By Adewale Akande, Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 18. 2012

Great evil is achieved by abnormal few. Therorists embrace actions that will contribute to human suffering, never give chance or opportunity to develop an egalitarian society, individual freedom, particularly freedom of thought and expression. They harm another people due to lack of intelligence choices, behavious and actions. They always pick what seems most comfortable and not what is realistic. Their behaviour undermines the civilities of ordinary life. They always result to violence which is anti-thesis of democracy. Violence is a creed of uncivilized  and weak people with mental and spiritual bankruptcy. Violence is brutish. It is anti-social, anti-national and also anti-international. Undoubtedly, violence is a sin against humanity.

Faith and violence are opposite. Faith according to my little oxford dictionary is “ trust, belief especialy in religion” but this sect or cult belief  is “not resting on logical proof or material evidence”. This group are set of fideists with the believe that reason cannot achieve certain kinds of truth, which must instead be accepted only by faith. They are set of people which Mencius, the Chinese Confucian-philosopher says “…act without clear understanding, to form the habit without investigation, to follow a path all one’s life without knowing where it really leads-such is the behaviour of the multitude”.

 Meanwhile, being very ignorant and naive of their religion ethics, they undersatood that real change can only come about through coercion or violence and not through education, dialogue and a change of heart. They don’t even know that the purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one from the words of Horace Mann. This set of people does not realise that all life is interelated in one way or the other. At a century when the people are working hard to change the world for a better place to live, they are turning themselves to masters of destruction. Boko Haram cult have killed more than five hundred people and injured many with their bloody bomb blasts in 2011. More than five hundred creation of God have been killed for religious reasons or excuses! People that kill other fellow human beings for any reason are murderers and should be dealt with and disciplined by the iron fist of the law.

Boko Haram have been operating and killing innocent people since 2009 and the weak central government have not found a solution to protect their citizens. The country police and security system have failed woefully. Despite huge investments in terms of votes and wages for Nigerian seven hundred and seventy-nine “think-tank” representatives, and duplicated cabinet / executive officials, who are draining the economy with their wages and allowances, have not come out with good ideas and strategies to save the lives and properties of its citizens. Armed robbery strikes today, kidnappings tomorrow, and bomb blast near the secret police headquarters next tomorrow. Everybody lives in fear in a sovereign entity. Are we not living in a state of nature where human life becomes “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” according to Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). I hope it would not take the government again much time before realising to make positive changes in the Nigeria Police and the whole security operatives as done with the EFCC. I hope calling FIB to investigate for us will not extend to seeking just returned USA army to save Nigerians from the enemies within.

Religion is a concept of a life, love and friendship.The goal of any religious evolution is the oneness of man and man, and of man and God. Organisations with a religious background are actors and partners in relief, reconstruction and development programmes and projects  Boko Haram members, to me, are not real or devot muslims. One of the ideals of muslim life is the attainment of peace on all fronts. But, this people are heartless hired therorists sponsored by disgrunted leaders to derail the foundation of democratic process in Nigeria. They are being paid for political interest. They lied to the world with fake requests of “turning Nigeria into Muslim state” and the “western education is sinful” stuff. Where would they be without western education? They have been brainwashed with the notion of Jihad (which means struggle). It is just a mission impossible for a secular nation like Nigeria to yield to those absurd requests. Haram members are doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons and at the wrong time.

Human society is to unite, organize for common goal. It is a community of human beings with different religions and cultures, showing warmth, sympathy, respect and love to each other. It is not a place where people are desperate to split blood of innocent people because of religion or political differences. A human society is to be run for the benefits of all people in all nooks and corners of a nation without fear, threat or prejudice. Human beings are the best creation on the earth as we have made progress in many areas of, science, technology, sports, arts, cultures, and so on. If the people are not save, nothing can be achieved. The country’s vision to be among the league of the first twenty industrialised economies of the world by the year 2020 will be just a dream with insecurity of lives. It is only when we do the right thing, with determination combined with opportunity and intelligence, then can make things happen-in an exceptional way.

The government of every nation is established to make use of men of integrity, honesty and patriotism to integrate all social, political, economical and environmental systems in a plan for all citizen.Good leaders produce dynamic society. The government should know that when an institution beomes inactive, less and less democratic, the obligation to abide by its decisions diminishes. Nigerians will not tolerate a society with one set of safety standards for those with money and a set of inferior standards for those without.The government of a country has a responsibility to ensure the well-being and security of its citizens as well as being good steward of country’s resources in all ramifications. Democracy simply means “getting things done” and not crazy for power.

Written by,

Adewale T Akande, a road and traffic safety consultant,

Barcelona, Spain. adewale_akande@hotmail.com Tel:0034-600877296

By Adewale T. Akande, Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 6, 2012 -

Fellow Nigerians, history is the memory of mankind and philosophy of history is the analytical ability of man to distinguish correct from incorrect. Philosophy of history helps to know the reasons for the rise and fall of nations. There is nothing I will like to tell you now about the present situation of our fatherland that you don’t have first hand information on.  Is it about the leadership recycling (tired brains) and failure, pervasive corruption, violence and insecurity of lives and property, treasury looting, elusive kidnappings, death-trap highways, hospitals without drugs, inept civil service and triumph of mediocrity, lip service rule of law being violated with much impunity, fading national sports, high level unemployment and poverty, sophisticated armed robbery, notorious 419 letters, prisons congestion, epileptic infrastructure, religion fideism and terrorism, devlish political crisis, recent fuel hike from 65 naira to 141 naira per litre (130 % increase), all which are making development impossible. It is time for positive change, unity, and progress in Nigeria. Progress, according to George Bernard Shaw “…is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”

Meanwhile, I quite understand how these problems and the image of our country has been affecting us either directly or indirectly in our entire daily life endeavour. The country has not made any practical progress due to selfish, corrupt and incompetent representatives in the corridors of power. Everybody is very disturbed, sad, irritated, demoralised and angry about the worsening situation. Infact, it got to a stage that anytime I ring my co-Nigerian friends here in overseas, after the first normal greeting exchanges, they always ask me; “Wale, I hope you ‘re not calling again to discuss about the Nigeria issues?”. Sometimes, I don’t even blame them. Being human, I was almost fed-up if not for the  motivating responses got from one of my favourite published articles title :”Time to vote for a New Nigeria” in which I got more than hundred telephone calls and forty-six text messages from unknown Nigerians (though, few considering the nation’s population), Also, the few positive changes in the last year general election organised by Prof. Jega brings a ray of hope for Nigerians before the notorious islamist Boko Haram’s bloody strikes that have sent many citizens to their early grave.

