"IN
THE EYES OF THE LAW" FROM MUYIWA SOBO
Babarinsa’s thesis on Power Rotation. By Ibrahim Dan-Halilu
(GAMJI)
The other day, Dare Babarinsa, an executive editor of Tell magazine was advocating the insertion of power rotation clause in our constitution in appreciation of the peculiarities of Nigeria. His argument was that leaving the rotation of power in the hands of politicians might not fare well for the nation’s federalism and democracy as nobody could trust that politicians would be so fair as to rotate the presidential ticket around the various geo-political zones. Details
The Economic Development of Arewa Region. By Suleiman Suleiman
(GAMJI)
Be it a rumor or otherwise, the recent media reports on the unfortunate incident in the ancient city of Kano, during a presidential visit, must have a basis. Before I delve into the topic of my discourse, I would not hesitate in joining millions of patriots in condemning such an act. It is unfortunate and intolerable. Details
Surveying The Contemporary Nigerian Economy. By Muhammad Jameel Yusha'u
[EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, BAYERO BEACON NEWSPAPER]
(GAMJI)
The state of the Nigerian economy is so devastating that the situation results in the lost of the countries human resources known as brain drain. Unfortunately the Nigerian government does not fully understand what brain drain has cost the nation. In 1979, the United Nations conference on trade and development estimated that each African professional between the age of 25 to 35 contributes $184,000 each year to the United States economy. It is estimated that at least 100,000 Nigerian professionals are working in the United States. This means that Nigerians contribute $18.4 billion to the United States economy. If you adjust for inflation over 20 years, the amount of money will be greater. Details
Madam Kofo Points North. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
(GAMJI)
Whatever anyone may think, the Yorubas deserve to produce the president of the fourth republic. However, such a presidency can only be a candidate of the wider spectrum of political alliances and not the whims and caprices of tribal conquistadors. But when the choice was thrown open for Yorubas the field narrowed, and forwarded Obasanjo like water under the bridge. Far from saying that he is the best the Yorubas can offer the nation, there are countless competent Yorubamen and women (including Madam Kofo) who can transform Nigeria to the desired eldo, just as there are countless Igbos, Yungurs, Igbiras, Fulanis, Kajes and Ibibios who can excel at the job. Details
"American/Arab Governments' Conspiracy Against Palestinians and Islam. By Dr. Sa'idu A. Dukawa
[BAYERO UNIVERSITY LECTURE]
(GAMJI)
The current crises in Palestine where the Jews engage in ethno-clensing of the Arabs while the world keeps watching is borne out of a long plan to fight Islam through the connivance of infidels, and it takes cover under 'Zionism' - a principle and action of reconstituting of an independent Jewish State in Palestine, hence the proclamation of Israel in 1948. The establishment of Israel and its survival to date was made possible by the active support of American Government and the complacency of Arab governments. This paper seeks to explore the origin, dimension and consequencies of this conspiracy. Details
Disenfranchising the North. By Abubakar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
The north, as it is now trite to repeat, drafted, sponsored and installed an Owo Chief, a retired general of the Nigerian Armed Forces, a former military Head of State and a pardoned ex - convict, Olusegun Obasanjo. Nigerian's second executive civilian president May 29, 1999. Since then, contrary to all expectations, this government persistently and surprisingly ignores the views of its benefactor - Northern Nigerian - on major national issues. Instead it pursue Afenifere Yoruba agenda. Details
Your Mirror is Dimmed, Max Gbanite! By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
I marvel at how Max seeks to promote his idol without showcasing IBB’s records of achievement as a former president of Nigeria even as he impressed on me that he is a firm believer in politics of issues. As a launderer of IBB’s image, Max will have gargantuan task in convincing Nigerians that a democratically elected IBB, who will work with a parliament and an independent judiciary, could do better than what he did for Nigerians as a military dictator. Details
[USA]
(GAMJI)
Capping comments about the irresponsible leadership in Akwa Ibom State, I may, in a future treatment, exhaustively engage line-item analyses of Attah’s chaotic budgetary appropriations and overall economic policy since June 1999. What I shall attempt to unfold are patterns that are visionless, disoriented, formless and at best irresponsible and present them alongside progressive patterns (developed both within Nigeria and elsewhere) that engender socio-economic prosperity. Details
(GAMJI)
This registration exercises be it voters, civic or both is the first to be conducted by a regime that is Southern in all its ramifications, fully implementing Awo's programs as if he were alive if not better, a regime that forget to allocate money to agriculture in the national budget. You refused a man the fertilizer to grow his food, yet you asked his picture to vote for you. Aren't we kidding our selves? The same regime that chooses to work with only dead woods among us despite the fact that it is led by a Southerner (we thought we can trust). Details
Wanted: A Non Devotional Government for Zamfara. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
(GAMJI)
If Shari’ a and democracy had a baby what would it look like? No doubt like Zamfara State. Zamfara is the subject of this discourse because of the confusion on how its affairs are run. The state is not a real Islamic theocracy but it is not a real democracy either. It has however, just enough democracy for the people of the state to agitate for more of it and at the same time it has just enough doses of Shari’a for its citizens to wish for less of it. Details
(GAMJI)
About 140 resident fellows are hosted each year since the program was started. Any interested applicant can download application forms and necessary information from www.rockfound.org/bellagio I will advice anyone not used to writing competitive proposals to download the art of writing proposals from the social science research council site. Details
Shape of 2003. By Abubakar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
[KANO]
I will not disclose my findings on some of the leading northerners touted for the presidency and the views of the voters for fear of being misunderstood: Buhari, Babangida, Atiku, Rimi, Shinkafi and Lema Jubrilu. My findings, which surprised me, would of course not be disclosed. But the masses seem conscious of issues and the defining agenda of choices. One thing was obvious: they oppose power shift, which constrain their choices. They prefer to vote a northerner, any northerner than Obasanjo. I was very shocked. The issue that seems to make them so resolved may appear trivial in the eyes of the elite's, but crucial to them: killings of northerners in Lagos and the release of Ganiyu Adams, who now walks a free man. Details
"IN THE EYES OF THE LAW" FROM MUYIWA SOBO
This Picture is Wrong: In the U.S., Justice is Not Blind, Her Eyes Are Wide Open
