The Nation Newspaper

Tag: relevant

  • 2019: How relevant are smaller parties?

    2019: How relevant are smaller parties?

    The registration of 21 new political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shot up the number of registered parties to 67. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the implication of such an unwieldy number of parties on the conduct of next year’s general elections.

    THE political landscape is saturated with many parties; though more than 95 per cent of them exist on paper. From three  in 1999, the number of parties has risen to 67 after the recent registration of 21 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Today, the number of parties has increased to unimaginable level, such that Nigerians can hardly keep track of the identity of political platforms, what they stand for and those behind them.

    The new parties are: the All Blending Party (ABP); the All Grassroots Alliance (AGA); the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN); the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP); the Coalition for Change (C4C); the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP); the Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN); the Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP); the Legacy Party of Nigeria (LPN); the Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA); the Modern Democratic Party (MDP); the National Interest Party (NIP); the National Rescue Mission (NRM); and the New Progressive Mission (NPM).

    Others are: the New Progressive Movement (NPM); the Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP); the People’s Alliance for Development and Liberty (PANDEL); the People’s Trust (PT); the Providence People’s Congress (PPC); the Re-build Nigeria Party (RBNP); the Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP); and the Sustainable National Party (SNP).

    The parties that contested the 1999 general elections were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). With the exception of the PDP, the other two parties have changed identities on several occasions. For instance, the APP later became known as the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), while the AD first changed its name to the Action Congress (AC) and later the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Both ANPP and ACN were among the three major parties that metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the last general elections.

    Analysts are worried with the statement credited to the INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu that the commission would continue to register more political parties. He said 80 new associations have applied to the commission, seeking to be registered as political parties ahead of 2019 general elections. His words: “As it stands today, 80 more groups are seeking registration as political parties. We will continue to register them until the time scheduled by the Electoral Act for us to stop.”

    It is true the law allows people to form political associations and if they meet INEC’s condition are registered as political parties. But 67 political parties are widely believed to be unwieldy and dangerous for the country’s democracy. A political scientist, Dr Friday Ibok, frowned at the growing number of parties. He advocated for reduction in the number of parties.

    Ibok said politicians should harmonise their positions, so that we can have issue-based political parties. The political scientist is of the view that parties ought to separated by their manifestos, because a serious political platform should have its programmes clearly spelt out. He condemned the continuous registration of parties, saying the number is unwieldy.

    He said: “Most of them are mushroom parties. I can only remember only five of the whole lot. I am sure many Nigerians don’t recognise these political parties because they lack identity.

    “In the Second Republic, we had only five political parties: the National Party of Nigeria (NPN); the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP). Each of them was known for its programme. For instance, the NPN was known for housing, while the UPN stood for free education. They had their manifestos and issue-based programmes.

    “I don’t think we need more political parties now since recent elections have shown that what most of these fringe parties do is to endorse stronger parties in exchange for money during elections. For instance, the founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasheun, resuscitated the UPN founded by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the Second Republic. The calculation was that the party robed in Awolowo’s image would elicit automatic support in the Southwest.  The party failed to fly in 2015 general elections when Fasheun announced at the party’s convention few months to the presidential election that it had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP as its presidential candidate.

    “The story is similar with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that also adopted Jonathan as its presidential candidate. The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Afenifere, sponsored the formation and registration of the SDP, which proscribed by the General Sani Abacha military junta in 1993. The party was floated by the Afenifere to whittle down the influence of the APC in the Southwest and provide a platform for aggrieved governorship aspirants of other political parties to contest.

    Since 2015, the SDP has failed to win a seat at the local, state and federal level. The truth about the formation of the SDP came into open when its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, admitted that he collected N10 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, to work for Jonathan’s victory in the 2015 presidential election.

    Lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Monday Ubani, said INEC cannot be faulted for registering 67 political parties, because the commission is being guided by law. He said the law empowers it to register any political association that meets all requirements for registration as a political party.

    Ubani said if the law did not limit the number of political parties, INEC will continue to register more parties. He reasoned that to put a limit on the number of political parties, “we have to look at the provision of law in order to amend it”. He said the new parties, like many of the existing ones, are not viable.

    Ubani added: “Though people will argue we are in democracy and people have the right to come together to form political parties, but we must allow sanity to prevail; otherwise before 2019, we would have 100 political parties. To me, it’s better to have two major parties, than having mushroom parties that can’t win a single seat at the local government poll.

    “I wonder why many people are still interested in forming parties now that government has stopped funding parties. Most of the parties should merge like the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that fused to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), which later dislodged the ruling PDP from power.

