Nigeria

Travails of a Nation

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Its 6:31pm on a wet monday evening. Ideally i should be in class..but don’t have the slightest motivation to attend not with the rain soaked streets of Lagos. but its really the amount of work on my desk that bogged me down.

Even though atimes i wonder, as i am wondering now, why i feel so exhausted after a day’s job of just sitting behind the system..but i guess as i have been told, the white hairs growing on my head at this very young age of mine..speaks volume of what i try to accomplish daily. Interestingly, i have a colleague who gets really worried about it and says several people she knows, who work themselves at their job in terms of mental capacity are growing white hairs….But i ask, why is my boss not growing white hairs…probably because he wears an afro and he maintains it regularly, hence the white hairs remain deep unseen to the public. maybe an expedition will lead us there..lololol

But be it as it may, my heart grieves for an evil that is becoming synonymous with our nation. I wonder, when did we become so inured to the pain of others  and carry on with our lives with no sense of compassion at all.

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What are we Learning??

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Today marks the first time I will be attending lectures as a Part time Masters Student of University of Lagos.

All these while I have not attended class nor have a clue as to what is going on.

Interestingly, my friends have been wondering what the heck was wrong with me that I have not been coming.:) and today that I attended…made some interesting observations.

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A Nation Under Siege Part 1

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

The recent events in my Country Nigeria since January 1 2012 has been nothing short of despair coupled with anger.

Perhaps we should back date it to 25th December 2011 the Christmas day gift to Nigerians with the bombing of a Catholic Church by Boko Haram (BH) with the attendant lose of lives including whole families.

BH has grown from a serpent that was crushed on the head but fatally wounded into an hydra headed monster that is blood thirsty and uncontrollable, hungry for revenge.

The spate of bombings carried out by this “faceless” group in the last 24 days has shown how powerful and ruthless the monster has grown.

Kano bombing of security formations across the state on friday with over 200 dead, Damaturu following on Saturday and Bauchi early Sunday morning with our security and intelligence agencies looking lost like a man marooned on an unknown island.

Perhaps most bitter and extremely disgusting is the reaction of the President in person of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. It took him over 7hrs to respond to the Xmas day bomb blast which occured during first mass, that is before he attended church where he danced and was all smiles and received state house delegation who came to visit him before he uttered a word about the bombing. What callousness!

If that was anything to go by, January 1st fuel subsidy was removed shooting up the pump price to N141 from N65! Of course, NLC/TUC called for a strike, and were supported by Civil Liberty Groups across the country. And it resulted into a 5 day all out strike action with peaceful mass rally in different parts of the country and the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota re-christened Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park became synonymous with the movement that is now known as Occupy Nigeria.

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A Conversation with my Boss…

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Am in a bus on my way to a supposed lecture that was scheduled to hold today. Saying supposed because i learnt ASUU is on strike but seems some few lecturers still deliver lectures.

While that is still uncertain, am stuck in a traffic snare and right now contemplating dropping from the bus and taking the next bike home…Why, not only because of the traffic but i have been exceptionally tired today. Slept twice today in the office..i mean sleep deep because i was tired and worn out.

Right now, i am feeling so sleepy as if i took sleeping tablets… But you know, its all madness…craziness.

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My Apologies, President Jonathan

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 2 Comments

Dear President Jonathan,

I’m ashamed of myself. I want to apologize for my heartless abuse of your meek and gentle self. Please accept my sincere apologies.

I did not mean any harm. If I had known that you were as fragile as an egg, I would have been massaging your tiny ego instead of throwing darts to strengthen your muscles.

Just like you, Mr. President, I want to move Nigeria forward. I want to do it in a gentleman’s way – without shedding any sweat. But I have seen that Nigeria is such a heavy load that anyone involved in that venture must be ready to perspire.

Despite the impression I must have given over the years as a professional critic, I am a thoughtful man. I know it must be hard being the president of a dysfunctional country like Nigeria. But I did not know it was this hard. And surely, you did not have the slightest idea how hard it would be when you allowed your name on the ballot.

At a non-denominational service to mark Nigeria ’s 51st Independence Day, you lashed out at me and other critics of yours. I truly deserve it. But your frustrations drew no sympathy in me.

As a member, in good standing, of the National Association of Armchair Critics (Home and Abroad), I want to respond to you.

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Words on the Marble

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

“The alimentary canal of our state ministers does not digest gold”…Dr Tai Solarin.
With the recent spate of events happening in our country, one is left to wonder of our ministers or leaders particularly the presidency is interested in the welfare of their people.

