Malala's Letter To The Chibok Girls

Well over two hundred girls were carelessly lost to Boko Haram insurgents exactly a year and two day ago.

Gaskia, the circumstances that surrounds the loss,to me,leaves so many questions unanswered.

For instance,there was supposed to be a curfew in place, how did the insurgents bypass military stop overs? The atrocity happened in the dead of the night,I'm still wondering how hundreds students got kidnap with such ease in an area where there is curfew...if Hilux vans were used,you would need at least twenty, if a buses were used,you still need at least two. So, to me,thorough investigation should be made into the matter and that are involved should be brought to justice!

Well,putting that aside,Malala, the girl that's been made popular after surviving a major attack and attempt on her life simply because she insisted on gaining western education remembered the Chibok girls.

Malala,wrote to the Chibok girls, as a mark of respect... according to the contents of the letter, it was a form of encouragement and hope for the girls. In her letter,she expressed her hope of meeting and hugging them in celebration really soon.

The Former Minister, Ezekwizile, staged one of the longest protests ever in Nigeria to make a point which I believe was eventually made. She made the point that The girls are humans not animals and the Federal Government should ensure that rescuing the girls is taken very seriously if they must

show the world they are both responsive and responsible!

I saw something that is highly remarkable here. The Former Minister hails from the South East while the girls are of Northern region. Very much unlike the traditional rivalry between the Igbos and Northerners coming to play,it was the Nigerian Spirit that came to play! Likewise, unlike in 2011 when ethnicity and religion were the jokers of the ruling party and of course,the power of incumbency,this year,again it was the 'Nigerian Spirit '! Who would believe a sitting governor in MUSLIM DOMINATED STATE can be defeated in his Senatorial district especially when he is a Muslim contesting in Muslim dominated area? Babangida Aliyyu,the present governor of Niger state lost in the Senatorial election to a Christian in a Muslim dominated area!I'm beginning to like our democracy wallahi!

This is why I am praising and thanking God Almighty for choosing Jega for us as an umpire and feeding him with Uncommon Wisdom .and granting him a formidable team of incorruptible Professors to handle the election. I love the wisdom and level of maturity he displayed in handling the elections...especially the case of Orubebe... lolz . To a very high extent, it reflected the wish of the people... I know that those that refused to vote would probably be kicking themselves by now. Because, contrary to general belief,the election was a huge success!

Now that we are all awaiting the swearing in of the new government, it's our hope that the new government shall put security of lives and properties ahead of any other agenda they may have and most especially, they should work hard to #bringbackourgirls

Regards,

Abdurrahman.

Jega Is A Superman & His Teamates Are Patriots!

Honestly, I don't know how to say this,but,let me Congratulate Nigerians for a successful show of what I call a 'Peaceful Revolution'. Happily, Nigeria is one of the very few that got independence without an arm struggle. Nigerians, we have done it again! We just voted out a government that haven't done well,to try another and so far,there are no major conflict in its regard. It's such a laudable achievement considering the bloody civil war that erupted in Cote d'ivoir where President Gbagbo refused to relinquish power despite loosing to an opposition party. Some Nigerians have been harboring such fears,but,as God Almighty would have it,ours was peaceful. Nigerians, let's thank God for that. Alhamdulillah! Having said that,honor should be given to whom it's due. I'm referring to none other than Professor Jega and his team of professors. Make we no lie,their work has been very helpful in achieving the success of the election. Personally, I doubt if there's any election conducted before that has earned such a high level of merit...not even the June 12 election can match this one. I therefore, dedicate this piece to the winning team that has brought about the much needed change we have been yearning for. I'll say congratulations to Nigerians and a 'thank you' to Jega the Superman and his team of extra ordinary abilities... thank you for making our day.May God Bless you abundantly. Aaameen. Long live Nigeria Long live my audience!!!

