According to a memo sent to us, the cut-off for Universities has been fixed to 180 while that for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education have been fixed to 160.

Announcing the cut-off today, it is important to note that these are the benchmark cut-offs. This simply means that NO UNIVERSITY CAN CUT BELOW 180 and NO POLYTECHNIC OR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION CAN CUT BELOW 160. That is, for any student to gain admission into any Nigerian University, they must score 180 and above. This announcement also confirms that all candidates who scored 159 and below cannot gain admission genuinely into any institution this 2012/2013 session and would need to re-write Jamb’s UTME.

Even with the announcement of the cut-off by Jamb, each Institution reserves the right to set a cut off higher than the benchmark but not lower. This means that as usual, most Federal Universities will cut 200 and in the same light, most Federal Polytechnics will cut 180.

We, Naijaloaded, therefore advise candidates to watch out for our original, regular, up-to-date and detailed information of respective institutions as they will fix their individual cut-off. We, however, expect most of the cut-offs to revolve around the benchmark, since most institutions will want as much as to pay and write their post-utme exam.

With the announcement of these cut-offs, all Universities have been empowered to officially begin post-UTME. Post-UTME Planning committees in various institutions will begin publishing and sending modalities for the conduct of the exam in their respective institutions to us.

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these are possible cut-off for different schools,

This is List of Schools and their 2012/2013 UTME Cut-off Marks

> Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) – 190
> Kwara State Polytechnic, – 180
> University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – 180 or 200 depending on course
> Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) – 180 UTME
> Kaduna State University (KASU) – 180 UTME (first choice only)
> Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) – 180
> University of Ibadan (UI) – 200 (Only Accept Students who Choose them as First choice only)
> Lagos State University (LASU) – 200
> Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) – 180
> Imo State University (IMSU), now Called EvanEnwerem University (EEU) – 180
> University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 200
> Anambra State University (ANSU) – No official figure probably 180
> Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU/UNIZIK) – 180 first choice only (no official proof yet)
> Enugu State University of Science & Technology – 180
> Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) – 200
> Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 200
> Adekunle Ajasin University – 200
> Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) – 180 (first choice only)
> University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 200 (minimum UTME cut-off)
> Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) – 180 (1st choice only)
> University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) – 180 (minimum UTME cut-off)
> Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) – 180 (minimum UTME cut- off)
> Abia State University, Uturu (ABSUU) – 180
> University of Ilorin, UNILORIN – 200 (240 for Medicine)
> University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 200
> Federal University of Technology FUT,Minna – 190
> Kwara State Poly -180
> University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT – 200/180 depending oncourse
> Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO – 180 UTME cutoff.
> Kaduna State University, KASU – 180 UTME cutoff (first choice only) ,
> Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH – 180
> University of Ibadan, UI – 200 (First choice only)
> Lagos State University, LASU – 200
> Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU – 180
> University of Benin, UNIBEN – 200
> Niger Delta University – 180 Cutoff mark will vary depending on your chosen course.
> Osun State University (Uniosun) – 200 (180 for Agriculture, Education and Arts i.e Humanities and Culture Faculty)
> University of Abuja – 180

This is an Official UTME Cut-Off Release from each School,

for more visit naijasplash.blogspot.com

Introduction

Learning and change is aimed at improving different sectors in developing countries. “ Learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes”.(COB, 2011) Humans beings are gifted creations who above all the created animals, they have the ability to learn, understand and integrate the information in their environment to exert change. It’s also clear that “learning has the power to enable individuals and organizations to fulfill their personal and collective goals and ambitions ”(Sandler-Smith, 2006). Change takes place when learning has occurred. It gives proof that learning has taken place. Change means doing things in a different way that we have never done them before or rather doing something that has never been done before. When we learn and change occurs then we are satisfied that knowledge has been passed across. “It is through learning that we can acquire new knowledge, skills and attitudes that may enable us to function and perform more efficiently and effectively” (Sandler-Smith, 2006). Knowledge therefore helps us put ideas in use and come up with positive results. In long gone days, context was produced by instructors to produce change in the behavior of learners. Learning can be grouped into two. (Clerk, 2004)states that informal learning is any knowledge passed in not an organized manner, no curriculum followed , no specific instructor and in no specific organization, while formal learning includes all the above and much more. Informal learning is almost accidental, like getting information from your colleague or rather overhearing a group of your colleagues discussing an idea which you did not intend to find out. Formal learning include going to classes, seminars, forums and even to be online informed. Formal learning is intentional and at the end of it there is a specific goal that one wants to achieve, unlike, unlike in the informal setup.

In this study I consider how the media industry in Nigeria is employing readily available technology to enhance learning in their sectors. Moreover, the study explores how technology enhances learning and increases dynamism in developing countries.

TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

In developing countries like Nigeria, we have small enterprises like media houses and other small businesses. (OYELARAN & LAI, 2004)Notes that developing countries are learning how to integrate technology in their core capabilities and this requires skills which are learnt before these people in the developing countries can use these skills efficiently. Learning capabilities, the level of a technology that is being introduced, the firm’s or company’s knowledge on the new technology has largely affected integration of technology in running of day to day activities in developing countries. Non formal learning is the most common way of people to get used and start using any new technology in these countries. Compared to their counterparts in the already developed countries, formal and oversees training is done and this explains why there is an increase in technological complexity. ICT largely relates with excellence of telecommunication. According to firms that do well in the world, they combine core and General Purpose Technologies which are essential in the normal running of an organization computerization and adopting electric tools in firms have led to improved skills and thus a more rapid growth and good profits.

Use of digital technology has led to production of good quality products, and these goods are sold at very cheap prices. The use of electric tools has led to a new type of interest that has led to competition amongst firms. Use of computers in production has led to faster production and flexibility in production. This has been made possible because of knowledge and skills that come around because of learning. Electric business technologies by high speed computers and a well improved telecommunications has resulted to subsidized costs and high profits are being realized by firms

Learning and change

Learning for change is a purposeful action which is emotionally insinuated .Emotions are helped by logic and right reasoning to guide them to intended  positive change. In informal learning the student has already set targets which have not been manifested unlike in formal learning where by the instructor has to set up goals to benefit the student and meet the targets of the organization. In informal learning the learner has the outline of the plan or the theory he intends to use in mind unlike in formal learning.

Knowledge is the backbone of the modern world of economy today. Say for example, the role that information technology plays is adored in the business world today. It is such knowledge that has been developed to enhance change in respective fields as in for businesses.

“A firms ability to learn may be its only competitive advantage” (kelly, 2008) The more an organization learns her customers the more they are able to know their preferences and come up with better ideas that they put in practice to come up with better products that will satisfy their customers and in so doing, more efficient will be their services.  This will enhance their productivity in the economy thus an organization succeeds in most of its endeavors.

Learning can be divided into two branches according to (Continuing medical education:Learning and change: implications for continuing medical education, 1998)Self directed learning

“The first model, categorized to as the self directed curriculum, consists of three stages.

·         Stage 1–learning is directed towards understanding and estimating personal levels of need to learn in order to adopt a change in practice

·         Stage 2–energies are applied to learning the new competencies needed to practice differently

·         Stage 3–learning is organized around the problems of using new skills, altering the practice environment, or adapting the new way of practice to increase the goodness of fit.”