It leaves a sour taste to the mouth when people elected(selected) to lead act inured to the happenings all around us. I am left to wonder the sanity if those who voted them in not to talk of questioning their own sanity that is, if they do have!!!

The spate of bombings in our nation has now reached a peak that i am wondering and asking myself, are we at war?

And of a truth we are at war! War against the forces of mediocrity that has taken over our nation, war against politicians that care only for their belly, war against figurehead presidency who does not know his right from his left. war against poverty, war against environmental nuisance, war against corruption and the list goes on and on…

All these have eaten deep into our fabric as a nation that we have lost all sense of decency and decorum to discern what matters most and what does not.

To us, everything goes inasmuch as it does not hinder bread from coming to our table, not disturb our sleep at night.

We can’t keep like this for long, its high time the docile giant in us gets up and becomes bold and courageous. High time we stop acting like idiots who allow themselves to be governed by an idiot worse off than them (Jonas).

The waters of the ocean never moves, until the tide moves with the wind…….

Its Not Over

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 1 Comment

With the recent happenings all over the world, the risings in the Arab world that started with Algeria moved down to Egypt, now stucked with Libya and Syria.

But it’s quite interesting to note the penchant of our so-called leaders to cleave to power by all means especially in Africa and Arab world. Take for instance, Libya. Ghaddafi has been there for about 4 decades and is now caught in the quagmire of a revolution and civil war that has enveloped him and his country and brought the fury of the nations to their doorstep in the form of NATO. Now i actually wonder why Ghaddafi would have to wait for this long for him to realize that the world cannot contain his idiosyncratic tendencies anymore. A self-styled “King of Kings” and a Bat by nature and origin. Now what i mean by this is his alliance with the Arab world claiming to be Arab and also alliance with African, claiming to be a Brother. Now on which side of the divide is he actually? Hence a Bat. Yoruba’s call it “o se ku o seeye”.

Well as it may, did it ever cross his mind that he will be flushed out this way or suffer the indignity of world condemnation, denial and back-stabbing from his trusted allies. It’s interesting to note as well if he ever learned from the example of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt who has been humiliated through the court of law. But did he ever think it will be over for him if he dared to step aside?

Even with him ousted from power now and yet to be located, it’s not over for him still…..though he had long ignored the back door escape that was opened for him but now locked….by revolutionists of like mind like him 42 years ago who are giving him the same dose he gave others 42 years ago, he still has a chance to make amends if given the chance, or better still live in solitary confinement where he can do memos of his sojourn as demigod, or strategies to hold on to power in the 23rd century…

But whichever way it is, it’s not over for him. Just hope other learn from his mistakes and as well our Mr. Presido in Nigeria will take heed.

Will most like be doing write ups on long ruling dictators in Africa and intending ones ( the Jonas…)

Till then…….

 


State of the Nation

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment
State of the Nation.
A lot has being happening in the country the last few weeks that has been both shocking and interesting.
First of all was the Boko Haram crisis in the North with these fanatics attacking government facilities and security men as well. They ended up been crushed thanks to the intervention of the Nigerian Army but the end has been received with mixed feelings in a lot of quarters thanks to the extra-judicial killing of the Leader, Mohammed Yusuf and a financier of the group, a former commissioner in one of the Northern states.
Well, controversy still trails the accounts of his death by the security men with the Army insisting he was captured alive and with video and picture evidence to back it up (all thanks to youtube, saharareporters) and the Police claiming he was killed during a shootout. Heck! Who does not know the history of the Nigeria Police with such killings!
The Secretary of State for the United States of America, Hillary Clinton came visiting the country as well during the cause of the week. She chastised the government on the state of corruption in the country as well as the deplorable level of good governance. Must we wait for a diviner from the next town to point out to us what the gods are saying about the state of our nation? What went arong with our diviners?
Gov Ohakim of Abia state recently defected to the PDP from his party, PPA. The politics of carpet crossing will never end in our nation, or should i say,if you can’t beat em, you join em!
ASUU strike is going to more than 10 weeks now with negotiation suspended by the Federal Government alleging insincerity and blackmail on the part of the lecturers and vice versa. I think for once, ASUU is fighting on a reasonable ground,  but for how long must the future of this nation be subject to this debacle?! In the midst of this crisis, the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, a recycled, sorry a former Governor had his 25th wedding anniversary with whooping millions! Allegedly 25 million naira! All in this nation! Well, as long as his children are outside the country studying, he has nothing to worry about!
When will thou save the people?! O God of mercy when?! The People, not thrones not crowns but men!
Our nation is in a nigh state of revolution unprecedented. We can’t sit back and watch things go on this way. We need to take positive steps towards the redemption of our country. But this question pops up, who will be the Messiah? Who will #lightupNigeria for the sake of the future generationState

Flag of Nigeria

A lot has being happening in the country the last few weeks that has been both shocking and interesting.

