She had been a guest of the CEO more than 3 times as Mr Shobanjo noted during the boardroom meeting in the eight week
'Both of you, Oscar and Nancy it seems like your time is up. Nancy you cannot be 3 times lucky unless something dramatic happens.'
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Nancy Lnda Kalembe
Nancy, the tall, ebony and beautiful Ugandan in the Apprentice Africa is a very lovable but confident woman who had escaped Mr Biodun Shobanjo's 'you are fired' outburst since the debut of Apprentice Africa on television.
She had been a guest of the CEO more than 3 times as Mr Shobanjo noted during the boardroom meeting in the eight week
She had been a guest of the CEO more than 3 times as Mr Shobanjo noted during the boardroom meeting in the eight week
Edward Mbugua 'Eddie'
The Aprentice Africa that is showing on Silverbird Television is in the 9th Week.
Yesterday episode of this business reality show was wonderful, insightful, dramatic and really emotional.
Team Matrix had four apprentices as against Team Zulu with six apprentices. Despite the number, Matrix Corp members showed great determination and worked with everything in them to win the task of the day which was increase revenue in a particular location and present sale strategy for CELTEL new product called JEMBI.
Ngugi Edward Mbugua popularly called Eddie by his fellow Apprentices, was the Team Leader for this particular task. He planned the execution of the task on the Product, Location and Price. He being a natural motivator maybe because he read psychology in the University was on hand to encourage his teammates and also make their customers to feel at ease in their assigned centre. He did not only recognised the talent in his teammate but assigned them responsibilities that proved to them that he believed in that talent and in their ability to perform. He has so far shows he is a professional sales person and a leader who motivates and rewards with encouraging words.
Unfortunately, Eddie's team lost due to over estimation of the profit by year 2011. This particular assignment was handled by Nancy Linda Kalembe, the woman with nine life like a cat. Nancy ran the financials by the team but no one took notice of that misleading information. During presentation to CELTEL Nigeria officials that was discovered and it cost them that task. Eddie in nominating those to accompany him to the Boardroom for the normal firing scene, excluded Nancy after humorously calling her a boardroom veteran. The other Apprentices would have not been matured enough to give her a break but he did. That really showed his maturity and acceptance of whatever mistake as a leader.
Nancy the woman who had escaped the firing 'squad' since the second week when she was the Team Leader was on her knees praying and reading the bible for a real escape because this time, she would have been fired. The Bible says men shall be given for us and that is real in Nancy's case in The Apprentice Africa.
In his farewell speech in the Boardroom, Eddie eulogised the intelligence of the ladies in Matrix and told Mr. Shobanjo to watch it that the Ultimate Apprentice would be someone from The Matrix Corp. Blessing could not contain her emotion as she started crying and so was I. Eddie is an orator. His speech moved me.
It was unfair to allow four compete against six.
Yesterday episode of this business reality show was wonderful, insightful, dramatic and really emotional.
Team Matrix had four apprentices as against Team Zulu with six apprentices. Despite the number, Matrix Corp members showed great determination and worked with everything in them to win the task of the day which was increase revenue in a particular location and present sale strategy for CELTEL new product called JEMBI.
Ngugi Edward Mbugua popularly called Eddie by his fellow Apprentices, was the Team Leader for this particular task. He planned the execution of the task on the Product, Location and Price. He being a natural motivator maybe because he read psychology in the University was on hand to encourage his teammates and also make their customers to feel at ease in their assigned centre. He did not only recognised the talent in his teammate but assigned them responsibilities that proved to them that he believed in that talent and in their ability to perform. He has so far shows he is a professional sales person and a leader who motivates and rewards with encouraging words.
Unfortunately, Eddie's team lost due to over estimation of the profit by year 2011. This particular assignment was handled by Nancy Linda Kalembe, the woman with nine life like a cat. Nancy ran the financials by the team but no one took notice of that misleading information. During presentation to CELTEL Nigeria officials that was discovered and it cost them that task. Eddie in nominating those to accompany him to the Boardroom for the normal firing scene, excluded Nancy after humorously calling her a boardroom veteran. The other Apprentices would have not been matured enough to give her a break but he did. That really showed his maturity and acceptance of whatever mistake as a leader.
Nancy the woman who had escaped the firing 'squad' since the second week when she was the Team Leader was on her knees praying and reading the bible for a real escape because this time, she would have been fired. The Bible says men shall be given for us and that is real in Nancy's case in The Apprentice Africa.
In his farewell speech in the Boardroom, Eddie eulogised the intelligence of the ladies in Matrix and told Mr. Shobanjo to watch it that the Ultimate Apprentice would be someone from The Matrix Corp. Blessing could not contain her emotion as she started crying and so was I. Eddie is an orator. His speech moved me.
It was unfair to allow four compete against six.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Experience at British Embassy
Tuesday 01/
My bossom friend Evelyn left Nigeria for the United Kingdom for her post graduate degree in Sociology. After the riguors of studying and examination, she invited me to be part of her graduation experience in London and i accepted.
She sent a letter of invitation to me with a letter from her school with my details, a print out of her bank statement from a London bank, photocopies of her international passport and the hotel booking receipt for one week. She had to book the hotel close by her home which was only bed and breakfat because her niece was coming too. I had to go to the airport to await the young girl arrival from Abuja the previous day. I had applied for my Annual leave using her invitation letter and gotten approval.
Armed with all the documents including my marriage certificate to prove i am happily married, (is the happily on the paper)Rachael and I left my home as early as 6.10am in Surulere, Lagos to Oando House, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island. We got there around 6.55am because of pockets of hold ups on the way. We signed in by 7.03 after riding the Elevator to the floor. We were no 30 and 31. Couldn't believe that some people actually got there by 5.30am. I was wondering why and i saw the reason much later.
After signing in we waited outside the door to be called in. We were more than 200 in a space that cannot accommodate 20 persons. There were no seats and we had to seat on the floor or the stairs whichever was available. At a point, the security personnel had to advice some of us to go get food and water because we would not be allowed to go out once in. Since it may take a whole day, we had to go get some snacks. AT the eatery opposite the building, the staff were having a meeting and collecting salary too. Funny the way businesses are run in Nigeria. Why pay staff thier salary the beginning of the next month. If salary must be delayed, it should not be more than the last day of the month. Why subject your staff to such delays? Anyway, lets leave that for another day. Imagine me complaining when i have not been paid salary for three months by AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY. I waited for some minutes and since the salary issue was not resolved quickly and the door opened to customers,I had to go around the street to get biscuits and bottled water.
When i got back, the place was jam packed. More people had come and yet the officiala of VFS had not opened their door and the security personnel were now behaving as the Lord of the manor.
When the door was now opened and names were being called, the rush became too much because of the crammed space. The people who came very early got in before the rush. The man calling the names got angry and left. Later on the security man was given the assignment and he did it half way and abandoned it. The process changed and people were allowed in if you can struggle. In the ensuring commotion, my passport dropped and i had to start seaching quietly before and then with screaming till i got it. Eventually, i entered the hall and had to pulled Rachael in too. Inside the hall, we were seated to see the officers who would go through our forms and give a pass mark or asked for changes to the information supplied. Evenyually i saw one who advised i change my request from visit to tourist. I supplied all the details and documents and she said i qualified for a six months visa. I promptly paid so did Rachael. We got to the other section where our documents were scrutinised and the lady said we were in order. After seven hours of arriving at the British Visa application centre, we were finaaly shown the exit door. Was i impressed with the attitude of the officials of that Visa application centre? NO. What Nigerians go through in the different embassies are terrible. On Idejo street, is the Chinese Embassy and i see people loitering around in the sun trying to get a little slip attached to their green passports which will gain them entrance to another man's country. Why is Nigeria not organised to the extent that our people will not become 'tenants' in theses embassies because they want a better future or business environment.
