SUNDAY MUSINGS: The Impropriety of That Otta Farm "Invasion" By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.
[MARYLAND USA]
(GAMJI WRITER)
Let us now turn to the irreligiosity, which comes from the following: president Obasanjo says that he is a born-again Christian – and I have no reason to disbelieve that. He says that he is waiting on God – and presumably his Son Jesus Christ - to direct him as to whether to seek re-election or not. Fine. So why should these politicians come to pester him in Otta, and why should he allow them to do so? Details
I Was Not Invited to Otta. By Fa’iz Muhammad
(GAMJI)
The events of the past few weeks have left a sour taste in the mouth of most Nigerians (me included). The President has began to use the same tactics employed by the late army strongman Alhaji Sani to try and get himself accepted as the logical choice for the presidency come 2003. His henchmen have been rallying round urging him to re-contest for the presidency citing all his achievements (are there any?). Is this deja vu or are there no similarities between this and the Two million man march and the endless flow of sycophants into Aso rock during the Abacha years in a bid (out of fear and favour) to get him to declare his candidacy? Details
The Middle East Crisis and the Principles of Secular Politics. By Abdulsalam Olatubosun Ajetunmobi
[LONDON]
(GAMJI)
So anybody, who has been watching on TV, Internet, etc., the Israeli 'massacre' in the Palestinian towns and villages since the beginning of its offensive against its Palestinian neighbours last week, anyone seeing the Israel firing its heavy weaponry from the 'hills around the town' and preventing ambulances from reaching the 'dead and wounded', nay, anyone noticing the several thousand peace campaigners around the world including those of Israel that gathered in Tel Aviv yesterday night (Saturday) under the slogan "End occupation, start negotiation" should go and note that hate will not triumph in this world. Details
Bafarawa As a Soothsayer. By Abubkar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
Recently Governors of Northern Nigeria at the Second Anniversary of Arewa Consultative Forum mandated Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State to disassociate them and the North from President Olusegun Obasanjo touted dream of a second term. The Governors under PDP and APP expressly catalogue the woes that befell the North after it crowns Obasanjo in 1999. The litany of betrayals and treachy were long and unforgiving. He retired Northerners in the Army and Civil Service. He marginilised the North. He propped up his kinsmen. He systematically undermined the advantages the North hitherto enjoyed. Details
ACF, Ndigbo, Yoruba or Nigerian President? - The Comedy of 2003 Presidential Elections
(GAMJI)
Instead what we are witnessing on the ground is that certain individuals with myopic visions are recycling the one thing they know best – sycophancy. They are showing how Nigeria has advance the 419 Scheme into politics. One thing these Tazarce court-jesters fail to understand is in a democracy, an incumbent does not need to be pleaded with to run for office. The records of incumbent public officers should speak for themselves. Detail
Save Us From Violence. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
Today the world is unsafe for everybody as violence is increasing throughout the globe including our dear country. The endless Jukun/Tiv war, which has been on since the 70s, consumed 16 soldiers of peace recently when they were slaughtered, while on a peace mission, on the Benue-Taraba border. Their slaughter was callous, barbaric and primitive and must be condemned as such. Details
Perspicacious Jingoism: The Enemies of Nigeria’s Survival. By Debo Awosika-Olumo
(GAMJI)
Sir “experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him”-George Bernard Shaw. Nigeria as a country can not and will not survive with this current zoo like structure. We need to learn from past experience, try alternative ways. The use of fear and scare tactics and demagoguery words and jingoism will lead us to no where but disaster and violent balkanization. Details
Fear and Social Revolution. By Sam Abbd Israel
(GAMJI)
