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Sunday 29 January 2012

Does the African Child who succumbs to conformity grow up to be the lazy intellectual scum


Hi its been a crazy start to the year, from one unfortunate event to the other..and its still JANUARY! I hope the rest of the year will bring peace and good tidings.

I have a list of books I would love to read and a few I read as a child but I would love to read as an adult. This internet culture certainly slowed down the reader in me but its not dead yet! LOL. I finally found four books on my list whilst at a conference in my current location. Glad I didnt have to order them all the way from Amazon. They are titled, Confessions of an economic hitman, The art of War, Power Thoughts and I dared to call him Father Between working almost 12hours, sometimes taking work home, trying to keep in touch with friends and family who are livid I dont contact more often and trying to keep drama away from where I reside, I shall read them!lol

So back to the title of this blog: I refer to an old post; The African, when he is a child, is mostly being groomed for conformity, first, by her/ his parents, then her/his relatives, and finally the society and its contents and try to link it certain points within the article titled "You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!" by Field Ruwe.

I can see how a child groomed to please the society, might turn out to just be intellectually lazy, with some feigning intellectual laziness just to save their lives! As it is, our society is riddled with corruption, bullying, lack of justice, poverty, selfishness, religious and ethnic intolerance. I think its about time our society evolve in such a way that every opinion is welcome and every idea is at least listened to if not acted upon. A lot of socio-economic advancements in the world we live in started from a single thought allowed to blossom, and most times such thoughts are best produced in the face of adversity!

Here is a reproduction of the article (still trying to figure out if 'article' is the correct description.) Enjoy

They call the Third World the lazy man’s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent—totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it “the dark continent” for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.

“It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,” the man next to me said. “Get up and do something about it.”

Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.

“My name is Walter,” he extended his hand as soon as I settled in my seat.

I told him mine with a precautious smile.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Zambia.”

“Zambia!” he exclaimed, “Kaunda’s country.”

“Yes,” I said, “Now Sata’s.”

“But of course,” he responded. “You just elected King Cobra as your president.”

My face lit up at the mention of Sata’s moniker. Walter smiled, and in those cold eyes I saw an amenable fellow, one of those American highbrows who shuttle between Africa and the U.S.

“I spent three years in Zambia in the 1980s,” he continued. “I wined and dined with Luke Mwananshiku, Willa Mungomba, Dr. Siteke Mwale, and many other highly intelligent Zambians.” He lowered his voice. “I was part of the IMF group that came to rip you guys off.” He smirked. “Your government put me in a million dollar mansion overlooking a shanty called Kalingalinga. From my patio I saw it all—the rich and the poor, the ailing, the dead, and the healthy.”

“Are you still with the IMF?” I asked.

“I have since moved to yet another group with similar intentions. In the next few months my colleagues and I will be in Lusaka to hypnotize the cobra. I work for the broker that has acquired a chunk of your debt. Your government owes not the World Bank, but us millions of dollars. We’ll be in Lusaka to offer your president a couple of millions and fly back with a check twenty times greater.”

“No, you won’t,” I said. “King Cobra is incorruptible. He is …”

He was laughing. “Says who? Give me an African president, just one, who has not fallen for the carrot and stick.”

Quett Masire’s name popped up.

“Oh, him, well, we never got to him because he turned down the IMF and the World Bank. It was perhaps the smartest thing for him to do.”

At midnight we were airborne. The captain wished us a happy 2012 and urged us to watch the fireworks across Los Angeles.

“Isn’t that beautiful,” Walter said looking down.

From my middle seat, I took a glance and nodded admirably.

“That’s white man’s country,” he said. “We came here on Mayflower and turned Indian land into a paradise and now the most powerful nation on earth. We discovered the bulb, and built this aircraft to fly us to pleasure resorts like Lake Zambia.”

I grinned. “There is no Lake Zambia.”

He curled his lips into a smug smile. “That’s what we call your country. You guys are as stagnant as the water in the lake. We come in with our large boats and fish your minerals and your wildlife and leave morsels—crumbs. That’s your staple food, crumbs. That corn-meal you eat, that’s crumbs, the small Tilapia fish you call Kapenta is crumbs. We the Bwanas (whites) take the cat fish. I am the Bwana and you are the Muntu. I get what I want and you get what you deserve, crumbs. That’s what lazy people get—Zambians, Africans, the entire Third World.”

The smile vanished from my face.

“I see you are getting pissed off,” Walter said and lowered his voice. “You are thinking this Bwana is a racist. That’s how most Zambians respond when I tell them the truth. They go ballistic. Okay. Let’s for a moment put our skin pigmentations, this black and white crap, aside. Tell me, my friend, what is the difference between you and me?”

“There’s no difference.”

“Absolutely none,” he exclaimed. “Scientists in the Human Genome Project have proved that. It took them thirteen years to determine the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits. After they

were all done it was clear that 99.9% nucleotide bases were exactly the same in you and me. We are the same people. All white, Asian, Latino, and black people on this aircraft are the same.”

I gladly nodded.

“And yet I feel superior,” he smiled fatalistically. “Every white person on this plane feels superior to a black person. The white guy who picks up garbage, the homeless white trash on drugs, feels superior to you no matter his status or education. I can pick up a nincompoop from the New York streets, clean him up, and take him to Lusaka and you all be crowding around him chanting muzungu, muzungu and yet he’s a riffraff. Tell me why my angry friend.”

For a moment I was wordless.

“Please don’t blame it on slavery like the African Americans do, or colonialism, or some psychological impact or some kind of stigmatization. And don’t give me the brainwash poppycock. Give me a better answer.”

I was thinking.

He continued. “Excuse what I am about to say. Please do not take offense.”

I felt a slap of blood rush to my head and prepared for the worst.

“You my friend flying with me and all your kind are lazy,” he said. “When you rest your head on the pillow you don’t dream big. You and other so-called African intellectuals are damn lazy, each one of you. It is you, and not those poor starving people, who is the reason Africa is in such a deplorable state.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say,” I protested.

He was implacable. “Oh yes it is and I will say it again, you are lazy. Poor and uneducated Africans are the most hardworking people on earth. I saw them in the Lusaka markets and on the street selling merchandise. I saw them in villages toiling away. I saw women on Kafue Road crushing stones for sell and I wept. I said to myself where are the Zambian intellectuals? Are the Zambian engineers so imperceptive they cannot invent a simple stone crusher, or a simple water filter to purify well water for those poor villagers? Are you telling me that after thirty-seven years of independence your university school of engineering has not produced a scientist or an engineer who can make simple small machines for mass use? What is the school there for?”

I held my breath.

“Do you know where I found your intellectuals? They were in bars quaffing. They were at the Lusaka Golf Club, Lusaka Central Club, Lusaka Playhouse, and Lusaka Flying Club. I saw with my own eyes a bunch of alcoholic graduates. Zambian intellectuals work from eight to five and spend the evening drinking. We don’t. We reserve the evening for brainstorming.”

He looked me in the eye.