My bossom friend Evelyn left Nigeria for the United Kingdom for her post graduate degree in Sociology. After the riguors of studying and examination, she invited me to be part of her graduation experience in London and i accepted.
She sent a letter of invitation to me with a letter from her school with my details, a print out of her bank statement from a London bank, photocopies of her international passport and the hotel booking receipt for one week. She had to book the hotel close by her home which was only bed and breakfat because her niece was coming too. I had to go to the airport to await the young girl arrival from Abuja the previous day. I had applied for my Annual leave using her invitation letter and gotten approval.
Armed with all the documents including my marriage certificate to prove i am happily married, (is the happily on the paper)Rachael and I left my home as early as 6.10am in Surulere, Lagos to Oando House, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island. We got there around 6.55am because of pockets of hold ups on the way. We signed in by 7.03 after riding the Elevator to the floor. We were no 30 and 31. Couldn't believe that some people actually got there by 5.30am. I was wondering why and i saw the reason much later.
After signing in we waited outside the door to be called in. We were more than 200 in a space that cannot accommodate 20 persons. There were no seats and we had to seat on the floor or the stairs whichever was available. At a point, the security personnel had to advice some of us to go get food and water because we would not be allowed to go out once in. Since it may take a whole day, we had to go get some snacks. AT the eatery opposite the building, the staff were having a meeting and collecting salary too. Funny the way businesses are run in Nigeria. Why pay staff thier salary the beginning of the next month. If salary must be delayed, it should not be more than the last day of the month. Why subject your staff to such delays? Anyway, lets leave that for another day. Imagine me complaining when i have not been paid salary for three months by AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY. I waited for some minutes and since the salary issue was not resolved quickly and the door opened to customers,I had to go around the street to get biscuits and bottled water.
When i got back, the place was jam packed. More people had come and yet the officiala of VFS had not opened their door and the security personnel were now behaving as the Lord of the manor.
When the door was now opened and names were being called, the rush became too much because of the crammed space. The people who came very early got in before the rush. The man calling the names got angry and left. Later on the security man was given the assignment and he did it half way and abandoned it. The process changed and people were allowed in if you can struggle. In the ensuring commotion, my passport dropped and i had to start seaching quietly before and then with screaming till i got it. Eventually, i entered the hall and had to pulled Rachael in too. Inside the hall, we were seated to see the officers who would go through our forms and give a pass mark or asked for changes to the information supplied. Evenyually i saw one who advised i change my request from visit to tourist. I supplied all the details and documents and she said i qualified for a six months visa. I promptly paid so did Rachael. We got to the other section where our documents were scrutinised and the lady said we were in order. After seven hours of arriving at the British Visa application centre, we were finaaly shown the exit door. Was i impressed with the attitude of the officials of that Visa application centre? NO. What Nigerians go through in the different embassies are terrible. On Idejo street, is the Chinese Embassy and i see people loitering around in the sun trying to get a little slip attached to their green passports which will gain them entrance to another man's country. Why is Nigeria not organised to the extent that our people will not become 'tenants' in theses embassies because they want a better future or business environment.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Power probe
Obasanjo and the power probe
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power ans Steel, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu decided to probe the power sector as the epileptic power supply became so bad despite the billions of Naira expended on that sector during Obasanjo's regime. The probe actually started on tht 11th of March 2008 and several key players in Obasanjo's government were invited to come and testify. Obasanjo's men who had fed fat on the billions allocated to the sectors are all multi billionaires now while the former two Ministers are Governors of their respective States in Nigeria. While they and their family members are enjoying the money that fell on their lap, millions of Nigerians are impoverished and falling sick every second from total darkness and heat. Businesses have shut down due to high price of generating electricity to meet demands and meet up production.
Since the probe of the nation's power sector began, shocking revelations have been emerging. The investigation has revealed the corruption of the erstwhile government of Obasanjo the so called custodian of uprightnees and accountability.
Shocking too was on-the-spot assessment of the power plants in the country. Most of the power plants had nothing on the ground to show that work had begun or the commitment of the contractors. Most of the contractors have been paid mobilisation Fees and some have not even started work on the proposed Sites. One of the contractors has been paid almost 4B Naira but no work had commenced at the site. Another contractor in Enugu in the South East Zone of Nigeria, had collected part of the contract money but had only cleared the site of weeds, bought a generator and erected two blocks of flats for the Engineers. Beyond these nothing else was done at the project site. The contractor complained about late treatment of documents submitted to the authorities for processing. The contractor claimed he had spent N501m on soil, engineering designs, civil works and other preliminary activities including the clearing of the site and the generator. Unbelievable! How much is paid a labourer per day? How many labourers did he engaged and for how many days?. Apparently only one percent of the job had been done and the Contractor had spent N501m from the contract of N1.2bn. What is left is not up to 60 percent of the contract sum to complete the project. Is the contractor thinking of applying for a review upward of the Contract sum?
Time will tell.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power ans Steel, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu decided to probe the power sector as the epileptic power supply became so bad despite the billions of Naira expended on that sector during Obasanjo's regime. The probe actually started on tht 11th of March 2008 and several key players in Obasanjo's government were invited to come and testify. Obasanjo's men who had fed fat on the billions allocated to the sectors are all multi billionaires now while the former two Ministers are Governors of their respective States in Nigeria. While they and their family members are enjoying the money that fell on their lap, millions of Nigerians are impoverished and falling sick every second from total darkness and heat. Businesses have shut down due to high price of generating electricity to meet demands and meet up production.
Since the probe of the nation's power sector began, shocking revelations have been emerging. The investigation has revealed the corruption of the erstwhile government of Obasanjo the so called custodian of uprightnees and accountability.
Shocking too was on-the-spot assessment of the power plants in the country. Most of the power plants had nothing on the ground to show that work had begun or the commitment of the contractors. Most of the contractors have been paid mobilisation Fees and some have not even started work on the proposed Sites. One of the contractors has been paid almost 4B Naira but no work had commenced at the site. Another contractor in Enugu in the South East Zone of Nigeria, had collected part of the contract money but had only cleared the site of weeds, bought a generator and erected two blocks of flats for the Engineers. Beyond these nothing else was done at the project site. The contractor complained about late treatment of documents submitted to the authorities for processing. The contractor claimed he had spent N501m on soil, engineering designs, civil works and other preliminary activities including the clearing of the site and the generator. Unbelievable! How much is paid a labourer per day? How many labourers did he engaged and for how many days?. Apparently only one percent of the job had been done and the Contractor had spent N501m from the contract of N1.2bn. What is left is not up to 60 percent of the contract sum to complete the project. Is the contractor thinking of applying for a review upward of the Contract sum?
Time will tell.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Barrack Obama
Barrack Obama to achieve his ambition must do the following to get the ticket that will usher him into the White House:
Go placidly amid the noise and haste of the campaign, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons in his campaign team or opposing camps
Speak the truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their contribution.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons who only seek attention for they are vexations to the spirit.
