Earth, we are at COP.

Maybe we will get it right this time? Maybe we will collectively rise up to our responsibilities as keepers of this geographical enclave called Earth? Maybe the Paris Summit on Climate Change will go down in history as the meeting where we finally and genuinely committed to curtailing the damage we have done to the Earth.

Oh Earth, how we have ignored you for so long; how we have trampled on your beauty and exploited your extravagance; how we have constantly taken from you but blatantly failed to put back in you. You have enriched us but in return we have depleted you. You have fed us but in exchange we have polluted you.

We appeared to have realized our errors and have gathered again to strive for a consensus on how to nourish you oh Earth.

From Casablanca to Canberra and from Isale Eko to Iceland, we are hoping to convince ourselves to do what is right once and for all. 

Oh God of the Earth, please take our mind back to Eden so we can see the value in your creation and begin to tend the Earth again. Remind us that we are custodians of this space and help us to collectively agree to a workable approach that will mitigate the negative aftermath of the damages we have done to the Earth.

History

History has the propensity to unbear mystery. The secret to understanding the future is often embedded in the crucible of past events. A people who trample on the wisdom in their yesterday are often held hostage by the claws of repeated errors and the grips of illusionary preoccupations.

History is valuable and usable; history is humbling and resolving; history invigorates and liberates. History is our today viewed from tomorrow.

History is why we live here today; history is what will be said of us when we are gone tomorrow. 

Political Institutions and the New Realities of Globalization

In an age where trade no longer knows geographical boundaries, the roles of political institutions and in particular, political parties and elected politicians will be very crucial in determining whether a nation embraces globalization and reaps it numerous advantages or opposes it, and be denied the opportunity for growth and economic advancement.

While it may be argued that political parties and the high-level discourses they engage in, are the engine rooms through which our social and economic realities are sharpen as a people, there is no denying the fact that their propensity for dissension and their growing desire to regularly score political points, could form a clog in the wheel of our collective economic wealth as nations of the world.

Today, there are new global economic realities especially with the emergence of new global manufacturing hubs for both industrial and regular household products. China for example, has become a global manufacturing giant and a lot of countries have formed various bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with her to benefit from producing at cheaper costs and ultimately improving their bottom line. Other countries like Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey and Nigeria have also surfaced on the world economic landscape courtesy of their sustained year-over-year macroeconomic growth, which has caused investment pundits, large multinational corporations and governments of the ‘first world’ countries to start paying closer attention to them.

Some of these ‘’second and third world’’ nations, due to their diversified economic growth and the integration of successful non-traditional sectors into mainstream GDP-earning elements of their economy, are now described as the best soils with the highest investment yields across the world.

In view of these new ‘economic normals’, it would be sheer mindlessness to allow political jingoism and blind patriotism based on misconceptions and unfounded biases, stand in the way of meaningful collaborations with these people and nations that might have different history or culture than ours.

With being in an age of economic collaborations, we should expect to see increased, well-thought-out bilateral and multilateral trade agreements world-over that would advance the economic course of the average populace. Existing in times like these should mean that positive stories of economic multiplicity coming out of nations far and wide are not ignored but rather they are tested for veracity and the opportunities inherent in them are judiciously explored.

Needless to say that a single vote in the hand of a lawmaker could make or mar the economic future of a nation and the blatant unwillingness of our legislature to put our common economic prosperity ahead of their political prejudices could plunge our societies into austerity.

Globalization has come to stay and boost the capacities of nations, organizations and institutions that embrace it. It is hoped that those who have been entrusted with the responsibilities of advancing the course of the larger populace through policies and the tools of politics will come to terms with this reality and not allow ‘baseless partisanism’ and undue protectionism to stop our common economic opportunities.

The trees will miss you.

The trees in Kenya are crying; the trees in Africa and around the world are sobbing. One of their keepers is gone. Their key preserver has left them and will be meeting mother earth.

Prof. Wangari Maathai, the renowned environmentalist, tree-planter and Africa’s first woman Nobel Laureate is gone. Her long-fought battle with cancer ended her breath this morning.

Her courageous and visionary spirit as well as her passion for a tree-filled world will be missed. She has done her bit, but will her bit continue to save the trees.

