No 'Amen' from Jonathan and Friends

At the interdenominational church service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2012 National Democracy Day, the guest preacher and immediate past Prelate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, in his sermon, challenged the congregation to join him in the fight against corruption in the country by committing perpetrators to God.

But the congregation, including the President, who was accompanied by his wife, Patience, the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson and Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Luka, as well as some ministers failed to respond to prayers to take corrupt officials “to the court of God.” Apparently, expecting to hear a thunderous YES or AMEN from the congregation, the Reverend, who instead got a deafening silence, exclaimed: “There you go! Oh, corruption! So, you are not ready to fight it, because you are all beneficiaries of it. Whether you steal in a small or big way, stealing is stealing." 

It is not by force to say amen dear Rev. Akinola. At least you should know that some people are not hypocrites on certain matters. The president and his colleagues were obviously not in the mood to concur to such a prayer taking their deeds to a court whose verdict is without appeal, where angels cannot be bought. One wonders how a clergy should expect a gang of the uncorrupt to possibly assent to a prayer to convict the guilty.

The preacher continued in his damning sermon and must have made any normal listening person to come hand in face to acknowledge His maker and seek pardon but not the president who was not in any hurry to hide his hypocrisy for indeed after the sermon, the president spoke passionately but not on the issue of corruption. That had been taken care of by the man of God. He chose to say again what he has always said “Nigeria will not disintegrate, government is working hard to meet the challenges of modern terror.”

At a time when indifference is fast becoming a growing burden, it is gladdening to hear that a preacher has found his voice. Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world and currently exports brands of Christianity and possibly Islam to the rest of the world, yet the country has at its helm men and women with very flexible consciences. Fear of persecution, Gehazi’s gifts, intimidation and kick backs have reduced the pulpit into blessing shops for these power drunk barons that inflict the joy of poverty on the same congregation that return to the clergy for direction. Were these pastors as bold and steadfast as Rev. Akinola, these politicians might have turned a new leaf. Maybe that is daydreaming, but then is God’s word not supposed to bring conviction and repentance?

On another note, it is wise to assert that there is more to condoning the political class for their misdeeds. Some religious faithful opine that God put certain persons in power and that everything they do should be condoned. Others faithlessly insist that only God can change Nigeria for all Nigerians are corrupt. Some others are quick to attribute criticism of persons in government to jealousy and envy.

Religious leaders must put an end to the era of kowtowing the ruling class and finding all manner of scriptural excuse for such assent or hypocritical stance to their misrule. One fails to understand how a preacher should bless a politician today when he is on course to rig an election and soon after say it was divinely ordained. If Nigeria must get it right, Nigerians must lead from everywhere and not only the political class is involved but the pulpit and the pew. 

N155 Billion Oil Block Scandal

The silence has finally ended. The federal government has spoken on the emerging allegation of its complicity with convicted former oil minister Dan Etete of Malabu Oil over the fraudulent transfer of block OPL 245 to Shell/Agip in a deal worth over N155 billion.

Online newspaper Premium Times had broken to Nigerians and indeed the rest of the world a tale of corruption, the bane of Nigeria’s progress. In the tale, discovered from the newspaper’s investigative reporting, former oil minister Dan Etete had formed along with Mohammed Abacha and one Alhaji Aliyu a new oil company Malabu Oil. The tale revealed that few days after its incorporation, Malabu Oil had acquired oil block OPL245. Malabu group then made SNUD its technical partner as required by law. The acquisition of block OPL245 was however illegal and its award to Malabu had been reversed by the Obasanjo administration with the disputed property awarded to Shell/Agip. Somehow, the federal government reversed itself under the Jonathan administration and re-awarded the block to Malabu while prompting Shell/Agip to remit the sum of N155 billion to it. When this sum was paid to the federal government, it was then transferred to Malabu Oil on the direct orders of the president. The funds in Malabu Oil accounts though Premium Times reveals further has since found its way into the accounts of persons in the Nigerian government. http://premiumtimesng.com/news/5309-adoke_lies_in_rection_to_n155bn_scandal.html

The government silence ended with Adoke Bello, Attorney General of the Federation making a press release where the government’s version of the tale was offered. According to the AGF, the government ordered the payment as an obligator and released the same funds to Malabu Oil to resolve a long standing dispute over block OPL245.

