Independence by Oyameda Eddie

Independence!!!
A country celebrates independence when there is "independence"
Nigeria celebrates 57years of dependence all in the name of independence...
Let's not go far.. A question for all of us.. Are we really free??  Do we have or have acquired what it takes to celebrate independence as in freedom??

How can we celebrate when a child doesn't have right to education??,, how can we celebrate when the hospital management keeps a patient hostage simply because  one can't pay for treatment given??  How can we celebrate when even pastors are scared to stand on altars to preach so as not to get burnt by same country men??? We talk of independence and an arm of the government still fights for independence till date..

We await Independence Day and 80% Nigerians are not free from poverty..
A Nigerian finds it difficult to complete square meals for the day and you expect him to join the rich at the eagle's square celebrating freedom when he's still in the chains of hunger!!!

We talk about independence and a representative of a people can stand on the floor of the green house to say NGOs should be checked and balanced...
We talk about independence and there are still developmental bills waiting to be passed in the national assembly through its readings.. #sad

Oh what a country.. I weep for this great Nigerian race!!!
Independence can only by be when we are dependent of ourselves...
In 1914, Lord Lugard the great politician of the queen’s Kingdom sat in an office with a ceiling fan that blew heat instead of breeze hanging from the ceiling. That day, with blue blood flowing from a royal pen, he mixed sand and salt and proffered the result as a country.
   That was then, almost half a decade of in fighting by the constituent components of that result, the royal pen still stood in the favour of that hot afternoon’s decision . in this salt-sand mixture, there was the north – predominantly Muslim and the South - predominantly Christian. These constituent components fought several cold wars, so many felt that the mixture was wrong and doomed from the heat of that afternoon  but the forces kept the result sacrosanct.
   It was 1960,and amidst all the ant Hill challenges the mixture result faced, they bind it one hot afternoon. They gave it independence. Now the dictionary quotes that term to be “a state of freedom from external control and internal insurrection”. 57 years after the pomp and pageantry of that other afternoon, the union of the salt and sand still suffers chemical and physical problems.
    Today, in the North West East and South, the people in this contraption silently scream for a revolution, one that should begin from the homes of each. A revolution that will check the very essence of the result of that hot afternoon. A revolution that extracts religious differences from the unity of national life. A revolution that will teach to posterity, the mixture’s past, build the present and determine its future.
   Bearing in mind the deteriorating turn of events now in the mixture result called -  Nigeria, it is evident that big political talks by the wordsmiths will not salvage the existence of the country, neither will insensitive politicking do good. Rather, a pure revolution the will touch every constituent component of this mixture is the way forward.
Can a country that imports virtually everything including tooth pick call itself an independent state??
Too sad because my beloved Nigeria falls into this category.. Even our so-called mineral endowment is useless if outsiders don't buy from us.. Oil is the main aim of the nation but just three refineries...

With anger I ask us... Why do we even have guts to mention "freedom" when the country  isn't free??

A leader once said the hope of the country lies in the future of the upcoming ones..

We as a people preach about saying the youths are the leaders of tomorrow yet they are not given the chance to showcase their God given young talents as regards the development of the country..

There is always the case of embezzlement of government funds by individuals yet,, the future of the said country are gathered in a place not conducive and are labelled "internally displaced persons" otherwise known as the IDPs...

Before we join the big wigs in the country to celebrate,,, let's ask ourselves this: IS THE COUNTRY WORTH CELEBRATING AFTER 57YEARS???

      written by:Oyameda Eddie &Onwutuelo Donatus
               #letsmakenaijagreat...

