The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • On the minimum wage debate

    SIR: Recently, the Senate voted unanimously to excise minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list in the 1999 Constitution currently undergoing amendment. The idea is to allow states to determine the wages to be paid their workers. Some observers have described the move as anti-people, discriminatory and tantamount to depriving workers of fair and just remuneration.

    Already, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association have all flayed the decision of the Senate.

    Since its passage into law in 2011, the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Act (as amended), has been a source of controversy that has pitted public workers against state governments culminating into several industrial unrest and strife. The position of the governors is that they should be allowed to dictate what they can pay their workers based on perceived disparity in the federation allocation. Apart from state governors, antagonists of the national minimum wage are of the opinion that as the cost of living varies in many parts of the country, there should not be any basis for uniform pay for workers.

    Going by the situation on ground and what operates in other progressive climes, what should really be useful is for each level of government to work out how much it is willing and capable of paying its workers based on revenue reality and priorities.

    This could largely be responsible for why the senators have been accused of yielding to pressure from the governors in kicking against the centralised minimum wage regime as well as the much debated local government autonomy.

    Ordinarily, wages are supposed to be dynamic and not static. They should normally adjust to realities of the day based on price indices and inflationary levels while the power of negotiation by unions and responsiveness of bipartite and tripartite machineries are meant to stimulate wage adjustments including reviews and adjustments to take care of such vagaries.

    Sadly, both bipartite and tripartite structures are almost non-existent due to politicisation, mutual suspicion and inability of government and labour to work harmoniously together with the attendant breakdown of collective bargaining and grievanc- handling mechanisms.

    For this reason and for the fact that government have often reneged in honouring agreements it has voluntarily signed, the NLC is seriously worried that this wage amendment “will unnecessarily expose Nigerian workers, especially, those in the low-income bracket, with grave implications for security, productivity and national well-being, as most state governments if given the latitude, will pay wages as low as N1,000 per month in spite of the relatively enormous resources available to them”.

    Perhaps, with the exception of Rivers, Lagos and and Akwa-Ibom states, whose internally generated revenue runs into billions of naira, it is saddening to note that the internally generated revenue of most states in Nigeria is meagre and is hardly enough to meet their recurrent and capital expenditures. Infact, most states are dependent solely on the federal government’s statutory allocation.

    Therefore, it portends danger in a federal system for all the states to be forced to implement the same minimum wage and unless the present fiscal arrangement is revisited, it will be difficult for many states to pay workers an acceptable minimum wage which would enhance their status and living conditions.

    It is regrettable that many public pronouncements, programmes and policies – though well intended – often fail due to the man-made challenges of sheer politics, insincerity, corruption, poor design and implementation. That is why the idea of decentralising of minimum wage in Nigeria is difficult to embrace.

     

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

  • ASUU strike and FG’s war on education

    SIR: It is now about three months that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike, yet the government has refused to listen to the union. Rather than engage in good faith negotiations, the government has resorted to scare and diversionary tactics, calling the union’s bluff, and asking the striking lecturers to return to the classrooms. We believe that such diversionary methods smack of nothing but cheap blackmail.

    It is instructive that while the government has refused to fully honour the 2009 commitments it made with ASUU, the government within the same given period had increased by almost 950% the emoluments of the at least 17,000 elected and appointed public officials at both the states and federal levels. These few individuals in a nation of 162.5million people earn over N1.4trillion, which is more than a third of the national budget.

    By the same token, ASUU has not been quite focused and strategic in waging this struggle. The union hasn’t been able to put the issues where they are hence the misconception that the struggle is all about the N92billion arrears in allowances owed members of the union. The real issue is government consistent refusal, year in, year out, to follow through on the release of funds for research and development of the universities.

    Virtually, all of the public universities are in dire need of facilities, which includes buildings, technology tools, laboratories, science and engineering equipments, lecture theatres, libraries (especially digital libraries), constant electricity supply, et cetera. The government since the 2009 agreement owes the public universities N400billion arrears in funding for research and development.

    There is also the question of how ASUU arrived at the N92billion arrears in allowances the government supposedly owed, for it is the management of the universities that can truly determine what the government owed and not ASUU, because ASUU is not part of the management. Indeed, our investigations reveal that not all academic staff are entitled to the money in question; the money is meant only for some category of staff that work outside teaching, such as Heads of Departments, Supervisors of Masters and PHD students, Course Advisers and Exam Officers.

