Romney/Ryan...Really?

Very puzzled by Romney's choice of Paul Ryan. Who is Romney trying to appeal to? I suspect given Ryan's political leanings...Romney is trying to appeal to the base. My confusion lies in that it is highly unlikely that the base would vote for Obama anyway. So...instead of teaming with a running mate that would capture the Republicans that would possibly vote for Obama...Romney chooses someone that in fact captures the people he already  has in his camp anyway.

If Romney/Ryan are elected (which is a far cry) we can look forward to:
- reducing taxes...for the wealthiest of Americans
- more attention to women's rights...banning of birth control
-more accountability with government spending...cutting the programs that benefit those most in need
Wow...what an attractive ticket these two make!

Great move Mitt. Well I do owe Romney a thank you for handing Obama his second term with today's decision. At least now we don't have to worry about Obama facing competition

Way to Go Greece!

Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristau who made a racist remark about Africans

One thing that puzzles me is why in this day and age do we still have to have national and international figures making racist remarks. Voula Papachristau tweeted the following tweet..."With so many Africans in Greece .. At least the mosquitoes of West Nile .. will eat homemade food!.." https://twitter.com/papaxristoutj

What is wrong with you Papachristou? While I am extremely bothered by the content of her remark, I am in fact disgusted with her remarks following the disciplinary actions taken by Greece. Rather than taking ownership for her intolerable behavior, she blames everyone around her. This is unacceptable. Stand up and take responsibility! With comments like that...you don't deserve to compete anywhere let alone in the olympics!

Demand a higher standard

As many of you know I strive to point out the injustices that I see in various situations that occur. I am taking a particular risk with this posting. The subject of my post is the vast majority of Nigerians. Yes...I am probably talking about you. While we can all talk until we are blue in the face about the injustices that exist in Nigeria, each of us hold a piece of the dysfunction that exists.

I have noticed that while we may talk a "big game" about accountability, at the end of the day our actions don't match our words. The standard that Nigerians hold their public officials to is very low. What do I mean by this? Well it is actually fairly simple. I have noticed that Nigerians often applaud ludicrous behavior that is frankly unacceptable.

The most recent example of this revolves around the topic of the blog from earlier this week. I discussed the actions of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State. He decided to take the law into his own hands and to pursue enforcement of the "commercial vehicle lane." While some Nigerians were seeing this as a despicable act the vast majority of individuals who weighed in on this issue were applauding the governor.

This brings me to my question...Are we really ready to bring about change? In order to bring about this change, it is essential to hold the governmental officials accountable for their leadership. Until they receive the pressure from us they will not change their behavior. It is time to end the status quo. The status quo I am referring to is the complacency of Nigerians. Stand up for what you believe in. Examine what is really important to bringing about changes. Most of all don't celebrate the stupidity exhibited by the governmental leaders. In fact...I implore you to stand up against these acts and demand a higher standard of action. The standard I am referencing is to promote a Nigeria that is free from corruption, that offers equal opportunity to all and most importantly is a desirable place for individuals to live.

Who's role is it anyway

Babatunde Fashola Governor of Lagos state Nigeria caused so much traffic back up while trying to arrest traffic offenders.

This picture illustrates a ludicrous act demonstrated by the "esteemed" Governor of Lagos state Nigeria Babatunde Fashola.  In Nigeria some drivers choose to disobey the traffic lanes that are clearly designated for buses (BRT lanes in Lagos) and other commercial vehicles. Babatunde Fashola, in his ever infinite wisdom, decided to take the law into his own hands and pull over some military officials for misusing the (BRT) commercial vehicle lane. While I am not supporting the misuse of the lane, is this really the role of the Governor of Lagos state?

I am concerned that Governor Babatunde Fashola feels that he is now in charge of enforcing the traffic laws. I ask you...is this the best use of the Governor's time and power? I am concerned that this is how the Governor chooses to spend his time. Of equal concern is the fact that the Governor feels this is his role. Why is he not out meeting with his constituents, why is he not meeting with lawmakers, or better yet why is he not advocating for the critical changes that need to be made in Lagos state?

I am going to take a bold step today and call out those who have supported this action. I was frankly shocked to see the level of support that Governor Babatunde Fashola has received regarding this action. I ask those of you supporting his action to truly analyze what you believe to be the role of the Lagos state Governor. Nothing will change if Nigerians continue to have such a narrow scope of expectations. It is time to vision change and evolution. It is essential that to champion change the public hold their leaders accountable for advocating for and actualizing change. At the risk of stating the obvious...I don't believe that enforcing traffic laws necessitates revolutionary change and evolution.