My dear brothers and sisters, without wasting your precious time, firstly, am not writing as a member of any Nigerian or foreign political party or organisation, nor demanding for any fund, money or materials for any movement. The main reason for writing this letter is to seek for the full support of all Nigerians living abroad to unite, coordinate, educate, mobilize. invest and participate physically, emotionaly and spiritually in the ongoing political processes in Nigeria as from the beginning of this new year. We are among the best and brightest in virtually in all profession or everything that we are involved in. Nigeria is falling and we have to join hands to lift her up to retain her lost glories. The giant of Africa is sinking. Working together, we can do more. We are the solution to our country’s problems and nobody, and no country can do it for us. If we refuse to do something now, our children and future generation will definately regard our generation as a total failure. I know Nigerans associations have been making effort for a very long time, but now is the time for more serious and practical involvement before our country collapse. Posterity will never forgive us if we fail to act now and save the present critical situation. It is time to amend our “military drafted” constitution to allow for dual-citizenship participation in politics and end the senseless disenfranchisement of Nigerian intellectuals and adults of voting age abroad. Time for new political system of success.

My fellow countrymen, your active intervention will be in political participation and  sharing of your ideas and thougths on good governance, good practices  through  writing articles, poems, educational and professional books, organising, conferences, seminars / talks to all students from nursery / primary schools to the students’ unioinism associations in all disciplines of all public and private Nigerian colleges, polytechnics and Universities. Today is a gift, that’s why it is called –the present. Life is also a gift. Whatever you give out will return to you tenfold or more. This is time to use our gift not only to develop other coutries but to develop our own country no matter what it takes. Human beings are to meet the need of other, to assist other through a difficulty, to provide guidance and support, to aid physically, emotionally or spiritually.This is time to share your gift which is more valuable than money.

Dear sons and daughters of Nigeria, we must not remain silent or folding our hands in defeat. The time to be involved is now before it will be too late. It is now time for all Nigerian professionals both at home and abroad to come together and bring the country back to the right part. Time is like a river, you cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. This is the time to build a world class human resource base in Nigeria, develop and implement a lifelong learning education policy as more and better education is a prequiste for rapid economic development, provide professional orientation to prospective entrants in the labour works, provide world class quality products and services for the global market.

Fellow Nigerians, there is nothing wrong with our land. It is rich, vast and fertile. Human beings have the ability to create ways to live better and even change the environment to suit their needs and wants. Amalgamation of the country is not our real problem. Though to some, it is the genesis. The real problem from my own analysis, is the failure of leadership, and I see it as “the burden we are living with” till today. This is a problem that has a solution which has to be solved together as soon as possible. Both Nigerians at home and outside need one another to make a new Nigeria.  Pa Chinua Achebe is correct when he says “…the resources are so huge, and we are wasting it”. To be honest, we are very far from where we should be. With this asset, 80 percent of Nigerians do not deserve to be living at this abysmally very high poverty level.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, let come together from every nook and corner of the world where we are and join hands together. It is time to share your joy with those who are less fortunate than us and share your joy with those who need encouragement, share your laughter with those who have not heard any in such a long time, share your tears with those who have forgotten how to to cry, share your faith and hope to those who have none and at the end we come up with a New Nigeria of our dream. We shall win and laugh last to be proud Nigerians.

Thanks and may God bless you all. God bless Nigeria.

Written by,

Adewale T Akande, road traffic safety consultant,

Barcelona, Spain.  adewale_akande@hotmail.com Tel: 0034-600877296

By Adewale T. Akande, Barcelona, Spain – August 28, 2011 –

  A government where our collective political support, ideas and effective strategies will lift large numbers of Nigerian citizens out of  poverty. It is now time to reject politics of racial identity, hatred and revenge and embrace politics of unity, love, healthy competition and progress. This is the time to forget all the festering grievances of the past, admit those mistakes of the past, and move on healing old wounds which is essential for future success. Working together, we can do more and better. We are due for a government that will truly represent and serve all Nigerians. The country is now weak and fragile. It is our collective responsibility to fix it back. There is no problem on earth that doesn’t have a solution except death. Nigeria should not die in our generation.

         My dear representatives, as you know that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with more than one hundred and fifty million people. The whole population cannot all go to Abuja to debate and negotiate their interests and problems. That is why “we the people of Nigeria” elected 3 Senators from each thirty-six states and Abuja federal capital, making a total of 109 Senators to form the Upper house. We also elected 360 members to the House of Representatives representing the 774 local government in the Nigerian federation to form the lower house and represent our various interests. That is to say, in essence, we elected total number of  469 representatives to organise a democratic conversation around our collective future in the National Assembly in less than 1,440 days-every four years. This house must not divide against itself.

        Dear ambassadors of Nigeria in Abuja, the time is short and that is why you men of integrity and trust have to give your deep commitments. It is time to work hard on new initiatives, performances and improvements. Leadership is full of opportunity to do the right thing. It is not for fun or glamour. Doing the right things is more important than doing things right. If we do the right things, we all live in peace of mind, but if we continue doing wrong things, there will be no end to poverty, unemployment, corruption, kidnapping, armed-robbery, hired-killers, bomb-blasts, and religious crisis. This is time for serious men to do serious work to save a sinking nation. Let me remind you that this is not a direct federal government appointment. It is an appointment from the consent and will of the people. A sacred bond. You represent the whole people of the nation. You are our only voice and source of joy. The mirror of the whole society.

