Register to Vote!

With the new Election timetable, registration of prospective and eligible voters will commence on the 15th day of January 2011 and end on the 29th day of January 2011. Please go out and register!

Nigerians have been praying for good leaders in all ramifications. Politicians have commenced mapping out various winning strategies. In an attempt to get the support from people, some politicians/aspirants are distributing gift items, such as phone recharge cards, food stuff, money etc.

Meanwhile, the latest news now is that, the ruling PDP is hoping that they would win the gubernatorial elections in Lagos State! This is a statement credited to Mr. President, GEJ.

I do not like it when politicians make such statements. No. This is a MULTI PARTY Nation and not a single party Nation. There are over 60 registered political parties in Nigeria today.

Nigerians, please lets all REGISTER TO VOTE!

Merry Christmas!

What do you want from Santa this Christmas?

Count down to Christmas! Five more days to Christmas.

My Hubby had a little conversation with the kids this weekend. After commending them for their good grades in the just concluded exams, he asked them the million naira question. What do you want for Christmas?

Gee said she wants a doll. Hubby asked "don't you feel you are getting too old for dolls?" "I think Santa would give her a gift right for an eight year old girl!" I interjected, even though I was not invited to the conversation.

As for Tee, he wants a Bagukan toy! I felt that was a change, considering that for the past three years, it had been Ben 10 this, Ben 10 that!

Imagine, my Little Dee was not asked what she want for Christmas! It's not fair. Well I believe Santa would give her something special!

Then, with a smile Hubby said, "well all that is left to do is for Mummy to send that email to Santa"

Almost immediately they both chorused "Mummy have you sent an email to Santa Claus?" As a quick defense, I told them I'll send it as soon as I can.

The tradition in my home is such that only if they are well behaved that their names can be included on Santa's list. The only way their names can be on Santa's list is IF Mummy sends an email to Santa that they were well behaved all year round. So if, Mummy does not send that email . . . they can not receive any gift from Santa.

Well, the other major job is ensuring that Santa delivers the gifts. My son had always wondered how Santa delivers the gifts, since we do not have a chimney!

Merry Christmas!

Bad Roads = Traffic Jam!

Elections are round the corner. So many politicians are garnering all they can in order to make it. However, for those who have no interest to be "re-elected" are just sitting back doing NOTHING! There are so many bad roads within the area I live. I live in Isolo, and I can state categorically that there are more pot holes/craters on the route I pass, than smooth roads.

One of such bad spot is the road by the Five Star bus stop down where Emzor Plc. is located. This road has other Companies and it links to the popular Aswani market. That road is so bad that on an average day, after work, it takes at least 1 hour to drive through that stretch of road.

For starters, this road is very close to the Isolo LCDA Office! I have always asked (nobody in particular) "what is the Chairman of the Isolo LCDA doing?

        
                     

However, on my way to work this morning, I notice that these bad spots had been patched. The patch work is such that I'd describe as a shoddy work. With the volume of traffic on that road, that patched road will carve in again!

The next bad point I want to address is the Jakande Estate at the Ejigbo LDCA. The road leading into the Estate is very bad! So bad that the ripple effect is felt even along the Isolo/Mushin Road! I do not have pictures of that road, but I was told that something is being done. For how long? I wonder.

I am a tax payer. Every month I pay as I earn, a quantum of my salary is paid as tax! Why can't I enjoy something as basic as good road or even stable power supply?

Some time ago (not too long ago) I read a tweet purportedly posted by the Governor of Lagos State. It was to the effect that anyone who knows of any bad road should call these numbers: 07098107021 / 07023326147. The alternative was to go online and fill a form stating your name; residential address and telephone number.

So, my fellow Lagosians, if you know of any bad road call or go online to make a report.

Ekó ó ni baje o!

What would you do?

Wonders shall never end!

For people in the Lagos State who listen to WAZOBIA FM you must have heard the story making the air waves. A guy called the Radio Station complaining that his Fiancée dumped him "FOR NO REASON" a day to the wedding. That call generated lots of negative comments from callers and on Facebook. Most of the callers described the girl as wicked and callous.

Well, in order not to be brandished with bad names, the babe in question called WAZOBIA FM and had a lengthy conversation with the presenter, Yaw. In the course of the conversation, amidst tears and sobs, she revealed, amongst other things that the guy told her that he does not have a penis! In other words, he admitted that he has a problem with his sex organ!

Now, after hearing her part of the story, the tables turned. Some people say the man is the wicked one for keeping such a vital information secret for 5 Years (the period the relationship lasted).

I asked myself these questions:
       "What would I do if I found myself in such a predicament"?
       "What would I advice my sister or my daughter if they found themselves in that situation"?

For me o! I will not go on with the marriage. I will definitely feel betrayed and VERY SAD because I believe that a marriage that CANNOT be consummated is null ab initio. The guy has a dysfunctional organ! He is impotent! What?! While I "might" still be a friend, I would have to move on with my life.

If the guy was my brother, I'll ensure he seeks help medically. Where that fails, I'd suggest he either joins the monastery or not have any steady relationship!

What do you think? What would you do if this happens to you, your sister or your brother?

My Birthday!

It was my birthday yesterday!


Yes! I had fun!


I am grateful to Almighty God for my life! I have been counting my blessings and I have not stopped counting them. God has been so good to me! All I can say is thank You Lord!


Thank you Jesus!

How Not to Treat Your Domestic Staff!

A domestic staff is anyone employed in a home to provide certain services as cooks, drivers, gardeners, nanny, maids, housekeepers etc. The most common of these domestic staff is a maid/house helps. In most households, the maids perform ALL the chores.

After my Gee was born, I remember telling myself that I would stay back to tend to her properly. I did not want to leave her in the care of any nanny/maid/creche. My reason was based on the negative stories I have been hearing about maids! Well, I did not stay at home. I resumed four months after. I was "fortunate" to have a maid just before I went back to work. I spent about a month studying her and putting her through. I gave her my ground rules and I added that we'll be great friends if she behaves. She stayed with me for about two years and all those years, we live together in peace like sisters. I never raised my voice at her because she never gave me the opportunity to. She once told me that I am different from all the other madams she's had in the past. I asked to know why she said that and she narrated how other madams had been mean to her. She said, most times, she goes without food! I was shocked!

How can a sane woman starve her domestic staff and yet expect such a staff to perform well? I mean, that is preposterous! As a general rule, I would suggest that mothers who have maids looking after their kids should ensure that their maids are treated well! If you treat your maids in a bad way, your children would not be treated well by the maid! It is just common logic!

I have heard  of some women who give their maids food once a day. I have also heard of people who give their maids soured foods. I have seen some maids with various scares on their bodies, as a result of the beatings they receive from their madams. I have even seen a girl with a scare caused by a hot iron placed on her by her madam!

Some guidelines on how to treat domestic staff in your employ:
1. See them as human beings!
2. Treat them like you would treat your own children, siblings and relatives!
3. Feed them well so they would have strength to perform the chores!
4. Buy them nice clothes so they would be presentable in the public!
5. Interact with them. That way, you will know how they feel about you!
6. Encourage them to become better citizens in future!
 
