I am ardent reader of Prof. Pats postings on facebook and I well agree with a lot of people that think that this man and his ideologies are the tools we need to effect a change in our generation. Like Prof, I believe that nobody will change our nation but ourselves and if we want to effect this desired change we will need to take the bull by the horn. I think we should begin to sensitize people and let them know what they can do to see the much talked about change.
I suggest we (those that are passionate about this) should begin to hold events in which we could relate this our passion to our fellow young people and believe me, our passion will begin to rub off on them.
I am looking forward to putting up one of such events very soon and I wish I could get the likes of Prof. as a guest speaker in the event.
That you speak the truth fearlessly is without question, that you thoroughly understand the problems and have solutions as expressed in your writings is also without question, but where I have questions sir, is how do you really intend to convince people to come out to vote when there is the concrete belief that votes will not be counted?
I want to suggest that public speaking by you and volunteers should start immediately.These volunteers have to be taught on how to sensitize people and make them passionate. The people are aware of the problems and angry but most have resigned the situation to fate. How do you get people to wake up from this apathy?
I am also happy that you have taken advantage of the internet, but how do you get those who don’t have access to the net impassioned about you like I have and countless others? There is so much to be done and we have to start now.
I read with interest your recent post about Mr. Aonodakaa. Thank you for being direct and educational on the issue.
If my knowledge has not failed me I believe that Chief Abiola also returned to Nigeria after his failed bid as the democratically elected President when the election was overturned by the then President Babangida. I remember very well that he was arrested and jailed and later died in prison. If this account is correct that will make him the fourth person with courage to return to his country fully aware that his detractors are still in power and fully aware what they might do to him if he returns.
I remember meeting Chief Abiola’s son at the Oakland Airport while he was in detention and asking how his father was doing. I remember Kola telling me that his father is not a coward and that Chief Abiola said only a coward will run away and hide when millions of Nigerians are looking up to him to stand and fight.
He might have lost the fight, but his memory lives on in the continuing battle to rid Nigeria of immoral leaders. Chief Abiola’s words through his son resonates with me and I will forever remember those words.
Sorry to divert from the matter under discussion, I wish to have an audience with Prof. Utomi on some burning personal cum business issues.
I would be happy if Prof. would oblige me as it is all in our effort to ensuring a better Nigerian society
Pat, we need to be get really practical in ensuring a free and fair election in 2011, if we wait for this Government to reform the elctoral system, we will be greatly disappointed. My idea is that we get commited people with hidden cameras to monitor and record occurrences at each polling station in the federation, and make it as evidence in election petition tribunals. we can brainstorm on better ways to get this done.
Good day,
I am sorry to digress from the discussion. I have searched for other meaning of getting in touch with you Sir, but I couldn’t that is why I am using this medium.
I am writing on behalf of the Spokesman Communication Ministries, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, the Publisher of “The Spokesman” magazine. The Spokesman Magazine is a quarterly Christian magazine that features hope inspiring articles from the President of the Spokesman Communication, Rev. (Prof.) Greg Erhabor and other contributing columnists. The focus of the next edition of the magazine which is coming up in October is on “How Nigeria can be transformed” and we are planning to publish the opinions of Great Nigerian Leaders on different topical issues related to the transformation of our Nation. We regard you as one of the outstanding Nigerian Leaders that has made a significant impact in the landscape of this nation that is why we would like to get your opinion on the following topic: “How Nigeria can Experience Social and Economic Transformation”. We will appreciate that your contribution be formatted in the following ways:
• single line spacing and Arial (11pt) or Times New Roman (12pt) should be used
• article should not exceed two (2) pages because of space constraints.
You can get more information about Spokesman Communication Ministries from our website – http://www.spokesmancom.org. You can peruse a copy of “The Spokesman” magazine on this webpage: http://www.spokesmancom.org/magazinehome.php
We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much and God Bless.
Before the period for the illconceived amnesty runs out, my advise to Prof. Utomi, is to call a press conference together with Afenifere - the Yoruba social group, Ohaneize and other Nigerian politicians with high repute and demand for the following:
1) Complete and unconditional withdraw of Joint Task Force from the Niger Delta with immediate effect - before October 4, 2009;
2) Yaradua should publicly tender an apology on behalf of the north and the military for all the inhuman crimes committed aginst innocent Nigerians and Nigeria - including murders, embezzlement, deliberately conniving with foreigners to rob Nigeria of hundreds of billions of dollars and weaken her - and for making Nigeria a failed state despite the enourmous amount of human and mineral resources the country is bestowed;
3)Yaradua should publicly tender an apology on behalf of the north and the military for all the attrocities commited in the Niger Delta by them (the north and the military) against the indigenes - including failure to punish severely multinational oil companies for the mass pollution of their lands and the unprecedented level of poverty in the region despite the fact that Nigeria earns more than 80% of its foreign revenues from this region. And for the hypocrisy of the north who squandered billions of dollars of the region’s resources in building a new capital, Abuja, an elephant project, from scaratch, for themselves while the bonafide owners of the resources wallow in abject poverty.
4) Yaradua must agree to stand trial after the completion of his term for ordering his mad soldiers to massacre innocent and harmless Niger Deltans whose only crime was their audacity to demand for justice.
5) Convoke a National Sovereign Conference (SNC) where all political, economic, cultural and social issues - including the willingness of various ethnic groups to remain in the same country with the north.
6) Conduct a COMPREHENSIVE audit of the oil and gas in the Niger Delta (guidelines are provided in part 8 of my series “How the Niger Deltans can get their freedom the action plan!” available on nigeriavillagesquare.com
A new generation of Nigerians cannot afford to think in this North and South mentality. i note your use of the term North and the demand for the North to appologize to Niger Delta. it is a shame that we still think in this terms. OBJ sent in JTF i guess he is from the North. Governonr Alams, James Ibori, Odili and co who are destroying the people of Niger delta they must be from the North too. The man stealing money in my local government in Ondo state is not from the north. we must wake up to the realities of our problems and stop this hateful comments about ourselves. tribalism and racism are one and the same. we cannot celebrate an Obama voted in by white men and then begin to think in tribal and regional terms and yet want to be a great nation. if you belong to the generation that wants to fix Nigeria, you must divest yourself of regional sentiments. our people are suffering all over the nation and they are all our people just as all the thieves are from all our tribes. None of us chose which tribe we will be born in. That decision was made by God and you cannot hold any man down for that.
