Paul Adujie Writings

Americans In Their Millions Are Quite Unlike Trump!

2019-08-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

Americans In Their Millions Are Quite Unlike Trump 

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Donald J. Trump is a bully on the playground. He will soon leave or be removed from the playground, just so that a majority of the kids, good and excellent kids can come into the playground, and play!

Donald J. Trump has aggressively, deliberately, and wittingly chosen not to be a symbol of unity of American citizens, but, instead, a notorious racist-in-chief, who uses the bully pulpit to intimidate! 

Donald J. Trump is an aberration in the American presidency, and his tumultuously volatile time in the hallowed halls of the White House, the seat of the presidency will pass, and not a moment too soon!

On CNN, Tim Ryan, a decent man, and Congressman from Youngstown Ohio, told of how his wife, is proud of his rejection of the National Rifle Association's political and monetary support, and so, as far as the NRA ratings are concerned, he, Tim Ryan, has suddenly fallen from an A-grade rating to an F-grade rating! Nobody likes an F-grade, but, Tim Ryan said, "My wife is happy that I went from an A to F NRA rating and I will love to keep it that way!"

Congressman Tim Ryan, made these revelations on CNN in the midst of two recent mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas respectively.

I was in Dayton, Ohio briefly in the early 1990s. It is a beautiful, lush green and pristine city, it housed IBM and NCR, and an American Air Force Base. Dayton was a beautiful city where neighbors crossed from one courtyard to the next during holidays, particularly, on the Fourth of July barbecues!

The thought of a mass-shooter was unthinkably out of this world, and assuredly not in Dayton, Ohio for a million years, but, that is exactly what happened last weekend!

Americans do not need weapons of war in the streets of cosmopolitan America! As a member of the few and the proud, it is okay to have an M-16 as a best friend, and have 100 or 250 bullets magazines. But, when I am heading to WalMart , COSTCO , Home Depot or IKEA, I should not be thinking of battle materiel and whizzing bullets.

Americans are way too resourced and they are way past a hunter and gatherer primitive culture ! Why should we continue to be obsessed with guns and be fixated on a 500 year old militia argument wrapped in the Second Amendment?

American voters should let Donald J. Trump know that he has passed his due date and that he has overstayed his welcome in the presidency!

Trump has fanned the embers of racism and White Supremacy. White Nationalists and White Extremists have increased in their numbers, violent extremism has blossomed and even though there were always these pockets of evil present in American society, Donald J. Trump has given these evils podiums, pedestals and a megaphone based in the hallowed halls of the White House and the Rose Garden!

Previous American presidents of America, outwardly at least, offered moral leadership against evils, particularly, at times of national crises in America. But, in the past 30 months, Donald J. Trump is, has been and remains unable to offer moral leadership. Giving hate a safe harbor appears ingrained and in the DNA of Donald J. Trump.

Donald J. Trump, in a mere 30 months has managed to have exalted evils; the worst evils of racism, White Supremacy and White Extremism. He is an outlier, and an aberration. America will outlast Donald Trump and his acolytes.

Trump has prodigiously dismantled multilateralism, and replaced it with arbitrary unilateralism ! He withdrew from JCPOA, withdrew from NAFTA and TPP. He has rattled Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Canada's PM, Kelvin Trudeau, and he has repeatedly badmouthed NATO and all traditional allies of America.

Conversely, Donald J. Trump impulsively gravitates towards dictators, autocrats, oligarchs and every undemocratic political class in Saudi Arabia, Russia, all of the Near East and Asia.

Donald J. Trump is at the cusp of inflicting a global economic meltdown with his erratically petulant trade policies between America and China, and many other nations. American citizens will suffer and so will American consumers, farmers and businesses .

Donald J. Trump has upturned the apple-cart of the Global world order, in trade, migration, global warming policies, military-defense partnerships and alliance, including sundry or varied strategic rapprochements.

Trump's is an encapsulated ill-wind that blows no one any good ! He is an embodiment of a fiercely blowing Hurricane Force wind of extreme evil with presidential imprimatur ! Trump's political antics are driven purely by his narcissistic nature and worldview, in which, every evil, every immorality he indulges in, is measured solely by his expected political profits by way of elections outcomes which may favor him.

Trump, en-route to El Paso from Dayton, ostensibly in visits to commiserate with both cities over mass-shootings of several days ago, found time to tweet political jabs at former VP Joe Biden and spit inanities about how China would be happy if Biden is elected president of the United States of America

It is truly the case that, despite Donald J. Trump, and regardless of Trump, a majority of Americans are indisputably good people, for any American who would hurt anyone, there are millions of Americans willing to help, and for every individual like Trump or the mass-shooters in Dayton and El Paso, there are a million great Americans who would never hurt a fly!

2019-07-23T23:52:00.002-07:00

Nigeria's Looming Genocidal Horrors, Brutalities, Anarchy and War

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

This is being written with a heavy heart and sorrow. This may very well be a dirge for Nigeria!

Nigerians are rapidly, quickly and speedily driving Nigeria towards an epochal cliff and precipice to happily fall to oblivion!

Nigerians, many of them, are currently doing everything illogically possible to make Nigeria become what Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Libya and Syria have become in recent years; quickly sadly, sadly in the most extreme sense.

Any reasonable human being would have thought that Nigerians, upon being familiar with the dire human conditions which have persisted in Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic in recent history, would do, all, any, and every, thing, to avoid a repeat in Nigeria, the cataclysmic events which led to the continuing catastrophes and tragedies in these aforementioned failed nations!

Too many Nigerians are unwittingly asking for the sorts of genocides which took place in Rwanda and Darfur Sudan, some two decades ago. These Nigerians are literally begging for genocidal horrors, brutalities, anarchy, civil war and the ultimate disintegration of Nigeria, while pretending not to see the consequences and unintended consequences of their pronouncements and actions?

Nigerians and Nigeria are (not merely sleepwalking), but sleep-sprinting towards a free-fall-off, of the face of the earth!

The Rwandan genocide will be a seeming picnic or child's play, in comparison to the looming genocide, horrors, brutalities, anarchy, war and disintegration which may consume Nigeria

When, as it happens, a crime is committed against a Nigerian, a group of Nigerians from the ethnic group of the victim of crime, picks at random, a person from the ethnic group of the ALLEGED perpetrator(s)'s ethnic group, and cavalierly slaughters him, without care for law, due process and certainty of guilt, then, such a society is begging for genocide!

The Rwandan genocide of 1994 was consequent upon ethnic hatred, and killings and revenge, vendetta and reprisal killings which consumed thousands of Hutus and Tutsis! There were no winners in the aftermath of the ethnic bloodbath in Rwanda!

Quite unfortunately and disgustingly, like play, like play as Nigerians say in local parlance, Nigerians are excitedly demanding and insisting on repeating the Hutus and Tutsis barbarically disgusting blood bath festivals of killings, whether to see and determine, what group of Nigerians can slaughter the other group more?

Nigerians are, on a daily basis, engaging in appallingly reprehensible, repugnant and unjust ethnic bashing, ethnic demonization, ethnic stereotyping and ethnic stigmatization of the Fulani ethnic group, without circumspection or reflection.

Nigerians are behaving like unreasoned drunks in their haste to cast aspersions on the Fulani ethnic group, in hasty generalizations, in which all Fulani are lumped together as guilty for all kidnappings, robberies and sundry insecurities, which are occurring nationwide in Nigeria, while making President Muhammadu Buhari as the poster-boy of Fulani criminalities, as an enabler, protector and patron, all at once!

All of these, because of the Fulani are Fulani and President Muhammadu Buhari is himself, a Fulani!

It must be a tough time to be a Fulani in Nigeria and in the world!

But why are thousands of Nigerians engaging in these group think? Why are thousands of Nigerians indulging in this dangerous herd’s mentality? Forgive me for the pun that fit! But, the truth is my witness, there is so much group-think or herds mentality currently going on in Nigeria, unbridled, and unmitigated!

It is nonsensical magical thinking by the thousands of Nigerians, perhaps millions? of Nigerians who appear to live in alternate universe who are adamant in insisting on their claimed knowledge of Fulani involvement and or absolute ownership of Nigeria's current widespread kidnappings, armed robberies, criminalities and nationwide insecurities, and yet, same multitudes are unable to pinpoint and or lead police and other law enforcement agencies to these notoriously vicious Fulani Herdsmen....

The next day, the next week and the next month, these same fraudulent and disingenuous narratives are repeated by Nigerian politicians, pastors, journalists and even some Nigerians in law enforcement agencies, without sanctions or consequences for false accusations of crimes, heinous crimes, carte blanche against the Fulani!

There is a call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a National Conference to discuss pervasive, pervading and spiraling-sprawling insecurities nationwide. Really? What is the job description of our politicians in the National Assembly?

Why can't Senators and the House of Representatives members discuss this Urgent Matter of National Importance? What is the job of the National Council of States? What is the job of the President and the Governors' Forum? Constitutional amendments are all it takes!

It is revealed that the just sworn in senators and house of representatives members have, upon arriving in Abuja at the National Assembly, received a so-called "welcome package" of 35 and 25 million Naira respectively, but cannot debate and solve Nigeria's presently overwhelming nationwide insecurities?

Henceforth, any Nigerian, private citizen or public official, who reports crime, with ethnic variable or ethnic colorations must be required to report details of such ethnic characteristics leading to the conclusions, as such, that the perpetrator(s) is adequately, accurately and properly described.

Police officials must be required to find lawbreakers and criminals and solve criminal activities. The police must cease and desist labeling any ethnic group as responsible for particular crime or types of crimes.

The Nigerian Press, electronic, print and social media journalists must be required to restrain themselves from giving ethnic labels to any crime or particular sets of crimes, as a crime committed solely or mostly by a particular ethnic group.

Furthermore, all Nigerian private citizens, public officials, police officers and journalists in traditional, and, or social media, will be subject to sanctions and punishment(s) if and when the mentioned categories of persons, or class of persons refer to Nigerians accused of crime(s) with ethnic or linguistic appellations or togas.

There should be a Nigerian law, with nationwide application, a law against ethnic-bigotry, ethnic race-baiting, or any discrimination or crimes which is motivated by a Nigerian's origins, such as local government, ethnic or linguistic and state, region of origins, or religion practiced or language spoken etc.

There should a Hate Crime Law in Nigeria, it will sanction and punish violators who attack the "otherness" of fellow Nigerians! The citizenship of any Nigerian should have equal value throughout the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, with Full Faith and Credit, just as the One Naira, a unit of our national currency command equal value throughout Nigeria!

Evans was notorious for committing kidnapping in a serial or marathon manner. It is therefore gross injustice to decent and hardworking citizens of Igboland to refer to Evans, as the Igbo Kidnapper!

Similarly, Lawrence Anini was a notorious armed robber in Nigeria some decades ago. It is obviously provocatively unfair and unjust, to all hardworking decent Edo citizens from Edo, when Anini is referred to as the Edo armed robber!

Similarly, it is extremely vexing to all reasonable persons, all reasonable Nigerians, particularly, decent and hardworking Fulani anywhere, as thousands of Nigerians have cultivated the absolutely disgusting and repulsive habit of referring to every kidnap in Nigeria as committed by Fulani Herdsmen, be it in Edo, Emuoha/Rumuji in Rivers State or somewhere in Ekiti and Ondo States!

Nigerians should join me, in tasking our national government, states and local government officials to give Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, State Security Service, Nigerian Civil Defense Service etc the equipment, money and all the resources to enforce our laws objectively.

Nigerians need to put the collective feet of these Law Enforcement Agencies to the fire! We need to demand and insist, as an extremely urgent manner, the matter of national insecurities, which has now assumed an existential threat to Nigerian continued existence as a single corporate sovereign entity nation state!

Nigerian Security Apparatuses should be given all the resources they need, and then, be tasked with solving our national insecurities and promptly. Nigerian governments at all levels, should monitor performance and outcomes of Nigerian Law Enforcement Agencies with rewards, and or punishments accordingly.

The Nigerian landscape is currently littered with a million roadblocks, police obstacle courses at every mile, and yet, there are kidnappings everywhere!

It is one of two things, the police officers have allowed themselves to be distracted and detracted from their official functions, with their underpaid, ragtag outfits or, our police officers are in conspiracies, connivance and collusions outright with kidnappers, armed robbers and sundry purveyors of our current national insecurities nationwide!

Commissioners of Police and Divisional Police Officers should be held accountable, punished or rewarded for effectiveness and efficiencies or absences of same, in their command or areas and jurisdictions of authority.

It is the case that, presently, policing in Nigeria is hodgepodge and nonsensically reliant on over politicizations and manipulations by local thieving and thuggish politicians. Nigerians are aware of some pastors that have police officers escorting them to church and journeys to extramarital rendezvous, instead of law activities in the communities!

Community policing is certainly not police officers in uniforms, with guns and tear gas etc holding umbrellas over the heads of pastors, to shield from rains or sunlight! Nigerians have given Nigerian police free-rides, Nigerians have given our police plentiful get-out-of-jail-cards!

Our police should solve crimes and not give us excuses, and we must STOP giving our police excuses and cover, with pointing fingers at easy or political targets! Nigerians must view all kidnappers, armed robbers and fraudsters with equal displeasure and disdain! Criminals are CRIMINALS .They are not Igbos, Yoruba, Tiv, Kanuri, Esan or Urhobo!

Though state governors are the so-called Chief Security Officers of a given state, they appear to exploit police operations as an intimidation tool, and when and where that is not the case, some state governors are in constant battles and conflicts with police commands in the state governed by such a governor.

One of the old arguments against the establishment of state police in Nigeria, was that, such state police might be misused by the local politicians and might be ethnicized. This would be problematic in a multiparty system. The Nigeria Police force is presently all these, despite the federalization or federal status of Nigeria Police!

The American model, after which the Nigerian democracy and constitutionalism is modeled, has multilayered policing practiced to the letter! Every local government, known as County, has its' police. There are State Police or Troopers, then, Highway Police, followed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI. Furthermore, there is the Bureau of Firearms and Tobacco, ther presidential protection force known as the Secret Service, then, there is the Postal Police of the United States Postal Service.

In New York State for instance, you will find, the above named United States policing departments, and in addition, New York State Troopers and Highways Police, New York Police Department with policing limited to only the 9 million citizens of New York City, as opposed to the 20.4 million citizens of the entire state of New York with localized police departments in all counties or local governments.

New York City also maintains a branch of the New York Police Department (NYPD) which is dedicated solely to housing, known as Housing Police, and yet, another branch of the NYPD which is dedicated solely to policing in the trains or Mass Transit systems, which includes the Subways and surface train lines and buses.

A nation without law and order, a nation with multiple levels of insecurity, cannot expect economic development. A nation with these plethora or myriad insecurities fosters underdevelopment.

Nigerians cannot expect economic development and prosperity, in the midst of a million security uncertainties. Nigeria cannot receive investments from Nigerians at home or abroad, or from so-called Foreign Direct Investors as the profound absence of public infrastructures and basic amenities such as electricity and water, roads, bridges, trains and airports are compounded by kidnappings and robberies.

No investors or tourists will consider kidnappings and armed robberies as attractions or magnets. In fact, a majority of Nigerians are afraid of travels within Nigeria. In view of such clear and present danger in Nigeria to Nigerians, how can Nigeria hope to make these multiple variables of negative factors be considered inviting to a-would-be investor or tourist in Nigeria?

Nigerians and Nigeria are minutely starring at looming anarchy, war, disintegration brought about by plentiful insecurities nationwide. There is still time to wake up, there may be no tomorrow!

Bayelsa State: The Poor Rich State

2019-07-23T23:45:00.001-07:00

Bayelsa State : The Poor Rich State
Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

The population of my home state, Bayelsa is two million and we all live in single digit Local Government Areas of 8. Two million people are not too many people.

Eight Local Government Areas are the fewest Local Government Areas in any state in Nigeria. How difficult can it be to administer two million citizens living in a paltry 8 Local Government Areas, compared with Lagos and Kano with 44 Local Government Areas etc?

It is the case that, population issues are political in the most toxic sense for a majority of the states, populations are inflated for political purposes. It is therefore even doubtful that Bayelsa State actually has two million citizens, with a voters register reportage of 923,000. Bayelsa is not however alone in this population engineering magic!

Manifestoes are similar to the promotional materials for political parties and persons, acting as candidate, or who seek political office.

A manifesto is the platform and predicate advertisement which gives insights to the voters as to what political parties and candidates for elective office, are promising to do or not do, upon being elected.

The governorship elections in my home and corner of Nigeria, Bayelsa State are just a few months away and none of the registered political parties in Nigeria, all 91 of them, have offered manifestoes or written promises of what their political parties and their candidates would do and refrain from doing, upon being victorious at the polls!

Instead, what the world has seen and observed so far, is merely the braggadocios of poor rich parties and poor rich men, who have, in the midst of abject, extreme poverty, unemployment, dearth of public infrastructure, neglected and abandoned projects which have been abandoned outright, the two major parties,
the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their swaggering candidates who have paid up twenty-two million Naira each; monies from their vigorous and prodigious personal hard earned money over the years, profits, dividends, savings and all, paid with ease and without qualms!

Upon paying this outrageous price for this indication of interest nomination forms, the candidates of the APC and PDP, the major contending political parties in Bayelsa State, my state, which is full of squandered promises and yet, full of potentials, the candidates are not telling us or even pretending to be telling us, or promising us, what the aforementioned political parties and their candidates might do, if elected.

But instead, all we are being taunted with, is why West and Not East, East and not South, or Nembe and not Sagbama or Amassoma and not Sabagria must be elected. These geographies are no testament of a can-do and will do, attitude which delivers so called dividends of democracy to our people.

After all, our state, Bayelsa, is the same state which has proven wrong, the wrongheaded belief that if your local government produces a governor or president, that singular fact would assure, guarantee and make certain social, economic and infrastructural development.

The former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was the political umpire and referee for six years, and yet, there is no potable water in Otuoke, despite federal expenditure of billions of Naira on Otuoke Water Works, which did not yield water after all the hoopla of commissioning.

Furthermore, all the roads to Otuoke and all of Ogbia Local Government Areas are terribly bad and impassable 366 days of the year, whether through the Agbura-Otuokpoti - Onuegbum axis or through the Otuasegha-Okarki axis or the Emeya-Elebele Bayelsa Palm axis and Kolo-Ogbia Town axis. Ogbia Town is the Local Government Area headquarters!

There are uncountable projects which have been abandoned by our state government over the years. These neglected projects abound and among them are, the 500 bed hospital on Imgbi Road in Yenagoa, which laid fallow for several years, before 2012 until 2018 when the premises was re-launched by the governor, Mr. Seriake Henry Dickson with the help of Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, both men behaving as if these buildings and premises never existed for a day, before February 14, 2018.
Subsequently, the premises was summarily declared Bayelsa State Medical University, and everyone shouted Hooray!

The strangest thing about all of these, is the dramatic truth, which is the fact that most print media in Yenagoa are located on the same Imgbi Road, where this 500 bed hospital had laid fallow and in limbo for over ten years, when these premises were now suddenly being launched and commissioned as if they were brand new!
Everyone would have reasonably expected the journalists from these print media, to have noticed or stumbled on this phantasmagoria of miraculous buildings morphing into existence as brand new and pristine buildings, even though these buildings had always existed from the Alamieseigha-Sylva era projects.

A Bridge fell in Iminringi in October 2012, as one of the consequences of the disastrous floods of that year. This bridge in Imiringi Community of Ogbia Local Government Area is still not reconstructed or repaired. Astonishingly, none of the current governorship candidates have mentioned this abandoned bridge and what each of them might do about the bridge, were they to be elected or become successful at the elections scheduled for November of this year.

There is no form of Government funded Public Transportation within the state capital Yenagoa or the environs of Yenagoa metropolitan areas. Imagine, if you will, if there were a scheduled bus transportation service from Nembe to Yenagoa, Sagbama to Yenagoa, or Amassoma to Yenagoa and Polaku to Yenagoa etc. This will make intrastate travel easier, more convenient and affordable.

A good network of state transportation would make it possible for persons who work in Yenagoa, to be able to live outside or on the outskirts of Yenagoa. This will reduce the congestion in Yenagoa, and make the overpriced housing issue solvable.

Additionally, food will become cheaper, fish, farm produce and other farm produce will be easily transported to Yenagoa from the hinterlands of the creeks and uplands, cheaper and fresher for all consumers, but, currently, it is quite expensive and inconvenient to undertake any of these, due to the unavailability of a moderately priced state transport service.

A Bridge across the river to Sabagria was abandoned approximately a decade ago. When I go to Sabagria from Yenagoa, I have to go East to go West, as a result of the neglect by government to complete this abandoned bridge.

The alternative for me and all others going to Sabagria is to first go to Polaku, past Okolobiri and Obunagh, leave your vehicle at Polaku waterside, get on a canoe ride across the river, then mount a commercial motorbike, or Okada, through a footpath to Sabagria ! It is so narrow a footpath and so uneven and inconvenient! How did this happen and how could this be allowed to happen to Sabagria?

A Five Star Hotel has been neglected and abandoned, left uncompleted, after so much money, in billions of Naira have been sunk into what is now known, in local parlance, as “ The monument of embarrassment “!

Imagine if this strategically positioned and located hotel was completed, it will be a major landmark, a major edifice and a major employer of labor for those in the hotel and hospitality subsectors! It would have been a source of pride for all of us, it would have been the destination hotel, and a point of reference.

Such that, after the Hotel Ala Bayelsa, you make a left turn to Bayelsa Palm and the Abattoir, when you make a right turn, you will be heading to Onopa, Creek Haven to Government House and FMC or to Gabriel Okara Cultural Center and the High Courts or Judiciary Buildings, near Peace Park, and Bayelsa State Siasia Stadium.

And from Tombia, going straight and pass the flyover bridge, you will be heading towards Ox Bow Lake, on the same major road where Central Bank of Nigeria is situated, in addition to Bayelsa State Waterways Transportation hub, and an FM Radio Station on the same strips.

None of the aforesaid and aforementioned APC and PDP or other political parties and their gubernatorial candidates have deemed it important to discuss or have a manifesto, which references education as a game changer, and priority for Bayelsa State. This is happening, despite the fact that Bayelsa State, remains educationally disadvantaged, along with a few other Nigerian states!

Education is a catalyst for development, therefore, any potentate governor or aspirant to that exulted office of governor in our educationally disadvantaged, or to put it harshly, an educationally backward state, needs to see educational development as critical and crucial. But, here we are, a few months to a pivotal election of a would be chief executive and there are no mentions of education with a clear vision!

What we have instead, is a cascade of universities in Bayelsa State, all at once! When Governor Alamieseigha was alive, I criticized him severally and very harshly and most severely!

I thought that he could have done more, as those to whom much is given, much is expected. I also thought and wished that he was not associated with corruption, and garrulity! BUT, he is redeemed in hindsight, and in my books, he is , and remains the best governor which our state has ever had!

It was Governor Alamieseigha who established Niger Delta University (NDU) in Amassoma. NDU is the main reason that our state is able to produce lawyers, doctors, engineers, nurses, Information technology professionals, to mention just a few! NDU is one of the few Nigerian universities with a dedicated faculty exclusively to the profession of nursing!

During Mr. Seriake Henry Dickons government, particularly during the preceding eighteen months, NDU was shut down for more than six months, ostensibly, due to lack of funds according to the state government.

Shutting down the only tertiary institution which is owned by Bayelsa State, a notoriously educationally disadvantaged state, was just egregiously a misplacement of priorities! Anyone, any political leader who wishes development for our state, cannot, and should not neglect education, particularly, higher education!

What is worse than that is the fact that the public fell asleep, when this extended NDU shutdown persisted!

Mr. Seriake Henry Dickson, as if under a spell, in a seeming desire to overcompensate for the atrocious act of closing down NDU for several months, decided to establish two universities, almost simultaneously!

First was the founding, or establishment, almost overnight, the University of Africa, and then,the Bayelsa State University of Medicine!