    It is a sad truth that our government is yet to realise the importance of education in national development. A country that wishes to develop cannot do so without recognising the place of education and if this government really wants to make a difference, then it must radically begin to revolutionise its values and re-order its priority in so far as education is concerned.

    In today’s world, to compete effectively and integrate successfully into the global economy, education must be given the top priority it deserves. Nations all over the world including neighbouring West African countries are fast realising this, and Nigeria must be no different. This government has the rare opportunity to show that the security and welfare of the Nigerian people is its primary concern.

    In the same vein, we call on ASUU to refocus the trajectory of the struggle by looking beyond the strike option, because if the only tool you have in your toolkit is a hammer, you would keep treating every issue as a nail. ASUU must adopt other strategies if it genuinely intends to win this struggle, and the union could begin to consider other options as marches, freedom-rides, Sit-ins and Camp-outs. Imagine what could have been achieved, for instance, if the union had staged strategic marches in six key cities of the nation, including Abuja and then, capped it all, with a Sit-in, at the Education Ministry and at the National Assembly Complex for just two to three weeks!

    • Eneruvie Enakoko

    Conscience Reports, Lagos

  • President Jonathan must hear this!

    SIR: I recently visited Toronto, Canada.On our way from the airport, I engaged my host in a discussion about the country in general. These are some of the insights: First was the deliberate plan of the Canadian government to discourage excessive wealth acquisition. How is it done? I probed. Due to the transparency in the system, all monies earned are traceable. Therefore, the more money you make, the more the tax you pay. This made a lot of sense to me. Wealth can easily be spread and too much affluence will not reside with few as we have in Nigeria.

    As each day progressed, I learnt new things. I discovered that their housing system was well structured; my host enlightened me on their mortgage system. One deposits about 30% of the house value with interest rate of not more than 5% with credit receivable after five years. What that means is that you could sell the house after five years and use the credit to buy a bigger house if one desires. I discovered that cars are leased to buyers at interest free loan payable within 78 months.

    I also learnt that people pay heavy tax but enjoy the value in the provisions of good road, free health care and education. There is legislation for students to attend schools within a geographical axis they reside. The road network was super. All roads tarred to the inner streets. I was informed that routes are reconstructed if they observe too much traffic. Obedience to traffic law is sacrosanct as heavy penalties are paid or licence may be withdrawn. Water and electricity were working without any hitch.

    On farming, we visited a family friend for barbecue dinner and guess what, the corn we ate were all fresh and sweet from the farm nearby. When we were going to the beach about two hours drive from town, I saw farmlands running into miles operated by professional resident farmers who live on the farm with all good things of life. When we went to an eatery for lunch, I request to use the gents or toilet, the guy was lost until I explained further. He said, you mean ‘washroom’? You don’t say you want to use the gents (for men) or ladies (for women).

    The few days spent in Canada set me thinking about the real essence of leadership and why our own leaders don’t see all these when they travel or refuse to implement them in our nation.

    On my way back to Nigeria, the problem started from the airport as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) officials could not set bars for passengers to queue on a straight line. With the air conditioners not working, there was chaos. Anyway, we grumbled our way through immigration and waited again endlessly for our baggage to roll out of the conveyor belt. The custom men too harassed what is left of the tolerance in some of us.

    By the time I got to Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the road I left bad a few weeks ago had gone worse due to rain and usage. I thought the contract for this road was awarded. Couldn’t the contractor patch the bad portions and reduce traffic on this road? On getting home, there was no light, we had to start the generator to first pump water and enjoy electricity hence polluting the environment. I was seriously depressed and felt like selling all I have acquired and relocate.

    As I was reflecting on my predicament, my friend who accompanied me from the airport said “ Agagu is dead”. Without much thought, two things about him flashed through my memory. What will Nigerians and people of Ondo State remember him for when he was minister for power and steel and governor?

    Life truly is vanity. Agagu is gone but our President is still alive and can make the necessary change. This 2015 distraction is too much. It looks like a deliberate ploy for him to fail. Obasanjo gave us GSM, President Jonathan should give us light.

    Remember, all you have is today. Tomorrow is in God’s hand.