A STITCH IN TIME… By Omogbolahan Lookman Babawale, Abuja
The journey of a million miles begins with a step and not until the first step is taken, the journey is as good as a mirage. I have keenly followed your views, submissions, opinions as well as perspectives, not only on Patitospost but also on Facebook. Great ideas, I will say! The fact that I read those submissions of yours with keen interest and rapt attention has made me decided that aligning with your vision might not be a wrong step after all. Albeit, I am a Muslim but I believe changing a decayed society should be a collective responsibility devoid of sentiments in all ramifications; sex, tribe, religious inclination, political affinity or what have you. Hence, my decision to endorse your clarion calls on Free and Fair vote via web.
However, prof, candidly speaking, I think it will not be out f place if we (supporters of PAT) bare our minds on happenings around us and as issues bothering on our national socio-political, economic notwithstanding educational lives evolve, we should be able to key in ourselves into the dynamics of a Nigerian society plagued by lack, penury, want, destitution and avariciousness to mention but a few, a resultant effect of PDP-led leadership embedded in malfeasance and with utmost impunity. One thing that is certain is that as far as PDP is concerned, 2011 elections are as good as concluded. Just like the same way the party (PDP) is sponsoring the factional chairman of All People’s Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie to disintegrate it (APGA) in order to pave way for a smooth take over from it in the forthcoming 2010 governorship election in Anambra State. Unfortunately for PDP (and forgetting the law of retribution), its house is divided against itself as reflected in the number of candidates (with everybody hell bent) jostling for the coveted seat of the number one citizen in the state.
Sir, as said in the first line of the first paragraph of this write-up, time aint no friend to any right thinking Nigerian who desires a change of the extant inhumane and anti-masses policies and polities of the incumbent leadership of president Umar Musa Yar’Adua, more importantly now that 2011 is much more around the corner. As a matter of fact, the number of days to the general elections is less than or equal to 514 days. So, the need to map out all-encompassing strategies to outsmart the seeming intractable PDP cannot be over-emphasized. It is my view that consultations, tete-a-tetes, fora nonetheless seminars should be organized periodically to sensitize the minds of ordinary Nigerians on one side and to garner ideas on the other side. The process should not be ONLY an African Democratic Congress (ADC) affair. Everybody that can key in into your vision irrespective of their political cum social affiliations should be allowed to submit ideas.
The fact remains that majority of Nigerians are tired of the whole situation, except of course those that are beneficiaries of the ORDER. It is high time Nigerian took their destinies into their hands. We need to device mechanisms through which our resources, human and materials, can be harnessed and tailored towards retracing our lost GLORY as bequeathed to us by our founding fathers. There is no doubt that the country is headed by a non compos mentis, who does hardly make decisions except and including those which are foisted on him by his sycophants within the corridor of power. And unfortunately, the friends and allies of the president who expectedly are to give useful advice to him on policies that will be beneficial to the ordinary Nigerians are beclouded by egoism as against altruism; I as against we (Nigerians) and self as against us. The time has come that Nigerians stand our feet and say NO to PDP’s oppression. It’s time we said NO to economic doldrums. We must say NO to educational imbroglio. No, to socio-political imbalance. No, to infrastructural decay. We must get it right now because procrastination is a disease that wanes determination. Prof, posterity shall judge us if we fail to act now. You need to create a wide network that will serve as a hub across the six geo-political zones. The number of people that will carry out the work at the start does not necessarily matter. Victory is never a function of number. It is a function of determination. Remember the small but mighty David and the gargantuan Goliath in the Bible, so also is the story of 313 Muslims against the 1000 non-believers in the earliest stage of Islam. It is now or never!
I would like to suggest that there is need for you to get the Nigerians in Diaspora involved. They are waiting to return home to a changed country. They can be useful in influencing their loved ones at home to not sell votes, to stand up for what is right etc. It would go a long way.
I would love to hear a cmapiagn called.. Change, Yes We shall!! to change us Nigerians we must start to make people see how great and wonderful our country can be…a land or milk and honey and only we can change ourselves.. leave behind the past, learn for the present and move into the future…where there is plenty for all.. each and everyone .. Cause the bitter truth is that Nigerian is a country with more than enough… there is more than enough for us all… More than enough if we are governed well…
Yes We shall change - .. we are saying, we can we are saying we will change and not tomorrow but right now!! In teh 1980s we were a nation that did not queue up, then we changed ( unforyunatly by teh show of force, showing we can change if we put our mind to it. yes we shall change show how .. to not take bribes, not sell votes, and most of all live within our means.. The ills in our counrty is cause many do not live within their means and keep coveting, and when they have more than enough, they want more, all to show off not because of necessity…in fact it comes to a point where too much is ugly!
With all due respect Sir, I do not think you have to be the President to be our leader. Here’s a few things I have come to know about the Nigeria mass in my (some might say) inexperienced 25yrs of existence: We’re poor, ignorant, selfish, and in the dark (yes! PHCN is making sure we don’t know of the few things the media and good people of influence, like Prof. Pat Utomi, are trying to show and offer Nigerians). Putting all these attributes of the masses into consideration, all the wealthy politician has to do is move around Nigeria, leaving bags of rice and the likes behind their trail with a promise of more to come to win hearts and votes. Who do you think will be voted for even without the ‘rigging’ factor? He that goes around feeding the ignorant mass prior to election, or he who goes on Tv (which the masses do not have access to) and talks about his plans of a better Nigeria? Sir my advice to you at this stage is to concentrate your efforts on building the Nigerian youths. The youths are lost; we need someone to show us the way, groom us, and assure us that we are important to nation building (believe me not a lot of youths know this). You want a sneak peek in the lives of the Nigerian youth? Here’s one; we are more concerned with what Jay-Z will wear to a concert in Tahiti than the importance of Yaradua’s visit to France. That needs to change, and it needs to change now! I have so much to say, as I’m sure a lot of Nigerians do but at end of the day we sound like voices in the wilderness with no audience. Here’s another thing to rob you of some sleep; I concluded my Youth service in March ‘09 and till date still unemployed (some are in worse situations); and in about an hour my phone’s battery goes dead and I’ll be cut off from happenings and contributions like this, until about 7:30pm when my father (whom I’m still heavily dependent on) gives the order to
start the meagre 2hrs daily consumption of power from our generator, which is what we can afford!
