The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Consequences

  • A country without consequences

    A country without consequences

    • By Ekpa Stanley Ekpa

    To attain a state of justice, and by justice, I mean justice for everyone and according to the law; every state has a choice to make – a choice between two irreconcilable lines of the rule of law versus the rule of man. To avoid anarchy, every society strives to stick to the side of the coin that ensures that no one acts or is seen to act outside the borders of rule of law. To achieve this goal, the state has a right to insist that its citizens and all foreigners residing within its territorial space strictly obey its laws, by adopting a governmental social control means of enacting, communicating, and sanctioning its citizens who break the law. The subtle prevalence of the rule of man and lack of social consequences for people’s actions and inactions, erode the basic essence of a structured system that that ensures a fair, just and secured society.

    A society becomes woven in a complex crisis when ordinary people become conscious of a prevailing reality that certain class of citizens can commit crimes, fail in their responsibilities, or outsmart others without manifest consequences. A state of affairs that reinforces the idea that might is right – and absolute power corrupts absolutely. An Animal Farm situation, where George Orwell tells us that all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. A trajectory of selective justice, survival of the fittest, and as Ragnar Redbeard suggests – where those whom we entrust with power and their cronies assume that they can do whatever they want and no one can stop them. Consequently, everyone struggles for power, or at least a link to it, to ensure that their actions or omissions are absorbed without consequences.

    There are long lines of instances of incidents with grave degree of implications on society, pointing to Nigeria as a country without responsibility, accountability and consequences. It is inexplicable that since Nigeria’s independence, there is no single completed federal road connecting different regions of Nigeria – either from southwest to north, north to southeast, or south-south to any other part of the country, yet, billions of naira are appropriated annually for almost all federal roads with variations on contract sum as time goes by. Not a single history has been made for students as a case study of convicted corrupt contractors and their political allies. With electricity grid collapsing 99 times in eight years, yet through the entire period, no one is held accountable nor are there consequences for how N829.788 billion was budgeted from 2018 to 2023 for various electricity infrastructure projects by the federal government, yet nothing has changed in the power sector.

    Kidnapping for instance, whether for economic or other socio-political reasons, continue to thrive because 10 years after 276 Chibok girls were kidnapped in 2014, with 96 girls remaining in captivity – there has been no clear consequences, with some of the kidnappers possibly still in the business of abducting innocent people. Almost 38 years after the murder of Dele Giwa, a Federal High Court has only in February 2024 ordered the federal government to re-open the investigation and prosecution of those involved in the murder case; this is the same thing with the case of Bola Ige, as it is with plethora of unresolved cases of social injustices, crime against humanity, institutional abuse of power in Nigeria – the noise simply dies down after the fuss. The ENDSARS victims’ case is not an exception, the reports of different committees have failed to prosecute anyone, while the justice and police system continue to operate in a manner that oppresses and dehumanize the poor.

    But we cannot set our gaze only on the big narratives of social deviance. Little things matter too and we must all be held to the same degree of responsibility. It all starts with the littlest form of failure to observe the general rule that should apply to everyone.

    According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), between 2017 and 2018 alone, 1,436 accidents occurred due to preventable tyre bursts, if only the drivers made sure that the tyres were roadworthy before travelling. As little as disobeying traffic lights seems, it has grave social implication – in 2013, WHO estimated an average of 35,641 lives were lost to road traffic accidents in Nigeria.

    Out of the entire classes of governors from 1999 to 2023, alleged of corruption, the Nigerian state only succeeded in convicting two – Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Plateau and Taraba states respectively. After spending millions of taxpayers’ money to secure their conviction, the National Council of State granted them pardon, in contravention of Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution that makes it mandatory that the “State SHALL abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”

    Read Also: ‘There are consequences for non-compliance with filing tax returns’

    Implying that the state encourages corruption, all you need to do is to steal public funds and claim you are unhealthy and aged – the only two conditions given by the presidency as a reason for the pardon. Nyame was 66 and Dariye 64, when they were pardoned – aged indeed! Others like Lucky Igbinedion, who was charged of looting up to $24 million, simply entered a plea bargain with the EFCC in 2008 and went home free. Thank God for foreign justice system that ensured the likes James Ibori was convicted, though he only served four years out of the 13 years sentence. 

