The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abba Moro

  • Chibok: FG rejects Boko Haram’s proposal

    Chibok: FG rejects Boko Haram’s proposal

    The Federal Government has rejected conditions set out by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau for the release of the over 200 schoolgirls held hostage by the sect.

    Shekau had said in a video released on Monday that he would release the abducted schoolgirls in exchange for some of his members currently in custody.

    He said, “We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren.”

    The Boko Haram leader, who has made prisoner exchange demands before, said that some of the teenagers had converted from Christianity to Islam.

    The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, when asked by AFP on Monday if government would reject Shekau’s olive branch, he said: “Of course.”“The issue in question is not about Boko Haram… giving conditions.”

     

  • Abba Moro dreams up new boondoggles

    Abba Moro dreams up new boondoggles

    IN May last year, the embattled Internal Affairs minister, Abba Moro, talked up a storm over his plans to persuade the government to build some 84 border plazas to secure Nigeria’s borders. It would cost some N38 billion, he estimated, and help stem illegalities and terrorist infiltrations in those forbidden areas. To build and equip them, he added, the United States and a private Chinese company would be involved. When he first mooted the idea, many observers sneered at his suggestion, believing it to be one of those fecund schemes designed to play ducks and drakes with the country’s finances. But in the light of recurring border incursions and abductions by terrorists, not the least humiliating among which was the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping of April, it does seem many could be convinced to go along jolly well with that fascinating idea if Mr Moro knew how to go for the kill.

    It was therefore not surprising that a few days back Mr Moro felt emboldened enough to reiterate his suggestion of multi-billion naira border plazas. With over 230 schoolgirls still kept in captivity by Boko Haram militants who stormed their dormitories to haul them into sex slavery, and with the conviction that our exceedingly porous borders were partly to blame, few would cavil at the idea of any scheme to secure the country’s 84 legal borders and seal the nearly 1, 500 illegal routes through which terrorists and smugglers practise their violent art. Though there is some logic in the idea of border plazas, and even more sense in urgently devising active schemes to police them forcefully and intelligently, it is not clear why Mr Moro should feel he is qualified to make the needed reiteration.

    This is of course not to endorse the N38bn estimated to be the cost of the plazas, especially considering that the failed N76bn Abuja CCTV project has not yet been satisfactorily explained to the public. But Mr Moro still has the burden of the tragic recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Service weighing on his conscience. Nine applicants died in that most appallingly organised exercise, while scores of others were injured. Not only did Mr Moro fail to accept responsibility immediately, it turned out that the exercise fetched a hefty N700 million or so for the consultants engaged to handle the computerisation part of the scheme. In order words, the Internal Affairs ministry gave the federal government a bad name of profiting from the misery of millions of unemployed young Nigerians. Moreover, the investigations that followed the recruitment debacle blamed the ministry and Mr Moro.

    Rather than sack the offending minister, however, the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency has kept indiscreetly silent, while Mr Moro himself stands pat and now begins to dream up new boondoggles. The political philosophy of the Jonathan government is certainly difficult to understand, and the principles that underline his government even more arcane. That may explain why the minister, who should feel the weight of the deaths that accompanied the NIS recruitment exercise, has gone about his duties with unprepossessing sang-froid. Perhaps, in his arcane logic, he wonders why he should feel more catholic than the Pope when his employers do not appreciate the magnitude of the excesses and corruption that accompanied the NIS exercise.

    Maybe the Jonathan presidency does not want to be pressured by the public to do what is right, an inclination that has prompted some writers to describe him as instinctively monarchist. But by refusing to punish his aides and ministers who transgress so openly and shockingly, President Jonathan has acquired the unflattering reputation of harbouring remorseless cabinet members whose public morality, even if it does not reflect their private morality, is no less stifling than the president’s own incomprehensible, if not entirely impenetrable. Would to God they all had borrowed a little modesty from the South Korean prime minister, Chung Hong-won, who resigned his post on account of the slow response of the Korean government to the ferry disaster that was not their making, than to continue exhibiting the gargantuan imprudence which they seem to exemplify on a continental basis.