Should not compare himself with others so that he does not become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself in or out of politics.
Change comes when a dreamer with a passion for that change set to make the impossible possible and he, Obama is the dreamer with that passion for change that all Americans can identify with. Americans desire change and its obvious that they do not care about how or who is to bring the change.
Dreams deliver the scope but determination and hardwork deliver the reality which we are all waiting for in America.
Obama may be black in colour but he is American in aspirations and result. He has proven to be a fighter and a believer of positive change. He is a paragon of excellence so go on brother, Fight the good fight with Faith and the White House is just the beginning.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste of the campaign, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons in his campaign team or opposing camps
Speak the truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their contribution.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons who only seek attention for they are vexations to the spirit.
Should not compare himself with others so that he does not become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself in or out of politics.
Change comes when a dreamer with a passion for that change set to make the impossible possible and he, Obama is the dreamer with that passion for change that all Americans can identify with. Americans desire change and its obvious that they do not care about how or who is to bring the change.
Dreams deliver the scope but determination and hardwork deliver the reality which we are all waiting for in America.
Obama may be black in colour but he is American in aspirations and result. He has proven to be a fighter and a believer of positive change. He is a paragon of excellence so go on brother, Fight the good fight with Faith and the White House is just the beginning.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Shocking revelation
SHOCKING revelations have emerged after President Umaru Yar’Adua, last week, ordered the termination of the controversial sale of 80 per cent shares of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Mining Iron Ore Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe to an Indian firm, Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL), one of them being that GINL has made not less than N5.52 billion from deals relating to ASCL, NIOMCO and Delta Steel Company Limited (DSCL). Yet it has not remitted a kobo as tax or any other statutory payment to the Federal Government, the Magaji Inua panel which nailed them has revealed.
The report said the concession agreement signed by the two parties was designed to fail so that the Indians could make money to the detriment of Nigerians.
2 ex-aides to Obasanjo Directors of Delta Steel
Vanguard has impeccable evidence which shows that two former aides of former President Olusegun Obasanjo are Directors of the DSCL, valued at N184 billion, but sold to GINL at N3.6 billion ($30 million) 2004.
A letter written to the then President Obasanjo by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) on May 22, 2007, signed by Mrs Nenadi Usman, acting Chair of NCP and Minister of Finance at the time, stated on page 4 paragraph 5 that, “in the course of deliberations, some concerns were expressed as to whether a Joint Venture partnership between the BPE and GINL was legal especially that GINL was not making any cash payments to the Federal Government Treasury…”
The letter went on to note that, “Your Excellency, it is against this background of doubts raised by some members of the Council as to whether the contemplated transaction (Share Sales Purchase Agreement –– SSPA) falls within the ambit of the powers of the Council that it was resolved that the matter be referred to you for your consideration.”
Obasanjo approves deal despite Nenadi's memo
Obasanjo approved the demand on the same letter. The approval, which was written in long hand and signed as O. O. on May 23, 2007, reads: “Approved,” but added that, “additional $11.6 million will be provided by the buyer to pay off the staff to sustain industrial peace.”
The approval was conveyed to Mrs Nenadi Usman and the Director-General of the BPE, Dr Irene Chigbue, on May 24, 2008 in a letter reference: PRES/87/128 signed by Taiwo Ojo, Special Assistant to the President.His particular post as Special Assistant was not stated. GINL, acquired the two companies and has still not paid a kobo, as the panel found out.
As it turned out, the Inua panel came out with a depressing finding that showed, among others, on page 40 article 6 (A) to (E) how GINL defrauded Nigeria through many schemes.
Converting the entire sums into Naira shows that GINL has siphoned not less than N5.52 billion of the steel company’s resources as the panel said there was no evidence of any investment in the ASCL and NIOMCO by GINL since their takeover.
Deal skewed against FG —Report
The panel grimly noted on page 14 (1) of the report that: “The Concession Agreement between the Federal Government and GINL is a document crafted in a desperate hurry, carefully and purposefully skewed against the FGN, with open-ended obligations.
“The obligations are impossible to achieve in the absence of built-in milestones in a Time-Scale Strategy. It was, therefore, designed to fail from the beginning: heaping blames and causing unquantifiable losses to the FGN and leaving GINL with monumental economic leverages. The FGN was short-changed by all those thought-out and configured the agreement,” the panel wrote.
Vanguard investigation shows that the Concession agreement was written by the then Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Mines and Power, Dr. Grace Eyoma, who was then made the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of GINL, Mr. Love K. Sharma, an Indian, who has since been sacked by his company for reasons which would be revealed in subsequent reports. Senator Liyel Imoke, who as Minister of Power and Steel, and a lawyer, vetted the agreement and endorsed it on behalf of the FGN.
Vanguard will tomorrow reveal how GINL has taken advantage of the weak concession agreement and dragged the FGN, last week, to a court in London.
Already, President Yar’Adua has asked the EFCC to step into the case with a view to prosecuting both Federal Government and GINL officials found culpable for assets stripping.
Table showing summary of items and sums removed from Nigeria by GINL in the Last 3 years
No Item amount
A Details of Statutory obligations outstanding (PAYE, VAT, Royalties etc) N350,6079210.11
B Conversion of Property
1 Sales of Iron Ore from NIOMCO $1,077,545.00
2 Sales of Premium Scraps from ASCL yard N203,371,260.27
3 Receipt from Prestige Inc. Compensation for Spares burnt N340,000,000.00
4 Bank Balance at Takeover N 89,143,718.00
5 NOTAP Approval illegally utilised $ 17,143,718.00
6 Quantity of billets met at ASCL utilised @ 285/tonne $ 79,372.50
7 Rent Received from non-ASCL staff N41.044,450.93
8 Rent from ASCL staff N21,905,750.00
C Spare parts fabricated for DSC valued at… N22,811,784.36
D Losses on sales of Iron Ore Concentrate produced since GINL takeover $14,872,039.00
E Spare parts and Consumables “borrowed” from NIOMCO Not priced
Spare parts and Consumables borrowed from ASCL
i From stores $596,979.08
ii GIHL stocks procured for ASCL but transferred to DSC $1,738,405.69.
Total Naira Components N1,233,464,370
Total US$ Component $35,721,236.79
•Source: From Report of Administrative Panel of Enquiry Into the Operations of ASCL and NIOMCO, Decemeber 2007
The above is culled from the Vanguard Newspapers. The revelation is really shocking. Obasanjo said he was fighting corruption but his cronies, himself, and family members were embezzling and wasting funds while others like Tafa and Wabara were openly disgraced and dismissed from office. What do we make out of this?
The report said the concession agreement signed by the two parties was designed to fail so that the Indians could make money to the detriment of Nigerians.
2 ex-aides to Obasanjo Directors of Delta Steel
Vanguard has impeccable evidence which shows that two former aides of former President Olusegun Obasanjo are Directors of the DSCL, valued at N184 billion, but sold to GINL at N3.6 billion ($30 million) 2004.
A letter written to the then President Obasanjo by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) on May 22, 2007, signed by Mrs Nenadi Usman, acting Chair of NCP and Minister of Finance at the time, stated on page 4 paragraph 5 that, “in the course of deliberations, some concerns were expressed as to whether a Joint Venture partnership between the BPE and GINL was legal especially that GINL was not making any cash payments to the Federal Government Treasury…”
The letter went on to note that, “Your Excellency, it is against this background of doubts raised by some members of the Council as to whether the contemplated transaction (Share Sales Purchase Agreement –– SSPA) falls within the ambit of the powers of the Council that it was resolved that the matter be referred to you for your consideration.”