In the place of Oxygen, I see fear and anxiety oozing out of the stomata and lenticels of trees. Will they live again? Will their beauty and grandeur not be exchanged for shillings and dollars by environmental merchants?

Adieu says the oak, the baobao, the cypress and the millions of trees around the world. Adieu says the millions of creatures that find their abode in and around the trees.

We wished you could still be here with us for a little longer they all chorused. We will miss you they all echoed.

As we remember today.

Today makes it a decade since the horror event of 9/11 happened and all around the world at this period, there is an ugly reminiscence of how several yet-to-be-fulfilled dreams were shattered along with the World Trade Centre in New York.

In the US and across the globe, there is a wound which has been opened again today - a wound which the memories of the lost of loved ones and family members bring; a wound which has its root causes in the wicked acts of men to men.

Those who died are not coming back but the reason behind the loss of their lives is still with us – wickedness and terror.

As we remember today, the word of Edmund Burke comes to mind that ‘evil prevails when good men do nothing.’

More than anything else, this year’s 9/11 reminds us of our collective responsibilities to stamp out evil behaviours wherever they exist. We are once again called to collectively stand against men whose wicked and ungodly acts keep others in pain. We are asked to jointly bring down every wall of oppression, aggression and subjugation. Our voices must be lent towards restoring hope, comfort and sanity to our world.

As we remember today, we should live and let others also live. We should imbibe the virtues of tolerance and respect for each other. We should work towards restoring the dignity of the human soul as bestowed by God.

Gbagbo! Respect the people's will

Cote d'Ivore has been in the news recently, particularly for the fact that Mr. Laurent Gbagbo has refused to concede defeat in the recently-concluded elections in the country.

He is claiming there were irregularities with the polls and hence, he must continue to be in power as the President of the country. His choice however, has pitched him against the Ivorian masses, and against regional, continental and international communities.

ECOWAS, AU, UN, EU as well the United States and other concerned global entities have all voiced their displeasure against the way and manner Mr. Gbagbo is clinging to power even when he has become unpopular with his own people.

The Ivorian masses are dying by the day. Anarchy is gripping every facet of the country's life.

The country now have two 'sworn-in' Presidents; One President is operating from an hotel, the other, from the state house.

The Ivorian masses are unfortunately at the receiving end. All manners of sanctions are flinging in from every quarters. An unpopular leader has failed to respect their will.

The world again is witnessing a situation where a single individual's ambition is plunging a whole nation and generation into chaos.

Hundreds or thousands of children, women and men are again going to suffer for the sins they never committed. They are going to be refugees in places they never thought of going to. They are likely to be treated like unwanted guests and given uncomplimentary attentions. Their new homes will now be tents and they would have to be in-line to be fed. Their dignity is going to be eroded once again.

Gbagbo! Please think of posterity and let peace rule in Cote d'Ivore. Ivorians have seen too much of troubles already. Don't force yourself on them. They want to heave a sigh of relief. Please respect their will.

Dynamics of Organizational Control

The events and changes being experienced world over in every facet of human existence have been reported to come with enormous and varying degrees of complexities, uncertainties and challenges in which managers and leaders of our world have had to evolve and develop new paradigms, styles and approaches to the management of people, processes, systems, organizations and nations.

In today’s business and management environment, organizational resources are disappearing, competition is escalating, and value-demand is skyrocketing.

This development has therefore led to organizations being more and more determined in being vision-focused, goal-oriented and performance-driven and the concepts of planning, organizing, leading and controlling has taken more strategic dimensions.

Of great importance is now the need for tasks to be clearly defined and assigned and performance standards set for expected results so that organizational objectives can be realized. This role rests on the shoulders of managers and a tool for achieving this is an effective control system or procedure.

WHAT IS CONTROLLING?

Controlling, as defined by the Longman Active Study Dictionary is ‘the ability to decide what will happen in an organization or place’. It is also said to be ‘the ability to make someone or something do what you want, or make them work in a particular way’

Controlling, as it relates to management is a part, and the last of the four cardinal functions a manager is supposed to perform in an organization. A manager is expected to plan, organize, lead/direct and control.

Controlling is the process through which standards for performance of people, processes, systems and structures are set, communicated, and applied. It involves measuring and correcting individual and organizational performance to ensure that events conform to plans. It is to ensure that deviations are put in check, below-standard results are stepped-up to expected performance level and processes that lead to the attainment of plans and objectives are reinforced and improved-upon.

