Nigeria has never enjoyed an unbroken decade of civilian government, since our political independence, as she presently enjoys. Perhaps “unbroken decade of democratic government” would have been more apt but for weighty reasoning in the court of public opinion that we are still some distance from the practice of true democracy. In an environment where the quality of every election since 1999 has been worse than preceding ones, you can hardly fault this school of thought.
I was at the 50th Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary Service held at the National Christian Center, barely two days after the twin bomb blasts that rocked Abuja on Nigeria’s 50th Birthday. While addressing the congregation, the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, described the masterminds of the Independence Day terrorism as the enemies of the Nigerian people. Some other government officials described the perpetrators as threats to Nigerian democracy. I can no less agree because the chief responsibility of any government is to provide security in an ambience of law and order.
Unfortunately, beyond physical security, Nigeria is beset with other forms of insecurity which unfortunately do not seem to attract the desired response from our leaders. Apart from the prevailing insecurity of lives and properties, Nigeria is gravely buffeted by a rash of socio-economic disequilibrium which is not only mind boggling but also capable of truncating our current democratic experiment.
Leading the pack is the high illiteracy rate in our country coupled with the alarming falling standards in our education system. Just recently, the results of the WASSCE examinations were released and about eighty percent of the candidates could not make credits in English Language and Mathematics; two pre-requisite subjects for admission into higher institutions. Another way to describe this; massive failure! In 2005, only 27.53% made the pre-requisite number of credits, students’ performance took a turn for the worst in 2006 as only 15.56% passed, 2007 was marginally better at 25.54%, the slide resurfaced in 2008 when success rate dipped to 23.54, it was 21.96 in 2009 and just last year the rot in our education sector was exemplified by a 20.04% performance.
Yet, just days after the release of the horrendous 2010 senior school results, the Federal Government announced the closure of both primary and secondary schools all over the country to allow INEC conduct voter registration across Nigeria. To many Nigerians, that decision amounted to brazen disregard of the mood of Nigerians over the poor state of our education sector. It also reinforced the argument that the deliberate destruction of our education sector is another front of the class war initially unleashed on the Nigerian nation by the military class and currently sustained by their civilian next in kin. You can hardly fault this line of argument when the children of our elites only attend foreign schools, or in very exceptional cases the very best private schools in Nigeria.
Our cliques of ruling elites have not only destroyed our education system, they have also turned around to discredit products from Nigerian public schools as useless and unemployable. The plot does not need an Einstein to decipher; it is a war to perpetuate a dynasty of corruption and oppression where the children of some affluent Nigerians are labeled “special” because they were foreign “brewed”, ostensibly with funds stolen from our common patrimony, to gain an undue advantage over their home “brewed” peers. Are you still surprised why political and economic leadership succession is increasingly becoming hereditary in Nigeria? These are Nigerians whose wealth can only be traced to opportunistic access to the corridors of power rather than inheritance, innovation or industry. Their fathers had whipped Nigeria with a scourge of “koboko” perhaps it is now the turn of their children to improvise with a scourge of scorpions.
The implications of a largely uneducated or poorly educated citizenry are too frightening for a country like Nigeria with such intimidating population and high rate of poverty. Talk about poverty in Nigeria, it is both endemic and pervasive. This is a country where more than 80% of the populace live below $1 a day, and yet, our legislators at the National Assembly enjoy the unenviable status as the highest paid lawmakers in the world. Their jumbo perks are higher than what their counterparts in USA and other G7 countries earn. You even get sadder when you juxtapose their productivity with that of legislators from those other places. More than any other incentive, the outrageous pampering of our public office holders is the reason politics has become the most lucrative business in town. It equally fuels the current desperation by Nigerian politicians to gain access to power by all means. This rat race has increasingly subjected our unbundling democracy to very severe stress.
More than 75% of Nigerian youths who are willing and capable of employment are wallowing in the unemployment market. This gloomy state of affairs has unleashed severe collateral damage on the psyche of both Nigerian youths and their parents. There is hardly any motivation for our youths to take their studies serious since leaving school means direct entry to the formidable army of jobless Nigerians. For some parents, it is beginning to make more sense sending their wards to acquire one form of artesian skills or another rather than sending them to school. At least, that way, they would be assured of a faster return on their investment. A recent British Council commissioned Report on Nigeria has warned that Nigeria faces a demographic disaster if she fails to provide jobs for her mass of unemployed youths, estimated to soar by tens of millions by 2030.
Well, it is so easy to agree with the conclusions of that report just that the reality suggests that the demographic failure will not happen in 2030; it is here with us. According to a recent police report on crime, more that 90% of crimes committed in Nigeria are perpetrated by young Nigerians. From advance fee fraud, illicit drug trade, ethno-religious unrest, armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism and assassinations, Nigerian youths, inspired by the frustrations in our system, are daily being sucked into a whirlpool of violence. Well, some of the former militant youths in Niger Delta have been settled but how do we plan to contain the rage of millions of other youths who have now been forced to believe that our system only rewards those who take up arms against the state? To add salt to our injury, those using the youths as cannon fodders to perpetrate crimes hide under immunity offered by the “short” arms of our legal system and chronic dearth of political will by government to bring these highly placed Nigerians to book.
Most fundamentally, if this democracy must survive, we need to re-appraise the nature and structure of our federalism. While our constitution prescribes a federal system of government, the practice is another kettle of fish altogether. It does not just make sense that virtually every state in Nigeria survives only on allocations from the center. There is something fundamentally wrong with that. Political federalism without economic federalism is another word for national misadventure. It is ironical that while many state governors are complaining of increasing difficulties in meeting their wages and developmental obligations, the clamor for the creation of additional states is gaining current by the day. That is quite instructive. If we continue to assign 80% of our national budgets to overheads at the detriment of developmental capital projects, the center may give way and the biggest casualty would be our nascent democratic experience. Selah!
Comrade Echezona Asuzu
Sunday, February 13, 2011
After Egypt, Nigeria, Where Is Your Own Revolution
Long when Obasanjo ruled - 1999 - 2007, it seems like some 30 years ago, which was indeed his first time, I surmised that Nigerians had turned into MASOCHISTS. How right I was! Obasanjo is could not enjoy punishing Nigerians enough, and Nigerians could not enjoy Obasanjo's punishment and misrule enough. Come today, nearly 13 years into PDP reign of ruin.
Nigerians still talk about PDP, as if it is a new political party deserving a chance. Here is a party that has done nothing other than rob and rape Nigeria and Nigerians, stole their mandate twice - 2003 and 2007, as the entire world witnessed; PDP governors of the respective states, fed their pockets and personal accounts all over the world, sumptuously with monies allocated to build their states, Obasanjo pocketed anything that was not nailed down, and today we know he is headed to Ethiopia to invest a portion of his loot. What do Nigerians say.
MUM. MUTTS. And we are talking about revolution. Revolution for where? PDP is still busy dishing out Nigeria's money like candy to their members; they are busy bribing for votes, buying votes, and planning to pay the most for votes come April. Those to lead the revolution you talk, are busy designing to partake of PDP candy - Nigeria's money - reason why I talk of aspiring thieves and prospective s. Which revolution? Nigerians today are so lame, corrupt and immoral, that if God were to appear and say to them behave yourselves, they would ignore Him, not because they do not fear Him, but because their minds are screwed up to desperately crave corruption.
See them at work lying and smearing the only one in the political arena known to be the one capable of changing the tone in Nigeria.
- Buhari. Nigerians cannot help themselves. In their decadent mindset, nothing gives, corruption is king, the hell with revolution.
There are other reasons, why there never could anything called "revolution" in Nigeria, but the afore is just about the moment.
We do not need Jonathan to win to have a change from the status quo. We do not need Buhari to win to have a change. We do not need Utomi to win to have change. We do not need Ribadu to have a change.
By all means, vote your heart out for your candidate, and may God help you and him win the election, but no matter who wins, we must all come together and FIRMLY DEMAND CHANGE at all levels from our next Government.
The commonwealth can not be used to fat-feed a few. 2011 is the year that Nigerians must force their political employees -even those who were rigged into office t- spend the people's money on people's projects. On roads. On electricity. On the core things that will revive Economic Activities and give our entrepreneurs the tools they need to create jobs and opportunity for everywhere.
Nigerians still talk about PDP, as if it is a new political party deserving a chance. Here is a party that has done nothing other than rob and rape Nigeria and Nigerians, stole their mandate twice - 2003 and 2007, as the entire world witnessed; PDP governors of the respective states, fed their pockets and personal accounts all over the world, sumptuously with monies allocated to build their states, Obasanjo pocketed anything that was not nailed down, and today we know he is headed to Ethiopia to invest a portion of his loot. What do Nigerians say.