Striking are the issues raised from the admissions of the attorney general. The federal government now acts as an obligator for a convicted criminal Dan Etete and his Malabu Oil. The said oil block in question was mentioned repeatedly in Etete’s trial in France and also mentioned in his appeal in the same country. Another curious issue is the obvious intent to mislead the public. Malabu Oil awarded itself the oil block because its principal had been a government minister capable of making such decisions to favour him personally. A policy in place to encourage indigenous capability in the end is defeated. How does transferring the right of an indigenous oil exploration license to a foreign company already enmeshed in the Nigerian upstream sector favour indigenous capability?

Shell and Agip the foreign oil companies involved have stated clearly that they had no intent of making any payments to Malabu Oil. Why was the fund paid to Malabu when these companies in question are obviously not unable to make payments to Malabu directly? Since when did the federal government become Western Union?

Another issue noted is the intent of the federal government to silence the EFCC’s attempt to investigate the matter further. If the EFCC describes Mr. Aliyu another partner in Etete’s Malabu Oil as Mr. Corruption, should not federal government have emulated Pontius Pilate? Another worrying concern is the fact that the payment in question was made hurriedly before incumbent finance minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala assumed office. Why was there such a rush?

In certain climes, allegations like these are taken seriously. Not in Nigeria at least. The Senate through its spokesman, Eyinnaya Abaribe who coincidentally happens to be a member of the senate committee on the upstream sector has described the allegations as ‘newspaper reports’ and has said there will be no investigations into the matter. We fail to see why newspaper reports on matters of graft should not be investigated by another arm of government. The Nigerian Senate under the watch of David Mark is fast earning a reputation for being a collaborator in the industry running a thoroughly corrupt regime.

While the Senate has chosen to turn a deaf ear on the issue in question, the lower house may again prove to be a truly independent arm of government as there are indications that members have begun taking a serious interest and indeed have begun investigating the matter privately. It will not be long before the matter is raised on the floor of that house.

In just a year gone by, tales of such awful performance by the Jonathan administration has become rather disheartening especially on matters of corruption. This deal was rash and hush, but the dust it has raised will not be settled in a rash and hush manner unless a scheme to silence it can be hatched quickly. The implications are far reaching and could alter the political landscape if pursued correctly by the legislative arms of government. But then again, this is Nigeria run by a man so lucky to land himself the presidency and luckier in running himself into this murky water. How the matters will be resolved is presently unknown as the hornet’s nest appears to have been shaken only a little.

Every day, the number of the pro Goodluck faithful records an immense backslide. This does not matter though to his party as they have vowed to capture this country for the next 50 years.

Whatever happens, you can count on us to provide commentary on issues as they unfold.

Salami will not be reinstated.

The Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has insisted that there will be no immediate reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami to his seat as President of the Court of Appeal. He said a substantive suit barring the federal government from the reinstatement is pending in court and an attempt by the federal government to reinstate the judge would amount to subjudice.

Justice Ayo Salami had been suspended earlier for his brawl with former Chief Justice of the Federation Aloysius Katsina-Alu over a politically motivated face off. Justice Salami had refused to accept promotion to the Supreme Court and had gone public with his view that the Chief Justice was determined to subvert justice on a case before Salami that is the Sokoto governorship election appeal. Justice Salami has been hailed as a courageous judge who on two occasions had overturned elections that were fraught with malpractice in Osun and Ekiti states.

An Abuja based lawyer Amobi Nzelu representing one Wilfred Okoli, rushed to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Friday asking the court to restrain the president from accepting the recommendations of the NJC, because the “recommendations were not binding” on the president and that while the NJC had powers to recommend the removal of the President of the Court of Appeal, it lacked power to recommend his reinstatement.

What is worrisome is not that a private citizen has gone to court to challenge Salami’s reinstatement but that the government has been circulating the motion on notice from such a private citizen to the media as proof of its incapacitation to do the needful. Circulation of this notice has taken a new dimension because it now appears as though it were some new holy commandment passed down from God restraining the attorney general from reading his copy of the constitution. This is the only country where the political will to execute justice is driven by the strongest wind and not the rudder of conviction. Justice Ayo Salami is due to be retired next year and from all indications, this delay is an attempt to use judicial process to delay his reinstatement for as long as politically necessary.

Elsewhere, Minister of Petroleum Resources Ms. Diezani Allison Madueke has broken silence on the ad hoc committee’s report which indicted her. She accused the House of Representatives of unfair judgment. According to her, she has yet to breach any presidential directive as touching her ministry. She believes her actions are subject to an interpretation of the courts.

