I cant fully express my feelings on the failure of Goodluck Jonathan thus far. For the good things, he has done since he assumed office on May 29th, he has spoilt it all by coming up with the idea of the proposed "single term tenure" and also the drama following the minimum wage law. I will take them one after the other.
First, the single term tenure
President Jonathan, why are you distracting the nation with an issue that affect you and other public holders when there are many other issues of concern that the electorate voted you into office for? The proposal by Goodluck is that public officers be held to a single 6 year tenure rather than the 2 terms of 4 years each. The reasoning is that it not only reduces the cost of electioneering in the Nigeria, which can be used on other things, but it also makes the political wars between running candidates reduce. Sir, Im sorry to say but this is the biggest nonsense I have heard since Obasanjo announced a third term.
Yes, you have made it clear that this propose bill does not affect you and Sambo. Great. But truth be told, did you realize that your bill would mean 6 years of the likes of Akala in Oyo, Doma in Nassarawa, Gbenga Daniels in Ogun et al? What is the incentive to offer good governance when I know I do not need the people to vote me in for a second term. This is even worse when the country has the worst record for battling corruption with Waziri and EFCC, just making noise without doing anything. (Anyone knows what became of the Dimeji Bankole story?. Just thought I'd ask).
The solution is not what you have proposed but for you to propose a bill that makes public offices less attractive. Nigeria pays her public officers the highest earnings in the world, and this is not matched with a good job or the country's earning. Why wouldnt I kill to be a governor if I know I can get as much as wealthy as 100 Indian office holders combined? Gone are the days when a lot of public offices were part time jobs as seen in the case of people like Abraham Adesanya in the early 60's: Court in the morning, House of Assembly in the afternoon on a peanut pay. People who made personal sacrifices to make Nigeria a great nation. I have statistics to back all my claims.
Another cure to this problem is efficient tools of combating corruption and bad governance. EFCC is just a joke. ICPC is an even bigger joke. The judicial system is an even worse joke.
It is quite sad but sometimes I prefer the military. We all know what the likes of Rawlings did in making Ghana what it is today.
Goodluck, work on the issues that affect the average man and not how your thieves in public office can stay in office longer. We do not care, sir.
Next is the drama that followed the minimum wage passage.
What kind of government makes a rule which is meant to be followed and then sits again with its citizenry to explain the rule when the rules are made to be obeyed by all and sundry. Its only in Nigeria that senators who work like 50 days in a year get paid tens of millions of Naira, while faithful hardworking civil servants are told they cannot be paid more than 18,000 naira a month. Governors are naming stupid portfolios such as adviser to the 1st lady on women affairs, and so many others, and they say they cant pay 18,000.
Im an economist and understand that things are not always as they seem. That paying 18,000 is not as simple as that. It becomes simple when many projects go abandoned, when billions of naira is stolen by politicians. A good government would cut unneccesary expenditure such as large cabinets and use the excess funds on nation development, not filling their pockets.
I and many of my fellow youths, love my country and we plan to get all you evil mongers out. So be prepared as this is my home and I will not let anyone ruin my home.
Shoutout to my friends at www.omojuwa.com, as they are part of this crusade to give meaning to our nation, because as it is now, Nigeria is a joke.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Ode to my father
As my consciousness awakened to know and recognize people,
I was introduced to my Father.
He was a man I feared for the most part, a well built man and a giant to me.
He didn't spare the rod, hence I can say I am not a spoilt child.
At a time when many men are playing the role of daddy,
I'm proud to say my daddy was also a father.
Sacrifices to ensure the joy of my future, aplenty.
I mean sacrifices to the detriment of his enjoyment.
You in me, a child who could achieve greatness.
Greatness more than I even think I can achieve.
Many a times, I take your life lessons for torture
Faced by the lures of youthful exuberances, so I stroll astray.
When life bites at me, into your arms I come running
Funny enough, you always receive me with bigger arms every single time.
You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word, though it took a while to accept.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The man I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
Whatever is good in me today,
I owe to your wisdom, your patience,
your strength, your love.
You taught me by example,
as a role model,
how to be my own person,
how to believe in myself,
instructing me without controlling me.
Even when we disagreed,
you held us together,
so our bond was never broken.
I understand what you did for me,
and I am so grateful that I have you
as my solid foundation, my rock.
I respect you, I admire you, I love you,
my guiding light, my father.