A maid is a human being just like you!

NGF Elections!

This weekend, Mr, Gabriel Suswam, the Governor of Benue State, informed the general public that Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State is the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF). This (according to the report) became necessary because the Mr. Bukola Saraki intends to contest as President of Nigeria in the 2011 election. Mr. Suswam added that Saraki is distracted and he has not been able tocomment on National issues such as the bomb blast that rocked Abuja during the Independence Celebration on October 1, 2010.

Mr. Suswam said Gbenga Daniel was unanimously elected by consensus by all the members of the group.

Meanwhile, from the reactions of some other Governors who are also members of the NGF, there was no meeting or election properly so called! In his words, Mr. Shekaru of Kano State said “To the best of my knowledge, there was never a meeting where a decision to appoint a new chairman of the forum was reached.” Mr. Shekaru added that the NGF is not entirely a PDP affair.

Another dissenting voice was Commrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. Oshiomole dismissed the claim that any meeting was held where the decision was taken to appoint/elect Mr. Daniel as Chairman. Oshiomole explained that some PDP Governors (not all Governors) met at Mr. Gbenga Daniel’s lodge and these Governors purportedly elected Mr. Daniel as its new Chairman.

Mr. Osiomole however added that a meeting of the NGF would be held on Wednesday November 3, 2010. At this meeting, a new Chairman would be elected.

As a concerned citizen of this great Nation Nigeria, I feel it is rather unfortunate that these Governors would start to bicker amongst themselves. If the NGF cannot conduct a free and fair election to choose a Chairman, how can they be found preaching "free and fair" elections for the Nation in 2011?

Campaign Strategies!

I have heard of Politicians using money to woo electorates to vote. I have also heard of Politicians using food to score cheap campaign points. Now, another strategy has been added to that list - RECHARGE CARDS!

The Oyo State Governor, Mr. C. A. Alao-Akala, who is aspiring to be re-elected as Governor for a second term, has chosen to distribute recharge cards to the people thereby boost his campaign. Recharge Cards! Is that how cheap our votes are? NO WAY! Read more here.

We should all appreciate the fact that OUR VOTES ARE WORTH MUCH MORE THAN MONETARY GIFTS!

Our votes are VERY PRECIOUS! We should guard our votes jealously!

Nigerians, please Registerto vote. Select the right candidate to Vote for. Do not attach any sentiments when voting. Do not vote for a Political Party. Vote for the PERSON you know is right. Finally, Protect your votes!

We have the civic obligation to vote WISELY!

God bless NIGERIA!
NIGERIA o no baje o!

Tooth Fairies!

Do you believe in tooth fairies? Well, my children believe in tooth fairies. 

A Tooth Fairy

When Gee’s first milk tooth came off, she ran to me with the tooth in her hand. She was so excited. She said “now, my tooth fairy will come and take my tooth and exchange it for money”. Immediately, I concurred but I added that she has to sleep in her room, if she wants her tooth fairy to visit! (That was when they were always sleeping in my room) That night, she made sure she slept in her room.

The next morning, she ran excitedly to our room with a N500 naira note in her hand. “Mummy, Daddy, see what my tooth fairy gave me”. “Whao”, I said. Her daddy didn’t seem to share in our moment. He simply said, “your tooth must be very expensive for your tooth fairy to give you that much for a tooth.”

On one occasion, when she did not sleep in her room, she was so disappointed when she raised her pillow the next morning, and her tooth was still there! I reminded her that the tooth fairy only visits when you sleep in your room! That night, she slept in her room and of course, the tooth fairy performed!

Yesterday evening, another tooth came off. This time, there was no need to tell her where to sleep in order to make her tooth fairy visit her. She (and Tee) have been sleeping in their room in honour of our agreement. By this morning when she was showing off the N500 her tooth fairy left under her pillow, Tee was not happy. He wanted to know when his own teeth will start coming out. He said “Mummy, I thought you told me that my teeth will start falling out when I am 5 years old. I have been 5 since, and none of my teeth has come out. I want my tooth fairy to give me money too!”

Abeg o! This tooth fairy stuff na wa o! I wish I had a tooth fairy. LOL!

Do you believe in tooth fairies? Do you encourage your children to believe in tooth fairies?

Kidnappers on the Prowl!

Kidnapping occurs when someone is taken by force and held captive. This act of kidnapping is a criminal offence in any civilized Nation.

The rate of kidnapping is on the rise in Nigeria, particularly in Abia State. This heinous act started in Rivers State with the kidnapping of expatriates and oil workers. Back then, the kidnappers/hoodlums/militants claimed that the reason for kidnapping was to get the attention of the Federal Government to heed to their plead and develop the Niger Delta region.

The recent kidnapping of 15 innocent Nursery/Primary pupils on their way to School in Abia State, is the most heinous act I have heard in recent times. Infact the kidnapping in Abia State is TOO MUCH! Haba! The other time it was the journalist, then three female members of the National Youth Service Corps servicing in the State and now little children! Children between the ages of 3 to 6!

Now, these are the ones we get to hear about via the news media. I was told that people are kidnapped there daily. Kidnapping is now a means of getting free money for lazy people who want free money without working for it! These kidnappers would abduct anything, whether living or dead! If they have their way, they would even abduct pets and then demand ransom. WHY?

Should parents now lock their kids at home? Can we no longer walk freely without free of been kidnapped? Imagine the mental torture these children would be going through. I don't care however it is described, all I know is that it is morally WRONG for any right thinking human being to kidnap another! I just pray these children are released unhurt!

In a few hours, Nigeria would be celebrating its 50th year as a Nation. I ask myself, with the continued insecurity, crime etal, is there any reason we should be celebrating? What are we celebrating?

God Bless Nigeria!

Weaning Little Dee!

I understand that breastfeeding babies have a lot of advantages to the general growth and development of a child. This is the reason I always advocate, preach and breast-feed my babies exclusively for the first six months. In my case, after the initial three months maternity leave, I leave expressed breast milk stored in the freezer. Research shows that breast milk can be preserved for at least 3 months. Although it was very tasking, I went through this for my three children!

Whenever I return from work, she welcomes me in her own way, and then guides me into the bedroom. After the normal play and some chit chat, the next thing that she expects (to follow naturally) is for me to breastfeed her. Whenever, I do not show any sign of breastfeeding her, she starts yanking at my shirt or whatever cloth I have on, saying "I sor... I sor". If I do not yield to her demand ASAP, she would scream the house down! So I try to respect myself by breast-feeding her immediately.

Mother Breast feeding a baby
Source: kellymom.com

That babe demands to be breastfed at odd places! LOL! Imagine being at an event or gathering and your toddler starts yanking your blouse, saying "I sor" (sounds like I SAW). This line, translated to normal English means "I SUCK"! Can you imagine that? Well that is what Little Dee does to me on a regular basis now!

I just got to stop Little Dee now! Little Dee is 18 months. In addition to been breast fed, she eats other solid meals such as regular baby cereals and other meals prepared at home such as rice, fried plantain, eggs, yam and of course Eba and soup.