The evident attitude of the governing class in this administration is one of contempt for the governed. There is just no recourse as to what the electorate thinks of their actions or inactions but what they consider correct at every turn. Of course there is a clause somewhere that promises unequal equality to members of the governing class such that the say of the common man matter not.

The president may have ordered commencement of prosecutions on indicted persons in the subsidy fraud but the attitude showed before now suggests that the proclamation was only a smokescreen to quell impending demonstrations. Another worrisome development is the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to correctly do the job of diligent prosecution. This failure is seen in many quarters as largely influenced by an administration that enjoys friendship with enemies of the state.

The transformation agenda of the present administration is obviously on course. We wait expectantly for that day when the popular will should always prevail or after all, is this not democracy?

Fresh Trouble for Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan is enjoying a difficult time in office. The man Nigerians voted because he had no shoes now has his shoes full with all manner of comforting pinch. There is no end in sight for such a pleasurable ride in turmoil for the Otueke born lecturer turned politician. Every now and then, there is news of Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that has thus far made security a persistent headache for Nigeria’s number one citizen. Then there is the political face off with the opposition every now and again. As if these are not enough, the man famed for being lucky has not been lucky with the jeers coming his way for his inability to sack the principal actors in the subsidy fraud or his inability to promptly reinstate Justice Ayo Salami.

These are not enough worry however, as fresh allegations have emerged that the president himself discretely ordered the transfer of over a billion US Dollars to Dan Etete former petroleum minister under the Abacha regime.

According to documents (filed March 22, 2012) before the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the US, President Goodluck Jonathan discreetly approved the transfer of the sum of $1.1bn to Mr. Etete on April 29, 2011, two weeks after he was re-elected. 

The money was first paid to the Federal Government by two multinational oil companies: Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited (Agip) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (Shell) in respect of oil block OPL 245. 

But shortly after the funds were credited to the Federal Government's account, Mr. Jonathan ordered that it should be secretly transferred to a London account of Mr. Etete's company, Malabu Oil.

It is not clear what deal Mr. Jonathan struck with Malabu, and on what basis the payment was made. President Jonathan's spokesperson, Reuben Abati did not answer or return calls seeking his comment for this story. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him for the same purpose.

For the full story, please go to http://premiumtimesng.com/business/5215-jonathan_-shell_-etete_-in-fresh-n155billion-scandal.html.

The president may be a very lucky man that has mastered the art of landing himself in trouble. It remains to be seen how the president will come out of this unscathed. His advisors must have a torrid time scheming a response that will most likely be one leaning towards outright denial and the usual talk of distraction.

Just last week, the nation was thrown into an arena of name calling gladiatorial feast. A former head of state General Buhari had speculated revolution if INEC fails to improve on its performance of the 2011 elections only for the presidency and his party to react in a manner that can only be characterized as overly reactionary. American president, Abraham Lincoln had at one time proclaimed: any man can withstand adversity, if you want to test a man give him power.

Power has perhaps become the president’s adversity in that he has successfully been able to persistently lead himself into these allegations of complicity, corruption and confusion. Or what else is the explanation of the president’s inability to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami other than confusion? We eagerly anticipate and wait the reaction of the president or his erudite spokesman to this new allegation of corruption and hope sincerely that it will not be the usual ‘no truth-distraction.’

Chelsea - Champions of Europe!

It is no news that the Bayern Munich failed to win the UEFA Champions League despite being favourites. In a match they clearly dominated in every aspect, the question remains: how did they avoid winning? They passed the ball well but were not incisive with the chances they created. When they did create chances, wasteful finishing cost them. They had a number of corner kicks and persistently delighted in wasting them. When Frank Ribbery chose to score, he was offside and the celebrations were short lived.

It was a final where pundits and experts worldwide had advised everyone to put their money on the Bavarians sighting a number of factors: Chelsea’s league table finish showed they were not good enough to be up there with Europe’s elite. Chelsea had no special players to rely on to create spectacular moments and indeed were without four key players including influential captain John Terry and Brazilian Ramires. More importantly, the final was to be played at the Allianz Arena home to the other finalist Bayern Munich. To put it another way, it was an insurmountable mountain.

Bayern Munich on the hand had a lot to their advantage. Their home form had been exceptional and it could not get any better when the final had been staged to be played at home. They had the special players in Frank Ribbery and Arjen Robben. Mario Gomez is the team’s highest goal scorer in the competition with 12 goals, only 2 less than the mercurial Lionel Messi. They had arguably one of the best keepers in the world to guard their goal in Manuel Neuer. It does not get better than these.

