A new dawn

Good morning,
It seems sunday is a reflective day to decide,plan and analyze the new week.

It's exactly 30days that PMB became the President of the most Stubborn, never patient but always expecting miracle country in the world.
Is this the change we all voted for?
While some have quickly positioned that things are going worse, other have reasoned that the last administration was better. Did anyone notice the increased price of Pepper? Some have reasoned PMB caused it. lol

How realistic are the promises made by the APC since there's still bitterness in the way the Elephant was shared( kindly read my "Hunter and elephant" post)?
A friend of mine told me he is waiting to see the London metro railway, Heathrow standard airport, N5,000 welfare allowance promised by the APC.
How long further can Nigeria wait before rallies and placards starts making headlines?
Miracle isn't going to happen, it's all still have to follow a structural and systemic reform. Atleast, it's now obvious we can't be wasteful and expect buoyancy.
What is delaying the appointment of minsiters?
I support the continuous assessment of the new administration which implies we are ever watching with our 3D lens digital camera.

It's a new day though still cloudy.

PMB and Nigeria.

My attention has just been drawn to the news that PMB has dissolved the NNPC board.
Good move if you ask me.
Fuel scarcity is smelling for July(you did not hear it from me).
Get prepared,
I hope marketers remain silent though.
I hope this is not all fun and games.
Budget 2015 is still so fresh.
No Ministers yet.
Nobody to work with PMB.
Even the position of SGF is vacant.
The National Assembly is in turmoil and by the time they will be re-convening on 21st July, PMB would have spent 54days in the office.
100days I believe is the litmus, to account for the first 100days in office.

So we have a long list of inactivity.

Mararaba-Check-Nyanyan-Point

Abuja is a wonderful place to live in especially if you have experienced lasgidi traffic in its full glory. A first timer in abuja would be amazed that full business activities doesn't begin until around 9am, and transportation is very hassle free until say 7:30am which is a sharp contrast to Lagos. Moreso, the way Abuja has been designed, the low income earners have been made to reside in satellite towns such as Lugbe, Kubwa, Kuje, Zuba, Mararaba-Nyanyan axis.

A good place to enjoy and feel the lasgidi traffic incase you are missing it, is the Mararaba-Nyanyan axis. It's the most busy environment in the whole of the North(Sabon gari market road,linking Ibrahim Taiwo road ,will come a distance second) because it's a gateway to low cost of living and also linking other states such as Plateau,Nassarawa,Benue state.

Mararaba-Nyanyan axis accounts for a sizeable percentage of the working class in Abuja because it offers a pocket friendly house rent, foodstuff, daily needs and transportation. Thus, a breakdown by a car or truck or accident poses a big threat to movement in and around the axis. situations have occurred that people get home late in the night as a result of a truck falling on its side along the road.

It has all the thrills and feels of a busy metropolise and you better be on your way home early enough to avoid....you catch the drift. A new twist was added when Army Checkpoints were erected in the wake of the 2014,April 14 bomb blast which left scores dead and injured. One is found on the Nyanyan bridge, another by the Karu bridge while a grand checkpoint is found on the express just after passing the Karu bridge heading back into Abuja town. Movement along the axis became strenuous and intimidating due to activities of the soldiers on the road who diligently search vehicles. I remember being stuck in this traffic for more than 5hrs in the afternoon on my way back from Kurudu-Jikwoyi-Karu area with my car AC bad and the sun was dancing in the sky in full splendour. You could be lucky to spend just two hours going and coming from the axis on a good day while it could be worse ,sometimes especially during the Market day of the area.

While many have commended the federal government for the removal of the checkpoint around the country due to the untold hardship been experienced in areas where such existed, it should be pointed out that the reasons for their existence are still with us. Therefore, we are left to decide which of the two evils we are ready to live with:

NO CHECKPOINT - vulnerability to attack but tree flow of traffic.

CHECKPOINT - curtails activities of insurgency but invariably causes TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK.

My opinion is that the Checkpoints should have remained until we have won the war against insurgency so that there can be peace and lack of fear. Sometimes, we have to suffer hardship to achieve that which will enable and ensure a better society in the long term. Though no amount of checkpoint will restore the lives which has been lost, its existence has greatly secured the city.

A Special Day

This is dedicated to Men who have been and would be playing the Responsible role of a Man.
The world we are in makes so much demands of us that we owe nobody any explanation when we fall short of such demands. For parents especially Fathers, it can be overwhelming because of the society we are in. The man remains the head of the family. Thus, so much is thrust on him to deal with whether he's capable or not.

