The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Official cultism in Nigerian universities

    Official cultism in Nigerian universities

    SIR: The legislators should debate homosexuality scientifically, not merely scripturally, but that is not the concern here. I observe that some university administrators also practice cultism without knowing they do; they never asked themselves what cultism means. It is cultism when a Vice-Chancellor gathers around himself loyalists with whom he conspires on shortchanging workers, or in the case of a Christian or Muslim Vice-Chancellor who gathers around himself or herself fellow believers from among the staff and conspires with them on how to project their own religion and hammer other religion(s) in a federal or state university.

    Cultism is mostly about getting undue advantage or favour. When our Christian and or Muslim rulers collude to secure undue advantages or favours, they plot it at night somewhere or in the secrecy of their offices or houses; they are secret cultists. The ritual aspect comes in the name of worshipping the same God in the same religion.

    Some university administrators don’t know that cheating workers is worse than sexual promiscuity, particularly if the sexual act is consensual rather than a rape. It is a clear case of rape when you shortchange workers; you do it without their consent, and so, you are a robber, thief. These clarifications are necessary to conscientize Nigerian rulers and administrators who are committing sin against humanity and still proudly calling themselves Christians and Muslims.

    Those who say that African Traditional Religion (ATR) is responsible for cultism in Nigerian universities miss the point. I have read books on cultism in which the name “Africa” or any African country does not even feature! Why are Africans raised to hate their roots, their ancestors to that extent? Yes, it is a cultist mentality which some or many develop or which is developed in them through indoctrination to promote their Christianity or Islam, selfishly. That renders many persons myopic. They lack rebirth in the art of “openness to life”. Too many “educated” persons are still living at the catechetical level, and it is children and not adult catechism.

    Imagine that hardly any of the students caught in acts of cultism comes from “pagan” homes; they are baptized or have undergone ritual birth in one “Godly” religion or another. I grew up in ATR and I never heard about secret cultism of the favoritism type within the system in Yorubaland. Cultism is an art of conspiracy born out of clique mentality, not religion.

    Yes, women must not see Oro, Agemo, Oloolu, and things like that in Yorubaland, but not like conspiracy as a religious modus Vivendi. Original Christianity and Islam don’t enjoin cultism, but those indulging in it in our universities are at least ninety-nine and half percent Christians and or Muslims. Yes, pariah status is bad for any university academic staff union congress; shortchanging workers is also un-Islamic; can it be Christian?

     

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.

  • Adieu Victor Oduah

    SIR The 29th edition of the African Nations Cup has come and gone with the soccer loving Nigerians still basking in the euphoria of sweet victory of the national team, the Super Eagles in far away South Africa. But the exploits of the national team in the continental championship cannot be complete without the mention of the name of Victor Oduah who skippered the then Green Eagles to lift the first ever Nigeria’s major trophy at our National Stadium in a gruelling and pulsating final against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in 1980.

    Victor Oduah gained admission to Saint Peters College Aro (now Olomore) Abeokuta in 1962. Initially, he was the goalkeeper of the junior school team, but the talent in Oduah was soon discovered by the vice principal, the late Revd. Father James Morrison who converted him to central defender, the position he retained until he retired from active football a couple of years ago.

    Oduah, together with the likes of James Alaba Akintonde of the 1965/1966 West academicals and later Barclays Bank Football Club of Lagos (now Union bank), Yemi Akinwowo also of 1965/1966 West academicals fame and later N.P.A Football club of Lagos (now a big time professor in the US), and of course the one and only George Joseph Hassan who gallivanted from Shooting stars Ibadan to Stationery stores of Lagos and finally ended his career with the Mighty jets of Jos while Victor Oduah relocated to his home state the Old Bendel State where he featured prominently for the Bendel Insurance of Benin City bagging the captaincy badge.

    The four were products of St. Peters College Abeokuta who tormented and taunted other secondary schools in Abeokuta and left no one in doubt of the schools soccer prowess.

