The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Universities as towers of intrigues

    SIR: I refer to the mudslinging that has characterized the appointment of a Vice Chancellor for the Osun State University spearheaded by the Justice and Integrity Group within the university. It would appear as if the sense of decency associated with academic community has taken its flight from this university. Otherwise how would you explain a situation where the group went to the extent of making reference to the fact that the daughter of one of the contestants for the position was already 40 years old? This to me is not a strong reason to buttress the fact that the female contestant is above 60 years. If the lady in question became pregnant at the age of 18 years, is it not possible for her to be a grandmother at the age of 58 years?

    Everybody is aware that nearly all Federal Government policies are replicated at the state universities. So as of today, it is no longer a secret that retirement age of a professor is 70 years. Why this crisis over the issue of age for God’s sake?

    What I can deduce from the intrigues among academics in this university is that Nigerian universities are fast losing the academic culture that characterized the university system in the sixties and early seventies. Unfortunately, those who upheld the standard then are now old thereby paving the way for inexperienced academics. Majority of the present crop of academics were not fortunate to be mentored by highly experienced academics who left the shores of Nigeria immediately the economic depression in the late 70s set in. This created a big vacuum to such an extent that those unqualified for certain positions were promoted if only to fill the vacuum. This practice has constrained quality in the Nigerian university system. In some universities you have Lecturer 2 as Head of Departments while there are professors in Nigerian universities today that have not supervised a single PhD holder. Some lecturers cannot even distinguish the role of the senate of a university from that of the council. Otherwise how could a group within the academic community approach the House of Assembly to meddle in the simple process such as the appointment of a vice chancellor? Nigerian universities have become citadel of political intrigues that prevent them from consummating their principal functions.

    Until the academic community is able to appoint principal officers and fill other positions with little or no rancour, its clamour for autonomy would remain elusive. Government on its part must ensure that appointment of vice chancellor and other principal officers in the universities are highly transparent to reduce the tension that is associated with appointment into such positions. That is why the composition of Council members must be tilted in favour of those within the university system. The decision of the council on the choice of a vice chancellor must be binding on the government. A situation whereby somebody in a third is approved by the governor as the vice chancellor portends great danger for the future of academia in this country.

    It is therefore important that necessary steps must be taken by both the government and the academic community to restore the lost glory of Nigerian universities. It is unfortunate that as of today, Nigerian universities have lost their previous status of ivory tower in the 70s and acquired a present status of intrigue tower.

    • Abayomi Akintokun,

    Essex, London

  • Re: Bad maths or bad faith

    SIR: Sincere thanks to Sanya Oni for his write-up with the above title in The Nation of March 26. Thank you for arguing in favour of de-energised, de-humanised and traumatised Nigerians on the vexed issue of fuel or petrol subsidy.

    One thing I do not understand is whether the petroleum subsidy grows. I ask this because since the Abacha regime set up the now demised Petroleum Trust Fund which ran with proceeds of petroleum subsidy withdrawal, there has been periodic removal of the same subsidy leading to increase in pump price of petrol each time by subsequent regimes including that of President Obasanjo.

    In addition, the government has been unable to tell Nigerians the actual level of subsidy on petrol and monies doled out to friends and cronies via the so called subsidy. How does the subsidy return after its removal?

    One is worried that the government would deliberately transfer the burden of illegal payments to some well heeled people that “must be settled” in the guise of fuel subsidy reimbursement.

    Kindly continue with your fight for us if they will hear for we are already at a tight corner and would be unable to take more under any guise including subsidy withdrawal and increase in electricity tariff.

    • E. U. A. Enwereuzo,

    Okose Road, Uromi

  • Tinubu @ 61: The tasks ahead

    SIR: I refer to a speech credited to a prominent American citizen to a graduating class of engineering students in the United States: “Even at the pinnacle of your career your task is not done yet because new challenges will always await you as citizen engineers”.