MUM. MUTTS. And we are talking about revolution. Revolution for where? PDP is still busy dishing out Nigeria's money like candy to their members; they are busy bribing for votes, buying votes, and planning to pay the most for votes come April. Those to lead the revolution you talk, are busy designing to partake of PDP candy - Nigeria's money - reason why I talk of aspiring thieves and prospective s. Which revolution? Nigerians today are so lame, corrupt and immoral, that if God were to appear and say to them behave yourselves, they would ignore Him, not because they do not fear Him, but because their minds are screwed up to desperately crave corruption.
See them at work lying and smearing the only one in the political arena known to be the one capable of changing the tone in Nigeria.
- Buhari. Nigerians cannot help themselves. In their decadent mindset, nothing gives, corruption is king, the hell with revolution.
There are other reasons, why there never could anything called "revolution" in Nigeria, but the afore is just about the moment.
We do not need Jonathan to win to have a change from the status quo. We do not need Buhari to win to have a change. We do not need Utomi to win to have change. We do not need Ribadu to have a change.
By all means, vote your heart out for your candidate, and may God help you and him win the election, but no matter who wins, we must all come together and FIRMLY DEMAND CHANGE at all levels from our next Government.
The commonwealth can not be used to fat-feed a few. 2011 is the year that Nigerians must force their political employees -even those who were rigged into office t- spend the people's money on people's projects. On roads. On electricity. On the core things that will revive Economic Activities and give our entrepreneurs the tools they need to create jobs and opportunity for everywhere.
Enough with the Squander mania
Every candidate should tell us what their plan for the Economy is, and who they plan to put on the Economic Team.
People don't just revolt for the sake of revolting, or because revolution has become fashionable.
People revolt when the are sufficiently pissed off to touch off the revolution and sustain it.
Revolutions succeed when there is clear thinking behind them and a grim determination the people or a group to go the distance. That applies even if the revolutions started spontaneously.
There will be no revolution in Nigeria anytime soon. Here Is why ”It is hard to be pissed off at Good luck Jonathan. Had it been that Obasanjo were the President of Nigeria today, I d say put on your Gandhi outfit or pick up your pitchforks because you are going to need one or both of them.
Today, No. Even in the next 4 years, no revolution in Nigeria.
If Buhari wins ”Nigerians will give him time to do his best.
If Jonathan wins, Nigerians are willing to cut him some slack. Besides, this Jonathan guy has a nature that does not invite public anger. That s how he was born. He is lucky, lucky, times 2.
However, the type of revolution Nigeria needs is to open the gates of the barracks, let the soldiers out to go and pick up all members of the families that have stolen and retained Nigeria's wealth. March them into one stadium and shoot them all. It will be repulsive, inhumane, wicked, heartless, devilish,--choose the word ”but if that doesn't happen, Nigeria's problems remain.
And we all know why. It is simple ”opportunity cost”if all the money a country can use for development is kept by a few people, there will not be remarkable development because all the money is gone. You don't need a seminar to arrive at this conclusion.
Nigerians like the good life. Nigerians know that the type of money needed to sustain that type of lifestyle cannot be made in a short time in the open market. It must be stolen. Not armed robbery ”too difficult and risk. Not opening up a church and scaring people into voluntarily giving you their money ”too much work.
Public service is where the unaccountable money is. Those who are in, don't wanna leave ”those who are out are thinking of getting in. A bunch of the people who can awaken the nation's consciousness, are among those that want to get in. The people there already have scouts that find recruits who can be let into this circle of thieves. Those who are angling to be let in find ways to praise the ones already in to improve their chances. Not telling you what you don't know already. So, it could be that some Nigerians you know have dreams of getting rich through the public treasury. Only few who go into public service, do so to make the nation better.
If ever a civilian revolt were to occur in Nigeria, it may happen in States when citizens of a state feel that they have had enough with a governor and his administration. Another likely option involves unemployed graduates from universities. But as it is, revolution in Nigeria on a wide scale involving all Nigerians, I doubt it. If an Hausa guy is power and all Nigerians want to revolt, Hausas will not join or only a few will join. The same if it is a Yoruba guy, an Edo guy, Igbo guy, etc. The mind set that makes it that way is simply this ”he might be an SOB in the eyes of the country but he is our guy. But there might not be a need for revolution if Nigerians can wipe out all the people who stole from them.
The issue in Nigeria will always be how to get people in power not to steal all the money meant for making life better in Nigeria. When a politician spends gazillions of naira and dollar to get elected, what do you think? How does he get the money back.
People don't just revolt for the sake of revolting, or because revolution has become fashionable.
People revolt when the are sufficiently pissed off to touch off the revolution and sustain it.
Revolutions succeed when there is clear thinking behind them and a grim determination the people or a group to go the distance. That applies even if the revolutions started spontaneously.
There will be no revolution in Nigeria anytime soon. Here Is why ”It is hard to be pissed off at Good luck Jonathan. Had it been that Obasanjo were the President of Nigeria today, I d say put on your Gandhi outfit or pick up your pitchforks because you are going to need one or both of them.
Today, No. Even in the next 4 years, no revolution in Nigeria.
If Buhari wins ”Nigerians will give him time to do his best.
If Jonathan wins, Nigerians are willing to cut him some slack. Besides, this Jonathan guy has a nature that does not invite public anger. That s how he was born. He is lucky, lucky, times 2.
However, the type of revolution Nigeria needs is to open the gates of the barracks, let the soldiers out to go and pick up all members of the families that have stolen and retained Nigeria's wealth. March them into one stadium and shoot them all. It will be repulsive, inhumane, wicked, heartless, devilish,--choose the word ”but if that doesn't happen, Nigeria's problems remain.
And we all know why. It is simple ”opportunity cost”if all the money a country can use for development is kept by a few people, there will not be remarkable development because all the money is gone. You don't need a seminar to arrive at this conclusion.
Nigerians like the good life. Nigerians know that the type of money needed to sustain that type of lifestyle cannot be made in a short time in the open market. It must be stolen. Not armed robbery ”too difficult and risk. Not opening up a church and scaring people into voluntarily giving you their money ”too much work.
Public service is where the unaccountable money is. Those who are in, don't wanna leave ”those who are out are thinking of getting in. A bunch of the people who can awaken the nation's consciousness, are among those that want to get in. The people there already have scouts that find recruits who can be let into this circle of thieves. Those who are angling to be let in find ways to praise the ones already in to improve their chances. Not telling you what you don't know already. So, it could be that some Nigerians you know have dreams of getting rich through the public treasury. Only few who go into public service, do so to make the nation better.
If ever a civilian revolt were to occur in Nigeria, it may happen in States when citizens of a state feel that they have had enough with a governor and his administration. Another likely option involves unemployed graduates from universities. But as it is, revolution in Nigeria on a wide scale involving all Nigerians, I doubt it. If an Hausa guy is power and all Nigerians want to revolt, Hausas will not join or only a few will join. The same if it is a Yoruba guy, an Edo guy, Igbo guy, etc. The mind set that makes it that way is simply this ”he might be an SOB in the eyes of the country but he is our guy. But there might not be a need for revolution if Nigerians can wipe out all the people who stole from them.
The issue in Nigeria will always be how to get people in power not to steal all the money meant for making life better in Nigeria. When a politician spends gazillions of naira and dollar to get elected, what do you think? How does he get the money back.
Beyond Partisanship, Beyond April 2011, and Regarding the First 100 Days
Today is February 14. Next elections are on April 9 2011, which means that the elections are 2 months away.
Two months away, and I have no idea what Mohammadu Buhari is promising the people of Imo State. I spoke to one of my non-graduate cousins yesterday. The good news is that he registered, along with his mother and his sister. The bad news is that he doesn't know the difference, and I am talking about difference in IDENTITY, not ideology, between Buhari and Ribadu and Shekaru or Utomi. He has merely heard that -onye isi ala- the incumbent, is contesting against 'some Hausa and Yoruba people' ! He doesn't know who those people are.
Even with free and fair elections, what kind of democracy can we expect from that kind of electorate?
Most of us here are political geeks. Yet, with two months to go, not many of us here can articulate what Jonathan's main platform is. Two months to go, if Ribadu has a running mate, nobody knows who he is, or where he is, or when they plan to hit Abakiliki, Warri, or Kafanchan. Two months to go , and even though he is running for the third time in 10 years, if Buhari has a plan for Electricity, nobody has ever heard it. What does he plan to do in his first 100 days?
But the presidential contestants are very lucky! They enjoy Adebayo Adejuwon's hyper-active attention, and Idowu's Bobo's ceaseless prattling on what 45 million Igbos should do or not do. Consider the legislature. Although that body consumes 75% of the recurrent expenditure, none of us have even bothered to discuss who is contesting, who is not, who can do a good job, who can not! The next pair in Aso Rock could be as honest and as unassuming as Shagari and Ekwueme, and the legislature alone would still send the country to blazes! The Legislature in the next republic -their salaries, their entitlements, what Bills they should pass and when, is a conversation we need to have. Our failure to do so does not augur well.
