles. If a rider leaves in Ikeja but has to work in one of the designated routes, how does he get there without a police man harassing him? Can he even carry his wife to church on Sunday? As much I have been an avowed believer in law enforcement, I would like to see the police employ this level of enthusiasm in putting arm robbers behind bars. The law was made for man and not the other way around.

A friend sent me a photograph of Governor Fashola using Okada riders during one of his election campaigns on the same roads he has now banned them from. Well as they say in politics: there are no permanent friends. Eko Oni Baje o.

Itualive! ™

A TALE OF MASSACRES: ALUU FOUR, MUBI AND A TICKING BOMB

2012-10-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

As a young boy, I watched the torture of Samuel Doe on VHS. I may not have understood what made so many people angry with him at the time nor had I an insight into the political nuances that led up to the civil war in Liberia; but even in my naivety, the grotesqueness of the video was palpable. I considered the video a horror movie like The Living dead or Idi amin because my mind could not conceive violence of such magnitude as fact.

After watching what now is considered the “Aluu four” massacre video, there was no confusion as to whether it was fact or fiction. What was puzzling this time around were questions I had no answers to: How did we get to this point in Nigeria? How did the threshold for violence lower so much without notice? Who are the parents of these murderers? How did they bring up their children as killers and what went wrong in their formative years? How will the parents of the slain ever find succor having watched their sons hacked to death in such brutal manner in their own country?

Children are usually taught to “rat” or tell-on their siblings in acts of misdemeanor. It is a system employed by parents to know when things go wrong in their absence. A child, usually the youngest is the designated whistle blower. If truly the society is an offshoot of the family, it is worrisome that no one in that crowd ran to the police to report? No one felt compassion enough to do anything about it. Instead, they cheered on and acted like children angry at lizards which simply just refused to die after stoning them down from a tree.

In July, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, a 24 year old entrepreneur was raped and murdered for sexual gratification. While some blamed the poor girl for being of easy virtue, the bulk of the criticisms went the way of the murderers. It was perhaps only Idowu Akinlotan, a columnist for the Nation Newspaper in his essay titled, “The Cynthia Paradox”, that captured my sentiments on the matter. I think we we need to pay more attention to why these things are happening in the country rather than on the actions themselves. Violence has taken a new dimension in the Nigeria. She has taken off her clothes and danced naked in the village square while we watch in astonishment. Violence is now the cancer ravaging us from within. Treating the symptoms is tantamount to putting a band-aid on a diabetic foot in the hope that it would heal. It is not enough to set up committees of enquiry. It is not enough to parade suspects on NTA and force confessions out of them. Something lies beneath.

While we slowly came to terms with Cynthia’s demise, a group of youths slaughtered over 30 students in Mubi, Adamawa state. The names of the victims were called out and they were summarily executed. Some reports suggest that their bodies were chopped into pieces. Yet again we wailed and cried and set up more committees of enquiries. The investigations were still ongoing when all of a sudden in Aluu, Port-Harcourt, another violent incident erupted. All these acts have one thing in common; they are carried out by young people and targeted at young people. Be it in the north, west or south-south, the trend is evident-the youths have turned on themselves.

I remember a time when we young people used to boast about togetherness and camaraderie. We collectively agreed that it was the older generation that had caused the denigration of present day Nigeria. Youths make up more than fifty percent of the general population, so when there is a dysfunction in the way youths think, then you know we have a serious problem. So what exactly has caused so much disconcertion, disdain and disarray amongst us?

A plausible explanation could be the overexposure to bloodshed over time. We are inundated weekly by wave after wave of violent acts across the Nation and little by little we have lost the human connection God put in us. News of Boko Haram bombings; killings in Jos and Ebonyi state are just headlines to us now. I too am guilty, because after hearing about a church bombing recently I was grateful to God that the death toll was minimal. I praised God it was just one person that died as if that one person didn’t have a family. It didn’t occur to me at the time that that singular human life could have been a father, husband, brother, son, breadwinner and uncle to someone else. It now takes a large death toll to get our attention.

In addition to the over- sensitization to violence, the present economic hardship in the country has not helped. The youth are frustrated, jobless and restless. They are full of energy and will react quicker to situations. They willfully expend such energies even if it is against the society. They are also more impressionable that other age groups. We, youths, have also noticed that crime is hardly punished in Nigeria. We see no point in going to the police. For instance, when have seen that oil subsidy thieves are shielded from prosecution. We have seen that Farouk Lawan has remained in the house of representative even after his obvious complicity in the bribery scandal. We have witnessed people like Dimeji Bankole use inane techniques to stall court processes. We have seen youths kill in Jos, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano and yet walk free after jamboree committees’ met. We noticed that a man was killed five days after his wedding in Lagos by men suspected to be members of the police force and yet no answer has been forwarded. One doesn’t have to be a genius to deduce the repercussions of this on society. When there is impunity even for seemingly small crimes, disaster looms. This is why the killings have increased in intensity and have gone unabated.

In finding solutions to these “uprisings”, we may need to look at the Aluu incident more critically. We need psychologists (the Nigerian government is not interested in such things) to investigate the upbringing of the perpetrators. What went wrong in their childhood? I believe that there are certain people who are prone to violence and crime-an infinitesimal few. For others-the majority- they need to be pushed to the wall to commit crimes like armed robbery. Around the world we hear about misguided persons such as Timothy McVeigh, Andres Brevick, and James Holmes, committing mass murders. In such instances, the perpetrators acted alone and in the case of Brevick, his sanity was questioned. But when a group of “sane” people champion killings and go on to record it on video, you begin to fear. When a group of young men lure a lady to Lagos in order to rape and kill her, you sense a depravity. When bandits connive to kill 30 students in peace time, you are terrified for your children yet unborn. Even in war, soldiers’ sometimes suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because of the things they do and see. My argument is that the community of people that killed these four boys are sick and are not fit to live amongst human beings.

In order to prevent this from reoccurring, the law must be seen to function. The perpetrators’ of the act must be punished severely. Those that gave the order, those that supervised, and those that executed the order must be punished. The Mubi killers must also be brought to justice. If eventually the law finds them guilty and capital punishment is employed, their executions must be made public. This should be done to elevate the sacrosanctity of the law. The law needs to make a statement that it functions and exists. Executions even in the US are made public in some states. Sadam Hussein’s execution was made public. Even in primitive societies, the hang man (representing the state) performed his duty in the full view of the public. This was done so that people respect the law.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration has experienced an unprecedented wave of bloodshed. In 2010, I wrote then that I hoped we would never come to a point where suicide bombers would be employed. I actually thought I was exaggerating. In 2012, suicide bombing is no longer news. It seems funny that the President made a speech three days after the Aluu incident and the four boys did not get a mention. Perhaps he forgot, or it wasn’t on his agenda for the speech. I was disappointed. The President should have called for national mourning. Flags should have been flown at half mast. If he didn’t consider it a national tragedy, then it probably wasn’t so important. Flying flags at half mast is a call for national re-awakening. It sends a message that the incident must never repeat itself. By not giving it a mention, he has tolerated it. He has inadvertently agreed we have the capacity to deal with such things. I have been extremely slow in criticizing this President because I think that we as citizens abdicate our own responsibilities sometimes. But why are all this things happening under his watch? Is it all a coincidence, or is there something he is doing wrong? Where has he gone that he shouldn’t have? Where should he have gone that he didn’t go? There has been too much bloodletting under him.

In conclusion, we all must know that violence begets violence. The law of sowing and reaping is in motion. The bloods of the innocent have been spilled time and again. We cannot claim to have heard the last of the Jos conflicts. If your family member was maimed during the Berom and Fulani fracas, do you think you will forget? Would you live happily ever after with those you know killed your spouse? Will the parents of the slain four ever forgive the Aluu community for this action? The truth must be told. Many families have been hurt. They have not seen the state provide the justice required to keep them at peace, so they wait simmering, hoping for the perfect opportunity to strike back and shed blood. The cycle goes on. To break the cycle, a holistic approach must be sought. While we work assiduously to bring perpetrators to book, we should also target the next generation. We must begin to teach those coming after us to respect life. Parents have a huge responsibility here. The body is a function of cells the way the society is derived from a family. If we miss it at that level, then we will fail. The state must enact laws to compel people to plant trees and keep pets. There must be stiff laws for killing animals. If you go to prison for killing a dog, you will think twice before killing a human being. It will take time but it will work. If the little children love life, they will preserve it. They will in turn teach their children and one day we will have our beautiful land once more.

Itualive!

OTEDOLA, FAROUK LAWAN AND A FALLING HOUSE

2012-06-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

The Nigerian state has yet again been thrown into another circus. For those that have been following the news, Hon. Farouk Lawan, a member of the House of Representatives, a man loved by many and hated by a few has been the object of mixed emotions this week. But whether you love him or loathe him, he was definitely a star on the rise in Nigerian Politics. In a country known for people worship, adulation came the way of Mr. Farouk like waves on the sea shore. I put him on the pedestal somewhere right below Malam Nuru Ribadu. I had the feeling that if there was going to be a genuine fight against corruption, it would be spear-headed by a northerner. I don’t know where I got that idea but it has stuck like glue to my mind for a while before this very ugly incident.

I have to ask this question before I go on: What the hell was Hon. Farouk thinking? For a man who I thought was intelligent, he obviously lacks street smartness. You don’t deal with “cowboys” without having an ace on you. You don’t dine with the devil without a long spoon, in fact you shouldn’t even show up for dinner. I have tried to analyze the recent bribery findings in ten different ways, and Farouk loses out every time.

My candid opinion is that whenever you are put in a position to fight corruption especially in a country like Nigeria, the first thing you ought to do is insulate yourself. By insulation I mean a complete sequestration from anything that can discredit you while you hold that office. Mrs. Farida Waziri was right when she said that in Nigeria, if you try and fight corruption, it would fight you back. To quote the rapper Jay Z, “you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight”. Mr. Farouk ought to have known he was walking a tight rope, and should have kept himself from any form of blemish.

After the January fuel subsidy crises that led to a microscopic look at the oil sector rumored to be arguably the most corrupt in the world, it became obvious that the fireworks were set to go off. It was general opinion that the subsidy regime was laden with corruption at an iniquitous level. Consequently it would be impossible not to have the so called “cabal” unmasked. The Jonathan administration was under pressure to offer some credibility to the much professed anticorruption crusade. And this was the litmus test. This administration has had a poor showing so far as far as anticorruption campaign is concerned and thus the need to engender confidence was necessary. Nigeria can never move forward if corrupt people aren’t put in prison for the simple reason that if corruption is rewarded, and not punished, it becomes lucrative. Right now, you are more likely to be labeled as foolish if you are honest.

Let’s try and build a case for Farouk (there is no case but let’s try anyway)

If we assume that he really did want to use the money as exhibit against Mr. Femi Otedola, why didn’t he lodge the money with the CBN? Why the desire to take the initiative against the oil mogul. If he was so sure people wanted to bribe him and he was only considering a sensational finale to his remarkable accomplishment as a crime detective, why didn’t he wait for the “crooks” to come to him? He would have had a more tenable argument. Second, let’s also assume he was trained in Quantico at the FBI bureau or worked with Jack Bauer on the second season of 24, why didn’t he have an alibi. No one knew, not the House Speaker, not the EFCC chairman, not the CBN governor, not even his partner, Tony Almieda (wink wink). He went alone, for he works alone.

It may have started like a real espionage mission but it sure has ended as a freak show from hell. I strongly believe Farouk legitimately wanted to be a hero but seriously you can’t have that sort of “cheese” in your house and not be tempted by it. The bible warns us to be flee from every appearance of evil. Farouk Lawan did not flee. In fact he embraced it and went to bed with it. And along the way he decided he was going to keep the money for himself. If that wasn’t the case, Zenon oil wouldn’t have been expunged from the list. The mere fact that it was originally there and it was later “amended” and removed by him (Farouk), he and by extension the full report cannot be said to be credible. Its common sense, If I know I am going to hurt badly by a repot I would either attack the legitimacy of the report or attack the credibility of the person who wrote the report or attack both. We have seen this game before with the power probe and SEC probe.

The Otedola Angle

It beggars belief that the state will collaborate with a man under investigation to implicate a man empowered to conduct the investigation. Common sense suggests it should be the other round but hey there, this is Nigeria. On the other hand, Mr. Otedola may as well be the victim of the serial probes by House committees.

The Way Forward

First and foremost, I believe strongly that Nigeria needs to uphold its institutions and for this reason the House must bring stiff disciplinary actions against Farouk. Not since the Water Gate scandal, has an arm of government witnessed this amount of embarrassment that has come the way of the Lower House. From Patricia Ette, to Hembe and now Lawan, the House must take deliberate steps to redeem its image. It’s a shame that such a fine gentleman is being used as a scapegoat but the law must be seen to work. He should resign honorably and if he won’t he should be removed by whatever means the law affords. If people begin to see all House members as corrupt people, our democracy is dead and buried.

Second, this may be farfetched but something in me hopes the original report would still be implemented. The whole point of this charade is to discredit the report but we can’t allow people who stole over 1.6 trillion naira to walk. That would be carnage.

If this probe ends this way I would never believe a single word the President speaks about anticorruption ever again. If this were the US, President Obama would have said something by now, our President’s silence is deafening.

Itualive!

