THE LIST

“If this factory ever produces a shell that can actually be fired, I’ll be very unhappy.” --                                                SCHINDLER'S LIST

                                    Schindler (to his accountant and right-hand man, Itzhak Stern,                                      about his munition factory):

We waited! For  some of us, it was with bated breaths. For others, the period waiting, was also a period scheming to get their names into the List. Somehow the most prominent schemers, whose plans even played out on social media, have won no success as yet -- ( it is hoped there would be an addition to this List, and they may yet succeed) .  

THE LIST 

It was to be an earth shaking, game changing list. When it came, it tip-toed in with a whimper -- Nothing earth shaking about it.

It came as if in a distant reverse directional echo to  Oskar Schindler's command to his accountant, a paraphrase of which would be like : 

"If this engine room  never produces a  

game-changing machinery, I will be very unhappy!!"

It would be the hope of the Nigerian masses though, that  this engine room may really  in spite of the odds be able to produce a real, game changing machinery , and ultimately engineer the country to the path of transformation.

While many have criticized the President's proposed LIST of Ministers, and many more have defended him, no one can deny that it is the President's responsibility to provide such a list . Except for journalists who have to create content  and talking points by stoking the flames of criticism at this point , I would think it is altogether too late for this now. The man was voted in. He should be left unshackled to perform his responsibilities to the best of his ability, only then can we have authority to evaluate   the performance of this nation under his watch without bias. 

So what's my point  writing about this List? My point is that we should begin to look at the possibilities for transformation that this engine room may  provide for us? One name in the List that stands out for me is Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who has  been mentioned in various circles as favored to be Minister of Justice. No doubt this  Senior Advocate of Nigeria is eminently qualified  to head this Ministry but I think Nigeria needs him in a more vital Ministry -- either Power and Steel or Works and Housing. 

My reasoning? He demonstrated as Governor in Lagos for 8 years  that he could put a team together  and supervise the execution of  actual projects that can really touch on the everyday lives of the masses. Consider that Lagos State has a massive 18 Million peoples with over half of them a hub of constantly moving masses -- people who move and do business 'at the speed of light' -- people who congregate and occupy spaces at the snap of a finger -- you would understand the challenge of actually executing projects that touched their lives.  I absolutely believe it is a man like him, who can pick up the baton and run with it, that we need in either of these Ministries.  

And then the others can be given whatever the President wishes that they try their hands on.

"I could have got more out. I could have got more.... If I'd just...I could have got more." Oskar Schindler

"Oskar, there are eleven hunred people alive because of you , look at them" -- Itzak Stern

"I could have gotten one more person... and I didn't! I didn't" -- Schindler

                                     

                                        Victor Omotayo Sawyerr

                                                     7/10/2015

WHY THE TRUMP FARCE MUST BE STOPPED:

"Pull off a Coup and You're a National Hero; Fail and you're an evil criminal. In Business it's the same difference between bankruptcy and making a fortune"              

..... Jeffery Archer                    

A Quiver full of Arrows -- "The Coup"

WHY THE TRUMP FARCE MUST BE STOPPED:

The world today is a global village. Throw a pebble into the centre of the global pool and the ripple effects will reach even the tiniest  creeks around the world. Like it or not, whatever happens in Europe or America is of absolute importance to the rest of peoples all over the world.

Flashback to the 1970s, only 10-20 Billion Dollars worth of National Currencies were traded (against the dollar) on a daily basis. Fast-forward to the early 21st century : Over 1.5 Trillion Dollars worth of diverse National currencies including African Currencies are traded on a daily basis against the dollar. This simply means that whatever happens to the American  government and economy will impact the other economies of the world and by extension the very existence of many of the worlds marginal survivors. 

  

For purposes of simplicity let us make a very wild supposition: Suppose the American Government  were to decide that considering the state of its economy, it will declare bankruptcy. Suppose also the government then goes on by some strong arm tactic, to impose itself on the rest of the world declaring  that it would for the next 3 years, NOT pay any of its global or internal debts.  The chaos I guess is unimaginable.

Now let us here make some 'less wild' suppositions and see if we can begin to imagine the consequences:

Suppose Americans were to vote as President a man who, by his wiliness and craft has manipulated America's bankruptcy laws again and again. A man who by his own writings declared:

        "I have used the laws of this country to pare       debt..." --- Donald Trump

Suppose Americans were to vote as President a man who has craftily engineered his businesses to  declare Bankruptcy more times than any other, while technically shielding his  own personal wealth.

       1991: Trump Taj Mahal -- Bankrupt

       1992: Trump Plaza Hotel -- Bankrupt

       2004: Trump Hotels

       and Casino Resorts          -- Bankrupt.

       2009: Trump

       Entertainment Resorts --   Bankrupt.

       2014: Trump

       Entertainment Resorts --   Bankrupt
 Surely if this were "The Apprentice " he would have been fired countless times.

For a man who says :

       "I like making deals, preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks" ... Donald Trump   

The only deals he seems good at making are deals that WILL ULTIMATELY GO BANKRUPT.

On another level entirely let's take a closer look at this man and the huge undertones of "crime family associations" that are still unclear to those of us who make it a point of duty to research these things. Suppose Americans were to vote for President a megalomaniac who felt no qualms doing business with organized crime families. Suppose Americans were to vote for President a man whose "Trump Tower" was built with  concrete from firms owned by the heads of the Genovese  and the Gambino Crime families. What could happen if such a man were to wrest grip of this hallowed chambers ?  I  shudder to imagine in my wildest constructs, an American Presidency controlled by the Mafia. 

