The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • A word for Ndigbo

    SIR: Today, I will be speaking directly to our compatriots from the South East for two reasons through Chief Lamidi Adedibu’s stories shared five years ago by Tade Ipadeola in his “Adedibully: A Dinosaur’s last Dance.

    Firstly, I served in Adu Achi, Orji River Enugu in 2000 and I was fairly treated. Secondly, I have Igbo family friends-The isiolu’s from Arochukwu, Abia State who are detribalised Nigerians. Because of these two personal facts, Ndigbo must re-appraise their political exploits in the context of Nigerian State.

    Last week, electoral blitzkrieg seriously altered the Ndigbo political equations leaving in its wake a despondent and despairing Igbo nation. Ndigbo became dazed because of the disoriented leadership who misled many people to always go with the conservative centre. I know they will rise AGAIN. Ndigbo must make a hard resolve now. The kind of resolve Lamidi Ariyibi Adebibu made one day in 1967 at age 39 when he decided that he would live the rest of his life a teetotaler. Before that fateful day he drank sixteen bottles of stout on the average daily.

    1967 was also important in the life of the man for another much less personal reason. In that year, he decided that he would seriously pursue political relevance and power. He was in his own words,”errand boy” in the Action Group up until that point. For good or ill, Lamidu Adedibu has been true to himself in this regard also, and Ibadan, the seat of political power in Oyo state felt his exploits throughout his lifetime.

    The feat performed by Adedibu in local power politics through sheer resolve is the mental equivalent of becoming a grandmaster playing blindfold chess. Unlike inanimate pawns in the game of chess however, the many years of Chief Adedibu was full of many casualties, who bled and die.

    The positive sides of Adedibu’s resolve despite all his atrocities and shortcomings are still relevant to many people today. The coming governorship elections provide good opportunities for Ndigbo to pitch their tents towards the incoming progressive Centre.

    Civility and maturity have always guided my engagement on national discourse but there come a time when your primary identity cannot be wished away even if you want to do so before I’m accused of ethnic sabre-rattling or raking up old wounds.

    Attempting to use Lagos to replicate last week fantasy in the South East will not STAND. Never in history has success brought so much profound contradictions. How come they are claiming political sophistication in Lagos and not the South East? Let the re-organization starts from home and not abroad. As they say charity begins at home and they must be guided accordingly. They must exercise their civic responsibility in Lagos and throughout the country with clear conscience. It must not be based on parochial prejudices or trying to prove a point.

    It is my wish that other zones should support Ndigbo for Presidency after Buhari’s administration but they must not rock the boat of progressivism so that they do not become a decaying animal in Nigeria political environment. I trust Ndigbo to make right political decisions this time around.

    God Bless Ndigbo!

    God Bless Nigeria!

     

    •  ’Leke Odumuyiwa

    Lagos

  • April 11th: Lagosians must vote progressives

    April 11th: Lagosians must vote progressives

    SIR: From time immemorial, Lagos state has always proved itself as a progressive state by voting into office, the progressive parties like AG, UPN, AD, AC, ACN, and now APC. Even when former President Obasanjo’s PDP tsunami swept through the south west region in 2003, Lagos state remained standing and will always remain standing like the iroko tree and rock of Gibraltar in the hands of the progressives because of the dynamism, sophistication and enlightenment of the people which is part of our historical heritage and pride as a people.

    In the last eight years of building on the pathfinder trail put in place by his dogged and focused predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babatunde Fashola has had to contend with the enormity and burden of the task of maintaining, renovating and building public infrastructures in order to actualize the Lagos of our dreams and he has done well.

    Worth mentioning is the fact that because of the economic status of Lagos in the life of the country and as a former federal capital, the progressive government of Lagos state has been responsible for not only meeting up to the needs and aspirations of Lagosians, but also cleaning up, renovating and reconstructing facilities worn out by federal government economic activities as a result of the abandonment of Lagos state, the former federal capital which responsibly deserved a special status because of its strategic importance in the life of the country but has been ignored till date.

