The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Why governor should come from Anambra North

    Why governor should come from Anambra North

    Not a few readers of The Nation on Sunday, September 9, 2012 must have been thoroughly appalled at the interview granted by Senator Chris Ngige and his response to the question of the agitation for the next governor to be of Anambra North extraction.

    This interview was a follow-up to one he granted the NTA Onitsha station where the same question was raised and he gave the same answer. The import of these interviews coming on the heel of the other and the same question being asked is not lost on any well intentioned reader as a self serving view on Anambra politics, as the state inches towards another gubernatorial election, come 2014.

    At best it was the inevitable product of an inevitable cause. And the cause: Induced sentimentality, of course.

    To begin with, it is doubtful that Senator Ngige actually understands the agitation of Ndi Anambra North senatorial zone he seemed to be succinctly condemning and impugning on the good intention of Governor Peter Obi.

    When asked if he agreed with “Anambra North’s call for the next governor to come from their zone,”Senator Ngige retorted that “Anambra people should be free to choose whoever they want,” alluded to the fact that the crisis in APGA was as a result of Governor Peter Obi’s campaign that the governorship should shift to Anambra North, and concluded by asking when and where politicians “sat” to agree to rotate the governorship.

    The irony from the interview was Senator Ngige’s inference that Gov. Peter Obi and others agitating for the election of a governor from Anambra North extraction were deceitful. Permit me ask Senator Ngige why he will suggest that politicians should be called to a meeting where zoning shall be agreed upon and yet state that Anambra people should be free to choose whoever they want?

    The world clearly understands that agitations most often arise from perceived injustice and marginalisation against groups.

    We would want to remind Ngige that our zone has always been the decisive battle ground for any party that will win the governorship election, and this was not different in 2003 when the zone delivered more than 37 percent of the total votes cast for PDP for which Ngige was the party flag-bearer.

    One of the many promises Obi made during his campaign in 2010 was that he would support the election of a governor of Anambra North extraction in 2014. We want to remind Ngige that this issue was top priority amongst our requests from all governorship candidates that visited the Anambra North zone in the course of their campaigns, and which he (Ngige) was wavering in his response as to when he will support the agitation.

    The outcome was that Peter Obi got the overwhelming vote from our zone, and we are most grateful that he has elected to keep to one of his electoral promises as otherwise is the case amongst many politicians.

    Governor Obi is not canvassing for a stooge to replace him as he has been quoted praying that whoever shall replace him shall be someone who shall improve on what he(Peter Obi) has done. The only addendum that seems to be offensive to the senator is that he canvassed that such a person be from Anambra North extraction.

    It is a common democratic belief that from robust debates grow a better understanding of issues confronting a nation. Common sense dictates that for a nation to prosper and achieve its purpose, a good leader must govern it. It is our belief that leaders abound in the three senatorial zones in the state to lead Anambra State. We wish to remind Ngige that he had no experience in government to signpost his ability to lead well until he became governor of Ndi Anambra, yet embedded amongst us are many who have held public offices and discharged them honorably and efficiently.

    Democracy is clearly associated with two principles: equality and freedom. Equality of men before the law and God, and their freedom to make a choice are the two pillars. We all know and understand clearly the need to engender internal democracy in political parties. We are not demanding that candidates of Anambra North extraction be foisted on the political parties. Rather, we are lobbying, appealling and urging good nurtured and well meaning Anambrarians in the spirit of oneness, co habitation to support the agitation to elect a governor of Anambra North extraction.

    Our appeal follows the same pattern of agitation for Igbo Presidency and it is an integral part of our cherished Igbo culture that “Charity begins at home”.

    Okeke is the Chairman, Anambra North Peoples Assemply

  • Understanding the Lagos Traffic Law

    Understanding the Lagos Traffic Law

    Expectedly, the Lagos Traffic Law, signed into law on August 2, 2012 by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has generated lots of controversies.  While many see it as essential for the cleansing of the Transport sector, others see it as phony, un-implementable and high- handed. From the several debates on the law, it is obvious that the major reservation over it is its execution.

    The recent ‘arrest’ of two military personnel,  by the  Lagos State governor, for plying lanes dedicated to the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, once again brought into the open  the issue of gross disregard for traffic rules and regulations in the state. It is not a mere coincidence that on same day that the governor, nabbed the two soldiers, a commercial bus driver running against  traffic killed an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA. Similarly, Mustapha Adeleke, a LASTMA official, was recently crushed to death at his duty post in Oke- Afa, Ejigbo, by a commercial bus driver, who was driving against traffic.

