CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

[Dan-Borno]

All the states of the federation including the federal
capital territory are at top gear preparing how the
democracy day will be celebrated.  i am not against
celebrating democracy since it is now known to us
that democracy is not only a system of governance
but a complete institution with religious undertone.

however, for one to celebrate something it means he
has 99% success, its just like celebrating a lost war.
the money to be spent during this period of celebration
could gulp up to 30 - 40 billion naira approximately
which is far enough to provide basic problems to the
ordinary nigerian man.

we are celebrating our 5th year anniversary since return
to democracy, however, we have nothing to show to
the world that its democracy that brought to us.  though
some state governors have tried at their own level, but as
husnaa used to say the percentage is damn too insignificant.

to me, our major problem is lack of long term planning in all
sectors of the economy.  when obasanjo promised nigerians
that in six months electricity will reach every home 24hrs
every day - we took him serious, however, after 8 years
the little we used to have disappeared into the thin air
even after spending billions of naira from our crude oil. if to
say he has opted for a long term development, it might have
worked - ba tsuntsu babu tarko.

now this servant-leader says in 18 months time, nigeria power
problems will be solved "insha Allah" - while we await to see
the power of God, we still advice the government to opt for
long term planning as against emergency approach to issues
that are of national interest.

our educational system is nothing to show about.  each day
students graduate with the hope of getting something, but
alas they become dissappointed at a very early stage, while
some turned into political thuggery others opted for armed
robbery - i can vivdly recall a friends' encounter with armed
robber, while searching his bag they came across his certificates,
they all laughed at him and told him to pray harder else he
will soon join them - Allah ya kare mu gaba daya.

during those days, people were forced to go to school, govt.
of that day paid for their tuition and all sorts of allowances
including a befitting atmosphere to learn - alas, its the same
crop of people who are now governing us and could not return
what they were given to those who come after them despite
the huge increase in capital and technological advancement.
with your own money, you dont get quality education in nigeria
except you have to manage like that - the wealthy and lucky
amongst us sent their children to europe, america, asia etc
in search of a better education to their children - only less
privileged from Niger and some part of Chad that come to
Nigeria to seek for education.

if this is the democracy we are celebrating it doesnt worth it,
we need to work hard, our leaders should have the fear of God
in their heart.  our educational system be revisited so that
people will graduate with the fear of God and ready-made leaders
capable of discharging their duties without favouritism or any
isms. 

corruption has captured all our sectors, imagine the highest
institution that is involved in training our highest personalities
is also being accused of mismanagement of its fund to the tune
of billions of naira!!!! this is were mni title is given when it has
been certified that you are qualified to be a good leader as far
as public service is concerned - may God help us.

finally, let me narrow my horizon to arewa, especially north-east
were i come from.  i must confess that it is either we wake up
from our slumber or sometime we will woke up from sleep and find
ourselves neither in nigeria nor tchad/cameroon as Major Okar
proposed.

ku huta lafiya and celebrate moderately.

[HUSNAA]

DB Wallahi kai ka ke kidin ka kuma kake rawar ka. Where do u stand ne? Kai dan adawa ne ko kai dan PDP ne in ANPP clothing?
Democracy day? a kai ta kasuwa...

[Rais]

DB Wallahi kai ka ke kidin ka kuma kake rawar ka. Where do u stand ne? Kai dan adawa ne ko kai dan PDP ne in ANPP clothing?
Democracy day? a kai ta kasuwa...

Kai Aunty na DB gaskiya yafada ba maganan ANPP/ PDP sai gaskiya

[Rais]

 FROM LEADERSHIP NEWS PAPER

One-year In Office: Yar'Adua May Drop Some Ministers


As President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua marks his one-year in office, there were feelers from the presidency last night that he might make some changes in his cabinet.

A soruce told LEADERSHIP yesterday that apart from his plan to drop some of his ministers from the cabinet, he would also make new major appointments for some ministers and agencies.

"Some ministers who were imposed on the president by some PDP forces and are not leaving up to expectation may give ways for fresh hands," the source said.

The Federal Government had said this year's Democracy Day would be a day of reflection over the socio-political and economic happenings in the country.

[King]

Dan Borno, while I am with you on your reflections here, I would rather not always drag God into Nigeria's palava. Husnna recently made a very honest comment about Nigeria, and I will paraphrase her if I may. She said something to the effect that Nigerians are just lameducks who rather than stand up and demand better, would rather make painful adjustments to their already difficult circumstance. She cited the example of a botched labor congress strike action. After one day of protest, everyone got tired and left, thereby rendering the protest ineffective.
We have also seen examples from other countries where people have taken to the streets in millions and shut down a nation thereby forcing out corrupt and inefficient governments. In many cases, people camped out on chilling snow in the thick of Winter and remained resolute by shutting down all labor activities for days and weeks, until the government was forced out. This is what is called sacrifice for ones future and for the future of future generations. Nigerians complain yet lack the will to stay the course of any action that may change the course of their lives.

