Dear Haz,

You have chosen one of the best means of moving
forward and it is simply by seeking solutions from the
populace. I congratulate you and the people who put
you in your office.

In my opinion, one of the first changes necessary for
the force is the Uniform. It simply must go. A white
shirt upon the Black trousers would have been okay but
the force personel may not be capable of maintaining
the whites.
However, I proffer this simple solution. Adopt either
the road safety or civil defence unit colours. You may
notice that these members of these two organisations
turn out much better than the Police.

The IG's efforts are commendable and could be
supplemented by a key change in the psychology of
police/public relations.
Stop telling the public that the Police is our friend
because it is what we should know. Look inwards for
the change. Begin a reorientation of the force with a
new slogan. Tell your officers and men that the
Nigerian Public is their friend.

Francis

moderators comment:- Haz Iwendi is not only a Gentle Man Police Officer, I have
met him in another egroup, where he demonstrated the most profound gentlemanly
act I have ever seen of an officer, amidst rain of words against the force.

While I am sure we all have a little word or two for the Nigerian Police.

I will advice all parties to be as sincere as possible, with the interest of
Abuja and Nigeria as a Nation at heart.

Keep up the submission.

Mr Haz  you must also promise us that all (I mean all submissions) through this
channel are for the purpose of discussion as you requested and will not be used
against any of the discussants.  Expect my phone call to confirm that.

PJ Adamz.
Abuja NIGERIA

It's a nice topic no doubt.

Reformimg the Nigerian Police looks like an uphill
task. Things have gone rrreeaalllll bad. I was going
home in a commercial bus yesterday, and there were
about 3 police check points on broad street alone
(haba!) and all they were doing was just extorting
money from the drivers at gun point ! Now tell me, how
can they command the respect of the public ? I don't
want to believe that it is not easy to flush out the
bad eggs but the will is not just there on the part of
the force leadership because they had all gone through
the same corrupt ways.
If the force leadership is ready to reform the police,
they better act fast !

Apart from corruption, how about tribalism,
favouritism, religious bias. What do we do about all
these. This reminds me about the Na'aaba (Speaker of
the House of Rep.) saga. The police invited him, for
several months now, and he has refused to go and you
guys expect me and other ordinary Nigerians to respect
the police. I think it's all Bullshit ! If there is
going to be any change at all, any restructuring, LET
IT START FROM THE TOP ! Chikena. !

Lincoln

N.B.: Oga Iwenzi, I hope i have not contravene any
written or unwritten law with this little piece.

--- Adamu@...,
UNEXPECTED_DATA_AFTER_ADDRESS@.SYNTAX-ERROR. wrote:
> This is a very beautiful opportunity you are
> proferring, You remind me of some friends of mine in
>

> --- Haz Iwendi <haziwendi@...> wrote:
> The Inspector-General of
> the Nigeria Police, Mr.M.A.K. Smith, is determined
> to
> turn the Nigeria Police around after years of
> ..........
>
>

Why does President Obasanjo so much believe in old age? it baffles one that it
is only in Nigeria you beg
old people to come into government when it is obvious
that they are tired and run out of ideas. Why can't
the Abubakar Umar's , Bello Osagie's, Femi Falana's,
Shehu Sani's, of this world be appointed Ministers ?
Why can't we make use of them why they are still young
and vibrant ? Walahi, our President has a problem and
the earlier we call his bluff, the better for us all.
He DOES NOT OWN NIGERIA.

Lincoln


--- "Umez[Africanson]" <africanson@...> wrote:
>
> You are right my brother.  Age has nothing to do
> with selfish, destructive
> motives among most of our leaders.  As you rightly
> stated, one who
> is over 7o can be wise or foolish and one who is
> just one month can
> turn out to be a genius or downright stupid.  Once
> again, I agree with
> you.  Take care.
>
> umez
>
> ++++===--
> Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D.
> Author: "NIGERIA: Real Problems, Real Solutions."
> <http://members.spree.com/education/nigeria1>
> TO secure a copy, contact Umez at:
> <africanson@...>
> Web sites on Critical Issues facing Nigeria/Africa:
> www.geocities.com/umez
> www.angelfire.com/tx/bumez
> http://umez.freeyellow.com
> Phone: 281-425-6368
> (713) 590-2340 x5438 - fax
>
> ---- =?iso-8859-1?q?francis=20egbuonu?=
> <egbuonu@...> wrote:
> [Non text/plain message body suppressed]
>

The sign on fee is important but i must add that the
charges per minute for each card is also important.

Most Nigerians really want quality service. How many
people know the Nitel rates per minute, the water
rates or the Nepa rate? This should change with GSM
since market forces will contribute to the charges.

NITEL will not disappoint us. They know its really
their last chance before 2004.

