The Nation Newspaper

Tag: critics

  • Youths chide Nwoye’s critics

    Youths chide Nwoye’s critics

    Anambra North youths have flayed critics of Dr. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election.

    At a meeting in Aguleri, the youths deliberated on the emergence of the governorship candidates of the major political parties.

    The leader of the youths, Comrade Tony Obiora Okafor, said:

    “We are using this opportunity to tell the people peddling the rumours of who is sponsoring Dr. Nwoye their claim is unfounded and is being peddled by faceless people he defeated in the election, we welcomed Dr Tony Nwoye’s  candidacy as the governorship flag bearer of APC) in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.

    “We also totally condemn some group of people urging the party, APC to reject Dr. Nwoye, they are faceless, disgruntled boot lickers of unnamed Abuja based cabal in the state, it is also the handiwork of Dr. Nwoye’s enemies who are afraid and envious of his grassroots popularity and acceptance throughout the state.

    “It will be counterproductive for APC to drop Dy Nwoye after he has won the party delegates election that made him the candidate for the election, we will work against anybody that will be presented by the party if the APC leadership listens to these enemies of the party who does not want its growth in Anambra state, they should, therefore, be ignored.”

  • I have grown, Tonto replies critics as marriage dissolves

    I have grown, Tonto replies critics as marriage dissolves

    To those, who still feel Tonto Dikeh is the old get-back-at-you lady, the actress has said she has no hate, but love to share.

    “I get to see some awful comments and I am here to say I will never reply to any negative or bad vibes…,” she wrote in a statement released on her Instagram page on Wednesday.

    “I have had my own fair share of clapbacks, saucy with rice replies in the past and believe me I have grown up so much I wouldn’t elude such sadness and classlessness again.

    “Please if you have nothing positive to say I advice you restrain from my page, please. I mean you can insult me in your hearts and minds but not on my page and still put me through the stress of blocking and deleting. C’Mooon that’s brutal.

    “It’s said that you can’t give what you don’t have “I don’t have hate, nor clapbacks or nasty reply, so I can’t give you that, all I can however give you is love.”

    This is coming after a video surfaced online officially dissolving the actress marriage’s to Olakunle Churchill, as her family reportedly refunded the bride price paid to them by her estranged husband.

    In confirmation to the refund bride price, a letter on a letter head bearing Rumuehio-Okania Family and dated 26-06-17 read, ‘Refund of Pride Price’ ‘Tonto Dikeh and Olakunle Churchill; whose customary marriage was performed according to the custom of the Rumuokwata Community. The Parties have notified the community by themselves and through their respective families unwillingness to continue to live as husband and wife.’

    It goes on: ‘The family [having] prevailed, cautioned and advised them against the decision, they have insisted to carry on with their intentions.

    ‘The family is left with no option than to allow for peaceful separations.

    ‘Therefore, the family has accepted to refund Ola Churchill the Bride Price as the custom demands.

    ‘Both parties have accepted to refunds and receipt of the bride price.’

    Another video clip has been related to the actress celebrating the freedom, as she is seen in jubilation mood in a video clip she uploaded on Instagram, which was captioned; “Came to drop something off, only to find her dancing and rejoicing outside.”

  • Tinubu to critics: let Buhari be

    Tinubu to critics: let Buhari be

    Those speculating on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health must pull the brakes, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu cautioned yesterday.

    The former Lagos State governor warned that such speculators were out not only to derail the President but to decisively pit a section of the country against another for selfish gains.

    According to Tinubu, the President, who Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for on March 28, 2015, because they believed in his capacity to fix the country, is on a mission – to right many of the nation’s wrongs.

    He said the prevailing economic challenges were not of Buhari’s making, adding that the effect of the tumbling oil prices at the international market would not have been so biting had the immediate past administration saved for the rainy day.

    Tinubu, however, said the Buhari administration has been battling to avoid the pitfall of the past by diversifying the economy from oil.

    In statement entitled: “Stop the hoopla over Buhari’s health, allow the president to do his job as he deems fit”, the respected political leader, said much had changed since Buhari took over the reins of governance two years ago.

