The Nation Newspaper

Tag: succeed

  • How students can succeed

    For anyone aiming success in life, hard work and prayers must be his compass. Like Yoruba would say, destiny can only be delayed but will surely come to pass. This also applies to success. Illustrating success to the Kingdom of God, it is said that before one can get to heaven, he must pass through hell. This means he must deprive himself of worldly enjoyment.

    So, it is not easy for anyone to achieve success. Before one can become successful, he may have to go through a lot of pain and tribulation. As students, before success can be achieved, we need some inspirational tips that will help us to the beautiful land of success. The following are some of the tips I propose.

    Trust in oneself: we must dig deep and ask ourselves who we want to be? I am not talking about what our parents or teachers want for us. We have to figure out ourselves what makes us happy. The best of all persons to tell us is ourselves. Each of us knows ourselves more than anybody else, so why trust what others say about us instead of trusting our dreams? A lot of people fail in life as a result of people’s views about their lives, which they will always want to do, whether right or wrong. What I am trying to say is that, before we could succeed in life like, we need to build a lot of trust in ourselve by not allowing anyone to divert our attention, no matter the pressure and difficulties we may face.

    Break the rules: Breaking the rules of success does not mean breaking the rules of law. What I am trying to emphasise is that, if we do everything according to the rules like everyone does, we will definitely get the result everyone gets. Breaking the rules of success is the means of disengaging ourselves from others by bringing our fresh ideas and different plans in order to be an achiever in life.

    Don’t be afraid to fail: In every attempt we make in life, we should not expect to always win. While we may be afraid of failure, we must not be afraid to make decision. We should not be paralysed by fear of failure, because no success will be achieved. In essence, don’t be afraid to fail as fear to fail is one of the common impedance to success. Sometimes, you don’t let it happen by concentrating on your goals and making it forward with positive change. Also, failure is part of success; we have to fail in order to learn or appreciate success.

    Don’t listen to naysayer: We must always listen to ourselves and say yes to our dream. Sometimes, people’s opinions do not align with our goals and dreams. Negative opinions will always come our way but if we are determined to succeed, we must ignore them. Always ignore naysayers but listen more to people who advise us. Advisers are those in our circle of influence that can help us get better by analysing our steps and giving you the right inspirational tips to success.

    Give back: We must always find time to give something back to people around us, whether in immediate our community or the country at large. People such as Mike Adenuga and Aliko Dangote are helping people to achieve success and satisfaction because they look towards the people at lowest rung of the ladder. Giving back is crucial, because success is not all about one person. If we do not give back to people, we will be miserable in the long run.

    Also, if one must succeed in life, he has to have everything it takes to attain it. Values such as hard work, patience, perseverance and fear of God must direct our way to the top. Without God, it will be impossible for anyone to succeed. Without being hardworking and patient the likes of Dangote, Bill Gate and Adenuga would not have been who they are today.

    Despite all odd, we should not be discouraged by the situation of our society, where graduates cannot get good jobs and rate of corruption soars. We should be focused and inspired. We should always aspire to acquire the desire we admire and if in the process we fire and it back fires, we should not retire but respire even when people conspire, we have messiah who will always make our enemies expire until we acquire our desire we admires.

    Get God’s backup: Whatever you are or have acquired in life without God’s backup is invalid. Because, it is in Him all our efforts are secured. Just like someone saving files on the computer or internet. At times, people acquire wealth out of God’s backup. Yes, it is true but that does not last as compared to the one who has divine touch. The interesting part of it is that, anything outside God is useless. In a nutshell, no matter our brilliance, wealth, knowledge and intelligence, we should always allow God to lead our step, because in Him are blessings and grace.

    No matter the level of poverty or obstacle, whether we have lost hope or not, we must not give up. We should always think positively and try to build up confidence and trust our ability. The sky will always be the starting point.

     

    Joshua, 200-Level Mass Comm., BSU

     

  • Akwa Ibom Attorney-General joins race to succeed Akpabio

    The Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ekpeyong has declared his intention to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015.

    His declaration came against the background of intense campaign by the Oron people to produce the governor in 2015 and heightened speculations that Ekpeyong, was the chosen candidate of incumbent governor.