--- CHIDI OKPALA <Cokpala@...> wrote: >  Hi Guys
>
> The GSM frenzy is on and there is every reason for
> it.
>
> Telecoms is an enabler. We will witness the
> enhancement of the capacity of other sectors of the
> economy to deliver efficiently and hence build a
> competitive and knowledge based economy. For ther
> price, a sign on fee of N8500 is strongly advised
> for the service providers to build the necessary
> critical mass. Then again NITEL. Pray for NITEL
> because this GSM players will rely on NITEL
> initially. Atleast before the emergence of a second
> carrier.
>
> However, i believe we are in for an interesting
> time. Check out my article titled " GSM and the
> Network effect" in the Guardian on Sunday mid-March
>
> Okpala. CN
>
>   Nwachukwu Kenneth <kenchinwa@...> wrote:
> Hi All,
> Let Us all go on line for Naija sake.
> How do you all feel `about GSM in Naija.
> What is the best price to put the simms card.
> thanks
> ken Nwachukwu
> Enplan group
> --- Isiaka Wasiu <isiakawasiu@...> wrote: >


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hi Guys

The GSM frenzy is on and there is every reason for it.

Telecoms is an enabler. We will witness the enhancement of the capacity of other sectors of the economy to deliver efficiently and hence build a competitive and knowledge based economy. For ther price, a sign on fee of N8500 is strongly advised for the service providers to build the necessary critical mass. Then again NITEL. Pray for NITEL because this GSM players will rely on NITEL initially. Atleast before the emergence of a second carrier.

However, i believe we are in for an interesting time. Check out my article titled " GSM and the Network effect" in the Guardian on Sunday mid-March

Okpala. CN

  Nwachukwu Kenneth wrote:

Hi All,
Let Us all go on line for Naija sake.
How do you all feel `about GSM in Naija.
What is the best price to put the simms card.
thanks
ken Nwachukwu
Enplan group
--- Isiaka Wasiu wrote: >
undefined
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Personal Address - Get email at your own
> domain with Yahoo! Mail.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/



Feel free to invite as many Abuja people and Nigerians as possible.

>>>
To subscribe from this group, send an email to:
abujaNig-subscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

This is a very beautiful opportunity you are
proferring, You remind me of some friends of mine in
the Police force who are young proactive and very
ingenius like you.

Keep up the good work, you will definitely receive our
contributions.

cheers.




--- Haz Iwendi <haziwendi@...> wrote:
The Inspector-General of
the Nigeria Police, Mr.M.A.K. Smith, is determined to
turn the Nigeria Police around after years of neglect.
He is open to ideas on how to make the Nigeria Police
get back the confidence of the people in this
democratic era. Mr. Smith is poised to reposition the
..........

You are right my brother.  Age has nothing to do with selfish, destructive
motives among most of our leaders.  As you rightly stated, one who
is over 7o can be wise or foolish and one who is just one month can
turn out to be a genius or downright stupid.  Once again, I agree with
you.  Take care.

umez

--
Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D.
Author: "NIGERIA: Real Problems, Real Solutions." 
<http://members.spree.com/education/nigeria1>
TO secure a copy, contact Umez at: <africanson@...>
Web sites on Critical Issues facing Nigeria/Africa:
www.geocities.com/umez
www.angelfire.com/tx/bumez
http://umez.freeyellow.com
Phone: 281-425-6368
(713) 590-2340 x5438 - fax



---- =?iso-8859-1?q?francis=20egbuonu?= <egbuonu@...> wrote:
[Non text/plain message body suppressed]


__________________________________________________
FREE voicemail, email, and fax...all in one place.
Sign Up Now! http://www.onebox.com

The Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police, Mr.M.A.K. Smith, is determined to turn the Nigeria Police around after years of neglect. He is open to ideas on how to make the Nigeria Police get back the confidence of the people in this democratic era. Mr. Smith is poised to reposition the Nigeria Police for the great task of nation building. He is aware of the rotteness and decay in the force. He is undaunted. We in the Public relations are determined to reach out and collate opinions and ideas on how we can move the Nigeria Police forward. It is your Police force. A nation gets the type of Police it deserves or it wants.

Can we talk about how we can turn the police around, please ?

If you have any questions or information on how we can make the Police better, please hit your keyboards. Or if you prefer, you can reach me on (234) 09-2340868. Your Police must change and it needs you!

Regards

Haz Iwendi

Asst.Commissioner of Police

Force Public Relations officer

I know 70 year old fools. And a month old baby's smile
is pure genuis.
The arguement about over 50 or under 50 is deplorable.
A group of politicians have responded to by forming
the under 50 group. I do not think it is the only
solution because in the last Ten years, a lot of under
fifties were part of the rot.
Now that we are gradually getting across our ethnic
boundaries, we do not need to replace it with this
clog.
I know 70 year old genuises. And month old babies who
will never be genuises.

