The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Thoughts on 2015 elections

    SIR: The disdain that some of our politicians have for the people exhibited in anti-people policies like fuel scarcity in the midst of abundant crude oil, suffocating economic policies, lack of consideration for people’s plight in policy formulation, total disregard for people’s right in execution of government policies etc, stem from their realization that Nigerians are easy to manipulate either by ethno-religious sentiments or crisps of naira notes. If not, petroleum scarcity or illegal increase of petroleum pump price would not persist without official reaction from government, few months to general elections.

    My position is that illiteracy, poverty and docility of Nigerians have contributed immensely to the pitiable state of our nation today and the hell which living has become for majority in Nigeria.

    Invariably, in advanced nations of the world, where level of literacy is high, people are conscious of their fundamental human rights including the right to vote and be voted for. Election is taken serious and the elected are conscious of the power wielded by the electorate hence the interest of the voters and the nation are taken into consideration in policy formulation, execution or implementation. The absence of the aforesaid is responsible for the underdevelopment in our clime.

    The coming elections bring another opportunity on the doorsteps of Nigerians to determine the fate of our present political office holders from national to the local level. It is a rare privilege to determine their fate whether to continue to wallop in abject poverty or have a new lease of life. This is a wake up call on Nigerians to make use of the opportunity either to make or mar their livelihood. Consequently, reflections by every Nigerian on the state of the nation and state of individual are imperative at this juncture. I agree not every one could do this, but those who could do should assist those who could not.

    Reflections should be on the quality of life they live in the last three years as well as before that period. They should reflect on their representatives at all tiers of government, are they representing them or themselves?

    Is the development witnessed in their communities impacting on their lives or mere cosmetics? Those in the rural areas, are they feeling the impact of government? When last did the governor, local government chairman, honourable member of the state house of assembly visit them to identify with their plights in order to cushion them?

    Can you enter the residence of your representative to discuss the plight of the community without dogs barking at you or fierce looking security men or thugs chasing you with horsewhip? Reflections on these would help Nigerians to know whether their government is for them or against them. The implication is to be able to decide either to vote for continuity as they say or a new beginning. This is what 2015 elections offer Nigerians, and unless the offers are judiciously used, the suffering would continue notwithstanding the few crisp of naira notes, okada gifts, bale of ankara, even tokunbo cars dolled out as empowerment or dividend of democracy out of billion of naira stacked in foreign and local banks

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

  • Jonathan’s agriculture testimonial

    SIR: All across the country, a revolution in agriculture is taking place.  Under the Jonathan administration, agriculture has seen a new day.

    In Kogi State, over 7,000 hectares of rice have been cultivated in the dry season, the first ever in the history of the state.   The success story of rice production has given room for the upsurge of integrated rice mills. 14 private sector rice mills have sprung up with a total capacity of 240,000 MT.  Moreover, the reform that government initiated brought about an increase in the tariff on imported rice, thereby boosting the economic strength of local rice producers in the country.  The capital flight witnessed because of the importation of rice into the country has reduced considerably.  Today, consumer demand and preference for local rice has risen due to better quality, taste and price when compared with imported rice.

    Some of the international grade local rice that has hit the market include Ashi rice, Mikap rice, Umza rice, Ebony rice and several others.  A major foreign investor, Dominion Rice, is investing $40 million on a 30,000-hectare commercial rice farm with international grade rice mill in Taraba.  The Dominion rice farm which is linked to out-growers of young commercial farmers is expected to replace about 15 per cent of the total milled rice imported into the country.

    It is not only in the production of rice that the transformation agenda of the current administration has paid off. A peep into what the transformation has done to cassava production in the country is worth commenting on.  It is on record that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with a total production of 40 million metric tons.

    To raise production further to meet competing needs for cassava, 24 million stems of improved cassava varieties were distributed to farmers which were cultivated on 8,000 hectares of land.

    Additionally, through research and collaboration, 40 per cent substitution of cassava flour for wheat flour in bread was achieved in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos.

    Clearly, these commendable strides in the agricultural sector by the Jonathan administration have the potential to considerably reduce the number of unemployed youths in the country.  Gone are the days when agriculture was not attractive to young people. Now young people are going into agriculture because of the enabling environment created by the current administration.

    • Johnson Momodu

    Benin City

  • When will youth marginalisation stop?

    SIR: Nigeria is a country of 170 million people, with large range of youths between the ages of 16 – 35. It is worrisome that youths are not taken into consideration in any policy making or institutional affairs in the country. Youths are looked down on and the elders fail to realise that this is a vibrant and young generation which has all the potential and resources to drive the nation forward.

