SENATOR UBAH COMMENDS AIR PEACE

 SENATOR IFEANYI UBAH COMMENDS AIR PEACE FOR COMING TO THE RESCUE OF DISPLACED NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA, URGES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUALLY SUPPORT LOCAL INVESTORS.

I am extremely delighted to join every well meaning Nigerian in commending Chief. Allen Onyema and the entire management of Air Peace for the brilliant and exceptional display of patriotism displayed by virtue of his move to airlift stranded Nigerians in South Africa.

It is indeed a thing of profound joy to witness such a selfless and epoch making gesture coming from my brother and constituent who has not only set a new benchmark in the Nigerian aviation sector, but has also actively taken part in humanitarian efforts to aid Nigerians who have been forcibly displaced as a result of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The speedy evacuation of these displaced and stranded Nigerians from South Africa has attracted tremendous respect to both the government and citizens of Nigeria on the international scene.  

Chief Allen Onyema is a man who has come so far from his humble beginnings, but has never forgotten what it feels like to struggle, and this memory informs his generosity and dedication to patriotism. 

I am beyond pleased with this show of selflessness which epitomizes the true meaning of patriotism. Once more, I wish to commend Chief Allen Onyema for this timely intervention which has placed him on the pedestal of “Heroes” who will be remembered by posterity for their legacy of sacrifice and patriotism to our nation in the face of devastating crisis. 

When I saw the capacity of Air Peace and fought vigorously for the protection of the company’s interests on the floor of the Senate, a lot of eye brows were raised. Today, Chief Onyema’s action has vindicated my stance and proven to Nigerians the importance of local investors and the protection of their investments like it is done in every other country. 

I am proud of the fact that he deployed one of his best aircrafts; a Boeing 777 to make this remarkable sacrifice for our dear nation out of his fleet of  28 airplanes and 20 brand new firm placed orders. 

It is worthy of note to remind Nigerians and the world that this gesture must have cost Chief Allen Onyema millions of dollars as he did this ”Free of Charge” for our nation. This is also not the first time that Chief Allen Onyema would be placing national interest and patriotism over self interest. The general public would vividly recall that he used his philosophy of Noviolence to fight the incidence of violent militancy in the Niger Delta, training and transforming the militants during the Niger Delta uprising and engaging the restive youths in National reconciliation programmes which eventually led to the proclamation of amnesty to the ex-militants. 

Conclusively, I want to ask; Can any foreign airline operating in Nigeria do this for Nigerians? The answer is; No.

It is imperative that we, as a nation, must not only take note of such persons of rare qualities but should also promote and encourage such citizens with formidable contributions to the nation’s economy. This is why I am using this medium to urge the Federal Government to continually support our indigenous investors and provide critical infrastructure that would make the nation’s environment conducive for private businesses to thrive because they are the ones that donate their personal resources for succor and societal support when critical situations like this arise. The protection of the business interests of these local investors should be a priority to the Government, so that they can be able to do more for the society. 

Senator (Dr.) Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah,

Anambra South Senatorial District

 

ABUJA & YOU

ABUJA AND YOU 

Abuja is probabaly the worst-hit of Nigerian cities by this recession. It is only understandable: Abuja works at nothing but revels in wanton opulence, fed strictly from pens adding zeroes behind a whole number. It's buildings are populated with straw companies gliding on patronage and privilege, not rights, merit and productivity. Most of its inhabitants are currently in what seems a state of disbelief, if not shock. 

My son and I walked lazily to Sheraton two Saturdays ago and from the gate you got a surprise: no line of traffic! The lounge was empty as the car park was vacant. We sat in surprise at the little corners of decay creeping on the lounge, part of which was even poorly lit. Of course, even Maitama and Asokoro are wrapped in thick darkness these days at 8pm if grid power fails. 