    Recent information from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, reveals a 20 percent increase in road accidents in the country with Lagos accounting for the largest proportion. Sadly, human factor accounts for a greater percentage of road accidents in the country. In Lagos, for instance, motorists flout traffic laws at will as ‘Danfo’ ‘Molue’ and ‘Okada’drivers are notorious for contravening traffic laws. They drive against traffic, carry more than the required number of passengers, stop to pick passengers at un-designated places, over speed among many others appalling acts.

    It is, therefore, vital that every effort by the government to sanitize the sector should be encouraged by all stakeholders. This is why it is essential that the people give the traffic law a chance. Nevertheless, it is important to examine some aspects of the law that have been subjected to unending public scrutiny. To start with, let us consider the aspect that recommends a test for the alcohol level of wayward motorists. Taking into consideration the way many commercial drivers operate, it might be true that some of them function under the influence of  alcohol, and perhaps other harder stuffs. This is partly responsible for the reckless manner they drive, putting the lives of commuters and others in avoidable danger. Hence, it is hard to fault this aspect of the law since its primary aim is to ensure that only sane men sit behind the wheels on our roads.  For the effectiveness of this law, an aspect of the law has placed a restriction on the open sale of alcoholic drinks in traffic and in motor parks.

    Another part of the law that needs appropriate analysis is the one that outlaws smoking, eating and phone calls while driving. It is difficult to see the rationale behind any opposition against this particular portion of the law. For one, driving is a matter of life and death. It is, therefore, a matter of necessity that those who engage in it give it utmost concentration. It is important that motorists desist, as much as possible, from getting involved in actions that could distract them while driving. A moment loss of concentration, while driving, could lead to un-imaginable losses. Evidence abounds of road accidents that were sparked off by motorists’ lack of concentration.

    Another section of the new law that requires accurate analysis is the one that deals with driving against traffic popularly known as ‘one-way’ driving. Considering the level of havoc that driving against traffic has caused in the state, this section of the law is definitely spot on. It will be recalled that a LASTMA officer was recently crushed to death by a motorist driving against traffic along the Lekki-Epe expressway. Sadly, the culprit revealed, upon interrogation, that most of those that stay along the axis drive against traffic.  Consequently, the law against ‘one way’ driving is a welcome development. However, there is need to ensure that uniformed men, government officials and other VIPs who indulge in this practice  are dealt with in accordance to the spirit of the law. Interestingly, the state governor doesn’t drive against traffic.

    Critics of the law have equally insinuated that it was inspired by the drive to generate revenue. However, in the words of the state governor “no amount of fines that we get can deliver on the economic prosperity that is possible if the Lagos traffic works’. Indeed, government makes more money when sanity prevails on the road. Ordinarily, the fear of paying the required fines should be enough for motorists to abide by the law.

    Perhaps, one issue that has been of major concern to most critics of the law is enforcement. Many fear that enforcing officers may turn it into a money making enterprise. Given the fact that there will always be bad eggs in any organization, there is fear that the powers conferred on LASTMA may be abused by some of its corrupt and overzealous officials. However, this is not enough justification to condemn the law in its entirety. Must the society be turned into a lawless jungle because we don’t have the ‘right’ men to enforce our laws? There is hardly any institution in the country that is wholly filled with the supposed ‘right’ men. Interestingly, the state government has demonstrated sufficient resolve to deal accordingly with erring government officials. It has dismissed and suspended some while it has instituted judicial procedure leading to the incarceration of others.

    Nevertheless, the competence of traffic personnel to enforce the law need to be improved upon continuously  while appropriate use of technology should be incorporated into  enforcing the law. It is cheering to note that LASTMA officials are currently tapping into technology while discharging their duties. An example is the use of Auto Inspector- hand-held devices which enable traffic officers to track information about any car registered in Lagos and its owner.

    On its part, government has been unrelenting in its effort to transform the transport sector. It has expanded and rehabilitated more roads while more inner roads are being opened up across the state. These are going alongside the provision of street lights, lane markings and provision of more bus terminals as well as the expansion of BRT operation. Presently, it has completed the design of  the expansion of  the Mile 12-Ikorodu road while contractors have been mobilized to continue work on the ambitious Lagos- Badagry expressway’s redevelopment incorporating 10 lanes on either side of the road, light rail, BRT lanes among others .