  • Immigration tragedy: Why I accepted responsibility, by Moro

    Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, has explained why he took responsibility of the recruitment by the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), in which about 20 persons died.

    He said he could not deny responsibility because, besides being the minister under whose watch the recruitment was conducted, the buck about the exercise stopped at his table.

    “The loss of these young Nigerians, who are needed as a critical human resource factor for nation building, is most regrettable. As the Minister of Interior, under whose purview this unfortunate exercise took place, I cannot abdicate my responsibility. The buck stops at my table,” Moro said.

  • Immigration jobs deaths: Board disowns minister

    Immigration jobs deaths: Board disowns minister

    Interior Minister Abba Moro should carry the can for the death of 19 applicants at the Immigration Service recruitment centres last Saturday.

    This is the verdict of the Board of Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Prisons and Fire Service.

    The minister sidelined the Board in the tragic recruitment, it was learnt yesterday.

    Speaking before the Hon. Solomon Olamilekan- Adeola-headed House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday, a Commissioner on the Board, Mr. S D Tapgun, absolved the Board of any wrong-doing in the botched exercise.

    Tapgun, who led the board members and heads of the agencies under the board to a session before the committee, said the Board did not approve the recruitment.

    His words: “Only the Interior Minister and the consultant he engaged for the exercise can tell Nigerians exactly what happened. Even the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service was not involved. He was not part of the recruitment at all. There was no board resolution to recruit anybody.

    “When we, the members of the board, learnt about the recruitment, we wrote the Minister that we are not in support of engaging the services of a third party to conduct recruitment for the Immigration Service, but he ignored our letter and went ahead to engage the consultant named Rexel Technical Global Nigeria limited. The Consultant fixed everything, including a N1,000 fees, which they claimed was administrative charges.”

    Tapgun said to prove the innocence of the board in the affair before Nigerians, members were ready to confront the Minister at any time.

    According to the Commissioner, records at the board’s disposal show that 693,000 applicants who paid N1,000 each to designated banks by the consultant, were registered for the recruitment.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Solomon Adeola said both the Interior Minister and the consultant should appear before the committee to explain where they derived the power for recruitment without approval from the Board.

    They are also to reveal the total amount raked in from the applicants and the whereabout of the cash.

    “This is fraud. Nigerians, our children have been defrauded to the tune of a billion naira. The Minister and the consultant must tell Nigerians how much was collected, the banks where the money is being kept and the account numbers, among others.”

    The lawmaker said the committee had earlier summoned the Board before the tragic event after learning that applicants were being charged N1,000 each by the Nigeria Immigration Service for the recruitment.

    The purpose at the time, Adeola said, was to enable the board account for the money so far collected.

  • Moro: my heart goes out to victims’ families

    Moro: my heart goes out to victims’ families

    Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro has said he is saddened by the death of young Nigerians seeking employment during the stampede at the recruitment exercise conducted by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the weekend.

    The minister, in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media George Udoh, commiserated with the bereaved families and Nigerians.

    The statement reads: “My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the stampede, the Minister stated

    The Minister said it was regrettable and heartbreaking that the victims paid the supreme price occasioned by the pulling down of a barricade into the stadium by some of the applicants which claimed seven lives, five males and two females.”

    The minister promised that a panel of inquiry made up of all stakeholders would be constituted to unearth “the remote and immediate causes of the stampede that led to the death of these young Nigerians and make useful recommendations that when implemented will forestall future occurrences”.

    He said: “I appeal to the good people of Nigeria to remain calm and show understanding in the present circumstances to help us overcome the present sad development so that we can unravel the remote and immediate causes of this unfortunate incident.”

    The minister said uninvited persons trooped to the various venues which swelled their populations to unmanageable levels.

     

     

     

  • Minister faces sack over 19 job seekers’ death

    Minister faces sack over 19 job seekers’ death

    Jonathan lashes Moro, NIS chief

    Protests in Abuja, Kaduna

    Interior Minister Abba Moro’s job was hanging in the balance yesterday after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Besides, there were protests in Abuja and Kaduna over the death last weekend of no fewer than 19 job seekers at Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment centres.

    Jonathan summoned Moro and NIS Comptroller General Mr David Parradang to the Villa to explain what went wrong.

