The Nation Newspaper

Category: Friday

  • Addressing political violence (For Kudirat Abiola)

    Addressing political violence (For Kudirat Abiola)

    This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. She did not volunteer her life to be ended by the assassin’s bullet. Rather they killed her because they believed that she was in their way. What she stood for was antithetical to their belief. She stood for democracy and respect for the voice of the people freely expressed. They stood for dictatorship and the muzzling of the voice of the people with the gun. The only way they knew to deal with that situation of opposing views on the best form of government or approach to governance was by violently silencing her.

    Kudirat Abiola was not the first to suffer that fate. In the first and second republics, intolerance of opposing political views and positions claimed the lives of many innocent citizens. And when we include the mother of all political violence-the insane fratricidal war- it is beyond doubt that we are in a special league of irrational politics in which reason plays a subsidiary role to emotion.

    Alhaja Abiola has not been the last either. Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, we have seen an escalation of political assassination across the board of political party platforms. From ANPP Chieftain Marshall Harry to Attorney-General Bola Ige and Engineer Funsho Williams, political assassination has been the norm in the so-called new dispensation.

    How do we make sense of this irrationality? Let me admit that it begs the question to suggest that it is irrational to engage in political violence. For we have to first understand what is irrational in the behavior or practice. For those politicians who deem violence the most efficient and effective means to the end they desire, it may be the height of rationality if in fact it is truly efficient and effective. This cannot be determined in the abstract. Therefore, for them, we cannot pronounce the irrationality of political violence a priori.

    On the other hand, if you believe, as I do, that certain conducts are irrational no matter the contribution they make to the realization of a desired end, then, you might be persuaded to agree that political violence is irrational. To make sense of this claim, we need only to ask ourselves the question posed by the Golden Rule: how would I like it if I was the recipient? What if it happened to me? And if we are not willing to be the recipient, but we choose to inflict violence on others, to that extent we are irrational because we are not consistent in what we will for others and what we will for self. Inconsistency and irrationality are identical twins.

    Political violence is irrational to the extent that none of its perpetrators will it for themselves. So the obvious question is “why inflict it on others?

    There are several answers to this question. There are two categories of agents of political violence. First there are state agents, those who wield state power, claim the protection of the state and claim to act in the interest of the state. And while the law or the constitution does not offer them any protection, they claim it anyway, with the connivance of other agents of state, especially the judiciary. In the darks days of military dictatorship, separation of power was a myth as the maximum ruler held sway over all levers of power. Therefore, what the constitution doesn’t permit is doneanyway, or the constitution itself is suspended.

    It was, therefore, easy for the dictator and his agents to commit evil against whoever was perceived to stand in their way. They had the raw power and no one can ask questions. It was state terrorism. It was the kind of power that even traditional rulers in our monarchical past did not possess because, at least in Yorubaland, these rulers had to contend with a number of checks and balances.

    Beside the state agents, there are those who aspire to become state agents. In a democratic system, the ballot box is the tool for the choice of rulers. This means that prospective rulers have to canvass the support of the electorates. Where freedoms of choice and association are respected values, and the humanity of everyone is recognized, this practice offers itself as the best. But not everyone respects the humanity of others, and certainly there are free citizens who are only too willing to deny the freedom of others. For them, placing their policy platforms before the electorate to compete with those of their opponents is just too much when they can sponsor violent attacks against them and their supporters.

    We all probably understand even if we do not endorse the motivations of these two sponsors of political violence—state agents and prospective state agents. There is a third category, namely the human tools and instruments that they use. Abacha didn’t go out himself to fire the shot that took the life of Alhaja Abiola. And those that pumped bullets into the body of Chief Ige and waited to see him breath his last, were different from those who really wanted him dead and sponsored his murder.

    These instruments and tools in the hands of the big bosses are the wretched of our earth. They entertain no qualm to kill for money. They make themselves available for the highest bidder. But who gets into this kind of “kill for money” business? The answer is not far-fetched. They are the ones created by the policies and practices of state agents who ride into power with the help of willing tools who inflict violence on the innocent. And as long as these state agents get their way, they will always willingly and deliberately produce willing tools to do their dirty jobs.

    Beside the state agents, aspiring state agents and their murderous willing tools, however, there are the enablers who encourage the actors either by their staying silent in the face of evil or by actively rewarding evil with their votes. Enablers are as morally culpable as the perpetrators of violence and together they account for the untimely deaths of thousands of innocent human beings in the last twenty-three years, excluding the first and second republics.

    Unfortunately, we cannot wish away political violence as long as the conditions for its existence in our body politics subsist. These include, first, mass unemployment of youths and young adults who willing tools simply because the big men they work for have the means to hire them.

    Second is the promising prospect of easy money in national politics. As governors, senators,representatives, and local government chairmen are seen as super-rich and their lifestyle confirms the narrative, many more citizens will be attracted to politics, and to ensure that they have a good shot at positions, they will recruit “boys” to “work” for them.

    Third isthe absence of strong institutions to enforce the laws against political violence. Many victims of political violence either suffer in silence or take to self-help because institutions of law enforcement have been deliberately weakened to the point that they are not capable of performing their constitutional duties. The police tragically take side with any government in power against the dictates of fairness. For politicians of an opposition party to rely on police protection from harm is seen by many of them as the height of folly, if not self-abnegation.

    Can we reverse our culture of political violence? To the extent that it is not an innate tendency of our humanity,and certainly not of our Africanness, one cannot foreclose its reversal. But there has to be a deliberate and sustained effort to humanize our systems and strengthen our institutions. How is this to be done and who is to take charge?

    Politicians have proved ill-equipped because the majority of them benefit from the chaos despite their constitutional obligation. Therefore, morally conscious citizens muststand up and call them out. Alhaja Abiola and other victims of mindless political violence deserve nothing less. For their sake we must address and reverse the culture of political violence. Their martyrdom must not be in vain.

  • The change train: One year later

    The change train: One year later

    One year ago, the Change train left Aversion station. That station was notorious for its numerous undesirables- governance impunity, fantastic corruption, depressed economy, high rate unemployment, gross indiscipline, and generalised moral degeneration. Captained by Engineer Progress, the train, with its over 140 million enthusiastic passengers, headed for Desire station.Draped in banners of hope and clamorous chants of change,they embarked on a four-year ride.

    The Change train targeted Desire station because of its promise of increased prosperity. Engineer Progress had vowed that the prosperity he had in mind for them would be deliveredthrough moral probity in governance, party discipline, compassionate policy choices, diversified economy, and a strong determination to battle wrong, and fight the war against corruption to its logical conclusion.

    In short, captain and passengers saw Desire station as the unparalleled destination for maximum desire- satisfaction. One year into the four-year journey, it makes sense to pause and ask, what has been the experience of the passengers on the Change train? And what is the prospect for the train’s safe arrival and success in realising its goal?

    We must,however, avoid the illusion that everyone on board the Change train had the same motivation or purpose. Indeed, there are good reasons to believe that, as strange as it may sound, not everyone was averse to Aversion station. In the first place, despite its dreaded condition of existence, quite a good number of folks found it appealing because they benefitted from chaos. The Yoruba refer to this group as arijenimadaru, literally “those who feed off of chaos.”For this lot, then, getting on the Change train was a source of apprehension and resentment, especially because of their egoistic reasoning “what can possibly be on this train for me?”

    Second, even for some of those who were not particularly favored at Aversion station, the fear of change could be overwhelming. As they say, the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. With that mentality, some who should favor change and get on the train were the most reluctant. Recall the story of the reluctant Hebrews getting out of the land of Egypt. An objective assessment of the performance of the Change train in its journey to Desire station must therefore take cognizance of its reluctant passengers, including some of its technicians, conductors, and makers of its rules.

    This has been a major setback and an ongoing concern for Engineer Progress. It is bearable and manageable if passengers are the issue. They can be reassured through good performance. But if technicians and conductors on the train, who are supposed to be facilitators of the smooth ride, are less than fully engaged, or worse, engaged in activities antithetical to the smoothness of the ride, there is a big deal of a problem.

    It was in the context of such an absence of synergy between the various groups of facilitators that a major derailment occurred just as the train was pulling out of Aversion station.

    The Change train has five cars. EngineerProgress and his navigation experts occupy one. The second car is occupied by those responsible for making rules for the smooth operation of the train and the welfare of passengers. In the third car are the folks responsible for ensuring that the rules are kept and for apportioning punishment in case of infraction.

    The fourth car has the group that facilitates the emergence of the captain and the Change train in the first place. As stakeholders in the success of the journey, they are to provide direction and roadmap for the captain and his team, as well as for the occupants of the second car. The fifth car is occupied by passengers who rely on the expertise and selfless collaboration of the first three and the direction of the fourth to get them to their destination safely.

