Raped and Buried Alive-isn't our World Sick?

                                                What could she have done so wrong?

This simply expresses the wickedness of Man to Man. A world and Nation devoid of acts like this is very possible, it begins with you.

After seeing this video, i hope you will play your part by helping to support the Campaign against Local Terrorism, Violence and Jungle Justice

Simplyb like www.facebook.com/youcalt and follow on twitter @youcalt_ng

Remember, the need to make the world a better place for you offsprings rests solely on you...IF YOU DON'T, WHO WILL?

YouCALT: Healing our World, Securing our Generation.

Kick Out The Hypocrites; Re-thinking Globalization in Developing Economies

 Preamble

Once upon a time, the leading car maker of a developing country exported its first passenger cars to the US. Up to that day, the little company had only made shoddy products-poor quality items made by richer countries. The car was nothing too sophisticated-just a cheap subcompact (one could have called it ‘four wheels and an ashtray’). But it was a big moment for the country and its exporters felt proud.

Unfortunately, the product failed. Most thought the little car looked lousy and savvy buyers were reluctant to spend serious money on a family car that came from a place where only second-rate products were made. The car had to be withdrawn from the US market.

This disaster led to a major debate among the country’s citizens. Many argued that the company should have stuck its original business of making simple textile machinery. After all, the country’s biggest export item was silk. If the company could not make good cars after 25 years of trying, there was no future for it. The government had given the car maker every opportunity to succeed. It had ensured high profits for it at home through high tariffs and draconian controls on foreign investment in the car industry. Fewer than ten years ago, it even gave public money to save the company from imminent bankruptcy. So, the critics argued, foreign cars should now be let in freely and foreign car makers, who had been kicked out 20 years before, allowed to set up shop again.Others disagreed. They argued that no country had got anywhere without developing ‘serious’ industries like automobile production.They just needed time to make cars that appealed to everyone.

The year was 1958 and the country was, in fact, Japan.

The company was Toyota, and the car was called Toyopet.

Toyotep now Toyota

Toyota: What They Won't Tell You
Toyota started out as a manufacturer of textile machinery (Toyoda Automatic Loom) and moved into car production in 1933.

The Japanese government kicked out General Motors and Ford in 1939 and bailed out Toyota with money from the Central Bank (Bank of Japan) in 1949.

Today, Japanese cars are considered as ‘natural’ as Scottish salmon or French wine, but fewer than 50 years ago, most people, including many Japanese, thought the Japanese car industry simply should not exist.

(Culled from 'Bad Samaritans' by Ha-Joon Chang)

Prado by Toyota

The Issues

On Wednesday 2nd October, 2013, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the National Automotive Policy (NAP) in a bid to stop the importation of fairly used (Tokunboh) cars into Nigeria.

According to the Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga, "in 2012 about $3.4 billion (N550 billion) was spent by Nigerians importing cars while in 2010, the sum of $4.2 billion (N670 billion) was spent, indicating that car import takes the biggest share of the country's foreign reserves followed by other machinery."

Research has it that if Nigeria shuts its doors to 'Tokunbo' (used cars) alone, it will ensure the creation of minimum of 700,000 jobs in the auto industry!

He further explained that the new policy followed nine months of work with input from the National Automotive Council and foreign car manufacturing giants like Toyota and Nissan that are to announce their specific investments in Nigeria soon. Aganga outlined the highpoints of the new policy to include the establishment of three (3) automotive clusters in Lagos/Ogun; Kaduna/Kano; and Anambra/Enugu states to share resources and reduce cost of investments, as well as the development and revival of the petrochemical and metal/steel sectors and the tyre manufacturing industry to support the automotive sector.

Furthermore, appropriate tariff regimes to discourage car imports and encourage local manufacture will be put in place while government will continue taking the lead in patronage of locally made vehicles. If things go as planned, Banks will be encouraged to operate Vehicle Purchase Schemes (VPS) to enable Nigerians purchase cars on easy terms and the FRSC will kick off a new vehicle car registration/tracking system in the next two weeks to check the smuggling of used cars into the country.