CHEKWAS OKORIE: ADAMANT FOR A PURPOSE
I have closely followed unfolding events in Anambra state politics since the days of former governor Ngige and its attendant politicking. The ‘poli-thinking’ and ‘poli-tricks’ that envelope the camaraderie among the different interest (political) groups. This evidently was revealed in the circumstances that surrounded d ouster of ex-governor Dr. Chris Ngige. The PDP in its unguarded move to punish one of its own, who seemed ‘recalcitrant’, then, painstakingly provided the platform for All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to occupy the government house. And ever since, there has been serious thinking and ploys to wrestle power from the incumbent government. A lot of permutations and combinations by the PDP all in effort to take over from APGA.
Luckily enough, the party (PDP) saw an ample opportunity in the crisis rocking the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in the state, cashed in on that to create a more rumpus scenario within the party. PDP saw wisdom in sponsoring the expelled national chairman of APGA, chief Chekwas Okorie to create tension within the polity. The belief is that once APGA as a party is destabilized, the ‘floor’ presumably will be wide open for PDP to play its usual game. The first joker was when Okorie asserted in a press conference that the decision of the ‘kangaroo’ APGA national congress he convened, and which purportedly reinstated him as the chairman of the party against a substantive court order superimposed any other pronouncement by any law court. It was reported that Chekwas Okorie was expelled from the party following allegations of gross indiscipline and financial improprieties.
The party, as reliably gathered had to show him the door it became glaring that Okorie was a cog in the wheel of the party’s progress. One report even had it that he (Okorie) was the only single signatory to the party’s account even though there were two other signatories (the national treasurer and secretary). He was the only one signing the party’s cheques as evident in the banks’ revelations. So, the party had no option than to strictly apply the sanctions as provided by its constitution, hence, the reason he was ousted.
But alas! PDP, known for its shamelessness through its stooge and the only personality in Nigeria that is above courts’ pronouncements, a professor of pharmacology, Maurice Iwu in a desperate bid to actualize its (PDP’s) plot, has continued to show the whole world the stuff he is made of through his hanky-panky actions and inactions in the case involving Chekwas Okorie and APGA. Do you blame him after all? Of course he is duty bound to carry out instructions of his benefactor –PDP to the letter. While he (as the INEC chairman) gives recognition to the Chekwas Okorie-led faction of APGA , his decision to give Victor Umeh, the subsisting chairman, #6m subvention of the party speaks volume of his hypocrisy! Professor Iwu is hanged between his conscience and the contract he signed with PDP.
Unfortunately for PDP, while these entire ‘abracadabra’ were going on to disintegrate APGA; its own house is divided against itself! This overtly is shown in the number of candidates struggling for the seat of governor with all interested individual hell bent. To demonstrate further PDP’s moral recklessness, the ward congresses held in Anambra were turned to arena of war and pandemonium, as it is its usual peculiarity throughout the nation. Even the Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswan saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the execution of the event was greatly disappointed at the level of desperation people could be in the quest for power. He left the state in utter amazement. He was reported to be flabbergasted that somebody could even offer a #1billion bribe to influence a ward election! What a shameless PDP! Yet, our comatose Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC under the almighty Farida Waziri did not see any reason why such an individual should be interrogated.
Just yesterday, I was surprised to hear one of the gubernatorial candidates under the platform of PDP in Anambra state, and a serving senator, sen. Ikechukwu lamenting seriously on the conduct of the PDP ward congresses held in the state and the power play of millionaire stalwarts in the party to pervert the wish of the people. Even the immediate past senate president, Sen. Ken Nnamani openly opined in a programme organized by Channels TV on Thursday October 1, 2009 tagged ‘Channels Forum’ that PDP (a party he belonged to anyway) as the ruling party has failed the system in all ramifications. He cited the statistical analysis of United Nation as also postulated by US Secretary of State, Sen. Hillary Clinton on the rate of poverty which rose from 40% in 1995 to 75% in the 6-year rule of PDP.
Okorie should know whatever benefit he has enjoyed or that he is promised by PDP to create commotion in Anambra state, no matter how far it may take, posterity will judge him.
I commend the Government for agreeing to sign the long overdue agreement with our varsity lecturers.This will help to reduce the brain-drain that we have experienced as a Nation.
If the Government implements the Agreement,we will experience rapid transformation in our Nation’s varsity system,because any Nation that invests in Education is setting the pace for the future.
Saudi Arabia,India,Brazil,South Korea, and even Ghana,understood this and implemented strategic education policies that have seen them produce competent and dynamic human resources,today.
Nigeria is blessed,we have the money and resources,so Pres Yaradua should implement Strategic Education policies,that involves building sophisticated Universities of science and technology,increase funding of researsh institutes,universities,polytechnics,colleges of education,and secondary schools.
Sustainable Development comes,when the Educational system is given the value it deserves.So i believe it is time for government to implement,and no longer pay lip service to the development of a sustainable educational system.