    Where expertise is in place, but selflessness is missing, ego shows up in a jiffy and takes over, to the detriment of the collective task. That is the reality of our humanity.And this was what caused the derailment, as some of the occupants of the second car prioritized self-interest above collective interest. Sadly, though the cars survived the derailment with little reparable damage to their integrity, the damaged rail lines are still being repaired, almost one year after the onset of its journey, and the train has had to be diverted to a longer route.

    Naturally, passengers are unimpressed and upset. They have goods and services that they have to get to the market at Desire station. They need the supply of raw materials for their businesses. And most importantly, they need the peace of mind that this train is capable of reaching Desire station in one piece.

    On the whole, however, the passengers appear to have confidence in the captain.They chose him over other contestants for the positionbecause of his character, which they admire. But it is human nature to doubt and despair, and when the pocket is in jeopardy of losing its content, it is hard to blame them. They rightly worry about when and how they will get there.

    There is good reason for apprehension. In the train, the innocent passengers are experiencing a lot of hardship. Supplies are getting scarce and expensive. While the captain is methodical and stoical, the passengers feel the pinch of scarce resources and are very unhappy about what they perceive as slow efforts to find them alternative sources to replenish their supplies.They should have been warned that Hardship is a temporary stop on the road to Desire station.

    In his wisdom, the captain once tried to fire the greedy contractors that supply energy to the train so as to save valuable resources. He also promised alternative sources of energy. But despair appears to have set in so much that the passengers do not believe any promises will be fulfilled. There was a semblance of a protest which was quickly put down with the assistance of some of the captain’s co-investors in the Change train.

    In a situation of generalised uncertainty, with everyone struggling for survival, it is natural for there to be suspicion of everyone’s moves. Thomas Hobbes got that right. On board the Change train, passengers are becoming paranoid about each other’s moves. A war of all against all nearly ensued. Passengers are afraid to leave their car in case someone decides to appropriate what is not his. This was especially the case when some found their cubicles in the car less appealing and attempted to help themselves to thespace of other passengers. It nearly got out of hand, but reason prevailed as the rule-making occupants of the second car reassured all passengers.

    The one thing that almost all the passengers trust the captain to do well is fight their cause against those who cheat on board and those who take undue advantage of the chaos in Aversion station to enrich themselves at the expense of others. Even while they moan their hardship, almost all the passengers hail the captain for standing firm on this one issue. For they know that if those stolen resources are recovered and managed well to their advantage, there will be an improvement in their condition and the journey to Desire station will be less arduous, and they can expect to exhale at the end of the ride.

    Of course, this warm feeling and this enthusiastic support for the war the captain has sworn to fight and win is not universal. Again, it is to be expected that those at the other side of the war and their supporters, including those who benefitted from their action, will be against the war.

    But that war is ongoing and the captain is unrelenting. The reason it is important is not just because there must be restitution and recovery of looted funds;it will also serve as deterrence against future occurrence. This is the position of the captain and the stakeholders on the Change train. And with the captain’s determination,the passengers on the Change train can still enthusiastically keep hope alive.

  • MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    And hold fast to the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you may be grateful”. Q. 3: 103   

     

    Preamble

    This article was meant for publication in this column on Friday, April 29, 2016. That was about five days after the second General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

    That the article was not published as scheduled was not the fault of yours sincerely.

    The venue of the General Assembly was the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan. More than 350 delegates, including the Chairmen and Secretaries of the six States’ Muslim Councils/Communities in the Southwest and a sizable number of prominent guests from the region were in attendance.

     

    Roll Call

    The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Senator Ishak Abiola Ajimobi, was ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Lekan Ali.

    A onetime World Court Judge and Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice, His Excellency, Prince Abdul Jabbar Bola Ajibola, who is also the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees was present.

    Also, a former Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith and a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele were among the prominent personalities present at the occasion.

    Among other prominent personalities present were a former Deputy Director-General of the Stock Exchange, Alhaji Rasak Oladejo, a onetime President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Sulaiman Owoyemi and the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the Southwest, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as well as the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.

    Also present were a retinue of professors, including T. G. O. Gbadamosi, Lateef Hussein, SHA Malik, AF Ahmad, M. O. Abdul Rahman, K. K. Oloso, Taoheed Adedoja and others too many to be listed here.

    There were others like the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyyi Ajigbotomokekere as well as Baba Isale Adini of Ibadan, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.

    It was not all an men affair as some frontline Muslim women in the region were conspicuously present.

    These include Iya Adinni of Yoruba land, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Dr. (Mrs.) Lateefah Durosinmi (a former national Amirah of FOMWAN), Alhaja Surura Oyero, the current National PRO of FOMWAN; Alhaja Simiat Ogundiran, the Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State, Alhaja Faosat Aliu, Amirah of FOMWAN, Ondo State; Alhaja Medina Akanni, Amirah of Criterion, Oyo State; Alhaja Rafat Momoh, a former Amirah of MUSWEN, Ondo State and many others that cannot be accommodated here.

     

    Opening Remark

    In his opening remark at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Prof D. O. S. Noibi gave a brief situation report of MUSWEN’s first General Assembly held in 2015 and the secretariat activities sequel to that event.

    He also relayed the various MUSWEN’s achievements in the year ending and seized the opportunity to project the expected achievements in the year ahead.

    The Chairman of the GA’s 23 member Planning Committee was Professor Muhib O. Opeloye while the Secretary was Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, the Assistant Director, Programmes and Corporate Services of MUSWEN

     

    Life like weather

    Life is like weather. It changes posture from season to season. If the weather is too hot in summer, let no hope be lost. A clement weather may be experienced in winter. There is no weather without effect. Nigerians are currently in an uncertain economic weather in which nothing is predictable with precision.

    This was the situation that influenced the theme of MUSWEN’s second General Assembly held penultimate Sunday. That theme was ‘Zakah and Poverty Alleviation’.

    Nigerian Muslims have been perennially facing two fundamental problems. One is poverty, the other is ignorance. A solution to one can automatically proffer a solution to the other. But the failure on the parts of the concerned stakeholders to search for any solution at all has consistently remained a spectre tormenting the faith of most Muslims day and night.

     

    The president’s welcome address

    In his welcome address, at the occasion, the President of MUSWEN, His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola OON said inter alia that:

    “….Despite the fact that we are operating in a particularly difficult time in the nation’s history, MUSWEN has recorded a number of accomplishments since our last General Assembly, especially with efforts that were geared towards deepening and widening relations with stakeholders within the Ummah both within and outside the region”.

    “With effective coordination by the Secretariat, the active collaboration of the other organs of MUSWEN and the State Councils/Communities as well as the critical support of other stakeholders, it is heart-warming that MUSWEN has continued to serve as the rallying point for Muslims in the region”.

     

    State of the Nation

    Talking about the state of the nation as at the time of the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN said:

    “It is especially significant that inspite of the fears that we all had early last year, Allah helped us to survive the negative predictions about the 2015 general elections…. There is no gain saying the fact that our dear nation, Nigeria, is passing through a difficult time. In the last few years, the socio-economic climate has been tough. People are daily faced with hard choices. Insecurity, corruption and poor economy have continued to plague the nation”.

    “It is gratifying, however, that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to get Nigeria out of the woods.

    The battle against insurgency in the Northeast is giving Nigerians the hope that, in not too distant future, that part of the country would regain its peace that was shattered some years back”.

    “A sad development arising from the dastardly act of insurgency was the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

    It is worrisome that for over two years now, the Chibok girls have remained in bondage. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families. But more importantly, let us fervently pray to Allah for the safety and return of the girls”.

    “In the same vein, the fight against corruption could not have come at a better time. Given the amount of information about the level of corruption that Nigeria had sunk into, one can only say that we are really fortunate that Nigeria is now on its way back to sanity and global respect.

    To this end, the President and his team need the support and prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians, including Muslims, as they strive to reset the nation on the path to progress and greatness”.

     

    State of the Region

    Appraising the situation of the Southwest region, Alhaji Babalola made the following observation:

    “The Southwest region of Nigeria is blessed by Allah with abundant human and natural resources. What’s more, the region is noted for setting the pace in matters of progress and development. It is not for nothing that this region is home to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds who seek means and ways to fortune and personal progress….”

    “While I must acknowledge the challenges faced by the state governments in the region in their desire to develop the region, our people have no reason to be poor.

    I, on behalf of Muslim stakeholders in the region, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our political leaders in the region to pool their resources together and make genuine effort to revamp and integrate the economies of the states for the greater glory of the region and our people”.

    He continued thus: “In the same vein, I am delighted about the atmosphere of peace and religious harmony that continues to exist among our people irrespective of their religious affiliations. This is a tradition that has earned the Southwest region the respect of other people. However, experience has shown that more still needs to be done.

