Category: Letters

Sir: When Nigerians elected Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, they expected him to fight corruption as he had promised during the electioneering campaign. He failed woefully in that direction. Nigerians also expected him to strengthen national security given his background as a retired army general; unfortunately, he played politics with it and in the most bizarre manner and thus compromised our national security.

Thus, one of the things Nigerians desired most desperately in this post-Buhari era apart from economic emancipation is security. And it is against this background that the appointment of Nuhu Ribadu, a retired police AIG, the award-winning, internationally-acclaimed anti-corruption fighter as the national security adviser (NSA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) is attracting a lot of interests and has been interpreted by observers in different ways.

Some of the critics of Ribadu’s appointment are military officers who believe that the appointment is an aberration of a sort in that it has been the norm in Nigeria to appoint the NSAs usually from the rank of retired military generals. But some scholars are of the view that national security is beyond military strategy and operations which are relevant mostly in combating external aggression but involve more complex processes of diplomacy, communal and civil engagement that a civilian in the mould of Ribadu can effectively handle given his pedigree and track record.

Again, the appointment is seen, by some, as an attempt to copy the western countries whose security challenges are diametrically and fundamentally different from that of Nigeria. But clearly, there is nothing wrong in copying global best practice if that is what is required to solve our seemingly intractable problem of insecurity.

More so, as our former NSAs cannot be said to have done very well otherwise we would not be in this current state of namby-pamby security situation. Indeed, fighting insecurity can be done through proactive measures involving intelligence, technology, collaborative efforts and civil engagement—dialogue, arbitration, negotiation, and subtle empowerment of the people etcetera—and not necessarily through force or ill-advised military manoeuvres.

On the other hand, some concerned Nigerians see Ribadu’s appointment as a step in the right direction. Many believe that his appointment is strategic. Coming from the part of the country that is ravaged by insurgency and terrorism, Ribadu who has the reputation of a dogged fighter is believed to be the right man to fight to end terrorism in the country. And they cannot be wrong. He is tested and trusted.

Concerns about the appointment of Ribadu as our National Security Adviser are germane and expected. Apart from a good economic team, Nigerians expect a good team for national security too that has been bastardized by incompetence, negligence, nepotism and insensitivity.

You may not like Nuhu Ribadu because of his characteristic austere, no-nonsense posturing but one thing is clear; you can’t fault his unalloyed commitment to the fight against corruption and his commitment to peace and security of the nation. Love him or hate him, one thing you cannot take away from him is his ruthless efficiency in the discharge of his duty. His commitment and dedication to duty as attested to by his track record is clearly non-pareil. Added to this, are his courage, boldness and patriotic fervour that have made him an officer with a difference. His colleagues and those close to him know him as a man of principles and of high ethical standard. This is the kind of personality Nigeria needs to tidy up things in our security sector at present.

• Gozie Irogboli, • (goziei@yahoo.com)

SIR: In 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global health emergency, I was privileged to be part of a class taking a course on ‘Animal Health and Diseases’ at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, UDUS.

At the beginning of the pandemic, rumours were rife that the disease emanated from animals. We did not immediately dismiss the narrative because we had just learnt about zoonotic diseases (illness contacted by humans from animals), their preventive techniques and how deadly some of them can be.

About two weeks ago, precisely on June 13, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development alerted Nigerians to take precautions as Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, had recorded an outbreak of the Anthrax disease. 

According to that statement, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states are most at risk due to their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana, and needed to “intensify animal vaccinations”.

At this point, it dawned on me that Anthrax was one out of about 12 deadly bacterial disease, which we discussed in class about three years ago. The disease is zoonotic. Hence, if it is left untamed, threatens loss of humans and livestock. And perhaps, this is why relevant authorities thought it wise to inform the public.

The announcement came with a caution against the consumption of hides popularly known as ‘Ponmo’, smoked and bush meat as they pose serious risk. These are not the only route of transmission.

