@ iyeayo, u should be ashamed of yourself for referring to the unborn as parasite , and another for being a woman i must tell u dat u are a disgrace to womanhood and how am i sure u have not been practicing wat u comment here ? . leave biological point of view out of here and face reality and natural phenomenon .

BERLIN – Afghanistan has slipped three places to become the world's second most-corrupt country despite billions in aid meant to bolster the government against a rising insurgency, according to an annual survey of perceived levels of corruption.

Only lawless Somalia, whose weak U.N.-backed government controls just a few blocks of the capital, was perceived as more corrupt than Afghanistan in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

Iraq saw some improvement, rising to 176 of 180 countries, up two places up from last year. Singapore, Denmark and New Zealand were seen as the least corrupt countries in the list based on surveys of businesses and experts.

In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai's inability or unwillingness to tackle cronyism and bribery the past five years have resulted in an increase of support for the Taliban insurgents. That has prompted calls by the Obama administration for Karzai to tackle the practice or risk forfeiting U.S. aid.

Since 2001, the U.S. Congress has appropriated more than $39 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan, according to a report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. European nations send about 1 billion euros ($1.49 billion) a year, a total of 9 billion euros since 2002.

International donors are increasingly questioning how much of the billions of dollars in aid might have been misappropriated.

The report said examples of Afghan corruption ranged from the sale of government positions to daily bribes for basic services.

Karzai unveiled an anti-corruption unit and major crime fighting force on Monday after heavy pressure from Washington.

In reaction to the report, Ershad Ahmadi, the deputy director general of the High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption in Afghanistan, said that "corruption is a phenomenon that will not go away overnight. It is a problem that will continue to be with Afghanistan for a long time.

"Until we achieve that sort of national awakening that business as usual is not in the interest of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, you will not be able to achieve success in your anti-corruption campaign," Ahmadi said.

Robin Hodess, Transparency's director of policy and research, said Tuesday that for a country to improve on the corruption perceptions index, it is imperative that "citizens believe that they have a government that works for them."

The governments have to show "that there is the political will to respond to the needs of the people," Hodess said.

In Iraq, corruption has become widespread since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 with scarcity of serious government measures against corrupted officials.

That has undermined the largest nation-building efforts with siphoning billions of dollars away from the country's struggling economy, increasing frustrations among Iraqis mainly over corruption, lingering violence and poor public services.

A Bertelsmann Foundation report used in the corruption index noted that in Iraq "non-security institutions remain weak and debilitated. The Iraqi leadership faces many structural constraints on governance, such as a massive brain drain, a high level of political division, and extreme poverty."

The United States, which was in 19th place compared with 18th last year, remained stable despite Transparency's concerns over a lack of government oversight of the financial sector.

The report also pointed out that the U.S. legislature is another reason for concern, as it is "perceived to be the institution most affected by corruption."

There were some bright spots in the new report — Bangladesh, Belarus, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland and Syria were among the countries that improved the most.

___

Associated Press Writers Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad and Fisnik Abrashi in London contributed to this report.

___

On the Net: http://www.transparency.org

pls i hav a niece dat is seeking admission dare oooo , so guys keep me updated to . my no is 07030109551 and my email is davidikama@yahoo.com. thks

By Deji Wale Fadeyi, Abuja
As part of efforts to phase out the University and Polytechnics matriculation examinations in order to pave way for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination expected to start next year, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will Saturday July 11 conduct the last Polytechnic and Monotechnics examination in the country.

A total of 342,483 candidates registered for the examination which shows an increase of 33,407 represents as against 309,076 who sat for the examination last year which represents a 10.81 per cent increase in the number of candidates for this year examination.

According to the JAMB Registrar Prof.Dibu Ojerinde who briefed journalists in Abuja yesterday about the board's preparation for the examination, the MPCE would be the last one as the syllabi and brochures of Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and the MPCE are being harmonised for the UTME.

“The UTME has a lot of advantages including improved access to tertiary institutions, removal of existing dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates thereby restoring the dignity of teacher and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders. He said

He explained that any candidate that misses the UTME next year misses the opportunity to gain admission into a university, polytechnic or college of education for the year even as he noted that the Saturday examination would take place simultaneously in 166 towns and 780 centres across the country.

Prof. Ojerinde added that JAMB has mobilised 67 coordinating institutions and supervisors to charge of the examination in order to conduct smooth examination as well as protecting the integrity of the examination.

He however lamented that the major problem in the conduct of the examination has been the activities of a few supervisors and invigilators who according to him encourage malpractice in examination.

The Registrar maintained that the Board is determined to ensure a credible and successful examination by ensuring that all officials engaged in the conduct of the examination are culpable for the lapses during the examination and the full weight of the law is brought to bear on any indicted official.

Source: burningpot.com - Burningpot.com | News source

i like this because jamb is a bundle of Bleep up,

THE syllabi, brochures and other modalities needed for the take-off of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) next year are already being put in place, says JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde.


Speaking in Lagos at the weekend after monitoring the Monotechnics/Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (MPCE) Matriculation Examination with the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, Ojerinde said the board was adjusting the syllabi so that candidates can meet the requirements of the various institutions in applying for similar courses.

“The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is going to start next year. Today (Saturday) brings about an end to the MPCE and UME, by the grace of God. What we want to do is combine the two examinations. And that means if you are going to the polytechnic, college of education or university, you take the same examination. But we want to make sure that the examination is flexible. You want to study Mechanical Engineering in the university, you can also study Mechanical Engineering in the polytechnic.So, it means you have to take Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics,” he said.

IT should not come as a surprise if Education Minister, Dr. Sam Egwu no longer sleeps well these days. The unassuming politician, who had a fairly good run as Governor of Ebonyi State, and who prefers to avoid controversies, must now be wondering why the Ministry of Education has been difficult to manage, and the education sector so tough to handle.

As Nigeria celebrates its 49th Independence anniversary today, the position of the country's education sector has moved from bad to worse. Each time the Minister tries to take a step forward, emerging challenges force him to take three steps backward.

Egwu's appointment as Minister, coming after Igwe Aja - Nwachukwu, whose tenure was adjudged the worst since 1999, was embraced with a lot of expectations. In the beginning, Egwu pronounced the right words, met with the stakeholders at the right time, made good promises, and within a stipulated period, came up with a detailed Roadmap. But that was as far as he could go. Right under his nose, things began to fall apart. The worry, however, is that from all indications, the Minister does not seem to have a good idea, nor people with sound initiatives on how to fix the challenges. Every passing day, the education sector gets deeper into turmoil. Strikes are everywhere. From the Universities, to the secondary and primary schools, academic and non-academic staff unions are on strike. If the Minister was previously not bothered about the strike declared by primary and secondary school teachers, since they are directly under that States, the declaration of an industrial action by teachers of the 104 Unity Schools, which are directly under the federal government has certainly added to his woes. And to make things worse, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared support for all the unions, with accusing fingers pointing directly at the door of the Education Minister.

Egwu's first major challenge was the absence of a budget to work with. At the time he launched the Roadmap, the Minister could not say, categorically, what the allocation to the education sector in this year's budget was. Second, Egwu has not yet fixed the problem from within the Federal Ministry of Education, which awash with determined saboteurs. A source told The Guardian last week that while the Minister was busy putting the Roadmap together, the "saboteurs" were laughing and wondering how he intends to achieve his dreams. Members of this group promote corruption, slow and eventually frustrate good policies, and ensure that files and communiqus never get to the right tables.

Then, the method adopted by the FME to deal with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) showed some lack of coordination and understanding on the part of government. To make things worse, the Minister made some wrong pronouncements that were termed insensitive or uncaring at a time of crisis. When the NUT first declared its intention to go on strike over the Teachers' Salary Scale (TSS), the FME reacted by saying that it was not the business of the federal government. The argument was that since the states were directly in charge, it was a matter for them. But the statement irked the NUT members, and the union leadership launched a verbal attack on the Education Minister.

When the ASUU challenge came up, the FME, again, did not handle matters in a coordinated way. The University teachers have been having issues with the federal government since 1992, and Egwu was not the first Minister to have been confronted with the challenge. But when a largely uncoordinated FME team decided to take up issues a highly experienced ASUU side, it became clear that a stalemate would occur.

When The Guardian asked the President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie in June why the dons decided to go on strike, he responded that the federal government's lack of seriousness forced the strike option on the dons. His words: "The union believes that we should not go on strike at all. But the fact is that strike is a last option. I have heard people talk of ASUU using other options, but none has proffered one of those options. For avoidance of doubt, ASUU knows only one alternative to strike and that is dialogue and reaching out for external interventions. When all these fail, and dialogue becomes a dialogue between the deaf and dumb, the only option left becomes a strike action. This is used for calling for intervention by all those who should do so.

"Our union adopted the strike option because there is evidence to show that Government is not serious about signing the agreement and implementing it. Otherwise, how could it be that a letter addressed to the visitor of Federal Universities, through the Minister of Education by the Chairman, on behalf of the Negotiating Committee about eighteen (18) month ago (as at June), has up till date not been replied? How come that 51 months after negotiation was concluded and the draft endorsed by the leaders of the two negotiating teams, government has not, as of date, given the leader of her team the authority to sign the agreement? How come that the product of negotiated agreement should be subjected to a Government Technical Committee, an act that violates the principle of collective bargaining? And how come that ASUU should be invited to Abuja, albeit, by text to come and sign a agreement, only to be told by the chairman of the Negotiating Committee that he had not received any authority from his principal to sign the agreement?

