SOUTH -SOUTH AIRLINES
At it recent meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the governors of the South-South zone announced their intention to float an airline. According press a statement from the meeting, states in the zone are to “establish a Trans-Regional Flight operation service that would serve exclusively airports within the region.”
Is air transportation one of the urgent problems confronting the people of the South-South? What is the wisdom in establishing an airline when the South- South zone has no good roads leading to the airports in the zone? Will Bayelsa State that currently has no airport construct one so that the state can be on the flight schedule? Will the South-South states assist Bayelsa to construct its own airport or assist Akwa Ibom to complete its airport that has been on going for years now?
Agreed that reliable transportation is one of the problems confronting the zone but may I ask how many indigenes of the South-South can afford, from their own pockets, to pay for flight tickets. Let us be honest, besides some persons enjoying government patronage or making money from the system, how many can willing bring out their personal fund to pay for flight? What business would attract air passengers to the South-South so that the airline can break even? Will the airline operates chartered flights only, if not, will there be enough patronage to sustain it?
What we need in the South-South is good road network, the states within the zone should collaborate to make inter state roads motorable, this will have greater impact on the people and economy of the states. When the roads were good: from Port Harcourt to Calabar used to be a journey of three hours but today because of the poor state of the roads making the journey in four hours is considered a feat. From Benin to Calabar should take about five hours if the roads are good. The needs for good roads are many: we need good roads for transportation of goods and food stuff produced in the area which using aircraft maybe a bit expensive. Roads would be needed for the transportation of materials and equipment for the envisaged industrialization and infrastructural development of the area.
I appreciate the fears of our Excellencies, traveling on land in these days of militancy, kidnapping and gun men attacking convoys of governors and other public office holders is risky. An airline is not a solution to the security problem in the zone. My people have a saying that the fowl that flies the legs still point to the ground, so one can still be attack on his or her way to or from the airport, except the various government houses would have their own airports, and these boys can also boast of anti aircraft guns. Rather the various state governments in the South-South should be committed to fighting crimes and all anti-social behaviours in the area.
If the roads are safe, motorists and passenger traveling from one state to another can stop along the way to buy bush meats, snails, fish, cucumber, oranges, garri, palm oil among other local products and delicacies and these would boost the local economy of the villages along our highways and contribute to checking the rural urban migration as the people are economically engaged. Road transportation is a form of tourism and helps the people to know their environment and appreciate the uniqueness of the various tribes that make up the south-south.
Before now most motorists traveling to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states preferred to go through Ogoni because it was faster than passing through Aba or Ukwa East but because of the activities of armed robbers and other criminal elements the road in now a no go area. But now passing through that route is considered suicidal. Some passengers are willing to forfeit their fares instead of passing through this route. At parks, they must get assurance that a vehicle they are about to board would not pass through Ogoni. At a point travelers going to Ikot Abasi, Eket and other nearby local government areas to Ogoni have to pass through Uyo spending upward of four hours instead of about an hour that they would have spent to get home. That was how dangerous and risky the road was. There is need for the South-South states to introduce inter border patrol to check the activities of hoodlums and to make roads in the zone safe for motorists.
Government, especially in Nigeria, is known not to be good a businessman or investor. This airline would go the way of the defunct Nigeria Airways and other public corporations in the country. Government businesses are known to be the worst managed in this country and what guarantee do we have that this airline would be different. What about the problem of tribalism and ethnic wrangling among the states in terms of employment and even looting the funds of the airline?
How would the floating of an airline impact on the lives of the majority of the South-South people? Instead of embarking on an elitist venture like an airline, the South-South Governors Forum, should like its chairman, Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers state said at the Uyo meeting should embark on robust infrastructural development of the region and other key projects that would be of mutual interest to the people and states of the region.
There is nothing wrong in setting up an inter regional airline but doing that now in the South-South would amount to putting the cart before the horse. Rather the states in the zone should set up a sound economic foundation that ventures like airline would thrive. Apart from a state like Rivers, which is the hub of the oil industry in sub Sahara Africa, and this is responsible for the high air traffic, what is the volume of air traffic in other states of the zone like. How many flights are currently operating in the airports within the zone? Outside public officers, what is the air passenger population in the South-South that can sustain the proposed airline?
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
सिक्यूरिटी एजेंट्स थे थे LAW
SECURITY OFFICERS AND THE LAW
Last week a local government chairman was arrested by Rivers State Governor, Chubike Amaechi, for driving against the flow of traffic. According to reports, the council chairman had some policemen in his entourage and even the driver of the Prado Jeep the council boss was traveling in is said to have been a policeman. Driving against the traffic is a common sight in Port Harcourt and most of the culprits are security personnel escorting one “big man” or some foreign technicians working in one oil servicing company.
Agreed that there are security challenges in Rivers State and other parts of Niger Delta, but do these justified the flagrant violation of traffic laws and other unlawful acts by security agents in the area. During a traffic jam it is common sight to see a bank bullion van, sometimes not carrying cash, driving against the traffic. You see police or military personnel who are not on emergency or even on duty, driving against the flow of traffic, just because they are uniformed men.
Do we have different laws for security men: military and paramilitary and other Nigerians? Is it proper for a security operative that violates a law to arrest a civilian for violating any law for that matter? As I am writing from my office, I can see two policemen on motorcycle without helmets arresting a taxi driver for a traffic offence. I thought the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) told us that with effect from January 1, 2009 it would be an offence for anybody to ride a motor bike or be a passenger on a bike without wearing a helmet. The commission did not tell us that its officers, military men, policemen and other paramilitary are exempted from the law. Do these military and paramilitary men have skulls made of steel that would not be affected in an event of accident? What moral justification does a security man has to arrest a civilian for riding a motor bike without a helmet while his colleague who committed the same offence pleads espirit de corps.