There are different types of control. Time, budget, equipment, cost, quality management, materials and operations could all be controlled and there could also be systems put in place within organizations to check and synchronize these different types of control.

Control systems are usually designed by (strategic) managers especially after due consideration has been given to factors internal and external to the organization. The main goal of control systems however, is to align organizational resources (people, process, capabilities, assets etc) towards achieving the objectives of the organization.


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Culled from my write-ups as a Management Strategist.

The UN in a changing world

Our world is changing, ideologies, needs and expectations are also changing. Individuals, groups, communities and nations are placing new demands, opinions are constantly differing, interests are clashing, the spirit of togetherness is being threatened. Something must be done, and an organization must have the responsibility to manage all these issues.

The United Nations has being a formidable force in managing the numerous challenges of our time and its role is more and more needed especially as we now face several unprecedented troubles and complexities across the world.

Global economy presently is being disrupted; the tendencies towards inequality are growing. Poverty and hunger, climate change and a host of other environmental, social and political uncertainties are the realities we have to face today.

The United Nations with its core focus of ensuring sustainable development, helping to maintain peace and security across the world and working to create equality among nations must re-strategize across all its organs, arms and agencies to be able to stay on top of the new demands.

The role of the United Nations is so crucial now than before. Firstly, with promoting sustainable development, the United Nations has to work assiduously to ensure that while some nations are complying with environmental, economic and social regulations and standards aimed at reaching the sustainability goals, poverty does not deepen in these countries. Already, gaps are widening in north-south relationships and the developing countries are at the losing end in several bilateral and multilateral agreements aimed at sustainably developing our world. Developing countries should not always be made to comply with processes and procedures that their institutions, infrastructures and capacities do not support. Sincerity has to be at the centre of all planning.

Secondly, with maintaining peace and security across the world, more attention has to be channelled towards disarmament and prevention nuclear proliferation. More effort must be directed at roundtable negotiations to resolve existing crises and conflicts. Small arms proliferation must be discouraged. Nations must be made to comply with existing treaties and conventions. Militarily-strong nations must be discouraged from encroaching on the territorial integrity of weaker nations.

Thirdly, the principle of equality among nations must be reinforced. Double-standards must be discouraged. Existing socio-economic gaps must not be a basis for subjugating weaker nations. Every voice must be heard no matter where it is coming from. The participation and inclusion of developing countries in matters that concerns all must be encouraged and improved.

In all, the United Nations must stay poised to play it crucial roles across the globe, facing new global realities with new strategies.

Thoughts about Nigeria and its people

Nigeria is a wonder!

It is a geographical enclave with a rare assemblage of incredibly ingenious and courageous beings - one hundred and fifty million at home and over twenty million abroad.

Nigeria is a country synonymous with defying all forms of established theories and principles. Too many pundits and 'prophets' have lost their credibility trying to peg or soothsay events in the country.

It’s a country that should have just being a different continent or planet.

Nigerians are different!

They are tough, real, determined and resourceful. They are men and women with unflinching resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people that matter and in the places that count. Black, bold, brilliant and beautiful they are.

They are barrier-breakers and trend-setters. You ignore them to your own peril.

Nigerians love life and God.

Western donors; know your boundaries.

It’s a common saying that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. The government of many African countries have lost their bearing owing to the beggar approach they adopt in relating with donors from the western hemisphere. We have been inundated with how the tool of ‘conditionality’ has been used to scatter the very social structure that characterizes the African life and distort the principles of simplicity, decency and community that Africans enjoy.

One of such appalling and misplaced donor gesture is now been demonstrated in Malawi. Western donors are now putting the government of this southern African nation under pressure for its prohibition of homosexual behaviours in the country.

This is coming at the wake of the conviction of two male Malawians, who got ‘married’ recently, by a court of the land. The court declared the behaviour of Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, as grossly indecent and their acts as unnatural.

Malawi, a deeply religious country in the coming days will have to either swim against the current of western encroachment or sink in the sea of the withdrawal of donor dollars or Euros.

Human right is good but human decency should sound more presentable.

In systems where homosexuality is legalized, how has this unnatural practice contributed to the development of these systems? Should we compound the problems of nations grappling with poverty with a breakdown in their social values?