Settlement agreement is an acceptable yet critically intriguing part of the justice system the world over. It seems blemishes of duplicity always accompany any agreement to settle a case that looks clear cut to a layman, be it in the form of the recent Abacha money settlement debacle in Nigeria or in the John Walker Lindh, the infamous “American Taliban,” plea-bargaining deal in the U.S. This feeling is fictional, sometimes, too. For instance, in the Abacha case, it would be foolish for the federal government to gamble more money than it would recover just because it was politically expedient to pursue Abacha’s accounts all over the world. Not so in the Lindh case. Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
OPERATION 'AURE'- The Northern Military Counter-Rebellion of 1966
(GAMJI WRITER)
While all of this was going on, complaints about "Igbo provocations", were increasing. Northerners filed reports about parties being called by their Igbo colleagues to celebrate what they called the "January Victory". Offensive photographs showing Major Nzeogwu standing on the late Sardauna of Sokoto were said to be distributed in the open including market places. Some Igbos were even alleged to have worn stickers to that effect and were eager, in conversations with northerners, to point to Nzeogwu saying 'Shi ne maganin ku", meaning "he is the one who can knock sense into you". Grammophone records with machine gun sounds were released, to remind Northerners, it is said, of the bullets that felled their leaders in January. Celestine Ukwu, a popular Igbo musician allegedly released a piece titled "Ewu Ne Ba Akwa" meaning "Goats are crying" in Igbo. Derogatory remarks about Northerners were reportedly commonplace, even in Army Barracks. Details
Voters' Registration, ID Card and the North. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
As a matter of fact, the two cards are supposed to be issued by two separate and distinct agencies – the voters’ card by INEC and the Identity Card by the Directorate of National Civic Registration (DNCR). Or so I assumed. Now the real controversy arose when Obasanjo in his wisdom, decided to tie the issuance of the two cards together for reasons best known to him. That is okay. He is the President. But in announcing the timetable for the cumbersome exercise, Nigerians were informed that everything will be completed in five days – a time frame many believe is too short for such a vital exercise. Details
The
Social Revolution of
[SAUDI ARABIA]
(GAMJI)
When I almost froze my intestines waiting for my fateful flight out of Nigeria sometime ago, I remember discussing with a fellow young man who was heading for Dubai, about the social and economic status quo of the country and I concluded with him that as unpatriotic as it may sound, Andrew was indeed right when he decided to check out of the country in the early eighties. Simply put, there is indeed no harm in seeking to better ones lot in an environment that appreciates your being and gives you more opportunities than you even ask for. Details
(GAMJI)
The Yoruba on the other hand has sustained their expansionism with Lagos-Ibadan press and intellectual fraud; publication of baseless legends linking independent and distinct groups with entirely different languages to the Yoruba race, and manipulation of statistical numbers for political purposes without considering its devastating impact on future generations. Details
An
Open Letter and Rejoinder to the Article by John Ojidoh Titled 'Outdated'
Onigbinde’s 'Mouthball'
destabilizes
NFA posted on The
Vanguard website on.
By
(GAMJI)
I
feel that certain so called sports commentators in
ACF, Is Boycott the Answer? By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
[MARYLAND, USA]
(GAMJI)
Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali, the spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF will have a gargantuan task trying to convince many of us that boycotting the upcoming voters registration is the surest way of compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to shelve its plan for computerized exercise. The fact that democracy offers various options, including legal and political, for resolving any disagreement, makes the ACF’s threat appear too confrontational. Details
(GAMJI)
The present social order in Nigeria is nauseating and is terribly sickening to every thinking observer. It is a condition that shall forever be injurious to the social, economic and political health of the peoples of Nigeria until a revolution can be made out of it. This is the reasoning behind the project of a Social Revolution for Nigeria. The kind of social revolution we are proposing is the processes and the actual acts of turning the societies of Nigeria downside-up. Details
(GAMJI)
Is Igbo-Yoruba Rapprochement Feasible Or Desirable? By Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
[MARYLAND, USA]
(GAMJI)
The complexity of Nigerian politics is highlighted by the fact that, since colonial era, the two major ethnic nationalities in the South, Ndiigbo and the Yoruba, have managed to find reasons to explain why they could not work together. Pundits from both sides have, on occasions, weighed in their assessment of the protracted love-hate relationship that is palpable between these two vibrant groups. A lot of hot air has been let off from both sides who now utilize internet discussion forums to delve into various aspects of Igbo-Yoruba relationship in the past several decades. Details
In Defense of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). By Dr. Abubakar Muhammad
[PENNSYLVANIA, USA]
(GAMJI)
I am sick and tired of opinionated individuals in our midst, those who you would otherwise think have what it takes to be a think tank of sort and having been exposed to positions of leadership in their past, are indeed thoughtful and responsible. Alas! It is ironic that these individuals have opted to debase themselves, playing the second fiddle and choosing regrettably, to be lickers and hangers on. One wonders why the likes of Lawal Kaita, Kashim Imam, Sule Lamido, and quite recently, Iro Dan Musa are particularly abrasive and combative with our own, the Arewa Consultative Forum. Details
We reject totally the United States of America's declaration of the war on terrorism because it is simply a ploy to attack Muslims and Islamic interest anywhere in the world. Details
Discipline and Accountability under Democratic Leadership. By Major General Muhammadu Buhari
(GAMJI)
There is today the absence of involvement by intellectuals in the everyday affairs of society. Gone were the days the likes of Dr. Bala Usman, whose struggle, almost single-handedly, established a tradition of dissent on this campus in the 1970’s. What in the world happened to that tradition? And whatever one may say about the ideology that provided the basis for his struggle, there is little doubt that campuses across the country are today all the poorer for the lack of it. You must therefore wake up before it is too late. Or is the teacher waiting to be taught? Details
An Open Letter to Obasanjo. By Sonny Onyegbula
[University of Cape Town, South Africa]
(GAMJI)
Since you miraculously came out of Abacha`s jail and was installed as president of Nigeria for a second time people felt a new lease of life would be breathed into the country. Unfortunately 3 years after nothing seemed to have changed rather the economic situation of Nigerians have worsened. Our youth are fleeing the country in droves in search of better fortune, which they rightly or wrongly believe they will find outside Nigeria since Nigeria has become unbearable. Details
