The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Abia Politics: The reign of political jobbers

    SIR: My attention has been drawn to an advertorial carried in the Vanguard of Monday, September 29,  purportedly signed by me containing congratulatory message in honour of Senator Nkechi Nwaogu who along with other eminent sons and daughters of Abia State received the National Honours.

    Even though I am quite happy and proud that one of our own got a National Award, let me quickly seize this opportunity to clarify that the said advert did not emanate from me and thus it is not fair to ascribe it to me as I am not in the habit of advertising congratulatory messages in the newspapers.

    Ordinarily I would have waved off the issue as inconsequential because throughout my political career spanning over three decades I have never been known as a spoiler or one who stands in between the ambition of any one aspirant. My concern has always been to serve my people in whatever capacity to the best of my ability.

    For the avoidance of doubt, what I did was to send an sms to all awardees including Governor Theodore Orji  congratulating them on the award.

    As an elder statesman in the state, I will not condescend so low as to show my political preferences on the pages of newspapers but can only do so on the ballot box. As a democrat, I do not have the power or the propensity to stop anybody from nursing an ambition to vie for any elective position in the state or elsewhere for such power lies with the electorate.

    I want to believe that this is the handwork of dirty tricksters who are out to drag my name in the mud. Yes political jobbers can go and say Adighije said this or is interested in this politician or that politician. That is how they feed and earn their pay. They thrive on collecting money from gullible politicians when they set one against the other thus causing disaffection and overheating the polity. All these outright falsehoods and fabrications about my person are mere figments in the imagination of the fabricators as I am not in a position of influence or affluence to anoint anybody to any position as that power belongs to God Almighty.1

     

    • Senator Chris Adighije

    Apo Legislative Quarters,

    Abuja

  • Celebrating my teacher

    SIR: He is not the indecent movie star acting dirty or the decadent music star singing rubbish. Never the model in the nude or the character in the show of shame or the infamous Personality of the Year among the Most Influential People of our TIME.

    He is not into politricks and never a thief executive of the federal republic. He is not into oil and gas business collecting payments for products not supplied. He is not known to be in any public-private partnership sharing contracts in Nigeria. He is a God-fearing man and not a businessman of god. Unlike the godfathers, he is a good father. He is Deacon E.A.O. Adeola, a retired school principal and an educationist par excellence.

    Anyone who knows him can testify that Deacon Adeola is a blessing to mankind. When he was teaching us English and morals, he actually was providing leadership to little stars like diamonds in the sky.

    I will never forget the day I travelled from Igboho to Saki in the company of Douglas, Ibrahim, Mr. Ogundiran – a teacher, and Deacon Adeola – the school principal. Douglas, Ibrahim and I had been selected to represent our school in a competition organized for students from Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

    We left very early in the morning and arrived at the venue in good time. I remember we carried a bag but only Ogundiran and the principal knew we had an envelope containing the question papers. Contestants from the schools all had science backgrounds but Douglas from my school did neither Physics nor Chemistry where most of the questions were drawn from. We wondered how other schools got to send only science students but my school got no hint even though we were with the question papers alone all the way.

    Needless to say it wasn’t going to be an easy ride for my school. Although Ibrahim emerged the overall best student, Douglas’s performance dropped our average score below the average. Predictably, my school didn’t come out on top.

    We wished we had known the contest was purely for science students but no regrets never opening the envelope on our way to the venue. Thanks to Deacon E.A.O. Adeola and the other teacher, who believe that hard work with honesty and integrity is the key to success. Deacon would not condone any act of indiscipline and could dismiss a student for slightest involvement in examination malpractices.

    Time would fail me to tell of G.O. Aponbiede, a shining star, who served his country meritoriously without blemish. In the meantime, let’s celebrate Deacon E.A.O. Adeola. Real celebrities let’s celebrate.

     

    • John Adebisi,

    Abuja

     

  • FUPRE owes us an explanation

    SIR: I still can’t find enough words to describe the injustice meted out to some candidates of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, (FUPRE), Delta State, in the recently concluded post UTME exercise.

    After stumbling upon the school on the internet, I did some internet search on this institution and discovered they prided themselves on being the first petroleum resource institution in Africa, and sixth in the world. I then concluded they were indeed prestigious, especially

    after my sister recommended them.

