Showing posts with label President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 31, 2011


Nigerian soldiers on patrol in an area of conflict.


Security Challenges In Nigeria

~ By Albert Akpor

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he is determined to improve security in the country with a new administration that takes power with Sunday's inauguration.

Security was a driving issue in the presidential campaign following bomb blasts by militants from the oil-rich Niger Delta and attacks on police by members of an extremist Islamic group in the north.

President Jonathan campaigned hard to convince Nigerians that his government was meeting those security challenges. But rioting that immediately followed his election raised anew questions about security preparedness. The New York-based rights organization Human Rights Watch says Muslim-Christian electoral violence in northern states killed at least 800 people. President Jonathan says he is determined to protect Nigerians wherever they live.

“As president, it is my solemn duty to defend the constitution of this country. That includes the obligation to protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian wherever they choose to live,” he said.

Delta State University political science lecturer Benjamin Agah says part of the problem is that suspects arrested after attacks are often released without prosecution, returning to the streets for the next round of violence.

“The same people who ought to be found guilty, who ought to be jailed or who ought to be punished, they are the same people who will still come out again, untouched by the law. So the president has a lot of security challenges,” he said. Agah says the new government must be willing to better equip security forces, especially in remote areas of the north.

“There are some places now that can not be policed ordinarily except through air. So the police should be fully equipped. They should be given the requisite necessities to enable them to fight these criminals,” he said. Public affairs analyst Kole Shetimma says insecurity is a problem for the president that runs far deeper than spending more money on police.

“In these security challenges, I think that we should not approach it from a law-and-order perspective. I think we have to look at the socio-economic and political conditions that have given way to some of these major problems,” said Shetimma.

In the Niger Delta, for example, President Jonathan helped organize an amnesty for militants fighting against a federal government that they say have failed to develop the oil-rich region. There have been delays in paying monthly stipends to those demobilized combatants and far fewer job-training programs than were promised. Shetimma says the president must address the underlying economic grievances in the Delta.

“How do we ensure that the communities in which this oil is produced have access to some of the oil resources that we have. The new petroleum bill, which gives like ten percent of the oil resources to the communities, I agree that that should be fast-tracked,” said Shetimma.

In the north, the extremist Boko Haram group is fighting to establish Islamic law and says it recognizes neither the Nigerian constitution nor the just-completed election. It is rejecting an amnesty offer from the governor-elect of Borno State, who is trying to end months of attacks against security forces. Shetimma says one of the obstacles is the government's refusal to recognize that security forces acted outside the law last year in killing Boko Haram members in Jos.

“It has to be on how do you respond to the loss of property? How do you respond to the security implications? So I am hoping that this is going to be a comprehensive approach to the issue of Boko Haram,” said Shetimma.

President Jonathan says part of his plans for improving security in the north and in the south is to increase employment for young men who he says are being used as “cannon fodder for the ambitions of a few.”

One of the greatest challenges presently facing security agents in the country, especially the Police is the constant threat by members of the notorious Boko Haram sect operating freely in the northern part of the country. The dreaded group has so much instilled fear and trepidation on our law enforcement agents to the extent that the fear of Boko Haram is now the beginning of wisdom to them all.

In fact, posting to the northern part of the country has become an anathema to, especially members of the police force from the southern part of the country going by the constant killings and attacks carried out by members of this sect who are gravely averse to all kinds and nature of civilization or education. Life before perpetrators of these heinous, sectarian and or religious upheavals has become meaningless and something that could be cut short at will.

Like the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the West, the Egbesu (militants) in the Niger-Delta, Boko Haram came to limelight in 2002. But unlike the OPC and Egbesu, the ideology of Boko Haram was purely Islamism and anti-western civilization.

This sect led by the (late?) Ustaz Mohammed Tusuf, Mallam Sanni Umaru and Abu Darba has as its sole aim, entrenching Shariah law as the official and only religion not only in the North but also in Nigeria as a whole. With its operational headquarters in Kanamma, Borno state of Nigeria, the term ‘’Boko Haram’’ comes from both the Hausa and Arabic words meaning, ‘’western or non-Islamic education’’ and ‘’sin’’ respectively. So, to believers of the faith, ‘’anything western or non-Islamic education is a sin.’’ It therefore goes to say that members of the sect are totally averse to anything that has to do with western civilization and this literally means that ‘’Western or non-Islamic education is a sin.’’

Investigation carried out by Crime Alert revealed that though the fanatical religious movement started in 2002 in Maiduguri, its anti-people, anti-government activities became intense in 2004 when the group reportedly attacked a police formation and killed several senior police officers for reasons only known to members. Afterwards, it became much more hostile to non-members, secular education and of course, the nation’s nascent democracy. In fact, the leader of the sect, in his avowed determination to drive home the group’s ideology was once quoted as saying, ‘’This war that is about to start would continue for a long time’’ if the political and educational system in the country was not changed.

In the mean time, the group’s notoriety assumed international dimension in 2009 as a result of the orgies of violence carried out in nearly all the Northern states, especially, Kaduna, Adamawa, Bauchi and Borno states during which several lives and property worth millions of naira were destroyed by members of the sect.

Apparently irked by this disturbing dimension, the Police in the month of July 2009 commenced investigation into the nefarious activities of the group especially when it was reported that it was stockpiling arms. The police succeeded in not only arresting several of its members but killed their leader. This sparked off another violent clash to the extent that security reports showed that the group was arming itself. It was revealed that, prior to the clashes, many Muslim leaders and non-members of the sect and a security official had warned the authorities about the heinous activities of Boko Haram and their plans to strike a deadly blow on the nation’s stability.

However, Crime Alert scooped the reasons behind the group’s guerilla-like modus oparandi and why security agents, especially the Police is seemingly helpless over the ugly development in spite of their heavy presence in the Northern states where the sect is noted to have wrecked and is still wrecking havoc.

A senior security operative who spoke on the condition of anonymity alleged that a reasonable number of officers and men of all the security agencies from the Northern part of the country, the physically challenged persons from the area and Muslim women who wear hijab are members of the deadly sect. According to him, ‘’I can tell you that the reason why you think we are helpless is that most of us who are members of the group are constantly working against ourselves. As a commander of a squad and secret member of the group, if it is known that the group is operating in one area, you will lead your men to another area. Secondly, if you are the landlord of where the sect grouped or re-grouped to wreck havoc, you dare not inform security agents; it is part of solidarity.

