The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Nigerian presidency and the northern death spell

    Nigerian presidency and the northern death spell

    The eagle had no immunity against the intensity of cosmic light, being unknown to the cosmic sun rising from the East. In the intensely luminous year 2009, when the sun ran its course and peaked in the North before journeying to set in the West, it was expected that the eagle’s head will be scorched and its crown dissolved.

    The peaking point of luminous year 2009 was the eleventh month of November. Doom of the living principal Northern Icon was sealed at the closure of the evolutionary triangle of cosmic illumination in the following evolutionary order of days: Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Friday, November 20, 2009; Sunday, November 29, 2009. The numerological order of this sequence is 33, 42 and 51 derived from the calculation of 11 (number of November) + 11 (of the day) + 11 (of year 2+0+0+9), 11 (number of November) + 20 (of the day 2+0) + 11 (of year 2+0+0+9), and 11 (number of November) + 29 (of the day 2+9) + 11 (of year 2+0+0+9). All these numbers, digit summed in numerology, revolve to figure 6, the number of the Sun and intensely expressive illumination.

    In Yoruba cosmology derivable from the Odu-Ifa mythology, Wednesday, Ojoru, is a day in which all evils berthed on earth, and on which those who perform the necessary sacrifices are expected to avoid the evils. In the utilitarian philosophic sense, sacrifice here is really not the material sacrifice of anthropological interpretations of traditional religious culture, but of the essences propounded in the fourth noble truth of Buddhist philosophical tradition which enunciates an eightfold path to peace which are as follows: Right mindedness, right concentration, right intention, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right speech, right views.

    In the spirituality of days in Ifa tradition, Friday, called Ojo Eti, is the day of evolution of trouble and spiritual siege. Sunday, Ojo Aiku, is the day of immortality. Of the aforementioned triangle, at the time of manifestation of Orunmila (that is, Open-Heavens of Fate), the first determination was the evil day (Wednesday) by agreement of emanations from Nigerian Coat of Arms which operate in the form of what the Yoruba call aba, i.e, wishful decree to the powers of Heaven. Instead of experiencing the good fortune of number 33—a master number vibration of healing derivable from the Sun, the Presidency Icon was exposed to a manifestation of terminal infirmity by aarun ojise iku (spirit of disease, the messenger of death). In cosmic evolution, at the formation of the first point of the triangular base in the Eastern cosmic space on Friday, 2oth of November, the Presidential Icon came under the full spiritual siege of terminal infirmity. At the triangle closure in the Western cosmic space by Sunday, November 29, 2009, the advantage of immortality was non-existent, and the Presidential Icon’s mortality by terminal infirmity was sealed at sunset.

    The metaphysical abstraction stated posits that the cosmos of nature as determined by the Coat of Arms never favored a Northern leadership in Nigeria, even though the cosmic evolution of the effect of the said Coat of Arms placed a Northerner on the Presidential seat—to face a ruthless and invincible cosmic revolt and opposition. The natural revolt was expected to be most intense if the Northern Presidency emanated from the 90 degrees range of the Northwest direction where the eagle faces, and which also represents the crown of the head. Incidentally, the degree range is the space occupied by the State of Katsina (which was Yar Adua’s state of Origin) on the Nigerian map. The scorching effect of the sun drained up the water contents of the eagle like it will drain water completely from earth devoid of spring, thus creating the emaciated cadaverous image (i.e., extremely thin and pale). In reality, this manifested physically in the fate of late President Yar’Adua in the year 2009.

    The Northern decline and Jonathan’s ascension

    The Northern decline began at the turn of the century and millennium. Turn of every millennium is an indicator of cosmic re-arrangement and crossover. It is a potential cause of the rise and fall of civilizations and empires largely determined by the influence of civic icons. As for Nigeria, although the Red Eagle and Horses on the Coat of Arms still appear to be in a fixed state, in metaphysical evolution and history, at the turn of the century and millennium in 1999, all theese astral images naturally repositioned in a state of rest and chaos. The horses have since let go of the shield that elevates the distressed eagle which has since crashed with the shield and is buried in the devastation of Nigeria’s cosmic earth and waters through the wreath space, leaving its evil ghost to haunt the Presidency. In the plunge, the eagle drew upon itself and the South-South destination some elements of the treacherous spirit of the Horse (which, by vibrations of Odu-Ifa Obara Owonrin, is imported into the sub-consciousness of Eastern and Western Nigerian political class the spirit of treachery—in view of contest, akin to the Ifa legend in which the horse entered into a conspiracy to kill the beautiful deer before a scheduled dance contest in which the deer was favorite). Most unfortunately for the Red Eagle, it was without energy to flee from the cataclysm unlike the Horses which experience some cosmic earth-slide and struggle to find their feet on natural cosmic earth.

    By the millennial turn that caused the Horses to let go of the shield on which the eagle perched uncomfortably on a wavy band, the Red Eagle’s plunge headed towards the down-south direction of the Nigerian Coat of Arms. The plunge created a vacuum in the cosmic space of leadership and terminated the Eagle’s ill cosmic fortune in the national space of subconscious direction. As a rule of causal science, nature abhors vacuum, and therefore, there was bound to be a cosmic exchange of position. In the Eagle’s down-south plunge through the wreath, advantages of leadership position and the cosmic fortune which crowned the North spattered over the Down-South of the Coat of Arms, bringing a burden of crisis upon the space of the Down South axis where the fortune roosts to fill the empty space of national leadership. A physical manifestation of this metaphysical historical evolution is the ascension of President Goodluck Jonathan, of the Down-South axis of the Coat of Arms, to the position of Nigeria’s Head of State.

    Bayelsa’s inheritance of the Northern death spell

    By the creation of the proposed Coat of Arms for Bayelsa, the principal evil immediately incarnated from the Nigerian Coat of Arms Red Eagle into the Bayelsan and National space was the death spell which overcame late president Yar’Adua and which still saturates the Northern space in a different dimension. It was expected by presumption that the spell of death was predestined to primarily haunt Mr. President’s space by incarnation, which means that death will occur within it, but the manner and targets cannot be precisely predicted, just as the Presidents’ space may refer to those directly connected to him. His wife was expected to be the first target of the vibration of death emanating from the eagle, because she is a principal officer in the government of Bayelsa State (as Permanent Secretary) and co sharer of the National Coat of Arms seal as the first lady by virtue of office. By this, she takes precedence over the President and the Governor in death choice; for, like a maxim in the law of equity posits: “when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails”.