But, how can this be the most judicious use of scarce resources? How can a man who is unable to feed a wife and children, suddenly jump to marry two additional wives and children, just like that? Soon after the same man notoriously, and infamously advertised his inability to feed, house and clothe a wife and a child?

It is the case, that Mr. Seriake Henry Dickson accomplished these sorts of magic, and in short order, and magically, all the members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly went along, and there was no tongue wagging, or cacophonies of voices of dissension reminding Mr. Dickson of the above realities already referenced!

The APC and PDP candidates should be shouting their plans, plans to counter Mr. Dickson's management of the Bayelsa State Education Sector, through plans for consolidating Universities owned wholly or in part by our state.

NDU should be the Bayelsa State university, with a well funded College of Medicine which replaces Bayelsa State Medical University so-called.

Then, University of Africa, as beautiful as the name is, should be merged with Niger Delta University.Toru Orua will henceforth have NDU, Toru Orua Campus, the College of Education in Sagbama will become the site of an NDU Campus, administered by education experts from NDU Faculty of Education, alongside other related education Course and programs in the NDU Sagbama Campus!

All of our 8 Local Government Areas could, and can have individual campuses of the Niger Delta University.

NDU Nembe Campus, NDU Ogbia Campus, NDU SILGA Campus, I am sure that we all get the point, which is that a Bayelsa State University with multiple campuses in our 8 Local Government Areas would streamline this critical education sector for Bayelsa State.

This will be more cost-efficient and administratively more manageable. One Vice Chancellor and Senate and Governing Council, instead of, and in place of multiple Vice Chancellors, Multiple Senates, Multiple Management Teams, Multiple Governing Councils!

How can a governor who regaled us with austerity measures, arguing closure of NDU for several months, and shutting down Imiringi Turbine Power Station, be the same person who now has inflicted these plethora of overhead costs, burdening our state and generations to come?

Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom are peer states. They have identical birth dates. Since the implementation of the Derivation Principle, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States have received more than a majority of the other 36 States of the Nigerian federation and received more revenue allocated to it from the Federal Revenues.
Akwa Ibom has a functioning Airport, Akwa Ibom has outstanding and solid drainage systems, a great networks of roads, a modern stadium and much more!

Comparatively, Bayelsa State has no drainage system in Yenagoa or elsewhere and no good network of roads.

Bayelsa State's Yenagoa International Airport was first planned approximately in 2007, to be at a location off East-West Road, then, a new location was off the road to Amassoma. The completion and commissioning was with pomp and pageantry, but, there are still no scheduled flights for once a week or even for once a month!

Yenagoa International Airport has its Control Towers still under construction, several months after the audacious landings of aircrafts which heralded the commissioning with all the hoopla!

How be it, that those posturing and aggrandizing themselves as potentate or would be governors of our very rich, but, poor state, neglect to mention these things? They have not stated their agreements or disagreements with these policies or how they might tinker with and tweak them for the benefits of all Bayelsa State citizens.

How come no governorship candidate is asking why it has taken 8 years, and Isaac Adaka Boro Expressway is still under start, stop and start fitful constructions? Why is Adaka Boro Express a bridge too far?

Bayelsa State is currently having a festival or carnival of political juggernauts with lots of money, but, without advertised policies and without even pretending to be policy wonks or have a modicum of ideas for our common good, or public good!

Nigeria Needs Robust Agriculture And Food Security Policies Urgently

2019-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Nigeria Needs Robust Agriculture and Food Security Policies Urgently

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Any nation which cannot feed her citizens faces existential threats.

The inability of the former Union of Soviets Socialists Republics (USSR) to feed her citizens was a catastrophe more powerful than the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl.

Hunger, or famine was the catalytic implosion which ended the USSR as a single corporate political entity which was headed by Russia. The USSR's reliance on other nations, notably, America became a national security fatal flaw.

Any nation which relies on other nations for her food security has mortgaged her National security and best interests.

Any nation which relies on food relief from other nations, could have such a weakness exploited by her competitors, with the consequent usurpation of her geostrategic and hemispheric influence.

Therefore, depending on what Nigeria does by way of robust agriculture, food production and food security policies, hunger and famine could pose existential threats to the continued corporate existence of Nigeria as one nation.

This is more threatening than some other variables like religion and ethnicity.

Nigeria is a nation facing existential threats from many angles, including and particularly, Nigeria's inability to be self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-sustaining regarding food production, food processing, storage and distribution.

It is the case that Nigeria can, and is capable of having food abundance. Nigeria has the population, the climate and the terrain. Nigeria has rain forests, Savannah grasslands, arid and semi-arid lands, deserts, rivers and oceans.

Nigeria is tropical and a good percentage of Nigerians have been involved in farming, but, quite unfortunately, subsistence farming which employs primordial and antiquated labor- intensive farming methods, instead of mechanized, automated and large scale commercial farming.

Agriculture and Food security policies for Nigeria are extremely urgent and critically crucial at this time for two interconnected reasons, Global warming and population explosion.

Population Explosion is an extremely urgent national and continental challenge

Nigeria's rapid population growth or expansion has created a myriad of challenges for the Nigerian society.

Mass unemployment, particularly amongst university graduates has blossomed into a National security challenge, from prostitution, advance fee fraud and other social vices to violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking and death through mass migration.

Food is surely expensive in Nigeria, and yet, life is so cheap!

Thousands of Nigerians are in mass migration out of Nigeria due to unemployment or the inability of the national economy to engage those Nigerians productively.

There are currently, as a consequence, thousands of Nigerian citizens in the failed nation state of Libya.

These Nigerians are trapped in the lawlessness of a failed state Libya, as they use Libya as a passage or gateway to Europe and other parts of the world in search of elusive greener pastures.

Population expansion and overstretched national resources to cater for Nigerian citizens, the misallocation and mismanagement of resources, corrupt practices and the absence of national priorities, have combined to exacerbate the current national insecurity which is being felt nationwide in Nigeria.

All of the above can get worse, due to the expected exponential population explosion which Nigeria will soon experience.

The population of Nigeria is expected to reach between 400 and 450 million in the next 20 years from Nigeria's current population estimate which is approximated to be, between 180 to 200 million people!

Thus, Nigeria will need to produce twice the amount of food, goods and services, facilities, amenities and public infrastructure to serve what will in 20 years be twice the population size of this year, 2019!

There is presently no policy in place focused on addressing and avoiding a head-on-collision with a plethora of these foreseeable consequential expansions and explosions.

Global Warming and the ubiquitous Fulani Herdsmen

Fulani Herdsmen have always been part of the Nigerian and West African ecosystem. There was harmony between the crops farmers on the one hand, and the herdsmen, or animal breeders on the other hand. This is not to suggest there were never disagreements!

We have to stipulate upfront, that there are expected disagreements between humans, as part of human interactions globally. What has changed however, is the nature, extent and stridency of disagreements and arguments between crop farmers and livestock farmers.

As a child, growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand, interactions between Fulani herdsmen and local crop farmers with local communities as the Herdsmen traversed the Nigerian landscapes without acrimony.

Damage of farm crops by straying cattle were resolved quickly and amicably.

I witnessed local women provide large bowls and basins into which water was fetched, from public taps, which were plenty, and at four taps per mile or within every two poles, and the cows drank, while the herders gave monetary compensation to the owners of the basins.

The process was mutually beneficial. All sides were happy with the transactions as the cows had their thirst quenched which was good for the cows and their owners or herders, while the women whose basins were used, were happy with the sudden income.

Animosities and Acrimonies or the politicization of food and everything else Nigerian?

Nigerians for reasons best known to only Nigerians, are not in a hurry, it appears, to join the global debate of the clear and present danger in the Global warming phenomenon!

In the last seven years, in Nigeria, I have not heard on Radio, Television or read in the newspapers discussions regarding many topical issues, including the dire circumstances which Global warming could inflict on the world and Nigeria in particular.

Similarly, I never get to hear or see discussions about regular medical checks or Prostate Cancer screening for adult males over 40 as topical debates or adverts by pharmaceutical companies!

Often, I wonder whether Nigeria is a geopolitical space, where national culture or pastime encourages everyone to sleepwalk onto a precipice regarding all matters of national importance.

A quick example is the failed state status of neighboring Libya. Thousands of Nigerians citizens are trapped as refugees in war torn Libya with thousands already repatriated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Yet, if you want to know about Nigerians trapped and dying in Libya, you will have to rely on foreign media like Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC or SkyNews etc, not Nigerian television networks, radio or newspapers or Nigerian diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Diaspora Directorate!

It is obvious that the lives of Nigerian citizens are not considered important by the different strata of governments in Nigeria or the generality of the citizenry and the mass media; Otherwise, why the profound absence of concern for those Nigerians stuck in the warzone which Libya has become?

In my lifetime, I have witnessed several failed attempts by governments in Nigeria to create, or bolster Agricultural and Food security policies.

There was, in my childhood days, Agriculture Extension Services. These were operations undertaken by Federal and State government officials which involved interactions between government officials and a variety of farmers - Cocoa farmers, Rubber plantation farmers, and crop farmers.

There were free or subsidized farm inputs, which ranged from farm equipment to supplies or enhancers such as fertilizers.

Subsequently, there were broad policies, which I supposed were well intentioned, but, were nevertheless abysmal and woeful failures.

Some Nigerians of my generation will recall Operation Feed the Nation or OFN during the Olusegun Obasanjo military administration which was then quickly followed with the Green Revolution by the Shehu Shagari administration.

There currently exists in Nigeria, banks established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, dedicated to the facilitation of Agriculture, Commerce, Mortgage and Industry etc.

It cannot be the case that these banks were established to favor only Hausa-Fulani or Fulani Herdsmen. During Operation Feed the Nation, and Green Revolution, the Government of Nigeria established River Basin Authorities, Owena Basin, Rima Basin, Sokoto Basin Authority etc.

Politicization of Foods, the Politics of Cattle Grazing and Political Food Fights?

Quite clearly, it is not true, that participation in the productive processes which is the national food chain of Nigeria has been a private affair, and should remain a private affair.

Furthermore, there is nothing in the laws in Nigeria which prohibits, forbids and proscribes any ethnic group(s) from Cattle herding or Cattle ranching. A Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa person and the garden variety herder, the ubiquitous Fulani can also be participants.

Rural Grazing Area is said to be the full meaning of RUGA. There is nothing in the Constitution or statute which insists or makes it mandatory that an Edo person has to become Muslim or marry a Fulani woman, before participation in RUGA settlement or Cattle colonies.

It is the same way that a Nigerian does not have to bear DANGOTE as a last name in order to sell cement. The wasted tears and wasted emotions surrounding RUGA are just a waste and wasted tears don't make flowers grow! These wasted tears and unnecessary hysteria have not addressed the causes and effects of Global warming, population explosions in Nigeria, and possible solutions.

Nigerian governments have frequently involved themselves in helping private enterprises succeed, in various sectors, agriculture, industries etc. Accruing benefits and beneficiaries from government support of productive enterprises were nationwide.

It therefore a disingenuous and outright lie, to politicize any proposed support for animal husbandries, livestock farming and, or ranching as a targeted Federal Government largesse for Fulani herdsmen, predicated on the fact that President Buhari is a Nigerian Fulani, and as a matter of course, he is partial to the Fulani ethnic group and Fulani Herdsmen.

A Nigerian does not have to be of the Fulani ethnic group to enjoy beef, Suya, Kilishi and the rest of what constitutes protein in the Nigerian Food Chain!

As an unapologetic red meat eater who is over 40 years old, and despite the science which discourages red meat eating at my age, I have to confess that my meat eating enjoyment is not a favor to the Fulani by me or from me.

I love meat and it could have been sold to me by a Tiv, Urhobo, Igbo or Ogoja seller.

All Nigerians eat Fulani reared or grown cattle.

All Nigerians should be concerned with where foods come from, all Nigerians should be concerned with the welfare of those who produce our foods and other things we use for creating our health, wealth and happiness.

We may, and should learn to appreciate those responsible for creating what makes our lives interesting or good.

Additionally, in the midst of louder and louder complaints against Cattle herdsmen with reported negative interactions between crops farmers and herder farmers, including videos of cattle trespassing into primary and secondary schools, reasonable expectations were that there would be collective sighs of relief.

When and if, some remedial measures were undertaken by government, including, establishing virgin spaces for herders, just so that their incursions and negative interactions with Nigerian populations nationwide, would be reduced to a minimum.

There is such a Cattle colony or grazing ground, Abattoir and Cattle-Livestock Market in and around Bayelsa Palm formerly RISO Palm.

This has quietly worked well in Yenagoa, even as many other parts of Yenagoa are labeled No Grazing! The benefits have been reduced interactions between humans in high density populated areas in Yenagoa and Cattle, as the cows are in these Bayelsa Palm outskirts which is a low density population area.

I have observed set aside lands in Benin City, Edo State, around Ikpoba Hills on the outskirts of the city, where Cattle herders are far from the madding crowd and known interruptions cease.

RUGA appears to me to be an attempt by the Federal Government to stem the tide of crises between herders, livestock farmers and crops farmers, by removing cattle from the current rather contentious and volatile interactions or incursion into human populations throughout Nigeria.

RUGA should have been seen as an attempt by the Federal Government to confine cattle to remote localities thus ending cows mingling with the general population.

RUGA was an attempt at problem solving, whether it is cattle ranching, cattle colonies, RUGA or whatever the nomenclature thereby ending the now, all-too-familiar contentious interactions with human populations.

Political disdain or hatred towards President Buhari has morphed into disdain and hatred towards all Fulani. As a consequence, the Fulani herdsmen have been demonized as terrorists, kidnappers and an occupation force or land grabbers! Fulani has become a curse word!

The Muslim, Catholic and Protestant armed robbers and kidnappers in neighborhoods, where the predominant people are Muslim, Catholic and Protestant adherents, all now pretend to be Fulani Herdsmen!

Kidnappers and Armed Robbers on East-West Road from Elele to Rumuji to Emuoha axis now have the veneer of Fulani.

There is so much dishonesty, subjectivity and negative politicization of our National insecurity, which has become a clear and present danger of extreme and absolute urgency! Nigerians know themselves, Nigerians know who the thieves are, who the thugs are, and who the armed robbers and kidnappers are!

All Nigerians should demand that all strata of governments in Nigeria should address mass unemployment, particularly amongst university graduates, who are now flooding into the pool of internet fraud, prostitution, mass migration, kidnappers, political thugs for hire, militancy, Boko Haram and other insurgencies!

Shrill-shouting Hausa Fulani, Fulani herdsmen as solely responsible for Nigeria's social maladies, decadence and sundry malaise, just because the current president is Fulani or that some take delight in expressing their disapproval or dislike of President Buhari, will not make the current Nigerian insecurities which are widening and spiraling out of control, suddenly evaporate.

Insecurity could remain with us in Nigeria, perhaps on an even worse scale, well after President Buhari completes his second and final term as a civilian president.

It is therefore best, to debate, plan, implement or execute policies honestly, openly and transparently, instead of the current scapegoat of Fulani herdsmen, as the one-size-fits-all cause and diagnosis of Nigeria's nationwide insecurities!

Kidnappers, robbers and sundry wrongdoers from the multitude of churches and mosques in the neighborhoods on Ife-Ibadan Road and Benin-Ore Roads are now hiding behind the facade of Fulani Herdsmen Bogeymen!

The American government is prodigious in its support of farmers and all those engaged in food production, processing, storage and distribution.

America has robust agriculture and food policies. America has food strategic food reserves, just as it has strategic petroleum or energy reserves!

America has grain silos which are deployed strategically to positively affect prices of farm products for farmers and make it possible for the average person in America to afford food, but, without discouraging farmers as a result of too low market prices for farm products.

It is thus a win-win all around for American citizens.

In the current trade war between America and China, American farmers are caught in the middle, as China relies on imported Soya Beans, Pork, Chickens etc.

I wonder therefore, why, in view of the enumerated active vigorous involvements by government in Nigeria in agriculture and food productions nationwide, some Nigerians appear to still think that government involvement in agriculture and food production is new and a favor to the Fulani alone.

El Rufai Is Right! No Intervention, No Invasion of Nigeria!

2019-02-13T09:36:00.001-08:00

El Rufai Is Right! No Intervention, No Invasion of Nigeria!

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Lawplusjustice@gmail.com

All Nigerians should stand with Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State in his quest to keep Nigeria an independent nation with inviolate territorial integrity and immutable sovereignty!

Any Nigerian who wishes interference, intervention or invasion of Nigeria, by any nation or group of nations deserves to be in body-bags alongside such would be interfere, or interventionists, and or invaders!

Some disingenuous Nigerians and their mercenary foreign friends have deliberately misquoted El Rufai and taking his honest and sincere statements in a his patriotic defense of Nigeria, completely out of contexts, just so they can excoriate him! So much for giving a dog a bad name in order to hang the dog upon a predetermination!

Millions of Nigerians have watched El Rufai's comments on video and read the transcripts of his comments, and have come to the conclusions that his statements were not threats to good people, Nigerians, Africans, Americans or Europeans.

All well meaning Nigerians ought to express similar outrage, as have El Rufai, over the nonsensical talk about interfering, intervening and invading Nigeria in order to install a particular politician or to foist a particular political preference

El Rufai did not issue threats to so-called elections observers or so-called elections monitors, for all that they are worth! Instead, El Rufai merely addressed the likelihoods of interference, intervention and invasion of Nigeria under any pretexts, including the scheduled elections

No intelligent or reasonable citizen of any nation should wish his or her nation invaded, interfered with or have her affairs visited with interventions by any nation or nations!

There are, currently in Nigeria, messages, some cryptic and others direct, regarding plans, and invitations to outside forces, persons, governments and organizations to interfere, intervene or invade Nigeria, for the sole purpose of ensuring particular political outcome.

No full blooded Nigerian should contemplate, let alone, become interested in activities which will procure Nigerian political outcomes from outside the shores of Nigeria. It is the case across the world, that foreign monies, materials and or other resources are impermissible in the internal campaigns and elections, which are the exclusive internal affairs of such nation in which campaigns and elections are taking place.

I join El Rufai in saying that anyone who wishes Nigeria to be interfered with or wishes foreign intervention or foreign meddling and or invasion, deserves to be dead and devoured, body bags and all!

Nigerians and their foreign handlers should bear in mind that El Rufai's statements came in the midst of the illegal and unconstitutional recognition of Juan Gauido, as defacto president of Venezuela, even though there is a de jure head of state for Venezuela, President Maduro.

This illegitimate, illegal, unconstitutional arbitrariness which is being encouraged and promoted by President Trump and some of his European friends, have prompted some Nigerians to be mouthing or promoting what they euphemistically called the Venezuela option for Nigeria! This is the circumstances in which El Rufai made the body bags statements.

Some Nigerians have been circulating on WhatsApp Messengers telephone numbers to the White House/President Trump? Telephone Numbers to the European Union, the United Nations etc from whom these silly Nigerians seek direct intervention and invasion regarding Nigeria's scheduled elections!

These harebrained ideas which have been in circulation, should be confronted and severely rebuked! Nigerians and their collaborators in these calumnies are to blame!

Any nation which contemplates or actually invades another nation, a politically independent nation, with territorial integrity, and sovereignty etc, should expect resistance and vehement repulsion, including deaths and body bags of the invading armies.

Nigeria is not a political subdivision of America or Europe. No citizen of Nigeria should be recommending Nigeria for invasion or interference and interventions in our internal affairs.

Nigerians alongside El Rufai, should be intolerant and should vehemently denounce anyone and any nation or group of nations seeking to digitally or physically invade or intervene in Nigerian politics or internal matters in any way or form whatsoever!

Nigerians should be reminded of recent interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Libya etc and reflect on how beautifully those interventions have succeeded and benefited the citizens of those nations.

There were Afghans, Iraqis, Ivorians, and yes, Libyans who were in support of the invasions of their nations, there were citizens of these nations who loudly advocated and stridently demanded the invasion and occupations of their homeland. These citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya etc, naively assumed that an invasion would be undertaken in some altruistic, benevolent and objective manner, by the invaders, selfless invaders!

These invasions are now laid bare for all to see. These invasions from the onset, from the planning to their executions have not been precise or objective. The horrors and brutalities of wars which ensued in these nations have been obvious for all to see.

Does any Nigerian want us to become Afghanistan, Iraq or Ivory Coast or Libya?

Nigerians and all reasonable persons across the should be unyielding, unflinching and unapologetic in denouncing any suggestions or attempts to interfere, intervene or invade Nigeria, it is against international law

The purpose of a two year investigations by Robert Mueller, is the suspected foreign interference in American elections which may have benefited Trump

The elections in America are imperfect, the election which produced President George W. Bush was very contentious and heavily litigated, and the Americans did not seek the invasion of America by Russia, or Mexico or Canada.

Similarly, the elections which produced President Trump, the current president of the United States was equally contentious. There have been slews of allegations of Russian meddling or Russian interference, and as a result, there is an ongoing investigation by Robert Mueller, in efforts by the Americans, Democrats and Republicans to unravel and unmask Russian or foreign interference in the 2016 American presidential elections.

Americans are loathe to think of any interference, no matter how benign, in their internal affairs, particularly, the American democratic process, particularly, campaigns, elections and voting processes. Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, resent the idea of foreign interference, let alone, intervention or invasion of their nation!

BREXIT or the withdrawal from the European Union (EU) has been hotly debated globally. Britons, in Tory/Conservative Party and those in Labor are mutually divided about remaining or leaving the EU.

Despite this vigorous debate with the attendant bitter divisions, no Briton has publicly harbored or expressed the desire to be invaded and occupied by France, Germany or Sweden! instead, it is actually believed by some, that, xenophobia or resentments towards immigrants, propelled Britons who voted for BREXIT with the unintended consequences which Britain now confront!

How warped is the logic of some Nigerians? How could any Nigerian be so warped and twisted in perspectives which could warrant advocating interference, intervention and invasion by foreign nations, organizations and institutions in the affairs of Nigeria?

Nigeria is not available for invasion or to be intervened in, and or, interfered with. No Nigerian for whatever reason should have their thoughts, or contemplation, the filthy, stinking and repugnant idea of foreign meddling, foreign interference and or foreign intervention in the affairs of Nigeria under any guise!

El Rufai is right, any nation or nations who interferes with, intervene in and or invade Nigeria, should be prepared for the cataclysmic and catastrophic consequences for her own nation(s) and citizens, body bags and all!

