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. 

LAGOS STATE STILL DELIVERING THE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY

LAGOS STATE: STILL DELIVERING THE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY:
IKORODU-MILE 12 BRT EXTENSION

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday 20th May 2015 held an enlarged Stakeholders' Meeting at the CCECC work yard , Majidun to thank the people of Ikorodu, and all stakeholders within and along the Ikorodu-Mile 12 corridor, for their support in ensuring that the BRT extension project which commenced over 24 months ago gets completed without any major hitches and or tragedies.

The project which enjoyed the support of the World Bank, has seen a major transformation of Mile12- Ikorodu route ,

with the expansion of the road from a single dual carriageway to a 6 lane (3 on each side) expressway, new BRT bus stops along the corridor , pedestrian bridges , side walks and a healthy dose of road furniture.
Residents at the Stakeholders' meeting , overwhelmed with joy , expressed their gratitude to LAMATA and the Lagos State government for delivering on their promise to the people of Ikorodu and the Wetland Communities.

Engr. Rabiu
Chairman, Wetland Communities.

Capturing the feelings of the people of the Wetland communities, the Chairman of Wetland Communities, Engineer Rabiu said : "We have all for been yearning for this type of development so we are so happy, and we appreciate the effort of Lagos State Government for making the promise 'fulfilled' on time."


The head of the Market women and men at Ikorodu, Iya lója general, Iyalode Allyson

Iyalode Allyson
Iyaloja General, Ikorodu.

overwhelmed with joy thanked LAMATA and the Lagos State Government "not only for delivering such a world class road, but also for fulfilling the promise of relocating and building a modern market for the traders at Ikorodu."
This extension project is one more dividend of democracy delivered to the people of Lagos State.

REMEMBERING AALIYAH:

Aaliyah

Samplers of good music , like connoisseurs of good wine are always on the lookout for the next good music or the next vintage wine. Once in every while though, the past hits back at us and demands we take notice. Many who loved the '90s brand of music and Rap, still remember the breathtaking deliveries of the late superstar and screen Diva Aaliyah Haughton, known to many simply as Aaliyah.
One of her greatest tracks , "One in a Million" went platinum back in the day and dance hall animals of the era I guess would still remember how many 'belly-buttons' they 'pushed' as a result of it.

Aaliyah

 One person who is keen on ensuring the Diva is kept alive in the minds of music lovers all over the world is multi-talented producer Timbaland . Timbaland has made it a point to encourage artistes that he works with to keep the magic in Aaliyah's songs alive.
The Super-Producer who is currently working with a relatively new act, singer, songwriter and rapper Trinity Home, better known by her stage name as Tink,

Tink 

is paying homage to Aaliyah in a new track titled "Millions", a mix-tape version of the Late Aaliyah's platinum hitting song "One in a Million". Tink's rendition is considered to be a bridge between Old school and new school R&B. This home girl from Calumet, Illinois threw a light into the corners of her soul recently with this tweet which indeed shows why she may yet take the world by storm in a not too distant future : "I'm not clingy, I'm just intimate. I'm not insecure, I'm just sensitive."

Tink 

Tink who turned 20 in March this year, has been enchanting hearts across America with her sultry mix tapes (5 to date since 2012), and is due to release her studio album this year on the Mosely Music Group label run by --- you guessed it , Timbaland.

NOLLYWOOD AGAIN

NOLLYWOOD AGAIN:

Nollywood, Africa's largest and most vibrant film industry has lost yet another gem , a veteran, Peter Bunor. In recent years Nollywood has lost some of its finest actors including the Late Same Loco Efe, Justus Esiri,  Enebeli Elebuwa and Muna Obiekwe.

Peter Bunor

The Late Peter Bunor had suffered from stroke for a while before passing on, bringing to the fore once again the issue of lack of 'deliverable' health insurance for an industry that in 2013 alone generated a total revenue of =N= 1.72 Trillion ($10 Billion) . This also highlights the true situation of Nollywood -- an industry that lacks proper corporate structures and basically exploits its biggest assets , the Actors and Actresses.
For a country where there is no lack of innovative entrepreneurship it is sad that none of the big insurance companies think it worth their while to provide comprehensive health cover in an affordable way for actors who in truth and indeed are not as affluent as the screen characters they portray.

Health insurance is critical and crucial for Nollywood as the recent spate of deaths may be an indication that the lifestyle of actors -- late night shoots and poor eating habits may in the long run impact negatively on Nollywood.

