Hmmm.... I thought we were rebranded

For a country that started a rebranding campaign a couple of weeks ago, to be beset by such pessimistic developments like FIFA has just indicated is quite unfortunate. The Nigerian Government at some point made a declaration that Nigeria was not interested in hosting the FIFA event because "it was not our priority" Then Please Government what are our priorities? When so much hoopla has been made of Nigeria's "Good People Great Nation" then how does the outside world experience the goodness and greatness? Isn't hosting a FIFA event a great avenue of showcasing our changed ways? which is one of the objectives of of the rebranding campaign? Other standby countries hoping and praying for our standard lackadaisical attitude to preparedness have been ready to Host the same event a year early. In my opinion there is no need for FIFA to waste its time returning to Nigeria for inspections in 30days, if we have not been ready since January of 2009 then there are no miracles that will get these stadia ready in 30 days.

Change ? We are still at it !

I can't really say if the elections in Ekiti State was rigged or not, if it was fair and free, but what I can say though is that a whole lot of people are not very happy with the results announced by an REC who after the elections was declared missing by the Nigerian Police force? Hmmmm.... well the next couple of days, weeks and months and years will really let all know what really happened. As long as the Federal Republic of Nigeria is concerned No evil under the SUN is uncoverable ! After 49 Years of Independence, the country has very little to show with regards to development especially infrastructural development. There have been a lot of individuals that have occupied seats of power and authority, engulfed and swimming in the almost endless sea of corruption and filth called Government, have they been the smart ones ? or have they been fooling themselves in thinking that lining their pockets with OUR LANDS wealth will move them and their families forward? The land we live on is a very fair land and irrespective of what your religion may be there are LAWS OF NATURE that irrespective of creed, race or beliefs guide us. BAD is BAD and GOOD is GOOD however way you twist, turn, manipulate, adjust or arrange it.
The fuel Crisis is still on weeks after promises and comments by the Government on how it will soon be over ! DID I SEE A HEADLINE TODAY SUGGESTING THAT THE FG WAS APOLOGISING FOR THE FUEL SCARCITY? Ol Boy na apologies wey go cook food for the thousands that can't get kerosene to cook with? RAW DEAL thats what we keep on getting. But lets wait and see what happens in the next couple of days ! I'm not very optimistic just hopeful that it does not get worse than it already is ! People WAKE UP and SMELL the Coffee, Tea, Akamu, Akara or what ever you have to smell ! its not getting better around here !

Our Youth !

What does the inaction in the face of frustration and oppression say of generations X and Y in Nigeria?

Its May 3rd 2009 in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city and the heat wave is simmering at 95 degrees Fahrenheit ! In the Jabi / Utako neighborhood where I reside there hasn't been electric power for three days running . There is no petrol to power the noisy generators that we are all used to and for sure not a lick to power our cars.
Frustratiion is an understatement of how I feel and I dont feel stuff easy ! What suprises me is the inaction of everyone that I meet on the streets, in the market , in offices and anywhere at all. Well, transporters are just too glad to raise their fares, so have the tomato sellers and roasted fish joints all around town. Dare to question the increase and the lackadasical reply of NO FUEL crops up ! We are surely getting a RAW DEAL with this administration ! But are you surprised ? NO ! What I'm surprised about though is the inaction and shear weakness of the Nigerian Youth in the 21st century ?! It doesnt even take this in Europe or the United States for the youths to raise their Placards,Voices and Votes to demand CHANGE ! WOW are we glad that MR. BARACK, campaigned on CHANGE and won an astonishing election ! But thats all we are, glad. There is no action to replicate or even enthuse a different direction on our daily thought processes. Has the suffering really reduced the Nigerian youth to a bunch of Beer drinking, materialistic, visionless men and women ? I'm fired up to give this a go ! What you may ask ? We need to get out of this captivity and inaction, this passivness that weakens our bones preventing even a whisper to escape our impoverished battered psyche ! I'm tired but FIRED UP ! I will continue to speak till I am heard ! It may take a long time but surely it willl happen !I do not have answers for Generation Z on why we did not do anything when faced with such easy choices. I was not born when Nigerians dead and alive fought and won Independence from the Colonialists but they damn sure did a great job ! What will be our legacy ? Definitely not Militancy ? Violence has never begotten good ! Go look at History ! Words have though and however way we choose to start communicating , Now is the time ! Tomorrow is pregnant but at least we know what today don BORN !

Yes it is!

