MONDAY MIDNITE-1897

MONDAY MIDNITE-1897
From the campaign for the return of Benin's looted artifacts by British invaders in 1897 to the no-holds-barred condemnation of Nigeria's corrupt past and present leaders in tracks like PISSY PISSY, AZZHOLEZ ROCK and BRING BACK THE MONEY, this 1897 album is loaded with thought-provoking and inspiration songs. A click on the image will direct you to an online store where you can purchase the album or songs from the album.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Single term not my idea, says Jonathan

Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday technically distanced himself from the controversial single tenure agenda when he said the proposal "is not my idea."

Jonathan, who spoke at the 56th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja said the information got leaked to the press in the process of consultation.
According to him, the single term idea emanated from the recommendations of the inter-party committee, excluding the Action Congress of Nigeria, made to the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwias Electoral Reforms panel.

He said he was the chairman of the committee that was constituted by late President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Besides, he said he has not consulted with the party leadership nor the leadership of the National Assembly on the issue.

He said however, that the idea was good as it would help to reduce acrimony and election cost.

"It (single tenure) has nothing to do with the four year presidency that Nigerians have given to us.  We just wanted to clarify it and I think we need to mention that it was not my idea; it was the idea of the committee that I chaired which we believe those of us, the majority members of the committee believe, is the best option," Jonathan said. 

He added that the idea was not meant to elongate his tenure as the opposition groups are insinuating.

Jonathan said: " There is a brief comment I want to make on this so called single tenure.  I wouldn’t have love to, but probably, it is becoming so topical in the papers.  Most of the papers carried it today and when things happen, they do take it to a different direction. 

"Since we are meeting here as the NEC of the party, it is probably proper to clarify some of these issues so that it will not be misunderstood.  The rumour came in, it is me that asked some few people, whether a single tenure will be a better option than a double tenure. 

"Before I take any decision, I used to ask people.  But, that is not the end of consultation.  It is a major chain.  So, before I can even send such a bill to the National Assembly, I will consult with the governors because, any constitutional amendment involves the states and if they are not on the same page with you, there is no way such an amendment can easily sail through," the president added.
The Nation 

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA?--Monday Midnite



Yes, what in the world is wrong with Obama? When is he going to realize that being Mr. Nice Guy is rendering him a weakling of a President? I mean, 64% of the public supports Obama's plan of a balanced mix of spending cuts and tax hike for the super-rich in the ongoing debt ceiling fiasco, yet he's backing Senator Reed's plan that has no tax increase in it.... all in the name compromise. 'Listen up Mr. President, that's no compromise. That's simply laying flat on your face and allowing Republicans to stomp all over you.'



Republicans are eating Obama alive on spending.....even though their mind-boggling spending under BUSH Jr. got America and the entire world into the current economic turmoil. Check out the FACTUAL statistics compiled by CNN.



BUSH SPENDING:

(1) MEDICARE/PRESCRIPTION DRUGS---$180 BN
(2) TARP--------------------------------------$224 BN
(3) DISCRETIONARY SPENDING---------  $608 BN
(4) STIMULUS PACKAGE 2008-------------$773 BN
(5) DEFENSE SPENDING-----------------$1,469 BN
(6) BUSH TAX CUTS--------------------- $1,812 BN

TOTAL-----------------------------------$5,070BN




OBAMA'S PROJECTED SPENDING (THROUGH 2017)

(1) DISCRETIONARY SPENDING-----------$274 BN
(2) THE SO-CALLED OBAMA CARE--------$152 BN
(3) STIMULUS TAX CUTS------------------ $425 BN
(4) STIMULUS PACKAGE--------------------$711 BN

TOATAL-----------------------------------$1,440 BN





The above STATS clearly shows that Obama's PROJECTED spending through 2017 is more than three times lower than what the Republicans spent under Bush. Yet they are the one ranting and raving over spending, and Obama is taking a serious pounding being Mr. Nice Guy. This is unacceptable. 'Toughen up Mr. President. You can be nice and strong at the same time.' 