Then there are the State Governors, and the State legislatures, and the local Governments that are supposed to be delivering most of the services to the people. Those ones too no dey show up on our conversational radar at all!
There is also the judiciary, the last hope of the do-and-die politician. Can you you believe this Katsina-Alu guy parading himself as a whole CJN? That man is corrupt from head to toe! Can you believe the insolent Ayo-Salami, the Tinubu minion parading himself as an independent President of the Appeal court? Ibori purchased his own Bini Judge; Tinubu purchased himself the Appeal Court; and GEJ has the CJN and the Supreme Court in his bag.
O di too much!.
We can not continue this way ooo! Like a drunken man staggering from place to place, even our online commentary lurches from one issue to another, with neither plan nor purpose nor destination. We are spirited and energetic, and we are just as wasteful.
Jonathan can win, if he wants;
Buhari can win, if he wants;
Ribadu can win, if he wants.
But until the rest of us start drawing the line on the sand and setting some expectations for our leaders, nothing will change. Vigilance is the price that society pays for good government, and as the Arabs are showing, the failure of leadership is only made possible by the failure of fellowship. If we want it, we have to ask for it.
Fellow Nigerians at home and abroad, have you had enough? We gotta get get organized, RIGHT NOW! Adebayo Adejuwon and myself will never agree on the candidates, but we gotta make it clear that, starting May 2011, not even Jonathan will get away with idiocy. No matter who wins, we must make them work for Nigeria. If they are not competent, they must learn it by force, or hire people who are, because that's what they signed up for and that's what we them for.
Let us draw up our a list of 10 things we want the next Federal Government to accomplish in the first 100 days. Throw up your suggestions ... and if we have enough, I will do a pool and you we can all vote! Let us make it clear that we are watching and that, like the Egyptians, enough will soon be enough if our needs are not met! This is for the Federal Government. We will get to the States shortly ... but no Governor should assume office with a list of clear demands from the citizens!
FIRST 100 DAYS
1. The Next President must annouce his entire cabinet within the first 5 days -meaning he must be putting his cabinet together NOW, and not with cronies either!
2. That Cabinet must contain a Super-competent Finance Minister, and the Finance Minister must assemble a core Economic Team, with a clear agenda, within his/her First 30 days.
3. President Must Submit a Bill Untying the EFCC from the Executive branch within 30 days.
4. He must get the FOI Bill passed within 60 days
5 Establishment of apparatus for the implementation of SNC
6 Independence, Empowerment and Strengthening of EFCC, remove EFCC from under the authority of IG
7. Plan to restructure Nigeria health care system/Universal Health Insurance.
8. Enforcement of the law, you do the crime you do the time-restructuring of the judiciary too.
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. ???
13. ???
14. ???
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas Jefferson
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -- Elie Wiesel
But you know, as far as restructuring Nigeria, Jonathan, with this animal called man Obasanjo standing behind him, said, that was 96 years late. So, you count Jonathan out as far as meaningful bills addressing key issues of the country is concerned. Who is there for him to put in place of responsibility? Everyone in PDP has gummy fingers; you can talk about finding foxes - PDPians to guard and protect chicken coops....
Isn't it funny that any man who wants to be president of Nigeria - this Great Nigeria - did not know
his vice a year before today? Nigerian president ke? People make a Yahoo! of this nation!
Only Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, among those candidates now standing on the presidential rostrum,
can handle the program listed hereunder by Mazi Dominic Ogbonna.
Again, PDP is the only national political party with a galaxy of intellectuals from all parts of the country.
It will be easy to assemble Nigeria's astute patriots to put the nation on the path of peace, development
and progress (pdp).
It is interesting to recall that the first thing Dr. Jonathan did during his first few weeks in Aso Rock
was to reform the Obasanjo PDP that had the trappings of militarism that General Buhari rubbed
off on the Nigerian nation during his spell as head of state via a military coup d'etat. Buhari was tossed
out by IBB! Nigerians are now looking forward, fast tracking April 2011 to usher in Jonathan/Sambo administration for the new democratic order. In education, experience and judgment,
Dr. Jonathan is the Nigerian leader the democratic world is beckoning with both hands!
Two months away, and I have no idea what Mohammadu Buhari is promising the people of Imo State. I spoke to one of my non-graduate cousins yesterday. The good news is that he registered, along with his mother and his sister. The bad news is that he doesn't know the difference, and I am talking about difference in IDENTITY, not ideology, between Buhari and Ribadu and Shekaru or Utomi. He has merely heard that -onye isi ala- the incumbent, is contesting against 'some Hausa and Yoruba people' ! He doesn't know who those people are.
Even with free and fair elections, what kind of democracy can we expect from that kind of electorate?
Most of us here are political geeks. Yet, with two months to go, not many of us here can articulate what Jonathan's main platform is. Two months to go, if Ribadu has a running mate, nobody knows who he is, or where he is, or when they plan to hit Abakiliki, Warri, or Kafanchan. Two months to go , and even though he is running for the third time in 10 years, if Buhari has a plan for Electricity, nobody has ever heard it. What does he plan to do in his first 100 days?
But the presidential contestants are very lucky! They enjoy Adebayo Adejuwon's hyper-active attention, and Idowu's Bobo's ceaseless prattling on what 45 million Igbos should do or not do. Consider the legislature. Although that body consumes 75% of the recurrent expenditure, none of us have even bothered to discuss who is contesting, who is not, who can do a good job, who can not! The next pair in Aso Rock could be as honest and as unassuming as Shagari and Ekwueme, and the legislature alone would still send the country to blazes! The Legislature in the next republic -their salaries, their entitlements, what Bills they should pass and when, is a conversation we need to have. Our failure to do so does not augur well.
Then there are the State Governors, and the State legislatures, and the local Governments that are supposed to be delivering most of the services to the people. Those ones too no dey show up on our conversational radar at all!
There is also the judiciary, the last hope of the do-and-die politician. Can you you believe this Katsina-Alu guy parading himself as a whole CJN? That man is corrupt from head to toe! Can you believe the insolent Ayo-Salami, the Tinubu minion parading himself as an independent President of the Appeal court? Ibori purchased his own Bini Judge; Tinubu purchased himself the Appeal Court; and GEJ has the CJN and the Supreme Court in his bag.
O di too much!.
We can not continue this way ooo! Like a drunken man staggering from place to place, even our online commentary lurches from one issue to another, with neither plan nor purpose nor destination. We are spirited and energetic, and we are just as wasteful.
Jonathan can win, if he wants;
Buhari can win, if he wants;
Ribadu can win, if he wants.
But until the rest of us start drawing the line on the sand and setting some expectations for our leaders, nothing will change. Vigilance is the price that society pays for good government, and as the Arabs are showing, the failure of leadership is only made possible by the failure of fellowship. If we want it, we have to ask for it.
Fellow Nigerians at home and abroad, have you had enough? We gotta get get organized, RIGHT NOW! Adebayo Adejuwon and myself will never agree on the candidates, but we gotta make it clear that, starting May 2011, not even Jonathan will get away with idiocy. No matter who wins, we must make them work for Nigeria. If they are not competent, they must learn it by force, or hire people who are, because that's what they signed up for and that's what we them for.
Let us draw up our a list of 10 things we want the next Federal Government to accomplish in the first 100 days. Throw up your suggestions ... and if we have enough, I will do a pool and you we can all vote! Let us make it clear that we are watching and that, like the Egyptians, enough will soon be enough if our needs are not met! This is for the Federal Government. We will get to the States shortly ... but no Governor should assume office with a list of clear demands from the citizens!
FIRST 100 DAYS
1. The Next President must annouce his entire cabinet within the first 5 days -meaning he must be putting his cabinet together NOW, and not with cronies either!
2. That Cabinet must contain a Super-competent Finance Minister, and the Finance Minister must assemble a core Economic Team, with a clear agenda, within his/her First 30 days.
3. President Must Submit a Bill Untying the EFCC from the Executive branch within 30 days.
4. He must get the FOI Bill passed within 60 days
5 Establishment of apparatus for the implementation of SNC
6 Independence, Empowerment and Strengthening of EFCC, remove EFCC from under the authority of IG
7. Plan to restructure Nigeria health care system/Universal Health Insurance.
8. Enforcement of the law, you do the crime you do the time-restructuring of the judiciary too.
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. ???
13. ???
14. ???
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas Jefferson
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -- Elie Wiesel
But you know, as far as restructuring Nigeria, Jonathan, with this animal called man Obasanjo standing behind him, said, that was 96 years late. So, you count Jonathan out as far as meaningful bills addressing key issues of the country is concerned. Who is there for him to put in place of responsibility? Everyone in PDP has gummy fingers; you can talk about finding foxes - PDPians to guard and protect chicken coops....
Isn't it funny that any man who wants to be president of Nigeria - this Great Nigeria - did not know
his vice a year before today? Nigerian president ke? People make a Yahoo! of this nation!
