Nigeria's Squandered Opportunity By Joel Brinkley-LA Times

Well well well, wonders never end. I am ashamed of being a Nigerian. It shows the degree of corruption and lack of leadership in Nigeria. About time Nigerians so call leaders changed their selfish, nonchalant selfish attitude. The youths and other sensible well meaning Nigerians need to wake up and rid all these international thief thief.
Let us have a Jerry Rawlins in Nigeria.
What does this idiot running Nigeria wants to do with 17 packed ambulances, wake up Mr President, when the bell ring for you to return to your Maker, the amount of medical teams, ambulances will not save you.

Violence. Unbridled, extremely violent revolution is THE ONLY way for this country to heal and follow a new path. Too much greed, too much looting and plundering, too much destruction, too much filth and squalor and too much killing has occurred for the perpetrators to go unpunished. We owe it if not to ourselves but to our children to reverse this stinking, shameful rot.
How will this change start? Will a mad,ruthless youth or bunch of youths rise up and take on this task? Would the anger and frustration reach a crescendo high enough to trigger popular mass action? What i do know is that the mad,deluded, arrogant men and women in power must be made to atone for their sins in the most terrifying and gruesome manner. The penance they suffer for their sins must be shocking and unprecedented enough to change the mindset, beliefs and principles of Nigerians for generations to come.

People already knew that GEJ was another waste of time. He'd sit there for another 8 years that would never end, so he reasoned. Those being paid to defend his scandalous lifestyle would be the first to abandon him once the all consumate fire of liberation is lit. There's no justification for 17 new anbulances on standby while new infants are crying for fresh water to drink, while hospitals are lacking same.
The day will break, and who knows what it would bring? I pity those slated for the bar-beach. This time that the people have grown wiser, more vengeful, the fury they unleash on their tormentors would be unrivalled in the entire planet. Carry on Mr. GEJ, you are the ultimate leader of leaders of the continent(s) with 360 revolving head, arms and legs. Hail the dumb-of-dumbos!
Your impeachment date has been signed, would be unruly, painful, devastating in the history of mankind.

The varied comments on Joel's article shows where Nigeria is and what the future portends. Very bleak. So many are in denial of the improverishment or blame others for our woes. Studies have established that when people are starved they can't think straight. Most Nigerian are barely struggling to meet their basic needs (Maslows hierachy)how can they think about African leadership or self-actualization. However another problem is that the educated and intelligent Nigerians have taken a back seat or participate as sychophants.

I feel really ashamed of myself as a Nigerian when I read your comment and I am highly disappointed with your ill-logical argument. I am highly disappointed because you are not saying the reality. If you are saying Jonathan didn't bring corruption, Why did we elect him if not to find solutions to national problems. If he cannot do anything, what is he still doing in the I will suggest that he steps down for someone sensible and problem solving to take the challenge. One person must be elected to change that culture of corruption. So, Enough of the Blame Game. Okay?

@BAYLOR...BACK TO SENDER BY FIRE BY FORCE

who can curse one that God has blessed? many have tried and ALL have failed. just ask ballam!!!!!

Blame trading does not sell here. Find something else to say. What a disjointed post. Buhari, opposition, pardon of an ex convict? By the way, Alams jumped bail, he is still a wanted criminal. he isn't an ex-convict. Get you brain and thought in right order next time.

@Deri this is rubbish and only fit for trash can. I can see that you are really mentally challeged and blind. CIA? You don't deserve much response.

Thanks for calling a spade a spade. Some people like Deri, Akpos1 etc. are just shameless idiots, bootlickers and payed dogs. They defend corruption, distract from the main point and try to water down the truth. In any case, I have simple prayers for them. That the injustice and the wickedness their pay masters who they represent meted daily on Nigerians return to all of them (Deri, Akpos1 etc)and their generation forever. May they not find rest and their ways be dark and slippery. The God of millions of Nigerians who are denied and are suffering in the hands of your pay masters judge you. May they never progress but continue to regress, decay and disintegrate. May their eyes never see any good in their lives. May their strength be cut off and their joy be turned to sorrow. May the evil they represent consume them and their generations. May they continue in their folly so that their distruction can come swiftly. Their surrow will know no end!

