Ministers, Thieving Naval Chiefs And Mama Yenagoa
By Reuben Abati

"Have you seen the list?" "The list of Ministers. Yes, I have seen it. The Ministers are too many. My fear is that too much bureaucracy and rivalry may tie down the government and affect performance. When the Obasanjo government decided to prune down the number of Federal Ministries, I had hoped at the time that this will reduce the size of government. But that has not happened. Some of the present Ministries in fact have three Ministers; Foreign Affairs, Transport, Education and the `Ministry of Energy with four Ministers!

"That is the effect of Federal Character. Every state must be represented, that is what the Constitution says and you have to find something for the people to do. In fact, I thought you were going to complain about the President holding on to the Energy portfolio. This was the same thing that President Obasanjo did and we complained to no end, until he grudgingly appointed a Special Adviser on Petroleum."

"But are you surprised? This whole thing called Nigerian Presidency is about the country's oil wealth, you know. If you are President too, you will want to oversee the oil and gas sector yourself, because that in fact is where the money and power are."

"But the President has more than enough to worry about."

"Yes. But he can't be too busy not to monitor Nigeria's main wealth. I know people in the Niger Delta have been pushing for the appointment of a substantive Minister of Petroleum. But see what the President has done, he has shared the Energy portfolio among the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and the South South, with the North having the main advantage."

"To tell the truth, the sharing of portfolios is skewed in favour of the North. Now, I am beginning to see why the Yoruba Council of Elders had to complain that President Yar'Adua is embarking on the Northernisation of the Federal Government."

"I used to argue that it doesn't matter which Ministry a man is given, but I think I agree that some Ministries are more strategic than others. In terms of power concentration, the North is definitely favoured."

"Look at the portfolios given to the North. Energy, Agriculture and Water Resources, Finance, Defence, Federal Capital Territory, Labour, National Planning Commission, National Sports Commission, Women Affairs. What else is left? Even Obasanjo did not do that. And look at the Ministries that you may even consider a bit important, there is a Northerner in the shadow as a Minister of State."

"But let us try and be fair. Take a second look at the list. The East also has some strategic portfolios. Transport, Education, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry."

"You went to compare that to Finance, Defence, FCT, Energy National Sports Commission, the office of the National Security Adviser, Secretary to the Government of the Federation?"

"To be fair really and on second thoughts, I think we should rise about this ethnic reading of everything in Nigeria. Let us assess the government on the basis of performance and not be too bothered about the ethnic origin of the Ministers."

"I wish it were that easy. The point is that the greatest fear among Southerners is that of the re-Northernisation of the Federal Government, Under the military, it was so bad that virtually every important position in this country was in the hands of Northerners. It was part of the reasons why Nigerians in the South began to kick against military rule. If President Yar'Adua is not yet guilty as charged, he should watch out for this pitfall."

"You are just preaching. The political North has a better sense of power than the rest of the country put together. Have you forgotten that the politics of Nigeria is all about who gets what? The scramble for Nigeria never ended. Incidentally, today is July 29. On the same date in 1966, the North staged a coup to assert itself politically and came to power. If President Yar'Adua has forgotten that history, there will be more than enough people from the North to remind him."

"But Obasanjo didn't put Yorubas everywhere."

"And did his people not condemn him for showing more interest in other people's children? I hear that the North is not taking chances this time around. Have you not noticed that the Emirs have all suddenly become very vocal and influential? "

"Yar'Adua is President of Nigeria, not President of the North. I don't think there is anything wrong in reminding him of that all the time."

"But he is using the slot for the North under the rotation of power principle. These things are not as simple as some of us make out. If you are made President tomorrow, you too will be tempted to pay more attention to your people."

"I'll like to see the kind of kitchen cabinet that emerges in due course, I mean the inner caucus within government. That is what I am waiting for. Very soon, the power centres in government will be defined. And the picture will be clearer. We will know who is in the government at the centre an those who are just filling quota"

"The picture is clear enough already. The political North s back in power effectively. It is in charge"

"Poor Bode Agusto. He did very well at the Ministerial screening but he didn't make it. The Senate refused to clear him."

"This is politics, not an IQ test"

"Take a look at the list. If I were some of these people, I would just resign. Take Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN). He has been given the Culture and Tourism portfolio. Is that a job for a lawyer?"

"My learned friend or what do you people call yourselves? You will be surprised that Kayode (SAN) would be very happy indeed. Very soon, you will start seeing him looking the part. A Minister is a Minister my friend, including a Minister without portfolio"

"I understand. But what of Henry Ajumogobia (SAN). "

"Dey there. Ajumogobia has a good portfolio. Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum)."