Let's take our suppositions a step further: Suppose Americans were to vote for President a man who technically may be called a political 'whore', a man who has vacillated between political parties more than any other in recent times: 

                     Before 1999 -- Republican

                        1999-2009 -- Reform

                        2001-2009 -- Democrat

                        2009-2011 -- Republican

                        2011-2012 -- Independent

                        2012 to present Republican

Suppose such a man were to occupy the most powerful office in the world today, and by his own ambivalent nature be willing to 'suck' up to any regime or tactic, or exploit any freak law  that would feed his 'kicks'.  Even Americans would find it hard to 'contain' such a man because he would have the awesome power of that office to, (as we say here in Africa),  "do and undo".

Will the world be a better place to have such a man in the White House? Hmmmmm!!

MUSIC AFRICA BEACH SPLASH 2015

MUSIC AFRICA REVS UP TO ROCK LASGIDI AGAIN

As the 'ember' months kick in and work accelerates to a frantic pace for all of us, somewhere at the back of our minds we are already planning for the yuletide -- strategizing on what would be the best way to catch some fun with friends and family.
For Music lovers all over the world, beach parties , indoor and outdoor music shows are the 'in-thing' and for Nigerians, Music Africa is already on a high-drive, pulling all the stops, to rock them once again at the Music Africa Beach Splash .
David Nwachukwu is the project Manager, Music Africa Beach Splash.

DAVID: In 2014, our first show, the theme was "Enjoy the Music". Music Africa simply wanted people to come out and have fun in a safe, secure outdoor environment. Something they had not enjoyed for close to 2 decades now in Lagos. We will keep the 2015 theme close to our chest for now until the full campaign kicks off soon but I promise you , this year's Music Africa beach Splash will rock like no other event has in a long, long while.

Will MABS 2015 be full of the same old, same old ?

DAVID: Here's the thing, In 2014 we gave our audience the likes of OritsheFemi, Jaywon, Malaika, LKT and many other show stoppers, but this year's show is going to be a once in a lifetime show : Think Ghanaian acts, think Tanzanian musicians, and a few other African countries plus a lot of your own home boys: Think Tu-Face, Vector, OritsheFemi, Olamide and a lot of others and comedians too, all on one platform. Tell you something, Music Africa Television has always prided itself in being Afro centric so we have decided to bring the African Music community to Nigeria, show them our beautiful country and generally have fun together.

That's a lot of different personalities to keep on one platform...

DAVID: Of course, but the show will be hosted by personalities that are guaranteed to keep the oil in the groove. It will be a mix and match no one can afford to miss.

Now that you mention it why does Music Africa integrate so many Fresh Artistes into its programmes and shows?

   DAVID: Music Africa has always taken pride in developing artistes. How can we sustain the tempo that the entertainment industry has today, if we do not support fresh artistes? The entertainment industry in the country today is contributing hugely to the country's GDP and it is responsible for the reduction of non-graduate youth unemployment. This infact is the thrust of my boss's passion, the MD of Music Africa, Philip Trimnell.
  He says to me all the time: "David we have to give some of these fresh acts opportunity. That's all some of them need -- opportunity."
  And that's why you see them a lot on our shows and our programmes. We know that if we do not provide a platform for some of these talents they will just fizzle out. So we give them that platform to showcase their talent -- to perform alongside the established Stars and learn a few things from them. We give to them their 15 Minutes of fame and hope they will yearn for more.

 Tell us about the Venue:

  DAVID: Before I say anything about the venue let me say this -- The Miiusic Africa Beach Splash caters to the family. We plan it in such a way that you can come out with your whole family and enjoy the show, have fun and stay as late as you can afford to without worrying about security, or where to buy food and drinks or long drive back home?

The Chaka Beach resorts is a secure and safe environment. It offers a beautiful landscape view and a serene atmosphere, and If at the end of a long, exhilarating day you decide you want to give your family a 5-star treatment in a first class facility, the hotel gives a decent discount for the yuletide season. If on the other hand you decide you simply want to laze on the beach, it costs you nothing. You are secured.

CHAKA  BEACH RESORTS -- AERIAL VIEW

CHAKA HOTEL SWIMMINF POOL VIEW (NIGHT SHOT) 

So why should anyone partner with you on bringing on a show like this ?

DAVID: Think about this: Music Africa Television alone commands a proven 6 Million Viewers on a daily basis ,
  and an approximate daily cumulative followership of 20,000 on facebook, twitter, Instagram and the Music Africa Online TV.

We have strong media partners , Silverbird Television, Trace Urban Television, and several Radio Stations. If you partner with the Music Africa Beach Splash, you have a choice of these platforms to showcase your products. But I tell you this, nothing beats branding the venue with your products: Not only will you have the attention of the audience, but every time snippets of the show is aired you're likely to get an infinite mileage. Trust me people are more receptive during the festive period, and we provide the platform that would give your product the mileage you'd love for it to get.
Thank you David.
  DAVID: Thank you. It's been great talking to you. Make sure you come party with us at the Music Africa Beach Splash 2015. Don't miss it , or you'll miss out.

               

THE AMAZING STORY OF AN OSHODI KID ON HIS WAY TO STARDOM

THE AMAZING STORY OF AN OSHODI KID ON HIS WAY TO STARDOM

He was born in Lagos. Grew up in Oshodi without a silver spoon in a terrain that's as tough as in AJ city, Nigeria's crudest resource ground of exceptional artistic talents -- and, to put it in perspective, may be even tougher than Harlem, America's version of AJ city. His name is Lucky Okuhe

 LUCKY: My mother used to wake me up at 4:00 in the morning. At the age of 6 or 7, I was already working. Growing up wasn't easy. I did everything. In the morning before going to school I had to help prepare the food she was going to sell that day. I worked till 7:00 in the morning before going to school. After school I sold sachet water in the streets, sold poly-bags , ice-cream and yoghurt and I also as a bus conductor.

In Lagos cut throat competition was the name of the game. As a matter of fact cut throat competition is always the name of the game.

