Thursday, October 1, 2009

Nigerians Celebrate 49 years of Hide and Seek game.


I am here again; to write about this country I call my country. Thou, I am writing this time but it is not to denounce my loyalty to the country, but to list out ways in which the past and present government of this country Nigeria as forced this country of mine to act disloyally to me as a person and as a citizen. This is the better time to say it I suggest, because there is no better time than this which I have. In previous years, article upon article as been writing, edited and published on a local, national and international newspaper by numerous activist and golden people who take the ware fare, success and peace of their dear country a “to die priority”. But a question always resound in my hear drum which is; why does the country still remain constant and keep reversing backward? This actually as turn out to be two questions against one which I said it was, but that is not a national concern as the national concern should be why is their a why in the issue of Nigeria? Leaving the servile citizen on a dreadlock that is harsh, you find these words coming out in the lips of every citizen; Oh God! Why me, Why us? The present and previous situation which this “poor” country as fallen a victim of is enough to make this profane statement come out from the blessed lips of every citizen. From the educational sector down to the health sector, down to the financial sector all this I have mentioned among others are all butt of this “ national malnutrition” which as left the country under a deck status since independent.
As the year runs past each one of us, we all have one story to tell regarding our standard of living and the impact of the law to us as a citizen. My story is lengthy and at the same time it as always been repeated from year to hear among major people who intend to listen to my own story. I could recall in 2003 I told a story regarding the then ongoing strike, which left the Nigerian university under a paralytic state and now I am here again to tell the same story. We need a change as the USA president Barrack Obama put it “change we need” so also I am putting it to the leaders of our country Nigeria “A Change We Need” we don’t want to be saying the same story again. Nigerians’ “we really and always bury our heads in the sand and that as really kept us behind”. This as really been a bur under my saddle and I sincerely find it hard to let go. The burning question is that; corruption is now the order of the day in every hide and crack of the country. And the only way to free ourselves form this mischievous bondage is to realize that we are under the bondage of corruption and we really need to free ourselves from it by reorient ting our selves. The leaders are corrupt we say but there is one thing we fail to understand we are the leader of our land, so the success of our country is in our hands. As I was saying earlier we always bury our heads under the sand by indulging all type of mischievous and chalets attitude displayed by the people we appoint to represent us in government, as I usually say about the statement uttered by some unscrupulous element in the government who clam to be representing the people but meanwhile they represent their own lost for power and mammon for their families. The secret I see behind this corrupt leaders is that ‘they store up wealth for their children, grand children, great grand children and great great grand children cause they are not confident on those children to get power and wealth or get the opportunity they have now in the future’.
Nigeria celebrates her 49 years in grand style today I employ you to think of this a child was giving birth to in the year 1960 would have grown up to be what kind of man? The answers to this question is obvious, would he have grown up to be like Governor Raji Fashola or like a sacked bricklayer? Or like the likes of barrack obama or like an insane man walking on the street of New York without no job to rely on or home to rest his head?
Moreover, we need prayers and not churches which serve as a financial institute for the ministers and to some prominent rich people, they leave the poor congregation who are finding it hard to either secure a job or get admission into the university at the expenses of paying offerings and tight. we need to change the way insight are been passed and created.

Monday, July 13, 2009

CHILDREN THE KEY TO DEVELOPMENT.

phto129l children as we all know are more than “useless” to the society. they tend to be a key trend to every developed nation. there is no doubt about the fact that “children are the future of tomorrow” so before i commence with my write up i will want to plot out a little poem which goes like this:

little wonder, the children play all day

shouting, chanting and screaming all day on top of there voice.

the grass was green, their foot were dirty with so much mold from the soil. the sky was blue and smiling on the children, like a mother sitting right at the corner of the garden watching her children play with much love.

their eyes were blue, looking as thou they see a brighter future ahead of them. the cloud changing as thou it was going to rain. the children still playing not minding if it was going to rain or not.

there came a loud thunder, shouting so loud than a gong can. the thunder was like shout of a father, asking his children to get in and read and stop the playing.

then the children who acknowledge the fact that was going to rain, start shouting on the voice with this popular melody; rain way go away……………

to me they seem as thou they were pleading to their dad, they want to play more and continue their fun in the garden. but the rain started falling and they all ran inside and start reading poems and stories. truly they were really obedient to there parent, they could here the massage passed to them by this beautiful nature. 

 

Back to my write-up, i think it is better for a nation to pave a place in her policy to cater for this children. So i was so astonished when i went through a daily newspaper and i found a page dedicated to the children, to me it a fascinating idea i will employ all government to practice. so before one can think of development in a state or any nation one should pave and create a standardize future for this children. sincerely, if the past generation really train our present generation on how to handle economic problem i am certain this global meltdown we are experiencing now will never come to place because they would have been taught on how to tackle economic recession when it come to place. so i will like to urge every country of the world and all cooperate organization to invest tiredly on this children. it is really an obligation and a responsibility impose on us all from God. with reference to the bible i will like to draw your attention to an incident in the bible due to that lead to the punishment of a reputable priest which name was Eli. his children where not clean in the sight of God, so God decided to punish him and his sons. to avoid the rot of God i guess we need to create time for this children since they are the future of tomorrow.

without this children  i see no existence of a state, because it is because of this children we are happy of tomorrow so why don’t we create a better tomorrow for them? the children surely hold the history. without you there is no history for them to talk about, likewise without them there is no history to pass on. so it is really what we teach them they pass on. presently Nigeria is faced with problem and that is taking control of this present leaders of tomorrow who are taught on how to lute money once they are in power. sorry to say this is what will be passed on if nothing is done to address this issue.

furthermore, i will like to plead on all this war fighting nation to at least clear the air peacefully, so as to save our children from learning “warism”. vividly, this word can’t be found in the advance English dictionary put i bet you it is an ideology that can be used by children who are exposed to it. so employ all developed and developing nation of the world to strive hard and build great children as wonderful leaders of tomorrow……..

