The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • PDP ‘s Taj Mahal of shame

    PDP ‘s Taj Mahal of shame

    If the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were a building, it would be remarkable for its status of perpetual uncompletedness. This is not to be taken metaphorically for it would be rather foolhardy now to expect this headless (this is the metaphor) leviathan to run on ideology or edifying mores. Hardball refers to the physical structure. PDP offices across the country often cut the pictures of misbegotten edifices lacking in soul or sobriety. Their architecture often appear haphazard and the environment uninspiring and bereft of any lustre.

    You may argue that the work stations of most other political parties are no different if not worse and that is, where they exist. Hardball concedes to that point wholeheartedly. But this piece has been triggered by the new headquarters of the PDP in Abuja. The 11-storey behemoth of an edifice has been abandoned to weeds and reptiles. Started about six years ago after an elaborate fundraising, contractors are said to have moved out of the site; all is quiet and forlorn there now.

    Over N6 billion was raised then at the launch in 2008 and President Goodluck Jonathan who was then vice president, was the chairman of the committee charged with the project. The big donors had been Alhaji Aliko Dangote who had pledged N3 billion worth of cement; Femi Otedola had donated N1 billion. Other big donors were the PDP Central Working Committee members, Bola Shagaya, Chief Michael Otedola, Strabag Construction Company, and Ogun State Government. The then president, Umaru Yar’Adua, his vice Jonathan and indeed all elected PDP members and appointees across the country were forced to contribute through compulsory deductions of between 15 to 25 per cent of their salaries. The fund-raising for the secretariat of the biggest party in Africa was a huge racket that went on up until the 2011 general elections.

    But in the way of a bumbling giant, there was no account for the monies collected, neither was the disbursement transparent. Some have suggested that the edifice still stands uncompleted and ugly because the bulk of the funds realised were deployed into the 2011 election. But Hardball asks how come every penny missing in the country in the last few years had to have been flushed down the election sluiceway? And how come that in the PDP planet, there seems to be no rules of engagement, nobody raises eyebrows and questions are better swallowed? What pervades is a conspiracy of silence in the face of remorseless incongruity.

    We must not concern ourselves with the need for such an 11-storey monstrosity by a political party in a developing country. What is queer is that the PDP cannot even complete its own much-advertised building that has been on for about six years. If such conspicuous and showpiece edifice can be abandoned, it must say something about how the country is being run. How many far-flung projects across the country have been started and arrested mid-way as a result of official disorderliness, corruption and sheer brigandage. Any wonder that in the last 14 years under PDP, Nigeria has become one land mass of uncompleted projects – disheveled, coarse and ugly. In like manner that PDP may never complete its Abuja Taj Mahal of shame, the same way Nigeria will remain the verisimilitude of a junkyard until we have a change. Running a country is utterly beyond the ken of PDP.

  • Assessing Delta’s healthcare system

    Over time a number of opinions and impressions have been formed about the Uduaghan administration’s programmes, particularly its efforts to assuage the sufferings of the weak segments of the society.  I have read conflicting comments that the administration is pro-poor, while another holds as being pro-PDP and pro-establishment. Whatever is being said, being either a member of PDP, or the administration, I will not join the debate. It is needless.

    However, I am impressed by some developments in Delta State under the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. I see the focus on mega project and liberal policy of his government of improving the welfare of the citizens through so many subsidized and free social programmes that is helping the poor and weak especially, as commendable.

    One such programme is the free healthcare for under-five children and free maternal health for expectant mothers. Both programmes are a strong response of the Uduaghan administration to the dire data of the frightening rates of infant and maternal mortality. Since their institution, the mortality rates have whittled.

    For instance, many Deltans are aware of this and the growing impact it is making. In penning this article, I was encouraged by comments of the Anglican Bishop of Asaba dioceses, Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu, the other day in his sermon that Delta state government has done well in improving the health policy with special mention of free health care for under-five children and free maternal healthcare for expectant mothers.

    His words: “I am happy to say that since Emmanuel Uduaghan came to office, his policies, projects and programs speak for him. On the health sector, he is determined to leave lasting legacy. The maternal healthcare is one of the legacies”.

    He said Deltans are relieved and elated that the government has relieved them of the financial burden of such medical care (including caesarean section, laboratory/ diagnosis fees). By some coincidence I was in some discussion with a friend,. John Okiripki who is a usually a critic I guess influenced by his background as a statistician. He commented that based on experience of many people, he is tempted to believe statistics from Delta government that a drop in mortality rate of 48.8 percent of 456 deaths per 100,000, to a December 2011 figure of 221 per 100,000 may have been achieved. He told me that if this is true then it is a significant change in statistical terms.

    A human interest report in a community newspaper featured a Mrs. Charity Emeka, who was reported to have recently given birth to a male child through a caesarian section at the General Hospital Umunede, Ika North East Local Government, wondering; “who would have given me   N 200,000 for the operation?” a huge cost lifted off this family and also the survival of mother and child through the ordeal.