 LUCKY: Just to make ends meet and pursue my music career I had to learn a job. I became apprentice to a mechanical engineer in my neighbourhood. Life was a struggle. Things were bad. Where I was learning the work, the equipment were old and dangerous. One day an alternator cut my finger, and that was it. I knew that was not what I wanted to do. For two months I was in and out of hospital. I nearly lost my hand. When I got well I spent 2 years looking for a job. On and off I hung out with my friends in the hood . We played music and had fun but it was nothing serious.

Life in places like Oshodi, Aj city, Mushin, and Obalende provides the local brew for talent grooming: Nigeria's football magician, Austin Jay Jay Okocha grew up in AJ city. Daddy Showkey, African China, Fuji maestro Alabi Pasuma, The Oluaiye of Fuji, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) all have their roots from the less affluent places in Lagos.

 LUCKY: Music took the better part of my time. Hipop attracted me. Then Fuji. Then Rand B. For a time my friends and I stuck to hip-hop. Then we switched to Fuji and then we tried to do a blend of everything we had. We were just having fun. Finally in my mind I decided that a blend of Fuji-Hipop was what I really wanted to do. My mother was disappointed in me . She handed me to my Uncle who took charge of me and said if music was what I wanted to do then he would get me to meet someone.

Sometimes kids get lucky breaks and their careers take off like meteors. Lucky got a little break.

 LUCKY: After a few months, my Uncle took me to see Mr. Philip Trimnell, the MD/CEO of Music Africa, one of Nigeria's leading Music Video Programme on television, with a viewership of almost 20 Million viewers every day. I started at the bottom at Music Africa. I do all kinds of jobs in the office but I stay focused on my music. It is hard work. At night I would go to the studio and work on my voice. In the day time I do what I have to do in the office.

Countless artistes will tell you that making music is fun but it's also a lot of hard work and sleepless nights. Some find that it's easier to kick off with collaborations.

 LUCKY: In 2013, me and two of my friends , Tope and Tosin formed a group called TLT. We released a single called "Egbe ni mo gbe ". It got some attention but didn't hit much because we were new in the game. But at least we had a video and people began taking notice.

Unfortunately in this country, groups don't last long. A million and one things connived to pull them apart.

 LUCKY: Later that year we, the group TLT broke up. I started 'night-owling' again -- sleeping in the studio at Night , working on my voice and learning the basics of music. I spent a lot of time creating my songs in my head. It was so tough I fell sick that year. While I was on sick bed that day I saw a herbal medicine seller, "alagbo" and I decided to try the medicine.

Creative people know that inspiration can come from diverse sources -- sometimes from the most unlikely of sources.

 LUCKY: After taking the medicine that day, I felt better the next day. I was able to go to work. After work that night, while I was sleeping, some thoughts crammed my head and I decided to do a song about the herbal medicine seller. Two days later I told my boss Mr. Philip Trimnell, the CEO of  Music Africa  that I wanted to go to the sound studio to do a song. He gave me his backing. The next day, I talked with a Producer friend of mine. He is also a sound engineer. I told him the ideas I had created in my head. He loved them. I sang it out for him. He created the beats . We worked for a whole night and finished the song that night. But on and off we worked on fine tuning the song. We were night owls.

Throughout all this period I got full moral support from Music Africa. Then I completed the track about the time of my boss's birthday. At the party I gave the DeeJay my CD . When the track came on people just loved it. It was the first time my boss would hear the song too. He was impressed. My friends everyone rocked to the music and they asked me to perform which I did there and then. People who didn't know me kept asking "Who's this guy, who's this guy?" I was happy.

History and life teaches us never to despise small beginnings.

 LUCKY: In 2014 I got my first big opportunity to connect with a large crowd. Again it was my boss Mr. Philip Trimnell who gave me the opportunity to perform at the Music Africa Beach Splash alongside Stars like Oritshe Femi, PatoRanking and many others. Before I was tipped to go on stage I was nervous. But when I got on stage the mood changed. I connected with the crowd and we hit it big. It was a big experience for me. I know the future is bright for me. I am not there yet but I am sure I am on the way to stardom and I am ready to work to get there. I thank Music Africa's CEO, Mr. Philip Trimnell for providing his total support. I promise all my fans that I am on the way up. Just watch me!    

STARDOM : videos of this interview will come up soon on YOUTUBE.

                                                         Written  by Victor O. Sawyerr

APPOINTMENT OF SUNDAY OLISEH AS CHIEF COACH OF NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLES-- A MASTER STROKE OR A POTENTIAL FLOP?

APPOINTMENT OF SUNDAY OLISEH AS CHIEF COACH OF NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLES-- A MASTER STROKE OR A POTENTIAL FLOP?

Nigeria's football governing body, NFF on the 15th July 2015, unveiled former Super Eagles defending midfielder, Sunday Ogorchukwu Oliseh as the team's new Chief Coach, giving him and his crew a 3 year deal and a 3 month Salary advance worth a reported =N= 15 million Naira. For a passionate football loving country as Nigeria, this may not be a big deal.

Some commentators  though have questioned the rationale behind paying for service not yet rendered. goal.com examines that.   http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/8472/the-patrick-omo-osagie-column/2015/07/18/13684982/without-a-strategic-action-plan-by-the-nff-nothing-will

Sunday Oliseh no doubt has an impressive professional resume. As a player and one of the key defensive midfielders of the well loved Super Eagles team of '94, he stood tall in the team, though not first among equals. After his playing years, he went on to obtain a FIFA Pro license, and coached Vervietois, a team in the Belgian lower division in the 2008-2009 season.

For an African football coach, even though Oliseh is not yet a proven "National Team" handler in any way, shape or form, his FIFA Pro license and professional experience may mean a lot to the NFF.