We cannot expect Nigerians to be obedient and law abiding when those who make our laws and those who are charged with the responsibility of enforcing these laws violate same laws with impunity. Any public officer or security agent or agency that breaks the law for whatever reason except for justifiable public interest is not worthy to continue in such office, arrest or prosecute a Nigerian who breaks the law.
Since the law on helmet came into force in January, in Port Harcourt no civilian dare ride a motorbike without a helmet. Many civilians out of fear of being labeled okada riders, there is a ban on commercial motorcycles in the city, have abandoned their bikes at home, sold or sent them to their villages. But on a daily basis you see hundreds of military and paramilitary men, including, FRSC staff, riding bikes without helmets. A week before the South South Economic Summit in Calabar, Cross River State men of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps were reported to have killed an okada rider along Eight Miles area when they tried to stop him for not using helmet. According to sources, from the area the corps pick up van deliberately knocked down the okada rider in a bid to stop him but when they discovered that the impact was severe and the man died on the spot they abandoned him and ran away. Knocking down bike riders, especially okada riders, by men of the Civil Defence is a common practice in Calabar. But in the same city you see officers of the corps, FRSC, military and other paramilitary men riding bikes without helmets. Why should they arrest civilian offenders for the same offence they are guilty of? For a public servant, officer holder or security agent to violate any dot of our laws or constitution is rebellion against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a sin against the Nigerian tax payers from whose pockets these persons salaries and allowances are paid. A servant cannot be greater than his master.
Recently 27 soldiers where sentenced to life imprisonment for daring to protest against the withholding of their legitimate allowances. But the persons who were responsible for the delay thereby provoking the soldiers to react were given light punishment. For God sake, why their salaries and allowances should be delayed or withheld after they have discharged their duties to their fatherland? Who caused the delay that led to their protest? Don’t they have the right to murmur or complain when they have been cheated? Hiding under military laws, rules or regulation to punish a man for agitating for his lawful right is unfair and illegal. Nigeria is a country where if you don’t shout, protest or demonstrate what rightly belong to you will not be given to you, ask the Niger Delta people.
Those jailed soldiers, to me, did not do anything wrong in agitating for allowances because if their allowances were paid as at when due there would have been no need or basis for their protest. Yes, Armed Forces Act may not tolerate protest or agitation of any kind, the Act also should not tolerate corruption in under any guise. Those who withheld the allowances are the real culprits and deserved the life sentences and not mere demotions. Like my colleague would say, salary/allowance delayed is salary/allowance denied. Nobody has informed us whether the jailed soldiers were later paid their delayed allowances. Now that they have been jailed, have the allowances been paid to them? They need the money more now that they are not going to be there for their families. We should not lead Nigerians into the temptation of committing crime because we would not be able to deliver them from the evils that would follow. If somebody is still keeping the soldiers money it should be given to them or their next of kin, and that very soon, without all those bottlenecks. In fact they should be paid with interest, starting from when they where suppose to be paid. You can’t jailed them and still forfeit their money, when the money was not illegally made.
We are told that the law is no respecter of any person or that nobody is above the law. It is not enough to make laws but these laws must be enforced equally on every offender no matter his or her status and position. We cannot re-brand Nigeria when lawmakers, law enforcement agents and other public officers are lawless. Public officers and officials should strive to abide by the laws and constitution of the country. We need discipline and order for this country to make progress as no remarkable growth and development can take place in a lawless society as ours. You cannot expect to have law-abiding citizens when our leaders, lawmakers and security agents do not obey the law.
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Last week a local government chairman was arrested by Rivers State Governor, Chubike Amaechi, for driving against the flow of traffic. According to reports, the council chairman had some policemen in his entourage and even the driver of the Prado Jeep the council boss was traveling in is said to have been a policeman. Driving against the traffic is a common sight in Port Harcourt and most of the culprits are security personnel escorting one “big man” or some foreign technicians working in one oil servicing company.
Agreed that there are security challenges in Rivers State and other parts of Niger Delta, but do these justified the flagrant violation of traffic laws and other unlawful acts by security agents in the area. During a traffic jam it is common sight to see a bank bullion van, sometimes not carrying cash, driving against the traffic. You see police or military personnel who are not on emergency or even on duty, driving against the flow of traffic, just because they are uniformed men.
Do we have different laws for security men: military and paramilitary and other Nigerians? Is it proper for a security operative that violates a law to arrest a civilian for violating any law for that matter? As I am writing from my office, I can see two policemen on motorcycle without helmets arresting a taxi driver for a traffic offence. I thought the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) told us that with effect from January 1, 2009 it would be an offence for anybody to ride a motor bike or be a passenger on a bike without wearing a helmet. The commission did not tell us that its officers, military men, policemen and other paramilitary are exempted from the law. Do these military and paramilitary men have skulls made of steel that would not be affected in an event of accident? What moral justification does a security man has to arrest a civilian for riding a motor bike without a helmet while his colleague who committed the same offence pleads espirit de corps.
We cannot expect Nigerians to be obedient and law abiding when those who make our laws and those who are charged with the responsibility of enforcing these laws violate same laws with impunity. Any public officer or security agent or agency that breaks the law for whatever reason except for justifiable public interest is not worthy to continue in such office, arrest or prosecute a Nigerian who breaks the law.