    The young mother understandably was thus full of praises for the government health policy which she observed has benefited pregnant mothers and the new born in Delta State.

    Aside the free healthcare for children under-five and free ante-natal care for expectant mothers, which many homes are still relishing, the Uduaghan administration has a free rural health care program, which affords Deltans of ages viz: children, adult male and females to access free medical care in, or near their residential places. Under this program, medical experts are assembled by the government to pay itinerant  visit to all rural communities were they administer first class medical care to everyone, akin to the Second Republic era type medical programme of  hospitals on wheel program of the late Prof. Ambrose Alli, then governor of Bendel State. But the Delta free rural healthcare is a motorized service module.

    Since the program began, tens of thousands of persons have called, with varieties of ailment covered under its umbrella. For instance, I was informed that in the first round of the 2012/2013 cyclic tour alone, more than 60 surgeries were handled with 38 of them relating to cataract. Testimonies from beneficiaries who appeared on local television showed that treatments covered hernia, appendicitis, hemorrhage (pile) and lymphoma.

    For instance, a Mrs. Tina Smart and Angela Chidi, had fibroid removed from them. According to the duo of Tina and Angela without the free surgery the condition would have remained

    Another area in the administration’s Uduaghan’s health policy development is the completion and provision of medical facilities to Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, DELSUTH, unarguably the best teaching hospital in the country, with a staff complement in many core areas of cardio-vascular challenges.

    I understand that part of the reason the hospital receives so much attention is because, the administration wants to position it to tap into medical tourism, which Nigerians have become noted for. It makes sense. One can imagine how much will be saved if patients visit Oghara than go abroad.

    There is no debate on this yet, but it can be said that had Uduaghan not being a medical doctor himself, he might not have been able to give as much attention as he has to healthcare. If you ask the man he may not even agree; well it does not matter. The most important thing today is that Deltans have a better healthcare system than before.

     • Ejiro Idama lives in Delta state

  • The lesson of Alhaja Mogaji’s transition

    The lesson of Alhaja Mogaji’s transition

    Few days ago, death struck. Like a splash of hot pap on the surface of human body, we all had a pang of the pains of its sting. It took away Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the pillar behind the years of struggle of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a political phenomenon and active player in the politics of our nation. Natural of every mortal, her death brought low moment not only to me but to others in the progressive clan.

    When I heard the news of her departure, I thought of the vacuum her death would have created. I am also engulfed in the thought of the distraction it might bring to the new struggle. It is certainly a slide of event I would have loved it happened not. But the reality is, Alhaja Mogaji, the Iyaloja with a heart of service had gone to the great beyond.

    The significance of her death was laid bare by the shocking testimonies of her good deed told by the people. I heard shocking story of a life full of activism and activities, a life of peace making. She dared the oppressors for the comfort of the needy, yet she brokered peace and flied in morals in leadership. She dwelled in the midst of the commoners and earned her title from their conviction and sustained her leadership in constant service.

    From our dried eyes, the numerous accounts of her sterling qualities squeezed out a torrent of ball of tears rolling down our eyes. This particular encounter seized my attention as I watched her remains lowered to the grave. It was an account of how she resolved a waiting crisis between the student body and Governor Ahmed Tinubu.

    The young man, now a lawyer and a staunch member of the progressive clan was a member of the Student Union body then in Lagos State University during the military era and the wake of democracy in Nigeria.

    Before the coming into office of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration in Lagos, the union had some unfulfilled promises (buses) and uncompleted projects (SUG building renovation) by the Marwa led government. When the Tinubu administration came into government, he said the union attempted to see the governor to get assurances that the promises will be fulfilled and to also make other demands

    Every effort made by the executive committee of the union to see the Governor seemed to be hitting brick walls. They resolved that it was a deliberate attempt to undermine their administration; hence the necessary step to take was to confront the governor and prove to him that they are “greatest Lasuites”

    And they did! They barricaded roads, blocked the entrance and caused commotion at the state secretariat and set for a big fight against the son of Alhaja Mogaji. Just as they set for the big battle, a suggestion came: “let us meet his mother. After some needful arguments, we approved of it”

    “We were with Alhaja for about two hours wherein we ventilated our anger on her son. Some of us abused him and called him unprintable names. She did not show any anger neither did she stop us from saying whatever that made us do what we did. In her response, she told us she has so many children and our parents are her children too and we are also her grandchildren.

    “She said Tinubu was only older than us and became our governor that it could have been any of us in Alausa and we would still be her child. She said, when two children quarrel it is the duty of a good parent to settle and make peace between them so that the family can continue to remain one. She said she had listened to us that she would call our “egbon” and that soon we would be sitting together discussing. She said our “egbon” has no reason not to see us or sit down to discuss family issues with us.

    We left Alausa that night not knowing how we feel. We were disarmed, unsure whether we had made any progress or not. All I knew was that our anger and frustration were gone. All we were looking toward was to wait for the meeting with our “egbon”.