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is a place of numerous challenges and the home of vast human potentials. Our greatest challenge has always been how to best direct our vast potentials so that we overcome the challenges that plague us.

    “This cardinal challenge is why the APC was formed and why the party presented then General Muhammadu Buhari as its standard bearer. The people rightly chose him as their president, believing he was the best person to make Nigeria into a better nation.

    “His electoral victory was historic. More importantly, like most Nigerians, I believed his presidency represented a historic mission to right many of our nation’s wrongs. I still believe so.

    “The previous administration treated Boko Haram softly, appearing to view the terrorists as part of their political equation rather than a lethal threat to national security. President Buhari has gone after Boko Haram without condition and without fear. He has pushed them back, saving lives and giving northern Nigeria a chance to breathe again the air of peace and normalcy.

    “My recent visit to Borno State to inaugurate projects opened my eyes to the progress President Buhari has made in the anti-terror war. An enabling environment has been created for Governor Kashim Shettima who has taken advantage of the peaceful space to initiate laudable projects, such as the provision of housing for and rehabilitation of Boko Haram victims.

    “The previous administration treated corruption as its co-tenant in office. President Buhari has fought it with tenacity, equal to that with which he has confronted Boko Haram.

    “We currently face stiff economic challenges. This is neither President’s Buhari’s doing nor choosing. The steep decline in oil prices caused the downturn which exposed our nation’s long-time failure to plan ahead by diversifying our economic base. It has fallen on the Buhari government to fix the immediate problem while also diversifying our economy so that we will no longer be as vulnerable to the price of oil again.

    “His policies have begun to bear fruit. We are moving out of recession and toward the long-term reshaping of the national economy. Given the complex menu of problems he has faced, President Buhari has done well in a tough situation. While I seek not to diminish the hardship still faced by many of our people, we also must be cognisant of the important progress made these past two years.

    “President Buhari has moved us from the path of failure to a path where we have a fighting chance to realise a better nation. Had we stuck to the ways of the former administration, our present situation would be worse than untenable.

    “Those who publicly speculate about the issue of the President’s health must keep all of this in mind. Much is at stake. We owe a responsibility to be wise and circumspect in what is spoken into the public ear.

    “We voted for President Buhari because we trusted his ability to make decisions regarding complex issues of state. If we can trust him to handle difficult matters of governance, we can also trust him to make correct decisions regarding his personal health. The President Buhari I have come to know is an honest and responsible man and leader.

    “When he returned to Nigeria on March 10, he disclosed to the nation that he had been sick to the extent that he received blood transfusion and would leave for further treatment at some future date. He said he would follow the counsel of his doctors and there is every reason to believe that he has been true to their counsel.

    “Many people have openly speculated about the President’s health. Some have done so for their own selfish reasons. These people shall be found out in time. There are many who have done so out of sincere concern for the President.

    “These people should not be condemned for their heartfelt concern. However, they should be advised not to allow fear to ambush their better judgment and their courage.

    “They should not give themselves to idle speculation. We should not buy into the myth of some cabal at work. Dwelling in empty speculation on the existence of some mythic cabal is not what the country needs at present. From what I can see, the President remains at the helm and his policies are being implemented.

    “The President is also showing his belief in process and partnership by assigning more responsibilities to the VP, which included presiding over meetings of the Federal Executive Council, thus demonstrating his trust and implicit confidence in him.

    “Unfounded speculation serves no purpose other than to encourage those who would rather derail the President’s progressive agenda and who would divisively pit one aspect of this nation against another. Such chatter may foment division where there was none and this might come to impair the management of the affairs of this country.

    “By fomenting animosity among groups that have heretofore been allied, those who hold to the bankrupt politics of yesterday seek to thwart the President’s mission while claiming to support him.

    “Those who truly care about the President and the important work he still must do should not allow themselves to become the unwitting tools of these regressive forces.

    “We must stand with and beside our President. The unfounded speculation around his health should stop. We must not covet fear and rumor but should engage our creativity and enterprise to help the President accomplish his historic mission.

