Professor Attahiru Jega. Excellence at Work!

All the political parties had been invited to the annual lecture organized by the Sociology department of the prestigious University of Lagos. The theme was the 2015 elections and Professor Attahiru Jega was Guest speaker of the day. As you would expect, the arrogant identical twins, the PDP and the APC did not show up. They were busy with more important things. Many of the other parties were there including my party, the Citizens Popular Party (CPP). For 120 minutes, the erudite Professor and head umpire of the Independent Electoral Commission captivated the audience with his honesty, delivery, forthrightness and plans and preparations to make 2015 a world acclaimed election. Clearly, he is a square peg in a square hole and all thanks must go to the President and Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for a great choice. I am impressed and all Nigerians ought to join hands with the Professor to help make 2015 a great success. I am therefore imploring all Nigerians to go out and register and please make sure to take your friends with you. The only way we can make 2015 count for our future is through participation. God bless you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Happy days are Coming

 HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING

The time has come when we must strive to build a great society that works for all of us; where every child has an equal chance to be educated, no child goes to school hungry, where every young man and woman who needs a job can find one, the sick do not go untreated for lack of money and everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness.

At the dawn of democratic rule in 1999, many Nigerians at home and abroad heaved a sigh of relief. With one voice, we had said to ourselves, “Nigeria can be great again.”

Alas, we spoke and we hoped too soon. It has been 15 years since the 4^th Republic was birthed. The questions we must now all ask ourselves are as follows:

·         Are we better off now than we were 15 years ago?

·         Are we safer or more hopeful now than we were 15 years ago?

·         Are we able to feed our families better now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are our roads better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are our schools better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are the nations’ hospitals better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are our leaders less corrupt now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are we enjoying better electricity now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are we able to live better with our salaries now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are the nation’s refineries producing more now than they did 15 years ago?

·         Is the Naira stronger now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is the unemployment situation better now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is the housing situation better now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is our economy more diversified now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Are we importing less food now than we did 15 years ago?

These are the 15 questions for 15 years of PDP and APC (all previous names remaining valid), in the saddle.  There are many more.

If we cannot answer a resounding ‘YES’ to at least one of the above questions, then what are we willing to do about it?

Can we trust the PDP that has been ruling this country for 15 years to continue in the saddle?

 APC has absorbed many of the leaders of the PDP into their fold: the same people who got us into this mess in the first place.

Can we trust the APC to lead us for the next 4 years?  8?  16?

TO BE OR NOT TO BE------THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS THE QUESTION. (Hamlet, by Shakespeare)

As we can all see already--------the PDP and APC are two sides of the same coin. They are identical twins, two clear and present evils.

Senator Rand Paul of the United States said at a recent Republican event and I quote----“It isn’t good enough to pick the lesser of two evils. We must elect men and women of principle and conviction and action who will lead us back to greatness.”

To echo the words of General Charles De Gaulle of France------------

                                                                       NEITHER APC NOR PDP

                                                                       NEITHER NORTH NOR SOUTH

                                                                       NOR EAST NOR WEST

                                                                       NOR CHRISTIAN NOR MUSLIM

                                                                       NIGERIA IS ABOVE THEM ALL

                                                      WE, THE PEOPLE MUST TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

Or in the words of the great Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana: “We face neither East nor West.  We face forward!”-------- Nigeria must face forward!!

The future is neither PDP nor APC.  The future is AWAY from the PDP and the APC.  It is in a third force, a party of the people by the people for the people!!!

Remember: we have tried in the past (eg, June 12) but our hopes were frustrated. The way we have not tried is the way I want to point us to: Everyone must be mobilized in the struggle to take Nigeria back—and move it forward—towards restoring prosperity to the land.  We, the people can come together to build that third force. We have the brains and we have the numbers. All we require now is the will.

Do you have the courage to walk the walk for yourself?

I know how you feel. I feel the same way too under the burden of repeated betrayal and broken promises.  You feel beaten down, cheated, neglected and dumped on.  Not knowing what to do, whom to trust, or if there will ever be a way out.

There is. 

Nigeria can be a beautiful place because we, the people are beautiful.

Nigeria can be a prosperous country because we, the people are hard working.

