LATEST ON ASUU STRIKE
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday declared that unless the Federal Government retraces its steps and agrees to the principles of collective bargaining, its one-month-old strike would continue unabated.
This was even as the Academic Staff Union said the scheduled meeting of today at the instance of the House of Representatives Committee on Education would yield no fruitful result. National President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that while the leadership of the union prepared for dialogue as part of its avowed commitment to the development of education sector, it will, however, not succumb to blackmail and threats.
While the deadlock continues, government is making concerted efforts towards getting the Chairman of the Renegotiation panel, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, who is believed to be out of the country, to attend the meeting since he is in better positioned to analyze all the contending issues which he had handled for over two years now.
Prof. Awuzie contrary to some reports, ASUU never failed to honour any meeting at the instance of the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, adding that even the same minister has apologized for the mix up thus requested for a new date for the meeting.
According to Awuzie: “The minister promised to call back but failed to do so and we were not aware of the reason for the call. While we were at the meeting with lawmakers at National Assembly, the minister called but the person who answered the call told him that I was in the meeting and could not pick the call. However, we have spoken to him and he apologized for the mix up, stating that his staff made a mistake and failed to formally invite us to the meet.”
He said the minister also promised to speak to the chairman, House Committee on Education to see if he can be part of the meeting taking place today (Thursday) to allow for a collective deliberation of the issues.
Monday, July 27, 2009
PHCH 'WILL THIS BE ANOTHER UNFINISHED STORY'?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
LATEST NEWS ABOUT PHCN
Nigerians should expect improved power supply by October this year, the Power Holding Com-pany of Nigeria (PHCN) said yesterday.
There has been a noticeable drop in power supply in the last one month, with many parts of Nigeria going for weeks without electricity.
However, PHCN has given a situation report, with a promise that the power generated by the hydro stations, which stands at 594 megawatts, will hit 1382 megawatts between October and November when water levels are expected to be high.
This, according to the company’s spokesperson, Mrs. Efuru Igbo, would mitigate the abysmal power supply situation.
Although the country currently needs anything between 4000-6000 megawatts to achieve a fairly stable power supply, the current output is estimated at 2000 megawatts because of problems with gas supply.
As at yesterday, the hydro plants at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro, all in Niger State, generated 127 megawatts, 225 megawatts and 242 megawatts respectively, way below their installed capacities, owing mainly to the fact that they are yet to hit their peak in terms of available water level.
LATEST NEWS ABOUT PHCN
Nigerians should expect improved power supply by October this year, the Power Holding Com-pany of Nigeria (PHCN) said yesterday.
There has been a noticeable drop in power supply in the last one month, with many parts of Nigeria going for weeks without electricity.
However, PHCN has given a situation report, with a promise that the power generated by the hydro stations, which stands at 594 megawatts, will hit 1382 megawatts between October and November when water levels are expected to be high.
This, according to the company’s spokesperson, Mrs. Efuru Igbo, would mitigate the abysmal power supply situation.
Although the country currently needs anything between 4000-6000 megawatts to achieve a fairly stable power supply, the current output is estimated at 2000 megawatts because of problems with gas supply.
As at yesterday, the hydro plants at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro, all in Niger State, generated 127 megawatts, 225 megawatts and 242 megawatts respectively, way below their installed capacities, owing mainly to the fact that they are yet to hit their peak in terms of available water level.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Nation’s Identity Crisis: INTELLECTUAL PROSTITUTION, SOCIAL IGNORANCE AND WISDOM POMPOSITY IN RUEBEN ABATIS’
INTELLECTUAL PROSTITUTION, SOCIAL IGNORANCE AND WISDOM POMPOSITY IN RUEBEN ABATIS’ A Nation’s Identity Crisis
THE FIRST TIME, when I came across Abati’s article and Banky W’s response on Bella naija’s web page ,I had just little time to spend on the internet. But the combo (I could not fathom what issue could join these men who belong to different generation, social stratum and intellectual linage); never the less pricked my curiosity that I quickly had to copy the piece on my flash drive. The gig-saw began to fall into place when I paid a weekend visit my bosom friend and course-mate Joseph Ogundare, a staff of telecomm giant Globacom.
I immediately opened my flash drive to read the ‘now’ very controversial article, which to me have exposed the level of hypocrisy a venerated and cerebral genius ‘conservative’ Abati and his likes engage in ,especially when they try to rubbish our generation, in their ‘holier than thou’ attitude’.(Agba wa bur ate we o ba se o rii?) More amusing is the fact that Abati has some very valid point in the article, for example issues like ‘sagging’ of pant is not part of our culture, lyrics with little or no sense is not good, we should be mindful of the computer age kids that abound in our country. It gives me grave concern when I see kids dance recklessly and sing and along to some of this lewd songs that have invaded the air waves. In addition it smirks of lack of creativity and artistic intelligence when 98% of these artistes in question would rather mime to a CD rather than perform with a live band. We want artistes that will endure the time, musician who will be ever green like;Micheal Jackson, Bob Marley Sade, and our own King Sunny Ade, Dan Maraya Jos, Abami Eda Fela, Ebenezer Obey, and current hit makers like Lagbaja and Asa whose visionary music is ‘beyond now’. This observation sure hit the bull eye, but the angle through which Dr Abati chose to express his opinion smirks of total ignorance and intellectual prostitution and arrogance.