Self directed learning therefore focuses on three key issues which have been termed as stages of learning. First of all an individual needs to understand the case and the need to learn about it in order to synthesize the procedures to change. These procedures will include adopting new skills changing the normalcy of procedures to gain positivity. Understanding a case equals compiling a solution and will definitely bring change  

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

 (IFAMUYIWA & ALEBIOSU, 2008)Argues that the education system in  Nigeria is rooted in traditional system of pre colonial days. Education was vocational. Farming, weaving, blacksmithing pot making medicine men and hunting were the main things that were taught then. Apprenticeship was the main mode of learning and without noticing it science and technology was practiced then. These training went hand in hand with the societal needs of Nigeria. Essentially, the science that was regarded as informal and indigenous was practiced in the pre-colonial era. It was stimulating, informative and useful. It provided a lead way for understanding, interpreting and relating with the world and nature. The limitations however are numerous especially in its inability to provide adequate scientific explanations for causes and events observed in the natural world. The science practice lacked documentation and it was conservative and authoritarian.

Missionaries are responsible for the coming of western education in Nigeria. It is in this perspective that science and technology reformed to be refined. This era has been characterized by discoveries, inventions and innovations. Western technology also paved its way to the schools and colleges of Nigeria which has served as a tool for acceleration of the development of national goals.

Science and technology allows students to experience richness of content and excitement as they engage in research, critical thinking and practical. It has largely helped in inventing procedures that help in problem solving science and technology facilitates industrial development.

Science and Technology in the National Education Policies of Nigeria.

Science and technology has been embraced in the education system of Nigeria. Policies were put in place to encourage science and technology in educational systems. The government empowered early childhood education, education, basic education, senior secondary education technical and scientific education and tertiary education by including science and technology in their curriculums. By including since and technology in their curriculum, Nigeria wanted to achieve the following according to (IFAMUYIWA & ALEBIOSU, 2008)  

a). A free and democratic society

b) a just and egalitarian society

c). a great and dynamic economy

d). a land full of bright opportunities for all citizens.

 The government provided infrastructure and the facilities needed to make sure that science and technology was being taught in educational institutions. It was to improve relevance of education, it reduced the rate of shall drop outs and improved acquisition of life skills. Emphasis was laid on communication techniques and entrepreneurial skills.

(IFAMUYIWA & ALEBIOSU, 2008)”Government initiated the National Policies on; Science and Technology, Information and Technology, Biotechnology, Space and so forth. In addition, there are research institutes like the African Institute for Science and Technology (AIST) and the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education (CSSTE), policy making bodies and curriculum development agencies like the Centre for Comparative and Adaptation Study (CESAC), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), We also have National Councils like Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), and the National Council on Science and Technology (NCST), boards on technical and science education like the National Board on Technical Education (NBTE), associations like the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN). They all contribute immensely towards science and technology education development.”

Learning in media technology in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Uses of ICTs have been considered a good thing but in some developing countries like Fiji and Philippines, ICTs have not been embraced and this inhibits the appreciation of ICTs. There are also fears that internets and T.V could ruin the morals of their society. It is clear that the concept of using technology in these areas is not yet clear.

Even though these societies view ICT in this manner they still have a place for it because they still consider it to be very appropriate.

ICT is seen as the big survival tool in this and the coming century

It enhances efficiency in work places,

Ease of social communication provided by it has solved the problem of transportation

With the technology in hand, ICT, has helped in solving socio economic problems

There is sharing of ideas in our institutions with other institutions around the world to keep each other updated on what is new in developments.

It has helped to monitor crime in our society’s e.g. the surveillance cameras

Usage of ICT can put Africa in the position to compete with it European counterparts.

The future of education depends on ICT

ICT promotes efficiency of distant learning.

Challenges

Nigeria faces ignorance about how important ICT is

Poverty that has led Nigerians to think that computers are unnecessary luxury.

Poor maintenance of the available technology that bring about wastage of resources

Their infrastructure is poor and they don’t have efficient support base like electricity and telephone systems.

In these developing countries, ICT is done by private sectors with some support from the government.

Media convergence in developing countries especially in Nigeria

 Media convergence has seen mass communication outlets coming together for one goal. Printing, telecast, radios, internet, along with the rest of the technologies have come together to tell stories and pass information including entertainment. Currently, customers can now select how, when where they want to access particular information. Seven types of convergence include    (AEONPLUS, 2011) notes that Corporate Convergence (as in joint ventures) between telecom and media companies

2.      The branching out of a traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio/video mobile;

3.      Reverse publishing from web to print;

4.     Production processes, where content is co-ordinated or shared;

5.      The convergence of skills set of previously segregated specialist media practitioner – whether reporter, news editor, or production personnel;

6.     Convergence of media consumer devices: e.g. the camera-cell phone or computers being used to watch video broadcasts; and

7.      The coming together of producer and consumer functions – the audience generating media (content).”

The second branch Is the Organizational learning where by individuals in an organization bring together their potential power of what they know in order to come up with a new way of doing things in that particular organization. This helps knowledge to grow in an organization. An organization that is in an continuous process of learning increases its potential of collaboration not only within itself but also is connected to other relevant organizations outside and favorable people that help it in planting its roots even deeper into the society .

Learning should give the students opportunity to create, solve problems on their own, develop reasoning ability, improve how they communicate, critical and creative skills.(KELLY, 2008) Continues to argue that learning is not only needed for winning circumstances but also we need it to survive. While in a business setup, you will meet different people with different lifestyles and preferences, the environment is bound to change and no one is an exception to competition as new ideas enter the market and also new technologies arise and are experienced. To survive this, learning and research cannot be escaped.

Why would human beings need change anyway? According to the hierarchy of needs, human beings are ever in a state of want. After one achieves something, he gets into another project that is higher than the previous one. Human beings always want to be better than what they were yesterday and that is why those people who succeed more are the self motivated because they love to read and research. As they read they learn more and therefore they are motivated. They their jobs or what they do. When someone loves his job, it means that the output will be in a big quantity, exciting and that person will find it easy to do certain things that he has learnt about. Things appear easy to handle because of the exposure that one gets when he is learning about something in a particular field. Kelly proves that when one learns he gets adverse knowledge in particular field. This knowledge helps an individual to render better services than before and as we saw above, one is able to stand new challenges of change in customers, technology, competitions and many more.

By learning we discover new ideas that keep us updated on the environment around us. New ideas, give new opportunities thus success in the tackled field. Increased production is evident as people get to enjoy more profit and maximize available resources and capital. Without learning and research, one is bound to failure. Learning helps one to improve on the quality goods and services that he or she offers. This helps one to curb up competition. Competition when taken positively is good for any firm or organization for it keeps people on toes.

We take the role of the government of Korea as our case study in industrial development issues. The government of Korea came up with a policy which favored the industries to thrive. Its efforts to the technological learning of Korea both directly and indirectly and in doing this they strengthened their competitiveness in the international market. (Linsu, 1984)He argues that competitive market provides a ground where by innovation of new products are created and new process adopted to sustain strong links in the market. Linsu proceeds to say that science and technology are the main policies that a government should adopt so as to develop and this can only be achieved through learning. He goes on to realize the importance of indigenous technologies which he says that without it is almost impossible for industries to grow. Government policies on technology lies in how the technology of a certain country assimilates imported technology in its mechanism of production. A country should be able to diffuse technology from abroad in its economy and industries at large for it to upgrade its economy.