Most of the actions we take in life are rooted in, influenced and propelled by the invisible power of fear. Take for instance the fear of poverty; most people are driven to do unthinkable, unimaginable and unbecoming things in order to escape from the evil fangs of poverty. The 419sers, the Abachas, the Babangidas, the Abiolas, the Yar’Aduas and all other moneybags of our nations were and are still been driven by the power of this fear. Details
Dear
Nasiru El-Rufa’i
(GAMJI)
Just for fun Nasiru, how do you meet a common man in Zaria city, if you go for a weekend, and tell him that government is selling its ‘injin kudi’ to some people? It may sound funny, but that is exactly the concern. It is not the issue of accounting, but of economics as well as security. You could not dismiss this even in your interview. Details
Run, Obasanjo Run! By Temilade Akerejola
(GAMJI)
Take the case of Mr. Jerry Gana. This "patriot" was the Director-General of MAMSER under Babangida. He "served" the country very well. In a call to patriotic duty, he offered his services to Ernest Shonekan-the Interim Head of Government. Let us not forget that he was a prominent member of the SDP that won a free and fair election that Babangida annulled. When Abacha took over power following the "resignation" of Ernest Shonekan, he positioned himself obediently and was rewarded with the Agriculture Ministry. When serving Abacha, in accordance with the dictates of that time, he labeled Babangida's regime the "most corrupt "in Nigeria's history. As a good democrat, he castigated and even threatened the arrest of Shehu Musa Yar'Adua for advocating for a return to democratic rule. As soon as Abacha dropped him from his cabinet, he strategically moved to align himself with G34 that asked Abacha to hand over power. Castigate him not. It was not until he was removed from Abacha's government that he began to see that Abacha was evil and was bent on destroying himself and the country. Details
Letter to the Nigeria's Attorney General. By Alhaji Aliyu Umar, Esq.
(GAMJI)
The
questions that beg for answers are under which God?
Is it the God as understood by the Catholic, or the God as
understood by the protestants, or for that matter by the Moslems, which
God is Nigeria living under? Is
it the God as defined by the Hindus or the traditional Religion could it
be the God as defined by the Americans and the rest of the Western or
donor Nations of the world. Your
letter did not touch on this important constitutional provision.
Much Ado About Nigerian Identity and Citizenship. By Tokunbo Awosahin
(GAMJI)
The result is that the central state becomes an arena of ethnic contest with the more powerful ethnic groups excluding and submerging the lesser ones and denying their people the benefits of citizenship. Whenever an Hausa man is in power, other ethnic group are supposedly left out of the scheme of things . Now that Obasanjo, a Yoruba man is in power, similar allegations have become proliferated. Details
The Importance of Television in Democracy: A Cue for Nigeria. By Muhammad Jameel Yusha'u
(GAMJI)
It should be understood that its through excessive utilisation of the television that 3rd world countries and Nigeria in particular were deceived into western model of democratic governance which is detrimental to them and resulted in cultural imperialism and the exportation of American television. Having realised this danger, developing countries fought in the nations and elsewhere for a "new world information order "that would permit them to control the information and entertainment flowing in their courtiers. Details
I Pledge to Support Obasanjo, If He Should Do the Under Listed. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
A demonstrated commitment to equity. Take the financial sector: The Minister of State for Finance, the Auditor General of the Federation, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Minister of Industries, the D.G National Deposit Insurance Corporation, the DG, NCCON and Chairman, Oil Price Control Board, the Minister of National Planning, all institutions to do with the financial sector are in the hand of one group. This doesn’t speak good. Details
2003 and the Tazarce Phenomenon in Nigerian Politics. By D. S. Dauda (M.D.)