(GAMJI)
Balarabe Musa may be right in his claims but the PRP needs to go beyond just showcasing its credentials to the electorates. It needs to revive its aggressive membership recruitment drive that the NEPU was known for in the First Republic. I believe there are millions of Nigerians that share the vision of PRP and have unrepentant faith in Balarabe Musa’s leadership but they are being hold down by PRPs’ lack of structure. Many of us do not see the PRP as a serious party that it was in the Second Republic, which is why we feel that Musa’s agility, mobilization drive and resourcefulness are very much needed to turn around the fortunes of PRP. Details
Democracy 2003: Return of the Generals (2). By Sasa Ayodele Olutimayin
[RUSSIA]
(GAMJI)
Buhari is also believed to be dogged by past issues such as the draconian nature of the government he headed, the indiscriminate imprisonment of second republic public officers, his War Against Indiscipline Campaign and the way he come down hard on journalists and press freedom in his hay days as Head of the Nigerian Enterprise. Although many people are quick to blame the “failures” of the Buhari administration on his very strict Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff, the late Major General Tunde Idiagbon, it remains a fact that history cannot be re-written. Buhari will have to settle scores with so many people especially politicians (even in the ANPP) if he hopes to secure the party’s flag in 2003. Details
(GAMJI)
The politicians of today are not concerned with uniting Nigeria. They are the new imperialists. They want to divide and rule. But we the people are going to wise up to their greedy plans. You are not a Nigerian until you are willing to die for it. Sacrifice all or continue to make noise from your cocooned and sectional Afenifere, the Ohaneze, and/or the ACF. Details
Betrayal or Water Power: Igbo-Yoruba Imbroglio. By Debo Awosika-Olumo MD., MS., MHP
(GAMJI)
Awolowo and some Yoruba leaders were jailed based on “drum up charge” of treasonable felony with only one eye witness confession. This was done without any Igbo outcry to this action viewed as “injustice to the Yoruba tribes (Betrayal or Waterpower?). This action brought a thick dark cloud of despair on the whole Yoruba race. Details
We Need Moral Not Sex Education in Nigeria. By Engr. Tukur M. Lawal
[FUNTUA, NIGERIA]
(GAMJI)
Good citizens of this great country should strive hard to ward off evil, because it is a religious duty, we should join hands in closing the door of evil of adultery, of course not by teaching our children sex education, but by availing to them a sound and moral education. Details
(GAMJI WRITER)
My view is that Nigeria needs people like Buhari in politics but not to contest elections. Buhari should be in politics to develop Civil Society and strengthen the conscience of the nation. He should try to develop many Buharis who will continue to challenge the elements that have hijacked the nation. Details
Globalization-An Unstopable Force: A Response to Stephen Lampe. By Mouktar .I. Mohammed
(GAMJI)
Clearly, not everyone (Mr. Lampe in Particular) is happy about globalization, many people don’t like globalization cause it allows powerful outside business interests to intrude into the local culture, overrides local tradition and threatens a way of life. Yes, in more traditional societies, globalization threatens the cultural and religious underpinnings of the society; also a globalized economy presents a myriad of challenges from protecting local cultures to protecting local jobs. Detail
Run, IBB, Run! By Tunde Adenodi
[NEW JERSEY]
(GAMJI)
IBB believes, (and do you blame him?) that OBJ became president without the votes of the Yoruba. So can he! And if the likes of Max Gbanite are recruited for his campaign, he would easily carry significant proportion of the Igbo votes which will be split by Okadigbo, Nwodo and Ojukwu He has the votes of Niger State and the Gideon Orkar-excised states. Abuja? Details
Corruption in Nigeria: A New Paradigm for Effective Control. By Victor E. Dike
(GAMJI)
But why has President Obasanjo made a deal with the Abacha family if his chief law enforcement officer has such a wonderful idea? He should have used the opportunity afforded by the Abacha saga to show the world that he is serious with his avowed war on corruption. The agreement made by civilian administration with the Abacha family would allow them to keep $100 million (of the money stolen by the late General), so that they could return about $1 billion of the loot to the federal government (Dan-Ali, BBC News, May 20, 2002). Details
Muhammadu Buhari: A Child of Necessity. By Paul Mamza
(GAMJI WRITER)
The good will that greeted the Buhari’s venturing into politics is enough a reason to proof this point vis-as-vis the frustration eminent from the total collapse of leadership qualities in the current political dispensation. In this regard, even if there is no election today Buhari has been elected by this good will...As mentioned earlier in my Tuesday column of Daily Trust of 8th May, 2001 “General Buhari is one of the few sincere Nigerians with an unimpeachable integrity. He is highly disciplined, upright and truthful to a fault and these assertions cannot be contested even by his enemies”. He has upheld these virtues even during the most tumultuous of times. His landmarks and legacies as the Military Governor of North Eastern state (1975) and Borno State (1976), General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the second, third and fourth division and later Assistant Adjutant General in the 1st Infantry Division speaks volume of laudable achievements. Details
Of Royalty and Royal Carriage. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
Here is a man [Buhari] who has nothing to offer materially but his patriotism, his good name, his honesty and a precise modus for reviving Nigeria. After carefully studying the political landscape and gauging the mood of the ordinary Nigerian, he decided to sacrifice his good name by joining politics, which is so far dominated by men of “come and chop” ideology. He was well aware before joining partisan politics that his very integrity, which happens to be his greatest asset will be on the firing line from Lilliputians, whose relevance and continued stranglehold on the country will be jeopardised. Details
"IN
THE EYES OF THE LAW" FROM MUYIWA SOBO
A Minor Traffic Violation Could Result in Your Deportation
Thus, it is feasible in the nearest future that you need not commit an offence before a local police officer tosses you to the fangs of the INS and you may end up in deportation proceedings before anyone realizes that you are actually a legal immigrant. Your accent and looks may become the only trigger for a suspicion of immigration violation. Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
Preventing Coups in Nigeria* (Part 4)
(OFFICER AND SOLDIER RECRUITMENT INTO THE MILITARY)
