Professor Pat Utomi
It now looks as if London is the latest 'venue' for Nigerian presidential aspirants like Nuhu Ribadu, Dele Momodu and Pat Utomi to speak with voters and supporters. This is because Nigerians in the Diaspora can influence their families in Nigeria to vote for specific candidates and satellite TV stations are watched worldwide.
Professor Pat Utomi, the Social Democratic Mega Party Presidential Candidate was not on Ben TV (Sky Channel 184) to lambast his opponents. He was expected to be confrontational but was very soft on President Goodluck Jonathan and former EFCC boss Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Utomi said he has a cordial relationship with Jonathan and Ribadu but he is not eager to rule Nigeria at all costs.
All the Professor of Political Economy wants is for his policies to be implemented by anybody in government; in order to ensure a better livelihood for people in Nigeria. A caller told Utomi that her British graduate son went back to Nigeria to serve in the National Youth Service Corps.
He is presently unemployed because he does not have a 'godfather' or know a senator that could help him to find a job. The woman’s son took a bold step to go back to Nigeria without a job. Nowadays, most Nigerians prefer to go back to Nigeria as entrepreneurs; in order to become employers.
Several years ago, a guy worked at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and got the job through his influential uncle. He used to complain that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was better due to fatter 'freebies' and he wanted a job at NPA. He knew that there were thousands of Nigerians that were more qualified than him, with higher degrees et al, yet they could not get jobs at NNPC.
Today, things are different. Working for NNPC or NPA is nothing 'big'. Apart from becoming a President, Governor, Minister, Commissioner or Local Government Chairman etc, the best jobs are in the National Assembly. Why? You don’t need to move a single motion before you become a millionaire. Why are former Governors and Ministers in the senate? It is a glamorous job of naught unless you are focused and active.
A female legislator revealed on The Teju Babyface Show that the bribery scandal or ‘gbemu’ allegation of 2006 was real. She saw ‘gbemu’ during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 'third-term' saga but she and her colleagues refused to take the bribe. Each ‘gbemu’ was a cast box filled with cash; a bribe for each lawmaker so that they could vote in favour of Obasanjo to remain in office for another term.
Nigeria probes cash for 3rd presidential term scandal
Why Can't Governor Jang Resign?
In more civilised climes, Jang would have resigned from office long ago. Amazingly, he is eyeing another four-year term as governor!
—Ibrahim Sheme
Some victims of the Dogo Nahawa Massacre
It is explicit that life is not worth living in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Nigeria. Some of the inhabitants did not celebrate Christmas and the New Year 2011 because they died in bomb blasts on Christmas Eve. Last year, hundreds of people died in religious and tribal riots.
The former Governor, Joshua Dariye says there is no need for a state of emergency because it would not stop the massacres. It is obvious that the Islamic fundamentalists do not like the present Governor Jonah David Jang because they believe that he is ‘partial’ as a Christian, but if Jang’s resignation would limit or stop the bloodshed of innocent lives then he should resign as soon as possible. After all, he has ruled the state ‘long’ enough, since 2007.
The on going 'shoot-on-sight' order enforced by soldiers is barbaric, deadly and uncalled for. It led to the death of innocent student protesters. Why can't Governor Jang resign? Is he not old enough to retire at age 66? In fact, he is one of the most 'recycled' government officials in Nigeria. Some people should embrace the ‘culture’ of resignation. Resignation should not be perceived as a sign of weakness.
On the BBC, Jang once gave the pathetic excuse that he had no power to control the killings in the state and would prefer the federal government to help the state to curb the spate of constant terrorism with security forces. It will be recalled that retired Air Commodore Jang was the military governor of Benue and Gongola States in 1985 – 1987.
If you have relatives or friends in Plateau State, it may be better to get them out of there, before they become 'suya' for mass burial because…
It is important to know that Jang cannot protect anybody; was he not there, with all the executive powers and funds, when hundreds of Christians and Muslims were killed and properties destroyed as if in Beirut, Baghdad or the Gaza Strip?
—Ibrahim Sheme
Fresh Jos violence, Borno killings heighten security concerns
Update: Governor weeps as women protest in Jos
The Afrika Reich is a novel by journalist cum thriller writer Guy Saville. The novel is published and will be released on 17 February 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton.
Rewriting History, Judith Spelman’s interview with Guy Saville is in the February 2011 issue of Writing Magazine.
Guy's book looks at Africa ruled by Nazi Germany
THE AFRIKA REICH rolls off the presses