    On August 6, the day of the exam, my take-away was that the months of ferocious reading amounted to an overkill, as the exam was relatively easier than anything presented in the past questions. So, I did it happily under the stipulated one hour, happy to have finally put the excessive stress and strain on me to rest.

    Two weeks later, we were notified on the school’s portal, about the availability of the results, but we had to pay N3,000 to check the result.

    What I saw shocked me:  “Post utme score: 8 0ut of 50” kept staring back at me from the computer screen. Still dazed, I headed online to see what others scored, only to see

    several complaints of similar scores, some 0 (zero), 5, 8 ,11 and several other funny scores over a maximum score of 50.

    I still don’t get how I could get 16% out of a very easy exam compared to JAMB. I sent mails to the school, seeking an inquest into the  situation or even to have my papers remarked only to get NO reply.

    I feel we were taken for a ride and only monetarily exploited, since the school authorities have refused to address the troop of disgruntled candidates who have stormed the school to seek answers. If the school is sure it’s in the clear on this saga, why has it refused to yield to demands by the candidates for remarking the papers as any credible institution would?

    It’s a shame that JAMB has to leave its students at the mercy of exploitative institutions.  Why would students who passed JAMB, scoring at least 50% score 10% and even less in an inferior exam?

    • Olatunji Akinkunmi,

    olatunjiakinkunmi@gmail.com

     

     

  • APC: Give us Buhari

    SIR: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jnr.

    As the 2015 Presidential Election is gathering momentum, the core PDP supporters are at the moment, rooting for the candidature of General Muhammadu  Buhari, stating confidently that the pride of Duara is the easiest for Jonathan to maul if presented by the APC.

    It’s all lie! It’s a strategy to confuse the APC. If the APC want to have a good show in 2015, I am of the opinion that only Buhari has the character and pedigree to deliver. Take for instance, the total votes that will come from the whole of South-south and South-eastern Nigeria for Jonathan cannot be more than what Buhari will garner from Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto States respectively.

    I give Imo to Jonathan, but with Okorocha, it won’t be a landslide like 2011 for the PDP.  Same in Rivers and Edo. Jonathan will win but won’t be as much as 2011 figure.

    Buhari’s age? Of course, Buhari is aged! However, it is necessary to remind Nigerians that the hero of virtually all African democrats, Nelson Mandela was older than Buhari when he successfully governed South Africa.

    It is also germane to expressly state that Jerry Rawlings was Buhari’s age-mate when he meritoriously served the people of Ghana.

    Lastly, without being sensational, today, I can confidently avow that the only political leader that can stand on the streets of Kano, Dutse, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Damaturu, Zamfara, Lafia, Minna and within a twinkle of an eye, more than two million electorates will surround him is Mohammadu Buhari! Yes, he is!

    In 2015, the alternative to Buhari is the continuity of President Goodluck Jonathan. Aside Buhari, none of those interested in Jonathan’s job at the moment fare better than Jonathan.

    In GMB I trust!

    • Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye,

    Magodo, Lagos.

     

  • Ogun State: From F9 to A1

    SIR: “Where is it easier to do business in Nigeria?” It was the Management and Board of Editors of Nigeria’s leading business newspaper, Business Day, that first answered the question in 2013when it declared Ogun State the fastest-growing economy and first choice for industrialists and entrepreneurs among the 36 states in Nigeria.According to the financial newspaper, Ogun State, under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, won the prestigious award “because it has the highest number of businesses established in its domain and that the government has made the environment more attractive to investors. Ogun also has the highest positive number of Gross Domestic Product in the last one year, the number of bank branches has increased more than that of other states in the last three years and its financial inclusion, particularly the embrace of cashless economy and use of Automated Teller Machine by residents had increased tremendously.”

    If anyone thought that the breakthrough was a fluke and was only a national recognition, then wait for this. The report of the World Bank, Doing Business in Nigeria 2014, rates Ogun, out of 35 states and FCT, as one of the five states “that  made the biggest strides towards the national frontier of good practices.” The biennial report, released last Monday, puts Ogun in the exclusive club of the top reforming states in Nigeria.