    The just concluded Immigration recruitment exercise was a litmus test on how large the youth population is in Nigeria. Yes we have had few youths in government who have showed remarkable leadership like Dimeji Bankole who controlled the House of Representative with so much charisma, efficiency and eloquence. We have also had youths who became top political office holders and mismanaged the affairs been given to them. The fact is youths are the future!

    I have been hearing that same phrase for almost 30 years of my existence that youths are the future of tomorrow. The question is, are youths truly the future of our tomorrow? In Nigeria, the youth has been so marginalised that when you try to contribute intellectually, elders who are probably scared of their immense intellect or who are just plain ignorant would say, what do they know?

    The elders have been talking for how many decades now, and all we have been doing is listening without contributing even an atom of idea to what is being shaped of our future. Since 1960 all we have had in Nigeria is the vicious circle of the same leaders ruling us all over and over again. Yes, elders are there to be consulted for advice, but it is totally wrong for the youths not to have an atom of contribution to any policy that affects their future. The National Conference currently taking place in Abuja aimed at discussing and ironing out issues of the state economy does not have a considerable number of youths present. We live in a country where the minister for youth is a grandfather and possibly great grandfather.

    How can you govern over youths when you are not a youth yourself? Nigeria as a nation needs to recognise the place of youths in the development of the nation.

    This is where we need to give credit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. He is one of the governors to have adequately brought youths into the affairs of the state hence the remarkable transformation the state is witnessing. Nigeria as a whole should give youths a chance because the rise and fall of a nation is at the hands of the youths.

     

    • Folawiyo Kareem Olajoku,

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • Unified exams: Kudos to Ogun government

    Unified exams: Kudos to Ogun government

    SIR: The introduction of  unified  examinations to  public primary and secondary schools in Ogun State by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration is already improving the standard of education at these levels.

    The scheme entails pupils of the same class answering the same questions based on approved curricula by the supervising government agencies.

    Some school teachers, who were hitherto lackadaisical, have turned over a new leaf and are now giving their best, making efforts to cover adequately the prescribed syllabus so as to ensure that their pupils do well in the examinations.

    The pupils on their part are challenged to work harder, knowing that they can no longer predict possible areas of concentration since their teachers are no longer solely in charge.

    Consequently, the standard of public education is rapidly on the increase in Ogun State.  The privately-owned schools, having observed the achievements so recorded, have also bought into scheme.

    The administration of Senator Amosun should be commended for this laudable effort. Once the foundation of the future leaders is properly laid, as it is being done currently in Ogun State, the larger Nigerian society will ultimately benefit.

     

    • Bola Adeyemi,

    Oyero Town,

    Ifo local government.

     

  • Curbing the menace of motor park touts

    SIR: Governments across the country are not unaware of the infamous activities of motor park touts otherwise known as ‘Agberos’. In some instances, some state governments have had to proscribe them for their anti-social activities. In spite of this, it is baffling to discover that rather than diminish, their nefarious activities have increased. The reasons for this are, of course, not far- fetched.

    First, there is the issue of complicity of law enforcement agencies. This has always been a serious issue in tackling the menace of ‘Agberos’ in our cities. It has been alleged that the leadership of the police have links with leading  sponsors of ‘Agberos’ in the country. In particular, some Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) have been alleged to be on the payroll of prominent ‘Agbero’ linchpins. These are serious allegations that the police authorities must seriously look into.

    But so also is the lack of political will on the part of governments across the country to tackle their menace. Some ‘Agberos’ top shots are alleged to be well connected to the corridors of power, the reason they are not afraid to break the law. If, indeed, it is true that some of have strong backers in high places as being alleged, such backers should know that a mad dog cannot be tamed for too long. It can always come around to bite its owners.

    Governments at various levels need to take firm steps to curb the lawlessness of ‘Agberos’. They need to stick to tough-line policies in order to ensure that no group or individual in the society continue to act in ungovernable manners. The police and other security agencies should hunt down, arrest and bring to book any ‘Agbero’ involved in anti -social activities. Nobody, no matter how highly placed or connected, should be allowed to go scot-free while inflicting pains on other members of the society. It has become a thing of necessity and urgency for  relevant agencies to closely monitor the operatives of the transport unions so as to avert the incessant deadly clashes and deal with errant members if they infringe on the law and the rights of other citizens to operate freely.

    Plato and Aristotle were Greek philosophers who both developed important ideas about government and politics. Two of the many subjects that these men wrote about were tyranny and the rule of law. According to them, tyranny occurs when absolute power is granted to a ruler or set of individuals. In a tyrannical setting, the ruler or a group of people become lawless and live above the law. The rule of law is the principle that no one is exempt from the law, even those who are in a position of power. The rule of law can serve as a safeguard against tyranny, because just laws ensure that no individual or group in a society is permitted to be above the law.

