2016: HAPPY NEW YEAR.

It is already time to extend New Year greetings to individuals at specific locations on the globe while some of us have to wait for a few more hours to do same. It is assumed that everyone utilizes the same formula of marking time hence the glamour attached to New Year celebrations across the globe marked in several places by elaborate firework displays and parties.

Most people like to be happy; even supposed evil dictators get to have birthday parties organized for either themselves or for family members. Some people like to go over the top to celebrate wedding ceremonies, child birth(s) and even soccer victories. More than a few acknowledge their creator while some just celebrate humanity. The human body gets weary, broken and old; depression and emptiness are sometimes resident in our kind. At times, no amount of motivation can depolarize us from dispirited states but there may just be something however insignificant that will be capable of making someone happy.

I wonder how sensible life would have been if we did not have calendars, time machines and seasons to keep track of existence. Would it have been without chaos? We must understand by now that we are stuck in time and it is irrelevant whether we believe in a deity or not; the time we will have to be humans will end in only a moment. That fact alone should inform humanity that who or what controls life is way beyond human regulation but the practice of many religions have unfortunately served in no small way in encouraging some people to believe otherwise.

Many religions demand that some days and seasons be celebrated; there may be postural specifications, calls and responses as well as dress code requirements. Religion is capable of discrimination as humans who may not meet the physical specifications to carry out these pathways are not in a sense carried along. Religion could become elitist and make people powerless to truly help humanity; a function which the discipline inherent in religion ought to enhance.

Many have walked away from Christianity mainly because of money issues. Money is the main medium of giving offerings in the church and it is not divine wisdom that some individuals have become incredibly wealthy by manipulating church resources for their own advantage. There is really nothing wrong in giving to the church whether in offering or in tithe; what is important to note is that there must be a clear understanding of why money or anything at all is given.

The church is the body of people who believe in and act based on the teachings of Christ. Giving is a culture which existed long before Jesus Christ; giving is essentially part of human nature and it sustains life. Israelites in the Old Testament donated to the construction of a golden calf by Aaron because they had become weary of waiting for Moses’ return (Exodus 32). They gave their precious items albeit for a negative purpose. In Exodus 36, Israelites gave so much to a construction work that they were later instructed to withhold from giving. King Joash in 2 Chronicles 24 ordered a levy to be collected by the priests and it is recorded that the people gave gladly. What is common to all these positive scenarios is that there was accountability especially on the part of the collectors, officials and workers. They were the ones who reported that the people had given enough and the funds were judiciously used.

Is there accountability in our days? How many church leaders will be willing to ask their congregation to halt their giving especially when an urgent need has been met? What will most likely happen in our days is that these men and women will leverage on the generosity of their people and device avenues to further milk them until they are weary. We should give gladly because there is a need; those who labour in the church actively and those sent as missionaries have needs and the church infrastructure also needs maintenance. The poor and needy as well as communities and nations should not be beyond the scope of a church’s resources. Majority of what is done in our days is unfortunately not different from what celebrity life is all about. A church will readily change the interior design of their auditoriums quarterly than help impoverished children obtain sound education.

When the people are made weary; some begin to see the insincerity of their leaders while others just do not have to give anymore. There is a feedback mechanism which ensures that the leaders device newer strategies to continue to psyche their members to give more. Some will give because they believe that God will multiply blessings unto them and only a few will retain the true reason for giving like the widow with her two coins. Once a church establishes a lavish system following a period of boom, it is usually difficult to practice modesty and contentment if income dwindles. All sorts of untoward practices ravage the church which ends up breeding more unbelievers in the long run.

Giving is what some people want to run away from. They want things to be all about them alone and feel that responding to God equates bondage. Everyone who believes in the church ought to give according to their abilities and with the right attitude. If everyone gave, no one would be weary because there would be more than enough. There are blessings that follow giving but that should not be the leading reason why anyone gives. God instructed that we give; responding to that simple instruction is what is important to God. It takes faith to relate with God, to believe His word even when there is seemingly no palpable blessing attached.

Many people will be trooping to various tents, camp grounds and basilicas tonight to herald the New Year; some preachers have advertised their programs as epic in nature and almost a prerequisite to cross over into the New Year. There will be a lot of cajoling tonight to step up your offering but whatever the attempts at manipulation please do willingly give because you are truly grateful and believe that you are only alive because of grace. There are those who do not feel like leaving their enclaves tonight for church because they feel inadequate or do not expect anything but gymnastics; some want to party all night or do so after church. There may just be a life changing word or experience tonight, some people may just meet friends and family members and discover fresh reasons to be thankful.

Gratitude comes naturally to the human being; it is not something to be repressed because one may think no one is deserving of it. Religion may attempt to condemn those who will not make it for one reason or the other to church because of ill health, work, travel or unbelief; what is important right now is that our hearts are first of all thankful for everything good or bad that we have experienced in 2015.  That should be the bedrock of anything we do and give tonight for those who will be in church; we should not think we are entitled to see 2016 because of whatever we do or give. It is not necessarily right or wrong if anyone does not regard today, tomorrow or any day at all specially; what is more important is gratitude and how we spend each day to positively affect lives.

Happy New Year all, I hope we will not be weary of giving and doing good to all and sundry without any prejudice.

On PMB's media chat.

I watched yesterday's chat from start to finish except for a few moments when my son transiently distracted me. I actually didn't know my 4 year old knew the name of the president and he pronounced it quite well. 

President Buhari was brutally honest and even though he tried to avoid speaking extensively on certain critical subjects,  he still made some remarks that reveals his mindset. One of such matters was the Zaria situation.  His comment about running a state within a state shows he will not tolerate any group which doesn't recognise the sovereignty of Nigeria.  Like I have always advocated,  he wants to wait for the outcome of investigations in the matter. 

Many individuals somehow fail to understand that the president isn't running a one man show. I don't know why they think his view on economic matters is not based on any input from the managers of the economy. They may not be accurate but one thing I know is that economists outside of the government will most likely not be agreed on the way out of our economic quagmire. Some individuals went ahead to insult the president during the chat and others deliberately misquoted him in order to rubbish whatever he said.  That's the beauty of democracy I guess. 

I do not claim to be an economist,  that is one area I always ask my brother to break down for me into 'economics for idiots' format. One thing is clear,  the money regularly looted prior to this administration isn't there anymore;  it has become really difficult to send money to the numerous Nigerian students studying overseas and for Nigerian business people to conduct their business even if they only import rubber slippers and plastic. I understand that Nigerians in South Africa experience a lot of difficulties with sending their monies out of South Africa but I do not think South Africans have a problem with that. At times I wonder if there are far more Nigerian students studying abroad than at home to justify the wails about how students abroad will find it difficult to get money at their bases.  This isn't being insensitive to the plight of students who will be genuinely affected; perhaps it will all make sense when one figures that Musiliu Obanikoro who I think is a grandfather is now among the contingent of foreign based students.