In Nigeria's case, after over 40 years, it is time for the civilian regime to seriously re-evaluate the utility of the Brigade of Guards in VIP security. It seems from newspaper reports that the SSS does have a greater role in VIP security in this government than in the past but it does so as part of a concentric ring which still includes the military. Abuja is still packed with military institutions and units, initial concern in 1999 by legislators notwithstanding. The responsibility for the personal protection of the President ought not to directly involve corporate military units in peacetime as is the case in most countries in the world. The British, American and Indian Armies are not responsible for the personal protection of their leaders. The independent role of the Secret Service in the US, supervised by the Treasury Department, comes to mind. That experienced conspirators like Generals Abacha and Babangida chose not to rely on the Guards Brigade for their protection speaks volumes. Details
National Conference or ID Card? By Alhaji Umaru Dembo, mni
(GAMJI)
While those Nigerians in the sector of Afenifere were and are still clamoring for a national conference to determine which part is Nigeria and which is not and who is a Nigerian and who is not, the government is hurrying Nigerians into an ad hoc identity limited to those that are able to get the identity within 5 days by the grace of South African computers company owned by one big South Africa’s one time racist leader and a Muhammad Abacha counterpart as directors. Details
Why the Nigeria Police Will Always Fail: The Obasanjo Factor. By Uzo Obi
The solutions to the big problems of the Police in performing the Law Enforcement function does not lie in Operation fire for fire. The operation was doomed for failure ab initio; it has failed and ought to be discarded. Operation fire for fire gives away the planlessness of the Police hierarchy, and lack of understanding of the operational needs of the Police. Details
Criminals in the Blue Uniform: Your Child May be Next. By Michael O. Folorunso
(GAMJI)
Amadou Diallo was shot 41 one times. What evil and what hate will cause another man or men whose salaries are paid by the tax payers to senselessly gun down the people for whom they took an oath to serve and protect. The most disturbing thing about this was that the then Mayor of New York City sided with the killer cops. Details
The Bendel Agenda: A Half-Century Vision Resurrected. By Chief (Prof.) Oje Aisiku
(GAMJI)
A vision informed by ideas, conviction and common public interests never dies, such a vision survives with enduring durability, never yielding to narrow partisan politics and personal interests. The event of June 14, 2002 at the residence of Chief (Dr.) Osaigbovo Ogbemudia is an embodiment and a testimony of such a vision of patriotism, courage and public service. When eminent citizens of the old Mid-Western region met under the auspices of the Bendel Consultative Council (BCC), they were not just making history, but resurrecting the vision of a pan Mid-West people agenda. Details
The Limits of Economic Liberalization. By Stephen Lampe
(GAMJI)
It should be noted that it is only a viable and strong domestic economy (which can only be built on a foundation of hard work, peace, and justice) that can successfully engage in international trade. The principle of “success breeds success” also applies to foreign investment. Only strong domestic economies developed on a foundation of rational and stable political and social systems can attract foreign investments. Details
The Human Side of apolitical Leadership: Yar’adua vs. Jikamshi – Katsina Thriller. By Lawal Karmanje
(GAMJI)
Your excellency my State Governor, your failure to honored your own-scheduled meetings with your Deputy, and your deliberate refusal to educate, intimate and / or testify the ills of your Deputy and your resolution to sideline him, and rendered him useless from participating fully and efficiently in serving Katsina State or otherwise, indicate to me that you are attempting to deviate from the Islamic attributes of leadership. Details
(GAMJI)
Even if the government publicizes that the trip was essential then take a look at the entourage apart from the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture the rest had no business going for an “agricultural trip”. Commissioner for Information, Director of Press Government House, Director of Protocol, ADC, Chief Detail, Chief Whip and one or two other legislators. Was His Excellency going to meet more fadawa (courtiers) in Denmark necessitating the Director of Protocol, ADC and Chief Detail? These guys were inconsequential once they flew out of Nigeria. Details
Ujudud's Dangerous Lamentation. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
After reading Ujudud’s article on the ongoing battle by the Senate to investigate the implementation of budgets by the executive, in the Tuesday Column of Daily Trust, I arrived at the conclusion that Ujudud does not understand the intrigues of politics or what Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State described as legitimate intimidation in politics. Details
Between Obasanjo, Buhari, and IBB. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
General Muhammadu Buhari was the next military Head of State after Shagari. He took over when the rot has set in – politicians were busy raping the country – or so we thought and were informed by our ever vigilant newsmen, who seem to lose their vigilance under Obasanjo. He lasted twenty months and no more. But every Nigerian felt the twenty months – either positively or negatively. The fight against indiscipline and moral regeneration was given a new lease of life. When the western countries tried blackmailing his administration, he resorted to trade by barter, which made them more uncomfortable about his administration. Details
Prayer As a ‘Potent’ Weapon. By Abdullahi Bayero
(GAMJI)
One eagerly awaits the scorecard on the level of success achieved by the man who first promoted the idea of prayers as a national jamboree, the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), through his Nigeria Prays project. Here was a man who had failed to seize the opportunity provided by the longest period in the history of governance to date - the full compliment of a whole nine odd years - to correct the ills of the society, only to come back and tell a somewhat forgiving nation that all the problems he failed to address could indeed be solved through prayer and prayer alone! It appears that the bane of most of our problems in the country is the erroneous belief that prayer alone without the necessary ingredients of hard work and the requisite tenacity of purpose is a guarantee to success. Details
Sam Aluko’s fundamentalities. By Mohammed Haruna
(DAILY TRUST)
My take off point is, well his politics. At a time when the politics of this country is being dangerously ethnicised, it was most refreshing, the other day, to hear Aluko, who by the way hails from the heartland of the Yoruba, denounce not Afenifere as such, but its politics. Nearly two months ago, specifically on May 20, he told The Country that he did not believe in ethnic organisations. This was in response to a question about the politics of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation which has a gridlock on Yoruba politics. Details
Media Columnists or Propagandist? By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
The reputable profession of journalism seems to be loosing its steam and candor in Nigeria due to the emergence of columnists who have chosen to engage their God-given talent in telling their readers lies and half-truth about issues for reasons best known to themselves. I feel highly concerned about this degeneration for two reasons. In the first place, one of my favourite newspapers, This Day, is culpable of this practice. Details
Do
Condoms Prevent AIDS?