So i will like you to always stay on to this blog as the continuation to this drastical article will be completed soon. Thanks for reading.

Friday, July 3, 2009

ME,ME AND ME.

I am glued to the chair and I can’t help myself taking my eyes off the television. I was ‘impressed’ rhetorically to what I see and just heard on this device. It was written boldly as an heading “activities in the varsities is now paralyzed due to ASUU strike”, then a taught stroke me that what is the meaning of all this? I ask myself. Then I increasing fixed my eyes on the television like I was going to get an answer I glanced more, suddenly there was news ‘that government as granted amnesty to the people of Niger delta’. Then I came to realize that the government dually doesn’t care for her citizen, I stood up and made my way to the bedroom to sleep over it having it in mind that I am going to put all in my mind to writing tomorrow morning.
I tiredly woke up and quickly looked at the wall clock seeing that it is past eight I said my morning prayer and made a quick gripe to my towel then made my way to the bathroom where I had my bath and get my tooth brushed. I seem to be prepared for the task ahead of me today.

ASUU STRIKE

ASUU strike, again!

THE yearly arm-wrestling tournament between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government underscores the degree of contempt which the government and ASUU leadership have for each other. ASUU's latest decision to drag its members out of university classrooms and laboratories, as well as the government's nonchalance over the adverse impact of that ASUU decision, show quite clearly that neither ASUU nor the government cares about the consequences of constant disruptions to university education across the country.

In the current dispute, ASUU seems to be holding the moral high ground, if we believe its key argument for declaring an industrial strike effective from this week. At a press conference in Akure on Monday this week, the national president of ASUU, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, exposed the backside of Umaru Yar'Adua's administration when he contended that ASUU was forced "to take the painful decision to declare a total and indefinite strike to compel the government to take the path of honour for once and sign the agreement reached after more than two years of painstaking and scientific negotiations".

It is indeed absurd and utterly unacceptable that a government which proclaims itself as a product of a democratic process has continued to apply underhanded strategies normally associated with authoritarian regimes. When the Federal Government signs an agreement with any organisation, group or agency, it is expected that the government should abide by the terms and conditions of that contract. However, it is a mark of arrogance and small-mindedness for a government to deliberately ignore, dishonour or desecrate the same agreement it endorsed without justifiable reasons.

The Federal Government's evasive attitude to complaints about crumbling standards in the universities is evidence of an adult behaving badly. And it is that bad conduct on the part of Yar'Adua's government that has given ASUU the upper hand in its latest fight with the government. ASUU's decision to go on "a total and indefinite strike", despicable as it might appear, should be perceived as the unintended consequence of the Federal Government's obstinacy and flagrant refusal to honour an agreement the government signed with ASUU nearly 24 months ago.

This strike is a public relations disaster for Yar'Adua's government. But, would the Federal Government care? For a government that has developed exclusive rights to sluggishness as a way of doing business, the ASUU strike may not show up in Yar'Adua's consciousness radar as a sensitive issue to be resolved immediately. Going by the lethargic pace with which the government has been approaching issues of national significance, no one should expect Yar'Adua to hurry up to resolve this industrial standoff. In Aso Rock, it could be business as usual, whether or not ASUU holds on to the strike till the next election.

In the past, during the overbearing rule of Olusegun Obasanjo, the nation was led to believe that constant industrial disputes between ASUU and the government was due to Obasanjo's intolerance of alternative viewpoints, not to forget his legendary dislike for university teachers. Now, we know that Yar'Adua, the controversial political offspring of Obasanjo's government, has adopted wholesale the abusive character trait which Obasanjo passed on to him on May 29, 2007.

For failing to honour its agreement with ASUU, Yar'Adua's government has cast itself in the image of a termite that destroys higher education standards across the nation. Yar'Adua seems to have this weird idea that the nation can limp on with or without life in the universities. As a former academic, Yar'Adua must be ashamed that he has not shown goodwill to the ASUU leadership.

Here is how ASUU president Awuzie captured the protracted nature of the rounds of negotiations with the Federal Government, including the cagey strategies adopted by the government. Hear him: "...in March, we were told that the agreement would be signed before the end of April. At the end of April, we were told that it would be signed on May 7. On May 7, we were told the Permanent Secretary, who has no role in signing the papers, was not in the country. On May 10, we got a text message inviting us for the signing on Tuesday, May 12 at the NUC. When we got there, there was no programme. The event turned out to be a classic case of deception. Enough is enough."

Awuzie also told journalists at the press conference in Akure: "... the negotiating teams searched for, and arrived at minimal conditions for reversing the decay in the university system and these include an agreement that if Nigeria is to get to where it ought to be, a minimum of 26 per cent of the yearly budget of the states and the Federal Government should be allocated to education... With this level of funding, we can halt the growing inability of the children of the underprivileged to get education. The teams also agreed that, in line with what the Nigerian Constitution allows, the Federal Government should as appropriate, provide assistance to states in areas of higher education."

