The Nation Newspaper

Tag: VIP

  • Rogue escorts and mystery VIP

    This discourse is not about national security, no.  It is not about the operation of the troops in the theatre and their manoeuvres, no.  It is not even about the hated word of herdsmen and farmers, RUGA, or grazing routes, where the federal government is found to dither in mute complacency.  If along the line it touches tangentially on any of the excluded items above, it would be to the extent that it is in the higher interest of our nation.  We cannot continue to live in denial and pretend to  solve our problems by running away from it in the guise that it touches on national security; which of course should be the more reason it should be in the public domain of the peoples’ parliament.

    In any case, it was the Nigerian Army itself that broke the news of soldiers on escort who abandoned their rifles and absconded with yet to be determined huge sums of money speculated in the media to be about N400 million.  This discourse is focused on a humungous heist that the ordinary Nigerian should not just show a passing interest because of its security implication as well as the desire to fight corruption in all spheres of life in the country. Yes, we must be interested in who owes the money and where it was coming from.   Why was the money travelling in a soft skin vehicle rather than an armour-plated bullion van?  Why was the money not transferred on a designated account in this era of BVN for proper record to ensure that it was not meant to sponsor criminal activities or money laundering?   Who is the mystery VIP that is entitled to military escort from Sokoto to Kaduna where we have air services for speed and safety?

    How many such sorties have these soldiers made in the past to have made them perfect this scheme and tactical manoeuvre for a piece of the action?   Why the choice of such young inexperienced soldiers for such duty involving such huge sums of money?   We cannot find the soldiers guilty without finding the senior officer(s) who tempted them with such mouth-watering loot from the combat zone that they can never in their entire career earn.

    This may well be the right time to take an honest audit of what is happening in the theatre of operation against insurgency in the Northeast especially the top brass of the military high command that has become the example of soldiers of fortune, like the notorious Panamanian military leader and politician Manuel Antonio Noriega engaging in drug trade and mining.  The life of a soldier is austere and Spartan-like, denying himself everything for the love of his country.  A soldier must have honour and integrity and enjoy the confidence of his commander. He is trained to be tough with exemplary conduct in private and public life.  A soldier must not rob his country to amass wealth as his nation is expected to provide adequately for him because of the life of sacrifice he has chosen.

    This matter should not go the way of other enquiries in the past where reports are kept in government cupboards to gather dust and later eaten by termite in the usual way of protection of the elite in the society. In our recent history, a man that headed the Nigerian armed forces who accused soldiers of cowardice when they complained that they lacked equipment to face the insurgents upon retirement was discovered to have accumulated so much wealth that he was made a guest of the anti-graft agency.  Ditto some other high ranking officers of the armed forces who were made to return humongous sums of money stashed away in their private homes.  They have luxury and choice properties dotted in highbrow areas across the country; some others have been discovered to have given away mouth-watering sums of money to religious leaders and fetish priests.

    The time has come for us to question everything we are told by those who are in charge of running the affairs of government departments and agencies. We are facing grinding and acute poverty but we are told that our economy is healthy as government gives handouts in the name of traders’ money while businesses fold up.   The state of insecurity has become so frightening yet we are told that we are winning the war against insurgency and insecurity across the country.  With all the blackmail and cajoling by the government, the media still manages to beam out daily the report of scores of people killed in banditry and whole truck load of passengers harvested in kidnapping incidents for ransom.

    Rather than sit down to think through the enormous challenges, our leaders are looking for foreign partners and donor countries to come and help us fight insecurity and poverty that we brought upon ourselves through bad leadership, mismanagement and divisive tendencies of our elites.   If we are to succeed as a nation, there must be a value change.  If we are to combat poverty and insecurity, there must be re-orientation and strengthening of our institutions. We should stop importing solutions from America and Europe as the reality in two places can never be the same.