“And you flying to Boston and all of you Zambians in the Diaspora are just as lazy and apathetic to your country. You don’t care about your country and yet your very own parents, brothers and sisters are in Mtendere, Chawama, and in villages, all of them living in squalor. Many have died or are dying of neglect by you. They are dying of AIDS because you cannot come up with your own cure. You are here calling yourselves graduates, researchers and scientists and are fast at articulating your credentials once asked—oh, I have a PhD in this and that—PhD my foot!”

I was deflated.

“Wake up you all!” he exclaimed, attracting the attention of nearby passengers. “You should be busy lifting ideas, formulae, recipes, and diagrams from American manufacturing factories and sending them to your own factories. All those research findings and dissertation papers you compile should be your country’s treasure. Why do you think the Asians are a force to reckon with? They stole our ideas and turned them into their own. Look at Japan, China, India, just look at them.”

He paused. “The Bwana has spoken,” he said and grinned. “As long as you are dependent on my plane, I shall feel superior and you my friend shall remain inferior, how about that? The Chinese, Japanese, Indians, even Latinos are a notch better. You Africans are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

He tempered his voice. “Get over this white skin syndrome and begin to feel confident. Become innovative and make your own stuff for god’s sake.”

At 8 a.m. the plane touched down at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Walter reached for my hand.

“I know I was too strong, but I don’t give it a damn. I have been to Zambia and have seen too much poverty.” He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something. “Here, read this. It was written by a friend.”

He had written only the title: “Lords of Poverty.”

Thunderstruck, I had a sinking feeling. I watched Walter walk through the airport doors to a waiting car. He had left a huge dust devil twirling in my mind, stirring up sad memories of home. I could see Zambia’s literati—the cognoscente, intelligentsia, academics, highbrows, and scholars in the places he had mentioned guzzling and talking irrelevancies. I remembered some who have since passed—how they got the highest grades in mathematics and the sciences and attained the highest education on the planet. They had been to Harvard, Oxford, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), only to leave us with not a single invention or discovery. I knew some by name and drunk with them at the Lusaka Playhouse and Central Sports.

Walter is right. It is true that since independence we have failed to nurture creativity and collective orientations. We as a nation lack a workhorse mentality and behave like 13 million civil servants dependent on a government pay cheque. We believe that development is generated 8-to-5 behind a desk wearing a tie with our degrees hanging on the wall. Such a working environment does not offer the opportunity for fellowship, the excitement of competition, and the spectacle of innovative rituals.

But the intelligentsia is not solely, or even mainly, to blame. The larger failure is due to political circumstances over which they have had little control. The past governments failed to create an environment of possibility that fosters camaraderie, rewards innovative ideas and encourages resilience. KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda embraced orthodox ideas and therefore failed to offer many opportunities for drawing outside the line.

I believe King Cobra’s reset has been cast in the same faculties as those of his predecessors. If today I told him that we can build our own car, he would throw me out.

“Naupena? Fuma apa.” (Are you mad? Get out of here)

Knowing well that King Cobra will not embody innovation at Walter’s level let’s begin to look for a technologically active-positive leader who can succeed him after a term or two. That way we can make our own stone crushers, water filters, water pumps, razor blades, and harvesters. Let’s dream big and make tractors, cars, and planes, or, like Walter said, forever remain inferior.

A fundamental transformation of our country from what is essentially non-innovative to a strategic superior African country requires a bold risk-taking educated leader with a triumphalist attitude and we have one in YOU. Don’t be highly strung and feel insulted by Walter. Take a moment and think about our country. Our journey from 1964 has been marked by tears. It has been an emotionally overwhelming experience. Each one of us has lost a loved one to poverty, hunger, and disease. The number of graves is catching up with the population. It’s time to change our political culture. It’s time for Zambian intellectuals to cultivate an active-positive progressive movement that will change our lives forever. Don’t be afraid or dispirited, rise to the challenge and salvage the remaining few of your beloved ones.

Field Ruwe is a US-based Zambian media practitioner and author. He is a PhD candidate with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, and an M.A. in History

'Mena

Sunday 22 January 2012

Thoughts on The Latest Act of Terror


On the 21st January 2012, bombs went off in various locations, majorly police stations, within Kano State and almost at the same time. This bombings were closely followed by shootings. At last count 162 people were killed. They say more bodies are still buried within the rubble.

Before this date there has been instances of shooting and bombings in various states in Nigeria. The highest casualty report was that of the Jos killings were more than 500 people, mostly women and children were slaughtered by a group of people whilst asleep.

While there are several theories that creep up when each attack take place, the fact remains that some bloodthirsty, cold hearted mass murderers and terrorist are on the prowl to injure and kill large numbers of Nigerians for whatever purpose that suits them!

Nigeria itself is turning out to be a paradox and an irony. It is the story of a supposedly independent state with an entrenched, structured leadership where people in some states prefer to express themselves through peaceful protest while in other states some group of people prefer to express themselves by taking the lives of as many people as they can.

The current democratically leadership has openly stated that we should learn to live with terrorists and has admitted that security reports states that these terrorists are everywhere including the government itself.This can be true as a known terrorist was reportedly hosted at a governor's lodge. It can also be true as a major suspect arrested for last Christmas day bombing dramatically escaped from prison. How soothing.

Are we to accept that there is no way for our SS and police detectives to trace these evil before it occurs? Who supplied the sophisticated weapons? Who sponsored the killers? Large amount would have changed hands. The families and friends and people around these killers will know when these people act strangely, will know the state in which they left their houses and even after the evil event, will certainly know from the stench of blood, and ammo on their skin that this person is acting suspiciously. You dont kill one person and remain the same say less of taking the lives of several people. You dont shoot a gun without living traces in your person. You dont make a bomb without leaving traces in the places they are made. So what is our security and intelligence doing??

Even after such killings occurs, cant the bullets be traced to locate the suppliers? Cant the DNA from bits of skin, saliva or hair left on the used up ammunition/bombing devices left at the scene be extracted and stored securely? Cant eye witnesses be invited to give their own accounts of what went on and to describe in details the killers they saw. In this age of camera phones surely someone would have captured it. A videocameraman for Channels TV, recording the scene was reportedly shot dead (May his soul RIP) but cant the tape of what he captured be repaired and watched to see what he saw? So many questions.

Terrorism knows no race, religion, age or gender and is fuelled by hatred! For instance, the Kano bombings claimed the lives of people of diverse religions and ethnicity! Eye witness reports states that in one of the affected areas, muslims and christians hid in a mosque terrified and praying while the shooting lasted.

I wonder how an average citizen is expected to protect themselves from sudden terrorists attacks? Many of the bombings are sudden and unexpected. There is absolutely no guarantee of security of life and security particularly as those that have the power, the secret intelligence, the resources to tackle these acts seem unsure of how to handle it. Or are they aiding it?

