In Dubai With My Thoughts

[October 13th, 2011] - It’s a windy evening in the city of Dubai. Here am I, sitting just outside of KFC with a golden krusher in my hand whilst admiring the seemingly busy Deira district. 

Dubai is a beautiful place, but not so much as I thought. Yes it’s something more; it unfathomable. Its beauty can't be described with words. If I have to describe Dubai, all I would say is; See It For Yourself.
 

While sipping on my krusher and reminiscing on my journey to this tourist hub, my start off point was from Lagos, Nigeria. I didn't have much to recall about the Lagos portion of the trip, except for the rowdiness at the check-in counters and seemingly baking-temperature environment [you'd make big bucks selling ice cubes in there]. Still on thoughts from Lagos, what more? Ok, maybe the trotting officials of the immigration service who would always seek to know how much you are travelling with, so that they could demand a decent percentage, especially when they get the clue that you're a first time international traveler (well, they met the wrong person). Nonetheless, the high-point of my trip from my Lagos kickoff point was when I boarded the beautifully bodied Qatar Airways flight, fully knowing that in few minutes, I was going to be leaving my beautiful country for a while (o yes its beautiful - I love Nigeria).
 

Still reminiscing; the in-flight entertainment aboard the Qatar Airways flight from Nigeria was awesome. Had like an infinite number of movies and audio songs. However, while these in-flight music and movies would interest the average traveler, same wasn't the case for me. My interest was on the in-flight map, which showed real-time movements of the plane as we flew over various Nigerian cities, nations, historic buildings etc. For some reason, when we got into Sudan's airspace at a height of over 30,000ft, I found myself looking down with keen interest. I bet you can't blame me. I had heard so much about Sudan over the years and it would have been a wonderful feeling to see a landmark or just have a view of anything in Sudan from the skies. On the foods that were served, I'd say there wasn't really anything about the food that was worth recalling. Nonetheless, everything was so available that my mind seemed to want me to believe that I was served a meal every thirty minutes in the 9 (nine) hours flight.

Gov. Amosun of Ogun State, What Drives Your Ideas?

So Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun has revealed that his administration is making plans to a build a FIRST of its kind air-conditioned pedestrian bridge.

Against what others may think, I would say its commendable especially as we don't get much of FIRSTS in Africa as much as we do see in Asia.

But before Gov. Amosun rushes into being the first to build such, hasn't he done enough research to see that other nations or big cities (like our Asian brothers) that undergo such luxurious projects, are actually cities that have all their basic amenities in place. Hasn't he researched to see that cities who undergo such, are actually cities in which their citizens live on standards equal and most times higher than the acceptable Human Development Index.

I am certain he hasn't done this research. Anyway, he doesn't need to anymore. Let him read the statistics I have given above and tell if Ogun State can boasts of any. If they can, let him go ahead with the project and if they cannot, he better deeps his head in shame and retrace his steps.

In a country where 24 hours light is not yet a reality, how does he intend to power the air-conditioners of the pedestrian bridge? By diesel right? Using taxpayers money.

Characters in Power.

I rest my case.

You can follow me on twitter @royaltyuso

Is Internet Compulsory On All Devices? Ideas Please.

Ok, everyone knows I love gadgets. That’s not unusual right? Ok fine.

Everyone knows I love the internet. This is common as well right? O cool.

Just thinking aloud, does the love of gadgets and the love of the internet have anything in common? Not really, but such is common as well. Ok fine.

Does the love of gadgets mean having two phones, a laptop + a phone/tab? O that’s so common, people have even more. Ok fine.

Does the love of internet demand having ready-internet on your two phones, laptop and phone/tab all at the same time? No not really. In fact, hmmmmm. Why hmmmm? This particular question is hard o, but considering that you are a Nigerian in Nigeria, such a scenario as this could be understood. In fact, don’t know what to say o. Anyhow you wan take do am, me I think you should just cut down on your desire for having internet on all your devices.

Seems its evident you can’t be of much help with regards my previous question? Not like I can’t be of much help, I just think you should cut down on your desire for internet, that’s my own take. Where I can’t help is that, I can’t tell you exactly how to go about it, you would just have to figure a way. Abi, all these internet you dey use across multiple devices na free? No be free o. Oya then, decide for yourself na, on how you wan take cut down.

Sorry. Didn’t know you would have problem bringing up useful suggestions. Public una dey? Help here o, ‘please does the love of internet demand having ready-internet on your two phones, laptop and phone/tab all at the same time?’

Your ideas would be highly appreciated.

*Above is a discourse between myself and I. The predicament as re-acted above is what I am currently facing o.

You can follow me on twitter @royaltyuso

University of Lagos now Moshood Abiola University: My Thoughts by Eta Uso Jr

“…After very careful consideration, and in honour of Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s accomplishments and heroism, on this Democracy Day, the University of Lagos, is renamed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Moshood Abiola University, Lagos. The Federal Government will also establish an Institute of Democratic Studies and Governance in the University.” – President Goodluck Jonathan.

Yes, University of Lagos is now Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, what next? PROTESTS?

Come to think of it. Correct me if I am wrong. The man being honored here, isn’t he the same man we all acclaimed to be the 1993 Nigerian messiah? Isn’t he the same man we all refer to as the legend of June 12? Isn’t he the same man we all came out en-masse in his support during the 1993 elections? Isn’t he the same man for whom we all fought that his mandate be restored? If this is the same man of whom we all fought for and named all names from legendary to messiah, don’t we think that naming a school or any entity after him, should be more of an honor to such an entity than a curse?

