Trend-Setters

The Government's tale of a technical education as a recipe for the creation of jobs for the youth of this country is a good idea, however good this sounds, it all ends on the back pages of the newspaper albeit lacking in sincerity. In lieu of this, I am prompted to ask some mind boggling questions; 1. How many technical schools do we have in Nigeria altogether? For instance, In Ogun State, we have a meagre five Technical Schools which is barely enough to start with. Out of those five, four is owned by the state government and one is owned by the Federal Government. Currently, Ogun State has a population of over 3 million people, the few colleges we have is far below the minimum requirement of the Millenium Development Goals , MDG’s Vision 2020. 2. Was Technical Education even structured in our educational policy? I don’t think so. From inception, technical education was never structured in our education policy. Right from the time of Prof. Babs Fafunwa, as the minister ...

London seems to be a Mecca of sort for some prominent Nigerians of recent. A preferred destination, from an ex-convict turns governor and now to a rogue banker. The choice of London is unconnected with the Olympics games going on neither is it correlated with the tourism haven the British country provides its foreign guests, but rather the ineptitude of our judicial system to prosecute corrupt Nigerians. After months of protracted battle with the irresolute made-in-Nigeria judicial system, the big man that held sway at the helms of affair in the defunct intercontinental bank is a potential gold medal candidate in a soon to be pronounced British court unless perhaps our judicial arm can spring up surprises to save us the hassles of another Ibori. The banking reform exercise carried out by Sanusi Lamido exposed Erastus Akingbola’s fraudulent deals to the tune of three hundred and forty six billion (N346 Billion) under fake prete...

I read Mr. Akogun's write up published on the 27th July in what should have been an assessment of the achievements of governor Ahmed Abdulfatahi, his predecessor Sen. Bukola Saraki and the situation of events in Kwara generally. I find it hard to juxtapose the content of that article with the modern day Kwara we live in. The word "rotten" depicts a state (in this context) of putrefaction or total deterioration which does not in any way befit Kwara by any standard except perhaps Mr.Akogun resides in Pluto. Was that an exertion to critically analyze the true picture of Kwara state in the wake of economic adversity or a jibe at Sen. Bukola Saraki to settle some political scores or more probably an attempt to discredit the present governor. What ever the motives were, it is clear that the article by any standard is a prejudiced piece and most likely one of those sponsored by those who engineer violence. If for some reasons the author has a personal vendetta with Saraki and ...

As Fashola launches air-condition meat vans, co-operative college By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Monsur Olowoopejo Federal Government has approved N330 million grants to assist 20, 000 farmers in Lagos state, a measure geared towards increasing food production in the country. Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state inaugurated the first co-operative college and 60 refrigerated meat vans to convey wholesome meat from abattoir to different areas in the state. Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adewunmi Adeshina who disclosed this Friday, at the flag-off of the growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), said that the fund will be devoted to acquire fertilizers for the farmers. Adeshina added that the fund will cover 50 percent of the cost that would be spent by farmers on fertilizer in the state. The Minister explained that the cost of fertilizer and seed valued at N36, 000 will be given to farmers with the farmer paying N 18, 000. He added “This year also, ...

So Dame Patience Jonathan is now a permanent secretary in Bayelsa? Most people still mumble in disbelieve on her appointment as one of the permanent secretaries alongside sixteen (16) other senior civil servants in Bayelsa State. And for some of us that are already used to the persistent incredulous drama from this administration would have accrue enough shock absorbers to summon the courage to move on in the face of any trepidation. Dame Jonathan apparently has all the qualification to be bestowed with such appointment legally, what most Nigerians are at variance with; is the reality of the “I don’t give damn obsequious attitude that resonates with government misplaced priorities. Is it morally right to appoint the first lady and the current wife of the president into a public position with so many vested interests? Is she due for an appointment as the permanent secretary? Would she permanently serve in Bayelsa State or shuttles Aso Rock? Your guess on all these is as good as...