There is only how long you can kill people and expect the survivors to remain scared and quiet. If the leadership seem inept at handling such issues, the survivors will surely rise and fight back. These terrorist should ensure they have enough ammunition and bombs to murder people in their hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions who have been pushed to take matters in their own hands! Because if they dont, a terrible and severe form ofviolence will be meted to them. And when the people finish with them, they will certainly turn on the government they voted whose responsibility is to secure the lives and properties of such citizens in the first place.

I hope this terrible day of reckoning does not have to come....

I commiserate with the families of the victims and pray that the souls of all who lost their lives, in acts of terror, within various states in Nigeria, Rest in Peace.

Monday 16 January 2012

STRIKE CALLED OFF, 97Naira it is!!*Happy New Year from GEJ? (Part 7 and final?)*


Hello again...
This is a continuation from
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, part 4, part 5 and part 6,
Nigeria's trade unions say they are suspending all mass protests and strikes just 6 hours after the president Jonathan announced that petrol will be sold at 97naira per litre

Source: Channels TV.

The Detailed Version Of The Presidential Address On The Implementation Of The Deregulation Policy In The Downstream Sector Of The Petroleum Industry
=====================================================================================

Dear Compatriots,

1. This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days, the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities. Although, the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.

2. There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests by engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by the protests.
3. At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government had set up the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

4. However, following the intervention of the Leadership of the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.

5. It has become clear to government and all well-meaning Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.

6. Government appreciates that the implementation of the deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to respect the people's right to express themselves within the confines of the law and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.

7. Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with this new pump price.

8. Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government- assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for the youth.

9. Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill will be given accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.

10. Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

11. My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the federation.

12. Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility. Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to work.

13. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.

14. Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Sunday, January 15, 2012


I guess this is the final part of the drama series titled "Happy New Year from GEJ?"Politics is a deceptive game! Thanks for reading xx

Sunday 15 January 2012

#occupy Nigeria:SOME PASTORS FINALLY SPEAK UP! Pastor Bakare's thoughts on the current 'fuel subsidy' debate ..*Happy New Year from GEJ (Part 6)*



Hello again...
This is a continuation from Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, part 4 and part 5 A few pastors have finally stated their stand on the fuel subsidy debate. They are still too few but at least its better than them keeping mum about it as 1) The situation affects almost all their congregation 2) They have considerable influence in the Nigerian society. Todays focus is on Tunde Bakare..Enjoy

Pastor 'Tunde Bakare delivered this expose on Fuel Subsidy at The Latter Rain Assembly Please read, digest, and feel free to share with as many people as you can. E

FACTS YOU MUST KNOW: SUBSIDY MADE SIMPLE (SMS)

1. DEFINITION
To subsidise is to sell a product below the cost of production. Since the federal government has been secretive about the state of our refineries and their production capacity, we will focus on importation rather than production. So, in essence, within the Nigerian Fuel Subsidy context, to subsidise is to sell petrol below the cost of importation.

2. THE UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Nigerian government claims that Nigerians consume 34 million litres of petrol per day. The government has also said publicly that N141 per litre is the unsubsidised pump price of petrol imported into Nigeria. (N131.70 kobo being the landing price and N9.30 kobo being profit.)

3. ANNUAL COST OF IMPORTATION
Daily Fuel Consumption: 34 million litres
Cost at Pump: N141.00
No. of days in a regular year: 365 days
Total cost of all petrol imported yearly into Nigeria:
Litres Naira Days Total
34m x 141 x 365 = N1.75 trillion

4. COST BORNE BY THE CONSUMERS
Nigerians have been paying N65 per litre for fuel, haven’t we? Therefore, cost borne by the consumers =
Litres Naira Days
34m x 65 x 365 = N807 billion

5. COST OF SUBSIDY BORNE BY THE GOVERNMENT
In 2011 alone, government claimed to have spent N1.3 trillion by October – the bill for the full year, assuming a constant rate of consumption is N1.56 trillion. Consequently, the true cost of subsidy borne by the government is:
Total cost of importation minus total borne by consumers, i.e. N1.75 trillion minus N807 billion = N943 billion.

Unexplainable difference: N617 billion
The federal government of Nigeria cannot explain the difference between the amount actually disbursed for subsidy and the cost borne by Nigerians (N1.56 trillion minus N943 billion = N617 billion).

6. BOGUS CLAIM BY THE GOVERNMENT
A government official has claimed that the shortfall of N617 billion is what goes to subsidising our neighbours through smuggling. This is pathetic. But let us assume (assumption being the lowest level of knowledge) that the government is unable to protect our borders and checkmate the brisk smuggling going on. Even then, the figures still don’t add up. This is because even if 50% of the petrol consumed in each of our neighbouring countries is illegally exported from Nigeria, the figures are still inaccurate. Why?

WORLD BANK’S FIGURES: POPULATIONS OF WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES
NIGERIA: 158.4 million
BENIN: 8.8 million
TOGO: 6 million
CAMEROUN: 19.2 million
NIGER: 15.5 million
CHAD: 11.2 million
GHANA: 24.4 million

The total population of all our six (6) neighbours is 85.5 million.
Let’s do some more arithmetic:

a) Rate of Petrol Consumption in Nigeria: Total consumed divided by total population: 34 million litres divided by 158.8 million people = 0.21 litres per person per day.

b) Rate of Petrol Consumption in all our 6 neighbouring countries, assumed to be the same as Nigeria: 0.2 litres x 85.5 million people = 18.35 million litres per day

Now, if we assume that 50% of the petrol consumed in all the six neighbouring countries comes from Nigeria, this value come to 9.18 million litres per day.

8. PATHETIC ABSURDITY
There are two illogicalities flowing from this smuggling saga.

a) If 9.18 million litres of petrol is truly smuggled out of our borders per day, then ours is the most porous nation in the word. This is why: The biggest fuel tankers in Nigeria have a capacity of about 36,000 litres. To smuggle 9.18 million litres of fuel, you need 254 trucks. What our government is telling us is that 254 huge tankers pass through our borders every day and they cannot do anything about it. This is not just acute incompetence, but also a serious security challenge. For if the government cannot stop 254 tanker trailers from crossing the border daily, how can they stop importation of weapons or even invasion by a foreign country?

b) 2nd illogicality: Even if we believe the government and assume that about 9.18 million litres is actually taken to our neighbours by way of smuggling every day, and all this is subsidised by the Nigerian government, the figures being touted as subsidy still don’t add up. This is why:

Difference between pump price before and after subsidy removal =
N141.00 – N65.00 = N76.00

Total spent on subsidizing petrol to our neighbours annually = N76.00 x 9.18 million litres x 365 days = N255 billion

If you take the N255 billion away from the N617 billion shortfall that the government cannot explain, there is still a shortfall of N362 billion. The government still needs to tell us what/who is eating up this N362 billion ($2.26 billion USD).

8. ILLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS

i) We have assumed that there are no working refineries in Nigeria and so no local petrol production whatsoever – yet, there is, even if the refineries are working below capacity.

ii) Nigeria actually consumes 34 million litres of petrol per day. Most experts disagree and give a figure between 20 and 25 million litres per day. Yet there is still an unexplainable shortfall even if we use the exaggerated figure of the government.

iii) Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroun, Niger, and Chad all consume the same rate as Nigeria and get 50% of their petrol illegally from Nigeria through smuggling.

