Femi Ajayi's Outlook

Possibly most predictions have been coming from what His Grace, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Reverend Dr. John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, described as the break-up of Nigeria, ''is simply a matter of correct analysis of the situation and a correct plotting of where the curve is going.'' Not only Nigeria.

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Monday, October 26, 2009



Prof. Femi Ajayi

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HIS GRACE, MOST REVD DR JOHN OLORUNFEMI ONAIYEKAN, GO ON WITH ONE NIGERIA

nited States of America President, Barrack Hussein Obama, whose gene is traceable to Africa, less than a year in office, has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. That is an indictment on some African leaders who never reasoned beyond their noses and continue to inflict heavy doses of poverty on their citizens. We are happy for Obama at his tender age and short period in office as the 44th President of the United States of America, winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.


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An elderly individual walked up to me recently with the request to assist his handsome son who is in dare need of a surviving kit. His personality attracts the opposite sex to the envy of his peer group. Out of curiosity, the enquiry mind probed his qualification with the shocking knowledge on what he has on paper.

Amazingly, from his education, experience and skills, he is mentally, psychologically, and emotionally fit, however, RETARDED. Amazingly he is 49 years of age. Unfortunately he REFUSED to craw. His nerves seem to be functioning. Who would employ such individual in an establishment?

Prophets and Prophetesses of woes and blessings, joining other Nigerians, the good, the bad, and the ugly, including an 85-year old Nigerian, who is on extra time for an average Nigerian life-span of 55 anyway, wishing and predicting that Nigeria will collapse following what America, has calculated. President Obama warned about the demise of Nigeria at the earliest part of his campaign for USA President in 2007. Who wish Nigeria dead in 2015?

Does anyone have to remind Nigerians the wrong path some leaders are, with their man-made problems, which could lead to a disaster? The Prophets and non-prophets could go ahead and predict the doom looming over Nigeria. It is an eye-saw that Nigeria has been trekking the path of discord and we still think everything is well and dandy. Its leaders take joy in planting seeds of discord which could bring disaster to Nigerians.

Recently the Militants, under the command of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, surrendered mouth-watering sophisticated weapons to the government of Nigeria. That is sufficient to frighten an average Nigerian that the country is on the periphery of collapse. It would sink any strong heart that Nigeria is definitely security deficient.

The country could be an easy prey for unpatriotic Nigerian to ease the break-up. Nigeria President granted amnesty to the Militants and the feared Tompolo has been embraced to guard oil pipes with full security. What next?

The Chairman of Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Hamman Tukur, has predicted doom for the Nigerian economy. He said that, in view of the way the nation's economy was being plundered and the fact that the federation excess crude account dropped from $27 billion to $7billion, it would not be long before the nation ground to a halt.

Sanusi Sanusi, Central Bank Governor has jumped on the greedy Nigerians. Unfortunately before we realized what is happening, some of them have jetted out of the country. Hundreds of them owe the Bank heavily without any plan to repay their debts.


Vanguard Cartoon

Possibly most predictions have been coming from what His Grace, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Reverend Dr. John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, described as the break-up of Nigeria, "is simply a matter of correct analysis of the situation and a correct plotting of where the curve is going." Not only Nigeria.

His Grace simply put it,

"Any nation that does not care about good governance, builds itself on lies, does not care about the less privileged within its midst, the leaders are only interested in their own selfish interest and convenience and close their eyes completely to the poor, the sick, the aged and the youths and basic amenities are not their top priority, where roads are untended, factories are allowed to die, schools stay closed for months and nobody is worried, such a nation cannot say that they are building themselves into anything great. Such a nation is killing itself. So you don't need a prophet to tell you that."

Would Nigerians want to experience the pains and sufferings that come with breaking up a country of 49 years of freedom, of elongated relationship since the early days before the adventure of the Europeans? It means Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas must obtain visa, if it would be granted due to animosity, to visit, their respective newly found countries. It would not be easy, for the elongating bitterness among Yoruba Nation, Arewa Feudalism, and the Igbo Caucuses.