In Nigeria, a large percentage of the livestock are kept under pastoral and agro-pastoral system of production. This means that animals are not really secluded, they interact with humans directly or indirectly and not everyone who attends to animals wash themselves before mingling with others. 

The point is, while animals are primary, humans, contaminated soil and materials are secondary sources of zoonotic diseases. Anthrax manifest in several forms, including flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, can lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shocks and death, inclusive.

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To prevent zoonosis, there are about two ways. First is to prevent the disease from even entering your community or country by allowing immigration or purchase of only healthy animals. This can be achieved through proper quarantine, vaccination and isolation before release to the general animal population.

Secondly, environmental cleanliness, proper animal management, isolation of sick animals, drug therapy and regular veterinary visit in an unfortunate circumstances where the disease is already endemic, is the way to go.

Vaccination remains cost-effective in prevention and control of animal diseases. To this effect, National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State, has the mandate of producing standard quality vaccines for the livestock industry in Nigeria.

Since the announcement, reports have it that federal government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the control of Anthrax in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak in addition to the sensitisation of state directors of veterinary services nationwide.

Sadly, on Thursday, June 22, a veterinarian Dr. Monday Ojeamiren, was reported in one of the national dailies as saying that the “level of preparedness to prevent Anthrax disease spreading to Nigeria is not far from zero,” and poor awareness of the disease by Nigerians can lead to a momentous outbreak.

In the wake of the alarm bell, Nigerians must and should know that Anthrax is life-threatening and many scholars think it has existed since the time of Moses, and may have caused what was known as the fifth plague, during the 10 plagues of Egypt.

While we hope the situation is swiftly contained by the government and health authorities in the country, we, as citizens, must heed experts’ warnings about the disease. Prevention, as they say, is better than cure.

•Lawal Dahiru Mamman,

Abuja.

SIR: South Africa’s parliament recently approved a ground breaking law that paves the way for the introduction of universal health insurance. The National Health Insurance Bill, passed on June 13, has generated both praise and criticism from various stakeholders, including businesses, opposition political parties, health-care professionals, and activists.

South Africa’s health-care system currently operates on a two-tiered model that is highly unequal. While the state-funded public sector serves the majority of the population, it suffers from chronic underfunding. On the other hand, the private sector relies on individual contributions to medical aid schemes or health insurance, making it affordable to only a few.

The National Health Insurance Bill aims to establish universal health coverage by purchasing services from health professionals through a National Health Insurance fund, which will be delivered at both private and public facilities. The goal is to ensure equitable access to quality health care for all citizens, regardless of their race or income. By eliminating the requirement for direct contributions to medical health schemes, South Africans will have access to quality health care without financial constraints, according to Joe Phaahla, South Africa’s Health Minister.

In terms of health spending, South Africa currently allocates 8.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to health care, higher than many comparable nations. However, half of this expenditure benefits only the 16% of the population fortunate enough to have medical insurance. This leaves the public health-care system overwhelmed, with long queues, critical staff shortages, and aging infrastructure, struggling to provide basic health care for the remaining 84% of the population.

In Nigeria, a similar initiative was undertaken with the enactment of the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022. The Nigerian law seeks to establish a National Health Insurance Scheme that provides access to affordable health care for all citizens.

South Africa’s National Health Insurance Bill and Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 share a common goal of providing access to quality health care for all citizens. Both laws seek to address the existing disparities in health-care access and ensure equitable coverage. However, their approaches and specific provisions differ in various aspects.

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First, South Africa’s National Health Insurance Bill proposes a National Health Insurance fund that will purchase services from health professionals, both in private and public facilities. This fund will be financed through general tax revenues, payroll taxes, and mandatory contributions from individuals and employers. The details of financing and the benefits package are yet to be determined, raising concerns about the potential tax increases required.

In contrast, Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 establishes a National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which operates as a social health insurance program. The NHIA is funded through contributions from employees, employers, and the government. The Act mandates that employers with at least five employees and a minimum annual turnover must provide health insurance coverage for their employees.