Nigeria Is What We’ve Got: Lets Preserve It

In brief, I think we Nigerians need to keep reminding ourselves of certain things over and over again;

Nigeria would be a better place if we all kept greed aside and focused on a united Nigerian dream.

Being a patriot does not start and end with lip service. If we really and truly love this country of ours (Nigeria), we would do whatever it takes to preserve it and not destroy it.

#TeamChelsea - I Am A Tru-Blue. Proud Member of Chelsea FC Football Club

What more can I say? The pictures below speak for themselves. 

However, just so you know, I don't just hype Chelsea FC on social media, I am actually an official paying member of Chelsea Football Club. :)

Ouch, just stepped on a nail and am bleeding, and guess what? My Blood is BLUE.

#IBleedBlue.

To Protesters Against Hon. Farouk Lawan's Report, I Say

In few words in response to this show of shame (pictures below) as demonstrated by 'paid' Nigerians who stepped out to campaign against our quest for accountability from Government and its agencies with special emphasis on the petroleum sector;

To these people, I say;

These pictures have gone viral on the internet and same would surely stand as a testament against you all for the rest of your lives. For on this day '24th April, 2012', you all sold out your conscience for a pittance towards obstructing a cause aimed at a greater good.

+4238773326 - A SCAM! Do Not Fall Prey

Today, 21st April, 2012, as I stepped into my room, I discovered that I had a missed call on one of my mobile lines. This missed call happened to be from a foreign number (+4238773326 ).

In my usual manner of returning every missed call, I simply did same in this scenario. However, after the call got connected, I heard this computerized voice on the other end, telling me that I had won $50,000 and I should follow the voice prompts in order to claim my cash. At This Point, I Knew It Was A Scam. Anyway, I decided to see how far they would go and I stayed on for a little longer. The computerized voice at the other end, said, " We would need your personal details in order for you to claim your price" and then it went ahead to say " If you are a Male, press 1, if you are a female, press 2"; I played along with that part and then it moved on to "Please pronounce your full name audibly after the beep......"; At this point, I had enough and simply hung up.

Few seconds after hanging up, I received this text message from them;

Theft or Negligence? I was defrauded by an Etisalat Nigeria Staff

Date of Occurence: Thursday, 19th April, 2012.

Its a warm Afternoon, browsing and doing lots of tweeting and suddenly I start getting connection issues. I quickly check the volume left in my Etisalat Internet bundle and I discover that its exhausted.

I take few steps out of the house and just blocks away, I finally get to this recharge card dealer and I purchase Etisalat Recharge units worth N1,000 (One Thousand Naira). The dealer delivers my purchased cards to me in two (2) units of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) each. Done with the purchase, I head back to my abode.

Settled in and then popped out the first card, scratch and in few seconds, its loaded. I pop out the next card and during the process of scratching off the sliver covering, three digits get badly affected. With three digits missing, the recharge process definitely could not be accomplished so I simply had to halt.

Season of Probes

Recently, the Nigerian atmosphere has been inundated with probes and more probes. No doubt, in trying to recall, one would easily be forgiven for skipping out on one or two.

However, I may take the pleasure of reminding us all, but please kindly forgive me as well if I miss out on any. Here you go; Fuel Subsidy Probe, Pension Commission Probe, Security & Exchange Commission Probe... In a Season of Probes as these, it would be too early to conclude on the list, especially as the National Assembly has found itself a new job description (seemingly permanent one for that matter, at least for this season).

Though, on a second thought, should we be looking forward to an abrupt end to these season of probes? Especially with the recent counter-revelations of which turned the Judge to an Accused? I mean, we might not be off-track if we do not expect any more probes as the 'Judges' may have just come to terms with the fact that, the Accused could at anytime become the Accuser, more-so on LIVE TV.

Now seriously, if this season ends as a result of the new found boldness of those accused, would we be right to say that our dear Season of Probes has finally bitten the dust at the behest of Mutual Corruption?

If all ends this way, at least we can boldly say that while it lasted, it sure gave us Something to Talk About. O yes, Something to Talk About, after-all, that's the best we always ever get whenever our Season of Probes hits our airwaves..

The End. **Ejects the DVD**. Till next time.

Shalom.

CALABAR CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL 2011

The 2011 Calabar Christmas Festival was without doubt a major success.

However, unlike previous years where I always wrote a lot about the carnival activities, this time around, I would let the few pictures below to speak for themselves. :)

I and Mercy @ d Calabar Christmas Carnival 2011

ON PMS @ N97; Lets Move Forward

ON PMS @ N97; Lets Move Forward

There is this saying that 'you can't keep doing things the same way and expect a different result'. I think the President has acted like a true leader by heeding to the cries of the people and thereby reverting the pump price downwards by N44 from N141. I know some people might say that the initial N141 was a bait to see the response of the masses and that N97 was the real intended price the Government wanted to tag the price of PMS; however, that's not important.

Whats more important is that the savings from this partial removal of subsidy would enable the President carry out his transformational agenda for the nation. It doesn't matter what the cynics are or might be thinking, what matters is that we should give the President a chance. The better Nigeria we seek is going to be a gradual process and minimal sacrifices as these has to be made. Our paramount aim as the people of this nation should be to pray for our nation and President, that he might be able to fully implement his good-plans for the nation without hindrance and also most importantly, we should not relent in our fight against corruption by ensuring accountability from all our public service holders but in these, lets not forget to check ourselves in our fight against corruption as change can only genuinely start from ourselves.

Ergo, I must state that a peaceful Nigeria cannot be kept by propaganda, it can only be achieved by understanding. On this note, lets understand with the President.

Thank you all.