Seasons of Pessimism and Optimism
February 27, 2008 by 
OCI · Leave a Comment
These states of the mind are perversive amongst Nigerians today, having emerged from the high’s and lo’s of the tribunal rulings both at the state and national levels recently. Indeed, one’s mind remain the last bastion that the law courts cannot rule for or against; at least its independence to an extent is still intact.
In this season, one can decide to be a pessimist or an optimist about the way forward for Nigeria; even both feeling/state of mind can exist depending on the issue and its perspective. Whatever your feelings are, we have got a country to rescue and your fatherland needs you. However, you may choose to feel is your right but you have a duty to transform that feeling into something positive for Nigeria.
Whether you are a pessimist or an optimist, here is a heath check for you:
- Characteristics of a Pessimist and an Optimist
“Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars.”- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you’ve placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?
In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.
So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.
On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teenager’s disorder’ as well.
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.
The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune—it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case.
Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People respond positively to optimists
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.
Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher
Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.
They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.
Optimists are healthier and live longer
Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.
Optimists’ health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?
Courtesy: Sulamita Berrezi
It is not just about your life, it is also about the life of Nigeria as a nation with a people. Let us all think positively for a better Nigeria; while looking forward to it success and greatness when this season passes-over.
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The 7 Point Agenda Of The Yar’Adua Administration
February 26, 2008 by OCI · 9 Comments
Now that the semi-final stage of the Presidential election tribunal have passed, I think it is time we remind ourselves and President Yar’Adua that there is a country (Nigeria) to run and he has an agenda to implement.
For Starters, the Agenda herewith:
- 1. Energy: We need to solve the problem of power and energy – National Council on Energy to drive the energy policy and advice on power, energy and gas… energy emergency to be declared.
2. Security: Treating security as a critical Infrastructure.
3. Wealth Creation: 70% of all revenue comes from oil; need to keep this focused and extended to other areas.
4. Education: Need to address the various problems in the education sector.
5. Land Reform: To provide proper ownership and give a chance to take the land to capital market.
6. Mass Transit: To develop capacity for mass movement of goods and people.
7. Niger Delta: To implement the master plan already developed.
Conditions Precedent:
a. The Issue of Law: “We need to become a nation that respects law, order, established regulations and procedure”.
b. The Issue of Planning: “We must have a plan that is clear, unambiguous, sincerely and genuinely drawn up and that has the real potential of taking us to the objective”.
c. The Issue of leadership and hard-work: “We must have the commitment to work hard and provide leadership”.
What is needed?
“We need to provide the correct leadership and we need to ensure the correct conduct and the correct attitude and we need to plan well towards our objectives … to lay a solid foundation for building a modern industrialized nation that will meet the developmental needs of our people, their educational needs, their health needs and their psychological needs … and develop the environment for them to grow and develop their potentials”.
The urgency of the time demands that President Yar’Adua should settle down to pilot the affairs of this country (Nigeria); despite our collective acknowledgment including his that the process that entrusted him on all of us cannot pass the ‘FAIR’ test. We expect him not to give up on finding ways to help our electoral democracy through guided reforms. This is not a case of winner takes all nor enough justification to be callous; for we all know the law to be an ‘ass’ and it reliance on the ‘burden of proof’ that lies with the appellants.Thus, the question of ‘proof beyond reasonable doubt’ that killed the petition.
Mr President, herewith your Agenda in case you have forgotten.
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Presidential Elections Tribunal
February 26, 2008 by OCI · 2 Comments
Which Way Nigeria?
The Presidential Elections Tribunal Rules today (26/02/2008), Nigerians are all waiting and pondering…..
Whatever Happens, Nigeria will survive.
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Governor Theodore Orji Sacked
February 25, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
Breaking NEWS -
Tribunal sacks Theodore Orji, returns Onyema Ugochukwu as Abia Governor
The Abia State Election Petitions Tribunal on Monday in Umuahia nullified the election of the state governor, Mr. Theodore Orji. Delivering the judgment, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf said Mr. Orji was not the duly elected governor of the state since he had not resigned his appointment by the time of the election. Orji, who was returned governor under the Progressive Peoples Party (PPA), was the Chief of Staff to governor Orji Uzor Kalu, the immediate past governor of Abia State.
