The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Don’t politicise Nigerian Army

    Don’t politicise Nigerian Army

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

    • John Tosin

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • NEXIM and Nigeria’s non-oil export

    NEXIM and Nigeria’s non-oil export

    SIR: Around the world’s growing economies- from China to India and to the biggest economies in the US and UK, emphases are placed on support for export-oriented small and medium enterprises, SMEs, as well as their modernisation and expansion activities.

    Nigeria’s case should not be different. Nigeria, like many other developing African countries started as agrarian economy. The agricultural produce of the early Nigeria included groundnuts, rubber, timber, cocoa, beans, palm kernel, hides and skin, to mention just a few.

    These products accounted for over 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and was the main source of export earnings and public revenue. With the crude oil discovery in 1956 and its exploration in commercial quantityin1958 however, the oil sector gradually became the dominant sector in the economy, and almost the sole source of export earnings. For instance in 1970’s petroleum constituted of about 78 percent of Federal Government revenue and more than 95 percent of export earnings.

    To give the economy a boast and encourage exporters to meet with the challenge of sourcing for required funds, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency (ECA) with a strategic objective of enhancing value-added exports and bolstering the capacity of SMEs for job creation and foreign exchange earnings.

    However, before now, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), was largely seen by many operators in the financial sector as a mere waste pipe or another bureaucratic contraption set up to minister to the needs of well-connected borrowers who may never repay their loans. In fact, at a point NEXIM became almost a dead institution and no one would want to touch it with a 12-foot pole. It became deeply mired in debts, posting losses year after year.

    NEXIM Bank was however reconstituted in August 2009 by the federal government. The board of directors, led by Dr. Kingsley C. Moghalu, deputy governor, Financial System Stability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in 2010, endorsed the repositioning of NEXIM Bank. The bank then remodelled its objectives to develop the sectors of manufacturing, agro-processing, solid minerals and services which have high amount of employment and foreign exchange earning potential in the non-oil sector.

    Recently, NEXIM made available the sum of N23.33 billion to Nigerian non-oil exporters, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) while the sum of $27.3 billion guarantees had been issued between 2009 and August 2012. Out of this amount, manufacturing received N11.3 billion of 48 percent while agro-processing got about N5 billion or 21 per cent. The solid minerals sector received about N2 billion, representing 8.9 per cent and the services sector about N4.8 billion.

    This shows a commitment to becoming a major contributor to non-oil exports.

    Though not well known to the public, NEXIM Bank has been increasingly important to a growing number of small businesses who have become an integral part of the growing number of non-oil exports by Nigerian export companies to top export destinations. NEXIM presently provides short and medium term loans to Nigerian exporters. It also provides short term guarantees for loans granted by Nigerian banks to exporters as well as credit insurance against political and commercial risks in the event of non-payment by foreign buyers. The bank is also the government’s National Guarantor under the ECOWAS Inter-state Road Transit programme.

    NEXIM is indeed moving in the right direction in the quest to increase Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

    • Augustine Aminu

    Abuja

  • Mimiko, please do justice to me

    Mimiko, please do justice to me

    Sir: I was employed as class teacher by Ondo SUBEB in September 2006. I was posted to St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Bolorunduro. However, barely a month later, my appointment was withdrawn on the ground that I am an hearing-impaired person.

    The board was aware of my physical disability before it employed and posted me. I did well in the interview which was conducted twice and fully merited my appointment. Thereafter, I was informed that I will be re-posted to the School For the Deaf in Akure through the Ministry of Education.

    However, one morning, the Education Secretary came in and ordered me to follow him to the Board office in Akure. There, I was informed that my appointment had been terminated. When I reminded them the promise made to re-post me, I was told to go to the Ministry of Education myself as that was none of their business.

    Ever since, I have gone from one office to the other in an effort to regain my job.

    During the administration of former Governor Olusegun Agagu, I appealed to different quarters without any positive response. And for the past four years, I have being trying to reach Governor Olusegun Mimiko without success.

