Nigerian girl, Amina Lawal aged 19, missing in Toronto...(photos)

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing woman. Nigerian, Amina Lawal, 19, was last seen on Friday, March 20, 2015, in the Kingston Road and Beechgrove Drive area. She is described as black, 5’2", 99 lbs., thin build and has long black braided hair. Police are concerned for her safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.

What Qualifies a Person to Vote in an Election?

A person is qualified as a voter according to the Nigerian Constitution and the electoral commission rules when:

He/she is a citizen of Nigeria.

He/she is 18 years and above.

He/she lives in the ward or constituency where he/she intents to vote; he/she must have registered in the ward or constituency;

He/she has a registration card, which must be presented at the polling station or unit on the day of the election.

VOTING

• Voting will take place on a date to be determined by the INEC.

ACCREDITATION

• Polling units will be open from 8 am.

• Polling units will open at 8 am for Accreditation and close at 1.00pm

• Voting starts 1:30 pm.

• You must vote in the same Polling Unit you completed your Voter Registration.

HOW VOTER CAN VERIFY REGISTRATION

• A voter is expected to check the register of voters to ascertain that his name is included.

• That his name was correctly spelt and written.

• This is done when the register is displayed for inspection.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT VOTE

• The following persons cannot vote at election.

• All persons below the age of 18 years.

• All non-Nigerians.

• All persons who did not register as voters.

• All persons who do not hold a voter registration card.

• All persons whose names are not in the voters register.

WHERE TO VOTE

• Voting takes place at polling stations/units.

• A voter is expected to cast his vote at the polling unit where his name is on the voter  register.

• A voter is expected to identify his polling station where his name is on the voter register.

• A polling unit nearest to the residence of the voter.

HOW TO VOTE:

• Voting will be by Open Secret Ballot System.

• Your vote is secret because no one will see which candidate you choose.

• You will mark your ballot behind a polling screen secretly.

• Apply your finger print only in one circle/space which corresponds to the candidate of your choice.

PROCEDURE: PREPARING FOR VOTING:

• The Presiding Officer (PO) shall:

• Explain the voting procedure to the voters.

• Invite all voters accredited to form a single queue.

• Where culture does not allow men and women to mingle in a queue, separate queues are created for men and women.

• The PO shall count loudly the number of accredited voters in the queue, and record the number.

COMMENCEMENT OF VOTING:

• At the commencement of voting, the PO shall:

• Invite the voters on queue to approach the poll clerk (PC) in an orderly manner.

• On presentation of voter’s card, the PO shall:

• Check appropriate cuticle thumbnail of voter and when he is satisfied that the person has been duly accredited.

• Tick the voters’ register on the right hand side of voter’s name.

• Indicating that he has voted.

• Apply indelible ink on the cuticle of the voter’s appropriate thumbnail.

• The Poll Assistant (PA) shall apply ink to the next finger of the respective hand

• Voters who have no Right/Left hand, the PA shall:

• Apply the ink to the corresponding toes of the voter’s Right/Left foot.

• Voters have neither fingers nor toes:

• Ink shall be applied on the corresponding toes of the persons assisting them.

ISSUANCE OF BALLOT PAPER AND VOTING:

• The voter shall present himself to the Polling official (PO).

• The PO shall stamp and sign the back of ballot paper.

• Fold the ballot paper vertically with the printed side inwards.

• Issue the signed, stamped ballot paper to the voter.

• The voter moves to the voting cuticle.

• Mark the ballot paper in the space with (PDP Umbrella) party logo

Fold the ballot paper.

• Deposit the marked ballot paper into the ballot box.

• Marking of ballot paper by voter must be done in secret.

• Depositing the ballot paper in the ballot box in open view of all persons present.

• Only one voter at a time to the voting cubicle.

OFFENCES ON ELECTION DAY:

PART VIII SC. 129 (1) states that:

1. No person shall on the date an election is held do any of the following acts or things in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of a polling unit-

(a) Canvass for votes;

(b) Solicit for the vote of any voter

(c) Persuade any voter not to vote for any particular candidate;

(d) Persuade any voter not to vote at any election;

(e) Shout slogans concerning the election;

(f) Be in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or have any facial or other decoration which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters;

(g) Exhibit, wear or tender any notice, symbol photograph or party card referring to the election;

(h) Use any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party by any means whatever;

(i) Loiter without lawful excuse after voting or after being refused to vote;

(j) Snatch or destroy any election materials; and

(k) Blare siren

“Any person who contravens any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for 6 months for every such offence”.

