NIGERIA! Elections occurred as planned! I am already looking beyond the forthcoming inauguration formalities! These inaugurations already here, in just a couple of weeks!

We have been discussing the elections’ aftermath. We heaved big sighs of relief, we should! There were no major catastrophes in Nigeria. I predicted that the election would not cause the skies to fall on Nigeria. And contrary to expectations by some, in certain quarters, the sky did not fall! And Nigeria’s corporate existence is unchanged, Nigeria, as a nation is unthreatened.

Thank goodness! These elections have been conducted and winners declared albeit, with imperfections or flaws. The best cure for imperfect democracy, remains, more democracy!

After the elections in April, the inaugurations in May, there is a new government in Nigeria. Electioneering grandstanding and posturing would be behind us soon! And the real heavy-lifting to transform Nigeria in reconstructions, rebirth and transformation will begin in earnest. Just as April showers brings May flowers, Nigeria will be in full bloom!

The strategy for our new government must be, among other things, reassurances of all citizens, reassurances, in both actions and pronouncements, on matters of security of lives and properties in our country. There must be a removal of uncertainties and insecurities.

There should be renewed emphasis on national reconciliation and national unity by all and in particular, by the national government. It is noteworthy, that President-Elect YarAdua, has indicated that the Niger Delta imbroglio is his task number one, his job one. The new government must reassure Nigerian citizens, visitors to Nigeria and foreign investors, that Nigeria is safe, even as it continues to bream with boundless opportunities!

Massive Public Works Projects

A public reassurance on public safety and security, reassurances on the planned removal of uncertainties and insecurities, must then be followed by great public works.

In all probabilities, the fear of inflation which might result from massive spending on public works project, and the zeal to pay off Nigeria’s gargantuan and debilitating debts, informed the advices from every eggheads and certified economists to President Obasanjo, not to engage in massive public works projects, that would have had immediate benefits and immediate prompt impacts on the lives of average Nigerian. Which would have in turn clued the “man on the street” into the giant strides in efforts that President Obasanjo’s government was making audaciously, tirelessly and thanklessly, on the behalf of Nigeria!

There were crucially important items with which President Obasanjo busied himself with, during his first and second terms, paying up Nigeria’s national debt, domestic and foreign, were some of such items. Additionally, President Obasanjo was setting up super structures and systems, that will reverse Nigeria unsavory pasts. President Obasanjo has steadied Nigeria for a fresh start. EFCC, ICPC, Department of Due Process etc

And President Olusegun Obasanjo’s enshrinement into Nigerian history will be complete

Now, Nigerians should receive a new release of energy and new leash on life. The consolidation of the reform policies of the preceding 8 years must now translate in immediate direct impact on every Nigerian citizen. Nigerians have waited enough!

Massive Public Works Projects will achieve these direct impacts, benefits, and direct impacts that I speak of. Nigeria must now embark on massive public works!

Here is our chance to alter and change for good, the current sorry state of our public infrastructures! It is an open secret, that our public infrastructures were abandoned and neglected for decades and permitted to decay and remain in most egregious state of decadence! Here is our chance to build more roads and bridges, highways and byways!

Here is our chance to embark on the constructions and buildings of new schools and educational institutions. These decadences preceded President Obasanjo of course!

But now, we have a chance and the resources and the need to urgently engage in massive rebuilding of our hospitals and equip medical facilities to top notch modern medical facilities comparable to any, anywhere on earth! There qualified Nigerians at home, and, some are in every corner of the world, waiting to join hands in efforts to make Nigeria great.

The people of Nigeria will support massive renovations of public buildings and public structures nationwide. All Nigerians regardless of political, religious and regional affiliations, persuasions and attachments, all Nigerians support the creations of public squares and public playgrounds nationwide. It will create jobs, it will create sorely needed renewal of Nigeria and it will beautify and energize Nigerians and Nigeria.

Nigerian governments at all levels must participate in these renewals.

Land demarcations, street naming and numbering, must commence nationwide for easy access, for easy determinations of building addresses by postal service and all door to door delivery services of commerce and sundry transactions. There should be massive constructions of railways and waterways and stations that facilitates these services.

There should be street sweeping that would employ multitudes of Nigerians

There should massive funding for research programs

In order to benefit Nigerians directly, I propose we initiate massive public works projects, aimed at employment of Nigerians, economic growth, healthcare opportunities, and infrastructure expansions. There is a lot of work to do in Nigeria, work by all.