    “The waiting did not last long as we were summoned to the governor’s office about 72 hours latter to be in the presence of the man popularly referred to as “Omo iyaloja”. That day, we got a lesson in leadership and human management. The success of that meeting was due to Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji a mother to a man who has become a reference point in leadership and cadre development.

    “After this meeting we got more than we asked for from our governor our “egbon”. Hence, when the period of his trial came, we supported him and were not found wanting.”

    Many market women recalled with great gratitude how her leadership restored and sustained the downtrodden, they treasured her courage, her steadfastness, and her resolve to accomplish what she believed to be right for the common good.

    They remembered the values by which she lived, the ideals she embraced, her dignity, her diligence, her courtesy, and her personal concern for the well-being of individuals. She earned leadership through her commitment to the welfare of her constituency, which she held in high esteem and never allowed other interest, not even when her son was the governor, to override that of her highly cherished fellow market women.

    This is a great lesson in leadership for us all and most importantly, for those of us that hold office in trust for our people.

    Good night mama rere.

    • Senator Boroffice represents Ondo North Senatorial District in the Senate.

  • Re: Abati going gung-ho

    SIR: A parable in my local parlance says that you do not bite the finger that feeds you. But we now live in a world where people do not only bite but axe-off the finger that fed them. HARDBALL in The Nations of Friday June 14, forgot the Shakespearean mantra which says that “I hate ingratitude more in a man than lying, vainness babbling, drunkness” at the time he wrote his piece titled “Abati going gung-ho”. I want to believe that we must all commit to the survival of the truth regardless of how it hurts.

    Please let me state unequivocally that I do not intend to hold brief for Abati, Ribadu and Hardball but to lament how docile and senseless our youths are. How can the so-called leaders of tomorrow sit down to submit their auditory facility to people whose record speak for it self without the courage to challenge them in public?

    Is is not surprising to note that a  man who was wasting away as a refugee in another man’s land now claims that the government that emancipated him from the prison of self-imposed exile is tyrannical in nature? The man who once chaired the EFCC was quick to forget how his pay-master used him to impeach duly elected governors with minority members of state assembly.

    The retired policeman turned politician forgot how he harassed and intimidated anyone who dire to challenge his former pay-master. I will not forget how he humiliated his former boss (Tafa Balogun) in broad day light at the court in the name of war against corruption. Our friend who benefited from ‘unmerited’ promotion was dismissed from the service but was later re-instated and retired by the government which he claims is heading toward tyranny.

    In his day, the EFCC was nothing but a monstrous vampire which seek for the blood of those against his master. Ask him why he killed the presidential ambition of one of the South-south governor when he was not  the chairman of INEC or  any political party?

     I believe, the erswhile presidential candidate is the least of men that can make such remark. I concede to others the right to make such statement.  It’s a self-evident fact that the government he served defines the whole concept of tyranny in our democratic experiment. Those who know him should let him know that he erred on the path of reason. If you think I lied, please go check his days in government because they say”res ipsa loquitur”.  God bless Nigeria.

    • G. O. Ehi

    Benin City, Edo State.

  • For Dame, a bit of Shakespeare, a bit of the Bible

    For Dame, a bit of Shakespeare, a bit of the Bible

    Not many people like pundits; particularly so, of the political kind. One they seem to say far more than they know may be to impress and two, they take their punditry too far to the annoyance of those being put in the spot light and x-rayed. Ask our First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, she is currently in the firing line of pundits.

    The much criticised woman stormed her home town, Port Harcourt, (PH) Rivers State, last weekend and chose to stay over up until Thursday. According to her spokesperson, she was in her ancestral town for a series of functions, which included attending the wedding ceremony of one member of the State’s House of Assembly; to commission an international school and to empower widows. Having arrived Friday, June 14, 2013 and hanging out in PH for nearly one week, naturally sets the minds of analysts abuzz and of course, considering the ‘circumstances that surround’ the relationship between the first family and the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, tongues are bound to wag. Naturally, the tough Dame’s visit would garrison the capital city, especially so because she was not a guest of the state government. Thus for the period she was in town, the city would be locked up, literally and movement would be a nightmare. That had been the ‘norm’ in every of her itinerary across the country so PH should not be an exception, anyway.

    But pundits, ever so irritable insist our dear Dame had gone to PH to wield the axe. Especially to whip into line, members of the State House of Assembly who have been on recess sine die because of the protracted and irreconcilable feud between number one and Governor Amaechi. Just because she attended the wedding of one of the legislators in the opposition camp and just because our great Dame seems to have relocated to PH is not enough to make jobless pundits plunge into the conclusion that she may have gone to PH with a sharp metal object.

    Well, whatever the mission of our Dame in PH is not really of immense interest to Hardball any more than the drama her story evokes. Two epic tales come to mind. First is the Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. The great warrior suffers acute vaulting ambition, wishing to usurp the kingdom by all means even though he is neither in line or lineage. The only way is to apply the dagger. As providence would have it the fated king comes on an over night visit to the Macbeth household. Here is the opportunity to seize the crown. In the dead of the night when it comes time to do the easy deed of stabbing the monarch in his sleep, Macbeth baulks. Infuriated, Lady Macbeth snatches the dagger from hubby, steals into the chamber where the king sleeps ever so gently .Presently she comes out with a crimson dagger, the bloody regicidal act done! The rest was history, albeit sad history for the Macbeths.

