The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • NOUN is frustrating us

    SIR: Why is National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) deceiving us and putting our future in gloom?

    As graduates of NOUN, we have wasted a year sitting at home all in the guise of waiting for NYSC. NYSC Batch ‘B’ 2013 eluded us now batch ‘C’ is passing us by with no information from NOUN management. We can’t apply for higher degrees or job opportunity simply because we don’t possess NYSC discharge certificate or letter of exclusion from service. NOUN management should know that we are tired, aggrieved and frustrated as this is demoralizing. They should tell us the way forward and not put our future in jeopardy.

    • Abiodun M.A

    Lagos.

  • Fayemi, thanks for new dawn in Omuoke Ekiti

    SIR: I wish to express the gratitude of Omuooke Ekiti people to our forthright governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for bringing justice to the people of Omuooke.

    On September 21, history was made and it was a celebration galore in Omuooke Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State when our amiable   governor presented the staff of office to His Royal Highness, Oba Valentine Adebayo Otitoju, the Olomuooke of Omuooke Ekiti.

    The prelude to this special and historical event was the pronouncement made by the Ekiti State Government early this year granting autonomy to Omuooke Ekiti and few other communities in the state. The decision was reached by the state government after intense consultations, deliberations, and careful evaluation of the historical facts available, which indeed proved Omuooke Ekiti case beyond any doubt.

    Perhaps the sincere and courageous action taken by the Fayemi administration on the issue was not done without some hindrances and barricades, along the way, but for the forthrightness nature of the governor and his unique approach in identifying and sorting out all manners of problems, proactively, which has been the bedrock of his administration since its inception.

    Otherwise, the freedom being enjoyed in Omuooke Ekiti now would have been a forlorn hope and remain an elusive one.

    Fayemi’s breadth of new life to Omuooke has brought joy and happiness that knows no bounds for the people and no wonder the whole community was agog and the good feelings so palpable among the people.  Omuooke Ekiti is known to be the commercial nerve centre in Ekiti East Local Government and no doubt the new status would bring about a quantum leap in many ways to the community, local government and Ekiti Sate at large.

    The Olomuooke should now take his rightful place in the local government and in the state as the case may be.  I would like to implore Governor Fayemi to see to the changes required in all government registers, Ekiti State official website as it affect the status of Olomuooke and Omuooke Ekiti through directives to the apparatus of government  in charge.

    To the joyous and good people of Omuooke Ekiti, there is no better way to show profound appreciation to this noble, courageous and kind-hearted man who has done such a great thing for our beloved community other than to overwhelmingly support him and his government on his re-election bid in 2014.

    • Lanre Atere

    Glasgow, Scotland

  • In support of Fashola on tobacco

    SIR: In a recently published report in The Nation of September 25, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) requested Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to distance his administration from the activities of tobacco industry. This call is not only repulsive, it is also disrespectful. It also shows a lack of understanding or a very low understanding of public policy and governance. The request is essentially paternalistic. The writers were trying to impose their values by assuming that what is good for them is good for the whole society.

    By extant laws, tobacco is a legal product. Despite the several anti-tobacco sentiments based on several emotional arguments and reasoning, it is obvious to reasonable individuals that banning a product like tobacco will not stop its circulation. The recent activities of the anti-tobacco campaigners suggest clearly that they believe that the only way to stop people from smoking is to ban tobacco production completely. This belief is illusionary. It is illusionary because it will lead to the exact opposite of what they have in mind.

    There are presently two bills at various stages of passage in the National Assembly. These bills seek to regulate tobacco by creating more restrictions to the distribution and smoking of cigarette. This is in addition to the proposed ban on any form of advertisement and promotions.

    The ultimate trajectory is to eradicate cigarette production. What the bills and anti-tobacco campaigners fail to understand is that laws cannot really kill demand for a product; it will only lead to market distortions in terms of its impact on the supply-side. The distortions that would arise from this bill would create a premium for black market to exist and thrive. While the legal tobacco industry in Nigeria will suffer, an illegal market will rise to fill the demand-supply gap.  In fact, the market losses that will arise from the numerous laws and ban will be gained by smugglers and bandits.