Such projects would include re-opening steel mills, building hydroelectric plants or green energy facilities, Shipyards, bridges, roads, high-rise buildings, tunnels, and renovating existing towns and cities. When government, business and industry start public works projects every business has a chance to capitalize on the increase of productivity.

A good idea or concept would be to start pilot towns nationwide, a deliberate creation of new hometowns in Nigeria, which would be built around the latest technologies such as hybrid and zero emission vehicles, broadband communications, renewable energy sources, mass-transit systems, and other emerging technologies that need to be tested full scale.

Massive Public Works Projects is a useful tool and instrument to create mass employment in great numbers! The Americans used it, during and soon after the Second World War. Perhaps the Kings of Egypt knew this, and hence the building of the monumental edifice the world renowned Pyramid. Ancient civilizations knew this, hence they built the Chinese Great Wall for military defense, while keeping Chinese citizen fully employed in the Great Wall’s construction? Perhaps the Kings of ancient Kingdom of Benin in Nigeria knew this same employment generation through Massive Public Works Projects, hence they build a moat around the ancient Kingdom of Benin for military defense, while keeping the citizens fully employed? There are trickle down effects, food sellers, shoe sellers, all those who cater those all those others, engaged in the physical remodeling of Nigeria.

It is the case, the economy thrives, if you keep your citizens employed and working and the citizens are productively engaged and they in turn have disposable incomes. Nigerian economy will thrive on big and bold ideas, not settling for something small. The new president must sprint, to begin his marathon of leadership of Nigeria. He should begin by ensuring that there full and complete national reconciliation begins immediately.

These Are The Things President Yar’Adua Must Do!

As May 29, 2007 inaugurations schedule is speedily approaching us Nigerians, I feel honestly, as if I am already there! There are lot of things to do. There is work for everyone

All hands must be on deck, Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and investors of all stripes are welcome! Let the heavy lifting begin. Creating the Nigeria that we all want, begins NOW! 

Lawcareer2007@aol.com

New York, United States

Robot  Villager

# 1 Massive Public Works Projects is a useful tool and instrument to create mass employment in great ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.05.2007 17:48

oluye  Villager

# 2 I am disappointed. Even though I am someone who always tries to see things from the viewpoint of the government of the day, I am disappointed. I thought you were going to tell us about Massive Public Works, that you were truly moving on- but you are so enmeshed in taking a side that you don't know when to stop! It is one thing to protect the presidency from image attack, it is another to turn it into the air you breathe. Next time you want to post another article on the overstated(but obvious) virtues of Obasanjo, will you please let your title give us a glimpse so that those of us who want to move on can skip it? Posted by oluye| 11.05.2007 18:11

ocnus  Villager

# 3 I am sure that Julius Berger will host a feast in your honour. Posted by ocnus| 12.05.2007 01:59

Abraxas  Villager

# 4 =ocnus;175428>I am sure that Julius Berger will host a feast in your honour. Hi, folks! As the you are all aware, the whole of cyberspace is now filled with undisputable facts and figures that Mr. Paul Adujie; Esq. (alias I Love Nigeria three much) is on special assignment from His Excellency, the one and only original "Baba" in ECOWAS and beyond, General Okikiolakan Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo (The Great) to sanitize and reform the Nigerian sector of cyberspace. In fact Julius Berger (Nigeria) plc has built a bomb-proof shelter for him to demonstrate his proficiency for advanced official sycophancy, transcendental hero-worshiping, pro-establishment hard-core arsehole licking, obasanjophilic praise-singing, and ego massaging, in the course of celebrating Mr. Adujie's evil genius, following presidential anticipatory approvals, drawn from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). :eek: :rolleyes: :p :rolleyes: :p :rolleyes: :p :eek: 9jeriya will be transformed, ko: Tony Anenih will be imprisoned for disappearing N300 billion, ni. Massive public works, ko: massive heart attack, ni!:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :eek: :eek: :p I beg-i, joo, Mr. I Love Nigeria (pass Lord Lugard), com'o't for main road, make cow pass, 'jare. Yeye dey boom! Muchas gracias. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III) Posted by Abraxas| 12.05.2007 04:56