    In the discharge of its mandate, the Lagos state government has lived up to its constitutional responsibilities to the good people of Lagos through massive construction of roads, bridges and drainages, enhancement of security of life and property through modern standard equipping of the security agencies and lighting up the roads, building of health facilities to world standards across the state, provision of innovative mass transportation system through the BRT, building of jetties and provision of its accessories for an efficient water transport system, ensuring  stress free commuting on the roads through the creation of Traffic Radio, LASTMA to ensure free flow of traffic, provision of traffic lights at strategic junctions, roads signs and lane markings to allow for safe driving, establishment of  the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) to enhance the capacity of drivers, reducing road accidents and fatalities through restriction of okada riders from the highways, combating environmental degradation and abuse through creation of public parks, gardens and beautification of the environment via tree planting, building of affordable mass housing for the citizenry, establishment of agricultural farms, awards of bursaries and scholarships to indigent students in institutions of learning, ensuring public safety through the establishment of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos  State  Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), equipping and decentralization of the Lagos State Fire service, reinvigorating LASEMA, among several others.

    The progressive APC government in Lagos has even gone further to embark on the building of a world class road and mass light rail network to link Lagos state and Nigeria with our neighbouring West African countries through the construction of the Lagos-Badagry expressway corridor to enhance easy and free flow of goods and persons in line with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) treaty on movement of goods and persons across borders; a duty that is the statutory function of the federal government, but which it has abdicated to our collective shame.

    The massive increase in IGR by the Lagos state government today which is responsible for the endearing development strides that we have witnessed in the last 16 years and which has made the state to be less dependent on federal allocation and an envy of other states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as a role model of responsible governance beyond our borders was laid by an economic genius like Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. Under his watch, the State Treasury Office (STO) revolutionized the way Lagos State finances were raised, budgeted, managed and planned. In his six years as the Lagos State accountant-general, the state’s financial performance improved visibly with the budget performing at a remarkable average of 85% annually.

    Therefore, in the light of the foregoing, one can only admonish voters in Lagos state to realize that the economic prosperity of Nigeria is tied to the economic prosperity of Lagos and now that the wind of change has brought about a new dawn at the federal level, it is only appropriate for us to tap into it and benefit from the federal presence which was our bane in the second republic and even now in the fourth republic by consolidating on the responsible and responsive governance that we have witnessed in Lagos state in the last 16 years by voting for Akinwunmi Ambode. Eko O ni ba je O!

     

    • Nelson Ekujumi,

    Surulere, Lagos

  • Where is our revered NANS?

    Where is our revered NANS?

    SIR: Men have come and gone, but their impacts still remain. Having carefully watched the modus operandi of our current set of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), leadership, saying that one is surprised is like stating the obvious in view of latest moves on the campus of the University of Lagos. From what is obtainable in their elections down to their activities compared with the days of yore, it is obvious NANS isn’t what it used to be.

    Frankly, it has lost its essence. Gone are the days when NANS recognized intellectualism, vibrancy and incorruptibility. Touts, vagabonds, sycophants and irresponsible agents of backwardness have now taken over. At this stage, progressives and responsible leaders of tomorrow need to say NO to NANS’ forceful and domineering posture. It is no news that University of Lagos Students Union is back. But the students want it back for good. As such, it will be totally bad if the first administration that should set the pace for a good, reliable and incorruptible Student Union government turns to a willing proxy of the misguided NANS’ leadership at the national level. The students are not oblivious of the latest romance between NANS and a Presidential aspirant for ULSU.

    Hence, one strongly advice that those concerned should not to ride on the ‘good will’ of NANS if they don’t want to bring the violence, corruption and other vices associated with NANS to our great University of Lagos.

     

    • Omotayo Akinrinwa is Director of Programs, Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chambers

     

  • Still on Jonathan and Obanikoro ministerial slot

    Still on Jonathan and Obanikoro ministerial slot

    SIR:The recent appointment and designation of portfolio to one of the newly appointed ministers is an indication that President Jonathan knows fully well that Obanikoro has a hand in the 2014 Ekiti gubernatorial election rigging plot.