    Ntekim said: “With the massive infrastructural interventions of the last few years bearing desired fruits in the crescendo to which Akwa Ibom State has been justifiably raised, both friends and foes are watching to see whether, as a people, we have the resolve to continue to faithfuly completion the uncommon transformation agenda or would be tired by political inexpediency and naivety. Make no mistake; the progress so far made is as significant as the task ahead is onerous.”

    He expressed confidence in his ability to achieve the goal of successful continuity in an atmosphere of shared sacrifice and efforts, adding, “I trust in our capacity to rise to the occasion. Over the past several months, I have been encouraged to give unremitting thought to seeking the mandate to be the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015. This has now graduated to a commanding course of action that I am to sedulously pursue. Therefore, in the days, weeks and months ahead, I  look forward to consulting with the leadership of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the good people of Akwa Ibom State at different forums to discuss, with unmitigated determination and steadfastness, my thoughts and plans for Akwa Ibom State, if it pleases God, to whom power belongs, to favour me with its grant.”

    Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom Progressive Front (ABPF) has commended Ntekim’s decision to vie for the governorship election of the state in 2015 and canvassed support for his candidacy.

    The group, which membership cuts across the three senatorial districts in the state, described Ntekim as the most suitable candidate to continue with the uncommon transformation agenda of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, the state capital, the leader of the group, Mr. Okon Asuquo disclosed that after serious consideration, Ntekim has finally agreed to join the governorship race on account of public pressure on him to run.

    Asuquo said Ntekim’s decision to join the governorship race was also informed by the outcome of several consultations with stakeholders across the state and beyond.

    On Ntekim’s suitability for governor, Asuquo said: “He has been a two-time Attorney-General in a single administration, the only former PDP state chairman who voluntarily resigned from office, former state chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), former state Treasurer of Social DFemocratic Party (SDP), former Bank Director and NBA Chairman, among others.”

  • Peter Oboh: Continuity will help Nigeria succeed in boxing

    Peter Oboh: Continuity will help Nigeria succeed in boxing

    Former Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Peter Oboh has cautioned that for Nigeria to succeed in boxing at the Commonwealth Games slated for Glasgow, Scotland this year, continuity must be imbibed in the development of amateur boxers in the country.

    Speaking exclusively to SportingLife in Lagos, the boxer- turned Pastor advised that considering the shot time left for preparations, the new national coach Jerry Okorodudu should not discard the job already done by his predecessor Tony Konyegwachie, but rather build on it to achieve the needed result.

    Though he condemned the constant changing of coaches for the national boxing team, Oboh however expressed optimism that success can still be achieved if the right things are done.

    “We are fond of late preparation for major competitions and I’ve always said this is not good for us. Having said that I want to advise that we should imbibe continuity in everything we do especially in sports. The right people have to be put in the right places and there have to be cooperation among them.

    “It takes time to build a team, but it becomes more difficult when we keep changing coaches at will. The problem is not about changing the coaches but the lack of well defined structures in place, and this has affected us in no small measure,” Oboh declared.

    On what he feels will be the chances of Nigeria in boxing at the next Commonwealth Games, Oboh simply opined: “We have a good chance at the Commonwealth Games. Nigeria is one of the best countries in boxing as far as the Commonwealth countries are concerned. We are more populous among the commonwealth nations in boxing so we stand a very good chance. We need focus and preparation, if we can work together, things will be much easier.”

  • How national dialogue can succeed, by activists

    Many stakeholders, believe that a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) will prevent chaos, catastrophe and disintegration. They also believe that a national conference will give ethnic nationalities the opportunity to examine and resolve the national question.

    One of the critical issues is the resource control. How should the national revenue be distributed among the federating units? Should it be by derivation, need or national interest? Should there be state police? Should power be decentralised? What should be the relationship between the central government and the states?

    Other fundamental issues resolve around fundamental human rights. These include economic and political rights, education, mineral resource and infrastructural development. Analysts have argued that the current challenges of under-funding of education, infrastructural decay, soaring unemployment, insecurity and poor governance can also be tackled at the conference.

    “It is an avenue where you sit down and discuss the way forward”, said Emeka Michael, a student activist at the University of Benin. In his view, education should become the priority of government because it is critical to human capacity development. Therefore, Michael, who is the President of Mechanical Engineering Students Association, said that the debate at the conference should focus on how to reposition the sector for excellence.

