The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • On the death of three journalists

    SIR: On Friday August 1, three officials of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) went the way of all flesh from a fatal auto crash. The road mishap that claimed the lives of the three journalists and left 10 others injured, occurred along Ilesha-Ibadan expressway, when one of the rear tyres of the bus conveying them to Ibadan and Lagos reportedly burst, causing it to veer off the road and somersault several times before crashing into the bush.

    The sad incident came as a great shock to Nigerians, as the media practitioners were returning home from Abuja to reunite with their different families, after attending a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NUJ.

    For the three newsmen, it was clearly a case of dying in active service to humanity. They died while fighting the cause of their colleagues in the pen profession. As a matter of fact, they wanted an improved working condition for Nigerian journalists. But alas, in the process of the struggle, they died!

    The three of them – Adolphus Okonkwo, Olatunde Oluwanike and Kafayat Odunsi must never be forgotten and the cause for which they died must continually be pursued with every vigour and vehemence.

    The torrents of reactions and condolence messages from prominent Nigerians and various groups in the country evidently showed how painful the incident was to all and sundry.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerian roads are death traps. Out of 193 countries ranked by World Health Organisation (WHO) in its research, Nigeria came 192, making it the second worst country globally in terms of number of deaths triggered off by road accidents.

    This was as quoted by the Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka from a report of the WHO. Official statistics from the FRSC equally showed that an average of 11 people were killed in road accidents daily across Nigeria in 2012, and this translates to over 4,000 deaths. A total of 20, 752 people also sustained different degrees of injuries, an indication that an average of 56 people, were injured in road accidents on daily basis last year.

    I think something radical has to be done to reduce the rate at which precious lives are being lost via avoidable auto crash. Motorists must equally learn to be very cautious and mindful of others road users while driving. About 24 years ago at a tender age and in 2011, I lost my beloved father and uncle respectively to motor mishap. Less

    than a week before the accident that took the lives of these three fellow journalists, God actually saved my life from a similar incident around the same Ilesha-Ibadan highway, where one of the back tyres of the car I was driving with my neighbour inside blew out and it almost somersaulted.

    • Michael Jegede,

    Lagos

  • Merger jinx may have been broken but…

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    History of democracy in Nigeria has shown that it is not easy for opposition parties to form a strong mega party to tame activities of the leading party in power. Since 1999 when democracy returned to Nigeria, opposition parties have failed to form a formidable party, and this has given the leading party opportunity to foist second class leadership on the country.

    Although it was jubilation galore across the nation especially among the opposition party members when INEC pronounced the registration of APC, the jinx may have been broken and the sky clearer, but the reality is that it is not yet Uhuru. A mere merger constituting members from different political parties is not enough. The agitation or desperation to win 2015 presidential election after the merger is still not the best way out of our mess. If the new party is out to meet the aspirations of the Nigerian people, there is urgent need to work on their manifestos, internal democracy and to eschew the politics of imposition and then convince Nigerians that the new party can make the difference.

    There are still bridges to cross. What do we say about the clash of interests among party leaders in the past that has led to failure and death of some political parties? For a successful taming and annihilation of a party that is controlling government at the centre, the opposition party must unite. Individual or personal interest should not be allowed at all.

    The lingering and heart-breaking issue in the land is no longer the name of your party. It is not the acronyms or how popular the party is across the globe. Nigerians right from the Second Republic till this moment has fallen victim of the big party. Yes! It is not the name but the individual that would bring succour to the downtrodden; not the thief that would acquire wealth for his immediate family but the servant that show concern for this dying generation. Nigerians are clamouring for quality of leadership, a leadership that cares and they yearn for the political party that produces the personality.

    • Alifia Sunday

    Ibadan.

  • Uduaghan: Combating poverty with health-care

    Uduaghan: Combating poverty with health-care

    The healthcare portfolio of Delta State has witnessed a steady and upward boost since its inception on August 27, 1991. The progress recorded in the health care sector in the past 22 years, especially since 1999 can be described as phenomenonal. The sector, particularly witnessed fundamental policy engineering under the

    administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with focus on enhanced healthcare delivery in the state. Today, Delta State stands out as one of the healthcare-conscious states in the federation on account of the accessibility of healthcare facilities to its citizens both in the urban and rural areas.

    Delta State, pursuant to one of Uduaghan administration’s three point agenda of human capital development, was the first among the 36 states of the federation to introduce and successfully implement the free maternal health care and the free rural scheme now being studied for implementation by some other states. This is in keeping with MDG goals.

    The state today boasts of six central hospitals, one General Hospital each in the 25 local government areas of the state, and comprehensive health centres spread across the states as well as primary health centres in almost every community in the state. It also boasts of a world class Oghara University Teaching Hospital, which ranks as one of the best in Africa with state-of-the-art facilities.

    To ensure adequate manpower for the sector, government under the Uduaghan administration has established a number of Nursing and Midwifery schools as well as a school of Health Technology across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    As an icing on the cake of its healthcare policies, the Uduaghan administration introduced the free rural health programme which ensures that health care delivery (men, materials and accessories) are moved from one rural area to another, dispensing quality healthcare service, covering all ailments, including surgeries, to all Deltans-young and old. Tens of thousand of Deltans have received effective healthcare service from this programme since inception with many immensely relieved, as well as enjoy the care at the hands of medical experts who run the motorized ultra modem clinics.