We thank God for the anchor of the show yesterday,  he was the one who kept the chat on track and ensured the two hours spent was maximised to attend to as many issues as possible. That lady to the president's left should be sent for a crash course on how to ask questions,  she was the main distraction on the night. 

The issue of Chibok and Boko Haram came up; the president could only admit to our fears that those young ladies may never return whole. It would have been wrong if he said otherwise without any concrete intelligence backing.  I don't think it's an admission of failure or defeat;  I think it's a good dose of reality so that Nigerians can put things in proper perspective. I am particularly more interested in the return of every kidnapped young lady from Boko Haram enclaves including those carted away from their school in Buni Yadi. 

My favorite moment from the chat came when I thought things couldn't get anymore interesting.  President Buhari answered questions on Biafra agitation and bail. His eyes shot up at that moment and I was glad that the general in him is still alive and well. Nnamdi Kanu is in serious trouble and the president didn't joke when he mentioned treasonable felony, how Kanu passed through airport security and immigration without having any of his passports acknowledged is indicative of high level conspiracy and sabotage. 

Nigerians did not vote for a gutless president, it is important that people understand when slightly less ideal methods are employed to detain corrupt and violent elements. Will those advocating for the rule of law to be upheld with respect to the bail requests of those concerned sing the same lyrics if Abubakar Shekau was arrested and granted bail? It's easy to sit outside a government and condemn all their actions pertaining to security and justice;  the seat of the president is hot and the situation one is encountered with determines to what extent the law can be flexed. 

The American CIA is notorious for doing whatever is necessary to extract information from those in custody. They will waterboard any soul as long as their nation's security is concerned and it doesn't matter how humane and oblivious president Obama comes out to present himself to people;  he understands and authorises such interventions even if he may openly condemn them. Obama's 8 years is almost up yet Guatanamo bay remains funded despite his promise promise to shut the place down.  He must have seen reasons why such a facility should be kept open based on the current permutations. If my president tells me he will not interfere with the DSS' detention of Dasuki because he could jump bail,  should I not trust his judgement as long as Dasuki is not subjected to physical torture? A man who indulged in illegally withdrawing foreign currency at will and inappropriate appropriation under a government that boasted about upholding the rule of law should not be allowed to embark on a trip to London to have his gums checked when I can always be invited to help him with such a check up for just a token fee.

President Buhari asked those wailing about being marginalised to explain exactly how they have been marginalised and who has been marginalising them.  I wonder how appointing someone from my hometown as a minister will improve my financial status.  He said that no one should be prevented from obtaining the full details of all assets he declared.  Those who want such document should take the evidence of that to the appropriate agency to get whatever they want;  he's put his integrity on the line for that one. 

The chat could easily have gone on for longer and it definitely was not scripted like what we had in the recent past.  There were silly questions asked as well as difficult ones.  The president did pretty well overall and exhibited the seriousness and decisiveness required to occupy that office. 

Dasuki's corruption trial from all indications will be trumped by the rot in the Oil sector and even in the military.  I thought I heard him say that the military had over 70 separates accounts before the treasury single account was made mandatory. Those who think president Buhari is senile should be advised to think again. Like my friend tweeted yesterday;  PMB  answered 95% of the questions but GMB answered the rest. This is indeed good news and a word is enough for the wise.

In Demand For Justice

There are people who will beat their maids savagely if they lend their madam's property to their next door neighbor. 

There are those who will break a househelp's head if he or she stole their jewelry or funds saved for Christmas celebrations.

There are pastors who will rain fire and brimstone on their members who dare to steal church funds. It does not matter if such are caught or not, the curses will flow.

There are these people of mine who will lynch anyone caught in their neighborhood for stealing clothes, food or goats.

When I was young, it was normal to hear shouts of "olè olè" in my estate and a few times we would climb up the living room window to observe justice. 

I remember tires around the neck of thieves but I never watched anyone set on fire. What I remember was when a fellow rushed to buy a bottle of coca cola for the thief after which he dumped cement into it and gave the captured man to drink or be set ablaze. He sure did drink of the semi solid mix.

I remember thieves dealt with on the spot even when we were in medical school. Months of stored up anger from stolen property was unleashed one day on a thief who dared to steal during the day.

Nigerians are not alien to shouting thief and descending upon them as rage dictates but what is fascinating is that folks who will readily fall into the above categories will in this day and age spill their blood in defence of those who are daily acknowledging their roles in defrauding Nigeria.

They are plenty in real time and on social media who will defend common stealing and say it is not corruption. My people will read the memo from Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to president Jonathan and fail to see how she lent her madam's property to her neighbor who would then return it before madam gets wind. 

Oh she disbursed the money for a good cause; to buy weapons to fight terrorists so it is all well and good. Money not appropriated was signed off just like that and we should take it like that because Sambo Dasuki is Jack Bauer.

This insanity has got to stop; on the part of both leaders and followers. There is a reason why English comprehension is studied in high school. It is done so that the JSS2 student can read the Okonjo memo and identify the loopholes therein so that no one claiming to be Harvard or Oxford trained will be able to bamboozle and hoodwink an entire nation and generations unborn.

We should learn good things from serious nations. I am not even saying coke and cement tonic; we can start by giving the Ehud Olmert treatment to any leader who has compromised this nation for personal gain.

THE AL-ZAKZAKY CONFUSION

The unfortunate event of Saturday 12th December 2015 in Zaria has turned a few people into overnight experts in international diplomacy and religious conflict. Some have used the clash between Nigerian army officers and members of the Islamic movement of Nigeria (IMN) to justify their pre-election fears that President Buhari is an Islamic fundamentalist who is out to make Nigeria a 100% Islamic nation. I wonder how any individual interested in spreading Islam will go all out to crush a sect that canvasses for the establishment of Islam everywhere. The Aljazeera report on Saudi Arabia leading a coalition of Islamic nations against terrorism did not help the president as some wondered when the country was signed up to be part of any Islamic alliance. I really do not know if that has to do with Nigeria being a member of the Organization of Islamic Countries.

The debate has mostly been about whether the Army was right or wrong in dealing severely with the Shi’ite movement in Zaria and how the killing of over 100 people can be justified. What was the source of the casualty figure? I believe that came from a certain Ibrahim Musa who is a spokesperson of the Islamic nation. He seems to have been the one addressing various media outfits especially some based in Iran. His first submission on Sunday was that Sheik Al-Zakzaky’s wife and son were among the dead. Even when the Army came out on Monday to say that Al-Zakzaky and his wife were in protective custody in Kaduna, he insisted on his story. He also mentioned at a point that the dead numbered hundreds to thousands. Al-Zakzaky’s daughter was reported on an Iranian website to have said that her father was fighting for human rights against a government which did as it pleased. She also said they had video evidence and proof of all that happened. Ibrahim Musa also said that Al-Zakzaky was critically ill after being shot with 4 bullets lodged within his body. He said this was the reason why the sect leader could not leave the house even when it was surrounded by soldiers.

