The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • A dangerous precedent

    SIR: The death of Patrick Yakowa and five other Nigerians in the ill-fated helicopter misadventure, no doubt, was a tragic incident. The outpouring of condolences from across the nation in that regard is highly commendable. In the same vein, may I also join other Nigerians to deprecate the alleged reaction to the incident by some Muslim youths who took to the street in jubilation, said to be in celebration of the opportunity it has created for one of their own, the deputy, to succeed the late Yakowa as the Chief Executive of the state.

    There cannot be a worse demonstration of inhumanity should this be proved to be true.

    Expectedly, the unfortunate demise of the late Governor Yakowa has created a matrix of power vacuum. While the deputy has since been sworn in line with the relevant constitutional provisions in that regard, he has also left behind another vacuum, that is to say, the position of the deputy governor of the state from whence he emerged to become the deputy. No sooner had the people of Kaduna State come to terms with the reality of the demise of the late Yakowa than the strident calls from quarters began to emerge for the nomination of Mrs Yakowa as the deputy governor. No other reason has so far been given other than that her appointment will help to soothe the pains inflicted by the death of her husband on the family.

    While the fact cannot be gainsaid that the death of the late governor must indeed have inflicted great pains on the family and associates alike, beyond all that, it is not insensitive for us to pause a little and do a calm review of the agitations in many quarters calling on the governor to make the widow of Yakowa the deputy governor. Except some persons think out of the box, and fast too, Kaduna people are about to travel the same old path we travelled that has brought the entire country to the sorry pass we are currently, when the only reason why some voted for either Jonathan or Buhari during the last presidential poll was the religious inclination of the respective candidates. That path, I dare say, is one of sentiment where laudable reason is sacrificed on the altar of primordial sentiment.

    It beats me that some people even in a democracy could afford to think that the fact of the death of a spouse should automatically qualify the surviving spouse for political position left behind by the deceased spouse. Remember, Yakowa was a deputy who later became governor by default. It is befuddling to me that beyond the expression of sentiment that making Yakowa’s widow a deputy governor will comfort the family. Nobody seem to give any thought as to whether Mrs Yakowa is suited for the job nor the interest of other interested persons who will now be disenfranchised or denied the opportunity of vying for the position because Yakowa’s death as it were, has automatically qualified the widow!

    For goodness sake, we are talking about an entity in a democracy and not fiefdom. We have already set a number of dangerous precedents in this direction. The cases of Yobe State, where the late governor’s sibling was immediately made deputy governor, and Plateau State, where the wife of the lawmaker who was killed by some gun men in the prevailing violence in the state, also had to replace the late husband in the state, and others, readily come to mind.

    That is how the seed of dictatorial dynasty is implanted in a country. The desire of the political elites to perpetuate themselves in power is rearing its ugly head in another form. The interest of a state must be seen to be larger than that of an individual. That is the only way we can make progress as a nation.

    • Chris Edache Agbiti, Esq.,

    Abuja

  • The new order in Abia

    Events lead a double life, and the appearance of events in politics is as important as their reality- Theodore H. White.

    In the recent past, that is, during the first eight years of our current democratic experiment, many states in the unitary system wrongly tagged federation were more or less empires of fraud and rapacious inclinations accentuated by the worst form of prebendal manipulations. Some of the states including Abia were run like family estates or kingdoms of the age of antiquity where the subjects had virtually no say in the way they were being governed. Consequently, even as the presidency was submerged in a stinking flood of corruption with a putrid stench as obnoxious as that of a rotten egg, some of the states were monopolised by business men who saw governance as a huge investment. Yet, in the uncanny dialectics of politics of corruption and the contagious corruption of politics, the old order somehow managed to throw up a new order of decency and accommodation in the manner of divine intervention

    In spite of whatever quake of apprehension that was bound to erupt as the aftermath of the infamous 2007 general elections, Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when the late Umaru Yar’Adua emerged as President with also some educated and conscionable young men becoming governors in certain states across the country. This marked the beginning of the reversal of the fatalistic hopelessness that marred the confidence Nigerians reposed in the democratic process. Theodore A. Orji, the Abia governor, incidentally was one of the apostles of the new socio-political order. He sits atop a state that is commonly referred to as an agrarian, civil service state. Like the Biblical Joseph who became Prime Minister of Egypt from prison, Orji, popularly known as Ochendo, won his election while he was being incarcerated by political enemies.