These figures simply show the incompetence and insincerity of our government officials. This is pure banditry.

9. FACT 9.
The simplest part of the fuel subsidy arithmetic will reveal one startling fact: That the government does not need to subsidise our petrol at all if we reject corruption and sleaze as a way of life. Check this out:

a) NNPC crude oil allocation for local consumption = 400,000 barrels per day (from a total of 2.450 million barrels per day).

b) If our refineries work at just 30%, 280,000 barrels can be sold on the international market, leaving the rest for local production.

c) Money accruing to the federal government through NNPC on the sale, using $80/bbl – a conservative figure as against the current price of $100/bbl – would be $22.4m per day. Annually this translates to $8.176bn or N1.3 trillion.

d) The government does not need to subsidise our petrol imports - at least not from the Federation Account. The same crude that should have been refined by NNPC is simply sold on the international market (since our refineries barely work) and the money is used to buy petrol. The 400,000 barrels per day given to NNPC for local consumption can either be refined by NNPC or sold to pay for imports. This absurdity called subsidy should be funded with this money, not the regular FGN budget.

If the FGN uses it regular budget for subsidising petrol, then what happens to the crude oil given to NNPC for local refining that gets sold on the international market?

10. TACTICAL BLUNDER
The federal government is making the deregulation issue a revenue problem. Nigerians are not against deregulation. We have seen deregulation in the telecom sector and Nigerians are better for it, as even the poor have access to telephones now right before the eyes of those who think it is not for them. What is happening presently is not deregulation but an all-time high fuel pump increase, unprecedented in the history of our nation by a government that has gone broke due to excessive and reckless spending largely on themselves. If the excesses of all the three tiers of government are seriously curbed, that would free enough money for infrastructural development without unduly punishing the poor citizens of this country.

Let me just cite, in closing, the example of National Assembly excesses and misplaced spending as contained in the 2012 budget proposal:

1.Number of Senators 109
2.Number of Members of the House of Representatives 360
3.Total Number of Legislators 469
4.2012 Budget Proposal for the National Assembly N150 billion
5.Average Cost of Maintaining Each Member N320 million
6.Average Cost of Maintaining Each Member in USD $2.1 million/year

Time has come for the citizens of this country to hold the government accountable and demand the prosecution of those bleeding our nation to death. Until this government downsizes, cuts down its profligacy and leads by example in modesty and moderation, the poor people of this country will not and must not subsidise the excesses of the oil sector fat cats and the immorality cum fiscal scandal of the self-centred and indulgent lifestyles of those in government.

Here is a hidden treasure of wisdom for those in power while there is still time to make amends:

PROVERBS 21:6&7

“Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. The violence of the wicked will destroy them because they refuse to do just.”

A word of counsel for those who voted for such soulishly indulgent leadership:
“Never trust a man who once had no shoes, or you may end up losing your legs.”

This is the conclusion of the matter on subsidy removal:

i. “If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.” (Proverbs 29:12)

ii. “The Righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and will not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:12&13)

Thanks for your attention. God bless you all.

‘Tunde Bakare
Sunday, January 15, 2012

Tunde Bakare is a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor. He has received national and international attention for his televangelism, which has sometimes been critical of the Nigerian government.[1] He was in March 2002 reportedly arrested after sermons apparently critical of then-president Olusegun Obasanjo.[2]The Nigerian presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, 31 January, announced Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos as his running mate for the 2011 presidential election which he accepted. Unfortunately, CPC lost the presidential election to PDP, but Pastor Bakare remains a fierce critic of the Nigerian government and leadership

Tuesday 10 January 2012

#occupy Nigeria NIGERIANS, WE MUST WAKE UP, THIS IS IS THE IMF ANGLE..*Happy New Year from GEJ (Part 5)*

Hi
This is a continuation from Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Blessed one said...
Hi Mena,
Below is an article by Nile Bowie I stumbled upon that I find very insightful. Please kindly share with the readers of your blog if it is ok with you...

Mena replies...Its very okay with me..Thanks for the valuable information, you have shed so much light on this issue


On a recent trip to West Africa, the newly appointed managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde ordered the governments of Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon, Ghana and Chad to relinquish vital fuel subsidies. Much to the dismay of the population of these nations, the prices of fuel and transport have near tripled over night without notice, causing widespread violence on the streets of the Nigerian capital of Abuja and its economic center, Lagos. Much like the IMF induced riots in Indonesia during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, public discontent in Nigeria is channelled towards an incompetent and self-serving domestic elite, compliant to the interests of fraudulent foreign institutions.

Self serving elite like GEJ:



Although Nigeria holds the most proven oil reserves in Africa behind Libya, it’s people are now expected to pay a fee closer to what the average American pays for the cost of fuel, an exorbitant sum in contrast to its regional neighbours. Alternatively, other oil producing nations such as Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia offer their populations fuel for as little as $0.12 USD per gallon. While Lagos has one of Africa’s highest concentration of billionaires, the vast majority of the population struggle daily on less than $2.00 USD. Amid a staggering 47% youth unemployment rate and thousands of annual deaths related to preventable diseases, the IMF has pulled the rug out from under a nation where safe drinking water is a luxury to around 80% of it’s populace.

Although Nigeria produces 2.4 million barrels of crude oil a day intended for export use, the country struggles with generating sufficient electrical power and maintaining its infrastructure. Ironically enough, less than 6% of bank depositors own 88% of all bank deposits in Nigeria. Goldman Sachs employees line its domestic government, in addition to the former Vice President of the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is widely considered by many to be the de facto Prime Minister. Even after decades of producing lucrative oil exports, Nigeria has failed to maintain it’s own refineries, forcing it to illogically purchase oil imports from other nations. Society at large has not benefited from Nigeria’s natural riches, so it comes as no surprise that a severe level of distrust is held towards the government, who claims the fuel subsidy needs to be lifted in order to divert funds towards improving the quality of life within the country.

Like so many other nations, Nigerian people have suffered from a systematically reduced living standard after being subjected to the IMF’s Structural Adjustment Policies (SAP). Before a loan can be taken from the World Bank or IMF, a country must first follow strict economic policies, which include currency devaluation, lifting of trade tariffs, the removal of subsidies and detrimental budget cuts to critical public sector health and education services.

SAPs encourage borrower countries to focus on the production and export of domestic commodities and resources to increase foreign exchange, which can often be subject to dramatic fluctuations in value. Without the protection of price controls and an authentic currency rate, extreme inflation and poverty subsist to the point of civil unrest, as seen in a wide array of countries around the world (usually in former colonial protectorates). The people of Nigeria have been one of the world’s most vocal against IMF-induced austerity measures, student protests have been met with heavy handed repression since 1986 and several times since then, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths. As a testament to the success of the loan, the average laborer in Nigeria earned 35% more in the 1970’s than he would of in 2012.