    “The APC defeated the ruling party because of its geographical spread and strength. To reduce the number of political parties, INEC should apply the power granted it by law to de-register parties that failed to win a seat throughout the federation. Parties that fail to abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act should also be de-registered.”

    In his own view, civil rights activist, Comrade Mashood Erubami, did not see anything spectacular in the approval granted the 21 new political parties by the INEC. To him, “they are just mere additions, because the sponsors of the parties did not consciously establish them to fill the current visible wide gaps in accountability in governance or they were approved by INEC on the basis of new political philosophy and cherished ideological direction.

    Erubami said: “Approving the registration of 21 additional political parties bringing the total number of registered political parties in the country to 67 is though, a democratic move by INEC to ensure the practice of multi-party democracy under a system in which multiple political parties are allowed to stand for national election with the capacity to win and run political offices either individually, under a merger or a coalition, yet it does not make the political parties new.

    “However, fulfilling the constitutional provisions on the registration of political parties and bringing INEC powers into conformity with the constitution are not enough. There should be other benefits; the registration of the additional parties should not merely be based on their qualification for registration having fulfilled constitutional requirements but on the strong capacity to build hope for a better future and bringing about new leadership that are courageous, disciplined, compassionate and imbued with character of integrity.

    “The only change to the political status quo, however, is in the addition of new names given to the added political parties. Their constitutions and manifestos are not radically different and no new political philosophy and pro-masses ideology could be decipher to underpin the emergence of new parties. Furthermore, the political players are not different either in orientation or character meaning that nothing will change the politics in the foreseeable future.

    “What is of great concern is that the increased number of parties will in the long run pose serious problems to INEC on how it would design ballot papers for the 2019 polls to accommodate all the new political parties, given the challenges confronted by INEC in the conduct of Anambra governorship election, where 37 parties participated. Whatever challenges that creep in must be surmounted, including satisfying the yearnings of those stridently calling for independent candidates.”

    Secretary-General Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr Anthony Sani is against the registration of new political parties. He said the new parties are not likely to make any impact because most educated Nigerians could not remember the names of the 40 political parties that existed before the new ones.

    Sani insists that “there is no need for additional political paries nor for independent candidates who should find accommodation in the existing political parties. I prefer a two party system which would promote unity among religious and ethnic groups for common good.”

    A scholar of political science, Dr Edwin Azubike, is opposed to any further increase in the number of political parties, because Nigeria has had enough and most of them lack clear-cut ideologies. He described most of the parties like associations that revolve around individuals who were denied tickets to contest elections or sponsored by government to further divide and weaken the opposition.

    Azubike noted that politicians have turned parties into business venture where they invest huge amounts of money. He said: “As entrepreneurs, they expect returns on such investments through contracts and political patronage. Many of the parties knew they can’t win elections; what they do is to work for the stronger parties and negotiate for political appointments after election.

    “They don’t register to contest for elective offices, but for the spoils of office. In 2015, only five out of over 40 registered political parties participated actively in the general elections. They were the APC, the PDP, the APGA, the Labour Party and the PPA. Today, only three parties: APC, PDP and APGA seem to be active at the local, state and federal levels.

    “In Nigeria people just register parties ahead of elections, so that they can participate. But, after the elections, they go underground till the next election cycle. In advanced democracy, political parties are not busy or visible during elections alone; they work hard all the year round to remain relevant. That is why most of the smaller parties are not growing. When they come out during election period, people don’t have confidence in them, as they will prefer to deal with the familiar parties.

    “All political parties need not to contest for power at the centre. They can start by seeking power at the local or state level. Good programmes and service delivery will make such parties win elections in their immediate environment either at the local or state levels. From there, a regional or state party can become a national party.”

    Ubani insists there is no need of having as much as 67 political parties. He said: “We don’t need more than two or three parties, as it obtains in advanced democracy like the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France and even Ghana, our neighbour. We should have two parties; we should not be different.

    “Many of the political partied didn’t win legislative seats at the state and national level. What’s the essence of keeping them? It’s high time, INEC started applying sanctions against the political parties that fall short of standards prescribed in the Electoral Act.”

  • Is NYSC still relevant?

    SIR: Presently, one will be hard put to find a Nigerian that is not aware or in agreement with the fact that the government is hard pressed to save money by reducing the cost of running the country while trying to plug loopholes through which the available funds are being frittered away.

    In this light, it is important to bring the attention of the government back to the National Youth Service Corps – a scheme that has lost its usefulness over the years and has gradually become a heavy burden on the nation’s lean finances.