I was surprised at the black silence I met in these desolate palaces. Everywhere signs hang on homes and high-rise office buildings begging for tenants. I called a number on one and the voice that answered said it was for sale: 3.6billion, seven-story building with a footprint of about 250sqm. "I see".

There is good hiding in evil and sometimes you don't even have to look too deeply to see it. Too many wealth in Nigeria is strictly in figures without any underlying source or feeder spring. If you got your money through work and creativity; if they put you in a desert, you will still replicate the feat. 

What is called a recession in regular economics is but a dethronement of false money, the overthrow of pretenders and wealth built with the tip of a pen so that reality and productivity can take over. It is an inevitable passage if nature is correctly programmed. 

In a hilarious circle I was told about a typical Abuja moneybag whose fortune has now turned around. He was in money - and you know what I mean. In height of his affluence he collected two more wives to make a total of three. But the noose had been getting tighter and, all streams gone dry, he applied for a loan from a bank. Not so well exposed to the hazard of seeking credit from Nigerian banks, he was exceedingly positive he will soon be credited and so went with gusto to the manager's office on an appointed day to get the final answer on his application. 

When he was told that he had been turned down, he lost control of himself so completely that he pooped on himself right there in the bank. He was helped into the bathroom and offered a ton of tissues and when he had become manageable, they led him into a taxi and gave him a thousand naira to the bank's happy ending of the personal tragedy. 

The story teaches us that wealth without foundation will end in sudden failure. It is not only Abuja or the typical, overweight Nigerian big man, Nigeria itself is a victim of lazy wealth: oil is not a result of hard work or creativity. We don't even as much as have local capacity to drill the oil! If we don't build our economy by adding value through processing and developing our human resources, we won't end up much better than that poor individual you just laughed at."

My view:

It is time to start building real and sustainable wealth, enough of what used to be...The difference between the poor and rich nations  is not the age of the Nation. This can be demonstrated by countries like India and Egypt, which are more than 2000 years old and are still poor countries.

On the other hand, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which 150 years back were insignificant, today are developed and rich countries.

The difference between the poor and rich nation does not also depend on the available natural resources.

Japan has limited territory, 80%  mountainous, unsuitable for agriculture or farming, but is the second in worlds economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw material from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Second example is Switzerland, it does not grow cocoa but produces the best chocolates in the world. In her small territory she rears animals and cultivates the land only for four month in a year, nevertheless manufactures the best milk products. A small country which is an image of security which has made it the strongest world bank.

Executives from rich countries who interact with their counterparts from poor countries show no significant intellectual differences.

The racial or colour factors also do not evince importance: migrants heavy in laziness in their country of origin are  forcefully productive in rich European countries.

What then is the difference?

The difference is the attitude of the people, moulded for many years by education and culture.
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When we analyse the conduct of the people from the rich and developed countries, it is observed that a majority abide by the following principles of life:

1. Ethics, as basic principles.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. The respect for Laws and Regulations.
5. The respect from majority of citizens by right.
6. The love for work.
7. The effort to save and invest.
8. The will to be productive.
9. Punctuality.

In the poor countries a small minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.

We are not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel towards us.

We are poor because we lack attitude. We lack the will to follow and teach these principles  of working of rich and developed societies.

WE ARE IN THIS  STATE  BECAUSE
WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE  OVER
EVRYTHING AND EVERYONE.

WE ARE IN THIS  STATE  BECAUSE
WE  SEE  SOMETHING  DONE  WRONG
AND SAY  - “LET IT BE”
WE  SHOULD  HAVE  A  SPIRITED MEMORY
AND  ATTITUDE…

ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO CHANGE  OUR  PRESENT  STATE.

If you do not share this message, nothing is going to happen to you. Your prized animal is not going to die, you wont be sacked from your job, you wont be having bad luck for seven years, nor are you going to get sick.

But, if you love your COUNTRY, try and circulate this message so that as many people may read and see what our problems are and hopefully move to change themselves to change the country.
(COPIED)