Cartoon Protest Revisited...As Maiduguri burns...

I went to New Castle on Friday with my boss. I was going to write about this in the morning. Somehow, I have to shelve this, because Northern Nigeria is on fire once again.
The cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammed has sparked off religious riots in Maiduguri. Christians who are not Danish have been murdered. Sixteen the reports say. Churches-eleven as at the last count have been torched. This is sad!

The Danish editor who came up with the blasphemous cartoons is still very much alive. There are muslims in Denmark. They too protested against the outrageous cartoons. But nobody to my knowledge was reported dead there.
Does anybody know where the head-quarters of the Islamic Organisation World-wide is situated? Is it in Nigeria? May be, it is in Maiduguri...
I wrote about the protest as reported by Sky news on this blog, the very day it started. I also pasted stories of how the riots were spreading and excalating in other parts of the world.
In all of these, there was no where reports came in that christians and churches were targeted. Not even in Denmark.

However, muslims in Nigeria- Maiduguri ( maybe they are more islamic) have taken matters into their own hands. The rest of the Islamic world have delayed for too long. To them delayed action may amount to denial. Since the Danish editor is not a muslim, he must be a christian. And if he is untouchable for now,irrespective of the prize tag on his, other christians' blood will suffice. The Prophet must be avenged. Christian or non- muslim blood will do.
Yet, Islam is a religion of peace and total submission to the will of Allah...

It baffles me the way muslims react in northern Nigeria whenever "blasphemy" is committed against Islam. These muslims in northern Nigeria, do they have leaders...? Who are these leaders? If they don't have leaders, then, we have a huge problem in our hands. If however, there are leaders- people who direct, or organise such gatherings before the protest went out of hand, they should be held accountable.

But, why is it that whenever an individual 'offends' Islam, christians or non- muslims must pay the price?
Danielle Isioma wrote about the beauty pageant to be held in Abuja some years back...
She dared then to write about the Prophet. And she made comments albeit jokingly of a particular contestant and how she would have probably passed the Prophet's approval... It was blasphemous; according to some muslims. And the gate of hell was opened wide to swallow the offender or anybody remotely associated or as much as bear a christian name.You are a 'barawo' if you are not wearing a kaftan. Some christians and non-muslims and churches were used as sacrifice...

There must be, some fundamental problems associated with muslims from northern Nigeria that we have not been able to identify and address. Otherwise, why is it that other muslims living in other parts of Nigeria do not deem it appropriate to react the way their nothern counterparts do in these matters...?
Is it the high level of illiteracy... and lack of adequate enlightenment/education or the absence of responsible leadership that is making religious riots in northern Nigeria and the unwarranted killings of christians/non-muslims a recurring decimal...?

EFCC and Obasanjo...?

When the EFCC try to probe Obasanjo....

Is the World on My Shoulders...?

I went for confession today. I haven't done this in years.Somehow, I felt the need to bare my intestine before somebody.
I chose the priest- because he listens without interruptions.
For the record, I don't believe the priest has any power to forgive my sins... I only see him as a psychologist.
There I was before him though shielded by the veil...
And I said...' father, I think I am sick...'
The only time that he had to interrupt me... he asked: 'how do you mean...'?
I said, father, I worry too much about people around me...
most times I worry about my Dad- who just acquired another wife...
often times I wonder if my mama who passed away ten years ago is still watching over me...
I worry about the one lady in my life...I worry about my choice of her over others...
Father, as I am speaking to you now, I am worrying how I would put this confession down in my blog...
Yet, I still worry about what people will think of me when they read this...

I am particularly worried about a friend of mine... who is in Russian and wants to visit me in the UK...
the problem is money...
I am also worried about Nigeria... sometimes I wonder if I will ever see her again in one piece...
I am worried about another friend of mine who can barely take care of himself... yet, his wife is expecting another baby - the third!
I am worried about my baby sister who is going out with a neurotic(as if I am not one myself) and I also suspects he uses drugs...

I am worried about Iraq and all those who have died for nothing... I am worried about life... sometimes, I think of tomorrow...even though, I strenuously try to take each day as it comes...
I worry about death and the hereafter...
I worry about what will become of me... when I eventually pass on...
I worry even about my house, my car, my dog, my clothes and my prescious shoes- what will become of all these...
And then, I worry about you...why you have choosen to be a priest... and listen to these dirty confessions...
Father, am I sick...?
Father lifted the veil... and said, "my son, you have just lifted the world off your shoulders; go in peace and worry no more..."
Somehow, I am relieved...

Are the American and British Soldiers Out of Ideas...?

Before this invasion of Iraq, I was in Nigeria. And I watched an interview program - can't really remember the exact Television station now, but one professor Uka; a political scientist, I think from Unilag, predicted then, that America and her allies would win the battle-they would oust Saddam Hussein; but they won't and can't win the war.
He said then, that the war will rage on and on until the average die-hard Iraqi fundamentalists could stand no more. And stand they have...

When I listened to this discourse, I was probably too young to appreciate or comprehend the import of the statement.
Today however, I am beginning to understand what he meant.
America and her allies have won the battle long ago ... The maximum dictator - Saddam Hussein has been removed from office; the Iraqis are now free, but the war rages on.
And because of the protracted nature and style the Iraqis have adopted, the British and American soldiers have resorted to outright brutality of civilians irrespective of age.

The world woke up to the shocking images of British soldiers brutalizing defenseless teenagers last Sunday.
Are the soldiers short of ideas on how to conquer the militant gorillas of the iraqis...?
Are these signs of frustration or vendetta...
The world is watching...
Please read more...

A Genius Who Could not Pass His SSCE...?

When Adams introduced me to his young nephew Shodia, I felt elated meeting a prospective genius.
I was told he made five distinctions in his SSC examination back in Nigeria.
And now, he has come to the UK to study medicine
I would not have paid much interest to Shodia's performance, if not for Adams constant reminder that his nephew is going to be a medical doctor.