    The Environmental Rights Action and other anti-tobacco groups should understand what they advocate would result in pushing tobacco out of the legal and regulated market to an illegal and black market. Black market is generally bad but for a product like tobacco, it is dangerous. It is dangerous because the high profit margin that will come from smuggled and unregulated tobacco will be used to create and fund activities of criminal gangs and cartels. Many developed nations with drug problems have learnt this lesson and that is why there are global moves to de-fund the drug cartels by legalising cannabis and other drugs.

    Smuggled tobacco should be more worrisome to policymakers. This is because they are not amenable to regulation. They are often of less quality since you cannot trace the manufacturer and the distribution ring is mostly nocturnal. If you say regulated and legal tobacco has health risks, what would you now say of unregulated and smuggled cigarette?

    For several years now, the face of tobacco advertisements and promotions have changed considerably.   In the 80s, one is likely to see colourful cigarette packages, and there are many massively promoted publicly held musical shows. This is not the case in the present time.

    Governor Fashola should be commended and shouldn’t be seen to be partial on any legal investment. Like he said at the reception, life is about choices and preferences. It is improper for some people to arbitrarily impose their non-smoking preferences on others. We ought to speak up because this stigmatization on BAT may soon be extended to non-smokers and of course other products not related, choices and preferences.

    • Adedayo Thomas

    Lagos

  • Let’s promote peace to transform Nigeria

    SIR: The ants have it right! Over millions of years they have developed and maintained a structured system that enables them grow and prosper even in the face of relentless adversity. There is a lot we can learn from them and some of these lessons are applicable to promoting peace as a precursor to the transformation agenda. The leaders and the led are inseparable partners in the task of peace initiatives and nation building. You cannot lead the people if you do not love them, you cannot save the people if you do not serve them.

    . We can achieve a lot by self-discipline, so let us do it collectively to promote peace in our land. When we sustain peace, all the positive benefits will follow in consonance with the desire of a new image, which is the thrust of the transformation project.

    The task of transforming Nigeria is a compelling invitation to anyone who loves Nigeria as the place where his/her heart belongs. We must absorb the message ofpeace, hope, faith and loyalty as a precursor to transformation. Pick a copy of “THIS IS NIGERIA” to read in admiration of its uniqueness, rich contents, beautiful simplicity and creativity. A sheer force of energy will burst forth to open your mind to new realities. Realities unfold only to the perceptive and reflective minds in a peaceful society

    A Nigerian child Artist demonstrated her conviction to a peaceful Nigeria when she explained how she was inspired to paint in acrylic a white dove flying with the Nigeria’s flag on its beak. She explained further, how she hears on radio and television many terrible things happening in Nigeria. All these, she interpreted as storm and challenges which inspired her to captioned her painting “PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM”. She won the Centenary Competition which targeted youths by providing them a platform for expression, take leadership role and to share opinions about the Nigeria of their dreams.

    “This is Nigeria” is taking the idea of promoting peace in transforming Nigeria to a higher level by asking Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora to share their thoughts, comments and perspectives on the idea of peace as basis for transformation. “This is Nigeria “explores the idea of peace in transforming Nigeria and track how the unleashing of Nigeria’s potentials will affect its image and people’s perception now and in the near future. To experience change, we need a regenerated mind connected to positive thoughts of promoting peace. The power of positive thinking empowered people who left great legacies on earth. Positive thoughts and attitudes do not only make great people, but also great nations.

    • Comrade Ogbu Ameh Alexander,

    Abuja

     

  • Oshiomhole, bring back Ojirami Dam

    SIR: I wish to bring to the notice of our able Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole of the dire need of water in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

    There is no gainsaying to the fact that the governor has been touching the lives of the people of the state, especially the rural areas by providing infrastructure and amenities.

