Now that the grand elder statesman has spoken, we must congratulate him and move on. Papa says he'll not stand for re-election in April, and that he'll continue to fight for social justice, truth, human rights and successful Europe. He will always promote the interests of France. Bravo!
As I have said before, one project of maximum impact for France, EU, AU, UN and the world is ORGANIC Foods, Drinks & Drugs (OFDD). And it is based essentially on nature-based and environmentally-friendly AGRICULTURE. As Papa knows, the world is right now living on junk! Simpliciter. Period. Yes.
No one needs a lecture on the benefits of healthy-living the nature-way. Or the native sense in planting, hunting and fishing the right & sustainable way. We all know the truth: let is set us free! Pleeeeze.
Which is why the Organic Crusade needs the stature & status of an eminent world leader and elder to lead from the front. Which was why I sad before that Papa Jacques Chirac is one of the most qualified persons today for the task. And that he should kindly retire to take charge.
Which is now why I insist that if I were this wise president, I will set up a simple foundation to pursue this waiting dream! I won't tarry a day.
In the interest of full disclosure, who doesn't know that Organic Farming & Fishing will best succeed in the unpolluted and vast terrains of AFRICA & SOUTH AMERICA? And that I am an African? Hey!
If President Chirac drags his feet on this, I am sure Chancellor Angela Merkel will use the power of her combined leadership status (EU & G8) plus her power of newness to "appoint" him right away!
When this works, we will all (especially EU and AU, including ACP-EU) be truly profited by the full rewards.
In 5 short years!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
If I Were Iranian Leaders
The signs are promising, aren't they? North Korea is talking to America! Hmm...
Thanks to the six-party talks and some commonsense, the US and DPRK are in bilateral talks. Tentative as these may be, they head in the direction of a peaceful resolution of the nuclear palaver. It could have been otherwise. Many thanks to all involved, especially Beijing.
We demand the same on the Iran matter. All the parties to the European-led negotiations must know by now that threats and counter-threats will drive wedges into the works, block lanes and channels, and delay any possible peace accord. The US and Iran will ultimately have to talk, willy nilly!
If I were the Leaders in Tehran, I will not take on the International Community as represented by the United Nations. True, there are issues of pride and equity at stake, but so was it with the DPRK. So, let's allow the friends of Iran enough room to help crack the knotty points and move us towards peace. In this regard, I will take note of President Chirac's counsel that there is still a window of diplomatic possibilities, and I will positively exploit the breather.
If I were Iranian Leaders, I will hold IAEA's ElBaradei (Nobel Peace Laureate) as a strategic and balanced umpire, and fully cooperate and collaborate with the nuclear watchdog. Since the country insists that its programme is for peaceful purposes only, then let's get there in peace and not in pieces - using peaceable words and peaceful means
The North Korean example is a worthy lesson to all.
Tehran should note, and act uniquely and wisely.
Thanks to the six-party talks and some commonsense, the US and DPRK are in bilateral talks. Tentative as these may be, they head in the direction of a peaceful resolution of the nuclear palaver. It could have been otherwise. Many thanks to all involved, especially Beijing.
We demand the same on the Iran matter. All the parties to the European-led negotiations must know by now that threats and counter-threats will drive wedges into the works, block lanes and channels, and delay any possible peace accord. The US and Iran will ultimately have to talk, willy nilly!
If I were the Leaders in Tehran, I will not take on the International Community as represented by the United Nations. True, there are issues of pride and equity at stake, but so was it with the DPRK. So, let's allow the friends of Iran enough room to help crack the knotty points and move us towards peace. In this regard, I will take note of President Chirac's counsel that there is still a window of diplomatic possibilities, and I will positively exploit the breather.
If I were Iranian Leaders, I will hold IAEA's ElBaradei (Nobel Peace Laureate) as a strategic and balanced umpire, and fully cooperate and collaborate with the nuclear watchdog. Since the country insists that its programme is for peaceful purposes only, then let's get there in peace and not in pieces - using peaceable words and peaceful means
The North Korean example is a worthy lesson to all.
Tehran should note, and act uniquely and wisely.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
PTDF Forever!
Petroleum Technology Development Fund. It is the current metaphor for sleaze in high places, presidential malfeasance and parliamentary tentativeness. The short summary is that the two topmost Nigerian officials (the president and his vice) have been trading accusations and counter accusations on corrupt utilisation and corruptive supervision of the trust fund. Somehow, the president investigated, indicted and convicted the vice president, using an administrative panel.
The VP has challenged these and other actions by his boss in court, winning all the way. These attacks, claims the VP, are meant to taint or stop him from contesting for president in the April elections. Of course the president insists he is only fighting corruption, vowing there shall be no sacred cow. It's been messy, murky, messianic, melodramatic and misty-eyed! Oh, the whole show has been base and badly managed!! Father of all PR disasters for combatants and country.
Okay. Now the Senate has stepped into the whole scandal and its ad hoc committee has just submitted its report for final consideration by the whole house. It basically found both men and the federal cabinet wanting, but was uneven in its suggestions about appropriate punishment. It wants the VP severely sanctioned, but the president and his cabinet merely chided or advised!
The media is agog with reactions from virtually all sections of the polity. The administration has promptly hailed and endorsed the favourable parts of the report, while expectedly disagreeing with the negative aspects. The VP said it is a hatchet job. Ha! Most commentators think there is much more work to be done for balance, equity and justice. And people trust the Senate to act. If I were the parliamentarians, I will not betray this trust.
Without putting too fine a point on it, the report is clearly deficient. There are too many gaps and some very telling illogic. But, hey folks, it is still a "work in progress", alas. Patience.
My take? Let the Senate act in honour of total justice and in defence of the constitution. Let it be transparent in its procedure, elevated in its discourse and sagacious in its dispensation. Let both men get their due. If I were Nigeria's Senate, I will stick to the rules and bond with posterity.
When it shall be over, however, Nigeria and Nigerians must be the ultimate winners. Then this: No matter how it goes or goes not, PTDF shall define their era - all EIGHT years of it!
The VP has challenged these and other actions by his boss in court, winning all the way. These attacks, claims the VP, are meant to taint or stop him from contesting for president in the April elections. Of course the president insists he is only fighting corruption, vowing there shall be no sacred cow. It's been messy, murky, messianic, melodramatic and misty-eyed! Oh, the whole show has been base and badly managed!! Father of all PR disasters for combatants and country.
Okay. Now the Senate has stepped into the whole scandal and its ad hoc committee has just submitted its report for final consideration by the whole house. It basically found both men and the federal cabinet wanting, but was uneven in its suggestions about appropriate punishment. It wants the VP severely sanctioned, but the president and his cabinet merely chided or advised!
The media is agog with reactions from virtually all sections of the polity. The administration has promptly hailed and endorsed the favourable parts of the report, while expectedly disagreeing with the negative aspects. The VP said it is a hatchet job. Ha! Most commentators think there is much more work to be done for balance, equity and justice. And people trust the Senate to act. If I were the parliamentarians, I will not betray this trust.
Without putting too fine a point on it, the report is clearly deficient. There are too many gaps and some very telling illogic. But, hey folks, it is still a "work in progress", alas. Patience.
My take? Let the Senate act in honour of total justice and in defence of the constitution. Let it be transparent in its procedure, elevated in its discourse and sagacious in its dispensation. Let both men get their due. If I were Nigeria's Senate, I will stick to the rules and bond with posterity.
When it shall be over, however, Nigeria and Nigerians must be the ultimate winners. Then this: No matter how it goes or goes not, PTDF shall define their era - all EIGHT years of it!
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