BOKO HARAM: THE TRUE AGENDA

2012-05-06T14:09:00.001-07:00

After watching the attack on Thisday newspapers by Boko Haram on YouTube today it occurred to me that we are in for a long haul. If for whatever reason the present situation is not properly managed, Boko Haram would lead to the balkanization of Nigeria. In January of 2011, I remember writing that political elements were responsible for bombings in the FCT and I hoped the situation did not degenerate into one where suicide bombings would commence. It thought I was going too far by mentioning suicide attacks then and I honestly never saw it happening in Nigeria. After the Police HQ bombing, I still refused to believe that the explosives were detonated by suicide bombers. To me, they were set off remotely. Nigerians don’t kill themselves was my argument. But slowly, it has dawned on me that we live in a new Nigeria. One in which improvised bombs are made and suicide bombers show off proudly on YouTube. Clearly a number of things have happened in the last two to three years. There has been a restructuring of the organization known as Boko Haram. They have acquired technology and grown in intelligence. They now have their operatives infiltrating everywhere. It’s difficult to imagine an attack on police and military facilities in Kaduna without insider information.

Boko Haram is presently made up of three elements; economic, political and the Islamic fundamentalist element. Ab initio, Boko Haram started purely as a result of the deplorable economic situation in the north. Their attacks were largely against the state because they had a grouse with the way the elite and political class had plundered state resources. So we often heard about attacks on state institutions such as the police especially after the extra judicial murder of their founder Mohammed Yusuf . As usual, government mismanaged the situation and the quick fix mentally resulted in the death of Mohammed Yusuf. This metamorphosed into a political problem. The build up to the 2011 elections escalated the situation when it looked like the north was losing out of the power bloc. Violence erupted in many parts of Northern Nigeria to create a tense atmosphere. Killings became sporadic and more daring. Perhaps politicians wanted to use this as a negotiating tool to get President Jonathan's government begging. Yet again, the problem was mismanaged and the economic cum political Boko Haram found a new manifesto in Islamic fundamentalism. The present day Boko Haram is a three headed hydra and it would take only the Grace of God with sincere political will to combat it. While the “original” Boko Haram will bomb anything that represents the state such as the police and military facilities, the political elements provide funds and are happy the government is embarrassed. They are hopefully trying to leverage on it for 2015.

The most troubling attacks to me are the ones targeting Christians. These attacks are influenced by the Islamic fundamentalist component of the organization. Islamic fundamentalism anywhere in the world has four agendas. The first is to kill all Americans. The second is to kill all Jews. The third is to kill all Christians and the last is to install an Islamic state and enforce strict Sharia code. The reason I say the third element is the most troubling is because this third element does not negotiate. It would even kill its on members who try to talk soft. It is deadly and ruthless. They killed members of Yusuf’s family who tried to talk with government. This Jihadist arm is fully a terrorist organization. By their exposition on YouTube, they apparently have strong links with Al Qaeda, Al Shabab and other terror organizations across the world. And so, they have nothing to negotiate. They want to kill all infidels. First in northern Nigeria and then move for the south. That’s why talks with government always fail because no one can meet their terms. This third arm aren't satisfied by bombing schools, police stations and media houses (a new development). They purposely also look out for Christians. The Bayero University incident paints a sad picture. Students who were worshiping peacefully were bombed and those who tried to escape were sprayed to death by machine guns. Churches in the north have become soft targets and so their agenda is clear.

They don’t want for resources because so many groups around the world share this agenda as well providing a slush fund to finance their operations. They get their funding from within and outside the country form people and organizations that are sympathetic to them. The fundamentalist arm is in control of Boko Haram. They may still stay true to their name (“western education is sin”) but what they are about now purely Islamic fundamentalism.

Islamic fundamentalism thrives in societies where there is poverty, lack of education and break down of law and order. The signs have been there for a while now. But the Nigerian politician is concerned with just his pocket only. He is interested in contacts that would benefit him. He buys the best cars and tars the road to his house. If the roads in his state are too bad, he buys property in Abuja or Dubai. The North has a large portion of uneducated poor people. These two factors are necessary ingredients for disaster especially when you add religion to it.

Extreme versions of a religion can psyche the most innocent to mind bomb and kill. The virgins in “paradise” are an unnecessary incentive. The bomber would gladly do it for free because there is no hope for him on earth. There is nothing to look forward to. He has no future. His allegiance is to his controller and his hope and future is in "paradise".

The situation now is at a breaking point. We have done poorly in managing it in the past and it seems the leadership of the country has no clue. I have been very slow to criticize President Jonathan’s government because I believe first that Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern. This is a country where good people are repressed and frustrated. You can’t get a job without bribing. You can’t get into university without cheating and when you do, you will be lucky as a girl if you haven’t slept with a lecturer who wants to oppress you. Every probe report is killed before arriving because “forces” would never allow anything to work. The present political class likes the status quo because it suits them. But still, it is also fact that Nigeria has become less safe under this President. The Nigeria he met is different from the one he is running. Violence is so naked now across the country that we have becoming desensitized to it. The Yobe incidents were traders and their herd were burned alive reveals how callous we have become. Things that used to be strange and unheard of have come to bed with us. Thieves raping school girls, youths raping elderly women and university students posting a crime as heinous as rape on YouTube are a few examples. And what did the security agents have to say: “The victims should come out and identify who raped them”.

The NSA, Gen. Andrew Azazi showed his frustrations when he alluded that the zoning arrangement within the PDP helped to worsen the situation. A responsible party would sit down and have a rethink. But missiles were fired at him with many people demanding his sack. One person actually said he was ungrateful. Apparently such a person is more interested in loyalty to whoever appointed him and not to the country. A bomb goes off, and the usual rhetoric: President Goodluck condemns attacks is read out. The Governor of the bombed state has his own favorite line: It is unfortunate. The SSS have theirs: We have the situation under control! And yet nothing changes. The least they can do is change what they say.

The saddest part for me is that we are slowly coming to terms with it. For heaven’s sake this terrorist are boasting on YouTube. They showed the car ram into Thisday on tape. They set up cameras. Took positions and filmed. They told the suicide bomber to go ahead that the cameras were in place. So one question I can’t answer, maybe someone can help is this: What happened to all the CCTV cameras the Goodluck administration is spending gazillion bucks on? Do those things even work? Have they even been deployed? My problem with this country is that we never think of the simple things that solve problems. We rather do things that involve contracts and money which end up in individual pockets. A few months ago, it was reported that a camera in the UK captured former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, over speeding. Because he crossed the speed limit he would get a ticket. If our cameras employed for counter terrorism cannot catch traffic offenders. It would not catch a terrorist. And in the event that it would, someone would settle someone. Or aren’t we in the same country where a police chief allowed a terror prime suspect walk from custody? By the way where are the Iranians accused of importing a ship load of arms into the country?

The way things are going especially if nothing is done, Nigeria will break and the prophecy of a failed state would come true. You may be in Lagos or Edo, feeling bad that some Christians are being incinerated while you read your paper and watch the Big Brother show, but if this tide is not slowed down and ultimately stopped, this party would end. It is not enough to complain. Because in Nigeria, that’s all we do. We complain, and go back to our sufferings. We protest over fuel hike and complain the strike is getting too long.

A WAY FORWARD….

On the part of government, this present administration must state in very clear terms that it would not seek reelection. That’s first. Once that is established the President can fight crime and corruption easier. If you are lobbying fuel thieves to fund campaign, you won’t bring them to justice. You actually can’t. The maxim holds true: he that must seek equity must come with clean hands (or at least not so soiled ones). Secondly, we must address the issue of impunity. If the first people who have been funding the slaughtering of Christians have been caught, tried and killed by the state. It would be harder for anyone to find it lucrative. The age long problem of lack of education and poverty in the north and other parts of the country have been reiterated over and again. The new Al-majiri model schools are a step in the right direction.

On the part of the citizens, we should create the Nigeria we want. Speak out when we see evil and be one another’s keeper. If you give a bribe to get your child in school then don’t complain when someone bribes his way out of a subsidy probe. We must determine to be change agents. It sounds hard and idealistic in present day Nigeria but the buck has to stop somewhere. This buying and selling culture we have now will mortgage the future of our children. There actually would be no future for them on our present path.

For Christians out there, five minutes of prayer daily can save a life. It was the Church’ prayer that saved Peter after James had been killed. Prayer does work and it’s better than saying “omashe”. Since it’s apparent nobody has a clue on how to solve this mess we find ourselves in, we can at least pray and ask God for wisdom for our leaders. It’s not just because we are out of options but it’s our responsibility as Christians. There is a group out there that hates you and wants you and your family dead and the earlier you realize you are “endangered”, the faster. If Boko Haram take over the North (God forbid), they are coming south. Or did you think they would stop at Benue?

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the death of President Yar’Adua. A man I am beginning to admire more after his passing. He was sincere and tried his best to fight corruption. He wasn’t exactly the strongest leader in the world but he had a heart for Nigeria. And that’s what leadership is about-heart. He portrayed this in his resolve to find lasting peace to the Niger Delta crisis and this will keep his name forever in the history books of Nigeria. President Goodluck has a chance to combat this menace head on. He can still solve the many political problems bothering on several issues like resource control, revenue allocation formula, and immunity. The economy can grow if resources are channeled properly. Corruption will reduce if he puts some of his friends in jail. Competencies will improve if he fires incompetent ministers. There will be improved light in Nigeria if the generation and distribution is decentralized.

Great leaders give power. Great leader risk being vulnerable. Great leaders put their country first. How the President responds to these situations, well, time will tell…

Itualive!

RONALDO VS MESSI: A Winner At Last?

2012-04-23T11:16:00.002-07:00

Even a toddler would have a thing or two to say about these football superstars. Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two footballers who though still in their twenties have made legends of themselves. So who then is better? Well, this question has been trending for a while now and will continue to do so so long as these duo continue to smash records with consummate ease. The manner with which they do this is unique to both players and this makes it difficult for their passionate fans, admirers and neutrals to agree on who truly is better.

Ronaldo is the embodiment of an ideal athlete: Optimal height, tremendous burst of speed and power with fantastic skills to boot. He is lethal with his head and can strike with both feet. He can nick one from a distance and he could be a fox in the 6yard box and not to forget, he is also a dead-ball specialist. It is no wonder his stats for Los blancos are phenomenal. Presently, Ronaldo is averaging just over a goal per game. You would think we have a winner, right? Well, wait to you hear what his counterpart has on display.

Messi, while not exactly imposing in any physical attribute takes close ball control and dribbling at top speed to a celestial high. Many neutrals have become fans of football just by watching the diminutive Argentine at his mesmerizing best. Not since the days of Maradonna have we seen a player that consistently shows us how to dribble from any position on the field. Irrespective of the size and number of his markers, Messi glides past them like hot knife through butter. There is probably no better finisher of the round leather game on earth. Messi also scores with his head, and can score from distance. He brings such finesse to his finishing, making the most daunting task look ridiculously easy.

Asides their incredible football talent, the mere fact that they are from the same era, which in itself is a rarity, is fantastic. Looking beyond their well documented physical differences, they play for teams established as eternal rivals. If comparing both players proves difficult, the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona puts things into proper perspective. You cannot divorce the fact that the clubs they play for have helped stoke the fireworks. And if that didn’t do it for you, knowing that Christiano Ronaldo answers to Jose Mouriho-the special one- and Lionel Messi is managed by Pep Guardiola, a man said to be arguably one of the best coaches on the planet. The two players may be similar in how prolific they are at scoring goals but away from the pitch it’s a different ball game all together. Christiano sports Armani suits, Lionel wears Dolce and Gabbana. Christiano endorses Nike, Lionel assents to Addidas. An Audemars Piguet piece is worn around Messi’s wrist, and for Ronaldo, it’s a Time Force. Ronaldo may have won in the area of facebook fans but Messi can take solace in the fact that he makes more money. Although Ronaldo appears to have a bad boy image judging by his numerous voluptuous model girlfriends, Lionel Messi is perceived to be a lot “humbler” in his desires.

Who then is the better? Well according to the World Governing Body, FIFA, and UEFA, Messi is. But if you consider that football is a team sport and to select a player above another, such a player should have exceptional talent. How well do these players fit into their respective teams vis-à-vis team work and camaraderie. And if they happen to play for different clubs, can they replicate or surpass their present achievements?

Messi supporters would allude to the fact that, save for the Argentine national team, Messi has led the various teams he has played with (to lift trophies. Quick pointers would be the World Youth Championship (FIFA U-20) in 2005 cup where he bettered our own Mikel Obi as the most valuable player of that competition. They would claim that it would be a matter of time for him to replicate his achievements for the South American giants. With the consistency with which Messi raises the bar of excellence every season, few would be brave enough to bet against the La Albiceleste in Brazil come 2014.

While Christiano Ronaldo’s protagonists may not mention that he has not achieved anything fantastic for his national side, they would be quick to point that he has always been exceptional at all his clubs- from Lisbon to Manchester United and now Real Madrid. Ronaldo has distinguished himself in different teams and leagues. We can’t say the same for Messi. This strengthens the claim that Ronaldo is better.

Ronaldo might have a selfishness to his game, but that only adds to the allure that surrounds him. Messi almost always comes out tops each time they go head to head. And many have questioned Ronaldo’s incapability to consistently bring it on in the big games. Messi currently leads in most stats of comparison but that is not enough to stifle the pro Ronaldo camp. With Ronaldo thrumping Messi in La Liga so far, and a potential classico UEFA Champions League Final looming, there are numerous twists and turns and opportunities for these gladiators to state their claim as the best in their era.

What is certain however is that this battle is not in its twilight and we should all consider it a privilege to have not one but two great legends of the game in our time.

ItuaLive!

NIGERIA IS RISEN!

2012-04-08T15:28:00.003-07:00

“He is risen”- is the text that graced many personal profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry messenger on Easter Sunday. This text first appeared in the bible in Matthew 28 and also in Luke 24, when an angel from God comforted Mary at the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Christ is the core feature of the Christian faith and it marks the crescendo of Jesus’ work on earth. And according to Apostle Paul, without the resurrection, the Christian faith is vain and we (Christians) are of all men most miserable (1Cor 15:13-19).

