Jonathan: The Mid-Term Scorecard...

His rise to the number one position in the land might have been eased by a sleight of good luck, but two years after in the seat of power, the president 'once without shoes,' must have learned that good luck alone does not translate to success and steady progress. Not only is the burden of the office taking it's toll on him, president Jonathan must have now learned of the pandora's box, that is leadership. Faced by the peculiar plague that is Boko Haram, his two years presidency have come to be defined by his reactive approach to the menace. It is true that his presidency is unfortunate to be the first in our turf to wrestle with such evil, but leadership is not a call for pity party. It requires proactiveness, decisiveness and effectiveness; features that have been in short supply in this current administration. On occasions too numerous to rehash, the Jonathan presidency have lacked the will and efficiency to pursue their policies to completion. The change of the Power minister from Barth Nnaji to Chinedu Nebo is yet to heal the epilepsy in that sector. The economy is not faring too well, as foreign debts continue to skyrocket. Unemployment rate is at an all time high. Needless to say, the scourge of corruption continues to reign supreme. That Farouk Lawal and Femi Otedola are still roaming around the streets, despite their obvious corrupt practices, says a lot of the so called fight against corruption. Perhaps, the only sector that seems to be a beacon of light, appears to be the Agricultural sector under the watchful eyes of Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina. What is more? A worrying trend that has become an hallmark of the Jonathan regime so far, is the bickering, witch-hunting and dictatorial tendencies that the regime has displayed. If it's not Reuben Abati pouring venom on the critics, it is Doyin Okupe attacking anyone that dared to speak against the policies of his boss. And the garrulous cum ranting nature of the Information minister, Labaran Maku, has now become legendary. It is true that the need for constructive criticisms cannot be ignored, but it is even more of a truism that all sorts of criticisms, irrespective of intents, must be accommodated. Also, the administration might claim innocence in the current travails of the embattled Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, but we are not so gullible not to see the truth. Conclusively, a verdict by the jury on the Jonathan presidency might be hasty, but the half way point, leaves plenty to be desired.

Desperate Times For President Jonathan...

It is a government that is least known for it's proactive nature, and many of us have come to endure it's mediocrity, with a fading optimism that 2015 will finally usher in the watershed. In an obvious show of brevity, albeit belated, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in the volatile states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. It cannot be a mere oversight that Kano was missing from that list, but one can spare the presidency the blemish, after all, he is acting on information afforded him by his security experts. It is no gainsaying that this current display of stern by the current government should have come much earlier. Perhaps, the carnage will have been curtailed. However, it is better late than never. This current development makes a crass mockery of the entire amnesty program that is proving to be a voyage in futility. Suffice it to say, it will be sheer fool hardiness for anyone to view Jonathan's declaration as being politically motivated. Desperate times requires desperate measures. Yet, it remains to be seen how the brutality of the army will live side by side with the civility of a political rule in these states. At times like this, all hands must be on deck. The army must be thoroughly professional in carrying out their assignment in these states, and every stake holders involved must work towards ensuring that we end this madness once and for all. We can barely afford any more time for shameless bickering as a nation. The Nigeria project currently hinges on fragility, and the consequences could be dire.

The Politics Of Witch-Hunting: Lessons For Amaechi

Except you are too gullible and prone to believe that the unhealthy relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi is only a war of attrition, there is certainly more to the rift. First, is the tussle for power. The pair wields enormous influence in their respective quarters, but it is the persistent actions of the president to prove a political point to a man who he perceives to be too unruly at best, and a threat at least. This is not an attempt to analyze all the protracted issues enmeshed in the plot, for we may never know exactly when things began to fall apart between the pair. However, this is an attempt to make Amaechi know that in such a war between the little guy and the echelon of power, history suggest that the latter almost always have the last laugh. Make no mistake about it, Amaechi's brevity and penchant to take a swipe at the excesses of the powers that be, must be admired. It was obvious that the creation of the PDP Governors Forum out of the NGF, was mainly an attempt to undermine Amaechi's influence. Then, there was the infuriating story of the governor's aircraft and all the surrounding issues it has generated. In all these, Amaechi has remained dauntless. But, being dauntless against such forces comes with a price. And in this part of the world, the price might be dire. The governor's detractors are beginning to multiply among the political ranks, though he might be winning the vociferous support of the opposition, he can't regard such goodwill as a plus. The reasonable advice for Amaechi is for him to take it easy from here on, and work on burying the hatchet. Otherwise, he could take the stance of a hero against the forces, and if history is anything to go by, he will end up becoming a political loss. The plot is already thickened, and only time will tell when all these will end. With 2015 on the horizon, Amaechi and Jonathan cannot afford any political bruises that could jeopardize their lofted ambitions.

