BenGay... The story of a Homosexual turned Bisexual and Now Straight - My unusual take on the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Law in Nigeria

 The Same Sex Marriage prohibition bill has generated arguments and counter arguments. Even close friends have had cause to spar bitterly on this issue. Family members have also had hot arguments on the topic.

Imagine for the sake of this conversation that you had a brother who was Gay. For the sake of this write up let's call your brother BenGay. Let's face the truth as Africans. I'm sure if your brother BenGay was Gay, you would have prayed and fasted for him, you would have called elders of the family to admonish him, you may have discussed the issue with your priest in church, you wouldve have kept it as a bitter family secret because you will be ashamed to let anyone know your brother is Gay. If you think like me, you may have arranged some girls of lose virtue to seduce him and lure him to bed. All in a bid to make him see the bliss in experiencing the body of the opposite sex as God obviously intended! You would also have engaged the services of a psychologist to counsel your brother that he wasn't born that way. And that his sexual orientation was definitely a psychological response to his being rejected by the opposite sex in his teenage years. If your brother had been lured into sex when he was 12 by the house maid I'm sure he wouldn't be Gay today! If he had been seduced into sex by the raunchy girl next door when he was 11 I'm sure he wouldn't be Gay today! But because he watched all his friends at school get female attention and he never got any, because saw his brothers loved up by women and he never got any love from the fairer sex, because his attempts at even being friends with the girls was violently rebuffed, he gradually developed a resentment for the opposite sex! Even for his own mother. Depending on how deep seated this animosity towards girls was, he may have began to doubt if he had any sexual attraction to them in the first instance. He may have convinced himself that even if the most beautiful woman say Beyonce or Omotola Jalade or Mercy Johnson was to strip before him he wouldn't be moved! He may through a series of mental adjustments, have convinced himself that he was born that way. Was he actually born that way?

You see, what happened to BenGay was that he got into college and his peers realized his total aversion to girls. While they talked about the hips swinging around campus he didn't seem interested. How won't he be interested in such tantalizing mounds of flesh. When they went clubbing and boys used every chance they got to squeeze the bodies of their female friends with permission of course, he was either too scared to be adventurous or he was plainly uninterested! So his friends started the rumor mill, gossiping amongst themselves that BenGay must be Gay. Well trust university boys. To satisfy their curiosity they talked some free thinking ladies into sneaking under the sheets in BenGays off campus apartment,in collusion with his room mate. When BenGay stumbled on a naked lady under his sheets he went ballistic, threw an embolus and put up the most unnatural response. He even slapped her! At that point she shamefully dressed up and heaped insults at him - calling him Gay.

On one of those days in class, a strange face sat by his side during lecture. Let's call him SamGay. As lecture went on SamGay stroked BenGay's leg and rubbed his hands up his crotch. BenGay responded by opening his legs and adjusting to give SamGay more access! He was already experiencing some Brownian motion between his legs. Something he had never experienced in the presence of a woman. He responded in kind stroking SamGay who was also experiencing some Brownian motion in his crotch. They had discovered themselves. They're both Gay! The lecturer was oblivious of the goings on in class. Imagine for a minute that the lecturer found out what was going on...

This is Africa!

... Both young men would've been so ridiculed and embarrased. They would have been called all sorts of names and ostracized. That's the fact about African society. Well SamGay and BenGay would sneak out into the dark night on campus and kiss and touch and do with one another what they wouldn't dare allow their parents know. None of their families knew they were gay! The day SamGay offered to penetrate BenGay it hurt so bad that Ben was admitted at the hospital! Of course he lied to the doctor that he had hemorrhoids! When SamGay attempted to penetrate BenGay again, he violently refused! Then they started fighting. SamGay beat the daylight out of BenGay and flashed a dagger at him threatening that if he told anyone what transpired he would kill him! The two boys were rushed to the campus security but BenGay was so terrified he wouldn't say what happened! SamGay only lied that Ben tried to steal his hand set!

So BenGay was introduced into the dark world of same sex! Contrary to what he thought, that this was just a preference, he now discovered that it was more like a secret society of young men around campus! These men for fear of being exposed threaten and beat and main their young catches into keeping the secret. They were in your university class and mine! They're in your work place and mine...

This is Africa.

...So you will never know! Its a sad world. There is depression in that world and the occasional use of drugs! Not just for recreation but to numb the feeling of emptiness. SamGay had been caught in several inexplicable fights on campus!

Well, the relationship continued till graduation and they heard there is a Gay pastor in Lagos who runs an underground church that secretly weds Gays. So they both start attending the church at Orile! They were scheduled to be wedded in the month of February, when the Federal Government outlawed Same Sex marriage in Nigeria...

This is Africa.

...Because they were directly involved, they studied the Same Sex marriage prohibition act closely. To their dismay they found that they could end up in jail for 10 years for just being Gay! They could be locked up for 14 years for belonging to that pastors church! The pastor himself had caught wind of the crack down and had fled to UK! BenGay slid further into depression wishing he had learnt to get along sexually with females when his friends were arranging hookers to teach him the glories of a heterosexual relationship! Since SamGay was obviously the alpha male, he would have none of the Federal Governments bullshit! So he traveled to South Africa to join Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu's group DRAAMA... A group that advocates Gay rights openly and organizes Gays into a political party sef!

BenGay is alone in Nigeria! His family still doesn't know he is Gay! I know because we worked together and he attempted to initiate me into the act! I nearly punched him to pulp that day but for the fact that he begged and begged like he was actually CONFUSED. I sat him down and he told me his story! I led him to Jesus and took him through a process of psychotherapy using methods I had devised in my 10 years study of this topic! He confessed that seeing me wear pink and yellow shirts made him think I was Gay! I wear tight fitting trousers too! Lol

Today he's picking interest in this lady who I know is a lesbian trying hard through Gods grace to modify her orientation gradually,
into being a bi sexual! I encouraged both of them that its a gradual process! It goes from believing you're homosexual to believing you're bi sexual. For at a point, BenGay thought he was homosexual and could never have sex with a lady! Today he believes he can have sex with both a lady and a guy! Soon he will enjoy Merediths heaven so much he will regret the days he lost being poked by a boy. He's actively dating MeredithGay! They hope to get married later in the year and have somehow escaped a 10 year jail term.

Recently, He called up SamGay to tell him he plans to marry this ex-Gay, MeredithGay! SamGay says that's impossible, that being Gay is genetic! SamGay is obviously brainwashed. I look forward to attending Meredith and Ben's wedding! I shall be his best man!

And I really don't know if its a good thing or a bad thing to have a Same Sex Marriage Prohibition law but I know THIS IS AFRICA!

I challenge all the wannabe pro-Gay activists in Nigeria! Do you have a family member that is Gay? If No then shut the f**k up. You really don't know what you're talking about!

This is Africa

Iroko Obasi ND

ARE WE READY FOR A FEMALE PRESIDENT?

To say that a female president will be an unusual sight is to state the truth. But the question to ask includes - Is it a brilliant idea? Or Have we run out of options as a nation?

Well, I asked this questions on BBM, taking a cue from the lady that thought me to blog... Kerren Amaechi who by the way runs a lovely blog Kays Fittings which I think you should check out. She got this lovely suggestion for improving a blogs content through the journalistic approach. Well, I got very few significant responses and I will assume that majority of the people on my BBM contacts didn't respond because the possibility of a female president is so remote as to be near impossible. But the unusual happens sometimes doesn't it? And when it happens it challenges all our pre conceived stereo types. Let's consider a few unusuals in history.

1. The American nation: do you realize that nation is unlike any other on earth? Its not my favorite state in the world, the Jewish state is cos I'm kinda Zionist since my people believe we migrated from Jewish communities. To support that we often cite an innumerable number of cultural similarities which by the way is not the focus of this post, so we'll save that for another day. But let's just say that America being a nation of immigrants is an oddity! Which other nation in the world is a nation of immigrants. The closest is Australia but they owe allegiance to their home country Britain and the Queen sort of 'runs' the country. Odd countries I've just cited isn't it? Well they tried so many experiments and found out what works for them. Isn't it the beauty of being human, that we can keep inventing new options? Odd as they may seem?

2. A black American president: that's odd! Forget that we are now used to seeing a black man being addressed as president of the US but I was involved in a lot of arguments and I wrote quite a number of articles stating why I felt America wasn't ready for a black president? I felt America wasn't color blind and may never be. I felt America was a prejudiced society and in many ways it still is. But Obama felt he could and he did!

3. A female American president in the offing?:
Let me not go on and on this isn't a write up about America but ehmmm... I won't be surprised to see Hillary Rodham Clinton as america's next C in C.

Hmmm... You'd say. Remember that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf contested for Liberia's presidency and defeated George Opong Weah? Yes she actually did.

Well here's a brief history of how the unusual happened in liberia.

"...Sirleaf became Assistant Finance Minister in the administration of Liberian President William Tolbert. Her public criticism of administration policy, on occasions such as a commencement address at the College of West Africa, attracted national attention and created friction between Sirleaf and her superiors. In the mid-1970s Sirleaf left the Ministry to work for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., but she returned to Liberia in 1977 to serve as Deputy Finance Minister.

"... President Tolbert would later fire his Finance Minster and appoint Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to take his place; she was the first woman to hold this position in Liberia. As Finance Minister, she attempted a much-needed reform of the country's finances, but long-simmering tensions soon boiled over..."
Its a long story. Sounds similar to the Nigerian story? In a way it does!

Well, President Samuel Doe's government would after all these service to her nation, sentence her to 10 years imprisonment... President Charles Taylor even personally threatened that his administration will kill her for her outspokenness... Talk about not having good will. Some will say Sirleaf had none! But she braved all her critics. Didn't she?

Well only recently, Central African Republic after much turbulence has just now elected Africa's second female C in C ever. If Sirleaf proved to be the stabilizing factor the nation needed from 2005 till date after being traumatized by the Charles Taylor years, who says Catherine Sama Panza won't heal the wounds of a nation smarting from civil unrest and almost sliding into war in Central Africa? And who says Nigeria shouldn't try the option of having a female President?

Here are the responses I got from friends:

1. Majemite Esisi said... NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO....... A very big NO

2. Royce Amaechi said... Nigeria is due for a white man to take over

3. Douglas Baye Osagie said... But you know how things work in Nigeria, the capitalists will just package their wives for the position

4. Pat just laughed!

5. Akpoghor Oghenevwegba said... Maybe Sarah Jibril #laughing

6. Ogonino Echefu Darlington said... Hahaha

7. And I wrote on facebook...

"Nigeria is due for her first female president. Honestly I'm willing to support any party that can guarantee that we get a female president. Any party which can ensure that, are the true progressives.