Issues and Policies Debates In Nigerian Presidential Elections

2018-07-04T09:04:00.002-07:00

Issues and Policies Debates In Nigerian Presidential Elections Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. The Nigerian presidential election is scheduled for February 16, 2019 and today is July 2nd, 2018. There are therefore, barely six clear months before a major general election. Yet, Nigerian national issues which are exceedingly and glaringly urgent, are profoundly absent from the lips of the political leaders of the more than 60 registered political parties in Nigeria! There are many issues of concerns to me, just me, merely an individual or one person out of 180 million Nigerians! Yet, as I write this, Nigeria is in a continuing, seeming slow-motion Civil War in the North East of Nigeria, which is also known as the Boko Haram insurgency. This mindlessly violent Boko Haram insurgency has been festering and percolating for too many years. A second and perhaps now more virulent variant sort of insurgency, it is spreading across the whole nation. I am referring to the so-called Herdsmen’s and Farmers’ frequent clashes with its religious and ethnic trappings and colorations. Thirdly, amongst urgent challenges in national policies, is the continuing downward spiral of the Nigerian National Currency, the Naira. The Naira has in my life time withered like roses in the sun. The Naira, since September 30, 1986 has lost 720% in value, and as such, everything which is imported into Nigeria has become more expensive by a factor of the multiplication and division between our national currency and the American Dollar. Fourthly, there is mass unemployment in Nigeria. The unemployment rate is more than 60% among graduates of tertiary institutions with their National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate in hand. There is therefore plentiful, but idle human capital without requisite productive industrial capacity. To absorb these would be useful energies to innovate, create, make and add value to Nigerian lives! Essentially, Nigeria is currently an atmosphere of confluences and convergences of fundamental absences of ideas, poverty of ideas and deficits in all important spheres of human life. There is a dearth of public infrastructures. Roads and bridges are decrepit. Many airports in Nigeria have become relics of their former selves. A visit to most Nigerian airports induces, tears, and heartache from those who truly still love Nigeria. Mass transits and other forms of public transportation are non-existent nationwide. There is hardly a transportations system to speak of, throughout Nigeria. There are no trains or any other public transportation system(s) which are established, operated, supported or subsidized by municipal, state or federal authorities! There are no efforts to make the lives of the citizens more convenient or a little less painful. The lives of citizens are not valued at all. A majority of Nigerian highways are death traps. Nigerian Expressways are abandoned and neglected in disrepair. Nigerian roads and maintenance, repairs, remedial measures and care, cannot be mentioned in the same sentence! There are no maps or labels or signage announcing towns, populations, name of rivers and bridges or extent of distances calculated as there are no established distances landmarked as you travel highways and expressways! No pointers, no arrows, nothing! Electricity is still non-existent. Electricity in Nigeria is, at best, still uncertain, unpredictable and epileptic. Electricity is the engine-room of every individual and commercial entity undertaking production, and yet, electricity is still the most unreliable service in Nigeria. Is electricity not a topic for campaigns or electioneering in Nigeria? Then, there is the mother of all, of Nigeria’s challenges or problems. It is known as corruption! Corruption is the derailment-in-chief of all Nigerian private and public efforts, Nigeria’s ultimate national enemy, corruption is, it is still alive and well, corruption still has vigour, energy and capacity to decimate and debilitate Nigeria, and corrupt is doing so. Why then, is it, that, in the midst of all the above burning national issues, many policy issues, in the midst of all which currently ails Nigeria, these multitudes of issues, which requires urgent attention through debates, discussions, and then, policy formulations and implementation in connections with gapping national needs, needs that are, extremely urgent, and even dire. Why then, is the Nigerian political class, like Emperor Nero of Rome of yore, fiddling while Rome burns? As an example, let President Buhari and his political party the APC and its entire leadership tell us, Nigerians, the voters, what has been accomplished during these couple of years, during which President Buhari and the APC have been at the helms of Nigerian affairs. Thereafter, let President Buhari, the APC and supporters articulate national policy positions regarding the sundry issues raised above, (though number of national issues are not exhaustive) but articulate policy positions regarding the many issues facing Nigeria. Furthermore, even as we take the ruling political party to task, Nigerians similarly expect the other approximately 67 registered political parties in Nigeria, to espouse the programs and policies to the electorate; while explaining, in specific exactitudes, what policy forays these other different political parties and their crops of leaders will undertake on behalf of Nigerians, to make Nigeria a better place for all. Subsequent to such expositions, Nigerians will have the opportunity to compare and contrast, and be in a position to thoroughly scrutinize the different political leaders and their political parties to determine how such leaders, their parties, programs and policies differ from what Nigerians have witnessed in the preceding sixteen years of PDP, and, the current APC administration. In this way, Nigerians are able to determine that President Buhari may continue as he and his team are doing such an outstanding job of administering Nigeria (based on the facts). President Buhari should then be re-elected and permitted by the voters to continue into a second term in office as president of Nigeria. Or, alternatively, upon thoroughly scrutinizing the manifestoes of the current government and measuring such programs, policies and performance, the Nigerian voters may decide that another political party and its leadership deserve a try at the helms of Nigeria’s for the next four years on behalf of all Nigerians, also, again, based on the facts, without the usual extraneous factors of region of origin, religion and, or ethnic group. This alternative will therefore arise from a clear understanding by the Nigerian populace. In particular, the voters, , upon comparing and contrasting the mission statements of other competing political parties in Nigeria, that such other party as the Nigerian voters may so determine, is more suitable, ready and able to meet the totality of our current national aspirations. Such conclusions would be national issues and national interests driven. Unfortunately however, as the general elections draws nearer and closer, none of the over sixty political parties in Nigeria are engaged in issues driven campaigns or electioneering! The political class in Nigeria are presently conflating Nigerian national issues with the selfish and personal interests of some highly placed political office holders. Where the arrests of a couple of senators by security agencies, for offences, is turned into an imaginary national security issue upon which Nigeria’s democracy is dangling precariously. A majority of Nigerian political class are self-interested, egoistical and narcissistic, while being distracted or consumed by personal greed and self-aggrandizements and without a care for Nigerian national priorities. Nigerian political class have never demonstrated a care for the concerns the average Nigerian citizen. This is precisely why no member of the Nigerian political class is concerned with the Causes and Effects of mass migration by Nigerians into Libya, Spain, Italy and other European nations via the treacherous desserts and the Mediterranean Sea! Nigerian mass migrants flee the parlous and desperately hopeless human condition which Nigeria has become, and it is worsening! The current generation of the Nigerian political class is mindless and careless about the future of Nigeria and Nigerians! Otherwise, there would be vigorous debates, campaigns and electioneering on how to tackle corruption, mass unemployment, uncertain and unreliable electricity, absence of public infrastructures nationwide! If the current Nigerian political class care at all, there would be an urgent discussion on how to strengthen the Naira. The Naira, our now worse than useless national currency, which exchanges very poorly, and as a consequence, this makes importing a car, a computer or construction or farm equipment too expensive. If the Nigerian political class were alert, aware and awake to their responsibilities, they would be campaigning and proposing programs and policies to stem or even eliminate ethnic and religious frictions nationwide. Indeed, if Nigerian political leaders were normal and similar, in comparisons to their reasonable counterpart political leadership elsewhere, there will be urgent public debates and proposals programs and policies on how to tackle the Boko Haram scourge and other festering insurgencies in Nigeria, which are now becoming ‘normal’ Were there to be a real political leadership in Nigeria, there will be urgent debates, programs and policies being formulated on how to have stable electricity supply, the bane of Nigerian industrial development efforts. Only inane political leaders would expect foreign investments, research and development, in a nation without electricity. Only a naïve political class would be mouthing platitudes about Foreign Direct Investments as many airports are closed or in a state of disrepair, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Benin Airports are quick examples. Nigeria is currently, sadly, ignoring and neglecting every aspect of Nigerian life which are critical. No nation can ignore and neglect investing in higher education, research and development, and then, hope for national progress and advancement. No nation can neglect investments in public infrastructures and expect magic in her economic growth. Yet, Nigeria is in the middle of, and at the cusp of a presidential election next February 16, 2019, but, no member of the political class, no one, is interested in campaigns, debates, discussions and electioneering about Nigeria’s extremely urgent national priorities and the way forward. It is so sad! All in all, Nigeria is a wonderful nation with so much abundance, Nigeria is bountiful and replete with opportunities for citizens and foreign investors alike. However, it is held hostage by an absent minded, vapidly corrupt and extremely greedy political class. The 2019 elections is a chance to chart the way forward for a better Nigeria. Nigerians must pay attention and take the political class to task!

Global Asylum and Refugee Crises; A Ticking Time Bomb!

2018-07-02T00:09:00.003-07:00

Global Asylum and Refugee Crises; A Ticking Time Bomb! Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. There is a burgeoning global refugee crises and it requires action from all nations of the world. It is critical and crucial that there be a robust and coordinated global response to the mass migration crises which is spiraling out of control in all corners of the earth. Global mass migration is causing restiveness on the part of those in mass migrations on the one hand and, on the other hand, aggressive or fierce resistance by the receiving communities across the world. African crises such as actual violent conflicts, economic and social dislocations are major factors motivating mass migration from the African axis. Then, in Asia, the many decades long war in Afghanistan and the arbitrary removals of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar government has caused the dislocation of some 600,000 persons in one fell, swoop. In the Middle East, the wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and the precarious human conditions which persists in Palestine, have combined to create an increase in the numbers of refugees and displaced persons in the Middle Eastern region part of the world. Similarly, in North America, particularly in the United States, the refugee and migrant crises are fueled by Latin and South American economic and political crises, with accompanying instabilities, which have culminated in the so-called “zero tolerance” asylum seekers and refugees policy by President Trump of the United States. The current migrant crises in Europe first got out of control in 2015, and garnered the world’s attention, when the number of desperate mass migrants trying to cross into Europe through the Mediterranean Sea reached two million persons, at which point, European nations acting through the European Union, sought to stem mass migration, particularly from the African continent, through arrangements or deals with Libya, Italy and Turkey, as European nations struggled to outsource mass migration crises. Since then, these actions targeting mass migration from Africa, have seen a dramatic reduction from two million persons in 2015 to approximately 43, 000 persons in the first quarter of 2018. Thousands of deaths through drowning at sea and frostbites have bedeviled these hapless African mass migrants. European nations are closing their national doors or borders to African mass migrants, whether the migrants are categorized as asylum seekers or refugees (economic or political)! European nations through combined efforts, have taken drastic measures, including refusal of berthing and landing rights to ships with multitudes of rescued mass migrants in death defying attempts to enter Europe. In recent times, Italy, Spain and Libya have engaged in blockades of ships bearing African migrants. The Aquarius with over 300 mass migrants, was denied and refused entry into Spain in June 2018. Consequently, The Aquarius lingered on the high seas for an extended period of time. Soon after the incident involving The Aquarius, there was another incident in which the global shipping company, Maersk rescued hundreds of mass migrants who were rescued on the high seas by Maersk a mercantile or commercial containers company, which was now stuck with the stranded migrants, as no European nation was willing to accept the rescued migrants who were now on Maersk ocean merchants ships or ocean going vessels. The government of the nation of Israel, has sought to deflect her African migrants challenge through outsourcing, Israel formulated a policy in which Israel would pay a willing East African nation to receive and house African migrants for five thousand dollars per person, irrespective of the African nation of origin of such Africa migrant. There is clearly a global migration crises, and consequently, various regions and nations have unfurled varied policies to eliminate or reduce the migrant crises. Some policies have ranged from the inhumane and cruel to extremely harsh. In effect, most nations are acting in complete disregard for human lives, dignity and even international laws and United Nations Conventions regarding asylum seekers and refugees. President Trump in this regard, recently emphatically stated that mass migrants to the United States should not be accorded The Rule of Law or Due Process! In all of these, and quite unfortunately so, there has been no public debate in African nations in connection with this global crises of asylum seekers and refugees. This is so, despite the fact that African mass migrants are a major component of this global crises. There are injustices, oppressions and inequality in their extreme on the African continent. There are plethora of human conditions on the African continent which makes millions of Africans seek health, wealth and happiness outside of Africa. There is mass unemployment amongst a large segment of the African population. In particular, mass unemployment is especially severe in African youths below the age of 30 years. There is absence and or dearth of public infrastructure. Democratic institutions are either completely absent or fragile in nations of African continent. There is abject and extreme poverty, and there are glaring inadequacies in the areas of The Rule of Law and Due Process. Legal systems are not solid and the judiciary is not as independent and autonomous as it should be. There is a poverty of ideas. In the circumstances, too many among the African youth feel, rightly or wrongly, more assured about sturdy systems outside the African continent. There are no certainties of reward or punishment guided by individual efforts. In Africa, it is the case that, all too often, there are no consequences for stupidity, and such an environment quickly leads to impunity in attitude, behaviors and actions. Most African governments are steeped in, entrenched and ensconced in corruption. They are also engaged in maladministration, bad governance, mismanaged economies, conflicts and social-political dislocations. These same African governments are surprisingly, the governments which are not debating, planning or formulating policies addressing the root causes of mass migration from African nations. What is worse, African governments are ignoring debates or policy formulations and implementations in order to prevent the consequences faced by citizens of these same African nations through miserable deaths inflicted on African citizens by a treacherous and unforgiving Mediterranean Sea and the newly refortified African migrant entries into Europe. Ignoring Causes and Effects of mass migrations by citizens of African nations is a clear illustration of African governments’ inability and or, unwillingness to protect and serve African citizens. It can even be said that the African governments’ inactions regarding mass migrations and attendant consequences, is the best indication of the null value which African nations seem to assign to African citizenship. A war torn Libya, with ragtag military and sundry opportunists in Libya, has resorted to what CNN’s Nima Elbagir has described as modern day slavery in which Libyans sell desperate West Africans to the highest bidders, and currently, the nomenclature of what stands for what can be called the government of today’s Libya, cages and quarantines thousands of Africans and treats African mass migrants worse than prisoners of war. The Libyan authorities have been unable or have been unwilling to prevent the current criminal enterprise involving human trafficking in which African mass migrants are the victims, as they are either killed like flies, raped and abused or sold, in auctions reminiscent of the slave trade of more than one hundred years ago! The leader of the government in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel, a fervent supporter of rights of refugees and asylum seekers, has been compelled in recent times, as she is under domestic political pressure to shift her position. Her position now closely resembles and reflects the anti-refugees preferences of her local political opponents in Germany, and in fact, her government is barely holding on in a coalition partnership, as her political opponents, hitherto a minority or at the fringes of things, has gained prominence in the politics of Germany. Globally, the fortunes of asylum seekers and refugees have sunk, as conservative political leaders have assumed leadership of governments in the United States with the electoral victory of President Trump, and the election of ultra conservative candidates in Italy, and the upsurge of conservatives across Europe. The world is currently mired in mass migration crises, and no region is exempt. This global mass migration crises is becoming a ticking time bomb. The world is walking a tightrope towards a mass migration precipice or Armageddon. Africans mass migrants for several years, have borne the brunt of rejection by Europe. African mass migrants, asylum seekers and outright refugees are routinely denied entry in the Americas and Europe as well. Blunt discriminatory language or verbiage is often directed at African mass migrants, as they are denied, rejected and disparaged as economic refugees undeserving of being considered for asylum and refugee statuses. The United Nations recently reported how the EU in cooperation with Libya has led to 'unimaginable horrors' for African mass migrants http://www.dw.com/en/un-eu-cooperation-with-libya-has-led-to-unimaginable-horrors-for-migrants/a-41380660 “EU-backed agreements between Italy and Libya have reduced the number of migrants reaching EU shores. But the cost has been "unimaginable horrors," according to the UN human rights commissioner” The European Union's (EU) policy of helping Libyan authorities in detaining migrants has been "inhuman," UN human rights commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said on Tuesday. "The suffering of migrants detained in Libya is an outrage to the conscience of humanity." “UN inspectors had seen "unimaginable horrors" endured by nearly 20,000 migrants during visits to four migrant detention centers in Tripoli, Libya in early November the commissioner said. “Zeid added they had seen evidence of widespread torture, rape and forced labor. At one point, the inspectors saw "thousands of emaciated and traumatized men, women and children piled on top of each other, locked up in hangars with no access to the most basic necessities." Hundreds of migrants left in limbo in the Mediterranean http://www.dw.com/en/hundreds-of-migrants-left-in-limbo-in-the-mediterranean/av-44393659 “The fate of hundreds of migrants rescued from the Mediterranean is up in the air after they were again barred from landing on Europe's southern shores. Two ships, the Lifeline and the Alexander Maersk, are currently left in limbo in the Mediterranean” Consequently, there are feelings of conspiracy, collusion and connivance as harsh actions and maltreatment of mass migrants unfolds daily, openly and unapologetically. These mass migrants, are now subjected to extremely inhumane, brutal and horrible treatments, so much so, that these populations must not be blamed if they question why death and indignity has become their ultimate end or lives’ outcome. It is the case that there is so much affluence, wealth and opulence in the world. There are certainly enough resources to provide for the health, wealth and happiness of earth’s present human population of over 7 billion persons. After the Second World War, there was rescues for the economies of Europe by America, and it was known as the Marshall Plan, it helped to stimulate economies which were decimated by the war. Again, after the 2008 global economic meltdown, there were Economic-Financial Bailouts, which once more, stimulated certain economies. The African continent and the Southern Hemisphere, where the bulk of mass migration flows from were not included in the orbits of the Marshall Plan, and the Economic-Financial Bailouts already mentioned above. Reengineering and Resuscitating the economies of the Southern Hemisphere may be the surest and best policy or way out of the current global mass migration crises. These crises will not be wished away! Asylum seekers and refugees globally, are feeling forsaken and forgotten. Asylum seekers and Refugees are feeling abandoned and rejected at all entry points in America and Europe. Pronouncements by persons such as President Trump of the United States, the current Prime Minister of Italy, conservative politicians such Marie Le Pen of France, anti-immigrants movements across the world can only make matters worse! It doesn’t have to be this way. History or posterity will judge humanity harshly, as the extent of our human refinements is measured by our current asylum seekers and refugees who are essentially the underprivileged, the oppressed and the less fortunate persons in the global populations. As I write this, a boat, sank in the coasts of Libya, the boat is said to be old, rickety and poorly maintained and overloaded with 120 African mass migrants, 100 of them have been confirmed dead by Alazeera Television Network which showed videos of dead babies fished from the sunken boat! Another 100 African citizens dead in their efforts to flee from the hardships, sufferings, abject extreme poverty and sundry dire human conditions in Africa! And today June 30, 2018, it is being reported that the European Union have agreed to tighten asylum and refugee rules, even more! Asylum seekers and refugees are beleaguered and they need our help and support in their hour of need. The plights and predicaments of asylum seekers and refugees globally, is dire and precarious. The time to act is now.

Health, Hygiene, Fitness & Nigerians

2018-05-16T04:27:00.003-07:00

Health, Hygiene, Fitness & Nigerians Author: Paul I. Adujie | Good hygiene, physical fitness and good health should be seen as a matter of life and death. These are particularly more so for Nigerians and other Africans abroad as we tend to have very healthy appetite to indulgent levels. It is crucial that we are alert to the attendant perils of what and how much and when we eat. And bearing in mind that a great deal of the foods consumed by Nigerians nay Africans in the Diaspora are over-processed foods. Over-processed foods are frequently stripped of their natural roughage or fiber, those natural regularity inducing particles or elements in foods. Most foods abroad, unlike in Nigeria, are laden with artificial preservatives, and sweeteners in order to prolong food shelf-life through the rigors of manufacture, distribution, sale and kitchen table end journey with consumers. Food is plentiful and cheap in the Diaspora, at least in America. Foods are also gradually, but steadily, getting genetically engineered or modified as well; more care is needed in our consumption pattern. Even food items as simple as apples, peaches and pears, are often laden with and coated with an assortments and combinations of chemicals; from bee-wax to Alar, and as a result, discerning consumers must thoroughly was, even fresh fruits before ingesting them. Life abroad, is, or can be very sedentary. From riding escalators to elevators to the car to the train or public buses and airplanes etc. It is therefore a matter of a particular effort and discipline on all our parts to maintain physical fitness through regular exercise or physically vigorous activities. Fitness and good health in the circumstances should be actively sought after. Time is frequently unavailable to engage in extra curricular activities, after long hours of daily schlepping, which is what life in the Diaspora entails. Imagine then that Nigerians who are having to compete with myriad factors of life abroad, must then have to be alert to quality and quantity of foods which could induce adverse heart conditions. There are over-sweetened over-sugared foods in their abundance in America, and the sweeter the foods, the cheaper they tend to be too, and there is a correlation between sugar-added foods and the amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol such foods contain. Fattening foods are so cheap and available, whereas whole-foods or organic foods comes at premium prices. It is a double whamming for anyone who eats mounds of these sweetened foods, and then, worse, if such persons are averse to physical exertion, coupled with the relative ease of life in America without physical efforts requiring sweats or perspirations, the risks of fattening foods is therefore heightened by physical hassles-free life. Mental stress may result from adjustments to new life in a new land, but sweat generating muscle movement are frequently unnecessary around here. Considering all these aforementioned issues, it is of little surprise to me therefore, that a preponderance of Nigerians in America tend to almost invariably become overweight Nigerians at home and particularly abroad, need to be very attentive and become more particular about good health through consumption of good food and healthy serving size. We need to watch the quantity and types of foods that we pile on our plates. I am always amazed at the size of the mountain of food on some plates at Nigerian parties! Overeating is no favors to yourself. As a matter of fact, you should deliberately share your foods, that is a better favor to yourself, you will avoid unnecessary calories in the process. Engage in calories and fat avoidance program-policy, give some of your lunch to your colleague or friend or family or save some of it for the homeless guy at the train station, he will be glad to see you, on your way home from work! Nigerians need to be particular about good health through fitness, which in turn enhances longevity. We need a more physically active lifestyles. Enroll at gyms, we need to move; engage in long walks and whatever else it takes. Exercising can be fun. I thoroughly enjoy my exercise time, I create the fun out of it, by listening to my favorite songs. I take the chore out of my workouts by listening to songs that moves and uplift my heart and spirit. We need to pay detail attention to quality and quantity of foods we eat, this is the most delicate way for me to say that we need to eat less, no more gobbling. We should probably ease up on the oils, fats and salt, all of which are a source of and are contributing factors to why too many Nigerians in America have become super-sized and extra-large persons! As the clichÃ© goes, we are certainly what we eat, and how much we eat! Nigerians abroad may need to consider changing some old social habits, such as eating of foods that can feed more than one person. We must unlearn eating late in the evening or at night and shortly before going to bed. It is advisable to eat last meal of the day before bedtime, several hours before night rest. The old advice of eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper remains a wise counsel. We must unlearn such aspects of our culture which suggests or presupposed a fat man to be a man who is living-well; we do not have to literarily live-large, that is not living-well at all, it instead, courting adverse heart events or even sudden death. There are old habit which are in dire need of changing, for instance, I recently came across a debate on the Internet by some Nigerians in which foul body odor was the culprit. And, the need to use deodorants and the necessity of shaving under-arm hairs or arm-pit hair that is. It is equally important to add other items such as shaving or waxing genital area hairs or pubic hairs, for it will give you, that smooth-all-over-cleanliness feeling! Men should shave their facial hairs daily, as a matter of course. But shave under-arm and between-thighs hairs weekly, or bi-monthly. We should cultivate the habit of using dental floss at minimum, once a day, it rids in-between teeth of food particles or residues which result is foul smell of some mouths, when food residues are allowed to reside for several hours or even overnight without flossing. Personal hygiene through dental floss and use of deodorants would get rid of unnecessary odors, which our friends, family and professional colleague will not have to endure any further. My late father used to tell us kids that it took a good, a true friend to mention your bad breathe to you, but, it is still, a delicate matter, even at that. Shaving or waxing unnecessary hairs in visible and in concealed regions of the body complete the bodyâ��s sweet smell efforts. Nigerian guys must lose the beer belly and the so-called love-handless and thick-back of neck; Nigerian women must trim down and lose weight before fussing about 100 percent human hair-extensions imported from China or is it Hong Kong! There is a need to be more physically active, for instance, by joining gymnasiums, by participating in physical exertions and sundry physicality. Regular long walks with your spouse, girl or boy friend, would suffice. It may actually lead to closer familial relationships amongst our people. In the interest of our good health and physical fitness, we must exercise and be active. Just move! Regular exercise is a proven and reliable fountain of youth, without ingestion of chemicals, botulism or some other concoctions. Regular exercise has been established as capable of regenerating brain cells, for better memory and sharper mental focus. You will feel a better mental attitude, and people around you would notice the difference in your uplift. Regular exercise has spectacular benefits that are at once tangible and intangible as well. Regular exercise cure for lethargic morning awakenings, and it can reduce our feel of fatigue considerably. It has enhanced my physical and mental endurance or stamina; reduces stress and anxiety of modern day work and life. Regular exercise has cured some persons of irritability and even insomnia. Regular vigorous exercise regimen can improve your sex life, with prolonged foreplay, and stems premature ejaculations. Winter is not my favorite season of the four seasons, but, I have been able to reduce my winter-blues or through regular exercise. I lost 40 pounds and moved from my size 40inches to size 36inches trouser waist requiring the re-tailoring or refitting of most of my wardrobe. I have a permanent better mood. But of course, I mind what I eat, it is a lifestyle change and work in progress! We must eat less. Eat better quality foods, eat less fats, use less salt and oils. We must eat more fruits and consume more vegetables. And when possible, eat less of over-processed foods, and avoid junk foods like the plague! I personally favor foods from the earth, whole foods, whole grains and prefer fresh over their refrigerated cousins etc Personally, I make deliberate efforts at avoiding or excluding certain staples and condiments such as cheese, butter, mayonnaise, sugar, I let the fruits and vegetables in my salad do the flavoring of my salads, no salad dressings or creams for me. I might use a tinge of extra virgin olive oil; I eat spinach steamed, no cream. When I eat cereal at all, I use banana, or strawberry or some other fruit to season instead of using sugar. We may not become vainglorious or become anorexic, but, we must watch our weights, size and body mass. Fitness and good health is amply helped by good personal hygiene, fitness and good health is a matter of life or death. Here is to fitness and good health! Our lives and our longevity depend on these! Written by Paul I. Adujie Paul I. Adujie is a Nigerian lawyer resident in New York, United States and a member of the International Bar Association

Grieving in Gaza and Jubilations in Jerusalem! Are Palestinian Lives Worthless?