I understand that it is best to continue breast-feeding till a child is 2 years, but, I am thinking of weaning Little Dee from breast milk.

Restricting Motorcycles in Lagos State!

Lagos, Nigeria: From today, September 1, 2010, it will no longer be "business as usual" for commercial motorcyclists popularly known as OKADA.

With effect from today, no okada should be seen on the highways within the Lagos metropolis.

They have also been restricted from carrying pregnant women and women with children on strapped to their back.

In addition, school children and anyone under 18 years should not be found on any okada.

So many people have reacted to this ban/restriction. Some are of the firm view that the ban would lead to more crime in the state, while others believe the ban would reduce the inflow of patients in the Lagos State Orthopedic Hospital (Igbobi). Different people with different views.

What do you think? Will this ban/restriction be effective?

Blackout!

Yesterday, the workers in the PHCN commenced a nationwide strike. As a result, the entire nation (I believe) was plunged into darkness. My neighbourhood was a bit noisy last night because almost every house generated its own electricity via a generating set.

Blackout Naija
Source: 234next.com

The news this morning now is that this so called strike has been "suspended". I wonder, is that supposed to make us happy? For crying out loud, the power situation in Nigeria is NOT encouraging! Most people generate their power themselves! Some use, generators, some use solar and some use inverters. Some even use all three!

Dee: The strike by the PHCN workers have been suspended after Johnathan "stepped" into the issue.
Colleague: Is that supposed to be news?
Dee: *Laughing very hard*
Colleague: Why are you laughing? Has there ever been light? Answer me.
Dee: Well the power situation has been on and off. You know, it is kind of epileptic!
Colleague: Exactly! We've not had light for over a week!
Dee: Wow! But seriously, that is a fair deal.
Colleague: What do you mean by that?
Dee: There are some areas in this same Lagos that had been without light for MONTHS! I just thank God for the availability of petrol and the money to buy the petrol.
Colleague: Yes o! They can continue the strike for all I care! The Nation does not rely on them for electricity anymore. I mean why would any right thinking human go on strike and withhold the service that is NOT even provided in the first place? Nonsense.
Dee: The irony is that the PHCN workers would also power their generators because they would also be plunged in the same darkness. Anyway, that is no longer the case, since they have called off the strike.
Colleague: I no blame them! Dem for continue the strike!

Yerima to be Prosecuted!

I have just read here that Yerima the cradle snatcher WILL BE PROSECUTED SOON!

Please read full story here.

I only hope that justice would not be tampered with.

EFCC vs NFF!

After the just concluded World cup, and the hurried exit of the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles, the President "banned" the National team from any international tournament. People (particularly football lovers) opined that the President erred in his decision. The National Assembly even pleaded with him to rescind his decision - all for the fear of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). BTW, FIFA actually stands for the phrase "Fédération Internationale de Football Association" which is a french phrase.

Well, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) decided to put their house in order and the result was the immediate removal sack of some key players of the NFF - Mr. Sani Lulu (NFF president), Mr. Amanze Uchegbulam (NFF vice-president), and Mr. Taiwo Ogunjobi (head of the technical committee).

Following that shack up, the NFF promised "to take urgent steps to address the maladministration of football in the country".

The shake up paved way for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to carry out investigations into the alleged acts of financial impropriety by some officials. Contrary to the claim that NFF had no money, the EFCC discovered large sums of money in some of the NFF's bank accounts! One bank account had about N144m (One Hundred and Forty-Four Million Naira), another account had 2 million US dollars, while another had 6 million US dollars deposited in it! Now that is MONEY for an organisation claiming not to have money!

Right now these accounts have been frozen by the EFCC.

NEPA (or PHCN) on STRIKE!

Workers at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), otherwise known and popularly referred to as NEPA are were planning to go on a nation wide strike! What a paradox! The strike is based on the non-payment of over N69 BILLION as accrued benefits! WOW!

Most buildings in Nigeria rely on self generated power in order to get electricity supplied to their houses! There are different classes of power generators, from the "I better pass my neighbour" generating set to inverters and even solar. The noise pollution generated from the generators is very unbearable!

Why bother announcing the intended strike! How often do we get power from the PHCN?! They are really living up to their name - POWER HOLDING, they hold the power well! Meanwhile, I do not support the fact that they are been owed their benefits/entitlements. So, please FG pay them O!

Anyway, the strike has been shelved till tomorrow (Tuesday) 27 July 2010. Please read more here.

I would have loved to see and appreciate the strike! It would not make much difference anyway!

Sleep in your room!

Drama in the house. . .

Getting my children, to actually sleep in their room is a very difficult task! Gee! and Tee! do not like sleeping in their room! I have tried all the tricks in the book, they still find their way into our room at night! Most times hubby actually 'chase' them to their room with a promise that he'll take them out if they (Gee! and Tee!) remain in their room all through the night, without sneaking into our room. Although they usually promise not to come to our room, they always find a way to break their promise! Usually, whenever hubby enters the room and sees all four of us (including Little Dee!) on the bed, he ends up in the guest room. Sometimes he carries them to their room, that way he can sleep in his bed! lol!

This had been the routine until recently when I stood my ground! Haba! For how long will this continue. Gee! is almost 8 years old while Tee! is already 5 years old.

I had a meeting with them. Yes o! In that meeting I told them clearly and sweetly that they were no longer babies and as such I would appreciate it if they start to SLEEP in their room especially at night! After so many questions and answers, they promised to sleep in their room from that day!

Well, that was the deal, and I thought to myself, they would not breach their part of the agreement.

How wrong! It was a few minutes past 11pm when I heard a door opening (I knew it had to be the children's room) and then footsteps. The next thing I heard was my own room door opening and 'someone' sneaking into my bed! I knew immediately it has to be Gee! She was followed almost immediately by Tee!.

I simply reminded them of our meeting and mutual agreement. Then in a very 'sweet' voice, I sent them back to their room.

Mehn! we need our room.

From that day, any time they 'attempt' sneaking into our room, I send them back. Right now, I can proudly boast that WE have our room to ourselves (to a large extent at least). Only Little Dee! is permitted to sleep in our room for now. As soon as she is old enough (maybe 3 years old) she'll be moved to the children's room.

The Monstrous Oba!

The lady in this picture is Olori Bolanle Adesina. The person responsible for this mean treatment is her husband, the Deji of Akure, one Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina.

I was so angry when I read the news about the so called Deji of Akure, who gave one of his wives, Olori Bolanle, the battering of her life and left her in a very bad state! I was even more pissed when I read that the oba was accompanied by his newest wife! What was she thinking. In her own case, she should know that she is very likely to be treated in the same way. Yes! There is a popular proverb that “if a man keeps the cane used on the first wife, the cane would also be used on the second wife”. That proverb applies to her.

Women in Politics!

The political drums have been rolled out in readiness for the forthcoming election in 2011. All the players are ensuring they are "well placed", with the "right political godfather", in the "right political party".

