Is Michael Bay an artist? OH YES HE IS!!!

"What is art? Is it defined by a stringent set of rules and regulations or can each be a master of their own medium? Complaining about the absence of gravitas in a film like Con Air is the same as looking at a work of Miro and saying "That sucks, it's all squiggly!". Every artist has their strengths and styles.

In other words... Terrence Malick couldn't direct a movie about exploding robots to save his life... and if he did, it'd probably take 40 years.

So pull your head out of your ass, sit down, shut up, and eat your awesome." - The Monocular Group.

So to all Michael Bay's naysayers I give you: THE MASTER CLASS TRAILER OF TRANSFORMERS 3



Yeah BABY!!! 

Party's over... who made this mess?

So Egypt is free. The "Last Pharoah" has been dethroned and the process of de-constructing the spectre that was Mubarak has begun.

I am part of the generation that grew up only ever knowing Mubarak's Egypt. But watching the birth of a new Egypt is proving inspiring in many ways.

After the historic outing of a dictator by peaceful protest, the Egyptian people got up to claim their country. First item on the agenda: clean up.

Egyptians replacing the paving stones that had been used as weapons.

Egyptians cleaning up the streets.

Makeshift "Lost & Found" Stall to help people recover their misplaced belongings.

Tents in Tahrir Square being dismantled 

It's in the little things that we show who we really are, as people... and as a people.

Photos courtesy of the BBC.

Chick Tracts still exist?! Cool!!!

Anyone remember these? Chick tracts! The coolest tracts a comic reader ever had. I used to devour these whenever I could find them. Now I discover they've adapted to the internet age. Cool!

It's a deal!


Creator or Liar?


Uninvited


For more of these go to Chick Tracts right here and get a free embed code for your blog or website.
For artists who want to learn how to use their talent for the LORD watch Jack Chick or click the image.

Interesting, this new "war" between Google and Bing.

I had a dream that Google and Bing had a big fight and I was caught in the middle. I really did... a few days ago. Suddenly I woke up yesterday to the story that Google is accusing Bing of cheating. Fight!


Google revealed recently that it caught Bing copying it's search results. Yep, apparently it's possible. Google engineers ran a sting operation - that's so Miami Vice! - that caught Bing watching what people search for on Google and the sites that these people select from Google’s results. They claim that Bing then uses that information to improve it's own search listings. 


The interesting thing about this is that: Bing doesn’t deny this.


Hunh?! I know this isn't like a school test but shouldn't admitting that you copied get punished? After all, the apparent copying is potentially improving Bing’s relevance in the search wars. Google engineers are calling it the digital equivalent of Bing copying Google’s test papers during a test - ok, so apparently it is like a school test.


Here's Google's "test paper". Notice the misspelled word.

Now here's Bing's "test paper" with the same misspelled word.

Now for a more detailed explanation with all the geek-ese of how Google caught Bing, head over to Searchengineland. The short version is that Google created false links and search results which no-one would ever actually look for or find. So when Bing started to return these same results, Google waved for Teacher. 

Bing has a perfectly logical explanation why this happened.

Does anyone really care?

So I watched the Superbowl...

So I watched my very first Superbowl on sunday. (Disclaimer: I'm Nigerian and have never been to the good ol' U.S of A.)

I figured that with my basic understanding of the workings of American Football (yes, it is AMERICAN Football no matter what the yanks do to market it globally) I should be able to stay awake from 12am  to 4am to watch the most purely American sporting spectacle in the world. Right? 

And I did. What a spectacle! From the awe-inspiring stadium to the celebrities to the actual players to the half-time show it was quite something. For football fans who couldn't be bothered to watch it, imagine the Champions League final with the World Cup Opening Ceremony at half-time and you get an approximation.

I watched the game and rooted for the Steelers to make good on their threatened comeback (what? Everyone roots for the underdog). But Green Bay put up a solid front to hold on and win it in the last minute. Apparently, it was nail-biting stuff.

But from what I hear, the superbowl experience for the at-home viewer is incomplete without seeing the ads. Ads? Yes, the ad(vert)s. Those glitzy, clever and freakishly expensive 30-second commercial intrusions by carmakers and moviemakers et al.