Fest of Oktober By Imagbe Elisha

Fest of Oktober
By Imagbe Elisha

Arise ye compatriots
For merry has reached your shores
Forgotten kingdoms of the south
Come party to the drums of nepotism
Saddened minds of the east
Come dine with the incompetency of Baba
Folded necks of callous sin hators
Let us celebrate these errors of Lugard
For it is the fest of Oktober

So that where we search for what we celebrate
Our naked minds are pushed to ask
Why we lament upon this day of joy
The executive elephant stinks of bribery
And only the unfortunate rich enjoy the scent of it
The 109 grey hairs cost us too much
Let them wither away from the nations core
But yet the classrooms decay of neglect
And bones of the chalk system in dearth of flesh

Who will judge the not incorrupt wig caps
Bare tools of propaganda even in their supremacy
The ever flying bird of Mo hammer doo
The lakadaisity upon account
For our recovered treasures
I speak not still of the madness
To see an advocate hold three bars
Anonymous to his intellect
While Mr ordinary hasn't
Heard his dead radio whisper in weeks

Our heroes long past
Suffer not the youth to grow old
Waiting for the future that you still hold
So we mop still in dependence
Awaiting your not unusual parole
Spare the hypocrisy and give
These young psyches a hole to breath through
Get the stolen children of Tha sou ki
spoils of the war of Ah bar sha
And put out the fire in our houses
Make justice no fool and let her smile
To the gates of kiri kiri in her Majesty
if her patience did not get her the luxury hotels

Be wise ye kingmakers of Zuma rock
Tie not your hearts to bags of grains and salt
For your seeds deserve better taste
Forbid your ignorance to reappear
So they do not again take in two thousand
and nineteen sadly lay to you
Drunks of the capital wine
Let your pot bellies be flat in tranperancy

And so what a feast we indeed celebrate
Our greens are faded now
And our whites are pale with stains
Our hearts sunk in pain
Bleeding still from the wounds
That came from the dance of freedom
Our forefathers suffered
On the fest of October.

The poem Fest of Oktober was written by Imagbe Elisha, The poem written in commemoration of Nigeria's 57th Independence, critically examines the post Independence Nigeria and the societal ills. The title has got the use of pun(Play of words) Fest represents a feast and at the same time 1st by pronunciation.

The poem is highly paradoxical.. To not be a trouble maker while telling the truth if course, The pronunciation sin hator sends a message our Legislators who despite their fat salaries still feast on the proceeds of the nation's resources and derive pleasure in engaging in illicit and corrupt activities.

The executive arm of govt is not left behind, The police is referred to as the executive elephant, Being that the logo of the police carries an elephant.
The poem creates a clear picture of the typical Nigerian society as the national cake is reserved for the mighty, while the average Nigerian is left in starvation. The Affairs of the country is run by a particular set of people, decisions are made to favour the big names and faces without considering the interest of the average Nigerians.

In conclusion, the poet leaves us to answer some questions like, are we where we ought to be? Is there anything worth celebrating ? Are we truly independent?

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STREET LIGHT: Enugu govt approves N122m for power generators

Determined to ensure an effective operation of street lights in Enugu metropolis, the Enugu State Government recently approved the sum of N122, 220,000.00 for the procurement of 10-unit of 200KVA generators to replace the existing ones that are over 7years.
The state government disclosed that the 60KVA and 150KVA generators currently in use were old, below the rated amperage and no longer sizeable because of installation of more street lights on the roads, adding that most of the facilities that power the lights were being vandalized by hoodlums.
Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, who is also in charge of maintenance of street lights, Hon. Obiora Tega Onyia noted that the present administration decided to procure new generators to ensure effective operation of street lights to enhance security of lives and property of the people.
Hon. Onyia disclosed that street lights were also being destroyed by reckless driving, which causes the government huge amount of money to repair despite the current economic challenges in the country.
While appealing to vandals to stop the vandalism of street light facilities, the state government called on the people of the state to be vigilant and report any person found or suspected to be tampering with the facilities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Hon. Onyia, therefore, reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration towards an effective street light operation in the state. / IN News /
Comments
By Anozie Egole
ENUGU—Determined to ensure an effective operation of street lights in Enugu metropolis, the Enugu State Government recently approved the sum of N122, 220,000.00 for the procurement of 10-unit of 200KVA generators to replace the existing ones that are over 7years.
The state government disclosed that the 60KVA and 150KVA generators currently in use were old, below the rated amperage and no longer sizeable because of installation of more street lights on the roads, adding that most of the facilities that power the lights were being vandalized by hoodlums.
Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, who is also in charge of maintenance of street lights, Hon. Obiora Tega Onyia noted that the present administration decided to procure new generators to ensure effective operation of street lights to enhance security of lives and property of the people.
Hon. Onyia disclosed that street lights were also being destroyed by reckless driving, which causes the government huge amount of money to repair despite the current economic challenges in the country.
While appealing to vandals to stop the vandalism of street light facilities, the state government called on the people of the state to be vigilant and report any person found or suspected to be tampering with the facilities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Hon. Onyia, therefore, reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration towards an effective street light operation in the state.