    Some evidence of the success of the Delta government healthcare programme is from the several testimonies of those it has impacted the most – the people. For instance, there was case of Ogechukwu Monye 24, in Oshimili North local government area, from Ibusa, who regained her sight after she was treated by the medical team on the rural health programme which was widely published.

    After her miraculous healing, the 24 year old said, “As you can see me now, I can see with both eyes. I am short of words to express my sincere gratitude to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan for making it possible for me to see again and for saving the lives of many people like me. Only God will sufficiently reward and strengthen them”.

    Another example is the case of an 85 years old peasant farmer, Raphael Enebeli, from Emuhu, Ika South local government area. He was successfully operated of cataract and Hernia. Pa Enebeli while reliving his happiness said, “My family will forever remain grateful to Governor Uduaghan for saving lives. May God continue to guide him and protect him as he pilots the affairs of the state”.

    Mary Igbiwie, 42 years, from Kolokolo, Warri North local government area though resides in Agbor, said “I was married for many years but could not bear children due to fibroid. I had no money to go for the surgery. I managed to get pregnant after a long time but since I had my child 11 years ago, I could not conceive again. I was advised to go for surgery to enable me conceive again but could not afford N150,000 charged in a hospital in Benin-city, Edo State and N120,000 in another hospital in Warri”.

    “When I heard of the state free rural health scheme, I did not believe that such expensive surgery could be done free of charge. I finally trapped them at Kwale. Initially I was afraid but the medical team calmed me down. They were very humane and kind hearted. The surgery was done successfully. God will bless Uduaghan for me”.

    There are plethora of cases similar to Mrs Igbinu Chinyere Nwaogu, 37 from Omumu, Ika South local government area. She was operated of fibroid. Earlier she could not afford N80,000 bill before help came through rural healthcare programme of Uduaghan. There were many more. Among these were Ugochi Nwose 36, from Okpanam, Oshimili North local government area who contended with acute waist pain and serial miscarriage linked with fibroid and Ngozi Nmose, from Ewuru-Agbor who got the fibroid which plagued her for years removed.

    Rosemary Obuseh lived with fibroid due to her inability to afford N100,000, before the regime of free rural healthcare. Suzana Ozorji, 55, from Emu-Obodeti had carried virginal prolepsics for 24 years. She said, “sometimes I noticed that my womb was always coming out, I used my hand to push it back whenever it happened. My family could nor afford the cost of corrective surgery over the years. The Uduaghan rural health team did the surgery for me free of charge”.

    They all said in their testimonies: “if we were to pay money, it wouldn’t have been this quick and easy. God will bless our governor, bless his family, everything he touches and all the people working with him”

    In the explanation of Dr. (Mrs) Akpe, Aghogho, a member of the medical team, over 60 persons had undergone surgeries at the Mobile Field Hospital between 2011 and 2013, since the scheme commenced out of which 38 cases were cataract extractions, hemorrhage (pile) and lymphoma. She also added that major surgeries close to 15 were referred to the central hospitals.

    It is also true and I agree with Mrs Esewezie, wife of the Ika South transition committee chairman, who observed that records have shown that since the inception of this scheme mobidity and life expectancy have improved in the state. Good life is here.

    Overall, I want to say that Delta State under the watch of Uduaghan has in the past 5-6 years established herself as pace setter in Nigerian health sector through the initiation and implementation of sound, people oriented health policy.

    Idama, lives in Delta State

  • Ajimobi and the audacity to transform

    In my writings, I have always been guided by Alex Haley’s immortal words, which he also modified into his personal motto, “Find the Good and Praise It”. The late Haley, bestselling author of ‘’Roots”” and ‘’Malcolm x”, who lived his life by these six words, profoundly believed that a lot of things could be wrong with something, but, if you look hard enough, you could find the good in it. And the good that you find is what you should comment about and praise it for.

    So, for me, as much as I could, I try to find the good and praise it. This encourages people, especially political and corporate leadership, to do more in the quest to uplift the society that we live in.

    Two years ago, an obviously elated Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at his inauguration as Governor of Oyo State, declared that the journey to restoration had begun. “Today, we begin the journey to restore efficient infrastructure in place of the year-long decay, restore integrity in our public institutions that have been perennially abused and compromised, restore the faith of our people in government, as against the regime of widespread scepticism and fright in the institution of government… The priorities of this administration shall thus be human capital development, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, integration revitalization, development of agriculture and the agro-allied industry, improved security and good governance,’’ he had said.

     A content analysis of this narrative however revealed nothing new or different from similar promises made and largely unfulfilled by past leaders in Oyo State. Therefore, there was nothing really to be excited about as we had heard even better nourished and sugar-coated words in the past without any concrete corresponding action towards the fulfilment of such promises made to the people.

    Often times, elected office holders recognize the need for certain drastic reforms which initially would be a painful and an unpopular measure, but would rather shy away from taking such risks for fear of being defeated when seeking re-election, believing that such suicide move  could sound the death knell of their political career.

    This was the case with past political leaders in Oyo State, the late Bola Ige administration being an exception. They lacked the political will to face the urgent challenge of transformation. These past leaders did not have the guts to effect change that would have ensured a better and robust life for the citizenry, but were more interested in selfishly sustaining their political relevance. They therefore woefully failed what the Americans call the Political Courage Test.

