THE PARADOX OF IBOM MEDALLION:
Written By
Dr. Inyang Oduok
Everyone is his own individual tone. Now is Pastor Bush’s turn. According to Bush, Godswill Akpabio’s exit is sure to user in combo “of pastors, elders, evangelists, economists, lawyers, doctors all forming what he calls Ibom Medallion with Umana Umana as its political star who will drive the aspirations and ideals of Ibom Medallion with” Akwa-Ibom community as its students- quite an interesting proposition, isn't it?
EXAMINATION OF MEDALLION:
CHARACTER:
The group has become grotesquely dictatorial even before it takes off. You are automatically a member of the group if you are a professional living in Akwaibom or out of state or country – a fundamental assault on our freedom of choice and association.
THE GROUPS’ AVOWED GOAL:
“Akwaibom project belongs to us all, its time we partake in deciding those to be at the helm of the affairs of the state,; so that we can assist in articulating policies that will impact on the economic well being of our people with the sole aim of having a better state ..”
The group it seems advocates a transformation from unchecked individualism of Akapbio administration in which Umanah Umanah is a dominant player to the same Umanah Umanah “who will drive the aspirations and ideals of Ibom Medallion” and not that of the people of the state. This will force the state into crises because of the group’s arrogant overreach in imposing its alleged candidate and its elitist opinion on the rest of the citizens of the state. This is not what our people want.
QUALIFICATION OF UMANAH UMANAH AS A STAR CANDIDATE:
As I pondered on Medallion’s claim of Umanah’s competence to govern our people, I looked back and saw a poignant scene of families presently languishing in grieves in the state. Three to four months behind in the payment of teachers’ salaries who teach our young ones and Civil servants whose December salaries are yet not paid by Umanah and Akpabio administration.
The shock of alleged state “sponsored terrorism” abuses and cruelty to our people while Umanah, our churches and Clergies like Bush remain muted and in some cases benefiting economically and praying for the redemption of the perpetrators and a guaranteed place in the Kingdom.
I thought of a government which has a policy to resort to the use of brutal force in circumstances deemed totally improper, unnecessary and deadly. I thought of our people who are maimed, brutally assaulted by repressive government of Akpabio administration in which Umanah is a principal actor.
All these cruel practices are not necessary to preserve internal order and discipline or institutional security. They are arbitrary and purposeless, brutal and cruel and contrary to contemporary standards of decency. I could not help but ask myself the question, do these people really have consciences?
Due process clause of the constitution requires that pre-trial detainees not be punished at all because the state does not acquire the power to punish them until it has secured a formal adjudication of guilt in accordance with due process of law. But the record of Akpabio -Umanah administration is replete with instances in which political detainees are brutalized, humiliated and in some cases murdered in cold blood.
I look again intensely and even in an area like free Secondary Education of our children that I may have given Akpabio administration some credit, I also saw it sprinkled with evil.
The so called free Secondary Education is nothing but an attractive nuisance. It is a blanket open door policy without any requisite safeguards like residency requirement and is intended to encourage people from the neighboring states who incidentally are Akpabio’s in-laws to migrate to our state to neutralize Ibibio majority –an avowed policy of Akpabio- Umanah administration. With no comparable employment opportunities created to absorb the new immigrants, they resort to robbery and all kinds of criminal activities that now plague the state.
Then I could not help but question the legitimacy of Pastor Bush’s claim of Umanah’s fitness as the messiah to redeem the state from the very evils he has help create. I could not help but conclude that Pastor Michael Bush although a pastor is fascinated with worldly pleasure and business, money, contracts and Akwaibom projects and support for corrupt governments and its leadership. For if Pastor Bush’s attention were focused on things eternal –truth, righteousness, justice, the love of our state and its people, he would never have truthfully lay claim to Umanah’s fitness to govern our people.
I can go beyond and state Pastor Bush’s additional problems- the difficulties of a Clergy indulging in politics. For one thing, there is a big wall separating the church and the state. The church is not a political institution. Therefore, the Priest should stick to gospel as much as the State should stay away from the business of the church. “The church and its disciples cannot and must not take our economic destiny in their hands nor should Pastor Bush’s Mandellion and its elitist disciples.” There is a church- state divide- the two don’t mix.
What then you may ask, is the role of the church and its Clergy when our people are being murdered, kidnapped, abused and persecuted by repressive governments disguised as democracy?
Is the policy of inaction by the church and Pastors like Bush when God’s people are being murdered, kidnapped, abused, brutalized, persecute even in their backyard not a functional equivalent of the decision by the church and their clergies to violate the liberty granted them by their creator? In other word, do the church and its clergy have a distinctive role to defend God’s people against the evil practices of oppressive governments?
It appears Job might offer us some help. “When doubt and temptation mar moral instinct, God, through the spiritual self” as Job says, “approaches mankind sometimes in slumber” or as in this case this writer “to impress his instructions that men may change from their wicket ways.”