The War Against Boko Haram and The Sniffing Governor

I have been watching the rather embarrassing drama unfolding in the political scene of Nigeria with utter dismay! Well, I don't know how some people really think,but, to me, it's quite unfortunate to note that certain blunders can be committed at all!
In the desperate moves of the ruling party to hold on to power,they have committed a couple of BIG mistakes that have sealed their fate as highly compromising and deceitful lot!
There are so many,but, I shall be looking at the most recent of them all...I'm talking about the issue of Boko Haram and the Sniffing governor, Governor Fayose of Ekiti state.
Gov. Fayose, to me, is taking things a bit too seriously...I can't believe a man of his caliber could stoop so low to make such unguarded statements as attributed to him. He sounds too desperate!
If as a governor, he would wish General Buhari so much ill, what would he if he were to be the one contesting the Presidency with him?! For crying out loud, is he not a governor who should be working very hard during his first hundred days as governor so as to assure his people that their trust in him is not misplaced, he is out here trailing the General...bumper to bumper. I used to think the job is meant for journalists not governors.
To the honorable people of Ekiti, I would suggest you call your governor to order before he wrecks more havoc to your reputation of being a fountain of knowledge!
As for the victory of the Military over Boko Haram, hmmm...I never stopped wondering how a bunch miscreants could hold Nigeria of all countries to ransom.
If it were to be one the weaker countries with much smaller size, I would say, well, it's due to their small size that would definitely affect every aspect of their national lives. But to say it would be Nigeria, the GIANT of Africa herself, I would say no way!
Well, I'm not too surprised, ever since I read a statement accredited to late General Sanni Abacha, in which he is reported to have said that "If an insurgency lasts for more than 48 hours, the government has a hand in it!" Na lie?!
I was watching a Bruce Willis movie one day where, I learnt that a single revolver...pistol can cost as much as $1500 that is about...N300 000 as at now,each bullet can cost more than N500/one. It means that you can only imagine how much a sub-machine gun would cost and from the news, it's quite obvious that Boko Haram control highly sophisticated weapons...the question is who and how are they funded?
No! It can't be a couple of disgruntled politicians as we are made to believe because, there's no way such immense cash required to fund the insurgency can move from individuals or group without being noticed...IT'S ONLY THE GOVERNMENT THAT CAN MOVE SUCH AMOUNT OF MONEY UNDETECTED!
My submission, for now is congratulations, our gallant soldiers, please don't stop until you uproot the insurgency! This story is still unraveling, I don't want to be like Gov. Fayose who declared General Buhari as very sick only for the General to appear at Chattam house London hale and hearty!
Regards,
Abdiurrahman.

Is Jega leaving?

Still recovering from the shock of the postponement, some political analyst have been trying to anticipate the next move of the ruling party. As in, we all know that the postponement is their handiwork. Some of those that have tried figuring out the real reason for the postponement (We all know that our security challenges is not that immense, it's not the military that are in charge of security during elections but the Police and Civil Defense). One of the major reason they could smell out is that they desperately need to kick out the  uncompromising umpire and replace him with a compromising one. According to news making rounds in the social media, one Professor Mimiko has been nominated to replace Jega as he, Jega, bows out to take up his 'Terminal Leave '.Initially, it came as a bad news,someone told me it would be a very grievous offense should Jega bow out without conducting the general elections. Well,like I said,it was a political calculation that sometimes works out,but,most times,it only helps in pointing out the grey areas that needs to be prevented.Fortunately for the general public, this was the case...it was a possibility that was actually avoided. The incorruptible Umpire,Professor Jega, has spoken recently and according to him,yes,there's a terminal but it isn't a compulsory one,hence,he had chosen to finish the election business over the leave! JEGA IS NOT LEAVING YET! This calls for celebration. Just yesterday, I was informed that a party leader of the major opposition party, the Jagaban himself is under house arrest,courtesy the military, I don't know when the military took over the duty of arrest from the Police! About 30 troops were deployed to man the house of the APC chieftain. Honestly, I don't know the wisdom behind the house arrest. Which judge,issued the arrest warrant,on what grounds did he issue such warrant to the military instead of the Police,or...uhum... na the usual,terror act the current regime uses the military for? I mean,when the NSA told the world, he cannot guarantee safety of the polls, because the military would be tackling the bokos up north, one would expect every fit commando in the Army would be heading north. Instead,the unfortunate and disheartening news we would here is that Asiwaju Tinubu 's house is surrounded by soldiers. Let us draw conclusion yet,I believe the NSA has a good reason for the house arrest.I rest my case for now! Regards, Abdurrahman.

How Secured are Nigerians?