    Equally, water transportation is also progressing as the dredging and signalization of the 32km water route from Badore to Ijede has been completed. Similarly, the Badore and Ikorodu terminals have virtually been completed except for minor finishing works . Today, from one operation route in 2007,  water transport is running on 12 routes (Ikorodu-Marina/CMS; Marina – Mile 2; Ikorodu – Addax/Falomo; Ikorodu-Ebute Ero; Marina-Ijegun Egba-Ebute-Ojo; Mile 2 – Marina/CMS-Mekwen-Falomo; Badore – Ijede; Badore – Five Cowries; Marina – Oworonshonki; Ebute Ojo – Ijegun Egba; Oworonshonki – Five Cowries and Baiyeku – Langbasa) under the supervision of Lagos State Waterways Authority while passenger traffic has grown to over 1 million passengers per month and it is increasing.

    Put alongside the laudable Lagos Traffic Radio innovation, introduction of BRT as well as other modern taxi schemes, establishment of Lagos Drivers’ Institute (with offices across the state’s five divisions), the sanitation of Oshodi and Apapa axis, junctions improvement programme, continuous clean-up of highways, continuous rehabilitation of roads, massive redevelopment of Business Districts among others, it will be unfair to accuse the state government of  inactivity in respect of the transport sector.

    The primary goal of government’s massive investment in the sector is to ensure free flow of traffic, road safety and social – economic development.  Therefore, the urgent task before everyone is to give the new law a chance since it is mainly enacted to protect the people.

     

    Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • The change we need starts from us

    SIR; Many people complain about the dehumanisation and insensitivity demonstrated by the leaders to the citizens. The truth is that it is demonstrated in the everyday lives of Nigerians and not just leaders to their fellow citizens. We walk, cycle and drive by orphanages, charity boxes and organisations that help the needy and do not have the mind to stop by and touch a life or at least advocate for humanity. Then what are we on earth for? What do we live for?

    Nigerians are some of the most extravagant people in the world when it comes to spending and buying of luxuries; yet we have a lot of people amongst us who can’t afford the cheapest form of education for their children. Some can’t even afford a meal a day, others a place to live in.

    Why do we think there is unequal distribution of wealth in this country? Let me give a guess, corruption, stinginess and rich people who only think about themselves to the detriment of others. The lion share of the blame goes to the politicians who have ensured that things don’t work out. They loot billions of naira at every level, thereby preventing equal distribution of resources and wealth. These are facts that we all watch on television, hear while listening to radio stations and also read while going through volumes of newspapers.

    They have made sure that the education and health sectors of the country are nothing to write home about. They now take their children to the best schools abroad, leaving behind the common men to take theirs to the failed universities. As Professor Wole Soyinka said some months back, they are the ones who fly to the best hospitals in New York for a common toothache. I say – they are the ones who expect their children to also handle the affairs of this country after using stolen money to get their children the best education possible. I know that such expectations will not come to reality, because what goes around comes around.

    If we will have to send a message to the politicians to start considering the life of fellow men, the change will have to start from us. Let us touch the life of an orphan today either in cash or kind. We could also decide to go to orphanages and help with their needs or we can at least sponsor an orphan’s education. With this you will be speaking to the people next to you with your deeds and not just giving long boring speeches of intent that some of our leaders give.

    • Yemisi Joseph,

    Lagos

  • Reforming the National Honours awards

    SIR: The conferment of the national honours awards will continue to be mired in controversy unless drastic measures are taken to restore its lost glory.

    Ordinarily, national honours awards should be highly cherished and regarded because it borders on the collective integrity of the nation and its peoples. In civilised societies, honours are awarded to individuals who have made outstanding and meritorious contributions to their nations’ security, world peace, science, arts, technology, culture or other significant public or private endeavours.

    In Nigeria, it has been utterly skewed towards the business and political class, thereby relegating to the background, the silent but honest Nigerians who have immensely contributed and still contributing to the development of the nation.

    With the degradation of the process, majority of Nigerians appear not to have any regard for it anymore. Also worrisome is the number of people given the awards yearly that it has lost its allure. For instance, last year alone, a total of 355 people were honoured.