    • Ayodele Kupoluyi

    Ogun State

  • Politics and governance according to Jonathan and his cronies

    It is time for President Goodluck Jonathan to tell us the difference between politics and governance in Nigeria. This is because the two words have been used interchangeably, consciously and unconsciously by the presidency. The president and his cronies, including Mr. Labaran Maku, Dr. Doyin Okupe and Dr. Reuben Abati who thought they can be fooling Nigerians with their grammars have been mixing the two words in their utterances, bodies and languages. Governance to a layman means administration of the state while politics is purely political issues.

    It is unfortunate that despite the number of certificates and courses undergone by the president and his megaphones, practically, none of them knows the difference between the two. They always get the two words wrong whenever they want to respond to issues, even issues of international concern.

    Investigations from the presidency revealed that President Jonathan is no more governing but politicking. The utterances, body language of the president and his cohorts, including Alh. Bamanga Tukur and Chief Edwin Clark and other loyalists of the Bayelsa State-born Zoologist turned politician about his bid in contesting the 2015 election since months ago have shown that the president is not more interested in the administration of Nigeria but how to use all the humanly possible means to re-contest in 2015. Anytime he talks, he talks 2015 not knowing that this is the time for him to prove his critics wrong by staying clear of political upheavals to allow him govern well.

    I am not saying he should not re-contest in 2015 but only time will tell where the pendulum will surely swing to. 2015 is more than a year to this time and the president has the grace to turn around the fortune of Nigeria for good considering the vast resources and human materials within our disposal.

    A clear evidence within my disposal to show that the president is only politicking is the series of meetings he has been having with both his loyalists and other aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the factionalisation of PDP at the expense of the general welfare of all Nigerians. He has been hosting and lobbying various religious leaders, traditional rulers, ex-militants and some perceived influential citizens whom he thought can help him to make his 2015 ambition come to pass. All these are to the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Besides, there are two PDPs, one led by Alh. Bamanga Tukur and the other by Alh. Kawu Baraje. None of the factions is ready to shelve their swords. The party is now in disarray which has resulted to consultations, confrontations and accusations from the presidency and other loyalist of the president to the president’s perceived enemies. The president on his own side in order to save his office and consolidate on his influence in the party has been moving up and down thereby neglecting his official duties.

    Sources close to the presidency revealed that President Jonathan has been having sleepless nights, lobbying and politicking in order to acquire the party by all means.

    As a citizen of Nigeria by birth, I have the right under the constitution to criticise constructively and condemn in totality and strongly actions of any elected or non- elected Nigerian if his or her actions are contrary to the constitution and inimical to the wellbeing of the society.

    By Musliudeen Adebayo,

    Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • ASUU agreement and government’s honour

    Recently the government declared that if it were to implement the ASUU/FGN 2009 agreement, it would shut down its operations.

    While this is unfortunate, it only goes to show the level of sincerity and interest government has shown on education, if not disdain.

    Apart from this assertion being economical with the truth, it does not explain why government went into the agreement wholeheartedly for the betterment of the universities and educational sector in general in the first instance. May be government needs to be reminded that when it allegedly paid trillions of naira to the so-called oil importers who never supplied a drop of petroleum products, the country was not shut down even though this amount represented about half of the entire budget for the year.

    The truth is that when it comes to education, government usually becomes reluctant even though implementing the agreements will not hamper the smooth running of government operations but rather uplift it.

    Enough of the time wasted so far and the hardliner posture of government. What this imbroglio shows is that it does not care about its own honour inherent in honouring agreements. Or are we to believe that it was a deceptive ploy to hoodwink stakeholders and Nigerian people that it was committed to uplifting the universities?

    One wonders where the interventionist spirit of the government had gone to when similar support had been offered to banking and entertainment industries as well as railways in their hour of need.

    What government does not realise or is ignoring is that the sector also voted massively for it to come to power and as it is with the dividends of democracy elsewhere, deserves to be treated fairly in the scheme of things, the least of which is the implementation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement which has been there even before the 2011 elections.

    President Jonathan whom the buck stops on his table must therefore as a matter of urgency treat his own kind and ‘’constituency’’ with fairness by setting up a committee to implement the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement to bring back life to the universities. After all, government’s honour is at stake.

