Yesterday on the News i heard the Senate President lament as he pressed on the issue of knowing what is the root of our problem in the railway sector. The railway corporation started way back 1955. As of 2003, Nigeria rail system had 3,557kilometers of track which runs through to major rail lines, one from Lagos on the bight of Benin through Nguru the Northern part of Nigeria and the other connects Port Harcourt and Maiduguri of Borno State.

In order to remedy the poor condition, efficiency, and profitability of the nation’s railways, the government is seeking to privatize the Nigerian Railway Corporation.  Lagos state, Rivers and Balyelsa state have all talked about undergoing major railway projects. I don’t know but i think as David Mark said we should first look deep into the root of the problem which i must list a few:

Maintenance: It was provided in the Railway Act of 1995(amended)  that the Chairman should appoint a rail way supervisor. Even with this provision the lack of implementation has impeded the growth of the system. Supervisory services must be provided to always ensure that the railway and trains are well maintained with adequate report to show that supervision had been carried out.

Funds: Many at times we hear that alot of money has been pumped into repairing and restructuring of the railway system, like in the case of 2006 when BBC announced China was to build back Nigerian Railway. A contract was awarded to CCECC costing a total of $8bn from Lagos to Kano 1,315km, The president at that time witness the signing of the contract which was said to be the first phase. Now, I ask what happened to CCECC and the contract? What happened to the money? Which body was put in place to monitor the project? how can it cost so much ? we must know, don’t you think so.

Will: Is the government really willing to change the situation of the rail way system? Or are they focusing on the development of roads and just blabbing about the railways, because as earlier mentioned why are they not talk about probing the lasting administration for the contract given out which has not yet been completed, and if work is in progress why is no one saying anything about the progress of work. We talk about re-branding, a great concept by the Minister of information, but how does she plan on changing the mind set of the leaders ? That politics should not be all talk and no action.

With a project of this magnitude you cant imagine the amount of jobs that will be created, if we are truthful to ourself. I love my country and I want things to change but we must continue to pressurise the government, we have the money now, why wait and allow the people suffer. every one is talking about alternative source of Fuel, times are changing we must do the best we can do for the nation now. I pray that all politicians will put greed aside and promote growth.

We all have dreams, don’t you ? It has been a while i wrote and today i had an argue ti talk about dreams. I wonder atimes if Nigerians actually have good dreams of themselves. Recently, the ministry of information decided that Nigeria needs re-branding, what do you think?

The New Nigerian Club which started a year ego, had the same dream and wants all mind set of Nigerians to change, love your country and believe new times are here, were by we should forget the past and look straight ahead.Forget the ills of the leaders and corruption in anti corruption agencies. How the nations number 1 man will use these bodies/agencies for personal  fights.Alot has happened over the years, not so good but Nigeria now has a dream,  a dream that this is not the end but just the beginning. A dream we all need to share.

When i was growing up i never thought life could get so demanding, i always thought my dad and my mum will always be there for me. Providing and listening to all my problems. I never knew only God could do that . I had a dream of becoming a Pilot, my mum use to joke with the meat sellers then that; ‘when my son grows up he will blow up the market, as she complained they always cheat her’. I had this passion for flying, and i knew i will be at peace in the air, and the first time i actually was on an airplane it felt safe, I was happy and  cant stop thinking of owning my own private jet.My dreams did not end in being a pilot, i also always wanted to leave in a mansion that i know will come to pass, and have a loving wife at that time would have wanted some one exactly like my mother, but now i would want some one that will love me enough to always be there for me just like my mum has never turn her back on me.

To be the best in our endeavour is always a dream we desire, I always dreamt of owning more than one business and succeeding in it at that. Growing up i now see clearly that all my dreams was centered around being a helper to people in need. My dad had a lot of people working for him and i always saw them as family.

Nigeria is our Nation, we are all family, as part of my dream and the dream of a nation i know that soon, and for generation to come what we do today will go a long way in changing their part. I am happy to be a part of my Nations dream, join us both Nigerians and friends. Lets make our nation better.

‘Even after all this time

The sun never says to the earth, “You owe me.”

Look what happens with a Love like that!

—It lights the whole Sky.’ (Hafiz)

The word love according the Webster dictionary means, unselfish loyalty or benevolent concern for others. We all at one time want to love or be loved. On the 14th of February is saint Valentine day.

St Valentine was a christian martyr, he brought about the name, all around the world even in Iran this day is celebrated as lovers day. This day is celebrated with some one special, some that you have deep affection for.  I have some one like this, who is very special to me and I’ll want to spend the rest of my life with not only this particular day, her name is Isioma Modunkwu, the girl of my reality.

