A Nation at 50

A Nation at 50 Ayodele Samuel Senior correspondent At this historical moment and time, Nigeria makes a replication of the time when Israel was in the wilderness. Though the journey was tough then, Israel knew with certainty that she was heading for the Promised Land - Canaan , Sadly, Nigeria does not yet know where her own destination lies even at 50. After 50 years of political independence, Nigeria still gropes in the dark; walking without a definite direction, it is pathetic as the world daily watches the acclaimed giant of Africa helplessly moving about with the whirlwind of unfortunate circumstances. The Nigeria experience 50 years ago indeed has been a story of lamentation on all sides. Visions and targets set for development by our founding fathers 50 years ago have all woefully failed. And yet there is no end in sight to further failure. As the nations begins another journey the nation certainly needs a way forward, a break through from a nation where poverty reigns supreme in the midst of plenty: a country that is known for production of; and renown for export of crude oil but import refined and finished petroleum products to the detriment of its economic and political progress; a country where N17bn is set aside to celebrate her 50th independent anniversary at the expense of the masses that are denied basic necessities of life. A country where 70 percent of it citizen live below 150 naira per day but awarded more than 70 percent of its annual budget to salaries and allowances of political office holders . It is no more news that basic infrastructures in the country are in deplorable conditions. No good roads, no basic educational structures, our hospitals have become transit point to mortuary due to inadequate health care facilities. Unemployment is increasing as the economy gets worse. Industries have closed down due to unabated high cost of production as a result of unreliable power supply As we celebrate years of independence, think of when we shall get out of this shameful situation wickedly imposed on us by selfish leaders over the years, what is the way forward? We should use this moment to reflect soberly on achieving the true Nigeria dream, both the leaders and lead must reflect soberly on the state of the nation,; we can’t continue to be led by visionless leaders, who neither have the mental capacity nor patriotic desire to move the country forward. At this moment Nigerians must wake up from their slumber to reality. 2011 is a year Nigerians must decide on true leadership. It is a year Nigerians must vote and ensure that their votes are not counted for the wrong candidates. It is a year to tell the wicked, self imposed leaders to go into political oblivion; it is a year to rescue our country from the visionless and corrupt leaders while they bow out shamefully. for a Nation like Nigeria to be great again it will start from somewhere mostly important which is credible, transparence and elective election, when their is a free, fair election, we must all we lay our hands on the plough afresh towards building a nation we can all be proud of in OUR GENERATION!

CHEERING NEWS FROM THE MANUTACTURING SECTOR

CHEERING NEWS FROM THE MANUTACTURING SECTOR When President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office some months ago, he inherited a deplorable industrial sector especially, the deteriorating state of infrastructural facilities which had crippled economic activities in the sector. LEADERSHIP Industry Correspondent AYODELE SAMUEL writes on efforts of government to reposition and to repair the damage caused by many years of neglect with consequent toll on the economy. No doubt the first two decades following Nigeria ’s independence in 1960 remains the glorious period in the nation’s history. During this period, several sectors of the economy experienced unequalled vibrancy. The period contributed significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP). The manufacturing sector played a significant role in stabilizing the engine of the nation’s economic development in terms of employment, export and agriculture which serves as source of foreign exchange earnings. Between1970 to1980 according to statistics, the manufacturing sector alone contributed between 11 - 9.9 percent to the nation’s GDP respectively. Recent figure released by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has shown that the manufacturing sector contributes only four percent of the nation’s GDP while Industrial Capacity Utilization has dropped to about 28 percent. Currently, many local industries have continued to operate under very severe economic and environmental conditions such as poor energy, poor infrastructure facilities including bad road network, lack of access to funds and high interest rates on bank loans while those that cannot endure the economic hardship close shops. Professor Eric Chiedum Eboh, a Policy Economist and a business researcher said for Nigeria to achieve its economic targets and development objectives it requires the right business environment to nurture a competitive and dynamic private sector. These indices have been a headache to manufactures and government itself. This was what led to the convergence of the meeting between government and stakeholders to find lasting solution to the problems facing the nation’s industrial sector. It is on record that government through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been tackling these problems on many fronts by bringing both private and public sectors together to discuss the way forward in the commerce and industry sector. In May this year, the Ministry had met with NACCIMA, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN, and other stakeholders in the sector to fashion out possible solution to the problems facing the sector. Also, the problems of the nation’s industrial sector was on the front burner at the meeting of the National Council of Commerce and Industry, the highest policy decision making body in the sector which held in Kano from May 17-21, 2010. This led to the formation of a committee to develop a 10 year National Strategic Industrial Development Master Plan (NSIDMP) to provide the roadmap for industrial development in Nigeria . This committee is headed by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Ms. Josephine Tapgun while the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Emem Wills Wilcox is the alternate Chairman. During this interaction with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye pointed out that the purpose of the meeting with the Organized Private Sector was to harvest their views on the challenges facing the sector as well as to find possible ways to alleviate the problems. According to him “I know where the shoe pinches and I know that the mandate of this ministry is to remove all obstacles, stumbling blocks and barriers in the pursuit of Commerce and Industry and our tasks here is to support you.” He pointed out that most of the challenges that were facing the sector did not reside with his ministry; therefore the ministry has to interface with other ministries and agencies of government such as the Ministries of Finance, Petroleum, Power and the Nigeria customs Services and CBN to tackle the problems. These interface with other ministries and agencies have started yielding results. The N500 billion revival funds for the industrial sector which led to the disbursement of N150 billion to the real sector was initiated by the ministry in 2009 and the present Minister followed it up for it to come on stream. On the assurance the Ministry gave to manufacturers on special prices for Low Pure Fuel Oil (LPFO) which was one of the concerns raised at the meeting with the Minister, the Ministry of Petroleum has facilitated unfettered access to LPFO by manufacturers. Action