Four days since the allegations were made, the government has chosen to keep mum. In the past, I had written articles critical of ASUU's decision to adopt strikes as a major weapon to achieve its goals. My position has not changed but I am miffed by the degree of arrogance that continues to ooze from the government team negotiating with ASUU. To be certain, ASUU is justifiably concerned by the lack of faith and commitment shown by the government toward its complaints about the disintegration of equipment in the universities, including falling standards of teaching, research and community service.

As I argued in an article written on May 2, 2008 when ASUU observed what it described as a "warning strike" designed to force federal education authorities to recall the dismissed 49 academic staff members of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): "How can scientific research and knowledge be advanced in the universities when basic equipment and infrastructure are unavailable or have since decayed? ASUU has an obligation to ensure that teaching and research at the universities are conducted in an environment that promotes learning." In the current climate, ASUU can't do much without financial and moral support from the government.

I have heard the argument that there is nothing to lose if ASUU pulls down the university education system that lacks quality. Advocates of this view often contend that it is better to incinerate a flawed education system in order to build a stronger and more robust tertiary education system that everyone - students, parents and education administrators - would gladly associate with. It is a reckless argument. If Nigeria's higher education system is faulty, pulling it down is not the best way to rebuild or restructure it.

For a long time, the Nigerian public assumed that the ASUU leadership went on regular strikes because they were terrified by the prospect of the Federal Government introducing radical changes in the university system, particularly changes designed to promote accountability and enhance academic standards, as well as expose the flaws in the system. The issues that underpin this latest ASUU strike show quite clearly that it is the Federal Government that is scared of improving the university system.

Whether this ASUU strike is resolved sooner or later, there will be consequences for the endless interruptions to teaching and research, including community service rendered by academic staff of universities. For every day the strike is sustained, the nation loses in terms of hours of productivity. Not only will universities record a significant decline in the quality of teaching and research, the graduates of Nigerian universities will also lose their appeal and competitiveness among graduates from other overseas countries. In terms of job opportunities, overseas job recruitment officers will avoid rather than rush to Nigeria to recruit our graduates. Who wants to hire graduates of a university system that constantly experiences disruptions to academic schedule?

Whenever ASUU coughs in its campaign to entrench high standards in teaching and research at the universities, it is the university students and graduates who will be in the frontline of the victims of ASUU's cold and flu - in a metaphoric sense. ASUU strike, whatever its objectives might be, is a double whammy that undermines the academic progress of current students and job prospects of graduates. When ASUU goes on strike and the nation gasps "ASUU strike, again!" it is necessary to understand the underlying reasons for the strike, even if we do not agree with the use of strikes as an instrument to resolve
industrial disputes.







UPDATED AT 18.15GMT
Senate panel to meet Egwu, ASUU over strike
The Senate Committee on Education will on Tuesday meet with the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has been on an industrial strike since last week. According to a statement by secretary to the committee, Mr. Felix Orumwense, the meeting would allow both parties to exchange views on how best to put an end to the strike. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Joy Emodi had suggested that the Education Trust Fund (ETF) be made to devote its resources to the funding of tertiary institutions in the country.

No swine flu in Nigeria, govt assures
Minister for Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin has assured Nigerians that there was no case of Swine Flu in the country, noting that the disease was "now a close call to home." Addressing reporters on Monday in Abuja, he said surveillance had been beefed up at all major entry points into the country to forestall any possible outbreak, alerting state commissioners of health and training epidemiologists to identify the disease. The assurance is coming as the epidemic fears hit the Wimbledon tennis championships on Monday with WHO figures on the disease showing increase, leaping past 70,000 while Australian researchers said a vaccine could be ready in months. Osotimehin said it was management of the disease that mattered but its prevention, noting that Nigeria was one of the first countries in Africa to have accredited laboratories for the diagnosis and treatment of pandemic. The minister reiterated that Africa has recorded 10 cases in four countries.

ASUU, UI management disagree
The striking teachers of the University of Ibadan (UI) and the management are now on war path over the institution's directive to staff and students to proceed on a two-week compulsory leave. The teachers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said since they were already on strike, the decision was illegal and an attempt to infiltrate their ranks. ASUU, in a statement made available to reporters and signed by the chapter president, Dr. Ademola Aremu, said the vacation was meant for workers on service and not after the strike had been pronounced by the union. "The purported emergency Senate Meeting attended by 26 out of not less than over 500 men is a violation of the strike which is total and indefinite," ASUU said. Aremu maintained that the imposition of a two-week leave on staff by the institution's management was dictatorial and a betrayal of the ongoing strike. "Leave is meant for workers on service and not for workers, who are already on strike, the directive feigns ignorance of national strike which has been communicated to the management, such pretence is tantamount to a denial of the right of our members on strike. Furthermore, the purported Senate decision that teaching and non teaching staff should proceed on involuntary leave is nothing but a negation of one of the affirmation of the Governing Council that workers have a right to embark on strike," Aremu noted.