It was because of all the above that NEC became suspicious of the actions of government and hence decided to alert the Nigerian public of the development through the warning strike. It was with great pains that ASUU- NEC took that decision. It may be pertinent to state that the FGN/ASUU negotiation has lasted for two and half years, making it the longest in the history of FGN/ASUU negotiation. This shows how patient the union has been on the matter."

However, when Egwu was taken up on ASUU's claim, he denied that the federal government was unwilling to resolve the issues. The Minister stated that when the government looked at the issue of salary increment as demanded by ASUU, the question of how to implement and sustain the figures arose. "If they (ASUU) should have 100 per cent or 200 per cent of what they are demanding, it is not bad," Egwu had said. "The problem now came in the process of implementing this. Government is willing, but when we looked at the figure, under the present circumstances, are we able to implement and sustain the figure they are requesting for? Willingness to pay is different from the ability to pay."

However, the ASUU leadership has variously debunked the insinuation by the government that salary increment was the main issue. The two sides have been blaming each other for the escalation of the crisis ever since, while university students have been forced to remain at home.

Stakeholders have since been appealing to the two sides to reach a compromise. The National Parent Teacher Association (NAPTAN) recently called on the two parties to return to the negotiating table. The Action Congress, Arewa Consultative Forum and other professional bodies have also made the same appeal. The effort of the Senate Committee on Education, chaired by Mrs. Joy Emodi failed before it could even start. Not even the appeal by the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan to ASUU to return to work made any impact. The idea that the University teachers should first suspend their strike before negotiation could continue was unacceptable to them. And just last Tuesday, Edo State governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole waded into the matter at the instance of the federal government.

Meanwhile, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), who have also been on strike, decide to take their case to God since, according to them, the government was not heeding the advice of prominent Nigerians. After an emergency meeting recently, the union's National Executive Council ordered its members to embark on fasting and praying for three days to seek God's favour.

On their part, teachers in the Unity Colleges declared a strike following the federal government's refusal, they claimed, to implement the recommendations by the Senator Jonathan Silas Zwingina Committee on the repositioning of the Unity Colleges.

The NUT members, in states where the 27.5 salary increment was not implemented are also on strike. Lagos is one of them. Also at a recent briefing, the Lagos chapter of the NUT specifically accused the Lagos State government of insensitivity. So, who will rescue the education sector?


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/education/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=011009&ptitle=Even%20at%2049,%20Nigeria's%20education%20sector%20still%20wobbles<Photo 1>

let change our mentally for good ooooo!!!!!

Not a few Nigerians were incensed with Oprah Winfrey when she maligned Nigeria and Nigerians in a TV discussion about the global scourge of cyber crimes.

In an attempt to lend credence to her inflammatory pronouncement, Oprah purportedly played the video clip of a popular Nigerian hit-track that celebrates cybercrimes (Yahoo-Yahoo) to millions of viewers hooked on to her Oprah Winfrey Talk Show worldwide. Whatever that meant, I believe Oprah is entitled to her own opinion.

Only last week, Sony Corporation issued an apology to Nigeria over a TV commercial for its latest PlayStation which attacks with innuendo, the reputation of Nigerians.

The Sony apology came shortly after Nigeria’s official image maker, Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili issued a release condemning and demanding an unreserved apology from Sony Corporation. Good for Nigeria and kudos to Madam Dora, Sony has withdrawn the commercial, but not before it had been posted on YouTube, entrenching our global reputation in the liminal limbo between death and dying.

And just as Nigerians were still smarting from the attack delivered by the Sony advert came a new assault, this time from the world’s movie capital – Hollywood.

In District 9, a 2009 science fiction directed by Neill Blomkamp, written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and released on August 14, 2009, Nigerians are portrayed as voodoo experts, gangsters, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, cannibals and an unintelligent bunch of weapon traffickers. For the sake of our cinemas, let me avoid a sheepish regurgitation of the plot within this discourse.

I saw District 9 on the evening of September 9, 2009. Shot on location in Soweto, South Africa, District 9, apparently another Hollywood sell-abroad in the league of movies like the famed Indian Slumdog Millionaire, has been attracting reviews some of which have criticised it for its racist content, especially the demonization of Nigerians.

This is where I disagree with many Nigerians. In problematising this, I believe whatever the world thinks about Nigeria is not as critical as calling attention to the immediate need for an attitudinal paradigm shift. Before we begin to call for the heads of those who amplify our national notoriety, let’s do a bit of introspection. Are we truly not what they say we are?

In the realm of cyber crimes (Yahoo-Yahoo), we rank third globally. Talking about corruption, until Nuhu Ribadu appeared on the scene in 2004, Nigeria was globally reputed as one of the world’s most corrupt nations.

Sadly, in the last one year, Nigeria has begun a steady relapse into the dark past. Or is it prostitution? Let us leave Italy out of this matter. Our electoral process is reality stranger than fiction!

For decades, government has been powerless about power plunging the entire nation, particularly our manufacturing sector into the recklessness of fruitless darkness. Our death-trap roads are yet a long way from redemption.

Or is it our sharply declining per capita income, or lazy theories of seven sleeping agendas? Maybe we should talk about the deprived communities of the Niger-Delta and the resultant carnage unleashed upon us by militant youths who should be in school to make their families and our nation proud. Or tell me; where else in the world do people get slaughtered over cartoons they know absolutely nothing about?

It is this same Nigeria of rock star bankers in shiny suits and armoured car convoys dishing out collateral-free loans in billions of dollars to their friends, families and well-wishers.

It is this same Nigeria where people live and die to understand that the police who ought to protect them could indeed, be their worst enemy. Can we just wake up from this lame sentimental slumber and picture a country whose minister of education wasted over 150 million naira on his birthday and wedding anniversary party at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja while millions of Nigerian undergraduates are wasting away at home over government’s failure to provide better welfare for university lecturers?

And then, when some overfed, over-inspired overseas buffoon begins the lame game of name-calling, we cry blue murder! Are we not worse than what they even call us? Has our own Nollywood not portrayed our nation in far more injurious perspectives than this Hollywood flick we have made so popular by our untamed crocodile tears?

More worrisome is how far all these will go to validate the doctrine of rebranding Nigeria. These are perhaps some of Madam Dora’s brightest moments. And for all the self-styled consultants and apostles of branding and rebranding Nigeria, this is one glorious opportunity to step up their game; sell new ideas to the government, and get paid the Abuja way – all at the expense of taxpayers’ money. After all, "Why I dey vex? Is it my money?"

If Nigerians can devote to Nigeria, the same amount of energy and attention they expend on ignoble distractions like District 9, we will have moved a few more miles away from Hades.

Our worst enemies are not the Oprahs, the Sonys or Blomkamps of this world. We are our own greatest enemies, and interestingly too, our greatest messiahs.

Now to Blomkamp and his ilk; I am averse to the creative recklessness exhibited in this movie. If it was contemptuous labelling the gang of terrorists in District 9, ‘Nigerians’, it was far more distressing calling their leader ‘Obasanjo’.

By singling out Nigerians and the immediate past president of the country for such undesirably bizarre and stereotypical castings, District 9 comes crashing down the pedestal of ‘great’ science fictions placing it at the very heights of self-conceited racial prejudice.

Viewed from the lens of prevailing socio-political and cultural dialectics in the African continent, one can hardly deracinate its thematic preoccupation from its hideous xenophobic expression. Whatever good, satirical or allegorical outcome the filmmakers sought to achieve, they rubbished with their audacity of slanted imagination. At its best, District 9 was the perversion of creativity.

By depicting the world’s largest conglomerate of black souls in such despicable candour, Neill Blomkamp plunges his audiences globally, into distorted worldviews of not just Nigeria, but the entire African continent.

This same Nigeria produced Africa’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, the legendary Prof. Wole Soyinka. Philip Emeagwali, regarded as one of the fathers of the Internet, is a Nigerian. The Chinua Achebes, Emeka Anyaokus, Gamaliel Onosodes, Nuhu Ribadus, Chimamanda Adichies, and Asas are not from space like Blomkamp’s aliens in District 9. They are all Nigerians. Ikpomwosan ‘IK’ Osakioduwa, current host of the Big Brother Africa TV show ongoing in South Africa, is a Nigerian. A Nigerian university, the University of Ibadan emerged winner of the recently concluded Zain African Schools Challenge.

But all these are facts, the Oprah Winfreys, Sonys and Neill Blomkamps of this world chose to ignore because the good among us have allowed the bad and the ugly to take prime positions in our fatherland. Perhaps, more instructively, this is a lesson to future filmmakers.

For us as Nigerians, we have a long way to go. We are Africa’s biggest promise of audacity, ability, aspiration and achievement but we have been continually short-changed by the challenge of good governance which has brought the nation to its very knees since independence.