Prescriptions from Nigerians for a better Nigeria have been ignored by some key players in Nigeria. No one wants the country to break up. To keep Nigeria one is a task for every Nigerian.

What Nigerians have to do according to His Grace:

"I, therefore, as a bishop and as someone who should tell the truth, I see my role in the light of the old prophets, to warn. Behave well, do the right thing, take care of the orphans, widows and the poor. Do not steal from the poor people because every money you steal from the government, you are stealing from the poor. Don't pervert justice. Pass judgement according to the truth. Do not condemn the innocent man and above all, don't acquit the guilty person because he has money and power. If you do this, then we have a great future because it is my strong conviction that God has blessed our nation and God intends and destines our nation to greatness. It is in our hands whether we shall achieve that greatness or not."

Nigeria at 49 and powered with the entire earthly man-made problems is a great disappointment to the founding heroes and heroines of this country. Most Nigerians major concern is lack of security. The government is loosing control of the bad eggs in the community. An average Nigerian should ask how safe they are. Armed robbers, hired assassins, abusing the new technology at will without any trace.

Possibly one shocker to most Nigerians was the denial of IGP that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a household name, former EFCC Chairman, entered Nigeria without been noticed by those that are supposed to keep the country protected, the famous 'Professional Beggars', to say the least, is absurd. Enemies unknown to the 'Professional Beggars' at the ports of entry in Nigeria could easily found their ways into the country without being noticed. They are too busy asking for alms from innocent travellers. When an average traveller passes through the custom, it is the request for breakfast, lunch, dinner money, or what is in your bag for your son, daughter, brother, uncle, among others.

Security information, Nuhu Ribadu's entrance into Nigeria being notified at the point of entry into Nigeria is very scary. While extorting motorists by the Police continues on Nigeria highways, kidnappers are still having a field day and collecting ransom money through the banks, continue unabated under the purview of the Nigerian Police! Who says Nigeria is not a failing State?

The record shows that planes flying in clear sky, ships loading in daylight in Nigeria ports, murderers of Nigerian Attorney General, killers of citizens in Okija Shrine, kidnappers of a well known actor, bank robbers and bank executives disappear and the police do not know whereabout them. How IG could deny his lack of knowledge of Ribadu's visit to Nigeria with Ribadu's pictures published by ThisDay and Next Newspaper media, is amazing?

Ribadu was on pages of some Nigerian Newspapers, on National Television, and IG would insult the intelligence of Nigerians that he was not aware of Nuhu's presence in Nigeria. I doubt whether the cash and carry journalists extort money from Nuhu to fake his presence in Nigeria. IG might have been consumed with the make-belief of an average Nigerian that all Nigerians are fraudulent.

On the other hand, and very shocking, is the high commendation on the Nigerian Police for their devotion, diligent to work outside Nigeria. According to the head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Ellen Margrethe Loj, Nigeria's peacekeepers are "well equipped to provide creative and home-grown expert solution to complex global challenges".

Why should Nigerians allow the country to break up under the watch of very highly qualified professionals within the ranks and files of the Nigeria Police?

Commending further on the Nigeria Police, especially the female members, the UNMIL scribe commends,

"Nigerians always come to peacekeeping operations with knowledge, skills and experience laced with insights and depth as rich and diverse as their country, … you have carried out many complex tasks, including anticrime patrols, cordon and search, stop and search, rescue operations, crowd control, riot dispersal operations and escort duties. Through your many accomplishments, you have made the UN proud."

The 5th position of Nigeria Police within the UN peace keeping forces, with its 20 peacekeeping missions since 1960, among the 130 UN police, is a good mark for Nigeria. However the ranking does not tally with its local reputation. Domestically the Nigeria Policemen are not known to be efficient and industrious. Definitely charity must begin at home and should never end there.

