Much ado about what we cannot do

The result of the recent Match between the Golden Eaglet and New Zealand should tell Nigerians that irrespective of the challenge " We Can". This is not just because we scored 5 goals without concealing any or because most of us never saw our goal Keeper up to 10 times in the entire match.The Match is a great pointer because, against what most football analysts, especially the foreign, ones postulated, we had a flawless victory.

The world has always been in the biz of telling us what we can or cannot achieve. The first organization that kicked against the Re-branding project was a foreign media house. They ridiculed the efforts of the Government and even posted a current internet scam by two Nigerians who tried to dupe friends of a notable British politician who was then in the country for a tour. The post was titled "Is that how they intend to Re-brand?" I was pissed off when i read the article.

We are not saying Nigeria is free from scams and fraudsters; but we are saying we are a great nation, with similar socio- economic and -political challenges that are obtainable in other parts of the world. Ours is not of any degree that is so alarming that cannot be experienced in other parts of the world.

More importantly, we are saying we have the chance- we dont need to be given- and we shall make use of it because we can.

Bode's conviction: A new feather to the Rebranding wing

Personally, I believe the prosecution and conviction of two years prison sentence on erstwhile PDP and NPA chieftain, Chief Bode George, is a sign that we are truly rebranding. There was once a time when you could only dream about things like that in the country- a very influential and highly placed member of the dominating political party in prison?

That would have been too much to ask for. So i followed the prosecution, which started sometime in November 2008 with folded hands but with no expectation of anything close to a prison sentence. I thought it would end as Usual- with sanctions to return the alleged N85B, while the bad men go unpunished. So it was a serious surprise when it turned out last Monday that Bode George was sentenced, by a Lagos high court judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, to two years in prison.

This among others is one great achievement the judiciary has made in recent times that has made her the most rebranding-responsive arm of Government. I wish them more successes without intrusion in the future.

Good News great People

Nigeria has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN security council- the Engine room of the UN. This means; We are considered reputed enough to contribute to security issues of other nations of the world. According to Prof Hassan salihu “it is good to be where things are happening. It means we are one of the big boys in the world" and We also stand a better chance of gunning for permanent membership in the same council.

Especially since we we've been elected severally in the past into the same group. I don't think if we were that bad the world would have us given such a chance of determining the security of people worldwide.However, this development should encourage us to meet up with expectations. It is a challenge on its on because the world is looking to see how we will play the ball which is now in our court.

Cheers to Great Nigeria- Another feather for all of us. This news is good indeed! Or does anybody think otherwise?

Tompolo's Independence Gift for Nigeria

"Larry! Larry!!", my younger brother called. Oh what is it again; i murmured. That was the third time he was distracting me ever since Lucky turned on the TV. My room was having a re-work so i came out to the sitting room to do some work. I remember regretting that decision. Finally, i asked him what the problem was this time. He looked at me apologetically and said "you really need to see this", he was looking at the screen. I stood up from my desk and took the sharp curve that got me behind him. I got pass him towards the screen and what i saw baffled me.

Tompolo, the notorious Niger Delta Militant leader was on TV. Not masked this time and/or raising any of those his Subs, as i have seen him a couple of times on the Papers; he was seated with President Yar'dua and some top dignitaries, including Military Generals and famous politicians in the country. What? "What is happening?", i turned to Lucky who just spreads his hands sideways and told me how surprised he was. Then it struck me: Amnesty. Oh sweet; surrender. Tompolo has decided to surrender! Whao!

What a great birthday gift for Nigerians at 49. What other development would have been a better package? i thought. Tompolo's laying down of arms was a major breakthrough in the struggle for peace in the Niger Delta and by extension a plus in the Security data of Nigerians and foreigners trooping into that area for oil. I was so happy that i forgot i was doing some work. In fact i had to call a friend who was serving in the Niger Delta region to congratulate on the "safety boost". He almost prayed himself out of his deployment when he had was posted to Bayelsa State to serve under the NYSC. Anyway, it was something to call anybody about and share congratulations.

It was a beautiful thing and you can help thinking this simple looking young man, had been a lead-Terror to the country since God-knows-when. He was even treated like a gentleman; he was hosted in the Villa after which he met with a powerful council of Elders of his region based in the capital city and like i heard last morning, Saturday night was declared "Tompolo's Night".

However, lets not be carried away in our excitement. A lot still needs to be done. What FG had with tompolo and others like him, was a deal. Every deal has two sides. I think Tompolo has kept his part of the deal or at least has indicated interest in a mutual deal- just like a thousand others. It will be truly great for Nigeria and her people, if FG will show due diligence and faithfulness. The country will benefit more if we come to understand that the race has just began; and not ended. We may have convinced, forced or lobbied our countrymen in the Niger Delta, into surrendering their arms but only trust can earn us the submission of their minds and patriotism. We can risk that.

That notwithstanding, it wont be out of place to commend this administration for its effort so far-with that can doggedness we can go places. Happy Independence Nigeria.

The Green Call

Can you recite the national anthem? Do you know that it is important you know how to do this? The Nigerian national anthem is an extended chant to remind you of your responsibility to your great country. It is a call to action and an inspirational song to keep you committed to the course of service to our father land. You need to know, word-for-word, and to understand its implication, so that you can meditate on it and have it lay the foundation of patriotism in your heart.

The Nigerian anthem deserves to be crested in the deepest part of your conciousness, as a true Nigerian. It is not a piece of literal artwork to be admired or another Nursery rhythm to keep handy when the need arises (some job seekers only memorize it before job interviews for fear they might be asked to recite it). Rather, it is a mission statement whose committment-evoking stanzas should be allowed to overwhelm us and keep us service-ready.