    The hardships that I face daily as a result of the loss of my job, coupled with the stress of trying to regain my job over the years have been too much me. I have been jobless since then and this has led to depression.

    It is on this premise I am appealing to Governor Mimiko to have mercy on me and use his good office to reinstate into teaching.

    • Oladipo Blessing

    Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State.

  • Murtala Ramat Muhammed (November 1938-February 1976)

    Murtala Ramat Muhammed (November 1938-February 1976)

    Some 37 years ago Gen Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated in a coup d’etat led by Col Bukar Sukar Dimka. He was barely 38 when he died. Right from the time his participation in the countercoup of July 1966 brought him to the fore of Nigeria’s often cataclysmic struggle for power at the age of 28, the intensely ambitious military officer never left the thick of military politics and leadership until assassins’ bullets stopped him on February 13, 1976, a little over six months after he seized power. He was a man in a hurry who died in a hurry, in the prime of his life. Imagine what he could have done with power had he lived for a little longer, say, until he handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1979? Could the transition to civilian rule have proceeded the way his sanctimonious successor, General Olusegun Obasanjo, managed it? Indeed, in spite of his glaring weaknesses, particularly his riling and famous impetuousness, would he have handed over power to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, especially considering his highly publicised antipathy towards the gentle style of Gen Yakubu Gowon, his predecessor? These are indeed interesting areas of discourse historians and political scientists should engage themselves in.

    But for our purpose today, let us simply remember the young officer who at 28 had the chutzpah to want to rule Nigeria consequent upon the success of the countercoup. In the event, and to his eternal dismay, the opportunity of ruling Nigeria went to another northern officer, the then Col Yakubu Gowon, perhaps because the scheming American and British advisers read him (Murtala) correctly and knew he was too hot-headed and opinionated to be amenable to their dictations. He proved the meddlesome duo right in 1976 when he took power and began the most intense domestic policy and external relations transformation the country had ever witnessed. Indeed he was at once so activist and populist that the undiscriminating intelligentsia of the day idolised him and the less finicky rabble to whom he had seemed to throw caviar were ecstatic.

    The love affair between the country and Murtala was so instant and so passionate that few paused to ask questions about the appropriateness or long-term impact of his radical policies. The nationalisation of the so-called commanding heights of the economy, the takeover of the very large newspapers of the day, the Daily Times and New Nigerian, and the appropriation of private and state schools unleashed such social devastation and developmental dislocations that the consequences are still being felt even today. And who can forget the tsunami he unleashed against the civil service, a catastrophe that the hitherto professionally-run institution has not recovered from?

    Yet, it was clear that after many years of the Gowon government, and especially the casual manner he reneged on the original 1976 handover date, the country had sunk into such stultifying staleness that only a horse dose of adrenalin could have brought the country back to life. Murtala rode on that resuscitated crest for about six dizzying, unbelievable months. Would to God he had ridden more carefully, and dealt with antagonistic foreign powers more circumspectly. But there is no denying he is still regarded as one of Nigeria’s true heroes. He was detribalised, he was authentic, he was eager, he was extraordinarily bold, and he was a patriot who truly loved his country, even if many of his policies were misconceived and misplaced. Could anyone say the same of his successors, particularly the pretentious Obasanjo and the considerably insular and divisive President Goodluck Jonathan?