    When Senator Ajimobi came into office, Ibadan, the state capital was like a shanty town, with crudely built shacks littering almost every available space in the ancient city touted to be one of the largest and dirtiest cities in Africa. It therefore became imperative to put in place a transformation agenda that is proactive and at the same time drastic if he was to achieve any meaningful infrastructural development.

    Driven by a political will that is resilient and irrepressible, Ajimobi set about the onerous task  by putting in place a virile agenda that would correct the ills of the past and strategically reposition Oyo State for greater social and economic prosperity which ultimately benefits the people of all classes in the society.

    The uncompromising implementation of the reformation agenda was meant to present an environment that would eventually become a veritable investment destination. This could only mean one thing: that Ibadan, the state capital and its environs must transform from what Prof. J.P. Clark described as a “running splash of rust and gold, flung and scattered among seven hills like a broken china in the sun”.

    However, the first six months of the administration was a little on the quiet side as no concrete and visible infrastructural development was in place. This naturally gave the opposition the needed strength to vehemently criticize the administration as incompetent and unfortunately, majority of the people latched onto it.

    This was a period when a great deal of unpleasant insinuations about the governor and his government rent the air. Even journalists did not help matters then, so much that at a point, the governor, in response to a question that bordered on ineptitude, pointedly told reporters that he did not sign for 100 days or six months, but for four years.

    Twenty four months later, intensive implementation of the agenda has yielded and is still yielding great fruits. Transformation and reformation is now a big reality. Ibadan and its environs are now like one huge construction site. Roads are being constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, dualised or expanded all over the state. A flyover, the first to be constructed by any democratically elected government, has been commissioned, while about 10 bridges have been built and well over 40 rivers, canals and streams have been dredged. For a fact, at the last count, over 250 infrastructure development projects covering roads, bridges, health centres, neighbourhood markets, dredging of rivers and canals have been executed by the government, while other neighbourhood markets, an ultra modern business complex expected to accommodate over 4000 shops, 20 warehouses, banks, clinics, etc. at Samonda and other projects, are at various stages of completion.

    Two years on, people now sing a new song. Ajimobi has exceeded all expectations. He has achieved the set goals of his administration in two years. No governor before him achieved half of what he has accomplished in two years. These are some of the ‘lyrics’ of the new song.

    The shanties, the shacks have all but vanished from the Ibadan environmental space, something hitherto seen as impossible to achieve, and now replaced by a serene and deeply aesthetic environment like never before. The new-look Iwo Road inter-change and other major streets in the metropolis are now neat and beautifully adorned with flowers and functional street lights. If Oyo State in general and Ibadan, the state capital in particular, is looking this good now, one could then imagine how incredible the outlook would be by the end of the governor’s first term in office.

     There is no doubt that the reforms must have brought with it a lot of hardship, especially to the masses; they should however be comforted by the reasoning that the gains of reforms are permanent and far outweigh the pains that are very temporary.

    Ajimobi and his team may have proved to all and sundry that where there is a political will, there is always a way. The audacity to transform, the boldness to reform, not minding whose ox is gored in the process, could no doubt be politically suicidal, but Ajimobi realised that the penalties for ignoring such challenge are huge and which at some point in the near future may have become unsustainable and unrecoverable.

    He must keep up the good work; sustain the good flow of political intelligence and good governance which ultimately brings about social stability, political accountability, effective development and equitable distribution of resources.

    • Ogunremi was Chief Press Secretary to Governor Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State.

  • What’s happening to Nigeria?

    What’s happening to Nigeria?

    From time to time – quite often these days – being a citizen of Nigeria can be a weird experience. On such occasions, as one reads, listens to, or watches news of Nigeria on television or the internet, one almost has to pinch oneself to make sure one is not going through some sort of dream. It is weird.

    The trouble is that Nigeria is often operating on a wave-length different from that of the rest of the world. We Nigerians don’t often see reality the way the rest of mankind see it. We don’t even see our own country the way the rest of the world see it. Yes, it is weird – and it is very sad.

    Only recently, news media all over the world carried news of a research on Nigeria – a research done by some researchers linked to the United States Strategic Institute and Army War College system – the sources of much of the strategic planning by the United States government. The research analyzes Nigeria, and comes to the assessment that Nigeria is winding towards its end. The assessment contains such troubling statements as the following: “Nigeria is beset by chronic internal strife and unstable governments, corruption, poor human development and (poor) human rights records, and is a hub for international crime”.

    “Nigeria’s unity is threatened by disruptive forces that come from within its own borders”. “The forces that balance Nigerian unity are fragile and may fatally fracture Nigeria’s polity and state integrity”. “The existence of Nigeria as a unified state is in jeopardy”. Wow!!!

    While mulling over this report, the world is reminded of another report from about the same sources – the report which was published in about 2005, and in which it was predicted that Nigeria could break up in about 15 years. Of course, the likelihood is that most Nigerians have forgotten about that older report.

    And then, a few days ago, something tremendously damaging to the already shredded image of Nigeria came – unexpectedly – out of Africa. The African Union set up an observer team to go and observe the Zimbabwe general election due this week, and appointed Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, to lead it; and Zimbabwe government officials responded violently against the appointment of Obasanjo. Sure, this was against Obasanjo in person – but indirectly, and very significantly, it was a blast against Nigeria and Nigeria’s place in Africa.

