The Nation Newspaper

Tag: example

  • Workers’ salary: The Ambode example

    It is no longer news that about 24 states of the federation are currently feeling the heavy burden of the economic crisis occasioned by the fall in international oil price, which consequently led to the decrease in revenue allocations to states.

    As it would be expected, in some of the states, workers have embarked on industrial action in order to press home demands for the prompt payment of their wages. The recent parley held between President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors, over the issue of unpaid salaries and allied matters, perhaps, underscores the gravity of the wage crisis currently bedeviling most states in the country. At one time, the Nigeria Governors Forum was agitating for a financial bailout from the federal government as a way out of the imbroglio.It is, however, heartwarming to state that it is not all the states in the federation that are enmeshed in salary crisis. Lagos State, for instance, does not have any issue with regards to the prompt payment of salary. This has always been the trend since 1999 when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu began the process that led to the financial emancipation of Lagos State. The trend continued under the immediate past governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. However, that trend is now being taken to a new level under the leadership of the current governor, Akin Ambode, who incidentally was one of the brains behind the financial re-engineering that has solidified the economic base of the state as spearheaded by Asiwaju Tinubu.

    First impression, as the saying goes, lasts longer. This undoubtedly summarizes the attitude of Governor Ambode towards the payment of civil servants salaries. It was quite a new and refreshing experience for the civil servants who all got salary alerts from their various banks for the month of June by the 23rd of same month. To the civil servants, it was a joyous thing and a welcome development. But to the governor, it was a way of fulfilling one of his campaign promises that was hinged on the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and creating of a conducive atmosphere for workers in the employment of the state government to thrive in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

    In our climes, there is, indeed, no better way to motivate workers than ensuring their wages are paid as at when due. This makes them to avoid distractions that emanate from financial worries. Perhaps, Ambode’s gesture, which is the basic practice in most multinational firms, originates from his firm belief that the workers are the ones that determine the pace of development in the state and as such must not be denied their wages which is, indeed, one of their core entailments. Those that are closer to the governor would readily tell whoever cares to listen that the man values hardwork and would go to any extent to reward those who are committed to the value and principle of hardwork. Hence, prompt payment of salary is just one of his ways of encouraging the Lagos State civil servants to buy into his vision of provision of diligence service to the state and her people.

    Without a doubt, especially with the current trend in the country where workers are being owed months of salaries, Ambode has started on a rather good note. It is expected that other states’ governors would take a cue from him by making prompt payment of staff salaries a priority. This is the only way forward for our dear nation in the face of current economic difficulties. When workers are owed salaries, it portends great danger for our already troubled nation. With the crisis of Boko Haram insurgency in the north, kidnapping, armed robbery, unemployment and other difficult challenges that the country is presently contending with, to add unhappy civil servants to the lots would, no doubt, suffocate the nation. This is why one is canvassing that the federal government intervenes, as much as it could, by assisting some of the troubled states in lessening the burden of unpaid salaries. Any aid in this direction would be a worthwhile one as it would save the nation from chaos, workers’ rebellion and labour unrest. As it has been previously emphasised, with the myriads of problems we are contending with as a nation, labour unrest should be the last item that we should include in the list.

    This is why the Ambode’s model is the best for the country.

    It is, however, not in the area of prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries that Ambode is displaying a strong resolve to make Lagosians happy. He is equally making great efforts to ensure that Lagosians experience free flow of traffic in a mega city that is infamously renowned for its chaotic traffic situation.

    The governor recently set the ball rolling when, in company of the Secretary to the State Government and other top government functionaries, he embarked on an on the spot assessment of traffic gridlock situation across the state. The objective is to have an on-the-spot feel of the traffic situation. This becomes quite imperative in view of the huge economic implications of what the state loses to traffic gridlocks.

    It is the conviction of the governor that the several manpower hours that are daily lost to traffic chaos, if properly reversed, could translate into economic boost for the state. Consequently, during the governor’s visit to Berger Bus Stop, along the ever busy Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing solutions to the traffic snarls as he approved the construction of a pedestrian Bridge at Berger Bus Stop.

