Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon and his vocabularies

Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon is well known for his excessive use of vocabularies and from the look of things, the Honourable is more concerned on how impressed people get when he is on "the role". Some of his heavy grammars, although very correct, sounds like insultive words, like the kinds you would call your elder brother or sister who forcefully took your meat.

Hon. Patrick, who in my opinion is like a comic relief to his fellow members, but on a more serious note, it bothers me, because I don't think there is really a need to use such big words in communicating with a diverse audience in Nigeria, especially in the house. 

Communication is better when simple words are used. Sometimes, I imagine how he communicates with his family. Although, the wife once said, Hon. Patrick practically "sleeps" with dictionary. And that, to me, is quite alarming. Even the Nobel Laureate winner doesn't do such.

Some of the "big grammars" used by Hon. Patrick...

"Parliamentary modus operandi, Political brouhaha, Self abnegation, Spiritual immolation, Egocentric chauvinism, Epileptic Nepotism, Animalistic pugnacious (This is redundant. Couldn't he have just said "hostile"?), Maniacally bewildered, Gymnosophic gyration".  The list goes on and on.

He also once said: Orthonological specimen of identical plumage invariably conglomerate in the same vicinity. What he meant was that Birds of a feather, flock together.

"Is that the incineration officer? Please gravitate here with tremenduous acceleration and alacrity, because a gigantic conflageration has engulf my domiciliary habitation".

I pity his constituency. Having him represent them at the National level. How can he make any meaningful contribution that will help his constituency and the nation at large if nobody understands the load of of rubbish he calls grammar? When you communicate, you must communicate in a way that ohers could understand. Otherwise you are just a rabble rouser seeking for undue attention. In my opinion, his years in the house of reps is a waste to the nation. Let somebody mention a bill he sponsored or any reasonable contribution he made to any bill. As soon as he finishes speaking, he is ignored and his speech is seen as an unnecessary distraction to a serious discussion. So unfortunate.

The rampant avarice in Nigeria

 
Corruption is likely to appear on everyone's list of factors obstructing the Nigeria's path towards sustainable development. Yet, rather for it decrease,  corruption has proliferated to to all segments of Nigeria, making it the "common cold" of Nigeria social ills.

One may pause for a moment and ask, what is this evil that men do and yet lives after them?

The answer to the above question has been a contentious one for ages. However, corruption has been broadly defined as a perversion or a change from good to bad. Corruption or corrupt practices have been said to involve the violation of established rules for personal gain and profit (Sen, 1999). In his own words, Nye (1967) defined corruption as behaviour which deviates from the formal duties of a public role, because of private gains regarding personal, close family, private clique, pecuniary or status gains. It is a behaviour which violates rules against the exercise of certain types of duties for private gains regarding influence.

According to A. J. Ogunleye, Corruption is a cankerworm that introduces arbitrariness and discrimination in decision makings so that rules, regulations and procedure are circumvented within a course of action for selfish gains. Corruption is a concept, a harmful phenomenon to personal growth and the economic development of a nation. A corrupt individual is better referred to as a sociopath who will often require the attentions of a personologist; and or behaviour.

Corrupt behaviours  include; misappropriation, nepotism, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, favoritism, rigging of elections, and falsification of voters register, over-invoicing, money laundering, examination malpractices and even the present day cultism; (most especially  among students).

Socially, the effects of corruption could be enormous. For example, the current call for privatization of Nigeria Power Holding Company and deregulation of the Nigeria economy that is being critically opposed by some Nigeria elitists resulted in revealing the recently submitted result of the oil subsidy probe in Nigeria, as reported by Vincent Ovia, where it was found out by the Honourable Lawan Farouk probe panel that fuel consumption in Nigeria was inflated by about 30 million litres per day and thus resulting in the government expend of over 2.4 trillion Naira in the year 2011 alone (ThisdayLive, 15th April, 2012
Another example is the internet fraud, which is popularly referred to as "yahoo yahoo" can be quite disturbing. It is dishearten to find undergraduates and even graduates involved in this so-called Job. We see it as fraud but they see it as a Full Time Job, and they keep saying Yahoo Yahoo is a very difficult task. Boys ranging from age 17 - 40 something, now make a whole lot of money through this "channel of money-making", and if they are being questioned, usually, the reply you get is, "Na our money wey oyinbo don collect from our parent, na him we dey collect and we never collect am finish".