    Due to its debasement, notable Nigerians selected for the awards tactfully rejected them to avoid the ‘viral contact of the awards syndrome’. Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, rejected the Commander of the Order of the Niger offered him last year because he said that many of those on the list of awardees were men of‘dishonour’. Similarly, former Petroleum Minister, Tam-David-West, rejected the offer of one of the awards and questioned the criteria for the award of higher honours to those who did not match his unblemished records in terms of service to the country. The well respected and renowned author, Chinua Achebe, had cause to reject the offer of the third highest honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic, twice. The first was in 2004 when he rejected it for what he called the inability of government to tackle the myriad of problems confronting Nigerians, especially, the state of insecurity in the land and lawlessness by government officials or their cronies. Again, he rejected it last year for similar reasons.

    The late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi turned down the offer of the Officer of the Federal Republic for his dissatisfaction with governance in the nation.

    As a matter of urgency, the awards should be reformed in the national interest. A set of new criteria – that will make it impossible for controversial and people of questionable characters to be awarded – should be designed.

    It is morally wrong for serving politicians and public servants to continue to dominate the list of awardees. The practice of giving automatic awards to influential officials in government should stop.

    Awards should be based on solid achievements and professional records as well as proven integrity or extraordinary patriotism.

    It bothers me how people feel happy and celebrated when they acquire what do not truly belong to them. It’s really absurd.For now, the process seems to have been captured and hijacked by the same agents of allocation that have not known to have added any value to the nation.

    There is the need to put in place a proper administrative machinery to organize and implement this important national assignment. It is disheartening to note that the previous awards ceremony had witnessed avoidable hiccups and lapses, bordering on insufficient medals for the awardees, missing names and other embarrassing experiences.

    The National Honours Act is grossly deficient and should be amended without delay. It will really not be out of place, if the government decides to clean the Augean Stable and put on hold the 2013 edition – to allow for thorough planning and restructuring by getting the right people on board, outside government.

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

  • How to fix our educational problems

    SIR: Education is critical the development. Most of the first world countries owe their break – through and successes in the field of science and technology to robust and functional educational systems.

    Think about Japan and China, U.S.A and Germany- these are developed economies. Their automobile and electrical products find markets in Nigeria and other African countries. They earn much revenue by exporting their products and goods to other countries, which boost their economies. Technological break-through and inventions are achieved by students where the educational systems are virile and functional.

    Here, in Nigeria, mechanical engineers can’t repair their cars, not to talk of manufacturing simple tools. Consequently, our economy is solely–based on crude-oil revenues. Our inability to diversify our economy is intrinsically linked to our dysfunctional educational system.

    So, what are the problems bedeviling our educational system? Our Government’s budgetary allocation for education falls short of UNESCO stipulation. Universities are utterly neglected and grossly under-funded. Are their libraries well-stocked-with the most recent books in diverse areas of fields of study? Do they have enough lecture-halls that can hold students during lecture periods? Do they have teaching facilities, instructional materials and equipment for running some science-based courses? These are issues that impede the smooth transmission of knowledge from lecturers to students.

    It is an open secret that the issue of welfare is at the root of the adoption of the strike action by university lecturers.

    Again, the issue of teachers and lecturers’ welfare is linked to the unethical and corrupt deeds that are being perpetrated by some. In some universities, lecturers trade high grades for sex or money. Unintelligent and mentally lazy students graduate with classes of degrees they are undeserving of.

    If government can curb the menace of examination malpractice during SSCE and NECO examinations, then those who are not qualified to gain admission into universities would not enter our universities. Finally, some teachers in primary and secondary schools do not engage in further studies to update their knowledge. They give each set of new students the same notes they prepared six years ago. So, teachers should be re-trained in order for them to gain more knowledge and in order for them to perform optimally, too.

    Government should step up its regulation of privately owned schools. Do schools meet minimal standards required of them? We should not leave our children in the care of those with questionable academic standards.

    • Chiedu Uche Okoye

    Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

  • 2015: Where Kalu got it wrong

    Former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu has carved a niche for himself in the world of business, media, sports and of course politics which thrust him to national limelight at a relatively young age. For him to have completed two terms as governor before the age of 50 and capped it with the election of a preferred successor from prison on an opposition political platform speak volume of the man’s strength of character and vision.

    Unfortunately, Kalu has often made mistakes in the course of translating his vision to reality, especially in his fight for the political liberation of Ndigbo. While some of us believe in diplomatic, pragmatic and systematic pursuit of Igbo’s ascendency to the presidency, Kalu prefers to be aggressive, abrasive and often times rash in his altercations which infuriate and push enemies of Ndigbo into entrenching their mindset against the aspirations of our people. In other words, such confrontation ends being totally counterproductive.