So here's to a man who for 20 odd years has devoted his wisdom,
hard work, wealth and love to me and my siblings.
On this day you celebrate 50 years on earth, I promise to start repaying
every sacrifice you have made on my behalf.
You are indeed a great dad,
Happy Birthday Father.
I love you.
I was introduced to my Father.
He was a man I feared for the most part, a well built man and a giant to me.
He didn't spare the rod, hence I can say I am not a spoilt child.
At a time when many men are playing the role of daddy,
I'm proud to say my daddy was also a father.
Sacrifices to ensure the joy of my future, aplenty.
I mean sacrifices to the detriment of his enjoyment.
You in me, a child who could achieve greatness.
Greatness more than I even think I can achieve.
Many a times, I take your life lessons for torture
Faced by the lures of youthful exuberances, so I stroll astray.
When life bites at me, into your arms I come running
Funny enough, you always receive me with bigger arms every single time.
You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word, though it took a while to accept.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The man I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
Whatever is good in me today,
I owe to your wisdom, your patience,
your strength, your love.
You taught me by example,
as a role model,
how to be my own person,
how to believe in myself,
instructing me without controlling me.
Even when we disagreed,
you held us together,
so our bond was never broken.
I understand what you did for me,
and I am so grateful that I have you
as my solid foundation, my rock.
I respect you, I admire you, I love you,
my guiding light, my father.
So here's to a man who for 20 odd years has devoted his wisdom,
hard work, wealth and love to me and my siblings.
On this day you celebrate 50 years on earth, I promise to start repaying
every sacrifice you have made on my behalf.
You are indeed a great dad,
Happy Birthday Father.
I love you.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Future
Six years in the club with a history of 124 years seems to be nothing. Six years in the life of a club that had constantly been the only other winner of the premier league (since its new format in) besides Manure and of course 95 champions, Blackburn, until 2005. Since Arsenal went the league unbeaten in 2004, a lot has happened. Once Russian with a tanker load of money has taken over West London neighbors, Chelsea, and hired the win-at-all cost King, Jose Mourinho, who instilled determination, grit, a winning mentality and above all, trophies into the team. Also, our North London rivals, Tottenham have had a spending spree that is more like the man they hired as manager, Harry “Twitcy” Redknapp. They have since made the Champions League (CL) and made massive stride in getting to the Quarter Finals, losing to Real Madrid. Arab money has seen the blue side of Manchester, one where they have outlayed about $850M in the last 3 years to build a team which is sure to compete for the league next season and also will be making the CL this year.
My beloved Arsenal in all these time as not won a single trophy, turned over the squad twice, spent the lowest amount of money on player recruitment in the league’s top 7. I will not today be looking at reasons for our failure but the way forward. I will give a realistic spin on what Arsene Wenger should do based on his history of frugality and player recruitment. As far as Wenger is coach, we will not spend up to $35M on any player. We would always put priority in promoting or replacing from within.
Note: * means players I am indifferent about or more likely to stay than go.
GK
Current players: Almunia, Fabianski, Lehmann, Mannone, Sczcesny, Lehmann.
Almunia: This man must be sold or released this summer. No need to discuss why. ($2M)
Fabianski: Wenger will definitely not sell this man. From this season, we can say he is not a bad backup, at least in Arsene’s world of mediocre goalkeepers.
Mannone: Will be returning from Hull this summer. I believe he should be sold as I do not think he is good enough for Arsenal, neither will be content with being on the squad as the 4th choice. ($ 2M)
Sczcesny: Definitely the future of Arsenal. The question here is whether the future starts this coming season, or it is still years away. From the look of things, if he can build on this season, I personally do not mind him being #1 next season. I think Wenger shares my pessimism.
Lehmann: I would love the man to stay around and help train this boy. Possibly, see the end of our GK coach, Gerry Peyton as none of our GKs has made improvements.
Verdict: I do feel having Sczcesny and Fabianski as our main GK. Though I do not think this is strong enough, I know Wenger would not let them go and take a chance with them. With his in mind, I would love for us to sign an experienced goalkeeper (32+) and reliable-someone in the frame of Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer.
