BIMBO AYUBA WRITES ON RETIREMENT OF MILITARY OFFICERS

The retirement of Military officers has generated a serious controversy ranging from religious to ethnic colorations in the usual manner we out cry in Nigeria.A retired Navy Commodore expressed his professional view on the exercise:

 "My comment: 

1. I know virtually all d officers in d list. For instance, Onoyevita was ADC to President Umar Yar'adua and though a very committed officer was sucked into politics. He spearheaded d hijack of President Yar'adua and almost seized power in that confusion over his true state of health but for d intervention of some crack military officers. Almost all d officers listed were involved in anti-democratic practises under President Jonathan.

2.  It is a shame that in Nigeria we still think like this: Hausa-Ibo-Ijaw, Yoruba etc. Those who looted this country didn't care about where anyone came from or their religion. Only interests mattered. 

3. I have served 35 years in d military my Driver: Mamman Sabo Talle from Taraba worked wt me for at least 10 years he is still there. (Muslim). My orderly Abdullahi Alhaji Abdullahi (Niger) 7 years. Still with me (Muslim). Both are excellent materials.

4. As soldiers when we fight we face the enemy fire and the bullets and shells are rained at us  not looking for Xtian,  Muslims or which Geo political zone each of us comes from. We fight as one: one mission one goal:to save the nation. When a soldier dies it is our brother that died not just anybody.

All the listed officers have clearly made incredible illicit wealth from last government and I swear they could combine to overthrow this government if nothing is done about it.

5. I retired from d armed forces on 3rd June 2016 after 35 years of colour service. Of all these years I spent 9 years as a Commodore because politicians meddled with promotion merit list. We have only 3 attempts. Dele Ezeoba became Chief of Naval Staff and set aside merit list and brought in a list of persons who failed d board. Most were from SE and SS. I was 3ce a victim of political interference in politics. I finished top of my peers from Defence College 12th of 105 participants returning a B grade Research paper of 7 in National Defence Course 17. My topic was: Implication of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in the West African Sub-Region-Implication for National Security. The military is now higly corrupt and polarised. The hardworking are sacrificed for d indolent. It is this realization that confronts the PMB Administration today.

6. The COAS Gen Tukur Buratai is a very thorough well bred professional officer who once worked under my supervision as Deputy Force Commander/Maritime Component Commander of Operation Pulo Shield in 2011-2012 when he was Comd 2 Brigade Port Harcourt, A formatiin which partly was under DHQ for Oil Protection. He is respectful, and rational and as u can see the BH war is being gradually won. 

7.  The earlier we all realize and reinforce that which unite us and discard all primordial sensibilities and salvage this country d better for us all. Surely, President Buhari has simply held d bull by the horn and for once he is doing d needful which was needlessly left undone by past governments. 

8.  I need to let you all know that I am a Lagosian SW and A Christian.  But I see beyond d lenses of sentiments and see reality from empirical point not from cheap hypothesis. Let us rally and support the present government or fold our hands and watch d country go down. Libya, Iraq, Syria and perhaps Ukraine and likes would be just a child play. I suggest we in this group open a public debate on some of this crucial issues.

Bimbo Ayuba psc fdc MBA MSc FCIS FNIM,  Commodore rtd"

LASG INAUGURATES LASIEC CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS

Hon. Justice Ayotunde Philips being congratulated by Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today inagurated the Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Committee (LASIEC) to see to the affairs of the forth coming council elections in the state. Below is the remark he gave at the inaguration.

Remarks Delivered By His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor Of Lagos State At The Inauguration Of The Chairman And Members Of The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

PROTOCOL

We have just witnessed the swearing in ceremony for the new Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission.

This ceremony is coming after the Lagos State House of Assembly carried out due diligence and subsequent confirmation of the Chairman and members of the Commission. I thank the Right Honourable Speaker and members of the Assembly for their cooperation and understanding.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission is a statutory body with the responsibility of conducting local government elections in the State. The Commission therefore has a critical role in the democratic process of the State.

We have painstakingly selected people of unquestionable integrity and track record of competence to guarantee a credible, transparent and accountable process. Leading this team is Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, a retired Chief Judge of Lagos State who left a record of meritorious service that saw her to the pinnacle of the Lagos State Judiciary.

I urge you to be above board and truly live up to public expectation as independent umpires. You must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another. This is the only way that you can guarantee the credibility of the process that you supervise.

Our government places a high premium on the rule of law and we will not do anything to directly or indirectly interfere in your affairs. You must therefore be prepared to take full responsibility for all your actions.

Once again, I congratulate you all and wish you success in the discharge of your assigned responsibilities.

Thank you.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa l’ogun!!!

Akinwunmi Ambode

LAGOS LG/LCDA SOLE ADMINISTRATORS TO EARN N237,749.66 SALARY, N250,000.00 SECURITY VOTES MONTHLY

The Lagos State Government has informed that the 57 Sole Administrators for Local Government and Local Council Development Area will have no new cars, and no severance package during and when their stay in office expires.

Friends and families should not even bother to roll out the drums – as is usually the case – for the recently appointed Sole Administrators of Local Government Councils in Lagos as there might be no largess to throw around.

They will earn Two Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Nine Naira, Sixty-six kobo (N237,749.66) only in monthly salary and Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) only in security votes per month.

They will not be entitled to severance packages nor will they get new official status cars as there tenure will be very short with the local government elections coming up later this year.

They will have a single approval limit of N500,000 per week and N2m per month.

LASU ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE FOR LAW STUDENTS 2016

PARTICIPATION IN THE SCREENING EXERCISE FOR ADMISSION INTO LAW (LL.B) PROGRAMME

Invitation is invited from prospective candidates who wish to participate in the screening exercise for admission into Law (LL.B) programme. During the 2016/2017 Admission process.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SCREENING EXERCISE

• To be eligible for participation in the screening exercise, the underlisted conditions must be met by any prospective candidate.