When we fail to take matters into our hands as others have done, we "leave it to God". Rather than stand  up against injustice, against exploitation, and against all governmental abuse, we invoke God's name. Please do not get me wrong. It is of extreme importance to have faith in God, but we shouldn't abandon our responsibilities either. God will not solve every problem for us. God is probably so tired of hearing from Nigerians. God has blessed the country with all kinds of natural resources. We have valuable mineral deposits. We have capable human resources, and a very educated and efficient diasporan population that can help transform that country to a modern nation. So what more do we want from God? How many countries did God bless like this sef? Yet, they've achieved a hundred times more than us.

If I was God, I would glue all of your mouths for calling me all relentlessly. Nonsense alacrity!!!!! ;D

Here is President Yar-Adua asking Nigerians to use democracy day to reflect. Duhhh!!!! We need a special reflection day on that state of our nation? What does he think Nigerians do everyday when they have no electricity? What does he think Nigerians do each day when poverty keep rising? What does he think they do each day when health care is death care in Nigeria? Please stop disturbing God. He is busy doing more important things.

[neozizo]

What the the politians will argue, at least those who are in power, is that to day is a day of merry making, dancing and  big spending to mark and remind us all that the militry have disapered for good(?) from their poltical playgrounds

i guess most of us have confused'dividends of democracy' day for today.......
Dan Borno u must be thinkin of SAS when u say 5th year anniversary
the rest of the country i guess think its 9th
ANPP in Kano also thnk its 5th year

[amira]

Wannan ai shine shirme sorry if am being rude or anything, its just dat yeah
okay an samu democrarcy amma still we in d woods, i dont see no sunlight apart from
darkness.
Yakamata abubuwa suyi moving forward but whats happening is the total opposite.

[GoodFella]

Am with u amira. I dont care less what this so-called democracy day means.

[gogannaka]

Who watched the presidential media chat on democracy day.
I am optimistic that Yar'aduas intentions are good and with God's help will deliver.

[Dan-Borno]

just posted a comment on the other thread about
mr. president's health rumour.  whoever watched
the programme MOST conclude that the president
is willing to lead the nation in an innocent manner.

however, our crops of public servants, politicians
and the nigerian citizens at large should observe
patience and shun rumour mongering and embrace
the spirit of understanding - this government is a
unity government.

[Muhsin]

'Yar Adua has done fairly, says Media Trust online poll. The resulf of the poll was released on Democracy Day--29th May 2008.

[neozizo]

Guys i thnk its very premature & bit naive to place much hope & opptimism for performance based on a chat a nigerian president had with journalists....

u just have to look back to Katsina state & recall the notorious part HE played from party primaries to gov/presidential elections (Masari will tell you....never trust Mutawalle!!)

For me experience has taught me to wait for a nigerian politian toend his tenure in office to pass judgement (i have long stopped placing hope on them, though i will continue to pray for our dear kontri)

[Dan-Borno]

May Allah save us from leaders whose belly is full of fire
and hatred to the poor man. Amin summa amin.

tommorrow will be exactly one year when in 2008 i started
this thread and my intention is see how members view the
successes of democracy in nigeria over the years.

i tried, in my last year post to highlight how lavishly govt
spend money during celebration comparing it to their score
card which is far too much to be compared.

at the federal level, the seven point agenda of mr president
which is 1. Energy 2. Security: 3. Wealth Creation: 4. Education:
5. Land Reform: 6. Mass Transit: and 7. Niger Delta: many
states of the federation have adopted same strategy with little
or no amendment at all.  however, how far have gone in this
administration's two years in office?

here is my score card:-
                            (100%)
1.  Enegery                =       20%
2.  Security                =       40%
3.  Wealth Creation     =       5%
4.  Education              =        10%
5.  Land Reform          =       50%
6.  Mass Transit           =        10%
7.  Niger Delta            =        10%

let me see your scores! no PDP/ANPP factor pls.

[bakangizo]

here is my score card:-
                            (100%)
1.  Enegery                =       20%
2.  Security                =       40%
3.  Wealth Creation     =       5%
4.  Education              =        10%
5.  Land Reform          =       50%
6.  Mass Transit           =        10%
7.  Niger Delta            =        10%

let me see your scores! no PDP/ANPP factor pls.

Some situations like energy and niger delta have deteriorated, to say the least. So why are you giving them a positive marks for that? And I find it funny that some here are saying 'yar adua gave a chat and based that he look certain to lead us well. Rubbish, isn't his two years slowmotion enough for you to base your expectation, you have to base it on a simple media chat?

My score card:


1.  Enegery                =       -0.5%
2.  Security                =        40%
3.  Wealth Creation     =        5%
4.  Education              =        10%
5.  Land Reform          =        50%
6.  Mass Transit           =        10%
7.  Niger Delta            =        -20%