End of summer: Sczcesny, Experienced Goalie, Fabianski
Defence
Current players: Clichy, Gibbs, Traore, Vermaleen, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Sagna, Eboue
Clichy: I do not mind if this young man leavers. From a competent defender, rivaling the likes of Ashley Cole and Evra as the best LB in the league, he has become an inconsistent, low in confidence player. He makes too many mistakes at the back, and though he makes forward runs, his crossing seems to get worse every time. He can’t dribble, shoot, play good set pieces, which means his only offensive threat is providing width to the team’s attacks. We either sell him or he stays, we should get him some competition, making him know he has to get down working. Gibbs is not ready to provide that competition. I think Vermaleen can be moved to LB for some games, if we buy another CB.
Gibbs: His future and potential is undoubted. He is currently too injury prone and he is not ready to be commanding our LB position. Not a bad #2 though, especially if he keeps learning and not think he has arrived.
Traore: Arsenal has done enough for you to train you and put you in the spotlight. You would never have gotten to play for a team like Juventus with the potential you have shown. He is not good enough for us and we should grant him his “dream move to PSG”. ($3.5M)
Vermaleen: Many people believe Arsenal would not have shipped so many goals this season if this man was not out for all of the season. I certainly concur. He is the rock we need. In games where the opposition is superior or a good defense is needed all round, I say we move Thomas to LB. He has a good left foot, can cross, can make forward runs as we saw in his 1st season and he can definitely defend well. This would also put pressure on Clichy. This should only happen though if Wenger brings in a superior or equal defender into the squad.
Djourou: Barring the few mistakes he has made the last few weeks, he and Wilshere have proven to be the revelation of this season. He has grown so much from the Djourou we used to know and has seemed to bring aerial calm to Arsenal’s defense. If he can learn from his mistakes this season, like the one for Bolton’s winner (the backward header that led to the shot that led to the corner and losing his man for the goal), then we would have the league’s most reliable backup CB in our hand.
Koscielny: A man forced into the thick of action by Vermaleen’s injury. I would say he learned very fast as he had to learn on the job and he is calm about his defending. He needs to be more vocal and definitely has a future as a great defender. He needs to watch the rash challenges when they are not needed. Alongside Djourou, they provide the league’s best backup CB besides say tottenham.
Squillaci: I say this with a lot of confidence. Sebastian is not good enough for Arsenal. Knowing that Wenger just splashed $10M on him this summer, he is not going anywhere. I hope injuries never force us to use him for more than Carling cup games against lesser opposition.
Sagna: Arsenal’s Mr Reliable. One we all call “Timaya” in Nigeria. If only Sagna can work on his offensive game- his crossing and in box penetration, he would make a case for the best RB in the world. Yes I said it. He is no nonsense and has no time for all that Arsenal one-two at the back.
Eboue: Fond of him for his ever supportive spirit and understanding his role as a squad member. Eboue, I am really indifferent about leaving or staying in the club, as far as I never see him in the RB role. He can play the kind of role he played against ManU on Sunday. Just come in, few minutes to the end of the game and help us hold a lead in an offensive role as he is a good runner with the ball and has efficient crossing.
Verdict: We must buy Gary Cahill. He is English, strong, vocal and very good. He can be molded to a Tony Adams. Also if Carl Jenkinson is as good as Wenger says he is, and then we can get him as a backup to Sagna. Otherwise, we go for Gregory Van Wiel of Ajax.
End of summer: Clichy*, Gibbs, Vermaleen, Cahill, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Jenkinson/Van der Wiel.
Midfield
Current players: Rosicky,Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Arshavin
Rosicky: We love you but time to go.
Wilshere: Wilshere was Arsenal’s revelation of the season. Sadly, he might have to go back to the bench next season.
Ramsey: Young man, we have missed you. Next season is your time to shine. Will def. play a big part of our season.
Song: Can you play like you did against Manure? Forget about the forward forays and stay behind the line to protect the back 4. In as much as I do not rate Sergio Busquest, this young man does his job well. You were doing a perfect job at the start of the season, until you started scoring and neglected your role as “DM”.
Fabregas: 8 years of loyalty and excellent service, is what you have given Arsenal. We can understand if you want to leave on the back of not winning trophies, or jealousy that your friends in Barcelona are playing beautiful football and winning trophies, or you just miss home. What we cannot accept is you playing football like you do not care and being careless with the ball. If you choose the later, please you can leave. If you choose to stay, put your heart on your sleeves and let us win this football club, trophies. Love you Fabrepass.
Denilson: Time to go. Simply, not good enough for Arsenal.