    He inherited a state that was hitherto the hotbed of kidnapping activities in the South-east and a home to lawless traders that made people to sell their property at rock-bottom prices in order for them to leave Aba its commercial hub for safety. It was as bad as that, truly. Now, everyone can appreciate how he wooed the restive “area boys”, confused the pundits and salvaged the once volatile state from anarchy.

    To middlemen of ideas, after more than four years in the saddle, Ochendo remains an utter riddle- a study in ironic metaphor. Hence, the local and international media have given him the most sweeping commendation ever accorded a public officer in recent times. In more than five years in office, Orji has not known personal unpopularity, nor has his administration seen anything but success.

    He stands above all political fray despite occasional hysteria about politics of local government allegedly sponsored by his adversaries and the seeming simple political catches being dropped by those who desperately want his job. Although we cannot disparage the value of general notions about the climate of opinion in a given period and the unsavoury inquisitions of political enemies, we cannot as well deny the fact that Orji has infused the hitherto turbulent and crime-infested Aba city with some sweet benevolent antidotes. For those who had the misfortune of visiting Aba at the apogee of kidnapping, Abia State now presents the apotheosis of peaceful co-existence in the entire South-east geo-political region. This did not come by a sudden flight. It happened as a result of strategic planning and diligent application of tact and tenacity.

    Whereas several politicians in positions of authority don’t see themselves as managers but believe that their job is “to do the right things” while others are responsible for “doing things right”, Governor Orji belongs to the negligible clan of politicians who see themselves first and foremost as managers. They make things happen and get result. They don’t wait for the future; they create it. If you want to know how effective a leader is, read the direct interviews he grants to the press and do some textual analysis of those interviews. Here, I am not talking about stage-managed official propaganda. I have never met Theodore Orji one-on-one neither have I spoken with him on the telephone. But I have taken time to follow up developments around him and also studied some of the interviews he has granted the popular media. I have discovered that, perhaps due to his civil service background, Orji organizes people, allocates resources, manages time, implements strategies-whatever it takes to get things done.

    In fact, an Abuja-based friend of mine from Abia State, who is certainly not one of Orji’s boys, told me something recently: “I am definitely not one of T. A. Orji’s fans. But it is good to say the truth since it is the only thing that can set you free. If Orji were not working, I would not have been frequenting Umuahia as I have been doing in recent times trying to put up a bungalow for my children. I would probably have ended up in the den of kidnappers. Another thing is, in Umuahia electricity is 24 hours. I don’t know how he did it”.

    According to many citizens of Abia State, some of whom have had cause to confront him due to party differences, one thing that marks Ochendo out as a man of the people is his brand of politics. He is a tolerant politician who eschews bitterness, animosity and rancour.

    Of course, it is true that Governor Orji is far from being a saint. No man is infallible or perfect. But how he came to be so in tune with the dauntless optimism and carriage of an international statesman is a true mystery left to be unravelled by historians. Yet, what could possibly have been responsible for his magic wand? As a village boy who lived all his life in Abia State, except, perhaps when he went to higher school in Owerri, university in Ibadan, and NYSC in the North, Orji’s transparent husbandry in allocation of scarce resources to productive ends can be cited as a case in point.

  • Whose interest is revenue commission serving?

    SIR: I was shocked to read in the papers that the Revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission will not be recommending a new Revenue formula for the country now. This, according to them, is because funds are not available to conduct research that the commission is not aware of the enormity of the responsibility heaved on it by the constitution.
    Apparently, the commission is aware that the present formula, which give the Federal Government over 52 percent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account is outdated, unjust and illegal. Under normal circumstances, the review should be done every five years, in line with the conditions of the country.
    Of all federal agencies, only the RMAFC can complain that it cannot perform its constitutional functions for lack of funds. As some newspapers have said, members of the commission are paid their dues – salaries, allowances, etc regularly, and there must be something left with which the commission can do some updating to existing data, which are ordinarily available in their archives. Must all commissioners necessarily have to travel all the nooks and crannies of our land to be able to update whatever figures and postulates they have in their offices?
    Except the seven oil producing states, all others are groaning with debt burden, and government officials are confronted almost on daily basis with ever increasing demand for improvement in the standard of living of the people. Poverty is in the land. Both the states and local governments – are suffering and are looking for funds everyday to meet the just aspirations of our people. It is disheartening that an important organ as the RMAFC can sit down leisurely and pontificate on the need for more funds to conduct surveys.
    I appeal to the 36 Governors of Nigeria to rise to the occasion and rescue this nation from an abyss. The billions that are stolen daily is as a result of too much money in the hands of Federal Government.
    • Deji Fasuan (JP)
    Ado-Ekiti.