What are the Rules Guiding the Counting of Votes?

At the end of voting, the presiding officer opens the ballot box and empties its contents in the presence of the polling clerk, party agents, poll orderlies and sorts the votes according to candidates. Thereafter he must count the votes with the ballot papers face upwards.

All rejected ballot papers shall be put in a special envelope which must be returned to the officer.

The total number of voters scored by each candidate must be entered in a statement of result forms signed and stamped by the presiding officer and also signed by the candidates or their agents.

The presiding officer must give a copy of the statement of the result to the police officer and other security officers at the units.

She/He must also provide copies of the result forms to party agents upon request.

The result of the election should be announced at the collation center for the particular constituency.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK PROMISES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH

The role of the youth is of special and great importance in the new democracies of the world and in the world today there are more new than established democracies. The way in which a new democratic government develops is of special concern to young people, for it promises to rule their lives for forty years or more. Young adults can be seen as having distinctive political interests, more inclined to change than older generations, more idealistic in their goals and less loyal to established traditions.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, March 1, 2015 pledged to include more young individuals in his administration if re-elected as President. He made the remarks while answering questions from young business personalities in an interactive session tagged #MeetThePresident, put together by the Participate, Vote, Country (PVC) group at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He recalled that former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon became the country’s leader at the age of 33 while Diete Spliffn became Governor of Old Rivers State at 28, stating that although the exposure level of the average Nigerian as at that time was minimal, he would make sure more youths are appointed by his administration as he believes that the next generation will take Nigeria to the moon. At a follow up event at the same venue, where President Jonathan met with 5,000 Nigerian youths, he reiterated his stance on involving youths in the business of governance, saying: “The only thing that made me to become the President of Nigeria is because I went to school. That was why we made it a priority to establish 12 new universities in the past five years.

“The Asian Tigers (Malaysia, Indonesia and so on) are great because of small and medium enterprises. It is our mission to create new millionaires among you all through various youth empowerment policies,” the President said. “At the federal level we have relatively high number of young people. My future administration will have even more.” President Jonathan also promised to engage youths more often to be able to acquaint himself with the issues bothering them, even after his re-election.

In order to respond to the needs of young people, and to guarantee that their basic human rights are recognized and enforced, young people’s active and meaningful participation in their societies and in democratic practices and processes is of crucial importance. Meaningful youth participation and leadership require that young people and young people-led organizations have opportunities, capacities, and benefit from an enabling environment and relevant evidence based programs and policies at all levels. Realizing young people’s right to participate and be included in democratic processes and practices is also vital to ensure the achievement of internationally agreed development goals and to refresh the development agenda.

In countries emerging from conflicts, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognizes that young people can engage in peace building, leading non-violent revolutions, using new technologies to mobilize societies to bring about change. Young people have demonstrated the potential to build bridges across communities, working together, helping to manage conflict and promote peace. Young people are vital stakeholders in conflict and in peace-building, and can be agents of change and provide a foundation for rebuilding lives and communities, contributing to a more just and peaceful society.

CHARACTER ND THE MAN DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN,GCFR- ONYEKABA CHIOMA ROSEMARY

It is character that makes the man, not position or looks or even gossips. In this man GEJ, I have gotten to know an exceedingly courageous, inherently honest, highly intelligent, extremely loyal, humble and above all, a God-Fearing man.

He is a rare gem in our nation and in our time when all sorts of wolves are locking around looking for preys to devour. It is these personality traits that he possesses that have constituted the rationale for his decisions and actions throughout his four years as a public servant. It is also these good personality traits that will lead him to that throne again until he is done with his works of transformation.

If every other President before him had been this thoughtful, Nigeria would have been 60% closer to becoming like USA. He is a detribalized, religiously neutral and humanistic Nigerian, whose only concern in the last few years has been and still remains, the benefit of his country.

Of course people do not appreciate good things when they see one. If Jesus wasn’t welcomed in his hometown, what more a messiah in human form in a country he has served very well.