Again, the fact that you hear of sporadic bombings is not because we were not doing our best, but because as security men, you dare not search Muslim women who wear Hijab. Searching them would amount to indecent assault. Meanwhile, most of them carry the bombs, pass them over to the common cripples on the streets begging for alms and before you know it, you will hear explosion even close to checkpoints and most times at police formation or the barracks.’’

Continuing, the source said, ‘’This is why we are seemingly helpless. Except we are able to correct this visible errors which are of course, security lapses, bomb explosions and the menace of Boko Haram sect would continue for a long time.’’ It was also gathered that this ugly development which is receiving the attention of the powers that be will soon be addressed following revelations that the Presidency is taking time to ascertain the veracity of the report while at the same time compiling names of those suspected to be involved.

More over, the Presidency is said to be holding series of meetings with all the security agencies with a view to identifying where there is laxity in the pursuit of this goal. It was also gathered that security at the borders will be strengthened with a view to making it impossible for foreigners to capitalize on the activities of members of this sect and infiltrate into the country.

Meanwhile, reports said the Controller-General of Immigration, Mrs Rose Uzoma has ordered her men at the borders to swing into action and fish out foreigners that collaborate with members of this sect without delay. Sources at the Immigrations headquarters in Abuja said she had already set up a special task force that will report directly to her over the issue with a mandate to deliver positive results within one month. On their part, the State Security Services (SSS) are said to have intensified efforts towards rounding up all those connected with the activities of this sect remotely or otherwise.


Related Reports:

Security in Nigeria, by Mary Crane, Editorial Coordinator, Council for Foreign Relations

Nigerian President Faces Security Challenges in New Term




Thursday, March 17, 2011

Is President Goodluck Jonathan the last hope of the PDP?


President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, GCON


Is President Goodluck Jonathan the last hope of the PDP?

The ruling People’s Democratic Party is being destabilized by both internal and external forces of discord. Attacks from disgruntled political spoilers in the party have left deep cracks in her walls as many of the losers in the controversial primaries have decamped to different opposition parties and those who have chosen to remain may not prove to be formidable in the forthcoming make or break elections in April and the Opposition is pouring more fuel in the flames of wrath engulfing the PDP.

The PDP has become so unpopular among the masses that the party is spending millions of naira to rent crowds for political rallies and pay for constant rotation of adverts in the print and electronic news media and also desperately using both lawful and unlawful measures to overcome the Opposition.


The horrors of incessant ethno-religious conflicts, assassinations, kidnappings, armed robberies, terrorist bomb attacks and other terrifying incidents have left the citizens in hysteria and melancholia since the ruling party rigged elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007 to control the political leadership of Nigeria. The most harrowing is the insecurity of lives and properties that the masses are now saying that the good luck they expected from President Goodluck Jonathan has turned to bad luck from Yenagoa to Abuja, because the state of insecurity worsened when he was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on May 6, 2010 after the unfortunate death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. But Mr. Jonathan is still undaunted by the nightmarish misfortunes trailing him and continues to hang on to the superstitious belief in his name. In fact, his ruling party seems to have decided to hold on to the same fate as their only hope of surviving the onslaught of the Opposition and the indignation of the disappointed masses. Will their superstition save them?


What the suffering masses of the most populous country in Africa need now is not a superstitious belief in the name of President Goodluck Jonathan, but a realistic solution for the reformation and transformation of Nigeria to end their nightmares of recurrent ethno-religious conflicts, social and economic woes of the perennial crises plaguing them.




~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima




Monday, January 10, 2011

Release Okey Ndibe's Passports Now!

Okey Ndibe

Top of the Post: Guns and Bombs Defining Nigerian Election | 24/7 NIGERIA

Jonathan, Obasanjo, Atiku, Ribadu, Ikimi : Call for the release of Okey Ndibe ‘s passports now and free him!

As past or present players in the Nigerian leadership on matters of national freedom and expression, and the need to erect the freedom of movement, speech, or expression in a young democracy like Nigeria, your immediate and collective voice is needed now to curtail official and tyrannical abuse as reported in the case of our brother, Prof Okey Ndibe, the famous author of the classic novel Arrows of Rain.

You will agree that as men who one way or the other want to ensure afree State in Nigeria especially at a time when the country cries for more bold words no matter how bitter or rancorous they appear. As you know in history if Ndibe was truly about writing words of insurrection or rebellion in order to take over the country he will not be home for a family visit. Dear Chiefs, could this whole matter be nothing but a clear sign of institutional stupidity?

With the national dilemma in the country, others like Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria in a lecture at the Faculty of Social Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,predicted that should the current social and economic woes continue, the people could seek self-help through violence, and bring the needed change that some in leadership have always resisted.

Also, with an air of frustration, a nationally revered Constitutional Law scholar, Prof Ben Nwabueze at a Book launch, in Victoria Island, Lagos, posited that adequate transformational change only taking place through Bloody Revolution.

Like these men, Prof Ndibe, is equally crying out frustration as it relates to the pain and pressure of a nation, and nothing else. No one, among these men is calling for physical violence , and certainly Prof. Ndibe as his collective line of words speaks for itself—a call for a progressive society in order to avoid going backwards.

Therefore this form of ugly treatment is bad.

Imagin this, on a man like Prof Ndibe; after almost 14 hours of stressful travel , with heavy luggage on his body, and lack of a functional lift to the SSS office , finds himself under abrupt questioning. Of course is it okay to question him, but it must be done under due process beginning from the time with his fist contact with
the nameless SSS officer. How Ironic that all these commotion will happen on Saturday, 8th of January, 2011, shortly before mid-night to a man like Prof Ndibe, a United States based Nigerian academician, writer, and speaker on progressive issues; when the nation is witnessing rampant and lawless killing, maiming , and kidnapping in the current electoral atmosphere.

From the point of psychological and criminal justice education the SSS appears to be hungry for professional development and training to avoid procedural mistakes like this one; and an unscrupulous press for the struggling Jonathan administration, and a bad international load on nation in political and security pain.

As Leaders you will agree that in the pursue of freedom of information and in the chase for a progressive nation that diasporan writers on political issues should be welcomed with open arms and not be treated with intimidation as in the seizures of passports. Let Ndibe go now, and tell the world that this is wrong, and that there is a better way to protect a young democracy like Nigeria.In the name and spirit of Anthony Enahoro free him now!

And by the way fix that broken lift leading to the SSS office! A message to the Jonathan administration and the airport management.