Only Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, among those candidates now standing on the presidential rostrum,
can handle the program listed hereunder by Mazi Dominic Ogbonna.
Again, PDP is the only national political party with a galaxy of intellectuals from all parts of the country.
It will be easy to assemble Nigeria's astute patriots to put the nation on the path of peace, development
and progress (pdp).
It is interesting to recall that the first thing Dr. Jonathan did during his first few weeks in Aso Rock
was to reform the Obasanjo PDP that had the trappings of militarism that General Buhari rubbed
off on the Nigerian nation during his spell as head of state via a military coup d'etat. Buhari was tossed
out by IBB! Nigerians are now looking forward, fast tracking April 2011 to usher in Jonathan/Sambo administration for the new democratic order. In education, experience and judgment,
Dr. Jonathan is the Nigerian leader the democratic world is beckoning with both hands!
THE EGYPTIAN ERUPTION: THE MAKING OF A YOUTH REVOLUTION
When 26 year old Mohammed El-Bouazizi set himself on fire in the Tunisian central city of Sidi Bouazid, he never reckoned with how far the flames of his self immolation would go. Soon, the conflagration spread to Yemen, Jordan, Algeria and then Egypt. It was in Egypt that that the wind of cha...nge appeared to blow the hardest. The government of Hosni Mubarak relying on the successful demobilization of previous mass protests, especially the March 3, 2003 anti-war processions, hardly took the demonstrators serious. That became his undoing! The pro democracy groups and the young people of Egypt were prepared for their moment in history and they seized the opportunity with very open hands. Together, they marched defiantly in solidarity until Mubarak fled.
After taking over by default from the slain Anwar El Sadat, Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak like all dictators went on a populist drive, riding especially on a wave of popularity occasioned by his heroics and gamesmanship in the Egypt-Israel October war of 1973. However, not long after, he started indulging in a past time that all military despots share in common; acute thirst for authoritarian rule, absolute power, abuse of institutional governance, unbridled corruption, censorship of open media, intolerance of opposition and brutal suppression of dissent. While the local and foreign bank vaults of accounts of Mubarak and his acolytes blossomed, Egypt and its people famished. Mubarak’s economic policy was such that the few rich got incredibly richer while the majority poor got miserably poorer.
In the spring of 2008, workers in El Mahallah El Kubra, an industrial town, resolved that enough was enough. They decided to give teeth to their angst against increasingly deteriorating work conditions, poor wages and de-humanizing social welfare policies. They were supported by some youths led by Ahmed Maher and Ahmed Salar. The young people deployed modern social media tools like facebook, flickr, twitter in organising and mobilizing the populace in solidarity with the agitating workers. The youth movement came to be later known as the April 6th Movement, named after the day the trade unions in El Mahallah El Kubra called out workers on a general strike.
After the strike, the youth movement continued conscientising, sensitizing and mobilizing the Egyptian populace against the dictatorial tendencies of the Mubarak government. It was not long before the April 6th Movement mobilized the biggest political followership on facebook; their membership hitting above 70, 000 fans by January, 2009. Egypt would never remain the same. The group became a rallying point for the disenchanted young people of Egypt who grew increasingly restive as unemployment rendered millions of Egyptian youth population idle. The facebook page of the April 6th Movement came to be later described by the New York Times as the political facebook page in Egypt with the most dynamic discussions. The discussions on the April 6th Movement page were heated, animated and informed.
Taking a cue from the Otpor Group; the movement that brought down the strongman of Serbia; Slobodan Milosevic, the April 6th Movement preached non-violent struggle for social emancipation. The debates on their facebook page centred on free speech, nepotism in government and the political cum socio-economic stagnancy that the Mubarak regime had foisted on Egypt. The group also campaigned for the release of imprisoned journalists through public rallies. Their message gained current and in no time, Egyptians found a rallying point with an agenda they could identify with. Their calls for mass protests were answered at first by hundreds of Egyptians and then thousands and then the millions that thronged Tahir Freedom Square, Alexandria, Suez and other big cities in Egypt in the run up to the eventual demystification of Mubarak.
Like every despotic regime, the government of Hosni Mubarak came down on the April 6th Movement. Websites that supported the movement were simultaneously attacked by persons suspected to be linked to the disgraced administration of Hosni Mubarak. This was followed up by massive clampdown, arrests, detention and torture of the leaders of the April 6th Movement. In May 2008, the leader of the group; Ahmed Mahal was arrested and incarcerated by security agents on the orders of the state. That only generated unsolicited publicity for the April 6th Movement and swelled its membership.
When on January 8, 2011, 26 year old Asmaa Mahfouz, a human rights activist and one of the leaders of the April 6th Movement, posted a video blog on her facebook page rallying on the conscience of her compatriots for change, hardly did she know that she had set in motion events that would eventually crystallize into the eventual dethronement of the Mubarak political dynasty. A few days earlier, she had been beaten up alongside with three young men at Tahir Square. The three young men, aggrieved at the brutality of the state, set themselves on fire in front of the Parliamentary building in Cairo. When that fire like the El-Bouazizi fire fully blossomed, it ignited the whirlpool of protests and demonstrations that became the people’s revolution in Egypt.
Elsewhere in Algeria, Yemen, Jordan and Iran, the fire had already been ignited. The reactionary forces in those climes are currently doing all they can to snuff out the will of the people for freedom and open societies. But can they stop the wind? They can only hold out momentarily as they watch in ignominy as the wind of change blows further south bringing hope and relief to impoverished people everywhere. Rejoice, Mother Africa for a great light upon thee would soon dawn!
Finally, to all change thirsty Egyptians; this is your momentous moment! To the brave young people of Egypt; you couldn’t have been born at a better time!! To the martyrs of the struggle, you would forever live in the hearts of all of us who cherish freedom, justice and participatory democracy!!!
Comrade Echezona Asuzu
Youth Activist
After taking over by default from the slain Anwar El Sadat, Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak like all dictators went on a populist drive, riding especially on a wave of popularity occasioned by his heroics and gamesmanship in the Egypt-Israel October war of 1973. However, not long after, he started indulging in a past time that all military despots share in common; acute thirst for authoritarian rule, absolute power, abuse of institutional governance, unbridled corruption, censorship of open media, intolerance of opposition and brutal suppression of dissent. While the local and foreign bank vaults of accounts of Mubarak and his acolytes blossomed, Egypt and its people famished. Mubarak’s economic policy was such that the few rich got incredibly richer while the majority poor got miserably poorer.
In the spring of 2008, workers in El Mahallah El Kubra, an industrial town, resolved that enough was enough. They decided to give teeth to their angst against increasingly deteriorating work conditions, poor wages and de-humanizing social welfare policies. They were supported by some youths led by Ahmed Maher and Ahmed Salar. The young people deployed modern social media tools like facebook, flickr, twitter in organising and mobilizing the populace in solidarity with the agitating workers. The youth movement came to be later known as the April 6th Movement, named after the day the trade unions in El Mahallah El Kubra called out workers on a general strike.
After the strike, the youth movement continued conscientising, sensitizing and mobilizing the Egyptian populace against the dictatorial tendencies of the Mubarak government. It was not long before the April 6th Movement mobilized the biggest political followership on facebook; their membership hitting above 70, 000 fans by January, 2009. Egypt would never remain the same. The group became a rallying point for the disenchanted young people of Egypt who grew increasingly restive as unemployment rendered millions of Egyptian youth population idle. The facebook page of the April 6th Movement came to be later described by the New York Times as the political facebook page in Egypt with the most dynamic discussions. The discussions on the April 6th Movement page were heated, animated and informed.
Taking a cue from the Otpor Group; the movement that brought down the strongman of Serbia; Slobodan Milosevic, the April 6th Movement preached non-violent struggle for social emancipation. The debates on their facebook page centred on free speech, nepotism in government and the political cum socio-economic stagnancy that the Mubarak regime had foisted on Egypt. The group also campaigned for the release of imprisoned journalists through public rallies. Their message gained current and in no time, Egyptians found a rallying point with an agenda they could identify with. Their calls for mass protests were answered at first by hundreds of Egyptians and then thousands and then the millions that thronged Tahir Freedom Square, Alexandria, Suez and other big cities in Egypt in the run up to the eventual demystification of Mubarak.
Like every despotic regime, the government of Hosni Mubarak came down on the April 6th Movement. Websites that supported the movement were simultaneously attacked by persons suspected to be linked to the disgraced administration of Hosni Mubarak. This was followed up by massive clampdown, arrests, detention and torture of the leaders of the April 6th Movement. In May 2008, the leader of the group; Ahmed Mahal was arrested and incarcerated by security agents on the orders of the state. That only generated unsolicited publicity for the April 6th Movement and swelled its membership.
