Hateful to me as are the gates of hell is he who, hiding one thing in his heart, utters another. (William Cullen Bryant)
A fowl should not forget the person that feathered it during the rainy season. (Igbo Proverb)
Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? (Martin Luther king Jr.)
If a blacksmith does not know how to make a metal gong, he should look at the tail of the hawk for a clue. (Igbo Proverb)
Only a life lived for others is worth living. (Albert Einstein)
Is the problem that of the shaving blade not being sharp or that the Barber doesn't know how to shave? (Igbo Proverb)
The shortest answer is doing. (English proverb)
After removing clothes, there should be no need for further discussion then. (Igbo Proverb)
It is a pity that we so often succeed in our endeavours to deceive each other. (Empress Irene of Athens (St. Irene))
Anybody who can't handle something "unexpected" cannot handle something "expected" either. (Igbo Proverb)
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. (Phineas Taylor Barnum)
Of all the evil spirits abroad at this hour in the world, insincerity is the most dangerous. (James Anthony Froude)

arrived in Lagos very early in the morning the day I flew into Nigeria for the New Year celebrations on one of the foreign airlines operating through and fro there; by 06.00 am, I was already out of the Terminal Building and had to continue my journey to Aba that morning. The options for me were either to fly down to Owerri or Port Harcourt as travelling by road was out of the question. To my unpleasant surprise, I found out that almost all the domestic airlines have dumped Owerri Airport that served them well when the Port Harcourt Airport was closed to all flights. Then the only option remaining was to fly down to Port Harcourt. That time being a festive one, made it hard to get a seat on a plane flying down the east. Flights were fully booked many days in advance as everybody was rushing down home to celebrate the New Year. After much effort, I got a chance to board an Arik plane to Nigerian Airforce base (NAF) Port Harcourt at an exorbitant price. The Arik machine was a small one and took almost an hour and half to get to the Airforce Base. The inconveniences I encountered from Lagos to Port Harcourt would have been spared, had it been that Port Harcourt International Airport has been re-opened to international flights as I would have flown in directly from Europe.

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When the time to go back to base in Europe came, I had to fly again from Port Harcourt to Lagos before catching my international flight. I was enthusiastic to go to Port Harcourt Airport this time around to see how far the renovation process has gone. You must remember that I landed at the Nigerian Airforce Base the time I came in and wasn't opportune to see the Port Harcourt main airport, so on my going back, I decided to go through the main airport and not the Airforce Base. I was interested to be at the main Port Harcourt Airport because, as the Minister of Transport promised that the airport will be re-opened to international flights as from March 2008, I wanted to see how work has progressed there since March is just two months away and I was elated that my next homing coming will be through the Port Harcourt Airport direct from Europe, all things being equal.

When I arrived at the Port Harcourt Airport, to my utter dismay, nothing has been done at the Terminal building. I met the Terminal Building just as it was about two years ago. Save for the runway that was enlarged and elongated and the car park that was re-paved, nothing more has been done there. I will love to be corrected, if I am wrong. I didn't see the arrival hall to ascertain whether anything has been done there and I don't know whether there is a separate departure hall reserved for international flights whenever they commence, but, the departure hall I was in before boarding Virgin Nigeria flight to Lagos is still in its old state with little or no renovation. After seeing the condition of the Terminal Building, I started soliloquising within me; I asked myself if the March date will be feasible? I wanted to know, if international flights will resume there in such a state the terminal Building is? I noticed that the runway lightings are yet to be put in place. I asked myself, what the construction company given the contract to refurbish and renovate the Airport has been doing all along. An Airport closed in August 2006 for renovations is still not near to completion two months to the date slated for its re-opening. The time that Port Harcourt Airport was closed till now is enough to build a new International Airport from the scratch, but, just to renovate existing structures is taking ages upon that the Airport is of great strategic importance.