READY FOR FAST AND FURIOUS 8?

READY FOR FURIOUS 8 ?
Fast action, adrenaline hyped movie addicts are by now wondering if there will really be one last throw of the dice for them. Although accounts indicate that "Fast and Furious 7 has been bursting bank vaults, but with the sad passing away of Paul Walker on 30th November 2013, many were thinking that would be the end of this amazing action 'longstory'.

However the feelers out there show that indeed there will be FAST AND FURIOUS 8.
 A release date for the movie has already been set according to the SOURCE magazine:
http://thesource.com/2015/04/24/furious-8-coming-to-theaters-in-2017/
Well, at least the adrenaline dose is guaranteed!!

Fallouts of the Eblola Crisis: Returning to school in Post Ebola Sierra Leone :

FALLOUTS OF THE EBOLA CRISIS -- RETURNING TO SCHOOL IN POST EBOLA SIERRA LEONE :

        Laughter perched on their faces,
        smiles brightened the corners of their eyes.
        With swinging steps and swaying paces
        clutching satchels, and bags and what-have-you,
                 They trudged on,
                            ...drove on
                          .... raced on.....
                       'Tis time for school once again.

The chirping was endless. Careful not to hold hands unnecessarily, they nonetheless told their stories with zest. Each had his or her own story to tell: Each with his group of friends. All you had to do was listen as some shouted above their voices and others laughed on. For school children of all ages in Sierra Leone, Tuesday 14th April was a welcome 'release'.
After almost 7 months away from school, and a hard to calculate degradation of Education in Sierra Leone, Schools were instructed to reopen by government on Tuesday April 14th, 2015. In an effort to encourage parents to send their children to school, government also announced it would pay the school fees of all children in government schools. But typical to Sierra Leone, the first week saw less than 50% return rate. However, one week on, the number of returning students and pupils doubled.

For many parents it was great joy that their children would begin the upward climb again -- to gain an education they so badly need. For others it was a blessing that Government had promised to pay the school fees of all students in all government schools.

For a few of us though, this was a 'red-flag'.

The intentions are no doubt noble, but the practicality of it bothers the thinking mind. With yawning gaps in the quality of the facilities and school assets and the salaries of teachers and education workers waiting to be serviced, and the unpaid subsidies to government schools, plus the many other commitments struggling the capture government's limited resources, one wonders if this good intention is not, in actuality, a recipe for disaster. A local newspaper reported an encounter in Bo, at the Methodist Primary School. One of the teachers could not help but say:

 "we have not received any subsidy from government for two terms now and yet government says we should not collect fees..." She left the sentence hanging. Her unspoken words painting a far more clear picture than any spoken words could have done.

It is an Igbo proverb that says: you look at the size of a child's hand before you cut Eba and put into it. Unfortunately for Sierra Leone, government is both the parent and the child in this instance.

While in Freetown many parents may indeed still keep their younger children in the non-government owned schools , knowing that these schools do provide a little more in terms of quality of education , parents in the provinces on the other hand, may decide to seize upon this goodwill gesture, and before you know it the schools may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of students turning up.

The bigger question however, is this : How does a government whose economy is in dire trouble, fund a project such as this ? Where will the money come from ? I must admit that NRA claims they have exceeded the projected target for the quarter, but I guess it is no secret that a number of very vital multinationals operating in the country have either scaled down considerably or closed shop.

Being the fourth month of the year it is quite certain that government did not provide for this expenditure in the 2015 appropriations. If indeed this government intends to open up the education space and offer more children the opportunity to access education would it not have been better to encourage truly international non-profit organizations to assimilate the fees for students as a direct responsibility, with a few select government schools(on a trial basis at first), so that government can free itself to attend to its obligation of providing quality facilities and assets for the schools under its care, as well as ensure that workers in the education sector receive their salaries and compensations as at when due without 'ifs or buts'. To develop such a plan of action would require detailed consultation and rigorous work with technocrats in Education from Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora as well as those at home and  in concert with International community.
                                                           ..... Victor Omotayo Sawyerr 21/04/2015

[Kindly feel free to share your thoughts with us. Also feel free to comment on this opinion and others in this blogsite. We value your contribution.]