• Candidates must have chosen Lagos State University as University of first Choice (more preferred) and must have scored a minimum of 190 marks in the UTME.

• Candidates must have relevant subject combinations in WAEC/NECO and JAMB, i.e. Five ‘O’ level credit passes to include English Language, Literature in English and Mathematics plus any other two (2) subjects. While UTME subject combinations should be English Language and Literature in English plus any other two (2) subjects.

NOTE, please, that anybody that did not choose the Lagos State University as their choice of institution, will be disqualified, on registration without refund of registration fee.

LASU ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE 2016

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES THAT CHOSE LASU AS SECOND CHOICE (PREFERRED) INSTITUTION FOR 2016/2017 ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE.

It has been brought to the attention of the University that candidates who chose LASU as 2nd (preferred) choice of institution are facing some challenges in registering for the 2016/2017 admission screening exercise.

Please be informed that:

a)      Your Screening Exercise will commence after the receipt of the 2nd choice Omnibus list from JAMB after the conclusion of the 1st round of the screening exercise.

b)      Screening exercise for candidates who chose LASU as 2nd choice of institution will take place in August, 2016. However, information in relation to this second (2nd) round of screening will be placed on LASU website.

c)      You must constantly check LASU website for announcement on the time-table for the Screening Exercise for candidate in your category.

d)      Spaces have been reserved for second (2nd) choice candidates for the purpose of this exercise. 

e)      Candidates that did not chose LASU are not QUALIFIED for screening. However; if such candidates apply, they will not only be DISQUALIFIED, but would also forfeit whatever payment made, as it is NON-REFUNDABLE.

f)       Candidates that have earlier made payment (1st and 2nd choice) for the screening exercise are assured that they will be considered for the 2016/2017 screening exercise as appropriate.

  

 NOTE:  No space is available for candidates that did not choose LASU as University of choice. 

LASU ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE 2016

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES THAT CHOSE LASU AS SECOND CHOICE (PREFERRED) INSTITUTION FOR 2016/2017 ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE.

It has been brought to the attention of the University that candidates who chose LASU as 2nd (preferred) choice of institution are facing some challenges in registering for the 2016/2017 admission screening exercise.

Please be informed that:

a)      Your Screening Exercise will commence after the receipt of the 2nd choice Omnibus list from JAMB after the conclusion of the 1st round of the screening exercise.

b)      Screening exercise for candidates who chose LASU as 2nd choice of institution will take place in August, 2016. However, information in relation to this second (2nd) round of screening will be placed on LASU website.

c)      You must constantly check LASU website for announcement on the time-table for the Screening Exercise for candidate in your category.

d)      Spaces have been reserved for second (2nd) choice candidates for the purpose of this exercise. 

e)      Candidates that did not chose LASU are not QUALIFIED for screening. However; if such candidates apply, they will not only be DISQUALIFIED, but would also forfeit whatever payment made, as it is NON-REFUNDABLE.

f)       Candidates that have earlier made payment (1st and 2nd choice) for the screening exercise are assured that they will be considered for the 2016/2017 screening exercise as appropriate.

  

 NOTE:  No space is available for candidates that did not choose LASU as University of choice. 

EFFORT IS IMPORTANT, BUT KNOWING WHERE TO MAKE AN EFFORT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

The engine of a giant ship failed to start.

The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure out how to fix the engine. 

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! 

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.

"What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"

So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $ 2.00

Knowing where to tap $ 9998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference!

Ben Carson.

REASON WHY BAYELSA, ONDO, PLATEAU AND EBONYI OMITTED FROM AMBASSADORIAL LIST

Following the complaints that trailed the omission of some states from the ambassadorial list sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Engr Babachir David Lawal, has explained why some states had no representative on the list.

According to him, there are no nominees from Bayelsa, Ondo, Plateau and Ebonyi states for now because candidates from the areas failed to meet some criteria set by the federal government for career diplomats.

He noted that there are specialist areas for which only specialists are required, so even if a state makes the service length or rank criteria, those are not the only considerations, adding that even gender was considered in the nominations.

In an interview with select journalists in Abuja, he further explained that the constitution had made it clear that such nominations were entirely the prerogative of the president.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Senate had rejected the list of 47 nominees sent for screening and confirmation by President Buhari on the grounds that the federal character principle was not adequately followed as four states had no nominees on the list.

The Senate then summoned the SGF and the minister of Foreign Affairs to explain the omissions to its Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The SGF, however, pointed out that of the 47 ambassadorial nominees, 32 out of 36 states were represented, but that even though the constitution preaches federal character, it does not say that every state must be represented in any appointment, except in the case of ministers.

Lawal also assured that he would appear before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs as directed by the upper chamber.

He said, “One thing, however, is clear. The constitution makes it clear that it is the prerogative of the president to nominate ambassadors and the criteria he will use to do so is also the constitutional right of the president. Whatever criteria he chooses to use is constitutional.

“Be that as it may, I must say that we are disappointed that the National Assembly took the decision it did, but again we believe that the Senate is made up of very responsible and patriotic Nigerians and the Senate is made up of great people, including governors who have governed and known the constitution regarding separation of powers. “

“So at the last count, my recollection is that out of the 47 diplomat nominees, the 32 states were represented. While the constitution preaches federal character, it does not say that every state must be represented in any appointment, except of course in the case of ministers.

“It’s not in all other appointments, so the spirit of the constitution has been fully satisfied by having 32 ambassadors out of 36, plus one. I believe that every objective analyst will agree to this.”

The SGF further explained that apart from the criteria of seniority, there are other criteria and qualifications that must be met before one is posted to go and represent Nigeria, “not just because while in the Foreign Service or the civil service, you were able to make grade level 16 or 17; quite a number of qualifications are needed.

“There is the requirement of gender sensitivity. This government, in its APC manifesto, promises gender equality. This is another that was used to the extent that we have about 12 women in the list of 47, among other criteria.”