Ribadu/Fashola: The Dream Presidency?

As the permutations towards a feisty 2015 general elections begins in earnest, one is left to fantasize, and hope over what might be. It is a no-brainer to suggest that the PDP led government for fourteen years have done little to restore and ill our land. Instead, shrewd politicking, insane bickering, corruption syndrome and a bastardized system is all they have bequeathed to us. The debate over the assessment of Goodluck Jonathan led administration might be premature, but the signs are ominous. Like him or loathe him, a Nuhu Ribadu led administration is one that holds promises, especially with a sidekick like Babatunde Raji Fashola. Many have criticized Ribadu on the premise that his spell as EFCC boss was used to witch hunt the enemies of his then boss, Olusegun Obasanjo. While that looks plausible on first thought, a more reasonable question to ask as Gani Fawenhimi did ask is: 'Were those involved in these selective judgments truly culpable'? The answer is glaring. It is not for nothing that Ribadu earned international acclaim, and it is no mean feat to be the chief crime fighter in a nation that is infamously referred to as one of the most corrupt on earth. Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola clearly needs no introduction. His transformation of Lagos is staggering, and the watershed has been remarkable. Fashola is a proven politician cum administrator. Nigeria needs those that can work their socks off. He has been able to restore some level of sanity to an erstwhile notorious Lagos. Looking at his rate of work, one wonders if he ever takes time to rest. Moreover, the duo of Ribadu and Fashola are progressives. They might not be the Joshua to lead Nigeria into the promised land, but they could serve as the Moses to initiate and fast track the liberation process. To add another perspective, the pair will also garner the needed appeal from a larger part of our polarized society. Nigeria is simply tired of the dead woods. The unrelenting cabal has toiled with Nigeria enough, that is why a Buhari led presidency is never a great option. It is not an outrageous utterance to suggest that Nigerians are simply tired, fed up, irritated, and incensed with the continuous retrogressive PDP led administration. A change is needed, and swiftly too. However, a Ribadu/Fashola presidency hinges on the survival of the APC. It remains to be seen if this long awaited opposition party of strange bed fellows can sheath their old swords, and work assiduously to usher in a new lease of life. As Presidential Public Affairs Assistant, Doyin Okupe, prophezied, APC might not survive past 2014. It is left to them to answer the garrulous presidential aide accordingly.

NYSC AT 40: ANOTHER MILESTONE

Despite the multitudes of controversies that have bedevilled the NYSC Scheme, it is a great feat of achievement that the scheme has survived through all these years. The National Youth Service Scheme was established in 1973 by General Yakubu Gowon. Its introduction was part of efforts by the then military government to unify and integrate every parts of the country after the 30 months bloodbath that was the Nigerian Civil War. Since 1973, graduates from all parts of the country have been posted to novel environments in a compulsory one year service to fatherland. Without mincing words, the scheme has made outstanding and exquisite feats over the past four decades, and any call to scrap it is not just preposterous, but entirely baseless. Indeed, the most remarkable achievement of the programme is the unifying and integrating factor it has brought to our largely divided nation. Owing to the scheme, youths across the country has been able to imbibe different cultures and appreciate the values and norms of diverse tribes and ethnic groups. It is not an exaggeration to say that the language barrier has been brought to its bearest minimum due to the NYSC programme. It goes without saying that inter marriage between people of different tribes have been fostered because of it. In a nation with over 250 ethnic groups and numerous languages, the NYSC scheme provides unity in this diversity. In addition, the scheme has continually provided viable manpower for overall development. It has been said, and not without reason, that rural development that has been witnessed in different parts of the country can be traced to the intellectual provision that the Corps members provides. Perhaps, it should be mentioned that the Corps members are a form of cheap labour which can always get the job done. Thus, by rural and urban development pioneered by Corps members across the county, the disparities in development between different states are curtailed. What was more? Education in itself entails individual adventurism, and the NYSC scheme affords a sublime platform towards achieving this. This adventure prepares the mind, body and soul of graduates towards embarking on the outer world. Moreover, the scheme has been so designed to drill and improve the discipline of youths, through the mandatory three weeks of orientation camp. Furthermore, it does not require a stretch of the imagination to see that the NYSC programme has grossly provided employment opportunities for its many staff across the federation. Though the stats are not absolute, we know that thousands of people are gainfully employed by the scheme across the country. However, employment is not just limited to the NYSC officials. Some of the Corps members have found themselves as adhoc staff and officials during such programmes such as census and elections at all levels. Suffice it to say, some corps members have found meaningful employment in their states of service after their programme. Thus, the examples of corps members that have found employment after service at their posting states, is too numerous to rehash here. This has dual benefits. One, it solves the unemployment puzzle to an extent, and improves the Gross Development Product (GDP) of the state in question. Consequently, the NYSC scheme has truly helped in terms of population redistribution. As a nation, some states would have further suffered from population congestion, if not for the NYSC scheme. The scheme ensures that youths are evenly distributed. Hence, reducing the growing menace of population explosion witnessed in some states. As a scheme that is truly pragmatic, the NYSC programme has evolved some restructuring and implemented innovations to improve it. One of such is the entrepreneurial initiative being introduced in all the orientation camps across the federation. This training has armed youths on knowledge on how to not just be job seekers, but also job employers. Some of these trainings include bead making, soap making, tailoring, shoe making, barbing etc. It is salient to mention that the scheme has also been refocused under the dynamic and effective leadership of Brid. General Okorie Affia to meet four pertinent sectors of the nation. These are education, health, agriculture and rural development. The scheme has also introduced distress phone calls lines to increase efficient communication between corps members and officials across the nation. Having said that, there is still room for improvement for the NYSC scheme to ensure greater output. Security of Corps members should always be a priority and more pragmatic ways to improve the programme must be encouraged. Any calls from different quarters to dismiss the scheme must be vehemently kicked against. In conclusion, thumbs up to the NYSC scheme for forty remarkable, outstanding, and illustrious years. Long may it continue!