Pastor Bush needs to retire Umanah to a life of repentance for the evils he has substantially rained on the lives of God’s people of this state. Hopefully he can forgive him.
Sodom and Gomorrah , vile with debauchery of a nameless crime were not deserted by the Angel of Love until the fire which they had lit their souls had consumed them.
If Pastor Bush does not retire Umanah to a life of repentance but insist on fielding him as his star candidate for 2015 Governorship election, then the evil which he had lit in his soul may consume him as did Sodom and Gomorrah .
The Evangelists Jonah, the Sam Jones of Hebrew theology, exhorted the adulterous Nineveh many times to repent as we do now exhort Umana to retire to a life of repentance and save our people the repeat agony of Akpabio-Umana administration.
David, while intoxicated with love under the seductive embrace of Bathesheba as Umana is intoxicated with ill gotten wealth of two corrupt administrations, heard the voice of Nathan. Surely, God is no respecter of persons and will speak to mankind if only they will not stiffen their necks and harden their hearts. The Governorship slot for the 2015 election under PDP is for Eket Senatorial District . Those who have ears let them hear.
Akpabio’s influence in Akwaibom state will go with him. The state will not be saddled with existential enemies- hooliganisms, vandalism, murder, kidnapping, arrogance and violent political style - never again shall we allow anyone rot such evil upon our peace loving people.
Dr. Oduok, a political analyst writes from Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Nigerian SSS and Godswill Akpabio: Who is Fooling Who?
Written by
Thompson Essien Tel: 503-661-6368
The Mental State of Godswill Akpabio
The People of Akwa Ibom State know that Godswill Akpabio is a paranoid individual who is troubled by the blood of innocent men and women he has contributed, directly or indirectly, to the untimely loss of their lives since 2007. Godswill Akpabio is also a man with an inferiority complex developed since childhood as a result of uncertainty about the identity of his real biological father. These two factors may be the actual reasons why Akpabio is unsettling, restless, cries easily, and frequently exhibits traits that many people often use in describing him as a man with dual personality. These two factors may also be the reason why Akpabio is generally known as a man who enjoys telling lies, even if his two hands are caught, re-handed, deep inside the cookie jar.
Is Godswill Akpabio suffering from Paranoia?
There is something about Godswill Akpabio which I find very interesting, though intriguing; his ability to use his dual personality trait to manipulate the Nigerian system, as in the ability to manipulate the Nigerian SSS agents into believing that his enemies, real or imagined---mostly imagined-- are out to kill him and his family. At least within the last two years, Akpabio has filed several complaints with the SSS complaining about all sorts of people with allegations that these people are out to "get" him.
The most bizarre case is the allegation that Thompson Essien is the head of a group that detonated a bomb at the premises of Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation. Interestingly, in spite of the careless statements issued to the media by Nsima Ekere, (Akpabio’s Deputy), in which he mentioned that Thompson Essien was the head of the group that detonated the bomb, no available evidence was presented to that effect, other than a letter sent to him (Thompson Essien) on the Internet by a group, which claimed responsibility for the bombing----a letter which Thompson Essien purposely posted on the Internet with a note which clearly stated that maybe it would help security agencies in their investigations. And let me add here that if Thompson Essien had anything to do with the bombing of the AKBC, he never would have been as stupid to the point of releasing the letter to the public, knowing very well that he could be linked to the bombing situation.
There is also another bizarre case. At the end of the Congress of Ibibio People's Union held in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 2011, a Communique was issued, in which there was a line about mobilizing villagers to start a militia (vigilante) group to watch over their villages against the waves of kidnappings in the State since the Government of Godswill Akpabio did not seem to care about the safety and security of the masses. But lo and behold, and in his typical mood of sheer paranoia, Godswill Akpabio felt threatened that IPU was going to replace his militia groups (the AKPF, ADUMA, and ADV) with one of its own.
Akpabio panicked to the point of hysteria, as evidenced in his speech at the Akwa Ibom State National Convention in Miami, Florida, the following week, during which he screamed, "Oh! They (IPU) say they are forming a militia group. Is that the type of group you need? I am going to make sure that all those who want to form a militia group in Akwa Ibom State are deported from the United States." Some people in the audience clapped, without even knowing what Akpabio was talking about and without knowing that at that moment, Akpabio was at the peak of a serious mental drain, caused by the minimizing effect of his psychotic medication, which was wearing out of his blood stream at a dangerous rate.
As soon as he returned to Nigeria, Akpabio compiled all sorts of manufacturing reports against Ibibio People's Union (IPU) and sent them to the State Security Services as evidence that IPU is an organization formed to overthrow his government, with Thompson Essien as its leader. However, what Akpabio did not mention to the SSS was his motive behind his complaints against IPU.