    With his inability to pick the Lagos state PDP governorship ticket, the only thing that can make Obanikoro support the Jonathan re-election is for him to find his way back to the Federal Executive Council as minister. In an attempt to capture Lagos state, President Jonathan had to re-appoint Obanikoro as minister.

    Not forgetting his role in the Ekiti Gubernatorial Election rigging plot, President Jonathan had to indirectly relegate Obanikoro to the position of Minister of State II for foreign affairs, a significantly very junior position that does not exist in the Federal Cabinet.

     

    • Oloruntoba Taiwo Nelson, Ikunri Road, Odooro Ekiti

     

  • Yes, the Yoruba have kept faith

    Yes, the Yoruba have kept faith

    It is necessary in the light of my previous appeal to the Yoruba nation and especially considering the conduct and consequences of the last Presidential Election to revisit my position. In my article, I posted the popular belief that the Yoruba never picked the crumbs. I was jolted by the responses, mostly favourable which I received from across the nation, some in print media, and many more in the social media.

    My position then was, and still is, that the Yoruba as a nation has never been opportunistic; they give fair hearing to all contestants in a dispute and they apportion blame or right whichever is appropriate. The results of the last election must be a lasting lesson to many Yoruba leaders especially octogenarians, who despite their age, experience and exposure chickened out like banana fruits. These people have deceived us for a long time with their assumed posture as progressives, activists and welfarists. Up till today, some swear by Awolowo’s name. the question is why should these people fall prey to the entirement and maneuvers of mischievous politicians? Is it poverty? No, it can’t. Is it greed? Yes, it could be. Is it envy or perceived enemy within the Yoruba nation? Most probably.

    The carrots thrown up about the last Confab that the resolutions would be implemented has earned them the sticks. None of our leaders needs to be deceived that it is only the National Assembly, and at least two thirds of State Assemblies can effect any change in the constitution of the land.

    Many Yoruba leaders including this writer cautioned these people into attempting to put into the compartment the whole nation. That we, as a people, have never been known to speak with one single voice. That we inherit a culture of high integrity and diversification of views. That we never sleep in one room, all facing one direction.

    The above position was borne out vividly during the Awolowo days. Sure, Awolowo had his Ayo Fasanmis, Akin Omoboriowos, Sam Alukos but so he had his S. G. Ikokus, A. U. Umoren, he also had his J. S. Tarkas and Olawonyins who operated freely in their environment and who gave necessary advice to the leadership of their party. Hence, the Awolowo group though mainly in South/Western Nigeria also had its tentacies in the Cross Rivers that now constitute Cross-River and Rivers State. The party also was substantially represented in what is now Middle Belt Region especially Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and Benue.

    Let us admit it, the voting pattern for the various major nationalities that constitute the Nigeria nation shows the culture, the openness, the healthy diversity and civic orientation of the Yoruba people. In the elections in South/West, APC scored 2,433, 193 while the PDP made 1,821,416. In almost all of the States that constitute the zone, the two main parties achieved the minimum requirement of 25%. That is how it should be. But the story is different in the South/South, South/East and North/West in particular where some candidates scored less than 5% of the votes cast in some States. The efforts of the do-gooder leaders and self appointed Yoruba crusaders fail to measure up to civilized behaviour.

    Now looking ahead, the new Federal Administration should be inclusive. Some people have already been biting their fingers for their brazen and thoughtless mindset. A situation should be avoided by Gen. Buhari whreby a group could corner 70% of Senior Management positions in government. A recent story in one of the national dailies indicated that out of fifty top positions in the Federal setup, the Yoruba occupy only two while a particular nationality had above twenty –five. Nigeria is a country of nationalities and should be so represented in all organs of government especially at senior political and public service levels.

