The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Amnesty for Boko Haram

    SIR: The plan by the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the notorious group, Boko Haram has continued to generate ripples in the polity. This should be expected.

    This call, for comprehensive amnesty for the insurgent group – reputed for engaging in deadly bombings and killings of innocent people in Northern Nigeria – has become more pronounced after it was raised by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    The idea for the amnesty programme was mooted to encourage the group to halt the on-going insurgency and save the country and Nigerians the recurring agony of insecurity that had almost taken over the nation.

    Unfortunately, the poor and uncoordinated response of our security agencies to the activities of the Boko Haram group has done little to stop the attacks, reduce the anxiety and sufferings by Nigerians.

    President Goodluck Jonathan had previously rejected the idea during his recent visit to the North East region saying that the notion of amnesty would only apply to people who are known and are ready to engage and enter into meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government – not to those who operate as ghosts.

    Why the u-turn? Why is the government now flying the kite of amnesty? First, it has been argued that politicians, especially those from the North-West and North-West may not be able to carry out their campaigns in the 2015 general elections if the lawlessness continued. Second, apart from the President’s ambition to recontest in 2015 – even though he has not openly made known his intention known – members of the National Assembly from the north, traditional rulers and other very influential politicians from the North and other parts of the country, were said to be mounting pressures on the President to grant amnesty, to restore peace.

    Again, is the alarming figure of the total number of security operatives on Internal Security Operation (ISO) in the region, who have already been murdered by the sect may also have prompted the President to consider the amnesty option.

    Due to the complex nature of the Boko Haram issue, what I think is rational to do at this juncture is to go into deeper, honest, careful dialoguing and comprehensive crisis management.

    Nonetheless, engaging in dialogue has to be contingent on all the parties coming to a realization of the need for it. A sincere appraisal indicates that this pre-condition has certainly not been met by the Boko Haram as the leadership of the group appears to be more interested in violence and insurgency – to cow the government – rather than to cease-fire and engage in frank talks.

    In short, offering amnesty will unlikely to make any positive impact on the peace process because there is no existing framework for engagement or meeting of minds between the group and the government.

    In the mean time, government should take urgent steps to compensate and resettle victims of Boko Haram carnage, as they seem to have been completely forgotten in the scheme of things.

    Granting amnesty to the sect now would amount to injustice and encouragement to other criminally-minded groups to cause trouble and seek undeserved reward from the government.

    It would be suicidal to appease the sect members without their readiness to surrender arms and unreservedly seek peace.

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

  • Now that the rainy season is here

    SIR: Several predictions have been made by different authorities about the intensity of rainfall to be experienced in various states across the country and the likely hazards that the downpour may cause if necessary measures are not put in place to curtail its devastating effects. Director-General of NIMET, Anthony Anuforom, had predicted that based on prevalent conditions, what happened last year might just be a child’s play compared to what lies ahead. But this can very well be mitigated if the right steps are taken to avoid being caught unawares.

    Also, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, warned residents of the state to prepare for at least 236 days of heavy rainfall this year. It behoves on farmers and citizens at large to plan their lives based on the available information. While much emphasis had been on the need for governments at all levels to ensure an all year drainage clearing programme and de-silting of existing canals to tackle this perennial surge, little or no mention has been made on the expected behaviour on the part of the citizenry that are capable of exacerbating the efforts of governments.

    Many parts of the world have experienced flooding and a rising level of water in oceans and rivers. The climate change has led to rising temperatures or global warming, resulting in the melting of the Polar Regions, Nigeria not being an exemption.

    Nigerians must change their careless habits of erecting structures without due concern about the safety of their environment (.i.e. compliance with building regulations), desisting from the habit of turning drainage into dumps and building houses in places where they end up disrupting the natural course of water, (.i.e. proper waste disposal), embracing alternative energy use and paying necessary attention to sanitation issues.

    Besides, the presence of manholes on roads which are meant to provide access to underground pipes and wires, when left uncovered, could pose a serious danger to pedestrians when roads are flooded during the rainy season. People have been known to drown after falling through those holes. It is therefore important to have them covered, especially for the safety of this season.

    The unprecedented flooding of last year, following an unusually high volume of rainfall, took many by surprise, not because there were no forecasts about the nature of what was to come, but essentially because the forecasts were not heeded. A repeat of this gory experience could be avoided if government on its part play its role and Nigerians on the other hand complement government’s efforts.