     

  • From the cell phone

    From the cell phone

    For Gbenga Omotoso

     

    Sir, just as you said concerning the Super Eagles, I am happy and I decree 2 – 1 in favour of Nigeria in Jesus name – Amen. Anonymous

    Dear Mr. Omotoso, I just read ‘A guide to legal battles’, as published in The Nation. It is a master piece though tragic. I think it is time our National Assembly passed the law against plea bargain. From Pastor Pat Chuka, Asaba

    Nigeria will surely win. The boys are determined, dedicated and focused. From Pastor Bren, Umuahia

    Super Eagles have the capability to rule Africa even for a longer period. Super Eagles will win. From Ogar, J. M. O. Umuahia, Abia State

    Re: A guide to legal battles. Your formular for escape from justice for stolen money is 100 per cent correct. The new approach is ‘the more you steal, the lesser your punishment’. This is the more reason corruption can never be prosecuted judiciously. All agencies are compromised hence the country is stagnant on all fronts. Only democratic revolution can change the mess in the country. From Pastor Odunmbaku

    May God Almighty deliver us from the hands of corrupt judges in this country. Our leaders are no longer worried on who will judge them if they want to steal because somebody is arround the corner waiting to be paid for the case. How on earth can a man steal the sum of N32b pension money and said the money is just only N30b, and was given N75,0000 bail? Are they promoting corruption or fighting it? Our judiciary is in a mess, our politiicians have become shameless, stealing is no longer anything to them; when they steal, they will be boasting because another thief that call him or herself judge will shield them. A man stole N100b some years ago and was sentenced to two years imprisoment and came back with rousing welcome. What do they teach their children? How do they expect their subject to behave? From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Dockyard Apapa Lagos

    I wish Super Eagles all the best but my advice is if we want Super Eagles to lift the cup, President Goodluck must not attend AFCON final as he promised or else…. Anonymous

    “A guide to legal battles”. What a funny way to laugh off our insincerity in Nigeria! You are too much sir. From Michael Afolayan

    Gratitude is a burden. Let all those failed national coaches that predicted failures for the miracle man of Steven Keshi bury their heads in shame. From Solokito

    Teachers teach students. Teaching is a profession and as such more strictly defined than a vocation, career and occupation. Students learn from teachers and teachers facilitate learning by students. Learning and the facilitation of learning are common responsibilities. Professional teachers have the additional responsibility for efficent and effective utilisation of resources for teaching and learning. Teachers are the best professional managers of our national education. The American AFT is like Nigerian Medical Association and the Bar Association which are more of professionalism than unionism.Unions bargain against their employers and professions promote the status,contribution and acceptance of the service provided. The unions may consider transforming into professions in the national interest. This would be more persuasive as governments are seen less as the major employer of labour in education. I would not aggree with you that the governments have prerogative to promotes standard of education more than the private sector of the economy. Good education promote economy that would be dominated by the private sector,rather than by government. In the public-private partnership, the private should lead. Professions and professional teachers are private spirit driven and may only be so sustainable. They work for payment and gain. NUTwould remain unified against a virtual unification of the governments as their major employer.Hence standards of teachers, teaching and education suffer. From Engr. Adewumi, Ilorin

    AFCON 2013 has been interesting especially as The Super Eagles sent the highly rated Ivorians home. From Aly B., Kaduna.

    You are on point. The special grace of Satguru Maharaj Ji has touched Nigeria to lift the AFCON trophy this time come what may. Congrats in advance! Anonymous

    The Super Eagles need to tighten their belt against Burkina Faso. We are diamond and Super Eagles will win the match with 3-1. From Sylvanus, Edo State

    Please help contact coach Keshi that the Super Eagles should appear in blue jersey which always favours us and brings goodluck to Nigeria always. Thanks! From Dr. Nwosu, PortHarcout

    On Super Eagles’. . . .so super, you have said nothing but the whole truth. To add words to your complete but concise write-up, the atittude of the big boss is overwhemingly patrotic. Our players are wonderful. I simply say that God is a Nigerian. I can smell the trophy already. From Pastor Ugwa Pius.