Today, the way out may not be etched in a bloody revolution. No, maybe not yet. But before us, especially my generation of young people lies a formidable opportunity to kick out our bad leaders using the ballot box.

If we can get it right with the quality of candidates that emerge as our leaders; if we can identify our potential leaders as candidates and begin to mobilise for them; if we can register to vote at the polls; if we can stay with our votes to ensure that they count, then the good men can have a chance to emerge and clean up decades of rot and rubbish in both high and low places.

Then we will have no need for rebranding; we will begin to receive befitting welcomes in airports world over; we will have good, great movies named after us. Then, our story will become an inspiration to the world.

Ohimai Godwin Amaize is Creative Director, Youth Media and Communication Initiative (YMCI), Abuja.

Source: saharareporters.com




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNReejO7Zu8

By this time next week, Nigeria would have celebrated its 49th anniversary as an independent nation: there will be speeches, prayer sessions, the same old hollow rituals. Almost immediately after, you may expect talks about Nigeria at 50, the landmark, golden anniversary that is bound to come up in October 2010. When Ghana marked its golden jubilee in 2007, there was universal consensus that the country deserved to roll out the drums. But this year, ahead of Nigeria's 50th, what is there to celebrate? This is the same land that produced King Jaja of Opobo, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Othman Dan Fodio, Queen Amina, Queen Idia, Oduduwa, men and women of valour who stood for something and whose legacies have since become part of the historiography of a country that emerged long after they passed through here. But today, what have we the new generation done with the legacies of leaders past, and with all the opportunities for greatness that abound in our land? This is what should occupy our minds as we look forward to Nigeria's 49th independence anniversary, not the opportunity to award contracts, or to supply small chops at banquets, sew clothes for the emperors and their wives, not the holiday to sit at home and return to work later like our forgetful Federal Ministers after the recent Eid el Fitri holiday. The truth is that the world is passing us by. At 49, we are a nation of malcontents. When last did anyone tell a happy national story made on Nigerian soil?

I am not talking about the achievements of Nigerian-born children of other nationalities who are resident in other lands, or others who are recording breakthroughs because they are far away from this land, but something that is home-made. I can't immediately recall any striking example in the last two years. We mark the country's 49th birthday against the background of stories about rape, kidnapping, murder in broad daylight, election rigging, corruption, and general anarchy. The average Nigerian is despondent. The national mood is dour. Our country has been rebranded into a country of fraudulent bank CEOs and criminal debtors. The world used to talk about plain 419 scams, but we have now added political 419 and banking 419 to the national profile. Nothing describes our failure as a country better than the woeful performance of our national football teams in recent international tournaments.

The only thing that used to bring us joy: football: we have lost it! In 2010, the year of Nigeria's 50th anniversary, the World Cup will be held in Africa. Not in Nigeria. But in South Africa. And Nigeria may not even be there. How nice it would have been for Nigeria to win the World Cup in the year 2010. But we cannot. We cannot even host football tournaments anymore without causing other people heartaches. FIFA had to advise Nigeria to borrow a leaf from Egypt's current hosting of the U-20 youth tournament (Sept 24- Oct. 16) to learn what it needs to do to host the U-17 in October. Less than a month to that event, we are not ready. And to think that we wanted to host the 2010 World Cup, but as in everything else, we bungled that too and lost out to South Africa, obviously a better organised country.

Our representatives in Egypt played so badly on Friday, some persons felt like smashing up their television sets. Ball possession was 61%-39% in favour of Nigeria but still we lost the match 0-1 to Venezuela. We collected 4 yellow cards and one red card, Venezuela none. We may not go past the first round of the U-20 tournament. Our next match is against Spain which has trounced Tahiti 8-0. I am not too sure we can dent a hole in the Spanish defence. Other African countries in the tournament: Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, and Ghana are likely to do better than Nigeria. The example of Ghana is particularly saddening. Nigerians used to laugh at Ghana as an inferior and small country. That was in the 70s and early 80s: the golden age of Nigerian nationhood. But today, Ghana is held up as an example that Nigeria should emulate. Ghana's democracy, education system, social infrastructure network are now pushed in our faces as representing the kind of standards we should have. Citizens and companies in Nigeria are relocating to Ghana. For us, the grass is greener on the other side, but while the neighbours watered theirs, we left ours to waste.

What happened on Friday in Egpyt says it all about Nigeria. Nigerians are very good as individuals. Each one of us can kick a ball and metaphorically, manoeuvre it but we lack team spirit. Everyone is a big man or big woman. When Chinyere Igwe, that rude member of the House of representatives told the security guard he assaulted: "Don't you know who I am?," he was voicing out a national pattern. In religion, business, the professions, and interpersonal relations, Nigerians are too ego-driven. One religious group thinks that it is better than the other, so there is a violent clash. One ethnic group resolves that it must have a better share of the national cake than others, and that leads to ethnic conflict. One political party thinks it has a divine right to hold on to power forever, and other political parties are furious, and in due course, the politicians go on a killing spree. This is why for 49 years the Nigerian conversation has been such a shouting match of egos that it ends up in violence, trickery, and the tyranny of a few privileged ones. Nonetheless, individuals have done much better than the country. Some of our people are among the best in the world: this is still the land of Olaudah Equiano, the land that produced Things Fall Apart and Chinua Achebe, the country of Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate in Literature, Benjamin Olukayode Osuntokun, a World Gold Medallist in Medicine, Philip Emeagwali, winner of global distinction in supercomputing, But we can no longer fully celebrate or appreciate individual achievements because as a nation we have for 49 years lived a lie.

When Fanny Amun once said that Nigeria in a particular football tournament will "fumble and wobble" to the final, we all laughed at the phrase and we have been quoting it ever since. But the man was defining our national characteristic. For 49 years we have been "fumbling and wobbling." That is why we may not be going to the World Cup in 2010. That is why the Flying Eagles will crash out of the U-20 tournament in Egypt. It is why our President is not in New York attending the most important meeting of world leaders in the year. That is why Nigerian public universities have been shut down for more than three months and government is not bothered. That is why our politicians rig elections and turn them into life and death matters, and they call that "home-grown democracy." Which African country is in the G20? It is not Nigeria, it is South Africa. What is the Nigerian ideology? What is our collective vision of the future? Vision 2010? Vision 20: 2020? Catch-phrases do not build nations. Human beings do. All our best moments are in the past, including the old National Anthem which is better than the current "hip hop hey" anthem that nobody takes seriously. We may have recorded some sucesses in the past through our strange mode of work, but the world has since moved on. There is no room for sheer luck anymore. Global competition is stiff. There is greater emphasis on hardwork and productivity. We simply slipped off as a country.

What the Manchester United- Manchester City local derby of the other week has shown with the former scoring an extended extra-time goal to run away with a controversial 4-3 victory, is that in any match it is the referee that determines when a match is over and a race does not end until it actually ends. In the world today, even in Africa, Nigeria is not one of the referees. We are at the mercy of other referees. We can't produce and distribute enough electricity to keep our industrial sector going. We are a nation of importers. We consume anything that is made abroad, and yet all our factories are shutting down. We lack basic infrastructure to make this country modern and liveable. For 49 years we have boasted that we are the world's sixth largest producer of crude oil and because of that the country stopped being productive as all our institutions chose to rely on petrol dollar. Now, that petrol dollar may be heading elsewhere. Oil multinationals have found fuel in Chad, Ghana, and somewhere off the coast of Sierra Leone and a more conducive environment in Angola. With all the crises in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's crude oil brings too much trouble. Crude oil that we can't even refine locally for the people's benefit.

Nigerians, as a collective, are also gradually slipping into the lazy mode. We worship money, no longer skills or intellect. And yet what the crisis in the banking sector has shown is that the Nigerian nouveaux riche do not necessarily work for their money. You don't have to be clever to be rich, just be smart. A nation of a few rich men and women whose area of expertise is in beating any system at all is bound to end up with the kind of contradictions that Nigeria is faced with. American security and law enforcement agencies are looking for hundreds of Nigerians who have compromised the American system criminally. In China, Nigerians are on the death row for similar reasons. Many communities in the country have been taken over by an ever-increasing population of young criminals. Inside Africa, other Africans now deride Nigeria and its people. So should we celebrate at 49, or should we engage in a serious re-think of our national processes ahead of Nigeria's 50th birthday in 2010?

In 1960 when Nigeria became independent, 17 other countries gained independence that year: Cameroon (January 1), Senegal (April 4), Togo (May 27), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) (June 30), Somalia (July 1), Madagascar (July 26), Benin (August 1) , Niger (August 3), Burkina Faso (August 5), Cote d'Ivoire (August 7), Chad (August 11), Central African Republic (August 13), Congo (August 15), Cyprus (August 16), Gabon (August 17), Mali (September 22), Mauritania (November 28). October 1 is the day of Nigeria's independence, it is also a special day for the following countries: Cyprus and Tuvalu and more importantly, October 1 is China's National Day. The word independence simply means freedom. Are Nigerians free, 49 years after the British colonial masters lowered the Union Jack and the green-white-green flag was hoisted and the people danced all night long: Free at last, "thank God we are free at last?" This is the same country where journalists were once convicted and fined for daring to write during the colonial era that Nigeria will one day be a free country. Are we free? How free?