Homosexuality, to me, is a ‘subtle’ attack on the family, the very fabric of all progressive societies.

Sexual perversion is not African. Africans are decent. From my last check, South Africa is the only Sub-Saharan African country where the law of the land backs homosexual acts. Indeed, there could be some traces of this perversion in some cultures and countries of Africa, the truth is, we must not encourage anything that supports a man ‘marrying’ a man and a woman ‘marrying’ a woman even if it means losing all the donor supports in this world.

As Africans, we should show love to people with this perversion and counsel them to see life as it should be, but we should condemn this act in all its manifestations and furthermore tell western donors to know their boundaries.

Wonders shall never end

Nigeria is a wonder. As a matter of fact, some people have opined that by some acts of tectonic movements or some cosmic re-compositions, the country should have just being a different continent or planet.

With daily happenings in the country defying all forms of established theories and principles, I can tell you that Nigeria is indeed a country of wonders and wonderful men that the world is constantly paying special attention to and regularly placing in special sections of human history.

This attention is not only because of the numerous epoch-making and enviable feats that the name of the country and men of this country are synonymous with, but also for some unbelievable abnormalities that also make news with a few of its aberrant citizens.

How do you understand a man who pushes out a 15-year old ‘new-to-pubescent chassis’ in exchange for a 13-year old 'recently weaned yoyo'? Shouldn’t that tell anyone that we are already seeing Act 1, Scene 1 of absurdity?

Shouldn’t we also fear that we might gradually be getting to a point where some dysfunctional men will start wrestling babies (girls) away from their mother’s breast even before such babies are weaned all in the name of culture?

Nigeria na wa. As we dey put out one fire, another one dey gather smoke again.

I have always thought that an advocate of morality should not also be the proponent of impunitous acts; acts that fall short of acceptable societal norms. I think I have been proven wrong.

Well, what can I say? Can I ask the man who now find solace in the arms of his ‘newly-paid-for’ toddler not to enjoy his catch or what clout do I have to tell the girl’s parents that their behaviour comes across more like greed and disservice to the girl?

I can only hope that those who sin against the Nigerian and African youths will be made to answer for their sins someday.

Wonders shall never end.

Nigeria and Nigerians, Carry go.

Who says Nigeria is not important? George Bush, Tony Blair, Condolezza Rice in Nigeria.

Interesting.

Could this be a platform for some kind of strategic meeting on how to wriggle out of the different panels of enquiries they are facing on their involvement in the Iraq war?

Well, we were told they came to grace an anti-malaria campaign and also to attend a THISDAY newspaper event.

Whatever the truth’ is, thanks to OBJ. The Baba himself.

While you really may not agree with all he does and stands for, you sure cannot fault his tactfulness. He knows the language of global power broking and he is a master at the game of political permutations.

Of course during his tenure as the president of Nigeria and the Chairman of the African Union, Bush and Blair were instrumental to the debt relief Nigeria and other African countries enjoyed; so why would he not facilitate a meeting of these western icons even it means inviting them to talk about Malaria.

In all of these, one thing is sure, Nigeria is an important place and will continue to be an important place no matter the challenges it is facing today.

It is a nation that has a lot to offer the world positively. A geographical space with a rare assemblage of incredibly ingenious and courageous beings.

One hundred and fifty million at home and over twenty million abroad; men and women who have an unflinching resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people that matter and in the places that count. Black, bold, brilliant and beautiful. They are too important to be ignored.

I am glad i hailed from Nigeria. I am a proud Nigerian.

Nigeria and Nigerians, Carry go.

A Saviour needed - the Story of Adam and Abdulmutallab

Adam (the first man) and Abdulmutallab (the suspected Christmas-day airplane bomber) both have lot of things in common. They both erred and plunged their generation and nation respectively into turmoil. They both had a rare opportunity of living in luxury but blew it up.

Adam was the CEO of ‘Garden of Eden Inc.’ a glamorous, enviable and highly-rewarding position but within a short while, his misdeed made him jobless and he became a labourer and a wanderer. Abdulmutallab was a graduate of Engineering, tutored in the best of schools and given the best that life could afford but his ‘unpopular and weird’ belief has secured him a place in the US prison, in chains, where he might be for the rest of his life.