     

     

    For Olatunji Dare

     

    I will support Soludo for Governor anyday! And, yes, he has the qualities mentioned before your first sarcastic question about a second term at the CBN. Anonymous

    Your story on Soludo is revealing and shows you expensively researched to produce such a thorough job. You failed to mention his pending alleged huge bribery case. Regards. From Chuma Mbaise, Imo State

    Your piece, ‘Soludo: A quest renewed’, was incisive and educative. More inks to your pen and more strength to your hand. And to the cerebral cortex too. However, Peter Obi is of the APGA and not ANPP as stated by you in the said piece. Anonymous

    Sir, I believe the printer’s devil struck in the last paragraph of your piece on Soludo (Feb. 5): ‘cannot’ or ‘can now’? From Jide Jimohm, LASU, Lagos

    I totally agree we need good and effective government under a disciplined and committed leadership, not endless political conferences that serve no purpose. From Wisdom Baiye

    One may do some time-serving but when one’s hour has come, one must not miss it. Professor Soludo should quickly retire his ambition to rule govern Anambra State under PDP because there is no knowing to what they may be led by circumstance. Relatedly, intellectual originality does not make for popularity in Nigerian politics. What the average voter likes is ordinary ideas supported by brains and character stronger than the ordinary. From Adegoke O. O., Ikhin, Edo State

    Soludo was denied a second term as CBN governor because he is good for the Igbo but not good enough for Nigeria! Anonymous

    I cherish your column always but you can digress a little, write about common people in the society, not always about big people. Common people offend you? Anonymous

    Re: Soludo: A quest renewed. I least expected an intelligent man like Chukwuma Soludo to have been tricked by the powers-that-be into the then Anambra murky water of governorship contest. He should by now realise the Yoruba phrase that says ‘Keep dancing, we are behind you’. Whereas the reality is ‘You are on your own!’ Today, you cannot toy with Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Anambra and Kano electioneering results anyhow. Let us learn to swim well, before jumping into a deep ocean. By now, Charles Soludo would know when and how to compete politically in Nigeria. From Lanre Oseni

     

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

     

    Sir,’Teacher quality and student outcome’ are two sides of a coin. NUT may be a professional body but it is purely a trade union, whose main object is to defend members compared to NBA or NMA which operates basically as a professional body that even expels erring members. NUT has never recommended any member for expulsion or serious disciplinary action. There is need for ASUU and NUT to come together to save the teaching profession. When lawyers are called barristers, doctors as doctors (prefix to name). Therefore, teachers should be educators. From Alhaji Hon. ADEYCorsim, Osodi, Lagos

    I read your today column in The Nation, very interesting. Please more of it, being an Oke Ogun indigene sir, please we need your likemind in liberating our people. We may contact you soon for advice on the way forward. From Sholagbade Adeshina, Lagos based Iganna indigene

    Dear Sir, compliments! Your piece “Family involvement in education” as published in The Nation newspaper of Friday February 8, is indeed, a well thought out and well written piece! May God bless you for advocating a complete return to our rich African values. As a young parent, I have learnt a lot from the column and promise to uphold the morals enumerated! From Barr. P. Akila Kasham, Jos

    Gud day Prof., your thoughts on family involvement in education is both thorough and enlightening. The problem is that, you should have noted the real cause of today’s decay or dysfunctionality, just in passing. That is, the issue of ‘urban-centered individualism’. I can assure you that most of the villages in the Southwest, which I know, still cherish the communality of old in everything, including raising the child. The crisis is in the over-populated urban areas where even parents barely have enough time to sleep because of work. So, all they do is struggle to pay school fees and ‘the deal is done’. Until we have a government which cherishes education, we may be in for a long haul. Regards. From Olu

    You titled your article with family involvement and ended with the community responsibility for education. All be it that the village is needed for all the education. The world is becoming our globalised village. The difference is in the commercialisation of our values and virtues. It is unrealistic to expect that the family and community in this modernised village would contribute to education without monetary considerations, governments should allow the private interests to make contributions to education. The families are now private interests. Money governs the world now, and education is dictated by money, and not by old values. Let us talk on how to manage education for our personal, private and national economic interests. Education needs money and someone must pay for it. The families pay directly or indirectly. From Engr. A. I. Adewumi. Ilorin