    After months of political hibernation occasioned by serial betrayal from erstwhile trusted protégés, Kalu has suddenly joined the fray on the debate of which geo-political zone produces the president in 2015.

    Characteristic of him, he has gone on the offensive with the declaration that it is the Igbos for the president in 2015 or nothing. On the surface, Kalu’s argument is plausible and in fact a reflection of the frustration of a people denied of the presidency when other geopolitical zones have had their turns. But is the demand realistic given the circumstances at play and the antecedents of the chief promoter of this legitimate aspiration?

    As almost everybody in Nigeria agrees, it is the turn of Igbos to produce the president in 2015 given the injustices meted out to them and the need to strengthen our democracy based on equity and justice. Kalu’s argument is predicated on the assumption that the issue of rotational presidency is a settled one. The argument is also premised on the assumption that both parties to the agreement had been keeping to its tenets and letters. In other words, there had not been any breach in the agreement.

    But the truth is that Kalu is one of those who, through their acts of omission and commission, have violated this arrangement of orderly transfer of power from one region to the other. Between 2003 and 2007, Kalu openly challenged President Olusegun Obasanjo’s re-election and went ahead to contest against Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when it was clear that the North should produce the president after the South had done eight straight years. Because not everything that is good is also expedient, the strategy of running against the current crippled a just and legitimate aspiration.

    As it were, that misfiring from Kalu robbed him of the moral justification to be an advocate of rotational presidency since he lacked the patience, discipline and belief to worship in the altar of that political concept. This is not a question of accepting the message and ignoring the warts of the messenger. It is a truth about the messenger being a liability and hindrance to the purpose of his message.

    I remember vividly how the same Kalu in 2005 tore into shred my persuasive argument on the need for Igbos to devise and implement a strategic plan for our ascendency to the presidency in 2015 by supporting President Obasanjo and helping to work for the North to also complete their eight years after which it will naturally be the turn of Igbos in 2015. But Kalu, with the power of the media, branded me a traitor. But far be it from me that I should gloat over our present predicament.

    As it is today, two issues stand clear concerning the aspiration of Ndigbo to occupy the highest seat of the land. It is gratifying that Kalu has become a convert to the rotational ideology. He owes me an apology on that even though it took him eight good years to come around. The first issue which is a truth that is self evident is that justice and fair play demand that Igbos be president in 2015. It is their inalienable right as full citizens of Nigeria . The second issue is the workability of the aspiration given that we have a sitting president who is constitutionally entitled to another term of four years.

    Closely linked to the second issue is the platform under which the president of Igbo extraction is to emerge. The South East alone cannot produce the votes and spread to produce a president. The political pendulum and reality on ground today favour the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to produce the next president of the country. The idea by Kalu that Hausas, Igbos and Yorubas will go to Abuja to negotiate after the election is not tenable given that scenario therefore, it is evident that President Jonathan will be the preferred choice for the PDP if he decides to run. This is in line with all known democracies all over the world where the incumbent is offered the privilege of “first refusal”.

    It was in furtherance of that tradition that the Democrats rallied round President Barrack Obama. As soon as he indicated interest to run for a second tenure, those with presumed ambitions dropped them. It is acknowledged that nobody is foreclosed from contesting against the incumbent in a primary. But if a ruling political party does not have confidence in the incumbent, what then do they have sell to the country? What this means therefore is that unless President Jonathan declines to run in 2015 or in the most unlikely event that PDP refused to endorse him, the chances of an Igboman emerging President in 2015 would be very slim.

    So, if like in the past we ignore these glaring signs and still grope in the dark in the name of fighting for our rights, we will again end up losers with psychological defeat and deflated egos. Political power is never won by mere sloganeering or outdated strategy of handing down ultimatum. Grabbling power involves deep seated conspiracies chief of which is reading the political barometer and knowing when to strike.

    In this instance, while it is the turn of Igbos to produce the President in 2015 it can only be achievable if President Jonathan is not re-contesting. If he is, and PDP endorses him, the bargaining chip left for the Igbos would be to insist on succeeding him after his tenure. These are facts that my brother Kalu should have in mind so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

    • Mbadiwe, lawyer and economist is former Ambassador to Congo .

  • Mubi massacre: Just how much more can the nation take?

    Mubi massacre: Just how much more can the nation take?