has been stepped up on the 100 billion bailout funds for the textile industry, through the Bank of Industry (BOI), to enable more moribund textile companies to access the loans on one digit rate interest through the arrangement work out by BOI. With efforts to tackle the illegal check-points that dot the Seme border route and various ports which have been the entry points for illegal imports into the country, a 21 – man Task Force on Trade Facilitation in Nigeria headed by the ministry’s Ag. Director Trade Mr. David Adejuwon has been set up, comprising members from Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Transport and Finance, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Quarantine Service (NOS) Nigeria Police, CBN and National Association of Clearing and Forwarding among others. The Taskforce was on an assessment tour of infrastructure needs at the border posts recently to harmonize various activities of the agencies at the posts. This is to ensure compliance with multilateral and regional decisions on trade facilitation. In the course of their assignment, it was discovered that out of the over 30 government agencies currently operating at the borders and ports, only few are legal. The National Sugar Development Council in collaboration with the Ministry has flagged off the delivery of input loans and credits to members of 40 out-growers Association in conjunction with Bank PHB, the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Agricultural Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NAIC). Also the Ministry has provided new guidelines for companies granted approval to import unfortified raw Sugar for Industrial use on packaging and labeling of their products as well as to ensure at least 70% local contents in National Sugar consumption by 2015. The council recently developed up a National Sugar Master Plan that will foster new investment and help existing investment in the sector to consolidate. Also, the Ministry through the Bank of Industry (BOI) has approved N58 Billion for 675 small enterprises to guarantee the utilization of raw materials, especially agricultural produce, generate employment, increase export potentials, promote MSMs by women as well as deepen bank’s credit delivery process through lending to cooperative groups under collective guaranteed arrangement. In a bid to sustain continuity of policy and programme of the Ministry the Minister has given his support for the Campaign for Patronage of Made in Nigeria Products. The Ministry is also collaborating with Common Fund for Commodity (CFC) on the provision of prototype cassava processing plant. Another Cassava Processing Factory was commissioned by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad at Angwa Nungu Village of Lafia, Nasarawa State in July 2010 adding to the two prototypes already commissioned in Masaka and Kuje both in Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State respectively. Also, CFC granted Nigeria Palm oil project an estimated $4,611,040 meant to improve the income generating potential of oil palm in West and Central African region ( Nigeria and Cameroon ). The project was meant to benefit small-scale palm oil processors operating inefficiently, with limited market access or ability to effectively participate in palm oil domestic and national supply chains. The project will improve on existing technologies and provide skills training (technical) for operators and business skills for management staff. The Ministry has shown the zeal to promote development of industrialization by sustenance of Government Backward Integration policy on cement through cancellation of all un-utilized cement import licenses issued from 2002 - 2008. This measure was reached in collaboration with stakeholders in the cement sub-sector after it was confirmed that there was substantial increment in the capacity of local manufacturers of cement in Nigeria . This measure is primarily aimed at accelerating the growth of local capacities as well as providing possibilities for eventual export of cement products to other African states and beyond. In view of the above, and to achieve the much desired self-sufficiency in local manufacturing of cement, create employment and value addition,government has issued new cement import licenses to investors that have committed resources to local production of cement. The new import licenses cover the period of 1st July to 31st December 2010. It is imperative to note that government granted license to existing and new entrants into cement in 2008 in a bid to bridge the shortfall and ensure a decline in the price of the commodity in Nigeria . The new entrants were BUA Group, Madewell, Reagan Reinassance, Minaj, Lababidi and NICA. They were granted license to import 500,000 tonnes of cement each with option of bulk, jumbo or 50kg bag cement. BUA Group used its allocation on bulk cement while others like Madewell and Minaj did 50,000 tonnes each, Reagan did 20,000 while Lababidi and NICA did not utilize their allocation. This non-utilization and under utilization by new entrants added to the problem of shortfall in cement supply in the country. Local production of cement in 2009 stood at 8.5 million while the shortfall was 8million tones which government bridged with import. With new investment and expansion of lines by cement manufacturers, local capacity projection for 2010 is 11 million tones while the remaining balance will be imported by those who have shown commitment in local production. Government has tried to encourage genuine local investors in the cement sub-sector by granting them license to import bulk cement for bagging at their facilities but no group or individual under the guise of operator should hold government responsible for their failure to grasp the rare opportunities provided to them by government to participate in the sector. However, public commentators have been analyzing the significance of this government action in boasting local production of cement. MAN Director-General, Mr. Jide Mike described the move to re-introduce the Cement Backward Integration policy as a positive one that would enhance local capacity production and eventually significantly reduce the price of cement in the country. By the move, he said the federal government has displayed its commitment to the survival of the real sector of the economy, which has almost been extinguished by faulty policies and the harsh environment of the past years. Commending the government on the backward integration policy, which became effective in 2002 and has significantly boosted the local manufacturing capacity, he said the era of overtly relying on imported cement is over as local production now exceeds the imported cement. Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria CMAN Engineer Joseph Makoju while commending the action the government explained that that by the end of 2011, Lafarge Cement WAPCO will have rolled out its new plant at Lakatabu Ogun State; Dangote Group would have commissioned the Ibeshe plant and doubled capacity at the Obajana factory and Benue Cement Company, all of which will increase the local production of cement above 20million metric tonnes per annum. Makoju also stressed that the rising output from the various local cement companies had already begun to result in the crash of the price of cement from over N2000 per 50 kg bag to about N1500 per 50kg bag. He said with the promises made by the federal government to revamp the nation’s power sector, finance the manufacturing sector and boost infrastructure already taking shape, the price of locally produced cement was on its way to around N1000 per bag or even less. Makoju assured Nigerians of a drastic crash in the price of cement, as the nation moves towards full self sufficiency in the area of cement production next year.

