NIGERIA: Has Okonjo-Iweala Managed our Economy Well?

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Read Time:5 Minute, 25 Second

 Is it true that she was crying like a baby in order to retain her job as a Finance minister?
Who are you referring to?

Who else? Our Madam Economy of course.
Who is Madam Economy?

You ask as if you are not in this country. Who else is Madam Economy other than Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy (CME).
So who told you she was crying like a baby? Or were you referring to when her mother was kidnapped some years ago?

No way! Did you not read the Epistle according to Professor Chukwuma Soludo, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria? How she said Madam Economy was weeping profusely when she was moved from Finance ministry to Foreign Affairs under former President Obasanjo?
Look, don’t mind that prof. I think he is an APC agent. Don’t forget he had been hurting ever since he failed to secure the gubernatorial ticket in Anambra State. He must have been lying in wait on how to take his pound of flesh from the Nigerian government. So I advise you to read those his long letters with circumspect spirit.

Really? Did you read his response to Okonjo-Iweala’s attack on him? It does not strike me like the punch of a politician or its agent. Soludo took Madam on every point and issue she raised and literally tore her arguments to pieces. I suspect that Madam Economy must be regretting ever trying to reply Soludo, a first-class economist and professor of Economics.
Look, don’t sensationalise the issue. Do not forget that this is a political season. Politicians are won’t to explore every issue to their advantage. So don’t help stoke the fire of partisan debate.

There is nothing partisan about poor economic management. There is nothing partisan about an overwhelming poverty index. There is nothing partisan about huge corruption wrecking us as a people. There is nothing partisan about saying that Nigeria has lost about N30 trillion in the last four years under the watch of Madam Economy. Are you surprised that Okonko-Iweala, in all her learnedness and hitherto determination to prove her right, has gone quiet and too soon surrendered in the battle of economic wit between her and Soludo?
My brother, it is a matter of facts versus fiction of a bit of facts and a bit of fiction (faction).
This is how you people bandy figures anyhow. That was how Soludo’s successor claimed that $49.8 billion was missing, and then reduced it to $10.8 billion and later $20 billion. Can’t you be critical? In this Nigerian economy, N30 trillion will be missing and we are still breathing? Come on!

How naive you can be! Look, these are issues of fact. Soludo gave a clear account of how he arrived at that figure. Go and read his response. Or did you not even hear that the forensic audit ordered by the Federal Government has confirmed that indeed the NNPC and NPDC are owing the government and ordered that they refund the sum of $1.48 Billion?  Is the alarm of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi not being confirmed now?
If, by the admission of the Finance minister, about 600,000 barrels of crude are stolen everyday, do you know what that amounts to in just one month, let alone four years? Remember that a barrel sold for $147 some time ago, before the price started tumbling. Do you see how suddenly some riverine miscreants of yesterday have swung into being parvenus and even owning chains of private jets? And they insult us further by citing these indices as evidences of a transformed economy?
Look, don’t   blame Okonjo-Iweala for the mess in the oil and gas sector. Another powerful female minister is in charge of that. And because the Petroleum minister enjoys special attention from the President, Okonjo-Iweala, hardly interferes with what goes on in that ministry. Nobody wants a battle of the amazons in high places. So,….

(cuts in) So what? What is Okonjo –Iweala being called Cordinating minister of the Economy for if she is not involved in the petroleum ministry? So what is she really coordinating without the oil and gas industry? So what is she earning foreign currency for?
Look, I don’t buy that silly excuse. Under the Finance Minister, Nigeria’s economic indices have been heading south. Today, our entire foreign reserve has been massively depleted to shore-up a falling Naira. Yet the Naira exchanged for N208 per dollar as at yesterday. Our Excess Crude Account has been scrapped. Local and external debts which she cleared before in her first term as minister, has risen sharply again. Pray what did they do with all that we have been earning as a nation?…. And you sit down there and talk about a coordinating minister of the economy. I am sorry, she has coordinated the economy into a comatose state. We don’t have to be economists to feel the pain of a crushing economy.
You are so ignorant. You have chosen to forget that under this administration the Nigerian economy has been adjudged as the strongest in Africa. True or False? Under this administration, over 1.3 million jobs are being created every year, essentially because Nigeria has become the destination point of foreign investors. Do you know how our GDP has increased as a nation?

My brother, all those figures pushed in books and files alone but are at variance with what is on ground at Oshodi or Sabon Gari, do not make much sense to me.
But the truth is that Okonjo-Iweala’s expertise has saved Nigeria from economic ruin.

Really? Please ask her where she is before the Naira collapsed to this all time low. Ask her where she is when 600,000 barrels of oil are stolen everyday. Ask her what they did with our over $67 Billion inherited foreign reserves. Ask her despite her belief in savings, Nigeria suddenly does not have any fall back position from the times we had a near windfall from oil sales? My brother, those are the issues Soludo raised. We demand answers not acquiescing silence.
Once again, I warn you. The times are evil. Political times are perilous times. Be ware of what you believe.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Ethical Issues in Lagos Governor Elections

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Read Time:5 Minute, 28 Second

 So much  has  been said  about  the emergence  and  leadership qualities  of Akin Ambode the  APC  governorship  candidate  and Jimi  Agbaje  the  PDP  flagbearer in the governorship elections  in Lagos  State. The  clear  thing is that both  emerged  on the scene as dark  horses in the run off  to  the  primaries  that  brought them to  public  attention. One  horse  is however  darker  than  the other in this race and  the ethical  issues  arising from  their emergence as candidates and  how  that will  affect  their  electoral lot and victory is our  concern  here. Undoubtedly, in  terms  of experience  in  politics  and politicking Jimi  Agbaje has an  edge  over Ambode  because  he contested  the governorship  elections  before in  2007  when  he  fell  out with the then  APC  machinery  of selection  that saw the anointment of the present  governor  of  Lagos state  as the preferred  choice  of the  godfather  of  the APC. Ambode on  the other  hand  has  always  been  a civil servant  and  has  never  contested  for  political  office  to date.