The Reasons and the Real Target of Akpabio’s Gripes
Those of us that organized the IPU Congress in Atlanta know very well that Akpabio's gripes with the organization are because Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited to the event, while Akpabio was ignored. A few days to the IPU Congress in Atlanta, a gentleman telephoned me from Houston, Texas, and wanted to know what would happen if Akpabio, without invitation, showed up at the IPU Congress. I asked him if Akpabio wanted to attend the event. He said yes. "Tell Akpabio," I instructed the caller, "that if he shows up at the IPU Congress, he would do so at his own risk because he would be venturing into a very hostile environment. Tell Akpabio that he was not invited and we don't want him. I also want you to tell Akpabio that if he shows up, without invitation, as the leader of the organization, I will personally affect his arrest for trespassing." The message must have been delivered to Akpabio because he did not show up.
People who read this may be tempted to jump to the conclusion that I sent the above message to Akpabio because I don't like him. It is true that I don't like Akpabio. But my rationale at the time was my concern for his safety. At the time, my quick instincts instructed that with Senator Akpan Udoedehe (a man whom Akpabio has lied against, twice, for his arrest and detention) at the event as the Guest of Honor, there was no way I could envision what might have been the reaction of his (Udoedehe) supporters towards Akpabio. In my mind, I couldn't imagine Senator Akpan Udoedehe and Godswill Akpabio physically together in the same hall. I did not want to be blamed for heading an organization and hosting an event which might have resulted in a situation where someone could have been seriously hurt. I don't know if such fears might have materialized, but I just did not want to take the risk.
My second line of reasoning was based on the fact that majority of those that attended the Congress were people with very strong feelings against the policies, or lack of it, of Godswill Akpabio as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It was very likely that within the audience there would be men and women, whose relatives have been kidnapped, assassinated, murdered, robbed, and unjustly locked up in prisons. All it would have taken for all hell to break loose at the Congress hall would have been a single unguarded statement by Godswill Akpabio, no matter how well intentioned it might have been.
On the surface, those who read the ordeal of Chris Udoh with the SSS may think that Thompson Essien is the reason why Godswill Akpabio went to the SSS. It is not. Godswill Akpabio’s complaints to the SSS about Thompson Essien are a ploy to get to Senator Akpan Udoedehe. Akpabio was and still is angry that he was not invited to IPU Congress. Akpabio believes strongly that the Senator is the brain behind the refusal of the IPU Executives to invite him (Akpabio) to the event. And, according to information from some members of his inner circle, nothing pained Akpabio so much as knowing that he and his opponent (the Senator) were in the United States at the same time to attend events hosted by the people of Akwa Ibom State.
According to Chris Udoh, the SSS asked him about Thompson Essien, about who finances this and who finances that. They also asked what he knows about the bomb in Akwa Ibom State. Let it be on record that in November (2011), when Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited for questioning by the SSS in Abuja, he was put through the same line of questioning that Chris Udoh endured last week with the SSS in Port Harcourt.
How Professional is the SSS?
After his interrogation with the SSS in Abuja, Senator Akpan Udoedehe commended the agents for their professionalism. After his encounter with the SSS in Port Harcourt, Chris Udoh wrote; “One important thing I must bring out up-front is that the SSS officials were organized, respectful, and civil in attitude. I believe they are well trained. If the Nigerian police or other security agencies can borrow 10% of their professionalism, we will have a great nation – the guys were so good and receptive.” I have no reason to doubt the way the two gentlemen assessed the SSS. And I have no doubt that the SSS has clearly stated rules, or policies, that spell out expectations and high degree of professionalism among its agents.
However, I am highly convinced that there are some rogue-agents in the agency, whose mandate is to give the SSS a bad name and a bad image. These rogue agents are the ones that collude with evil and corrupt politicians, such as Godswill Akpabio, to harass innocent citizens in the name of State Security.
As an instance, when Chris Udoh appeared at the SSS office in Port Harcourt, a representative from his employer---Shell--- asked to know if Chris Udoh’s invitation was a private matter or connected to his employment. He was told the invitation is a private matter. Now, here is the question; if the reason Chris Udoh was invited was personal, why did the SSS send the letter of invitation to Shell---his employer? Is that professionalism?
After Chris had introduced himself, he asked the Director for his name. But the Director refused. Instead, he told Chris; “I have told you that I am the director of SSS, why do you need my name? There is only one director of SSS in River State, and that is me, (pointing to himself), everybody knows me. Let us proceed with the reason for today.” Here the Director was behaving as if his name is so sacred that one needs a combination to unlock the Covenant for access to the coveted name. What arrogance from a man who is paid by taxpayers to serve the people. If this behaviour of the Director could be described as professional, then I rebuke it in the name of Jesus Christ.