Arguments over the true origin of Easter have spawn through time. Some have pointed out that Easter is deeply rooted in pagan tradition dating back to an ancient Babylonian family—2,000 years before Christ—honoring the resurrection of their god, Tammuz, who was brought back from the underworld by his mother/wife, Ishtar (after whom the festival was named). They have supported their claims arguing that ceremonies where Easter bunnies and Easter eggs are used in celebrations are not biblical. There may be some truth in this but I believe the message of Easter is what is truly important.

In the White House, there is an Easter Egg Roll tradition since 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday. Am sure most Nigerian children would prefer to eat the eggs to fill their hungry stomachs instead. Who would blame them? The present state of the Nigerian child is pitiable and his future has sadly been mortgaged by his fathers.

Over the last month or so, I have not posted anything personally on the blog majorly because I have become disillusioned at on-going events in the country. It seems like we take one step forward and several steps back. I keep asking myself, “What is the point”? The truth is that no one really cares. The country seems to be on auto pilot. It’s everyone for himself and God for us all as they say. And sadly I had begun to adopt the strategy of self preservation. At least let me try to better my own life. “Let God bless me and enlarge my own coast”, I profess to myself. If Nigeria burns, so be it. But in taking that path, I had also become part of the problem because the moment we decide to be like lambs and keep quiet, we have inadvertently agreed to be led to the sheerer for slaughter.

The truth is this: Nigeria can never get better if something radical does not happen. A radical change or a radical decision (I don’t mean fuel subsidy removal) must occur. Newton’s first law of motion forecasts Nigeria’s doom in the absence of an external force. Marxist would liken that force to be Prometheus, a renegade god who stole fire from Zeus to give to men. Others including myself would gravitate towards a less supernatural solution to something more practical.

For the record, I no longer think the major problem with Nigeria is leadership. Leaders are a product of society. The society in turn produces its leaders. Thus, a tragic vicious cycle is created where the victims of a system procreate to breed hegemonic leaders. The young man that had a cell phone strapped to his sandal during the last UTME examination is a case note. Had he succeeded, a paradigm for his life would have been set. If in the future he contested for election to become a local government chairman or even a governor, he would have no problem rigging. He would lie about building roads and schools and new refineries to win elections. And if he joins the right political party (wink wink), he certainly would win. He would pick up his microphone in his broadcast as a number one citizen of a state or local government and tell his followers that there would be no sacred cows. He will tell everyone who cares to listen that there would be no tolerance for corruption. The moment he drops the microphone, he would cart away 250 million pounds into foreign accounts through his girlfriends and mistresses. He expects nothing else of himself, because that is who he truly is. The society that produces him expects nothing more from him; after all, our leaders must “chop”. We are further plunged deeper into the bottomless abyss of anarchy. Of course we shouldn’t forget that he did not start up in life as a cheat. This might have been his fourth UTME exam. He has younger ones to support and his chance of getting into University is getting slimmer. He needs to know someone to get into school. He needs to know someone else to get a job. He needs to know someone for everything.

Because he is poor, the society ostracizes him. The Darwinian Law of Natural Selection kicks in. It is survival of the fittest and man must “whack”. A life of hardship and possibly crime beckons. If he’s lucky he will die before he is 30. If not, he would end up in prison. The chances that he would cross from poverty to wealth by hard work and honesty is close to zero. The society hates him because he is not successful and he hates his society for not giving him a chance. The people who do get the job sometimes aren’t the most qualified and hence promotion and perpetuating mediocrity in the society.

What results is that everyone now wants to be a mediocre because medicres are the ones that have it all.

Another reason for our underdeveloped in Nigeria is because there is no punishment for crime and we continue to glorify and adulate people who should be in prison. It is said of Christ, that he loved righteousness and hated iniquity (or wickedness). For a society to function optimally there has to be a balance. The State must punish crime and extol justice and integrity wherever it is found. If there was a law to punish anyone who steals N500, 000 and above by death, it won’t take a rocket scientist as President to put Nigeria back on track. But everybody’s job is made harder because there are crooks everywhere-in the offices, among your friend and family, and even in places of worship. The future of the nation’s children has already been mortgaged to corruption. We here of endless circuses called probes in the NASS that come to nothing. We see the charade on TV, and behind closed doors, they “settle” it as gentle men and women. Members of the House who should resign still wine and dine and vie for reelection. The fuel probe will most likely go the way of power probe, SEC probe and pensions probe.

I believe strongly that Nigeria’s problems are not insurmountable. They are as legion as the demon possessed man, but certainly not impossible to deal with. First is to adopt a step by step approach and solve one problem after the other. Corruption is pervasive but while we try to fight it we can as well have light or can’t we? If we all agree that a major impediment to Nigeria’s economic growth is power, why is the light issue becoming worse instead of better? Why have I had light for less than 2 hours daily in the last month? And what does it take to give Nigerians light after 13 years of democracy.

In elementary biology we learn that in the organization of life, cell come together to form tissues, which build up to organs and eventually become systems. If God Almighty built the human body to function effectively and efficiently using this model aren’t we being foolish in trying to generate power centrally in order to distribute to different regions? Over 15-20% of the power generated would eventually be lost when sending it to the National grid. The idea of the FG trying to control everything is not helping. I was in Dubai in January, and I saw a 132kva substation plant providing light for a part of the city. Imagine if that power had to be transferred to Abu Dhabi, the seat of government before it is redistributed back to Derra in Dubai. It would be both wasteful and stupid. Also, little steps like filling up pot holes instead of waiting for the giant contracts to sail through can be done.

The major reason I believe there is hope for Nigeria is because of Easter. The body of the most anointed man on earth lay lifeless in the tomb for three days. It seemed like all was lost. His disciples had become despondent, his followers had abandoned him. And then, on the third day, he rose from the dead.

We may have remained dead as a Nation for quite some time. Our society may have produced the worse set of leaders, still I believe we will rise. I believe that a dysfunctional society that can still produce people like Bishop Oyedepo, Babatunde Fashola, Tuface Idibia, E.A Adeboye, Asa, Osita, D’banj, Funke Akindele, Chnedu, Osita Iheme, Chimamanda Adichie has hope. And that society one day, someday will rise.

Oliver Twist: D’banj’s Deceptive Social Commentary

2012-03-25T12:29:00.002-07:00

The last valid criticism of D’banj is that he is not a serious songwriter. But with his latest effort it appears he has finally scaled that critical hurdle…

Oliver Twist is on the surface just another one of the artist’s numerous songs about sex. A topic he has been fascinated with from his very first single, Tongolo, a contrived word that has been broken down to its individual syllables, into three separate words, to mean a particular sex act. Whether this was the original idea has not been substantiated by the Mo’ Hits star. But taking his oeuvre since then into account, it doesn’t seem a stretch of an idle mind’s carnal projection.

D’banj has since then taken the industry and listeners quickly into the mind of a young, rich and famous Nigerian. This incursion has been inadvertent for many discerning listeners. This group of people will rather listen to the mellow insightful music of a less boisterous musician. Only if Nigerian radio will let them; but no it will not! Nigerian radio loves D’banj- if radio deejays did not have him, they may have had to create him for themselves. And if his shows are anything to go by, the ladies love him too. It is strange to see women who will ordinarily frown at the use of sexual language lapping up the artist’s music, luxuriating even as they shower the man with unfettered adulation. Such is the lure of his performance.

For all the success seen by him since that initial foray into the industry, he has never really enjoyed critical acclaim. If it can be acknowledged that pop music’s Big 3 in Nigeria today are Tuface, Psquare and D’banj, then critically Tuface is both the most critically successful and most popular. D’banj will be penultimate in critical acclaim and arguably last in popularity.

While it appears the twins cannot be troubled about their rank lyrically, the slur against D’banj’s songwriting prowess seems to have bothered him so much that he took his insecurity on record: the title track on his The Entertainer album has him boasting that he doesn’t have to make sense since his self-appointed job description is to entertain. After that declaration, he goes on to speak gibberish to prove his point.

There are those that would claim that the meaningless chants he utters on that track are little more than an extension of his usual lyrics. Maybe. But his last single, Oliver Twist, while not as culturally significant as the book/character that lends its title, presents some incontrovertible truths about the male psyche.

Stripped of its pulsating beat, the song starts solemnly: “I have a confession.” D‘banj’s voice is unable to convey melancholy but it is the plea of a sinner. Or the glee in his voice is indicative of a sinner that takes pride in his frailty. Whatever the case, the protagonist then goes on to not only demand your attention but ask not to be judged. He needn’t have bothered with that last request since almost all men can relate with his confession. His sin? He likes a host of women, and not just regular women, famous women. It is not exactly a case of objectifying women since he appears to factor in their achievements- Beyonce is taken by the rich and powerful Jigga; comically Nadia Buari is too rich, too beautiful to drink garri.

Beyond, the opportunity to name drop that this confers, the predilection for famous women is not unique.

Years ago as an adolescent, an uncle took a poll around the house. The question was: If consensually spending the night with a ravishing singer, I forget who it was now, will guarantee your imprisonment, will you still do or decline? Suffice to say, the said uncle was jobless at the time. Still, that several people had jokingly said yes and those that declined seemed to ruminate on it, is telling. To postulate wildly, for a lot of people (males especially) who have recognized that fame, greatness will forever elude them, sleeping with an embodiment of said greatness might be the closest they would ever get. It is the logic behind groupies.

Of all the women he expresses a desire to be with, Omotola’s ideal is that which is most curious. The others are either endowed with prominent backsides, beautiful or sweet, but the Omotola archetype is wanted only because ‘people like her’. Beyond the usual trappings of beauty and endowments, the major appeal she has to the narrator is her appeal to others. This too is something a lot of young males are familiar with, the girlfriend whose main feature is the like/love/lust she arouses in others, the trophy girlfriend. Art imitates life, it is not uncommon to see numerous suitors for female students in final year of Pharmacy, Medicine and Law. Suitors whose first attraction is the title the wife would bear when out of school. There is an episode of Grey’s Anatomy where Sandra Oh’s character tells her partner, “You only love me because I’m a doctor”.

The second verse sees the protagonist accuses an unnamed female of his crime. She too likes the famous boys that serenade her as her radio plays the surrogate lover. So in essence she’s only human, he doesn’t blame her. And he expects her not to blame him either. If said female is his romantic partner, they seem to both come to appreciate their smallness in the grand scheme of things.

It is pertinent to note that the entire drama plays out exclusively in the head of the protagonist showing how powerless he is as the media inundates him with striking idealized women he can never meet talk more of date. He wants ‘to have them all’ but he never will. To reduce his guilt he claims she too wants them all, that she too desires to carnally express her desires to these strapping males but she cannot. (click to watch full video: www.bit.ly/GWluDN)

The futility of both wishes is common but the inability to consummate these desires is different. The male cannot meet his potential conquests since he is an ordinary guy. The female is scared the society would frown and label her loose considering the number of men he claims she wants. She is his female equal, she is Olivia Twist.

Thus the song sets a mirror to the mostly illogical rationales that go into the contemporary romantic relationship and also between the populace and its stars.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo

Asokoro, Abuja

THE PROSTITUTE (A POEM)

2012-03-11T15:15:00.003-07:00

They have just one thing on their minds

But I have many on mine

Though the color of their skins are as different as wine

They are all one and the same kind

One after the other, they inflict pain in my inward parts

Tears become my numbing pill

Am home in West Africa. I see my father sitting on a bamboo mat

The pain between my thighs bring me back to Sicily

I want that one,

Another points in my direction.

He says with a smile

That will be only 20 Liras…

Itualive!

IBORI: CUSTOM MADE HELL, PFN, ANDRES VIAS BOAS AND ONE OTHER THING

2012-03-04T16:39:00.003-08:00

The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places: how are the mighty fallen!

The above text is culled from the Second book of Samuel in the Bible. It speaks of a people (or person) who had at a time been so mighty and powerful that they became prideful and arrogant and now were humiliated by the Almighty. That can be said to be the case of former Delta State governor, Chief Onanefe James Ibori. A man loved by a few, hated by others, cherished by some and feared by all. In fact, it seems every adjective can be used to describe the ex-governor except honest. Ibori’s integrity has always been in the spot light even from the early days of his administration. James Ibori was accused in 2003 of being an ex-convict but narrowly escaped impeachment. A “curious” judgment was delivered in his favor even when the evidence appeared to be of be of contrary opinion.

Ibori after being forced into exile by the EFCC will certainly be regretting some of his actions now. Am sure given hindsight, he (Ibori) would do just one thing differently- that is, remain in Nigeria instead of fleeing to Dubai. If the statement credited to his lawyer is anything to go by, pleading guilty to money laundering charges is not the same as pleading guilty to corruption charges. He claims to have done the nation a favor by his plea. He doesn’t want to drag the name of the country into the mud by going through the hassles of a lengthy trial. With this type of talk, it is obvious that his kind is unrepentant and unapologetic. He belongs to the class of Nigerian politician that would rather make a crooked cent than make an honest dollar. The only thing Ibori would do differently if he were to be governor again is to take a chance with the Nigerian justice system. It is a system where “senior lawyers” are hired to make a trial go on indefinitely so that justice is never served. And if the heat gets too much, one could always settle for a plea bargain. In this case, Delta state will get their cut while Ibori will keep the rest. If the trial had been in Nigeria, some Delta women would have come half naked to the court house to bemoan the persecution of “their son”. Hired youths will join in the melee of brandishing placards displaying, “man of the people” or “free ibori” or “GEJ, this is victimization.”