"One good news though is the President's statement that any Minister that is caught stealing will be sent to jail."

"It is just that our people are greedy. A man or woman who has been made a Federal Minister out of 140 million people does not need to steal. The honour itself is enough."

"But honour won't pay the bills. It won't take care of the crowd of hangers-on who will be asking the Minister for all sorts of favours, including requests that he should help pay hospital bills and bride prices."

"Ministers are well taken care of. It is just that Nigerians are very greedy people".

"Like the 10 Naval Chiefs who were retired because they are said to be involved in illegal bunkering."

"Those ones should not be retired. They should be put in the dock and made to face the full wrath of the law."

"The Naval chiefs are challenging their retirement though. They insist that due process was not followed."

"That is what you get when you treat people with kid gloves. When people talk about illegal bunkering, I feel uncomfortable, the right word is oil theft. We are talking about stealing. There are too many people in high places stealing Nigeria' s oil and the Navy is clearly implicated."

"I recall that on two occasions now, ships that were being detained under court orders have disappeared from our waters.. I like the statement by that Naval Officer, Captain Samson Ojediran. He says the Nigerian Navy is full of thieves."

"A Navy of thieves. I like that."

"By the way, your friend, Alami, Alams, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment"

"I thought it was 12 years"

"Two years each for a six-count charge but the sentences will run concurrently which then means only two years, and since he has already spent close to two years in EFCC custody, he is a free man again."

"Life and its many twists. Governor today, ex-convict tomorrow. I hope the Present Governors will learn from what is going on."

"It will either make them smarter or more careful."

"So what will Alams do now?"

"What will he do? Life continues. You will be surprised he will bounce back sooner than you think. This is Nigeria. All he needs to do is to get some characters to start saying that he was a victim of political intrigues. And you will be surprised, Nigerians will buy the spin."

"Nigeria we hail thee."

"Anything is possible in this country. In fact Alams could become a Godfather to some politicians in Bayelsa and he may even serve as a consultant on some of these matters."

"On what matters"

"How to slip out of Britain with the help of the British government. How to survive in EFCC custody. How to use ill-health as a bargaining measure in detention"

"Ah, and your brother, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. He refused to be returned to EFCC custody and chose the prison instead."

"To God be the glory"

"Is that what you will say?"

"Is that not what the man himself said?. Life is too cruel, and human beings are worse"

"Life is cruel only for those who take it too seriously. Life is actually simple.

"I wanted to draw your attention to something. I have just remembered."

"Fire on."

"There is this story I read in Punch, quoting Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie as saying that in the future men should start preparing themselves to have babies just like women."

"What is that? And what has that got to do with me? Are you sure the Professor was not quoted out of context? Men carrying pregnancies. What is that?"

"With science anything is possible. He was talking about in vitro fertilisation, IVF. A donated egg will be fertilised with sperm and injected into a man's abdomen, and he can carry the pregnancy like women. And looking at your stomach, I think this your stomach can hold not just one baby but twins, even triplets".

"You are not serious."

"Serious people are in Aro Mental Hospital"

"Lest I forget, have they now found Mama Yenagoa?"

"The mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa state House of Assembly. She is not missing; she was kidnapped. And the kidnappers are saying they will kidnap more politicians and their relations because the politicians have abandoned them after using them during the elections."

"The chickens coming home to roost"

"But kidnapping people's mothers, sisters and children is not the right thing to do."

"I know. But don't miss the point about how politicians use thugs during elections."

"That still doesn't justify the action of the criminals"

"We are saying the same thing"

"I am not quite sure".

"Only God can help us in this country."

"How can anybody kidnap a woman in her 70s"?

"One of these days, they will start kidnapping other people's wives. I think that is where they are actually going".

"Sorry about your friend. I saw the report in ThisDay"

" Samuel Famakinwa, Deputy Editor, ThisDay. Very sad. They said they found him in his hotel room, dead. I still can't believe that he is dead."

"That is life"

"Nice guy, very cheerful, hardworking, full of energy, brilliant reporter..."

"The sudden death syndrome is very common these days."

"Unfortunately it takes away only the good ones."

Robot  # 1 | 28.07.2007 23:50

Ministers, Thieving Naval Chiefs And Mama Yenagoa By Reuben Abati...Read the full article.