BEING THE FULL TEXT OF THE LECTURE ON LEADERSHIP AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA DELIVERED BY SENATOR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI AT THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY(OAU). INTRODUCTORY The invitation extended to me to be the Guest lecturer in this year’s Distinguished Lecture series is indeed a great honour. I must thank the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University for considering that I should share these thoughts of mine with you. I am very pleased to be here. The topic assigned to me for this lecture is “Leadership and National Transformation in Nigeria”. In truth, the concept of leadership is multifaceted and it will be too obtuse for this lecture to focus at all the various dynamics and facets of leadership. Our purpose will be restricted to political/public sector leadership that enable national transformation as opposed to private sector or informal leadership. We shall consider how quality leadership can give rise to ...

The recent call by our lawmakers to obliterate the sole autonomy of the nation’s number one financial institution- the central Bank of Nigeria has continue to generate some sort of strong furor. The national assembly is seeking to reduce the power of the central bank, a legislative measure according to the lawmakers to ensure transparency and accountability. Prior to these call, the apex bank managed by the controversial governor of the central bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido who has continually ruffled a lot of feathers under his banking reforms. I could recall vividly his Infamous decisions that sparked off the revolution in the banking system; with the sacking of the managing directors of five banks and replacing them with CBN appointed managers and the subsequent publications of the names of some highly placed Nigerians who are major bank debtors. . These moves were no doubt in favour of the country’s financial institution aimed at restoring sanity back to the system and the economy ...

Top music producer K-Solo married Kikelomo Akinkunmi in November 2011. By May 2012, the marriage was over. The wife told City People in an exclusive interview that the marriage ended because K-Solo was in it for money and also because he assaulted her so much she lost the pregnancy she was carrying when they got married. According to Kikelomo… K-Solo and I met on Facebook in April 2011 and continued our friendship on Blackberry. We eventually met face to face at a show in Eko Hotel in Lagos. I am not really based in Lagos. I am always in Warri, Port Harcourt, South Africa or Cameroon. I am always traveling because of my business. But because of K-Solo I started coming to Lagos frequently after we started dating.HDIkAhobmM0/T9J3TSKCiwI/AAAAAAAAAEI/DwStVDWdwuI/s1600/k-solo%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"> By August of 2011 we started having issues. He was actually scamming one girl. On...

A MASTERPLAN for the transformation of Kwara State into the agricultural hub of West Africa and create food security for the people is to be launched by the state government at Cornell University, New York on Friday. Dubbed the Kwara State Agricultural Masterplan (KAMP), and designed by professors of Agriculture from Cornell University in partnership with those from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University (KWASU), the blueprint contains a roadmap for enhancing Kwara State’s capacity for agriculture-led development. A statement issued by the state government in Ilorin said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is expected to launch the masterplan and sign a memorandum of understanding with Cornell University to ensure the effective implementation of KAMP. Also expected at the event are former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, bank chieftains, captains of industry and leaders of agribusiness, investment banking, international t...

“After very careful consideration, and in honour of Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s accomplishments and heroism, on this Democracy Day, the University of Lagos, is renamed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Moshood Abiola University, Lagos," This statement dropped like a bombshell during the Presidential National broadcast speech to commemorate the celebration of Democracy day by the grand commander -in-Chief Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The ferocity with which the news spread like wildfire heralded an immediate response by the MAULAG students’ formally UNILAG. The Students poured out on the streets in their numbers to protest what they termed an untimely injustice and thus expressing their grievances over the renaming of their school after Moshood Abiola; the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential general election. Placards of various sizes were on display with anti-Jonathan slogan and chanting of solidarity songs to press further their message. Now from my own perspective, I do unde...

If there is one tough decision the Chelsea management board is to make real quick, that will be the dilemma as to who succeeds the interim caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian born coach has achieved in less than four month arguably what mourinho could not in his brief spell at Chelsea except perhaps the premier league title. Most Chelsea fan are still basking in the euphoria of their triumph over world super power Barcelona and former European Champion Bayern Munich to clinch their first ever Champions league title. Considering the team poor run in the league after dipping further down the table signalling what would have become their worst season ever; Andrea Villa Boas was shown the exit door thus paving way for the Italian as a caretaker manager. The impasse to appoint a long term future manager may linger on; factions within the Chelsea board hierarchy are torn between offering Di matteo a permanent deal or probably a year contract. This rises the poser- what is/a...