And, as to add insult to injury, the Director objected to interview Chris with his lawyers present. Is that professionalism? If I were Chris Udoh, I would have told the Director that I would not answer any question or cooperate, unless and until my lawyer sits beside me. Such a stand would have educated the arrogant Director to know that there are people in Nigeria who have refused to be intimidated by the wickedness of a few people entrusted with governance.
Akpabio and the SSS: Who is fooling who?
Let me say that the SSS and Godswill Akpabio are playing games with each other. Akpabio knows that he has no evidence, whatsoever, to connect Thompson Essien with any of his maddening accusations and allegations as reported to the SSS. The agents of SSS, on the other hand, know very well that Akpabio is playing gimmicks due to paranoia. But for some reason, the men and women at the SSS are either too timid or afraid to tell Akpabio, "listen, Governor, your report lacks merit. Therefore, we are going to put it where it should go; trash bin."
The reason I say this is because Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, who is in hiding. He is very visible in all aspects; on the Internet he posts where he lives and sometimes he would include his telephone numbers. If the SSS had any evidence to whatever allegations Akpabio has filed against Thompson Essien with the agency, I am of the opinion that, by now, the agency would have contacted him, at least for questioning. If the SSS had any proof of his connection to the bombing at AKBC, they could have contacted him a long time ago. So far, they have not done so. Instead, some agents regale themselves in harassing innocent citizens pretending appear serious about the madness of Godswill Akpabio.
What I don't understand is why the SSS is cooperating with Godswill Akpabio to harass innocent citizens under the pretense that they want to know about Thompson Essien. When Senator Udoedehe appeared at the SSS in Abuja, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" When Chris Udoh appeared before the SSS in Port Harcourt, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" Asking Chris to tell them about Thompson Essien is laughable. At least Thompson Essien has had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Senator Udoedehe. As for Chris Udoh, Thompson Essien has never met the guy. Yet this is the same man SSS agents are bombarding with questions about Thompson Essien’s profile. If the SSS wants to know about Thompson Essien, let them contact Thompson Essien, instead of asking people about him. Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, whose profile must be obtained through covet intelligence gatherings. I have provided the information below where Thompson Essien could be contacted, if the SSS feels like doing so.
What is Thompson Essien’s Position on Godswill Akpabio?
Since the SSS is beating around the bush, let me take this opportunity to give them more information they can add to my profile, by clearly stating my position regarding Godswill Akpabio. I am not under any cover, I want Akpabio removed as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State; this is not a secret where the SSS has to consult an oracle to find out. I want Akpabio out because he is responsible for all the kidnappings, assassinations, rape, murders, and all the incarcerations of innocent Akwa Ibom people---all in the name of politics. I want Akpabio out because of the corruptions and theft of the people’s money. I want Akpabio out because he is a thief, who has stolen, not only the people’s resources, but also their mandate. I want Akpabio out so that there could be peace, safety and security in Akwa Ibom State. I want Akpabio out because he is a bad and terrible leader.
Does that mean I want Akpabio dead? Hell, no! There are no doubts that Godswill Akpabio is a devil. So, who in his right mind would want his hands soiled by the blood of a devil? I don’t. Therefore, why would I want to kill Akpabio? As a matter of fact, I pray daily for God to save the life of Akpabio so that when he is finally kicked out office, he could be brought to court to give an account of all the people’s resources he has stolen since 2007.
He must live to tell the people where he got the money to acquire all the lands in Akwa Ibom State. He must live to give an account of where he got the money to build all the mansions he owns. He must live to give an account of all the money he is hiding in foreign banks. If for some unfortunate event Akpabio happens to die (God forbids!) before he can account for his atrocities, it is Akwa Ibom people that will lose-out on everything. That is why Akpabio must live, but he must get out of office.
Conclusion
Finally, let me take this opportunity to repeat myself; Thompson Essien is not the reason Akpabio went to the SSS. Akpabio wants Akpan Udoedehe---dead! Since after the Election, Akpan Udoedehe has reasonably stayed away from Akwa Ibom State, which makes it difficult for Akpabio to commit a crime and blame it on the Senator. So, Akpabio's rationale is that if he could link Akpan Udoedehe to Thompson Essien, his strongest critic, then Akpan Udoedehe would be arrested and sent to Uyo where Godswill Akpabio would have a good chance to kill the Senator. It is called politics---Akpabio's style.
We could recall that Godswill Akpabio has said, on many occasions, that he would rather kill Senator Akpan Udoedehe than allow him to succeed as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. With the pending case in the Tribunal, a situation where Akpabio never thought would occur, and with the pending case of Engineer Frank Okon against Akpabio for forging a Certificate of Clearance, Akpabio knows that it is becoming inevitable, whether he likes it or not, that Senator Akpan Udoedehe will emerge as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Now you know the full story.