2011 and Nigeria youth

2011 and Nigeria youth Ayodele Samuel The failure of different government to conduct free, fair, peaceful and credible election has made it difficult for Nigerians to rely on President Jonathan’s words to deliver credible polls comes 2011 election, the need for Nigerians, especially youths to register, select right candidates, vote and protect their votes just remains the best option to protect our future. If the youths teams up rightly, I would be right to say Nigeria youths would determine the next set of leaders we would have, but the fear remain making a right choice. The youths consist of a large number of voters in every elections, now the youth would also play a major role in the conduct of the poll if, Jega’s decision to use youth corps members remains. If during 1993 election, I was under age, I knew not the role of the youth in making that election free and fair, but 2003 and 2007 the youth was badly used in the process, many of our friends ended up as a 2000 per day political thugs, few stanched ballot boxes but we all suffer the consequence of bad governance and misrepresentation those administration gave back as dividend, now its 2011 we are saddled to make the right choice. The 2003 and 2007 produced administration was a disaster to the youth, the rate of unemployment over increased , ASUU strike closed down our universities for months, we couldn’t compete internationally because we were half baked, the government seems never to yields any of our plights . It is time for youths to stop sacrificing their future for mere food. Avoid being used as political thugs by dubious politicians who have their children schooling in western parts of the world The politicians due to unemployment they have created has turned many Nigerian youths to immeasurable weapons for election looting, political campaign violence, election rigging and other electoral frauds that turn Nigerian politics to do or die affair. It is time for us to stand for what is right even if we’re standing alone. We are no longer leaders of the tomorrow we knew not, the tomorrow our politicians have destroy but today’s leaders and tomorrow shapers of a future and a great country The role of youths in nation building and credible elections include active participations in a lawful manner in decision making especially when it comes to determining who rules the nation realizing the fact that, youths are the future of every country. The future of the youths can only be secured when true and patriotic Nigerians are installed into government with the help of the teaming youth through free and fair election not selection as we have it in the Nigerian politics. We youth must rise to defend democracy in this election, the will of the people must not be not subverted by these criminal politicians who have spent their valuable life span looting this nation, we will bear the consequence of their deeds if we don’t stop them now.

This celebrity Presidential hopefull: Bashorun Dele Momodu

You would know he is a journalist, after my text message, he called me, he was in Ghana, he was happy to talk to the much read Ayodele Samuel, i guess, i meet with him at the planet one center room 11 something but i my self enjoyed this interview like never before Otunba Dele Momodu is a man of many parts who needs no introduction. The business mogul,publisher, author, columnist and showbiz impresario, who has not hidden his disdain for the nation's misrule, opens ‘Pandora’s Box’, and says he will aspire to become Nigeria's president come 2011. In this exclusive interview with AYODELE SAMUEL, he discusses his 2011 presidential ambition and does not shy away from some controversial issues in the polity. Excerpts: You have a good job, yet you want to run for the presidency in 2011, why? A lot of people think I'm looking for a job. No. I'm not looking for any job because I'm not jobless. I have a very good job. I'm not the richest man in the world but I'm happy with what God has done in my life. I was born very poor, we don't have a single rich person in my family and it has never bothered us, all we want to do is leave a good name and legacy behind. Others think it is a publicity form, and I say that if it is about publicity I would have gotten it when NTA came to me in 1988. I am the master of publicity, so if I need publicity I know what to do, but this is not because of publicity. I just believe that Nigeria has reached a crossroads. We have the last opportunity to have a bloodless revolution. If care is not taken we are going to enter the next stage which I'm afraid of because the suffering in Nigeria is unprecedented anywhere in Africa. I have travelled the length and breadth of Africa and know that while other countries are making progress, we are retrogressing. It is dangerous. So some of us have decided to jump into the murky waters of politics just to try and see if we can bring the needed change to this country. It is very sad that Nigeria is where it is today, even when God has given us everything in this world to make us the greatest nation. How do we know? We are the biggest black population on earth. Do you think God will just create more people in Nigeria than other countries just for the fun of it? opportunities for us all the mineral resources, God gave good planning, very brilliant people. I have been in all the continents, I have been in over 60 countries and there is nowhere I have been that I didn't see Nigerians doing great things. So what is wrong with us? What is the problem? The problem everybody is giving is leadership, but then we have ourselves to blame, especially the youth. The youth occupy about 70 per cent of the total population of Nigeria if not more. 80 per cent of Nigerians don't belong to any political party and they don't vote, so how can you allow the remaining 30 per cent to hold us to ransom. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not realise that politics is important in time, all the churches did not realise that politics was important, even the mosque did not realise that politics was important, so we left politics in the hands of hooligans. Most of the people you find today are selfish people and a lot of them have been in it for 50 years and above, yet they are not satisfied; they are not ready to retire. We keep exhuming dead bodies when we ought to take examples from other nations. I will give you just two examples. In America, we have Obama who became president at the age of 47, now in Great Britain we have both the prime minister, David Cameroun and his deputy, do you think they are foolish? And I give the example of football, every winning side is usually made up of young players. But we bring 50-year-old to play. No matter how strong you are, at a point in your life the law of diminishing return will set in and that is what is happening in Nigeria. So until we fight those old men and get them to quit, we will not achieve any meaningful result. Most of those men were jobless before they came into government, and they will become unemployable. When they leave because they have nothing to offer. Nigeria is the only place where there is a data base of people who have failed in life, businesses, and in their families, yet we call them leaders. So what is leadership? Leadership is the ability to manage men and