    Another youth leader, Imoniukiri Rukuvwe, said that the conference will bring together Nigerians from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and offer them an opportunity for mutual understanding. He said that the conference should assist in laying a sustainable foundation for value. Stressing that the youths face serious economic challenges as leaders of tomorrow, Imoniukori, who is the Deputy Coordinator of the Niger Delta Student Union, urged the conference to debate national economic priorities for the purpose of solving the graduate unemployment.

    However, Philip Muoghalu suggested that the conference should foster national stability. He said that the mode of representation at the conference may pose a challenge. “Really, what I don’t understand is how the participants of this conference would be picked or selected for it to represent virtually the nation. Because I think it i0s not just the political class that their opinions are needed. Let it comprise the traders, students, and not just the old politicians”, he added. Muoghalu, who is a mass communication student at Nnamidi Azikiwe University, said that, if the ethnic nationalities can evolve new basis for peaceful co-existence, there will be peace.

    Another activist, Samuel Bright, said that the conference can only be meaningful, if the report is subjected to a referendum, instead of parliamentary ratification. “There are so many issues that need clarifications. Do we want to continue as a people or not? Do we want to practice federalism? Do we need state police? These are the queestions for the conference”, he said.

    A University of Lagos Law student, Jerry Agbodesi, traced the country’s tragedy to the mistake of 1914. He lamented that peace had eluded the ethnic nationalities, following their amalgamation by the British. But he said that the conference can give birth to a country “where we will not see ourselves as Ibos, Hausas, Yorubas, Tivs, Ibibios”.

    He added: “The National Conference is a step towards the right direction. Nigerians are not united and there is no peace. This is evidenced by the crisis of development. The Jos riots, the Kano, Bauchi, and Kaduna riots, the activities of the Boko Haram group, kidnappings and fights in the Niger Delta, and the civil war.

    “Nigerians should not protect the interest of their ethnic groups alone. They should protect the hopes and dreams of every Nigerian, whether rich or poor, Hausa or Efik, Fulani or Yoruba, Ibo or Auchi; whether Christians or Muslims. The hope of a child in the rural areas of Kano learning the Quran is the same as the hope of a girl learning the Bible in a modern Church in Lagos”.

    The national conference, in the opinion of Owodeyi Olalekan, should remove the obstacles against political justice, economic justice, social justice, cultural justice, and religious justice. He said the national dialogue should can achieve this goal through a new constitutional frame-work that would guarantee restructuring and reforms

  • ‘You must carve a niche for yourself to succeed’

    Feyi Sowunmi is in charge at Oreola Pure Silk, a company where exclusive silk beddings, pillows and other accessories are produced. She spoke to Yetunde Oladeinde about the challenges and other products in the stable of the business as well as the prospect of the soft furnishing business in Nigeria. 

     

     

    SO, what is unique about your company?

    We are Oreola Pure Silk and we do silk beddings. Everything that you find here is made of silk from the sheets to duvet, pillows and some other unique products. They are a luxury brand and so we make sure that what you get is unique and exclusive.

    Silk is a fibrous fabric first developed in ancient China as early as 3500 BC. It has many luxurious properties, which in the past meant that it was only reserved for Kings of

    China for personal use and gifts to others. Being one of the strongest natural fibres in the world, it has natural proteins and amino acids that nourish the hair and skin.

    Oreola’s collection of beautifully crafted products is made of 100% pure mulberry silk. The range consists of silk beddings, silk blankets, silk mattress toppers, silk-filled pillows and silk-filled duvets. The pillows and duvets are filled with grade A strands of highly breathable silk which helps regulate body temperature. It keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. Oreola’s silk bedding is also exceptionally beneficial to energy and eczema sufferers, thanks to its amazing hypoallergenic properties.

    Why did you settle for silk?

    The idea was to have something luxurious to sleep in and it became a very interesting option. In business, you need to carve a niche for yourself. We did a survey and realised that some people like to sleep in cotton while others opted for silk. So we discovered that silk was actually a luxurious brand.

    What has been the acceptance rate?

    Funny enough, I would say that it has been widely accepted. It doesn’t make you sweat like cotton at night. It breathes well. We also have the cotton and silk mix too.

    Where do you source your materials?

    We get our source of silk from China, where it is made. Cotton is made in the United Kingdom and we have a partner in the UK who makes all the stuff. The fact that it is a luxury thing makes the silk product on the high side. However, I must say that everything else is affordable. Essentially, the products are for those who love luxury.

    What other areas are you looking at?