Essien writes from Portland, Oregon
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Senate Rejects State Burial For Ojukwu
Written By
EMMANUEL IMOH EKEREUWEM
ABUJA
The Senate stood still on Thursday as it devoted the entire session to honour the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Though members of the upper legislative chamber opposed the clamour for a state burial for late Ojukwu, they urged the former Eastern Region where he was the first military Governor, to come together and give him a befitting burial.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Andy Uba and 50 others entitled: “Death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi) 1933-2011.”
Apparently to capture the mood of the day, many South East Senators where Ojukwu hailed from wore black suits including Senator Uche Chukwumerije, known for his traditional white attire.
The Senate resolved to observe a minute silence in honour of the deceased; just as it also agreed to send a high powered delegation to commiserate with Ojukwu’s family, the people and Government of Anambra State.
The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to immortalize late Ojukwu by naming a prominent establishment after him.
The opposition of a state funeral was hinged on the argument that Ojukwu did not fall under the category of those who should be so honoured.
Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi explained that the prayer should be rejected in order not to set a precedent that ran contrary to the laws of the country.
Again: Akaninyene Eyo and His Self-Imposed Duty
Akpabio: A misgiuded Nigerian governor
"I felt pity for Nigeria and especially my people. What could have informed the choice of such man (like Akaninyene Eyo) of very little intelligence and confused mind to represent a people in the National Assembly"-Unyime Mkposong Ikpeme Esq
Only corruption, the urge to acquire corrupt power, and illegal earnings; "have informed the choice of such a man" for any public office - (S)elective or not. People who jeer at hard, honest work; and who are ungrateful to anyone who has ever been the source of their elevation in status, must necessarily go down the same path of licking asses, kissing boots, and destroying the chances which Almighty God had given to them, through HONEST help; such as Dr Imeh Umana had given to the unfortunate, ungrateful, and self-destructive Akaninyene Eyo. I read his diatribe and could not help wondering if anything he wrote had any dictum of truth in it. I was prompted by the vileness of that publication to praying to Almighty God for speedy retribution for all evil-doers, ingrates and sycophants; and may I indicate that I do not know either Imeh Umanah or Akaninyene Eyo. I do not need to know either man to discern the brazen acts of injustice and ingratitude conveyed in Akaninyene Eyo's vitriol against Ime Umanah. It takes a Godly heart to repudiate any and every evil-doer and evil; and so I thank Barrister Ikpeme for his gratitude to a man who lent a hand of help to see to the academic success of the Barrister, and for his repudiation of an evil act/person. Indeed the few Ibibio and Annang people who have followed Godswill Obot Akpabio unquestioningly, supporting his acts of mayhem even if some bits of goodwill are spread over his atrocities, are digging their graves of grief; and such giefs which they have accrued unto themselves will certainly knock on their doors in this life-time, not by man's appointment, BUT by God's.
"Annang land may be enjoying the privilege of producing the governor, but we must not lose sight that one day that reign will end."
Truth, indeed does not have to come in buckets!
A little truth like this becomes a life-saver for those who love that mustard seed. Many Annang people who hail Godswill Obot Akpabio and his cultist reign, by repudiating their sons and daughters who are of different political dispensations, or who as matters of principles, oppose the evils inherent in Mr. Akpabio's reign; and/or who HATEthe Ibibio for opposing Godswill Obot Akpabio's RIGGED second coming; seem to forget that without the Ibibio, Godswill Obot Akpabio would never have been governor in the first place. They also have forgotten that many greedy and cultist Ibibio stood with Godswill Obot Akpabio to RIG the election of last April. They, like Godswill Obot Akpabio , have bitten the very fingers that fed them.
Such actions and uttering by the Annang, or by the Ibibio, or by Oron citizens, or by Eket people, must be handed over to God, to judge; in the pending trial of Godswill Obot Akpabio and his goons before God; for all eyes to see and for all ears to hear. There is no politics before God; ONLY good or bad actions. The adage of our elders posits that when anyone forgets where he took shelter when there was inclement weather, the next time bad weather surfaces, such a person will have no hiding or resting place. Those who have forgotten not only justice and fairness, but also blood relations - in-laws and grandchildren, wives and husbands - to stand with sectional evils and greed, cultivated and perpetrated in the Akpabio government, have forgotten where shelter can be found in the time of inclement weather . They are very far from the Godhead - what shall it profit them to gain politics in an evil political era, at the loss of their own souls; and to lose all that is dear to mankind? Many have forgotten to learn any lessons from the past, or from similar history.
Those who stand for TRUTH, JUSTICE and FAIRNESS, are nearer the Godhead; so those who have failed to repudiate the evils of cultism and sectionalism and murders and kidnappings, or even the mistakes of Godswill Obot Akpabio, must remember, each time they enter any house of prayer dedicated to God, that they are heaping burning coals upon their heads; and they will cringe in their hearts and in their spirits when Godswill Obot Akpabio's EVIL actsand doings eventually manifest in the open. If such is worth losing the Ibibio, the Annang, the Oron, and the Eket relationships; OR the joys which in-laws and grandchildren and wives and husbands bring to the human breast; may they have what they have asked for!!
