Security, Immunity, Impunity Monday Quarterbacking It is clear that we have an elected leadership at the top in Nigeria whose date with integrity is in the future.. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD December 2001
Our Dreams Insights and Observations If we have dreams, we should hold on to them and start... By Ufuoma Odiete December 2001
Weighed and Found Wanting Sunday Spirituality What will your look like if analysed?... By Terfa Garba December 2001
The Death of Uncle Bola Ige Midweek Essay We ask too: Who could have killed Uncle Bola in his bedroom on Xmas Day minus two.. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD December 2001
Applying Knowledge Insights and Observations Knowledge in itself is just potential power and not power itself... By Ufuoma Odiete December 2001
Electoral Act Maneuvers Most Unconstitutional Friday Essay The Electoral Law 2001 is unconstitutional, and the procedure for arriving at it was unconstitutional, period. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD December 2001
Giving Remember, it's only when you open your hands that something can enter in! By Ufuoma Odiete December 2001
Total War on 4-1-9 The Inspector-General of Police Musiliu Smith has inaugurated a national Committee on Advance Fee Fraud (419)...... Forwarded By Haz Iwendi, Asst. Commissioner of Police December 2001
Building the Foundation for National Unity To achieve national unity and cohesion, there are certain natural principles to which a people must adhere...... By Stephen Lampe December 2001
Seek and Find Sunday Spirituality A young man, so the story goes, came to one of the christian teachers of the early centuries and expressed his desire to find God.... By Terfa Garba December 2001
The Senate and the Universal Basic Education Bill Saturday Essay The free and compulsory education-for-all provisions are a vindication of past AG - UPN - SDP and present AD party positions.... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD December 2001
Circumstances So you find that some people mould their character according to the circumstances..... By Ufuoma Odiete November 2001
Friendship What is that bond that silently pledges loyalty and dedication? ..... By Ufuoma Odiete November 2001
Religious Wars Religion, I believe, is there to guide us, help us find the way up, help us mould our characters in the right form,and help us know and recognize God easier..... By Ufuoma Odiete November 2001
Justice, Jihad and the Just War Monday Quarterbacking So, today - I give over my Monday Quarterbackings to others with the intention of promoting Christian/ Muslim dialogue...... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD November 2001
Come To Him Now Spirituality on NgEX! It is up to you to be willing to turn from sin and receive Christ. You come just as you are." He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 .... By Terfa Garba November 2001
Clarifying Some Issues on Voting/Dual Citizenship Saturday Essay ....he claimed that his winning argument against the vote on the Senate floor was that if we are allowed to vote, that would be a disincentive for us resident abroad to return to Nigeria! Thus, denying us the vote is an incentive to return to Nigeria.
..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD November 2001
Re: Ms. Safiya Hussaini An Open Letter to Mr. President Gender discrimination is usually subtle, but everything about this sentence reveals gender discrimination of the most overt type. Overt, because the only reason why Ms. Hussaini was convicted and her co-accused acquitted is that nature equips her with the physiology to reveal the results of their "criminal acts." .... By Concerned Nigerian Women November 2001
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Has Murdered Democracy I chose the word 'murdered' because of what actually took place on November 10th, 2001 at the Eagle Square, the prestigious 3 billion naira arena bequeathed the nation by the now retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led government, when the ruling party (PDP) held a wake-keeping vigil for the final burial of democracy camouflaged as a convention.... By Max Gbanite November 2001
The Electoral Bill and Dual/Non-Resident Nigerian Citizens Monday Quarterbacking For those of us living abroad, two issues should vex us in this same electoral bill, the first a continuing omission, and another a new explicit provision, namely....That Nigerian citizens living OUTSIDE Nigeria currently cannot vote; ..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD November 2001
An Odor of Soccer Corruption - A Call to Investigate Sunday Musings ....if our image and reputation have once again been messed up by an over-zealous, money- rattling Odili whose intervention was wholly unnecessary, then some people should be punished for it..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD November 2001
WTO and the Limits of Trade Liberalization "Why this relentless pursuit of trade liberalization?", one might ask. The primary reason is that multinational corporations want rules and commitments that are global, irreversible, and binding on all countries..... By Stephen Lampe November 2001
Visit The Future of World Transportation: The Arrival of Future Departures
Imagine That! Combining the availability of a personal car, the efficiency and luxury of an aircraft and eliminating the responsibility of maintenance and security and burden of looking for parking space. I present to you PERSONALISED ONLINE PATROLER - CONNECTIBLE ORBITAL NAVIGATOR (POP-CON).... By Andrew Abulu November 2001
Urhobo and the Nigerian Federation: Whither Nigeria? The exaggerated significance of kingdoms in Nigerian historiography has led to such outlandish claims as one which contends that the Yoruba originated from Mecca and the Middle East or that the Urhobo have their origins in Ife.