And that's because Africa just got another female president - Central African Republic's Catherine Sama Panza. Recall that Liberia had Africas first female president Earl Johnson Sirleaf

That's progressive thinking

Moreover, If there is anything progressive minds should find gratifying, it is women who excel in fields of male dominance because it means the barriers are closing down slowly but surely. Ruth Osime (This Day Style)

It also means that nobody is stopping women from maximizing their potential. They ought to go ahead and maximize their potential full blast. Men will never argue against an obvious trail blazer! Even if they do, trail blazers always record firsts anyway! That's why women need more firsts NOT just campaigns for gender equality.

What is it about Nigeria that makes it impossible for brilliant ideas that work in other countries to work here?

Iroko Obasi ND

A poem to cap this thoughts...

(A poem of apology and appreciation of Afrikan women from Afrikan men)

the time has come
for us
to be men
in the tradition
of our ancestors

the time has come
for us
to forever
speak truth
of Afrikan women

you
carrying us on your backs
when we
could not
walk
talk
stand
look in your eyes
ashamed
angry
enraged
over a manhood
denied

carrying us on your minds
when we
would not
vent
correctly,
instead
reaching out to hit
and hurt
the ones we "love"
who love us
more
than
we could ever
possibly know
in our confusion

pimpin'
and playin'
you
to ourselves
for ourselves
and our enemies
romancing you
enticing you
possessing, perversely obsessing
your bodies
with words misinterpreted as love
lies to access
and violate
your sacred gardens
infecting your divine wombs
for the love of a momentary
ejaculated passion
for the love of money
and an animal's reputation

reducing ourselves to
the Mandingoes
of other's imagination
against you
and for them

and
even worse
blindly lusting
after other's women
some even stooping
and bending
over forward
in their confused lust
of other men

the drunkenness
the drugs
the dead rage
the friends
the things
the excuses
the games of
placing self(ishness) first
family last

we have done wrong.
we know who we are.
we seek forgiveness.

there are no excuses
in
Afrikan manhood.
only righteous struggle
and correction
into
absolute respect
for
Afrikan womanhood.
all else flows
from this
universal
complementarity.

you breathe life into
what we build
keeping us connected.
you extend family.
you create community.
you give life.
you are love.

we know who you are.
you are the ones
who produced
legions of us,
who will bear legions more.
we ask that you
do not rear them in anger
at us
for our ignorance
and fear.
our daughters and sons
must become
great
warrior priests.
remain nurturers
mothers, sisters, daughters.
no Afrikan deserves
to die
alone
in hate.

there are no bitches
in this Afrikan house
no hoes, no heifers,
no sapphires, no chickenheads;

only queens
queen mothers
and queens in training.
we know who you are.

you are
our first divinities
all comes through the womb
the first human
proven as first fossil
the genes through which
humanity is traced
the Black madonnas
immaculate in conception and grace
the matriarachy
bloodlines through which we claim human rights
the breasts
which feed us, give us life
the economy
our sustaining relations to production
our spirituality
the ties that bind us as family in peace
the Kandaces
everywhere down through the ages
royal warrior defenders of our way
first teacher
patient in retelling ourstory
beautiful
from blue black to eggshell
refined
turning mere walk into art form
enigmatic
a mystery beyond male comprehension
proud
with every reason to be
every forgiving
humbly righting relationships of worth
soft, gentle, tickled
honorable qualities of any women
without blemish.

the time has come
for us to be men
for you to become queens
in our thoughts, words and deeds.

~ Baba Mwalimu Baruti

Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti
Battle Plan

Long one yeah? Thanks for your time... *smiles

Workers and Strike Actions

 Let me go straight to the point and outline why strikes will never end in Nigeria

1. That's the only weapon workers have

2. That's the only language government understands

3. That's the only way the public gets to differentiate truth from propaganda



1. In other climes Strike is the weapon of last resort but in Nigeria Strike is the only weapon and the workers are often left with no option. Often times workers are asked to use other means to press home their demands. Such comments smack of hypocrisy because really, what other means are there?

* negotiation: have you ever attended those negotiation meetings? I haven't but those who have say that the officials from the other side come for the meetings with a military approach. It seems they actually come for those negotiations determined to intimidate the workers into submission. When that fails, they opt for their next tactic which is to take a cursory look at the workers demand and then grant what the government considers to be the stalemate breaker. This is often rushed to the media to create an impression that the negotiation was successful and government has made some concessions. This is done to douse whatever momentum has been gained in galvanizing public opinion. It is a means to an end which is to eventually black mail the workers of insensitivity. The public is often told that government has tried to meet the workers demands and they are only being insensitive. Truth is that these negotiators are skilled at these things. They've been negotiating for government for years. So if they can't intimidate the workers, they resort to black mail.

* street protests: very often we've seen groups use this option of carrying placards and going on a peaceful demonstration. I participated in the Save Nigeria Group street protest to the gates of the National Assembly, demanding that President Jonathan be made full president from acting president. That proved to be a tonic which spurred the doctrine of necessity. I have also participated in the street protest for swift passage of the National Health Bill on the day of public hearing for same. However, the possibility is always there for the other side to mobilize their own street activities. For instance, when Dino Melaye called out people to protest the continued stay of Stella Oduah as aviation minister, the police dispelled that movement. But at the same time, another group was protesting the persecution of Stella Oduah asking that she must not be removed!

*Protest Letters: we are all witnesses to what effect letter writing has in our nation. You can write up to four letters and none will be acknowledged. You can decide to 'leak' your letter to the media and then a reply will be 'leaked' to the media as well.

So, my challenge is that all those asking workers to look for other means to press home their demands, should suggest what other means there are. Talk is cheap. It is reasonable talk that matters.

2. When agreements and MOUs are flagrantly disregarded as though they never existed in the first instance it becomes obvious that all dialogues of workers with their employers is only a dialogue of the deaf and dumb. The workers struggle is an aluta that didn't start today. From the dawn of this age, employers and employees have always been in a sort of class struggle. The government most times has its set aims and objectives none of which is better life for its workers. Yes. The wage bill is already high, as 72 percent of our nations budget is already being spent on salaries, allowances and emoluments. So at those negotiations, government is bound to explain that there is paucity of funds for any significant increment in the welfare package. The only language government understands other than strike is the language of politicians. Most governments exist for the sake of those in government! Salaries can be fixed arbitrarily for those in government. Allowances can be stupendous for those in government. Then contracts can be awarded to friends of those in government. This is how it has been through the ages and my guess is that it will be so today and forever. The little development government forces us to see is often as a result of business, investments and opportunities created by those close to government. It is the exact philosophy of the Republican party of America. It is called 'trickle down economics'. Neo Socialists call it 'voodoo economics'. Or better suited to our nation, I will say we practice 'juju economics'. That is the only language government understands.

I have argued and will always argue for a 'diffuse up' economic model. If government will listen, then the only way the ghost of incessant strikes can be busted is for the worker to be king! When the worker gets commensurate pay for a days work... Then strike will become unattractive. When the worker can afford a decent health insurance without having to spend his entire meager life savings on health, then strike actions will be unattractive. When the worker sees the Governor in the same hospital with him, on the same waiting line, then strike actions will become unattractive. When the worker knows that his counterparts in developed countries are not having the sort of life that gives him a slave complex... Then and only then will strike actions become unattractive. But for as long as government refuses to pay workers per hour in this country, so long will there be strikes. How can a worker work for 24 hours and get 8 hours pay? Then another worker work for 8 hours and get 24 hours pay? Our reward system in this nation reeks of 'juju economics'. That is pure 'voodoo economics' for it can never be explained.

Since government so blatantly refuses to understand the simple English language outlined above. Then we shall all continue to go on strike.

3. The truth remains that the workers work is for the public good and so is his agitation too. Governments will come and go. One party will rule today and another will rule tomorrow but the public will remain. The public is the great constant in all labor disputes. The public is the pretty bride that employers and employees alike try to woo. Unfortunately, the public tends to see workers agitation as selfish and wicked. The public sees it this way because employers make them see workers as ingrates and self serving. Please let me ask, who is actually self serving? The government or the workers? Who is the selfish one? The government officials whose children attend the best schools in the world or the worker whose take home pay can't take his child to a decent high school or college? Who is the selfish one? The government official who uses the best hospitals in the world or the workers child who has to manage the public hospital next door. Have you checked a public hospital lately? They look like a cottage clinic. Yet the doctor works day and night even without power to rake in results. Maternal mortality rates are a doctors concern and they keep dropping even under horrendous working conditions. Infant mortality are a doctors nightmare and they keep reducing those figures even when no one cares about their welfare. I won't even talk about the other health professionals here because the truth, the hard truth is that we must all learn to live and work together. Having said that I must say that these other health professionals are most unfair to doctors. When they blame the poor health indices of the nation on doctors they are being unfair. When they say doctors are selfish for asking that the health sector receive better funding they're being unfair. When they oppose a salary structure in which health workers will be paid per hour they're being most unfair. They of all people see the awesome hours doctors spend at work. They of all people should applaud doctors for their sacrifices and martyrdom. But No. They are at the fore front of galvanizing public opinion against the doctor. On the other hand, the industrial disharmony in the health sector is perpetrated by government in a kill and divide colonial style of leadership! I appeal to the government to set out clear job descriptions in the health sector. Let me put this out in the public domain that whatever lives that are lost in a nation should be blamed on the government of the day. The government is responsible for the welfare, security, life and health of its citizens! and these truths apply to all governments of the world.

Thanks for your time.

Iroko Obasi ND

Happy New Year - IS POPE FRANCIS A SOCIALIST?

 Jan 1st 2014
6.45 pm Nigerian time

'Pope Francis call for Global Peace is the most relevant message for the year 2014'

Pope Francis was TIMEs person of the year for 2013. And if TIME magazine doesn't find a worthy winner for 2014, the first latin american to become pope may be named TIMEs person of the year again for 2014.

Happy New Year.

Its still too early to say if the pope's charm will overwhelm the world till the end of the year 2014. But the following have set him miles apart from his predecessors.

1. His choice of the Moniker Francis

Every great leader starts out by associating himself with an ideology or guiding principle. Political leaders like Obama chose Change... Mandela chose non - violence... Ghandi chose non - violence... Martin luther chose civil liberties... Jonathan chose Humility... Pope Francis chose to associate with St. Francis of Asisi. Francis was the 13 th century saint who condescended to be associated with the poor and down trodden in society rather than the high and mighty. By choosing that Moniker, the pope has decided to shun the fortune and status of his office to live humbly among the poor. By so doing he has effectively over a one year period changed the way the world sees Christianity. Now every one is asking ... Is this Pope a socialist?