    The presidential action followed the national outcry that greeted the deaths in Abuja, Minna, Port Harcourt and Benin centres of 19 applicants, including expectant women.

    Eminent Nigerians have called for Moro’s resignation or his sack by the President over the poor handling of what should be a routine event.

    Moro insisted yesterday that he would not resign. He blamed the victims for the stampede that led to their deaths, saying they failed to obey instructions. The minister added that some unauthorised people came to the centres to cause problems. He promised to set up a probe.

    The organisation of the recruitment has been generally adjudged to be shoddy, with 520,000 job seekers chasing 4, 556 openings. There was stampede at the stadia used for the recruitment.

    In Kaduna, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led a protest to the NIS.

    In Abuja, a civil society organisation spearheaded a march on the office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    The NLC, in a statement by its President AbdulWaheed Omar, called for a probe of the deaths.

    Moro and Parradang were at the Presidential Villa for over two hours. They were led to the President’s office by the Chief of Staff, Gen. Jones Arogbofa.

    Jonathan described the “incident” as sad.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the National Conference in Abuja, he said: “As we were preparing for this inauguration, a very sad incident happened on Saturday.”

    He called for a minute silence “for the young lads who died on Saturday”.

    It was learnt that Jonathan tongue lashed the two officials for about 20 minutes. They were reportedly dumbfounded throughout the session.

    They could not give cogent reasons for the deaths.

    The President was reported to have told them: “I am highly disappointed with your performance. I cannot tolerate this.”

    It was learnt that the President’s mood suggested that the time was up for the two officials to resign – if they could read his countenance.

    A highly-placed source said: “We have never seen the President in such a foul mood at the Villa. The case was compounded by the fact that the Minister and the Immigration chief could not give cogent reasons.

    “They were just blabbing.

    “At the end of the 20-minute session, the Minister and Parradang wobbled out of the President’s office, uncertain of their jobs.”

    Another source in the Presidency said: “The President’s reaction suggested that they cannot go scot free at all. If they do not quit, he might show them the way out of government.

    “What the President did was to tongue lash them, leave them to ponder and take the path of honour by quitting; otherwise they will be removed without dignity.”

    It was gathered that Moro and Parradang were still trying to lobby some governors and highly-placed Nigerians to keep their jobs

    Security agencies have started probing the involvement of a company, Drexel Nig. limited, in the recruitment tragedy.

    A top official of one of the security agencies said: “From our preliminary findings, over N7billion was collected from 734,000 candidates who applied for about 4,556 vacancies.

    “We are investigating how the company was engaged, the terms and the service rendered to the NIS.”

    The peaceful protest at the Kaduna State command of the NIS was led by NLC Vice-President Isa Aremu. The protesters arrived at the NIS office early in the morning and blocked its entrance. They prevented the staff from entering their offices.

    The union members carried placards that contained various inscriptions and a letter of protest which they wanted to deliver to the state controller.

    However, the officers on duty barred the workers from the premises, telling them that the controller was not in the office.

    Aremu demanded compensation for the families of the 19 victims.

    He urged Jonathan to demonstrate that no life of an applicant would further be wasted at any recruitment centre.

    He said: “The President should take action so as to prevent shameless exhibition of incompetence and non-service delivery by some of his ministers.”

    The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), led the Abuja protest.

    The Executive Director of CASER, Mr Frank Tietie, led some members to the NHRC headquarters.

    Tietie urged the authorities to probe the incident and bring those found wanting to book.

    He said lack of crowd control measures and medical emergency personnel at the centres across the country was a violation of the applicants’ rights to life and dignity.

    Tietie said preventable deaths, occasioned by negligence and inaction, were rife in the country.

    He called for urgent action to prevent a recurrence.

    The CASER executive director submitted a petition addressed to the UN Human Rights Commission to the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Ben Angwe, for onward transmission.

    Angwe described the incident as “sad, not only to the commission but also the Federal Government and country at large”.

    The commission is investigating into incident.

    Angwe expressed regret that the exercise, which was meant to provide jobs for Nigerians and reduce unemployment, resulted in avoidable deaths.