........ By Peter Ekeh November 2001
Who is a Christian Spirituality on NgEX! These questions are often asked; "who is a Christian? How do I know a Christian if I meet one? Does every Mathew, Luke, Mark and John go for a Christian?.... By Terfa Garba November 2001
Breaking Up Breaking up, most of the time, is one of the hardest things to do. Not just because we love the person that we're breaking up with endlessly, but also because as human beings, we don't like change.... By Ufuoma Odiete October 2001
How Gbenga Aluko Underdeveloped Africa If you were standing facing it from the east, the clock imagined that the time was 4:45PM. From the west, 3:25PM, and looking directly at it on that road leading from "Main Gate," it had been 7 O' Clock for many years.... By Ganja Ekeh October 2001
Procrastination We all do it, in fact in Nigeria it's a specialised trait. But, come to think of it, why do people always leave things till the last minute?.... By Ufuoma Odiete October 2001
The Winning Captain Spirituality on NgEX! If you are a footballer or football enthusiast you would perhaps have loved to be on the team with Pele, Kevin or Maradona or given them support............ By Terfa Garba October 2001
An Open Letter to President Obasanjo "This Blood-Letting Must Stop!" Your Excellency:
It is with a very heavy heart that we the under-signed write openly to you after reading the news that about 200 villagers were massacred on Monday, October 22 at Gbeji, Zakim-Bian, Vasase and Agbayiin and other villages near the Benue-Taraba states border. . ...... Forwarded by Mobolaji Aluko, PhD October 2001
An Open Letter to Leaders of Nigeria's Northern States Re: Sharia Sentence for Safiyatu Husaini A Sharia court sentenced 35-year-old divorcee Safiyatu Husaini to be stoned to death for adultery. Are you not aware that many people are appalled that your government would adopt such a religion? Why are you contributing to the struggle of our people? . ...... By A Sad African-Canadian October 2001
Overcoming Misconceptions About Sex A Treatise on Sex & Sexuality For a woman to enjoy lovemaking, she needs sufficient time for foreplay. Women do not get aroused as easily (or as quickly) as men. Husbands need to implement a lot of gentleness, tenderness and play....... By Oghenekaro E. Akamune October 2001
Trouble in the Nigerian House of Othman Dan Bello Sunday Musings Although Nigerian Muslims are largely of the Sunni persuasion, a radical set of fundamentalist movements has been developing over the years to confront the more conservative Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) which are viewed as mere
vehicles of state Islam. These include:...... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD October 2001
October 1, 2001:Opportunity for Reflection, Not Merriment After reflection, I came to the conclusion that Nigeria of today was not what I voted for in 1959 or what the successor to the founders of Nigeria bargained for. I would want to make this distinction between the founding fathers of Nigeria who were three, Lord Harcourt, Lord Lugard and Sir James Robertson and not the so-called Nigerian politicians........ By Prof. Omo Omoruyi October 2001
What Then? Spirituality on NgEX! If you have a nice home, lovely family and economic security, then die without Christ and without hope (read the story of a rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22). WHAT THEN?