    Also during his visit to traffic points in Apapa and Ajah axis, the governor who despite a heavy gridlock at the area on that day, together with all that accompanied him, walked through Apapa to Tin Can, expressed his displeasure about the torment that commuters and motorists are condemned to on a daily basis, which he said was largely due to the indiscriminate parking of articulated trucks attempting to access the port and tank farms located within the axis. He said: “We’ve all seen that the gridlock in Apapa is multifaceted. We have examined things that relate to activities of trailer drivers and tanker drivers. Apapa belong to the Federal Government and this Tin Can Bridge that has been under construction for about six years has been abandoned. This, however, has given rise to tankers parking indiscriminately on the road. It is totally unacceptable that we would be having tankers parked on our bridges”.

    On the whole, one could safely conclude that Ambode has started his sojourn as the state governor on a good stead. Judged by the direction of his government so far, Lagosians are, no doubt, in for a pleasant experience. The progress and development of Lagos is what the people voted for. This is what he governor promised. This is what he is set out to deliver!

     

    • Olopade writes from Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • Lead by example, pupils told

    Lead by example, pupils told

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc, Mr Emmanuel Ekunno, has called on leaders to lead by example for students and younger generation to learn.

    He made this known on Thursday last week, when delivering a lecture on ‘good leadership’ during a visit of contestants of the governors’ competition on leadership skills organised by Civic Enlightenment Association (CEA), at the Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc premises, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Nine secondary schools from Lagos and Ogun states participated.

    Emmanuel said leadership is caught and not taught but can be learned, adding that leaders in the country should try to touch the heart of citizens positively.

    “Leadership looks simple but it is complicated; everything begins and ends with leadership. Leadership is caught and can be learnt. You can’t teach people because they might not want to listen but leaning is the developing area. If we begin to learn from past mistakes and begin to change our ways, we can become better leaders. Leaders implode before explosion and make use of their initiative when necessary, must be kind and merciful”

    He stressed that leadership is a choice, and leaders must be prepared with lot of exposures, high emotional energy, and must be bold and fair with inner conviction.

    “To be a leader, you must choose because when I started as a sales representative of this company, I decided to choose a career and started doing things that helped build my career. I chose loyalty to my boss and loyalty to the company with sacrifice. I believe we will have governors, presidents, and pharmacist managing director from you people one day.

    In his address, Coordinator of Civic Enlightenment Association, Dr. Femi Aroyehun, said the competition on leadership skills is an initiative named in honour of the sitting governor of Lagos state and designed to produce desirable platform for contestants and younger generations to learn techniques for solving leadership problems.

    Aroyehun blamed most of the socio-political and economic crises often experienced in the country on leadership deficiency.

    Speaking with The Nation, a teacher from Seylek City College, Ebute Meta, Lagos, Mrs Uju Adindu said: “It is a good program to trigger the leadership qualities in the students so as to catch them young and help them become a good leader.”

    A student of Straitgate College, Ishara Remo, Ogun State also had this to say: “The lecture was a good enlightenment to prepare us for the future.”

  • A citizen of example

    Lagos State House of Assembly last week, resolved to invite Ms Josephine Agwu, a cleaner at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to celebrate her for a rare display of honesty and integrity.

    Reports had it that Ms Agwu had in the course of her duties, found N12 million in various currencies and returned it to the owner. That was the third time she was returning lost monies for the collection of their owners.

    Apparently moved by this uncommon show of honesty and patriotism, the Deputy Whip, Rotimi Abiru, under matters of urgent public importance, called the attention of his colleagues to the fact that being the third time the lady was returning lost monies, the matter should not be allowed to pass just like that.

    He recalled that the lady who earns a paltry N7, 800 monthly was given $50 the second time she found and returned lost money. Other contributors noted though the incident did not take place within an establishment of the Lagos State government, yet it was not out of place to appreciate her as a sign of moral motivation. Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji therefore directed the clerk of the House to invite Ms Agwu for members to appreciate her.

    Though Ms Agwu is yet to appear before the state assembly and the nature of the goodwill of the house yet to be determined, there is still every reason to commend the assembly for its kind and visionary gesture. It is not only heart-warming but very patriotic for members to have realized such a rare display of integrity should be encouraged especially in a country held down over the years by monumental corruption. This is more so given the strategic importance of our airports.

