The Nation Newspaper

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  • Message of Easter

    Message of Easter

    •Nigerians, irrespective of religious persuasion, must imbibe the lessons of the season

    WHY do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but he is risen!”  These oft-quoted words, central to Christianity, are in season again as followers of the faith not only ponder but also celebrate the post-crucifixion resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter, more than any other period in the Christian calendar, emphasises the redemptive power of divinity and the ever-present possibility of God’s forgiveness in the context of human repentance.

    It is important to stress this underlying significance of the commemoration lest people gloss over it and get carried away by the superficialities of festivity. It is worth mentioning that the celebration marks the climax of a 40-day concentration on fasting and prayer, and it would amount to missing the point if the sobriety expected to be engendered by the spiritual exercise is ended perfunctorily at Easter.

    Regrettably, this particular Easter has been marred by destructively violent incidents, notably the shocking bombing of Nyanya Motor Park in the federal capital, Abuja, resulting in the reported loss of at least 75 lives, with 164 people injured, and the outrageous abduction of 100 students at the Girls Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, all within two days last week. At a philosophical level, these evil acts, tragic as they are, transcend linkage with the Islamist terror militia Boko Haram; the overriding point, which should not be lost on anyone,  is that the wickedness targeted humanity, irrespective of religious loyalty.

    It is instructive that the life and times of Jesus represented an essential counter-point to such inhumanity, a fact that is underscored by his appellation, “The Prince of Peace”.  Without doubt, the lessons of this spiritual icon go beyond the narrow limits of religious sectarianism; and   indeed deserve to be well learned and practicalised by society at large.

    It is noteworthy that the activities of Jesus also condemned a much more subtle form of violence, the sort that callously promotes social impoverishment and misery by the abdication of leadership responsibilities and the omissions of headship, especially in the political arena.  He demonstrated genuine compassion for the people, which is a desirable quality that is unfortunately in short supply among the country’s leaders; he was not given to scandalous materialism and exhibitionism, which are the very obscenities that these leaders enjoy. In addition, official corruption, which observers have identified as possibly the bane of the land, is certainly not Christ-like.

    Furthermore, and this is a pivotal point, Jesus exemplified humility, a feature that many players in the country’s power loop observably treat with disdain as they would rather highlight their own  sense of self-importance. This explains, for instance, the desperation for political office with an attitude that betrays egoistic thinking illustrated by the question, “If not me, who else?”

    In the spirit of this season of redemption, and implied renewal, it would be a heart-warming development if the example of Jesus prevailed in the various sectors of society and across the country. Among the valuable aspects of religion, it should be pointed out, is its capacity to inspire goodness and virtuous living.

    It is hoped that Easter will be better appreciated as an opportunity to show greater sensitivity to spirituality and the implications for individual enlightenment as well as the pursuit of social good in all ramifications. Particularly in these times when the country is faced with increasing religious tension, the truth is that its multi-religious composition need not be a source of intolerant contention. To grasp the message of Easter is to recognise the path of harmonious cohabitation not only in the religious realm but also in the secular sphere.

  • The Message @ 7

    The Message @ 7

    Time flies. It was like a dream five years ago when this column named ‘THE MESSAGE’ began in the great newspaper called The Nation.

    This columnist had, by then, written Islamic and sundry other columns for 24 years in various Nigerian and foreign daily newspapers as well as weekly magazines including the National Concord, Tehran Times, Vanguard, The Inquiry, Africa Today and a host of others. Naming the column ‘THE MESSAGE’ in The Nation was deliberate.

    Perhaps, no other name accurately matches the divine religion called Islam as much as ‘THE MESSGE’ being the greatest mission to mankind from the Almighty Allah through His greatest Messenger (Muhammad).

    First outing

    In the preamble to the very first article published in this column seven years ago, yours sincerely stated as follows:

    “Here is an Islamic column entitled THE MESSAGE. It is starting today in the name of the almighty Allah, the compassionate the merciful. It will come up on this page henceforth, every Friday Insha’ Allah. This column will be meaningful, both in title and in contents, to the Muslim Ummah, home and abroad as well as to others”.