Who really is Zakzaky and what exactly happened on Saturday? There was a website created on bregava.tripod.com and most likely run by the Islamic Human rights Commission (IHRC) in probably 1996 or 1997 to create awareness and fight for the freedom of Sheik Mu’allim Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky who had been jailed in September 1996 along with 3 other men. His biography on that site has it that Al-Zakzaky was born in May 1953 and finished from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a first class in Economics in 1979. It is indicated there that he was denied his degree because of his Islamic activity. He must have been radical in his mindset prompting him to proceed on a sojourn to Iran from where he returned with Iranian and Shi’ite ideals.

The IHRC were not silent on reporting alleged losses incurred by Al-Zakzaky’s followers from September 1996 to December 1998 when he was released after the demise of the late military dictator Sani Abacha. Abacha was ruthless in dealing with any perceived or real enemy of his rule. He sacked Ibrahim Dasuki as the Sultan of Sokoto and had a former associate Ken Saro-Wiwa hanged with 8 others because of the Ogoni struggle. Abacha must have feared that Al-Zakzaky and other sect leaders could potentially lead an uprising against him so he had them locked away and Al-Zakzaky was charged for treason and sedition in August 1997. They reported that the police kidnapped certain Shi’ite women and children in February 1998 and also killed protesters in April 1998. They also put up photographs of dead bodies from various clashes at that time. The most recent incidents involving the Zaria Shi’ite community are a suicide bomb attack on a Shi’ite procession on November 27 2015 allegedly carried out by Boko Haram and several people killed in July 2014 by Nigerian soldiers including 3 of Al-Zakzaky’s children. Those who have been quick to label President Buhari as genocidal should also place president Jonathan in that bracket based on their logic.

The Army spokesperson who addressed the press on Al-Zakzaky’s apprehension explained that the initial confrontation between Lieutenant General Buratai’s convoy and agitated Shi’ite members began at about 2:30pm on Saturday. There is an edited video on Youtube on the incident which was most likely captured by someone on the side of the army. The short video began with senior army officers ordering their troops to exercise restraint and not shoot at the human blockade. The officers including one colonel (from what I could see) talked with a few men who stepped forward from the angry mob mostly in Hausa. It was clear they pleaded with the mostly young people to vacate the road and allow the convoy to proceed on their journey. The negotiation did not appear to work as the mob moved even closer to where the officers were and practically engulfed them. The officers kept speaking to them and made frantic phone calls supposedly to Al-Zakzaky but the young men clearly brandished machetes, sticks, clubs and other tools which were not very visible on the screen. They began to chant and scream “Allahu Akbar” and something else I cannot decipher. A few of them had what were probably cameras or video recording devices as if they were there prepared for a rumble to breakout.

There is no footage of when the first bullet was fired but the video continued with the Army convoy proceeding on a road blocked by burning tires. The conversation from the footage at this point suggested that there were in an area called Sabon Gari and one soldier could be heard telling another that their commander had ordered that the bodies of the dead should be carried although someone else may have heard counted, I am not sure. Most of us have seen movies where a standoff is in play between good guys and bad guys or two opposing forces. There usually is no intention to discharge weapons until someone steps on a twig or sneezes and all hell would be let loose. Is there a possibility that something like that forced the soldiers to shoot at the Zakzaky’s men and force their way through or were the soldiers just reckless like their past history suggests? The army spokesperson explained that they had to approach the enclaves of the Shi’ite group because of intelligence report that the sect members were regrouped and poised to wreak havoc. Army sources said they suffered losses and casualties due to the response from the sect members while the IMN spokesperson and Al-Zakzaky claimed that everyone in their Husainiyyala was killed as well as some people found at Al-Zakzaky’s home and other enclaves. 

It is difficult to believe the Army’s narrative on the matter of casualties because they did not provide any figures; some people believe that it was a no-contest from the start. The number of dead reported by most media outfits is supported by an audio recording of Al-Zakzaky‘s telephone conversation with someone widely reported to be an Iranian Official. Sheik Abdullah Husseini according to a Press TV (Iran) interview published on Sunday 13th December 2015 is a lecturer at the Al-Mustafa University in Johannesburg South Africa. From the interview, he was in Iran at the time and informed the interviewer that he had called Al-Zakzaky and had subsequently released the audio recording to certain media outfits for propagation. He told the lady that he heard gunshots during the conversation with Al-Zakzaky but I do not know if it is just my ears but I listened to that recording about three times and did not hear fireworks in the background. He ended the less than three minutes conversation by assuring Al-Zakzaky that he would do all he could to assist and he also said he would inform the office of the leader and one Dr ‘Mustafawi’. I wonder who the leader he referred to is; perhaps the Nigerian leader?

Al-Zakzaky sounded pretty much relaxed during that phone conversation and responded calmly to mostly leading questions from Husseini like “how many people have been killed, you don’t know?” and “so your life is in danger then?” Al-Zakzaky made comments like “we’ve heard the bomb” and “they took the whole house and seized it”. He claimed that he had been boxed in for 11 hours at the time of the call on Sunday with soldiers shooting and killing people and I wonder why it took so long for the soldiers to finally apprehend him on Monday morning. Is his house a fortress or are the Nigerian soldiers so bad that they were unable to overrun unarmed supporters who guarded a peace loving cleric’s house? By the time Premium times reported the story on the 13th of December, Ibrahim Musa claimed he did not know where Al-Zakzaky was holed up but the Iranians knew that he was in his house which was surrounded by soldiers and policemen who spent the entire night shooting. 

The army has voluntarily indicated that they will be open to scrutiny by the National Human Rights Commission and have not been too explicit about the entire situation. Governor El-Rufai was reported to have met with Al-Zakzaky and he alongside other prominent leaders has sued for peace. Iranians are broadcasting the news like it was something which happened in Tehran and some people were reported to have protested outside the Nigerian embassy. The narrative generated by the IMN seems to have wooed a lot of sympathizers to their side but I cannot trust such a plot due to the signs of inconsistency and conspiracy that is apparent to me. The army has a history of steamrolling non-hostile civilian populations before so a thorough investigation into this matter and concrete evidence is the only way this institution can be absolved of blame.

One should wonder why following Al-Zakzaky seems synonymous with death. People have been killed for decades now because of being affiliated with this man. I am not certain he should be regarded as the victim in this case; whether we admit it or not he has to be complicit in how things degenerated on Saturday. I will rather wait for the result of the inquiry into the conflict as demanded by other nations and the presidency before I make any conclusions on the army’s role in escalating things. At the moment, I have not seen any footage that proves the heavy-handedness of the soldiers. Karl Maier’s book “this house has fallen” tells a tale of how injustice and corruption in Nigeria led to the rise of various militant groups some of which have matured to full-blown terrorist networks. It is important that some people try to lay their hands on such books so that they can understand the relationship of Al-Zakzaky and other sect leaders like him to the rise of insurgency in the North. There may not be any concrete evidence of violence carried out by Al-Zakzaky’s followers but there has to be something fundamentally wrong with a sect that has stronger ties with Persia than it has with Nigeria. It is important that the sovereignty of Nigeria is exalted above that of any other nation. These nations should not be permitted to dictate to us how to run our affairs. We should be able to properly investigate this matter and ensure justice is served especially if it is proved that our soldiers erred. At the moment, I chose to stand with the Nigerian Army until evidence dictates that I do otherwise.