Coming back to what we were talking about, the topic  love. What else can we do, our mission was to love our neighbor as our self, the greatest commandment in the bible. Who is your neighbor some once asked Jesus, His reply was a parable, which was about two individuals from two known enemy tribe, one was rubbed and when his fellow tribe men saw him injured and lying on his own, they passed him by, but when the man (neighbour) from the other tribe was passing, he took pity on him and helped him. This is a story of true love given to a fellow human been.

Our country Nigeria needs to use this period to find love in their hearts, express it by showing it to their neighbour. All those in power must take time out from enriching their pockets and think about the Nigerian who is working very hard and can not see what he has gained, as he spends time paying for every thing that government would have provided. Our parents should take time out and understand that true love is not giving their children money to bribe there way through school, but actually ensuring that these children get proper education and represent the country in the nearest future.

We have to love our country and be deeply committed to it on the other hand. We see young Nigerians fight for a change in the system, why don’t we join in. The New Nigerian Club and its members have a reason to celebrate by the weekend, because as a matter of priority they have shown their love for the country with all they have put in for change. They have gone to over 20 higher institutions, addressed over 50,000 Nigerians offline, millions on line, they have reached beyond the physical boundaries called Nigeria, to Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora – UK, US, Canada, Ireland, e.t.c. They have been on radio, they have featured on Television, they have branded t-shirts, branded cash cards, wear Nigeria lapel pins, branded CDs and DVDs like Nigeria’s map, they have sponsored events, sponsored athletes, supported orphanages, given scholarships, empowered people and have done their widows might in achieving a truly New Nigeria.

Lets Show love this season. I love you all

In Nigeria today, we have seen education move from very good to bad and then from bad to worse, its an area of importance and it has not really been looked at. The president made it as one of the seven point agenda, how far has he gone?

Education they say is the bedrock of any development. The present state of Education in Nigeria is pathetic. Quality is a disaster, with secondary school levels at a 13% quality rate, and primary school levels are even lower than this.

Pupils sit under trees to learn. They learn in roofless buildings. Teachers wages are pitiable and it is very difficult for them to look after their health, while they are also not properly trained.

Instead of making education free and compulsory at all levels, they have introduced tuition fees in almost all the public schools with standards dropping on a daily basis. Students pay through their nose to get educated. The majority who cannot afford it have become dropouts roaming the streets with nothing to do.

The managers of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria are in consensus that these institutions are grossly under-funded. Evidence exists on the degree of dilapidation that characterises the primary and secondary school buildings in parts of the country; the non-payment of teachers salaries and allowances as a result of which strikes are the order of the day.

Most of the struggle of the ASUU union in the past has been for the proper funding of Education. Some Lecturers and Students, of the University of Ilorin to be precise, who participated in some of the struggles, are still under victimization since 2001. Most Tertiary Institutions in the country have no independent Student Union to genuinely challenge this decay and neglect, and where they do exist they act as their stooges, but this is just a matter of time, and cannot last forever.

The literacy rate in Nigeria is presently less than 20%, while in Asia it is 90% and Japan has a 100% literacy rate, and the Nigerian figure keeps dropping due to lack of adequate and proper funding of Education. UNESCO recommends that 26 percent of the national budget should be allocated to Education. One wonders how this present regime can achieve the minimum acceptable international standards of education for all with just 10 percent or less of its budget allocated to Education.

In the past, we have seen a lot of so called funding being allocated to the sector but no measure to check and ensure that the money is being spent properly. The lackadaisical attitude by the governor on the sector must be changed, it has been talk and no action. we must speak out.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo the head of the Western Region of Nigeria nearly 50 years ago allocated 50% of the budget to education and made education free for all. He was able to achieve this because capitalism at that time could still play some progressive role in society.

A festival of mistakes, can be seen clearly in this ministry. the lack of necessary teaching and learning materials at all levels of the educational system; poor working conditions of all teachers in the country, among other indices. It has also been argued that financial mismanagement and lack of accountability by officials led to diverting substantial resources from the educational institutions to other ends.. Owing by the government which pushes these teachers to collect bribe and involve themselves in other malpractices.

Churches also have a major role to play, Nigerians are very active when it comes to things that have to do with the churches, pastors as role models should please use this medium to reach out to their members so students can avoid cheating, teachers and lecturers should also take hide from malpractices. the private sectors to should be made to invest in the educational sector compulsory. The major companies from the telecoms sector, the oil sector and top class construction company should organised competitions, and fund educational programs which will influence the ordinary Nigerian to want to learn. All hands must be on deck because the world is moving faster than a speeding bullet, its time to seat up.