My Concerns
Let me start by commending the Federal Government and the Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga, for this BOLD policy intervention. However, more needs to be done in this regard.

Here's my question: 'Is it not time for the FG to kick out ALL foreign car manufacturers (who are importing cars) in Nigeria and provide incentives for INFANT car manufacturers like IVM (Inosson Vehicle Manufacterers based in Nnewi, Anambra state) to GROW to the level of its global competitiors like Toyota, Ford etal?

History is laden with proven facts that ALL rich countries, without ANY exception, all applied some form of PROTECTIONIST policies to their INFANT industries during their infancy. The economic principles of FREE trade, division of labour and comparative advantage etal only came into existence AFTER these once-protected industries have grown over time and needed no protection again.

The Toyota story shared above is another proof of this perspective.

History has indicted the United Kingdom and United States of hatching the greatest folly about 'globalization' and mposing it (especially) on developing nations. By preaching the gospel that 'There Is No Alternative' to FREE trade is, not only an indictment on the UK and US but, akin to economic crimes. Since its no longer news that there were several forms of 'protectionist' policies from ALL rich nations, so their insistence on neo-liberal principles is a hoax. By adopting anti-free trade policies that prospered them (rich nations) in the past but discouraging developing economies from toeing the same path, it appears the UK & US are 'kicking off the ladder' of prosperity from the rest of the world.

There is no gainsaying that sheer greed and hypocrisy, on the part of the West, and conspiracy of African leaders and elites have further divided our world and dragged us up along dangerous paths. There is no longer nothing UNITED about the United Nations; nothing COMMON about the Commonwealth and nothing UNITING about the Africa Union. The developing economies need a new world-order.

In order to chart a new course and re-write our common history, governments and policy makers in the developing world need to be more proactive and sensitive to the insincerity of the developed economies.

Back To The Point
A brand new jeep locally made in Nnewi by IVM costs N3.5M ($21,875) while its contemporaries made in Europe and America cost almost twice the same amount. So it is not wise for anyone to attempt to import at higher price.

(For more details about IVM, kindly anvigate to http://innosonivm.com/en/About.Asp?ID=1)

IVM6490A Jeep; made in Nigeria

I know many Nigerians will be quick to ask me if 'buying a car from a local car manufacturer is not a huge risk'. Well, so also was it a huge risk some 5 decades ago in Japan! Need I say more to enumerate the impact of what $3.4 billion (N550 billion) - spent on cars by Nigerians in 2012- would have on our economy? Your guess is as good as mine.

A peep into IVM factory

Lastly, I would love to close this essay with an excerpt of the King's Address made by the former British Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, to the UK Parliament in 1721:

'... it is evident that nothing so much contributes to promote public well-being as the exportation of MANUFACTURED goods and the importation of foreign RAW materials'

I hope we can imbibe this common sense. I would rather buy a Made-In-Nigeria IVM car that will keep breaking down than a foreign brand that took over 5-8 decades to perfect.

Let's remember that the best way to achieve the future we want, in Africa and Nigeria, is to create it. . . We are the CHANGE that we SEEK; we are the ones we've been WAITING for!

God bless Nigeria!



About the AUTHOR
‘Wale Salami is a seasoned international development professional, a community organizer and a highly sought-after speaker. follow him on twitter @walesalami

Remember the ALUU4? The need to SAY NO TO VIOLENCE

"The glory of young Men is said to be in their strength, that of Old folks is in their grey hair"

About a year ago, in the Aluu community, Port Harcourt, 4 young and vibrant Nigerians were denied the opportunity to live out the aforementioned Biblical injunction when their lives were gruesomely snuffed out in a manner that the word barbaric is too subtle to describe.

 

 

Lloyd Mike, Ugonna Obuzor, Tekena Erikena and Bringa Chidiaka were wrongly accused and burnt to death by a community where they ought to find refuge, peace and security. The perpetrators, who were (may be still are) inhabitants of the said community threw caution to the wind as they gloried in the euphoria of 'meting out justice', but then, is this the way to go? Wouldn't you rather SAY NO TO JUNGLE JUSTICE?