Apologies for any bias with respect to Sunni and Shi’ite believers; I do not claim to be an expert on this or on Al-Zakzaky for that matter.

AMBO: The Arrival

I drove past one of the new white salon cars presented to the Lagos state Police command yesterday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode about noon today. The vehicle looked like a 2013 model of the Toyota Corolla and I was briefly alarmed that the governor opted for such relatively high profile vehicles for the use of the Nigerian police.

Ford salon cars

Some irreversible  pessimists have already gone unto social media to ridicule the purchase of “100 4-Door Salon Cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups, 15 BMW Power Bikes, 100 Power Bikes, Isuzu Trucks, three (3) Helicopters, two(2) Gun Boats and 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers”. Some have described this as a waste of resources and misplaced priorities especially when viewed in the context of the “broke” status of the country. N4.765bn is the quoted figure spent to acquire these resources which also include Revolving Lights, Siren and Public Address System, Vehicular Radio Communicators, drones; Security Gadgets such as Bullet Proof Vests, Helmets, Handcuffs, Uniforms, Kits, riot shields. Insurance and Death Benefit Schemes for police officers are also part of the package.

Helicopter 

Why was I alarmed that more recent models of Toyota and Ford cars were given to the police? Very simple, the cars will be driven by male policemen. I can wager that some of those vehicles will end up with broken and bashed components before the weekend is over.  Nigerian Police officers are notorious for ruining vehicles given to them in the past; they are practically devoid of any maintenance culture or sense of responsibility to handle police property with care. One may ask why this is so; I think the simplest answer to that is the fact that we run a centralized police structure in Nigeria. The fellow who drove a police Hilux van recklessly in Lagos yesterday could be redeployed to Damaturu tomorrow where he would also recklessly drive into the ground whatever he meets there. It is the same way some policemen who have shot civilians get posted away from the location of their crime to escape the scrutiny of the law.

 

Gunboat

I was almost overrun by a police pickup truck a few months ago on Bode-Thomas Street in Lagos on my way to church. The object of the truck’s pursuit was a fleeing “Danfo” bus; both vehicles encroached on the walkway to evade opposing vehicles and I wondered what crime the bus driver committed to warrant such high speed chase. I have also seen a police vehicle rammed into a wall on Eric Moore road like it was driven by a drunken driver. It will take enormous work to replace the mentality of the average Nigerian police officer to begin to do things right and with dignity.

What Lagos state has done is what should be replicated all across the country. The emergence of Major General Aguyi Ironsi as the supreme commander of the military and Nigeria in January 1966 led to the abolishment of the 3 Regional governments that existed at that time. The country was further dismembered into states over the next 30 years many of which are unable to do just what Lagos did yesterday as they only function to disburse salaries to ghost and palpable workers alike. It may be important for some states or geographical regions to pool their resources together to equip a state or regional police force which will be well suited to handling their peculiar security issues. I do not think it is wisdom to continue with the method of deploying and redeploying officers to police states and zones where their loyalty to the people cannot be guaranteed. What we have are mercenaries who will be ready tools in the hands of a few influential and mighty because they know they could be easily moved on to greener pasture when their deed is done and tenure is over. We can learn a few things from even “area boys” with respect to security. They are able to organize themselves and provide security if a good tip is provided and a small dose of respect in employed when addressing them. One can imagine what we could have made of these ones if the rot in the educational sector a few decades ago did not happen. Locals should be policing their communities; religious organizations know this and do not fail to invite the so-called area boys to security meetings when they have events to organize.

The police is an industry in my opinion; a massive institution to create jobs and reduce unemployment. We encounter private security outfits at events all over the country and many of the young men involved are well built and definitely able to cope with police duties if they had been wooed. These new cars will definitely get bashed and would need regular repairs and maintenance; it is not spirits who will do this job. The country can boast of many expert motorcycle riders who can rival the likes of Valentino Rossi and Marquez of this world. These young people know every nook and cranny of Lagos state and beyond like the back of their hands; one can just imagine how effective they could be if deployed as patrol officers with the police. One wonders what the young Nigerian minds could do with drone technology in this day and age.  Danfo drivers are not alien to high speed chases; they could easily serve as drivers for the police if properly trained. Many Nigerian youths have been classified as untrainable and lost to the vices of society but these ones still serve as mentors to children who have no other options for role models or parents. The system can be structured to harness these ones including those deemed lost and plough them into training program that can turn them into responsible human beings and police officers. Policemen need uniforms, food, stationery, groceries etc. like every other citizen; it is high time we stopped allowing them to be treated like errand boys wearing khaki shorts during the colonial era.

I strongly believe in a decentralized police force so that internal security duties can be structured based on the peculiarities of different regions and zones. State governments will be able to plan appropriately instead of having the uncertainties of deployments from Abuja scuttle their efforts and set them back a few years. The Lagos government has made a very brilliant move; good money has been spent for a worthy cause. The other state governments have to also spend money for the sake of security and to get the economy of their states going. They should not expect the government at the center to stimulate them to work; very little will get done that way. There is so much that can be done with agriculture in the entire North central region of the country from Kwara through Nassarawa to Taraba. The potential which is inherent in the entire landmasses of the North West and North East is enormous. Hiking, mountain climbing and safaris are activities capable of attracting tourists to our nation.

The police should be directed on the path of professionalism. They could have facilitators amongst them who would help in training security teams of corporations and other institutions. They could also be involved in touring secondary schools to educate students on issues pertaining to law and order; catching them young. The restoration of the respect and dignity of the force should be top of Lt. Gen. Dambazau’s agenda as Minister of Interior. If internal security is resolved and well managed, the chances of insurgent and militant groups festering would be greatly reduced. Joining the police should not be regarded as a duty for society’s misfits; the very best amongst us should be shouldered with the responsibility of ensuring we are secure within our borders.

Governor Ambode has done well; those who were lampooning him for the water shortages and acute traffic jams are now singing his praises and celebrating his vision. I think the people should exercise a little more restraint when criticizing; it is important we observe situations critically and follow whatever information is released. We should utilize confirmed press releases and speeches made by our political leaders to keep them in check and demand for performance instead of just getting easily swayed by emotion and sometimes the evil contraptions of those who are still dressing the wounds of the last administration. I do not know if Governor Ambode’s calculation of what was spent is accurate but that is not my worry. I am glad someone had the capacity to invest in something which should affect the entire populace positively; that should be commended and used as a springboard to demand even more performance.

The United Kingdom Police utilizes diesel powered cars as patrol, Response, Area and Traffic vehicles. These vehicles are fuel efficient and they also use other specifications of cars depending on the function to be carried out. Such should be the yardstick with which our governments should measure themselves to ensure wastages are halted and tax payers’ money efficiently utilized.

I guess Governor Ambode has finally arrived from wherever he was coming from.

