DON'T BE DECEIVED - by Akin' Okunowo

Don't be deceived. Cultists are not spirits, they are human beings like you and me. They will come like friends or enemies to get you involved. They will lie to you, tell you what is never true until you join and realised your mistake at a stage of no going back; when you must have undergone the process of selling your soul to the devil. At this point, it is almost too late not to be involved again. So, wherever you find yourselves in life, be good examples of a wise person who will use his or her wisdom to act right and reject evil. A child of God can never be deceived by the devil. So, be steadfast and realise that the devil goes around possessing a lot people and compel them to worship him willingly and unwillingly, also ignorantly and knowingly.

Never allow yourself to be deceived or bear the mark of the beast! If you already belong to any secret society (cult), or you discovered that you belong to a group or association that their activities appeared secret to you, just know that you might get yourself or your loved ones harmed or into life time problem. However, if you realise on time, you might just be a step out of trouble. God will also give you a chance for repentance, another chance to re-position your life once again. God will deliver you if you believe and stand by your faith. Your salvation is important, and the grace of the Almighty God is paramount.

Know clearly today that worshiping devil, Satanism, is destructive to yourself, your loved ones, your business and your society. So, save yourself from the deceivers. The deceivers are demons that are fast gathering everywhere aroung the world to lure more people, especially those with great destinies, into evil and destruction. Therefore, never allow yourself to be deceived at all, be a man. May God give you the wisdom to survive the various challenges confronting mankind today.

ECOWAS Call for Cooperation: A Step in the Right Direction - Akin' Okunowo, Saturday, September 15, 2012

The call for closer cooperation among West African law enforcement agencies to counter the spate of organised transnational crimes in the sub-region is a positive effort by ECOWAS Commission. This call was made on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at the 8th Annual Meeting of West Africa's National Central Regional Bureaux of INTERPOL in Abidjan.

However, there is need for the Commission to undertake a proper review on the security operation and situation of their member nations so that good recommendations will be projected for crime control to practically boost security cooperation in West Africa. This will improve the economy of the sub-region and encourage more cooperation among member nations.

Nevertheless, this recommendations should include formulation of organisation framework with such practical standard that must not be compromised by the governments. The various challenges confronting the effective operations of all the law enforcement agencies involved must also be properly tackled in the recommendations so that necessary adjustment and improvement can be ensured.

For example, corruption has been identified among the major challenges that is seriously affecting the performances of the concerned agencies. Meanwhile, most of the nations involved are finding it almost impossible to combat corruption in their respective countries. Since ECOWAS cannot infringe on the sovereign powers of its member nations, therefore, the Commission must be convinced that the cooperating government are ready and up to the task of complying with standard that will bring success. In a situation, for example, where member nations can effectively fight unlawful possession and use of weapons internally, the rate of transnational crime in the sub-region will be reduced. It will also reduce the influx of illegal weapons into the region through boarders and ports.

On this basis, the various governments involved must be committed to security improvement for this cooperation to be far reaching and beneficial to all. The concerned governments must be ready to take responsibility for this cooperation by undertaking to bear the blame and consequences involved, otherwise, corruption and abuse might jeopardize all efforts towards success. Such counter productive result might also set back the development of the sub-region.

The view of Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, who noted that transnational organised crimes constituted a major menace to peace and security in the region, is true. However, it is good to also add that the bulk of the factors responsible for this menace differ from one nation to another. Some are majorly based on the internal challenges confronting the law enforcement agencies which must be diligently dealt with by the governments in order to complement the efforts of the various agencies involved.

The West African National Central Regional Bureaux of INTERPOL which is to coordinate the agencies in information sharing and analysis would have a lot of tax in their hands and there will be need for the body to broaden its man-force experience and knowledge base to meet up with the diversity of providing needed support for the various law enforcement agencies that will be involved. Likewise, running a West African Police Information System that target organised transnational crimes can only boost intra-Community police anti-crime cooperation through the effective internal operations of the law enforcement agencies.

The suggestion of Gen. Bredou M’bia, Inspector General of Police, Cote d’Ivoire, that the law enforcement agencies of the various member nations should redouble their efforts through specialized training in combating crimes should also be taken seriously, reviewed and strategized to ensure compliance of governments with reasonable standard. This will make the cooperation effective enough to realize the projected goals of the Commission in due course.

Lack of adequate up-to-date training, equipment and remuneration are also among the major challenges confronting the internal operating system of the law enforcement agencies in West Africa. So, there is need for the concerned governments to improve on their operating strategies and technics so that they can be more effective in crime fighting. When standard are set and made as conditions for this cooperation, the internal security systems of all member nations of ECOWAS will be improved and such will foster peace and stability.

Moreso, it is noteworthy that most of the circumstances that have led to the various challenging security situations in the sub-region are manageable internal problems. And until the concerned governments are up to the task of providing adequate security within their respective countries, their law enforcement agencies will constitute burden on other law enforcement agencies that will be involved in this cooperation. West African governments should be capable of taking decisive actions that are reasonable, effective and commendable to solve their own internal problems. This will improve the socio-economic weaknesses and failure of the sub-region.

Following due process of proper planning, preparation, management and operations of this intended cooperation along with the readiness the governments involved to comply with standard, cooperate and work towards common goals, the various security problems confronting the sub-region, like human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, cyber-crimes, counterfeiting, vehicle theft and smuggling, and so on, will be effectively checked.

WE NEED JUSTICE, LOVE AND PEACE FOR NIGERIA TO BE THE LAND OF OUR DREAM - A clarion call for renunciation of campus cult members

-  Being a Speech by Akin’ Okunowo, on 20th June 2012 at the Book Review Workshop for Anti-Cult Lessons in Nigeria held in Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria


What are we going to do when you give a boy a gun?
Is there any place to run? There is no place to run
When he holds it in his hand, doesn’t matter if he’s wrong
He wants the chances you took from him – nothing else he wants
Before you can read the writing on the wall
Bam! Bam! Bam! Will shoot us down!

In the year 2000, I was dismissed from the University for leading a protest against school fees. I could not afford the new fees. Unlike today that the authorities dialogue more with the students; in those days, they sent police and cultists after us like the way criminals abroad are chased with CCTV cameras and intelligence. In 2001 and 2002, students who were expelled for cult activities that involved killing in the university were reinstated back to school. What a world! It was unfair because we didn’t kill anybody! We were just poor students who could not afford to pay school fees! Is that an offence?! We protested again and a meeting was organized by the governor to discuss my reinstatement back to school. A Commissioner was assigned to discuss with me.

The Commissioner said the cults work for them and there was no way they could help us fight them. He noted that we (anti-cult) criticized their government too much. He advised that we work with these cults so that their own party wins the upcoming election in 2003. He promised that the government would reinstate me back to school after the election. I was to go and think over our discussion and give him a feedback.