    ByEmmanuel Tyokumbur,

    Department of Zoology,

    University of Ibadan.

  • Why corruption thrives

    SIR: If there is a single phenomenon to which almost every failing of Nigeria is attributed, it is corruption. Corruption exists in almost every facet and level of our society.

    Corruption is variously referred to as the bane of the country’s development, a hydra-headed monster, a cancerous cell, the worm eating up the fabric of the society etc. The rich, the poor, almost everyone rail against it. But with all the negative attention and repeated vows to stamp it out, corruption sadly has not only continued to survive in the country but in fact thrive.

    Most persons would say that government is not doing enough to combat it, or the anti-corruption agencies are inefficient. But are these the whole truth? I don’t think so. The question is: who really should be most eager to end corruption? People in government and even leadership of the anti-corruption agencies are not so adversely affected by corruption. So they actually don’t have much incentive to fight it; the fight is not really theirs. On another hand it would be extremely naïve to expect those who benefit from corruption to lead the fight against it. This leaves us with the majority who suffer its consequences. These actually are those who should take up arms against corruption. The fight should never be left in the hands of government alone.

    Experience shows that the average government will not seriously bother itself with fighting corruption unless it is prodded by citizens bearing its brunt. The people’s body language matters a lot, it determines the priority government would place on the fight against the monster. Where the people are tolerant of it, government also tend to look the other way. But where they take an uncompromising stand against it, government equally sits up. So, though the federal government wields the powers and resources of state with which to fight corruption, it may need a kick at the backside from Nigerians to effectively deploy it. But before this can happen, Nigerians must first reject corruption in its entirety.

    Before one destroys something, he must first convince himself that it’s no longer of use to him or he wants nothing from it. As long as there still exists some belief or hope that it might still be of service someday, it will be difficult to act decisively. Corruption despite all the verbal attacks it receives has continued to wax strong because majority of those suffering its consequences and who should be most eager to see an end to it hope (consciously or subconsciously) to somehow, someday, also benefit from it. We celebrate and shield individuals whose source of wealth is shady with the intention of benefitting from their often ill-gotten wealth.

    It is not uncommon, for instance, to hear suffering Nigerian youths while discussing corruption make comment like, “my guy forget that thing, if you get there you no go thief? Me if I reach there I go collect my share o!” He perhaps forgets that the overwhelming majority of the citizenry (including most likely himself) will never get to the position where they can dip their hand in the public till. The point here is that when it comes to corruption we tend to speak from both sides of the mouth. While it is condemned on one hand, on the other, we still hope and ‘pray’ to benefit from it. The result is a conflict of interest which manifests in the indecisiveness with which the fight against the monster has been so far prosecuted.

    To effectively fight and reduce corruption to the barest minimum, Nigerians, especially the majority suffering untold hardship as a result of it must reject it absolutely. An uncompromising stand against corruption by the majority will send a strong message to whoever might consider tampering with public fund; it will also set government on its toes. Very importantly, we must critically consider who we honour. When only real men of honour and integrity are celebrated, even the not-so-honourable would want to act with some honour.

     

    • Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Atiku and the new PDP

    SIR: I admire former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a man who is free from delusion, who understands things as they are and as a man who has good thoughts whenever he speaks. That is the reason why I hold the view that there is no other Nigerian better-positioned to understand and lead this faction of PDP, (nPDP) .

    The purported largest party in Africa is unlikely to achieve in the six decades it plans to ride the Nigerian horse without opposition, which is what it has been unable to do over the last decade of steering the country’s ship of state. The seven PDP governors led by Atiku are a potent opposition which is operating from inside the ‘purported largest party’ PDP itself. What a fantastic good fortune for Nigeria.

    It is unlikely that the All Progressives Congress, APC will give the old PDP the contest of a lifetime in 2015; but now, with the nPDP, it is virtually assured that 2015 will be a fight to remember; that is if all of us are not consumed by the actors and Nigeria does survive it.

    We are aware of doomsayers who predict that 2015 is the end of all contests. Especially, since criminals have taken centre stage, mouthing threats against the corporate existence of Nigeria, which curiously, President Jonathan has neither condemned nor dissociated himself from those behind it. Nigeria had in the past weathered fiercer storms and so, we shall wither this political storm too.