I must admit I was looking forward to the movie ads. Being denied the chance to see Chris Evans unveiled as Captain America was not... uhm.. cool. Let's leave it at that since an analysis of the base futility in staying up late in the hope of watching an advert that was already online for a movie I will see regardless of the ad is not something I wanna get into... ever.

So, since I'm such a generous fellow and I know you probably missed the whole thing - including Christina Aguilera's apparent butchering of the Star Spangled Banner, here's just a few of the Superbowl trailers for the movies I want to see. 

First off... a little (actually, a lot of) Michael Bayhem with Transformers:  

Then the gang's all back together (less Michelle Rodriguez) for Fast Five


And I'm happy that Aaron Eckhardt is (finally) getting his leading man groove on in Battle L.A.


Steven Spielberg and J.J Abrams reveal just a little bit more of Super 8


[(Daniel Craig+Harrison Ford+Olivia Wilde) Cowboys*Aliens]/ Jon Favreau = Full Theaters on July 29


Oh and I almost forgot... I think I like American Football. Deuces.

I Am (Indian) Robot?

Anyone miss Indian movies?

No? Me neither. At least not until I came across the trailer for the movie 'Endhiran' ('Robot' in english). And no I don't speak indian.

Endhiran/Robot Movie Poster

Bollywood has always made to keep pace with Hollywood in production values. And by and large they have succeeded in their own way. For those who stoppped watching Indian movies in the days of 'Nagin', 'Sholay' and 'Dharam & Veer', Endhiran will blow your socks off.

Endhiran does new things with the sci-fi action movie genre. New uniquely indian things - where else will you see a futuristic robot killing machine break into song and dance? Transformers? Uh oh... I may just have given Michael Bay an idea there.

Bollywood movie stars Rajinikanth (Bloodstone) and Ashiwarya Rai Bachchan (The Last Legion, Pink Panther 2)

In all honesty I've only seen the trailers but I can assure you I'll be on the lookout for this one. After seeing these trailers, so will you.




Theatrical Trailer



Some fantastic action scenes

Miracle for Jos

Jos, once a city of peace is fast becoming a by-word for ethnic tension and violence. The sad state of affairs is provoking a growing swirl of social media activism on facebook and twitter.

But more needs to be done.

As part of efforts to bring peace back to Jos, my favorite Nigerian rock band, Threadstone, released a single called "Miracle for a Lost City". Here's the video:




Follow Threadstone on twitter, myspace and on facebook. Tell 'em I sent ya!

11 Action Points for Election 2011

It is no longer news that Nigerians will go to the polls in April, to elect new leaders – President/Vice President, legislators, governors, etc. Due to the problems with the existing Voters’ Register, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct a 2-week registration exercise from this weekend, January 15, to January 29. I think the following action points may be of help:

1. The first thing to do may be to decide where you’ll be at the time of elections, and register close to that location. For example, if your office is far away from your home, it is best to register where you live. Remember that elections take place during the weekend (April 2, 9 and 16) and movement may be restricted.

2. When you’ve decided where you’ll be (or at least where you think you will be), search for the identification document(s) you’ll need to register. INEC requires your “birth or baptismal certificate; national passport or national identity card; driver’s licence or any other document that will prove the identity, age and nationality of the person“. For instance, if your international passport is your preferred identification document but it’s going to be with an embassy around that time, have your driver’s license ready. If your driver’s license has expired, search for your birth certificate or renew your license immediately.

3. Locate the nearest polling booth to your residence or where you’ll be on election dates. You can visit the EiE Nigeria website, contact a political party secretariat, go to the nearest local government office and/or watch out for voter education programmes by INEC and others on radio and television.

4. You can also watch out for alternative methods of identifying polling stations that will be announced by independent organisations such as Enough is Enough Nigeria. For example, it could be possible to send text messages to dedicated numbers that will respond with location information, hotlines you can call, voter registration drives, etc.

5. Since the registration centre is close to your residence, please try to locate the centre physically beforehand. Remember that in certain areas of Lagos, for example, addresses may be difficult to find – especially when you need them the most.