AC accuses PDP of undermining democracy
The Action Congress (AC) has accused President Umaru Yar'Adua and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of undermining the country's democracy and the rule of law by aligning with elected officials who are cross- carpeting. In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party criticised the President for personally witnessing Bauchi Governor Isa Yuguda's crossover from the ANPP to the PDP, even when the people of the state who voted him into office on the platform of the ANPP did not approve of the move. "Carpet-crossing is undermining democracy. Therefore, openly aligning with those engaged in it undermines the nation's democracy. It is worse when the President, who is an apostle of rule of law, is the one encouraging such illegality,'' AC said. The party warned that it would head to court to seek judicial interpretation over the decision of an AC Senator in Plateau State, Satty Gogwim, who is decamping to the PDP.

Madoff bags 150 years prison term
Convicted swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison on Monday for fraud so extensive that the judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to those who might imitate his fraud and to victims who need relief. Applause broke out in the crowded Manhattan courtroom after U.S. District Judge Denny Chin issued the maximum sentence on the 71-year-old defendant, who said he sought no forgiveness and knew he must live "with this pain, this torment, for the rest of my life." Chin rejected a request by Madoff's lawyer for leniency and said he disagreed that victims of the fraud were seeking mob vengeance. "Here the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and that this kind of manipulation of the system is not just a bloodless crime that takes place on paper, but one instead that takes a staggering toll," Chin said. The Judge said the estimate that Madoff has cost his victims more than $13 billion was conservative because it did not include money from feeder funds. "Objectively speaking, the fraud here was staggering," the judge said. Before Chin announced the sentence, Madoff, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and a tie, sat and listened as emotional witnesses described how he spoiled their security.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

GOOD GOVERNANCE IN MY MOTHER'S LAND.

To start writing I want to make something sound clear and God bears me witness, that I am not writing with abhorrence neither with revulsion against my country Nigeria, but with so much amity and adoration towards her. But the again, I have been forced to write due to the things I see everyday which looks so substandard and hazardous. In Nigeria we have different problems tackling the country’s pace to development, yet we don’t plan to eradicate this problem. One paramount thing I notice in Nigeria, is this we act as we are been called “big brother of Africa” or against what we are been called “giant of Africa” so with this title getting into our heads we don’t bother to make things anymore rather we buy things. This state put the county into big loss, because the actual cost that will be used to produce an item will not be up to the amount used in acquiring an item already made by an outside country. So what are we saying? Instead of buying let us produce. I was once opportune to have met hustling citizen of this country and a very fellow of mine. He was on his way to his daily business when he approached me and said “truly I know you write with so much enthusiasm and write with optimism”, he further said you are a boy that always try to avoid nepotism and fight hard for justice and peace.” I was so perplex by his words and he told me I have been wasting my time trying to clear the effluence caused or rather created by the wicked, self centered, and depraved ones who hate to see the poor rise.
There are so many sorts of people who belong to rich class, they always want to control every thing that goes on and if they are not giving the chance they go extra miles getting it through sanction or force. Back to my friend who was swelling my heads with some praises and at the same time dissuade from speaking out what pains inwardly and also live me in total grieve. due to some of my write ups he was impressed but still have this odor in mind, that things can not be better since he a graduate can be on the street or rather market of idumota hustling.
I was made to reason with him and also feel his aching, I indeed liked him because he gave me some form of recommendation about me country or rather I say our country. We where not mate in any direction, he was far older that me with maybe 20years ahead of my age, but still he do humble himself to talk and gist with me when less busy. There was a time I told him I add not entered into the university and it always pain me to see some of my peers going for lectures in there different institution, then he told me not to be bothered that I should still persist doing my best when sitting for an exam. So I was forced to pull a question to him that, while don’t he like reading newspaper? He answered that he hated the news always published on the newspaper, because most times he reads stories about ministers cut for corruption of over 50billions of naira and when you read on you hear that they are been granted bail of 50million. Then he asked what will happen to the remainder of the money he was been accused of stealing? He also said, in the same newspaper we read about how Nigeria spend over billions of dollars buying petroleum product while the money is supposed to be used in acquiring machines or rather refinery engines to make petroleum ourselves. He said this act is a form of corrupt practice, most times the buyers are wrong people who want to manipulate Nigerians by coming here and selling in outrageous price. I reasoned with him and I was bewildered that if a man like this should talk of his country this way what will majority be saying of this lazy country with lazy leaders? I say lazy leaders because, our leaders think things will tend to be good and normal with mere talking and laying policy without action.
I came to think about a policy or let me call it a ‘project’ that our new information minister Dora Akiyinlu is embarking on and which the president as promised to kick off any moment from now, they call it “re branding Nigeria”. When they now talk about re branding now I thought they should have amended the ills and bad effect which past government have inflicted on us the ‘poor’ masses. ‘Poor’ is quoted because when we look at the country and when statistics are carried out when the country is been attacked by canker worms and flying 'beetle' with weevil, we see that its is not all that feel the pain rather it’s those masses who don’t have holdings maybe I rather say fortune that drastically suffer from the ill treatment pounded on them by the ‘despot’ who call themselves rulers.
Now is the time our leaders should define what kind of leaders they are, they can’t just be hiding under the umbrella of democracy and yet become tyrants by ways of not providing basic amenities, employment for the unemployed and good shelter for the masses above all things they should endeavor to increase the standard of living of her citizens. And I think when all this things are done we, the president and Dora herself can proudly boost of accomplishing re branding project.
I would not say we have suffered cause a suffered person dose not right rather cry and will be have dead rather we have tried never to get tired so I think it is not the best time for our parent to eat the fruit of the labor back in the 60s and I also think this is the right time for our great legends and hero to beat their chest in the heavenly kingdom saying there policy lead to this and that. I will urge Mr president to do the right thing and not to bluff about anything which is not yet done, that is the much reason I will not stop commending the governor of Lagos state; Babatunde Raji Fashola, immediately he came to office I guess it’s before he came to office he saw the problem lingering on Lagos state and the people he came in and started work not ‘gathering’ what will be done but ‘implementing’ what should be done. Many governors as come and gone non of them came to any positive conclusion as he as done but he came in and distinct himself from them and that is what is needed among leaders of today “you must distinct yourself positively from the past leaders to deliver positively to the people” and this term is not understandable by most of our leader and it is a pity to know that. Bad leaders in the previous Nigeria as shown that Nigeria needs a leadership orientating school or institution to prepare them for the future ahead and foster them to tackle problems and not add or inflict it the more.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