The Daily Trust of Tuesday, July 2, 2002 carried an interview on page 3 with one Professor Hussein Abdulkareem of the department of biochemistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, claiming, among other things, that widespread use of condoms increase, rather than decrease, sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) including AIDS. This has rekindled this quite unnecessary but obtuse, dangerous and potentially damaging argument concerning whether or not condoms prevent HIV infection and AIDS. This and other similar cranky and quite inaccurate notions are given legitimacy and wide currency by, quite amazingly, few but vocal medically and paramedically-trained personnel,...Details
Diaspora Politics Heating Up - Winning election in Nigeria from abroad. By Ugo Harris
(GAMJI)
Nigerians all over the world having seen the improved human right and democratic climate; are now eager to participate in any way necessary to sustain this democratic and human right improvement in Nigeria. In this process, are helping to entrench good governance and to eradicate corruption, mismanagement, ethnic division among other pressing issues facing Nigeria which drove them into exile in the first place. Details
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]
(GAMJI)
Lo and behold, first, it was OBJ waiting for the voice of God to direct him on whether or not to seek reelection. He fasted and prayed and God spoke to him on Mount Ota. God directed him to seek reelection. Before then, depending on which testament of the scripture you prefer, some already considered him the new Moses or the real Messiah. Now comes “Ogbeni” Lanre Banjo, the energetic National Conscience Party (NCP) gubernatorial candidate declaring that OBJ fabricated the “go ye” message and that Chief Gani Fawehinmi is the real Messiah sanctioned by God, not OBJ. Details
"Mohammed Abacha Ruling: An Act of Conscience is Needed!" By Abdulsalam O Ajetunmobi
[LONDON]
(GAMJI)
Prior to this ruling however, it has long been speculated, in some quarters, that freedom was in the offing for Mohammed Abacha after the deal the Federal Government had with the Abacha family to refund over $1billion or 80 per cent of the liquid asset looted from the treasury by their father, the late General Sani Abacha, while he was head of state between 1993 and 1998. Details
From Haiti, France, Venezuela and USA to Nigeria, With Lots of Love and Lessons. By Komob Mason Braide, Ph.D.
[PORT HARCOURT]
(GAMJI)
What roles, if any, do American Nigerians, European Nigerians, Middle Eastern Nigerians, and several other variants of expatriate Nigerians, the so-called “Nigerian Diasporans” have to play in the unfolding political metamorphosis of Nigeria? Why have most Nigerians continued to be stark ignorant of their constitution, including their most fundamental human rights? Can the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not be written in a language (like Pidgin, Broken, or Rotten English), and in a simpler and easier-to-remember format and style, instead of the current tedious and heavily legalistic Abubakar Constitution of 1999? Details
Limousines of Anomie. By Abdullahi Bayero
(GAMJI
It
is no longer news that the government of Kebbi State has expended a reported sum
of over N111 million on the purchase of
four state-of-the-art limousines for the first-class Emirs in the state. This
amount excludes the sum of N30 million
reportedly given to each of them as maintenance allowance for these
behemoths-of-a-vehicle and another N5
million each for palace renovation, which takes the total expenditure on the
four Royal Fathers to a whopping N251
million! What is news, though, is the continuously unfolding drama regarding the
fallout of what has turned out to be an avoidable scandal of monumental
proportions no matter how one would want to look at the incident. Details
Privatization in Nigeria: The Efficiency and Fiscal Arguments. By Maiwada Zubairu
[KANO]
(GAMJI)
In an attempt to achieve the twin objectives of efficiency and fiscal prudence, the policy thrusts of any privatization programme must attempt to answer three fundamental questions; which enterprises to be privatized? what methods or combination of methods should be used? and what will be the sequence of such privatization programme. Details
(GAMJI)
Where are the retired political generals from the north? If General Shehu Yar “Adua were alive and aspiring to politics as he did in the past, he would have dissociated himself from the policies of the northern states that openly discriminate against non-Muslims. I would have expected some of the retired political generals aspiring to lead Nigeria again through the process of one person one vote would frown at the Islamization of education in the north at the public expense and to the exclusion of other religions. Details
Stinking Thinking 3: The Nigerian National Health Service Scheme and the Priority Setting. By Debo Awosika-Olumo MD., MS., MPH.