    He said that the incident had kick-started a new beginning in the campaign for the protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

    He assured the group of NHRC’s commitment to assisting in identifying the victims and ensuring they were compensated by the government.

    The NHRC executive secretary praised CASER for its action, saying it indicated that groups were heeding the commission’s call for sensitisation of Nigerians to their human rights.

    The NLC said the congress was saddened and shocked to learn of the avoidable deaths.

    Said Omar: “It is grossly unfair for the Immigration Service to have invited thousands of our youths to physically present themselves to compete to fill a miserly 4000 vacancies.

    “Nothing but crass opportunism can explain this heartless scam.

    “A more rational and discerning recruitment process could easily have reduced the number by insisting on raising minimum standards.

    “The explanation by the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, that 520,000 applicants were invited for 4,556 spaces and that the applicants died in a stampede due to impatient and non-adherence to laid down orderly procedure, is rather weak and untenable.’’

    Omar noted that to have invited so many applicants for such few spaces was unacceptable.

    He called on the Federal Government to investigate the NIS, query the methods it adopted and the discretion it exercised in conducting the programme.

    “It is also important to remind government of the danger that unemployment, particularly unemployment of qualified youths, represents.

    “We, therefore, call on the government to tackle unemployment with increased commitment, and appropriately sanction those who have had a hand in causing these scandalous deaths.”

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) described the stampede as a national disaster. It called for an investigation.

     

  • NIS deaths: Commission Chair, 54 others want Minister, Controller sacked

    NIS deaths: Commission Chair, 54 others want Minister, Controller sacked

    About 55 eminent Nigerians, including senior lawyers and politicians have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro and the Controller –General of Immigration, David Shikfu Parradang over Saturday’s death of some job seekers across the country.

    About 19 people were reported dead across the country during a recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

    In a statement issued Sunday  evening by the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Chidi Odinkalu, but jointly signed by the 55 eminent Nigerians, they blamed Moro and Parradang for the shoddy handling of the exercise.
    They urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police together with the Director-General of State Security Service to launch a joint criminal investigation into the deaths of the job seekers.
    They faulted the Minister’s reaction to the incident, arguing that he ought to sympathise with the families of the deceased rather than blame them for the unfortunate incident.
    The statement reads: “On Saturday, 15 March 2014, hundreds of thousands of job-seekers attended job-seeking examinations organised by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in different centres in Nigeria to fill 4,556 vacancies. The NIS is supervised by the Ministry of the Interior.
    “The Ministry and the NIS had compelled each job seeker, as an eligibility condition for participating in this hire process, to pay the sum of one thousand Naira (N1,000). There is no evidence that these sums were remitted to the Federation Account as required by law.
    “In most places, these job-seeking examinations took place in stadia, suggesting that the organisers anticipated large turn outs. Inexplicably, they failed to make adequate or any arrangements for crowd management and control.
    “At different centres around the country, including Abuja, Benin, Kano, Minna, and Port-Harcourt, many job-seekers, including pregnant mothers, were killed and lots more were injured in stampedes caused by grossly negligent and uncaring ground arrangements.
    “This tragedy was needless, foreseeable, and avoidable. The failures of the Ministry of the Interior and NIS to adequately manage the process and safeguard the safety and security of the jobseekers is inexcusable.
    “The deaths that resulted from these failures, therefore, were unlawful. If the lives of Nigerians mean anything, the leadership and management teams in the Ministry of the Interior and the NIS must be held to account for these deaths.
    “In his reaction to the deaths, Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, accused the victims of ‘impatience,’ claiming that the deaths resulted because ‘they did not follow the laid down procedures spelt out to them before the exercise.’
    “The effort by the Minister responsible for citizenship in Nigeria to blame the victims rather than take responsibility shows a callous disregard for the lives of Nigerians incompatible with his high Ministerial brief. It brings public service into disrepute.
    “In the circumstances, we the undersigned, as citizens of Nigeria, respectfully demand that:
    *The Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; and the Controller –General of Immigration, Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, be immediately relieved of their positions;
    *The Honorable Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police together with the Director-General of State Security, should launch a joint criminal investigation into the deaths of these jobseekers;
    *An independent audit should immediately be instituted into the monies made by the Ministry and the NIS from the jobseekers and criminal investigations should be commenced as appropriate;
    *Government should demonstrate a readiness to address the problem of youth unemployment as a national security priority through a partnership involving the agricultural sector, public sector, private sector, voluntary sector, and multi-laterals.
    “To the families across the country bereaved as a result of these and other on going challenges in our country, we take this opportunity to transmit heartfelt condolences and pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of our deceased brothers and sisters.”
    The statement was signed by Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, Dr. Ayesha Imam, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, Dr. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi and Dr. Hussaini Abdu.
    Others are Mr. Femi Edun, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed
    10. Mal. Abba Kyari
    11. Dr. Kole Shettima
     12. Mrs. Maryam Uwais
    13. Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe
    14. Mal. Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai
    15. Hon. Yusuf Tuggar
    16. Mr. Yemi Candide-Johnson, SAN
    17. Alhaji Tajudeen Fola Adeola
    18. Waziri Adio
    19. Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim
    20. Iniruo Wills
    21. Mrs. Ayo Obe
    22. Yunusa Yau
    23. Nasir Ladan
    24. Dr. Jeremy Weate
    25. Prof. Nsongurua Udombana
    26. Dr. Charmaine Perreira
    27. Saka Azimazi
    28. Dr. Bibi Bakare-Yusuf
    29. Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN
    30. Jibrin Okutepa, SAN
    31. Chief Ziggy Azike, KSC
    32. Roland Ewubare
    33. Mrs. Stella Ugboma
    34. Prof. Ernest Ojukwu
    35. Chukwuma Odelugo
    36. Dr. Solomon Ebobrah
    37. Afolabi Kuti
    38. Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohiaeri
    39. Ms. Seember Nyagher
    40. Dr. Joan Oviawe
    41. Ikeazor Akaraiwe
    42. Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani)
    43. Doueyi Fiderekumo
    44. Dakorim Boma Odunuga
    45. Alaezi Nmezi
    46. Dele Aloko
    47. Mrs. Ozioma Izuora
    48. Ms. Lola Shoneyin
    49. Mal. Bilya Bala
    50. Dr. Aliyu Modibbo
    51. Uba Saidu Malami
    52. Obinna Anaba
    53. Ms. Wumi Asubiaro
    54. Alhaji Suleiman Adamu
    55. Mr. Obi Akaraiwe