[UKRAINE]
(GAMJI)
This time around, it is either our Messiah has already received the endorsement he had been long awaiting or he has already taken a tentative decision, for he replied that there would be “consequences” should he not run in 2003. One is tempted to compare this type of mentality to that of the Abacha years, the only difference being that Abacha let others threaten and intimidate us with the consequences on his behalf. Details
The Politics of Buying Official Aircraft. By Abdullahi Usman
It appears that the current fad amongst their Excellencies, the governors, especially those in parts of the North West geopolitical zone, is the urge to buy an official aircraft of their own. To be fair to these governors though, this obsession was not started by them but rather by one of their colleagues from the North East, Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State. However, no sooner had Taraba State finished buying its own jet than the states of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara decided to jump into the bandwagon without even as much as caring to allow a reasonable time frame to determine whether the ‘Taraba experiment’ would work or not. Details
Poets and Scholars: The Challenge of Sakkwato Models. By Yusuf M. Adamu
the supporters of Shari’a in the so-called Sharia’a States are the masses who are looking for a just system that can improve their lives. It is therefore a challenge for those States that re-introduced the Shari’a to be courageous enough to educate people about the goals of the system but also exemplify it by being just and keeping trust. Details
MID-WEEK ESSAY:
How A Self-Succession Bid has Turned Nigeria into “Animal Farm”
[MARYLAND, USA
If you have read the George Orwell’s book “Animal Farm”, then you will understand why I have chosen it to characterize the ongoing Ota Farm “Obasanjo Self-Succession” parade, which bears all the hallmarks of late unlamented Abacha’s “self-succession” parades to Aso Rock of almost exactly four years to the day. Details
The Triumph of an Anniversary. By Paul Mamza
(GAMJI WRITER)
The Bungling burden of History of January 2nd, 2002 is a highlight on the double-standard by the Media in reporting events and personalities. As a force in the consolidation of democratic ideals the column noted that "the press in the country is presently making a veritable fool of themselves. Rather than use the ample opportunity of circumstances to offer a panacea for the reinforcement of our nascent democracy" the column continued that "they (press) turn the platform into a stage for dramatic and sentimental reporting of events not reflective of the people. Details
(GAMJI)
Greetings from Shaikh Ahmad Deedat. By Bala A. Muhammad
(GAMJI)
When the Shaikh learnt that I was from Kano, his eyes shone brilliantly. He told me, through Yusuf, that Kano and Nigeria are places forever in his heart. Yusuf went on to tell me what many Nigerian Muslims had always wanted to know: how Shaikh Deedat was denied entry to Nigeria on arrival at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in 1991. Details
The Rule of Law Triumphs As the Supreme Court Nullifies Obnoxious Sections of the Electoral Act. By Prof. Mike Ikhariale
(GAMJI)
The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which was rendered in Abuja on Thursday the 28th of March 2002 nullifying some sections of the controversial Electoral Act, is yet another assurance that, in spite of the enormous stress being unduly put to bear on the Nigerian society by our incorrigibly wayward politicians, there may yet remain some hope for the survival of the Nigerian state,..Details
With men like these…: A rejoinder to Amanze Obi's “Who Wants a Woman in Politics?” By Abdulrazaque Bello Barkindo
(GAMJI)
I do not intend to glorify gender imbalance, or put men down. I just want to correct some impressions that Amanze tries to sell about womanhood. Women do many things that are incompatible with weakness. They give birth. They raise children. Women feed. Women teach. Women dominate. And in politics women “squeal” when men keep sealed lips and open “Ghana must go”. Details
“The Five Majors": Myth and Reality. By Max Siollun
When Nzeogwu made his infamous “we were five” comment, he made no reference to the rank of the “five”....In fact, no less than nine Majors were originally billed to take part in the coup. These were Majors Nzeogwu, Ifeajuna, Ademoyega, Okafor, Anuforo, Chukwuka, Obienu, Onwuatuegwu and Chude-Sokei. Shortly before the coup, Chude-Sokei was posted overseas. On the coup day itself, Obienu failed to show, leaving seven Majors as participants. When it came to execution, the Majors designated five officers as regional commanders for the coup’s execution. Of Nzeogwu’s “five”, there were “the two of us in the North” (Nzeogwu and Major Tim Onwuatuegwu), and three more in the South. Details
A Response to an Intellectual Challenge. By Danladi Adamu Mohammed
(GAMJI)
Black Hawk Down II: Return to Mogadishu. By Ndubisi Obiorah
(GAMJI)
Some Somalis believe that the US government does know full well that there are no Al-Quaeda elements in the country today and that the proposed attack is simply American vengeance [as conceived by ultra-right-wing militarist elements within the US government] for the humiliation of the US Special Forces by Mohammed Aideed's militiamen in 'Black Hawk Down I' in 1993. Details
SUNDAY MUSINGS:
The Sorry Situation of the Governors and their Deputies