....... By Terfa Garba October 2001
Leave Me With My Dreams, What Is There To Hope For? How did I end up this way? If I tell Prof. Peter Ekeh that the whole of the Rio del Rey and Bakassai Peninsula extending into a large chunk of the present Camerouns was under the control of my great grand father, which means I have the sole right to the mineral deposits of that region. He probably would say. Orok, you unlettered bum, laying claim to an oil region!....... By Orok Edem October 2001
Optimism as Nigerians in South Central Pennsylvania celebrate Nigerian Independence Special Report - Nigerians in the Diaspora In her opening remarks, the president of the Nigerian Society of South Central Pennsylvania, Mrs. Gbemi Bakare stated that the Society is an association of Nigerian-born immigrants in South Central Pennsylvania, dedicated to fostering social interaction among members and the promotion of cultural awareness in Central Pennsylvania community...... By Alfred Uzokwe, PE October 2001
The Other Side So as much as we might think we love this thing called freedom, Freedom of or for whatever you may aspire, it can be destructive, it might just destroy all of us....... By Ufuoma Odiete October 2001
Trust You know, you only get accidents on a road when you either don't know the road, the car or because you refused to follow the necessary precautions for safe driving....... By Ufuoma Odiete October 2001
Attack Against America, Attack Against the World Mid-Week Mutterings One week after the World Trade Center, Pentagon cum skyjacking events, I still find myself asking, like most other people: "Why, why, why? What did these terrorists hope to achieve?"..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD September 2001
No Christmas A New Poem by Babawilly
Last year It was joy to the world
This year
We mourn for the world
What great change
A single day can bring September 2001
That Attack on America - and What Can Be Done To Minimize Such Attacks in The Future Saturday Essay If in a single day 19 hijackers can divert four planes within minutes of each other from three different cities in the United States - the most powerful and possibly most security conscious nation - who the heck in the world is safe?..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD September 2001
Emotions Everyone must be in control of their emotions any one who can't control his emotions becomes a slave of his emotions and therefore can't really be considered a complete being.
...... By Ufuoma Odiete September 2001
A Word Is Never Enough If not so, why is it that no matter how many times we hear "you never know the value of what you have till you lose it" we still don't appreciate what we have when we have it?...... By Ufuoma Odiete September 2001
The Pension Saga An NgEX! Special Report To my dismay on getting there, I saw about 3,000 men, including women and children, tired, hungry, worn out, ragged, sick and almost despaired of life. The problem was not tough to figure out - Pension...... By NgEX! Staff Reporters September 2001
A Perception of Love Spirituality on NgEX! What is love? No one really has a clear definition of what love is; Most people go ` love is a feeling of ...' or `love is when ..." I guess there's no real definition as to what love really is. ..... By NgEX! Staff Reporters September 2001
A Typical Day in Lagos An NgEX! Special Report This haste also fosters unmentionable and embarassing behaviours related to otherwise normal bodily functions. To be sure, these things are a great spectacle to behold. Every Lagosian knows EXACTLY what I mean..... By NgEX! Staff Reporters September 2001
The "August" Whale An NgEX! Eyewitness Account The journey to the beach for those who came on the "pilgrimage" was like passing through the eye of the needle or police checkpoints. And in typical Nigerian style, the nefarious "Area Boys" set up "checkpoints" along the way. You couldn't pass until you paid the requisite "tax", typically around N50..... By NgEX! Staff Reporters August 2001
Of Oputa, Diya, al-Mustapha and Abdusalami
Abubakar Monday Quarterbacking I have, like everybody else and his Nigerian mother, been following the Oputa Panel proceedings very closely, reading every bit of them that I can lay my hands on. I can't wait till that time when the full proceedings will be published, including the edited video of the sessions..... By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD August 2001
Imagine that! Visions of the World in the new millennium Provocative writing by a Futurist Will genetic research give us amphibious children and chameleon genes for thought control cosmetics? Will biofeedback create schools for unborn babies? Will "brainwashing" replace the death penalty and imprisonment only in the mind?.... By Andrew Iyere Abulu August 2001
Obligations of the citizenry under our new democratic dispensation To sustain our nascent democracy, we must nurture it, treat it like a new bride, handle it like a basket of eggs and we must play by the rules envisioned by the forerunners of this noble ideology..... By Alfred Uzokwe, PE August 2001
The Land is Dead Under the rubric of co-called `free-trade' Shell and other oil companies are being given carte blanche to expand petroleum exploration and production activities in Nigeria and elsewhere with ever-decreasing provision for ecological and social accountability..... Fowarded By NigerDelta Congress Webmaster August 2001