Look at all the countries with which we share the symbolism of 1960 and October 1. It can be said that most of them are better than Nigeria in terms of development indicators. On October 1 in China, the Chinese will be singing their country's national anthem and reviewing national progress and achievements, and the place of China in the world, many Nigerians will be busy frowning and hissing and wondering what independence means after all. Nigeria is rated among the poorest countries of the world. It is also regarded as one of the most corrupt. Its human devlopment index is low, given the frightening statistics on maternal mortality/morbidity, as well as infant mortality/morbidity and life expectancy ratios. We are, to borrow a phrase from Adebayo Williams, "a land of living ghosts." Cynics would say well it is not so bad, after all we are better than Somalia, Congo, and Gabon, and we are still the most populous and happiest country in Africa. Yeah, how about Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon, Senegal, Tuvalu, Togo where the quality of life is much better in comparison? And should we be comparing Nigeria with Mali and Mauritania? What has happened to the country of Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Funlayo Ransome-Kuti, Fela, Ayodele Awojobi, Ben Okri, that at 49, we have to search for happy stories to tell in form of present realities and not as past achievements or untapped potentials?

In a situation such as this, a few Nigerians will ask: what should we do? We all know what is wrong with Nigeria but how do we move it forward? Quo vadis? These are stale questions. The problem with Nigeria is not about knowing what to do: the solutions are embedded in the identifiable problems, it is gettting the right people in the right positions who are willing to make a difference. Ours is, 49 years after independence, a country in search of patriots and citizens. The leaders are incompetent, the people are complex, the country itself is a question mark. The challenge is in all of us rediscovering the purpose of nationhood: Why Nigeria?

LET SHARE OUR IDEAS AND MOVE THIS COUNTRY FORWARD, ONE LOVE

IN response to the main theme, I have been requested to speak on "The Case for a United, Peaceful and Stable Nigerian Nation". This title raises several issues and questions that should be addressed if we are to do a measure of justice to the theme. They include the following:-

(a) Why is it necessary for us to work for a United, Peaceful and stable Nigerian Nation?

(b) What are the factors that threaten the Unity, Peace and Stability of Nigeria and how can they be eliminated?

(c) How can we, as individual, the elite, leaders, and governments contribute to the achievement of the desired national objectives?



3. We will respond to these questions in the course of this address, but before we proceed any further, I will mention some lessons we have learnt from the 20th century which may have some relevance to our theme.



4. Some Lessons from the 20th Century

History is primarily a story or an account of past events. The world attaches great importance to historical studies because of the lessons we are expected to learn from historical events. Guided by such lessons, we are able to avoid past mistakes that resulted in disastrous consequences. Unfortunately, history continues to repeat itself because we tend to forget the lessons of history. Trusting that we will be guided by the lessons of the 20th century, especially in the context of our theme, I list below some of these lessons.



From the events of the 20th century we have learnt the following lessons, amongst others:-

(1) That conflicts, wars and civil disorders hardly ever resolve national or societal problems. On the contrary, such conflicts were generally resolved through discussions and negotiations in a sincere spirit of give and take and genuine compromise.



(ii) That where there is a will, there is always a way.



(iii) That the truth always prevails.



(iv) We also learnt that the countries that achieved political stability, economic progress and overall prosperity during the 20th century were those whose leaders were honest, sincere and selflessly committed to the pursuit of the well-being of all their people and whose governments and democratic institutions were allowed to function freely and efficiently in the best interest of their people under the rule of law.



(v) We learnt that the few multi-ethnic and multi-religious developing nations that progressed in the 20th century, free from such destructive features as ethnic conflicts, civil wars, and disintegration were those whose leaders and their followers had exhibited a high degree of maturity, vision, unity, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance amongst the different groups that make up the nation state.



(vi) We also learnt that there are no shortcuts to individual, corporate and national greatness. Those individuals, corporate bodies and nations that achieved greatness, in whatever form, or national prosperity, peace, unity and stability did so as a result of their determination, hard work and commitment to these great virtues.



(vii) We learnt that democracy finds it difficult to survive in an environment with a high level of poverty, political and social instability, absence of the rule of law or one in which the civil society is not reasonably secure economically.



(viii) Another important lesson is that only citizens of nations that offer their nationals reasonable security, as well as a general sense of self esteem and well being, possess the high level of patriotism and motivation that inspires higher national productivity and economic prosperity.



These are just some examples of the lessons of the 20th century which should be borne in mind as we reflect on our theme.



5. Nigeria's main characteristics as a potentially great nation

5.1 Since our theme is centred around the Nigerian nation, it should serve as a solid foundation on which to rest our case if we begin by examining, very briefly, the main characteristics of modern Nigeria which has led many of us to the conclusion that the country is a potentially great nation that should be nurtured and developed to play a great role as a world power.



5.2 In most respects, Nigeria is one of the most fortunate countries in the family of developing nations of the world. Its vast endowments of assorted natural and human resources and its strategic geographical and political location in the African continent stands it out as a potentially great African nation, if only Nigerians and their leaders will agree to live in peace and unity and work collectively towards the attainment of the greatness that has been virtually thrusted on the nation by providence. Nigerian as one political entity came into formal legal existence on October 1, 1960 when the country achieved full political independence from Great Britain. Before the arrival of the British and long before colonisation, the territory now known as Nigeria had existed with its many states, kingdoms and peoples as far back as the pre-historic era of Africa for well over 5,000 years.



5.3 Limited industrial activity before and after Independence

Before independence, there was very little industrial activity in Nigeria as the country was primarily involved in agriculture, general trading, and assorted commercial activity. In those pre-independence days, the economy, which was predominantly centred around the purchasing and exportation of raw materials and the importation and distribution of goods and services was dominated by British and other European trading companies. Following the achievement of political independence in 1960, Nigerian Governments at Federal and Regional levels, became actively involved in the promotion of industrialisation. They also encouraged Nigerians to become involved in the establishment of industrial projects. This government intervention, coupled with the growth of the country's oil revenue, led to the expansion of the national economy and the establishment of several small and medium-sized industrial projects. Since independence, practically all Nigerian governments have consistently adopted policies aimed at promoting the process of industrialisation and the encouragement of economic growth with varying degrees of success.



6.0 The strategic importance of Nigeria in Africa with its abundant mineral resources

6.1 It has been said that Nigeria is to Africa what China is to the World. This is probably because Nigeria is the largest market in the continent, as well as the most highly endowed with both human and natural resources. Its strategic importance also rests on the fact that it is the World's 10th largest producer of oil and petroleum which now accounts for almost 90% of the country's foreign exports and 80% of its foreign earnings, contrary to the position in the 1960s, when agriculture and food products accounted for 70% of Nigeria's exports. Apart from petroleum, the country is rich in practically all the valuable mineral resources known to mankind such as gold, silver, coal, tin, columbite, lead-zinc, marble, graphite and iron ore to mention just a few. Undoubtedly, Nigeria's strategic political, economic and geographical location, its abundant natural and human resources, as well as the largest democracy in Africa puts it in a very special position. This is further enhanced by its key role in the ECOWAS sub-region with its membership of 16 countries at different levels of development.



6.2 Abundant supply of manpower

At the risk of committing a repetition, I must state that one of Nigeria's greatest strengths is its abundant supply of highly skilled and other levels of manpower, including a large supply of outstanding world-class scientists, technologists and professionals in practically all disciplines. There is hardly any country in the world in which we do not find highly skilled Nigerians playing key roles in their own areas of specialisation. If we are able to create the right environment at home that would propel these highly talented Nigerian experts to return and help in transforming our own institutions, the result would certainly be overwhelming.



7. Our duty to improve and preserve these endowments

7.1 I have deliberately highlighted some of Nigeria's positive features in order to indicate its great potentials, and the need for all Nigerians to work collectively to eliminate those negative features that weaken or threaten the Nigerian structure. Having listed some of our priceless natural and human resources, it is my submission, that we all l have a sacred duty, as patriotic Nigerians, to protect, improve and preserve these resources that it has pleased God to bless this nation with. This is probably an appropriate point to pay special tributes to our founding fathers in the hope that their spirit will propel us to become more committed to the preservation of our natural resources and endowments.



7.2 A special tribute to the founders of modern Nigeria

Mr Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, please permit me now to pay a special tribute to the founding fathers of modern Nigeria, notably, The Right Honourable Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Great Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, the illustrious Chief Obafemi Awolowo; The Right Honourable Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: the illustrious Dr M.I. Okpara, the distinguished Chief S.L. Akintola. Other great leaders in this group of our founding fathers include Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Chief Dennis Osadebey and several other departed colleagues of theirs who made it possible for Nigeria to achieve its political independence from Great Britain on a "platter of gold", without the kind of pre-independence civil commotion and agitation witnessed by countries like Jomo Kenyata's Kenya during the Mau Mau conflicts. As we salute these our departed national heroes, we should remember them for their maturity, wisdom, vision, tolerance and their other leadership qualities which helped to preserve our unity and national integrity in those early days of our nationhood. May their souls rest in perfect peace. It is also to their eternal credit that the prevailing decline in our value system did not take place during their time. Undoubtedly, the prevailing "Money Worship" syndrome, irrespective of how the money was acquired, could not have been tolerated during their time. Today, even illiterate Nigerians know that the figures 419 refer to a crime associated with Nigeria nationally and internationally as a result of the nefarious activities of some of our bad eggs. In the days of these our founding fathers, the term "419" was only familiar to lawyers and policemen who recognised them as referring to a section of the Criminal Code which deals with serious fraudulent crimes for which the few perpetrators were punished, ostracised and shunned by society as dubious characters who were regarded as outcasts even by their families. Today they are sometimes given special titles, honours and awards. Furthermore, during those early days under the leadership of our foudnding fathers, Nigerians were respected internationally. It was rare to find a Nigerian convicted abroad for any kind of fraudulent act and the country was rated as a respectable country to do business in. Today, 'Transparency International' classifies Nigeria amongst the most corrupt nations. As we address the solutions to these tragic developments, it should be helpful to find out what went wrong.