    Most importantly, all stakeholders must ensure that all man-induced activities that aid flooding are stopped because any effort from the government would remain futile and a mirage if the desired behavioural pattern is not inculcated by its citizenry. This is a clarion call to all and sundry.

    • Ayo Afuwape

    Iworo, Badagry

  • Attention, Nigerian Baptist Convention

    SIR: The rumour about the crisis rocking the First Baptist Church, Oke-elerin, Ogbomoso has been making the round for some time before it blew open. One thing about the crisis resolution process of the Baptist Convention is that it is too slow and cumbersome. The process needs to be reviewed to make way for a more pragmatic crisis resolution process. Not being a member of the Church, although a Baptist, I will not like to speculate on the causes of the crisis let alone apportion blame based on hearsay or one sided press release. As a matter of fact, one does not expect the crisis to have been allowed to reach this critical stage in view of the resourceful men and women that abound in that church.

    Oke-elerin Baptist Church, probably, the third Baptist church in Nigeria has been a source of pride, role model and example for all Baptist churches in Ogbomoso and beyond, due to relative peace and stability being enjoyed in that church over the years. While her twin church, Ijeru Baptist church witnessed an upheaval, in the late 50s, which dismembered it, Oke-elerin church has been free from such crisis. Today, Ijeru Baptist church’s members could hardly filled half of the pews of the church, ditto for Ori-Oke Baptist church and few others that have experienced crisis at one time or the other. This has retarded the progress of these churches and equally denied them their rightful positions in the convention.

    In terms of evangelization, educational efforts, financial commitment to the association, conference and convention, Oke-elerin Baptist church has never been found wanting. Obviously, its contributions to the expansion of the Baptist work in Nigeria are legendary. Consequently, I am appealing to the President of the Convention, Dr. Supo Ayokunle to as a matter of urgency, wade into the crisis because First Baptist church Oke-elerin is too strategic in the Convention to allow it to be dismembered. Convention resolution process which made it mandatory for association and conference to wade in before convention needs to be set aside in this case. A stitch in time saves nine.

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

  • Adieu, Funmi Olayinka

    SIR: I lost a friend, a sister and a compatriot. She fought bravely to defeat cancer. She fought till the end. She kept insisting she would use all the power her God had given her to fight this monster and emerge victorious.

    We lost an asset. A consummate administrator, an unparalleled image-maker. She gave a good face to Ekiti State. Radiant, brilliant, self-confident,­ a quintessential Ekiti woman.

    Without hesitating, she left her plum job in a bank and dove into the murky waters of politics. In less than 48 hours after she accepted to partner Dr. Kayode Fayemi, she blended into the crowd and the folks who abused her a few hours earlier were now the ones who were carrying her bag around the state. From her I learnt quite a lot of lessons.

    Not yet a tribute today. That will come later for this soft but yet steely woman. Rest in peace, Adunni.

    I will miss you. Kayode and Bisi Fayemi will miss you. The womenfolk, as well as the men, will miss you. Ado Ekiti will miss you. Ekiti State will miss you. E11 will miss you. ACN will miss you. Afenifere Renewal Group, of which you are a pioneering member, will miss you.

    Most importantly, Lanre, your gentle husband will miss you. Yeside and her sisters will miss you. Papa and Mama Famuagun and the entire Sasere clan will miss you.

    I will forever cherish my association with you. I will never regret bringing you into politics. You never for once disappointed even when it appeared all hope was lost. You gave the struggle all that you had. You never wavered! You were courageous! You were full of hope and kept reassuring me that all would be well even when I had to apologise to you at those low moments for bringing you into the rough and uncertain career of politics.

    Funmi, you remain my hero!

    • Senator Babafemi Ojudu

    Abuja

  • Prophet Obadare: A tribute

    Prophet Obadare: A tribute

    SIR: Death came calling on Thursday, March 21 and took away the great man of God, Prophet Timothy Obadare of the Christ Apostolic Church at the ripe age of 85. Like many saints before him, Obadare had the privilege of passing peacefully to eternity having diligently served his Lord for over eight decades and his reputation was without a blemish.