Since the law on helmet came into force in January, in Port Harcourt no civilian dare ride a motorbike without a helmet. Many civilians out of fear of being labeled okada riders, there is a ban on commercial motorcycles in the city, have abandoned their bikes at home, sold or sent them to their villages. But on a daily basis you see hundreds of military and paramilitary men, including, FRSC staff, riding bikes without helmets. A week before the South South Economic Summit in Calabar, Cross River State men of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps were reported to have killed an okada rider along Eight Miles area when they tried to stop him for not using helmet. According to sources, from the area the corps pick up van deliberately knocked down the okada rider in a bid to stop him but when they discovered that the impact was severe and the man died on the spot they abandoned him and ran away. Knocking down bike riders, especially okada riders, by men of the Civil Defence is a common practice in Calabar. But in the same city you see officers of the corps, FRSC, military and other paramilitary men riding bikes without helmets. Why should they arrest civilian offenders for the same offence they are guilty of? For a public servant, officer holder or security agent to violate any dot of our laws or constitution is rebellion against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a sin against the Nigerian tax payers from whose pockets these persons salaries and allowances are paid. A servant cannot be greater than his master.
Recently 27 soldiers where sentenced to life imprisonment for daring to protest against the withholding of their legitimate allowances. But the persons who were responsible for the delay thereby provoking the soldiers to react were given light punishment. For God sake, why their salaries and allowances should be delayed or withheld after they have discharged their duties to their fatherland? Who caused the delay that led to their protest? Don’t they have the right to murmur or complain when they have been cheated? Hiding under military laws, rules or regulation to punish a man for agitating for his lawful right is unfair and illegal. Nigeria is a country where if you don’t shout, protest or demonstrate what rightly belong to you will not be given to you, ask the Niger Delta people.
Those jailed soldiers, to me, did not do anything wrong in agitating for allowances because if their allowances were paid as at when due there would have been no need or basis for their protest. Yes, Armed Forces Act may not tolerate protest or agitation of any kind, the Act also should not tolerate corruption in under any guise. Those who withheld the allowances are the real culprits and deserved the life sentences and not mere demotions. Like my colleague would say, salary/allowance delayed is salary/allowance denied. Nobody has informed us whether the jailed soldiers were later paid their delayed allowances. Now that they have been jailed, have the allowances been paid to them? They need the money more now that they are not going to be there for their families. We should not lead Nigerians into the temptation of committing crime because we would not be able to deliver them from the evils that would follow. If somebody is still keeping the soldiers money it should be given to them or their next of kin, and that very soon, without all those bottlenecks. In fact they should be paid with interest, starting from when they where suppose to be paid. You can’t jailed them and still forfeit their money, when the money was not illegally made.
We are told that the law is no respecter of any person or that nobody is above the law. It is not enough to make laws but these laws must be enforced equally on every offender no matter his or her status and position. We cannot re-brand Nigeria when lawmakers, law enforcement agents and other public officers are lawless. Public officers and officials should strive to abide by the laws and constitution of the country. We need discipline and order for this country to make progress as no remarkable growth and development can take place in a lawless society as ours. You cannot expect to have law-abiding citizens when our leaders, lawmakers and security agents do not obey the law.
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इलेक्टोरल वोइलेंस इन NIGERIA
ELECTORAL VIOLENCE
Why should people kill in the name of politics? If politics is all about selfless service to the public and humanity why should one kill a fellow being to get serve them? If politicians are actually servants of the public, as they claimed, why should they kill their masters in a bid to serve them? Why can’t we conduct free, fair, and violence-free elections in Nigeria? Even students union and town associations elections are fraught with cases of violence. Do or die. Winning at all cost and all means possible. Must we kill to serve? If our motive is actually to offer service we don’t need to use violence to get an elective or a political office. No life is worthless and none should be sacrifice to achieve a political goal.
Agreed that politics is a struggle for power but I think it should be a war of ideologies, ideas, manifestoes, party programmes and policies. But many politicians in Nigeria today can not say what is their party’s manifesto, policy thrust or programmes, all they are interested is getting power at all cost. Ten years after Nigeria’s latest democratic experiment none of the parties can campaign based on their manifestoes, policy or programme, which simply means that for the last decade none of these parties have been able to implement its party’s manifesto or programmes. None have the courage to ask the electorate to judge them base on what they have done and vote on this basis.
What is the role of security agencies during election? Are they not supposed to keep law and order? Who do these security agents support? Whose interest are they protecting? Security agencies and their operatives are supposed to be non partisan before, during and after elections but the situation in Nigeria is the reverse. Most electoral violence and crisis have been triggered off by the activities of security agents. They look the other side when political rivals are attacked or harassed or intimidated, only to turn around and arrest the victim or weaker party. A security office that is supposed to serve as refuge for politicians in danger has turned out to be a dangerous place to run for cover in an event of violence. Security offices serve as centres for falsifying elections results, rigging, and stuffing ballot boxes. In Nigeria, the security agents are unofficial members of the ruling political party. They do everything possible to get the “official party” into office or keep the ruling party in office. In Nigeria, with the security on your side you can win any election, anywhere and any day despite the actual votes cast by the electorates. Agreed security agents have political sympathies, like every human being, but in the discharge of their constitutional duties they should strive to be as non partisan as possible.