7.3 A special tribute to Sir Ahmadu Bello

In view of the fact that these Annual Gamji Lectures are dedicated to the memory of one of our Founding Fathers, I hope you will allow me, Mr Chairman, to pay a very special tribute to one of these great departed founders of modern Nigeria. I have in mind the highly respected Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, whose l remarkable life and political philsophy inspired the establishment of the Gamji Group, one of the sponsors of today's seminar. Sir Ahmadu Bello, of blessed memory was a great leader. As Premier of Northern Nigeria, he played a key role, not only in the founding of the modern Nigerian nation, but also in ensuring the peace, unity and stability of the young Nigerian nation at a critical period in its early history. As the leader of one of the country's regional governments, he gave selfless service to Nigeria in general and his Region in particular. In all his political activities, he put the overall interest of the people before everything else. He never discriminated against his people on ethnic or religious grounds. This was one of his many qualities that endeared him to his people in a large and diverse Northern Nigeria made up of several ethnic nationalities and religious groups. Although he was a devout Muslim, some of his closes friends and confidents were Christians. This was one of the qualities that he shared with other leaders of his generation such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Sir Ahmadu Bello's capacity for tolerance and respect for the position, interests and aspiration of others, despite his exalted position, was remarkable and should be a lesson for the present generation of Nigerian elites. As we pray for the eternal repose of his soul and those of his colleagues, we sincerely hope that the present and future generations of Nigerian leaders will continue to be inspired by their sterling leadership qualities in our continued search for national cohesion, tolerance, peace and unity.

The case for a united peaceful and stable Nigeria
Nigeria @ 49 yet the poor are gettin poorer and the rich are getting richer, let make  nigeria a better place by joining heads together as the always says " 2 HEADS ARE BETTER THAN 1 "
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE FELLOW NIGERIANS HOME AND ABROAD, , GOD BLESS NAIJA.

By

Prof. J.O. Irukwu

IN response to the main theme, I have been requested to speak on "The Case for a United, Peaceful and Stable Nigerian Nation". This title raises several issues and questions that should be addressed if we are to do a measure of justice to the theme. They include the following:-

(a) Why is it necessary for us to work for a United, Peaceful and stable Nigerian Nation?

(b) What are the factors that threaten the Unity, Peace and Stability of Nigeria and how can they be eliminated?

(c) How can we, as individual, the elite, leaders, and governments contribute to the achievement of the desired national objectives?



3. We will respond to these questions in the course of this address, but before we proceed any further, I will mention some lessons we have learnt from the 20th century which may have some relevance to our theme.



4. Some Lessons from the 20th Century

History is primarily a story or an account of past events. The world attaches great importance to historical studies because of the lessons we are expected to learn from historical events. Guided by such lessons, we are able to avoid past mistakes that resulted in disastrous consequences. Unfortunately, history continues to repeat itself because we tend to forget the lessons of history. Trusting that we will be guided by the lessons of the 20th century, especially in the context of our theme, I list below some of these lessons.



From the events of the 20th century we have learnt the following lessons, amongst others:-

(1) That conflicts, wars and civil disorders hardly ever resolve national or societal problems. On the contrary, such conflicts were generally resolved through discussions and negotiations in a sincere spirit of give and take and genuine compromise.



(ii) That where there is a will, there is always a way.



(iii) That the truth always prevails.



(iv) We also learnt that the countries that achieved political stability, economic progress and overall prosperity during the 20th century were those whose leaders were honest, sincere and selflessly committed to the pursuit of the well-being of all their people and whose governments and democratic institutions were allowed to function freely and efficiently in the best interest of their people under the rule of law.



(v) We learnt that the few multi-ethnic and multi-religious developing nations that progressed in the 20th century, free from such destructive features as ethnic conflicts, civil wars, and disintegration were those whose leaders and their followers had exhibited a high degree of maturity, vision, unity, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance amongst the different groups that make up the nation state.



(vi) We also learnt that there are no shortcuts to individual, corporate and national greatness. Those individuals, corporate bodies and nations that achieved greatness, in whatever form, or national prosperity, peace, unity and stability did so as a result of their determination, hard work and commitment to these great virtues.



(vii) We learnt that democracy finds it difficult to survive in an environment with a high level of poverty, political and social instability, absence of the rule of law or one in which the civil society is not reasonably secure economically.



(viii) Another important lesson is that only citizens of nations that offer their nationals reasonable security, as well as a general sense of self esteem and well being, possess the high level of patriotism and motivation that inspires higher national productivity and economic prosperity.



These are just some examples of the lessons of the 20th century which should be borne in mind as we reflect on our theme.



5. Nigeria's main characteristics as a potentially great nation

5.1 Since our theme is centred around the Nigerian nation, it should serve as a solid foundation on which to rest our case if we begin by examining, very briefly, the main characteristics of modern Nigeria which has led many of us to the conclusion that the country is a potentially great nation that should be nurtured and developed to play a great role as a world power.



5.2 In most respects, Nigeria is one of the most fortunate countries in the family of developing nations of the world. Its vast endowments of assorted natural and human resources and its strategic geographical and political location in the African continent stands it out as a potentially great African nation, if only Nigerians and their leaders will agree to live in peace and unity and work collectively towards the attainment of the greatness that has been virtually thrusted on the nation by providence. Nigerian as one political entity came into formal legal existence on October 1, 1960 when the country achieved full political independence from Great Britain. Before the arrival of the British and long before colonisation, the territory now known as Nigeria had existed with its many states, kingdoms and peoples as far back as the pre-historic era of Africa for well over 5,000 years.



5.3 Limited industrial activity before and after Independence

Before independence, there was very little industrial activity in Nigeria as the country was primarily involved in agriculture, general trading, and assorted commercial activity. In those pre-independence days, the economy, which was predominantly centred around the purchasing and exportation of raw materials and the importation and distribution of goods and services was dominated by British and other European trading companies. Following the achievement of political independence in 1960, Nigerian Governments at Federal and Regional levels, became actively involved in the promotion of industrialisation. They also encouraged Nigerians to become involved in the establishment of industrial projects. This government intervention, coupled with the growth of the country's oil revenue, led to the expansion of the national economy and the establishment of several small and medium-sized industrial projects. Since independence, practically all Nigerian governments have consistently adopted policies aimed at promoting the process of industrialisation and the encouragement of economic growth with varying degrees of success.



6.0 The strategic importance of Nigeria in Africa with its abundant mineral resources

6.1 It has been said that Nigeria is to Africa what China is to the World. This is probably because Nigeria is the largest market in the continent, as well as the most highly endowed with both human and natural resources. Its strategic importance also rests on the fact that it is the World's 10th largest producer of oil and petroleum which now accounts for almost 90% of the country's foreign exports and 80% of its foreign earnings, contrary to the position in the 1960s, when agriculture and food products accounted for 70% of Nigeria's exports. Apart from petroleum, the country is rich in practically all the valuable mineral resources known to mankind such as gold, silver, coal, tin, columbite, lead-zinc, marble, graphite and iron ore to mention just a few. Undoubtedly, Nigeria's strategic political, economic and geographical location, its abundant natural and human resources, as well as the largest democracy in Africa puts it in a very special position. This is further enhanced by its key role in the ECOWAS sub-region with its membership of 16 countries at different levels of development.



6.2 Abundant supply of manpower

At the risk of committing a repetition, I must state that one of Nigeria's greatest strengths is its abundant supply of highly skilled and other levels of manpower, including a large supply of outstanding world-class scientists, technologists and professionals in practically all disciplines. There is hardly any country in the world in which we do not find highly skilled Nigerians playing key roles in their own areas of specialisation. If we are able to create the right environment at home that would propel these highly talented Nigerian experts to return and help in transforming our own institutions, the result would certainly be overwhelming.



7. Our duty to improve and preserve these endowments

7.1 I have deliberately highlighted some of Nigeria's positive features in order to indicate its great potentials, and the need for all Nigerians to work collectively to eliminate those negative features that weaken or threaten the Nigerian structure. Having listed some of our priceless natural and human resources, it is my submission, that we all l have a sacred duty, as patriotic Nigerians, to protect, improve and preserve these resources that it has pleased God to bless this nation with. This is probably an appropriate point to pay special tributes to our founding fathers in the hope that their spirit will propel us to become more committed to the preservation of our natural resources and endowments.