This problem has eaten too deep and I am afriad the authorities have no capacity to stop it. Months ago, a neighbour of mine was caught in Ado-Ekiti because of this yahoo yahoo thingy. Few days later, I saw him and he was like he paid N750,000 as bribe to the EFCC.
                         
Just like what African China said in his song " poor man wey steal maggi na them we dey see for crime fighters". So when the so-called EFCC is said to now takes bribe to set some culprits free what else can be done? Its more like a merry go round.

It is pertinent to record that corruption is at its' top in Nigeria because most Nigerians measure good life with flamboyant affluence and conspicuous consumption. An individual, in Nigeria, whose age ranges between 18 and 45 years and yet has no house(s) and car(s) (exotic and sleekly) of his own is rather perceived  as cursed and doomed for life. An attempt to prove to the world and Nigerians that one is not cursed, and, or doomed, accounts for why many Nigerians engage in dubious activities to cut corners to affluence.

Instances are ritual killings, cases of fraud, forgery, embezzlement and abuse of office; are issues of loss of moral reasoning, moral values, and moral judegment. An example is the recent case of N23.3bn pension fund embezzlement.

These behaviours continue because humans are essentially hedonistic, we tend to learn and internalize behaviours of people who live in affluence and opulence and they, invariably, serve as our models’. This phenomenon is most apparent where, even, persons that have been indicted of corrupt practices are celebrated rather than punished. For example, many of the second republic politicians who were found guilty of corrupt practices, and even a host of the past military leaders who were accused of corruption, are today in the corridors of power in Nigeria. The likes of Salisu Buhari, Jim Nwobodo, Chief Bode George, Boni Haruna, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ibrahim Babangida and Joshua Dariye to mention a few, are some of the individuals who has either been accused, or found guilty of corruption but today dictate the shots in Nigeria. Late Chief S. M. Afolabi was accused of corrupt practices involving the National Identity Card.

A healthy environment devoid of stimulation to learn, internalize and reproduce criminal tendencies and corrupt practices is advocated.

Successive Nigeria governments must wake up to their responsibilities of providing essential services for her citizenry, ensuring a safe haven for peaceful co-existence, and punishing corrupt individuals and other sociopaths adequately, to prevent others from performing other or similar criminal acts.

We must not also lose sight of the fact that a learnt act can equally be unlearned. Therefore, through reinforcements and public enlightenment campaigns, Nigerians can learn to appreciate social values and change their orientation through moral value judgements.

May God bless Nigeria.

The hues to the demolition of buildings in Ibadan

Dugbe Alawo, Ibadan.

    Towards achieving a clean environment, the Oyo state government embarked on the demolition of illegal structures across the state capital.
    Markets at Dugbe, Iwo road, Oje, Molete, Challenge, New Garage, Orita, Apata, Bodija Oju-irin among others were affected by the demolition exercise.