Nigeria can earn the respect of the world because we, the people, have a proud history-----

We are descendants of Oba Ewuare the Great of Benin (Ogidigan) whose empire stretched as far as present day Ghana; the great Nri Kingdom of Igbo land which established a center of learning, commerce and religion while espousing the concept of One God, “Chukwu Okike”.  An Igbo empire not spread by guns or bullets but by knowledge which at its peak was comparable to Rome or Mecca in influence; We come from a great line of great people such as Uthman dan Fodio, whose conquests covered present day Northern Nigeria up to Ilorin; Queen Amina of Zazzau, who came closest to establishing an empire the size of present day Nigeria; King Jaja of Opobo, who said ‘NO’ to the British; Oba Akitoye of Lagos, who dared the cabal of his day by abolishing slavery, was overthrown by the cabal and regained his throne; King Perekule of Bonny, the Tor Tiv, Etsu Nupe, Nana of Itsekiri land, Obong of Calabar, Alafin of Oyo, Oni of Ife, Afonja of Ilorin.

We are brothers and sisters and offspring of the great Herbert Macauley, Zik of Africa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dappa Biriye, Sir Udo Udoma (a Nigerian who became Chief Justice in Uganda), the indomitable Chief Obafemi  Awolowo, S.L Akintola, J.S Tarka, Prof Eyo Ita, Prof Chike Obi (foremost  mathematician of his era), Prof Chinua Achebe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, J.T. Aguiyi Ironsi, Adekunle Fajuyi, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Musa Yar’dua and M.K.O Abiola, the hero of June 12.

We are brothers and sisters and friends and admirers of living heroes like Prof. Wole Soyinka and the uncelebrated Col. Abubakar Umar. These are men who have always stood to be counted on the side of truth and on the side of the people.

 We can revive that ---CAN DO SPIRIT-----It is who we are!!!!

It was Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

THERE IS NO FREIGHT TRAIN, THERE IS NO ARMORED TANK AND THERE IS NO FORCE ON EARTH THAT CAN WITHSTAND THE POWER OF AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME AND THE WILL OF A PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO STAND THEIR GROUND.

The time has come for us--- the neglected, abandoned and under-nourished child---- the young energetic unemployed youth----- the frail and old but homeless elder----- the battered, the abused and under-appreciated woman----the decimated middle class-----the great long-suffering people of Nigeria to take our destiny into our own hands. We can do it and I will tell you how, if you will come on a journey with me.

 The first step in taking action must mean that we think differently.

 For many years, we have blamed our leaders as if we, the people hold no blame. We clap our hands and sing when a Minister, leader or Governor from our part of the country steals and we complain that he is being persecuted when he is being prosecuted because he is “our son”.

 If Nigeria is going to change, we the people must take responsibility and change the way we think and see issues. As 2015 beckons, we must seize the moment to make an attitudinal change toward building a stronger, character driven nation of which all of us can be proud.

But, most of all, we must work together in a new spirit of co-operation for our survival and progress.

In a book titled: The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson, the author states inter alia that species that have made progress on earth are usually those that co-operate, the ones who unite to survive---Ants, Bees, Termites and People. Nigeria is like a boat in troubled waters. We must co-operate to steer it to safety. Unemployment ravages the land. Hunger decimates the populace. Terrorism incapacitates the nation. Corruption hampers the future. Will you fold your hands, turn your head and look the other way?

We have played in the junior leagues for 54 years. It is time to move to the senior league where big boys play---- the G7. However, the failed politicians and their failed methods along with our bad attitude as the followership cannot lead us there. 

Nigeria needs a leader with a big vision and big ideas to put Nigeria to work and harness the good of the land. We’ve got the land, we’ve got the climate and we’ve got the population.

What we need is a FOREMAN who is not afraid to toil for his country and for history. Nigeria needs a man or woman who understands the challenges facing Nigerians from all walks of life; has the capacity to engage and has the compassion and skills necessary to help improve our everyday lives. In 2015, you must vote like your future depends on it. It does!

The task ahead is daunting and I do not ask that you be not afraid. All I ask is that we must not allow fear to paralyze us from taking action.

When I tell people I am running for President, I hear disbelief, trepidation and sheer fright, but I want to leave you with these words from the Poet, Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous

Actually, who are you not to be?--------------

My name is Michael O. Ovienmhada and I am running to be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. If you give me your vote, I will work tirelessly and transparently for you--- EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT TO RE- BUILD CHARACTER, HELP SECURE GREATER PEACE AND BRING PROSPERITY TO THE LAND.