~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical
Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral
Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu




Reccommended:


Writers, Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa
Okey Ndibe



Igbo Poets: Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Onwutalobi Anthony-Claret, Chris Abani, Chike Obi, Okwui Enwezor, Okey Ndibe, Chinweizu Ibekwe
Books LLC



Bard College at Simon's Rock Faculty: Karen Allen, Edgar Chamorro, Okey Ndibe, Emmanuel Dongala
Books LLC



Igbo Activists: Onwutalobi Anthony-Claret, Chike Obi, Okey Ndibe, Gogo Chu Nzeribe
Books LLC




Monday, October 4, 2010

President Goodluck Jonathan Does Not Need These Bloody Distractions

What happened to Nigeria on October 1, 2010, is not what I would even wish for my worst enemy. To be given a birthday present of bombs that killed over 11 of your children and left several others injured. The terrorist bombings on the very 50th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria was roundly condemned and denounced by every sensible Nigerian and other people in the world. President Goodluck Jonathan , formers heads of state, prominent leaders, invited leaders of other countries, other important dignitaries and thousands of others at the Eagle Square, venue of the Golden Jubilee celebrations were shocked and embarrassed by the horrifying and terrifying bomb blasts.


I was in Lagos reporting the 50th Independence day parade as I was watching the live broadcast on TV when I received the bad news. TheMovement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the terrorist bombings. The foreign news media as usual reported the tragedy before our own local news media and I got the first pictures of the incident from the websites of the Vancouver Sun and other foreign news channels.


What happened was bad and those who did it were bad as they made Nigerians sad.
Nigeria is not Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon and other parts of the world where terrorist bombings were common. Nigeria is not a terrorist state. We don’t blow up ourselves. No, this not our way. We are better and wiser than that. We do not breed suicide bombers. So, what MEND and those responsible for these horrible bombings have done is against our beliefs, customs and traditions. Dialogue would solve more problems than killing innocent people. MEND will account for the blood of the innocent people who were killed by the bomb blasts on October 1, 2010.


According to the BBC:
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) is a loose web of armed groups in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.

These gangs have spent years kidnapping oil workers, attacking oil fields, blowing up pipelines and fighting Nigeria’s army.

Niger Delta politicians originally created the gangs – by arming young men to use as their private armies and to rig elections.

But later, the young men began to turn the guns on the government, and oil companies, organising into a militant movement, under the banner Mend.

Formed out of previous militant groups in 2006 Send regular e-mails to media Split into several factions Most leaders accepted amnesty 1 October attack first in Abuja Based in creeks of Niger Delta Want oil wealth to remain in Delta Preaching non-violence to militants The day Nigeria hit oil ‘Blood oil’ dripping from Nigeria They demand that the Delta receive more benefits from its oil, with a fairer share of the wealth invested in roads, schools, hospitals, clean water and power supply.

~ Caroline Duffield of BBC News, Lagos


President Goodluck Jonathan doubts if MEND would commit such a horrible crime of terrorism. Many reporters said MEND warned that bombs would be exploded in cars and trash bins in Abuja on the 50th Independence Anniversary and the bombs exploded as MEND warned. And MEND did not deny that it was responsible for the terrorist attack. Kidnappers, armed robbers, bloody militants and other lunatic fringe elements are enemies of progress and the sooner we track them down and round them up, the better and safer we would be.


President Goodluck Jonathan is being challenged to preside over the 2011 elections and such acts of terrorism do not augur well for his administration. In fact, he does not need such bloody distractions. He promised President Barack Obama that the 2011 elections will be free and fair and his hands are already full and anyone who believes in the Nigerian Dream of a new dawn of peace, prosperity and unity should support him to keep his promise for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations.


God save Nigeria.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of Barack Obama and the American Dream.





Wednesday, September 29, 2010

What Are They Offering You in the 2011 Elections?




Nigerian politicians are dyed-in-the-wool Machavellian by nature and when they give you their menu of utopian promises, do not start salivating and smacking your lips, because what they are going to serve you later from the kitchen is most likely going to be totally different from what they showed you in the menu. The rotten food of corruption as the masses have been eating the sour grapes of the ruling party since 1999 to date. It would be terrible if the voters allow themselves to be fooled again.

Politics makes strange bed fellows like seeing President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State together as political buddies. They may belong to the same ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but in ethics of politics, they are like beauty and the beast.

When the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was still alive and active in office, I called him Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, because in fairness, he was like a sheep in the midst of wolves in sheep clothing in the ruling party.

Beware of the 2011 Elections in Nigeria.



Tuesday, July 27, 2010

President Jonathan, I G Onovo and the Kidnapping Matter

President Jonathan, I G Onovo and the Kidnapping Matter

The ordinary Nigerian on a daily basis, earns less than 100 U.S cents, equivalent to 60 British pence, or roughly ₦140, which is less than a dollar.

A few weeks ago, at the University of Port Harcourt, something terrible happened to two students. For not being able to complete the remaining ₦100 on a cell phone debt, a student was beaten to death along with his friend by another group of students.

These are the realities in Nigeria at a time the nation is struggling to return to Nigeria the former MD/CEO of the Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola, an alleged escapee now in London.

While the ordinary Nigerian struggles to earn ₦10,000 monthly, Akingbola is reportedly allowed ₦1.4million naira for his monthly expenses while relaxing in his London residence. Assets of £83 million or $126 million belonging to Akingbola were recently confiscated by a London Court. A contrast between two extremes!

As these harsh differences between the very poor and the exceedingly rich continue, the nation now seethes with the new phenomenon of kidnapping.

The latest was a seven-day national ordeal which involved the abduction of four journalists who reported had an unusually large amount of cash in their possession. This terrifying development had an emotional toll to an already nervous nation.

I.G Onovo’s Psychological Warfare

The episode held the entire country spellbound, including the psychological warfare waged by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo.

The journalists owe their release to this man! In spite of the fragile state of the Nigerian Police Force, representative of a chronically distressed society, Onovo’s tactics and leadership worked against the captors of the now-released journalists.

It mattered little if the any of the nation’s security management had a useable tracking device, or if any technical assistance was sort from an international or outside security agency was forthcoming.

The President’s recent statement that it will soon procure contemporary security technology to help control criminal activities like kidnapping is a good thing.

The President also recently pledged to put the military to use against those who abduct individuals such as foreign oil workers and contractors, which is how kidnapping began. The President’s recent show broadside aimed at kidnapping, whose new targets now include wealthy and middle-class Nigerians is welcomed.