First of all was the Boko Haram crisis in the North with these fanatics attacking government facilities and security men as well. They ended up been crushed thanks to the intervention of the Nigerian Army but the end has been received with mixed feelings in a lot of quarters thanks to the extra-judicial killing of the Leader, Mohammed Yusuf and a financier of the group, a former commissioner in one of the Northern states.

Well, controversy still trails the accounts of his death by the security men with the Army insisting he was captured alive and with video and picture evidence to back it up (all thanks to youtube, saharareporters) and the Police claiming he was killed during a shootout. Heck! Who does not know the history of the Nigeria Police with such killings!

The Secretary of State for the United States of America, Hillary Clinton came visiting the country as well during the cause of the week. She chastised the government on the state of corruption in the country as well as the deplorable level of good governance. Must we wait for a diviner from the next town to point out to us what the gods are saying about the state of our nation? What went arong with our diviners?

Gov Ohakim of Abia state recently defected to the PDP from his party, PPA. The politics of carpet crossing will never end in our nation, or should i say,if you can’t beat em, you join em!

ASUU strike is going to more than 10 weeks now with negotiation suspended by the Federal Government alleging insincerity and blackmail on the part of the lecturers and vice versa. I think for once, ASUU is fighting on a reasonable ground,  but for how long must the future of this nation be subject to this debacle?! In the midst of this crisis, the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, a recycled, sorry a former Governor had his 25th wedding anniversary with whooping millions! Allegedly 25 million naira! All in this nation! Well, as long as his children are outside the country studying, he has nothing to worry about!

When will thou save the people?! O God of mercy when?! The People, not thrones not crowns but men!

Our nation is in a nigh state of revolution unprecedented. We can’t sit back and watch things go on this way. We need to take positive steps towards the redemption of our country. But this question pops up, who will be the Messiah? Who will #lightupNigeria for the sake of the future generation

Just as wrapping this up, the banking sector is in turmoil with the sacking of 5 bank MDs on Friday due to gross financial misconduct and fiscal indiscipline. The CBN Chief says they risk going to jail if found culpable in the activities that led to their banks been stressed. The Nation is just heating up! God have mercy!

Lessons Learnt

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment
Lessons

Lessons

Its been awhile that i last posted on my blog. Been busy watching and participating in events.
Well, lets leave that forthat. I had quite an interesting experience on Friday 3rd July. I never knew the Police where not meant to enter your vehicle at any point in time for whatever reason or offence. Well what happenned, i and a collegue went to pick the German expatriate that came to work on our Shape CD machine, so we took Allen round about stopped with the traffic waiting for the go signal. We were not able to see the light, because we were at the back of the queue. So the vehicles in front of us moved and we moved along naturally as expected only to hear stop! stop! You broke the traffic light offence! Where is your driver licence! Open the door! And before we knew it, they had forced there way into the vehicle and told us to drive to park or go to the station. Funny thing, there was no traffic light at that point and we were asked for our tax clearance papers!Luckily, my collegue driving was a Youth Corper but that did not fly with the Policeman! Now the clincher, he said fine for commiting a particular offence was N250. Fine for commiting a traffic light offence was N65070! Haba! Oga Police!

They wanted us to drive down to their station but my collegue slowed down enough to create a traffic situation that obtructed a siren blowing official coming behind us! Suddenly a woman drove alongside us and asked,”Are you going together?!” and we replied “No Madam!”And she ordered them out of the vehicle. Meanwhile, an official looking man was suddenly at the other side of the vehicle and demanded of the policemen if their duty post was inside the vehicle! The men scabbled out of the vehicle dropping the driving licence (which we did not know until much later) and the woman ordered that we follow her. Fortunately we lost the woman and continued to our office withh the German expatriate amused and not the least surprised by it!

The second incident actually happened in the middle of the night between the hours of 1:55am and 3am on saturday. I suddenly awoke to the sound of an alarm outside. I got up to enquire only to discover that a flat in the next block to my block was in flames! people were screaming, shouting  running up and down and i remembered that i had the lagos emergency number. So i dialled, it went through once and the information passed aacross and said the fire team will be there shortly. Ten minutes later, i called  asking were they where, and told they had been dispatched. The next thirty minutes were harrowing as we watch the flat burn. The young men summoned courage, got buckets of water with detergent to combat the fire. And for the next Thirty minutes the young men battled with the fire and succeeded in taming it. Meanwhile a friend also called the fire service and was told they were on their way. And they came in less than ten minutes after the fire had been relatively tamed and contained! They were led in by the RRS who had earlier visited the scene and left. Of course trust the people, they ordered the fire engine back to its origin! They were lucky the policemen where there and they pacified the youths and told them that as soon as the call was put through, they had been on their way all the way from Alausa to FESTAC! Thirty minutes after my call went through!