    ‘A guide to legal battles’ is really refreshing. Sir, when are you going to practicalise this theory. Hope you are not waiting to be appointed into government before you do what your other colleaques have been doing. From ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos

    Dear Elder Gbadegesin, indeed, education is not only about classwork but equally about character building. Africans believe in good formal and informal education. Your voice is a voice of wisdom as an experienced elder. I wish every parent, leaders of communities, custodians of children, etc., will reason with your comment and come together again in order to build a better education framework for our children. From Dare Kayode, Abuja

    I do not agree that the education system and the family are different entities and not the products of the economic foundation of Nigeria. What about the foundation? It is neo-colonial capitalism that divided the country into haves and haves-not. It is hostile to peace and unity and love. It breeds self-seekers. Thanks. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna

     

  • PDP is causing chaos

    PDP is causing chaos

    SIR: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is creating political chaos in Nigeria. Note that the principle of rotational presidency was not contested until Dr. Goodluck Jonathan decided to take undue advantage of the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. All the major opposition political parties chose their presidential candidates from the North-west in 2011, to indicate they found rotational presidency reasonable and just.

    Surprisingly, confusionists keep saying rotational presidency is undemocratic, as if democracy implies lack of political order. They also argue that it will lead to choosing mediocres as President; they have not indicated which zones harbour only mediocres, so that we can exclude such zones from the rotation roster. Then, they have not told concerned Nigerians how else the nation can engender political equity, peace, and progress. They should explain also why the Jonathan-led administration has refused to allow an electoral commission whose principal officers are not chosen by the PDP.

    The PDP and its beneficiaries should explain the foregoing, and outline their proposal for equity, peace, and progress in Nigeria. I propose that the President should come from (Yar’Adua’s) North-west zone in 2015 to serve a single term of four years, and afterwards the baton should pass to the South-east, since Jonathan (from South-south) has spent many years in the presidency. Thereafter, the presidency should rotate from zone to zone, on north-south basis.

    The most recent act of intolerance and desperation betrayed by the PDP was the seizing of Offa Local Government from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), using inter-communal clash as an excuse. Offa is the only local government won in Kwara state by the opposition political party (the ACN). The long-standing bad blood between Offa and Erin-Ile (in another local government) which resurfaced recently provided an opportunity the PDP had been looking-for to seize Offa local government.

    The state Governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, also sacked the other chairman to convey appearance of even-handedness, and replaced both with caretakers. I enjoin the Offa people to endure the humiliation, hold their peace, but never succumb to intimidation and deceptive “gifts”. Nigeria must sack the PDP after many years of chaos, disorientation, and retrogression.

    I appeal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to solidify rotational presidency, and work for the establishment of a truly independent electoral commission whose principal officers will not be chosen by the partisan President. I enjoin support for General Muhammadu Buhari to be the presidential candidate; he is a highly trustworthy person from the North-west. At worse, there should be primary election, rather than begging the General to drop his ambition.

     

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.

     

  • NASS, Presidency and 2013 budget delay

    NASS, Presidency and 2013 budget delay

    SIR: When on October 10, 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2013 budget proposal to the joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS), Nigerians had thought that we have moved from the era, where the passage and signing of annual budgets were being delayed due to late presentation by the Presidency.

    In fact, the President received accolades from the entire people of Nigeria, as it was believed to be a good development that will greatly aid the budget implementation process. They (Nigerians) had expected the federal lawmakers to follow suit in ensuring quick passage, without prejudice to their constitutional powers to carry out proper scrutiny of the content of the budget proposal and make amends where necessary.

    Interestingly, the legislators did not disappoint Nigerians as they worked round the clock to ensure that the 2013 appropriation bill was passed on December 20, 2012, with an addition of about N63 billion to the N4.924 trillion originally proposed by the Presidency.