Diaby: When do you plan to fulfill your potential? You arrived in 2005 and we see bits and parts of how good you can be. We also see 80% of the time how disastrous you can be. Holding the ball too much until you lose the ball, your obvious inability to use your size to play the Vieira role and moments of madness (Own goal against Manure, red card against Newcastle- as case studies). If you think you deserve a starting role, you can leave Arsenal. If you staying, you have to be contempt with being behind Jack and Aaron.
Nasri: Please renew your contract. If Fabregas leaves, you will be the soul of the team just like you were in Marseille and with France. Work on your finishing and learn to be more selfish. We have seen what you can do when you are selfish.
Arshavin: If it is the Arshavin I saw against Manure, and then stay at Arsenal. If it’s the one I saw most of the season, then it’s time to go back to Russia or be part of a deal to bring Eto’o to the club.
Verdict: We must buy Scott Parker, whether or not there is an exit or entry in the team. He is an engine and leader, something we need since Flamini and Vieira left the team respectively. If Fabregas leaves, we can bring in Eden Hazard. If Arshavin leaves, bringing in Ashley young will not be a bad addition.
End of summer: Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas*, Diaby*, Arshavin*, Nasri, Song, Scott Parker, , EdenHazard/ Ashley Young
Forwards
Current players: Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner, Chamakh
Walcott: I think it’s time 4 this young man to move to a central role. He has blinding pace which I think he can use like Henry used to. His finishing is the best in the club since Henry and Eduardo. Fabregas’ defence-splitting passes will be key to this.
VanPersie: No comment. I love you. 19 goals in 4 months is an unbelieveable return for a man who spent the 1st half of the season on the sidelines. I though which we can get you to start scoring freekicks again.Also your hot shots are not going on target again.
Bendtner: Wenger needs to stop playing Bendtner out wide. He is not happy being a bench player at Arsenal. He can leave, as I understand his plight. If he stays, he should be brought to the middle and should understand he is not necessarily good to be a starter. I think the 4-4-2 I want us to revert to next season, will see him play more.
Chamakh: It is saddening that you never really lived up to what I expected of you. Like Squillaci, you just came in the summer and so I do not expect you to be sold by Wenger, besides you did a good job as our main striker in the 1st half of the season. I’m impressed you understand your role as a bench player. Just do your job and try to be more of a threat.
Verdict: We should bring in Samuel Eto’o. Besides Van Persie who is injury prone, we do not possess a constant goal scorer in the team. Eto’o has proved more than capable over the years. His experience also bodes well for the team. A player like Falcao would not be another option if he is not too expensive after his return of 36 goals in 41 games this season.
End of summer: Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner*, Chamakh, Eto’o.
Squad for next season: Sczcesny, Schwarzer, Fabianski Clichy*, Gibbs, Vermaleen, Cahill, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Jenkinson/Van Wiel, Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas*, Diaby*, Arshavin*, Nasri, Song, Scott Parker, EdenHazard/ Ashley Young, Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner*, Chamakh, Eto’o.
With this squad, I think we also need a formation change. We have to learn to be flexible with our tactics and stop using the same thing against all opponents, independent of their strengths. We sincerely have to take a page from Manure and use 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 as needed.
In a 1st choice 4-4-2 formation
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---arshavin, fabregas, scottparker, nasri---eto’o , VanPersie
In a 2nd choice 4-3-3- formation,
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---Song, fabregas, scottparker--- nasri, eto’o , VanPersie
In a 3rd choice 4-5-1 formation
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---Walcott, fabregas, scottparker, nasri, VanPersie---Chamkakh
Lastly, rumours are circulating fast around the Emirates that after many years of service to the club, Pat Rice is going to retire from his position as Assistant. Having him replaced by the likes of Bould or Adams or Parlour would help us.
Have a great weekend.
My beloved Arsenal in all these time as not won a single trophy, turned over the squad twice, spent the lowest amount of money on player recruitment in the league’s top 7. I will not today be looking at reasons for our failure but the way forward. I will give a realistic spin on what Arsene Wenger should do based on his history of frugality and player recruitment. As far as Wenger is coach, we will not spend up to $35M on any player. We would always put priority in promoting or replacing from within.
Note: * means players I am indifferent about or more likely to stay than go.
GK
Current players: Almunia, Fabianski, Lehmann, Mannone, Sczcesny, Lehmann.