    For some time in the past decade, most of Africa, and most of the wider world, regarded Nigeria as the pillar of order and security on the African continent. That image, most people would agree, was well deserved. In West Africa, Nigeria was the big force that made possible the creation of ECOWAS and its military arm, ECOMOG. In Africa itself, Nigeria was the biggest factor in the creation of the African Union in 2002. And in many of the troubled countries of West Africa and other parts of Africa since the late 1990s, Africa’s, and the world’s, efforts for peace have depended very mightily on Nigeria’s power and resources. Naturally, Nigeria has the right to expect a lot of prestige in Africa and the world for these contributions. And whether one likes Obasanjo or not, it is not easy to deny that he has been the most important Nigerian personage in all these West African and African contributions by Nigeria – the hero of the prestige that Nigeria achieved in the world for some time.

    To find, now, that a lot of Africans do not want Obasanjo to touch their country ought to be a shock to us Nigerians. The Zimbabweans list many instances in which, according to them, Obasanjo’s leadership of peace teams or observer teams has resulted in much trouble – because Obasanjo has usually tended to go with his own undemocratic and rigid presumptions, and has often thereby caused more difficulties. Really! So now, all that this man, and all that Nigeria, has done for Africa has been washed down the drain – all because we cannot resist the urge to take the character of Nigeria’s politics with us wherever we go in Africa. Is all this really happening?

    In short, the world is telling us – the world has been telling us for some time – that the moral and political monstrosity that we have built in Nigeria and that we call a country, has no place or chance among civilized humanity. Even our own Black African kith and kin are now telling us the same thing. Gradually, inexorably, the predictions against Nigeria’s place in the world, and against Nigeria’s continued existence, are becoming self-fulfilling prophecies.

    They never cease to come, these dolorous prophecies. Both from among perceptive Nigerians and from the rest of the world, they never cease to come. Some years ago, the best known Nigerian writer in the world, Wole Soyinka, said: “If nothing happens, I can’t guarantee what the people will do. I don’t rule out Nigeria breaking up. That is what happens to a failed state”. In a celebration by some Nigerians in the United States a few years ago, a celebration to which some august non-Nigerians were invited, a former United States ambassador to Nigeria delivered a lover’s rebuke to Nigeria. He said that in spite of Nigeria’s great population, oil wealth, and past contributions to peace-making and peace-keeping on the African continent, Nigeria was fast becoming irrelevant to his country, the United States, and to the world. And nothing says it more powerfully than the fact that two succeeding United States Presidents (George W. Bush and Barak Obama, the latter a son of Black Africa) visited Nigeria about three times altogether, and at none of those times was Nigeria (the home of about one-quarter of all of Black Africans) included in their itinerary.

    The greatest pity in the circumstance is that Nigeria does not take any notice of all these happenings. Nigerians do not care. For our political leaders, it is politics as usual. Today, every politician is scampering around, in preparation for the election of 2015 – even though it seems more and more unlikely that Nigeria will be in existence by 2015. In all the hurrying around, the quest is for power and more power – and, in the political culture of Nigeria, money and more money. There is a National Assembly to which every section of Nigeria elects some representatives; but one hardly ever hears the meaningful voices of the various sections of Nigeria in the counsels of the National Assembly. A friend told me recently that every morning, when the President of the Senate comes to take his seat, the Senators line up for him to pass – like a king inspecting a Guard of Honour. Why? Because the Senators are competing to show their faces to the Senate President – so as to win his favour and thus get appointed by him onto the most lucrative committees of Senate, or onto high-yielding delegations! The soul of the system is one’s self and one’s personal gain. The health and future of the country are not worth any consideration. In the context of Nigeria, a lot of decent folks have retreated downwards with Nigeria into a den of darkness and barbarism.

    There is no hope that Nigeria will ever tackle any of its debilitating and fissiparous problems seriously. Leading Nigerians are just too busy scrambling and hustling for power and wealth to even notice that their country has any problems. And too many among the masses of Nigerians are just too submissive, or simply too hopeful of some share in the big men’s loot, to stand up and insist on solutions to their country’s problems. It is impossible to say what the future holds in store. But the omens don’t look good.

  • Divorce made simple

    A ‘heavy’ matter lands in the stomach (make that mind) of an elder with a gentle, intelligent thud. This, of course, is by no means the wise word of Hardball, no; it is the profound saying of Yoruba sages of ages gone by. So why are we rummaging the archive for ancient sayings? Simple, we want to brooch the very sensitive matters of marriage and divorce and bearing in mind that Nigeria’s super star actress, our own Funke Akindele (of Jenifa fame) recently married and recently divorced, it is only meet to let this issue land in the bowels of Hardball with an indulgent thud.

    Let’s face it, man and woman marriage (yes we must make that distinction) is getting to be a tough proposition in this digital age. Surely, marriage as we used to know it – the holy matrimony of man and woman coming under oath to live together, no matter the weather till death part them – may well need to be re-tinkered for the modern man. It is either man has upped his game or he has reached the end of his tether. For instance, our maker did not configure man to sleep with fellow man or to be joined in matrimony. But today’s man has reconfigured himself to co-habit with fellow man and be joined together as man and ‘wife’ or maife if you prefer.

    Shall we then say that at this evolutionary juncture of man, the traditional marriage has become an analogue concept if not doomed entirely? And remember that even for the best of us marriages can sometimes be trying; so many marriages are actually being endured as one or even both parties seem to live in perpetual hurt. Though most unmarried people who are of marriage age would do nigh anything to get their own life partner, but the obverse is that many in a marriage relationship wished they could get a break from it or just break it up entirely. A family friend, (a couple), have been considering an idea Hardball finds novel which entails taking a break from wedlock, something like ‘marriage leave’.