Press Release Nigeria National Democratic Forum Meets In Washington DC The organization, which was inaugurated in June 2001 and made of Nigerian professionals from all corners of the globe has launched a new offensive against inept leadership and insensitive government in Nigeria...... Forwarded By Bamidele Ojo August 2001
The Niger Delta Region is Sinking Just last week, manager of the region's 88-year old Port Harcourt Port complex alerted the Federal Government that the multi-billion naira structure may sink if it does not take urgent remedial measures..... Fowarded By NigerDelta Congress Webmaster August 2001
Love Wars Nagging I for sure feel that most women nag for one or two reasons. Maybe to protect a man or they want to be in control of the man’s life. All the same, they say one man’s meat is another man’s poison.... By Eko Sista August 2001
Organized Campaign In Defence of Bala Usman and the Breakdown in Nigeria's National Consensus
In several pockets of human history, groups and individuals who assume the status of aristocrats have claimed the significant privilege of insulting others. They are so used to the exercise of this privilege that they get agitated when their targets of insults reply. By Peter P Ekeh June 2001
Staggering Our Electoral Process Monday Quarterbacking
For any country, that situation is a tall political order, and an administrative nightmare to have so many elected officials engaged actively in political campaigns all at the same time. Governance will virtually be at a stand-still as all of them go from one campaign site to another, and as their opponents try to take their jobs from them. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD June 2001
Salvaging Our Nation: A Task that Must Be Done An Open Letter To Fellow Nigerians
At this point in time, we have an opportunity to take advantage of the new political environment and help to arrest this endless dance of death toward the abyss by our nation. By Bamidele Ojo June 2001
Arochukwu goes global
About three weeks ago, the Eze of Arochukwu, Mazi Vincent Ogbonna Okoro, was hosted by the Arochukwu community in New York and New Jersey, in the second phase of his visit to the Americas. Earlier, or in the last week of May, he was in Washington for his first visit with a cross-section of the Aros.
By Ignatius Ukwu Nnaekpe June 2001
Bush Meat Traders Jailed in Britain, but not given maximum sentence
NgEX Special Report
LONDON_ A Nigerian couple that made a profitable living selling bush meat in Europe was hauled off to an English jail on Friday for trafficking in endangered species and driving them further to extinction. By Frankie Edozien June 2001
The Black (Parallel) Exchange Market Should Be Banned in Africa Monday Quarterbacking
Without much further haggling, the Mallam ran into this non-descript White house just beyond the open yard, and came back with a bundle of Naira under his Babanriga, and handed the bundle to my host, who counted quickly and saw that it was N118. He handed all the money back, and we made to leave, but the Mallam quickly said, "Ah, oga" - and brought the rest of the money out to give my host.
By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD June 2001
Re-visiting a Canadian Experience A speech by Wole Soyinka Well, the fact is that Political Correctness is not, alas, confined only to the grotesque or the banal, but extends the lethal. But first the news, as the radio or TV anchorperson - note, I gemuflect before the Beast - as the anchorperson would say - first, the news. Forwarded By Oluropo Rufus Ayodele June 2001
RE-VISITING JUNE 12 1993 NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS
From The Archives
The first myth is that Abiola could have won without including the SouthWest votes, a claim often made by his supporters to enhance their claim of Abiola's national appeal away from his home-base. Now, if we take the Southwest votes away from Abiola alone, Tofa wins. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD June 2001
Nigerians Abroad Meet On Making A Difference In Nigeria Press Release
In response to the call for Nigerians to come together to effectively participate in making a difference for the better in their motherland, Nigerians from across the world converged on Teaneck, New Jersey, in the United States on Saturday June 2nd, 2001 to inaugurate the Nigeria
National Democratic Forum. Forwarded by Bamidele Ojo June 2001
Nigerians sentenced to 7 years in jail for Bush Meat An Appeal to all Nigerians
Recently, Friday 25 May 2001, a Nigerian couple who run a foodstuff store in Dalston, East London, were jailed 7 years each for dealing in bushmeat - which the authorities in the UK called endangered species... Forwarded by Joseph May 2001
Health Information on Prevention of H.I.V. Infection A Public Sevice Announcement
According to estimated figures at the end of 1999, published by The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in the "Report on the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic June 2000," about 2.6 million Nigerians were inflicted with HIV (the AIDS virus).
Compiled by Dr. Toks Owo, MD May 2001
Ndito Akwa Ibom In Diaspora write An Open Letter
For the second time in the annals of our oppressed history, our leaders, our government, and our youths have spoken with one voice against years of institutional oppression and injustice.
Forwarded by NigerDelta Congress Webmaster May 2001
Make Love...To Me! A woman's instructions to men
Lovemaking is not when a man is satisfied and needs to ask how it was for his lover, No! No! No! Real lovemaking or great sex needs no clarification, believe me you will know how it was if you did the job right the first time.