That situation has again  successfully  repeated  itself  in  the emergence  of  Ambode  and  the  frustration  of the many  capable but  impotent  other  candidates  that dared  and defied  their generous but  ever vigilant and unsleeping godfather who  secured the APC    governorhip  candidacy  for  Ambode. Now, what  are  the moral  implications  of such  imposition  of a green  horn  in politics on  the governorship  of a  mega  city  like  Lagos?  They are monumental and raise serious moral  issues  on  eligibility, fairness,  merit,  transparency  and  democracy.

This is  because in any political  system  called  a democracy these  values  must be acknowledged as part if not the main working tools  of governance and  leadership. It  does  not matter  really  that  the losers  in the APC primaries  have  been  placated with  the usual  crumbs  from  the master’s  table  and  have  been  told  to play  ball  or face the wrath  of the godfather  and his  huge  but  deadly and unforgiving apparatus. What  we are  concerned  with  here is the quality of leadership  that  emerges  from  such lop  sided  and hand-picking arrangement  in a democratic  dispensation like the APC –  run  Lagos  State  Government. We say  that  it  is an arrangement  that  makes  change  impossible  in  Lagos  state  and puts  the coffers  of  the state  in the very  deep  pocket  of the godfather of  the APC, Bola  Ahmed  Tinubu. It is a very immoral, opaque  way  of electing a governor supposedly by  mass participation  of the  members  of the APC  but  manipulated deftly  and  with  impunity by  a single hand  which  has  done so in  the last 16 years.
It also  does  not  matter  that the outgoing  Lagos  State  Governor who  has  now  been  drafted into  campaigning for the hadpicked Ambode  had  no choice  than  to  hold  the microphone hard and firm at Ambode campaign  rallies and shout  himself  hoarse  if  he wanted  to leave office safely  and retire  peacefully. What again is  important  is  that this sort  of selection  stifles transparency, promotes nepotism, creates political  dynasties  and makes  accountability  and  honesty  the hall  marks of progressive democracy  and society  impossible  in Lagos State,  which  has  the largest  electorate  in  Nigeria  in  these  coming elections.
Certainly  that  leaves  the  Lagos  electorate  no  choice than  to call  the bluff  of  the APC  and  its  crude power -seeking and grabbing electoral  machinery  that has successfully  made a mockery of democracy in the state in  the last 16  years. We  say  it is immoral  and undemocratic  for a party  to  be  allowing  one  man  to choose who will  govern  the  state at  any  time and in all  places in an  enlightened  and  cosmopolitan  city like Lagos  where leadership  talents  exist  in their  thousands  if  not millions.

This fraudulent mask of deceit  in  political  leadership  must be torn  and rent asunder at this  coming elections. This is the only  way  Lagosians  should show  that  they  are not  spineless and castrated people  who  are  unthinking and  malleable all the time  in the way  they  participate  in selecting those  who are  to govern  them. Their liberation time is here  and now and they should just  troop  out  on the governorship  election date  and vote for Jimi  Agbaje  the PDP  candidate  and  nail  the  coffin to 16 years  of misrule  and  stop  the Ambode undemocratic  selection before it can ever start  to  lead  and govern  the  state.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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FG, Maersk Partner on Post Engagement Training for Ex-militants

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Read Time:5 Minute, 7 Second

 The Presidential Amnesty Programme is partnering with Maersk Line Training Centre, a Denmark firm, to locally conduct a post-engagement training for the over 30,000 ex-militants currently undergoing various forms of training all over the world, Olaoluwakitan Adebowale writes

Chief Ernest Shonekan, Nigeria’s Interim Head of State in the troubled days that trailed the annulled June 12 1993 Election, had arrived well ahead of everyone for the event billed for 9am. Though gradually succumbing to the cruel hands of old age, Ernest Shonekan remains alert and incredibly his old self; intelligent, thorough, arresting and composed.
A quintessential corporate man, the lawyer’s boardroom successes locally and internationally largely built for him the larger than life image, which eventually catapulted him to the highest office in the land at a time the country was in its most trying time. That act of taking him out of the comfort of his corporation to preside over the affairs of the nation at the time clearly demonstrated the confidence and faith the nation reposes in him.

Kingsley Kuku, Special Assistant to the President on the Presidential Amnesty Programme, was scheduled to meet with him on this occasion. Shonekan and some of his lieutenants had in fact been at their desks from early in the day, waiting for his arrival. Kuku, who doubles as Chairman of the Amnesty Programme, showed up shortly after.  A small crowd made up largely of Shonekan and his team members, Kuku and his aides and a pocket of journalists and cameramen quickly gathered to take up every position in the little conference room of the Lugard House in Ikoyi, Lagos. All eyes focused on the presidential aide as they waited anxiously to know what his mission was  at the Lugard House.