As you may be aware of, we now know why what could be called the Onovo’s Rescue Manual with all of its outmoded tactics as in house-to-house; bush-to-bush search was the best alternative to fight the current wave of abduction.

According to Onovo, the police currently lacks the “necessary equipment,” and it is no wonder that a report from the four journalists revealed that the captors had more “sophisticated” weapons and devices than a law enforcement body like the Police.

Types of Kidnapping

Truth be told, the Nigerian style of kidnapping is a felony that appears to be very distinct in its nature, features and operations.

The Nigerian style abduction, at least, at this time is mostly in the image of what could viewed as:

* Arranged kidnapping with systematic and sequential approaches;
* Unorganized Kidnapping with marks of irregularity as in the spur-of-the-moment or sudden kidnapping of any one;

* Media-driven kidnapping as in a highly hyped and published name of a person with sudden wealth, focused on by criminals;
* Ludicrous kidnapping with ridiculous and bizarre characteristics as in a father abducting a son to get reward from a rich relative;
* Sensational kidnapping with marks of high-level acts like abducting an infant child; Message-driven kidnapping with purported information and concerns about the painful conditions in a society;
* Chance kidnapping with marks of opportunity and probability that the targeted victim is the right target;
* Sadistic kidnapping with marks of severe brutality and possible extermination of the captive,
* Compensatory kidnapping with marks of pure business like dealings;
* Humiliating kidnapping slanted on dishonoring and shaming a powerful, politically or socially placed individual;
* Ritual kidnapping with marks of illicit customary characteristics; and
* Conspiratory kidnapping as in a collaborative arrangement between disgruntled officials and bandits.

The common thread that passes through each style of kidnapping is the moment-to-moment emotion of not being a moneyed person, and the penchant for sudden riches, in the manner of those who became wealthy suddenly through corrupt or fraudulent practices.

Feelings of Inequality

People in general, perceive the nation as an oil-based economy where money should go around especially among the laboring working-class Nigerians.

As such, there appears to be this psychological pressure for some Nigerians to become soft invitees to crime, leaving them open to a quick entry into the illegal world of abduction. It appears that some hungry students from higher institutions, a few university students and some poverty-bound police officers with free and dangerous weapons now operate in the abduction trafficking.

These vulnerable Nigerians read the News papers and see articles about alleged billions of naira stolen by their fellow Nigerians.

Just imagine what goes through the mind of a university dropout due to financial problems, what emotions are felt by an unemployed graduate or a police officer with a monthly belated salary ranging from ₦8,000 to ₦21,000, when news of politicians like Senator Saminu Turaki reportedly amassed extra-ordinary wealth.

Turaki, the ex-Governor of Jigawa State allegedly looted ₦6 billion of State money in one day. In one day!

Perhaps the President feels for those enormously rich Nigerians who have to result into extreme precautions like the use of expensive German shepherds and armored cars in an attempt to protect themselves, their cash, wives, and children.

Young men and women by their very nature have so much energy or oomph, and pray for a state of liveliness. But when, some of them cannot pay for a basic living, or even purchase adequate food, shoes or clothing their vulnerable spirit might drive them to criminality.

And the President was right, some of these rebellious young men and women make these heavily guarded Nigerians their possible targets.

In a complicated society like Nigeria where people have a little trust in the Police, and where police informants are reportedly frequently killed, it is easier for captives to identify quickly with their captors emotionally.

In the same vein, captives secretly pay for their freedom at all costs and as a result of fear, protect the captors’ identity, especially when many kidnappers appears better armed than the nation’s Police.

As long as Nigeria remains a giant risk internally and among nations the threat of cyclical crimes such as extortion or abduction leaves the nation in a security-based dilemma leaving people feeling vulnerable.

Needed Reforms

Pesidential executive orders are needed to address the perilous state of security in the nation.

All private GSM Telecommunication device operators should install circuitry to quickly point out and locate the origin, and place of an incoming call, thereby making any telephone-oriented crime easy to detect.

Instead of trying to start a new senior police college, it should be delayed for now and the money invested in security measures for routine police work. This could begin with setting ₦40,000 naira as the basic salary for an entry level police constable with secondary school certificate.

Bullet proof vests for the Police become vital as the streets, banks, rural and urban areas are becoming more and more dangerous for the patrol officer.

The government should work effectively towards more electrical power to reduce darkness that kidnappers and other criminals thrive in. With expanded electricity generation, what better way to reduce unemployment?

Authorities should also work towards communications’ enhancement for the police to increase the detection rate for kidnapping to those of Western countries.

Nigerian should establish State policing in the nation, since local authorities tend to work better in coordinating local-driven occurrences that include crimes of kidnapping.

The security crisis requires the authorities to provide a steady step and bold moves in a national battle against the new type of criminal.

~ By John Oshodi

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu



Saturday, July 17, 2010

President Jonathan Must Address Nigeria’s Extremely Bad Health Care

Inside a Nigerian hospital. Photo Credit: News.myjoyonline.com

A Cry Out to President Jonathan to Take Speedy Action on Nigeria’s Extremely Bad Health Care


Mr. President, you are fully aware of the deeply held culture of indifference that filters through our public institutions and especially, our hospitals.

The psychological and cultural realities of the Nigerian institutions are not strange to you and should not therefore, be much of a surprise to you.

As you know, Nigeria’s institutions are degenerating and wallowing in corruption, while religious and ethnic strife are a threat to good administrative governance and public sanity.

However, as the President of a country that is a part of the global economy, both you, other open-mind Nigerians, and our global partners should be in shock at life expectancy and the standard of health care in Nigeria.

Take a look at the ongoing horror-filled news from hospitals like the General Hospital in Agenebode, Edo State where patients undergo surgeries with flashlights, as in the most recent case where the Chief Physician, Dr. Monday Obawonyi, in near darkness and with no air conditioning, performed a surgical operation on one Mrs. Mary Alugbe.

There is the case of dead babies from the premier Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) being packed into bags, moved through the streets of Lagos on the way to be dumped in bushes.

It seems that there is no end to this national nightmare, to the extent that some in the Nigerian leadership who are quite familiar with the reality of life amongst the people, are beginning to believe that societal upheaval may be the quickest way out of this national distress, in order for constructive and drastic changes to occur.

Voices of Warning

An Economist, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria in a recent lecture at the Faculty of Social Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, seemed to predict that should the current economic woes continue, the people could seek self-help through violence, and bring the needed change that some in leadership have always resisted.