Somehow though, all of these analysts this writer no exception failed to look at another part of history to help predicting the future. On four occasions the finals have been staged at the Allianz Arena and four new teams emerged victors for the first time. This was probably the only odd in Chelsea’s favour that we made little of. Nottingham Forest became champions of Europe’s premier club competition in ‘79 with a lone goal victory over Swedish side Malmo. In 1993, Allianz Arena again hosted an epic final between AC Milan and French side Olympique Marseille. The French side claimed victory. Borrusia Dortmund beat Juventus in the 1997 final staged there also to cement a pattern. This year’s final was no different from the others played at the Allianz Arena: a team lifted the trophy for the first time.

 

On a tactical note, the final brought to the fore two football philosophies yet again. Catenacio played by Chelsea FC who were led by interim manager Roberto Di Matteo and Total Football played by Bayern Munich led by Jupp Heynckes. Chelsea’s defending was largely effective but that is half the truth. Bayern created chances again and again that begged to be put away. The English side relied on very few counter attacks that ended in nothing all the time. The Bavarians were guilty though of trying very hard to work the ball into the net. They could not convert from any of the 20 corner kicks they amassed. With the pressure mounting, it was a question of; when will Bayern score the solitary goal that should win the match? Thomas Meuller did eventually score a headed goal but was immediately rewarded by his substitution. The Bavarians however failed at defending Chelsea’s only corner of the night that resulted in Drogba heading home a late equalizer. Extra time.

Everyone was tired. Yet everyone had to put in one more thrust. Bayern resumed again what they had been doing with little success, retain possession, create chances and waste them. Someone had promptly tweeted: is there another goal post where this Bayern side aims? Mario Gomez, and indeed veteran Ivica Olic all failed to convert from close range.  Someone or the other, Didier Drogba was about to turn zero from hero when he was adjudged to have fouled Frank Ribbery. Arjen Robben stepped up but refused to convert making a hero of Petr Cech in Chelsea’s goal. Why was Robben the only dead ball specialist for Bayern on the night? He took all the corners and penalty and was indeed wasteful all round. He was a tactical waste of effort and plan.



Celebration time.



The match was to conclude with the inevitable lottery of penalty shootout. Here again Bayern were favourites. They were a German side after all taking on an English side. In the end though, it did not matter that Mata missed his spot kick. What mattered when it mattered was that the Allianz Arena jinx was not to be broken not even by owners Bayern Munich. Champions Chelsea.

 Questions have started pouring out. Why had Bayern failed to make their chances pay? Should Mr. H. Jupp be retained after he failed to win any trophy? Should the most successful interim manager be retained as Chelsea’s boss next season?

This writer is of the view that Di Matteo should be retained. That is the opinion of Bayern’s coach also but given the opportunity to advise Di Matteo, he should resign. Roman Abramovic has no sentiment should Chelsea fail to win the EPL next season and in style. The EPL will be even more competitive at the top next season. Winning the Champions League might even be easier.

As for Bayern, there is no need to think about the need to fire Jupp. His team failed on three fronts this term and was guilty of profligacy when it mattered most. His refusal to devise another way to score in the final proves his lack of ingenuity. He should get a prompt butt.

Chelsea celebrate at home.

Finally, football is such a dynamic sport. There is no one who has been always able to predict through any means the outcome. Psychics, prophets, analysts, pundits and even jinxes have all been wrong many times before. It is just unpredictable. Congratulations Chelsea to Football Club and teeming fans worldwide. Congratulations to Di Matteo for doing in a few months what many have been unable to do in many years. This success should undoubtedly bring others, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Welcome Chelsea to the cream of Europe’s top. 

Dalglish walks alone.Liverpool need a magician.

You’ll never walk alone is the song sang every match day by Liverpool faithful. One Liverpool faithful though is walking alone. His name is Kenny Dalglish. King Kenny is by no means a small name in British football. He starred for Celtics scoring loads of goals and was then sold to Liverpool. There he made his mark also as player and then also as manager. The Scot eventually stepped down as manager of the Reds for reasons of ill health.