 

Lessons learnt:

1) A Policeman has no right to withhold your licence for any traffic offence, he should issue a ticket if empowered to do so: Have a photocopy of your licence everytime, and demand he issue you a ticket if you have indeed committed a traffic offence. But be wise!

2) Always be wary of traffic points where policemen mount, they would use any guise to obtain you. Because a foreigner was in the vehicle, we suddenly committed a traffic light offence with a fine of N65070!: Desperation can drive men to unimaginable limits! Nigerian Police especially!

3)A Policeman has no right whatsoever to board your vehicle without your consent: Any Policeman trying to board your vehicle is a thief! Especially when uninvited!

4)Always have the emergency toll free numbers with you always. 767 for lagos state: It could be the difference between life and death. It could be your only saving grace in a dire situation. Have it all the time!

5)In an emergency situation, keep your cool and take a proactive approach to the situation. Don’t join the band wagon of pity party that compounds the situation: Its a very bad habit of Nigerians to gather round the scene of an accident and gape at the helpless victims and lament without doing anything to help but add their wailings to the hapless. Its a very bad cuilture that needs to be dealt with. Think positive, think of the next step to rectify the situation and be a blessing!

6)You alone can help yourself and your situation! Don’t wait for the Federal Government! Most people put the spot on the Federal Government to remedy the situation in the country, but forget the saying that heavens help those who help themselves! Am not trying to absolve the FG from there responsibilities, but we need to know that we must fend for ourselves to solve our problems before we expect the government to act!

7)A help you think is nearby is farther than you think! Don’t count on it! FESTAC fire service did not show up, but Lagos state fire service showed up all the way from Alausa to put out a fire in FESTAC! The person you think is nearby to help you may not be readily available to do so. Don’t count on that brother or friend less than a metre a way to help you, help might actually come from a 100 kilometers!

Cheers!

My condolence and sympathies to the family of the Adeolu Akinyemi and my friend, Abiola his brother over the sudden exit of their mother on thursday 2nd July 2009. God grant the family, fortitude to bear the loss. Amen.

Cheers!

Tenure Extension Again?

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 1 Comment

PE-281-0113Hmm, its been a while that i last posted something on my blog. Doing some reflecting. Well, a lot has been happening the world over. From the global financial meltdown to mundane things happening in different countries.

Well, something caught my eye this morning. It was a newspaper headline on the Punch of today. ‘Panel want tenure extension for Yar’Adua’ From the few details i could get,it it seems the panel set up by the Presidency to look at the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report that are making the proposal and its been spear headed by the Attorney General of the Federation!

But i just can’t help but wonder what our leaders were thinking bringing such suggestion up. It seems to me to be a deliberate attempt to forget history and truncate the future,with specific reference to the botched 3rd term bid of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of our country. It seems as well that they are yet to learn from the peaceful transition of government in Ghana that took place earlier this year. Little wonder that PDP is seriously and fast losing ground in some states of the federation. But it also calls to mind what our so called leaders think of in their so called chambers and offices.

Now what is been proposed is to have the 4 year tenure extended to 6 years! “The panel reportedly argued that Yar‘Adua ”would have completed the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” by being in office for two more years.” What nonsense! Is he the only one capable to do such a task? Or is he going to be the last man to rule this great country of ours?! To me, it’s turning out that confusion over what to do is the order of the day at Aso Rock.Policies that will benefit the greater majority of the nation is been sacrificed for policies that will benefit the very few in the nation. The elite group that will stop at nothing to bring the nation to her knees to achieve their own selfish end.

Frankly, it shows that we don’t have leaders in this country that can stand up and damn the demogogues, men whom the lust of office does not spoil. We need to define the basis of leadership in this country, to set a new, refined standard, of quality acceptable leadership. We need to stand up as a nation and look our leaders in the face and tell them when they are erring and to tow the line of correction.

We need to, as a nation be able to take charge of our destiny and not wait for a corrupt politician or leader to define our destiny for us. The future of a great Nigeria begins now! Not tomorrow. I love the Bank PHB advert of recent, of living your own script and not living another person’s script. Its time we write our script as a nation and not wait for anybody to write it for us. Lets say no to any form of banditry by our government.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Cheers!