So, one chilled morning, we drove all the way to St. George's Medical School to enable Shodia sit for the entrance examination.
Two weeks later, the results were published. Shodia's name was omitted,I was told. And the big uncle - Adams refused to believe that it was a typographical error.
Adams called me again and we drove to St. George's Medical School to confront the admission officer.

I did not accompany Adams into the office. He went in alone. When he however came out,he had this embarrassed and confounded look on his face.
How did it go ...? I asked. He said that boy is a disgrace. I said "what..?" I thought you said he is a genius in the making... how come he is now a disgrace...?
Adams then carefully explained to me what the admission officer told him.

He said out of the fifteen questions given to Shodia, he could only attempt two. And of these two questions, he got one correctly. So, in a nut shell, Sodia, scored one out of fifteen.
He said the dean of the faculty had to come in to expain that Shodia's performance was the worst in the history of the entrance examination.
To enable you appreciate Adams embarrassment and confusion properly, I have reproduced Shodia's SSCE result below:

Eng. Lang = 2; Math = 1; Biology = 2; Chemistry = 1; Physics = 2; Economics = 1; Geography = 1; Yoruba = 5

How in the name of anything good can someone with this brillant result fail another 'O' level exam..? This was what baffled us.
Adams vowed to get to the bottom of this mystery.

When we got home (Adams')... he called Shodia to the sitting room. Adams told him bluntly that he failed the entrance examination woefully.
I was expecting Shodia to challenge his uncle by saying...' it is a lie...' Instead, he remained quiet gazing at the floor with this utter vacant look in his eyes.
I then asked Shodia these questions: " Shodia, was the exams too tough for you...?" He said ..."yes"!
Were the questions tougher than your SSCE questions...? Shodia replied by saying..." I don't know.." What...? Shodia replied defiantly..." I said, I don't know...?".

At this stage, Adams was enraged. He screamed at Shodia..." are you not the same person who wrote the SSC examination..?"
To our disappointment and astonishment, Shodia said he was not the one wrote the SSC examination. He confessed that one of his teachers was paid by his mother to write the examination for him.

For good thirty minutes or thereabout, we were too stunned to speak.
The following week, Adams bundled Shodia into a Virgin airplane back to Nigeria.
I have only narrated what happened. I reserve my opinion/comment.

Check Out the Grammy Photos...

See some of the beautiful images from the 2006 Grammy Award.
Photos

Grammy Award... Winners and Fall Out!

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles at Staples Center on Wednesday, Februry 8, 2006, and broadcast nationwide on the CBS Television Network beginning at 8 p.m. (ET/PT),Pop favorites Green Day and Mariah Carey were given top nods this year, along with Rap favorites Eminem, 50 Cent and R&B stars Alicia Keys and Usher.
Also, Sly and the Family Stone get a special tribute with an appearance on stage by none than group leader, Sly Stone.
To open up the show, the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, performed in a duet with Grammy nominees Gorillaz.
On the Web, check out the complete list of Grammy nominees & winners in major categories, plus find out more about the Grammy Awards, along with their history, related pictures, video clips and photo galleries ....

Bird Flu in Nigeria...?

08/02/2006 11:09 PARIS, Feb 8 (AFP)
H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Nigeria, first in Africa: Animal health agency
H5N1 avian influenza has occurred among poultry in northern Nigeria, marking the first time the disease has been detected in Africa, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said here Wednesday.

The outbreak, reported to the OIE by the Nigerian authorities, occurred on a commercial chicken farm in the village of Jaji, Kaduna state, the agency said in a press statement.

"The OIE/FAO [Food and Agricultural Organisation] reference laboratory for Avian Influenza in Padova, Italy, has characterized the isolate as a highly pathogenic H5N1," it said.

"The OIE, together with the FAO, will take immediate action and coordinate a common response to this event. A team of experts will be sent to the affected area in order to assess the situation and provide technical advice to the national authorities."

OIE spokeswoman Maria Zampaglione told AFP it was the first time that H5N1 avian influenza had been detected in Africa.

Cartoon Protest Is Getting Out of Hand...

By ALBERT AJI, Associated Press Writer
Associated Press writer Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City,
Gaza Strip, contributed to this report.