         Your excellency lawmakers, the Nigeria people repose their confidence in you in finding lasting solutions to irregular electricity and water supply, live security, food shortage, bad state of education, transportation problems, unemployment, corruption, shortage medical facilities, and obsolete infrastructures. The people in return promise to obey the laws of the land, work harder, pay their taxes regularly, care for their families to prevent deliquents, and love the country that make it a better for them fulfil their hopes and aspirations. Nigerian voters still believe in representative democracy and that is why you saw them came out enmasse to vote for you in the last general elections. James Madison, one of the important architects of the American constitution gave his support for the system of representation as a mechanism “ to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations”.

        My dear patriotic representatives, the Nigerian voters wanted something different and solutions to their problems considering the level of awareness in the last general elections. They came out in multitude despite all odds to cast their votes under a neutral and non-partisan electoral body of Prof. A. Jega. Politicians are true representatives when they make promises and keep those promises. You are better when competently manage the country’s resources to the advantage of its citizens. To set examples of hard work and principled living. The idea behind a representative government concept is that, every sovereign nations or societies are invariably formed for a particular purpose and no individuals can acquire all of the genuine necessities of life. Thereby a representative government is formed for mutual achievement of common goals and aspirations.

        My honourable lawmakers, a representative government is a system in which the people elect representatives to represent their ideals, desires, opinions, problems, needs and interests in the governning body. The governing body as a whole serves the will of the people that makes it to exist in the first place. A representative is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person or organization. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia defines representative democracy as “a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people…”. Edmund Burke, an Anglo-Irish stateman, political theorist and philosopher also goes further to explain the duty of a representative in a democratic state; “ It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs (the people); and above all to prefer their (the people) interest to his own….unbiassed opinion, his mature judgement, his enlightened conscience are a trust from Providence…for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable”. Providence will never smile on the faces of those who betray this trust.

       My dear brothers and sisters of the National Assembly, the only contribution I can offer now to my great country is through my pen. This is our fatherland. You have to be happy with enough, and know what to believe and what to ignore. You are at the best position to unite with common challenges, ideas, hopes and aspirations to lay the foundation of a new Nigeria. This can be done by making vital and conclusive decisions on power supply, free and standard education, fighting crime and promoting public safety with 21^st century police force, research development in science and technology, building modern infrastructures, economic security and equal opportunity for all Nigerian families, social security, handicap and child support, affordable health care, create more jobs, and safeguard of our environment. You should replace despair with hope, and keep Nigeria secure, prosperous, free and re-write its history of greatness. Nigerians deserve the best. Thanks and may God bless the Republic of Nigeria.

Yours sincerely,

Adewale T Akande (M.sc.Political Sc.) University of Ibadan.  Author, Educationist         and Road Traffic Safety Consultant. Barcelona, Spain.  Tel: 0034-600877296

With the overwhelming preference for the ACN as expressed by the people of the zone, the South West has left on the marble, an emphatic statement about its self-conviction on the choice of political philosophy most suitable for the realization of the interest of the people of the zone. Such a manifest self-determination, abundantly testifies to the consciousness of the zone to the critical ingredients of growth and survival for any nation. Lack of sound and in-depth philosophical base, many have argued, has been the bane of Nigeria’s socio-political development.

It is not out of place to argue in this instance that the greatest dividend that Nigeria needs at the moment must be considered beyond physical infrastructures. Verily, Nigeria is in dire need of deep philosophical base, rooted in patriotic consciousness; sort of which is the only powerful tool to challenge and deflate divisive fault-lines that have continued to mock and retard every development effort. Our dear nation needs a consciousness that guarantees a rigorous intellectual locus, such that while reflecting through the leaders, radiates greatness, energize the entire populace for optimum service. I am referring to a philosophy which in the words of Chinua Achebe which will relegate the “ well-worn notion of unity of Nigeria or faith in Nigeria often touted by our corrupt leaders” and elevate that which is “based on the awareness of the responsibility of leaders to the led.”

In the short history of the ACN, the party has so far proven that it has all it takes to galvanize and take Nigeria to where it rightly belongs.  The story of Lagos state in this dispensation is quite revealing and so is the upbeat strides in Edo State both controlled by the party. These tates, most especially Lagos has completely proved wrong, the assertions of Charles De Gaulle that politicians never believe what they say and are therefore surprised when others believe them. With the entire South-West now under the kitty of the ACN, the revolution is sure taking its full course.

With the inchoate, deprecate and tottering  development paradigm with which the PDP government at the centre and in most of the states have left the polity bleeding, time and opportunity now beckon on the Action Congress of Nigeria to export its tested and effective alternative to the rest of the nation. Though the party has made significant inroad in some parts of the country, especially in the South East and North Central, the ACN is still viewed in most quarters as a Yoruba party. It therefore needs to shed this toga so as to take its rightful place as the best political platform for the realization of the Nigerian dream.

To achieve this is easy as well as difficult. It will be difficult in the sense that pruning provincial tendencies and feelings in the party so as to give way for broader accommodation of larger interests will engage more than mere slogans. It will be easy however because the leadership of ACN has over the years shown uncanny skill in party building. The bottom line will involve the re-engineering of its formal and informal chain of command without necessarily tempering with its laudable philosophy. But it must be done in such a way to stave off the invasion and corruptive influence of  the rotten elements who have lost space in the PDP.

However, the most critical and that which most Nigerians watch out is the way and manner the ACN as the largest opposition political party associates with the larger Nigerian polity and the necessary acts of balancing it will engage in allotting which ever gains that accrue to it. That will prove its pan Nigerian agenda.

In Anambra State for instance, Dr. Chris Ngige has single handedly built the ACN as the most formidable and popular political party in the state. He has convincingly made the party as the free choice for all those who love the interest of the state. I make bold to assert that besides Dr. Ngige and the bruised Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, General  Buhari, there are very few politicians in the country today who don’t need to rent a crowd to have massive turnout at political rallies.

Those who witnessed the April election in Anambra and saw the massive array of resources and the state apparatus of intimidation which the APGA led state government unleashed on Ngige, will come to an inevitable conclusion that it is only the man whom his God and the people fight for could have defeated Governor Peter Obi in his native Anambra Central Senatorial zone. The truth is that Dr. Akunyili was merely an APGA candidate and the face on the ballot but the battle was a rematch of February 6th 2010 governorship election and Ngige convincingly won.