In all honesty the Nigerian youths have been short changed in all ramification, this is a nation where nothing seem to work; yet the youths have used their talent and proficiency to berth the globally acclaimed ‘Nollywood’ and the world have today come to appreciate Naija brand of Afro Hip-Hop music. Yet, Nigeria appear to be the only country with the most corrupt leaders, who rubs their selfishness and opulent life style in the face of abject poverty and lack in a land where power is epileptic, where social welfare is a state of comatose, security is zero, Nigeria is the only nation where parents pay through their nose to school their wards at both government and private institutions, yet the huge fund invested does not commiserate with the level of knowledge the students get. When I try to remember the myriad of problems that ‘Abati’s’ generation have vested on the country it brakes my heart. To now add insult upon injury in my opinion is not the corrective means of encouraging my generation. You cannot get the best out of a child by deriding him/her constantly. Every child have positive potentials, it is the place of parents to bring out the best in every child. According to the internet guru and computer genius our own very Emeritus Professor Phillip Emeagwali, he once said "When I was 5 years old, my father recognized that I was slow in Math, he worked with me, pushing me until eventually I could do 100 questions in an hour. His efforts pushed me beyond my comfort zone.” Parents must set higher standards for their children and push them beyond their comfort zone. We must remember that every genius is an ordinary person who did
extraordinary things.
Me think, Dr Abati and his ilk, ought to use their position to compel government on the need to protect the intellectual properties of Nigerian army of artistes rather than deriding their person or talents, and help to bring out the best in the Nigerian child.Goverment should build libraries, recreational centers, and invest hugely into the educational sector. The greatest challenge that my generation faces is that the youths have plenty of energies, and our parents, schools, and the government should please help this generation to exercise these energies and passions positively.
The name in contention ‘Naija’ (I don’t care where or how it emanated!) is not a derogative term, rather it’s a way the youths have used to appreciate a country that has little or nothing to offer them yet, they hold this nation in high esteem and literally, artistically, technologically and in sports my generation have continued to hoist the Nigerian flag proudly by excelling in different field at home and abroad. Dorah Akunyuli need not expend too much fund and resources; I advise her and the government to look towards the youth for answers to the so many nagging problems facing Nigeria. Americans coined the term Yankee, some call America ‘God Own country’, others call America ‘Uncle Sam’ yet no one has ever said that they have insulted their nation’s identity! Why should ours be different?
About the stage names, I believe that it is a general philosophy that a child is a product of his era. There’s nothing bad in having a name as a brand for ease of identification and uniqueness. For example: every one can easily pronounce 9-ice, but a non Yoruba cannot easily pronounce Abolore Akande, it’s nice that Banky W has pointed out the many contrasts in Dr Abati’s commentary. As a further reference Majek Fasheks’ real name I think is Majekodunmi Fashakin, Ras Kimono cannot be the original name on the reggae artiste international pass-sport. I think Abati should tell us his native name so that we shall hence forth address him by his native name and not ‘Rueben’ ‘Identification Crisis’ indeed!
On a more serious note, I’m in agreement with the strong points Dr Abati’s article raised; it’s just that the sore points out weights the valid ones; Nigerian artiste ought to emulate good things that can improve their crafts. It’s a not a must that every artiste must know how to play a musical instrument, but it will be more instructive and constructive that our artiste must learn how to perform with a live band , rather than miming to their songs at shows and concerts. By so doing foreign counterparts who share stage with them will appreciate them more, and they can then demand for better pay package to perform at shows and concerts. In addition, music should not be just a medium through which we want to dance away our sorrow, the artistes, should infuse sensible words into their lyrics. They should not continue to edify lewdness (wind your waist), internet scam (Ala Yahooo) drunkenness (Shayo) and way-wardness that some of their songs and life style portray. Enough said!!!
Omotoye Solomon. O.C (OBA-9JA 1)
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
PIVOTGEEST magazine.
pivotmag@yahoo.com
THE FIRST TIME, when I came across Abati’s article and Banky W’s response on Bella naija’s web page ,I had just little time to spend on the internet. But the combo (I could not fathom what issue could join these men who belong to different generation, social stratum and intellectual linage); never the less pricked my curiosity that I quickly had to copy the piece on my flash drive. The gig-saw began to fall into place when I paid a weekend visit my bosom friend and course-mate Joseph Ogundare, a staff of telecomm giant Globacom.
