Nigeria in Brief Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Nigeria will never seize to amaze me. Some say Naija is great while some dwell on the fact that the country is still a jungle where it is only the fittest that survives. Checking out the news of the day and looking at the picture captured by Vanguard, I wondered what must have driven James Ibori supporters to Kaduna protesting and demanding for the corrupt politician's release. The Ibori supporters should have been arrested for disturbing the peace at a courthouse where silence is normally golden. Well, that's politics, I guess. But the question here is, have these angry supporters of Ibori taken a closer look at themselves, how haggard they looked while Ibori was squandering their money? Now who is next among the two notorious bandits? Peter Odili or Lucky Igbinedion?

Anyways, I am beginning to see some changes unfold in that country. The rule of law seems to be taking shape with the judiaciary making a whole lot of sense. Ibori had been denied bail, but the point is, Ibori and his mistress Uzoamaka Okoronkwo's charges are bailable and they will be spending the Christmas and New Year in jail. The embattled ex-Governor and his mistress will know their fate on January 11, 2008, when they return to court to face Justice Mohammed Shauibu. The so-called former "intelligence Czar" seems to be chilling which pops up the question why he should be denied his medication on the ground that he stole from the state and used his powers to deny the people of Delta a proper medical care. He should be allowed to get a taste of his own medicine.

Check this out: The Guardian Newspapers reports that the administration of Umar Yar'Adua has ordered a "massive importation of fuel" to meet up with demands during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Ain't that something? I'm not sure if the refineries are not producing enough oil but I'm quite sure something is wrong somewhere when the oil regulating agencies are not coming up to terms with reality knowing that they should be held responsible for the loopholes that enables oil pirates and bunkerers get away with billion barrels of oil per day. In another related incident, ex-governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose was also remanded in prison custody until January when he will know his fate and the charges levelled against him.

Interestingly, China and Egypt, once borrowers from International Development Association (IDA) that help poor nations fight poverty are now donors and part of a $21.1 billion aid that would make life meaningful to the poorer nations. When will the "oil-rich" Nigeria join these group of volunteers? My guess is NEVER! Maybe, until Ibrahim Babangida coughs out all the billions of dollars he stole selling oil during the Gulf War.

In the upcoming African Nations Cup to be held in Ghana, a whole lot of noise is being made about the Nigerian squad hanging in there with all desperations to capture the trophy for the first time since 1994 when the iron man, Sani Abacha was the junta of the day. Watford's Danny Shittu will be joining the Eagles squad as the Golden Eagles are not about to be taking any chances. I think Ghana has better chances with home advantage.

Well, Yar'Adua is talking. From last weekend's local council elections that was marred with irregularities, the nation's first man is no longer taking things for granted. He has summoned the 36 state governors, stakeholders and party leaders to a meeting regarding allegations of fraud in the said elections held on Saturday, December, 15, 2007.