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Change, We cant wait....
Related to country: Nigeria

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

We live in a country whose endowment in terms in natural and human resources needs no further explanation. Nigerians have oratorical skills with unimaginable intellect. They mount the soapbox with verbiage or verbose grammatical tenses to talk endlessly about the misrule, injustice, corruption, non-performance in our society. Countless forums, youth empowerment seminars, blogs, meetings, communiqué, conference, news analysis, radio programmes, TV bulletin here and abroad are held to tell the sad tales of Nigeria. May 29 and June 12 meetings in London and Lagos give candid examples that Nigerians activists and public commentators are masters of the talkshop.
To prove that Nigerian critical issue analysis is not a function of size of bank accounts, we need to skim the informal places. Association of free readers at road junctions have adequate knowledge and intelligent understanding of the Nigerian problems. They inform each other with facts polished with half truths and rumours to ponder on why this giant still limps among midgets. Beer parlour banters are not always filled with inanities. Drunkards with a strong stench will still analyze while nothing works here.
Beyond talking, we also write very well. Editorial columns, opinion pages, SMS feedback, writers opinions, forum presentations could all analyze the core problems of Nigeria. We even prescribe solutions like infallible veteran doctors but even the hospitals are torture chambers.
The Islamic republic of Iran evolved in 1979 after change was unavoidable. A ship built with different wood had begun cracking at the joints. The growth of globalization fuelled by technology has trickled into the mindset of youths who form the majority. The leaders in contrast believe in ideals under the of cause of Allah to alienate themselves despite the overtures of the West championed by Obama. Iranian leaders believe that the enemy has grown wiser then they need to be ahead by the next mile. To them, the Obama sermon in Cairo was only chocolate gobbled by babies. Iran, a country with divided mindset and ambitions. Sincerely, I see another revolution ticking. Young people found their heroism in Mousavi. The blazing guns, religious verses, police brutal treatment could not muffle their voices. Of the courageous youths who feel shortchanged in an electoral process. Iran youths used Facebook, twitter. Myspace to energize change. Though change still eludes them, they have voiced and acted bravely.
Nigerians also have concerns and are always hopeful even till eternity that change will come. The cabal and perfidious sect that plunder our resources keep having the last laugh. We all watch with lamentations but our resolve to engineer societal correction is fictional. So we spin in circles through analysis paralysis (apologies to GS) telling our shameful story while the corrupt still walk, talk and live freely. We are never moved by change demand exhibited in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Ghana, Ukraine, USA and so on. Rather than the world profile our path of change we form numerous political parties and numerous facebook change groups. The Nigerian selfishly seeks to break free from the shackles by getting a decent job….for himself and family.
I sincerely believe we get Soyinka, Utomi, Fashola and other great personalities to evolve change with their ingenuity. Youths who undervalue death but have transferred the anger of their pain into fiery passion to be at forefront. Will we hijack Facebook, phone networks, nollywood, hip hop music campuses, villages, hamlets and influence parents. When do we realize that continuous failed generations drives our nation into extinction. A change movement that quenches the embers of tribe, religion , sect and so on that made us to not realize that the average Nigerian has common problem. A change movement ready to solve the problem of bad leadership and institute a framework for accountability and service.
I am tired of lengthy essays on the trouble with Nigeria, wrong reasons why we exist and black and white solutions. I ask myself with repeatedly why don’t I buy the front pages of dailies for full week talking up a revolution of the 2011 election? The nest of killers with use their hammer that fell giants like Ige to kill a fly like me? How long will I endure this hopelessness? The president said a cartel dictated our oil markets. Halliburton bribe takers and Niger Delta list of full culprits are still secrets of the state.
We all fear the throes of death and its has become a weapon to tame us? Why cant we all get angry and decide to take out the ruling party in 2011 and replace them with decent leaders? If Nigerians have Yaradua for another four years, we are doomed. I am tired with all we talk about, argue on, ponder about and grumblings of the misrule. I am tired of stage performances and drumming strokes.. I want to see the steps of change. I keep asking I have seen noisy thunderstorms, fuzzy sky, angry lightning….I don’t want to see instant showers. I only pray to feel the drizzle of change, so I can storm out bare chested to find my place.