If imported technologies are to be adopted by a firm in a certain country, then the technology will only be limited to a particular area causing monopoly thus the technology will not effectively serve the whole environment. These types of technologies should be shared widely in an economy of a country and in firms so that its benefits can be maximized.

After country has adopted abroad technology, using what they have, i.e., indigenous technology, they should be able to make necessary adjustments, improve it or invent one of its type on their own to call it theirs. They can mimic these products through their own research; they might come up with something even better than what it was previously. This will ensure that a country is competitive enough and sooner or later it might catch up with other countries who are miles ahead of it.

” Medical education, particularly continuing medical education (CME), has been greatly influenced by studies of adult learning. The observation that it is not teaching but learning that leads doctors to change their practice has resulted in a shift in perspective: rather than education being regarded as instruction, it is regarded as facilitation of learning. This paradigm shift has been based on research into how and why doctors change their practice and into the role of learning in that process” (Continuing medical education: Learning and change: implications for continuing medical education, 1998)education in the medical field  that has largely continued in some parts of the world like North America has improved medical services as compared to common elements that were practiced in the 1980s.Common elements include instructional methods that were carefully followed by the students from the lecturers, applying the right method of doing things and having the right material of which this led to no more discoveries and inventions were made in the medical field. Learning was therefore adopted in the medical field to enhance change in the medical field. Common medical elements were based on the procedures that facilitated education and learning which were connected to self directed curriculums, tiny group interactions and organizational learning.

Another challenge of learning and change in medical field is how the changes will be taken and how it will be adopted into the system. There are reasons why doctors would want to learn more to bring change. These reasons include

·         Their professional targets

·         Their social and cultural background

·         Their curiosity

·         To earn more money and prestige

·         Maturity in a career, especially in old age

·         A challenge especially from their patients and their workmates and also if the institution they work in embrace invention and exploitation in the medical field.

The bigger the challenge the tougher the invention and so he will need one  to research and read more extensively and the simpler the challenge the easier it is going to be for them to handle the challenge..

There are some guidelines that help the doctors in the innovation process. These guidelines include,

·         Complexity of the innovation, which will help the doctor to know how deep his research will be and what he is required of him.

·         Practices and procedures that already exist will help the individual to achieve whatever he plans to achieve.

·         He should also put the idea or the new invention into experimentation before he adopts it into the real field/practice.

·         He should also try to find out if his innovation goes hand in hand with the already existing procedures by other professionals in the his field .

(Webber, April 30th1999)Argued that it is one different thing to learn about something and it is another thing when we come to the stage of implementing the change itself. He says that people have been worked up when trying to bring about change. Webber interviewed one of professors in Cambridge MIT campus (Peter Senge) and what he said was accurately analyzed as follows;

Most leadership that exists today is meant to fail because their strategies are from the top .i.e., leadership in the office and not in the actual field. When there is such leadership, then productivity is meniscus.

He continues to state that the reason why there has not been more successful changes is because change is not just about resources, period, consultants, or intelligence or effort, but it is all in learning and knowledge.

The deepest explanation of failure to change is how this generation is undergoing change from one age to another one. How we think manifests itself in our actions. We do not think in the same way as others who came before us did. In about 200 years ago, the scholars of the time thought in a machine mind-set and it has affected our institutions and organizations even to date. From human run industries to machine run institutions. We view human beings as machines. Our organizations should be a paradise of community practice and not a place of inhumane treatment. During the ages of industrial revolution, company meant sharing something together but as time went by, companies became more money minded and faded out the idea of companionship that was enjoyed before and started to treat people like machines. Leaders have failed to understand that companies are the people and not the machines. Change is cultivated, it is not brought. Keep in mind that brought change is bound to fail.

The word leader is used in the wrong way to mean an executive; the person who heads everything. The ideal thought of a leader is someone who designs, who wouldn’t mind being in production, who would go as low as selling the products himself, who would provide services that are quality without complaining, who would warmly talk to customers just to mention but a few. In companies where there has been success, there were found no executives, only the local line leaders who were responsible. The favorable definition of a leader therefore is an individual who can produce change.

The best way to start creating change is to start little by little. Peter Senge, compares it to the growing of a seed.

Challenges are there to sustain quality leadership and therefore important attention should be paid to them to make sure that growth is evident. Senge maintains that challenges are natural and as they come to make it hard for us, we are motivated to work even harder to come up with solutions thus enrich the scope of knowledge which will help to enact and keep change.

(Trucano, 09 November 2011)Analyses impacts of ICT on a student’s achievements. He states that positivity of using ICT on students has not been evident yet as it is difficult analyzes its impact. This is because the user has no specific targets when using the technology. Generally, students who use the computer technology are seen to do better than those who don’t. Instructors and learners have greatly been motivated in learning activities. Students who have more access to computers are more confident when they use computers than those who don’t.Computers should be placed in the classroom where learning takes place than in separate rooms, to enable the students to use the computer more frequently therefore perfect their computer skills. Introduction to computers to students of younger age is not encouraged but the ripe age of introducing ICT  has not been stated yet.

A student who uses ICT technology has the ability to make independent  decisions unlike his counterparts.

According to (A.S.Hornby, 2010)he describes dynamism as having the energy to make new things happen. Learning and change as seen above can bring dynamism in developing countries. These countries should mimic what other countries did, benefit from their successes and learn from their mistakes and legacies. All these can only be achieved if learning and research is going to be a friend of the firms and organizations in the developing countries. “Social systems must learn to become capable of transforming themselves without intolerable disruption. In this ‘dynamic conservatism’ has an important place.” (sochon, 2011).based on the above argument on learning and change, learning models should be able to operate in a manner of permitting change to its environment. With the help of a favorable education in place, then positive change is experienced. A learning system should also help in maintain the identity of those people who belong to them as it as they bring change in third world countries lifestyle of these people. To Sochon, a firm is an internal area where learning systems cooperation for the purpose of change. If only third world countries would view this and put it in mind, then they would develop.” Research will not change minds or create lasting change, it will only support or refute a change that” is already taking place.

Learning, knowledge and technological change in development

Accumulation of technological capability i.e. knowledge, experience and skills in a firm produces positivity in innovation and organization. The more a firm learns the more its capability of doing better and the higher it assets of operation. A firm should have a certain level of a knowledge base about a technology even if knowledge in a firm comes from suppliers, subcontractors and the people who supply machinery to firms. Learning by doing is the most practiced way of learning in institutions. It doesn’t cost a cent, effortless and does not lead to any new innovations. Apprenticeship and equipment manufacturers are directly linked to learning process in a firm

Knowledge, skills and new technologies

There are an improved number of skilled workers in developing countries and already developed countries. This skill mostly arises from tertiary education. There has been noted growing wage inequality between skilled and non-skilled labor. This has its roots back in the industrial revolution days. Industries and firms prefer educated skills because this group does not need any training whatsoever and this is already an asset to the firm. To conclude, trained workforce gives the best than untrained workforce.