    Dame Patience Jonathan was reported very ill around the time of the inauguration of the Bayelsan Coat of Arms, but she escaped death by whiskers. Somehow, the death which lurked around Mr. President’s space however struck against his brother on Mr. President’s 55th birthday in November 2012. A coincidence it may seem to be, but the order of astral program of peculiar arts emanating powerful ether vibrations will always run its course. Assuming the first lady of Nigeria was not a part of the Bayelsa State Government, the death would expectedly have manifested in the space of the State Governor without any hope of an escape. Having roosted on the Mr. President’s brother, it was presumed in prognosis that the death had concluded its first dimensional manifestation in the Presidential space, and that the next space of manifestation was expected to be that of the co-sharer of the Nigerian Coat of Arms seal in the hierarchy of government, i.e., the Vice Presidential space.

    Perhaps the Vice President’s wife does not have an official position in the government of her husband’s state of origin, therefore, the equity rule is presumably not expected to arise, and the deathly vibration of the eagle emanating from the Bayelsan contaminated space was speculatively expected to manifest against the Governor of the Vice President’s State of origin, i.e., Kaduna State. It was not precisely known how this was to manifest, but could be traced to any other astral icon on the proposed Bayelsan Coat of Arms. It was presumed that the deathly essence of the Red Eagle on the proposed version seals the deathly art vibrations of the unintelligent image of the ‘fishes out of water’. The two fishes are identified as shark and dolphin. Dolphins are aquatic icons of military intelligence—of Naval Command in particular. The configuration is very bad for the Nigerian Navy and this is most probably the metaphysical historical cause of the death of a former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, in a Nigerian Navy helicopter crash in Bayelsan territory.

    The worst imaginable situation may be sealed in Nigeria by month of November of the expressively luminous year 2013, (2+0+1+3 = 6), on the normalcy platform of a cosmic triangle beginning from Thursday, November 7 through Saturday November 16 and Monday, November 25. Thursday, in the cosmic essence of days derivable from Odu-Ifa, is a new beginning of cosmic course when Sun returns to its normal course. It is within the powers of Governments to check the art forces unsuspectingly dealing devastating blows on Nigeria’s fate. To save Nigerian Presidency (as an office and institution) now and in the future, irrespective of which geo-political zone or political party occupies the position of Head of State, the National Coat of Arms (alongside the first Stanza of the National anthem and the pledge) must cease to exist by the force of legislation. Reasons stated are the most easily explainable so far for public knowledge. The Nigerian Coat of Arms is a common enemy to every Nigerian and the world. In its potential to permeate the global space, the gate of evil cosmic influence will be open through Nigeria’s mother—Britain. As a rule of practical metaphysical science, it is much easier to effect good changes from the astral plane in physical existence than using all the forces in the world to put things right on earth. It is written in Ecclesiastes 10 verse 10 that ‘Wisdom is profitable to direct’.

    Every nation has a right to adopt a Coat of Arms. In doing so, there must be an understanding of what it is. A Coat of Arms is an armorial achievement or bearing. Its use by countries is known as civic heraldry. It originates from European culture and is a symbolic code and sign post of family or fraternal history and aspirations. Its use in Nigeria constitutes an improper and miscalculated adoption of foreign culture, thus constituting a colossal cultural and spiritual catastrophe. In Nigeria, it is the seal of the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the Vice President in both the Military and Civilian regimes of government. As a matter of necessity, it is also used by the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms of government. It is the principal astral base of evolutions of indigenous cultures and national will.

  • You misquoted me

    I refer to the interview Sunday Oguntola had with me which was published on page 26 of The Nation on Sunday, of June 23, 2013 with the caption “Why Igbo Presidency is impossible in 2015.”

    This headline is very erroneous and misleading. Reading through the interview, one could see where you lifted your caption from. The words impossible and 2015 were not there at all.

    Please correct this wrong impression as I could never have said that Igbo presidency is impossible. Being a representative of an Igbo constituency who believes in equity and justice, I am sure that the Igbo as a major ethnic group will have their turn at the Presidency, but they need to be united and work with other Nigerians to realize it, as I said in the interview.

    Dr. Eddie Mbadiwe

  • Tribute to Fashola at 50

    Tribute to Fashola at 50

    SIR: The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria salutes the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) as he attains the golden age of 50. His 50 years have been well spent in the service of fatherland and the country will always reflect the laudable landmarks he had brought to re-define governance in Lagos in generations to come.

    Fashola entrenched noble values in the years he spent as the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor and mostly in the six years he has steered the ship of Lagos. His tribe needs to be replicated in every state and at the federal level for Nigeria to start real and meaningful progress march, in the face of the seemingly insurmountable challenges that strut the country.

    We salute Fashola, as he marches on with the template of good governance and redefines the sphere and scope of good governance in a badly governed country as Nigeria. We salute his courage, dexterity, sense of purpose and discipline in governing a complex, heavily populated and sophisticated state like Lagos, with its potentials and challenges. We salute the vision with which he creates a state that will not only serve the present but deal with the challenges of the future. We salute his competence in working out an effective state that handles the problems and anxieties of the bulk of Nigeria’s youths and employable, yet unemployed population. We hail Governor Fashola’s proactive role in equipping out a mega city with a capacity to absorb the over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s productive sector and fend for their dependents in other parts of Nigeria.

    We cannot but hail him as he continues to make indelible improvements in all sectors of the governance of Lagos. At 50, we believe he is still at the early stages of his service to Nigeria. We see him as a rare gift, acknowledged by all Nigerians across party lines and we believe that men like him hold the key to the country’s progress at a time the country is overwhelmed by feeling of hopelessness occasioned by bad, incompetent and corrupt leadership, especially at the centre. We see Fashola as nature’s rare gift the country needs to further tap to engage and fruitfully resolve the multifarious problems besetting the nation. We see Fashola as a positive role model the nation needs to export and indeed popularize among its youths and coming generations for the resuscitation of the flagging country.

