The media have led us to believe that there are four leading presidential contenders, thus rather unfairly dismissing the sundry others even before the first ballot is cast.
Here are my views on the “top four” contenders, in no particular order:
Ibrahim Shekarau – What I like of him?
He came out shining like a million stars at the “Presidential Debate” televised live on the 18th March. I was impressed. Pity I have not been to Kano in the time he has been governor to be able to personally assess the development he has brought to my good old Kano, but if his persuasive claim during the debate is to be believed then the North, nay, Nigeria has a gem in Shekarau.alt
What I don’t like of him? Nothing really other than the fact that he’s jumping into the fray even before his tenure as governor of Kano State has ended, thus effectively robbing Kano of any meaningful governance in the last few months, if not whole year!
Gen. Muhammadu. Buhari – What I like of him?
If truth be told, he stands head and shoulder above all the other contenders in verifiable probity. Even against the suspicions I had long held that his running for president thrice meant he’s got some money hidden somewhere from which the repeated race drew from, or that he’s been running on the steam of those he had “suspiciously” empowered while he held those ‘treasury-key’ offices in the past, I now feel that may not be the case and that support for his campaigns were more from those truly appreciative of his quality and integrity, even while benefitting (not improperly) from his past offices. Everything points to the fact that if Buhari gets to be the president, not only would he depart from the ugliness of self-enrichment previous presidents had wallowed in, he would stand guard over the treasury and instil a greater sense of discipline and probity in the polity.
What I don’t like of him? Again, to be honest, I just don’t like him, period. Simply, he does not fit the picture I have of the president I want now for Nigeria – he is too old (being more or less of my age!) to have the dynamism of youth in an age where the average age of presidents in the developed world is 45. He does not impress me as someone with the vision to catapult our country into spectacular technological advancement. But, hey, perhaps not to run before we can walk, we may need first to get ourselves back on the track of discipline and good moral values. Buhari hasn’t said anything about the structural problem of the country. While he is shouting that he is ready to probe those who have milked us in the past and recover our stolen commonwealth, he has said nothing of the continuing burden of structural imbalance and public sector dead weight. Lastly, I don’t like the fact that he belongs to that abhorrent class of past military generals (and rulers) to whom, collectively, our miserable past is owed.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – What I like of him?
He’s a homeboy! There’s something reassuring about that! He’s the boy next door. President Jonathan has shown, even whilst his methods are unclear, some capability to get results! The things those rooting for him chalk as his achievements so far seem factual, namely, disappearance of fuel queues, improved power, less restive Niger Delta, etc – even if it is yet to be determined how proportionate the costs have been. Moreover, I am persuaded that GEJ truly wants to give us a free and fair election. He’s saying and doing mostly the right things in this direction. His appointment of Jega lends credibility, so is the manner he has so far left the guy to run the show his own way without pulling him aside! At 50, GEJ is also of the age bracket I want for our president – an age that should still be capable of listening to and understanding issues; an age that should still be able to work through the night ploughing through volumes of work and not see books or reading as some kind of sedative. He has also shown admirable capacity to take blows – coolly! I also like his being Niger-Deltan – about time someone from the creeks got elected president of a country that depends on resources from there.
What I don’t like of him? Quite a number: He does not fit the picture of the president I want for Nigeria now or at any other time! But that’s just silly me out of 150 million country-folks. I want an articulate and cerebral president. I don’t like the idea of dodging a debate and not coming out to dispel our fears. But it is his prerogative. GEJ seems lost most of the time or just going through the motion, a motion all too tedious and disturbing. Above all, I don’t like the party to which he belongs – the PDP. I am left in no doubt the PDP is inimical to the progress and wellbeing of Nigeria and that it is highly improbable that anyone can bring about desired positive changes in the country whilst remaining a member of that party.
Nuhu Ribadu – What I like of him?
Nuhu is full of life and idealism! In a country where being a policeman carries the odious tag of “corruption personified” it is remarkable indeed that someone of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police can exist within the same system without his cupboard dripping with skeletons! Nuhu was one. Then in his time as founding EFCC chairman, he won me over with some striking actions and even more striking words. He chained and jailed ex-cop supremo, Balogun; harassed and jailed big boy governor Alamaseigha; he made governor rogues like Igbinedion and Ibori sleepless – regardless of them being PDP members and Obasanjo’s “boys”; and sundry others. And throughout his tenure, even if he was accused of being selective and of running Obasanjo’s errands, he could not be accused of having enriched himself in the process; and none that worked for him (known to me) had anything but respect for him. He is daring, young, and sufficiently articulate.