I was confused because that was not what I expected to hear. I wanted the Commissioner to understand that we were deliberately victimized by the school authority, but my point appeared irrelevant for our discussion. We felt the listening ears of the government would arouse sympathy in our favour and correct the injustice, but the government would not listen. After the meeting, there was nowhere else to appeal and secure a brighter future. The only choice we had was to either be on the side of the government or stand in the path of righteousness (that is, against the government). The government that was to be our last hope turned out to be the masquerade behind our nightmare. Now, in God alone we trust. If you were in my shoes, what will you do?

The danger involved in cultism is worse than what the cultists themselves could imagine. The devil enticed many of them who have great future into cultism purposely to cut their lives short and reap their souls. So, there was no way we could work for the cultists or support a government that promotes Satanism and terrorism. Campus cultism has costly consequences for the individuals involved, the parents, the educational system and the society at large. It jeopardises one’s personal welfare and physical health, resulting into waste of precious time, loss of human life, loss of money and property. Cultists inflict dehumanizing pains and sorrow on fellow human beings; they commit sins against God, disrupt examinations and academic calendar. Members of cults face expulsion and their names and photographs published in the media. They become known criminals in the society and this negatively affect their future the more. Cultism creates atmosphere of fear and high insecurity in the society, the emergence of social misfits and dropouts, the production of half-baked graduates, and insurrection against constituted authorities. Cultism is more terrible than what anybody or their group stands to benefit. We all, the society at large, including the cultists and the concerned people, have a lot to loose at the end if the menace continue to transform into more serious social problems.

Today, the politicians have learnt their bitter lessons, I assume, and there is more work to do than before. We must not let the high rate of insecurity in this country get out of hand. It is necessary that we provide counselling and rehabilitation support for our citizens; provide employment opportunities for the youths and make our education worth sacrificing for. We need mental health development programmes and encourage cultists to live better life after renouncing their membership. Career, guidance and counselling centres in our schools need to operate independently, enjoy societal support, good funding and resources to rehabilitate renounced cultists. Those who are encouraging terrorism must change; we don’t need to quarrel over calling ourselves to order as brothers (citizens) in progress. Fellow Nigerians must stand up to their duty and responsibility by engaging our youths positively and not influencing them into crime, Satanism or evil. The mindset of our youths for the future matters a lot.


Corporate organisations should stop promoting more of disco and dance, and many meaningless programmes to merely entertain the public; rather, they should promote core academic values and contribute more meaningfully into the lives of our people. They should promote human creative ventures and support lucrative ideas that will develop our youths and the society. Let the system work right so that the people will believe in it. Stop corruption at all levels because the youths can do worse than the bandits. Let your no be “no” and your yes be “yes.” Be a man of integrity and honour in position of power. Stop running government like a secret cult. Let there be punishment to correct offenders and defaulters of the law, no matter their positions and the kind of connection they have. If you televise the person that stole “magi” on Crime Fighter, televise the person that embezzled public money on Crime Fighter too. Don’t spare the rich and suffer the poor.

Another thing we should worry over is “what are we teaching the upcoming generations?” I remember yesterday when we were growing up in this country, we were taught many bad lessons. It is a shame that campus cultism has been operating for so long that the society cannot stop it. People who are discouraging campus cultism are not protected by the system, rather their lives are exposed to danger by top-top people in the society. Corruption has been the order of the day and the easiest way to make quick and fraudulent money in this country. We saw guns and bribes used by the politicians to win election. Politics is practiced as a dirty game; and your neighbour whom you could reason along with to make a difference is just a coward. People do not expect anything good from the society – they fight for their own pockets. The media also promote sex, drug and crime that consequently encourage the youths wrongly. Just imagine too many bad lessons we were taught by the society. Definitely, there is need to resolve all the wrong lessons many of us have picked so that we can correct our thinking and improve once again as a giant nation.

Our generation is resourceful and never a waste because we are begging to be engaged and it was the society that was not helpful. When the society is not engaging the youths rightly, the devil gives them attention, using the cults and other evil platforms to rule their mind and cause disaster, suffering and hardship. If the youths are given a sense of belonging in the affairs of our society, there will be better transformation in this country. The system has failed us and it appears no one else is there to promise our own children for sure that they will be the leaders of tomorrow. It’s still the same old lies in new sachets. What will they believe? Nobody believes lie any more. The sacrificial option we have is to get empowered to afford quality education for our children and a conducive atmosphere to also train them. You know those giving you guns do not train their own children in this country. They don’t even use the hospitals we use, nor suffer the hard times we are facing. It is you and I that are trained in this country, and you can imagine the future we are living today. A future where things no longer work right. Meanwhile, their own children come around to flex their muscles while you go around them like beggars, bodyguards and errand boys. Instead of leading, we are the slaves of our tomorrow. Life must not continue like this, we have to change it. Please, be prepared to make yourself better enough to convince our children that there will be a better tomorrow. Campus cultism can not convince anybody that tomorrow will be better. So, you have no other choice than to renounce now!

Do not allow yourself to become a waste commodity. Shun the deceiver and be a man. A failure is the man that falls and refuses to rise again. Rise up now and renounce cultism! Study well to improve your knowledge and skills for tomorrow. You are our hope for better days to come; so it is wise you start doing something good today. Don’t forget that whatever you do today, the younger ones are watching you, and it will form part of their knowledge and experience. If you are not acting right, definitely you are teaching them bad lessons too. If we start doing the right thing together, the thinking of everybody will change. I know people can change into better persons only if they believe they can and given the chance. A man with negative mindset can never fulfil his destiny. I believe in destiny, and I believe that everyone’s destiny lye in his own hands. All you need to do is to make the right choice in life, and before you know it, you are up there. That is how many great people we were thought about became who they were. Now that civilization has come, we can become better than they were.

You must understand that campus cultism is full of negative thinking that gives no room for you to ponder good ideas on your mind. Stop believing that because you know cultists or you are one of them makes you safe. The insecurity in a nation will not exempt anybody therein, including the perpetrators of the evil or the innocent people, since anything can happen. Moreover, most of the cultists believe things can never work for them if they renounce cult membership. Many of them feel they will die. Their colleagues whom they are afraid of are equally looking for the easiest way out. It’s like they are all in chains; in fact, they are in serious bondage. Some of them feel they have sacrificed too much for cultism and cannot renounce or change without having any gain to show for it. What gain will a man get from evil? Be wise!

Some cultists think their network will be reduced or come against them. Some have benefited in terms of connection, contracts and other opportunities that they continue to lure more people into cultism to keep their own selfish gains booming. It also makes some people most talked about in the news, and the “Senior Cultists” are always there to lie that black is white to the society. Some believe nemesis might catch up with them too quickly. Many cultists cannot just purge their conscience of the numerous negative thoughts that have grown larger than life in their mind. They have too much to worry about and be restless over. They do wish away the reality that they are practicing Satanism too; and even if it is, they want to assume not to believe in the devil. Meanwhile, they worship the bush-gods of their respective cults and bear bush-names (secret names) that associate them with the attitude of belief, dedication and devotion to serve. However, you don’t need to believe in the devil before it uses you; cultism is a platform for the anti-Christ among us, once you belong, then you’re an instrument of the devil.