Obasanjo approves deal despite Nenadi's memo
Obasanjo approved the demand on the same letter. The approval, which was written in long hand and signed as O. O. on May 23, 2007, reads: “Approved,” but added that, “additional $11.6 million will be provided by the buyer to pay off the staff to sustain industrial peace.”
The approval was conveyed to Mrs Nenadi Usman and the Director-General of the BPE, Dr Irene Chigbue, on May 24, 2008 in a letter reference: PRES/87/128 signed by Taiwo Ojo, Special Assistant to the President.His particular post as Special Assistant was not stated. GINL, acquired the two companies and has still not paid a kobo, as the panel found out.
As it turned out, the Inua panel came out with a depressing finding that showed, among others, on page 40 article 6 (A) to (E) how GINL defrauded Nigeria through many schemes.
Converting the entire sums into Naira shows that GINL has siphoned not less than N5.52 billion of the steel company’s resources as the panel said there was no evidence of any investment in the ASCL and NIOMCO by GINL since their takeover.
Deal skewed against FG —Report
The panel grimly noted on page 14 (1) of the report that: “The Concession Agreement between the Federal Government and GINL is a document crafted in a desperate hurry, carefully and purposefully skewed against the FGN, with open-ended obligations.
“The obligations are impossible to achieve in the absence of built-in milestones in a Time-Scale Strategy. It was, therefore, designed to fail from the beginning: heaping blames and causing unquantifiable losses to the FGN and leaving GINL with monumental economic leverages. The FGN was short-changed by all those thought-out and configured the agreement,” the panel wrote.
Vanguard investigation shows that the Concession agreement was written by the then Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Mines and Power, Dr. Grace Eyoma, who was then made the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of GINL, Mr. Love K. Sharma, an Indian, who has since been sacked by his company for reasons which would be revealed in subsequent reports. Senator Liyel Imoke, who as Minister of Power and Steel, and a lawyer, vetted the agreement and endorsed it on behalf of the FGN.
Vanguard will tomorrow reveal how GINL has taken advantage of the weak concession agreement and dragged the FGN, last week, to a court in London.
Already, President Yar’Adua has asked the EFCC to step into the case with a view to prosecuting both Federal Government and GINL officials found culpable for assets stripping.
Table showing summary of items and sums removed from Nigeria by GINL in the Last 3 years
No Item amount
A Details of Statutory obligations outstanding (PAYE, VAT, Royalties etc) N350,6079210.11
B Conversion of Property
1 Sales of Iron Ore from NIOMCO $1,077,545.00
2 Sales of Premium Scraps from ASCL yard N203,371,260.27
3 Receipt from Prestige Inc. Compensation for Spares burnt N340,000,000.00
4 Bank Balance at Takeover N 89,143,718.00
5 NOTAP Approval illegally utilised $ 17,143,718.00
6 Quantity of billets met at ASCL utilised @ 285/tonne $ 79,372.50
7 Rent Received from non-ASCL staff N41.044,450.93
8 Rent from ASCL staff N21,905,750.00
C Spare parts fabricated for DSC valued at… N22,811,784.36
D Losses on sales of Iron Ore Concentrate produced since GINL takeover $14,872,039.00
E Spare parts and Consumables “borrowed” from NIOMCO Not priced
Spare parts and Consumables borrowed from ASCL
i From stores $596,979.08
ii GIHL stocks procured for ASCL but transferred to DSC $1,738,405.69.
Total Naira Components N1,233,464,370
Total US$ Component $35,721,236.79
•Source: From Report of Administrative Panel of Enquiry Into the Operations of ASCL and NIOMCO, Decemeber 2007
The above is culled from the Vanguard Newspapers. The revelation is really shocking. Obasanjo said he was fighting corruption but his cronies, himself, and family members were embezzling and wasting funds while others like Tafa and Wabara were openly disgraced and dismissed from office. What do we make out of this?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
What a shame!
Before the second coming of Obasanjo as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999, no one heard of Iyabo Obasanjo the daughter of Obasanjo. She was a young doctor who was trying out marriage and which by the way failed due to her stubbornness and arrogance. Unfortunately her older brother's marriage too had collapsed. Well this blog is not about their marriages or love life but their shameless and corrupt attitudes towards government funds entrusted directly to them or they had a link to.
Last year, Iyabo was linked to a power project in Europe where she fraudulently used her mother's maiden name to secure the contract from the Federal Government with the help of her father who was the President then. While we were still going through that, we were yet told through the media that she collected 10 million Naira from the health ministry as christmas gift. This morning, the 3rd of April 2008, we are told she is involved in anothe scandal up to 4.1b Naira. When will this end.
Iyabo is a woman who naturally is supposed to be aplomb, amiable, considerate and trustworthy. She is a mother already and is supposed to exhibit that in all her dealing in the National Assembly but what we have is a young lady who is driven by inordinate ambition of being wealthy by all means.
A pertitioner wrote the Economic ad Financial Crime Commission that the Health Ministry had N300M unspent from the 2007 budgetary allocation and the money had been shared as christmas bonus to the Ministry personnels and others including Iyabo Obasanjo Bello. This unspent allocation was to be returned to the government coffers but these people shared the money and hatched a plot to cover it. Iyabo had initially denied the allegation but when the truth and evidences became overwhelming, she had to admit that the money was given to the committee which she is the chairman to help with legislative duties. From the media report, she claimed the money had been spent by the committee on a trip to Ghana. What was the trip to Ghana for? Was it not budgetted for by the House before then? Why wait for gratification before embarking on official visits?. According to the papers, she told the EFCC that to return that money as ordered by them would mean she using her personal money to settle that.
As a woman, i had expected her to hate corruption and gratification but no she actually loves that and is becoming worse than her male conterparts. She is brazen, daring and shameless. With all these revelations of fraud, corruption and lies, one would have expected her to resign. That will be asking for too much. If she was a lady, decent and upright maybe she would have resigned but she is not so resignation is not in her dictionary or lexicon. She is crude, stonehearted and rude? Who is she taking after?
Women are always willing to resign if indicted, mentioned in a messy story or exposed to the public ridicule. But not this one. She has thrown shame to the dustbin or 'dog don lick her face'.
The so called former first family had always been in the news for negative news. When will we hear fresh, good and heartwarming news from the Obasanjo's?
Last year, Iyabo was linked to a power project in Europe where she fraudulently used her mother's maiden name to secure the contract from the Federal Government with the help of her father who was the President then. While we were still going through that, we were yet told through the media that she collected 10 million Naira from the health ministry as christmas gift. This morning, the 3rd of April 2008, we are told she is involved in anothe scandal up to 4.1b Naira. When will this end.
Iyabo is a woman who naturally is supposed to be aplomb, amiable, considerate and trustworthy. She is a mother already and is supposed to exhibit that in all her dealing in the National Assembly but what we have is a young lady who is driven by inordinate ambition of being wealthy by all means.