    Oduah’s mien and equanimity in and outside the field of play were clear manifestation of some of the characteristics that stood him out as a gentleman to the core. Victor and others were a delight to watch who brought fame and cheap publicity to their alma-mater, St. Peters College Abeokuta.

    Today, the body of Victor Oduah lies smouldering in his white painted sepulchre in his home state Edo, but one thing is clear, his soul goes marching on and Nigerians may not forget him so quickly.

    Within a space of nine months, Nigeria has lost two prominent footballers who have paid their dues to their father land and left their footprints on the sands of time. While one belonged to the new generation Super Eagles, the other belonged to the old generation Green Eagles – talking about the late Rashidi Yekini and Victor Oduah respectively.

    As we continue to celebrate the resounding victory of the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi-led Super Eagles let us for a moment, remember these fallen heroes who also affected us with their scintillating performances in the Nations Cup competitions at various editions.

    It is sad that neither the country nor the football federation reckons with the geese that once laid the golden eggs. If indeed the wordings of our national anthems are anything to go by and quote “Arise, o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey” having harkened to the national call in their prime, should they now be discarded like a pack of cards? Those who make Nigeria proud in football today may tomorrow die unloved and unheralded. The buck stops at the doorstep of the duo of Bolaji Abdullahi, the sports minister and Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the president of the football federation.

    Wherever Victor Oduah may be today in the spirit world, we at the St. Peters College pray that may the light perpetual continue to shine on him. Adieu Victor.

     

     

    •Muyiwa Idowu

    Ipaja, Lagos

  • As the world expects a new Pope

    SIR The resignation of the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI was shocking not only to the 1.2 billion Catholics but to the nearly seven billion people across the globe. The 85 years old German-born Pope made history as the first in the last 598 years to step down since Gregory XII quit in 1415.

    Elected to the papacy on April 19, 2005 when he was 78, he could not be as vibrant as his predecessor who was 58 years when he was elected to the papacy. I commend the courage and truthfulness of Pope Benedict XVI for being truthful to himself, the church and to God.

    As the world awaits the emergence of new Pope, the Vatican City must be diligent and put sentiment apart. The cardinals must look beyond race or colour so as to allow God to have His way because God is not the author of confusion.

    When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, Africans were hoping that Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, then 72, arch-conservative and number four in the Vatican hierarchy widely seen as the wider world’s best candidate would be the first African Pope, but as God would have it was outgoing pope that emerged.

    It is also in the record that no African has led the Roman Catholic Church since the death of Gelasius I in 496 AD. Therefore it may be possible that the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI may be God’s way of opening the door for a non-European Pope to emerge especially now that the church is facing scandals in the Holy See, like numerous charges against pedophile priests or conflicts in the Curia after Benedict XVI gave the top post of secretary of state to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

    I will also suggest the emergence of a young, vibrant and agile Pope. Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) who was the second longest serving Pope after Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) became Pope in 1978 when he was 58 years and that was one of the factor that really helped him to move up and down without hindrances for the 26 years he served as Bishop of Rome. I hereby suggest that a new Pope should be a cardinal in his 50s or early 60s so that both spiritual and physical strength will there for him to carry out the Petering ministry.

    The 118 cardinals eligible to vote in election of the Pope must learn from the word of wisdom of outgoing Pope and try and elect a strong and energetic Pope who can cope with the rigorous task of the office of Bishop of Rome.

    The Roman Catholic Church all over the world and other Christian bodies must use this Lenten period to pray for the emergence of a new Pope who is expected to be elected by the 118 eligible members of the College of Cardinal before Easter.

     

    •John Tosin Ajiboye

    Osogbo Osun State

  • Nigerians should cry out to God for help now!

    SIR Going by the many calamities and tragedies that have been befalling the nation, I want to state prophetically that Nigeria’s problems are more spiritual than physical. Therefore we need to go spiritual first before human efforts can have the desired results.

    Nigerians must seek God’s intervention if we want peace, progress and prosperity to reign in our land. We have a case to answer with God and unless and until we settle our case with God, we will continue to live in fear and confusion.

    Nigerians have sinned greatly against God and He has turned His back against us and our nation, which is why we are contending with seemingly intractable problems, foremost of which is the Boko Haram insurgency.