Francis
--- "Umez[Africanson]" <africanson@...> wrote:
> Is Quality Leadership in Nigeria Determined by those
> over 50 years
> of Age?
>
> Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D.*
>
>
> INTRODUCTION
>
>
> In an article, titled, "All say No to National
> Conference," Godson
> Offoaro, the author, insinuated that the problems of
> development
> in Nigeria are related to the inexperienced,
> self-seeking
> political leaders who are "under 50s." Specifically,
> he wrote:
>
>
> "The political agenda on the Nigerian political
> scene right now is
> that of Obasanjo. If he lets self-seeking under 50s
> who have no
> claim to political know how other than their
> yearning for
> Babangida and Abacha to rewrite his agenda, for him
> then, too, too
> bad."  For details, see
> http://nigeriaworld.com/letters/2001/jan/273.html.
>
>
> I thank Offoaro for the article. But while I agree
> with some of
> the points he raised, I respectfully disagree with
> the assessment
> of age ("under 50s") as a contributing factor to our
> problems.
>
>
> While Offoaro is very correct in identifying
> "self-seeking"
> behavior as a part of our problems, I simply want to
> make a point
> that age has little or nothing to do with such
> "self-seeking"
> behaviors among over 90% of the Nigerian political
> leaders.
>
>
> REAL LEADERS UNDER 50
>
>
> Let us examine a brief history of REAL leaders
> "under 50." We all
> know that John F. Kennedy (JFK) was 43 years of age
> when he became
> the US president. Similarly, we know that Bill
> Clinton was 46
> years of age when he became the US president. Better
> still, we
> know that both men were great presidents in spite of
> their "youth"
> ["under 50"].
>
>
> Notice also that the minimum age requirement for the
> presidency in
> the US and Nigeria [for that matter] is 35. And we
> should not
> forget the popular cliché that "A fool at forty is a
> fool
> forever."
>
>
> Above all, "an 18 year-old, just graduated from high
> school, won
> election [2000] to the Ohio state House of
> Representatives, and a
> 25 year-old won election in Florida to the U.S.
> House of
> Representatives," after serving "two terms in the
> Florida state
> Legislature." (See, Michael F. Digby, 2000 ELECTION
> UPDATE. New
> Jersey: Princtice Hall, 2001, p. 3).
>
>
> Put all these together, it becomes very clear that
> being "under
> 50" is not the cause of the "self-seeking" atrocious
> behaviors
> among so many political leaders in Nigeria. To those
> in my camp,
> "self-seeking" behavior is purely a function of
> massive ignorance,
> obvious stupidity, clear lack of common sense, and
> chronic
> inferiority complex being suffered by most Nigerian
> political
> leaders including those who are well over 50 years
> of age. Our
> worsening problems, which Mr. Offoaro rightfully
> prophesied to get
> worse than that of Rwanda and Burundi, all things
> being equal, are
> caused by so many "thinkless" heads ruling Nigeria,
> and most of
> them were/are well over 50.
>
>
> Now, let us be more specific. If a leader can
> proudly rob his own
> people -- his own very people -- only to deposit the
> loot abroad,
> where is the common sense of that leader? Where is
> his wisdom?
> Where is his knowledge, especially his knowledge of
> African
> history? Notice that JFK did not have any bank
> account in
> Nigeria/Africa before he died, even though he was
> only 43 when he
> became the US President. Notice that Mr. Clinton has
> no bank
> account in Nigeria/Africa as we write, even though
> he became the
> US president at the age of 46. As a matter of fact,
> Mr. Clinton
> and his entourage did not open any bank account when
> they visited
> Nigeria last year. Instead, he [Mr. Clinton] told
> those over 50 in
> Nigerian government to get their act together by
> investing
> prudently in education and other amenities.
>
>
> And, of course, we must remember (and who should
> forget) that the
> government officials in the West as a whole have no
> bank account
> in Nigeria, Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire, Ethiopia, Sierra
> Leon, Uganda,
> to wit. They will NOT, and some of them might even
> consider a
> dream to open a bank account in Africa as their
> worst nightmare.
> Hence, it is no surprise to hear President George W.
> Bush say
> publicly [during the presidential debate with Mr. Al
> Gore] that
> Africa is not as important as Middle East. For the
> details of the
> debate, see,
>
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/debatetext10
> 1100.htm.
>
>
>
> THE TRAGEDY OF INFERIORITY COMPLEX
>
>
> Those of us who understand the depth of inferiority
> complex among
> so many Nigerian/African leaders, know that most
> Nigerian leaders
> will not pay attention to the statement of Mr. Bush
> that Africa is
> not as important as say Middle East. They will not
> pay attention
> because they have no sense of pride; they have no
> sense of
> self-worth; they are not patriotic; they have no
> shame, after all,
> to them, "oyibo bu ndi muo" -- "oyibo" is a spirit.
> Instead of
> evaluating what REAL leaders are doing to move their
> countries
> forward vis-à-vis their style of robbing their own
> [Nigerian]
> people to pay outsiders, they continue to find some
> more excuses
> to visit the West (ostensibly to "learn Western
> democracies") only
> to invest Nigerian money in Western countries. Now,
> ask them to
> organize serious Economic Summits to discuss and
> stop this madness
> of self-destruction - the craziness of starving
> their own people
> to death by investing their countries' funds abroad
> - they will
> quickly change the subject by telling you that the
> solution lies
> squarely with "democracy" as if democracy, as a
> concept, can
> transform a hard-core, sadistic rogue into a saint.
> "Nzuzu
> ajoka!" -- ignorance is a deadly disease!
>
>
=== message truncated ===


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hi All,
Let Us all go on line for Naija sake.
How do you all feel `about GSM in Naija.
What is the best price to put the simms card.
thanks
ken Nwachukwu
Enplan group
--- Isiaka Wasiu <isiakawasiu@...> wrote: >
undefined
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Personal Address - Get email at your own
> domain with Yahoo! Mail.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hey all Ye Abujarites,

Get get down discussing something serious and
profitable.