The South African Bill aims to ensure universal access to quality health care for all races and income groups. It seeks to eliminate the requirement for direct contributions to medical health schemes and provide coverage for legal residents based on their healthcare needs rather than socioeconomic status.

Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 focuses on providing health insurance coverage for employees in the formal sector and vulnerable groups such as children under five, pregnant women, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities. It emphasizes the need to expand coverage to informal sector workers and citizens in rural areas over time with complementary subnational health insurance schemes.

The South African Bill aims to utilize both private and public facilities to deliver health services. Health professionals will be contracted by the National Health Insurance fund to provide care. The Bill establishes the South African Office of Health Standards Compliance to ensure quality standards are met by all providers.

In Nigeria, the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 allows for the participation of private health-care providers in delivering services to beneficiaries. Accredited private facilities can become NHIA-accredited healthcare providers and receive reimbursement for services rendered.

However, both countries face challenges in implementing their respective health insurance laws. In South Africa, concerns have been raised about the cost implications, potential tax increases, and the management of state facilities that currently struggle to meet quality standards.

In Nigeria, the implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 faces challenges such as limited coverage for citizens in the informal sector and rural areas, as well as the need to ensure that private health-care providers meet quality standards and adhere to the NHIA reimbursement process.

As South Africa and Nigeria take steps towards universal health coverage, their experiences will offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with transforming health-care systems. Time will tell how these landmark laws shape the future of health care in both countries and serve as potential models for other nations striving for equitable and accessible health services for all their citizens.

•Victor Okeke,

Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

Sir: There have been myriad of negative reactions to the Students’ Loan Act since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed it into law. The government has indicated that the main objective of the Act is to facilitate acquisition of higher education for young Nigerians through an interest-free loan.

Days after approval of the Act, the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have inveighed against the Act by saying, “The conditions for the loan are impracticable and more than 90 percent off Nigerian students will not be able to meet the stringent requirements to access and repay the loan”. ASUU also looks upon signing the Act into law as a surreptitious movement and attempt for removing the entire subsidy from the country’s tertiary institutions.

On the other hand, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also protested against the Act and pointed out that it will definitely plunge young Nigerians further into social predicament, poverty and social vices.

I support both ASUU’s and HURIWA’s views because with those extreme conditions of the Act, sons and daughters coming from law-income families will never have access to higher education in the country which will undoubtedly exacerbate social exclusion, abject poverty, terrorism.  

 It is evident that higher education contributes significantly to poverty reduction by increasing the number of skilled graduates in the labour force. It is also a powerful weapon of combating the poverty circle for lifting millions of young people out of poverty in their future lives.

A very important question here is – did the authorities think deeply of what will happen to the country’s future security as long as millions of higher-education seekers in low-income families are denied access to tertiary education on account of either their failure to meet that draconian conditions imposed by the Act or exorbitant tuition fees when suspected removal of education subsidy becomes a reality?

It is important for the authorities, as long as they are truly servant leaders, to ensure that those youths get an opportunity for obtaining higher education without strict conditions and make them good and productive citizens before they turn into biggest adversaries for their country.

Beyond doubt, those strict conditions for having access to the students’ loan will defeat the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 that aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The actualisation of this goal will create a peaceful, prosperous and well-built nation.

Nigeria’s authorities should not allow its growing capitalist economy to take hold of its public tertiary institutions because the reality is that it will totally emasculate them. They should also ensure accessibility of inclusive education by withdrawing inequitable conditions from that Act preventing millions of young men and women of low-income settings from acquiring the students’ loan. The importance of an investment and grant in Nigeria’s higher education cannot be underestimated towards acquiring skills and training that will reduce poverty, greatest job security and stable future security for the country.

• Mustapha Baba, Azare, Bauchi State.