    Right now, we are going into scents and we have a range of interesting and exciting candles in our collection. From candles we have products for bath and body work. We also have scarves and shawls that are really interesting and exciting. Items that make great fashion statements when you combine with other accessories; we sell gifts, cards and handle weddings. We get referrals from others and those who want to register for their own weddings can do so.

    Is it true that one area that a lot of young people have carved a niche for themselves these days is soft furnishing?

    Yes, you are right. It is a business that makes you independent and if you are good you can make a great impact in a short while. “Soft furnishings” are any piece of furniture that is upholstered over padding, filling or stuffing such as foam, foam chips, polyester filling. The upholstery may be fabric, leather or even vinyl. The piece of furniture may be a chair, sofa, ottoman, stool, whatever, but it would be padded or stuffed and upholstered.

    It also includes large floor pillows, even though they have no framing involved. Curtains and quilts are decorative accessories, not furnishings. The definition of soft furnishings usually pertains to pieces you sit on, lie on, and put your feet up on.

    Soft furnishing involves a lot of creativity. Experts would tell you that it is the art and science of beautifying a space to enhance both the aesthetic and functional uses of that space. In other words, your décor would not be complete without soft furnishing.

    It adds beauty, colour and class to the office, home or any space that you want to beautify.

    Interior design and style means different things to different people. How do you achieve this balance in your designs, products and services?

    For me, style means a personal interpretation of harmony and beauty. There should be a personal touch to what you wear, your environment and the image that you want to project. It is one’s projection of what one considers appropriate, comfortable or suitable. It complements a person’s inner self. It is what is inside that shows outside”.

    What are some of the challenges for small businesses in the country?

    For a lot of entrepreneurs getting the right personnel is a big challenge. You also need to get your clients and customer to accept your brand. I would say this is a challenge because a lot of people cannot believe that this can be done, let alone be done by a Nigerian.

    What advice do you have for young people who are still searching for white collar jobs?

    It is painful to find young people who are graduates without jobs. Their problem is our problem; you can’t put fire on top of the roof and go to sleep. I think that a lot of young people have to rediscover themselves in the face of such challenges. It is not everything that you are taught in the university. What you are taught in the university is just the idea.

  • Can Ngige succeed Obi?

    Can Ngige succeed Obi?

    Can power shift from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in this year’s governorship election in Anambra State? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the political career of the ACN contender , Senator Chris Ngige, and his chances at the forth-coming polls.

     

    How far can Senator Chris Ngige, medical doctor and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) go in Anambra State, as he joins this year’s governorship race? Since 2006, when he was deposed by the Court of Appeal, he has been nursing the ambition to return to the Government House. His supporters are also soaring daily. This attests to the fact that the senator from Anambra Central Senatorial District is not weak in personality and popularity. However, observers contend that the race will not be a walk over for any governorship candidate.

     

    Contenders and pretenders

     

    In recent times, many governorship aspirants on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have invaded the slippery political field drumming support for their ambition. Some of them are serious contenders. others are pretenders merely seeking for relevance. Instructively, no chieftain of the ACN has declared interest. This has lent credence to the belief that the party is united behind the candidature of the former governor, Ngige.

    The governorship aspirants itching to succeed the outgoing governor, Mr. Peter Obi, include Senator Andy Uba, former Central Bank Governor Charles Soludo, House of Representatives member Hon. Uche Ekwunife, former Information Minister Prof. Dora Akiyuli, former federal legislator Emma Anosike and Chief Akachukwu Nwamkpo. Others are prominent businessman Dr. Obinna Uzor, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, a journalist and federal legislator Afam Ogere, and Secretary to Government Mr. Osekola Obase.

    The majority of the contenders are from the APGA. They hope to profit from the power of incumbency wielded by the governor. However, the ruling party is engulfed with three crises. The first is that the governor is said to be championing zoning of the governorship and backing his SSG for the number one seat. Also, the party is being distracted by the protracted leadership tussles rocking it. Besides, the party is polarised by the merger proposal involving a section of the organisation.

    Both APGA and ACN have not succeeded in wiping out the PDP from the state. Relying on the federal might, the PDP, whose arrow head is Senator Uba, is seriously mobilising supporters for another epic battle. Uba’s ego had been bruised in the past, when he was deposed by the court barely a month in the saddle as the governor. But like Ngige, his confidence was restored, following his election into the Senate. Also, like Ngige, he is a top contender.