A pertitioner wrote the Economic ad Financial Crime Commission that the Health Ministry had N300M unspent from the 2007 budgetary allocation and the money had been shared as christmas bonus to the Ministry personnels and others including Iyabo Obasanjo Bello. This unspent allocation was to be returned to the government coffers but these people shared the money and hatched a plot to cover it. Iyabo had initially denied the allegation but when the truth and evidences became overwhelming, she had to admit that the money was given to the committee which she is the chairman to help with legislative duties. From the media report, she claimed the money had been spent by the committee on a trip to Ghana. What was the trip to Ghana for? Was it not budgetted for by the House before then? Why wait for gratification before embarking on official visits?. According to the papers, she told the EFCC that to return that money as ordered by them would mean she using her personal money to settle that.
As a woman, i had expected her to hate corruption and gratification but no she actually loves that and is becoming worse than her male conterparts. She is brazen, daring and shameless. With all these revelations of fraud, corruption and lies, one would have expected her to resign. That will be asking for too much. If she was a lady, decent and upright maybe she would have resigned but she is not so resignation is not in her dictionary or lexicon. She is crude, stonehearted and rude? Who is she taking after?
Women are always willing to resign if indicted, mentioned in a messy story or exposed to the public ridicule. But not this one. She has thrown shame to the dustbin or 'dog don lick her face'.
The so called former first family had always been in the news for negative news. When will we hear fresh, good and heartwarming news from the Obasanjo's?
Revocation of Ajaokuta, National Ore
Yesterday started as a normal day with so much to attend to like the payment committee meeting with the director and other heads of Departments in the office. I attended to some enquiries by mails and telephone calls, assigned responsibilities to subordinates and went for meetings with one of our bankers later in the afternoon. I closed really late because we had to sort out the salaries of junior staff members. It was a bit hectic because i had to eat some snacks in the office instead of going out for lunch.
I got back home hoping to retire early to bed but that was not to be as a call came through from a colleague in the plant that the Federal Government of Nigeria had voided the concessionary agreement entered into with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited on Ajaokuta Steel Company. Initially I was glad because GINL does not seem to have the finance and technical skills to manage a large Steel complex like that but later when the calls started coming in from other co-workers in Lagos and our bankers, i realised it was really serious. Serious in the sense that we in Lagos office may be forced to relocate to Ajaokuta. What will happened to our families in Lagos and what will happened to our daily office routine? Will we be accommodated in the plant? What will be our new roles in the plant or functions? Will we be assigned new tasks probably different from the ones handled in Lagos? What will happened to the banks that had financed our businesses and we are still owing? So many questions begging for answers.
I called my bosses but none answered. Eventually, my director sent a short message on the mobile phone that we have already instituted a legal action against the Federal Government in the arbitration Court in London which means the status quo remains until the case is decided. But the news said that the government had gone ahead to approve the establishment of an interim management pending the determination of all issues arising from the cancellation of the concession agrement. Which do we take now? The news still stands that the Federal Government of Nigeria after considering the report of the administrative panel of enquiry on compliance of parties to the concession agreement revoked it on the 2nd of April, 2008.
The administrative panel of enquiry indicted us for breaches of the concessionary agreements including failure to submit workable business plan within the specified timeframe, non payment of concessionary fees, canibalisation, exportation of iron ore and scraps and indebtedness of $192 million to local banks. These are serious issues and i hope the indians would respond and clear themselves.
Well the HR deparment called that our fate in the Lagos office would be known after
the meeting in the plant this morning. Fot the time being, we wait.
I got back home hoping to retire early to bed but that was not to be as a call came through from a colleague in the plant that the Federal Government of Nigeria had voided the concessionary agreement entered into with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited on Ajaokuta Steel Company. Initially I was glad because GINL does not seem to have the finance and technical skills to manage a large Steel complex like that but later when the calls started coming in from other co-workers in Lagos and our bankers, i realised it was really serious. Serious in the sense that we in Lagos office may be forced to relocate to Ajaokuta. What will happened to our families in Lagos and what will happened to our daily office routine? Will we be accommodated in the plant? What will be our new roles in the plant or functions? Will we be assigned new tasks probably different from the ones handled in Lagos? What will happened to the banks that had financed our businesses and we are still owing? So many questions begging for answers.
I called my bosses but none answered. Eventually, my director sent a short message on the mobile phone that we have already instituted a legal action against the Federal Government in the arbitration Court in London which means the status quo remains until the case is decided. But the news said that the government had gone ahead to approve the establishment of an interim management pending the determination of all issues arising from the cancellation of the concession agrement. Which do we take now? The news still stands that the Federal Government of Nigeria after considering the report of the administrative panel of enquiry on compliance of parties to the concession agreement revoked it on the 2nd of April, 2008.
The administrative panel of enquiry indicted us for breaches of the concessionary agreements including failure to submit workable business plan within the specified timeframe, non payment of concessionary fees, canibalisation, exportation of iron ore and scraps and indebtedness of $192 million to local banks. These are serious issues and i hope the indians would respond and clear themselves.
Well the HR deparment called that our fate in the Lagos office would be known after
the meeting in the plant this morning. Fot the time being, we wait.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
WBC BELT
When the renowned boxing promoter, Don King tipped the 'Nigerian Nightmare' Samuel Okon Peter to win the World title bout against Oleg Maskaev, a former Russian but now American citizen, sceptics doubted such prediction and wondered where he got such confidence from. This was because Oleg had expereince, exposure and maturity on his side to knock out a first time contender fot the belt. But King had been working with Samuel Peter and had seen his potential and his determination to reach the pinnacle of his career in boxing. For the bout on the 8th of March 2008, King knew Samuel would win through a knockout because he was focused, devoted and very fit to take on anyone regardlees of experience or exposure. Oleg Maskaev has not fought since December 2006 so he was not in good form as Peter who had fought to win the interim title.
Before the D-Day, Samuel Peter had arrived Cancun, Mexico two weeks earlier clad in a traditional Nigerian outfit which attracted a lot of Mexicans at the airport. He was showcasing not only the outfit but proudly announcing to the world that Nigeria is ready to lead other countries because we have abundant human and natural resources.
On the D day, the referee Guadalupe Garcia was ready for a wonderful fight. In the first and the second rounds, both boxers were trading punches without any getting the upper hand. But in the 3rd round, Peter' punches and jabs dazed Oleg more than once that he bowed under the blows. Although he tried throwing a jab or two but that did not affect Peter. One thing i noticed was the delay of Peter in releasing his supposedly killer punches. This affected his 4th and 5th rounds.
In the 6th round, the winning round, Peter lost his balance in the 52 seconds but in a rebound, he came back with 13 punches to the head of Oleg and the referee had to step in immediately to stop the fight.
SAMUEL OKON PETER became the new World Boxing Council heavyweight champion of the world.
Before the D-Day, Samuel Peter had arrived Cancun, Mexico two weeks earlier clad in a traditional Nigerian outfit which attracted a lot of Mexicans at the airport. He was showcasing not only the outfit but proudly announcing to the world that Nigeria is ready to lead other countries because we have abundant human and natural resources.
On the D day, the referee Guadalupe Garcia was ready for a wonderful fight. In the first and the second rounds, both boxers were trading punches without any getting the upper hand. But in the 3rd round, Peter' punches and jabs dazed Oleg more than once that he bowed under the blows. Although he tried throwing a jab or two but that did not affect Peter. One thing i noticed was the delay of Peter in releasing his supposedly killer punches. This affected his 4th and 5th rounds.
In the 6th round, the winning round, Peter lost his balance in the 52 seconds but in a rebound, he came back with 13 punches to the head of Oleg and the referee had to step in immediately to stop the fight.