For Adam, there was Jesus Christ who came and died to rewrite all wrong appellations that plagued humanity for generations but for Abdulmutallab, it is not clear who the Nigerian nation will be relying on to clean the handwritings of negativity that have been scribbled on her.

The US has placed Nigeria on a terrorist watch list alongside countries like Yemen, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia etc. What a terrible list to be!

The US disregarded Nigeria’s clean history of international terrorism and the fact that Abdumutallab’s father made heroic and concerted efforts at notifying the US authority of suspicion about his child’s extremist views and possible affiliations. Whilst the US authorities did little to share this information (an indication of systemic failure, using the word of President Obama) the brunt has to be passed on to every 150 million Nigerian at home who tries to travel to the US or the 20 million living in Diaspora who show up at security/immigration points of every airport in the world.

I had a share of this brunt at the immigration point in Agadir on my recent travel to Morocco. The first time I had to explain extensively what my reason for travelling was.

Well, some say putting Nigeria on this list is a smoke that has some fire under it – adducing reason like it is to mount pressure on the country to renew the oil exploration licenses of US companies operating in Nigeria and particularly provide more opportunities for these US companies as opposed to Chinese companies others say the US is at liberty to protect its citizens from any form of aggression or people deemed threatening to the peace and security of its populace.

Whatever the speculations are, Nigeria has to get its heart right. The destiny of this great country is lying in the wait and there is need for a Moses, a David or a Nehemiah to lead it to its promise land.

Nigeria needs a Saviour; A Saviour not from any political enclave or aristocratic construction. A Saviour sent from God that will understand the demand of leadership and have the Spirit of God to carry it through.

Adam got a Saviour, Abdulmutallab must have a Saviour.

.....and as the agreement is not binding?

The week-long Copenhagen Summit is coming to an end and the whole brouhaha about securing commitments from nations of the world on reducing Green House Gases (GHG) has been reduced to sheer ‘mutual sharing of information about mitigation efforts.’

We are witnessing a situation where there is no common goal to secure our common good.

Prior to the Summit, there have being mixed feelings on the possible outcome of the meeting and to some; If Kyoto could not do it, why should Copenhagen make it happen?

The initial foot-dragging and side-stepping witnessed in the first few days of the conference should have made the handwriting on the wall clear that the nexus between reducing GHG by 2oC and maintaining economic buoyancy is not an easy task. Investment in alternative energies is ‘not child’s play.’ It requires mammoth funds in research and development, the budget for which, most nations particularly the developed ones, are not ready to churn out.

To some of the world leaders, their arguments would obviously toll the line that the world is just coming out of the meltdowns and it might not be a popular decision to stale economies especially when the implications of doing this might be higher than those of increasing GHG.

Well, having acted out some diplomatic roles at different Model United Nations Conferences in the last two years, I can relate with how agreements might not translate into commitments. The intricacies of negotiating and securing compromises at such top levels as seen in Copenhagen call for a lot of caution. You can’t just make promises that you will not fulfil. You don’t want to please attendees at the conference and loose your position as the President, Prime Minister or Head of Government of your country when you get back home.

As a matter of fact, it needed even an eloquent and articulate Obama to intermittently look down on the podium on which he was standing; an evidence that he was reading out his comments.

To nations that were expecting this summit to mark the beginning of their reaping in hard currencies from Emission Trading, there is huge disappointment in their faces. Unfortunately they now have to look elsewhere.

The point is now that, every nation should do what it can to cut down GHG and there shall be no legal implication for any nation that is slow at doing this. The US has spoken, China has spoken.

And as the Copenhagen agreement is not legally binding, we can only hope that life on this side of the planet takes a little longer before it all comes to an end.

Maybe there is a lesson from the Niger Delta

Niger Delta Region is an international household name. It is one of the most popular appellations with which the country, Nigeria is readily remembered world-over.

Abduction, gas flaring, oil spillage, struggle for resource control etc are words that accentuate the description of the unfortunate situation in this region.

Militants, of different factions and with different allegiances to ‘local’ as well as ‘expatriate’ god-fathers have shown themselves as agitating for the development of this region. They have blown up pipelines, kidnapped oil-workers, exchanged fire with security operatives and have caused serious unrest in this oil-rich area and across the country.

Well, their song; ‘we want total control of the resources from our region’.