    Marriage in its traditional form is truly endangered and statistics are grim. It is said that about 50 per cent of couples in the U.S. are likely to get divorced. About 11 percent of adult population is assumed to be currently divorced and 25 per cent of couples will get into at least one divorce in their lifetime. Britain is said to have the highest rate of divorce in the European Union with about 2.8 break-ups in every 1000 couples. The Australian Institute of Family Studies has found a growing trend of more divorces after 20 years of marriage which was a rarity hitherto.

    So far, we have been speaking about citizens Joe and Jane. Celebrities as you know are in this plane but they are not of this world. They do everything to death and that is exactly what they have done to your good old marriage. Super celebrity, Sinead O’Connor’s marriage lasted 18 days; Britney Spears’ lasted 50 days; Kim Kardashian’s was on for only 72 days and our own Funke Akindele’s, lasted about 14 months. Remember these are not mere mortals like you and I, these are otherworldly denizens living in a realm probably near the clouds. Just one awkward, offhand sentence on the World Wide Web and its all over: so simple, so uncomplicated way to untie that troublesome marriage knot.

    But for those who still care, there is some succour yet to be found in the story of St. Rita of Cascia. She is the obscure patron saint of abuse victims, impossible causes and marriage difficulties. She conquered a tortuous marriage with prayer and fasting and by “living a life exemplified by patience, kindness and humility.” Though obscure, she is still there interceding for troubled souls.

  • The god of Zimbabwe

    The god of Zimbabwe

    His visage looks eerily cadaverous on the front page of a national newspaper. He has won an election yet again but it seems elections have worn him. It must be deliberate that the editor had pasted that old, wizened mug on his cover so bold and large apparently exhibiting a vicarious, impotent rage on the 5th coming of Robert Mugabe to power in Zimbabwe. The 90-year-old overlord of the impoverished southern African country is declared to have won his country’s presidential election once again by a wide margin last Sunday. He has another 5-year term by which end he would have been 95 years old.

    At an age when most men can hardly stand, how much more stand for an election, Mugabe’s political longevity must have a correlation to his physiological endowments. Those who thought that age and indeed, senility would have mellowed the old fox were nonplussed and even chagrined at the ‘failure’ of Morgan Tsvangirai , his main opponent in the last few years, to send him into retirement. Mugabe who runs under Zanu-PF has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain since 1980 won by 61 per cent against 34 per cent by Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, (MDC). Zanu-PF also secured 152 of the 210 seats in parliament availing Mugabe a two-thirds majority to re-write Zimbabwe’s constitution in his own persona and even flowery words. By the time he is through, heavens know Mugabe would transmogrify into a deity and continue to rule Zimbabwe by proxy. A little tinkering of the constitution will make sure of that.

    Having achieved life presidency by hook and crook, now with the instrumentality of the constitution, he would fashion out for his self the title of ETERNAL PRESIDENT. It would be enshrined in the book of course, so that it would be a sacrilege to pronounce that Mugabe died; he will only transmute to a higher realm from whence he would continue to rule his beloved country. On bended knees and with heads perpetually bowed in worship, his people will continue to receive his divine guidance and direction from carefully taped voice-overs. Beware, Mugabe will not disappoint.

    He never disappointed. The classic African big man; a post-colonial contraption in the mold of Idi Amin of Uganda, Hastings Banda of Malawi, Mobutu Sese Seko of Congo to name a few, he outfoxed all his opponents (like Joshua Nkomo) and outlived most of his contemporaries. Having played a key role in winning independence for Zimbabwe from errant British imperialists, power simply shifted from one coloniser to another. He has held his country in thrall for 33 years using all sorts of tricks – from brute force and intimidation to divide and rule; hunger and poverty.

    It is discomfiting that the African Union’s election observers considered Zimbabwe’s election free and fair but it is not in the least surprising if you remember that the leader of the observer team is a certain Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who is not known to be enamoured of free and fair election nor is he a man given naturally to procedural integrity or democratic principles. It is on record that domestic monitors said a large number were unable to vote; the US described the election as a “deeply flawed process”, Australia suggests a fresh poll and a commissioner in the electoral commission resigned in disgust. Of course, Tvangirai has refused to acknowledge defeat, insisting that he would not legitimise a “fraudulent” and “stolen” election.

    Now that Mugabe has done his time, squandered his children’s and is now wasting his grand children’s era, may we all just say, all hail the god of Zimbabwe!

     

  • Still on the’Biafranization’ of Public Service

    SIR: Not too long ago, Citizen Yushau Shuaib, a public affairs commentator dared to draw global attention to coordinated attempts to ‘Biafranize’ appointments into key offices in the economic sub-sector of the Nigerian economy. In the said piece, Malam Shuaib backed up his claims with verifiable facts and figures and further stressed the need for such an agenda to be halted forthwith in the interest of the nation and its entire citizenry.

    Even though the very brilliantly and flawlessly written piece was far from being termed an intellectual error, some maliciously tagged it one. It is laced with incontestable facts and time-bound advice for all, especially Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the dire consequences of her action at a time Nigeria is desperately in search of peace and unity.

    The piece drew the ire of many, especially those benefiting from the awkward development and those who felt it was a calculated attack on the Igbo nation by the monolithic north. As always, those who kicked against the piece made no effort to deeply reflect on the salient message contained in it, but so poured venoms on the writer simply because he bore Arabic names (Yushau Shuaib) and branded him an Hausa man!