No sooner than Dr. Goodluck was sworn in as the President, people started telling him not to contest for Presidency because the Presidency was zoned to the North! Please let the guy settle down and serve Nigeria for the short time he has.

Politicians are swapping Parties, moving from their original Party to another. Simply put, the Politicians are making sure they are well aligned! Yet, others are doing last minute make over (as if the people are myopic or blind). Well, time will tell.

It is no longer news that Senator Gbemi Saraki wants to be the first female Governor of Kwara State. There is a website for that. However, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Kwara State recently issued a statement saying it is against Islamic Law for a female to be a leader!

Alhaji Tijani Edun, the state coordinator, said the legacy and Islamic culture will be destroyed if a female should rule the state come 2011. In an attempt to safe guard the Islamic culture, the Supreme Council for Shariah has called on all Muslims in the State to converge at the YIDI praying ground in Ilorin on the Sunday, 30 May 2010 for special prayers to ensure that a woman is not imposed as the next Governor.

As a Senator, representing a senatorial district, I believe she is a leader. As a leader, Gbemisola Saraki registered a foundation - the HAVE FOUNDATION to reach out to the poor in her constituency.

Through the foundation, she has been giving financial support to the needy. She has also purchased tractors with implements to assist rural farmers in land cultivation in her constituency. The empowerment programme has also benefited 33 people. One of them, Mallam Abdulrasaq Hossein Eja got a Mazda 626 for commercial purposes, while the remaining 32 got cash awards ranging from N450,000 to N15,000, hair dryers, grinding machines, sewing and pressing irons as well as motorcycles.

If the Supreme Council for Shariah hold strongly to the Islamic beliefs, why was Gbemisola (a serving Senator) voted to the National House of Assembly in the first place?

My history teacher, taught me about a Muslim female leader and warrior, known and addressed as QUEEN AMINA of Zaria. Hello! Amina of Zaria was a notable female Muslim leader!

I wonder, is the fight/prayer against Gbemi as a woman or against Gbemi as a SARAKI?

This is ODD!

Some days ago, I read the story of a 72 years old woman who claims to be in love with her grandchild and infact, she "wants to have his baby". This is so strange (at least in my own part of the world!). What sort of affection would a GRANDMOTHER have for her GRANDSON to the point that she is willing to pay $54,000 to the surrogate mother who would give birth to her grandchild’s baby?

After reading this article, I decided to do a search on the internet, and I saw the story here.

The 72 years old GRANDMA was qouted as saying: “I am not interested in anyone else’s opinion. I am in love with Phil …. Soon I’ll be holding my son or daughter in my arms and Phil will be the proud dad.”

The Grandson, Phil Bailey says he is in love . . . with his grandmother. In his own words, “I love Pearl . . . I’ve always been attracted to older women and I think Pearl is gorgeous. Now I’m going to be a dad …..We get laughed at and bullied when we go out and kiss in public…… You can’t help who you fall for.”

Please my people, are these two for real? Are they actually in their right senses? Just asking. . .

Source: The Sun News.

Mourning the President!

Finally, President Umaru Yar'adua has gone to rest.

News has it that he died yesterday after a prolonged battle with a heart ailment.

The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will now be sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Yar'adua is the fifth Nigeria ruler to die while in power.

Rest in peace Yar'adua.

God Bless Nigeria! Long live the Federal Republic in Nigeria!

Imagine this!

That Alhaji Sani Ahmed Yerima has a taken another child as his new wife is no longer news. However, what is new and news to me is the fact that this old man was quoted as saying he has not done any wrong! Hello! Talk about cradle snatching! Talk about child abuse!

It would be recalled that sometime in the year 1999, Sani Yerima, who was the Governor of Zamfara State declared that his State - Zamfara, was adopting the Sharia Legal system. That single act generated a lot of debates and it was greatly criticized.

Now, Yerima, a serving Senator, is in the news again. His latest wife is a child! She is just 13 years old for crying out loud!

I have had discussions with some moslems and one thing I have learnt from these discussions is that the Qur'an only permits marriage to more than one woman, on the condition that the man can support and treat them equally. Yap! The Qur'an does not make it mandatory to marry more than one wife! That is one part most moslems omit when relying on the provisions permitting them to marry more than one wife!

Yerima, who was born sometime in the year 1960, paid a whooping sum of $100,000 approximately (N15,000,000) as the bride price for this child and the wedding was allegedly conducted at the National Mosque in Abuja!

Nigerian women senators and various Women's Groups made this information known by writing a petition to the Senate. Following the petition, the Senate has ordered an investigation into this allegation - that one of its members married a 13-year-old Egyptian girl.

The groups also want the senate to "estabish the legality or otherwise of this action, considering the high personal status of Senator Yerima, his status in society as a lawmaker and leader and the negative effect of such acts on the image of Nigeria".

In an attempt to raise a defence, Yerima said in a BBC telephone interview that he has not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned. "I don't care about the issue of age since I have not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned," he said.

THE CHILD RIGHTS ACT
In 1989, world leaders saw that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too. To this end, there was a Convention for the Rights of the Child which was adopted by the UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

By virtue of this Convention, every Member State is mandated to ensure that the principles of the Convention are implemented in their Countries. On this note, Nigeria passed this Convention into Law in July 2003. Under the Nigeria Child Rights Act, betrothal and marriage of children (as defined by the Act) is prohibited. The penalty/punishment is a fine of N500,000 {(£2,000) ($3,320)} or imprisonment for 5 years or both (ie fine and jail term).

Iwu is OUT!

Professor Maurice Iwu is no longer the Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). I call him Maurice Law because "Iwu" means Law in the Ibo Language!

Yesterday, the news had it that Dr. Goodluck Johnathan, the acting President of the federal Republic of Nigeria, sacked the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof. Maurice Iwu was asked to commence a "pre-disengament" leave. This must have come as a rude shock to Maurice Law whose tenor as INEC Chairman was due to terminate at the end of June 2010.

Before his removal, Prof. Maurice Iwu presided over the last election in 2007. This election was regarded as one filled with all forms of fradulent activities. That election was not 'free and fair'. Nigerians had been calling for his removal. Well now he is out!

I pray that the next INEC Chairman lives up to expentation and conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria come 2011!

My Family!

I am a working Mother with three wonderful kids! I had introduced them in my other blog as Tee!, Gee! and Little Dee! I am married to my Hubby.

Gee! is the eldest of the three musketeers and she  is 7 years old. Tee!, the only boy is 4 years old. Little Dee! is 1 year old. There is another member of my family, E! She is our help, looking after Little Dee! while I am at work. My children call her Aunty E!

Gee! is a third grader. Tee! is in Nursery. Little Dee! is in Home School. LOL! Today, Tee! and Gee! resumed school and as such we left Little Dee! alone with E!. Little Dee! cried as we waved her bye. Gee! stopped to give her a kiss and promised that "when I return from school, we'll play, ok?". Big bros Tee! simply waved and told her to stop crying! As for me, I just gave her a big bear hug sealed with my usual kiss. Gosh!