I singled out your unbalanced response. If you would shed your bigotry and see that Nigeria had crashed and was broken by 1999, by the leaders (mainly from a section of the country) that ruled her for about 36 YEARS out of nearly 40, from INDEPENDENCE TO 1999. If Jonathan brought corruption, what did your brothers do? Raped and robbed Nigeria!

Compare the present States. While Governors from the South are building laudable infrastructures, your brother Governors are doing NOTHING! None has been lauded for building INFRASTRUCTURES! But how can they? When they cannot even control their sons and daughters in Boko Haram, ravaging and destroying the region, in the name of making the country UNGOVERNABLE! The Governors are a waste hence you feel the impact of POVERTY more!

Contrary to your belief, Nigeria was broken before Obasanjo and Jonathan mounted the saddle! Apologies to my Northern friends, but truth must be said!

Its a well known fact around the globe that, the CIA is the personal, secret, unaccountable army of the president of the USA whose lawless covert operations is clearly defined in the article by this useless writer.The work of the CIA, include overthrowing democratically elected governments, assassinating heads of state and key officials, propping up friendly despots, snatching individuals for extraordinary rendition, treating them harshly in torture prisons, and using drones as instruments of state terror in Afghanistan and Somalia. CIA is more active than ever in Africa, most especially 9ja. It's a a global Mafia hit squad and has nothing to do with democracy. So what is the writer up to in 9ja? In saner climes, d citizens of the country, would have yanked this nonsense off the news-stand-CIA sacked Mubarak-has his departure changed anything in that Cairo? The CIA bag of dirty tricks on Jonah defines its character as the imperial demonic power behind boko haram-

The world has become so small due to modern technological advancements in media,how many Nigerians do they hope to continue hood-winking and for how long?The criminal activities of our political class is now an embarrassment to the African continent and black people world over,the misrule in Nigeria depicts the black man as a pathological criminal.
Before,when a white guy writes an article like the one above,he runs the risk of being called a white supremacist but that stereotype has been long discarded because many Africans including Nigerians would prefer an honest and progressive leadership no matter where it comes from,in fact some would like to recall the colonial governments to sort us out the way things are at the moment.
Needless to say that everything in the above article is exactly true but the shame factor does not exist in our corridors of power so their belligerence will probably intensify because the truth comes from a white.

Mr. Brinkley had made some very serious case and allegation that's almost depressing to me as someone from oil region and oil state that had not benefited one pin from oil except for the pollution and toxic waste left behind.
I'm pretty sure Joel is from Western society and what he needs to know which I’m pretty sure he knows fully well already is that his home government and other Western governments and their corporations had/are contributing more than 50 percent to the problem of the so call Nigeria and that's a fact. When Ken Saro Wiwa from one of the minority tribe spoke up against this mess in Nigeria, it was Shell a Western corporation who ensured that innocent man was brutally killed by other tribes who are displaying brigandage with oil proceeds.

Mr. Brinkley had made some very serious case and allegation that's almost depressing to me as someone from oil region and oil state that had not benefited one pin from oil except for the pollution and toxic waste left behind.
I'm pretty sure Joel is from Western society and what he needs to know Ken was hanged in broad day before the rest of the world simply he because he spoke against some of the things you are now writing about. While I appreciate your piece my concern is simply complaining about the symptom is not going to do anything better than exacerbate the already cultural mess call Nigeria. In fact, Nigeria had no business to be one nation remain a nation if not because of the aid of your government and other Western governments and their corporations.

I commented on the entire system and not just on the President. By the way I defended GEJ's right to be sworn in as President and also voted for him. You need to have an open mind if you seriously want to proffer a workable solution to issues of governance. Your reply to my comments obviously show a bias of partisanship for or against certain groups in the country. All I am advocating and want is a serious attempt to enthrone a proper system of governance that will enable Nigeria to take its rightful place in the committee of Nations. Nigeria is endowed with what it takes to leapfrog into the first world. But we will never get there with the perverted way the country is run. This is not just about GEJ but the entire system including the Judiciary. As for oil perhaps you don't know that Ondo state produces oil, Lagos is also about to join that league, Ogun state also have oil even though it's yet to be confirmed in commercial quantity. Grow up my friend and imbibe patriotism.

IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT FOR WHAT? FOR USING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PARDON AN EX-CONVICT? HOW ABSURD IS THAT. I HAVE ALREADY MADE MY POSITION CLEAR ON ALAMS PARDON. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MISSED MY COMMENTS, SHAME ON YOU. NOW, LETS GET BACK TO THE ISSUE AT HAND. THIS ORCHESTRATED ATTEMPT BY THE OPPOSITION TO POSITION FOR 2015 WILL FAIL IF THE GOAL IS TO FOIST RECYCLED RULERS, LET SAY LIKE BUHARI, ON US. THAT NIGERIA IS A FAILED STATE IS NOT IN DISPUTE HERE. I ALWAYS WONDER WHERE NIGERIA WOULD HAVE BEEN IF BUHARI HASN'T RUDELY INTERRUPTED OUR LIFE BY OVER THROWING A DULY ELECTED GOVERNMENT, A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUITION THAT WAS IN HER INFANCY AND NEEDED TO GROW. THIS SINGULAR ACT OF TREACHERY BROUGHT US IBB, ABACHA. SECOND COMING OF OBASANJO, YARADUA AND JONATHAN, ALL FAILED RULERS. YET INTERNET MAGGOTS WANT US TO SEE BUHARI AS OUR NEW MESSIAH. HAVEN'T WE BEEN THERE BEFORE?

postings are always back to back...wonder why? the real dele cole would not take the kind of slant evident in tunde4k's postings.

@adrema: because you cannot process professor akpos 1 lectures does not equate it to psychosis. the least you could do is thank him for speaking the truth and trying to enlighten you and other retard worms. an effective lecture for your chronically depraved and pendulum mind that cannot hold still for more than two seconds or long enough to process his lectures.

@Tunde4k: your arguement holds true since the inception of nigeria,not just at this present time. we came to this quagmire through a culmination of decades of atrocious and unparalleled abuse by the powers that be. jonathan did not start the fire.

oil was discovered in 9ja in 1958 when Jonathan was just a toddler! So why has the huge earnings, not translated to improved welfare for the people of the oil producing areas, whose environment -land, water and air have been adversely contaminated and in many cases devastated and polluted? According to world Bank reports, (In the last 20 years, about 6,000 persons have been killed in pipeline-related explosions and accidents in the region. Yet we have an agent of the CIA come here to abuse our sensibilities with this regional rubbish! Indeed, the World Bank went on to warn that 40 per cent of habitable terrain in the Niger Delta area would disappear in 20 years if strong-willed remediation was not carried out. Over 40,000 oil spills had occurred in the past 53 years of oil exploration. Yet all they do is to blame Alams for our 55 yrs old cancer! While the parasites quietly steal our oil revenue-let us split oooh-animals

SINCE Nigeria started generating revenue from crude oil in 1958, the country has earned about N55.696 trillion or N1 trillion a year from the south south, according to reports glimpsed from the oil industry.
Of this princely sum, which accounts for about 80 per cent of the country’s federal revenue, only N6.577 trillion or less has been paid to the oil producing areas in the Niger Delta region as derivation. Yet the elites from the old regions of the country-that ios east, west and the Fulani North, have continued to blame president Jonathan, Alams and Ibori for the woes of 9ja. The aboive figure is N18.771 trillion less than the N25.348 trillion the oil-bearing regions should have gotten as derivation if 50 per cent derivation had not been jettisoned few years after crude oil became the chief revenue earner. Between 1958 and 2007 (CBN Annual Report and Statement of Account, 2008), Nigeria earned N29.8 trillion from petroleum resources. Time for d SS to secede is now-

