The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Parable of the revolving door

    SIR: On Sunday, November 17, I visited the recently opened Ikeja Shopping Mall. The first thing I noticed was that the revolving door at the main entrance of the mall was not functioning. There was a sign by the door advising patrons of the mall to use the side doors.

    At the time, I thought little of the door as I believed that it must have broken down either on that Sunday morning or on Saturday evening. I also assumed that the door would be repaired within a day or two. My assumption was predicated on the fact that I did not think that a revolving door requiresthe services of an expert with a Ph.D. in Aeronautics to get it fixed.

    I was therefore shocked when I visited the mall early on Friday morning to discover that the revolving door was still not revolving.

    Now, my issue is not about a revolving door that is not revolving. What triggered this piece is what I believe the door tells about our maintenance culture as a people. Upon enquiries from regular patrons of the mall, I was informed that the door had been in that state of immobility for weeks.

    Is it that difficult to repair a revolving door?

    The poor door is however not the only victim of our nonchalant attitude to maintenance. In most of public offices and private homes, one notices assets that are either damaged or spoilt and which require minimal ‘effort’ to restore and which we ignore or just simply do not care about.

    On my first trip to the Holy Mosque in Mecca, I noticed that some bulbs that were functioning were being removed and replaced with new ones. I was informed that the though the bulbs were not yet burnt out, they had to be replaced because they were approaching their expiry date. Similarly, in the United Arab Emirates, I have seen with my own eyes and I took pictures of hotels being given a bath!

    One of the things I learnt from the former Mayor of New York, Giuliani’s book, Leadership, is that infrastructures do not decay or become degraded overnight. Decay is a gradual process. It starts with innocuous things like failure to repair a broken down revolving door, failure to replace a burnt bulb, failure to polish your shoes for N20, failure of a lawyer to buy a new bib for N200, failure of a driver to replace a broken side mirror, failure of the aviation authorities to repair a faulty conveyor-belt and those little things that require minimal effort to replace and restore.

    The reason I write about doors, bibs and bulbs is borne out of my fear that the faulty revolving door may signify the beginning of the decay of the very beautiful structure that the mall represents. Decay is like cancerous growth. If cancer is not detected early and treated, it extends its tentacles to other cells.

    It is the revolving door today; it may be the restroom tomorrow and the escalator the day after.

    I intend to visit Ikeja Mall after on Sunday and I hope and pray that the revolving door would be revolving before then.

     

    • Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola

    Lagos.

  • Of Pope Francis and Nigerian politics  

    SIR: There are some interesting coincidences between Spain and Nigeria in respect of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; All Muslims. Spain used to be a Muslim Country.

    Pope Francis is a Jesuit meaning he belongs to the Society of Jesus founded by Ignatius of Loyola. Pope Francis was head of the Jesuits in Argentina.”On the morning of the 15th of August, 1534, in the chapel of church of Saint Peter, at Montmartre, Loyola and his six companions, of whom only one was a priest, met and took upon themselves the solemn vows of their lifelong work”. Babangida was born August 17 1941. Babangida was given the Argentinean name MARADONA by the Nigerian Press. Pope Francis was born December 17 1936 and Muhammadu Buhari December 17 1942.  The Pope is a Head of state and Buhari ex Head of state.  Pope Francis is austere and Buhari is known to be stern. July 31 is known as Saint Ignatius of Loyola Day and Central Bank Governor tipped as a possible Presidential candidate like Buhari was born on July 31, 1961.

    The registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was accepted on July 31 2013 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ignatius of Loyola was born in Northern Spain in 1491. He was a soldier. Ibrahim Babangida was born in Northern Nigeria in 1941 also a soldier. 1491 could be said to be a rearrangement of 1941

    Babangida is an ex General of the Nigerian Armed forces and Ignatius a Superior General of the Catholic Church.

    Ignatius took up arms for the Duke of Najera. Broke his leg and injured another was known to limp, had surgery and spent a long time recovering after being taken home by French Soldiers. Babangida fought in the Nigerian Civil war. Sustained a leg injury, known to limp, had surgery and spent a long time recovering in a Hospital in France Najera sounds like Nigeria Najera is associated with the river Najerilla. Nigeria is associated with the river Niger.