Adeola Aderounmu  # 2 | 29.07.2007 04:18

"But see what the President has done, he has shared the Energy portfolio among the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and the South South, with the North having the main advantage." "To tell the truth, the sharing of portfolios is skewed in favour of the North. Now, I am beginning to see why the Yoruba Council of Elders had to complain that President Yar'Adua is embarking on the Northernisation of the Federal Government." "Look at the portfolios given to the North. Energy, Agriculture and Water Resources, Finance, Defence, Federal Capital Territory, Labour, National Planning Commission, National Sports Commission, Women Affairs. What else is left? __________________________________________________________________________ "To the boys from the North, power is theirs and this cannot be compromised. They have undersigned this pact with the blood of their patriarchs and the colonialists. They will go to the ends of the world to retain this power. They will achieve it subtly or by force. The wolves and doves among them cannot be seen as birds of the same feather but they have executed the same agenda so far" -----Quote from the betrayal of the Baptist Boys, July 19. May the Glory of Nigeria come, soon! http://aderinola.wordpress.com/

Goddy  # 3 | 29.07.2007 13:05

Look at the portfolios given to the North. Energy, Agriculture and Water Resources, Finance, Defence, Federal Capital Territory, Labour, National Planning Commission, National Sports Commission, Women Affairs. What else is left? Even Obasanjo did not do that. And look at the Ministries that you may even consider a bit important, there is a Northerner in the shadow as a Minister of State." "But let us try and be fair. Take a second look at the list. The East also has some strategic portfolios. Transport, Education, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry." "You went to compare that to Finance, Defence, FCT, Energy National Sports Commission, the office of the National Security Adviser, Secretary to the Government of the Federation?" Dr. Abati, Thanks for this piece. You sure have a smart way of flying kites and robing them in satires. The Yoruba people adage for this situation is "adie ye ogun...adie pogun...won ni adie o po more..." (a hen lay 20 eggs and hatched the entire 20...yet, the owner says it's not very productive..." As horrible as Obasanjo was made to look, we can all still remember the ministerial arrangements under his government. Sensitive positions were evenly spread across the federation...shattering the old stereotypes. And now this... In spite of this though, there are some of us Nigerians who have refused to join the bandwagon that now condemns Yar'Adua...even if he decides to appoint Northerners to all the ministries...he can indeed put members of his family in all ministries for all we care...we deserve every leader we get. But posterity will surely judge every leader. Goddy.

oluye  # 4 | 29.07.2007 17:38

We all had this coming. The main opposition parties are from the North, they represent Northern interests. This was so arranged that even if the North lost, it is the North that will still win. If we want through rotation, it has to affect key posts too. I am sure that every group in Nigeria has enough talents to man any post. But when we all ( funny enough the Southerners were the most vocal) pushed YarAdua into a "settle or be illegitimate corner", what did we expect? Juicy appointments had to go the North which was the catchment area of the opposition. Hence the South shot itself in the foot.

Son of the Delta  # 5 | 29.07.2007 20:14

"But the President has more than enough to worry about." "Yes. But he can't be too busy not to monitor Nigeria's main wealth. I know people in the Niger Delta have been pushing for the appointment of a substantive Minister of Petroleum. But see what the President has done, he has shared the Energy portfolio among the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and the South South, with the North having the main advantage." "To tell the truth, the sharing of portfolios is skewed in favour of the North. Now, I am beginning to see why the Yoruba Council of Elders had to complain that President Yar'Adua is embarking on the Northernisation of the Federal Government." "I used to argue that it doesn't matter which Ministry a man is given, but I think I agree that some Ministries are more strategic than others. In terms of power concentration, the North is definitely favoured." "Look at the portfolios given to the North. Energy, Agriculture and Water Resources, Finance, Defence, Federal Capital Territory, Labour, National Planning Commission, National Sports Commission, Women Affairs. What else is left? Even Obasanjo did not do that. And look at the Ministries that you may even consider a bit important, there is a Northerner in the shadow as a Minister of State." "But let us try and be fair. Take a second look at the list. The East also has some strategic portfolios. Transport, Education, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry." "You went to compare that to Finance, Defence, FCT, Energy National Sports Commission, the office of the National Security Adviser, Secretary to the Government of the Federation?" Dr.Rueben Abati is an unrepentant tribal warlord.Yesterday he was asking for soft landing for Obasanjo despite all the billions he stole and the people he killed.Why not ask for soft standing for Yar`Adua? He is talking of the North having a strategic ministry like energy.Was`nt Olusegun Obasanjo, a yoruba like Mr.Abati ,the first head of state and government to be president and Energy minister.Did´nt Kupolokun(another yoruba) as NNPC chief executive collaborate with Obasanjo to rob Nigeria of revenue from the sales of oil and gas. Yar`Adua is even very benevolent to appoint a yoruba as the minister of state for gas.So that he can cover up Obasanjo`s mess in the gas sector.It is unfortunate that Nigeria has gotten a Niger Deltan they will use to decieve the world that the Niger delta is actively involved in the determination of the process of the extraction of our resources. Mr. Abati is complaining about ministerial appointments.I thought it was supposed to be an opportunity to "serve" Nigeria.When did "service" start having strategic and non-strategic service points.You must be as corrupt as your soft landing president otherwise you will not have seen this as an opportunity for people to serve themselves hence the cry of strategicness. Mr.Abati is saying that ministerial appointments were skewed in favour of the North.When privatisation was skewed in favour of yorubas like Otedola,Tinubu,Adenuga and co .The yoruba Energy minister,Olusegun Obasanjo sold all the government owned oil companies to yorubas and the likes of Abati saw nothing wrong with it, and it is hypocritical and wicked of him to complain about ministerial appointments under the current regime especially when they practicsed the same rule of "strategic" appointments under Obasanjo.