July 3, 2009 | 8:21 AM Comments  0 comments



SELF, SERVICE AND SOCIETY
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic


The society usually has strata of leadership which exists within homes, schools, public institutions and private organisations. Human beings are always building channels of survival within a society which they exist. The survival mechanism could be through a collective support to benefit all or could be led by individuals. Individuals tend to appropriate the resources available either efficiently to the societal growth or to cater for their personal greed. The gift of nature usually the commonwealth of the society needs to be aggregated for mutual benefit of the society. The wealth of a society could also be the sum of toil and struggles of ancestors who gave their all for the benefit of the unborn.
The human self tends to leave its moral limits of selflessness and proper service when he plans to amass beyond his/her share of the societal wealth. Humans degenerate from proven moral values when they concoct greedy thoughts and develop castles and stupendous wealth for a complex and unknown future. The stealing of the society fortunes by a few is done with brazen confidence and crude contempt. Leaders tends to take pleasure or feel unconcerned when the led suffer unjustly due their corruption and fraud. The free speech rights of the people are impaired and their weapons to frustrate oppositions embedded in doctored constitutions and agencies such as Police and security units.
The led have become disoriented by the tools of poverty and crass ignorance. The wealth of the society is turned to whips through hunger, failure in health institutions, decaying educational systems in order to silence their vigour and tenacity. The disorientation becomes full blown when leaders who should have been fed to hyenas are rewarded with honour and praises. Dishonesty is appraised for dignity and perfidy is exchanged for heroism. The society now walks along the road of perdition when the sleazy few in consultation with the led majority see need to buy off their franchise for the immediate gains. The celebration of corrupt leaders in our societies has become the norm. Honesty and modesty is perceived as sacrilege and this has a downward effect even to the young people of the society.
This introduction gives a classical example of the Nigerian society. The trouble with Nigeria where nothing seems to work is not an issue of our skin, curse or inadequate resources for societal growth. Nigeria has been unable to leap into the region of advanced economies because of the triumph of self over service. Nigerian leaders who are to be custodians of wealth and map out policies for societal growth have taken the mantle of personal greedy to deny the people its share of commonwealth. Personal greed is evident through extravagant lifestyles of our leaders and have citizens cry for help despite having most of abundant gift of nature. The violent nature of elections and massive rigging shows the underlying motive of service as non inexistent with the mindset of the political leadership.
The failure of service in Leadership has been transferred into the society and everyone is in a sprint race to amass wealth. Youths are in a quick rush and trample on all moral tenets of the society to acquire stupendous wealth. A selfless service, patriotic, honest, and dignified society seems utopian and not feasible. Internet scam, robbery, fraud, Niger Delta militancy and other avenues to earn money immorally gravitate the mindset of the youths. The wealth acquired is to flaunt ostentatious livelihood or afflict, oppress and disrespect the disadvantaged of the society.
The absence of genuine service for the societal good is the core reason why roads are death traps, classrooms are academic antiques, hospitals are medical museums and extreme poverty pervades the country. The increase in crime rates, Niger delta militancy and failure of public institutions are also products of a collective psyche that made corruption and self enrichment the golden rule. Leaders who decide to correct the ills are being silenced and given badge of dishonour. The treatment of former EFCC boss is a grand example to any person with a decent ambition to erect a transparent, corrective and accountable service to the nation.
The society canonise dishonesty and makes them virtues for young ones to emulate. The disappearance of youth organisation such as Boys scouts, Girls Guides and Brigade where moral lessons are taught is another indication. The young people have replaced it with video games, uncensored internet access, hip hop lifestyles, drugs and lewd music. The destruction of moral values that negates an egalitarian and upright society has arrived and putting service above self seems impossible.
The Abeokuta Unique Leo Club is a service oriented club with mindset of offering a selfless and exceptional service to the local community. It also has a strong mandate of raising leaders for the next generation. The Leo club, a brain child of Melvin Jones has created much societal impact in terms of special education, environmental control, leadership development, health institutions and youth education. The club is an assembly of focussed minds determined to re-teach the acts of proper service and engrave it in the hearts of the youths. Selfless service which transcends personal motive or benefit is being emphasized at our gatherings.
Service above Self, We before Me is fundamental of building a prosperous society where everyone have equal right to existence and benefit of the societal wealth. The society has wealth for everyone’s need but not for someone’s greed. Service and Self will continue to erect a signal post to where the society heads. The triumph of one over the other decides whether the society tends towards perdition or prosperity.