I wish to continually urge Nigerians to search deeply into their souls and give room for their conscience to speak to them and help them make a choice. We do not have to choose wrongly and unwisely because we feel he should have done more. Think of it this way, if Buhari seats on that throne, how will he complete this job when he doesn’t even know where to start? How does he intend to bring in the change without starting from somewhere to complete a job well started? It will take him years to fully understand this office he is striving for and Nigerians don’t have enough time for that…

LET GEJ CONTINUE…! LET NIGERIA MOVE FORWARD…!! LET TRANSFORMATION LIVE ON!

 

 

APC: A BUNCH OF CONVERTED DEMOCRATS - ONYEKABA CHIOMA R.

Nigerians kept quiet when Buhari ruled them with disgust and hatred especially the South East. They played along with his game and yet made sure that after that tenure that he never saw the throne again as the President of Nigeria until 2011 when he was even forced to shed tears publicly. For me, these acts were mere punishments for all he did to innocent people during his regime. I thought that by now Buhari would have simply retired to avoid another shameless event but I see he enjoys being ridiculed because his egocentric nature will never let him think twice.

Unfortunately for the APC, Nigerians are fully aware of the stuff Buhari is truly made of and so are now laying his wickedness out in plain sight. Come rain, come shine, a General tilling the soil on the surface will forever remain better than the General underground making manure for peasants. DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN AND GEN. MOHAMMADU BUHARI are totally incomparable.

 Buhari wishes to rule Nigerians yet he runs to London claiming he was there to gain Relative Peace and not medical care. It wouldn’t have bothered me if he had actually gone there for something else asides relative peace. Come to think of it, please tell me, what type of relative peace does a man struggling to rule over a developing Country run off to seek in a foreign nation at this crucial moment? Is he trying to teach Nigerians to run to other Country’s in search of relaxation and peace when he should be trying to teach us to love our country and fight for its betterment? Is he encouraging Nigerians to run off to foreign countries at every given time instead of helping us stabilize ours? Is Buhari really healthy and yet unable to talk for more than 5minutes?

APC at this crucial point is also facing series of troubling issues which is why they are almost becoming quiet. They are forcing themselves so hard to fit into this democratic society which they certainly are not used to and that is why they are doing all that is in their power to prove that they are patriotic.

Well, I will keep my fingers crossed and await the next move from this bunch of converted democrats! I wish you luck in 2019 because you certainly missed 2015. Maybe by then you will get a new name and party slogan better than change.

UK THINK-TANK LINK APC WITH BOKO HARAM, WARNS USA - JACOB ZEN

– A conservative think-tank based in the United Kingdom has published a potentially explosive report in which it says that Nigerian opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has members linked with Boko Haram operations in the Nigeria.

Bow Group presents a report titled ‘Exposing and Defeating Boko Haram’ and published on its website. The brain-trust asserts, “An early investigation into the backers of Boko Haram and their links to the APC, followed by potential sanctions designed to prevent Nigeria becoming a future safe-haven for terrorists, and threat to UK citizens at home and abroad, therefore seems an appropriate and important strategy to prevent future terrorist threats before they take hold.”

The report which is authored by Jacob Zen, a research analyst who has written extensively about Boko Haram and Northern Nigeria, also warns the United States of America on meddling in the politics of Nigeria. “The US is playing a dangerous game,” it says.

“There are concerns in the international community and Nigeria that the U.S. Democratic Party or its advisers may be associating themselves with northern Nigerian politicians, despite reported links to Boko Haram.

“Any political pact between US officials and the APC carries risks – the US must adopt a neutral approach to the Nigerian elections and political landscape,” the report says.

The group also calls for the immediate commission of an international investigation that can bring sanctions against political and business leaders in Nigeria and abroad who are financing Boko Haram.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES - ONYEKABA CHIOMA

Africa has been my life and the Success of Nigeria has been my priority which is one of the reasons why I try hard to lead my fellow youths by good examples. But I still can’t help but wonder why our past leaders are finding it hard to follow these footsteps.

 Most times, we end up finding it extremely hard to explain a complex and multi-layered continent to those who wish to probe beyond the headlines and the reason I believe is because we have been thought to always look at the physical and never beyond it.

