Jonathan’s Game Plan for 2015

President Jonathan’s ambition to return in 2015 will certainly hit the rock as he has disappointed the masses who voted for him in 2011 through his anti-people policy programme. Time is fast ticking for him to get out of office with the hope that a more humane leader will come on board by 2015. But, why is Nigeria so unlucky with leadership? Men of purpose and strength of character hardly get the chance. This beats my imagination.

Jonas Egem,

Owerri, Imo State.

Jonathan’s game plan for 2015 is a charade because he has failed to make any mark; championed the removal of fuel subsidy without first considering the effect on the poor masses. He promised Nigeria palliatives but up till now, Nigerias have not seen the so-called palliatives. How can he then turn around to talk about a future mandate? Nigerians should judge him by what is on ground.

Alaehie, M. Chimezie

08035300863.

Thieving NGOs

“Non-Governmental Thieves- How Gowon Centre, NACA, other NGOs Fleece Foreign Donors” is another sordid story that strengthens Nigeria’s corruption notoriety. Although Gowon as a man of integrity might not have had knowledge  of what is going wrong at the centre named after him,  one would have expected the officers to show transparency in their work. While Nigeria law permits the use of parallel currency market, what do the rules of Global Fund say? There is no ignorance in law. To feign ignorance of the rules covering the use of the funds donated by Global  Fund  is an embarrassing  way of trying to run away from guilt. Christian Health Association of Nigeria, CHAN,  that shares the ugly faith with YGC is an embarrassment to this nation. My position? The benumbing and image rusting happening  in the country boils down to a leadership that is unable to separate  politics from governance. We are in passionate need of a leader that is imbued with a sense of direction, purpose and  commitment to correct the ills of the past, one that has political will to enforce discipline within the  organs of govrnment. At the moment in Nigeria, such a person is yet to materialise .

Stephen Asuquo, Udoh.

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How Governors, Chairmen Steal Billions

Nigeria as a sovereign nation, has 774 local governments which constitute the third tier of government. It is rather sad that ever since the creation of the local government council system of administration, this particular tier of government has been notorious for financial scandals, blatant corruption and gross misappropriation of fund meant for rural development and provision of certain basic infrastructure in villages and towns which are scattered all across Nigeria. Newswatch Magazine cover story of April 2,  2012 with the title : Executive Robbery In The L.G.S ; How Governors, Chairmen Steal Billions, is one of the many facts that confirm the veracity of the financial corruption, present amongst individuals-men and women-who are in charge of affairs at that level.

The fact that most of Nigerian’s 774 local government areas, lack basic amenities or facilities such as good  access roads, electricity, health centres, well-equipped schools, potable water and good sanitary conditions that would make living in such areas conducive, not minding the colossal amount of money that is allocated to them annually, shows  the kind of corruption that goes on at that level. What a country!

Patrick A. Ogbe,

 Garki, Abuja.  

The Return of Nuhu Ribadu 

I want to thank Ribadu for accepting to serve his fatherland again. His service is not to Jonathan but to Nigeria. The ACN, his party that is criticising him, is myopic and they are playing politics of bitterness and acrimony which is the hallmark of first and second Republics, which cannot lead Nigeria anywhere. We can now see the difference  between El Rufia and Ribadu. El Rufai told us that Ribadu refused to buy the official house he was occupying whereas others purchased gigantic mansions  with peanut. That is how you can tell  the patriotic from the unpatriotic, genuine from fake Nigerians.

 Jide Owate, Ajagba,

Ondo State.

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The 13 percent Derivation War

It is indeed very disappointing that some Nigerians are undermining the unity of this country. Otherwise, how can the CBN governor and some Northern elites be talking about derivation at such a critical time the unity of the country is at stake, threatened by the activities of Boko Haram sect?

This unnecessary agitation is annoying in view of the calibre of persons spearheading it. It is a show of insensitivity to the plight of those bearing the brunt of the pollution and other side-effects of oil exploration in the south.

Moreover, what  is 13 percent  compared to the 50 percent  enjoyed by them during the groundnut boom? What havoc or side effect was the agricultural produce causing them, compared to what the South-South region is suffering today? It is high time the Northerners stopped taking the South-South people for  granted. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

James Effiom ,

Calabar, Cross River State.