    Starting at a time when technology has reduced the world into a village and paring with the visionary title of this great newspaper called The Nation, this column promises to deliver THE (great) MESSAGE of Islam to all those who are ready to receive it with genuine intention”.

    Central Focus

    “The central focus of ‘THE MESSAGE’ will be the Man. And the word ‘Man’ here does not refer to Male gender alone. It refers to the most important creature of Allah on earth around whom all issues in the world rotate”.

    “It is only with Man that all other creatures in the world can be relevant. And, Man, whether in the primordial or contemporary sense, is a product of family. There can be no talking of over six billion citizens of the world today, therefore, without a fundamental reference to the family”.

    The family angle

    “Every clan, tribe or nation starts with a family. Thus, ‘THE MESSAGE’ shall be addressed first and foremost, to the family”.

    “And, since there can be no survival for any family without business, it becomes necessary for ‘THE MESSAGE’ to view the family from the premise of the business in which it is engaged”.

    “Arguably, the peace or otherwise of this world depends on those two matters: family and business. Each of these will form a major chapter in ‘THE MESSAGE’. The rest shall be like stars supporting the moon in a celestial entourage. This column will be interesting not only because of the depth of its research but also because it will be participatory in function”.

    The right of reader’s response shall be treated as sacrosanct. And, there will be no discrimination. Welcome on board of ‘THE MESSAGE’ being delivered to ‘THE NATION’ through The Nation….”

    And, when the column was one year old in 2007, an article meant to celebrate the occasion was written in this column. It was entitled:

    ‘A child at one’

    As a reminder, I decided to recall that article here for the purpose of gratifying the Almighty Allah who piloted us to this day through that odyssey. It went thus:

    “The young shall grow. With his brain, teeth and limbs, he shall evolve into a dependent adolescent. And, through the various circumstances of life, he shall grow into an independent adult. In the process, he must have learnt how to suck, how to eat, how to sit, how to crawl, how to walk and how to run. Thereafter, like a competent Cadet, he shall rise through the ranks to become an army General one day. Like a prince, he shall struggle through thick and thin to become a king one day. Like a student, he shall study days and nights to become a professor one day. Like a servant, he shall serve and serve loyally until he becomes a master one day. Then, he shall ask himself the vital question: “how did I reach this stage?”

    “It is not by leading battalions of army to war or by conquering an avowed enemy that a General of worth is said to emerge. What makes a worthy General is the ability to care for the rear as much as he ravages the war arena”.

    “For most Nigerian Muslim readers of newspapers, especially The Nation, this column is a ‘General’ in its own right. And, to be worthy of the name, it becomes a sine qua none to look back, at this point, and see if the archers are still there with their bows and arrows”.

    The arc

    “Today, ‘THE MESSAGE’ as a column, is one year old. It was all like yesterday when it started cruising, like the Arc of Noah, across oceans and seas, some of which are ‘Atlantic’ while others are ‘Pacific’.

    “On board of that ‘Arc’ were a number of issues revolving around Islamic religion. But like any newly christened child, only a few people were aware of the existence of this column until a few months ago”.

    “Today, however, the story is different. In virtually all corners of Nigeria and even some countries abroad, ‘THE MESSAGE’ is now a house hold name just like The Nation.

    “Readers of the column are not from amongst the Muslims alone. They are not from amongst Nigerians alone. They cut across religions, tribes, races, genders, ideologies and interests. Their reactions confirm this”.

    Original design

    “The column was designed from inception, to serve the purpose of a weekly Friday sermon in a written form. Thus, like any informed sermon, it discusses, comprehensively, all issues affecting the lives of Muslims vis a vis the fundamental principles of their religion”. It ascertains all perceivable problems and proffers Islamic solutions to them where necessary according to its intellectual ability”.