DAMASCUS, Syria - Thousands of Syrians enraged by caricatures of Islam's revered prophet torched the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus on Saturday — the most violent in days of furious protests by Muslims in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
In Gaza, Palestinians marched through the streets, storming European buildings and burning German and Danish flags. Protesters smashed the windows of the German cultural center and threw stones at the European Commission building, police said.
Iraqis rallying by the hundreds demanded an apology from the European Union, and the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas called the cartoons "an unforgivable insult" that merited punishment by death.
Pakistan summoned the envoys of nine Western countries in protest, and even Europeans took to the streets in Denmark and Britain to voice their anger.
At the heart of the protest: 12 caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad first published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September and reprinted in European media in the past week. One depicted the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. The paper said it had asked cartoonists to draw the pictures because the media was practicing self-censorship when it came to Muslim issues.
The drawings have touched a raw nerve in part because Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depictions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Aggravating the affront, Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said repeatedly he cannot apologize for his country's free press. But other European leaders tried Saturday to calm the storm.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said she understood Muslims were hurt — though that did not justify violence.
"Freedom of the press is one of the great assets as a component of democracy, but we also have the value and asset of freedom of religion," Merkel told an international security conference in Munich, Germany.
The Vatican deplored the violence but said certain provocative forms of criticism were unacceptable.
"The right to freedom of thought and expression ... cannot entail the right to offend the religious sentiment of believers," the Vatican said in its first statement on the controversy.
The United States called the burnings "inexcusable" and blamed the Syrian government for security failures.
"
Syria must act decisively to protect all foreign embassies and citizens in Damascus from attack," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement. "We will hold Syria responsible for such violent demonstrations since they do not take place in that country without government knowledge and support."
But Denmark and Norway did not wait for more violence.
With their Damascus embassies up in flames, the foreign ministries advised their citizens to leave Syria without delay.
"It's horrible and totally unacceptable," Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said on Danish public television Saturday.
No diplomats were injured in the Syrian violence, officials said. But Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds — whose country, along with Chile, has an embassy in the same building — said she would lodge a formal protest over the lack of security.
In Santiago, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Chilean Embassy in Damascus was also torched but nobody was injured.
The demonstrations in Damascus began peacefully with protesters gathering outside the building housing the Danish Embassy. But they began throwing stones and eventually broke through police barricades. Some scrambled up concrete barriers protecting the embassy, climbed into the building and set a fire.
"With our blood and souls we defend you, O Prophet of God!" the demonstrators chanted. Some removed the Danish flag and replaced it with a green flag printed with the words: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
Demonstrators moved onto the Norwegian Embassy about 4 miles away, also setting fire to it before being dispersed by police using tear gas and water cannons. Hundreds of police and troops barricaded the road leading to the French Embassy, but protesters were able to break through briefly before fleeing from the force of water cannons.
Amid the furor, Syria's Grand Mufti urged calm, noting the demonstration had started in a "nice and disciplined way," but then turned violent because of "some members who do not understand the language of dialogue."
"We never expressed our anger in such a way, and we believe that dialogue should be done through guidance and teaching, not through killing, harming and burning," Sheik Ahmed Badr-Eddine Hassoun said in remarks carried by state-run Syrian Arab News Agency, or SANA.
In Gaza, masked gunmen affiliated with the Fatah Party called on the Palestinian Authority and Muslim nations to recall their diplomatic missions from Denmark until the government apologizes.
In the West Bank town of Hebron, about 50 Palestinians marched to the headquarters of the international observer mission there, burned a Danish flag and demanded a boycott of Danish goods.
"We will redeem our prophet Muhammad with our blood!" they chanted.
Mahmoud Zahar, leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, told the Italian daily Il Giornale the cartoonists should be punished by death.
We should have killed all those who offend the Prophet and instead here we are, protesting peacefully." he said.
Hundreds of Iraqis rallied south of Baghdad, some carrying banners urging "honest people all over the world to condemn this act" and demanding an EU apology.
Anger swelled in Europe, too. Young Muslims clashed briefly with police in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and some 700 people rallied outside the Danish Embassy in London.
A South African court banned the country's Sunday newspapers from reprinting the cartoons.
Iran's president ordered his commerce minister to study canceling all trade contracts with European countries whose newspapers have published the caricatures, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the caricatures showed the "impudence and rudeness" of Western newspapers against the prophet as well as the "maximum resentment of the Zionists (Jews) ruling these countries against Islam and Muslims."
The leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan denounced the publication of the caricatures. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned nine envoys to lodge protests against the publication of the "blasphemous" sketches.
___

Cameroun Is Out of The Nation's Cup...

Most of us we wrong, the supposedly good Camerounian team is out of the nation's cup game.
It was Cameroun 12; Ivory Coast 13...nations cup game

BECAUSE OF THE CARTOON:I WAS ALMOST STRANGLED

Before leaving home this morning for work, I had to listen or is it watch the news on television. I particularly love Sky News.
There it was again, angry protesters chanting war songs and stepping on anything that is 'kickable'... The problem?

Some European newspapers have republish the controversial cartoon of prophet Muhammed(PBUH) which first appeared in Danish daily newspaper in September, 2005.
This satirical illustration of the prophet with a timed- bomb in his turban, has sparked off protest by muslims world wide. We are just hoping that these protests will not get out of hand.

About my almost being strangled, when I got to my work place, I decided to discuss the issue of this 'controversial cartoon' with two of my Muslim colleagues.
I never knew they were extremists or die-hard fanatics.
I was the one who informed them of the development.
I then proceeded to ask them... 'why is it that anytime someone(ignorantly)makes a comment about The Holy Prophet - depicting Him as anything different from their perception, all hell is let lose...Why?
One of them ( I think he is actually from Yemen) then asked me..." what will you do if people make caricature of your prophet- Jesus Christ...? I made the mistake of trying to correct him by saying... Jesus Christ is not a prophet. He is the son of God. He said..."whatever..." All I'm asking is... "what will you do...?"
I said..." me,..." of course I will do absolutely nothing!
I then asked them..."what could be more 'caricature' than nailing Him to the cross.
They both looked at me as if I don't know what I was saying or doing. Maybe they thought I was there to make a fool out of them. But I was very serious.

One of them (though I could see he was not too comfortable or he was getting worked-up)looked at me with that' I feel sorry for you and your believe' expression, and said..."look, we, muslims, we fight and if necessary, we kill anyone or group of people who try to defile our prophet and our religion..."
And I said, "what..?" " You guys are sick..." that was all I said...
One them angrily grabbed my collar and shoved me against the wall... "saying, don't you ever say I am sick again... " All I could say in a shrill voice. was..." I whas unnli qidding..."
When he eventually let go... I hurried way. Jesus H Christ! That, was a near death encounter.
Do you want to see the controversial cartoons at your own risk...? Click here

Valentine's Day... What does it Mean to You...?

I love humanity. They have a way of putting their problems behind them. Often times, they celebrate anything from sunrise to winter and the first snow fall.
But never in the history of celebrations has there been so much controversy as 'Valentine's Day'. For the so-called progressives, Valentine's day is a day set aside by lovers to celebrate their love in a special way.
However, the conservatives and a larger part of Asian and the middle Eastern bloc see Valentine's day celebration as frivolity. As far as they are concern, there is no need for a day to be called 'lovers' day. It has no religious foundation.
Others like the Jehovah's witnesses see the celebration as a gift from the pagan cumminity.
The world over- especially in the west, Valentine's day(Feb.14) has become a huge commercialised celebration.

The last time I witnessed Valentine's Day celebration in Nigeria some years ago, I was shocked. I was shocked not because Nigerians are celebrating the day. I was shocked because virtually every one - from the very young to the aged were involved.
The amusing or should I say annoying part of the whole thing was that the under-aged who were obviously in a state of mental tension - were trying to behave and do things that adults do.

I have decided to let my journalistic nosiness have a better part of me this morning as I interviewed various students of Glamorgan university on their views about Valentine's Day celebrations.
It was quite an exciting experience for me...