When on January 8, 2011, 26 year old Asmaa Mahfouz, a human rights activist and one of the leaders of the April 6th Movement, posted a video blog on her facebook page rallying on the conscience of her compatriots for change, hardly did she know that she had set in motion events that would eventually crystallize into the eventual dethronement of the Mubarak political dynasty. A few days earlier, she had been beaten up alongside with three young men at Tahir Square. The three young men, aggrieved at the brutality of the state, set themselves on fire in front of the Parliamentary building in Cairo. When that fire like the El-Bouazizi fire fully blossomed, it ignited the whirlpool of protests and demonstrations that became the people’s revolution in Egypt.
Elsewhere in Algeria, Yemen, Jordan and Iran, the fire had already been ignited. The reactionary forces in those climes are currently doing all they can to snuff out the will of the people for freedom and open societies. But can they stop the wind? They can only hold out momentarily as they watch in ignominy as the wind of change blows further south bringing hope and relief to impoverished people everywhere. Rejoice, Mother Africa for a great light upon thee would soon dawn!
Finally, to all change thirsty Egyptians; this is your momentous moment! To the brave young people of Egypt; you couldn’t have been born at a better time!! To the martyrs of the struggle, you would forever live in the hearts of all of us who cherish freedom, justice and participatory democracy!!!
Comrade Echezona Asuzu
Youth Activist
I Fear For Nigeria’s Unity”…………General Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Minna, Niger State, expressed concern for the unity of Nigeria, stating that the country is at its most fragile period and should not be toyed with because of politics.
Obasanjo, who was the grand patron at the flag-off of the re-election campaign of the governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida, stated that the “fabric of unity that ties us together as a nation is most fragile and must not be played with, because the unity that binds us together as a people should be our strength as a people.”
He said that a country cannot talk about unity and peace when the people, who have benefited immensely from the country in different
ways, do not preach the unity of the country, “rather, they engage in the disintegration of the country that made them who they are today.
“Those of us who have enjoyed the greatest benefit in this country, like education, appointments, selection and other privileges, should be the ones to let the less privileged know that Nigeria is a beautiful country, and all we need to do as a people is to make it one of the best in the world.”
The former president considered it most unfortunate that privileged Nigerians, who have benefited so much from this country have become priests and barons of divisions on religious, geographical sentiments, language and tribalism. “What a shame and a great shame indeed,” he declared.
According to him, “I believe that all of us who God has given the opportunity to benefit from what this country can give to us both at
the state and national levels, should do everything to ensure unity, tranquility and peace in Nigeria.”
Obasanjo appealed to Nigerians to be peaceful, adding that if there is no peace in one state, it affects the whole country and that it is not enough for a country to progress and show that it is among the comity of nations when crisis abounds in it.
The former president urged the younger generation to learn from the mistakes of the older generation and make amends, adding that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria but its leaders and followers alike.
Obasanjo, who was the grand patron at the flag-off of the re-election campaign of the governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida, stated that the “fabric of unity that ties us together as a nation is most fragile and must not be played with, because the unity that binds us together as a people should be our strength as a people.”
He said that a country cannot talk about unity and peace when the people, who have benefited immensely from the country in different
ways, do not preach the unity of the country, “rather, they engage in the disintegration of the country that made them who they are today.
“Those of us who have enjoyed the greatest benefit in this country, like education, appointments, selection and other privileges, should be the ones to let the less privileged know that Nigeria is a beautiful country, and all we need to do as a people is to make it one of the best in the world.”
The former president considered it most unfortunate that privileged Nigerians, who have benefited so much from this country have become priests and barons of divisions on religious, geographical sentiments, language and tribalism. “What a shame and a great shame indeed,” he declared.
According to him, “I believe that all of us who God has given the opportunity to benefit from what this country can give to us both at
the state and national levels, should do everything to ensure unity, tranquility and peace in Nigeria.”
Obasanjo appealed to Nigerians to be peaceful, adding that if there is no peace in one state, it affects the whole country and that it is not enough for a country to progress and show that it is among the comity of nations when crisis abounds in it.
The former president urged the younger generation to learn from the mistakes of the older generation and make amends, adding that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria but its leaders and followers alike.
USF: Suspension for Okogba
Former director of the Institute on Black Life Geoffrey Okogba, who was accused of misusing more than $100,000 of University funds on personal items and trips, will be suspended without pay until the end of the upcoming fall semester.
After allegations of misallocation of funds - which the University claims cost it $104,902 in unanticipated expenses - former director of the USF's Institute on Black Life Geoffrey Okogba faces suspension without pay, among other penalties.
In a letter sent Thursday from USF Vice Provost Dwayne Smith, the events are called "unfortunate," marring an "otherwise positive and productive career." Effective April 9, Okogba will face suspension through Dec. 21, the letter states.
He will also lose the ability to sign off on University financial matters for a period of five years and will be required to pay the University a total of $3,088 in funds it claims were misappropriated travel expenses.
The controversy surrounding Okogba - a fully tenured professor - began in September when a review by the Office of University Audit and Compliance reported Okogba to be "grossly negligent" in his duties as IBL director, accusing him of misallocating more than $175,000. Okogba purchased a 42-inch plasma screen television, 20 unusable desktop computers, six camcorders and two digital cameras with grant money, the audit stated. He was also accused of racking up more than $30,000 in travel expenses.
The case was referred to the State Attorney's office, which, according to Okogbaa's attorney Steven Wenzel, "found insufficient evidence on which to base a prosecution."
The case was referred to an ad-hoc faculty review panel headed by faculty senate vice president John C. Ward. The panel sent its non-binding recommendation to Smith on Feb. 7.
The panel - which first met Nov. 17 - suggested a letter of reprimand be placed in Okogbaa's personnel file to "encourage a more prudent level of acceptance and responsibility."
The group also recommended that the University impose "some period of suspension," but a consensus could not be reached within the committee as to whether the suspension should be a paid one. According to Smith, administrators eventually decided to suspend Okogbaa until the end of fall semester without pay.
"There wasn't a consensus on it, but we did seek clarification on it and there was a clear majority who supported suspension without pay," Smith said. "Just to clarify, the panel's report was an advisory to the Provost - it was not binding, but it was followed pretty closely."
The faculty review committee recommended that Okogbaa receive training in financial responsibility and suggested that he provided insufficient documentation to support some of his travel claims.
Okogba will be required to pay the University $888 for trips he took to Nebraska and Texas for which USF was billed. Administrators maintain there is insufficient evidence to prove the trips were University related.
He is also required to remit $2,200 for a trip to Africa. According to Smith, Okogba was paid by an outside organization for the trip but still used University funds to cover his travel expenses.
According to a letter sent by Wenzel to Smith on April 2, Wenzel suggested the year Okogba has been away from the academic community is suspension enough. Citing a grant Okogba secured in January for $1.6 million, Wenzel maintains Okogba will suffer as a researcher as a result of the suspension.
The letter also states Okogba is willing to pay for the Kansas and Texas trips, but maintains that the money allocated for the trip to Africa was fairly allocated. Though Okogba has the right to file a grievance, Wenzel said the decision to do so has not yet been made.
Okogba will not resume his duties as director of IBL, but he will be able to resume his duties as a professor and researcher after his suspension is over.
"From the University's perspective, it is a regrettable situation and it is our wish that Dr. Okogba will come back from his suspension and essentially resume a very productive career," Smith said.
After allegations of misallocation of funds - which the University claims cost it $104,902 in unanticipated expenses - former director of the USF's Institute on Black Life Geoffrey Okogba faces suspension without pay, among other penalties.
In a letter sent Thursday from USF Vice Provost Dwayne Smith, the events are called "unfortunate," marring an "otherwise positive and productive career." Effective April 9, Okogba will face suspension through Dec. 21, the letter states.
He will also lose the ability to sign off on University financial matters for a period of five years and will be required to pay the University a total of $3,088 in funds it claims were misappropriated travel expenses.
The controversy surrounding Okogba - a fully tenured professor - began in September when a review by the Office of University Audit and Compliance reported Okogba to be "grossly negligent" in his duties as IBL director, accusing him of misallocating more than $175,000. Okogba purchased a 42-inch plasma screen television, 20 unusable desktop computers, six camcorders and two digital cameras with grant money, the audit stated. He was also accused of racking up more than $30,000 in travel expenses.
The case was referred to the State Attorney's office, which, according to Okogbaa's attorney Steven Wenzel, "found insufficient evidence on which to base a prosecution."
The case was referred to an ad-hoc faculty review panel headed by faculty senate vice president John C. Ward. The panel sent its non-binding recommendation to Smith on Feb. 7.
The panel - which first met Nov. 17 - suggested a letter of reprimand be placed in Okogbaa's personnel file to "encourage a more prudent level of acceptance and responsibility."
The group also recommended that the University impose "some period of suspension," but a consensus could not be reached within the committee as to whether the suspension should be a paid one. According to Smith, administrators eventually decided to suspend Okogbaa until the end of fall semester without pay.