    At 61, encomiums will be pouring in for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria and abroad. His millions of associates, friends, well-wishers, his foot soldiers, and hangers on will be fighting for spaces on the pages of newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations to celebrate their leader. His achievements will be posted on every wall for the world to see. Parties will be organized by his great followers in some areas to get attention. Colloquium and public lectures will be put in place by his admirers in honour of BAT. Street drummers and dancers will not want to be left out in the big show. Singers will not want their voices to be left out. What of writers and newspaper columnists?

    Conversely, his adversaries especially those whose political fortunes have nosedived as Asiwaju’s rose will sneer and offer uncomplimentary tributes. Those that fear his rising political profile, those that are so woven to the present decadent order will hiss and jeer. These are normal flipsides to a life like Asiwaju’s and conforms to the life of a great man.

    However, in the midst of these huge celebrations which are not only imperative but necessary, I want to chart another form of celebration as I want to challenge the leader, Asiwaju BAT that the task to reclaim Nigeria’s stolen future still awaits him as a ‘Citizen Engineer’. Asiwaju has received laurels both in Nigeria and abroad. He has shown leadership even when rocked in the cradle of difficulties and pillowed pains and hardships.

    He has shown remarkable and tremendous courage and perseverance in the midst of persecution. He has shown huge capacity to lead even in the face of challenges. To make things happen, Asiwaju has dared to drill the deepest well in Nigeria. Through dint of hard work, he has restored leadership and glory in the South-west and Edo State.

    But all these ground breaking achievements will be nothing if Nigeria goes under. In nearly 16 years, PDP has systematically grounded Nigeria, bringing to ruins a promising country that needs to show the way forward for Africa. In our own very eyes the party and its 40 thieves have squandered our future, our children’s future. PDP has purloined off Nigerian resources and future to coded accounts while Nigerians continue a life of pain and misery. A country blessed with a vast preponderance of human and material resources is lying prostrate because our good men had done nothing.

    At 61 Asiwaju BAT must be in battle gear now, he must wear the armour. The five-star General must lead his troops to war to reclaim Nigeria. Asiwaju should throw his doors wide open for Nigerians who desire change to come in. He should use his long undefeatable and unstoppable legs to go to them if they fail to come. He should use his golden voice to beckon on them to join the human race. Asiwaju should use his hands that are more than handy to drive the great handshake across Nigeria in order to stop the drift in the land.

    With his international connections, Asiwaju should reach out to the international community and seek help. With its brazen deep pockets, oil wells, and contractors with stolen money, to unseat PDP will be no tea party. Asiwaju must lead the onslaught against these people. None but honest and wise men must rule under this roof henceforth. This is duty Asiwaju owes us at 61.

    • Joe Igbokwe

    Lagos

  • Lessons from Zambia’s iconoclasts

    Lessons from Zambia’s iconoclasts

    Nigeria sees itself as big, strong and free, but it still has a lot to learn from other African countries, particularly from the iconoclasts of Zambia. To Zambians, there is no one too high or mighty to be questioned or brought to trial, not even their presidents. The immediate past president, Rupiah Banda, was on Monday arrested by the police and charged in court on Tuesday for corruptly enriching himself through an oil deal with Nigerians in which he was said to have siphoned $11m through his son, Henry’s bank account. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and alleged that he was being persecuted by his political enemies, notably President Michael Sata.

    With the exception of former President Levy Mwanawasa who died in office at the age of 60, no Zambia president has escaped prosecution. The first president of Zambia and author of Zambia Shall Be Free (1963), Kenneth Kaunda, was tried for being a foreigner (Malawian) and not qualified to stand for the 1996 presidential election. In 1999, a Zambian High Court eventually declared Kaunda stateless, even though he ruled Zambia between 1964 and 1991. The author of his distress was of course his opponent in the 1991 election, Frederick Chiluba, who caused the constitution to be amended to preclude foreigners from standing for elections.

    But Chiluba himself was tried for corruption after he left office. Accused of embezzling $500,000, Zambia spent about $13m to prosecute him, a cost Banda would later describe as obscene and irrational. Chiluba’s trial, which took place under the presidency of Mwanawasa, his mentor, further cemented Zambian iconoclasm by proving that no one in Zambia was above the law. Though Chiluba was acquitted of the charges in 2009, a London Court, however, found him guilty in 2007 of laundering stolen money estimated at $40m.