    This, to many observers, is an extraordinary performance by the current government of Ogun State. The giant strides made by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, in the last three years are better appreciated when compared to the situation of the state before he mounted the saddle of leadership in May, 2011. The same World Bank, in 2008 and 2010 reports, ranked Ogun State as one of the lowest overall performers among the 36 states in Nigeria in terms of ease of doing business. In other words, Ogun State was by then not conducive to business. If a student that had ‘Credit’ as a grade in 2010 now has ‘Distinction’, we say he or she has improved. But when a student that secured ‘Failure’ as a grade in 2010 now has ‘Distinction’, it is no longer a mere improvement but complete transformation.

    “Thanks to a concerted effort across federal and state authorities, and in collaboration with the private sector, Ogun improved on three of the four Doing Business indicators benchmarked,” the World Bank says.

    The report observes further that in Ogun State, “The construction permitting system was radically overhauled, with the state government authorities decentralising the approval system and a new committee monitoring delays. Building permit applications and payments can now be made simultaneously in district offices. Private professionals issue environmental-impact assessments in accordance with the conditions and templates set out in a framework agreement. The certificate of completion is issued on the spot, immediately following the final inspection.”

    To begin a business in the current Ogun State, according to World Bank, “entrepreneurs no longer need to travel to Ibadan or Lagos, thanks to the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s new stamp duty office in Abeokuta. In addition, the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry abolished the requirement for a physical inspection of the business premises – today, a proof of company address, such as a utility bill, is sufficient.

    “A business premises permit is issued on the spot upon payment of the fee. Finally, Ogun’s Bureau of Lands digitalised property records with the aim of enabling electronic title searches and making property registration more efficient.”

    Amosun has moved Ogun State from F9 under the last administration to A1 in just three years of being the governor. One can imagine how successful Ogun would become by the time Amosun, through the grace of God, concludes eight yeas in office!

    • Soyombo Opeyemi

    Abeokuta

  • Chinese ‘perestroika’ cometh?

    SIR:Last week, tens of  thousands of Hong Kong students took to the in streets in an unprecedented occupation aimed at  protesting the Beijing’s interference in Hong Kong’s chief executive election due for 2017. With the development, Beijing is faced with arguably its most serious crisis since the Tienanmen square.

    The students are afraid that the screening cum nomination committee set up by the Chinese People Congress (NPC ) will decimate the value of their  jealously guarded democracy as candidates hostile to Beijing may not see the light of the day.

    The students leading the democracy push are not unaware of the unforgettable horrific scene of the  tank man and the lone protester-student at the Tienanmen Square in 1989 and the crackdown that sent dozens of students gathered around the iconic goddess of Democracy to their early graves. Yet, they appear determined to press on.

    Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region(SAR)  of  China on July 1, 1997 when Britain, (Hong Kong’s colonial master) handed it over to the latter based on the principle of ‘one state, two systems (meaning that Beijing  will not tamper with Hong Kong’s democratic antecedent of colonialism) expected to last for 40 years before the Chinese communist government can decide for them.

    With the demand for the resignation of the current Hong Kong Chief Executive, Chinese President Xi Jinping is faced with the dilemma of either  toeing the path trod by then Chinese Paramount leader Deng Xiaoping (who in in1989 ordered the crackdown on peaceful demonstrating students at the Tienanmen Square) and face international sanction, or to yield to the demands of demonstrators and hence face the domino effect in Mainland China.

    Unable to choose between the deep blue sea and the Devil described above, the Chinese Communist Government seemed happy to remain in middle – at this time throwing its weight behind Chief Executive CY Leung whom the demonstrators has given an ultimatum to vacate the government building with the caveat that the street occupation will turn to Government House Occupation if CY Leung fails to resign by last Thursday.

    In the coming days, the singular question on the lips of many is – which path  will Beijing tread; or are we experiencing the beginning of Chinese ‘perestroika’ ?

    • Asikason Jonathan,

    Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State.

     

  • IBEDC: Harbinger of revolution?

    SIR: The famous Arab spring which swept away many governments in the Arab world in 2012 and caused the raging war in Syria began as a child play when a Tunisian vendor set himself ablaze in protest against police brutality. We need to recollect that French revolution of 1789, which led to the fall of the monarchy in France was caused by scarcity of bread at that time. To say that Nigeria is rife for revolution is to say the obvious. Revolution in this context means change which can be forceful or peaceful. The socio-economic and political crisis engulfing the nation which have led to high cost of living, hyper-inflation, unemployment and under-employment, insurgency, violent armed robbery, kidnapping, rigging of elections, assaults on high court judges, and abject poverty are all pointers to the fact that Nigeria needs changes.