    Forty-three years after the formation of the scheme, it has become largely unproductive and is perceived by graduates as an unnecessary encumbrance to be endured before one can seek paid employment.

    Established to foster national integration, those who participated in the early days of the scheme were posted to places far from their areas of origin to promote inter-ethnic interaction and help to bond the country tighter.

    In contemporary times however, with the greatly increased mobility of Nigerians and a whole new level of social interaction, you would find in every town, people from virtually all the states of the federation in temporary or permanent residence, effectively neutralizing the usefulness of the NYSC as a means of facilitating the relocation of Nigerians to different places for integration.

    Although it is often argued that the NYSC provides hands-on training for young graduates and is also a kind of middle ground to help with the transition from student to worker, it is not entirely the case as students, in the course of study, do undergo a compulsory period of training called SIWES – Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme. It is compulsory for SIWES students to be attached to industries or organizations for practical training to gain skills and relevant experience. It is a requirement which must be fulfilled before graduation. This renders preposterous the argument that the NYSC should be sustained on the grounds of skill acquisition.

    To add to the issues militating against the scheme, corps members now get transferred to places of their choice. After the NYSC posting, those unsatisfied simply grease a few palms to get themselves re-posted, most times to their home states which defeats the intent of the entire process.

    In the last eight years alone, roughly N500 billion was spent on the scheme. The larger slice goes to pay the monthly allowance of corps members while another huge part oils the bureaucracy running it. We all remember how the scheme was almost grounded some time ago when its budget was downsized by 13 billion, a small fraction of the total figure. If the NYSC scheme is discontinued, part of this huge sum could be used as seed capital for fresh graduates who wish to be entrepreneurs and job creators as it will be of greater benefit to them and the Nigerian society.

     

    • Joseph Oko Odey

    Garki II, Abuja.

  • Muhammed still relevant, 40 years after

    Muhammed still relevant, 40 years after

    The late General Murtala Muhammed’s seven months rule as Nigeria’s third military Head of State recorded unprecedented achievements. He was guided by purposeful leadership and devoted love for the country and its people, writes LEKE SALAUDEEN.

    Many Nigerians remember the late General Murtala Muhammed as a sincere, passionate and dedicated leader. When he was killed 40 years ago in an abortive coup attempt, led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka, citizens from all walks of life trooped to the streets to protest against his killing. His car was ambushed while on his way to his office at Dodan Barracks, Lagos. It was an incident that shook the nation. It was the first and only time in the political evolution of the country that a sitting military Head of State was assassinated. He was just 38 at the time of his murder.

    It was on record that Muhammed throughout his short tenure, between July 29, 1975 and February 13, 1976, was driven in an official black Mercedes Benz saloon car and escorted by an Aide-de-Camp (ADC), an orderly and driver. Security experts believe that it was the low-profile life-style of the late Head of State that made the assassination possible.

    On the day he was murdered, he was said to have been driven by his driver alongside his ADC Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa and his orderly who carried a pistol, the only visible sign of protection. Unlike what obtains in Nigeria of today, during Muhammed’s tenure there was no siren-blaring, acrobatic and reckless-driving convoy. No wonder, it took just a traffic controller, who while performing his statutory duty, stopped the lane on which the General’s car was at the time of the incident. What a tragedy?

     

    His vision

    Gen. Muhammed came to power with a clear vision of wiping out corruption and decadence. He also had a yearning desire to chart an independent course for the nation politically, economically, legally and diplomatically. He worked with the speed of a jet and the strength of a bulldozer to give the nation a sense of direction and became a national hero

    In 1975 when he became Head of State, he immediately set to work with a clear vision for the nation. He told the nation on July 30, 1975 that: “This government will not tolerate indiscipline; this government will not condone abuse of office”.  He kept his words. He started with cleansing of the public service.  Over 10,000 public servants, including top military officers, were compulsorily retired on grounds of indiscipline, redundancy and low productivity.

    At that time Nigeria had 12 state governors. They were: Benue-Plateau, Superintendent of Police Joseph Gomwalk; East Central, Ukpabi Asika; Kano, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Audu Bako; Kwara, Brigadier David Bamigboye; Lagos, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson; Midwest, Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia;  North Central, Brigadier Abba Kyari; North East Brigadier Musa Usman; North West , Police Superintendent Usman Faruk; Rivers, Lt. Alfred Diete-Spiff; South East, Brigadier Udokaha Esuene and West, Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi.