While I am at work, I try to stay focused and leave my thoughts in a zip bag! I remember, some years ago, when Tee! was just a baby in Home School, while I was in Court waiting for my matter to be called, I got so carried away that when my case was called, I did not know! My colleague who was in Court with me had to nudge me to stand up and announce my appearance! Yeah! I was day dreaming!

The life of a working Mummy!

My Issue with BBC's "Welcome to Lagos"

The controversial documentary depicting Lagos State as a slum where poverty and disease trive has been generating alot of reactions from Nigerians.

I just watched it on Solomonsydelle's NIGERIAN CURIOSITY.

After watching the documentary, I was so angry with the BBC for sending wrong signals to the entire world! Haba! Wetin Nigeria do them? Whenever they (BBC) air any documentary about Nigerians, it is always on poverty, disease etc. WHY? Why are they not showing the world the beautiful side of Lagos that attracts them here in the first place?

Please go there and watch. When you watch you will (I believe) know where I am coming from!

Eko o ni baje!

Making Nigeria Roads Safe!

On my way to work today, I heard on the radio today that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) will begin to clamp down on motorists with fake drivers license. This warning was issued by the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission Mr. Jonas Agwu. This great quest will purge the system and society of drivers with fake driver’s license. About time!

Mr. Agwu further advised anyone applying for a driver’s license or renewal of a driver’s license must be physically present before the driver’s license is issued or renewed. This means very soon, the quality of motorists/drivers will be greatly improved. Well done Mr. Agwu!

The need to purge our roads of half baked drivers cannot be over emphasized! With all due respect to the FRSC, most motorists in Nigeria today do have a valid driver’s license! For those that have, at least 70% or more have their licenses by proxy. That is the license holder was not physically presence before the license was issued! It is that bad. That is why we have a lot of problems on our roads!

Some time ago, our car was hit from behind by a commercial bus. Immediately, the bus driver came out and was ranting and cursing. He claimed there was no damage to our car, so why the fuss! Anyway, Hubby was in a very good mood, so he simply called a Police man and reported the incident. When the bus driver saw that Hubby was not throwing back words, he started begging! Mehn! The change of behavior was very swift! The guy prostrated and said “Daddy, please I am sorry! My conductor did not tell me there was a car beside me. I am sorry.” At this point, I told him it was too late, because the Police have been invited into the matter. When we got to the Police Station, the bus driver was asked to produce his driver’s license and vehicle particulars! Believe it or not, this guy could not presence any of the documents.

So what gave this guy the courage that he can drive on our roads? Who certified him a fit and proper driver for the Nigeria roads? There are a thousand others like him.

This problem is not limited to commercial bus drivers alone. Some private car owners and/or drivers are also affected. For this other category, they get their driver’s license by proxy! That is they do not present themselves for tests before been issued a drivers license! Too bad. Last year, one of my friends showed me a driver’s license issued in her name. We had the following conversation:
Dee!: When did you start driving?
My friend: Aunty Dee!, I am still learning o.
Dee!: So how did you get this?
Friend: Someone got it for me.
Dee!: Without testing you?! I will not enter any car driven by you! How can you join the band wagon to procure a drivers license by proxy? I am not happy with you.
Seeing I was not down with the whole thing, my friend just changed the topic.

When the society is filled with people who are not “qualified” to drive on the roads, you can imagine the high rate of accidents and other avoidable incidents on the roads.

We complain about traffic and rough drivers, most of the time, it is people who are not properly tested that start the problems faced on our roads! The commercial bus drivers boldly refuse to clear off the high ways to pick their passengers. When there are four vehicles on a slow lane, the fifth one, usually a commercial bus or a car driven by an ex-commercial driver, will form a second or third lane. In Lagos, the okada riders (motorcyclists) do not obey traffic rules! They are simply untouchable! There are so many vehicles on the roads that are not “road worthy”, yet they have a road worthiness permit.

Please note that only the FRSC, in collaboration with the state government, has the power and authority to produce driver's license.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Long live Lagos State!
Ekọ ó ni bajé!

Rebuilding Jos! Rebuilding Nigeria!

Jos, the capital of Plateau State is a mining city and therefore known as the Tin City. Plateau State is known as the Home of Peace and Tourism! Like other States in Nigeria, Plateau State is made up of several ethnic groups. For years, ALL these groups lived in harmony.

I know this, because I schooled in Jos and I was there for 5 solid years! I really had a WONDERFUL time in Jos to the point that I nursed the idea of coming back to settle there. By the late 80s, when I left Jos, the city was still a very peaceful town.

Today, Jos is no longer the peaceful city I knew back then. The current situation in Jos is very tragic. Violence and crime is the order of the day! Brothers killing brothers! This violence must stop! Why would a human being take the life of another? We should learn to show love to humanity.

Right now, we need to rebuild Jos. We need to rebuild Plateau State and make it the State of Peace and Tourism that it was meant to be.

Some Nigerians have started putting together various schemes to get much needed relief to Jos. I was so touched by the level of efforts put in by some LOVE filled Nigerians to help rebuild Jos.

I visited a blog - We are Jos, and I must say, I was very impressed. God bless the team members of that blog for putting up that blog with a view to rebuilding Jos and helping the victims. God bless you all!

There are so many things that can be done to help the survivors in Jos. However, I suggest that any person who intends to make any donation should visit any registered charitable Organisation, such as the Nigerian Red Cross and ask for details of ways to make donations.

I was at NAIJABLOG and I saw details of an account where donations can be paid to help rebuild Jos. This is an account for the NIGERIAN RED CROSS strictly for aiding the Jos survivors. The Nigerian Red Cross is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious, and non-ethnic humanitarian organisation. The major objective of this Organisation is primarily to assist people who are victims of disasters, by providing shelters, food, clothing etc.

I also suggest that before making any donation into any bank account, please confirm and verify that the account is really for the charitable organisation and for the purpose of your donation.

Please do something. Help spread the word and get people to send donations as well. Apart from monetary aids, food items, clothes, medications and all other forms of relief aids can also be donated. Please save a life. Put a smile on a face.

While the rebuilding efforts are going on, I pray that there would be no more violence in our Nation. I pray that the LOVE that surpasses all understanding will bind us in Nigeria!

God Bless Nigeria!

Scarcity!

Scarcity is defined as the state or fact of being scarce; shortness of supply, especially of necessaries

When something is scarce, it is hard to get. When something is scarce, it is hard to find. When something is scarce, it is in short supply!

In the past, there had been scarcities upon scarcities in Nigeria. Not too long ago, there was a scarcity of Petroleum products, particularly petrol (pms). Just when Nigerians were getting over that scarcity, the butchers embarked on a "strike" which resulted to the scarcity of beef! Can you imagine that? Butchers on strike!

Well, another group of people have joined the strike wagon. They are the tomatoes and pepper sellers. Yes O! They are currently on strike, thereby making tomatoes and pepper very scarce!

