A Random Thought

I’m not sure what to call myself anymore with the way society dramatically changed which did make hardliners look like punks with liberals sinking deeper and deeper and scary, while libertarians are evading both sides of the political spectrum as it has evidently turned the status quo into something else beyond ones imagination. I have quite often asked myself why the whole world seems to be losing its sense of purpose, going toward a different direction from around which nothing apparently would be the same again. And I am still wondering while penning this piece, why is it that peace shouldn’t be given a chance. Perhaps it has been beyond my reasoning which probably amounts to Bob Dylan’s perception that "it’s not dark yet but we are getting there." I have been bent worrying about the whole concept on why murder is a commonplace thing in the society that we live in today; why incest is no longer a taboo in this our beloved place called Earth; why brothers are killing brothers over greed and material rivalry; why politicking has become the most dangerous game in the universe with premeditated acts of Genocide—the Pogrom in my native land nobody wants to talk about, the Rwandan Genocide shown on live TV while the leaders of the world watched and did nothing about it when it unfolded, the murderous conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Ivory Coast and the list goes on and on—and those that runs the affairs of state uttering no word but strong of the opinion that a stable world is being kept in place through diplomacy and dialogue meaning there must be wars to stop the rogue states from harming the rest of us.

I find that very disturbing on many grounds. Now from the scheme of things many are wallowing in sorrow caused by human nature. The ongoing war in Iraq, and how national security is tied to oil. The Genocide in Sudan, the restlessness and Al Qaeda in Pakistan, the troubled Gulf States, and the Niger-Delta militants in a troubled and confused Nigeria are among a whole lot of mess that keeps one wondering if the world leaders are for real.

Take for instance, the entrapment called Nigeria. Nothing will be the same again ever since the beginning of its geography. The fabricated nation is not getting any better rather it’s getting worse by the day and the riff raffs are applauding because the leftovers are good enough to make them not worry in a nation corruption is baked in every gene. Most "Nigerians" who don’t seem to realize the dangers of an emerging, call it fledgling democracy with a gullible and vulnerable citizenry which empowers the ruling elite to take advantage of their weakness, makes a nonsense of that very experiment on the basis there is no resistance demanding equity, freedom and justice for all. We have been experiencing kangaroo courts and money bags exchanging a pleasantry which has let inept and corrupt politicians off the hook. The now shackled Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is not expected to be doing much with Nuhu Ribadu’s exit which gives every criminal minded and crooked politician the impetus to embezzle money without questions asked whatsoever.

As one dabbles into Nigeria related news stories and freeze journalists who are now writing as if all is well with a state that is bent on destroying what is good for the people, I have been reading a whole lot from our flamboyant newsmen, but with a very few who are focused to keep up with the unique tradition of journalism, the rest seems to be driving aimlessly in pursuit of what has to do with credible and investigative newsreporting. The sensational tabloid Daily Sun is good at doing that. To be precise, not even a Nigerian newspaper is worth reading these days. I had given the Guardian and Vanguard the props but they disappointed me when little office management issues came its way and shut a major newspaper down for weeks, especially the Guardian. What would amount to Guardian’s closure sending its online and on the street readers elsewhere beats me when one considers the magnitude of the nation’s leading newspaper I thought had been independent and free of sponsored and "carry go bring come" journalism. Any Guardian reader who was shut out for weeks would agree with me that the Guardian staff and management team did not care about the street vendors and news-thirsty populace who pay to read its daily; and of course, the advertisers whose source is what keeps the premium paper afloat.

For sure, the Guardian was not shut down as in a case of one operating under a tyranny where press freedom has its limits, or a case of a bully who runs his own paper his own way negating the tradition of quality journalism. Considering the fact that during the era of military juntas newspaper business was a gamble and an act of power play which sent shocking waves to entrepreneurs who eyed the press, for the press, the unofficial fourth organ of government has been the mouthpiece of the people even though it had been done under series of threats by dictators who are allergic to press freedom.

If a newspaper survived the days of Olusegun Obasanjo’s brutality of the press when the nation’s authentic newsmagazine, Newbreed run by the late Chris Okolie was permanently shut down and going through critically dangerous regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, why would a token be reason for Guardian to close its doors for weeks to a point of dissolution? In many discussions I had engaged with my colleagues about the workers’ strike at the Guardian, I spoke with near certainty that the giant newspaper will not be making it back to the news stands, talk less of the web, knowing what that country stands for and how it goes about its business. I was wrong, the paper made it back but I’m sure it lost many of its online surfers. Frankly, I have not been checking it out much, lately. The reason is for weeks I couldn’t read from a daily whose quality work was desired and going elsewhere to pick up junks that may not be reliable I switched to getting my news wired directly into my mail box.

Virtually the Guardian workers’ strike boiled down to one thing: Money, money, money! "Show me the money." "Who has it?" "Who is getting paid, and who is not getting paid?" "Show me the money." "I want more money and I want it right now." "What are you going to do about it?" "Show me the Money." "I ain’t got it, what are you going to do. Shut this place down?" "What you are demanding is too high a stake for our management. I can’t afford it, and now what?" "Show me the money." The square off dragged on for weeks until somehow, who knows, the Guardian management team buckled up coming to terms with reality its paying a terrible cost which did increase defections of its readers to elsewhere.