In technology skill complementarities, introduced IT in developing countries is very important for firms who have a target of producing both for internal and external consumption. Adoption of IT in these countries will motivate production per individual worker especially in electronic and machinery sectors. This will enhance the product’s quality. Massive training is advised for firms to get skills and upgrade on their knowledge.

How social networks and digital communication have contributed to learning and change

New social networks like face book and twitter provides a highway where people from around the world can meet and share ideas with a wide range of personalities from different continents good enough for them to debate. (Sreberny and Khiabany, 2010,P35) notes. No one can argue that this has been experienced all over the world. Urbanski (2010) who argues that the digital generation is no longer passive and that it demands to be part of the creation. This is evident in the way mobile devices are getting popular especially among the young generation. By purchasing sophisticated phones has also improved the role played by the social media both in developed and developing countries. Journalism has also promoted networking in one way or the other. Good journalists always listen research and observe and analyze the situation to come up with an idea that he shares with the whole world.

The revolution of digital communications in the last ten years has promoted technology to meet the growing population of the world’s need in the industry of communication and has filled the gap that existed between the developing and the already developed countries.

The wiki leaks story was the most advanced and controversial type of journalism ever experienced in today’s media. Its founder was Julian Assange which revealed big secrets and information it modern technology. Julian provoked condemnation by not respecting the ethics of journalists around the world and disrupting its diplomacy. This led him to be at loggerheads with his counterparts in the same profession.

The director of polis Charlie Beckett who was a journalist at BBC and ITN for 20 years has written a book the WIKILEAKS which explains the effect of wiki leaks and how it relates to the new forms of political communications like the social media in Arabia 

.

 CONCLUSION

Science and technology through learning has provided a highway where man comes into contact with his environment and explains it, makes it better both to himself and his environment, science and technology drives the socioeconomic and educational transformations that focus on invention and innovation it sustains advancement and with it, no nation is expected to lag behind in development.

REFERENCE LIST

Hornby, A.S.2010,. oxford advanced learners dictionary. oxford: Britain.

AEONPLUS. 2011, APRIL 6th. Retrieved december 9th, 2011, from http://aeonplus.blogspot.com/2011/04/media-convergence-in-nigeria.html.

Clerk, D. 2004, may 9th). Change and learning.

COB, J. 2011. MISSSION TO LEARN. Retrieved from www.missiontolearn.com.

Continuing medical education: Learning and change: implications for continuing medical education. 1998, feb 7th. BMJ-helping doctors make better decisions .

IFAMUYIWA, A. S., & ALEBIOSU, K. A. 2008, SEPTEMBER 08TH. Perspectives in Provisions for Science and Technology Education in Nigeria: The Way Forward. Retrieved DECEMBER 9TH, 2011, from http://www.academicleadership.org/article/perspectives-in-provisions-for-science-and-technology-education-in-nigeria-the-way.

kelly, a. (2008). changing software development. West Sussex, England: WAILEY AND SONS L.T.D.

KELLY, A. 2008. Changing software development:learning to be legible. west sussexpo10: john wailey and sons l.t.d.

Linsu, K. (1984). immitation to innovation:dynamics of koreas technological learning. United States of America: President and Fellows of Havard college.

OYELARAN, B., & LAI, K. 2004. learning new technologies by SMEs in developing countries. NEW YORK: UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY.

sochon, D. (2011, JULY 22nd). learning, reflection and change. Retrieved from Infed.

Trucano, M. 09 November 2011. Impact of ICTs on Learning & Achievement. Washington D.C: publications from the World Bank Global ICTDepartment.

Webber, A. April 30th1999, April 30th. Learning for a change.

The Anioma Cultural Competition could also be gaining impulsion in some quarters however it’s still requires the assist of all. The Organization For the Development of Anioma Tradition, the tradition umbrella of the Anioma individuals was based in November 2003 by Arc Kester Ifeadi. Its core focus is on preservation, promotion and development of the wealthy cultural heritage of the Anioma individuals and Nigeria. OFAAC is non-governmental and non-political group and membership spans across all lessons of people in Nigeria and within the Diaspora.

Its main aims and goals are as follows:

(i)            Preservation, promotion and development of the appreciation and improvement of the rich cultural heritage of the Anioma people and Nigeria.

(ii)           To advertise constructive shallowness and pure identity amongst the youth

(iii)         To advertise using conventional attires

(iv)         To encourage traditional crafts for technology, tourism and economic stabilization in rural areas

(v)          To hold out researches and documentations of our cultural heritage

(vi)         To package deal and promote the unique tradition of Anioma for national/worldwide tourism.

The Organization For the Development of Anioma Culture might have achieved more than its social calculations having persistently and successfully put collectively nine cultural festivals for the region. OFAAC can also be on record as a corporation that has pulled the best variety of Anioma traditional rulers at a single forum. This file is tough to negate contemplating that it includes the support of traditional rulers who are the bywords of the people’s culture. OFAAC has also labored laborious to attain this, considering that it’s a non-revenue and non-political group with no political bait or any cash to distribute.

It’s purely a social inclined group with the cultural curiosity of its folks standing as chief goals and objectives. It is on this basis that it units out to preserve and promote among the already becoming extinct cultures of its people. Dance tradition, Costume culture, conventional wrestling and masquerade dance are some of them. OFAAC is doing for its personal individuals what needs to be performed; rightly they’ve chosen an endeavour and courageously they’re on a mission. They’re winning the cultural race and the individuals are rejoicing.

OFAAC’s achievements might not be in vain as it was in 2005 pronounced the best cultural event in Delta State by the Federal Ministry of Tradition and Tourism which of course is a sworn statement of arduous-work in addition to consistency in the endorsement of the folks’s culture. Again, it won the heart of the Omu of Okpanam and Anioma, HRM, Dr Martha Dunkwu who just lately introduced the presentation of a parcel of land in Okpanam to OFAAC.

This year’s event of the competition exhibits that the competition has grown tremendously with a outstanding enchancment in standard. This specific one attracted about 98 groups that engaged themselves in a healthy competition and bigger witnesses than what it has been in the past which exhibits astounding improvement in show for the reason that final performance. It may even have received wider publicity from the press whether or not from print or electronic media and no doubt has enjoined the best talked about cultural competition at the moment. 

One exceptional function of the event was methodical and sequential association made possible by consistency and experience. For one, the participants appear to have acquired mastery of the cultural fiesta so that sequence has been enormously established giving the occasion tang. Regularity in the group of the programme has also facilitated members’ understanding of their roles thus ably making ready themselves in the direction of each coming edition. Each taking part group is now a magnificence to behold.

We additionally notice that the events of the Anioma Cultural Pageant have turn into extra competitive in a healthy manner. This yr’s occasion has also are available defined classifications; categories that existed in Major college, Secondary school, Egwu Eshushu, Royal category, Aguba, Conflict, Uloko, Artistic, wrestling, Masquerade and Total winners. Proper classification of competitions has ensured speedy conclusion of the occasion and in addition ensured that extra winners emerged. In all about 27 whole winners emerged on the event which is progressive for the region.