NFF's President Amaju Pinnick stated on the federation's website :
               "We trust he has a temperament to work harmoniously with the Technical and development Committee... "

This here, is where the crux of the matter lies: Temperament. Sunday Oliseh's 'temperamental resume' is not as great as his professional resume. As a player, he not only had several brush-ins with the Super Eagles Team Handlers, but was so vocal in a war of words with Chief Festus Onigbinde , the Coach, that he was omitted from Nigeria's 2002 World Cup squad.

In 2004, while on loan to VFL Bochum from Borussia Dortmund, Oliseh punched his own team mate Vahid Hashemian right on the field of play. He was sacked by the club.

Now here come the ifs and conjectures:

The NFF cited insubordination and 'lack of commitment' as reasons for sacking Stephen Keshi but what if at some point in the future an altercation arises between this new Chief Coach and the NFF , and he resorts to unleashing a left hook to settle the matter? Would the NFF yet again just simply sack him and go shopping surreptitiously for another candidate?

Or is the bond between NFF President and Oliseh stronger because they are both from the same state -- Delta? Will this therefore evoke a greater kind of commitment from the new Chief Coach?

Is Sunday Oliseh's appointment really a master stroke or just a loaded gun looking for a bust up ?

Share your views with us.
   

A VIEW FROM MY WINDOW: THE CHALLENGES OF FIGHTING FINANCIAL CRIMES IN NIGERIA

A VIEW FROM MY WINDOW

THE CHALLENGES OF FIGHTING FINANCIAL CRIMES IN NIGERIA

Throughout Africa not one situation attracts the anger of the majority of peoples as much as the brazen financial crimes pervading all levels of government and businesses.

So seemingly pervasive and entrenched is it in Nigeria that when we use the word corruption, 99% of the times we mean financial corruption and even here 99% of the time we again mean the conversion public money to personal wealth. AIn only about 10% of the cases do we even consider tax crimes as corruption. This is the reality of our perception.

The amounts of money involved are sometimes so nauseatingly huge that it boggles the mind. Sources say United Nations figures are put at a whopping $148 billion (One Hundred and Forty-Eight billion dollars)stolen from African Countries by political leaders. Leaks from Swiss Banks indicate that Nigeria alone has $266 Million (Two Hundred and sixty-six million dollars) stashed away by Nigerians in accounts that are under investigation. Two Hundred and sixty-six million dollars just stashed away and not doing any productive work for either the nation or even the account beneficiaries themselves.

Financial crimes have evolved from simple bribery to more sophisticated embezzlement and these days, even more ingenious electronic theft.

Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, Chairman of Nigeria's ICPC in 20005-2010 admitted:

      "The commonest form of corruption used to be bribery but in recent years this     has been overtaken in level of prevalence by embezzlement of public funds, abuse of public power for private gains ... extortion and illegal party financing."

JUSTICE EMMANUEL OLAYINKA AYOOLA

The critical questions that arise in the minds of most of us are : "Why? Are Africans by nature simply corrupt? Is it that we have a corruption DNA implanted in our genes? Or is that maybe, we have learned too well from our erstwhile masters? "

Although the questions can go on and on, the most important query for me is: "Why is it so difficult for us to fight financial crimes in Nigeria? "

But before we even begin to examine this let us first establish that the average Nigerian is no more corrupt in his DNA than the average American, or the average Briton, or Asian or whatever race on the face of the earth. Historically, and traditionally as a matter of fact the average Nigerian was always exceptionally honest and forthright. Time was, (our grandfathers will swear to this), when traders left their wares and the sales made on the day, overnight unguarded in their open stalls, without fear of losing even a pin the next day. You could leave the 'household' of your wealth untended and no one would touch it, much less steal it. Sounds mythical maybe, but this was true for generations. The fear of the traditional gods of the land kept fickle fingers and fickle minds straight. That was the age of innocence.

As a matter of fact the generation of our fathers fathers, believed that the decline in moral standards began when Europeans made their foray into Africa, and began planting the seeds of mass deception, brazen lying and subterfuge in the minds of the African traditional elite -- the African kings, their chiefs, and top members of African societies-- with the aim of capturing their peoples as slaves, usurping power and ultimately controlling the wealth of Africa. And Africa lost her innocence.

In general there is widespread belief amongst us, the masses in Africa that international media makes us look more corrupt than we really are. Our nations are branded corrupt simply because a few of our leaders are corrupt. There are millions of Nigerians who are hardworking and dedicating their lives each and every single day to making honest living through their creativity, sweat, tears and sometimes blood but they simply do not make the headlines because their stories are not considered newsworthy. This for most of us is the story of our lives and in our heart of hearts we denounce the branding of all of us as a race of corrupt people, and in our heart of hearts we desire passionately that those few who give us the 'bad name' be brought to book.

Herein however, lies the dilemma. In Nigeria for instance the Evidence act was passed into law in 1945. 1945, and it has not been revisited since. This law does not allow for the admission of electronically generated evidence in court. How then can we ever hope in this 21st century to at least, effectively prosecute financial crimes committed electronically when any defense lawyer worth his onions would immediately glide through this gaping hole with a smiling client firmly strapped to his back. If the 8th National Assembly of Nigeria is committed to frontally engage financial crime as it proclaims, this is one of those loop-holes it has to effectively seal off with a little bit more than brick and mortar.

Second. The penal code for financial crimes is over 50 years old and as a result does not even recognize some types of financial crimes. In an instance for example where someone who steals billions of Naira is successfully prosecuted , he may actually and in reality get only 2 years of jail term. This is definitely not a disincentive. Many I know would gladly take the two years.

Third. For me this is the most important. There is really no law that allows for investigation based asset sequestration. What this means is that if I do my calculations well, I can successfully steal 2 Million Naira, put aside 1 Million Naira for the dust, shame, investigation, legalities, legal fees and what have you, that are bound to follow, and I promise you I can enjoy the remaining 1 Million Naira thereafter.