     

    Ngige’s third attempt

     

    But eyes are on Ngige, whose popularity has not waned, since he left power seven years ago. This is because the anti-PDP sentiments as a rigging machine has not fizzle out. The indigenes are also seized by nostalgic feelings. Although he was a governor by default, he erected lasting legacies, which were acknowledged by Obi and other Anambra leaders. Reflecting on his tenure as governor, Ngige said that he served the state without blemish.

    “The roads I constructed are everlasting. I served with diligence and sense of purpose. I can confidently walk on the streets unmolested and without an escort. I wanted to solve a lot of problems in the state”, he told reporters in Lagos.

    Senator Ngige is on a familiar terrain. His supporters believe that he is known and tested. Today, he is the only flagbearer whose candidature will not be challenged by party colleagues. His party is known for time-tested philosophy and people-friendly programmes. It is a united platform not assailed by the peculiar internal squabbles that undermine political parties during electioneering.

    In the past, Senator Ngige tasted the bitter pill. While in the saddle, he faced the odds. But, he did not flee from the battle. He was beaten, but not dazed.While the godfathers who installed him beat the drum of war, he ran to the people through the moral and pseudo-populist route, calling attention in a ceaseless manner to the ravaging marauders itching to pillage the treasury.

    Ngige triumphed initially in the first leg of the battle. But,he kissed the dust during the second phase of the battle. The court legitimately deposed him as an impostor governor who entered the State House through the back door. Today, it is debatable now whether historians can list him as a past governor because, as the court ruled, he did not win the election.

     

    Failed second attempt

     

    When he recontested in 2010 for the governorship, he had become more popular. Those who sympathised with him did so because of his achievements in office. He had successfully converted his tragedy into a massive goodwill. In this second coming of Ngige, the forces against him were also formidable. Obi, who wanted a second term, became his first political foe. Apart from the advantage of incumbency in 2009, the governor was equally perceived as a good candidate aptly recommended by his moral antecedents and belief in prudent management. He had kept corruption at bay and fought the infrastructure battle in all the sectors. Obi has shunned ostentatious lifestyles and endowed the office with honour. He predictably defeated both Ngige and Soludo, the political upstart catapulted into the critical race by the intrigues in the PDP.

     

    Battle against godfathers

     

    Ngige may have been toughened by his past battles. He retains the memory of horror and tragedy as a governor held hostage in 2005 by his erstwhile godfather, Eselu Chris Uba, who had parted ways with him. When the heat was turned on him, he described Uba and his allies as the Goliaths of Nigeria, which ,he, the David of Anambra State, would be strengthened by God to defeat. Consequently, he was swallowed by the big storm that threatened to abort his career. It was a long siege and the tribunal verdict, which ousted him from office, positioned him very far from political safety.

    With the Bible in his right hand, he took refuge in God. As he explored a religious dimension to the political battle he waged, he dare the local philistines who dragged him to the Okija shrine without public knowledge. Had he faced his senatorial pursuit initially, he would have the spared the ordeal of becoming a puppet governor tossed around by Uba and his foot soldiers for reneging on the unwritten agreement on fat returns on political investment. Anambra state is poor. So, when the benefactor, a politician with a business sense, came to demand for his cumulative loot, the governor was defiant. Ngige could not frantically deny the unofficial pact. But,he was torn between loyalty to the state and his godfather.

    On the day of his inauguration, he sworn before the people to protect the lean treasury from the prime eyes of the looters. But, he had earlier assured the godfather to deliver the purse to him and the devil was the principal witness. The dilemma was which one should take precedent between loyalty to the few financial backers who bankrolled his election bill and the poor masses who voted in anticipation of a new lease of life.

    The diminutive politician pulled the rug off the feet of his sponsors. His wits and force of character compensated for his physical minus. He rallied the people, but the fold was divided.

    Ngige stood his ground, insisting that the N3billion allegedly demanded for by the godfather was outrageous. The lending process was unknown to the people. If it is granted, the implementation of the state budget may be crippled.

    When the war finally broke out, Ngige became the first security officer who was boxed into insecurity. The governor was abducted on July 10, 2003.The act of perfidy was supervised by the police under the guise that Ngige had resigned from office. Nigerians decried the kidnapping. Thereafter, he moved swiftly to consolidate his position. His axe fell on his deputy,Chris Odey, and the speaker of the House of Assembly, Euchara Azodo. They lost their portfolios. The deputy was sacked, while the speaker was impeached.