    The full scale of the Mubi, Adamawa State, killings will not sink in until inconsolable parents who lost loved ones begin to grieve openly. Some 40 youths, most of them students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were reportedly murdered by unknown gunmen who stole in on them while they slept in their off-campus hostels, and in spite of curfew. Preliminary reports indicate the students were shot only after their identities were ascertained. The motives are unclear. But it is feared the killings were probably a spinoff from the recently concluded students’ union elections in that school, a theory some students have dismissed as farcical. It may, however, be too early to dismiss any theory, including the sectarian motive insinuated by a few students. In the coming days, as the identities of the victims become known, the nation should be able to make sense of what happened on that bitter and rainy Monday night.

    As if anyone needed additional proof of Nigeria’s descent into bestiality, the sheer scale of the killings and the numbing fact that students were the principal victims have sealed the country’s notoriety as a modern-day killing fields. Inexplicable emotions follow the killing of students anywhere, almost akin to the strange emotions that follow the death of passengers in a plane crash, as if one type of death was less shocking or less honourable than the other. The Mubi horror will, therefore, probably assume more frightening dimensions in the days ahead. Though the country may have become inured to terror-related killings, it will nonetheless find out that the Mubi slaughter will be difficult to live down. Worse, the massacre may even begin to raise fears that terror killings, if they continue, could yet trigger something much more catastrophic for the nation, probably something even apocalyptic.

    Nigerians are predictably deeply outraged. That outrage will loom larger in the coming days as wrenching stories of family losses reach the media. The Senate was in fact so incensed by the barbarous display in Mubi that they began calling for sterner measures against the murderers. But in the din, it will be forgotten that terror killings and the outrage that follow have become a national pirouette from which the country is unlikely to extricate itself soon, particularly given the government’s desultory and sanguinary anti-terror measures. It will also be forgotten that by killing scores of students in one fell swoop, the perpetrators might in fact be modifying their tactics by shifting from attacking churches to attacking students. If the attacks on churches could not bring about the apocalypse they desired, then perhaps attacks on students might.

    What is clear in all this is not that Nigerians fail to show enough fortitude in the face of extreme provocations, or refuse to bear their periodic losses with dignified resignation. The main problem is that the government has not inspired much confidence, either by its methods or by its attitude. Yet, the people must nurse hope that there is light at the end of the dark terror tunnel. After all, it is one of the cardinal responsibilities of any government that in times of great crisis it must ensure the people see that reassuring light if they are not to yield to despair or, worse, engineer the fragmentation of their country.

  • ‘It’s a new dawn for our people’

    ‘It’s a new dawn for our people’

    The story of Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal constituency in Rivers State is a paradox. Its history is replete with stories of commerce, trade and strong kingdoms. Located in the deep delta, opening up into the atlantic ocean, kingdoms here were noted for their fishing prowess and great wealth. Being on the coastline, their early interaction with the colonialists gave them the benefit of early education and exposure. But that was once upon a time.

    Civilisation and development seemed to leave the people of this constituency several years behind. At a time, it was perhaps the only Federal Constituency in Rivers State without motorable road, electricity, portable water, amongst others. Its topography is a big challenge to development initiatives, especially building of infrastructure. The communities are located in difficult access islands, and the people were seen as vulnerable and disadvantaged.

    Today, the tables have turned. It’s a new dawn and the sun is set to shine on Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro again. It all began with a Federal Constituency stakeholders meeting convened on 20th December, 2011 by Hon. Dakuku Peterside, the member of House of Representatives representing the area who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). The stakeholders meeting offered a unique platform for evaluation of the strength, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in the area. Stakeholders at the consultative meeting all agreed that Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro land has more opportunities than threats. The thing to do was to build on those natural potentials that made the region the numero uno for trade and commerce in the past and reposition communities for discerning investors. With the large pool of human resources, the strength of history and the enourmous aquaculture and tourism potentials of the region, all that was required to make a difference was a combination of strong institutions and visionary leadership. Thus the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone development foundation was started to help fulfil the aspirations of the people. A tested technocrat and strategist with track record of performance; Engr. Emiyarei Ikuru was appointed Chairman.

    TheAndoni/Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation is manned by full time employed staff and volunteers with proven track records in their various disciplines. Twenty- eight technical Sub-Committees were set up to prepare a socio economic and cultural framework for the region. This laid the basis for the draft Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro development status report and master plan. Extensive consultation with all groups including traditional rulers, men, women, youths, professional, political elite from the area helped build a consensus of opinion and galvanise opinions on critical needs and next steps.