 

And they burnt them like animals......

 

In a similar fashion, exactly a month after the Aluu killings, 4 young men were burnt alive on Vono Street, Mushin, Lagos. These incidents gradually seem to be 'normal recurrences' and Nigerians are getting used to seeing such sights without blinkering.

 

                       SAY NO TO JUNGLE JUSTICE....like www.facebook.com/youcalt

The ‘Civilian populace’ isn’t just the only party that has ‘enjoyed’ this evil feast over time, the Military and Para-military also take pleasure in depriving innocent individuals of the most important fundamental human right-the right to Live. If you doubt that, then ask them what happened at Apo?

The question I ask is this, if we as a Nation continue to deprive the vibrant generation of life as a result of a highly decayed Justice system, then what hope lies in the future we aspire to be? The blame shouldn’t be on the government alone, Nigerians must begin to appreciate the fact that “Justice without force is impotent, Force without Justice is tyranny”

We must begin to take seriously the value that life holds. On our part ( www.facebook.com/youcalt ), we are working on an Anti-Lynching bill, already completed, proposed to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and possibly ratification.

We hereby declare 5th October as a “NO TO JUNGLE JUSTICE DAY” in honor of the ALUU4.

Rest on Lloyd, Ugonna, Tekena and Chidiaka.

Support this cause, like www.facebook.com/youcalt to lend your voice

 

Tweet and Share this if its worth it

Aluta continua!!!

Slaughtered Like A Goat: Religion Vs Commonsense

I do not know where to begin from or how to put this, but as an objective individual, and one who strives to be totally devoid of bias, I would like to straighten some 'personal facts' here.

1. I still believe, up to this time, that Islam preaches peace.

2. I have very wonderful Muslim friends and family, many of whom have gone the extra mile for me.

Now to you my reader, please be open minded as much as you can be as you go through this piece, at the end, I will appreciate your thoughts via comment.

(say NO TO VIOLENCE, Like www.facebook.com/youcalt)

The Video going viral  and making many begin to ask questions that we have asked a million times over; Is Islam truly a religion of Peace?

The said video, available here above (please do not open if you can't stand the sight) showed a a female SSS agent (as reported) been slaughtered by members of Boko Haram.

This has started raising a lot of dust and elements of hatred and anger, but my question is, where should this Anger be directed?

A) Government
B) Muslims
C) Other

As an African with maximum respect for the dignity of human life, and as one who democratically believes in the right of every individual to LIVE and let others live, I will pass my own blame on the government. Government in this case is YOU and I.


(say NO TO VIOLENCE, Like www.facebook.com/youcalt)

Let me make this clear to all and sundry, It is said that "to whom a Brain is given, Commonsense is expected", therefore, commonsense dictates that 'RELIGION IS MADE FOR MAN' and not vice-versa. To this end, it is expedient that we begin to look more inward to correct these ills so they don't become norms.

Conclusively, the fight against terrorism and violence shouldn't be one against a religion, nor a tribe irrespective of their socio-cultural affiliation. The onus is on us as a people to start from our homes, I believe we can get through this as a people. Let there be LOVE shared among us, and PEACE in our heart.

Remember, if it will be good, it is up to 'US', join in this WALK for PEACE, saying NO TO VIOLENCE and killings

Like www.facebook.com/youcalt

Let's together heal our World, Let's Secure our Generation.

LETTER TO GOVERNOR SUNTAI

Your Excellency,

I write as a concerned Nigerian, and more as one who believes in the tenets of Democracy, a system of Government which we are assumed to be practicing.

Before I divulge my real intent of writing you, let me first wish you a ‘miraculous’, complete recovery. I said miraculous because, as a student of the science discipline, I understand that the major injuries you sustained about 10 months ago were inflicted on your ‘terminally differentiated cells’ (TDCs). These are cells that can never make a complete recovery after been injured. Unfortunately Sir, all TDCs are connected with the nervous system, and this explains why you have lost coordination and partial control over parts of your body. I know you understand this very much as professionals in Germany and the USA must have fully explained to you.

