Ochiba Peter Ogbu, more known by his stage name Pierre Adams born on the
14th of May, crave for music shouldn't come as a headliner to any of
his peers and soon to be fans as he has always portrayed his love for
lots of musical genre especially rnb/pop and with a fine tune for a
voice I guess he's on the path to achieving what's expected; great hits.
As an aspiring artist he listens to icons of the likes of the
late Michael Jackson, Neyo, Chris Brown, Usher, Jason Derulo, and Justin
Timberlake among many others who have inspired him so far.
Born
in Lagos but based in the capital city, FCT Abuja for now is he. Pierre
Adams has two vibrant singles for now titled "Bad Man" and "Princess"
worth a thousand replays and is presently working on his debut mixtape
album dubbed "Path to Stardom." Unfortunately the release date of the
mixtape is yet to be chosen
In the name of God, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.
Honourable UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon,
Respected President General Assembly Vuk Jeremic
Honourable UN envoy for Global education Mr Gordon Brown,
Respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters;
Today, it is an honour for me to be speaking again after a long time. Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life.
I don't know where to begin my speech. I don't know what people would be expecting me to say. But first of all, thank you to God for whom we all are equal and thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and a new life. I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. I have received thousands of good wish cards and gifts from all over the world. Thank you to all of them. Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me. Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me.
I would like to thank my nurses, doctors and all of the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan and the UK and the UAE government who have helped me get better and recover my strength. I fully support Mr Ban Ki-moon the Secretary-General in his Global Education First Initiative and the work of the UN Special Envoy Mr Gordon Brown. And I thank them both for the leadership they continue to give. They continue to inspire all of us to action.
Dear brothers and sisters, do remember one thing. Malala day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights. There are hundreds of Human rights activists and social workers who are not only speaking for human rights, but who are struggling to achieve their goals of education, peace and equality. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. I am just one of them.
So here I stand... one girl among many.
I speak – not for myself, but for all girls and boys.
I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.
Those who have fought for their rights:
Their right to live in peace.
Their right to be treated with dignity.
Their right to equality of opportunity.
Their right to be educated.
Dear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came, thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My dreams are the same.
Dear sisters and brothers, I am not against anyone. Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorists group. I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. I want education for the sons and the daughters of all the extremists especially the Taliban.
I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me. I would not shoot him. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone.
Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness. We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced. In the same way, when we were in Swat, the north of Pakistan, we realised the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns.
The wise saying, “The pen is mightier than sword” was true. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women. The power of the voice of women frightens them. And that is why they killed 14 innocent medical students in the recent attack in Quetta. And that is why they killed many female teachers and polio workers in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa and FATA. That is why they are blasting schools every day. Because they were and they are afraid of change, afraid of the equality that we will bring into our society.
I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist, “Why are the Taliban against education?” He answered very simply. By pointing to his book he said, “A Talib doesn't know what is written inside this book.” They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would send girls to the hell just because of going to school. The terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own personal benefits. Pakistan is peace-loving democratic country. Pashtuns want education for their daughters and sons. And Islam is a religion of peace, humanity and brotherhood. Islam says that it is not only each child's right to get education, rather it is their duty and responsibility.
Honourable Secretary General, peace is necessary for education. In many parts of the world especially Pakistan and Afghanistan; terrorism, wars and conflicts stop children to go to their schools. We are really tired of these wars. Women and children are suffering in many parts of the world in many ways. In India, innocent and poor children are victims of child labour. Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria. People in Afghanistan have been affected by the hurdles of extremism for decades. Young girls have to do domestic child labour and are forced to get married at early age. Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism and the deprivation of basic rights are the main problems faced by both men and women.
Dear fellows, today I am focusing on women's rights and girls' education because they are suffering the most. There was a time when women social activists asked men to stand up for their rights. But, this time, we will do it by ourselves. I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women's rights rather I am focusing on women to be independent to fight for themselves.
Dear sisters and brothers, now it's time to speak up.
So today, we call upon the world leaders to change their strategic policies in favour of peace and prosperity.
We call upon the world leaders that all the peace deals must protect women and children's rights. A deal that goes against the dignity of women and their rights is unacceptable.
We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education for every child all over the world.
We call upon all governments to fight against terrorism and violence, to protect children from brutality and harm.