What is the way forward for our polity come 2003. We
can really get down to forming a strong force if we
plan well. The internet is a strong so lets use it
well. i want to visualise us becoming a strong group.

so lets get on all ye on the block...


Cheers

Jeff 'kiel chidi

--- Andor Adie <andorfr@...> wrote:
> hello
> i just got ur message and i'd like to be part of
> this
> group!could u tell me really what its all about!in
> details!!!!thank you!!!!!
> bye
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
> http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Is Quality Leadership in Nigeria Determined by those over 50 years
of Age?

Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D.*


INTRODUCTION


In an article, titled, "All say No to National Conference," Godson
Offoaro, the author, insinuated that the problems of development
in Nigeria are related to the inexperienced, self-seeking
political leaders who are "under 50s." Specifically, he wrote:


"The political agenda on the Nigerian political scene right now is
that of Obasanjo. If he lets self-seeking under 50s who have no
claim to political know how other than their yearning for
Babangida and Abacha to rewrite his agenda, for him then, too, too
bad."  For details, see
http://nigeriaworld.com/letters/2001/jan/273.html.


I thank Offoaro for the article. But while I agree with some of
the points he raised, I respectfully disagree with the assessment
of age ("under 50s") as a contributing factor to our problems.


While Offoaro is very correct in identifying "self-seeking"
behavior as a part of our problems, I simply want to make a point
that age has little or nothing to do with such "self-seeking"
behaviors among over 90% of the Nigerian political leaders.


REAL LEADERS UNDER 50


Let us examine a brief history of REAL leaders "under 50." We all
know that John F. Kennedy (JFK) was 43 years of age when he became
the US president. Similarly, we know that Bill Clinton was 46
years of age when he became the US president. Better still, we
know that both men were great presidents in spite of their "youth"
["under 50"].


Notice also that the minimum age requirement for the presidency in
the US and Nigeria [for that matter] is 35. And we should not
forget the popular cliché that "A fool at forty is a fool
forever."


Above all, "an 18 year-old, just graduated from high school, won
election [2000] to the Ohio state House of Representatives, and a
25 year-old won election in Florida to the U.S. House of
Representatives," after serving "two terms in the Florida state
Legislature." (See, Michael F. Digby, 2000 ELECTION UPDATE. New
Jersey: Princtice Hall, 2001, p. 3).


Put all these together, it becomes very clear that being "under
50" is not the cause of the "self-seeking" atrocious behaviors
among so many political leaders in Nigeria. To those in my camp,
"self-seeking" behavior is purely a function of massive ignorance,
obvious stupidity, clear lack of common sense, and chronic
inferiority complex being suffered by most Nigerian political
leaders including those who are well over 50 years of age. Our
worsening problems, which Mr. Offoaro rightfully prophesied to get
worse than that of Rwanda and Burundi, all things being equal, are
caused by so many "thinkless" heads ruling Nigeria, and most of
them were/are well over 50.


Now, let us be more specific. If a leader can proudly rob his own
people -- his own very people -- only to deposit the loot abroad,
where is the common sense of that leader? Where is his wisdom?
Where is his knowledge, especially his knowledge of African
history? Notice that JFK did not have any bank account in
Nigeria/Africa before he died, even though he was only 43 when he
became the US President. Notice that Mr. Clinton has no bank
account in Nigeria/Africa as we write, even though he became the
US president at the age of 46. As a matter of fact, Mr. Clinton
and his entourage did not open any bank account when they visited
Nigeria last year. Instead, he [Mr. Clinton] told those over 50 in
Nigerian government to get their act together by investing
prudently in education and other amenities.


And, of course, we must remember (and who should forget) that the
government officials in the West as a whole have no bank account
in Nigeria, Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire, Ethiopia, Sierra Leon, Uganda,
to wit. They will NOT, and some of them might even consider a
dream to open a bank account in Africa as their worst nightmare.
Hence, it is no surprise to hear President George W. Bush say
publicly [during the presidential debate with Mr. Al Gore] that
Africa is not as important as Middle East. For the details of the
debate, see,
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/debatetext10
1100.htm.



THE TRAGEDY OF INFERIORITY COMPLEX


Those of us who understand the depth of inferiority complex among
so many Nigerian/African leaders, know that most Nigerian leaders
will not pay attention to the statement of Mr. Bush that Africa is
not as important as say Middle East. They will not pay attention
because they have no sense of pride; they have no sense of
self-worth; they are not patriotic; they have no shame, after all,
to them, "oyibo bu ndi muo" -- "oyibo" is a spirit. Instead of
evaluating what REAL leaders are doing to move their countries
forward vis-à-vis their style of robbing their own [Nigerian]
people to pay outsiders, they continue to find some more excuses
to visit the West (ostensibly to "learn Western democracies") only
to invest Nigerian money in Western countries. Now, ask them to
organize serious Economic Summits to discuss and stop this madness
of self-destruction - the craziness of starving their own people
to death by investing their countries' funds abroad - they will
quickly change the subject by telling you that the solution lies
squarely with "democracy" as if democracy, as a concept, can
transform a hard-core, sadistic rogue into a saint. "Nzuzu
ajoka!" -- ignorance is a deadly disease!