SIERRA LEONE : RETURNING TO A NEW NORMAL

SIERRA LEONE: RETURNING TO A NEW NORMAL.
Flying into Lungi International Airport on Sunday 12th April 2015 was no different from when I flew in, in April last year. The land space looked the same. Surface structure looked the same as well. But a year ago faces smiled easier. Last year when someone smiled it easily became a laugh. One year on smiles fizzled out before they reached the eyes. At the entrance to the terminal building everyone queued for the mandatory hand wash. This also was not there last year.
Checking through immigration was quick and easy, but the airport seemed lean. One year ago it was busy, robust. Not so this time. I forgot myself. I stretched out a hand for a shake to a friend who worked at Lungi and had come to help me evacuate my luggage. My hand was left hanging. My friend busied himself fretting about my luggage. I collected myself. I did not need to remember. The memory was there all along, only sub-surface. Now it imposed itself on me: Ebola.
We got to the airport shuttle that would take me to the sea coach terminal. I thanked my friend. He barely looked me in the eyes. My sister had done the needful a day before, and all arrangements facilitated for getting me to town so I was sure my friend's reticence was not as result of pending obligations. We boarded the speed boat. Carefully guarded salutations were exchanged. Each passenger sat disciplined. Not the easy ' laid-back' ride a year ago. Ebola had abraded the collective 'easiness ' inside Sierra Leone. The sea coach ride to town was serene. Waves hit against each other as we sped along. Forced by the noisy quiet I sank into deep thoughts. How would my family react to me? Mama, my brother, my sister , my nephew, my little girl, my big boy, my nieces -- how would they react ? How would I react on seeing them? Would their psyche be so abraded as well, that they would stand aloof -- devoid of emotion not yielding to even a handshake? Tears pinched the corners of my eyes not because I was weak, but just because I could not bear to keep thinking the thoughts.
It was about 3.00 O'clock in the afternoon. I threw my eyes at the passing waters. The sunlight threw a shimmering silver pattern on the dancing waves as we sped along. There was beauty here. And warmth too. But is there now? Is this aloofness -- the' non-touch technique' -- the new normal? Would a smile be a always careful, henceforth?
My heart beat a little faster. We were almost at the Jetty at Aberdeen. As we turned into the Jetty I sighted Mama. She always had her 'head-tie' (enkincha) tied in a particular style, so I picked her out easily as she stretched her neck to see whether I was in the boat. Going on mid-eighties, mama was slender naturally. But now she looked very thin. Still agile and active, nonetheless something seemed missing. My eyes searched further. I saw my sister. She was still round but I could see she had lost some weight. I dragged on a bit before disembarking so I could watch without being seen. From the side as I watched. I felt something was missing. Not something tangible. Something effervescent. I could not place a finger on it. Then she saw me -- my sister. For a fleeting second the thought came to troubled me: Would I shake a hand-- her hand? It was the right thing to do wasn't it -- to NOT shake .
The thought lasted but a fleeting second. There was no reasoning this -- no reasoning here . I left my luggage, dashed forward and hugged her. Mama saw us and dashed towards us we hugged and my little jumped into my hands . They were all stronger than me -- emotionally. I chocked back a tear. Mama could not hold hers back it filled her eyes. We were raised with a different kind of closeness -- a different kind of attachment. We were closed in that embrace for no more than thirty seconds. When we pulled apart a few eyes were on us. But for me the bonding was good enough. There was a new normal in Sierra Leone and it has its own benefits but I was happy I could feel the heartbeat of my sister, see the tears well up in mama's eyes and experience the joy of my little girl's embrace.
At home an hour later, the evidence of Ebola's terror in Sierra Leone was visible too. The thinking and worry had gotten the better part of the family. The stringent measures had formed a part of their daily lives but for us there was still some warmth -- not from the hot African sun but from the love that glows within our hearts. And in my heart of hearts I pray this would not be the story of my family alone but the story of all Sierra Leoneans, who today or tomorrow may yet retell the Ebola Story.

                        ......... Victor Omotayo Sawyerr 18/4/2015
[Please feel free to share your stories with us or comment on any of ours.]

INEC INSIST ON PVC FOR GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS

NIGERIADECIDES2015: THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS

With less than 24 hours to the Governorship elections INEC has once again affirmed that any voter who turns up at a polling unit without his Permanent voter's card (PVC) would not be allowed to vote.
This clarification comes on the heels of statements made by some Governors from the North who have been urging voters to come out and vote even if all they had were their temporary voters cards.