From Omojuwa To Gidi Traffic: Nigeria’s Strong Twitter Hemisphere

Never mind Reuben Abati’s diatribe on the growing army of Nigeria’s social media (twitter), which he described as ‘twittering children of anger.’ It was one of his vain attempt to take a swipe at what he perceived to be a bitter ‘watchdog’ on his and his principal’s job. The obvious is this; Nigeria’s twitter sphere has and is providing a great platform that words might not adequately gauge. In more ways than one, this social media provides myriads of platforms. From breaking news to traffic reports, and to every ‘unimagined’ discussion, Nigeria’s twitter sphere has carved a nitch for itself. To this unbelievable watershed, some names must be mentioned. @omojuwa certainly needs no introduction as long as twitter is mentioned. His political activeness and consistent portrayal of vast understanding about Nigeria’s political terrain is a wonder. Make no mistake about it; it is not in another’s power to judge what his true motives are. However, it won’t be an exaggeration to state that many Nigerians due to his tweets are better politically conscious and knowledgeable. And there are many that deserve mention along this line. @eggheader, @rosanwo, @nedunaija, @ged,@chude, and @gbengasesan, to mention but a very few indeed, are all equally amazing. But the country’s twitter world is not just about the burden and thrills of politics. @gidi_traffic is another who has built a strong reputation on this hemisphere. He/she (we would never know what gender) through this account, has simply been a problem solver of all sorts for many. If it is not traffic, it is weather, or exam tips or marital advice or other ridiculous subjects one can conjure. Then, there is @tweetoracle. A polarising, sarcastic and larger than life personality, he adds a unique taste to our twitter hemisphere. @colinudoh is a sport doyen on this sphere, while @alibabagcfr is simply peerless. The list of Nigeria’s making impact with twitter is too numerous to rehash here. Nigeria’s twitter globe has truly come of age. The platform is not just a social media for many of us, it is a meeting point. A place where ordinary people can tell their everyday experience, in a liberty and tone they crave. It’s a place of intense scrutiny for our fledging and often, inimical democracy. Thus, it is very rude for anyone to suggest that the aforementioned names and their likes all earned their reputation on the pages of twitter, without which they are nobody. Such statement borders on sheer ignorance and a smack of irritating arrogance. These individuals have earned their names, and that truth cannot be easily dismissed. No doubt, our twitter hemisphere will continue to witness a flourish; whatever that means to you.

Introducing Nigeria’s Gospel Sensation: Nic The Incredible!

Relatively unknown, but alarmingly talented, the name ‘Nic The Incredible’ is one that would surely leave an imprint on the sands of Nigeria’s gospel music for years to come. An upcoming guitarist, artist and producer, Nicholas Daniel is currently carving a nitch for himself. An alumni of Kogi State University (KSU), he is spurred to use his God-given talents for the glorification of God, and the strengthening of humanity. You can reach him via the following contacts: Facebook----- Nicholas N Daniel Twitter------ @nichovicinity09.