    Indeed, the decision of the state Government to toe the line of its Lagos state counterpart, in the area of the demolition of make shift structures, has caused more worries for residents and migrants alike. The pulling down of these structures is an on going exercise in the state capital.
Even though beautification is the latest song on the lips of the present administration in the state, the government appeals to the people to be patient with it, as it strives to make the state capital clean and investor friendly.
     Government officials disclose that the state government is keen in ensuring that the environment is devoid of structures considered to be eyesore. Those occupying the structures insist that their unflinching support for the ruling party in the 2011 general elections, ensured its victory in
the state.
    A cross section of residents applaud the government’s initiative, but frown at the inability of government to provide alternative locations for the
traders, who are mostly in the category below the low income group.
    Perhaps, to make up for the defect, the state government hurriedly cleared the over grown weeds at the Scout Camp, Molete, belonging to the Scout Association of Nigeria, Oyo state chapter
and unofficially directed the stranded traders to take spaces there.Surprisingly, some officials quickly took advantage of the situation to collect fees for spaces. The state government dissociated itself from the act and warned the public to be wary of such people collecting fees.
     Prostitutes in brothels scattered all over the state capital have equally been flushed out of their abodes. The prostitutes lament that they voted for the ruling party, but the ruling party decided to put an end to their means of livelihood.
     However, the State Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Lowo Obisesan assures that Government would not be deterred by blackmail and rumour in its bid to ensure that it transforms the state.
     Interestingly, the State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi’s disclosure that his administration has identified 27 locations for the construction of modern neighbourhood markets serves as a temporary soothing balm to the displaced traders
     Sadly, the temporary market at the scout camp had for long served as dump site for residents.
     The traders disregarded the dump site status of their new location and displaced edibles for sale, while cleaners engaged by the state Ministry of Environment and Habitat made spirited efforts to clear the immeasurable refuse.
     At the onset of the demolition of illegal structures/markets at Iwo road, the state Governor had assured that the traders would be moved to a new location.
     "We are moving them to a new location, where they will no longer constitute an eyesore. The message here is that Oyo state must change. We want a clean state. Everybody has been saying Oyo state is one of the dirtiest states in Nigeria. We want to stop that. We therefore want the cooperation of our people".
    "Although there is nothing you do that people will not criticize, you about, for us, we must be courageous enough to make a difference. But I want to assure you that it would have a human face", Ajimobi had promised.
     The President, BRACED Association, the umbrella body of the South/South indigenes resident in Oyo state, Chief Michael Obasohon appeals to the state government to consider the high rate of unemployment, poverty and hunger in the land, as reasons for implementing its beautification plans
with care.
     "Most of these traders rely on what they sell daily, to cater for their families, government should be considerate. However, the plans of government are
commendable, once the interest of the ordinary people are accommodated", Obasohon opined.
     Governor Ajimobi is now the major topic of discussion in almost every area you turn to, in Ibadan. Like the cab I boarded yesterday and this morning, the passengers and driver kept on lamenting on how difficult things have become. At one point, the driver of the cab began to hail Governor Ajimobi with the fear of getting quoted or arrested (I assume) as he thought I was a reporter, because I passed no comment or contributed to their discussion.
      They were all of the opinion that the governor should create a forum or platform for Oyo State residents, so as to foster a democratic form of government, and also to enable people share opinions.
     Now that the present government is bent on cleaning the state through the demolition of illegal structures, the question is, will this last long, even when a new government assumes post?

Sachet water; Menace to society

    Nigeria has enough of the discarded plastic and sachets of water which clog her gutters.
    The water sachets are a menace, and the havoc caused by sachet water producers and consumers of sachet water on the environment in the face of sachet water business growth in the country should be echoed out loud.
    Water is a big part of human lives and one of nature’s most important gifts to mankind. Essentially, to life, a person’s survival depends on drinking water and an essential element to good health. It is necessary for the digestion and absorption of food, helps maintain proper muscle tone, supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cell, rides the body of wastes, and serves as natural air conditioning system.
    It is a vital element to the mechanics of the human body such that the body cannot work without water, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil. In fact, all the cells and organs function in the entire anatomy and physiology depends on water for their functioning and it is seen as next to air. In addition, water plays a key role in preventing diseases. Drinking water should always be clean and free of contaminants to ensure proper health and wellness. This human demand for quality water for survival has driven many people, institutions and government to come out with innovative ways of meeting this need for water, one of which is the introduction of the sachet water. As the popular saying goes, water everywhere but not a drop to drink, has become a thing of the past due to the presence of sachet water in every nook and cranny of the country. “Pure water” as is popularly called, is that portable water ( assumed to be of sufficient quality to serve as drinking water), treated and packaged in transparent polythene sachets, with name, address of manufacturer, expiry date, and NAFDAC number and logo boldly printed on it. The agency in charge of foods, drug administration and control gives such numbers after testing the efficacy of a product and certifying it fit for human consumption. Over the years, “ice water”, used to refer to water, usually untreated, packaged in ordinary nylon.
 The pure water business has become an industry, like the little tree that has grown into a mighty oak. It has become an industry to reckon in Nigeria and other parts of Africa in terms of modest contribution to the growth of the economy.
    The growth of sachet water business is alarming, especially where sachet used in packaging the water has now become a nuisance and source of worry to stakeholders who are now calling for measures to contain and control its menace on the environment as well as the health of consumers due to poor conditions under which most of this sachet water are produced and stored.
    Nylon waste may have a terrible impact on tourism, wherever rain water carries the waste.