Nigeria @49 what have we got to offer to the people , yet we are the giant of Afriica . We have to come together to make a difference and possitive changes on the life of the masses.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE NIGERIA,

By

Prof. J.O. Irukwu

IN response to the main theme, I have been requested to speak on "The Case for a United, Peaceful and Stable Nigerian Nation". This title raises several issues and questions that should be addressed if we are to do a measure of justice to the theme. They include the following:-

(a) Why is it necessary for us to work for a United, Peaceful and stable Nigerian Nation?

(b) What are the factors that threaten the Unity, Peace and Stability of Nigeria and how can they be eliminated?

(c) How can we, as individual, the elite, leaders, and governments contribute to the achievement of the desired national objectives?



3. We will respond to these questions in the course of this address, but before we proceed any further, I will mention some lessons we have learnt from the 20th century which may have some relevance to our theme.



4. Some Lessons from the 20th Century

History is primarily a story or an account of past events. The world attaches great importance to historical studies because of the lessons we are expected to learn from historical events. Guided by such lessons, we are able to avoid past mistakes that resulted in disastrous consequences. Unfortunately, history continues to repeat itself because we tend to forget the lessons of history. Trusting that we will be guided by the lessons of the 20th century, especially in the context of our theme, I list below some of these lessons.



From the events of the 20th century we have learnt the following lessons, amongst others:-

(1) That conflicts, wars and civil disorders hardly ever resolve national or societal problems. On the contrary, such conflicts were generally resolved through discussions and negotiations in a sincere spirit of give and take and genuine compromise.



(ii) That where there is a will, there is always a way.



(iii) That the truth always prevails.



(iv) We also learnt that the countries that achieved political stability, economic progress and overall prosperity during the 20th century were those whose leaders were honest, sincere and selflessly committed to the pursuit of the well-being of all their people and whose governments and democratic institutions were allowed to function freely and efficiently in the best interest of their people under the rule of law.



(v) We learnt that the few multi-ethnic and multi-religious developing nations that progressed in the 20th century, free from such destructive features as ethnic conflicts, civil wars, and disintegration were those whose leaders and their followers had exhibited a high degree of maturity, vision, unity, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance amongst the different groups that make up the nation state.



(vi) We also learnt that there are no shortcuts to individual, corporate and national greatness. Those individuals, corporate bodies and nations that achieved greatness, in whatever form, or national prosperity, peace, unity and stability did so as a result of their determination, hard work and commitment to these great virtues.



(vii) We learnt that democracy finds it difficult to survive in an environment with a high level of poverty, political and social instability, absence of the rule of law or one in which the civil society is not reasonably secure economically.



(viii) Another important lesson is that only citizens of nations that offer their nationals reasonable security, as well as a general sense of self esteem and well being, possess the high level of patriotism and motivation that inspires higher national productivity and economic prosperity.



These are just some examples of the lessons of the 20th century which should be borne in mind as we reflect on our theme.



5. Nigeria's main characteristics as a potentially great nation

5.1 Since our theme is centred around the Nigerian nation, it should serve as a solid foundation on which to rest our case if we begin by examining, very briefly, the main characteristics of modern Nigeria which has led many of us to the conclusion that the country is a potentially great nation that should be nurtured and developed to play a great role as a world power.



5.2 In most respects, Nigeria is one of the most fortunate countries in the family of developing nations of the world. Its vast endowments of assorted natural and human resources and its strategic geographical and political location in the African continent stands it out as a potentially great African nation, if only Nigerians and their leaders will agree to live in peace and unity and work collectively towards the attainment of the greatness that has been virtually thrusted on the nation by providence. Nigerian as one political entity came into formal legal existence on October 1, 1960 when the country achieved full political independence from Great Britain. Before the arrival of the British and long before colonisation, the territory now known as Nigeria had existed with its many states, kingdoms and peoples as far back as the pre-historic era of Africa for well over 5,000 years.



5.3 Limited industrial activity before and after Independence

Before independence, there was very little industrial activity in Nigeria as the country was primarily involved in agriculture, general trading, and assorted commercial activity. In those pre-independence days, the economy, which was predominantly centred around the purchasing and exportation of raw materials and the importation and distribution of goods and services was dominated by British and other European trading companies. Following the achievement of political independence in 1960, Nigerian Governments at Federal and Regional levels, became actively involved in the promotion of industrialisation. They also encouraged Nigerians to become involved in the establishment of industrial projects. This government intervention, coupled with the growth of the country's oil revenue, led to the expansion of the national economy and the establishment of several small and medium-sized industrial projects. Since independence, practically all Nigerian governments have consistently adopted policies aimed at promoting the process of industrialisation and the encouragement of economic growth with varying degrees of success.



6.0 The strategic importance of Nigeria in Africa with its abundant mineral resources

6.1 It has been said that Nigeria is to Africa what China is to the World. This is probably because Nigeria is the largest market in the continent, as well as the most highly endowed with both human and natural resources. Its strategic importance also rests on the fact that it is the World's 10th largest producer of oil and petroleum which now accounts for almost 90% of the country's foreign exports and 80% of its foreign earnings, contrary to the position in the 1960s, when agriculture and food products accounted for 70% of Nigeria's exports. Apart from petroleum, the country is rich in practically all the valuable mineral resources known to mankind such as gold, silver, coal, tin, columbite, lead-zinc, marble, graphite and iron ore to mention just a few. Undoubtedly, Nigeria's strategic political, economic and geographical location, its abundant natural and human resources, as well as the largest democracy in Africa puts it in a very special position. This is further enhanced by its key role in the ECOWAS sub-region with its membership of 16 countries at different levels of development.



6.2 Abundant supply of manpower

At the risk of committing a repetition, I must state that one of Nigeria's greatest strengths is its abundant supply of highly skilled and other levels of manpower, including a large supply of outstanding world-class scientists, technologists and professionals in practically all disciplines. There is hardly any country in the world in which we do not find highly skilled Nigerians playing key roles in their own areas of specialisation. If we are able to create the right environment at home that would propel these highly talented Nigerian experts to return and help in transforming our own institutions, the result would certainly be overwhelming.



7. Our duty to improve and preserve these endowments

7.1 I have deliberately highlighted some of Nigeria's positive features in order to indicate its great potentials, and the need for all Nigerians to work collectively to eliminate those negative features that weaken or threaten the Nigerian structure. Having listed some of our priceless natural and human resources, it is my submission, that we all l have a sacred duty, as patriotic Nigerians, to protect, improve and preserve these resources that it has pleased God to bless this nation with. This is probably an appropriate point to pay special tributes to our founding fathers in the hope that their spirit will propel us to become more committed to the preservation of our natural resources and endowments.
Nigeria at 49, what have we got to offer, show or boost of of it. yet we are giant of Africa, let make a change,
HAPP INDEPENDENCE NIGERIANS HOME AND ABROAD,

yes oooo they all deserve more dan wat is happenin to dem now

this is a must read story ooo!!!!1

A US mother has been arrested after her 14-year-old son said he was held prisoner for four and a half years - spending most of his time locked in a wardrobe.
A security guard called police in Oklahoma City after the malnourished teenager turned up with numerous marks and other signs of abuse.
"He was hungry. He was dirty. He had numerous scars on his body. It was very sad," Police Sergeant Gary Knight said.
The boy was taken to a hospital to be examined and then put in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
Police arrested the boy's mother, LaRhonda Marie McCall, 37, and a friend, 38-year-old Steve Vern Hamilton, over child abuse and neglect allegations.
Formal charges have not been filed but both were being held on a £250,000 bond, according to jail records.
A police report listed McCall as a pharmaceutical company employee and Hamilton as a cab driver.
The boy, wearing only a pair of oversized shorts held up by a belt, walked up to the security guard on Friday.
He asked where a police station was located so he could report being abused, according to a police report.
The boy claimed scars on his stomach were from where alcohol had been poured on him and set alight. Other scars were from being tied up, hit with an extension cord and choked, he added.
"He had scars covering most of his body. They were basically from head to foot," Sgt Knight said.
The teenager said he moved to the Oklahoma City area from New Jersey about four and a half years ago, after his mother was released from jail.
But, since arriving in Oklahoma state, he had never been to school and spent most of his time locked in a bedroom wardrobe, he said.
The boy told police the wardrobe's door was mostly blocked with a stepladder or a bed and that he managed to push it open enough to escape and leave the house.




http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Boy-Locked-In-Closet-LaRhonda-Marie-McCall-And-Steve-Vern-Hamilton-Arrested-In-Oklahoma-City-US/Article/200909415394963?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15394963_Boy_Locked_In_Closet%3A_LaRhonda_Marie_McCall_And_Steve_Vern_Hamilton_Arrested_In_Oklahoma_City%2C_US

fellow nairalander pls we must not go on like this , we r gettin older than our age b4 graduatin out of skool