    The prosecution of Zambia’s ex-presidents evoked images of a game of musical chairs in a quaint way. While Banda prosecuted Chiluba for corruption, he was to take his turn on the ‘guillotine’ early this week when his successor, Sata, began prosecuting him for corruption. The cumulative effect of these prosecutions was that in 2010, the World Bank described Zambia as “…one of the world’s fastest economically reformed countries.” Politically too, the country has enjoyed pluralism for more than four decades, with no military hiatus. The country has been ruled by at least three political parties since independence. First was Kaunda’s socialist United National Independence Party (UNIP), followed by Frederick Chiluba’s social-democratic Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMPD), and then the Patriotic Front (PF) of the current president, Michael Chilufya Sata.

    Since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, no president or military ruler has ever been prosecuted for corruption. Indeed, the culture of lifelong immunity for past leaders seems to have been adopted. That culture has in turn bred impunity, encouraged civil dictatorship, and may very well engender fascism if care is not taken. This was why the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) swore after the 2011 polls to stay in office for the next six decades. And this was why in 2005 Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, while still president, unethically and unscrupulously raised almost N5bn for his presidential library. This was also why on March 16, President Goodluck Jonathan felt no qualms organising a fundraiser for his church back in his village, and raising about N6bn. Considering the appalling behaviour of the two Nigerian presidents, Zambia has shown better judgement, more restraint, and higher degree of morality.

    Zambia may be a country of a little over 14 million people with a nominal GDP of about $19.206bn, compared with Nigeria’s 160 million people and a nominal GDP of $238.920bn, but the former has demonstrated more sanity and maturity in its 49 years of independence than the latter in its 53 years of independence. Zambia’s iconoclasts show that sometimes, small may indeed be beautiful, and that foolishness is no respecter of size or delusion of grandeur.

     

  • From the cell phone

    For Dele Belgore

     

    A ruin of law is what Nigerian leaders understand not rule of law. The law is bigger than individual, you cannot be talking development in a country where rule of law is not respected. Law is meant to be obeyed, but our leaders do not respect it when they are in power. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos

    Dear Dele, I read your piece with great delight, but with some equivocations. While you were right on point about our country which is now the object of global ridicule, you did not dwell on the one single problem of the elite class like you and I. Shamelessness is the biggest factor militating against the rule of law in Nigeria. Why do the so-called political, social, religious and business leaders undermine the law and scatter men and animals alike? Why are the public looters rewarded with chieftaincy titles, knighthood and national awards? It is presence of shame, much above the fear of the law that leads to respect for the rule of law in other climes. How many indicted public officers wait for the law before resigning from office in the rest of the world? Why do some former social critics become greater petty thieves once they arrive the corridors of power in our country? The absence of shame is the real reason. Let us develop the culture of shame by making it count in this society. Let traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil societies and the people lead the way in the ostracisation of the real enemies of our country. It is only then that our journey to civilisation would begin. For now it is not yet uhuru. God bless. From Hon. West-Idahosa

    Good write-up sir. We are never short of great write-ups like this but we lack men of honour, character and courage who will translate great write-ups and dreams to reality to free our citizens from poverty, ignorance and abuse from strong individuals. Anonymous

    Dear Belgore, your comment ‘Where lies the rule of law in Nigeria?’ was nothing but the truth about our country. As we continue to pray for a possible change to this awkward attitude from all and sundry, we will also pray for good people with foresight like you to be blessed with the leadership status of this our great country. From Abdullahi Dunama

    Revolution is what this funny nation wants, if not, justice will continue to be no-go-area for the masses. For me, it can take place now to all I care. From Joe, Kaduna

    Learned senior, your write-up makes an interesting reading but it seems you cannot appreciate the disaster we are in. We allowed sentiment and emotion to becloud our sense of analytical judgments in 2011 by voting for one of the most unintelligent presidential candidate, who shielded away from open forum but instead opted to debate with Dbanj. Rule of law? Utopia! Anonymous

