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!