Julius Berger handling the project has collected 95% of the money for the renovations and still work has not gone half way. Julius Berger left the job for so many months, citing militants' threats to its workers as an excuse, but, that was based on unfounded fear. Julius Berger connived with the managements of Arik and Virgin Nigeria Airlines respectively on one hand and the operators of Muritala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on the other, to frustrate all efforts geared towards re-opening of the airport in good time. When the Port Harcourt Airport was closed in August 2006 to all flights (whether domestic or international ones), Arik and Virgin Nigeria Airlines were the only airlines granted permission to fly to Port Harcourt Airforce Base, because their owners are well-connected in Nigeria, so the closure of Port Harcourt main airport paid the owners of Arik and Virgin Nigeria airlines well and that informed their connivance with Julius Berger to slow the pace of work at the airport so as to continue monopolising that route, since they are the only airlines allowed to land and take off from the Port Harcourt Airforce Base.

The operators of Muritala Muhammed international Airport Lagos on their own side, were happy with the closure of Port Harcourt Airport, because, when the airport was granted international status, it took away many of the passengers that used to fly in or out through Lagos; Port Harcourt Airport then turned business "bad" for the Muritala Muhammed International Airport operators. When the Port Harcourt Airport was closed, the operators of Lagos International Airport saw it as an opportunity to recoup their "losses" all along and to frustrate any effort that will make for its early re-opening. They then used all means at their disposal to make sure the concurrence from Port Harcourt will be put paid to, as they will then monopolise all the international flights in and out of Nigeria save for the few coming in and going out through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and few international ones through and fro some African countries coming in or flying out of Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and Margaret Ekpo Airport Calabar respectively. Fund to re-build the airport was made available in good time. Rivers state through the former Governor Odili even volunteered in 2006 to loan about N2billion for the reconstruction, but, the powers that be in Lagos and Abuja rejected the offered, because, to them the Airport can remain closed for more months as that will serve their ulterior motives. The Port Harcourt Airport was closed in August 2006, but, up till December 2006, no work was done there. The last Federal Executive Council approved the re-surfacing of the whole airport just in December, 2006, months after its closure.

The Arik/Virgin Nigeria Airlines and the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Lagos factors were the reason(s) that Julius Berger abandoned the Port Harcourt International Airport project after collecting almost all the money meant for the project, any other reason given by the company to that effect was just a cover-up. The question is: Since Julius Berger was forced back to work at the airport by the current government, how many of its workers have been kidnapped by the militants? None!

There are 22 Airports in Nigeria, but, almost all of them have outdated and dilapidated facilities. Everything about Nigeria is kaput. What you hear every now and then is how those in charge of one thing or the other in the aviation sector and indeed, other sectors, embezzled the fund placed in their care. They only cut corners, thereby putting the lives of travellers at great risk. As far as international air travel is concerned, the best bet for those travelling to the former Eastern Region (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states including parts of Delta State respectively) is the Port Harcourt International Airport. But, unfortunately the Airport still remains closed to international flights. Those paid to make things work in Nigeria play politics with their job instead of working for the general good of Nigerians. What makes Port Harcourt International Airport thick is the fact that in this area (including part of Delta state), one finds the hub of the oil and gas industry; two petroleum training institutes, more than 130 oil and gas flow stations, four crude oil exporting terminals, an LNG plant, three refineries, four power generating plants, seven sea ports, a number of farms, many universities and higher institutions, a fertilizer company etc.

When the Port Harcourt Airport was closed in August 2006, the authorities gave December 2006 as the time for its re-opening and that has come and gone without anything happening, the date for the re-opening was moved to June 2007 and that came and nothing happened, the present House of Representatives gave Julius Berger till October 2007 to complete works at the airport, that has come and gone and still nothing happened, the Minister of Transport gave December 2007 as the next date for the re-opening of the airport, alas, we are now in January 2008 and still international flights are not landing or taking off from there. Last December, the Minister of Transport, Mrs. Allison-Madueke, then gave Nigerians the final promise of March 2008; I hope they will not continue shifting the date to eternity. At this point in time, Nigerians don't want to know why the Port Harcourt Airport was closed and why it is taking such a long time to get it re-opened, but, what is important now is that the march 2008 date be kept. Nigerians don't want any more excuse for the continuous closure of the airport to international flights; we are looking forward to that date. That airport saved so many people (the time it was operating international flights) from the inconveniences travelling in through Lagos and then from there to eastern part of Nigeria would have caused them and that is what everybody want again.