    Yes, Belgore SAN is very much correct. The truth about correcting Nigeria’s inadequacies owes it to the ensured enforcement of the rule of law. That way, not only will we find peace, but the very big monster (corruption), sapping our marrows would be long dead. Deal with those corrupt at the top, and that will go far. Anonymous

    Open forum. Indeed, the rule of law in Nigeria is in total disarray, it is so unbearable and pathetic that we are still dwindling in trying to get it right. I hope and pray that someday there will be equality and fairness amongst citizenry when seeking for jobs, in traffic jams, during elections, etc. From Kabiru Ivori Jibril, Okene kogi

    You really open the problems of our shameless leaders. One hopes they will read this your comment. From Sgt. Ezekiel, Nassarawa

    Re: Where lies the rule of law in Nigeria? I believe that Nigerians are at fault for the non-existence of the rule of law in Nigeria. When people vote on tribal and ethnic sentiments rather than on the basis of merit, you reap mediocrity and disregard for the rule of law. How do you expect to reap the dividends of democracy from politicians in office who do not even know the essence of governance? Until Nigerians learn to vote on the basis of merit and not tribal and religious sentiments, we will continue to revolve in a cycle of mediocre leadership. From Olumide Soyemi, Bariga

    Dear Belgore, I took time to read your column and I was convinced that you are very much on track on what Nigerian leaders have turned the law of the country to. God bless you richly. From Richard

    Sir, in my own view, we do not have the rule of law in Nigeria. What we have in Nigeria is the law of rule because those who rule in Nigeria are the law themselves. From Alex Onukwue Aguleri, Anambra State

    Your Excellency, the caption of your write-up on the back page of The Nation Newspaper of March 22, 2013 ‘Where lies the rule of law in Nigeria?’ is a well convoluted conscience-awakening question coupled with the perfectly chosen illustrations and instances. All the words are enough to change the lawless misdemeanor of those who are in power, but would they listen? Only people like you who have the conscience of right and wrong can obey as well as maintain the rule of law in Nigeria. Ironically, Nigerians do not like straightforward leaders and that is the problem. From Kunegha Agbajule

    God bless you for that beautiful piece on “Where lies the rule of law in Nigeria?” I love the seventh paragraph that pointed out that the violation of the law by government officials and law enforcement agencies make law abiding citizens look stupid or weak. I do hope that our leaders do take time to read such articles and see the need to lead by example. From Obinna Iheukwumere

    Thanks sir for your write-up on the rule of law in Nigeria on Friday. Please keep it up and may you not be like our current crop of leaders when you get there because you surely will by God’s grace. Regards! From David

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

     

    Your piece on “Post-mortem of a pardon” was well written, the humuor styled analysis added flavour, but beyond the jokes; Nigerians should know that leadership is a call to service which we will give account of someday. From Dave, Makurdi

    Re: Post-mortem of a pardon. I am impressed by your sense of humour. A beautiful satire indeed! From Ilom Chukwuji, Lagos

    I just read ‘Post-mortem of a pardon’, I no fit laugh jare!!! Also, I will not be a bit surprised to confirm that the satirical picture you painted is a near representation of the kind of psychopathic atmosphere that pervades ‘brainstorming’ sessions at the top echelons of our leadership…it is a pity. Thanks for the good job! Anonymous

    As I scant with every beat of interest through your piece, ‘Post-mortem of a pardon’, it dawned on me in a radical way that our leaders have never taken public opinion seriously nor have any remorse in taking wrong decisions, as far as it satisfies their megalomaniac agenda. This president is no different! Well done my brother, you put the reverse beautifully. From Tim, Ibadan

    Sir, frankly speaking, I laughed as I finished reading your ‘Post-mortem of a pardon’. In the last one week, there had been arguments for and against the pardon of Alamieyeseigha by President Jonathan. Those who feel for him say he deserves the pardon. Those who believe in the rule of law think the President acted wrongly. What is most alarming is the President’s media spokesman saying the critics of Jonathan’s act of pardon to his boss are suffering from sophisticated ignorance. I am laughing. I do not know how Baba will feel about this. From Iniobong Umana