The story is told that on Wednesday, March 27, 2002, at a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, one Sir Stanley Ohajuruka, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Abia State, was comfortably ensconced on a seat “Acting” confidently as Governor for the substantive governor Dr. Orji Kalu. Kalu was “on vacation” – or was he attending those two-week Abia State University, Uturu courses towards the completion of his 1982 University of Maiduguri university degree, no one quite knows. Details
More of positive actions. Wada Nas
(DAILY TRUST)
Of the six strategic services, the Army Navy, Air Force, Police, SSS and NIA, only one, the Air Force, is being headed by a Northerner. It is the same thing at divisional command level; only one of the five divisions of the Army, the Lagos Garrison is being headed by a Northerner. Of the three Air Officers Commanding, AOC, of the Air Force, one is under the leadership of a Northerner and none in the Navy strategic staff appointments and various commandants are almost the same. Details
History of Civil-Military Relations in Nigeria (Part 2)* By Nowa Omoigui
(GAMJI)
But one sign that the Nigerian Political class was not totally united in its support of the Nigerian military in utero came at the Calabar Conference of the Action Group in 1958. Chief Awolowo declared his opposition to the establishment of a Navy and Air Force while Chiefs Akintola and Rotimi Williams opposed him. Other pro-military voices included those of Chike Obi, Fani-Kayode, Jereton Mariere, Ayo Rosiji and Eneh. Over the next one to two years, those in favor of expanding the military cited ceremonial purposes, "national dignity", terrorism in western Cameroon, the Sawaba crisis in Niger republic and rivalry with Ghana as justification. Details
Before the Final Ruling: on Akinterinwa’s “In the Event of a Nigeria-Cameroon War”. By William Etim Bassey
(GAMJI)
Nigeria can start by attacking Cameroon’s strategy having diligently sought for and defined Cameroon’s center of gravity in this context, I’d suggest France is a center of gravity. So, the next logical step in a strategic context would be working to disrupt that cozy Franco-Cameroonian understanding which is bound by a defense pact. Details
NITEL: A Time to Account. By Banjo Odutola
(GAMJI)
The drama of NITEL disposal is now reaching a crescendo and it is note worthy to read how intellectual capacity is taking root to corrupt due process. The due process that Nigerians expect in this saga is not intellectual transmutations that have destroyed our economy, society and people but transparency and accountability Details
Obasanjo and the North-West. By Abubkar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
It is no longer news that the North is politically estranged with President Olusegun Obasanjo. Nigerian newspapers and magazines are full of stories, for the past couple of years of the North's "political divorce" of President Obasanjo. There are various versions of the genesis, dimensions and consequences of this "failed political marriage". Details
Violence As a Weapon for Power, By Paul Mamza
(GAMJI WRITER)
The concept of applying violence in order to secure maximum political space is not new in Nigeria, the Wild, Wild West's querulous posture of political violence of the late 1960s code-named Operation Wetie due to the aftermath of an election victory by Chief Samuel Akintola's UNDP...is a typical display of opposition's might to outsmart its adversary, in this case the supporters of Chief Obafemi Awolowo's Action group (AG) against the victory of the NNA'S candidate (Chief Samuel Akintola). Details
The
Structure of Growth in Local Government Expenditure (1993 - 2001)
In order to raise funs sufficient to effectively address the myriad of development problems and challenges facing them, local governments have to demonstrate more imagination and exert greater efforts in generating a substantial portion of their revenue requirements through raising their investments in productive and viable economic activities. Details
Farouk for President [5]. By Orok Edem
(GAMJI)
Fellow Nigerians, you would agree with me that the present government does not know his left from his right arm, and I suggest they should ask Jangebe the difference. The government has no right to tamper with the fundamental rights of Muslims to live and die the way they want. We are practicing a demo crazy, and in such polities, strange things happen. Details
Easter, Hajj, and the Awakening of the Human Spirit
(GAMJI)
Is it the case that we do not really understand the teachings brought by Jesus and Prophet Mohammed? Both teachings came from the same God, and both are emphatic about justice and love, and respect for human lives and human rights. Details
Obasanjo and Democracy. By Dr. Aliyu Tilde
(GAMJI)
Obasanjo has also failed to keep the delicate balance between different sections of the society in composition of his cabinet and other federal appointments. The security sector of the government for example is dominated by people of his ethnic group; appointments into command positions in the armed forces and the leadership of the ruling party which he determined substantially were both in favor of members of his religion. At a point, even the Federal Character Commission had cause to voice out its objections Details
STAR DEAL: Nigeria Airways Combines With Air Atlanta Icelandic to Fly Lagos – NY - Lagos. By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.