There isn’t a doubt that the cultural fiesta is fast gaining ground internationally changing into the tourists’ destination. Hard-work has merely been the secret of the organizers. All roads now lead to Asaba in anticipation of the Anioma Cultural Festival. MTN Nigeria and Seaman Schnapps, the foremost sponsors of this yr’s occasion have reiterated their stanchness in standing behind the Anioma folks and organizers of the Anioma Cultural Festival, serving to the area to showcase its tradition to all the world.

By far, the best achievement of this year’s Anioma Day is the participation of Igbanke dance troupe. OFAAC has commendably scored some extent by uniting Igbanke with their Anioma kith and kin thus performing as a centre of unanimity. The heroic deed helps the considering that Igbanke has an ethnic grouping and that its roots will be traced to Ika people of Anioma the place the individuals rightly belong. This has additionally opened the window for the folks to commonly interact in cultural interplay with their kinsmen in future. It was a day that Igbanke was specifically celebrated by the remainder of their kinsmen. The Igbanke National Progressive Alliance made this a possibility but both the Group For the Development of Anioma Tradition (OFAAC) and Igbanke Nationwide Progressive Alliance (INPA) share the accolade.

Much because the event is well known, there additionally some bitter lessons to be taught from this 12 months Anioma Cultural Festival. That this year’s event attracted about forty seven royal fathers from the Anioma area is a sworn statement of sense of fine relationship between lots of the conventional rulers, their topics on one hand and the normal rulers and the affairs of their area on the other hand. Surely, the traditional rulers appreciate the communal positive factors in building stronger relationship between the leaders and subjects. Nevertheless, on the a part of politicians of Anioma extraction, it’s unfortunate that relationship between Anioma political representatives and those they signify could be very dim.

Hon (Engr.) Victor Onyekachi Ochei, Speaker of the Delta State Home of Assembly, Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, Evangelist Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, Member of the Delta State House of Meeting and Theodora Giwa Amun had been current at the occasion nevertheless it still stays sad that the individuals’s political representatives with Anioma mandates did not deem it fit to capitalize on the gorgeous day provided by the Anioma Cultural Pageant to narrate with their own those who largely gave them mandates. One would have thought that a cultural competition is different from a political exercise but this specific 12 months’s occasion has not broken the “opposition” jinx concept that many of the politicians hold.

It was also poignant that many of our royal fathers who had been physically present at the occasion discovered that those that had come to them previous to elections for royal blessings did weren’t on the occasion in solidarity with the people’s cultural heritage which they are all half of. It further lends credence to the people’s general philosophy that they their political representatives are removed from them limiting feedbacks that should help to strengthen the affairs of the area and lead to its development. Politics is good but culture is the bedrock of each society Anioma inclusive.

Sadly sufficient, many of the political representatives of some of its sub-groups had been lacking thus these sub-teams had no representatives at the cultural pageant, which left participants from these sub-teams feeling void. Words right here cannot passably describe their feeling but they’d have yearned to have their political representatives watch them as an encouragement. Political representatives’ presence will certainly make the occasion full, a cause we crave their presence.

The occasion shouldn’t be an occasion for the Anioma folks alone and this can solely be achieved if Anioma political representatives make strikes to identify with their own folks through the natural avenue created by OFAAC. In the event that they determine to determine with this system then massive political heavyweights from the opposite ethnic groups significantly in Delta State will give the region the much needed support. Political representatives must never turn their backs on the very people they came begging throughout political campaigns. Think about if half of the political heavyweights that Anioma boasts of throw their help behind the Cultural Pageant, it should certainly be a drive to reckon with.

This is why we implore our political representatives to render help to the cultural fiesta. It might have emerged as a vision of one man but it has at the moment transformed into an encircling cultural conservation and promotion fiesta for the great of your entire little children of the Anioma area which political ideology mustn’t ever rock.

There is no such thing as a area without leaders; one would therefore have longed to see the acclaimed leaders of the area within the roll name of attendees. Getting suggestions from the individuals they lead is as necessary as their headship. A cultural pageant is a very important aspect of a group’s existence and a group can never celebrate its day with out its leaders. An event like this needs the assist of the region’s leaders to be complete. There was for that cause an enormous bolt from the blue that many of those that declare to talk for the area weren’t on ground to grace the occasion and respect those they claim to lead. If an Anioma event of this enormity held in Anioma land doesn’t obtain overwhelming attendance from the leaders of the area, will one count on the same event to draw massive turn-out in United States of America. 

It has noticeably become customary for newer organizations significantly these whose actions are entrenched on-line to send delegates to the event while older organizations are never seen. This noxious attitude should change for the good of the region. “Ofu obi bu ike anyi” should information the various people of the region in direction of stabilizing the already rising voice inside the Nigerian polity. This is if ever the area wants to be heard. Whereas pretty rising teams like Ndi Anioma, Anioma Voice, Umu Anioma, Proudly Asaba, Ndi Oshimili South, Onu Anioma and Igbanke Nationwide Progressive Alliance amongst numerous others despatched delegates to the occasion, delegates from older acclaimed socio-political teams of the area were palpably missing on the event.

Lastly, the annual event appears to have grown with giant crowds than the organizers count on, it will due to this fact be of advantage to the organizers if massive screens are placed on the venues of the event to allow closer view by the excited audience.

This piece will likely be incomplete with out heaping praises on the Organization For the Development of Anioma Culture that continues to promote and conserve our culture. This 12 months’s occasion is certainly a testimony that the Anioma Cultural Competition has come to remain and with help from all, the Anioma rich cultural heritage will regularly be showcased to the entire world. We thank OFAAC for a job properly completed and implore it to do extra for us. Anioma is the certainly the best place to hail from.     

There would be a person or group of people in West Africa that would want to reshape the Sub-region to achieve its long over due greatest. This would however be done on their own terms and not the truth before their eyes.

                                                                       NIGERIA

Let’s look at Nigeria, a giant that has stubbornly refused to grow; despite its numerous human potentials. Nigeria last year and year before had issues to do with its yearly fiscal budget. A lot of noise and hot air is always blown yearly especially when it comes to the budget. This talk will come from the nation’s six geo-political zones where blames would be apportioned to the various political leaders for the failure to pass the budget quickly.

There is also the problem of fuel subsidy that is yet to be resolved, January 2012 there were riots against this evil that leaves a sore taste in our mouth as a people, it would continue in fact various committee have already been set up to look into this problem.

The county’s Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido will once again fight for the total removal of the fuel subsidy even when majority of Nigerians don’t agree that the product is being subsidized.  The country’s two legislative Houses would debate and have more committee has the issue of pension scam and public looting  reaches monumental heights; in fact revelations coming from findings into looting is so disturbing we can only help and watch.

 Again the upper and lower legislative Houses would increase the budget by adding to the expenditure and pretend they are doing it in our best interest. Hence, long hours would be wasted analyzing what is not.

FUEL SUBSIDY

 President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his cabinet namely Okonjo-Iweala and other will tow the line of total subsidy removal while the National Orientation Agency will continue to sanitize the public on why the president is right to remove subsidy. Prices would be compared with other countries that produce oil However; only those that sell higher than Nigerian government would be placed on television and newspaper for the nationals to see. The activist would counter those claims by posting their own finding that is totally opposite of the government.