overdryv  Villager

# 5 Well written, Paul! Laudable and objective as these your projects are, we must find answers to our most pressing questions first. On top of these is the question of legitimacy of the last (s)elections. In an atmosphere laden with corruption and unsolved political killings carrying out such projects would be an exercise in futility. Let us find out who killed Bola Ige, Harry Marshall, Chuba Okadigbo, Dikibo, Agbroko and the rest. Let us audit NNPC and find out how much oil revenue actually accrued to us in the last eight years. Let us settle the issue of why people like Uwazuruike and Asari Dokubo from minority areas are still being detained even when OPC leaders who were arrested for the same offence have long regain freedom. We must know what happened to the N300 billion given to Tony Anenih for roads rehabilitation. It is our right to know why in spite of the several billions of dollars voted for power, Nigerians continue to make use of lanterns and candles. We have to address the issue of why people in the ND continue to wallow in abject poverty with oil wells in their communities. We must come to terms with the reality that some of our governors have become richer than their states and determine how this was possible. We must trace those who put the immunity clause in the constitution and ask them whose interests they are protecting. We must first of all do away with gangster politics as being practiced by Obj presently. We have to re-define our democracy to stop ridiculing ourselves in the eyes of the word. No point saying we operate a federal system, when whatb we have is a unitary system run by discredited ex-generals. We must correct the various injustices done to Nigerian people. These include Odi, Zaki Biam and given away Bakassi. We must bring the perpetrators of these crimes to book. Their public execution would be a wonder balm to the wounded ego of the nigerian public. When these and other shortfallings are addressed, then we can think of forming volunteer groups to build our own chiness wall. If everything falls in place, patroitism would not be long in coming. Posted by overdryv| 12.05.2007 07:05

Frisky Larr  Villager

# 6 Folks, image-laundering or not, I do not think Paul Adujie was wrong in his call for massive public works projects. That is precisely what is lacking in the present Nigerian equation. I disagree with him on one point (unless he is so close to the administration that he has insider information). I do not believe the President was advised by experts to deviate from public works. He tried in the energy sector and failed. A large part of the public works thing could also have been embarked upon by state governors, who receive allocations for such projects. Overdry Sir, I use to pick on and challenge the administration to provide answers to the killing of Bola Ige and the others you mentioned. Recently, someone wrote me anonymously in response to my article and pointed out that the killing of Bola Ige particularly, was not as simple as we think. I was told it was a lot more complex. I was told that the President confronted Ige's widow with evidences that showed the complexity of the network involved and that Bola Ige's widow was left agape. I provided the names that were mentioned in my last article. Those are people I am not at all aware of but are said by neutral sources, to be truly capable of carrying out such deeds. Ever since, I personally do not know what to believe anymore. One thing is sure however. Everything is possible in Nigeria. I have therefore, chosen to henceforth, address only such issues in my essays as I can fully elaborate upon through clear-cut experiences. It is however, still a mystery that no one is prosecuted in Bola Ige's case. But move on, we should. Posted by Frisky Larr| 12.05.2007 08:45

ula-lisa  Villager

# 7 Paul I agree with you regarding the public works. I am kind of put off that so-called intellectuals from Nigeria, pooh pooh every laudable idea. Whether Yar Adua, Atiku, Utomi or the Duke, Nigerians would still be engaged; the roads need taring, rlways need to be laid...I had made the same kind of suggestions here http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/eric-terfa-ula-lisa/nigeria-transiting-2.html but since I do suggest that we move on, my ideas must be self-serving or not cool because I say to Move on... Yes Baba failed in Energy, even he has conceded it and regrets same...Naijeriya is much bigger than Baba which art in Otta... Regarding justice issues, suits and investigations can be carried on while we still proffer development ideas. Abraxas - Is there any credit due to Paul for any ideas or is he now a government pikin because he likes his Baba?? Please advise. Posted by ula-lisa| 12.05.2007 08:58

akuluouno  Villager

# 8 Dear FL, Move on when the law officer of a democratic government was murdered in cold blood in broad day light in his house and no one has been brought to book.And to hear that Our Father went to confront the widow and demand proof of his killers. Chei. I hope you also heard how the poor old high court judge mercifully kicked her own bucket to go and meet her husband. Well we are moving on only I do not know in what direction whether sideways like a crab :biggrin: or forward like Ghana :lol: backwards like Michael Jacksons moonwalk :mad: :mad: or just making motion without progress like the Barbers chair :twisted: :twisted: Dear ILN, I have since analysed your taking the patriotic high ground as a mischievious attempt to make the rest of us look as if we are unpatriotic. But I still stand by S Johnson when patriots like you bray. Nigeria has been raped silly by your ultrpatriotic ilk and one day the God which answereth by fire shall hear the cry of the wretched. :mad: :mad: Posted by akuluouno| 12.05.2007 09:01