If however there is a law which says that once I am under investigation for some financial crime, my accounts will be sequestered, then it would be impossible for me to use the stolen funds to fight the justice system. This would make me think twice before I engage in any financial crime. The downside however is that some governments may use this to intimidate critics of an oppressive regime and if not applied under strict oversight from an "above-board" body, it could become a very dangerous tool in the hands of any investigating agency of government.

Fourth: Financial Intelligence Unit. A country as populous as Nigeria needs to have an independent, standalone, financial intelligence unit whose main functions would be to gather financial intelligence, interpret same and grant agencies of government like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ICPC and the Police access to this intelligence.

With major gaps like these existing within the system as a whole it is easy to see how difficult it can be to successfully prosecute financial crimes in Nigeria. The simple and singular most important recommendation is that the law makers in this 8th assembly, (proponents of change as they call themselves ) should as a matter of priority overhaul all laws relating to financial crimes.

                                Written by Victor Omotayo Sawyerr
 

PRESIDENCY RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF DENIGRATION OF THE VP

PRESIDENCY RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF DENIGRATION OF THE VP.

A few weeks back the local media, (traditional and social) expressed concerns over the exclusion of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, from two crucial meetings between the Executive and Security chiefs.

At this particular time and really within this present spatial entity called Nigeria, Security ranks high in the consciousness of all Nigerians . So many were surprised that these meetings coming very early in the life of this administration excluded the Vice President, and indeed this prompted me in my blog titled "Pitting the VP against the President" to query the position of the constitution of the rights of the Vice President, and to call for the present senate to clarify the responsibilities and rights of the Vice President.

As a close observer of the democratic play field in Nigeria, my attention was drawn a couple of days ago to a blog http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/185279-investigation-vp-osinbajo-was-never-excluded-from-national-security-meetings.html  where spokesman for the government, Garba Shehu, pointed out segments of the constitution that clearly states that the Vice President is one of the statutory members of the Security council. The following sections of the constitution (Schedule 3 Part 1) are proof that indeed Nigeria's constitution may not be so incomplete after all, rather it is how government chooses to follow the constitution that may really be the problem .
In defence of government, the spokesman, then goes on to suggest that the Vice President could not attend those two meetings because he had some pressing engagement outside the country in which he was delegated to represent President Buhari. Twice.

While one must admit that, especially on issues of National Security, the buck stops with the President, one cannot help but struggle to rationalize the value of sending the Vice President twice, on errands while the Security of a Nation of One Hundred and Eighty Million peoples is being handled by a handful people without the benefit of representation by the ALL the statutory members of the Security council.

The security threat of Boko Haram is not a Northern problem, it is a Nigerian Problem. It is not simply a military problem, it is a social problem as well, and all forms of media, and media agencies have consistently kept on their toes to decry this threat. This administration must not short-change Nigerians by hook , crook or strategy. We desperately desire that this administration, should strive to uphold all the provisions of the constitution, especially as regards Security. There need be no politics in this.

THE GLASS HOUSE ROCKS NIGERIAN FOOTBALL AGAIN

FOOTBALL NIGERIA:

THE GLASS HOUSE ROCKS NIGERIAN FOOTBALL AGAIN
AS KADUNA GETS SET TO HOST AFCON 2017 QUALIFIERS

No two things set Nigeria's rumor-mill and media (traditional and new), on overdrive like football and politics. Nigeria's football governing body, NFF is almost always at the centre of these media triggers. The most recent furor is about a  comment by Nigeria's first choice goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama, that the venue (Kaduna, in the Northern region of Nigeria) selected for Super Eagles qualifying match against the Egyptian National side, may be unsafe for the players.

The NFF strongly criticized the Super Eagles captain and issued him a query.

Now here is the problem: The NFF alleges that Vincent Enyeama tore the query letter right in front of whoever delivered the letter to him. Enyeama came out to speak on Brilla FM last week that he did not tear the query letter, and really, being a responsible member of the Super Eagles, he could not have done so. In spite of his denials however he apologized  on the same media to the NFF and Nigeria's football loving community as a whole.

THE COMPLICATION:

The NFF refused to accept this apology and further issued a summons to Enyeama to appear before a disciplinary committee headed by Barrister Chris Green, at the glass house on Tuesday 23rd June 2015 to explain himself. The committee sat for the whole day and Enyeama did not appear.

PUBLIC RESPONSE:

Until 6.00 PM on Tuesday, Nigeria's football loving community waited anxiously for feedback from the glass house as to what would be the final decision of the disciplinary committee now that Enyeama failed to appear before it.

No comments were issued from the committee and Nigerians were divided over their opinion of Enyeams's conduct. About 30% of all callers into local radio sports programs across the country called for the ban of Enyeama from the Super Eagles saying that this sort of indiscipline could rob off on the other members of the team and cause problems for the team officials. 60% of callers however believed the NFF was making a mountain out of a mole hill citing the facts of the security situation in Northern Nigeria as evidence.

The whole world knows that the Northern regions of Nigeria are struggling to grapple with Boko Haram insurgency, and in spite of recent successes by the Nigerian army, there are still some real threats in quite a number of the Northern states.

Another 10% of callers believed NFF is not only distracting the team with this irrelevant issue , but the body is more or less distracting itself from its core function at this moment which is providing the enabling environment and all necessary assets for the Super Eagles to go ahead and win that match.

MY TAKE:
Enyeama did not call a press conference all by himself. Secondly he only expressed his sincere fears-- fears all Nigerians hold even if we make believe we are not bothered. Moreover he did not call or ask players to boycot the match. The NFF should come out and explain to Nigerians the rationale behind taking the match to Kaduna when there are much safer venues around the country and stop trying to victimize Enyeama for merely expressing a self evident truth.