"There wasn't a consensus on it, but we did seek clarification on it and there was a clear majority who supported suspension without pay," Smith said. "Just to clarify, the panel's report was an advisory to the Provost - it was not binding, but it was followed pretty closely."
The faculty review committee recommended that Okogbaa receive training in financial responsibility and suggested that he provided insufficient documentation to support some of his travel claims.
Okogba will be required to pay the University $888 for trips he took to Nebraska and Texas for which USF was billed. Administrators maintain there is insufficient evidence to prove the trips were University related.
He is also required to remit $2,200 for a trip to Africa. According to Smith, Okogba was paid by an outside organization for the trip but still used University funds to cover his travel expenses.
According to a letter sent by Wenzel to Smith on April 2, Wenzel suggested the year Okogba has been away from the academic community is suspension enough. Citing a grant Okogba secured in January for $1.6 million, Wenzel maintains Okogba will suffer as a researcher as a result of the suspension.
The letter also states Okogba is willing to pay for the Kansas and Texas trips, but maintains that the money allocated for the trip to Africa was fairly allocated. Though Okogba has the right to file a grievance, Wenzel said the decision to do so has not yet been made.
Okogba will not resume his duties as director of IBL, but he will be able to resume his duties as a professor and researcher after his suspension is over.
"From the University's perspective, it is a regrettable situation and it is our wish that Dr. Okogba will come back from his suspension and essentially resume a very productive career," Smith said.
ANAMBRA: WHY PAY YOUR TAX?
The idea of paying tax rests on the principle that expenses of government, in its efforts to cater for the needs of the people, should be borne in part by income earners, like workers, businessmen or corporate bodies. But in Anambra, a number of persons who refuse to pay tax insist that without collecting taxes from them, Governor Peter Obi has recorded and continues to record, tremendous success in simultaneously developing all sectors of the state.
Yes, in Anambra State, like in some other states of the federation, though for different reasons, tax evasion, the illegal non-payment or underpayment of tax (be it personal income, property or company tax) is widespread and deep- rooted. It is so, largely because of corruption among tax officials and lack of an effective system of assessment and collection that would compel all eligible tax-payers to discharge their civil responsibility of paying taxes. More fundamentally, too, the expenses of government worldwide are popular but the means and ways of finding the money.
As a result of tax evasion, revenues expected to accrue to government at whatever level, through tax collection, have declined or dried up completely, and development and welfare projects such as building of roads, hospitals and schools as well as provision of water and electricity halted over the years. Though in the case of Anambra, there are no abandoned objects, since work is continually going on, on all the uncompleted projects.
Really, it surprises everyone that tax evasion has not stopped Governor Peter Obi's policy instrument, the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) from simultaneously recording solid, monumental achievements in all sectors of the state. It has not stopped him from building and rebuilding, equipping and re-equipping hospitals, schools of nursing and midwifery, to enable the institutions attain accreditation and upgrading and serve the people better. It has not stopped him from erecting faculty and department buildings, of law, mass communication, etc and re-equipping engineering department at the Anambra State University. It has not stopped him from supplying computers and science equipment to all secondary schools in the state.
Without payment of tax by the people, Governor Obi has made borehole in schools and communities in the state. He has built a network of 500-kilometer asphalted roads across the state in barely five years. He put up the Nigerian Stock Exchange building in Onitsha and launched ANIDS transport scheme with 90 buses and TRACAS with 40 buses, each of which number has more than tripled today. Without the payment of tax by the people, Governor Obi has almost completed the rehabilitation of the Obizi Water Scheme. In the face of tax evasion, the governor has donated thousands of motor vehicles, armored personnel carriers and communication equipment to police and other security agencies in the state. These are samples the newspaper space will permit. Indeed, Governor Obi's achievements in Anambra State can only be properly documented in not less than 1000 page book. Governor Obi's marvelous achievements belie the fact that Anambra State is one of the states that receives the least federal revenue allocation about N1.8 billion monthly. Ironically, the governor's stellar performances has prompted the people to question the state's current tax drive. They ask: If Governor Obi was able to achieve so much without taxing the people, why harass us now to pay tax? In addition, they insist, and quote the governor, saying, Anambra has no debt to settle, no local or foreign loan. Anambra is not a debtor-state. Again, they happily say, the state pays workers salaries regularly and promptly. Rather, Obi's achievement should encourage our people to pay their tax.
True, they have stated the facts, but their argument is not buy able. It is illogical. Are they saying because Obi has developed so much, the development of the state should stop and be static? At the start of his second four-year term, the Governor rightly acknowledged his administration's achievements but noted there is much more to do to enhance the well being of the people of the state. Had Governor Obi launched tax drive prior to, or during, his election campaign, Anambra people would have accused him of collecting money through tax to finance his campaign. But he did not at the time bother the people.
Now, Governor Obi's administration needs more money particularly from tax, to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and its share of the federal allocation. The essence is to achieve improved welfare for the people. The government needs more money from tax to meet its target of building 100-kilometer roads per year. The government needs your tax to assist it to meet its target of building 1,000 classrooms yearly, i.e. a total of 4,000 in four years. The government is appealing to the people pay their tax to enable it complete the building of the N141 million medium scale water scheme for Njikoka/Dunukofia under MDGs-CGS Programme. The government needs money to complete the building of the Neem Fertilizer Plant in Amawbia, and maintain clean environment, refuse disposal, etc. And many more similar projects and services.
Because the people are reluctant to pay their tax, the government of Anambra State, through radio jingles and TV dramas, appeals to the people to pay their tax, pleading Anambra is developing and getting better, assist to develop it, Also, tax officials visit market stalls, shops and big firms to demand tax.
But we should respect ourselves and pay our taxes, and not at the sight of tax officers scurry away like rabbit flashed a torch-light in the night, or run like common criminals pursued by police. Of course, tax evasion is a punishable offense. In our clime, it appears only government workers (particularly civil and public servants, political appointees) pay accurate or appropriate tax. In the private sector, a number of employers deduct taxes from their workers but fail to pay same into the public treasury. In some cases, when they pay into government account, they underpay.
Though tax evasion is a very serious offense, it is taken lightly in Nigeria. In Europe and America, for instance, top politicians and business tycoons have been jailed for non-payment or underpayment of tax. Spiro Agnew, a former Vice-President of the Unite States, under former President Richard Nixon, was forced to resign his office for his private company's failure to pay tax.
In Nigeria, laws seem to exist only in the books. For laws to really exist, they must be adequately enforced. Laws that are not enforced do not exist. Come to think of it: is there tax law in Nigeria? In Nigeria, laws are made and enforced in such a way that they have remained cobwebs where the small flies are caught, and the great break through.
To wipe out the incidence of tax evasion and the consequences on government's inability to discharge its obligations to the people, several state governments have resorted to adopting ad hoc measures to collect taxes. One of such measures is the insistence on the production of a tax clearance certificate as a condition for obtaining certain services from the state. Yet, the efficacy of this measure has been thwarted by dishonest tax officials. Another measure is the use of private consultancy firms and task forces, which promoted tax drives, leading to sealing up of business premises and the consequent industrial harmony. Equally ineffective is the resort of some states to double taxation, in the form of all manner of levies, that have failed to take cognizance of the ability of individuals and organizations to pay.
The resort to these ad hoc measures points to the collapse of the existing system of tax assessment and collection and the inadequacy of the adopted measures for the same purpose. Fundamentally, there should be a total overhaul or reform of the present tax system which only guarantees that workers pay their appropriate taxes promptly. Such reform should blurt out corruption in the tax system, establish a more reliable way of calculating tax scales, exemption and rebates, and ensure that those who make the most money from the society pay the most money to the society.
Turgot, finance minister of the much maligned Louis XVI of finance, told the King: The expenses of government, having for their object the interest of all should be borne by everyone, and the more a man enjoys the advantages of society, the more he ought to hold himself honored in contributing to those expenses. That's Progressive taxation, which stipulates that those who make most money get the most from society and thus owe proportionately larger debt.
Since tax payment is not a voluntary but a mandatory and regular contribution to state revenue by income earners, it demands an evolution of an effective system of assessment and collection that will compel all eligible payers to pay proportionately and promptly. Meanwhile, let us pay our tax in Anambra State.
Ubabukoh is the Senior Special Assistant, Communication, to Governor Obi.
Yes, in Anambra State, like in some other states of the federation, though for different reasons, tax evasion, the illegal non-payment or underpayment of tax (be it personal income, property or company tax) is widespread and deep- rooted. It is so, largely because of corruption among tax officials and lack of an effective system of assessment and collection that would compel all eligible tax-payers to discharge their civil responsibility of paying taxes. More fundamentally, too, the expenses of government worldwide are popular but the means and ways of finding the money.
As a result of tax evasion, revenues expected to accrue to government at whatever level, through tax collection, have declined or dried up completely, and development and welfare projects such as building of roads, hospitals and schools as well as provision of water and electricity halted over the years. Though in the case of Anambra, there are no abandoned objects, since work is continually going on, on all the uncompleted projects.