Late last year, the federal government upgraded Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu to international status. It was long overdue. Had the government upgraded the Enugu Airport to international status before then, Enugu Airport would have taken over the international functions of Port Harcourt Airport after its closure and the foreign airlines flying to Port Harcourt Airport before the closure would have resorted to Enugu Airport for their direct flight through and fro Europe and people from the eastern part of Nigeria would have gotten a reprieve as far as international air travel is concerned. I hope the upgrading of the airport to international status will not be only on paper, government should match words with actions and put all the machineries necessary to make the Enugu Airport meet up the international challenges in place immediately so that foreign airlines will be landing and taking off from there before the middle of this year. The people of former eastern region need the International airport to augment their economic finesses and flares. There is no way somebody can sequester optimal economic activities from an international airport.

The people of former Eastern Region are good travellers, infact no other people in Nigeria can compare to them as far as travelling is concerned. They are in every part of the world. Out of the 191 countries in the world or there about, you will see at least a person of that region in almost 90% of them. It is important that the region have at least two International Airports through which the people can fly in or out as they are the highest overseas travellers in Nigeria and in the event that one of the airports becomes closed, the other will continue serving the people. An international airport at Enugu will serve not only the Igbos or people of the former Eastern Region, but, also the people of Benue and Kogi States respectively. Infact, a person from some parts of Benue and Kogi States will get to Enugu Airport before me, because, some towns in those states are nearer to Enugu than Aba my hometown. Enugu Airport will serve all Nigerians and not the people of former Eastern Region alone.

The people of former Eastern Region are enterprising. Infact trade and commerce is part of their lifeline, but, Obasanjo, during his time, tried to strangulate the economic endeavours of the people by putting in place adverse import and export laws all in the efforts to create negative impacts on such endeavours. Now all importations must come in through Lagos and the entrepreneurs of Onitsha, Aba and other towns have to suffer getting their imports down to East from Lagos and in that process spending a lot of money through transportation cost and the checkpoints. The high cost used in getting those importations down to East is being passed on to the customers who pay higher prices for goods that are supposed to be cheaper. It will be better for the people of this former region to have their importations come in through Port Harcourt and Calabar seaports because of their proximity to Onitsha, Aba and other towns.

The previous governments consistently refused to build a cargo Airport at Oba near Onitsha, which should have been the case, because of the volume of trade in that city and worst still, the government also refused to allow the Onitsha entrepreneurs to use their own money to build one. If the government don't want to build it, why not allow the people to do it for themselves since they are ready to go it alone without government aid? What the entrepreneurs need is only government permission to build a cargo airport there for their businesses. Onitsha being a centre for commerce deserves better from the government. The federal government promised to dredge River Niger so that bigger ships can be navigating it thereby decreasing the over dependence on Lagos seaports on one hand and saving a lot of money and inconveniences for the traders on the other. It is the customers that at the end bear the brunt. The entrepreneurs from the former eastern region import merchandises and other goods and that is helping a lot in the economic upliftment of Nigeria. This part of Nigeria has contributed a lot to the economic well-being of the nation. What I am saying in effect is that the government while putting in place the logistics and everything needed for the successful take off of the international functions of Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu should at same time, dredge River Niger immediately. These will serve all Nigerians well one way or the other.

When the Port Harcourt International Airport was closed for the never-ending repairs, the airlines turned to Owerri Airport built by the people of former Imo State through self efforts without any federal assistance. Now that Port Harcourt Airport has been re-opened to domestic flights, the Airlines have deserted the Imo Airport for the one in Port Harcourt. Those airline operators have forgotten so soon how Imo Airport helped them in time of need, now they have abandoned the Airport and turned it into "ghost town". When The Port Harcourt Airport was closed in August 2006, those that their means of livelihood depended on the Airport went through hell and Imo Airport served as an alternative landing place for the airlines, right now, the table has turned, those that made their means of livelihood from the Imo Airport during the time the one in Port Harcourt was closed are now in dilemma as they watch the source of their means of sustenance disappear in a jiffy. The Airlines should operate, at least, one flight each daily, if not for any thing, as a lifeline to the Imo Airport and the people that are dependent on it. Who knows, maybe, the airport might come to their rescue once again. You may never know tomorrow.