Ambode bamboozles Dambazau and Arase...??

However the only thing not commissioned by the Governor was ........

GAME ON!!!

Before the APC elected president Buhari as the party's flag bearer in 2014, many Nigerians screamed that he was an old option and that the party needed relatively fresh men like Raji Fashola to run for the highest office in the land.  The funny bit of all this is that even some Jonathan apologist suggested that they could have considered thinking of backing the APC if a certain BRF was the point man. A few others simply turned their backs on Buhari because they paid full attention to Nnamdi Kanu, some clergy and PDP politicians who played the ethno-religious card. 

Fast forward to almost 12 months later,  Raji Fashola is now the minister of Power, Works and Housing and some people are already speculating that this role is going to paralyse his shoulders.  Is this not the same man who many wished that he became president or vice president at least?  What better opportunity is there for him to audition for the office of president of the federation? He has a ministry formed from the fusion of two ministries from previous administrations which includes one chronically ill one. 

My colleague asked me this morning about my impressions of yesterday's inauguration. I told him the list was perfect but he cautioned me that nothing was perfect and I agreed wholeheartedly with that.  I was surprised at some of the appointments but some I accurately predicted (at least to myself). Finance,  foreign affairs and internal affairs were some I couldn't have predicted correctly.  Health was the perfect choice while Amaechi and Fashola must be ready with their umbrellas and sun screen creams as they will be working more often than not outdoors.  

Overall I am satisfied and optimistic that we are in for a swell ride to 2019 and beyond.  There are many professors mismanaging hospitals,  higher institutions and other agencies;  junior or Senior minister all they are required to do is shelve their egos and do their jobs. The president is indeed a very funny individual;  he definitely shattered ribs when he announced himself as the substantive minister of petroleum resources and when he added "her excellency " when he called Mama Taraba. Those who are quick to say that he can't handle a portfolio should know that the prime minister of Canada who they readily reference has another portfolio which he directs. 

As for me,  I am looking for recommendations and connections to gain access into the ministry of environment.  I have realised that I may have a calling in issues that pertain to the Eco system and some of the things the United nations is always talking about.  I have no doubt that the atmosphere in that ministry would be perfect for me to work;  I will no doubt be loyal and respond perfectly to instructions issued by the new minister there.

DIRECTOR AND TERRORIST

I remember the first day I came across a Youtube video of a certain Nnamdi Kanu sometime last year and just before the march towards the 2015 elections gathered momentum. I in fact watched two videos, the first an interview by Rudolf Okonkwo and the second interview done by two individuals.

A certain Terry Paulson from the second interview is supposed to be an American psychologist who finished from a theological seminary. The elderly man must have been overly awed by the mixture of jargon and fiction which Nnamdi Kanu spewed from his jaws; he seemed to believe the story about the Igbo race being Zion and that the Muslim North of Nigeria was poised to annihilate the Lord’s chosen tribe in poor Nigeria.

Nnamdi Kanu from both interviews (and from just about every broadcast he has made since then) thrash-talked Nigeria and called the nation diverse derogatory names; he also did not hold back from lampooning Igbo leaders and the governors at that time for several offences he judged and sentenced them for. The man’s red blood cells are coated with lies and one wonders how such an individual can enjoy such followership and be allowed to roam across oceans cap in hand and spreading his hepatitis. He has completely turned history on its head and calls God in the same sentence as AK47s.

My first real exposure to literature containing images of the Biafran civil war was in the 1990s as a secondary school student. We learnt about “Panku” in social studies but there was not one mention of Ojukwu. Children grew up knowing who was good or bad mainly from whatever their parents told them; it was not difficult therefore to know getting married to someone from one region or another was not a topic for discussion.

The history of Nigeria has been regrettably mutilated by opportunists like Nnamdi Kanu and just about everyone else who pushes for ethnic or religious supremacy. Nnamdi has told “mugus” like Paulson that his people who dominate key markets in Nigeria live in cages from where they are periodically slaughtered. He made so much noise in 2014 when Goodluck Jonathan was still the president vowing to liberate his people or die trying. His mode now is to equate President Buhari to Boko Haram and seek for endorsement with hardware support from successful Igbo people in diaspora. He was at the Igbo World Congress a few weeks ago where he continued his rants and openly demanded for weaponry. He said such comedic statements about triangles, the blood moon and how the whole of Europe was awaiting the end of the world which would be heralded by the rise of Biafra.

Who even listens to and claps for such demented talk? I truly blame those who must have paid his airfare to California just to massage their ego and fulfil their dreams. He duly got very sensible responses from some of those in attendance and they clearly did not seem interested in kamikazes and Chuck Norris stunts in 2015. It is indeed tragic that supposedly educated individuals would justify this kind of agitation under the guise of supporting the right of the Igbos to self-determination. How can any sane individual justify religious supremacy and violence in 2015 because of events that happened about 50 years ago?

It is important that we get our history right and not deliberately complicate it to deride any ethnic group or to misinform those who do not know. The summary of the 1967-1970 civil war is that it was avoidable and both parties were at fault for exacerbating an already tense atmosphere following the coups and pogroms of 1966; yes those things happened and should not be denied. Nigeria has failed every tribe within her boundary and beyond; blaming one another for our “royal rumble” is counterproductive.

I have already written before on how and why Biafra is a myth and will not happen. Igbos in Kaduna, Langtang, Ekiti, Gombe, Akwanga and across international borders and oceans were not forcefully taken to these places with hands and feet shackled. Many of these individuals are technically not Biafrans but Nigerians, Canadians, Europeans or Asians.  The others patrolling Nigerian embassies across the globe have opted to dwell in the past taking their children along with them.

Scotland had very legitimate reasons to pull out of Great Britain and the move definitely moved Prime Minister Cameron to deliver an emotional address to encourage Scotland to remain in the union. There was a referendum late last year and the move to pull out was defeated. Scots are spread across the Great Britain and Europe but those who were allowed to vote were only those citizens resident in Scotland. There was no room for those outside to sway the votes since they were already established where they were. A successful breakout from the union would have meant that Scotland had to start afresh and their kin losing access to the privileges they had in common with the remainder GB states. It would have been very rough economically and the people chose common sense instead of allowing those killed in conflicts with England centuries before to determine their fate.

I have told the story before of a Biafran war veteran turned university lecturer whom I met on a short bumpy flight from Jos to Kaduna in July. We discussed throughout the journey and he told me of the many young and brilliant men like himself at the start of that war lost before their prime. He told me of his lost and unpublished memoirs which he compiled when he was at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He had wanted to write an account of the civil war from the perspective of a non-officer which would have been indeed different from the valor and grandeur delivered in the published records of other principal actors and Biafran officers. His parting shot to me was that those agitating for violence now have no clue about what kind of volcano they are playing with. He definitely did not endorse any such rancor but it did not mean that he did not wish for complete liberation for his people. He did not fail to mention to me that his best friend was a Yoruba man.