We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of educational opportunities for girls in the developing world.
We call upon all communities to be tolerant – to reject prejudice based on cast, creed, sect, religion or gender. To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.
We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realise their full potential.
Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child's bright future. We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education for everyone. No one can stop us. We will speak for our rights and we will bring change through our voice. We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world.
Because we are all together, united for the cause of education. And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.
Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future.
So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons.
One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.
The President of the 68th Session of the General Assembly; Heads of State and Government; The Secretary-General; Distinguished Delegates; Ladies and Gentlemen
Mr President, 1. On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute you as you preside over the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I assure you of the full support and cooperation of the Nigerian delegation.
2. I also wish to extend our commendation to the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and place on record, Nigeria’s appreciation for his focused and committed leadership of the United Nations system.
3. This Session is coming at a particularly trying period when our world faces a number of critical challenges which make it imperative for us to work within the Charter of the United Nations to meaningfully address them.
4. It is therefore apt that the theme, Post 2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage, signposts our desire and determination to actively cooperate for the improvement of the overall welfare and well-being of the most vulnerable citizens of the member-states of our Organisation.
5. Nigeria appreciates the consultative nature of designing the Post-2015 development agenda. Earlier in the year, we supported this global outreach through inclusive consultations and surveys of a number of Nigerians who have expressed their aspirations with respect to the world they expect beyond 2015.
6. A major highlight of this process, which has increased national ownership of the agenda, is the emphasis on the eradication of poverty as the overarching principle in the formulation of the successor framework.
7. Indeed, tomorrow, we will be hosting a side event on the implementation of the MDGs, in collaboration with the UN, a number of African countries, and our development partners.
8. As I had cause to say to this Assembly last Session, 2015 is not a destination but only a milestone to a better, safer, healthier and more compassionate world. Let us therefore renew our commitment to the processes that will develop the post-MDGs framework.
Mr. President, 9. This objective is of particular resonance to us in Africa where the challenges of poverty, illiteracy, food insecurity, and climate change continue to engage the attention of the political leadership.
10. The good news however, is that in the last decade, a sustained democratization process across the continent has made significant difference in governance processes, institutions and structures. Today, we have a renascent Africa that has moved away from the era of dictatorship to a new dawn where the ideals of good governance and an emphasis on human rights and justice are beginning to drive state-society relations. This is the present reality of Africa that must replace the old prejudices and assumptions about the continent.
11. We are firm in our conviction that democracy is fundamental to achieving the requisite stability that will enable the realization of a sustainable post-2015 development agenda in Africa.
12. This emergent Africa will require the continued support and partnership of the international community. An Africa that is no longer merely a destination for aid but one that is involved in constructive, multi-sectoral exchanges on the global stage. Our continent stands ready to continue to engage the rest of the world as a partner in formulating a global development agenda that will guarantee peace, security and stability.
13. I wish to express my appreciation for Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development.
14. The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s more endowed members.
Mr. President, 15. Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable peace and security propels the country to action along with member states of our sub-regional and continental organisations, whenever stability is threatened in our continent. In recent years, Africa has had its share of conflicts notably in Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Somalia.
16. It is noteworthy that African leaders, with the support of the international community, have demonstrated the capacity to work in concert and decisively in pursuit of long-term solutions in the affected States. While a lot more still needs to be done, we are convinced that progress is being made.
17. The recent Presidential elections in Mali herald a new beginning that should translate into peace and prosperity for its people and provide a stronger basis for stability within the sub-region. I congratulate President Boubacar Keita. Similarly, the political transition process in Guinea Bissau holds much promise. Among African leaders, there is a greater determination and focus on the transformation of the continent. This is the required impetus for the achievement of development objectives that will benefit the people, and rebrand the continent even more positively.
18. Although our world has not witnessed a global war since the establishment of the United Nations, there have been several conflicts with devastating consequences and impact in virtually all regions of the world. As global citizens, we have a sacred duty to free our world of wars, rivalries, ethnic conflicts, and religious divisions. Our collective effort in our drive for a better world will continue to bind us together.
Mr. President, 19. Nigeria continues to support the efforts of the United Nations in addressing the global initiative to combat the menace of the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. We have redoubled efforts to address this onerous challenge within our borders and across the West African sub-region.