    The list is endless. It is part of our daily lives, irrespective of our class, crème or contact. We simply feel there should be no consequences for our actions and inactions, yet we expect, analyse and complain of Nigeria’s problems as though we are not Nigerians. As I have always maintained, building a country that holds everyone accountable does not only have to do with the president, though the president has the highest moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure that Nigerian laws are upheld. Every public institution, all levels of government, all public officials and everyone entrusted with the mandate to ensure compliance and law enforcement, must ensure that everyone who fails, omit or commit a crime is held to the same degree of accountability as the law requires. This cannot happen unless the people and public officials form the basic canons of decency that define us as a civilized society – and the only way to do this, is to submit ourselves to the dictates of the law. Again, our country cannot pride itself on the rule of law unless every Nigerian – both the led or leaders alike, take pride in observing the littlest of our laws.

    • Ekpa a lawyer and leadership consultant wrote via ekpastanleyekpa@gmail.com

  • The force of consequences

    On Monday, July 2, about seven policemen were gunned down during a routine stop and search operation around Galadimawa  area in Abuja. The tragic deaths of the officers added to the many gruesome killings of policemen in Nigeria. Although there is news of the arrest of suspects in connection with the incident, one fears that we may never know the truth of that unfortunate episode.

    Joining any security outfit, whether public or private, comes with a consciousness of the possibility of real danger. In fact, it signifies a readiness to put one’s life on the line for the protection of others. This is why, in a normal setting, the men of any security service all over the world have always been revered as heroes. The seven officers that lost their lives that day, and the many more policemen that have met their end in untimely manner at the hands of evil doers will live forever in our minds as heroes, absolved of all shortcomings that they might have had in their lifetime.

    Whether it is as a result of the pressures of working very close to danger in a country with many security challenges, or because of the unsettling desperation of having to take such a job, it is true that many policemen have put themselves and the police force in disrepute and earned the scorn of members of the public. The bad behaviour of some policemen affects people’s capacity for sympathy at a time like this;  but the dead officers from last week and many like them deserve the benefit of the very justifiable doubt of their integrity, if for nothing else than to protect our own humanity.

    In many ways, some of these errant police officers are victims of the system they belong to. The orientation they are exposed to in the Nigeria Police Force might have turned some into seedy and untrustworthy men, with very low morals. In a system where superiors expect returns from illicit activities and services are by default sold to the highest bidder, including known criminals, there is little hope for any good image or acceptance by the public. Others are attracted to the system for precisely these failings. The force, through its own squalid reputation, attracts criminal types who are more than willing to perpetrate their devious schemes under the protection of the uniform.

    The overall objective of the force is possibly warped as well. When the British began establishing a colony in the territories now known as Nigeria in the early 1800s, they came with cunning, wit and the force of arms. After establishing a colony, some of the indigenous peoples were incorporated into the Colonial Police Force that included regional, independent constabularies that later evolved to become the Nigeria Police Force. The essential objective of the force was to protect the British, who held power and control of resources, and not really to “maintain peace and order”.

    Today, the colonial masters and British merchants who were the elite of the colonial era have been substituted by politicians and billionaires of today who control power and resources of the state. Thus, the colonial mentality remains and the statistics prove it. In February, Rasheed Akintunde, an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police revealed that about 80% of the police force is deployed in the protection of ‘prominent people’, leaving only about 20% of the force performing core police duties. He was later backed up by Mike Okiro, chairman of the Police Service Commission who disclosed that over 150,000 men were attached to VIPs on guard duty.