With the deck stacked against him public opinion-wise, Bush Jr. was still able to muzzle one wrong policy after another through congress because he was tough. Obama on the other hand, is about to make a notorious history as the first President to take America into default even though his plan is supported by majority of the people.

Reagan raised the DEBT CEILING 17 times.
Bush Sr. raised the DEBT CEILING 5 times.
Clinton raised the DEBT CEILING 6 times.
Bush Jr. raised the DEBT CEILING 7 times.

ALL WITHOUT notable tussle. Why is it suddenly different with Obama? 
                                   

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Diplomacy: Nigeria will reciprocate visa denials – Minister

By John Alechenu, Abuja
Wednesday, 27 Jul 2011


The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, on Tuesday said Nigerian Missions abroad would henceforth undertake reciprocal treatment regarding the issuance of visas.


The minister said in maiden meeting with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Nigeria that Nigeria would longer not tolerate the shabby treatment of its citizens by foreign missions that appeared to have developed a habit of frustrating Nigerians with genuine reasons to travel. 


Ashiru said it was no longer acceptable for missions in Nigeria to make Nigerians suffer just because they were seeking visas. 
“I wish to assure you of the readiness of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions to undertake reciprocal treatment. 


“Where visas are delivered promptly within three to five days, we shall reciprocate and where there is a delay, we shall apply the same measure.
“I wish however to appeal to you to please help to lessen the burden of such complaints and requests for assistance on mu office.


Certainly, where unnecessary delays are caused, it would be a negation of the principle of good relations between two countries.” 
The minister also cautioned foreign diplomats against making unguarded utterances on Nigeria’s internal affairs.


He expressed the hope that he would not be given any opportunity to summon any ambassador to his office for acts of “insensitivity” or lack of restraint.
The minister also frowned at the practice by some diplomats who bye-passed the Foreign Ministry to deal directly with Nigerian ministries and departments. 


On Nigeria’s new foreign policy thrust, the minister said Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan would intensify her advocacy against illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which he said had become a catalyst for conflict in the African continent.” 


Accordingly, Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad have been re-directed to accord this new emphasis the highest priority.
He said “While upholding the democratic imperative and our leadership role in the continent, we would strive to re-define our foreign policy, and strengthen our diplomacy to support domestic programmes of government.”


Ashiru pointed out that poverty remained the single greatest enemy of democracy and must be tackled seriously.
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Jonathan to submit tenure elongation bill to the National Assembly

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President Goodluck Jonathan is to send a Constitution amendment bill to the National Assembly that will provide a single tenure for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governors of the 36 states of the Federation, the Presidency said yesterday.


Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said in the envisaged bill, the tenure of members of the National and State Assemblies will also be a little more than four years, although lawmakers will still be eligible for re-election, as their constituencies may determine. The specific number of years have not yet been disclosed, but this bill, if approved by NASS, will take effect from 2015.


Mr Abati said the president's commitment to a single term for the president and state governors is borne out of a patriotic zeal and "after a painstaking study and belief that the constitutionally guaranteed two terms for presidents and governors is not helping the focus of governance and institutionalisation of democracy at this stage of our development. A longer term for lawmakers would also help to stabilise the polity."


He said Mr Jonathan is concerned about the acrimony which the issue of re-election, every four years, generates both at the federal and state levels.
"The nation is still smarting from the unrest, the desperation for power, and the overheating of the polity that has attended each general election. The fall-out of all this is the unending inter and intra-party squabbles which have affected the growth of party democracy in the country, and have further undermined the country's developmental aspirations," he said.


The presidential spokesman pointed out that in addition to these, the cost of conducting party primaries and the general elections have become too high for the economy to accommodate every four years.
"The proposed amendment bill is necessary to consolidate our democracy and allow elected executives to concentrate on governance and service delivery for their full term, instead of running governments with re-election as their primary focus," he said.