20. In doing so, we also recognize the need for a broad-based global partnership in the on-going battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy. It is regrettable that these scourges are sustained by unfettered access by non-state actors to illicit small arms and light weapons with which they foster insecurity and instability across our continent. For us in Africa, these are the ‘weapons of mass destruction’!
21. It is therefore, in the light of our collective obligation and unceasing struggle to end this nightmare, that I congratulate Member-States on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in April this year. Our hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations.
22. In line with our continued commitment to this project, Nigeria has signed and ratified the Treaty. We will continue to engage other Member-States for its successful implementation.
Mr. President, 23. Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a challenge to national stability. We will spare no effort in addressing this menace. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
24. Nigeria will like to place on record its appreciation to the international community for its support in this regard. The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together.
Mr. President, 25. Piracy, like terrorism, is another menace that has attained worrisome proportions, especially in Africa’s coastal waters. At the bilateral and multilateral levels, Nigeria has promoted cooperation to mitigate its impact and consequences on the security and economies of the affected coastal states.
26. Indeed, in June this year, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission met in Yaounde, Cameroon, and came up with practical steps to collectively confront the menace of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This effort will, no doubt, require reinforcement and wider support and collaborative action on the part of our international partners.
Mr. President, 27. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile. The reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, is unacceptable. Nigeria condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the use of chemical weapons that are prohibited by International Conventions.
28. We applaud the current diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation of the crisis. We urge all parties involved to end the violence and seek a negotiated solution, including the instrumentality of the United Nations.
29. The threat which nuclear weapons pose to the survival of the human race is to be understood not just in the context of aspirational nations but also the nations already in possession of such weapons. Nuclear weapons are as unsafe in the hands of small powers as they are in the hands of the major powers. It is our collective responsibility to urge the international community to respond to the clarion call for a peaceful universe in an age of uncertainty.
30. We can attain this objective if we adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew our environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.
Mr. President, 31. I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratization worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for International Organizations such as the UN. That is why we call for the democratization of the Security Council.
32. This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world.
33. Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering. We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key Council responsibilities. Nigeria has therefore decided to seek election for the 2014-2015 Non-Permanent Seat of the UNSC.
34. I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. We urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature.
Mr. President, 35. Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.
36. We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.
37. We must strive to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease and human misery; we must eliminate the scourge of nuclear, chemical, biological, as well as small arms and light weapons. We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail.
Now that i have been granted permission (by a great number of friends) to speak freely, I want to cease this opportunity to thank my friends, especially those who have been there before the advent of this cyber-madness, You guys are great;
my advice to us is, let's not allow baboons (dressed as men because the zoo-keeper is yet to locate them) deceive us with their special talent of jumping from tree to tree even though we have failed to see that we (the trees, because of our closeness to ourselves) are the reasons Why they pull these stunts and go unscathed,
They have discovered our number one weakness so they build on it on daily basis to keep you and i in a perpetual lookout for fresh stories while billions are being buried, shipped or flown abroad while buying time for the next dispensation to come quickly so that they re-circle power around themselves again while you and i wallow in abject poverty, yet, it is a shame that some of us shy away from the truth because of the little crumbs we are left with, consoling ourselves with the saying that "at all, at all nah him bad pass"
Guys, that is not us!!!
Everything you hear or see today is a script written long ago by those whom the gods want to kill,.............. militancy, Boko Haram, the political divide, the betrayal of trust among governors, the subsidy saga e.t.c.
Can't we see the handwriting on the wall???
We are too lettered, gallant, smart and smart again to claim not to be aware of the menace we face tomorrow if our today is not properly handled,
Countries with less than half our resources an population have stood their grounds against tyranny, totalitarianismand all sorts of bad leaderships and had their ways, yet, we talk the loudest on international matters while we live in dungeons and eat hunger as our balance diet, I look around me and i weep for this country, not because of it's leaders but the followers, open your eyes to see that there's no country without you, no government without your votes, no work If you choose to stay at home, no nothing If we STAND up to whoever whenever!
we deserve a better Nigeria!!! —
Article by Hon. Adah Anthony Adah (National President, Idoma Youth Congress)
Editorial by Paul Mumeh Chief Press Secetary To The Senate President.