In addition, with an air of frustration, a nationally revered Constitutional Law scholar, Prof Ben Nwabueze at a recent Book launch, in Victoria Island, Lagos, posited adequate transformational change only taking place through Bloody Revolution.

His Co-member at the Presidential Advisory Council, retired Lt. T.Y Dajuma stated that at this time there is no leader to help transform the nation and fears that revolution as the only path for change would be too costly in terms of money and the lives of the Nigerian sons.

Even the current Federal Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien in a recent speech at a London business summit celebrating Nigeria’s 50th birthday sees the nation as being in a state of deep structural degeneration and seemingly hopeless.

A Way Forward

However, there is a much more forthright path in which the President can immediately take the country to put to rest these predictions of disappointment and doom.

Mr. President, declare a national state of emergency across some public institutions in light of the fact that no matter how much money is poured into a system, most of it gets converted to personal use.

As such, few projects are completed in Nigeria, and fewer come out right. In the process, the consumers of the intended public services suffer.

Mr.President, the blunder is not with the buildings; it is with those who occupy these buildings and handle the customers who seek help from these institutions.

In fact,the fault lies mainly in the heads and minds of some of the workers, officials, supervisors, clinicians, consultants, contractors, and managers of these institutions.

Sir, you must familiar with as one who has held public service for years and are familiar with how you break away from other powerful Nigerians who are entrenched in the system. This is an issue for you to grapple with, and it will not be easy. You will need help.

Help in the Diaspora?

It is time to summon the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Foreign Embassies in Nigeria and the Nigerian High commissions and Consulates in countries like United States of America to help in the mass recruitment of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Bringing them in with their experiences will be less costly than the status quo and what might eventually result from its continuation and eventual public frustration.

Personnel blending or displacement will certainly be more tolerable to those likely to be displaced compared to the apparent appraoch being called for by the likes of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and Prof. Ben Nwabueze,

I would suggest that you cannot ignore these nonviolent recommended paths to institutional-personnel renewal as you work on creating on a healthier institutional environment.

Sir, in order to have an idea of the type of sound governance that many Diasporan Nigerians could bring in, you only have to spend some time browsing internet News Papers and Outlets in the likes of Thewillnigeria.com, Nigerianinquirer.com, Saharareporters.com, Xclusivenigeria.com, UkpakaReports.com, Huhuonline.com, Pointblanknews.com, TheNigeriaVoice.com, NigeriansReport.com, and others.

Within these news outlets are essays, comments, and inventions from Diasporan Nigerians who dearly love home. Many of them have mostly spent credible periods in foreign public-oriented careers and professions, while some are consequences of the Brain Drain-from the public and health care sectors, in Nigeria, especially.

The Shambolic Healthcare Sector

With the idiocy over the zoning issue, there are now grounds to believe that uncertainty could lie ahead as the electorate look towards the forth coming national election.

Mr. President, while focusing on the public institutions, the health care sector in particular can no longer be left in the hands of predatory commercialists, politicians and administrators.

It remains shocking how the nation has failed those dead children, having been loaded into street bags in the hands of a so-called contractor while the hospital medical executives, administrators and management seemingly look away and stand in a state of ignorance or denial.

If one of the best teaching hospitals—Lagos Teaching University Hospital (LUTH) could showcase such unethical/possibly illegal actions, what about all other much less noticeable medical centers across the nation?.

If the parents of these seventy-plus dead children are reportedly abandoning them within a short period of two to three months, where are the police reports on parental abandonment?

Could some these deaths be suspicious, or unexpected as they relate to possible child abuse and parental neglect? In that case, where are the documented calls from hospital staff and follow up police investigations? Are some of these deaths due to signs of physical trauma, medical accidents or criminal acts, and where are the autopsy reports from the pathologists?

Could some these deaths could have being prevented with the active presence of ethically minded workers/contractors and sustainable resources? How many child deaths happens due to intentional or gross neglect in order to enable staff to illegally supplement their salaries with bribes from morbid contractors?

How many corpses are dumped in residential and industrial bushes as corpses are turned away on contractors who cannot further pay inflated fees and bribes to cemetery care takers having bribed hospital workers and officials’ in order to remain in the job?

How many street and unlicensed contractors are allowed to manage the disposal of decomposing bodies in the midst of possible health hazards to the living and public environs?

Where are the Federal and State Ministries of Health in terms of procedures and practices for monitoring the handling of unclaimed bodies at different morbidity units in various hospitals?

Do public health officials have the educational and training fliers to guide parents and hospital officials on child related issues? Do these various local governments and large teaching and Specialist hospitals have Children fatality Review Board to assist in examining child fatalities?

Mr. President, surgical operations are always high risk in Nigeria, whether due to blackouts or inadequate supplies. Added to unreliable electric power and few medical supplies, there are few monitoring devices, no functioning oxygen plants, no adequate trauma care centers, no active stationary phones, no refrigerators to store medicines and food, and no workable toilets

Patients lay down on inadequate mattresses with no pillows. They overflow into corridors due to too much heat; X-Ray machines are AWOL; there is lack of running water, few good roads, no enforceable traffic regulations or dependable emergency transportation to hospitals.

Mr. President, public trust is weakening, in these crucial times and in the face of blatant extortion of public funds by a tiny fraction of the society.

Taking Bold Action

With all the recovered monies by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EECC), some of the confiscated monies could be directed to procure high-powered generators, functioning morgues, effective X-Ray machines, create workable cemeteries. Funds could be directed towards the mass return of Diasporan Professional who will only come if there perceive strategic insights into, and commitment towards solving these issues.

As the 2011 national election draws near, will the public hospitals and other medical institutions be ready for cases of trauma and other emergency related crises?

You must take action to convince Nigeria’s citizens that their health needs will be met in the short term, even if some form of national health care emergency has to be declared. Time is running out and many would say: “hurry up, Mr. President”.


~ By John Oshodi

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE, is a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, and the Interim Associate Dean of Behavioral Science, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. Joshodi@broward



Tuesday, July 13, 2010

President Jonathan, Rename The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) To Meet Our Current Times

News: Nigeria mentioned as former Merrill Lynch Executive James A. Brown Files Supplemental Motion for New Trial



President Goodluck Jonathan

President Jonathan, Rename The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) To Meet Our Current Times


At a time when the people of Nigeria live in an ever expanding, complicated and challenging time, national agencies in the areas of security should bear names or designations that reflect instant symbol of authority, immediate sign of power and on-the-spot perception of influence.