    Another thing which the incoming administration should have a good look at is the allocation of resources at Federal level. Presently, about 85% of the nation’s revenue go to recurrent expenditure comprising mainly salaries, wages, other benefits and overheads. In a country crying for development, this is unacceptable. In particular wages and other benefits that are now enjoyed by National Assembly men deserve public scrutiny. It appears the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has been completely incapacitated that it can no more carry out its constitutional duties. Key of these duties are:  Recommending revenue formula among the three tiers of government to the National Assembly. I am not sure this has been successfully done in the last fifteen years; this is due mainly to the impunity of the occupiers of Aso-Rock who unilaterally alter the figures and ratios recommended by the Commission. The duty of the President is to forward the recommendation to the National Assembly unaltered, but the Executive distorts them.

    One other important duty of RMAFC is to specify the numerations of political office holders and judicial officers of the country. Today nobody knows what our Senators and Members of House of Reps are earning. It is a secret that is not known even to the President. Unconfirmed reports state that a Senator earns more than twenty million naira including other benefits per month. This a atrocious to say the least as  our legislatures represent the highest paid lawmakers in the world. The new administration should roll back this national extraordinary bonanza and let the recommendations of the RMAFC stand.

    As we are now embarking on a new journey, the incoming administration should identify such projects that are of benefit to the Nigerian people and should actively pursue them. Not all aspects of our life were totally bad; some programmes after evaluation should be continued. Meanwhile, our do-gooder and false social activities should step aside for once and let this country move forward. God help new Nigeria.

     

    • Deji Fasuan writes from Ekiti State.

     

  • Still on Transaction and Transformational leadership

    SIR: As Nigerians march to another polls this weekend, we must reflect on the ideologies of our supposed leaders and focus on a better and rewarding future for Nigerians as a whole. Political party ideologies are supposedly a reflection of their proposed polices and on how they plan to govern states if they eventually attain power.

    A governor that postulate stomach infrastructure which is supposedly the feeding of the belle without providing infrastructural, education or human capacity development at the detriment of the people cannot be said to be a transformational leader but a transaction leader. A transaction leader basically trades your vote for your immediate needs. Transactional leaders have eaten the fabric of our democratic structure and the people are even misinterpreting stomach infrastructure for even development due to the façade in which stomach infrastructure is portrayed.

    Nigeria needs to evolve from an emerging economy or a third world economy into a flourishing economy that is economically viable; politically stable and where the people are intellectually conscious.

    A particular political party keeps on clamouring that they are transforming the economy and they have a transformation agenda. Do we call the sharing of money, rice, recharge cards/vouchers, vehicles etc. to the electorate and different stakeholder as transformation? And another political party is clamoring for change and the template in which they proposed have been tested in states in which they are governing. For instance, Osun has experienced development that it has not achieved since creation; Kano’s development is unprecedented; Lagos is an emerging mega city with effective and efficient managers. Are these not the true transformational leaders?

    Nigerians need to wake up and judge political parties in which they are set out to vote by their antecedents and what they have achieved thus far in their respective seats of power. Our future is in our hands and we would either reap the benefit of a better Nigeria or suffer the consequences of an economically backward Nigeria.

     

    • Folawiyo Kareem Olajoku,

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • Of EFCC and stifling budget

    SIR: Personally, I have been following the story of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with unalloyed interest since it was established in 2003 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

    Only recently, I had cause to, once again, give the Commission thumbs up when it excited Nigerians with the details of convictions it successfully secured in the past four years. It is heart-warming that it recorded a total of 126 convictions in 2014 alone, a development that dwarfed its achievements in 2013 when it recorded 117 convictions.

    In all of these, what is incontestable is the determination of the current leadership of EFCC to tether the rampaging bull of corruption in our society. But like a sour grape in the mouth, I was, to put it mildly, agitated when

    I read reports about the drastic reduction in its 2015 budget. Of course, the same fate is said to have befallen other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). But it is particularly disheartening that anti-graft agency like the EFCC is mostly affected.