There is absolutely more to this new Nigeria that is about to emerge than that which meets the eyes. It is better we all begin to pray for our country more immensely than we ever did rather than remain on-lookers because we cannot continue to feed on news of wars and disasters any longer. Even though at this point it looks like not all Nigerians are fighting or been abducted since the terrorists have chosen the North East as their ancestral base; yet it doesn’t mean that we all are not part of those suffering in fear of the unknown. Many are facing psychological illnesses all because of the dent terrorism has left on us while many are gladly sponsoring and enjoying the pain of those who suffer. What a world?!

A certain party suddenly woke up from their slumber and began to sing the song of change- a change they know nothing about, a change they cannot even implement as they seem to be clearly finding it difficult to change the reality (BOKO HARAM). They busy themselves trying to change the image(Our President)  and not the nation.

Earlier on, Atiku, a member of this aggrieved party, APC, told Nigerians that ‘If positive change becomes unacceptable then violent change becomes inevitable’. And true to his words, their violently trained supporters who seemed to have been awaiting this pronouncement began to destroy things and hurt PDP supporters. They even took to the streets; burning buses and pulling down posters of the ruling party members.

 Are you still looking at headlines only? This party who claim they will flush out terror should by now have been able to do so to enable us vote them into power but ‘’NO’’ they won’t! They are waiting to be crowned before they perform the act of stopping this terrorist group that they master-minded from the onset. To crown it all, they are finding it very difficult applauding the President and the Military on the good job done so far because they are simply taken aback by their achievements so far, given the simple fact that the issue of insecurity and corruption which has been their major topics of ridicule against Mr. President so far, happens to be coming to an end. As such they are very frustrated at this moment because once PDP wins this war then their story becomes history.

I even noticed that some of their members are beginning to have a rethink. Anyway, how can one be happy when he/she is been related to a party known for its numerous failures and violent acts? Come to think of it, how can Buhari, who claims to be the wisest of all yet without a certificate, refuse to accept common failure? Doesn’t this show you clearly that this man is out for trouble? This is one reason why I love Mr. President. When asked what he will do if he looses the election, he simply said he would gladly step down. But for Buhari, he insists he will win. This means something is giving them courage and confidence .But let me remind the APC that ‘Pride cometh before a fall’. Over-confident people always fail even the simplest mathematics in a course they are upheld to be the best in. A real and true leader does not and should not totally rule out failure because no one is perfect. He should rather make room for alternative measures to be taken should things work against him and favor his opponent. That is what makes a leader!

Nigerians are tired of hearing the APC saying things they will do if elected into power. If you truly love Nigerians and you know what to do to stop this terrorists, you would have done so. The truth is you know nothing about securing lives because you derive joy in taken them. No more talks, we want action. Start doing it, Stop saying it. Nigerians are wiser now!

 

 

THE MAN FEMI FANI KAYODE

A lot of people are wondering and even asking who this man, FEMI FANI KAYODE, populary called FFK truly is? In fact, a friend once said to me ‘Rose, I can’t help but wonder. What manner of man made FFK? He is just too brilliant and ever-ready for the APC to handle. But come oh, why did that man abandon APC self. What example is he even teaching Nigerians…?’’.

 After listening to these statements from her, I just laughed and said, ‘’The same God that created all men, created him but you see, FFK is a man of wisdom and conscience.  Having  tested the two major  parties he has ended up leading the people of Nigeria by example. You may ask me how? But I will tell you. He saw evil in APC and ran away from them because, like he always states; he tries to always please God and his conscience unlike many politicians. He made the best choice (PDP) and rather than criticize him I think Nigerians should learn from him. It is better to learn from other people’s experience than to learn by personal experience which is the hardest teacher’’.

While Nigerians look at the surface most times, I tend to look beyond the physical. You see, my dear friend, while I was watching FFK on Channels TV on Sunday with Chamberlain, I was extremely impressed. I was not just impressed with the fact that he was bold enough to challenge whoever dared to challenge him and PDP but mostly because he was able to teach Nigerians the true value of friendship. 

FFK is a true friend, who never forgets his little beginnings. Didn’t you notice that even when everyone criticized OBASANJO, FFK and DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN still maintained that he(Obasanjo) would always remain their GODFATHER? How would people ever learn from that? All they care about is what is said not the lesson it teaches.

FFK has thought Nigerians the true meaning of FRIENDSHIP and LOYALTY. We all should emulate him. He and the President has shown us the true Value of RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTY MEMBERS.