2018-05-16T01:33:00.001-07:00

Grieving in Gaza and Jubilation in Jerusalem! Are Palestinian Lives Worthless? Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. Palestinians are being slaughtered like birds by the Israeli military. Israeli military occupation has been captured on video as gleefully using Palestinians for target practice as sitting ducks! Our collective humanity is being demeaned and devalued daily with the unchecked murders of Palestinians by the Israelis. The world appears to have made peace with the unsanctioned and uncensored murders of Palestinians by Israeli soldiers as the United States enjoys and basks in scuttling every effort to check Israeli military excesses, extra judicial killings and war crimes. In effect, efforts at the United Nations and elsewhere to restrain Israel have been blocked by American vetoes. On May 14, 2018 over 60 Palestinians were killed by Israel in one day - these Palestinians were civilians without guns! What other nation on earth would kill 60 civilians engaged in peaceful protests and no eyebrows are raised? But, a slap on the wrist as always, is what Israel gets? Palestinian lives are taken as valueless, worthless and meaningless, while President Trump, as the rabble rouser in-chief, has now added accelerants to a raging inferno with his relocation of the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018. Last month, Israel also killed 31 Palestinians and the world prevaricated. The United Nations toothless wimpy bulldog could not even establish a Committee to investigate the unwarranted killings of Palestinians! In 2014, according to the United Nations, Israel killed 2,104 Palestinians but the Palestinian leaders put the killing at over 2,500 Palestinians and the world has looked on impishly and sheepishly. At the United Nations and elsewhere, the current mantra is clearly that power or might is right. As such, Israel is allowed to constantly use its Sledge hammer to kill mosquitoes, with winks and nods from America and some other Western powers. There is also the elaborate handwringing, such as when the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, on Tuesday May 15, 2018, gave a convoluted public statement in which, in a tongue twisted process, she blamed the killing of 60 unarmed Palestinians on Palestinian political troublemaking! The world is however aware that, it is the case that, if any nation on earth kills 60 British citizens in one day, if any nation kills 60 Americans in one day, or if any nation kills 60 Israeli in one day, these Nations will invade such a Nation with full scale war and occupation. Yet, Israel routinely , repeatedly and incessantly kills Palestinians in record numbers without any consequences or accountability! Israel has created systems of endless sufferings and dehumanization which have been described by former President Jimmy Carter of the United States, as apartheid ; the walls of separations erected in order to segregate Israelis from Palestinians into separate communities. Israel has been operating an apartheid system which is similar to what obtained in South Africa during its apartheid years, with natives confined to Bantustans, Soweto and other dehumanizing shanties. Israel has maintained a trenchant, obstinate and obdurate stance because America supports Israel's illogical and illegal behavior. This is despite criticisms from the United Nations over Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the unabated continued expansions and economic, territorial, political, complete usurpation of Palestine's sovereignty. Israel repeatedly annexes lands in Palestine, with illegal expansions in complete disregard of the timid and tepid United Nations resolutions and nary condemnations which have become worse than useless platitudinous inanities! Israel has acquired illegal territories upon illegal territories, lands recognized by International law as properties of Palestine in a would be, should be, two-nations solution between Palestine and Israel, the predicate for lasting ,enduring peace between the two peoples. Israel has amassed Palestinian lands through arbitrary military actions and illegal confiscations. Israel now also has Jerusalem as conferred on it by the king of the jungle, President Donald Trump of America! Why will Israel listen to anyone or negotiate with Palestinians? Israel has through a pyrrhic victory, conferred on itself Palestinian land and the award of Jerusalem as its potentate capital as declared by Mr. Donald Trump! Why would Israel be humble or negotiate peace with Palestine? Israel has all it wants and all the aces! Mr. Donald Trump has given Israel a poison chalice and temporary peace, a toxic peace, an acidic victory! The current status between Palestine and Israel is contrary to logic, common sense, International law and internal order. Endless conflicts or recurring wars between Palestine and Israel are being essentially guaranteed, with the current stalemate, in which Israel has been given all she wants through the backdoor, and at the expense of Palestine, with the unreasonable expectation that Palestinians should accept these injustices as a fait accompli. Should the Palestinians just smile and bear their fate at the hands of Israel while the world looks askance and helpless? In the meantime, and in the middle of all of these, Saudi Arabia is more interested in wars of attrition against fellow Arabs and Persians, in Yemen, and Syria. I wish that the Arabs and Persians would unite with one voice in advocating Sovereignty and National Independence for Palestine. The time is now - Palestine, the Arabs, Persians and others worldwide do not need the United Nations , United States or Israel's permission to declare Palestine a free independent nation! Tenants have the right to exist. Tenants must recognize and respect a landlord's identical rights as well and they may not act in diminution of the landlord's identical rights. So much for the rights of rights and interests of the tenants, let's also consider the rights of the landlords! He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. This is a legal mantra and maxim! Email at : lawplusjustice@gmail.com Please Google these related articles on the checkered history between Palestine and Israel : 1. Israel is an Outlaw and Lawless Nation by Paul I. Adujie Esq. 2. Palestinian Lives Are Meaningless & Valueless? 3. Palestine Nationhood Imperative As Israel Meets the World 4. Israel in Lawlessness, Defies the World, Murders Innocent Humanitarians 5. Iran Regime Change, Invasion, Occupation and Re-colonization Is Imminent?

The Calls for Restructuring: Cacophonies of Complete Confusion?

2017-10-14T16:55:00.001-07:00

The calls for Restructuring: Cacophonies of Complete Confusion? Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. What is the purpose of the Nigerian National Assembly? Should it be dismantled as irrelevant? Should Nigeria constitute a parallel law making body? If so, how will its members be selected? These are the vexing questions which, begging for attention and answers, these are the elephants in the room being ignore since the onset of the National Conference and Restructuring noise-making in Nigeria! At first, it was the so-called Sovereign National Convention, then the National Political Confab and now, the mother of all jaw-jaws : the Restructuring or True Federalism Conference during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan respectively. These litanies of debates, real and proposed, quite often have different definitions or meanings, and too often, these multiple definitions are replete with negative-common-denominators among Nigerians; negative-common-denominators ranging from region or states of origins, religions, ethnic and linguistic divide. Nigerians from the Southern parts often hinge these loosely defined and loosely understood schemas on Resource Control acting as prodigal sons of Nigeria; while Nigerians from the Northern parts argue for the retention of national power structure, which is determined by their Southern counterparts as lopsided. In the past, I have written reactions to these National Debates in which I argued that Nigerians from both sides of these debates ought to focus on making the National Assembly serve its purpose. The purpose of the National Assembly is to make and amend laws, including the fundamental laws of the land, the Nigerian Constitution. All those who are seeking a parallel organ which would make laws for Nigeria, in order for restructuring to take proper effect, seem to be talking over the heads of the very existence of the National Assembly! We might as well be asking for the National Assembly to be dismantled! The Sovereign National Conference and now, Restructuring have become cannon fodder, monumental distractions and a potpourri of deceit by the most corrupt, inept and inefficient politicians and public officials in Nigeria. Whereas, corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria, and tackling and decimation of corruption should be job number one. Those who should be focused on tackling or solving local, state, and national issues such as mass unemployment and the dearth, neglect and abandonment of public infrastructure, now hide in these nary debates as excuses for their absence of plans and passion for public service. States and Local or Municipal authorities which are headed by completely inept politicians and public officials, who neglect to perform basic governmental functions or tasks, such as garbage removal, sanitation, traffic controls, drainage and other elemental forms of government in the village and town levels, blame their monumental failures on the structure of Nigeria. Clearly, the current structure of Nigeria cannot be the reason why Nigeria has slipped into complete national dysfunction and regression. It cannot be that, the only time systems in Nigeria will be effective and efficient is when every ethnic group has a nation named after it! It is the case that within the 36 federating states and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, many of these localities have distinct ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic groups. Taking the argument to its logical or sequential conclusion therefore, we may extrapolate that a state must be created for the Urhobo, the Itsekiri, Isoko, Ndokwa and the Ijaw in the current Delta state and, separate states created for the Etsako, Bini, Esan, Owan etc in the current Edo state. Differences in languages, religions or cultures are certainly not the reasons why Nigerians are unproductive, inefficient and corrupt. If these were the predicates, then, how is it that America is a nation where productivity, efficiency and transparency are watchwords, despite her diversity? Following this line of argument, the Nigerian military would never win a war as it would lack cohesion, absent similarities in our national variables of languages, regions, and religions as is being conversed and canvassed! Perhaps the reason for Nigeria’s poor performance at a majority of International sports events; is the absence of linguistic, regional and religious similarities? But, could it be as a result of neglect of the sports subsector of the Nigerian national life? Serious competitors train daily and often with state of the arts equipment, dedicated athletes, coaches and administrators, with governments willing and able to make needful investments in sports development, long term, no ad hoc basis, not when it is three months before the Olympics or World Cup, as every Nigerian government has always done! Many states in the Northern parts of Nigeria, must also have colonies of states created for Hausa, Fulani in the current Borno, Kano and Sokoto states etc. Similarly, separate states must be created in the current Benue state in order that distinct colonies could be formed for the Tiv, Idoma and Igala respectively! I do not want war in Nigeria. I do not want war between Nigerians as a consequence or resultant effect of religious, ethnic or regional differences. But, all too often, our National debates are subsumed by undertones of these multiple variables which I have previously termed negative-common-denominators. Our national narratives have been hijacked by an unstated “Us versus Them”. In my opinion, nothing is wrong with Nigeria or Nigerians, but, perhaps our political class need to move, therefore, if I were interested in any wars, the war which really interests me is a class war! This is because I am thoroughly familiar with the fact that the needs of the average Nigerian citizen are essentially the same, regardless of regions, religions and languages. A plurality of Nigerian citizens are interested in every strata or level of the Nigerian government finding solutions to national security emergencies such as unemployment, inflation, power failure, terrible/deplorable road networks in Nigeria, absence of potable drinking water other than sachets and bottled water. How can anyone, how does anyone maintain personal hygiene without water from waterworks? Nationwide, the ubiquitous Mai Ruwa have become substitutes for Water Board or Public Water Works of old, these are all evidences of regressions in every sector of our nation. There is currently no Nigerian political subdivision, with reliable or modern waterworks, and there is currently no political subdivision in Nigeria with steady electricity. There is currently no political subdivision in Nigeria where there is a decent hospital with adequate resources and state of the arts equipment, hence the rush by Nigerians to medical tourism to India, Germany, Dubai, America etc. There is no political subdivision in Nigeria, North or South which makes me proud by its stellar performance or achievements in any sector whatsoever! So, what are we talking about? Someone should inform me of any governor in the 36 Federating states in Nigeria, who does not have excessive numbers of Prado or similar luxury Sports Utility Vehicles in their regular convoys. It is the case that the Nigerian political class are by their salaries, allowances, and spending on themselves, are identical and similarly impervious to the human conditions in their terrain, nothing to do with North or South! Abject and extreme poverty in Nigeria appears not to concern the Nigerian political class, regardless of the region, state, language, religion, or even political party of affiliation. Each Nigerian political party seems populated by men, mostly men; and women, who are self-interested, self-absorbed persons, who have no core political ideology or philosophy, and could never explain their manifesto coherently! Most members of Nigerian political parties were former members of the ‘other’ political party! Party membership is simply a matter of unbridled opportunism and voyeurism, no principles! Why the camouflage and façade of religion, region and language? The Nigerian political class should wrap themselves in our National flag, and not religion, region or language. Nigerian citizens all yearn for the same things, and desperately so. Give Nigerians clean water, good roads, good hospitals, good airports, good railroads and waterways. The Nigerian political class should keep their primordial shenanigans to themselves. They should keep their religions and their parochial chauvinism to themselves instead of injecting those negative-common-denominators into the polity, to foster discords, anarchies, wars and even possible disintegration! Restructuring debates amounts to wagging the dog distractions, or seeming to fiddle while our nation suffers, and fiddling, like Emperor Nero of ancient Rome, who was decadent, ineffectual and worse, engaged in silly distractions as Rome suffered catastrophic fire! Nigerians must demand and insist that the political class get to the urgent business of serving Nigerians and Nigeria. Google search: 1. Constitutional Amendments Are Better Than Conferences 2. Clamour for Sovereign National Conference 3. What Are the Functions of the National Assembly 4. National Conference Not A Panacea or Cure All

Constitutional Amendments Are Better Than National Conferences

2017-09-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

Constitutional Amendments Are Better Than National Conferences By: Paul I. Adujie New York, USA June 19, 2003 I have watched the renewed debate in connection with the so-called National Conference with complete amazement and incredulity! I had assumed that the elections and the inaugurations that followed would end these political grandstanding and hot air, sound and furies that all amount to nothing of substance! Nigeria currently has Senators and House of Representative Members for all the states of our federation? Let them be the conferees! What is more representative and democratic than Nigeria's National Assembly already duly constituted? What section of the Nigerian constitution provides for SNC? Why will any Nigerian and any person for that matter think the National Assembly incapable of resolving Nigeria's political, economic, social or constitutional reform? What exactly then is their job description? Why do some Nigerians seem to think the so-called sovereign national conference is a panacea to the crises? I strongly believe that the way forward is Constitutional Reforms through Amendments this will be a reform of the rules and processes that could sustain our nation for 400 years or more, this as opposed the hogwash and slipshod of a national conference day-dream! A Sovereign National Conference is an ad-hoc measure, a stop-gap, that would not endure, its a band aid/bandage to a gaping wound, it will amount to a waste of time and resource and it will surely produce more anger and disaffection and hotel bills! Democratizing Nigeria requires hurrying slowly! Let us reform the constitution, the laws, the rules and processes and democracy will take firm roots! We should continue to oppose ad-hoc measures, including the fabled SNC! Because, Constitutional Amendments Are Better Than Political Conferences that will just satisfy a clique of Nigeria elite that have been demanding SNC. There has been a stampede and shrill shouting marathons orchestrated by the advocates of the so-called national conference (de facto) constitutional amendments as opposed to a (de jure) which is the preferred constitutional amendment that that they suggest, which is what an SNC will mean. The trouble is that, the advocates of national conference are so LOUD! Perhaps that is clear and is the reason that the presidency may yield to the pressure and blackmail? I hope that political expediencies do not act to subvert our constitution and our laws! Some Nigerians instead of making the system and process work and fine-tune itself, they rather engage in quick fixes and unnecessary tinkering! It is not clear that Mr. Obasanjo is now for the conference thing, I see what has been reported as mere speculation, but even if he does, it will probably be because of the shrill shouting that I referred to above, it will be a matter of regret! Should Mr. President be unyielding and defiant? Even when he is clearly right in resisting unconstitutional tinkering? When he is adamant? He is called names, when he is amenable or magnanimous? He is equally called names! Uneasy head lies the head that wears the crown? If Obasanjo continues to resist National Conference; some would say he is a dictator, If Obasanjo now say: let's all of NIgeria have a talk; some are saying he has an ulterior motive, What should Obasanjo do, and how can we now move Nigeria forward? Nigerians should let the system fine-tune itself, let the rule of law, rules and due process sort out the issues of the great Nigerian debate. Constitutional Amendments are much more preferable to ad hoc tinkering with the Nigerian structure. Constitutional Amendments will help to establish a well grounded democracy and help to sustain the system and individual rights, resource allocation, prevention of group domination by other group etc. No Fire Brigade tinkering please! The complete disregard to the rule of laws as mentioned has led Nigeria to the current state of affairs since during the last thirty years, Nigeria should not and cannot have Sovereign National Conference; that will take power away from the established Constitutional order, the SNC completely negates the constitution! We should not have National Conference, when the National Assembly can deliberate and make recommendations, the NASS can deliberate national issues, agree on them and make them into laws, this can only be done by the National Assembly not a so-called national conference or a mimic of the NASS! If the members of the proposed National Conference are not nominated by local communities and civil authority and instead elected, what modalities will be used to conduct elections, and who will fund such election? Will all these not amount to a duplication and waste of efforts? Especially in Nigeria where there are so many project competing for few available resources? Why should Nigeria create more rigmarole? The National Assembly is already assembled to tackle all national issues! Why can't the Nation Assembly be allowed to have the onerous tasks of dealing with structure of the country, the economy, constitutional amendments etc. Why would Nigerians after elections and inaugurations, now hire somebody else to do the job of the president and the national assembly? Is the marginalization of ethnic nationalities responsible for the fact that the last four years, the House of Assembly members of Enugu state were fighting? And in two factions? Ndigbo Assembly persons in Enugu were in factional fighting because of Hausa/Fulanis? Or Lord Lugard creation? Or resource control and marginalization? NO! It is political and the democratic process in teething or growing pains, the rule of law, due process and democracy are not fine-tuned in short-order, or overnight and the benefits are not derived is short gestations period! A National Conference is unconstitutional, the constitution does not provide for the duplication of NASS the people's representatives and the constitution is the supreme law of Nigeria, any other impositions will be extra legal and fraught with clear danger! All Nigerians should accept democracy and its rules and practices, and begin to lobby, write letters or visit their elected representatives and insist on accountability on the part of public officials and office holders at all levels of government. Demand everything through your elected persons, she or he represents your constituency and if you want a law made of changed or reformed or you want the Nigerian constitution amended? AHA! Talk to your elected representatives, that is, your Councilor, Local Government Chairman, your Senator, House of Rep member, your Governor and our president! Do not truncate the system! Reform it, Nurture if! Nigeria is not a one party state and will not become one under a democracy, Nigerians are too impatient for that sort of thing! In a country where everyone wants to be a president or governor etc.? What will happen to the thirty different political parties that are just several months old? Fizzle out so fast? In OBJ's next four years? You guys are presuming that OBJ will succeed himself? Nigeria has already had our "Federalist Conference" Our constitutional Conferences and Constitutional Assemblies Nigeria must now fine-tune the constitutional that arose from those previous constitutional/national conferences, amend our constitution as necessary. Some Nigerians exhibit incredible impatience, it is the source of most of Nigeria's challenges, it has always been and it still is, even now! What is the job of our elected representative in the National Assembly? To get car loans? Furniture Loans? Stay in the best quarters in Apo Village at Abuja? Fight the President? Why can’t some Nigerians let our elected representatives (Senators and House of Reps members) amend the constitution as need arise? All Nigerians should reject ANY attempt to appoint anyone on our behalf for a national conference! Nigerians should prefer the elected ones, even if the elections were imperfect! Let all Nigerians say no to ad hoc! And say no to any tinkering with our country present and future. Nigeria's current National Assembly already hold National Conferences every time that they assembly to conduct Nigeria's national business, on all our behave everyday in Abuja, when they meet to discuss Nigeria's national interests, contrary to what some now say, Nigeria was not concocted in hell, Nigeria was ordained in Heaven and THE TASK TO KEEP NIGERIA ONE IS A TASK THAT HAS BEEN DONE, ask the former President Gowon, many Nigerians made the ultimate and supreme sacrifice to preserve Nigeria, Nigeria is moving forward to a better, prosperous and greater nation, where no one is marginalized or left behind Keeping Nigeria One Is A Task That Has Been Done, It will not be undone! Nigeria's National Conference has been assembled and seating since May 29, 1999, the National Assembly is our institution that will endure and resolve our national issues, in cooperation with the other arms of government, there may be new elections and new inaugurations, the structure of Nigeria is the same and will remain so, In Sha Allah Paul I. Adujie is a Nigerian Lawyer and an Information Technology Professional

Biafra Is Dead, Buried And No More!