No matter what the bad lessons have turned you into, if you take a wise decision today, your life will change for good. Start a new life now and set good tasks for yourselves. Change your ways; follow the path that leads to your place of honour. Today’s failure can become tomorrow’s success. It is not too late to make a better decision now. Don’t bother about those friends you keep; bother about your tomorrow and who you will become because the man you can call a friend must be a reflection of who you are. Act right and act now!

Change will make you discover good friends that will help you become what you dream to be. Renounce campus cultism now and you will be on top of your problems. If you feel it is not possible to renounce, or you are convinced that changing from bad to good will not work for you, then you have assumed that you have no destiny to fulfil. Circumstances that cultists find themselves oftentimes discourage them to change and make them wrongly believe that they can never live a better life again – a costly mistake already, eh? But one thing I know is that champions believe they will win and that is what makes them who they are. It is possible to see a man survive a serious situation and another man die in the same situation – the fundamental difference is the choice each of them makes. Perhaps, the will of man is the greatest power God gave to man. You just try it and it will work for you. That is why nothing can stand between you and what you have decided in your mind to do. If you believe you can become the messiah Nigeria need, of course, you can become just that in a matter of time. I believe it. What about you?

I advise you particularly to make a good change today and start fulfilling your destiny – and your dreams will come true; and until you finish, you got to be strong! If we come together as one, and believe in this positive change, nothing can stop us. God knows! If you think well, you will do well and get to your place of great honour. The time to transform Nigeria into the land of our dream is now. We need you; and without you, we cannot do it all. The transformation starts with every one of us changing from evil ways. Running abroad or away from challenges will not help us. The richest and most successful men in this country are living and making it in this country. We can build a better place here. If we believe it and do it together, we will achieve justice, love and peace. So, let’s do it now!

Where there is no will, there is no way! Please, put away all your sorrow, your anger, your pains and worries behind you. Join the train of change now. Remember that tough times don’t last but tough people do. You can become tougher than your fear by infusing fear into fear, fear is emptiness. Become our hero today and honourably save our motherland. Renounce campus cultism now because your future, family and nation need you. Come out of it and regain your place of honour today!

Let peace reign in Nigeria today and there will be a better tomorrow for all of us and our children, and our children’s children, and our children children’s children. God bless Nigeria, God bless Africa, and God bless the whole world and bring a lasting peace for all. Amen.

Check Funding for Terrorists: The Way Forward - Akin' Okunowo, Tuesday, September 18, 2012

As network of terrorist organisations increases around the world, global efforts to curtail the menace have become a bigger task for all. How soon will these efforts bring lasting solution to the growing insecurity around the world also depend on the commitment, skills and sincere efforts of the concerned governments to effectively bring their various internal problems under control.

Since Nigeria became a nation under terrorist attack, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan must ensure that due process and rule of law are diligently followed to avoid situation where corruption and negligence continue to jeopardize the internal insecurity of the nation. The Federal Government of Nigeria knows the Boko Haram leaders and has been having series of meetings with them, in and out of the country; therefore, in the interest of world peace, Jonathan's administration must take more decisive action to protect his people and the integrity of his nation through genuine crime control and fight against terrorism.

The government must not treat the fight against corruption, campus cultism, crime, poverty, unemployment, poor educational system, mismanagement of national resource and other related problems with kid gloves. The moral integrity of President Jonathan’s administration is at stake over the manner it has been handling security issues; also members of his government have failed to demonstrate genuine patriotism, believe in and commitment to the transformation agenda of his government.

The British Government has demonstrated seriousness in fighting terrorism worldwide, which was the case when a member of the British House of Lords, David Alton, accused a London-based charity organisation called Al-Muntada Trust Fund of financing the operations of Boko Haram in Nigeria. However, the charity organisation has denied any connection with the Boko Haram as alleged in The Observer newspaper. This confrontational effort of the British Government is not the case in Nigeria where identity of those involved in sponsoring terrorist organisations are protected.

Denying the allegations however, Al-Muntada claimed that they never had any correspondence, never offered any financial assistance or had any contact of any kind with the Boko Haram or any other militant group or groups in Nigeria or in any other part of the world. According to the organisation, "Al Muntada is renowned for its humanitarian work in Africa. We see these allegations as part of a worrying trend whereby aspersions are cast upon Islamic charities without proof, thus harming their efforts to save lives in the world’s poorest regions.... As a registered charity, we are fully compliant with all Charity Commission regulations and look forward to working with them to continue improving our procedures."

The British Charity Commission is yet to confirm whether the charity organisation alleged to be funding terrorism in Nigeria is directly related to the London-based Al-Muntada. The commission noted that there are several other charity organisations registered under the same name. But the Guardian newspaper in London reported that the London-based Al-Muntada is notorious for being a platform for radical clerics. This alone is enough for the British Government to ensure proper investigation is conducted on London-based charity, Al-Muntada Al-Islami Trust. They must review its various activities and financial matters both locally and internationally. All offices, centres and outlets of the Al-Muntada should be scrutinized. This will check terrorism and other crimes that might be associated with use of charity organisations to promote terrorism.

Al-Muntada Al-Islami Trust claims to be an independent organisation initially established in the UK to cater for the needs of the local community with a number of centres around the world, each delivering need-based projects through local initiatives. Its projects include feeding programmes for some of the poorest people in the world, educational programmes to tackle illiteracy, building of water wells, and community outreach programmes. Since its activities include dealing with local people in Africa as well, then there is need to carry out proper investigation on all their operations and programmes not only in Nigeria, but around the world. Investigation should also look into the organisational framework of its operations and policies, comparing it with the belief and ideals of Boko Haram and Al Qaeda.

This might help relevant government agencies around the world to look into activities of charity organisations operating within their countries and prevent avenues where charity organisations are used to fund, train and perpetuate terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, the Charity Commission of the British Government is still investigating the claims in The Observer newspaper that Al-Muntada has link with terrorist groups that is connected with attacks against churches and Christians in Nigeria. Likewise, the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) is also working on their own investigation into the matter which is expected to be independent but in cooperation with relevant government agencies of other countries around the world.

It is noteworthy that telephone and email conversations are not enough to handle this manner of investigation. There is need for on-sight study and critical investigation by Nigerian security agencies, ensuring that visit is paid to and inspection of records is undertaken at the various locations concerned. They must also come up with intelligence reports to assist all cooperating international agencies involved in the investigation.

Even though it might be wrong to jump into conclusion that the allegations raised against Al-Muntada Trust is not be true, but it is possible that any organisation involved in funding terrorism will quickly deny its involvement considering the gravity of consequences involved. Therefore, background and various means of income for Al-Muntada and its operating and board members must be investigated, ensuring as well that area where their wealth and resources are disbursed is crosschecked.