 

His return as Liverpool boss was greeted with high hopes. In the end only six wins at Anfield, finishing several points behind rivals Everton in 9th place, and the failure of his signings to get performances together saw Dalglish get sacked today 16th May, 2012 after just one season in charge. His stay though brief brought a relative success as he led the Reds to a first title in six years with the Carling Cup win. Another final that might have been won was shroud in controversy. Did that ball not cross the line?

There are two kinds of managers in today’s football; managers who have been sacked and managers on the brink of sack. Such haste to hire and then fire football managers is largely counterproductive. There are few, very few coaches with the Midas touch. Even they require some element of luck and the form of their players to get it right at once. Many great coaches take time to settle into a new side and gradually work the team to become what they desire. Sir Alex is a notable example. It took the Scot a long time to land the first league title. Today he has gone on to amass 12. 

Undoubtedly, his efforts were not helped by Stewart Downing who arrived for £20million. Andy Carol was a flop worth £35million. Dalglish managed to get this team to two cup finals and at least a place in Europe courtesy of the League Cup success. In this writer’s opinion, there should have been a little more patience with Kenny. The competition in the English Premier League is not going to recede but rise consistently and there are no guarantees in this unpredictable sport. Not even the Special One could guarantee a major title on arrival in Spain as he settled for a paltry King’s Cup. The Madrid hierarchy kept faith with him and in his second season has landed them the League title to end Barcelona’s reign.

Mediocrity cannot be explained away or even wished away but a man like Kenny cannot be described as mediocre. True, a coach is judged by his last result and it is sad that Liverpool failed to win their last league game under his watch. No wine maker expects wine in his cup as soon as he picked a grape from the field. It must go through the laborious process of winemaking and even then patience is required to get a good wine. The Reds must now resume the search for a manager for they might have been logical in firing Dalglish but then, they must hire a magician immediately for that is what Liverpool need.

Wanted Urgently: Liverpool Football Club urgently wishes to hire the services of a proven magician. Applicants must have a track record of turning flops into world class superstars and win every title competed for in the first year in charge especially the English Premier League. An ability to speak English and conjure the ball past the line will be essential skills while a spell to make a certain south American keep quiet will also be rewarded. Intending applicants should write quickly to the Fenway Sports Group.

PDP and Buhari's mudslinging.

It is only in Nigeria that politicians are unashamed of ridicule and indecency, some at least. Or what else will one call the charade that ensued between General Buhari, the presidency and the Peoples’ Democratic Party? For making declarations to his party members, the presidency and the ruling PDP ran into the mud gleefully to prove to everyone that the country’s leadership is swift to reaction and gradually the country has descended into a mud fight. General Muhamodu Buhari’s declarations have since resulted into an exchange that is neither helpful nor is it in anyway productive to the polity. In a democracy (this is hardly one), there is room to tackle another party but it must be issue driven. The general spoke on an issue or issues but the reaction has been largely personal.

General Buhari had said that there will be a mass revolt in 2015 if INEC fails to conduct free and fair polls. Speaking to some members of his party the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) who came to wish him well on his return from surgery abroad, the former head of state said that there are several kinds of Boko Haram and that the biggest is the Federal Government.

In a swift reaction, the PDP spokesman described the general as a serial election loser who is not only blood thirsty but was suffering from combat withdrawal syndrome. The spokesman turned doctor now a specialist in diagnosing ailments without tests went ahead to proffer a line of treatment for the general: a readmission into the Nigerian army and possibly leading a contingent to Mali.

The CPC has reacted as expected. They described the President’s regime as being clannish and puerile. It went on to reaffirm the assertions credited to General Buhari. Meanwhile the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has thrown its weight behind the General urging the presidency to be wary of using language unbecoming of the presidency.

It is sad, very sad that the presidency has degenerated to this exercise of distracting everyone and itself from urgent national issues. At a time when there are challenges on nearly all facets of national life the least you expect is talk about a person who lost elections and then calling him names when he obviously raised salient issues that are yet to be addressed.

In case the PDP has forgotten, Nigeria was divided at the last polls. It was vehemently defeated in the north while it won in the south. Several polls conducted today show that Nigerians whether north or south regret Jonathan’s victory. The promised breath of fresh air has since turned out to be a sour smelling gale with consistent shows of impetuous abrasiveness, unwillingness to tackle corruption and gross mediocrity. General Buhari might be anticipating the next elections where should this trend of mediocre governance continue, and then an opposition party should win. The opposition cannot win the polls however unless there is an improvement in the conduct of elections. This is the message General Buhari was trying to convey.