    Only two of the governors, Brigadiers Oluwole Rotimi and Mobolaji Johnson were cleared of corruption. Quite a number of public servants, ministers and governors had their assets seized. However, no one was prosecuted.

     

    Achievements

     It was not how long but how well. Muhammed’s seven months tenure was action packed. In an effort to bring government closer to the people, he created seven additional states, which saw the number rising from the original 12 created by his predecessor, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, to 19. The states created are: Niger, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo and Bendel.

    The creation of the new Federal Capital at Abuja in 1975 stands out as one of the most far reaching achievements of his administration. The Justice Akinola Aguda Panel set up to examine the desirability of locating a new Federal Capital away from the overcrowded and decaying Lagos, recommended Abuja because of its central location and conducive environment for living. The panel found Abuja suitable because it was located in an area not inhabited or dominated by any of the three major ethnic groups in the country; Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. Muhammed’s successor, Gen. Obasanjo continued with the process of transfer of the Federal Capital through physical development.

    In his commitment to hand over power to civilian government, he constituted a 50-man Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) headed by the legal luminary the late Chief Rotimi Williams to draft a new constitution for the country. The work of the committee led to the setting up of the Constituent Assembly which among others, recommended the presidential system of government for the nation’s Second Republic (1979-1983). Though Muhammed did not live to implement his transition programme, his successor kept faith with it.

    On the continental front, he made Africa as Nigeria’s centre piece of foreign policy. He was actively engaged in the liberation struggle of many African countries, particularly, the frontline states like Angola, Mozambique and the apartheid South Africa. He further demonstrated his commitment in the liberation struggle in Africa with his master piece address to the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1976. He stated categorically that “Africa is no longer under the orbit of any super power; that Africa is for Africans to make or mar”. His foreign policy was largely responsible for the respect Nigeria earned as a ‘Big Brother’ among sister African nations and many recognised liberation movements.

    No Nigerian leader has positively impacted on the political landscape of the nation within such a brief tenure of only seven months as the late Muhammed did. Remembering his life comes with some lessons for Nigeria’s present leadership. The most important is the late General’s tough, dogged and fearless attributes, which are claimed to have been what distinguished him from his predecessors and endeared many of the rank and files in the military to him. Analysts say that Nigeria, like any country in the world, needs a leader that is not only decisive but fearless in fighting the many scourges of the nation, particularly corruption.

    Muhammed will remain ever green in our memory. He paid the supreme sacrifice for putting Nigeria on track and dreamt big for his people and his country far beyond his short life.

    To immortalise the late Head of State, a number of institutions have been named after him with some other lofty steps taken. These include: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos -Nigeria’s largest and busiest airport. With its international terminal modelled after the Amsterdam Airport Schipol in the Netherlands, the airport was formerly addressed as the Lagos International Airport. Interestingly, Murtala seized control of this same airport during the successful but bloody countercoup of July 1975 that ushered in the Gowon government.

    A Remembrance Cenotaph was also built in his honour. In addition, his portrait adorns the face of the N20 note. The note was first introduced in 1977 and re-issued in 1984 in new colours. It is also the first naira note to have the portrait of a national hero in the person of Murtala. On the February 28, 2007, the paper note was redesigned and issued in its polymer substrate, which is in use till date. A major road in Lagos, the Murtala Muhammed Way, Lagos, is named for him. A film by African filmaker, Frank Ukadike, was made in his honour. It was titled The Death of a Black President.

    The Murtala Muhammed Park, Benin City, Edo State was also named in his honour. On the February 13, 2002, the 26th anniversary of his death, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) was established. Before then, there had been the Murtala Muhammed Memorial Lecture Series which started in 1991. Murtala, who spent just a little over 200 days in office, stood for justice, dedication to the fatherland, purpose, fought against corruption. He had his own flaws, yes, but he taught Nigerians a very memorable lesson: it is not how long, but how well.

     

  • How geographers can remain relevant, by VC

    Geographers have been advised to focus on how to solve societal problems.  This was the message  at the  conference of the Association of Nigeria Geographers (ANG) at the Osogbo campus of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

    The theme was: Climate change and human security. The theme, the organisers said, is germane, especially at a time the world is being ravaged by bio-geophysical distortions caused by changes in climatic condition.

    Speakers agreed that solving the climatic conditions would require re-orientation of geographers from purely academic perspective to problem-solving research.

    Declaring the conference open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Jelil Oguntola, said geographers should be concerned about how they could solve societal challenges through quality and cutting-edge research. This, he said, is how geography could remain relevant to the world.

    Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin, Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who is also the ANG President, led members, including UNIOSUN Acting Registrar and Bursar Mr G.A. Shittu and Mr Samuel Adegbite, to the occasion.

    The plenary witnessed the presentation of research papers on climate change and its possible impact on human security. The papers focused on developmental issues facing the environment, including theoretical and conceptual issues on climate change, physical systems, politics and governance, legal issues and mitigation measures, among others.

    Over 200 geographers and professionals  presented their works.

    Prof Gbadegesin described the conference as the best in a decade. He hailed the UNIOSUN management for supporting the Department of Geography to host the conference.

    The Local Organising Committee was headed by Prof Temi Ologunorisa, with Dr Samuel Yakubu and Mr Kayode Samuel as Secretary and Assistant Secretary.

  • ‘How lawyers in govt can remain relevant’

    Lawyers working in  government have been  urged to make continuing legal education a priority if they must remain up-to-date with new legal principles.

    Speakers at a three-day development course for lawyers in the Delta State Ministry of Justice said lawyers in public service must regularly update skills and knowledge to remain relevant.

    The Attorney-General, Mr. Charles Ajuya (SAN) said the course was designed to enable participants improve their legal skills.

    According to him, a well-equipped counsel will not only benefit himself, but will add value to the state.

    Former Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies  (NIALS) Director-General, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), who was one of the speakers, said the development course afforded him the opportunity to translate NIALS experience into practice in Delta State.

    He stated that the course was  designed as a capacity building programme  for the participants.

    Addressing participants, he said: “It  is  customised because  it is based on ideas from you. It is a clear amalgam of all the needs of the departments and parastsals.

    “Therefore your understanding of the course is necessary for you to address the problems of your ministries and equip you with the capacity to face the challenges of a globalised world.”

    Others speakers included former Director of Public Prosecutions in Lagos State, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey who spoke on criminal prosecution and  legal opinion writing techniques; former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Chief T.J. Onomigbo Okpoko (SAN) spoke on case preparation and appeals, and Ken Mozia (SAN) who discussed  case management and fast track litigation.

    Prof. Emeka Chianu discussed Land acquisition challenges and prospects, while former chairman of NBA Ikorodu branch, Nurudeen Ogbara presented Prof. Lanre Fagbohun’s paper on class action litigation and environmental law practice.

    Chairman Mid-Western Bar Forum, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) discussed new trends in the law of evidence while Prof. Azinge (SAN)  discussed Government legal advisers, Legal writing and law reporting.

    He also discussed legislative  drafting and legal drafting in conjunction   with Prof. Paul Idornigie while Mr. S. V. Omekeh discussed public  civil rules and application,  ethics,  code conduct, minutes and memo writing.

    Prof. Mike Ikhariale discussed constitutional and human rights while Prof. Paul Idornigie discussed commercial agreements, ADR, Arbitration and MOU while  Albert Akpomudge (SAN) discussed brief writing.

     

  • Making them relevant

    Making them relevant

    TITLE: The Missing Daughters
    AUTHOR: Orubebe, G.E.
    PUBLISHER: Grace Springs Africa Publishers, Lagos
    NO. OF PAGES: 285
    REVIEWER: Chijioke Uwasomba

    The Missing Daughters is a morality tale by Orubebe Gandhi to warn men and women alike of the need to accept the will of God as it relates to the sex of their children. In order words, every child, whether male or female is important and should not be discarded. Those who out of foolishness or short-sightedness, dismiss their female child or children are bound to regret like Obi in the novel under discussion.

    The story is set in a village called Ogbabiri. From all indications and by all accounts, Ogbabiri is a village that lacks modern facilities that could make life more meaningful. The commonest source of energy in the area is firewood and no wonder the village is always enveloped by smoke. The point at issue upon which the story revolves round- the less value placed on the female child- further portrays the society of the novel as one that is primitive in every material particular.

    Egbema, who has six boys is always in the habit of boasting to his wife, Nigho that the female sex does not endear to his ancestors. He sees his family from  time immemorial as a male-breeding one. Egbema dismisses Nigho for wanting to have a female child as if she is the one who decides the sex of a child. It is with this mindset that Egbema warns his children: “Any woman you marry among all of you, if she bears a female child in the midst of your children, she would have committed an abomination in that she may have had that female issue from another man, she would have committed adultery” (29). Egbema is obsessed with this reprehensible thinking to the extent that “No female children” becomes the chant in his household.