    But our beloved governor has an urgent role to play in resuscitating the Ojirami Dam which the former military Administrator of the then defunct Bendel State, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia built during his regime. The dam used to serve the well over 20 towns and villages in the area in the past years. For about three decades now, since the damage of the Dam in early eighties, there has been acute water scarcity in the areas that it used to serve.

    It is now a pitiable sight to now see the people who were once enjoying clean potable water go about in the bush in search of water. Because of the rocky nature of some of the communities, most wells being dug have been abandoned due to inability to reach the water level. Some boreholes that were sunk by some individuals and groups have also failed.

    With about 30 towns and villages spanning across the local government, water supply should not be a negotiable amenity for the people. While only Ojirami, Ewan, Akuku and some parts of Igarra sparingly benefit from the dam, other places like Okpe, Uneme-Nekhua, Ugboshi, Ekpesa, Ibillo, Ososo, Lampese and many more are naturally left out.

    According to some investigations by some concerned citizens in the area, the dam still has the capacity to serve optimally if some of its obsolete equipments are replaced. Also, new pipes will be needed to replace the ones laid since 1970s.

    The water reservoirs in some towns in the council are still in good shape, but have remained dry and spider-webbed. One of such is conspicuously located at Ibillo.

    It is disheartening how most people from these communities travel to neighbouring villages for well and stream water.

    With the drive by the federal government under the Ministry of Water Resources, our Comrade Governor needs to pinch the relevant authority for optimal support to see that the dearth of water in Akoko-Edo is assuaged.

    However, palliative measures such as sinking of boreholes will also go a long way in addressing the continuous helpless state of the people in these areas, as this step, by extension, would further reduce health problems which the current administration of Oshiomhole has been pushing for.

    • Toluwa Adejumoh,

    Ekpesa, Akoko-Edo L.G.A

    Edo State.

     

  • FUT Minna’s N25,000 acceptance fee

    SIR: I wish to draw attention to the exorbitant fee imposed on the newly admitted students of the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State in the name of “Acceptance Fee”.

    Newly admitted students are required to pay N25,000 as an admission acceptance fee. Don’t forget that the fee is not part of the school fees. The university is a Federal University.  So, what is the purpose of the acceptance fee?

    The students if they were not interested in the admission would not have chosen the Federal University of Science and Technology Minna not talk of their being subjected to the rigour of JAMB/Post-UME and their associated fees.

    I call on the Federal Government, the Senate and House Committees on Education to call the authorities of the university to order and to ensure that the fee which border on exploitation is reversed.

     

    • Pius Awunah

    Mpape, Abuja

     

  • Why are state-owned varsities on strike?

    SIR: As Nigerian students get set to mark amidst wailing and gnashing of teeth, wasted time, ruined future and delayed destinies of the 100 days of the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), I wish to ask that why lecturers on the payroll of states owned universities are out of their classrooms?

    Why did they join the ongoing strike to wage war against the federal government leaving the states that employed them out of the battle of supremacy?

    ASUU is demanding the payment of  earned and responsibilities allowances totaling N87billion to her members.  ASUU is also clamoring for conducive environment for teaching and learning, total implementation of UNESCO recommendation on education, etc. A total of N400billion is being demanded by ASUU for these.

    The federal government  has offered ASUU N30 billion for her earned and responsibilities  allowances while the sum of N100billion has been disbursed for the provision of infrastructures in public universities with a pledge to pay the rest for the next three years.

    Now, I wish to ask : why are lecturers in states owned varsities on strike? Are they supposed to benefit from the fund being released by the federal government? What’s the business of the federal government with the rot in infrastructures in state-owned universities? Why are ASUU members in state owned universities fighting federal government for the poor infrastructures in their institutions? Were they employed by the federal government? Is President Goodluck Jonathan, as visitor to the federal institutions also the visitor to the state-owned  universities?