    Lagos ACN feels proud of his achievements and holds it as a testimonial of the commitment of the party to improving the lives of Lagosians and Nigerians in general. We see him as a very positive brand the country needs to improve on the ever worsening face of governance in Nigeria. We therefore recommend him for higher roles at the national level, after his service in Lagos for we still insist that only the best is good for Nigeria.

    • Joe Igbokwe.

    Publicity Secretary.

    Lagos ACN.

  • Ezeship tussles and Imo communities

    SIR: Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha has once again proven to be a practical and result-oriented leader by his thoughtful decision to wield into the long standing ezeship tussles in the various autonomous communities in Imo State. It is a common knowledge that before this time, autonomous communities were reduced to battle grounds by powerful individuals who desired the ezeship stools by fair or foul means. As a result of the unhealthy situation, the peace, unity and development of the affected autonomous communities were swept off by cross-litigations, factionalisations, division of the town unions and mud-slinging by the parties to the disputes.

    The unsavory state of affairs has dealt a heavy blow on the self-help development spirit of our people by wasting their resources which would have been vital for development on the tussles. The implication of this sorry situation is that village heads, king makers and other traditional have either lost a sense of direction or compromised themselves for pecuniary gains. This feeling is based on the fact that the process of selecting an Eze is duly provided in the constitution of every community, hence, the issue of who should slightly be a traditional ruler need not to be a problem if the village heads and kingmakers defend and insist on the truth.

     It is against the fore-going that the on-going intervention of Governor Okorocha is eliciting public acclamation. This public ovation is hinged on the fact that the state cannot be considered peaceful and stable when many of her autonomous communities are engulfed in varying degrees of ezeship disputes.

    The action of the governor has proven that he knows where the shoe is pinching the people. That he decided to handle it himself conveys in an unmistakable terms, the importance he attaches to the exercise.

    It is an obvious fact that most of the tussles are by-products of flagrant abuses, violations or neglect of the tradition and constitution of the communities. One of the reasons which probably made past state administrations reluctant to get directly involved was the fear of being misunderstood. For Governor Okorocha, it does not matter, what matters is the end result. He therefore deserves our kudos for his courageous decision to tackle the problem headlong irrespective of the insinuation the action will generate. This mind set tallies with the views of a British Political scientist, Harold Stephenson that, “Great are the leaders who are undeterred by the distractions and encumbrances on their way because they are strongly convinced that accomplishing their mission will give humanity a leap forward”.

     Governor Okorocha has given broad indication of how far he can go to make Imo State better; so far he has given many reasons in practical terms why we should see him as a governor on whom we are well pleased.

    • Jude Okeke

    Owerri

  • Why not Hijrah holiday?

    It never rained but poured in November last year when Nigerian Press stirred up brouhaha over the declaration of one day Hijrah holiday in the State of Osun by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. A particular Southwest newspaper went completely off the track over the issue and exhibited untold ignorance in a manner of a king dancing naked in a market place by writing an editorial on the matter thereby subjecting itself to public ridicule. It was a display of blatant ignorance shamelessly celebrated by some other newspapers of the like.

    Shortly after that episode, another Governor of a Southeast state (Imo) declared six weeks holiday for Christmas against the constitutional tradition of two days that Nigerians are familiar with. And the same newspapers that earlier sparked brouhaha kept mute in what confirmed unbridled sectarian hypocrisy typical of shamelessness in Nigerian professional journalism. The connotation of their silence in the second case cited above is that the declaration of one day Hijrah holiday was wrong because it was not inherited from the colonialists whilst the six week Christmas holiday was right because it tallied with their religious interest even if it was unjust and contradicted the norm of conscience. That is the extent of slave mentality in Nigeria as often exhibited in the name of religious chauvinism.

    Succinct assessment

    Taking a retrospective assessment of the two above-mentioned scenarios after six months (last May), a well known Professor of Medical Biochemistry, Abdul Kareem Hussain, decided to chronicle the historical background of all the known calendars in the world as a way of tutoring some ignorant, self-arrogated Nigerian journalists on the essence of Hijrah holiday for mankind. Though a Medical Biochemist, Prof Hussain’s intellectual wellbeing has never restricted him to any straight jacket enclave of literacy because he knows the difference between literacy and knowledge. To him, literacy is merely a means of documentation of events and occurrences while knowledge is like a farm where all necessary crops must be planted and harvested for the assured survival of the farmer.

    Yours sincerely first had an encounter with this intellectual colossus in 1984 when he delivered a public lecture on Hijrah calendar at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, where many Nigerians first got the idea of Hijrah calendar. In that lecture, he did such a thorough analysis of the subject that he thereafter became a reference point for most researchers on Hijrah and the use of calendar. The summary of what he said on that occasion, according to my records is as follows:

    Experienced narration

    After many millennia of incessant wandering in search of sanity and reason man was able to sight the crescent of civilisation. While he advanced along with his new crescent, he reflected on his past wanderings and thought of sharing the experience of this with his successors in order to leave a mark of guidance on the threshold of life. Civilisation, therefore, taught man to chronicle the experiences of his peregrination on earth by the means of calendar. And today, the chronology of events and the human evolutionary development are traceable only to the beginning of the use of calendar.

    By definition calendar is a system of reckoning time in which the beginning, the length and divisions of a year are arbitrarily defined. It is a table that shows the months, the weeks and the days available in one specific year. It is a schedule especially one arranged in chronological order as of the case on a court docket.

    Types of calendar

    Since the discovery and the use of calendar as an aid to historical records the world has journeyed through various stages of reckoning events through time and space. The use of calendar itself is a pointer to the earlier civilisation of the races or communities which made use of it. One of the earliest calendars which have helped in piloting human history through the millennia is the Chinese calendar which is supposed to have begun in 2379 B.C. In this Calendar, years are reckoned in cycles of 60, each year having a particular name that is a combination of two characters derived schematically from two series of signs, the celestial and the terrestrial. Months are also reckoned in cycles of 60 that are renewed every five years and each month consists of 28 to 30 days.

    There is also the Jewish calendar used by the Hebrews which engaged in the reckoning of time from the year of creation as based on a periodic cycle of 19 years with the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 19th year of each cycle designated leap years.