    It is important to note that out of fear and to satisfy their father, all Egbema’s children are gripped by their father’s story about male/female which they have dubbed ” the male syndrome thing”(35). Bafukeme, the oldest son who has fallen in love with Ereseimo shows signs of fear because he does not want to hurt the sensibilities of his father. This is more so considering the fact that Ereseimo’s family is known as a female-bearing one. But in the end both Bafukeme’s wife and those of the other two siblings give birth to male children.

    Obi’s wife cannot understand the queer premium placed on male children over and above the female by the Egbema family. She sees it as amusing. Obi tells his wife: “You either give birth to male children or you are not part of our family”(55). But unfortunately to Obi his wife gives birth to a female. Of all in the household of Egbema it is only Nigho, Egbema’s wife that defends and identifies with Obi’s wife. She teases Obi: “Becky has given birth to a female child. Go and kill yourself. Since she arrived here, she has been like a woman in harem”(59). Becky gives birth to two other girls and is driven out by Obi her husband: “Go away with your female children”(62),Obi chides her.

    Nigho, a very clairvoyant mother scolds Obi for his foolish decision. Obi’s siblings and their father Egbema praise Obi to high heavens for the decision to send his wife and children away. No sooner has Obi taken this decision than he begins to regret his action, tormenting himself. Even in his place of work, Obi who is known for his exemplary industry and commitment to duties can no longer give his best. He is chided by the management: “Obi your attitude to work which used to be commendable has taken a plunge for the worse. This place is not a civil service arena rather we are a company. You had an adept hand in times past”(68). Obi is eventually sacked. He marries another girl. As if he has lost every modicum of reason, he drives the third wife away saying: “go away with your female child”(69).

    Meanwhile, Becky, Obi’s first wife who had been driven away by Obi has not lost hope in Jesus Christ in spite of all her frustrations. Her three daughters- Dora, Dolphin and Betty- who are under the custody of her parents and being taken care of, over time  become graduates with the first daughter Dora,who at this point has become a lawyer getting married to Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor,a medical doctor.

    By a twist of events the king of Ogbabiri informs his people of how the Ogbu indigenes who the Ogbabiri clan had given its land for their settlement have turned around to be killing the Ogbabiri people. All the Ogbu males are wiped out. Some of the Ogbu girls are taken captive and one of these girls, Edna is married by Obi making it the fourth wife he has married. Strangely, Obi does everything within his power including cooking and serving Edna but the latter does not show any form of appreciation. Obi’s drinking habit which he acquired when he was desperately looking for male children has increased even now that through Edna he has had three male children. His wife Edna and the three children take to alcoholic drinks like Obi leading to the death of the third son Roland.

    Edna is also rumoured to be sleeping with all sorts of men and caught in a room with a man. Because of the irresponsibility of Obi’s children and the waywardness of Edna, Obi decides to keep his money in the bank to prevent it from being stolen but is beaten mercilessly by his children in his farm. Obi is rescued by a good Samaritan, Ogbebor who takes him to his Doctor son, Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor who turns out surprisingly to be the husband of one of the three daughters of Obi (Becky’s first daughter, Dora). Obi is healed in Ogbebor’s house and is given a parcel of land to farm since he says he wants to be Ogbebor’s servant.

    The turning point in the life of Obi comes when he realises that but for Dr. Ibe Ogbebor, all the other eight children of Ogbebor are all females. Obi is at this point in his life full of regrets, more so when he notices the enviable relationship that exists between Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor and his lovely wife, Barrister Dora Ogbebor. Each time Ogbebor’s children display their love for their father with gifts, the gesture evokes thoughtful memory in Obi. He begins to regret his past actions especially the way he treated his wife Becky and children. The invitation of Becky to the Chieftaincy ceremonies for Ogbebor brings Becky and Obi together as Becky recognises Obi and holds him with joy. This leads to a reconciliation between Obi, Becky and their three daughters but with the search for the other daughters from the other women that had been sent packing by Obi in those days of his “madness”.

    As noted from the outset of this review, this is a novel that is rich in didactic disclosures harping on the need for forgiveness. At the denouement of the novel, the reader realises the futility and foolishness in dismissing the female sex as unimportant. The novel throws up a lot of issues bordering on the need for good family values, respect for women, love, the recognition of women as human beings who have the same values as their male counterparts or even better. Ironically, the male children of Obi become alcoholics and father beaters who are given to criminality. Obi’s most loved wife whom he pampers, in cahoots with her children become a thorn in the flesh of Obi.