Sir: Nigeria’s financial regulatory body, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated an obnoxious policy which requires customers to submit their social media handles for identification. It also requested that banking institutions get customer’s e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and residential addresses as if banks do not have all these details through their KYCs (Know Your Customers). It justified the demand by tagging it “Central Bank of Nigeria Customer Due Diligence Regulation 2023” which it said is a “due diligence measure” to check money laundering and terrorism financing.

It further stated that these demands are measures to further their compliance with relevant provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (MLPPA), 2022, Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (TPPA), 2022, Central Bank of Nigeria (Anti Money Laundering, Combatting the Financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Financial Institutions) Regulations, 2022 (CBN AML, CFT and CPF Regulations) and international best practices amongst others.

The whole financial jargons packaged by the CBN to legitimize their demands may sound reasonable and logical, however, it is a facade which seeks to cover the intrusive intentions of the bank and by extension the policy of the nascent government.

Nigerians have been compelled by the CBN to submit all manner of data. We should be asking the CBN how the data submitted so far has been utilized. Nigerian institutions generally have become experts in data acquisition but have failed woefully in the use of the data gathered so far in improving the lives of Nigerians. More than a decade ago, the CBN began with the change of regular account numbers to what they called the NUBAN, then another policy came compelling Nigerians to get what they called the Bank Verification Number (BVN), then the Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).

Need I mention other data which the CBN extracted from customers through the banks like email addresses, phone numbers, residential addresses etc. Interestingly and unfortunately, the CBN is not satisfied with all these data that are already in their possession, they are hungry for more! They want Nigerians to submit their social media handles!

If I may ask, for what exactly? Does the government of the day intend to surreptitiously gag Nigerians from the use of social media to express themselves? Such surreptitious demands under any guise should be rejected by the civil society, human rights organizations and indeed all Nigerian. We cannot afford to continuously sleep over our rights under surreptitious demands that have been tagged “regulatory”.

The CBN in their new regulation, Section 6(a)(iv) to be precise states that citizens should be identified by their social media handles. This is not only an obnoxious provision but a gross infringement on the fundamental human right of Nigerians; our right to freedom of expression and privacy. Section 39 and section 37 of the 1999 constitution guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to freedom of expression and privacy. Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights also guarantee the right to freedom of expression. Article 17 of the Covenant also guarantees the right to privacy.

My question then is, is the CBN governor ignorant of these laws? I presume that think that they will force every policy down the throat of Nigerians without any form of resistance from Nigerians who use the banks. Such violating and intrusive policies can only come into force in undemocratic and despotic states where the word of the dictator is law but in a democratic dispensation there should not be any accommodation for such infringements on the fundamental rights of Nigerians else it will be resisted. No organization or establishment should compel citizens to submit their social media handles as a requirement for financial services.

The acting CBN governor should not commence his leadership of the apex institution on a controversial note by making policies that are anti-populist; rather he should focus on reviving the comatose and depressed Nigerian economy which should be his litmus test at point of our economic quagmire.

• Nnamdi Abana, Abuja.

Sir : The removal of petrol subsidy has freed the nation from bondage and long indebtedness with local and foreign creditors.  It also provides the opportunity to wisely put freed funds into purposeful use. The creation of North East Development Commission (NEDCOM) as a result of Boko Haram’s destructive activities and the rapid development it has brought to the region is a testimony of how a well thought-out, packed and focused government policy can be effective.

Despite the heavy criticism that greeted the formation of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a programme borne out of receipts from excess fund from crude oil and partial subsidy removal, it remains one of the most successful interventional programme by any government in Nigeria. Out of crude jealousy, hatred and revenge for late Gen Abacha, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo threw away the birth water with the baby. He dismantled everything that symbolised PTF – a programme that impacted positively on youth employment, health, transportation, education and massive infrastructural development across the country.

It was insinuated that Gen Abacha empowered the PTF financially so much to the neglect and envy of core ministries primarily empowered to provide and engage on the above projects. Abacha was adjudged to have pocketed the huge budgetary allocations for Ministries, Agencies and Departments for personal use.  More than 20 years after, the developmental sign posts of PTF continue to stare us in the face.