He also acknowledged that just as it was the president’s sole prerogative to determine the criteria to use to appoint an ambassador, the Senate also had the prerogative to approve or not to approve the nominations.

“So obviously for all the criteria set up for this nomination, quite a number of states did not make it. If I remember very well, Ondo, Bayelsa, Plateau and one other state did not make it, but, basically, if any state does not have anybody among the list of 47, it is because one way or the other they did not meet the criteria, including the criteria of qualification.

He listed other qualifications to include having the character, the integrity and the experience to represent Nigeria.

“You must be change compatible; that is, you must have the integrity; you must have the experience; you must really just have the qualifications that are required of a representative of Nigeria,” Lawal said.

The SGF further noted that those nominated so far were career diplomats drawn from the civil service, not political ambassadors, and revealed that the next batch of diplomat nominees would come from outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during which the noted imbalance would be redressed.

“It is obvious the government will use those appointments to try and balance any lop-sidedness in the current list, unless of course we again cannot take a political appointee that will meet a criteria that we will set up for that purpose.

“Secondly, there has to be merit and qualifications in every nomination. One of the criteria used is that it is important not to appoint someone an ambassador that will soon retire.

“Again, another criterion that was considered was your accelerating level; you must be someone on grade level 16 or 17. Due to no fault of this government, not all states have people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Foreign Service Department that met this criteria,” he explained

NIGERIAN WINS WORLD QURANIC RECITATION COMPETITION

The Winner Sulaiman Abdulkarim

The 18th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award concluded on Friday night with Nigerian contestant Sulaiman Abdulkarim Isah winning the top position in the international Quran completion category of the Award, along with the AED250,000 prize money. Omar Hussain Baeisa of Saudi Arabia and Yemeni Mohammed Khaled Yaseen achieved second and third positions.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the concluding ceremony at the Cultural and Scientific Association, Mamzar, along with a number of senior officials, dignitaries, 78 Quran contestants, and members of the public.

The other top ten participants included Abdulaziz Abdulla Alhamri from Qatar, Abdul Rahman Alshuwaie from Kuwait, Mohammad Amdadulla Tajul Islam from Bangladesh, Anis Ali Al Fadel from Libya, Salem El Emjad from Mauritania, Mohammed Arif from the USA, and Abdulrahman Abdulla Hasan from Bahrain.

These were gifted between AED65,000 and Dh35,000. The Mauritian and American contestants, having got the same marks, were ranked eighth and second eighth.

Contestants who scored 80 percent and above were rewarded with AED30,000 each, while those whose performance was estimated at 70 to 79 percent, received AED25,000 each. Participants with scores less than 70 percent got AED20,000 each. Certificates and cash prizes are to be given to other participants as well.

The top five winners in the ‘Most Beautiful Recitation’ contest were named on Wednesday night as Mouad Daouik (Morocco), Ally Mwalimu (Tanzania), Omar Baeisa (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Khaled (Yemen), and Mohammad El Fawal (Lebanon).

Documentaries were displayed on the Award’s 18-year history, and Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, Sheikh Al Azhar, won the AED1 million Islamic Personality of the year Award. Finally, the jury members and top ten winners were honoured.

Bu Melha, who is also Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the Award, which started with two sections in 1997, has branched out to 12 categories in 2014 and has seen the participation of 160 countries over its 18-year history.

“This is basically due to the constant support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Culled from Facebook

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME, FG TO UNVEIL PLAN ON MONDAY 27TH JUNE, 2016.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing - Mr. Babatunde Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, will make the plan public at the Affordable Housing Summit 2016, by the ministry in partnership with German Development Cooperation.

Briefing reporters on the upcoming event, a member of the Summit’s Technical Working Group and Head of Public Private Partnership in the Ministry, Mrs Eucharia Alozie, said the Summit would serve as a platform where the public and private sector will share ideas and proffer solutions for affordable housing delivery in Nigeria.

She said: “The public and private sector will dialogue, interact, share ideas and possibly proffer a clear and sustainable realistic strategy framework for affording housing delivery in Nigeria

“There was something similar to this before but we will want to say that this is more like an advocacy group.

“We will identify all the problems or challenges and identify stakeholders that will give us answers to the solutions that we will identify.

“The plan is to go away from talk, talk, talk to build, build, build”.

The Summit will begin on Monday, June 27, 2016.

8.4 MILLION NIGERIANS TO BENEFIT FROM BUHARI GOVERNMENT's SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT

President Muhammad Buhari

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Protection Plan, Mrs Maryam Uwais, gave the figure in Abuja during a workshop on the National Social Protection Policy Framework.

She explained that the special protection project was designed for delivery under five clearly defined programmes to restore livelihoods, economic opportunities and sustenance for the poor.

At the workshop were representatives of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies that have roles to play in the Federal Government’s Social Protection Programme.

It was organised to put final touch on the framework for the policy that the government is hoping to use to reduce poverty.

According to Mrs Uwais, the plan is being designed to include an effective monitoring and evaluation system.

The Federal Government has budgeted 500 billion Naira for the Social Protection Programmes in the 2016 budget and the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said “the target is to develop a policy that is comprehensive and all-inclusive”.

The five core programmes of the government’s Social Protection Policy include N-Power meant to create jobs for graduates and non-graduates, the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme for school pupils, the Cash Transfers, Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and the Stem Bursary Programme.

Credits: ChannelsTv

WIRED NETWORK CONNECTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE FASTER, MORE SECURE AND MORE RELIABLE THAN WIRELESS.

If you want top speeds in your home, or even office, you'll want to save room in your remodeling budget for running gigabit Ethernet network cables (CAT5e or better yet, CAT6) to every room in your home/office. Ethernet is the only connection standard where the real-world speeds are very close to, or in some cases match, the lofty theoretical speeds.

Of course, wired networking has several drawbacks. 