General Buhari for his part has demonstrated time and again to be a patriot. It is important though to stress that at 70 years of age, the general should not continue to vie for the presidency. By 2015, he would be 74 years. The general may have succeeded in many areas but has failed in that he is yet to produce men like himself or at least a man like himself to succeed him. His party though enjoying popularity in the north failed at the governorship polls and the news coming from that party is not what anyone interested in viable opposition should get excited about.

General Buhari has paid his dues and will be remembered as a fearless, incorruptible ex-head of state whose regime brought discipline to Nigeria. There is not only one role though through which men may actualize themselves. The General should earnestly begin the quest to solidifying his party’s position as a viable opposition and strengthening whatever values he thinks fit. The General must realize that his popularity is not enough to get him the presidency in today’s Nigeria. General Buhari may have expressed a popular opinion in describing the federal government as Boko Haram; it is however unbecoming of a man of his exposure to make such proclamations public even if he has proof of such assertions.

On a national note, the presidency has been made a mess of by this yet again. Not every comment is deserving of a reaction and not every reaction should be this demeaning. Terms like the ones used by the PDP to describe the general should only be used at informal circles but not made national issues where even children can pick up the wrong impression. More importantly, the reaction of the PDP has proven yet again that its leadership of Nigeria is largely personality driven and not issue or ideology based. The inability of the presidency to separate the general’s comments suggests also that the presidency is not focused but heavily distracted on several fronts.

As for the Nigerian people, there is an urgent need to throw away indifference, shun sectionalism but bring to bear true watchfulness on these undeserving elements that currently masquerade themselves as politicians. The time approaches when the revolution so spoken off long ago must take place, a revolution not made with guns and bullets but of voters and their ballot. 

BOKO HARAM GETS N40MILLION DASH FROM ALGERIA

Forty Million Naira! That is a lot of money. It can make a man untrained in acrobatics learn the skill in an instant. That sum though has not been won by a responsible organization or person but by the radical terrorist organization Boko Haram. An unnamed Algerian counterpart has made a donation of the sum to our Nigerian terror group to help it improve in its activities.

According to a report made available to news site http://premiumtimesng.com/news/5079-boko_haram_gets_n40million_donation_from_algeria.html, the terrorist organization has been receiving some support from Al Qaida. The report, a product of a joint police and military investigations and raids, carried out in Kano and Sokoto in December 2011 indicates that the Algerian sect gave out the funds as its first installment in a planned long term partnership with Boko Haram. The donation is to be used to train the Boko Haram trainees in the art of kidnapping foreigners for ransom.

This report was recovered in 2011 but has since been doing nothing on the President’s desk. It raises a lot of questions: how did the Algerian sect transfer the funds? Who were the recipients in Nigeria? Did the money cross electronically or did it come in cash? What has the Nigerian government and its security operatives done since December to identify the Algerian sponsors so as to determine the authenticity of this report? What is the name of this Algerian Father Christmas that has so much funds to throw around? Have the Algerian authorities been alerted such that a partnership similar to the one between the terrorist organizations can be formed between ours and theirs?

Boko Haram poses a question that we have very little answer and in most cases no answer to at all. By the day we lose more and more faith in our PDP led federal government. Gen. Azazi had claimed the sect is driven by dissident members of the party who are against Jonathan’s presidency. This report just proves we cannot trust our government when it says “everyone should remain calm.” How long do we remain calm when our oppressors are getting richer and getting trained to do better what they are already good at doing?

Boko Haram is already well motivated and resourceful. Why should anyone be kind enough to offer them yet another N40million to improve? What is the government doing about it? The ugly truth everyone is that we are about to get overwhelmed by this group.  Rumours already making the rounds have it that the sect intends to hit the south. While this remains unconfirmed, we are not confident our security is doing anything other than fight suspects and kill innocent people in the process.

Suleiman Mohammed an alleged Boko Haram field commander was arrested on Friday 11th May and there have been several confrontations and shootouts with the sect here and there. But these are not comforting enough to make Nigerians in the volatile north calm down.

Religious leaders in the north have not helped matters. While many Muslims and indeed the Boko Haram see terrorism as a form of jihad, it is necessary for Islamic clerics to sue for reasonable compromise in this pursuit that has claimed many lives. Better intelligence and surveillance of suspects is a better tactic to employ as against stationing a contingent of soldiers to scare civilians away from their work places will be more desirable.  