    This is followed by the Hindu calendar which began in about 400 CE. It is Lunar-solar in nature and the Hindus believe so much in it even till date. In this calendar, the solar year is divided into 12 months in accordance with the successive entrances of the sun into the signs of the Zodiac, the months varying from 29 to 32 days.

    Another calendar is the one called Roman calendar which is an ancient lunar calendar designating the days of the new moon as the ‘calends’ and the days of the full moon as the ‘ides’ while the 19th day before the ‘ides’ are designated as the ‘nones’. The original Roman calendar, introduced about the 7th century bc had 10 months with 304 days in a year that began with March. Two more months, January and February, were added later in the 7th century bc but because the months were only 29 or 30 days long, an extra month had to be intercalated approximately every second year. Thus, the days of the month were designated by the awkward method of counting backward from three dates: the calends, or first of the month; the ides, or middle of the month, falling on the 13th of some months and the 15th of others; and the nones, or 9th day before the ides. This rendered the Roman calendar hopelessly confused especially when officials to whom the addition of days and months was entrusted abused their authority to prolong their terms of office or to hasten or delay elections.

    Pagan origin of Roman calendar

    Most of the months in the Roman calendar were dedicated to various gods of the Romans. The calendar, though got the blessing of the Christian leadership and was refined by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 CE, as polytheistic token. For instance, January from ’Janus’ is the Roman god of doorways and beginnings. February from ‘Februs’ is the Roman god of purification. March from ‘Mars’ is the Roman god of war. May from ‘Maia’ is the Roman goddess of growth and spring season. April from ‘Aprilis’ is the month of the goddess of love and beauty. June from ‘Juno’ is the sister, the wife and coequal of Jupiter, the supreme Roman god. July named after Julius Caesar and August after Augustus Caesar. The months of September, October, November and December indicate 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th respectively in the old Roman calendar. These last four months are a misnomer in the order of numerals within the calendar. For 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th in numerals to represent 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th months in the calendar are incomprehensible. But they were retained for sectarian sentiment.

    The Julian calendar

    Also in 45 BC, Julius Caesar decided to use purely solar calendar on the advice of Sosigenes who flourished in the 1st century. This calendar, known as the Julian calendar, fixed the normal year at 365 days, and the leap year, every fourth year, at 366 days. Leap year is so named because the extra day causes any date after February in a leap year to “leap” over one day in the week and to occur two days later in the week than it did in the previous year, rather than just one day later as in a normal year. The Julian calendar also established the order of the months and the days of the week as they exist in present-day calendars. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar changed the name of the month Quintilis to Julius (July), after himself. The month Sextilis was renamed Augustus (August) in honour of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus, who succeeded Julius Caesar. However, some authorities maintain that Augustus established the length of the months we use today. The Gregorian calendar which puts January as the first month of the year was adopted by England and America in 1752. It is the calendar now commonly used throughout most parts of the world.

    Other calendars

    Yet, there are other known calendars which include the Roman ecclesiastical calendar used by the Catholic sect, the French revolutionary calendar introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1793, the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 CE. But by far the most authentic of them all is Hijrah calendar because of its uniqueness and eventfulness as authenticated by its clear historical background. The idea of putting this calendar into use was suggested by Caliph Umar Bn Khattab in Madinah as a historic landmark for Islamic religion. And it has since been in use throughout the Muslim world especially in determining the beginnings and ends of every lunar month as well as Muslim festivals.

    Qur’anic source of Hijrah calendar

    Of all the calendars mentioned above, Hijrah alone, which is the Muslim divine calendar, is unique for its eventfulness and clear historical background. Its dating began on the 16th of July 622 CE a day after the migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Yathrib (Al Madinah). After a non-such persecution and threats to his life by the Makkah pagans, the messiah of mankind had to migrate for the safety of his life and, by implication, for the rescue of humanity from the wildness of inchoation.

    Whereas every month of Hijrah calendar has spiritual importance apart from the universality of its blessings for mankind, its effect from 622 CE is only symbolic of modernity as it actually came into existence over 5,000,000 years ago when it was decreed and its months were christened by Allah Himself. The Qur‘an testifies to this as follows: “Surely, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in one year in Allah’s decree since the day when Allah created the Heavens and earth. Of these months four are sacred (Muharram, Rajab, Dhul- Qa‘dah and Dhul-Hijjah). This is the only straight and righteous path”. (Q. 9: 36). No other calendar can be so referenced in any revealed Book other than the Qur’an. The twelve months mentioned are Muharram, Safar, Rabi‘ul Awwal, Rabi‘uth-Thani, Jumadal ’Ula, Jumadath-Thaniyah, Rajab, Sha‘ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa‘dah and Dhul Hijjah. Thus, the significance of Hijrah calendar is manifest not only in the eventfulness of its historical background but also in the divinity of its months. Unlike other calendars which were imposed for the purpose of worshipping material gods or to subject people to psychological subservience, Hijrah calendar is an evidential indication of human salvation. And besides, it has divine sanction. Nigeria is for us all and no one should think of creating an environment of subservience for a major chunk of the populace.

    Conclusive tutorial

    In his conclusive submission, Professor Abdul Kareem aims at educating Nigerian media to the effect that Hijrah was not peculiar to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as some other Prophets had preceded him in emigration. For instance Prophets like Nuh, Ibrahim, Lut, Ismail, Ishaq, Ya‘qub, Yusuf, Shu‘ayb and Musa, all emigrated from place to place before finally settling down. Of all these, only Prophet Muhammad’s Hijrah has a direct bearing on the practice of Islam. And since no Muslim has ever objected to the declaration of any public holiday for the adherents of other religions in Nigeria, it will be foolhardy for any responsible person to constitute himself into a cog in the wheel of Islam in any part of the country by opposing a declaration of Hijrah holiday constitutionally for Islam. In a sane society whatever is considered good for the goose must equally be good for the gander. But those who take their hatred for Islam as a hobby should know that no amount of barking even by millions of dogs can ever halt a surging train.