Those who get into office through electoral fraud and violence are worst than the militants and kidnappers in the Niger Delta. The various governors in the Niger Delta are recommending death sentence or life imprisonment for kidnappers but no one has ever been jailed for electoral fraud or violence in Nigeria. We need heavy penalty for those who are involved in electoral fraud and violence as well as those who aid and abet these. Electoral fraud and violence go together. In a bid to stop an electoral fraud violence may breakout. Electoral fraud only thrives where the electorates are apathetic, docile, ignorant or fearful. But where there is resistance to electoral fraud violence is inevitable
Electoral staff who superintend over fraudulent or questionable elections should be sacked and prosecuted. Whenever and wherever election results are nullified by a court or a tribunal, the electoral staff that conducted such elections should be punished. The money that would be used to conduct rerun elections is waste and a drain on the nation’s finances. Fraud is fraud whether financial or electoral; they have almost the same effect on the country’s image and credibility in the comity of nations.
Those who are elected through a fraudulent electoral process should not assume until their matters are settled at the election petition tribunal or appeal courts. Those who assumed offices before their elections cases are sort out should refund all the salaries and allowances they collected while illegally occupying those positions. Please pardon my ignorance, I am not aware of anybody who has been jailed for electoral fraud or violence, so how do we intend to discourage these habits in our political system when there is no punishment for deviants. Those arrested for electoral fraud and violence, in the past, would only be detained by the police for some days and are set free to go on and do it again. They are regarded as those who can deliver.
Nigerians are very religious people but when it comes to politics they ask God to understand, that is, after gaining political power they would come back and reconcile with their creator. They do not remember that the Bible says it is not by power or by might but the Nigerian politician is determined to get into office by “fire for fire.” The same Holy Book says that it is God that lifted one up and brings another down as power belongs to God. It is good to have an ambition for a political office but after fulfilling this ambition what do you do with the power at your disposal. You use it to loot the common treasury, victimize political opponents, or serve the people you claimed you are representing or you claimed they asked you to represent them?
Myles Munroe says that when and where purpose is not known, established or defined, abuse is inevitable. What is the essence of a public office? It seems that in Nigerian politics those seeking political offices do not know the purpose of a public office? I think the attitude is that of “when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.” The principle is: just get into office first and when you are there you can now decide what to do with your position: either to feed or fleece your constituents. Pecuniary interest is the driving force behind Nigerians participation in politics. They want to get their own cut of the national cake.
Is there nothing we can do to make elective and political appointment less financially attractive to reduce this violence? I may hazard a guess that why there is so much violence in our political arena is that politics is the easiest way to wealth. Just invest in a few arms and ammunitions and some thugs and when you over power your political rivals the rewards are unimaginable. Many politicians in the past who have been accused of corruption or gained notoriety by their looting capacity are walking the streets free where cell phone snatchers are dumped in jail.
We don’t need any blood to nurture or sustain democracy in Nigeria. The god of democracy does not drink blood, if there is any such god. Enough of this bloodshed! Stop this culture of political violence. Violence in the political system begets violence in every sphere of our national life, if you doubt, go to the Niger Delta or some universities where students want to get degrees by violence without working for it. Do we blame the youth? No! Because, in Nigeria, violence is an acceptable way of pursuing ones dream, ambition, vision or mission. Punishment is for those who failed to get their goals. Get into a political office first and all the sins you committed on your way to the position will be blotted out. The end justifies the means. There is need to re-brand our electoral process and political system. Re-brand the system and Nigeria will be a great brand.
Why should people kill in the name of politics? If politics is all about selfless service to the public and humanity why should one kill a fellow being to get serve them? If politicians are actually servants of the public, as they claimed, why should they kill their masters in a bid to serve them? Why can’t we conduct free, fair, and violence-free elections in Nigeria? Even students union and town associations elections are fraught with cases of violence. Do or die. Winning at all cost and all means possible. Must we kill to serve? If our motive is actually to offer service we don’t need to use violence to get an elective or a political office. No life is worthless and none should be sacrifice to achieve a political goal.
Agreed that politics is a struggle for power but I think it should be a war of ideologies, ideas, manifestoes, party programmes and policies. But many politicians in Nigeria today can not say what is their party’s manifesto, policy thrust or programmes, all they are interested is getting power at all cost. Ten years after Nigeria’s latest democratic experiment none of the parties can campaign based on their manifestoes, policy or programme, which simply means that for the last decade none of these parties have been able to implement its party’s manifesto or programmes. None have the courage to ask the electorate to judge them base on what they have done and vote on this basis.
What is the role of security agencies during election? Are they not supposed to keep law and order? Who do these security agents support? Whose interest are they protecting? Security agencies and their operatives are supposed to be non partisan before, during and after elections but the situation in Nigeria is the reverse. Most electoral violence and crisis have been triggered off by the activities of security agents. They look the other side when political rivals are attacked or harassed or intimidated, only to turn around and arrest the victim or weaker party. A security office that is supposed to serve as refuge for politicians in danger has turned out to be a dangerous place to run for cover in an event of violence. Security offices serve as centres for falsifying elections results, rigging, and stuffing ballot boxes. In Nigeria, the security agents are unofficial members of the ruling political party. They do everything possible to get the “official party” into office or keep the ruling party in office. In Nigeria, with the security on your side you can win any election, anywhere and any day despite the actual votes cast by the electorates. Agreed security agents have political sympathies, like every human being, but in the discharge of their constitutional duties they should strive to be as non partisan as possible.