The lesson to learn is that you will secure a surer place in history if you insist on identifying with he downtrodden. My favorite moment of 2013 for instance was when my Uniben Demonstration Secondary School set of 2000 decided to tone down the hard partying that accompanies our yearly re-union. We visited an orphanage/motherless babies home instead, giving back so much to society in the process. If all Alumni Associations give back to society this way wouldn't life be a better place?

2. His choice of apartment

He chose to live in a modest guest house adjoining the Apostolic Palace rather than in sumptuous papal apartments which other popes before him had lived in.

There is nothing wrong with living like a glorious leader of over 1 billion faithful but that doesn't cause any radical change in the way people see leadership. What moves people to their foundations is a man who has the opportunity to live flamboyantly but chooses to live simply. Those are the sort of leaders who move humanity in new directions

3. His choice of transportation

Most times, he ditches the papal convoy refusing to be chauffeured in that flamboyant motorcade. He can be seen carrying his own brief cases when he steps down from his vehicle. He lives such a simple life you would think he's a regular bishop of some obscure diocese.

Furthermore, he sneaks out at night to feed the poor and phones ordinary people who need his help. These are all traits of a neo -Socialist.

As expected, much of the world especially American conservatives, who are quick to write off anything communal or anything that tends towards socialism are yet to embrace the pope and endorse his choices. This is because some people see the simple life as a life meant for the wretched of the earth. Some people see a life of condescension as one in total contrast with wealth and privilege. But how wrong they are.

 Isnt it beautiful to be stupendously wealthy and yet to associate with the poor, less privileged and down trodden? Isn't it a more glorious life to be born into fortune and fame and yet choose to live in a simple apartment or drive simple cars? Isn't it a better approach to be a leader of millions or even billions of people and yet to set a day aside to at least pick up your phone and speak with those that need reassurance from you, telling them that their lives will be fine? Or setting a day aside to reply your mails personally and append your signature showing that the reply wasn't done by an aide but with your own hands?

I should issue a disclaimer at this point and say that the pope isn't a socialist in the true sense of the word. I may even argue that he isn't even a socialist at all going by the understanding of what it means to be a socialist. But if you listen to him closely and look at his actions critically, you will see how he deftly shows us that we must learn to be more critical of the sort of materialism that led to the global economic meltdown a few years ago in the first place. We must reject the crass Capitalism and total disregard for Community that drives Western investment and businesses. We must be more compassionate and humane. We ought to give our policies a human face and establish safety nets that would catch those brow beaten by harsh economic realities.

I remain a conservative at heart and wouldn't suggest any radical shift towards state control. Neither is the pope a dangerous radical who harbors socialist thought. However, we are not afraid of Change and that's one ideology we share!

A neo-socialist is one who isn't afraid of changing the way a materialistic world views power, property and people. We believe that one exists because of the other and none can exist without the other. So power, property and people must be treated with utmost and equal respect.

Happy New Year

Iroko Obasi ND

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - Why True Leadership Hasn't Come Yet 4

 Its Holiday Season again and I wish to thank all who have been encouraging what I set out to do when I started this blog. I felt there was a need in our nation and indeed in all nations of the world for political parties to have a clear cut ideology. Many decent Nigerians shy away from the political process because it seems the parties haven't yet articulated clear cut ideals which they stand for. The voters are therefore confused! I still wonder if I will cast my vote in the next election? Should I vote for the party or the individual? Most likely I will vote for the individual because all the parties look alike to me! In fact all the parties look like Siamese twins. Not only are they identical but they're joined to each other at some vital point! That's how serious it is. I would have decided not to cast my vote at all but then I wouldn't have a moral justification to complain when things go wrong.

Well, that's as far as I can go on why I started this blog in the first instance. I hope that as it garners more readers round the world we can stimulate a critical mass of Nigerians who will get very angry when their leaders just flip flop from one political platform to another. It only shows that our leaders may just be there for other reasons apart from your welfare and mine. Or it may just be that they do these things because you and I act like we don't care. We act as if everything is ok.

In continuation of a previous write up in which we talked about why True Leadership Tarries by taking

1. A fresh look at our value system

2. A fresh look at our oneness as a people

Today let's consider

3. The conquistador mentality

Where did Nigerians get the idea that once you're in leadership the perks of office can be used how you please? Where did we learn that official properties can be converted for personal use, or that money that doesn't belong to us can be 'borrowed' to meet our own needs without ever paying back? Who told us that official letter headed papers can be used to pursue personal contracts. Who told us that we can act as though being a leader means being an owner of the official property? Leadership is transient but values are permanent

A friend in one of our arguments once said - what our political parties lack in ideology, Nigerians in general lack in values! And that lacking ingredient is consistency.

Doesn't it irk you at times that a very sound principled man suddenly enters a position of leadership and then he throws all his principles away? I asked one leader once, why he is different now that he is in government from when he was a union leader. He said 'my brother, now my hands are tied'... Really? What tied the hands? A ghost or the winds? How come when as a union leader you led protests against the way things are done you never agreed that anyone's hands could be tied? And now suddenly you've done a somersault and claim like a child that you stole the meat from the cooking pot because of the devil! That's what I asked him and he said I wouldn't understand.

Its only in Nigeria that leadership is hard to understand. Yes. A lot goes on in positions of authority that defies all logic and throws all common sense on its head. The led never have any clue as to why the leader does what he is doing. The led never even see how the actions of the leader benefits him or advances his cause, left to his own speculations, the led spins rumors and allegations. That's because the led is alone, in the dark and confused as the leader mystifies and shrouds leadership in dark clouds. For instance, when the medical doctors ask government a simple question like why 'would you not abide by international best practices in running the health sector?' Government officials respond by sounding as if international best practices isn't made for Nigerians. (In my next post I shall write on Why Strikes Will Continue In Nigeria - The Medical Doctors Volte Face)

All this is symptomatic of the Conquistador Mentality. Very often we see positions of leadership as a victory won by our own exceptional abilities. We forget so easily that a Leader isn't the most exceptional human being around. He is only a fortunate one who has values and ideologies that he consistently propagates either through his work ethic or relationship with clients. Once this resonates with a majority of people, he may then qualify for leadership of the people that is after all other extraneous factors like cronyism, tribalism (which is actually RACISM by another name) have been sorted out. Once in office, He ought to look in the mirror and see himself as a servant not a Lord. Infact everyday a leader wakes up he should say to his image in the mirror 'you're there to make peoples lives better not to make your own life better'. For it is as you help enough people achieve their dreams that you definitely achieve yours. However, too often we see people transform once they're in leadership. They transmogrify into emperors, building an empire for themselves and their family. The logical out working of this is that the led are now seen as subjects and not partners, as vassals and not as citizens, as opponents eyeing his office and not as partners in building a better tomorrow.

The followers are fellows and not fiends.

The true leader makes himself one with the people. He earns their trust by leading them from behind not by standing at the front as some sort of know it all. He leads from behind allowing the led to take initiative, suggest solutions and participate in the leadership process. He respects himself and respects his office, knowing that he will leave there someday and he respects every official property including all monies belonging to the people. The peoples money isn't the leaders money. Government money should be in the bank not in Government house. The organizations money should be in the organizations account not in the head's house or personal bank account! The leaders victory isn't a conquest it is a trust.

Enjoy a happy and prosperous new year. And may true leadership come!

To be continued

Iroko Obasi Nd

Why True Leadership Hasn't Come Yet 3

 In continuation of a previous write up, let us examine why True Leadership Tarries by taking

1. A fresh look at our value system

2. A fresh look at our oneness as a people

The only thing that seems to make us one with our brothers and sisters from other parts of our nation is sports! When Blessing Okagbare brought glory to Nigeria in athletics very few people knew that she was from Delta State. And it really didn't matter what state she's from. What counts is that she's first and foremost, a Nigerian.

When the Super Eagles fixed their broken wings and flew once more, winning the Nations cup for the first time in 19 years, no one cared that the top goal scorer at that competition was of Ibo extraction BECAUSE IT REALLY DIDN'T MATTER. Neither could I find anyone who could tell me for sure what part of Nigeria Victor Moses was from - my guess is that he's from Kaduna State! Not that it changes anything for deep down in my heart, I really don't want to know. What matters is that He's a great Nigerian athlete and we are glad that he chose to play for Nigeria when he could have played for England.

The day I saw John Akinyemi compete at the Olympics in 2012 as the first ever Nigerian canoeist in all of our history, I was filled with a renewed sense of hope for our nation. He's a British - Nigerian who was to represent Great Britain but He chose Nigeria! To the thousands of Nigerian Sports men and women who opt to compete for the nations of their birth rather than the nation of their origin we say its a new day in Nigeria. Your sacrifices will be appreciated and your career will be protected. Put your nation ahead of everything else. Choose Nigeria first.

Another emerging point of convergence amongst all our people is in the literary arts. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has emerged as a true protege of her mentor Chinua Achebe. Indeed she has continued from where he stopped. At this rate and with the smile of the gods upon her, she may qualify as a Nobel Prize nominee for literature someday. However, even if she doesn't make it to that point, she has done so much already to give Nigerians something to smile about. It is such a pleasure for fellow writers who read ones works across the globe to remark 'O! You're Nigerian... That's the country of the lady who wrote Half Of a Yellow Sun. And what's her name again? Adichi?'... At that point, the foreigner doesn't know if she's Hausa, Ibo or Yoruba. He doesn't even pronounce her name right. But does that matter? What matters is that Nigerian blood flows in her veins and she has the resilient can - do spirit that we all share. That spirit that sees through tears and smiles through suffering. That Spirit that bends but never breaks, twists but never turns around. That Spirit that is darkened by the sun but never scorched. That is the Spirit we share

Our leaders may have broken our wills till we are all willing accomplices of corruption but they can never break our Spirit. The Spirit is a gift from God. It may be buried but not for long... Nigeria's bloom shall emanate from beneath the dirt heaps. Our spirit isn't an egg that is smashed when hit against a brick wall, rather it is made of a tougher material that will bounce back in your face.

Why then has true leadership not come yet? Its because our oneness is still negotiable. We often speak as though we are better off divided. We listen to the foreign media and pundits who claim we will cease to exist as a nation. Such predictions are for the good of the Imperial powers. They MADE THE SAME PREDICTIONS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA IN THE 60's and early 70's. The sad part is that these foreign profiteers have willing tools in Nigeria who threaten us with dismemberment. I have news for the prophets of doom - its not the apocalypse yet!

We Nigerians are at a point in our history when we shall say with one voice that the indisolubility of our nation is a principle we are willing to fight for. And that's not an empty boast - millions have died already in the fight to keep us as one and their labor shall not be in vain. We are at that point when all men of good will must accept that we are brothers and sisters. Our oneness shouldn't be virtual, coming only when we triumph at Sports. Our passion to be the greatest black nation on the earth must be greater than our religious differences. Our hunger for the lofty heights of National pride should stimulate us to oneness.