SAMUEL OKON PETER became the new World Boxing Council heavyweight champion of the world.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Energy Crisis
On Wednesday, we read in the dailies that our president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua raised a panel on tuesday 19th February 2008 in Aso Rock, the seat of power, to check the energy crisis in the country.
One of the 7 points agenda of this present administration was ensuring constant power supply to Nigerians but months after, we are yet to experience it. IN fact the energy situation has gone from bad to worse since this administration took over. Some areas in Lagos that were priviledged to have contant power supply due to newness of transformers or few users are no more enjoying such as the supply had reduced greatly. In my area in surulere, we rely more on Power Holding for electricity in 2003 and 2004 but lately we rely on the generating set for power. The generating set is the main power supply while PHCN is the stand bye. In a normal situation or in developed countries, the reverse is the case.
Now the President has constituted an 11-member committee on power comprising of eminent personalities to ensure that we have constant power supply. The committee tagged Presidential Committee for the Accelerated Expansion of Nigeria's Power Infrastructure, is to deliver additional 6000 megawatts generation, transmission and distribution capacity to the so called existing capacity within the next 18 months. The committee was also mandated to add 11000 megawatts of power generation by 2011. Apart from this, the committee is to conduct audit of the infrastructure, source for fund, and put plans on the ground to attract investors in the energy sector etc. Like i mentioned earlier, men and women of high repute and accomplished technocrats are members of this committee. I wondered why Mr. Makoju the former boss of Power Holding Company of Nigeria is doing there. He was not able to deliver or accomplish the target of constant power supply so his membership of this new committee is waste of tax payers money. We need men who are determined to dare the cartel that are holding us all to ransom. We need to dislodge those men and women who are on the pay roll of generators importers from PHCN. We need to become desperate for change so that all the manufacturing industries may not die and our relations thrown into the unemployment market.
It is not panel and reports that we need now. We need action, we need implementation of reports or recommendation. We need to do something fast so NIGERIA can be great again.
One of the 7 points agenda of this present administration was ensuring constant power supply to Nigerians but months after, we are yet to experience it. IN fact the energy situation has gone from bad to worse since this administration took over. Some areas in Lagos that were priviledged to have contant power supply due to newness of transformers or few users are no more enjoying such as the supply had reduced greatly. In my area in surulere, we rely more on Power Holding for electricity in 2003 and 2004 but lately we rely on the generating set for power. The generating set is the main power supply while PHCN is the stand bye. In a normal situation or in developed countries, the reverse is the case.
Now the President has constituted an 11-member committee on power comprising of eminent personalities to ensure that we have constant power supply. The committee tagged Presidential Committee for the Accelerated Expansion of Nigeria's Power Infrastructure, is to deliver additional 6000 megawatts generation, transmission and distribution capacity to the so called existing capacity within the next 18 months. The committee was also mandated to add 11000 megawatts of power generation by 2011. Apart from this, the committee is to conduct audit of the infrastructure, source for fund, and put plans on the ground to attract investors in the energy sector etc. Like i mentioned earlier, men and women of high repute and accomplished technocrats are members of this committee. I wondered why Mr. Makoju the former boss of Power Holding Company of Nigeria is doing there. He was not able to deliver or accomplish the target of constant power supply so his membership of this new committee is waste of tax payers money. We need men who are determined to dare the cartel that are holding us all to ransom. We need to dislodge those men and women who are on the pay roll of generators importers from PHCN. We need to become desperate for change so that all the manufacturing industries may not die and our relations thrown into the unemployment market.
It is not panel and reports that we need now. We need action, we need implementation of reports or recommendation. We need to do something fast so NIGERIA can be great again.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine
Today is Valentine day. A day set aside for the display of love and reaffirmation of commitment by couples whether married or not. Its a day to propose marriage, declare love or mend broken ones. I am told in some countries especially in Asia, its a day of mass marriages.
As people celebrate love this day, most do not even remember or know the origin of the day. Tragically according to history, the man Valentine was executed on the orders of Emperor Claudius 11 of Rome in the third century. He was known for his kindness of heart to others. He brought joy and happiness to people and helped no matter what. He was said to have wedded a couple who were in love against a decree by the Emperor and when the Emperor heard, he ordered for his arrest. He was sentenced to death and eventually killed on the 14th of february. Before he died, he charged the sympathisers including the newly weds not to mourn but celebrate his memory, live in peace, be kind and help others.
In a world of hatred, deceit, intrigues and envy, I fondly extend my arms of good tidings clothed in an emblem of love to everyone. May your hearts together with those of your loved ones be filled with LOVE today and forever.
Remember love is not selfish, love is not proud, love endures and seeks the good of others above self.
Happy Valentine.
As people celebrate love this day, most do not even remember or know the origin of the day. Tragically according to history, the man Valentine was executed on the orders of Emperor Claudius 11 of Rome in the third century. He was known for his kindness of heart to others. He brought joy and happiness to people and helped no matter what. He was said to have wedded a couple who were in love against a decree by the Emperor and when the Emperor heard, he ordered for his arrest. He was sentenced to death and eventually killed on the 14th of february. Before he died, he charged the sympathisers including the newly weds not to mourn but celebrate his memory, live in peace, be kind and help others.
In a world of hatred, deceit, intrigues and envy, I fondly extend my arms of good tidings clothed in an emblem of love to everyone. May your hearts together with those of your loved ones be filled with LOVE today and forever.
Remember love is not selfish, love is not proud, love endures and seeks the good of others above self.
Happy Valentine.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Egypt is African football champion
The 26th African Nations Cup tagged Ghana 2008, came to an end yesterday in Accra with defending champion Egypt defeating Cameroon by 1-0 to retain the trophy. Yesterday's win made it the sixth time the Pharoahs of Egypt would be lifting the cup.
During their first encounter, where both met in the opening match of their Group D in Tamale, Egypt won the game 4-2. The game was more or less one sided as the Egyptians mounted pressure and the Cameroonians' defence crumbled thereby giving them chances to score three out of their four goals in the first half. But in the final match at Djan Ohene Stadium, Accra, the Cameroonians were determined and played with everything to deny the Egyptians the opportunity of putting the ball pass their 'tested generals' led by Rigobert Song. The game went on with both teams showing great skills and brilliant strikes for up to 75 minutes of the game. Cameroon was desirous of taking the early lead at the sart of the game by mounting pressure on Egypt barely two minutes of entering the field to play. Samuel Eto'o blasted a header that went over the bar from a close range and the second attempt at scoring failed too. Egypt efforts too to score was stopped by the able goalkeeper.By half time both teams became desperate and cagey.
After the half time both teams knew a winner must emerge and were determined to lift the cup so they began a fierce fight for the ball. Cameroonians known for their aggressiveness and rough play on the field of football started going all out but the Egyptian pharaohs were no pushover or saints either so it was push for push and shove for shove. After a while, the Pharoahs were dominating the midfield play and firing net breaking shots but the Cameroun defenders were denying them the goals.
Alas, Cameroun through their defender, the able captain, Rigobert Song threw all including the Cup away. He struggled with Zidan while Abou Trika rushed on and kicked the ball into an empty and unmanned net at the side.
Cameroun tried thereafter to equalise but it was not possible and before they realised it, the game was over. Egypt gave a good account of themselves. They were more determined and went for full attack to let all the other Africans know that the future of football in Africa is in the north of the continent. Though they deserved to win, the cameroon players too played good football.