2017-09-07T11:25:00.003-07:00

Biafra Is Dead, Buried And No More! First Published or Posted on October 5, 2005 by Paul I. Adujie Esq. Exigent circumstances exist in Nigeria which make ethnic agitations possible or sustained. And so, Nigeria has had to contend with the collective nuisances of ethnic militia and their agitations, and sometimes, these agitations take on militant and violent tones, as with OPC, MASSOB and NVPF of Mujahideen Dukubo and others? I must state quickly that I have no preference for any ethnic chauvinists, whether they are ACF, MASSOB, OPC, Egbesu or whatever, so long as they pursue parochial interests that are not necessarily Nigeria’s national interests or consistent with Nigerian oneness. Nigerian causes have not been advanced or helped and will not be helped by ethnic chauvinists. Whether such chauvinists are Hausas, Ndiigbo or Yorubas and all the other ethnicities that are embedded in, and of which Nigeria is diversely comprised. According to Dr. Okenwa Nwosu in his article “Is Biafra Alive, Dead Or On Life Support?”, ‘Amongst the Igbo, therefore, Biafra continues to be a subject that readily elicits profound emotions despite the fact that the Civil War ended more than 35 years ago. On one end of the spectrum, we have those who are willing to bet their lives on the fact that Biafra lives and offers Ndiigbo a clear path to their redemption while on the other end, the Igbo political establishment operates with the mindset that Biafra belongs to history?’ Allow me to be the first to admit and acknowledge that the word Biafra is an emotion laden word. It conjures the best and the worst among disparate peoples. Biafra is a very delicate and sensitive word particularly among Ndiigbo, and that is understandable. I for instance, have repeatedly and publicly stated my raw emotion of about 38 years ago, when for the first time, I saw my father bawl and wail as if a child, as he notified and received the sorrowful news, a notification to the effect that Christopher, his second son, my brother, was killed by Nigerian Third Marine Commandoes at ‘Abagana Sector’ and until that day, I did not know that grown men cried, and if they did, it could not include my father, our family protector, our family fortress and my father, my family’s lord of stoicism. It remained a strong imprimatur in my indelible child mind, hence wars still elicit an almost automatic rejection response from me when people talk carelessly about needless wars that they seek to foist or impose on Nigeria? As an impressionable child, I saw the gory effects and horrors of war! I saw soldiers with guns and bayonets, I saw trailers and lorries hauling dead bodies or corpses, some part decomposed and dripping fetid body liquid of decay and decomposition of war dead, and I was deprived of so much, I was not allowed to play in nearby bushes as my parents feared and heard constant machine gun fire, sounds of which I can still recite precisely, they sounded tooooook, tooook-kaaaay, gaaaar, gaaaar, toooook, tooook, tooook, gaaaar, gaaaaar, gaaaar day and night, more so at evenings and nightfall All children of my neighborhood were forbidden from entering bushes and shrubs for fear of running into soldiers or weapons or booby-traps set between Biafra and Federal troops, but for us children, we all just wanted to play, but the frequency of bursts of machine gun fire usually drove home our parents’ concerns to us, sounds that I still recollect so clearly, it is scary! They do not know what the horror and barbarities of wars are like, and they do not know the magnitude of personal loss to families, the collateral damage, in today’s parlance and euphemism. And warmongers are unable to understand that war is senseless! War mongers are unable to reject the Clauswietzian mantra of war is pursuit of policy by other means. No, war is a horrible machinery and a most brutal instrument of failed policy, and warmongers are oblivious of ultimate sacrifices made by many, sacrifices that I do not wish even upon my enemy now. Regarding Nigeria, there have been this developing trend, a troubling trend, by some, some too young to know what the suffering was like, among the families like mine, who took no direct hit or felt the impact of the Biafra Nigerian war in a very personal, more than national sense! A developing trend whereby threats of war are issued as a means of nudging ahead important political negotiations or as means of fending off perennial marginalization, but war is not friendly. War is Horrible! It is horrible horrible! We must negotiate our future and Nigeria’s future without war, without the threat of war or promise of anarchy upon ourselves or anyone? We must negotiate smartly, even if we have to hold our noses! Even an imperfect peace is infinitely better than war! I have been equally troubled by this trend, just as Dr. Nwosu indicated in his very analytical article, as he described this seeming ambivalence amongst Ndiigbo, a feeling of to-be-or-not-to-be and a sort of crossroads feelings of not being entirely Nigerian and not being entirely Biafran! And this hesitation is a distraction and time consuming, I have myself wrestled with these and have wanted to make a public debate of it since and most recently, I was dissuaded from doing so, as I was told that I will promptly receive the hostile treatment meted out to Olisa H. Osita, just because he dared to be different and think outside the box perspective-wise, regarding Biafra and such other issues Ndiigbo. Just as I also worry that Ndiigbo has not started to tally presidential hopefuls and rally round a possible consensus candidate, despite the explanations or defense mounted by Chief Joe Achuzia, the Secretary-General of Ohaneze in his recent news briefing in preparation of this year’s Igbo Day Celebrations. Chief Achuzia suggests it is a matter of strategy, and that time is not yet ripe for Ndiigbo to announce a consensus candidate(s) but other political gladiators are already getting name recognitions, as they have already thrown their hats into the presidential bid ring. Chief Achuzia, of course, also mentioned another worry, what he described as ‘Part of our problems as Ndiigbo is the emphasis on individuality’ even as he urged unity and cohesion amongst Ndiigbo. It must be pointed out, that there are already dashes in the race for 2007, in leaps and bounds, hence, there should be no snoozing on the part of Ndiigbo, even now. My first draft of this article was several months ago, what motivated me then was an article by a Nigerian who referred to himself and adamantly stated his preference to be known, and described as a something he called Biafra! I have variously thought of this subject matter and title in different ways. Eventually, I refrained from completing and sending my first writing of this article for publication because I was dissuaded by another Nigerian who I had intimated of my frustrations with the Mr. Biafra and those with similar inclinations and mindsets as his. The advice that I got was that I should ignore the ranting which amounted to nothing instead of appear to give it more importance than it deserved. But ranting and raving got louder and even violent. But so much has transpired and changed since I received that advice, including the fact that a so-called Biafra Pound now circulates in Nigeria and most of West Africa! And there were some Nigerians of Igbo origin, who were celebrating the existence of the illegal and worthless Biafran Pound Sterling, some such celebrations were for pure nostalgia, while others, used it to perpetuate fraud upon the gullible and unsuspecting simpletons. Something that is worse has also occurred. MASSOB has ostentatiously announced its intentions to disrupt Nigeria’s Population Census formerly scheduled for November and even disrupt the dry-run by the Census Commission. MASSOB has also c hosen to identify with the Osama bin Ladin loving Mujaheedeen Dukubo, a Robbin Hood wannabe and a very violent version of it, at that! So handshake between Dukubo and Ojukwu! More and more pronouncements are being made by advocates and adherents of the dream or make-belief nation of Biafra. I know that I am now walking into the lion’s den or the equivalent of a snake pit, full of venomous vipers, but this must however be said and done in the interest of our national interests, our oneness, our benefit in unity and diversity in our collective Nigeria-ness, Ndiigbo genuine aspirations and that of all other ethnic groups of Nigeria, in Nigeria, are realizable within the confines of the potpourri of Nigeria’s wondrous diversities, without bullets flying or without firing any weapon. And without invoking or threatening mayhem and anarchy! The time has therefore come to speak up, time for those of us who believe in one indivisible Nigeria as sacrosanct, time for us to raise awareness and perhaps raise alarm as well, regarding the increasing specter of the spread of the phantom excitement thing that, is, the so-called Biafra! Some of us Nigerians are sadly consumed by dead and useless causes. I have been in rooms where people made incendiary statements like Nigeria should still not trust the Igbo because of the declaration of Biafra and the civil war that followed…and such discussants are quick to gloss over the antecedent grievances that led to or culminated in the Nigerian civil war… Biafra and now MASSOB, but those who harp on separation, of Ndiigbo as Biafra and away from Nigeria, give Ndiigbo’s detractors ample ammunitions, to classify Ndiigbo as non-Nigerians undeserving of presidential powers. A reading of the article “I am Biafra” is a symptom of the contradicting aspirations by some Nigerians! How else would anyone excuse, let alone explain the obvious ambivalence of some who would seek and should concentrate on producing the next president but are also engaging in the irritatingly futile efforts of clamoring for the moribund and long defunct and dead fabled republic of Biafra? What a useless exercise indeed? Why are some continually engaged in these self distracting exercise, which has done no good but defeat the main purpose? While at the same time busily offending every friend and well wishers? We cannot afford to be simplistic or be dismissive of feelings…raw feelings that existed….we all need to reconcile or to reconstruct and heal and we can neither fan embers of hatred, we cannot act as if we are not full citizens, even if that is what others wish that we feel. African Americans and Jews are good precedents for what I suggest here. These groups have been devalued and defined downwards, but these groups continue to define themselves and hold their heads high as full citizens of the world, with meaningful contributions to make to the world, Ndiigbo is similar. It is now time that all Nigerians say enough to these energy sapping and dissipating dispiritingly useless mutual suspicions, which only ensures a backward march for us as a collective and as a nation with purpose and for Nigeria as a nation that must advance to its destiny for greatness. In my opinion, those who continue to fan the sores and scars of events leading to the declaration of Biafra, and its demise, actually make life difficult for all Igbos, regardless of belief or support and non-belief and non-support of Biafra as it then was, and as it is now hoped. My father of blessed memory spoke Igbo Hausa and Yoruba and he like Azikiwe, IK Dairo and Aminu Kano and Fela and Enahoro believed in one united Nigeria and so do I, and so will I, until I die! I am an Igbo man, as I am a Hausa man and a Yoruba man! For I am Nigeria and Nigeria is me! We accept that Nigeria is complex, just as our families are and the world is. Even among Igbo families, there can be differences. Abum and Awum onye Igbo! And among the Igbos in my family, some actually claim superiority to the other Igbos! Because those from Nnewi in the former Anambra state are always accused and labeled as peripheral Igbos by my other family members from Oguta in the former Imo state, who shamelessly assert their authentic Igbo-ness, Ndi-Imo, which they insist is superior to the ‘adulterated’ Igbo-ness of Anambrarians, as poor Anambrarians are accused of being too close to the Bendel people of the lower, and across the Niger Bridge, possessing only flimsy claim to Igboland, but we all joke over this these days! It is a mini Nigeria when my family gathers! Where everyone is superior in our equality and equal-ness, we are all equal in my family as Nigerians are all equal, my family constantly argues, just as Nigerians at large argue about our place in Nigeria and our rights, duties, obligations and responsibilities of full citizenship, etc., and our competing and sometimes conflicting interests. As is often the case in multicultural and plural societies, Nigeria is no exception. A time will come when religion, region, ethnicities, such ancillaries and seeming extraneous prefixes are no longer major factors or determinants of political and economic outcomes in Nigeria. But unfortunately, Nigeria has not matured economically and politically as yet. Apparently some NIGERIANS never received the memorandum or e-mail? We are all God’s children, whatever ethnicities in Nigeria we may claim or belong, or have as our heritage. All Nigerians certainly need to be patient with other Nigerians! Nigeria is God’s and in so many ways, the story of my family, is the same as Nigeria’s. And this is the story of Nigeria… We are all God’s own and we are assuredly needing patience, with each other, so we can co-exist with all fellow Nigerians, just as all Nigerians reap the benefits of our Nigerian-ness, and unity of our national purpose….Forget Biafra, Biko! In the past I have written in a series of articles “Genuine Aspirations; Ndiigbo and 2007” again, “From Biafra to MASSOB What Do Ndiigbo Want?” expressed my desire and opinion in seeing a citizen of Ndiigbo become president come 2007, but now, it has become difficult to harp on such. Utterances and actions by those who should be marshalling and corralling others to the aforementioned presidential efforts are busily insulting everyone else with seemingly immature public discourse that has only inflamed national nerves I cannot fathom the logic or rational of those who are adamantly advocating a cause that is NOT coming to fruition even in a million years! We ought to pay more attention to what is attainable, reasonable and possible, as opposed to a dead dream, and the pursuit of this dead Biafra dream, some give weapons to those who would distract us, and detract from real and worthy goals. Ndiigbo ought to focus on what is really important. So much energy has been dissipated by those who ought to be working assiduously and most diligently in the attainment of the more worthy cause of full citizenship in our national scheme of things? Ndiigbo ought to be engrossed now, in earnest, plotting strategies and drawing graphs for 2007. There ought to a clear demand, an insistent demand for respect for the collective will of Ndiigbo as full citizens of Nigeria, within Nigeria, not outside of it. But what we have instead are some of our citizens who seem to be more interested in annoying the daylight out of would be supporters and well wishers in the more plausible cause, making one of our own, from Ndiigbo, president of Nigeria, for all Nigerians in 2007! This is what Ndiigbo need, from Biafra to MASSO B, Ndiigbo? Genuine Aspiration Within Nigeria!

President Trump is Volatile, Unstable and Unpredictable

2017-02-21T08:54:00.001-08:00

President Trump is Volatile, Unstable and Unpredictable

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

These are perilous times. Perilous for America and consequently, perilous for the entire world.

 America now has a sitting president who obviously speaks before he thinks? A president who makes most provocative statements without thoughtful analyses and without requisite expert counsel? 

He is equally generous with his caustic criticisms and generalizations against American intelligence agencies, in the same way he generalizes about pretty much else.

President Trump apparently intend to govern America through his Twitter unarticulated commentaries in response to profound policy positions by leaders of other nations and policy wonks. Trump’s post-inauguration address and antics from January 20, 2017 through February 20, 2017 is proof positive!

Trump has been controversial and scandalous in his words, actions, pronouncements and twitter-feeds!

Donald Trump have tended to turn logic on its head with each pronouncement which are now routinely opposites of responsible conversations by a potentate American political leader.

As candidate, Mr. Trump engaged in pugnacious rhetoric and no reasonable persons, American, Asian or African or European expected Trump as president to actually follow-through with his boasts, threats and belligerence of his electioneering campaigns, after his election gimmickries culminating in his victory.

Trump as president has continue to disavow, denounce and repudiate multilateralism, and globalization in favor of his isolationist so-called America First!

President Trump is wildly popular with his political base, there is no doubt, but, it must be borne in mind that Adolf Hitler of the Third Reich was vigorously supported as a popular political “leader” in Germany before, and during the wars he imposed on Germany, and eventually, the entire world. 

We should all be asking ourselves, as citizens of the world, whether history about to repeat itself? Is World War III next? Is President Trump flippantly and mindlessly taking the world to the precipice?  

President Trump talks about Iran, as if he will soon invade and occupy Iran to effect regime change and forbid Iran's centrifuges and any modicum of Nuclear technology efforts!

President Trump is faithful to his comedic election campaigns promises so far; on South China Sea, he has deployed an American Aircraft Carrier to illustrate aggressive gunboat diplomacy disposition, while shouting his disregard for a tried and true, one-China policy which the Americans have practiced for decades as a diplomatic détente with mainland China. 

President Trump in public, have cavalierly made pronouncements regarding the intractable and internecine profound Middle East core of all crises, peace between Israel and Palestine, also dubbed the two-states-solution. 

The 45th president of the United States of America was tongue-tied as he attempted to articulate his administration’s policy regarding Israel and Palestine, he spoke mostly incoherently, and with a wink and nod, assured Israel’s Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu that they can do whatever they with Palestine lands, but must refrain from announcing it. Telling Israel to stop announcements settlement expansions, but perhaps should continue doing so?

President Trump’s incoherent and confused press conference with Prime Minister of Israel, should not be confused with the clear pronouncements and stance of the United Nations Organization on the fact that Israel expansion of Settlement offends International Law and countless UN Resolutions supported by a plurality of nations on earth.

President Trump has repeatedly and giddily made sundry pronouncements which, if, and when pursued to logical conclusions would lead to Trade Wars with China. He campaigned that as president, he would slap 45% tariff on goods arriving into the United States from China. Trump has so far, been faithful or has attempted to be faithful to his election promises made to his core supporters.

President Trump has killed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was intended to promote trade, mercantile and vigorous commercial interactions between the United States, Japan, and Australia etc.

President Trump has repeatedly derided the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, just as he has threatened to dismantle NAFTA, without regard to the concerns of all other member nations!

On Immigration,  he issued Executive Orders against seven Muslim nations as failed nation-states and as incubators of terrorists.

Donald J. Trump, has undertaken to build a xenophobic wall between America and Mexico, I do believe that this is impossible, unless and until, Trump’s America invades and occupies Mexico, he installs a president of his choice, at his becks and calls, as Mexicans in his estimation, will remain docile!

President Trump says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, is obsolete and Vice President Pence says American support and participation in NATO is unwavering, Trump’s statement is in the face of American membership and active participation in NATO for over 50 years.

President Trump says Japan needs to ready herself for the withdrawal of American troops and that Japan should fun her own defense, then, President Trump is one hundred percent behind Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits President Trump.

President Trump is anti NATO anti EU in his rhetoric during the electioneering campaigns and since his inauguration on January 20, 2017 to the chagrin of traditional allies, friends and partners of the United States of America.

President Trump is the apostle of De-globalization, protection and isolationism. His a passionate Free Trade apostate businessman turned president of America! 

It was reasonable and every reasonable person believed Donald J. Trump in his electioneering puffing and braggadocios, but, it is no longer reasonable or acceptable for President Trump to continue his diatribes and dangerous pandering to a minority of American citizens, while risking setting the world on unquenchable inferno. 

Donald John Trump’s declarations are analogous of a man pandering to a dangerous lynch mob. Trump as such, has been preaching to the emotions and sentiments of ultra conservative simpletons, Donald Trump is a demagogue. 

Trump is the sitting president of the United States of America, and as such, his pronouncement(s) are supposed to be meaningful, carry the full-faith and credit of America, but alas, anyone who takes Trump’s vacuous declarations literarily harvests Armageddon!  Will this be our global fate?

Trump is a rabble rouser with complete disregard for facts. This was clearly illustrated a few days ago, when Trump, president of the United States of America verbally and falsely conjured up and announced a fathom terrorists attack in Sweden. 

When he was chastised for not fact-checking or seeking clarifications before making such booboo and ridiculous declarations, he tried to characterize it as fake news, the fake news which he manufactured in the factory and province of the dimwitted.

President Trump is in large measure a comedian, replete with comedy-of-errors, but, this is too important, crucial and critical to be laughable; Trump is certainly dangerous to himself and to us all.

Trump needs to be curbed and must be tamed before he does irreparable harm to America and then, by extension and logical extrapolation, the entire world

President Trump's America is Protectionist, Isolationist & War Monger?

2017-01-27T17:16:00.003-08:00

President Trump's America is Protectionist, Isolationist & War Monger?

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Nativists' arrowhead President Donald John Trump of America is hell-bent on fulfilling his polemical campaign promises, with the attendant risks of creating worldwide instability, insecurity and a downward spiral of the global economy.

Many, including myself never expected Donald J. Trump to be elected a dogcatcher, much less, being elected president of the United States of America, and so, there were many of us, who thought very little of his electioneering campaign rhetoric as anything but mere blusters 

Donald Trump's only claim to fame is his real estate business, his scandalous serial marriages, his reality show on television "The Apprentice" a show in which he made the term, "You Are Fired" notorious!

President Trump's possibility of winning the elections was so remote, in the view of many pundits and the average person in America and across the world, such that his outrageous and equally outlandish pronouncements regarding Mexico, Muslims, World Trade, TPP, NAFTA, Gender Equality or his misogyny, Global Warming etc were derided and dismissed by so many. 

These were merely Trump's characteristic braggadocios, many thought; particularly, coming from a man, who once publicly proclaimed Marla Maples as the best sex he ever had, then, married a divorced her in such rapid disorder!  Mr. Trump before dabbling into politics had the reputation of a loudmouth!

President Obama was known to have called the now President Trump out, by chastising Trump with a sort of advice, to the effect that Trump should realize, that the America presidency requires superb intellects and strategic thinking, not the sorts of talking-before-you-think of reality shows on television!

Then the elections came, and like magic, the dam broke, Mr. Trump won the elections by some fluke or by the sheer force of democracy by nativists and nativism! Nativists are Donald Trump's core support.

True democracy requires Trump to keep his promises to these core supporters who ensured his being victorious over Secretary of State Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, who was projected by pundits and the average Joe, to be the would be first female president of America, and seen as a literal shoo in.

On January 20th, 2017, Donald John Trump was inaugurated or sworn-in, as the 45th president of the United States of America, and he made a lackluster inaugural speech, without flair or flavor, as he singularly focused on a segment of the American population to whom he pandered during, and after the electioneering campaigns, and then, with his bland, brash and quite uninspiring inaugural speech.

President Trump, true to his rhetoric, polemics and blusters during the elections campaigns, has started to make good on his promises, starting with Executive Orders signings with melodramatic fervors on major issues such as immigration, trade, abortion rights and much more.

President Trump has with a simple stroke of the pen, revived the hitherto moribund oil-pipeline project between Canada and the United States, despite the long drawn-out debates between conservatives and environmentalists regarding cost-benefit analyses, the cost to the environment and benefits to consumers.

President Trump after his victory at the American elections was expected to tone down his toxic and acerbic pronouncements about everything, but, instead, he has accelerated and ramped-up his rants against everything and everybody!

President Trump has so far, mostly engage in outbursts like a petulant child. He has thus far refused to grow up and matured into the American presidency, he is everything but presidential in his first week at the presidency.

As have been characteristic of him, he criticized the German leader, Chancellor Angela Merkel for her fair minded and liberal policy on immigration and refugees, Trump blamed her for not acting similar to the advocates and proponents of Brexit, Brexit is referendum which voted in favor of Britain exiting the European Union multilateral organization.

President Trump has also engaged in diatribe against China, even as China has begun to command worldwide respect consequent upon President Xi Jinping of China's promotion of free trade and globalization, during the Davos World Economic Forum recently.

 It remains to be seen, whether President Trump will go-full-throttle and full-speed ahead with his vociferous threats against China, to the effect of imposing 45 percent trade tariffs on every product made in China and exported to America.

Israel has taken a hint and even solace from Donald Trump's brash worldview, it is protectionist and isolationist, Trump's so-called America First, which is parochial, myopic and quite shortsighted to say the very least. 

And so, Israel has announced that she would build almost three thousands housing units, in addition to the illegal settlements which Prime Minister Netanyahu government already built on Palestinian territory lands, an action which has received widespread condemnation worldwide, including criticism by European nations and even the United Nations, but, not a whisper or whimper and murmur from the President Trump's administration.

President Trump and his Defense Secretary have made public statements suggestive of war mongering. Both men have indicated interests in military actions to reverse China's presence in South China Sea. 

Fighting a war in China's neighborhood will be expensive and quite costly in various respects. A war with China may be Trump's wag-the-dog distractions for his domestic audience as plan B, if his much bragged about "America First" economic theories does not revive America, but any such war, will be debilitating for America and it will be an unwinnable war.

President Trump comes across as totally and completely clueless and ignorant, particularly when he talks about complex and complicated global issues with his simpleton conspiracy theories. He often wag his fingers at everyone. He comes across as an egomaniacal arrogant buffoon, who happens to be president of the United States of America!

There are some who are still hopeful, in the belief that President Trump will soon calm down and curb his enthusiasm for making illogical and unreasonable demands on other nations. 

Such hopes were raised on Friday January 27, 2017 as Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain forced President Trump to contradict himself and his threat to undermine North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) he did so publicly, obviously, kicking and screaming, as he said in her presence, that he is now behind NATO funding one hundred percent!  This is an about face on NATO by Mr. Trump! More of such swallowing of own vomit are reasonably expected 

Others, have speculated and  suggested that his talk is just all-talk, and therefore, he is merely engaging in grandstanding and psychological warfare, before negotiations, in order to get the better part of deals or upper hand in relationships, trade or diplomatic. This thinking implies that he is smart and practices what he preached in his old book, The Art of A Deal. 

Those who are suggesting this, are reasoning that President Trump knows his limits and America's, in relationships with all other nations, this thinking better be right, or the world will witness too many trade conflicts, violent military confrontations, sundry cantankerous interactions with other nations, and even the possibility of a nuclear holocaust; as a boaster and an egomaniac is president of America!

President Trump's current attitude to global issues is the very definition of extreme unreasonableness.

I predict that President Trump will lead America out of its world-power status, if he continues to make his outrageous and outlandish provocative pronouncements.

President Trump could unfurl asinine policies which would lead the world into political, economic and military seismic events or even global cataclysms! 

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq

NBA Goofed On Arrest of Judges!

2016-10-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

NBA Goofed On Arrest of Judges

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

I watched with utter dismay, as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) surrounded by other prominent lawyers badmouthed the actions of the DSS which culminated in the arrest of some judges on Saturday, October 8, 2016

As the world has become aware, some judges in Nigeria were arrested on the allegation of fraud, and the arrests were conducted in a nationwide raid or sting, orchestrated by the DSS, armed with adequate prosecutable information with equally adequate and sufficient Probable Cause!

A majority of Nigerians are elated and ecstatic to learn of these arrests, particularly so, given the sacred position, the exalted and hallowed position judges hold in upholding Justice, Due Process and The Rule of Law

Nigeria has for far too long witnessed the profound absence of justice, and the equally profound absence of the Due Process and the Rule of Law, which has led to impunity and lawlessness at all levels.

Nigeria has witnessed and continues to witness regression in all facets of life, as no one plays by the rules or follows laid down processes and pay complete obeisance to the rule of law.

I have often said privately and publicly, that efforts to fight corruption by current federal government or any future government must begin with the judiciary and the police and or other law enforcement agencies.

When judges and policing agencies cannot be bribed, a majority of those Nigerians who have made impunity and lawlessness their vocation and profession; would soon fall in line.

It is the case that in Nigeria, there are great and good laws and rules regarding human conditions. However, most laws are not enforced, implemented or obeyed. Laws and rules in Nigeria are observed in their breaches!

The simplest of processes in Nigeria have become warped, twisted and perverted, and as a consequence, simple processes are made to become unnecessarily complex and complicated. Simple actions are made to take too long and extremely expensive, stressful and or frustratingly cumbersome!

The judges arrested on Saturday October 8, 2016 are said to have made useful statements to law enforcement agencies and the policing authorities. Documents were said to have been recovered from the allegedly erring judges who were arrested.

It is the case that large sums of monies were said to have been recovered from each of the arrested judges - hundreds of millions of Naira, US Dollars, British pounds and Euros were recovered from the arrested judges. Let the arrested judges defend themselves. Let them reconcile their salaries with their sudden wealth or stash of cash or loads of loots and avarice! And yes, I do believe in and subscribe the Presumption of Innocence!

Law enforcement agencies will soon reveal the contents of statements made by these culprit judges. Most probably, these said judges have filed statements of their assets prior to their arrest, and secondly, the said judges would explain why they have these extraordinarily large amounts in their homes as opposed to lodgements with their various banks.

It does appear that these arrested judges, were scared to deposit the monies which they received from their sale of matches, toothpicks and sachets of water, as the Bank Verification Number rule or regime, has made it a little more difficult to bank almost anonymously and through proxies as a certain lady was recently accused of banking by proxies, while retaining all the benefits and ATM cards, even though the accounts in question bore the names and images of other persons!

It is quite astonishing, astounding and even outlandish, that the NBA executive would defend the obviously indefensible judges! The NBA President was heard and seen condemning the arrests of these judges, and referring to the process as Gestapo style, despite the fact that the DSS operations was preceded by petitions of allegations of these judges accepting bribes and perverting justice!

