Ohakim Begs Minister With N20 Billion
August 18, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State has revealed that his administrator is ready to invest N 20BN into Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), if the ministry of aviation will concede it to Imo State. He made this revelation at Imo Concorde Hotel during a stake holders conference on SMICA.
SMICA came alive when the Port Harcourt Airport was closed down for maintenance. Prior to this, most airport users prefered to fly to PH and by road get to Owerri, as a result of many airlines’ shying away from SMICA. There is need for this trend to be arrested as the dependable handling of flights when PH airport was locked, shows SMICA is capable of hanling heavy traffic.
Despite SMICA being designated as a cargo airport, there has been insignificant landing of cargo plans in the airport.
Before federal government intervention, SMICA started under the governorship of Late Chief Sam Mbakwe was built with sacrificial contribution from the people of old Imo (Abia Eboyin and present Imo states.)
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Peter Odili Celebrates 60 Years In Abuja.
August 16, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The birthday bash of Sir Dr. Peter Odili, immediate ex-governor of Rivers State in Sheraton Hotels Abuja on Friday 15th August, has put an icing on the allegation by the incumbent governor that those who ruined River State have relocated to Abuja.
For a governor who testified at the Justice Eso led rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Panel that he was generous to a fault while serving as governor of Rivers State for 8 years, one would have expected Sir Dr. Peter Odili to celebrate his birthday in Port Harcourt where he claims he touched lives and has a strong following.
It is a shame that Nigerian Politicians are like the proverbial sheep that soils her sleeping stead and prefers to sleep on all fours. It was during the tenure of Sir Odili that the local communities’ agitation against the oil companies grew fangs and gangs believed to be armed by the PDP ahead of 2003 General Elections introduced criminality into the peaceful struggle for resource control.
Sir Odili, whose wife is a judge of the Court of Appeal got perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from investigating or and prosecuting him or his activities as governor of Rivers State. I think Mrs. Waziri Farida should brief a SAN to appeal this questionable injunction if she is serious about running after ex-governors.
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Bakassi: Does she want to be a Nigerian?
August 14, 2008 by Felix Ashimole · Leave a Comment
All African Countries are a product of colonial administrative convenience. Cameroon and Nigeria are no exception. Cameroon in fact has an interesting history of having three colonial masters. First it was a German colony and became a spoil of war for Britain and France after the defeat of Germany in the First World War. (1919 League of Nation Mandate)The English speaking part, not wanting to be assimilated by the French culture, tilted towards Eastern Nigeria and expressed their political desire via: NCNC-National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons.
Ever since the South-West of Cameroon has been deemed Nigerian no political analyst asks, do these people whose ancestral land was invaded by European marauders after the Balkan Conference of 1885 want to belong to any of the geographical expressions?
As a child growing up after the Nigerian Civil War, I was told that Biafra lost the war because a part of Cameroon refused to allow arms meant for Biafra to sail through and as a reward, Gen. Yakubu Gowon returned that part of Cameroon back to Cameroon.
Now as an adult, I read of The Green Tree Agreement, wherein it is agreed that instead of washing African brotherhood’s dirty linen in the International Court, Big Brother Nigeria, agreed to hand over Bakassi to Cameroon on 14th August 2008. At 11 am today, the ceremony begun with the Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa leading Nigerian pack.
What I make of all these is that a great injustice has been done to the people of Bakassi. Over the years they have been pushed around like ping-pong at an Olympic tournament. All the groups claiming Bakassi have not the interest of the people at heart. All they are after is the mineral deposit in the peninsula, which I read has a large commercial quantity of crude oil.
It is this discovery that makes me sad. In all the African countries where crude oil has been discovered, that country has never known peace. The expatriate oil companies exploit the oil without corresponding development for the people and the areas where this black gold is scooped from. The lingering environmental problems in the Niger Delta of Nigeria are an example. Seeing the “battle” raging on in the Niger Delta, would Bakassi still want to be part of Nigeria?
Paul Biya. Did I hear you say who? He has been president of Cameroon as long as I can remember. His long stay has eclipsed Ahmadu Ahidjo’s tenure. Am sure the people of Bakassi will not want their resources to be used to further fuel the life presidency project of Paul Biya.
Poor people of Bakassi. If a plebiscite was conducted, except supervised by Nigeria’s INEC, I am sure Bakassi in conjunction with her English speaking “brothers” in Cameroon would have voted to be in an independent sovereign country.
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Nigerian Judiciary: A benchmark of corruption.
August 13, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The rot in the Nigerian Judiciary received a hoot of disapproval with the questionable and inconsistent interpretation of the Electoral Act which midwifed the April 2007 General Election, believed to be the worst in Nigeria history. This rot has been heaped at the door step of the Court of Appeal, especially after the stench from Osun state and the abracadabra in Jos that upturned the judgment of the lower tribunal and returned David Mark as the winner.