My problem of early morning news read had just begun. I barely check my mails at this particular mail box I had used as conduit to read African-related dailies, but ever since that move in applying for direct mail box news related articles and journals, my appetite for news read died instantly. I mean, where do I start? It’s hundreds of mails one can’t even figure out which is junk and which is spam, the kind of stuff that could destroy your computer because hackers or the so-called black hats are out there looking for ways and means to level whatever one has built. I may be giving my readers a clue that is if they don’t already know about an unfiltered substance that runs through ones mail box. Meanwhile, I’m looking for another strategy. Maybe I should go back to my old ways, getting my news directly from the source on the spot.

I fancy journalism, but I hate the guts of those who think money buys everything on Mother Earth, the vulnerable ones whose concepts are "you give me money, I write good about you" even when it’s obvious the subject in question has been nailed in the court of public opinion. Nevertheless, the love of money has its own fair share, too. For those that think capitalism should be blamed by money being the root of all evils, equally money is the root of solving all problems in a society enslaved by bills of all kinds, from the gas company to the water and power company. There are no ways to go about it except if you live in the jungle where there are no rules and regulations and where only the fittest survives. But in our own very society of Homo Sapiens, the modern humans, life is supposed to be easier, meaningful and much, much better. The good things of life may have eluded us with what is going on right now and money shouldn’t have been the object. Just take a look around you and see how the world is drowning according to the Biblical revelations. It’s war all over which continues to amaze me.

The elections and uprising in Kenya is one perfect example to start with. Innocent people are dying for a man who stole the people’s mandate and for a man who is saying he’s the rightful winner and power should belong to him. Imagine! Do they really care about these hungry folks whose demand shouldn’t be far-fetched if it was in an organized society where good governance and rule of law is upheld? And why are these folks dying senselessly for political gangsters who are destined to destroy every aspect of civil liberties if nothing is going their way? Does it really matter who won the election when the pathological lying politicians will never live up to what they pledged during the campaigns? We’ve seen this over and over again, particularly in Africa which makes one begin to question what’s wrong with that continent, a continent blessed with every resources including human capital.

Where in Africa would one say a sound democratic fabric is making progress except and I think South Africa? Besides South Africa and perhaps Ghana after going through several reforms, the rest of the countries in that continent are a human tragedy and it is only a radical step like in Ghana that could turn things around. Zimbabwe is a case in point in this aspect. During the struggle for its independence, the founding fathers—Joshua Nkomo, Abel Muzereuwa and Robert Mugabe--had a platform. A platform that would in its totality bring Zimbabwe to an entirely free state which was the basis for the struggle to attain sovereignty. Zimbabwe’s independence was so unique all black nations embraced it which however signaled a trend that would free South Africa from an Apartheid regime. Eventually the walls of Apartheid came tumbling down and blacks in South Africa regained their freedom. But in Zimbabwe today, Robert Mugabe who has been power drunk since the nation’s independence in 1980, a whole lot has changed and putting it concretely Zimbabwe is worse than its colonial era. Mugabe, the dictator that he would be has chased away all his political opponents including protest musicians like Thomas Mapfumo who has been in exile ever since for his protest against misrule through his Chimurenga and the struggle to fight against tyranny.

So too are other nations in the continent. Nigeria for example is not getting any better since its fabrication as a nation state. The schools left by the missionaries long time ago has become an object of caricature. The once existed equipped school labs have all vanished. The playgrounds now have a resemblance of the jungle with thick forests. The youths are no longer interested in academics but the easiest way to make money. The culture-based programs have collapsed. Young girls are now “free” doing whatever that pleases them and parents have nothing to say for time has changed. Whiskey and whores is now a way of life in our institutions of higher learning and no one seems to be paying attention on the basis it is an acceptable behavior, coming with time. Struggling college professors are paid to grade students who ditch classes, in most cases, if not all, girls of easy virtue who are out there on the streets coupled with unbecoming conducts. This is of course widespread in the Igbo-related states which are the easiest explanation to this phenomenon. The case of Nd’Igbo is troubling and the reason for that is lack of profound leadership. A people whose history has been that of political impotence, powerlessness and the inability of its intellectuals and thinkers to put things into perspective considering how a colonial mandate put together a people with different nationalities which has nothing in common, from botany to cultural anthropology.

Given the historic attitude of the Yorubas and Hausa-Fulanis toward Nd’Igbo, it should be natural that Igbos anywhere on the face of this planet incline to ignore whatever that is taking place in that country and begin in earnest to building community. But how could that be achieved when Igbos home and in Diaspora are drenched with one Nigeria attitudes and assumptions? Up until now, there is no single Igbo newspaper out there that could teach generations of Igbo how to wield power and successfully defend Igbo interest. Check all the papers and the ones that just popped up—Guardian, Vanguard, Daily Independent, Daily Champion, This Day, The Nation, Leadership Nigeria, Tribune, Daily Trust, P.M. News, Observer, Independent Online, and the list goes on—none is Igbo owned except the Daily Champion owned by Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, which is national in tone. Obi Nwakanma writes all the time and where else? Vanguard Newspapers. Chuks Iloegbunam wrote extensively before becoming Governor Peter Obi’s special assistant, and where else? Vanguard Newspapers. Veteran Igbo journalist and Maharajah of the press, Okey Ndibe, had his column all over and where else? The Lagos-Ibadan axis press. And the list goes on and on.