General Azazi’s claim should not be dismissed as another excuse for indolence. Politicians from the north should be put through surveillance especially financial to determine who could probably by sponsoring deaths through an act of religious kindness. Many cannot be safe where a few are emboldened by the act of their wickedness. This gift of N40million is proof that someone is enjoying Boko Haram and perhaps looking to profit by their activities. The failure of our government and security agencies to identify these people is reason the appeal to remain calm will soon sound like take up arms and shoot anyone whose face is not liked. When something goes wrong, it is responsibility of those who can to act. 

City Win Edgy EPL Title

A certain Italian Galileo by name made a contraption that swings this way and that way in order to tell the time. That machine was named the pendulum; oscillating hence and thence on a never ending mission. What inspired Galileo though was not gravity or some other story you might have heard, it was his dream of a football match that swung this way and that that inspired him to make such a device. Today, the EPL season of the 2011/2012 proves in the end that the pendulum learnt a thing or two from the beautiful game.

The EPL has been touted by its promoters as the greatest show on earth. Sometimes it does not offer much sound football that some really savvy spectators might revel in but make no mistake; it never fails to thrill with excitement. Every season, twenty teams compete for the trophy where every match in the 380 game series is a contest for three points. Some teams do not chase just the three points though, they chase the ultimate prize: the league title. Failure to pick up three points means losing and losing means dropping on the standings. The least three placed teams are considered not good enough to remain in that division and must drop out of it. The just concluded EPL season was no different but had an even more thrilling conclusion.

Two teams chased themselves all the way at the top until one of them by the stroke of providence, added on time, purchasing power, luck or fate or whichever theory you choose to subscribe to were crowned champions of the Barclays English Premiership. That team was Manchester City.

But the tale would not be complete without my failing to tell you that Manchester City did not run away without challenge. They had champions Manchester United breathing down their necks for a greater part of the campaign and then at some point, Manchester City or City for short faltered. United took over the league’s leadership and nearly every analyst in the world, this writer no different predicted it would end this way. We were not correct as we sometimes painfully are not.

The momentum swung again this time to City as United failed uncharacteristically to get past struggling Wigan Athletic and even lost to them in April. Even then, we remained doubting Thomases as to the oscillating season.  United then entertained Everton at Old Trafford and led 4:2 with eight minutes left to play. Some way or the other Moyes’ men found a way to end the game at four all. This meant United had only three points between them and City with a potential league decider to be played on April 30 at the Etihad nee City of Manchester Stadium.

Vincent Kompany’s headed goal from a David Silva’s well taken corner gave City the lead and put them on top but only by reason of superior goals difference. It could still swing either way. City-United, City-United, City-United, City-United…. Everyone who likes football waited and watched impatiently at this pendulum of a title chase. City won at Newcastle and United also beat Swansea at home thus pushing the decider to the last day of the season with no one sure of which way it would tilt. At this point I had voted City and many others too. At the start of the week, Sir Alex began his mind games trying very hard to motivate Mark Hughes who leads Queens Park Rangers to get one over his former employers and thereby hand the Scot a thirteenth star. City was to play QPR who needed at least a point to escape the drop while United were to visit Sunderland. Which way was it to end: City-United, City-United?

City would have none of it. They got one through Zabaleta and looked in control while United led at Sunderland. With the results that way, City would clinch their first league title in 44 years. Out of the blue though, QPR scored twice and City were destined to lose as the game approached its end. No one saw City scoring the two goals they needed to upturn the tie again. Everywhere, people reluctantly or joyfully congratulated United fans and Sir Alex but it was a premature congratulation as we have come to learn in this sport that it is not over until the fat lady cries. Centre ref: Mr. Mike Dean thought it wise to allow game an additional five minutes as injury time to make up for the sending off of Joey Barton.

Even now, the two-horse race looked very like United was going to escape with it but then £27m Edin Dzeko scored an equalizer that paid his transfer figure before Argentine Kun Aguero got the winner just in time probably justifying his £38m transfer from Athletico Madrid. It is one of the most memorable comebacks in the modern game. More importantly, it left City the winner of the season as the clock chimed O’clock with the pendulum on City’s side of the swing.

Roberto Mancini cannot attribute this victory solely to his tactical genius. Nor does he owe it to the celestial stars in the heavens that make him Jupiter’s son in Sagittarius. He must look at the stars on the pitch that dug in and held firm till his side finished champions. And for Manchester United? Sir Alex had described City as the noisy neigbours at the start of the season. His failure to silence them on two occasions this term has allowed their noise to grow into a deafening cacophony.   