All told, the robbery of Nigeria only to pile up the loot in
foreign countries is the number one problem facing Nigeria today,
and the mentality [driving such madness] is rooted in massive
ignorance, inferiority complex and pure lack of common sense.
Worse still, a substantial number of the old ones [well over 50,
as a matter of fact] are teaching the youth [under 50] how to
starve their own people, and they are doing this by being very
VERY proud to have foreign bank accounts. Now, you ask: How do
these leaders define patriotism? What is leadership to them? My
fellow Africans, this is a tragedy! This is a calamity!


So far as that mentality that Nigerian money is better invested in
foreign countries continues, nothing else will work; in fact, all
other problems (such as, inter-ethnic rivalries, intra-ethnic
conflicts, alarming unemployment rate, armed robbery, crimes,
"ojoro," "akpuruka," "419," starvation of the masses, closure of
schools, etc., etc.] will get worse because a hungry man is an
angry man, and as they say back home, "man must wac."


AND GOD LAMENTS!

Before I conclude, let us hear God lament on a similar situation:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee" (Hosea 4:6).


Over 90% of African leaders have rejected knowledge; they have
refused to think. To the extent that they refuse so doggedly and
without shame to accept knowledge and to think (of their bizarre,
shameless behavior of starving their own blood only to invest
African money in their private bank accounts abroad), so many
Africans will continue to live in the Cities of Destruction.
Because they proudly refuse to think and use the common
knowledge - the common sense - to invest their countries' funds in
their own countries, such African countries as Nigeria, Ethiopia,
Burundi, Uganda, Congo, Sierra Leon, etc., will continue to decay,
all things being equal. In fact, it is this bizarre behavior of
dog-eat-dog or cannibalism (on the part of so many African
leaders) that makes so many people wonder whether all animals are
[created] equal, or in some probability, why people like Mr. Bush
consider Africa less important.


You see, the Biblical King Solomon asked for wisdom - the
knowledge; he did not ask for the most expensive luxuries then.
Why? Because he knew that one who has wisdom/knowledge will sooner
than later have those luxuries. Our leaders must ask for and use
wisdom/knowledge to do what REAL leaders are doing in order to
move their countries forward, namely, investing their countries'
resources in their own countries. PERIOD!


CONCLUSION


If the madness of robbing Nigerian people by over 90% of their
leaders and elites only to grow greener pastures abroad does not
stop NOW, any other effort, no matter how determined, to alleviate
our problems will continue to produce very little or no result.
This point, we believe, makes perfect sense even to a 10 year-old.
"O bu otua ka-odi!" -- we must reveal the truth as is even though
it hurts.

_________
*Dr. Umez is the author of, NIGERIA: REAL PROBLEMS, REAL SOLUTIONS
(now in use in several Nigerian universities). To obtain a copy,
write to Umez: africanson@... or Box 818, Baytown, Texas
77522.


__________________________________________________
FREE voicemail, email, and fax...all in one place.
Sign Up Now! http://www.onebox.com

hello
i just got ur message and i'd like to be part of this
group!could u tell me really what its all about!in
details!!!!thank you!!!!!
bye

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hi everyone!!


This is a pleasant surprise,(at least receiving the
I.V to join!!) Anyway, am sure we will all have fun,
at least without risking anyone's wrath.

I hope there are enough people in this group to form
my camp for the 2003 elections. I am aiming for the
mayor of Abuja. For anyone with an opposite opinion,
do us a favour and keep it to urself!!

So whats new?  No fuel as usual. Hey, why dont we all
meet at Total or National filling stations(opp. NNPC).
I dont know about you guys but I practically live
there now. And there is a new fad from Nepa too. Whats
with the way they take the light these days? I
overhear people talking about the good old days when
Abj had steady light supply and it's not good to have
good old days before I am sixty!

Anyway, lets look on the bright side, the power
failure gives us the chance to acquire new cars. Yep,
cos since the traffic lights dont work, crossroads and
junctions have become CHAOTIC.

I have to go, e be like say OBJ dey call for phone. I
no get time to play kpashi today again.......!

F

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hi Everyone,

Can everyone feel free to give me an email me and
please give the following details
a/l/s and profession

I am a Computer Engineer 25/portharcourt/male.

ta-ta

Cheers

Jeff 'kiel Chidi

__________________________________________________
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Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

moderators comment: My friend Leslie sent this in, it is a lesson for
all of us people of the world.  Not just Abuja Nigeria alone.

From: Ledwill@...
From: Drea Girl <andrea_77079@...
	 The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots,
one hung on each end of a pole which he carried
across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other
pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion
of water at the end of the long walk from the stream
to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only
half full.