I must commend every life-loving and sane individual who has condemned the threats and insults from Kanu and his acolytes (those who endorse Kanu cut across tribes). Those who are bloodthirsty must be cautioned by their leaders and parents. Enyimba of Aba played a game against Warri Wolves at the Aba township stadium over the weekend. That game was watched by a capacity crowd; this tells me that the people of that region do in fact care about the simple things of life. Such things are what should be promoted as well as good governance; providing the essentials of life for all and sundry. The incumbent government should not be seen as the enemy but should be given sufficient time to chart a course for the nation’s restoration while the citizenry advise and monitor the leaders to fully carry out their service to the people.

Biafra was meant to be a breakaway of the Old Eastern region in 1967; that arrangement collapsed as early as 1968 and what was left defended Uli until Philip Efiong announced that Biafra ceased to exist in January 1970. Some present day South-South indigenes are fighting for a separate nation which they call Lower Niger; the confusion which opportunists are causing in Nigeria will only be settled if every tribe put their hands to the pump. The religious leaders in the Southeast need to also help in correcting the obviously detrimental gospel of supremacy being dished out in that part of the country.

#BORNO: TO REBUILD OR NOT.

I listened in to a radio show on Monday morning and the topic of discussion was the planned move by the Governor of Borno state to commence rebuilding of destroyed structures in the state. Majority of those who called in lambasted the governor for attempting to waste money when the war on insurgency was not yet won in the Northeast. Some advised that the internally displaced people’s camps should be upgraded and the people kept there for as long as it took. They further emphasized on the need to change the ideology of the Northeastern people which aided the development of insurgency.

It would have sounded to any naïve listener that the callers truly cared about the situation in the Northeast and in Borno in particular. They obviously based their judgements on sentiments and insufficient information about the true situation of the military onslaught there. I do not claim to have first-hand knowledge of what is on ground in Borno state at the moment but news report of recurrent attacks on citizens there by terrorists suggest to me that some inhabitants still consider their home state relatively safe to dwell. I saw pictures from a colleague who works in Maiduguri a few days ago and it tells me there is yet still life in that great state.

Should rebuilding then be withheld from Borno? Let us assume armed robbers attacked a house and damaged the roof, doors and windows rendering the building inhabitable and the occupants terrified that the robbers could yet return. If the owner of the house then moved his family to a tent away from the house and exposed to the elements and wildlife; would it be wisdom for such a fellow to keep him family in the tent even though he has the funds and manpower to replace the damaged components of his house? Would it be wise if he delayed rebuilding because of the fear that the robbers would stage a reprisal attack?

They talked about the change of ideology; can any ideology really be changed when adults and children remain confined in strange lands living like refugees? Is Boko Haram entirely the result of illiteracy? Mutallab was definitely not an illiterate when he got new underwear and I do not believe that the Islamic State currently plaguing the Middle East was nurtured by illiteracy. It is easier to blame a people for the failure of their government to educate and protect them. There is a problem on ground at the moment which needs solutions not supremacist lectures and patronizing remarks. Iraq and Afghanistan still experience sporadic cases of terrorist attacks but it does not stop commercial activities and rebuilding operation from going on.The other causes of insurgency need to be accurately and urgently identified in order to effect a comprehensive solution to the crisis.

The people of Borno need their lives and homes back. They need support and rebuilding and not suggestions of how to build more canopies and latrines in the IDP camps where they could remain perpertually. As long as security is optimal then I believe the rebuilding can commence; the rains will soon come to an end and then the tanks will level the terrorist enclaves wherever they have taken refuge in the Sambissa forest or its environs.

These are my views and they are not cast in gold.

kashim Shettima. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/

INTERVENTION

Many Nigerians like citizens from most African and some Asian nations are characterized by a somewhat strict and toughened approach to life reinforced by culture and religion as the case may be. Unlike what is obtainable in developed climes where far more liberalization exists; it is more likely that issues regarding mental health, marital storms and social injustice will be guarded and handled with unnecessary bravado on the African continent.

Shameless displays of corruption like what has plagued the Nigerian nation since the turn of Independence in 1960 may not be inseparable from an underlying mental disorder just as a cheating or violent spouse cannot simply be blamed on the ever increasing stress living in Nigeria generates. The truth is that a significant proportion of Nigerians exhibit symptoms of mental instability and more than a few can testify to have barely survived breaching that irreversibility threshold; “the díè ló kù moment”. It is only those that have reached beyond who are exposed to public ridicule for conditions they received little or no help to avert or control.

There are several theories which have been postulated to explain how some cancers progress at various sites and at different rates in the same individual. There may be an existing and underlying genetic predisposition or damage which only needs a favorable trigger to initiate or facilitate cancer. The stress of living in Nigeria daily, the economic uncertainty and the sporadic manifestations of insecurity are sufficient stimuli which have pushed many Nigerians over the edge in recent times. Ritual killings, kidnappings, Hollywood-themed robberies, homicide involving even spouses, employers getting killed by employees, rape and looting of the nation’s commonwealth are just a few manifestations of what human beings in Nigeria have done to other humans that are too difficult to comprehend or justify.

We generally take pride in ourselves that Africans are tough and immune to measures such as suicide. We say that Nigerians are the happiest people in the world and many in a way believe that none amongst us is susceptible to depression especially when all the harsh conditions Nigerians face daily are considered. The harsh reality however is that we all know immediate and extended family members;  friends, neighbors and even celebrities who have or are currently suffering from the effects of mental conditions and/ or associated medical conditions.

We may blame poverty and corruption as triggers in Nigeria and some parts of Africa; in other climes the triggers could be substance abuse, uncontrolled use of medications, socio-political supremacy or even religious fundamentalism. This is not to say that these arguably less common triggers cannot be associated with Nigerians. Many individuals are not sleeping well enough; some require a daily dose of stimulants to function daily and cocktails to sleep at night. These may be pointers to serious conditions we all need to be aware of.

Some people who claim they are guided by religious/ spiritual injunctions live their lives full of anger and aggression towards other humans. A few others do not believe in any kind of deity but are also devoid of common sense and equally as aggressive as those who are overly religious. Everyone ends up being blind at the end of the day because the portion of our senses and hearts that enables humanity is fried like the hard drive of a computer. Being intolerant of others, constant irritability, immunity to criticism and various grades of anger may just be cardinal signs for abnormal mental states we all need saving from.

Flight 4U9525 on a scheduled flight from Barcelona to Düsseldorf crashed in the French Alps on Tuesday March 24^th 2015 which claimed the lives of all 150 passengers and crew onboard. The Germanwings Airbus A320 aircraft was reported to have been deliberately sent on an ill-fated dive by the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz who was 27years old at the time. Andreas who locked out the pilot from the cockpit was said to have had a history of depression in 2009 while training to be a commercial pilot. He obtained his flying license thereafter but was required to undertake regular medical checks. It appears there must have been another condition that manifested prior to the crash which was not disclosed to any of the regulatory bodies. It is difficult to understand what prompted the son of a successful business executive to plunge 149 other people to their premature deaths. His main ambition in life was said to have been flying and the former cabin attendant definitely achieved that but left his family members and friend heartbroken by his action.