THE EFFECT OF DEREGULATION TO NIGERIA ECONOMY.

It has been a very long while since I put my pen on paper, but the delinquent in our society has forced me to do this, thus, what should be a delightful applause as turned around to be a scornful boo. Suffice you to note however that, Nigeria is a country that gained independent from the British colonial master in the year 1960, which will be approximately 51 years from now, during this period Nigeria was known to have practiced two major system of government in governing her people; this is the Parliamentary and Federal System of government. Nonetheless, suffice me to note that, at the dawn of Nigeria, Nigeria’s economy has been a little scrum satisfactory, but not too satisfactory in the outside sense, due to the fact that she cannot boast of satisfying over 80% of her citizens, leaving most of her citizen in abject poverty and abysmal health. Far gone, Nigeria has odds with her economy, leading to low standard of living of her citizen to a low standard of economy/development; they are given second class level over the globe, if not 3rd class. However, these are many of the issues that will be addressed in this essay, though it’s rapt to bring to the understanding of many people the evil and peril our so called leaders have exposed us to.
It is amazing to note that the government of Nigeria, which is not made up of 25% of the population spend over 25% of the national budget. What an irony you may wonder, but I want you to ponder on my submission that the government should do something about the budget been allocated to it (slashing or reducing it drastically I will humbly suggest). I was taught in my Government subject while in secondary school that it is very expensive running a Federal System of government, but I was not taught in that same subject that practicing a Federal System will lead to the collapse of a country’s economy or lead to INDEBTEDNESS as Nigeria has experienced in the past in the hands of past leaders.

What is even deregulation that we hear the government gabbing? Deregulation is however a process of government limiting its control in a sector or means of economical production. However, instead of government sizing control of these sectors, private bodies of individual are left to handle such sectors, deregulation can symmetrically mean privatization. Conversely, this is a means of capitalizing the economy, but it is not full capitalism in that sense, because governments still carry out some control measures on these sectors.
In point of fact, one may blame the leaders for the mayhem that has hit different sectors of the country’s economy, because they were the ones who controlled and still control over 50% of the country’s system of production or economical resources ruling out private ownership or let me call it privatization. The good, the bad and the ugly need to be blamed for the present position the country is in, in international scoring or reports, Nigeria is far below the standard of development among her contemporary countries. But sincerely the person I will make my blames to be lenient on his great Obafemi Awolowo (AWO), ruling out nepotism he had visions for his mother land but he was not giving a chance to rule and administer; the truth of the matter is that, he might have done less but no chance to access him, “he was a president Nigeria never had”. The little chance he hard was utilized by him neatly and that was while he was able to establish free education at primary and secondary level, I can go all the way to write his good deeds but that is not my main motive of picking my pen to write, although, Awolowo should not be exonerated because he also have a share of the blame in Nigeria.

And I will like to make my main motive made clear to my readers that deregulation has positive and negative effect to the nation’s economy depending on how the country’s private bodies can handle things in Nigeria and how government can carry out policies that will checkmate this private bodies for the benefit of the citizenry. But the private bodies are not given the chance to operate with ‘free hands’ in many of our economic sector or system of production, especially in areas like Agriculture and petroleum.
From my own point of view deregulation has a lot of positive effect to Nigerian economy, because with deregulation been given a chance in Nigeria we will have private bodies handling the nation’s economy or let me say petroleum industry and thus increasing and given rise to competition of services rendered.
With my recent accessing of things in this country, we many times mistake to a nation, I have found out that, private bodies are not always allowed to have their stake in the running of the country’s economy, if however they are given the chance, they will however be frustrated out of the system of the country. Many factors contribute to this factor, one of which is corruption at its peak in this country, the other is all-out insecurity in the country, another is lack of basic infrastructures in the country, however, I can go on and on to list so many factors that have contributed in making private bodies to shy away from investing and interfering into Nigeria’s economy. As many of us may be harboring doubt about the government generosity when it says it want to deregulate a sector, we tend not to trust the government based on antecedents. I belief that if 10% of our past leaders have been on the right track and have being implementing the right policies for the betterment of the general populace, Nigeria will not be witnessing the enormity we are living with today.
As with the recent happening in the country and the recent scene Nigeria as found herself, many people have the conviction that deregulation of a sector will first inflict hardship and punishment on the people before things begin to normalize in the nearest future which may take years. The government has given deregulation a bad name that the novice have to live with for a very long period in time.
Also, it is in Nigeria however that we see democracy in the form of dictatorship, it is however pertinent to note that, the government of this country to a great extent have not convinced the people into buying to the idea of deregulation. The recent action of the Goodluck Jonathan administration however depict dictatorship tendencies, need me remember the government that; democracy is and ought to remain a government by the people for the people and to the people and not in the reverse as we see in the country Nigeria. The government has failed to understand the people and has failed to understand the different between what is right and wrong.