I went shopping over the weekend and when I stopped at the stall I usually buy my tomatoes and pepper, I had the following conversation with the woman (lets just call her Customer):
Dee!: Customer good morning. Why is your stall empty?
Customer: Good morning o! We are on strike!
Dee!: *sounding very surprised* "We"? What are you talking about?
Customer: *laughing* Pepper sellers now. We are on strike.
Dee!: Why? What for?
Customer: I don't know o. They just said we are on strike!

Now can you imagine joining a strike without knowing the reason for the strike?!

Meanwhile, as I was shopping, I suddenly realised that there was little or no "reds" in the market. As I was driving back home, I noticed a road side seller had some tomatoes and pepper displayed for sale. I stopped to buy and when she told me the price, I SCREAMED! Four small sized tomatoes for N500.00 (approximately $3.3).

Tomatoes

 At the end of the day, this was what I bought for N1,500 (approximately $10.)

Tomatoes and Peppers

Right now, so many things are scarce in Nigeria, even humans!

God help us!

Eating out!

Food business is definitely a very good and lucrative business. This is because, no matter what, people MUST eat! At some point, we have eaten out, even if it is not in the beautifully furnished food outlets. In Nigeria, there are local joints, popularly known as "bukas". There are several bukas in Lagos, even in the high class areas, and these joints enjoy great patronage from executives to clerks. Another local joint is the beer parlour, where "isi ewu" (a local dish made from goat meat) or cat fish pepper soup are served with the beer.

How many times have we stopped to wonder the source of that food we eat outside our homes? Have we ever seen how the food we eat is prepared? Have we ever imagined how these food or ingredients are preserved? How clean or healthy is the food you eat, particularly outside your home?

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), the regulatory body for food and drug matters in Nigeria had been visiting ALL fast food joints in Nigeria, with a view to ensuring compliance with the Good Hygienic Practice.

This recent activity which commenced October 2009, is a welcome development, considering that in the past, NAFDAC paid more attention to drugs and cosmetics. So far, the mighty hand of NAFDAC had fallen on some big players in the fast food business for carrying out their business under "unhygienic conditions". The first was Sweet Sensation. According to the news, the NAFDAC inspectors were shocked to discover that the source of water for the outlet was a borehole located close to an underground concrete sewage . . .

Hmmmm! Then some weeks ago, another fast food outlet was sealed. This time around, it was Tetrazzini. The vivid description of the entire premises made me sick. Imagine storing "fresh fish in deep freezers that were not properly functional. . ." or water pipes "leaking with algae growth and cobwebs around them . . ."

NAFDAC, please continue this exercise. Pay surprise visits to these outlets and please continue to make your findings public.

Who has seen Yar'Adua?

Although Yar'Adua came in the dark, it is now an open secret that he is in Nigeria. This is further butressed by the statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi. In the said statement the Special Adviser said Yar'Adua returned to the Presidential Villa, Abuja early Wednesday morning after being discharged by the team of medical experts overseeing his treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However NO ONE has SEEN the President since his purported dark "arrival". Even the acting President has not set eyes on the President!

After the "medical holiday", the number one citizen returned unceremoniously. Even the Minister for Information was not informed about his arrival. She said she heard of his arrival from CNN. Can you imagine that? With the return of the President, the Country has been thrown into another state of chaos and confusion. What an irony!

The most honourable thing to do (I hope) is for the President to step aside and let his vice continue acting. Anyway, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said in a statement thus:

President Yar'Adua is grateful to the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for competently overseeing the affairs of state in his absence.

The President also wishes to thank the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the entire membership of the National Assembly, the Governors' Forum, and the Judiciary, the Armed Forces and other security agencies, former heads of state and other eminent Nigerians for their roles in maintaining order and stability during his absence.

President Yar'Adua wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that on account of their unceasing prayers and by the special grace of God, his health has greatly improved.

However, while the President completes his recuperation, Vice President Jonathan will continue to oversee the affairs of state.

Nigerians deserve to know better! Nigerians wish Yar'Adua well. Nigerians wish Yar'Adua quick recovery, but that does not mean Nigerians should be taken for granted! The health status of the President MUST be made public. This is a democratic setting for crying out loud! The office of the President is more important than the person elected to that office! Is the President "fit and proper" to rule this great Nation?

This charade MUST stop! Haba! For how long will the Country be in the dark? What is going on? Nigerians deserve to know! Nigerians have the right to know!

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

The return of Mr. President!

Yar'Adua is back!

Just like that! About three months ago, Yar'Adua left the Country for medical treatment (without following due process). Now 93 days after he left the Country, Mr. President returned to the Country, just like that! It was reported that he arrived at the Presidential wing of the air port in Abuja at the wee hours. Hmmmm! Why was his arrival calculated in such a manner? Why did he come in the dark? Why was there an ambulance waiting for him at the airport? Why were journalists prevented from seeing him? Why were the floodlights on the tarmac dimmed? These are questions that should be answered! In answering these questions please let us remember that the office of the president is more important than the person of the president. How long will this hiding game continue?

Well I guess that with the "arrival" of Yar'Adua, Goodluck, the Acting President will "step aside" and leave the office for the President. Right?! Okay! He is expected to inform the Senate in writing of his arrival before Goodluck stops acting. Yeah. That was the content of the Resolution passed to empower Goodluck as Acting President. Well, until the Senate receives that letter, Goodluck will continue to "act".
Meanwhile the Saudi bound team were able to give the Saudi King the "appreciation letter". Like the teams before them, they were unable to see the President! Well, that has been over taken by the recent events. The drama is still unfolding. Nigerian are watching keenly!

Well, welcome back Mr. President! We wish you a speedy recovery!

Another Team to Saudi Arabia as Aondoakaa faces more trouble

The Federal Executive Council has set up a six man panel to visit Yar'Adua in saudi Arabia. Tax payers money in action!

Imagine, they have set up another team to go visit Yar'Adua in Saudi Arabia! This would not be the first team/delegation sent to Saudi Arabia to ascertain Yar'Adua's state of health. Governors, "close aides", delegation from the ruling party PDP, delegation from the House of Representatives and even the Sultan of Sokoto have all been to Saudi Arabia  to see the ailing President. They all returned with the same message - they did not see the President! Members of this new team are:

1. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation - Yayale Ahmed

2. The Minister for Health - Babatunde Oshotimehin

3. Minister for Foreign Affairs - Ojo Maduekwe

4. Minister for Petroleum Resources - Rilwanu Lukman

5. Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation - Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN)

6. Minister for Agriculture -  Sayyadi Abba Ruma

Well, I wish them a safe trip to Saudi Arabia and back. If they return with a different report (ie that they were granted access to the President), then that will be a big plus. Read full story here.

More trouble seem to be brewing for the embattled erstwhile Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa. The purported apology letter he wrote to Prof. Akunyili has been rejected. Akunyili said the apology was not acceptable on the grounds that it was not clear. She wants him to clear all ambiguities contained in the said letter. Please read the full letter here.

PS- I have been trying to add pictures to this post without luck! Is it just me, or its a general problem with blogger? Help please!

Aondoakaa, now Minister for Special Duties!