    Being the gateway to the country, our airports have before now come under serious bashing from the outside world for sundry ills that go on there including corruption. At the heat of the Ebola virus scare sometime last year, a group of American security officials in transit had alleged that one of them was pursued and injected a substance suspected to contain the Ebola virus in an insecure area of that airport. The report which was meant to paint black the airport security was aptly denied by airport authorities for lacking in any shred of truth. They had faulted the claim because no such case was reported to any of its security outfits. Nothing was again heard from the US officials who bandied the claim. And nothing came out of the report of the test they claimed the victim who was admitted at a US hospital on arrival, was said to have undergone. This matter has been deliberately brought in here to underscore the kind of negative image our airports have before now, been subjected to for reasons best known to their sponsors. There have also been other instances in the past the nation has been treated with video clips of the corruption that go on in the airports involving our security men. All these have tended to give the image of our airports as an insecure, corrupt and unsafe place for business.

    It is this negative rating that has been put a lie to by the uncommon display of honesty by the conduct of the airport cleaner. This is especially the case given that this marks the third time she would return monies forgotten by their owners. A country that is interested in good moral standing, cannot afford not to appreciate and celebrate such a patriot. That is the duty the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken up and it should be appreciated by all and sundry.

    The state assembly deserves commendation for not allowing the contributions of the cleaner to pass unsung. Not with the high level of dishonesty that bestrides the nation’s entire landscape. Not with the concomitant corruption in high and low places that has held this nation prostrate and stultified all efforts at genuine economic development.

    The contributions of the assembly are better appreciated when it is realized that the incident occurred in a federal establishment which ordinarily, should be outside its area of authority. But it refused to be constrained by this temporary line of divide since the heuristic value of celebrating the cleaner will rob off positively on the moral bearing of the entire society. That is the way it should be and the assembly deserves to be commended. It has by this rare display of patriotism lived up to the motto of the state as the centre of excellence.

    Beyond the gesture, there are other potent issues thrown up by the incident. The first has to do with the conduct of Ms Agwu’s employers. There is nothing on record to show they appreciated this cleaner of example. For her to have returned lost monies for three consecutive times, meant there is something very special about her. She is a rare person; an uncommon Nigerian. She ought to be celebrated and hugely rewarded in order to send the message very unambiguously that honesty pays. She is poorly paid but not poor in spirit. That is why even with her meager salary, she was not moved at the sight of N12 million.

    In a country where armed robbers would have cleared any obstacle at sight to carte away such a huge money; in a country where employees disappear into the thin air with smaller amounts entrusted to their care, it is only proper the cleaner should be hugely rewarded not only by her employers but the federal government. These are the kind of people that deserve the yearly national awards and not the sundry characters that should ordinarily have had nothing to do with them. It is therefore only proper that the federal authorities seize the momentum set by the Lagos state assembly and demonstrate very unambiguously that honesty and integrity pay. She works at our airport and it is immaterial whether a private company employed her for that purpose. The good example she has consecutively displayed is for the overall good of the country.

    It is also important that other Nigerians of exemplary quality; no matter how lowly placed, are identified, celebrated and rewarded as a mark of encouragement to others who have been sold to the idea that life is all about hook and crook. And they are many.

    But there is also a contradiction which the loss of such a hefty sum has brought to the fore. In a country where the majority find it nigh impossible to feed, is it not scandalous that people could easily forget such a huge sum of money? In a clime where even a third of that amount would make a big difference between life and death for a majority, does it not speak of the wide gulf between the rich and the poor that such an amount can be easily forgotten?

    These are some of the issues that have been brought to the fore by the incident. You can imagine the big temptation it was for someone who earns less than N8, 000 a month to have returned N12 million she found on a platter of gold. Many would have seen that as a golden opportunity to make it. For such people, Ms Agwu may have lost an opportunity to conquer poverty. But they are wrong. For her, honesty and integrity pay better and life is not all about money. Such a moral bearer ought to be appreciated by all.

  • ‘She lived by example’

    ‘She lived by example’

    Femi Macaulay, member, Editorial Board of The Nation, last Friday in Lagos, buried his mother, Mrs Eleanor Bodunrin Macaulay after a funeral service at The First Baptist Church on Broad Street. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    The Macaulay family and their friends gathered in Lagos last Friday to bid farewell to Mrs Eleanor Bodunrin Macaulay who was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery.

