A Nigerian Socio-Political commentary

''It is almost certain that the embattled former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC}, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will be extradited from his United States of America’s base, following an order for his arrest, on Friday, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja over his refusal to present himself for trial. The tribunal is prosecuting him for alleged failure to declare assets while in office between 2003 and 2008 as required by the fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution'' Ribadu Faces Extradition - Conduct Tribunal Orders His Arrest Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 21.11.2009

However, the Action Congress (AC) has described as "infantile and diversionary" the bickering between the two chambers of the National Assembly over which of them should host the joint sitting for the President's budget presentation. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the "mundane supremacy fight between the Senate and the House does not show that the legislators appreciate their role, which is to make laws for the betterment of the country." It said the fact that the bickering had already led the President to postpone his budget presentation showed that, "it is a great disservice to the suffering masses of our people who have continued to wait in vain for this do-nothing National Assembly to make laws that can improve their lives. "Nigerian federal lawmakers are perhaps the best paid in the world, yet they are turning out to be the least productive. The only time people hear their voices are when they are

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** Mo Ibrahim's mobile revolution ** African entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim talks about his life and career, and how his work is changing Africa. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8309396.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

As Nigeria marks 49 years of independence, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Professor Julius Ihonbvere has laid the blames for the myriad of problems confronting the nation on the leadership of the country. Professor Ihonbvere, a former gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP in Edo State stated this in an interview with Daily Sun in Benin City. The PDP chieftain who was former Special Adviser, Project Monitoring and Implantation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the Nigerian leadership has being everything but inspiring. According to him, in any society, the leadership inspires the people to reach to the highest point of their potentials. Besides, he said a leadership ought to create the path to growth and open up new avenues for the citizens. The academic turned politician said it is also the duty of the leadership to mobilize and effectively deplore resources to every segment of the society. As well as provide security and other basic needs of the majority of the peopl

P RESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved a new pay structure, the Medical Service Scale (MSS), for medical doctors under the employment of the Federal Government. The Special Assistant on Media to the Health Minister, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, told The Guardian yesterday: "The Federal Ministry of Health is pleased to announce that His Excellency, the President, has approved the Medical Service Scale (MSS) for Medical Doctors in the employment of the Federal Government. "The consideration and approval of the new MSS is coming against the background of the conclusion of extensive deliberations and negotiations between the Federal Government's team and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the salary structure and allowances of medical and dental practitioners, including Specialist Allowance, Call Duty Allowance and Teaching Allowance, etc. "We also wish to sta

FORMER United States U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, says the imbalance in the structure of the Nigerian federation is inimical to its development. Carrington, alongside some Niger Delta leaders, have also hinged sustainable peace in the oil-rich region on using the wealth of the area to develop it. The renowned diplomat said the Nigerian Federal Government is "too powerful than the states. Here in the U.S., as powerful as the U.S. national government is, our states have immense powers that states in Nigeria can only dream of." As America's envoy in the days of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Carrington openly romanced with the pro-democracy groups, which fought the government over its anti-democratic policies. He said at a two-day summit organised by the Delta State government in New York that until the basic infrastructure needed to hasten the social and economic development of the Niger Delta were put in place, any other approach to the crisis was merely

E-governance Nigeria: A website for social engineering. A Socio-political website with the follow purpose; 1. Enable Nigerians to have a say in government and in their governance. 2. To provide a platform by which any and every Nigerian can speak on matters related to their governance. 3. To provide a pressure/lobby group to influence Policy initiatives. 4. To facilitate online Gallup polls. 5. Enable an online environment for referendum. 6. To market and sell ideas about good governance and democracy 50% Derivation Federalism Social welfare/security Economic and Financial Crimes Job creation and recruitment Taxation Law and Order Niger Delta Health Education Environment and physical planning Land use and ownership Federalism The recent global economic downturn and fall in petroleum prices brought Nigeria to the threshold of financial disaster, and brought to the fore Nigeria’s mono economy and over dependence on Crude oil. For the first time, government at all levels