    Our laws may never be perfect and indeed, there is no known country in the world with a perfect law and legal system.  People appraise the social reality of their country and time and apply remedy that suits the situation.  Before Britain abolished capital punishment there were series of committees including the Wolfenden Committee on Homosexual offences and prostitution inviting knowledgeable critical stakeholders.  Here in this country those we elected who took oath to uphold the law and the constitution violate our laws and constitutions with impunity. We sit down analysing and justifying desecration of our law and constitution because it suits us at the time, seeing everything through the prism of religion and ethnicity.  Why is El Zazaky still in detention when a superior court of record has granted him bail? Why is Dasuki still in detention when different courts have granted him bail?  Why are the president and governors unable to sign the death warrant of those convicted of capital offences having  exhausted their appeal at the apex court?

    If you choose to be in government and take oath to defend our law and constitution, you must drop your religious sentiment and carry out your statutory and constitutional duties whether it agrees with your belief system or not.  If you cannot obey the law that brought you into office and swore to protect, in the name of everything that is good, please leave Nigeria alone for those who have the gut to act.

    This time in our history, we need men who are mentally active and ready to act and deliver on good governance respecting the laws and constitution of this country.  The CSOs and NGOs should be at the forefront of campaign to promote performance and good governance and not dissipate energy collecting donors monies to promote alien depraved cultures and lifestyles that add no value to the well-being of  our society.  On the rogue escort and mystery VIP, the military should hold the mirror and take a deep look at its image, if she does not like what she sees, breaking the mirror will not change the situation. We appreciate the efforts of members of the armed forces but it can be better. Please wake me up when we find answers to the posers of the rogue escorts and mystery VIP.

     

    • Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja.

  • ‘Doc., welcome to VIP Lodge’

    I was on the way to work on December 19 when my phone rang. I was in the car of a colleague,  Bunmi Ogunmodede. At the other end was my sister, Kudi, who wanted to know whether she should give my number to Jumoke, who she did not know, but who I know very well having been introduced to me by our brother, Rasaq, a doctor at the Presbyterian Joint Hospital in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

    Following my say so, she gave my number to Jumoke whose call came in as soon as I arrived in the office. It was bad news. She said she had been trying Rasaq’s number all day without success. When she eventually got through to him, she was alarmed by what he told her.   According to her, they spoke for only 50 seconds, but it was a conversation the poor girl will never forget. She said Rasaq told her he was in trouble. Trouble? What kind of trouble? I asked. ‘’Daddy, Rasaq told me he has been kidnapped’’, she said in tears.  He was kidnapped in the night of December 18 as he got home from work.

    After breaking the shocking news to some colleagues in the office, I promptly sprang into action to confirm what I just heard. I was in a daze as I did not know anybody in the hospital to call. Somehow, I got the numbers of some people who confirmed the kidnap of their medical director in the night of Monday, December 18. Then the longest five days ever of my life began. By Tuesday morning, the kidnappers had called, demanding N50 million ransom. The hospital secretary, Rev Eze Umahi, the accountant, Mr Chijioke Nwankwo, and former Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Director of Publicity Rev Emeh Kalu, now a parish priest in Umuahia, Abia State, who I interacted with, assured me that the hospital and the church were doing all they could to ensure that Rasaq came to no harm.

    I bombarded these gentlemen with calls daily, demanding swift action in the rescue of my brother. I told them that things were not moving as fast as they should, wondering if they were doing anything at all to rescue him. The kidnap saga was a big burden for me. I could not bring it to the attention of our aged parents because of its implication for their health. After informing Ganiu, my immediate younger brother, who lives in Abuja, about the incident, we both agreed that we should do everything possible to keep it away from them. We did not know that we were only deceiving ourselves. They got to know about it last Thursday when the kidnappers called them shortly after contacting me through Rasaq’s number.

    Between the hospital and I, it was tug of war as I continued to pile pressure on the secretary and the accountant to act fast as time was running out. From N50 million, the kidnappers came down to N10 million. In a fit of anger, I called the Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Nzie Nsi Eke, complaining about the hospital’s handling of the incident. The man of God calmed me down, saying everything was being done to get my brother out. ‘’Nothing will happen to him because he is into saving lives’’, the Prelate assured me, adding : ‘’we are all praying for his safe return’.

