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!