During the sweeping reform era in Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s post-military administration, one of the national agencies born in 2004 was the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

As a national intelligence, security and anti-crime agency the Economic and Financial Crime Commission with all of its preventive, investigative and prosecution powers persist in the fight against crimes like money laundry, Bribery, bank financial malpractice, computer crimes, forgery, land fraud, alien fraud, various schemes, scams and other related crimes like terrorism.

However, it is the physical name that is the “Economic and Financial Crime Commission” that bears some questioning and calls for refurbishing.

As a designation, it is too broad, and an all-over-the place term, in regards to the wording, symbol, and delivery. It is a label that has outlived its transitional given name and period.

From the point of symbolic human psychology, a breakdown of most of its respective words “Economic”, “Financial”, and “Commission” as well as the supervisory name, “Chairman” on a face value are collectively suggestive of an advisory board on “Crime”.

Since symbols by definition assume special imagery and functions these long-winded, wordy and boring words unconsciously, consciously, implicitly, explicitly, as well as directly and directly could collectively portrays images of a compensation body, a review forum, a charitable board, a delegating board, a trading house, a conciliation board; operating under a Chairman, as in a commercial or political head.

No one doubts that the EFCC is a statutory authority in regards to its internal and external law enforcement functions. However this does not excuse the inherent and complete vagueness that its name carries, even the it’s acronyms, which present as a bunch of successive letters that equally spell out a mouthful, drag-like and wide-ranging expressions. Of course it is easy for an EFCC officer to scream out “police” as a quick identifier of authority to a suspect or in the course of his or her duties. But that is not the point being made here is this paper.

For example, a new visitor to Nigeria or for many educationally disadvantaged Nigerians the collective name, “Economic and Financial Crime Commission”, and its contracted letters, “EFCC”, might on a face value symbolize anything, or everything else other than the instant representation of power or authority.

The question now is what is a more appropriate name that is conducive to the going expansive and operational functions of the agency?

Mr. President, let’s get right on to it, the new designation(s) being put forward could be called the “Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation” (FBCI, which equally sounds as FBC), or the “Federal Force of Investigation” (FFI).

Mr. President, unlike the current agency’s vague, and ambiguous name, this proposed new designation(s) is colored with the sign, image and notion of instant directedness and specificity.

There could be is an assuming perception of clarity, distinction and clear-cut depiction of power in the newly proposed name, at least amongst the public and those who serve in the agency.

The new designation appears to align well with the operational, practical and strategic work of the agency.

On a psychological level the new name could help in personalizing the agency as an instrument of fear or uneasiness, and more likely to portray in the mind of any person, fear-arousing feelings and attitude.

The new designation could elicit powerful visualization of controllability embedded in the agency, at least from the perception of those in an offending mode especially.

The visibility of this proposed designation both in print and in the media could arouse a preventative mindset among those thinking of doing bad things.

Along the lines of these new labels, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Force of Investigation is the on-the-spot authoritative and up-to-the point sounding acronyms, like the “FBCI”, or “FFI”.

In the same vein, there should be a new label like the “Chief Director” or “Executive Director” in place of the commercially, corporately or politically sounding label of the term “Chairman”.

Accompanying the proposed new designations should be the label of “Special Detective” with driving characteristics of uniqueness, authenticity, professional stance and expert-driven outlook.

Mr. President, these suggested designations, appear congruent with the agency’s continued expanded roles and operations.

These functions include but are not limited to the fight against; treason, fee fraud, land scheme, cyber crimes, cult violence, aircraft kidnapping, sex trafficking, racketeering , medical child abuse, major weapon offense, international money swindling, medical fraud, espionage, sea piracy , terrorism , ethnic violence, and its other works with related law enforcement and investigative agencies.

In our contemporary world, the agency now works within a global context as crimes nationally and internationally are becoming more sophisticated and a daring in form, therefore with the up-to-date new designation like the ones proposed here, the agency’s representation become easier to be recognized globally.

Along these lines, the agency in its ongoing fight against more treacherous and expanded crimes requires an expanded human resource and contemporary technical support, in order to produce top-notch detectives.

The current training Academy in Nigeria might as well bear a new name along the lines of the already noted new labels, the FBCI or FFI. The new name of the Academy could be called the “National Investigation Training Institute” (NITI).

Mr. President, it is hoped that in your position as a 21st century leader that along with the appropriate advisors that you thoughtfully consider these up-to-date psychological and symbolic driven designations with respect to the specified agency.

It is also hoped that the federal legislature in its forward looking posture gives the needed blessing to this apparent aligning designations to an advancing national security agency like the ‘FBCI’ or ‘FFI’, in today’s world.


~ By John Oshodi


John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean, Behavioral Science, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu



Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Transparency And Accountability Therapy is Needed in Nigeria

Transparency And Accountability Therapy is Needed in Nigeria

Dr. Jonathan, in your role as the Nigerian President, you appear to be trying to figure out if the gift of tolerance, patience, equanimity and coolness which seemed to have guided you through out your educational and political life will work for you at this time, on a national level.


The answer is No. The country is yearning for an impatient leader.

It appears you have come with a very different purpose to help the Nation renew itself. This is a good thing.

Nevertheless, the national mindset is so damaged, that as a result, it is rapidly acquiring the international reputation of being simply politically crazy.

In this regard, you are trying to figure out what is going on inside the national psyche, and what characterizes the wounds that are apparent in the politics and economy of Nigeria.

It appears that you are doing this through slow but strategic interventions which will extend the recovery time in a society like Nigeria. Why? Because the floodgates of one stressor or another continue to open up incessantly.

Nigeria has long since turned its mental and psycho-political alliance away from Britain to America. In the last six months, through the advocacy of persons like Nuhu Ribadu and yourself, the passive approach to issues has been replaced with a more urgent type of readiness. There is no going back.


Racing Against the Clock

Remember, Nigeria recently established a Bi-National Commission with the United States of America to promote high-quality political and economic governance.

Politically, and under your watchful eyes and lens, Nigeria is racing against the clock of internal and external pressure. For the good and protection of the common man and woman, the U.S., as part of its strategic framework, will continue to apply mounting pressure on you. They do this with other problematic countries by such means as inspiring praise, diplomatic pressure, the open smile, and of course, by way of scare tactics.

America, sometimes works in an unusual manner, and as long they have signed the agreement of shared responsibility with Nigeria, they will work to protect the common people of Nigeria, and as such they will keep up the political and diplomatic pressure on you, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

This is the reason Nigeria needs a quick dose of a form of political therapy, which I call Transparency and Accountability Therapy (TAAT). Mr. President, this is something you could pass on to many in the leadership.