    Why can’t we always see ourselves first as Nigerians before identifying with our respective ethnic groupings or heritage? We often fly the ethnic kite and advance parochial views during debates and deliberations thereby relegating our dear country to the background. We must have a change of heart and retune our mindsets with particular reference to putting Nigeria first in thoughts and actions.

    As argued by Malam Yushau, recent appointments into some key federal establishments seem to have favoured one part of the country at the expense of other regions. For instance, Nigeria’s Economic sub-sector has become the exclusive preserve of the Igbo nation.

    Check out this lopsided arrangement: Dr Mrs Okonjo-Iweala not only heads the Finance Ministry, she equally presides over the Economic Management Team. Emeka Eze (Igbo) is Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Onyeama Oscar (Igbo), Director General, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms Aruma Oteh (Igbo), Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Uche Orji (Igbo), Nigeria Investment Sovereign Authority (NISA), Mustapha Chike Obi (Igbo), Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Bright Okogu (Igbo), Director General, Budget Office, and Abraham Nwankwo (Igbo), Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO).

    Unfortunately for the Igbo nation, one of the key government owned financial agencies in the economic sub-sector not presently headed by another Igbo-Nigerian is the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Strangely, months after the exit of its former result-oriented and award-winning chairperson, Mrs Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, a northerner, Malam Kabir Mashi has been heading the establishment, though in an acting capacity! Many have indeed wondered what is really holding back the Minister from ensuring his confirmation as substantive chairman of the FIRS.

    We are not unaware of the politics, intrigues and strange considerations that usually define appointments into certain positions. The question that has been begging for an immediate answer is, what probably might be the reason why Malam Kabir Mashi is yet to be made the substantive head of the FIRS? That Malam Mashi is the most senior person in the FIRS is not in doubt. Then, why the delay in confirming his appointment?

    We cannot realize the Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations when we don’t give a hoot on issues of injustice, cheating and denial of rights and privileges. It is morally wrong for some individuals to deny their fellow brothers access to what is rightly theirs.

     

    • Abdullahi Yunusa,

    Minna, Niger State.

     

  • Now that APC is registered

    SIR: History was made on July 31 when the All Progressives Congress, APC, after much hassle was finally registered by INEC. This marked the first successful merger of political parties in the country’s political history. Kudos must go to the merging parties, the ACN, CPC and ANPP, and especially to General Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the exemplary maturity in subordinating personal interests to a higher cause.

    The birth of a baby is usually accompanied by jubilation and great expectations. This is even more so when the arrival of the baby had been foretold and it is seen as one to bring about positive change. There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerians have not fared any better since the return of democracy 14 years ago. In fact things seem to have gone from bad to worse. Having reposed so much trust in a single party all these while with nothing to show for it, discerning Nigerians wonder if perhaps another party should not be given a chance to run the affairs of the country. For such Nigerians, the coming together of three major political parties is a very welcome development.

    The APC is like a newborn whose birth was not only greatly anticipated but who is also expected to positively touch the lives of people. Great are the expectations on the shoulder of this newborn baby. Many Nigerians see the APC as saviour; they hope and expect so much from it. Some people, however, hope, and even pray that the party fail. Now, will the party disappoint its supporters or detractors?

    I have no doubt about the personal integrity and capability of much of the party’s leadership. The question is: can they bring it to effectively bear on the party? I sincerely hope they do. Many years of deceit and disappointment have engendered cynicism among the Nigerian populace. Some have already concluded that the APC will be no different from the ruling party. Will the party prove the cynics right or wrong? I sincerely hope they are proven wrong.

    The country is at a historic crossroad and the APC seem to have been born for a historic mission. To fulfill this all important mission, however, it must make a break from the old ways things have often been done. It must prove itself to be different. The APC must steer clear of those unhealthy tendencies that have hindered the ruling party from delivering democracy dividends to Nigerians.

    First, APC must strive to have a huge membership base. It can achieve this by throwing its door open and making itself easily accessible to Nigerians. The party’s manifesto should not just be a piece of paper bearing lofty ideas but a set of sacred ideals to be adhered to. The party must also endeavour to encourage democratic ideals within its ranks.

    Great indeed are the expectations of Nigerians from APC but I have this belief that the party will not disappoint. With the many leading lights from across the country in the party, including Senators Chris Ngige and Annie Okonkwo, I don’t see why the party should not succeed. The hurdle of registration has just been crossed; now, let the work begin.

    • Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

     

  • From the cell phone

    For Olatunji Dare

     

    Pa Alade Allah De lived a life that is worth emulating. He was a very hard working man and a detribalised Nigerian. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Papa, as we remember you, may the mercy of God be upon you. Sleep well. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos

    Re:”Allah De: A model, and a monument.” For a non-corrupt, diligent, fearless and honest Nigerian; our prayer is paradise – Al-Jannah Firdaus. May his gentle soul rest in peace. From Lanre Oseni

    Re:”Allah De: A model, and a monument” personified. Surely, there is no greater tribute. From Alhaj Hon ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

     

    The PDP said the presidency is not jittery over the new born baby APC but they are murmuring. With the birth of APC, the funeral rite of the PDP is being conducted everyday by its members. It is obvious that the ruling party sponsored another party with the same acronym to scuttle the merger. But yet, the presidency said it is not threatened. Though the presidency might not be jittery now but when the new born baby grows up and becomes a landlord, the PDP will know the meaning of jittery. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    I read your article titled “A big deal”. It is educative. I pray that the birth of the new child APC will bring an end to authoritarian rule and purposeless leadership. From Rotimi Felix, Kabba, Kogi state