Universities are called the ivory tower. This is where intellect is sharpened and minds are developed.
However, the country’s universities appear to have figuratively added a new course: “Sexology.” Although this infamous course does not earn anybody a degree, it’s so popular that many female undergraduates go for it. And they are making fortunes.
Indeed, Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning have become citadels of sex, as female students run riot with their bodies for money. They have become more daring and devise new and diverse strategies to not only market themselves but also excel in an increasingly competitive trade. As a matter of fact, the sex trade among female undergraduates is booming on campuses and even extending to brothels and elsewhere.
Saturday Sun investigations revealed that the story is the same all over the country. From institutions in the fringe of the Sahara to the Atlantic coastline, female students are doing incredible ‘runs,’ a euphemism for sex-for-cash. As it were, they hawk their stuff with impunity, to the extent that those who are not involved are called “bush meat,” among other derogatory names.
It is not really difficult to identify the student sex hawkers on campus. They give themselves away with their provocative dressing. They could also be identified by their body language or general mannerisms.
The Lagos sex boom
In Lagos, the sex business among female university students is big. The most notorious in the state is University of Lagos (UNILAG), where ladies strut their stuff without a care in the world. In the university, female sex hawkers have elevated their trade to an art. They compete, like professional prostitutes, to attract the attention of men.
Saturday Sun gathered that with the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has left schools almost empty, the ladies have since moved on with life, having unrestrained fun in private hostels scattered across Sabo down to Onike Iwaya axis and Bariga, all located around the university. When our correspondent visited UNILAG recently, hostels, like Moremi, Makama, New Hall, Madam Tinubu Hall (MTH) and Amina, Newest Hall were deserted. It was gathered that this is always the case in the day. In the evening, especially weekends, the female hostels begin to bubble, as exotic cars bearing randy men scouting for girls stream in. As the day gets darker, the vicinity of the hostel would start witnessing the presence of a handful of ladies looking for men to sleep with for a fee. Their patrons take some of the girls away, while some others end up with them in nearby joints.
The New Hall, in UNILAG, is arguably the hottest of the lot. The Makama and MTH are second and third in the rating of the sex spots. There are also pimps, who coordinate the sex trade, arranging girls for men at a fee. These pimps live in such places as Computer and Masaba, among others. Sources revealed that the pimps arrange for the girls to meet their patrons in hotels around the school, especially those who want short service.
Saturday Sun gathered that one of the criteria to get a girl is to own a car and enough cash to spend. In the word of one of the female students: “No car, no parole.”
Asked how a new comer can engage a girl for a ‘parole,’ she said: “ Once you have a car, it’s easy, especially if you park the car and come out where the girls will see you. As you walk towards the girls they know that you are there for business and they will give you signs.” She also said that another easy way to get girls is “to know somebody who knows somebody.”
In one of the popular joints, where the girls flock, one of the pimps told Saturday Sun that girls come in, at the pretext to groove, but end up going home with men.
He said: “As you can see, there is no activity here. Even the restaurant downstairs is empty. At the end of the groove, some of these girls go home with as much as N50, 000 and above. Some even come back with brand new cars. But it doesn’t happen all at once.”
Some of the girls have also taken their trade to a higher level. It was learnt that following constant harassment of their clients who visit at odd hours, girls prefer private hostels around the university to school hostels.
One of the big girls on campus told Saturday Sun: “Aristos (wealthy men) do not come to school again to pick girl; they now camp their babes in private hostels.”
Directly opposite UNILAG gate is a twin brown three-storey building, known as Emerald Hostel. It was built for off-campus accommodation for students. However, many of the female students who live in the hostel have devised a way of making money with their bodies. The place reeks of class, as automobiles of different makes are parked there even at noon. The girls keep to their rooms in the day, but from 7pm, the place would become a beehive of activities, as they come out for the day’s market.
American Mola Hostel, which accommodates university students, is another action spot. It is notorious as abode of wild girls, who ply their sex trade at higher levels. As someone noted, “it is mainly for hardcore classy prostitutes.” In Abule Ijesha, there is also Hall 9 on Moore road as well as Blue Haven and Hall 36, which has four female hostels. Skyfield, a unisex hostel at Sabo Yaba, is also a sex haven.
Just as in UNILAG, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin and Lagos State University (LASU) are also hot spots for sex trade. The female students in these institutions of higher learning serve mainly customs officers and other paramilitary officers in the Badagry axis. Also these girls service traders in Alaba International Market. The Lagos Polytechnic, Isolo and Epe campuses are also centres of sex.
Federal capital city of sex
The case of Abuja seems to be a bad one. Student sex hawkers are on the prowl, running riots in relaxation spots and highbrow hotels. For these girls, the face-off between ASUU and the FG can continue, so that they will go on with their business.
It was gathered that the female undergraduates hire rooms in major hotels, where they bring in men. Sources at these hotels say the female students contribute money to pay for the hotel rooms and, in most cases, keep the room for weeks. Operating from the hotel room, they will have access to male lodgers.
Linda, who claimed to be a final year student of the University of Abuja, told our reporter: “Some of us have nobody to take care of us and we even have our younger ones to cater for. We come to hustle in Abuja to be able to raise some funds for our families.”
She said that such places as Hilton Hotel, Sheraton, Chelsea Hotel, Agura, and many other big hotels are hang out spot for the girls. Also, they hang out in Lagos Street at Garki. In the same vein, they mill around in Gimbiya Street as well as eateries, like Mister Biggs, Chicken Republic and Southern Chicken Fries. According to her, business in these places start around 7pm, with the girls hanging around the vicinity or taking time off in the hotels’ clubs.
Apart from Abuja university students, those from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, just some 40 kilometers from the city centre, also storm hotels in Abuja.
Another tactics the female students employ, it was gathered, is to visit construction sites, banks and corporate organizations in the guise of looking for vacation jobs.
Halima, an indigene of Kaduna State and a 300-level Accounting student for Nasarawa State University, said she makes an average of N15, 000 to N20, 000 daily. According to her, level of patronage depends on weather condition. She said that more men come out to pick girls during good weather and stay indoors when it rains. She however, said that those who come out for girls when it is raining do not pay much for the services of the students because “we in this business just want to go home with anybody at whatever price when it is raining. We consider it luck to even get anybody at such weather condition”.
The Onitsha sex trade
Saturday Sun investigation revealed that higher institutions within the commercial city of Onitsha and environs, such as the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe (NOCEN), Anambra State University, Igbariam campus, Federal Polytechnics, Oko are under the vicious grip of what could be described as a form of sexual madness. Although, authorities of these institutions are said to be fighting to control the unwholesome sexual activities of some of the students on campus, it is obvious that the war has not been won.
When Saturday Sun visited the above-mentioned institutions recently, some of the female students were hanging around looking out for men. The more desperate hang around hotels and other fun spots in town hoping to be picked by wealthy businessmen and politicians.  It was gathered that politicians and government officials are the biggest patrons of the student-prostitutes in the commercial city. A source said: “When prominent politicians and government officials visit Anambra State, their pimps invade higher institutions to pick girls for them.”
It was further learnt that to take any of the girls home, for a night, costs between N5, 000 and N20, 000, depending on the man’s bargaining power and the girls’ desperation for cash. Also, female students leave their pictures and telephone numbers with hotels attendants. This practice is rampant in Awka and Oko. All it takes a lodger, who needs a woman, is to tell hotel attendants, who will, in turn contact the girls. The hotel attendants, it was gathered, also keep the pictures of the female students in the sex cartel. Male patrons look at the pictures and make their choice.
It was gathered, however, that although the practice is considered illegal by hotel managers, it is rampant. Two pimps in Awka gave Saturday Sunnames and telephone numbers of female students involved in sex-for-money business. Out of the six girls contacted, two said they travelled out of Awka but introduced our correspondent to their colleagues in the business. They apologized for their non-availability and assured that those they had introduced were equally good. The other girls said they were in town and accepted to meet the reporter at an agreed location.
Investigations revealed that the girls are into networking. A student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who gave her name as Lizzy, said: “We stand in for each other. If you are not in town or you are doing some runs elsewhere and a new run comes up, you can call your friend to stand in for you. She can do the same for you. We call it networking.” 
The Abia angle
It was gathered that sex trade is booming at the Abia State University, Uturu, University of Agriculture, Umudike and Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, among other schools in the state. According to a lecturer, it is worst with children of religious leaders, who run riot once they get out of the sight of their parents. He likened it to birds freed from the cage.
Felicia, a student at UNIAGRIC, Umudike said: “The students who do this business go out when they want and come back when they want. They form cliques and work together. They don’t attend lectures but make fantastic results at the end of the day. There are some nights when you will see girls freshening up and you will be wondering what is going on. Before you know what is happening, everyone would have left the hostel and only two or three people will be left behind. As early as 5.30 am the following day, they will all return to their rooms pretending as if nothing had happened.”
A male student of Abia Polytechnic, Aba, who spoke to Saturday Sun recounted what one of the girls told him on their escapades. He said: “She told me that some of them do it to catch fun while others do it to meet up with the financial demand of the lecturers, who would either want your money or your body. Some don’t just go into it but are lured into it by friends and get hooked to it.” He revealed that Aba-Owerri road; Ogbor Hill and Ama Hausa areas are among places these girls operate in Aba.
One of the sex queens, whose nickname is African China, said that she and her friends are having fun sleeping with men for money. According to her, the girls see men, who patronize them as mugu (fools), who have money to waste. Therefore, the girls go for the money.
The Enugu story
Enugu could pass for the town hosting the highest number of higher institutions in the country. Therefore, sex trade among female students is really big. From the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu State College of Education, Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology (OSISATECH), Caritas University and Renaissance University, Nigeria Law School, among others, female students are running riot in prostitution. At the gates of these schools, the girls hang around in the evenings waiting for customers. Some of them are so daring or desperate that they practically woo men who get close to their school gates.
At IMT, for instance, the girls would almost pull any passing man by the hand, as they seek his attention. For them, every man is a potential customer. Sex-for-marks are also rampant in some of these schools, hence most of the female students who indulge in this have no business attending lectures.
“They have no business with lectures or assignments. All they need is to go out there, make their money, pay for a hotel room and invite the lecturer. It is in that hotel that she will earn whatever grade she wants in the examination,” a source said.
The girls also go to hotels to solicit customers. A waiter in one of the hotels in New Haven, who gave his name as Moses, claimed that some of the students drop their telephone numbers and, in some cases, photographs with hotel attendants to show intending customer. He however, revealed that display of pictures is a last option to convince a doubting Thomas that the shape, size and curves of the girls are not being exaggerated.
Our source disclosed that the point men at the hotels receive tips from the customer, while the girls also settle them at the end of the transaction.
The Edo sex business
In Edo State, there have been two particular spots noted for sex trade over the years. In these places, female students from higher institutions indulge themselves in sex-for-money. The spots are at Aviele, near Auchi on the Auchi-Benin highway and Oluku on the Benin-Lagos highway. At these spots, which serve as transit parks for haulage vehicles, female students of higher institutions are often seen at night in their numbers either waiting for drivers of the heavy duty vehicles, who are regular customers or other men looking for fun. Also, these female undergraduates operate in a network, within the campuses. There are always contact persons, who link up the girls, especially when politicians and government officials are having night social gatherings.
Owerri for show
In Owerri, the Imo State capital, the sex cartel is a booming business. Female students from Federal University of Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State University and the state university ply their trade around the Imo Concorde Hotel, where there are a legion of hotels. These girls hang around from 7pm, waiting for men to pick them up.
Bad business for pimps
Saturday Sun gathered that pimps are losing their relevance in the business. Unlike in the days past when they practically ran the show, many of the patrons now seek self-help. A retired love-vendor, who gave his name as Boy George, said: “The fun days for pimps are gone. Men now drive into schools and get what they want. There are no restrictions anymore. I got into this business by accident. An old student of this school asked me if I could get babes for him and his friends. As an adventurer, I asked my girlfriend if she knew how to get babes for Aristos? In fact, I used my girlfriend to get girls for them. I got up to 17 girls and we took them to a club in Ikoyi to meet with their prospective clients, who are old enough to be their fathers and grand fathers but they are rich. That day, I entered the VIP section, which ordinarily I wouldn’t have. They gave me an air-conditioned bus to ferry the girls to the club. We ate and drank and at the end, I went home alone. I lost my girlfriend to one of them. They have a clique.”
Analysing the characteristics of men who patronize the girls, he said: “Yahoo Yahoo boys do not spend on women. They don’t give a dime because they don’t work. Aristos are more like fools. Aristos can spoil you silly with money and gifts but if you asked a Yahoo boys to give you even N10, 000, they could beat you up.”
He revealed that the girls he arranged for the men went home with N25, 000 each, from which each of them paid him N5, 000.
“From then, I started making money from them during the weekends. I even printed call cards, where I spelt out that pimping was my line of business. I was getting calls from men and girls. As I got deeper into the business, my GP nose-dived because I was no longer concentrating in my studies. I had to change course.”
George said sex trade is not all about fun and money. According to him, it could be turbulent sometimes.
Hear him: “Some of the girls too go through pains. A particular girl came with bruises and complained that she got beaten up because her client could not get erection and wanted MouthAction, which she declined. According to some of the girls, some of their clients don’t sleep with them but demand MouthAction.”
Another source told Saturday Sun that even after passing out from school, some of the girls come around and engage in the business. According to him, “I still see some of the former students here. It is just like cultism. Most people who leave school will tell you that they have left it. It’s a lie. These girls have a clique. Even after school, some of them still come back here to buy bed space or stay with some of the girls they trained. Only very few leave it completely.”