Nigeria's problems are diverse and numerous. 1. There are too many dissensions and schism in the south. A house divided against itself cannot stand! The fight for resource control, 50% derivation and true federalism should not be seen as a Niger Delta issue. It is a fight for justice, equity, fairplay and progress, and now is the time for all Progressive Nigerians, particularly the Southwest and southeasters to lend a voice. 2. Nigerians have not learnt the art, and latent power of Civil disobedience and protests. Protests marches, civil disobedience are the tools for the masses to assert themselves against a cold, detached group of elite who parade themselves as our leaders and representatives. It is the means to make our greviances known, our presence felt, and to effect change. Numerous examples of times and places where this worked abound. Recently in Bankok, the masses mobilized and grounded the aviation industry till their demands were met; Doctors and other healthworkers in

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** African view: Obama snubs Nigeria? ** In our new series of weekly viewpoints from African journalists, Sola Odunfa considers President Barack Obama's forthcoming visit to Ghana in a letter from Lagos. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8096002.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** 'Blood oil' dripping from Nigeria ** The UK government has promised to train the Nigerian military to stop the trade in 'blood oil', but what are they getting into? < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7519302.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** Ghana's oil boom: blessing or curse? ** Ghana wants its new-found oil wealth to benefit the country's people. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/business/8081717.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

The sole agenda of any government is Governance i.e the welfare of her people through law and order, provision of social amenities, good roads, water and energy, waste management, health services, education, social justice etc. If these things do not exist, then we have no government and are a little better than animals.... Shame, isn't it?   Dr Timi Babatunde Calabar

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** Q&A: Nigeria's war against graft ** As Nigeria's anti-corruption agency celebrates its fifth birthday, the BBC News website looks at its track record. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7341095.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

The following page from the "Vanguard Online Edition" web site has been sent to you by Nathan ( doctimilehin@yahoo.com ). You can access it at the following URL: http://www.vanguardngr.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36887&Itemid=41

Nathan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** SA doctors march for better pay ** Hundreds of South African doctors march through cities to demand a 50% pay rise and more investment in hospitals. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8074166.stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc.co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

The Nigerian Judiciary has not demonstrated sincerity or commitment to the anti-corruption crusade. Otherwise, how do you explain the restraining order against the investigation of Odili government, or the slap on the back sentence handed down to Igbinedion? Years after the arraignment of Ibori et al, a deafening silence pervades. My worry is that the body of NBA, and NJC remain tacitly complicit by refusing to take a position! Madam Farida Waziri of the EFCC advocated the creation of special courts to rapidly dispense with economic crime, but alas, she has not found any willing partner! Is this the same judiciary expected to appoint INEC chairman and remain an unbiased umpire?

There is very little doubt that our Healthcare system is in crisis. There is near total collapse of the system with a complete loss of confidence by the citizenry, the patients, as well as its workers. With mortality indices soaring to the high heavens, poor to non-existent Primary health Care, a disenfranchised and poorly motivated workforce, mass exodus of personnel, poor and obsolete training and pedagogic methods, failure of government to recognize the pivotal role of healthcare to the wealth of a nation and general lassitude of the political class to effect a change, there is little doubt about the urgency of the matter…. Our politicians have resorted to ‘travelling out’ at the slightest medical ailment, not just because they could, but because there is absolutely no faith in the system. Unfortunately they are prime culprits in the near collapse of the system. Everyone seems at a loss or totally uninterested to reverse this decadence. Like the power sector, there is a lot of confu

One of the greatest needs of the Nigerian is the need for dignity. The dignity of being human.... The right to decent living conditions- a decent wage, employment opportunities, decent housing, proper waste management, a green and well planned environment, recreation, social security/welfare, good roads and transportation and respect from her leaders inter alia. These are the things that differntiate us from animals....But Alas! these are the very things denied us.

I think a state of emergency should be declared in the Niger Delta. The intent and purpose of this is to enable the Federal Government suspend all existing laws and channel all the nation's resources to once and for all meet the infrastructural, economic and social needs of this region. We have treated this matter with kidgloves for far too long