The leadership of the Action Congress therefore needs to reward the faithful people of Anambra state who were roundly flogged and taunted by Governor Peter Obi for accepting according to him, “a Yoruba party.” It is time to force Obi to swallow his words in shame with a lesson that the ACN is not only a strategic growing party with a unimpeachable, tested agenda for national development but one that can also advance the peculiar interest of Ndi-Igbo.

In this vein, it is the opinion of many who defied and crushed the intimidation of the APGA led Anambra state government that conceding the position of the minority leader of the Senate to Dr. Ngige will be a proper first step in paying back the dogged fidelity of our people to the ACN, being the only Senator elected on the platform of that party in the entire old eastern region, now comprising four states in the South-South and the rest in the South -East.

• Obidiwe sent this piece from  Awka, Anambra State.

-Sun

      Your excellency, there is no doubt that you are having a great opportunity to make your mark in sands of time in leading a country which is complex with several diversity of two hundred and fifty ethnic groups, with four hundred distinct languages. The country with over one hundred and sixty population that makes her the most populous and largest democracy in Africa. With update information we lay our hands on in heaven, non out of the forty-seven countries that make up Europe and non of the all fifty-four African countries and a couple of disputed territories (Western Sahara and Somaliland), and South Sudan-the Africa’s newest “baby” officially born on July 9, 2011 can withstand what God have blessed this country in terms of abundant natural and human resources. With all these in place, Nigerians does not deserve to live in poverty, darkness, fear, stress, complexity, confusion and frustration, unemployment and underpaid. Even Denmark, which is regarded as the happiest country in the world according to the U.S. government-funded World Values Survey cannot boast one-quarter of Nigeria’s human and natural resources. It is now your responsiblity as the new leader of this crippling giant to make something happens to get her back to its feet.

      Dear President Jonathan, in order to make something happens in this Africa’s hardest job of burden of responsibilities or scopes of duties, you need to be smart, tough, organise, vision of what you want to accomplish in four years (just 1,460 days). You should have integrity driven with more talents and specialists to effect changes that the million of Nigerians are looking for. As a lucky boy that rose from assistant school prefect to senior prefect in your secondary school days, also elevated deputy Governor of Bayelsa state to the Governor, and from Vice-President to the President of Nigeria, so you are lucky as your name implies (Goodluck)  with abundant human and natural resources at your disposal to break the jinx of the past “accidental leaders”. It is now left with your ability without fear or favour to influence, motivate and provide the tools and environment to others so that they can best contribute towards the successful attainment of your goals and pledges made before the elections. You should remember the words of Prof. Chinua Achebe that the major problems of the nation “…is simply and squarely a failure of leadership…there is nothing basically wrong with the Nigeria character”

       Another person that gives vivid description of the country’s past leaders is the new INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, who actually perfomed brilliantly well in the conduct of the recently concluded general elections. He said in a lecture in Abuja that; “If the truth be told, past Nigerian leaders with few exceptions were self-serving rulers, not leaders. Some were even despots… They have generaly lacked vision, focus and selflessness and even enlighted self-interest. Many in leadership positions are unimaginably corrupt, they are greedy, they are vindictive, they are reckless and in many fundamental respects,senseless. Virtualy, whoever has access to power attempts to abuse it.” This year general elections have given bith to a new Nigeria with responsible leaders with integrity, patriotism and accountability. Leadership is about getting things done, getting results and improve performances.

     Your excellency, we do not say that you can change Nigeria in a day, but priority must be given to those needs of Nigerian citizens in order to have a successful term. Abraham Maslow’s needs pyramid explains the levels of human needs pshchological and physical that helps in long way for their survival and in pursuit of happiness. Nigerians need simple things, that is, the basic amenities to give the best quality of life. The very first issue we are appealing you and your Cabinet to find solution to before celebrating the next 51^st independence anniversay is the problem of electricity. This problems have complicate the lives of Nigerians. Electricity has a greater share on the present  problems of Nigeria. Everything on earth is interconnected with everything. If the country’s electricity is undistrupted for months, then the citizens today’s complex lifestyle will give way for necessary soci-political development and economic growth.

       Mr. President, another important issue we are much particular about is the educational sector which the past regimes have not been given necessary priority. Education is the only sector that makes a successful transition from childhood to adulthood where they will become “an impresively confident, knowledgeable, charming, resourceful, problem solver”. Education according to Chris Ormell. The editor of “Prospero” journal is “…pleasant maturation suprises..the young people who emerge should occasion such pleasant suprises, because they will actually enjoy displaying the disciplined envisioning and empathetic mental powers which today’s world so urgently needs, both in relation to things and people”. Education should be made compulsory for all school age children from primary to university level as from the 1^st of October, 2011. New law should be made to prohibit all the school age children from street hawking, loitering or begging for alms during the school hours of specific time. The only solution to poverty is functional and qualitative education. The more educated people are the less they are prone to illness and squalor.

    Your excellence, we have been witnessing widespread abuses, corruption and insecurity of lives and property of Nigerians.  The mission of Nigeria police force is “to deliver qualitative and efficient security and law enforcement services to the citizens of Nigeria” and not extort the poor citizens of hard earn money. The inefficiency of Police regarding maintaining law and order became obvious with the widespread extortion of money from motorist, riotings, kidnappings, killings, institutionalised bribery, election malpractices, frequent armed robbery, torture, harassment and loss of personal liberties and properties. All these problems can be changed if you take the bull by the horn by setting up a committee now to investigate, recommend, and implement within three months on better ways to recruit, train, motivate, renumerate and kit the police force to international standard. Then abolish all illegal road blocks or check points throughout Nigeria and that no policeman or traffic agent must extort or collect money from motorist in any way or any form as from next independence anniversary speech. Hencefort, all fines and any legal transaction of money involving them with the public must be paid to the government accredited or designated banks with appropriate receipts. The use of mobile telephones to record voice and photographs policeman will be at great advantage. Any policeman or group of policemen collecting or found with large sum of money while on duty after all said and done will be summarily dismissed.

