OWOLOWO

A CNN Interview & The Waffling “bulb lighting” President by M.B.O Owolowo The nation was agog about the President’s interview for obviously different reasons, both supporters and critics alike were waiting to hear their President discuss cogent national issues with Christiane Amanpour of CNN on Wednesday, January 23 2013. Initially I had mixed feelings before the interview, deciding whether to prepare for a laughter fest or watching-wall-paint-dry boredom. Though I must confess the Clinton- U.S Embassy in Libya Inquiry coming up at the slated time of the interview almost took off some of the steam. There were already jokes of the interview being so petrifying it was invariably postponed to discourage viewership.   After waiting an additional 2 hours, the interview got on the way. As usual President Goodluck Jonathan didn't disappoint his teaming “fans” with another coxcombical showing.   Below are excerpts from the interview with Christiane Amanpour, among the key ...

A Better Nigeria, 2013 and Beyond Nation building and development takes a lot of laborious time and consistency of effort. Only the sincere and steadfast will patiently persevere against all odds to achieve selfless aims and collectively progressive objectives. Only time will tell those who will toe the honourable Gani Fawehinmi path of genuine criticism fuelled by patriotism and those who will end up the attainted 'Abati' way. Individuals from all social strata must unite to challenge the dissipation, sending a stern warning out to all that Nigeria is evolving rapidly and socially diverse youth have come of age. The Occupy Nigeria movement of 2012 is a testament to the possibilities of social unity. If you are wealthy by sheer luck, genius, hard work or inheritance and you think the social decay doesn't concern you, you have a problem. Sooner or later the rot will affect or consume you, directly or indirectly. If you are wealthy by means of looting public funds, you ha...

A President and The Corruption Conundrum by M.B.O Owolowo   The corruption conundrum continues as some incredulous statements were recently attributed to the President during the burial service of the late General Andrew Azazi. He was responding to a factual and frank homily by Bishop Hyacinth Ogbebor blaming corruption for the helicopter crash, amongst other issues in the country. The President said, “Corruption is not the cause of our problems. Nigeria has more institutions that fight corruption. Most of the issues we talk about are not corruption. If we do things properly, if we change our attitude of doing things, most of the things we think are caused by corruption are not. If Nigerians would change their attitude, you will realise that most of these issues being attributed to corruption are not caused by corruption. If we change our attitude to life, if all Nigerians do what is right, Nigeria will change”. Pondering over these statements, the president should be reminded he ...