The constitution of Regional Development Commissions will add up to what the MDAs will be doing. It will create ownership and bring about healthy competitions among the regions. The scramble for federal appointments and agitations by separatist movements are due to apparent neglect by the central government. Time is ripe to revisit the PTF model and review it with the creation of Regional Development Commission, like the North East Development Commission (NEDCOM) that has brought rapid development to the Northeast within two years of existence. The freed funds from subsidy removal can best be utilised for areas of critical development in job creation, education, infrastructures, among others. President Tinubu should set machinery in motion for the creation of additional five Development Commissions through National Assembly Act.

They will be patterned after the existing NEDCOM in mandate, structure and funding.

The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC should be collapsed into an entity, National Oil Minerals Producing Commissions (NOMPC).   It will take care of all oil producing areas as captured in the Petroleum Act 2022 as amended. Nigerians will be eternally grateful to President Tinubu for bringing back light to the darkness that envelope the country.

• Aderemi Oyebamiji, remioyebamiji@gmail.com

SIR: I have asked myself questions about today’s Nigeria and our consciences and indeed the consciousness of being a Nigerian. The Nigerian consciousness refers to the collective awareness, mind-set, and values that shape the identity and perception of the Nigerian people as a nation. It encompasses the shared experiences, history, culture, and socio-political context that influence the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of Nigerians.

 The Nigerian consciousness is marked by several key aspects:

 Diversity: Nigeria is a country with over 250 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, traditions, and customs. This diversity contributes to the richness of the Nigerian consciousness, as it reflects a mosaic of cultures and perspectives. However, it also presents challenges in terms of fostering national unity and integration. Thus, presenting a landscape of all kinds of thought process that more often more ethnocentric than nationalistic and patriotic. 

Resilience: Nigerians have demonstrated resilience in the face of numerous challenges, including political instability, economic hardships, and social issues. The Nigerian consciousness is characterized by a spirit of endurance, adaptability, and hope, as people strive to overcome obstacles and improve their lives. But how many times have we in an attempt to sing that song, “We shall overcome one day…” done unthinkable things, and thereby acting against our good conscience?

 Cultural Heritage: Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage, with various artistic expressions, music, literature, and traditional practices. This cultural diversity influences the Nigerian consciousness, instilling a sense of pride and identity among its people. Cultural values such as hospitality, respect for elders, and communalism play a significant role in shaping social interactions and relationships. Yet, the reality on ground seems to suggest that we are losing this heritage.

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 Socio-Political Awareness: Nigerians are politically engaged and have a heightened awareness of socio-political issues. The Nigerian consciousness is marked by a desire for good governance, accountability, and social justice. Despite challenges such as corruption and inequality, there is a growing demand for transparency, participatory democracy, and the protection of human rights. 

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Nigerians are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness. The Nigerian consciousness embraces a culture of innovation, self-reliance, and the pursuit of economic opportunities. This drive for economic advancement and self-sufficiency has fuelled entrepreneurial ventures across various sectors, contributing to economic growth and development. But when parents fail, and politicians don’t drive the process through leadership that sets standards, providing a sound business environment, our kids will remain yahoo-yahoo elements without conscience.

 I make a clarion call that we all have a nation to build; our society has become polarised by all sides, faith and religion, particularly Christianity and Islam, all of which hold significant influence in the Nigerian consciousness. Religious beliefs and practices shape moral values, social interactions, and provide a sense of spiritual guidance for many Nigerians. Faith plays a crucial role in shaping personal and societal values, influencing decisions, and providing a sense of hope and purpose. But we are fast losing it.

 The Nigerian consciousness is a dynamic and evolving entity, influenced by historical events, social changes, and global trends. It reflects both the aspirations and challenges of the Nigerian people as they strive for progress, unity, and a better future. By recognizing and embracing the diverse elements of the Nigerian consciousness, it becomes possible to harness the collective strengths and values to address the nation’s challenges and build a more prosperous and inclusive society.