    “Our greatest energies should be focused on righting this economy so that it provides a decent livelihood for all people. This critical path towards economic recovery must be followed for the sake of our children.”

  • The point critics of Sanusi miss

    SIR: The claim that HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II is lowering the estimation of the royal throne by his public deportment is in my opinion both incorrect and misplaced.

    In the first place, the enigma of a royal throne shouldn’t have been inspired by the semi-robotic postures of the Emirs- not answering greetings or saying the mere “ameen” to goodwill prayers personally except through some aides (as if they are incapacitated or something), not sitting in company of masses or talking freely among fellow human beings and responding to intellectual posers and tasking their subjects in productive debates.

    The eminence of royal institution should be one that is inspired by excellence in positivity- some unique quality of intellection and confidence to stand for the bitter truth against odds, or some bold move to redefine the age-long Islamically incompatible traditions of the palace and the royal line in general.

    So, if the nature of leadership of the traditional Institution is truly Islamic, we shouldn’t find offence in Emir Sanusi bowing over to speak with some governors, or because he sat right in the middle of student audience in the Bayero University Kano symposium etc.

    Islam is a humble religion. His ways may not appeal to the orthodox fan base of the blue-blooded royalties really, but are massively disarming the teaming antagonists of the institution who see no sense in the overly egotistic styles of the royal palace.

    We are beginning to identify with the institution as truly ours.

     

    • Habibu abubakar,

    habubakar992@gmail.com

  • AMAJU PINNICK – My critics are not stumbling blocks

    AMAJU PINNICK – My critics are not stumbling blocks

    SINCE assuming office as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) almost three years ago, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has been trouble-shooting his ways on all fronts in order to leave his imprints on the sand of time.

    Pinnick is perhaps the most vilified in the history of the NFF’s presidency after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last two successive Africa Cup of Nations as well as the non-qualification of the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets for their continental age grade competitions.

    Yet, the 44-year-old former chairman of Delta State Football Association and Delta State Sports Commission is not the type to brood over what others may say about him, revealing that two factors- Godliness and Warriness (his coinage for being brought up in Warri, Delta State)- have stood him in good stead over the years.

    “My staying power is not only because I grew up in Warri,” Pinnick told The Nation Sport & Style duo of MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN & TAIWO ALIMI at his well-set home in Lagos on Easter Monday.

    “But when you grew up in Warri, you have a sense of resilience in everything; nobody intimidates you and that is just the general attitude of a typical Warri man.

    “But if you add the ‘Warriness’ to Godliness, it is a beautiful combination and I always thank God for everything that I have achieved in life.

    “I do not begrudge anybody because even your worst enemy might end up becoming your best friend. So, I do not begrudge anybody because they might end up bailing you out in a tight situation.

    “When I was asked about what I would do to the people called ‘CAF 11′(Nigerians in CAF Committees that disagreed over his choice  of Ahmad over Hayatou ahead of the CAF polls) after my election into the Exec utive Committee of CAF, and I ‘said nothing’ because these are people that are well experienced in football administration. I will still tap from their experience and whenever I need them, I will crave their indulgence and they will hearken to my voice and listen to me.

    “Frankly speaking, I believe nobody is a stumbling block to me, rather, everybody is a building block to fulfil my biblical destiny, and that is the truth. Critics, as you said, are my building blocks not stumbling blocks,” posited Pinnick.

    Indeed, Pinnick was the rallying point of the group that brought an end to the 29-year-long tenure of Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and ushered in Ahmad of Madagascar as the new continental soccer ruling body supremo last month. In his first major interview after the CAF elections where he was also voted into the Executive Committee, Pinnick spoke on a wide range of issues under his watch at the NFF and what to expect at CAF post-Hayatou’ years. Excerpts…

    You usually talk about intense leadership which comes to the fore as President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), how difficult is it to run the NFF?