    Indeed, prayer warriors went to work for my brother. My father-in-the-Lord, Rev (Dr) M. A. Adegboye and Minister-in-charge, Christ Apostolic Miracle Centre (CAMC), Lagos 1 Rev Biodun Okunade (JP) and other ministers immediately embarked on praying and fasting as soon as I informed them of the matter. So also did my childhood friend, Pastor Yomi Ogbaro, who is now a regional overseer with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM). The hospital too was praying. Everybody was praying for Rasaq.  I thank you all for your selfless act. And then what I feared most happened. The kidnappers called my parents after talking with me last Thursday. ‘’I have been kidnapped’’, came the whispering voice on phone as I strained my ears to hear the caller well. I knew the caller was my brother; I will recognise that voice anyday, anywhere and at any time. I was in my office with some colleagues discussing his case then. I hushed them to quiet as I attended to the call. I pretended I have not heard about the incident as I asked Rasaq where and when he was kidnapped.

    Before he could respond, his kidnappers took the phone from him. They told me that they have been holding him since Monday night, adding that all they wanted was N10 million. The hospital, they claimed, was ‘’playing games with us’’. I implored  them to reduce the N10 million ransom, but they refused. On Friday morning, the kidnappers called again, asking for the ransom.  That Friday night, the accountant and I virtually spat on each other’s face on phone. I was at my wits’ end.

    On Saturday, my nightmarish five days ended, with calls from the secretary, the accountant and Offia Matthew, another official of the hospital. They broke the news of Rasaq’s release to me around 7. 25 a.m. After I missed his call, the secretary sent me this terse message at 7.36 a.m : ‘’Rasaq is back’’. Was I relieved? I shed tears of joy when I spoke with him on phone few minutes later to confirm his release.

    We are happy over Rasaq’s return and his first act upon his release is worth recalling here as told by the secretary. “From where I sat, I saw an Okada coming towards the hospital with Rasaq on it; I could not believe my eyes until I saw him disembarking. I was getting up to receive him when he breezed past me and went straight to the chapel and I said see Rasaq has become born again’’. Who won’t after such a terrible experience? How will anybody feel being surrounded by four gun wielding men? How will that person feel being bundled into the boot of his own car after being blindfolded with his singlet? They took him to a clearing in a thick forest, where he was ushered in with these words :

    “Doc., welcome to VIP Lodge; we will give you VIP treatment. Just stay there; if you want to piss, piss there, if you want to shit, shit there.” Throughout his stay with them, they gave him only one pure water a day.  His freedom did not come easy; it came by divine intervention. What a terrible experience for a young man just starting out in life.  As he did following his release, we return all the honour and glory of his safe return to God.

  • My grouse about Bayelsa VIP pageant, by contestant

    My grouse about Bayelsa VIP pageant, by contestant

    Miss Bridget Nwachi travelled all the way from Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakiliki to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to partake in the just concluded Miss VIP beauty pageant.

    A student of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nwachi, who hails from Afikpo North Local Government Area, was optimistic that she would clinch the crown.

    She wanted to make Ebonyi, the state she came to represent in the competition proud. But Nwachi was disappointed. The pageant, she said, lacked all the competitive trappings such events was supposed to have.

    In fact, there was no competition and the organisers could not live up to their promises. Nwachi couldn’t even make top ten in the event that was held at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

    Nwachi, a former presenter on Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, after the event located the office of the Niger Delta Report in Yenagoa to narrate her ordeal. Narrating her experience in camp, Nwachi who described herself as a creative, enthusiastic and fun-loving model, said the pageant was a rip-off.

    When asked why she could not make the top 10, she said: “It did not just happen. They gave us a task and I was not able to meet up the task. They asked us, the contestants, to sell tickets and raise N100,000 each.