What is especially worrisome and sickening to me is the realization that if Late President Yar’Adua, Chief Aondoaka and Mrs. Farida Waziri, were still in office, Ibori would be in Nigeria today worshipped by all the prophets of Baal as an elder states man of PDP. It only goes to show that what determines whether a person is punished for sins against humanity in this country is what side of the power block he/she is on and not the rule of law.

I have said this over and over again. The law must serve as a deterrent. Judge Christopher Hardy of Southwark Crown Court sentenced Ibori’s wife for five years after considering her plea for mercy to serve as a warning to other governors’ wives. Law should not encourage sin. This way wives may be encouraged to advice their husband’s to tread gently or at least not buy a house in London. But in our dear country the reverse is the case. Everything here is sentiments. Even issues that should not be toyed around with are laden with sentiments. It was reported in some news media that the family of the would-be bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, in conjunction with some influential northern leaders are trying to plead with President Jonathan to prevail on the US government to lessen the sentence because no one died. Am still trying to wrap my head around this and hoping for our sakes the report is false. This young man almost ruined the future of unborn Nigerians and people are considering going to beg on his behalf? Do they know the kind of embarrassment his action caused? Even Nobel Laureate was not spared any blemishes when he was made to go through “strenuous” checks at the airport on entering the US.

A lot of people are happy Ibori was caught with soiled hands. But I would have been happier if this guilty plea was obtained in Nigeria. It would have done wonders for our justice system and at least brought some form of succor to the injustice being meted out against hard working Nigerians daily. I feel deeply pained when I see able bodied men selling gala or fan milk on the road in an oil producing country. Over educated youths are roaming the streets unemployed. In fact so many people are going abroad to obtain masters degrees they will never utilize because unemployment rate has skyrocketed. Yet one man will cart away over 250 million pounds to fund his profligacy and lust.

Almost every day an Okada accident occurs with people dying because the roads are bad. The ones that can be managed have pot holes. Our people are slaughtered yearly because roads that should be dual carriage are so narrow that head on collisions often occur when vehicles try to overtake. Yet monies meant to for development is diverted to buy mansions in Europe for mistresses. I am so convinced that the Nigerian corrupt politician and civil servant will get a custom made, full option hell fire when they die. I can’t fathom a common thief and our potbellied thieves having the same punishment. Too many people have died over the greed of our leaders. Yes, factory fitted, full option hell fire!

I know it’s impossible to have a coed prison but I keep imagining Ibori, his wife and his mistress all in the cell room. I may seem funny but it’s a fantasy that may give Hugh Hefner a run for his money.

PFN VS JNI

There has been a trade of wars between the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the governing body for Muslims in the north over statements credited to the JNI. I support the PFN completely, not only because am a Christian but because the JNI were making unfounded statements that could cause more harm to our collective coexistence. Statements like this: “several reported cases of Christians who disguise as Muslims to burn churches” cannot be farther from the truth. If we all agree that Boko Haram is the problem, why would anyone say a Christian will kill another Christian so that a Muslim will be blamed beggars belief. Virtually every Muslim I know has distanced themselves and Islam from Boko Haram, therefore let’s concentrate our efforts on who the enemy really is-Boko Haram. The JNI also claimed that a “Christian dominated southern media have always demonstrated bias against Islam and Muslims”. This also cannot be the truth. Actually, I think the so called “Christian dominated southern press”, have actually been too balanced. If they had anything against Muslims, it wouldn’t be the JNI that would tell us. Virtually, every print and electronic media house have been professional in the way they have reported acts of terrorism carried out by Boko Haram. By far the most disturbing point they made read: We want to remind all Christian zealots in Nigeria, that our love for peace must not be mistaken as a license to make us second class citizens in a country where we constitute a majority”. The PFN wrote a perfect rejoinder that I hope the JNI got the message.

ANDRES VILLAS-BOAS

It is the end of the road for Chelsea manager, Andres Villas Boas. The hammer has slung once more and Chelsea find themselves in need of someone to fill the big shoes left by Jose Mourinho. The 34-year-old Portuguese is the sixth manager to be sacked by Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. Since he took control only Guus Hiddink, who was an interim appointment, left of his own volition. It appeared the “senior players” didn’t want him and they forced him out. I kind of liked AVB as he was popularly called. Well not exactly because he was a good coach, but his continual stay at Chelsea (especially with the rebellion rumored in the dressing room) guaranteed their underperformance which would help Arsenal better them this season. Don’t blame me; Manchester United and Manchester City are in a world of their own. I don’t fancy Tottenham dropping too many points. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been inconsistent and if anyone of them deserves the final Champions league spot, it ought to be Arsenal.

VANTASTIC

Yes, Vantastic. That was what I screamed after Van Persie scored that screamer against Liverpool over the weekend. The man is simply outstanding this season. This season has been one of ups and downs but Van Persie’s performance all through as been phenomenal. I hope he stays at Arsenal but if he leaves in the summer, I won’t blame him. He is simply too hot to handle at the moment.

Itualive!™

STYLE-PLUS: END OF THE ROAD?

2012-02-06T07:08:00.001-08:00

The Nigerian music industry has evolved over the years. The 70’s and 80’s may not have had the publicity, razzmatazz or funds available today; but what it had– good music- it had in abundance. The gramophone spewed King Sunny Ade’s, “One love”, Ebenezer Obe’s, “kete kete”, Sir Shina Peters’, Seven Seven Seven, I.K Dairo’s, “Mo Sori Ire”, Oliver de Coque’s “Ka anyi bili ndu”, and Sir Victor Uwaifo’s, “Guitar Boy”. Music back then may have more often reflected the socio-cultural, political and economic plights of the people, but it was enjoyable all the same. For instance, it was not uncommon to hear the great Afro Beat legend, Fela and his Egypt 80 band proclaim “International Thief Thief” when he was displeased with politicians but you still drank your pepper soup and beer with relish on hearing “Lady”. Majek Fashek sang “Send down the Rain” in the face of pervading poverty but it stands out as one of the greatest songs of that time. In the 90’s, the likes of Junior and Pretty, juiced up the airways with a classic-Bolanle while Blacky pleasured us with “Rosie, can I have a dance”. But for whatever reason people sang about-whether for love or for war- these songs, now classics, will remain in our consciousness for a long time. A transformation in style and form of music continued through the 90’s and artistes like Daddy Showkie, Baba Frayo, Bright Chimezie, and Charlie Boy emerged. Again, Baba Fryo’s “Denge potz” stands out in that decade as a classiic as did many others. Along the way, Fuji, Juju, Reggae and Highlife music began to lose their dominance while R&B, Rap and other highly westernized forms, got increasingly popular. At the turn of the century, Nigerian musicians began to fully practise “Ars gratia artis”. Not that they didn’t have families to feed or misgivings to address but there seemed to be a desperate appeal from fans for something different.

In 2004, that something different came along. It wasn’t the regular brandishing of big-ass shaking women or a song about your girlfriend visiting you in your estate in Lekki. It was pure, beautiful music. It was what our hearts longed for. “Olufunmi” was the song. Style-Plus was the band. Olufunmi with its soft tune redefined the Nigerian music industry at that time. It wasn’t just a song, it was a person. And she followed you everywhere you went. In your car, in your bath tub, in your office. Olufunmi was everywhere. Olufunmi is in the hall of fame of the last decade as like Tuface’s African Queen and D’banj’s, Why Me. Style-Plus received massive airplay and were sought to play at major music shows. With a promising career ahead of them, an eager fan base, and a burgeoning music industry, the sky was theirs to take.

They didn’t just have the market back then, they owned it. They wrote reasonable lyrics, had great vocals, and appeared to know the way round musical instruments. They looked professional and were moulded in the image and likeness of Boys 2 Men. Other singles like “Call my Name”, “Run Away” and “Stay Alive” also had originality and depth. They had the ladies on their side. And in music, once you have the women, you have the men too.

Style-plus originally started as a quartet. One member, Lanre Faneyi died in 1999, and was replaced by Zeal Onyecheme. In 2002 another member Yemi Akinwonmi left the group to pursue a career away from music leaving Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi and Zeal Onyeacheme as the remaining members of the group. Style-Plus teamed up with T-jazz (Anthony Ukpong) and Joey (Joseph Ukpong) to form their own record label; Styl-Plus Music.

Style-Plus have however had a turn of fortunes in the last couple of years and their fan base has withered drastically. A number of reasons have accounted for this plunge ranging from poor management to issues relating to publicity.

Their woes began with their first album; Expressions released in February of 2006. At first, Expressions could be thought to a successful album judging by the hype and air play received especially with hit tracks like “Imagine That” and “Iya Basira”. But what Styl-Plus failed to realize was that with “Expressions” they were trying to fix what was never broken. In a move to switch from R&B to the more popular dance hall genre, consequently, Style-Plus began to lose the very thing they were loved for. Not everybody loves the mainstream pop culture. And even if they did, Styl-Plus is meant to be an escape from the D’banj’s and Timaya’s of this world. A sort of go between the noisy club bangers and serenity. Let’s face it, not unless you are Coldplay or Black Eye Peas, you shouldn’t try it. It may have worked for Eldee of Trybsmen but changing lanes in music can be a risky venture. Shank tried to move from his raga style that brought him into limelight when he sang “Julie” to a more mainstream art. His latest single “Salute” is more like the Shank we love and are used to .Other artistes that have tried unsuccessfully to change their style or genre of music include JJC of 419 Squad, Baba Dee, Dijinee, and Eedris Abdukareem. Its one thing to be versatile and creative, it’s another to leave your fans confused thinking you are a mood swinging schizophrenic. In Eedris’ case, he allowed Rugged Man’s jibe get to him. To be frank, nobody ever heard what Idris rapped about but he was selling even when muttering his gibberish. Lil John and the Ying Yang Twins also produce incoherent words also and still sell. In an attempt to be like a “normal” rapper and singer (he didn’t do either well), Eedris missed it completely.

Another probable assumption for Style Plus’ dip in fortune is what is referred to as the “curse of boy bands”. To be perfectly honest, how many of these groups last? Where are NSYNC, Westlife, B2K, 98 degrees, Plantashun Boyz, and the Remedees now? Its either they fade into the crowd or there is a split and they all begin to pursue solo careers. Usually, the lead singer of the defunct group becomes the more successful. Omarion is a break away from B2k, Justin Timberlake has had a more illustrious career alone than when he was with NSYNC. Our very own Innocent Idibia fancied his chances away from the Plantashun Boyz and has never regretted it. Style-Plus have vowed never to split (not such a smart decision) with their song “Four Years” where they bragged, “we still dey carry go, no body waka nobody go solo…” If they ever go their separate ways (this may actually be the best thing for them right now), it would be interesting to see how Shifi who seems to be the leader of the pack handles himself.

Finally, producing two not so successful albums (especially when the videos are below industry standards) should make any serious thinking group begin to consider finding new producers or signing with another LP entirely. Whether or not they are friends with their producers or managers, if the business relationship is not prospering, then it should be severed. Michael Jackson fired his dad, Usher Raymond had to employ the services of a Jermaine Dupri when it seemed like Sean Combs wasn’t doing the job properly. Even Mariah Carey needed a lift when her career plummeted. The Emancipation of Mimi is rated one of Maria’s most successful albums ever. It may have cost Tuface some money to part ways with Kennis Music but those tough decisions do have to be taken.

Questions have to be asked about Style-Plus’ decision to remain in Abuja when Lagos is the commercial capital of the nation. Though with proper management and planning, they would flourish even if they decided to live in Otuoke. There are several producers who are doing the industry a lot of good right now. Cobhams Asuquo, Don Jazzy, Doctor Frabs, and Jesse Jags are a few names brandished around these days. Asking for help isn’t such a bad thing.

Good news is, Nigerians still love Style-Plus and want them to succeed. We want to be treated to the sweet melodious voices of Shifi, Zeal and Tunde. There is still a place for them in the industry howbeit small. With the amount of songs being churned out weekly, the competition is getting stiffer by the day. The bar is higher, and the quality of music is getting better. The need that brought Style-Plus into limelight is being met by artistes like Dare, Bez and Asa. They would have to up their game to reclaim the top spot in an overcrowded heart.

Olufunmi is an outright classic, no doubt about it. But so is African queen, yet Tuface has continued to remain relevant. To remain on top, you have to keep at it. Style-Plus must keep at it to get to where they should and deserve to be. As we await the release of their next album in an attempt to claw their way back into our consciousness, we would hope that they produce yet another classic.

Thing is, even if we love to meet Wizzy and P-Square in the clubs, we rather Styl-Plus remain in the car with us, on the ride back home.

SUBSIDY: A PANORAMIC VIEW

2012-01-29T04:49:00.000-08:00

I am not a politician and I am not an economist. I don’t hold the strongest opinions on either.

I am a Nigerian and this imposed fact means I can speak my half-baked mind on the issue.

I do not support the subsidy removal and as it stands I don’t think I ever will. Now listening to both sides of the debate, it appears the subsidy would have to be removed eventually. The government claims the money is to be used on infrastructure. A laughable idea since it sounds like the provision of infrastructure is a favour to Nigerians. The argument against is hinged on the timing and there is the theory that there isn’t any subsidy in the first place.

Like I have said I am not an expert in this field so I say as a layman with only the elementary economics taught in one of the public schools that previous government have allowed go to ruin, that the thought is callous. Since the issue was raised in public discourse, my faculty has been inundated with various arguments with well annotated calculations that fly over my head. The only one I consider of any merit is basic arithmetic that starts from the minimum wage.