Please, take time to read the nations' anthem as posted in this blog. However, note that someexplanations are made to help you gain better insight into your responsibility to this country.

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Arise O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey,
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and
unity.

(This is a call to all Nigerians to wake up to the task of nationhood and do their best, within an atmosphere of love and with all hope for the success of their effort. It also assures us of the productivity of the effort of our past heroes, as long as we respond to the call as one nation harmonised in freedom, peace and unity.)

O God of creation, direct our noble course
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and
justice shall reign

( This stanza is a prayer to the Almighty God, to oversee our course and to counsel our leaders and give them wisdom. To teach the youth the truth and groom them to love themselves and their country, and to infuse sound morals and values. And finally, to help the people acheive their goals even building in nation founded on peace and justic

When the needed change will come

Oh, how much we have yearned for a change. We read, talk, and dreamt about it. We had a dream for 2010, now we have one for 2020 and within the next 4yrs we expect a lot from our "# point agenda". We are even working towards a greater vision at the moment- we want to mend our reputation or rather erase it. So much hope for the needed change but when should we expect the needed change. Read this post and find out for yourself.

All that is required truly begins with me.... and you! We can decide for the change and only then can we hope to know when the needed change would come. What can you do for your country? There is an urgent need for division of labour in nation-building, in our country. The president and his cabinet, alone, cannot solve the puzzle. But we all can do something, no matter how tangible it may seem at the onset, it can make a big difference in the long run.

You dont need to have control over huge resources to kick-off the needed change in this country. All you need is a good idea, the right mentorship, the courage to be exceptional, the love for your country and wisdom from God. O.k lets get practical:

Do you know that the Government spends billions of Naira in environmental wholesomeness every year? This huge expense could be avoided only if Nigerians can have a change of attitude towards their surrounding. Besides, lives will be saved. You can recruit a group that will ensure domestic wastes in your area are treated and disposed properly. You dont really have to wait for the Government to do that. You will only endanger your health and grow more remorse for the Government. Your group can organise enlightment workshops on environmental wholesomeness, act as a domestic task force and even raise funds.

Unemployment is a major challenge even in developed nations of the world. But the Nigerian press has made it look as if we are the only ones struggling with the problem. In some countries, not only is unemployment the problem, the few who are employed are underpaid and overworked. We, Nigerians, can do something about it. You have to look for a need and fill it, but do it in such a way that you can create value and get paid for it, no matter how little. With good money management skills you might find yourself an employer of labour soon.

I'm just positing that we should opt for a change of attitude towards our coutry. The burden of leadership is one that should fall on the shoulders of all. We ahve to be involved, one way or the other. If the Government cannot provide us the opportunity then we should provide one for the Government. The Government is not the bad guy at the other end but it is made up of Nigerians who simply have greater national responsibility. We should always press for a change but first we must change ourselves. This change will come when we start asking ourselves "What can i do for my country?"

For country...not for Politics

Earlier today i had gone out to get a birthday gift for my Mum whose Birth Anniversary happens to be Today. I made a remarkable observation that has been heating me hard since then. I noticed that people went about there normal businesses as though the day was not a special one. There was no indication that the country was in a celebration mood. I would have blamed it on the poor results from the U20 world cup, but that wouldn't be the first time i am noticing the negligence Nigerians pay to days like that. Now we've gone over 13hrs into the day and i am yet to see anything "Greeny" talk more of the national flag. There is no sign of anything, anywhere. A few people i spoke to around my area admitted that, were it not for the declared public holiday, they wouldn't have known today was remarkable. All this got me thinking of how much we have lost our sense of Nationhood. When i recalled that i had once written on a notable trend that related to Nationhood and national identity, i decided to repost it here for Nigerians to read and see the need for a change.

I have observed an unhealthy trend and anybody who hopes the best for Nigeria should frown at it. Our youths are becoming so uninterested in matters of national concerns. The boys would rather read a dozen column on sport news than go through a paragraph of current issues affecting the country and the girls have fallen in love with social magazines that it is alien to hear a young Nigerian woman discuss politics or governance. They could spend any amount of money to watch football matches in game houses but wouldn’t sacrifice a fraction of their time to listen to free Nigerian News on TV or radio. We are faced with a situation that demands immediate attention for if this continues, we might soon find our hands tied.

When I discussed the situation with a friend, he told me the trend was not only common with youths alone; but is spreading fast among other grownups. He added that when he was growing up his father used to force him and his siblings to listen to the NTA 9 O’clock News but today the man will rather seat for hours watching boxing matches than spare an hour for the evening News. So he decided to ask him why he hardly listens to the News “these days” and guess the Old Man’s reply: “Nigerian News is Bad News; the good ones are camouflaged”. Then I asked him what he thought about his father’s reply he said, “I think the Old Man has some points; we only hear of misappropriations and scandals alike and then we don’t hear the truth”.

I have met people who will excuse their lack of interest in the affairs of the country with statements as “I am not interested in politics; it is too dirty”. One of them, Dayo, a colleague I met in Nairaland.com once asked me “why all these talks about nationhood?” when I tried to explain that we all are indebted to our country and have a vital role to play in building it. There was another person who told me bluntly that he has stopped discussing what is happening in Nigeria. He said, “There are many other productive things that one can do with their time”.

However, I am convinced that negligence will not solve the problem. I don’t blame anybody for how they feel about the country but I will blame anybody who is not doing something about remedying the situation. Did I hear you say how? Well, it starts from laying down our machetes. We need to understand that whatever grievances we have with our leaders; we should not transfer to the country. The country is not the government; it is the people and the geographical area they inhabit. You can love your country and dislike her government- this is safer since; governments will come and go but a country will always remain.

coiled from My book in progress "The land in Green"