    But for the love shown to Obi by Ogbebor after the thorough beaten given to him by his male children, he would have died. The love and fellow feeling showed to him by Ogbebor and his household, and the cohesiveness of the immediate and extended Ogbebor family prick the conscience of Obi and usher a turn-around in his entire consciousness.

  • Making them relevant

    Making them relevant

    Title: The Missing Daughters
    Author: Orubebe, G.E.
    Publisher: Grace Springs Africa Publishers, Lagos
    No of Pages: 285
    Reviewer: Chijioke Uwasomba

    he Missing Daughters is a morality tale by Orubebe Gandhi to warn men and women alike of the need to accept the will of God as it relates to the sex of their children. In other words, every child, whether male or female is important and should not be discarded. Those who out of foolishness or short-sightedness, dismiss their female child or children are bound to regret like Obi in the novel under discussion.

    The story is set in a village called Ogbabiri. From all indications and by all accounts, Ogbabiri is a village that lacks modern facilities that could make life more meaningful. The commonest source of energy in the area is firewood and no wonder the village is always enveloped by smoke. The point at issue upon which the story revolves round- the less value placed on the female child- further portrays the society of the novel as one that is primitive in every material particular.

    Egbema, who has six boys is always in the habit of boasting to his wife, Nigho that the female sex does not endear to his ancestors. He sees his family from  time immemorial as a male-breeding one. Egbema dismisses Nigho for wanting to have a female child as if she is the one who decides the sex of a child. It is with this mindset that Egbema warns his children: “Any woman you marry among all of you, if she bears a female child in the midst of your children, she would have committed an abomination in that she may have had that female issue from another man, she would have committed adultery” (29). Egbema is obsessed with this reprehensible thinking to the extent that “No female children” becomes the chant in his household.

    It is important to note that out of fear and to satisfy their father, all Egbema’s children are gripped by their father’s story about male/female which they have dubbed ” the male syndrome thing”(35). Bafukeme, the oldest son who has fallen in love with Ereseimo shows signs of fear because he does not want to hurt the sensibilities of his father. This is more so considering the fact that Ereseimo’s family is known as a female-bearing one. But in the end both Bafukeme’s wife and those of the other two siblings give birth to male children.

    Obi’s wife cannot understand the queer premium placed on male children over and above the female by the Egbema family. She sees it as amusing. Obi tells his wife: “You either give birth to male children or you are not part of our family”(55). But unfortunately to Obi his wife gives birth to a female. Of all in the household of Egbema it is only Nigho, Egbema’s wife that defends and identifies with Obi’s wife. She teases Obi: “Becky has given birth to a female child. Go and kill yourself. Since she arrived here, she has been like a woman in harem”(59). Becky gives birth to two other girls and is driven out by Obi her husband: “Go away with your female children”(62),Obi chides her.

    Nigho, a very clairvoyant mother scolds Obi for his foolish decision. Obi’s siblings and their father Egbema praise Obi to high heavens for the decision to send his wife and children away. No sooner has Obi taken this decision than he begins to regret his action, tormenting himself. Even in his place of work, Obi who is known for his exemplary industry and commitment to duties can no longer give his best. He is chided by the management: “Obi your attitude to work which used to be commendable has taken a plunge for the worse. This place is not a civil service arena rather we are a company. You had an adept hand in times past”(68). Obi is eventually sacked. He marries another girl. As if he has lost every modicum of reason, he drives the third wife away saying: “go away with your female child”(69).

    Meanwhile, Becky, Obi’s first wife who had been driven away by Obi has not lost hope in Jesus Christ in spite of all her frustrations. Her three daughters- Dora, Dolphin and Betty- who are under the custody of her parents and being taken care of, over time  become graduates with the first daughter Dora,who at this point has become a lawyer getting married to Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor,a medical doctor.

    By a twist of events the king of Ogbabiri informs his people of how the Ogbu indigenes who the Ogbabiri clan had given its land for their settlement have turned around to be killing the Ogbabiri people. All the Ogbu males are wiped out. Some of the Ogbu girls are taken captive and one of these girls, Edna is married by Obi making it the fourth wife he has married. Strangely, Obi does everything within his power including cooking and serving Edna but the latter does not show any form of appreciation. Obi’s drinking habit which he acquired when he was desperately looking for male children has increased even now that through Edna he has had three male children. His wife Edna and the three children take to alcoholic drinks like Obi leading to the death of the third son Roland.