Those who get into office through electoral fraud and violence are worst than the militants and kidnappers in the Niger Delta. The various governors in the Niger Delta are recommending death sentence or life imprisonment for kidnappers but no one has ever been jailed for electoral fraud or violence in Nigeria. We need heavy penalty for those who are involved in electoral fraud and violence as well as those who aid and abet these. Electoral fraud and violence go together. In a bid to stop an electoral fraud violence may breakout. Electoral fraud only thrives where the electorates are apathetic, docile, ignorant or fearful. But where there is resistance to electoral fraud violence is inevitable
Electoral staff who superintend over fraudulent or questionable elections should be sacked and prosecuted. Whenever and wherever election results are nullified by a court or a tribunal, the electoral staff that conducted such elections should be punished. The money that would be used to conduct rerun elections is waste and a drain on the nation’s finances. Fraud is fraud whether financial or electoral; they have almost the same effect on the country’s image and credibility in the comity of nations.
Those who are elected through a fraudulent electoral process should not assume until their matters are settled at the election petition tribunal or appeal courts. Those who assumed offices before their elections cases are sort out should refund all the salaries and allowances they collected while illegally occupying those positions. Please pardon my ignorance, I am not aware of anybody who has been jailed for electoral fraud or violence, so how do we intend to discourage these habits in our political system when there is no punishment for deviants. Those arrested for electoral fraud and violence, in the past, would only be detained by the police for some days and are set free to go on and do it again. They are regarded as those who can deliver.
Nigerians are very religious people but when it comes to politics they ask God to understand, that is, after gaining political power they would come back and reconcile with their creator. They do not remember that the Bible says it is not by power or by might but the Nigerian politician is determined to get into office by “fire for fire.” The same Holy Book says that it is God that lifted one up and brings another down as power belongs to God. It is good to have an ambition for a political office but after fulfilling this ambition what do you do with the power at your disposal. You use it to loot the common treasury, victimize political opponents, or serve the people you claimed you are representing or you claimed they asked you to represent them?
Myles Munroe says that when and where purpose is not known, established or defined, abuse is inevitable. What is the essence of a public office? It seems that in Nigerian politics those seeking political offices do not know the purpose of a public office? I think the attitude is that of “when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.” The principle is: just get into office first and when you are there you can now decide what to do with your position: either to feed or fleece your constituents. Pecuniary interest is the driving force behind Nigerians participation in politics. They want to get their own cut of the national cake.
Is there nothing we can do to make elective and political appointment less financially attractive to reduce this violence? I may hazard a guess that why there is so much violence in our political arena is that politics is the easiest way to wealth. Just invest in a few arms and ammunitions and some thugs and when you over power your political rivals the rewards are unimaginable. Many politicians in the past who have been accused of corruption or gained notoriety by their looting capacity are walking the streets free where cell phone snatchers are dumped in jail.
We don’t need any blood to nurture or sustain democracy in Nigeria. The god of democracy does not drink blood, if there is any such god. Enough of this bloodshed! Stop this culture of political violence. Violence in the political system begets violence in every sphere of our national life, if you doubt, go to the Niger Delta or some universities where students want to get degrees by violence without working for it. Do we blame the youth? No! Because, in Nigeria, violence is an acceptable way of pursuing ones dream, ambition, vision or mission. Punishment is for those who failed to get their goals. Get into a political office first and all the sins you committed on your way to the position will be blotted out. The end justifies the means. There is need to re-brand our electoral process and political system. Re-brand the system and Nigeria will be a great brand.
बेयोंद थे SUMMIT
BEYOND THE SUMMIT
This weekend a South South Economic Summit holding in Calabar, Cross River State will come to an end. This is the first time that the six states from this geo-political zone are meeting to discuss their economy. Though the area is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, because of its oil and gas resources, it is one of the poorest regions in the world. The South South zone is a paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty. The area is underdeveloped, neglected and the environment degraded and polluted. This is the price the people and land have to pay for being the engine room of the nation’s economy. The area is universally notorious for being the most polluted place in the world.
This economic summit is a welcome development because in the past the political leaders of the area have been accused of mismanaging the pittance that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been giving to the states as derivation. Why the summit is very timely is that one day the oil may dry up or another cheaper means of energy may be found and our oil would no longer be sought after. Bio fuel may replace oil.
The economic summit should not be politicized or made to look like one of the party programmes of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It should not be a gathering for political showmanship, rhetoric, and rivalry. It should be devoid of political intrigues and ethnicity. Rather it should be a deliberate and sincere effort to reposition the South South economically in its bid to exploit other abundant resources in the area besides oil and gas.
The aims, goals, objectives, targets and vision of the summit should be that of regional integration, partnership, cohesion, cooperation and economic development of the South South. The states should partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on the area of developmental projects, programmes and infrastructural development to avoid conflicts, wastages and duplication. There is need for synergy among the states, NDDC and the ministry.
The states should avoid unhealthy rivalry and competition, embarking on projects and constructing certain infrastructures just to score cheap political points or play to the gallery. Rather states that have comparative advantage in certain areas, like Cross River which is blessed with large expanse of land, and fertile land can concentrate on agro and allied businesses instead of jumping into oil and gas sector though the state can collaborate and invest with states like Rivers and Bayelsa that have oil and gas. There is need for equality of states while the strong should support the weak.
Besides economic cooperation there certain areas that need the attention of the South South states if their economy should receive a turnaround. The area boasts of five dormant and idle ports yet the governments, companies and contractors doing business in the area import through sea on a daily basis. These ports can be put to use. The ripple effect of these five ports functioning would better be imagined. The government should get in touch with the relevant authorities to bring these ports back to life. Same for the Export Processing Zone in Calabar and the Onne Free Trade Zone in Rivers State. We need good roads like the East West road, the proposed Coastal Road, a rail line from Calabar to Lagos and good inter state roads.
Health is wealth and the best resources one can boasts of is the human resources. The South South is reported to have the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria, that is, above national average. For our people to be alive and enjoy the expected economic revolution in the area there is need for a massive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in all the nook and cranny of the Niger Delta so the we can have the required workforce for the future.