As I look forward to the day when I will introduce myself as being from Nigeria - that land of inventors and literary giants, the land of scientific genius and unparalleled architecture, the land of military might and visionary leadership, the land of the largest black population n earth. I look forward to a future when blacks all over the world will look on us with admiration and awe. Admiration that we forged a nation state out of the crucible of nothingness and Awe that we've emerged as a truly a great nation on the earth to the surprise of even Nigerians themselves. I look forward to the day when unborn generations will be welcomed with open arms around the world simply because they're from Nigeria and they hold the green passport. I look forward to the day when Nigeria will be associated with all things good and great, high and lofty, bright and beautiful.

In the mean time I call on all nations within this nation state to donate your best minds to the Nigerian project. You can gain prominence both for your ethnic nationality and at the same time for your nation. And even when you're asked to chose between tribal affiliation and National good! Choose your country first.

Remember Mandela... He wrote in a Long Walk to Freedom that he was first a proud Xhosa before being South African. But he chose South Africa time and time again. He chose to dream of the day when South africans wouldn't see themselves as Xhosa or Zulu or Swazi or Ndebele or Swana or Basotho or Lemba. He dreamt of a day when there wouldn't be deep divisions between whites or coloreds or indians or blacks but there would be one nation state out of several ethnic nations... One rainbow nation. In so doing he brought honor to the whole and also to the part of the whole to which he belonged - the Xhosa tribe of Qunu village in the Transkei province.

I have tried to learn from Mandela that you don't need money, you don't need things, you don't need position or power to be content or to be happy or to lead. Perhaps the one thing that is needful is to be one with the people.

(To be continued)

TRIBUTE TO MANDELA SERIES - Why True Leadership Hasn't Come Yet 2

 If you aren't a leader in your professional body, you will be a leader at your place of work - at least a leader over a team. If you aren't a leader at that level YET, you're definitely a leader in your family - at least over your wife and kids. And If you aren't a leader at that level still, I'm sure you're a leader in some sort of social club or religious organization. And finally if you're not a leader in any of these places yet, just be patient you will be a LEADER soon.

When we speak of LEADERSHIP, we all tend to think about the man occupying some lofty position. But is Leadership all about being the man in the arena? Aren't we all Leaders in some way and at some point in our lives? If you're a first son or first grandson, a first daughter or first grand daughter in an immediate or extended family aren't you a leader already? Are your siblings not supposed to look up to you for guidance and exemplary living?

A failure in LEADERSHIP at the level of the nuclear family will result in a failure in LEADERSHIP at the national level or wouldn't it? Well, I think that through a 'diffuse up' principle, a failure of leadership at any level will definitely affect leadership at all levels. Hence I advocate that we should all be prepared for leadership in such a way that we could give our best if only we could be given the opportunity. Furthermore I suggest we refrain from speaking of 'the corruption of those in power' rather I advocate that we see it in terms of 'the corruption in us all'. May I also propose that we should consider how in one way or another we have all contributed to the leadership deficit. Our success as a people is a shared honor and the failure of leadership is also a SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. In this write up my aim is to locate the relationship between all LEADERSHIP at all levels... To figure out why true LEADERSHIP hasn't come yet.

1. A fresh look at our Value System

What Values do we all share as a people? What Values do we actually hold dear?

A. Freedom: we are a people that love freedom and would willingly cast of restraint. We toiled relentlessly to rid ourselves of colonialism. Shall we then subject ourselves to neo colonialism - a situation in which we would rather be second rate citizens in another mans country instead of being first class citizens in our own nation? We who were one of the loudest voices in the world against apartheid in South Africa and the acceptance of supression and segregation as state policy. How shall we then accept to be treated as Second rate citizens in our own nation?

B. Peace: we are a peace loving people. When we cover up people in our communities who foment trouble and disturb the peace, aren't we betraying our own ideals and what exactly do we hope to gain? After turbulence has destroyed our communities and we have placed the blame at the door step of 'leadership' how shall the emotional scars caused by violence and destruction be healed? Shouldn't our community leaders sue for peace and expose all enemies of peace? Are all the religions we espouse not religions of peace? When the muslim says Asallah mu alay kum - doesn't he mean PEACE BE UNTO YOU ALL. He does. He is actually preaching peace.

C. Unity: our true LEADERS are those who are committed to unity at all costs. Those who warn us of an imminent dismemberment and who preach a disolution of the unity our fathers paid for with sweat and blood are pretenders at Leadership. Unity is one of our values as a nation - for we recite it in our national anthem. We shall not all speak the same language, wear the same outfit, think from the same perspectives for that is uniformity. Neither shall we accept one central Police Force or one central Civil Service for that is Unitary. But we shall sue for Unity or shall not we? The misdeeds of our past leaders are best forgotten. We choose forgiveness. Or shall we not forgive those who propped up one section of the nation up and against the others? We must agree that we are a multi tribal and multi lingual nation. We must resolve to co-operate with our brothers and sisters. Our tribes and tongues differ but you are my brother and sister still.

True Leadership hasn't come because we haven't embraced these values yet.

(To Be Continued)

TRIBUTE TO MANDELA SERIES 2 - MANDELA WAS ANGRY WITH NIGERIA

 (Continued from a previous post)

Since it was obvious that he was intent on pouring his heart out, I decided to let him speak. 'What do young Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders punished western companies who supported Apartheid’. I reminded him that we had elected governments since 1999, and he knew some of our leaders in person. Yes, he did. 'But what about the corruption and the crimes?' he asked?  'Your elections are like wars'. Now we hear that you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen'.

He sat back. I obviously got a lot more than I bargained for. Then he mellowed down, and apologized. He had not even asked me what I wanted to see him for, and he was tearing at my country. It was fine, I assured him. I merely wanted to meet him and pay my respects. He then asked me a lot of personal questions, and in particular what I was doing personally to improve the capacity of the Nigerian people to build the nation to be a source of pride and comfort for Nigerians, Africa and the black race. But he was in a lecturing mood.

'Let me tell you what I think you need to do' he said. 'You should encourage leaders to emerge who will not confuse public office with sources of making personal wealth. Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a lot of your resources for education. Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy'.

'Like South Africa today, sir', I quipped. He paused. 'It will be difficult for the world to understand that it will take generations to eliminate the structural roots and effects of Apartheid.' 'But', I drove the point home, 'You created the impression that the political compromises and concessions you made would lead to a dramatic change in the fortunes of black people'. 'Drammatic?' he asked. 'In many ways we achieved dramatic results'.' Like in sports', I pressed further. 'Sports is important to South Africans. It gave them confidence to believe things are possible. And it united them”. 'But sir, it created a false sense of progress, and people here think it is all a gimmick by white people to create a diversion'.' It is not a diversion, he countered. It is real. South Africans will have to come to terms with the reality that their country is a multi-racial, multi-cultural nation with rich and poor. Any efforts to reduce the gulf between  the races and classes is useful, he insisted.

Then he was back to Nigeria. People had said to him that South Africa could become an alternative beacon of hope and inspiration for the black race and Africa. He told them it was always going to be Nigeria. Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa can provide a tripod for real change but young Africans need to capture that vision. 'So', he said to me, 'If this audience has been useful, I am glad. But it will be more useful to me if you go back to Nigeria and work to give young Nigerians good education. Teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes which are destroying your image as a good people.'

I have re-lived that rare opportunity many times since that visit. The 30-minute audience lasted for one hour, and I was escorted out by a man I saw close up as human as anyone. I had rarely come across such candour about my country, but it was clearly the product of genuine concern that one of Africa’s greatest assets was being frittered away.

As he shook my hand to say goodbye, he apologized again over his comments, but assured me that he would love to see Nigeria grow and develop into a world economic power under a democratic system. If there is any comfort to draw from Mandela’s disappointment, it will be that he may not have observed our free-fall as a nation in the last five years.

TRIBUTE TO MANDELA SERIES - MANDELA WAS ANGRY WITH NIGERIA

Posted: December 9, 2013 - 06:36

By Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Today on our Tribute To Mandela series, we shall entertain a most inspiring piece by Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, one of the people I respect the most in Nigeria. He writes on MANDELA WAS ANGRY WITH NIGERIA and I reply ANYONE NOT ANGRY WITH NIGERIA CAN'T CLAIM TO LOVE NIGERIA. Thank you sir, and I hope you will approve of this course of action when you finally learn your write up was reproduced on my blog. It is such an honor. I would make it a lifelong desire to meet with you in person someday.

Happy Reading All.

"It is better to help a friend pay his fine,than tell a lie to help him cover a crime."  - Nigerian proverb.

It was literally a life-long ambition, and I used every opportunity to meet the old man in person. I was finally in a position to press buttons and call old friends to render favours, and in early 2007 I succeeded. I was told I could see Mandela for only 30 minutes at his home, but I needed to get there one hour earlier. Colleagues I had leaned on were skeptical that I would see him despite the appointment, particularly since I will not say it was official. An old South African friend and course mate from South Africa who helped, suggested I asked questions or matters I wanted to discuss with him and send them in advance. I did not think that was the type of meeting I wanted, so I did not.

Mandela was surprised when he was told I worked at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but had spent 6 months trying to see him to pay my personal respects. Why did you not go through your colleagues here? I told him the visit was not official. I just wanted to meet him. He relaxed and apologized that it had taken that long for me to see him. Others left us, except a lady who sat discreetly away from us. I thought she was a medical person.

How are my Nigerian brothers and sisters? He asked me. He will not let me take the initiative. 'You know I am not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many occasions'. Now I was curious. I knew of course that he led our suspension from the Commonwealth after the hanging of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Ogoni compatriots. It was also no secret that South African governments including one he headed had considerably cooled off towards Nigeria, and by the time I was meeting him, Nigeria was a dirty word in most cities in South Africa. I mentioned that Nigerian people had very strong and positive dispositions towards South Africa and the Southern African region, and many were puzzled that people who marched all the way with South Africans can be despised by the governments and people of South Africa. Yes, he responded. Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let yourselves down and Africa and the black race very badly.

I knew I was going to get a lecture, so I sat back. He spoke with passion and anger at a nation which has one-quarter of the black race, and had everything needed to be great, but is known principally for its dictators and its criminals. Your country, he said, used to be respected. After your suspension from the Commonwealth, many western countries approached me to help in isolating Nigeria so that it will be easier to bring down your military dictators. I consulted many African leaders, and all were unanimous in their advice. They told me to stay clear of Nigeria. That you will fix your problems. You have done it before. ‘But’, he shook his head, 'you have not.Not this time'. The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence. Nigerians love freedom and hate oppression.Why do you do it to yourselves? He remembered Tafawa Balewa, the first leader who gave his party, ANC, financial contribution.