    Of particular significance is the need for more accommodation of Muslims in the political structure of Ekiti State. Muslims in the state deserve a better deal. The principles of equity, fairness and inclusive leadership need to be adequately respected in multi-stakeholder settings like ours”.

    And in conclusion, the President of MUSWEN said: “I must not end this address without recognising the critical support of the State Councils/Communities, the League of Imams and Alfas, major Muslim title holders, Islamic organisations and other stakeholders whose sustained commitment has continued to make the idea of MUSWEN a pleasant reality: “K’ajo kan l’awa nse” (to be one united body is our objective)”.

     

    The BOT Chairman

    In his own remark, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT),  Prince  ‘Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE, CFR, LLD, DLitt, FNIALS, after welcoming the delegates and guests to the second General Assembly, commended the Presidency of MUSWEN for cooperating with the Board of Trustees in working for unity, welfare and progress of the Muslim Ummah saying:

    ”As the custodians of the shared values of our organisation, the BOT has followed with keen interest and a sense of satisfaction the various indicators of progress in MUSWEN since the last General Assembly.

    The BOT is  particularly glad to note that MUSWEN has been successful in reaching out to an increasing number of corporate and individual stakeholders within the Ummah and beyond.

    There is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organisation for the benefit of the Ummah.

     

    Deputy President-General of NSCIA

    The support of the stakeholders to the BOT in the course of consultations on the nomination of a new candidate for the position of Deputy President-General (South) of NSCIA is particularly commendable.

    This Second Assembly should, therefore, be regarded as an opportunity for us to resolve to build on the successes recorded so far in this and other regards. The various organs of NSCIA should, on the other hand, resolve not to rest on their oars but to do more for the benefit of the apex body.

     

    About the theme

    In view of the importance of the theme of the Second Assembly – Zakah and Poverty Alleviation – the BOT wishes to commend all of those who have been supporting MUSWEN financially, believing that Allah will continue to reward them most richly in fulfilment of His promise. It is my hope that the theme will deepen our collective consciousness to support the cause of Islam financially for the general good of the Ummah.

     

    Keynote Address

    The Keynote address was delivered by yours sincerely on the neglected pillar of Islam called Zakah vis a vis the overwhelming poverty threatening the lives of majority of Nigerian Muslims. The contents of that address as well as the general report of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN and that of the first General Assembly held in 2015 cannot be brought here because they are too lengthy to be accommodated in a one page article. There is hope that both and some other related issues, will be published in this column in a foreseeable future.

  • Cleaning the subsidy removal muddle

    Cleaning the subsidy removal muddle

    Let us begin with some knowns. First, Nigeria, a giant of OPEC, does not produce enough fossil fuel for the needs of the populace. Second, while the crude oil it produces is dwindling by the day due to sabotage on many fronts, it lacks the facilities to refine the little. Therefore, it has to outsource to more expensive refinery locations. Third, it thus has to rely on importation of refined products with predictable hardship for its poor masses. Fourth, NNPC, the national oil company, does not have adequate resources for importation. Therefore, it relies on oil marketers as contractors. Due to foreign exchange scarcity, the government has had to subsidise the pump price. This much we know.

    Next, to the public at least, there are a few unknowns. First, the pricing of petroleum products by a government agency is arguably a misery. What is the formula? Kerosene, a household product that is used by the poor and needy, has been deregulated, but not petrol. Second, there is confusion in what government has just recently announced through the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Is it removal of subsidy? Is it price hike? Is it deregulation? All of the above? A few weeks ago, we were informed that subsidy had been removed and savings were recorded. And as Labour rightly asked, if the market has now been deregulated, why is government fixing price?

    The significance of the unknowns is that they play dangerously into a narrative of confusion that appeared to have characterised the conduct of the petroleum sector since the inception of the new administration.

    No doubt there are real challenges, including the inherited near collapse of the oil sector due to falling crude price and foreign exchange crisis, leading marketers to abandon ship and a consequent scarcity of fuel and long frustrating queues at gas stations nationwide. Though Nigerians are long-suffering, Minister Kachikwu appeared to have drained their reserve of patience with his unguarded “I am no magician” remark. He learned a good lesson in the ethics of servant leadership, and forgiving Nigerians moved on.

    But the challenge of fuel scarcity persisted and appeared to be worsening with the unstable and unpredictable foreign exchange regime. This has certainly led to the decision of the federal government to deregulate and have private entities import and supply fuel to meet the demand of Nigerians. If the decision is to let the market decide, why is that a problem? We saw the effect of the market decision regarding communication. Why are we apprehensive of the market in the case of oil?

    The analogy is not a perfect one. It is commonly believed by Nigerians that oil is our heritage, a common patrimony of sort, a divine endowment that must serve the collective interest of all Nigerians. On the other hand, our mobile devices are privately initiated and the outcome of private investment, deserving to be market-driven in order to reward initiative. What can we really enjoy as the chosen of God with Eden-like provisions if we still pay for oil through the nose?

    It is a good question and those citizens who have called out the administration on the matter are in part coming from a mindset that informs the question. The other part of their concern is their interpretation of government action as “insensitive and untimely”, with “unbearable negative consequences” on the masses. The critics are as ideologically opposite as fire and water. And the reactions are a mix of drama and realism.

    Dino Melaye, a distinguished Senator, member of the President’s party and loyalist of the Senate President gave his party a seven-day ultimatum to reverse the change or he will mobilise for “the mother of all protests.” Shehu Sani, another distinguished Senator of APC, more concerned about the reaction of the administration to Labour’s threat of strike, accused the government of hypocrisy on the grounds that the party supported Labour once when it protested the removal of subsidy and urged the government to stop its “campaign of calumny and blackmail.” These are harsh words from a party man.

    Femi Falana, SAN, a consistent human rights icon, wondered aloud why the need for subsidy removal again within just one month of government announcement that it had removed subsidy and saved $2 billion; had repaired refineries, and pipelines were being put to good use. Beside, Falana argued that increasing fuel price was illegal and unconstitutional because the body legally charged with the regulation of fuel price had not been reconstituted. For him, and for a host of critics, price increase only benefits marketers who also profit from subsidy. The remedy is the full functioning of oil refineries.

    The one body that has unswervingly taken on the role of the solicitor and advocate of the masses is the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). It is, therefore, no surprise that the organisation was among the first to pick up the fight. But it is also an unpleasant surprise that the labour union has turned out to be a divided house that can’t stand. The first sign of the Tower of Babel scenario was the approval of the increase in oil price by NUPENG and PENGASSAN, two oil sector union members of NLC. Then, of course, the administration deftly exploited the internal crisis within NLC that resulted in its division into two factions. And that appeared enough to kill the proposed strike, leading major media houses to declare the NLC strike proposal as “dead on arrival.”

    Should the strike fail, there is no doubt that it will permanently damage the reputation of NLC and it will hopefully learn a great lesson in organisational solidarity.

    Yet, while government may thus have its way, it also must pay attention to relevant lessons from its actions and policies. First, a progressive party and the government that it leads must treat Labour with respect and courtesy. Labour is the foremost ally of any progressive administration because both are for the masses and the downtrodden. Therefore, they should be partners. It is not expected that every policy of a progressive government will be acceptable to Labour. Nonetheless, mutual respect demands that government dialogues with Labour before the implementation of policies that may affect its members.

    Second, even if it serves a short term interest of government, it is not in its long term interest to alienate Labour or exploit any internal conflicts within its fold. Third, government must not give room for accusations of flip-flopping in policy decisions. The way that the fuel crisis was handled, especially since the beginning of this calendar year, leaves much to be desired. Transparency is the hallmark of a progressive government, which has nothing to hide from its citizens. Therefore, it is important that government levels with the people all the way, no matter what the situation. Claiming to have removed subsidy almost a month before it was actually removed is, to say the least, rather strange.

    Fourth, while the removal of subsidy may not have been avoidable, its timing could have been more smartly planned. Many thoughtful observers have wondered why government did not tarry a bit, release some budget allocations, especially those targeting the poor, and allow the impact to be felt by them before implementing the full weight of subsidy removal. Hindsight, they say, is always 20/20. But now, even after the fact, it is still important that the budgetary palliatives be implemented effectively and monitored efficiently so that the negative effect of fuel price increase does not suppress the positive impact of the palliatives.

    Finally, the faction of the labour union that is in accord with government must have something to show for its “reasonableness” and/or “loyalty” to the “national interest.” Surely, government cannot now reverse itself on subsidy removal. But Labour has proposed a review of the minimum wage, and while government will be hard put to support a minimum wage of N90, 000 or even N56, 000 in the present state of the economy, it cannot deny Labour the right to negotiate on this matter. Fortunately, Comrade Governor Oshiomhole has a track record of successful negotiations.

