What Nigerians Want From President Buhari and State Governors

Strategic implementation, reforms and overhaul:

Constant Power Generation, Distribution, Management and Monitoring of existing companies responsible for the distribution and management of power to homes in Nigeria.

Institutional Reforms: EFFC, ICPC, NAFDAC, SON, CON, NDDC, PTF, DESOPADEC,  NATIONAL AWARDS, Tertiary Institutions, etc.

Education: review current employees, insist on continuous monitoring of teachers and their performance with quarterly reports.

Health care: build more health centres in as many cities and communities, engaging only doctors with best practices and pedigree. Vigilantly monitor performance of health officials: management and lower cadre on the the job. The sacking of non-performing civil servants should be instituted and enforced. No more transfers or sacred cow treatment.

Economy: turn Nigeria into a producing nation rather than a consuming one. Flood Nigeria economy with our Naira notes rather than foreign currencies. Do business with foreign organisations or companies who care about their services and products and have respect for Nigerians. Bidding process for government projects should be standardized, open, unbiased and should not have interference in any manner from the Executive or members of any elite group who dances to the tune of some 'godfathers' or 'sacred cows'.

Proper drainage and waste disposal systems that are disciplined and well organised handled by both government and private business partnerships.

Build more refineries and restore old ones to international standard. "NO FUEL" or long fuel queues should not be the story of the wealthiest oil nation in Africa.

Infrastructure: build road networks that connects villages to urban settlements (internal and highways), railways (connecting all 36 states of Nigeria including the FCT), standard airlines (for human and cargos). 

Unemployment Reduction: building industries, revamping abandoned industries - textiles, manufacturing, production, assembly lines, etc.

Agro Allied Businesse: by products of all agricultural products that can be harnessed, converted or re-produced and packaged.

Agri Business: farming, fishing, poultry, animal husbandry etc.

Gas Reforms: NO MORE GAS FLARING. Otujeremi for the past 50 years is a wasteland for gas flaring; there are other areas in Delta state where gas flaring continues to be a bad practice by both multinational companies and indigenous managers. Rather than encourage gas flaring, this gas should be harnessed and converted or distributed to power Nigeria Factories, Businesses, Homes etc like Russia was smart enough to do rather than leave it to waste and degrade the community's environment. The gas flared from Otujeremi alone should be enough to power the whole of Delta state with just over 4,000,000 residents.

External Affairs: Better business and economic relations with countries who respect Nigeria and Nigerians when doing business in Nigeria. Ensuring too that Nigeria secrets are not exploited by big foreign companies or government bodies when we asked to be part of a joint committee that addresses any serious issues such as the Boko Haram menace, Foreign treaties or bilateral relations of any kind.

Increase level of Accountability by the Executive, Senates, House of Representatives, Judiciary and the Civil Service.

Zero Tolerance for corruption for ALL NIGERIANS. Any found guilty of this crime should pay the price and do the time. NO MORE PLEA BARGAINS. This is where international corruption begins. And that is more insidious.

Reduction of Inflation and falling of Nigerian Currency. Enough already! Appoint only those who are exceptional and understand the power of a vibrant economy to run key sectors and offices such as the CBN.

A better cohesiveness of our nation in key aspects of living e.g. housing. The level of exploitation and abusive increase in house rents by so-called estate agent, political office holders, and dubious developers should be looked into more critically. 

These expectations also needs to be fulfilled by state Governors if a complete and holistic effect of change is to be felt across the country.

The Unspoken Truth About Xenophobia In USA, South Africa, Nigeria

When you say someone is Xenophobic, it means that person exhibits unreasoned fear of that which he perceives to be foreign or strange.

Xenophobia can manifest itself in many ways:

• If someone has a fear of losing identity 
• Exhibits an unusual suspicion of other people's activities
• Displays aggression, and desire to eliminate the presence of perceived others into order to secure a presumed purity
• An "uncritical exaltation of another culture" in which a culture is ascribed "an unreal, stereotyped and exotic quality"
• All forms and manifestations of racism
• Any form of "deep-rooted, irrational hatred towards foreigners" and "unreasonable fear or hatred of the unfamiliar"

Xenophobia may be directed against a group which has been present for centuries, or became part of this society through conquest and territorial expansion. This form of xenophobia can elicit or facilitate hostile and violent reactions, such as mass expulsion of immigrants, pogroms or in other cases, genocide as in the case of the Hutus and Tutsi in Rwanda where over 800,000 persons were killed just in 100 days.