    “Going by its title, this column is not a message to the Muslims alone. It is a message to all civilised people who want to know the reason for the existence of Islam and the extent of its workings. It is a means of harmonising the similarities and dichotomising the dissimilarities between it and other revealed religions that preceded it”.

    “It is also a mode of interaction between the Muslims and non-Muslims over some issues hitherto considered knotty and unresolved. And by making the column a participatory one whereby readers are privileged to express their opinions and observations in reaction to its contents, a better understanding is coming to the fore”.

    “This is gradually reducing the mutual suspicion which had existed for years particularly between the adherents of Islam and those of Christianity in Nigeria”.

    Peace and no rancour

    “Now, by understanding that religion, in any society, is like a university where various faculties exist and admission seekers can enroll in any faculty without one looking down on another, readers of this column are beginning to see religion as an instrument of peace rather than that of rancour”.

    “Now, it is becoming clearer that religion is by personal conviction which should not be offensive to others who may yet be convinced. Neither should it be by coercion. And if, in the process of practicing what is believed, some elements of bigotry are reflected, let that be attributed to the messenger rather than the message”.

    Not all ambassadors are worth their mission. There is no sphere of life without bigots. Fanatics are not restricted to religion alone. They are found in politics, business, professions, cultures and even sports. Human nature must be separated from the precepts of religions.

    Major vices

    “Here in Nigeria, two major vices are abhorrent to Islam and Christianity on the ground of morality and justice. These are corruption and religious violence both of which are dangerous for Nigeria or any country”.

    ‘THE MESSAGE’ took up these two vices as part of its contents declaring jihad on both and exposing as well as condemning them wherever and whenever they surface.

    It is also noteworthy that this column does not overlook any wrong doing in the society, be it political, social, economic or religious. And credit is given to whoever deserves it without any discrimination on the basis of religion, tribe or politics.

    However, what ‘THE MESSAGE’ will not tolerate, is blackmail especially by political zealots and who think that politics is their own monopoly and a no go area for religionists. These are people elected to represent the populace in governance but on getting to office, turn themselves into masters using the people’s mandate to exploit the same people who put them in office. They steal public funds with unbridled audacity and expect no one to raise voice on it.

    “They use politics to intimidate and even invade the rights of professionals and private practitioners in other spheres of life without looking back. When seeking political offices, these self-centred politicians can go to Churches and Mosques to canvass for votes as well as spiritual support. But when they commit political or social atrocities in office and get condemned by Pastors and Imams, they quickly resort to blackmail, warning clergy men not to dabble into politics”.

    Sphere

    In Islam, there is no barrier between one sphere of life and another. The life of a Muslim is totally governed by the tenets of their religion. And those tenets cut across all spheres of life without any demarcation.

    Just as it will be improper and irrational for those in the economic or business sector to scare away politicians from economy so it is for politicians who want to prevent religionists from commenting on politics.

    That is an intolerable aggression which ‘THE MESSAGE’ as a pulpit in form of a column will not condone. Those who don’t want religion to be mixed with politics should not ask for votes in Churches and Mosques. As Muslims, we shall not allow anybody to use our political mandate to devastate our lives and still gag us.

    In this sphere, the Nigerian media men are like politicians. Under the cloak of religion or politics, they easily paint white in black colour and give blackmail a preference. It is they who coin such words as ‘marginalisation and Islamisation both of which cannot be found in any English dictionary. Like politicians and religious fanatics, Nigerian journalists are in their very best at displaying ingenuity when it comes to evil disposition. They are the primary inventors of political and religious conflicts in Nigeria. Yet, they behave like an ostrich that buries its head in the sand while its huge body remains exposed. They are a dangerous species to be wary of in the country as they impede all avenues of peace and harmony.

    Regardless of the evil antics of Nigerian politicians, journalists and religious bigots, as before, this column will continue to commend good deed and condemn evil actions in all spheres of life no matter whose ox may be gored. Islam is an international religion. It has no barriers in terms of nations, races and tribes. A Muslim in New Zealand is a brother to another in Alaska or Helsinki.