Kuku cleared his voice and all now in rapt attention, he began:  “I am here on behalf of the President to express his appreciation for the support you have been giving him and to brief you about the Presidential Amnesty  Programme’s visit to Denmark to assess facilities of the Maersk Line Training Centre and to explore the possibility of forging a partnership between us and them to provide a post engagement training programme for the over 30, 000 Niger Delta ex-militants now undergoing training in various fields across the World. Sir, a lot of people admire you greatly in this country for what you are and represents, you are a role model to many young people in the country and a developer not just in the South West but in the country as a whole. You have been  in business and in public office, there is a link between what we are doing and what you represent.
“The Niger Delta went into crisis since 1998, our people resulted to force, our leaders under the leadership of our father, Chief Edwin Clark, engaged our youths, spoke and appealed to them and they abandoned the use of force, that is the difference between  what happened in the Niger Delta and the Boko Haram case today.
“Today under the Amnesty Programme, there are over 30, 000 young men and women undergoing training around the globe with some in universities in the United Kingdom, USA, and even Malaysia, we have provided jobs but we have realized that yearly millions of our youths are coming out of school and unless we are able to provide two million jobs for young Nigerians yearly, we can’t make progress. We fervently need your assistance, particularly in the area of job openings for the Niger Delta trainees, Niger Delta is basically marine, an area we are convinced Maersk Line will be of great help. The same way you have helped this country, we will want you to help the Niger Delta.  What we are looking at is the sort of jobs we can provide these people to stabilize the situation in the Niger Delta.”

He described their visit to the Maersk Line training facilities in Denmark as very enriching, stating that the report of the facility tour and discussions with the management has already been submitted to President Jonathan. He handed a copy of the report to Chief Shonekan as well, explaining that Maersk Line has accepted to set up its training facilities in Port Harcourt to carry out the exercise locally. The idea, he said, will not only make the facilities available in the country, it will save the nation the foreign exchange that would have been expended on the programme if it was to be done outside the country.
He restated his plea to Chief Shonekan to get involved in the programme and the President’s proposal to provide two million jobs annually, stressing that he was convinced that once the elder statesman charts the way, the corporate world as a whole will rally round it.
The former Head of State pledged to embrace the programme and render any assistance that may be required of him to enhance the job creation exercise. The corporate czar noted that the idea was realizable with the economy still in good stead, stating that it was gratifying that the economy was doing well. He, however, enjoined the authorities to note that “the name of the game now is competition” as everyone is competing against the other. Chief Shonekan, a board member of Maersk Line,  was optimistic that the company will partner with the Programme.
A senior member of the Shonekan management team adds his voice: “All those who have the interest of this country at heart must ensure that the degradation of the Niger Delta is redressed. We are in the early stages of this relationship, we can assure, however, that the Maersk Line Training Centre will be able to train the trainees on onshore and offshore activities to make it possible for them to be engaged.  He suggested that the entire private sector was involved in the amnesty programme, particularly in the area of providing industrial attachments for practical trainings for the trainees.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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IBB’s endorsement: who cares

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Read Time:1 Minute, 25 Second

 This is just a major sojourn into aimless ego trip. What political capital will an IBB endorsement secure for the candidates. I fail to see.  IBB? IBB? Will his endorsement make me vote for a candidate or the other, I think not. The man is just deluding himself that he still counts in present day Nigeria and in his characteristic manner has been dribbling himself all over the place. Endorsing one candidate on Monday, endorsing the next one on Tuesday and on Wednesday endorsing Chris Okotie. I suspect even the man sef knows how worthless his endorsement is, that is why he has been trying to confuse himself.  Our candidates show desperation by doing things like this.

Buhari who was overthrown by IBB carrying himself there for endorsement?
Look Jona and Mahmud or is it Muhammadu, if you are serious about winning this election, come seek for my endorsement. With me, you won’t need to carry too many people, you will be sure that once I speak, I have spoken. I will not change my mind no matter what happens and lastly I have a huge followership. All the people who come to Emeka’s Place in Surulere to drink listen to what I have to say and go ahead and follow my instructions. The other day, I endorsed the candidate for street chairman and he won.

  I swear he won without even campaigning all he said was that I was in support. Till now the fool has not even given me the drinks he promised.
So you see, instead of wasting time and energy chasing spent forces, come and seek my endorsement. I am waiting.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Lagos Guber: The Edge Ambode Has over Agbaje

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Read Time:10 Minute, 19 Second

 It is not in doubt that like the Presidential race between Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, which promises to be an epic battle, one of the governorship races that will equally be keenly contested is the race for the Alausa Round House by Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The reasons for this keen competition in Lagos are not far-fetched. Like at the federal level where only the two dominant parties are in the race, the competition in Lagos is also between APC and PDP. People can hardly recall the names of any of the other nine contenders. They are not campaigning. What’s the point of wasting the funds they can hardly spare? Their parties probably won’t field any presidential candidate in the real sense of it. Those candidates appear either planted or are there to gain the traction of being addressed as ex-governorship candidates.