    A powerful preacher of the words of God, Obadare did not leave this world without great achievements that will continue to speak after him. He had no doubt left some indelible footprints in the Nigerian Pentecostal sand of history. Obadare bestrode the Nigerian evangelical landscape like a colossus, enthusiastically spreading the good news for the greater part of his life. A close follower of the legendary Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, he was passionately committed to his itinerant evangelism which he so much loved and which took him to many towns and cities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

    Obadare was a crowd puller, a giant of the gospel and a powerful speaker any day. He was blunt and pungent. No colouration. No ornamentation. No gimmick. No abracadabra. No window-dressing. And no sweet tongue to tantalize the audience or listeners so that they could drop big offerings or come to the revival the next day. Though self-effacing and unassuming, his Master- Jesus- advertised him to the people and popularized him even beyond his own imagination.! He simply preached and great miracles followed. He brought many souls to God through his sound exposition of the scriptures. Apart from the physical miracles, the fire power of the living words of God emitting from his mouth touched people’s minds who publicly confessed their sins, renounced their hitherto evil deeds, turned to God and immediately began to live as responsible citizens in the society.

    On issues directly touching on the peace of the nation, Obadare never took a Sidon look. Though apolitical, he was very sensitive to the yearnings of the homeless and the hopeless whom he helped with his prayers and he was always concerned whenever the corporate peace of the nation was being threatened.

    Surely, this prayer legend of a man, Obadare, will be missed by his many admirers. But we can give glory to God for a life well spent by him and for his great achievements on earth and his glorious transition to eternity. A great prayer legend is gone. The highly gifted and electric firebrand evangelist is gone. The undisputable man of miracles is gone. A truly committed and dedicated labourer in the vineyard is gone. The dynamic, fearless and prolific winner of souls for Christ is gone. Continue to rest on the bosom of Abraham.

    • Elder Isaac Fayemi,

    Apata, Ibadan.

  • Malaria control: The Lagos example

    Malaria control: The Lagos example

    SIR: Attainment of a malaria-free world remains a vision. An estimated two billion people (more than 40% of the world population) live in areas with malaria risk. The global annual incidence of malaria is estimated to be between 300-500 million clinical cases, with a death toll of between two to three million. About one million deaths among children under -five years are attributable to malaria, with sub-Saharan Africa having more than 90 % of the total malaria incidence and mortality.

    Malaria is endemic throughout Nigeria and it has continued to be a major challenge to our healthcare delivery system. Malaria problem in our country is compounded with misdiagnosis and empirical treatment. Lagos state has its own fair share of the disease burden. The topography and ecological features of the state, the abundant coastal features, rapid urbanization and inadequate drainage systems are some of the major factors that contribute to all year transmission of malaria in the state. But the state through its Directorate of Disease Control is doing all it can to invests heavily toward reducing the burden of the disease.

    Investments in malaria control in the state have created unprecedented momentum and yielded remarkable returns in the past years, particularly in the scale-up of insecticide treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides, and prevention of malaria during pregnancy.

    In 2012, the state distributed a total of 135, 950 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits to aid diagnosis of malaria cases, while a total of 1, 035,194 of ACTs and 9,000 ampoules of injection artesunate were distributed for the treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria cases respectively.

    Promotion of the use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) is another approach been used to rapidly reduce transmission of malaria to the lowest possible level in the state by reducing vector-human contact. Routine distribution of LLINs is on-going at all public facilities for pregnant women and infants. This approach is meant to protect pregnant women and their new-born children from the ill effects of malaria and thereby contribute to reduction in maternal and infant mortality.

    Pregnant women are routinely given Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT 1, IPT 2 and IPT 3 for HIV positive clients).

    As part of its strategy to tackle malaria using research, in Ocober 2008, a body known as the Lagos State Malaria Research, Technical and Advisory Committee was inaugurated with members drawn from teaching hospitals, research institutions, Colleges of Medicine, Ministries, Parastatals and the Development partners. It is cheering to note that some of the researches conducted by this body have brought out key findings which have been used to guide policy decisions and programme designs.

    In the effort to reduce malaria in our country, everyone is a stakeholder. Just as the government at all level has the responsibility to strengthen the health system, individually and as a group the citizens also have a big stake. We have the responsibility of protecting our children and family from malaria by using Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), draining of stagnant water or water collection points, and keeping our environment clean. Insecticide Treated Nets have the benefits of reducing man-mosquito contact thereby helping people sleep well and stopping transmission. The ITN usage is also effective against other insects including bedbugs, cockroaches and lice.

    Complete elimination of the malaria parasite (and thus the disease) would constitute eradication. While eradication is more desirable, it is not currently a realistic goal for most of the countries where malaria is endemic but we can all play a role in reducing it.