 As we have started this fresh journey, the new governors, those on their second term, the presidency, as Nigerian citizens, every day presents an opportunity to ask how our actions or inactions leads us one step to the realization of the Nigerian dream, or farther and further apart from the Nigerian project, in all we do and say—May Nigeria win!

•Prince Charles Dickson, PhD,

<pcdbooks@gmail.com>

SIR: Today is – UNODC International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – World Drug Day. The theme of this year’s celebration is – People first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.

It is no news that a lot of our young people abuse drugs. Some abuse drugs that doctors give to sick people to get well. Among these are pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol, Codeine etc. These drugs are often taken without a doctor’s prescription.

However, this isn’t to lose sight of the fact that there are other illicit drugs gaining grounds in the local market like cocaine, amphetamine, Igbo (cannabis) amongst others. Drugs that when taken, changes the way a person thinks and behaves abnormally. The person may even begin to imagine or feel as though he or she can fly, begin to feel so powerful, he or she may want to run into the road and try to stop a moving car without the vested powers of the uniform of a traffic warden. Yes! This is how daringly outrageous drug use and its abuse can take to control of one’s reasoning and rational thoughts.

Drug use has the capacity to change people; some of its consequences are life-damaging like, damage to a person’s brain, lung, heart, liver, kidney etc. Shocking to know that aside the health problem it bestows upon its user/users, it affects a person’s ability to focus, to think straight as he or she is unable to cater to his/her responsibility. Such a one is unable to focus at work, school and home and this affects their productivity.

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This is why every serious and responsible government will make the fight against drug abuse top priority for better productivity and human development index of the society especially of her youths.

Drug use is dangerous and destroys not just the individual and indirectly the lives of their family/loved ones, but also, it destroys a nation.

When people use drugs and begin to behave in abnormal ways a lot of us begin to run away, disassociate ourselves from them and do not involve them in activities.  This prevalent act amounts to stigmatization and discrimination.

As we commemorate the UNODC International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – we need to begin to see drug abusers as people like us and people that can be helped. Rather than discriminate against them, we should encourage them to seek help. It is important that we know that drug use problems or disorder has been identified all over the world as a recurring complex medical condition that happens not because of lack of will power to stop using drugs, or due to moral weakness but because of the impact on the functioning of the brain.

A person with a drug problem should be seen as someone that has been over powered by the drug and needs help. Rather than reject them, or look at them as failures, we should give them hope! They need our help, care and support. Just as we give care to others with ailments such as diabetes, etc. we are encouraged to care for them, their health and nutrition, to build back their sense of worth.

•Ojochide Olije Ayegba,

 <olijegolden@gmail.com

SIR: When news broke last year that Kubau Local Government had requested the Kaduna State government to allow it to use the land belonging to Government Secondary School, Pambegua to build 1,000 housing units for low income earners and civil servants, our happiness knew no bounds. Although, the proposed housing units are to be built on land belonging to Government Secondary School Pambegua, nobody raised any alarm. However, the whole idea for this capital intensive project has taken a suspicious dimension in recent times.

After officials of Kaduna Geographic Information System (KADGIS) had sought and obtained an approval for 51 hectares for the project from the Ministry of Lands and Survey, the officials in collaboration with the local government exceeded the approved limit and confiscated people’s farms in the community. After an independent surveyor was hired and the land measured, an additional 23 hectares were found belonging to the poor people of the community.

Besides, the community has been inundated with different stories that the lands would be sold to interested parties. This is to say, the idea of engaging a mortgage company to build the housing units as planned by the local government has been shelved. This led to protest by the people of Anguwa Goje, whose lands were confiscated. The Old Students Association (POSA), PTA and other associations in the community also opposed the idea of selling the land belonging to the school. The school is overcrowded and needs expansion.