Nawa o!
I can't believe this!  It's quite shocking to wake up today only to learn that elections have been postponed, on top wetin abeg, security??? Haba! From what I can gather,the major reason why elections are postponed is security.
Jega had announced that he had received several written letters from National security chiefs that they cannot guarantee the security of INEC personnels (now,it's not just @ the North East alone but across the country...as far as I can infer). What it implies, therefore, is that despite the readiness of the electoral body,elections cannot hold until six weeks from now due to lack of readiness of the security (that ordinarily should be at red-alert all the time ),what a shame!
According to Jega, this is partly to enable our security forces to drive boko haram out of the North Eastern region.Several questions arises, among them is that,how is the FG and security chiefs hoping to drive out the bokos in 6 weeks while they had failed on the same mission for 6 years now?Perhaps by magical means.Another quick question is why EXACTLY is it that our armed forces and para-military cannot guarantee security during the polls, are we to believe that the armed forces are so short in manpower, if so,are they recruiting more people within the next 6 weeks,if they cannot guarantee security now,what gives us the confidence that they would in 6 weeks?!
Gaskia! I got lot of questions that are begging for answers...it's quite disappointing that we have to wait a six whole weeks on our security forces. This is another BIG slap on their faces.The first is the fact that they are so weak that they can't quench an insurgency,then,came the issue of Buhari who rose to the post of a General WITHOUT a school leaving certificate(according to them sha) and now,despite their knowledge of the fact that elections are holding on February, they still SHAMELESSLY requested for 6 more weeks to prepare for the all important event!
To me,this is the more reason for a change in the leadership of the country AND THE RULING PARTY! We need people who would do things a little more professionally and I don't see how we can get that if the leadership is not changed.
I think we should try some other party,perhaps, they would have a better manifesto for Nigerians. Sincerely, on hearing that elections are postponed because of security,I cannot but wonder how secured are we the common Nigerians, talking of the bokos, does that mean that the military had what it takes to actually uproot the insurgents all these years and had waited till now?!
I sense a great deal of foul play here! Well,either way,whether it's true we have security challenges to the extent of having to halt elections or not,one thing is certain, Nigerians have decided and the decision, every where you go is a change of government and the ruling party, not because we hated them that much but, because we are tired of the backwardness in a democracy (we no dey for military regime na!). Nigerians want to try another party's manifesto...it's a revolution baby! Vote for change!!!
Regards,
Abdurrahman.

Buhari's Certificate Saga:A BIG Show of Shame!

Hmmm....
'Buhari get certificate, Buhari no get certificate ' that's the new song in town now.
Before I continue, I would like to apologize for the long break. I'm very sorry,by the special Grace of the Almighty,I shall see to it that I update more regularly. Now,straight to business!
I find it quite amusing to see the ruling party desperately looking for ways to discredit the opposition party. Initially, it was the case of whether the opposition were behind the senseless killings of boko haram,then,afterwards,it was the Islamization of the country and now, funny enough,it is the WAEC result issue.
I don't know how you see it,but,to me,all this controversies continue to make the opposition party much stronger and the ruling weaker! I would like us to be realistic,if the General (General Muhammad Buhari, the opposition's presidential candidate,A.P.C.) has no school leaving certificate and has served in the army for decades without hitches or problems,does it speak well of the Nigerian Army? I don't think so!

THE MILITARY PRESS RELEASE, A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

Personally, I used to think very highly of the Nigerian Military, this is why yesterday's press release from their quotas shocked me! It was such a disappointment!
If WAEC is a criteria for enrolling as a soldier and one of the applicant couldn't provide it and you accepted a statement of result from a secondary school as substitute, isn't it only logical that you investigate the matter and ensure that the certificate is later provided? Please, note that we are not talking of a new serving recruit here,we are actually talking of a RETIRED GENERAL!
This is a man who had been recruited and have served in the military in various capacities and have participated in many military courses during his rise in the military hierarchy... Bros, I am talking of a GENERAL here!
If per chance he got enrolled as a junior officer without his WAEC,is it not only sensible he provides the certificate before he is recommended for ANY course at all? On reading his profile, he passed a course of 'Strategic Planning ' in the US WAR COLLEGE! How was he enrolled for the course, with what credentials was a he registered into the US War College, is it with the Principal's note or the statement of result? I don't know if you are getting me? Because for the military to have enrolled a soldier without the necessary papers shows a high level of incompetence in the military! If you cannot provide the certificate with which one of your Generals was enrolled into the military and you SHAMELESSLY affirmed this on mass,then,I say to you that you are a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

INEC'S SILENCE,HYPOCRITICAL AND UNFORTUNATE!