For the mere fact that “the removal of fuel subsidy” is right and with a good intension does not make the government in action (removing the fuel subsidy at a wrong and bad time for Nigerians). It is shocking to note that the policy of “fuel subsidy” in the downstream or any sector is wasteful and corrupted, however, that does not make subsidy policy the “mother” of all corruption, in other words, Nigerians to my best understanding are clamoring that the government should address and deal with the “mother” of corruption, that is, mismanagement of public funds, non accountability and many more. However, just like Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, special advisers to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Mon, suggested new income taxes on the rich in the society and more public investment in health, infrastructures, security and many more. The Goodluck administration is forgetting something about being a leader and running a country like Nigeria, it is not enough to have budgeted almost half of the Nations budget on security alone, it far goes beyond that in a corrupt country like Nigeria.
Conclusively, it surprise me to hear the government claiming they subsidize a sector in which they have no full control over, most of the activities that goes on in the downstream sector are mostly carried out by private bodies like Shell, Chevron and a whole lot of others, however the whole activities carried out in the downstream sector seems corrupt. Deregulation is advantageous because it gives room to government to invest in other sectors of the economy that will improve the standard of living of the citizenry. However, that is not the case here in Nigeria, as money to be used to build infrastructures and establish a fabulous policies are used to manage the government which we run. Government and politics in Nigeria as being painted to mean a profession to enrich ones pocket and that of the people unborn, I respect civil societies, the citizenry and pressure groups coming out to kick against corruption and indiscipline in governance. It is only in Nigeria that we see leaders totally disconnected from the people in the grass root but dine with people at the higher level. It is so pathetic and sadistic that many Nigerians have to undergo these ill-mannered people attitude.
I will like to commend the action of Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola, who have tried to build a formidable relationship between the people and government by coming closer to them in all manner, right from school children and the people on the street.

2015 is near and we would be faced with making some formidable choices.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!


This article was originally written and published by me, Richard Oluseye Anthony (@Roluseye) on this blog in 2009 when I was just entering the University of Ibadan for my undergraduate program. I have really not had time to form my thoughts into writing in the past few years and I hope to resume on that as I have made up my mind to dive into the academia as well as carry out my entrepreneurial skill.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

'MOTHER'...

Dear mother, how do you do?
I have been on the street,
living you all alone to your fate.
I was stupid to have done that,
if not crazy to have left you one minute.

So sincerely I never mean to leave you,
but was perplexed by what I see from the outside.
you have been good to me mother,
let me say you have been good to all your children
you gave us things equally and evenly,
how then will I have to leave you?
Why then will I have to trade you for a Naira or Dollars,

Without your sincerity and generosity i wonder,
where will I be.
I have been waiting for an answer to a question
that have been troubling my heart for decades now,
the question is why do my people suffer?
I am under your care so i need an answer from you mother.
I now taught about it re branding can it work in me,
while my people suffer I talk about re branding,
am I been just to this people? Mother Africa free us,
free me free our lands free our people from this rout that as befalling.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

ON THE STREET OF LAGOS.