• Wires are a pain to install, 
• They are unsightly and it's just not fun to be tethered. 
• Not every device is even compatible with wired Ethernet. For your tablet and smartphone, your streaming stick and even many newer printers, you will have to use Wi-Fi. 

But all the devices connected wirelessly often do so at very slow connection speeds.

So, why the slowdown? You need to be aware of the huge gap among these three different attributes: 

1. real-world speed, 
2. ceiling speed and 
3. the advertised speed. 

Ceiling speed vs. Real-world speed

The ceiling speed is the maximum theoretical speed of a connection standard determined in a controlled environment, without factors that would adversely affect the connection's throughput data rate. For example, the ceiling speed of a Gigabit Ethernet connection is 1,000Mbps, fast enough to transfer a Blu-ray disc worth of data (25GB) in less than 3.5 minutes. And in this case, the wiring that delivers this speed is protected inside your network cable by a layer of plastic, isolating it from the outside environment. This is why an Ethernet connection is able to deliver real-world speeds close to or on par with the ceiling speed of the standard.

Note, however, the network speed's rule of thumb: The ceiling speed of a connection is that of the slowest device in the chain. In other words, a connection is only as fast as its weakest link. So if you connect an Fast Ethernet device (100Mbps), like a Roku 3, to a Gigabit Ethernet (1,000Mbps) router using a network cable, the connection speed between the two (and only those two) will be capped at 100Mbps.

Wi-Fi, however, is totally different since it uses radio waves to transfer data. Wi-Fi devices share the same airspace not only with each other, but other home appliances as well. That means the speed of a Wi-Fi connection is subject to the Wi-Fi environment it's operating in. That's why your wireless speeds can flatline when you (or a neighbor in a nearby apartment) fires up the microwave.

Here are the main factors that adversely affect Wi-Fi speed:

• Distance: The farther out, the slower the connection gets.
• Obstacles: Walls and large objects will block the signals and shorten the Wi-Fi range.
• Interference: The more devices of the same radio frequencies being used in the same area, the slower they get.
• Compatibility: When devices of different Wi-Fi speed tiers, standards and manufacturers are used together, they must adhere to a lower speed standard in order for all to function together properly.

This is why the real-world speed of a Wi-Fi connection is always significantly lower than the ceiling speed of the Wi-Fi standard being used. In my experience, at best, the actual sustained speed of a Wi-Fi connection is between a third and a half of its ceiling speed.

iPHONE's PRODUCT CYCLE TO BE EXTENDED - APPLE

Apple will likely take three years between full-model changes of its iPhone devices, a year longer than the current cycle. In a typical two-year term, fall 2016 was supposed to see a major upgrade. But the changes on the model to be launched this autumn will be minor, such as improved camera quality.

The move is largely due to smartphone functions having little room left for major enhancements. A slowing market is another factor.

Less frequent redesigns will significantly affect large-lot suppliers in Japan, Taiwan and other parts of Asia because of their heavy reliance on iPhone manufacturing.

The new version slated for this autumn will look almost identical to the current iPhone 6. Functions such as the camera, water resistance and battery capacity will likely be improved, and the headphone jack will be removed. Also, a high-end version of the model will give users better-quality photo capabilities via correction functions.

Apple sold some 230 million handsets in 2015, but unit sales will likely be less this year. According to Apple's production schedules provided to suppliers, the company is not expecting to sell more iPhones than last year.

On the other hand, the 2017 model will likely involve major enhancements and design changes, including adoption of an organic electroluminescent display. The new device will also be able to create more complex tactile vibrations on the display because of a tiny, but high-performance motor equipped inside.

(Nikkei)

JAPAN RAILWAY CORPORATION PLANS LIGHTER, LESS POWER BULLET TRAIN

The N700S

While Nigeria is still battling with having a functional railway system, Japan is already planning for a Lighter, less Power Consumption Bullet Train.

Central Japan Railway will in about four years introduce a new bullet train that will be lighter and consume 7% less electricity than the latest varieties in operation, the company announced Friday.

The N700S "is an innovative rolling stock that is a product of rapid [technological] advancement," President Koei Tsuge told a press conference that day. Although he did not specify the investment amount, making it into the company's mainstay bullet train would mean spending well north of 100 billion yen ($977 million).

The new train will run on the Tokaido shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Osaka, which accounts for 90% of the company's fare revenue. The model will be the linchpin of its bullet train service until its magnetic-levitation line opens in 2027. Prototype N700S carriages will be completed by spring 2018 with service to begin starting in the fiscal year ending March 2021.

Top operating speeds will clock in at 285kph on the Tokaido line, unchanged from the N700A, the latest version introduced in 2013.

A set of 16 N700S cars will weigh 20 tons less than a train consisting of the same number of N700A cars and nearly 300 tons less than the 0 series, the first shinkansen model. The weight will fall below the 700 ton threshold for the first time. The lead car comes designed with edges that will reduce the amount of noise and improve aerodynamic performance.

The weight reduction is the fruit of joint technological development efforts launched four years ago with Toshiba, Hitachi and two other major electronics firms. Drive systems at the bottom of carriages will be miniaturized through the use of silicon carbide-based power semiconductors.

All seats will have electrical plugs so passengers can charge mobile devices. The carriages will also come equipped with small, large-capacity lithium-ion batteries so that people can use bathrooms even during power outages.

The N700S can accommodate trains of various lengths. The company, better known as JR Tokai, is providing technical support for a shinkansen project in Texas and is pursuing orders to replace rolling stock in Taiwan. Both places utilize shorter trains than what is seen on the Tokaido line, and the N700S "can be used in Texas and in Taiwan," said Tsuge.

Credit: Nikkei

BOY AGE SIX (6) REPORTS DAD TO POLICE FOR DISOBEYING TRAFFIC LIGHT

Doing the right thing is essentially not tied to any age bracket. In fact, all age brackets is expected to do the right thing irrespective of who is involved. This came to play when a boy aged six(6) reported his dad for disobeying traffic lights.