(GAMJI)
The current state of the health care in Nigeria today can be compared to what obtained in the developed countries in the 19th century. What the country policy makers need is to learn from the developed world past responses to their health status in the 19th century and use these tested methods. These methods can be summarize as follows: Details
Options Before the North. By Abubakar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
How can you convince any one that Obasanjo is "watching" after the interests of the North? The north constitutes two - thirds of Nigerian landmass and over 60 percent of its population. Any politician can calculate what this means. But instead of coming to terms with this reality and cutting a fair deal, this regime is aggravating the differences by drafting governors to campaign for Obasanjo irrespective of their parties and INEC insisting on its cumbersome voter review procedures. Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
Preventing Coups in Nigeria* (Part 3)
Gowon entered the Nigerian Army (with "O" level qualification) almost two years before Ojukwu but Ojukwu's seniority date was backdated to account for his University education. Although Ojukwu kept emphasing his administrative seniority during the post July 1966 crisis, it is easy to see how Gowon may well subconsciously have regarded Ojukwu as a short-service "small boy" not to mention the fact that Gowon had "bragging rights" as a regular combatant graduate of Sandhurst Military Academy while Ojukwu did not. Details
HIV/AIDS in Africa. By Chinua Akukwe and Melvin Foote
(GAMJI)
More than 19 million people are already dead of AIDS in Africa, and an additional 55 million may die within the next two decades. Almost 39 percent of all adults in Botswana are currently living with the disease. One third of adults in Zimbabwe are also living with the disease. In southern Africa, at least half of all new mothers may die of AIDS. Details
Ogbeh-Anyim: Neither Innocent nor Pious. By Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
(GAMJI)
It is a ground norm. And many great politicians have come to power through it. Many have also been unable to keep power for failing to grasp its dynamics. Audu Ogbeh is an example. He was part of the NPN system that was sacked by Buhari in 1983. He should know of the well-known thinker Zygmunt Bauman who once noted that social change often puts right the wrongs of yesterday but in doing so it usually ushers in a new set of troubles for us to solve...Details
The Other Dangerous men. By Ibrahim Dan Halilu
(GAMJI)
The duty of the press to my mind is to unearth these unholy alliances and political conspiracy to deny Nigerian electorates the right to free choice of leaders. But my worry is that This Day, in particular has been hijacked or rather commissioned by some politicians to do the dirty job of misinforming and beguiling the gullible public. For several weeks on, several of This Day columnists have engaged in what appeared like drumming up support for Obasanjo’s re-election and Buhari’s disqualification from even exercising his fundamental rights to political participation. I wonder how This Day as a national medium can depend this position vis-à-vis its recent call on Nigerians to watch “the dangerous men.” Details
(GAMJI)
Another lesson they should learn is from the past.
Instead of going to Dr. Sam Ogbemudia, all these self-styled political
leaders should behave like the real political leaders of the old Benin and Delta
Provinces who accepted the Traditional leadership of Oba Akenzua.
That was how Oba Akenzua was able to set the tone for them twice in 1953
and in 1963. Would they do
this? This is when one could come
to the conclusion that they mean business.
That is the best way to approach the discussion of a future for their
people. It is beyond the
political class.
The Mote is Clearing. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
No government has killed more Nigerians than this government. I am talking of the state terrorism against Odi and Zaki Ibiam where mass massacre took place on the instructions of the President as Malu recently told us.And this brings me to the Oputa Panel. It is terrible that the panelist didn’t see anything wrong with the murder of five ABU students and an Ibadan student during the Obasanjo era. What of the destruction of Fela’s house and what happened to his Mother? What of the Oto concentration camp? Nor do we talk of the hanging of 39 military officers, the first in our history, for military coup, two of whom turned out to be innocent of the crime for which they were hanged. Have we all forgotten the number of civil servants sacked by Obasanjo apparently for no good reasons and the closure of the Newbread magazine? It is amazing that the Oputa panel didn’t see these and more. Details
Quick Kill In Slow Motion: The Nigerian Civil War. By Stafford, Michael R., Major
The tragedy was built on Ojukwu's inflexibility and the resultant inability to effect compromise on the political side. He fueled the disaster with his ambition, desire and ability to control the situation in Biafra. Ojukwu was fighting a war within the Civil War, as he struggled to keep and consolidate his position of leadership. And the tragedy was prolonged and insured by the divisive actions Ojukwu used to maintain his position of power. Details
Nigeria's C-130 crash: Oversights on the Part of Remi Oyeyemi. By Safianu Rabiu
(GAMJI)
Ah, no! You would not acknowledge that because you wanted to deny it? You wanted to paint a portrait of only 'southern' and 'minority' victims? Is that fair? The apparent denial of the spectrum of victims was probably a subliminal thought on your part, in the same trend that sees northerners as mere beneficiaries of quota. Nonetheless, the omission underscores how much self-cleansing we need to do in order to free ourselves for meaningful contributions to humanity. Detail
(GAMJI)
To put it crudely, what did candidate Obasanjo promise Dr. Ogbemudia, HRH Alfred Diete-Spiff and others that he would do in the “South-South” when they were campaigning for him in 1999? What did he achieve since 1999 in the “South-South”? Against what he achieved since 1999, what is he promising to achieve in the “South-South” after 2003? What did he tell them when they met him at Otta? In view of what President Obasanjo did for the “South-South” or failed to do for the”South-South”, why do they think that they could get a better deal from somewhere for the “South-South” in 2003? Details
Why We Are Scared of Buhari. By Babayola Muhammadu Toungo
[KADUNA]
(GAMJI)
We are scared of the man because he is himself and doesn’t suffer fools; we are scared of him because he will put a stop to the drift the country is going through; there won’t be anymore unearned cash flying around like confetti or as if money is soon going out of fashion. There certainly will be sanity and sense of purpose. Given the opportunity again to rule this country, I know governance will regain its lost lustre and Nigerians will find their lost sense of belonging. Details