     Dear Mr President, another area we jointly agreed for you to look into is the transportation sector. Available, accessible and effective transportation system is an improvement to the quality of life in any community regardless of size and location. Rail transportation is a colonial legacy in Nigeria which your regime have to revive and manage well. With the country’s population, the returns from effective and well managed railway transportation system can provide a free qualitative and functional education to every Nigerian children up to university level to save oil or even gas returns for other investment. Besides, your regime should embark on a National Road Safety Action Plan to be implemented over the next ten years. The aim of this safety plan should be concentrated on four “E” s: engineering, education, enforcement and emergency medical services to reduce roads accident in all our roads. Any expenditure on road safety improvement should be seen as an investment. The country’s growing population needs other new tansportation alternatives. The best ways to touch the people lives at the grass-root level in moving from one area to another is rehabilition, construction and managing of all roads. If all the seven hundred and seventy-four ( 774 ) local governments chairmen newly elected in Nigeria should embark  and maintaining a genuine roads facelift in their areas, then country will be saved to all motorists.

       Finally, President Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan, the history of great men are often backed by skills, experiences, intelligence, integrity, with the instincts- all combined together to achieve their goals. This last general election has finally put an end to “amala”, “tuwo” and “ogbono” politics in Nigeria. It is now the era of competent, reliable and patriotic politicians. Fighting of corruption have to start with you by declaring your assets, your new ministers and all elected representatives throughout the country. The only way to fight corruption is through transparency and accountability. A smaller, and more focused Cabinet has the possibility of minimizing cost, social complexity and human imperfection. There is also a need for a Sovereign National Conference to address the great issues facing Nigeria as a nation. You have to embark on wide scale  projects on agriculture, turism, oil and gas to boost employment opportunities and find a lasting solutions to Niger-Delta imbroglio. Let all Nigerians know that with love and unity among the Kanuris, the Igbos, the Gwaris, the Yorubas, the Fulanis, the Ijaws, the Hausas, the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Nupes, the Edos, the Tivs and the Ibibos, we can build a new Nigeria of peace, unity, progress, harmony and development with which no country of the world can withstand.

God bless you and all the people of Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Your sincerely,

Adewale T Akande ( M.ed.Educ.Mgt ),( M.sc.Political Sc.) University of Ibadan.

Author, Educationist and Road Traffic Safety Consultant.

Barcelona, Spain.  Tel: 0034-600877296

By Adewale Akande, Barcelona, Spain – April 29, 2011 -

The people of Oyo State have examine the activities of the present regime since 29^th of May 1999 till present day that culminate to twelve years of democratic government in the State with little achievements comparing to other neighbouring States.  The Pace-setter deserves more that its receiving from those greedy and incompetent accidental leaders forced on the people. The people were tired of unfulfilled promises, rhetoric and lies from these set of leaders who prefer to loot the treasury when those people that voted them in power are struggling without three square meals, basic social amenities and living lives of financial desperation. The people decided to change these set of  leaders who believe that greatness is property they accumulated within shortest time rather than great sacrifices and services they render for good of the citizens. The people were fed up with leaders without vision, focus, solutions, strategies, ideas and systems to build a strong foundation for successful life for them. These set of “amala” politicians have done their worst to leave us in a state of insecurity of lives and property. The never appreciated the value of education. That was why our children were frequently sent out of schools because of teachers’ strike action making the State education to be weak and chaotic. And these are the children who we want to become leaders of tomorrow and fill-up our civil services, public and private sectors!

 A new Oyo State with clear difference under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi will start on May,29 with good governance, a professional civil service, elimination of corruption in government, a predictable, transparent, and accountable administration, democratic decision-making, the supremacy of the rule of law, effective protection of human rights, an independence of judiciary and a fair economic system as the basic reason why he was voted to replace the incubent Governor. All these can be achieve by recruiting a credible and competent cabinent of achievers, people of integrity and professionals to be based on merit and not solely on party allegiance . It is now time for functioning democracy that ensure the will of the people and not one that forced the people to follow it. Democracy that is based on principle of representative government, the rights of individual to participate and not creating fear on the citizenry with thugs, touts and murderers. It is time for peace, unity, democracy and progress in Oyo State.

 The very first pressing issue I would like the new Governor elect to take into consideration is the issue of education and security. The new government should review all teachers salaries (scale) and their outstanding welfare packages agreed on should be paid promptly on every first day of  the new month and not on the forty-two of the following month as before. The Education ministry should make it compulsory for all public and private schools in the State to operate well equipped libraries and must make an “order” to ban pupils roaming on the streets during the school hours.  All the 33 local governments in the State should have well-equipped public libraries within their compound or to be constructed within its jurisdiction area. Also, the state Ministry of Education and schools in collaboration with notable industries and corporate bodies in the state to organise quarterly excursions, schools debates, quiz, games and literary competitions which will attract considerable awards, prizes and certificates for those outstanding students and this must be televised and reported on all the State media. 

More importantly,the lives and property of the people in the State are not guaranteed with the influx of political thugs, criminals and armed-robbery in broad day light. People live in fear everyday. Without security of lives and property , the State can not attract meaningful investments talk-less of achieving socio-economic development. The government should operate an Anti-Robbery Squad as done by other States to patrol around the cities and towns. The Police needs sophisticated ammunitions to match with armed robbers weapons, more electronic equipped police vehicles and motorcycles for patrols. Oyo State can break the record of policing in the country by institute more Police patrol vehicles and introduce special motorcycles with walkie-talkie for information dissemination and responding to crimes in progres

       Health is wealth. The government should embark on project to have standard public health centres in all the cities.. Alll the thirty-three local governments in the state should be funded to operate and manage mini-public health centres within its authority compound or jurisdiction area. These centres staffed with trained and qualified medical personnel will be providing general health education, preventive services, family planning education and contraceptive, specific occupational health promotion services, screening for illness (such as taking blood pressure) and treatment for minor illness and injuries. This will make medical facility get nearer to the people. Medical care should be provided in all accredited and organized care services and vigorous efforts should make to induce physicians and other health workers to practice in rural areas.