    It is, therefore, important for relevant authorities in the country to appraise the activities of the various transport  unions in the country. The transport sector is too vital to be left in the hands of lawless men. No group or individual must be made to operate above the laws of the land. The time for the appropriate authorities to act against unruly ‘Agberos’ is now, lest they become another monster that will consume the rest of the society.

     

    •Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Ministry of Information and Strategy,

    Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • Still on Abacha children and Soyinka

    SIR: I do not know whether the writer was right or wrong when he said “say nothing but good of the dead”. But I do know that the likes of such writers will stop at nothing to eulogize one of Nigeria’s most vicious rulers, late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Sincerely, I have nothing against the late General but his children who like parrots with unquenchable appetite for loquacity rose against Prof. Wole Soyinka on pages on newspapers and other social media. These children who can not distinguish between earned and unearned wealth deliberately failed to comprehend Professor Soyinka’s reasons for rejecting the recent centenary award. Like children of Sodom and Gomorrah, they saw morality in immorality. They forgot that their father suddenly became one of the richest leaders on earth shortly after he assumed office.

    To those boys, Aso Rock was like a farmland, industry and goldmine. That’s why they had the audacity to lash out at Professor Soyinka. Truth be told, these boys deserve our pity, because they were somewhere far away from home when their father introduced kleptomania- locracy ‘. Perhaps they were in school abroad. So why will they ever understand the laureate’s point of view?

    I call on well meaning Nigerians to urge the Abacha children to run a quick check on their history books and if they do, the only option they will have is to apologise to the Professor and walk the street with their heads covered with shame. If they have no books, they should google the life and time of their father.

    Somebody should please let them know that the money left behind by their dad in places far and near belongs to Nigeria. It is oil money.

    • Godfrey Ogbaisi,

    Benin City

  • My injury as passport to NIS job

    My injury as passport to NIS job

    SIR: If injuries are now the credentials one needs to acquire before getting a job in Nigeria, I believe I qualify. I was at the National Stadium Abuja to participate in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) examinations exercise but it turned out to be waste of time, energy and resources. Now, President Goodluck Jonathan has canceled the entire exercise without even thinking twice.

    From the information I have gathered from the media, the examinations have been canceled due to the poor coordination of the exams at the different centres across the country the result of which some people were sent to their early graves with countless other left with serious injuries.

    President Jonathan has since promised automatic employments to those that sustained injuries including compensation to the families who lost their relations during the exercise with additional offer of automatic employments to three of their relations.

    I wish to bring to the kind attention of the President that some injured persons at the National Stadium Abuja, where I did the examinations were neglected by the rescuing officers; only few were taken to the hospital for treatment. Therefore, how would the President get the accurate number of the injured applicants?

    I was one of those injured; my friend Godspower who narrowly survived the stampede like many others was neglected by the rescuing officers at the National Stadium. We are now treating ourselves at home. So, what is our fate of getting automatic employments that you promised for injured applicants?

    Dear President, I will wait to monitor and watch with keen interest to see you fulfill your promise of giving the automatic employments to the affected applicants. My friend Godspower and I look forward to that promise of automatic employment.

     

    • Awunah Pius Terwase

    Makurdi, Benue State.

     

  • Corruption and unemployment

    SIR: When will Nigerians learn that the people governing this country do not care or love the citizens? In this time and age where recruitment can be done via the internet, an agency of government instead, decides to conduct a paper based test for thousands of suffering unemployed graduates. The sad menace of unemployment manifested during the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment, resulting in many deaths and becoming a national embarrassment.

    The unfortunate deaths of many of our youths during the exercise demonstrated corruption at its best. The desperation of more than 693,000 youths to secure a job meant for 4,000 people represents the catastrophic nature of the country today.

    For crying out loud, Nigeria is said to be the sixth largest oil producer in the world but ironically, has more unemployed people than employed. This is sad. Recently, the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said NNPC had not accounted for $20 billion. This money could have been used to build factories in different states and create job opportunities for youths. The question is how can the nation move forward when our leaders are conniving to steal and loot our commonwealth?

    The time has come for Nigerians to join forces with anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and others to flush out these termites that have eaten deep into the root of the nation. With what the EFCC has achieved since its establishment, if it is fully supported by the government and the people, corruption can be reduced to the barest minimum, which will be better for us all.