On the other hand, Nigerian Government needs to improve on its fight against terrorism. So far, the attitude of the government has shown likely compromise as it fails to exhibit courage and sincerity of purpose in its handling of the matter of Boko Haram. The greater responsibility of restoring peace, unity and progress back to the country require that governments at all levels and their public officials in Nigeria should follow due process and rule of law; give account on the various allegations of corruption levied against them; develop sound and clear objectives to pursue matters of national interest with responsible political will that will restore confidence in the people and the world at large. The idea of sparing and granting bail for those who are indicted with corrupt and criminal practices should be stopped, reviewed and corrected to restore law and order, and respect for good governance.

It is clear that governments at all levels in Nigeria have allowed the worry of finding solution to terrorism linger unnecessarily for too long without good results to show forth. They have emphasized much on budget matters to waste resources that could have been diverted to consolidate efforts for infrastructural development and job creation. Meanwhile, their ridiculous budgets and spending at all levels and their involvement in corrupt practices have illegally enriched many politicians who now provide financial support for terrorist organisations like Boko Haram and militants for the realization of their selfish political gains.

So, it is necessary at this juncture that cooperating nations fighting terrorism, which include Nigeria, start doing more on investigation into the various means of income or funding for the Boko Haram in Nigeria. Attention should be drawn to the local source of income for terrorists in Nigeria because of the alleged involvement of powerful and rich politicians, including government officials, who secretly sponsor them for selfish gains. It is possible that Boko Haram generate enough money locally to sustain its terrorist affairs.

Locally generated income by terrorists might be in multiple folds compared to the funds they received from abroad. Possibly, the support they receive abroad might be for logistics and training of their members, while internal generated funds might be for purchase of weapons and substance of action. There have been allegations of the Boko Haram sect also extort money regularly from government, individuals and private organisations in their operating areas. It is possible that a bulk of this income could be enough to fund terrorist attacks with less need for external funding.

The Federal Government had series of meetings with the leaders and representatives of the sect within and outside the shores of Nigeria, and such meeting must be reviewed and details provided to combat terrorism worldwide. If the sect do not have strong international network with other terrorist organisations in the world, such meeting arranged through Nigerian government and officials cannot be perfected by the sect.

Nigeria has all it takes to succeed as a great nation and have positive impact on the world around her. The terrorism, bombing, kidnapping, and all forms of terrorist acts being perpetuated in the country today are products of unchecked menace of campus cultism in Nigeria. It is unfortunately that government is not looking in this direction to further check terrorism. Importantly, the idea of paying lip service to numerous problems in the country make government fail on its promises and judicious use of abundant human and material resources. Likewise, government idea of pampering terrorists and criminals under the pretext of buying them off is having bad influence and gross implications that complicate matters into worse senario. The people of the country must be protected against terrorism and Satanic practices. The leaders must redeem their images and become good example of leadership.

For Nigeria Government to succeed in its fight against Boko Haram, it must correct injustice, poverty, police abuse, human rights violations, the belief that the West is a corrupt influence in governance, and allow the mass populace have access to basic health, education and empowerment services. According to Human Right Watch, over 14,000 people have been killed in Nigeria by sectarian violence since 1999. The people do not need to resort to violence or use of arms against constituted authorities before they are heard and taken care of accordingly as rich as Nigeria.

Healthcare: Why Both Poor and Rich Nigerians Go Abroad - Akin' Okunowo, Friday, September 21, 2012

The lady in this picture is Roselyn Etsemebor, a Nigerian who needs help. Very few cases like this have found their way into the media seeking for help. Her condition is pathetic and painful. She needs the help of well-to-do individuals or organisation to come to her rescue. Sometimes, saving just a single life can save many lives. Please, help her!
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For the survival of the human race, people have realized many centuries ago that every organized society in the world needs good and sound healthcare delivery system. This has encouraged every nation to create enabling environment for the growth of healthcare delivery services for its people. The provision of good health environments has empowered their citizens to effectively exercise their right to life.

They have set good standards through the provision up-to-date facilities, service rendering and enforcement of policies for their people to have access to affordable and sound healthcare services. The governments that took this responsibility as essential primary duty of care to cater for the well-being of their people have refused to compromise standard over the years. And their people continue to have access to up-to-date facilities and technical know-how to maximize their healthy lives. While those nations that compromised standards have poor healthcare system, they also seek for foreign medical treatment.

Successful governments regularly back up their healthcare achievements by encouraging their professionals to acquire advance knowledge and undertake developmental researches for the growth of their health sectors. They do not run their sectors like offices, or consultation firms, or drug distribution centres. Their governments do not see themselves as leaders, but rather, they see themselves as public servants who make and implement government policies and programs not for the development of their pockets but of their people. They never leave their duty for the people to come and do, they implement and run their health sectors through their ministries, agencies and other government regulating bodies. They make rules, regulate the system, and ensure compliance to serve their people better. This is the essence of their adequate budgeting to improve the lives of their people (which include them too as member of the same society). They don’t budget on figures thought through their heads. Their budgeting is not to award contracts and take supplies, they budget to improve and advance accessibility of their people to best healthcare services.

By the level of what operates in Nigeria, governments at all levels in the country have failed to provide such enabling healthy environment for both the poor and the rich to enjoy best healthcare services like other hardworking government does for their people. The corruption perpetuated with government in Nigeria has made it impossible for the people to benefit good healthcare services despite government huge and wasteful spending on the health sector: no sustainable good healthcare delivery system; no single health facility to boast of in Nigeria.

The people and government always go abroad for medical treatments before their health is guaranteed. Many health situations that could have been attended to on time hopelessly deteriorate to chronic ones before they see medical attention for treatment or abroad. Sometimes, this is due to non-affordability, poverty and discouragement by the government who do not believe in the country’s healthcare delivery services.

Meanwhile, Nigerian medical professionals are capable rendering all the services they are seeking abroad. The problem is the challenges posed by the administration of healthcare delivery system by the government. The poor masses who formed bulk of the population of the people are suffering most from the overwhelming challenges. Sometimes, their health deteriorate beyond care before they could afford or see attention, and most of the time, they don't seek attention due to poverty. The rich too waste their hard earned money to go abroad for treatment.

However, the people in the medical profession in the country have protested times without number to persuade government to live up to standard, meet its promises and operate a better healthcare delivery system. They have organised various programs, offered recommendations, and also went on industrial strike action all to no avail. The level of corruption in the government has become so much that the health sector remains very poor and the professionals are not encouraged.

This consequently forced many experts in the field to leave the country for better working environment abroad. Some of those who left Nigeria are now among the best medical experts in the world. In fact, some of them have naturalized themselves into citizens of those nations they operate in other to realize their dreams and goals. That is why up till today, experts in various professions in Nigeria continue to seek for job opportunities abroad due to the continuous failure of governance not only in the health sector, but in virtually every other sector of the economy. It is unfortunate that such is the case in Nigeria, but the government must be more committed to workable transformation agenda that will benefit the health of the mass populace of its people.