Basically for simplicity, let’s use 18,000 as minimum wage. Since the increase, the average fare from places like Nyanya to Gwarimpa (using Abuja as setting)has gone up to about 250. Now to and fro would be 500. So daily transportation expenses is N500/day. If we assume the worker doesn’t go to work Saturdays and Sundays in a 30-day month of three weekends, that would mean 24 days of 500/day fare which would amount to N12,000. So for all other expenses he has N6,000 to be used in a world where food prices have doubled.

Just peachy, isn’t it?

The example is for a single person, but there are families that actually have less than 18,000 as sole income. Spokespersons for the government say the benefits would be seen in about three years. And I ask, how long can a family subsist on that income while it awaits this bright future?

Truth is, such a family won’t survive three months. It is impossible. But knowing Nigeria, people who haven’t lived like this ever are telling us to wait, give government time, joy cometh in a few years. Bollocks, I say.

Of course, few experts would take this type of analysis seriously since there isn’t any fancy economic jargon involved. I know I have ignored large swathes of economic postulation to get this across but I doubt the majority of Nigerians understand anything higher than this pedestrian view.

The government says it will get better, market forces (that faceless entity) based on demand and supply, while the money saved, that mythic 1.3trillion, would provide roads, hospitals, health centres, and yes the elusive power! All that may be good but how long can the vast majority of Nigerians wait for market forces?

It really is that simple to my mind.

Any expert reading this especially the Iweala’s, Sanusi’s with their foreign tutored brains would label this silly. But there isn’t another way to see it. Aside the fancy education that prevents these people from understanding the simple things of the world, there is also the money and power. Chances are none of these people or their kids have to purchase fuel most of the time- official cars ferry officials fuelled with official fuel- the life. Such life comes with a lack of empathy as handicap. Even if they have to pay, the obscene amount of money as salary is a mighty soft cushion. If they had to live on 20,000 a month, I am sure they would find Tropical Editions of Harvard textbooks to imbibe.

Again, if by the most definition of democracy, it is for the people and by the people; now same people have said they don’t want the policy, how can it stand and yet claim to be democracy. I must be missing something here.

For us young people, Nigeria has for the most part being a la Awolowo a geographical entity. There are hardly any of us who can claim to be patriotic and show proof. We have not fought wars, we didn’t fight for Independence, the transition to democracy was achieved through prayers and an anecdotal apple. A lot of us can’t recite the full anthem and pledge completely and accurately (fortunately, our politicians can’t either).

But it takes only one episode to transform a docile people into a horde of irate protesters. We have watched the people of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, a lot of them young with only books and oral tradition telling them when their leaders came into power tackle their governments, marching angrily on the streets defiant. They may have been speaking to their leaders but in their agitation was a message to us, we the meek people of Nigeria- of which I am a card carrying member- appear to have found an opportunity to stand for something.

Come tomorrow, I drop that card and pick up a placard in its stead.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo

Asokoro, Abuja.

FUEL SUBSIDY: THE MORNING AFTER

2012-01-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

L-R (Sanusi Lamido, Christine Lagarde, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala)

In logic, an “argumentum ad populum” (latin phrase for “appeal to the people”) is a fallacious argument that concludes a proposition to be true because many or most believe it. It alleges: “If many believe so, then it is so”. Therefore it is more fallacious to think that a few people comprising the President and his economic team headed by the coordinating minister of the economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Governor of the Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the minister for petroleum, Dieziani Alison Madueke, would claim that removing the subsidy on petrol would end all of Nigeria’s problems. As pristine as their argument seems, it is illogical to believe that subsidy removal would suddenly provide golden streets, sky scrapers, hospitals, and state of the art universities.

Government’s arguments have been closed ended and based on principles of free market economies that are rather grandiose and superfluous. So many assumptions have been made and the begging question: “what if no investor comes to build refineries” is left unanswered. The finance minister in a bid to lend credence to the policy suddenly turned health minister overnight and became an expert on maternal and child mortality. She is so sure that the “savings” derived from fuel subsidy will save our dying children. Her counterpart, Madueke Alison spoke ever so brilliantly about how the transport industry she doesn’t head will be transformed with speed trains traversing Kano into Lagos. Interestingly, Madueke was the transport minister from July 2007 to December of 2008 and she could not provide choo- choo trains then and now speaks of speed trains. Everything about the benefit of subsidy removal is futuristic. Nothing concrete has been achieved by this administration to judge them or trust them by.

In the last week, it was evident that Nigerian leaders are completely out of touch with the people they claim to lead. When I heard a government spokes person suggest that it is the bourgeois of the society and not the proletariat who would suffer from the effect of the removal of subsidy because they (the middle class) have more than one car. It depicted how out of touch she was with the common man’s plight. “How does a minimum wage earner survive”, a close friend of mine keeps asking me. The finance minister has no answer either but she was quick to quip that she feels their pain. She claims she knows that the price of rice has jumped up over night. She even knows that some people travelled to their villages for the Christmas and have since not returned because the fares sky rocketed. She sympathizes well but cannot empathize because she lacks the capacity.

The good will that ushered President Jonathan’s administration is gone. He is no longer referred to as fresh air. He has surrounded himself with rich kids and forgotten he didn’t have shoes. He seems to be completely sold out on the idea of removal of subsidy. He has not said anything about his government’s inadequacy to fight corruption. He has not been so defiant in ensuring that our borders are less porous in order to prevent subsidized fuel crossing into neighboring countries. He has not reduced the amount of money spent on the Louis Vuitton rice and beans eaten in Aso rock. No one from his cabinet has demanded a reduction in the extravagant life styles of government staff. The 25% slash in basic salary doesn’t cut it, especially when he (Jonathan) was reported to have flown to South Africa with two aircrafts and a deluge of government contingents after his broadcast. The trust the people had for him has vanished completely. President Obama’s health bill took over a year before he got republicans, his own party members and the rest of America to buy into his policy. The British prime minister flies British Airways. The Ghanaian president lives in his own home. But our dear president announces to the world and all that cared to listen that he had cut his basic salary by 25% without touching the needless allowances hemorrhaging the country.

Am quiet convinced that if the government’s self “austerity measure” and “palliatives” had taken effect before the announcement on January 1^st, Nigerians may have been a bit more perceptive. The afterthought manner by which the “palliatives” were announced was a bit insulting. And to think that every government lackey was proud to announce the purchase of 1,600 diesel engine buses (like it was a lottery ticket) for 150 million people is laughable.

This insensitivity has resulted in mass protests and rallies organized by incensed Nigerians, civil society groups and organized labour. The Occupy Now movement that sailed across the world through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East has anchored in Nigeria. The government knew there would be resistance but they certainly didn’t envisage what happened last week. They thought it would be the regular NLC protests that lose steam after some horse-trading. But with the help of social media sites like facebook and trends like #occupynigeria on twitter which fueled the protests, the FG resolved a re-negotiate would be best. It used to be the NLC fighting for the people but now it is the people that are fighting for the NLC. Nasir el Rufai and Pastor Tunde Bakare have been mere rallying points, the people themselves are angry. All those that supported Jonathan during his campaign have renounced him.

A lot has been written on the subsidy issue so I would not over flog it. All I will try to do today is highlight the positives we can take away from it.

NOW WE KNOW

Before now, there had been quite a lot of speculations on how much really it cost to run the government. The debate over removal of subsidy has brought to light the amount of monies spent in the kitchen of the President. The amount of money allotted for foreign trips, the ridiculous sums used to buy photocopying machines every year. We know that there was even a KPMG audit of the NNPC that the government has refused to touch with a long stick until now. We know there is a cabal the government cannot prosecute, we know how much fuel is sold in Venezuela and we know that we don’t know how much crude oil we export daily. The list goes on. The general populace is aware and wants accountability now. We are no longer content with just admiring the politician and excusing mediocrity with stupid phrases like “chop I chop”. There is a general hatred for corruption and this is good. A time will come where capital punishment will be canvassed for as penalty for corruption. No more plea bargains.

I HAD NO SHOES (YEAH RIGHT!)

I liked this line sadly. I wasn’t fooled but I admit it was a clincher. The disappointment over the Jonathan administration would teach us to focus on issues and not sentiments during elections. When someone promises you 200,000 jobs and 4000Mega bytes of electricity, we will learn to ask him (or her), how he would come by it. The last election was overshadowed by zoning and how a true son of the soil was finally president and that was the reason many including my humble self supported him. No key developmental issue was discussed and if anybody brought it up, they were labeled “cabal” or detractors. The truth is, a government that is quick to hands-off responsibility from its citizenry at the drop of the hat has no business in power. The average politician in power sees the regular Nigerian as an inconvenience he is forced to deal with. The government doesn’t tax her citizens like most developed economies and hence doesn’t think he owes him anything. He rigs himself into power and sustains himself with free oil money. It is that simple. He owes you nothing. The Nigerian people actually subsidize the government. When you sink your own bore hole, you subsidize government, when you buy a generator, you subsidize your government, when you pay extra private tutors for your child because the public schools are useless then you have subsidized the government. Most leaders in Nigeria do not know the first thing about leadership and must be put through stringent public scrutiny. Not having shoes or being a “facebook” president should be addendums and not the core. Most Nigerians cannot be blamed anyway because in the last election we were granted the devils alternative. And men indeed have fallen.

UNITY

It is true that adversity brings people together. During the mass protest, Nigerians showed love towards each other. People donated for others to eat, others brought pure water. This is the kind of selfless love the apostles shared after Pentecost. Where you esteem another above yourself and it should be commended. In Abuja, Christians stood guard as Muslims prayed. Boko Haram members would have been sick to their stomachs to see such a sight. That was pure beauty. The plan to pitch Muslims against Christians failed because of adversity. And sadly for them, they found out the hard way that they aren’t the centre of attraction. Prior to the mass protests, it was Boko Haram news. Not that I don’t like us discussing important issues but there is something about fear that cripples. Fear pervades and paralyzes the mind like cancer to the body. It had begun to affect the way we see each other and suspicion and discord was breeding. The Nigerian youth also finally knows what it means to be patriotic. He knows that selling his vote for N500 is selling his future.

CONCLUSION

Perhaps the most compelling argument against the retention of subsidy was that posited by the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He says it is not economically sound to peg the pump price of fuel at N65 when other factors such as inflation rate and crude oil prices vary. He has a valid point and I was almost swayed. But I can’t get over the fact that if we fix our refineries and build new ones we would not even have a need for subsidy. Government doesn’t seem to want to take up any responsibility at all.

I had written a while ago on my support for subsidy removal because of the fraud in it but after a critical look at things, government will need to thread softly. There has to be guarantees. Trust is earned and they must earn back the peoples trust back. Infrastructure must be put in place to show that the government is working. People must begin to go to prison for the sins against our nation. And a staggered approach to the removal of subsidy (if it must be removed) while refineries are being built should be adopted. It is an illusion for us to believe fuel will remain N65 naira forever.

Itualive! ™

CHRONICLES OF A MOTOR PARK: MR DABID MARKUS (PART THREE)

2012-01-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

TRANSPORT UNION RALLY AT OJOTA MOTOR PARK

Solidarity forever!

We shall always fight for our right!

Soli-Soli-Soli

(Union chairman mounts podium)

Greatest Nigerian pipu

Great!

Greatest Gbo-Gbo

Greatest Gba-Gba

Greatest of the greatest Nigerian pipu

G-r—rr-ee-aa-t!!!

(Dabid Makus and his cronies join the rally)

Dis govament too wicked sef

Dem no just send poor man at all

Kinleji, instead make you dey find customer

You dey dere dey complain up and down

Na only too fone we don collect since dis strike start

But Dabid, make we sidon tuk dis matter,

Dis strike over subsidy wey dem remove don dey affect awa busyness seriously

Nobody dey come moto park again

I just taya my broda

President Lucky wan kill person

Na my friend Okonji, na im I pity pass

Di man go inewi for Chrismas, e no kon get money take come back

Na very big fool o, e travel no carry im wife go. How im no go travel with that kind wife wey im get?

Anoda man don dey service am for im house

Im wife kukuma neva commot subsidy for her wrapper. (chuckles)

But Dabid, if we tuk truth, dis govament dey try us sha

Shey you hear d kain money wey dem dey use wak for villa

One billion

Ewoh. Na Africa wan chop

See dis one, so you neva hear sef

Dat one no even vex me sef

How one human being go carry sis hundred million as salary my broad, one man, kai (shakes head painfully).

Kinleji, if to sey na me get dat kain money ehn, I go just die. True to God

My wife go no sey, Dabid na great man

Isiewu plus Nkwobi every night

That stupid small gel wey dey whine waste for me go hear am

She dey do iyanga for me, dey swing waste for her papa

She go bow to the great Dabid Makus.

Dabid dat na why you no go ever see dat kain money

Because na so so bad thing you go use am do

If na me wey get sis hundred million, and I dey govament, I go do only good thin

I go destroy dis cabal wey President Lucky dey fear

Because everything thing wey no good for dis country e be like say na cabal cause am

If your wife no fit cook, na cabal

If she no fit perform, na cabal,

Fuel no dey, na cabal,

Road no good, na cabal,

Light no dey, na cabal

If Boko Haram kill, na cabal, I just taya. It is just too bad.

(Police armored trucks arrive rally venue. One Police man takes hold of a Public Address Sytem)

This is Commissioner Sakusi. L. Sakusi, I will not repeat myself

Leave this place at once or else…

Oya start to fire dem

(Tear gas canisters and bullets are released, protesters run for cover).

(Later that Day in Dabid Makus’ home)

Nkem, Nkem, abeg bring my food abeg.

Why you dey shat for my head, na me send you go protest. (Laughs)

Oya sorry my husband, I go make am up to you later (smiles).

Nkem abeg on television, na nine o clock news.