6. Call your friends, colleagues, enemies and relatives who stay close to you with the information that you have. If they don’t reside in the same area as you, ask them to do what you have done. Follow up between January 15 and 29 to ensure that everyone you know — including every Facebook friend and twitter follower — registers.

7. The day before you register, ensure you have your identification documents and camera (or camera-enabled phone) to hand.

8. On the day of registration, try and go for the exercise in groups for solidarity and other reasons.

9. Take pictures of your friends while registering, and make sure they take pictures of you while you’re registering. Why don’t you take a group picture holding up your registration cards? That will encourage other young Nigerians who see the picture to register.

10. Post the pictures to Facebook. Comment on your pictures and others’. Tweet about your experience. Whatever else you do, have fun registering to express your voting rights.

11. Remember that registration is only R in the RSVP process. Get ready to Select credible candidates, Vote on election days, and Protect your votes.

This is 2011, our votes will count!

Courtesy Gbenga Sesan via EnoughisEnough

Get Registered to Vote - #RSVP Part 1

It's election time folks

My dear countrymen, it's election season and it goes without saying that we've got to participate. Voter registration starts Jan 15th and ends Jan 29th. Set aside apathy and cynicism and get registered. Our collective future awaits.

INEC has issued this video to inform us about voter registration logistics. Watch and be informed.

2010 has ended and the usual introspections begin. Although I'm not really one for reminding myself of the high's and low's of a particular time-period this year marked a turning point for me. More than one actually.

My best day:
This would have to be 22nd November when my daughter was born. This 4kg bundle of joy marked the true beginning of my adulthood and made me a baby-daddy.
My worst day:
The following day when I told my dad he was a grandpa and he couldn't respond through the debilitating effects of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalous. A close second involved rent money and my former landlord's wrath.

Who had the Biggest Impact on me:
I met a lot of people this year. But none affected me more positively than the trio of Rev Arome Adah, Major Moyo Akin-Ojo and Rev Emma Opara. On the flip side, my biggest negative impact would probably be the disappointment of an old business partner who lied to me.

My Greatest Achievement this year:
Disappointments aplenty. Achievements a-not-so-plenty. Or at least few that I would lay claim to. But glory to God who anointed me for greatness and prosperity this year. I am richer than anyone.

2011 comes with great promise. New unction for action. New friends to make. New ventures to embark upon. Even my country has new elections... may the best man win. Amen?

New challenges as a daddy, husband and man. New opportunities greater than any I've seen yet. It's a new day for you too. Grab it.

Happy new year everyone.

Close Encounters of the God Kind

Heaven is a real place.

I know many of us believe in a heaven. I also know that many people don't believe in heaven, or hell, or God for that matter. But I do.

I came across Jesse Duplantis many years ago through a video cassette on which he preached a message titled "Close Encounters of the God Kind". In that message he described a number of supernatural encounters which led up to the supernatural experience of being sucked up out of his hotel room in Magnolia, Arkansas and taken up to heaven.

While he is not the first person with such a testimony, Jesse Duplantis is definitely one of the most memorable. Later I came to see through watching several of his other messages that he is such a funny Man of God. But this message, while humorous, is delivered with such heartwarming sincerity that I couldn't stop watching. It blessed me thoroughly.

I hope you will take the time to watch the excerpts below. In fact, order the DVD... you won't regret it.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Everywhere... and nowhere?

Been away for a bit. I know.

Not my fault.

Blogging don't pay my bills... yet! And I wonder if it ever will.

I've been spending an awful lot of time on facebook. It's such a guilty pleasure for me. I log in almost daily and check up friends activities... no matter how mundane. I send birthday shoutouts (hard to claim you forgot a pals birthday nowadays) and keep up with so many peoples individual minor and major tragedies that I'm starting to fell like I'm watching a soap opera.

I've also been spending quite some time on twitter and now I've added tumblr.

Catch me if you can.

Nigerian Street Kings

I went to visit a friend the other day. My friend is a civil servant/businessman/politician and considers himself a political protege of Olusegun Obasanjo. In the course of our discussion, he told me that he fully supports OBJ's political approach of "use them and dump them". Then he dropped this bombshell: he claims Obasanjo is the unseen hand behind Nuhu Ribadu's travails.