For a full two years this went on daily,
with the bearer delivering only one and a
half pots full of water in his master's house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its
accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was
made.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection,
and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half
of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a
bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer
one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to
you."

Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years,
to deliver only half my load because this crack
in my side causes water to leak out all the way
back to your master's house. Because of my flaws,
you have to do all of this work, and you don't get
full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot,
and in his compassion he said,
"As we return to the master's house, I want you to
notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked
pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild
flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it
some.
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad
because it had leaked out half its load, and so again
it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that
there were flowers only on your side of your path,
but not on the other pot's side? That's because I
have always known about your flaw,
and I took advantage of it.
I planted flower seeds on your side of the path,
and every day while we walk back from the stream,
you've watered them. For two years I have been
able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
my master's table. Without you being just the way you
are,
he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws.
We're all cracked pots.
But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make
our
lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are,
and look for the good in them.
There is a lot of good out there.
There is a lot of good in us!
Blessed are the flexible,
for they shall not be bent out of shape.

Remember to appreciate all the different
people in your life!
Or as I like to think of it--if it
hadn't been for the crackpots in
my life, it would have been pretty
boring and not so interesting...

sent to AFRO-NETS

AIDS vaccine gives Africa ray of hope
>Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 04:26:53 -0500 (EST)
>
>AIDS vaccine gives Africa ray of hope
>-------------------------------------
>
>by James Astill in Nairobi
>Sunday February 18, 2001
>
>The Observer
>Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4137959,00.html
>
>An Anglo-Kenyan team will begin trials in Nairobi this week of the
>first Aids vaccine specifically designed for Africa, where 90 per
>cent of Aids victims live.
>
>The radical new vaccine is the result of a partnership between scien-
>tists from the universities of Oxford and Nairobi, which nearly came
>unstuck over a patent war last year. Parallel trials have already be-
>gun on 18 volunteers in Britain to see if the vaccine has any toxic
>effects.
>
>The vaccine stems from the discovery that 60 prostitutes in Nairobi's
>Majengo slum - around 5 per cent of the total - were immune to HIV
>despite massive exposure to it. The women had between five and 10
>sexual partners every day, and rarely used condoms. Up to 25 per cent
>of Kenyans are estimated to be HIV positive, and in Nairobi's slums
>even more.
>
>'They didn't have the virus or the antibodies. So they must have been
>getting rid of the virus so quickly that it couldn't get estab-
>lished,' said Dr Job Bwayo, leader of the Kenyan team, yesterday.
>
>Nairobi scientists discovered the women's immune systems were utilis-
>ing an aggressive cell against the virus. The instant other cells be-
>came infected these 'killer T-cells' destroyed them.
>
>'We took the HIV virus and white blood cells from the prostitutes,
>put them in a test-tube and - bang! - they reacted. The cells killed
>the virus,' said Bwayo.
>
>The discovery spawned similar studies around the world. A team from
>Oxford's Institute of Molecular Medicine found the same phenomenon in
>prostitutes in the Gambia. In 1995 the Oxford and Nairobi teams
>joined forces. Backed by the New York-based International Aids Vac-
>cine Initiative, their efforts have so far cost $4.5 million - a com-
>parative snip.
>
>The idea of a vaccine is to train the body's immune system to recog-
>nise characteristics of an enemy virus in advance, so that it will
>tell foe from friend when the attack comes. Traditionally, that has
>meant injecting people with a weakened or killed version of the virus
>itself, triggering antibodies.
>
>Around 25 experimental Aids vaccines based on this principle are on
>trial globally. All except one have failed to get past the prelimi-
>nary test stage. The new vaccine aims to trigger a different kind of
>immuno-response, producing not antibodies but cells - killer T-cells.
>Results in animals have been encouraging. Around 30 per cent of mon-
>keys injected with the vaccine proved immune to extremely high doses
>of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV's close cousin.
>
>Professor Andrew Mc-Michael, leader of the Oxford team, said yester-
>day: 'I believe we have a really good chance of this thing working;
>somewhere in the region of 70 per cent.'
>
>McMichael confirmed that the trialists in Britain, himself included,
>had suffered no side-effects. 'We didn't expect any and we're very
>happy,' he said.
>
>If the Kenyan trials go as well, the vaccine will be tried on a
>large, high-risk population in 18 months. Kenya will be the perfect
>testing ground because the vaccine is designed for subtype A of the
>virus, the predominant strain in East Africa. All existing vaccines
>target subtype B, predominating in Europe, Asia and America. 'As a
>vaccine for people in the UK this would not be optimal, though we be-
>lieve we could adapt it quite easily,' said McMichael.
>
>The best case scenario would see manufacturers called in after two
>years of population trials, and the vaccine widely available in an-
>other two years: around six years from now. Bwayo said: 'This vaccine
>may not prove to be the one. But we have hopes that, if not, one of
>the modifications currently being produced in Oxford will be.'
>
>Three months ago, such co-operation briefly seemed a distant dream.
>Reports that McMichael and a colleague, Dr Thomas Hanke, had patented
>the vaccine without mention of their Kenya colleagues caused a storm
>in the region's media. McMichael and his colleagues flew to Nairobi
>for emergency talks, and the two teams agreed to leave all patent
>matters to an independent panel of experts.
>
>Guardian Unlimited c Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001
>
>-----------
>Other recent related links on AIDS:
>
>* Nkosi's last stand, 11-Jan2001, The Guardian:
>   http://www.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4115472,00.html
>
>* South Africa fights Aids drug apartheid, 14-Jan-2001, The Observer:
>   http://www.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4116798,00.html
>
>* A lot of very greedy people, 12-Feb-2001, The Guardian:
>   http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,436697,00.html
>
>* The clash between science and commercial interests, 2-Feb-2001,
>   Australian Financial Review
>   http://www.healthnet.org/programs/e-drug-hma/e-drug.200102/msg00070.html
>
>* Lamy answers EU Parliament on TRIPS and access to drugs, 20-Feb-
>   2001, E-Drug:
>   http://www.healthnet.org/programs/e-drug-hma/e-drug.200102/msg00073.html
>
>* Glaxo's claims of patent protection on antiretrovirals in Ghana,
>   19-Feb-2001, E-Drug
>   http://www.healthnet.org/programs/e-drug-hma/e-drug.200102/msg00066.html
>
>--
>Christian Labadie
>mailto:CLabadie@...
>