OBJ : The Devine Ruler in a Democracy. By Dr. Abubakar A. Muhammad
(GAMJI)
How troubling it is that in all this unbelievable demonstration of irresponsibility by the central government, the man Obasanjo can tell us his government has made 'appreciable' impact on the lives of Nigerian workers and for that it is 'sinful' for anyone to criticize his administration. He claims that the Nigerian workers are earning what he calls "living wages", for the 'first time' in history. What an insult! Not only is this statement an outright lie, it is insensitive and disingenuous. Details
[NEW JERSEY, USA]
(GAMJI)
In
thanking the publishers of these esteemed sites and others out there in
Cyberspace, it is also very imperative for them to take some steps and
reassess what they allow to filter into their sites. We are living in a
globally litigious society. No publisher worth the name would want his or
her site to become embroiled in legal actions that may kill the site, due
to errors on their part by allowing malicious, false, and libelous attacks
on innocent writers just because a reader may not necessarily like the
position being advocated. Details
Pius Anyim: The Symbol of Our Politics. By Banjo Odutola
(GAMJI)
The man from Ishiagy, Ebonyi State had come into politics without the hubris braggadocio and grandiloquence of neither Chuba Okadigbo nor the traduced capricious Evan Enwerem. Pius Anyim is separated by the desire of his Ayanmo, a fate that enrobed him in a conspicuously borrowed and ill-fitting cloak and he may soon find out that the same fate like all of abstractionism animates life and offers no warnings when its crudities return him to oblivion where he came from. Nonetheless, he represents all that is good and bad in our collective aspirations which when translated into mechanics of politics instructs that there are lessons our politicians must abide, emulate and eschew. All in all, Pius Anyim is a contradiction that makes our politics the infamy for the electorate. Details
(GAMJI)
Babangida's return holds great prospects because since he stepped aside, the nation has not made any appreciable progress. The disappointing tenure of Obasanjo has drained the hope most people had for a refocused and renewed nation. So much so that an ambitious IBB could dream and actually begin to engineer the reality of an imminent comeback. Babangida will benefit from Obasanjo's failure to perform as Nigerians will unleash their anger on the latter who's short fuse can hardly survive the impending thundering electioneering heat. Details
The Triumph of People’s Power. By Wada Nas
(GAMJI WRITER)
Today the party is being held together only because of its victory in the Presidential election. It is easy to predict that the PDP would disintegrate, into pieces once it loses the forthcoming presidential election because it is the spoils of victory that hold it together. So, when the spoils are not in place, and bearing in mind how the Executive has successfully caused serious damage to the party, it will die in 2003 if it loses the forthcoming presidential election. Details
Akwa Ibom State - Irresponsible Leadership. By Clement Ikpatt
(GAMJI)
Inside what has become a culture of political betrayals, backstabbing, corruption and mediocrity, the Akwa Ibom people are always helplessly at the receiving end. Now, my concern has been to portray a sense of reality, the immediacy of crisis suffered the people of Akwa Ibom State from without - the Federal government and majority tribes, and from within - the State and Local governments. In this treatment, we shall review the Akwa Ibom gubernatorial leadership. Details
Why Haste to Sale Mint? By Abubakar Jika
(GAMJI WRITER)
The Obasanjo regime has three traits that people easily recall. Every regime does have its traits or characteristics. First trait of this resume is making promises it could not redeem. Example, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised us that from December last year electricity would stabilize in Nigeria. Seven months after the date line expired he is no where near redeeming this historic promise. Failed promises are one trait. The second trait is this president is the most traveled in modern history. Yes, it does appear Obasanjo has beaten the Guinness Book of Records as the most traveled president or Prime Minister in recent times. He had exceeded the magical number of three scores and ten. Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
Preventing Coups in Nigeria* (Part 2)
In the only serious
conversation they had on the subject of security, late
General Murtala Mohammed displayed the same sense of
fatalistic abandon when then Lt. Gen. Obasanjo (Chief
of Staff, SHQ) tried to get him to take his personal
security more seriously early in February 1976.
Mohammed's predecessor suffered from the same problem.
As he left for the OAU meeting in Kampala, General
Gowon even went as far as telling Col. J. N. Garba in
July 1975: ".. let it be without bloodshed. I must go
to Kampala anyway." On the contrary, the foremost
military conspirators of the last 15 years (Generals
I. B. Babangida and S. Abacha) were not shy to
confront any challenge, real or imagined. Details
Why North Must Regain Power in 2003. By Paul Mamza
(GAMJI WRITER)
When fate caught-up with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo prior to the May, 29, 1999 as a likely consensus candidate for the Presidency by the predominant force of the military top brass and seasoned politicians there was an initial stiff resistance of a reluctant leader. “How many presidents do you want to make of me?” Queried Obasanjo “I have been Head of State before and that is okay for me”. When he later succumbed to the pressures mounted on him, the election results favoured him against his rival presidential hopefuls. This can be explained due to the trust many Nigerians-North and East had in him as a detribalised and Nationalistic leader. But three years after the inauguration of the President, it seems the chickens are coming home to roost...Details
Faseun’s ‘New OPC’: Spin or reality. By Mohammed Haruna
(DAILY TRUST)
From
July 16, 1999 when it clashed with the police in Mushin for some unknown
reason, leaving over 20 people dead, the OPC took on Hausas in Sagamu, Ogun
State, two days after. It then took on the Egbesu Boys in October in
Ajegunle; took on the mainly Hausa yam sellers in Ketu in November; fought a
civil war in Mushin in December, attacked Governor Ahmed Tinubu’s convoy at
Tafawa Balewa Square on the same day, took on alleged armed robbers in Akala,
Mushin, in January 2002; took on Igbo traders at Alaba Market, Lagos, the
same month. About nine months later it again took on Hausas in Ajegunle and
Apapa. The death toll in all these clashes ran into hundreds, while the
destruction of property may have run into hundreds of millions of naira. This
is not to mention its wholesale sacking of Idi-Araba, a largely Hausa
neighbourhood in Lagos, in January this year.