Optimistic as we are we could not have forgotton January 8th 2010 so soon when the Togolese National team was attacked by terrorists. Lives were lost. The lives of our footballers must mean something to us, surely.
 

MASSES

MASSES

1

Single, lonesome, emaciated,
cachexic ribs flesh out the remains
of my marasmic body.

2

My brain designs parody.
The veins of my skull
form rivulets of blood
that course their way
from the depths of my sockets,
drilled from the innermost corners
of its waterbed
and overflowing
the basins of its lachrymal ducts.

3

Weary of my journey,
a thousand miles
neither here nor there,
with a body bereft of its juices,
I rest on the robust bark
[naked, yes very stark]
of an ageless Iroko1
which,
untouched by my spiritless look,
continued
basking in all its glory,
coloured by the glittering shimmers
cascading from the orange skies.

4

A moment:
It threw
a disdained glance
at my wretched corpus
while I,
sampling the last drops
of unprofaned Ogogoro2
from my near-dry calabash
shifted weights
from my pencil-thin left fibula
to the right--just as fragile,
as pictures
of Kongi's3 harvest
whirled
in the near recesses
of my fagged out memory:
Now they're here
Now they're not.

5

But me,
shackled to my wants
Imprisoned,
yet not in prison
dismayed, despaired and despondent
I shudder,
and roar my spirit to life
pushing my will
hoping for movement,
but not a single budge
from weary, un-oiled joints.

6

I resign.
This now
must be my final stop.
Sudden:
The leaves
Of the ageless Iroko,
sway to the raucous tunes
of a boisterous wind
as ,
I clutch
its bark,
willing elusive stability
on my terms,
and, for just me.
But,
all futility!

7

Sampling
a moment's stillness
from the eerie, distant quietness,
a new beat
sieves into my consciousness,
and new steps too:
A new hustle
A new drumming
forcing,
my weary eyes
to gear its strength to focus.
But every weakened ocular muscle,
every sinew, every fibre's hustle
could only muster
a piece
devoid of lustre ,
trailed
by presbyopic lenses.

8

Then
they drew by:
hijackers,
shielding,
leading
the maiden called Change
My one betrothed beauty,
stolen,
by those
more powerful
than I
could ever be.

9

Powerless,
I simply watch:
And here now,
above my head,
a congregation
of flying foxes
irritated by the noise
fluffed
their velvet shoulder furs
and dispersed--
away,
along with the hazy dust.

10

Troubled
by the sight
I push
with all my strength
to emancipate Me.
But
weakened muscles
only drop me:
Prostrate--
The shameful hue
and shadows
spelling out
my shameful name: Masses,
painted
on the striations
of my fleshless back.

                  Written by Victor Omotayo Sawyerr
                                      17/06/2015

Notes:

Iroko1 : A hardwood tree, mythically believed to be powerful

Ogogoro2: Locally brewed pure alcohol. It is sometimes adulterated, (dangerously so) with methanol
Kongi's Harvest3: A play by Nigeria's Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka

A VIEW FROM MY WINDOW : PITTING THE VP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT

                                    "A war of attrition destroys the morale of soldiers"

A VIEW FROM MY WINDOW : NIGERIA IN FOCUS:

PITTING THE VP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT: Is History about to repeat itself?

The National Assembly inauguration on June 9th 2015, which saw the emergence of House leaders who are not the preferred candidates of either the ruling APC Party or the President, has provided enough cheese for us to nibble at, for weeks on end.

Political intrigues and an increasingly bold, vibrant Media constantly 'attriting' , constantly searching, and posting on all media forms, make for a really interesting first term in office, on President Buhari's second coming.
Early as it is in the life of this regime, the political meteorologist's report is already showing that thunder storms may be gathering in the clouds not too far ahead of us :

The scenario? President Buhari has twice excluded Vice President Osinbajo from crucial security meeting with security chiefs, where matters of State , critical to the operations against Boko Haram are discussed.
The Problem? Watchers of politics in the country, political commentators and the media are beginning to insinuate that there must be some underlying trust issues between the President and his Vice when it comes to Security. Others believe that the VP has a right to be in those meetings and that being excluded was a way of limiting his rights as a VP. The matter has become another talking point and before long either the President or his Vice will be forced to address it.

For those of us however, who are intrigued by the power play between Presidents and Vice Presidents across Africa, this is yet another drama in the making. Some, as a matter of fact, really do believe it's just a matter of time before history repeats itself leaving us with a Vice President estranged from the Presidency. How it pans out in the long run may just depend on what point the trio of loyalty, common sense and selflessness come to intersect with each other .

But while this drama continues to play out internally within the Party confines, and externally, in the media and public space there is need to search out for precedents, and seek out the legality or otherwise of the President's action.
Nigeria operates a democratic system patterned along the American style of democracy, and although today, America's Vice President seems to wield considerable power as well, this was not always the case.
 Infact John Adams , Vice President , 1789 to 1798 had this to say about his office :

         "The office of the Vice President, is the most insignificant office ever the               invention of man contrived, or his imagination conceived"

It was only since after the 2nd World War that the US Congress and the President began to assign more roles to the VP. For over 100 years , Vice Presidents of the United States of America were simply marginal figures along the corridors of power.

Important to note is that it was not until 1933 when President F. D. Roosvelt, (32nd President of US) began to include his VP in cabinet meetings that other Presidents after him started including their own Vice Presidents in cabinet meetings.