    This is a big deal and it is heart-warming. The birth of this new baby – APC – has brought a lot of fresh air and hope to our people. It will also bring about the rise and fall of many. I agree with you completely that internal democracy should be the key word that will make the difference. I salute the irrepressable courage and doggedness of the founding fathers, particularly, our own visionary leader and political master-strategist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s democratic voyage. Congratulations to all true progressives. From Dr. Abiola Ajijola, Lagos

    There are many forces against a newly born baby; there are evil spirits, evil illnesses, wicked/envious persons and baby thieves, waiting to cause one harm or the other to the new baby. So, it may be, today, with APC. Therefore, it is wrong to ascribe to one individual the successful registration of APC. It is too early to do that. Besides, doing that would be unfair to other APC leaders. That we do not become the forces against our newly born baby – APC – please, let every person, commentator or writer check his/her tongue. From Ekere, Lagos

    The birth of APC has put the ruling party in disarray. All the antics of the PDP were futile. It is now clear to the party and its members that there is no champion forever. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    Registration of APC as a political party is a welcome development. 20l5 general election will be interesting because APC is on ground. Two-party system is knocking on our door. It is a good thing. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State

    Re: “A big deal”. The struggle and registration of APC is the begining of democracy in Nigeria. Now, it is strength for strength, power for power, Naira-Dollar for Naira-Dollar and tactics for tactics. Credit goes to all those who persevered. Expecting good elections in 2014 through 2015. From Lanre Oseni

    Congrats on the registration of APC. But sir, with due respect, you seem to be one-sided in your article. I expected you to give credit to others’ efforts. Please, do not let us take off with this error. Thank you. From Dr. Maxwell Ugwanyi, Enugu

    Sir , may the good Lord give you strength, good health and long life. “A big deal”’ is history for mature politians. Thanks, for keeping hope alive. From Igboko S. C. (A Librarian)

    Interesting, it is a nice development. I strongly believe that APC will give us the best. From Ebiowei Orufa, Bayelsa state

    Sir, good talk for Nigerians, hope they will listen. From Ola Balogun, Lagos

    Thank you for the beautiful piece. APC needs our prayers. The nation desperately deserves the options that this platform can provide. From Oriakhi K. O. Benin

    Sir, do not let us harp much on Asiwaju’s contribution to the success of the merger. The enemies of progress will always want to make a meal out of it. Even if we do not sing it, Jagaban deserves all the praises. But we just need to be cautious so that reactionaries will not start their antics by potraying APC as a one-man show. From Olu

    Asiwaju Tinubu is the kind of leader we need in this country. He is somebody who believes in progressivism and welfare of the people. In Nigeria today, the birth of APC has brought so much hope. APC can give our lower class a relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. From Benjamin Bem Akaa, Benue State.

    Sir, there is nothing to rejoice about in the emergence of APC. Nigerian politics is bestrode with visionless leaders. The beautiful ones are yet to be born. All we pray for is divine revolution and a benevolent leader who will do the right things. We do not need a democracy that slows down progress. Nigeria is not ripe for democracy. We need good leaders with iron hands to rule us and not charlatans that call themselves democrats. From Napoleon

    Congratulation! But it is necessary for APC to check new member, especially the those from the PDP who feel APC is the alternative platform to express their grievances with PDP. I assure you that they will bring down APC. From Opeoluwa Leji, Abuja

     

    For Olakunle Abimbola

     

    Your write-up “Of leaders and dealers: Soyinka vs Clark” was thought provoking. Honestly, people like Clark are no longer useful to Nigeria. He may be useful to the Ijaws but at the national level he is an irritant. If only our society were like that of the Greeks, he would have long been a candidate of hemlock administration and would not be missed at all. From Kwaghfan Tarnongo, Makurdi

    Let the Muslim far North take over the goverment come 2015 and let me see if our Yoruba people will be well represented in that goverment, do you think a leopard can change its colour? Let me tell you if you do not know, the Muslim far North remains the Yoruba no one enemy politicaly. Think with your brain. From Mudashiru Adeleye

    Olakunle, is it not better the northern governors face their Boko Haram problem? Is the suspension of Obioakpor Local Government Chiarman democratic? Please, leave Jonathan alone. Anonymous

    It is good to call a spade by its name. There are politicians reaping from where they did not son. I keep wondering at their line of reasoning. Can Ijaw votes alone give Jonathan 2015? They have forgotten the role played by illustrious Yoruba sons, when Jonathan was treated like a second class citizen when Yar’Adua was sick and even after his death. Well, we are watching the melodrama going on. From Monday Peter Iyara

    Absolutely, I guess you are living in a different country and not Nigeria. Is the Rivers’ crisis more threatening to democracy than the Boko Haram genocide in the North? What have you and your so-called four governors done to stop the madness? Anonymous

    Oh my God! Please repeat your Republican Ripples of 30/07/13 two times more and remind the ‘agbaiyas’ that the Yoruba contributed more than 80% to win the war for democracy and even fought to make sure their godson was rescued from the strangulation of the Yar’Adua cabal. From Wole