''Hate him or love him, the incontrovertible fact is that Senator Mark has earned the sobriquet of 'Mr. Stability' of the Nigerian polity. He has not only engendered stability in the Senate, nay National Assembly but more so in the wider then national polity. He has always stood up to be counted when it mattered.'' Mumeh
Fourteen years of uninterrupted civilian rule is indeed enough assurance that democratic system of government is already firmly rooted on our soil. Irrespective of different political affiliation, religious or ethnic leanings, Nigerians across the divide are of a consensus that democracy is the preferred option. It was by deliberate choice and design that Nigeria choose a presidential system of government modeled after that of the United States of America. In the short-lived First Republic, Nigeria practised the parliamentary system of government. read more
The Presidential system of government prescribes three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Each acts as check on the other to guide against abuse or excesses in the use of and application of power.
However, what makes the difference between democracy and the other forms of government for example, military regime is the existence of the legislative arm of government. Otherwise, the executive and the judiciary have always been there.
After so many years of military rule, Nigeria successfully transited to a democratic civilian administration on May 29, 1999; a day that has been institutionalized and now celebrated as "Democracy Day".
No doubt, the system started on a shaky note especially with the turbulence and high turn-over in the leadership of the National Assembly, regarded as the symbol of democracy. The instability and incessant squabbles unarguably cast ominous doubts on our readiness for democratic civilian rule. Besides, the frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature did not give credence that Nigeria was prepared for the challenges of democracy.
In the first eighth years between 1999 and 2007, the House of Representatives produced three Speakers; Salisu Buhari, Ghali Na'abba and Aminu Bello Masari. In the same corresponding period, the Senate, otherwise called the Upper legislative chamber produced five Presidents of the Senate: Senator Evan (s) Enwerem ( June 1999--November 1999), Senator Chuba Okadigbo (November 1999--- October 2000), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (2000---2003), Senator Adolf Wabara (2003---2005) and Senator Ken Nnamani (2005---2007).
It is instructive to note that apart from Anyim and Nnamani, other Presidents of the Senate were booted out of office by their colleagues for alleged complicity in the administration or management of the office and other inexplicable reasons. To be sure, the reasons or otherwise of their removal are not the focal point of this piece . But suffice it to note that the Senate of that era was hamstrung on account of the high turn over in Leadership. However, since 2007 when destiny entrusted the leadership of the Senate on Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark , the hitherto turbulent, unpredictable and unstable Upper legislative chamber has now assumed an entirely new architecture and character. In place of the restiveness that characterised the Senate, a sure-footed leadership has emerged and endured, giving room to the stability experienced in the past six years. Except destiny and probably a few with insight into his pedigree , no one gave Senator Mark a chance to succeed as President of the Senate. Some were quick to recall that as a former military officer, he would not have the patience required to run the rather slow wheel of democracy; and therefore unsuitable for the seat.but as they say in popular parlance, all that is history now. By June 06,2013, Senator Mark will be six solid uninterrupted years on the saddle as the President of the Senate of Africa's most populous country. Six years on and still counting, Senator Mark has not only proved book makers wrong , he has in fact crashed existing records and set new standards . He has disappointed doubting Thomases . He has shown that his military and strategic training in management of human and material resources were worthwhile armour in the treacherous theatre of Nigerian politics. Hate him or love him, the incontrovertible fact is that Senator Mark has earned the sobriquet of 'Mr. Stability' of the Nigerian polity. He has not only engendered stability in the Senate, nay National Assembly but more so in the wider the national polity. He has always stood up to be counted when it mattered. An instance of note was Senator Mark's invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity on February 9, 2010 , a timely intervention that rescued the ship of the Nigerian state that was tottering precariously on the precipice. That master stroke was akin to Herbert Simon's theory of bounded rationality, an idea that in decision making, rationality of individual is limited by the information at his or her disposal, the cognitive limitations of their minds and the finite amount of time they have to make a decision. It was proposed as an alternative basis for mathematical modeling of decision making as used in Economics and related disciplines. It complements rationality as optimization, which views decision making as a fully rational process of finding an optimal choice given the information available. In the invocation of the Doctrine of necessity, Senator Mark had submitted " we have examined all the options available to us and today rightly concluded