    Wherever and whenever they meet, the usual greeting is ‘Salam alaykun’ (peace be onto you). They pray together in the same language and Mosques; they face the same direction of the Ka‘abah in Makkah; they recite the same Qur’an in its original language; they fast together in the same sacred month of Ramadan and they come together once every year in an unprecedented assembly to perform Hajj in the vicinity of Makkah and Madinah.

    Thus, they are like a flock of sheep. If one of them is afflicted, the rest cannot be in peace. Thus, the problem of Muslims in any part of the world must be the concern of all other Muslims in the rest parts of the world.

    That is why ‘THE MESSAGE’ must comment on Muslim activities around the world if only to inform its local Muslim readers about the affairs of their brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world.

    Most of these had been part of this column in the past one year. They will continue to be. One other thing added to the column along the line is the resume on Islamic health through the use of bee products especially honey. This is considered an added value from which great advantage can be derived by readers who can appreciate the benefit of ‘apitherapy’ (the use of bee products to heal ailments in modern day health care. This will also be continued.

    Also to be chronicled in this column, from time to time, are some prominent Schools of Arabic and Islamic Studies, and other higher institutions as well as the great scholars behind them. All these are being packaged for a column which has some of the best intellectuals of this country as its readers.

    As the formidable ship of ‘THE MESSAGE’ is ready to cruise on the high sea, all those who are heading for the ‘cape of good hope’ are welcome on board. Congratulations for being alive to witness one year of this ship on its life’s odyssey’’.

    Comment

    The above article was published on August 31, 2007 partly as a review of one year performance and partly as a promise for improvement.

    Today, seven years after the commencement of this column in The Nation and six years after the quoted self-assessment, venerable readers can take the baton of comments from here.

    Has ‘THE MESSAGE’ lived up to expectation as an Islamic column? Has it fulfilled its promises in full or in part? What are the minuses expected to be rectified? What new frontiers should this column forage? Readers are free to critique, criticise, advise, make observations and even score this column in its seven years of existence.

    This columnist is not apathetic to criticism since there can be no growth without criticism. But a poisoned food is not worth the name of a meal. Besides, only reactions that are standard in language and reason will be published in this column. ‘The Message’ has transcended the pedestrian level of dirty politics and religious bigotry.

    Meanwhile, I wish to express a profound gratitude to genuine readers of this column. Their readership is the impetus propelling the spirit behind the ideas and thoughts appearing in this column every Friday. Without readers, there can be no columnists. Thus, readers are greater than writers. I am proud of you all.

    I pray Allah to safeguard our well illuminated path from getting blocked by the forces of darkness. Assalam alaykum!

     

  • You can pass on your message without going nude —Nollywood actress Mimi Orjiekwe

    You can pass on your message without going nude —Nollywood actress Mimi Orjiekwe

    WHAT was growing up like for you? I grew up like every other girl; it wasn’t bad. Things were good though I didn’t have everything I wanted but it was good. Being the only daughter, I always got attention from my parents and they pampered me a lot too.

    Did you feel bad sometimes when you didn’t get some of the things you wanted?

    It wasn’t that I didn’t get what I wanted; being the only girl child, I got much attention especially from my dad and my mum too. I felt like a normal child growing up with her parents.

    Can you recall any memorable moment in your childhood?

    What I can vividly recall was my time at the boarding house; my parents were not living together at the time and I always find a way of reuniting them at school on visiting days. I used to get loads of provisions in school way back then. I was in my teen’s way back then and that’s a time in my life I memorably recall.

    How did you cope without your parents when you are in school?

    I had too as a boarder; I had to go through the process and when it was time for holidays I always relish the opportunity to be home. Even when I was in the university, I lived in the campus. I have been living with my mum ever since I graduated from school and I am mostly here in Lagos or in the east when I am needed on set.

    Who are your role models?