Its a well known fact around the globe that, the CIA is the personal, secret, unaccountable army of the president of the USA whose lawless covert operations is clearly defined in the article by this useless writer.
The work of the CIA, include overthrowing democratically elected governments, assassinating heads of state and key officials, propping up friendly despots, snatching individuals for extraordinary rendition, treating them harshly in torture prisons, and using drones as instruments of state terror in Afghanistan and Somalia. CIA is more active than ever in Africa, most especially 9ja. It's a a global Mafia hit squad and has nothing to do with democracy. So what is the writer up to in 9ja? In saner climes, d citizens of the country, would have yanked this nonsense off the news-stand-CIA sacked Mubarak-has his departure changed anything in that Cairo? The CIA bag of dirty tricks on Jonah defines its character as the imperial demonic power behind boko haram-

The worst place to be born in 2013! Vanguard just reported 11,6000 maternal deaths in the last three months alone! Yet, animals quack here about a visionless crooked clown from the creeks. Prof. Ayittey called for a psychiatric examination of Dr Dumbo whose obese wife runs to Germany to treat a headache. From nine aircraft in the presidential fleet to fifteen idle amubulance vehicles gathering dust, one wonders the kind of wicked heart aborigines are edowed with. Femke gave up writing about Naija, Joel Brinkley's article is only introductory. Expect more from other reputable news outlets as a prelude to a UN-sponsored carving of Naija into smaller, more manageable entities. This gathering of divergent people and cultures will not work in a 1000yrs! Nigeria is a failed state heading towards implosion. Articles like Brinkley's are welcome news since it eliminates the "ethnic factor" that has veiled most of us.

I believe, grudgingly, Mr. Brinkley has captured the truth of the very essence of Nigeria. It is a profound pity that this is coming from a foreigner, nay a whiteman.

He has made the points that we all know only too well that the ruling class is simply exploiting this rich country to their selfish advantage. But I believe that this will come to a screeching end sooner than later. The form this will take, I do not know but it will happen soon. Nigeria is going through its death throes slowly but steadily. Mark my very words, Nigeria will cease to exist as we know it today by 2015!

Who will save this thing called akpos1 from his perpetual lunacy? Your pipe-dream SE&SS is driving u too wild. Nigeria will surely break into several countries sooner than later, but u know what? Ur imaginary united States of SE&SS is already a shattered dream!

akpos1, I pity u. My condolence to ur broken heart!!!!

This is a misplaced priority by the government. This incident is not peculiar to President Goodluck it may be found across the nation. Government houses have more than required health facility than the general public they intend to serve. Because they feel that doesn't sound right they then move the vehicles away from public. I hope the electorates are reading this and act appropriately when the opportunity comes to give account of their stewardship.

A few months ago, the Economist Intelligence Unit published an evaluation of the best places for babies to born in 2013, given their probable welfare as children and the chance for a safe, comfortable, prosperous life. Switzerland, Australia and Norway were the top three......Dead last: Nigeria. "It is the worst place for a baby to enter the world in 2013," the report said.

We as citizens must make that change

"...less than one half of Nigerians have access to clean, disease-free water.." This is an understatement. Only the ruling class who have access to oil money can afford a bore-hole and therefore, clean water. 99.99999 % of Nigerians live below poverty line. Fella Anikulapo already said all this many decades back: that Nigerians are pretenders, they know how to smile even when they are suffering. Jonathan and the politicians will not change. They are smiling to the bank on the ignorance of the people. They have stolen the birth rights of the people.

Question N°1, Is this the reason the Queen of england gave weapon to the Kanuri's & the Fulani's to kill the Igbos? Question N°2, if there is another civil-war in nigeria who will the Queen of england support? Question N°3, There is no way the fulani's would have the courage to kill the Igbos if not because they are backed by the Queen. Question N°4, Since the Queen of england gave weapons to the fulanis & kanuris to kill the Igbos back into one nigeria what has nigeria achieve? Question N°5, why has the queen failed to call her soldiers to order?

Nigeria is the most corrupt country on planet earth, GEJ is the most corrupt ruler Nigeria ever, and will ever have. We have resolved to send this clown back to the creeks in 2015.

Good write up.The reality is-except for a complete peoples revolution,the decadence in the Nigerian society will lead to a total failed state within the next few months, with more serious ramifications.