[MARYLAND USA]
(GAMJI WRITER)
Retaining
this Lagos-NY route is very
welcome, particularly with the convenience of straight flight and
departure/arrival times. However,
a Nigeria Airways wet-leasing agreement with an obscure (or is it
growing? enterpreneural?) Air Atlanta Icelandic – particularly when
that company will be dry-leasing, from Virgin Atlantic,
an ex-Air New Zealand 747-200 aircraft powered by RB211-524-D4
engines (how old?), which will in turn soon to
“replace the TF-ATS Boeing
747-300 plane on the Nigeria Airways contract” - does
not generate much confidence in the absence of more information.
It just looks too circuitous, and the plane too “historical”:
Nigerian Airways – Air Atlanta – Virgin Atlantic – Air New
Zealand!
Globalisation,
Secret Societies and Good Governance (Part 1).
[Port Harcourt, Nigeria]
(GAMJI)
You cannot plant yams and reap mangoes! Or could it be, as a friend of mine repeatedly reminds me that, “every society must have to contend with, or accept an inevitable and irreducible minimum dosage of hypocrisy for its good, and for the preservation of the sanity of its members.” Details
(GAMJI)
The current federal police force is a failure and a disgrace to Nigeria. The power is too centralized and therefore not placed where it can be most effective - the local level. The whole concept of federalism is predicated on the idea that absolute power must never be centralized. What is best for Nigeria is not what is currently in place as a police force. We should decentralize the force and allow local control of the police force. Details
Volley in the Valley. By M. O. Ené
(GAMJI)
The role of the church in politics cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. Politics and religion are a dangerous concoction. Religion is not logic; it is about blind faith in the paranormal. It is not an easy war to fight. Church and state should not mix. The hawk and the vulture do not fight over food: the hawk is a predator; the vulture is a scavenger. Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI: History of Civil-Military Relations in Nigeria (PartI)
(GAMJI)
The reasons for the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria have been exhaustively analyzed elsewhere. Lord Harcourt, then Colonial Secretary said: "We have released Northern Nigeria from the leading strings of the Treasury. The promising and well conducted youth is now on an allowance on his own and is about to affect an alliance with a Southern lady of means. I have issued the special licence and Sir Frederick Lugard will perform the ceremony. May the union be fruitful and the couple constant" Details
FRIDAY ESSAY: The Unfizzled Sharia Vector in the Nigerian State. By Mobolaji E. Aluko, Ph.D.