I walk briskly to this lady ( she looks like an Indian; she is wearing the popular sari-with very long pony-tailed hair and thick bifocaled lenses):

Hi, my name is so-obscure...(let me save you the boring details of the hassles I went through):

So-obscure: what do you make of valentine celebration?

Sarita: ... well, i am Hindu, so we do not have such celebrations in our religion; more so, what lovers do... should be their private business don't you think?( very very ambiguous question... was she asking what i think about lovers' private life or was she insinuating that as a human being, she expects me to think... Pls be the judge of that)

I decided to move on to another group. this time I presumed I had the right crowd - noisy yuppies.

Hey, my name is so-obscure... (one of them interjected... what kind of name is that..?)
I said...well, is not my real name... its just a pseudo name. And he said... I see. An undercover name... yes, how can we help you?

So-obscure: I just want to find out what you guys think of Valentine's day, and its celebrations.

Douglas: ..i don't think there is anything to find out... it is a day for lovers; and we are looking forward to it. The only regret is the 14th is a Tuesday... we would have loved it better on a Friday.

Rhys: You know, Valentine's Day is actually a special day for lovers. And in most cases, it is a day when love is share between friends.

So-obscure: Was that the original concept of Valentine's Day...I mean this idea of sharing.

Rhys: No, not at all. I believe the original idea was strictly for lovers to share and celebrate in private... but somehow, the world has come embrace the valentines' concept...

So-obscure: But Valentine's Day is not celebrated world wide- especially in regions like India, Israel,-the middle East...etc.

Rhys: you know hard core religious regions you mentioned now....

So-obscure: Israel is not so religious....

Douglas: ...but you can not say Israel is a christian state, neither are they muslims.

So-obscure: ...majority of they are Jews.... don't forget, we are still talking about Valentine's day celebrations...

Rhys: ...yeah, Valentine's Day to me should be celebrated by those who care...if you want to celebrate it, no qualms, just do your thing.However, if the day is just like any other day, well, fine... you can still do your thing...

So-obscure: But must human being set aside a particular day in the to show or share love...?

Owen who hasn't spoken at all decided to contibute...

Owen: Well, I think human being are always looking for something to celebrate... otherwise, it doesn't make sense. If nlove is showed and celebrated on the 14th, what happens on the 15th... do we then abandon love? I think every day should be made a Valentine's day.

So-obscure:.. that was nicely put. For if every day is made a valentine's day, there would be less quarrels and divorces or separation....

What do you think? Should every day not be made a valentine's day by lovers?
Is it true that valentine's day celebration is a pagan tradition as evinced by the Jehovah;s witness?
What does valentine's day means to you... do you celebrate it just because others are doing so...?

Femi Fani-kayode, is the Chukwumerije and Wada Nas of Obasanjo...

The late sage - Obafemi Awolowo once said... (I am paraphrasing ) 'when people are involved in a discourse, the intelligent ones endeavour to marshall out their points facts for facts logically, while the not so intelligent ones fall back to high sounding and vacuous words... mostly, attacking the character of their oppenents'.
It has become the pattern as typical of the publicists attached to the presidency to attack even though unwarrated, anyone who chooses to differ from that office in any national issue.

Alex Akinyele and Walter Ofornagoro resorted to name-calling and branding of differing opinions then as unpatriotic elements.
Comrade Uche Chukwumerije tried albeit unsuccessfully to clean the Augean Stable for president Ibrahim Babaginda during the June 12 imbroglio before the latter infamously 'stepped-aside'.
Then came Wada nas for Abacha. He made Abacha to believe that Nigerians are happy and want him (Abacha) to be president for life. Anyone who dare to voice out a different opinion, was not only branded as unpatriotic, but was seen as a felon- who is plotting to topple the government.

Now, we have Femi Fani-kayode. A relatively unknown lawyer- whose only qualification for the appointment of Special Assistant to the Very Special assistant- who is also assisting another is being the son of a politician and former deputy premier of the old Western region- Remi Fani-kayode. Whether the president has given the Herculean task of cleaning his Augean Stable to Femi Fani-kayode, Nigerians don't know. But, what we do know is that this Femi Fani-kayode, is rude and he is going to destroy whatever image is left of Obasanjo's regime, if he is not remove from assisting the special assistant.

Recently, Femi fani-Kayode added Prof. Wole Soyinka to his list of those who are not qualified to voice out their opinion on national issues or criticise his boss.

He said..." I think we have already given Prof. Soyinka far more attention than he deserves...We have absolutely no further comment about him and we have nothing more to say to him. "Whoever he spends his time insulting for his own personal and self-serving reasons, is his own business...At this stage in the life of our nation, constructive criticisms and meaningful contributions are what are needed and not the expression of bitter, retrograde and self-serving commentaries. In any case, it is always very difficult to reason, debate or have any form of meaningful discussion or dialogue with
any person that does not believe in God. The truth is that regardless of what people like Soyinka would have you believe, God is blessing Nigeria and our belief is that He will continue to do so...."

This same Femi fani-kayode five years ago, never saw anything good with Obasanjo's government and he wrote in the Comet Newspaper, March 18, 2001, titled "Obasanjo May End in Utter Disaster and Shame" in which, amongst many things, he derided Obasanjo for his messianic pretensions. Hear him:

"Again, the truth is that nothing has happened today that has encouraged those of us that share this view (the quest for a Sovereign National Conference ) to have cause to change our minds: economic conditions in the Nigeria of today are far worse than they were 22 (twenty-two) months ago," Fani-Kayode wrote.
"Can anyone disagree with the brilliant Ajose Adeogun when he recently said ‘this country is on its knees and in a state of crisis and yet the President is busy junketing all over the world?’ In places like Apapa and Ikeja today (which are both primary industrial areas) the Federal Government cannot even supply more than three to four hours of electric power per day. The President now seems to be gradually relapsing to his old, pre-1995 dictatorial self and there can be little doubt that the man suffers from what the British would describe as a ‘debilitating character flaw’".
"Again it is clear that Mr President feels unduly threatened by everyone and anyone. He does not listen. He does not care and he appears to growl with a deep and dissembling rage whenever anyone looks at things from a different perspective to his own. He finds it difficult to tolerate any form of criticism (even where such is constructive) and he has cultivated an obvious and relentless contempt for intellectual discourse. Again he has absolute disdain and contempt for those of us that contribute to public debate and intellectual discourse and that spend some of our time writing books or publishing articles. For people like Mr President the influencing of public opinion through the auspices of the print media does not matter and neither does public opinion itself count for anything ... Mr President's attitude is further worsened and compounded by the fact that he, for some reason or other, actually sees himself as not only an intellectual but also as a ‘messiah’. He believes that he has all the answers. He believes that he can never be wrong."