The second form of xenophobia is primarily cultural, and the objects of the phobia are cultural elements which are considered alien. All cultures are subject to external influences, but cultural xenophobia is often narrowly directed, for instance, at foreign loan words in a national language. It rarely leads to aggression against individual persons, but can result in political campaigns for cultural or linguistic purification. In addition, entirely xenophobic societies tend not to be open to interactions from anything "outside" themselves, resulting in isolationism that can further increase xenophobia.

Some Other Causes

A physically, emotional, or economically negative experience with a particular group which is then over-generalized to all members of that group.

Use of anti-cultural, anti-national and anti-terms as can be seen in Nigeria where each tribe has a pejorative for other ethic tribes e.g. "The tribe that eats people"; "The tribe that pooh-pooh's inside their rooms", etc. 

Classical conditioning, that is when someone is conditioned to having a fear or repulse from aliens generally, or, from specific group. Ways to instill it would be dehumanization, mostly by propaganda, for example: a video containing group members shown distorted, erroneous, and in proportional phases of horror sounding.

Imitating others, mainly those that are close to the individual, or, in many cases, societal norms of a nation.

Xenophobia: A World Wide Problem

According to Medindia, the forms of racism are numerous, but here are just a few examples of xenophobia in the world that have left the deep scars on the human race. 

The Jewish holocaust when approximately 6 million European Jews were mass murdered in concentration camps and forced labour during the Second World War. Hitler believed in the supremacy of the Aryan race and Nazi Germany and didn’t want it polluted by Jewish occupation. 

The Ku Klux Klan was an anti-Black movement in the America of the early 1900s. (It was actually born in the previous century but it was the resurrected version that is remembered for its cruelty.) The Klan was infamous for the lynching and murder of whole black families, community leaders and Black sympathizers. Identified by their hoods and flowing white robes, their movement also took on a religious colour as it was pro-white Protestant and preached Anti-Catholicism. . 

Apartheid South Africa is another lasting example of state-imposed racial segregation is the apartheid period (1948-1994). Blacks were denied citizenship, access to quality healthcare, public services, education and all amenities which had long been declared as basic human rights. The discrimination continued till the African National Party, led by Nelson Mandela, passed the anti-apartheid legislation. 

The Indian caste system, though not a racial issue, is still related to xenophobia. The class system which later evolved into the five general levels of caste divisions continues to be widely endorsed by Hindus. Despite legislation promising them a fair share of opportunity, Dalits (lower-caste) Hindus continue to form among the poorest sections of Indian society. 

Human zoos used to be a popular attraction in the West in the 19th and 20th centuries. These ‘public exhibits’ of human beings (caged, sometimes with exotic animals) introduced the West to the ‘barbarians’ of the East. Particularly popular exhibits were those of Africans, tribal pygmies, and the Philippines.

During the Second World War, especially after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, Japanese Canadians found themselves with the short end of the stick. Xenophobic public sentiment forced them out of their homes to a government-declared ‘safe zone’ where they were deprived of even basic human amenities. 

Rwanda’s Infamous Genocide was probably the worst modern humanity has ever seen. Ethnic strife, a simmering civil war and political competitiveness between the majority Hutus and the minority Tutsis led to the killing of several thousands of Tutsis in the space of a mere hundred days. Over 800,000 people are reported to have been killed in those mass killings. Even peace-brokering Hutus weren’t spared in the massacre. The genocide was also deemed a method of ‘ethnic cleansing’. Numerous Tutsi women were raped in full public view and the media has been accused of propagating anti-Tutsi sentiment during the period, especially channels like Radio Rwanda that was a dominant news source for illiterate people. In fact, it encouraged the killings in no uncertain terms, motivating listeners to kill “Tutsi cockroaches”.

Ethnic conflicts fuelled the war in the former Yugoslavia, as each tried to wipe out the other. Between 1991 and 1995, as the Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks and Slovenes fought over political domination, hundreds of thousands of civilians died. 

The 2009 records of the racially motivated attacks against Indians (particularly students) in Australia made headline news for a long period. Hate crimes were reported by the day, starting with the late night attack on an Indian taxi-driver and then further reports of attacks on Indian students surfaced.