  • Revisiting the herding challenge

    Revisiting the herding challenge

    Following the President’s public intervention in the precarious situation of herdsmen-farmers conflict, which has resulted in the death of hundreds of Nigerians this year alone, it has become necessary to revisit the matter on which I wrote just a couple of weeks ago. As many informed citizens have confirmed, this has been a perennial national issue, which only just escalated beyond the level of tolerance in the last two or three decades. As it turns out, Mr. President himself had been actively involved in the task of finding a solution to the crisis.

    It may be recalled that at the height of the last presidential campaign, some partisan cliques tried to link then candidate Buhari to the herdsmen-family crisis in OkeOgun.They accused him of calling on Oyo State to stop the harassment of herdsmen by local farmers in the area. Those who raised this as a campaign issue sought to paint the APC standard-bearer in a very bad ethnocentric light. It didn’t work.The reason it didn’t work was that voters were just done with the last administration.

    Now, as the nation’s leader with a huge responsibility for peaceful coexistence among its people, President Buhari has decided that it is time to find a lasting solution to the crisis, which has the potential of tearing the nation apart. He knows that it is not a north-south quarrel. It is also not a Christian-Muslim conflict. It is an economic conflict that pits crop farmers against livestock farmers. Farmers in the northern zones are even hit harder because of their location. There have been scholarly studies of the conflict in Yobe, Borno, Plateau, Benue and other states in the zone. The loss of farm crops to cattle breeders and the loss of cattle to rustlers are just aspects of the incessant conflict.

    It is in the light of the seriousness of the issue that the President’s decision to intervene must be commended. Not that he has an option. After all, he swore to an oath to promote the security of citizens and the unity of the nation. And where the livelihood of citizens is jeopardised, there is potential for violence, which has been demonstrated beyond doubt.

    But what is Mr. President’s solution? Back in his Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days, there was a study and a report on how to resolve the incessant herdsmen-farmers conflict. That study had recommended the establishment of grazing reserves and stock routes throughout the country. Parcels of land were to be mapped out and taken over by the central government and routes were to be created from north to south. This cannot be left to state or local government because as Mr. Muhammad Bello, the Secretary General of Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria revealed in a Premium Times interview, the Nigerian government has a treaty with other countries in the West African region for the facilitation of economic movement across the region. I suspect the reference is to ECOWAS.

    ECOWAS has generated an influx of cattle herdsmen from neighbouring countries traversing the Nigerian landscape for grass and water for their cattle. Because of the treaty, the federal government has responsibility to sister governments to keep their citizens safe and provide for their economic needs. Mr. Bello conceded that in the First Republic, government charged cattle tax but that no one now pays cattle tax. Yet the federal government has responsibility to provide cattle breeders with cattle feed and water for which there is no return to government. In fairness to Mr. Bello, his argument is that cattle breeders do not pay cattle tax because they have not been receiving any service. Therefore, if government were to provide them with grazing fields and veterinary services, they would be sufficiently responsible to reciprocate.

    The PTF study and report to which Mr. President has referred governors and the Minister of Agriculture apparently anticipated Mr. Bello’s position that grazing reserves must be carved out throughout the country.

    Though the story about the ministry’s decision to set up a committee on the matter first broke last July, it did not receive a wide publicity until recently. Various media outlets reported at that time that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Sonny Ochono, announced that the Federal Government had set aside over N1 billion as compensation for farmers who were affected by recent clashes with herdsmen and that more than N310 million had been disbursed to farmers in Kano, Plateau and Bauchi.

    Mr. Ochono also announced the inauguration of “a Committee on Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes Nationwide.” He stated at that time that the ministry was acting on the directive of Mr. President. He also stated that the incessant clashes “necessitated Mr. President to direct the ministry to consider the recommendations of the studies commissioned by the PTF and the Northern Governors Forum on the same subject with a view to developing a pragmatic strategic action plan for the development of grazing reserves and stock routes nationwide.” The ultimate objective was to “develop strategic recommendations that will end the persistent farmers and herdsmen conflicts in the country.” This was reported fully by Nigerian Tribune of July 13, 2015.

    It would appear from the terms of reference of the committee that the establishment of grazing reserves was a fait accompli. The name of the committee reveals this much. It has also been confirmed that a bill on the establishment of grazing reserves was introduced in the 7th National Assembly, but it was rejected by the Senate. No effort has been made to reintroduce it in the current Senate.

    Fast forward to 2016. Mr. President made a case for grazing reserves and stock routes, citing the same PTF study. He even revealed that the PTF Report mapped out areas for grazing reserves and stock routes, but that the rich and powerful politicians took over the various lands for themselves. My reading of the President’s remark is that he is all for grazing reserves. With due respect to him, it is not a good idea and it will not work. The federal government has no authority over land. State governments do and they keep the land in trust for the people and for projects that are of common developmental interests.

    Herding or cattle breeding is NOT a COMMON developmental project. Like crop breeding, cattle breeding is PRIVATE BUSINESS. Crop farmers buy their farmland or lease it from government. This is what cattle breeders must do. Nomadism is not a cultural tradition that must be preserved at the cost of national unity.

    The current Minister of Agriculture, a farmer of immense experience, and his team have also been rubbing mind on this issue. As reported by Premium Times of May 11, the ministry has proposed ranches as opposed to grazing reserves and stock routes. As noted by Mr. Lokpobiri, who represented Minister Audu Ogbeh at the Senate hearing on the matter, “The nomadic nature of cattle rearing in Nigeria make (sic) the cattle less productive. In other countries, the cows do not move; they are kept in ranches and so they are very productive.”

    Continuing, Mr. Lokpobiri wondered aloud: “They used to argue that nomadic cattle rearing is a tradition but we have to ask, as a tradition, is it profitable to the rearers; is it sustainable in the modern realities?” These are excellent questions for proponents of grazing reserves and stock route. But there is at least one very important question: With what rationale and what justification will the federal government acquire land from any state government for grazing reserves and stock route? Pray with what justification other than naked and brutish use of federal might?

    The cattle herded by the poor and wretched are owned by rich and powerful individuals who can afford to buy or lease land for private ranching. They can afford to grow nutritious grass to feed their cattle. Why impose that responsibility on states when the venture is a private one? As a matter of justice and fair-play, in the interest of peace and harmony, private ranching for cattle breeding is the most reasonable policy option.

  • Anatomy of corruption in Nigeria

    Anatomy of corruption in Nigeria

    Preamble

    The title of today’s article is not a coinage of this columnist. It is rather the title of a book jointly written by 14 likeminded world class Nigerian lawyers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) cadre and Professors of Law.

    This is therefore an unconventional review. The book which contains 468 pages and 11 chapters is a compendium of well-researched articles authoritatively written by the contributing gurus.

    It is about the monster called corruption, its genesis, its causes, its varieties, its devastating effect on the society and the possible solutions to it.

     

    Preface

    In the preface to the book written by its Editor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, of Al-Ghalib Chambers, it is stated that corruption which is as old as formation of the society by man has been promoted to state craft and described as the single most debilitating cankerworm eating deeply into the fabric of the nation and destroying it almost endemically.

    Mallam Ali quoted former President Olusegun Obasanjo as saying at the inauguration of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in 2001 that:

    “With corruption, there can be no sustainable development, nor political stability. By breeding and feeding on inefficiency, corruption invariably strangles the system of social organisation. In fact, corruption is literally the antithesis of development and progress.”

    And quoting the Transparency International, he also writes in the same preface as follows:

    “Corruption corrodes the fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems, institutions and leaders. It can cost people their freedom health, money-and sometimes, their lives.”

    Mallam Ali then reveals a disturbing instance of corruption perception index released in 2015 by the same Transparency International in which Nigeria was rated number 136 of 167 countries with a score of 25 per cent and concluded that the publication of such frightening reports contributed to the thought leading to the writing this book.

     

    Foreword

    The foreword to the book is written by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, who states inter alia as follows:

    “This book (Anatomy of corruption), no doubt provides the appropriate reference to the conceptualisation of corruption, casting a glance to the past of this menace, identifying the present state of affairs of the cankerworm and projecting the death of the cancer should be doing in order to finally nail the coffin of corruption in Nigeria, and give it the desired burial”.

    He writes further thus: “In our fight against corruption in all its ramifications, all hands must be on deck and we must collectively save our country from the jaws of the corrupt. All sectors of the society must be fully and totally committed to the anti-corruption crusade.

    “The Nigerian judiciary will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption by ensuring that the cases brought to the courts are determined with dispatch; to this end, there is in place a fast-track mechanism to ensure that cases of corruption are determined with little or no delay.