Here is why this type of therapy is crucial at this time. You cannot receive special attention as evident by your recent White House visit, utter promises of change in terms of fighting corruption and not demonstrate a nerveless and a very strong approach to repairing the traumatic atmosphere that now marks the Nigerian society. No one will be convinced.

Traumatic events in Nigeria have brought significant abuse and neglect to the people and to almost every institution. Nuhu Ribadu, a man trusted by Nigerians at home and abroad, and by the sole remaining superpower – America – remains a great Nigerian Hope, and you, Sir, have yet to boldly and publicly put him to any public use since his recent return to the country. Mr. President, what and who are you waiting for?

As a reminder, the U.S. recently gave you a personal audience and a mouthful of advice as well as many Nigerians in diaspora who saw much hope in you. They are all waiting on this delicate matter.

Every reasonable person and America will continue to observe your next actions, but meanwhile, the political pressure on you will continue indirectly and directly.


Transparency International and UNODC Reports

Just a few days ago, a report from a Berlin-based organization, Transparency International, reminded America that Nigeria, one of their major African partners, remains among the top six most corrupt nations out of a list of 180 nations. Again, that is, Nigeria.

There is also a new statement reportedly supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which concluded that the most corrupt institution in Nigeria is the Police Force. Now, these issues must be a matter of great urgency for you and your administration.

Mr. President, these security issues are detrimental to the internal economic development and international investment in the country, matters you need to comment upon soon.

As usually expected in a Presidential Democracy, your personal and direct comments on these issues remain essential. You can communicate with the people in many ways. It is time to start reaching the people directly, by radio, television and the Internet, assuming there will be sustainable electricity.

Sir, this brings up another point, that is the manner by you and other senior Executive officials frequently speak through a representative. Could you please put a stop to this invisible style of communication?

As donor nations like the U.S. watch your leadership approach with regard to high levels of corruption such as the Halliburton and Siemens scandals, Nigerians at home and abroad are also watching. One realistic and rapid way you can prove to these observers the gravity of these matters to you is to publicly order your Ministry of Justice to fully act on them and bring a report on your desk on a set date.

For every day that passes without your open comment on these matters, leaves room for you to be viewed with a sense of political mistrust.

This could result in a state of political despair, on your part, something you certainly don’t want as you may be already experiencing a sense of disgust over these current and mounting problems.

Mr. President, here is another realization, this Nigerian mentality of foot-dragging on every issue must stop. It is time to develop a new mindset, now that timing is very important to the nation’s overall functioning, and please do not say you are working on African time!

Your place in this anti-corruption war is to openly come before the people and the world, and stand between the Chief Prosecutor Mrs. Farida Waziri, the Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, the Head of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission.

It is time you openly recognize the efforts they are making towards the nation’s sanity. It is time for you to openly come out and express your support for the risks they take , stand with their personnel and assure them of your maximum support, and your stand of neutrality and as well as those of your officials on every investigative outcome.

It is not enough to say the investigative bodies do not report to you; you are not a ceremonial Head of State!

Sir, in an Executive Presidency, every enforcement matter and all executive agencies are under your command. Sir, be more careful about how you or your representatives make these unusual comments to the public, and let’s hope you are defining your political growth through the study of past and current executive presidencies.

There is no doubt that you are aware of these matters, as evident by your higher level of schooling. All you need is to show a diligent approach to issues that matters to the nation and a protective mindset on behalf of the people.


The 2011 Election – A ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ is Needed

In an extraordinary country like Nigeria, at least election-wise, it is essential for you to know that there is very limited time left to objectively engage in the 2011 electoral planning, as it relates to collaboration, preparation, and debate.

Sir, by the way, what is delaying a ‘yes or no’ answer from you with regard to your potential candidacy?

Dr. Jonathan, it is OK to fantasize about this great position, but it is time to confront your self on this issue of whether ‘Jonathan will run or not run’. There is no reasonable excuse so far why you are defying democratic expectations and realities like this type of decision, none.

Sir, only you can put a finishing thought on this issue. Particularly, at a time when the spiritual and sectarian elements of a Tribal Democracy seem to be at war with the libertarian and autonomous tenets of any Political Democracy.

Nonetheless, it very therapeutic for every Nigerian and the international funding sources to Nigeria to know the President’s priorities on this matter, in order for the country to know if it is going forward or backwards. Sir, how about telling everyone today?

Even a little hint from you is every bit as important in order to ensure that there is no apprehension of extraordinary havoc like the North and South zoning/rotational adversity, inflaming the country into a state of political divide and instability with possible consequences as a civil war or military intervention. God Forbid!

Dr. Jonathan, please promise to all of your aficionados or admirers that the therapy of transparency and accountability as noted here, will be put to use. Hopefully, the country will be on the road to permanent healing. Sir, this can only occur by initiating this therapy on yourself, and paving the way for it to be absorbed by the people.

Sir, you have to use these therapies in an on-the-spot way and aggressively, as well as in an unwavering manner in order to show healthy breakthroughs for the people and help better the nation’s image in front of your international supporters.

Mr. President, this is the time to use the two edged combination therapy, as the country is in need at this time. You need to vigorously become proactive on these matters not in the manner of sensitively extending your hands as if you are reaching into a freshwater of fishes; but in an explosively and out rightly manner since anything about Nigeria requires a daring move. This will to enable you elevate the depressed state of the people, and bring closer all those who currently identify with you.

Mr. President, as you are quite aware of a few days ago, a Presidential Proclamation 7750 that was signed into law in 2004 by former President George W. Bush is now in full view in

Nigeria, at a time when you are occupy the Presidency.

The Proclamation is for the purpose of denying foreign corrupt leaders and their families’ entry into the United States of America.

Recently, it was invoked by President Barack Obama on your former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa. This new stand must be very relieving to the people especially coming from their African son, at least partly.

There is more to come, a promise he made to the African people during his visit last year. Sir, you ought to personally comment on this important occurrence, then good faith Nigerians and America will openly know you are in the same mindset with them.

As you may be aware of the Proclamation law was reportedly once used on a co-former Governor, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State.

One would have wished that summary judgments like these are coming directly from you on a frequent basis towards those Nigerian Leaders with known histories of corruption.