    The activities of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), particularly as relates to outrageous billing regime could trigger revolution in Nigeria. This may sound an exaggeration, but the examples in history mentioned above show that it may be real. The protest by some electricity users in Ogbomoso few weeks ago, over what they termed crazy bills is the basis of my assertion hence I am using this avenue to appeal to the organization to watch its activities and not set the nation on fire because of its desire to meet exploitative targets. The protesters embarked on a series of protests from September 15 through Wednesday September 17, to denounce the excesses of the IBEDC. The protesters went as far as dumping their crazy bills at the Divisional Police Officer (DPO’s) office at Owode, Ogbomoso. This was followed by protest to the palace of the monarch, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III.

    To forestall such ugly scenario in future, the government must caution private organizations in service industries to stop exploitation of the people.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite.

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

  • …And Oba Akinruntan too

    The conferment of National Honours is not an everyday event; and such are conferred on citizens who have distinguished themselves from others. As such, when one is accorded the rare honour it always calls for celebration. The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, has been receiving unceasing accolades and congratulatory messages on the award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) which the Federal Government of Nigeria has bestowed on him in the light of his immense contributions to human capital and economic development of our great nation.

    A foremost traditional ruler par excellence, Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan (CON) has continued to exceptionally discharge his primary role as a custodian of his people’s tradition and culture. Since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, he has placed Ugboland on the global landscape as a result of the panache which he brings to bear on his royal conducts. That the first grade king has been more than influential in the restoration of the traditional institution back to its glorious days is incontrovertible. He has attained an enviable place among his peers, as well as a growing stature which has not gone unnoticed.

    The lots of his subjects are being bettered on a daily basis by direct intervention from the monarch towards human capital, economic and community development as well as indirect efforts by Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan’s astute leadership role in creating a peaceful and conducive working environment for various industries in his domain. Sons and daughters of Ugboland now speak about their kindgom with glow on their faces. The quintessential monarch has restored their pride, and they reciprocate with their reverence of him.

    Against all odds, Oba Akinruntan pulled down the barriers mounted by a background steeped in poverty and pulled up a structure that positions him among the exclusive custodians of the high society. He did not just fantasise a rosy future; he worked his fingers to the bones to attain a pinnacle beyond his dreams. This man of immense stature became a towering corporate titan by building business concerns of global repute.

    With the Obat Group, Febson Group and other conglomerates in and outside Nigeria, he has redefined business models that have shaken the entire extractive industry. Without doubt, his story is full of inspiration and crammed with rich anecdotes for every fortune hopeful.

     

    By Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntan

  • A salute to Prof. Boroffice

    The morning, the wise ones say, shows the day. As Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, would admonish, one ‘must set forth at dawn’, to make the desired mark in his chosen field of endeavour. And so it was for the young Ajayi Boroffice, who despite the royal blood throbbing through his veins decided from the outset to stoop to conquer.

    Determined to carve a niche in the tough terrain that academic pursuits present he applied the unfailing principles of full focus, utmost moral discipline and the search for the fountain of knowledge, unmindful of its rigours. The challenge for any average writer now is the difficulty in pigeon holing this erudite academic of global repute.

    Born on 23 April 1949, at Iboje Quarters, Oka-Akoko in Ondo State, to the family of the late Pa Zachaeus Omololu Boroffice and the late Mrs. Comfort Aina Boroffice. As fate would have it, the traits of a versatile and fecund mind surged to the fore, right from his primary and secondary school days.

    Sequel to his brilliant and excellent performance, he was admitted to pursue his Doctorate degree programme in the department of Zoology. In 1975, Prof. Boroffice bagged a Ph.D. degree in Genetics. In 1978, he proceeded to the University of Newcastle – Upon Time for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Human Genetics.

    His work ethics confound mere mortals. He served on various committees and in several capacities while in the University of Ibadan. These include ,among others: House Allocation Committee, Chairman Business Committee of the school’s Senate, Secretary of the University Congregation and Assistant hall warden, Kuti Hall.

