EU is 50!

I wish I were in Germany these past days! Why not, the European Union is FIFTY! Why not, remember the infectious hospitality of the Germans during the FIFA World Cup? Why not, don't we recall that this continent has now been weaned from centuries of endless and senseless wars? Why not, from six founding members to twenty seven strong and counting!

Are there problems? Why, of course there are, and ought to be. Aren't there in individual states and nations? Pray, these are normal in evolving relations. I am not depressed. Things can only get better. The politicians and bureaucrats are getting the message! No question.

Let Europeans celebrate! Deserved.

Thanks to the EU, the world is more balanced and truly global. Thanks to its golden jubilee, the African Union (AU) has a pragmatic example if not worthy role model. Thanks to its plurality, our world can look forward to a true Global Village and rich unity-in-diversity!

The EU is 50...Hurray!!!

Ban Ki-Moon's Lucky Escape!

It was fortuitous. Or, the story will be different today. Thank God for the lucky escape. The UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, along with his Iraqi host, PM Nuri al Maliki, were merely metres away from a deadly mortar attack a few days ago. That was at a press conference in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. Imagine that!

Bottom line? Nowhere, and no-one, is safe in Iraq!

What this recommends is simple: Get the Iraq War ended!!

Period.

Iraq...4 Years down!

Nothing can explain how Iraqis feel this day, and nothing can fully describe the frustration the Americans must be feeling in the quagmire they now find themselves. I pity both sides.

As we begin the fifth year of this sad and bad war, let reason NOW prevail in the White House. Things have changed. Now, President George Bush must pluck up the courage to CHANGE.

The last thing we need is that holier-than-thou hubris which got us all here in the first place. No, the White House must now listen - and ACT.

Talk with Iran and Syria NOW! Get the United Nations to take the front role NOW!

Finally, work with Congress with honesty and humility from now on!!

The American voters have spoken...HEED their concerns, HONOUR their wisdom - which, by the way, tally with most of the world's!!!

To Iraq we say, and pray: This nightmare shall surely pass away.

AMEN.

Zimbabwe...on my Mind

The news is bad. Yes, B...A...D. Has been bad for some years. But, this day, it is very very BAD!

I am concerned. Have been for some years. But, this day, I am very very CONCERNED!

African Elders and Leaders must now rise and arise to help solve and resolve the Zimbabwe Question, the Harare Quagmire. NOW!

I am worried that prominent voices are not being heard. I've been worried for some years. But, this day, I am very very WORRIED!

May I beg Presidents Mbeki, Obasanjo, Mandela and Kufuor to converge in Madiba's place with President Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai for a FINAL settlement of the crises, please!!!

Africa, let's save Zimbabwe!

Treating "Presidential Catarrh"...Abroad!

Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party, PDP, sent its presidential candidate in this April's election, Governor Umar Yar'Adua, to Germany for medical attention last week. First, it was claimed to be routine overdue "check up". Then, they said it was to treat "catarrh". And, finally, they admitted he was exhausted and stressed by the punishing or gruesome campaign hustings.
Whatever it was, there was soon a wild rumour that the man died! As it turned out, he did not die. He was alive, and soon joined the party's Obasanjo-led and dominated campaign train in Ado Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, to the obvious delight of his partisans and the definite relief of all doubting or worried souls.

I leave the politics for now. Let's look at the "Health for All" question and "MDG Agenda" angle.

This man has been governor for eight years and his party has ruled at the centre for the same period, yet they couldn't provide medical facilities to cure "catarrh" or to do "check up"! They must fly abroad for such!!!

We are now telling the whole world that all our oil/gas money and limitless human and material endowments are a waste! All our teaching hospitals and general hospitals and those specialist facilities we allocate huge annual budgets to are a sham, right? All our medical schools and those consultants and professors are a joke, kwo? The National Hospital, where President Obasanjo went for his own "check up", and gleefully told Nigerians that no one need go abroad for such attention anymore, is an empty shell, abi?

In reading between the line, the world must be laughing us to scorn!

I join. Hahaha!!!

Obasanjo at 70

Seventy. Three scores and ten. As a christian, President Olusegun Obasanjo has made it to the biblical age. As an african, he has entered the elders grotto. As a soldier, he has made the brass and retired as an on-tired fully tried general.

Uniquely, this man has both been made by history even as he has made amazing history. He was military head of state, and became two-term civilian president in our nascent democracy. The only such nigerian ever! At 70, he leaves office in May 2007.

President Obasanjo is a passionate family man with a very large, very diverse family.

Happy birthday to a leader who, with all his pluses & minuses, is witty, courageous, cerebral, humourous, patriotic and truly fortunate.

As we wish him many happy returns, we wish him the wisdom and capacity to conduct a free and fair democratic transition in the April Elections.

70 Hearty Cheers!

Selma: Did you see The Clintons & Obama?

Dateline: Selma, Alabama. In honour of Civil Rights Activists.

Here was the great moment for both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. It was always going to be. And, hallo hallo, the rock-star of american politics and former president Bill Clinton - darling of all African-Americans - made it "The American Moment" by joining the traditional freedom march.

"Black Sunday" which commemorates the day, 42 years ago, when white supremacist police typically brutalised black civil rights activists (fighting for the vote), brought the two senators and presidential hopefuls head to head today in Selma. They spoke in black churches to black faithfuls in search, obviously, of black votes at the Democratic Primaries.

You know what? I am thrilled at the symbolism, the razzmatazz, and the huge potential that this event portends for CHANGE in the United States of America! By most accounts, polls et al, this is the new moment for America.

Did you watch the TV scenes? Did you see the nuance? And the beauty?

Watch, America, your grand moments be unfolding!

Nigeria's Niger Delta Crises

Just a simple advice which may turn things around for all concerned. Let the parliamentarians and shareholders from the home countries of ALL companies operating in the Niger Delta send separate fact-finding teams to the region in July and August respectively. Such delegations should be very balanced and high-powered, so that their reports and recommendations may be promptly and sincerely actionable.

For effect, this step must be independent of our governments and the managements of such firms. They've had their day! The idea is to ensure that fresh, smart, creative and courageous interventions come on stream - in addition to any local actions or interventions.

When it's all said and done, the United Nations should be interested in the matter. The crises are affecting oil prices and energy costs worldwide. And compounding the plights of poor countries in very debilitating ways. This is a classic case of Private Wealth vs World Poverty. Composite and concerted ACTION is now absolutely due, and dire.

The same manner big business is stepping up to the plate on the global warming matter in the United States, despite White House opposition/inertia, is how the oil companies must respond to the Niger Delta Question - in spite of all official odds and hurdles. No excuses.

What a sensitive and sensible strategy for all concerned as we open a new chapter in Nigeria's democratic governance from May 2007!