The consensus among general population is that the use of PVCs during the Presidential Elections thirteen days ago, helped in curbing election fraud.
Below is the  statement from INEC

INEC RELEASE

LAGOS2015

THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE KICKS IN

Lagos 2015: I’m In This Race To Serve, Says Ambode

AKINWUMI AMBODEThe governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has maintained that he is in the race to serve.

The APC candidate, at the weekend, reassured supporters and stakeholders that he was in the race to serve humanity and lead by example.


In a statement by his Director of Media and Communications, Steve Ayorinde, Ambode said Lagos had a record of “excellent service” in the past 15 years and the more than 17 million people living and working in Africa’s largest city-state, “deserved a tested hand, who would continue in that tradition of excellence”.

The APC candidate said: “The governor that Lagos State deserves at this period of our continued growth and development is a man with a track record of performance and excellence; a man who is tested, who understands governance and is an experienced administrator who will not experiment with the resources and growth template of this state. I, Akinwunmi, Ambode, is that man”.

#NigeriaHasDecided2015: Quotable quotes.

QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM NigeriaHasDecided2015:

#NigeriaHasDecided.: President Johnathan Concedes defeat.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JOHNATHAN'S STATEMENT AFTER THE FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS OF NIGERIA'S 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Fellow Nigerians
I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28th 2015.
I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.
Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process basedon our constitution and our electoral laws in seeking redress. As I have always affirmed, nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our country is more important than anything else.
I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General elections with commendable enthusiasm and committment that was demonstrated nationwide. I also commended the security services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence free. To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom transparency economic growth and free ans fair elections.
For the past 16years we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation. Through patriotism and diligence we have built the biggest and most patriotic party Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.
I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country, and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of affairs until the end of my tenure.
I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.
May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I thank you all
Goodluck Ebele Johnathan, GCFR.
March 31, 2015.

UPDATES AS INEC CONCLUDES COUNT: #NIGERIADECIDES2015
MARCH 31ST 2015
17:30 (5:30 PM) Nigerian Time
With all but one State left to be declared and General Muhammadu Buhari and APC leading by over 3 million votes the incumbent President Johnathan concedes defeat and calls to congratulate President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. The final results clearly show that over-optimistic speculators were not 'over-optimistic" after all but had intuitively deciphered the mood of voting patterns and were speculating based on these intuitions.
By conceding defeat, outgoing President Johnathan has set the mood for a peaceful transition on May 29th 2015, drawing the curtains on an election which has already made history. This is the first time in Nigeria's political history that an opposition party will be declared winners at the Presidential elections. This is also the first time digital technology has been incorporated into the voting process in Nigeria. Also mking history, General Muhammadu Buhari is the most consistent Presidential contestant (4 times in a row) edging out Chief Awolowo (3 times) who was generally regarded as "the best President Nigeria NEVER had. President elect Muhammadu Buhari will also go down in Nigeria's history as the first man to be elected to the office of President only on the fourth time of asking. These facts should indeed set political precedents for the length and breath of Africa.
The impact of Social media on this election is worth a whole lot of study. The vibrant technology driven clan took advantage of the networking capabilities of Facebook and Twitter to massively tip the scales of balance on opinions, perception and ultimately the call to action. This should be another hugh precedent for African countries who are lacking the person to person network to inspire and initiate regime change. Employing the Nigerian Twitter and Facebook examples opposition parties in other African countries can muster the network desired to go out on election day and take the desired action of voting out a non-performing incumbent. The perseverance of voters on election day was outstanding. In some polling units people brought their own generators to light up the environment as polling officers did initial sorting of votes critically reducing all avenues of election mal-practice.
Indeed the lessons that this 2015 Presidential elections presents to Africa are numerous and may require careful study.
In General Buhari's Katsina state and many other States of Nigeria the happiness of the common man is visible in the streets.
The Nation smiles as the collective will of the people triumph. April 11th is the day each State seeks out who will captain the ship of state for the next four years. Again we watch.


22:06 (10:06PM Nigerian Time

BREAKING
The last State Borno, has just been declared won by General Buhari's APC.
INEC has retired till tomorrow to officialy declare the winner of Nigeria's 2015 Presidetial elections.

23:30 (11:30PM )Nigerian Time
Corrigendum: INEC has not vacated the declaration centre. The Independent Electoral Commission is currently verifying all results submitted with a view to making the final declaration immediately it is through with verifications

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS: RIVERS STATE FACT FINDING UPDATE.