resources. What have they managed successfully? We can no longer be left in the hands of professional politicians, we must now leave it to the technocrat professionals to help us, and I'm one of them. And we are global players, most of the people you find in government are local champions, none of them knows beyond their immediate environment. You will hear Oyo politicians, Ibadan politicians, Ogun politicians. No, I want to be among an African like Kwame Nkruma, Nelson Mandela etc. So that is why I'm different. I came from an intellectual background in Ile Ife and all my life I have been like a philosopher. What do you think 2011 elections would be like? If Jonathan decides to run, I have no problem with it, but if we beat him in the election he should go. Nigeria is the only place where a political party has declared to rule for 60 years. We should banish the PDP from the surface of the earth. These are parasites that have ruined everything they can. For the past 11years, can you point out what PDP has done consistently? No water, no road, no electricity, no school, no hospital, nothing. I become the president of Nigeria and the commander in chief, you can be sure that I will motivate the youth, soldiers, air force, the navy. Tell me how many warships Nigeria has today, tell me how many air force jets we have in Nigeria? No nation can be protected when you have no security. You must be able to defend yourself against internal and external aggression. Are you on any political platform now? Yes I am. I have always been in the Labour Party. For the fact that I'm not in the PDP does not mean I'm not in any political party in Nigeria. You see, that is part of the problem of Nigeria — this arrogance of power. I don't want to do it the way they do it? No, I'm going to teach them a lesson by using what they don't understand. Does that mean you will be contesting on the platform of Labour Party? I will be contesting, that is the most important thing, but I'm in the Labour Party. Under the Labour Party then? I will be contesting to be the president of Nigeria. I have not got the ticket yet, so it will be stupid and arrogant of me to be definite because there are other people who also want it. So the party under which I will be contesting is not the issue. The issue is that I'm going to mobilise and galvanise those 80 per cent who don't ordinarily come out. That was what happened in the case of Abiola. Those who never voted came out to vote, that was how he won. If he had waited only for party members there is no way he would have won. That was what happened in America, those who never voted came out to vote for Obama, he was not only voted by the democrats. Those who have been voting in Nigeria are not up to 40 million with the entire voters’ register. So where are the other 100 million people? Those are the people we are targeting and we know how to reach them. The politicians cannot reach them because they have done nothing to empower them, inspire them, help them. I know what I'm saying. Taking past elections into cognisance, are you comfortable with the present INEC leadership? I have no problem with Professor Attahiru Jega. He is a man we all know very well; he is a very respectable man and I believe he will do well. However, in Nigeria, once your employers are the federal government or PDP, they can try anything; but it is now for Jega to say no if they try to tamper with his job. What do you think is the recipe for credible elections in 2011? The best thing is to field the best candidates— -candidates who are Nigerian; they should not be candidates who are local champions and ethnic jingoists. Those who think and believe in Nigeria are those we need not the type of people that we have at the moment. We need very good candidates who can set our environment aglow again. You could remember when Chief Abiola was alive, there were so many excitements, and there were so many colours. But when you have colourless candidates, nothing is going to happen. So I can tell you that with what I'm planning, you can be sure that even the blind will see it and the deaf will equally hear it. Why are you coming to contest after the June 12, 1993 elections in which you played an important role? It is very supernatural. 17 years ago our plane was hijacked by Babangida and his men; they tried in various ways to land the plane somewhere else. When a plane is about to take off, it must have its schedule and it must have a flight plan, destination and route. We already had our flight plan, the control power had been alerted, but unfortunately, the man who was supposed to be the captain was seized at gunpoint. That was Chief Abiola and the hijackers tried to land the plane somewhere in Abeokuta because they felt that when they got to Abeokuta they could get another captain, and that was Shonekan. Of course the man suddenly abandoned the plane. The hijackers looked elsewhere, so they headed to the North and went to Kano where they found the man called captain Abacha and he could not see the route very well, he couldn't handle the plane, so somewhere along the line, he had heart attack and died. We were just lucky that the plane did not crash. Another pilot took over and that was Abdulsalami Abubakar and he tried to land in Mina but they goto Minna before realising that there was no airport, so they ran away from Minna and headed to Abeokuta again. When they got to Abeokuta, they found a man who looked confident, and brave, and he said if possible he would land on the street of Owu, but the man was too self confident and at the end of the day, he also had serious troubles with the plane, and at the end of the day he could not land the plan. He had to hurridly and by force hand over to another captain, Umaru Musa Yar' Adua. The man didn't have good health, so how could he fly what healthy men could not fly? And he died because the trouble was too much. In fact, in his own case, he did not hand over to anybody, he just abandoned the plane and died like that. Then we had a man from the riverine area, Goodluck Jonathan. We all know he is a very lucky man, so the problem now is that we don't know whether he will be able to land the plane on the river or on the ring, we can't tell. That is why some of us came. We have seen that most of the people who were brought as pilots and captains have not had that rigorous experience of doing anything worthy of note; they were only lucky to be pushed by one person or the other. But in my own case I have been in the corridors of politics since I was about 22 or 23 years old. I have been moving in the corridors of politics but I have not been in the corridor of power. There is a different between corridor of politics and corridor of power. When you are in power, you see only three things, you see power, you see wealth and you see fame, but when you are in politics you see everything the more and you are able to predict what will happen at the end of the day. What I want to do next year is not just about election, it is a way of reviving June 12. They tried all the tricks for 17 years and they have failed. Nigerians that voted during the 1993 elections are still alive, and I believe they will come out now and revalidate their votes. I was forced into exile, but it is time now to reclaim our mandate by giving power back to the people of Nigeria.