         The new government should be able to provide its citizens with adequate clean water and undistruped electricity supply. Electricity use is in nearly every home and all living things depend on water. The average person in the cities may use 200 litres (about 50 gallons) of water or more for their personal needs each day.  There is need for  regular clean and safe drinking pipe-born water by making practical rehabilitations and facelift of existing treatment plants at Eleyele, Asejire and Osegere water works. Without regular supply of electricity, there can never be meaningful industrialisation. The result of irregular and epileptic power supply have adverse effect on standard of living and quality of life of the citizens. There State government needs to provide more megawatts in addition to PHCN supplies to save this ugly situation.

     Meanwhile, the State is growing in population and there is urgent need for new and expanded community transportation alternatives. The best way to touch people lives at the grass-root level in moving from one area to the other is by providing standard public buses services to ply all the cities and villages as low income individuals reside in rural areas. This will render services to students (students in school uniform should be free of charge), peasants, high-low income earners, all government workers as well as person’s with disabilities which cannot be denied full access to public transportation facilities. The Bus-Transit System should be controlled by experienced and effective  Road Traffic Management Authority. Also, it  is high time to resolve the issues of the NURTW imbroglio, taxi cabs (and kabukabu) identity and proper registration and a beffiting State identity colour. Government should provide public parkings for cars and motorcycles to reduce traffic-jam and illegal parking in the cities.

    In order to boost sports development and information in the State, the government should mandate all thirty-three local governments in the state to build Mini Sports Complex in their locality. This will develope sporting competitions among the youths and eventually promote the state recognition in sporting activities nationally and internationally. The state ministry of youth and sports  should resuscitate “Olubadan Cup” soccer competition among all nursery/primary schools, promote “Principal Cup” soccer competition among all secondary schools in the state and “Governor’s Games” competitions to feature all sporting activities involving all the 33 local governments in the state in collaboration with Oyo State Sports Council, notable companies, corporate bodies and individuals in the state. Liberty, Adamasingba and Ogbomoso Township stadiums can be used respectively. The new  government should try to resuscitate The Sketch Publishing newspaper with effective management board to create an avenue through which the activities and programmes of the state are made known to the public. The newspaper will provide a feedback mechanism through which the state government can judge the reaction of the masses towards its policies and programmes

    In addition, the Waste Management Authority should embark on placing plastic bins or drums in strategic places for people to drop their refuse and this will be emptied every-midnight by the refuse collecting lorries. The bins can be separated (paper, iron or metal and rest of the waste) in different colours  for re-cycling. The cleaning of streets and roads should be extended to other cities and towns in the State. The cleaners should be in complete reflective uniform for their safety and not those seen on the street tying their reflective jackets to their waist. Environmental sanitation should be reveiwed.

          Naturally, the good people of Oyo State are ready to pay their taxes when the government identify the major areas of their life that needed attention to make them successful, happy and fulfilled. Senator Abiola Ajimobi is sure of more responsibility if his regime can achieve good governance with free, qualitative and functional education, good health services in all the cities, food security, employment opportunities in well industrialized cities, regular supply of drinking tap-water, good roads network linking all cities with a reliable and effective bus-transit management, adequate security to protect the lives and property of its citizenry, undisrupted electricity supply, low-cost housing estates and housing loans for low-income earners, social security packages for handicapped or person’s with disabilities, street and traffic lights, public libaries, public tap-water, public toilets, public phone boots, street namings, road sign posts and other social infrastructures. He will surely become a Messiah and will the first ever Governor to elected for second term in Oyo State. This feat is very possible for an achiever.

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Adewale T Akande (M.ed.Educ.Mgt),(M.sc.Political Sc.) University of Ibadan.

Author, Educationist and Road Traffic Safety Consultant.

Barcelona, Spain.  Tel: 0034-600877296.  E-mail:adewale_akande@hotmail.com

By Adewale T Akande, Barcelona, Spain, April 19, 2011 -  

        At fifty years of independence, it is now time to change the way we think and feel for better. It is now time for us to respond, unite and vote for the best leaders and say goodbye to inept and corrupt leaders. The wind of change is blowing across Africa and the branches of the trees must obey. If all Nigerians can come out enmasse on every  election day and exercise their secret ballot right to vote for the best candidates in their units, wards, constituencies, states and collectively at the national level, a new Nigeria will definately emerge. It is always good to be reminded that just because something is unlikely to happen it does not mean that it will not happen. It almost happened on June 12, 1993 general election. Now, it is time for the change we are waiting for. This is an opportunity with a man called-Professor Jega- who will not fail the nation. This man has just shown us one of the best qualities of a good leader-accepting full responsibility. If we cannot make this change now with our votes, the country will never be able to boast of undistrupted electricity and water supply, competitive and qualitative education, up-to-date social reforms, functional democracy and good governance by the time it will be celebrating its centenary anniversary.

       On a personal note, when I got to Europe few years ago, the very first thing that made me to weep for days was my imagination of sufferings of Africa people in the midst of plenty. I could not imagine that a person will be born into this world and die at the old age without enjoy those basic facilities, infrastructures, freedom, security of life, liberty, opportunities and pursuit of happiness which are our unalienable Rights endowed by the Creator. These rights cannot be taken away by any person, or state or even a country without just cause. There is non out of the forty-seven countries that make up Europe that can witstand Nigeria when it comes to natural resources and human capital. Even, Russia which is the largest nation in Europe by both area and population cannot compete with Nigeria in untapped natural resources that God has blessed this nation. But all these countries are well developed because they were able to prudently manage the little resources at their disposal. The lession is, the meaning we attach to our circumstances determine how we feel about our lives, and this ultimately determines both our results and level of fulfilment and accomplishment. Nigerians have been blessed  with natural and human resources not to live in abject poverty, darkness, fear, stress, complexity, confusion and frustration, unemployed and underpaid. 