 

Now to the real issue. Taking into cognizance your state of health, Sir, I sincerely feel it will be a heroic act on your path to just throw in the towel. The people who are clamoring and urging you to hold on to power are so doing because of selfish interest. Maybe you haven’t heard before, but, “Power is like sand, the more you tighten your hold on it, the more you loose it”.

Sir, can you sincerely answer these. If you are to contest any election in your current state, even a street association election, can you win? Can you truly in your physical and mental state of health pilot the affairs of Taraba State the way you really wanted? If your answers are NO, then it’s time to LET GO Sir, it is time be a true leader who will confront issues and address them the way they should be, it’s time to sacrifice pride and greed on the altar of progress and prosperity for the good of Taraba, Sir, it’s time to be a true servant leader who respects the wish of the electorates.

I will admonish you not to fall into the error of many African leaders, take a cue from the great Madiba: leave when the ovation is loudest.

 

 

Please do not allow yourself to be dragged into constitutional war, creating confusion among the people you swore to faithfully and loyally govern. Sir, do not be caught in the web of ‘Power drunks’…………IT IS TIME TO LET GO.

I wish you will read and digest this, hoping you see through my sincere intents.

Whilst looking forward to seeing you make the right decision, I wish to reiterate my commitment to the advancement of our democracy and the service of Fatherland.

Yours faithfully,

Akinte Raphael Abiodun

(Securing our Generation)

Okada ban spree; The Benin Version

"I do not know how I will pull through with this; my Daughter in Auchi Poly is yet to be through, my Son in Uniben is in 500Level. When this ban takes effect, how do I cater for them both?"

As our Nation grapples with the inconsistencies of Government policies in all sector of our National life, it is pertinent for these Demagogues to understand the basic principles that makes a society fit for living-the basic needs of Man.

The opening quote, more of a lamentation than a complain, was the plight of a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider in Benin. Boarding his bike on Saturday to convey me to where I was putting up in the 'City', the Old Man, apparently not aware he was talking so loud to no one in particular, started recounting how he has been able to see his Children to the level they are, and the looming tragedy that may become their fate as undergraduates.

The banning of Okada in Benin City (just as in Lagos), am not saying is a bad policy, but the ban became outrageous when it was announced to be 'total', that is, no Okada is to be allowed on any street in the City of Benin. Much as I respect the Comrade Governor whom I have met and spoke with a couple of times, I strongly hold a differing view on the pronounced ban of Okada in Benin which is to take effect from Monday, 18th of June, 2013.

Comrade Governor Sir, I do not know if you have considered the following questions, problems, and already have answers and solutions to them;

Firstly, what will become the fate of the People who depends on these Bikers for their livelihood? (Though I was told more Cabs and 'Comrade buses' are to be introduced, but will this curb the immediate unemployment and tension that will be generated?

Secondly, how many roads in the inner parts of the City are actually motorable? The introduction of the Tricycle will thoroughly fall short of a solution to the problems that will be generated.

Thirdly, from my calculation, I project that the productivity in all sectors will greatly decrease. The policy makers should understand that a viable and thriving economy has one of its life wire to be efficient transportation; how many workers in Benin have access to sound means of transportation, even with improved 'major roads'.

I know some Students of Uniben whose place of residence is over a kilometre away from School, and their only means of transport is Okada. Is our amiable Governor saying these Students should revisit the ancient means of transportation since the access roads of Ekosodi and BDPA are not motorable? The fact that Benin is regarded as an "ancient City" shouldn't make these Students have a taste of the medieval era.    ff @Akinteraphael

MY OPINION
www.google.comA true leader is one who is humble enough to revert totally, or compromise a decision made when there are obvious reasons to do so. Comrade Governor Sir, why not take after your Compatriot in Lagos, go ahead and ban Okada on 'Major roads' but allow them operate within inner Streets. That way, the populace will appreciate your sincerity in protecting their lives, and also see you as a benevolent leader.