“Happiness can not be bought, but it could be planned for” Me

Today is a blessed day, as i came across some new opportunities for one to invest in times like this. We all know about the financial crises which has been moving from one country to the other, CBN analyst has said that Nigeria might not be able to stand the second phase of the financial crises. But for people like us who have or practise reversed paranoia, which means being positive in all and every situation we fine ourselves.

It’s time to position yourself, for all those who live in Nigeria, these opportunities are once in a life time opportunities and the earlier you become a part of this, the safer you are in times of any rumor or actual crises.

What am I saying in the long run, invest now, don’t wait for the right time, because unknown to you the right time is when you say it is, by the time you are 40, you’ll be playing pool or gulf with friends and former business associates as by that time you would have retired.

1. Haulage
A Successful Haulage company involved in the transportation of goods within Nigeria is currently seeking investors. The management needs additional capital for purchase of trucks to expand and be able to meet the ever increasing transport needs in this sector. The return on investment is conservative, yet very attractive.

2. Holidays & Cash
Holidays and Cash is a Network marketing company offering discount on hotel and flight bookings around the world. You can enjoy up to 40% discount on these bookings and you can earn profits by referring people to join the program. There are no limits to how much you can earn, actually you decide what you want to earn.

3. IFA
IFA is a Network marketing product backed up by ADIC Life and Diamond Bank offering life insurance policies. By paying monthly premiums between N2,000-N8,000 you get a cover of between N500,000 and N4,000,000. You can also earn bonuses as much as N300,000 a month by referring people to insure their lives.

4. Land Deal

50 plots of land are currently available at Papalanto Road, Ofada via Mowe, Ogun State. About 25minutes drive from Lagos end of the toll gate. It is currently zoned residential and the name of the estate is prime estate phase 2. Has appreciated well above 100% between December 2007 and January 2009. It currently sells for N800,000. You have an opportunity to buy for 25% less than the current value if you intend to pay once and there is a payment plan attached if you do not intend
to pay once.

For more details about these opportunities as well as the expected return on investment send a mail to dcrux2k@gmail.com.The Chinese predicted that this is the year of the OX, a year of hard times and struggle, but for us who trust in God, He says our case is different, but we must equip ourselves. Are you ready?

I live in Port Harcourt, Rivers state Nigeria. I have been here for four years now. Port Harcourt has seen different activities in recent times. From street cultism to communal clashes and finally to militancy which has gone from bad to terrible. All this as a result of bad governace.

On the 27th October 2007, a new era began as Hon Rotimi Amechi was sworn in as the govnor of Rivers State. He made promises which so far he has been able to excute some. It can as a shock but the change came and there has been mixed feelings to the present state we have found our selves.

One of his promises was the ban on Okada which will be our area of concentration today, also the demolition of illegal structures which has caused congestion in the state for a number of years now. We have seen the ‘demolution’  in action, we have seen the tremendous effect (positive) it has had in our environment. The demolition was a good government policy and step but what of the ban on Okada ?

On the 1st of  January 2009,the ban on Commercial bikes (Okada) took effect. It was one of the promises made by the government of Rivers State to improve the livelihood of its citizens. It came as a shock to the so loved citizens as they saw Okada as the fastest and easiest means of transportation. No one thought the government will keep to its words. It was not as welcomed as the government thought it will be. So I wonder what were the intentions of the government ? lets look at the positive side to it ;

1. Reduce Crime Rate  : Most crime in the city before now was carried out using commercial bikes, bank robberies, kidnapping, assassination and others.
2. Accidents:Commercial bikes have been know to be riddenby people with little or mostly no experience in riding bikes.As a result the rate of accidents caused by them is alarming. The most amazing is that they don’t even use crash helmets.Imagine the injuries and deaths that would have been caused by this lackadaisical attitude towards safety.
3. Reduced Traffic Congestion: In some areas in Port Harcourt like in Agip Junction, 1 of the major cause of traffic jam is the commercial bike, they come like a flood of bees and all want to pass at the same time, also in so many other junctions in Trans-amadi, its like they don’t stop coming. Something had to be done.
4. Noise and Air Pollution:The emission of carbon monoxide and noise from the continues raving of the bikes has also been eliminated by this ban. Where by also improving health state of individuals in the state.
5. Decongestion of city:As a result of the new way of life there has been mass relocation of individuals to other states, especially the Okada riders, this also has  health advantage,like reduced damage to the respiratory system caused pollution and waste,reduction on the rate of disease.