    Watch out

    As traditional of ‘The Message’ column, a daily column to be called RAMADAN GUIDE will be published for 30 or 29 days during the coming sacred month of Ramadan. It will contain a thorough exposition of some verses of the Qur’an as well as analyses of some Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) plus jurisprudential explanation of some hitherto ambiguous areas in all possible ramifications. Watch out! This may be your greatest means of becoming authentically familiar with Islam. And besides, it may provide an opportunity for pious Muslims to trade with Allah by sponsoring the 3×2 space earmarked for that purpose.

    Muslims hold conference on democracy

    The popular Premier Hotel, Ibadan, will be playing host to a conglomerate of Muslim clerics and laity from all parts of Nigeria between July 6 and 7, 2013. The conference will afford such people the opportunity to discuss Nigerian democracy as it affects them and their faith. The objective is to further examine the compatibility of democracy with Islam and be better informed about it. The conference will create a good avenue for participants to know the role expected of Muslims in it to enable them disseminate same to others. This is the first time a conference of this nature is being held in Ibadan. Abuja was its venue in the previous years. Attendance is strictly by invitation.

     

  • PDP: People Doodling (and) Prattling

    PDP: People Doodling (and) Prattling

    In the light of its current tomfoolery and relentless assault on the sensibilities of the average Nigerian out there, Hardball is tempted to get into the ring of infamy with our dear PDP. Thoroughly troubled by this irredeemable crew, Hardball is of the mind to call for entries in a creative competition to find a most fitting interpretation to the abbreviation, PDP. People Doodling and Prattling is Hardball’s modest effort but in the hands of creative heads, there is a limitless, even magical world of coinages to be trawled. Yes we have heard: People Destroying People; the famous Papa Deceiving Pikin and People Draining the Public and more.

    But this competition, if we get round to it, would be about the bizarre and hilarious dissipations of the so-called ruling (ruining) party in Nigeria. One could even call for a potpourri of jokes, cartoons and illustrations. Because the party has become a joke or if you like, a long running comedy strip. It would be interesting to see how much material our ever witty populace may be able to mine from PDP’s reservoir of ribaldry.

    Any discerning Nigerian would have noticed the endless drama that these people, who are supposed to be ruling us have been getting into since 1999. They are like a people under a spell that ensures that nothing ever goes right. Every simple action is steeped in intrigues and rancor, for instance, right from inception, almost every national party chairman had been entangled in a web of intrigues and subterfuge no sooner he is installed. Result: hardly any ever spent his full term before he is tossed out.

    This curse that defies antidote has continued to plague PDP till today. The current national chairman who was installed the other day, has never been able to set his glass down after a drink of water, as the saying goes. It has all become like children playing silly hide and seek. Here are samplers of some PDP big headlines in some national newspapers this month: “PDP govs in fresh move against Tukur”; “Tukur set to battle Anenih”; “PDP crisis: Governors shun Tukur’s son’s wedding”; “Anxiety over Tukur, others”; “PDP crisis: I won’t resign as chairman, says Tukur”; “Stakeholders ask Tukur to go”; “Tukur must stay – Jonathan”; “PDP govs renew plot to remove Tukur”; “PDP govs set to reconcile Jonathan, Amaechi”, on and on. This is the life of PDP: endless streaming of banalities; like the blabbing of brain-dead people.

    This is the life of PDP, the party ruling Nigeria. This is the life PDP has bequeathed Nigeria. This is why we are the way we are, the country is not being governed, it is rather being ravaged by a savage clan. If you expect that someday, PDP the largest party in Africa would brainstorm on the killer corruption in the country or the unemployment that has worsted our youths, not to mention the power jinx the party has locked us into since 1999, perish the thought. PDP does not discuss progress; it does not even discuss power. What then does it engage in? Endless scheming to hang on to power at all cost. They are a people doodling and prattling: they are engaged in endless activities without getting anything done and they are talking so much yet they say nothing to the people. Who will save Nigeria from these doodlers?

  • Judicial Reform Bill : Strategies for speedy passage

    Judicial Reform Bill : Strategies for speedy passage

    We have been assembled here to propose amendments to the provisions relating to the Judicature in The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Promulgation) Decree no 24 of 1999, otherwise called “the 1999 Constitution” imposed on the country by the Abdulsalami Abubakar junta. Notwithstanding the false claim in its preamble that it was made and enacted by the Nigerian people the decree has been said to be the grundnorm by the courts. To that extent it is a legal document which  lacks legitimacy because of its fraudulent origin. Since the interests of the ruling class are well protected by the decree it is being adjusted and reviewed, from time to time, with a view to consolidating to guaranteeing political stability.  Hence the suggestion of a holistic review of the decree has been unanimously rejected by the members of the National Assembly regardless of political affiliations. Even the idea of subjecting the proposed amended Constitution to a referendum has been dismissed by an arrogant political class which has sheer contempt for the people. In so far as the managers of the neo-colonial state are not prepared to appreciate that sovereignty belongs to the people the agitation for an inclusive, democratic, transparent, and legitimate Constitution will not abate after the on-going review would have been concluded.

    The retreats for senators on the review of the constitution, the one-day meeting convened by members of the House of Representatives in the 360 federal constituencies and the intellectual interventions of the political elite cannot be a substitute for the direct participation of the poeple in the constitution making process. Having excluded the people from the democratic exercise of fashioning a new Constitution for the nation the on-going review is going to produce a document that will accentuate the demand for the convocation of a sovereign national conference. Although I am convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that the amended Constitution will not stand the test of time I have decided to partake of the discourse out of respect for the Rule of Law Group Development Foundation.

    The Judicial Reform Bill 2012

    Based on the recommendations of the 29-member committee of jurists and legal practitioners set up to inquire into the crisis in the judiciary a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher submitted a Judicial Reform Bill to the National Assembly in July 2012. The current Chief Justice, the Honourable Justice Maryam Aloma Muktar is reported to have endorsed the bill. Essentially the bill has proposed that appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court shall only be by leave of the latter, reference to the appellate courts on constitutional matters has been abolished while the Supreme Court is conferred with the additional jurisdiction of rendering judicial opinion based on application made by either the President or Governor of a state. The bill has also proposed a composition of the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council to reflect democratic participation of relevant stakeholders. The removal of judicial officers has been altered to ensure a greater degree of fairness.