I still can't understand why Nigeria has no national carrier: If countries like Ethiopia, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa etc all have their respective national airlines that are flying through and fro the major airports of the world, how come that Nigeria, the so-called "giant of Africa" has no national airline? We should not be claiming the "giant of Africa" thing, when we can't match that with actions. I still can't understand why "Nigeria Airways" was allowed to die. Presently, Nigerians are everywhere in the globe and are always travelling back and forth home, I see no reason why a national airline will not be viable and profitable in this dispensation, even international routes alone are enough to keep a national carrier on profit. A national carrier will save Nigerians from a lot of inconveniences and insults they are receiving at the hands of foreign airlines flying in and out of Nigeria and it will be cheaper for Nigerians than the foreign airlines. Nigerian travellers will get at least "excess luggage concession" from their national carrier and will save them from the indignations they are suffering at the hands of foreign airlines operators when flying in or out of Nigeria.

At worst, I suggest that Virgin Nigeria take up that role as our national carrier in the absence of "Nigeria Airways" and should be flying in and out of the major airports of the world such as Frankfurt, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, shanghai, Beijing, New Delhi, Melbourne, Seoul Airports etc. There is no shortage of passengers on these routes. I think the reason(s) the Nigeria Airways wasn't viable was because of mismanagement and the situation at that time prior to its demise. Before its liquidation, Nigerians overseas weren't much interested in going home every now and then; most of the Nigerians that left the country in 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s got "missing in action". Saved for few of them, many of them took their respective bases overseas as their new found home and never gave a damn about visiting Nigeria; don't be surprised to hear that some of them that left the shores of Nigeria about thirty to forty years ago have not visited Nigeria even once since then. That generation is quite different from the one that left as from the mid 1980s till date.

The younger and dynamic Nigerians that left Nigeria as from the mid 1980, checked out not because they hate Nigeria , but, because Nigeria and its leaders had no "plan" for them and would have given anything to stay in Nigeria , had the leaders used Nigeria's enormous wealth to create an egalitarian society for all. This generation is in overseas, but, their hearts are in Nigeria and wouldn't mind travelling to Nigeria at least three times in a year, if not for the cost and the logistics involved. This generation of Nigerians have a nostalgic feeling towards Nigeria and there is nothing any body can tell them that can make them turn their backs on Nigeria. What I am saying in effect, is that a Nigerian national carrier will have no shortage of passengers on its international routes, Nigerians are everywhere and are always ready to visit home on regular basis. The Government should look into this; we need a befitting national carrier sooner than later. If some Nigerians can single-handedly float an airline (the source of their wealth notwithstanding), why can't a nation that calls itself "the giant of Africa" establish a national carrier of its own? On the other hand, one of the domestic airlines can be picked as a "national carrier". Nigeria and Nigerians need a national carrier because it will imbue in all of us a sense of national pride amongst other things.