There should be no pity felt for the likes of Akaninyene Eyo who are ungrateful, or for those Annang people who see their sons and daughters who oppose the evils or even the politics of Godswill Obot Akpabio, or who see the Ibibio, as the enemy; because of their unquestioned support for Godswill Obot Akpabio, they have made their beds , they must lie on them when the time comes. As for all speakers of TRUTH, all who see injustice and repudiate it, all who see unfairness and reject it - Ibibio, Annang, Oron, and Eket, or wherever they may come from - a rich reward awaits them; not only in Heaven, but also here on Earth; and that TIME is fast approaching when we will all reap what each of us has sown!!!
OduduAbasi ( Nicolas Edet)
oduduiniso@yahoo.com
DFW
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Money, Money Everywhere But No Lending...
Mr. X worked for a Nigerian bank for nearly 20 years, rising to a senior management level. Last year during his annual leave, he received a message telling him not to bother returning to the bank; he had been sacked. Ms. Y came to office one early morning as she usually did, sat down on her desk and powered her computer, only to find out that the password had been changed. She had also lost her job.
Despite the marble buildings, glass cladding, sleek cars, glib adverts and billions of assets on paper, it may come as a surprise to many that Nigeria's banking sector which employs only about 500,000 people – despite the nearly 1 trillion naira of public funds used to stabilize several ailing banks last year, is still shedding jobs. When a sector cannot hold on to its own jobs, how can it possibly act as the catalyst for development, growth and job creation?
The financial services sector of a country is comprised of the banks, insurance companies, pension funds and the capital market that are mostly privately-owned but closely regulated by several government agencies. The sector primarily acts as financial intermediary - mobilizing savings from those with surplus cash, and lending it to those that need more cash to grow their businesses, satisfy consumption and acquire durable assets. It is therefore supposed to drive economic development, provide credit for the economy and enable job creation that bring both long and short-term benefit to the people of the country through stimulation of real sector activities.
Cultivating a banking culture within a given society is usually encouraged, induced and sustained by specific policy, socio-economic conditions and political realities. It is usually brought into existence by specific government legislation. It does not come as an expression of mere wishful thinking. Rather, a virile, sustainable, economy-boosting financial services sector capable of generating appropriate employment opportunities has to be properly designed, legislated and regulated.
Before Independence the banks in Nigeria Lagos
The 1970s witnessed the indigenization of our first generation banks – Standard became First Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Barclays became Union Bank, and IBWA (Afribank) and majority equity compulsorily acquired by the Federal Government of Nigeria. During this era, in the global banking rankings, a couple of Nigerian banks featured in top 100 in the world, and all our banks were all considered to be dependable. Today, Nigerian banks can only look up to being among the bottom of the top 1000 banks in the world. Most of them are not perceived to be strong, sound and capable of discharging their primary functions.
As at end of 2010, the Nigerian financial system consists of 24 deposit money banks, 1 Non-Interest (Islamic) bank, 5 discount houses, 866 micro-finance banks, 106 finance companies, 101 mortgage banks, 5 development finance institutions, 1,959 bureaux de change, 690 stockbroking firms, 13 pension fund administrators, 5 pension fund custodians, an asset management company, a stock exchange, a commodities and securities exchange and 73 insurance companies. These are all licensed and regulated by the CBN, National Pensions Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Insurance Commission as appropriate - as independent regulators ideally free from undue influence and political interference.
One of the most important ways of measuring the health of an economy is by gauging the strength of its banks. Just a few years ago, former Central Bank Governor Charles Soludo embarked on banking reforms including the consolidation of our banks to the 25 that managed to put up the minimal capital of N25 billion. The stock market bubbled to the stratosphere. Unfortunately most of the banks recapitalized by borrowing from each other, or lending to customers to buy their share - and little new money was mobilized from within or outside Nigeria
Barely two years after the supposed miracle, the much touted consolidation came crashing down. In the end, only about 10 banks got a clean bill of health. The new management at the CBN under Sanusi L. Sanusi is still battling to restore sanity and confidence in the financial system - a war with an exposure of nearly 1 trillion Naira so far, and counting.
Today, only one out of five Nigerian adults has a bank account. Only 15 percent of women have bank accounts. The North-West and North-East zones are the least banked, and not surprisingly the poorest in the country. Nearly 70 percent of currency in circulation is outside the banking system. Banks lend more to the government than the small, medium and large business that truly create jobs. Nigeria Abuja and Lagos
What went wrong? Why are our banks neither aggressively mobilizing savings nor lending for real sector growth? Why do we seem to go through cycles of banking distress and failures every ten years or so? Why are interest rates being raised unreasonably high mainly to protect the exchange rate? Why do we seem to rely on the CBN intervention to fund sectors at affordable interest rates, while the deposit money banks are doing little or nothing? How can banks declare all those billions in profits yet are not able to provide affordable long term credits?