We must see these advantages as a good reason to all be happy and celebrate the new change, but there is always a “but”, the government has also tossed aside some major areas that must first be put right before this change is made. some of these can been seen as disadvantages to the most loved citizen.

Obviously, as a result of the ban, there will be major influx of cars which will lead to the avoided congestion. This would have not been so if only the roads have been repaired and more link roads constructed to ease major roads.I am not saying roads have been worked on but it has not yet reach the level were we can now say we have enough roads.   Every one that had abandonedcars in repair shops has gone to pick them up, so with also the road safety workers not checking road worthy cars pollution will be back in the streets.

In all this cofussion, in Port Harcourt there is fuel scarcity, this has now increased transport fees, and scarcity of commercial cars,so you can imagin the treking be done in the city.People are going late to work and stressed, this will surely reduce productivity in turn reducing revenue. So what do you think , Good or Bad the ban has come to stay.

Looking at the topic your mind brings you to what happened some time ego. The former president of the United State was stoned with a shoe in Iraq, by a press man.

Why did he do it, He believed that the war in Iraq which was initiated by the former President of the United state J. Bush was wrong and should not have happened. He said, he did what he did because of the widows and orphans in the region. Do you blame him?

True it’s an insult to throw a shoe on some one, but he had a point, the former president though tried not to make a big deal about it but it only shows how sad the people are, pressmen normally try to use only there writing to get at their victims. Writing old stories and trying as much as possible to bring out dirt on them. This is normally the sequence and not as far as getting physical in a press briefing.

Bush was know as a man that had little or no idea of what through governing was all about, he spent one third of his tenor on vacations, he did nothing for eight months after his swearing in until the 9/11 attack. This is when he decided to turn his tenor into a war.

Speculators say he was told about the 9/11 attack before it happened, he had no plan or could not do anything. The secretary of state was more in governance than he was. He joked about almost every thing which to me was a sign of inefficiency and lack of taking the seat of the presidency serious.

The shoe I guess put him back in perspective, because after then, he later admitted that the initial war in question was a mistake and should never had been.

It all boils down to one simple truth, which is we must get our acts together when ever we are given a position of responsibility, we must see clearly the fact that a lot of people depend on us, for motivation, for a better way out, for success, and handling the position like no one else have. In the bible it clearly stated that we should be diligent in all we do.

Human wants are unlimited the economist will say, but know this the people who get what they want keep onfighting, they never give up, this is just like the case of a little girl who tried to buy a miracle, read on ;

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from

It’s hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and
counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly
perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back
in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and

made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big red
Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but
he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.

Nothing.

She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster

No good.

Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass
counter.

That did it!

“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in
ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

“Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,” Tess answered back in
the same annoyed tone. “He’s really, really sick…. and I want to buy a
miracle.”

”I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.

His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head
and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much
does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help
you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little.

“Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get
the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.”

The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and
asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?”

I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s
really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t
pay for it, so I want to use my money.”

“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago .

“One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered barely audibly.

“And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.”

“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven
cents—the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. ”

“He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her
mitten and said “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother
and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need.”

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of

charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing

well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events

that had led them to this place.

That surgery,” her Mom whispered. “was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?”

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost…one dollar and
eleven cents ….. plus the faith of a little child..

A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a
higher law…

Exciting isn’t it, the story shows us when you want something so badly, you know physically you can not get then take a good look at the creator, the one who performs miracles, and He will make a way were it seem like there is none.  Have a nice day all.

]]> http://emorevoke.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/fighting-with-faith-the-price-of-a-miracle/feed/ 0 emorevoke superstock_ http://emorevoke.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/happy-new-year/ http://emorevoke.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/happy-new-year/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:00:09 +0000 emorevoke http://emorevoke.wordpress.com/?p=143 ]]>

Its New year in China, i’ll love to share this with you;

The Chinese New Year has a great history. In our past, people lived in an agricultural society and worked all year long. They only took a break after the harvest and before the planting of seeds. This happens to coincide with the beginning of the lunar New Year.

The Chinese New Year is very similar to the Western one, rich in traditions, folklores and rituals. It has been said that it is a combination of the Western Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. This is hardly an exaggeration!

The origin of the Chinese New Year itself is centuries old – in fact, too old to actually be traced. It is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days.

Preparations tend to begin a month before the date of the Chinese New Year (similar to a Western Christmas). During this time people start buying presents, decoration materials, food and clothing. A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year, when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom. This ritual is supposed to sweep away all traces of bad luck. Doors and windowpanes are often given a new coat of paint, usually red, then decorated with paper cuts and couplets with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity printed on them.