I am well aware of the issues and challenges of the times we live in but I am also aware of the dangers of doing nothing about it and that is why I believe that we must this time, work together to---RESTORE NIGERIA AND TRAVEL TO A PLACE OF PLENTY AND A PLACE OF PRIDE AMONGST NATIONS OF THE EARTH. DO NOT DESPAIR. IF THERE IS HOPE FOR A TREE THAT IS CUT DOWN AT THE SOUND OF RAIN, THEN, THERE IS YET HOPE FOR NIGERIA. I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU--------------  HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING.

God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

omeekey@hotmail.com

Happy Days are Coming

 HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING

The time has come when we must strive to build a great society that works for all of us; where every child has an equal chance to be educated, no child goes to school hungry, where every young man and woman who needs a job can find one, the sick do not go untreated for lack of money and everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness.

At the dawn of democratic rule in 1999, many Nigerians at home and abroad heaved a sigh of relief. With one voice, we had said to ourselves, “Nigeria can be great again.”

Alas, we spoke and we hoped too soon. It has been 15 years since the 4^th Republic was birthed. The questions we must now all ask ourselves are as follows:

·         Are we better off now than we were 15 years ago?

·         Are we safer or more hopeful now than we were 15 years ago?

·         Are we able to feed our families better now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are our roads better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are our schools better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are the nations’ hospitals better now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are our leaders less corrupt now than they were 15 years ago?

·         Are we enjoying better electricity now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are we able to live better with our salaries now than we did 15 years ago?

·         Are the nation’s refineries producing more now than they did 15 years ago?

·         Is the Naira stronger now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is the unemployment situation better now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is the housing situation better now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Is our economy more diversified now than it was 15 years ago?

·         Are we importing less food now than we did 15 years ago?

These are the 15 questions for 15 years of PDP and APC (all previous names remaining valid), in the saddle.  There are many more.

If we cannot answer a resounding ‘YES’ to at least one of the above questions, then what are we willing to do about it?

Can we trust the PDP that has been ruling this country for 15 years to continue in the saddle?

 APC has absorbed many of the leaders of the PDP into their fold: the same people who got us into this mess in the first place.

Can we trust the APC to lead us for the next 4 years?  8?  16?

TO BE OR NOT TO BE------THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS THE QUESTION. (Hamlet, by Shakespeare)

As we can all see already--------the PDP and APC are two sides of the same coin. They are identical twins, two clear and present evils.

Senator Rand Paul of the United States said at a recent Republican event and I quote----“It isn’t good enough to pick the lesser of two evils. We must elect men and women of principle and conviction and action who will lead us back to greatness.”

To echo the words of General Charles De Gaulle of France------------

                                                                       NEITHER APC NOR PDP

                                                                       NEITHER NORTH NOR SOUTH

                                                                       NOR EAST NOR WEST

                                                                       NOR CHRISTIAN NOR MUSLIM

                                                                       NIGERIA IS ABOVE THEM ALL

                                                      WE, THE PEOPLE MUST TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

Or in the words of the great Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana: “We face neither East nor West.  We face forward!”-------- Nigeria must face forward!!

The future is neither PDP nor APC.  The future is AWAY from the PDP and the APC.  It is in a third force, a party of the people by the people for the people!!!

Remember: we have tried in the past (eg, June 12) but our hopes were frustrated. The way we have not tried is the way I want to point us to: Everyone must be mobilized in the struggle to take Nigeria back—and move it forward—towards restoring prosperity to the land.  We, the people can come together to build that third force. We have the brains and we have the numbers. All we require now is the will.

Do you have the courage to walk the walk for yourself?

I know how you feel. I feel the same way too under the burden of repeated betrayal and broken promises.  You feel beaten down, cheated, neglected and dumped on.  Not knowing what to do, whom to trust, or if there will ever be a way out.

There is. 

Nigeria can be a beautiful place because we, the people are beautiful.

Nigeria can be a prosperous country because we, the people are hard working.

Nigeria can earn the respect of the world because we, the people, have a proud history-----

We are descendants of Oba Ewuare the Great of Benin (Ogidigan) whose empire stretched as far as present day Ghana; the great Nri Kingdom of Igbo land which established a center of learning, commerce and religion while espousing the concept of One God, “Chukwu Okike”.  An Igbo empire not spread by guns or bullets but by knowledge which at its peak was comparable to Rome or Mecca in influence; We come from a great line of great people such as Uthman dan Fodio, whose conquests covered present day Northern Nigeria up to Ilorin; Queen Amina of Zazzau, who came closest to establishing an empire the size of present day Nigeria; King Jaja of Opobo, who said ‘NO’ to the British; Oba Akitoye of Lagos, who dared the cabal of his day by abolishing slavery, was overthrown by the cabal and regained his throne; King Perekule of Bonny, the Tor Tiv, Etsu Nupe, Nana of Itsekiri land, Obong of Calabar, Alafin of Oyo, Oni of Ife, Afonja of Ilorin.