For Igbo to pursue a political wisdom compared to her Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani competitors there must be an independent Igbo newspaper that teaches Igbo ideals and cultural relativism. And it means, in pursuing that one needs books to read, essays, stories, folklores, magazines and articles to read—all of Igbo interest.

I remember reading all the classics while growing up. Igbo folklore and tradition was the key to a successful Igbo upbringing. Today nobody reads Chinua Achebe. When I was growing up everybody read him which paved way for our path to cultural and political wisdom. Achebe, the man with vision no one seemed to recognize—the international community included—wrote "Things Fall Apart" when many of us weren’t born. We discussed Achebe at recess and the long holidays and our social concepts of Karl Marx theory had begun to emerge. What else could be compared to a book that foresaw a failed state fifty years ago? "Things Fall Apart" was a masterpiece. It told us before hand that nothing will ever work in an entrapment and fabricated state.

That reminds me of a kid I encountered sometime while attending a function at a nearby high school in the Los Angeles area. In exploring this kid and many other kids as we know them are likely to be in the know of their cultural heritage and why we should care, I sought out Igbo literature to check out their Igboness and what they have been up to. The Yankees have turned every structure of our second generation upside down; so perhaps not surprisingly, one of my encounters was with this kid, a teen we can call Chukwuma. Meanwhile the vibes of Jay Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and the rest Hip-Hoppers is spinning into his head. I begin my conversation by introducing myself. I am Igbo and I speak the language fluently. How about you?

Chukwuma paused. "Nope" he would say. My parents are Igbo but I don’t speak the language. They try to get me to do that, Chukwuma explained. Chukwuma who wants to be a communications major plays football and hopes one day he will join the NFL for the money, not for knowledge-based programs, for instance, embarking on research work to understand the history of his parents who are Igbo. Chukwuma also told me there are many Nigerians in his school and from my understanding none speaks the language of his or her parents, and that they once had a classroom assignment culled from Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" which is already out from his memory. He doesn’t remember any line or what the subject matter was all about. That’s another Igbo tragedy.

So as our second generation are now embedded into a popular culture that comes with the time, who should be sharing the blame for a lost generation whose parents refused to teach their children about their own cultural heritage? Would it be the 24/7 working parents who have no time to sit down with these kids teaching them the morals of our unique tradition? Would it be the high-pitched age of a nuclear society where kids are sent to day care institutions run by different ethnicity which deprives these kids of who they really are? Would it be Igbo Diaspora laid back and did not build community upon exploring the New World? Or would it be we lacked a sense of purpose and community?

I freely must confess that all the above questions are reasons why we have raised a lost generation. Compared to other communities—Jews, Armenians, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, you name them—Igbos are the worst bred of second generation immigrants. For years, series of Igbo organizations have been holding conventions of all sorts for projects grand and small. Among the gigantic project is Igbo Cultural Center projected as a structure to research, teach and learn everything related to Igbo culture. The question now is: What happened to all the money that was raised for the projects? Who are the bookkeepers? Why is nobody questioning their conducts when there is nothing to show for the money donated and contributed all these years? Is there any evidence that funds for these projects are available when needed? Where are the records to show there is a valid account on behalf of these organizations? What are the names of the financial institutions holding these accounts?

I am afraid I'm trying to raise another Igbo hackles here when I have been confronted in the past to stop attacking Igbo "elites" for doing nothing to address the plight of Nd'Igbo. I'm not sure if I really meant to attack Nd'Igbo as presumed, based on my writings which suggests the Igbo leadership is taking us to hell, and that it requires a change of the guards. But in an organizations where the bookkeepers and managers maintain funny books, shouldn't it be appropriate for its members to ask what is being done to the funds owned by the entire members of the organization?

For the time being, leaders of these Igbo organizations are getting away with what should have taken them to the courts for embezzlement and misappropriation of community funds. But the irony is that members of these organizations who sit down and watch their hard earned money slip away into the hands of the organizations' funny bookkeepers and managers should have nobody else to blame but themselves for saying nothing. And keeping quiet and not reacting will continue to encourage the funny bookkeepers and managers with the belief that nothing is wrong and everything is in order.

Ekwuchanam!

News Desk Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Ayogu Eze,Ribadu, EFCC top shots in crucial talks

CHAIRMAN of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, met in Abuja for several hours, with top officials of the commission, in what one source said might be the first in the series of his valedictory meetings. MORE>>>

EFCC: Oshiomhole faults Ribadu's removal

IMMEDIATE past President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate for Edo State in April 14, 2007 election, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has faulted the removal of the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on the pretext of a study leave, lamenting that there is hardly anything to prove that it was not politically motivated. MORE>>>

Nuhu Ribadu: The Anti- Corruption Cop They Feared

MALLAM Nuhu Ribadu, until recently, Chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is our Man of the Year, 2007. The context of his selection is worth defining. The year 2007 was a turbulent year for Nigeria in which both the Nigerian people and the government grappled with the issues of transition politics and misgovernance. MORE>>>

Senate to commence constitution amendment in January

The Senate will commence the amendment of the 1999 Constitution once it resume sitting this month. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze, who disclosed this at a news briefing in Enugu on Monday, said the review would take care of the many inconsistencies in the 1999 Constitution. MORE>>>