    We take God’s grace for granted and engage in acts of vanity that are detestable to God. Life is very cheap in Nigeria. People are slaughtered on daily basis through accidents and for rituals.

    In Nigeria, everyone acts as he or she sees fit. No respect for laws. No respect for constituted authorities. No respect for parents and no respect for neighbours and fellow citizen. And, above all, no respect for God Almighty. Only one thing seems to matter to our people and that one thing is money. The only god many Nigerians are ready to worship fervently is the god called mammon.

    With all our sins, unrighteousness and shamelessness, the time has come for us to pay for our sins, through repentance and forsaking of our evil and unprofitable ways.

    When you have depended on your wisdom, on your own devices and that has failed you, is it not time to cry unto God for help?

    To what extent will we fall before we realize that we need help from above? As far as I can see, this is the time for every man in Nigeria to call upon God to come to our help, because our own efforts can no longer avail us.

    I see the Boko Haram insurgency as a metaphor and pestilence allowed by God to torment Nigerians to wake up to the reality that there are many things we are doing wrongly in Nigeria.

    As we have read in the Bible, when God allows pestilence to torment his people, it is to enable them repent of a particular sin or sins; the answer is spiritual action, repentance, acceptable sacrifice, atonement for the sins committed and a crying out to God for help.

    Pestilences have no human solution.

     

    •Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel

    Lagos

  • All for Super Eagles and Keshi

    All for Super Eagles and Keshi

    When Stephen Oke-chukwu Keshi said in January that ‘’white coaches are not doing anything that we (blacks) cannot do’’, some people thought he was a joker.

    In support of the above, Clemens Westerhof, the Dutch coach who won the Nations Cup for Nigeria in 1994 and qualified Nigeria for its first ever World Cup finals in USA ’94 and the man who made Nigeria the best football country in Africa before the plunge started when he left, spoke thus, ‘’I will send my regards and tell him how happy and excited I am that he is in the final of Africa Cup of Nations. When they appointed him, I told Nigerians to support him. As a player, Keshi had leadership abilities. When I was leaving Nigeria, I told him to get ready to take over.’’

    Keshi, the Illah (Anioma) Delta State-born saw his new appointment as a greater challenge to affect the Nigerian society more positively; he remained focused and eventually led the Super Eagles to victory.

    Immediately the tournament took off, when the Super Eagles were not exhibiting professionalism and excellence, many Nigerians started calling for the immediate removal of the coach, which was too early and had no foundation in reality. It is a truism and abundantly clear that through patience, Super Eagles’ victory has brought another good luck to all Nigerians.

    To this end, therefore, one can proudly and happily say that Keshi is vibrant, focused and result-oriented in piloting the affairs of the team.

    For the coach, permit me to quote the words of John Quincy Adams: ‘’If your actions inspire you to dream more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’’ No doubt, Stephen is a designer with a relentless appetite for excellence. He is what he repeatedly does. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit. Like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (of blessed memory), Stephen Keshi believes in the dissemination of light to the Super Eagles, leaving them to find their way to victory.

    Keshi has got a beautiful playing and coaching career, he was captain of the squad for the 1994 FIFA World cup and played in five different Africa Nations Cup tournaments. His last club was Perlis FA in Malaysia. In 2000, a testimonial match was arranged for him in Lagos.

    As part of his efforts to always demonstrating ability, agility, and professionalism, between 2004 and 2006 Keshi coached the Togo national football team, unexpectedly bringing them to their first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006. Having secured Togo’s unlikely qualification, he was promptly replaced by a German coach, Otto Pfister prior to the finals, after Togo showed a dismal performance and failed to advance to the knock-out stage in 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Whatever the case may be, Pfister did not last beyond a controversial World Cup campaign that nearly resulted in a players’ strike over pay and Togo remained without a manager until February 2007 when the Togolese government re-engaged Keshi in time for a friendly match against Cameroun.

    Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has got many awards, notably among them, Africa Nations Cup (ANC) 1994 (with Nigeria); West African Club Championship, 1983, 1984 (with new Nigeria Bank FC); Coupe Houphoet Boigny, 1985, 1986 (with Stade of Abidjan); Cote d’Ivoire premier division 1986 (with Africa Sports); Jupiler League 1991 (with Anderlecht); and Belgian Cup 1988, 1989 (with Anderlecht).

    Finally, for us to continue to perform well in all areas in Nigeria, we must not be ethnic-conscious and indulge in all manners of cutting corners to make money at the expense of the country. Kudos to Stephen Okechukwu Keshi for bearing this in mind and leading Super Eagles to victory.

    • Charles Ikedikwa Soeze,

    Effurun, Delta State.

     

  • On insecurity in the North

    On insecurity in the North

    Nigeria and its northern states have got an issue in their hands. In the last three years or so the north has been burning. There is bombing in the streets and slums of Maiduguri, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa and on the plateau.

    There are prison breaks in Bauchi, Maiduguri, Kogi etc. There are killings in police stations, schools, in the hospitals, in churches and even in mosques of rival Islamic clerics. The air is permeated with the sounds of improvised explosive devices and punctuated with trigger-happy and rag-tag insurgents baying for blood of the innocent and helpless masses. There is maiming, killing and harassment with impunity in the north. The north, it seems is at war with itself.

    This past three years the north has witnessed massive bloodshed. Boko Haram has killed more than 3000, bombed and burnt more than 150 churches and properties worth billions of naira have gone down the drain. This insurgency has delivered a punch that has hit the economy and social environment of the north and its fledging credibility of hospitality which is now politically and religiously wounded. This shows how politically inept the so called “northern leaders and elder statesmen” are. As this wind of insecurity blows across the north and continues to gather momentum – and its political, economic and cultural fortune begins to dwindle by the day- the sign of a failed political and religious leadership pollutes and dents the firmament of the legacy of the Ahmadu Bellos, the Tafawa Balewas and the Aminu Kanos.

    The northern elites and political leaders took the easy path; follow the political sentiment instead of showing the way of conflict resolution and religious harmony. In today’s north there is something cowardly about its leaders’ handling of the Boko Haram imbroglio; they take a French leave and look the other way when security fails. But the elites did just this, they abdicated their responsibilities by refusing to be arrow-head of cohesion when it was needed; the result of their inaction is the insecurity the north is harvesting. Think of the bombing, think of the absolute anarchy, think of the people at the mercy of joint military tasked force (JTF) and the insurgent and think of the failing northern Nigeria. Yes, the zone that cannot maintain law and order, a north that cannot enforce peace and protect lives, a north that can be overpowered and overwhelmed by a sect brandishing “jihadism” and “IEDS”, a north that appeases politicians and religious extremists at the expense of the masses.

    This insecurity in the north is sad and dangerous for Nigeria. But it’s worse and a tragic event for the north and families of those who died for no good reason.

    • Moses Sunday Ajehson

    Kubwa, Abuja.

     

  • A word for APC leadership

    SIR: The formation of the All Progressives Congress by major opposition parties in Nigeria is a right step in a right direction and timely. As a matter of fact, the inability of the opposition parties to forge a common front to challenge the behemoth that the ruling party is has afforded the PDP to roughshod on the nation. Therefore, the movers of the idea to form the APC deserve commendations for this feat.

    However, going by the history of alliances and merger of political parties in Nigeria, certain factors like ambition, insincerity, mutual suspicion, over-bearing influence of leading partners had always led to the collapse of such alliances.

    Therefore, for APC to succeed, its leadership should be sincere to one another and be modest in pursuit of their ambitions. In relation to that, the leadership should allow democratic principle to guide the party in its activities. In other words, they should promote internal democracy in the party. In this wise, dictatorship by the leaders, imposition of candidates, and factionalisation of the party along pre-merger parties should be discouraged. Members should be integrated as one and undifferentiated members of a family. This would create in members, a sense of belonging. Not only that, the leadership should be vigilant and prevent the ruling party from planting fifth columnists in the party to truncate the efforts of leadership and cause disaffection among the party leaders as well as party members.