  • Of private jets and men of God

    Of private jets and men of God

    SIR: Let the truth be told, there is absolutely nothing wrong in acquiring a mere means of transportation like aircraft that will enhance the productivity of divine assignment of men of God. The plain truth is that these aircraft are not acquired for pleasure as insinuated by uninformed minds but primarily to enhance performance of these ministers.

    Take for instance, the Redeemed Christian Church of God presently in over 130 nations of the world; Living Faith Church and Word of Life Bible Church also have branches in many nations of the world.

    The schedule of General overseers of these ministries cannot be handled by public or commercial airlines. Most airlines in Nigeria service several airports. So one can see that there is an urgent and inescapable need for airplanes by these ministries. It is complete fallacy and reasoning borne out of sheer ignorance to insinuate that the men in charge of these ministries are enriching themselves at the expense of the members of their congregations.

    As a matter of fact, to the best of my knowledge, these amazing men are living sacrificial lives to better the lots of members of their congregation and humanity in general, through provision of hospital and basic needs of lives, scholarship to indigent students, community development projects like road construction, repairs, boreholes, entrepreneurial skill acquisition, donation of school buildings to public schools, donation of food and clothing materials and so on.

    David Oyedepo Foundation for instance has been giving scholarships to countless indigent young men and ladies up to university level across the length and breadth of this nation. Let us face the facts and let nobody distort the truth, these ministries are not part of the problem of this nation, they are rather the solution to most of her problems. Consequently therefore, the argument of Mr. Femi Falana, SAN published in Thisday November 30, that resources used in buying these jets could have been made available to poor members of the church is uncalled for. These men do not need counseling on how to minister to the poor, it is what they teach, live and do almost everyday.

    Is it not “busybody” to be speaking on behalf of members of these ministries that have best of brains in the world that their general overseers are exploiting and cheating them? Not one member of these ministries have expressed displeasure about this development of acquiring airplane for the work of the ministry.

    Let those critics of ministers of the gospel watch it. They may be treading a dangerous path without knowing it. If not for the intercessory prayers of these amazing ministers of the gospel Nigeria will not be standing as a nation today.

    Furthermore, let them also make proper investigation about the stories behind the glory of these ministries before rushing to express their views in the public, otherwise an unenlightened mind may be misled to mistake agents of genuine national transformation as cheats.

    Finally, we should not become soulish and technical in our minds and start neglecting to appreciate the roles spiritual watchmen are playing in our quest for national development and nation building.

     

    • David Owaboye

    Aguda – Surulere, Lagos

  • From The Cell Phone

    From The Cell Phone

    For Gbenga Omotoso

     

    It is a shame for Obasanjo to unveil the statue of our great late Chief Bola Ige in Osun State. From Sola Iyand

    Gbenga, thanks for all the news. Of all the stories, I like the one reflecting Sanusi’s views on spending 70 kobo out of each naira to pay wages. The man spoke the truth, nothing but the truth. Gbenga, would you believe that some civil servants who worked with Sir Ahmadu Bello in the then Northern Region have remodeled their ages just to remain in service to benefit from the bogus salaries/allowances? If Sanusi were to mention these people, they would ask for his head. Anonymous

    Hate him or you like him Obasanjo remains the most influential politician in the country. But as influential as he is, he is also the most criticised ex-leader. For him to have accepted to unveil the statue of the late Bola Ige is very disgracing to the family of the late minister. He should have covered his face while unveiling it. History will judge sooner or later. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Docyard Lagos

    You are not a good student of history. Ige was murdered while still serving as the justice minister and not after resigning as contained in your piece of today. Anonymous

    We are grateful to God for not allowing Obasanjo to tamper our Constitution and elongate his tenure. As for the assassinated former attorney-general Bola Ige, who resigned as minister in Obasanjo’s cabinet before they kill him, why our security agents unable to fish out his killers. From Simmie Jones O., PTD . Aba unit

    Sir, are you sure chief Bola Ige was murdered after resigning from the Obasanjo led administration? Anonymous

    Wonders would never cease. I blame those who arranged the mess as they lack sense of history as well as encouraging evil doers. Rip bola Ige. Your killers would face God if they above men. From Nurudeen Gasali.

    What a wonderful commentator u are Gbenga! “Here is the news” is a classic. I have read it with relish. Keep writing. But I wonder if the rich and powerful are hearing! From Rev. Fr. Paschal Opara, Ciwa, PortHarcourt.