They have engaged in all of these hideous acts basically to get the Nigerian government to have a round-table talk with them. Negotiations, if you like, on how the region will be developed and a large chunk of the revenues being realized from the region will be ploughed back into the region.

The Nigerian government has been dragging its foot and using all manners of side-stepping strategies to avoid proactively engaging these agitators. Recently it became evident that the ‘boys’ meant more than business and will stop at nothing in making their concerns count.

They caused a record drop in the country's daily oil production, touched the Atlas Cove in Lagos and threatened that Abuja, the Capital City, will also be visited. It really didn’t sound like an empty threat and this I think expedited talks with the militants under the Amnesty arrangement.

The Nigerian government talked with the boys and surprisingly, the boys yielded and down their ammunitions for the amnesty deal. Leaders of the various factions of the militant groups were seen mobilizing the hand-over of ‘machines’ and various high-powered war equipments to the Nigerian Army.

It was a landmark achievement although opinions have differed at different quarters on the veracity of the claims and authenticity of the deal. The arrangement was a charade and the gesture of the militants, a facade many have adduced.

Particularly to the big media institutions of the west (you know them), the talks will not hold water and they are merely a sham.

Well, whatever it looked like, the boys now have an understanding with the Nigerian government and there is relative peace in the region.

Again, much to the dismay of the western ‘prophets and preachers of doom’ who wants to help by daytime and siphon the country’s resources by night, the Nigerian government was able to talk with its own people by itself.

As I reflect on this situation, I am inclined to think that maybe most of the challenges that countries and communities face across the world can be solved by people living in those countries and communities themselves without really receiving lectures from ‘overseas pundits.’ Maybe inhabitants of the so-tagged catching-up countries also have their own brains and minds who have acquired invaluable expertise in their own rights to deal with issues in such countries.

Maybe, there is enough build up of local knowledge and capacities to address local challenges. Maybe some of the readily doled-out, international hand-outs are the reasons some problems are continuously handed down from generations to generations. Maybe those who have problems in their own countries and communities but who would rather go about portraying themselves as the solver of the world’s problem should desist from doing so.

Maybe there is a lesson from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria that the rest of the world can learn from.

Africa's hair and the UN

“70% of the issues in the United Nations are African issues and an African adage says ‘you don’t shave a man’s hair in his absence.’ Africa’s hair is being shaved in its absence at the UN”.

These were the comments of Ojo Maduekwe, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister while feeding questions from Isha Sesay of CNN’s Inside Africa.

To me, these were well-chosen and well-crafted words and they succinctly capture Africa’s unfair representation at the different arms of the UN.

In specific terms, the comments were aimed first at applauding Nigeria’s accession as one of two newly-elected Africa’s non-permanent representatives at the UN Security Council and also at canvassing for a permanent seat for Africa at this council – UN’s highest body saddled with the responsibility of taking strategic decisions that would guarantee world peace.

Nigeria, a fifth-timer and Gabon, a fourth-timer will be Africa’s voices in the coming months on this council and working with the P5s (United States, Britain, China, France and Russia) and other eight non-permanent members to manage world peace, Nigeria will obviously be faced with an arduous task.

Mr. Maduekwe stressed briefly what Nigeria’s approach will be when this highly-resourceful nation, with unmatched experience and involvement in peace-keeping activities on the African continent assumes office in a few month times.

Preventive diplomacy, managing flashpoints that triggers conflicts and handling unfairness and injustice across the world will be Nigeria’s strong concern on this council.

What can I say? Congratulations Nigeria, congratulations Africa.

Let’s hope that for once, Africa’s hair will be shaved in its presence and with its permission at the UN.

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

The last few days have seen opinions differing on the award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to United States President, Barack Obama. Some popular opposing opinions were:

· It’s not enough to be rewarded for mere intentions;
· He has not really achieved anything in terms of contributing to world peace;
· It’s just too early for him to be given any kind of ‘laureate’ whatsoever;
· There are other more qualified candidates that merit the award;
· The Nobel committee has watered-down the credibility of the Peace Prize.

Well, whatever these opinions are, the fact is that Barack Obama has joined the league of Nobel Laureates of our time and one thing you can’t take away from him is his ‘new style’ of engaging both friends and ‘enemies’ of the United States. He is unarguably displaying a rare kind of diplomacy which seems to be promoting dialogue and dousing tensions across the world.