Ribadu is Silverbird man of the year 2007

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has emerged the 2007 Silverbird Man of the Year. This was revealed in a statement by the Secretary of a Lagos-based promotion outfit, BMG Promotions, Mr. Ladi Ayodeji, which was made available to our correspondent on Monday. MORE>>>

News Desk Tuesday, December 25, 2007

JTF accuses politicians of backing militants

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) otherwise known as Operation Restore Hope has identified 19 major and minor militant camps in the Niger Delta, their leaders, and arms/ammunition in their possession. MORE>>>

FG challenges court verdict ordering Okonjo-Iweala, Adeniji to refund N215m excess salary

THE Federal Government has requested the Supreme Court to annul a unanimous verdict handed down by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, five months ago, ordering two ex-ministers in the defunct President Olusegun Obasanjo government to refund, with immediate effect, a total N215million... MORE>>>

Why EFCC must probe Obasanjo, by parties.

We waited patiently for over six months, the little we observed were reactions to Wilbros scam in Texas, Metropolitan Police find in United Kingdom, Siemens scandal in Germany and Iyabo-gate in Paris; none emanated from Nigeria, whilst Mr. President is sitting on top of files of monumental corruption. MORE>>>

Govt pledges new deal for Nigerians

A COMMON thread ran through the Christmas and New Year messages of the federal and state governments yesterday: Promises of improved welfare of the citizenry and development of the land. MORE>>>

Iyabogate: Austrian Firm in Forgery Claim

New facts emerging in the controversial N3.5 billion power project contract involving Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello have indicated that the Austrian company at the centre of the transactions may have a case of forgery to answer. MORE>>>

IG orders Ribadu to proceed on 1-yr course

IG orders Ribadu to proceed on 1-yr courseTHE battle to sack the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may have been shifted to his immediate constituency where fresh plot to ease him out of office is allegedly coming from the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force. MORE>>>

Wishing All A Merry Christmas

This is how we got here,
With so many fishes in the sea
And the cold wind blowing by
The merchant ships took us away,
The rest is now history.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Last Minute Christmas Shopping @ Oshodi Market

The picture above was captured by Vanguard Group of Newspapers' cameramen at Oshodi Market on Christmas eve which is normally typical of late shoppers who gives retailers a sigh of relief and saves them from a dismal season, especially in an economy the gap between the rich and poor is widening at an alarming rate with the middle class entirely wiped out.

The Week In Review Sunday, December 23, 2007

The arrest and detention of James Onanefe Ibori made headlines all across Nigeria. He had become a celebrity within the spheres of the nation's criminal justice system when operatives of the Economic and Finanacial Crimes Commission whisked him away for what the media thought was intended for questioning. The trailing of Ibori by federal agents came to a halt when he was arrested in Abuja on December 13, 2007 when EFCC nabbed him at his Abuja guest house. According to Ibori's spokesman, Tony Elumenor , he said Ibori was not moved by the events that landed him in EFCC net. Of course, he shouldn't be moved when some of his loots are still somewhere without trace and while his supporters are out there backing him is what beats me.

While we are at it, former minister in the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, Professor Osamor collapsed and died while visting Ibori in jail. Ibori's troubles has just begun as his former personal secretary, Bimpe Pogoson and his sister Christie Ibie will be appearing "before the City of Westminister Magistrate's Court in London" on January 8, 2008, "for aiding Ibori in his alleged money laundering activities. It's about time the rule of law takes its course putting into perspective a sound democratic fabric.

The legal system seemingly is becoming independent and all pumped up. We are beginning to see trasparency and accountability unfold in the polity. After an intense "manhunt" by the EFFCC on former governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, coupled with legal tussles and loopholes which made the former governor evade federal agents, the erstwhile governor turned himself in to EFCC for interrogation. He was not arrested after questioning.

Now they wouldn't let Olusegun Obasanjo and his daughter go. The authourities are all over his case. First, it was the monster Obasanjo created that is after Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello on many complicated reasons ranging from impersonation to fabricated documents. What OBJ helped built may take him down with his daughter.Olusola Fabiyi and Musikilu Mojeed reports from Abuja in a statement by the EFCC on its ongoing investigation;

“The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to several media
reports on allegations of a contract misadventure said to involve Senator Iyabo
Obasanjo-Bello. “The dispute was first reported to the EFCC in July 2006 via a
petition from Rickey Tarfa & Co., acting on behalf of M. Scheneider (Nig.) Ltd.,
among whose directors was Prince Albert Awofisayo. “In the course of investigation, the parties to the dispute were invited and they made statements to the Commission. At the time, there was not a single mention of Senator Obasanjo-Bello by anyone.” The EFCC said it then concluded that the case was a case of contractual disagreement between businessmen and no crime was disclosed or unearthed. The commission, the statement added, consequently advised the disputants as to the nature of the matter and that it being civil in nature, they should settle it among themselves. The EFCC said it had the impression that the parties had heeded the commission’s advice and
sought local and international arbitration. “However, virtually the same complaint, but with a new information alleging impersonation by Senator Obasanjo-Bello has just been forwarded to the EFCC. Following the submission of the new petition to the commission, the EFCC is looking into the matter with a view to determining whether a crime that falls within its purview has been committed, in which case, the commission would take prompt action."