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It is in view of this development that the community deems it necessary to call the attention of the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Uba Sani, to investigate the Pambegua housing project. Pambegua is one of the fastest growing communities in Kaduna State. The community is witnessing population explosion. The school’s land in question can be used to expand infrastructure such as building of additional classes, library and laboratories to accommodate the ever-increasing student population of the community and neighbouring hamlets. By selling the land, the government will find it difficult to put infrastructure when the need arises.

There is no gainsaying the fact that there was never a time the immediate-past administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai allocated the school land for housing estate. Evidence abounds on how he demolished many structures built within school premises by selfish individuals in Alhudahuda, Kufena and other schools in the state. One wonders how Kubau Local Government got approval for the project. I believe the former governor was neither aware about the development nor endorsed it.

We appeal to Governor Uba Sani to come to the aid of the school and other people whose farms were illegally confiscated by Kubau Local Government for such a sham housing project.

•Adamu Abdullahi,

Pambegua, Kaduna State.

Sir: The philosophy of trueborn, illegitimates, and vagabonds poisons the umbilicus of society. No society makes genuine progress through classism, caste-ism, native ordering, and social isolation.

The Igbo phylum is a variegated one as it is with other ethnic species. Homogeneity does not exist in the true sense of the word among any ethnic classification. In the southeast, there are subgroups and splinter groups within the entity. There are also many varying derivative dialects across communities and towns, some of which native Igbo speakers may not understand.

But one string binds all within the southeast and parts of the south-south ecosystem – all are Igbo. Nature bubbles in divergence and eclecticism. The beauty and wonders of our world are by the fashioning of heterogeneous intelligence. Man was not made to be culturally, socially, morphologically, and linguistically unipolar.

It is the reason I have always argued that Nigeria’s heterogeneity is not the major factor for its seeming un-governability. Rather, it is the abuse and exploitation of differences; abnegation of civic duty, denuded understanding of citizenship, refusal to submit to the collective interest, native nationalism, and the absence of a rallying identity and cause, that are the denominators of Nigeria’s quandary.

So, essentially, the argument that a Nigeria carved up along sectional contours will become united and prosperous is a slothful one. It shows a vacancy of thought and reason. Nigeria’s challenge is not its diversity, but the unwillingness of its people to be deliberate citizens.

The antagonism, prejudice, hate and bias among the Igbo have reached depressing proportions in recent years with the birth of IPOB. The group has put a dagger to that which holds us together; turning brother against brother; clan against clan, and community against community.

This group has played on the sentiments of the Igbo, weaponising native differences to keep the people in its thrall. According to this group, ‘authentic Igbos’ are those who support Biafra, and ‘fake Igbos’ are those who are against it. This is the propaganda deployed by the proscribed group to divide the people. IPOB has been decimated, but its dissentious philosophy prevails.

It is concerning that an element of this divisive philosophy has been adopted by some to determine who is true-born Igbo and who is not.

The revulsion to the appointment of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff, who is from Igbo-Eze in Enugu, by people of the same stock is embarrassing. Those opposing his appointment say he is not Igbo enough – that he is from Igala speaking part of Enugu! This is mortifying. This revulsion plays into the prevailing philosophy of the proscribed group.

Does this imply being ‘Igbo enough’ means one must be seen as an ethnic crusader; hold corrosive views of division; show prejudices and biases against other citizens? Does it imply one must be seen as representing the clan instead of the country? This is an abhorrent philosophy.

Going by the proclivities of these traducers, it is clear that the only Igbo fitting for appointment is one who represents their biases. How tragic.

I believe Igbo elders led by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo should take an interest in the declension of Igbo society and in this disharmonious concept of ‘fake and authentic Igbo’. Why should a Nigerian of Igbo origin from Delta, Rivers, Benue, Kogi deny his origins? It is a question we need to address.

No society makes real progress through caste-ism, native ordering, and social isolation.

• Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com>