Tarfa falsified his age, EFCC insists

A prosecution witness with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing trial of Rickey Tarfa, SAN, Tosin Owobo yesterday insisted that there was discrepancies in the age declaration that Tafar gave in the age declaration form that he filled at the commission’s office. Owobo, an operative of the EFCC, while he was being cross examined said that in the course of investigation, the agency wrote letters to three banks Zenith, Fidelity and GTB Bank requesting information on Tarfa account.
The witness said upon the analysis of GTB response, it showed that he was born on February 23, 1962, but from the International passport, his age is 54, while that of the statement he made before the commission was 43.
Tarfa is standing trial before Justice A.A. Akintoye of a Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere on a 27-count charge of offering gratification to public officer, alleged failure to declare assets and false statement of age.
The witness further told the court that Tarfa’s GTB Bank account was a domiciliary account which he made two payments.
He said that the defendant paid a cash sum of 10,000 US dollars into his GTB Bank domiciliary account on November 21 2013 and also a deposit of cash in the sum of 10,000 US dollars into the same account on January 29, 2016.
However, Justice Akintoye adjourned the matter till today for continuation of trial.

NUP kicks as FG pays military pensioners 42 months, Police 3 ON October 14, 2016 3:55 AM / IN News / Comments By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—LEADERSHIP of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has expressed surprise over the alleged disparity displayed by the Federal Government in the payment of arrears of military, para-military and civilian pensioners. The union specifically lamented that while the civilian pensioners collected 24 months, military and para-military counterparts got their entire 42 months arrears, while the Police were only paid three months. According to a statement signed by the National President of NUP, Dr. A.O. Afolayan and the General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to address the alleged injustice against the police. The statement read: “We were surprise that as the civilian pensioners collected 24 months, para-military got the entire 42 months arrears and the Nigerian military pensioners got 42 months.”

LEADERSHIP of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has expressed surprise over the alleged disparity displayed by the Federal Government in the payment of arrears of military, para-military and civilian pensioners.
The union specifically lamented that while the civilian pensioners collected 24 months, military and para-military counterparts got their entire 42 months arrears, while the Police were only paid three months.
According to a statement signed by the National President of NUP, Dr. A.O. Afolayan and the General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to address the alleged injustice against the police.
The statement read: “We were surprise that as the civilian pensioners collected 24 months, para-military got the entire 42 months arrears and the Nigerian military pensioners got 42 months.”