Really, it surprises everyone that tax evasion has not stopped Governor Peter Obi's policy instrument, the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) from simultaneously recording solid, monumental achievements in all sectors of the state. It has not stopped him from building and rebuilding, equipping and re-equipping hospitals, schools of nursing and midwifery, to enable the institutions attain accreditation and upgrading and serve the people better. It has not stopped him from erecting faculty and department buildings, of law, mass communication, etc and re-equipping engineering department at the Anambra State University. It has not stopped him from supplying computers and science equipment to all secondary schools in the state.
Without payment of tax by the people, Governor Obi has made borehole in schools and communities in the state. He has built a network of 500-kilometer asphalted roads across the state in barely five years. He put up the Nigerian Stock Exchange building in Onitsha and launched ANIDS transport scheme with 90 buses and TRACAS with 40 buses, each of which number has more than tripled today. Without the payment of tax by the people, Governor Obi has almost completed the rehabilitation of the Obizi Water Scheme. In the face of tax evasion, the governor has donated thousands of motor vehicles, armored personnel carriers and communication equipment to police and other security agencies in the state. These are samples the newspaper space will permit. Indeed, Governor Obi's achievements in Anambra State can only be properly documented in not less than 1000 page book. Governor Obi's marvelous achievements belie the fact that Anambra State is one of the states that receives the least federal revenue allocation about N1.8 billion monthly. Ironically, the governor's stellar performances has prompted the people to question the state's current tax drive. They ask: If Governor Obi was able to achieve so much without taxing the people, why harass us now to pay tax? In addition, they insist, and quote the governor, saying, Anambra has no debt to settle, no local or foreign loan. Anambra is not a debtor-state. Again, they happily say, the state pays workers salaries regularly and promptly. Rather, Obi's achievement should encourage our people to pay their tax.
True, they have stated the facts, but their argument is not buy able. It is illogical. Are they saying because Obi has developed so much, the development of the state should stop and be static? At the start of his second four-year term, the Governor rightly acknowledged his administration's achievements but noted there is much more to do to enhance the well being of the people of the state. Had Governor Obi launched tax drive prior to, or during, his election campaign, Anambra people would have accused him of collecting money through tax to finance his campaign. But he did not at the time bother the people.
Now, Governor Obi's administration needs more money particularly from tax, to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and its share of the federal allocation. The essence is to achieve improved welfare for the people. The government needs more money from tax to meet its target of building 100-kilometer roads per year. The government needs your tax to assist it to meet its target of building 1,000 classrooms yearly, i.e. a total of 4,000 in four years. The government is appealing to the people pay their tax to enable it complete the building of the N141 million medium scale water scheme for Njikoka/Dunukofia under MDGs-CGS Programme. The government needs money to complete the building of the Neem Fertilizer Plant in Amawbia, and maintain clean environment, refuse disposal, etc. And many more similar projects and services.
Because the people are reluctant to pay their tax, the government of Anambra State, through radio jingles and TV dramas, appeals to the people to pay their tax, pleading Anambra is developing and getting better, assist to develop it, Also, tax officials visit market stalls, shops and big firms to demand tax.
But we should respect ourselves and pay our taxes, and not at the sight of tax officers scurry away like rabbit flashed a torch-light in the night, or run like common criminals pursued by police. Of course, tax evasion is a punishable offense. In our clime, it appears only government workers (particularly civil and public servants, political appointees) pay accurate or appropriate tax. In the private sector, a number of employers deduct taxes from their workers but fail to pay same into the public treasury. In some cases, when they pay into government account, they underpay.
Though tax evasion is a very serious offense, it is taken lightly in Nigeria. In Europe and America, for instance, top politicians and business tycoons have been jailed for non-payment or underpayment of tax. Spiro Agnew, a former Vice-President of the Unite States, under former President Richard Nixon, was forced to resign his office for his private company's failure to pay tax.
In Nigeria, laws seem to exist only in the books. For laws to really exist, they must be adequately enforced. Laws that are not enforced do not exist. Come to think of it: is there tax law in Nigeria? In Nigeria, laws are made and enforced in such a way that they have remained cobwebs where the small flies are caught, and the great break through.
To wipe out the incidence of tax evasion and the consequences on government's inability to discharge its obligations to the people, several state governments have resorted to adopting ad hoc measures to collect taxes. One of such measures is the insistence on the production of a tax clearance certificate as a condition for obtaining certain services from the state. Yet, the efficacy of this measure has been thwarted by dishonest tax officials. Another measure is the use of private consultancy firms and task forces, which promoted tax drives, leading to sealing up of business premises and the consequent industrial harmony. Equally ineffective is the resort of some states to double taxation, in the form of all manner of levies, that have failed to take cognizance of the ability of individuals and organizations to pay.
The resort to these ad hoc measures points to the collapse of the existing system of tax assessment and collection and the inadequacy of the adopted measures for the same purpose. Fundamentally, there should be a total overhaul or reform of the present tax system which only guarantees that workers pay their appropriate taxes promptly. Such reform should blurt out corruption in the tax system, establish a more reliable way of calculating tax scales, exemption and rebates, and ensure that those who make the most money from the society pay the most money to the society.
Turgot, finance minister of the much maligned Louis XVI of finance, told the King: The expenses of government, having for their object the interest of all should be borne by everyone, and the more a man enjoys the advantages of society, the more he ought to hold himself honored in contributing to those expenses. That's Progressive taxation, which stipulates that those who make most money get the most from society and thus owe proportionately larger debt.
Since tax payment is not a voluntary but a mandatory and regular contribution to state revenue by income earners, it demands an evolution of an effective system of assessment and collection that will compel all eligible payers to pay proportionately and promptly. Meanwhile, let us pay our tax in Anambra State.
Ubabukoh is the Senior Special Assistant, Communication, to Governor Obi.
Lost and Found In Nigeria?
There are good people in Nigeria, Matthew is one of them.
I wondered how much he is paid to be a cleaner at the Villa Park Hotel, a very modest and clean hotel in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos. Matthew as he told me has worked at this hotel for nearly one year and loves his job. He is married with two children. The wife like most low income wives in Nigeria sells provisions on the street.
Matthew is one of those people that gives you hope that all hopes are not lost in Nigeria. On the evening of May 11, 2011, I went to play Tennis at the Hotel's Tennis Court. For some unknown reason, I had some dollars in my pocket (may be as one of my security precaution of carrying my money on my person).
While I was picking an errand ball, the money dropped. After playing, I went to the bar to join my brother and some friends and then retired. I woke up at 5:00 a.m this morning and started looking for my treasure. Oh, my God! My wallet is gone.
I ran downstairs in my pajamas to the Tennis Courts and then to the Bar area. By the time I got to the bar area, the sweeper had already swept and about to dump the trash into the dumpster. I reached in and about to start my quest when Matthew stopped me and inquired what I was looking for.
I told him I had lost some money. He wanted to know how much and when I did not tell him the exact amount, he asked what currency. I told him it was dollar. He told me he found the wallet full of money.
He told me how he almost lost an eye when he refused to turn the money over to a group of guys at the hotel who wanted the booty to be shared, Matthew had a little lump above his left eye and told me they tried to rough him up. He was able to escape and turned the wallet over to the duty manager.
Folks, this has been a good day for me and Matthew. I do believe that there are millions like Matthew in Nigeria, the silent good people. As bad as things may be in Nigeria, there is good also. Let us keep our hopes alive!
Loya Eziokwu
I believe I speak for many when I say that I feel cheated. Here I am in Chicago, trying to cope with the 2011 blizzard that struck the US. Mag is there in Dallas trying to craw his way out of ice filled streets. I could not even get a seat at the Super Bowl game in Dallas, all because of the blizzard. And you are there in warm climate playing tennis in Nigeria?
What exactly did I do wrong to be in this frigid weather while you are there playing tennis in sunny Nigeria? Are you hiring? I want to watch you play tennis in February in Nigeria. If I was there watching you play, I would have been fetching the errant balls and giving them to you.
I would have picked up the lost wallet. If I did, Matthew would not have wound up with a bruise on his face. And if you owed me any back pay, you would have been forced to pay me in dollars. Voluntarily. Unless you don't want your wallet back.
Yes. There are many honest Nigerians everywhere. If you look closely, you can see that honesty does pay off. In the long run. The consequences of not being honest are enough deterrents. But the dishonest believe they can eat their pie and still have it. Na lie.
Hey. Say hello to my aunt. You can let her have some of the green backs. I will pay you back next time I watch you play tennis in February in Nigeria.
And I am
Ezeana Achusim
I wondered how much he is paid to be a cleaner at the Villa Park Hotel, a very modest and clean hotel in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos. Matthew as he told me has worked at this hotel for nearly one year and loves his job. He is married with two children. The wife like most low income wives in Nigeria sells provisions on the street.