I was an ardent supporter of Prof Akunyili when she came up with the idea of rebranding. This was informed on her antecedents. She had a label of excellence. However I am disillusioned because her rebranding is focused in the wrong direction. In NAFDAC her approach to tackling the menace of fake drugs was dealing with the principals/profiteers of fake drug on one hand and public education on the other. I thought she was going to take the same approach in “Operation Clean Nigeria”. I thought she will adopt mass public education. Educating Nigerians on standing for our right and putting in place process to facilitate that. I thought she will fight the rogues at the cabinet table. She would tell then the stench coming from the executive chambers is damaging our collective image. Unfortunately she is now very comfortable with the stench and probably has joined them in the farting competition. She has chosen to buy large quantity of deodorant spray to mask the stench. She has not realized that the combination of the pungent odour from the king’s chamber and lavender scent of the cosmetic spray is even more nauseating. Despite all entreaties to point her in the right direction there is no sign she is or will be repentant.
What shall we do?
We need to star proper rebranding that will empower Nigerians. One pillar on which the campaign for electoral reform should stand should be mass public education. There has been a lot of effort, albeit wasted talking to the crowd in the “white sepulcher” (sorry “White House”) in Abuja on electoral reform. I think Nigerians are the ultimate decider. Let us put resource into mass literacy on electoral matter. Let us put in place means to empower ordinary Nigerians in every town and villages. This is the only way we can plunge the wealth of the looters. The Ubas, Adedibus residue and their likes we cannot match “rice for rice”, “amala for amala” but an enlightened populace is antidote to their method.
Funding?
Prof Utomi and others that have been involved in campaigns will have more knowledge of funding and the difficulties. Their advice is welcome. This is my suggestion.
The best way is to set up a collective financing model. This will give a sense of belonging to each contributor and prevent hijack by the enemies within. Let us use your electoral petition register to start with. Each person should contribute his/her widow’s mite to fund the campaign. No big money please!
I thought your readers may be interested to know that a new report detailing the Nasir El-Rufai saga has been published. You comments and perspectives would be most welcomed.
What is the plan for 2011? my question is how many people in our villages know Pat Utomi. if we really desire to have a great leader in 2011, there must be a plan of action in place by now. if you have one please can you let us know what we can do to help. There are too many Nigerians who want change but there is no one steering the ship and we refuse to join camps with the destroyers of our land.we are willing to work and give our lives for the nation but there must be a plan and i believe it is achievable if we seat and work it out well ahead of time. we can beat them to their own game and save our country. God bless Nigeria
I agree with Debola. What’s the plan for 2011? When we know the plan then it’d be easier for us to strategise. We’re all disguted at the state of things, but our input will only be valid when it aligns with the grand strategy…what is the grand plan?
The eponymous hero of the evening, Prof Pat Utomi, sauntered onto the stage, a sitting room at 35 Adeola Hopewell Street - professionals who live there had invited colleagues and friends to a monthly get-together on entrepreneurship and leadership. Awaiting him was the audience, a motley of young professionals, itching to douse their thirst for learning at the fount of a sage.
That evening, he devolved his experience: from government house, as special adviser to President Shehu Shagari; to the classroom, as professor of Entrepreneurship and Socio-Political Economics via the boardroom, as chief executive of Volkswagen. He’s described, alas, by some, as a political upstart; often mistaken as the owner of Lagos Business School – though he is now, after several failed attempts, referred to as a director at the School and was once rumoured to be one the richest men in Nigeria – he only had $2,800 to his name at that moment.
His animated speech, names of intellectual and political heavy weights kept dropping, was laced with self-deprecating anecdotes. During the question and answer session he would listen with uninterrupted attention. His answers revealed the congruence of his words, actions and motives – the investment of his reputation and knowledge, buoyed by a never say die mind-set, in public and private ventures.
Earlier, an all too familiar dismal situation, the resource curse, had formed the backdrop of the evening’s get-together. Increasing oil wealth is surging Nigeria’s reserves towards $60 billion – it’s projected to hit $100 billion by year end. Contrasted with the palpable poverty in the country, a disruption of the ideal sets the stage for a tragicomedy.
Social restraints are declining: kidnapping in the Niger Delta is a boon for the hunter and a bane for the hunted. Rancour over the new allocation of the federal account distracts attention from flailing infrastructure – the health sector starved of funding, blithely distributed booty in 2007. What then, is the catharsis that will purge or wean the economy off oil wealth dependence?
Certainly not the current grab and run culture, a corollary of values, which today is marked by what Prof Utomi calls the ise kekere, owo nla (small work, big pay) mentality. A compulsive hustle for lucre or money making (what then is the function of the mint?) that is in fashion – movement without motion.
Nigerians, particularly those at the get-together, caught between the tragedy depicted by the condition of Nigeria’s prisons, and the theatrics of Mr Rule of Law are far from amused. Rather, there’s that unsettling option to siddon and look. In the absence of locally generated electricity, we’ve been tapping current from the Obama phenomenon. But, sooner than later, it will result in either high or low voltage – burn out or waning enthusiasm, which returns us to reality.
Bleak, cold reality? Prof Utomi did his best to thaw the audience’s frozen perspective. He sees a sunny future, so bright he needs sunshades. Yet, from the searching gaze and questions, the audience yearned for more; a formulaic anodyne to be constantly injected after going through the throes Nigeria keeps subjecting people to. Prof Utomi’s prescription: deferred gratification, ditching an instanta or fiam outlook to life. No mean feat. Stacked up against a prevalent me, myself and I mode, which is as old as the hills, being urged to be consumed by an entrepreneurial spirit was a tough sell. Shakespeare describes self-love in his play, All’s Well That Ends Well, as “… the most inhibited sin in the canon.”
Still, the audience bemoaned how conventional wisdom espoused get rich or die trying. But Prof Utomi’s conviction held sway; entrepreneurs, purveyors of value creation, go against the grain, are honest, frugal and prepared for the long term. In summary, what sets them apart is the knack to identify and bridge, along the continuum of Maslow’s pyramid, society’s unmet needs.
I am ardent reader of Prof. Pats postings on facebook and I well agree with a lot of people that think that this man and his ideologies are the tools we need to effect a change in our generation. Like Prof, I believe that nobody will change our nation but ourselves and if we want to effect this desired change we will need to take the bull by the horn. I think we should begin to sensitize people and let them know what they can do to see the much talked about change.