     

    Victim of judicial coup

     

    The next hurdle was the court order by Justice Stanley Nnaji asking Ngige to vacate office because he had resigned. Sudedenly, he was left in the cold again. His orderlies were withdrawn .For 10 months, he relied on hired muscle men for protection. At a time, his life was in danger. Ngige was no more save in the state he was elected to govern. He was forced to flee to Governor James Ibori for refuge,accompanied by the local militants he had recruited as security aides.

    His fate hung in the balance until the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, restored his security. Justice Nnaji later had to answer questions before the national Judicial council(NJC) for wrongful dismissal of the governor.

    The next phase of the battle came on November 10,2004.The State House was razed by thugs allegedly loyal to the godfathers. In flames too were the State Radio and office of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC). The state was in chaos for nearly a week. The Federal Government was indifferent, until the public criticisms force the reluctant former President and Inspector General to restore order into the state of pandemonium.

    Ngige regained recognition as a Chief Executive, but his feet were shaking in the party. He was sent out of the Federal Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja. It was ironic because he had been a leader of the party from the inception. In the pre-2003 period, he was an ex-officio member of the national PDP. Later, he and his godfather were expelled. But in a dramatic manner, Uba re-emerged as a member of the Board of Trustees(BOT). The last straw that broke the back of the camel was the nullification Ngige’s victory by the court. He lost power, but he retained his respect among the people he served faithfully, despite the distractions.

     

    Defection to progressive camp

     

    Ngige dumped the PDP and emerged as a progressive missioner in Anambra politics. “AC offers the cardinal programmes of free education, free health, affordable housing, integrated rural development and full employment. This is why it is better”, he once told party supporters during his last senatorial campaigns. In that senatorial election, he defeated his APGA challenger, Akuyili. In the Senate, he has not been a bench warmer. He has contributed to debates on the floor. In the Upper House, he is accorded the respect befitting an elder.

    The politician has also added value to the ACN. Unlike those who defected to the party and later returned to the PDP, he has been consistent in the ACN. Today, he is one of the ACN leaders driving the merger.

     

    Can he make a difference

    in polls?

     

    Senator Ngige is not required by the law to resign his seat as a governorship candidate. He is an Abuja politician with a formidable grassroots support. Recently, he organised an empowerment programme for the people of the state. Ngige declared that, at this stage, the acquisition of wealth is not a priority for him, but the welfare of the state. His philanthropic activities have endeared more people to him. Many of them recalled that, as the governor, he fought corruption and channeled the state’s scarce resources to its development. Observers contend that Ngige will not lack the resources to oil his campaign machinery. As a senator, he is a rallying point at home. Many people also believe that his party has better programmes. Ngige’s political base is expected to be enlarged in the state with the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The polarisation of APGA may also be to the advantage of the APC in the state, if succession battles weakens the ruling party.

     

     

  • Who’s next? Eight cardinals in race to succeed Pope Benedict XVI

    Who’s next? Eight cardinals in race to succeed Pope Benedict XVI

    BOOKMAKERS in Europe already have their favorites, but the world won’t know who will succeed Pope Benedict XVI until that puff of white smoke is sent up the chimney of the Conclave room between March 15 and March 20.

    The College of Cardinals has no shortage of factors to consider in picking the next pope – from age to geography – and no dearth of potential candidates.

    The names of some princes of the church have emerged from Vatican watchers since Monday’s surprise abdication announcement.

    No fewer than 115 cardinals, below 80, will be eligible to enter a secret Conclave to elect Benedict XVI’s successor.

    Scola

    Cardinals around the world have already begun informal consultations by phone and e-mail to construct a profile of the man they think would be best suited to lead the church in a period of continuing crisis.

    Cardinal Angelo Scola. He is the archbishop of Milan, a good launching pad for popes and the the former Patriarch of Venice, which has also produced many a papal front-runner. Scola, 71, has close ties to the conservative Communion and Liberation movement. He is a champion of immigrants’ right and has been active in outreach to the Muslim world. Vatican expert John Allen wrote of Scola: “If you like Benedict XVI, you’ll love Scola; even if you don’t, you’ll find it hard not to be charmed.”