    Ignatius lived in the Castle of Loyola in Spain

    Babangida lives in a Mansion in Minna, Niger State.

    July 31 is known as the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius of Loyola died July 31, 1556. On July 31, 1991 Babangida declared open the Executive Chamber of the Presidential Villa (where maters of state are deliberated). Interestingly, Raymond Dokpesi, the director of the then Babangida presidential campaign organisation is an old Boy of Loyola College Ibadan.

     

    •Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth,

    London, England

  • Bolaji Abdullahi’s gaffe

    SIR: ‘Those whose palm kernels have been broken for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble’ goes an Igbo adage which was the beginning of the downfall of Okonkwo, the hero of Chinua Achebe’s best seller and evergreen classic ‘Things Fall Apart.’ Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi’s recent utterance that Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi should not go about embarrassing his employers by publicly complaining about the non-payment of his seven months’ salary is the apogee of insensitivity, arrogance, perfidy and wickedness.

    Is the Honourable Minister being owed even a month’s salary? For a man who lifted the Nations Cup as both a player and coach, this is the height of a lack of appreciation and ingratitude. It brings to the fore a fundamental problem in the country. Nigerians are used to taking nonsense from their leaders in the name of maintaining the peace. We are discouraged from fighting for our God-given rights by even people you should expect to lead the vanguard for positive change. Activists are dismissed as mere agitators and rabble rousers because they choose to stand out from the crowd of cowards and coerced pacifists. It is not in our culture to demand accountability from those we entrust with taxpayers’ money to deliver the goods on our behalf.

    Shouldn’t the man be entitled to his legitimate pay? Should he not cry out when there is a breach of contract?

    When the scandal first broke out, we didn’t hear a word from the minister’s office. In a decent clime, the legislature would have had him summoned to explain why a national hero should be allowed to starve in the name of national service. The public would have called for his head since football is the only thing apart from religion that binds the nation together.

    Abdullahi owes justice-loving Nigerians an apology for this statement that is capable of inducing corruption and reducing the dignity of man. Would it be good for the country’s image if Keshi is turned to a mendicant surviving on the mercies of the wealthy players? How would discipline in the team be maintained? How would he be able to look them in the eye and still command their respect? His feat in qualifying the nation for the World Cup should be followed up by prompt payment of his salary arrears as the nation has more than enough to pay him. He is not asking for the moon!

     

    • Sola Ademiluyi

    Lagos.

     

  • Menace of child labour

    SIR: According to year 2000 report by the National Bureau of Statistics, more than 15 million Nigerian children are victims of child labour. Similarly, according to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nigeria has the highest figure of out-of-school children in comparison to other countries in Africa and Asia. Erstwhile minister of education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’I also confirmed the unfortunate situation when she noted that, “In terms of the number of out-of-school children, we have 10.5 million, which is one-sixth of the world’s out-of-school children”.

    Based on the above, it is apparent that the future leadership of Nigeria lies in the gloom, except some urgent and drastic steps are taken to correct the maladies plaguing its educational system. If today’s children are truly the leaders of tomorrow, then, those out-of-school children must be protected by legislative measures and institutions germane to their total well-being.

    It is incumbent upon the government to fulfil Section 18 (1) and Section (3) (a-c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 18 (1) of the 1999 states that: “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. Section 18 (3) states that “Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end government shall as and when practicable provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; (b) free secondary education; (c) free university education.”

    Studies have shown that poverty is one of the major causes of child labour. Therefore, job creation and the enabling environment that will foster economy growth and business activities is indispensable to the future success of Nigerian children. If the present Nigeria leadership truly desires a brighter and greater future for Nigeria, then, it behoves on them to take every school age child off the street. If Nigeria truly aspires to be the hub of economic growth in Africa by 2020, then, it is crucial that the over 10.5 million out-of-school children be taken off the street. If the future of Nigeria would ever be great in the comity of nations, then, the social and metal well-being of children and women must be inclusively institutionalised in the process of governance. As the general saying, the future is meant for those who prepared for it in the present. Women and children are indispensable group for rapid economic growth and social stability.