I suggest we (those that are passionate about this) should begin to hold events in which we could relate this our passion to our fellow young people and believe me, our passion will begin to rub off on them.
I am looking forward to putting up one of such events very soon and I wish I could get the likes of Prof. as a guest speaker in the event.
That you speak the truth fearlessly is without question, that you thoroughly understand the problems and have solutions as expressed in your writings is also without question, but where I have questions sir, is how do you really intend to convince people to come out to vote when there is the concrete belief that votes will not be counted?
I want to suggest that public speaking by you and volunteers should start immediately.These volunteers have to be taught on how to sensitize people and make them passionate. The people are aware of the problems and angry but most have resigned the situation to fate. How do you get people to wake up from this apathy?
I am also happy that you have taken advantage of the internet, but how do you get those who don’t have access to the net impassioned about you like I have and countless others? There is so much to be done and we have to start now.
I read with interest your recent post about Mr. Aonodakaa. Thank you for being direct and educational on the issue.
If my knowledge has not failed me I believe that Chief Abiola also returned to Nigeria after his failed bid as the democratically elected President when the election was overturned by the then President Babangida. I remember very well that he was arrested and jailed and later died in prison. If this account is correct that will make him the fourth person with courage to return to his country fully aware that his detractors are still in power and fully aware what they might do to him if he returns.
I remember meeting Chief Abiola’s son at the Oakland Airport while he was in detention and asking how his father was doing. I remember Kola telling me that his father is not a coward and that Chief Abiola said only a coward will run away and hide when millions of Nigerians are looking up to him to stand and fight.
He might have lost the fight, but his memory lives on in the continuing battle to rid Nigeria of immoral leaders. Chief Abiola’s words through his son resonates with me and I will forever remember those words.
Looking forward to receiving you in Detroit.
Sorry to divert from the matter under discussion, I wish to have an audience with Prof. Utomi on some burning personal cum business issues.
I would be happy if Prof. would oblige me as it is all in our effort to ensuring a better Nigerian society
Pat, we need to be get really practical in ensuring a free and fair election in 2011, if we wait for this Government to reform the elctoral system, we will be greatly disappointed. My idea is that we get commited people with hidden cameras to monitor and record occurrences at each polling station in the federation, and make it as evidence in election petition tribunals. we can brainstorm on better ways to get this done.
Good day,
I am sorry to digress from the discussion. I have searched for other meaning of getting in touch with you Sir, but I couldn’t that is why I am using this medium.
I am writing on behalf of the Spokesman Communication Ministries, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, the Publisher of “The Spokesman” magazine. The Spokesman Magazine is a quarterly Christian magazine that features hope inspiring articles from the President of the Spokesman Communication, Rev. (Prof.) Greg Erhabor and other contributing columnists. The focus of the next edition of the magazine which is coming up in October is on “How Nigeria can be transformed” and we are planning to publish the opinions of Great Nigerian Leaders on different topical issues related to the transformation of our Nation. We regard you as one of the outstanding Nigerian Leaders that has made a significant impact in the landscape of this nation that is why we would like to get your opinion on the following topic: “How Nigeria can Experience Social and Economic Transformation”. We will appreciate that your contribution be formatted in the following ways:
• single line spacing and Arial (11pt) or Times New Roman (12pt) should be used
• article should not exceed two (2) pages because of space constraints.
You can get more information about Spokesman Communication Ministries from our website – http://www.spokesmancom.org. You can peruse a copy of “The Spokesman” magazine on this webpage: http://www.spokesmancom.org/magazinehome.php
We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much and God Bless.
*
RECOMMENDATIONS TO RESOLVE THE NIGER DELTA CRISES
Before the period for the illconceived amnesty runs out, my advise to Prof. Utomi, is to call a press conference together with Afenifere - the Yoruba social group, Ohaneize and other Nigerian politicians with high repute and demand for the following:
1) Complete and unconditional withdraw of Joint Task Force from the Niger Delta with immediate effect - before October 4, 2009;
2) Yaradua should publicly tender an apology on behalf of the north and the military for all the inhuman crimes committed aginst innocent Nigerians and Nigeria - including murders, embezzlement, deliberately conniving with foreigners to rob Nigeria of hundreds of billions of dollars and weaken her - and for making Nigeria a failed state despite the enourmous amount of human and mineral resources the country is bestowed;
3)Yaradua should publicly tender an apology on behalf of the north and the military for all the attrocities commited in the Niger Delta by them (the north and the military) against the indigenes - including failure to punish severely multinational oil companies for the mass pollution of their lands and the unprecedented level of poverty in the region despite the fact that Nigeria earns more than 80% of its foreign revenues from this region. And for the hypocrisy of the north who squandered billions of dollars of the region’s resources in building a new capital, Abuja, an elephant project, from scaratch, for themselves while the bonafide owners of the resources wallow in abject poverty.
4) Yaradua must agree to stand trial after the completion of his term for ordering his mad soldiers to massacre innocent and harmless Niger Deltans whose only crime was their audacity to demand for justice.
5) Convoke a National Sovereign Conference (SNC) where all political, economic, cultural and social issues - including the willingness of various ethnic groups to remain in the same country with the north.
6) Conduct a COMPREHENSIVE audit of the oil and gas in the Niger Delta (guidelines are provided in part 8 of my series “How the Niger Deltans can get their freedom the action plan!” available on nigeriavillagesquare.com
Dear Bode,
A new generation of Nigerians cannot afford to think in this North and South mentality. i note your use of the term North and the demand for the North to appologize to Niger Delta. it is a shame that we still think in this terms. OBJ sent in JTF i guess he is from the North. Governonr Alams, James Ibori, Odili and co who are destroying the people of Niger delta they must be from the North too. The man stealing money in my local government in Ondo state is not from the north. we must wake up to the realities of our problems and stop this hateful comments about ourselves. tribalism and racism are one and the same. we cannot celebrate an Obama voted in by white men and then begin to think in tribal and regional terms and yet want to be a great nation. if you belong to the generation that wants to fix Nigeria, you must divest yourself of regional sentiments. our people are suffering all over the nation and they are all our people just as all the thieves are from all our tribes. None of us chose which tribe we will be born in. That decision was made by God and you cannot hold any man down for that.