In Nigeria Xenophobia manifests itself in terms of religious superiority, ethnic biases and political bigotry. In fact names are ascribed to different ethnic groups based on their common tendencies, lifestyle, and social proclivities. It may be the perceived reason why the Nigeria Civil took on an ugly aspect as the Igbos felt they were an unwanted ethnic group in the larger Nigeria society. Some reports have shown that genocide was a strategy used by the Nigeria military to crush the Biafrans. In the late '80s and early '90s Nigerians declared: "GHANA MUST GO" - a call that stemmed from the fear that many Ghanaians were robbing Nigerians of their jobs, although some say it was a fall out from how Nigerians were treated by the Ghanaian government at the time. 

How To Avoid Becoming Xenophobic

IGNORANCE breeds xenophobia.

Sense of superiority over and above others (in religion, culture, ethnic, etc.) fuels xenophobia.

Undue Fear of the Unknown creates a lacuna that thrives on xenophobia.

Unwillingness to learn about others or what we don't know heightens feelings of hate and covert hostility towards other.

When you don't know about something, ask, ask, ask. find out, an get accurate facts not just assumptions or perceptions or hear-says.

How To Sell and Increase Sales for The Business or Services You Provide

First, you need to know the secret selling ideas to get you off thinking in the right direction. It is called the The Marketing Mix and the 4Ps of Marketing. It means Understanding How to Position Your Market Offering.

But what are the 4Ps and how do you use them, you ask?

Here's how to use the 4Ps. The 4Ps is all about marketing.

What is marketing?

Putting the right product in the right place, at the right price, at the right time.

It's simple! You just need to create a product that a particular group of people want, put it on sale some place that those same people visit regularly, and price it at a level which matches the value they feel they get out of it; and do all that at a time they want to buy. Then you've got it made!

There's a lot of truth in this idea. However, a lot of hard work needs to go into finding out what customers want, and identifying where they do their shopping. Then you need to figure out how to produce the item at a price that represents value to them, and get it all to come together at the critical time.

But if you get just one element wrong, it can spell disaster. You could be left promoting a car with amazing fuel-economy in a country where fuel is very cheap; or publishing a textbook after the start of the new school year, or selling an item at a price that's too high – or too low – to attract the people you're targeting.

The marketing mix is a good place to start when you are thinking through your plans for a product or service, and it helps you avoid these kinds of mistakes.

Understanding the Tool

The marketing mix and the 4Ps of marketing are often used as synonyms for each other. In fact, they are not necessarily the same thing.

"Marketing mix" is a general phrase used to describe the different kinds of choices organizations have to make in the whole process of bringing a product or service to market. The 4Ps is one way – probably the best-known way – of defining the marketing mix, and was first expressed in 1960 by E J McCarthy.

The 4Ps are:

•Product (or Service).

•Place.

•Price.

•Promotion.

A good way to understand the 4Ps is by the questions that you need to ask to define your marketing mix. Here are some questions that will help you understand and define each of the four elements:

Product/Service

•What does the customer want from the product/service? What needs does it satisfy?

•What features does it have to meet these needs? •Are there any features you've missed out?

•Are you including costly features that the customer won't actually use?

•How and where will the customer use it?

•What does it look like? How will customers experience it?

•What size(s), color(s), and so on, should it be?

•What is it to be called?

•How is it branded?

•How is it differentiated versus your competitors?

•What is the most it can cost to provide, and still be sold sufficiently profitably? 

Place

•Where do buyers look for your product or service?

•If they look in a store, what kind? A specialist boutique or in a supermarket, or both? Or online? Or direct, via a catalogue?

•How can you access the right distribution channels?

•Do you need to use a sales force? Or attend trade fairs? Or make online submissions? Or send samples to catalogue companies?

•What do you competitors do, and how can you learn from that and/or differentiate?

Price

•What is the value of the product or service to the buyer?

•Are there established price points for products or services in this area?

•Is the customer price sensitive? Will a small decrease in price gain you extra market share? Or will a small increase be indiscernible, and so gain you extra profit margin?

•What discounts should be offered to trade customers, or to other specific segments of your market?

•How will your price compare with your competitors?

Promotion

•Where and when can you get across your marketing messages to your target market?

•Will you reach your audience by advertising in the press, or on TV, or radio, or on billboards? By using direct marketing mailshot? Through PR? On the Internet?