    She was the widow of the late Mr Frank Olusola Macaulay, grand nephew of the late Nationalist Herbert Macaulay.

    Mrs Macaulay died in Lagos last December 15, 21 days to her 80th birthday on January 5.

    Family members and guests wore white traditinal attires with green head gears.

    All stood when the choir took the processional hymn: “All hail the power of Jesus name”. As they sang, the remains of Mrs Macaulay were wheeled into the church by St Francis’s pall bearers.

    Leading members of the family was her son, Mr Femi Macaulay, an Editorial Board member of The Nation.

    Dr Enahoro David read from Psalm 134 before the choir took another hymn titled: “Immortal invisible”.

    Macaulay read the biography of his mother; his wife, Funmilayo rendered a special song for her mother-in-law.

    Mrs Omotunde Oshodi took another reading from Acts 9: 36-43.

    Pastor Rotimi Allison represented the pastor in charge of First Baptist Church, Rev Sunday Fagbemi. In his sermon, Pastor Allison urged the gathering to love Christ and live for Him.

    He said death is inevitable following which there would be judgment. Only Jesus, the cleric added, had victory over death.

    He asked the congregation where they would be on Judgement Day when Jesus would return. “Jesus is coming back someday. Where will you spend your eternity?” The cleric prayed for the bereaved family.

    The congregation moved to Ikoyi Cemetry where the remains of Mrs Macaulay were buried about 1:20 pm.

    Reception was at The Police Officers’ Mess in Onikan, Lagos. The chairs and tables were covered with white fabrics. Golden Star Band supplied music; The Mainlanders Band entertained those who sat under the tents outside.

    Macaulay described his mother as modest. “She was not a noise maker; she had respect for diversity and the differences of the other person. She was more interested in humanity than status and believed in gradual increase, development and not sudden overnight appearance of prosperity.

    “The truly prosperous person to her was a contented person not the perpetual pursuer of material. She lived by example and her punctuality was timelessness. Her modesty was often misunderstood for conservatism and she was a dynamic person and open to change,” he said.

    He recalled his  memorable moment with his mother. He said: “It was in 2009 during her late husband’s 80th birthday when I noticed certain gestures, especially when the two of them were dancing on the occasion. It seems to remind them of sometime in the past when they were much younger and when they did things together. It might not have been obvious to everybody present on that occasion but looking at even the picture of both of them dancing; you will see a certain sense of procession.

    “From the scene, I saw her excited because I had not seen my mother that excited in a long time and they demonstrated to me how deeply committed she was to the relationship she had with my father.”

    He went on.  “I will miss her quiet laughter, her sense of humour, her philosophical perspectives and her motherly love”.

    A close family member, who had known the deceased for over 60 years and Chairman, A-tech Nigeria Limited, Mr Akin Ajayi, described the late Mrs Macaulay as a warm hearted woman who took care of her late husband’s family.

    Her younger brother, Mr Bankole Williams, said his sister was a darling. “She lived a good and disciplined life; she took special care of me to the point of assisting my father to pay my secondary school fees. She disliked anything flamboyant and believed in modesty”.

     

  • Following UNIJOS VC’s example

    There was a time students did not need to visit institutions they applied to for information about their admission status. They checked at the post office or the admission letters came to them at home. They did not need to know anybody to be admitted. They only had to satisfy the institution’s admission requirements – including making the cut-off marks and having the right ‘O’ Level combinations for the course they applied for.

    We all know the story is not the same today. Any candidate who sits at home expecting admission to come just like that, is like one praying for Manna to fall from heaven like it did in the time of Moses.

    But one Vice-Chancellor has declared that once again, admissions will be like that in his institution. He is Prof Hayward Babale Mafuyai of the University of Jos. He has warned people to stop putting pressure on him to admit by request. He even said his own son would not be admitted if he does not pass.

    Wow! Such noble declarations; but how hard to carry through! I do not doubt Mafuyai’s resolution. I admire his courage but I can imagine the pressure he would be under to bend a little to satisfy a superior from Abuja, a politician in his state, a colleague, former classmate, member of his club, or a member of his own family.

    Since he has said he would not change the rules to admit his own son let us hope no other influence can be stronger than that.