I don't know if the present dispensation takes us for a fool. Buhari had started contesting for the Presidency since 2003 and has always been cleared by INEC. His qualifications hasn't been in doubt,why is it now,hasn't he been registering for the candidacy since 2003, what has changed,does it mean that all this while, he has not the required qualifications and yet he had gotten 3 consecutive clearance to contest? Abeg, Jega, answer us fa!
The silence of the INEC, to me is most unfortunate and deafening indeed! If INEC has been clearing him for election since 2003 and there's an eyebrow raised as to his qualifications today, I think it's only moral and logical that INEC explains how and why he (General Buhari) has always gotten cleared for elections so as to clear the air once and for all! INEC owe Nigerians explanation and a lot it for that matter! Their refusal to talk ON TIME is most hypocritical and sentimental!

TO THE GENERAL...

I'll say well done! Since,unfortunately, the Military has disappointed you and Nigerians as a whole, may I suggest you visit the WAEC office to seek the re-issuance of your WAEC results, they should still possess your result IN YOUR PERSONAL FILE unlike the military who has only your statement of results and never bothered to seek for the original.

PERSONALLY...

I haven't and would NEVER take the issue seriously because even the worst scenerio doesn't disqualify the General! He already possess other higher certificates WHICH WERE NOT FORGED AND FROM HIGHLY REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS!
The issue here is like a person that seeks employment and was asked to provide a minimum qualification of a degree and he presented a master's degree. Then,one of the contenders for the job shouted foul that the said candidate has no school leaving certificate! Isn't it ridiculous?
Okay,let's assume it's true,Buhari attended a secondary school,a reputable Nigerian school, got into the army,Nigerian Army,scaled up the ranks and files of the Army and have, during this time been sent BY THE ARMY for more military training and have obtained higher certificates in the process,despite the very shameful announcement of the Army whose problem,REALLY, is the certificate issue,is it that of a honorable citizen who had served his country selflessly for decades or that of a government organ that refused to keep updated info of its staff?
What are they saying, are they saying that his service in the military is null and void? Should that be the case,he should be expected to return all funds expended on him during his service year as well as the pension benefits he has received so far! If,however, his qualifications to enroll in the military is intact and Okay, then I believe, tendering higher level certificates should over rule the WAEC results. Therefore, the issue of whether he has WAEC result or not is irrelevant!
Whatever happens the military's press release has degraded it so much in my personal ratings that I begin to wonder if the whole military altogether isn't a SHAM!
Regards,
Abdurrahman.

The Youth in Nigeria's Democracy:Features to look out for

Okay! Agreed,it's not right to vote for tribal or religious bias reasons, but for what reasons shall I vote?
It's quite simple I would say you vote for a leader not for tribe or religion. On how to identify a leader,I would suggest you look out for the following:

Honesty
According to Forbes,honesty is key. If your candidate is always not coming out straight on issues and is always coming up with reasons for failure,then,he is unworthy.
A good leader should be the type you can trust most of the time to deliver the goodies. When he promises,he delivers. So, I ask you,can you swear that the person you hope to vote for would do as he says? If within yourself (be honest),without thinking,you answered a 'yes' to this question,then,cast your vote for him but if you had to think even for a moment to answer this question,then,don't vote for him.

Communication
How often do you get to see him,is he social, how well does he communicate with you prior to today... how often do you see him,is he accessible?
Bros,one of the greatest mistakes we do make as a people in Nigeria is that we vote people who value privacy to socialization. If your leader is not sociable, as in, most often than not,he is out of site,always travelling out,how is he supposed to lead well? A leader must always be available in body and spirit, you should be able to communicate with your leader most of the time... a good leader is always accessible... no barrier or barricades...even without invitation, sometimes, you should be able to see him! Is your leader that accessible,if not,how are supposed to make demands and get answers? I leave you to answer that and you know what to do if he is not.

Confidence
Look,if the person you choose to vote for doesn't have this one...I mean confidence,please wait no more,just change your mind right now!
If your leader lacks confidence,trust me,you would be voting for chaos and anarchy when you cast your vote for him. An acid test of the level of confidence of your leader lies right in the manner in which he talks. If he is like giving an impression like there are people that are greater than he is,people that are above the law,if he is talking like there's some sort of Mafia somewhere...a cabal that can hinder his intended smooth running of his administration,please don't vote for him.HE LACKS ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT OF LEADERSHIP....CONFIDENCE!
If you insist and still go ahead to vote for him and lawlessness becomes the order of the day and you experience a sharp increase in cases of corruption and crime,please, blame no one but yourself!