•When is the best time to promote? Is there seasonality in the market? Are there any wider environmental issues that suggest or dictate the timing of your market launch, or the timing of subsequent promotions?

•How do your competitors do their promotions? And how does that influence your choice of promotional activity?

Lessons from Nigeria 2015 Presidential Election

Get the process right. 
The use of PVC requires transparency, accountability and validity at all levels.

Engage the right man for the job. 
Jega did a fantastic job. 80% falls under ‘A’. 

Jonathan, however should have surrounded himself with persons with pedigree that can deliver through his six years in the areas of: power generation, modern rail and road construction and network, better accountability in government, zero tolerance for corruption and much more. 6 years was more than enough to have achieved significantly in the above. After all, his administration was simply a continuation from his predecessor: 6 years prior, 6 years after. How many more years did he still need to get the job done?! 

Surround yourself with those who know what needs to be done and gets it done. 
The returning officers, NYSC members and other adhoc team did a fantastic job. Mostly importantly, they refused to be bought.

Sensitize the people on their rights.
Nigerians should make effort to read and understand their rights, the power inherent in their votes, and how to work as a team to make things work properly. 
Above all, by showing restraint throughout the exercise, Nigerians showed they have come of age. Self Control and mastery over tension is commendable.

Civil service appointment is TO WORK; Not to steal. 
Let us hope that there would be no corruption charges leveled against Jonathan or his team. And should he be found wanting, Nigerians will not sleep until justice is meted out. Perception is everything. The new government must make sure it gets the zero tolerance for corruption right.

Reward honesty, merit and excellence over mediocrity at all levels. 
The perception of Buhari as an honesty man played a key role in his selection, but will that be who he becomes when he gets into office? The next 4 years will tell. And if he doesn't: he GETS BOOTED OUT too. Simple. 

Only true Performers should get two terms.

Having a certificate, bearing the tiles Dr. Prof and so on does not make you a performer. 

It it the Quality of your work, ethics, commitment and ability to always deliver every time, that counts. Then and only then, will your certificate or title have been well earned.

Government sources of revenues: oil, taxes, private and public sales of public structures such as NITEL, NEPA and so on, is not for settling your cronies who got you in. Buhari and APC, remember this as you enter Aso Rock come May 29th.

When voted in, GET THE JOB DONE!

Nigerians no longer believe that belonging to a particular religion is evidence of how productive you’ll be in office. Only the quality of your work and deeds will be the sole criteria.

Nothing like good political sportsmanship! 
When you lose, step down with your dignity still intact. Jonathan did. Whatever his reason were: cowardice, fear or the vein desire to be lauded by the international community as the "First African who conceded his office" - which he is not -  without being forced to do is not the focus here. While his action is commendable, he should not be flippantly labelled a HERO. True Heroism has only one face; not two faces.

Step down when the ovation is loudest. 

Step down even when there’s no ovation, but it becomes imperative to do so and act accordingly – willingly.

When you don’t under how a process works, do not use your political stature or connections to threaten a man who knows how to get a good job done well. This is where Orubebe did not get it right.

As Jonathan leaves office, what will Nigerians remember him for?
Not so much as the man who stepped down, but as the man who allowed many innocent children, mothers and men to die unjust death at the hands of Boko Haram. 
Nigerians will not forget how he used the political insecurity in the north as a political gimmick, a tool he needed to wield so he could clinch a second term when six weeks before election he decided it was time he proved he could deliver. 

Lesson? 
When elected into office, have a clear vision and agenda on how to tackle a specific problem that Nigerians yearn for and you will forever be stamped into eternity. 
Never use your ‘ability’ to deliver to play carrot and stick. Otherwise, both the cart and the horse will turn against you and give you exactly what you've given.

Today YOU have spoken. 
Your voice has been heard Nigeria. Lets continue to make it heard throughout the echoes of our existence. 

Always be a Peace Ambassador for good: at work, at home, with friends, neighbours, acquaintances or wherever you find yourself. But those who think they have a license to kill by the sword will be met with equal force.

One Love Nigeria. 
Never settle for less than you truly deserve. And may our vision be to Always get it right for all the right reasons.


For more stories on how Civil Servants contributed to corruption, click this: http://ladyechannel.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-you-teach-politician-how-to-steal.html