So much for family loyalty - police have released audio of a 911 call from a young boy reporting his dad for driving through a red light.

In the recording posted online by police in the Massachusetts city of Quincy, the pint-sized crimefighter can be heard telling a dispatcher about his father's alleged traffic offence.

"Um, daddy went past a red light," the boy says.

"He has a black truck. He was in a brand-new car, my mummy's car."

When the dispatcher asks what happened next, the boy, named as Robert, says his father committed the violation on the way to the car wash.

"Then he went past the red light," the boy says again.

The dispatcher asks to speak to the boy's father, who picks up the phone.

"Oh, no," the man says, with an embarrassed laugh. "I apologise."

"No problem," the dispatcher says.

The police department said the boy was six years old, but his father says on the call he is five.

Quincy Police did not pursue the alleged violation and no ticket was issued.

Presumably any fine would have been paid out of the boy's college fund.

Credit: Sky News

NIGERIA MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP

The Super Eagles of Nigeria may have found herself in a group footbal pundits refered to as "Group of Death". The Super Eagle is drawn against the likes of Zambia, Cameroon, and Algeria.


Nigeria’s Super Eagles has been drawn against these teams in Group B of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.

The draw was held at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt this afternoon.

The Group is believed to be Group of Death following the past exploits of the teams drawn together on the continent.


See fixture below

Super Eagles match schedule for Russia 2016 World Cup qualifier

LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY APPROVES BUDGET FOR 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved the 2016 Budget Estimates of the 20 local councils and 37 local council development reas (LCDAs) in the state.

The approval followed the presentation of the report of the Joint Committee on Y2016 Appropriation of the LGs and LCDAs in the state as presented on the floor of the House on yedterday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Rotimi Olowo.

In the report, which was adopted as a resolution of the House, the sole administrators of the local councils were ordered to pay all outstanding debts in the councils.

The amount approved for each of the local governments ranges between one and two billion naira.councils and LCDAs should explore all revenue sources and block leakages in order to improve on their Internally Generated Revenue (IGRs). “The Committee on Local Government Administration and Community Affairs should monitor the payment of N8,575,000.00 being owed Mr. Adele Owolabi Elijah by the Apapa Local Council t.

“Provisions made for the payment of severance to past political office holders debts and outstanding liabilities of councils and LCDAs in the Y2016 Approved Budget should be adhered to, said the report.

“The leadership of the LGs/LCDAs are implored to reduce the number of non-pensionable staff in order to save monies for developmental projects.“The Commissioner for Finance and the State Accountant-General should esnure quarterly payment of the Land Use Charge and Wharf Landing fees to the councils and LCDAs in the state,” Olowo said in the report.

The local councils were also directed to seek approval of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Community Affairs before obtaining bank loans.

In addition, the legislative arm of the councils were ordered to submit quarterly report of their activities to the House of Assembly in line with Section 35 (1) (8) of the Y2015 Guidelines on Administrative Procedure for Local Governments as amended.

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented what he called “injustice” being meted to the 774 local councils in the country by state governors.

Obasanjo, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, regretted that the councils have been “encroached” upon by the state governments contrary to the vision of creating them as the third tier of government.

He spoke when he met with the national leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by its National President, Ibraheem Khaleel, at his Hilltop residence.

According to him, it is saddening that all the councils had been neglected by the states, saying: “I wish I can help, but I am helpless.”His words, “I begin to wonder, if they (governors) can allow what they are doing to the local councils to be done to them. There is no exception to this bastardisation and encroachment on the councils by the states. Both (states and councils) are supposed to be tiers of government each having its roles and functions, but that is not the case anymore.”

“As it is, I can only help you to shout and talk to the world. I do not have any executive power or legislative power. I am crippled. But we shall continue to talk until those who are reasonable among them change this attitude,” Obasanjo said.

The NULGE president said the union called on Obasanjo to appeal to him to rescue the local council system.Khaleel affirmed: “Only yesterday, Abia State governor said he cannot afford to raise N800 million to conduct council election. That is why we decided to come to appeal to you to use your experience to ensure that the local government system does not go into extinction.”

EKITI WORKERS SUSPENDS STRIKE, SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH FAYOSE'S GOVERNMENT

Civil servants in Ekiti State on Friday suspended their four-week-old strike following the signing of an agreement with the state government.

At a ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state government and the central labour unions agreed to a seven-point deal.

On the government side were the Secretary to the Government, Dr Mrs Modupe Alade, the Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka and the Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.

On the side of the labour were the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Oladipo Johnson, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ade Adesanmi and State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Odunayo Adesoye.

Among the resolutions agreed to were that the state government should within seven days conclude its request with commercial banks to restructure personal loans granted public servants with a view to giving them relief from loan repayment; payment of January 2016 salary immediately and the payment of February salary as soon as Budget Support Fund is available.

Others were giving priority to government's obligations to public servants, payment of September 2014 salary of primary school teachers as well as Leave Bonus of local government employees.

The others were making N10 million available monthly to gradually defray outstanding gratuities, release the report of the 2015 staff verification exercise and making monthly provision for capacity building of public servants.

Speaking on the development, the Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka, expressed appreciation for the understanding shown by the labour leaders and the commitment of Governor Ayodele Fayose to ensure industrial harmony in the state.

He said the gap in the payment of salaries arose following the understanding between labour and government last September that the state's resources and statutory allocations were no longer adequate to pay salaries and there was need to merge two allocations to pay a month's salary.

"When you have such a situation on hand, it is obvious that when you get to 12 months, there would be a gap of six months. The arrangement started and we were combining two allocations to pay a month salary. The state government appreciates the workers and value their support and cooperation," he said.