    “There are challenges of infrastructure, resources and manpower but we are resolved, as an arm of government, to play our part and write our names in gold when the history of this struggle in Nigeria is chronicled.”

     

    Recommendation

    Observing that the contents of the book touch almost all Nigerian professions, including academia,  artisanship and business concerns, Justice Mohammed says: “I recommend this book to all Nigerians (home and abroad), especially jurists, legal practitioners, academics, media practitioners, students, politicians, business people and indeed, all lovers of our dear country, Nigeria.

    We must all stand to be counted in this battle to rid our nation of this destructive menace called corruption”. Genesis

     

    Comment

    No one can say, with precision, when corruption began on earth or where it emanated from. But we came to learn that as far back as the time of Egyptian civilisation, the Egyptians used special preservatives to spare their dead from complete corruption and that corruption of the upper class in the Roman Empire led to the collapse of that Empire.

    We also learned from history that the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, was put to death because the ancient Athenians believed that he was spreading corruption among their youths.

    When the late vociferous lawyer and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, made a queer but thought-provoking statement in a public lecture at Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo, in 1974, he hardly envisaged today’s situation of Nigeria.

    He said: “It is criminal to be law abiding in a lawless society”. By what currently obtains in the country, sheer impunity seems to have put that statement in the front burner with unintended authority. Thus, it can be concluded that corruption is the tap root of a poisonous tree with no depth measure.

     

    Foreign Perception

    Appraising the foreign perception of Nigeria in relation to corruption, one of the contributors to this book, Adebayo O. Adelodun, (SAN), succinctly captured the comment of a Singaporean journalist who covered the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nigeria in December 2003 as follows:

    “Blessed by nature but undone by man, Nigeria has been described as the Cinderella who never made it to the ball. Corruption is endemic in this West African nation. Corruption stifles economic growth. A country’ position on the corruption table is closely correlated to its poverty rating. Hence Nigeria is among the poorest countries in the world. It is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil, yet, most of its petrol is imported…Those in official positions squeeze the people. Even when the government decides to help out, the poor don’t benefit. The money set aside doesn’t get to the people as it is hijacked along the way.”

    Prescribing his own solution to the cancerous social virus called corruption, Adelodun writes:

    “In fact, it is high time for Nigeria to adopt the Chinese and Saudi Arabia models for punishment of official corruption. The penalty is death sentence. This may appear drastic but we all agree that the situation in Nigeria requires drastic suggestions and measures.

    “The Nigerian legislature is expected to borrow a leaf from those countries. We must reform our laws on corruption and input provisions to protect and reward whistle blowers and informants. We must insist on minimum standard on moral behaviour in public offices.”

    He also has advice for Nigerian citizens as follows:

    “The citizenry should be encouraged to see corruption as a stigma on their reputation. Focus should change to the fact that corruption makes us poorer as a people. The little resources (available) can go round if not for corrupt practice of greed and selfishness.

    “The citizens must be ready to play the role of whistle blowers and informants for the agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of combating corruption”.

     

    Head knock for Nigerian Judiciary

    In his own contribution to the book, Adebayo Olanipekun, S. A. N., gave a painful knock to the judiciary on the head for being an aiding factor in making corruption a monster that it is in Nigeria.

    He states that: “Our criminal justice system is skewed in a way that it does not deter corruption but rather has the opposite effect of encouraging it.

    Situations where a poor boy who stole a hen is sentenced to two years imprisonment and a high-ranking public officer who embezzled N23 billion is given an option of paying N250, 000 fine cannot be said to deter corruption”.

    He quoted a onetime Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, where the latter, at the SERAP’s 9th Roundtable conference in 2012 gave a keynote address as follows:

    “…When the rule of law is weak, corruption will remain a nagging problem. Corruption in the Justice sector is a keystone to corruption throughout the society. Without an honest criminal justice system, the wealthy, especially the corrupt, can escape the consequences of their crimes.

    Impunity reduces the perceived cost of corruption. The risk that corrupt activities will result in imprisonment and accompanying public humiliation is minimal. The gains of corruption are therefore not discounted and there is thus, little reason beyond personal integrity not to engage in corrupt acts”.

    Talking about the importance of the Judiciary in the fight against corruption, he quoted Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke, as saying: “Nigeria is sick and needs urgent treatment. The judicial system is the only method by which erring members of the society can be made accountable and be made to pay the penalty of any wrong doing. Yes, there is corruption in the land and only the court can purge the society. But alas! What about the judiciary itself”.

     

    Role of the media

    And commenting on the role of the media in fighting corruption in the society, Adenipekun says: “Nigerian Media are manned by Nigerian citizens. As watchdogs of the society, Journalists are expected to bridge the gap between the government and the society”. He quoted a London Times editorial of 1851 which articulated the role of the Media as follows:

    “…The Press (being a professional whistle blower) lives by disclosures…for us with whom publicity and truth are the air and light of existence, there can be no greater disgrace than to recoil from the frank and accurate disclosure of facts as they are. We are bound to tell the truth as we find it, without fear of consequences-to lend no convenient shelter to act of injustice and oppression, but to consign them at once to the judgment of the world”.

    Other contributors to the book are as follows:

    Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN); Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies; Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad (Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria); K. K. Eleja & Co Chambers; Professor Mojeed Olujimi Alabi of the University of Ilorin; Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), of Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State; Prof Wahab Egbewole of the University of Ilorin; Awa U. Kalu (SAN) of the University of Lagos/Abia State University, Uturu; Justice S. D. Kawu, Chief Judge of Kwara State and Dr. Hammed A. Hannafi.

    Though quotations from their writings cannot be accommodated here, all of them are nevertheless veritably quotable in their respective fields as they will be found in their respective contributions to the book.

     

    Public Presentation

    The book: ‘Anatomy of Corruption’ will be publicly presented at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

    The Chief Guest at the occasion will be the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON

    The Chairman of the occasion will be the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON.

    The Guest Speaker will be Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate while Chief Presenter  will be the Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Otunba Tunde Ayeni.

    The book will be reviewed by Prof Ademola Popoola of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and the Chief Host the President of Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alege, SAN.

     

  • MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    MUSWEN’s Second General Assembly

    Hold fast the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you may be grateful”. Q. 3: 103 

     

    Preamble 

    This article was meant for publication in this column penultimate Sunday, April 24, 2016. That was the day the second General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held. The venue was the University of Ibadan International Conference Hall. More than 350 delegates and a sizable number of prominent guests from the six States of the South West were in attendance.

     

    Attendance 

    The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Ishak Abiola Ajimobi, was  represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Lekan Ali. A former Minister of Justice and World Court Judge, His Excellency, Prince Abdul Jabbar Bola Ajibola, who is the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees as well as a former Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith were among the prominent personalities present at the occasion.

    Also present were a former Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele, former Deputy Director-General of the Stock Exchange, Alhaji Rasak Oladejo, a onetime President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Sulaiman Owoyemi and the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as well as the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.

    Also present were a retinue of Professors, including T. G. O. Gbadamosi, Lateef Hussein, Saeed Malik, M. O. Abdul Rahman, K. K. Oloso and others too many to be listed here, Others were the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyyi Ajigbotomo kekere and Iya Adini of Yoruba, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola as well as Baba Isale Adini of Ibadan Land, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.

    The Chairman of the GA’s Planning Committee was Professor Muheeb O. Opeloye while the Secretary was Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, the Assistant Director, Programmes and Corporate Services of MUSWEN

     

    Life like weather

    Life is like weather. It changes posture from season to season. If the weather is too hot in summer, let no hope be lost. A clement weather may be experienced in winter. There is no weather without effect. Nigerians are currently in an uncertain economic weather in which nothing is predictable with precision. This was the situation that influenced the theme of MUSWEN’s second General Assembly held penultimate Sunday. That theme was ‘Zakah and Poverty Alleviation’.

    Nigerian Muslims have been perennially facing two fundamental problems. One is poverty, the other is ignorance. A solution to one can automatically proffer a solution to the other. But the failure on the parts of the concerned stakeholders to search for any solution at all has consistently remained a spectre chasing the ghost of every Muslim day and night.

     

    President’s welcome address

    In his welcome address, at the occasion, the President of MUSWEN, His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola (OON), said inter alia that:

    “….Despite the fact that we are operating in a particularly difficult time in the nation’s history, MUSWEN has recorded a number of accomplishments since our last General Assembly especially with efforts that were geared towards deepening and widening relations with stakeholders within the Ummah both within and outside the region”.

    “With effective coordination by the Secretariat, the active collaboration of the other organs of MUSWEN and the State Councils/Communities as well as the critical support of other stakeholders, it is heart-warming that MUSWEN has continued to serve as the rallying point for Muslims in the region”.