Goodluck Jonathan... The law breaker

I am truly at a loss for words with respect to this response - “Asset Declaration is voluntary, I don’t give a damn what any one feel about it" Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan. The asset declaration is a policy tool adopted by the Nigerian people to ensure that public corruption doesn't occur. Apparently, President Goodluck Jonathan doesn't give a damn about protecting, defending and most importantly following the constitutionality of the Nigerian government.

                                Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan being sworn into office

What is wrong with him? A law is a law is a law. If he doesn't like the law then work to change it. It is not okay to simply ignore a law or worse yet openly defy it. What type of role model are you Goodluck Jonathan? You have lost all credibility (not sure how much you still had left). You might as well have opened the gates to greed, crime and corruption in Nigeria. If you choose not to follow the laws...how do you expect anyone else to? Oh that's right you operate under the premise of "Do as I say not as I do." A true leader with outstanding credibility.

So Enamored with Himself

This is a political manifesto if I have ever seen one from Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Nigeria: Hear Governor Okorocha:

 "wondered why some children still hawk during school hours despite the state free education programme and construction of 305 model schools in the 305 political wards in Imo". http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89214:imo-drops-six-commissioners-recalls-sacked-teachers&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

While there are many problems with this statement, the biggest one is that it is a blatant lie. See disclaimer from well informed Ndi Imo thereafter:

"I wish to state here that THERE is NO model school built or renovated in my ward, Assa Town in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government as claimed by the governor. Except such is built this morning. If such is the case, it means the governor is economical with the truth. Has LIES become an act of governance?" - Joel Nwokeoma  https://www.facebook.com/#!/joel.nwokeoma/posts/10150952561780750

What I am most disturbed by is the fact that Governor Okorocha would think that he could get by with this lie. Does he not think that this can be proven false? Does he truly believe that his constituents are so enamored with him that they would never check his statements? I am truly worried about someone who is so arrogant and feels that it is okay to lie about this. If he is comfortable lying about a matter that is so matter of fact, what else is he lying about?

Let's send a message to Governor Rochas Okorocha that Ndi Imo elected a governor and not a messiah, and wouldn't tolerate a lying governor.

Hush Money

Ref: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/anti-graft-lawmaker-accused-taking-bribe#.T9SAuHFLUiE.twitter

                                         Congressman Farouk Lawan (Left) & Femi Otedola

Today I write to you with a new development yet it oddly seems to be the same story...just a different day. We all recall the debacle regarding the oil subsidy, the national uprising, the strikes, etc. Well amid all of this uproar what was Congressman Rep. Farouk Lawan doing? One could reasonably expect that during this time he was working to bring about a peaceful, workable solution to ensure the subsidy be put back into place to bring about resolve for the citizens of Nigeria. Unfortunately...no! He was too busy lining his own pockets rather than advocating for the citizens he represents.  He was approached by the oil executives and decided that it was the right thing for him to extort this problem for personal gain. Rather than exposing the oil executives for who they are, he decided to "take the money and run." He cashed in on $600, 000 USD (about N96 million Nigeria naira)  of hush money to protect the oil company from being exposed. An obvious, yet extremely simplistic question that pops into my mind regarding this is..."What the hell is wrong with you?" or "Who does that?"

At least a redeeming quality here is that his conscious got the best of him and he quickly turned the money back over and reported the situation to his fellow congressmen. Actually, no! The way this was discovered is that an oil executive by name Femi Otedola  testify in the Nigeria senate alleging the bribery and naming names to let them know what happened. The plan for the money was that Congressmen Rep. Farouk Lawan was supposed to use the money to bribe his governmental cronies to cover up the results of the oil company investigation. Congressmen Rep. Farouk Lawan, instead became greedy and pocketed all the money.

Well...at least he admitted to it right away. Once again...no! He lied until he received enough pressure and the evidence was too much against him. Not until he was faced with this reality did he come forward. This story is despicable at best. Where is the justice for our governmental officials? Hold him accountable. He is not above the law!

As in America there are a few names that come to mind. Blagojevich, Madoff, Libby, Hecker. These names are among an "elite" list of corrupt individuals. While the American justice system is not always a beacon of excellence, all of these individuals faced justice. They are now all serving time for the corrupt acts they committed. Two of these individuals were government officials. It doesn't matter, the American justice system took the right action against them regardless of their status. It is essential that the Nigerian government make an example out of this individuals. Make them pay for their actions. This is the only way to curb the corruption that exists in Nigeria.