    I loved your comments. Tell those ‘dealer elders’ what they should know. In fact, it is a shame that ethnic and tribal sentiments have completely eroded their sense of good judgment, thereby metamorphosing them into sycophants who defend and uphold impunity by the executive. What a shame! From John O.N. Port Harcourt

    Your article on Soyinka vs Clark was thought provoking. It is quite unfortunate that Clark and others see Jonathan as an Ijaw President rather than the President of the country. A Yoruba saying says: gbogbo nkan lo njo ara-oko loju (A villager is always carried away by anything new. Jonathan, unfortunately, is a novice in the art of politics, given his antecedents. There is a limit to goodluck which is now his albatross. Soyinka has advised, and rightly too. It is left to those who have ears to hear. As for Clark, I pity him because he is getting old and probably suffering from amnesia which has beclouded his sense of judgment because of pecuniary obligation. He is not sure of the next meal after the exit of Jonathan. From Chief Arise Oyediran, Ilesha

    Kunle, thanks for bringing us back to memory lane. The case of Edwin Clark and Jonathan can be likened to Six and Half a dozen. The problem is either they do not read newspapers or they are mischievous or both. But thank God Soyinka is not like the duo. From Babatope Odugbemi, State Of Osun

    Re: “Of leaders and dealers, Soyinka vs Clark.” Edwin Clark came to limelight only with the presidency of his protege and he will remain there for as long as Jonathan is the landlord of Aso Rock. The man is a political contractor, a dealer fighting for his own survival and not even for the Ijaws, let alone the Southsouth. Soyinka’s pedigree is a testimony to the trials of truth under agressive focus. He is a leader. The presidency and some renegades are probably mistaking ‘Kongi’ for some ‘local champion’. They do not know that Soyinka’s voice is equal to that of NTA, FRCN, VON, and others. Any doubts? Ask Abacha. By the time ‘Kongi’ is through with these people, they will be sorry. Soyinka has already informed us of the ‘She-ppo’ and the ‘He-ppo’ in the Delta. May God help the restive ‘Obokun’, ‘Catfish’ and innocent ‘fingerlings’ in the troubled Delta. From Kayode A., Abeokuta

     

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

     

    Thank you, Tunji, for your article, ‘From ‘The Dikko affair to Dikko committee’. You don’t expect a snake to give birth to a short and dwarfish child. PDP is the grandson of the NPN. From the governors’ forum election result, you don’t need to forecast what the result of 2015 will be. Where is Ayo Salami, the appeal court judge? The impeachment crisis in Rivers State is the colour of the PDP methodology. Anything that has a beginning must have an end. From Ichipi Sam.

    I agree that many bad people are running the country because the social order rejects the good ones. Unless the social system is changed, the imperialists will continue to rule Nigeria. The Dikkos and Obasanjos represent the brutal social system. Thanks. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

    I agree with you on PDP and Dikko. A man who is not disciplined is now a disciplinarian; anything is welcomed in PDP. Anonymous.

    Tunji, what is the rationale behind the PDP making Alhaji Umaru Dikko head a disciplinary committee, considering his role in the Second Republic? What has Alhaji Dikko to offer that made the PDP appoint him to such important position? When are we going to stop recycling never-do-wells in government? Is this how to move Nigeria forward? So, there is no other person in the party that can do the job assigned to Alhaji Dikko? When are we going to learn from our past record? It is enough evidence that PDP is not serious about fighting corruption. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    Tunji, you wrote well, particularly in telling the younger generation about what took place in the Second Republic. But are you saying that Buhari is better than Umaru Dikko? You may be wrong … Take Obasanjo back to 1976 when he was running away from becoming the head of state after the assassination of Gen. Murtala Muhammed. And capture this same Obasanjo who wanted an unprecedented third term in office that was not entrenched in our constitution . Tunji, if it is stealing of public funds, then look to the Hill Tops of Niger and you will find them. Sometimes people change. Leave Umaru Dikko alone. From M. Agbede of Bayelsa State.

    I read your comment on the Umaru Dikko committee. Quite interesting and I appreciate the write-up on the stupidity and poor administration of the ruling party. In the next few months, Nigerians will start moving towards the right path in an attempt to have a good government. From Alhaji Y. Abubakar, Kogi State.

    A pity you did not give Dikko his full compliment by adding that he was the NPN’s boy wonder as his choice words were unique and the president may find them handy now. Or, have you forgotten that he expressed his disappointment that he had not seen us eat from dustbins then. Alhaji, over to you jare, and don’t mind my ‘ngbati’ brother. Anonymous.

    Re: ‘From the ‘Dikko affair’ to the Dikko committee’. Papa Umaru Dikko of rice and people were yet to eat from the dustbins? Then, that committee and the party, PDP are taking existing jokes too far against 2015! A serious committee such as disciplinary committee is not to see Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a member not to talk of Dr Umaru Dikko as its chairman. Hearing names of the two may seriously dissuade voters for their party in 2015. Who is misadvising Mr. President? The gentle president should redirect whoever constituted that committee to reconstitute it to avoid party dent. From Lanre Oseni.

    I enjoyed your tonic on ‘The’ Dikko affair’ to the Dikko committee’ One thing you left out was that Dikko insinuated that Nigerians have not started to eat from dustbins, when he was asked about the state of our economy in the Second Republic. But on a serious note, is Dikko still alive or are you referring to his son or junior brother? If he is still alive, then the PDP must be very sick and confused. From Chief Iorte Johnson Gboko, Benue State.