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.
Friday, February 22, 2008
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)