    However, the judicial reform is conspicuously silent on the appellate jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court. Having been clothed with the powers to hear and determine all matters relating to labour, employment and industrial relations to the exclusion of any other court it is dangerous to limit the right of appeal of aggrieved parties to the limited area of the breach of fundamental rights.

    Included in the judicial reform is the duty imposed on the heads of courts to amend the rules of practice and procedure of the high courts and the appellate courts to enhance quality of justice delivery and ensure speedy dispensation of justice. But the administration of justice cannot be substantially improved upon if the system continues to allow the filing of filing frivolous interlocutory applications and stay of proceedings to frustrate trials and obstruct the course of justice. While the right to file interlocutory appeals from the High courts to the Court of Appeal is recognised there should be no stay of proceedings once a trial has commenced. It is hoped that the proposed rules will guarantee uniformity in the rules of the various high courts.

    STRATEGIES FOR SPEEDY PASSAGE OF THE JUDICIAL REFORM BILL

    Since the Judicial Reform Bill was submitted last year not much has been done by the judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association to mobilise their members to debate the 52 proposals contained therein. In the same vein, the bill has not been circulated among legislators and other stakeholders in the society. Therefore, the copies of the bill ought to be well circulated in the print and electronic media.

    In addition to the initiative of the Rule of Law Development Foundation the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association should, as a matter of urgency, organise seminars and workshops for judges and lawyers on the bill. Such enlightenment programmes may lead to a qualitative amendment of the contents of the bill.

    The National Assembly should be made to appreciate that the passage of the judicial reform bill will not achieve the desired objective if the Administration of Justice Bill, Prisons Amendment Bill, Police Amendment Bill and other relevant bills are not passed.

    Having regard to the difficulty of amending the Constitution some of  the provisions relating to the judicature should be transferred to the laws establishing the courts recognised by the Constitution.

    The judicial reform bill has failed to address lack of access to justice by the generality of our people. Hence it is silent on the relevance of public officers’ protection laws, pre-action notices and the application of the doctrine of locus standi. In particular, the rules of court should specifically encourage public interest litigation to promote public accountability and constitutionalism.

    The penchant of courts to sacrifice justice at the altar of technicalities has to stop. The misleading application of section 285 of the Constitution by the Supreme Court has made a mockery of the intention of the legislature. It is high time Nigerian courts returned to the path of  liberalism in the interpretation of the Constitution.

    Being an elitist proposal the judicial reform bill has not taken cognisance of  the magistrate and area courts, customary and sharia courts which are daily patronised by the majority of our people. More so, that appeals arising from the decisions of such inferior courts are curiously allowed to terminate in the Supreme Court! It is my submission that no genuine judicial reform can succeed if it fails to protect the interests of the over 90 per cent of our people who have no contact with the high courts and the appellate courts.

    Many of the recommendations aimed at sanitising the judiciary do not require constitutional amendment but the commitment of the National Judicial Council to rid the judiciary of corruption and other forms of misconduct. In this regard the National Judicial Council under the leadership of the Honourable  Justice Maryam Aloma Muktar, CJN is determined to purge the judiciary of bad eggs while the rules of practice and procedure of the courts are being reviewed to enhance the quality of justice delivery. The Chief Judge of the federal high court, the Honourable Justice Ibrahim Auta  has braized the trail by issuing practice directions to provide for the day to day trial of cases of terrorism, corruption etc.

    In the past, the country benefited immensely from the appointment of distinguished  legal practitioners and law teachers as Justices of the appellate courts. Even some Chief Judges were elevated to the Supreme Court bench without going through the Court of Appeal. Such jurists  added value to the quality of the decisions of the courts and enhanced the integrity of the judicary. But without any justifiable basis the National Judicial Council has turned such appointment into a promotion exercise among serving judges. The ongoing judicial reform should return the judiciary to the glorious past when judges were selected among the best in the legal profession.

    CONCLUSION

    No doubt, the Judicial Reform Bill 2012 is a bold attempt by the Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher CJN (as he then was) to utilise the review of the 1999 Constitution to effect sweeping reforms in the Judiciary. The National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association should lead the campaign for the passage of the bill. As the passage of the bill alone cannot promote the administration of justice the campaign should be linked with the demand for the passage of other bills which are equally pending in the National Assembly.

    To demonstrate that the judiciary is committed to the reforms the recommendations which do not require any legislation should be carried out without any further delay. Efforts should therefore be intensified by the National Judicial Council to review the procedure for recommending candidates for appointment to the higher bench, the removal of corrupt judges from the bench and the amendments of the rules of practice and procedure of the high courts and the appellate courts. The cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association, the human rights community and other stakeholders is a sine qua non for the success of the judicial reforms.

  • Fashola phenomenon and the future of Nigeria

    Fashola phenomenon and the future of Nigeria

    As Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola, SAN, attains the golden age of 50, thoughts must naturally be directed at his legacy as an extra-ordinary and outstanding administrator of the Centre of Excellence and the future direction his march through politics should take.

    The Fashola phenomenon is an incredible quantum leap away from the usual black African paternalistic orientation in governance in which the Head of Government is “the father of the nation”, the sole authority and sole owner of an impoverished, run down polity. In this familiar scenario, the ‘leader’ is above the law, is the owner of all state resources and dreaded oppressor of freedom and human rights; a contemporary ‘Papa Doc’ whose rule is buttressed by a phalanx of tonton macoute composed by misguided security agents, boot lickers and sycophants.

    In sharp contrast to the above, whilst building on the legacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fashola has established a modern, enlightened democratic and civilized state and society in Lagos under the rule of law.

    Quite rightly, emphasis and considerable attention have been devoted to the infrastructural and physical development, transformation, indeed revolution, Fashola and his predecessor have deployed in changing the face of Lagos State, and the standard of life enjoyed by its people.

    All of us people of Lagos are beneficiaries of this physical transformation which has introduced, so to speak, ‘another life’, in Lagos.