By JMK May 2001
Obasanjo's Missed Opportunity
NgEX! Special Report
Obasanjo should have checked his enormous ego at the door and gotten on his knees if necessary and begged because in his own backyard, AIDS rages on silently.
By Frankie Edozien May 2001
About Nigeria's External Debt
Sunday Musings
The bulk of our debts from new loans was incurred in the period 1978 (during the first Obasanjo regime) through the Shagari regime (when most of it was really incurred in an outrageous manner) to the Buhari regime that ended in December 1983. By Mobolaji Aluko, PhD May 2001
Phone Line A New Poem From Babawilly
I get phone
Di only one for di street
Each tyme e ring
I dey shout
‘Who isi dat?’
Pillow Talk A Short Story For Women Only
"Oh god! I'm dead and gone to heaven.
You are the most luscious thing I've ever seen in my life. yes...
God. this is heaven, this is the way to go. Ohhhh... Yes... Touch me there... harder... Ahhhh. I'm going to explode."
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yesssss!!!"
By JMK May 2001
Men & Sex Love Wars The other day, I read in the papers that a guy sued his father to court for snatching his wife. I thought to myself, why all this trouble over a woman? Why not just leave them alone? Afterall, there are other women out there...
By Eko Sista May 2001
Chat Up Lines A Discussion For Women Only
- Excuse me... but I couldn't help noticing..are those real?
- Haven't we met before?
- Oh my God! it's Susan is it not?.
- Oh sorry I thought...
- Can I be your slave?
By JMK May 2001
A Promise to Serve & My Pledge to "Do The Right Thing"
Nigeria 2003
"Fellow Ijesas, Nigerians & Friends of Nigeria:...I come to you today with a simple request: I need your support to put in place my vision to make Nigeria a better country.
By Dr. Toks Owoeye, MD May 2001
CEDDERT and the Misrepresentation of Facts
An Ibibio chieftain replies Bala Usman
The easiest way to sell a blatant lie is to bundle it with truths and half- truths. Quite like when a tablet of bitter medicine is inserted in a ball of garri and swallowed with the meal, except the medicine is good for one and the lie not. Bala Usman has proven to be adept at this subterfuge. However, we are not fooled. We know the reasons behind his "scholarly defense" of a united "democratic" Nigeria.
By N.H. Ibanga May 2001
The Mischief of History:
Bala Usman's Unmaking of Nigerian History
History can be a tool for intellectual mischief-making. Indeed, it has been so for most of the years in which imperial history has been written. Imperial history belittles all previous historical experiences in order, quite deliberately, to enhance its own presence. By Peter Ekeh April 2001
Male Paranoia A Discussion For Women Only ...Now here is where the problems comes in. My relationship with my friend is platonic, and yet when I asked her if I look like the type who has had great sex she said no. Now to not bruise my ego too much. She kindly let me know that on a scale of 1-4, (Pay attention now) by her just looking at me, she gave a three...
As told to JMK April 2001
Women and Sex Love Wars Marriage is a long time investment and two things that keeps a marriage going are sex and money. The most vital of the two, is sex. If there is no money but the couple's sex life is good then the marriage will survive. If the reverse is the case, I believe that the marriage is doomed... By Eko Sista April 2001
Great Sex A Discussion For Women Only Instead of using sex as a release of tension and pent-up emotions, we should see it as a characteristic that cannot be eliminated or pushed under the table. We breathe, we eat, we have sex. Just like we would not eat rotten food or breathe unclean air, we should not have bad sex.... By JMK April 2001
Campaign to recover Abacha's loot A worldwide call for action "As long as Western banks make profits out of large-scale corruption, large-scale corruption in developing countries is here to stay.".... Forwarded by Orevaoghene C. Obaro April 2001
Democracy and State Integration in Nigeria - Steps Towards Its Consolidation Friday Essay The journey started in a rather strange way: the Constitution under which all the officials were elected and are currently operating was not revealed until a day or two before May 29, so some would argue that the governments are illegimate, if not downright illegal.... By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. April 2001
Life A New Poem For Women Only The rest of my LIFE begins today.
I quit holding my breath waiting for the perfect moment.
I will take happiness in little pleasures,
Joy in abstract wonderes,
Peace in meaningful measures.