    Also, according to data obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, out of about 371,800 police personnel on government payroll, around 80,000 were uncovered to be ‘ghost officers’. When one does the math and marries these figures, whichever way one looks at it, the fact remains that there are more police men guarding VIPs than there are protecting the lives and property of everyday Nigerians.

    Okiro also spoke about the under-funding and understaffing of the police force. Perhaps this may explain why the police is indistinguishable from a fund raising organization, where money comes in from paid contracts with large companies and multinationals and high net worth individuals. This is not to mention returns from those ‘chequepoints’ and other dividends of extortion through ‘free bail’ and the like. The criminal activity of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, which sometimes involves outright theft and intimidation, also falls in this category. A lot of these funds disappear like most ill-gotten gains.

    From all indications, the poor performance of the police at its core duty is dangerous to the lives of its own men. The VIP police detail are dressed in full gear with sophisticated weapons and sharp, sleek vehicles while the men, like the Galadimawa seven, conducting stop and search on major roads are sitting ducks in their slim gear and civil war era AK-47s. A police force that cannot protect its own men can scarcely protect about 180 million people at half strength.

    Meanwhile, even from the stock of officers performing core police duties, a good number are more of a danger to society than most of the criminals that terrorise the populace. The death of the female youth corps member not too long ago is a reminder of the double jeopardy that faces Nigerians at the hands of the police and criminals.

    If the centre cannot maintain a hold of the security apparatus of the police, it is only sensible that the calls for state policing should be taken more seriously than it has. Its benefits include a more localized personnel base which will naturally involve more pressure for the welfare of the officers within a state, as they would be indigenes of their duty posts. Local knowledge will also enhance intelligence networks and cooperation of the public. It is funny that the local constabularies in the colonial times were localized as far as the local government level and it bore more fruit in higher security than there has been since the force has been nationalized.

    Although the Saraki-led senate is considering a bill to allow state police, it remains a testy issue as it is linked, rightly or wrongly to the calls for restructuring. As such, it is bound to meet a lot of resistance from those who do not wish to see a restructuring of our essentially centralised system of government. However, if things continue the way they have been, then there is going to be a serious debate about state policing sooner rather than later.

    It is admittedly a huge challenge to police a population the size of Nigeria’s. There will be gaps and lapses within the fold even at an optimal security state. The important thing for Nigerians is for there to be some assurance of the quality and dedication of the men of the police to their oath to defend and serve. It is in the best interest of the police to court public approval and this is exactly the area in which the Nigerian Police fails the most.

    The reluctance at the top for decisive action is crippling the system further and the view of the police as instruments of state control rather than the protection of lives and property will always end in disaster for the common man. The police is too belaboured with protecting people that can afford to insulate themselves from the terrible realities ordinary Nigerians face. When their priorities are not set right, common people and the officers themselves are further exposed to these realities and we all share the consequences.

    It is no more palatable for us to see seven police officers lose their lives than it is for us to see a young girl cut down in her prime by a police officer. Our human sympathy is not yet lost, even under the fear of oppression that has become a part of our daily lives. We hope that the right decisions are taken at the very top so that we do not also lose our humanity.

  • Ordinary Behaviors & unforgettable Consequences

    Ordinary Behaviors & unforgettable Consequences

    One dangerous trend is becoming more common on our roads and that is vehicle drivers’ texting while driving. On social media, I read about a painful story involving a driver and two small children. He was texting on his mobile phone when he became distracted and ran into the children on their way to school. The children were twins. The male twin died on the spot. The life of the (female) twin is still hanging in the balance. Their mother died three years ago. Their father is devastated. The story is reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy although it is a factual one that happened in Nigeria. How unfortunate!