Definitely not many Nigerians believe such acclamation would come for the Nigeria Police at the International body. We have same accolade for Nigerians working abroad commanding very highly policy positions abroad to the advantage of their host countries. Unfortunately in Nigeria it is an outright condemnation, always working against the government. Something is deftly wrong with some leadership directions in Nigeria.

Given the right direction from any leader on the affairs of Nigeria, the better it is for the country. We should not allow the country to break apart.

Some times I look at the Police profession in the States, I felt like joining. Their personality commands RESPECT. When they stop you for traffic citations it is with full respect of 'Sir', 'Ma'. If Nigeria Police get such accolades across the border, what prevents the IG from flushing out the criminals among them, instead of denying the presence of Ribadu in Nigeria?

IG denial of Ribadu's visit to Nigeria is another pointer how dishonest Nigeria Police could be at home. It is "ridiculously ludicrous", if I may borrow from a member of House of Representatives from Edo State, Hon. 'Oxford Confucius', who thinks his performance would be measured by the amount of grammar he blows on the floor of HOR. Empty barrel!

That is all right if Nuhu Ribadu came to Nigeria, dressed like the Queen of Sheba, and he could not be recognized. It is more than discomfiture that the Inspector General of Police would deny his presence in Nigeria. For the Chief Security agent for the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deny, or claim ignorance, or fooling his profession, or just play dumb, lack of knowledge of the presence of Nuhu Ribadu in Nigeria, is to an average human being unbelievable. What a country of appalling security agents?

When the Security agents at the ports of entry could not notice Ribadu, how would they compete with the high tech in the new world order? How would they detect gun that looks like the 007 mobile phone? Not until you hold it that you would appreciate the new devise which could easily fall into the hands of criminals in a lawless country like Nigeria.

Ironically in Nigerians carry unregistered phones. The numbers that ought to have been registered right from the source, with details of the purchaser are unregistered. People of under world use the phone to commit atrocities without any trace. In a civilized society you could easily trace the caller because his phone has been registered at the point of purchase. SIMs cards are purchased for about N300.00 and when the havoc has been accomplished they trash and buy another one.

The Nigeria government should commence efforts, as a matter of urgency, by registering subscribers' identity modules of all phone users in Nigeria. This will staunch the tide of crimes, especially the kidnappers, as a shorter way of robbery in Nigeria. It could drastically bring down the crime rate in Nigeria. It will also enhance police ability to fight crime in Nigeria. I doubt if the government ever thought of how well it is going to drastically and systematically reduce government expenditure on security over time when phone numbers were registered.

When phone registration is done, the caller's identification can be easily obtained from the service provider. The temptation for the criminals or kidnappers, hiding under the phone, will be discouraged, at least. In a situation where they use the victims to put a call, it could be easily traced to the service provider to shut off the phone number from the network.

As Barack Obama continues to charm the world with his phenomenal exploits in politics, many continue to etch his name for future generations. Obama Nobel Prize is a challenge to world leaders, especially African leaders, most specifically Nigerian leaders, to pursue peace unconditionally in keeping Nigeria one.

In a seven-track musical message, 'Obama Special', spiced heavily by High Chief (Ohamadike) Robinson Ike Nwosu, AKA, BIG Man of Obowo community, Imo State, Nigerians are advised to embrace peace without considering breaking up. Get a copy of Big Man's CD at (708-889-1491, 708-663-2551) and do something positive about world peace, while keeping Nigeria intact.

His Grace's advice to Nigerians in keeping the country intact is:

"I would say that what we need to tell our people is that the part we are following is dangerous. We are dancing on the brink of chaos and disaster. It is within our control. We can still change. We can still change the rules of our games. We can decide to have free and fair elections. We can decide that those who work in government would get a good pay. That we would do the right thing so that the resources of the country can be properly distributed. All these are within our control. We are not under the threat of any foreign invasion. So if Nigeria disintegrates, it would be fully out of our own thought. It is not anything about prophecy. It would simply be self-destruction."

Nigeria must remain one. An elder Statesman, Dr. General Yakubu GOWON says, Go On With One Nigeria.