Considering the implications wasteful budgeting and high cost of spending to fly people abroad for treatment (both rich and poor), if treatments are available in Nigeria, over 60% of the cost of treatment will be saved by all. And even less than 40% that might be expended will go into our economy as patronage for medical services. Professionals in the medical field would regularly improve their expertise and advance the country's healthcare delivery services to become competitive and better than many of the government and co they go abroad to patronize.

When people go abroad for treatment, they don't go alone; they always have company for the trips. Cases of government officials are the worst. Their huge and extra expenses (which are deducted from government pocket) include bearing the cost of government personnel and aides on their medical trips as if they had moved their offices to the foreign hospitals. So, if treatment is available in Nigeria, there will be no need for waste, flight, lodging and numerous expenses away from home that the government and others who can afford had to bear, otherwise, this health problem will further impoverished the people.

The president, governors and all other political office holders, including their friends and families, do not receive medical treatment in Nigeria. Calculate their figure and imagine how much Nigeria health sector is loosing every year? They all go abroad for treatment, just like the First Lady of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, right now is receiving treatment abroad in a German hospital for Ruptured Appendicitis. The decision for her to be flown abroad for treatment was made by the President, meaning that the government know by practice that healthcare delivery system in the country is poor and below standard.

But I want to ask. Can't doctors in Nigeria diagnose ruptured appendicitis and do its surgery? Is there no facility for treating this ailment in Nigeria? Why do the government go abroad for treatments? What efforts is the government making to improve Nigeria health sector to cater the needs of the helpless population? What steps have the government taken to cut down public spending in the area of healthcare and invest it in other developmental projects to save the people. If Nigerian doctors are doing well abroad, then what is wrong with them doing well in Nigeria? Is there no guaranteed medical treatment in Nigeria? If there is, why are government officials going for treatment abroad?

If care is not taken, the deteriorating state might worsen to the level of government ended up misleading the country to buy National Health Service from another country. Why? The situation has become so bad that even when the top government officials need to rest or live a normal life, they will go abroad to patronize foreign hotels, hospitals, recreation centres and so on. But how many foreigners (especially the people in government too) come to Nigeria for medical treatment, or rest, or buy houses, or patronize schools? How many good hospital and facilities can Nigeria boast of to compete with the foreign ones they patronize? But Nigerians desperately run abroad, live with their families abroad, buy houses, government officials run secret accounts abroad, politicians hide their loots and investments abroad. Very soon if care is not taken, many of the foreigners they patronize will ride under foreign investment policy of same government to take over the jobs of Nigerian doctors since the government don’t value them too. Is it not a big shame that the people in government who are to ensure there is provision of good healthcare delivery system are the ones going abroad for medical treatment? So, how do they expect the people who are not enjoying the various allowances, bills payment and other gains they are benefiting to enrich themselves in government feel?

It is glaring that the government of Nigeria have big task in their hands to ensure that good healthcare services are available and affordable by the people. The government should understand that health is wealth, and as such, must review its spending, re-strategized better on healthcare delivery, cut down waste and build its health sector to serve the nation better. Government must create enabling environment for Nigerians to enjoy affordable good healthcare services without travelling abroad. With the poor economic situation of the people and the high level of poverty in the country, government acting right will contribute to save many people from Satanism, crime, terrorism and other wrongful acts to make a living and paying exuberant bills.

Your Book Is An Anti-Cult Bible – Seun Adebiyi

Sir, I want to commend you. Your book, “Beware of Cultism (the Gathering of Demons),” is a wonderful research that I have never come across in my life. I am very happy to have ordered for a copy. The lessons you shared are very useful and I want to encourage you. I thought I knew something about cultism before, but after reading your book, I realized that I actually knew nothing at all. Thanks for the good lessons.

Cultism is a serious evil in our society today. These cult groups were initially known as brotherhood and were not as secret and evil like they have become today, particularly as claimed by their founding fathers who had good motives. Their members were known, approachable and reasonable.

Now, the brotherhood spirit has gone and makes them maim and kill themselves. Their aims and objectives have changed into constituting problems for our society. They also abuse ladies and disrespect womanhood. Worst of all, the evil has spread into our primary and secondary schools like diseases. Many of our kids now desire to be cultists before they even gain admission into tertiary institution. not only that, even the government and the society continue to pretend as if cultism is not the genesis of terrorism in Nigeria.

I think the recommendation of Emeritus Professor Olumuyiwa Awe inside the book is right. He is a man of great honor for writing such wonderful Foreword. If other important personalities are also encouraging what you are doing, I believe that terrorism will be checked in Nigeria.

But I was worried that many cultists are cajoled to join cultism for protection and connection. But the various evil happening to the cultists should have created fear in the mind of many of the would-be members. Reading your book, I found more than enough answers to all my worries. I saw that you had exposed the secret behind it. Truly, campus cults are secret societies, and are satanic.

There is no protection for any cultist, and it is sad that many keep joining. I wonder whether those joining really know what they are doing. It is written in Psalm 911 that “he who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” God. So, why are they seeking protection in darkness and evil?

For over many years that these cult problems have been disturbing our education system in this country, I have not seen government and the school authorities taking meaningful step to eradicate it and protect real students. They have refused to involve the right resource persons that have the kind of knowledge you have to help them succeed. I feel they don’t work with you because light and darkness cannot work together. I know that God will continue to help you.

I want you to remember that Gani Fawehinmi was not recognized and encouraged by government. Even those who benefited the democracy that Gani fought for pretends like he is not a committed person. Therefore, I want to encourage you that the Almighty God will bless you. And like Nigerians honored Gani as the Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), very soon, you will be honored for making this great research.

Apart from the subject of your book, I am very happy that you as the author is a Nigerian. 

Sad Independence Day Celebration In Nigeria – by Akin’ Okunowo, Wednesday, October 3, 2012

“Independence Day without a party? Because there is NOTHING to celebrate. While most of our leaders are bad, more of the followers are horrible. I am VERY SAD.”

 The quotation above was the last text message I received on October 1, 2012. Something struck my mind after reading it. You are free to comment after reading what I have to share as preamble for discussion. Sincerely, it is very sad that we are gradually ending up having nothing to celebrate again as a nation. And if care is not taken, our worst nightmare as people struggling to rebuild their broken unity, economy and society might come too soon.

Yes, what do we have to celebrate in Nigeria? This year, what have we celebrated? Who are the people actually celebrating? Who celebrated a democracy that is not bringing good results despite all the waste? Is the government not celebrating terrorism when the president was scared of hosting our national Independence Day celebration ceremony at the Eagle’s Square and still wrote a meaningless speech that blends with the need of time?

Yes, the politicians had parties in their closets, where many miscreants and thieves were hosted to avoid public criticism. They knew all they had on parade were the same old faces that annoy the nation because those faces are image of corruption and underdevelopment of Nigeria. These corrupt people are always there to rob all ages, the glory and honour of the day, purposely to protect their loots and treacherous acts.