    It is really challenging; really, really challenging but the good news is that we have an executive committee that is very understanding. I give kudos to them all the time. They would have made it more difficult if they want to but in everything that I have presented to them, they always support me. The NFF’s Congress too quite understands, so I have to thank them every day for being there for me. Otherwise, it would have been very tough. The truth is that the totality of Nigerians are football enthusiasts. Say 95 percent of Nigerians love football, so they always believe that you must get it right and it is not your fault. That is the way I see it when I was outside the football federation, but coming right in, I realised that it is very intense. It is really difficult running Nigerian football but I thank God that when you pray and work in a very dedicated manner, it becomes as easy as anything goes. I pray and work hard and that makes things easy for me.

    One of the challenges you have faced since coming on board is funding, how have you been surviving, coupled with the fact that there are countless programmes the NFF must accomplish?

    We came in at a very trying period. Extremely, trying period. We came in when there was a transition in government; from one government to another. Government needed to settle down and look at issues; economic, social issues under which football is captured. Other issues like economic recession is there and several companies that would have assisted our sponsorship drive are only thinking about how to survive. They are not looking at making profits but how to keep their heads above water. It is tough for them too. Looking at the price of diesel, you have to run to do business and power your business. We came at a time when even people that are enthusiastic say ‘hold on, hold on, when things start looking up, we come back to work with you.’ That’s it. But, as I said, my executive committee has always been supportive, and when we put anything to them, they are set and ready to support me. We are struggling, really struggling, but I can assure you those things will look up very soon. I believe that and I know God is helping us out. As we are working religiously with some individuals that are very powerful in this country, they are assisting us reach out to corporate bodies within the country and beyond, identifying the ones that are still doing very well, saying ‘these people are credible, give them support.’ So, we are working on all those and more.

    People often say that Nigeria doesn’t have a real football culture in terms of administration, what kind of sustainable culture are you putting in place?

    We are looking at so many things, especially our youth developmental programmes. But there are things that are militating against us moving forward. Instability is one of them. We are still in court; we are in the Supreme Court with Giwa as I talk with you. Given this scenario, how do you sustain all things you are bringing up? How do people come out and say, yes, we are ready? So, it’s been very difficult. But, as I said, we are just putting this parameter together and trying to move on. We have advocated for a level of autonomy from the National Assembly, which I believe will be passed very soon. We have gotten a lot of global recognition, which, of course, we are very thankful for. And those are two areas that we believe we did not get it right before and we are working on getting right. Once we get that right, a lot will happen. Because leadership is not just saying, ‘once you get there, things will start to happen.’ You have to study what you met. There are times you don’t even know what you met, and so, you have to look at the challenges and the assets as well as the liabilities. How do you turn the liabilities to assets and how do you turn the assets to better assets? I always give thanks to God because I believe God brought me to lead Nigeria football for a pur pose. And by God’s grace, we are going to accomplish.

    Despite all that you have achieved personally, people still underrate you. For example, the Benin FA president called you a ‘small boy’ ahead of the recently concluded CAF elections, how do you react to such negative comments?

    I am a very prayerful person. All those criticisms propel me to greatness. I bother less and I just hand over everything to God. I say ‘God, I’m your child, take charge.’ And God will actually take charge at every point. I’m a child of God. I’m a destiny child. We are not regular. If you look at the way I came in, who would believe that I would stay one month? Today, I’m almost three years on the job. I’m not just there; I’m in the most important committee in FIFA. I’m a member of the CAF Executive Committee and I’m the Vice-President of WAFU. All that achieved within two years. In all modesty, if God has really impacted in my life, then I should give back to Nigerian football. It is not rosy all the time, but I still give thanks to God. He has given me a direction and whenever I’m leaving, I will leave with my heads high as president of NFF.

    You keep saying you are destiny child and you are the third person to sit on the seat of CAF Executive Committee, what does this mean to you personally?