    If only that driver had obeyed traffic laws not to use his mobile phone while driving. If only he had focused on his driving. It’s a pity that regrets are the aftermath of a behavior that has brought untold misery to several people.
    ‘Texting and driving’ has become one of the most dangerous routes to death in different parts of the world. It is now a public health challenge claiming thousands of lives. In the United States of America, eight people die EVERY DAY from texting and driving. Every day! I don’t know the statistics for Nigeria, even though I still shudder at the thought.
    ‘Ordinary texting and driving’, you may say. Yes! Ordinary texting and driving. When you know that a distraction in nanoseconds can be the trigger to unfathomable tragedies, then you understand that ‘texting and driving’ is a mortal sin. A simple habit of avoiding mobile phone communication while driving can be the difference between life and death.

    In a few hours, millions of young people will decide to engage in ordinary sex without fully understanding the consequences of their actions. “Ordinary” sex may be pleasurable on the surface but within that pleasure is the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  Haba! on top ordinary sex? Yes! on top am o! (Pun intended.) One simple decision to use condoms can be your lifesaver. Aside from the fact that condoms prevent two probable downsides of sex, they are beginning to enhance the sexual experience with the different variants that are available. Using condoms like Fiesta Premium Condoms which come in twelve exciting variants and are designed with innovative technology that makes them second to none can safeguard against the unforgettable consequences.

     

    For instance, Fiesta Prolong delays climax for a longer, more intense sexual experience. Fiesta strawberry and Fiesta chocolate condoms are strawberry and chocolate flavored respectively to pleasure your partner’s senses and increase excitement. The Fiesta ribbed condoms which have pleasure ringlets around them are known to improve the sexual experience for both male and female. Fiesta Glow condoms is a very special condom that lights up in the dark. When you turn off the lights, prepare for a night to remember! This condom is designed to put that extra special glow in your love life and help you find your way to that special place of pleasure.

    A number of men believe using two condoms at once gives them double protection. This is, in fact, not true as the friction between two condoms could cause a tear. But a Fiesta extra-strong condom with thicker circumference provides the protection of two condoms and is perfect for men who are more vigorous during sexual intercourse. With Fiesta condoms, you get three powerful benefits; protection from unwanted pregnancy and protection from STDs and ‘variant’ pleasurable experiences. It is always an intelligent decision to use Fiesta condoms.

     

    As the world marks World Condoms Day today and head into the Valentine’s Day, stay sharp and protected. No ordinary enjoyment should become life threatening! Remember to visit honeyandbanana.com for more variants of Fiesta condoms.

    Happy Condoms Day!

     

    Dimos Sakellaridis is the Country Director of DKT Nigeria.

  • Dire consequences of declining oil revenue

    That the Nigerian nation has depended only on earnings from crude oil export for the past four or five decades to sustain the business of governance is not in doubt. The Nigerian nation has earned over 80% of its revenue from which the Federal Government, the states, the local governments, the ministries departments and agencies (MDAS) obtain their statutory monthly allocations. But since July 2014, these various organisations have all complained of being underpaid in the usual monthly revenue allocation. We have reached this unfortunate situation because of the dwindling revenues from the crude oil sales upon which the nation has depended over time.

    One is baffled why Nigeria up to this time should be dependent on only one commodity which it has handled for over four decades. It is unfortunate that we have missed the opportunity to utilise the cheap earnings from petroleum resources to diversify the nation’s economy and bring up the development of other resources. These various levels of government to whom these earnings were allocated have failed to diversify the nation’s economy by embarking on large-scale agricultural development, industrialisation, establishment of refineries to refine crude oil for home consumption and also to embark on export of refined oil to other nations. We also missed the opportunity to utilise such cheap money to establish adequate generating power plants to assist in the development of the entire economy, as this would have boosted industrialisation, manufacturing and technological development.