But what most Nigerians have closed their eyes to, is that the corruption in the judiciary goes beyond the Election Tribunals. The real rot commences in the Registry of the Nigeria judiciary. A lawyer who spoke with us, said that these Process Unit staff as they are called, are responsible for missing content in a litigant’s file, contrary dates of adjournments. Apart from extorting a litigant by claiming that there is no file to house his writ of summons and other originating documents, these junior staff willingly tell litigants which judge is open to receiving bribes.
Another source of corruption in the Nigerian judiciary is the lawyers. A good number of lawyers in a bid to get ahead encourage the corrupt practices by these junior staff. A good number shunt due process and compromise the judiciary staff into inserting documents into a file out of time; some go to the extent of informing litigants that there is need to pay certain amount of fees to facilitate favourable judgment. When their matter is not assigned to an amiable judge, they refile and grease palms in order to get their process before the “appropriate” judge.
If the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-Umbrella body for all lawyers in Nigeria) is serious about the fight against corruption in Nigeria, there is need for her to start from members of the bar, rather than this crocodile tears over Ribadu and EFCC.
The judiciary Service Commission, should clamp down on any judge fingered in corrupt practices. As a deterrent, any judge whose name is whispered in questionable deal, should be placed on suspension and in innocent, the accuser should be disrobed if a lawyer and if a litigant, be prosecuted for obstructing justice.
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CAC Holds Customers Forum
August 12, 2008 by Felix Ashimole · Leave a Comment
After a protracted delay and numerous abortions coupled with .attacks by our own Che Oyinatumba, the Corporate Affairs Commission held her Customers Forum (CF) at the Obecha Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja. The essence of the CF, is to provide an amiable environment for the administrators of CAC and the customers to find ways of solving the daily problems bedevilling CAC customers. It was also an opportunity for the commission to put across her side of the story in light of the unbalanced and unsubstantiated editorial by one national daily newspaper.
In recent times, CAC has been having problems with regards to quality and timely services. According to the Registrar General (RG) Al Mustaph these problems are surmountable and in most cases, it is the customers of CAC that generate these problems. According to the RG, who marshalled statistics from customers questioners to buttress his point, a good number of availability print outs are never collected hence clogging the sorting process. To solve this problem, the RG proposed a print on demand programme and or sending the availability directly to an accredited customers’ mail box either an internet based or a CAC internal network box. Power fluctuation was not left out as part of the problems c
While promising that services will be better once CAC moves to her new site in Mitama, the RG said that he will not leave any stone unturned in the quest to make the CAC the best institution in the world.
I.n order to be paperless compliant, the RG unveiled a uniformed Memorandum and Article that was unanimously agreed will take effect from November this year. He further said that adequate computers have been provided for in the new office which will eliminate middleman syndrome and allow customers to search for a name before requesting and paying for availability with the commission.
On the issue of dress code that has been a source of friction between the customers of CAC and the security men at the gate, the RG reiterated that proper dressing, is the hallmark of a lawyer and that the commission is willing to contest up to Supreme Court any decision allowing lawyers/customers of CAC to wear jeans while engaging in an official legal capacity. This position of the commission, received the backing of the NBA Unity Bar. Abuja chapter of the NBA, was represented by the able chairman, Akingboro Esq., who not only identified problems encountered by lawyers transacting business with CAC but acknowledged that the commission is making concerted efforts to serve her customers better.
One the lingering issue of touting by CAC staff, the commission has set up a Central Disciplinary Committee to investigate allegation of touting against some staff caught with incorporation documents. The RG urged lawyers to be vigilant and report any staff engaging on such and should not connive with the staff to perpetuate crime.
A lawyer who spoke to our correspondent, paid glowing tribute to the RG and commended the commission for rapid responds to the plight of CAC customers. She further said it’s not yet uhuru as any institution run by human beings is prone to problems and it’s only a responsive administrator that can proactively nip the problems in the bud. She also wants the customers of CAC to take RG at his words and complain if these novel ideas are not put in place and functional in 3 months time.
Another lawyer said that the Customers Forum, though started one hour behind schedule, was worth it, as it gave room for the customers to bare their minds and have their ruffled nerves calmed by the reassuring words of the RG in the presence of the NBA Abuja Branch Chairman.
The Customers Forum, ended with a pool side buffet befitting a king’s wedding.
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Chris Okotie: A Divorced Pastor Marries A “Widow”
August 9, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 4 Comments
Wanting to trap Jesus by hearing him contradict the Torah, the Pharisees asked him if it is right for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus among other replies said whosoever marries a divorcee, commits adultery (Matthew 12 Vs. 3-6). The above passage in the holy book popped up when I heard about the wedding ceremony between Pastor Chris Okotie and once married with two children Miss Stephanie Henshaw. The thanks giving takes place on Sunday 10th August 2008.
Informed source have it that Miss Henshaw’s first husband was Okotie’s friend while they were in the University. The first husband died and the woman became a live in lover with a man. For those accusing the Pastor of adultery, should be sure that the new man in Miss Henshaw’s life didn’t marry her. But what a careful observer cannot help but see, is that Pastor Okotie, a Pop musician turned pastor, have been having a dog fight with his wife of over sixteen years. The cat and mouse game ended between Okotie and Tina in 1998 via a divorce, making the man of God a divorcee.