What I don’t like of him? Lately, and more from that “Presidential Debate” I began to feel very uncomfortable. While his impatience and anger over the state of the country is understandable, his brashness, even ill temper, unsettles. He looks like he’s not a team player but a Rambo with Messiahnic-complex.
So, finally, who is my choice? Ribadu, for whatever it’s worth. But in all likelihood GEJ is next president – and he doesn’t even have to rig. The opposition are help enough!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Voters can witness vote counting
INEC Chairman and IG of Police say voters who are interested in witnessing the collation of votes at polling centres during the general elections are free to do so as long as you do it peacefully. Anyone caught behaving unruly at any polling centre will be arrested and prosecuted. And please go with your camera phones!
Voters interested in witnessing the collation of votes at polling centres during the April general elections are free to do so.
But such freedom is with a proviso: their conduct must be peaceful.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega and the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, announced this after briefing the National Council of States on the preparations for the elections in Abuja on Tuesday.
INEC and the Police warned that anyone caught behaving unruly at any polling unit would be arrested and prosecuted.
Jega, who was the first to speak with the journalists, said that the impression that voters could stay behind and defend their votes was based on a misunderstanding of INEC’s guidelines on elections.
He made it clear that INEC would prefer a situation where voters went to their homes immediately after casting their votes.
But he said that voters who wished to stay behind and monitor the collation process were free to do so.
He, however, warned that security agencies had been directed to deal with anyone found to be formenting trouble at polling centres.
The INEC chairman said, “There are concerns over crowd control. These concerns are such that anywhere where about 200 or more people are gathered, there is the possibility of a breach of the peace. When it concerns elections, there is the likelihood that it might get out of hand and lead to violence.
“These were the concerns the members of the council of state raised , and I think at this point, I need to make a clarification about the participation of voters and monitoring of election results.
“What we issued as guidelines is that every voter will come, will be accredited and will be allowed to vote. When he or she finishes voting and chooses to wait and observe the collation, then it must be done peacefully.
“I want to state categorically that we in INEC are not urging people to stay and defend their votes the way people are suggesting it. If anybody chooses to stay, he or she must make sure it is done in non-violent manner. The rules must be obeyed. Anybody who cannot do that should not stay.”
Ringim, who also briefed journalists on the matter, said, “People would be allowed to stay as long as they conduct themselves peacefully and not otherwise.
“Anybody that is found to be in a position to threaten the conduct of the election shall be arrested and prosecuted.”
The IG had last Friday said that voters would be allowed to witness vote counting at “a reasonable distance from polling centres.”
Voters interested in witnessing the collation of votes at polling centres during the April general elections are free to do so.
But such freedom is with a proviso: their conduct must be peaceful.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega and the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, announced this after briefing the National Council of States on the preparations for the elections in Abuja on Tuesday.
INEC and the Police warned that anyone caught behaving unruly at any polling unit would be arrested and prosecuted.
Jega, who was the first to speak with the journalists, said that the impression that voters could stay behind and defend their votes was based on a misunderstanding of INEC’s guidelines on elections.
He made it clear that INEC would prefer a situation where voters went to their homes immediately after casting their votes.
But he said that voters who wished to stay behind and monitor the collation process were free to do so.
He, however, warned that security agencies had been directed to deal with anyone found to be formenting trouble at polling centres.
The INEC chairman said, “There are concerns over crowd control. These concerns are such that anywhere where about 200 or more people are gathered, there is the possibility of a breach of the peace. When it concerns elections, there is the likelihood that it might get out of hand and lead to violence.
“These were the concerns the members of the council of state raised , and I think at this point, I need to make a clarification about the participation of voters and monitoring of election results.
“What we issued as guidelines is that every voter will come, will be accredited and will be allowed to vote. When he or she finishes voting and chooses to wait and observe the collation, then it must be done peacefully.