     

    • Olumide Bakare,

    University of Lagos

     

  • NDDC’s marginalization of Ondo State

    SIR: I have followed the activities of the Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for some time now. The commission, for reason best known to it and the federal government, has consigned the people of Ondo State into perpetual slavery.

    It beats common sense that despite the simple, clear and unambiguous conditions for the appointment of executive board members of the commision, only four states – Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom out of the nine Niger Delta states have continued to occupy the executive positions of Managing Director, Eexecutive Director, Projects and Eexecutive Director, Finance and Administration.

    It is disheartening that for the past 13 years, the aforementioned four states have constituted themselves into a cabal at the expense of the other five Niger Delta states. I consider this as an abuse of the principle of federal character and the law that established NDDC. The height of injustice at NDDC however, was witnessed last week when President Goodluck Jonathan released a fresh list of appointees for the NDDC board.

    True to the norm, the chairman was given to Cross Rivers State which is next logical state based on the the statutory provision of the NDDCAct.

    The President ceded the Managing Director to Akwa Ibom state, which has occupied the position of ED Projects twice.He also gave ED Projects to Delta State which has never missed any executive appointment since 2001 and gave ED Finance and Administration to Rivers State which had occupied ED Projects and M.D in the previous boards.

    It is obvious that the four states have maintained their hold on the three valuable executive positions despite that it is clearly stated that the positions shall be rotated amongst the nine member states.

    It is curious that the five marginalized states have maintained a criminal silence over this matter for 13 years with four sessions already observed. If the current list sent to the Senate for approval scales through, then, it would have been 17 years that Edo, Ondo, Abia, Imo and Cross-Rivers States have been deprived of their constitutional rights.

    It is far more suspicious as well that Senators and House of Representatives members from these disadvantaged, marginalized, cheated and caged states have continued to keep quiet over such an important issue and instead have constantly joined other senators to approve these lists in time past without raising any questions. What a shame!

    The time has come for the four states that have unduly enjoyed what

    rightfully belongs to nine states to step aside and allow the other five states enjoy these positions in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice. It is clearly and unambiguously stated that member states are to rotate these positions.In the case of chairman, this is religiously observed. Why should it be different for the other three critically important executive positions? Let there be equity, justice and fairness!

     

    • Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye,

    Magodo, Lagos.

  • Public officers and foreign accounts

    SIR: The ongoing attempt by the House of Representatives to pass a bill that will allow public officers to operate foreign accounts is atrocious and a desperate bid by the lawmakers to institutionalise and legalise corruption and money laundering. It is sheer brinkmanship and political brigandage.

    The bill which has already passed its second reading if allowed to scale through will spell doom for our nation and turn Nigeria legally and institutionally, into a country where its leaders are accountable to no one. At present, the government is accountable to none but at least, it can still be made to account for its actions, because the substantive Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, and relevant laws guarantee that, even though the mechanism for its enforcement is seriously jaundiced. But once this bill being championed by the lawmakers is allowed to fly, then there will be no more hope for probity, accountability and transparency in this country.

    It is sad to note that at a time when democracies globally are taking a giant leap beyond secrecy, opening up governments, and becoming increasingly accountable to their people-the electorate, ours is taking a precipitous slide to draconian days; days better imagined than experienced. Indeed, historical records worldwide had shown that a government that is open thrives better than that mired in controversy and concealment. A government that is accountable to its people, that conscientiously does all it can to strengthen the institutions of democracy, that punishes incompetence and malfeasance and rewards integrity and diligence does well, last longer and insures development for the greater good.

    We are in a fast changing world, a world evidently undergoing a three-pronged critical revolution in the socio-political and economic sphere, technology and human rights. These are the things that are, and will determine the shape and direction of issues in this century; a classic revolution of values, but alas our government, in particular the legislature is sleeping through this amazing revolution. Soon, this cancer will spread into the very fabric of this nation, and if we, the Nigerian people do not ask fast, it will become malignant.