    More importantly, however, is the need for other school administrators to make similar resolves. Just last week, this columnist admitted for the umpteenth time that our tertiary institutions cannot accommodate those that desire higher education. But while this is sacrosanct for now, are all those admitted selected on merit to occupy each precious space? To what extent is the admission process based on merit or compromised by influence from high places or the greed of admission officers and other cadres of workers? Every institution, especially public-owned, where the competition for spaces is stiffer, should try and answer these questions as honestly as possible. If a large percentage of those admitted are accepted by request, then such institutions need to review their admissions policy and procedures.

    If Mafuyai succeeds in instituting a transparent admissions process, then those who try to enter the University of Jos and fail can be consoled that everyone selected was better one way or the other. In time, the university would attract the best of brains as serious minded students would work towards getting into the university. High quality students would mean the university would have less problems with poor performance, truancy, and other consequences of ‘unseriousness’ like rowdiness, cultism, students’ unrest, and unbridled partying.

    In time, once the society notices the unique qualities of its students, the university may begin to enjoy some goodwill from individuals, associations, NGOs and corporate organisations. While others would need to wait for government subvention to embark on capital projects, the university may find that it has a waiting list of people waiting to do some good to associate with it. When this happens, then we may be on our way to getting our own Harvard. I hope this picture is not too good to be true.

     

  • The Pope’s worthy example

    The Pope’s worthy example

    From Rome, a lesson in leadership

    The position of the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, is easily one of the world’s most powerful and visible spiritual offices with tremendous political influence. Apart from its huge congregation of at least 1.2 billion adherents globally, the Catholic Church has a rich historical tradition that dates back several centuries. All of these make the office of the Pope one of the most coveted, revered and glamorous as the occupant wields enormous spiritual and moral authority. This is perhaps why, in about 700 years, only five Popes had voluntarily resigned from office. The first was Celestine V, a hermit who stepped down from the office in 1294, just a few months after his ascension, because he wanted a simpler and less physically demanding life. And in 1415, Pope Gregory XII resigned from office to help bring an end to rival claims to the papacy and preserve the cohesion of the Catholic Church.

    It is against this background that the decision of the current Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, to voluntarily step down as from February 28, is significant in the contemporary history of the church. On February 11, Pope Benedict announced to a shocked world that due to advanced age and increased physical as well as mental incapacity to cope with his responsibilities, he is giving way for the emergence of a new Pope in accordance with the church’s procedures.

    Through this action that has been widely lauded as courageous, ennobling and selfless, Pope Benedict XVI has shown a worthy example in a world filled with too many instances of individuals striving to hold on to spiritual or secular positions at all cost. His words announcing this decision clearly show a man of deep humility, simplicity, transparency and honesty. As the Pope simply put it: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine Ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which, in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me”. Following this extraordinarily candid confession, the Pope went on to declare that “I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor to Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April, 2005, in such a way that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is”. In a most moving gesture, the Pope asked for pardon for his defects as well as continued prayers for himself, his successor and the church.

    There is no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI has demonstrated his abiding love for the Catholic Church, and a readiness to sacrifice his own self-interest for the good of the church. As Pope Benedict moves from the palatial residence of the Pope to a life of prayer and reflection in a monastery in the Vatican, and reverts to the title of Cardinal and his natural name of Joseph Ratzinger, there will be contrasting perspectives on his eight-year reign. Within the context of increased moral relativism and laxity in the world, many support his Papacy’s strong conservative stance against abortion, gay rights and divorce.

    Yet, more liberal elements argue that the church under his leadership alienated more traditional Catholics by refusing to be more flexible towards a more secular world. His critics also contend that the strong moral authoritarianism, which he sought to enforce was undermined by widespread allegations of child and sex abuse in the church; crimes which he was perceived as not acting decisively enough to expose and punish. The Pope’s image and judgement was no doubt further tarnished by the conviction of his trusted personal butler for illegally leaking confidential papal memos.

    Pope Benedict XVI’s strong sphere of missionary interest was Europe probably because of the historical roots of the church there and the dwindling membership of the church in the region. But in picking the next Pope, the conclave of Cardinals cannot be indifferent to the surging growth of the church in Africa and Latin America, as well as the need for a Pope with the mental and physical vigour to confront the daunting challenges of the church in a changing world.