    We are educated to a significant level here in Nigeria. Educated people are supposed to be rational in the way they think and do things. It would be irrational and an unwarranted conclusion to infringe on Obasanjo’s moral freedom in the statesman assignment he did in Orile-Owu. Let us not allow commonsense to govern our rationality. From Ukor, Makurdi

    The unveiling of the late Chief Bola Ige’s statue is just normal thing as far as the killers will never be apprehended. Anonymous

    I believe Obasanjo must have prayed for forgiveness from Bola Ige. May he be forgiven and free from the den of hell. Who killed Bola Ige ? From Peter Ajadi, Ibadan

    Thank you for your write-up titled “Obasanjo : From Ghana to Osun”. Please allow Baba to rest. Chief Bola Ige or no Chief Bola Ige. Nemesis will speak for all of us. God bless you sir. From Pastor Nseobong Brown

    Re: Obasanjo: From Ghana to Osun. No one understands why Obasanjo was often misunderstood. I like the man because he hardly talks but when he chooses to, he would hardly be faulted after Hues and Cries. He should be respected rather than being embarrassed. From Lanre Oseni

    “Obasanjo: From Ghana to Osun”. The third term agenda man does not have any conscience! Would it be proper for him playing the second fiddle? Time will definitely tell! Ride on chief. From Adeosun, Oshogbo

    Ebora Owu, Obasanjo has no conscience; he knows that no matter what, the dead always stay dumb. Anonymous

     

    For Olatunji Dare

     

    “The Shame of our prisons” with a bleeding heart. One thing is certain: this inhuman and lawless act cannot go on forever! Sooner than later, there will be an end to the insanity in the land! From Olufolake, Lagos.

    Please which minister is in charge of prisons? Where are the gifts sent by churches? Anonymous

    Despite the fact that Onitsha prison was rated among the best, I wept and had nightmare for weeks. Thanks for your write-up on the state of Kuje prisons. May God bless you. From Ogo Oranu, Awka.

    I read your write-up on “The shame of our prisons” in The Nation today and I must say that the write-up throws up so many questions in my mind. Foremost is, am I being a simple minded to believe the Federal Government can easily set up a panel of judges to go across the 36 states of the federation and hear cases in the prisons for those awaiting trial and discharge and acquit those who are innocent or that were indeed guilty but have probably served the time and over for their crime? Can’t the National Assembly establish punitive laws to deal with whatever agency is found culpable in ensuring that swift hearing of cases becomes a norm? What am I missing? From Timi Egbuson

    Dare, it is worst at Kirikiri prison such that it is rated the second worst prison in the world after the prison in Islamabad. The irony is that our leaders who loot our common patrimony do not ever do time in such prisons they use their loot to circumvent the law and pervert justice. With such leaders as we have to recover thesoul of nation is herculean task. Anonymous.

    Your piece titled ‘The shame of our prisons’ portray the dehumanizing and parlous conditions of our prisons the very corrective and reformative purpose it is meant to serve has been negated we now have a prison that now churns out ex convicts who are more notorious hardened and more criminally inclined no thanks to the tougher treatment meted out to them, it is really a shame. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Re: The shame of our prisons. Conditions of our Prisons had been discussed many times at different fora as well as at various workshops and thought by now, the NIGERIAN Prisons would have been improved. Alas! the same corruption would not allow for reformation as at today. In civilised societies, prisons are reformative while they are punitive in Nigeria. But for how long shall we move along, with International Best Practices? Kill Corruption and get everything right! Authorities, reading the above titled, should act fast by rapidly improving Nigeria’s prison conditions. From Lanre Oseni.

    Dear Mr. Dare, your article titled “The shame of our prisons“ contained severely misleading assertions. Kuje prison was founded in the late 80s, hence it is not possible for the inmates on awaiting trial to have been incarcerated for upwards of 20 years. Similarly, congestion can only be eliminated when the courts and judges stop adjourning cases and be less corrupt. Meanwhile, convicted inmates go to schools in prison, acquire skills, etc. Anonymous.

    You are only biased on Saraki issues because you are South-West, even those who hated him like you and your sponsored know well that Oloye did well for Kwarans. Anonymous.

    And whoever eats of his plate and drink from his cup and turns against him will die violently. Each time he is ill people die. Have you bordered to ask. Why? Too many rumors that many people were relieved when he eventually died. In death rumor continued about mode of burial. Anonymous.

    Dare, you got an important fact wrong in your column. In the 1979 Presidential election to be declared a winner a candidate must secure a majority of the popular vote plus at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 of all the states in the country. This is different from how you stated the regulation in your column. Thank you. From Bode Segun.