That leaves the ring for the two main contenders, who incidentally have unique strengths that place them on an almost equal footing to make a dash at the prize – winning the governorship election.
Agbaje comes with a noticeable brand recall. He was once the Treasurer of the once influential Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere. He is seen as a Pharmacist of note and generally acknowledged to have done well during the 2007 polls even though he came third, behind Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) who won the race for CAN and Musiliu Obanikoro, who was PDP’s candidate.
Ambode, on the other hand, comes with a rich experience spanning public and private sectors. He has had a rich 27-year experience in the Lagos civil service, rising to the position of Auditor General for the Local Governments and then as the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, before his voluntary retirement as the Accountant General at 49. Although he doesn’t flaunt any previous direct political experience, the manner in which he ran his consultations and campaigns for almost one year before winning the primary election last December shows his depth and ability to gain useful grounds in good time.
With both candidates now household names in Lagos and their campaigns reaching fever-pitch, one might be tempted to conclude that the winner would emerge based on the popularity of each candidate (brand identity) and the strength of the political parties. While this assertion may have merit, a keen and unbiased analyst would see and infer that the key indicators to determine the likely winner between the two gentlemen lie more on how their campaigns have progressed in the last two months, how their brand identities have been perceived, how their parties are being marketed and how all these are playing up in the media.
A thorough appraisal of the situation may see an election that is heading for keen contest, but without doubt it will also not miss the clear edge that Ambode has over Agbaje in almost every area of assessment. Arrival at this summation is not just because Ambode has managed to lift himself up unto a pedestal in which he is seen as a capable and well-prepared for the task ahead, but also because Agbaje, rather curiously, has not managed to live up to the expectation that his second shot at the gubernatorial goal would pack as much punch as the last time in 2007 if not better.

Ambode’s first edge is his early bird approach to tasks. He used this strategy rather ingeniously in the run-up to his party’s primaries. Since May 2014 when he launched his biography and had the Oba of Lagos endorse his candidacy, there had been nothing stopping him. His consultations and tour of Local Governments were as determined as they were decisive, thereby revealing him as one who wouldn’t take the opportunity of being a preferred candidate lightly. It was almost as saying that even if his candidacy would be threatened; it wouldn’t be on the basis that he did not work hard for it or that he was not acceptable to party members across the Local Government areas.
It was the same strategy he used immediately after winning the primaries – granting the right kind of interviews and combining mega rallies with consistent meetings with different segments of the society. Agbaje, on the other hand, came too late into the game. There was hardly any pre-primary assurance of readiness. His entry seemed unsure or forced. But even after defeating Obanikoro at the primary election, it took several weeks of tortuous expectations to begin to see his posters and feel his presence. The initial impression communicated was that Agbaje was reluctant to wear the PDP toga.
It did appear like the damage had been done, because when Agbaje eventually got his groove back, it was almost in slow motion, preferring town hall meetings to grand rallies that communicate the strength of his party and the popular perception.
You would almost think Ambode’s methodical campaigns in the print, broadcast and online media came too early as to give Agbaje an opportunity to launch a response. This never happened as his ‘Bold Ideas and New Opportunities’ concept lacked the cutting edge attractiveness expected of him. Compared to Ambode’s aesthetically-savvy print adverts, Agbaje’s was left to do mere catch-up. But this is even more evident in how Agbaje is disappointing in not having a catchy jingle this time around unlike when his ‘Everybody Loves Jimi Agbaje’ jingle was a communication hit eight years ago.

Agbaje’s first faux pas was to have initially used that old jingle of eight years ago after winning the primary in December. That was a weak shot at goal. Like Agbaje himself who has grown older and lost a bit of his charm, his 2007 hit jingle has lost verve and unsuitable for this year’s upbeat campaign. In beating a costly retreat, consequently, Agbaje ceded the space to Ambode who seized the opportunity in a manner that the PDP candidate might never recover. His first creative salvo was the AMBO sound track that featured the best of Nigeria’s popular musicians. With that jingle conveniently taking over the airwaves, it was as if Agbaje would have to get angels to compose for him to get a re-match. But more woes await Agbaje as another hit soundtrack, Everybody Lo L’eko, sung by Yemi Alade, became the icing on the cake.
But by far the most spectacular of Ambode’s communications strategy is the ‘I Believe’ commercial and sound track video, featuring the candidate himself alongside the cream of Nollywood and hip-hop music stars. This is as classic as it is award-winning. It is unlikely if any political jingle in the history of Nigerian politics would match this video, in terms of concept, content and creative accomplishment. Agbaje should not have responded to it. But he did, rather unfortunately, with the ‘Agbaje No 1’ video and soundtrack that parades artistes of lesser creative ranking.

All these of course have consequences on the rating of both candidates on social media, a youthful platform where Agbaje was initially projected to have an advantage. But the reality of Ambode’s edge over Agbaje on social media has got nothing to do with the six years age difference between them. It has a lot to do with Ambode’s head-start and the consistency of his events – rallies, meetings, visitations etc. When he hit the 100.00 mark on facebook last December, Agbaje was at 75.000. Today, the APC standard bearer has almost doubled that of his PDP counterpart. The same edge is seen in his twitter handle followership.
And how ingenious it is of Ambode’s handlers to have created an iconic A+ logo to counter Agbaje’s JK alias and still crown it with a sobriquet from his surname – AMBO, which has since metamorphosed into a buzzword conveying the sense that Lagos is ready to take on the world. The power of social communication!
Like the issue of Ambode’s mega rallies as opposed to Agbaje’s town hall meetings and enlisting top artistes and celebrities to endorse him, Ambode’s edge over Agbaje on social media communicates an important message – popularity and acceptability.
But I do not think Agbaje’s reluctant posture has so much to do about funds.
While Ambode popularized the use of A-Frames as campaign tools as a better alternative to posters, Agbaje has responded with equal vigour showing that he too could match if not surpass Ambode’s budget and goodwill for such materials. But the image of the party and responsiveness of each candidate’s media machinery come in. The media is awash with stories of Ambode’s A-Frames and billboards being defaced and his supporters being attacked by the opposition. The APC candidate’s media handlers released a statement on this and were able to portray the opposition as the aggressor and gained sympathy traction for their candidate.
There is yet the ingenious manner in which the perception that Agbaje was better qualified was halted. Ambode’s team simply released their candidate’s CV, and asked the voters to judge. It was impossible to ignore the richness of the resume of a man who had the second best result in the whole of West Africa at 17; graduated in Accountancy at 21, earned a Master’s Degree and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at 24, became a Fulbright Scholar at 35 and has run a private company since 2012 which has the likes of Price WaterHouse Coopers on the list of its clientele.
If Agbaje’s camp had a response to that, it didn’t appear eager to want to show it and in any case, the allegation of tax evasion hanging over Agbaje’s JK Pharmacy, even though he claims to have stepped down as the Chairman, does not help his image until he is, perhaps, able to produce evidence to the contrary.