Re: The Maligning of the Emir of Gwandu. By Umar M. Ba
(GAMJI)
...Buhari is a practical man and there are two good reasons to support this. The first was his acceptance to head PTF under Abacha and it is known as subjecting feelings to a greater goal. The second was his recent joining of party politics. And as a practical man, he knew that delegation is one of the characteristics of good leadership, and it is on record that when Buhari delegated, he did so to professionals and not to sycophants or to please someone as we have seen under IBB. So Malam Haruna please be objective. Details
Confidential and Strategic Committee to Map Out Ways Against Any Obstacle to Obasanjo's Re-election. Forwarded by Community Resolve
[DISCLAIMER: GAMJI CANNOT AUTHENTICATE THIS REPORT]
(GAMJI)
Chief Abraham Adesanya stood to speak and was given a sound praise by Chief Ayo Adebanjo and ended the praise as Oko Soja that is husband of soldiers. Pa Adesanya who stressed seriously on General Mohammadu Buhari as a very dangerous northerner and somebody that must be clipped quickly by all means available by Obasanjo and the assistance of the US Government. Papa further stressed that he has received very reliable reports that the US Government has finalised of how best to tackle the Nigerian political economy and security affairs, saying that General M Buhari among others in the north remain a very dangerous citizen of Nigeria. Details
On Transition and Transformation (For Pauline Opango). By Adebayo Williams
(GAMJI)
When Senghor, a minority Christian leader in an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, died recently, there could be no denying his status as the undisputed father of his nation. It was a national outpouring of genuine grief. The same thing goes for the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who left for his farm-house at the height of power and glory and by so doing forged a nation and a democracy out of a crucible of feudalism and multiple ethnicity. Details
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): A Neo-Colonial Agendum. By Engr. Waziri H Ahmadu
[ABUJA]
(GAMJI)
We have abundant natural resources, an adequate pool of talented human resource and tremendous goodwill to take us there. We need to break down barriers that separate us, and identify opportunities available within our continent for exploitation of a potential market of over 700 million souls. Details
Philosophical discourse - Attempt to settle an unsettle problem (In modern philosophy). By Sammani D. Abdullahi
[EMIRATES]
(GAMJI)
Almost
three or so months a go I have promised to present some arguments
supporting the existence of a “Supreme
Being” that we called Allah
(swt) or GOD. I prefer to use the former term for an obvious reason.
My argument as promised will be independent of divine scriptures. Details
[MONTREAL, CANADA]
(GAMJI)
Today, some of the "circus players" (fans) in Diaspora and Nigeria are now hailing Abdullahi Musa as one of the best coaches available to the national teams. Less than two years ago, these people were the ones accusing Musa of "filling the Eaglets with Hausa boys." Vast majority of these folks have started showing their colour once again with the recent Onigbinde and Eagle's World cup experience. Refusing to go beyond the surface, they have started a campaign of calumny and "tories" of Yoruba conspiracy. God help these folks and their shallow thinking pattern. Details
(GAMJI)
The World Cup and the game of football in general have also become very big business. The estimated turnover of activities connected with football is about US $400 billion per year. All these go to show what an incredible influence the World Cup and soccer exert on present-day humanity. The fans of soccer include all strata of society, from the poorest to the richest; from the most cultured to the crudest, including the notorious English and German football hooligans. Details
"Framework of Facts or Fiction? A Rejoinder to: "Don't Throw the Baby Out with Bath Water" . By Abdulsalam Ajetunmobi
[LONDON]
(GAMJI)
On
the other hand, Christianity is naturally opposed to the use logical
arguments as a form of defence mechanism or at least invaluable part of
foundation of faith. On this note, a prominent theist, Kierkegaard once
advised the Church not to commit suicide by entering the arena of logical
debate between faith and reason. And referring to Kierkegaard's efforts to
salvage Christian faith from the onslaught of reason, Coppleston writes
in, Contemporary Philosophy: Studies of Logical Positivism and
Existentialism:
"… The doctrine of Incarnation … not only transcends reason
but is repugnant to reason: it is Paradox par excellence, and it can be
affirmed only by faith, with passionate inwardness and interest. The
substitution of reason for faith means the death of Christianity." Details
WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH DR. NOWA OMOIGUI
Preventing Coups in Nigeria* (Part 1)
Although the conventional wisdom is that a
"good"
government is the best insurance against coups, not
all coup attempts (unsuccessful or successful) have
been planned and/or carried out against "bad"
governments. Like beauty, the "goodness" or "badness"
of a government is in the eye of the beholder. To
design a prevention and treatment program for a
disease, one has to understand its causes, natural
history, system of transmission and manifestations.
Likewise, preventing a successful coup d'Etat requires
a complex and detailed understanding of interrelated
political, military, security and intelligence issues
that go into planning and staging one. In Nigeria,
this is a very serious matter that should command the
attention of all Nigerians. Details
FRIDAY DISCOURSE WITH DR. ALIYU TILDE
My Stand on IBB, Buhari and the Emir of Gwandu.
Expectedly,
our last discourse was upsetting to His Highness, the Emir of Gwandu. He
met with two of my elder brothers – Mohammed Haruna and Kabiru Yusuf
– to complain about it and even threaten a court action. However, the
elder brothers pleaded with him to give up the idea, and he yielded. I
am grateful for their persuasion because, were it not for it, students
and practitioners of Nigerian law of tort would have had a new case to
study and cite in their schools and courts – Emir of Gwandu v Tilde.
I would have been forced to publicly deny every word in the article and
pay as damages a sum that is likely to be beyond my reach. Details