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Showing posts from 2015

On Corinth, Texas

I can't cover my thoughts in 140 characters this is too important an issue for sound bites and I can't call in so here are some quick thoughts. Apologies if the thoughts are not very articulate. Please keep in mind, I doubt there is ONE white police officer in the US today who does not know there is a problem with the African American community, likewise a African American person must be living under a rock in the furthest desert to know all is not well. Hence in this situation I am sure both sides were acutely aware of the situation yet both could have done better.

Even those that enforce the law are not above it... We hope

I just read a CNN report with an important statement from the Baltimore police union: "Let me begin by stating how appalled and frustrated we are at this morning's events. .... We are disappointed in the apparent rush to judgment given the fact that the investigation into this matter has not been concluded," said Gene Ryan, president of the police union, at a news conference. "Our officers, like every other American, are entitled to due process." I watched an interview CNN's Chris Como had with the Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, yesterday repeatedly asking her why the officers had not already been arrested. her reply many times, due process must be followed. It appears the Baltimore states attorney has decided due process was in followed.

Institutional Racism explained by an Ex-Batimore Cop

I read the article by Peter Moskos:  Why just blaming cops won't help Baltimore I am going to quote DIRECTLY from his piece describing what I believe can be attributed to institutional and systemic racism as the crux of the problem in my dear Charm City. I am not sure that the author was aware he was indeed supporting the arguments that not only does institutional racism exist, but the damage it has done to our collective society and why we must get rid of it:

Really!? Me a Democrat!???

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Below is a link to the results of a fun exercise for political junkies like myself. When I came into the Country, I was probably a 50/50 split between Republican and Democrat viewpoints. Then I became more liberal and then I became more conservative! As a friend told me the more money you earn in the US, the conservative you become!? True / False? We all tend to support the "rich" paying higher taxes that is until we break into the bracket right? Don't worry when I get there I shall share if my viewpoints changed or not!

Ooops! I missed the last zero... Sorry!

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So how does a million dollar contract in construction magically become a one hundred thousand dollar contract? Impossible? Nope possible, It does happen you know. Many simple unforgivable, annoying and most importantly COMPLETELY avoidable mistakes I see made by small and large Contractors and Project Managers in the design build industry is one of the major reasons I switched this blog to also cover the design build sector. It seems people out there are making terribly costly mistakes and many times, from a simple failure to follow the rules. Many times, rules that are not complicated at all.

Possibly the two most important speeches since 1999.

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We are waiting and waiting and waiting, the whole country is waiting for Prof Jega to finish using his biro, paper and abacus to collate the final tally for the official announcements. In that time, I have been able to check several news outlets, oh by the way, Many many thanks to Channels TV who is steaming live via Youtube allow those of us in the Diaspora to stay up to date on the election.

Buhari / APC... WINS!

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Here is my unofficial tally of the results as announced by INEC Buhari decisively wins by 54.5% of the total votes cast

Buhari takes a commanding lead!

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Actually, Buhari has WON.  Here is my spreadsheet tallying the votes. Buhari has taken it by over 2 million votes, and Borno will only increase his margin of victory. FACT! Both have met the 25% requirement in 24 states, APC is winning by over 50% of the vote.

President Obama Delivers a Message to the Nigerian People

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Its not too late for Nigerians to yet heed the advise from their brother from another mother from our dear USof A. I know there are those that might take an exception to the quote to keep the country one, but I do believe that country will achieve more by remaining united that becoming divided.

Under GEJ is Corruption (egunge) worse or better OR the same...???

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Courtesy: http://www.sswm.info/content/water-corruption So Keren's recent comments and others comments on the increase in corruption under GEJ has promoted me to write this short bog piece. Now folks Please this is by NO MEANS endorsing corruption under GEJ, but rather to ask for us all to check and see if his administration is worse or better than those of the past. So I lived in Ikeja prior to leaving Nigeria. One glorious day as is always in Naija we woke to to news that the Ikeja NITEL exchange had burnt to the ground. Practically the entire Ikeja and Ilupeju areas were now in total phone blackout. As a reminder this was before cell phone era where a common man or woman owed a cell phone, it was at the time still very much a high end luxury item. as some might remember Abacha only gave his Lebanese cronies and best friends licences to operate with MTEL at the time.

"Who gave this son of a bitch his green card?" And...

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...He is not on a construction site or cleaning dishes...??? WTF!!!??? Courtesy CNN.com I read with amusement that Sean Penn "spoiled" the moment with his comment above. really? With an obvious question? A few quick thoughts. Has it occurred to the critics of his comments that he might ACTUALLY have been saying or rather pointing out the fact that American has gained a LOT by the green card that Alejandro González Iñárritu has? That there are MANY Mexicans and other immigrants in the USA that are contributing to the very fabric of American society? How about both Chiwetel Ejiofor Lupita Nyong'o and from 12 years a slave? And their director Steve McQueen? Or Selma's David Oyelowo (pronounced Oh--yay-law-woa).

When two elephants fight...

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Courtesy Nairaland.com We have a saying in Nigeria and Africa: When two elephants fight, it is the ground or grass that suffers. That was my takeaway from a conference I attended on China - Africa relations not long ago. A summary of my observations are as follows: First, a general comment: The "developed" nations continue to deal with Africa as though it is one monolithic block. The reality is very different. It is a continent with many very different mostly artificial nations who have different histories, languages and cultures. This matters as it affects how each country deals with certain issues in accordance to their current development, economic status, language and culture. Though Canada, The United States and Mexico are all on the continent of North America, they are very rarely referred to as a collective. Even though the US and Canada have many similarities. So the question is why does the vast majority of the western world consider Africa as one?

Goodluck Jonathan: The accidental president who wasted opportunities?

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Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodluck_Jonathan I love this GEJ pic, dat smile nah wayo wayo smile walahi!  So I realize if you read my last blog post you would conclude that I am a  Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, (GEJ), "GEJ supporter". I should say, far from it! The fact is, had I been in Nigeria today, (and I still don't understand why we in the diaspora can't vote...) I would probably be tussling with my decision right up to when I have my ballot papers in my hands! So no I am far from sold on the notion that GEJ deserves another 4 years governing Nigeria. Quite frankly I wish there was a third candidate, but no matter how credible that third candidate would be, it is clear that the APC and the PDP are the two political heavyweights in Nigeria today so the president will come from one of those two parties.

Buhari: The Undemocratic Nigerian patriot

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I have read several articles on why Nigeria needs Buhari and why he will save Nigeria. Sadly, as much as I respect the man and his accomplishments, I have serious doubts on his ability to be a good democratic leader for Nigeria. In a nutshell, his storied history and resume contains NOTHING that points to a man who will accept compromise or reasoned disagreement to his point of view. or who can use persuasive negotiations to being about positive political change. Consider the facts, since the country returned to democracy, Buhari has been unable to stay in a party and accept NOT being the presidential candidate.  He will  only join a party if that party accepts him being the flag bearer. When the ANPP refused to hand him the presidential ticket, after losing the election, he jumped ship and formed the CPC and lost again. Then he came to the APC and has brokered a deal that would ensure he emerged the presidential candidate. IBB contested in the PDP and lost and did not jump