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make i go see d video ooo weather na him , i go watch am now now

Wat a terrible world , sinz the pastor knws the boy was posses y dint he made him confess, so dat d whole world will knw he is powerful. dat pastor deserve to be kill,

A 17-year old boy, Nwanakwo Udo Edet, who was forced to drink acid by his father has died at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, (UUTH) Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Nwanakwo was referred to the teaching hospital in July from General Hospital, Ikono, after his father, Udo Edet, forced him to drink acid and also bathed him with same, on suspicion that he was a wizard.

A few days before he died recently, the boy told P.M.News that his trouble started when he was invited to attend a Mount Zion Light House Gospel Church meeting in Oban, Akamkpa, Cross River State.

“When I got to the church, I joined others in singing, dancing and praying. Suddenly, the pastor turned to me and declared, ‘you are a wizard’. I answered him, ‘no, I am not’. He then gave me a bottle of anointing oil to drink at home after he had beaten and slapped me, though I did not confess. I left the church in annoyance. So when I got home, I informed my dad, expecting he would go and arrest the pastor. But I was disappointed when he did not,” Nwanakwo narrated.

Instead, the boy said four days later his father hired an okada (motorcycle) tricked him and took him to a bush in Ikono, where his dad forced his mouth open and poured acid into it, accusing him also of being a wizard.

As he shouted and begged the old man while on the ground, the late Nwanakwo said his father further poured acid on his head and body.

“Thinking that I was dead, my father abandoned me and ran away, while the okada rider later took me to the hospital,” Nwanakwo said.

Since the incident in July, Nwanakwo was admitted first at the General Hospital and later at UUTH where he eventually died after about three months of treatment.

Contacted, the Chief Medical Director, UUTH, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem, told out correspondent that the Head of Corporate Affairs Unit of the hospital has contacted the Divisional Police Officer in Ikono area who has assured that his men have been assigned to investigate the matter.

The late Nwanakwo’s case represents one in hundreds of children in the South-South East states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa etc. who are murdered regularly by being thrown into fire, or drowned in a river, stoned to death or killed in similar manner after being accused of witchcraft or wizardry.

since the argument is much , the government should keep the GAT terminal now , instead of threatening Babalakin. is a fellow nigerian too u knw .

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]There were indications this morning that President Umaru Yar’Adua , will not heed the call by some aviation workers to reverse the decision to hand over the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, builders and operators of the ultra-modern Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2).

A source in Abuja told P.M.News on telephone this morning that the President has reaffirmed that he will respect the concession agreement as directed in a meeting he chaired on 7 July with Bi-Courtney, the Ministry of Aviation and aviation union leaders.

The decision, if confirmed, will be a setback to Arik Air, one of the biggest airlines in the country that has vowed never ‘under any circumstances’ to operate in any terminal building managed by Bi-Courtney, a company owned by 47-year old business mogul, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN.

After a brief protest last week by some aviation workers against the hand over of the decaying infrastructure to Bi-Courtney, a meeting was held in Abuja with the presidency. At the end of the meeting, all parties agreed to maintain a status quo until the President returns from Saudi Arabia.

Speaking with P.M.News this morning from Abuja on the development, Bi-Courtney’s Head of Corporate Communication, Mr. Olugbenga Odugbesan disclosed that the reconstruction exercise will soon commence. He did not give a time frame but said that FAAN will now take adequate steps for the final handover.

“We will sit with FAAN for them to approve the design, the time frame for the reconstruction, and other details,” he said.

Odugbesan further disclosed that Babalakin was in high spirits despite threats by activists that his life was in danger.

“They said they will kill Babalakin. They went on Channel TV and were threatening Babalakin. But Babalakin has not gone under. As I am speaking to you now, he is here in Abuja, he is fine. He is also a Nigerian. He is ready to develop the aviation industry in the country and put an end to sharp practices in the sector. Those who are protesting have been benefiting for years from the chaos and corruption at the airports. Don’t forget that the terminal will still be handed over to the Federal government,” Odugbesan said.

In a press statement yesterday, Bi-Courtney said that immediate reconstruction and facility upgrade are to commence GAT.

“Bi-Courtney’s focus is to enhance facilities and services at the GAT to complement what is at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) so as to accommodate the growing number of domestic air travellers and the increasing fleet of airlines.

“The concession agreement puts the sole responsibility for scheduled domestic terminal services on Bi-Courtney. We are not unaware of this. So, the GAT will only strengthen our repositioning efforts to deliver on our contractual obligations,” Odugbesan stated.

He said with the hand over of GAT to Bi-Courtney, the concessionaire had not gone beyond its mandate and that the company was reaching out to all stakeholders for their support and understanding to transform the face of aviation infrastructure in Nigeria.

Section 2.2 of the agreement vests exclusive responsibility for scheduled domestic terminal operations on Bi-Courtney but the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has continued to run parallel services at the GAT leading to a huge revenue loss to the concessionaire.

FAAN had argued that its action was to address the limited apron space at MMA2 managed by Bi-Courtney, an excuse that has been proven wrong. 



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