    These heartless, conscienceless and shameless men cannot even work to strengthen a simple Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to make government more open and accountable neither could they pass a sound Fiscal Responsibility Law to check fiscal recklessness; all they did was watered down the Fiscal Responsibility Act. For almost one and half a decade since return to democratic rule, they have squandered our commonwealth and collective patrimony. All of the lawmakers regardless of party affiliation are up to no good; the judgement of God is upon them.

    The Nigerian people surely cannot allow them to get away with this one; they can’t continue messing up with our collective destiny, and jeopardising and mortgaging the future of our children. It is time to take a stand and make our voices heard.

    •Eneruvie Enakoko, Omotunde Adetula, Olaide Ekeolere, Papa Siakpere, Abu Babangida

    Conscience Reports Team, Lagos

  • Time to improve policing in Nigeria

    SIR: In many parts of the world, the Police is often regarded as emblematic of envy, reverence, sanctimony, affluence, order, privilege, responsiveness and responsibility. In Nigeria, however, mere mention of the term ‘Police’ provokes the mental image of bribery, extortion, penury, aspersions, manipulation, subjugation, inauspiciousness, and above all, corruption. Indeed, it is commonplace that the population holds rifling grudge and unabated stigma against the police. In reality, the inscription “ Police is your friend is” is slaughtered on sheer irony. An officer is welcomed with most distant and hesitant camaraderie.

    Fuelling the above are common obnoxious manners through which the officers treat human rights and dignity with kid gloves, perhaps, the aggressive attitude of some of the officers, street-side extortion, ready tool in the hands of the political elites, inefficacy in responding to and combating of crimes, crude and obsolete approaches to investigating causes of breach of social orders. Array of unresolved high and low-point cases have aggravated the resentment of the civilian population. Central to all is the inadequate funding and kitting of the force. The remuneration and working conditions are unattractive. The force is also understaffed with present strength of 371,800 in a population of 155 million. Working equipment and communication gadgets are grossly inadequate hindering even the best of their human efforts on the course of taming crimes.

    A school has mooted has mooted the decentralization of the current structure to bolster intelligence collection. However, I dare say that no system is immune from prospects and challenges. No doubt, the suggestion may help in fostering better communal interaction between the Police and the citizenry, the problem of structure is not core. The challenge of insufficient funding, gross indiscipline and corruption transcend boundaries. We once experienced era when police was manipulated by the governors to intimidate and harass political opponents and rig elections. Our Police officers, to be candid, deserve improved welfare packages than we have it today. They expose their lives to risks during the course of their duties. Due to the sensitive nature of their duties, they are subjects of attacks and retaliations from the criminals who, more often than not, wield sophisticated weapons and arms. They are often the victims of breach of laws and orders notwithstanding that they have relatives and dependants.

    When the problem of funding is curbed, fighting corruption and indiscipline becomes an easier task. The regional and divisional offices can be better administered and manned with efficient and committed hands. Special investigative arms can be bolstered by expanding the capacity and training in communal relation with a view to enhancing efforts at intelligence collecting. Countries like US, UK and Japan , Russia, Sweden, China, Germany, Netherlands, France and South Africa have set the template for others.

    Finally, every citizen is his or her own police officer. Therefore, we are admonished to abhor crimes and criminals, cooperate with the police to purge our societies of social vices by respecting them and feeding them with useful information that will help propel a a stable and progressing societies of our dreams.

     

    •Opeyemi Michael Owolabi,

    Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

  • Arrest the deplorable state of Aba

    SIR: It amuses me at times how our leaders chase rat when the house is burning or revel in hypocrisy when the truth stares them in the ace. How can we explain the fact that Nigeria and Abia State have a place like Aba and they are busy trumpeting a transformation agenda that is hollow? There can be no transformation agenda without employment and there can be no employment without industrialization.