Accounting for Undue Wealth

These corrupt elements are seen freely using their blemished or tainted monies, and openly moving in and out of Nigeria, with convoys of police as security protection. Also, many of their children and families resident overseas enjoying better residences, good air and adequate schools.

Sir, by the way it is time for the Nigerian ‘big’ or rich person to stop using members of the Nigerian Police Force as private guards and start using security officers from private companies, as guard. Sir, please stop this absurd practice!

Also, another task, Sir, is for you to issue an executive order which will show to the public the general or the basic annual or monthly salary of a senior official like a President, a Vice President, a Minister, a Governor, a Judge, a Director General, a Military Head, a Law Enforcement Chief (in the Police, Immigration, Customs, etc), including the allowances for newspapers, drivers and domestic servants (things that you should put a stop to).

Sir, the release of this information on compensation is essential in order to judge their overly expansive lifestyles compared to their salary.

In order words, where did the money come from especially if their annual income is basic as expected in an emerging or developing nation like Nigeria?

As you know, many of these characters are doing their best to delay their so called court cases in order to weaken the court proceedings and devalue the case(s).

Sir, the Nigerian leadership is mired in corruption and must be seen for what it is. You need to really go after it with workable and drastic solutions. This is because without a swift, open, and short and long term problem-solving type treatment, just talking, or using a spokesperson as you often do, will do nothing to solve these problems.

Sir, it is time for a blended type of public service personnel and leadership. You will agree that the present multi-layered problems have been handled by the same people and the same old methods.

The use of the same people and methods, and expecting a different result is nothing short of self delusion on the part of every one.



Nigerians in Diaspora

Sir, you should make an appeal for the return of Nigerians in diaspora serving as career and public service workers across various areas of local, State and federal offices in advanced countries, America especially.

This is how you create blended leadership, bringing in en masse, individuals familiar with the type of governmental system now adopted in Nigeria, the American executive, political and economic type of governance.

They will be joining others already deep in the old Nigerian way of administration, who should not be in fear of been replaced from their comfortable positions.

The only change is that these in coming professionals and experts will come in with experienced and up-to-date skills in relevant areas like: Procurement, Military, Police, Waste Management, Emergency Management, Objective Journalism, pollution Control, Disaster Management, , Erosion Control, Office Management, Housing Management, Road Management, Aircraft operation, Behavioral health, Correctional Management, Building Management, Banking, University Management, Clinical Nursing, Postal Management, Hospital Management, etc.

They should not come in a singular manner as the goal is for you to get them into the country in large numbers, and let them flood the public service.

As long as you have adopted an Executive-styled system by virtue of the Nigerian 1999 Constitutional Government, you should acquire people who are already experienced in this type of governance.

Sir, as you may know, they will need some flexibility on your part in terms of age limitations as some of them are already in their late 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s. Special modification in the Nigerian civil service rules could accommodate some who want to apply for transfer of service from their documented career positions for the purpose of continuity or retirement.

Some may need very little money to move back with their families and settle. This has been done before in the 1960s and 1970s, and every one saw the great strides the country made on till the Armed Forces took their different turns in annihilating many civil advancements.

Sir, also put into your head, that these Diasporan Nigerians will save the country from great cost as they are used to doing many things on their own. They will be driving their own private cars, and ironing their own clothes. They will rent their own residences, dust/clean their homes, and do the baby sitting of their children. They will be guarding their own homes as they are likely to seek and procure licensed guns when they reach home.

Sir, as long as Nigeria is a part of the global networked world, linked by communication networks, social networks, trade and banking, you must address these issues forcefully, using the therapies of transparency and accountability.

If not be ready to face a forceful-type of global treatment usually administered to societies where awful leadership is greeted with impunity and people are ruled with the spirit and acts of indifference.

All in all, it is time for an up-to-the-present system of engagement and to achieve this let’s put to use the Transparency and Accountability therapy.


~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, and the Associate Dean of Behavioral Science , North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek Florida. joshodi@browad.edu



Saturday, May 15, 2010

James Ibori and the Rest of Us

James Ibori


Nigeria is a country between the devil of corruption and the deep blue sea of hypocrisy.

Nigerians are ruled by their culture of corruption and their culture of hypocrisy.
We have the corrupt rulers and their beneficiaries and the masses of hypocrites who are even worse, they are the whited sepulchers.

Among those casting stones at Chief James Ibori on this topic are cheats, hypocrites and parasites.

You are not better than James Ibori if you are among those who have also stolen by over invoicing, doctoring documents, exploiting their poor employees and engaged in numerous vices.

A thief is a thief, whether you stole N1 or N1 billion.





The gambit President of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is doing his best to evade the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case of money laundering against his wife Mrs. Patience Jonathan and those of his sponsors in the monstrous and notorious ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the most corrupt political party in the history of Nigeria.



Thursday, May 6, 2010

Now that President Umaru Yar’ Adua has Passed On


Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010)


Now that President Umaru Yar’ Adua has Passed On


Only those who love President Umaru Yar'Adua are mourning him. But the hypocrites and parasites who have been praying and wishing him dead are celebrating. To them his exit is an opportunity for them to come into the corridors of power to join the looters of the treasury to plunder Nigeria and pass on their ill-gotten riches to their children and children's children as their predecessors have been doing for decades in the perpetuation of their legacy of profligacy.
They are as Jesus Christ called them a generation of vipers.

"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
~ Matthew 23:33


The new President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan


Now that President Umaru Yar'Adua has passed on, and the former Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has put on the sash bearing the green, yellow and white colors of Nigeria since 9 a.m. (0800 GMT), sworn in as the new President of Nigeria, how would he prosecute the case of money laundering against his wife, the new First Lady Patience Jonathan?

How would he prosecute the sacred cows of power brokers and carperbaggers indicted in the N27 Billion Halliburton bribery scandal?


Now that the Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is now the head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, can we move on or do we still remain in the vicious circle of the anomie of decadence and violence?

The choice is yours?

God bless Nigeria.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
6 May 2010
09:15
Actis and KS Energy Announce the Launch of KS Distribution After the Successful Completion of Offers for Aqua-Terra and SSH
4 May 2010
18:54
Ghana- IOM Organizes Regional Training Workshop on Protection of Migrants in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Accra, Ghana, May 4-6
10:00
World Cocoa Foundation Launches Cocoa Livelihoods Program in Cameroon
09:00
Baker Hughes Announces First Quarter Results
3 May 2010
17:46
One Man Had a Vision - and Now One Million Underprivileged People Can See Better for it
14:00
China Precision Steel Announces Changes in Roles of Senior Management