Like John Githongo of Kenya (google him if you please), it would seem OBJ felt that Ribadu may have uncovered information on OBJ that he could only use after Obasanjo left power. When I asked how sure he or even OBJ could be that Ribadu had any such information in his possession, he stated that whether he had the info or not, OBJ could not afford to leave him in so powerful a position. Hence the need to "secure the flanks".

Ironically, it would appear that Ribadu is himself unaware of the situation as he considers OBJ his godfather. According to my friend, Ribadu was in touch with OBJ every step of the way during his demotion, prevention from graduation and eventual sack and legal travails. Apparently, while OBJ played the role of comforting patron with assurances that he would "take care of the matter", he would unleash another blow upon Ribadu's image and person.

If this tale is true, then perhaps, like Keanu Reeves' character in the movie Street Kings, Ribadu needs to wake up to his expendability and take out his mentor. ASAP. I'm not advocating that Ribadu should grab a gun and blow OBJ away while taking a hammer to the walls of Otta farm (even though that would be something!). Perhaps he can learn a bit from John Githongo, his Kenyan counterpart.

This is an excerpt from an interesting Vanguard Online article titled: Fighting Corruption in Africa - When the hunters become the hunted.
Here's the link: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/01/11/fighting-corruption-in-africa-when-hunters-become-the-hunted/

John Githongo, Anti-corruption warrior

I will begin with a flashback to my first encounter with John Githongo at the Third International Conference on Anti-corruption held in Lima, Peru in 1997. His brilliant exposé on the problem of corruption in Kenya made him the star performer at the conference.

The illustrative cases in his presentation that involved many of Kenya’s high and mighty wowed the entire audience. When the offer of political asylum was raised informally with him by some participants who feared he might risk incarceration back home, he would have none of it. He returned to Kenya and, two years later, he became the head of Kenya’s branch of Transparency International (K-TI). Under his watch, K-TI was widely acknowledged as the most active and effective TI branch in Africa.

During my stint as a World Bank field staff in Kenya (1998-2000), I learnt a lot from John about Kenyan politics and society during our numerous “tea sessions” held in selected Nairobi hotels. Predictably, the problem of corruption in Kenya featured prominently in almost all our conversations.

Significantly, the last time I discussed the subject with him was in the State House in November 2003, some months after he had assumed office as the Permanent Secretary in Charge of Governance and Ethics (a.k.a anti-corruption czar) in the newly-installed Kibaki administration. John and I enjoyed a good laugh about the “progress” from conversations in hotels to a conversation in the State House.

In It’s Our Turn to Eat, Ms Wrong tells the story of John Githongo’s experience as an anti-corruption czar between 2003 and 2005. Following his appointment, Githongo wasted no time in setting in motion the probe of the Goldenberg scam of the early 1990s – fake exports of gold and diamonds, estimated at between $600 million and $4billion under president Moi’s watch.

The probe was still on-going when Githongo obtained strong evidence about the Anglo leasing procurement scam (18 phantom military and security-related contracts) in the amount of about $750 million that involved top officials of the newly-installed Kibaki administration. (Some of the Anglo leasing contracts were inherited from the Moi administration – a case of change in dramatis personae but continuity in the “State House’s system of authorised looting”).

When Githongo conclusively traced the Anglo leasing “eating” to the President’s doorsteps, he decided to flee the country in February 2005, after barely two years on the job: “Ultimately, it became clear.
I was investigating the President” (p. 220). Woven around the informed and balanced biography of Githongo that is at the centre of the book is the sordid story of the system of corruption in post-independence Kenya that the author has baptized “Our Turn to Eat” culture: from the turn of the Kikuyus in the immediate post-independence years (the Kenyatta presidency, 1963-1978) to the turn of the Kalenjins (Moi presidency, 1978-2002) and back to the Kikuyus again (2003 to date). This poisonous conflation of ethnicity and corruption has the added ugly dimension of virtual exclusion – no thought for the other 41-odd other ethnic groups.

The portrait of Githongo as a whistle-blower is crafted in fascinating details: his taping of conversations with his colleagues, his independent network of sleuths (substitute for the corrupt official intelligence service), the diaries of his findings and reflections, and above all, the “upstander” with a single-minded commitment to exposing corruption, even at the cost of hardships to his family and real threats to his own life.

