A POLITICIAN FOR THE PEOPLE

Professor Pat Utomi is a man I have come to respect so much. A political economist, management lecturer, entrepreneur, societal role model and recently, Nigerian presidential aspirant. He represents a breed of Nigerians that, if permitted, will serve as much needed medicine for our present day ill-plagued society. Not that he needs our permission anyway. One look at his resume will tell you that.

He has served on various boards in government, private sector and in academia. He is a role model to young people like myself who have a burden to see a better and greater Nigeria (named Societal Role Model in pioneer awards by the Nigerian Tribune in 2001)

http://www.patutomi2007.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=27

In his article, POLITICS WITHOUT THE PEOPLE, (http://www.dawodu.com/utomi8.htm), he made the following observation:

Nigeria lies prostrate because in Nigerian politics people do not really matter. Just look at the things we assume about Nigerian politics. They all seem to discount the Nigerian people. Look at the undemocratic nature of the processes of our political parties; the assumption by most Nigerians that voting is pointless because elections are rigged by a political class that think nothing of the weight of the voice of the people; the mindless corruption that leaves the state treasury empty even as the Governors pour the fortune of the common wealth into their private quests for political bounty as aspirants for the presidency. How did we get it so wrong.

Indeed, how did we? I believe that the very definition of "Bad Governance" is governance that is not people-centered. At this point, I am reminded of the chorus in one of Micheal Jackson's popular songs- "all I wanna say is that they don't really care about us!" Our rulers don't really care about us. How else would you explain why they amass stupendous wealth while the people that voted them in live in abject poverty and disease?

What we need in Nigeria are compassionate leaders who give a damn about the common man; leaders who will deny themselves of even sleep; not to hatch evil plans on how to obtain and retain power and wealth, but rather staying up to devise strategies to reduce poverty and make life better for the masses.

We need leaders with a vision for our country.

"....my vision of a new Nigeria is a country of people of industry and integrity who live in harmony and prosperity with one another, inspiring an African renaissance in which the dignity of the human person is at the centre of all public choice..." Pat Utomi http://www.dawodu.com/utomi8.htm

What Nigeria needs are politicians who ARE FOR the people.

THE REAL VICTIMS

On my way to work this morning I was struck my a pathetic site. Pathetic in the sense that it was a sad deviation from the norm. Just as I was negotiating a bend in a crowded marketplace, there stood a little child by the road. He couldn't have been older than 4. He stood in his tiny green checkered uniform, arms spread out, gesticulating like a traffic warden, and a broad grin on his face. It was 9 am in the morning and the traffic was heavy.

What struck me was that at 9 am in the morning, when little kids are supposed to be in school, here was this kid playing around by a busy road. Plus, he was barefoot.

It got me thinking- who are the real victims of our malfunctioning society? What are little children who are supposed to be in school doing roaming the streets aimlessly? Their parents are too busy struggling to make a decent living. The result? Undue exposure. Child abuse, rape, child trafficking, juvenile deliquency. Etcetera etcetera.

There's much to say about this but for now i'll say, the children are enough reason for us as Nigerians to look into making our society a better place. Selah

To be continued...

30 million a day?

Was just wondering...apart from chicken farming by presidents, what legitimate business could earn you that huge amount of money. In Nigeria.

Make 30 million naira a day from chicken farming

Telegraph.co.uk
President comes clean to fight corruption crackdown
By David Blair, Africa Correspondent(Filed: 25/11/2004)

Nigeria sought to draw a line under decades of corruption yesterday when President Olusegun Obasanjo declared his private income, disclosing that he makes £140,000 a month from a chicken farm.
Mr Obasanjo, the first Nigerian leader to declare his assets, told a bemused nation that his farm in Otta state yields annual profits approaching £1.7 million.The president's spokesman, said his declaration was part of a government campaign to clean up Nigeria.
The farm also stocks ostriches, pigs and fish and boasts a conference centre where Mr Obasanjo hosts regional summits.Previous Nigerian leaders gloried in looting their country's oil wealth. Gen Sani Abacha, the military dictator who died in 1998, stole between £1 billion and £3 billion. Despite scouring the world for his assets, the government has recovered less than £500 million.Despite the crackdown, official corruption continues on a wide scale. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, earning about 95 per cent of its hard currency from daily exports of two million barrels. But about 50,000 barrels are stolen every day and sold for huge profits.

http://nigerianmuse.com/important_documents/Obasanjo_farm_wealth.htm

Forgive me if i sound like an ignoramus when it comes to agricultural matters but can anyone please explain to me how one earns over 30 million naira each month from an animal farm??@#$$

Been away for a while. Be back with some gist soon.

THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

Lord Richard Layard, Professor from the London School of Economics, a leading happiness researcher, says:

"Happiness is a balance between your expectations and your attainments. One way is to get what you want. The other, is liking what you get."


http://www.articlecity.com/articles/self_improvement_and_motivation/article_3836.shtml

Here's some food for thought for us Nigerians. For politicians, government people, I recommend the latter- i.e. CONTENTMENT!!

May God help us all

Be The BEST!

These words come to encourage you
To be the best you can

To bring forth all the treasure
God has put in every man

All those things you love to do
To write or read or dance
Do them with all your heart
Give your destiny a chance

And do not be discouraged
When others laugh or mock or spite
Let their doubts and criticisms
Challenge you to greater heights

‘Cos all, those special gifts
All those things you love to do
Are in you for a reason:
They will make a way for you

So do not let them die
Stir up those things in you
Practice brings perfection
Consistency brings breakthrough!

© 2001