that it is necessary to take this stand and allow the country to move forward. The intendment and spirit of the constitution as far as section 145 is concerned is that the legislature should have fool- proof and irrefutable evidence that Mr. President is going on vacation or is otherwise incapable, in the interim, of discharging the functions of his office". What Senator Mark and his colleagues did on that eventful day like Herbert Simon postulated, is that the decision maker is a 'satisficer ', one seeking a satisfactory solution rather than optimal one. It is instructive to point out that satisfying model of decision making earned Herbert Simon a Nobel Prize for Economics in 1978. In 2008, Senator Mark's leadership shocked the nation when it returned N7billion Naira unspent fund to the treasury in line with late President Musa Yar'adua's directive to ministries, departments and agencies to return all yet-to-be spent funds to the government coffers by November that year. Others may have done otherwise. Besides, the harmonious relationship between and among Senators unarguably dismissed the initial idea of political party affiliation under the Senator Mark's leadership. The hitherto kitchen cabinet that existed in the past, a recipe for suspicion and crisis has been dismantled for a one united family. A few sceptics in 2007 had no choice than to appreciate the leadership qualities of Senator Mark. Bills and motions which used to be encumbered by sectional or party interests have continued to be churned out of the mill because under Mark, the nation is the only constituency and the focal point of legislation is irrevocably the Nigerian people. Under him, the national Assembly gave fillip to freedom of speech and expression when it passed the freedom of information bill into law. In 2007, Senator Mark was elected Senate President when he polled 69 votes to defeat his opponent,Senator George Akume who scored 39 . This was in spite of the conspiracy by the then Clerk to the National Assembly and his Deputy, Nasiru Arab and Yomi Ogunyomi respectively who paved way for Akume to contest in violation of the Senate Standing Rule order 97 (f) which hitherto prevented freshermen Lawmakers from vying for the Principal Officers positions. Two ranking Senators; Nuhu Aliyu and Gbemi Saraki had stepped down to pave way for Akume to emerge. But the wishes of majority prevailed. Section 97(f) of the Senate standing rules then stated " nomination of Senators to serve as principal officers and Chairman of Committees or any parliamentary delegation shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators in which member(s) previously elected into the Senate are granted precedence ", In 2011, there was a dramatic but positive twist of history when the 109 Senators unanimously returned Senator Mark unopposed. For them, the verdict was that 'you don't change a winning team'. An emotion laden Mark on that occasion reminded his colleagues of the inevitability of togetherness and team spirit. According to him, the legislature is a collegiate system stressing " we are as strong and as effective as the strength of our team work; team work within the Senate; team work with the House of Representatives for national legislative agenda; team work between National Assembly , the Executive and Judiciary; team work with state Assemblies for constitutional amendment". He added that the Senate will continue to identify and prioritize key areas where legislation is required for the rapid transformation of the economy and polity. Senator Mark assured " We would also seek to strengthen the analytical capacity of the National Assembly as it relates to budgeting and oversight functions. Our target is that hopefully, this session of the National Assembly shall set a historic record by passing very critical legislations that would propel Nigeria to the 20 most advanced economies". His motto has been to be honest, fair, just and will always be guided by the constitution and with the fear of God in the discharge of his duties. The constitution of the standing committees in the Senate bears eloquent testimony of a fair and equitable management of human and material resources under Mark's leadership. Besides the Appropriation bills, the Senate under Mark has in the last two years passed 29 bills comprising 20 Executive bills and nine members ( private) bills . Several other motions that have successfully intervened in our national polity have been passed. Other bills are at various stages of legislative attention. Since 2000, Senator Mark floated 'David Mark Scholarship Scheme' (DMSS), for which no fewer than 15,000 students especially indigent ones have been awarded scholarship . At least about N200million Naira has been expended on the annual program. He singlehandedly built and donated a multi- million Naira complex to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Otukpo, Benue state study centre. For him, the best legacy to bequeath to the younger generation is education. An 18 hole green golf course in his country home, Otukpo employs not less than 50 staff while Joy FM Radio station has about 70 staff members. His philanthropic gesture cut across ethnic and religious boundaries. The Stability Senator Mark has brought to bear in the last six years in our national polity is not just happen stance. It is a product of good conscience, training, discipline and tenacity of purpose . He has proven beyond reasonable doubt, that he is a great asset and indeed a jewel of inestimable value to the National Assembly and the nation at large.