The summit should come out with how the South South would tackle the problems of insecurity which the area is notorious for. One of the reasons for the agitation in the area is the issue of environmental pollution and degradation. The states should reach out to the central government and the relevant authorities to put an end to gas flaring and all other forms of environmental degradation going on in the area. The locals should be sensitize on why they should not contribute to environmental pollution because of a short term gain. All oil spill sites should be clean and remediation exercises carried out.
There is need for a revisit of education and educational facilities in the area. We should not only supply oil we should also be exporters of quality manpower to the world. Also the states should embark on an aggressive artisan training for its indigenes to take active part in the booming oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy. There is need for the zone to prepare it youths to seize the unlimited opportunity in the maritime industry like the training of sea farers who are in great demand worldwide.
The issue of good governance and prudent application and management of resources accruing to these states are of paramount importance. The political process should be open, transparent and participatory to check feeling of marginalization while political leaders should avoid the winners take all attitude. Politics should be an opportunity to serve a people (common goal) and not a political party; political parties are only platforms for political participation.
This weekend a South South Economic Summit holding in Calabar, Cross River State will come to an end. This is the first time that the six states from this geo-political zone are meeting to discuss their economy. Though the area is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, because of its oil and gas resources, it is one of the poorest regions in the world. The South South zone is a paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty. The area is underdeveloped, neglected and the environment degraded and polluted. This is the price the people and land have to pay for being the engine room of the nation’s economy. The area is universally notorious for being the most polluted place in the world.
This economic summit is a welcome development because in the past the political leaders of the area have been accused of mismanaging the pittance that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been giving to the states as derivation. Why the summit is very timely is that one day the oil may dry up or another cheaper means of energy may be found and our oil would no longer be sought after. Bio fuel may replace oil.
The economic summit should not be politicized or made to look like one of the party programmes of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It should not be a gathering for political showmanship, rhetoric, and rivalry. It should be devoid of political intrigues and ethnicity. Rather it should be a deliberate and sincere effort to reposition the South South economically in its bid to exploit other abundant resources in the area besides oil and gas.
The aims, goals, objectives, targets and vision of the summit should be that of regional integration, partnership, cohesion, cooperation and economic development of the South South. The states should partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on the area of developmental projects, programmes and infrastructural development to avoid conflicts, wastages and duplication. There is need for synergy among the states, NDDC and the ministry.
The states should avoid unhealthy rivalry and competition, embarking on projects and constructing certain infrastructures just to score cheap political points or play to the gallery. Rather states that have comparative advantage in certain areas, like Cross River which is blessed with large expanse of land, and fertile land can concentrate on agro and allied businesses instead of jumping into oil and gas sector though the state can collaborate and invest with states like Rivers and Bayelsa that have oil and gas. There is need for equality of states while the strong should support the weak.
Besides economic cooperation there certain areas that need the attention of the South South states if their economy should receive a turnaround. The area boasts of five dormant and idle ports yet the governments, companies and contractors doing business in the area import through sea on a daily basis. These ports can be put to use. The ripple effect of these five ports functioning would better be imagined. The government should get in touch with the relevant authorities to bring these ports back to life. Same for the Export Processing Zone in Calabar and the Onne Free Trade Zone in Rivers State. We need good roads like the East West road, the proposed Coastal Road, a rail line from Calabar to Lagos and good inter state roads.
Health is wealth and the best resources one can boasts of is the human resources. The South South is reported to have the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria, that is, above national average. For our people to be alive and enjoy the expected economic revolution in the area there is need for a massive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in all the nook and cranny of the Niger Delta so the we can have the required workforce for the future.
The summit should come out with how the South South would tackle the problems of insecurity which the area is notorious for. One of the reasons for the agitation in the area is the issue of environmental pollution and degradation. The states should reach out to the central government and the relevant authorities to put an end to gas flaring and all other forms of environmental degradation going on in the area. The locals should be sensitize on why they should not contribute to environmental pollution because of a short term gain. All oil spill sites should be clean and remediation exercises carried out.
There is need for a revisit of education and educational facilities in the area. We should not only supply oil we should also be exporters of quality manpower to the world. Also the states should embark on an aggressive artisan training for its indigenes to take active part in the booming oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy. There is need for the zone to prepare it youths to seize the unlimited opportunity in the maritime industry like the training of sea farers who are in great demand worldwide.
The issue of good governance and prudent application and management of resources accruing to these states are of paramount importance. The political process should be open, transparent and participatory to check feeling of marginalization while political leaders should avoid the winners take all attitude. Politics should be an opportunity to serve a people (common goal) and not a political party; political parties are only platforms for political participation.
मंद ओं 2011
MEND-PDP DEAL
Few weeks back I was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and was hanging out with some friends when one of our school mates told us his ambition to be the chairman of his local government council by 2011. According to our friend, it was the turn of his ward, in fact his village, to produce the next council chairman. One of us, a civil servant, quickly rebuked him and asked him whether he belong? I queried why he is not in support of his bosom friend and clansman political ambition, and my friend took a survey of the relaxation spot we were sitting, lowered his voice and asked our “chair to be” if he has killed before and how many guns he has. He told us that one must “belong” before he can be considered for any elective or political appointment. I believe him not just because we have been friends since 1979 but because by virtue of his office, he works closely with most politicians and power brokers in the state.