The Nigeria
The sector serves mainly larger, well-connected entities and individuals. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), though generally have access to bank loans, try as hard as they can to avoid them, because they cannot afford the high level of interest rates compared to their mostly tight profit margins and other poor operating condition – electricity, regulation etc. The loans that Nigeria
The unavoidable conclusion from these facts is that the Nigerian financial sector functions first and foremost as a channel for capturing government deposits and recycling them to buy government debt. It is only a marginal, complementary source of finance to the private sector. This is of course in contrast to what is necessary for vibrant economic growth.
An economy driven by self-financing widens stagnation and poverty, because new investors can only come up when they are able to save capital. Today, because of lack of access to affordable credit, many potential entrepreneurs are forced into low-capital activities like petty trading to earn a living. This has caused excessive competition in such activities, and profit margins that are so low and unstable that it is impossible for most petty traders to earn much more than they need simply to feed themselves and their families – much less to borrow money at high interest rates.
The failure to develop a vibrant credit system has not only limited growth; it actually widens the incidence of poverty, aggravates the inequality of income distribution, and creates constant political pressure on government as the employer, provider and financier of last resort.
The foregoing clearly reveals the issues that need to be addressed to make our banking industry deliver on the expectations of Nigerians. The first is to attract genuine new capital into the banks, not the phantom injections we have seen in the past. Second, the industry needs to attract long-term deposits from untapped savings waiting to be mobilized from our rural areas and bedrooms. Finally, the CBN must fix affordable rates of borrowing that not only enable sustainable growth but also reduce the incidence of non-performing loans. Applying the rule of 72, it is clear why banks do not lend. They know that no one can pay those usurious interest levels. Perhaps the only non-interest bank we now have will show the way. The world over, interest rates are in the single digits and near-zero, except in Nigeria
To conclude another tale of wasted opportunities, one cannot but paraphrase the popular maxim ‘water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink’. In this case, it is money, money everywhere, but no lending to real sector, and therefore no jobs at all’
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
THE DEATH OF FUEL ERA IS VERY CLOSE: RISE UP
By
mike_ekpo@yahoo.com
Samsung launches solar powered computers & laptops, Nissan launches Nissan Leaf (a car that can run for years without fuel - electric car sold for less than (N4 million), Airtel & other telecom companies to launch solar powered base stations worldwide, Nigerian banks and many more Nigerians clinch to solar & power inverters too. From the foregoing, very soon, our oil will be needless & useless. Now is the time we need to quickly fix Nigeria
We must not continue to tolerate our figureheads & watch this great nation fall flat because ONLY we the masses will suffer it as they have all stolen monies enough to cater for even their generations unborn. We have to take after Egypt & Libya
Time to act is now!! Even the kingdom of God Abuja
Michael Ukanga Ekpo
The Earth is the Lord…
Oyinbo Is Not Stupid - Nija Take Note!
"The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, and continues to recommend U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, Imo; the city of Jos in Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno States in the northeast; and the Gulf of Guinea because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas. Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the country. This notice replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated October 19, 2010, to update information on recent violent activity and crime in Nigeria. "
The above excerpt is Paragraph One of the travel warning for Nigeria with the US State Dept. The website address is http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5580.html. This website was updated on 10/31/11.
Who are we deceiving ?????? That an American company will ignore the warning from its own State Dept and do considerable investment deals with us?
I have not heard any dialogue nationally or otherwise on how we will take this country off that list !!!!
We need Investments and Trade Deals but every American Company before leaving the shores of the United States checks out with the US State Dept. When a deal is made it is not a hidden thing. The three trade deals worth billions of dollars with Panama,South Korea and Colombia were announced worldwide. Real deals are announced openly,they are not hidden !!!!! Real investment like Range Rover going to India is announced openly ,or like google setting shop at Sweden or AT&T trying to merge with Sprint etc.
However there are rules of engagement. We will not force Oyinbo to invest with us(Which involves them spending their money) in the midst of Assassinations,Kidnappings,Murders,Corruption and all other kinds of chaos. Contrary to what sycophants may want to say, things are relatively peaceful where these huge companies and conglomerates open shop at. We may smile at them and they may smile back at us but the fact remains that they are not stupid. They know everything that is going on and they will surprise you if they want to describe your own environment for you !!
The sub division of the G-20 countries ,the G-8 (Canada,France,Italy,Japan,United Kingdom,United States and Russia) control the world's economy and they have standards. We will not dictate to them, they rather dictate to others. Silent observers to this group include China,Brazil,India,Mexico and South Africa.
So we can go for investment meetings, theycan even be gracious enough to open the wine bottle for you but it ends there. When it is over they will open the door and let you go quietly with your issues. You will not force them to invest in your chaos ridden society reeking of corruption.