My Dad retired when I was in senior secondary class 2 and still ensured I was catered for in the best way all through higher institution. I was with him when he cleared his saving for my project in the final year,2007.
He instilled the habit of humility, sportsmanship and contentment to everyone around him. He really stood by me during my years of unemployment with words of encouragement, prayers and little stipends to keep mind,body and soul together. I remember holding back his numerous "change" when being sent on errands so that I can "subscribe"and stay online to apply for jobs, keep in touch with friends and all.
He's simple yet strict and a good planner. He loves football and i'm a manifestation of that act too.

I just want to say THANK YOU for everything because words can't explain how grateful I am for all you did to make me happy and comfortable.

Thinking about all you have been doing for me put tears in my eyes.
Always love you Dad

 

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Kogi-Napping

Good morning everyone,
 Petrol scarcity is gradually easing off and am glad that queues and shunting at petrol stations are now stale gists. Guess I have will to remove the25litre gallon in my car's trunk since there is no longer need for it.
A new trend is building in the state that shares border with Abuja with its victims being public civil servants and bankers because of their financial status and children for their vulnerability with ransom ranging from N350,000 - N5million depending on the victim.
Kogi State is trending for its kidnapping status in recent weeks.
Cases of kidnapping are fast building up and something crucial and clinical needs to be done to halt these nefarious act. Several weeks ago, a man(banker)'s wife and 2kids were kidnapped, and over the weekend,  I was reliably informed that the kids were released to their father after ransom was paid but the kidnappers are still in possession of the wife.
These raises the question of security in the state as well as the need to be more security conscious and it worries me a lot since if such activities are not curbed on time and allowed to gain more momentum, sooner or later it will creep into Abuja and its environs. A Yoruba adage says : "iku to n pa ojugba e ni, owe nla lo n pa fun ni" which literally mean : a death that is killing around you is giving you a stern warning!
I know the state is going through a lot for now because of its upcoming gubernatorial election and its politics( story for another day), more still needs to be done to ensure these culprits are brought to book. Also, the people need to also play the role of reporting strange movement and faces around them to the authorities.

Better safe than sorry.

Prayer

Away from the hullaballoos of politics as well as the disappointment of the Under-20 Male football team, let me talk about our communication with God.

 It is believed that through Praise you get God's attention while Prayer brings about the actually communication with Him.
Prayer which is to ask earnestly, beg, entreat. Its a devout petition to God or object of worship.
I have nothing against prayer or praying for that matter because its takes different form with different people.
I have been pondering on the Longevity and Persistence aspect of prayer which brings to fore its effectiveness. I know different people have different views about this and I am not bringing out a blueprint about the best way to have your prayers since am no guru.
I believe everyone will agree with me that for an  answered prayer, persistence is key.
I'm a big fan of the persistent, brief and fervent types because it is devoid of repetition and gainsaying. I remember back then in school(student parish, cccoau), once a particular lady is mentioned to give us prayers, a section of the church mostly people at the back starts to sit upright in their praying position because we are in for a lengthy session.
What gain is there in lengthy prayer?
 Does God listen to you more because of your lengthy prayers and listen to me less because of my brief versions?
 Some schools of thought have reasoned that lengthy prayers are evidence of proficiency in the act while another reasoned that lengthy prayers or  the lack of it are dependent on our circumstances especially in this part of the world.

Another mind bogging issue is using prayer as a dogma when action/work is needed/expected. Praying is very good and working to achieve that which you have prayed for is equally important because its ensures you are in tune with the problem and fixing it. Let your work actualise your diligent prayers.

thus, I have prayed for this week and am going out to effect the change I prayed for.

Labels: Wikipedia, church, student parish, cccoau, prayer, praise.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

APC : The hunter and the Elephant

Once upon a time, a hunter who has been hunting in the famous thick forest of the village with relatively little success decided to go hunting in a different way and manner. So on this particular hunting expedition, he decided to team up with more fellow hunters and this worked like magic because he caught something that surpassed his imagination.
 He caught an Elephant.
He was very happy and grateful to his friends for the huge help and influence in the hunting expedition. This increased his popularity and admiration in the village, Time came for the sharing of the elephant and he was gracefully allowed to choose the head for being the leader of the hunting expedition while the friends will share the remaining part of the Elephant. This is where the issue started because Greed set in among friends with a lot of them trying to ensure they get as much as they could without due consideration for others.