The seven-man panel consequently declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 14 poll, Onyeama Ugochukwu as the winner of the poll. Ugochukwu had asked the tribunal to void the election of Orji because the PDP polled the highest number of votes in the election. He also told the tribunal that Orji and his deputy, Mr Akwos, were members of a notorious secret cult, the Okija Shrine. The Tribunal had at the weekend delivered four judgments at a sitting, all going against the petitioners.
SOURCE: Guardian
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SUPER TUESDAY!
February 25, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
Written By: Che Oyinatumba.
Sorry, its not about Barrack Obama, who since after America’s Super Tuesday, has given all blackmen the faith to believe that dreams do come true and a man is judged by the content of his ideas, character and not the colour of his skin. Nigeria’s super Tuesday is on 26th 2008.
On Tuesday Febuary 26th, two great events will take place.One is a microcosim of the macrocosim. Whatever be the out come, it will affect me, if it doesn’t break my heart, it will scratch it and sure must leave an indelible scar.
Within my own little world, the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has called for a meeting to address the hydra-headed problems confronting CAC. We salute the courage of the RG to dream up this idea. In as much as we have misgivenings about the venue, we encourage all lawyers to attend and bare their minds. Our mis-givings over the venue-Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, is hinged on the fact that about a year ago, the CAConline programme was midwifed at this centre and since this premature delivery, the online registration suffered the faith of African child-manultrution and death. Taking us to this centre gives one a feeling of dejavu.
The other event that will take place on Tuesday the 26th of Febuary, is the delivery of the Court Appeal sitting in an electoral capacity over the infamous Iwu doctored April 2007 General (s)Elections in Nigeria. A lot has been said about the outcome and the reaction of President Yar’Adua. While others opine that the president will not seek re-election based on fear of one way ticket to Germany to cure cold; he will not appeal the judgment, this writer is of the opinion that PDP will never allow him. After all the Supreme Court in Amaechi Vs PDP & Others ruled that it is the political party that contests election. So whether Yar’Adua refuses to contest the re-run, PDP will still hoist a candidate from the North-East, where the party has zoned the presidency.
The members of the Yar’Adua is doing well school of thought, believes that if a fresh election is organised, Yar’Adua will win free and fair.This argument is anchored on the fanatical zeal with which Yar’Adua’s administration is dismantling the ‘legacies’ of Obasanjo. According to the radical wing of this school of thought, the tribunal, will rule in favour of Yar’Adua and PDP.I differ with these argument.
Let me take on the radical die hard faithfuls. The lower tribunals have removed five(5) governors, unmarked Mark the Senate president, who are all product of the same election that vomitted Yar’Ardua on us. Doesn’t logic and common sense explain that a paper used to wrap salt, is salty? Weren’t some of the elections discredited by the tribunals done on the same day with Yar’Adua’s? Did INEC change staff to conduct presidential election? Did places where PDP was indicted of rigging, only rigged for the Senator and not the presidential election?
The wise men at the tribunal, should borrow a leaf from their brothers at the lower tribunals, continue to reinforce the new found faith of Nigerians in the judicial system and …(its prejudice to rule for the court). Their fearless ruling will have a ripple effect on other states, whose tribunal is yet to rule.
Yar’Adua’s winning of a bye election(?), is as a result of dearth of viable opposition in Nigeria. In well over 6months into Aso Rock, Yar’Adua has not fulfilled any of his electoral promises. The energy sector has gone from epileptic to comatose. The joy of this administration is “reversalism”, running a relay race backward. I am not holding forth for OBJ, Fani-Kayode, Remi Oyo, Nweke Jr and diminitive El-Rufiai are still alive to defend what their administration did while in government.
For non-developing nation like Nigeria, continuity of governmental policies is the express way out of the woods. These policies may not have been the best, but it behoves on the masses, to prompt their representatives, to repeal this or that. But with the excutive fiat Yar’Adua is turning the apple cart,one can not but smell rat that this administration is waging an economic terrorist attack on a sector of the rich class without the interest of the masses at the base of the ladder. What becomes of the shares of impoverished Nigerians in these companies the government has rolled over? Should Yar’Adua win a re-election, rejoice not O Nigerian, for then will your sorrows multiply.In the sense that the real Musa will emerge without fear of election petition, or the hairy hands from Ota Zoo.