A STITCH IN TIME… By Omogbolahan Lookman Babawale, Abuja
The journey of a million miles begins with a step and not until the first step is taken, the journey is as good as a mirage. I have keenly followed your views, submissions, opinions as well as perspectives, not only on Patitospost but also on Facebook. Great ideas, I will say! The fact that I read those submissions of yours with keen interest and rapt attention has made me decided that aligning with your vision might not be a wrong step after all. Albeit, I am a Muslim but I believe changing a decayed society should be a collective responsibility devoid of sentiments in all ramifications; sex, tribe, religious inclination, political affinity or what have you. Hence, my decision to endorse your clarion calls on Free and Fair vote via web.
However, prof, candidly speaking, I think it will not be out f place if we (supporters of PAT) bare our minds on happenings around us and as issues bothering on our national socio-political, economic notwithstanding educational lives evolve, we should be able to key in ourselves into the dynamics of a Nigerian society plagued by lack, penury, want, destitution and avariciousness to mention but a few, a resultant effect of PDP-led leadership embedded in malfeasance and with utmost impunity. One thing that is certain is that as far as PDP is concerned, 2011 elections are as good as concluded. Just like the same way the party (PDP) is sponsoring the factional chairman of All People’s Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie to disintegrate it (APGA) in order to pave way for a smooth take over from it in the forthcoming 2010 governorship election in Anambra State. Unfortunately for PDP (and forgetting the law of retribution), its house is divided against itself as reflected in the number of candidates (with everybody hell bent) jostling for the coveted seat of the number one citizen in the state.
Sir, as said in the first line of the first paragraph of this write-up, time aint no friend to any right thinking Nigerian who desires a change of the extant inhumane and anti-masses policies and polities of the incumbent leadership of president Umar Musa Yar’Adua, more importantly now that 2011 is much more around the corner. As a matter of fact, the number of days to the general elections is less than or equal to 514 days. So, the need to map out all-encompassing strategies to outsmart the seeming intractable PDP cannot be over-emphasized. It is my view that consultations, tete-a-tetes, fora nonetheless seminars should be organized periodically to sensitize the minds of ordinary Nigerians on one side and to garner ideas on the other side. The process should not be ONLY an African Democratic Congress (ADC) affair. Everybody that can key in into your vision irrespective of their political cum social affiliations should be allowed to submit ideas.
The fact remains that majority of Nigerians are tired of the whole situation, except of course those that are beneficiaries of the ORDER. It is high time Nigerian took their destinies into their hands. We need to device mechanisms through which our resources, human and materials, can be harnessed and tailored towards retracing our lost GLORY as bequeathed to us by our founding fathers. There is no doubt that the country is headed by a non compos mentis, who does hardly make decisions except and including those which are foisted on him by his sycophants within the corridor of power. And unfortunately, the friends and allies of the president who expectedly are to give useful advice to him on policies that will be beneficial to the ordinary Nigerians are beclouded by egoism as against altruism; I as against we (Nigerians) and self as against us. The time has come that Nigerians stand our feet and say NO to PDP’s oppression. It’s time we said NO to economic doldrums. We must say NO to educational imbroglio. No, to socio-political imbalance. No, to infrastructural decay. We must get it right now because procrastination is a disease that wanes determination. Prof, posterity shall judge us if we fail to act now. You need to create a wide network that will serve as a hub across the six geo-political zones. The number of people that will carry out the work at the start does not necessarily matter. Victory is never a function of number. It is a function of determination. Remember the small but mighty David and the gargantuan Goliath in the Bible, so also is the story of 313 Muslims against the 1000 non-believers in the earliest stage of Islam. It is now or never!
……if you can, you will…… comments: riches_macbabs@yahoo.com
080 34 44 29 70; 80 53 89 08 08
I would like to suggest that there is need for you to get the Nigerians in Diaspora involved. They are waiting to return home to a changed country. They can be useful in influencing their loved ones at home to not sell votes, to stand up for what is right etc. It would go a long way.
I would love to hear a cmapiagn called.. Change, Yes We shall!! to change us Nigerians we must start to make people see how great and wonderful our country can be…a land or milk and honey and only we can change ourselves.. leave behind the past, learn for the present and move into the future…where there is plenty for all.. each and everyone .. Cause the bitter truth is that Nigerian is a country with more than enough… there is more than enough for us all… More than enough if we are governed well…
Yes We shall change - .. we are saying, we can we are saying we will change and not tomorrow but right now!! In teh 1980s we were a nation that did not queue up, then we changed ( unforyunatly by teh show of force, showing we can change if we put our mind to it. yes we shall change show how .. to not take bribes, not sell votes, and most of all live within our means.. The ills in our counrty is cause many do not live within their means and keep coveting, and when they have more than enough, they want more, all to show off not because of necessity…in fact it comes to a point where too much is ugly!
With all due respect Sir, I do not think you have to be the President to be our leader. Here’s a few things I have come to know about the Nigeria mass in my (some might say) inexperienced 25yrs of existence: We’re poor, ignorant, selfish, and in the dark (yes! PHCN is making sure we don’t know of the few things the media and good people of influence, like Prof. Pat Utomi, are trying to show and offer Nigerians). Putting all these attributes of the masses into consideration, all the wealthy politician has to do is move around Nigeria, leaving bags of rice and the likes behind their trail with a promise of more to come to win hearts and votes. Who do you think will be voted for even without the ‘rigging’ factor? He that goes around feeding the ignorant mass prior to election, or he who goes on Tv (which the masses do not have access to) and talks about his plans of a better Nigeria? Sir my advice to you at this stage is to concentrate your efforts on building the Nigerian youths. The youths are lost; we need someone to show us the way, groom us, and assure us that we are important to nation building (believe me not a lot of youths know this). You want a sneak peek in the lives of the Nigerian youth? Here’s one; we are more concerned with what Jay-Z will wear to a concert in Tahiti than the importance of Yaradua’s visit to France. That needs to change, and it needs to change now! I have so much to say, as I’m sure a lot of Nigerians do but at end of the day we sound like voices in the wilderness with no audience. Here’s another thing to rob you of some sleep; I concluded my Youth service in March ‘09 and till date still unemployed (some are in worse situations); and in about an hour my phone’s battery goes dead and I’ll be cut off from happenings and contributions like this, until about 7:30pm when my father (whom I’m still heavily dependent on) gives the order to
start the meagre 2hrs daily consumption of power from our generator, which is what we can afford!