    Last but not the least, governors spearheading the merger are advised to show the difference by making the welfare of the people the focus of their governments. This is because they will be the template upon which the prospects of the new party would be measured. Those whose policies have brought hardship on the people should make a redress because of the future of the party.

    It is hoped that if the above factors are considered by the leadership of the party, the party will definitely win the support of the majority who are fed up with the maladministration of the PDP and looking up to the leadership of the APC to save the nation from the abyss that the ruling party has thrown the nation.

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso

  • Lessons of Pope Benedict’s resignation

    SIR: His Holiness, Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church when he announced he would stand down – the first pope to do so in almost 700 years – saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to carry on. Just as the case of Pope Benedict, the Code of Canon Law states that a resignation must be made freely and properly manifested and that the pope resigning must be of sound mind.

    Other popes known to have resigned include Pope Celestine V, who only reluctantly accepted his election in 1294 and fled the Vatican after just three months to ‘wander in the mountains’. The bishop who became his successor, Boniface VIII, was intent on ensuring that Celestine V did not become an example for future popes, and ordered him seized and imprisoned as he was about to sail to Greece. He eventually died in custody in 1296 at the age of 81, and was declared a saint in 1313.

    The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415. He stepped down to end the “Great Western Schism”, during which there were rival claims to the papacy. Several popes in the past, including Benedict’s predecessor John Paul, have refrained from stepping down over their health, because of the division that could arise there from by having an “ex-pope” and of course, a reigning pope alive altogether.

    Despite that, Pope Benedict has decided to do the ‘right thing’ by stepping down when he knew he will not be capable of effectively administer the church.

    No doubt, he will be remembered for his unblemished leadership, selfless service, frankness, tolerance, humility and large heart that endeared him to many faithful, as well as people of other faiths and religions.

    The pontiff, who always maintained that he never wanted to be pope, was an uncompromising conservative on social and theological issues, fighting what he regarded as the increasing secularization of society, which theologians believe contributed immensely to the moral decadence bedeviling us today.

    Despite his firm opposition to homosexual acts, his reign saw gay marriage accepted in many countries. He has staunchly resisted allowing women to be ordained as priests, and opposed embryonic stem cell research, although he is said to have retreated slightly from the hard-line stance that condoms could never be used to fight AIDS.

    There are a few lessons to be learnt from the proposed exit of Pope Benedict. First, positions should not be seen as a do-or-die affair. Leaders should not hang-on to power at all costs. Secondly, not matter the circumstance, leaders should use every given opportunity for the service to humanity. Thirdly, leaders must be courageous and faithful to admit their shortcomings when they are in positions of authority, bearing in mind that no one is perfect.

    Fourthly, humility should be imbibed by all. As the pope will be retiring into low profile lifestyle, world leaders should know and acknowledge the transient nature of earthly positions. Lastly, honesty and discipline should be the watch-word of leaders. There should be limitations to crave for ephemeral desires.

    In this season of Lent, it is the supplication of all that his successor – who is expected to be named before Easter – will do more to make our troubled world a better place.

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

  • Odemwingie spirit won AFCON for Nigeria

    SIR: According to Russian football chief, Alexie Sorokin, Locomotiv Moscow FC supporters’ problem with Osaze Odemwingie, had nothing to do with racism but that they had often accused him of playing better for his country than their team. Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory never played for any giant club in Europe. But Nigerian strikers who plied their trade in big clubs were no match for him in the green and white colours because he was a national team player. These rare attributes the “gangling” former African Player of the Year shared with ever-recurring decimal Garba Lawal, bulky but astonishingly swift Danny Shittu (unarguably Nigeria’s best defender at AFCON 2010) and Odemwingie who were and are always at their best playing for their national team.

    Coach Keshi won AFCON 2013 because he had bestowed on him the grace of an unusual collection of boys possessed of the Osaze spirit. Perhaps for the first time, John Obi Mikel played for his national team with greater commitment than he does for his foreign club. At any point in time, Germany will present a machine-efficient soccer squad because they are never “rebuilding” a structure that never collapsed but only maintaining. For any occasion it is required, the US will present a formidable basketball team because they are never “building a new team.” That is working philosophy.