Well, Obasanjo created the bad cop image EFCC giving the commission too much power and now his own daughter is beginning to get the taste of her father's medicine. Ironically while Obasanjo-Bello is being drilled, her father is now under the eye of National Assembly's microscope. Ah haa!

The militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) is not giving in. It is a do or die situation. These gang of hoodlums are pissed the government has used Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Andrew Azazi as rubber stamps. Shola O'Neil reports from Warri:

The face-off between Ijaw militants in the Niger Delta and the Federal Government degenerated at the weekend as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) threatened to deal with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Andrew Azazi, for allegedly being used against their kinsmen.
Although MEND said it was awaiting the return of the top government functionaries to their various homes, it did not disclose how it planned to deal with them.

"We want to vow that as Gen Andrew Azazi and Dr Goodluck Jonathan have choosen to kill and destroy their people for the Federal Government, we want to also remind them that we are closely watching their actions as we know that they will surely come back home one day!" the group said in an email statement.

Quoting from a leaked security brief prepared by the Joint Task Force (JTF) MEND accused the Federal Government of using the appointment of their kinsmen to buy time in an allegedly planned military agenda.

MEND said the document entitled "Brief for Chief of Defence Staff on Strategies to stem out militant activities Within The Joint Task Force Operation Restore Hope area of responsibility", was prepared by JTF’s Major General Lawrence Ngubane a few months ago...

With the neo-democratic fabric, Nigera appears to be fracturing along its educational programme as the Federal Government is about to "opt out" of the one laptop per child programme at the expence of the government. That one beats me and I wonder what the Minister of Education, Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu will be thinking right now. The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) founded by MIT Professor Emeritus, Nicholas Negroponte with the desired mission to make laptops to children all over the world is about to be history in Nigeria.

News Desk Saturday, December 22, 2007

EFCC To Probe Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello

BASED on fresh information the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is re-opening the investigation of the N3.5 Billion contract scam involving Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and a foreign firm. MORE>>>

Court orders Fayose's arrest for murder * To be arraigned Jan 9

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday issued a warrant of arrest against the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose over the murder of Mr Tunde Omojola Tunde Omojola was killed at Ifaki Ekiti on July 28, 2005 during a councillorship bye election. MORE>>>

Rivers: Ateke Tom gives FG 7-days ultimatum

The Federal Government has been given seven days to replace properties belonging to a militant, Ateke Tom which were allegedly destroyed by soldiers when they stormed his hide-outs in Okochiri recently Ateke Tom who handed down the ultimatum himself in a telephone chat with Saturday Vanguard yesterday threatened to unleash more mayhem in the state should government fail to heed his call. MORE>>>

PDP is the problem of Nigeria -IBB

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida has passed a damning verdict on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the ruling party is at the root of all the problems in the polity today. MORE>>>

EFCC Restrained on Nnamani’s Assets

An Enugu State High Court yesterday restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any of its agents from taking over control of the companies and properties believed to be linked to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. MORE>>>

Militant group to observe Christmas Day cease-fire in Nigeria's oil region

A leading insurgent group in Nigeria's southern oil region said on Saturday it will observe a one-day cease-fire on Dec. 25 to mark Christmas. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said in a statement sent by e-mail it will not attack oil facilities or kidnap foreign oil workers during the cease-fire period. MORE>>>

News Desk Friday, December 21, 2007

How FG, states shared N248tr Paris Club windfall

DETAILS of how the two-tranche payment totaling $2.068 billion (N248.16 trillion) was shared among the states of the federation and the Federal Government in the last two weeks were distributed are now unfolding. MORE>>>

Niger Delta militants quit peace talks with govt

ALLEGING among others an ulterior motive in the Federal Government's on-going peace talks with Niger Delta militant groups, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) has announced its resolve to quit the party. MORE>>>

Militants free deputy gov’s father, seize Accountant-General’s dad

A pall of gloom has descended on the family of Bayelsa State Accountant- General, Mr. Thomas Zidafamor as unknown gunmen stormed his community, Bolou-Orua in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and kidnapped his 91-year-old father, Pa Anderson Zidafamor. MORE>>>

EFCC Quizzes Ngige over N5bn ‘Security Account’

Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, Tuesday joined the growing list of ex-governors facing interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption. MORE>>>

EFCC begins probe of Obasanjo’s daughter

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission may have been silently working on a petition brought against the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, over a controversial N3.5 billion power project contract, even before the issue was made public by the Nigerian media on Thursday. MORE>>>

Ehirim Files Classic: "The Cultural Order"

CULTURE: Ohafis/Bende War Dance. Image: Steemit         

By Ambrose Ehirim

No question, Los Angeles has emerged as a cultural model for cities all around the globe. Take a ride on Crenshaw Boulevard to Leimert Park and you will find out it has become synonymous with the African American cultural community. Hancock Park and La Brea Avenue is an identity of the Synagogues and Jewish cultural and arts centers. East Los Angeles identifies with the Chicano cultural and labor union communities. On Venice Boulevard toward Venice Beach, the samba-playing Brazilians entertain in their usual colorful and flamboyant manner. Where can I identify my own cultural order?