All that Akwa Abasi Ibom state needs is one,I mean one Fortune 100 Company to come and open shop in Uyo and Three-Quarters of Akwa Ibom is employed in no time with a huge crowd of foreigners working and living there and buying land too and building houses !
However,whenever I put my ear to the ground it always us doing deals with some company that is so africanized that they are as corrupt as the people themselves like Julius Berger etc.
How about a Fortune 100 company like HoneyWell, Google, Cisco, Northrup Grumman,Boeing, Apple, Microsoft, Dow Chemical, Walgreen, Walmart, Proctor and Gamble , HP, Dell, 3M, General Dynamics, Intel just to mention a few of them. You cannot close a deal with these guys by force. They will not invest in your area when you cannot even take that stuff in the travel warning off from the US State Dept website.
So who are we deceiving ??
Investment is not having all the outfits in the state being co-ops of the State Government. Investments for Akwa Abasi Ibom State should "Heavily" affect the lives of the common man. I would rather prefer a Fortune 100 company coming into Uyo and the service companies to that investment belong to the common man. Say Intel came to Uyo and opened a Billion dollar plant. Let the Cafeteria Caterer be from Akwa Ibom state,same for the Stationary supplier,Car Fleet Managing Company,Pharmaceutical Supply Company, Maintenance supplies,Travel Agency,Auditing Firm,Technical supplies and the list goes on and on.
When it is real it is open. CNN would just announce that Microsoft is going to Uyo, nothing is hidden. Trade deals are announced openly and worldwide. In fact it is like a kind of signal that the country or area is opened for high powered business with the atmosphere to match. So all these "hidden" attempts to pull investment into the state is just something else. It is a reflection of a forgone era that we will not let go. The fact also is that instead of admitting the truth ,people would rather die in silence.
Ghaddafi figured this out and he spent millions of dollars with consulting firms trying to regain the image of Libya and it paid off . So what are we doing to attract investment ? Rather Nigerians want to eat their cake and have it. With all the inconsistent electric power, Assassinations,Corruption,Kidnappings, we believe we will make the world come in and invest in us by force !!!! Obama in fear of Nigeria will announce a major trade deal with Nigeria or Akwa Abasi Ibom State ! Right?
I repeat again and again as some people who travelled are beginning to realize. Oyinbo are not stupid. Like most of our people are beginning to recognize, after all the talk ,they opened the door and the team left. If there was a major trade deal signed or investment agreement signed and made,we would have heard about it in their own foreign TV stations and ours too and CNN does not miss that kind of news with Fox Business Channel too. Never heard Nigeria mentioned not to talk about Akwa Abasi Ibom State.
Oyinbo are not stupid,they will not spend a dime in your land if the atmosphere is not conducive. They do not have a problem taking your money and building Airports/Repair Hangers and Seaports and Hotels and stuff for you. However it is another story when you say that Mercedes Benz has decided to build the Assembly plant for the next generation S-class in Akwa Abasi Ibom State. This would entail Mercedes Benz buying land in Uyo and building their own Residential Estate,then a huge Industrial complex and employing the local populace and then shipping the finished product from a Sea port in Akwa Abasi Ibom State to the rest of the world. That is real investment and Oyinbo are not moved by words to invest in less than ideal conditions and spend their hard earned money where they could easily get killed or kidnapped or get annoyed by Corruption.
It is a bit humbling ,the day you go to Boeing and start trying to have them assemble engine parts of the New Dreamliner 787 in your state not to talk about country. That is when you know how powerful you are in the world business scene. Asking Wal-mart to use your state as an "experimental hub" to penetrate the African market(knowing that entails them spending millions of dollars) and they delay you in a hotel room cuz they cannot wait to penetrate your part of the world and want you to sign a deal.
Oyinbo are not stupid
If this administration is not careful,they will end up being the administration with a record that succeeded in paying huge sums of money to foreign companies for contracts and services rendered but could not attract a single solid fortune 500 company to invest likewise in the land.
A super spending state that spent every single dime away.
Bringing Life changing investment is where the real work begins and we shall come to notice that Oyinbo are not stupid.
They are rather ready to give you awards than to bring a company to your land that will make 2000 Americans to be permanently stationed in Uyo spending cash like no man business.Oyinbo are not stupid.
Until we get our name off that travel warning list no solid company will want to do business with us and we can continue to act like we are superior to them and that we do not need trade and investment with Europe and the United States of America.
In fact we don't need their help because oil money is flowing and AIDN will figure out how to get companies into Akwa Abasi Ibom State with the name of our state on a warning list.
I also anticipate all those that will attack me for bringing to notice the fact that the name of Akwa Abasi Ibom State is on a travel warning list.
Oyinbo are not stupid
Clayton Udoh
Defender of the Down Trodden Masses.
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