Working through the direct representation of Western Financial Institutions and the IMF in Nigeria’s Government, a new IMF conditionality calls for the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Olusegun Aganga, the former Nigerian Minister of Finance commented on how the SWF was hastily pushed through and enacted prior to the countries national elections. If huge savings are amassed from oil exports and austerity measures, one cannot realistically expect that these funds will be invested towards infrastructure development based on the current track record of the Nigerian Government. Further more, it is increasingly more likely that any proceeds from a SWF would be beneficial to Western institutions and markets, which initially demanded its creation. Nigerian philanthropist Bukar Usman prophetically writes “I have genuine fears that the SWF would serve us no better than other foreign-recommended "remedies" which we had implemented to our own detriment in the past or are being pushed to implement today.”

The abrupt simultaneous removal of fuel subsidies in several West African nations is a clear indication of who is really in charge of things in post-colonial Africa. The timing of its cushion-less implementation could not be any worse, Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan recently declared a state of emergency after forty people were killed in a church bombing on Christmas day, an act allegedly committed by the Islamist separatist group, Boko Haram. The group advocates dividing the predominately Muslim northern states from the Christian southern states, a similar predicament to the recent division of Sudan.

May His Soul RIP

As the United States African Command (AFRICOM) begins to gain a foothold into the continent with its troops officially present in Eritrea and Uganda in an effort to maintain security and remove other theocratic religious groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army, the sectarian violence in Nigeria provides a convenient pretext for military intervention in the continuing resource war. For further insight into this theory, it is interesting to note that United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania conducted a series of African war game scenarios in preparation for the Pentagon’s expansion of AFRICOM under the Obama Administration.

In the presence of US State Department Officials, employees from The Rand Corporation and Israeli military personnel, a military exercise was undertaken which tested how AFRICOM would respond to a disintegrating Nigeria on the verge of collapse amidst civil war. The scenario envisioned rebel factions vying for control of the Niger Delta oil fields (the source of one of America’s top oil imports), which would potentially be secured by some 20,000 U.S. troops if a US-friendly coup failed to take place At a press conference at the House Armed Services Committee on March 13, 2008, AFRICOM Commander, General William Ward then went on to brazenly state the priority issue of America’s growing dependence on African oil would be furthered by AFRICOM operating under the principle theatre-goal of “combating terrorism”.

At an AFRICOM Conference held at Fort McNair on February 18, 2008, Vice Admiral Robert T. Moeller openly declared the guiding principle of AFRICOM was to protect “the free flow of natural resources from Africa to the global market”, before citing China’s increasing presence in the region as challenging to American interests. After the unwarranted snatch-and-grab regime change conducted in Libya, nurturing economic destabilization, civil unrest and sectarian conflict in Nigeria is an ultimately tangible effort to secure Africa’s second largest oil reserves. During the pillage of Libya, its SFW accounts worth over 1.2 billion USD were frozen and essentially absorbed by Franco-Anglo-American powers; it would realistic to assume that much the same would occur if Nigeria failed to comply with Western interests. While agents of foreign capital have already infiltrated its government, there is little doubt that Nigeria will become a new front in the War on Terror.

Nile Bowie is a freelance writer and photojournalist; he's regularly contributed to Tony Cartalucci's Land Destroyer Report and Alex Jones' Infowars.

Global Research Articles by Nile Bowie

NIGERIANS, WE MUST WAKE UP OUR FUTURE AND THAT OF GENERATIONS UNBORN ARE AT STAKE. WE DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND FIND THAT OUR LAND HAS BE PREOCCUPIED BY FOREIGNERS.-Blessed

Monday 9 January 2012

FYI: "IHAVE NOW SAID MY LAST PRAYERS WAITING FOR THEIR LAST ATTACK WHICH WILL CERTAINLY BE LIFE AMMUNITION" and other news from #occupy Nigeria



"I have now said my last prayer and pressed send. A lot of my friends have done so too. As I sit here like a duck waiting for their last attack which will certainly be life ammunition, I steel my heart with final conviction and remember “if nigeria doesn’t change, it won’t be for my lack of effort”. The police have surrounded us and one looks at me begging us to drive off. We have been ordered to shoot if u do no leave he whispers" - OccupyNigeria Abuja protester

"Tell the world, that's alll we ask. If we die here today, tell the world, the police did it" -@ESSDonli, OccupyNigeria protester......last tweet #Occupy Nigeria

" They(Police) are trailing us to AIT. I expect them to shoot us soon.".Azeenarh Mohammed

"Azeenarh Mohammed, has been injured by men of the Nigerian Police Force. Social Network Blogger Abdul Mahmud arrested by Police!!!!! Pls share!!!!!! #OccupyNigeria #Abuja #FuelSubsidy If you are on twitter, Azeenarh's handle is @Xeenarh #OccupyNigeria "


"The UN has dissociated itself from Jeffrey Sachs's comments suggesting the UN was supportive of the #fuelsubsidy removal" #OccupyNigeria

" House of Rep members claim they heard about the subsidy removal in the pages of the newspaper. They claim they were not consulted before the action was taken by GEJ, Okonjo Iwealla and co " #occupy Nigeria

Aminu Muhammad Ofs wrote:

"A filling station (Ammasco International Ltd, No 51 Kofar Mazugal Road, Kano) yesterday sold petrol for 65 naira and the filling station was sealed and the workers and managers in a commandos style, whisked away by same people who cannot fight Boko Haram. The owner claimed he was selling his old stocks and to the government, that is a crime worse than boko haram. So the policy is that we must suffer by force #FuelSubsidy #OccupyNigeria"




"In Abuja, people are going to work. I'm going to work. Let's not exaggerate, many will be going to work" - Fianance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on BBC. Hmmn...don't worry,by the time you return from work, we would have 'occupied' your bedroom.#OccupyNigeria #EconomicHitMan


“It was never to my knowledge that the president gave such a date (April 2012). There is no particular time one could say was best suited for the withdrawal (subsidy). It is the prerogative of the president. The important thing is that we cannot carry on the way we did in the past. It would be plunging our future into crisis.” - Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala



"The next time any church is bombed, we'll set this country ablaze. We are no longer going to take it. Do they think they can survive it if I set you (Christians) loose against these people? Enough is enough." - Bishop David Oyedepo via Adelakun Adunni Abimbola.


"Breaking News! NaijaCyberHacktivists Hack Cabal Member Aliko Dangote company website for violating workers' right to protest. Dangote had threaten to sack any of his workers who may join #OccupyNigeria protest. http://www.dangote-sugar.com/"


At 01:55am OccupyNigeria protesters were attacked by policemen in mufti at the Eagle Square, Abuja. They attacked peaceful protesters with sticks, cudgels and irons metals. I witnessed it. There are the injured here. I have been here for the third night to give legal protection to the #OccupyAbuja activists and it is clear the state is becoming repressive" -Abdul Mahmud


" Ours is a repressive state. Live rounds were opened this morning by armed policemen and Aso Rock security officers led by the Chief Security Officer(clearly with Bayelsa accent) and DSP Adejumoh on #OccupyAbuja activists."