On April 10, 2003, I checked my messages arriving home from the stressful and bumper-to-bumper bottleneck Los Angeles streets and freeways traffic with calls from loved ones, my brother, my niece, my church pastor, my daughter's teacher, Dr. Edmund Ugorji, telemarketers, my childhood buddy Eugene Onyeji, my classmate at college Ardis Hamilton who was at All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) launching as my guest, my good friend and renowned journalist Austen Oghuma, community leaders meeting, Los Angeles African American Political Forum and many others too numerous to mention.

I played back the calls. I returned and missed some of them. Among them, the call from Dr. Ugorji of which I left a message. He returned back my call and spoke of my incommunicado, and among other things, delightedly invited me to his house for dinner, the next day. I honored his invitation and told him I would pop up at 7:30 PM, the scheduled day. After my conversations with Dr. Ugorji, I called Oghuma whose fascinating political debate takes us into the night. Debates on why Biafranigeria shouldn't break up, and debates on why I insist Biafranigeria has no business being a "one united nation." And, too, debates on why Olusegun Obasanjo should keep keeping on in leading the nation at its critical era.

However, it was the eve of Mbieri Community Association of Southern California fundraising event and launching of its first almanac that I kept up my word to pay homage to Dr. Ugorji for dinner. On my way, I stopped by Four Seasons Market run by Dozie Ozoemena to check the week's fliers-fundraising events, wake-keeping, launching, naming ceremonies, baby showers, cultural dances, graduations, weddings and the latest in local politics before my final destination of the said evening. At Four Seasons, the fliers and political junkies hung around. It was usual and typical of my expectations as the Zik ekwuo aru ahia mgbede gatherers were at work doing their thing, saying what they don't know and what they do know sometimes, the kind of "tabloid press" you see at the newsstands, and the kind of trash talks you encounter at barbershops..

It was really nothing new to see the loquacious ahia mgbede gatherers, evening market gossipers in their same old ways talking big and rubbing shoulders of what's new in town. Talks like "Nna, inugwo?" Asi na Jerry gburu ozu, oloputara brand new zero-mileage Hummer H2" (Man, have you heard it? It is said Jerry launched a brand new zero-mileage Hummer H2) was the cultural order. One even asked me "what are you driving now, Hummer?" I was not moved knowing the way ndi be anyi, our people operates which is worrisome for the fact that our values and popular culture is being wiped out ever since the "Push Factor" began, the political, economic and socio-cultural conditions that made us flee our native lands in search for a better life.

Nevertheless, in order not to spoil my evening and looking forward to a sound political and intellectual discourse with Dr. Ugorji, I took off to keep up with my appointment as initially planned. Dr. Ugorji, a linguist, and medical director of Los Angeles Department of Health Services is another political junkie. He welcomed me and offered me and seat. He asked "what kind of drink" I would like. "Water or soda will be fine, precisely lemon drink if soda," I said to him. Generous, humorous and frank, he admitted I was a rare gem based on my thought-provoking articles and confidence regarding the way I speak. It was a long debate as we talked into the night while his kids went to bed. It was the eve of the ridiculous and embarassing National Assembly elections of Olusegun Obasanjo's dubious administration. And, all in all, it was the usual Friday evening when the otimkpus, the alarmists gather to make some noise in a series of pepper soup joints around Los Angeles.

Somehow, that evening, I allowed Dr. Ugorji to do all the talking while I sipped my soda listening attentively. He spoke at length his disgust with Achike Udenwa's inept and corrupt administration in Imo State and the many wonders found in the Igbos of the Diaspora and their chieftaincy titles. He talked about the schools we left behind and its deteriorating conditions, and why nobody is doing anything about it since the missionaries and ndiocha, the white people left us alone to figure things out. He talked about secession bid for autonomy by every hamlet in Igboland and how it created a big divide in the Igbo nation. He talked about the scramblers and opportunists erecting mansions and "palaces" on dusty alleys with no street numberings. He complained, too, about the pogrom and civil war comparing the Igbos with the Jews which really caught my attention in all that he was saying.

"Igbos have nothing at all in common with the Jews," I would say. "Nothing at all, no comparison and not even close." First, despite quarrelling among themselves, greed, envy and hatred do not exist in the Jewish nation. Their pop-culture dating back from the Biblical days is still intact and viable. They know Adolph Hitler was evil and "never again" would the most blood soaked event in humankind be allowed to take place. A five year old Jewish kid, growing up learns in the Synagogue, day care centers and faiths in the Torah that "to forget is to proclaim Hitler innocent." Ask a Jewish kid who the father of the modern Jewish state is and he or she will be quick to tell you.

In contrast, the Igbos have quickly forgotten the evisceration of a pregnant woman, the widespread bloodletting, the "Asaba male death march and drowning," Benjamin Adekunle's proclamation of shooting at every moving creature in Igboland and other horrible cases of that nature, finding solace having an affair with a people who never acknowledged what they did was evil and must not be entertained. Just like the Diaspora Jewish kid who has learned about the Holocaust and the state of Israel, its migration and persecution over the years, a Diaspora Igbo kid and second generation immigrant to be exact, ask who the Igbos are or who is Francis Akanu Ibiam and you likely would hear "never heard of him." Or speak Igbo to these lost generations and you will hear "I don't get it, man!"