The JNC Chairman, Comrade Oladipo Johnson, said the suspension of the strike would allow for further consultations and expressed thanks to workers for their support during the strike.

AKPABIO, TINUBU TEAM UP AGAINST SARAKI AND EKWEREMADU

Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has teamed up with Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in rejecting the latest move by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in enacting immunity and life pension for presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Ekweremadu, and other Senators had during the weekend, while on a-two day retreat on Constitution Review,‎ proposed immunity and life pension for presiding officers of the National Assembly, after their tenure in office.

According to the Lawmakers, the presiding officers, who should enjoy life pension, are President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Deputy President of Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives.

The Lawmakers, also said the presiding officers in the legislature ought to enjoy immunity, since the executive and judiciary are enjoying it.

Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman, Senate Ad hoc Committee on the Review of 1999 Constitution, while speaking, noted that it was necessary for the presiding officers to enjoy such benefits.

‎He said, “This has nothing to do with an individual. It is about the institution.

“Let us not politicise it. Nobody elected the Chief Justice of Nigeria, but he enjoys pension. But if we cheapen our own institution, so be it. Let us not make this a personal thing”.

‎Senator Stella Oduah, who also supported the move said, “The executive enjoys it. Let us stand by our leaders.

“They should enjoy this benefit. They act on behalf of us. They are equal to the executive and judiciary and should therefore, enjoy the same benefits”.

In addition, ‎Senator Ahmed Yerima said, after being elected by all the Lawmakers and their constituencies, Lawmakers should also enjoy pension.

He said, “Governors, who spend just four years enjoy it, so presiding officers should enjoy it too.’’

Meanwhile, the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, not comfortable with the idea, clarified that the case of the State Governors and their deputies is different, as they are elected by the public.

He said, “But we elect our principal officers. To me, I believe that the benefits of the Office of the Senate President and other principal officers are too much. They are just one among equals.

“I am against any excessive privileges given to the Senate President or the Speaker.

“All of us were elected. If we are doing anything, it should be for all members of the National Assembly,” Ndume said.

Supporting Ndume’s claims, ‎Senator Tinubu also rejected the amendment.

She said, “Principal officers drive fleet of cars, and they have other entitlements. They should not earn extra money when they leave office.

“In the last assembly, we in the minority tried to raise our voice against it.

“You are first, second and third among equals. Some of us do not even have cars, but principal officers have so many. I think we should drop that idea,” she said

Senator Akpabio, who has been a staunch supporter of his party’s stalwart Ekweremadu, and a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not comfortable with the idea, dropped party affinity to the amazement of Nigerians, while pegging his tent with Tinubu and Ndume, in opposing the suggestion.

He said, “The Governor of a State and the President, cannot stay in office for more than two terms. But a senator can stay in office for 35 years”.

Credit: NewsPunch

Saraki, Others to be Arraigned for Forgery on June 27th, 2016.

‎The arraignment of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, ‎and others alongside whom were charged with forgery of the Standing Rule of the Senate 2015, ‎may no longer hold today as scheduled.

‎Court sources confirmed that non-service of the charges on the defendants would make it impossible for the trial to go on today.

The forgery case is before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Jabi Division of the FCT High Court.

Court officials who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the case, confirmed to our correspondent at about 8am on Tuesday that the charges had yet to be served on the defendants.

‎One of court of officials said, “The case was assiged to the judge on Thursday. We tried to serve the defendants on Friday.

“Our bailiffs went to the National Assembly on Friday but because there was no sitting the defendants were not found to be served.

“On Monday, the bailiffs tried again but there was no sitting in the National Assembly, so the defendants could not be served.

“Had they been served before now, the matter would have come up for arraignment today (Tuesday).

“The hearing notice that was meant to be served along with the charges carried today’s date for arraignment.”

No new date is fixed ‎for the arraignment until service is effected on the defendants.

But the the Senate President will today appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal ‎for his ongoing trial on charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration.

The CCT shares a boundary with the FCT High Court in Jabi area of Abuja.

Saraki, Ekweremadu, a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasu, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, were on June 10, charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and forgery of the Standing Rules used for the leadership election of the presiding officers of the Senate in J‎une last year.

The Federal Government stated that the offence of conspiracy is punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Act; and offence of forgery with “fraudulent intent” punishable under Section 364 of the same law.

It was alleged that the 2011 version of the Senate Orders was secretly altered by some individuals to produce the 2015 edition.

It was alleged that Rules 3(3)(e) and (k) in the 2015 edition of the orders were not amended in accordance with the provisions of Rule 110 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) of the 2011 Orders.

While the 2011 Order Rule 3(3) (e) provides for manual voting and open ballot in the election of the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President, the 2015 Orders allows electronic and secret ballot voting in the said elections.

Also, while Rule 3(3)(k) of the 2011 Order makes it mandatory for all members to participate in the process of electing the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, the reverse is the case under the 2015 Orders.

The 2011 Orders, Rule 3(3)(k) reads, “All Senators-elect shall participate in the nomination and voting for President and Deputy President of the Senate.”

But a similar provision in Rule 3(3)(i) in the 2015 Orders reads, “All Senator-elect are entitled to participate in the voting for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.”

Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct Tribunal had on June 15 adjourned the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, till June 21 (Tuesday).

Both the FCT High Court where Saraki and others will be appearing for the forgery case, and the CCT where the Senate President is already undergoing trial, share a boundary in Jabi area of Abuja.

The CCT had adjourned for the hearing of a fresh motion filed by Saraki seeking an order of the CCT disqualifying its Chairman, Danladi Umar, from further presiding over the case.

Newly built Bus Park at Iyana Oworo by Lagos State Government: See Reactions on Facebook

The Lagos State Government seems to be keeping her promise to Lagosians as developmental projects keep springing up at every nook and cranny of the state. One would wonder, in situations where some states find it difficult to pay the workers their take home pay, which hardly take them home in the first place, Lagos State is setting the pace even with projects in different parts of the state.