Lastly, I am aware of Agbaje’s camp claim of ‘victory’ at the debate with Ambode. It would be unfair to the PDP candidate not to aspire to at least an edge, moreso that he went in with the burden of the gaffe over why Nigerians must vote for Jonathan if they did not want the South-South region to ruin the economy. But swag and gift of the garb do not always make up for experience and hard facts as seen in the two debates where both candidates have slugged it out. Yet, another gaffe about returning commercial motorcycles (Okada) to the highways removes from a candidate’s electability, because figures from orthopedic hospitals and the police show that for the sake of personal safety and public security, excusing the Okadas from the few major highways was indeed a wise and remarkable policy.
It is needless to stress the limited effects that debates have on the outcome of elections, especially in this clime where it has become three for a dime, with every media house and organization making a pastime of organizing debates. But then one can see Ambode walking away with an advantage. He cannot be accused of shying away from engaging his contestants, having done one with eight others at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church and then a one-on-one with Agbaje on the platform of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What seems to count, in totality, is what the NOI polls has succinctly captured in its latest survey showing that Ambode leads in its opinion poll with 26% as against Agbaje’s 21%. While the large pool of undecided voters may play a role in who eventually emerges as governor, undecided voters often tend to take a cue from the result of current polls just like opinion polls, like actual elections, tend to build on the current impressions, head-start advantage and popularity of the candidates.
––Stevens, a Media and Public Affairs Analyst, resides in Lagos

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Yobo Preaches Violence Free Elections, Meets Igbo Community in Lagos

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Read Time:2 Minute, 29 Second

 The atmosphere was electrifying as a small crowd of select personalities from the various pro-Jonathan groups in Lagos representing different sectors of the Igbo community gathered at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos. Ambassador of The Peoples Democratic Party Ward to Ward Initiative and former captain of the national team, Joseph Yobo had called for the gathering and offered to host them to a dinner.

Those present at the event included the co-ordinator of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, Prince Eke Obi, Executive Director TAN, Ifeanyi Ekwulugo, Dan Edokwe, ED, TAN, Mrs Uche Obiora, Women Leader, TAN,, Joseph Anurukem, Presidents of Enugu and Ebonyi States town unions, among others Yobo’s message was clear as he told them that being their in law (Yobo is married to an Igbo woman), he flew all the way from Abuja to meet and interact with them on issues of common good. As an ambassador of PDP Ward to Ward Initiative, Yobo did not hide his intentions – to woo every Igbo man and woman to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said this could only be achieved in a peaceful and convivial atmosphere, where there is no rancour. He therefore challenged Nigerians, particularly the youths to resist any attempt by those he described as desperate politicians to use them to foment trouble before, during and after the forthcoming presidential elections. “Nobody should allow those who want to cause trouble have their way.
The youths of this country must stand up and support what is good and say no to evil.” He added, “all Nigerian youths must work towards a free, fair and violence free elections. Those fanning the embers of war have taken their families abroad.

So, don’t be deceived.” Yobo, a self-confessed “strong supporter” of President Good luck Jonathan’s re-election bid said this when he hosted numerous Explaining the essence of the dinner which was attended by representatives of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), market women, traders unions, community development associations, youth organizations, among others, Yobo said he was in Lagos to see his ‘in-laws’ and convey the good wishes of the President to them for their support.
The former Everton star said his support for the President was total. “It is my personal conviction because I believe he is the best man to lead Nigeria. He has achieved so much despite the countless distractions, and he has promised to do more,” Yobo said. “When you hear the President speak, you hear facts, realities and achievements.”

Continuing, Yobo said President Goodluck Jonathan’s achievements have gone unsung.
“But they are there for all to see,” he retorted. He thanked members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria and promised to be present with members of the PDP Ward to Ward Initiative at the mega rally planned for Lagos on Sunday.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: What Akwa Ibom People Should Know Before February 28

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Read Time:8 Minute, 43 Second

When he was born in Awa Iman, a quiet community in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on July 11, 1966, his parents did not throw a sumptuous party to welcome him. They did not buy some of the luxurious infant products of the time to indulge him; neither did they feed him with the proverbial silver spoon. His family could not afford any of these but they had something more precious and in vast supply – LOVE – and they lavished it on him.