    Against this backdrop, the question begging for a satisfactory answer is; how will EFCC and other anti-graft agencies carry out their statutory responsibilities without any hiccup when they are not adequately funded? It will be recalled that during the recent budget presentation by the Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman, before the National Assembly, he pointed out that the budget proposal of N9.6billion as against the N9.4billion approved by the Budget Office leaves a gap of N110million, which could affect the operations of the Commission.

    It is a fact that the EFCC, among others functions, involve in assets recovery and the proceeds from forfeited assets are paid into the Consolidated Account. But what government actually does with the money leaves much to be desired. Therefore, in view of the funding challenges that EFCC is facing, the Federal Government should ensure that certain percentage of recovered assets are given back to them so as to enable them carry out their operations.

    No doubt, a well-funded agency will fight corruption to a reasonable end by removing Nigeria from the world’s corruption index and ensure her growth in the comity of civilised nations.

     

    • Ngozi Alexander Maraba, Nasarawa State

  • Buhari’s General endorsement

    SIR: First of all, I will like to congratulate General Mohammadu Buhari on his victory as Nigeria’s President-elect. However, the celebration should not also go like that without extracting some important lessons learnt for record purposes. When Buhari contested the years 2003,2007,2011 elections, we all rejected him as our candidate but when Nigerians are now facing hardships, they quickly embraced change.

    Buhari is the one that can sharpen the economy of this country; his victory can be described as a resounding general endorsement. Kudos should also be given to President Jonathan for creating an enabling platform for smooth conduct of the election and for also conceding defeat by congratulating the elected President. Our Expectations are high and it is our hope that he will fulfill all the promises made.

     

    • Comrade Olawoyin Edris

     olawoyin4u@gmail.com.

  • APGA candidate’s allegation as ruse

    SIR: I feel obliged to respond to the spurious allegations and deliberate distortion of facts by the APGA House of Assembly candidate for Umunneochi state constituency, Prince Ikedi Ezekwesiri; whose alleged congenital mouth diarrhea is an embarrassment.  First, there was no case of ballot box snatching that I am aware of. With the use of card reading machine for accreditation, it would be ridiculous to attempt to snatch ballot boxes, as only the votes of the accredited voters would be counted and recorded.

    Second, the distribution of electoral materials is not within the purview of the Local Government Chairman. So, if there are logistic challenges in the distribution of electoral materials in some areas as alleged, common sense and civility, demands that the matter should be taken up with INEC and not to resort to cheap blackmail against the electoral umpire.

    Third, I am aware that Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha did not move about on that Election Day. She only went and voted in her polling unit and later reported to INEC office, after the election, to receive her result. Those who saw her knew that her security aides were left in her house, in compliance with the guidelines for the election.

    So, Ezekwesiri’s ploy as a punch-drunk man is to contrive a scenario of a skewed play ground, in order to extract greater funding from power desperadoes who masquerade as democrats.

    • Jasper Uche is the Chairman of Umunneochi  LGA, Abia State

     

  • Thinking of civil servants’ welfare!

    SIR: There is this general perception by Nigerians that the year when elections are conducted or a year before it is always a blessing to citizens because money would be in circulation to gear people up. But the reverse is the case this year as Nigerians, especially civil servants, are groaning and complaining incessantly about being broke.

    The civil servants that toil to make the country a better place now routinely complains about late salary payment and pay short-change by governments. Whereas, in better managed climes, the civil servants’ welfare ought to be of high priority to government because they are the backbone of the country’s institutional set-up. Sadly, it is unfathomable to think of their sorry state now, not to talk of when the elections end.

    When a new government is elected, it would fault its predecessor, as history has shown, on salary arrears to civil servants and would pledge only to pay some and leave out others deemed to be the outgone government’s debt. Our government should always put the welfare of the civil servants first before election comes, and after election. This is very important; otherwise, the nation would soon lose the confidence and commitment of her most cherished institution, the civil service.

     

    • Salau Olawale Rilwan, Kwara State University, Oyo state.