overdryv  Villager

# 9 =Frisky Larr;175452>Folks, image-laundering or not, I do not think Paul Adujie was wrong in his call for massive public works projects. That is precisely what is lacking in the present Nigerian equation. I disagree with him on one point (unless he is so close to the administration that he has insider information). I do not believe the President was advised by experts to deviate from public works. He tried in the energy sector and failed. A large part of the public works thing could also have been embarked upon by state governors, who receive allocations for such projects. Overdry Sir, I use to pick on and challenge the administration to provide answers to the killing of Bola Ige and the others you mentioned. Recently, someone wrote me anonymously in response to my article and pointed out that the killing of Bola Ige particularly, was not as simple as we think. I was told it was a lot more complex. I was told that the President confronted Ige's widow with evidences that showed the complexity of the network involved and that Bola Ige's widow was left agape. I provided the names that were mentioned in my last article. Those are people I am not at all aware of but are said by neutral sources, to be truly capable of carrying out such deeds. Ever since, I personally do not know what to believe anymore. One thing is sure however. Everything is possible in Nigeria. I have therefore, chosen to henceforth, address only such issues in my essays as I can fully elaborate upon through clear-cut experiences. It is however, still a mystery that no one is prosecuted in Bola Ige's case. But move on, we should. If Obj's administration cannot find the culprits behind the numerous murders, then who do we turn to? In such matters the first port of call is the president. All the bucks stop at his table. Nigeria must be the first country in the world, where the number one law officer is murdered and no one could be roped in after six years. But from observations and utterances, Obj could never feign ignorance of the circumstances leading to Ige's death. Many reasons have been advanced for this dastardly act but by far the most potent is the theory that Ige was eliminated to pave way for the capturing of south west states in the 2003 elections. The complicity of Obj in Ige's murder is overwhelming. Nigerian politics since independence has followed the same pattern. The government in power always find willing hands to forment trouble in opposition strongholds. Most of these wranglings have always been concentrated in the west. NPC under Tafawa Belewa used Akintola to resist Awo, NPN used Omoboriowo to cause division for UPN. In the same vein, Iyiola Omisore was used by Obj to trample on and possibly eliminate Bola Ige. From his statements as revealed by the prime suspects, it was too obvious to see the footprints of Aso Rock in the whole thing.Omisore was quoted as saying he has unlimited financial resources from Abuja. The fact that he was pendling between Ibadan and Abuja is also suspect. Remember the murderers of Ige were nearly apprehended immediately after his death. Omisore was already detained.But in a new twist of events, the killers were let loose. If Obj had no hand in Ige's murder, how could one rationalise that Omisore won election from prison? He was clearly rewarded with a senatorial post for carrying out the act. What happens in Nigeria could take place in folklore. Despite the cry from all and sundry, Omisore was sworn in as a senator. This scenario could be likened to what happened after the gubernatorial elections of 14 th April 2007. With all the bad publicity from all corners, INEC went ahead to even perpetrate more rigging iin the presidential election the next saturday. No matter the complexity surrounding Ige's death, one thing is sure. The police knew before hand that it was about to happen. That explains why all the orderlies went out for dinner the same time. Look at the events that took place during the trial. The authority made sure the case never saw the light of day. Two judges resigned after being pressured from Aso Rock. It was later said all the police involved were transfered to make it impossible for them to give evidence. As far as I am concerned, Ige's murdered was plannned and executed from Abuja with Obj, Atiku and top echelon of PDP being actively involved. It is no longer a secret that PDP maintains a killer nest in its fold. This was disclosed by no less a personality than Wole Soyinka. Nigeria is a country that is always in flux. You hear one thing today, tomorrow its something else. Recently, the central bank governor said people should not think the $43 billion foreign reserve is all cash. That one cannot say look we have this money in a foreign account. He tried to say things which a layman would never comprehend. From what I gathered, the $43 billion could end up just being $2 billion liquid cash. All this came up when the senate accused Obj of illegally withdrawing $29 billion. In which other country would the senate make such a damning allegation when there is no truth in it? One thing which is clear is that Obj or any Nigerian president for that matter, would never appoint a CBN governor who would not do his bidding. All embezzlements by past leaders were done with the active connivance of CBN governors and I dont expect Soludo to be an exception. Posted by overdryv| 12.05.2007 11:33

oguzie j.j.  Villager

# 10 A recent pool released yesterday shows claerly the need to address the first three things that are uppermost our peoples needs. Employment, Security and energy(power) and with the seven point agenda of the president elect these three things are included into the list and one hopes that Yar Adua will understand that massive job creation has a strong connection with infrastructural build up which vis a vis reduces crime and improves total security. Posted by oguzie j.j.| 12.05.2007 12:43

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