The DSS have Probable Cause(s) to conduct the arrests, and the DSS may have reasons to believe that the targeted judges would flee or hide or destroy the evidences of their alleged crimes.

The NBA President seems to misunderstand or he has wilfully misinterpreted Due Process and Rule of Law with his suggestion that the arrest of the judges should not have taken place because (a) DSS is not the Nigeria Police and (b) DSS or even the police may not arrest the judges at all, particularly at the particular hours of the morning!

It is my opinion that the DSS acted within the scope of their statutory assignment and that the DSS acted properly in conducting the arrest at the particular hours, to prevent flight, or escape by the arrested judges and as well as the DSS desire to ensure that proceeds of crimes are not destroyed or taken out of jurisdiction, including other tactical and strategic reasons which may have informed and prompted the DSS to act in the manner and the time their operatives acted.

I strongly believe that the DSS have adequate and sufficient information, and now, evidence to prosecute, hence these audacious arrests and bribe loot recoveries as have been announced by the DSS. The DSS certainly know more than what the public currently knows, they may have had exigent circumstances as to likelihood of flight or disappearance of the judges arrested, and the targeted corruption proceeds!

It is really disappointing to regularly and too often see Nigerian lawyers, and worse the NBA executives become tools with which the corrupt political class shield themselves…. Judges and members of the political class openly, conspicuously, ostentatiously and brazenly corrupt and break any and every law with impunity, while setting slush funds aside to hire 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to defend the indefensible!

The Nigerian nation and her citizens are not living to their full potentials as a result of corruption of every process. Elections are predictably rigged, judges are predictably for the highest bidders, budgets are routinely passed but monies so appropriated are predictably stolen or plundered, and then law enforcement agencies engage in some sort of “Catch-and Release” and the cycle perpetrates and perpetuates!

Budgets for roads, bridges and public infrastructures never get spent on roads and bridges or other public infrastructures hence they are decayed and decrepit nationwide. There are front-loading and unwarranted upward appraisals of contract prices. Monies budgeted for equipment and medicines never get to the target hospitals. Hence, Nigerian hospitals are bereft of modern state of the art medical diagnostic and treatment tools and or medicines. Medical doctors are frequently on strike nationally, and this is why your cousin will not find a doctor or medicine in his neighbourhood hospital tomorrow.

The generator in your home is running right now, as there is no municipal electricity, because the budget for electricity generation and transmission has evaporated through corruption, and nationally, Nigerians can count more generators than citizens!

Stupidity should have consequences and law breaking should receive sanction(s) but, currently in Nigeria, there is a dearth or even the complete absence of integrity. A corrupt judge is worse than an armed robber because a corrupt judge perverts justice, law and processes. Such judges, where there are allegations and probable cause, should be arrested and punished. Corrupt judge are odious and inimical to the very essence of justice, corrupt judges should be exposed and subject to public opprobrium.

When and if a law enforcement agency discovers that a crime has been committed, is being committed or likely to be committed, it’s incumbent on upon such a law enforcer to arrest the offender without dithering. Prompt and legal arrest is an imperative! We do not ask armed robbers in Nigeria for permission to arrest them. So, why should we ask judges for permission to arrest them, when and if there is a probable cause, predicate and foundation for their arrest?

Corrupt judges thwart the very fundamental social order, the rule of law and due process to which they are supposed to pay complete obeisance. As we all must realize, the absence of law and order permits lawlessness!

God Is In-charge, In Control; Not Governors or the President

2016-09-06T06:20:00.001-07:00

God Is In-charge, In Control; Not Governors or the President

Written Paul I, Adujie Esq.

God Tired! I am God Tired! Tired of God Excuses! Everything in Nigeria has God element or happens because of God and when things are not the way they were intended to be, such things are summarily and speedily put in God’s hands! But Nigerians must realize that…. All prayer and no work is bad for any nation!

A majority of Nigerians are disillusioned as they have been metaphorically dying of expectation fatigue for so long; quite unfortunately, most Nigerians will not admit their disillusionment and expectation fatigue

Consequently, it does appear as if a majority of the Nigerian population have agreed and accepted the idea of not making anyone accountable or responsible for the persisting national funks and malaises

Nigerians have invented a model, which holds no one responsible for sundry national miseries, even as the national human misery index has become extreme over the years.

All sectors of national life are in a state of dysfunction, therefore, the populace have decided not to confront these endless national abnormalities, and the persons, entities and political subdivisions whose duties, responsibilities and obligations are to deal, tackle, correct and or prevent these abnormalities in the first place

A majority of the Nigerian population, as if at Annual General Meeting or some sorts of national referendum, have decided that it is pointless in the most absolute sense, to hold anyone or any entity responsible for the miserable human condition which is pervasive in Nigeria

A-cure-all has been invented to cure this desperate human condition in Nigeria. God is that cure-all, uniformly, for a majority of Nigerians of every religious, ethnic, linguistic and regional background.

Wife of former president of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan became the poster-boy for expressing extreme frustrations through supplications to God… as she expressed her frustrations and helplessness, at what she saw as political conspiracy against her husband, the president of Nigeria at the time, President Goodluck Jonathan….with her now very popular “There is God O!” a terminology which has now entrenched itself into the national lexicon and vocabulary.

Nigerians are liable to heap every national failure at the doorsteps of God! A given president or governor or the state and national political leadership is given a pass or absolved in the face of profound failures, with supplications to God. There is God! A variation of this appeal to the skies is,” It is well”

The trouble with these inanities and supplications to the skies and winds, are that, the abject human conditions persists and often worsens! The acknowledgement or pretence of sudden realization that There-is-God or that, or that… It-Is-Well does not alter the physical condition at hand, which may have warranted the exclamations-supplications!

All reasonable persons should want to know from the long-suffering Nigerians, how exactly, the repeat of the extremely banal statements of There-Is-God or It-Is-Well strengthens anyone? These statements merely put the long-suffering Nigerians in a state of denial, or a state of anomie and put them to sleep mentally, without the requisite agitation minds required for necessary and needed actions!

I take the view that these inane statements, actually encourages inaction and worse, pacify the long-suffering population into accepting extremely abnormal conditions, as if normal.

Similarly, it does appear that, economic and political difficulties have unfurled or stimulated vigorous religious beliefs this probably explains the fact that religion is the only growth industry in Nigeria.

Nigeria has become a place where prayers is substitute for necessary, concerted and sustained actions for addressing economic, political and even technical issues.

The average Nigerian will agree, voluntarily, to travel in a vehicle with three tyres, soon after and so long as, the ubiquitous Man-of-God has prayed over the vehicle and he has dutifully covered the vehicle with an elaborate amount of the blood of Jesus! And then, everyone feels “safe” to travel in a vehicle which is obviously in a state of extreme disrepair, therefore not road-worthy due to poor maintenance!

A majority of maniacs and lunatics who call themselves drivers on Nigerian roads, are prayer-warriors, soon after they pray, they embark on death-defying highway driving stunts or manoeuvres while believing that they are accident-proof, having been fortified by the blood of Jesus and the saliva Angel Gabriel, Jesus’ cousin!

Prayer is substitute for good vehicle maintenance! Prayer is substitute for Rules-of-the-Road, and careful driving, prayers is substitute for reasonableness or common sense measures which ought to make good driving.

Too many Nigerians appear to live in fools’ paradise, in their beliefs in the power of the skies and the winds, in the power of the illogical, the implausible and the unscientific, the Nigerian life is in a prescientific state; Nigeria is for the most part, a prescientific society.

A majority of people in Nigeria, claim belief in Democracy, Due Process and The Rule of Law, but, too frequently, same characters are liable to resort to lawlessness and its cousin, impunity. It is the height of imbecilic infantilism to espouse belief in democracy, then, rig elections! It is a shame to believe in The Rule of Law, while paying to pervert justice with the agreement of the majority! Many pretend that they subscribe to Due Process or processes, until it concerns them, then all processes must evaporate, in order to promote the interests of one, against all and societal best interests.

Nigeria was not always this way! The Nigeria of my childhood was remarkably different and better! Nigeria was certainly never perfect, but, there were public officials who performed, there were police officers who enforced the law, there were Vehicle Inspections Officers VIOs, who ensured that if your vehicle failed inspections or polluted the environment, there were sanctions.

In today’s Nigeria, vehicles are extremely old, poorly maintained, and frequently overloaded, and neither the police, Federal Roads Safety Corps or VIO does anything, the only time there is threat of action, is when extortion is the sole motivation, and when the extortion succeeds, the old vehicle magically becomes new in a few minutes, the overloaded vehicle suddenly becomes something else, but overloaded, bribes are substitutes for enforcements, impunity has come to stay, why obey the law when you can pay or bribe the law to look the other way? Everyone on the roads are then exposed to risks of death or injury.

Nigeria a nation in where there are extreme lawlessness, impunity, perversion, and injustice, still, Nigerians are ostentatiously and conspicuously religious, any cursory observation will reveal the elaborate efforts Nigerians make to be outwardly religious, and such efforts are so hypocritically portrayed!

Religion is the only growth industry, and yet, most religionists do not pay moral obeisance to their religious persuasions! A good Christian should aspire to be Christ-like, should often contemplate –deliberate his actions with, “What will Jesus Do” if similarly situated? A good Muslim may equally ask, “What will Mohammed Do?

It is readily discernable that too many Nigerians enjoy the pomp and ceremonies of their various religions, but seem to give no thought to religious ethos. It is quite difficult to reconcile being a very religious person, with being a public drunk! Piousness, chastity, good morality, charity, all used to be a hallmark of the religious. That was before prosperity gospel?

Is God a burden to Nigeria national psyche? Is God the excuse why African poverty will remain? Nigerians put election rigging or the subversion of democracy in the hands of God, Nigerians put every oppression and every injustices that there are, in the hands of God! Nigerians and Africans act as though they are content to remain in the-state-of-nature; complacency is prevalent, or even, a national and continental pastime!

Is the literal belief in God as the cure-all, the reason why too many Nigerians are docile, unimaginative and appear not to worry about innovations? Nigerians love the wonders of America, Europe, Asia, and more recently the Dubai of the Middle East! But how about replicating those developmental wonders on our shores?

What is the Nigerian sense of justice and fair-play? Is the Nigerian-African sense of justice the way it is, because of belief in God? If you belief God is Judge, Jury and the Executioner, why would you worry about The Rule of Law, Due Process or even Democracy? Why would you want to create the institutions which would promote, entrench, enforce and institutionalize these concepts?

Nigerians and Africans suffered slavery, colonialism, apartheid, racism etc; but Nigerians and other Africans have put slavery, colonialism, apartheid and racism in the hands of God!

All in injustices should be put in the hands of God, as far as the Nigerian or African is concerned, instead of creating and maintaining robust institutions to deal with these profound human conditions or issues.

Jews suffered Holocaust, and the average Jew says, Never Again! Jews have acted locally and globally, to hold to account, and responsible, those persons and entities, individually and collectively for roles they played! As a result, the world is aware, that messing with Jews has consequences! On the other hand, Africans allow conditions so abject, so extreme that African citizens die crossing the desert or the seas in droves fleeing desperate poverty, starvation or wars on the continent, and what do the potentate African political class care?

God! I am tired of anyone and anything which is given as reason why nothing gets done in Nigeria! God is in charge and in control, and nothing gets done! I am tired of this God distraction thing! Let no one give you the God excuse!

There are urgent needs to be met. But we wallow in excuses and inactions. But when it suits us or our egos, we act in unproductive sentimental manners, such as legislating sexual preferences. Why don’t the Nigerian national assembly leave sexual orientation and sexual preferences in the hands of God, rather than legislating it? Why don’t banks leave armed robberies in the hands of God? It is obvious that Nigerians do the needful and the practical, when it involves personal interests or sentiments or emotions, be it religious, regional or ethnic sentiments!

All Nigerians of every religious persuasions must soonest put responsibility at the doorstep of those in-charge, those who must be made to account, and those that must produce measurable outcomes and great results.

Nigerians must soonest hold any president,, all governors, all legislators, all Vice Chancellors, all principals or headmasters, everyone in-charge of research, anyone put in charge of electricity generation and transmission or in-charge of transportation, anyone in-charge of any system or process should be held to account for their failure or ineptitude, Nigerians should leave God out of nation failures and ineptitudes, lawlessness and corruption.

A majority of Nigerians seem to have decided that God is in-charge and in Control of everything in Nigeria, and not legislators, the governors Or even the president, this explains why public infrastructures, social amenities, the national currency and unemployment have remain the way they are, as Nigerians in their majority put these vexing urgent national issues in the hands of God!

Serious nations undertake research and development, serious nations explore and conquer new frontiers, serious nations focus on national interests and leave religions to the individual!

Gender Equality Agenda Is No Special Favor To Women!

2016-03-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

Gender Equality Agenda Is No Special Favor To Women!
Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

A great society is measured by such society’s treatment of women and the underprivileged. Nigeria’s unequal treatment of women is part responsible for national developmental drawbacks.

The wife of former president of the United States Mrs Hilary Rodham Clinton attended International Women’s Conference in Beijing China, in 1995 and she made remarkable contribution with her emphatic declaration to the effect that Women Rights are Human Rights…. Mrs. Clinton is currently a candidate for the American presidency. I want to see Nigerian women as governors and president of Nigeria soon.

In the matter of Gender Equality… it is the case that Women are not asking for equality as special favors, but instead, for the right to be respected, the right to be treated with human dignity and be afforded the chance, the right to aspire and to have equal opportunity to do all the reasonable things which all humans do, men or women

Here is why Gender Equality is crucial and Critical, Gender Equality is really literally about my mother and your mothers, my sisters and your sisters, my nieces and your nieces, Gender Equality is about the persons who constitutes more than half the world’s population, women are factually more, in populations worldwide
Gender Equality is precisely about saving the life-giver and the life-deliverer of ALL of us, and therefore, it means the protecting the life-source of the entire human race! Where would the world be without women? Women are earth life-force.

At the United Nations in 2011, events marking the 100th year of International Women Organisation, I was invited to make comments, and I began with, I AM MY MOTHER’s SON! The statement or that theme began with, as it was suffused, surrounded and ended my speech. And as we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, I want to repeat that same idea, to the effect that, Just like me, you are your mothers’ son or daughter, we should therefore want to protect women, we are all, after all, children of women, hence women rights is human rights!

My rationale is simply that, we are intricately, and then, intimately related and connected to women, without women, there is no us….. Therefore, we should wish our women, what we wish our mothers, wives or daughters or nieces or all the women in our lives.
We should not look to, or seek to oppress our mothers, or to disrespect or deprive our mothers, or demean our mothers or our wives, daughters or nieces or other women in our lives …. If we would treat our mothers right, treat our daughters or nieces right, I urge you to treat all women right!

There is no reason to keep our women at the bottom of our society… Nigerian women, even with limited opportunities, have been working very hard, a good number of women here today, are capable, accomplished and high-achieving women, consummate professionals and all.
Many Nigerian women have excelled in their career or chosen endeavours, a great example is in our state brilliant chief judge herself, women such as the Chief Judge of our state, Bayelsa, are exemplar for the great investment which Girl Child Education is.

Girl Child Education is the ultimate and most critical investment, education is a game changer!
An educated wife is good for the home, among other things, so that she can do your child homework or teach your child, children are like blank tapes, what you put in them is what you get… our societal best interests are served when our women are educated
An educated man or woman is a great asset to society

I love Nigeria and African culture, and we should do all that is possible to preserve our culture and way of life…… But certain aspects of our culture need reform and even drastic changes! Some Inheritance Traditional practices are repugnant, unjust and grossly unfair practice of depriving female their inheritance rights and entitlements, just because she is of female gender.

Double Jeopardy, Wives suffer loss of husband and then, accused or blamed for his death….Accusing women of killing their husbands while the accused wife actually deserve our sympathy as she mourn her beloved husband… Traditional practices never seem to similarly accused husbands when their wives die.

Litmus test for wife as an accused killer of dead husband … it is carried out…. This Disgusting
Disgusting practice of washing corpse and asking bereaved wife to drink the corpse water which may have the virus or bacteria which may have killed the husband in the first place! Ebola, Zika, Lassa etc
Our society should treat our mothers, our sisters, our nieces and all women with utmost respect and with dignity because
Women are the glue or gum, which hold our society together and we can observe this in our everyday life. During the floods of 2012, women were the reliable family members who ensured the health and safe

Women, our mothers and their thoughtfulness and care are illustrated again and again in Nigeria and abroad, at home and in public policies which they promote

Women, propelled as mothers and driven by maternal instincts perhaps, are more caring and generous to humankind, Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany is a woman, she has run the most robust and most successful European economy during the preceding decade and she welcomed refugees with open arms, Germany has accepted over one million refugees in one year!

Women are great managers! Women are great managers! There is information, research and clear indicators to the effect that women are better managers of human and material resources… at times of crises, when relief materials are given to grandmothers, grandmothers share to every lineal branches, daughter, daughter in-law, son, son in-law, children grandchildren etc etc, but give relief material to an average man, it goes to wife, girlfriend, then he sells the rest to buy beer and cigarettes! … Nigerians should learn to trust our womenfolk with governorship and the presidency in fact I hope to see a woman become president of Nigeria soon! And why NOT?

We have women who are gynaecologists, surgeons, lawyers, pilots, and we trust them as such; Nigerians must also trust women with high political offices, such as, voting for women them with managing states as governors, and managing Nigeria as president!

Nigerian men should let there be all the comfort be for women and children; An example is, letting your wife drive your car! Let your wife and your children enjoy your car more than you, let your wife drive the better of your cars, if you have more than one car, everybody will be happy, including yourself the man…. Your wife and kids will be stress free, and you will be feeling quite cool yourself, because, anyone seeing your wife drive your nice car, will assume that you actually, are even driving, a yet, better car, even if that is not the case, they will think you have a helicopter because your wife drives such a good car

Many of today economic hardships or difficulties affect women more harshly and more disproportionately, whether it is unemployment, or Human Trafficking, the impact on women is disproportionate, gender inequality and lack of education, other societal injustices with attendant negative impacts, are more severe on women

A friend and I chatted recently, about how Women Rights and Girl Child Education remain paramount an issue in Nigeria and all of Africa.
Every household you visit, girls as young as fifteen, are forced to become house-helps or house-girls… this ensures that there is no formal education, training or skills, this practice ensures that the adulthood of such house-girls may be bleak as Nigerians, even if they were imported from poorer nations, the negative impact is unmistakable.
House girls or house helps are practically indentured servants that only get paid, when they complete their contract terms, terms which were unfair and lopsided in the first place, sans poor pay or benefits…. And such low pays, have to be shared with the middlemen who brought the house girls ….

These girls are not educated or equipped with necessary life-skills for their adulthoods, they mostly do not know their own age…. In today’s world, this is shameful and appalling….poverty, abject and extreme poverty is still being guaranteed for Africa’s future, with the neglect of girl child education, for all girls and including house-girls or house-helps….

A better Nigeria for all, I want a more perfect union, a more perfect federation, unity in diversity, where environmental pollution in Bayelsa State concerns Nigerians in Nnewi, Okitipupa, and Sokoto …. Pollutions causes toxic fumes and ruination of human lives and aquatic lives, pollution leads to miscarriages among women, again, women are disproportionately affected by pollution, it should concern all Nigerians, not just those of us in the Niger Delta, and, similarly, the deaths, injuries and displacements caused by Boko Haram in North East Nigeria concerns all Nigerians in Yenagoa, Aba, Akure and Makurdi

We all can do better than we are currently doing for women… in Bayelsa, in Nigeria, in Africa and across the world… some nations are doing comparatively and relatively better than us, and we should wake up! America is poised to elect her first female president…. Nigeria should get ready, so that we too can have female governors and female president soon…

Nigerian and African Women have been in the forefront of political and Socio-Economic development, including decolonization…. Aba Women Riots in 1929…. Nigerian women have always stood up to be counted when it mattered…. Protested against taxation without representation …. Queen Amina, Queen Moremi, Winnie Mandela

A society’s human progress index is measured by how such society treats its women and underprivileged!
Nigeria must rise and to rise, Nigeria must, quickly engage in exulting women! Exulting women must include giving our mothers, our sisters, our nieces, the women in our lives, ALL women, the prominent pride of place which women richly deserve, and let us beginning that process NOW!

Paul I. Adujie Esq. is the Director/Head of Legal Services Department, Federal University Otuoke

Buhari Is Not About Buhari

2016-01-06T03:45:00.000-08:00

Buhari Is Not About Buhari

Written Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Presidential Elections have been over since April 2015 and Muhamadu Buhari prevailed over Goodluck Jonathan, or put differently, APC surpassed the PDP at the polls, and consequently, presidential inauguration was celebrated on May 29, 2015.

But since then, however, there have been commentaries by so many, commentaries which may have led even reasonable persons, to conclude that political campaigns of the presidential type, for 2015 have not ceased!

The fact of the matter is that, the next presidential elections in Nigeria is not until 2019.

Why then are so many politicians, and even some members of the Nigerian public appearing to have been suckered into this seeming endless presidential campaigns?

There seem to be a vigorous national clamor for the failure Buhari, but why?

All these, are happening, even before he has had a chance to govern and make legitimate mistakes as president!

Nigerians must realize that Democracy is about governance and the dividends of democracy should , positively impact all citizens directly, regardless of political party affiliations, and to that extent, at the end of every political campaign season, elections completed and inauguration takes place, all citizens are entitled to expect the benefits of democracy.

In order for democracy to have meaningful benefits to citizens of our nation, there ought to be a recognition of the fact that any given president of Nigeria is a fleeting symbol of our collective national aspirations.

Nigeria appears to currently practice a meaningless or banal democracy, in which self-interest is put over and above national interests, it must be said that such a democracy is almost comparable to or even identical with how criminal enterprises or the mafia operates, and such democracy is indeed banal.

After 16 years of continuous elections of public officials or democracy nationwide, a majority of Nigerians have no smidgen or modicum of benefit or dividend from democratic processes.

The Nigerian public, particularly the professional politicians, should realize that democracy and politics are about the citizens, the people, and so, the current clamor for Buhari’s failure is against the very essence of our national aspirations, our national best interests, and democracy dividends for the people

No reasonable persons should be opposed to vigorous political debate, I am not against partisan politicking and even aggressive partisan competition, but, I am surely against clamoring for the failure of any president of Nigeria…. as I am against efforts seemingly geared towards torpedoing the current president, as those engineering his failure apparently see only what might become an opportunity for some elites.

A vibrant opposition or criticism is healthy for democracy to succeed. But legitimate criticisms may not be confused with efforts to stampede and intimidate, a particular political leader, without logical or rational basis,

The success of any given Nigerian president is the success of all Nigerians and even non-Nigerians who wish Nigerians well. Reasonable Nigerians must not clamor for failure of PMB.

It is assuredly the case that, if and when the current president of Nigeria tackles major national issues well, it will be in the best interests of Nigerians and Nigeria, Buhari’s success is not about Buhari, because if Buhari wins, Nigeria wins!

The success of any president of Nigeria at any given time period, is the success of Nigeria, it is rather parochial and shortsighted, to clamor for the failure of any president of Nigeria; because of personal ill-will or animosity towards him or her.

Buhari presents an immediate opportunity for all Nigerians and Nigeria!

Buhari has so much riding on his presidency for Nigeria. He represents missed opportunities , civil, military and then civil. He, at once represents all that has ailed Nigeria and all that will heal Nigeria.

President Obama of the United States of America appears to recognize this in Buhari, when he described Buhari as a man of integrity and a clear thinker, while Buhari visited him in the White House.

My generation of Nigerians are in trepidation of a possible failure of Buhari or a failed Buhari presidency! The worthlessness of our the Naira, our national currency, the extremely high rate of unemployment nationwide, the dearth of public infrastructures and an economy without requisite industrial capacity are national emergencies which frightens me and should concern every Nigerian at home or abroad!