    The total reconstruction and upgrade of Lagos roads and bridges from deplorable to developed world standards, the B.R.T. project which has brought relief to commuters and improved sanity on Lagos roads, the world class infrastructure like the upcoming 10 lane Okokomaiko – Marina express way with its light rail component, the Ikoyi – Lekki cable bridge, first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, which gives users, the false impression that they are in a European country, the greening and beautification of Lagos, with the establishment of parks and gardens in former area boy infested locations, which has brought beauty, elegance, culture and advanced recreation centres to Lagos, the up coming Eko Atlantic City, which will become the most advanced business, residential and tourist centre in Africa – an audacious and breath-taking project dreamed of only in Europe, America and the middle East; the unprecedented security, peace and safety being enjoyed in Lagos State as a result of the governor’s Security Trust initiative; all establish Fashola as an outstanding figure who has stamped his thoughts, vision and dreams on the polity, on an epic scale.

    This is all very remarkable indeed; but the real Fashola phenomenon is more than an intimidating deployment of life changing iron and steel mortar, concrete, bricks and macadam structures that have brought relief and comfort to Lagosians.

    The essential Fashola phenomenon is better comprehended by a consideration of his style of governance, his orientation, his leadership psyche, his comportment and his world view.

    Fashola operates on the basis of the supremacy of the rule of law, respect for civil and human rights and the vigorous pursuit of an enlightened and civilized code of governance. He is focused, resolute and unwavering in the implementation of his vision and plans for Lagos State.

    His discourses, addresses and presentations at the frequent stake holders and town hall meetings, and at symposia colloquia, etc, held by him, reveal his crystal clear thought process, high intellectual capacity and the novelty and profundity of his ideas; all of which generate deep reflection, a sense of enquiry, introspection, warmth enthusiasm and positive motivation in his audience.

    In contrast to the pedestrian and hackneyed effusions of many professional politicians, Fashola’s language and expressions are elevated, elegant, lucid and he is exceptionally articulate and coherent.

    Therefore when his expressed thoughts are taken together with his style of delivery, one could be forgiven for comparing him favourably to the Prime Minister during question time in London.

    The outstanding developments in the Ministry of Justice during the Tinubu/Osinbajo era have been carried forward and replenished by the current Fashola/Ipaye era. These twin administrations have seen the establishment of:

    1. The office of the Public Defender, in which the state provides free legal advice and legal defence to poor and oppressed citizens, even when being prosecuted by the Lagos State Government itself.

    2. Human Rights Protection Unit.

    3. Multi-Door Court House for different types of alternative dispute resolutions.

    4. Citizens mediation centre, offering free mediation in conflicts between Married couples, Landlords and tenants, etc, free of charge.

    5. Consumer Rights and Protection Unit.

    6. Protection and enforcement of child rights.

    7. Reform in the criminal justice administration system.

    The establishment of these programmes and institutions would have been remarkable in a developed country. In a third world, heart of black Africa state, it is phenomenal ascent of man in social and political development without precedent.

    Complementing all the above, there is the justifiably lauded massive welfare programmes for judges and magistrates involving greatly enhanced salaries and allowances, provision of personal houses, cars, etc, which have boosted the confidence and independence of the judiciary.

    In comportment, the governor is humble, simple, unobtrusive, polite and cultured and compassionate. His entourage moves through Lagos unnoticed and without fuss. He usually enters a hall in which he is being expected, before the seated guests notice.

    The totality of the phenomena highlighted above, have made Lagos State, unique and in a sense, odd in the Nigerian milieu – a first world state in a third world country. The Tinubu/Fashola administrations have brought about a culture of civilization, enlightenment and civic intercourse that is far in advance of their counterparts in other states, particularly those outside the South West.

    As I observed at an event in April 2013, what is most significant and fundamental about the Fashola phenomenon is not the physical aspect that we see and touch, but the unseen yet most profound aspect – his vision, commitment, focus, sacrifice, service to the people, transparency, integrity, honour and respect for the governed. These are the values that drive the man to a level of achievement which even the international community is beginning to notice and appreciate.

    Fashola has been midwifing the emergence of a modern, democratic State, subject to the supremacy of the rule of law and operating under a civilized and enlightened political and social template in the last six years.

    The question must therefore arise, whether this man who is completing his second term as governor in May 2015, is not now desperately needed at the centre to release this country from the destructive and primitive political forces operating there, and filling the vacuum with his values, thus leading us to a modern civilized, developed and enlightened country. A country in which a rich Nigeria will not be populated by poverty-stricken Nigerians and in which security, welfare, the rule of law, political and fiscal federalism and the pursuit of happiness for all Nigerians, will be paramount.

  • Ogun and the quest for food security

    SIR:Despite the fact that Nigeria is blessed with vast agricultural potentials and readily available human resources for its exploitation, the country is still a far cry from guaranteeing food security for the populace. Also, numerous findings have shown that Nigeria’s agricultural sector can sufficiently be the driving force of its economy. Hitherto, the country’s GDP still depends on money made through crude oil while past governments at the federal level are yet to match their words with action in terms of developing the agricultural sector.

    The present administration in Ogun State led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun has taken giant steps to boost large scale mechanized farming in the state. This resolve can seen in the installation of two sets of rice processing equipment at Moloko-Asipa in Obafemi Owode area of the State; the resultant effect of this move is that there will be a great increase in rice production in the state and at the same time creating employment opportunities for people living in such areas

    Earlier this year, the administration acquired agricultural land clearing equipment and tractors worth about five billion naira for farmers in the state. Similarly, over 500 metric tons of different brands of fertilizer were procured and distributed to farmers in order to enhance the cultivation of crops in the state. It is believed that this will serve as succor to farmers who have previously found it difficult to procure these equipments for use in their farms, also increasing their farm output and productivity

    Another programme worthy of mention is the cassava revolution embarked on by the current administration. About 25, 000 bundle of cassava cutting was distributed freely to farmers across the state to enhance the production of high yielding cassava for consumption and also exportation purposes.

    These are positive indications of how the Amosun-led administration is gradually positioning the state as a front-runner in the quest for of food security.