I saw an opening here. I suggested that all Africans are bitter at their leaders. With due respect, I  said, his presidency had not changed lives of black South Africans much, and his successors are not likely to do so. Yes, he agreed,' but we raised hopes that others can do so. ‘He was back to Nigeria. 'Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They take people's resources and turn it into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not more angry than they are', he continued.

(To Be Continued)

NELSON MANDELA - We Will Never See His Type On Earth Again

 There must be an afterlife of bliss for people so loved by humanity. It is hard to believe that Nelson Rohilala Mandela has ceased to exist even if in some ethereal form. The people whose lives he touched will wish to see him again in paradise. I for one never met him in person but I drew all my life's inspiration from him. From him I learnt that the circumstances of my birth can never limit the extent of my achievements. I was inspired to believe that my 'chi' doesn't consult my past in determining my future. He taught me that heaven is where there are no oppressors while hell is anywhere tyrants hold sway. Today I tell my friends that the white man is not superior... That being white isn't the same as being right... That being black isn't the same as being consigned to a life of lack. I learnt all these from Mandela. I learnt that there is nothing inherently or genetically wrong with the black man. That all humans are just souls with a similar essence and our skins are just clothes. Red, black, brown or white, we all recognize that a great soul has passed to the great beyond and in the words on Barrack Obama - we shall never see his type again.

The Lesson for Nigeria is that Nigeria never seems to learn any lessons.

1. World events come and go but everything remains the same in our nation. Moments like this are moments for introspection by our leaders but No - we will never learn. It is our unteachableness as Nigerians that makes it seem like there is a genetic defect which makes us incapable of producing legendary leadership. Nigeria is populated by know - it - alls. People who have not taken any world leader as a reference point and a standard. I recommend the life of Nelson Rohilala Mandela, warts and all to all Nigerian leaders. Study what it means to be passionate about your people even at the expense of your marriages and don't allow the person to whom you're married determine your actions or inactions in leadership. Nelson Mandela divorced severally simply because he was so consumed by his struggles for the emancipation of his people that the women in his life felt his energy was constantly sapped by his life work and not by them! I'm only advocating for a commitment that says 'No price is too great and No sacrifice too expensive'. Are there any Nigerian leaders that think so?

2. Emergence into leadership is by natural selection not by imposition or manipulation. It is nature that determines which ovum will mature into a Graffian Follicle. Nature throws up leaders. Life has always been this way. Every generation has its own challenges and within that generation nature hides away and nurtures the MAN with the answers. Through a series of life events, it often becomes apparent that a particular individual will be at the foremost part of the hottest battle for social justice, equality and fairness for all. Nigerians must LEARN to allow the best of us rule over the rest of us. We must not manipulate them out of opportunities for leadership neither must we distract them while in office till they can't perform creditably. Imagine what would have happened if Mandela were rigged out of elections or if the opposition radical elements kept criticizing and distracting his leadership till they couldn't focus on the task at hand. That is exactly how the Nigerian mind is wired - How unmanly the Nigerian man can be at times.

3. We must learn from Nelson what he learnt from Ghandi, that it is wickedness to see a position of leadership as a position of conquest. We, the followers, are not vassals of a leader and he is not a conquistador, nor an emperor installed to do what he pleases with the paraphenalia of office. We refuse to be beasts of burden in our own nation! It is unkindness to plunder public treasury for personal good simple because a leader can. Nigerians must develop a sense of shame that constrains us to deep introspection before we take any action. Before dipping your hand into the till or stretching your hand to collect a bribe, before holding your pen to inflate figures SHAMELESSLY, ask yourself 'What Will Unborn Generations Think Of Me'... The point is that Nigerians don't just care. Nigerians never learn. I could write till my fingers get sore but our attention spans are so short we wouldn't even remember. Mandela would live on in the memories of other world leaders but in the memory of Nigerians he's dead and gone we would forget by next week! The world would turn Mandela into an institution and constantly draw wisdom from his life, his speeches, his writings, his close associates and his struggles. The world will make documentaries out of his life and make sure his legacy as the finest African that ever lived lives on, as a lesson that Africa has a potential for greatness. The point is that the Nigeria I know will not allow people whose minds are as rigorous as Mandela's. Nigeria is a nation that cheats herself. We as a people must seek a way to accommodate such men in our government houses, our hallowed chambers and our presidential seat.

Until then,
God bless the memory on Nelson Mandela.

God grant his soul eternal bliss in paradise.

God comfort his wider family of all races in the world.

God give his immediate family joy in knowing they gave the world a fine man.

God bless the Nation of South Africa - The rainbow nation for not rigging Mandela out, for not being in opposition to his ideas, for not fighting him to a stand still, for not criticizing him to death. A great nation you are to have accomodated a great man as this in Leadership with his warts, eccentricities and all. For we know that all great men are a hand full.

God grant me paradise. I want to see Mandela in heaven.

For in this world we will never see his type again.

Iroko Obasi ND

A MANIFESTO FOR THE SIMPLE LIFE 2

In a previous article we discussed the life of a neo-socialist as a simple life. As we reflect on these ideals let us see the life of Mahatma Ghandi (the great soul) as a prototype of a truly simple life. He lived like all socialists aspire to do - he lived a frugal, austere and almost ascetic lifestyle.

Among the core beliefs of a neo-socialist, we had elaborated on :

1. All men are created equal

2. Society advances through conflict

3. Robust debates and credible elections are the only guarantee against revolutions

That man must aspire to such ideals as credible elections and robust debates is a sine qua non. Or else he must live with an ever present reality of impending revolution. All neo socialists hold these truths to be immutable. This philosophy hinges on the premise that all opinions are valid in their own way and so every perspective must be explored. He who thinks in a purely capitalist mode should not see He who operates on a Socialist frequency as a rebel, disrespectful and as an enemy of state. If the greater good of society is our concern there has to be a middle ground! Compromise at some point pays in the long run. Being uncompromising is the father of breakaways. We must shift a little to the left and a little to the right, mixing a little capitalism with a sprinkle of socialism. Indeed we can develop a new way of doing things through debate - one we can truly call the Nigerian Way!

In the world of science as in the world at large advancement is through debate. The hotter the debate the quicker progress cooks up. The fiercer the debate the more passionate the debaters are for change. Any culture where superior argument wins, builds a superior society! Any sector where higher logic is appreciated and employed always experiences higher output! Any election conducted without recourse to open debates on issues and ideas is selection. Every voter who casts a ballot on the ground of superior argument is on solid ground. All neo socialists know that without these things we must all live in fear of an implosion and a revolution. A fear that may be unfounded but a paralyzing fear still.

4. Privatize cautiously

It has been the opinion of neo socialists all over the world that the trade unions and professional groups must have a say in the privatization process. A certain 30 % share in all privatized entities must be left for the labor movements who have slaved over the years to keep a semblance of service running. A mere severance package makes it look like the new investor is more Nigerian than they are. It makes them feel like second class citizens in their own nation. And no human can keep such feelings bottled up for long. It will boil over soon.

Some sectors of a nations economy shouldn't be 100 percent privatized according to a socialists view point. Health and Education should have a whole lot of Government input. Aviation and shipping should also have huge government financing. The petrochemical and mining industry should never be fully privatized. A purely capitalist model says Government has no business doing business. A socialist model says there can be no big businesses without big government involvement.

5. Educate basic and primary school pupils freely and make it compulsory

Obafemi Awolowo remains Nigeria's foremost socialist thinking leader. His aggressive pursuit of free education remains a reference point amongst his people. Pure capitalists will say you can't appreciate an education you don't pay for. History reveals that view is false. A neo socialist knows that a society's value is seen in how it treats its most vulnerable - in this case basic and primary school pupils. A society that cannot guarantee them a free education and even make it compulsory must have a hard time proving it has any values worth emulating.

6. Subsidize critical sectors of the economy

A total and complete removal of subsidies is to be abhorred. Even our currency value can and should be subsidized. Education and health should be subsidized. Agriculture should also enjoy huge subsidies. In a socialists mind cattle rearers are entitled to some form of relief same applies to cash crop farmers. Government silos are a socialists pride. Grains bought from farmers to prevent rot are stored in their several billions of metric tonnes and sold directly to the open market to eliminate middle men. Middle men are the reason your food stuff are so expensive. They buy them at ridiculously low rates from the village farmers and sell it to the urban dweller at shylock rates

7. Price regulation boards

The idea of allowing prices to be fixed arbitrarily by market forces of demand and supply is purely a capitalist idea. That's why as christmas approaches stock that have been in a shop since october will suddenly start selling for twice the price! Foodstuff will also have their prices almost tripled. A neo socialist would argue that there should be a price ceiling beyond which prices must never be allowed to go!

8. Health sector

Obamacare is the reason President Barrack Obama has been labbelled a socialist. This is because he believes and I do too, that the few rich should pay more health insurance than the many poor. He insists like I do, that the few rich must be interested in the inablility of the many poor to pay hospital bills and get quality health care. Of course the few rich folks kicked against obamacare. They couldn't see why they should pay more. Health insurance in a Pay Insurance As You Earn system. That is in simple terms what led to the government shut down. These rich people lobbyed congress not to pass the budget until funding for Obamacare ICT staff and all that was scrapped from the bugdet.

9. Effective Taxation

Property taxes ought to be imposed in such a way that if I own huge sprawling estates around the country I should be conscientious enough to pay reasonable tax to the government so that access roads can be maintained, power systems can be installed and guaranteed and water systems can also be networked through town to my facilities. Also, heavy taxes ought to be placed on luxury items and all such items tha can be produced in our country! So that if you want to use imported tooth pick you would be ready to pay like 500% more than what a locally manufactured toothpick would cost! Tax evasion should be discouraged and reduced to a barest minimum.

10. Reward systems should reflect manhours
Professions in which the professionals spend long hours at work should as a matter of natural justice earn more. So that if you're at work for 24 hours multiplied by 7 days in a week, it is a call to anarchy for you to earn anything close to one who works 8 - 4 pm! People should be payed per hour!

Punishment should also reflect the long hours that must have been put into planning the crime! A corrupt official who must have spent long hours of government time during which he was meant to be doing government work, planning to steal government money should face capital punishment!

In the same vein any person or group of persons who must have spent hours cooking up stories and coming up with slogans that would incite people to violence, once any live is lost in the ensuing violence, the speaker of such hateful or inciteful speech should be locked away for life.

Any action that is detrimental to society must be fought to a standstill by strong deterrant measures that send a strong message to the world... We are a decent people and acts inimical to societal wellbeing are unacceptable in our refined culture.