    The other story comes from the bible book of 1Kings 21. The Samarian king, Ahab desires a vineyard by his palace; the owner, Naboth would not oblige. Ahab is sullen, won’t eat, can’t sleep. Why are you so troubled my king? His wife asks. That Naboth of a fellow will not oblige me his vineyard in spite of my generous blandishments, says Ahab. Why, is that all? She wondered. Are you no longer the one who reigns over all of Israel? She asks rhetorically. If so, “Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth…” Before anyone could say Jezebel, Naboth was stone cold or if you like, stoned cold in the street. And of course, the rest is history but again, sad history for Ahab and Jezebel.

    The moral of these tales, in case you have not figured it out is that power is history. It may sound dumb but, power to the wise is first of all, about history.

  • That Polio outbreak in Taraba

    SIR: Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system and cause irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours.

    The last time the case of polio was reported in Nigeria, it was in March in FCT Abuja. It is rather unfortunate that we are also hearing about the case of another polio outbreak in Taraba State. On June 7, there was a report of an outbreak of polio in Saayor village Sandirde Ward in Gassol Local Government Area of the state.

    The first case of polio virus was recorded in Dissol, Wuryo Ward in 2012. The current outbreak in Gassol local government is said to be the most dangerous and has already paralyzed eight innocent children in the community.

    It was reported that the chairman of Gassol local government, Alhaji Takura Bashir was worried about the new outbreak particularly as he claimed that immunization officials had already visited the affected areas to asses as well as to immunize all children below the age of five to zero. He blamed the outbreak on the immunization supervisors and focal officers in the LGA for their inability to carry out proper supervision.

    I will still like to share my experience as World Health Organization (WHO) independent monitor during the immunization plus days in 2010 covering two villages, Ogbooro and Agbonle in Saki East LGA of Oyo State. During that immunization period, I discovered that some health workers employed by local government to administer the vaccine to the children in the rural area did not reach there. What they did was pour away the vaccine meant for some of these remote villages. Some of these health workers also complained that some of the local government health officials that engaged them short-paid them.

    Though we have not heard of any polio case in Oyo State, this attitude calls for concern.

    The Taraba State case should be a wake-up and clarion call to the individuals and agencies in charge of administering polio vaccine to be more proactive.

    Taraba, with population of about 2,688,944 and with the 16 local governments must therefore be very serious with the welfare of her little children. It was reported that the acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar recently launched the 2013 second round immunization days in Mutun-Biyu, the headquarters of Gassol local government area where he charged the council chairman and traditional rulers to handle immunization with all seriousness. I will enjoin religious leaders to also join the fight against polio in Taraba State so that our little children will no more be victims of this preventable disease.

    I will also like to call on the three Senators from the state, Anthony Man, Dahiru Gassol, and Emmanuel Bwacha and members of House of Representatives from the state to join in the fight against polio in their different constituencies.

    Neighboring states to Taraba must watch against polio outbreak in their domains.

    On its part, the Federal Ministry of Health must not relent in its effort and campaigns to eradicate polio in Nigeria because until polio is eradicated across the country, every state is still at risk because the virus is spread through person-to-person contact.

    Let’s always remember that ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.

    • John Tosin Ajiboye

    Lagos.

  • Corruption and Nigeria’s moral landscape

    The continuing shrinkage of viable business models, along with the fragility of Nigeria’s private sector, have meant that the only safe havens in the land are public offices. In truth however, even public offices do not guarantee eternal bliss! Yes, these offices have huge discretions and often contain significant windows for offering patronage. But the competition for public offices is not only heartless; additionally, the winner of the prize is often expected to cope with the animosities of fallen opponents, until the incumbent himself falls from grace.

    The public office environment in Nigeria is therefore a universe of agony. Not surprisingly, a great amount of public office careers often end in controversy, litigation, humiliation and outright disgrace. This trend is beginning to establish itself as a tradition and the Nigerian public appears to have developed a malignant appetite for feeding off the flesh of disgraced officials. The greatest challenge faced by public officials in Nigeria is of course that of corruption, and allegations around this theme have often provided a basis for bringing their careers to grief. In many instances, the corruption smear tends to hold and several incumbents have been tragically undermined by them.

    One unflattering consequence of all this, is that public offices in Nigeria have become a byword for corruption. This itself, cloaks a lot of the idealism and integrity, which the Nigerian service inevitably retains. And equally important, is the reflection, that in spite of our residual goodness, opportunistic allegations of corruption are sometimes invoked in damaging otherwise sterling careers.