    However, almost two months after the passage of the 2013 budget by the parliamentarians, it is still awaiting the assent of the President. This delay in the signing of the 2013 appropriation bill into law, according to reports, may be due to disagreements between the Presidency and NASS on the oil benchmark, constituency projects and zero allocation for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Another reason that may have been holding back the President from signing the budget is said to be the additional N63 billion added to it by NASS. The President appears not to be comfortable with the increase made by the lawmakers.

    What is truly important at this point is for the two parties to come to terms as fast as possible. Continuous delay in the signing of the 2013 budget will not augur well for us. The Presidency must not allow this to get to a level where lawmakers will have to take the option of overriding the President’s veto as some members are already threatening and looking towards that direction.

    Come to think of it, of what use would it be that despite commendable efforts made by the executive to present the 2013 budget early October, 2012 as against previous years where it was presented in December, the signing of the appropriation bill is delayed till March or April? This would mean that the essence of the early presentation would have been defeated.

    • Michael Jegede

    Abuja

  • Attention IGP, Police Affairs minister

    Attention IGP, Police Affairs minister

    SIR: The uproar generated by the recent judgment of Justice Mohammed Talba on the pilfering of the Nigeria Police Pension funds will continue to form part of our discourse for as long as we will continue to witness the suffering of police pensioners. This was recently brought to the fore by the admission of the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt Caleb Olubolade that more than 4000 retirees are still waiting to be verified for the payment of what ordinarily is their entitlement. This statement is an indictment on a government that is pursuing transformation agenda.

    I wish to highlight the story of a gentleman who had served this country diligently but is still waiting for his gratuity and pension from the Nigerian Police force since retirement in 2006 after putting into service the mandatory 35 years in service.

    On a recent trip to Abuja, I met this man Richard Atanda Ogundare,ASP (rtd) who related his ordeal in the quest to get his entitlement.

    He said he was enlisted into the Nigeria Army in 1969 during the Nigeria Civil war and later in 1976 demobilized into the Nigeria Police Force. In 2006 that he retired, all the demobilised soldiers were asked to write voluntarily retirement application. The most shocking and embarrassing news according to him was when he was told by the Salary Department of the Nigeria Police that three years salaries would be deducted from his long-awaited and yet to be paid money.

    Despite writing through his D.P.O. at Owutu Police station in 2002 to the A.I.G Zone 2 informing the police management that he would be 35 years in service by 2004, his application was disapproved despite his willingness to leave then. He said since 2006 that he left the Nigeria Police to this moment, neither his gratuity nor pension has been paid even though all his documents have been submitted to the Police Pension office.

    I really do not know which side to be on in the present imbroglio between the Senate and Presidential Task Force on Pension for the resolution of the pension problem in this country. Must people that serve this country be made to suffer like this? We really don’t know how many Ogundares we have still struggling for what belongs to them, or those that had died or even those that may be facing some health challenges who may be confined to a location.

    I call on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Police Affairs Capt Caleb Olubolade and Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to look into the case of Richard Ogudare ASP (rtd) and others (the 4000 mentioned by the minister). Please lets remember that the society owe them this much.

     

    • Adedeji Badejo

    Lagos

  • VIP lessons from South Africa

    VIP lessons from South Africa

    A  very perceptive and politically conscious reporter from this newspaper, Mr Taofeek Babalola, sent a curious despatch from Johannesburg, South Africa on how that southern African country treats its Very Important Personalities (VIPs). (By any standard, a governor in Nigeria is a VIP). That despatch was published in this newspaper’s sister publication, Sporting Life, on Monday, and it reported the movement of at least two governors who attended the final game of the Africa Cup of Nations football fiesta. Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso to lift the trophy after 19 years of waiting. The report mentioned two important points about the Nigerian dignitaries.