    Yes, I’m a destiny child.  But my election into the CAF executive committee means so much to Nigeria as a country. Nigeria is the biggest and the most important black nation in the world. When I was interviewed on CNN, a very popular CNN reporter came to me and said ‘wow, that was very brilliant interview.’ He said two weeks ago, there was a call from (POTUS-President of United States) Donald Trump to your president. That Trump doesn’t easily align with country but he has spoken with two countries in Africa, and you are here too talking about change in CAF. I said Nigeria is regaining its rightful place as the giant of Africa again. To me, that was quite satisfying coming from a reporter of that status. For me, what I understand about Nigeria is that it takes a directional leadership. It gives direction, especially in global organisation. People look at Nigeria for direction. If you look at what President Buhari did during the Gambia situation even when he was not the chairman of AU (African Union) or ECOWAS (Economic Committee of West African States), but Nigeria provides

  • The Nation man wins critics award

    The Nation’s Assistant Editor (Arts), Mr. Ozolua Uhakheme, last Saturday won the inaugural Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF), Press Critics in Agbarha-Otor Award.

    He got the award in recognition of his excellence in visual art reporting. Other art writers who won the award were The Guardian’s art writer Mr. Tajudeen Sowole and Deputy Editor of This Day, Mr. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke. Each recipient got a cheque of N100,000.

    Chairman of BOF, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, described art critics as critical stakeholders in the growth of Nigerian arts and artists who should be appreciated and honoured.

    “The foundation has decided to initiate this award in appreciation of the contributions of these art writers, especially to the success of Harmattan workshop at Agbarha-Otor.”

  • Bakare and CAN as Buhari critics

    Pastor Tunde Bakare, the overseer of Latter Rain Assembly Church while delivering his State of the Nation address, titled ‘Roadmap to successful change,’ back in January launched a sweeping attack on some of President Buhari’s policies. First, he said “The CBN was contributing negatively to the Nigerian state by becoming a conduit for politicians to drain the nation.”  He  thereafter ‘demanded for the prosecution of those indicted in the damning report of the Farouk Lawan committee, a phenomenon he refers to as ‘Kleptoric kleptocracy unlimited’, where for instance, N999m was reportedly paid 129 times totaling N128,871,000,000 to some companies by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.” He went on to remind the President that ‘with the non- prosecution of those indicted four years after; we didn’t need to wonder why corruption is so endemic and very pervasive in our nation today’.

    Bakare’s criticism is in pursuit of a better society. This is a crusade he started back in 1982 when he first launched his ministry. Bakare has intimidating credentials as a ‘prophet, lawyer, politician, a successful international businessman, an activist and servant of the people’.  His commitment to Nigeria as a social crusader with Nigeria will work in my time mantra has been attested to by no less a personality than Pius Adesanmi, a professor of Literature and winner of the Peguine prize for Africa writings.  According to him “Bakare  is Nigeria first and only liberation theologist who provides not just spiritual food and guidance for Nigeria but been in the trenches’ deploying and interpreting the gospel as a manifesto of liberation of the Nigerian people  from poverty injustice and all assorted  consequences of corruption and bad leadership”.

    Bakare, who has in his own words ‘moved from the pulpit to the street and to the podium” to make ‘propositional alternatives’ to government was the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, (SNG) that fought on behalf of Jonathan on the streets of Abuja. Following the astronomical increases in fuel subsidy from N256.3b in July 2008 to N673b in 2010 under Yar Adua,  moving to N1.3 trillion in 2011 under Jonathan and N2.19t in an election year, Bakare was at the ‘Freedom Park’ in Lagos calling for the investigation of those ‘behind the colossal looting of our money’. His crusade paid off when a House of Representatives probe indicted some PDP leading lights and their siblings for the theft of about N1.7 trillion.

    We can therefore easily understand  Bakare’s righteous indignation that those who should be in prison to serve as a deterrent to others today under Buhari government of change enjoy the same immunity  as they did as Jonathan fund- raisers and campaign managers.

    The difference between Bakare and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as critics of government is very clear. Unlike Bakare  who has since 1982  had “the courage to say and do what he considered the right thing”  for our nation, his other CAN members  who kept their peace, sometimes not as innocent onlookers, while the looting of our resources  went on, have in the wake of economic recession ravaging the land found their voices. They have told Buhari to find solution to the nation’s economic woes instead of moaning over spill milk. I agree with our religious fathers. Wasn’t that the reason Buhari stood a chance against Jonathan after three failed attempts?