Almunia: This man must be sold or released this summer. No need to discuss why. ($2M)
Fabianski: Wenger will definitely not sell this man. From this season, we can say he is not a bad backup, at least in Arsene’s world of mediocre goalkeepers.
Mannone: Will be returning from Hull this summer. I believe he should be sold as I do not think he is good enough for Arsenal, neither will be content with being on the squad as the 4th choice. ($ 2M)
Sczcesny: Definitely the future of Arsenal. The question here is whether the future starts this coming season, or it is still years away. From the look of things, if he can build on this season, I personally do not mind him being #1 next season. I think Wenger shares my pessimism.
Lehmann: I would love the man to stay around and help train this boy. Possibly, see the end of our GK coach, Gerry Peyton as none of our GKs has made improvements.
Verdict: I do feel having Sczcesny and Fabianski as our main GK. Though I do not think this is strong enough, I know Wenger would not let them go and take a chance with them. With his in mind, I would love for us to sign an experienced goalkeeper (32+) and reliable-someone in the frame of Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer.
End of summer: Sczcesny, Experienced Goalie, Fabianski
Defence
Current players: Clichy, Gibbs, Traore, Vermaleen, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Sagna, Eboue
Clichy: I do not mind if this young man leavers. From a competent defender, rivaling the likes of Ashley Cole and Evra as the best LB in the league, he has become an inconsistent, low in confidence player. He makes too many mistakes at the back, and though he makes forward runs, his crossing seems to get worse every time. He can’t dribble, shoot, play good set pieces, which means his only offensive threat is providing width to the team’s attacks. We either sell him or he stays, we should get him some competition, making him know he has to get down working. Gibbs is not ready to provide that competition. I think Vermaleen can be moved to LB for some games, if we buy another CB.
Gibbs: His future and potential is undoubted. He is currently too injury prone and he is not ready to be commanding our LB position. Not a bad #2 though, especially if he keeps learning and not think he has arrived.
Traore: Arsenal has done enough for you to train you and put you in the spotlight. You would never have gotten to play for a team like Juventus with the potential you have shown. He is not good enough for us and we should grant him his “dream move to PSG”. ($3.5M)
Vermaleen: Many people believe Arsenal would not have shipped so many goals this season if this man was not out for all of the season. I certainly concur. He is the rock we need. In games where the opposition is superior or a good defense is needed all round, I say we move Thomas to LB. He has a good left foot, can cross, can make forward runs as we saw in his 1st season and he can definitely defend well. This would also put pressure on Clichy. This should only happen though if Wenger brings in a superior or equal defender into the squad.
Djourou: Barring the few mistakes he has made the last few weeks, he and Wilshere have proven to be the revelation of this season. He has grown so much from the Djourou we used to know and has seemed to bring aerial calm to Arsenal’s defense. If he can learn from his mistakes this season, like the one for Bolton’s winner (the backward header that led to the shot that led to the corner and losing his man for the goal), then we would have the league’s most reliable backup CB in our hand.
Koscielny: A man forced into the thick of action by Vermaleen’s injury. I would say he learned very fast as he had to learn on the job and he is calm about his defending. He needs to be more vocal and definitely has a future as a great defender. He needs to watch the rash challenges when they are not needed. Alongside Djourou, they provide the league’s best backup CB besides say tottenham.
Squillaci: I say this with a lot of confidence. Sebastian is not good enough for Arsenal. Knowing that Wenger just splashed $10M on him this summer, he is not going anywhere. I hope injuries never force us to use him for more than Carling cup games against lesser opposition.
Sagna: Arsenal’s Mr Reliable. One we all call “Timaya” in Nigeria. If only Sagna can work on his offensive game- his crossing and in box penetration, he would make a case for the best RB in the world. Yes I said it. He is no nonsense and has no time for all that Arsenal one-two at the back.
Eboue: Fond of him for his ever supportive spirit and understanding his role as a squad member. Eboue, I am really indifferent about leaving or staying in the club, as far as I never see him in the RB role. He can play the kind of role he played against ManU on Sunday. Just come in, few minutes to the end of the game and help us hold a lead in an offensive role as he is a good runner with the ball and has efficient crossing.
Verdict: We must buy Gary Cahill. He is English, strong, vocal and very good. He can be molded to a Tony Adams. Also if Carl Jenkinson is as good as Wenger says he is, and then we can get him as a backup to Sagna. Otherwise, we go for Gregory Van Wiel of Ajax.
