#NIGERIA #AKWAIBOM GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION 2015.(and 2016 Re-run)

It is mind startling what strategic political thinking went into APC's nomination of Mr. Umana Umana, as its gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming elections next April. Let's all agree that Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria needs a change in governance. So how did Umana Umana become a change agent?  Mr.Umana  Umana  has been in PDP and in the political leadership and governance of Akwa Ibom state from the period of Victor Attah. For more than fifteen yeas to date, Mr.Umana has been in government of Akwa Ibom State as an active player and participant.

If the mantra of APC is change! Change ! How do you justify putting out a man who has been part of the governance, misgovernance, near-governance and at times blundering or misdirecting of the commonwealth of Akwa Ibom State as an agent of Change?

It appears that the people of Akwa Ibom are now left with choosing between the Ocean and a River. I urge all Akwa Ibom citizens to vote with the realization that, at least we can demand that whoever wins in April 2015, "we the people", will demand and send a message that in Akwa Ibom . That it's not going to be same game, same business and same taking us for a ride. Whoever wins , it is a reality that it's going to be the continuation of PDP administration. But we hope and look beyond the partisan political strife and electioneering and hope that it's going to be a NEW DAWN.

Let all sons and daughters,of Akwa Ibom hold whoever wins as our next Governor, feet to the fire, and help him THINK, "we the people."

Udom Emmanuel, looks more of a change compared to Umana Umana.


Godspeed Akwa Ibom State.

*This commentary was first published on March 18, 2015 and it is still relevant now.

#ONNA #AKWAIBOM #NIGERIA

It's actually not about the parties; APC/PDP, for me personally. I haven't seen their differences ideologically or their distinct governance philosophy. My beef & concern is YOU, the electorate, "we the people". Isn't it about time we think & command our senses which are common to think of not just bags of rice, wads of crisp Naira($$) notes, wrapper, ogogoro and those stomach infrastructure blinders, which are just but for a moment. But let's think for once in this coming elections on the Person! The Character! The qualities of HE/SHE that ask for our votes. These folks live amongst us, we know them. Let's start creating the ONNA, the Akwa Ibom & the Nigeria we desire...we are watching!!!

The world is watching to see the "crawling babe" begin to walk and run again. We were once known as Giants of Africa. Whatever happened to that NIGERIA? Who bewitched her? We must get this Giant awake & Roaring again. Let's use our PVCs aka voter's card to vote out the pinheads & crazies. Nigeria we Hail Thee!!!

** Originally Published December 13, 2013.
Boston, MA.
USA.

ONNA PROFESSIONALS IN DIASPORA (OPID).

OPID.
Onna Professionals In Diaspora.

 

 

WHY A PROFESSIONAL IS DESIRABLE TO TAKE AKWA IBOM FORWARD?

I am not indicting non-professionals or professional politicians but it is my strong view that a professional is needed to consolidate and propel Akwa Ibom State from the transformational and foundational developmental pedestal the present government has achieved to echelonic  levels.

An experienced professional in management of human, tangible and non-tangible resources, with track records will give us a nuclear- head start. Now that infrastructural foundations have been laid, we must deepen the economic, intellectual, cultural and industrial richness that we as a people have been endowed with.

So I submit that ONNA has what it takes in terms of professionals that fall within these parameters. Let’s stand up and be counted amongst “the few good men”.

-On Infrastructural developmental consolidation

-On Strategic Economic Renaissance

-On Real Foreign Direct Investment (RFDI)

-On Real Ownership of our natural Resources.

-On Cultural, Intellectual Property & Geographical Indicator’s Husbandry.

Oh Yes! LET’S GO THERE.  “WE FORWARD”!

 

STILL ON EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE IN AKWA IBOM,NIGERIA: ROUTE TO EXIT "CIVIL SERVICE STATE" STATUS

https://www.facebook.com/samuel.andrews1/notes
"... You guys are being mischievous and taking pot shots at the Governor. All's fair in love and war. Whatever you guys say, I am inviting you to Uyo for the grand commissioning of the Tropicana Entertainment Center end of 2013. It will be one of the biggest entertainment resorts in the Gulf of Guinea. It will employ over 5,000 Akwa Ibom indigenes. Also the state govt is poised to unleash one of the biggest hatcheries in West Africa situated in Uruan. There's also the 36,000 capacity Olympic stadium to be commissioned before 2015. ????, let's talk uncommon sustainable development and leave this mundane topic that is almost 7 yrs old. Have a great day."