      Honestly speaking, there is nothing wrong with  the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates to become the Colony  and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914 or Nigeria as an entity. The country was blessed with patriotic and visionary nationalists who fought gallantly to gain independence with big hopes and dreams. At Independence, Nigeria had all what it takes to be a democratic state and a beacon of hope for democracy and good governance before the junta struck. Nigerians have distinguish themselves in all vocations of life. The country have produced greatest talents and professionals that are doing well all over the world. We have ruled the world many times in the game of sports. Nigeria had played the role of regional peacemaker in Congo and Somalia. Nigerian troops had fought and served in the Allied cause during the Second World War. Leadership is the first serious problem that turning the country from a developing nation to an underdeveloping nation. Nigeria past leaders have champion gross mismanagement, religious controversy, and widespread corruption.

      We want our country back. Our votes will fight for us and give us a country of our dream. A country with a visionary leadership, accountability, transparency and good governance. A country where the problem of electricity supply will be resolved by competent leaders within shortest possible time. A country where the new President will announce on his inauguration day that no policeman should collect money again and henceforth all fines have to be paid to designated banks. A country where the cabinet will be team of educated, patriotic, competent and leaders of integrity. A country where the returns from petroleum resources and solid minerals will be spent judiciously  to make all the States in the federation, especially those in the Niger-Delta regions  develop more than Abuja city . A country where good roads network, construction and maintenance will save the killing of the future and promising leaders. A country where all citizen rights will be preserved and respected. A country where we will have well managed efficient and effective inter-state buses and railway transportation system will generate fund to give free education to all Nigeria Youth to the University level. A country where our huge fertile land will be productive to produce food for all and sundry. A country where everybody will be proud of at any time and any place.

I will also end the piece with another quote from the same Nigeria poet and critic, Professor Chinua Achebe that “If we want to climb out of the whole we are in, it is a job for all the people”. There is no doubt that we are all part of the problems at hand and we should be part of the solutions. According to Shakespeare in one of his greatest books “Julius Caesar” that “Men at sometimes are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars. But in ourselves, that we are underlings…” This change is possible in our time with the right mind-set. We will realise this chane if we cast our votes for leaders that will provide great ideas, good plans, solutions, strategies, and systems that will help us go from stress to success. The kind of change that will help us to be happier, more fulfiled, and more successful when we wake up with good food on the table to eat before going to work, good roads to travel on, having enough time with our kids and family, taking care of our health, paying our taxes without stress, security of lives and property, enjoying clean drinking water anytime we turn our tap, and switch-on our electricity that no longer fail us at night. A new Nigeria is imminent soon.

___________________________________________________________________

Adewale T Akande

Author, Educationist and Road Traffic Safety Consultant.

Barcelona, Spain.  Tel: 0034-600877296

 By Adewale T. Akande, Alicante, Spain – Jan. 29, 2011 -

 The past leaders have done their worst to this beloved country and leave us in a state of insecurity of lives and property, darkness when our neighbouring countries are celebrating years of undistrupted electricity supply. About 10 billion dollars was spent on power infrastructure few years ago without nothing to show for it. Many Nigerians are now crossing the boarder to send their children to schools. Our drinking tap-water cannot run continuously for a day. Jobless graduates and drop-outs have turnned to armed-robbers, kidnappers, 419 cronies and even political thugs. Police is very corrupt. Public services embedded with fraud. The Fourth Estate takes bribe to jeopardise the ethic of journalism. Accusation of bribery being levelled against the judges. Most of our roads are death  traps. It has now gotten to a stage of importing food to Nigeria with all our untapped natural resources. Train has been forgetten as a means of transportation. It is only in Nigeria that a gobernatorial candidate who won an election in a State have to resume office as Governor about three and half years later because of electoral fraud. Nigerians are now tired of these so-called leaders with only rhetorics, lack of progress and unfulfilled promises.

 There is no doubt that Nigerians are wrap up in the seriousness of their own lives. The wind of change is blowing and the branches of the trees must obey. The recent impressive turnout by Nigerians for the on-going voters registration exercise despite petty human and technical errors made by the electoral commission signify that the people have risen above the precariuos situation to perform their civic duties as a step forward in voting the right leaders that will have huge impact on their lives. It is now more important than ever for all eligible voters to get out and register so that they can vote knowing that voting is one of the most important rights they are left with as Nigeria citizens. Nigerians know that voting in the next general elections will not only affect their life but that of their children and grandchildren. Nigerians have learnt that “moving forward is not a progress if we are facing the wrong direction”. Nigerians know that INEC spent 35 billion nairas ( 233 million dollars) of the tax-payers money to purchase the Direct Data Capturing machines should not be a waste investment. There is no doubt that the coming general elections will lay the foundation of a viable democracy in Nigeria.

 The people now want to ensure a functional democratic government that ensure the will of the people and not one that forced the people to follow it. Nigerian eligible voters are targetting 70 millions people to be registered so that their voices will be represented in the next general elections. They want to avoid election rigging and possibly break the record of June 12. 1993 election which was adjudged the most freest and fairest election conducted in the history of Nigeria before it was annulled by the evil genuis. The IBB annulled election cost the nation over 40 billion nairas. The large turn out show that this year general election will give us the bits of government we like, love and benefit from and takes away the stuff that slows us down and gets us down. Nigerians are now aware that their past corrupt leaders does not design and manage this country to bring wealth, health and happiness into the lives of the populace but to a selected few. We have all know that our government has become so large, expensive and repressive that it is no longer serving the people of this country.

 The crop of emerging new responsible leaders after the April general elections will bring core values of honesty, tolerance, humility, religious unity, accountability and good governance to Nigeria. The aftermath of April general elections will surely bring a sence of peace and purpose to the people of Nigeria. All Nigerians will surely have a deep sign of a relief for new set of men and women of great discipline, intellectuals and capabilities capable of building a nation and lead us to what is best for the people. It is now time for a new set of statesmen, politicians with ideas, innovations and integrity as people must have based their choice on merit and not on party allegiance. Nigerians will be able to witness a functioning democracy that demands the involvement of the people. This is a time when Nigerians will see a new democratic republic based on principles of representative government, the rights of individuals to participate in a transparent political process and an electoral system that encourages participation. It is time when our political leaders will agree that having choices is beneficial under normal circumstances.