End of summer: Clichy*, Gibbs, Vermaleen, Cahill, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Jenkinson/Van der Wiel.
Midfield
Current players: Rosicky,Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Arshavin
Rosicky: We love you but time to go.
Wilshere: Wilshere was Arsenal’s revelation of the season. Sadly, he might have to go back to the bench next season.
Ramsey: Young man, we have missed you. Next season is your time to shine. Will def. play a big part of our season.
Song: Can you play like you did against Manure? Forget about the forward forays and stay behind the line to protect the back 4. In as much as I do not rate Sergio Busquest, this young man does his job well. You were doing a perfect job at the start of the season, until you started scoring and neglected your role as “DM”.
Fabregas: 8 years of loyalty and excellent service, is what you have given Arsenal. We can understand if you want to leave on the back of not winning trophies, or jealousy that your friends in Barcelona are playing beautiful football and winning trophies, or you just miss home. What we cannot accept is you playing football like you do not care and being careless with the ball. If you choose the later, please you can leave. If you choose to stay, put your heart on your sleeves and let us win this football club, trophies. Love you Fabrepass.
Denilson: Time to go. Simply, not good enough for Arsenal.
Diaby: When do you plan to fulfill your potential? You arrived in 2005 and we see bits and parts of how good you can be. We also see 80% of the time how disastrous you can be. Holding the ball too much until you lose the ball, your obvious inability to use your size to play the Vieira role and moments of madness (Own goal against Manure, red card against Newcastle- as case studies). If you think you deserve a starting role, you can leave Arsenal. If you staying, you have to be contempt with being behind Jack and Aaron.
Nasri: Please renew your contract. If Fabregas leaves, you will be the soul of the team just like you were in Marseille and with France. Work on your finishing and learn to be more selfish. We have seen what you can do when you are selfish.
Arshavin: If it is the Arshavin I saw against Manure, and then stay at Arsenal. If it’s the one I saw most of the season, then it’s time to go back to Russia or be part of a deal to bring Eto’o to the club.
Verdict: We must buy Scott Parker, whether or not there is an exit or entry in the team. He is an engine and leader, something we need since Flamini and Vieira left the team respectively. If Fabregas leaves, we can bring in Eden Hazard. If Arshavin leaves, bringing in Ashley young will not be a bad addition.
End of summer: Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas*, Diaby*, Arshavin*, Nasri, Song, Scott Parker, , EdenHazard/ Ashley Young
Forwards
Current players: Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner, Chamakh
Walcott: I think it’s time 4 this young man to move to a central role. He has blinding pace which I think he can use like Henry used to. His finishing is the best in the club since Henry and Eduardo. Fabregas’ defence-splitting passes will be key to this.
VanPersie: No comment. I love you. 19 goals in 4 months is an unbelieveable return for a man who spent the 1st half of the season on the sidelines. I though which we can get you to start scoring freekicks again.Also your hot shots are not going on target again.
Bendtner: Wenger needs to stop playing Bendtner out wide. He is not happy being a bench player at Arsenal. He can leave, as I understand his plight. If he stays, he should be brought to the middle and should understand he is not necessarily good to be a starter. I think the 4-4-2 I want us to revert to next season, will see him play more.
Chamakh: It is saddening that you never really lived up to what I expected of you. Like Squillaci, you just came in the summer and so I do not expect you to be sold by Wenger, besides you did a good job as our main striker in the 1st half of the season. I’m impressed you understand your role as a bench player. Just do your job and try to be more of a threat.
Verdict: We should bring in Samuel Eto’o. Besides Van Persie who is injury prone, we do not possess a constant goal scorer in the team. Eto’o has proved more than capable over the years. His experience also bodes well for the team. A player like Falcao would not be another option if he is not too expensive after his return of 36 goals in 41 games this season.
End of summer: Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner*, Chamakh, Eto’o.
Squad for next season: Sczcesny, Schwarzer, Fabianski Clichy*, Gibbs, Vermaleen, Cahill, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Jenkinson/Van Wiel, Ramsey, Wilshere, Fabregas*, Diaby*, Arshavin*, Nasri, Song, Scott Parker, EdenHazard/ Ashley Young, Walcott, VanPersie, Bendtner*, Chamakh, Eto’o.