    I have always admired Angelina Jolie and the role she played in the movie titled Tomb Raider. I love action films; I also love Halle Berry and the sexiness she brings to acting. I also love Genevieve Nnaji and her mode of delivery. I am also in love with the world of beauty pageantry. I have been part of some beauty pageant competitions in the past.

    At what age were you really conscious of the fact that you could run for beauty contests?

    While I was in school I awas always conscious of myself and I emerged the winner of the Miss Business Administration beauty contest back in the university. I had always had the hunch that I would end up being part of one beauty contest or the other when growing up as a young girl. I also have the height for such contests and that factor is very important when it comes to beauty contests. My passion was further fuelled when I was discovered by a certain agent who works for a modeling agency and I took part in the Miss Anambra beauty contest and I emerged the 3rd runner up. At the same time, my venture into beauty contests also opened doors on the movie scene as I got my first movie role after I was discovered at a beauty contest.

    How were you able to handle the attention you got from men when you were still neck deep in partaking in beauty contests?

    I never really allowed the attention get into my head because I had someone managing me then. I was just focused on getting the best out of each contest and I took all compliments in good faith. I also tried to treat everyone I came across as a friend with no strings attached.

    Are you into show business for the fame, money or fulfillment?

    I have always had a flair for entertainment and I think it was natural that I gravitated towards that point. I am not in it for the money but I need the money anyway because there is money to be made and I need to pay my bills. I love the world of entertainment and I am open to growth and getting more knowledgeable in the business.

    When did you get your break on the movie scene?

    I have done series of movies and the first major on I was part of was Royal Madness. I was in that movie with Majid Michelle and Van Vicker. It was the first time I worked with them. It was a challenging movie and it brought out the best in me. The movie is quite popular and most people don’t even know that I was part of the movie.

    How were you able to contain the excitement of working with Majid and Van Vicker on the set of Royal Madness?

    They are good people and at a point Van Vicker was acting like a Chinese. Jim Iyke was also on set too and you can imagine the sight on the set of the movie. It was fun and interesting on the set of Royal Madness.

    What is the biggest movie project that you have been part of?

    My biggest movie project is not out yet because it was shot recently and it took close to a month to shoot the movie in Ghana. It will be in the market very soon; it was directed by a different person entirely and it opened my eyes to so many things as a burgeoning actress.

    How did you get the role for the movie?

    I was in Ghana to shoot a different film and I ran into the director of the movie and I got to understand that his name is Sallam Bello and he is one of the biggest marketers in Ghana. He invited me over telling me he wanted me to be part of a movie production and that was it. I didn’t plan to be part of the movie and it turned out to be one of the biggest projects that I have been part of in recent times.

    How long have you been acting?

    I have been acting ever since I have been part of partaking in beauty contests. I took part in my first movie in 2008 but officially I have over a year of experience in acting.

    How versatile do you think you are as an actress?

    I can do so many things…Paramount of which is the ability for me to interprete my roles as an actress. You need to give your best when you are called upon to deliver your lines.

    What can you do on set of a movie?

    You have to be specific; like I said I can do so many things.

    What are your strengths?

    Personally, I think my strength as an actress is my ability to deliver and the fact that I have a friendly outlook. I also have the talent and that keeps me going.

    Have you noticed any weakness you have as an actress?

    I think I need to be more professional in what I do; I also think I need to be more determined and hardworking. I also need to give my very best whenever I am on set.

    What other talents do you have?

    I think I can do averagely well in every artistic work that I can think of. I can dance; I can sing that I know because I have good vocals. I am stylish and I can tell you what looks good on you.

    Have you ever been harassed sexually?

    I relate with people the way they should be handled and that to an extent also determines how people relate with you too. I have never been sexually harassed but I hear stories about people being sexually harassed. I have got advances but I have handled them maturely. It is a give or take affair because no one can force you to do what you don’t want to do. It has never stopped me from giving my best on set and ultimately trying to get more movie roles. The fear of sexual harassment has not diminished my drive. I still have a lot to accomplish and that cannot hold me back.