The above statement generally reflects the thinking (and they are true believers) of the current political class and their propagandist in Nigerian political developments. The government building few infrastructures;roads,bridges,schools,cinema halls(?), In the 21st century we are enjoined to canonize governors for building roads,schools ,overhead bridges and paying public service workers salary. I am really still analyzing why and how Nigeria,got to this stage in its socio-political development.When most of those thinking from this pedestrian, and  myopic view point are otherwise learned people and  "leaders" that may one day be in political offices. We begin to wonder when the cyclical misfortune in Nigerian political development will be abated,when most of our supposed leaders of tomorrow think this way.

In the 1980s, I still remember going to watch movies in Calabar, in Cross Rivers State in Patsol (if that is correct ) and there was another movie theatre where we enjoyed Bruce Lee and mostly martial arts movies.I cannot remember the government of that state being responsible for the Business.Also in Lagos we had movie theatres in the 1970s,I am not aware of lagos State government being the promoter of those theatre.In Port harcourt ,I am not aware of the government investing in building the movie theatre there. So why is Akwa Ibom governmnet bragging about building Entertainment centres. Why is the State government investing in such capital intensive projects that ,partnering with the private sector would have been more effective for the economic growth of the State.
Evidence has shown that governments (particularly in Nigeria) do not have good records of sustaining public built infrastructures.These structures require huge capital to maintain,and governments are not always capable of delivering.
In Akwa Ibom State,there used to be companies like Champion Brewery in Uyo,Qua Iboe Steel company in Eket,Battery & Biscuits  company in Ikot Ekpene and Abak,Alscon Steel in Ikot Abasi (Federal government also involved) and other state government promoted business and owned initiative.What in God's blue sky happened to these companies? The clear answer is corruption and incompetence by the state govenment and its agents ruined these industries. Akwa Ibom State government and governments generally have limited capacity to run businesses that would stand test of time. Then why is Gov. Akpabio and his administration investing humongous capital in setting up businesses that would collapse in the near future.We have been here before.

I suggest that creating enabling environment for private enterprise to strive is the way to go.That is why I commend him for building roads and bridges but that alone would not fly.The tax code in Akwa Ibom should be made to attract investors into the state.Importantly,the issues of security of life and property of citizens and residents of the state is fundamental from any economic growth.He could lobby the federal government,using his personal and political influence ,that is of high currency value now,to be creative in the area of power generation. With current technology,Akwa Ibom could invest in effective power generation and distribution (with partnership with the federal government) so that the industrial base of Akwa Ibom is enhanced.It is the private sector that could grow the economy of Akwa Ibom existentially and exponentially. The building of hospitals ,Stadium and other may be good,if we are sure these institutions would not be relics worthy for the homeless in months after Mr. Akpabio leaves office. I suggest ,that the state government should seek highly competent,emphasis (seek) professionals of Akwa Ibom in diaspora,partner with them or partner with other competent (not cronies) professional anywhere in the world to run these institutions as  private enterprise. I am aware of the duties of government to take care of the poor and weak in society.These policy objectives could always be embedded in the controlling agreement the government would enter into  with those to manage or own these institutions.

 On educational policy, the governor has shown good instinct in introducing free education program in the state. Education being one of the fundamental strategies that will position the state to economic growth. However, free education (if Akwa Ibom can afford it) does not begin and end with tuition waiver . It also must include quality educational aids, quality and motivated instructors, modern classrooms with digital applicable tools. Encouraging scholarship programs could take pressure off the state finances. Private and non government organization could be encourage to support scholarship programs. The syllabi and curriculum of the elementary and high schools must be reformed to make our kids competitive globally.

The point of my note,here is that Gov. Akpabio should not distract himself from the initiatives and policy goals he set for himself, when he came into power as governor, by engaging in self promoting politicking and superficial projects.He could go in history as the "Renaissance Governor" of Akwa Ibom State, if he puts his focus on projects that will stand the test of time and promote REAL economic growth of the State.

These praise singers and courtiers, (#Ekerette Udo+, and his ilk ; anyone read,the pathetic article he wrote recently on the governor? Such Reuben Abatirian journalism, is what corrupts the political space.
("THE MOB ATTACK ON GOVERNOR AKPABIO IN THE PRESS: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE", Articles | THISDAY LIVE http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-..), (04/01/2013).
They (courtiers) are ready to malign and  ascribe ulterior motives to anyone who disagree on policy or politics of the governor. They are actually not doing him nor the state any favors. In a democracy ,if one is not ready to accept and intelligently counter criticisms,whether stupid or intelligent,is not ready to be transformational. After all,deepening the institutional benefits and derivatives of democracy should be the creed of us all ;for motherland.

AFRICAN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP: Why We Drift downward(Forthcoming))

DILUTION AND TARNISHMENT OF NOLLYWOOD MARK AND TRADEMARK:PARTISAN POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS

DILUTION AND TARNISHMENT OF NOLLYWOOD MARK AND TRADEMARK: PARTISAN POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS

In the field of trademark, franchise, celebrity and publicity rights law and practices a person’s unique likeness, image, status, and creative works can be effectively leveraged for economic returns. An artist possess vast intellectual property rights in his creative works.