    Sarcasm as a literary tool was part of what I learnt in school and in turn taught when I was a teacher; you have enough of it sir. God will nurture your mind more. Your piece always attests to this remark. I have enamored my mind to myriad of problems in my dear nation. Meanwhile sir, thanks for giving it a sarcastic treatment. From Adebiyi, Abeokuta

    Many of you read Bible as novel but, do not judge Goodluck as judgment is for God alone period. Anonymous

    The fact that President Goodluck Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha does not come as a surprise. Given the feeble attempts made by the President to fight corruption, it also shows that the President is paying lip service to the issue of corruption and other serious and vicious crimes plaguing the nation. May God help us in this country. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    The only option that is left for the President now is to resign because Nigerians are not ready to have a leader who encourages corruption by granting pardon to a corrupt person. This is the worse crime against Nigerians. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Dockyard Lagos

    Your article is educative and informed. But what I have been observing is that in Nigeria, when you are not in power you politicise all critical decisions taken by the authority. May God bless Naija. From Majemu, Ondo state

    Re: Post-mortem of a pardon. Whether or not Mr. President did a mix of the clemency, pardon or amnesty of others and Diepre Alamieyeseigha, what is bad remains sour! Mr. President with Alamieyeseigha’s pardon committed social, political and transparency hara-kiri. By now, Obasanjo would be regretting why he failed to ethnicise, trivialise, fraternise with, and free ex-IG Tafa Balogun. The good image of Nigeria Obasanjo rebuilt is being battered by NCS and Co. When shall we liberate ourselves-Nigeria from corruptive-thoughts? From Lanre Oseni

    ‘Post-mortern of a pardon’ is all about the existence of a very powerful corrupt fraternity, which is hell bent on protecting members. Not until they are removed from government that we can have a corrupt-free nation. From Alhaj ADEYCorsim, Osodi Lagos

    Omotosho, on your write-up ‘Post-mortem of a pardon’, you have also been Alamieyeseigha for breaking my ribs. From Ali Muhammed, Abuja

    I would not have had a problem with this Alamieyeseigha pardon but the problem is that he definitely jumped bail in the United Kingdom, even if he did not commit the crime he was arrested for. In other words, he may even be innocent of the money laundering charges against him but he is certainly guilty of jumping bail which is a crime on its own. What message are we sending that we provide refuge for our citizens who run from the law in fellow democratic and friendly nations? Anonymous

    Jonathan’s pardon to Alamieyeseigha is a welcomed idea. Alamieyeseigha was setup in London by Obasanjo due to the fact that he rejected his third term ambition. I praised Mr. President for the courage and bravery in taking such a challenging decision. From Michael Okiriko, Abia

    Dear Sir, your ‘Post-mortem of a pardon’ is concise and point blank with a touch of humour.

    I am an optimist but sometimes I also wonder if Nigeria will ever come out of its bowels of corruption and ineptitude. From Joseph Odey, University of Maiduguri

     

    For Dare Olatunji

     

    If Jonathan regime is a season of pardoning hard criminals, then I beg him to pardon AlMustapha from the north to complete his agenda. Anonymous

    The President does things with impunity believing that nobody will ask him. In my last week comment, I said any action the President takes now will either speaks in his favour or against him. Why is the President heating up the polity when the ovation is already louder? He said he is fighting corruption but it is the corruption that is fighting him. Pardoning Alams has shown that the President lacks political will to tackle this disease called corruption. Now, those who have it at the back of their mind to steal will steal because they know nothing will happen to them. Nigeria is in a fix. We have been fixed by our leaders, they have ridiculed us before the whole world. Corruption has become the husband of the President; it controls him morning and night. Mr. President, please reverse your decision on Alams for you to regain confidence in the minds of Nigerians. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Lagos

    Your piece ‘Season of absolution’ makes an interesting reading. It is a pity that the council of state has become a rubber stamp body for President Jonathan. These former leaders are busy in their pursuit of contracts for themselves and their cronies despite the fact that they also collect sitting allowances. My only hope is in God as these leaders have once again failed us. Let us pray to God to save Nigeria. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Our leaders have ridiculed us before the world. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Docyard Lagos

