Which way to go

       The intensity of new Salsa playing in Nigeria for all intents and purposes requires caution since pertinent questions such as : Can I actually dance, how long will I last on the dance floor, will this dance present me in a good/bad light in public domain etc, needs answers.
      This is the dilemma facing the numerous public figures/elder statesmen/Governors(past and present) who are facing allegations of fraud/misappropriation of funds. So trendy is the gist that it is believed you have to be/join the ruling party to be granted some form of immunity!
The President ,though resolute about going hard on corrupt practices ,is yet to take strong actions in that regard with the PDP claiming the allegations are one sided.
So many questions and arguments have been raised on the clear way to go, such as:

- Time frame for the probe?
- Why should this administration probe only the last administration?
- How will these probes affect fiscal policy(ies) and economic growth?
- Can the stolen funds be recovered and to what extent will they be recovered,totally or partially?
- Can we really move forward without creating another crisis for the country from the impact of the probes and its revelations?

Let's set the wheels of progress in motion and persevere with the change which we so crave because a New Nigeria is all we need.

Waiting to see a Nigeria where things are working.

SECURITY

Happy EID MUBARAQ.

I wont bore you with lengthy definition of the word SECURITY, so will just stick to the street version, which is the Extent to which the populace trust it's government to ensure safety. Invariably, this questions knowledge on the identity and capability of  hostility, sabotage and espionage.

I was at my local bukateria where I have my morning rice with Banga soup(you should try this joint) and a discussion was raised about what this present administration is doing to ensure no more lives is  lost to insurgency.
It took the grace of God that punches were not exchanged and I quickly rushed my food to avoid any unwanted scenario.

The topic on the menu was Boko Haram and The Renewed call for the state/republic of Biafra.
So heated was the discussion that every customer at the 'Buka' was actually speaking along the lines of ethnic sentiments. Cant blame them. We are a state so united by boundary lines(being called Nigeria) yet so divided by ethno-religious and political gains.
The people don't even know whether to trust the authorities with their safety.
The people cant seems to understand why the naira is enjoying such a free fall to the dollar.
Fuel scarcity is back(Abuja is experiencing it).
There is an increase price of commodities, goods and services.
Now they(workers) are demanding an increase in Minimum wage (from 18,000naira - to 46,000naira), will these solve the problem?
Now that New service Chiefs have been appointed(laudable) and Checkpoints are back(I warned about their removal initially) to key areas to forestall any impending danger/assault, Can we boldly say we have won the war?
Far from it!

Where is our SECURITY?

Are You Hungry?

How often do you eat outside?
Do you patronize Restaurants or "Mama-put"(buka)?
When you live in a city like the Federal Capital Territory, you need to be conscious of your pocket. Abuja is filled with awesome restaurants but they take a chunk from your small pocket and this is where the "mama-put" comes in.
They are economical with tasty foods with assorted meats to go with it,winks.

Wuye - Iya Oyo, for your typical yoruba meals. (tops my chart).

Wuse 2, off ademola adetokunbo crescent,junction before Hmedix wholesale (this canteen used to be close to Valencia hotel before relocating to their new address- lovely foods with hausa flavour. (they fry the best plantain). Lol

Area 3 coca-cola garden - Another good place to eat, especially their Pounded yam.

Canteen at federal secretariat car park - good.

Zone 1 computer village canteen - good.

Zone 3 computer village Market canteen (Madam ify)- the best in "ibo" foods.

Of all the general hospitals in Abuja, kubwa general hospital canteen  serves the best meal.

Utako garden (close to Caramello Lounge ) -  serves good meals with cheap goat meat.


There is also a lady in front of Fudie mall, jabi adjacent Chida Hotel - lovely banga soup with your rice(heavenly).


Don't be hungry, help yourself.

Education and JAMB

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board earlier today fixed the cut-off mark into Nigeria Universities and polytechnics as well as College of educations.
1. Degree institutions -180 and
2. NCE and ND institutions- 150.

While these will be a cheering news for those writing this exams, it is worrying that our standard of education has fallen this low! And at this rate, we could be looking at accepting students with 100 and 80marks in their JAMB results say 10yrs from now.
I'm highly disappointed at the government, stake holders and agencies responsible for upholding a high standard of learning culture in this generation.
Thought we are in d computer age,where learning is made easy as a result of computer and sources of information are just a click away!

Teachers in government primary school now come to school, simply to mark attendance so as to get paid at the end of the month. These have simply destroyed/laid no foundation into which the secondary school is meant to build upon.

How many primary/secondary school teachers have their children attending Government primary/secondary schools?

Government secondary schools are either too populated with pupils or Under-staffed with teachers to make a meaningful impact.

Private Schools are now the people's choice yet the quality being brewed still leaves much to be desired.

I remember back in the days:
-You dare not come late to school, yet you see kids outside the school environment around 8:30am strolling.
-You dare not leave your assignment at home, most kids this days don't even go to school with notebooks or bag!

The Education sector needs CHANGE.

Where are the Teachers?


I have good memories of mine, can this generation feel the same?

News bits

What a week that just passed and I'm grateful for all the calls and messages.
Good to be back and healthy again.
Let me do a quick run down of news and gists:

Marilyn Ogar, spokesperson of the DSS have been demoted and recalled from 3years study leave.

Robin Van Persie and Podolski leaves Manchester United and Arsenal  for Fenerbache and Galatasary respectively.

Increased call for ensuring a total inclusion of other geopolitical zones by Nigerians after it became obvious that so far its only Northerners have been appointed by President Buhari.

Coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles sacked by NFF, fallout from the Ivory coast job I guess.

Chile wins her first Copa America after 99years beating Argentina via penalties 4-1.

APC claims to have resolved it's internal issues after meeting on Friday(let's wait and see).

Tension brewing as President Buhari demands for details and documents used in procuring arms after meetings with service chiefs.

Greece and her creditors still at the deliberation table since Germany said NO to debt relief. Referendum is for today to decide which way to go.

The final of thhe Women football World cup takes place today in Canada between Japan(defending champion) and USA.

Happy sunday.

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.