    • Rasak Musbau

    Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Shamsudeen’s pontification on Vision 2020

    Shamsudeen’s pontification on Vision 2020

    SIR: If there is any thing the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration has gained popularity for since inception, it is its penchant for administrative inconsistency and policy somersaults. It would appear, with a very strong suspicion, that his administration may have abandoned the much touted “NV20: 2020”. The ground for this assumption is not far-fetched. Minister of National Planning, Usman Shamsudeen, had told the State House correspondent after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting last week, that the government target (of Vision 2020) was to make the nation one of the top economies “by size of Gross Domestic Product” and not among the best economies in the world, as most Nigerians have come to believe.

    To be sure, the so-called “Nigeria Vision20: 2020” (NV20: 2020) is an economic blue-print of the Federal Government targeted at “launching the country onto a path of sustained and socio-economic development”. The document itself is more explicit on this as it captures its goal in the following words: “… an expression of Nigeria’s intent to improve the living standards of her citizens and place the country the Top 20 economies in the world with a maximum GDP of $900 billion and a capita income of $4000 per annum”. It is mischievous for Dr Shamsudeen to have said that the plan was never targeted at making the country’s economy the best among the world: for to say so now clearly means that Nigerians had been deceived ab nitio by the government.

    It is even more amusing and disturbing for the minister to say that the target was the size of the country’s GDP and not the economy itself. What, perhaps, the government does not understand is that the GDP of any country and its economy are like Siamese Twins: the two cannot be separated from each other. As a matter of fact, the GDP has become a globally acceptable tool of measuring a country’s economy. The argument by the minister, that the country’s GDP would grow in size while the economy still remains in the bottom list of world’s best economies cannot be sustained by any stretch of proposition. The reason for this is simple: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all the officially recognised final goods and service produced within a country in a given period of time, and usually the healthiness or otherwise of any economy, is largely determined by its GDP. Therefore, it is just as unimaginable as it is unacceptable to hold that the GDP of a country would grow in size without the corresponding effect on its economy. At best, such scenario could be described as a voodoo economy. To accept Dr Shamsudeen’s theory is to accept the usual Nigeria governments dubious claims of a booming economy amidst hunger, unemployment and decrease in the well-being of the citizens.

    Rather than make such a deceitful claim, it would have been more appropriate and acceptable if the minister had admitted that the blueprint was no longer realisable given the present circumstance. It suffices to state that any discernible mind would have known long ago that the so-called Vision 2020 lacks vision itself and therefore not feasible- at least, not with the continuous pilfering of our collective wealth by those in power, high rate of unemployment, epileptic power supply, dearth of competent leadership amongst other disturbing indices.

    It is practically impossible to see how such an economic blueprint would succeed where our national budget continues to give priority to recurrent expenditures at the total neglect of capital spendings.

    The minister should also know that Nigerians have overgrown such dubious economic proposition he wants to force down on us. He should better gear his energy at working out better and more feasible economic plans that would take the country out of the its present wood.

    • Barrister Okoro Gabriel,

    Lagos

  • When violence pays

    When violence pays

    SIR: From the very beginning, the Nigerian state has suffered violence and the violent have often had his way. Our leadership positions have mostly been occupied by the strong but not necessarily the competent. There have been coups and counter coups in which one strong man deposed another. Even in the present democratic dispensation, many who emerge as leaders are those who were only able to out-muscle or out-rig others during elections. Some persons have remained relevant in the polity for no other reason than the number of thugs in their employ and thus the magnitude of violence they could wrought.

    Decades of gross injustice forced Niger Delta youths to take up arms against the state. When government could not crush them, it resorted to amnesty. The amnesty program has been hailed a political masterstroke. However, a major fallout of that episode is the notion it spread that violence is not only the most viable means of pursuing one’s objectives but also the only language government understands.

    Presently the greatest security challenge facing the country comes from the Boko Haram Islamic sect. While their aim still remains ambiguous, there is no gainsaying the fact that they have committed heinous crimes against both the state and individuals in its pursuit. The question has remained how to tackle them and in this regard some have suggested amnesty as a means of containing or better still appeasing them. It seems government has made up its mind to adopt this approach. I wonder what will happen if every aggrieved citizen resorts to violence. Already there exists the notion that if one could be able to engage the government in a violent face-off long enough, he will eventually wring out concessions for himself. Presently, many are not into violence not because of their respect or love for the rule of law but either because they are yet to pluck up enough courage or have access to the necessary hardware. Government must be wary of the consequences of emboldening the ‘cowards’.