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS: NIGERIADECIDES2015
March 31st 2015
12:45 PM
INEC Chairman Professor Atahiru Jega stated at the declaration centre just before formally receiving the Rivers State Results that the Committee sent to Rivers State returned earlier today . He said waiting for the committe's return contributed partly to the late convening at the declaration centre today.
Prof. Jega said that the mandate given the committee was to determine whether elections did not hold in Rivers State as alleged by the APC and whether there was substantial reason to cancel the elections in Rivers State. Professor Jega reporting to the house stated that within the time frame given the committee their findings indicated that contrary to the allegation by APC, elections did indeed take place in Rivers State. On whether there was substantial grounds to cancel the elections in Rivers State, the committee returned that there was NOT substantial grounds to cancel the elections.
Immediately after reporting to the house Prof Jega asked that the Rivers State results be read. Incidentally, the results read did show that APC won the Rivers State Presidential elections.

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS : NIGERIADECIDES2015-- FINAL DAY COLLATION

UPDATES AS NIGERIADECIDES 2015
March 31st 2015
11:33 AM
Events at the collation /declaration centre rapidly degenerated into a fiercely heated protest as the PDP representative right there at the collation centre declared that the PDP has lost confidence in the proceedings.
In an extremely heated atmosphere the PDP representatives alleged that they have written protests letters on the election results in Kano, Kaduna and INEC did not take action on those protests whereas INEC did take actions on the protest by APC on the results from Rivers State. In reference INEC did actually send a fact finding committee to Rivers State. The heated affair held up proceeding for about 30 minutes.
Exhibiting a high level of statesmanship the INEC chairman camly and professionally addressed the issues raised. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Jega said the petitions from PDP were presented to his PA at collation centre which breaches the protocol of his office. Petitions are to be submitted to his Secretary at the INEC office, and such petition would then be brought forward to him . PDP did not follow procedure.
This development really points to frayed nerves and as vote declaration takes longer it is possible a few more 'burst-ups' may occur.

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS VOTES: NIGERIADECIDES2015

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS VOTES:
March 30th 2015:
23:22 (11:23PM) Nigerian Time
Vote counting and declaration of results in Nigeria's 2015 elections is no 'slam-dunk' . Counting of votes is still going on in some states and INEC is forced to retire once again for lack of results to declare. INEC'S Professor Jega says sitting will continue at 10:00 AM (Nigerian Time ) on Tuesday 31st March 2015.
A total of 18 states plus the Federal Capital territory Abuja have been declared so far: APC has succeeded in flipping the script on PDP as at last count,  on both absolute numbers and number of States won.
APC and General Muhammadu Buhari are leading with 8,520,436 votes and 10 States against PDP and President Goodluck Ebele Johnathan's 6,488,210 votes in 8 States plus the Federal Capital Territory. However in relation to the 25% in 2/3 of the States, President Johnathan's PDP has got its nose out in front leading with 25% in 15 States to General Buhari's 25% in 13 States.
Nationwide many have been glued to their TV sets while the dynamic, tech-driven clan are hugging their IPADS and smart phones. Twitter seems to be the 'happening' social media of the moment.
Generally on the ground , over-optimistic speculators who were predicting landslides for their parties are beginning to realize this may be a tight race to the very end. At the moment its anybody's guess -- too close to call may be the chant that takes us to bed tonight. Some analysts are however pointing that with more States from the South South yet to go there may yet be some disquiet in the APC camp.

UPDATES AS INEC COUNTS: NIGERIDECIDES 2015

Monday 20th March 2015
20:22PM (8:22PM) Nigerian time:
INEC a few minutes ago released the following statement :
                QUOTE
1) Further to allegation made by @APC Nigeria on the conduct of the Pres/NASS elections in Rivers and its call for cancellation ,
2) INEC has set up a fact finding mission to ascertain the veracity of the claims and allegations and advise the commission
3) The comittee comprises of :
      a)Mrs Thelma Iremiren
      b) Col. M.K Hammanga
      c) Prof. Lai Olurode
                                    END QUOTE
This interesting development is continuation of Governor Rotimi Amaechi's position against the holding of elections in his state. On Saturday when he got to his polling unit the Governor had asked to sight the result sheet. Polling officers at the unit had told him the result sheets were not as yet available. The Governor had thereafter called for a cancellation of the elections in the State. Recently Governor Amaechi, formerly of the ruling PDP before moving over to APC , has been one of the most vocal critics of President Goodluck Johnathan. This development may yet add an attention grabbing perspective to post election dynamics.