    We are experiencing the consequencesof overdependence on only one source of revenue, as we have failed to utilise the resources accruing from this to diversify the economy which would have resulted in earning revenues from numerous other sources. There are worries now over Nigeria’s diminishing earnings from crude oil export. The outlook for 2015 in respect of funding the future budgetary needs of governments is not only very gloomy but also poses a great deal of fear and pessimism for a number of reasons. As crude oil for export purposes is fast diminishing, the nation is facing prospects of a bleak future for its economic development. The crude oil exploitation has been riddled with large-scale pilfering right from source and most of the stolen items also easily find their way into the world market thereby posing as a competitor to the legitimate supply from Nigeria, just as many nations such as Ghana, South Sudan and Mozambique among others, producing crude oil may further reduce the demand from Nigeria. Facts have even emerged that the U.S.A, the major importer of over 80% of the Nigerian crude oil has reduced its demand from Nigeria to zero level. All countries that are dependent on crude oil export as sources of revenue for their development are already disturbed by the falling demand for this mineral resource in the world market. Therefore the amount of crude oil in demand from now and the following years would be drastically reduced particularly as alternative sources are being developed.

    Just as other countries are discovering the existence of crude oil under their soils, the U.S.A has discovered an alternative source which is through the shale oil and gas revolution. The U.S.A. is working hard on this to reduce or totally eliminate its purchase of crude oil from foreign countries. Even when the shale oil development is still in its formative stages, the U.S.A. has shifted from the import of crude oil supplies from Nigeria in favour of crude oil supplies from other nations. The loss of this important market has resulted in the decline in the crude oil production from 2.48 million barrels per day to less than 1.3 million barrels a day. The price of crude oil which peaked at $114 per barrel has dropped to about $60 per barrel.

    The consequences for Nigeria are serious as the funds accruable to the Federation Account have consequently fallen. Some members of the House of Representatives are already sensitising the nation on the inability of the Federal Government to release adequate statutory allocations to various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAS) since July 2014. In the same manner, the Federal Government, the states and the local governments would henceforth face dwindling monthly revenue allocation, with serious consequences for capital projects and recurrent expenditure.

    We are in this mess because of our total and over-dependence on the revenue accruing from crude oil sales and failure to diversify to develop other resources which are capable of contributing immensely to the development of our people. The failure of our rulers to build functional refineries, in addition to the mal-functioning four, is most unfortunate. Since we harbour the raw materials in the form of crude petroleum in large quantity, there is no reason why we should not build numerous functional refineries to meet our domestic needs and export the surplus to neighbouring countries. But it is unexplainable that while we export crude oil, we import refined oil for domestic use. Now with the dwindling harvest of revenues from crude oil, one wonders where Nigeria will find the financial strength to import and pay the exorbitant fuel subsidies to fuel importers.

    Inspite of the huge sums of money paid as fuel subsidies, citizens in other petroleum exporting countries enjoy cheaper petrol prices compared with Nigeria. These countries possess adequate refineries to satisfy domestic needs and produce extra for export markets.

    The loss of external markets for our crude petroleum resources will compound the problems of poverty ravaging this country. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has proffered the dependence on excess crude account to solve this problem, this can be a solution for one or two months, it cannot provide the lasting solutions for the serious problems of under-development ravaging this nation.

    How do we solve the problem of inadequate resources to cater for the development of this country? We have failed to solve the problems of poverty, insecurity, unemployment, poor health and educational services, neglect of agriculture, poor rural and urban road networks, Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity ravaging this nation. Nigerian people should take note of the missed opportunities of the past by which the economy should have been diversified with the resources from crude oil. There is no doubt that the discovery of crude oil and its exploitation have ensured the relegation of agriculture.

    Nigeria used to be the greatest producer of palm oil, but we are now trailing hopelessly behind Malaysia which took its seeds from Nigeria. During the First Republic, the three regional governments of Nigeria viz western, northern and eastern regions depended on adequate production of cocoa, groundnut and palm oil respectively, but today all these have been neglected. Nigeria is accused of profligacy in the use of the proceeds from crude oil, yet we import refined petroleum.

    We have also failed to invest in petro-chemical products like fertilizers, grease and so on. Nigeria must buckle up to appraise its development strategy, through agricultural revolution, provision of sufficient electricity to support industrialisation, provide adequate employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed and provide adequate security for its people.