And “atypically”, he was a believer in Kenya, not in “Gikuyu Inc” (that is, dominance by his own Kikuyu ethnic group). In exile in Oxford, the whistleblower produced a comprehensive dossier on Anglo Leasing that he released to Kenya’s most widely-read daily newspaper, Nation. He also got a succinct version of the dossier posted on the website of the British Broadcasting Corporation in early 2006

Wrong affirms a linkage between Kenya’s post-election violence of December 2007/January 2008 and “Our Turn to Eat” culture. The obvious implication is that Kenya is unlikely to make real progress towards good governance as long as systemic corruption persists. It would appear that the whistleblower and his biographer share this viewpoint: Githongo returned to Kenya in February 2009 and has resolved to seek elective office – to continue the fight against corruption from another

I'd like to read your thoughts y'all.

234Next or 234Noise

I'm beginning to be a little concerned about Next newspapers.

This is not to say that I don't admire and respect them for following the courage of their convictions or maintaining the quality of their publication or the increasing the frequency with which they oppose hare-brained utterances of apparently hare-brained politicians. But my question is... to what end?

Seriously, what does 234Next stand for? What ideology do they espouse? What colors the logic of their social, political and economic analyses? Are they just content to oppose for opposition sake? Or do they have a vision through which they view goings on in Nigeria (and indeed the world)? Are they leftist in their economics? Are they liberal? And to what end (pro-choice, gay-rights etc) anyway. Are they conservative? Do they support old-school or new-school capitalism?

I sometimes get the impression 234Next may just be going through an adolescent rebellious phase - ideologically and joyfully revelling in it's own self-awareness (read Kadaria Ahmed's wonderful article 'Ethnicising our Predicament'). Other times they just sound like perennial complainers grumbling like its in vogue (don't read Joseph Otteh's 'Open Letter to the IG of Police' - seriously people, wait for the follow-up).

I'm willing to cut Mr Olojede's crew some honeymoon slack but the idea is growing on me that reportage without ideology soon becomes cacophony. And if that's true then 234Next may really be 234Noise.

I'd like to read your views y'all

A Message from Nigerian Writers to their Fellow Nigerians

A group of successful (Google them if you don't believe me) Nigerian writers have issued this message to their fellow Nigerians (i.e. you and me). Since truth bears repetition I think I'm gonna ask you to share this to your profile pages in the most crea8tive ways possible (cos for writers they sure come off sounding like boring lecturers). So... help 'em, help yourself, help us all.

Nigeria's failure to make the progress commensurate with 50 years of nation-building is not just a failure of leadership. It is first and most catastrophically, a failure of followership.

As ordinary Nigerians, we have failed to create an environment where good leadership can thrive. By glamorising fraud and ineptitude, we have created a country hostile to probity. Our expectation from Government House is mediocrity, so that good government surprises us pleasantly and excellence continues to amaze us.

Instead of an environment of accountability, we have fostered sycophancy. We have been content to follow every stripe of leader - from the thief to the buffoon. The consequence is that for months we have been happy to be ruled even in absentia.

Today, we say, no more

Protest is not a dirty word. Even babies have a voice, long before they learn language or discernment. The child that is too docile to cry when it hungers or ails might die in the hands of the most benevolent mother. A leadership, however benevolent, requires an intelligent, demanding, and courageous followership to excel.

It is the responsibility of every Nigerian to voice the legitimate expectations of nation and to establish the standards to which our leaders must be held. We must expect great things from this country, so we must look for the leaders who can deliver. There is an acceptable standard of leadership, and then there is an unacceptable standard. We must honour leaders who excel, and censure leaders - at every level, and in every arm of government - who betray our trust.

If failure is not censured, there is no incentive in pursuing excellence. If sacrificial leadership is not recognised, then leaders of merit will not come forward, and the heroes in our cenotaphs will be the very architects of our failure as a nation. Although, we are justly famous for our generosity of spirit, for our ability to forgive and forget the gravest transgressions, Nigerians must also now boldly condemn the errors of leadership, and end the complacency that has brought us so low as a country.

The only reason for the existence of political leaders is to offer service to nation. Leadership is not an end in itself. It is a privilege to serve your country; leadership is not a right to be served by your country.