    Re: A farewell to two legends. Dr. Dare struck the point when he said ‘…yet when he died, Kwara State went into deep mourning….’ The fact is that majority of Kwarans jubilated in joyous mood when Saraki died just like when Abacha died or when news of Okar’s coup first filtered into the air in 1991. Reason being that ‘those who did not fall in line in Saraki’s lifetime were actually humiliated and hounded out of the system not only in Kwara. Ask Vera Ifudu of NTA fame. Dr. Dare, I suggest your caption should have been “A Farewell to a legend and a Vagabond” after reading your column. Please be more at home than abroad. All the same, you still make my day after reading any of your columns, even from your Guardian days. From Ben Obateka., Offa Garage, Ilorin.

    Critics of Obasanjo are half baked intellectuals parading the fourth estate, not only limited but unappreciative. Baba Na Baba, he is recognized worldwide by those with discerning ability, Kennedy was assassinated, so also Bola Ige who was Obasanjo’s friend for many years. A man of honour, Obj. From Cardinal Wole of Sinners Assembly, Abuja

    Sir, you are wrong to assert that Chief Bola Ige was murdered after resigning from the Obasanjo administration. He was actually killed as a serving Minister of Justice in the former’s Government. From Rotimi Shitan, Akute

    The issue concerning the death of our dear uncle Bola Ige and the unveiling of his statue by Obasanjo is to be left to God who pronounces vengeance in Psalm 94. At the appropriate time, God will take vengeance. From Tope Ekundayo, Ilare Ijesa , Osun state

    The piece: “Here is the news “is a beautiful rendition of Prof. Soyinka’s narrative expertise of “Stream of Unconsciousness”. Every one of the issues raised is a reminder of the worthlessness of our system, the rottenness of the integrity of The Nigerian leadership, and the hopelessness that a national respite may be around the corner for the raped nation! From B. Somade-Idowu

    Re: Here is the news. If importation of other cement-brands would be competitive enough, to force down the local ones by Dangote and Ibeto, let it be! By now, price of cement should not exceed N1000. With all the Ibetos, Makurdis, Gbokos, Obajanas, we should be happy now. Converse is the case. Let there be Oligopoly! Personally, I appreciate the donation efforts of Dangote, Adenuga, Jim Ovia and many others. Sanusi Lamido has human right to express himself even though he was said to have been misquoted on the need to ‘fire’ 70 per cent of civil servant. Lucky Igbinedion would lie low now and know both good and bad governance as well as which is better if Igbinedion University had been poorly run by its administrators! Both Boko-Haram and Kidnapping thrive because those caught were/are being treated with Kid gloves. Mrs Alakija may be said to have struck on luck and/or an opportunity through God. How many of them with Oil Blocs know about Oil? None, but that is Nigeria for us. From Lanre Oseni

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

     

    Re: Moving Oke-Ogun forward. Undisputable, no development-minded person would not be moved by your narration of the need for unity among indigenes, community people and governments at large. It should be a past that we totally rely on irresponsible governments. Rather, the indigenes and communities should brace up in unity and develop Oke-ogun in Oyo state. Your nationalistic tendency is highly valued and appreciated. Whoever loves growth for his community like you and me, will continue to progress, Ameen. From Lanre Oseni.

    Thanks for that wonderful piece on Oke- Ogun. The greatest problem with Oke-Ogun is lack of sacrificial leadership coupled with mutual but senseless suspicion. Unless the so called can look beyond personal interests and work together it will be difficult for the area to free itself from neo-colonialism. From Remi Adegbola Ibadan

    Thanks for your exposition on Oke-Ogun. It is highly inspiring. I wish to know more about the convention, possible links and may be the communiqué. Best regards sir. From Dr. Owoyele Jimoh in TASUED, Ijebu-Ode.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

     

    I want to believe your write-up titled ‘Let Sambo have his N14bn palace’ is all irony. I couldn’t help but laugh in disdain on the mindset of our political climate. From F.O.

    Tunji, considering your antecedent, I would want to know if your write-up of today (December 16) is for real or a satire. Please respond to enable me know the direction of my comments. … I am relieved. No further comment. Thanks. Anonymous.

    Tunji, your article on the N14bn palace did not please your fans. Disappointed indeed. Anonymous.

    Tunji, your article, “Let Sambo have his N14bn palace” is nauseating and bereft of a sense of responsibility to the suffering Nigerians who toil for this nation and cannot get their pension. Many have died without enjoying the results of their sweat; yet, the country has N9bn to spend building a palace for the Vice President. You will some day pay back all the monies you have been hired for to write such articles in the name of being a columnist. You even have the effrontery to condemn Senator Smart Adeyermi for standing with the National Assembly not to appropriate additional fund for the project. You gave several stupid reasons why the VP deserves such a palace, one of which is to befit his image. Why can’t you suggest he should go and live in the moon and operate from there? Anonymous.