SECURITY

Boko Haram the terrorist group from the north would continue to get regular attention has the bombs drop. M eeting would be made to find solutions to their menace but to what avail? Solidiers and police would be drafted to hostile areas in the north part of Nigeria to quell the group’s chaos. Military service chief would be changed as they fall belong expectations and President Jonathan would continue to accuse his adversaries from all over the country while the attacks on Christian communities in the north suffer fear and hardship.

SPORTS

Last year the nation witnessed one of it saddest moments in sports all our male and female national football failed teams failed to qualify for any major tournaments this year.  A look at many sports organization from boxing, football among others showed that many had multiple court cases against their heads and opposition groups also came up. This year many have started well by settling outside court, this was also done last year with not positive result.  Lets see how their fair this year.

                                                  36 STATES

 As usual the country’s 36 state governors and their various state assemblies would cry of lack of funding and why their states should get more federal allocation. Many projects will equally be launched but will also die natural deaths. Political upheavals are expected in all 36 states as some close political allies become defectors.

One thing is certain, some states that have election this year are not expecting the incumbents to leave office; not in Nigeria. Taxes might be increased in some states, local government chairmen would continue to pay only salaries as their funds desapair from state coffers. Many foreign trips would be undertaken to no avail because; what our governors see abroad are never reciprocated in their home states.

                                             GHANA

Another fight between the two main political parties would be very conspicuous, swords would be drawn and accusations and counter accusations would be the order of the day. The new found oil wealth and how to manage it would excite the politicians and public as a whole. Voting patterns are not expected to change the Volta region and the Kumasi region would continue to be strong hold for the two main political party which are National Democratic Part and the National Patriotic Party (NDC and NPP) respectively.

The poor would blame the ruling party for their misfortune while other would begin to pray that the rival political party gain office for their fortunes to change for the better.

SENEGAL

Hopefully food riots would not be coming again after all there is a new president in Dakar with bright ideas; maybe he will find a lasting solution with small neighbors Gambia. A speech on how making Senegal great I know has already gone out from the presidential palace.

GAMBIA

Their charismatic leader is expected to hold the fort for long period of time, crushing all opposition is not new to him. Nothing new is expected from Gambia .Perhaps his claim for curing Aids might bring much needed foreign exchange to the country not forgetting placing the nation on the world stage.

TOGO AND BENIN REPUBLIC

These two nations would certainly be quiet as usual because Benin Republic has its own stable democracy. Togo on the other hand has a president though voted for but inherited by son from late father. They might blame foreigners for slight economic woes or troubles but they will get by in their own way. Maybe China and few Lebanese business men can help move these two countries forward.

                                    GUINEA AND GUINEA BISSAU

Both poor and unstable in government, coup and coup seems to be the order of the day since the last four years. Drug barons will be happy since chaos is good for their illicit trade.

MALI

At last the coup plotters are out an interim president is in place, the shock of a coup rocked the sub-region most especially Mali, the quiet nation has woken up to the reality that people are demanding change and it most come quickly.

THE REST

Other countries in West Africa will surely witness one activity or the order, Niger would be watched by the West especially U.S.A due to its rich uranium that Uncle Sam does not want getting into wrong hands. It is also a country that has a history of military unrest. The military loves to over throw the government at short notice.

Liberia still recovering from civil war is still under Mrs. Johnson and her adviser son who took a tabloid to court for defamation. Projects are still ongoing and more Chinese influence is expected. Nigeria, Ghana and other nations will play some significant role in aiding Liberia to get back on its feet.

Freetown Liberia neighbour will most likely benefit from foreign aid and maybe footballer Craig Bellamy’s academy for scour and not forgetting the mining companies that would look for precious stones. Little is expected from them as greedy is the order of the day with mining companies.

In general the Sub-region is expected to witness plenty activity in some countries in what ever form those activity comes 2012 will see significant changes in some countries in West Africa while the ruling class better be careful as the long suffering masses are tired of their lies. The military are waiting in most countries including illegal arms dealers to sell death should chance be given to evil to reign

Magbegor Ovie

odyoba@gmail.com

NO SIR

It is indeed a shock to know that the West, lead by United States of America President Obama and others are pilling uttermost pressure on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to legalize same sex marriages (homosexuality and lesbianism)

To Western super powers the rights of same sex couples are being tramples upon in black African countries hence, the need to correct it by passing a bill that would legalize same sex unions. This trend continues even when most nations are against such being made law.  This means the fundamental human rights of black African nations are equally abused because America and other developed nations are disregarding the views of majority.

Nigeria had a shock when in February 2012 the country woke up to see live debate in its upper and lower legislative houses debating on same sex marriages and their rights. This was not only disturbing but rude shocks to people that are tired of public corruption by their elected political office holders. People wondered that since its inception in1999 both the senate and house of representative have never passed any meaningful law that have uplifted the living standards of the citizens of Nigeria.

However the senate led by its President David Mark duly informed the world and sponsors of such unions that Nigeria is not interested in towing that path of life as such the bill was widely rejected by the senate and the House of Representatives. Although people wondered how did the bill get to the floor of these Houses for deliberations, when the country is being faced with pressing socio-economic issues and rising insecurity matters. A group called New World God Order (NWGO) has taken it upon themselves to push for the legality of same sex unions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 The sponsors and reader of the bill claimed that Nigerian Gays and lesbians contribute over $12 billion dollars to the nation’s Gross Development Product (GDP) and deserve to be compensated with their belief in same sex marriages. However such claims are yet to be refuted by the Nigerian authorities; people wanted to know if there was a mechanism that showed what amount same sex couples contributed to the nation’s economy.

Uganda another Sub-Saharan nation also had their own share of pressure from the U.S.A with President Obama talking tough on the issue, long term President refused to buckle under America’s pressure. The pressure train move to Zimbabwe who’s President an enemy to the West talking of Robert Mugabe outright rejected the idea, it was no surprise to the world.

Malawi was next, where two gay men decide to marry against the law of their country, the result was seven years in prison which was later reduced after pressure from gay groups. Ghana also faced its share of legalizing same sex couples the president rejected the notion also the parliament.

The lists of Sub-Saharan nations that are under pressure to legalize same sex unions are numerous. Some pro-gay and lesbian activist have threatened to as k their home government not to pass foreign aid to African countries that have refused to pass laws permitting gays and lesbian to marry. Even some developed countries have threatened to impose some sort of sanctions on some countries in Africa that refuses that deny gays and lesbians their rights. Other human rights groups made claims of going to the United Nations to make most African countries pass same sex laws perhaps the United Nations has been to busy with Syria’s and North Korea problems that thinking of same sex issues.

Few questions normally occurs to mind when this issues are being raised, they are: what does United States and its allies stand to gain by pressurizing African countries to legalize homosexuality and lesbianism? Why are they pushing for such it to be made law? Have any of the so called industrial nations taken into consideration the majority of the citizens’ stance on this issue.

In providing answers to these three question I would say that America and its allies are bent on making the whole world tow their line on any issues even when such are not in provision with various nations belief  that usually form a country’s norms and value.

The issue of gain is funny because if Canada and America and their allies claim to have gained from the legalization of same sex couples then it would be welcome to tell them that such gain are not welcome on the continent. It is also pertinent to know that a country’s value system don’t matter to the west. Let it be known to the West that African countries are not in favour of this union, they also cannot afford to have a social system that can cater for the multiple effects from legalizing homosexuality and lesbianism.