He has extended open arms to the Arab and Muslim world and is constructively engaging countries like Russia, North Korea, Pakistan etc.

He is showing commitment towards ridding our continent of nukes and he is continuously sensitising all countries towards the need for collective responsibility and accountability in making our world a better place.

In all, rather than talking tough, he is talking sense.

On my part, I’ll say congratulations Mr. Obama and would sincerely hope the award ‘humbles’ him as he said in his acceptance speech.

The Shoe-thrower is coming home

The house is being dressed, the party being arranged, euphoria is in the air; the shoe-thrower is coming home.

After serving a one-year-turned nine months sentence behind bars for hurling two shoes intermittently at the former US President, George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad earlier this year, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, is to be released to once again see his family and friends.

Al-Zeidi, an Iraq Journalist with a local news station, who called the former US President a ‘dog’, while he was throwing his shoes at him, became a celebrity for his effrontery and gallantry in actualizing what most middle easterners would have wanted to happen; for someone to register their displeasure, where it mattered, regarding US invasion of Iraq.

Although Al-Zeidi crossed the line and humiliated President Bush right in front of his Prime Minister and in front of the whole world, the US invasion of Iraq, which held the promise of restoring long-lasting peace to the country, led to more problems than was initially envisaged.

The alleged presence of weapons of mass destruction which was the basis for the American invasion ended up being untrue, and while many lives were lost in the process of looking for the nukes, most Iraqis and Middle Easterners were unhappy with the ‘encroachment’ and would want to pass this message across in a way that would be clear.

Al-Zeidi did pass the message across and was punished for it.

While there are many western commentators who feel that the punishment does not commensurate the gravity of his offense, the news once again is that, the shoe-thrower is coming home.

Deal, no deal

What happens if the ‘enemy’ has what you want? Do you beg, fight, pray or strike a deal to get it?

Interesting!

Libya has being perceived as an ‘enemy’ by many western nations for decades but Libya has Oil and the likes of Italy, Britain, Germany etc. must talk to Libya otherwise they risk talking to some other middle eastern ‘enemies.’

Britain has talked to Libya recently and it has led to the release of Megrahi, a bomber, a killer and call him more names; he is back in Libya and most interestingly, was given a royal welcome perhaps for having murdered two hundred and seventy people in 1988.

You didn’t need a soothsayer to tell you that Megrahi’s release was tied to BP’s oil interest in Libya.

Well, according to Gordon Brown, there was ".... no double dealing, no deal on oil" over his release but Jack Straw is saying there was a deal. Poor Scottish authorities, they would have given in on the need for their economy to be ‘powered’.

The U.S is angry but I believe this anger will be worked out in some diplomatic talks in a few days time and then business will continue as usual. After all, everybody does it. Lives could have being lost, families bereaved but if there is a deal on the line, the ‘necessary’ has to be done or there might be no deal.

What is interesting to me in all of these is how systems are the same everywhere – In Africa, Europe, America, everywhere. Call it first world, second world, developing, least developing or whatever academic jargon that suits you, once they are run by humans, expect similar outputs.

Humans are the same, their position, education or location notwithstanding and they display similar propensities. They are sometimes hypocrites who try to clean up others but they smell themselves. Kettles who call pots black.

They could trade joy, hope and purpose for pounds, euro and dollars and could strike deals with their enemy but have no deal with their creator.


***Originally written in my Facebook note on Sunday, 06 September 2009 at 08:29***

It's September 11!

It’s September 11 or 9/11 if you prefer that. It’s eight years since the World Trade Center was blown up by ‘terrorists.'

We were told they were extremists but we fear they were loyalists. Loyalists of some ‘internal elements' who needed a reason to invade Iraq.

With several unanswered questions ranging from whether the explosion did not look more like a controlled demolition, to why a big flight that drilled through Pentagon could leave such a small hole in the building, to a stern refusal to open up more public enquiries into the issue, there are very strong basis to believe that the event was arranged and some people need to be covered up.

Conspiracy at top level if you like.

Well, condolensce to the families who lost their loved ones and still grapple daily with missing them.

We are living at a time when truth could be classified and access to it denied ‘forever‘. Forever until God brings them to the open.

It's September 11!