It is no longer business as usual for Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). The first thing the newly appointed Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan did was to redeploy Aondoakaa. The Acting President moved Aondoakaa from the prestigious office of the Attorney General to the Special Duties Ministry. The new Attorney General and Minister of Justice is Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), who was the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

When the former AG was asked how he felt, he said:  

"Well I am in the government, in the cabinet and I pledge my loyalty to the Vice-President. I'm the Minister of Special Duties." 

He even added that he has no regret for all his past actions because

"every single action I took was in the interest of this country. No attorney-general worth his salt will go to the pages of papers and say there is a vacuum."  

He was (is) very loyal to the ailing President. He even said Yar'Adua can rule the country from anywhere in the world, including a sick bed in a hospital in Saudi Arabia! Yes. Aondoakaa said so. This statement attracted criticisms from Nigerians. Some were even asking if Aondoakaa actually passed through the Law School.

Just last week, Aondoakaa shouted Prof Akunyili down when the later presented a memo to the Executive Council, asking that VP be sworn in as President. He said Akunyili  trying to make herself an angel and a cheap hero. He added that she (Akunyili) should "go and confront herself with what happened in NAFDAC." The question now is what happened in NAFDAC? Aondoakaa, please tell us what we do not know. Remember, he who assert must prove.

Anyway, in an attempt to right his wrongs, Aondoakaa wrote an apology letter to Akunyili stating amongst other things that he was quoted out of context. At least he had retracted the libelous statement and apologized to Akunyili. I'd say Aondoakaa is playing his politics well. Akunyili please forgive him for he acted under duress. Meanwhile enjoy your new portfolio Mr. Aondoakaa, M. (SAN).

Meanwhile the team delegated by the House of Representatives to visit the ailing President in King Faisal Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were denied access to their President! Well it was worth trying. I believe they knew they won't be granted access to see the ailing President, knowing that other top players (including the Sultan of Sokoto and the PDP National Working Committee) have been denied access to the President. The First Lady, Turai Yar'Adua determines who can see her husband!




I am still trying to get an appropriate title for this home video! Any suggestions?

Long Live Nigeria!
Nigeria o ni baje o!* (Nigeria will not rot! )

Acting President for Nigeria!

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been empowered by the National Assembly to step into the "shoes" of the ailing AWOLed President, Yar'Adua. The Senate President, Mr. David Mark said the telephone interview aired on the BBC served as the notification needed to allow Mr. Vice act as President. So based on the "telephone conversation" yesterday, the National Assembly passed a resolution empowering Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume power as the acting President, pending the return of the ailing President Yar'Adua. The Senate added that the moment they receive a "letter" from Yar'Adua informing the Senate that he (Yar'Adua) is back to the Country, then Goodluck will cease to act as President.

With all due respect to the "law makers", that is NOT the right way to go about it. The Senate has no power to confer power on the Vice-President to act as President! The applicable Latin maxim here is nemo dat qui non habet. Simply put, this phrase means "he who has not cannot give". That is, you cannot give what you do not have.

The Law is very clear on that. The 1999 Constitution is very explicit. Section 144 of the Constitution is to the effect that the President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office on the following grounds:
1) A declaration is passed by the Federal Executive Council (which is made up of all ministers, who incidentally were appointed by the President) stating that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office.

2) After this declaration is passed, it has to be verified by a medical panel comprising of 5 medical practitioners, appointed by the Senate President. The personal physician of the President shall be a member of the medical panel.

Sections 144 (2)&(3) state thus:
(2) Where the medical panel certifies in the report that in its opinion the President or Vice-President is suffering from such infirmity of body or mind as renders him permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office, a notice thereof signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation.

(3) The President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office as from the date of publication of the notice of the medical report pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

Now, that is the LAW! The National Assembly, in my opinion, erred in law by empowering the VP with the Presidential powers.

The BBC conversation relied on by the National Assembly IS NOT the requirement as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. That conversation does not meet the requirement as set out in section 145 of the Constitution.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

73 days and still counting . . .

Fact: The President is ill.
Fact: The President has been away for 73 days today.
Fact: Most Ministers have not "spoken" to the President.
Fact: Nigerians are worried about the prolonged silence surrounding the prolonged absence of the President.
Mr. President is still at large!

Some days ago, a Federal High Court Judge, in fact, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Dan Abutu, gave the Federal Executive Council a 14 day ultimatum to decide whether the President was still capable of ruling the Nation or not. As a result of that Court Order, on the 27th of January, the Executive Council unanimously passed a resolution that only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua could determine whether he is fit to remain in office.

It is a known fact that Nigeria has an ill President. It is also a known fact that Nigerians are praying for Yar'Adua to get well FAST! But for crying out loud, how long can we stay without a President in Office. Yes, the various Ministers and other politically minded individuals are currently manning the affairs of the Nation, but for how long?

For the records, when this guy, Mr. President, was Governor of Katsina State, news had it that he would go AWOL for months and when he does resurface, it's business as usual. Is that the same thing happening now? There had been so many rumours surrounding his disappearance from office. Some say he is dead. Some say he is brain damaged. Suddenly, there was a televised telephone conversation between Yar'Adua and a BBC correspondent. Sincerely, when I heard the shaky voice on BBC, I said thank God Yar'Adua is still alive. . . at least that will douse the rumours going on! I was so relieved that at least the nation will not be thrown into a state of chaos. Even with that, people were not still convinced. There was a general doubt that the voice was not Yar'Adua's. Some even said, it was a technological trick!

Now it is exactly 73 days since the President travelled AWOLed to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. The Federal Executive Council still believes he is fit and proper to continue as President! Right now, the President can not carry out his duties as a President, therefore he is INCAPACITATED. Although the Executive Council has not been confirmed that he is “permanently incapacitated”, how long would a Nation should stay without its President? Our leaders are simply playing politics with us. No one is speaking out.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has made adequate provisions on steps to follow when the President is unable to perform his duties as President. Sections 144, 145 and 146 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides thus:

144. (1) The President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office, if -
(a) by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all the members of the executive council of the Federation it is declared that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and
(b) the declaration is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection (4) of this section in its report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) Where the medical panel certifies in the report that in its opinion the President or Vice-President is suffering from such infirmity of body or mind as renders him permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office, a notice thereof signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation.

(3) The President or Vice-President shall cease to hold office as from the date of publication of the notice of the medical report pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(4) the medical panel to which this section relates shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and shall comprise five medical practitioners in Nigeria:-
(a) one of whom shall be the personal physician of the holder of the office concerned; and

(b) four other medical practitioners who have, in the opinion of the President of the Senate, attained a high degree of eminence in the field of medicine relative to the nature of the examination to be conducted in accordance with the foregoing provisions.

(5) In this section, the reference to "executive council of the Federation" is a reference to the body of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, howsoever called, established by the President and charged with such responsibilities for the functions of government as the President may direct.

145. Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.

146. (1) The Vice-President shall hold the office of President if the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death or resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or the removal of the President from office for any other reason in accordance with section 143 of this Constitution.

(2) Where any vacancy occurs in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) of this section during a period when the office of Vice-President is also vacant, the President of the Senate shall hold the office of President for a period of not more than three months, during which there shall be an election of a new President, who shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the last holder of the office.