But ask this kid or a number of Igbo Diaspora kids who Lebron James is. One hundred percent of these kids will be quick to tell you without guessing that he is the number one ranked High School basketball sensation from Akron, Ohio. He will be recognized by all. To a point and so disturbing some Igbo intellectuals do not want their kids to speak Igbo in public. What's all these for?

Ugorji was pissed and admitted exhaustion of all options in Igbo renaissance. "Does it mean we are finished?" I would ask.

"Enyi amaghim," --my friend, I don't know, Ugorji would distressingly respond.

Of course, we are finished and being weary of pointing out that we have no "adversaries" and enemies but ourselves, we who have caused every divide within our kith and kin tailored to the desire of our enemies should be blamed for the present state of the Igbos. I left Ugorji's house with the never-ending excruciating pains I have beared all my life looking at the sorry state of the Igbo nation.

My evening was in order and I looked forward to the very big occasion about to take place the next day. Earlier, Ugorji and I discussed about the big event, Mbieri gala night. He offered me a high table for the upcoming event, and knowing the story of the dog named "Jack" I declined and promised to show up as usual, to observe and report.

On Saturday April 12, 2003, many invitations and fliers sat on my study desk, and many occasions of the cultural order were taking place the same day. There was Onicha Igbo Cultural Association fundraising event, Okwahuman Association of Southern California Special Easter Dance, Eko Club California, Nkwerre Association of Southern California, Amaigbo Cultural Association, Mbieri Community Association of Southern California Fundraising and Launching of its first almanac, South High Car Wash Crusade to raise fund for the football team and many other socio-cultural events. I checked my calendar and had marked Mbieri Community gala as my first point of call in all the cultural order.

Traditional outfit wearing doormen, beautiful looking children rehearsing at the back corner for the occasion's special dance, uniformed Mbieri women cheering on the aisle, the hippies roaming around and cocking eyes at one another, the flowing gowners showing their stuff, Veronica serving her delicious dishes and uniformed Mbieri men tending bar, it looked like one of those Brazilian carnivals and Big Easy's Madigras, populated by men and women who had been invited to the "fundraising event and launching of 1st Mbieri almanac."

I popped up late in the evening and was greeted by one of the occasion's organizers Nze Odunze Igbonagwam who had sold to me one of the event's tickets. Before my arrival, I had called Oghuma to meet me at the ballroom of Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California and collect a ticket I reserved for him sold to me by Dr. Ugorji. Oghuma, however, could not make it to the show due to other special engagements elsewhere in the Los Angeles area.

The evening was all showman and local celeb Solomon Egbuhuo's doing. For the last several years, the one and only MC in Igbo cultural events around the Los Angeles area has organized and mceed occasions to help various communities raise funds for worthy causes despite the widespread scandals of keeping funny books. Egbuhuo, a businessman and promoter of local music ensembles loves showbizness and the attention it gives him.

Noted deejays Ike and Jasper spinned while the folklore musical group Umunna of Los Angeles did their own thing--the Mike Ejeagha akuko na egwu, folklore kind of stuff. It was electric. It was much, much better than the spraying money in your face and high fives of the notorious Coque Brothers.

Meanwhile, I had taken up a seat in the ballroom and had gone to the menu section to help myself with what the caterer Veronica had prepared for the event. I served myself a concoction from Veronica's menu table--rice, fried plantain, anu ewu (goat meat), moi-moi, fried fish, vegetables, kpof-kpof (call it donut if you like), okporoko, (stockfish) and you name it, I had it all. I sat at a corner with a couple of hometown buddies to do justice to my concoction, my own combination. Dealing with my dish and watching what was going on, Los Angeles area renowned MC Egbuho introduced UmuIgbo USA, uniformed and tantalizingly hot to perform for the evening.

As the second generation immigrants were ushered in to perform what has been rehearsed and choreographed for months, UmuIgbo USA arrived on stage in a standing ovation after the president's opening remarks which preceded Nigeria and America national anthem, making me ponder and questioning about Igbo "national" anthem. Perhaps that was beside the point since all that mattered was Mbieri fundraising and launching of its first almanac. The sensational group walked into the ballroom across the cobbled square, through the hallway, and onto the stage. Turning to the crowd, they bowed and sang. All eyes turned on them cheering and saying a new generation has arrived the shores of America. They were marvelous, up and adequate to the occasion.

Then followed formal opening of the floor by the high table coupled with "processional" entry of Nd'Mbieri in the kind of egwu ure, recalling my memories to the days of egwu umu ada and joyous festivities when culture was still intact. After the procession and dance, Umunna of Los Angeles performed live with breaks between songs. Every attendant shimmied to the beat of the band's original folklore, "making people happy and keeping the crowd dancing." Umunna's music gave me a feel for egwu agba ochie, the real vibe in the heydays of egwu onwa, moonlight plays, folklore and highlife music, and not the ridiculous money campaign, spraying money in your face performed by the ilk of Coque Brothers and the changed Stephen Osita Osadebe.

Then again, the president's speech and "launching, launching, launching," the time for charity and kind gestures, donations and vice versa. While donations and pledges were being made, a whole lot of shaking and hugging was going on, men and women snapped pictures while happy little children ran all over the place. It was a good feel of community. It was the feel of culture made whole and not "even the sum of parts" as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once put it.