Commitment
The other day when I was browsing through Facebook,someone was like....'when Jonathan (PDP,christian and Southerner) didn't cancel or postpone his election campaign in honor of the victims of Nyanyan bomb blast,everyone was blaming him,now Kwankwaso (APC) has done the same and no one is blaming him...'
When I read this,I was like some people don't realize that human beings like them were the ones that loose their lives when terrorists strike!
It's only natural to expect a committed leader to mourn the death of his subjects,even if it's just a soul. Failure to do so sends an 'I don't care ' message to the people.
In Pakistan,during election campaign period,Imran Khan fell off a platform that was prepared for him and broke his neck in the process. Guess what other contestants did? They suspended their campaign in honor of a fellow contestant... that's what I call sportsmanship... a quality our politicians lack.
In South Korea,there was a ship wreck and just for sluggish response to rescue,the people tongue lashed the Prime Minister and he resigned! Now,please,note that it was a ship wreck which could happen anytime and cannot be directly linked to the government,the Prime Minister resigned pointing out that had they responded quicker, some lives could be saved,he resigned because he cares,he is human and committed enough to take responsibility and actually punishes himself by sacrificing a post he sweated and worked hard to hold!
Now,compare that to Jonathan's case whereby,there was mass murder in the country's capital and in less than 48 hours, the president was dancing and singing in a political rally,and you there,trying to fault the condemnation! Haba!
So,when I read the guy's write up on Facebook,I felt sorry for him and all that are dogmatic in the way they follow their favorite politician and party. That is not Democratic in any way,it's a big-time anarchy!
Now,if the person you are about to vote for has no such passionate commitment records as exemplified above the South Korean Prime Minister,he is not good enough,don't vote for him! Whether APC or PDP.

Positivity and Creativity
As a leader,you are expected to lead not to rule. Hence,you must be positive in the way you think. Like they say,'If you really want to do something,you would find a way,but,if you don't,you find an excuse'.
Most of our present crop of leaders (should I say rulers) are always full of excuses,they hardly deliver. This is your chance to make a change...your vote is all you need to effect that change.
Out of a leader's resolve to always keep a positive mind comes the abundance of creativity which goes a long way to inspire positivity in the followers.A typical very close example of positivity and creativity is the case of Tinubu,then the governor of Lagos state and Obasanjo the then President of Nigeria.
Obasanjo ordered all states that created new local governments to reverse their creation. All but Tinubu obeyed. In response to Tinubu's defiance,the Federal Government,refused to remit Lagos states federal allocation. Instead of repenting and begging for forgiveness,Tinubu actually continued running his government despite the short in funding. What did he do,he simply looked inwards and made Lagos take care of her own business via internally generated revenue! That was the first practical example of the fact that EVERY STATE CAN TAKE CARE OF ITSELF WITHOUT THE FEDERAL ALLOCATION!
Now,that's a combination of  Positivity, creativity, commitment,bravery and uncommon courage... what a cool combo!!!
See,I can continue on and on but,I would put a stop at this point. We all know a good leader when we see one. I went through all these troubles to tell you the truth...YOUR CHOICE OF ACTION TODAY CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU. TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO OF MONEY POLITICS IS TO EMPOWER THE CORRUPT TO CONTINUE EXPLOITING US WHILE VOTING FOR CHANGE, VOTING A GOOD LEADER DESPITE HIS REFUSAL TO PAY YOU FOR YOUR VOTES, IS THE GREATEST FORM OF REVOLT OF ALL!!!
We are the youth,when their conflict and crisis,it's the youth and when there's a positive change, you find the youth there. It's the youth that are used as thugs during electioneering... the organization and success of politicians' campaign programs all hinges on the youth,yet,it's the youth that suffers the most when corrupt leaders come to power.
I therefore,call on the youth...you guys, stop all the BLIND SUPPORT FOR EITHER JONATHAN, BUHARI OR ATIKU AND FOCUS MAINLY ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS...WHO HAS THE BEST RECORDS? PLEASE, DON'T BE LURED AGAIN INTO VOTING BASED ON RELIGION OR ETHNICITY VOTE STRICTLY BASED ON YOUR CONVICTION. WITHIN YOUR HEART,ANSWER THE QUESTION; CAN MY CANDIDATE DO IT???  BE SINCERE WITH YOUR ANSWER AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY...I REST MY CASE FOR NOW!