    Most narratives about corruption in Nigeria often create the impression that the worst forms of this phenomenon became extant only in modern times. And yet sleaze in public offices has a fairly long history in our country. Perhaps the volume and intensity of our current experience of this social ulcer, encourages the belief that it did not exist before now. Indeed sometimes it creates the extreme determination, that the past was a golden age, in which public servants operated in a sinless world.

    Nothing can be further from the truth. Any attempt to romanticize the past will collapse under scrutiny. The First Republic In spite of all the hopes and optimism it inspired, had its own blemishes. Corruption and it’s traveling companion called nepotism were an important feature of the First Republic. And frequently they provoked public outrage. The regions made steady progress, and competed and sought to outpace each other in the provision of social infrastructure. There was Liberty Stadium, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, the Niger Dam, the Niger Bridge and others. This notwithstanding, society was riven by clamor and dissension. A sense of crisis was pervasive and between 1964 and the first coup in 1966 there were over 200 strike actions. But on top of all this, was a growing sense of outrage produced by corruption and public sleaze.

    One of the very instances was the case which involved the purchase of equity by Zik’s firm in a bank, the African Continental Bank. In 1962 also, Adegoke Adelabu was forced to resign as Council Head over charges of inclement conduct, while Chief Obafemi Awolowo seemed to have been indicted by the Coker Commission. These were important failures but the stridency of the anti corruption vanguard, often gave the impression that the phenomenon was more corrosive than it actually was. We may note here, a similarity between the current outcry and the outrage expressed during the First Republic. I once discussed corruption with Peter Enahoro, an influential writer, who at 26 edited the reputable Daily Times in the 60s. He recalled that Lagos and Nigeria were at one time scandalized by the news that our Prime Minuster Alhaji Tafewa Balewa had built a palatial house in his hometown Bauchi. Everybody was sure that government money had been siphoned to produce this piece of vanity. Not until Peter Enahoro himself visited Bauchi only to be humbled by the fact that the palatial house was a simple home. In many ways, talk of corruption though not always idle, is often overstated. And it’s invocation is an important feature in the armoury of opposition parties or coup makers. Not surprisingly Major Nzeogwu’s coup speech dwelt on the corruption theme “The aim of the Revolutionary Council” he said, “is to establish a strong united nation free from CORRUPTION”.

    The need to wipe out corruption has remained an enduring dream not only for coup vendors but also for settled governments which truly wish to endear themselves o their citizens. So all through our history most of our governments have sought to challenge this cankerworm with varying amounts of success.

    The Third Republic has had its fair share of public scandals and there has been no shortage of efforts to fight the evil of corruption. As always, the anti-corruption vanguard is on overdrive and the EFCC and ICPC have their hands full. Whatever our anxieties, we must admit that the process for apprehending public office offenders is firing on all cylinders. As at the last count, over 50 public officers are facing legal action because of infractions committed when they served.

    Corruption is a huge problem in Nigeria and it’s impact may account for a huge part of our underdevelopment. It is important that government continues to take decisive action against those who abuse public trust. The process requires to be properly vetted so as to avoid legal malingering. It seems that many of the cases that have been taken to court are allowed to fester with no prospect of a rapid determination. Nigeria may well be populated by several self-servers. But there must be some people who are capable of expressing idealism through their conduct and public service.

    One of the tragic consequences of the attack on public service in Nigeria is the evolving dearth of idealism and the rise of cynicism. Public service is now mixed interchangeably with corruption and corrupt conduct. And nowhere in our calculation, do we create any room for men and women of service. So as more and more accused are docked by the conveyor belt of the anti-corruption agencies, the public has learnt to applaud in accustomed glee. Yet in a more service driven environment, people are bound to express dismay at the ease with which people in high offices soil their hands.

    The moral landscape in Nigeria appears to have been considerably fouled up and confused. The transition from hero to villain, and back to hero, is a well known trajectory. Nuhu Ribadu for example, was dragged through this tortured route. He became famous when he was posted to head our anticorruption agency- the EFCC. He procured high- profile convictions and was distinguished for the passion with which he conducted his obligation. Yet the same Ribadu was hounded out of office.

    Sunday Ehindero, fomer Insopector General of the Nigerian Police has also had an intriguing experience. Privileged to be among the first set of graduates recruited into the force, he was the last man standing. He became Inspector General of Police, and before then, cornered the distinction of being the first Nigeria Policeman to prosecute and convict a fraudster under the 419 provision, long before this section became infamous in Nigeria. As Inspector General of Police, Ehindero, was twice given tenure extension by the President.

    And yet, as a whole, is anybody carrying a magnifying glass around, looking for something in the wood work?

    Watching the big man fall from high office has come close to being a spectator sport in Nigeria. Each time we scan the news, what many hanker after, is knowledge of which political or public office incumbent has been decapitated. This also turn ready servants into faint hearts. We must arrest this trend and in order to do this , we ought to ensure that the screening process as well as the benchmarks for scrutiny, punish only the guilty.

    • Dele Olowu, writes from Abuja

  • Killing polytechnic education

    SIR: Should our polytechnics continued to be relegated to the background? This question has been asked times without any consensus as to whether the answer should be in the affirmative or not.