Is it not funny that during the period of early missionaries coming to Africa with the bible preached against gays and lesbian but the same are now supporting for it to be made legal, even some churches abroad perform union for same sex couples. It was bad when the missionaries spoke on it now that we are independent the same people are telling us it does not matter.

 Same sex couples are not welcome to us in Africa, we do not want them to be made legal as it is a taboo on our society and the land as a whole ,let Sodom and Gomorrah in the holy book the “Bible” come to mind when this topic I brought to the fore front.

 Africa needs help and real serious help but what it does not need is chaos from such unwholesome practices gays and lesbians would bring, technology advancement and good governance are what citizens want Obama and company please try and look elsewhere to pass what our traditional religion also rejects.

Magbegor Ovie

odyoba@gmail.com

It came as no surprise to some that an Italian man and a Briton, forcefully taken against their will sometime in 2011, would have been unceremonously executed earlier this year, in order to thwart a collaborative British and Nigerian effort to rescue them. It was a disaster for many, especially for the families of the abducted men; and it was an embarrassment for the UK government, who had hoped to mirror the success last year of the United States government’s infiltration of sovereign Pakistani soil in order to apprehend of execute the self-acclaimed master-mind behind the deaths of thousands of citizens of the world some ten-eleven ago.

Boko Haram, a sister- and offshoot menace of the still-growing al Qaeda network all over the world, has only garnered confidence and strenght since its inception only five years prior, but after it’s successful bombing of the United Nations’ Building in Abuja last year, its profile on the global front has grown significantly. Albeit localized largely to grounds covered by Nigeria’s Northern Geo-Political region, many in the country and across the world have come to fear the mere mention of the group’s name.

Yes, it came as no surprise to me when only two days ago, a man walked into the large lobby of the Transcorp Hilton, arguably the most prestigious high-profile hotel in the capital territory of the influential West African nation where I had taken my abode since I entered the country only two days prior. He was very well dressed in an exquisitely tailored dark blue suit that sat well on his shoulders – I could see him bound into the massive indoor space from without the instant he made his entrance from where I was sitted in the restaurant – but there was that haunting look in his eyes that suggested to me that all was not well with the man.

At first glance, he could have been just about anybody; but a closer appraisal showed something else – something I could not quite put my finger on just yet. I kept my eye on him, and it was to my chagrin moments later when I observed him bee-line his way into the very restaurant of the hotel where I was having my dinner.

It was high-noon and the hotel was crowded, as it normally would be in the middle of any working day. I had heard the rumors too, and I was edgy from the start. I tried not to look at him – not too obviously – as he placed an order for a large meal and sat down to eat at a table in the very middle of the room. I did not like it when I saw him look back at me, then around the room… then back at me. There was something wrong, and I could bet my finger even then that it was bound to be a very bad thing.

He ate very rapidly, wolfing down the food in large unbelievable chunks as though he was in a hurry to get to something else. When he was done, he took his phone out of his pocket and placed it on the table as the waiter approached him with the bill. Ignoring the neatly dressed orderly, the man grabbed the wine bottle on the table and quickly emptied two glasses down his throat; then he picked up the phone and dialled.

I swallowed as I watched all of this… I was no longer hungry. I could feel the beats in my heart get louder – pound harder… It was hard to breathe. Then my heart stopped altogether when I heard his not-too-quiet words stage whispered into the mouthpiece of his impressive looking iphone:

“Yes Mallam, asallaam alaikum… Yes, the bomb is on me even as we speak. I am ready now; you can detonate, it… Thirty seconds will be fine.” He leaned back then and refilled his glass, looking directly into my eyes, matching my gaze.

The whole room seemed to freeze and nobody moved save my quarry. But I was incredulous; this was preposterous! What an act; nobody would believe that…

Except, seconds later, the man stood up suddenly, sliding back his chair with a loud screech and raising his arms above his head and screamed: “ALLAHU AKBAR!” Hell broke loose – all of it. I did not see or hear anything else because I was probably the first man to the door, but I caught the distinct sense of everyon scampering out of range of what kind of bomb, no one knew just yet. My hand was reaching for the door to push it open when I was brushed unceremonously to the side and someone else pushed it open. I crashed into the floor, painfully conscious that someone – everyone – would soon be all over me, trampling me underfoot in the mad rush to not be the first casualty in the impending explosion. Every effort to make it back to my feet was met with futility as men and women hassled past me, pushing me into the wall; pushing me into the floor; stamping all over my hands, feet and back. I was helpless – I was as good as dead.

So I bowed my head into the floor and lay prostrate, my head covered by my hands, my face buried in the marble surface, waiting for the explosion – the explosion that would not come.

It was several seconds later – a couple of minutes, perhaps – before I dared to raise my face from the agate deck, looking gingerly around, confused, reacquainting myself with my environs. There was nothing – nobody, save the pain in my back and all over my hands and feet… until presently I became aware that I was staring at the wall.

I heard footsteps. At first I feared; then I thought: footsteps aren’t an explosion. I turned around and ventured a gaze in the general direction of the intruding noise. It was my quarry. He was alone. Bottle in hand, he was pushing open the swinging doors of the restaurant and walking confidently out. There was no explosion – perhaps there had never even been a bomb: it was just a hungry gentleman who had exploited good for evil… so he could eat a free meal in perhaps the most expensive and exclusive outlet the city had to offer.

It was ingenious. It was evil…

The issue of corruption and fight against it has been and is on the forefront of Nigeria as opined by the leaders. This led to the setting up of different ant graft agencies to fight this ill. Unfortunately, it has remained pervasive and a welcome development for the leaders and influential’s. From time to time, people have been picked up for prosecution with no concrete result at the end. Some who were supposedly agreed to be corrupt and convicted by the judicial system have found lean excuses to spend their prison terms in the hotels and hospitals. 

This development made many people not to be serious with these bodies that they see as selective and undecided in what to do and how to go about them.  For instance the case of the managing director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cicilia Ibru is one in a million who wasted the money and spent her prison terms in the hospital.

Though people frowned at the execution of the justice dispensed but to a large extent, but still a celebrated one as it tells Nigerians that no one is above the law if really they want to be honest and sincere. What about the case of Bode George? The judgement was heralded because people had already made up their minds that it will be politics as usual. Suffixes to say, that the presiding judge proved beyond the expectation of people that he had the gut to weather the storm.

A cursory look at all the governors shows the same thing all over. That is, if not all, nearly all of them were corrupt and misappropriated the states funds. Lucky Igbenedion for instance was arrested and set free despite the glaring facts presented before the judge that he emptied the state treasury. What about Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nnamani and host of others. The one of Dimeji Bankole is it not another case to be considered? All these summed up together portray two things either our judicial system is subservient to the executive arm or it is bought over by the recipients. Which goes a long way, to show why the paucity and injustice in terms of justice dispensation.

The case we are celebrating today, was he not arraigned and set free by a sitting court in Delta state? Does it mean that there is no justice in Nigeria or what? According to the judge he said,”Ibori would have been sentenced to twenty four years imprisonment if he had not pleaded guilty”.  And further stressed that he is answerable to the state, however, that is left for the state. Is our justice system a charade or facade of normalcy?