Buhari represent a fresh start, a clean slate and wonderful new golden opportunity for Nigeria’s development, progress, advancement and national greatness with his avowed integrity and incorruptibility.

Imagine if Buhari, antecedents precedents and all, decimates or even eliminate corruption? Imagine that Buhari tackles unemployment? Imagine Buhari focuses on public infrastructures, roads, bridges and housing? Imagine if Buhari kills Boko Haram? Imagine if Buhari solves Nigeria’s perennial poor electricity generation, transmission and distribution problems? Imagine if Buhari can create a more robust national transportation networks?

Clearly, Buhari’s success is not about Buhari, it is, instead the success of our collective aspirations as a nation! I urge Nigerians to become cognizant of these fact and become singularly focused on Buhari’s success! Let all Nigerians of every political persuasions fathom how to make a success of the Nigerian Nation, let’s give Buhari a breathing space to get on with it!

2014-08-28T03:35:00.001-07:00

Palestinian Lives Are Meaningless And Valueless?

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Lawless Israel has since July and August bombed and killed thousands
of Palestinians in genocidal massacres as the world watches with
unpatrolled indifference

One has to wonder how many dead Palestinians will get the world's
attention and requisite or appropriate reaction, critical of Israel,
with demand that Israel stops these genocidal massacres?

Israel has with impunity bombarded Ambulances, UN Refugee Camps,
Mosques, Markets, University and schools... even schools designated by
the UN as refugee centers and made known to Israel repeatedly. Israel
bombs areas, institutions and deploy methods for which other nations
on earth would have been severely condemned and sanctioned, including
War Crimes charges against the political leadership of such nation,
but, there is permanent difference and exceptions for Israel

A majority of Jews and other supporters of Israel across the world
continue to argue adamantly, and insistently, that Israel has a right
to exterminate and depopulate Palestine for "security" of Israel and
Israelis. And as a consequence, Israel has massacred nearly three
thousand Palestinians in less than 50 days and there is no righteous
indignation from those who are contemplating the invasion of Russian
as Russia is accused of providing and facilitating pro-Russia
separatists in Ukraine with weapons, including surface to air missiles
which allegedly shot Malaysian passenger plane out of the skies over
eastern Ukraine, killing 298 persons...

Obviously, Western nations are willing to inflict Third World War on
the rest of the world over the death of 298 mostly European citizens
and yet Westerners think nothing of the livers of nearly 3,000
Palestinians massacred, sans War Crimes by Israel in less than sixty
days?

I am opposed to anti-Semitic attacks against Jews and Jewish
institutions or establishments as happened in Belgium, France etc, as
I am opposed to the genocidal massacres of Palestinians by Israel. All
reasonable persons across the world must be opposed to Israel's
indiscriminate bombing of Mosques, Islamic institutions, Islamic
centers and Islamic establishments

Israel in the last month bombed Palestine public infrastructures,
including electric power stations, water supply systems or waterworks,
and refugee centers which is known to Israel as such.

And yet, Israel is continually supported by a majority of Jews
worldwide, and by non-Jews as well. it is therefore comes as no news
that those critical of Israel's genocidal massacres of Palestinians do
not make fine distinctions between the hawkish rightists such as
Benjamin Netanyahu with almost 100% approval rating for his
scorched-earth military policy against Palestinians as well as his
unrelenting expansions of illegal Jewish Settlements on Palestine
lands which Israel continue to occupy illegally as a colonial power.

A majority of Jews and non-Jews across the world are unthinking
supporters of Israel's occupation of Palestine. Israel runs a brutal
colonial power administration in Palestine based on Apartheid. Israel
runs an Apartheid based oppressive segregationist occupation of
Palestine, which devalues, demean and dehumanizes Palestinians.

In reaction to this unparalleled occupation of Palestine by Israel,
Palestinians throw rocks and in response, Israel deploys F-16 fighter
jets, Riffle Propelled Grenades, Mortars, Missiles and drones, then,
HAMAS fires hodge-podge kitchen sink rockets which are just rocks when
compared to Israel's 22nd Century state-of-the-art weapons of mass
murders.

Benjamin Netanyahu unfurls plans to massacre thousands of
Palestinians so that Israel can enjoy some 'quiet' from the
aimless-harmless stone-rocks throwing Palestinians besieged by
illegally occupied by Israel. Countless UN Resolutions are disregarded
and discounted by Israel without consequence.

The world has been indoctrinated, brainwashed and thoroughly schooled
to perceive HAMAS as the ultimate evil, despite HAMAS modest weapons
compared with Israel's ultra-sophisticated weapons. There is a
worldwide financial support and military armament for Israel, and
notably the United States has military hardware warehouse located in
Israel and the US flung that military supply store open for Israel to
further pummel and pulverized hapless Palestinians in Gaza, and the
world merely shrugged?

The nation of Israel, has in less than sixty days have murdered almost
3000 Palestinians "defensively" and HAMAS is labeled a terrorist
organization with blood thirty leaders without purpose, while Israel
is the purposeful and dovish peace-loving peace and quiet loving nice
guys? The world must ask, how it does feel to be victim of Israel
occupation, humiliating dehumanizing apartheid regime!

Israel should be required to lift the economically strangulating and
stifling blockade, end settlement constructions expansions and
occupation by Israel. Israel during the preceding 60 has inflicted
extraordinary hardships on Gazans, ruined Palestinians lives, and
shattered and left in tatters, Palestinian economy and
infrastructures.

It is extremely baffling that almost 3000 Palestinians are massacred,
and this rather significant and substantial death of Palestinians
civilians, caused by Israel in gross violations of international law.
Israel has committed War Crimes under Benjamin Netanyahu as did Israel
in Sabra and Shatilla by Ariel Sharon. And where is the moral
outrage? Where is the United Nations? Where are men and women of
conscience?

Where is proportionality by Israel and in Israel's indiscriminate and
genocidal massacres of Palestinians in Gaza? Israel bombs hospitals,
markets, refugees centers and places known to Israel to be designated,
a particular school was bombed 6 times despite notice and knowledge by
Israel that these schools are occupied by refugees, women and
children.

One Palestinian is said to have been dying every hour. Israel asks
Palestinians to move to known shelters, and proceeds to bomb same
previously designated shelters. Israel gives a few minutes to
civilians to evacuate their homes after a so-called
"knock-on-the-roof" how so friendly?

America is complicit in the genocidal massacres atrocity inflicted on
Palestinians by Israel by opening weaponry warehouse owned and
operated by America in Israel for Israel's resupply for Israel
indiscriminate murderous military campaign in Gaza, even as US
Congress approved more financial aid to Israel during these Israel
indiscriminate bombing of targets in Gaza... and America continues to
pretend to be an unbiased, objective and fair peace broker for
Palestine and Israel!

Israel continues to cause and inflict miseries, destitution and
imprisonment and prison-like-life in Gaza Palestine. Deprivations
which Palestinians are compelled to endure by Israel, are grossly
inhuman.

Western diplomats and even journalists from America and Europe are
shamelessly lopsided in their reporting of the pummeling and
pulverizing of Gaza by Israel, everyone of the diplomats and
journalists tend to bend-over-backwards in explaining, defending and
justifying Israel's genocidal massacres of Palestinians and the
continuing atrocities by Israel in Gaza

In all of these, seeds of everlasting hatreds are being sown; imagine
children in Palestine whose only childhood memory would be Israel
punishing military actions which killed parents, uncles and other
children, imagine the mental or psychiatric states, and their sense
multiplicities of losses. Why is it not predictable that there will be
revenge and even vendetta by children made victims of Israel's
genocidal massacres of Palestinian during 2014 summer?

Supporters of Israel obviously expect Palestinian children of today to
be oblivious and never recover from some sort of amnesia, and be
mindless to the hardships, sufferings and deaths this summer brought
upon Palestine by Israel. Palestinian children who are right now
witness to their neighborhoods being flattened, pulverized and
depopulated by Israel's missiles, mortars and carpet-bombing from the
air. On Saturday August 23rd 2014 Israel demolished a 14 floor
apartment building in Gaza which housed 400 families and one only have
to multiplied that by the several thousands of Palestinians,
extrapolating the numbers of persons in those 400 families or
households. This is like demanding that Jews forget Hitler and the
pogrom which was inflicted on Jews by Nazi Germany!

Israel in less than 60 days flattened Gaza, with Palestinian homes
gone and personal effects evaporated as occupants only had three
minutes to evacuate from even the highest floors of buildings or been
decimated and mangled in the ensuing rubble.

There is no minute to take prized possessions. And even as I write
this, the slaughter of Palestinians by Israel continues unabated, all
14 floors of a said apartment building leveled by Israel, death and
destruction and creating orphans continue in Palestine occupied by
Israel

Despite the obvious, Western journalists, wittingly or unwittingly,
have become advocates of every Israeli position or aggressive policy
of apartheid-like separation walls and unreasonable indiscriminate
military actions against the hapless and world most helpless people of
Palestine.

Israel manufactures excuses to cover her War Crimes as Israel
randomly, regularly and indiscriminately bombs and shell schools,
refugee centers, ambulances and mosques, while insisting that
terrorists are lurking in all of every crevices in Gaza.

The world should ask Israel if it would bombard so indiscriminately, a
part of Israel, this same way, Israel has of Gaza during this last 50
days, if HAMAS was in an Israeli neighborhood?

Israel and her supporters continues to spread disinformation,
implausible, most improbable and unsupportable wild allegations
against Palestinians, and that you would think that there are ten
million Palestinians in Gaza, and all of them terrorists, hence Israel
sees and bombs Palestinian terrorists in refugee camps, in hospitals,
in markets, on university campus, in mosques and in 14 floor apartment
building etc. Anyone who believes this is so thoroughly brainwashed
with propaganda fostered by Israel and her plentiful supporters.

And indeed, all reasonable persons should now be asking, how many
Palestinians would Israel have to kill, in this, unparalleled
genocidal massacres to warrant the UN and the entire community of the
human race to assign some semblance of value to lives in Palestine?

2013-10-09T08:04:00.001-07:00

Epileptic or Uncertain Education Calendar; A Drag On National Development

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Nigerians and Nigeria must urgently act to correct the current epileptic or uncertain higher education calendar and schedules, in order to attain Nigeria's desire for critical national development, progress and advancement as a nation.

It is sadly, and regrettably the case, that the preceding 30 years in Nigeria has witnessed regressions, particularly in the higher education sector, this is primarily due to strikes or industrial actions by academic and non-academic employees in Nigeria's higher education sector.

Salaries, compensation packages and general under-funding have been adduced and attributed as reasons, and arguments by sundry employees of higher education in Nigeria on the one hand, and unreasonable demands wrapped with intransigence, have been attributed as reasons why the Federal Government of Nigeria has been unable, or unwilling to meet the various demands by these aforementioned employees of Nigeria's higher education sector.

All told, and, in the final analyses, Nigerians and Nigeria suffer from these deadlocks and impasses between employees in the Nigeria higher education and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In my view therefore, it is almost irrelevant, as to whose doorsteps lies the persisting problem of irregular, epileptic and uncertain calendar for higher education in Nigeria. The only important thing is to have the unsavory situation rectified promptly! Nigeria's progress is for the most part dependent on how we manage our education sector and as a consequence, Nigeria's development and advancement, is equally dependent on how we manage our education sector.

Thus far, the management of Nigeria higher education is appalling, particularly so, given the fact that universities close arbitrarily and often, and students, parents and our nation are left in limbo.

These avoidable interruptions leave students, parents, employees etc with physical and psychological scars, which are jarring and marring in the long-term.

These scars are the frequent aftermaths of indefinite closures of schools, which have become so rampant in Nigeria

Calendar for universities have become so unpredictably-unreliable, students enrolled in four-year courses now graduate in twice or multiple number required years, and some in Nigeria still think this acceptable or normal?

It is the case that rice generally cooks in approximately 20 minutes, analogously, education has set timetable worldwide, a gestation period which is certain and predictable and as such, known to all.

But some in Nigeria, have made higher education timetable unknowable, and graduations uncertain and as a consequence, too many lives are interrupted, rice in Nigeria must cook intermittently, for hours as some now insists!

A Nigerian student with excellent grades can no longer predict or forecast graduation date and National Youths Service Corps deployment. A Nigerian law graduate can no longer predict when there will admission to Law School, as Law Schools are full. A Nigerian graduate medicine and surgery can no longer predict when (housemanship) internship will be undertake, as strike lingers.

As a matter of fact, absence of vision and foresight led medical students in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma in Edo State, as well as, medical student in Niger Delta University at Amassoma to spend 13 years instead of the normal 6 to 7 years to earn medical degrees! Both medical schools lacked accreditation for quite a long time!

One can only imagine the costs, financial, psychological and deprivation of professional growth and development for the individuals and for our nation! These were certainly avoidable, accreditation should have been contemplated before and during the first five years of those medical schools! Poor or lack of planning is responsible for all these, same reasons why some of Nigeria's medical schools graduates are being shunned by some nations.

As a result of these lackadaisical administration and management of higher education in Nigeria these days, a young man or woman with hard work and excellent academic record can no longer plot career his or her trajectory, due to no personal fault of the student with excellent grades, but merely because higher education calendar in Nigeria is now fitful and uncertain.

In effect therefore, being a great student with excellent grades in does not guarantee or ensure that a student enrolled in a Nigerian University graduates on schedule as it should be.

These are harrowing experiences for the individuals students-victims, their parents, family particularly, these are also national tragedies.

The woeful failure of Nigeria in the arena of higher education planning, has now led to a situation in which, Ghana, Kenya, other African nations and in fact, America and Europe are the destinations for Nigerians who can afford foreign higher education in nations where higher education calendars are predictable, foreseeable and reliable!

In these contexts, or circumstances, (and all things being equal), Nigeria ought, and should be playing the role for Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, but sadly, these nations are now playing or serving Nigerians who can afford the financial burden of higher education abroad!

Clearly, there is a major crisis in our higher education, (there are crises) including inadequate funding, inadequate commitment and inadequate research and inadequate impact (translation) of classroom knowledge for bettering human condition in Nigeria.

It is a shame that some Nigerians have managed to inflict these setbacks upon millions of fellow Nigerians and Nigeria. Some have cynically suggested that, the notable nonchalance by some in leadership, is due to the fact that their children and relatives are overseas attending schools in nations with stable school calendars.

Similar cynical arguments have been made regarding the parlous state of Nigeria's healthcare system; as leaders able to fly overseas to treat headaches, malaria or just "go-and-rest-abroad" why worry or bother with fixing the problems in the public health sector?

How many other nations allow her higher sector to grind to a halt? How many other nations permits entire health care system wanton neglect? I know of a Federal Medical Center (FMC) which never has electricity!

How does anyone connected to these higher education crises sleep at night? How can this be happening to Nigeria? How can we be fiddling as our house burn? Why has Nigeria regressed or degenerated in so many ways?

Some sectors of Nigerian national life is so decayed, that any nation or entity, acting as an external enemy to Nigeria, which is sworn to harm Nigeria and or is hostile to Nigeria's national interests, could not have done worse!

On the matter of higher education crises, it is unacceptable and plainly intolerable that, any well-meaning Nigerian person(s) at helms, have ignored and neglected to act, despite the inordinate and ceaseless closures of our universities for several months!

The most unfortunate thing of it all is that, this interruption is not the first in recent national memory and judging by how the abnormal is normal in Nigeria, this current interruption may not be the last! This is extremely abnormal, and it quite a shock that tongues not wagging over this national emergency.

Nigerians should, and must, ask the crucial question, who does epileptic and uncertain higher education calendar in Nigeria serve? I make bold to assert the fact that, it does not serve Nigerians and Nigeria!

The arbitrary interruptions of school calendars, or the closure of schools, high rate of unemployment etc are national emergencies which should shock the conscience of all reasonable persons (with conscience of course)!

I often feel a personal affront and insult, when anyone refers to Nigeria as the sleeping giant, but, the uncertain calendar for higher education in Nigeria gives ample ammunitions and fodder to would-be critics and detractors of Nigeria

Many have expected Nigeria, and particularly, the higher education sector to have fared better, given the fact that Nigeria in past four years, has had the quadruple-fortunes of four prominent public servants, whose primary background, pedigree or predicate is, in academia, in the persons of the Late former President Yar'Adua, and now, our current President Goodluck Jonathan, also quite interestingly, Professor Raquatu El-Rufai as Minister of Education, and then, the veteran of higher education, Professor Julius Okojie of National Universities Commission, NUC!

Where in all these, did Nigeria go wrong? How could Nigeria go wrong in matters of higher education, with all these fine academicians at the helms? It is surely stranger than fiction! This cannot be said to be beguiling or be Nigeria's best moment.

As a matter of urgency, a national emergency as well, President Goodluck Jonathan should add Nigeria's education sector to his portfolio, because education has that critical-crucial-importance similar to Defense and Energy, which some presidents frequently add to their commander-in-chief titles. President Obasanjo chose to add Petroleum Resources administration-management, to his presidential duties in this manner, and functioned as such.

Should it not be assumed, that Mr. YarAdua, Mr. Jonathan, Mrs. El-Rufai, and Mr. Okojie, all, perfectly understand and eloquently speak the language of higher education? And as such, they know and understand ASUU and sundry?Where indeed, did Nigeria go wrong on matter critical national development, particularly, in the higher education sector? At whose doorsteps shall lay all these?

But the urgent mission here, is not about blames or who is wrong or right, it is all about prompt, immediate and urgent end or solution to this impasse or deadlock! The parties, Federal Government and ASUU must shield-sheath their swords, contain and restrain contempt or disdain, but hold their noses and negotiate a immediate solution, to this national hemorrhage.

Frequent interruptions of Nigeria's higher education calendar is stunting, stifling and strangulating of education, and naturally, Nigeria's aspiration for national development, progress, advancement and greatness of nation. Epileptic or Uncertain Education Calendar; A Drag On National Development

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

Nigerians and Nigeria must urgently act to correct the current epileptic or uncertain higher education calendar and schedules, in order to attain Nigeria's desire for critical national development, progress and advancement as a nation.

It is sadly, and regrettably the case, that the preceding 30 years in Nigeria has witnessed regressions, particularly in the higher education sector, this is primarily due to strikes or industrial actions by academic and non-academic employees in Nigeria's higher education sector.

Salaries, compensation packages and general under-funding have been adduced and attributed as reasons, and arguments by sundry employees of higher education in Nigeria on the one hand, and unreasonable demands wrapped with intransigence, have been attributed as reasons why the Federal Government of Nigeria has been unable, or unwilling to meet the various demands by these aforementioned employees of Nigeria's higher education sector.

All told, and, in the final analyses, Nigerians and Nigeria suffer from these deadlocks and impasses between employees in the Nigeria higher education and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In my view therefore, it is almost irrelevant, as to whose doorsteps lies the persisting problem of irregular, epileptic and uncertain calendar for higher education in Nigeria. The only important thing is to have the unsavory situation rectified promptly! Nigeria's progress is for the most part dependent on how we manage our education sector and as a consequence, Nigeria's development and advancement, is equally dependent on how we manage our education sector.

Thus far, the management of Nigeria higher education is appalling, particularly so, given the fact that universities close arbitrarily and often, and students, parents and our nation are left in limbo.

These avoidable interruptions leave students, parents, employees etc with physical and psychological scars, which are jarring and marring in the long-term.

These scars are the frequent aftermaths of indefinite closures of schools, which have become so rampant in Nigeria

Calendar for universities have become so unpredictably-unreliable, students enrolled in four-year courses now graduate in twice or multiple number required years, and some in Nigeria still think this acceptable or normal?

It is the case that rice generally cooks in approximately 20 minutes, analogously, education has set timetable worldwide, a gestation period which is certain and predictable and as such, known to all.

But some in Nigeria, have made higher education timetable unknowable, and graduations uncertain and as a consequence, too many lives are interrupted, rice in Nigeria must cook intermittently, for hours as some now insists!

A Nigerian student with excellent grades can no longer predict or forecast graduation date and National Youths Service Corps deployment. A Nigerian law graduate can no longer predict when there will admission to Law School, as Law Schools are full. A Nigerian graduate medicine and surgery can no longer predict when (housemanship) internship will be undertake, as strike lingers.

As a matter of fact, absence of vision and foresight led medical students in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma in Edo State, as well as, medical student in Niger Delta University at Amassoma to spend 13 years instead of the normal 6 to 7 years to earn medical degrees! Both medical schools lacked accreditation for quite a long time!

One can only imagine the costs, financial, psychological and deprivation of professional growth and development for the individuals and for our nation! These were certainly avoidable, accreditation should have been contemplated before and during the first five years of those medical schools! Poor or lack of planning is responsible for all these, same reasons why some of Nigeria's medical schools graduates are being shunned by some nations.

As a result of these lackadaisical administration and management of higher education in Nigeria these days, a young man or woman with hard work and excellent academic record can no longer plot career his or her trajectory, due to no personal fault of the student with excellent grades, but merely because higher education calendar in Nigeria is now fitful and uncertain.

In effect therefore, being a great student with excellent grades in does not guarantee or ensure that a student enrolled in a Nigerian University graduates on schedule as it should be.

These are harrowing experiences for the individuals students-victims, their parents, family particularly, these are also national tragedies.

The woeful failure of Nigeria in the arena of higher education planning, has now led to a situation in which, Ghana, Kenya, other African nations and in fact, America and Europe are the destinations for Nigerians who can afford foreign higher education in nations where higher education calendars are predictable, foreseeable and reliable!

In these contexts, or circumstances, (and all things being equal), Nigeria ought, and should be playing the role for Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, but sadly, these nations are now playing or serving Nigerians who can afford the financial burden of higher education abroad!

Clearly, there is a major crisis in our higher education, (there are crises) including inadequate funding, inadequate commitment and inadequate research and inadequate impact (translation) of classroom knowledge for bettering human condition in Nigeria.

It is a shame that some Nigerians have managed to inflict these setbacks upon millions of fellow Nigerians and Nigeria. Some have cynically suggested that, the notable nonchalance by some in leadership, is due to the fact that their children and relatives are overseas attending schools in nations with stable school calendars.

Similar cynical arguments have been made regarding the parlous state of Nigeria's healthcare system; as leaders able to fly overseas to treat headaches, malaria or just "go-and-rest-abroad" why worry or bother with fixing the problems in the public health sector?

How many other nations allow her higher sector to grind to a halt? How many other nations permits entire health care system wanton neglect? I know of a Federal Medical Center (FMC) which never has electricity!

How does anyone connected to these higher education crises sleep at night? How can this be happening to Nigeria? How can we be fiddling as our house burn? Why has Nigeria regressed or degenerated in so many ways?

Some sectors of Nigerian national life is so decayed, that any nation or entity, acting as an external enemy to Nigeria, which is sworn to harm Nigeria and or is hostile to Nigeria's national interests, could not have done worse!

On the matter of higher education crises, it is unacceptable and plainly intolerable that, any well-meaning Nigerian person(s) at helms, have ignored and neglected to act, despite the inordinate and ceaseless closures of our universities for several months!

The most unfortunate thing of it all is that, this interruption is not the first in recent national memory and judging by how the abnormal is normal in Nigeria, this current interruption may not be the last! This is extremely abnormal, and it quite a shock that tongues not wagging over this national emergency.

Nigerians should, and must, ask the crucial question, who does epileptic and uncertain higher education calendar in Nigeria serve? I make bold to assert the fact that, it does not serve Nigerians and Nigeria!

The arbitrary interruptions of school calendars, or the closure of schools, high rate of unemployment etc are national emergencies which should shock the conscience of all reasonable persons (with conscience of course)!

I often feel a personal affront and insult, when anyone refers to Nigeria as the sleeping giant, but, the uncertain calendar for higher education in Nigeria gives ample ammunitions and fodder to would-be critics and detractors of Nigeria

Many have expected Nigeria, and particularly, the higher education sector to have fared better, given the fact that Nigeria in past four years, has had the quadruple-fortunes of four prominent public servants, whose primary background, pedigree or predicate is, in academia, in the persons of the Late former President Yar'Adua, and now, our current President Goodluck Jonathan, also quite interestingly, Professor Raquatu El-Rufai as Minister of Education, and then, the veteran of higher education, Professor Julius Okojie of National Universities Commission, NUC!