    Sir, remember that presidential pardons are given to criminals which DSP represents now and not for innocent people thanks. Anonymous

    Though I hold no brief for Alams, if somebody like the former military president is walking free in Nigeria, why not Alams? Prof, there are many serving governors now who have stolen more money than Alamieyeseigha. From Nkereuwem

    Sir, do you know that Alamieyeseigha did not loot the Federal Government money but Bayelsa State money? As the leader of Ijaw people, where do you expect Alamieyeseigha to get the money to fight the cause of marginalisation meted to the Ijaws by the three ethnic groups, if not from the State pause? You people should leave Jonathan and Alamieyeseigha pardon alone. From Chief Ogori Neingi, Port Harcourt

    Re: The state as family writ large. Your allusion to a phantom coup is laughable as Diya’s CSO during Oputa panel acknowledged that indeed a coup took place. You are as guilty as Jonathan in your support of your kinsmen. And there lies the problems of Nigerians-ethnicity. Anonymous

    ‘In this season of absolution’ is an excellent tale of the government of thieves, by fraud, for the corrupt. Nigeria is a country where members of the corrupt fraternity make the ruling class, they will surely protect any member from shame. From Alhaj ADEYCorsim, Osodi Lagos

    I think the President did a very wrong shot on Alamieyeseigha, the Federal Executive messengers also failed in knocking some good sense in the head of Mr. President. However, to save his face, his pardon should extend to other Nigerians who have defaulted and are sorry. Come 2015, I believe if this correction is not put in place, Jonathan will stand no chance of re-election, knowing full well that the like of Atiku are preparing to take over the Aso Villa, which I feel is better for our nation. From Henry Erusiafe, Delta State

    ‘In this season of absolution’, it is indeed a great write-up, keep it up, our judiciary and all anti-graft agencies should wake up from their slumber. From Rotnen, Jos

    RE: ‘In this season of absolution’. The Presidential Pardon granted to the recipients has political meanings. We will all understand better by their roles, partisan activities and alliances in the up-coming elections and the new government that will be sworn in 2015. From Ochogwu Abdullahi A., Maiduguri

     

  • Subsidy removal is PDP agenda

    Subsidy removal is PDP agenda

    SIR: I believe the President does not learn from the past. Most of his actions are unpresidential but he is yet to admit that. Why does the president like to inflict pains on Nigerians deliberately? The subsidy he had promised to remove again is not really responsible for our backwardness but his negligence and nonchalant attitude towards corruption. His decision to remove subsidy again would rather cause unrest.

    The president should know that Nigerians are hungry and unhappy with his policies since he came into power. Nigerians voted for him because of the love they have for him and because of the name he bears. Why is the president now acting conversely to his name? It is surprising that the man who told Nigerians that he had no shoes and Nigerians bought one for him is now the one who pays deaf ears to the cries of the people.

    Removal of subsidy is not what is hindering our developmental process but corruption. There is intense corruption in the system. Our President should cleanse the system by bringing corrupt elements to book. Instead of seeking for ways to punish the subsidy cabals, the president is rather seeking for ways to impoverish Nigerians and enrich the PDP because I believe the subsidy removal is a PDP agenda.

    The party’s agenda has now become the country’s agenda. Nigerians must now be regretting voting President Jonathan into power. The promise he made to surprise his critics in 2013 has begun to manifest; it is written on the wall for Nigerians to read. I hope Nigerians won’t be gullible once again in 2015.

    Halima Hassana Abdulmalik

    IBB University, Lapai, Niger State.

  • The senseless murders

    The senseless murders

    Sir: Ever since the emergence of the Boko Haram Islamists, residents of many northern states have known no peace. It had been harvests of bombs, so much so that the deadly device is fast becoming as common as firecrackers. This utterly ruthless gang has struck almost at will and each time leave behind burnt and mangled flesh. On March 18, they were at their murderous best again.