    “I really believe the selection was just for the ticket money. The first top 10 was selected from the persons who sold the highest tickets. So, it was just the people that realised the highest amount of money that they really chose. That was how they chose the top 10.”

    She disclosed that persons who could not sell the tickets were compelled to look for the money and pay to the organisers. She insisted that the top positions were bought with money and that the crown was given to the highest bidder.

    “I met very nice ladies but some saw me as a threat to them because I got the highest vote on Facebook. They felt l had money to pay for the crown. Some thought l came with N450,000 or N500,000. So, they were just striving harder to meet up.

    “They asked me, I told them I only came with N20,000. But they never believed me because they felt it was all about money. I didn’t really believe in that.

    “I believe l came for competition and to do my best. I believe when you want to crown somebody, it should not be because of money. Let it be for the qualities you saw in that person.

    “I feel sad because l did everything that l was supposed to do, especially at the prejudgment day. I demonstrated that l possessed all the qualities required of a VIP Queen. The only thing l did not do was to buy the crown and that is my offence.

    “I ventured into modeling in 2010 when I registered with an agency in my state. It is called Sodofaces Agency. But they were not really that serious. I just had to leave.

    “I have worked with Green Blaze in my state. I have helped to organize shows like Face of Ebonyi, South-East Super models. Honestly, I have not being involved in any pageantry show.

    “This Miss VIP is just the first pageant show I have ever involved myself in because I needed to get the experience and I got it to fullest. I gave it my best.

    “I am optimistic of getting contracts from here. The next thing I am thinking is either Gulder Ultimate Search or Big Brother Africa. I don’t really like pageantry. I just needed to try this one to get the experience, so that if am asked to host my own, I will know the mistakes.

    “For the Miss VIP, some people were sentimental because of money. My role model is Genevieve Nnaji. We share the same life interest. If only you believe, you can achieve it. No matter the circumstance I find myself. I know I have some qualities that no one else will ever get.”

    Nwachi further called for proper regulation of pageantry shows to avoid using them as opportunities to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

    But Pflamez Entertainment, the firm that organised the show, said Nwachi was complaining because she failed to win the crown. The Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Preye Okorowanta, who spoke to Niger Delta Report, said all the participants were aware of the conditions and acceded to them before the competition.

    He said: “I guess everyone has their own opinion. We made our process clear even before the event. We told them that their fan base would determine their positions in the competition.

    “The VIP thing is like a popularity thing. We couldn’t regulate it by just selling tickets at the gate of the venue. We decided that their chances would depend on the number of tickets they sold.

    “They did that. But probably at the long run, she didn’t make it. She started complaining against the whole process.”

  • VIP complex

    VIP complex

    •From South Africa came the lesson that all animals are equal

    Just what is the big deal about the news that Nigerian dignitaries were forced to queue up to enter the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, to watch the 2013 African Cup of Nations soccer final which Nigeria won against Burkina Faso? The fact is, it is indeed a big deal, especially as it involved two governors and a federal minister, among others.

    According to the report: “Unlike in Nigeria where top executives enjoy preferential treatment, the governors and other officials who were waiting by the side of the gate with the hope of getting access without observing normal protocol, were told to join the queue formed by other ticket holders.” The report said further, “Interestingly, no security officials from Nigeria were present to assist the officials.”

    Perhaps Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi, and Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi, experienced something of a culture shock. They reportedly waited in a queue “for several minutes” at the VIP gate before gaining entry into the stadium. The message was unambiguous: there was no way they would be allowed to jump the queue. They seemed unprepared for the undiscriminating personnel that manned the gate. Could they have expected special recognition? It is significant that the Nigerian dignitaries were not singled out to stand in a line, everyone else did.

    For the Nigerian VIPs, it was definitely a whole new ball game: apart from being subjected to the standard practice of queuing, they were without their usual overzealous protectors who would often go to absurd lengths to clear the path for power. The setting turned out to be a leveller of sorts.