Its beyond despicable that I posted only a paragraph in the year 2008, but there is a new resolution here ! No more promises if I can't get to keep them, but the year 2009 being the Year of the Ox offers greater surprises than 2008 . We are still moving ( Can't really say whether forward or backwards ) as a country.
Its only disappointing that after the first full year (and some) of the present Yaradua administration there is little or nothing to show for its existence. Security is still a major problem in the country, Food Prices are ever still heading towards outer space, Energy, regardless of which you refer to is still at a dismal supply level, slums disguised as adequate living quarters still sprawl the length of the nation, Clean drinking water ( Irrespective of the euphoria of pure water) is still liquid gold, Federal Roads are still a mess ( Two football Teams lost their lives recently in road accidents) and the list just goes on and on ! I know there are arguments in challenge of these statements. I really need to hear them !
The disappointment that has been Nigeria is heart wrenching but we will throttle on ! As a nation of survivalists we shall overcome!
I know for now it is just a dream but many have dreamt and it has come to pass ! And if the citizens of Nigeria have been collectively dreaming of a better tomorrow , then tomorrow is truely pregnant ! and as my people say nobody knows what it would bring !

Offline

Well I will stop making promises about haitus or its plural form ( if it has one) but yes ! been out again for even longer and can't blame me , the lack of adequate speedy internet service is all to blame but again Im back and here to stay will keep it up to date as required.
But meanwhile in my abscence a lot has been happening within the political secenery in Nigeria, 5 Governors have been ejected for either fraudulent election practices or not deserving the seat either way ! Are we surprised ? Hell No! It can't be over emphasised that the elections of April 2007 were a joke and an assault on the collective intelligence of Nigerians, but what we need to climb to the top of the mountain and scream about is the new wave of judicial proclamations and sturdy decisions been taken. Only yesterday, I said in the midst of conversation "if there were 1 million Dora Akunyili's in Nigeria" , this perputual state of hopelessness, maybe not entirely disappearing will start slowly fading away. But there are so many "Ifs"to contend with in Nigeria. "If we had good leadership" "If we had good followership" "if only greed wasn't the ruling motivation for work and the nooks and cranies of our bloated lives in Nigeria "If only I had not said why are you asking me for my engine number?" before getting a thorough tongue lashing from the Rambo styled cops on a major highway last week" If only.... and it goes on and on ... But we will get there if only we can decipher the good from the gluttoned

Yes Oh!

I've been off line for a minute but I don't expect such a long hiatus like this again ! The happenings in Anambra state have been very interesting over the past couple of weeks. I must say that the future has a strange way of unfolding especially when the truth is suppressed. I am elated and very happy that Peter Obi has taken over the mantle of leadership (again!) for the second time in more than 18 months. After all Anambrarians had gone thru it was very surprising to see fellow Ibo's excited about having Mr Andy Uba in the government house in Awka. It was disgusting and saddening that well respected elders in the a state, certain citizens of Nigeria and even so called "groups in diaspora" wasted no time in sending congratulatory messages to Mr Uba even camping out in Awka. This same man that has a brother that is in dire need of psychoanalytical therapy? A brother that has held the honor and respect of a whole state in question. Disappointment is not a feeling for me anymore, especially when it concerns Nigerians, I'm fighting the numbing feeling and don't want to give up. Well for now I know I can't give up because I see him! YEAH ! He has a great smile ! Who? Peter Obi for sure ! He is the man with the last laugh ! I know there is HOPE !

And the Winner is ?

Well like I thought, in Nigeria democracy, elections and voting has been severely wounded! Time of recovery is really unknown. There is much to learn from the presidential elections that just passed. The will of the common man in Nigeria is of no consequence to those individuals who cling to power and bend doubly backwards to hold on to it. Violence, fraud, malpractice, lies and deception are commonplace here. Where is the way forward?
Though in Africa and Nigeria in particular respect for elders and folks of greater age is stressed, most unbelievable atrocities are committed by the older folks. What kind of example is been set for the future of tomorrow? Do these men and women even give a darn about tomorrow? As we move ahead in light of this grossly mismanaged "charade" called the April 21st presidential elections, Nigerians are in again for another four years of mismanged national revenue and manpower; the will of the people to survive has been dented yet again. I'm afraid this time almost to a fatal point !
The irony on April 21st was that France had also gone through the same electoral process of choosing a leader.
There is a difference between a people that know what it takes to survive and those that have no clue what survival means ! Can you tell whose whom here ?
I guess you can !