    Can you act nude?

    No!

    What if you were handed an irresistible offer, would you still go nude?

    I can’t act nude; I can’t do it for any amount because I don’t have any reason to do that. I believe you can pass on your message without necessarily going nude.

    But most actresses on the scene today seem to bare it all to get attention?

    I don’t believe exposing all will get you to the top; for me, sex doesn’t sell.

    Are you in any relationship at the moment?

    I’d like to keep that part of me private.

    What about getting married?

    Of course I am going to get married and have kids; I want to have beautiful kids so I intend to marry a cute guy.

    When do you think the wedding bells would ring?

    I don’t know; in God’s time I think.

    Is acting worth the stress?

    It is worth the trial; it pays my bills. You will reap what you sow in the long run and in everything you do; you need to sacrifice to get the best. I just have to work hard and be determined and with strong will I know I will definitely make it to the top in the end.

    What lessons has life taught you thus far?

    Life is hard; one has to be strong, eat well and pray well to get to your destination point.

    What would make you not accept a movie script?

    I would reject a script if I do not like the script; I would reject the script if it is not original too. Most movies produced today are fictional and I would not accept a script if is haphazardly done and if it does not pass on a positive message.

    What kind of movie production excites you?

    I would definitely like to be part of an action movie that’s why I really like Angelina Jolie for the action role she plays in most of her movie especially Tomb Raider and Mr. and Mrs. I’d like to work with her someday if that is possible. I am going to part of an action film too and it will be out very soon.

    Do you see yourself evolving into a movie producer like most of your colleagues in the movie industry?

    Yes I have that in mind; I want to own a production studio and I also hope to learn more about moviemaking and possibly get a degree in filmmaking in the future. I just don’t want to stop at being an actress I want to learn more and earn more money from the movie industry.

  • CPC condemns Jonathan’s ‘Xmas message

    CPC condemns Jonathan’s ‘Xmas message

    The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday condemned the Christmas message delivered by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The party described the message as a “damp squib.”

    The CPC, which made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) of running a pauperisation policy.

    The statement said: “The Congress for Progressive Change heartily congratulates the Nigerian people for stoically wading through a very horrendous year, largely made so by the deliberate pauperisation policy of the PDP-led ruling Federal government.

    “A year that started with the crude and perilous 49 per cent increase of petrol pump price by a very cruel and insensitive regime, eventually unveiled the most bizarre incongruence in national life in the over five decades’ existence of the Nigerian State.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan, in his season’s message to Nigerians, said inter-alia: “No one should doubt that we have the political will and determination to deliver on our promise of positive changes in the living conditions of our people in the shortest possible time….. It is my hope and expectation that more of the efforts, actions and measures we are already undertaking in these areas will successfully come to fruition next years and make the results of the diligent project planning and execution being done under this administration more apparent to all Nigerians.”

    “It is doubtful if the President truly believes that Nigerians can trust him on this one, after many broken promises in the past one year and sheer unwillingness to assuage the cruelty unleashed on them by his administration’s lethargy and incompetence.

    “Indeed, this President and his forebears in the ruling behemoth have collectively mismanaged – in the last 13 years – the hopes of Nigerians and brought the nation into impecunious status through unprecedented corruption and profligacy.”

    The party picked holes in the huge funds being spent on fuel subsidy.

    It alleged that the subsidy regime has become a bleeding pipe through which scarce funds are siphoned into private pockets.

    The statement added: “With N2.67 trillion and N1.05 trillion said to have been spent on fuel subsidy in 2011 and 2012 respectively, this administration has unwittingly created a bleeding pipe – in which the scarce resources of state are siphoned into private pockets of cronies and acolytes of the regime.

    “The conundrum that this administration has brought the Nation is that: any increase in world crude oil price would not translate into the prosperity of the Nigeria and her citizens. The administration of the fuel subsidy, under the regime, has become a phenomenon in legendary opacity and monstrous corrupt tendencies.”