Many a time, champions have risen and champions have fallen. Respect must be accorded to champions who remain in contention yearly and Manchester United has remained such a team. Sir Alex duly acknowledged City and recognized that they deserved it. For us fans, followers and analysts, it was a most memorable season that saw two horses run neck and neck till the very end but one had to win it when the pendulum swung in its favour for one can speculate now that given another maybe two matches, it just might swing again the other way.

Football is sport like no other that even the pendulum watched and learnt a thing or two before imitating it.

Doctors Strike vs Fashola and Suffering Lagosians

The Lagos state governor has fired 1000 doctors for embarking on an industrial action over Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS). The Lagos Medical Council yesterday began employing other doctors some of whom are making hasty switch from private firms to fill the vacuum created by the sacked striking doctors. Speaking on Workers’ Day celebration May 1st, the governor had insisted he will not pay any wage or salary determined by the federal government.

The doctors on their part have gone to court to challenge the governor’s refusal to pay CONMESS which Lagos state government consented to 13 months ago. Meanwhile, a substantive suit barring the doctors from strike at the Industrial Court is pending. The faceoff between the two has reached a point that can best be described as a fight between two elephants leaving the grass underneath them to suffer. Many Lagosians are dependent on the doctors for treatment.

While we do not support the medical profession for embarking on a strike as it is apparent that all forms of dialogue have not been exhausted, we do not condone the Lagos state government led by Babatunde Fashola for being hasty as to sack experienced doctors over an industrial dispute. This singular act of his is showing not only bad faith but a lack of sincerity on the part of government that ascribes to being democratic or sympathetic to the cause of the electorate.

True, the Lagos state government might not in their analysis be able to pay CONMESS, but it should have known that when the scheme was brought up. Governance requires proactive consideration and having a foresight on issues with a view to protecting the peoples’ rights and interests always. There never was another purpose for governance other than the preservation of the peoples’ welfare and security. With governments in Nigeria showing that there are other purposes for governance, one wonders whether it would not be better to return to a Greek city state democracy where every man spoke such that oppression is impossible.

Admittedly, the Lagos state government pays a lot better wages to its doctors compared to the alternative private sector, but the pressure and working conditions are significantly worse on the Lagos doctors thus the need for even higher pay. Indeed, the Fashola administration has made remarkable efforts to improve living in Lagos; it should not only be about building roads and bridges, but about improving the living standard of the lives in this emerging mega city. Lagosians deserve better just as the doctors do deserve CONMESS.

The sack of these doctors brings to mind other issues. First, the Lagos State University increased tuition and other fees by an astronomical percentage implying that the institution had become a private school and then the forced tolling of Lekki making it a private property for which visitors must pay at every turn. Now the medical sector is the next target as there is obviously an attempt to force people out of public hospitals leading to queues at private hospitals where they are at the mercy of shylock doctors. Taxi drivers are presently being asked to change their cars to brand new ones overnight, we should not be surprised if we wake up tomorrow and find that public primary and secondary schools have been shut for reasons like the above.

It is regrettable that there is a ploy even here in Lagos to force people out of the few publicly enjoyed services with aim of pushing them to live beyond their means. How does a government as popular as this one justify these obviously anti-people policies and dictates that do not in any way improve the living standard of an impoverished society?

The doctors may be wrong for contravening the Hippocratic Oath but the Lagos state government has acted even worse by firing them hastily. These trends are suggestive of the theory that there is a grand ploy to depopulate Lagos by any means necessary. Governance has always and will always be for the betterment of society and not to protect or make better the interest of a rich few. Where a people are challenged by governance that is unfavourable to them, it is the right of that people to think quickly and get that government out. Lagosians agree that PDP is evil at the centre and chose a lesser evil locally, but the turn of events has proven that this lesser evil is striving hard to catch up with the devil at the centre. The silence of the other opposition parties on issues like these where they should cash in shows either complicity or mediocrity.

We urge the doctors to in interest of the dying sick among us who need their skills and attention to please resume talks with the government with a view to calling off the strike in the shortest time possible. We also challenge the Lagos state government to remain true to its noble ideal of being a pro-people administration by reneging on these anti-people policies sacking of doctors being the latest in a growing list of oppressive governance.  Lagosians on the other hand must remain vigilant and responsive as no one is expected to remain loyal to an oppressive feudal lord but to rebel against them at the polls if the need arises.