Of course, nobody could have expected a local preacher and head-teacher with a paltry salary to kill a cow to celebrate the birth of a child. Even if he had a vault filled with money, it was still unthinkable he would declare a lavish feast because his wife delivered a handsome baby boy with a round face, red lips and glistering eyes. He loved his young son so much, but would never indulge him. He was more interested in inculcating in his children, the enduring values of moderation, forthrightness and selflessness. And they did.
While the thought of indulging his children never crossed his mind, the local preacher and his beautiful wife were in the business of helping indigent families within and outside their community; sometimes at the risk of starving themselves and their kids. Just like many teachers at that time who combined teaching jobs at mission schools with preaching, his father gave equal devotion to his job as headmaster in the various mission schools he was posted and also preached in the church. It is an extraordinary story of a man who served two masters and did that without offending either. With this, he taught his children the high prize of dignity of labour.  
As a teacher and preacher who knew that charity can only be charity when it begins at home, he laid the foundation of discipline not only for his glistering-eyed son but also for all his children right from the crib. To every single child that crossed his path, either in the church or school, he was the quintessence of humility, hard work, honesty, and integrity and above all, the fear of God. In dealing with the little ones, he neither cuddled nor abused the cane.

This is the story of a man who exhibited the heart of humanity and emblazoned the spirit and soul of greatness – the story of Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, the father of Udom, the former secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 28, gubernatorial election.
But this is not all about Teacher Nkanang. Of course, the old teacher ran an amazing race, won astonishing prizes, and raised generations of heroes, heroines and champions before handing over the baton in retirement. Another race is just about to begin and his son is in it.
I had carefully presented the story of Mr. Nkanang, to demonstrate the richness of Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s character, the compelling evidence of his shrewd upbringing and the profundity of his humanness.  You can, therefore, agree that a lion does not give birth to a monkey neither does a farmer harvest wild cassava from a well-tended sweet potato farm. I can hear a lot of readers chorusing, impossible! And I agree with all of you.
Those who sat in the same classroom with him in primary school including my colleague Ekerete Udo, and many others will tell you he is a great guy you would always love to meet. But they won’t tell you he fought for one day in school or stole a ball pen or groundnut or sweet which was and is still common among pupils.

Children, whose parents combined teaching with preaching in those days, needed nobody to advise them to live right because of the consequences of being caught on the other side of discipline. And such consequences came in torrents. Therefore, it was not surprising that as a young boy, Mr. Emmanuel trekked with other kids to school, cut grass at the school field, cultivated the school farm and did everything every pupil did even when his father was head teacher.
Apart from being a very visible figure in school back in the day, Mr. Emmanuel also featured prominently in the church – first as a Sunday pupil and later as a Sunday school teacher. A close family relation, Mary said Mr. Emmanuel was not given to childhood pranks but had a healthy sense of humour and would always smile away annoying situations.
“I remember vividly, having been privileged to be with Udom in primary school in the 70s,” said Ekerete Udo, a United States-based journalist.

“Udom was Mathematics’ whiz-kid and his sense of altruism and brotherliness manifested back then when he offered to mentor and teach some of us who were mathematically challenged. I remember getting scared going to our Mathematics class because of my manifest deficiencies in that subject, and having been blessed to have my seat next to him, he would always reassure me that everything would be fine, that mathematics was not that confounding, all I needed to do was to understand the concepts and apply them.” And that was just what my colleague, Ekerete did.
In the face of daunting challenges Ekerete and his friends faced, Mr. Emmanuel responded with love and shared with his colleagues; the wealth of his character, the depth of his generosity and the nobility his intellect.
This does not mean Mr. Emmanuel is a saint. Of course, he is not and nobody is either. He made some of the mistakes young people make but would not give in to things that could tarnish his reputation and that of his family. Perhaps, that was why he was able to rise to become a consummate banker; keeping billions for people, corporate bodies, multinationals, international agencies and governments without ever dipping his hands into the till. And you think such a person doesn’t deserve to be given greater responsibilities?
Far from his home in Awa Clan, Mr. Emmanuel has traversed the world acquiring knowledge, developing skills and cultivating sympathies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and has attended professional courses in some of the best institutions in the world. A chartered accountant with career stint at the Price Waterhouse Coopers, Mr. Emmanuel had an uncanny anointing for planting and growing banks. He developed the Zenith Bank in United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars. He would have developed a Zenith Church if the management of the bank was interested in running a mega ministry. He wasn’t just a good banker; he is also a Christian to the core.
Apart from planting and growing banks and making billions of profit for shareholders, Mr. Emmanuel also held top positions in some of the best financial bodies within and outside the African continent. He was a non-executive director, African Finance Corporation, AFC, director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems, NIBBS, non-executive director, Zenith Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank Gambia; Zenith Bank, Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian, Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars.

After 23 years of an accomplished career which culminated in his being appointed executive director, Corporate Finance and Advisory Services, Research and Strategy/Financial Control, Telecoms of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Emmanuel got a call from Uyo. And he didn’t hesitate to return to the land of his birth to help make it a truly great place.
I have a lot of things against Governor Godswill Akpabio who demolished my dream but I can’t help but stand with him and those who support Mr. Emmanuel for the governorship of the state come February 28. Mr. Akpabio is right on point this time around.
You want to know why it is imperative for Akwa Ibom people to burry whatever misgivings they might have had against the emergence of Mr. Emmanuel as candidate for the election?
Firstly, he is a blue-blooded indigene of Akwa Ibom State and a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other Nigerian, including the right to vie for any office in the land. Secondly, he has not violated any known law or done anything wrong to warrant his being disqualified from any elective position. Thirdly, he has the qualification and experience to run the economy of the state; after all, the former Governor of the then Cross River State, Clement Isong, who wasn’t a regular politician but had a great career in the banking sector didn’t disappoint. Fourthly, he is the only gubernatorial candidate standing election in Akwa Ibom State today who has not been a part of the odds and ends of the dangerous political manoeuvrings that polarised our state and destroyed our bond of brotherliness, our common pride and our hopes.  
While it is normal to disagree, we must not be distracted by the petty and trivial notions that amplify persons, zones and political parties over the qualification, credibility, integrity and capacity of the individuals vying for various public offices.
For those who love the state as much as I do, we must roll up our sleeves and work to ensure that only the best candidates emerge during the forthcoming elections and that involves making very hard choices.
As citizens – men, women, parents and children- we must begin to accept responsibility in the little opportunities and bigger tasks that time and chance avail us. We must begin to instil the values of hard work and an ethic of achievement in our children and our youth. We must be apt to support credible candidates who will strengthen our communities, send our children back to school, generate jobs, encourage industrialisation and create limitless opportunities for our dreams and aspirations to flourish and blossom into great fields of accomplishments.
These are what every Akwa Ibom man, woman and young adult of voting age should know before dipping his or her thump in the ink and placing it on a ballot paper. May God give us honest, decent, generous, compassionate and patriotic leaders under which we will be united not only by our.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: What Does Femi Fani-Kayode Really Want?