I hope our dear Governor takes this, and prevent the many problems that could hitherto be generated by the proposed ban.

Oh! Its time to leave for Lagos.

ff@Akinteraphael

God bless Edo State.

God bless Nigeria.

 

POLICE- The Emerging Nightmare Of The Nigerian Student

Justice without force is impotent; Force without justice is tyranny"

The joy of every old generation should, basically, be to see the younger generation flourishing. That of all Parents is to have Children that will cater for them at old age. These precepts, I understand, are norms in a sane society, one that is truly egalitarian and upholds the principle of fairness.

As the University of Benin Students' Union continue to demand and probe the killing of one of the Institution's Student by the Police, tragedy struck again, this time in Akwa Ibom where Men of the Nigerian Police allegedly shot at Students. Four NANS comrades were lost in what was described as a mysterious accident on their way to Akwa Ibom to intervene in the Police-Students face-off.

The two incidents described in the above paragraph really gives one a cause to worry. Is it one of the agenda of the Police force to continually oppress and brutalize Nigerian Students? The Nigerian Police has constantly and continually apply force without thinking of justice. Isn't it said that "to whom a brain is given, commonsense is expected"? Here is what the Amnesty International has to say about the Police:

"Police operations remained characterized by human rights violations. Hundreds of people were unlawfully killed, often before or during arrests on the street. Others were tortured to death in police detention. Many such unlawful killings may have constituted extrajudicial executions. Many people disappeared from police custody. Few police officers were held accountable, leaving relatives of those killed or disappeared without justice. Police increasingly wore plain clothes or uniforms without identification, making it much harder for people to complain about individual officers."

Can we still then believe in the cliché 'Police is your Friend'?

So many questions beg for answers, but then, shall we just fold our arms and continually mourn our loved ones? This is a clarion call to Government at all levels, and every citizenry of this great Nation, to put heads together and bring about the much needed reforms in the Police force.

To all NANS executives, may God give you the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. RIP Comrade Donald and Co.

If the Police constantly, directly or indirectly, terminate the lives of the productive population, then who will Secure our Generation?

The immediate challenge therefore is, what are the necessary reforms needed in the Nigerian Police?

Aluta Continua
Justa Costa
Victoria Acerta

THINGS FALL APART AS THESE MEN ARE LEAVING

"...Our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.".... Chinua Achebe

Death, we know is an inevitable end, a phenomenon common to all Humans irrespective of social status. Before I proceed, let me quickly clarify one thing; 'this piece is not written to mourn Chinua'. In my own opinion, Achebe should be celebrated because he lived a worthy life.

Hmmm.....that said, there is actually cause for us, myself especially, to mourn. So, if I am not mourning the literary collosus, then, who/what am I mourning?

In the last few years, our Nation has lost most of her versatile and 'true' leaders and 'World figures' such as Gani Fawehinmi and his likes, and now Chinua Achebe. This situation has increasingly expose Nigerians to serpentine leaders, who are not just primaveral in their thinking but also insouciance to the well being of our Nation. (ff @akinralph11)

As the generation of the Achebes and their likes gradually phases out, the question is, does the current generation of Youths have the wherewithal to step into the shoes of these great giants? I saw on twitter how #thingsfallapart is trending World over. When are we going to have another Achebe, another Gani? From my introductory quote, it is note worthy that the present crop of leaders are doing just that......they are putting a knife on the things that hold our NIGERIA together (Economy, Education, Social Infrastructures,Politics etc) and now, things are falling apart. (ff @akinralph11). Who will SECURE OUR GENERATION?

It is very disheartening that our present generation of Young Men and Women prefer to seek other means of attaining Fame and amassing wealth, many of which are crooked. This is leading us to a pool of intellectual bankruptcy; little wonder the President and his aides (Reuben Abati most especially) could insult the intellectual capacity of Nigerians at will with their 'white lies' and verbal recklessness.