What led to Andreas Lubitz’s decision to take his life? What agitated Oscar Pristorius enough to take his gun and fire through a closed door thereby killing his girlfriend simply because he thought there was a burglar in his house? It is easy to stand afar off and mock the weaknesses of these individuals; even spouses who indulge in battering their companions would mock a woman who endured an abusive relationship till the abuse consumed her life. What prompts gun wielding boys and men to buy glocks and semi-automatics to cut short the life of school children, worshippers and fun seekers? Is it the same motivation that convinced Mutallab the underwear bomber to embark on what he thought was a just mission? Is it the devil to blame for uninhibited bullying, endemic kleptocracy or the abundant supply of over-the-counter weapons available in some climes? The devil sure has a part to play but so do schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and other types of mental disorders.

There is a lot of stigmatization in this part of the world as well as premature condemnation even before cases are heard. Many find it difficult to spot inconsistencies and outright falsifications; they are easily prone to manipulation by both the mainstream and social media platforms when controversial stories are carried. The recent story about the death (alleged suicide) of a consultant pediatric surgeon is one that has been subject to a lot of conjectures and innuendos by those who have heard the story. Some of the tabloids that published the story hastily used inappropriate terminologies like “cut in bone” and did not realise that they needed to be specific about pediatrics or pediatric surgery which are different specialties in medical practice. A few commentators tried to plot a conspiracy graph to predict a cover-up based on the fact that the husband of the deceased is a Consultant Clinical-pathologist and the general pathology team of the hospital where the deceased was brought would be carrying out the coroner’s autopsy. They failed to understand at the time that these two specialties are in some ways affiliated but with different job descriptions. It still baffles me that a journalist could find it difficult to differentiate between the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

It was not my duty to perform the autopsy but even if it was, I would definitely not be leaking information to feed the tabloids. There are ethics of the profession and observers should understand these limitations instead of alleging cover-ups and propagating unsubstantiated information. There is a role police investigators and prosecutors are expected to play and a case like this fits the profile. There are no post-mortem investigations that could substitute for a detailed “crime-scene” examination. It is the result of this that would be augmented by autopsy reports to prepare a case against any suspect.

Based on the information regarding a suspected suicide, some people have questioned why anyone with suicidal tendencies could have been licensed to manage children and be a surgeon at the same time. This is part of the stigmatization referred to earlier. If we all went about with diagnostic goggles, we would detect varying degrees of cerebral inadequacies which would disqualify most from their day to day jobs and vocations. We would have to remand just about every motorcycle rider and bus driver in Lagos for endangering the lives of other motorists and also fire half of our police force. There are definitely doctors, soldiers, civil servants, top private sector executives, sports men amongst others who battle daily to maintain status quo and hunting them down like many of us do covertly will only lead to something worse than a nuclear plant explosion. We all seriously need to calm down and start providing support for those struggling and others who have suffered the direct effects of lost battles.

“We are a country” with battered citizens in need of emergency support by the elected government. The stress levels in our land have to be urgently crashed in just about every sector and support services for the genuinely frail amongst us have to be at the top of our scale of preference. I spoke with an extremely talented post-secondary student a few days ago and he told me about his desire to offer a combined music and fine arts course. I doubt if such flexibility exists within our educational sector; this young man may end up getting admitted for a degree he would not like because of the rigidity. Students in higher institutions are terrified by their lecturers and some have been subjected to severe abuse and victimization especially in medical schools. These issues need to be changed urgently otherwise the system would only be breeding timid graduates who will end up continuing the cycle of abuse and intimidation with time like the child of an abusive union who ends up abusing his own spouse. Those who make it out of this warped system unscathed would most likely end up falling in love with other nations.

The late General Joe Garba in his book “Diplomatic Soldiering” highlighted several instances in the 1970s when Nigeria “wasted” resources in aid of other countries most notably Grenada and Angola and reaping absolutely nothing in return; not even respect or gratitude. We also sacrificed a lot to ensure peace in the West African sub region and also in other trouble spots across the continent. I doubt if Nigeria has sacrificed as much for her own citizens and children. Injustice and corruption has left the people impoverished and emaciated; those who have claimed leadership titles have fed fat while the people starved. That is one level of insanity; another level is when those who have been trampled upon celebrate their task masters or shield them when justice and judgement beckon.

Nigerians need to love their country all over again, we carry her green passport and we should be proud of that. I chatted with a complete stranger recently whose only relationship with Nigeria is a few years spent in the country when she was younger. Her father was Ghanaian and worked in Nigeria at that time. The years she spent were at a Federal Government Secondary school boarding house and she still cherishes those memories. Nigeria needs loving again; let us not deny her this opportunity.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE JUICE.

There were many reports last week about a leaked list of ministerial nominees and yesterday's grand unveiling by Senator Saraki proved some of those snitches to be accurate or near accurate. 21 names were read out and I must state that many of Buhari supporters were disappointed for various reasons while a few others perhaps felt they needed to take a position regarding their satisfaction or otherwise. The third group includes those totally sympathetic to the last failed administration. They did not quite know if they should have attacked the characters on the list or the delay; so many of them eventually resorted to insult and mock the president.

There are many foci of dissatisfaction which range from the presence of former governors to “recycled” politicians like Audu Ogbeh and then to the ages and genders of those nominated. I truly wonder why people were upset that the likes of Raji Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Chris Ngige and Kayode Fayemi were on the list considering all they did when it did not look like the All Progressives Congress (APC) was going to outlive Doyin Okupe’s prediction. More perplexing for some was the presence of Lai Mohammed who was and has been accused severally of being a more toxic propaganda machine than the amalgamation of Doyin Okupe, Olisa Metuh and Femi Fani-Kayode who at one time categorically said in an interview that Boko Haram was the militant wing of the APC (which he was once a member of).

Many unknown and unheralded people went out of their way into the trenches and door to door to convince Nigerians to look beyond sentiments and embrace the concept of a new Nigeria led by the septuagenarian Buhari. Many others did their thing as cyberspace “voltrons” defending and recommending Buhari but when it comes to choosing ministers; one needs to understand the rationale for these politicians who did their part to ensure victory. Lai Mohammed on his own part had to periodically stare down President Jonathan’s spokesmen and Marylyn Ogar; I think nominating him for a ministerial slot goes far beyond rewarding him for talking. Our politics and constitution further serves to complicate the “small” matter of ministerial nominations.

That ideal fast paced option for presidency was never on the table prior to the elections. We needed someone who would steady the ship and put a stop to the insanity which government had become under PDP. There is a need to terminate the celebrity mentality of our public office holders and I believe that foundation is already laid and will become more apparent in time. Those diehard sympathizers in favor of President Jonathan should be well informed that open criticism shot at the current President does not vindicate their mentor and/ or benefactor.