Congratulations the Pharoahs of Egypt.
During their first encounter, where both met in the opening match of their Group D in Tamale, Egypt won the game 4-2. The game was more or less one sided as the Egyptians mounted pressure and the Cameroonians' defence crumbled thereby giving them chances to score three out of their four goals in the first half. But in the final match at Djan Ohene Stadium, Accra, the Cameroonians were determined and played with everything to deny the Egyptians the opportunity of putting the ball pass their 'tested generals' led by Rigobert Song. The game went on with both teams showing great skills and brilliant strikes for up to 75 minutes of the game. Cameroon was desirous of taking the early lead at the sart of the game by mounting pressure on Egypt barely two minutes of entering the field to play. Samuel Eto'o blasted a header that went over the bar from a close range and the second attempt at scoring failed too. Egypt efforts too to score was stopped by the able goalkeeper.By half time both teams became desperate and cagey.
After the half time both teams knew a winner must emerge and were determined to lift the cup so they began a fierce fight for the ball. Cameroonians known for their aggressiveness and rough play on the field of football started going all out but the Egyptian pharaohs were no pushover or saints either so it was push for push and shove for shove. After a while, the Pharoahs were dominating the midfield play and firing net breaking shots but the Cameroun defenders were denying them the goals.
Alas, Cameroun through their defender, the able captain, Rigobert Song threw all including the Cup away. He struggled with Zidan while Abou Trika rushed on and kicked the ball into an empty and unmanned net at the side.
Cameroun tried thereafter to equalise but it was not possible and before they realised it, the game was over. Egypt gave a good account of themselves. They were more determined and went for full attack to let all the other Africans know that the future of football in Africa is in the north of the continent. Though they deserved to win, the cameroon players too played good football.
Congratulations the Pharoahs of Egypt.
Using obstacles to survive
A very dear friend sent this mail to me and i decided to share with all. The moral of the story is using the obstacles on our way for survival or using it to step up to greatness.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
By the way, do not expect so much from people even those you have served with all your heart.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
By the way, do not expect so much from people even those you have served with all your heart.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
And Nigeria crashed out
The Super Eagle of Nigeria went to Ghana for the 26th edition of Africa Cup of Nations 2008 as a team to beat due to the fact that FIFA, the world soccer governing body ranked them as No 1 in Africa. The team has talented and experienced footballers who ply their trade in some of the world's most competitive leagues but the team spirit was lacking. The players played individual games and it cost us the Cup.
Nigeria had no reason losing the first match to Cote D'Ivoire by a lone goal when they had several scoring chances but the lacklustre attitude made them not to convert those chances to real goals.Even against Mali, the footballers and their technical crew could not raise their game. At a point i think they lost focus and concentration. In fact, the Super Eagles were no championship material as the defence was loose, the attack unstrategise and the midfield vacant most times.
What actually were Nigerians expecting from a coach who lives in Europe and only comes to Nigeria when there is a game. Instead of residing in Nigeria to study our environment and our pattern of play, he stays in Europe claiming to monitor the players during leagues. He believes he has professionals who can just enter the field and perform wonders. It does not work that way and unfortunately Nigerians are the ones feeling the pains and embarrassment. Technically, he is bereft of ideas. Most of the changes he made in the competition were faulty and had no impact on the team.The last one he made substituting Mikel Obi in the Ghana versus Nigeria match was disastrous. Why will a coach who understands a game and his players substitute a player who was playing so well by holding the midfield together? Even if Mikel was injured he was still playing well. Immediately he substituted Mikel Obi, a world class player with a young inexperienced player, Nigeria lost the momentum and finally the match. We could not even capitalise on the number advantage or the sending off of Ghana's strong man in defence to score more goals.
The players too are to blame for our ouster from the ongoing Nations Cup competition. Apart from Osaze Odemwigwe and Mikel Obi, the others were just making up the numbers. Their lackadaisical attitude did not help matters. Imagine Taye Taiwo looking elsewhere instead of marking thereby allowing his opponent to score the second goal of the match.We lost painfully 2-1 to Ghana. Sunday, 3rd February 2008, was a sad sunday to a football loving country like Nigeria.
Though I had been hopeful of Nigeria lifting the cup before the start of the competition but after watching the first two matches, my hope began to wane and the third match did not bring any comfort until Cote D'Ivoire saved us from shame by defeating Mali. We were in the quarter final by chance and by the professional ability of another country and not through our hardwork or play.
I hope our football administrators have learnt something out of this so that we do not repeat the same blunder in the world cup.
Nigeria had no reason losing the first match to Cote D'Ivoire by a lone goal when they had several scoring chances but the lacklustre attitude made them not to convert those chances to real goals.Even against Mali, the footballers and their technical crew could not raise their game. At a point i think they lost focus and concentration. In fact, the Super Eagles were no championship material as the defence was loose, the attack unstrategise and the midfield vacant most times.
What actually were Nigerians expecting from a coach who lives in Europe and only comes to Nigeria when there is a game. Instead of residing in Nigeria to study our environment and our pattern of play, he stays in Europe claiming to monitor the players during leagues. He believes he has professionals who can just enter the field and perform wonders. It does not work that way and unfortunately Nigerians are the ones feeling the pains and embarrassment. Technically, he is bereft of ideas. Most of the changes he made in the competition were faulty and had no impact on the team.The last one he made substituting Mikel Obi in the Ghana versus Nigeria match was disastrous. Why will a coach who understands a game and his players substitute a player who was playing so well by holding the midfield together? Even if Mikel was injured he was still playing well. Immediately he substituted Mikel Obi, a world class player with a young inexperienced player, Nigeria lost the momentum and finally the match. We could not even capitalise on the number advantage or the sending off of Ghana's strong man in defence to score more goals.
The players too are to blame for our ouster from the ongoing Nations Cup competition. Apart from Osaze Odemwigwe and Mikel Obi, the others were just making up the numbers. Their lackadaisical attitude did not help matters. Imagine Taye Taiwo looking elsewhere instead of marking thereby allowing his opponent to score the second goal of the match.We lost painfully 2-1 to Ghana. Sunday, 3rd February 2008, was a sad sunday to a football loving country like Nigeria.
Though I had been hopeful of Nigeria lifting the cup before the start of the competition but after watching the first two matches, my hope began to wane and the third match did not bring any comfort until Cote D'Ivoire saved us from shame by defeating Mali. We were in the quarter final by chance and by the professional ability of another country and not through our hardwork or play.
I hope our football administrators have learnt something out of this so that we do not repeat the same blunder in the world cup.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Power supply in Nigeria
One of the seven-point agenda of the present President of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua is adequate electricity generation and supply. Months after the inauguration of his government, we are still groping in darkness.
In August 2007, at the opening of a presidential retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries and special advisers, the president Yar'Adua said the Federal Government of Nigeria has set up a council on energy to drive its plan for the sector. The council that is set up will amongs other issues, invites experts in power and gas to chart a course for development in the power sector. The president also went ahead to say that after the inauguration of the council, government would declare national emergency on the power sector to give it the needed attention
'...without adequate electricity generation, no nation can transform into a
modern economy so we need to treat it as a critical infrastructure that needs to
be addressed seriously'.