“I want to state categorically that we in INEC are not urging people to stay and defend their votes the way people are suggesting it. If anybody chooses to stay, he or she must make sure it is done in non-violent manner. The rules must be obeyed. Anybody who cannot do that should not stay.”
Ringim, who also briefed journalists on the matter, said, “People would be allowed to stay as long as they conduct themselves peacefully and not otherwise.
“Anybody that is found to be in a position to threaten the conduct of the election shall be arrested and prosecuted.”
The IG had last Friday said that voters would be allowed to witness vote counting at “a reasonable distance from polling centres.”
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Two Nigerians get 18 years jail term
A district court in Denpasar, Bali in Indonesia sentenced two Nigerians, members of an international drug smuggling syndicate to 18 year jail sentences on Monday.
The Nigerian defendants, Austine Bosah Uchena, 39, and Michael Onyedika Onuorah, 24, must also pay fines of Rp 2 billion ($230,000) or face an additional two years behind bars.
The sentences were twice those demanded by the prosecution.
The pair were caught attempting to smuggle more than two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine into Bali’s Nugroho Rai International Airport from Malaysia on July 13 last year.
Other members of the syndicate are being tried separately.
They are Yakno, a Filipino, Band everly Adtoon Fulache and Enny Maliani who are Indonesian.
The Nigerian defendants, Austine Bosah Uchena, 39, and Michael Onyedika Onuorah, 24, must also pay fines of Rp 2 billion ($230,000) or face an additional two years behind bars.
The sentences were twice those demanded by the prosecution.
The pair were caught attempting to smuggle more than two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine into Bali’s Nugroho Rai International Airport from Malaysia on July 13 last year.
Other members of the syndicate are being tried separately.
They are Yakno, a Filipino, Band everly Adtoon Fulache and Enny Maliani who are Indonesian.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
UK indefinite stay available for £5million
The British are at it again with an unbelievable immigration law that will surely attract comments world over. This time, the British Conservative party pro-rich bias appears intact if its latest immigration policy is any indication.
Under a fast track scheme,any foreigner willing to park 5 million pounds in a British bank or building society will be granted leave of indefinite stay in the UK. An investor who keeps 10 million will secure this right even faster in two years. The residency right will come after an entrepreneur visa is granted.
The UK remains open for business and we want those who have the most to offer to come and settle here, said Whitehalls immigration minister Damian Green while announcing the policy at a London Stock Exchange event on Wednesday. Entrepreneurs and investors can play a major part in our economic recovery, he said.
Rules for entrepreneurs are also to be tweaked if they either create 10 full-time jobs or generate an annual turnover of 10 million in a UK business, they will be entitled to settlement within three years.
Alex Ruffel, a lawyer who specialises in immigration matters, was quoted as forecasting that the number of super-rich entrepreneurs and investors pitching their tents in the UK per annum would double from last years figure of 275.
A person maintaining a balance of 1 million in a British bank would also benefit by being guaranteed indefinite stay after five years without having to pass an otherwise mandatory English language test.
The policy towards the wealthy contrasts sharply with the British governments plan to do away with the automatic right to settle hitherto enjoyed by students and temporary residents after a five year stay in this country.
Indeed, definitive proposals to impose deep cuts in the number of overseas students coming to Britain so as to adhere to the Conservative partys election manifesto promise of containing net migration to below 100,000 a year are expected to be announced soon.
Under a fast track scheme,any foreigner willing to park 5 million pounds in a British bank or building society will be granted leave of indefinite stay in the UK. An investor who keeps 10 million will secure this right even faster in two years. The residency right will come after an entrepreneur visa is granted.
The UK remains open for business and we want those who have the most to offer to come and settle here, said Whitehalls immigration minister Damian Green while announcing the policy at a London Stock Exchange event on Wednesday. Entrepreneurs and investors can play a major part in our economic recovery, he said.
Rules for entrepreneurs are also to be tweaked if they either create 10 full-time jobs or generate an annual turnover of 10 million in a UK business, they will be entitled to settlement within three years.
Alex Ruffel, a lawyer who specialises in immigration matters, was quoted as forecasting that the number of super-rich entrepreneurs and investors pitching their tents in the UK per annum would double from last years figure of 275.
A person maintaining a balance of 1 million in a British bank would also benefit by being guaranteed indefinite stay after five years without having to pass an otherwise mandatory English language test.