This year April election will design a good course for the history of our beloved country. It will surely help Nigerians to leave things that hold them back and prevent their progress. It is time to see a new Nigeria where government well-crafted information that change people’s minds will be the thing of the past. Nigerians are fed up of a country where the vice-president is being deprived of having access to his dying president, a country where all the citizens could not now the whereabout of their president for more than sixty days.  All Nigerians look for a new situation where people should never fear their government, and the government should fear its’ people. When Nigerians will now have a voice in the political issues, the ability and responsibility to help shape the public policy on a local and national level. A new trend when service learning in the schools will provide opportunity for young people to help in communities development. When the government would be more supported by the people it is supposed to support.

 Finally, the right to vote is a fundamental democratic structure of Nigeria constitution and the people’s conventional way of influencing government. Voting allows you to have a voice at any level of government, especially in the areas that affect our daily life like taxes, electricity and water supply, security of lives and property ,roads, social security and health services. The on-going registration exercise is very important to get what we wish for our country and this will take us to a place where we want to be. It is now the desire of all Nigerians to get the best for this country, especially and more importantly in becoming happier, healtheir, safer and wealthier individuals to normal standards. It is very important that people must register before they can vote. People should also remember that “bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote”. Every vote has significance and can make a differen

Voting is your right. If you don`t vote, you have no right to grumble when an elected representative fumbles. We are all part of the whole system. We are all part of the whole problems. And definately we should all be part of the solutions. Nigerians should express themselves with their votes. Every impression without expression leads to depression. The next general election is a test in which all Nigerians have to pass. Remember that without a test, there is no testimony. Failure is never the will of God. We have to let this coming elections bring  good testimonies to our life and our beloved country. We should choose our leaders wisely to pave way for Nigeria of our dreams. Our country is in urgent need of climbing to greater heights of excellence and progress with exemplary leaders with the possibilities of accountability, progressive and visionary governance. If all the targetted 70 millions registrable voters have the opportunity to register and vote the most  qualified candidates in all the general elections, we will surely have a new Nigeria come May 29, 2011.

Adewale T. Akande, Barcelona, Spain – Jan. 15, 2011 -

      The pace-setter of all States has been turned to a battle ground where our elites are watching helplessly. They refuse to bear out their minds on a round table discussion with courtesy and friendliness to resolve this uncontrollable crisis. They do not bother to forget their festering grievances and admit those mistakes of the past and move on healing old wounds which is essential for future success. Our leaders have forgotten that loving each other is what gives meaning to human life. They refuse to believe that forgiveness is an act of great generosity. They have forgotten so quickly those iconic strongmen of politics of yesteryears. Where are they now with  their accumulated wealth?. Great leaders does not kill to become great. Great leaders do not discredit  democratic institutions, distort desire for peace and democratic progress. Great leader is always ready to give a hand to his fellow man. Great leaders make great sacrifices and ahcieve their greatness on the services they render for good of the citizens.

       Oyo State have the God-given means – both human and material resources to achieve the onerous of actually restoring the state to a Pace-setter that its known for a very long time The state that is known for its reputation in the fields of rich culture, commerce, sports and education have been hijacked by dubious politicians that believe that the only way to settle their grievances is through violence, patronage and extortion. These set of so-called politicians have never appreciated the value of education, democratic principles, tolerance, accountability, friendliness, accomodation and respect for laws of the land. The state education system is on the brink of collapse.They have turn the state into rival armies of political thugs and criminals instead of concentrating on making use of the state natural resourses which are not well-tapped. What can you say of commerce in a state that cannot provide Bus-Transit Services to conquers distances and natural barriers? A victory of corruption and impunity has become order of the day. The last hope of every citizen- policemen are now politicians in uniform. The police have been pocketed and dance to the tune of these political leaders.The criminals have field day anytime they want to operate. The life and security of the people are no more guaranteed. Private security guides are now the order of the day for those who can afford it. Some of them even employ the services of thugs. They are now using government money to bribe, buying expensive gifts to canvass for votes. They are living fat and the entire masses are growing thinner and thinner like broom sticks. You don’t need to go far to see this in Oja’Oba market in Ibadan, Akesan market in Oyo, Oja Akangbe in Ogbomoso, Sango market in Saki, and Towobowo market in Igboora.

       Enough is enough. Our elders cannot be enemies forever as we do not want them to pass this to their sons. It is much better to make way for the coming generation as one. With spirit of love and unity, working together, we can do more and more better. We have to reject those mischievous politicians with perpectual crisis, conflicts and disorder that can not lead us to the path of functioning democracy, good governance and accountability. This uncontrollable crisis is given much concern on the trust, integrity and credibility of our political elites. They should remember that “poor leadership in good times can be hidden, but poor leadership in bad times is a recipe for disaster”. It is very sad and dissaponting if our State Obas, chiefs, political elites, religious leaders and professionals can not find solutions to this political violence that discourages good-will people to contest and restricts the political space to thugs, criminals and persons of limited merits and capabilities. It is disheartening if in their time, Oyo State could not have  a good governance with free, qualitative and functional education, good health services, food security, employments opportunities, adequate security to protect the lives and property of its citizenry, efficient public transportation system, undistrupted electricity supply, regular public tap-water and functioning street and traffic lights. Posterity will never forgive us if we fail to act now. It is collective effort and responsibility of all sons and daughters of Oyo State to unite and work to raise hope in making the best of the State. All eligible voters in the state should register and vote en-masse to the candidates with trust, integrity and credibility to serve the State better. That is only our weapon. That is only our voice. We should not back down. This is time for New Oyo State with a clear difference. We need a team of achievers and not deceivers, statesmen and not dubious politicians. Decisions are made by those who show up. It is more easy for these political brigandage and perpetrators if we don’t cast our votes and defent it. It is much better to exercise our political right this time around peacefully and secretly for a positive change.  The truth will always prevail no matter whatever we are passing through now..  We should always remember the words of George Jean Nathan which says; “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote”.   

Written by,

Adewale T Akande (M.ed. Educ.Mgt), (M.Sc.Political Sc.) University of Ibadan.

Author, Educationist and Road Traffic Safety Consultant,

Barcelona, Spain. Tel; 0034-600877296.