If it was not sad enough, then let me ask. How many foreigners have naturalized themselves to Nigerians to play in our national sports teams? How much foreigners come to study in Nigeria compared to the Nigerians going to study abroad? Is our education system worth showcasing? Even the dream killers send their children abroad and still run the affairs of our education sector. Our healthcare delivery system is bad, the key people in government and others desiring good health facility patronize foreign hospitals. So, what else can we note to have celebrated or worth celebrating?

Although, this government regularly celebrates corruption. People that are known to have acquired money through corrupt means are duly recognized by the government, even to buy our power sector, telecommunication sector and so on. Meanwhile, the same government claimed to have achieved restoring these same sectors after wasting a lot of our national resources. Yet, the government sells them to elevate the status of questionable characters of individuals as good investors desiring to contribute into our economy. Consequently, the government transfers the gains of investing our national resources into the corrupt private pockets of these questionable personalities and champions of corruption. Who bought NEPA, NITEL, Sea Ports and many other things belonging to Nigeria? Is selling these things worth a celebration? How much are they sold, where are the money and what have the government done with the money? Is the way this government is being run like a cartel organization worth any celebration at all? Can Nigeria improve under this kind of circumstances without the government being radically changed?

Obviously, Independence Day celebration in Nigerian has become a rubbished ceremony. More money is budgeted into organizing it, but due to high level of corruption in the presidency and across all levels of governments in Nigeria, ‘closed door’ celebrations are now organized among the ruling class under the pretext of protecting themselves from being attacked by Boko Haram. A situation where the President is very much afraid of local terrorists to the extent of not organizing such significant national ceremony in Eagle’s Square is a serious security challenge for all and a big shame for the president and his party.

This will be the second time the President is afraid of local terrorists attacking him at the Eagle’s Square on Independence Day. A government that cannot protect itself cannot guarantee the security of it citizens and foreigners. We must be realistic! We need to start waking up from slumber and start taking more radical actions to caution make government act right before things get worse beyond correction. Note that this country cannot grow without good security system. In 2011 when the President held his first closed door Independence Day celebration, the consequences later on were: high increase in corruption, terrorism, crime, violence and bloodshed all over the country.

Therefore, if serious attention is not paid to everyday affairs of governance in this country now, the consequences of this 2012 closed door celebration of our 52^nd Independence Day will become worse than ever. Already, the fear is having more negative impact on our national peace, unity, development and progress.

No genuine investor will invest in a nation that is pictured by its own government to be under serious internal security threat that even the government itself cannot handle. No investor will be such foolish except such is to take undue advantage of the bad situation. Therefore, we need to draw attention to know the foreigners that have been investing in our unstable and crises ridden economy. Could they be genuine investors or agents of the corrupt politicians in government? Most nations in the world know that our leaders are one of the most corrupt set of people in the world, and still do business with them. Some of these nations gain from the corruption perpetuated by our leaders. It is possible therefore that these foreign investors are fronted by the same corrupt politicians in government to take undue advantage of our bad economy, or are doing so in other to get their own share of gain from supporting the corrupt process.

There is no doubt that this caricature Independence Day celebration that was organized by government on October 1, 2012, will have grave consequences too. It is unfortunate as well that national occasion like this, which should have been used to assess how far we are progressing as people and picture a better future ahead, is used to emphasis rhetoric, vain promises and blatant lies. Meanwhile, the government does not have any magic solution to our numerous national problems. So, there is no doubt about it, as this government had laid its bed, so it will sleep on it.

It is high time for government to start using national occasions of this nature, such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, June 12, and others, to teach good lessons and inspire our world. Turning such occasions into campaign ground for preaching lies and delivering wrong addresses will not help us. Had it been the 52^nd Independence Day celebration was used to hit on very pressing security, social, religious and cultural issues affecting our development as people, such occasion will remain memorable in our heart and impactful to all.

As long as corruption, terrorism, crime and many other wrongful acts are celebrated in Nigeria, especially by government itself, national problems will increase and the pathetic situation will get more worse. If Nigeria continues to fail as a state, things will get worse too, and more people will be forced to pick up arms to protect themselves. The weaknesses of this government might become difficult to improve and its failure irredeemable. It will continue to spend more and more on finding solution to the increasing problems instead of actually solving them.

The high level of poverty that we are suffering in Nigerian today will force many into corruption, terrorism, crimes, and other wrongful acts. It will encourage serious rebellion against the government and destruction of the caricature corrupt system before the people will protect themselves and have access to basic things of life. This situation might be inevitable because the only people that eat well in Nigeria today are the politicians in government and collaborators who continue to budget ridiculous money as benefits for themselves and also hijack the nation’s economy fronting false foreign and local investors.

If you have an advice or contribution or contrary opinion to this, kindly like this, share and drop your comment.

National Address By President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan On Democracy Day, May 29, 2012

Fellow Nigerians,

One year ago, I was privileged to stand before you, to take the oath of office as President of our dear country, the third to serve you as President since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Today, I remember that day and the processes leading to it with profound gratitude to God Almighty and to all Nigerians who have worked very hard to enrich our journey from military dictatorship to inclusive democratic governance.

For the past 13 years, we have remained a stable democracy. We have together demonstrated that the government of the people is an ideal that the people of Nigeria cherish. We have our differences as individuals and as politicians, but we have shown great faith in democracy and its institutions. We have refused to be limited by our differences. Despite reservations about some of our institutions, we have refused to submit to despair. This achievement is a testament to the courage and optimism of the Nigerian people.

As we celebrate this year’s Democracy Day, I pay tribute to all the men and women who have made our democratic experience meaningful: the ordinary people who resisted military rule, and have remained resolute in their embrace of democracy; the army of Nigerian voters who, at every election season, troop out in large numbers to exercise their right of franchise; the change agents in civil society who have remained ever watchful and vigilant.

I pay special tribute also to all patriots who are the pillars of our collective journey,most especially, our armed forces who have steadfastly subordinated themselves to civil authority in the past 13 years. They have continued to demonstrate a great sense of professionalism. They have discharged their duties to the nation with honour and valour.  In a sub-region that has witnessed instances of political instability, authored by restless soldiers, the Nigerian Armed Forces have remained professional in their support of democracy.

When General Abdusalami Abubakar handed over the baton of authority to President Olusegun Obasanjo, in 1999, it was a turning point for Nigeria. We did not arrive at that turning point by accident. Many Nigerians laid down their lives for the transition to democracy to occur.  Some were jailed. Media houses were attacked and shut down. But the people’s resolve was firm and unshakeable.  This is what we remember. This is what we celebrate. On this day, I recall especially the martyrdom of Chief M. K. O.  Abiola, whose presumed victory in the 1993 Presidential election, and death, while in custody, proved to be the catalyst for the people’s pro-democracy uprising. The greatest tribute that we can pay to him, and other departed heroes of Nigeria’s democracy, is to ensure that we continue to sustain and consolidate our democratic institutions and processes, and keep Hope alive.

Let us individually and collectively, continue to keep the spirit of this day alive. No task is more important. We must continue to do well as a people and as a democracy. We must remember where we are coming from, so we can appreciate how far we have travelled.