    To assist the process, the foundation sought expertise from well- known development agencies. We are receiving support from United Nations Training and Research Agency (UNITAR), Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) and Action Aid Nigeria. The key role of these development agencies is to streamline the foundation’s work and bring it in line with global best practices. With the right concept in place, the group has received generous support from corporate organisation, which shares our passion that communities should set their development agenda and drive it. Yet there is room for many more partners. Government, development partners and corporate bodies need to support this visionary initiative that is set to propel this once under developed constituency to one of the leading lights of our nation.

    Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone Development Summit 2012 is the ultimate platform to showcase the economic potentials of the area as well as its diverse investment opportunities. It will bring together stakeholders, policy makers, development path for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas drawing on the areas historical, geographical and resource advantages. In two days of intensive discussions, sharing of ideas and networks we hope to see new principles for building the next great era in sub-regional economic growth and prosperity. Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro development model may emerge as a novel formula for sustainable development in the troubled but resource-rich Niger Delta.

    Niger Delta’s next great destination

    In spite of the unsettling economic situation in Nigeria, the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone development summit that begins today bravely challenges the development assumptions in the Niger Delta that is built around government and its initiatives and raises a ray of hope of a bright future ahead. It clearly shows that in the days ahead, communities would shape and drive their own development according to their peculiar circumstances.

    The Niger Delta region, particularly known as bearer of Nigeria’s oil resources, has been at the front burner of national discourse for the wrong reasons. The challenges in the region are well known; high level unemployment, high level poverty, high illiteracy rate, acute dearth of infrastructure, inadequate and sometimes unavailable health care and high mortality rate among many others. Sadly, the search for solutions had appeared intractable. Especially because each community in the region had its own peculiar characteristics, it could not be a one size fits all solution pack. Successful development models also show that only a bottom up approach can guarantee sustainable development and poverty reduction in poor communities. Unfortunately very often, attempts to address development challenges in our communities previously almost always started from the top, far removed from the people.

    This is where the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro summit is a marked departure from the past. In this case, the communities are at the centre of the programme development and planning. Extensive consultation guarantees that discussions are held around the issues that have been identified by the people. This is indeed very commendable. Sub-regional and regional groups can no longer afford the luxury of philosophical discussions surrounding the issues militating against development of the region. We must walk the talk. Government, development agencies, corporate organisations and the people themselves need to work together to develop the right solutions to the development challenges plaguing the region. Together they must build, own and sustain local economic growth.

    This is the philosophical basis of the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro summit, as the theme, Shared Responsibility, Shared Prosperity is wont to suggest. This ingenious sub-regional summit has two key objectives. The first is to showcase and draw attention to the latent economic and investment potentials in the area, in other to catalyse economic growth, create employment and raise the quality of life in the area. This will lead to “shared prosperity.” The second objective of the summit is to present a community-centred development road map with clearly stated priorities and measureable targets to development partners, government and stakeholders. This “shared responsibility” carries along with the necessary ownership and stewardship that guarantees sustainable development.

    Without a doubt, this initiative of the people of the Andoni /Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency provides key lessons for other Niger Delta communities. Besides the strong demonstration of the importance of collaborative effort in development, the summit sends out a clear message that matters of development, first of all rest with the people, and that no one can be more committed to changing one’s corner of the world than the person (s) who live in that corner and who are invariably the most impacted.

  • Another view on child trafficking law

    Another view on child trafficking law

    SIR: In those days many indigent children, including orphans and those whose parents were too poor to cater for them, rose to eminent positions, such as judges, professors, engineers, medical doctors, successful business men and women, etc., through being houseboys and housemaids. Now the law of Nigeria criminalises as “child-traffickers” those who help to find such jobs. Yet, there is no adequate welfare package for indigent parents and children.

    There are two alternative reasonable courses of action. Either the government abrogates the law forbidding houseboy-ship and housemaid-ship or adopts indigent children who are caught “trafficked” and train or educate them up to the point they can fend for themselves. Yes, some parents may plot “child trafficking” to get the government to adopt their children, but why should the government be unmindful of the implications of its laws?

    Why should Nigerian rulers be unrealistic in their laws? It is because they are pretending to love the people more than the people love themselves. Remember one state government forbids pregnant women to board a motorcycle. The government could not think of any state of emergency that might warrant that a pregnant woman boards a motorcycle.