CHEKWAS OKORIE: ADAMANT FOR A PURPOSE
I have closely followed unfolding events in Anambra state politics since the days of former governor Ngige and its attendant politicking. The ‘poli-thinking’ and ‘poli-tricks’ that envelope the camaraderie among the different interest (political) groups. This evidently was revealed in the circumstances that surrounded d ouster of ex-governor Dr. Chris Ngige. The PDP in its unguarded move to punish one of its own, who seemed ‘recalcitrant’, then, painstakingly provided the platform for All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to occupy the government house. And ever since, there has been serious thinking and ploys to wrestle power from the incumbent government. A lot of permutations and combinations by the PDP all in effort to take over from APGA.
Luckily enough, the party (PDP) saw an ample opportunity in the crisis rocking the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in the state, cashed in on that to create a more rumpus scenario within the party. PDP saw wisdom in sponsoring the expelled national chairman of APGA, chief Chekwas Okorie to create tension within the polity. The belief is that once APGA as a party is destabilized, the ‘floor’ presumably will be wide open for PDP to play its usual game. The first joker was when Okorie asserted in a press conference that the decision of the ‘kangaroo’ APGA national congress he convened, and which purportedly reinstated him as the chairman of the party against a substantive court order superimposed any other pronouncement by any law court. It was reported that Chekwas Okorie was expelled from the party following allegations of gross indiscipline and financial improprieties.
The party, as reliably gathered had to show him the door it became glaring that Okorie was a cog in the wheel of the party’s progress. One report even had it that he (Okorie) was the only single signatory to the party’s account even though there were two other signatories (the national treasurer and secretary). He was the only one signing the party’s cheques as evident in the banks’ revelations. So, the party had no option than to strictly apply the sanctions as provided by its constitution, hence, the reason he was ousted.
But alas! PDP, known for its shamelessness through its stooge and the only personality in Nigeria that is above courts’ pronouncements, a professor of pharmacology, Maurice Iwu in a desperate bid to actualize its (PDP’s) plot, has continued to show the whole world the stuff he is made of through his hanky-panky actions and inactions in the case involving Chekwas Okorie and APGA. Do you blame him after all? Of course he is duty bound to carry out instructions of his benefactor –PDP to the letter. While he (as the INEC chairman) gives recognition to the Chekwas Okorie-led faction of APGA , his decision to give Victor Umeh, the subsisting chairman, #6m subvention of the party speaks volume of his hypocrisy! Professor Iwu is hanged between his conscience and the contract he signed with PDP.
Unfortunately for PDP, while these entire ‘abracadabra’ were going on to disintegrate APGA; its own house is divided against itself! This overtly is shown in the number of candidates struggling for the seat of governor with all interested individual hell bent. To demonstrate further PDP’s moral recklessness, the ward congresses held in Anambra were turned to arena of war and pandemonium, as it is its usual peculiarity throughout the nation. Even the Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswan saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the execution of the event was greatly disappointed at the level of desperation people could be in the quest for power. He left the state in utter amazement. He was reported to be flabbergasted that somebody could even offer a #1billion bribe to influence a ward election! What a shameless PDP! Yet, our comatose Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC under the almighty Farida Waziri did not see any reason why such an individual should be interrogated.
Just yesterday, I was surprised to hear one of the gubernatorial candidates under the platform of PDP in Anambra state, and a serving senator, sen. Ikechukwu lamenting seriously on the conduct of the PDP ward congresses held in the state and the power play of millionaire stalwarts in the party to pervert the wish of the people. Even the immediate past senate president, Sen. Ken Nnamani openly opined in a programme organized by Channels TV on Thursday October 1, 2009 tagged ‘Channels Forum’ that PDP (a party he belonged to anyway) as the ruling party has failed the system in all ramifications. He cited the statistical analysis of United Nation as also postulated by US Secretary of State, Sen. Hillary Clinton on the rate of poverty which rose from 40% in 1995 to 75% in the 6-year rule of PDP.
Okorie should know whatever benefit he has enjoyed or that he is promised by PDP to create commotion in Anambra state, no matter how far it may take, posterity will judge him.
….if you can, you will…Comments? riches_macbabs@yahoo.co.uk
I commend the Government for agreeing to sign the long overdue agreement with our varsity lecturers.This will help to reduce the brain-drain that we have experienced as a Nation.
If the Government implements the Agreement,we will experience rapid transformation in our Nation’s varsity system,because any Nation that invests in Education is setting the pace for the future.
Saudi Arabia,India,Brazil,South Korea, and even Ghana,understood this and implemented strategic education policies that have seen them produce competent and dynamic human resources,today.
Nigeria is blessed,we have the money and resources,so Pres Yaradua should implement Strategic Education policies,that involves building sophisticated Universities of science and technology,increase funding of researsh institutes,universities,polytechnics,colleges of education,and secondary schools.
Sustainable Development comes,when the Educational system is given the value it deserves.So i believe it is time for government to implement,and no longer pay lip service to the development of a sustainable educational system.