  • Internal security in danger, says minister

    Minister of Interior Abba Moro yesterday decried the insecurity in the country, especially in the North.

    Moro said: “Today, the internal security of this country is in great danger. Today, it is no longer news that aliens, unauthorised persons who have found their way through various borders of this country constitute a very vital component of the masterminds and perpetrators of violence in recent times.”

    He said the nation’s porous borders had further worsened the situation.

    Moro spoke in Abuja at the decoration of seven assistant comptroller generals (ACGs) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who were elevated to the rank of deputy comptroller general (DCG).

    The newly appointed DCGs are: Malgwi Henry Yasika, Olaitan Joseph Olasunkami and Adike Chibueze John.

    Others are: Ifeadi Emmanuel Udochukwu, Abeshi Martins Kure, Babandede Mohammed and Oredipe Ayotunde Gbenga.

    His words: “Lots of responsibilities have been placed on the shoulder of the NIS.

    “And I do believe that the onus is on you now to deliver professional quality service that is expected of you.

    “Today, we are all aware of the challenges before Nigerians. The task ahead is serious but I know that you have vowed to discharge your responsibilities and face the challenges squarely.”

     

  • Jonathan, Tambuwal, Suswam condole with Mark over sister’s death

    President Goodluck Jonathan, House of Representatives’ Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State were among eminent Nigerians at the Otukpo country home of Senate President David Mark for the burial of his younger sister, Mrs. Mary Adakole (nee Mark).

    Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement in Abuja, said Jonathan at the requiem Mass at sympathised with Mark and Adakole’s families over the untimely death of their sister and wife who died in an Abuja hospital after child birth.

    The president, who was represented by Ministers of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Water Resources’ Sarah Ochekpe and Interior Minister Abba Moro, urged the bereaved to take solace in the fact that the late Mary lived an exemplary life and died as a child of God.