I celebrate LIFE, my LIFE. By JMK April 2001
Easter Greetings from the Coalition of Niger Delta Organizations in the Diaspora to the people of the Niger Delta An Open Letter First, we want to assure you that your brothers and sisters who are away overseas all over the world -- in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and other regions of Africa -- have not forgotten the dangers that now threaten our futures and the very survival of our ancestral heritage in the Niger Delta. .... Forwarded by NigerDeltaCongress Webmaster April 2001
On One-Term Obasanjo Presidency and Rotatory Succession Monday Quarterbacking Back in late-January 2001, Chief Sunny Odogwu, Kaduna-based multi-millionaire businessman, the Ojise of Asaba (not to be confused with Chief Sonny Okogwu, the Ide Ihaba of Asaba), and brother-in-law to General Ibrahim Babangida dropped a bombshell which has set political tongues in Nigeria and abroad wagging. By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. April 2001
Orji Kalu Is In The News Again I have not encountered Governor Orji Kalu of Abia State in any way. I never heard anything about him until he was elected governor. I did not care much about him, either, until I read a little piece in a series of tabloids regarding his scandals.... By Ambrose Ehirim April 2001
Nigeria 2003:
To Make A Difference Get Involved Should we stand by and let them continue to make our stay abroad so permanent, that even our children and grandchildren, may not even know, talk less of appreciate their roots? By Bamidele Ojo, PhD April 2001
What Are The Responsibilities Of A Boyfriend? Love Wars Most women claim they take care of their boyfriends by sleeping with them when the urge arises on the man's side. If I was a guy, and I knew my girlfriend thought this way, I would see someone close to a prostitute. By Eko Sista, April 2001
The Plight of Odirri
One Mr. Odirri, a lawyer in Lagos was engaged in a war of words with the Governor of Delta state and he said something (which I don't remember now) but whatever he said does not justify what is happening now. The governor did not take kindly to what he said... Chuck O. Egbune, Esq. March 2001
Why President Obasanjo Should Be Retired In 2003
As is the case with enemies, the President is now working hard on the tactic to divide and rule Ndigbo. Since he controls the oil industry, he can afford to make anybody rich. And given Nigerians’ love for money, to whom he beckons among them, with the crude oil money, he is Oba indeed By Ignatius Nnaekpe March, 2001
The Littoral States and Onshore/ Offshore Resource Control in Nigeria Saturday Essay As the political battle for restructuring of Nigeria continues to rage, one aspect of it that has recently commanded attention has been the issue of resource control in general, and in particular the dichotomy made by the Federal government about onshore/offshore oil resources. By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. March 2001
Petition For A Better Nigeria It's becoming increasing clear to us now that the Nigerian military pulled a fast one on us. They are still in power. When Abiola, a civilian won, they refused to hand over to him. They annuled his victory and clung on to power. The insincerity of their various, elongated transition programs were apparent.
Forwarded by Bamidele Ojo March 2001
A Rehabilitation Or A Requiem? The Vigil Is On For NIDO In my comment, I asked for the recusal of the Ambassador and all other government representative, in order to at least give an appearance of independence and lack of governmental control. Bamidele Ojo March 2001
Trust Love Wars Check this out....She and I had planned to go for the Miss Nigeria grand finale and the show. She dropped a message that she would come to his place after the show. No problem abi? WRONG! This is where the whole agro and wahala began o! By Eko Sista, March 2001
Friends Love Wars A friend is someone we should be able to confide in, somebody we should be able to tell our innermost secrets, somebody who will be there for you when you are having problems. But some of these people we call friends are betrayers. Gba be o! By Eko Sista, March 2001
Can You Love Two People At The Same Time? Anyway sha, I am asking you all this question because a friend of mine just told me she was in love with two different guys. I asked her, how is that posssible? Because I firmly belive that you can only love one person at a time. By Eko Sista, March 2001
What We Learned From Our Masters And What Went Wrong "Are we better of today?" "Being our own worst enemies?" But the fact of the matter is, after all these years, it is still frightening that we haven't learned a bit what these "people" did to us. "They taught us many bad things: From mass killing to looting of our own treasury; and from hate to tribalism." "But we did not realize how their gruesome acts were." By Ambrose Ehirim February 2001
"Donation" A word used in Nigeria when misusing the people's money... I read a story in one of the Nigerian newspapers about the recent launching of Shagari's book, which caught my attention (again) on how we misuse the word donation in Nigeria. That Alhaji Shehu Shagari wrote a book is a good thing, but why do state governments have to make "donations" of the people's money to this private venture? By Owont February 2001