He, however, noted that this clarification has become necessary in the light of certain reports in a section of the media that the proposed bill is meant to elongate Mr Jonathan's tenure. He said the details of the bill will be clear when it is forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
Not about Mr Jonathan


Mr Abati also said the president has made it clear that his push for a single tenure for the office of the president and that of the governors is not borne out of any personal interest and does not intend to benefit from it.
"Nothing can be more untrue. The energy that has been devoted to speculations on the content of the likely bill is akin to an attempt to force the abortion of a non-existent pregnancy. 


The proposed amendment will not have anything to do with him as a person. What he owes Nigerians is good governance, and he is singularly committed to this. Besides, it is trite law that the envisaged amendment cannot have a retroactive effect. This means that whatever single-term tenure that is enacted into law by the National Assembly will take effect from 2015.
"The president also states that the good of Nigeria is greater than the ambition of any one individual. The envisaged bill is part of the Jonathan administration's transformation agenda aimed at sanitising the nation's politics," Mr Abati further said.


He said the president believes that the constitutional change, when actualised, will change the face of the nation's politics and accelerate the overall development of the nation.
"If the proposed amendment is accepted by the National Assembly, the president assures that he will not in any way be a beneficiary," he said.

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

THEY ALL DIED AT AGE 27, coincidence?

Some of the greatest, most gifted, most unique and eccentric music superstars of all time met their demise at age 27. Is there some sort of inexplicable mystery to all of this or just pure coincidence? Take a quick look at the list and ruminate over it. 


(1) JIMMY HENDRIX----The genius guitarist and singer/songwriter died on Sept 8th, 1970 at 27.




(2) JANIS JOPLIN----The queen of Rock 'n Roll and Psychedelic Soul died on Oct 4th, 1970 at 27




(3) KURT COBAIN---Singer/songwriter and the flagship of Generation X, died on April 5th, 1994 at 27




(4) BRIAN JONES----Founder and guitarist of THE ROLLING STONES, died on July 3rd, 1969 at 27.




(5) JIM MORISSON---- Lead singer of the DOORS, died on July 3rd, 1971 at 27



(6) AMY WINEHOUSE----Contralto singer/songwriter, died on July 23rd, 2011 at 27


          FULL LIST OF THE 27 CLUB



Picture↓Name↓Date of death↓Official cause of death↓Fame↓Age↓
Brian Jones 1965.jpgBrian JonesJuly 3, 1969Drowned in a swimming pool.[4] The coroner's report stated "death by misadventure."[5]Rolling Stones founder and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist.27 years and 125 days
Jimi Hendrix thumbnail.jpgJimi HendrixSeptember 18, 1970Autopsy showed he asphyxiated on vomit after combining sleeping pills with wine.[6]Pioneering electric guitarist, singer and songwriter for The Jimi Hendrix Experienceand Band of Gypsys.27 years and 295 days
Janisjoplin.pngJanis JoplinOctober 4, 1970Probable heroin overdose.[7]Lead vocalist and songwriter for Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Kozmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band.27 years and 258 days
Jim Morrison 1970.jpgJim MorrisonJuly 3, 1971Cause of death listed as "heart failure"; however, no autopsy was performed.[8]Lead singer, songwriter and video director for The Doors.27 years and 207 days
Nirvana around 1992.jpgKurt CobainApril 5, 1994Ruled as suicide by shotgun.[9]Founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for Nirvana.27 years and 44 days