    This confusion is worsened by the government’s inability to be decisive and make up its mind on what it hopes to do with polytechnic education. This inconsistency in public policy formulation and implementation could largely explain why our polytechnics will have to be on strike for several weeks running without anybody really doing something concrete to end the imbroglio.

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have down tools over the non-constitution of governing councils for Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Colleges of Technology; non-release of government white paper of the visitation panels to federal polytechnics; and non-commencement of the NEEDS Assessments of the Nigerian polytechnics.

    Others grievances include need for the changing of the deplorable conditions of state government-owned polytechnics, monotechnics and Colleges of Technology; the continued appointment of unqualified persons as rectors and provosts by some state governments and the failure of most state governments to implement the approved salary package (CONPCASS), and 65 year retirement age for their members.

    To any discernible mind, the agitations put forward by the workers are legitimate and reasonable. What is worrisome, however, is the inability of the appropriate agencies in addressing the issues raised but this is not happening maybe because it’s about the polytechnics.

    It is saddening that polytechnic education in Nigeria is being treated with disdain, culminating into why their graduates are regularly stigmatized in the labour market.

    Despite what critics may say that polytechnics have outlived their usefulness, the strategic importance of polytechnic education – as enunciated in the Nigeria’s National Policy on Education – to provide for practical, technical knowledge and skills that are necessary for agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic transformation – cannot be over-emphasized.

    The nation now needs well-orchestrated objectives that will harness its many talented manpower to produce the synergy that will drive it to development that is not made possible under the present arrangement.

    The bitter truth is that inasmuch as we have university graduates who are better than polytechnic graduates, there are also polytechnic graduates who are also far better than the university graduates. So, polytechnic graduates are not mentally inferior in anyway.

    The government should end the ongoing strike by embarking on dialogue with the angry workers. The workers too should be responsive, bearing in mind that all their demands may not be met at a go. This is the right thing to do.

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

  • From the cell phone

    For Olatunji Dare

    Sir, you have, through your colomn, shown that the most potent response to injustice and suffering is not militant retaliation, but a calm and confident witness to the truth, regardless of the consequences. I think the time is ripe to give a little thought to the phenomenon of boastful resistance by those who annulled June 12 election. Those of them still alive should apologise publicly. Afterall, a great concentration of former sinners wrote for the Bible. From Adegoke O. O., Ikhin, Edo State

    June 12…A calendar of infamy’ was compelling and fascinating! Honestly, I had forgotten that things were so bad! We all need a mental jolt such as thiat in these dreary times! Thanks. From Ade Kukoyi

    The annulment of June 12 election by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida through the infamous ABN, was the worst democratic mistake of our time. All who ganged up against the people’s mandate will definitely pay for their evil act here or in the hereafter. From P. O. P. Inyamah, Port Harcourt

    Annulling June 12 election was a mistake by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. All the stakeholders in that regime are to be blamed, even the civilians that were close to the corridor of power then. The deed had been done, all we should remember about June 12 is the lesson we learned from the annulment. We should not heat up the polity by our utterances. If a man is running and he is looking behind, he is bound to fall. We should forget what has happened and let us forge ahead and build our country. Nursing grudges against ourselves will only promote deceit not peace. United we stand and divided we fall. So, let us unite against evil forces within. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    Re: June 12…A calendar of infamy. A very coincise reminder. It is even good that Chief MKO Abiola is no more around to be embarrassed; and it is better that Gen. Ibrahim Babangida is witnessing the consequences of that ignoble, myopic, unthoughtful, selfish and unpatriotic decision. From Jimo Akeran.

    Re: June 12 annulment…A calendar of infamy. If Nigeria is truly a democratic and a custodian of law, all those involved in the annulment of the June 12 ought to have been in jail. All elections since then have been based on rigging. The power-drunk party has never won any election in this country, specifically presidential elections. Abiola deserves national honour by all standards as a pillar of sports and his political actvities. All the ACN-governed states must imbibe the true spirit of democracy and allow justice to reign. All forthcoming national elections must be policed against rigging. The misuse of all agencies by the presidency must be halted. From Odunmbaku

    Your write-up of June 11 makes me so sad, as if the events are just unfolding. Anonymous

    I really appreciate the fact that there are still some Nigerians who remind others the truth about past events. So, those in public offices should change. It is quite a pity that some in positions still want to drag the nation backwards. Please, do not relent in your effort to let the world know the truth. From Elaye Oputa, Yenagoa

    Re: June 12 annulment…A calendar of infamy. What comment do you expect again on that write-up on June 12, 1993 other than the synopsis of the details of those occurrences you gave us. May such annulment and kangaroo judicial interventions and decisions never occur in Nigeria again! The story and attestation on that episode that bulletted Nigeria from 1993 through 1998 was more than Professors Soyinka’s and Achebe’s (late) published books!. From Lanre Oseni