     

    Components of MUSWEN

    “The result of this has been the improved and growing relationship with the State Councils/Communities who are the major components of MUSWEN; the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) of which MUSWEN is a major component; the League of Imams and Alfas, which MUSWEN recognizes as an essential pillar of the Ummah; the numerous Islamic organizations and other stakeholders.

    Of particular significance is the high degree of trust that the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of  the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, reposes in MUSWEN and its leadership”.

     

    State of the nation

    Talking about the State of the nation as at the time of the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN said:

    “It is especially significant that in spite of the fears that we all had early last year, Allah helped us to survive the negative predictions about the 2015 general elections…. There is no gain saying the fact that our dear nation, Nigeria, is passing through a difficult time. In the last few years, the socio-economic climate has been tough. People are daily faced with hard choices. Insecurity, corruption and poor economy have continued to plague the nation”.

    “It is gratifying, however, that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to get Nigeria out of the woods. The battle against insurgency in the Northeast is giving Nigerians the hope that, in not too distant future, that part of the country would regain its peace that was shattered some years back”.

    “A sad development arising from the dastardly act of insurgency was the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

    It is worrisome that for over two years now, the Chibok girls have remained in bondage. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families. But more importantly, let us fervently pray to Allah for the safety and return of the girls”.

    “In the same vein, the fight against corruption could not have come at a better time. Given the amount of information about the level of corruption that Nigeria had sunk into, one can only say that we are really fortunate that Nigeria is now on its way back to sanity and global respect. To this end, the President and his team need the support and prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians, including Muslims, as they strive to reset the nation on the path to progress and greatness”.

     

    State of the region 

    Appraising the situation of the South West region, Alhaji Babalola made the following observation:

    “The Southwest region of Nigeria is blessed by Allah with abundant human and natural resources. What’s more, the region is noted for setting the pace in matters of progress and development. It is not for nothing that this region is home to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds who seek means and ways to fortune and personal progress….”

    “While I must acknowledge the challenges faced by the state governments in the region in their desire to develop the region, our people have no reason to be poor. I, on behalf of Muslim stakeholders in the region, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our political leaders in the region to pull their resources together and make genuine effort to revamp and integrate the economies of the States for the greater glory of the region and our people”.

    He continued thus: “In the same vein, I am delighted about the atmosphere of peace and religious harmony that continues to exist among our people irrespective of their religious affiliations. This is a tradition that has earned the South West region the respect of other people. However, experience has shown that more still needs to be done. Of particular significance is the need for more accommodation of Muslims in the political structure of Ekiti State. Muslims in the State deserve a better deal. The principles of equity, fairness and inclusive leadership need to be adequately respected in multi-stakeholder settings like ours”.

    And in conclusion, the President of MUSWEN said: “I must not end this address without recognising the critical support of the State Councils/Communities, the League of Imams and Alfas, major Muslim title holders, Islamic organisations and other stakeholders whose sustained commitment has continued to make the idea of MUSWEN a pleasant reality: “K’ajo kan l’awa nse” (to be one united body is our objective)”.

     

    The BOT Chairman

    In his own remark, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), His Excellency, Prince (Judge) ‘Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE, CFR, LLD, DLitt, FICArb, FNIALS, after welcoming the delegates and guests to the second General Assembly, commended the Presidency of MUSWEN for cooperating with the Board of Trustees in working for unity, welfare and progress of the Muslim Ummah saying:

    ”As the custodians of the shared values of our organisation, the BOT has followed with keen interest and a sense of satisfaction the various indicators of progress in MUSWEN since the last General Assembly. The BOT is   Particularly glad to note that MUSWEN has been successful in reaching out to an increasing number of corporate and individual stakeholders within the Ummah and beyond. There is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organization for the benefit of the Ummah.

     

    About Deputy President-General of NSCIA

    The support of the stakeholders to the BOT in the course of consultations on the nomination of a new candidate for the position of Deputy President-General (South) of NSCIA is particularly commendable.

    This Second Assembly should, therefore, be regarded as an opportunity for us to resolve to build on the successes recorded so far in this and other regards. The various organs of NSCIA should, on the other hand, resolve not to rest on their oars but to do more for the benefit of the apex body.

     

    About the theme

    In view of the importance of the theme of the Second Assembly – Zakah and Poverty Alleviation – the BOT wishes to commend all of those who have been supporting MUSWEN financially, believing that Allah will continue to reward them most richly in fulfilment of His promise. It is my hope that the theme will deepen our collective consciousness to support the cause of Islam financially for the general good of the Ummah.

     

    Keynote address

    The keynote address was delivered by yours sincerely on the neglected pillar of Islam called Zakah vis a vis the glaring overwhelming poverty threatening the lives of majority of Nigerian Muslims.

    The contents of that address as well as the general report of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN and that of the first General Assembly held in 2015 cannot be brought here because they are too lengthy to be accommodated in a one page article.

    There is hope that both and some other related issues, will be published in this column in a foreseeable future.

  • The imperative of change

    The imperative of change

    Opalaba asked me the other day how I would describe my experience of change almost one year to its introduction into our political lexicon. Perceiving a deviously laid trap, I cleverly wiggled out. “What is your definition of change? What does it involve?” I asked him.

    “For me, it is simple. Change is the movement from an undesirable to a desirable state of affairs”, my friend responded. And on my part, I thought that I got him. So I agreed. “In that case, while there is still a lot to do, I can say that change is happening.”

    “Sure, I guess you could say that” Opalaba intoned. But I knew that what was coming after was going to be damning in the least. So I hit back first.

    “You cannot combine certainty with doubt in the same breath. You are either sure or you are guessing” I volunteered.

    “Your grammatical sensitivity, my foot”, Opalaba shot back. “This is serious business and you better see it as such. For the very future of progressive politics is at stake. What I am witnessing is different than what you choose to see.”

    My friend opined that it was not enough to define change as he did. “It is also important to give the conditions for its possibility. Leadership is important. Change requires leaders with the strong will and determination to go the whole length no matter what. Successful change requires humility and respect for the people, taking account of their suggestions and sensibilities. If change is meant for the good of the people, their voice deserves to be heard in the process of effecting change.”

    Opalaba then lounged into a litany of complaints. He acknowledged the fact that the government of change inherited too many undesirables, including executive impunity, legislative licence, institutionalised corruption, ethnicised politics, inflation, unemployment, wage compression, infrastructure decay, value deficit, violent clashes, etc.

    My friend observed that in the best of times, with a robust forex earnings capacity, the inherited pit is too deep for the nation to climb out of. In the regime of harsh economic realities, it is simply Herculean. But this is hard to explain to the victim of untold poverty and unbearable suffering. While the masses of our people are unemployed or self-employed in drudgery, the country in general, and the media in particular, does not appear to be perturbed by the condition of the wretched of the earth in our midst. Yet homelessness, hunger, and disease have been their portion in recent times.

    Resentful of the advantaged position enjoyed by the well-positioned, Opalaba observed that we know more about the undesirable condition of public servants who are owed months of salary payments because they have the voice to make their case and they have labour unions to fight their cause. But we do not have a union of the unemployed and the homeless. Yes, these have advocates in NGOs, but these are too busy on the large issues- the root causes—to bother about the surface matters of immediate need for food and shelter.

    Talking about wages, Opalaba agreed that “labour deserves its reward.” He noted that part of the challenges that the nation must face squarely is the impact of centralisation on the ability of states and local governments, the largest employers of labour, to meet their obligations. We have a system that centrally imposes financial obligations on states without taking into consideration their differing abilities. What is more absurd, the system that imposes uniform wages throughout the country’s public system doesn’t take account of the differing cost of living between Lagos and Lokoja or between Port Harcourt and Potiskum.

    “The consequence could not have been any different from what we have or less devastating. States devote 80 per cent to 90 per cent of their revenue to workers’ salary, leaving 10 per cent to 20 per cent for developmental projects. Of course, the rest of the population have a right to complain when roads are impassable or they have no access to drinking water or they have no effective protection against kidnappers and armed robbers or violent herdsmen because of an inadequate security regime.”

    But while the foregoing are issues of immediate concern, my friend was concerned that the people are being let down by the apparent absence of willingness to deal with them head-on. As he put it, “one expects that an issue that stands in the way of a progressive administration’s effective delivery of pledged services to the people would be its foremost concern. The assumption is that upon securing power, a progressive party that presides over the executive and legislative branches of government will make government restructuring for effectiveness a priority. That this has not been an urgent concern of the new administration in its first year is unfortunate and shameful.”

    As I urged him to clear his mind and assured him of my listening ears, he fired on. “In the matter of what is preventing a robust engagement with the serious and fundamental issues of refocusing government on its real mission your guess is as good as mine.” When I retorted that I didn’t have a clue, Opalaba struggled to avoid my distraction but simply cleared his throat and continued.