Almost one year after the swearing in of the president and his cabinet especially the minister for power and energy, we are yet to see the dividend of democracy as it concerns electicity and its availability to users in Nigeria. Even months after the inauguration of the so called national council on energy, we are still in the dark. There is no electricity and no emergency has been declared yet by the president. We know that politicians thrives on rhetorics and vain promises but in this case, Nigerians need an urgent solution to this horrible situation. The reasons for lack of electicity are endless. At times, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will say there is no rainfall, no water in the dam, no transformers, no personnel and other stories to support their inefficiencies and the government is not doing anything.
Provision of electricity is part of the responsibility of government so when will the government of Nigeria wake up to its responsibility? How long would we wait ? When will the government meets the needs and the demands of their people? Why is it difficult to meet the electricity requirements of Nigerians? Is the cabal in PHCN responsibility for this lack of electricity for usage? Is the goverment agency conniving with generators importers/sellers to deprive Nigerians electricity.
In festive periods, the supply of electricity is always so bad that PHCN resort to load shedding or no electricity for days.
All these years the slogan has been ' efforts are made to increase electricity supply'. When will the slogan change to 'we have enough supply of electricity to meet the demands of Nigerians'.
May God help us and give us credible and honest leaders who will come to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians. Enough of vain promises.
In August 2007, at the opening of a presidential retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries and special advisers, the president Yar'Adua said the Federal Government of Nigeria has set up a council on energy to drive its plan for the sector. The council that is set up will amongs other issues, invites experts in power and gas to chart a course for development in the power sector. The president also went ahead to say that after the inauguration of the council, government would declare national emergency on the power sector to give it the needed attention
'...without adequate electricity generation, no nation can transform into a
modern economy so we need to treat it as a critical infrastructure that needs to
be addressed seriously'.
Almost one year after the swearing in of the president and his cabinet especially the minister for power and energy, we are yet to see the dividend of democracy as it concerns electicity and its availability to users in Nigeria. Even months after the inauguration of the so called national council on energy, we are still in the dark. There is no electricity and no emergency has been declared yet by the president. We know that politicians thrives on rhetorics and vain promises but in this case, Nigerians need an urgent solution to this horrible situation. The reasons for lack of electicity are endless. At times, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will say there is no rainfall, no water in the dam, no transformers, no personnel and other stories to support their inefficiencies and the government is not doing anything.
Provision of electricity is part of the responsibility of government so when will the government of Nigeria wake up to its responsibility? How long would we wait ? When will the government meets the needs and the demands of their people? Why is it difficult to meet the electricity requirements of Nigerians? Is the cabal in PHCN responsibility for this lack of electricity for usage? Is the goverment agency conniving with generators importers/sellers to deprive Nigerians electricity.
In festive periods, the supply of electricity is always so bad that PHCN resort to load shedding or no electricity for days.
All these years the slogan has been ' efforts are made to increase electricity supply'. When will the slogan change to 'we have enough supply of electricity to meet the demands of Nigerians'.
May God help us and give us credible and honest leaders who will come to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians. Enough of vain promises.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Nigeria in the quater finals
Nigeria at last scored goals at the on going African Nations Cup in Ghana. What a relief it was for every Nigerian at home and abroad.
It would have been a shame for Nigeria to be booted out of the competition without scoring a goal. The Super Eagles are not known for goal feast because the last world cup we appeared in, only one goal was scored and that was by Julius Aghaowa. That notwithstanding, we are still looking forward to plenty of goals in this tournament.
Whenever we are playing and i am busy at work, i always tuned my ear to all directions for that shout of ' a gooaal'. Not only the screaming but the throwing of 'bangout' and fireworks by Nigerans who are happy and appreciative.
The first game with Cote d' ivoire ended without a goal from us and the second game with Mali drew a barren result. Against Cote d'ivore, our boys were agitated and somehow under pressure to score that they made so many mistakes but in the second game they played better but could not score. Thank God the third time out, we scored not only once but twice. What a relief.
Nigeria Super Eagles beat Benin’s Squirrels 2-0 in Sekondi on Tuesday 29/01/2007 to book a ticket to the next round. How can a squirrel beat an eagle? That is not possible. The superlative performance of our boys has set us up for an enticing tie with hosts and west-coast rivals, Ghana, in the quarter-finals of the Nations Cup.
John Mikel Obi headed in the first goal of the day with a pass from Osaze Odemwingie in the second half. In the 86th minute, Yakubu Aiyegbeni calmly slotted in the second goal to seal the win. The Benin boys made some effort though at scoring but Austin Ejide our able goal keeper saved the day.
Nigeria had not scored a goal in the earlier games and that would have been disastrous if the third position was maintained after being rated No 1 country in Africa by FIFA.
The coaches are claiming that the pressure caused by public expectation of the team affected the players in the first two matches. I hope there are no more pressures because in this elimination stage, there should be no locomotive performance that is slow start that builds up after a while.
We need to go all out to show the world we are the best in Africa.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Bible
The Bible
Different texts often have different definitions of same term. Very many times the definitions might be close enough to give exactly same meaning, but at times there might be significant differences; probably due to different convictions of the writers or a new revelation.
In the midst of the ever changing world and in the sea of different convictions; a book stands out with definitions and descriptions that never changes. What it says you are, is what you are. You can never get a better description of your self else where. This book is called The Holy Bible.
When a book as accurate as the Holy Bible, says an individual is profane, its worth the while to find out why the book says so.
In the book of the beginning, Genesis, chapter 25 verse 29 to 34: Jacob engaged Esau in a life changing negotiation. One party with a clear understanding of what he wanted out of life and the other completely void of understanding of life and what he wanted to make out of it. The terms and conditions of the deal were clear and simple. Jacob placed an incredible price on a plate of food and a man who was a servant of his stomach was ready to trade his right in life for it. Esau was indeed a profane person.
Some choices may not be as exactly as clear as Esau’s, nevertheless they determine our worth and where we are heading to.
If the holy book is to x-ray you today what will it say about you and your choices?
The Holy Bible is our standard, a regulator. It guides us. So that when we eventually breast the tape of life we will not be ashamed to meet Him in glory.
Make use of the Bible while you are at this side of life it will no longer be useful at the other side nevertheless it determines the name of your other side; heaven or hell. Chose heaven
Different texts often have different definitions of same term. Very many times the definitions might be close enough to give exactly same meaning, but at times there might be significant differences; probably due to different convictions of the writers or a new revelation.
In the midst of the ever changing world and in the sea of different convictions; a book stands out with definitions and descriptions that never changes. What it says you are, is what you are. You can never get a better description of your self else where. This book is called The Holy Bible.
When a book as accurate as the Holy Bible, says an individual is profane, its worth the while to find out why the book says so.
In the book of the beginning, Genesis, chapter 25 verse 29 to 34: Jacob engaged Esau in a life changing negotiation. One party with a clear understanding of what he wanted out of life and the other completely void of understanding of life and what he wanted to make out of it. The terms and conditions of the deal were clear and simple. Jacob placed an incredible price on a plate of food and a man who was a servant of his stomach was ready to trade his right in life for it. Esau was indeed a profane person.
Some choices may not be as exactly as clear as Esau’s, nevertheless they determine our worth and where we are heading to.
If the holy book is to x-ray you today what will it say about you and your choices?
The Holy Bible is our standard, a regulator. It guides us. So that when we eventually breast the tape of life we will not be ashamed to meet Him in glory.
Make use of the Bible while you are at this side of life it will no longer be useful at the other side nevertheless it determines the name of your other side; heaven or hell. Chose heaven
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)