    But, there are definitely good omens too that have sprouted for Nigeria since the new faction of the PDP declared their opposition to the so called largest party in Africa. Actions like these are capable igniting the rare questions of purposeful leadership and development that come with occupying the highest political office in the land including those at the state and local government levels.

    A careful look will tell us that the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s leading of the G7 of the nPDP is borne out of his desire to protect Nigeria’s democracy and his belief in total adherence to the rule of law rather than his ambition to be President. Atiku it was, who paid a costly price for his desire to legitimately succeed Obasanjo at the end of 2007.

    The country’s (Nigeria) return to democratic rule did not itself come on a platter of gold. Atiku was among those who fought the ruthless military regimes into submission not minding the severe consequences that went with it.

    Nigeria needs dedicated, focused, well-meaning leadership devoid of all sentiments be they regional, religious and ethnic in a bid to take us out of delusion to actualize our dream of being among the most prosperous nations in the world.

    The lack of direction and purpose exhibited by the occupiers of the Villa is a source of worry and concern for most Nigerians. The incredible determination and foresight displayed by the nPDP is a remarkable and a positive new twist in Nigeria’s politics, which has finally delivered the breath of fresh air President Jonathan, has failed to find in the wide expanse of our blessed land.

    It is now the hope of many that at least the larger PDP will reform, even if it is against its will to do so.

    This is good for Nigeria.

     

    • Lami Ladan

    Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja

  • When the foundation cracks

    SIR: What happens when the second becomes the first choice? When backup becomes the main? What happens when there are cracks in the foundation? Who is to be blamed for the collapse? Do we blame the builders or the people who were in the building?

    Take a look at the public schools. The primary and secondary and especially the universities, what do you see? Forget public opinion, what do you see?

    I see people pointing accusing fingers, talking of half-baked graduates, corruption and an environment that does not foster learning, with the same eyes of scrutiny we gaze at the power, health, aviation, banking and agricultural sector. We see damage in our country like a worm eating deep into a rotten apple.

    It’s settled that something is wrong with our country but our children must go to school. Maybe they would be a beacon of hope to our light that’s dimming fast. We want the best for our children but why is it that the best education, as far as I can tell in primary and secondary school is reserved for those with enough money? By enough, I mean a lot of money.

    Parents with their children in private universities look on their children with pride. Why shouldn’t they? They never went through strikes, lecturers who miss classes, sexual harassment and the corruption in the system. The private university students receive the ‘elite’ education.

    The lecturers are there on time, their equipments are relatively up to standards, minimal sexual harassment and alas no strike.

    They seem to be receiving the best education, but is it really so?

    That aside, all the systems in this country are corrupt, do we agree to that? How and why we do not know and how to fix it eludes us. We make desperate attempts like a patient on life support or a boxer punched to near collapse but staggering to deliver a final punch.

    We should take a look at our Nigerian undergraduates, what is wrong with them? We hassle around and agree that a student must have the zeal to learn as well as a natural intelligence but here is the bone of contention: a student in a private university and a student in a public university, what is the difference in the education they receive?

    Why should well-meaning parents place their children in private universities and not public universities? Maybe they must have heard of lecturers who expect students to pay money for “hand-outs” to pass, students who buy results or students who through “connections” pass and get into the university.

    These parents proclaim: this is why public schools and universities are low grade. Such will never happen in private school and universities.

    Nevertheless, I know of students, multitudes of intelligent students who did have the opportunity for this ‘elite’ education (excluding those who have the means but found the rules to stringent), some of us ignorantly believe they cannot achieve this greatness except they are placed in private universities, ranging from N400,000 to a million naira and even more.

    Is this really the best effort we can come up with to redeem education? How is the average Nigerian supposed to get that amount of money?

    We fail to remember that private universities are just a decade old. We forget that some of our countries heroes, legends, renowned scholars and freedom fighters are products of these universities we so blatantly criticize and chastise. It is these universities that have enabled us get to the point of enlightenment, where we can openly speak out about the deficiency in our nation riddled with deficiencies.

    Are private universities fixing the linking roof of our educational system or are they rushing students through university and draining their parents’ incomes?

    The world is getting smaller and information is not scarce. The government dampens our effort but not our spirit.