With this squad, I think we also need a formation change. We have to learn to be flexible with our tactics and stop using the same thing against all opponents, independent of their strengths. We sincerely have to take a page from Manure and use 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 as needed.
In a 1st choice 4-4-2 formation
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---arshavin, fabregas, scottparker, nasri---eto’o , VanPersie
In a 2nd choice 4-3-3- formation,
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---Song, fabregas, scottparker--- nasri, eto’o , VanPersie
In a 3rd choice 4-5-1 formation
Sczcesny---clichy, vermaleen, cahill, sagna---Walcott, fabregas, scottparker, nasri, VanPersie---Chamkakh
Lastly, rumours are circulating fast around the Emirates that after many years of service to the club, Pat Rice is going to retire from his position as Assistant. Having him replaced by the likes of Bould or Adams or Parlour would help us.
Have a great weekend.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Naija 2011
Its stale news now that President Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan is the president-elect and will be sworn in May 29 to lead this country for the next four years. It is also stale news that the majority of the local and international observers thought this was an above average election on the free, fair and credible scale, though not close to perfection. 48 hours after the result was confirmed, I can tell you a lot has happened within that time. A lot is categorized by the violence that erupted in the North. The media frenzy that followed this election is a welcome development in not only the information dissemination of the election proper, but also in that it is a major boost at a time where Africa needs to catch up with the use of the Internet and other social medias such as facebook and twitter to drive for transparency and accountability in the African leadership. Let us discuss the predictability of Ebele’s win.
You would not know much of Nigeria’s history if you did not expect Goodluck to win. You would be forgiven if you expected it to be a close battle, possibly a runoff between Goodluck and General Buhari. The reality though is that Goodluck won out rightly. It was expected to be a battle between North and South. So it turned out to be. What raises our hair though is the appeal Jonathan had in the North.
We noticed from this election that Nigerians did not vote for the party but for the individual in this presidential election. PDP has done enough in the last 12 years to ensure they would not be in Aso-Rock, Nigerian’s presidential residence, come May 29th but Good luck’s mass appeal has to be commended. While Goodluck was claiming wide margins of victories in the south-south and south-east of over 98%, he was coming close seconds to Buhari in the North with as low as 15% margins of victory for Buhari in the North. If these margins were not so close in the North, there was the very high possibility of a run-off between the PDP and CPC candidates, as you have to have two thirds of the vote in each of the 6 geopolitical zones or 25% of the electorate in each state.
As a person, Goodluck is liked by many as he seems to be one man who rose from the same challenges a majority of the people faced to be leader, and still seems to retain his calm. I can forgive Buhari though for thinking there must have been some rigging as the close to 99% Goodluck claimed in some states seem to be just excessive but maybe the man is just so loved there. Buhari has conceded that though he thought there was some irregularity, he would personally not be going to any court, except the leadership of his party thought it wise to go ahead. With this, he neither accepts the result-as he has not made any move yet to congratulate President Goodluck, nor this he reject his result. A move I think he is making for the sake of peace in the Nation. He has even gone as far as publicly distancing himself and the CPC from the rioters.
Some loyal Nigerian, I presume I can call them that, have taken it into their hands though, to show their unhappiness at the outcome of this election. They resulted to violence at a high scale, torching people’s homes, killing people and unfortunately some members of the youth service corps, participating as adhoc staff in this election. It is too early to associate this to any party and I sincerely feel no party has gone ahead to make them do this. Many of them have come out to result to this as they do not understand why a country with a “majority of northerners” would have an election won by southerners when they as Northerners voted for their likes. This disgust was expressed by torching home’s of credible northerners who supported the ambition of the southerner in Goodluck. PDP chairmen of Gombe and Kaduna, the Vice President- Nnamdi Sambo have lost properties in Gombe, Kaduna and Zaira. It is also unconfirmed news that the Gombe PDP chairman lost 3 children in the malaise.
I sincerely expected this though as many of this perpetrators are illiterate, uneducated, unemployed youths who find violence as a solution to many problems. Someone even joked to me that the youths of Kaduna would still have marred themselves in violence if Buharia won, on the basis of over jubilation or just to molest southerners in their state. Sadly, I might have to agree with this joke. What I did not expect or understand is the killing of the young men and women of the Nigerian Youth Services Corps, who have volunteered themselves to a national duty in the fight for national growth through a credible electoral process to produce credible leaders to take us to our promise land. I sincerely hope INEC, NYSC and the government are working round the clock on the safety of youth corps members, the compensation of the families who are affected and ways to avoid the breaking out of such violence.