Today, Nigeria stands on a precipice. Behind us is a history that can push us, irrevocably, over the brink. Yet, we are writers. If we bring anything collectively to society, it must be the imagination and the inspiration to bridge impossible gulfs. Today, we must plumb our history, not to evoke despair, but to inspire resolve. Today, we call on Nigerians to hold hands across the trenches of our deep divisions and, somehow, find the resolution to dream again.

Reject ethnic fictions

Let us, as ordinary Nigerians, reject the ethnic fictions that local despots have used to colonise this country over the past five decades.

Let us dream a simple dream made fantastic by our present circumstances. Let us dream of a Nigeria that works, that evokes pride, and that inspires faith. Let us dream of a Nigeria of servant-leaders and sacrificial statesmen, a Nigeria which calls the best characteristics out of ordinary men and women. Let us call on that capacity for renewal to bring opportunity out of this crisis.

Let us recreate the excitement - and the possibilities - with which we approached the Independence Day of 1960.

In 50 years, the resources and destiny of this great country have been hijacked by private carpetbaggers and adventurers. Let us take back the sanctity of our polls. Let us rejuvenate the recall process. Let us police our resources, our leadership. We must liberate Nigeria anew. Today, we must take back our country.

As writers, the past and the future are fertile fields for the work of our imagination. Today, in this love-letter to our nation, we call on all Nigerians to take authorship of our nation's next 50 years. Our destiny is in our own hands.

Shall we write into it a bigger civil war? Another half-century of mediocrity and international disgrace? Then we need do nothing. But if we, the people of Nigeria, must write an inspirational epic of a humbled nation on her knees, who, breaking free of bondage, soars into the keep of eagles, we must begin by demanding only the best of our leaders.

In the days and months to come, we the people must find our voice, our votes, and our true values. And we must make them count.

Thank you.

Chuma Nwokolo • Abdul Mahmud • Afam Akeh • Helon Habila • Paul Onovoh • Chika Unigwe • Jude Dibia • Okey Ndibe • Chilo Zona Eze • EC Osondu • Tade Ipadeola • Unoma Azuah • Shola Adenekan • Amatoritsero Ede • Lola Shoneyin • Uzor Maxim Uzoatu • Ikhide Ikheloa • Uche Peter Umez • Nnorom Azuonye • Richard Mammah • Chike Ofili • Obiwu • Uche Nduka • Ogaga Ifowodo • Richard Ugbede Ali • Maik Nwosu • Akin Adesokan • Obi Nwakanma

Beware the angry and imaginative Nigerian

Sometime last year I was in the brand new home of a certain former minister shortly before the minister moved in. I remember being impressed with the opulence of the place. It wasn't exactly over-the-top or anything but it was lavish enough to force me to quell rising feelings of hatred.

Yes I said hatred. 

I repented of it, but seeing the wealth in that house made me really upset considering how poorly better people, better Nigerians in fact, are living. I'm posting just one picture from those I took inside that house. It is the minister's master bedroom.

Maybe the same minister will read this one day. Maybe a friend of the minister will recognise the furniture and bring it to their attention. They need to know that the people of Nigeria do not love them. In fact most of us hate their guts for failing to improve things.

But that's a blog for another day. 

I was reading yesterday about some people who must have let their hatred for the Nigerian political elite combine with their desire for "quick" money. Some armed men went to University of Abuja and kidnapped the daughter of a member of the federal house of reps. 

Now that's new but not unexpected though.

I mean c'mon let's face it, it was bound to happen that someone would try the kidnapping stunt in Abuja - land of the rich and powerful. And since Hon Benewari represents Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni federal constituency of Rivers state, police are considering the possibility that the kidnappers travelled from there to carry out the act.

Seems plausible right?

But first, let me make it clear that I sympathize with the Benewaris. A kidnapping is a traumatic experience for all those involved. But again let our politicians be warned that our people no longer hold back their anger. They no longer nurse their wounds in silence. 

Nigerians have observed the politicians' Jeeps drive by them ferrying little ones to and from fast food outlets and cinemas and salons and expensive private schools. And they have seen enough action movies to copy and execute criminal acts seen there. 