This at any rate is the beginning of good things to come. Whatever the case may be others who are not affected yet should know that theirs is in the offing. If after so many years Ibori can still be picked up. All those looters of our treasury should be rest assured that the arms of the law will catch up with them one day.

It should serve as a lesson and deterrent to others. One day we all will sing hallelujah song that it is done when the looters would have been apprehended and accosted for their misdeed to their states and the nation.

Another dark moment again! It was assumed all over if not for the shock that grieved the nation on Easter day. Is it not one nation we align to? Are we separate when it comes to celebration? Should we avoid celebration or abscond totally from gathering? As it is now, crowd is synonymous to threat. Whenever two or more people are together, the thought of attack is not far from it. Should we live perpetually under fear? When will this come to an end? There was a categorical statement made by Mr. President the other day that come June, the name Boko Haram would be historical. No doubt about that, if only he and his entourage would be interested in carrying out the plan. In less than two months, from the extinction time, another havoc has been wrecked.

Every general gathering of the Christians receives the attention of the Boko Haram. On the 25th of December witnessed a dark moment at Madala in Niger State.  The church that day harvested prematurely its members to their early grave. On the first there was another attack at Jos and some other states. On Sunday eventually became the turn of Kaduna where almost over one hundred people were sent to their early grave.

Who are all these monsters? What is their grievance? Is genocidal act the best of solution to their problem? What profit would they derive from this their evil and wicked act? Can’t they think for a moment and come to sense? The remembrance of these acts sends fear into the spine of man. Each moment of his life, is a moment under fear and high tension. Is this how one is supposed to live his life?

For how long will this continue? Who knows their next target? Today it is no longer Bornu, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Jos but Kaduna. After Kaduna where, this is the question we should ask ourselves. If we must act, there should be no room for delay at all. Those people that are been roasted and rammed on daily basis are human beings like you and i. it could be you, it could be I, who knows?

If the lives of Nigerians are precious to our leaders, this matter should be viewed with utmost seriousness and sincerity of purpose. For it is only a mad man, that will go to bed with his roof on fire. Let’s be honest, is the task of expunging the sect an impossibility? Are they not human beings in our midst? If they are not spirits, then the task of flushing them out is possible. But you and I must be willing to assist the law enforcement agent in order to get rid of them.

In Nigeria, a simple reason why this war can not easily be handled despite the nation’s success in global and Continental peace keeping missions is the calibre of men behind the crime. The men are respected men in politics and captains of industries both in the private and public sectors. These men are the sacred cows of the Nigerian Society. That is why the war can never be won going by how it is executed.

It is a confused man that will disassociate RELIGION from TERRORISM. It is only a confused man that will say that hunger was a reason for terrorism. This is because a hungry man can not think of buying these weapons which are used to execute the act of terrorism. For that reason, I have to say it here without any fear of contradiction that the war that has led to death of many innocent people can not be won unless the religious leaders are involved. Unemployment can not easily convince a man to kill himself but Religion can easily make a shallow minded person to commit suicide. Hence, we have a good number of youths ready to sacrifice their lives in defence of religion.

It is good we identify the real terrorist and deal with them. The young men we arrest and detain are only errand boys who are slaves in the hands of those that use religion to destroy the global peace.

BELOW ARE PICTURES OF TERRORIST’S ATTACKS:

Kabiru Sokoto, a detained member of Boko Haram

A Scene of Abuja Bomb Blast

A Victim of the Blast at Maddalla Suleja

A Scene of Bomb Blast in Jos

A Scene of the Multiple Blasts that rocked Kano

President Jonathan watching. It is widely believe that his election is the reason behind these Security challenges facing the nation. The North wants power at all cost.

The act of terrorism, or offense, is currently defined as a person unlawfully and intentionally causing or threatening to cause violence by means of firearms, weapons, explosives any lethal devices or dangerous substances which results or is likely to result in death or serious bodily injury to a person, a group of persons or serious damage to property whether for public use, a State or Government facility, a public transportation system or an infrastructure.

As stated earlier, there is no generally accepted definition of terrorism due to the divergent views of nations of the world. The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings 1997 has stated in some of its provisions that the use of bombs to perpetrate the acts of terrorism is illegal. The convention however clarified the terms used in the definition above.

An explosive according to the convention is any weapon or device that is designed or has the capability to cause death, serious bodily injury or substantial material damage; state or government facility includes any permanent or temporary facility or conveyance that is used or occupied by representatives of a state, members of government, the legislature, or the judiciary or by officials or employees of a state or any other public authority or entity or by employees or officials of an intergovernmental organization in connection with their official duties; infrastructure facility means any publicly or privately owned facility providing or distributing public services for the benefit of the public such as water, sewage, energy, fuel or communications.

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon as this act has being experienced in several parts of the world such as the Middle East, Europe, USA and some parts of East Africa and Northern Africa have been hit by several attacks by a popular group called Al-Qaeda who have claimed responsibility for these attacks that have claimed thousands of lives globally.

However, there were several areas of the world where this act has never being perpetuated; these virgin territories however due to its internal activities were deemed ripe for these activities to occur such as scores of internal conflicts that were religiously and ethnically motivated, unstable government and lack of concern for internal security. These virgin territories were sending the right signal to these people with radical tendencies; Nigeria is one of such.

Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation with diverse ethnic groups and several religions being practised with Islam being the major religion being practised predominantly in the northern part of Nigeria which is populated mainly by the Hausa-Fulani’s. Terrorism is a word that is very strange to the average Nigerian and is a word which is relative to certain parts of the world. But it is suffice to say that these recent occurrences will make the average Nigerian have a re-think about the use of this word to be of a relative nature. Terrorism now as a word and as an act is of a global nature and the disadvantage of globalization is one of the reasons for this occurrence.

The various bombings and activities that have occurred across the country fits the profile of terrorist activities according to the Convention as stated above. A time line of these activities also shows the increase in the confidence of the perpetrators of this act and also the level of fear instilled in the citizenry has increased remarkably.

Most of these incidents have occurred in the northern part of the country such as the October 1st (Independence Day) bomb blast in Abuja where 8 persons were killed and the New Years Eve bomb blast that occurred in Abuja heralded the various incidents that have occurred this year. The timeline of bomb blast shows that most of them have occurred in Maiduguri, Borno state and this should be a source of concern for the Federal government which is just hours away from this state.  

The security agencies in Nigeria should wake up to their responsibility and make sure that issues like this are prevented. The Federal government and citizens also have a role to play in the issue of security in Nigeria. The government should not put up a facade and make the international community feel that the conventions are just signed and establish puppet commissions that don’t perform their duties. Commissions, parastatals and ministries should have professionals in the helms of affairs; round pegs should be put in round holes and not the usual trend that has occurred for a very long time.

This is a threat that cannot be ignored; the Nigerian government has to secure the future of our children and generations unborn. They need to grow up in a Nigeria that is devoid of terrorism and the leaders of this country owe them this responsibility because they grew up in a Nigeria that never experienced this kind of violence and high level of insecurity.

In the words of George W. Bush former U.S president referring to terrorism

‘If we ignore this threat, we invite certain blackmail and place millions of our citizens in grave danger.’’