    He renewed his pledge to give the health sector priority to save more Nigerians.

    Jonathan urged health professionals to brace up to the challenges of modern health care services in the country.

    Tambuwal enjoined the bereaved to see the passing away of their sister as an act beyond humans, saying that only God knows when a man should be born and die.

    On his part, Suswam expressed sadness over the untimely death of Mary, whom he described as a very promising daughter of the state.

    Senate President David Mark said: “It is sad that I am the one mourning my sister instead of the other way round.”

    He promised to continue championing the crusade to improve health care delivery services so that no woman would die during childbirth.

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, led scores of Senators on a condolence visit to Mark at his Apo residence in Abuja.

    Rev. Father Sylvester Onmoke, who led other priests at the requiem mass preached peace and forgiveness stressing that death is a necessary end that must come when it shall.

    Late Mary Adakole was born on January 17 1978 and committed to mother earth on her birthday, January 17.

  • Abba Moro!

    Abba Moro!

    FAT cats in government sap themselves with the tragic delusion that the land is so rich there is a certain depth of poverty no citizen can plumb. But it is such tragic presumption that once prompted a French queen to snap at citizens to go for cake if bread was beyond their reach; or perilous delirium that made Nero to fiddle away, even as his Rome burnt.

    This much can be garnered from the manifestly unwise reaction of Abba Moro, Minister of Interior, to a House of Representatives resolution that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) should drop its N1, 000 charge for every applicant applying for NIS job, which recruitment is going on.

    Minister Moro, evincing the mien of an all-wise Solomon, dismissed the Representatives’ resolution and allied criticism against the charge. He insisted the criticisms were “misplaced and misguided.” Besides, he further argued, other agencies that carry out similar recruitment exercises, like the Army, Air Force and the Navy, charge a standard of N2, 000. So, NIS, a parastatal under Moro’s interior ministry, had been magnanimous enough to peg the fee at N1, 000.

    So, to the minister, the basis of discourse is not affordability – every Nigerian, in his esteemed presumption, should be able to – or simply can – afford a token of N1, 000 to access the NIS recruitment internet portal for forms.

    Affordability settled, why all the fuss, when other agencies charge at least double what NIS charges? Besides, NIS has engaged consultants to make the recruitment exercise as clean, transparent and fair as possible, so that it only employs those who merit employment, and not just some cronies whose winning qualification is knowing people in high places.

    Thanking God for small mercies, we must thank the minister and his team of patriots for the high-minded nobility and consuming sense of fairness with which they are approaching their task, even if such patriotism and focus would cost a little bit more! But the minster must know that the high-handed way he dismissed the legitimate and compassionate appeal, of the House of Representatives’ resolution, has negated every merit of his noble intention.

    Indeed, it is precisely the annoying and self-glorifying attitude of people in Nigeria’s public space, the penchant to pat themselves in the back, and the clear folly of shutting their minds against criticism, therefore willfully denying themselves the chance to correct their mistakes, that is the bane of public office in Nigeria.

    Besides, it is ironic that a Minister of Interior, whose basic beat is to track immigration among fellow Nigerians, among other assignments, is the one scandalously at sea with the economic status of this mass.

    With some 70 per cent of Nigerians living below poverty line, it is riling and roiling indeed that a minister would judge every Nigerian from the prism of his own comfort zone to make such an insensitive and unconscionable statement. If every Nigerian job seeker can afford his asking price of N1, 000, why this tell tale of mass poverty bordering on penury all over the place?

    The media that often latches on to the legislature and their so-called “jumbo salaries” should perhaps beam more attention on executive perks. A minster was accused of frittering a whopping N2billion bill on chartered jets. Another is right now in the storm of buying two armoured plated cars worth N255 million. Now, Moro, from his cozy executive paradise, had decreed every Nigerian job seeker, no matter how dirt poor, could afford his N1, 000 e-form asking price!

    President Goodluck Jonathan should call his insensitive ministers to order. They cannot afford the recklessness of the well fed brat who called his father a fool for feeding him so much. Moro must find internal ways to fund his golden forms, and pay his gilt-edged consultants, than passing the costs to economically distressed Nigerians hardly clinging to life.