    The views are the same. From Tunde Adeoye the Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Anglican Communion, to Jacob Adetunmobi, Bishop of Ibadan South Diocese, Adeyemo, Bishop of Omu- Aran, Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria Dr. Samuel Uche, to the Bishops of the 19 northern states and Abuja whose spokesman, Revd. John Hayab ‘wants the government to embark on policies that show they love the citizen’, to the chairman and spiritual father of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Worldwide (Ayo Ni o), Most Revd. Samuel Abidoye whose concern was that this year Christmas ‘will be the poorest Christmas celebrations in recent time” to Emeritus Archbishop Olubunmi Okogie, who saw ‘youth revolution because the people are hungry.’

    Although it is on record that some jet-flying prosperity prophets contributed to the current hunger in the land, the verdict of both Christian and Muslim clerics is that Buhari alone must carry the can. Dr. Saheed Ashafa, the president of Muslim students society of Nigeria,  blames the current economic predicament on Buhari while  the Chief Imam, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad says to  Buhari “ the hunger is real, you cannot continue to ask Nigerians to be patient , you cannot continue to preach to hungry people.”

    While they are all absolutely right, I however think we cannot afford a divided home through finger-pointing in view of the imminent danger hunger poses to our people. I therefore believe all hands must be on deck instead of blame game.

    Let us start with our Muslim clerics. In Lagos, Musliu Obanikoro, former minister of defence who has only been able to pay N140m of about N1billion he admitted he illegally took, is known in the Muslim community as generous giver to mosques and Muslim associations. This is the time he needs the help of his Muslim spiritual leaders most. They could make contributions or prevail on him to sell off some of his properties. A billion naira if stashed together according to our inimitable Olatunji Dare will be as high as the empire building in New York. If Buhari has that humongous stolen fund, it will surely go a long way in reducing hunger.

    The President of the Muslim Congress Dr. Luqman Abdul Raheem who claim ‘division within the President’s APC had increased hunger in the country’  can join hands with his fellow Christian clerics to appeal to Saraki who caused the division by trading off the victory of his party to retrace his steps. Senator Alasoadura (he whose armour is prayers); his able supporter, Dino Melaye who claimed to have made his fortunes through prosperity prophets, both Abdulmumin Jibrin, and Yakubu Dogara the Speaker, put asunder by ‘budget padding, are Muslim and Christian respectively. If division is the cause of hunger according the cleric, who are better placed to bring reconciliation than those who claim to hear the voice of God?

    And finally  an appeal to my own Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie who ‘saw a revolution going on underground because there is hunger in the land and some people are still crying for their salaries and not getting them” . He is right to blame Buhari for our economic woes. But since we are looking for solution to the hunger ravaging our land, Okogie who commands a lot of respect among his Niger Delta compatriots can appeal to the Niger Delta militants who are currently sabotaging the economy.

  • Silence of the critics

    Sir: The rudderless ship of our nation seems to be sailing on serene waters. An Igbo adage says that a cow that does not have tail its god drives away flies for it. In spite of the economic hardship pressing on the heart and mind of the citizens, critics of the President Buhari administration are singing a more ruminating tune. The conviction is beginning to set in among many that even though he may not be a political wizard, his heart seems to be in a good place. His honesty will draw people with vision closer to him.

    It is becoming evident after all that the president has a listening ear to the many woes afflicting our people. Those critical of his government at the beginning are witnessing a quiet response to the issues offending their feeling. Take the road infrastructure for example; construction work is visible in most of the crucial major highways. Lagos – Ibadan Expressway is a case in point where massive work is going on. Whether the action of the president satisfies the fine prints of the constitution, the judiciary is another area where he is making a strong mark that it will not be business as usual. Arrest of alleged corrupt Supreme Court judges is still shaking the pillars of the justice system.