I'm 83. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National
Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some some serious
health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly
40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my
income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as
though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who
don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take
the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy
to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I
can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and
daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight
offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't
"believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning
teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the
genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and
Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let
Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques
and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand ,
UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to
fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other
Arab country to teach love and tolerance..
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global
warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help
support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ
rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses
or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all
parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful
mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting
caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and
actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination
or big-whatever for their problems.
I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and
early 20's be-deck them selves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making
themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government.
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I'm not
going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for
my granddaughter and their children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not
on the way in.
There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us
sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.
" I'm 83 and I'm tired. If you don't agree you are part of the problem!
Should Nigeria’s political elites and
other stakeholders fail to harness the potential for nation-building and
cohesive economic growth 'a Yugoslavia-type of violent disintegration
is much more probable with Nigeria splintering up to a dozen parts. It
will be no easy split for dreamers of fragmented nations out of Nigeria
as we know it now. In recent times, two major violent centrifugal forces
have emerged to seriously threaten the continued existence of Nigeria
as one nation, namely Islamic supremacists in the North and Ijaw
insurrectionists in the Niger Delta. As will be shown in this write-up
both of these regions – core North and Niger Delta - will also suffer
the worst if Nigeria unravels.
Niger Delta
The so-called Niger Delta militancy is largely an Ijaw affair as there
are very few if any Ikwerres, Ogonis, Itsekiris or other non-Ijaw Niger
Deltans in MEND, NDPVF, Egbesu and other such insurrectionists. In other
words, non-Ijaw Niger Deltans are for the most part not interested in
the Niger Delta republic Ijaw separatists are fighting for, as the
non-Ijaws are also wary of Ijaw aggression and hegemony. In the unlikely
event Nigeria disintegrates, all hell will break loose in the Niger
Delta as the non-Ijaws will take up arms to challenge Ijaw hegemony.
Rival ethnic militias will tear at each other and the region will become
embroiled in a protracted civil war. This is not at all farfetched
scare-mongering; just a few years ago Itsekiris, Ijaws and Urhobos were
killing each other in Warri because of ordinary local government
headquarter.
One doesn’t need to be a soothsayer to predict the
massive conflagration that would ensue if the various Niger Delta
ethnicities no longer have we parasitic Northerners as their common
enemy and oil wells (not local government HQs) are at stake.
Already Ijaws have had scuffles and territorial disputes with several of
the non-Ijaw Niger Delta ethnic groups among whom Ijaws settle; from
Ilajes in Ondo state to Ibibios in Akwa Ibom state where they are
supposed to be a negligible minority. Several years ago, Ijaws even went
as far as Lagos to battle OPC. So the recent Atlas cove attack was by
no means the first Ijaw aggression in Lagos.
A minority group
(Ijaw) having the temerity to challenge a majority group (Yoruba) on the
majority’s own turf. One cannot help but shudder at the tragedy that
awaits non-Ijaw Niger Deltans if Nigeria implodes. Then there is the
Biafra / Igbo factor. The oil-rich riverine Igbos (Obigbo, Etche,
Ikwerre etc) who produce much of Rivers state’s on-shore crude, are
unlikely to join the prospective Ijaw dominated Niger Delta republic.
They will most likely join the inland and Anioma Igbos to form Biafra.
If they don’t join voluntarily, Biafrans will still endeavour to
exercise sovereignty over them not just because they are
ethno-linguistically Igbos - despite some of their politically
convenient denials – but more importantly because the riverine Igbos
provide vital access to the sea which Biafra will desperately need.
Quite probably the Biafrans will battle the Ijaw dominated Niger Delta
republic for control of River’s oil wells and unfettered access to the
Atlantic ocean. Yorubas will also be drawn into the Niger Delta fray to
secure their Ilaje and possibly Itsekiri cousins from Ijaw hegemony.
Following the recent Atlas cove attack, several Yoruba groups (OPC, YCE
etc) have already read the riot act to Ijaw insurgents to desist from
aggression in Yoruba-land. So one can be sure, Yorubas will not leave
Ilajes to the mercy of Ijaw expansionism.