    The June 12, 1993 episode is a sad reminder of the truncation of what would have been the best democratic rule in Nigeria. I know history will not forgive the perpetrators of the ugly debacle. Though they tried to bring Nigeria down, God did not allow them. They will go down in history as traitors, betrayers and ne’er-do-wells. History beckons on them. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Re: June 12…A calendar of infamy. The piece is a sad reminder of the murder of democracy and justice in Nigeria. No wonder, 20 years after, we are yet to find our bearing as a nation. They killed our collective dream, assasinated the custodian of our democracy. The bleeding cannot stop untill justice is done. From Sidney Adeola

    Thanks for your comment on June 12. No matter how they may hide the truth, it will surface in the long run. God help Nigeria. From Akin Taiwo

    Where is Professor Nwosu? He owes Nigerians, indeed, the democratic community, tons and tons of explanation. He needs to come out to clear his name for posterity. If he was a coward and feared for his life then, he is much older now and death is inevitable, except, of course, if he was settled then to remain quiet. MKO Abiola had to pay the supreme price for winning a free and fair election. If that election was allowed, Nigeria would not have been this messed up. Is the Prof. happy with the situation in Nigeria now? Prosterity will judge him; he should make amendments now rather than dribbling Nigerians. The write-up is vintage. Eku ise ilu. From Mrs. Mariam Oyeleke

    Southwest talk too much that is why we lost June 12. It is high time we talked objectively so that history will not repeat itself. Anonymous

    Sir, as I enjoy reading your ever-interesting and incisive articles. I just read through your article in The Nation newspaper of Tuesday, June 11, on the June 12 annulment. Please, sir, how can I place order for the book? Anonymous

    ‘June 12…A calendar of infamy’ made an interesting reading. I commend the author- for his very good, accurate and resounding presentation. For the so-called ABN, posterity will judge them. The Federal Government should now put the necessary legislation before the National Assembly and make June 12 Nigeria Democracy Day and name the National Assembly Building – MKO Abiola Democracy Building. MKO Abiola remains the most important, undisputable and most formidable hero of our fledgling democracy. From Chief Faseesin Ilesanmi (a.k.a.Westerner) Ire-Ekiti, Ekiti State

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

     

    ‘Between then and now’ nothing really has changed, and something really may not change with the type of politicians we have in Nigeria. From Alhaj ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos

    We regretted the annulment of June 12 election. Cancelling the election is what makes us what we are now. To hell with millitary dictatorship. From Usman Malumfashi, Katsina State

    May I start by giving you kudos as a man of great knowlege as it affects the body politics in Nigeria. Your write-up titled ‘Between then and now’ is a must read and a collector’s item. From M. C. Agbamu

    Re: Between then and now. I doubt if they, the Nigerian politicians and others have learnt anything, despite the slap of June 12, 1993 on the people of Southwestern Nigeria, specifically and Nigerians in general. The cohorts championed then by IBB could not have done that annulment against any Northern winner. Up till today, Nigerian politicians are still very corrupt and selfish, the so-called progressives inclusive. I do not understand why Governor Oshiomhole would not be in Labour Party if he is not leading it! Corruption, greed, and ethnicism remain the clog. From Lanre Oseni

    The action is still on, but new actors are on board. The truth is that we are moving in circles. For instance, yesterday was militant, today Boko Haram, tomorrow may be Oduduwa Haram. From Mike

    The problem with Nigeria are the so called commoners themselves. Until the common Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, South/South and Middle Belt men, women and youths realise that all Nigerian commoners have common enemies in these hegemonic tyrants, die-hard sardists and daredevil looters, we all shall continue to be in perpetual bondage. Thanks! From Samson Abubu, Sapele, Delta State

    We have no other country than our lovely Nigeria. Let us pray fervently that what happened on June 12 would not repeat itself. Those that are causing disunity in the country will run away when the heat is on. We should not allow disgruntled elements in government to cause crisis because, when they do, we the underprivileged will suffer for the sin we did not commit. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

     

    The NGF election is a manifestation of what has always been with us as elections. We have passed the stage where a political party would misinterpret its own constitution to favour an individual. Where we are now is the stage where a man would win an election and he would not be allowed to exercise the mandate given to him because some people do not like his face. Soon, we shall get to a point of no-return, where everybody will resort to self-help by interpreting the rule of law according to their own narrow understanding of the concept. Who says we are not making progress? From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu.