Worried by the long hours of traffic Lagosians spend on the ever busy Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode within the first month of his administration visited the Iyana Oworo Bus Stop to access the situation.

The Governor, accompanied by key members of his government discussed the possible solution to the persistent traffic and decided that a segregated Bus Park would go a long way to alleviate the problem.

Work commenced immediately on the Park and has reached advanced stage. 

Motorists plying the route are already testifying to the free flow of traffic since the construction of the Park.

See the reactions of people on Facebook.

Open Letter To Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a chat with President Muhammad Buhari 

Adebayo Adeyinka writes,

My dear Asiwaju,

I am compelled to write this open letter to you because of the state of affairs of the Yoruba nation. Firstly, I wish to acknowledge that fate has put you in a prime position to determine to a large extent the direction that the Yoruba people will go. The indisputable truth is that one may quarrel with your politics but your sagacity is never in doubt. Even those who don't see eye to eye with you agree that you are imbued with unusual native intelligence, uncommon people skills and unrivaled foresight. You, more than any other person, has been the game changer since the advent of democracy in 1999. It is for these reasons that I have chosen to direct this letter to you.

My singular purpose is to tug at the strings of your heart. I am not writing to appeal to partisan considerations but to see, if per chance, I can pour out my heart to you in a manner of speaking. God has blessed you even beyond your wildest imagination. You have installed Senators and Governors. You have removed Governors and even a President. You have also installed a President. There is nothing you have wished for or desired that you didn't get. Fortune has smiled on you. Goodwill follows you everywhere you go. You have done very well- more than most men ever will. However, there is one area that is begging for your urgent attention. This area may well define you and all you have ever achieved. This matter, in my opinion, is the only difference between you and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Let me restate for the purpose of emphasis that this is the area in which the late sage and Leader of the Yorubas stand head and shoulders above you. It is the reason his name has been a constant denominator in our regional and national politics. It is the reason politicians, friends and foes invoke his name for political advantage and personal glory. It is also the reason why we can't stop talking about him almost thirty years after his death. What will anyone say about you thirty years after you have transited?

Asiwaju Sir, you may be wondering what I'm talking about? It is the issue of legacy. According to Peter Strople, 'Legacy is not leaving something for people, it is leaving something in people'. Legacy is building something that outlives you. Legacy is greater than currency. In the words of Leonard Sweet, ' What you do is your history. What you set in motion is your legacy'. You can't live forever, Sir. No one can. But you can create something that will. Enough of speaking in parables- I shall now speak plainly.

When destiny brought you on the scene, we were enamoured because you championed the case for true federalism. It was your belief then that the Yoruba nation will fare better under a restructured arrangement than under the type of unitary government we run while pretending by calling it a federal government. Everyone knows that there is nothing federal about our government at all. If truth must be told, the Yoruba nation has fared very badly since the advent of our new democracy. And this is not about holding power at the centre. 

Let me bring this home: someone passed a comment recently that he would want Biafra to become a reality because he knows the Igbo nation will survive. That comment led me to deeper introspection as I wondered if the Yorubas can truly survive. Let me cite my first example. From Oyo to Osun, Ogun to Ondo, Ekiti to Kwara and Lagos, hardly will one see any serious industry or manufacturing concern owned by a Yoruba person. I am not talking about portfolio businesses or one-man business concerns. Most industries in Oyo State are owned by the Lebanese. The native business and industry gurus who dominated the landscape- Nathaniel Idowu, Amos Adegoke, Lekan Salami, Alao Arisekola, Adeola Odutola, Jimoh Odutola, Chief Theophilus Adediran Oni and others- are all gone with no credible replacements. I'm sure you remember the tyre factory of the Odutolas and how Jimoh Odutola was even asked by the Governments of Kenya and Ghana to set up a similar factory in their countries. Chief Theophilus Adediran Oni, popularly called T.A Oni & Sons started the first indigenous construction company in Nigeria. He willed his residence- Goodwill House, to the Oyo/Western state government, to be used as a Paediatric Hospital, which is now known as T.A Oni Memorial Children Hospital at Ring Road in Ibadan. This sprawling family Estate and residence was cited on a 15acre piece of land, 65 rooms, with modern conveniences, Olympic Swimming Pool and stable for Horses, etc.

People like Chief Bode Akindele started companies like Standard Breweries and Dr Pepper Soft drink factory at Alomaja in Ibadan. Broking House built by the late Femi Johnson, an insurance magnate, still stands glittering in the mid-day sun as an epitome to a rich history that Ibadan has. The most serious and only notable Yoruba entrepreneur we have now is Michael Adenuga. I say this quite consciously because most of the other names are oil and gas barons. Most of what stood as testaments of industry in Oyo State are gone- Exide Batteries, Leyland Autos and many others. In its place are shopping malls and road side markets but no nation develops through buying and selling alone- especially when you're not actually producing what you're selling. Hypermarkets and supermarkets have taken over because of the need to feed our insatiable consumer-appetite and foreign tastes. In one instance, an ancient landmark in the form of a hotel was demolished to pave way for a mall. That is how low we have sunk. If our past is better than our present- if we always look back with nostalgia frequently, then there is a problem. 

The case of other states is not different. Osun's case is pathetic. Ditto for Ondo and Ekiti. Ogun State can boast of some factories at Sango-Otta and Agbara axis but most of them are not owned by the Yorubas. There is no significant pharmaceutical company owned by any Yoruba except for Bond Chemicals in Awe, Oyo State- and its wallet share is very insignificant. For Lagos State, more than 70% of the manufacturing concerns and major industries in the State are owned by the Igbos. If the Igbos were to stop paying tax in Lagos State, the IGR of Lagos State will reduce  by over 60%. In contrast, Sir, go to the South East and look at the manufacturing concerns in Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi. Please don't forget those were areas ravaged by civil war a mere forty something years ago. The Igbos have certainly made tremendous progress but the Yoruba nation has regressed. I wish to state that this letter is not meant to whip up primordial considerations or ethnic sentiments but just to put things in proper perspective. 