MY PEOPLE, despite your friend’s shortcomings learn to stand by them always. PDP LEADS BY EXAMPLE! VOTE WISELY!

FG APPROVES 9 NEW UNIVERSITIES

The Federal Executive Council at its usual Wednesday meetings approved the issuance of operating licenses to nine new private universities in Nigeria.

The meeting was chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

Once the operating licenses are issued, there will be 60 private universities in Nigeria.

The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, addressing journalists after the council meeting listed the new private universities as Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State; Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Hallmark University, Ijebu Itele, Ogun State; Kings University, Ode Omu, Osun State; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Orode, Delta State; Mountain Top University, Ogun State, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State and Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.

Speaking on the exorbitant tuition fees of private universities, the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, said it is not the responsibility of the federal government to regulate fees charged since private universities are run like other private organisations.

He said the Federal Government would only ensure that the standard of education in private schools are of minimum standards.

“As far as government is concerned, all Federal Government universities are tuition-free. Whatever the universities are charging are so minimal for some day-to-day activities: games fees, union fees and some other fees.

“Of recent, I had cause to ask the NUC to regulate a kind of minimum (fee) because there is a university that charged as low as N20,000, N15,000. Some charge N30,000 to N80,000 or so which is a composition of a number of different kinds of fees. But basically, no university owned by government is charging tuition fee.

“But the private universities are like any other private institutions. All that is the responsibility of government is to ensure that the standards are maintained.

“We are to ensure that they are operating within the minimum required standard, and that is the responsibility of the NUC in terms of their facilities, staffing and so on,” said Mr. Shekarau

GEJ HAS REDEFINED OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM - OKAFOR CHIBUEZE

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has evidently improved and encouraged our educational sector in various regards. To mention projects started and completed by President Goodluck: 125 Almajiri Schools were built in 13 Northern States, 27 Special girls school also built, 12 New Federal Universities, 34 new NCE awarding institutions, 101 Presidential Special Scholarships awarded for Innovations, information and partial sectors of our national life. Increased in Basic education enrolment (UBEC) and a notable 75% Increase in O'Level credit pass in Maths and English have been observed.

100 Innovation Enterprise Institutions have been licensed, 7000 lecturers provided with sponsorship for post graduate studies home and abroad. Polytechnic laboratories rehabilitated.

Budgetary allocation to education has doubled. 104 candidates scaled the final hurdle (First Class Graduates) for Presidential scholarship award and were asked to apply to study (in any of the top 25 universities in the world approved for the scheme) for their Phd.

Nigeria is moving steadily and surely towards real development, using Educational empowerment as the springboard. The journey has started, making good progress under GEJ’s watch. He is determined to achieve the set goals. He is unstoppable.

GEJ, carry on; Nigerians know and are applauding you!!

SEE WHY BUHARI CAN'T NEVER BEAT GEJ- ONYEKABA CHIOMA ROSEMARY

Hear RITA DOMINIC and her reasons why she will vote GEJ. You should join her in this

WHAT GEJ DID IN FCT Abuja

Since taking office, President Goodluck Jonathan has followed through on the ambitious plans laid out in his Transformation Agenda, delivering significant achievements across all states of the nation.
Below are some of his many achievements in the Federal Capital Territory - Abuja:

Agriculture:

- Ended four decades of corruption in the fertilizer sector. Implemented the e – wallet system for the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers.
- Implemented Dry Season farming projects.

Aviation:

- Commenced construction of a modern international passenger terminal in Abuja.
- Completed two (2) Doppler Weather Radars to enhance air safety through advanced information and warnings for pilots.
- Installed nine (9) Low Level Windshear Alert Systems (LLWAS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, which have enhanced detection low level windshear, a major aviation hazard.
- Constructed a world class Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Centre in Abuja.

Health:

- Modernized of the National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
-  Established trauma centres at both the National Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.
-  Constructed a National Obstetrics Fistula Centre at Kwali, Abuja to help in the fight to eradicate VVF.
- Established the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in 2011, which has aided coordination of all disease control efforts in the country.
- Completed and equipped the Federal Staff Hospital (permanent site).
- Established the SURE-P Project on Primary Health Care.

Education:

- Increased the number of classrooms from 3,952 as at 2009 to 6135 as at 2013, with the aim of improving quality of learning environment in FCT public schools.
- Constructed basic facilities such as libraries, laboratories, technology workshops, and boreholes.