This is APC in brief and its really heating up because election holds tomorrow. Major bigwigs are reported to meet tonight to resolve key issues that could or have been playing out so as to reduce tension and ensure everyone is kept happy and within. Politics in Nigeria takes the form of Ethnic and religious sentiments are some point and it isn't any different at this crucial time with the South-West, North-East, North-Central at the centre of discussion in the sharing of the remaining part of the elephant.

here are a few sentiments:

• what was the reason behind the mock election by APC?
• why were some group within the APC notified about the mock election and others were simply left out?
• should PMB be involved in the mess going on within his party?
• since the President is from North West and Vice president is from South West, then other regions should come up with the Senate president and Speaker of the house of rep.
• since the South West already have a major political presence at the center, the Speaker of the house of rep. should go else where , thus Gbajabiamila should step down for Dogara.
• should Saraki (an ex-PDP member) be more trusted than Lawan, who has been faithful to the party?
• if the APC stay divided, then PDP could decide the next Senate president and Speaker of the house.

God help APC!!!

State of the nation 2: WHAT CAN I SAY

Hapi weekend everyone,
I need fuel badly...

This stubborn fuel scarcity have refused to leave us alone and can't even enjoy my usual weekend bed rest anymore since I have to come out early to queue up(presently on giri-gwagwalada road). Imagine having a stressful week, and still have to wake up early on saturday morning for fuel sake.
I thought the government have agreed to pay the oil marketers, then why are we still queuing for fuel?
Now I see why some people are already calling for PMB's head despite barely a week in office. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown and PMB must be wondering what he has gotten himself into considering the one million and one problems we are currently facing.
I should celebrate the day I don't have to queue for fuel anymore!

Now to other issues,
The impeachment threat is now over for Gov. Ayo Fayose and he took to the street to ride with Bike men to the inauguration of the new House of Assembly members. Good for the governor but much is expected from him since Ekiti keeps being in the news for the wrong reasons, yet it's a general parlance that Ekiti houses the highest number of intellectuals.
Now, what I want to hear is the socio-cultural development this new administration will put in place for the state.

APC is now like a house about to be consumed by its own fire. You didn't hear it from me though because the gist making the rounds is that its having a massive internal issue, don't want to say crisis. some of the issues include; choice of senate leader, choice of Speaker of the house of representative and the Jagaban himself is believed to be having a major role in the decision.
If the APC can come out of this NASS crisis without any member decamping or feeling betrayed, then they are the dream party Nigeria have been hoping and praying for.
My advice(how old am I that I feel they will listen sef), APC better resolve its issues fast and foster unity among party members because a section of their party members have threatened to cross carpet to another party if their choice is not protected and used.

Yes, some quarters have also raised the issue of communication about the new administration saying nothing have been said about the recent onslaught of Boko haram, fuel scarcity, dwindling economy etc. it is believed the last administration was castigated majorly for this while some quarters are of the opinion that its rather too early to start complaining. I guess patience will be our watch word while we keep in mind that the days are counting for accountability and transparency.


I need a minute to ....

Singing the naija song

Good morning,
Nigeria, I hail thee for your strong resolute in the face of pummelling economy and near-afraid pre and post election scenes yet you remained firm as a nation. For your handling of the insurgency in the North though not comforting but you haven't gone the way the Western world predicted.
An old saying: if you don't tell your story, another person will tell it for you and this is where the issue starts.

My country is constantly in the spotlight of foreign media though for the wrong reasons with barrage of attacks about a land of plenty feeding poor; about 80percent of its population living below two dollars; about the government not doing enough in education, youth empowerment and much more.
For how long can we afford this bad imaging and how deep is the cost of towing this line?
Can anything good can come out of our Jerusalem?

Borrowing a leaf from some countries of the world and it is obvious what their setup goals are and the time cant be more right than now when we just inaugurated a new government and Change is still singing in the mind of the man on the street.
Now is the time the NOA(National Orientation Agency) needs set its wheels in motion to drum the song of change(work ethics and culture) in the minds of Nigerians and ensure it becomes an anthem for public sensitization of growth and development.
Increased funds pumped into national media e.g. NTA for more swag and spice in broadcasting and better audience.
Now is the time for the total rebranding of my country, Nigeria in terms of her policies and institutional reforms geared towards efficient governance and sustainability.
Now is the time to give more attention to the needs of the populace in terms of housing, portable water, electricity etc.
Time to manage Nigeria the way we manage our pocket.
A new order of thought needs to be created by everyone with Patriotism key for our wholesome greatness.
I am a Nigeria and proud to be one.
I want my country to be what I dream constantly.
I will contribute my quota towards engineering a new Nigeria.


What do you have to offer for my country?
We are tired of Greek gifts.

                                                                        to be continued.