[MARYLAND USA]
(GAMJI WRITER)
After many years of hemming and hawing, and after thousands of deaths as an aftermath, the Federal Government, from the pen of second-time Justice Minister Kanu Agabi, has finally made a definitive statement about Sharia. This is how the letter must have looked. Details
(GAMJI)
In summary, the problems of Nigeria is so great, it is an act of pettiness and silliness for anyone to be flouting symbolic hegemonies as the reasons why he should be the next president or the next president should be someone who share their religious beliefs or come from their sociopolitical area. Details
REQUIEM FOR MUGABE - Mugabe's Last Act of Historical and Political Suicide. By Chika Onyeani
(GAMJI)
I have shed tears for mother Africa; in fact, I have literally shed tears for Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe, a hero of the Republic of Zimbabwe (former Rhodesia), who would rather tarnish his image in the pursuit of unbriddled power and ambition. It is therefore with great sadness that hundreds of millions of Africans who had come to include Robert Mugabe among the heroes of Africa, are unfortunately left with no choice than to say a requiem for Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Details
The Awakened World of Nigerian Writer: An Open Letter to Nigerian Writers II. By Sam Abbd Israel
(GAMJI)
May the spirit of truth bring us into the awakened state of the truly enlightened writer. May our spiritual blindness, deafness and dumbness be truly cured. And may the spirit of truth give us powerful wings to fly higher above trivialities so as to behold the glory of the New Nigeria ahead of us in order to realise that it is worth fighting and dying for. Details
Some Fundamental Facts About Human Races. By Stephen Lampe
(GAMJI)
First, it is the Will of God that there be many races, not just one race on earth. The diversity of human races is simply one example of the diversity that is a common and essential feature of nature. Natural diversity is crucial to the very survival of all creatures on earth, including human beings. Details
The
Milk of Human Kindness: An
Intellectual Engagement with the Intellectually Challenged
[LAGOS]
(GAMJI WRITER)
For some time in my own life I was carried away by the fad of ethnic nationalism as a reaction to the indiscriminate attacks on Hausa/Fulani Muslims by other Nigerians. But most of my life I have retained my faith in the country which I acquired during my memorable five years in King's College. Details
Enugu
Debacle: Politics in the Name of God--Catholism and Theocracy.
(GAMJI)
The
fact that the Catholic Church is the source of this pandemonium is
neither new nor peculiar to
How The Military Will Fool Nigerians! By Temilade Akerejola
(GAMJI)
The question that has been agitating my mind is: "Can the military rule Nigeria again"? Honestly, my candid answer is Yes. And yes, you read it right! It is not as a result of the fact that democracy in Nigeria is failing. No! Though worrisome, not also because our country is slouching towards more and more chaos...Details
The Political Economy of the New York – Lagos Flight. By Sam C. Okudah
(GAMJI)
How could SAA have lost up to R54 million on a route that would be considered a lucrative one? That didn't seem to make sense. I talked to my travel agent. She told me that the contract between the two organizations allowed each side to sell into the seat allocations of the other, if the partner could not sell off all its allocations. Based on that, she said, Nigerian Airways had been selling more than its 109 seats, but had not been forwarding the proceeds to SAA. This was how SAA, after a while, found itself in the hole to the tune of R54 million. Details
The
Islamic Schools of Thought and Some Observed Facts. By
Abdulsalam Ajetunmobi
(GAMJI)
In
driving home my points, it is evidently clear from the above that the
interplay of alien philosophies and Islam is quite original and has
helped and would probably help to further the course of Islam far better
than the blind pursuit of juristic ideas of the ancient schools of
thought. Details
It
is the OPC Stupid! By M. Danlami
(GAMJI)
A look
at the modus operandi of the OPC as a strategic force of the
Yoruba ethnic reveals some semblance to the mafia-styled domination and
terrorization of Italy. Like the mafia, the OPC is being guided by
some prominent people from within the community. The OPC
has engaged in the systematic disruption of law and order in the
south-west by killing at will law enforcement officers and anyone they
deemed to pause a threat. Details
(GAMJI)
The killing of (MOSOP) leaders including, environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, by the Nigerian military government in 1995, also got some media attention. Today there is increasing protest by several ethnic and political groups in the region and the resultant violence, including the kidnapping expatriate oil workers have consistently been reported in Newspapers and other media in the United States. Details
George Bushes "Axis of Evil" Blunder. By Salihu Mahmud
[LONDON]
(GAMJI)
Currently, there is much unease in Europe about Bush's "axis of evil". European politicians have been lining up to criticise it. Chris Patten, the European commissioner in charge of external relations and former governor of British Hong Kong called it "absolutist and simplistic". The British Foreign Sec. Jack Straw dismissed Bush's speech. He said it is "best understood by the fact that there are midterm congressional elections in November." Details