    I was thrilled when on television I saw a trade fair organized and promoted by Senator Abaribe (the senator representing Aba Senatorial District) showcasing over 1,500 assorted products made in Aba. I marveled and said to myself why it has taken this long to bring Aba to national limelight. There are two reasons for the state of affairs in Aba. These are visionless leadership, and, bewitchment

    I have said the above because a leader driven by vision cannot be bewitched. The vision nullifies the bewitchment. But when there is no vision, bewitchment thrives because bewitchment anchors its lethal poison on empty vision.

    I was at Aba last week only to discover that one of the roads leading to Ariaria the biggest market in the South Eastern State constructed by Governor Mbakwe is now not only impassable by has become a refuse dump. I wept and only stopped short at invoking the spirit of Mbakwe. When I finally got to Ariaria market the hub of industrialization in Nigeria I saw the dirt, the dilapidated road network, the decrepit environment and the unsanitary stores, I bewailed the calamity that has befallen Abia State.

    Does anyone appreciate that Aba is the gate way to Nigeria’s industrialization? Or, that the potential of wealth creation at Aba will make Abia’s receipt from the federation account a child’s play? That Aba can be turned into a Dubai and Taiwan of Africa?

    I call on Governor Orji to rise to the challenge and begin the rebuilding of the broken walls of Aba.

    Aba is already a well planned city. All that is needed is to comprehensively work on the roads, restructure Ariaria market turning it into a modern market with shopping malls, good network of road, toilet facilities, pavements, water supply, more stalls and good transport in and out of the market, if Aba is comprehensively refurbished to make it a neat city as Calabar is with the necessary aesthetics of building of parks, recreational facilities, tree planting, etc; Aba can come alive again as a business and tourist destination.

    If this decay in Aba is allowed to continue, generations to come will not forgive all that have had the good fortune of presiding over Aba but failed to do something.

    Aba industrialists can provide Nigeria with most of the items we import from developed economies. To make this dream work, government must put in place adequate protective policies to safeguard made in Nigeria goods from the cheap inferior products from China and elsewhere.

    • Prof. G. O. Ozumba

    University of Calabar

  • Remembering Kofi Awoonor

    SIR: I was in Ilorin, Kwara state in June as a guest of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who was being installed as the pioneer Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete. To me this is one of those ways the nation can engage academics who had distinguished themselves in public office. In the case of Gambari, he has distinguished himself as an academic, minister and diplomat.

    I got to KWASU early enough to participate in the convocation lecture delivered by Professor Kofi Awoonor, the renowned poet, novelist, scholar and diplomat who gave a damning verdict on Africa’s educational development sparing no institution, particularly the leadership, in locating the reasons for Africa’s woes. I finally met him after the lecture during a dinner given in the honour of Prof. Gambari. ‘Good evening Prof’ I greeted him. I’m very happy to meet you sir, particularly in Ilorin not in Lagos, Abuja or Port-Harcourt.

    ‘Hmmn!!’ he answered; a very beautiful evening to you young man, somehow I’m happy we are meeting in a very less stressful environment, Ilorin. Awoonor was generous with time for a small chat that touched on his books, life as an academic and diplomat. He gave his insight into the problems of Africa and the continent’s leaders, saying how disappointed he was given its human capital and mineral resources. He also talked about his diplomatic efforts while representing his country in the UN and his books that he wished every African would read. By the time we finished our conversation, another small crowd had gathered to either talk to him or take photos with him. We parted on a good note. I was trying to re-read one of his books in light of our discussion when I heard of his senseless killing on September 21 in a mall in Kenya. I was shocked.

    Professor Awoonor, had distinguished himself in both academics and diplomacy; more still, he excelled as a writer and novelist, a good father and a friend. In memory of this eminent African son, the perpetrators of this evil act must be brought to book. The combined efforts of Africa Union (AU) must be brought to bear on the lingering Somali crisis, and efforts must be made to solve this problem. African countries should tighten security within and outside their borders to guide against future re-occurrence of tragedy like this. We cannot be losing our best to needless and senseless crisis. Awoonor stands for the best in African culture, manners and systems. His death should cause a re-think on the challenge of ensuring peace in Africa.