    • Bimpe Amos

    Abeokuta, Ogun State

  • Gbogun gboro – 2

    I ended my last message by saying that we Yoruba people can turn our life around – that we can easily and quickly become able, not only to feed ourselves, but also to feed other people in Nigeria and the world. Our food exports can pour a lot of money into our pockets as a people. Our ventures into the processing of food and other agricultural products can create factories all over our Southwest, and provide thousands of jobs for the crowds of our youths who are now jobless in our streets. In short, modern farms on our rich farmlands, various businesses that accompany modern farming, and factories that process farm products – all these can quickly banish poverty from our homeland and make us again the prosperous and confident people that the world knows us to be.

    We already have the tool. Education is the tool for making progress in all directions in the modern world. We have made ourselves one of the most educated peoples in the world. Education is today’s sharp tool – and we hold it in our hand. Oh yes, we do. The Nigerian situation tends to communicate to us the message that our heavy investment in education is of no value! But that is arrant nonsense altogether. Education is the opener of all roads.

    The first step into our farming revolution is to spread the word around – in our governments, among our leaders and politicians, in our schools, colleges and universities, in our social clubs and sports clubs, in all our towns and villages and farmsteads, everywhere. And the word is that we as a nation are returning very seriously to winning the gold in our soil.

    For those who have become used to thinking that farming is not an occupation for the educated or the rich – and that it is an occupation fit only for the illiterate, the aged and the poor, here is some information to chew on. Successful farming is a major pillar of the economic prosperity of almost every one of the leading countries of the world. The United States of America is the leading technological and industrialized country in the world. But it is also the world’s leading producer and exporter of food. Britain is one of the best educated and one of the most prosperous countries in the world, and farming is a big part of its prosperity. Farming is a big part of the growing prosperity of Third World countries like Brazil, China, Argentina, India, etc. Israel is a small desert country, a young country founded only in 1948. The Israeli leaders knew from the beginning that their country must make a success of farming if it was to prosper at all. They put a lot of their people and their national energy into farming. Today, Israel is one of the leading exporters of fruits and vegetables in the world. Starting from the prosperity in farming, Israel has now become one of the leading technological and industrial countries in the world.

    In the US, the two richest states are New York and California. Both are homes of great education, great technology, and great wealth. We are used to thinking that they are homes of technology and industries alone. When we think of California, we immediately think of Silicon Valley and the miracles of computer technology. But both New York and California are homes to very prosperous farming. Among American states, New York is the greatest producer and exporter of certain farm products. California is one of the leaders in farming in the world. No part of the earth, with a population equal to California’s, produces or exports as much of farm products as California.

    It is therefore almost certain that if we do not make a success of farming, we will not make a success of our economy. In other words, if we want to conquer the poverty that is now buffeting us, if we want to be as comfortable and prosperous again as we have been throughout most of our history, the place to start is to make a success of our farming right away. It is that clear and simple. Waiting for the oil of the Niger Delta is, for more than 99% of Yoruba people, waiting for more poverty and more suffering. Waiting for our state governments to provide employment for most of us from the handouts that they get of the oil money from Abuja monthly, is inviting disaster for us as a people –as individuals, families and nation. Our governments will try, but, in the circumstance, they can achieve no more than some sort of equitable distribution of poverty.

    In short, we must immediately begin to invest in farming a considerable part of the assets that we already have. Almost all of us (all of us of the younger generations) are educated. That is an asset. Quite a good number of us who are educated have some education in some aspect of agriculture or business. That is another asset. Many Yoruba men and women (professionals, businessmen, political leaders and civil servants) command some financial resources or some access to finance. That is a great asset. To make immediate success with farming, we must immediately encourage and entice some of these assets into farming.

    In Third World countries, encouraging and enticing these kinds of assets into farming and into food processing is usually the way to start succeeding. Here are a few examples. For Ivory Coast to become a very successful agricultural products exporter (exporting vegetables, pine apples and other fruits and cocoa) from the 1950s on, the country’s first president, Felix Houghuet-Boigny, went into very big farming. (I visited his extensive farms in the 1970s). Many prominent citizens followed his example, and then many common folks. The first Prime Minister of Israel, Dr. Ben Gurion, gave up political leadership and became a farmer in a settlement that was turning a desert into farms – and thus contributed much to the Israeli farming miracle. In Brazil, there are many factories processing and exporting farm products. In one such factory – an enormous tomato processing factory outside Sao Paulo – I watched farmers coming to deliver truck-loads of tomato for a whole day. Then I asked whether the factory was built because these farmers were already growing a lot of tomatoes. “Not really,” was the answer. “There were some farmers growing some tomatoes, but the big expansion in tomato farming came after we set up this factory. For many miles around here now, countless farmers grow a lot of tomatoes for this factory. And we export a lot of canned tomato paste to many countries, including your country Nigeria”. It was the same in a company that I visited in the Philippines – a company exporting fresh and canned pine-apples to the United States. Argentina is a major exporter of beef because many in the Argentinian elite invest in cattle ranching.

    For those of us who already command some assets, the opportunities are virtually limitless in crop farming, crop packaging, crop processing, livestock raising, meat processing, various export businesses, agricultural machinery importation, sales, rentals, and servicing, etc. Agricultural machinery are the tools of modern farming. It is important to realize that the age of hoes and cutlasses has mostly passed. Men who import agricultural machinery, and those who sell, rent out, service, and operate the machinery, are the life-blood of modern farming. For our educated youths, the door is also open for inventions of various kinds of farming tools and food processing tools, as well as for various new kinds of processed foods, snacks, spices, etc, for home consumption and for export. A businessman whom I met in South Korea made his wealth through packaging and exporting South Korean native spices and herbs (notably the herb called ginseng).In such ventures, our country is virgin land – a land in which the enterprising and sagacious can quickly amass a fortune.

    The beautiful grasslands of the northernmost parts of Yorubaland must turn into cattle ranches, and we must become a net exporter of meat products. We must recover our position as the world’s largest exporter of cocoa. We must expand cocoa acreage in our forestlands, and replace our old and tired cocoa trees with new and better quality trees. And we must re-energize our Cocoa Produce Marketing Unions.

    Our state governments are, of course, our frontline assets in this revolution. It is they who must chart the plans, lay out the rules, and do most of the motivating of our people. Happily, they are already awake to these tasks. In their agenda for Regional Integrated Development, agriculture leads the way. They deserve our enthusiastic cooperation. As they call, we must rise and push to the frontiers.