Many reasons Buhari should change style – Opara, Ex- Deputy Speaker

Former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara speaks on a wide range of issues. While condemning the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region, the former deputy speaker, however, blames the issue on the skewed appointments made by this government, which he says are “provocative.” Excerpts .
Over one year into office, how would you compare the All Progressive Congress government and the sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party?
It is very clear to everybody. The situation is worse than it has ever been in the country in all sectors. We are using the recession as a blanket phrase to describe the situation. Going to the grassroots, the situation is precarious and pitiable.
There is no foodstuff, workers salaries are not being paid, the price of fuel is beyond reach, electricity supply is terrible, the exchange rate has skyrocketed.
There is crisis in virtually all sectors of the economy. We need expert intervention as well as divine intervention to save this nation from total collapse.
But it has been argued that the poor foundation laid by your party is responsible for what we are going through now.
That does not make sense to me, except for a government that is unserious and is keen on making excuses. When President Barack Obama took over in the United States of America, the American economy was in crisis as left by President George Bush.
War against corruption
Obama never spent time blaming President Bush but took on the challenge. We have elected a government because they told Nigerians that the PDP government was not performing.
To turn around to blame their failings on the PDP government is no longer excusable. For a president who had contested election four times, the least Nigerians expect from him is to have a plan on how he is going to do things differently. For him to turn around to blame others for his failing is very unfortunate.
But it is agreed that the president has made much progress in the fight against corruption.
It has come out clearly that even the war against corruption is skewed against a few people and I will give you examples. In Rivers State, so much has been presented against the past government but nobody has said anything but this government goes after people whom they don’t even have evidence against. It is a clear indication that this government only goes after its opponents in the so-called war against corruption.
The precarious state of the economy has made the government consider selling some national assets. Do you support this?
For me, something must give in at this point. I disagree with the sale of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas because, in the past several months, it has paid dividends of over $4 billion which was shared amongst the three tiers of government. To that extent, the NLNG is a productive and viable entity. But divesting government interests in some of the assets is necessary, especially those that have continued to constitute liabilities to the country. One good example is the JVC with the oil companies where Nigeria holds about 54% shares. There is nothing wrong with divesting say 4%. But the important thing is to ensure that in doing this, the government must ensure that the beneficiaries of such policies are Nigerians.
To get us out of recession now, there must be some short term measures, including borrowing. But there must be a cocktail of opportunities that government must bring to bear. It must inject money into the system in the short term.
What is your reaction to the chain of events in the House of Representatives that culminated in the suspension of a member for one year?
It is unfortunate that a member of the House, former chairman of a prominent committee will speak in the manner that he did, denigrating the parliament because he lost out. I don’t understand what he is talking about padding or no padding.
As a parliament, you have the right to adjust the budget in a manner that would be for the total good of the nation. Section 4 of the Constitution says the Parliament should make laws for the good governance so if an adjustment is done to ensure good governance, what is wrong with that? It is only when such adjustment is done out of selfish reasons that you can say there is a problem.
My take on the crisis is that the former chairman of the Appropriation Committee was wrong in his approach. The speaker or any member of the parliament can introduce projects to the budget, but the problem again is the approach. Some of the projects they may introduce may not be federal government project.
Yes, while it may not be outrageous to amend the budget or introduce new projects, this must be done in liaison with the relevant agency that may execute such projects. But for a member of the House to speak in the way the former chairman of appropriations committee spoke, it shows that he is just bent on pulling down the system.
The institution is bigger than any individual. The fact that you have fallen out of favour does not mean that the institution should be destroyed.
What is your reaction to the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region?
We have condemned this. A lot of us have spoken out against this because ultimately, we from the region would be the loser. The degradation of the environment, the loss of revenue to our state and local government and other issues. We keep talking to those who say they are aggrieved or unhappy because we believe there are better ways of going about the problems. Let the destruction of pipelines stop in the interest of our people and the nation.
But it is also necessary to put it on record that this government, in all that it has done, including appointments that have been skewed in favour of a section of this country, has been provocative.
The government should look inward and address the style of governance. This is not the first government we have had in this country.
It is important that the government should look inward and readdress a lot of issues, especially that of appointments. The appointments so far made are skewed, and it is very provocative.
What are the lessons to be learned from the recent governorship election in Edo State?
The fact that has come out of the Edo election is that 2019 will not be business as usual. It will not be like the previous elections. Both the government and the governed should know that 2019 will be different. I congratulate PDP members in Edo state for their performance. We have been told that the unit by unit results that the party agents indicated that PDP won the election.
We will leave that for the tribunals to decide but the fact is that for a state that it does not have a government yet they performed so creditably, they deserve commendation and it is an indication of what will happen in 2019.