Where in all these, did Nigeria go wrong? How could Nigeria go wrong in matters of higher education, with all these fine academicians at the helms? It is surely stranger than fiction! This cannot be said to be beguiling or be Nigeria's best moment.

As a matter of urgency, a national emergency as well, President Goodluck Jonathan should add Nigeria's education sector to his portfolio, because education has that critical-crucial-importance similar to Defense and Energy, which some presidents frequently add to their commander-in-chief titles. President Obasanjo chose to add Petroleum Resources administration-management, to his presidential duties in this manner, and functioned as such.

Should it not be assumed, that Mr. YarAdua, Mr. Jonathan, Mrs. El-Rufai, and Mr. Okojie, all, perfectly understand and eloquently speak the language of higher education? And as such, they know and understand ASUU and sundry?Where indeed, did Nigeria go wrong on matter critical national development, particularly, in the higher education sector? At whose doorsteps shall lay all these?

But the urgent mission here, is not about blames or who is wrong or right, it is all about prompt, immediate and urgent end or solution to this impasse or deadlock! The parties, Federal Government and ASUU must shield-sheath their swords, contain and restrain contempt or disdain, but hold their noses and negotiate a immediate solution, to this national hemorrhage.

Frequent interruptions of Nigeria's higher education calendar is stunting, stifling and strangulating of education, and naturally, Nigeria's aspiration for national development, progress, advancement and greatness of nation.

South Africa Massacre By Government Forces; What Is Change And Progress Anyway?

2012-10-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

South Africa Massacre By Government Forces; What Is Change And Progress Anyway?

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

It is reasonable to assert that so much have changed in South Africa and progress has been made there since the attainment of majority rule with the end of Apartheid minority rule.

But a South Africa in which protesting workers are mauled and mowed down by South Africa forces as if swathing mosquitoes or pests, is no one's idea of change and progress in both political and economic terms.

The horrors and murderous brutality meted upon protesting workers in the Lonmin-Marikana Mines massacre, is reminiscent of the heinous apartheid days in South Africa. No one thought it possible, to ever again see such senseless extra judicial murders by agents of South African government in post-apartheid South Africa!

Rivalry between unions, unruly and rancorous protesters is no excuse. Nothing could justify the wanton massacre of 34 South African citizens by government forces. It reeks of vengeance and vendetta stemming from the death of two police officers since the onset of the protests. It does look like revenge and payback by police for the strikers!

South African government forces, in full public glare, killed 34 and injured 78 citizens for exercising their constitutional and legitimate right to assemble and protest, this is clearly unacceptable! What were these government forces thinking or why were they not doing any thinking?

It is the case that bad things happen everywhere, but given the vivid horrors of apartheid era egregious behavior of South African government agents, and equally bearing in mind the very public attempt at cleansing South Africa's collective national memory.

And what was considered to be South Africa's bold attempt at national reconciliation and healing through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission etc, it is gulling, to see or be witness to the global shame and embarrassment of shooting.

South Africans fought gallantly to decimate and eliminate the injustices and oppression of apartheid. South African workers were at the forefronts of these struggles for freedoms and struggles to end segregation based on race.

South African miners were indeed the arrowhead and recipient of the most egregious labor practices by apartheid era government and corporate entities.

The senseless killing of protesting workers, who were in fact running away and their backs turned, in flight from armed policemen, gave the impression that so much have changed in South Africa for South Africa, and sadly, so much have remained the same.

It is quite unfathomable that a post 1994 South African security forces would aim live bullets at protesting workers and shoot them!

These shootings and with the impunity in which they were carried out, begs the question, what indeed has really changed? What is the value of majority rule and what is the meaning of democracy for South African and indeed all Africans?

It does looks as if, the business of government in South Africa and all over Africa, is the protection of corporate wrongdoers. Governments in African nations seem quite dedicated to humiliating, killing and taking every actions unedifying of African citizens, so long as corporate profits for conglomerates are protected.

What exactly is the value of majority rule, democracy and a new South Africa in which South African citizens are murdered most heinously by agents of own government? This is human depravity beyond descriptions.

What is the benefit of democracy or prosperity in Nigeria, when oil majors are permitted to engage in environmental pollution and degradation, and every protest by well meaning Nigerian citizens is meant with violent overreaction on the part of Nigerian government in order to protect the oil majors and their obscene profits without corporate social responsibility.

What does it profit South African citizens, Nigerian citizens and indeed all African citizens, to be shot indiscriminately, despite all pretensions to political independence, majority rule and democracy on the African continent?

It would seem there is no change, no progress and there is no difference in attitudes and practices from colonial and apartheid days on the African continent, as the devaluation of the humanity of Africans has continued despite the change of guards

It is almost irrelevant who is in-charge politically in South Africa and much of the African continent, the color of political leadership may have change, but the change is perfunctory and nearly meaningless.

The brutality of government agents remains and impunity may have, or seem to have worsened in some in certain instances.

The late Justice Thurgood Marshall it was, quoted as saying that a venomous snake is a snake regardless of its color! In whose service therefore, are African political leadership, in the service of the people, African citizens or in the service of multinationals in obeisance of "mother countries".

If it is argued that there is change and progress, might we ask, change and progress and for whose benefit?

The shift of leadership to the hands of some Black faces from their colonial and apartheid predecessors or progenitors, is merely cosmetic perfuming of pigs or brutality. Extreme and abject poverty, sufferings, hardships remain the lot of most Africans.

How can anyone argue otherwise? The unmitigated violence by government agents in defense of oil companies and conglomerates which plunders and pollute the environment in Nigeria is the same as the maiming and killings in defense of South African mining conglomerates.

These violence and killings for profits are not different from apartheid era killings and maltreatment of workers or the indiscriminate killings of political opposition such as the Mau Mau in Kenya by the British colonial government?

But of course, there are no Africans, and in fact there are no reasonable persons anywhere, with preference for apartheid, colonialism or occupation, even so, it is relevant to ask whether anything has really changed , with real benefits for Africans in political and real economic terms?

The end of apartheid is supposed to have ushered in political and economic emancipation, including legal, social, economic and land reforms, but the wait continues!

The multinationals still do what they want, almost without regard to laws and rules; the government still kills and maims innocent citizens to protect corporate profits!

Majority rule, political independence and democracy have not changed much of anything for African citizens in real terms. South Africans are still and much of African peoples are still palpably poor, despite diamonds, gold, petroleum and much more, which are mined from Africa; Cry My Beloved Continent!

So much has changed, so much have remained the same, what price change, progress and democracy in Africa?

There are a few months remaining in 2012 and economic and social justice still elude the majority of African citizens and peoples. It is quite sad. It is lamentably sad.

2012-10-10T12:43:00.001-07:00

Nigeria Flooding Is A National Security Emergency; It Is Time Deploy the Army, Navy, Air Force Etc

Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday October 9, 2012 announced plans by the federal government of Nigeria to respond to the current ravages of floods throughout Nigeria.

The government has established a committee and in addition, billions of Naira has been slated to be spent in addressing the plethora of problems arising from this massive flooding.

Response to these floods so far is too slow and tepid at best and nonexistent at worst!

The proper thing for the president, the federal government and all strata of government in Nigeria to have done and should urgently undertake, is, a public demonstration of empathy and sympathy with millions of Nigerians who have suffered from these ongoing floods.

Secondly, the Army, Navy, the Air Force and other paramilitary assets and coordinates, should be massively deployed to serve as relief workforce as a matter of national priority!

It is the case that millions of Nigerians are suffering as victims of these floods. It is also the case that there are no evacuation plans by the various levels of government throughout Nigeria.

Nigeria's ability to manage crisis is being severely tested. Thousands of homes are underwater and waterlogged. Millions of Nigerians are stranded and helpless in Amassoma, in Yenagoa, in Otuoke etc all in Bayelsa State.

Millions of Nigerians are similarly stranded across the majority of states nationwide. The Purpose And Role of Government in Nigeria in the circumstances should be questioned by all reasonable persons.

There have been unnecessary delays in the local, state and national response to this unfolding flood crises.

It is foreseeable and even predictable that the next stage of this flood crises would cholera and other waterborne and water-related, these, in addition to inflation, soaring food prices and a complex web of national mess, which are being overlooked or underestimated presently.

The price of petrol has gone up in Bayelsa and Rivers States, and so has the price of foodstuffs and much else. It is quite reasonable to extrapolate these experiences in Bayelsa and Rivers to other parts of Nigeria.

The ravages of floods nationwide and its consequences are being replicated from state to state; this is so, even in states or parts of Nigeria which are not directly affected by the floods.

Direct and indirect effects are being felt across Nigeria. Floods have disrupted and continues to disrupt millions of lives in Nigeria. Movement of persons, goods and services have been severely curtailed. Interstate commerce has been halted as roads and highways have been submerged in majority of Nigeria.

Nigeria road arteries are now clogged. And the direct translation of this is that, millions of Nigerians will not have their foods and other basic necessities delivered. Lives in Nigeria are be interrupted and disrupted.

Nigeria is not at war, and yet, so many federal roads are closed for days and endlessly!

This is a national emergency and it is a national security issue, it is in fact existential and government at all levels in Nigeria should see it and treat it and tackle it as such!

Nigeria Flooding Is A National Security Emergency; It Is Time Deploy the Army, Navy, Air Force Etc

2012-10-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Nigeria Flooding Is A National Security Emergency; It Is Time Deploy the Army, Navy, Air Force Etc Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday October 9, 2012 announced plans by the federal government of Nigeria to respond to the current ravages of floods throughout Nigeria. The government has established a committee and in addition, billions of Naira has been slated to be spent in addressing the plethora of problems arising from this massive flooding. Response to these floods so far is too slow and tepid at best and nonexistent at worst! The proper thing for the president, the federal government and all strata of government in Nigeria to have done and should urgently undertake, is, a public demonstration of empathy and sympathy with millions of Nigerians who have suffered from these ongoing floods. Secondly, the Army, Navy, the Air Force and other paramilitary assets and coordinates, should be massively deployed to serve as relief workforce as a matter of national priority! It is the case that millions of Nigerians are suffering as victims of these floods. It is also the case that there are no evacuation plans by the various levels of government throughout Nigeria. Nigeria's ability to manage crisis is being severely tested. Thousands of homes are underwater and waterlogged. Millions of Nigerians are stranded and helpless in Amassoma, in Yenagoa, in Otuoke etc all in Bayelsa State. Millions of Nigerians are similarly stranded across the majority of states nationwide. The Purpose And Role of Government in Nigeria in the circumstances should be questioned by all reasonable persons. There have been unnecessary delays in the local, state and national response to this unfolding flood crises. It is foreseeable and even predictable that the next stage of this flood crises would cholera and other waterborne and water-related, these, in addition to inflation, soaring food prices and a complex web of national mess, which are being overlooked or underestimated presently. The price of petrol has gone up in Bayelsa and Rivers States, and so has the price of foodstuffs and much else. It is quite reasonable to extrapolate these experiences in Bayelsa and Rivers to other parts of Nigeria. The ravages of floods nationwide and its consequences are being replicated from state to state; this is so, even in states or parts of Nigeria which are not directly affected by the floods. Direct and indirect effects are being felt across Nigeria. Floods have disrupted and continues to disrupt millions of lives in Nigeria. Movement of persons, goods and services have been severely curtailed. Interstate commerce has been halted as roads and highways have been submerged in majority of Nigeria. Nigeria road arteries are now clogged. And the direct translation of this is that, millions of Nigerians will not have their foods and other basic necessities delivered. Lives in Nigeria are be interrupted and disrupted. Nigeria is not at war, and yet, so many federal roads are closed for days and endlessly! This is a national emergency and it is a national security issue, it is in fact existential and government at all levels in Nigeria should see it and treat it and tackle it as such!

Nigeria Is Under Water Or Waterlogged!

2012-10-08T14:55:00.001-07:00

Nigeria Is Underwater or Waterlogged! Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. Nigeria is under water! Nigeria is literally underwater! 22 out of 36 federating states of Nigeria are rapidly being submerged. I recently wrote two articles in which I discussed the parlous condition of roads, highways and byways in Nigeria. In the first article, titled, "Nigeria, What Is The Role And Purpose Of Government?" http://www.modernghana.com/news/419209/1/nigeria-what-is-the-purpose-and-role-of-government.html and the second article was titled, "Port Harcourt Bridge Collapse; Emblematic Of Public Infrastructures In Nigeria" http://www.modernghana.com/news/419647/1/port-harcourt-bridge-collapse-emblematic-of-public.html The theme of above referenced articles centered on the planning, execution or implementation of Nigeria public infrastructures, with particular emphasis on the centrality of roads, highways and bridges as focus. Since then, what looked at the time as isolated incidents in Lokoja, Okene and some parts of Bayelsa State, have quickly become a national emergency. Nigeria is rife with speculations now, to the effect that the nation and government of Cameroon has decided to teach Nigeria and Nigerians a bit of lesson in war waged with water. And so it goes that Nigeria's neighbor with which we share a common border in the easternmost part, Cameroon, a nation with which Nigeria also share common history and culture war with water. This speculation regarding an orchestrated and choreographed war with water by Cameroon remains to be confirmed or proven. But what is beyond dispute, and it is the open secret, which is the poor state of roads, highways and bridges in Nigeria. What is observable and discernible to the ordinary eye, so far is, merely the flooding from seasonal happenstances without any domestic or Cameroonian or some other foreign conspiracies to be found in current floods ravaging Nigeria nationwide! It is mere human ineptness and wanton neglect wrapped in poor planning, marinated and sautéed in extreme lack of vision! The onset of the current floods deluges across the majority of Nigeria's federating 36 states. Rains and floods are foreseeable and even predictable. Purposeful government, and planners with a modicum of foresight would take measures to forestall damage and destruction. The Role and Purpose of Government in Nigeria of which I wondered loudly about recently, is now being put to the highest scrutiny as these floods ravages are spreading nationwide. And it is glaringly clear to all observers now, that many Nigerian roads are too poorly constructed. The flimsiest of floods have rendered roads vehicular-impassable. These present conditions which were precipitated by recent flood events, were clearly foreseeable, preventable and avoidable. Any reasonable or even cursory examination, would have reveal erosions and floods paths, which would of course should have required planners and contractors to deploy measures and resources to tackle what is now rapidly becoming a national disaster or catastrophe. In "Port Harcourt Bridge Collapse; Emblematic Of Public Infrastructures In Nigeria" I articulated the following "In South-South and South-East, the roadways are at their worst during the raining seasons and rain is a fact of life in these parts, it is incessant, an honest construction efforts therefore require a delicate balancing act in materials and timing of work." "These roads should be elevated above water levels and there must be adequate and sufficient grading, compacting and compressing of earth, cement, lots of cement and then gravels and asphalt!" "But sadly, the current mode (of roads and highways constructions) require earth movers mowing the topsoil and pouring asphalt and when the rains come, these feeble-flimsies are all washed away and this creates more opportunity for more contracts… a revolving door and road-tripping rolled-into-one!" The above statements are now more prescient, poignant and profound, in light of enormity and magnitude of harm, damage and displacements and dislocations which have been inflicted upon millions of Nigerians, as a direct result preventable flooding! The federal road between Warri through Patani which leads onwards to Bayelsa State is now closed and cordoned off by floods. It is the same for the so-called East-West Road which leads connects Bayelsa to Rivers States. The world already knows about the flood havocs in Okene, Lokoja, a major road artery to Abuja our nation's capital! Millions of Nigerians are now grappling with the consequences of poor public planning regarding our infrastructures by way of roads and bridges which are now off limits to all Nigerians. Floods are foreseeable and preventable... floods are liable to occur, depending on the geographical location, or terrain and topography. These are observable and discoverable natural phenomenon. What the strata of governments in Nigeria do, were Nigeria in locations such as Mississippi in the USA, or Amsterdam, in Holland or Florence and Sicily in Italy? There is an unfolding national disaster, and catastrophe which could severely test the, patience, the will and tolerance and endurance of Nigerians with food prices already rising so high nationwide. This nationwide disaster could be so cataclysmic and it could quickly convince Nigerians that our government at all levels are not fulfilling their purposes and roles as required and expected in a democracy. Enterprising unemployed in Delta State and elsewhere in Nigeria, where flooding has become a fact of daily life, have now resorted to helping to push stranded vehicles out of waterlogged ditches, potholes and gullies on what used to be Nigeria's poor excuse for highways before the floods. Federal highways are now controlled by the neglected unemployed youth, for a fee. And so, sundry Area Boys and others, have joined in to fill the vacuum, in the profound absence by traffic wardens, police personnel, Federal Roads Safety Corps and sundry uniformed military and paramilitary, who ought to control traffic and or manage the crisis which is rapidly enveloping Nigeria through floods! The movements of goods and services, and everything connected with interstate commerce have come to a complete halt. Life in Nigeria has come to a grinding stop. Price of foodstuff have risen sharply, and in some accounts, prices of goods and services have quadrupled due to increased travel or transportation costs arising from road closures. And all of these begs the question, What Is The Role And Purpose of Government In Nigeria?

2012-09-24T07:37:00.002-07:00

Port Harcourt Bridge Collapse; Emblematic Of Public Infrastructures In Nigeria Written by Paul I. Adujie Esq. As I wrote to complain and gripe about the traffic mayhem and gridlocks on Nigerian roads last week, and more particularly so, about the traffic standstill in Choba Port Harcourt, a bridge on a major road artery in Port Harcourt actually collapsed soon after! I suspect the collapse is an exemplar of dearth of quality in construction, a lack of quality constructions both private and public structures in Nigeria. Across the world, I have traveled on bridges which are 300 years old, and yet, the collapsed bridge in Port Harcourt is a miserly 10 year old bridge! I am not an engineer, but, I know and have seen bridges and roadways built to be suitable for the locale upon which such bridges are erected; therefore, no excuses are acceptable to reasonable persons! I have traveled widely in the Americas including the Caribbean and through Europe, I have seen airports, roads and bridge built on lands reclaimed from waterlogged terrains. And to this extent, building great roads in waterlogged terrains such as in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom States etc, is surely not rocket science! It is a national disgrace and public shame that the bridge which collapsed in Port Harcourt is less than ten years old! Most bridges in New York are over one hundred years old! What quality of workmanship or perverse satisfaction is there to glean from the demise of that Port Harcourt bridge? Roadways, highways, bridges and airports have been built in Amsterdam, Holland, in the Mississippi Delta, USA, in Florence and Sicily, Italy etc, places where building any structures are quite challenging as any! And as a result, rivers, seas and heavy body of waters, adequate measures ought and should be taken from onset of all physical structures. What then is it, that our local and foreign counterparts who are in-charge of Nigerian roads, bridges and other public infrastructures miss or don’t get? Great bridges, roads, highways, airports and other monumental infrastructures have been erected or built on lands reclaimed from rivers and seas worldwide. There is nothing unique, special or peculiar about road constructions in Nigeria! All that is required is that, builders know the topography and terrain, then plan and execute projects suitable and sustainable. There are too many roads, bridges and other sundry public infrastructures in Nigeria lacking structural integrity. These are almost always painfully obvious, both private and public structures. Why are too many overpaid contractors allowed to cut corners? Whatever happened to integrity in these processes? Why can’t our construction engineers engage in Best-Practices? Know local terrains and the particular and peculiar challenges! Bidding for road constructions should not be a one size-fits-all-per-mile proposition. Localities and terrain challenges or extent of difficulties should be taken into consideration, always. Nigerian engineers and their foreign counterparts working on constructions of Nigerian roads and highways most probably know exactly what they are doing. The poor construction outcomes to which we all bear witness in Nigeria nationwide are a result poor planning, poor supervision and lackadaisical attitudes; this, in addition to conflict of interests and cozy relationship between government officials and contractors. There are said to be incestuous relationships between government officials and the constructions companies and their proxies or fronts… they conspire, connive and collude to do repeated disservice to the Nigerian public which they are supposed to serve. In South-South and South-East, the roadways are at their worst during the raining seasons and rain is a fact of life in these parts, it is incessant, an honest construction efforts therefore require a delicate balancing act in materials and timing of work. These roads should be elevated above water levels and there must be adequate and sufficient grading, compacting and compressing of earth, cement, lots of cement and then gravels and asphalt! But sadly, the current mode require earth movers mowing the topsoil and pouring asphalt and when the rains come, these feeble-flimsies are all washed away and this creates more opportunity for more contracts… a revolving door and road-tripping rolled-into-one! There exist, a classic case of most insidious incestuous relationship borne of and wrapped in, planned obsolescence. The contractors do sloppy, and shoddy work, and they are poorly supervised if at all, by their friends in government, and then, as the sloppy-shoddy work fall apart, voila, there are new sets of contracts! Hence Lagos-Benin-Ore has been in perpetual construction since all of my adult years! Does anyone remember the number of years in which major highways in Nigeria have been continuously under contract? Are there ever timeline performance and staggered payments hinged on performance? Are there penalty clauses or even punitive damages against these construction companies depending on their pace of completion of these Nigerian roads projects? Emohua after Ebah dead body seen at eleven AM still there at 5PM along the East-West Roadway, corpse still there, after a full day, and we are not anarchic or at war? Terrible roads impinges on commerce, economic activities and by extension of simple extrapolation, national development, there is therefore a direct correlation between as slow anemic economic growth and the parlous state of our roads! Lagos-Ore-Benin road and Port Harcourt Yenagoa-East-West Road are case studies in endless repairs and delinquent contractors A Nigerian upon learning of the Port Harcourt bridge collapse, encapsulate her feelings in the following choice-words “Collapsing, disgraceful, disgusting, dilapidated, stressful, deplorable, nightmarish and, very bad, are probably the right adjectives to describe the present state of some federal highways in the south-east geo-political zone of Africa’s (most populous)nation, Nigeria.” This bridge collapse represents, yet another failure on part of the government. And for so many millions of Nigerians who have to travel on these treacherous, extremely hazardous roads, the collapse is one more incident too many on our roads! And just when I thought the bridge collapse in Port Harcourt was distressing enough, coupled with my recent experience in Choba Port Harcourt, and the corpse left on the roadway at Emuoha etc. Unfortunately, there are more tales of woes on Nigerian roads! My lawyer friend could not get a flight from Abuja and he chose road travel to Yenagoa. His experience was not more beguiling than mine and that of millions of Nigerians on Nigerian highways. He told me that he left Abuja by chartered car and upon passing Lokoja and nearing Okene, whole road was flooded, what Nigerian Newspapers have collectively referred to or dubbed as The "Kogi Floods" and Bayelsa bound vehicular traffic were stuck, while Abuja bound traffic were re-routed through a bush path. Abuja bound traffic passed, but, the Bayelsa were stuck after lokoja… near Okene until next morning, for 14 hours in traffic, then he and others have to find lodging accommodation until next morning. He eventually left Okene at 7AM on Sunday, arriving Yenagoa at 1:30PM, this is a journey which began on Saturday at 7:00AM from Abuja to Yenagoa should have ended at about 5:00PM in Bayelsa on Saturday! Meanwhile, a hefty contract have been long awarded for dredging to prevent this River Niger floods which have repeatedly caused these percolating waters on federal roads between Lokoja and Okene, this contract is said to be Naira-heavy, a trillion Naira, and yet, Nigerians in their millions continue to suffer extremely. A trip from Abuja to Okene should beabout 1hour and 45 minutes, but instead of 1 hour 45minutes, it took 14 hours and a sleepover! We can only imagine the physical, emotional, and financial implications of all these on the individual, as well as the mechanical stress on the vehicles. Commerce, the movement of goods and services are severely disrupted and so are family lives throughout Nigeria; all thanks to terrible roadways in Nigeria! There ought to be research, statistics and detailed assessments on the overall or global impact of all these on the Nigerian economy, and the impact of all these on national development.