By the Bible Pastor Okotie preaches his status qualifies him as an adulterer and unfit to be a pastor of the Household of God. It should be remembered that there was the war of the Chris, over a visit to T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue of All Nations.
Pastor Chris Okotie accused Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of receiving powers to heal the sick from a dubious source as T.B. Joshua. The umbrella body of Pentecostals took sides and in the infighting, miracle crusades where banned from being telecast on Nigerian TV. With this direct violation of the Bible, I hope Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor will have the courage to excommunicate Pastor Chris Okotie from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). A Pastor cannot live in sin and the nation won’t suffer if the watchmen refuse to denounce him. I guess we are getting to the root of backwardness of Nigeria, despite the speedily mushrooming churches in the land.
Pastor Chris is not the only “man of God” to have fallen for the flesh while yielding to the calling of the Lord. Kathryn Kuhlman, the fire brand miracle worker, could not hold herself and took to a divorcee and her ministry suffered for it. When she finally left the relationship, the quantum of anointing was no longer the same. The Anglican Communion is still battling the issue of ordination of Gays. I have always had problem with the modernist interpretation of the Bible and the doctrine of once saved always saved.
Also in the Bible, the almighty Samson compromised and was shaved on the laps of Delilah, there by terminating a promising Judge of Israel.
Whichever way the coin of this Okotie’s marriage this weekend is viewed, Okotie has lost it. Not only will his female members feel betrayed, what advise will he give those having difficulties in their marriages? (1st Timothy 3; Titus 1 Vs.6)
With this marriage, the requiem of the bombastic, big grammar speaking pastor has gone to stanza two. Stanza one, was when he insisted in 2003 that the Lord spoke to him and told him he will be the next president of Nigeria. This gave birth to Fresh Party. I have no problem with men of God being patrician, as it is an indicator that their Sunday Sermons have not groomed the right men to take up political posts.
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OLYMPICS: A Battle of Unequal gods
August 6, 2008 by Felix Ashimole · Leave a Comment
As the world goes agog with the opening ceremony of 2008 Olympics in Beijing China, I cannot help but laugh at Christian athletes participating at the obvious pagan ritual in honour of Greek gods and a worship of the Spartan spirit of the Greek. Some may want to refer me to the analogical use of race, bodily exercise etc by Paul in his letter to Timothy, but let me flatly ask, would Paul have participated in the Olympics, knowing that the touch/Olympics flame ritually very four years is lit at Mount Olympus, where Zeus and not Jehovah is the Alpha and Omega?
It is this unclear relationship between Olympics and religion that has made Nigeria among the weeping boys of each t Olympic Games. Nigeria’s greatest feat was in Atlanta 1996, when she netted in 2 Gold Medals. This feat was by sheer personal effort and the hunger for glory by these athletes. Mind you, Chioma Ajunwa, was just dusting off from a drug abuse ban and the Kanu dream team had Japan 1993 victory and an eye on personal contract with major European club sides to spur them on. And above all, they attribute their victories to “God”.
Going by this year’s preparation, one cannot help but predict doom for the contingent. Even the Minster of sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Mr. Abdulrahman Gimba concurs. In a letter to Mr. President, the Minister wanted Nigeria to withdraw from the Beijing Games, according to the Minister “the litany of woes and underperformance of this sector (sports), has been exemplified…Except for God’s guidance and luck…dire consequences for national psyche and image”
To further buttress the looming national woes, an occasion at the National Stadium Abuja meant for the formal hand over of the Nigerian contingent, ended in a shouting bout between the Minister and Chief Cosmos Maduka. Yes Maduka of the Coscharis fame. Chief Maduka, is the Chairman of Table Tennis Association. In that ill-fated meeting, the minister came late and Chief Maduka wrapped the Minister and said “we have been toiling and doing our best but we are discouraged by the ministry…Olympic medals are not picked on the street…there is no encouragement”
Sure the minster replied and exposed that Chief Maduka, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of contract in the ministry! This is a story for another day but suffice it to be said that Chief Maduka is a confessed born again Christian.
I wonder what a born again Christian is doing, leading a team of Nigerians to a pagan ritual. I have no problem with sports but why must the flame be lit at Mount Olympus? If this cannot be scientifically explained, then I have found a theological reason why Nigeria has been doing badly at the Olympic and the World Cup, despite abundance of talents. It is a documented and incontrovertible that Nigerians do well abroad or when they fly any other colour than green. Francis Obikwelu of Government College Owerri, the son of a retired Nigeria Police officer, now a Portuguese readily comes to mind. If you cast your mind backwards, you will remember Dele Udo.
The theological reason is simple. The Greco-Roman-Jewish god, defeated African gods. View the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics in Greece. All their gods were on parade. At every Olympics, this painful defeat/mental colonisation are brandished. Till Africans start attending these Games armed with African gods to challenge Onyibo gods, we will remain nothing but an afterthought on the medal table, winning only those games meant for messengers of the gods that require sheer raw strength.
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