In the street of Lagos, Nigeria things I see everyday looks humorous and a bit laughing matter. To me the family is a vital thing and privilege that every being must have. I will be writing on this matter which you my reader milt find hilarious, but to me it’s painful. I was opportune to work down the street one faithful Saturday morning on my way to my destination, I found so many ‘people’ trooping themselves together to watch a movie which I never had interest on at first sight because it appears to me that its one of those movie which I had watch before, but to my fascination I have watched the movie before which English language was spoken all through and for this one which they all stand and watch it was Yoruba that was spoken all through by some white. I come to ask my self is it possible for these actors to act Yoruba version movie? While will the national and video board allow movies like this to be revised to Yoruba version without any license agreement with the original copy right? To my fascination I saw the popularly know coming to America by Wesley snipes, was been translated to Yoruba. After accessing all this it pains me more seeing most children and adult gathering to get a glance at this movie. This made me to start developing taught if these children gathered here have parent or rather if this adult here have families? Even with the frequent passage of vehicles and cars and there hear busting horns the viewers were still adamant to live the place. What sort of life is this if I may ask? What sort of government is governing this sort of family? What had happened to the families of this people……….. These are question which I know will have no answer. From the beginning of this write ups my main motive of writing was not made clear I think now you should know, while I decided to write this article. Firstly I am writing to make known to us the reason of this causes and how the can be stopped. Secondly I am here to highlight the importance of a family to the each citizens and levels at which one can belong in a family.
Before I can be justified in complete my write ups, I have to make it clear that this movies which where displayed on the road side are all called home videos and not otherwise.
With so much nepotism glossing my mind towards the affairs of the people of this state Lagos, I so think it is important to make everybody informed through education.
Vividly and with so much emphasis I will like to make know to use the reason of the dirty act displayed by indigence of the state. To my greatest surprise when coming back at night I found another set of people gathering at a bus stop to watch similar film like the first one, to my foresight I found different people like hoodlums, touts marijuana smokers and thieves who go ahead picking pocket. With this I came to a conclusion that the people are been ignorant and non educated, cause I can’t imagine seeing an educated elite standing among hoodlums and thieves and start watching films I know is and home video and not a roadside video. It hardens my heart to see this people being like this, which they themselves never want to be if not for poverty.
Poverty play another major role in fostering this act among people, it as been non to me with a statistic carried out that 50% of people own a television in the street of Lagos while the remaining 50 are left to their fate. I wonder what will happen to a citizen mentality if he does not live a good and soothing life. Definitely he will have to live on his fate. Sincerely a way of living really matter in ones life, whether positively or negatively it will surely and certainly will affect one’s life. The thinking habit and behavioral habit will likewise be affected.
Poverty is a sin psychologically and it is the duty of the state or leaders to evaluate poverty, because it is not part of human. I have felt so many things and see so many things to have come into this conclusion. I was under fortunate to have belonged to a poor family, whereby seven of us all sleep in one room which is 9cm long and 8mm tall. My dad does sleep in the second room regarded as the parlor. Though we are thankful to God for the little we have because seeing the way some people live it is so diverstitating to see them in that state. I am not here to preach against poverty because it is not the will of a person to be poor, but it is the state that makes us poor. The reason is this if jobs are provided with good emolument for workers of the state people will bless the government and bless the state. Presently tanker worms and economic beetle is eaten deep into the system of our country living the unemployed to there state of unemployment and living the employed to there state of bad emolument. Corruption is the root of this entire defect befalling on the country because instead of the citizens praying for there country they are there doing the opposite due to depression and oppression. Recently the teachers went on strike last year because they wanted an increment of their salaries against the old payment, they where forced to call of the strike since the federal government promise to compel to the bewilderment. But it has come to our hearing that the teachers are back on strike living the school children to no fate. Very soon the sss3 student will start there WEAC, what should they hope on? Instead of being at class learning they are at home doing something else. Now turning the government into a liar, because he promised to do one thing and he acted on the contrary.
I am writing with so much endearment to my state and not condemning it. If this things are been provided people will live a perfect life pleasing to God and pleasing to man. I have notice that over the era many people live a virulent life not pleasing to God and man, with this act of killing and prejudice among the people.
Before Lagos became who she is now or permit me to say Nigeria, she as gone through many odds and differentiate. I be back to continue what I started in a jiffy, please permit me go have my sleep for now and don’t take for a writer who does a half work without completion. I promise that this write ups and the others which I promise to complete will be completed when the times is come and I believe it’s very soon.
I really appreciate you for borrowing me some of your time by going through this article and I believe when it is completed we will all have gods to amend our ways and start a better life to all citizens in respective of tribal, racial and language difference.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

BY: RICHARDS OLUSEYE ANTHONY
DATE OF WRITTEN: FEB. 12 2009.


EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT AS A FACTOR OF PROBLEMATISM TOWARDS A COUNTRY.

Sincerely this is all about me, about my family and about my country. I have so much wonder how I can be of great help to these three factors, so I decided to write up a story. A story which I my self alone those not know about regardless, my family and country know much more about it. Woo be tied me for given out this story which my country alone can define and if asked to be credited will be given a doctorate degree for its emancipation and enthusiasm for the story. I sat in my room one night looking out through the window to the sky, trying to appreciate the beauty and literalness of the stars. I came to ask myself at one point what will the title of this story be?
I robed my sleep of trying to use part of its time one getting the answer or rather the title to this story. I was not satisfied as literature is concerned, I latter push further to ask myself two beautiful question which I know within me and vividly that ones my answers are getting to this question it will serve as an ointment healing my wounds of sleep. Star wise I know I should go and seek answers from the victims of this story, but because of fear of being turned down by those victim I insinuated to be good and humanly nice. Also fee that due to the unjust form or act among those I regarded as the elders and shield of this victim, I feel so uneasy to seek answers from them.
I am a young tuber of my father with zero experience about how my state operate, but then I could here all sort of voices crying out among our people and resources. The reason why the people are crying was form in my head when I was 17yrs of age, then I just completed my senior secondary school at my prescribe school, sent Gregory’s college ikoyi Lagos Nigeria. The school life was so fascinating that I could hardly cope after leaving the school. We were taught true morals and good behavioral attitude was impacted on us, as a student we were faced with so many challenges that could hinder ones success in the school if one refuse to buckle up. Indeed another time or period I could understand and feel more was after I had to go to the street to secure a job, so as to maintain both body and soul together since after I could not get an admission into the university. My experience with the job I secured was so lobby that I always regretted why I had to work. Sincerely the work was nothing to write home rather something to write to the street about. The ironical thing about this issue or rather the job was this, I planed and studied literature because I appreciate the course and wanted to be a disputable lawyer and also an elite in the field. But under contrary I was asked to be and accountant or let me say stock keeper, this was so uneasy to me because I had no idea on account as a course. We all know very well that stock keeping as to go with accounting, through the grace of God and a little knowledge my school impacted on me I was able to suit or rather act well in any position I am both academically or physically.
So with this little write ups I could come to the conclusion in giving the topic or let me say the title of the write up as “the voice of the employed and the unemployed”.
Significantly this two in one factor has simulations factors affect them. The employed as a ironical factor affecting them, when I saw ironical factor I mean that after struggling to secure a job and going through all odds, one still have a kind of factor hindering the efficiency of ones service. All I am saying is this as an employed person you have different factors that need to be redress else you would not get the job or you render a bad job. There are three factors that can hinder the effective services of an employed person, they are:
1. Monetary agreement.
2. Security measures. And finally,
3. Geographical or transportation factor.
The monetary factor which is seen as the number one priority to diverstitate some workers who are sincerely ready and as goon several miles to get his or her degree in the job she is rendering an application later on. I will try as much as possible to complete this article next week jus wait on and be expectant on the blast…..