    “The progressive government at the centre took off on wobbly and crippled limbs. Things fell apart from the beginning due to insatiable greed and oversized ambition. The effort that should be focused on progress for the nation was spent on scheming the political survival of individuals. And in a bizarre turn of events, the government of change is on a collision course with reason. Or is it rational for an entity that is not suicidal to create the suitable condition for its demise?”

    “From the fight over position to the unabashed declaration of solidarity with a leader in contempt of the people, to the messy handling of the budget, there is too much noxious air in the political landscape. Disenchantment with the ruling party in its first year is evident around”, my friend declared.

    But he was not done: “One year into the progressive administration, the signs are terribly ominous. As if the gods are aligned against progress, agents of retrogression are on prowl. Taking on these evil agents and fighting them to the ground will take the strong will of the Primus inter pares whose charisma and past achievement catapulted back to power.”

    “Why is this an important task? In 1999, progressives claimed the six states of the Southwest. They embarked on great progressive policy implementation based on the cardinal programmes of education, health, rural development and employment. Their party did not control the centre. They relied mostly on federal allocation. Federal might was deployed against them, especially from 2002.

    “Of course, they also got carried away by primordial instinct syndrome. Relishing the fact that the president was a son of the soil, they promoted him beyond reason and got whacked by him. Abandoning the principle that brought you to power and running after chimera does not go unnoticed by the savvy electorate and the mischievous opponents who exploit electorate apathy to rig elections. It happened in 2003. And it can happen in 2019”, Opalaba, the mystic, warned.

    “Those who must worry about such a repetition of history are irrationally cutting their nose to spite their face. They are gearing up for 2019 even when they are not perturbed about 2016. But if they are not part of the solution of the challenges of 2016, do the pseudo progressives expect their party to be taken seriously in 2019? And if it is not taken seriously by voters who loathe disappointment, what’s the expectation of these ambitious politicians and what is their prospect of doing well in the polls in 2019? Unless of course their plan is to jump party ship again in 2019 as some of them did in 2014.”

    With an air of finality and arrogance that I have always despised, Opalaba fired the parting shot. “Just know that my fellow-citizens are now in the driver’s seat of electoral politics. Get your act right or be prepared to be booted out” Ouch!!! A classic fiend, he is!

  • On national values

    On national values

    A nation that dreams greatness needs to invest in the strategic inculcation of national values. The success of such a strategic investment depends on several factors: (a) the scope of the values, (b) the source of the values, (c) the nature of the values, (d) role models and instructors, (e) institutional structures. Let us briefly investigate each of these factors.

    First, by scope I mean the reach of the values deemed national. It is unavoidably tautological to suggest that national values must be national in scope. But that is the inescapable reality. A national value cannot be ethnic orsectarian. Of course, this doesn’t suggest that a value that is acceptable to one ethnic or sectarian group cannot be acceptable to some other group. What it suggests is simply that for a value to be considered worthy of the adjective “national”, it must be embraced by or considered as worthy of the embrace of others.

    Second, one factor that determines the national scope of a value is the source of the value. How do members of the nation come to recognise it as a value worthy of embrace. National values cannot originate from divisive sources. Fortunately, despite the divisions of tribe and tongue in dear country, we have one non-divisive source of our values. It is the constitution which provides a copious account of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, which for all intents and purposes is a declaration of our national values.

    Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides a list of our national values, the ideals that we stand for and which government and citizens have a duty to embrace and promote. It reiterates our republicanism, which vests sovereignty in the people with the right to participate in government and the duty to discharge the responsibilities that correlate with that right. We affirm peace, progress, unity and faith as national ideals worth living for and if necessary worth dying for. We reject corrupt practices and collectively resolve to abolish them from our nation. We pledge to secure maximum welfare, freedom and happiness for every citizen on the basis of social justice. We decide that national wealth will serve the common good and not just a chosen few.

    We embrace freedom, equality and justice as the foundation of our social order. In other words, no one will be rendered unfree without due process; no one will be treated like a slave or serf; and justice will prevail because these are values that our nation is built upon. They demonstrate our belief in the sanctity and dignity of the human person. As a mark of our fidelity to these values, we pledge to give every citizen the opportunity to secure adequate means of livelihood under just and humane conditions of work.

    Our constitution even identifies boldly and unambiguously our national ethic which encompasses all of the above: discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance and patriotism. From south to north, from east to west, and every space in-between, these are the values that we embrace per the grundnorm that binds us as one nation indivisible. It follows that these are the values that we must seek to inculcate in young and old, officials and ordinary citizens at every opportunity in order to make our nation the pride of citizens and the envy of aliens.

    Third, by their nature, these ingredients of our national values are positive roadmaps for national development and national integration, provided there is sufficient adherence to their dictates. And that is what has been lacking. The lack is in two areas. If we are to inculcate national values, there must be instructors and role models for that purpose. But genuine instructors are lacking not because there are no expert teachers of values, but because, there is more to instruction and role modelling than rote teaching and learning. A role model sets a pattern of behaviour that is emulated by the followers. Whether in policy formulation or political practice, whether in religious instruction or sectarian preaching, there is too much of “do as I say” and not enough of “do as I do.”

    Fourth, there must be adequate institutional structures through the auspices of which national values are disseminated and inculcated. Prominent among the institutions that have traditionally taken up this task are schools, religious institutions, voluntary organisations, such as Boys Scout and Girls Guide, etc. In the colonial era and in the post-colonial and pre-military era, these were veritable institutions that took on the responsibility of inculcating national values with dedication and commitment. Discipline was enforced in schools and religious institutions. This translated into a productive workforce and a patriotic citizenry. We remember the teachers that made us who we are and the pastors and imams that lived penurious lives but delivered the words of truth without fear or favour. They are hardly here anymore.

    It is understandable then why government officials worry about national values. The Nigerian Educational and Research Development Council (NERDC) has refocused on how schools can re-engage in inculcating national values. But how might schools disseminate national values? And how might religious institutions? There is an undeniable synergy between national values and religious values. Our major religions preach love, peace, unity, respect, hard work, etc. Therefore, churches, mosques and traditional worship spaces are well-positioned to help inculcate national values.

    Public and private schools are also best suited with appropriate curriculum development in social studies, history, and civics, which focus students as citizens and future leaders on the history and value priorities of their nation.

    How about subject areas like Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)? Are they repositories of national values and thus agents for their inculcation? To the extent that these subjects teach positive values, they are helpful in the dissemination of national values. However, this is not their main focus. Both are to be seen as academic subjects focused on instructing students on the tenets, beliefs and history of each of the faiths. As such, there are areas of agreement and areas of conflict between them. The major prophets of these religions had differing views on the issue of faith and spirituality.

    And while religion, when it is reasonably approached, can be a positive influence on national values, it is unclear what useful purpose is served by having students compulsorily explore in curriculum settings the linkage between religion and national values. Is the purpose to understand the relationship? That is not a worthy subject area for JSS or SSS. Is it to more effectively inculcate national values? That is a less effective approach. Is it to align religion and national values? That is an unnecessary effort. In the matter of teaching religion and inculcating national values, the approach that reason dictates is to keep them clear and distinct. As one of the prophets advised: give to Caesar what belongs to him, and reserve for God what is God’s.

    At any rate, even if for some reason, we find it useful to deploy religious instruction in the inculcation of national values, it is counter-productive to combine two religions under one curriculum head. Just as we cannot combine the teaching and learning of history and mathematics as a subject offering, combining IRS and CRS as one single subject in the curriculum will serve more negative than positive purpose.For such combination cannot avoid inadvertently truncating one belief system or the other, something that can cause more social harm than good.

    By the same token, making religious study compulsory while history is removed from the curriculum doesn’t make much sense. The latter is sorely needed for a heightened sense of national values. It affords us a common memory of our core values, where we have been, and what got us to where we are. History enables us to make useful investigation of our national, social, moral and political values. And historical knowledge is a sine qua non for informed citizenry. Therefore, for promoting national values, it makes better sense to make history, rather than religious knowledge, compulsory in our school curriculum.

     

  • Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Whoever amongst you sees something wrong should endeavour to correct it with his hand (by removing it). If he is incapable of correcting it with his hand, let him correct it with his tongue (by condemning it). If he is still incapable of doing so let him effect the correction with his mind (by praying for its stoppage). However, the last option is the weakest of all.”

    Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

     

    Preamble

    Oyo State has proved to be Nigeria’s Pacesetter State indeed by introducing a bill to formally prohibit kidnapping in the State and to prescribe the commensurate penalty for any culprit.

    The bill which prescribes death sentence or life imprisonment for anybody who engages in kidnapping has been signed into law by Governor Ishak Abiola Ajimobi.