Transport:

- Modernized the Abuja – Kaduna inter – state project, covering 187.5 km. This project will directly and indirectly impact the economy of the region.
- Completed the Wupa Super Major bridge.

Roads:

- Reconstructed the Abuja – Abaji – Lokoja road, improving travel experience.

Youth Empowerment:

- Launched YouWIN grants, which have been awarded to youths in the state.
- Launched the SURE-P youth empowerment scheme.

APC CAME IN AND ADAMAWA FORGOT THAT GEJ DID ALL THESE FOR THEM

   

Since taking office, President Goodluck Jonathan has followed through on the ambitious plans laid out in his Transformation Agenda, delivering significant achievements across all states of the nation.
Below are some of his many achievements in Adamawa:

Agriculture:

- Ended four decades of corruption in the fertilizer sector. Implemented the e – wallet system for the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers.
- Implemented Dry Season farming projects.

Aviation:

- Remodeled Yola Airport, Adamawa.
- Installed Doppler Weather Radar for air safety.
- Installed a Low level wind shear alert system (LLWAS).
- Installed a Thunderstorm and Lightning Detector to ensure air safety.
- Installed Upper Air Sounding Equipment, Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR).
- Established a Cargo Airport.

Education:

- Established girls boarding schools in the state, encouraging girl child education.
- Established Almajiri Schools, helping to provide proper education for the less privileged children in the state.
- Commissioned a new NAF Comprehensive Secondary School in Yola.

Health:

- Established the SURE-P Project on Primary Health Care.

Power:

- Established 2 x 60 MVA, 132/33KV substation at Mubi, 2 x 60 MVA, 132 / 33 KV Substations at Gulak 132 KV double circuit transmission line, 30 MVA, 132/33 KV mobitra at Mayo Belwa, Adamawa state.

Water:

- Completed the Jada dam and Chouchi Irrigation project, helping to boost the economic fortune of the state.

Road:

- Re-constructed the Mayobelwa Zing Road.
- Commenced reconstruction of the Gombe-Numan-Yola road, which is ongoing.
- Completed Gombe-Numan-Yola road.

Youth Empowerment: 

- Launched YouWIN grants, which have been awarded to youths in the state.
- Launched the SURE-P youth empowerment scheme.
 

FACT NIGERIANS NEED TO THINK ABOUT..BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES...**14th Feb.** BY::: OBI CHINOMSO P.

      ...Vision of Transformation is unstoppable...
Some one who was head of state at his early 30's in a country we're d population runs in millions, still now at 72 after almost 32 years later, d same person still wants to rule d same country!!!
Pls my question now is: Does it mean d person /or d whole country doesn't av offsprings or d r nt matured or capable enough to rule dis country or the youths still believe in d adage dat d r d leaders of tomorrow which can never come? How can some one at such an old age doesn't understand that d law of diminishing returns have set in....no wonder they say one of the aspirants doesn't av a certificate bcos only d educated ones understood wat the law of diminishing returns says. Have you asked urslf why d retirement age ranges from 60-65yrs even for professors dat keeps reading till death. The ans is simple... No matter wat do or hw strong you claim to be, the law of diminishing returns has no regard for anybody. Menh.....we got to think twice. We r bn used here and d most annoying part is dat d youths don't care instead d move in for violence and end up killing themselves for dis old fools.
I wish the youths of my fatherland will stand up and say to one another we are the leaders of today...!!! That way Nigeria will be better

Education and National development: The Jonathan example BY PETER OBI

Many years ago, the Philosopher, Aristotle observed that the dif­ference between the educat­ed and the uneducated is like that between the living and the dead. To Aristophanes, it is the dissimilarity between bro­ken and unbroken horses. As President of the US, Lyndon Johnson had declared: “At the desk where I sit, I have learned one great truth. The answer for all our national problems; the answer for all the problems of the world — come to a single word. That word is education.”

All these notions about edu­cation have been with man as far back as we can trace its his­tory. Efforts have always been on-going to improve on educa­tion among nations and their peoples.

It is universally acknowl­edged that the distinction be­tween success and failure lies in education; in the same way that educational attainments explain the disparities in the growth and development of nations. The great countries of Europe, the Americas and Asia are what they are today due largely to consistent investments in edu­cation. Great inventions and innovations that have propelled the world to greater heights, in­cluding going to the moon, are products of education.