    •Adedeji Badejo.

    Surulere, Lagos

  • Re: Request for withdrawal of Sharia Court of Appeal from administration of the Estate of Late Hon. Justice S.A. Olagunju

    Please refer to your letters dated 4th July, 2013 and 1st November, 2013 on the above subject matter. The former was also reported in the Nation on Sunday newspapers of 20th October, 2013. This is a rejoinder thereto.

    As you rightly stated and admitted in your letter, the Kwara State Sharia’h Court of Appeal was directed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Abuja on 2nd of July 2008 to administer the Estate of the late Hon. Justice S.A. Olagunju of blessed memory. Based on the directive, a committee headed by Hon. Khadi S.O. Mohammed of the Sharia Court of Appeal was constituted to administer the Estate of late hon. Justice S.A. Olagunju, in accordance with Sharia law, the deceased having lived and died a s a Muslim.

    Between July 2008 and July 2013, the committee sat several times with members of the late Justice S.A. Olagunju family and Associates deliberating and consulting all concerned before sharing and distributing the estate of the late Judge in accordance with Sharia law of inheritance to the qualified beneficiaries.

    In the process and course of distributing the Estate, it was observed that the widow and former wife of the late Judge Mrs. Christiana Idowu Olagunju and Mrs. Comfort F. Iroye, (mother of the surviving two sons of late Justice Olagunju) respectively were not Muslims, and therefore disentitled to inherit the estate of late Justice Olagunju. As earlier pointed out, under the Sharia law of inheritance, a non-Muslim cannot inherit the estate of a Muslim, just a s a Muslim cannot inherit the estate of non-Muslim. The operative word here is inheritance a s opposed to a gift or bequest. A Muslim while still alive, can by means of gift or bequest transfer part of his or her property or money to a non-Muslim.

    It was in recognition of this equitable option that the committee strongly advocated and recommended to the late Olagunju family, particularly the major inheritors, the surviving two sons to make a gift to their step-mother-your client, which they have done in writing voluntarily by giving your client the sum of N3,000,000 (three million Naira). This amount represents half of the total money available for distribution. We do not think any fair minded person no matter the depth of his or her religious bias and bigotry will fail to appreciate the justice and fairness in the whole process.

    In your letter under reference, you alluded to sections 38 and 277(2)(e) of the 1999 Constitution which by your interpretation, restricted the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal to matters “where all parties to the proceedings are Muslims.”

    With due respect, your interpretation and application of the two sections to the matter of administration and distribution of a deceased Muslim’s Estate are wrong.

    The relevant constitutional provision applicable to the matter at hand is section 277(2)(c) and not(e).

    Sub-section (2)( c) provides thus: “any question of Islamic personal law regarding a wakf, gift, will or succession where the endower, donor, testator or deceased person is a Muslim.” (Underlining supplied for emphasis).

    In contradistinction to the use of “where all the parties” in sub-section (e) wrongly referred to and applied by you, sub-section ( c) refers to a singular Muslim person, who is deceased and succession to his or her Estate in accordance with the relevant Islamic personal law. It does not concern the spouse of the deceased who may be a beneficiary, if and only if he or she is a Muslim. The sub-section, contrary to your perception, is neither discriminatory nor religiously bias especially as you rightly admitted, your client and the late Justice Olagunju agreed to practice and be bound by their different religious beliefs. Why does your client now want to take benefit of a religion she never practiced or believed in after the death of her Muslim husband? It must also be appreciated that Islam is not just a path to salvation but a way of life for its adherents.

    However, be informed that pursuant to the justice philosophy of Islam, your Client on the recommend dation of the committee has been allotted the sum of N3 million by the two sons (inheritors) of late Justice Olagunju’s Estate in writing: See attached copy of their jointly signed letter to that effect.

    We hope on the basis of the contents of this letter, you will advise your client appropriately.

    Yours faithfully,

    A.O. Mohammed & Co,

    (Signed): Kudirat Magaji (Miss)