    That was the philosophy of Shaibu Amodu whose major undoing was dearth of players with sustained right attitude. This is why he took over from the wobbling Bon Fere Jo in 2001 and dramatically qualified Nigeria for the 2002 AFCON and World Cup. He came again in 2008 and qualified the country for the 2010 AFCON and World Cup, winning his first seven matches (home and away) scoring 12 goals and conceding none! That was the world of the one, whose two World Cup postings in only as many attempts with two AFCON bronze medals as fringe benefits, was described by French legend, Alain Giresse, as “massive feat.”

    But how long will the Osaze spirit in the Super Eagles last? What happens when the Omeruos, the Oboabonas, the Emenikes and the Onazis suddenly remember their uncles who slumped and died while waiting endlessly for their well-deserved pension that had been captured and swallowed by “patriotic Nigerians” now expecting their own share of the notorious cake national honours? Thank God for the Osaze spirit in Victor Moses who magnanimously agreed to serve, with his heart, a nation whose hands are soiled in the callous murder of his precious parents, even as a little boy!

    Thank God for the spirit of a rebel, an enfant terrible, who, even as a ‘big boy’,would still be genuinely bitter at being stopped from serving his nation. He almost single-handedly qualified the country for the 2010 World Cup. At the finals, he was made a spectator! Which genuine patriot would not be cross in the circumstance? He might be going through some terrifying psychological trauma on account of such unfortunate events leading to his current infection by the deadly disease of Twitter-rant-tiasis, but to him goes the credit of the new-found spirit. May he savour quick deliverance.

    • Dele Akinola,

    Ikorodu, Lagos.

  • Don’t politicise Nigerian Army

    Don’t politicise Nigerian Army

    SIR: The rumour of ethnic agenda in the recent promotion, recruitment, retirement and redeployment in the Nigerian Army is unhealthy and unfortunate. It is a pity that some people still want to hide under politics and ethnicity to destabilize/distract Nigerian Army at this critical time of general insecurity.

    Military service all over the world is a call to service and it should not be seen as civil service where professionalism is sacrificed on the altar of the so-called “Federal Character”.

    It is no gainsaying that Nigerian Army is one of the best in the world for discipline and selfless service both at home and sometimes at the United Nations..

    Nigerian Army is currently fighting a great battle against the Boko Haram sect at home and other Islamist terrorists in Mali in conjunction with other foreign troops; therefore it is expected of politicians to face the business of the politics and give the Nigerian Army the necessary support she needs and not to distract her.

    Since Nigerian Army has her own court and different boards of enquiry, any officer (serving or retired) that has any complaint or grievances against any action taken by the army should obey first and then make his/her complaints at the appropriate army quarters and not to “bloody civilians” as the military would say.

    The discipline that the army is known for should be upheld and strengthened and any officer that wants promotion by lobbying and through cheap black mail must be dealt with militarily.

    The executive and the National Assembly must allow the army to do their job. They should not listen to rumours from disgruntled elements within the army.

    As Nigerian Army’s spokesperson has rightly said of the officers carrying rumours during the first quarter of 2013 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday February11, “if they had no ulterior motives, they would have sought to air their grievances through official channels of communication which are available for redress by any genuinely aggrieved person over a policies or action of the Nigerian Army”.

    The Chief of Army Staff also recalled during the conference that in the inglorious past of the nation, it is the same disloyal officer in the army that always stage coups and counter-coups in order to achieve their selfish objectives.

    The general public must also desist from carrying rumours or false information about the state of the security of the nation. Members of the Boko Haram sect are no respecter of any person, as they are attacking Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba regardless of anybody’s status or religion.

    The Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika must commit itself to rewarding hard work and performance not parochial for postings and appointments. On the bombing of Jaji Cantonment, Nigerians await the final report of the board of enquiry; it must not be swept under carpet.

     

    • John Tosin

    Osogbo, Osun State