It is nice to hear that the Federal Government has completed plans to give out six of Nigeria's major airports to private investors to fully operate and fund their maintenance in a public private partnership arrangement (PPP) to make them more viable. That will be a welcome development. The airports include the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. Others are Calabar Airport, the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu. Rivers State Government is interested to buy, run and maintain the Port Harcourt International Airport. Many entrepreneurs from the former Eastern Region will be happy to buy, run and maintain Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu and Margaret Ekpo Airport Calabar respectively. Many Onitsha entrepreneurs will be too happy to build, manage and maintain a cargo airport at Oba without any federal government assistance, they need only the permission. The federal government should also help businesses east of the Niger by dredging River Niger as promised to enable bigger vessels bring in bulky goods through it. A cargo airport at Oba and a port at Onitsha will be of immense help to the business communities in and around Onitsha. Nigerian leaders should borrow a leaf from Germany. A river in Germany (Rhein River) was turned from nothing hitherto into the busiest inland waterway in the world and it is contributing immensely to the economic development of that country and has opened up the rural areas along its banks. The Rhein River is not as large as River Niger, but, has been turned into an economic wonder; the river connects Germany with more than five other European countries and is enhancing commerce and tourism between Germany and those other countries. If the Nigerian government has the will, it can turn river Niger into a busy inland waterway as that will profit Nigeria greatly. Nigeria is blessed by nature beyond imagination, but, it surpasses all human understanding how a country so richly blessed has been unable to find its bearing in order to use the God given resources to improve the lives of its citizens. If the government is not ready to help make life meaningful for every Nigerian citizen, let them "close shop, pack and leave town", "they can't be human beings and demons at the same time".

As an addendum to my last article, I still maintain that Nigerians are NOT the happiest people on earth based on the prevalent condition(s) in that country; if anybody thinks otherwise, then that's his or her cup of tea, I don't want to join issue(s) with anybody. One thing is clear, we shouldn't because the United Nations or any other foreign body erroneously assigned "the happiest people on earth" to Nigerians, lose sight of the sufferings, inequalities and cheatings going on there. We should not because the UN said we are the happiest people on earth, give up our inalienable rights and allow a handful few to continue taking away the things that belong to all. If suffering in the midst of plenty and not asking questions why things are the way they are is what made Nigerians the happiest people on earth, then count me out. What I saw in Nigeria is only "fake happiness", it didn't go deep enough; laughing, smiling, pretending to be okay, owambe parties etc are only artefacts of happiness, in Nigerian case, they are only pretenses. This "happiest people on earth" thing is proving to be a readily tool in the hands of the ruling class used in keeping the people forever down; it should be done away with, people need to break free. Anybody is entitled to his or her opinion and I respect that, we don't have to agree on all things, but, the reality is that if you don't ask, you don't get. Period!

SELECTED FEEDBACK (S)

My last two articles generated few feedbacks and I decided to publish just these two below so as to share the points made in them with my readers because they are outstanding. Please endeavour to read them up.

Tony from Houston, Texas wrote this to me (Based on my article: Abia: A State Gone Bananas)

Temple, It is really amazing that I was about writing an article about the sorry state of things in Nigeria and in particular Abia State until I read your piece. Just came back from Nigeria also where I went to spend the Christmas. I was really disappointed and depressed about what is going on in Nigeria and Abia State in particular with Orji Uzoh Kalu and his mother holding the state hostage. I was born and lived in Aba all my years before heading to USA. The city of Aba I know growing up is no longer what it used to be. Aba, the commercial center that I saw is not what it used to be growing up in that city. It is really sad to see how Orji Uzoh Kalu and his mother are running the state with reckless abandonment. I wish the election tribunal will hurry up and make their ruling in favour of the PDP so that these senseless criminals running Abia State can be probed and put in prison for rendering the state useless because what we have in Abia State is not a government. How can one expect viable development in the state when some people who are made commissioners have little or no education?

I very much know in particular two of the commissioners with little or no education who used to be ordinary market traders in Aba. Tell me how these illiterates can be expected to make policy decisions that will improve the lives of the citizens of Abia State? The just concluded local government election which was all PPA affairs but not an election because no other party participated in the process, was another insult to the people of Abia State. The selected chairmen of all the local governments in Aba are also boys with little or no education because I happen to know them. All they will do is to sit there and collect the monthly allocations that is meant for the development of the local governments and share it with Orji Uzoh Kalu's Mother while there will be no development in each of the local governments and civil servants will not be paid their monthly salaries each month. Abia State needs a mass action on these senseless individuals. Thanks for taking notice of what is going on in Abia State.

Joachim wrote this to me (Based on my article: Are Nigerians really the happiest people on earth?)