    The law also prescribes various jail terms for anybody found to be an accomplice directly or indirectly in the crime. The law is a bold step in stemming kidnapping as a crime in Oyo State.

    ‘The Message’ hereby joins millions of Nigerians to congratulate Oyo State government on this laudable step wishing the governor a successful implementation of the law.

     

    The need for amendment

    Pleasant as the law against kidnapping is, however, there may be need for an amendment to that law. There is another crime that is a deadly as kidnapping in our society today which ought to have been taken along in that law. That crime is rape.

    Looking at it from any angle, rape is like a scar which no dermatologist can obliterate from anybody’s skin. It is only those who experience it that can feel its impact.

    The rate of rape in Nigeria today is amazingly disturbing enough to warrant a law prohibiting it and prescribing a penalty for it similar to that of kidnapping.

    For those who have fallen victim of it, rape is an everlasting agony affecting both the mental being and the state of mind in terms of dignity.

    This is particularly true of innocent juvenile girls who are reportedly defiled in various parts of the country. While praising Oyo State government for championing the war against crimes, ‘The Message’ column hereby implores the Pacesetter State to please take a further by adding rape to it so that other states in the federation may follow suit. Kidnapping and rape are two of a kind in the realm of crimes.

     

    Animal Farm

    Here is the moment in the life of a country when any responsible newspaper    columnist must fall into a dilemma. A Yoruba (Apala) music maestro of late memory, Haruna Isola, once released a philosophical lyric in which he described the modern world as “tiptoeing on one of its two legs while the other (leg) remains hanging and virtually redundant”.

    That is the current situation of life in Nigeria where, like George Owens’s ‘Animal Farm’, the strong devours the weak with reckless impunity.

    “What can we say of a man who fixes his eyes on the sun but does not see it? He rather sees a chorus of flaming seraphim announcing a paroxysm of despair”. That is the parable of the country called Nigeria.

    Like the Israelites of yore, Nigerians of today have become gypsies wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of despair while wallowing helplessly in abject poverty and squalour even in the midst of abundance. This situation has catapulted the thought of crimes as a bailout to the front burner of our social life in many youths.

    Of the overwhelming crimes in Nigeria today, three are outstanding. The first is insurgency. The second is rape. The third is kidnapping. All of these are products of corruption, a canker-worm that has eaten very deeply into the fabric of Nigerian culture. Every criminal in the above itemised spheres is capitalising on the unbridled corruption in the land to engage in his or her branch of crime. But the focus here is rape.

    The dilemma of

    a columnist

    Today, so many disturbing issues are floating in the horizon to confirm an era of unbridled sadism in today’s Nigeria where religion and cultural pedigrees do not have any meaning any more. Thus, the thoughts and ideas of writing on current issues have become so clumsy that a columnist must fall into a dilemma.

    Nigerians of the present generation seem to be bent on interpolating their lifestyle with that of wild animals a euphemism for seeking ruins. In what looks like an animal zoo where no shame is reckoned with and no dignity is valued, crimes seem to have become the rule by which Nigerians of today live on a daily basis.

     

    Societal conspiracy

    The seeming indifference of the public to those crimes, especially the rampant rape of underage girls in the society, is suggestive of a tacit societal conspiracy.

    Even animals, whether domestic or wild, still maintain some level of morality in their relationship with one another. We may not know the details of the rule of engagement in the wild life but through our little familiarity with domestic animals, we can confirm that the adult ones among them do not rape the juvenile ones.

    Any good observer among men will notice that the lion or any carnivorous animal for that matter preys on a victim only in time of hunger. And as soon as it becomes satisfied, all other potential victims can move around freely without being preyed upon or harassed. This is not the case with human beings, especially those of Nigerian origin.

    An average Nigerian does not only greedily amass wealth for himself illegally. He also amasses wealth for his children and even, grand children as a provision for future comfort against imaginary poverty.

    This terrible greed has been carried into other spheres of life, including rape. Thus, some married men of advanced age believe that the only way of having a sexual taste of virginity is to rape innocent female juveniles since they had missed that opportunity in their wives. Some others satanically believe that virginity is a source of wealth which can be facilitated through the ritual means.

     

    Cases of rape

    Last week, the media was awash with the news of the arrest of 35-year-old Badmos Olajuwon, a fashion designer and husband of two wives, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl.

    The unfortunate incident, according to reports, occurred in Somolu area of Lagos State where the man was alleged to have forcefully defiled the innocent girl on her grandmother’s bed.

    Even an animal, no matter how wild, will not descend so low to do that. The unanswered question is this: what could have led a man of that age to think of raping a girl of that age where sanity still holds sway? Until the answer to this question is provided by the Nigerian society it may be difficult to believe that Nigeria remains a member of the civilised comity of nations.

     

    More examples

    Incidentally, last Wednesday again, another breaking news captured the vintage pages of national newspapers with the report of a 30-year-old truck pusher, Nurudeen Owolabi, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Bariga area also of Lagos State. Both Olajuwon and Owolabi have, as usual, blamed the devil for their devilish acts.

    There are thousands of similar cases reported and not reported in various parts of the country. The incidents of rape have become so rampant in Nigeria today that most people do not see them as an aberration while those crimes are being virtually accepted as a part of societal norm.

    On February 17,  a 51-year-old casket maker, Kayode Michael, was caught defiling an eight-year-old girl in Lagos. He is now serving a four-year jail term. His reason for engaging in such a devilish act was as usual, the devil.

    Also in 2015, a 60-year-old man, Edekin Ojaogbe, was paraded by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. Confessing to the crime, Ojaogbe who disclosed that he was married with three children but his wife had left him said he slept with the teenage girl three times because he loved her. He eventually blamed the evil act on the devil.

     

    Involvement of clerics

    Rape cases, like many other crimes, have transcended cultural or religious borders in Nigeria even as they have betrayed the honour of age and maturity.

    In other words, the supposed messengers have betrayed the message they are expected to preach. But it is understandable that most cases of rape nowadays occur in the urban centers because majority of jobless men and women are resident in cities and towns.

    The satanic vice called rape is not new in any part of the world. If anything is new about it now, it must be its puzzling rising trend that is causing untold agony in many homes.

    Sometime in November 2015, Pastor Fidelis Eze (32) was reported to have defiled and impregnated an 11-year-old girl at Iju Ishaga, Lagos State. The incident became a court case but the innocent girl will live with the mental agony arising from it for the rest of her life. When asked what led him to the act, Eze blamed the act on the devil.

    And just a few days ago, Pastor Ifeanyi Bernard(46) was arrested in Karu, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. He also blamed the devil for that devilish act as he now answers questions in the court of law.

    In November 2015, a 40-year-old Muslim cleric, Alfa Abdullah Omobolaji, was arrested in Agege, Lagos State and charged to court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The case is still on. While some scores of these cases are reported, hundreds of others are not. Yet, the crimes continue unabated.

     

    Other African countries

    In July 2013, a Pastor, Nana Akwesi Angyemang of Ghana, was jailed 15 years for raping eight juvenile girls, including a three year old. All the eight defiled juveniles were children of his church members.

    Also in Zambia, a 61-year-old evangelist, Elvis Katongo, was arrested and charged to court in June 2011 for defiling a teenage girl. In all these, no amount of sanction can compensate for the heinous crime.

    In 2014, a 73-year-old Kenyan Reverend Thomson Njoya was arrested for allegedly defiling his 18-month-old granddaughter.

    Reverend Njoya, who was very vocal in upholding democracy in Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, confessed to the crime and was charged for the offence and convicted.

    Clerics in any country are supposed to be like salt of the society. Salt is supposed to stop other ingredients like locust beans, onion and pepper from getting spoilt. If salt shows traits of rottenness which other ingredient will be used to stop it from getting spoilt?

     

    People’s Wish

    Starting with Liberian Muslim leadership, many African Muslim communities, including those of Nigeria, have objected to sentencing rapists to just a few years of imprisonment.

    These communities believe that such a paltry sentence is an indirect encouragement for rape. They contend that crimes like rape, kidnapping and sodomy or lesbianism should carry the same penalty which is death or life imprisonment.

    They condemn the nonchalance and hypocritical attitude of some so-called human rights organisations which go about campaigning against death sentence as penalty for any crime.

    Such organisations should be watched very closely, they could be accomplices to the various heinous crimes in the society. ‘The Message’ column cannot agree less.

     

    Conclusion

    With the ongoing trend in crimes, especially with regards to rape and kidnapping, Nigeria as a country may be heading for doom and unless an urgent action is taken to stem that trend, such doom may become inevitable.

    About this, the Qur’an had long warned mankind to “fear a calamity that may descend, not only on those who caused it but also those who remain aloof while such a calamity is being caused. Go and know that Allah’s retribution can be severe”. See Qur’an 8 verse 25.