The policy towards the wealthy contrasts sharply with the British governments plan to do away with the automatic right to settle hitherto enjoyed by students and temporary residents after a five year stay in this country.
Indeed, definitive proposals to impose deep cuts in the number of overseas students coming to Britain so as to adhere to the Conservative partys election manifesto promise of containing net migration to below 100,000 a year are expected to be announced soon.
Nigeria strengthens ties with India
Nigerian's Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia and India's External Affairs Minister SM Krishma pledged to further strengthen economic ties between the two nations so that they are commensurate with their 'excellent' political ties on Thursday.
'Both agreed to infuse the close political relationship with matching economic content,' said a press release issued by the external affairs ministry.
The visiting minister spoke about the reform process underway in the power, petroleum and banking sectors in his country.
'He also mentioned about the Gas Master Plan under preparation for exploiting the enormous gas reserves and highlighted the opportunities available for Indian companies,' said the press note.
The Nigerian foreign minister arrived March 15 and during his visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other members of the Indian cabinet.
On Thursday evening, he delivered a speech on 'India and Nigeria: the Largest Democracies in World and Africa, as Agents of Inter-regional Cooperation for Global Peace and Development'.
A bilateral agreement was signed during the visit in the field of pharmaceuticals between India's Department of Pharmaceuticals and Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The agreement will help promotion of mutual trade in good quality drugs, drug testing and analysis and detection and prevention of supply of adulterated and fake drugs.
'Both agreed to infuse the close political relationship with matching economic content,' said a press release issued by the external affairs ministry.
The visiting minister spoke about the reform process underway in the power, petroleum and banking sectors in his country.
'He also mentioned about the Gas Master Plan under preparation for exploiting the enormous gas reserves and highlighted the opportunities available for Indian companies,' said the press note.
The Nigerian foreign minister arrived March 15 and during his visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other members of the Indian cabinet.
On Thursday evening, he delivered a speech on 'India and Nigeria: the Largest Democracies in World and Africa, as Agents of Inter-regional Cooperation for Global Peace and Development'.
A bilateral agreement was signed during the visit in the field of pharmaceuticals between India's Department of Pharmaceuticals and Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The agreement will help promotion of mutual trade in good quality drugs, drug testing and analysis and detection and prevention of supply of adulterated and fake drugs.
Western Union Offers No Fee Money Transfers to Japan
The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, in cooperation with its Agents, has activated a limited-time "No Transfer Fee"* program for money-transfers sent to Japan from participating Agent locations around the world. The “No Transfer Fee” service will allow consumers to send money to help loved ones affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11.
The "No Transfer Fee" program to Japan will be available from March 17 through April 17, 2011, and is subject to network, service and currency availability.
Consumers sending money to Japan may visit participating Western Union® Agent locations to send a money transfer to family and friends in Japan.
"Western Union stands together with its Agents and the people of Japan at this time of need,” said Hikmet Ersek, President and CEO. "Our services are an economic lifeline, and that is seldom more evident than in times of personal crisis or national emergency.”
The earthquake and tsunami damages have generated a number of challenges for businesses operating in Japan, and Western Union continues to work with its Agents toward restoring full service as quickly as possible to people in affected regions.
Earlier this week, the Western Union Foundation made a contribution to Mercy Corps in support of Peace Winds Japan, their local partner, to provide for the immediate needs of survivors, including.
The Foundation has also initiated a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to match donations from Western Union employees.
The "No Transfer Fee" program to Japan will be available from March 17 through April 17, 2011, and is subject to network, service and currency availability.
Consumers sending money to Japan may visit participating Western Union® Agent locations to send a money transfer to family and friends in Japan.
"Western Union stands together with its Agents and the people of Japan at this time of need,” said Hikmet Ersek, President and CEO. "Our services are an economic lifeline, and that is seldom more evident than in times of personal crisis or national emergency.”
The earthquake and tsunami damages have generated a number of challenges for businesses operating in Japan, and Western Union continues to work with its Agents toward restoring full service as quickly as possible to people in affected regions.
Earlier this week, the Western Union Foundation made a contribution to Mercy Corps in support of Peace Winds Japan, their local partner, to provide for the immediate needs of survivors, including.
The Foundation has also initiated a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to match donations from Western Union employees.
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