He told us that most of the boys sitting in that relaxation spot and many other spots in town are cultists on the prowl looking out for perceived political opponents of the government in power. The cultists, he said, eavesdrop on conversations and are ready to pick a fight with any one that holds a contrary view to that of the political leadership of the state or dare criticize the government. He submitted that it is government of the cultists, by the cultists and for cultists. He pointed out some boys in our undergraduate days whom we used to refereed to as NASU (Non Academic Students Union) who are now holding elective or political positions not because of their academic attainment, job experience or competence rather because the belong to one cult group or the other. This reminds me of one of my classmate in the university who is still angry with me because I frustrated all his attempts to join a cult group in school. His anger is that all our mates who were in one cult group or the other are now “doing well” because of their cult cum political affiliations while he with a Second Class Upper is wasting away in the civil service without no material benefit to show.
Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has alleged that some representatives of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have approached the Niger Delta based militant group to assist the party have a smooth victory in the 2011 general elections. And the PDP through it National Publicity Secretary has denied this. What do you expect the party to do? Do they take decision to rig elections at a national convention of a party? All they tell them is go home and do your homework well and a good home work can be anything. This allegation should not be dismissed as one of those militants’ propaganda or blackmail. One may not accept it hook, line and sinker but it should not be dismissed as garbage. As they say, there is no smoke without fire so there may be some elements of truth in MEND’s allegation.
Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Group, Alhaji Asari Dokubo had earlier alleged that his travails during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was due to his opposition to the PDP rigging machinery in Ijawland during the 2003 elections. Another militant leader in the region has alleged that a certain governor paid him N50 million to disrupt the 2007 elections. These are testimonies that these boys have the capacity and the capability to sway elections outcomes to whichever party they have sympathy for.
I wish MEND would go ahead and named those PDP if the party insists that its representatives did not approach the group. But I know that MEND would not give out these names because some of those who approached the group are from the Niger Delta and since the group claims it is out to fight for the overall interest of the region it would not want to destroy their brothers.
Recently, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Government Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Chief James Jephtath, confessed publicly that the state can no longer pay a monthly grant of N100 million to militant groups in the state because of the global economic meltdown. The state governor was quick to deny that his administration was not giving monthly allocation to militant groups. I sympathise with Governor Timipre Slyva but his denial is an after thought. Is the governor telling us that Chief Jephtath lied? The chief, who has been a chief negotiator with militants and kidnappers, the recent one being the successful release of the wife of former Minister of Petroleum, (the governor’s former boss) and the Mingi of Nembe, King Edmond Daukuro.
Sylva could not have appointed Jephtath chairman of the committee if the chief “was not on ground” as Nigerians would say. So the chief might have known these boys to be able to negotiate with them for the release of hostages as well as remit the monthly allocation to the various militant groups in the state. Is N100 million such a “chicken feed” that it would be missing from the state coffers without His Excellency’s knowledge? The governor has no option than to deny the payment so that his political enemies would not accused him of aiding and abetting violence in the region through funding of militant groups. Aiding and abetting violence, militancy and kidnapping is exactly what the Bayelsa state government has been doing all these years or since it started giving monthly allocation to militant groups to buy peace and calm the boys down. And this applies to all state government and politicians in the region that gives financial and other aids to criminal gangs in the area.
It would be recalled that in the past a notable PDP senator or other party officials were at the forefront of negotiating for the release of kidnapped victims in the region. The question is how do they know these kidnappers if they are not partners in crime? How come these kidnappers have confidence and trust that these politicians would not betray them if they were not doing business together before now? People like Jephtath should tell the security agents have he remits money to these militants groups and who are their contact men.
The so-called militants today are some of the foot soldiers of the PDP during the 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections victories of the PDP in the Niger Delta region. It might not have been MEND but recent disclosure by MEND has shown that this might have been the method of how PDP have been achieving its “waterslide” victories in the Niger Delta. One of the stories of how militancy came into existence is that before 1999 the boys were foot soldiers for the illegal bunkerers in the region and when it was time for elections these boys became a ready pool where political thugs were recruited to execute the various clean sweeps during the elections. And after the elections the politicians took refuge in the various government houses, legislative assemblies and left the boys in the cold. The boys now have weapons bought for them by the politicians and “since man must survive” they to took to crime after refusing all pleas by the politicians to return guns to the buyers. One thing led to another the businesses of kidnapping and illegal bunkering is now booming and the weapons increase, even in greater proportion.
Almost all the past and present governors, ministers, political office holders and politicians of note in the Niger Delta have paid homage to these militants. They have visited the various camps located in far-flung creeks to solicit support from and declare their support for the militants. Many are calling for amnesty for the militants not because they care for the lives of these boys but because if these boys are prosecuted some politicians may be indicted for their nefarious roles in the Niger Delta crisis and violence. Also they may be irrelevant is these boys are killed or jailed. Their so-called political strength and wizardry lies in the continued fire power of these boys.
PDP cannot be exonerated from the crisis in the Niger Delta. Before the advent of PDP there was no militancy or violence in the Niger Delta. These militants, cultists, criminals, freedom fighters, activists or whatever you choose to call them these are monsters that PDP, direct or indirectly, created. And as the saying goes the evil that men do live after them but in this case the evil lives with them. The PDP has been in government and power for the last 10 years and the crisis is worsening by the day. The party lacks the political will to tackle the root cause of the Niger Delta crisis.
Few weeks back I was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and was hanging out with some friends when one of our school mates told us his ambition to be the chairman of his local government council by 2011. According to our friend, it was the turn of his ward, in fact his village, to produce the next council chairman. One of us, a civil servant, quickly rebuked him and asked him whether he belong? I queried why he is not in support of his bosom friend and clansman political ambition, and my friend took a survey of the relaxation spot we were sitting, lowered his voice and asked our “chair to be” if he has killed before and how many guns he has. He told us that one must “belong” before he can be considered for any elective or political appointment. I believe him not just because we have been friends since 1979 but because by virtue of his office, he works closely with most politicians and power brokers in the state.