(Nkem turns on TV. Cutlery falls from Dabid’s hand as he stares in disbelief )

(Goggled General makes a broadcast on Television)

Fellow Nigerians,

Due to the recent insecurities in the country in the last few months

We have decided that enough is enough

The Supreme Military Council have dissolved all arms of government

We have dissolved all trade unions and all political parties

We have dissolved all state governments

We have dissolved all things

THE END.

NB: The characters used in this piece are fictional and semblance to real persons is entirely coincidental.

Itualive! ™

CHRISTMAS IN CALABAR

2012-01-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

The Year 2011 has finally come to an end. It was glad to see the end of a year that witnessed a lot of bloodshed in Nigeria. I hope that 2012, will usher in laughter and joy and peace and happiness. I love Nigeria and we should understand that without peace, there can never be economic growth. I admonish you all to strive to be better as a unit so we can all be stronger as a whole.

I thank you all for the support you have given Itualive! and , I wish you all a very prosperous 2012. And so in the spirit of the New Year, in this month of January, I will not post any write-ups relating to Bombs, Boko-Haram, bullets, subsidy removal or (Oh-my-God), the senseless killings that happened today in Eboyi State.

It will be happy posts all the way. And to begin this series of happy posts (wink), I got my friend (rather cajoled him) to write on his experience at the just concluded Calabar festival in Cross River State. When I read it, it made me smile, and I hope you will too...Happy New Year!

If your boyfriend no dey do you well….clap, clap, clap, clap….away!

Such a catchy tune I must admit…more so after this trip.

I got into Cross River State on the 24^th of December from Vandeikya in Benue State. Due to the poor state of roads in the country, the journey into Cross River had promised to be long and tedious. And tedious it turned out to be! The image I had formed of Cross River State prior to my visit was that of lush green vegetations with flowery trees hanging on every side of the road, a plush lifestyle of the people and roads devoid of potholes; but nothing on earth could have prepared me for the disappointment I got only three minutes into Ogoja.

Ogoja, I was told is the major town before Calabar and about 72km away from Ikom. The bad roads there dealt intricately with every spine in my body from Ogoja to Ikom and only got better after we got to the Atimaka Bridge.

I turned to ask the passenger beside me when we got to Ikom whether it was clear sailing from then on to Calabar. I wanted to know if we where anywhere close because I had gotten really cranky. But he just grinned and pointed at a road sign which read, “Calabar – 214km, Cameroon – 225km”. About the potholes, he was kind enough to add: “it is better from here on”. I almost reeled in excitement. This incipient joy, led me into thinking I could head over into the neighboring country of to get my passport stamped just for kicks. After all, it was invariably the same distance. Actually, the distance from Ogoja to Calabar was farther than from Ikom to Cameroon. Phew!

We made a pit stop and when the driver returned from his rest we journeyed an extra 214km into Calabar. The bad roads did not reduce passing through Obubra; the driver was swaying from one side of the road to another, like a snake through the grass to avoid potholes. I got a slight relief from the waist pains at Iyamogong and Ovonum.

The mind however, is a funny thing and the body does not remember pain. After passing through Ugep and Akamkpa and finally arriving at Calabar, the instant amnesia that hit me was overwhelming.

I have never been to Calabar, and I must say it is a beautiful town! I got there at dusk and the Christmas lights were already up all around the town. The driver of the bus finally came to a stop at Gbogobiri; a name I thought was strange. Before I got to my final destination, I passed by the slanting flood lights of the stadium, the gigantic National flagpole of the Millennium Park and the Cultural Centre which was already a beehive of activities. My pain was gone….

The sight of a town with so much vivacity pulsed my veins heavily. The people in this town lived for this time in the year, it was some sort of African Saturnalia. A friend of mine was to pick me up and while I waited, I took some time to mill around the cultural centre. Everything was being sold there and as I got to look around, I discovered it had been an open market since the first of December. Music blared from every angle cutting through distance and space and people switched to beats as they walked shedding each sound like cajoling vendors in a market place.

That night, I slept with promises and dreams of Christmas in this beautiful city.

The next day, I was jolted from my sleep by text messages wishing me a Merry Christmas. I replied them, sent as much as I could and called as many people my call credit could afford me. I prepared for church. There was a Winners Chapel in Calabar and I asked my friends to take me there regardless of the present “slaps giving” video brandished all over the internet. Winners and The Redeemed Christian Church of God are the only two churches I can comfortably go when I am away from home. So I reclined into my seat while I listened to the preacher spew out those ever encouraging words.

“This coming 2012 would be the most prosperous year you will ever experience!”

“Amen!” the people chorus.

“The Lord would surprise you beyond your expectations before the year runs out!”

“Amen!”, again.

“I say, this Christmas is just a stepping stone. Come next year you will climb that ladder that makes you a leader in Jesus name!”

“Amen!” Again, and again.

On stepping out of the church, I received two text messages informing me about the bomb blasts at Madalla and Plateau State. A sad countenance came over me and in some sort way, I felt a bit shocked because here I was in a different world, a different planet obviously impervious to the sadness of the country that surrounds it. Everyone was in a festive mood; jumping from one beat to another not aware that a little girl just lost her entire family in that blast.

As it turns out, one can’t beat the system one finds himself, so eventually the merriment continued and the Guinness lounge had the highest turnout of people that night. Each person had space just enough to move within his own perimeter, bodies were close enough to touch willingly or unwillingly, the coloured lights flickered on and off intermittently. With the beats on, especially in these parts of Calabar, the thoughts of National insecurity receded fast like a demon shadow in the presence of light. The D.J put that V.I.P song on repeat, the crowd soared, and their hands synchronized….clap, clap, clap, clap away!

“Africa’s largest street party”, as it is fondly called is a beautiful thing. It draws people from all over the world and the states in Nigeria to this hub-spot for the two highpoints of the carnival which takes place on the 26^th and 27^th December ever year. This festival became popular when Donald Duke was Governor and the culture is being maintained by the Current Governor, Liyel Imoke. If there is one thing the successive governments in Cross River have successfully managed in every administration, it is culture and tourism. I mean, look at such places like Obudu and Tinapa (though underutilized in my personal opinion) are examples of tourist attractions that the state can proudly boast of.

One good thing about the carnival is the sense of belonging which it gives the people of Calabar. It’s like their thought goes thus, “the world comes to watch our own thing”. During the children’s carnival on the 26^th, mothers came out to cheer their children to dance. Though some of the children were tired, from the direct heat of the sun, it is not strange to see a dancer giving an on-looker a hi-five during the procession.

On the 27^th of December, at approximately 11.30am, the adult procession started. I was at Mary Slessor’s. I got to know that the carnival was actually a competition between five bands namely; Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Freedom, Seagull and Bayside. They danced choreographically and seductively to the blasts from the mighty trailer speakers anchored with tight ropes to the trailer’s floor. The crowd cheered, it was ecstatic.

One thing I must commend is the costumes. The colours were bright and exaggerated. From red to blue, pink to purple, yellow to green. Everything shone like a mix of the rainbow with the reflection from the sun. Surely, a lot of hard work had been put into this great moment. I was not disappointed. Other groups which took part in the fanfare were the Immigration and Customs band, the Prisons band, the Police band, the 13^th Brigade Akim Barracks band. Also First bank and Dangote Group of companies had their bands as sponsors of the event.

I have no idea of who won the prize (10 million Naira I think) and maybe that’s not so important. I guess what is important is the fun such an event creates and also the revenue boost each year that such event provide the state.

A very big thank you to my friends Emeka Okoli, Obiora Onyeagba and Tochukwu Okwonna who made my stay there worth its while.

Probably the next time I will be writing about a carnival of this nature, it will be from the samba capital, Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Wouldn’t I just love that?

Humming (clap, clap, clap, clap……….away!)

Dr. Otuonye Ubasinachi (PharmD)

Writes from Calabar
Itualive! ™

MOHAMMED BOUAZIZI: Itualive! PERSON OF THE YEAR, CHRISTMAS DAY BOMB BLASTS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA

2011-12-25T15:35:00.000-08:00

The year 2011 is indeed a year of the revolution. A year hallmarked by rebellion, and uprisings from Tunisia to Egypt and then to Libya. Whether against hegemonic governments, or politicians and their politics, the revolts will make 2011 a year we will never forget. Be it the Arab Spring or the Occupy Now Campaigns on Wall Street, one thing is common to all-the people are fighting back. Arabs who before now were considered to be the most docile people on earth have since woken up. And it all began with one man- Mohammed Bouazizi.

The choice of Mohammed Bouazizi as Itualive! Person of the Year stems from the fact that his sacrificial act of self immolation led to the liberation of millions of people around the world. He inspired the toppling of dictators like Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak.

Mohamed Bouazizi (29 March 1984 – 4 January 2011); was a Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire on 17 December 2010, in protest of the confiscation of his wares and the harassment and humiliation that he reported was inflicted on him by a municipal official and her aides. His act became a catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the wider Arab Spring, inciting demonstrations and riots throughout Tunisia in protest of social and political issues in the country. The public's anger and violence intensified following Bouazizi's death, leading then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down on 14 January 2011, after 23 years in power.

According to reports, local police officers had allegedly targeted and mistreated Bouazizi for years, including during his childhood, regularly confiscating his small wheelbarrow of produce; but Bouazizi had no other way to make a living, so he continued to work as a street vendor. Around 10 p.m. on 16 December 2010, he had contracted approximately US$200 in debt to buy the produce he was to sell the following day. On the morning of 17 December, he started his workday at 8 a.m. Just after 10:30 a.m., the police began harassing him again, ostensibly because he did not have a vendor's permit. However, while some sources state that street vending is illegal in Tunisia, and others that Bouazizi lacked a required permit to sell his wares, according to the head of Sidi Bouzid's state office for employment and independent work, no permit is needed to sell from a cart.

Bouazizi did not have the funds to bribe police officials to allow his street vending to continue. Similarly, two of Bouazizi's siblings accused authorities of attempting to extort money from their brother.

Regardless, Bouazizi's family claims he was publicly humiliated when a 45-year-old female municipal official, Faida Hamdi, slapped him in the face, spat at him, confiscated his electronic weighing scales, and tossed aside his produce cart. It was also stated that she made a slur against his deceased father. Bouazizi, angered by the confrontation, ran to the governor's office to complain and to ask for his scales back. Following the governor's refusal to see or listen to him, even after Bouazizi was quoted as saying "'If you don't see me, I'll burn myself'," he acquired a can of gasoline from a nearby gas station and returned to the governor's office. While standing in the middle of traffic, he shouted "how do you expect me to make a living?" He then doused and set himself alight with a match at 11:30 a.m. local time, less than an hour after the altercation. (Source: Wikipedia, click for full story)

Perhaps if not for Mohammed, these countries would still remain under oppression as they were before. Although I strongly believe that if it wasn’t Bouazizi, it would have been someone else. There is a limit to which you can oppress people. If these uprisings didn’t happen in 2011 it would have happened in 2095. Mohammed just ignited a fire that had been stoked for so long in the hearts of the thousands of young men and women in the Arab World.

The question that keeps bugging my mind is this: how many times have the Nigeria police harassed and even killed hapless individuals over 20 naira bribes? Do we have to experience our own version of Mohammed Bouazizi before our Police men begin to treat people with courtesy? Police constantly oppress ordinary citizens and lock them up while the rich who commit the actual crimes settle with plea bargain. There is a continuous affront on the sensibilities of Nigerians by government officials and this must stop.

The approach taken by government over the planned removal of fuel subsidy is yet another example of how not to govern. I do want the removal of subsidy because it is indeed bleeding the economy out, because am completely against anything that would make a few people rich at the expense of the poor. However I won’t support a policy where the poor pays for the sins of a faceless cabal. Some assurances that government can provide “shock absorbers” must be given first. There has to be an alternative way to redirect the subsidy so that people don’t suffer. If the government can for instance subsidize transportation in such a way that transport fares remain the same irrespective of fuel subsidy removal. This way, the transporters get the funds directly when the subsidy is removed.

But talking about subsidy removal while the jets in the presidential fleet keep increasing is irresponsible of government. The superfluous number of presidential aides and the unnecessarily extra allowances shared by members of the NASS members is enough reason for the planned subsidy removal to be resisted. How long will the government punish its citizens for its own ineptitude? How long can Nigerians continue to condone this sort of harassment? Some Nigerians are beginning to regret the way they voted in April because it seems there is no clear direction to this administration. The truth be told, if PMS becomes 400 naira per liter, the proponents of fuel subsidy won’t buy fuel from their pockets. The Petroleum Minister, Finance Minister and Governor of Central Bank who are the protagonist backing the planned removal, are all driven in official cars. Their health and those of their family members are well taken care of and will certainly not feel the brunt the regular poor folks will feel. If subsidy must be removed, then everybody in government must be seen to share in the impact.

It is Christmas today, but about this time last year I bemoaned the apparent incompetence of our security forces after two bombs went off in Abuja. And exactly a year after, Boko Haram has continued to slaughter innocent people. As at the time of this report, multiple bombs blast have exploded in Madalla, near Suleja. What makes this especially annoying is that the targets are now Christians in churches. Boko Haram’s manifesto of establishing an Islamic state is being carried out. Whole families were killed today (Christmas Day) at St Theresa's Church. Apparently the government has no answer to Boko Haram. It is bad enough that government pays lip service to the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens, but what is particularly infuriating is that the ones that have been identified to having links with the sects have been let off easy. Ali Sanda Umar konduga (a.k.a Al Zawahiri), the man accused and convicted of being the spokesperson of the sect was sentenced to 3 years in prison. I haven’t seen anywhere in the world where terrorism is punished with a three years jail term. Is it that the blood spilled by Boko Haram doesn’t mean anything? This man should have been used as an example for anyone with links to Boko Haram. What are we now saying, blow up the UN building, blow up the police building, and kill all you can, if we catch you, we will try not to catch you, but if we do, we hope 3 years won’t hurt you so much. The Senator accused of having ties with Boko Haram was granted 25million naira bail! Where in the world does this happen? His colleagues have come to his rescue by saying, that he is innocent until proven guilty. For a senator to be accused of such am heinous crime is enough for him to resign. In a sane community, his colleagues will distant themselves from him but with Nigeria, it’s a family affair.