The eve of the New Year is perhaps the most exciting part of the holiday, due to the anticipation. Here, traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good wishes. Delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters ( ho xi), for all things good, fish dishes or Yau-Yu to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-chai (Angel Hair), an edible hair-like seaweed to bring prosperity, and dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi) signifying a long-lasting good wish for a family. It is customary to wear something red as this color is meant to ward off evil spirits. But black and white are frowned upon, as these are associated with mourning. After dinner, families sit up for the night playing cards, board games or watching television programmers dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky.

On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes. Then the family begins to say greetings from door to door, first to their relatives and then to their neighbors. Like the Western saying “let bygones be bygones,” at Chinese New Year, grudges are very easily cast aside. Tributes are made to ancestors by burning incense and the symbolic offering of foods. As firecrackers burst in the air, evil spirits are scared away by the sound of the explosions. The end of the New Year is marked by the Festival of Lanterns, which is a celebration with singing, dancing and lantern shows.

At the Festival, all traditions are honored. The predominant colors are red and gold. “Good Wish” banners are hung from the ceilings and walls. The “God of Fortune” is there to give Hong Baos. Lion dancers perform on stage continuously. Visitors take home plants and flowers symbolizing good luck. An array of New Years specialty food is available in the Food Market. Visitors purchase new clothing, shoes and pottery at the Market Fair. Bargaining for the best deal is commonplace! We will feel the yoke of responsibility coming down on us this year. No success can be achieved without conscientious efforts. The trials and tribulations the Ox year brings will be mainly on the home front. It is a good time to settle domestic affairs and put your house in order.

Way-out fashions, abstract art forms and newfangled notions will be given an impassive stare by the phlegmatic Ox, while politics and diplomacy will simply be treated with indifference. Better stick to routine and support conservative policies. Frivolities are out!

This year will no doubt bear fruit, but the motto is: “No work, no pay!” Time waits for no man; if we are too lazy to sow then we can blame no one if we have nothing to reap. We will find a great many things requiring our attention, and the list of what needs to be done will seem endless. The Spartan influence of the Ox will be a constantly cracking whip over our heads. Better to apply oneself diligently than waste time arguing with the authorities. They will prevail, as the year of the Ox favors discipline.

Most conflicts this year will arise more from a lack of communication and refusal to give in on small technicalities than anything else. But hang on and be patient. Everything will be sorted out and we will be rewarded for our efforts–so long as we remember to do things the conventional way. This is no time for tricky shortcuts.

For the rebels, it may be worthwhile to point out that although the stoical Ox is soft-spoken, he carries a big stick, and this is his year.

I think it passes a good message though we might not have the same beliefs its a good example of change, lets keep working hard and be positive in all we do.

“The majority see the obstacle, the few see the objectives”- Alfred Armand Montapert

A topic like this has a lot of sides to it, because problems can be seen from different angles, while some see it as unsolvable, permanent, not normal, bitter, and as something that can stop us, people with the right perspective is it as solvable, temporary, a normal part of life, better, and finally as something that can only stretch us.

We must see that in every problem there is an opportunity to discover something new or learn something new, which could lead to an amazing achievement.

A young woman was complaining to her father about her problems and how difficult life was.

“Come with me, “he said. “I want to show you something.” He took her into the kitchen where he put three pots of water on the stove to heat. Meanwhile, he cut up some carrots and put them into the first pot to boil. Into the simmering water in the second pot he put two eggs. In the third pot he poured some ground coffee. After some few minutes, he strained the carrots into one bowl, peeled the eggs and put them into another, and into the cup he poured the strained coffee. Then he placed them before his daughter.

“What’s all this supposed to mean?” she asked some what impatiently.

“Each of these items can teach us something about the way we handle adversity,” he answered. “The carrots started out hard, but the boiling water turned them mushy. The eggs went into the water fragile but came out hard and rubbery. The coffee, on the other hand, changed the water into something better.

“Sweetheart,” he said, “you can choose how you will respond to your problems. You can let them make you weak. You can let them make you hard. Or you can use them to create something beneficial. It’s all up to you.

I won’t know a better were to put it and I hope some one reads this, and chose the last option. Let our problems be a door opener and a life cut short. I particularly like the was John Maxwell see PROBLEMS;

P redictors – helping mold our future

R eminder –Showing us that we can not succeed alone

O pporunity- pulling us out of ruts and prompting us to think creatively

B lessing- Open doors we could others wise not go through

L esson- Providing instructions with each new challenge

E verywere- telling us no one is excluded from difficulty

M essages- Warning us about potential disaster

S ovable- Reminder us that every problem has a solution