    Here is the crux of the matter. We should zoom in on the Nigerian student, forget the restraints, and focus on the bigger picture. Forget the stereotypes and the government, the rules of society and exceptions; forget his social class, religion, and tribe. He was never given the opportunity to choose anyway. Focus on his natural intelligence, inquisitive mind, ambition, zeal and willingness to work hard.

    • Temitope Iwalaiye,

    Lokoja, Kogi State

  • Ladoja and Ibadan flyover

    SIR: Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has done everything humanly possible to carry out sustained criticisms on Governor Abiola Ajimobi over the Mokola flyover bridge recently inaugurated by the present administration in the state.

    At the commencement of the construction of the flyover bridge in December 2011, the former governor had described the project as a welcome development, saying that he dreamt of constructing it while he was governor of Oyo State.

    However, as Ladoja watched the flyover bridge springing up and changing the face of Mokola, an area that had hitherto been held captive by perennial traffic snarl for a very long time, he headed for his arsenal and took up arms against the initiator of the project, Governor Ajimobi.

    Thus, while virtually everybody in the state was commending the construction of the flyover bridge, Ladoja has been very busy spreading his campaign of calumny to every nook and cranny of the state.

    But the question is: what moral justification does the former governor have for demonizing such a laudable project which he had all the opportunity of actualizing but which he dreamt of throughout his reign as governor and never actualized?

    Besides, I agree with a group in the State called Oyo Development Initiatives (ODI) which queried that, had Ladoja spent the N6 billion he allegedly pocketed from the sales of the state shares on the construction of flyovers which he had dreamt of during his administration, flyover construction would have been the least of Governor Ajimobi’s concerns now and he would have channelled the money used in constructing Mokola flyover bridge to other development projects yearning for attention. Let’s even, for the sake argument, say that the Mokola flyover cost was inflated by the Ajimobi government, but Ladoja allegedly pocketed the N6 billion of the state money, which was twice the said cost of the bridge and which could have built two of such bridges!

    I therefore wish to appeal to the good people of Oyo State to stop listening to Senator Ladoja as he is whipping up unnecessary sentiments to deceive them and return the state to the era of violence and brigandage which characterized his administration.

    One thing I know for sure is that the Oyo State of today, pull-him-down politics and the politics of destruction have no place again. Ladoja is surely living in the past. When the time comes, he and his cohorts will know that they have no place in Oyo politics again.

    • Dauda Alayande,

    Aperin, Ibadan

  • Nigerians, guilty as charged

    SIR: Ordinary Nigerians cannot be blamed for how some universities have become encaged by a power-mongering and egocentric cabal. Ordinary Nigerians are not culpable in the murder of General Murtala Muhammed and the overthrow of the Buhari/Idiagbon regime. Civilians are not to blame for the Civil War of 1967-1970, or for the annulment of the freest and fairest presidential election of June 12, 1993. But civilians, including many lawyers and university professors, are to blame for accepting the nomination of Professor Attahiru Jega as make-up for an equitable electoral reform proposed by the Electoral Reform Committee of Justice Muhammed Uwais.

    Ordinary Nigerians must take full responsibility for the truncation of rotational presidency, by allowing themselves to be deceived by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Edwin Clark, Anthony Anenih, et al. I personally monitored the 2011 elections, and I saw that Nigerians voted for Jonathan, undoubtedly because they wanted good luck for themselves and their children. But, for how long shall a people allow themselves to be deceived? Don’t they know that a snake cannot give birth to a young without the venom? Jonathan was fielded by the same cabal that has been exploiting Nigeria and impoverishing the masses since independence, and so, how can you expect to harvest sweet orange from the seed of sour orange?

    In order to confuse the people, President Jonathan displayed a train running from Lagos through Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ilorin, etc. Now, let hungry Nigerians go inside the train. Alongside fixing of the train, he spent extravagantly on his election campaign and Nigerians were not sensitised, rather they derided General Muhammadu Buhari for having no stolen money to prosecute his presidential campaign. Poverty has done too much damage to the reasoning faculty of too many Nigerians; it has created immorality and inhumanities.

    Leadership problem couples follower-ship problem to make Nigeria a miserable whole. The late Hubert Ogunde once told Yoruba people to ronu (think); to reflect on their political place within Nigeria. Radical positive political change is imperative, and it is beyond the Peoples Democratic Party (old or new)!

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.