I can't describe how much my spirit was lifted. It looked like my boyhood days when we played the hide and seek game during conventions like this, and our parents will be sneaking out to the porch and everywhere looking for us. I left the ballroom totally satisfied that "culture is not parts, it is a whole and an entity."

"Them changes," and as it happened, I suspended my rock classic freaky behavior listening to Peter Frampton, Boston, Rolling Stones, Uriah Heep, The Allman Brothers Band, Thin Lizzy, Eagles, Aerosmith, AC/DC, The Doors, Beatles, David Bowie, Van Halen, David Lee Roth, U2, Rick Springfield, Journey, Rare Earth, Grand Funk, Pat Benatar, Triumph, Bad Company, ZZ Top, Blue Oyster Cult, Foreigner, Rod Stewart, Genesis, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Middle of the Road, Men at Work, Bob Miga's Strangers, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Kim Carnes, Bob Seger and dedicated the month of April and May to the music of Paulson Kalu, Celestine Ukwu, Ali Chukwuma, Prince Nico Mbarga, Ikenga Superstars, Eddie Okonta, Ofo, Ozoemena nwa Nsugbe, Harcourt White, Peacocks, Rex Lawson, the old Osadebe, and Bright Chimezie for "culture is not parts, it is a whole."

On my way home, egwu agba ochie, old school became my new cultural order as I flipped Nkengas in London CD with the masterpiece "Asampete Special" entertaining me all the way. "Culture is not parts, not even the sum of parts, it is an entity." I remembered that!

This article was exclusively published at BNW Magazine in April 2003

Nigeria in Brief Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Nigeria will never seize to amaze me. Some say Naija is great while some dwell on the fact that the country is still a jungle where it is only the fittest that survives. Checking out the news of the day and looking at the picture captured by Vanguard, I wondered what must have driven James Ibori supporters to Kaduna protesting and demanding for the corrupt politician's release. The Ibori supporters should have been arrested for disturbing the peace at a courthouse where silence is normally golden. Well, that's politics, I guess. But the question here is, have these angry supporters of Ibori taken a closer look at themselves, how haggard they looked while Ibori was squandering their money? Now who is next among the two notorious bandits? Peter Odili or Lucky Igbinedion?

Anyways, I am beginning to see some changes unfold in that country. The rule of law seems to be taking shape with the judiaciary making a whole lot of sense. Ibori had been denied bail, but the point is, Ibori and his mistress Uzoamaka Okoronkwo's charges are bailable and they will be spending the Christmas and New Year in jail. The embattled ex-Governor and his mistress will know their fate on January 11, 2008, when they return to court to face Justice Mohammed Shauibu. The so-called former "intelligence Czar" seems to be chilling which pops up the question why he should be denied his medication on the ground that he stole from the state and used his powers to deny the people of Delta a proper medical care. He should be allowed to get a taste of his own medicine.

Check this out: The Guardian Newspapers reports that the administration of Umar Yar'Adua has ordered a "massive importation of fuel" to meet up with demands during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Ain't that something? I'm not sure if the refineries are not producing enough oil but I'm quite sure something is wrong somewhere when the oil regulating agencies are not coming up to terms with reality knowing that they should be held responsible for the loopholes that enables oil pirates and bunkerers get away with billion barrels of oil per day. In another related incident, ex-governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose was also remanded in prison custody until January when he will know his fate and the charges levelled against him.

Interestingly, China and Egypt, once borrowers from International Development Association (IDA) that help poor nations fight poverty are now donors and part of a $21.1 billion aid that would make life meaningful to the poorer nations. When will the "oil-rich" Nigeria join these group of volunteers? My guess is NEVER! Maybe, until Ibrahim Babangida coughs out all the billions of dollars he stole selling oil during the Gulf War.

In the upcoming African Nations Cup to be held in Ghana, a whole lot of noise is being made about the Nigerian squad hanging in there with all desperations to capture the trophy for the first time since 1994 when the iron man, Sani Abacha was the junta of the day. Watford's Danny Shittu will be joining the Eagles squad as the Golden Eagles are not about to be taking any chances. I think Ghana has better chances with home advantage.

Well, Yar'Adua is talking. From last weekend's local council elections that was marred with irregularities, the nation's first man is no longer taking things for granted. He has summoned the 36 state governors, stakeholders and party leaders to a meeting regarding allegations of fraud in the said elections held on Saturday, December, 15, 2007.

News Desk Monday, December 17, 2007

Senate may hold public hearing on Bakassi treaty

AMIDST fresh controversy over the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun by the past administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, indications have emerged that the Senate may hold a public hearing on the matter. MORE>>>

Court rules on Ibori's bail bid today

JUSTICE Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, will today deliver his ruling on whether former Governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, should be granted bail on the 103-count charge of corruption and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). MORE>>>

Yar’Adua’s men, Obasanjo fight for the soul of PDP

The growing unease in the relationship between President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and his predecessor in office, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is at the root of the uncertainty hovering over the convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daily Sun can now authoritatively report. MORE>>>

IN GLOBAL NEWS:

S.Africa's ANC set to decide Mbeki's future (REUTERS)

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Two Months in Pakistan (WASHINGTON POST)

Russia Ships Nuclear Fuel to Iran (THE NEW YORK TIMES)

Saudi king 'pardons rape victim' (BBC NEWS)