The River Runs Dry



I am so close to the river,
Trying to fetch some water.
I find it very uneasy to fetch,
Because the water looks pure
Maybe clean, that’s the reason
I can’t fetch…

Surely the villagers made it uneasy,
I came to ask my self why would they?
Hoping to get an answer from the river.
Like a plumber I looked to get a solution
But the villagers don’t seem to bye my idea.

The river is a vital amenity in the village,
And it has now been polluted.
Human are born equal why then
Do we hate each other that the river
Has to be polluted by the wealthy,
Because they don’t drink from it,
They will always want them to beg from them
So they can be in control of all things.
We will all give an account of every
Act we make, while don’t we serve equal.

Human heart is full of wickedness and evil.
We just can’t help our self-doing well,
So the river runs dry in my village,
Because of human wickedness.

Monday, February 2, 2009

who is the legend of literature in nigera?

hay members what is happening while don't you people post in a question or a topic to make this group more active and making sure that the objective or goal of this group could be accomplished? i urge you to be more than active so as to spread knowledge.
i am posting out this question due to an argument that arose between two guys(or should i say elite?) one was saying that it was wole Soyinka who deserve all the glory regarding African literature and as he put it Soyinka is the "icon of literature in Africa" while the other one was against it and saying that it was cheane Achebe that deserve it all saying that he as made Africa literature made known to the whole world. and calling him the icon of African literature.

THIS LIFE IS FILLED WITH UPs AND DOWNs

I have come to realize some thing really impressive and i was thankful to God that i got it earlier than late. well very well the bible tells us to rejoice when a wise saying is revealed to you. to heat the nail straight to the head, what i am saying is this no matter what happens in your life so far you have being giving birth to you are accountable to every thing pertaining you. if i don't make mistakes i can't be strong or develop strength to be able to face so many challenges. this is a brief illustration from my life. i regard it as the shadows of my life,Pity me now I just can’t help myself thinking or worrying about this wish I see everyday. How can one free his/her self from the regular inconvenience Nigeria dispose out to her citizen? to be cooperate let me begin to give a brief introduction about myself my names are Richard oluseye Anthony olusegun I originated spiritually from the beautiful city of heaven and on the physical scene I am an indigence of Lagos state, A tribe that belongs to the Yoruba land. I began my life at the late 80s that was March 15 1989.
I thank God for my life now and the future, I am thankful to God for the future because I know H e is going to make it sorry, rather He as made the future very bright for me that I can’t just resist it thanking him. For now I pray He give me wisdom knowledge and understanding all this I pray in Jesus name I pray. Amen……………………………………..to be continued either tomorrow or today.
How I seem to be in a hurry to pick my pen and continue me write-ups. I sat in the parlor wondering and pondering on what should be done, in my family and the country as a whole. What will I do if I were a president? Otherwise or incise. Will I ever think about imposing a change in the country or add to it misery? What do you think about this problem faced in the world at large and in Nigeria at home? Definitely every thing or incident signifies a thing or really have a reason for it occurrence. I will like to draw a reference to an incident that happened in my life, when I was in my secondary school days I was forced to repeat a class due to my lack of unseriousness. I was weeping bitterly when I got hold to my result, after realizing this; I made up my mind to be serious more than before or should I saw then. I Richard is interested in writing, I love it but the big point is this I don’t know how to write.
to be contined in the full episode of this autobiography, or let me say publication.

old people should be shown concern more than before.

Writing now to make justification about the old and to inform us about the importance about the old in our society. Vividly the old really play a vital role and need more attention and care like the younger ones or let me say the youth need in the society. I may be forced to say the old need more attention than the youth. Reason is due to some point I have gathered and I am ready to share with you. But before then or during my write up I will like to share a story about a boy that have gained a lot from his grand mother.A boy named ade was just 8yrs asked his father did I have a grand mother cause my friends at school usually turn me into a laughing stoke any time the talk about them visiting there granny at the island and their mother telling them so many folk story, telling them about the era of colonialism and how they are been treated by the white and telling them about the era of the early pre colonialism. His dad made him to understand some factor that visiting his mother by him would be so expensive consoled the little boy so sad. While the little boy suggested that he will be so happy if his dad can only take him along so they visit her ones, his dad so depress and anger was flowing through his vain backed at his son, ‘are u deaf that I have no money!’ his so down left his presence and went to lye down .

re colonialism. His dad made him to understand some factor that visiting his mother by him would be so expensive consoled the little boy so sad. While the little boy suggested that he will be so happy if his dad can only take him along so they visit her ones, his dad so depress and anger was flowing through his vain backed at his son, ‘are u deaf that I have no money!’ his so down left his presence and went to lye down .

so i will like to apologize cause i know i had lie writing this, at the first paragraph i said i was writing out of justification but lately i just realized i was writing out of curiosity due to the state of mind i found my grand mom when i went to pay her visit.