    Regarding insecurity in the country, the party accused the Jonathan administration of lack of capacity to address it.

    The statement said: “On security, the administration has demonstrated lack of capacity in tackling the myriad of insecurity issues that have assailed the nation in the outgoing year. After each deadly bomb blast- with attendant fatalities- it had become a regular template of presidential response to listen to assurances of investigation and security cover for all under the nation space. This is why, as a party, we believe President’s season’s message is a damp squib.

    “An Administration that continually carries on with nauseous impunity, whilst the people’s rights to good living are continually being trampled upon, cannot be trusted.

    “An Administration, that is incapable of prioritizing the nation’s need as against the avaricious comfort of its Principals and minions, cannot be trusted. An Administration that, through its character and body language continually plays up the ethno-religious fault lines of the Nation’s geo-politics cannot be trusted.

    “An Administration, that continually deals in deliberate mendacity and employs obscurantist policy as its philosophy, cannot be trusted.

    “As a party, we know too well about the extemporaneous foundation of this regime. It was more interested in seizing political power rather than the adequate planning for effectual governance.

    “We have equally noted that the same national existential conditions, that brought untold anguish and increased the squalid environments of the nation in the last one year, have not changed.

    “It is easily discernible, therefore, that the President’s speech was meant to fulfill a hollow ritual and not the communication based on perspicacious planning for a better future. On our part, we wish the Nigerian people Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.”

  • Listen to the message

    Listen to the message

    Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is a straight talker, always shooting from the hips. Although some of his views could be annoying and irritating, but give it to the Kano prince, he says it the way he sees and feels it and seems not to care whose ox is gored.

    And any time ‘Basket Mouth’ decides to leak or open, apologies to late Afrobeats legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, you can be rest assured that not a few feathers would be ruffled. And so it happened last week when the head of the apex bank decided it was time the government was told the home truth (according to St.Lamido) about its workforce; it is too large, he says, cut it.

    In plain language, the economist is calling on the three tiers of government to sack some of their workers. And you may want to know why. The CBN governor says the government is spending about 70 per cent of resources available to it to service its workers, leaving just 30 per cent for other sectors. And for a government workforce of just a little more or less than a million, consuming the resources meant for a population of about 167 million does not just make sense, he argues.

    He is therefore calling on government to lay off some of these workers in order to free some of the revenue used in paying their salaries and other emoluments for investment in social infrastructure that are presently seriously deficient. Spot on did you say? Good talk. But then that is just looking at the problem from purely an economist point of view. A sociologist will definitely differ and consider the wider implications of a massive sudden job loss as being suggested by Sanusi on the entire society, including the government.

    As expected, the CBN Governor’s suggestion is not being well received especially by organised labour which has called for the sacking of Sanusi instead, by the Federal Government, which itself doesn’t seem to fancy the top banker’s unsolicited advice. And Sanusi as usual is unperturbed, after all this is not his first time of swimming against the tide of public opinion and every time he emerged unscathed. Will he be lucky again this time and weather the gathering storm of public anger, especially of workers against him? I think so. Will this basket mouth once again get away with this intellectual arrogance and I know it all attitude that gives him that aura of an untouchable who could talk down on anything and anybody and nothing will happen? Sadly, yes. Has our CBN Governor attained that level of infallibility like the Pope that he can say and do no wrong? Something like that. Is he beyond reproach? It seems so. Recall that this man had done and said certain things outside his core area of competence as an economist/banker that could have caused social upheaval and nobody called him to order? Even in banking where we are told he is an expert in risk management, some of his whimsical decisions (some bordering on political rather than sound economic considerations) have done more harm than good to the sector and not a few workers have a sad story to tell as a result. The success or otherwise of his famed banking reforms is there for all to see and the jury is still out. You remember his failed N5,000 note project that crashed following public outcry? Even when his reasons for wanting to introduce this new note fell short of basic economic principles and were shot down by fellow economists, he still insisted on going ahead until public outcry and common sense prevailed on the government to turn him down.