An encounter with Reverend Chris Okotie

I sent him a text for an Interview with him, he never replied until when i put a call through, his protocol as an presidential aspirant is high and strict to that of a serving president but trust i break even, i spoke to him, his grammar was much but i agree to his tense, in the reception of his mutmillon church at Ikeja we did this..... Reverend Chris Okotie can be called a veteran presidential candidate, as since the nation's return to democracy in 1999, he has always aspired to lead the nation. Against expectations, he is again contesting for the presidency in 2011. But why does the Okotie brand not sell despite his declaration that the Almighty has always been behind his bid? In this interview, the reverend with a knack for controversy, explained to Ayodele Samuel his plight and why the Okotie brand faces challenges politically. He also spoke on his plans for Nigeria. Again, you want to contest in the presidential election come 2011. Why? The tenacity and resilience that have accompanied this action are predicated on the fact that this is a divine mandate. I am a servant of God and I will not be presumptious to arrogate honours to myself that are inconsistent with the responsibilities I have. So I declare cleary that the Fresh Party is a mandate from the Lord, and secondly, I feel a sense of responsibility to my nation. The philosophy is God first, then my country. In 2003 and 2007 you said that God declared you would be president, yet you lost... (Cuts in) It is important that those who listen to people like me must understand that the language of faith is different from the ordinary mundane interaction that men have amongst themselves. When God gives an instruction the time frame is determined by Him. The most important thing is that he who is instructed must obey. Pharaoh was very antagonistic towards Moses for a long while, even though he knew that God sent Moses to set the Israelites free, until God had to demonstrate. Such is the characteristic feature that when God gives an instruction, sometimes it takes a while to manifest. So you are the Moses of Nigeria? Moses is in the Old Testament. We in the New Testament believe in the Messiah, that is our Lord Jesus Christ. So I wouldn't identify with Moses, I will identify with Jesus Christ. So if you ask what my philosophy is, I would say it is Messianic. The Messianic philosophy is sacrificial. Why did you lose elections? First and foremost it's timing. God has timing for the fulfillment of every promise. Secondly, the political irresponsibility of the PDP. As the government in power, they have not been able to organise credible elections and they have denounced the whole concept of democracy by their total disregard for law and order, and that is why we find ourselves in the present quagmire. Is that an indication that your party is afraid of the ruling party? Fresh Party is a small party, and I do not think we can be compared to the PDP. We do not have the strong platform to compete with the PDP. But I do know that the Nigerian people are greater than the PDP, and because we are going to the Nigerian people, we have hope. This time around, Nigerians will demand that their votes must count and things will change. You have not been enjoying the support of Christian organisations in your presidential bid, why? At the beginning, it was a noble idea. Some of my colleagues had not begun to understand the priesthood of Melschedee and how that is relevant in the political set-up. So now we have much more support than when we started. In 2003 and 2007 we had progression, and in 2011, I am sure that the support from Christians will be overwhelming. Again, I think that Christians have not participated fully as they should, and I liken it to ignorance. Once you are anointed in the scripture you can hold a political office, and that is where the Melchsedee priesthood defers from the ironic order. I think it is the right time Christians participated in the process. Secondly, we must make sure that God continues to favour us because God controls every nation through policy and prophecy. Do you believe the new INEC headed by Professor Attahiru Jega can conduct a credible election in 2011? I have never at any time doubted the credibility of Professor Iwu. I said it very clearly that I thought he was probably one of the best chairmen that we ever had. He was very courageous, very forthright and it was not his fault, but things happened the way they did because he was just one man in an organisation. From the revelation we've had so far, we find that actual rigging takes place in the field. Professor Jega has distinguished himself in academics, but on his ability to cope with the political setting, let's await. INEC is under the control of the executive. Again, the manipulation of the resources of INEC by the executive and the other bodies within the government makes it impossible for it to perform. I think that Professor Jega would be incapacitated, not because he does not desire to but the environment is not conducive and the PDP is a master at deception. They are masquerading under their desire to go for electoral reforms. I think they are enjoying every aspect of the political shenanigans. Do you think there will be free and fair elections in 2011? No I do not. Not because INEC is not desirous of doing it, but because the PDP has already destroyed the entire process. What is your take on PDP's zoning arrangement? It's of no consequence, PDP is not Nigeria. Partisan politics at that level has nothing to do with us. If they want to zone, that's up to them, if they don't want to zone, that's up to them, but I know that political parties should have principles at will to suite their desire. The constitution, however, does not say anything about zoning, so it's a PDP affair, and therefore, it is inconsequential. President Goodluck Jonathan has spent about a 100 days in office, how would you assess him? With due regard, I have said that President Goodluck Jonathan is a penultimate phenomenon. He is a gentleman that means well for Nigeria, but I do not think he has the material and requisite understanding of the complexities of a government like what the PDP has put in place. He was part of Yar'Adua's government and therefore, he cannot naturally be different. What I see is a political aphorism which is the characteristics of the PDP. I think Goodluck cannot and may not take Nigeria to the next level. He belongs to a generation that lacks vision for this nation, he is part of a government which purpose and philosophies are conterminous to Nigeria. I just know that in the affair of this nation we need somebody who is not tinted by the PDP. We need somebody who is more visionary, more articulate, who can interface the Nigerian dream with the concept of globalisation and in a millennium where the quest for harmony aids innovation. President Goodluck Jonathan does not have the political identity for that. I just want to say to the Nigerian people that they must remember that there is a God who has helped this nation on six occasions and that Nigeria is all we have. Nigeria is worth fighting and dying for, and in 2011 we will see the courage and tenacity that make us who we are. There will be manifest. I would urge them to look in the direction of Chris Okotie because I believe the answer lies in generational shift.