Should Yar’Adua lose, the opposition should make the removal of Iwu as a sina quanon to participating in any bye-election. All the resident commissioners who pertook in the conduct of the ignoble election, should be reliefed of their job.
As a matter of National urgency, they should not take part in Kogi, which is the litmus test.
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WHO IS AFRAID OF OHAKIM?
February 24, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
Written By: Che Oyinatumba
The executive governor of Imo State, south-east of Nigeria,Chief Ikedi Ohakim in a state wide broadcast, alleged that some politicians are out to assassinate him.
From the text of his message, one can not but have sympathy for Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who with naked innuendos the governor accused of being behind the plot.
I am not an Ararume loyalist. In fact if its only my vote that will swing the election in favour of Senator Ararume and this running mate Barrister Bethel Nzimako, I will cast the vote into Otamiri. You know the taste of an excretion from the smell of the fart.
These duo by their antecedents are not fit to rule Imo State. Barrister Bethel was one time Owerri-West Local Government Chairman. And while his tenure lasted, there was no significant project in Owerri-West. Same is applicable to Senator Ararume, who as chairman South-East caucus of the Senate, kept criminally silent during the raging third term issue. Furthermore, the immediate past President while endorsing Charles Ugwuh as the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer said unprintable things about Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. These utterances should be of concern to every eligible voter in Imo State.
Be that as it may, the latest attack on Ararume and the PDP, to the extent of importing militias from outside the state to cause mayhem during the welcome back into PDP rally. This phobia by Ohakim, gives one a sense of de javu. As such antics was used by Orji Uzo Kalu, when he ran out of steam in his battle with President Obasanjo before he decamped to form PPA, which true to call, is cloning a millipede of Kalus. If not why should a chief security officer wake up with this fear for his life?
Ohakim’s ill-advised broadcast has shown him as a weakling who can not hold the state. Who is Ararume that the governor should loss sleep? Or more aptly, who is PDP in a PPA controlled state? If the governor knew all he bared at the broadcast, what is stopping the Commissioner of Police from arresting Ararume? Leadership is not friendship, it takes men of courage to take a decisive decision and do that which is for the greater good of the majority of the ruled.
I guess I am getting senile, how could I have forgotten that Ohakim became governor by default and by the lingering crisis in PDP between Onongaono and Abuja PDP. With the arrow head of Abuja PDP in Imo, pacified with an ambassadorial appointment and Onongaono in firm control of all the structures in Imo State, Ohakim’s insecure feeling is manifesting in his reasoning. After all he who rides on the back of the tiger, often ends in the belly of the tiger.
Governor Ohakim, if you want to discredit Ararume, do not fan the ambers of insecurity in Imo State. If your fears are hinged on the out come of the electoral tribunal, don worry, re-present yourself in the fresh election and see whether it was the people of Imo that gave the mandate or was it a mid-night underhand dealing, presided over by the PDP war dogs now in the camp of Ararume, lapping and panting for a taste of your political blood.
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Law Making Gone Awry
February 23, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
Senator Ekaette of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria may not be alone after-all in this season of skewed law making.
The past few month in Nigeria have been awash with Senator Eme Ufot Ekaette’s proposed Bill for an Act to Prohibit and Punish Public Nudity, Sexual Intimidation and, Other Related Offences in Nigeria aka (Nudity Bill) before the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Most commentators (sina, naijablog, saharareporters) have been up in arms for and against the proposed bill.
The Civil Societies and Feminist Group and all manner of groups have been pondering if our honourable members have lost it with this kind of bill when there are more pressing issues to contend with. Without mincing words, the crux of the matter remains with the process of electing/selecting people to elective positions in our polity. As long as this process is skewed; it will remain garbage in, garbage out’.
As if Senator Ekaette is not alone, in far away America precisely in Mississippi a lawmaker have proposed a bill that would revoke the business license of any restaurant that serves food to fat people. The statewide measure, House Bill 282, would prohibit eateries from serving food to “any person who is obese based on criteria prescribed by the state health department.” If passed, the bill would allow the department to monitor compliance and have the power to revoke any violators’ permits.
Via: OC Weekly
Obesity is a serious issue and requires the concerted efforts of everyone to help anyone that is suffering from the ailment.
Equally, there are better things to do about the treatment of women and children in Nigeria than a law that seek to out-law all manners of dressing. Indeed, law making in its totality have gone awry here and beyond. Who is to blame?
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