The Asian power houses — China and India – have become the dominant growth areas of the world; and this rooted in education. Among the legion of examples are: India’s ascendan­cy in ICT; Singapore’s elevation from the 3rd to the 1st World; China’s current economic rank­ing.

Coming home to Africa, the Mandelas, Ziks, Awolowos, Nkrumahs, Nyereres, Balewas and others who fought for the freedom of their peoples had the benefit of early exposure to education. The achievements and development of Nigeria to date in the polity, economy and society have come mostly from educated minds. One can hardly imagine what would have hap­pened if we did not have law­yers, doctors, bankers, academ­ics and the like.

At the recent launch of UNESCO Education for All, the organization’s Director in Nigeria, Professor Hassana Ali­dou revealed that said that Ni­geria shared some of the worst education indicators in the world. The country has about 10 million out-of school chil­dren — the highest in the world – the majority of who are in the North. Experts contend that this deplorable state of education in Nigeria is traceable to the long governance of the country by persons with limited educa­tional attainments and the con­comitant little appreciation of its benefits. The statistics show that the levels of development of the Zones in Nigeria and their embrace of civilization are directly proportional to their educational exposure.

Alas, against this back­ground and in the heat of elec­tioneering — during which the three dominant issues should be education, education and edu­cation — it is very worrisome that our leaders are actually busy talking down on educa­tion. In one of the APC’s recent rallies, for instance, somebody queried the country’s benefit in having a President Goodluck Jonathan and his Vice, HE, Na­madi Sambo with a Ph.D. and B.Sc. Architecture respectively. With evident glee, the party stalwart gave the ‘verdict’ that the educational attainments of the two gentlemen have not translated into goodies for the country. Even more embarrass­ing was that the APC crowd cheered!

Education provides the plat­forms for planning and proper articulation of policies – not just for today but for the future as well. Since failure to plan is planning to fail, the genera­tion of good policies and pro­grammes starts with recruiting educated minds. Take the case of President Goodluck Jona­than and the positive difference his tenure has made in educa­tion:

Today, there is better and sustained funding of Univer­sal Basic Education in the country through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Among others, this is reflected in improvements in the country’s performance in various examinations. For instance, the WASCE pass rate was highest in 2012-2013 [38% & 36%]; as compared to the 15%-25% of 2000-2009. NECO statistics reveal that in 2010, 9.36% of the total number of candidates made 5 credits & above [including in Mathemat­ics & English]. Corresponding figures were 8.06% in 2011; 32.22% in 2012; 48.37% in 2013 and 52.29% in 2014.

Unlike the road-shows of the past, President Jonathan fur­ther demonstrated his love for and commitment to education with the firm establishment of schools for the Almajiris in the Northern parts of the country; even as he is taking on the chal­lenge of male child drop-out of schools in the South. With the establishment of 14 new univer­sities – 10 in the North and 4 in the South – he has ensured that practically every State of the Federation now has a Federal University – with the additional benefits expanding admission opportunities and development hubs.

Because of his exposure to education, President Jonathan has done a lot of things differ­ently — carefully assembling core teams of people with the requisite educational exposure & cognate experience. A few examples are instructive: Under the competent management of the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Akin­wunmi Adesina, a renowned Agricultural Economist, the administration’s programme of action for the strategic agricul­tural sector is encapsulated in the Agricultural Transforma­tion Action Plan [ATAP] and Agricultural Transformation Agenda [ATA], with the ac­tive involvement of practicing farmers, especially women and the youth. The key emphases are to strengthen linkages be­tween production, marketing, processing & storage as well as between agriculture & rural de­velopment. Critical success fac­tors in efforts to transform the sector to commendable heights include funding, technological support, promoting Made-in- Nigeria, concrete export sup­port, Public-Private Partner­ships [PPPs], from subsistence to mechanized farming, natural fertilizer from organic waste, agricultural extension services, and agro-allied industries.