(3) Where the office of Vice-President becomes vacant:-
(a) by reason of death or resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with section 143 or 144 of this Constitution;

(b) by his assumption of the office of President in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; or

(c) for any other reason,

the President shall nominate and, with the approval of each House of the National Assembly, appoint a new Vice-President.

Yar'Adua is an "advocate" of the "rule of law". Why can't the Law be respected now that it directly concerns him? When he was sworn into office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yar'Adua swore to an oath of allegiance to obey the letters and the spirit of the 1999 Constitution without fear or favour and to also promote peace and accord in Nigeria.

The first option under Section 144 of the Constitution has been explored, what about the second option? The Senate President should set up a medical panel in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution to verify the "declaration" of the Executive Council.

The latest development now is that the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili has finally spoken. The news has it that Akunyili submitted a memo to the Executive Council to "prevail on Yar'Adua to hand over to the Vice-President." Hmmmmm! With this development, Akunyili has become the "lone voice" in the Federal Executive Council and as a result, she was shouted down by the pro-Yar'Adua Ministers! What a way to advocate freedom of speech in a democratic setting!

In addition, the "media" owners have given an ultimatum to the President to take "the honourable path and spare the nation the on-going political confusion."

As for now, we’ll continue to do “sidon look”, when the home video finish playing, we’ll give credits where necessary!

Nigeria we hail thee! Long live the Federal republic of Nigeria!

January 27, 2002 - Commemorating the victims

It was a beautiful Sunday in January 2002.  We just returned from Church. I had bearing entered my room when there was a sudden vibration. I rushed out and I saw hubby standing in the sitting room with shock all over his face! "What was that?" I asked. He replied, "I don't know." Some minutes later, another I felt another vibration and this time I asked hubby "Is this an earthquake? Abeg o!"

These vibrations were so serious that louvres were rattling and other items in the house were moving! That was why I thought it was an earthquake. There were also thunderous sounds following the vibrations. Somewhere in between all these, I saw the breaking news on television that the explosions and vibrations were as a result of bomb exploding in the armoury in Ikeja Military Cantonment! What!!!!

I did not know the extent of the damage and havoc until I went to work the next day. My office was somewhere on the Island. The whole office was scattered as if it was burgled. Files were all over the floor; tables upturned...

Most of that day was spent talking about the incident...

The news had it that somany lives were lost as a result of stampeding. Some people were looking for their loved ones. It was such a dark period in the city of Lagos.

I stopped by at my Mum's place in Isolo on my way home after work. There were large cracks on the walls and most of her dishes were broken. I got more tales about the whole incident. I was informed that people ran out of the houses out of fear and panic. Not knowing what was happenning. She said, thankfully, she waited, tried to understand before taking any action. She added that a friend of hers who lives in Ajao Estate jumped from a balcony and broke her leg in the process. My Mum was still in shock. I encouraged her to calm down and rest. My brother's gist was different. He said he was outside with some friends when the whole thing started. He saw people running down the street in panic and like a typical Lagosian, he was about to run as well. Fortunately, a neighbour called him back and told him to stay within the compound. He said the neighbour told him not to panic.

The most shocking news was that as a result of the panic and stampede, several people, including children, women and men were drowned in the Oke-Afa Canal! Some bodies have been claimed but some were not claimed. The unclaimed bodies were buried in a mass grave by the canal. A cenotaph was later erected at the mass grave for the unclaimed bodies. Year after year, the Lagos State Government set out some few hours to lay wreaths at the cenotaph in Oke-Afa.

It is exactly 8 years after that black Sunday in Lagos. The activities around that site for the past one week has got me thinking. The roads were patched and padded. The cenotaph now wears a new look. Enough beautification has taken place there. I even hear the Governor of  Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola will be on ground to give a befitting commemoration for the people buried at there.
Let us say prayers for the families that lost their loved ones on that ill fated day - Sunday 27, January 2002.

Scammers, Haiti + Crisis in Jos

In line with the plea for donations to help the Haitians after the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on, many Nations (including Nigeria) and Individuals all over the world have been sending monetary donations and relief items such as food, water, clothes, medications and other medical equipments to recognised Charities such as the Red Cross.

It is rather very unfortunate that while good hearted people are trying to give life, hope and love to the survivors in Haiti, some bad and evil minded people are using this as an opportunity to defraud the people with good intentions, who are genuinely sending aid and relief materials to Haiti. These scammers are capitalizing on the relief efforts to help rebuild Haiti. How can people be so wicked as to enrich themselves this way!I feel that such an act is heinous!

Please before making any donation towards rebuilding Haiti, take the extra precautionary step to ensure that the Charity is a genuine and recognised one. Please find below some tips on how to avoid such scams as posted on NowPublic.com:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.
Donors are advised to consult experts when deciding which charity to donate to. Charity Navigator compiled a list of organizations operating to help the Haiti earthquake, among them are CARE, Doctors Without Borders, World Vision, American Red Cross.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims.
While administration cost may be minimized, processing fee is almost inevitable. For example, donations from credit card will incur service charges.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas.
It will be difficult for charities to help the affected areas if they don't already have staff on the ground.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups.
If the charity does not directly helping the Haiti earthquake, donors can consider skipping the "middleman" to reduce the processing cost when money is passed along to other relief organizations.

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations.
It is best to give direct monetary support instead of food or clothing because it is much more difficult to distribute such donation. It requires organizations to have the staff and infrastructure to handle donations of good properly. Be ware of inexperienced organizations asking for goods donations.

May the Almighty God, Jehovah Jireh continue to provide for all who have (and are still) sent some form of donations towards rebuilding Haiti. For those who can not send physical items, please continue to pray for the survivors of the earthquake.

While the international community are discussing on ways to help rebuild Haiti, people in Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria are also counting their loses as the recent crisis has left several dead and several others homeless. I pray for my people in Jos. I call them my people because I feel I am part of them. During my stay in Jos, in the 80s, I experienced the hospitality nature of the people of Jos. I have been asking myself  "where did all these hatred come from?" Anyway, my prayer is that God Almighty will heal the broken hearts and fill them with LOVE!  Amen!

Help Save Haiti!

The recent massive earthquake that rocked Haiti, has left over thousands of people dead and several others homeless. Somany children have become orphans as a result of this unfortunate incidence. I watched CNN news and I saw Dr. Sanjay, a CNN medical correspondent giving medical treatment to a baby whose mother died in the quake! This baby is only 15 DAYS old! My sympathy goes to the people of Haiti right now.

Source: www.nj.com/news

International Organisations such as the UN and Red Cross have formulated ways to send relief to Haiti. Donations can also be sent by text, that is for people living in America and Canada. However, for other Countries, donations can be sent online.

Please visit these sites and do something positive for Haiti:
1.   www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake
2.  http://www.redcross.org/

Do a google search to find out how you can be of help.

In addition to monetary donations, the survivors and indeed the entire Haiti Nation need prayers from people all over the world. Let us join hands and reach out to the Haitians!