From Federal to State/LG Police - A Proposal Monday Quarterbacking The hierarchy of power would be that the Federal government can use emergency powers to take over the state police powers (possibly drafting Federal police from nearby states) and the state government can use emergency powers to take over LG powers, if each higher level that those powers are being misused. Such powers should be granted by an act or edict of the appropriate legislative body By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. February 2001
Abubakar in Chicago - II Orji Uzor Kalu, We hardly knew ye. Honorable Chief and esteemed Governor of Abia State. I have always thought you were a loudmouth who often made sense. From your perch in Government house, Enugu, you have hammered away at the president, Olusegun Obasanjo for the sake of the Igbos. By Frankie Edozien February 2001
An Insult That Should Challenge Us NDLF PRESS RELEASE In total dismay and disbelief at the action of the Chicago State University regarding the Abdusalami lecture series and Babangida, the NDLF join other patriotic Nigerians and freedom loving people all over the world to condemn this insult. Forwarded by Bamidele Ojo February 2001
FAN on the Once-and-Future Diarchies of OBJ and IBB Sunday Musings I must confess that I was impressed with FAN's "analytical depth" in this one - if the cynical will not replace that with "inside knowledge" - and courage in expressing himself. The danger of ensuing "pseudo-military" diarchies are clearly there for every eye to behold, and to ask a question: whither our country? By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. February 2001
Abubakar in Chicago NigeriaExchange Special Report Last Friday, Nigerians living and working in the Chicago area took the time off from their work, schools, and whatever other situations that they might have, to yell and scream and demand that a former military head of State account for his actions in office. By Frankie Edozien
February 2001
The Best of the US Presidents' Ability Monday Quarterbacking I may not always have loved the presidents - I loved Carter and Clinton, was always entertained by Reagan and was/am reasonably indifferent to the Bushes - but I am fascinated with the American presidency, the awesome power that it has, the feeling of power that the president must sense, and yet the ABSOLUTE confidence that he has some of the most competent people from all parts of the Earth to bear his awesome burden with him. By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. February 2001
Of Sovereignty and Treason, of Federalism and State Police Friday Essay ....This is what we believe is self-serving, patronising and self-justifying. Mr. President is NOT the state. It is unacceptable. Put simply, if Mr. President sincerely believes in the sovereignty of the people, the people should be allowed to decide whether or not they want a conference." By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. February 2001
NIDO America - Hon. Joe Keshi, Consul General, Responds While we welcome the overwhelming positive responses to the formation of NIDO-America, we also do recognise the reservations, apprehensions and concerns expressed in some quarters. It is imperative to address some of the issues raised so that the noble intentions of the present administration could be better understood and appreciated.
Forwarded by Bamidele Ojo February 2001
On the Federal Government Suit Over Resource Control
Mid-Week Essay The announcement yesterday that the Federal government is suing all the 36 states of the federation before the Supreme Court to enable that apex court to give constitutional interpretation to the issue of resource control is both very welcome and very curious for many reasons... By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. February 2001
Framework For Renewed Federalism in Nigeria What is the state of federalism in Nigeria? The argument in favour of the status quo in Nigeria is based primarily on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. This constitution, supposedly a federal constitution, is in reality a unitary document that structures the country into obsequious administrative units that are referred to as states. O. Igho Natufe February 2001
A Choice To Serve and a Platform To Stand No matter what political party one associates with, my firm belief is in putting nation before party without necessarily being disloyal to the party. This is for the simple reason that all the people belong to the nation but not all the people belong to the party. Sina Fagbenro-Byron February 2001
Spending Money On Men
Love Wars When she tearfully asked why he was jilting her after all she had done for him, he replied that, he could not marry a woman that was far richer than he was and who slept around with other men. He was positively sure she got the money she spent on him from other men because he knew how much she earned every month. Double Gbosa!......... By Eko Sista, February 2001
Between one Man’s Greed and a Nation’s Needs
Recently it was reported in the national media that Mohammed, (the detained son of the deceased tyrant, Sanni Abacha) who is being tried for various economic and political crimes, has petitioned the courts to halt his trial and order his immediate release. His reason? The Abacha family has after all, returned a total of about 72-billion Naira back to the government. 72-billion Naira!.......... By 'Damola Ifaturoti February 2001