The questions most Nigerians are asking are... have things changed so drastically now that F.F.Kayode sees president Obasanjo as the messiah...? Does Obasanjo now listen to constructive criticism(without him-Kayode interferring)?
Do public opinion now matter to the presidency... or why is F.F.Kayode now playing the role of voltron- 'the defender of Obasanjo's administration?
We can go on and on asking questions about the character of this young man called Femi Fani-Kayode. However, we would like to leave him to history- the ultimate chronicler of events to place him in that particular spot where he actually belongs.

How Superstitious Are You...?

When Julius Caesar was about to be murdered in the shakespeare's drama 'Julius Caesar', his wife Calpurnia dreamt several times that night that Caesar was attacked and murdered in her sleep. The next morninng, she begged Caesar not to go to the capitol. Caesar was a superstitious man. He was wary of the dream - yet, he heeded Calpurnia's advice. However, the sly. lean and dangerous Cassius came and persuaded Caesar against his wife's advice. And Caesar not wanting people to think that he was superstitious and weak for heeding a woman's dream, decided to allow himself to be persuaded by Cassius.

He went to the capitol waryingly that morning pushing his superstitious beliefs to the background. At the end of the day, he was murdered by the very people he trusted so much.

A friend of mine says it is a complete danger sign when you hit your left foot against any object as you walk along the street.
Another believes that it is fatal not to heed such warnings... if for instance, all of the traffick lights at the 'cross' road junctions are showing 'red'...
According to him, it is better to reverse and go home. (sounds very absurd)...

The other day, there were flashes of lightning and thunder clap and I noticed the Nigerians and one or two Jamaicans around making the sign of the cross.
A young boy sneezes and everyone says 'bless you'...( what does this mean).

The other day, a co-worker of mine at the Sanctuary Glossy Caskets went to collect the money owed him by another. He went there very early in the morning. In spite of the fact that the debtor has the money at home to give to his creditor, he bluntly refused to do so, saying it is rather too early in day for debt collection. According to him, it is a bad omen to collect debt early in the morning.

Some people say an all black out fit is a bad sign too... while others believe it is 'red' not black.

Many people say the numbers - 7 & 13 are evil numbers and nothing in this world would make them live in houses numbered 7 or 13...

My grandmother who is from Barbados believes that if you eat in your dream, you had better go for cleansing or something ominous is going to happen to you. Have you ever eaten in you dream... what happened?

How superstitious are you? Do you believe in these absurdities... or better still what do you make of these ridiculous beliefs. Not forgetting that if Julius Caesar had listened to his wife Culpurnia, he would not have died the way he did...

IMF Was Partial ...

Often times I wonder what the difference is politically and economically between most African nations. For instance, whats the difference between Niger Republic or Ghana and Nigeria in terms of political and economic advancement.

The other day, the rest of Africa and indeed the world were appealling to humanity to help the starving mulititude in the Niger. Same for Darfur. But they keep forgeting the sufferings of thousands of people in Oginiland and a good measure of the creeks in the Delta region of Nigeria.

For so long the so-called leaders of Nigeria has deceived the rest of the world about their economic powers. It is obvious to some now, that the country is not so Rich after all.IMF(Internation Monetary Fund) recently cancelled the debt of some poor nations but Nigeria is glaringly left out... Why?
Look at this:


IMF ANNOUNCES 100% DEBT CANCELLATION FOR 19 COUNTRIES

IMF Announces 100% Debt Cancellation for 19 Countries

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today (21 December 2005) announced the first group of countries eligible for 100% debt cancellation relief following this summer’s G8 Africa Summit in Gleneagles.

The 19 countries that qualify as a result of today’s announcement are: Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
REACTION FROM JAMIE DRUMMOND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DATA (debt AIDS trade Africa):

“We are relieved that debt relief has finally turned into debt cancellation, and that justice has prevailed for this first phase of cancellation of repressive multilateral debts. This is but a modest down payment on what needs to come, but we are now one step closer to realizing the promises of the world’s richest countries at the G8 Africa Summit this summer. In 2006, many more of the 2005 promises must be kept.

Much has been made of Bono’s role in debt cancellation this year, but the true heroes are the millions of campaigners around the world who demanded more for those with less from their leaders, including the hundreds of artists who took part in the Live 8 concerts around the globe.

Let us not, however, rest here. The road to justice will be a long one. The G8 also promised additional $25 billion in aid for Africa from the G8 nations, education for all and AIDS drugs for nearly all, targeted efforts to beat back malaria, as well as a major overhaul of our trade system to level the playing field and allow the poorest to earn their way out of extreme poverty with dignity.”

On IMF conditionality: “Our assistance must always be delivered in a way that best helps people on the ground beat poverty. We cannot attach strings to it which are really about opening their markets to our products or micromanaging their economies to suit our narrowly defined ends. Those approaches are outdated, they don’t work, and we must together move on from paternalism to partnership with African and other developing nations. Beating back on IMF austerity measures is a key part of this new emerging paradigm of partnership."


My question to the IMF, is Nigeria not poor enough for 100% debt cancellation?
Please don't look into the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crime Commision) selective witch-hunting criminality.The rest of Nigerians won't see the confiscated loot or where it will eventually end up just like the Abacha thievery that were recovered.
Nigeria falls into the same bracket with Niger, Mali,Togo,Ghana, Cambodia, Guinea and all other poor nations of the world.