    Turkson

    Cardinal Peter Turkson. The first Ghanaian cardinal, Cardinal Peter Turkson is President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Vatican’s pointman on Catholicism in Africa. An energetic 64-year-old, Turkson is considered to be more moderate than some other contenders but hardly a radical. Asked about the spread of AIDS in Africa, he said abstinence was a better solution than condoms. A couple of years ago, he said the first black pope would have a “rough time” and he was not bucking for the job.

    Ouellet

    Cardinal Marc Ouellet. A former archbishop of Quebec, Cardinal Ouellet heads the Congregation of Bishops, a power center. Ouellet, 68, speaks six languages. He spent a decade as a missionary in Colombia and has strong ties to Latin and South America. He is considered a conservative and made headlines in 2010 when he said abortion was a “moral crime,” even in cases of rape. In a 2011 interview, he laughed off the idea of becoming the pontiff, saying the workload and responsibility “would be a nightmare.”

    Scherer

    Cardinal Odilo Scherer. Born in Brazil to parents of German extraction, Scherer’s big advantage is geography; he hails from the region that is home to half of the world’s Catholics. Considered a moderate, the 63-year-old serves as the archbishop of Sao Paulo and has spots in two key Vatican groups, the Congregation for the Clergy and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation.

    Sandri

    Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. Born in Argentina to Italian parents, Sandri was the second-in-command in the Vatican Secretary of State’s Office under Pope John Paul II and now serves as Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. A longtime Vatican diplomat, Sandri, 69, is well-respected but seen by some as more of a top-notch administrator than a theological leader.

    Dolan

    Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The head of the archdiocese of New York, Dolan is one of the Vatican’s most popular figures — charismatic, camera-ready and conservative. As head of the United States (U.S.) Conference of Catholic Bishops, he has not shied away from political fights, taking on the Barack Obama administration over contraception. But Dolan, 63, has only been a cardinal for a year.

    Bagnasco

    Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. The archbishop of Genoa is well-connected, having served twice as the President of the Italian Bishop’s Conference. A baker’s son who says he knew he wanted to be a priest in elementary school, Bagnasco, 70, is considered a conservative force in the church. He was the target of death threats in 2007 after comments opposing same-sex unions and in 2011, he launched a thinly veiled attack on scandal-ridden Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other politicians, referring to them as “sad and hollow.”

    Ravasi

    Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi. The Italian-born President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Ravasi, 70, is hugely popular through his Scripture lessons on television and radio. On a crusade to keep the church relevant, he blogs, quotes Amy Winehouse on Twitter, and criticises priests for boring sermons. An archaeologist by training, he’s a brainy biblical scholar who is seen as a theological moderate.

  • Why APC will succeed—Shekarau

    Why APC will succeed—Shekarau

    Former Presidential aspirant of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last 15 years has helped to strengthen peoples’ faith in the new All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Shekarau, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Benin City, they were waiting for whatever moles the PDP would plant in the merger.

    The former Kano State Governor said leaders of the various political parties that came together to form the APC had decided to sacrifice their personal wish for the interest of the nation.

    He said the merger was not about any individual or personality but about giving the Nigerian people an alternative.

    According to him, “I think to the best of my knowledge and understanding, all the people you may think have ambition in all the political parties involved are all ready to sacrifice and play the game of give and take.

    “We are waiting for the unexpected and we are planning for it. There is no way you can stop peoples’ ambition in any political party.”

    Meanwhile, A non-governmental organisation, Kogi Progressive Front (KPF), has said the newly formed APC is set to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from its many years maladministration.

    The Leader of the Group, Chief J O Yusuf, stated this at a media conference in Lokoja.

    He described the merger of the opposition political parties as a good thing for the people of the country, adding that the time to save Nigerians from the beastly looking PDP government is here.

    Using Kogi State as a case study, Yusuf stated that the PDP-led government in the state was incapable of leading the state to the transformational destination.

    He added that the PDP-led government was terminally ill and could not salvage the state from underdevelopment and poverty.

    Yusuf noted that the last nine years in the state had been a monumental failure and waste of state funds, calling on all opposition parties to come together to flush it out.

    But the Special Adviser to governor Idris Wada on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, described KPF’s observation as shallow.

    He said in a democratic setting, the group was entitled to their opinion, no matter how warped, adding that the government would not be distracted by such reasoning.

  • ‘Why I want to succeed Akpabio’

    ‘Why I want to succeed Akpabio’

    A  governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Okpo Onofiok, has unfolded his manifesto in Uyo, the state capital. He said he would concentrate on human and infrastructure development, if elected as governor.