    It is time for the masses to stop celebrating these thieves who gives them peanuts when we can all enjoy much more. Nigeria needs a moral revolution because we are sick and tired of our future leaders dying every day due to the negligence of our leaders. We must all attack this monster which is designed to rob the youths of Nigeria a better future.

     

    • Ngozi Alexander

    Mararaba, Nasarawa State

  • Sack Moro and Parradang now

    SIR: We are saddened by the shameful and avoidable loss of innocent lives that characterized the recent recruitment drive by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Coming on the heels of myriads of deaths, tears and sorrow caused by the activities of Boko Haram in the north, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) wonders why applications that were received several months back could not be handled with greater caution and care and in a timely fashion.

    It is unacceptable that having extorted a thousand naira each from millions of applicants nationwide in the name of processing fees for jobs that are apparently not there, precious lives should in addition be lost in such a cruel manner. A situation where only 4,500 positions are to be filled and applications and extortions are entertained for several millions who would never be considered for placement, smirks of wickedness and gross impunity on the part of the interior ministry and immigration authorities.

    Although President Jonathan has already summoned and queried the duo of the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang, as well as announcing some palliatives for the victim families, TMG commends all that but wish to add that the duo must be forced to step aside as the best way to placate the families of lost victims. Their mismanagement of the recruitment drive did not just start with the unfortunate deaths, but the moment they approved the N1,000 extortions from millions of innocent job seekers when indeed they know the jobs have been shared – is reprehensible and should be punished.

    TMG believes that the only appropriate way of mourning the dead is to ease the concerned officials out of their respective juicy positions so that they will appreciate the responsibility that go with service.

    Nigerians and their leaders at all levels should begin to emulate the Western countries on the respect and sanctity of life. One life lost in the West must be well-accounted for. A situation where deaths and loss of precious lives are treated as ‘business as usual’ is unfortunate and must be accounted for if not here, but before God Almighty.

    •Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi & Chief Eddy Ezurike,

    TMG, Kado Estate, Abuja

  • The scramble for the naira

    SIR: First, there was the scramble for Africa by European colonial masters.  Thereafter, neocolonialism bred the scrambling for naira by fine dressing Nigerian politicians.  They put out the best smiles before the public and make the most heartfelt promises to their audience.  In their minds, they are blinded by greed as they unconscionably share the wealth of the nation.  Like prostitutes working hard to satisfy their transient customers, they run from one political party to another to position themselves for the next scheme.

    If one may rhetorically ask, could it be that the nation got the definition of leadership wrong from independence?  The founding fathers were not without their weaknesses, especially those stemming from the poisonous seeds of rancour and avarice sowed by the colonial masters, though they single-mindedly pursued their political ideologies till the end. Contrastingly, oil boom politicians have no flair for discipline or sacrifice for the people.  They will fall face down on a slush of the national cake fighting madly for a staggering share.  The surplus natural resources of the nation have produced an exclusive bazaar strictly for the rich and mighty.  And they are overdosing in the frivolities with stupor.

    The buffoonery is rapidly turning the nation into a one big party family.  Everyone is hopping in on the groovy train.  Cheerleaders consider it committing a political suicide to constitute a meaningful opposition party.  The jolly politicians throw crumbs from their sumptuous table to the gullible citizenry to make them feel like they are welcome to the party.  With impunity, they loot the treasury and leave the nation impotent.

    The bell of democracy peals beyond the shores of shallow politics.  The institution of good governance is a tenet that dwells in the psyche of rational citizens.  Conscientious Nigerians watch with concern to see where this ‘moving boat’ will sail to.  Slightly hopeful that political prostitution is beginning to be abhorred like a vile act that it is.  One will suppose, owing to the benefit of time and circumstance, that the feet of philanderers are getting clogged in the mud of their antecedent.  Nigerians are no longer fooled by muddied politicians defecting from one party to another; they see the exploitation.  The cheats plot for a chance of a winning ticket and lack ideological conviction.

    Though, on the reverse, one can take the view that the nation’s political institution has not graduated to the level of polished ideological underpinning.  As such, politicians may be allowed the pandering of political expediency.  This seems plausible since fine politicians have emerged by defecting to a dominant party to achieve their mandate.  That being said, a wise person knows the ground that is swept while the moon is shining.

    This piece is not an overture for denigration of Nigerian political system per se but a commentary on the inevitability of the power of democracy.  Those who engage in politics solely to exploit will find out that their career will die hastily like the life of an armed robber.  Politicians must see it best to use Nigeria’s wealth to develop its land for a bountiful harvest for all to share.  It is not too much for Nigerians to ask for.  Nature blessed the country with abundance.

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.