As Youths of this Nation, the onus is on us as a people and as individuals to restore the Nigerian glory....the days when #1 equalled $2, when every Nigerian could afford 3 square meals, the days of FREE education etc. The wealth of this Nation can gracefully see all these through, but, who will go for us? Who will secure our generation so that things will eventually not fall apart?

I must not fail to pay my respect to the great Man at the centre of this piece, Prof Chinua Achebe. Rest on Sir, the World is missing you already. May light perpetual shine upon you.

In all, let's remember, there is the need for us to Secure our Generation even as these great MEN ARE LEAVING.

Adieu Achebe!!!
Long live Nigeria!!!

Akinte Raphael Abiodun
Securing our Generation
(ff @akinralph11)

A NATION SITTING ON A TIME BOMB

I greet you with lowliness of mind and profound alacrity....

Sometimes I just sit and ponder on the kind of future that awaits our Children, a generation which we are meant to secure. But then, it grieves me to recall that our present crop of leaders are those this Nation's treasury was judiciously expended on in the 70s.

I was made to understand that the first student oriented ALUTA in this Nation took place in 1973 because the students were served Turkey instead of. Chicken. If this is true, then shouldn't the present crop of Nigerian Students cum UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS burn down this Nation as a result of inhumane educational and economic policies? I laughed in Swahili when I discovered that the Minister of Education was a former SUG President. Need I say that this sheep in wolves clothing know exactly, the degree of pain they are causing an average Nigerian Student...if u are one of their relatives, tell them they are sitting on a TIME BOMB whose adverse effect will be greater than that of a nuclear reactor.

Maybe you do not understand my pains yet....80% of graduates will continually be jobless even with increasing economic breakthroughs. Permit me to furnish you with this:

According to a recent publication, about 67million Nigerian Youths are jobless while 80 per cent of them do not possess a university degree. Coincidentally the poverty level in Nigeria is rising with almost 100 million people living on less than $1 a day despite strong growth. The two indexes is enough testimony that Nigeria is in for real volcanic migraine headache...then the question is, why won't terrorism thrive? With Ansaru and Boko Haram, and the percentage of unemployed Youths, then Nigeria is truly a Nation sitting on a time bomb.

Ironically the official unemployed Nigerian Youth today, March 2013, is higher than the populations of 18 countries in Africa (67,915,039) put together: Cape Verde (429,474), Mauritius (1,281,214), Sierra Leone (5,867,536), Lesotho (2,171,318), Sao Tome (159,883), Rwanda (10,624,005), Burundi, 8,382,849, Gambia (1,728,394), Togo, (6,027,798), Mauritania (3,459,773), Namibia (2,283,289), Equatorial Guinea (700,401), Djibouti (888,716), Liberia (3,994,122), Guinea (9,981,590), Swaziland (1,186,056), Benin Republic (8,662,086), and Seychelles (86,525).

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Monday, February 13, 2012 indicated that while Nigeria economy could be growing it has been projected that the poverty level is likely to get worse as the gap between the affluent Nigerians and the majority poor Nigerians continues to broaden.
Ironically North-East and North-West, where the Boko Haram sect originated, 76.3% and 77.7% poverty level respectively. Sokoto score is 71.5% and Niger States with 71.5%, topped the list of the poorest states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Does this not point to you and me that our Nation is SITTING ON A TIME BOMB?


Every now and then, we keep decrying the killings of innocent Nigerians such as witnessed in the Kano bomb blast, yet we refuse, as a Nation and as a people to tackle the root cause of all these menace...POVERTY.


Greatest Nigerian Students, Scholars and Activists!!! From the aforesaid, it is glaring that the gap between Aso Rock and Ajegunle will continue to widen, that the one between the Presidency and our common streets may never be abridged. This will continually spell a doom for our Nation if not addressed.Some Families are been affected today, it could be anyone's tomorrow. Our Nation is sitting on a time bomb, WILL YOU COME TO THE RESCUE?


Solidarity Forever!!!!

Akinte Raphael Abiodun
Securing our Generation