The ATA is easily the larg­est-ever government-enabled private sector-led effort to de­velop Agriculture in Nigeria. It classifies and treats agriculture as a development programme; a business that would boost do­mestic food production, reduce dependence on food imports, expand value-addition to local­ly-produced agro-products and create wealth for millions of Ni­gerians. In the process, the sec­tor will become steadily fruitful, efficient and competitive. On the bases of the success stories to date, conservative projec­tions expect additional 20 mil­lion tonnes of food to domestic supply and 3.5 million jobs by 2015.

As Minister of Finance & Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala has infused quite a num­ber of creative measures in the financial sector and economy at large. Initiatives of this globally-renowned and Harvrd-trianed Economist & erstwhile Manag­ing Director of the World Bank include the Sovereign Wealth Saving Fund, Subsidy Re-In­vestment Programme [SURE-P] and YOU-WIN scheme. The creation of the Mortgage Refinancing Company to make long-term funds available and increase liquidity in the sub-sector has greatly boosted the Housing sector. Aside from generating several thousand job opportunities, the boom is ex­pected to steadily reduce the na­tion’s housing deficit [currently estimated at 17 million].

Prior to his appointment as Minister of Trade & Invest­ment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga had served as Managing Di­rector of the famed Goldman Sachs. Under his management of the Ministry, Nigeria now has an Industrial Policy. Among other outcomes, investment in the sugar sub-sector has grown from US$100 million in 2011 to some US$3.2 billion in 2013. The National Automo­tive Policy has enabled the re­suscitation of moribund motor assembly companies such of PAN and ANNAMCO as well as the firm emergence of oth­ers, including INNOSON and NISSAN. In the same vein, the Cotton & Textile Development Policy and the N200 billion SME [low interest]financing scheme are progressively creat­ing many jobs and expanding the economy.

The Minister of Commu­nications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson was the Managing Director of Accen­ture, and is doing very well. Un­der her management, Nigeria now has an unambiguous clear template on ICT development. Professor Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Power served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka; even as his predecessor, Barth. Nnaji is a celebrated Professor of Robot­ics. The Federal Ministry of Education is headed by a vet­eran educationist & administra­tor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau – ably assisted by Mrs. Viola Onwuliri, a reputable Professor. The Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is a highly-respected Senior Ad­vocate of Nigeria.

These and other key Minis­ters of the Jonathan administra­tion could not have achieved the much they have without the privilege and benefit of good education. This [and of course, more]is what Jonathan wants for the entire country.

The person who raised the issue of Mr. President’s educa­tional qualification also derided the value of the Vice-President’s degree in Architecture, won­dering how many roads he has built. It is known that the VP has his schedules, while there is a full-fledged Ministry of Works headed by two Ministers.

Be that as it may, the Jona­than administration has done a lot on road construction and transportation. Under SURE-P funding alone, it has vari­ously completed work and is undertaking projects on sev­eral roads across the country. These include: dualization of the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road; dualization of Kano-Potiskum- Maiduguri road; reconstruction of Benin-Ore-Shagamu dual carriageway; rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway; construction of Loko/Oweto Bridge across the Benue River; construc­tion of the 2nd Niger Bridge at Onitsha/Asaba; rehabilitation, reconstruction & expansion works on the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway; Calabar- Katsina Ala road, among other projects. The railways, which became moribund over 30 years ago, have been resusci­tated. While the narrow gauges are coming back into opera­tion, the Federal Government is building standard gauges as part of the 25 years Strategic Rail Development Plan.

Even for the sake of argu­ment and in the worst-case scenario, the apparent failure of those that are educated to lead us is not an excuse to go for those that are not educated. That alternative is scary. At a point in history, companies like Enron of America, Globacom of Canada and Lehman Broth­ers of America [which were run by the best brains from the best schools]experienced failing fortunes, but nobody advocated that uneducated persons should take over their management. That people still die in the hands of qualified medical doc­tors is not a basis for us to start patronising Native Doctors.

Without dabbling into the certificate controversy, I have always maintained that Major- General Muhammadu Buhari [rtd.] is a respected elder states­man of integrity. Similarly, I have also noted that educational qualification is not a measure of integrity. However, I am con­strained to add that those who want to lead must strive to play with the laws of the com­munity and the norms of the community. Though none of us is perfect, but the rules of engagement have prescribed minimum qualifications to con­test for public offices; and they must be adhered to.

Mr. Peter Obi is the im­mediate past Governor of Anambra State and the Deputy Director General, South, of the PDP Nation­al Campaign Council.