Arewa
Up there in the North, Islamists who are barely restrained by the need
to continue to enjoy oil wealth from the non-Muslim South, will feel
free to pursue their Jihadist agenda for totalitarian Islamization. With
the collapse of the failed Nigerian state and its security agencies
(Police, Army), extremist groups like the recently demolished Boko Haram
will proliferate, as post-Nigeria Arewa degenerates into an Islamist
anarchy.
Again this isn’t farfetched scare-mongering. Just over a
year ago our gallant soldiers crushed another Boko-Haram type Islamist
insurgency in the Panshekara / Challawa area of Kano. A few months ago,
there were news and police reports of an Islamic terrorist training camp
somewhere around Zaria. Millions of northern Muslims already share Boko
Haram’s abhorrence for Western education, which is why they only send
their children to Quranic schools (Tsangiya) that breed hundreds of
thousands of potential Islamist recruits. Notice how support for Boko
Haram initially snowballed among some disgruntled malcontents, before
the recent massive security crackdown.
Moderate Northern Muslims
will attempt to battle such extremism, but they will fail. For one thing
most of the educated moderate Muslims do not have the same stomach for
violence as the martyrdom-seeking Islamists who look forward to screwing
72 virgins in Al-Jannah – Islamic heaven. For another thing, the
excruciating economic hardship and accompanying social discontent in
post-Nigeria Arewa occasioned by sudden cessation of oil revenues from
the South and skyrocketing cost of petroleum products from the same
hostile South, will push millions of ill-educated, Islamo-brainwashed,
easily manipulated pauperized Talakawa into the hands of Islamic
extremists…a la Karl Marx’s opium for the suffering masses.
After
all Sharia is the cure-all social panacea even for massive retrenchment
and markedly increased taxes that will inevitably follow as
post-Nigeria northern government(s) drastically prunes expenditure and
endeavour to make up for lost oil revenue. The increased support for
extremists by the impoverished masses will bolster Islamist militancy.
By denouncing secular education as abomination (haram), Boko Haram
tacitly condemned educated northern elites as apostates (Takfir), who
according to Islamic law should be killed. Thus in the Islamist anarchy
of Nigeria, nemesis will catch up with many of the so-called Northern
leaders who failed to enforce compulsory secular education that could
have emancipated and empowered our people against Boko Haram extremism.
As in other Islamist anarchies (Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq), foreign
Jihadists will also be drawn into the fray. And I’m not referring to the
usual rag-tag amateur mercenary Jihadis from Chad and Niger; but
Al-Qaeda type, Pakistani trained professional Mujahideen. After all Bin
Laden has severally mentioned Nigeria as ripe for Islamic revolution.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has already spilled over from
Algeria into neigbouring Mali from where they could easily crossover to a
fractured Arewa. Since Al-Qaeda is a global Islamist syndicate for
Caliphal world domination, their activities won’t be restricted to the
North. They will most likely foray into the parts of the South with
large Muslim populations – notably northern Edo and Yoruba-land.
In addition, the major Islamist powers - Saudi Arabia and Iran - will
both try to gain a foothold in Black Africa’s largest Muslim population
by supporting rival Islamist factions.
Christians in the core
North states with large population of indigenous non-Muslims (e.g Borno,
Gombe & Bauchi) will organize their own militias to fend off
Islamists. Add to this combustible mix of Islamist militancy and
Christian militias, violent eruption of long simmering animosities
between Hausa-Fulanis and Middle belt minorities; the result would be a
catastrophe of Armageddon proportions that will make Somalia look like
child’s play.
If the incessant religious violence in the North
within the last two decades is anything to go by, we can also expect
another 1966-type bloodbath of Easterners. But this time not only Igbos
and Eastern minorities will be ethnically cleansed, but all southerners
and even Middle belters in the core North. This will certainly be
followed by massive retaliations down South. These are just some of the
ugly scenarios that await us if we are unable to make Nigeria work. The
prospects are quite dire as a peaceful Soviet Union-type break-up is
unlikely. On the contrary a Yugoslavia-type of violent disintegration is
much more probable with Nigeria splintering up to a dozen parts. Old
and subliminal ethno-religious animosities will violently erupt as our
disparate ethnic pseudo-nationalities battle each other in a fratricidal
scramble for territory and resources.
let's unite for betterment
of all of us, there is strength in diversity and numbers