    Edna is also rumoured to be sleeping with all sorts of men and caught in a room with a man. Because of the irresponsibility of Obi’s children and the waywardness of Edna, Obi decides to keep his money in the bank to prevent it from being stolen but is beaten mercilessly by his children in his farm. Obi is rescued by a good Samaritan, Ogbebor who takes him to his Doctor son, Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor who turns out surprisingly to be the husband of one of the three daughters of Obi (Becky’s first daughter, Dora). Obi is healed in Ogbebor’s house and is given a parcel of land to farm since he says he wants to be Ogbebor’s servant.

    The turning point in the life of Obi comes when he realises that but for Dr. Ibe Ogbebor, all the other eight children of Ogbebor are all females. Obi is at this point in his life full of regrets, more so when he notices the enviable relationship that exists between Dr. Ibeh Ogbebor and his lovely wife, Barrister Dora Ogbebor. Each time Ogbebor’s children display their love for their father with gifts, the gesture evokes thoughtful memory in Obi. He begins to regret his past actions especially the way he treated his wife Becky and children. The invitation of Becky to the Chieftaincy ceremonies for Ogbebor brings Becky and Obi together as Becky recognises Obi and holds him with joy. This leads to a reconciliation between Obi, Becky and their three daughters but with the search for the other daughters from the other women that had been sent packing by Obi in those days of his “madness”.

    As noted from the outset of this review, this is a novel that is rich in didactic disclosures harping on the need for forgiveness. At the denouement of the novel, the reader realises the futility and foolishness in dismissing the female sex as unimportant. The novel throws up a lot of issues bordering on the need for good family values, respect for women, love, the recognition of women as human beings who have the same values as their male counterparts or even better. Ironically, the male children of Obi become alcoholics and father beaters who are given to criminality. Obi’s most loved wife whom he pampers, in cahoots with her children become a thorn in the flesh of Obi.

     

     

  • That Physiology may be relevant

    That Physiology may be relevant

    The Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) has held its annual conference at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. STANLEY UCHEGBU (500-Level of Accounting, University of Calabar) reports.

    Members of the Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) converged on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for their annual conference.

    The event, the ninth in the series, hosted lecturers and academics of repute, including LAUTECH’s Dean of Faculty of Basic Medical Science Prof S.S Taiwo; Head of Physiology Department Dr A.S Oyedeyi; Dr Onyebuchi Nwoke, Prof Bolarinwa Abeyombo and Dr Rabiu Abdulsalam-Magaji.

    Dr Oyedeyi praised the association for its efforts to unite Physiology students across the country through the annual event.

    In his lecture titled: From Harvey to me: Where do we go from here? Dr Oyedeyi listed factors affecting the development of Physiology to include poor public perception, loss of credibility as an independent discipline and lack of national relevance, among others.

    He said: “To correct this anomaly, several measures must be taken. We must review the curriculum of Physiology in universities, which would enhance training of students on versatility in medical skills such as medical journalism and medical research.”

    Prof Abeyombo, who spoke on Physiology: The past, present and future, said the discipline was not popular among students at a time, noting that the importance of Physiology could not be overlooked in today’s world. If Physiology is professionalised, she said, preventable deaths would be reduced.

    Dr Nwoke, former Head of Physiology Department at the Ambrose Ali University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, took the students on the relevance of the discipline in today’s society and why Physiology practice must be encouraged in health sector.

    He said: “In Nigeria, no patient has ever asked where the physiologists are; but it is the responsibility of physiologists to show their usefulness by complementing the efforts of doctors to save lives.”

    Dr Abdussalam-Magaji, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, took the students on neuroscience, which he described as a discipline that combines physiology, anatomy and the nervous system.

    Before the event ended, the association elected new executive. Frank Ejeagbasi, a 300-Level student of University of Calabar (UNICAL) is national president; Rosemary Agbakuru-Ndubuisi, Vice President.

    Others are Peter Akah, General Secretary, Emi Agada, Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Alabi, Assistant General Secretary, Elvis-Mary Onyeugo, Director of Welfare, Pioudine Macduff, Director of Socials, and Abdulhafeez Abdulraheem, Public Relations Officer.

    In his acceptance speech, Frank pledged to serve the association to the best of his ability, urging members for their support to achieve set goals.

    Highlights of the conference included a rally to sensitise the public on the relevance and importance of physiology. During the rally, the students marched on major streets and roads in Ogbomoso. Participants also visited the Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls in Osun State.

    Participants were from over 19 universities, including ABU, UNICAL, Delta State University (DELSU), Bowen University, Igbinedeon University in Okada, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu University, Cross River State University of Technology, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti, attended the event.

    Others are University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Benin (UNIBEN).