IBB is not Relevant- Tunde Bakare

Pastor Tunbe Bakare is not just the senior Pastor of Latter Rain Church, but also a social critic and Convener Save Nigeria Group, in this interview with LEADERSHIP Lagos correspondent Ayodele Samuel, Pastor B as he is fondly call gave his recipe for a credible election comes 2011 Sir what inspire Sava Nigeria Group? For also 45days Nigeria was headless and voiceless, after Late President took ill and was taken abroad for medical treatment the whole of the nation was waiting for a wayout apart from this we have understanding from series of revelation and which order we must taken , we summoned those we are in relationship with like Members of Afenifere Renewal Group, Members of Arewa, International for constitutional development Centre for we met at and we fixed an appointment for the 7th of January where we brought in civil society , It was in that hall of the 17th of January that the name Save Nigeria Group was given to the movement and we agreed to go to Abuja to protest that quiet contrary to we they thought was the order of the day according to Ogulafor, contrary to what thought was a road show it was a determined effort to bring an end to our headlessness and voicelessness so was what led to SNG and we thank God for the outing and sequence outing in Lagos , back to Abuja and Onikan Stadium now we are focusing on credible, free, fair and peaceful election 2011. Sir, when I Tunde Bakare, I see a man that is not Fulfill with the present suaition in Nigeria No Nigerian should be fulfilled because You are not an island on your own, when its everything is personal comfort, a place to lay my head, food on my table, education for my children whether within or outside the country I can afford it, whether the suffering Nigerian, no Nigerian with right thinking, we’re satisfied with the current situation of our country so you’re right. So when will you be fulfilled When will Nigeria becomes a force to be reckoned in the committee of nations. When the potentials of this nation are tapped maximally for the benefit of the people, when we have good governance, when the things that are strictly in order nations becomes a reality in our land like electricity, security, good health facilities, road network, infrastructure, then I know is a new day when Nigeria can competition vividly not only in the field of sport where we failed with our and worst eleven if in governance we have failed with our worst eleven, the worst of us have being ruining our country under the pretence that they are running it. I will be fulfilled when I see the best fittest, the most complement, men with cerebral capacity handling the affairs of our situation not just wambling through and try to anxigecity when they have a blueprint and following the blue print when we can compete with nations like Japan and we become the tourist centre of the world a nation to respect and reckon with. Sir clear the airwave in the section of the media that SNG is being sponsor by fromer FCT minister Mallam El-Ruffia ? I expect intelligent men to act intelligently, for example as a journalist part of your -responsibilities is investigation because I heard the rumour before not only from our former vice president now president who has never put a penny in my hand in my life or in the hand of anybody known to me. I’ve heard we are asking from OBJ, I’ve heard all kind of things by virtue of his being part of (three) 3G that is Good Governance Group that is El-Rufai, 3G being part of SNG,so many organization, its loose conglomerate, a coalition of different civil society organizations that come together to form SNG. The work everyone does in the corner of his room, each one will give account of it. But nobody will tell you not even El-Rufai himself that he’s sponsoring me, please give us some credit and there must have been some water in coconut even before rain fall. El-Ruffai was not in Nigeria, the game has begun before El-Rufai showed up and but 3G was part of what we are doing. Everyone was levied, many of us put our resource together is not a one man show so you can say someone is sponsoring us. We have records of what we have spent, may be they think if you are among us you have run into billions, that is why they are having what I call vary imagination. Sorry, if I sound may a bit modest, I too big, to be sponsor by any sponsor not at this stage of my life and I don’t know anyone in our group who is cheap not in the steering committee. His their any plan for SNG to transform to a political party? SNG will not transform to a political party we have said it before Alright sir coming to the 11 years of Democracy in Nigeria apparently ruled by PDP, How will you describe this 11years. We thank God they didn’t push us into depressible because they also did, I was reading a new book by the autobiography of Awujale, he has captured the 8years rule of Obasanjo in that book. I will recommend that book for you to read, By now electricity should be on a better by now corruption should have been brought to a stand still and he wasted those 8years chasing shadows and if you add that 8years add it to 3years of Umar sickness and debate and all kind of afflictions on Yar’Adua, you know that we have gone from go slow trend new politics and all kind of leaders, those who have been on the helms of affairs of Nigeria especially of the PDP class, their have power for self and not for service and they have not really give good account of themselves mostly when you think of the resources they have at their disposal, look at conditions of our roads, the only thing they are beating their chest about is GSM, telephone that Nigerians citizen are burning their money to maintain everyday and the networks are bad and then they will claim some peace in the Niger Delta, in the name of amnesty, who should give the other amnesty, were they criminals of war its only criminals of you give amnesty , but the truth of the matter is it is better than military regime and we trust in 2011, a new corps of people who love this country and love this nation who understand good governance and who are accountable and responsible to the people of this nation will begin to emerge all around. Sir, what are your recipes for a credible election come 2011. We have started the rally in Onikan, we will need a credible voters register, we have consider the opinion that Jega we trust will not allow himself to be corrupted, some of the national commissioners should a credible people, when you have a credible voters register and you have credible personnel and that needed will now be citizen that are aware, that are conscious alert with responsibility so we are encouraging them to register in a place where they could vote, they should actually vote and select who they vote for, to make sure there are not selling their vote as we have done in the past, then to protect their vote so we need credible