    There is a point to ponder in this happening: back home in Nigeria where high political office holders generally have a superiority complex, it is unlikely that these same officials would have been so demystified. On the contrary, rather than stand in a queue prior to entry, they would have enjoyed special treatment on account of their positions and moved seamlessly into the arena, disregarding any existing queue. Alas, that is how power works in Nigeria.

    However, this egoism of power, which, it must be said, seems to be encouraged by the obsequiousness of the people, is a negative attitude that does the polity no good. When political office holders elevate themselves so high above the people, they tend to live in another faraway world and fail to connect with immediate socio-economic realities. Regrettably, self-centred power continues to be a major obstacle to the country’s development. Arrogant power must be made to understand one essential truth: it exists by the people and for the people, and certainly cannot be higher than the people. That is the beauty of the democratic system, in practical terms. So, the correct thing is that leaders must regard themselves as servants, rather than masters of the people.

    Judging by the report from the stadium, the body language of these Nigerian dignitaries mirrored their subconscious desire for acknowledgment, which did not materialise because the social milieu was quite different. It is hoped that they learnt a lesson in modesty from their experience. The impersonal approach of the gatekeepers as well as the behaviour of other ticket holders who used the VIP gate without attracting undue attention should be food for thought to them.

    Now that they are back home, it would be interesting to see whether the stadium affair, which no doubt provided useful leadership education for our VIP’s, would have any lasting positive impact on their idea of power and how it should be used.

     

  • VIP lessons from South Africa

    VIP lessons from South Africa

    A  very perceptive and politically conscious reporter from this newspaper, Mr Taofeek Babalola, sent a curious despatch from Johannesburg, South Africa on how that southern African country treats its Very Important Personalities (VIPs). (By any standard, a governor in Nigeria is a VIP). That despatch was published in this newspaper’s sister publication, Sporting Life, on Monday, and it reported the movement of at least two governors who attended the final game of the Africa Cup of Nations football fiesta. Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso to lift the trophy after 19 years of waiting. The report mentioned two important points about the Nigerian dignitaries.

    One was that the governors, though regarded as VIPs alright, still had to join the queue at the VIP section in order to gain access to the main bowl of the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The governors, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi of Rivers and Anambra States respectively, had to remain on the queue for several minutes, according to the report. Hear the reporter: “Unlike in Nigeria where top executives enjoy preferential treatment at public events, the governors who were waiting by the side gate with the hope of gaining access without observing normal protocol, were told to join the queue formed by other ticket holders.” Now, it is perhaps possible that the governors were not exactly expecting the sort of preferential treatment they were accustomed to receiving in Nigeria, but the reporter was sensible, seeing the comportment of the governors, not to give them the benefit of the doubt.

    The cheeky reporter also noted that no siren wailed anywhere near the stadium. Everyone, including VIPs, approached the stadium as humans, not demigods. The reporter needn’t remind us about the horrendous wailing of sirens that accompany or herald top Nigerian government officials’ movements, including the minions who wait on them or run errands for them. He needn’t remind us how many people have been elbowed off the road here to their untimely deaths by homicidal protocol drivers and staff, often with no chance of redress. And he needn’t tell us how state officials consumed by an overwhelming and vexatious sense of self-importance regard less privileged Nigerian citizens as subhuman.

    But it was clear the reporter had the good sense and presence of mind to draw a parallel between how South Africans, a fellow African country, regard their important personalities, and how the more obsequious Nigerians esteem their rulers. By sending the report back to his newspaper in Nigeria, the reporter was indirectly asking Nigerian officials to borrow a leaf from South Africa. He should have spared himself. Any cursory reader of Lord Frederick Lugard’s Dual Mandate will understand why asking Nigerian leaders to plant their feet firmly on terra firma is a waste of time. It is in their nature to act haughtily; just as it is also in their nature to denigrate their fellow countrymen. They won’t be fulfilled until they emphasise that class distinction and make it much huger than it really is. And if anyone thinks Nigerians will change, that person must be chasing chimeras. Ask Lugard whose contemptuous 1914 amalgamation exercise Nigerian leaders have unreflectingly begun to celebrate.