    Majority of the sachet water is sourced and produced under questionable hygienic environmental conditions and they have had cause to impose a ban on some producers but are unable to monitor compliance due to logistical constraint. Besides, most sachet water on the market does not bear the seal of the NAFDAC and even those who bear them do not meet the required standard.
    Inspite of the above concerns of the sachet business to the environment, the quality and its health implications, the sachet water business is still booming over the years in the Metropolis with it continuous effects on the environment with the government and city authorities spending millions of money to curtail the situation.
    Prof. Amobi Ilika has advised those who consume sachet water (popularly called pure water) exposed to heat to be wary in order to avoid drinking cancerous substances.
    Ilika, who is the Director of Community and Public Medicine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, said sachet water exposed to heat beyond room temperature could be cancerous.
    He said the heat could melt some of the substances used in making the polythene bags.
    According to him, the polythene bags contain cancerous materials that are harmful to the body.
    “The most important is the deterioration of the water while in polythene bags made of synthetic petroleum; since the polythene bags are weather-sensitive.
    “Some of the properties of the polythene bags made of synthetic petroleum product materials melt into the water after sun-ray or heat exposure.
    “Thus, carcinogenic materials will drop into the water. The polythene bags also develop germs and micro organisms which enter the water through the deterioration of the polythene bag,’’ he said. (NAN)
    The government of Nigeria should attempt to ban the production of sachet water by putting in place measures to weed out companies that are not producing quality water thereby, leaving a few good ones to undertake production with the aim of reducing the amount of plastic waste introduced into the environment.
    Even the idea of weekly sanitation by Oyo State government to clean the state makes me question where all the dirts are coming from, as one would think the weekly sanitation will turn state to a "small paradise". But no, the piles of dirts which the residents of Ibadan bring out every week is quite alarming. And one can not help but notice most of these dirts are accumulated sachets of water.
   We should all forget about the topic no one has banned sachet water popularly known as pure water. The question is, do you think production of sachet water should be banned considering the fact that almost every street you pass by, has so much litter of this sachet . The problem is no longer if its hygienic but jokes apart, this pure water is a big challenge to the environment. I believe it is hindering Nigerian streets from being clean. What do you think?

What else?

Ogiri Alapa (Mud/Clay Wall) And

What Else? 

The siege around the City can't hold, for the tiny red ants marching along its wall can't stand kerosene fire.

The Sigidi (clay-molded being) can't stand the rain. The thousand blow-hard of farts can't make an ending music.

What else?

The joint effort of the ash dump can't stand the blizzard.  The efforts of a swimmer against a strong tide is pitiful What can a woman do to stop the bounce of the breasts as she runs up and down? The prostate of the griot is full of hot air. Hot air that fails to boil water.

What else?

Who can kill death?

Who can afflict further a chronic illness? Of what use is a male organ that's atrophied?
Can a question answer a question?!

What else?

Let the Ikamudu continue to dance in its own permeating odor. Let the gossip continue to snide all, till he slip and fall into the smears of his own snide.

The one whose turn it is, to fetch woods in the thick of the forest; shall not only carry it, but walk all the way home with it.
What else?

GlamLooks Makeovers: Just the transformation you need!

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Pensive

I recall my uncle telling me about a man in my Neighborhood who became popular for engaging in money rituals just to buy the 80's edition of the Honda Prelude. You wouldn't buy that car for N50,000 today.

I remember as a kid, my whole street converged to watch a truck deliverd a very large satellite dish to my neighbor's house. Today, a dish one tenth that size delivers 5 times the value and is in almost every student hostel room.
 
What about the Volkswagen Santana, Mercedes Benz V booth, 505 cocaine, all overtaken by Camry, Honda discussions, Infinity...

Vanity!!!
 
A friend declared drinks for the boys because he just launched the Nokia Communicator for over a hundred grand in 2002. Today, that phone would embarrass the owner and is a joke compared to the low cost and everyday phone.
 
What about d MTN sim card that many people went extra miles before they bought it for over 30k, today you will not buy it at N150.

People are still making the most amazing sacrifices over the 'vainest' of things, make enemies over worthless material things. What can I Say? Look back at that one thing you want to kill or die for today and see what becomes of it tomorrow.