We are brothers and sisters and offspring of the great Herbert Macauley, Zik of Africa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dappa Biriye, Sir Udo Udoma (a Nigerian who became Chief Justice in Uganda), the indomitable Chief Obafemi  Awolowo, S.L Akintola, J.S Tarka, Prof Eyo Ita, Prof Chike Obi (foremost  mathematician of his era), Prof Chinua Achebe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, J.T. Aguiyi Ironsi, Adekunle Fajuyi, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Musa Yar’dua and M.K.O Abiola, the hero of June 12.

We are brothers and sisters and friends and admirers of living heroes like Prof. Wole Soyinka and the uncelebrated Col. Abubakar Umar. These are men who have always stood to be counted on the side of truth and on the side of the people.

 We can revive that ---CAN DO SPIRIT-----It is who we are!!!!

It was Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

THERE IS NO FREIGHT TRAIN, THERE IS NO ARMORED TANK AND THERE IS NO FORCE ON EARTH THAT CAN WITHSTAND THE POWER OF AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME AND THE WILL OF A PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO STAND THEIR GROUND.

The time has come for us--- the neglected, abandoned and under-nourished child---- the young energetic unemployed youth----- the frail and old but homeless elder----- the battered, the abused and under-appreciated woman----the decimated middle class-----the great long-suffering people of Nigeria to take our destiny into our own hands. We can do it and I will tell you how, if you will come on a journey with me.

 The first step in taking action must mean that we think differently.

 For many years, we have blamed our leaders as if we, the people hold no blame. We clap our hands and sing when a Minister, leader or Governor from our part of the country steals and we complain that he is being persecuted when he is being prosecuted because he is “our son”.

 If Nigeria is going to change, we the people must take responsibility and change the way we think and see issues. As 2015 beckons, we must seize the moment to make an attitudinal change toward building a stronger, character driven nation of which all of us can be proud.

But, most of all, we must work together in a new spirit of co-operation for our survival and progress.

In a book titled: The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson, the author states inter alia that species that have made progress on earth are usually those that co-operate, the ones who unite to survive---Ants, Bees, Termites and People. Nigeria is like a boat in troubled waters. We must co-operate to steer it to safety. Unemployment ravages the land. Hunger decimates the populace. Terrorism incapacitates the nation. Corruption hampers the future. Will you fold your hands, turn your head and look the other way?

We have played in the junior leagues for 54 years. It is time to move to the senior league where big boys play---- the G7. However, the failed politicians and their failed methods along with our bad attitude as the followership cannot lead us there. 

Nigeria needs a leader with a big vision and big ideas to put Nigeria to work and harness the good of the land. We’ve got the land, we’ve got the climate and we’ve got the population.

What we need is a FOREMAN who is not afraid to toil for his country and for history. Nigeria needs a man or woman who understands the challenges facing Nigerians from all walks of life; has the capacity to engage and has the compassion and skills necessary to help improve our everyday lives. In 2015, you must vote like your future depends on it. It does!

The task ahead is daunting and I do not ask that you be not afraid. All I ask is that we must not allow fear to paralyze us from taking action.

When I tell people I am running for President, I hear disbelief, trepidation and sheer fright, but I want to leave you with these words from the Poet, Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous

Actually, who are you not to be?--------------

My name is Michael O. Ovienmhada and I am running to be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. If you give me your vote, I will work tirelessly and transparently for you--- EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT TO RE- BUILD CHARACTER, HELP SECURE GREATER PEACE AND BRING PROSPERITY TO THE LAND.

I am well aware of the issues and challenges of the times we live in but I am also aware of the dangers of doing nothing about it and that is why I believe that we must this time, work together to---RESTORE NIGERIA AND TRAVEL TO A PLACE OF PLENTY AND A PLACE OF PRIDE AMONGST NATIONS OF THE EARTH. DO NOT DESPAIR. IF THERE IS HOPE FOR A TREE THAT IS CUT DOWN AT THE SOUND OF RAIN, THEN, THERE IS YET HOPE FOR NIGERIA. I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU--------------  HAPPY DAYS ARE COMING.

God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

omeekey@hotmail.com