Hello Temple, I visited Nigeriaworld.com only once in a very long while. That is why you are just receiving this feedback on your brilliant article. (I wouldn't know how long it's been up there though)

You see, I don't recall who did that survey but it was some years ago and I do remember that I laughed so loud, long and hard after seeing the headline that I did not bother to read the rest of the story.

I was watching a Christian channel on TV some time ago when I saw a former schoolmate, Joseph Osuji reiterate this unholy lie! I looked him up in the phone book immediately and asked him why he had joined the plunderers in humiliating us. How can a people whose majority live on less than one dollar a day be the happiest in the world? What indices were used to arrive at such an un-Godly lie? Osuji defended himself by telling me this story:

"There was this poor man who lived with his wife and children in a little house in a small town in Nigeria. Every night he played his guitar in front of his house to the listening and dancing pleasures of the rest of his family. They were very poor but they remained happy. It did not matter to them that food was a problem so long as they could listen and dance to the tunes off the man's guitar every night.

Then one day, a very rich man in the town came to the poor man and asked him to keep the sum of N100, 000 for him. He would need it in a few months and the poor man must endeavour to keep the money safe. The poor man in his usual humble way, agreed.

Thereafter, the evening retreat outside the house with his family ceased. Why? He now feared gravely because he felt that with such an amount in his home, he was no longer safe. Robbers could break in and steal the money. Therefore, because of the presence of money, a hitherto happy family became very unhappy. And he concluded that it was the same everywhere.

Temple, this was the analogy given to me by someone in my generation for agreeing that Nigerians are the happiest people on earth. And these are supposed to be the educated and enlightened ones. You see where the trouble with Nigeria lies? I will not go into why I found the analogy empty because from your article I know you already found it baseless and destructive.

You see Temple, a people deserve the kind of leadership that they get. I read the part of your article which said that Nigerians are very indolent. That is very correct. We are docile to a fault. And when we choose to speak up or vent our pent up anger, it doesn't last. Our ranks are very easily broken and you find double speak and double standards all over the place. Furthermore, we as a people (Nigerians) have the shortest memory anyone can ever imagine. I do not see us ever fighting the system as one people. We are too selfish and too greedy. If it doesn't concern Mr A, he sees no reason why he should be involved in Mr B's problem. That is the way we have come to be as a people. And the manipulators of the system know these things so they take absolute advantage of it. So this is the kind of leadership we shall always get. It is not a pessimist's view. I have studied our country so much that I can say I know more than a bit about us. I am only being realistic. Whatever that will change the country will do so, only because God loves us so much and would use His miracle to do things that will turn the country around and not because of anything altruistic from Nigerians, collectively.

Anyone who is waiting for Nigerians to act out of altruism shall wait forever, for it will not happen. I don't know how long you've been away from home, but if you were around between 2002 and 2004, you would remember when the NLC held the government hostage on a number of occasions. The NLC would have succeeded in crippling the government to make them yield but each time, as the strike progresses, it is still Nigerians who would go clamouring that merely staying at home doesn't help them and that their families are hungry with no food to eat, no money, bla bla bla.........Meanwhile the NLC always prepared everyone by warning that people should stack their homes with enough food and the like. But by the time these people come crying on air; govt would feel very happy airing it and such things tend to weaken the NLC and their fight. Look at the NLC fighting so that the common man would be able to afford the basic things without having to suffer so much..........it is the same common people who would go out to sabotage this fight by complaining stupidly on air that they are hungry. How do you reconcile that?

After Anenih sold out June 12, I never thought he would ever be able to show his face again in Nigerian politics. Lo and behold, just a few years later, he became the biggest singular political machine in Nigeria. What about Babangida? After he annulled June 12, I thought he was finished. But you and I know that had he not been illicitly engineered out of the last election, that man would have been the president of Nigeria today. Look at Abacha. Have you forgotten how the five fingers of a leprous hand called political parties were falling over themselves to have Abacha as their presidential candidate?

So my brother, your article touched me o............but that indolence will remain with us for a long time. The degree of poverty has made our people think nothing about selling their souls for just anything. The plunderers are equally aware of this and they'd continue to use it to their advantage.

Cheers
Joachim