At this juncture, it would be right to commend the Nigerian Police Force, The Nigerian Army,the media, local and international observers, the electorate, INEC, all ad hoc staff of INEC- University Professors and NYSC members for their role in the election. There is so much room for improvement towards perfection but your effort till now shows there is hope for the future and Nigeria can one day know peace, security, good governance and unity. President-elect Goodluck Jonathan, I must remind you that the work ahead of you is enormous and you must approach it head on, knowing that anything short of success will catapult this country back to the dungeons of unrest and poverty.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Man Up, Son
Its Monday, March 14th and I have taken the day off to "update my goals". I sincerely think everyone needs to do this from time to time, especially if you someone like me who always seems to be confident about plans, rather than being confident in actions. I'd explain what I mean by that in a second.
I have an older brother and father, who always ensure they remind me that I have goals to achieve, under a specific time period. Many people do not have this advantage of a caring family. I have come to accept a flaw of mine, which is that I am always confident things would work my way without me even trying it. Trust me, its wrong. I really appreciate this fatherly figures in my life and start acting like them or atleast ensuring that Im acting on the message they trying to entrench in me.
So I have been doing research for Grad School and decided not to just focus all my energy in one place. With this in mind, I have narrowed down some schools in the UK. Ofcourse, I cant really share on here my exact plans(stalkers and non well wishers,aplenty). I really have to be moving fast.
I remember years ago, jus after secondary school, when I had planned that by now, I would be done all things school, be well entrenched in my career. Well today, that is not the case. I clearly have been side tracked by the way. Luckily, I have people have not given up on me and want me to succeed.
In all these realization though, I have been getting frustrated recently. I do not know if my frustation is brought on by my challenges or by the fact that I feel so unaccomplished. I do not at this time in my life want to be dependent on my father for anything, but his prayers, blessing and advice. What is a man to do at this point? I really should get my act together and drop my pride( actually, I have none), ask for help and strive to achieve what I want.
On a lighter note, I have been contacted to write for Nexus Africa, a site that is about all things Africa.At Nexus Africa, we strive to highlight the great facets of Africa; from culture, history, entertainment and tourism to politics, business and economics.
We also strive to bring Africans together as well as to connect with non-Africans through upbeat exchange, engaging dialogue, informative articles and presentations all centered around enjoyable topics and themes. "Seun's World" is the name of my column and I hope you become followers and readers. Here's my first post: http://www.nexusafrica.ca/fight-corruption-joke/
I have an older brother and father, who always ensure they remind me that I have goals to achieve, under a specific time period. Many people do not have this advantage of a caring family. I have come to accept a flaw of mine, which is that I am always confident things would work my way without me even trying it. Trust me, its wrong. I really appreciate this fatherly figures in my life and start acting like them or atleast ensuring that Im acting on the message they trying to entrench in me.
So I have been doing research for Grad School and decided not to just focus all my energy in one place. With this in mind, I have narrowed down some schools in the UK. Ofcourse, I cant really share on here my exact plans(stalkers and non well wishers,aplenty). I really have to be moving fast.
I remember years ago, jus after secondary school, when I had planned that by now, I would be done all things school, be well entrenched in my career. Well today, that is not the case. I clearly have been side tracked by the way. Luckily, I have people have not given up on me and want me to succeed.
In all these realization though, I have been getting frustrated recently. I do not know if my frustation is brought on by my challenges or by the fact that I feel so unaccomplished. I do not at this time in my life want to be dependent on my father for anything, but his prayers, blessing and advice. What is a man to do at this point? I really should get my act together and drop my pride( actually, I have none), ask for help and strive to achieve what I want.
On a lighter note, I have been contacted to write for Nexus Africa, a site that is about all things Africa.At Nexus Africa, we strive to highlight the great facets of Africa; from culture, history, entertainment and tourism to politics, business and economics.
We also strive to bring Africans together as well as to connect with non-Africans through upbeat exchange, engaging dialogue, informative articles and presentations all centered around enjoyable topics and themes. "Seun's World" is the name of my column and I hope you become followers and readers. Here's my first post: http://www.nexusafrica.ca/fight-corruption-joke/
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