Other musicians who died at 27

Some lists include other musicians who died at age 27.[10] Cobain and Hendrix biographer Charles R. Cross writes, "The number of musicians who died at 27 is truly remarkable by any standard. [Although] humans die regularly at all ages, there is a statistical spike for musicians who die at 27."[10]
Name↓Date of death↓Cause of death↓Claim to notability↓
Louis ChauvinMarch 26, 1908Neurosyphilitic sclerosis.Ragtime musician.
Robert JohnsonAugust 16, 1938Unknown, but typically credited tostrychnine poisoning.Bluesman. Recorded very famous and influential set of 29 songs that influenced many famous musicians after him, considered the first of the 27 club.
Nat JaffeAugust 5, 1945Result of complications from high blood pressure.Blues musician.
Jesse BelvinFebruary 6, 1960Car crash.R&B singer and songwriter.
Rudy LewisMay 20, 1964Drug overdose.Vocalist of The Drifters.
Malcolm HaleOctober 31, 1968Carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty space heater.Original member of Spanky and Our Gang.
Dickie PrideMarch 26, 1969Overdose of sleeping pills.British rock and roll singer.
Alan "Blind Owl" WilsonSeptember 3, 1970Barbiturate overdose, possible suicide.Leader, singer and primary composer of Canned Heat.
Arlester "Dyke" ChristianMarch 13, 1971Shot.Frontman and vocalist of Dyke & the Blazers.
Linda JonesMarch 14, 1972Diabetic coma.R&B singer.
Les HarveyMay 3, 1972Electrocution by live microphone after touching it with his wet hands.Guitarist for Stone the Crows.
Ron "Pigpen" McKernanMarch 8, 1973Gastrointestinal hemorrhage associated with alcoholism.Founding member, keyboardist and singer of the Grateful Dead.
Roger Lee DurhamJuly 27, 1973Fell off a horse and died from the injuries.Singer and percussionist of Bloodstone.
Wallace YohnAugust 12, 1974Died in a plane crash along with three other band members.Organ player of Chase.
Dave AlexanderFebruary 10, 1975Pulmonary edema.Bassist for the Stooges.
Pete HamApril 24, 1975Suicide by hanging.Keyboardist and guitarist, leader of Badfinger.
Gary ThainDecember 8, 1975Drug overdose.Former bassist of Uriah Heep and The Keef Hartley Band.
CeciliaAugust 2, 1976Car crashSpanish singer
Helmut KöllenMay 3, 1977Carbon monoxide poisoning.Bassist with 1970s German prog rock band Triumvirat.
Chris BellDecember 27, 1978Car crash: ran into a telephone pole.Singer-songwriter and guitarist of power pop band Big Star and solo.
Jacob MillerMarch 23, 1980Car crash.Jamaican reggae artist and lead singer for Inner Circle.
D. BoonDecember 22, 1985Lying down in the back of a van when it veered off road, he was ejected from the vehicle and broke his neck.Guitarist, lead singer of punk band the Minutemen.
Alexander BashlachevFebruary 17, 1988Suicide by jumping.Russian poet, rock musician and songwriter.
Jean-Michel BasquiatAugust 12, 1988Speedball overdose.Painter and graffiti artist; formed the band Gray.
Pete de FreitasJune 14, 1989Motorcycle wreck on his way back from filming a music video.Drummer for Echo & the Bunnymen.
Mia ZapataJuly 7, 1993Murdered.Lead singer of the Gits.
Kristen PfaffJune 16, 1994Officially ruled as an accidental heroin overdose.Bass guitarist for Hole and Janitor Joe.
Richey James Edwardsc. February 1, 1995Disappeared; officially presumed deadNovember 23, 2008.Lyricist and guitarist for Manic Street Preachers
StretchNovember 30, 1995ShotRapper
Fat PatFebruary 3, 1998Shot.Rapper and member of Screwed Up Click.
Freaky TahMarch 28, 1999Shot.Rapper and member of the hip hop group Lost Boyz.
Sean Patrick McCabeAugust 28, 2000Asphyxiated on vomit after ingesting too much alcohol.Lead singer of Ink & Dagger.
Rodrigo BuenoJune 24, 2000Car accidentArgentinian Cuarteto singer.
Maria Serrano SerranoNovember 24, 2001Plane crash.Background singer for Passion Fruit.
Jeremy Michael WardMay 25, 2003Heroin overdose.The Mars Volta and De Facto sound manipulator.
Bryan OttosonApril 19, 2005Prescription drug overdose.Guitarist for American Head Charge.
Valentín ElizaldeNovember 25, 2006Murdered.Mexican banda singer.
Orish Grinsteadc. April 20, 2008Kidney failure.Founding member of '90s R&B group 702.
Lily TemboSeptember 14, 2009Severe gastritis.Zambian musician.
Amy WinehouseJuly 23, 2011To be determined.[11][12]British singer/songwriter.