  • Investing in people: A senator’s example

    I clearly remember not paying much attention as my room-mate ranted about having to meet his relatives anytime he had to pay his school fees. In my mind, I could not comprehend having to meet relatives anytime I needed money as a student. According to Tonye, that is my room-mate’s name, he needed the financial support of several different ‘uncles’ and ‘aunts’ to enable him remain in school as a student. I had always envied how he carried along, doggedly pursuing his academics despite his financial challenges which was all too glaring. While other students had spare cash to involve in luxuries of parties, eating choice foods, even if for a while and engaging in frolicking, Tonye never participated in that. He was too busy chasing his sustenance.

    However, I thank God that Tonye has since qualified as an electrical engineer and now works with a multinational. He now lives the good life but as I reminisce, I can’t help but wonder at what would have been Tonye’s fate if he didn’t have ‘benefactors’. Or the fates of some others like him who were not so fortunate?

    It is in this vein I’m saluting the intervention of Senator Magnus Abe who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly. While I have not benefitted directly from his largesse, as someone who I have been following my heart goes out to all the indigent students which he helps in providing good education for. And for that, I believe he should be commended.

    In a recent discussion of philanthropists, especially concerning education, his name kept bobbing up. There is a wise saying that goes thus: ‘Give a man a fish and you’ve fed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you have fed him for life.’ By giving indigent students opportunity to get an education is like sowing a seed – the result which is mostly bountifully. That exactly seems to be case of senator Abe’s involvement in education.

    As a lawyer, Senator Abe definitely understands the reason for being not only lettered but also ‘learned.’ Hence, I find it not particularly surprising that he has invested in the educational lives of members of his constituency. As part of his 2012 constituency projects, he commenced construction of two primary schools in his constituency, located in Rumusoya community in Oyigbo and Sogho community in Khana Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

    Also, Senator Abe procured Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for 378 indigent students. Till date, 567 stdents have befitted from the scheme which started in 2011/2012 with 189 students. He also paid the school fees of indigent final year students from his constituency in institutions across Rivers State. Benefitting from this were about 320 students drawn from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Education, Rumuolumeni and Polytechnic Bori.

    Not forgetting students aspiring to becoming his professional colleague, Senator Abe also gave scholarships to 40 students to proceed to the Nigerian Law School. Being in touch with ordinary folks, he surely understands that funds could be stumbling blocks for many of them realising their goals of becoming lawyers. Surely, beneficiaries of his scheme won’t forget him in a hurry.

    And recently, Senator Abe pledged to push for a laboratory for the Department of Anatomy in the university through the National Assembly. Definitely, the man knows the import of education.

    Apart from doling our money to students for their needs, Senator Abe also listens to them, coming down to their level. Watching him at a parley, I couldn’t help but admire how he engaged the students in discourse. While campaigning to be senator, he had promised to intervene in the area of education. It is noteworthy that he is living up to his words.

    Also, since becoming a senator, he has beamed concern for the mangrove Niger Delta environment. And knowing that fishing, which is the traditional occupation of his people is under threat by reckless oil prospecting he, as Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), in conjunction with the federal government, is instituting a better oil production process. This is commendable as it prevents environmental degradation.

    And to encourage the fishermen in Oyorokoto community of Andoni Local Government, Senator Abe donated fishing gear to fishermen in the area. The gear included 100 safety vest, fishing nets, marine twines, assorted crayfish nets, anchors and marine ropes.

    Of course, while it is not directly in his schedule to canvass for such level of developments, methinks the senator is on the right path. Personally, I think it is worthy to having a lawmaker who not only influences law to suit his people and by extension, many others, but one who is concerned with even the ‘mundane’ of procuring funds for his constituency members to access a better life.

    At the moment, the rumour-mill has it that, on the behest of people, he plans on going back to the senate for another term. Surely, while I think others can aspire to that position, I must concur that Senator Abe is indeed loved by the people as his praise is being sung in nooks and crannies of his constituency. And from what I gather, the senator has a genuine love for his people, a love seemingly reciprocated.

    For these reasons, Senator Abe would do good to continue to throw his hat in the ring in the race to be part of the nation’s highest lawmaking organ. Should he win, that victory will not be for him but for the whole of Rivers South-East Senatorial District because unlike some other political aspirants in our clime, Senator Magnus Abe is indeed a man of the people.

    • Nwinee writes from Port-Harcourt