    The president has even proved many critics wrong with his enlightened mind. Unlike the rigid impression most people have of the submissiveness of women in the Islamic religion, he tolerated the criticism of his leadership by the first lady. Though, how he reacted to the outburst might have created a counterbalance to the credit due to him as a modern leader. The winning point is his equanimity in the face of a political provocation from within. Most African leaders would not allow their wife the disposition to entertain such public expression of disenchantment with their action.

    Issue of ethnicity that bothered most people with his initial outlook in office is receiving a reversal approach. Northerners are the people complaining more about not feeling the impact of government. The president that shielded himself in a cocoon of the Hausa is now consulting broadly among other tribes. Perhaps, he is opening up as a consequence of political expediency. Nothing is wrong with that. It had concerned many critics that he was hitherto not stretching his canopy to welcome the plurality of the society.

    It will be recognized that the fear that the president may look back to his military past and choose to wield the tool of banishing dissenting voices has not been remarkably pronounced. Critics have, without open intimidation, expressed their opinions about their perception of failures of the administration. Not less is the mockery of the outward appearance of the president suffering from slowness of age in making policy decisions.

    The fact remains, the country needs a vibrant criticism of its leaders. Out of the kaleidoscope of opinions, a distinct directive emerges that will characterize the leadership style. It cannot be boldly stated that the president has stamped the mark of approval of his administration on the heart of the nation. Notwithstanding, the baby steps his government is making have encouraged many that there could be sunshine after the rain. Whipping from critics will not stop till our leaders learn to behave.

     

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Amaechi’s silenced critics

    Amaechi’s silenced critics

    A very good leader who wants to maintain a clean slate in governance would forbid corruption and crime.

    National developments can only be achieved only when leaders put hands on deck to fight crime and corruption to the later.

    When crime and corruption is rid off in a society righteousness will abound, peace and development will prevail.

    In Nigeria, the fight against corruption and crime by the Muhammadu Buhari government is yielding positive results.

    When President Muhammadu Buhari took over government May last year, it took him six months to announce his cabinet. Many Nigerians criticized him for the delay but the President had to take his time to shop for incorruptible and credible persons. One of such discoveries is Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whom the President eventually appointed Transportation Minister.

    Although, Amaechi’s critics will stop at nothing to labeling him “corrupt”, Amaechi had on several occasions challenged them to show proof that he is corrupt but they have since that public challenge remained dumb since they have no fact to justify their frivolous claims. They have remained tranquil and have hidden their heads in shame.

    After making several unsuccessful attempt to crucify Amaechi for supporting Buhari at the last presidential election some under the aegies of Niger Delta Leaders now hover around the Villa looking for where to perch in other to fan ember of discord between President Buhari and his staunch man Rotimi Amaechi.

    They fed fat from ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, they denied him.Now they are tactically exploring means of gaining attention from the presidency for their selfish agradizement.

    For some, even when the opportunity to rule is right before them they could not proffer concrete solutions to the problems bedeviling their states as the rate of crime and criminality has adversely affected development in the areas.

    In a way to exonerate themselves from their abysmal performance they now use “recession” as a form of excuse to cajole the people and to gain public sympathy.

    At their comfort they propose heavy taxes and send to their Rubber-stamp lawmakers to give speedy approval and make it a state law thereby inflicting hardship on the people.

    Some of them who have discovered that governance is not as easy as they thought when Amaechi held sway as the state governor now run to one highly placed pastor to the other begging them to appeal to Amaechi for forgiveness on their behalf.

    Some who were entrusted to organize free and fair elections who by their positions were expected to play neutral but aided the PDP to victory having understood the seriousness attached on the fight against corruption by the present administration now sneak to high places at night possibly to beg for mercy.

    They have suddenly realized that the hand of God is upon Amaechi, they have suddenly also realized that Amaechi is destined for greatness and that who God has blessed no man can course.

    Since then, Amaechi too, had in humility walked with his shoulders high having silenced his enemies forever and in shame. Ameachi has since then consistently and courageously too, appearing in public places and functions receiving accolades and salutations for superintending over Rivers State for eight years with purity.

