Friday, May 29, 2009

The Obama Israel Challenge

This is the father or mother piece at Foreign Policy. Seems Barack is truly assertive rather than aggressive.

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/05/28/netanyahu_what_the_hell_do_they_want_with_me

Amazing and frank interview with Former American Ambassador to Isreal Indyk

This is a must for anyone truly interested in the layers of play in the US/Israel relations and its effect on Middle East peace opportunities. Frank, open and honest a genuine rarity. Published by the Israeli Policy forum.

http://www.israelpolicyforum.org/blog/ambassador-indyk-tells-all-pretty-amazing-interview

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

For those who like to groove (Tune out and tune in)

The Omoluwabi Podcast » Blog Archive » Interview with TK
By omoluwabi
The Omoluwabi Podcast. Discussing the applications of Omoluwabi to organisations and self. « Wale Ajadi Talks with Funmi · Interview with TK. Adewale Ajadi discusses Omoluwabi with TK. Listen Now: ...
The Omoluwabi Podcast - http://omoluwabi.podbean.com/

Monday, May 25, 2009

A star dies . The Passing of Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem

Taju was one of the most fascinating people that I have ever met. Relentlessly witty, incredibly eloquent and naturally charming. Always caught between bombast and genius, he could hold court like Oscar Wilde and challenge like Marlon Brando. In fact he reminded me of Marlon Brando in his later life, a man of great awareness and wisdom resting in the presence of unachieved possibilities. Taju was my brother even though he had a suspicion of me as a consultant. He was a true African , a rarity amongst those of us who project that desire but never actualize its actions. Taju loved Awo at least in our debates and my love for Penkelemese, Adegoke Adelabu was one of our running discussions. As chairman of CDD he and kayode Fayemi gave me the space to return to a Nigeria in which I could attempt transformation. Born to the people of Ogbomoso, taju spoke yoruba without the cold hands of Lagosian corruption and spoke Hausa elegantly from his upbringing in the north. Those large eyes would never leave my heart, that extraordinary wit would never stop ringing in my ears. The passing of such greatness is a course for all of us to mourn.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

A day of Infamy in Ekiti

As predicted Ido/Osi used by a compromised INEC official to bring a day of Infamy for the people of Ekiti, the aspiration of Nigerians and the failing Federal Government. We are in for a torrid future and for those of us who see a future party politics this might be the nail on that coffin. We are a truly compromised nation.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Ido/Osi the only game in Town

The Ekiti Rerun has proven that I am truly a very naive person.In my genuine hope that people would not recklessly throw away the possibility of a great nation called Nigeria, i unlike most commentators focussed on the organizational failures of the 2007 elections especially because this was a litmus test on whether you can have a civilian to civilian hand over in Nigeria. It was too much of a relief to my nationalistic heart that i could not bear the rigging is the only explanation brigade. I have watched slowly and gradually as the current Federal Government whittle away at any goodwill that might be available to them punishing anyone who seemed to bear any Nationalistic interest, Northernising the Federal government and gradually moving everything back to 1982. As usual the obvious is the Ekiti rerun awash in violence, deception and manipulation but we have 27 International peace keepers headed for jail for life for nothing other than protesting the embezzlement of their pay. We know about the persecution of Nuhu Ribadu and El Rufai even though not saints but true servants nevertheless. Our Government has started borrowing without any focus on productivity increases or any serious focus on stringent efficiency standards or economically robust vision. The scene is set for another self inflicted National crisis.

Most observers have focused in relation to the rerun in Ekiti on the suspended Oye vote in two wards or even the drama of the resigning and reinstated family member of INEC the resident electoral officer in Ekiti State. Very few have focussed on the main game which is the PDP loaded ballot boxes that where collated and collected outside INEC supervision and without AC sign off in IDO/OSI. This blatant attempt at fixing an 11,000 votes deficit is the backbone credibility gap in the rerun. With the Resident Officer seemingly back on message we no longer hear of lack of PDP confidence in her. The conversation is now exclusively about Oye Ekiti's 2 wards. We are suddenly back in June 12 where just the sheer bold face of official brigandry is about to play itself out. This cannot stand , the people of Ekiti , the truly Nationalistic Nigerians, All those people of goodwill cannot allow this to stand because if it does it mocks the possibility of any credible standards for our future interactions. It is time for the post 1960s Generation to reclaim and reposition our nation from this constant rape and abuse. It is enough.