Is Quality Leadership in Nigeria Determined by those over 50 years
of Age?

by Bedford Nwabueze Umez, Ph.D.*


INTRODUCTION

In an article, titled, "All say No to National Conference," Godson
Offoaro, the author, insinuated that the problems of development
in Nigeria are related to the inexperienced, self-seeking
political leaders who are "under 50s." Specifically, he wrote:


"The political agenda on the Nigerian political scene right now
is
that of Obasanjo. If he lets self-seeking under 50s who have no
claim to political know how other than their yearning for
Babangida and Abacha to rewrite his agenda, for him then, too,
too
bad." [For details, see,
<http://nigeriaworld.com/letters/2001/jan/273.html>].


I thank Offoaro for the article. But while I agree with some of
the points he raised, I respectfully disagree with the assessment
of age ("under 50s") as a contributing factor to our problems.


While Offoaro is very correct in identifying "self-seeking"
behavior as a part of our problems, I simply want to make a point
that age has little or nothing to do with such "self-seeking"
behaviors among over 90% of the Nigerian political leaders.


REAL LEADERS UNDER 50

Let us examine a brief history of REAL leaders "under 50." We all
know that John F. Kennedy (JFK) was 43 years of age when he became
the US president. Similarly, we know that Bill Clinton was 46
years of age when he became the US president. Better still, we
know that both men were great presidents in spite of their "youth"
["under 50"].


Notice also that the minimum age requirement for the presidency
in
the US and Nigeria [for that matter] is 35. And we should not
forget the popular cliché that "A fool at forty is a fool
forever."

Put all these together, it becomes very clear that being "under
50" is not the cause of the "self-seeking" atrocious behaviors
among so many political leaders in Nigeria. To those in my camp,
"self-seeking" behavior is purely a function of massive ignorance,
obvious stupidity, clear lack of common sense, and chronic
inferiority complex being suffered by most Nigerian political
leaders including those who are well over 50 years of age. Our
worsening problems, which Mr. Offoaro rightfully prophesied to
get
worse than that of Rwanda and Burundi, all things being equal,
are
caused by so many "thinkless" heads ruling Nigeria, and most of
them were/are well over 50.


Now, let us be more specific. If a leader can proudly rob his own
people -- his own very people -- only to deposit the loot abroad,
where is the common sense of that leader? Where is his wisdom?
Where is his knowledge, especially his knowledge of African
history? Notice that JFK did not have any bank account in
Nigeria/Africa before he died, even though he was only 43 when
he
became the US President. Notice that Mr. Clinton has no bank
account in Nigeria/Africa as we write, even though he became the
US president at the age of 46. As a matter of fact, Mr. Clinton
and his entourage did not open any bank account when they visited
Nigeria last year. Instead, he [Mr. Clinton] told those over 50
in
Nigerian government to get their act together by investing
prudently in education and other amenities.


And, of course, we must remember (and who should forget) that the
government officials in the West as a whole have no bank account
in Nigeria, Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire, Ethiopia, Sierra Leon, Uganda,
to wit. They will NOT, and some of them might even consider a
dream to open a bank account in Africa as their worst nightmare.
Hence, it is no surprise to hear President George W. Bush say
publicly [during the presidential debate with Mr. Al Gore] that
Africa is not as important as Middle East. [See,
<http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/debatetext1
01100.htm>].