More to come on this page

More important information:

When President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power, we spent 300 billion per year on the fuel subsidy. Under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, it shot up to 1.3 trillion naira in the last one year alone. Can someone please explain to me how it got so high in 4 years and what exactly they were subsidizing with the extra one trillion naira?

When the Obasanjo government left power in 2007, the country was no longer in debt and the 30 billion dollar foreign debt that Obasanjo met when he came to power in 1999 was fully paid off. Today, under the administration of Jonathan, our country is back in debt to the tune of 41 billion dollars (both foreign and domestic) and we are still borrowing. Can someone please tell me what the loans were used for and whether we will ever be able to pay them off?

When the Obasanjo administration left power in 2007, our foreign reserves were 80 billion dollars, even though when he came into office in 1999 we only had 1.5 billion dollars. Today our foreign reserves have dropped from 80 billion dollars in 2007 to 33 billion dollars. Can someone please tell me where all the money went?


When the Obasanjo administration left power in 2007, 23 billion dollars was left in the Excess Crude Account after he built it up from nothing in 1999. Today we do not have one dollar left in that
account because the money has been squandered and the account scrapped. Can someone explain to me who spent that money and precisely what it was spent on?

By the time the Obasanjo administration left power in 2007, not one bomb had gone off in Abuja throughout his 8 years in office and neither did we shy away from confronting the evil and dealing a hard blow to terrorists wherever and whenever it was necessary to do so. Today, bombs go off at will all over the north, the President hides in the Villa and churches are targeted!.


If you have a blog, PLEASE spread the word.

What You can do (Everyone has a part to play)

1. Do a similar post of your own on your blog using the title "GEJ Presidential Palace Subsidy Must End: Nigerian Bloggers' Protest"

2. Add the pic/tabled diagram in this post

3. Publish your post today or latest by tomorrow

4. Please allow for seven days on your blog or place in a prime position on your blog for seven days.

5. You can still play your part as a non-blogger: share on facebook, twitter and other relevant social media.

6. Journalists, use your media space.
Directives from blogsville protest

Saturday 7 January 2012

#occupy Nigeria- Right of Reply: President Goodluck Jonathan's speech tonight 7th January 2012 *Happy new year from GEJ part 3*


For all those who missed the live broadcast of President Goodluck Jonathan on the subsidy, please find below the text of his speech as
President Goodluck Jonathan's speech tonight goes as follows....

Dear Compatriots: 1. A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

2. The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future. The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3. This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress. As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

4. Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel. I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.

5. If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government. But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.

6. My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.

7. As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked. If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.

8. As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people. Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.

9. The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.

10. The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.

11. I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, which we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow. On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.

12. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13. For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

14. We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.

15. To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.

16. Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation. Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains. I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians. I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.

17. To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects, which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.

18. Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.

19. We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people. Let me thank the transporters’ associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.

20. In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt –Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.

21. Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

22. Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.

23. This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.

24. I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.

25. As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.

26. Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 7, 2012

I personally got stuck on number 4: how the heck can that be possible when he is reported to have allocated 1 billion naira as part of his family's welfare. As for the rest, please more action, last time someone in government gave a speech on dealing with terrorists, they bombed his office to teach him a lesson..the transport, reduction of political officers basic salary and employment thing looks good on paper (or online), but get to the action bit first...come on if you reduce cunny man salary by 25% cunny man will make a way of getting it back outside salary!!!!

Friday 6 January 2012

#occupy Nigeria: AN OPEN LETTER TO Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi by Kayode De Force Oluwa *Happy new year from GEJ? part 2*




I would have wanted to also address in this letter, Mrs. Diezani Allison Maduekwe and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, but, since Nigerians don’t really know who you people are, except that Mrs. DAM was one of the top-staff in Shell, and is the First Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria at least according to her twitter page (@diezanimadueke). And for Dr. GEJ, the only thing we know about you is that you are the incumbent and “SERVING” President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Oh, and also, that you had no shoes. Apart from that, for the two of you, we really don’t know who you are, and we are yet to know what you stand for or against. We are still looking, so, we can’t talk much.

As for Mrs NOI, and Mr. SLS, Nigerians don’t really know who you are anymore. Who are you people really? And are you truly for us or against us? Are you black or white? Please let us know. In this letter we will only address Mrs. NOI.

Ma, on the 7th of February, 2010, at the 5th Annual the Future Awards, Nigerian youths were gathered and you revealed to us something we didn’t know about ourselves. The Nigerian youth comprises 70 percent of the Nigerian population. Our mouths opened and could not close and we listened with rapt attention as if we are sharing some earth-shattering discovery. You automatically became our Hero, and we almost worshipped you. You became the father, the mother, and the much-needed mentor we never had. You gave us identity; you told us that Nigerians belongs to us, and not just to the 30percent. You said that we should demand good governance and accountability and we should fight for our rights even if it means peaceful protests. We believed you wholeheartedly and @EiENigeria (Enough is Enough Nigeria) was formed. @GbengaSesan, @Chude, @Bubusn, @AbangMercy, and others ran with the vision. You said we should fight for Truth and Justice. In case you don’t know Mum, we listened to you. We have braced ourselves up against corruption; we have armed ourselves with truth. We now demand transparency.

Fast-forward to 2011. We have heard so-many of your arguments for the removal of the subsidy. We too don’t support the subsidy of inefficiency and corruption but because you have taught us to read, question, and demand transparency, we have dug up facts, we have dusted Nigerian history, we have read about other Countries, we have given counter-arguments, we have proposed alternatives, we have made our case known. Mum, we have done everything you told us to do on that fateful day, 7th of February, 2010, but Mum, you became our Enemy. You betrayed us.

Firstly, when you were presented with the KPMG independent Audit, you studied it, we all studied it. With all the massive irregularities, monumental fraud, and leakages in the Nigerian Oil Sector as highlighted, we expected a strong statement and reaction from you, yet you turned a blind eye to this, instead blaming an unidentifiable cabal. Now, that report is dead. No one sacked, no one jailed, no one resigned. Mummy, why?

Firstly, Mummy, you are quick to compare Nigeria with other countries, saying Indonesia, Malaysia, and Iran removed subsidy, so, Nigerians too can remove subsidy with appropriate safety nets. What you refused to tell Nigerians is that before Indonesia removed subsidy, the price was N29 per litre and after staggered and step-by-step removals over Years it became N87 per litre. Also, you intentionally didn’t tell Nigerians that it was because their Oil reserves were dwindling and they have become a net importer of oil (i.e. they needed to import Crude at international prices) is why they considered removing subsidy. Nigeria produces enough Crude Oil to cater for its domestic needs. Iran, also was selling Fuel to its Citizens for N15 per Litre which increased to N60 per Liter after subsidy removal. Also, you didn’t tell us that Malaysia spends $14 billion US dollars and Iran spends $45 billion US dollars yearly on Fuel Subsidy as compared to Nigeria’s spending of $9 billion US dollars as at the time they removed their Subsidy. Ma, you also didn’t tell us that Iran, Malaysia, and Indonesia were subsidizing for their citizens below the cost of refining, while Nigeria was subsidizing for her own citizens the cost of not refining.