I remember standing with a group of men on a small hill overlooking the home of the minister I mentioned earlier as they drove into their new home. As I listened to them discuss the spectacle before us I wondered what would happen if these Nigerians got angry and made a move against the ministers family.

I marvelled at how ill-prepared the minister's security was for an attack by say, a rocket fired into the compound or a grenade lobbed across the street and over the wall. I marvelled at how easy it would be for a small team of six of breach the compound to carry out whatever evil operation they had planned against the minister. 

And then I prayed no-one would ever bring the south south fight to Abuja.  

After what has befallen the Benewaris, it seems I prayed too late.

The sad truth is unless the ruling political elite change their ways and actively contribute to solving the problems of the nation, this ugly new trend may have come to stay.

Whose gun killed him?

Who's the real killer? Antoine Wimes or Sani Abacha

Imagine being an academic and educator possesing two masters degrees. Imagine being a useful and productive member of society. Imagine having to leave that society in search of greener pastures because said society doesn't reward true productivity.

Imagine arriving in a strange land where your skin color is already a liability and your foreign accent compunds matters by further separating you from your own kind. Imagine now having to take on part-time menial jobs to survive and care for your wife who is sufffering from kidney related problems.

Now imagine all of this ending in a burst of gunfire because some punk kid decides that your life is the obstacle to him getting a $5 tshirt! WTH?

This is the sad story of Etus Obi Onyemaechi, a 48year old Nigerian living in the US. The Late Mr Onyemaechi is said to have worked as an educator in Nigeria before he left 12years ago for the US. His killer, who was arrested recently, is 17year old boy. 

What really pains me about this story, even more than the fact that his ill wife has to cope wiith so undeserved a loss, is that if Nigeria had gotten its act together the man wouldn't be dead.  

He left for the US 12years ago. 

12 years ago means he left Nigeria sometime in 1997 during Abacha's regime or just after it ended in the laps of Indian prostitutes. 12years ago means he left just before things had a chance to change with the coming of democracy. 12years ago means he left when professors where being paid N25,000 a month and strikes where a monthly affair.

I guess the question we should be asking ourselves in this day of Nigerians being shot in american stores, or stabbed on british streets, or executed in various asian prisons, or robbed and left to die in the sahara is: have things changed since then?

If not, then Mr Onyemaechi's death is just more blood on the hands of our leaders past - especially those who ruled by the gun.

New Year Christmas Gift

It finally happened!

Some of you may know that I've been beefing the government of Prez Yar'Adua for not giving us a fuel price increase as a Christmas gift (see this past blog). 

It made sense to me and everyone I spoke to that if lower oil prices means our economy is threatened then at the very least there should be a counter effect of local fuel prices dropping on a par with global practices. 

It finally came to pass. Today it was announced that fuel should be sold at N65 down from N70. Meaning I can now fill a 50litre car tank with N3250 as against N3500. 

it doesn't seem like much on the surface, but the trickle down effect onto prices of goods and services, not to mention the psychological boost to the common man will definitely produce a multiplier effect.  Or won't it?

Obama & Coke

All hail the new King of the world - President Barack Obama. Did you watch the inauguration on tv? Never seen so much international goodwill.

Obamamania is alive and kicking all over the place. People all over the world tuned in to watch the American son of a Kenyan immigrant take over as the worlds most powerful man.

On top of that, he could very well be the most popular politician ever. Just invoke his name and watch the atmosphere change. I stuck my head out the window and yelled "Obama!" the other day and a car horn honked back at me in approval.

Mention the name Obama in the most obscure parts of the world and people smile, or give you discounts. If he keeps this up, his name could become more popular than coke - and that is VERY popular.

I wan go thief!

I have decided to become a thief. A great big political thief. And who can blame me? It is the only safe way to steal in Nigeria.

Alamasieyegha was sentenced to 2years for money laundering. He spent only 2months in jail after his conviction.

Thief Tafa Balogun spent 6months in jail for stealing billions of naira. 

It's official - political thieves and corrupt officials serve the shortest prison sentences in the Nigeria. 

If you don't believe me, go ask the supected pickpocket in that hellhole called Suleja prison who has been there for 3years without trial.