Iroko Obasi ND

A MANIFESTO FOR THE SIMPLE LIFE

 A lot of people don't like to be associated with the term socialist. The capitalist wing have given the concept of socialism a stigma! But they're wrong! Pure capitalism is failing in many parts of the world. And that is because pure capitalism means that the means of production are owned by those with the most money! So at the end of the day, the man who can afford to manufacture all the sugar, salt, maggi, indomie and spagghetti will own all these things. He would receive an alert anytime we eat any of these products. If he can afford to manufacture all the cement, rods and building materials, we would also allow him own them all. So that for every hut or sky scraper that is constructed, he would receive an alert! Then finally, chances are that such a pure capitalist would afford to buy up all our refineries and power stations. That is pure capitalism. Its good in its own way but it is failing in most parts of the world already!

However, society only moves forward through a constant friction of ideas between the pure capitalist and the neo socialist. Where one believes in total privatization of all state assets, the other believes that some services must never be privatized! Where one believed people must pay for education to value it, the other believes that basic primary education must be free and compulsory! Where one insists that healthcare can never be free, the other asserverates that it must be free for pregnant women and under 5's. Out lined below are the core beliefs of a neosocialist.

A Neo-Socialists Manifesto

1. All men are equal: No gender is superior to the other. A son is as valuable as a daughter and a man is invariably of the same capacity with a woman if given similar opportunities. So a neo socialist commits his life to the advancement of equal opportunities for all sexes. In this same vein no race is superior to another. We all share a common humanity and our battles against the vissisitudes of life in birth and in death are one and the same. We all have a similar vision of a better life for the greatest number of people. And that is one vision that remains unchanged regardless of the words in which it is phrased. In tandem with this philosophy of life, no profession is superior to another. There is dignity in labor. And all labor is of intrinsic value. Every laborer is worthy of a decent days meal, a home to call his own, a guaranteed future for his offspring and an inalienable right to negotiate and determine their lot in life. This explains the socialists natural appeal to trade unions and professional bodies. This explains the neo socialists dream of having all labor movements from every sector work together with a common realization that we exist for the advancement of society and not the advancement of self. For if society moves we move! Society is always previous. That great el dorado of equality of the classes is a dream- a dream that must be aspired to.

2. Society advances through conflict

Socialists are often branded confrontational. They challenge the system with alternative ideas. This natural tendency is because they believe there can be no motion without friction. Societies that shy away from friction ossify. Sectors that glorify peace may just be glorifying the uneasy peace of the grave. It has been the experience of many that there can be no peace without conflict. Hence every system needs a good conflict resolution mechanism to prevent systemic failures. The conflict between neo socialists and capitalists is as old as man. The conflict between the have's and the have nots is a never ending one. The conlict between the bourgeois and the proletariat may never cease. For those who hold the means of production in their hands do so for their personal gain. The workers who make the wealth of nations do so under conditions that are so far apart from the living conditions of their overlords.

Pure capitalists justify these things as the way things ought to be because not all fingers are equal. But by assuming such positions, they forget that when one finger is plunged deep in oil it must stain every other one if precautionary measures are not taken. It is these precautionary measures which will stop the spread of corruption from the more priviledged to the less privilegded. For when the rich do nothing to guarantee a better life for the poor they have to sleep with one eye open. The wealthy have to protect society from the mounting frustration of the everyday Nigerian. This is a necessity until such a time when there is equitable distribution of wealth.

(To be continued)

Iroko Obasi ND

Why True Leadership Hasn't Come Yet!

 I haven't written in a while and that's because I've been considering some inputs Kay's Fittings has been making into my blog. She, Kerren Amaechi and a couple of friends have made me adopt a more conversational approach in my blog posts. I do tend to be straight laced when I write, that is especially so considering the subjects I have chosen to address. Questions about nation building, statesmanship and leadership are serious issues. But maybe I could talk about weighty issues with less gravity! I really don't have to write with the same anger I feel when I look at the way we are led both in our families, in our religious organizations, in our communities and as a nation at large. Truth be told, I feel angst that even if we vote in an exceptional leader several things can still go wrong:

1. He can somehow manage to surround himself with people having huge value deficits.

2. The opposition can somehow decide to provoke him into taking a couple of unnecessary decisions

3. The media can be hijacked and used as a tool to disseminate un-researched information.

4. The political party he belongs to can somehow get split along the middle, putting him on a rough path.

The fact of life remains that if anything can go wrong at all... It most definitely will especially so with the fragile nature of True Leadership. So, if faults are all you're looking for, you will surely find several.

However, I'm not a fault finder when I say that true leadership still tarries. Neither are you a rabble rouser when you say our nation needs a revolution. We share one deep seated animosity, not against any individual but against the shame it has now become to carry the Nigerian passport. I'm not deprived to say the least even though I'm not lounging on a yacht like some of our leaders. At least I can afford a smart phone with which I'm typing this work. But life as a Nigerian is more than whether I have a job or whether I have shelter or whether I have food. All of which things I do have to a comfortable degree. Life as a Nigerian is about my compatriots who can't finish up their educational pursuit because the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union can't reach a compromise on an already existing agreement. Life as a Nigerian is about my friend in the UK who was asked how come a Nigerian minister spent over 1 million US dollars to buy 2 vehicles for her ministry when in the UK such officials wouldn't dare such, definitely not under David Cameron as Prime Minister, at least not yet!

Distilled below are a few of the reasons why True Leadership Tarries. You can add yours:

1. Seeming lack of Values
2. Virtual Oneness
3. Conquistador mentality
4. 'Dash me' orientation
5. Short attention span
6. Recycling Leadership
7. Weak Institutions
8. No Rallying Point
9. Preferring wrong solutions
10.Elder Worship
11.Reliance on Other Peoples Money
12. Misinterpreting Criticisms

Subsequently I shall expantiate on all these. But for now, just imagine a society in which a Leader emerges who has all characteristics listed above. That is a recipe for stunted growth, slow progress and no development.

Every nation gets the leader it deserves so said Ravi Zacharias a notable philosopher. In my own words I would say "No nation ever rises above the sort of leadership it demands!" Charles Robertson has predicted an African Boom whose key is for Africans to increasingly ask their leaders hard questions and demand embarrassing answers. Mohammed Ibrahim insists that the inability of the Mo' Ibrahim foundation to find a worthy leader for this years award for African Leadership isn't meant to indict African Leaders. We as a people tend to feel someone is trying to indict us when the person tries to point out a better way.

This writer is all about pointing out better ways. For ahead of us are better days. Thanks to Kay's Fittings for her helpful comments. I hope I've done better this time.

Iroko Obasi ND

National Industrial Court Doing Disservice To Health Sector in Nigeria

 The tensions in the Health Sector have being aggravated by the recent ruling of the National Industrial Court. A close look at the celebration mood of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria is sad:

Here is what a Medical Laboratory scientist posted on Facebook

"Dearest Colleagues, I am pleased to inform you that in an epic ruling today, the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division ruled that Medical Laboratory Scientists shall head their departments AND NOT Pathetic Pathologists. I implore all members, the moment I get a copy of the ruling, every Medical Laboratory Scientist, Intern Medical Laboratory Scientists and Medical Laboratory Science students to ensure that they get the copy of the ruling for posterity's sake. This ruling is merely a re-validation of the certification of freedom (MLSCN Act of 2003) given to Medical Laboratory Scientists 10 years ago. May God continue to bless our national officers lead by the amiable "Grand Commander" Dr. Godswill Chikwendu Okara and his national leadership team and kudos to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba Chapter leadership for their astuteness and unwavering spirit. Shame to all the saboteurs of Medical Laboratory Scientists who have been making slides for Pathologists in FETHA Chapter believing that they are or shall be our perpetual masters in the hospital. I CRY OUT: PRAIIIIIIIIIISE OUR GOD!!!!!!!!"

Another one reads thus:

"I congratulate all Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria on the recent victory in the court case involving us and the Pathologists. Glory be to God who has been with us through out the years"

For the information of the National Industrial Court, may I reproduce this international standard for running clinical laboratories:

"The staff of clinical laboratories includes:

1.Pathologist,
2. Clinical Biochemist
3. Pathologists' assistant (PA)
4. Biomedical Scientist (BMS) in the UK, also known as Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT, MLS or CLS) in the US, also known as
Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) in Canada,
5. Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT in US),
6. Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA),
7. Phlebotomist (PBT)"

Looking at this staffing list of a Clinical Laboratory, it is surprising therefore that a National Industrial Court whose ruling cannot be appealed in matters of Labor disputes, would bungle such a landmark case. By their ruling they have insisted that the Medical Laboratory Scientist should head the Laboratories.

According to a write up by John J O'Leary, a British Medical Laboratory scientist in Pathology 2026: The Future of Laboratory Medicine and Academic Pathology, Laboratory Scientists the world over are beginning to feel that their role in General, Specialist and Teaching Hospitals is being seen as peripheral. The upsurge in resistance to constituted authority by these Health Workers is an attempt to assert that their roles in Patient Care is Central. While I must commend the highly motivated Medical Laboratory Science staff who most times work under horrendous conditions being grossly understaffed and overworked, I make haste to state that we cannot allow the best intentions to be compromised by inappropriate methods.

This methodology of relegating Patient care to the background simply to re-position themselves as Central to clinical activities is like cutting of the nose to spite the face. If both the Medical laboratory scientists and the Pathologists dig in, the patients will pay a huge price for it.

I wish to bring it to the notice of the National Industrial Court as John o'Leary puts it, that the battle of the Medical Laboratory Scientists is really about money!

"Greater research funding opportunities are now available to all pathology disciplines, and indeed young medical and scientific staff are encouraged to undertake research and pursue higher degrees as part of their professional development".

This battle which the NIC has just aggravated is simply because the Medical laboratory scientists want money to be thrown at them by these foreign donors. So, I repeat, THIS NIGERIAN VERSION OF THE MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS STRUGGLE IS ALL ABOUT MORE MONEY.