    • Senator Farukanmi writews from Iju, Ondo State.
  • Missing $20bn: Don warns of dire consequences

    Missing $20bn: Don warns of dire consequences

    As claims and counter claims dog allegations that billions of dollars are missing from the federation account, an academic has warned of dire consequences for the people of Nigeria if the allegations turns out to be true.

    Dr Godwin Owoh, Executive Chairman, Society for Analytical Economics, Nigeria told The Nation “that profound economic leakage through loss of valued economic resources and inordinate resource allocation means that the rest of Nigerians are subjected to forced taxation, devastating effects of corruption that perpetuates inequity.”

    Reacting to claims by the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that $20 billion expected to be in the federation account cannot be accounted for, Dr Owoh noted that “if the assertion by the CBN Governor is right, then, the implication is grave for the Nigerian political and economic stability.”

    According this will be “a precursor to loss of investors confidence in the Nigerian economy, much as it leads to low capital formation and dimunition of the economy’s capital progress.”

    The non-remittance of the $20 billion into the federation account he said is “a violation of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the recurrent nature of this complaint from the CBN Governor suggests tacit top-level connivance between the Presidency, the Ministry of Finance, and the NNPC/Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

    He called for an independent investigation of the allegation to be carried out “in a manner that is far beyond mere inquests through ‘reconciliations’.”

    On the CBN governor coming out as a whistle blower, Dr. Owoh described the development as “a top score for the CBN Governor if he is very sure of his facts and can stand tall on them.”

    The issue raised he said “is huge, and I believe he is setting a record, assuming he has no skeleton of the type he is accusing others of.”

  • Consequences of defiling the marriage bed (IV)

    Dear reader,

    Welcome to the concluding part of this month’s series. I strongly believe that you have been blessed and edified. Today, I shall be looking into Ways Out Of Marital Infidelity.

    We live in modern times, where a lot of virtues our parents upheld are pushed aside as being old-fashioned. Liberality appears to be the password of the new generation. Thank God, the Bible was not inspired by man’s customs and ideologies, else, several updates would have become mandatory. What is contained therein was inspired by the Holy Spirit, Who is eternal. The Word of God in 2 Timothy 3:16 says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

    Renew Your Mind: For anyone to be free from today’s pollution, renewal of the mind is inevitable. The Bible says: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). God’s Word cannot become obsolete; His Word cannot become old-fashioned. The potency of God’s Word is as ever. It is the best ‘water’ that can wash away every contamination.

    If you discover that you have a weakness towards the opposite sex, do not fold your hands, fight spiritually and overcome the devil. Lay hold on the Word of God, read, study and meditate on it. Get materials like books, tapes, etc. These will help your mind from wandering about. Be careful not to watch or read materials that can prompt you into your old ways.

    Be Open: Keeping secrets could be dangerous, especially with the opposite sex. Sending text messages that you would not want your spouse to know about, is like sitting on a gun powder. Any relationship that your spouse is not comfortable about should be dropped. If you are a single person, be careful not to stay alone in secluded places with the opposite sex.

    The Bible says: …for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). I receive mails on a daily basis of wives suspecting their husbands and men not trusting their wives, because of secret calls and text messages. The truth is: there is nothing secret that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad (Luke 8:17).

    Marriage is founded upon a very delicate material called trust. One cannot afford to get caught in the web of adultery. When trust is broken, suspicion sets in and eventually the marriage breaks. By committing adultery, you literally take the honour God bestows upon you and cast it before swine: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7:6).

    When your honour is trampled upon, nothing remains of it. Another dimension to this is that the respect or value which your spouse has for or placed upon you is shattered. There are many out there, who are ready to play on your emotions and get at you; do not give them room.

    No one can overcome this nature except by the power that is in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to be saved? If you are ready, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today, I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. I believe You died and rose on the third day for my sins. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today.

     

    Congratulations!  You are now born again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com; Tel.  No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437; 07094254102

     

    For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work and Building a Successful Family.