nf5kmw1  # 6 | 30.07.2007 18:05

=Adeola Aderounmu;195768>"But see what the President has done, he has shared the Energy portfolio among the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and the South South, with the North having the main advantage." "To tell the truth, the sharing of portfolios is skewed in favour of the North. Now, I am beginning to see why the Yoruba Council of Elders had to complain that President Yar'Adua is embarking on the Northernisation of the Federal Government." "Look at the portfolios given to the North. Energy, Agriculture and Water Resources, Finance, Defence, Federal Capital Territory, Labour, National Planning Commission, National Sports Commission, Women Affairs. What else is left? __________________________________________________________________________ "To the boys from the North, power is theirs and this cannot be compromised. They have undersigned this pact with the blood of their patriarchs and the colonialists. They will go to the ends of the world to retain this power. They will achieve it subtly or by force. The wolves and doves among them cannot be seen as birds of the same feather but they have executed the same agenda so far" -----Quote from the betrayal of the Baptist Boys, July 19. May the Glory of Nigeria come, soon! http://aderinola.wordpress.com/ We spend too much time on where people are from. We are dying because of that. When we had 12 states things were much better. So just having more people from different places does not solve our challenges!!! Here is one suggestion. Joseph Inyang Nigerians for Super Energy 2026 N. Oakland Ave Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-272-1656 http://www.nigeriansforsuperenergy.com joe@nigeriansforsuperenergy.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 28, 2007 Nigerians for Super Energy a grassroots campaign for energy sends an open letter to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of Nigeria. Open Letter to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Dear Mr. President: We are writing in support of your Energy goals for Nigeria. We believe that Nigeria should become energy “Super Energy Power”. You rightly said so on June 11, 2007 and we quote “As I keep saying, we cannot begin to address, in a fundamental manner, the problems of the economy, until we successfully tackle the power and energy issue. It is critical to all my plans. So I am more interested in how much gas we can tap for domestic use than what we can get for export. We must power this economy,” Mr. President as you know, we have a very sick patient, "Nigerian Energy"; we need world class surgeons to lead this effort no more nurses. No disrespect to my mom she was a nurse for over 40 years!! And when you sign the FOI (Freedom of Information) bill you will have about 100m + eyes helping to monitor the progress of the projects. Mr. President below is our humble suggestions for radically changing our energy strategy. Fuel Plan 24 Refineries in a National/Publicly traded oil company with global reach is what we need!!! They say imitation is a form of flattery. If so, Nigeria needs to look to Venezuelans to reform its fuel sector. Due to the policies of Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA, the Venezuelans are able to enjoy $0.19 per gallon or N6.12. The Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA, had decided that it was not the crude oil export business but in the global petroleum and chemical business. So they invested in refining and retail business in Venezuela and almost all their export markets. Today PDVSA processes 3.3m barrels per day through 24 refineries: six complexes in Venezuela, one in the Caribbean, eight in the United States and nine in Europe. The Brazilian Oil company, Petrobras is another example. This company is renowned for its leadership in development of advanced technology from deep-water and ultra-deep water oil production. With 55.7% of Petrobras' Common Shares (with vote right) is owned by the Brazilian government, however privately held portions are traded on Bovespa stock market .On April 21st of 2006, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced Brazil's self-sufficiency in petroleum. Mr. President please seek counsel of the architects of PDVSA, Mr. Putin and/or Silva to see what they are doing. We recommend three strategic steps to revolutionize our oil sector. 1. NNPC should be come a government/public firm with part of it shares allocated for Nigerians. This will provide the company with a new direction and ownership need for the global challenges. 2. NNPC should go on a buying spree with the aid of government funds to buy (outright or major) shares in refineries in Africa, China and United States. This will provide us with immediate source of refined products, opportunities to train our people and hard currency. Best of all this does not need the 18 to 24 months to build a refinery. This will also provide us a stop gag measure until we build more refineries. It is all about add value and we need to start doing that. 3. Start building 4 refineries and retail outlets to take care of the local demand as estimated for 2010. This will help put to rest the fuel challenges that we face as a Nation. Electrical Plan 50,000 megawatts in a well planned power grid is what we need!!! Why 50,000 Megawatts? Given our population, the goals (15,000MW, 20,000MW, and 30,000MW) currently proposed in different political and business circles does not take care of latent electrical demand. In 1999 we estimated a goal of 4,000mw and 5,600mw, we have reached those goals but still not able to survive disruptions to the power grid. South Africa with a population of 47M generates 36,000MW, Brazil population 188M generates 90,000MW and South Korea population 49M generates 43,833MW. Nigeria with a population of 140M would need to generate 67,021MW to be at par with Brazil the lowest per capita among the three countries. Based on the current estimates of 10,000mw in current or in progress, we will need 40, 000mw to complete our goal. This translates in 1,100mw per state and Abuja. Yes we know some states may not be able to generate this amount due to logistic or cost can join with other states to meet their goal. Some states like Lagos will need double or triple that amount. Using current estimates we believe that we need $29 billion for completion of the goal which about $15 billion should come from the Federal government. 1. The plan would call for part of excess revenue funds to be invested in power generation and transmission. 2. All sates, Abuja and Local governments must contribute a percentage of their net worth to the projects. Land for projects will be provided by state and local governments. 3. All banks must invest a percentage of their net worth. Corporations and individual investors will be encouraged to invest in the projects with a strong push for public stock participation. 4. All companies must provide free electricity and cooking gas to local communities. 5. Alternate sources must be encouraged, At least one coal power station in Enugu with similar capacity of Tutuka, South Africa 6x609 MW. This should be part of the sale of 13 mining titles belonging to the Nigerian Mining Corporation. 6. Gas and oil pipeline should have backup points. We must be able to ship gas or oil to Lagos; after all we ship it to the ends of the world. Our pipe line should be like a Hydra (multi-head monster) that will allow for maintenance without totally shorting down the country. 7. Implement widespread adoption of CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights) and other energy saving programs. CFLs save about four times more energy compare to regular lights. 8. Last but not least, industries using gas for energy will be given gas for free or token price. We are calling on all Nigerians to wear copper colored ribbon (similar to the AIDS ribbon) and March for a Global NNPC with 24 refineries and a 50,000 megawatts power grid. Mr. President since you understand the challenge, we are ready to give you 100% support to make these changes. If the energy issues in Nigeria are solved, a lot of Nigerian lives will be astronomically improved. We call upon all religious, traditional and civic leaders to join Mr. President and 40 days pray and fasting for success. God Bless Nigeria!!!! ### Nigerians for Super Energy is a grassroots campaign aimed at supporting the need for energy in Nigeria and the sub region. 35% of all black people in the world need energy to improve their daily lives.