    In the evening of that day, ordinary Nigerians went about their ordinary affairs at a motor park in Sabon-gari, Kano. Some were set to travel to other parts of the country while others were about to return to their families after another day of hustle. Little did they know that some enemies they neither knew nor done any wrong to have plotted their destruction. When eventually the angels of death struck, they violently dispatched dozens to the great beyond and left many more injured and traumatized. Now, why must these innocent Nigerians die and what do their murderers aim to thereby achieve?

    The wanton killing of innocent Nigerians can never be justified; it is completely indefensible. No man has the right to arbitrarily take the life of another, no matter the provocation. No grievance or perceived injustice is enough reason for the killing of innocent people. These killings are even more repugnant as it seems the killers presume that they are thereby doing the work of God. This is the height of blasphemy! How can one claim to be in the service of God while destroying His creature? Can one love God while hating his fellow man?

    That some people should claim to be committing murder in the name of God is insane enough but even utterly insane is the fact that some persons would blow themselves up to achieve this. I just don’t get it. The phenomenon of suicide bombing has been with the world for decades but very few would have believed that such thing is possible here. The average Nigerian loves his life. So, how did some suddenly become ready, even willing to throw theirs away in the pursuit of a worthless, nay devilish end? How could this be possible?

    Those who send others to blow themselves up could only have achieved that through systematic indoctrination; the zombies who march to their deaths could only have been completely brainwashed. And they were able to be brainwashed largely because they failed to make proper use of their minds. This again underscores why I can’t stop harping on the need for men to make more use of their ability to think; it is not for nothing that Almighty God bestowed such gift on us. Followers of every religion must cultivate the habit of asking questions, of critically examining whatever doctrine their leaders are preaching. This will go a long way in reducing the number of people that could be used to perpetrate atrocities.

    It is not enough to condemn the dastardly act whenever it happens, government must do more than that. There must be concerted effort to discourage or even clamp down on the propagation of intolerant and hateful doctrines. Government must demonstrate resolve in the fight against terrorism and impunity. The security agencies must be more proactive, they must invest more on intelligence gathering so as to stop the merchants of death before they have a chance to carry out their wicked trade. Citizens must also recognize the dangerous times in which they live and be more security conscious.

    Above these measures, however, is the need to preach and sow love. There is simply too much hate and hateful ideologies in the world today; it is almost choking humanity. A lasting solution to the present dangerous situation lies in love. As light disperses darkness, so does love disperse hate. Men of goodwill must intensify effort in the service of peace and love. This is a matter of utmost and urgent importance if the present dangerous trend is to be reversed.

    • Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Re: Kudos to Ogun State NYSC

    Re: Kudos to Ogun State NYSC

    Sir: The series of events culminating in the expulsion of a corps member from the service by the Ogun State camp director is to say the least an unfortunate one. That the well read Dr Kingsley Ike O. could also lend his weight to this illegal and unconstitutional act is more demeaning.

    The Service was founded upon sound principles of humility and service to our fatherland. Service in line with national value and orientation is key here. Ike is supposed to understand the reason for the military approach to training these youths. The military and all paramilitary formations have dress codes which were not to offend either sex’s sensibilities and religion. Take it beyond Nigeria, this same principle applies to all nations.

    The corps member in question is saluted for standing tall to defend her faith despite her willingness to serve. She opted for skirt which is permitted in military formations. What is wrong in this? If the founding fathers at the beginning overlook this all-important aspect of our national life, why don’t we correct it? How many times have the hero director denied sending her out of camp in the night even when all evidences point to it!

    Service to fatherland at this time is a personal pride as the inherent value in itself has diminished. Let the fading scheme grants exemption to those who are willing to opt out without embarrassing them. Those who can compromise their faiths with those who are less concerned are free to continue with it.

    A note to our eminent scholar: the place of religion in man is deeper than what mental knowledge can fill. Religion is of the heart and it shapes and rules the total being, your philosophy is of the head and only tilts the mind. Doc, when others who were permitted have been found to be better ambassadors of the scheme, why are we fraying nerves and losing sleep over this?

    Let this be in the interest of fairness and justice.