But here is a situation we can draw parallels from: President Roosvelt even though he allowed his VP attend cabinet meetings, he did not allow him attend National Security meetings, and particularly did not inform his VP about the highly important National security project called "The Manhattan Project" which at the time was a top secret project to develop atomic weapons. Ironically, President Roosvelt died in 1945, and the war was still going on. His VP, Harry Truman suddenly became a war time President and found himself in an extremely difficult position (to put it mildly) because he did not have firsthand knowledge of all the available National Security information . He had to depend on daily briefings from the Secretary of War to make critical decisions that could affect not only America but the World in general.

How did the American Congress deal with this anomaly ? Simple. The American Congress realized that a situation where a sitting President did not have firsthand knowledge of the country's National Security options was absolutely untenable, and a very big security risk. In 1947 congress then included Vice Presidents as one of the four statutory members of the National Security Council . The sense behind it is this: If at any point in time the President is unable to continue being President, the VP who succeeds him would be fully equipped to discharge most of his duties without hang-ups.

This is good precedence and I would think the new Senate, and Representatives ought to, as a matter of urgency, look into passing laws that clarify and specify  some of the critical responsibilities of the Vice President  as a way of minimizing an unnecessary attrition that could destroy the morale of the nation.

                Written by Victor O. Sawyerr
                  June 12, 2015

NASS INAUGURATION , MATTERS ARISING

MATTERS ARISING
10/06/2015
NASS INAUGURATION: THE PETULANCE OF APC
Talking points from the inauguration of Nigeria's National Assembly yesterday continue unabated. All media forms are still feasting on the dismembered remains of an outcome that threw political permutations of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the wind leaving party forces reeling and squealing.

APC spokesman, the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a vitriolic reaction on June 9th 2015, 16:24[Nigerian Time] , almost two hours after Dr. Bukola saraki had emerged unopposed, as President of 8th Assembly of the Nigerian Senate , published on the party's website that :
  "... The APC has described as totally unacceptable and the highest form of treachery, the conduct of Tuesday's inauguration of the National Assembly that led to the emergence of... "
         ...Alhaji Lai Mohammed
         National Publicity Secretary,
          APC

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Speaking for a party that recently won an election from a position of opposition, and using words like 'totally unacceptable' and 'treachery' for a proceeding that was conducted in public view, within the ambits of the provision of the constitution, not only smacks of petulance but may imply to close watchers of politics in Nigeria that the 'Change' mantra may simply have been a smoke-screen of sorts, and that the Party has no intention of changing the practice of 'ruling by special arrangement"
The extraordinary length to which the Party's leaders went to invoke a Presidential intervention, by summoning him to the failed (? mediation) meeting, to wield a 'presidential' big stick on the Party's senators so they tow they party line in electing their Principals within the Senate , flashes a red flag as well and brings to question the Independence of the President.
Whether Mr. President, by design or fortuitously failed to attend the meeting, this should also be a signal to him that there are still a thousand and one strings attached to his tailcoat and some of those strings are in the firm girps of some cold calculating magicians.
With all this background drama still playing out it is comforting that mr. President has accepted the outcomes of the proceedings at the National Assembly . A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adeshina indicates that: "... the President would rather that the process of electing leaders as initiated and concluded by the APC had been followed. Nonetheless, the President took the view that a constitutional process had somewhat occured... "
Put this way, this also flashes a red flag. "Somewhat" within the context of statement may have been used to show highlight the President's unwilling acceptance of the outcome of proceedings yesterday, but it casts a whole different spectrum of interpretation of procedures and proceedings going forward. Is this President going to henceforth question the constitutionality of all proceedings that do not favour his or the party's wishes?
It is the burning hope of the masses that mr. President would realize sooner than later that it is necessary to cauterize more than 80% of those strings on his tailcoats for him to truly belong " to everyone and to no one" as he proclaimed in his inaugural speech.

                                                        [Written by: Victor O. Sawyerr]
P.S. : The preferred  APC candidates for the Office of President of the Senate , Senator Ahmed Lawan and a group of about 25 Senators who missed the  proceedings yesterday indicated after todays session that they would be heading to the courts  soon to contest that proceeding.

NASS ELECTS PRESIDENT

09/06/2015
NASS ELECTS SENATOR BUKOLA SARAKI AS SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE 8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The inaugural session of the 8th National Assembly of Nigeria convened at 10.00 Am in Abuja with the sole purpose of electing its officers and declaring the 8th Assembly open.

In what may seem to many as a subtle coup, Senator Bukola Saraki was nominated , unopposed to become the President of the 8th National Assembly, much to the surprise of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on who had canvassed it's members to vote Senator Ahmed Lawan, based on a mock party election which saw some of its members stage a walkout.
The choice of candidate for the Senate Presidency has caused some friction within the party, and game watchers believe if unresolved quickly, it may cause the party to implode.
Although quorum was already formed when Dr. Bukola Saraki was elected, a number of APC Senators were not yet in the hall when proceedings commenced.

This may indeed provide more talking points in the days ahead.
Voting is alreYady in progress for office of Deputy Senate President.

11:55 AM
Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP) emerges Deputy Senate President.

Senate President & Deputy

With the emergence of the Senate President from APC  and the Deputy Senate President from PDP it may offer some assurance that there would be balance in the house, but there are a whole lot of underlying dynamics which may play out in due course.

12:37PM
House of Representatives  is already in session to nominate its principals.

CLAMOUR WE ALL

CLAMOUR WE ALL 

Clamour we all
For Power
To act
To Change
To deify
To 'demonify'
To wield absolutes
Over lesser
Mortals.

Clamour we all
For Power
To stand
As Kings
To soar
Like Eagles
Roar
Like lions
To own
The jungle.

Clamour we all
For Power
To depose
Like gods
Repose
Like angels
Wave wands
Like fairies
And wrest
The universe
Into
Our Private Domain.