When I assumed office as Acting President, in 2010, on account of the health challenges suffered by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was so much anxiety in the land. The tone of public debate was febrile. Some persons sought to use the situation in the country to sow the seeds of discord. My primary task at that time was to do all that was humanly possible to ensure stability within the polity. With the support and commitment of patriotic Nigerians from all walks of life, and the grace of the Almighty God, we were able to do so.

On May 6,2010, following President Yar’Adua’s death, I assumed office as substantive President. I subsequently presented myself as a candidate for the 2011 Presidential elections, with a promise that under my watch, the elections would be free, fair and credible. We kept faith with that promise. On May 29, 2011, I was sworn in as President, the fifth elected leader of Nigeria since independence. The success of the 2011 elections and the international acclaim that it generated was due to your patriotic zeal and commitment. I will like to seize this opportunity to thank all patriotic Nigerians who stood by us, and have remained unwavering in their support.

These Nigerians understand one thing: that we all have a duty to protect and promote our country, and that this country belongs to all of us. Electoral contest is about values. We must not lose sight of those values that strengthen us as a people. As long as I am President, I will do my utmost to continue to work hard in pursuit of the common good.

There are challenges, yes, but we are working hard to address those challenges. And, by God’s grace, we will succeed. My confidence is bolstered by the results which we have achieved in different sectors within the last twelve months.

Our democracy is stable. Its foundation is strong and firm. Its future is bright. Last year, I had spoken about the policy of “one man one vote, one woman, one vote,one youth, one vote”. I am glad to see that the Nigerian people in all elections have continued to respect the principle of fair play.  Since this administration came into office, we have gone to great lengths to strengthen our democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission.  There are still persons who believe that elections should be violent and unhealthy, but they are in the minority. They will not derail our democracy because the majority of Nigerians will not allow them to do so.

The goal of our administration is to ensure that every Nigerian can find gainful employment. Given my dissatisfaction with the prevailing unemployment situation in the country, our administration has embarked on an ambitious strategy of creating jobs and job-creators through the launch of several initiatives mainly targeted at the youths and women.

To improve reliable power supply, our administration is judiciously implementing the Power Sector Road map, which is at an advanced stage, to fully privatize power generation and distribution while reducing the cost of electricity to rural households and the urban poor.

The commitment of this Administration to the provision of regular and uninterrupted power supply remains strong and unwavering.  We all agree that adequate and regular power supply will be the significant trigger to enhance this nation’s productive capacity and accelerate growth.  It is for this reason that I remain optimistic that the reforms we have initiated,the decisions we have taken so far and the plans we intend to faithfully prosecute will yield the desired results.

It is also in this regard that the Federal Government has decided that late Chief M.K.O. Abiola  be honoured, for making the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of justice and truth. Destiny and circumstances conspired to place upon his shoulders a historic burden, and he rose to the occasion with character and courage. He deserves recognition for his martyrdom, and public-spiritedness and for being the man of history that he was.  We need in our land, more men and women who will stand up to defend their beliefs, and whose example will further enrich our democracy. After very careful consideration, and in honour of Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s accomplishments and heroism, on this Democracy Day, the University of Lagos, is renamed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Moshood Abiola University, Lagos. The Federal Government will also establish an Institute of Democratic Studies and Governance in the University.

 Thank you

My Opinion About President Jonathan's Speech on the 52nd Independence Day Celebration - by Akin' Okunowo, Monday, October 1, 2012

I agree with President Goodluck Jonathan's address on Monday, October 1, 2012, that there are better days ahead. But I think it is easier said than done.

There is need for his government to start translating its numerous promises into actions and reality so that we will have confidence in the government. If there is no lack of confidence in his government, there will be no reason for him to always reassure us every now and then. We have had promises upon promises from him, but we want results.


For Nigeria to be a source of pride to we citizens of the country, Africa, and the human race, some fundamental issues like security, the rule of law, good governance and giving we the citizens a sense of belonging in the affairs of governance must be taken into cognizance. 


We all have one role or the other to play, even if we do not belong to political parties. In a situation where our sincere feelings are not given a thought and the government continue to think its working, there will be need to always use every given occasion as opportunity to convince us over and over again.


Today is a day of national celebration. If I must ask, how much did his government spent on the last and today's Independence Day Celebration closed door celebration? Why can't we celebrate it the way we used to do if all is well? When the government demonstrated so much fear about security to celebrate national event of this nature, how will an ordinary Nigerian believe in more or mere promises?


This government need to carry the people along and demonstrate the capability of meeting up with its various promises. It is worrisome too when key members of his government are so much confused and express their inability to handle situations in the country and still not resign to allow better hands on board. 


We voted the President. We all love him. How will his government now think some people can instigate us against his government. He has expressed this in his 52nd Independence lecture some days ago, which was not fair on the part of the vast populace at all. The issue about his lecture is that, who wants Jonathan to fail? Is it the hungry citizens or the unemployed majority?


Unfortunately, the weaknesses of his government have earned our noble nation a very bad name, and we are very much concerned like he is too. Many Nigerians, home and abroad, are no longer treated with dignity and respect. How on earth will somebody associate terrorism with our image? How did we get here and how serious is the presidency taking this matter? 


To be frank with Mr. President, you budgeting millions for your daily bread is disgusting to a lot of people that you want to convince that you feel how they feel. If you think deeply inside yourself as a true Nigerian, you should know that you have become too comfortable to understand the pains Nigerians are going through right now because all is not well at all. Whoever is telling you all is well is not sincere with you at all.


To cut my long story short, your Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, we all know that without good security, there can be no meaningful economic growth considering the state of our nation today. Already, you have been using the issue of Boko Haram as excuse to deliver on your political promises. So, where do you expect us to build confidence in your government from? 


The issue of corruption in your government is a serious headache that is still unsolved and unchecked. Even if you have a good vision for this country, the truth is that, you cannot do it alone. To be practical, who are your team mates working on our problems and how well are you progressing. A second thought is needed to redirect the affairs of this nation as things are no longer the same again.


Until your government create such enabling environment for us to have good sense of belonging in governance, where ordinary people like us can forward our suggestions for your consideration like a form of contribution, you people will continue to operate within your circle. You must be ready to tolerate your critics, if probably that is the category your government has classified people like us, because not all of your critics mean harm. Many are concerned why things are not working right. This you must appreciate as a good leader which we all voted for. That does not mean they are better than you or you are weak. It simply means how passionate you are about finding solutions to our increasing problems. 


For example, have you given it a thought that we need anti-cult ideas in this nation? What experience do you have about campus cultism? Do you know that the bedrock of all terrorism in Nigeria is campus cultism? Does it occur to you that the bedrock of campus cultism is corruption in the government and the society at large? Do you know you will succeed fighting terrorism, poverty, youth rebellion and many other social vices if your work together with your people as one concerned family? If this sincere expression of my opinion is not what you like to hear, it is unfortunate that we must share the truth with ourselves as brothers in order to move this nation forward.