    I don’t know any country in the world where there are no families or individuals who need house-helps and could afford to pay for them. Take the case in which both the husband and the wife are extremely busy, and the children are not old enough or have all left home as self-supporting adults. What is wrong if they get a house-help and help him or her to become somebody in life one way or another? Human beings are basically selfish or egocentric, but not all of them are equally so. Many “child traffickers” care about the goodness or badness of those for whom they get house-helps, and they also instruct the house-helps to be of good behaviour.

    Why do people overlook the complexities of human life and paint things as either good or bad, when they have the potentiality to be good or bad, depending on circumstances and how you handle them? That is the case with motor-cycling and “child-trafficking” as well. By providing good security operation and traffic wardens, you will have minimal problem with motor-cycling, and the citizens will enjoy its services with self-satisfaction. By providing appropriate regulations, needy families and individuals will get house-helps, and both parties will get satisfaction or face the wrath of the law, as the case may be. Many Nigerian rulers are guilty of egocentricism and anti-people tendencies, while pretending to love poor people.

     

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.

  • That admission racket at U.I

    That admission racket at U.I

    SIR: The University of Ibadan (UI) is reputed to be one of the best universities in Nigeria mainly because of its pedigree. First, it is the first university in Nigeria. Second, it is owned by the federal government and thus assumed to be better funded than others. Third, the university boosts of the highest number of professors and a good number of highly qualified lecturers. These, coupled with innumerable number of alumnus who have distinguished themselves in their different fields of endeavor over the years have shaped the reputation of UI as a university of choice among University admission seekers in Nigeria.

    However, this reputation was dealt a heavy dent recently when newspapers reported an admission racket alleged to have been in existence for 14years or thereabout in the University. The facts that have emerged so far from this scandal are mind boggling. It is a scandal perpetrated by a syndicate made up of members of staff of the University and outsiders.

    It has also been revealed that at least 63 students have been discovered so far to have illegally gained admission in the 2011/2012 session through this dubious channel. One wonders how many will yet be uncovered as the investigation continues. And since it is a scandal that has existed for 14 years, it is certain that many beneficiaries of this compromised admission process would have graduated from the university.

    The negative impact of this scandal on the reputation of UI is colossal. That admission racketeering has existed in UI for over a decade indicates the university runs a porous admission process. This is an indictment on the authority of the university. It simply means the university is incapable of conducting a credible and equitable admission process; one of the reasons the joint admission and matriculation board (JAMB) has continually opposed post-UME tests organized by universities.

    In view of the negative impact this scandal may have on the image of UI, there is an urgent need for the authorities to take steps to redeem the reputation of the university. Already, the university has commenced legal proceedings against the alleged masterminds. But this is not enough. The university must employ reputation management strategies to manage the situation. This will entail massive action and strategic communication. This binary approach is based on the time tested fact that effective public relations is based on good deed and adequate publicity.

    The university authority should commence as soon as possible an audit of the admission process in the last 15 years. Those who may have benefited from admission racket should be fished out and their names published in major newspapers. Their certificates should be withdrawn. This may appear too drastic but drastic measures are required if the authorities wish to restore people’s confidence in the quality UI stands for.

    The authority must begin to block all identified loopholes that have been discovered. It should put systems and abuse-proof processes in place to forestall future admission infractions. These systems and processes must be reviewed and updated yearly as you can be sure people will develop newer strategies to circumvent them.

    Then the university must communicate with its publics. First, it must continuously educate admission seekers and their parents on the illegality and futility of patronizing racketeers while seeking admission. All communication materials: newspaper adverts, invitation letters to post UME tests, bulletins, enlightenment posters and stickers etc should boldly carry this advice: ‘The University of Ibadan offers every qualified prospective applicant an equal admission opportunity. We frown at every back door lobbying, inducements and patronage of members of staff for admission and will disqualify any applicant who engages on such acts’.

    Second, it must inform its other publics and stakeholders; the media, employers of labour, admission seekers, JAMB, current students of the University, governing council etc of the activities it has taken so far to address the scandal and on steps put in place to forestall a repeat of such scandal.

    There is no doubt the recent admission scandal is a massive dent on UI’s reputation. The negative impact is of unimaginable proportion and may reverberate for God knows when. Hence, it is advisable that the university not treat the post crisis stage with kid gloves. The university authority must move fast to restore UI’s precious image.

     

    • Adetokunbo Oguntuga

    Ikeja, Lagos.