    For all I know and for those who care to know, Amaechi is incorruptible and would stop at nothing to maintain the confidence reposed on him by the President and his supporters.

    Amaechi is the face of the present change regime in the Niger Delta and South South in general. In some quarters Amaechi is known as the Commander of the change revolution in Nigeria.

    That is why even in far away England, Amaechi could boldly speak about corruption and crime and the way the present administration is tackling corruption and corrupt leaders.

    In a keynote address he delivered at the opening of the 34th Cambridge University Prestigious International Symposium on Economic Crime at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, Amaechi noted that economic crime can be better tackled if countries unite and share strategic information to stop the network of those who commit such crime.

    Amaechi spoke in an address he titled “Beyond Blame Game; The imperative of tackling Economic Crime Together”.

    Amaechi said economic crime is often committed in an organized manner involving several people, sometimes across borders through multiple jurisdictions.

    Although such crimes may originate from one country it often involves the participation of clandestine, criminal networks operating in different countries playing one role or the other and benefitting from such illicit proceeds.

    Amaechi said economic crime is a global virus and should be tackled through global collaboration  “For this to happen, the public and private sectors especially the banks must come into collaboration beyond high sounding rhetoric and public relations. Institutions from both developed and developing countries must learn to share information and act swiftly to erode the efficacy of these networks to successfully use any jurisdiction either as transit routes or safe havens for proceeds of economic crime. Strong, effective, regulatory and enforcement capabilities must be encouraged both domestically and internationally through technical cooperation. Partnerships must be encouraged to provide platforms to share best practices and intelligence and strengthen legislations between jurisdictions”.

    “As someone who has been in active politics for more than thirty years I have learnt that many well intended reforms are possible only if the leader can offer the requisite leadership and muster the right political will. In my country, since our President, Muhammadu Buhari was elected, he did not leave anyone in doubt that the fight against corruption will not only be taken seriously but will form a cardinal plank of his policy direction.”

    “ So far, he has made several pronouncements that set the tone of his commitment to strengthen anti-corruption agencies to go after anyone who has questions to answer. The President resolve was enough signal all of us, members of his cabinet and the citizenry that an end has come for the old ways of doing things. Currently, many people who have been indicted in one form of corrupt practice or another are being prosecuted in our courts. That, I believe is the way to show leadership and take responsibility”, he said.

    In conclusion, Amaechi said “As an interconnected and rapidly globalizing world, it’s vital we work together, in partnership, to collectively fight economic crime. This is a common enemy and a very smart one for that matter. It seeks to beat every barrier that we mount against it. It is my humble submission that we must hold hands together as never before to confront the spread of economic crimes squarely and successfully”, he said.

  • Group chides critics of NDDC board’s composition

    Group chides critics of NDDC board’s composition

    The Ilaje National Development Initiative (INDI) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for selecting credible individuals into the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The move is a step in the right direction, the group said.

    A statement by its President Thomas Mogbomerun berated critics of the nominations as self-serving opportunists.

    The group said such people spoke for themselves and not residents of the oil producing states.

    President Buhari, last week, forwarded a 17-man list to the Senate for confirmation as members of the interventionist agency’s board.

    Former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma Egba is proposed as Chairman and Mr Nsima Ekere as Managing Director-designate. Nine other nominees are to represent the oil producing states.

    But Nkere’s nomination has come under criticism, even as the Ondo representative and son of first civilian governor, Tokunbo Ajasin, has been rejected by a cross section of Ilaje youths and leaders on the ground that he was not from an oil producing area, being an Owo indigene.

    But INDI flawed the position of the critics, accusing them of an ego trip.

    It said: “This is another ego trip that cannot stand the test of time. To say the least, the orchestrated opposition against the nomination of Ajasin is only the handiwork of self-serving opportunists who are living a warped order that has always worked for them.

    “By this singular nomination, President Buhari has completed the circle of equity, fairness and justice by evenly distributing the ministerial nomination for South, membership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) board for Central and that of the NDDC for the Northern senatorial districts.