REBRANDING THE RIGHT WAY
I was an ardent supporter of Prof Akunyili when she came up with the idea of rebranding. This was informed on her antecedents. She had a label of excellence. However I am disillusioned because her rebranding is focused in the wrong direction. In NAFDAC her approach to tackling the menace of fake drugs was dealing with the principals/profiteers of fake drug on one hand and public education on the other. I thought she was going to take the same approach in “Operation Clean Nigeria”. I thought she will adopt mass public education. Educating Nigerians on standing for our right and putting in place process to facilitate that. I thought she will fight the rogues at the cabinet table. She would tell then the stench coming from the executive chambers is damaging our collective image. Unfortunately she is now very comfortable with the stench and probably has joined them in the farting competition. She has chosen to buy large quantity of deodorant spray to mask the stench. She has not realized that the combination of the pungent odour from the king’s chamber and lavender scent of the cosmetic spray is even more nauseating. Despite all entreaties to point her in the right direction there is no sign she is or will be repentant.
What shall we do?
We need to star proper rebranding that will empower Nigerians. One pillar on which the campaign for electoral reform should stand should be mass public education. There has been a lot of effort, albeit wasted talking to the crowd in the “white sepulcher” (sorry “White House”) in Abuja on electoral reform. I think Nigerians are the ultimate decider. Let us put resource into mass literacy on electoral matter. Let us put in place means to empower ordinary Nigerians in every town and villages. This is the only way we can plunge the wealth of the looters. The Ubas, Adedibus residue and their likes we cannot match “rice for rice”, “amala for amala” but an enlightened populace is antidote to their method.
Funding?
Prof Utomi and others that have been involved in campaigns will have more knowledge of funding and the difficulties. Their advice is welcome. This is my suggestion.
The best way is to set up a collective financing model. This will give a sense of belonging to each contributor and prevent hijack by the enemies within. Let us use your electoral petition register to start with. Each person should contribute his/her widow’s mite to fund the campaign. No big money please!
Project Nigeria – Believe!
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I thought your readers may be interested to know that a new report detailing the Nasir El-Rufai saga has been published. You comments and perspectives would be most welcomed.
Thank you kindly,
James
http://el-rufai.org/white-paper/
What is the plan for 2011? my question is how many people in our villages know Pat Utomi. if we really desire to have a great leader in 2011, there must be a plan of action in place by now. if you have one please can you let us know what we can do to help. There are too many Nigerians who want change but there is no one steering the ship and we refuse to join camps with the destroyers of our land.we are willing to work and give our lives for the nation but there must be a plan and i believe it is achievable if we seat and work it out well ahead of time. we can beat them to their own game and save our country. God bless Nigeria
I agree with Debola. What’s the plan for 2011? When we know the plan then it’d be easier for us to strategise. We’re all disguted at the state of things, but our input will only be valid when it aligns with the grand strategy…what is the grand plan?
You can check out my blog at http://www.blackinspire.com
An evening with Prof Pat Utomi
The eponymous hero of the evening, Prof Pat Utomi, sauntered onto the stage, a sitting room at 35 Adeola Hopewell Street - professionals who live there had invited colleagues and friends to a monthly get-together on entrepreneurship and leadership. Awaiting him was the audience, a motley of young professionals, itching to douse their thirst for learning at the fount of a sage.
That evening, he devolved his experience: from government house, as special adviser to President Shehu Shagari; to the classroom, as professor of Entrepreneurship and Socio-Political Economics via the boardroom, as chief executive of Volkswagen. He’s described, alas, by some, as a political upstart; often mistaken as the owner of Lagos Business School – though he is now, after several failed attempts, referred to as a director at the School and was once rumoured to be one the richest men in Nigeria – he only had $2,800 to his name at that moment.
His animated speech, names of intellectual and political heavy weights kept dropping, was laced with self-deprecating anecdotes. During the question and answer session he would listen with uninterrupted attention. His answers revealed the congruence of his words, actions and motives – the investment of his reputation and knowledge, buoyed by a never say die mind-set, in public and private ventures.
Earlier, an all too familiar dismal situation, the resource curse, had formed the backdrop of the evening’s get-together. Increasing oil wealth is surging Nigeria’s reserves towards $60 billion – it’s projected to hit $100 billion by year end. Contrasted with the palpable poverty in the country, a disruption of the ideal sets the stage for a tragicomedy.
Social restraints are declining: kidnapping in the Niger Delta is a boon for the hunter and a bane for the hunted. Rancour over the new allocation of the federal account distracts attention from flailing infrastructure – the health sector starved of funding, blithely distributed booty in 2007. What then, is the catharsis that will purge or wean the economy off oil wealth dependence?
Certainly not the current grab and run culture, a corollary of values, which today is marked by what Prof Utomi calls the ise kekere, owo nla (small work, big pay) mentality. A compulsive hustle for lucre or money making (what then is the function of the mint?) that is in fashion – movement without motion.
Nigerians, particularly those at the get-together, caught between the tragedy depicted by the condition of Nigeria’s prisons, and the theatrics of Mr Rule of Law are far from amused. Rather, there’s that unsettling option to siddon and look. In the absence of locally generated electricity, we’ve been tapping current from the Obama phenomenon. But, sooner than later, it will result in either high or low voltage – burn out or waning enthusiasm, which returns us to reality.
Bleak, cold reality? Prof Utomi did his best to thaw the audience’s frozen perspective. He sees a sunny future, so bright he needs sunshades. Yet, from the searching gaze and questions, the audience yearned for more; a formulaic anodyne to be constantly injected after going through the throes Nigeria keeps subjecting people to. Prof Utomi’s prescription: deferred gratification, ditching an instanta or fiam outlook to life. No mean feat. Stacked up against a prevalent me, myself and I mode, which is as old as the hills, being urged to be consumed by an entrepreneurial spirit was a tough sell. Shakespeare describes self-love in his play, All’s Well That Ends Well, as “… the most inhibited sin in the canon.”
Still, the audience bemoaned how conventional wisdom espoused get rich or die trying. But Prof Utomi’s conviction held sway; entrepreneurs, purveyors of value creation, go against the grain, are honest, frugal and prepared for the long term. In summary, what sets them apart is the knack to identify and bridge, along the continuum of Maslow’s pyramid, society’s unmet needs.
Tayo Fagbule, Ibadan