Secondly, Ma, you told us that the cost of Fuel in Nigeria is one of the lowest in the World. Ma, what you tried to hide from us is that you were comparing us with non-Oil producing countries. At N65, we have the 14th cheapest Petrol in the world but the 3rd most expensive in OPEC. Angola is a Country just out of war, same as Iraq. We are not just out of a War! After the removal of the Subsidy, Nigeria will be 42nd place in the world around Countries like Russia, China, Peru, Jordan, Taiwan, and the United States. In OPEC, we will probably the most expensive or competing with POST-WAR Iraq and Angola. Also, you refused to tell us about the standard of living in these other countries you are comparing us with. Nigeria is struggling to pay N18,000 minimum wage while average monthly salary of Kuwaiti employees is around ($3,650) i.e N551,150.

Thirdly, you told us Ma that the cost of Fuel will be N120 after the removal of Subsidy but a quick visit to the PPPRA shows that the Landing cost of Fuel without the Distributor’s margin is N131, and the Distributors margin around N9.34. What magic in the world did you want to perform to bring it down to N120? Will the refining company or shipping company run at a Loss?

Ma, you have taught us to ask questions, so we will do some simple Mathematics.

You claimed around 1.4 trillion was paid in Subsidies in 2011 and according to the SURE document N1.134 trillion is re-investible from PMS subsidy removal. Simple mathematics shows that since 75 naira is the amount paid on PMS subsidy, that means Nigerians consumed N1.134 trillion / N75 = 15,120 million litres in the year. More mathematics says daily consumption averages 41.42 million litres i.e. by dividing the annual consumption by 365.

Now, you and Mrs. DAM have not been able to explain to us how Nigerians started consuming 41.42 million litres by day, when a cursory look at the past NNPC records for the past 13 years (1997 – 2010) shows that the highest we have ever gone is 27 million litres? Did Nigerians suddenly start buying Cars and Generators? Another quick look at the statements by Senator Bukola Saraki that roused the whole subsidy brouhaha showed that probably Nigerians started drinking fuel around June, meaning that consumption was stable at around 27 million litres for the first 6 months, then in the last 6 months, consumption became around 55.8 million liters per day. It is still a mystery unsolved what Nigerians started doing starting from June, after the Inauguration of the present Government that would gulp 55.8 million litres. Mummy, you are in power to be our voice in Government, but you turned your back on us when we needed you the most.

In 2010, 2.8 million litres of PMS were refined averagely per day in NNPC (Local Refining). Are we paying subsidies on that also? Yes, it must be because if not, then Mrs DAM still has more explanations to make on how 1.134 trillion was spent on subsidy when 2.8 million litres per day is domestic refining. Doing a quick calculation reveals that 76 billion naira is the amount of subsidy paid on UNSUBSIDIZED domestically refined fuel.

Again, we don’t understand the distraction methods created by the Senate Probe committee and Mrs. DAM by criminalizing the Petroleum Marketers in Nigeria by calling them the Cabal that have been eating the N1.134 trillion meant for the Subsidy. A quick look again at the PPPRA pricing template clearly states that the N122.51 is the cost of a litre of Fuel i.e. the cost of a litre of Fuel coming from the foreign refinery and shipping costs for it to land at our own Ports. The Logic is N122.51 – N65 = N57.51 on every litre paid as SUBSIDY to the Refining and Shipping companies. It means N861 billion out of the so-called SUBSIDY money is the cost of us having to refine outside the country and then ship it back to our own country and it is paid to foreign refining firms and shipping firms not to the Marketers. Is it the fault of the Marketers that Nigeria can’t refine? At least according to the PPPRA template, the real money entering the hands of the Marketers is N6.5 which is essentially the dealers and retailers margin. The annual sum then gets to N98.28 billion. The cost of transportation and bridging is N8.85 naira per Litre, and that is just because the pipelines are either bad or vandalized. Then we ask again, is it the Marketer’s fault. NNPC doesn’t have adequate or has unutilized storage depots and the private hands store Fuel at N3 per Litre and then you ask again? Is it the Marketer’s fault? Who is in business that doesn’t want to make Profit? Instead of looking at the real problems, they told us it was a Cabal that was stealing all of our money, are they dipping hands into the Federation account? Are they not being paid by PPMC?

Mummy, you sold Nigerians the story that you are trying to take Money from a powerful few and redistribute it to the Poor. How much are you taking from these “Cabal”? N98.2 billion of legitimately earned money. Nigerians believed you because they thought they were fighting the Cabal. We are not deceived, they are not the real Cabal. Identify them in NNPC. Identify them in our Past and Present Leaders and Politicians.

Mummy, we are really tired of explaining mathematics because we know you know better than us at these things, at least that is why you were the Vice-President at the World Bank. My only question is why did you sell us out?

There is still one more thing that confuses us, and this we are not sure anybody has asked you before. We will paint a scenario.

If Nigeria were to refine all the Crude Oil necessary to meet Local Demand, we might have to refine like 400,000 barrels more than we currently do per day. So, since, we don’t refine that Crude which is meant for Nigerians internal consumption, the Nigerian Government sells that Crude on the International market as part of its export. For example, if Nigeria exports approximately 2 million barrels per day. If the refineries were working, Nigeria will only be able to sell 1.6million barrels per day. So, we can safely assume that extra 400,000 barrels of Crude Oil is being sold on behalf of the Nigerian people daily. Bringing out our Calculator again: 400,000 * $106 * 365days = $15.48 billion, but as Mrs DAM has successfully hidden from us what percentage exactly the Nigerian Government profits from Crude Sales, let us assume only half (50%) of it is remitted back to the Nigerian government. That gives us $7.73billion which is approximately N1.2 trillion. This amount alone covers for the subsidy of PMS. Where does that Money go to?



Ma, We really want to stop disturbing you right now but We also remembered you told us you were still consulting widely with stakeholders and that a probable date is fixed for April 1st, All of a sudden, you gamed Nigerians on the First day of the new year. This is not how you raised us up in truthfulness and integrity.

Presently, the Nigerian Youth has the feeling of being raped, that eerie and awful feeling of being raped by a close Friend and Confidant. We discussed and discussed and had Press releases but the Government would not listen and then @renoomokri was “sent” to come insult our intelligence and teach us how to read the constitution.



Muyideen



You said, when all else fails, we should employ peaceful protests to advance our position which we obediently hearkened to. Now Mustafa Muyideen Mofoluwasho Opobiyi is dead. A 23 year old young man is dead. He had completed his studies in computer training at Da’arul Salam Computer Training Institute of Information and Technology. He arrived in Abuja post-graduation for a short vacation but was shot down in cold blood by Nigerian police at the pro-subsidy protest in Ilorin, Kwara state by the Nigerian police. Ma, you are now in Government, who authorized the Police to shoot him down?