May 21, 2009 | 12:42 PM Comments  0 comments



Happy Easter 2020
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I left Lagos enroute Ibadan through my daily electric train to celebrate Christ death and resurrection with my family- Sade, Wura and John. It is easier and patriotic to travel straight from the Island to the Ibadan via rails which take 25 minutes rather than going through aeroplane. In a smooth ride, I watched afar on the bar beach the tri-blades of the windmills whose 5,000MW power the whole Victoria Island. The new environmental laws make litter on Lagos streets punishable by 1year imprisonment and after few publicized scapegoats as captured by citywide CCTV, the streets are spick and span.

I probed for the 4G service from Movistar (formerly Laxtel, Amtiba, Schennet, Zain, Celtel….Econet). I was used to telecomm company change of name, always publicized with funfare and even my number portability to MTN in order to retain my 0802xxx was reversed back to Movistar. I received a notification from UniAfriBank to approve deduction from my monthly salary through the e-tithe scheme as agreed in church. My personal Area network can synchronise my CCTV with my smartphone and I can picture my home in Ibadan with my darling Sade making rice grown in the green fields of Badagry with boiled eggs since it is Good Friday. Wura, my six year old daughter had fever two days ago but I intend to excite her with a Blu ray disc which contains 2500 classic episodes of Tom and Jerry. The doctor and I monitor her temperature and pulse rate update every minute via my Apple iPhone 4G. I will request for online access to download her missed lessons from past two days and get the assignments for Easter break. She is currently gaming online using the Nintendo Wii320 with a friend in Malta. John my little son, is watching 3D cartoon from AIT and a new notification for my hourly Facebook status Update has been requested.

We got to Sagamu in 15 minutes to buy junks and a mobile2mobile payment is required to pay for the bread and plantain (no physical cash). D’banj ‘s gospel album is out and since CDs are out of stores, I am downloading an exclusive & protected version that will be hacked soonest. I need to see Mum and I might have to work from home for two days through the secure-VPN of my company. My participation in the Tuesday morning meeting will be via Webcast with the statistical feeds, morning briefs and office mails all synchronized via my mobile phone since my 8.9 inch laptop is in the office. I will be voting using my smart voters card tomorrow in Ibadan and through INEC official site, I can view latest polls, manifesto, candidate background and request official results be sent to my mobile in real time.

At the railway terminal at Ibadan, I get clean water from the taps and I can view the non-existent particles with my mobile phone that has a dual 15 Megapixel camera/ microscopic lens. I am near home via the Ibadan BRT and with Sade monitoring my Facebook location updates, she can serve the food. I can see the neighbourhood policeman waving me in his blue-black neat uniform, a pistol by the waist and holding e-cigarette. Adeoluwa, my good cousin is at home and a thumb print and keystrokes on his Toyota X56 hybrid warms itself and the digital reading of automobile parameters can be viewed on the dashboard. My preferred candidate is making a speech on the digital TV network of NTA, I need to watch live. Standing behind a large size of Chelsea logo in the living room, we took a picture via stand alone digital camera. The picture recognition technology, quickly tags our names. So we can view it via the LCD TV and the home wireless network takes it to the enabled printer for print. Dad and Mum sees the pix immediately via Facebook and send their cheers via MMS . I will use Adobe Photoshop v17 to include them in the earlier pix.

Electric power is still on rotation because Nigeria wants to lead in renewable energy production and our young President installed by fiery coup plotters 3 years ago has committed himself to the global cause. As the Lead Green Energy Developer of Accenture, I have installed solar panels at home to power lighting and low wattage appliances.