register, credible personnel, enabling environment, enabling legislation in Abuja on 14th of July by God’s grace we will spell it out in black and white, that it free, fair, credible and peaceful election, so that the police does not harass anybody they just stand there to make sure they want to protect them and do not play any partisan role at all. Also the politician themselves need to learn from the blunders of the past, not to create avenue for military adventures to hijack the sovereignty of the people one more time, so their should give out credible voter register, credible personnel running it. On PDP Zoning and Jonathan running, Jonathan is a Nigeria citizen, they have not being in the history of Nigeria, an incumbent president who not want to continue serving provided the law say so, Obasanjo wanted a third term, within the Africa continent perhaps the only person who have stepped down is Nelson Mandela, and he did so because of his age, and because he is a statesman, he came from prison to become president, he spent four year and he though he has done enough, step down and pass his baton, president Jonathan became by circumstances, so he now by God grace, he feel he has something to offer, those who are claiming it’s the turn of North should remember it was the north that chose him as Vice-President so he’s their choice, they should see it as a continuity of Yar’Adua administration, that is one way to look at it but I don’t want us to get stop in a major distraction, zoning is PDP agenda not our constitutional provision, PDP can do what ever they like to do with themselves, we are interested in a credible election, competence people those who are clamouring for zoning now, contested in 1999, Late Rimi, Atiku Abubaker wanted to contested against Obasanjo but their prevail on him not to contest, its their problem its their headache who ever their like, the Nigerians are not going to fold our arms and wait for them to play piporch with the destiny of a 150 million people. What is your view on IBB’s bid to come back. I think we are making him too important too relevant, I don’t want to comment on IBB, he was head of state for years and he didn’t achieve anything other than defrauding Nigeria and nullifying an election every Nigeria and international body called free and fair, he now wants to come back, I don’t think Nigerians will vote for him. Nigerians will not let him come back, I don’t think we should spend our time on him; nobody should take him serious he enjoys seeing his name in the press. Sir his their any plan for SNG to Transform to a political Party SNG will not transform to a political party we’ve said if in many interviews. On television, radio and print medium. SNG is not transforming to a political society organization because if such organization is not in existence what happened during Yar’Adua illness will happened again. And then we will start marching again. We have to continue until total we restore voice to the voiceless, the people realised sovereign and understanding how power works so that people can see that true sovereign lays in their hands and they are responsible for what is they get. If they do what it’s right and sealed the right people Nigeria will not remain in this situation we have find ourselves. So SNG is not transforming to a political parties. However, individuals in NSG, key operatives will be out of different political parties. Many of our members belong to different political parties and they are involved in the parties’ activities. Sir what do you have for the Nigeria youths? Shine your eyes , like one of the musician says, raise up the youth of the nation are the chokes of prosperity of that nation, not days youths in the world the current of civilization would not flow backward , raise up every one from age 18 and above you constituted the biggest, the largest number of voters in Nigeria, let the people raise up and talk to one other use everything at you disposal, internet, MMS, blogs, twitter, facebook, if you can persuade your president through facebook to change his position on FIFA and Nigerian football team, let the youth use it to talk among themselves to say NO to a rogue in government, let stop calling a spade an agricultural instrument, they may not allow you to live broadcast because you may say something that will offend them but nobody can stop the internet from your house to communicate with your friends, its up to you, as you lay your bed so are you going to lie on it, if you are disarverse with what is going on raise up, and demand change because you have the right to do so, power is all about perception, if you don’t say in your mine that anybody has power against you, they can use it, the power you give them is what there are exercising, it’s time the younger generation raise up to take their destiny in their hands because these men will die and go and all their lootings will be abnorad and you continue to suffer, no job, their massive youth unemployment and there are taking to crime for all kinds of things, we can take up the nation now before its too late. How can interested Nigerians Join SNG? Just easy go Online go to www.govenigeriagroup.org it’s a simple process we want to know your antecedent, we want to know that you are really you say are, we don’t want Mike Tyson, Michael Jackson like in the present voters register. What will you do if IBB decided to join SNG? he will not dare because we will accept him, he’s not the type of character that we can have in our midst, he will be an unnecessary burden and nobody will want him, I don’t know and I don’t think anybody in our group wants him

Made In NIGERIA >>>> what policy

The Made In Nigeria policy by the federal government in the lingering problems of smuggling and products counterfeiting, poor infrastructure and rising price of industrial inputs, especially Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), among others may not deliver Results, LEADERSHIP Ayodele Samuel take a look at some issues facing the manufacturing industry . Recently the Federal Government through the ministry of Commerce and Industry flag off what should be call aggressive campaign for the use of made in Nigeria products by the citizen. As at today noting is made in Nigeria , when most industry has been force to close down by unending failure of the power sector. Power as the soul boaster of any economy has run many industry to close coy, early this year Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) president, Alhaji Bashir Borodo lamented that about 820 manufacturing firm have close down. The sector wish has been blame by local industries has leave the country not to have a “made” for the past few years .manufacturers complain of high cost of investment in self generating energy are letter left out with gas shortage beaming them backward in production. "Despite the potentials of the manufacturing sector as the