    Please tell Smart that N10bn can build 200 quality duplexes plus infrastructure. Anonymous.

    RE: ‘Like Oliver Twist, Jega wants more’ (your column of December 9 refers). Personally, I do not see anything wrong if the CBN, ASUU and the judiciary sought for/are seeking and are near being given or given autonomy. Jega’s case becomes Oliver Twist’s only if the public objectively assessed that the powers being sought for and assumed given are considered abused! This however hasn’t occurred. Anyone cleared/rejected by INEC can be ratified by the Supreme Court directly. But let us all always be open-minded in burning but would-be-useful issues. From Lanre Oseni.

  • Buhari at 70

    On December 17, Muhammadu Buhari, former head of state and army general, turned 70. Though he has retained his differentiating principles, and has managed to ennoble anything he does, he has also remained hugely controversial. It is safe to suggest he would neither dilute his principles nor shirk from controversy until his last days. More than most of his peers, and in spite of his limited time in the highest office in the land, he is at least fortunate that very few Nigerians are indifferent to him. He arouses intense passion among those enamoured of his general inflexibility and those uncomfortable with that rigidity. That he has made his peace long ago with the feelings he evokes among his friends and enemies is a tribute to his stoicism, his rather simple worldview, his training, and his gluttonous ability to absorb punishment almost to the point of immolation. His friends were about to celebrate him before the Bayelsa air crash in which the Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, and others died.

    But even if his supporters and admirers don’t celebrate him with the kind of flourish they had initially mustered, there is little doubt he will continue to be admired in most parts of the country, and be hugely popular especially among the downtrodden as he has been for the past several decades when he began his public career. But the value of Buhari is not so much in his achievements as a public officer as it is in something else more nuanced, more inconspicuous. It is true his military career glittered right from when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, through the civil war years, and his command of the 3rd Armoured Division during which time he proved himself in the fight against Chadian renegades who occupied more than a score of Nigerian villages sometime in 1982 or 1983. His altruistic service in the Petroleum ministry has also been remarked by both his admirers and opponents alike. In sum, Buhari has been a long-standing patriot, which is more than can be said for most politicians of his time and those who have had the privilege of serving in high office like him.

    His real, if slightly nuanced, value can indeed be appreciated through the prism of what his fellow Nigerian leaders, whether elected or military, did in and out of office. His policies, when he ruled the country, might not have been as robust as a mature thinker’s, or as deeply conceptualised and philosophical, but there is no question he was far more disciplined, far more realistic, and far more coherent and consistent than any of his successors from Ibrahim Babangida to Olusegun Obasanjo and to Goodluck Jonathan. He gives the impression of general unease with other faiths and ethnic nationalities, yet, he does not wear his religion on his sleeve, and has been far more circumspect in dealing with these turbulent and divisive issues than the denotative hypocrisies of his successors.

    But there is no denying he has been an unsuccessful politician, perhaps a reflection of what many believe is his lack of intuitive grasp of politics and his overwhelming dependence on character rather than intellect. Indeed, it sometimes seems Buhari naively wishes to mould political fundamentals, including all the axioms, maxims and incontestable rubric, to fit his own boyish ideals. Nothing exemplified this proclivity, and damned his chances of success, as pervasively as his repeated efforts to win the presidency. The last attempt in 2011 was perhaps his best chance, and he probably would have won had he not incredibly squandered it on a puritanical loathing for compromises and vested interests. He is yet to tell us whether he had ever encountered a politician who gained high office without compromise, without sacrifice, and without owing so much to so many.

    It is not certain whether at 70 Buhari will want to give the presidency one last try. If he does, and if the circumstances are favourable, especially if the dreadful mess the ruling party is making of governing a modern and complex society worsens, he is certain to embrace compromises as avidly as a chaste couple on honeymoon. But even if he does not run, or runs and loses, his place in Nigerian history is secure. By his triumphs and failures, and in spite of his offensive cocksureness and sometimes indefensible human rights record, he has, more than any leader of the Fourth Republic, affected Nigeria very substantially.