The mobile version of The Punch on Amazon kindle reads NIGERIA COMMITTS $5BN TO SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT. I am happy at the leadership focus of our 42 year President, the old cargoes are gone so change has begun. It’s a Good Friday and thank God for sending his Son, I will be sending a multicast multimedia message of our pix to my friends….Olumide, Agunloye, Chika (Switzerland),Opeps & Nike, Ayo Oladejo, Toni, Niyi, Kike, Kola, Tunde (India), Pressy, Odun Deji (London), Odun, Accenture colleagues……I picked up my electronic reader to read the Holy Bible to pray for the full blessings of the ended Holy month of Lent. Happy Easter 2020.

April 10, 2009 | 3:46 PM Comments  0 comments



Antiques of a nation
Related to country: Nigeria

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The Nigerian Educational system has descended from its towering heights of excellence in the early days of independence to academic antiques with no touch of global competitiveness. Education has gradually lost his glory and attention of the government who are interested more in public service and sharing of their common loot. The 25% funding prescribed by UNESCO seems to be utopian for our leaders and the neglect has led to half baked graduated who are tested with crude method of education. Education is the bedrock of national development and has birthed the mega technology of developed territories. The hazy and ineffective policies of the government have pushed tattered Nigerian educational system to the backseat.

The problems of the society evident through poverty, poor human living, inchoate policies and bad leadership have reflected in education and have crumbled proper education from primary to secondary level. Effective education which ought to be the responsibility of the government is now left in the hands of individuals and religious organizations. It is obvious that the chasm between the corporate chartroom and academic classroom keeps stretching to eternal divides. Nigerian graduates who had been the toast of foreign universities in the independence days are now mostly dubbed unemployable according to the Central bank Governor, Charles Soludo. The Nigerian graduates are mostly bereft of leadership skills, workplace ethics, global learning method and resource management to effectively compete in the new workplace. The education system being taught in Nigerian higher institution is highly deficient as outdated and irrelevant curriculum prepared by 30 years is still religiously taught by conservative lecturers. The education system produces graduates that student overfed with pure academic theories with no creativity and the learning method only promotes crude cramming- a sudden assimilation of knowledge forgotten after examinations. The cramming ‘machines’ get the best grades and the examination with no global benchmarks but replete with past questions or replica of class notebooks only promotes churning out the tons of papers stretching the cerebrum to its elastic limit. This has made the system to produce graduates with inability to innovate and apply education for their benefit. Corruption through exam malpractices, academic record falsification, sexual harassment and others have eroded the Nigerian academic integrity. The large turnout of mostly unemployable graduates cannot be met by the private sector and public sector capacity. This has created huge unemployment in the labour market. Many graduates are sauntering across central business districts, applying through numerous recruitment agencies and online career sites. Age limits are reduced, academic grades are limits, lobbying and hunt to scoop the best available talents. A lot of racketeers present in the system have taken ample advantage of the inefficient system and helpless situation numerous Nigerians have found themselves. Many graduates without basic knowledge of their assumed professions have taken solace. This has created misfits in the corporate environment with no passion or enthusiasm but having a job to avoid walking around companies in the scorching sun with worn-out shoes.
The challenge lies in the fact that for how long will the Nigerian human capital, the greatest resource ever continue to underutilize its potential due to inadequate production capacity. The first step in improving the employment crisis is to basically take an urgent surgical operation of the Nigerian education system. The Nigerian education must be ready for global competitiveness and it begins with refining the values and system. Overhaul of the infrastructure, teaching methods, curriculum and the teachers needs urgent attention to make the products of the system not only employable in Nigeria but also across globe. Curriculum benchmarked with global standards must be evolved to groom the Nigerian graduate not only a local resource but a global asset. Infrastructural turnaround needs to be engaged to decongest overcrowded classrooms, stock laboratories fast becoming scientific museums and organize field trips and corporate visit fast becoming inexistent. Internship and scholarship ought to be properly managed by government board with endowment from the corporate and international organizations. Digital input through e-learning techniques and online syllabus has to be accessed through high internet access present in our higher learning institutions. Academic teaching needs to impact on how education and theories translate into practical forms to put the students mind to creativity and innovation. Research organizations have to be strengthened with partnership with foreign universities for knowledge transfer. Lecturers need refresher courses to update their knowledge on recent development in their field.
Vocational centers and after school technological and business training centers should be in place to imbibe workplace ethics and managerial skills before being pushed to the corporate environment. Graduates need to be taught on how to develop entrepneurial skills and also to develop private business rather than looking for employment. Student loans and small scale facilities that will translate feasible ideas into business ventures need to be supported by government and corporate society. The role of improving the education system does not demand blame game but needs a decisive action by all stakeholders.
Students, teachers, school management and corporate organizations need to work seamlessly to ensure the Nigerian education is exorcised from a thousand demos ruining its noble cause. The abilities of all to admit its flaws and take a progressive attitude to salvage its collapse will be the pathway for a viable country with improved GDP in sight. A restructured education system from its basics developed for innovation, creativity and global competitiveness is the key solution for solving the current unemployment crisis facing my country, Nigeria. This leads to the effective and efficient utilization of the key resource endowed by God, the human capital.