    He was invited in 1985 to assist in the academic development of the Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos. There, he became a professor of Zoology in 1986. He also held administrative positions at the Lagos State University including Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans.

    You would no doubt ask yourself how one man could achieve all these. Another curious aspect of his stupendous wealth of knowledge elicits the question of what a zoologist has to do with the intricate world of Information Communication Technology (ICT)? Or, more precisely the rather intricate profession of launching of satellites. But that is the stuff geniuses are made of. Right from his youth he exhibited the attributes of one who wants to self-actualize with the aim to use that knowledge to positively impact on his society; on his people, on humanity.

    It is instructive to note that under his guidance and excellent leadership, NASRDA became the fastest growing space agency in the world! In addition to the physical infrastructure on ground, he pursued aggressively capacity building in all areas of Space Science and Technology. Thus, the agency can now boast of over 150 Space Scientists trained in different parts of the world.

    As a Senator, the Asiwaju of Akokoland has made valuable contributions to his community. These include youth empowerment through skills acquisition and employment as well as provision of boreholes in various communities in Akoko land.

    He has been honoured by all strata of the society: the academia, the country, students, professional organisations etc.

    With all these beautiful feathers to his towering, brilliant academic and leadership cap, Professor Boroffice has to take his profound impact on the nation to the next level.

    Surely, there can be no better time than now that Nigeria is in a desperate search for true heroes.

     

    By Olanrewaju Davies

  • Ekiti, at 18, totters on

    SIR: Eighteen years ago, Ekiti State was inaugurated by the Federal Military Government. Our journey has been like a perennial river running through a long route which involves the waters moving fast in one area, sluggish in other parts and virtually at a stand still at others, all along its path.

    Ekiti being a typical unit in the federation shares some of tumultuous journey of the ‘River Nigeria’ (note, not Niger). The political climate, happenings, convulsions, implosions and apparent instability  have a multiplier effect throughout the components of our great country. In fact, in some areas, our state has had more than its fair share of the turmoil that is fast becoming a natural feature of our national life. Some of these can be identified here; political instability, unemployment of the educated youth, capital flight especially of industries and businesses, narrow ethnicity, even nature’s intervention in form of climate change with its devastating effect on geography, agriculture and the environment.

    The above negative forces notwithstanding, Nigeria our beloved country, still stands high in Africa, and with it, Ekiti State. There is considerable improvement in the development of our social infrastructure, (no, not stomach infrastructure!), our roads network are improving everyday, health facilities are showing marginal improvement. But there are also sober issues still confronting our state, in some cases, more and in others less than what obtains elsewhere in the country. The three most outstanding negative phenomena in our society today are; lack of improvement in the standard of education especially as it relates to public examinations. Today, despite government efforts at improving physical features of our schools especially at secondary and tertiary levels, we have sunk to a miserable low in the number of our children who are qualified ‘ipso facto’, for higher education. This is in spite of the efforts of the government at enhancing the capacity of teachers. I think future administrators of our state will have to take a serious look at the welfare and sensitivities of teachers. If government has done what it could in this area, it has not reflected in the result of public examination. As of now, school children especially in the upper classes in the secondary schools are drifting away to privately owned institutions which provide basic inputs into the educational process.

    Secondly, the issue of poverty is getting worse in Nigeria especially in Ekiti where the only employer of labour seems to be, as of now, government. Naturally, unemployment of the able-bodied leads to poverty. Nigeria as a nation has progressively retrogressed from having about 54% of the population under the poverty line till today’s 70 per cent. This means that with a population of about 170 million in Nigeria, 70% million in Nigeria, 70 percent are on the poverty line.

    Finally, one cannot but mention the growing political intolerance in our state. Ekiti, before the present democratic dispensation, was known as homogeneous, even monolithic. As part of the old Western Region and later of old Ondo State, we were known to be our brother’s keeper. With your car carrying the WP plate in the West or ODE in Ondo State, you were safe and welcome to any Ekiti forum throughout the land. With the growing political intolerance leading to inter-personal bad blood, no meaningful development can occur in our land. As we enter a new year of our statehood, let us pray?

     

    • Deji Fasuan,

    Ekiti State