AMAOPUSENIBO Shedrack Fubara Blog

It cannot be argued any further that Nigeria's monolithic economy (total dependence on crude oil revenue) is indeed the bane of her underdevelopment.   The recent crash in oil price (Imagine oil dries up in Nigeria’s Niger Delta one day) brings to fore the urgent need to intensify the diversification of the economy if the story of Nigeria must change for the better. As the year 2014 comes to an end and we look forward to 2015, it has become imperative to emphasize that for sustainable and rapid development to be achieved in Nigeria, there must be a conscious effort by the Government and the Citizens to cut down on their appetite for crude oil money. In its place and as a matter of urgency, the Government should revamp the tax system immediately and especially get the super wealthy to pay more taxes in line with the PAYE Tax System. Also, the Manufacturing Sector should be given similar attention as the Agricultural Sector has witnessed under the Transformational ...

Tuesday, 21 May 2013   Members of the Diaspora Committee with Governor Dickson Bayelsans in the diaspora have been urged to come back home and explore the enormous potentials of the State by investing in various sectors of the State’s economy. They have also been told to apply the knowledge acquired during their sojourn abroad to support the developmental efforts of Government as well assist in developing their communities. Governor Seriake Dickson who made the call while inauguration a 25-member Diaspora Mobilization and Contact Committee in Government House, Yenagoa, noted that Bayelsa is in a hurry to develop and attain enviable heights in all critical sectors of human endeavor. He therefore charged the committee to encourage diaspora professionals to partner with government in bringing about the needed human capacity and infrastructural development in the state. “We have come to the stage in our development that we want to mobilize the resources of our peo...

It’s no longer news that terrorism has become a cankerworm in Nigeria with thousands of innocent citizens killed since this terror assumed a startling dimension. Between January and July, 2014 alone, Boko Haram, the Islamic Fundamentalist group which believes that ‘‘Western education is a sin” has killed and maimed over 2,000 Nigerians in about 95 attacks carried out around the North-East States of the country and Abuja.   Many say Boko Haram leadership has international connections to Al-Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb ( AQIM ), Al-Qa`ida core, Al-Shabab , the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa ( MUJAO ), Mokhtar Belmokhtar ’s factions, and other militant groups outside Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world with over 168 million people according to the World Bank. Since independence and pre-colonial era Nigerians have lived together as one people bound by a common destiny; after her civil war ( 6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970) . Despite th...

It doesn’t happen quite often. Infact, historians are yet to document it anywhere that this happened in the political landscape of Nigeria – an incumbent Governor defeated in a free and fair election and he concedes defeat soon after the result is announced .   A rarity in Nigeria’s body polity. For this singular action, Governor Kayode Fayemi is hereby inducted into the People’s Hall of Fame. In his concession speech Governor Kayode Fayemi said “ I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.” This is a remarkable show of sportsmanship, even as a new chapter has been written in the annals of Nigeria’s political spectrum.   This is worthy of emulation by politicians and political parties. They must learn to respect the wishes of the people. A...

I join other well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Ekiti State, to congratulate the Governor Elect - Mr. Ayodele Peter Fayose on his victory at the Governorship election held yesterday.    Indeed,  Ekiti people have spoken by voting who they prefer to lead the State. I hope that the other aspirants would be good losers by congratulating the Governor-elect and join hands with him to lead Ekiti State.     Kudos to INEC for organizing a free and fair election devoid of all the challenges experienced in previous elections. Surely there is hope in the horizon.    And to Mr. President (PGEJ) who provided; enough security personnel to secure life and property of the people and a level playing field to enable the people decide their own destiny; I say big thumbs up for you.  Indeed Change is happening in Nigeria - One man, One vote.     Once again Congratulations  to Governor- elect Mr. Ayodele Peter Fayose...

The Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) and the Mini-Pan Ijaw Conference organized by Ijaw National Congress (INC) have ended in Yenagoa and Communiques issued. The Conferences endorsed and calls on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to contest for a second term in office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and also nominated: Prof Kimse Okoko and Engr. Charles Ambaowei (INC Acting President) to represent Ijaws at the forth Coming National Conference. See Full Communiques:           

Southern Leaders Summit, Tinapa Resorts, Calabar, Cross River State,   24th February, 2014   Preamble The Southern Leaders Summit was held at the Tinapa Resort, Calabar, Cross River State on 24th February, 2014. Participants at the Conference included Traditional Rulers, Elder Statesmen, Academics, Public Sector Practitioners, Politicians, Legislators, Jurists, Labour Leaders, Religious Leaders and other Professionals. The Summit discussed, among other things, the indivisibility of Nigeria, the practice of federalism, the current security challenges, the economy and the forthcoming National Conference. At the end of deliberations, we, the leaders and people of Southern Nigeria, resolved as follows: 1. That Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, be commended for his commitment and dogged efforts in fighting the menace of insecurity; and, noted that, in spite of these security challenges, Mr. President has made remarkable progress in the develop...

In 2010 President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan made far reaching decisions to overhaul the Football Administration in Nigeria, two year after Nigeria won the African Nation's Cup and also qualified for the World Cup holding in Brazil in 2014. The rejoinder below was a response to the article written by Mr. Majek Adega calling the President out for the decision to withdraw Nigeria from all Football competition for 2yrs. Looking back to 2010, I  wish that my friend Majek will be bold enough to swallow his pride,  take back his swipes at Mr. President and join millions of Nigerians to give President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan thumbs up because Nigeria's flag will fly high at the World Cup in Brazil; beside other glories that the President’s decision has brought the Nation through Football. Kudos Mr. President and keep up your transformational initiatives aimed at repositioning Nigeria to a developed Nation. Posted: Jun, 30 2010, 7:06PM Posted by fu...

  First, the war against terrorism has got to be total; citizens must be involved as govt alone cannot fight it.    Secondly,  the Leaders in the North must rise up to the occasion by calling to order, the youths who are allowing themselves to be used. They (youths) need a lot of awareness and sensitization so they stop making themselves willing horses.    Sadly, everything in Nigeria is politicized. Humans, our citizens are being killed and maimed everyday while the sponsors of this mayhem smile to the bank. These terrorists are not aliens, they live amongst us. So rather than pointing fingers, buck passing and blaming Federal govt for every thing, the people should join the govt and the security agencies to fish out these killers and their sponsors.    A big warning: Should the Nigeria project fail because of Boko Haram, surely the Northern politicians and elites, not the peasants would be held responsible because they ...