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Read Time:8 Minute, 12 Second

 Femi Fani-Kayode has been in the news in recent times not only because of his role as Director, Media and Publicity of PDP’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, but also because of his antecedents which few consider to be unstable and laced with allegations of corruption, therefore, unfit to hold such a sensitive position as he currently does for Mr President. Since, as Director of Media and Publicity, he is bound to speak to the press on a regular basis on behalf of his Principal, Femi Fani-Kayode is naturally bound to receive reactions from all and sundry who are politically concerned for our great nation. Men are bound to do a check on who this man who speaks with the confidence of an angel is. What is the force driving him? Why does he speak so courageously when he has a case with the EFCC hanging around his neck? Why did he jump ship from PDP to APC and then back to PDP? Could that be attributed to his search for pecuniary gains and parochial considerations? People are bound to ask, did he run back to the PDP just to get the protection of the powers that be? Or did he do that as a matter of strong personal conviction? And so many other issues which appear controversial and seem to put the Osun State-born former Minister of Aviation on the wrong end of the stick. Yet, he has not relented, and against the tide of the whirlwind, he seems to be climbing higher and cutting for himself the image of an icon who can neither be cowed nor tamed.

Yes, Fani-Kayode cannot be tamed, nor does he look tamable. He has defied every attempt at demystifying him and shown uncommon courage where men dread while standing with the last iota of strength in his vein at any point in battle, no matter how ferocious. This has been Fani-Kayode’s lot since he was a boy. He was well known in his university days as a young man who stood for what he believed in and so spoke to those concerned without batting an eyelid no matter whose ox was gored. That is the reason why one of his friends, Araba Ayodeji, once described him back then as “…a combination of the Great Gatsby and Steve Mcqueen. Rebellious and learned, wrapped up in one energetic combustible engine”. This declaration by Ayodeji about Fani-Kayode was made when the Presidential Campaign Organisation spokesman was in his late teens/early twenties.
That shows that Fani-Kayode did not just pick up any of his virtues for political reasons or financial patronage as some may want us to believe. It is simply that the man is courage, and courage is the man. He seems to have been born into it and bathed with it until he was grown enough to fend for himself. These are virtues that have been with him from when he was a boy, virtues he has nurtured to maturity by the constant exercising of them.

Agreed that FFK as he is fondly called is courageous and outspoken, the questions many are still asking are, what are his motivations for deploying his God-given gifts in situations? In short, what does Femi Fani-Kayode really want? Why did he go from PDP to APC and then back to PDP? What was his scorecard as Minister of Aviation in terms of the financial running of the ministry? Did he use his position to corruptly enrich himself? An attempt will be made in this piece to try and figure the motivation behind his political roundabout drive and other issues in order to put the records straight.
Let us begin with his case at EFCC. Some have alleged that he went back to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as an easy way out of the corruption charges leveled against him by the anti-corruption body.

But that assumption is not only wrong and merely presumptuous, it is very preposterous. Going by his antecedents, Fani-Kayode does not need anybody’s protection to prove his innocence in a case that he is very sure he has done nothing wrong. If he was to be looking for such protection, he would not have contemplated leaving the ruling party in the first place. He left because he was convinced it could be better at the other side. And that’s human. Leaving the party that could give you protection from a life-threatening case is suicidal. To pursue his convictions, Fani-Kayode was ready to commit suicide, figuratively speaking, he was ready to die.
If he rejoined PDP to have the corruption case against him quashed, the question then is, why has the case not been quashed since his return? Why has he been made to pass through the troubles of defending himself with its attendant cost in time, money and efforts? He has submitted himself to the investigative and court processes, and PDP, as a law-abiding body, too, has allowed the process to run its full course without let, hindrance or influence. By the way, if FFK was corrupt as APC apologists would want us to believe, why did they welcome him warmly when he defected to their party?
However, on getting to the APC, he observed as an insider, the insidious plans of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the forthcoming presidential election. He knew that the plan was very thick and that it could take only a miracle to have it aborted. Knowing that the plan had reached an advanced stage, almost to a point of no return despite all attempts for the party to see reason, and since that would offend the religious sensibilities and convictions of a majority of Nigerians (a fact FFK has never hidden), he had no choice but to leave for a party that would be more tolerant and more sensitive to the realities of religious biases in our nation even if it meant going back “home” to PDP. But for his relentless and vigorous campaign, working together with other stakeholders of like-minds against such ill-advised move by the APC, the opposition party would have committed political hara-kiri by fielding an absolutely unsellable Muslim/Muslim ticket.