Clamour for,
But the ultimate
Aphrodisiac ;
NAY
The final
Psychedelics:
                 The Trappings
                 Of Addiction, and
               A conundrum
                                    of altered self perceptions
                                    Inebriated self consciousness...
...A GALAXY
   That revolves
   but in the palm
   Of our little hands.
    [Written by Victor O. Sawyerr. June 1st 2016]
[Acknowledgement: "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac"... Henry Kissinger Former Secretary of State, USA ]

ART SPOTLIGHT--Nduka Omeife

ARTSPOTLIGHT
NDUKA OMEIFE-- Watercolorist extraordinaire

Nduka Omeife

When I'm painting , I feel like I'm on a trip to a secret place -- my secret place , and watercolour gives me the freedom to share my place, my space with the world...." The words of Nduka Omeife graphic artist and one of Nigeria's foremost contemporary watercolor artists.
Certainly no Nigerian artist of this contemporary generation is more synonymous with the word 'watercolour' than Nduka Omeife. Nduka's works , as is evident in some of these samples are not just uniquely creative but also distinctively self luminous.

Wole Soyinka
A Nduka Omeife watercolor

Consider the glowing edges of Soyinka's grey hairs or the glossy skin of the apples on the table and it is easy to appreciate Nduka's ingenuity with the treatment of light.

But his watercolours are not all just about light and the treatment of light. "For me," he says, "an artist is someone who sees reality for what it is; he may improve on it or manipulate it to create something else but ultimately he shares his world with those around him..."
Painting is indeed a creative visual art that is as personal as it is sharable. Over time this creative visual art form has evolved, metamorphosing into different formats, unique media and techniques reaching its height in the late middle ages . One of the techniques of this art form is water-colour painting which employs coloured pigments dissolved in water.
From a very early age, Nduka, who was born in Lagos in the 1970s, developed an irrepressible affection for the fine arts. Drawing became a part of him -- a part of his life. At the age of six, when others of his age were still tail coating their mothers, Nduka's interest was basically to grab a pencil and a sheet of paper and retreat to his little creative corner .

A Nduka Omeife Watercolor

Nduka's mother noticed very early in his childhood, that her son had a passion for drawing. She placed absolute faith in his talent. In an era when parents wanted for their children to grow up and become doctors or engineers, Nduka's parents, especially his mother committed her time and emotional resources to encouraging the Young Nduka to activate his passion for drawing.

For him, she became the philosopher, the role model, and the visionary, always advising him, guiding him and providing the pillar of support that he needed to develop his talent.

" My mother was a cook, my father a brewer ; we were just an average family but my mother was my backbone . Steeped in African culture, my mother was always full of proverbs and one that still lingers on till today is this: 'Nduka' she called me, 'Never ignore the little things in life. It's the tail of the cow that drives away flies...' This formed a part of my growing up years." He says.
These nuggets of wisdom were to later form the heart of Nduka's creative resources-- a unique blend of magical realism, attention to detail and an astonishing simplicity found in all of his creative works.
 
But first, Nduka says he had to contend with his education.
His words : "When you know who you are and what you want , you can change things ."
He attended St Peter's Catholic Primary School. His primary school years he says helped him develop a unique way of seeing things. Where others saw only the big picture, he could easily zero in on the details and his young mind would then re-create his own distinctive view of the world around him.
In junior secondary school, Nduka developed the habit of frequently visiting the National Gallery for Modern Arts at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos. At this young age, he was in JSS2 actually , (then called class 2) he found himself greatly influenced by the creative works of Abayomi Barbers, the late Ehabor Emokpae, Erein Solomon Wangboje, Abiodun Olaku, JD Akeredolu, and Ganiyu Oladokun all of whom were well established, infact leading artists at the time.
In 1993 he was introduced to Abiodun Olaku, at the Universal Studios of Art, National Theatre, Lagos. Olaku also greatly impacted Nduka's journey in arts.
Nduka says : " That was the time I realized that fine arts was the most eloquent means of communication for me. I spent hours and hours reading all the fine arts texts I came across. My heartbeat always raced whenever I was talking about fine arts with my friends. Drawing and painting became a personal means of expression for me. When given a single assignment, I could spend hours and hours researching it and others along with it. I just couldn't help myself..."
As it turned out Nduka became the best fine art student in his secondary school (Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, Lagos State ) claiming all the prizes in fine art in his school. But he is quick to share the credit for this exemplary performance with his Secondary school art teacher, Mr. Tunde Aweniya who, he says, took time to nurture him.
Being a realist, Nduka accepted that he had to find some work to do, while awaiting his result and seeking admission to a University. He found work in a Printing press,(in a highly competitive environment like Lagos). There, his advanced knowledge of Graphic arts easily became evident. Such was his ability that it was not long before his employer entrusted the management of his entire printing press to the hands of this enterprising young school leaver.
This faith placed in him, gave the Young Nduka a strong determination to succeed, and presented an opportunity to cut his teeth on the business side of his vocation. It also instilled in him the discipline of delivering on deadlines in a highly demanding industry.
Time flew by and the opportunity for University education came knocking. Nduka won the prestigious Nigerian Breweries Scholarship to study fine art at the University of Benin. After a relatively average first year which he spent enjoying the new environment as many new entrants are likely to do, Nduka reassessed himself. He re-appraised his purpose for being there, and applied himself to his studies with renewed vigour. Such was his dedication to his studies that he made First Class Honours majoring in Graphic Design.
Focusing on his ultimate goal , Nduka understood that Graphic design would open the door to the corporate world while also giving him the freedom to work on his passion, what he calls his 'private place' : Watercolour painting.

After graduation Nduka's gained valuable work experience in FMCG, Printing, Advertising Agency and Banking. He also consulted for multinational, private companies and banks. Presently, he works in Brand Management in one of Nigeria's largest and biggest banks.
He is married to Bethel and together they have three beautiful children, Grace, Ijeoma and kene.