    The five jobs are not being managed by the managers very well; that is why it is so difficult for the president and his men to perform well. The president has introduced politics of hatred and ethnicity in the system. He has forgotten that hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life, love harmonises it; hatred darkens life, love illuminates it. It pains me that the president we all voted for has become a sectional leader. The governors who said 16 are bigger than 19 are Jonathan’s toy who did not learn from history. Obasanjo knelt down for Atiku in 2003 when he wanted to contest again for second term. Jang and his followers would be humbled by the president. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    In a government of the thieves, run by the thieves, and for the thieves, nothing good will ever emerge. You are lucky not to be part of this unproductive, clueless, shoeless leaders. From Oladimeji Lawal, Ibadan

    Joseph Campbell said the cave you most fear to enter contains the greatest treasure. The president and his cohorts are not managing the affairs of the country very well. The five jobs we are afraid of are where the treasures of this country is, if well managed. The president will be the most celebrated president if he stops playing ethnic politics. The governors should know that they are the ambassadors of people, so they should not allow themselves to be used by those whose interests are limited to their pockets. Our policemen are not well trained, and also corruption has eaten deep into the Ministry of Police. The Power minister would be frustrated because those that are gaining from the power outage are mostly in government. The committee headed by Tanimu was parochially constituted. It did not reflect the true minds of those in the committee. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ is marvelous and an excellent peice. The message was quite understood even to a deaf and dumb man. To add to it, we should all pray on 2015 elections as the signs are omnious. Next time, please include that you do not want to be a judge as well. From Chief Aiyeoribe, Ilorin.

    Kindly note that a government that can ground an aircraft, if annoyed further can bring it down by whatever means. If I were to be a governor, an APC will be my vehicle. God save my fatherland. Anonymous

    For pointing at the truth, may God protect and guide you in your job. From P. Uduma CAL CRS

    ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ further reiterates my concern for an almost total misconception of leadership in Nigeria. To be a leader is not a job; it is a service. The best leaders are selfless. That’s what we teach in MLFDN. We focus on developing political leaders on how to earn and utilise social currency called integrity. Well done! From Uba Saidu Malami, Chairman MLFDN

    ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ is a fantastic acticle. I read it and digested it also. More ink to your pen, sir. From Azeez Musiliu, Ogolonto, Ikorodu, Lagos

    You cannot do four jobs not five in your last paragraph. Let me ask, can you be a farmer? You have spoken the truth about them all; they are not leaders but rulers with evil minds. Thank you. From John Moye

    ‘Five jobs l won’t take’. This is great but l pray the oga at the top and all his surbudinates read it. All the mess will come to a stop one day. Thanks. Anonymous

    Re: Five jobs I won’t take. As long as President Jonathan Goodluck is known to be a gentleman, I detest anyone taking him for a ride and mocking him. In as much as he has not met our expectations, he should be given his respect; make useful suggestions for development to him. There is no job we should not take, provided we criticise objectively and constructively rather than politically. From Lanre Oseni

     

  • Tackling the menace of building collapse

    SIR: The ugly phenomenon of building collapse in Nigeria, with resultant loss of lives and properties, injuries, structural and collateral damages to other properties as well as public infrastructures, is becoming quite alarming. Here in Lagos, we have had a fair share of cases of building collapse with its ensuing trauma and agonies. The case of Lagos is particularly aggravated by its population density, the wet nature of the environment as well as the landscape of the state which most builders do not often take into consideration before embarking on building activities. The situation is further exacerbated by the refusal of residents to heed government’s warning to vacate buildings that are discovered to have faulty structures and therefore unsuitable for human habitation. This is often the situation with most collapsed buildings in the state.

    Similarly, the influx of many people to Lagos, on a daily basis, exerts much pressure on the available housing, leading to overcrowding in most houses with its resulting extra load and apparent distress of most buildings, particularly in densely populated areas. The desperate attempt by the residence to get out of the hook of terrible and shylock landlords by getting roof over their heads at all cost, couple with the eagerness of developers, both professionals and non-professionals, to get quick returns on their investments often leads to situation where regulations are deliberately or ignorantly circumvented thereby compromising standards at the expense of people’s lives.

    There is no point in apportioning blames in respect of the ugly trend of building collapse in the country. Everyone simply has a role to play to if the trend is to be reversed. Governments across the country need to ensure that building regulations are strictly adhered to while the people must be willing to play by the rules. Unfortunately, Nigeria is a place where illegality thrives, people build structures without approved plan, building permit and other necessary authorizations, while estates spring up without approve layout plan. It is estimated that more than 60% of structures across the country falls within this category. To cut cost, many people result to using substandard materials which are prevalent and abundant in Nigeria, both homemade and imported. Sadly, every cheap thing comes with a price.

    In Lagos, the State Government is not oblivious of the threat which the occurrence of collapsed building had over the years posed to government’s efforts to protect lives and property. The governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), recently inaugurated a six-man tribunal of enquiry on collapsed buildings.

    As earlier stated, citizens also have a role to play in curbing the trend of building collapse in the country. It is a fact that most construction activities take place in full glare of the people. Hence, it is important that people take interest in the safety of human lives by reporting structurally deficient building or any illegal construction and contraventions in their environment to the appropriate authorities. The human life is sacrosanct and it must be treated as such. This is why we must all come together to put an end to this menace.

    To effectively tackle the hazard of building collapse, we need to build synergy, build network, harmonise efforts and frequently review success recorded. This is the only way forward if we are to put an end to the agonies and trauma associated with the dreadful incidence of building collapse in Lagos, and indeed the country.

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi

    Ministry of Information and Strategy,

    Alausa, Ikeja.