engine of growth, an antidote of unemployment, a creator of wealth and the threshold for sustainable development, it has suffered severe decline in its contribution to national output. The performance of the sector fell from nearly 13 per cent in the early 1980s to about 4.13 per cent in 2008". MAN said: "it is a matter of concern that between 2000 and 2008 about 820 manufacturing companies have closed down or temporarily suspended production. Indeed, over 600,000 Nigerians are said to have lost their jobs owing to this pitiable plight of the industrial sector, with attendant socio-economic implications. Ordinarily therefore what was expected from government are "desperate measures to tackle a desperate situation, there are no indications of government sensitivity to the negative manifestations in the industrial sector. Also from the period of deregulation to date, industrial consumers have witnessed three price hikes, especially in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO). "This was foreseen by us and about 18 months ago we made passionate pleas for the reduction in the price of AGO, and permission to partner with NNPC to import LPFO directly. Promise was given that evaporated promises. MAN had protested these shocking price increases and drew the attention of the government to the imminent dangers of the collapse of industries which depends on AGO and LPFO to power their generators or boilers. MAN reacting to banks' lending profile from 2003 to 2009 obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which indicated that the manufacturing sector received N3.9 trillion during the seven-year period as loans. Comparatively, Communications got N4.974 trillion while Oil and Gas received N6.943 trillion, according to the CBN. "Even the figure given by the CBN as loan to the manufacturing sector was lumped with imports and other things which would really bring down the figure that could be categorized as direct loan to manufacturers", MAN said. "The banks are giving us a pittance. Yet, the CBN claimed that we receive more loans than our contribution to Gross Domestic Product. The truth is, banks consider us as a risk. And the reason is not far-fetched. They can see the poor infrastructure, which hinders our operation. However, our big brothers in the manufacturing sector still get adequate funding from the banks, partly because of their history". Unfortunately, Borodo stated that the Bank of Industry (BoI) which should provide ready support to the industrial sector was not able to do so because of poor capitalisation. According to Borodo: "BOI was promised N50 billion as capitalisation. But, all we were told they received is just N5 billion". Also, the Chairman of MAN's Economic Committee, Mr Clement Olowokande, said the manufacturing sector was not getting enough funding support from banks. Olowokande, who is also the Chairman of Berger Paints Plc, remarked: "We asked the former CBN Governor to give us a breakdown of the manufacturers who got the allocation, which was not provided. And we also said to them that funding assistance to the manufacturing sector should not be based on its contribution to the GDP as is being stressed by the CBN but on need. The sector should be given what is desirable, what is required to survive rather than being based on a given percentage. Secondly, you need to know the amount of local products we are producing in this country. We need funding assistance to satisfy local needs. If not, people will resort to importation and still pay FOREX, to the nation's detriment. The textile industry had also suffer similar lose, before 1997, the Nigerian textile industry was the second largest in Africa after Egypt with over 250 vibrant factories and running above 50 per cent capacity utilization. As at today about 60 out of existing 100 textile firms is shut, Record have it that, International Textile Industry (ITI) closed down its Isolo and Ikorodu factories both in Lagos, with about 800 people out of job, First Spinner Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos, closed down with about 500, Bhojr Textile Industry closed down with about 700 people out of job, Reliance Textile Ikeja, Lagos, closed down with about 500 people out of job. Fahibdayekh and Company Limited in Kano , closed down with more people sent to the labour market; Atlantic Textile Mill in Lagos was finally closed down in 2008 with about 800 people out of job after a partial closure in 2007. In 2007, job loss in the sector was about 10,000 when the largest textile company in the country, the United Textile Mill in Kaduna State closed down with about 5,000 people sent to labour market. Atlantic Textile Mill in Lagos also partially closed down It should be noted that the local textile market has a share of about 20 per cent of Nigerian textile products with the balance of 80 per cent being controlled by assorted imported fabrics. Smugglers move in and out of the country with goods (only comes in with good and leave with cash) these whish pose a great treat to FG made in Nigeria Campaign Custom effort to eradicate smuggling activities which have eaten deep into the economy and also cripple local industries has not been felt, as the market is over taken by smuggled goods. Nigeria imports everything including labour since the university produce half bakes graduates yet the government embarks on Made in Nigeria Policy. The British High commission said there is noting to export from Nigeria apart from crude oil, yet the government dreams of becoming one of the world economic countries in 2020. Nigeria likes other developing countries like China, Brazil, India export en-mass to enrich there economy while the green land spend about 3 billion Us dollars annually on foods importation. Agricultural products which our economy was based on in time past has been neglected, coco, timber, groundnut, palm Oil are no longer exported. The level of decay in infrastructure will jeopardize the proposed made in Nigeria policy. With the poor infrastructure, local manufacturers have the problem of competitiveness. Our product can not compete with international standard due it standard, Nigeria producers dish out best of sub standard to the teaming Nigeria buyers whom patriotic zeal to purchase made in Nigeria detorate their health or send them to early grave. Last week over 40 people were diagnosed of Gastro-enteritis after they were reportedly hit with severe stomach pains from consuming contaminated groundnut oil produce by a local company in Kano But with all this challenges face the manufacturing sector of the country, Minister of Commerce and Industry , Chief Achike Udenwa maintained that Nigeria products are of high quality compared to products from other countries, He called on citizen’s to imbibe the virtues of consumer patriotism to Nigeria made product like the developed nations have done in order to have a strong industrial base.