    One was that the governors, though regarded as VIPs alright, still had to join the queue at the VIP section in order to gain access to the main bowl of the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The governors, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi of Rivers and Anambra States respectively, had to remain on the queue for several minutes, according to the report. Hear the reporter: “Unlike in Nigeria where top executives enjoy preferential treatment at public events, the governors who were waiting by the side gate with the hope of gaining access without observing normal protocol, were told to join the queue formed by other ticket holders.” Now, it is perhaps possible that the governors were not exactly expecting the sort of preferential treatment they were accustomed to receiving in Nigeria, but the reporter was sensible, seeing the comportment of the governors, not to give them the benefit of the doubt.

    The cheeky reporter also noted that no siren wailed anywhere near the stadium. Everyone, including VIPs, approached the stadium as humans, not demigods. The reporter needn’t remind us about the horrendous wailing of sirens that accompany or herald top Nigerian government officials’ movements, including the minions who wait on them or run errands for them. He needn’t remind us how many people have been elbowed off the road here to their untimely deaths by homicidal protocol drivers and staff, often with no chance of redress. And he needn’t tell us how state officials consumed by an overwhelming and vexatious sense of self-importance regard less privileged Nigerian citizens as subhuman.

    But it was clear the reporter had the good sense and presence of mind to draw a parallel between how South Africans, a fellow African country, regard their important personalities, and how the more obsequious Nigerians esteem their rulers. By sending the report back to his newspaper in Nigeria, the reporter was indirectly asking Nigerian officials to borrow a leaf from South Africa. He should have spared himself. Any cursory reader of Lord Frederick Lugard’s Dual Mandate will understand why asking Nigerian leaders to plant their feet firmly on terra firma is a waste of time. It is in their nature to act haughtily; just as it is also in their nature to denigrate their fellow countrymen. They won’t be fulfilled until they emphasise that class distinction and make it much huger than it really is. And if anyone thinks Nigerians will change, that person must be chasing chimeras. Ask Lugard whose contemptuous 1914 amalgamation exercise Nigerian leaders have unreflectingly begun to celebrate.

     

     

  • The neglect of Tiv culture

    The neglect of Tiv culture

    Sir: Culture generally describes the behavioural patterns of people within a certain geographical enclave. Culture therefore entails peoples’ modes of dressing, eating habits, value system, taboos and norms. Culture has direct correlation with the traditional practices of the people within a region.

    The Tiv, an ethnic group in the North-central Nigeria belong to the Bantoid group of languages. It is widely believed that the Tiv came from the East, specifically from the Congo Basin area. They` are homogeneous people. They constitute approximately 3.5% of Nigeria’s total population, numbering over six million spread through Nigeria and Cameroon.

    The Tiv are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. A greater percentage of them live in Benue State where they are the largest

    Ethnic group, some in Taraba State where they are the second largest, and others are found in Nasarawa, Plateau, Cross-River, Niger and FCT, where they are minorities. Some are in the Republic of Cameroon.

    The Tiv culture is regarded as one of the richest heritage in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world. But today, their culture has been neglected as a result of influx of Western culture and civilisation.

    The stupendous neglect of our cultural values by our educated youth knows no bound. Children born and bred by Tiv parents prefer speaking English language to the Tiv language. The once cherished dialect (Zwa) is now neglected. Most Tiv families, especially those in diaspora, have long ignored the use of the dialect (Zwa Tiv) in their homes thereby alienating their children from their heritage. This has given rise to a trend where children and adults of Tiv extraction are completely oblivious of their language.

    Educated sons and daughters of Tiv Awange now dress like Europeans. Anger, Tugudu, Chado, Ivavtyo, Gbevwa etc which are some of the beautiful dresses cherished by our forefathers are now abhorred by the educated youth. The Swange dance which futures prominently on television have now been replaced with Kukere, Makosa, Hip hop and other foreign music.

    It is high time we came to our senses by moving towards reviving our dying cultures. Our Tiv traditional cultures must survive against all the odds!

     

    • John Akevi,

    Bauchi