Another of us was brutalized ( ) by Policemen at Maryland today, who authorized them? Ma, we just wish to remind you that you are in Government today and you are also to be held accountable. Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution protects the Nigerian Citizens right to Assemble. “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests:” Why Ma, have you gamed us?



Ma, we’d like you to know that there is no going back moreso since some of us have been gunned down. We continue our Protests tomorrow. Are we still going to be gunned down tomorrow? You are in Government, you sponsored this Policy, and being a truthful person that we “hope” you are, please tell us the truth.

The Sub-Saharan Spring has started. Ma, would you want your name to go down in History as the same person who encouraged Youths to engage their Government and Protest when need be, and also be the same Person that will be noted as the Flag bearer of the Policy which caused the Protests?



There is something Nigerian Youths will want you to do for us.

1. You must rescind on this subsidy-removal policy which you heralded.
2. You must apologize to all Nigerian Youths, your Children, 70% of the Nigerian Population.
3. You must publicly tell Nigerians that you are not being used by IMF or the World Bank.
4. You must tell the Labour Minister that apart from NLC and so-called Hoodlums who were protesting, there is also a class of Nigerians called the Enlightened Nigerian Youth.
5. You should tell Mrs Diezani Allison Maduekwe that her antics has not deceived any of us.
6. You should tell Mr. Labaran Maku that Nigerian youth are now more informed and we just don’t swallow everything hook, line, and sinker. Also, that it was an insult on us for him to tell us that we should be thankful that President Jonathan is a Patient and Calm man.
7. Finally, Ma, if you cannot rescind on this Policy at this moment, we’ll appreciate if you will honourably resign. This will help send a message to the Jonathan led government that his policies and methods are unpopular.



I will leave you with the words of your Friend and Colleague @obyezeks (Madam OBY), She said:

“Today, we have no choice but to go back to basics and try to regain the people's trust. In 1946, philanthropist Joseph N. Pew Jr. said, "Tell the truth and trust the people”. Analytical evidence shows that economies that respect citizens' SPACE and VOICE to contest Policy grow better and faster. History shows that it becomes a slippery slope when nations try to shrink the Public Space for Citizens' Voice. Avoid it!

Social Accountability is now the core of Good Governance which means that engaging with CITIZENS as EQUAL PARTNERS is their RIGHT and not a PRIVILEGE”



The Nigerian youth have spoken! We don’t want a removal of Fuel Subsidy; we demand a stoppage of it. Subsidy wasn’t there originally, and we know what brought it in, eliminate what brought subsidy in, and subsidy itself will be eliminated. Treat the Disease, not the Symptoms!

I hope you Listen. We still trust you. We believe you will do what is right.

Monday 2 January 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR PRESIDENT GOOD LUCK? Part 1

Protester shot in illorin demonstration


Hi
I hope you had a wonderful christmas and new year with your loved ones with happiness and love in your homes. Wishing you even more of such blessing health prosperity from our creator. And love from all corners of the earth.

Me? Had the worst christmas and new year break ever. Will write about it in the see me see trobu series.

But something wicked here lies. Look i know the arguments for the removal of the fuel subsidy. Here is a Comprehensive List of The Projects that 'Shall' Be Funded by the Fuel Subsidy Savings. Whilst it looks good on paper, You are Advised to apply the usual caveats...'Caveat Emptor"...
Then the terrible timing, while the bulk of Nigerians are still on holidays (travellers like me just going back to work will be severly hit) and like my caveat says: what is the assurance that the monies realised will not still be 'stolen'? none. Business(read corruption) IS going on as usual. So far nothing has impressed me in his leadership more brazen terror threats than ever before. He really seems clueless..just take a look at his slogan
Here are stories from around blogsville:PPPRA Announces Formal Removal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)


Following extensive consultation with stakeholders across the nation, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) wishes to inform all stakeholders of the commencement of formal removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), in accordance with the powers conferred on the agency by the law establishing it, in compliance with Section 7 of PPPRA Act, 2004.

By this announcement, the downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry is hereby deregulated for PMS. Service providers in the sector are now to procure products and sell same in accordance with the indicative benchmark price to be published forthnightly and posted on the PPPRA website.

Petroleum products marketers are to note that no one will be paid subsidy on PMS discharges after 1st January 2012.
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NLC announce date and location of fuel subsidy removal protest


Protest starts Tuesday, Jan 3rd @ 8.am, at NLC Secretariat - 29, Olajuwon Street opp. Tejuosho market, Yaba, Lagos.

Also:
*Protest in Makurdi takes off at 10am tomorrow 3rd January 2012, Venue is Woodland Park
*Signing of protest register against the removal of oil subsidy at the Emir's Palace, Gombe from 9:00am tomorrow.

Meanwhile there are rumours that to forestall protests tomorrow, BIS services will be shut down by service providers. If that happens, text or call 07003200882.more protest
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Protesters sign subsidy removal register from at the Eagle Square Abuja



Protesters sign subsidy removal register from at the Eagle Square Abuja
The anti-fuel hike protests have kicked off in parts of Nigeria. There's protest in Abuja, Kano and Abeokuta, Ogun state. Lagos people are gearing up. They are planning to meet for a protest in Kaduna and some parts of eastern Nigeria.
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Youth playing football with mates, mistaken for a protester shot to death in Ogba because he couldnt run as fast as his mates who were hit with bullets but survived
May His Soul RIP

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According to a bloggers intepretation of this photo

NGOZI OKONJO: "Lets just lie to them and cheat Nigeria, they'll believe cos I'm the top liar of the WorldBank..We are international and they are poor peasants..mind you, only govt ministers use petrol and SUV's in Nigeria so we should keep... it like that.."
SANUSI: "N1Trillion Naira can bribe anybody..you got me roped in I guess..Hmmm, everybody benefits except the masses-Cool!"
IMF: "You have my blessings you greedy folks...Impoverish your people and help clear French debts..will send BNP Paribas over to you for further discussions! I laugh at Nigerian masses!!" #Thunder Fire Una plus GEJ govt!!!
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This is the then president aspirant whose slogan was fresh air.Thats all he promised and even he cant deliver on that.

ENGLISH IS A DIFFICULT LANGUAGE



English is Very difficult or how will you express this?


Below are signs in different places from different parts of the world:
...
In a Bangkok Temple:

... IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.

Cocktail lounge , Norway :

LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.

Doctors office, Rome :

SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.

Dry cleaners, Bangkok :

DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.

In a Nairobi restaurant :

CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.

On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi :

TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.

On a poster at Kencom :

ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.

In a City restaurant :

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.

In a cemetery :

PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations :

GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant :

OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

In a Tokyo bar :

SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.

Hotel laundry, Yugoslavia :

THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

Hotel , Japan :

YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery :

YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.

A sign posted in Germany 's Black Forest :

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Hotel, Zurich :

BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand :

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?

A laundry in Rome :

LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen :

WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS

Have a blessed 2012