Their insistence on the creation of directorates of Laboratory service is a model that has been tried out in various climes without success as pointed out by various authorities on this issue. How will such directorates improve patient care? How will they achieve the aim of making MLS central and not peripheral in General, Specialist and Teaching Hospitals? How will such directorates stop a Medical Officer faced with an emergency from howling for faster analysis of specimen at the laboratories? If indeed the MLS are committed to excellence as their colleagues in UK and ireland are, they will ask for better partnerships with pathologists. Hear what John o' Leary says

"Currently, there appears to be insufficient time for strategic thinking by laboratory scientists and physicians, with the empha- sis largely on turn-around times and productivity, reflected in new contractual arrangements for medical practitioners in laboratories. Most of us complain about increasing workloads, but in the process do not pursue or indeed present the requisite analysis in order to overcome this difficulty. This problem requires fundamental analysis and correction. Most of us encounter inappropriate testing requests, duplication of requests and inappropriate use of direct laboratory testing facilities where point of care testing would adequately suffice.
Medical staffing shortages, particularly in histopathology, have highlighted problems with recruitment and maintenance of staff, which for that discipline in particular may have serious repercussions in the future.
Inadequate funding structures for laboratories are universally encountered by all of us. It is common to see pathology and radiology services in hospitals/trusts competing for ‘residual’ finance"

Seeing that the future of Medicine is in Laboratory Medicine and Academic Pathology, the National Industrial Court should be informed that they have done a great disservice to the health of Nigerians. Future generations of Nigerians will no doubt pay for this miscarriage of natural justice.

I suggest that the biotechnology sector and reagent suppliers should continue to seek the establishment of strategic research links with pathologists. Though this is often pursued in an unstructured way with no specific operational guidelines for laboratories currently, specific Research & Development initiatives with third party companies are to be welcomed, because synergy must achieved between basic science, the clinical laboratory and the Pathologist. Furthermore, access to future technology platforms, chemistry's, etc. is to be welcomed, as this provides a vital spring board for innovation in our laboratories going into the future.
The National Industrial Court must note that what is needed is

1.More time for strategic thinking between Pathologists and Medical laboratory Scientists. The NIC has framed this crisis as a win or lose situation and have given victory to the MLS. The loser in the end is the Patient!

2. Pathologists must not aim at being overlords, as the Medical Laboratory Scientists struggle in Nigeria is actually a worldwide reality. It is a struggle for self determination. It is a struggle for relevance. It is a struggle of MLS to be seen as central and not peripheral. Pathologists can and should concede that their Medical Laboratory Science colleagues have a right to all these.

3. The MLS must henceforth desist from applying lethal force and falsehood in driving home their points. Accusing Pathologists of Quackery is a joke. The best and most renowned Pathology Laboratories in the world are run by Pathologists. Asking for directorate of Laboratory science won't help the patients. Claiming that they are being oppressed by doctors is falsehood as there are clear cut job descriptions. Where a Pathologists job overlaps with a Medical Laboratory Scientists, there should be workplace more Synergy and Partnership not more court cases at an Industrial Court that knows next to nothing how the Health Sector works.



Iroko Obasi ND
A public Affairs Analyst Lives in Abuja

When Our Educational System isnt Educating us enough

 It is my opinion that the debate about the education sector in Nigeria should be framed differently. It shouldn't be about throwing money at Universities. It shouldn't also be about the Federal Government insisting that the Academic Staff Union of Univrsities should call of their strike. It is easy to take sides with one of the above and pitch tents in matters of this nature. But that is the most simplistic approach to solving problems of this magnitude. If I were to take sides at all, it would be with the down trodden masses whose quest for quality education in Nigeria is fast fading away. I would rather take sides with the market woman who labors and slaves to send her boys to school only for them to graduate and the Federal Government tells them they are unemployable while the multi national conglomerates say they lack the requisite skill.

Our nation remains Africa's biggest market because of the sheer size of its youth population. This means that for every job opportunity there are hundreds of thousands queuing up for the slot. If our society were a meritorious one, that would mean that in the best case scenario to even get employed in a place like Nigeria you have to be very good. But since our society has such ideas like quota system, federal character and all sundry institutionalization of mediocrity, it no longer matters how good you are.

Meanwhile our world is becoming smaller. In the sense that a job in an American firm is a smartphone click away! My step brother is with the United States of America Army. All the way from our living room! That's how small our world has gotten. That means that he doesn't just have to be a good Nigerian soldier in the midst of hundreds of thousands, he now has to be a good soldier in the midst of aa larger pool drawn from as many nations of the world as possible. This same scenario plays out in every profession. As a lawyer, you are no longer requires to compete against Nigerian Lawyers only. If you ever want to make a mark on the international stage, you're in obvious competition with lawyers from all continents of the world before whom you must be able to prove your onions. And like we have already established, the international stage just got smaller... It just shrunk and it keeps shrinking yearly with ever increasing globalization.

Our world has changed in many ways. What employers required from graduates in our parents days in certainly not what they require today. Most employers today will lament the dearth of higher skills. After most job interviews, employers have said time without number that they are at a loss what to do with the large percentage of people lacking the requisite creativity to come up ith solutions of their own without total recourse to already existing solutions. There seems to be a lack of ability in today's graduate to navigate complex work place situations and chart a novel course. Innovators are sought after by employers today in much the same way as solution providers and inventors are. More emphasis is now being placed on ability to work effectively in a team rather than on an ability to be a solitary genius. The era of the solitary geniuses like Albert Einstein are gone simply because consumers have changed.

Consumers these days demand a more interactive experience. Even the virtual world of social media and online presence is getting increasingly interactive. So the genius who cannot interact and the creative eccentric personality may find that the latter gets the job while the former remains bemused. One way organizations have tried to solve this is by on the job training and retraining of the 'genuises' being churned out by our educational system. Conglomerates spend millions in training their staff both within and outside the shores of the country where they operate. One therefore finds a situation where after passing through the Nigerian educational system, a humonguous sum still needs to be spent bringing the new employee up to speed. Employers lament that there are few of us, Nigerian graduates who can be fully productive at work under 6 months of employment in a firm requiring higher skills.

Higher skills are those requiring creativity not genius. Higher skills are those requiring social interaction not isolation. Higher skills are those requiring simple solutions to complex problems not complex solutions to simple problems. Higher skills are those in which the mind has been trained to innovate and invent. On the other hand lower skills are those in which rote and repitition are the means of getting results. Lower skills require memorization and cramming just to get high test scores.

Now even if a Nigerian youth seeks to be an entrepreneur one finds that our educational system doesn't even prepare us for that. Except you were involved in Extra Curricular activities, which I suggest should be encouraged highly, how would you learn leadership and team work? While holed up in the library alone memorizing date, figures and values? What stops the lecturers from dividing a class into teams and assigning them tasks that would require them to interface with the real world? What stops lecturers from saddling students with research topics whose result would be an innovation, an invention of a new solution to an old problem?

In the light of all this may I suggest that:

1. The Lecturers shouldn't be blamed for insisting on implementation of an existing agreement because we must develop a society in which impunity is discouraged. The society of our dreams must be one in which one more broken promise is too much.
2. The Federal Government should strenuously appeal to ASUU that as at the time of making that agreement no one envisaged the deteriorating economic situation of the country and indeed of the world at large. Furthermore the FG ought to be more circumspect in making agreements because Nigerians are increasingly beginning to hold their leadership accountable in ways never seen before.

3. The students should not be quick to take sides with either the FG or their lecturers because we desire an educational sector in which the Federal Ministry of Education comes up with a clear cut policy that would improve quality rather than quantity. It isnt enough to have 5 new federal universities. All state owned universities must pursue a deliberate policy that would enable us out rank other African nations. Mind you, there is an African rennaisance in the horizon what Charles Robertson calls Africa's boom and the only way Nigeria can partake of this is to change the way students are educated in this nation. America has adjusted its Educational system to churn out high school and college graduates that can outcompete China. These should be the concern of students


4. Nigerians over reliance on strike without appropriately allowing issues to be cyrstallized properly within a global framework of best international practices would only make our nation worse of for it. At all times we must remember that we as Nigerians are in competition with nations like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and even some South East Asian nations. These are our peers. Many years ago they we're light years behind us. Will constant strike actions on matters of deliberate policy make us catch up with them?

Iroko Obasi ND
A public affairs analyst lives in the FCT

HOW APC WILL CLINCH POWER AT THE CENTRE IN 2015 (If Socialist Concerns aren't addressed)

"With so many unions on strike in Nigeria as at today and with many more to join, every concerned Nigerian is truly worried about the near future" Dr. Omoruyi

"Could the socio-political convulsions witnessed in Nigeria today be the birth pangs that would usher in a new government that would collaborate more with labour, be more welfarist in its approach and perhaps adopts more socialist-populist policies rather than elitist ones? Could the political centre of gravity be shifting to the left? The next 2 years will tell" irokotheneosocialist
If the history of alliances and mergers in Nigeria are anything to go by, then the only thing standing between APC and Aso Rock in 2015 is APC itself with the major challenge being the selection process of their flag bearer for the next general elections. With the internal wrangling in PDP and the centrifugal forces threatening to pull the party apart it is highly doubtful that they will pose any threat to the APC. No party in history has ever gone into an election polarized and trumped its opponents.

That APCs chances at the next elections are so bright as to worry the most optimistic PDP stalwart is an already established fact. All an opponent really needs to do is to exploit his co-contestants weakness which in the case of PDP is its ever increasing fractionalization. If APCs candidate uses his challengers perceived strength as a weapon in the contest, he will undoubtedly trounce his opposition, as PDP carries a baggage too much to bear. There is no gainsaying the fact that the much touted positive of PDP being the largest party in Africa remains debatable at best and is sheer propaganda at its worst. The African National Congress (ANC) remains the most remarkable party in Africa and an emblem of African Democracy. Worthy of note also is that the APC is fast moving towards becoming Nigeria’s version of the ANC. As every worthy opponent is wont to do in any contest therefore, the ANC would only have to exploit PDPs wide spread by turning a seeming positive into a negative.
The inherent problem in all larger than life structures is that of control. This writer had predicted that a time will come when it would become increasingly difficult for any National Chairman to control such a metastasizing behemoth as PDP. Most especially as the party is known to build individuals more than it builds institutions. As these things play out before our eyes and in a frantic bid to control the party, the party chairman will of necessity have to centralize all decisions of the party an irksome act in itself that will certainly draw opprobrium from the strong individuals the party has built over the years. The national leadership will increasingly become high handed, autocratic and unilateral in decision making. These are natural course of events that lead to the demise of any great organization. I posited years ago that I do not envy whoever shall be in the saddle of leadership when the mystery that is PDP begins to unravel. The current leadership of the party may well be seen as its finest ever. This has to be so because the finest surgeons emerge in times of emergency and the best leaders are known in times of crisis. This is obviously a crisis period and of course APCs finest hour. That the leadership of the PDP has responded with grave concern taking sometimes extreme measures out of fear for the dwindling fortunes of the party is to be expected. This writer is obviously sympathetic with the onerous responsibilities borne by the Party’s national chair. On the other hand that these extreme and necessary steps drew the ire of the strong individuals in the party was a matter of natural consequence.
One structure the PDP as a party must put in place as a matter of expediency is a National Youth League, to borrow what the ANC did in the years when they were threatened with ossification. A vibrant youth league led by actual youths will put the gerontocracy in the party today at abeyance simply by lighting progressive fires under their seats. There has never been motion without heat and the more rapid the progress the more fervent the heat. The best gambit the PDP has in the present precarious circumstance is to stop its media assistants and public relations advisers from returning vitriol for vitriol in public statements regarding the APC. By being so pedestrian and juvenile they are only falling into booby traps, proving to be the current administrations worst enemy in words and in deeds. The second best gambit is for the PDP, having given Nigeria her first president from a minority tribal group, is to promise that it will give Nigeria her first ever female president.