     

     

  • As another Christmas beckons

    As another Christmas beckons

    SIR: Christmas is celebratory. Every year we look forward to it with nostalgia. It never loses its freshness. It is always as if there was an empty space that tarries on all year long that Christmas comes to fill. With the spirit of Christmas there is an ennobling sprite which dwells within us. We look on to the new year with greater expectations, till the year comes full circle; and the waiting, the eager waiting for the unborn child beckons on us once again. There can never be a time like Christmas.

    Candles glow, bells jingle, candies, cakes, granny’s pies, Christmas tree, sweethearts kissing under the mistletoe ¯ and “Please, Santa, please!”

    But by our dark ways we hinder the fullness of Christmas. We miss the essence of Christmas and lose the blessings therein. In the name of celebrating Christmas people have lost their lives in drinking driving, orgies, and sustained knife and bottle cuts from fights in senseless revelry.

    Perhaps the most common vice and one that is far reaching in its effect is greed. We want more and more. We buy more and more and forget that Jesus whom we celebrate asked us to give up all we have and give to the poor. Jesus was critical of wealth and our fixation on earthly possessions.

    People fleece others in the name of Christmas. And they justify it with “we are in season.” Transporters double their fares, traders increase prices of goods, those who make dresses, even airlines join the fray. But in climes where people show true love to one another it is a time when people are given discounts. Transport fares are slashed, land, water and air. Prices of goods and services are reduced to encourage people and bring smiles on their faces. To be sure, it is not only the Christmas or Christian celebrations that these prices go up, even the Muslim feasts witness these price increase. But surely government can rein in this wicked attitude.

    Lastly, on Dec 25 last year, those who went to worship their God in St. Theresa Catholic Church Madalla were bombed to death. The celebration was stained with tears and sorrow. And many hearts have remained broken since that very day, on a day that was supposed to fill hearts with joy. We don’t hope for such again in our dear country. We want a bomb free celebration. We implore those who are wont to do this to help make this season truly a season of goodwill. The universal teaching of the world’s religions is to see God in our fellow humans.

    • Dr Cosmas Odoemena

    Lagos.

     

  • Universities and their priorities

    Universities and their priorities

    SIR: We have to ensure that Nigerian universities don’t lose focus. The traditional functions of a normal university are rightly said to be: teaching, research, and societal development. If, then, teaching is first on the list of priorities, how is it to be done, if a university has no sufficient number of teachers and classrooms, while the administrators spend lavishly on other buildings and external aesthetics?

    Then, there is the issue of what students are taught, and how they are taught. That depends on the quality and competence of the lecturers. But the university policies are equally important. Where how a student dresses is the number one priority, and students are sent home because of that, teaching is impossible. In the good olden days, Adam and Eve lived nude. Some universities have killed lecturer and student unions, or reduced them into robots that they toss around, in conformity with their own whims and caprices only; whereas protest helps good leaders to be better leaders; protest is an agent of humanization and civilization.

    The university system is described worldwide as “the Ivory Tower”, which I understand to mean a place where truth and nothing but the truth is established on a critical and objective platform. It is supposed to be a place where there is no “patching-up” with sophistry, as in the political circles. Scientifically speaking, you have to put all the cards on the table, explain, and defend your hypothesis and theory. It is from that trajectory that research and community/societal development emerge.

    Based on the foregoing, over-preoccupation with Dress Code is anomalous; to be witch-hunting students on the ground of how they dress turns the university into a police state, and it is a mark of both dictatorship and oppression. Morality must not be tied to tyranny and hatred for poor persons. Students must be protected against the impression that witch-hunting and harassment are normal. Decent dressing is good; harassment of those who are not “decently” dressed is indecent and obscene.

    I was in a conference outside Nigeria some months ago, and a lecturer from one African country turned to me and said inter alia: “How can you say you are maintaining the system, when there are no enough classrooms, and you don’t replace retired workers, but keep putting-up new fantastic buildings and structures?” My reply in nutshell was: “Well, life is about patience. Although Nigeria has her own problems, such as the inability of the President and his Ministers to explain who are those stealing the oil wealth, and the legislators that are overstuffing themselves with money, some of our university administrators are trying”. The original vision was prayer to build a nation where no man or woman is oppressed, whereas Dress Code has become a tool of oppression in some religio-secular institutions in Nigeria.

     

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.

     

  • Achebe’s misrepresentation

    Achebe’s misrepresentation

    SIR: Chinua Achebe’s latest book ‘There was a country’ which the literary icon described as a personal history of Biafra has generated a lot of heated comments especially on the uncharitable diatribe on the role played by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and General Yakubu Gowon during the unfortunate Nigeria civil war.

