#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