February 15, 2009 | 4:29 AM Comments  0 comments



The Cusp of History
Related to country: United States

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic


The world economy is in a downward spiral and large corporations have their economic balances on sinking sands. Free market fundamentals based on globalization have integrated our world and high risk loans to mortgage owners in the USA has turned to a debilitating virus developing into malignant form in the global economy. China and Russia with huge reserves are beginning to groan after their acclaimed immunity from crisis due to falling exports and commodity prices. The blame game continues as Vladimir Putin and Wen Jibao tell an easy story of how America excessive spending has decimated the global markets. It is obvious that despite their analysis in Davos, America still remains the World superpower with the might to fix the global economy.
After a shortage of favourable options and his sound oratory skills, Barack Obama has been offered the post of the American President. Since his last 21 days in office, he has summoned enthusiasm and courage to fix the loose nuts of the American economy with the economic stimulus bill. The economy is the biggest minefield as 598,000 jobs were lost in January and IMF forecast for global economic growth has shrank to ½ percent. It is clear that a recovering America is the solution to the global economic crisis because China with its $2 trillion reserves (eight times the IMF financial reserves) cannot boldly in concrete terms fully improve the global illiquidity problems except borrowing to America through treasury bills. America also needs to shed some might and allow effective participation of emerging markets especially through strengthening of G20 summit and reforms of the global reserve agency like IMF.

The solution to the global economic crisis is shrouded on uncertainties and even the professor of economics and business leaders cannot tinker a masterstroke to calm this economic panic. Various models based on fiscal, credit, monetary and tax cuts are being propounded but all seems to revel in illusion. The economic recession has humbled the economic surgeons desecrating their diagnostic ability to mere interns. State influence through bailout mechanism is crumbling globalization as emphasis are now on border controls, nationalist priorities, consumer protectionist measures and intra capital flight. Unregulated capitalism that has adored crooks like Madoff, preached in global temples is gradually turning to a prophecy of doom and entombing the success and milestones of the past.
Barack Obama $835bn stimulus bill now passed by the US Senate has been touted by his advisers as the current solution to America woes in the stronger tone the fix for the global economy. The energy and consuming confidence that emanates from the US president give a hopeful verdict that the global solution has arrived. Bush rock has refused to produce water and Obama has decided to sink boreholes. Republicans are labelling it a spending bill with no effect in American prospects in the short and long run. The zealousness of Obama came to fore when he labeled the inaction of republican based on political lines or non-conviction as an inexcusable or irresponsible act.

The fact is that Obama is living on the cusp of history and he must get it right in the market trading on uncertainty or he virtually becomes a laughing stock of the local and world ‘opposition’ leaders. He needs to be doubly sure that his economic stimulus package improve consumer spending, create jobs, improve ethical lending and global liquidity not just a local American stimulus package. It almost a do or die affair for Obama to match his words with explicit results because the pendulum swings of his stimulus package might be his political cum historical verdict. September 11 and George Bush aftermath decision created night mares and credibility crisis for him. Obama faces another uphill task to dine among the great or grope in the abyss of the mediocre. It is pure suicide mission if this plan fails as taxpayers money at stake, treasury bills in Asia, national debt increase, jobs on line………….his cusp of history.

February 11, 2009 | 12:09 PM Comments  0 comments



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