The only way you can raise our hope to be optimistic that the nation’s economy would continue to grow from strength to strength for the general progress of the people is when you look beyond your limitations through the wide possibilities of what your government can tap from an average Nigerian. The whole world respect Nigerians for our creative and wonderful ideas. You can see it inside yourself that you can achieve all what you said today if you see the dream in Nigeria inside everyone of us, whether law abiding or lawless. It takes you the goodwill to make better policies that will benefit all and ensure compliance.


You will not expect a Nigerian who do not believe that you feel what they feel to now take over the responsibility of your government by enforcing the policies you make. It is your vision and not their vision, all your need to do is to key us into your vision. You must understand today that we continue to suffer in the midst of plenty.


Nevertheless, today is a day of celebration and it will not be fair not to wish your excellency a Happy Independence Day. We will always continue to support only your good ideas and pray for you as long as we can still be able to do the little things we are doing as patriotic Nigerians, after all, Nigeria remains our mother land and there is no other place to call our own.


Happy 52nd Independence Day to all Nigerians home and away! God bless Nigeria! Amen.

An Address by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, on the Occasion of the Independence Day Anniversary on Monday, October 1, 2012

Beloved countrymen and women, on this day, fifty-two years ago, our founding fathers brought joy and hope to the hearts of our people when they won independence for our great country. Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation. That turning point was a new beginning for our nation.

Those who witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White Green flag continue to relish the memory, because that ceremony was not just about the destiny of a nation, but the future of a people.

That future is here; we are the inheritors of a great legacy that goes even much farther into the past.

The worthy patriots who made this possible were young men and women in their twenties and thirties. They worked together to restore dignity and honour to the Nigerian people. Their resolve united a multicultural and multilingual nation of diverse peoples, with more than 250 distinct languages and ethnic groups.

In 1960, our diversity became a source of strength, and the new leaders resolved to carry the flag of independence for the benefit of future generations. They had their differences, but they placed a greater premium on the need to come together to build a new nation.

It is that resolve, and that glorious moment that we celebrate today. We also celebrate the patriotism of our heroes past: Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Herbert Macaulay, and several others who made the case for our independence.

We remember as always, their contributions to the making of the Nigerian nation, and the efforts of their successors since 1960. We also celebrate the unfailing optimism and resilience of Nigerians who remain proud of our national identity.

On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people:

We weathered the storm of the civil war, we have refused to be broken by sectarian crises; we have remained a strong nation. I bring to you today, a message of renewed hope and faith in the immense possibilities that lie ahead.

Fellow citizens, I have an unshaken belief in the future of our great Country. I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and nourish the creative energies of our people. This is a central objective of our administration’s Transformation Agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Since I assumed office as President of our dear country on the 6th of May 2010, I have continued to work with our countrymen and women to enhance our nation’s growth and development.

Our vision is encapsulated in the Transformation Agenda. We are working hard and making progress on many fronts. We have cleaned up our electoral process; our elections are now globally acclaimed to be free and fair. Nigeria is now on a higher pedestal regarding elections.

Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well despite the global financial crisis. Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

It is also significant that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector. In pursuance of the main goals of the Transformation Agenda, a number of reforms and initiatives are being pursued in key sectors of the economy with a view to consolidating the gains of the economic growth.

Our country’s power supply situation is improving gradually. We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.

We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers. I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.

We are continuing to improve and stabilize on our crude production volumes; our 12-month gas supply emergency plan, put in place earlier this year, has produced more than the targeted volumes of gas for power generation. A robust Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been placed before the National Assembly. Its passage into law will ensure far-reaching reforms, transparency, accountability, increased government revenue and predictability for investors in the Oil and Gas sector.

Several government programmes and projects are creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for our youth and general population. Such programmes include: You-Win, both for the youth and for the women, Public Works, the Local Content Initiative in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the Agricultural Transformation programme.

We have improved on our investment environment; more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy. Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments.

Nigeria has become the preferred destination for investment in Africa. It is ranked first in the top 5 host economies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent. We have streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of ports and port-related businesses. Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clearing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours.

We have put in place, a new visa policy that makes it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas. We have achieved a 24-hour timeline for registration of new businesses, leading to the registration of close to 7, 000 companies within the second quarter of 2012.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has disclosed that, as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the Association, and that capacity utilization has also improved. The multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasized.

In the last two years, we have put in place structures for an upgrade of the country’s health sector, to promote in every respect, the individual citizen’s right to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare.

In this regard, we are devoting resources under the Subsidy Reinvestment Program (SURE-P) to reducing malaria incidents, dramatically reducing maternal and child mortality, and eradicating polio.

Fellow Nigerians, in recent times, we have witnessed serious security challenges in parts of our country. We have taken pro-active measures to check the menace. This has included constant consultation and collaboration with our neighbours and other friendly nations on issues relating to internal and cross border security, and the sharing of information on smuggling and illegal dealing in small arms and light weapons.

Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency. Many Nigerians have acknowledged that there has been a significant decline in the spate of security breaches.

While expressing our condolences to the affected families, let me reiterate the commitment of this Administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.

Even as we remain focused on the issue of security, the fight against the scourge of corruption is a top priority of our Administration.

We are fighting corruption in all facets of our economy, and we are succeeding. We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertilizer and tractor procurement and distribution. We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.

In its latest report, Transparency International (TI) noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.

We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.

I have given my commitment of non-interference in the work of the relevant agencies and I am keeping my word. What we require is the full cooperation of all tiers of government, and the public, especially civil society and the media.

This Administration has also introduced for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a Performance Contract System for all Ministers, and other officials of government. This is to further place emphasis on performance, efficiency, and service delivery.

Fellow Nigerians, our determined efforts on several fronts not-withstanding, our country still faces a number of challenges.

Those challenges should not deter us. In the last few weeks, for example, many of our communities have been ravaged by floods, resulting in the loss of lives and property, and the displacement of persons.

I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief, and our Administration is taking steps to address these incidents, in collaboration with the States and Local Governments.

I have received the interim Report of the Presidential team that I set up to assess the flooding situation across the country.

The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected States, while considering long term measures to check future re-occurrence.

We must continue to work together, confidently and faithfully, to ensure that our country’s potentials are realised to the fullest; that our dreams are translated into reality; and that our goals are achieved.

Let me reiterate that our administration is committed to the pursuit of fundamental objectives of an open society: the pursuit of freedom, security and prosperity for the Nigerian people, and the rule of law.

In the next few days, I shall lay before the National Assembly the 2013 Federal Budget Proposal so that deliberations can commence in earnest on the key policies, programmes and projects that will mark a decisive year for our development and transformation.

I have no doubt that by the time I address you on our next independence anniversary, many of our reform efforts would have yielded even better results.

Over the years, several leaders have built on the foundation laid by our Founding Fathers. The baton is now in our hands. Let me assure all Nigerians that we shall not fail.

I am confident that Nigeria will continue to be a source of pride to its citizens; to Africa and the Black Race and to humanity; a land that is known for progress, freedom, peace and the promotion of human dignity.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless you all.