    Should it be the business of federal government to pay lecturers in state institutions’ earned and responsibilities allowances? Is it its duty to pay those serving as Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, supervisors of Masters and PhD Students, course advisers etc in state-owned universities earned and responsibilities allowances? Are we no longer in a federation? Were they employed by the federal government? Are they working for the federal government?

    My candid advise to ASUU members in state owned universities is to pull out of the on-going strike like their counterparts from Adamawa State University and Rivers State Science and Technology with immediate effect. They should start negotiating with their respective state governors over the poor state of infrastructures in their ivory towers and for the payment of their earned and responsibilities allowances.

    Furthermore, it was stated in the status update of the negotiation between federal government and ASUU that lecturers from state universities are not going to benefit from the N87 billion being demanded for by ASUU for earned and responsibilities allowances. It is simply a matter between federal government and its employees.

    Let me submit by urging that ASUU members in state varsities go back to classroom now.

     

    •Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye

    Magodo, Lagos

     

  • Incessant strikes and future of education

    SIR: It is no secret that Nigeria has been racked by a series of strikes and the various government agencies and ministries have resorted to trading accusations with labour unions as to who is at fault – the latest being the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) .

    Much as it is a thing of shame that the Nigerian Government routinely signs agreements that they have no intention of honouring, the other part of the problem is that our labour laws are such that the government is sometimes handicapped and most of these agreements are entered into under duress with the labour unions holding the entire sectors they control hostage.

    The educational sector is not made up of only tertiary institutions and recent studies indicate that one of the problems facing our nation is the over-reliance on tertiary education which is in any case substandard. If we must revolutionize the educational sector, it is my view that we must as a matter of grave importance start from the primary school level where the basic framework is imparted.

    Nigerian universities have become notorious for producing graduates that cannot even converse in proper English language much less display proficiency in whatever area they have been issued degrees in. This boils down to the lack of basic framework – we cannot continue to complain about universities when we neglect the primary and secondary schools which supply students to the universities. The universities do not maintain the facilities they already have and do nothing whatsoever with the allocations they currently receive which begs the question – “If you cannot use the funds you have already received to develop the sector, how can we reasonably believe that you will judiciously utilize the funds you are advocating for?”

    Nigerian lecturers must stop playing to the gallery and concentrate on making judicious use of the facilities they have already been provided before blaming their failure on a lack of infrastructure. They are quick to compare themselves with lecturers in the developed countries but they fail to understand that in those countries lecturers do not seize every opportunity they can to miss classes and abdicate their duties like we see in the Nigerian universities. They have failed to do their job in the manner they should, and more funding will not correct their lack of commitment or detract from the fact that they like all other government employees consider their jobs secure and as such do as they please.

    Nigerian lecturers must embrace their place as architects of the future and do all they can to impact on their students in the best way they can. This might prove difficult because some of the lecturers are products of the Nigerian university system and half-baked graduates themselves but nothing prevents an individual from developing his or herself through personal effort.

    If they can do all of this and engage in meaningful development, then the Nigerian people will back their calls for improved funding from both the government and the private sector. This is because where proper research is conducted in the educational institutions, private companies and institutions are always willing to sponsor such research and reap the practical benefits.

    • Omene, Pius Ejeoboghene

    Abuja.

  • Nigeria, the crawling giant

    SIR: The lowering of the British Union Jack and hoisting of the Green, White, Green flag on October 1, 1960 symbolically marked Nigeria’s attainment of independence. Upon the announcement at midnight of September 30, 1960 by Sir Emmanuel Aghanjuebitsi Ewetan Omatsola, OON, an ace broadcaster and radio commentator who died last year at the age of 83 that “Nigeria is a free, sovereign nation”, many then had thought it was the beginning of good things to come for the country.

    Fifty-three years down the line, we cannot beat our chests and say we are where we should be as a nation, especially when one considers the abundance of natural and human resources Nigeria is blessed with.