Asiwaju, I will like to also talk about the state of education in the Yoruba nation. Our education has gone to the dogs. We have a bunch of mis-educated and ill-educated young men and women roaming the streets. Ibadan, for instance, had the first University in Nigeria and the first set of research centres in Nigeria ( The Forestry Research Institute,  the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN), The Nigerian Cereal Research Institute Moor Plantation (NCRI), the NIHORT (Nigerian Institute of Horticultural Research), the NISER (Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research), IAR&T (Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training), amongst several others). Ibadan was the bastion of scholarship with people like Wole Soyinka, JP Clark, D.O Fagunwa and Amos Tutuola as residents. In the May/June 2015 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, Abia came tops. Anambra came 2nd while Edo was 3rd. Lagos placed 6th while Osun and Oyo was 29th and 26th. Ekiti was 11th, Ondo State was 13th and Ogun State was 19th. In 2013 WASSCE, only Lagos and Ogun States were the Yoruba States above the national average. If we do an analysis of how Lagos placed 6th in 2015, you will discover that it was substantially because of other nationalities resident in Lagos. For proof, please look no further than the winners of the Spelling Bee competition which has produced One-Day Governors in Lagos State. Since inception in 2001, other nationalities have won the competition six times (Ebuka Anisiobi in 2001, Ovuwhore Etiti in 2002, Abundance Ikechukwu in 2006, Daniel Osunbor in 2008, Akpakpan Iniodu Jones in 2011 and Lilian Ogbuefi in 2012). Sir, there is something seriously wrong about our state of education. From the vintage times of Obafemi Awolowo who initiated 'free education', we have regressed into a most parlous state. 

Let me talk about roads, housing and infrastructure . The first dualized road in Nigeria, the Queen Elizabeth road from Mokola to Agodi in Ibadan was formally commissioned by Queen Elizabeth in 1956. The first Housing Estate in Nigeria is Bodija Housing Estate (also in Ibadan) which was built in 1958. The state of roads in the Yoruba nation has become pathetic. Our hinterland are still largely rural. Even some state capitals like Osogbo and Ado-Ekiti are big villages when you compare them to towns in the South East. How many new estates have been built over the last decade? Even Ajoda New Town lies in ruins. 

We have abandoned the farm settlement strategy of the Western Region and only pay lip service to agriculture. Instead of feeding others like we once did, others now feed us. We plant no tomatoes, no pepper and the basic food that we require. The Indians have bought the large expanse of water body that we have in Onigambari village. The water body in Oke Ogun of Oyo State can provide enough fish to feed the whole of the South West. From being a major cocoa exporter many years ago, one can point to just a few vestiges of factories that still deal with Cocoa in the Yoruba nation. 80% of Cocoa processing industries in the South West have been shut down. The Chinese have taken over the cashew belt at Ogbomoso in Oyo State. They have even edged out the indigenes as brokers. They now come to the cashew belt to buy from the local farmers, sell on the spot to other Chinese exporters who now process the cashew nuts and import them back into Nigeria at a premium. Sir, there are only 7 major cashew processing plants in Nigeria and you can check out the ownership. The glory has departed from the Yoruba nation.

Apart from Asejire, Ede, Ikere Gorge and Oyan dams built ages ago, where are the new dams to cater for increased population and water capacity for the Yoruba nation? How have we improved on what our heroes past left us? Maybe apart from certain areas in Lagos State, others can't even supply their citizens with pipe-borne water. 

Our youth which we used to take pride in are largely a mass of unemployed and unemployable people. Have you noticed the abundance of street urchins, area boys, touts and 'agberos' that we now have all across the Yoruba nation? Have you noticed the swell in the ranks of NURTW (I mean no disrespect to an otherwise noble union)? Have you noticed the increase in the number of Yoruba beggars? There was a time that it was taboo for a Yoruba man to beg- but no more. The spirit of apprenticeship is dead. There was a time that people who learn vocational skills celebrate what we referred to as 'freedom'. While that is largely moribund now in the Yoruba nation, the Igbos still practice it with great success. 

The only thing we can boldly say the Yoruba nation controls is the information machinery- the press. We own largely the newspapers- the Nation, Punch, Nigerian Tribune, TV Continental and a few others. It is because of our control of this information machinery that we have rewritten the narrative in the country with the misguided self-belief that things are normal and we are making progress. A look beyond the surface will prove that this is so untrue. 

We are largely divided. For the first time in the history of the Yoruba nation, religion is about to divide us further- and it is starting from Osun State. You are married to a Christian. My own father-in-law is an Alhaji. That is how we have peacefully do-existed but the fabrics are about to be torn to shreds because of poor management of issues. Afenifere has been reduced to a shadow of itself. OPC that once defended Yoruba interests has gone into oblivion. Yoruba elders have been vilified in the name of politics and partisanship. It is no longer news to see teenagers throwing stones at their elders because of their political indoctrination. Even under the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Yorubas never belonged to just a single party- yet our unity was without blemish. Now, our values have gone down the drain. 

Asiwaju, I believe I have said enough. The task is Herculean but I believe Providence has brought you here for such a time like this. It is time for the Yoruba nation to clean up its acts. What do we really want? How can we quickly right the wrongs? The Yoruba nation is in a state of arrested development. The Yoruba nation is gasping for breath and crying for help. Will you rise up to the occasion? I am aware you understand that all politics is local and charity begins at home. Our fathers gave us a proverb: 'Bi o'ode o dun, bi igbe ni'gboro ri'. I know there are no quick fixes but I also know that if there is anyone who has the capacity to do something about our current situation, that person is you. This should be the legacy you should think of. Your legacy is our future.

Yours Very Sincerely,

Adebayo Adeyinka