From Tobi Soniyi in Abuja A Federal High Court in Abuja today May 23rd 2012 condemned in strong terms the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki. Justice Gladys Olotu while ruling on Saraki's application to withdraw his application to stop the police from arresting him, said that the police undermined the authority of the court when it issued a warrant for Saraki's arrest and also declared him wanted after they (the police) have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court. She also set aside the order issued by the police declaring Saraki wanted on the ground that such an order foisted a fait accompli on the court. The judge rejected the arguments of the police counsel, Mr Femi Falana that the court did not have the power to stop the police from carrying out their constitutional duties. According to her, once a party has submitted a dispute to the court and the other party has been served, the proper thing to do is to al...

What Would You Have me do? – By Wale Bakare - @waleflame My name is Rolake, I live in Onike, a suburb of Yaba metropolitan area in Lagos. I am here to tell you my story or perhaps my ordeal in a humorous manner. Being the last born of a family of five has often endeared me to people, I get favour where others have been disappointed. My guiltless face with an impish smile no doubt deceived people to be overly nice to me. I took advantage of this allure to warm myself straight to people’s heart. All that was while growing up, things have changed quickly… I have out-grown my once- upon- a-charming self. I have wailed severally at the loss of my dad while in final year to the extent that good favours that usually accompanied my pretty smile albeit taking for granted then, had all eluded me. Here I am aging, but young at heart and I need to accomplish a whole lot of things like- get a good job-Car- and ultimately find my missing rib. Sad? - Don’t cry for me yet- wait ...

BY.... WALE BAKARE There has been a beehive of activities in the Nigerian political terrain of recent. Top on the melee is the Farouk Lawan subsidy scam probe being attended to by the house on the recommendations of the subsidy committee. The report has been aired and read by the house, we eagerly await the presidency for full implementation to prosecute those indicted by the report. In a society where high profile case of corruption such has the 2 Trillion naira fuel subsidy scam discovery, one would have expected a show of remorse from the culprits by voluntarily resigning their current appointments and maintain a low profile pending when further actions would be taken by the presidency and the anti-graft bodies. Surprisingly the reverse is the case; the cabals are even gathering more momentum to witch-hunt and torment Senator Saraki with corruption case that holds no water. Rather than bury their head in shame for committing the greatest c...

The rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria is quite alarming and millions of young people are facing a daunting challenge to overcome these perilous circumstances. More than one third of the youth population is unemployed. For young people, finding stable and gainful employment has become a priority at the expense of creation of self sustainable livelihoods. The government’s lackluster attitude towards Agricultural development has forced many of us to shift our attention away from farming. In the early 90s Agriculture was the most vibrant sector of the Nigerian economy– engaging about 70% of the labour force while producing about 80% of the total food consumption. Today only a fraction of the youth is actively engaged in farming as a result of its unattractive nature. Young school leavers have often been cajoled to return to the farms, but the lack of a cohesive structure in place in recent times has raised questions about the Government’s sincerity. Over reliance on crude oil ha...

Watching the last couple of weeks as events unfolds, I cannot but seek your permission on my request to ask many questions.There is a maxim in Yoruba which says “abeere ona kii sonu” which means that the person that ask for direction would not be misguided. It is worrisome to read about the disparaging messages being propelled by some activists via the social media as regards Senator Saraki and the issue of corruption. Corruption or If you like recklessness in Nigeria today has become a norm where political office holder openly indulge in corrupt practices as a result of the feeble arm of the judiciary to enact a concrete law that will stem this menace. Nigeria is notorious as a country married with corruption and still heavily pregnant with its many offspring. My first question would be who is corrupt? Is it the housemaid eating two meats per meal whenever “Oga” is not around?   Or……. the Executive Director in connivance with the accountant to change figures? And to the bias...