    Nigeria is like a man who has everything and lacks nothing, yet, he is still seen to be suffering and in serious pains. Corruption, bad leadership and outright mismanagement of our God-given wealth have kept us crawling, even though we have since been released from the clutches of colonialism through the actualization of

    independence. We have become more like a crawling giant.

    I call on our present crop of leaders to do everything within their reach to get us out of this quagmire, which is a product of our handiwork. They must leave no stone unturned to renew the confidence of the people of this great country called Nigeria.

    This is the time for them to put in place all necessary machineries that will make us to stop crawling and start walking as a truly self-respecting nation. Our leaders must go beyond their lamentation on the state of affairs in the country and use their good offices to help change the situation in the interest of all Nigerians.

    •Michael Jegede,

    Abuja.

  • Before we embrace tobacco prohibition

    SIR: The debate around the tobacco control bill opens up a broader discussion about law making and enforcement in general. Legislation is passed with noble intentions, for the good of society, and it is often thought that the more severe the law, the greater the effect. That, however, is not always the case, with some legislation turning out to be impractical or even ineffective.

    Harsh penalties have not reduced crime in any country in the world. For instance, serious crimes such as murder are still committed in the 32 American states where the death penalty for such crimes is enforced. Bringing this example back home, it cannot be said that serious crimes did not exist in this country in the days of the firing squad.

    And the 1920s ban on the production and sale of alcohol in the United States, known as the Prohibition, not only turned out to be an enforcement nightmare, it created an entire criminal enterprise around the illegal production of alcohol, generated wealth for the Mafia and fuelled corruption amongst some of the government agencies that were charged with enforcing the ban.

    An esteemed American economist, Irving Fisher, was one of the most fervent champions of the prohibition of alcohol, based on his hard held beliefs about its effects on society. This sounds very familiar to today’s strident calls for strict controls, if not outright bans, on tobacco. The same Fisher later acknowledged the negative consequences of the ban while his colleagues, also eminent economists, counted the cost and ineffectiveness of the “experiment.”

    The modern day economist Mark Thornton, who wrote a policy analysis paper titled ‘Alcohol Prohibition was a Failure’ coined the phrase ‘The Iron Law of Prohibition’, around the concept that the more intense the law enforcement, the more potent the prohibited substance becomes.

    The key points of Thornton’s paper, written for the Cato Institute, a US think tank and public policy research organisation, are in essence that Prohibition failed to eliminate alcohol consumption; after an initial drop, consumption of alcohol rose steadily; illicit production and distribution (bootlegging) continued throughout Prohibition and heightened enforcement did not curtail consumption. Prohibition was eventually repealed in 1933.

    One of the most important points that Thornton made in his policy paper is that “when certain substances are prohibited, they will not be produced and consumed under normal market constraints, and will be adulterated with unknown or dangerous substances.” This is a crucial point that many groups are pushing aside, in their zeal to use the tobacco control bill to shut down legal, regulated producers of tobacco. Once prohibited, unregulated tobacco products will become available to willing consumers via underground channels.

    Instead of using harsh, emotive legislation to recreate the nightmare of the Prohibition, policy makers in Nigeria should be pushing for balanced, rational legislation that will enable all concerned parties to meet their objectives in a realistic way.

    The American experience shows that banning alcohol led to a rise in criminality and corruption, the very opposite of what the well-meaning legislators intended. Looking back at our experience from the late 1970’s to present times, when all sorts of commodities have been banned in Nigeria at one time or another, we have to ask ourselves: what did those bans achieve, beyond making the few individuals and groups who clandestinely made those goods available very, very rich?

    Adopting a prohibitive approach to the tobacco control issue is hardly likely to be successful, given that we face serious challenges when it comes to enforcement, corruption and management of our borders. Let us not be panicked into hastily adopting laws from other countries without first reviewing and considering their effectiveness.

     

    • Alaba Cole

    United Kingdom