    Achebe accused the two Nigerian leaders during the war of pursuing deliberate policy of genocide against his ethnic group the Igbo. He predicated his conclusion on the statement of Chief Awolowo who was the Commissioner of Finance and Vice-Chairman of Federal Executive Council during the civil war period. The chief is reported to have stated inter alia “all is fair in war and starvation is one instrument of the war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order to fight harder”. Chinua Achebe felt that Chief Awolowo pursued this policy of decimation of the Igbo ethnic group for his political advantage and that of his ethnic group, the Yoruba.

    My concern in this piece is not to comment on the veracity of Achebe’s claim. Many knowledgeable people like Odia Ofeimum, Alhaji Femi Okunnu who was in the Federal Executive Council with Chief Awolowo and others had vindicated Chief Awolowo. My only worry is that some northern leaders like Alhaji Shehu Shagari who was in the Federal Executive Council like Chief Awolowo had not come out to defend Chief Awolowo and tell the world that the policy of not sending food to the rebel enclave by air was a collective decision of the council and the government of General Gowon.

    My task here is to correct an historical fact truncated by Achebe in his book. On page 67 of the book, Chinua Achebe referred to Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani as the Chairman of Nigeria Coal Corporation and amplified this point on page 273 as follows: “Ikejiani was well known for his attempts to end nepotism and clannishness in the coal corporation, fully integrating the organization that he ran with qualified Nigerians from all over the nation. His efforts drew great ire in many quarters”.

    With greatest respect to the literary icon, this is not correct. First of all Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani was never Chairman of the Nigeria Coal Corporation. He was the chairman of Nigeria Railway Corporation. The chairman of the Nigeria Coal Corporation was Chief C. C. Onoh, the father of delectable Bianca Ojukwu, the late Odumegwu Ojukwu’s young widow.

    With regard to the efficiency of Dr. Ikejiani eloquently touted by Achebe in his book, the tenure of Dr. Ikejiani was very controversial with rampant accusation of unbridled nepotism. It was the “Ikuriniani Ikejiani era”. This was very evident during the Justice Adefarasin inquiry into the Nigerian Railway Corporation set up by the military regime of General Aguiyi Ironsi in 1966. At the inquiry, Dr. Ikejiani without any qualm during the cross examination told all Nigerians the popular phrase “I love cars”, which was a reflection of his absolute control of the corporation resources in all ramification.

    Going through the book, I can see a strenuous effort by Chinua Achebe to launder the images of people belonging to his ethnic stock while putting down people of other ethnic stocks in Nigeria. In doing this, Chinua Achebe truncated many unassailable facts.

     

    • Prof. Olabode Lucas

    Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti

  • Corruption: The law is not the ass

    Corruption: The law is not the ass

    SIR: All over the world in sane climes, laws are made among other things to punish offenders who go against the laid down rules and regulations and also to deter those who may want to break the laws. These laws are enshrined in documents called constitutions. Without them, lives in such societies will become nasty, brutish and short.

    Nigeria today is operating under the 1999 constitution.

    The claim that the 1999 constitution was written by the military and therefore has defects is not new to us. However, certain sections of this same constitution are dutifully adhered to, interpreted by the judiciary and strictly enforced. This is the reason a judge or magistrate will be quick to convict and sentence a robbery suspect, a burglar, pick pocket and minor offenders, based on what the law stipulates.

    Why then is the judiciary unable to apply the same laws to cases of corruption, looting of public funds littering our courts and consequently, sentence the offenders? Why is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) quick to drag a suspected public funds looter to court, without due diligence of thorough investigations, thereby leaving loopholes for smart lawyers to exploit?

    Why is the EFCC only good at securing sentences in cases involving small time financial criminals while the big ones, at the first court hearing, secure bail conditions that allow them to move freely in the society displaying their ill-gotten wealth?

    Many people believe that there is an agreement between the executive and the Judiciary about these cases. They posit that convicting these criminals who are party chieftains, loyalists and their cronies will bring disgrace to the ruling party. Therefore, the case either drags to eternity or plea bargain is applied and the looter goes home happy with a good portion of the loot. It is alleged that about five trillion naira has been stolen since President Jonathan took over in 2010.

    Some people have also argued that the EFCC under the immediate past and present leadership is a case of giving a man a job to do, but not allowing the man to do it. Why waste public fund on EFCC if they have not been unable to secure a sentence in over a thousand high profile cases they have taken to various courts?

    The government cannot fool all the people the same time. The problem is not entirely with the 1999 constitution. The issue is that the executive and the judiciary do not want the constitution and the law to work.

     

    • Mike Ifeanyi Odittah

    Lagos.