    When citizens begin to see violence as the most viable means to obtain their desires or achieve their aims then a terrible cataclysm is not far off. The existence of a government presumes that members of a society have agreed to relinquish their right to use of force to the state in exchange for protection and preservation of their lives, properties and interests. If they, however, start retrieving this right, then the society is definitely heading back to a state of nature. Let us search for the black goat while it is still day.

    • Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • A note before the amnesty

    A note before the amnesty

    SIR: Following pressures from some Nigerians, the federal government has constituted a committee for Boko Haram amnesty. I am concerned about which Boko Haram the amnesty is meant for. The President has made two contradictory statements on Boko Haram. First, he said that some are in his government. Secondly, he referred to them as faceless or invincible. Now if actually they are part of his government, then amnesty is not necessary since they already enjoy financial and other benefits. And if they are faceless and invincible like the President said, then also amnesty is not necessary. This is because you cannot give amnesty to an invincible/faceless group. Except those proponents of amnesty can identify them, otherwise this might become another “Nigerian Project” (conduit pipe for steeling public money).

    Since the President has gone ahead to constitute a Boko Haram amnesty committee, then fairness and equity demands that he should also constitute Compensation Committee to pay the victims and surviving family members of those attacked/killed/displaced by the Boko Haram. However, to achieve a balance, this proposed committee should also pay the innocent victims and surviving family members of those attacked/killed/displaced by the MEND etc. A look at the money spent so far on amnesty to, and rehabilitation of MEND members, would give an idea on how much that could also be spent on Boko Haram. I understand that no amount of compensation can replace loved ones etc, but it’s also their right to demand compensation, after all, the primary responsibilities of every government is security and welfare. Failing in these duties, means that the federal government should accept some responsibilities.

    Both the American and United Kingdom governments paid compensation to the victims of terrorists’ attacks of 9/11 and 7/7. I suggest that innocent families of those attacked/killed/displaced by both MEND and Boko Haram institute a class action against the federal government. This brings to mind the request for N495 million compensation made by the Kano luxury bus operators to the federal government for the loss of nine buses during the March 18 bomb blasts. The step by luxury bus operator(s) is a positive step; it is what others should do. They should consider legal action if the federal government fails.

    Having accepted amnesty for MEND and Boko Haram, which goes with high monetary inducements, the federal government should be prepared to start negotiations with other groups or new ones that might spring up. After all, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.

     

    • Chinedu Vincent Akuta

    United Kingdom

  • Why Abuja land swap option is desirable

    Why Abuja land swap option is desirable

    SIR: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has evolved diverse policies and institutionalized several programmes tailored towards making the nation’s capital city of Abuja one of the best capital cities in the world. In spite of several challenges confronting the administration, especially population explosion, financial constraints and activities of land speculators, he has refused to budge and continued to forge ahead with single-mindedness of purpose and iron-clad determination to succeed where others had failed.

    One of the strategies and programmes for moving FCT forward evolved by the minister is the land swap policy. The policy involves the granting of land to competent real estate developers who will in turn provide infrastructure, such as good roads, electricity, portable water, storm water drainage, sewer lines and communication ducts to the residents, without any financial or technical demand to the government.

    The approach is not new. It is a land-based financing of infrastructure, which the World Bank has endorsed as suitable for any country that is experiencing budget crisis. Many developed and developing countries like France, Japan, the United States, China, Denmark, Egypt and India found it necessary to adopt land-based financing techniques during periods of rapid urban growth like we are experiencing now in Abuja. The underlying basic philosophy is infrastructure development to keep pace with urban growth.

    It is trite to say that a capital city devoid of infrastructural facilities is like a car without an engine. The proposed land swap option holds lots of benefits not only for Abuja, but also for the indigenes, Nigerians in general and even the investors. It will integrate real property development with infrastructure provision; aspire to keep pace with existing urban growth and to break the present traffic gridlock by opening up more districts within the FCT and also hope to correct the distortions occasioned by mass housing development in Phase III. Much more importantly, it intends to deploy global best practice in resettlement issues to such an extent that the economic aspects, social cohesion and cultural leanings of Project Affected Persons (PAP) are preserved and enhanced.

    All things being equal, the land swap initiative if implemented to the letter can rescue FCT from its current risk of being overwhelmed by a continuously burgeoning population arising from a maddening rush from ubiquitous troubled spots in the country. This is certainly one masterstroke that is sure to meet the expectations of the Federal Government to deliver standard housing to the people of Nigeria at a very reasonable rate.

    • Rogers Edor Ochela

    Abuja