Matthew is one of those people that gives you hope that all hopes are not lost in Nigeria. On the evening of May 11, 2011, I went to play Tennis at the Hotel's Tennis Court. For some unknown reason, I had some dollars in my pocket (may be as one of my security precaution of carrying my money on my person).
While I was picking an errand ball, the money dropped. After playing, I went to the bar to join my brother and some friends and then retired. I woke up at 5:00 a.m this morning and started looking for my treasure. Oh, my God! My wallet is gone.
I ran downstairs in my pajamas to the Tennis Courts and then to the Bar area. By the time I got to the bar area, the sweeper had already swept and about to dump the trash into the dumpster. I reached in and about to start my quest when Matthew stopped me and inquired what I was looking for.
I told him I had lost some money. He wanted to know how much and when I did not tell him the exact amount, he asked what currency. I told him it was dollar. He told me he found the wallet full of money.
He told me how he almost lost an eye when he refused to turn the money over to a group of guys at the hotel who wanted the booty to be shared, Matthew had a little lump above his left eye and told me they tried to rough him up. He was able to escape and turned the wallet over to the duty manager.
Folks, this has been a good day for me and Matthew. I do believe that there are millions like Matthew in Nigeria, the silent good people. As bad as things may be in Nigeria, there is good also. Let us keep our hopes alive!
Loya Eziokwu
I believe I speak for many when I say that I feel cheated. Here I am in Chicago, trying to cope with the 2011 blizzard that struck the US. Mag is there in Dallas trying to craw his way out of ice filled streets. I could not even get a seat at the Super Bowl game in Dallas, all because of the blizzard. And you are there in warm climate playing tennis in Nigeria?
What exactly did I do wrong to be in this frigid weather while you are there playing tennis in sunny Nigeria? Are you hiring? I want to watch you play tennis in February in Nigeria. If I was there watching you play, I would have been fetching the errant balls and giving them to you.
I would have picked up the lost wallet. If I did, Matthew would not have wound up with a bruise on his face. And if you owed me any back pay, you would have been forced to pay me in dollars. Voluntarily. Unless you don't want your wallet back.
Yes. There are many honest Nigerians everywhere. If you look closely, you can see that honesty does pay off. In the long run. The consequences of not being honest are enough deterrents. But the dishonest believe they can eat their pie and still have it. Na lie.
Hey. Say hello to my aunt. You can let her have some of the green backs. I will pay you back next time I watch you play tennis in February in Nigeria.
And I am
Ezeana Achusim
REMEMBERING MURTALA MUHAMMAD
Today,13 February 2011,35 years after Dimka and co had gunned down Murtala R. Muhammad,we must refresh our memory,though it is painful,given the caliber of Murtala, it is worthwhile.
Today is a special day for sober reflection.Public holiday should be declared,flags should be hoisted half mast.We should be all sitting at home or attending lectures and symposium in honor of the memory of this martyr.It is worthwhile to sit back and recollect those brief moments of glory and freedom.
Because, since then, we had have not enjoy anything like that.Those who murdered Murtala had not done for its own sake,they committed it just to snatch away whatever freedom of the Nigerian masses.Thus,the death of Murtala signaled the death of freedom and liberation of the downtrodden in Africa.
For us to adequately,commemorate this day,all our TV.and radio stations should broadcast live commentary about him.All National dailies should carry full page advertorials in honor of his legacy.But,even these,will be inadequate for a messiah.No matter our effort to immortalize Murtala,we can never payback.
Forget about his portrait that appear in 20 naira note and the so-called local and national monuments named after him.These only betray the philosophy of Murtala.Then how can we show adequate gratitude?
Good,Murtala did something unusual and extra-ordinary that earned him international respect.Therefore,to commemorate Murtala Day,we should strive to actualize his dream-Total liberation of mankind from the jugular hold of imperialism.
Wipe away manipulators and exploiters and entrench the dictatorship of the masses.We must create a condition where all factors of production should be owned and controlled by the majority masses instead of the present condition in which a tiny class of elites are in full control over all the resources.
Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa, Katsina
Today is a special day for sober reflection.Public holiday should be declared,flags should be hoisted half mast.We should be all sitting at home or attending lectures and symposium in honor of the memory of this martyr.It is worthwhile to sit back and recollect those brief moments of glory and freedom.
Because, since then, we had have not enjoy anything like that.Those who murdered Murtala had not done for its own sake,they committed it just to snatch away whatever freedom of the Nigerian masses.Thus,the death of Murtala signaled the death of freedom and liberation of the downtrodden in Africa.
For us to adequately,commemorate this day,all our TV.and radio stations should broadcast live commentary about him.All National dailies should carry full page advertorials in honor of his legacy.But,even these,will be inadequate for a messiah.No matter our effort to immortalize Murtala,we can never payback.
Forget about his portrait that appear in 20 naira note and the so-called local and national monuments named after him.These only betray the philosophy of Murtala.Then how can we show adequate gratitude?
Good,Murtala did something unusual and extra-ordinary that earned him international respect.Therefore,to commemorate Murtala Day,we should strive to actualize his dream-Total liberation of mankind from the jugular hold of imperialism.
Wipe away manipulators and exploiters and entrench the dictatorship of the masses.We must create a condition where all factors of production should be owned and controlled by the majority masses instead of the present condition in which a tiny class of elites are in full control over all the resources.
Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa, Katsina
Help Cameroon--They Need Your Help
In addition to sending text messages to inform about the demonstrations that commence on February 23
In addition to opening twitter accounts and following TV and Radio personalities in our host countries and abroad to tweet about our demonstrations.
In addition to sending emails to our local politicians, TV and Radio personalities informing them about our plight
In addition to meeting in small groups at home and abroad to strategize on how best to support our fellow brothers and sisters who reside in Cameroon, and who will be actively involved in the field operations.
In addition to talking about the planned demonstrations to our church members, our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, etc
In addition to making phone calls to Cameroonian Parliamentarians, community leaders, leaders of political parties, traditional leaders, etc to inform them about the planned demonstrations, and also calling on them to endorse these demonstrations.
We should call on all Cameroonians, especially Cameroonians abroad, to perform numerous Google searches on Paul Biya. The purpose of this is to make him the most searched person of the week, month, or for as long as we need to.
Type in things like "Paul Biya African dictator", "Paul Biya Cameroon's dictator", "Paul Biya embezzlement", "Paul Biya in Geneva", "Paul Biya in Baden Baden", "Paul Biya Must Go", "Biya Must Go", "Paul Biya Cameroon police state", etc. Some local news stations review Google hits and talk a bit about the people who get the most hits.
I appeal to all those who may not be able to take part in these demonstrations in Cameroon to please do so in their various localities abroad. Let's make our case. Let's make our voices heard. Let's take it to the finish line this time. Biya must go!
For those who have not been involved in the activities here above listed, please join in and do so. Please be a part of this movement, become a part of this movement. Numbers count so please do not make us one less than the threshold needed to tip Biya out. Send numerous emails out. Search Biya on Google numerous times.
Let's get behind our people. The sacrifices that we make behind the PC are in no way near what our brethren in Cameroon do. Please join in and give your little bit. Paul Biya Must Go!
In addition to opening twitter accounts and following TV and Radio personalities in our host countries and abroad to tweet about our demonstrations.
In addition to sending emails to our local politicians, TV and Radio personalities informing them about our plight
In addition to meeting in small groups at home and abroad to strategize on how best to support our fellow brothers and sisters who reside in Cameroon, and who will be actively involved in the field operations.
In addition to talking about the planned demonstrations to our church members, our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, etc
In addition to making phone calls to Cameroonian Parliamentarians, community leaders, leaders of political parties, traditional leaders, etc to inform them about the planned demonstrations, and also calling on them to endorse these demonstrations.
We should call on all Cameroonians, especially Cameroonians abroad, to perform numerous Google searches on Paul Biya. The purpose of this is to make him the most searched person of the week, month, or for as long as we need to.
Type in things like "Paul Biya African dictator", "Paul Biya Cameroon's dictator", "Paul Biya embezzlement", "Paul Biya in Geneva", "Paul Biya in Baden Baden", "Paul Biya Must Go", "Biya Must Go", "Paul Biya Cameroon police state", etc. Some local news stations review Google hits and talk a bit about the people who get the most hits.
I appeal to all those who may not be able to take part in these demonstrations in Cameroon to please do so in their various localities abroad. Let's make our case. Let's make our voices heard. Let's take it to the finish line this time. Biya must go!
For those who have not been involved in the activities here above listed, please join in and do so. Please be a part of this movement, become a part of this movement. Numbers count so please do not make us one less than the threshold needed to tip Biya out. Send numerous emails out. Search Biya on Google numerous times.
Let's get behind our people. The sacrifices that we make behind the PC are in no way near what our brethren in Cameroon do. Please join in and give your little bit. Paul Biya Must Go!
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