Running for Dear Life by Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo Regardless of one's attitude to politics, politicians, social activism or social activists, the story told in "Running for dear Life" sparks spontaneous vicarious emotion. It is true that this is the story of a man who had been a Governor in Nigeria long before gubernatorial offices in Africa's largest country were Babangidaized and Abacharized into open sewage of political bastardization and reprobate villainy..... Reviewed by Sola Adeyeye, January 2001
Apologies, Reparations, and the
Path to Healing As many Nigerians went to sleep on Friday, January 14, 1966, while some stayed up late partying and "pub-crawling," a group of young military officers organized themselves in what would be Nigeria's first military coup and a topple of its First Republic. Democracy in Nigeria, from then on, would be displaced and a new form of government would be in place--anarchy, pogrom, totalitarianism, despotism, and later a destructive civil war--to destroy all aspects of civil liberties. ......... by Ambrose Ehirim January 2001
The Clique Thing
Love Wars ...Can you imagine, this bobo would travel for two weeks and when he returns, instead of spending time with me, he rushes out to see his friends. Because according to him, they have come a long way, and they are a clique of friends......... By Eko Sista, January 2001
One Pick At The Apple Love Wars In the beginning, she does not mind because she has a relationship. Somewhere along the line though, she falls in love with him. She likes his company, the sex is good and she wants to be with him all the time........ By Eko Sista, January 2001
Wild Girls or Quiet Girls, Which Make The Best Wives? Love Wars ....Some of the guys in the group stated that the "wild girls" are better because they have seen it all and want to settle down to a quiet normal life, raise kids and take care of their families........ By Eko Sista, January 2001
A Quick Note to the Ndigbo Meeting of January 19, 2001 Sunday Musings On January 19, 2001, The Ndigbo from all nooks and crannies of the world are expected to meet in Enugu under the aegis of the Ohaneze to discuss their way forward in Nigeria.
There is likely to be a lot of talk of marginalization, both by the low and the high, among other weightier issues........ By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. January 2001
A Tribute to Ghana's Electoral Democracy Monday Quarterbacking As one Kwaku Sakyi-Addo writing from Accra wrote on BBC's website, "Almost exactly to the day 19 years ago, when Jerry John Rawlings overthrew an elected government on New Year's Eve, his government has been removed by unarmed folks using their thumbprint....... By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. January 2001
The Un-Federal Nature of Nigeria's Fiscal Federalism Sunday Musings ..."Thus, of the N1,000 revenue of the one federal government, it keeps N805 (or 80.5%), under its control, giving a mere N109 (or 10.9%) to the 36 states (average of N3 per state) and N86 (8.6%) to the 774 local governments (average of 1 kobo per local government).
....... By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D. January 2001
Opposition to proposed HB 22 Bill on Female Genital Mutilation As a student, in the United Kingdom in the early 1980’s, I heard first-hand about ‘female genital mutilation’ from a Sudanese lady, who had a sutured labia with only a small orifice for urination. This according to her was performed as a cultural rite in order to checkmate any sexual intercourse prior to marriage....... By Steve U. Nwabuzor, Ph.D. January 2001
Nigerians, Stop The Scams! An Urgent and Passionate Plea from Malaysia It is not only shameful but is sickening, disgusting and downright pathetic. It looks like the Nigerian money scam is an approved business by the Government of Nigeria however degrading it may be. I say this based on the endless number of scam letters and faxes we seem to be getting........ By Bonifacia Pires, Malaysia January 2001
"Governing Nigeria" Perspectives on 2001 Perhaps one strange verdict Nigerians of every tribe and tongue are agreed upon is that, the government is failing the governed again. The promises and prospects which the democratic experiment once held in view for most have given way to depression and despair...... By Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi January 2001
Nigeria From 1000-1999 - An Update
Monday Quarterbacking Last year, at about this same time of the year, I compiled and published what I could glean from various sources about various key events in Nigeria over the past millennium. It was comprehensive, but by no means exhaustive......The information below is my best attempt at the update of One Thousand Years of Nigeria's history from 1000 to 1999. By Dr. Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD January 2001
Why I Left the Nigerian Army ....But then came another colonel named Abacha. He was training officer for the division, but he shook everybody up real bad. Although I never saw him face to face except at the army officers mess where he always was in good spirits having been in touch with the bottled spirits. His sojourn as training officer sent me back to training camp, this time for three months..... By Adewale Adewunmi January 2001
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