A failure to take the above analysis into cognizance will no doubt cement the APCs claim on the youth in Nigeria, on the emerging middle class, on the professionals and technocrats and more strategically on the trade unions in the nation. It is my candid opinion that the APC is making bold incursions into these segments of society much to the consternation of the PDP. A viable ally of the APC is obviously the Civil Society Organizations. If the strategic thinkers in PDP think otherwise it’s a pity that they’re so deluded. Maybe a lesson or two from history will rouse them from their slumber.

The African National Congress in 1943 had a National President who carried himself with such superciliousness that the party was never seen in those days as a mass movement. At certain crossroads in a nations history such as we are at now, a mass organization stands a better chance at the polls. The ANC of those years was made up of mostly gentlemen, there were no radical elements. They did things according to the English mans pattern forgetting that Africans can never be whites and whites can never be Africans. The leadership of the ANC then had forged alliances with the establishment and would never go against the grain. They curried favor from the presidency of South Africa and would never speak against it. The National Chairman of the ANC then Dr. Xuma had immense investments in the health care industry and didn’t want to jeopardize them by having a populist agenda. His agenda quite predictably were elitist - The exact opposite of what South Africa needed, and the exact prostrate situation of the PDP today. It took the genius of Nelson Mandela then just around 25 years of age but under the mentorship of political heavy weights like Anton Lembede and Peter Mda to together, demand for the formation of a Youth League. Nelson would later become leader of the Youth League at age 30 years. The primary purpose of the Youth League was to give direction to the ANC.
In the decades immediately after the civil war, the situation in the United States was a replica of the Nigerian situation today. It was an age of the ‘robber barons’ men like Mellon, Carnegie, Pierpont Morgan and JD Rockefeller. Rockefeller for one was so rich that three quarters of all state legislators were his cronies. The 1876 presidential election was massively rigged in favor of the Republican party, the ultra conservative elitist party of the American establishment. Politicians were just puppets of big business and great political machinery who dominated America’s cities in three words patronage, corruption and political jobbery. This corrupt America produced the presidency of Chester Arthur, ‘a kindergarten president’, if ever there was such a word, chosen precisely because he wouldn’t give the established protocol any heat. The Southerners were pauperized while the Northerners were enriched. Religious extremism and white supremacy was rife and the Ku Klux Clan held sway in the south spawning a terrorism based one white domination. Some even wondered if the civil war had ended the right way with the defeat of the Confederate states and their assimilation into the United States.
 America got out of this mess precisely thus; In the midst of the corruption a new middle class arose as is currently happening the world over. These small town teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, activists and writers who hated the plutocracy and gerontocracy of the big city fat cats and their political machinery, who wanted to see fair elections, who wanted America’s core values restored, who wanted a general clean up of the whole system arose. Men like Robert La Follette gave impetus and ideological drive to this group. They were called THE PROGRESSIVES. La Follete became the Progressive Governor of Winsconsin and Theodore Roosevelt, the progressive governor of New York. Theodore Roosevelt had earlier formed the party after falling out with the leadership of the Republican Party based on his ideology of Nationalism as against British Imperialism, Populism as against elitism and Progressive Financialism as against cronyism.
Indeed, Roosevelt boasted after surviving an assassination attempt that ‘it takes more than a bullet to kill a Bull’. His first victory was vanquishing the strong man of New York society, Tammany Hall. His second task was the Urban Renewal of New York City. That city as you know it today owes a lot to Roosevelt who was labeled a socialist, as most Democrats are labeled till date and at worse times they’re labeled communists. Not to worry for Nelson Mandela was imprisoned under the Suppression of Communism act. Back to Roosevelt, when it was obvious that La Follette was too visible, Teddy Roosevelt was a natural choice for the Progressive Presidential ticket. He went on to form alliances with other like minded politicians – his greatest strength, he asserted the power of the constitution over big money and impunity, he became the most popular president since after Abraham Lincoln, he brought the plutocrats and gerontocrats to heel, which was exactly what they feared. He taxed big business relentlessly, prosecuted tax evaders viciously and his example was followed by his successors whether Republican or Democrat for the sheer success of it. Woodrow Wilson memorably walked in his shoes. By !920 American Trabsformation was complete- a transformation made possiblr by thr progressives. Of course there were still pockets of corruption for corruption never totally disappears but nothing could ever be the same again. To further prove the success of the Progressives experiment, Americans sure didn’t mind voting Roosevelts nephew, Franklin Delano Roosevelt into power in 1932 at which time America was already the Super Power of the world, retaining much of his uncles Progressive impulse.
The All Progressives Congress of Nigeria therefore being acutely aware of history have modeled their ideology after this Progressive Party of America majority of whom found their way to the Democratic Party. The APC has also taken several cues from the ANC in South Africa with their natural allure to the youths of Nigeria. The Progressives have brought these issues to the front row of national discuss:
The amorality and unethical processes of Leadership Selection in Nigeria.
The executive recklessness that has fanned the embers of dissent
The increasing polarization of the country based on religious, ethnic and geographical sentiments
The seeming lack of a sense of nationhood sacrificed on the altar of tribal nationalism
The sheer fraud inherent in the Constitution of the Federal Republic
The Indigene Settler divide that has caused internal displacement of persons
Tax evasion by big businesses and their cronies in government with huge investment in sprawling real estate and no value to the national coffers.
 The onshore offshore dichotomy, the subsidy scam and an oil sector generally riddled with plutocracy
The oil spillage oil producing communities and Governments negligence
The land use act that favors only the elite
The urban centers and Big Cities that are nothing more than country sides
A political class that continues to build strong individuals while sabotaging institutions
The middle class which is emerging in other nations but shrinking in Nigeria

The APCs chances by geographical region are best analyzed as follows:
BRACED States
Oil spillage remains a sore thumb in this region and the Nigerian government cannot claim to have done anything what so ever in that regard.
Oil bunkering is a national calamity with as much as 400 000 barrells of crude lost a day. Paying ex militants to secure these facilities hasn’t reduced the theft and the Nigerian Government isn’t quick to find alternative solutions.
Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State in past President Obasanjo’s words remains a clever politician and a proud son of the Ikwerre community. And his present travails if his interview with the BBC hard talk host is anything to go by isn’t unconnected with the PDPs struggle for survival.
APC stands a high chance of sweeping Rivers State clean
Meanwhile in Edo State, Gov. Adams Oshiomolhe has done in 5 years what all past governments of the state since inception have failed to do. He has upgraded infrastructure in the state at frenetic pace, fired up industrial activity in the previously moribund Factories of the state. He has enforced extant tax laws with messianic zeal. Edo state is fully APC
Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers State can swing either way but are more likely to go APCs way.
Delta state remains to close to call.
South West States
Strong proponents of regional integration and the bastion of APC, PDP will need to pull some fast ones on the electorate to get majority votes in any of the wards in that region. Every state in the region will go APCs way
South East States
It is common knowledge that Gov. Rochas Okorocha is immensely influential both as a national figure and amongst his tribesmen. Having swept PDP out of power, denying their candidate a second term in office, it remains to be seen if his romance with the APC will be his albatross or his gambit. But if his popularity, clout and sheer propaganda is anything to go by, he will deliver Imo to APC.
Anambra state is still dangling between a wobbling APGA and a factionalized PDP. APC will most likely snatch a narrow victory there given the capacity of men like Senator Ngige.
Ebonyi state has been saddled with gerontocracy for years. And they will most likely tilt in favor of APC if for nothing out of a desire to unshackle themselves from PDP.
Enugu and Abia states remain too close to call. I dare say they are firmly PDP.
North East
Borno and Yobe States are firmly APC states if sentiments of residents on ground are anything to go by. It is highly unlikely that PDP will make any impact in those states. They haven’t been great fans of the PDP since the
Adamawa state is currently embroiled in a battle of wits between the National Chairman of PDP and the state Governor. Every permutation says the state isn’t firmly in PDPs grasp. A certain Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is easily the most prominent of all Gen Shehu Musa Yar’aduas protégé’s. A one time Vice President in the President Obasanjo administration he remains one of the strongest men in the North contrary to what PDP may think. It is in PDPs best interest to keep him in their fold. If for any reason Alhaji Atiku Abubakar joins APC, the entire North may just swing against PDP. They will treat this advice with levity only to their own peril. He is the swing man in 2015.
Bauchi State is too close to call.
Taraba state Governor has been away for months. It will take a miracle for PDP to regain that state. APC is sure to make bold incursions there.

North West
The states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano Katsina and Jigawa may just be safe havens for PDP. However Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa state has been exhibiting strong socialist tendencies of late with a definite progressivism launched by his administration. He is the strongest proponent of the Talakawa movement. As a beautiful bride he is being wooed by all at the moment. PDP knows better than to lose him to APC. The fate of APC in the region may just depend on whether they can land him in their fold. He is another swing man in 2015.
North Central
In recent weeks a new wave of identity politics has swept the region comprising Niger, Nassarawa, Kwara, Plateau, Kogi and Benue. The deciding factor is which party will give them the separate identity they seek. They wish to be known as the Middle Belt and not North Central.
In the days of Action Group under Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Middle Belt was a centre of progressive politics and the United Middle Belt Front remained a strong ally of the AG. If history is to repeat itself, Senator Gabriel Suswam of Benue state may help swell the ranks of APC in the region. However Benue state remains strongly PDP.
Gov. Babangida Aliyu is another influential Northern figure who though he is strongly PDP may cede a large chunk of Niger state to the Progressives.
The other states are reliably PDP.
My recommendation
APC must forthwith insist that their party isn’t a muslim party. They must not allow that label stick.
Furthermore, they must continue to admit into their ranks break aways from other parties. That is a strength in itself.
Ogbonnaya Onu, Gov. Rochas Okorocha and Senator Chris Ngige must convinve South-Easterners that the APC will best serve their interest whatever those interests may be.
The security agencies in this country must abide by the principle of neutrality. They must not take sides with PDP. They must refute the current accusations that APC is behind the incessant bombings in the North.

Dr. Obasi Ndubisi
A Public Affairs Analyst Resides in Abuja