I immediately opened my flash drive to read the ‘now’ very controversial article, which to me have exposed the level of hypocrisy a venerated and cerebral genius ‘conservative’ Abati and his likes engage in ,especially when they try to rubbish our generation, in their ‘holier than thou’ attitude’.(Agba wa bur ate we o ba se o rii?) More amusing is the fact that Abati has some very valid point in the article, for example issues like ‘sagging’ of pant is not part of our culture, lyrics with little or no sense is not good, we should be mindful of the computer age kids that abound in our country. It gives me grave concern when I see kids dance recklessly and sing and along to some of this lewd songs that have invaded the air waves. In addition it smirks of lack of creativity and artistic intelligence when 98% of these artistes in question would rather mime to a CD rather than perform with a live band. We want artistes that will endure the time, musician who will be ever green like;Micheal Jackson, Bob Marley Sade, and our own King Sunny Ade, Dan Maraya Jos, Abami Eda Fela, Ebenezer Obey, and current hit makers like Lagbaja and Asa whose visionary music is ‘beyond now’. This observation sure hit the bull eye, but the angle through which Dr Abati chose to express his opinion smirks of total ignorance and intellectual prostitution and arrogance.
In all honesty the Nigerian youths have been short changed in all ramification, this is a nation where nothing seem to work; yet the youths have used their talent and proficiency to berth the globally acclaimed ‘Nollywood’ and the world have today come to appreciate Naija brand of Afro Hip-Hop music. Yet, Nigeria appear to be the only country with the most corrupt leaders, who rubs their selfishness and opulent life style in the face of abject poverty and lack in a land where power is epileptic, where social welfare is a state of comatose, security is zero, Nigeria is the only nation where parents pay through their nose to school their wards at both government and private institutions, yet the huge fund invested does not commiserate with the level of knowledge the students get. When I try to remember the myriad of problems that ‘Abati’s’ generation have vested on the country it brakes my heart. To now add insult upon injury in my opinion is not the corrective means of encouraging my generation. You cannot get the best out of a child by deriding him/her constantly. Every child have positive potentials, it is the place of parents to bring out the best in every child. According to the internet guru and computer genius our own very Emeritus Professor Phillip Emeagwali, he once said "When I was 5 years old, my father recognized that I was slow in Math, he worked with me, pushing me until eventually I could do 100 questions in an hour. His efforts pushed me beyond my comfort zone.” Parents must set higher standards for their children and push them beyond their comfort zone. We must remember that every genius is an ordinary person who did
extraordinary things.
Me think, Dr Abati and his ilk, ought to use their position to compel government on the need to protect the intellectual properties of Nigerian army of artistes rather than deriding their person or talents, and help to bring out the best in the Nigerian child.Goverment should build libraries, recreational centers, and invest hugely into the educational sector. The greatest challenge that my generation faces is that the youths have plenty of energies, and our parents, schools, and the government should please help this generation to exercise these energies and passions positively.
The name in contention ‘Naija’ (I don’t care where or how it emanated!) is not a derogative term, rather it’s a way the youths have used to appreciate a country that has little or nothing to offer them yet, they hold this nation in high esteem and literally, artistically, technologically and in sports my generation have continued to hoist the Nigerian flag proudly by excelling in different field at home and abroad. Dorah Akunyuli need not expend too much fund and resources; I advise her and the government to look towards the youth for answers to the so many nagging problems facing Nigeria. Americans coined the term Yankee, some call America ‘God Own country’, others call America ‘Uncle Sam’ yet no one has ever said that they have insulted their nation’s identity! Why should ours be different?
About the stage names, I believe that it is a general philosophy that a child is a product of his era. There’s nothing bad in having a name as a brand for ease of identification and uniqueness. For example: every one can easily pronounce 9-ice, but a non Yoruba cannot easily pronounce Abolore Akande, it’s nice that Banky W has pointed out the many contrasts in Dr Abati’s commentary. As a further reference Majek Fasheks’ real name I think is Majekodunmi Fashakin, Ras Kimono cannot be the original name on the reggae artiste international pass-sport. I think Abati should tell us his native name so that we shall hence forth address him by his native name and not ‘Rueben’ ‘Identification Crisis’ indeed!
On a more serious note, I’m in agreement with the strong points Dr Abati’s article raised; it’s just that the sore points out weights the valid ones; Nigerian artiste ought to emulate good things that can improve their crafts. It’s a not a must that every artiste must know how to play a musical instrument, but it will be more instructive and constructive that our artiste must learn how to perform with a live band , rather than miming to their songs at shows and concerts. By so doing foreign counterparts who share stage with them will appreciate them more, and they can then demand for better pay package to perform at shows and concerts. In addition, music should not be just a medium through which we want to dance away our sorrow, the artistes, should infuse sensible words into their lyrics. They should not continue to edify lewdness (wind your waist), internet scam (Ala Yahooo) drunkenness (Shayo) and way-wardness that some of their songs and life style portray. Enough said!!!
Omotoye Solomon. O.C (OBA-9JA 1)
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
PIVOTGEEST magazine.
pivotmag@yahoo.com
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