    • Matthew Sunday

    Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta

  • Our unjust treatment by ABU authorities

    Our unjust treatment by ABU authorities

    Sir: I write to you as a last option to get the general public interested in what is going on in the Faculty of Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to avert a repetition of what happened in Nassarawa State University Lafia during which protesting students were shot and killed.

    We have always prided ourselves among the best of the best faculties in Ahmadu Bello University because we have always been taught by the same lecturers to stand by what we believe and never waiver until we get the desired result.

    I was admitted in the year 2001 to study mechanical engineering and after series of strikes both local and external, I graduated in 2010/2011 only to be told that my residency had expired.

    I was taken aback and wondered what residency meant, I was told that it was a stipulated period I was given to graduate if not then I was no longer a student of the institution. I went about trying to see what could be done to correct this and to my greatest surprise I found out that up to 50 students were also affected.

    We knew we had to take our case to the current vice-chancellor Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi who earlier approved a third semester for students to graduate upon which more than half of the spillover students eventually did. Thanks to him, many of our colleagues are now serving in the NYSC programme.

    We were advised to see the security coordinator of the university who promised to assist and he did by getting our names to the vice chancellor and we were told that our case will be looked into. Our names were compiled and submitted to him with the approval of the dean of the faculty of engineering.

    We even went to see the Royal Father of Zaria, (Emir of Zazzau) but couldn’t get audience with him but saw the Ciroma of Zazzau who promised that it will be looked into. While we were waiting for a response, the Department of Mechanical Engineering caught fire. Those of us who had written down our names later became prime suspects with the security department accusing us of setting fire to the department.

    The state SSS was invited to investigate and they detained three students in their cells in Kaduna.

    So, we are appealing to the Minister Of Education, the National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS) civil society groups and the Vice chancellor to intervene in this matter before they wrongly dismiss students who all this while were paying the school fees even during the time their residency allegedly expired. The Federal Government already has its hands full with security challenges without additional threats from frustrated students. Please help before they become security threat to their own nation.

    • Abdullahi Aliu

    Garki, Abuja

  • Re: Centenary of Ibadan Grammar School

    SIR: The write-up with the above topic was a lucidly written one by Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s fore-most historians, diplomat and international relation experts in The Nation of Thursday march 14. In his usual style, Professor Osuntokun went back on memory lane to the good old days of secondary education in western Nigeria, particularly in Ibadan and how years of inept leadership have ruined everything good about the educational institutions and perhaps Ibadan Grammar school, where he was a student in the early 1960s.

    As a matter of fact, I have never had any cause to dispute anything written by Professor Osuntokun because apart from being a most junior colleague to him, I have benefited immensely from his fountain of knowledge through his write-ups. However, in the above mentioned article, his submission that the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria-led governments’ in free education policy in the then western Nigeria was a disaster is debatable. Rather than free education policy, lack of continuity in government policies after the collapse of the second republic, lack of maintenance by schools authorities, negligence on the part of the old students’ associations, parents and teachers associations and communities were responsible for the collapse of infrastructures in our secondary schools in post UPN years. In fact, the facilities provided for all schools particularly in Oyo State in terms of class rooms, lockers and chairs, text books etc. could last a generation if well preserved and maintained. Aside, it was the free education policy that decentralised secondary education in western Nigeria. Only that time did communities that never thought of having separate secondary schools become proud owners. Equally, the fact that education was made free made it possible for many indigene students who would have had no opportunity of secondary education. This accounts for the edge that western Nigeria had over other regions in terms of school enrollment till date. Professor Osuntokun justified his postulation about the “ideologically driven program of free education at all levels as a disaster” with bad and untared road leading to Ibadan Grammar School, blown off roofs of some of the buildings of the school, abandoned boarding houses, absence of library and dilapidated classrooms.

    It is crystal clear that the aforementioned did not happen between 1979 and 1983; they were products of inept leadership since 1983. Nevertheless, I concur with Professor Osuntokun’s suggestions on the way out of the decline of facilities to some of our schools. Governments in the South-west, old students, parents and teachers and communities have a role to play in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the infrastructures in our schools.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.