The Hidden Cycle of Man.

it starts with undefined longing...
moments that propels the endless search...
moments thats leads to hazy fathomless future...

one small talk leads to another...
hands snakely interwine and
eyes glazy with tears...
tears of joy...

moments later,
pressurized sunction of
hard red lips
exchange spittle...

blood pressure catapults
to mount Everest...
legs locked in jerky
sporadic tango...

gibberish uttered at interval
maybe screams of ecstacy...
then-
dymystified creatures jet
waggingly to the Groove...

the dot is formed
and it gradually inflates
to a baloon shape...

nine months later,
siren , screeching tyres
nurses, noises, doctor-
smiles- life!

Is Charity Not Suppose To Begin Home...?

One of the beauties of democracy is the freedom of expression (albeit some limitations) that is prevalent in the Nigerian polity today.
For this singular reason, people are able to voice their opinion openly-even if it harshly criticizes government policies.
I am one of those who strongly believe that President Olusegun Obasanjo's anti- corruption crusade is a laudable programme, but it is still one-sided. It has choosen to prosecute some and not all...
It is becoming increasely obvious to most people, that this crusade is selective. Recently, Col. Abubakar Umar(rtd) spoke about the one-sidedness of the Obasanjo's one-sided crusade to NewsDay Magazine. (Jan. 16-23, 2006 edition) Hear him:


In spite of President Olusegun Obasanjo's anti- corruption crusade, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar {rtd}said his government remains the most corrupt government the country has ever had, when compare with past successive governments. He also raised alarm over secret plans by some forces to scuttle democracy in the country.

The radical retired Army officer and political activist expressed this view in Abuja recently- during the inauguration of the Movement for Unity and Progress, a pressure and political movement that will ensure that the country is governed in accordance with democratic principles.

According to Col. Umar: “It is a documented fact of history that, 56% of the corruption that takes place in government has their root in the presidency. It is clear that the government has with limited success used the cases of some of these individuals to divert public attention from its culpability in aiding the growth of corruption”

The former military governor of Kaduna state said his view is quite plausible because the most corrupt parastatal, which accounts for 95% of government's revenue, the NNPC is under the direct supervision of the presidency adding that, “this is why at the policy level, the Federal Executive Council and the Due Process Office do not review most of contract awarded by the NNPC.

Giving examples of the corrupt practices under the nose of the president, Col. Umar said Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili of former Due Process Office had accused the Ministry of Water Resources of inflating contracts to the tune of N1billion within six months but the president could not take action. Again, he questioned a contract for the supply of 50 used Armoured Personnel Carrier by the Ministry of Defence at the cost of $37million “when another company was willing to supply the same vehicles at the cost of $13million” alleging that most of those vehicles had to be towed from the port because they had one problem or the other.

The Abuja Water Project which was awarded to a “reputable” company, SALINI in 2001 at the cost of N45billion with six years completion period also attracted the attention of the Colonel. He revealed that, the company actually started work in earnest but stalled due to lack of funding. “For some inexplicable reasons SALINI was replaced by another company SCC, which got the contract at N75billion”, he added.

Amazingly, SALINI was compensated with an N52billion Cultural Centre Construction contract signed just before Christmas of 2005. “Why would a company that failed to execute an N45billion contract be awarded a contract worth N52billion”? Col. Umar asked.

Going by his investigations and revelations, Col. Umar said it is evident that the anti-corruption campaign of Obasanjo has failed woefully adding that, Obasanjo-led federal government has become the prime mover of corruption.

X-raying the political situation in the country, the radical political activist said the immediate challenges confronting the Nigerian nation is the maneuvers, intrigues, and blackmail mounted by senior government officials, some state governors, traditional rulers, some members of the state and National Assemblies aimed at a fundamental breach of the constitution of the country to guarantee a third term for Obasanjo and the state governors. He regretted that the campaign is being financed by the same people who sold the same product to late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Hear him: “The sad truth is that those forces operate within the democratic realm grudgingly. Their operation, disposition and methods of operation are more in tune with authoritarian and dictatorial regimes; they do not believe in the rule of law and they do not believe in due process and that is why they want to scuttle the democratic process because they can serve and survive under any type of regime”.

He advised the civil society groups to reunited and stop the anti- democratic activities of those forces adding that unless something is done quickly, the country would be thrown into intractable socio- political violence.

Chief Sunday B. Awoniyi, National Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum who was present at the inauguration of the group described Obasanjo as ingrate and advised Nigerians to resist his plans to elongate his tenure by telling him {Obasanjo} that they are not slaves.

Hear Awoniyi's logic: “Many years ago, when Alexander finished conquering the Roman Empire, some people asked him how it was possible for him to do it; he replied and said because they are slaves who could not say no to his activities”. Awoniyi then asked the crowd, including journalists who came to witness the inauguration of the Col. Umar-led group: “Are you a slave?” Then the thundering response: “No”.

The former private secretary to late Sarduna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello said the fact that those who wanted to elongate their tenures in the past did not succeed would be the reason why Obasanjo will strive to succeed- were others failed.

Col. Umar and his group were prevented by security agents from using the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre which they have paid for since December 23, 2005, as indicated in the receipt issued them by the centre. Consequently they were forced to carry out their ceremony under the tree.

Is the Presidency choosing to ignore or look the other way when gross financial misconduct is being perpetual right at his door step? Or is charity not suppose to begin at home any more?

GL: This is My Response!

So much has happened within the Nigerian polity in the last two weeks . The major catastrophic ones being the Gbenga Obasanjo's interview and denial; and the impeachment of governor Ladoja of Oyo state.
These two events smack of the impending downward slide of Nigeria's democracy toward the precipice.

Going back to the Gbenga Obasanjo's rather rude (even though denied) revelation and the Ladoja's impeachment, no one , and I mean no one, can still say the anti - corruption campaign cum targeting is not a selective excercise.
The son of the president himself indicted the corrupt but stupid governors who steal from the state confers and then dare to flaunt such wealth openly. In his words:

"Let's look at the corruption trial of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha...I think he is really dumb and stupid. He should have known that there is no way he could get away with stealing so much money from his state. He was daft and careless. But let me tell you that those people caught are the careless ones. There is so much corruption in Nigeria, and there are a lot of intelligent and smart corrupt people and then of course, the stupid one. Those are the ones who get caught. There are places in the world especially in the commonwealth of the former soviet republics where you can get a passport with a white name and a black face and no one will ever ask questions from you!"