The skewed focus on Ogbonnaya Onuh, Audu Ogbeh and the former governors has only served to distract from the other names on the preliminary list. I wonder if the Nigerian media outlets have taken the pains to profile everyone on the list so that the people can know more about their qualifications and antecedents. However, most of the reports have been mainly about their states of origin. We have to conduct our own research on these individuals to know which one is 45year old and loaded with degrees or the one who was the site engineer when an embassy was built in Niamey. I do think the discussion about this list ought to be beyond how old Fayemi is and why there are only 3 females on the list of the first 21 nominations. Jose Mourinho is a successful manager at 52 but he is still quite young for a football manager compared to some very active ones who are 65 years or older.

I am not interested in discussing why 30 or 40 year olds are not on the list and may not be on the second list. There are more than a few platforms at the local or state government levels for younger people to learn the ropes or perfect their trade. I understand the current Sokoto state governor learnt a few things as a young man from the House of Representatives likewise Bukola Saraki when Obasanjo was president. President Buhari said once that he wanted a corrected political system in Nigeria where godfathers and money bags would not decide who got into public office. This is one demand we should place on the president and ensure we are not just aloof. We have got to carve our own niche and prove to the older generation that we are better and ready but we must be devoid of arrogance and timidity. It is one thing to expect a reward for actively participating in enthroning a government and it is another thing entirely to desire to be a prominent leader whether any past activity on behalf of another gets rewarded or not. What should we want from getting involved in politics? Should be seek a transient reward or a better and prosperous nation irrespective of who presides?

Some People’s Democratic Party members in the senate were quick to mock the absence of “angels” from the list sent to Bukola Saraki. They must have thought barging into the delayed nominations was a means to score cheap political points and regain lost “glory” so they went on and on. I was driving when a report on the Akwa Ibom senator Godswill Akpabio’s comment was aired. He was all about how disappointed he was that four months was not sufficient to have a list of 36 ministerial nominees. He acknowledged that a nominee came from his state but was worried about the other 15 states without any representation. Akpabio went on to ask for the date when the second list would reach the senate; he said he did not want a case whereby a period of 6 months or more would elapse and the 21 nominees would have had all the “juicy” ministerial positions shared amongst them.

It seems that Mr. Akpabio did not get the memo that there would be no more juicy tubers of Diascorrea spp available on the menu like it was under the past administration when males and females alike overdosed on the sweet stuff.  

The Blacklist, the Hit list and #TheList: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIANS.

Many Nigerians have exhausted their lacrimal glands since the Code of Conduct Bureau slammed charges against the incumbent senate president Dr. Bukola Saraki. They are convinced that he has a bounty on his head and a target on his back placed by envious power brokers who are miffed that he emerged as the gavel custodian of the hallowed senate chambers. Some have even suggested that the president and not the All Progressive Congress (APC) is responsible for the unjust witch-hunt that the second term senator has to evade.

Senator Saraki has constantly reiterated that he is under scrutiny solely because he manipulated his way to the senate presidency; he has neither denounced the 13 counts read out to him nor maintained his innocence. His lawyers tried in vain to utilize the courts to prevent his appearance before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and to contest the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear such charges. His supporters have recently organized solidarity rallies and those in the senate have passed a vote of confidence. The House of Representatives only today mandated their Speaker to unfailingly take a position and visit the president in order to find a “political solution” to the impasse and preserve the integrity of the legislative arm of government. What political solution? Is he guilty as charged?

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, docked at Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO. tribuneonlineng.com

The 13 counts read out loud to Bukola Saraki range from anticipatory asset declaration to undeclared and chronically undeclared assets acquired since 2003 when he first assumed the governorship of Kwara state. Also listed were an undeclared bank loan and foreign exchange transactions from his domiciliary account with the Guaranty Trust Bank to an account in the United States allegedly belonging to him. The listed Ikoyi and Maitama properties as well as the bank transfers must be worth a few billions of naira and one of the counts against Saraki indicated that the property in that case could not have been attributable to his income or to any gifts or loans. These incredible charges if proven to be true cannot be simply wished away or overruled by a national vote of overconfidence.

It appears there is trepidation within the camp of the senate president and his supporters. They appear subdued probably made more apparent by the reported pelting of Saraki in Ilorin during the Eid prayers there. They seem to have altered their strategy and are now utilizing public sentiments and higher powers to prevail on the President to abort the witch-hunt. President Buhari granted a brief interview to Sahara TV yesterday; the Saraki support group is well advised to grab an electronic device to watch the president’s comment on the case which is in court and the folly that would emanate from interfering with the constitution and the judiciary.

If Saraki is dislodged from the high horse that is the senate presidency, then a cascade of events could ensue. The seemingly apprehensive politicians must be oppressed by the possible existence of a hit list which contains the names of noise makers and all those who will end up being indicted in electoral and economic scandals. A particular fellow flaunted his house and “autobots” prior to May 29; I think he is now sweating profusely from the knowledge of what might soon be. There was a rowdy session in the senate yesterday because a senator tried to confront Saraki with a point of order following the vote of confidence. He was however overruled by the gavel banger as out of order and told to “shut up” by a fellow senator after which hell’s front yard almost broke loose. The aggrieved senator did not fail to voice out his displeasure and accused Saraki of tyranny before storming out. Is there even a blacklist or a hit list? The memories of Umaru Dikko will surely serve to instruct these legislative gladiators to tread cautiously when dealing with the president.

The much awaited list of ministerial nominees has been finally presented to the senate president who is currently in the eye of the storm. I am optimistic that we would have a serious cabinet; sound enough to oversee this season of change. Dr Saraki’s defiance seems related to that exhibited by Sepp Blatter the FIFA president whose immediate lieutenants have all been indicted for corruption. Blatter maintains that he is the good guy but we all see beyond his smokescreen. I am also reminded of the former democrat governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich who was sentenced to a 14years jail term for corruption and trying to use his powers to corruptly fill the senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after he was elected as the American president. He did not think he had done anything wrong and continued to exude confidence until he admitted during a press conference and after his sentencing that he was perhaps not humble enough and may have been too abrasive when he confronted democrats and republicans. The tragic story of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia is instructive. He mismanaged Russia during the First World War and economic crisis followed. His people revolted and were repeatedly crushed by their king. Despite warnings and advices, he followed his own ways until a final revolution forced him to abdicate his throne. His troubles did not end there as Lenin inspired his eventual execution alongside his family.

The political elite should realize that opportunists abound who can easily manipulate uncertain situations to gain advantage even if it means sacrificing a “few” lives. They should not continue to parade themselves as if they are untouchables and above the law. In saner climes, public office holders and executives of large corporations resign when confronted with charges which question their competence and integrity. That is unfortunately not applicable in Nigeria at the moment but the possible outcome of next month’s trial could shake the foundation of Nigeria considerably. It will cease to be business as usual from then on.

The low-key Independence celebration planned for this year is appropriate for the season we have found ourselves in as a nation. It is a period to renew hope that Nigeria will fulfil purpose and be indeed great. There are those who still detest the president for whatever primitive reasons they assume is legitimate. It is time to believe in Nigeria and work even harder to spread the love.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIANS!!!

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!

30-9-2015