THE TRAGEDY OF INFERIORITY COMPLEX

Those of us who understand the depth of inferiority complex among
so many Nigerian/African leaders, know that most Nigerian leaders
will not pay attention to the statement of Mr. Bush that Africa
is
not as important as say Middle East. They will not pay attention
because they have no sense of pride; they have no sense of
self-worth; they are not patriotic; they have no shame, after all,
to them, "oyibo bu ndi muo" -- "oyibo" is a spirit. Instead of
evaluating what REAL leaders are doing to move their countries
forward vis-à-vis their style of robbing their own [Nigerian]
people to pay outsiders, they continue to find some more excuses
to visit the West (ostensibly to "learn Western democracies") only
to invest Nigerian money in Western countries. Now, ask them to
organize serious Economic Summits to discuss and stop this madness
of self-destruction - the craziness of starving their own people
to death by investing their countries' funds abroad - they will
quickly change the subject by telling you that the solution lies
squarely with "democracy" as if democracy, as a concept, can
transform a hard-core, sadistic rogue into a saint. "Nzuzu
ajoka!" -- ignorance is a deadly disease!


All told, the robbery of Nigeria only to pile up the loot in
foreign countries is the number one problem facing Nigeria today,
and the mentality [driving such madness] is rooted in massive
ignorance, inferiority complex and pure lack of common sense.
Worse still, a substantial number of the old ones [well over 50,
as a matter of fact] are teaching the youth [under 50] how to
starve their own people, and they are doing this by being very
VERY proud to have foreign bank accounts. Now, you ask: How do
these leaders define patriotism? What is leadership to them? My
fellow Africans, this is a tragedy! This is a calamity!


So far as that mentality that Nigerian money is better invested
in
foreign countries continues, nothing else will work; in fact, all
other problems (such as, inter-ethnic rivalries, intra-ethnic
conflicts, alarming unemployment rate, armed robbery, crimes,
"ojoro," "akpuruka," "419," starvation of the masses, closure of
schools, etc., etc.] will get worse because a hungry man is an
angry man, and as they say back home, "man must wac."


AND GOD LAMENTS!

Before I conclude, let us hear God lament on a similar situation:


"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee" (Hosea 4:6).


Over 90% of African leaders have rejected knowledge; they have
refused to think. To the extent that they refuse so doggedly and
without shame to accept knowledge and to think (of their bizarre,
shameless behavior of starving their own blood only to invest
African money in their private bank accounts abroad), so many
Africans will continue to live in the Cities of Destruction.
Because they proudly refuse to think and use the common
knowledge - the common sense - to invest their countries' funds
in
their own countries, such African countries as Nigeria, Ethiopia,
Burundi, Uganda, Congo, Sierra Leon, etc., will continue to decay,
all things being equal. In fact, it is this bizarre behavior of
dog-eat-dog or cannibalism (on the part of so many African
leaders) that makes so many people wonder whether all animals are
[created] equal, or in some probability, why people like Mr. Bush
consider Africa less important.


You see, the Biblical King Solomon asked for wisdom - the
knowledge; he did not ask for the most expensive luxuries then.
Why? Because he knew that one who has wisdom/knowledge will sooner
than later have those luxuries. Our leaders must ask for and use
wisdom/knowledge to do what REAL leaders are doing in order to
move their countries forward, namely, investing their countries'
resources in their own countries. PERIOD!


CONCLUSION

If the madness of robbing Nigerian people by over 90% of their
leaders and elites only to grow greener pastures abroad does not
stop NOW, any other effort, no matter how determined, to alleviate
our problems will continue to produce very little or no result.
This point, we believe, makes perfect sense even to a 10 year-old.
"O bu otua ka-odi!" -- we must reveal the truth as is even though
it hurts!

_________
*Dr. Umez is a Professor of American Government, and the author
of, NIGERIA: REAL PROBLEMS, REAL SOLUTIONS (now in use in several
Nigerian universities). To obtain a copy, write to Umez:
africanson@... or Box 818, Baytown, Texas 77522. In
Nigeria, call: 042-255335; in US call: 281-425-6368.



__________________________________________________
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-----Original Message-----
From: nikecampbell@... [mailto:nikecampbell@...]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 2:54 AM
To: abujaNig@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [abujaNig] Information needed on Abuja Heads of State summit



>From: Nike Campbell <>

>
>Information needed on Abuja Heads of State summit
>Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 13:22:08 +0100
>
>Hello:
>
>I am interested in finding about an HIV/AIDS conference that will be
>held in Nigeria this April; and I believe I read up on it from the
>AFRO-NETS mailing list.
>
>If you know of any such conference, please write me at this e-mail
>address.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Nike Campbell
>Graduate Student (International Dev./Community Dev. & Basic Needs)
>American University
>Washington, DC, USA
>Email: nikecampbell@...
>



Feel free to invite as many Abuja people and Nigerians as possible.

>>>
To subscribe from this group, send an email to:
abujaNig-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

>From: Nike Campbell <>

>
>Information needed on Abuja Heads of State summit
>Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 13:22:08 +0100
>
>Hello:
>
>I am interested in finding about an HIV/AIDS conference that will be
>held in Nigeria this April; and I believe I read up on it from the
>AFRO-NETS mailing list.
>
>If you know of any such conference, please write me at this e-mail
>address.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Nike Campbell
>Graduate Student (International Dev./Community Dev. & Basic Needs)
>American University
>Washington, DC, USA
>Email: nikecampbell@...
>