Sapele Man  # 7 | 31.07.2007 03:13

=Son of the Delta;195883> Mr. Abati is complaining about ministerial appointments.I thought it was supposed to be an opportunity to "serve" Nigeria.When did "service" start having strategic and non-strategic service points.You must be as corrupt as your soft landing president otherwise you will not have seen this as an opportunity for people to serve themselves hence the cry of strategicness. it is hypocritical and wicked of him to complain about ministerial appointments under the current regime especially when they practicsed the same rule of "strategic" appointments under Obasanjo. Son of the Delta, Excellent. Spot on. Exciting. Keep it up. I don't know what to make of you anymore. Some times you are on the spot. Any time you go off tangent. I will continue to follow your comments.

oyintare  # 8 | 17.08.2007 13:45

=Robot;195754>Ministers, Thieving Naval Chiefs And Mama Yenagoa By Reuben Abati...Read the full article. MR ABATI WHAT HAS THE JAW NATION DONE TO YOU THEY IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN RACISM AND TRIBALISM THE PROBLEM IS NOT NIGERDELTA ITS NIGERIA AS A WHOLE, N IGERDELTA IS A SITUATION THAT AS BEEN DISGUISED FOR SO LONG BUT A VOLCANO WILL ERUPT ALWAYS, DID ALAMS OWE YOU,THE GREATEST CRIMINAL IN NIGERIAN RECORD OBASANJO SEEMS TO BE A SAINT IN YOUR SPOTLIGHT ITS OBVIOUS YOU ARE A DEEP TRIBALIST ITS A SHAME.