While the reports of these blasts were being shown on Aljazeera and the BBC, NTA was showing a music festival. Their casualty figures are always lower than those reported by foreign media. Later on, they (NTA) put up a documentary on how Muslims appreciate Christmas and Christians apparently to douse tension even before officially breaking the news.

The President’s said this in response to Sunday’s blast: “the era of Bomb Blast would soon be a thing of the past”. What does the President and his associate want Nigerians to do now before it becomes a thing of the past? Whatever plan he has for Boko Haram is apparently not imminent. For it will “soon” be a thing of the past. So what should Christians begin to do now? Train their own soldiers, or begin to import their own arms? I am sick of hearing about stakeholders meetings on security. People are dying, humans were roasted like chickens and yet we will grant a senator bail. We need to have our heads examined in this country. By the way, nobody talks about the Iranians that smuggled arms into Nigeria some time ago. I feel like I am the only one who remembers that arms that could start a Civil War were confiscated by the Federal Government. We still retain the same diplomatic stance with Iran and its back to business as usual. Shame, Shame Shame.

Nobody saw Mohammed Bouazizi coming. Nobody envisioned or foresaw the domino effect his sacrifice could bring. I do not support violence in any form. But I do know that at the rate we are going, the people will begin to fight back. They will begin to say, “No, it’s enough”. Bishop T.D Jakes fondly says that nothing brings people together like adversity. Nigerians face adversity everyday in every form. Economic adversity, security adversity, corruption adversity, injustice adversity and oppression adversity. Egyptians moved to Tarhir Square to protest against their government. Right now Nigerians are protesting in their hearts; let’s pray we don’t have to go to Tafawa Balewa Square.

Itualive! ™

CHRONICLES OF A MOTOR PARK: MR DABID MAKUS (PART TWO)

2011-12-04T12:06:00.001-08:00

Lagos: The City of Chaotic Order

(Music plays in bus stereo)

Awa govament bad o

Dem no wan give ghetto man jab o

My God o

If ghetto man no get work, my brother how we go take survive

(PHONE RINGS IN BUS)

Driver lowa dis ya music abeg (driver obliges and turns knob a little)

Hello, good afternoon, hello, hello (call terminates)

Dis hempty-n pipu sef, since morning their network no just dey go

(PHONE RINGS AGAIN)

Hello, Hello. Good moning

Yes, this is Dabid Makus, who is this?

Ha, Mr. Kinleji Vankole, my patna in crime, na you be dis, how body?

How dem madams dem? (chuckles)

Jesus! Who you tuk say die? Who, your wife? How manage?

Oh my God, accident? Oh my God. Sorry o.

When? Where? How manage?

(Complete silence in the bus, driver turns radio off completely)

Eiwoh, for where? Benin-Ore Road? Oh my God

Your pikin nkon…Oh, my God, Dotun die too? Oh my God

Doe, sorry, it is well, God is in control, the Lord knows best, it is well enh

Oh my God! Dis ember months don start again o. Na God go help all of us. In all things give thanks my broda

So wetin go happen now, what’s the next step, burial? (Facial expression stiffens at response)

Ooo-k-a-yy, money. Like how much?

Kai Oga Kinleji, things no too straight right now

Na very wrong time in the year be dis but I will see what I can do, you hear

You are welcome. Take care. (Conversation ends)

Mschew (shakes head). Wonders shall never cease.

See dis life so. Na true say no condition is permanent.

Una see dis man whey call me so, im broda na big man for Abuja before

Govament give im broda contract of 7 billion for dis same Benin-Ore road.

Dem chop the money, dem pour coal tar abandon the road come chop the money

Dem no even fit talk say, Dabid, take dis small thing hold body

(Cement! conductor screams, owa o, a passenger responds)

EFCC cash dem, govament revoke the contract, now life don change for the man

E wan come borrow money from me. Nonsense!

Oga you for talk say na because dem no show you face, na im you dey vex

Oh no, not at all, that’s not my point. What about the other pipu wey perish for the accident

I dey vex becos that money wey dem chop cause the accident. That’s na wein dey vex me

Oga as you dey talk no good. When person die, we suppose show compassion now

As those pipu perish for express so, e fit be anybody family member for accident next time. We no even get compassion again.
E show say our own don finish for dis country so? As anybody fit die at anytime.

Na your own finish o, I reject it in Jesus name. I cover my family with the blood of Jesus

Madam I follow you talk? Which one be the one wey you dey reject in Jesus name?

(Laughter in bus)

No be only roads for dis country kpafuka

Everything don spoil. No light, no water, no security.

We dey get light one hour every day before and now the transformer blow this morning

Ah your own better now, for my area now for Ketu, we never get light for tere months.

Everything wey President Lucky tuk say e go do, e never do one. Not even one. Very tereble

No be all of una dey shat South-South dat year,

Na lie o, me na that Pastor I vote for

Me na the Alhaji I vote for

I had no shoes; I had no shoes, who get shoe wen im small

Me wey trek from Sakponba road for Benin take reach Ekenwan go school and I still carry first.

Oga I know Benin well well o, and na ashawo girls full that place wey you just call, you sure say na school you go so?

(More laughter in bus)

Anyway, no be one day dem take build Rome, abi no be so dem dey talk am

Yes o , my brother you are right. To the point say, pipu don dey sue govament for court

Una no see Baba Suwe, e don hammer now. 25 million naira, just like that

O boy ye, that man don hammer no be small

Dem tuk say e use jass take hide the cocaine

Kai, Nigerians, how person go hide cocaine for tere weeks! impossicant

E-pa forget that thing sa, na Ijebu man o, their otumopko get as e be.

(Ogun toh bad gan, conductor interjects with a smile

Babalawo gidi loló ba)

(Driver puts radio back on,)

Molowo molowo noni

Mo nawo mo nawo noni ah ah

Baba God noni ah ah

And now I got more money

Noni, I thank God for me

Noni, and they call me Whizzy

Mo dupe lowo Olorun noni

Aye mo wale sugbon mo njaye jeje

I no send no body

Driver abeg stop now. I forget something at Ikeja bus stop.

Mo le du ro o. lai lai. Iyana-Ipaja le ma bole

Driver stop for the man now, at least LASTMA no dey dis side (a passenger from behind pleads).

(Bus driver stops grudgingly, Dabid Makus and two male passengers from behind alight. Bus continues to Iyana-Ipaja)

Iceprince, lets go, Samklef, what it do, Iceprince

Listen, Noni, Why these girls bleeding on me

Why are they pouring the evil spirits on me

Am still upcoming but am getting money

And next year my star is gonna be sunny

I don’t play the piano but am always on key

Driver abeg stop, I no see my phone again!

My Wallet is gone!

Stop this moto now, person don tif my purse…

To Be Continued…

NB: The characters used in this piece are fictional and semblance to real persons is entirely coincidental.

Itualive! ™

CHRONICLES OF A MOTOR PARK: MR. DABID MAKUS

2011-11-21T14:15:00.001-08:00

Lagos: The City of Chaotic Order

(Conductors Chanting)

Oshodi Oke, Oshodi Oke

Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana- Ipaja

Ojuelegba-Stadium-Baracks

Ketu-Ojota-Mile 12

Oshodi Oshodi Oke, Oshodi Oshodi Oke

Ewole kpelu changi o, Enta wit your change

Na sis for back, madam abeg shift inside

Ketu lanlo straight o, no dropping for Maryland

Madam I say shift make another passenga enta; na sis for back

Dis place tite now, where you want make I shift go

Na sis passenga we dey carry for back

Idi e ti to bi ju!

Your papa, you tink say I no hear yoroba

Na your mama you dey follow tuck. Ekwensu. Otunegi caravan

Passenga fe wole. If you no wan shift come down

Madam please come and sit in front with me

Conductor, shebi na two for front, make she come manage with me for here

(Driver interjects) Na one for front. Awon olopa wan titi o. Police dey road o. Abi you get waso wey you go give dem.

If that’s the case, make she come front, I go settle dem.

(Passengers wait for last commuter)

Onwole Okpomo (Pregnant woman with infants strapped to her back finally enters and sits)

Your money for back. Three hundred naira change o

(Up roar in bus)

What rubbish, For What, Lai Lai, God forbid, You Be Tiff? Omo Ale Oshi, Ko ni Da fu e

When I dey suffa buy fuel, 200 naira pa lita, where you dey? Govament don commot subsidy.

Sodiafor pay me my money or come down. Ko si story!

Dem commot subsidy no mean say bus wey I enta yestaday for here 70 naira go don reach 300. Which kain tiff you be sef? Driver you no go caution your conductor?

No be fight o, if you no fit pay me my money, abeg come down. Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Ipaja;

Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Ipaja (He chants)

Only God knows what dis country is turning into.

Na Yesterday, President Lucky announce the removal of subsidy and everything don go up.

Imagine Yaba to Ojuelegba dis moning na 100 naira. See as people dey rush for BRT today like animal. Na God go punish dis government people. I say God go punish all of them. Na me Mr. Dabid Makus tuk am….

To Be Continued...

NB: The characters used in this piece are fictional and semblance to real persons is entirely coincidental

Itualive! ™

Everybody Loves Ice Prince? Really?

2011-11-13T14:04:00.001-08:00

For a while, there has been a subdued debate on the prowess of Ice prince. It was not an argument that could be shouted from rooftops since its major proposition was that the man could rival fellow label mate MI, on the microphone. It was not an entirely outrageous position to take, after all the man had excelled in pretty much all of the cameos he has been in and the only thing in his way, it seemed, was the set hierarchy in Chocolate City: MI>Jesse Jags> Ice Prince> Brymo. An order spelt out by the head honcho himself on Represent.

That paragraph is composed in the past tense intentionally. For the man has put an end to the debate himself. So, is Ice Prince MI’s equal? The answer is a definite no. He is not even remotely close. It was easy to be fooled that he might be able to compete where he in another crew with a less clearcut order with his swagger and competent flow. The brief bits on Samklef’s Molowo Noni, the Choc Boiz’ songs and his own Oleku created an anticipation that when he finally gets his chance on the Chocolate City roster he would give us a full regimen of what had previously been administered in minute doses.

Fate has other plans though for Ice Prince is a choker. There were signs- the most infamous been the freestyle session at Tim Westwood where he ‘freestyled from his phone’. The public mostly ignored this as not every emcee is gifted at freestyling. He’d come good was the thought when he has time to craft lines to the beats of one of Nigeria’s finest producers Jesse Jags. Well, he has deflated those hopes with an album that refuses (or cannot) decide what it wants to be.

Ice had Chocolate City’s previous releases as template for ambition: the first MI album Talk About It was an obvious game changer with its sophisticated beats and weird skit titles, Jags’ Jags Of All Tradez was eclectic, designed to show his range with a slight advantage to his production ability, MI2 with all its shortcomings was a hyperactive effort with one eye on commercial viability. These albums had an agenda and fulfilled them to a reasonable extent. Everyone Loves Ice Prince(ELI) is an amorphous entity unsure, uncertain of what it wants to be. Between the homage of awkward album opener I Remember to the boasts on Oleku; the weak rapping on the Kelly Handsome-like Juju to the singing on Find You (Drake’s Find Your Love, anyone?); the championing of his skills to the lines taken from Kanye (You should be honoured and bow to greatness)and Frank Ocean (“We made it sweet baby Jesus”), the African beat on Superstar to the quasi-reggae on Magician, a lot of the intended effect gets lost. Even his normally reliable lines fall flat. Excerpts: “You like that movie magic cos you got much action,” “Your body too smooth like lotion,” “Life is going fast so I’m making my slo mo”, “You gat wings, Imma lend u my feathers” “Life is a picture, you better get your photo”, “You must be a producer, you make my heart beat”.

Less than impressive production means these ridiculous lines are bare, out with no place to hide. Even Oleku has its duds: “Too many songs, but mine is latest.”

The album doesn’t work and might have benefitted from A-list artistes but with the exception of Tuface, Wizkid and the rest of the Choc Boiz, the guests are almost entirely obscure which might have been a smaller mountain for a more vast artist- Jags Of All Tradez had unknown vocalists Eve and Lindsey both of whom produced rapturous choruses. For ELI, Ice gets Sean Tero whose career never did take off and some other less than familiar names. When either one of the interchangeable guests, Yung L and J-Milla say earnestly “You sing for me girl like Mozart”, it might take superhuman might not to push skip.

Still, this album is Ice Prince’s. He has been pegged back by this less than average debut. Considering how long it took him to get his record out in the first place, taking into account the schedule of Chocolate City, it might be another Olympiad before he gets a chance to redeem himself. Already, some are saying deliberate sabotage on the part of his Chocolate City superiors, unreasonably it seems but there are questions: how come MI2 had for Number 1, its highlife song the best of the new Ibo crooners, Flavour while ELI gets the less than competent Wizboy for By This Time? Whose idea was it that Ice Prince anchors most of his own choruses? Why is Brymo not on another song based on the success of Oleku?

Indeed in an album where everyone involved must hang their head low, the real winner is MI who after the mismatch that was Kelly Handsome has just emerged unscathed out of a battle that had potential without even taking a shot. Hip hop heads would have to wait for a worthy opponent.