Bottomline, Alamieyeseigha, Ladoja and maybe Tafa Balogun and others were not intelligent enough to steal wisely. It is an open and shut case! If you think you are smart enough to steal from the confers of government, go ahead, otherwise...
Thats the son of the President of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria Speaking. Yet, we are made to understand that Gbenga Obasanjo parades the corridors of Aso rock. With the benefit of hindsight, he knows better than the rest of us - outsiders.
Why have I revisited this issue,one might one to ask. I decided to revisit this issue because someone by the blog name GL left a comment on my blog ..."If I Were the president..." saying:

"Great poem. I don't agree with all of your points, however.

Charles Taylor for one, I think bringing him to Nigeria was good cos it stopped d fight in Liberia. If harboring one 'criminal' stopped the loss of so many lives I think it is great.

If we want to be truthful to ourselves, Obasanjo did not cause the either the Sosoliso or Bellview crashes. Neither is he responsible for the tear-gassing of the protesters. I dont even think the IG of police is responsible. The Nigerian Police's lawlessness is not a new thing.

Most of the problems we're facing in the country have been there 4 years b4 dis administration. While they may not have done enough, they've certainly done better. There are improvements.

We, Nigerians, always love to look for ppl to point fingers at but we are the problem. Afterall, the corrupt public office holders, policemen and military men are ALL Nigerians. The average Nigerian is corrupt and would not do better than Obasanjo. Since I was born we've had several leaders and we've always complained about them. Mostly the same things. Considering that there have been both Northerners and Southerners, I believe that they are more or less a reflection of the whole country. I know many will disagree with this, but the truth is, most of us Nigerians would support corruption, and justify it, if it favours us. Only when we do not stand to gain do we complain.

This isn't to say that Obasanjo isn't corrupt, but then Nigerians are. Even gatemen collect bribes to allow visitors into their companies now. When such ppl are exposed to billions of naira, what wil they do? This isn't restricted to the poor. The rich do worse in secret and come out to criticize government.

Some ppl say I support Obasanjo. No, I criticize his actions sometimes. However, I like him because he is one of the most detribalized Nigerians I've seen.I'm sorry to say dis, but especially for a Yoruba man. The corruption and economic situation in the country is bad enough. Adding tribal prejudice can be really terrible. I'm from a minority group so I'm talking from experience."
Posted by GL | 1:59 AM


Its rather unfortunate that your blog is incomplete and so I can't formally respond to your comment on the " if i were the president..." except through this means:

However, I am hoping you will visit my blog again and probably read this.

Governanace is all about responsiblity. The buck must stop at the president's desk. Period.
Thats why the blame is heaped on the shoulders of whosoever occupies the hot sit of the president if things go wrong.
If things work out fine and properly in the country however, he takes the credit.
It is the height of naivity to say Obasanjo who you can not separate from Nigeria for now should not be blamed if things go wrong in the country. Afterall, he is not also the one executing personally some of the economic policies we have credited to him.

That Charles Taylor was whisked to Nigeria, and peace is now retored in Liberia, we commend all those involved in that process. But the story should not end there. He must face charges for the role he played in the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Liberians and other nationals.

I agree with you that some Nigerians at the top or bottom of the ladder are corrupt. But this should not stop people from criticising the ills associated with governance. In fact,constructive criticism is healthy for those in authority.
It makes them stand on their toes and not their heads constantly.
If we see something good with any adminitration and say so, it does not mean we are apologists of such administration.

Obasanjo's administration has scored some positives no doubt. We would want him to do more and more and more!

Did Gbenga Obasanjo Err...?

It was quite interesting reading the candid opinion(?) of Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo - son of President Olusegun Obasanjo on a wide variety of issues.
Although he has since published a rejoinder (ThisDay Newspaper) via his lawyers refuting that he ever granted an interview with Omoyole Sowore of TheNews.
I find it hard to believe that Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo did not give his overt or covert permission to be quoted or published.
What the rest of us would like to know is this: did Gbenga ever had a discussion with Mr Sowore of TheNews Magazine? Was he (Gbenga) aware that Mr Sowore was a journalist at the time of their purported meeting? Were there questions asked and answers given... was there a Tape Recorder running... and did Gbenga Obasanjo at any point in the course of their conversation(?) asked Mr Sowore not to quote him or publish anything said in that vehicle or hotel or roadside...? What would be the difference in definition between an interview and a discussion between two consenting adults - where one them is a journalist?

Or has Gbenga suddenly realised the import and implication of his vituperation? Is he trying to amend the damage done to his father's one-sided campaign against corruption
and the insult he showered on vice president Atiku and the Awoist? Please read his lawyers rejoinder (ThisDay).:


President Olusegun Oba-sanjo's son, Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo, yesterday expla-ined his role in the alleged interview he granted TheNews magazine. In a letter from his lawyers to the management of TheNews and made available to THISDAY, Gbenga denied ever granting any interview, and expressed shock at the development.
TheNews magazine in its current edition published an interview allegedly granted by Gbenga, where he accused Vice President Atiku Abubakar of greed, inordinate ambition and other atrocities he allegedly committed in the privatisation process. The interview had also generated reactions from the Presidency, which dismissed Gbenga as speaking for himself.
In the said interview, Gbenga was quoted as saying, "Atiku just thinks that the Presidency is his birtthright. Look at AP and the privatisation process. They just sold the entire country to themselves. Look at the Pentascope deal...go to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and see those who own pentascope,"
He also reportedly denied the alleged third term bid of President Obasanjo, saying some people are urging his father to run "because they are afraid of Atiku. They know he will come and take over everything."
However, Gbenga, through his lawyers, S.O. Ajayi & Co., said the publication came to him as a rude shock, insisting that he never granted Omoyole Sowore any interview.
Rather, he said he met him at Seme Border in December last year and only had a private discussion with him, having declined his request for an interview.
According to Gbenga's lawyers, their client, who is currently out of the country, has been inundated with calls, regretting that the reporter exploited the favour he granted him to publish a "disastrous" piece.
"Our client got to know about the story late evening yesterday (Sunday) and since then, he is being inundated with several calls from family members, friends, well wishers and associates, both within and outside of Nigeria expressing concern over the contents of the alleged interview in all its ramifications and circumstances. This story is also attracting deep interest of operators of the electronic media, as it has continued to be used as regular news since this (yesterday) morning by some radio stations in Lagos State; both Yoruba and English channels.
"This has caused and continues to shock our client who states unequivocally that he did not grant the reporter, Mr. Omoyele Sowore any interview as claimed or at all. At no time did Mr. Sowore put questions to our client, which elicited the responses reported in the papers and TheNews magazine.
"The truth of the matter, according to our brief, was that our client met Mr. Sowore at the Nigerian Seme border sometime in December 2005, assisted Mr. Sowore to resolve some disagreement he had with some law enforcement agencies and gave him a ride to Lagos, a journey that took far less than two hours. Our client informed us that Mr. Sowore requested for an interview, which our client politely but clearly declined to grant.
"Our client informed us that it was in the course of the journey that Mr. Sowore, our client and one of our client's cousins who was with them in the vehicle had some private discussions. It is not unusual among Nigerians wherever they are gathered to evince their patriotic views. The contents of the discussions have been largely embellished. Our client denies the widespread political colouration given to the discussion and regrets the dimension that what he seees as a private and essential health related discussion has taken.
"Our client states that there is no way that he could have uttered such vituperation against people of such high calibre in his father's government. Our client insists that there were discussions, he insists that the reporter directly requested for an interview but he politely and directly declined the request. It is illegal and unbecoming of a reporter to turn the favour granted him by our client to what has now scandalised our client. The reporter took an advantage of our client's large heartedness to scoop a story of a disastrous proportion."
Gbenga, who said he regretted the embarrassment that the said interview has caused his entire family, demanded for an apology to himself and his father and immediate retraction of the interview by TheNews magazine, failing which he threatened to initiate legal actions against the magazine.
"The unsolicited and unauthorised story is deeply regretted by our client and he regrets the embarrassment that this might have caused members of his family. We have our client's instruction to request you to publish this letter as his rejoinder to the alleged interview and also to carry out a retraction of the story with apology both to him and his respectable father, Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been embarrassed by the alleged false interview.
"It is not our client's practice to air his grievances publicly or litigate on every wrong done to him and he does not seek to do so on this occasion, hence our demand for a retraction and apology. However, you will understand that if this is not forthcoming, then, our client will have no choice than to take the necessary steps that would preserve our client's and his family's reputation and integrity, given the widespeard nature of the publication that was packaged and branded in the purported interview that our client did not grant and the usual circumstances of this case," Gbenga’s lawyers wrote.

The Dilemma of the African Man

I have a very strong felling that the black man still revere the white man and the White have no respect for the Black people especially Africans. They still prefer the Arabs (who will bomb them to death) . Otherwise how do we explain to the rest of the world the rate at which Nigerians are being spirited out of the UK every other day.
Two weeks back, a friend of mine who has lived in London with his 'white girlfriend' for six years seven months was arrested and he is likely to be deported. It is only the Queen who can save him as things are now.
What offence did he commit? He over-stayed his welcome.
Anini ( not his real name for security reasons) came into the UK with a two years student visa to study for an MBA. Before you could say 'hey', two years has rolled by. Anini was now faced with the unpleasant option of either going back to Nigeria - to contend with NEPA, Armed Robbers, the ever present snake like traffic jam on Lagos roads or risk the hell by staying put and be branded as an illegal immigrant.
He chose the later. He chose to stay for two major reasons. One, the power of the Pound; the only currency in the world with a surname. The Pounds Sterling as it is called. The other reason was his oyinbo girlfriend. It appear then, that their love was made in Buckingham palace - signed, sealed, and delivered by Her Majesty The Queen.
Everyone thought it was a perfect match and things appear to be actually going smoothly for both of them. They lived together. The mother and father of the 'oyinbo babe' approved of Anini inspite of the fact that he is not the most handsome young man around. I am not saying this out of spite. It is my opinion that Anini's head is rather too large for his face. My friend has a small oval face, short neck, and a humpty dumpty head. To make matters worse, his 'B' shape nose covers his entire face. Often times I wonder what this girl sees in him! (if he ever gets to read this, hell will be let loose).
Anyway, the gist is that Anini and his 'oyinbo babe' had a fight... and he dared to to raise his 'black scaled crocodile like hand' against an oyinbo girl. That was it!
An over-busied-body hag of a woman pensioner, who no one ever suspected lived in that apartment and who felt it was her business to rescue female Britons from Blacks like Anini( who does no deserve to befriend a white girl) called in the police.
And you know, the efficiency of the British policeman heightens when a black brother is involved. He was arrested pronto for assault.
One question leads to another and soon enough, Anini's immigration status was blown open. He has over stayed.
That was the beginning of the end for his stay in the UK. His dream of marrying an 'oyinbo' and having an indefinite stay has been shattered by one moment of madness.
We have called and apologised to the 'oyinbo' babe on behalf of Anini. We have appealed to her parents to drop charges and they have obliged. But, the Home Office cum immigration say he has violated the law. His punishment is outright deportation.
Anini has been advised to apply for asylum. But the Home Office says no way, he has no grounds!
My question is: why is it so difficult for an African to seek redress in the UK, and indeed any where in the developed world? if Anini and his girlfriend were Africans, would the hag of a pensioner call in the police? If Anini had not over stayed, and the girl and her parents say they were not pressing charges, I wonder what the punishment would be for him.
If a Briton or German or a French man slaps his girlfriend or wife and he has over stayed in Lagos or Abuja, would the police hear of it? If they hear of it, would they hand over the culprit to immigration officers? If they hand over the culprit to immigration, would immigration officers carry out their duties without prejudice, and would they apply the full wrath of the law like their counterparts else where?