The value and longevity attached to a trade mark and brand is influenced greatly by the usage and perception that such brand, trademark and franchise exudes. The usage of a trademark, brand, franchise and other identity IP rights has the potential of devaluing its IP assets.
The entertainment and film industry in Nigeria, known as Nollywood, has produced celebrities and artist that could be managed effectively to optimize the value in their IP rights. The mix of partisan politics and product endorsement by artist in leveraging their celebrity, publicity trademark and other IP rights is a risking business model in a developing political economy like Nigeria. The recent use of Nollywood to promote one political aspirant over to other may be a double edged sword.

Politics being a blood sport and highly combustible affair in most of Africa, including Nigeria may have a blurring effect on the product being endorsed and the artist who is endorsing the product. When Nollywood group of artists endorse a political aspirant, there is the danger of product alienation and negative prejudice. There is an immediate financial reward in political endorsement but how about the long term valuation defect of the brand, trademark and publicity/image rights of the Nollywood artist involved in such politico-commerce campaign.
The general reception of the image and creative works of the Nollywood artist at the end of the day is the currency that will sustain his star power and celebrity status. The longer Nollywood artists maintain control and use of his intellectual property rights, the longer the brand remains an asset worth global valuation for economic returns. The combined effects of positive optics and alluring appeal to an artist most times translates from intangible to tangible assets. So a careful walking a thin line of professional balance and market sustainability is required.

The downside of corporate support of any political aspirant by Nollywood community is the sword of emotional ostracization of the artist because of the political affiliation that may be ascribed to Nollywood as a group or to the artist individually. When an aspirant that Nollywood support fails in the political contest, how would the larger public which is not politically sophisticated to differentiate politics from a professional work. Nigeria largely is still a society that majority of Nollywood patrons are not academicians but average Janes and Joes who do not have the luxury of analyzing an artists’ professional work from political affiliations. Nollywood artist should not risk polarizing its market and celebrity base. Partisan Politicking should not be part of Nollywood modus operandi. Let politicians do what they do best and Nollywood should focus on creativity and innovations in our emerging film industry.

Nollywood artists have every legal and moral rights to endorse any political candidate of their choice but they must be wary of trending into corporate endorsement that conflicts with global best practices in enhancing their creative spaces. The professional managers of these artists may have to adopt strategic environmental valuation modems for the Nollywood artist. More work and professional assistance from IP professional practitioners are needed to take Nollywood to where it ought to be in entertainment and cultural industry globally. The valuation index for maximization of Nollywood artist could be at par with any “A” list Hollywood artist. All it takes is creative and strategic guidance.  Nollywood IP rights and protection is relevance to its growth.  Talents are abound in Nollywood and together we can rule the creative and innovative space globally.


Samuel Andrews, LL.M
sandrews5@suffolk.edu

• Updated. This article was first published in 2011.

NIGERIANS:TIME TO SAY NO SERIES (2)

Please reason with Me


What makes you think he/she is an "oga" (lord superior). What makes you think he/she holds the keys to your growth and progress.You have got the greatest title ,asset and power; you are a CITIZEN of Nigeria,Yes, the highest title beyond national honors award,president,governor,excellency,honorable,senator ,lawyer,doctor,teacher,militant,minority,majority.
Remember, when you were in primary school or standard school? did you ask your friend and play mate if she/he was Annang,Ibibio,Yoruba,Igbo,Hausa,Ishan,Benin,Fulani,Nupe? did you ask before going to play in the playground?.Alright,when you started dating that boy/girl in secondary school,remember? did you ask him/her, if he/she was a moslem or christian or Ifa worshiper or catholic or protestant? Did you? So who has bewitched you? who has spoken all these lies into you?who is manipulating you? Can't you see? can't you think? can't you see where you are heading? that we may not have a country or state where we will call our own? where you can even enjoy those wealth you have earned? did i say earned ?alright ,wealth you have acquired? But to you who is still struggling to even earn anything,how long will they use you.Oh ,they have even promised you a spot? A spot? how long do you think this will continue..Haven't you smelled and seen anger,hatred,bitterness in the Land? haven't you heard of the global changes? Oh sorry,you don't even have electricity to tune on your radio or television? But know now...that there is a change coming....and it is inevitable.
As a citizen of Nigeria you are an agent of that change we have been waiting for.So go out and vote in April 2011,most importantly protect your vote,be vigilant.if they steal your vote,YOU MUST STATE LOUDLY AND CIVILLY ,NEVER AGAIN,It must be government WE THE PEOPLE DECLARE,period.