As for Ice Prince, hopefully the delightful cameos would continue and perhaps he just might think twice before proclaiming everyone loves him on his sophomore since, as his debut has proven, he is no Ray Romano.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo

Asokoro, Abuja

FUEL SUBSIDY, BABA SUWE, AND ONE OTHER THING

2011-11-06T14:45:00.002-08:00

The news making the rounds in recent times is government’s decision to completely remove fuel subsidy by January 2012. The decision has thrown up a nationwide debate that has polarized views with the majority kicking against it. While some, especially government officials have thrown their weight fully behind it, most like myself scream blue murder. President Jonathan seems quite convinced that fuel subsidy is the cause of every Nigerian problem and expects well meaning Nigerians like you and I to see reason with him.

President Jonathan’s two major proposals since assumption of office have been met with stiff opposition. First, he proposed a six-year single term in office for Presidents and Governors. The reason: to reduce the “desperation” and corruption while seeking elective office. I still think it curious that tenure elongation would be the first major business a newly elected government should be canvassing. This verve or “ginger” should have been directed towards delivering on election promises like providing Nigerians with stable electricity and rehabilitating roads and the usual brouhaha. In my opinion, this move sought to benefit politicians more than the common man (whatever this means). Besides in a society where politicians have abused opportunities time and again, Nigerians have grown both suspicious and cynical of politicians’ motives and so the the last thing you want to do is bring this kind of thing up early in your administration even if your name is Goodluck.

His second major attempt at brilliant policy making is turning out to be yet another disaster. Arguments supporting the retention or abolition of fuel subsidy abound, and after hearing both sides, I believe yet again that common sense is really not common. The numerous reasons supporting subsidy removal may not lack credence but its implementation is mistimed. I have been extremely careful in criticizing President Jonathan. I strongly believe some people should be giving time to “adjust” to their new roles. I am also aware that Nigerians are very religious people who seek a messiah that performs instant miracles. And when they realize that the blind aren’t seeing and the lame aren’t walking, we do what we know how to do best: complain! So I have been slow to throw any sort of diatribe or reveal my disparaging views but my patience is fast wearing thin. The lethargy in government is unbecoming and motion is like that of a rocking chair. In the words of Tu-face Idibia (aka Tu Baba), “Nothing dey Happen”.

After taking a critical look at the two arguments on fuel subsidy we will see why government should go “sofree sofree” on this issue.

THE “SUBSIDY FRAUD”

The major argument against fuel subsidy is the humongous fraud inherent in it. Millions are paid out to undeserving individuals daily at the expense of the ordinary Nigerian. The subsidy which is supposed to support the common man (I hate this word) is a smoke screen for the thievery happening behind the scene. The government once again blames the faceless cabal who they say is bleeding the nation out. Am not sure whether it’s the same cabal who fought Jonathan before he became substantive president or whether it’s another one. It appears that when any government has lost ideas on what to do, it blames a cabal. Let me give you a sneak-peek of how this fraud works. A fuel importer could bring in 1000 metric tonnes and claim subsidy for 8,000 metric tonnes. The “goodies” from the remaining 7000 tonnes will be shared. I will leave you to do the math. It runs into millions of naira each day. Everybody you can think of is involved. The oil companies contracted to import the fuel, the custom officers who sign off on the inflation of the figures, and off course you can’t do all this without the government officials who actually give the contracts. All these people make up the cabal. A newspaper columnist gave me an insight into another dimension of the fraud which happens when the products imported are stored. He says, “because the NNPC imports more than it has storage facility for, the product is usually stored at private tank farms. If NNPC stores 30 million litres with your farm, you don’t have to account for 10 million litres. There is a process by which you can account for only 5 million litres as long as you know how to share the proceeds of the remaining 5 million litres with those who matter”. There are other “avenues” where members of the infamous cabal clean us out. The one I find most intriguing is this: If the landing cost of PMS is N100 (it could be more), the importer gets subsidy payment of N35 per litre since our pump price is pegged at N65. Off course you see nothing wrong at face value but if you knew that there are different grades of PMS (that sell at different prices) and as I here, the worst grade is imported into Nigeria but this importer gets paid as though he brought in the premium. An importer who brings in fuel can claim demurrage for one month instead of one week. The people at the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA) approve the one month and get their cut. The fuel after being discharged is sent to all over the country and the Petroleum equalization fund (PEF) pays for the transportation to all corners of Nigeria to ensure that the fuel costs the same everywhere. The PEF guys make their cut when the marketer claims he sent 10 trucks to Sokoto while he only sent 5... Phew! Call it what you like, I call it blood money. This kind of corruption is just mad. You wake up early everyday working your butt off to make a life for yourself and there are people out there cheating their way into stupendous wealth. Truth be told, this kind of corruption is hard to resist. Some priest will gladly rip off the cassock for such a bounty. So it should not surprise you that for over almost two decades our refineries have been dead. No investor will touch them with a long stick. The money from importation is just too sweet. Government knows now that it is a waste of time to try to repair them. When you hear about Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM), it is another scam to “chop” money. The money is shared because fixing those refineries would mean the end to the evil trade. It’s that simple. You will need real help to misunderstand it. As at 2000, the amount spent on subsidy was about N1.5billion annually but it has risen to about N1.2 trillion in the first nine months of 2011- nearly the size of the capital budget for 2011! And this is why President Goodluck rightfully wants to get rid of subsidy.

The government’s position looks tenable until you begin to imagine the unbridled suffering it would cause the common man (once again). The poverty in the land is pervasive already and an increase in the pump price of fuel will doubtlessly lead to increased hardship. A day in Oshodi or Apapa in Lagos (am sure the same holds in Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, Kogi, Benue and other Nigerian cities) will give anyone a wakeup call on what Nigerians go through to survive daily. Young men who should be in school or working decent jobs carry super yogo, viju and fan milk to sell in a country that produces oil. Like citizens of other oil producing countries, Nigerians are entitled to derive maximum benefit from crude oil. Citizens of the UAE do NOT do menial jobs. They live dignified lives but because of our leaders we are made suffer. An investigation recently conducted by a Nigerian newspaper revealed that ‘petrol sells for the equivalent of N58.40k in Iran, N30.55k in Kuwait, N32.12k in Qatar; N17.52k in Saudi Arabia, N54.00k in the United Arab Emirates, N15.95k in Libya, N39.42k in Bahrain. They pay far less than what we are forced here to pay. Each of the aforementioned countries has functional refineries. For instance, Venezuela has 18 refineries most of which are dedicated to the exportation of refined petroleum products. In Nigeria, our four refineries currently produce below 10% of their capacity. If the National Assembly endorses the removal of subsidy, Nigerians would pay about N144 for a litre of petrol as if life wasn’t hard enough. Anytime I drive on Agege Motor Road on my way to church in Ota, I keep myself from cursing every minister of transport in Nigeria. The number of pot holes on the road outweighs the paved roads. A single pot hole can keep you an extra hour reducing life expectancy because of stress.

Every decision government takes has no way of improving the quality of life of the common man (last time I promise). Whenever government takes decisions, it is always the citizens that bear the brunt. This present government has always taken the laziest approach to things. It is far easier to remove subsidy that to “fish-out” the criminals who are feasting on our common wealth. It is easier to elongate one’s tenure than to fix the corruption that makes elective positions so juicy that no one can resist. It is easier to negotiate with terrorist (Boko Haram) than do the harder task of investing in intelligence gathering and enforcing laws against terrorism. Boko Haram went on a killing (or bombing) orgy completely emasculating our security agencies. They murdered people needlessly in Northern Nigeria but government only began to take them seriously when Abuja became a target. Who is fooling who?

As regards fuel subsidy, the responsible step would have been to prosecute the culprits but because one cannot be an integral member of the “cabal” and not have friends in government especially if those friends provide campaign funds. So it’s best to do it through the back door where nobody will be offended. The people who did the electing are left to suffer the repercussion and those hemorrhaging the country can throw lavish parties and buy more properties in Dubai and London. It’s sickening!

If a government is advocating austerity measures among her citizens, it should lead by example. What is one minister doing with up to 10 personal assistants? The Nigerian government’s recurrent expenditure is about 70% of the budget and they want the poor people to suffer for their profligacy? What are the National Assembly members doing with 360 new cars? President Goodluck led the highest contingent of about 120 people to Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with three executive jets. Who pays for the jet fuel and maintenance of these jets? Won’t everyone aboard the plane be paid estacodes and per diem for saying “Yessir, Yessir”? If the government will not reduce its spending to save for capital projects it has no moral or legal right (I think my lawyer friends refer to this as locus standi) to demand that Nigerians take on the extra burden. By the way, the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Queen of England, went by British Airways (BA).

Nigerian governments should learn to be responsible and do the right thing and this is why I will not support fuel subsidy removal now. What exactly does the government do for her citizens as a social responsibility? The only thing that is considered as social security-subsidy-now hangs in the balance. Every bill that will benefit the common man (aarghh) and develop the Nigerian economy like the PIB is stalled in the National Assembly. But when it comes to allocating allowances and buying new cars, they say the ayes very fast and the gavel is hammered. State government will “drag leg” to pay minimum wage but will approve a new governors lodge “shap shap”. Is subsidy the reason why we have unpaved roads and underdeveloped towns and cities? What is the assurance that the extra money from subsidy removal will be used properly and not enter “one chance”?

I can go on and on on this issue but it has already been over flogged. The conclusion of the whole matter is this: the government can never inspire patriotism in her citizen till it begins to protect and provide for them. I hate the fact that a few are benefiting from what belongs to 80 percent of us, but a system created them and the system should destroy them. Any more encroachment into the space of the common man (lol) may lead to Armageddon.

BABA SUWE DOES NOT GIVE A “SHIT”!

Babatunde Omidina popularly as Baba Suwe has been released after being detained by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for 23 days on the suspicion that he had ingested “16 wraps” of an illegal substance. His “shit” has been a matter of public discussion for all who cared to know. A man who has made us laugh and helped lighten the mood in our homes was subjected to such humiliation and it should not be taken lightly. Our politicians loot our treasury and are celebrated and given chieftaincy titles and MON’s. Someone who plies an honest trade is being harassed. I pray he sues them five ways from London!

ARSENAL FOR LIFE

We lost miserably to Manchester United in our worst defeat in almost a century earlier this season. We also had a terrible run in the Premier league but we have managed to survive. We haven’t just survived; we are almost back in the title race. All that is left is for Man City to lose five times while we win. Also Man United and Chelsea also have to lose a couple while we win. Em em, even Newcastle United has to lose. Phew!

Lagos, Nigeria

Itualive! ™

A Blog’s Life

2011-10-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

Last week was the inaugural anniversary of Itualive! A blog I am proud to be a part of. Blogger Itua had captured some of the things that had gone into the making. But perhaps I can shed some more light on the beginnings of the blog and on some pieces.

Itua and I like to think we have some stimulating discussions on several topics stretching into the night some times, if it’s an argument it is mostly the case that we sleep off with no resolution, both of us certain we have each won by presenting compelling points, though uncertainty hangs over our beds like a shroud. There are times when I see the pieces on his blog like a continuation of our late night discussions but this time the blogger, (the bugger) has the last word, leaving no chance for me to get in my very reasonable objections. I have been lucky just once when he allowed my review of Tango With Me on the blog- the only time the tyrant has permitted dissent.

Sometime last year he came up with the idea of blogging, putting his thoughts out there. I supported him not knowing that soon I would be robbed of sleep as every post comes with a call or text to read- yet the man had the nerve to urge readers to blame me for the grammatical errors and typos.

Still I would say it has been a rewarding experience gracing this blog and vetting the pieces. It has given me a perspective on the language and I have come to understand that beneath every young Nigerian’s (apparent) mindlessness, there is a heart that beats for the country as you would hardly be able to tell from the blogger’s demeanour that such thought provoking pieces can come from the same person who by day and in real life- whatever that means online- is a fun person. It did not even seem like he would be able to keep it up. But cometh the hour, cometh the man...

By now, it’s a cliché to have a blog and it had seemed like Itualive! was just going to be one of the several vanity driven projects out there- if you know the blogger personally this would make more sense. But the posts so far have managed to put the issues on the front burner while the man himself takes a backseat. I consider it remarkable that such is possible, that moment when you realize that the angry, insightful, witty, sad piece you have just read is from someone who you have ate concoction rice from same dented pot, sometimes without cutlery! It is perhaps the most shocking thing about writing and writers looking from the inside- that moment when you realize that the ordinary guy you have always known has these strong feelings and can put it down clearly. There are times it feels like a miracle.

The blog has had several hits as the blogger pointed out in the piece making one year. But beyond the numbers, it is the arguments that some posts have elicited that I find most gratifying. I take it personally when these posts cause a ruckus and there is a debate and I mean that even when most readers take the opposite view. I function on the periphery but I find it pleasing.

As far as topics go, the constant reader (a la Stephen King) would notice that while the blogger writes politics and some social commentary, my pieces have been primarily about art. Movies, music and books have been my focus and it isn’t because “politics is a dirty game”. But the blogger has it covered and I have been ‘commissioned’ to do reviews, same way Colin Obaitan does sports and Ladi Opaluwa can pretty much send in whatever catches her fancy. I would ignore her astonishing ability and say: Yes, there seems to be some sexism going on, but I won’t say anything about that...

So far, of the guests on the site, I have the highest hits- a position I take much pride in. I should rub it in their face but I am much too nice, thank you. That piece of fact is also another thing the blog has given me- the chance to get my own thoughts online and reach out to the internet demographic. Therefore in a way, I get to pay for this chance with those midnight calls asking me to read and reread.

Lest I bore everyone and unearth any more “company secrets”, this is a thank you, a congratulatory note and perhaps a plea to reduce the midnight entreaties.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo

Asokoro, Abuja.