    I am not trying to catalogue the sins of Sanusi, and they are many, depending on which side of the argument you are, the man also has some strong points that could help us get out of our economic problems. Now before we crucify him over his latest unguarded comment and unsolicited advice wouldn’t it be better if we look at what he said and not himself? That is, looking at the message and not the messenger. Quite often the personality of the messenger tends to influence or interfere with the reception the message gets. And this is exactly the problem with Sanusi. He has put himself in a situation where not a few would read meanings into every of his actions or utterances no matter how altruistic and genuine they appear. They now look for the motive first before supporting or believing him, even when he is saying the truth, as he seemed to be saying in the matter at hand.

    Speaking last Tuesday at the second annual Capital Market Committee Retreat in Warri, Delta State, Sanusi observed that “at the moment 70 per cent of Federal Government’s revenue goes for payment of salaries and entitlement of civil servants, leaving 30 per cent for development of 167 million Nigerians. That means for every naira government earns, 70 kobo is consumed by civil servants.

    You have to half of the civil service because the revenue of the government is supposed to be for 167 million Nigerians. Any society where government spends 70 per cent of its revenue on its civil service has a problem. It is unsustainable.

    The various tiers of government should cut down their recurrent expenditure and use the fund to provide basic infrastructure like schools, hospitals, etc

    “How can we be using the proceeds from our major source of revenue to service recurrent expenditure, by paying salaries, allowances, etc. The country should be thinking of enhancing its productivity base rather than spending on things that cannot create wealth,” Sanusi said.

    Whether his observation in terms of the percentages is true in fact is debatable, giving the fact that accurate statistics are rare to come by in Nigeria, but what is undeniable is that we spend far too much; the bulk of our resources paying its workers and this is unfair to the rest of us in the private sector. So why call for Sanusi’s head for saying the ‘truth’? is the solution he proffered to the problem he identified.

    Calling for the sack of half of the population of government’s estimated one million workers cannot be the only solution to the problem. Indeed it was a callous suggestion borne out of insensitivity and utter show of contempt towards these set of workers. Agreed that they are too many, but to what end are they being deployed by government? If government is not optimally utilizing them whose fault? Do you blame them for that? Bureaucracy definitely can not grow the economy the way business would, but then government can use bureaucracy to pave way for job creation and growth of the economy. This same one million or so government workers can still be effectively used by government to facilitate wealth creation in other sectors apart from oil for the rest 166 million or so other Nigerians not in government employ. I agree they are taking too much out of our resources but this is an issue now because they are not serving us well. If the civil service is actually providing the service to the public as expected, how much they earn wouldn’t necessarily be an issue. When the 30 or so players and officials of our national teams play well and make us proud, nobody cares how much they get as match bonus. It is only when they lose matches and play disgracefully that we remember that what they earn per match individually is probably more than the monthly or annual take home pay of the bulk of this same workers.

    Rather than carpeting Sanusi’s suggestion what if these workers were retrained, refocused and redeployed to other more productive sectors or sent to the private sector to help grow the economy and create jobs. It’s just a matter of making them do other things that are more productive and beneficial to the rest of us than what they do now and still earn the same thing.

    Instead of sacking half of the civil servants to conserve funds for use in other sectors of the economy, the problem I think lies with the large retinue of political appointees that currently service our bloated democracy. What each member of the National Assembly earns annually for instance is probably enough to build, equip and staff a primary health care facility in his/her constituency.

    This is not a defence of the civil service. In fact I am in support of any measure that will make it effective and plag waste. Who knows, it might be that the bulk of the 70 per cent Sanusi is talking about goes into servicing ghost workers or the very few top people at the helm of our bureaucracy including himself.

    We have often spoken about the curse of oil, may be this lopsidedness is part of it but then cutting the head is not the cure for headache.

    Agreed Sanusi can be tactless and unguarded in his statements; call him basket mouth if you like, but don’t ignore his observations, they are valid. The problem is just his suggested solution. Take the message, you may ignore the messenger.