    Onofiok also spoke on his programmes during his visit to his ward and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Udung Uko Local Government Area of the state.

    He explained that his consultation with the grassroots leaders was to re-affirm his aspiration for the 2015 governoship race.

    Onofiok, who is an Oron, said power should shift to the zone becaue two Ibiobio, former Governor Victor Attah and governor Godswill Akpabio have enjoyed the slot.

    He said: “When the Oron ethnic bloc is given her due recognition in the state’s political and economic configuration, the unity and peace of the state will be attained without much dialogue.”

    Onofiok appealed to the ruling party and state governmnt not to ignore the goose that lays the golden eggs, stressing that the revenue sustaining the state is from the Oro ethnic bloc.”

    He added: “All the songs the people are singing to Ukana, Uyo and the rest are because of the oil, which is being predominantly explaited from Oro. b Oro has been an integral and productive segment of the state.”

    The politician said the marginalisation of the oil-producing community smacked of injustice.

    The aspirant appealed to Governor Akpabio to use the remaining years left for his administration to transform the area.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Too big to fail or too big to succeed?

    Too big to fail or too big to succeed?

    It is not clear why Rwandan President Paul Kagame thinks Nigeria is too big to fail, or whether in fact that was the idea he sought to convey when he surveyed Nigeria’s problems and proffered solutions. At any rate, a newspaper gave that headline to the Kagame prognosis on Nigeria when the Rwandan visited the country as a guest of African Personality Forum to speak to young Nigerian professionals in Lagos. The headline, if not Kagame himself, was inspired perhaps by the world financial crisis of 2008 which triggered massive economic collapse and business failures around the world. Kagame’s actual words were: “Nigeria is too big, too resourceful to allow these things (corruption and underdevelopment) to continue. If there is a problem in Nigeria it would spread, even to as far as Rwanda. That is why we as Rwandans are ready to work together with Nigeria to solve our problems together and learn from one another.”

    The term itself came into prominence when certain mavericks coined the phrase to inspire government bailout of distressed companies, among which were banks, insurers and auto companies. Some of these companies, investigators found out, augmented their profitability by creating and disposing complicated derivatives. By trading in risky loans, currencies and stocks, among other things, they became so big that if they failed, as indeed many of them did, it would have ripple effects on other smaller companies and create an unmanageable chain of damaging effects for the economy. One of these companies that inspired the ‘Too big to fail’ slogan was AIG, a leading insurance company that specialised in traditional insurance until greed pushed it into credit default swaps (insuring assets that supported corporate debt and mortgages). Lehman Brothers, which made the largest bankruptcy filing in United States history in 2008, also inspired the phrase.

    But sometime last year, G. Pascal Zachary, a former foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, author of Married to Africa and professor of practice at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, wrote an interesting article for the prestigious The Atlantic magazine on Nigeria’s shaky battle with underdevelopment. The title of the essay was Nigeria: Too Big to Fail. A little like Kagame, and referring also to Karl Maier’s book, This House has Fallen, published in 2000, Zachary lists a potpourri of factors ranging from ineptitude, corruption, ethnicity and in particular religion as factors predisposing Nigeria to disaster. If the West did not help Nigeria to avoid apocalypse, he warned, it would have grave repercussions for Africa.

    There is, however, no doubt that Kagame’s analysis suggests he feared Nigeria’s collapse could affect everyone everywhere, even as far away as Rwanda. He admonishes Nigerians to work out their differences and not surrender to unproductive pessimism or even fatalism. This large country of resourceful people, he says, has a large pool of talented young people to turn the country around. But while his admonition was doubtless sound, especially coming from a tested war and peace leader like himself, there is little to suggest that Nigeria is taking any step to avoid state failure. Absolutely nothing. Indeed, while the world appears anxious about Nigeria’s stability and future, many Nigerian leaders seem convinced, as former military head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar said on Saturday, that Nigeria was not going to disintegrate.

    The bad news Hardball regrets to give all of them is that many Nigerians actually don’t think their country is too big to fail. They in fact think it is too big to succeed. These are the people the optimists mouthing platitudinous words need to address and reassure. In any case, believing something is too big to fail neither precludes failure nor guarantees success. Everything depends on what is done to avoid the worst-case scenario.