The APC, if for nothing else, rather than vilify him, should be thankful to FFK for preventing them from self-induced political implosion as they eventually heeded his advice and allowed some reason to prevail. Apart from this, FFK was also miffed by the tactless determination of the powers that be in the opposition party to make Muhammadu Buhari their presidential candidate in spite of the baggage of political liabilities he was coming to the table with.
As a man who had made statements unbecoming of an elder statesman and has shown his incurable knack for publicly promoting one religion and its tenets over another, Femi Fani-Kayode repudiated that idea and would call the party to work for the emergence of a more moderate Muslim as their presidential candidate, a Muslim who would be tolerant and accommodating to all religions in the country. Knowing full well long before the party’s presidential primaries that the system had been set up to favour the emergence of Buhari as the preferred candidate of the opposition, the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, had no other option but to just walk away. So, rather than denigrate him for his outspokenness, Fani-Kayode should be commended. The seemingly endless controversies trailing Muhammadu Buhari today is an eloquent testimony to the fact that Fani-Kayode saw deep into the future, and he saw well. In fact, what he saw while sitting, others could not see even while standing on the long PHCN electrical pole.
Furthermore, the allegation of corruption leveled against the former Minister, has gone from prosecution to persecution. This is a man who was charged with some frivolous 47-count charge and eventually reduced to a 40-count charge all in a desperate bid to nail him. Although Femi Fani-Kayode had all the opportunity to run away from the shores of the country just like some who were facing corruption charges had done in the past, he has rather chosen to stay put and clear his name in the court of law. That is the right thing any sensible man who has no skeleton in his cupboard should do. After all, the courts have already quashed 38 out of the phantom remaining charges.

Those who are persecuting him on the pages of newspapers should know that court cases are not won that way but on the strength of evidence proven before the courts. In our land, everyone is deemed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. To deny anyone his/her rights or appointment into public or private offices because of any case yet to be concluded in any court of law is the height of corruption and injustice. To criticise anyone who appoints a Nigerian into any office based on any on-going case is an act of wickedness and man’s inhumanity to man. It is on this basis that men of goodwill have roundly condemned Festus Keyamo’s recent statement on Fani-Kayode’s appointment by President Jonathan into his Campaign Organisation. Like Femi himself said recently, the February 14, 2015 presidential election is not just another election; it is a battle for the soul and future of our nation. What Femi wants is nothing but the safety of our nation, the continued restoration of her soul and the guarantee of her future, and for this, he is ready to do battle. No more, no less.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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2015: the battle between Bishop Oyedepo and Pastor Adeboye

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Read Time:2 Minute, 9 Second

 This election is beginning to look like a contest between these two great men of God. Between them they have the capacity to close down the Lagos Ibadan Expressway permanently. Their combined followership will almost eclipse the population of Africa, hence the rush by both candidates to seek their endorsement and support. I even hear that the fact that Osinbanjo was a top member of the Redeemed helped his emergence as the running mate to my General. These two people carry so much influence and should I say power. Me in my little shomolu have felt their massive influence in my life.

  The other day when I was caught looking out, my madam insisted that the only way I would be forgiven was if Pastor Adeboye personally called her. It’s Four years now, I am still sleeping on the couch and I have not been able to reach the gate of the Camp talk less of meeting him and asking him to intercede on my behalf.
So when I watched the video with President Jonathan worshiping with Bishop Oyedepo, I marveled and did not blame him. If you see the number of votes that will come his way after that spiritual endorsement you will understand why he went. Bishop will just make one pronouncement and there will be no argument everybody will line behind his candidate. Same with Redeemed on the other side. You see how we have mixed religion with politics. People are now voting according to which church you are attending.
So the February 14 election to me, will be a referendum on these powerful men of God. Which one is more powerful. The winner of the election will answer the question for us.

I have stopped going to church for sometime now but have been thinking which one to go to since things have been happening to me. I have been faced with all sort of spiritual problems, like my mother preferring my younger brother in Saudi Arabia as her favourite son, not meeting my target at work, getting bald and not being able to cure permanently my addiction to coca cola. So I have been advised to choose a church to attend and all sort of churches have been recommended including synagogue. But since I am not South African, that was no option.
I will make my decision after Feb 14 when the result comes out. If Jonathan wins, I will start going to Ota and if Buhari wins, then na me and go slow for redeemed camp. My fingers are crossed.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: President Goodluck Jonathan Orders the Arrest of Gov. Fayose and Obanikoro

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Read Time:1 Minute, 12 Second

The incumbent President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate and urgent arrest of Governor Ayo Fayose and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

He said this in an emergency meeting he had with his aides after an Audio file was released online containing voices that alledgely belong to these two politicians and some other people.

The President has given the Inspector general of Police the express go ahead to mobilize his men, find them and arrest them immediately.

The President has also ordered that all military and non-military  (civilian) officers be on the look-out and work hand-in-hand with the IG of Police to arrest Fayose and Obanikoro as soon as possible.

Goodluck has also warned that he will not approach his room let alone sleep till these people are confirmed to be behind bars and also warned that he wasn’t involved in the plan to rig ekiti election.

FNN has tried effortlessly to confirm from the President as to why only these two people have to be arrested, confirm why they were being arrested and to find out if they stand a chance to be jailed since he – Goodluck Jonathan – has vowed to jail anyone found to be corrupt irrespective of their political stand/positions.

Our reporters are hanging around the Government to hear/see firsthand anything that comes up as we are committed to bring you the NEWS before the NEWS.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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