He told us that most of the boys sitting in that relaxation spot and many other spots in town are cultists on the prowl looking out for perceived political opponents of the government in power. The cultists, he said, eavesdrop on conversations and are ready to pick a fight with any one that holds a contrary view to that of the political leadership of the state or dare criticize the government. He submitted that it is government of the cultists, by the cultists and for cultists. He pointed out some boys in our undergraduate days whom we used to refereed to as NASU (Non Academic Students Union) who are now holding elective or political positions not because of their academic attainment, job experience or competence rather because the belong to one cult group or the other. This reminds me of one of my classmate in the university who is still angry with me because I frustrated all his attempts to join a cult group in school. His anger is that all our mates who were in one cult group or the other are now “doing well” because of their cult cum political affiliations while he with a Second Class Upper is wasting away in the civil service without no material benefit to show.
Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has alleged that some representatives of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have approached the Niger Delta based militant group to assist the party have a smooth victory in the 2011 general elections. And the PDP through it National Publicity Secretary has denied this. What do you expect the party to do? Do they take decision to rig elections at a national convention of a party? All they tell them is go home and do your homework well and a good home work can be anything. This allegation should not be dismissed as one of those militants’ propaganda or blackmail. One may not accept it hook, line and sinker but it should not be dismissed as garbage. As they say, there is no smoke without fire so there may be some elements of truth in MEND’s allegation.
Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Group, Alhaji Asari Dokubo had earlier alleged that his travails during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was due to his opposition to the PDP rigging machinery in Ijawland during the 2003 elections. Another militant leader in the region has alleged that a certain governor paid him N50 million to disrupt the 2007 elections. These are testimonies that these boys have the capacity and the capability to sway elections outcomes to whichever party they have sympathy for.
I wish MEND would go ahead and named those PDP if the party insists that its representatives did not approach the group. But I know that MEND would not give out these names because some of those who approached the group are from the Niger Delta and since the group claims it is out to fight for the overall interest of the region it would not want to destroy their brothers.
Recently, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Government Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Chief James Jephtath, confessed publicly that the state can no longer pay a monthly grant of N100 million to militant groups in the state because of the global economic meltdown. The state governor was quick to deny that his administration was not giving monthly allocation to militant groups. I sympathise with Governor Timipre Slyva but his denial is an after thought. Is the governor telling us that Chief Jephtath lied? The chief, who has been a chief negotiator with militants and kidnappers, the recent one being the successful release of the wife of former Minister of Petroleum, (the governor’s former boss) and the Mingi of Nembe, King Edmond Daukuro.
Sylva could not have appointed Jephtath chairman of the committee if the chief “was not on ground” as Nigerians would say. So the chief might have known these boys to be able to negotiate with them for the release of hostages as well as remit the monthly allocation to the various militant groups in the state. Is N100 million such a “chicken feed” that it would be missing from the state coffers without His Excellency’s knowledge? The governor has no option than to deny the payment so that his political enemies would not accused him of aiding and abetting violence in the region through funding of militant groups. Aiding and abetting violence, militancy and kidnapping is exactly what the Bayelsa state government has been doing all these years or since it started giving monthly allocation to militant groups to buy peace and calm the boys down. And this applies to all state government and politicians in the region that gives financial and other aids to criminal gangs in the area.
It would be recalled that in the past a notable PDP senator or other party officials were at the forefront of negotiating for the release of kidnapped victims in the region. The question is how do they know these kidnappers if they are not partners in crime? How come these kidnappers have confidence and trust that these politicians would not betray them if they were not doing business together before now? People like Jephtath should tell the security agents have he remits money to these militants groups and who are their contact men.
The so-called militants today are some of the foot soldiers of the PDP during the 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections victories of the PDP in the Niger Delta region. It might not have been MEND but recent disclosure by MEND has shown that this might have been the method of how PDP have been achieving its “waterslide” victories in the Niger Delta. One of the stories of how militancy came into existence is that before 1999 the boys were foot soldiers for the illegal bunkerers in the region and when it was time for elections these boys became a ready pool where political thugs were recruited to execute the various clean sweeps during the elections. And after the elections the politicians took refuge in the various government houses, legislative assemblies and left the boys in the cold. The boys now have weapons bought for them by the politicians and “since man must survive” they to took to crime after refusing all pleas by the politicians to return guns to the buyers. One thing led to another the businesses of kidnapping and illegal bunkering is now booming and the weapons increase, even in greater proportion.
Almost all the past and present governors, ministers, political office holders and politicians of note in the Niger Delta have paid homage to these militants. They have visited the various camps located in far-flung creeks to solicit support from and declare their support for the militants. Many are calling for amnesty for the militants not because they care for the lives of these boys but because if these boys are prosecuted some politicians may be indicted for their nefarious roles in the Niger Delta crisis and violence. Also they may be irrelevant is these boys are killed or jailed. Their so-called political strength and wizardry lies in the continued fire power of these boys.
PDP cannot be exonerated from the crisis in the Niger Delta. Before the advent of PDP there was no militancy or violence in the Niger Delta. These militants, cultists, criminals, freedom fighters, activists or whatever you choose to call them these are monsters that PDP, direct or indirectly, created. And as the saying goes the evil that men do live after them but in this case the evil lives with them. The PDP has been in government and power for the last 10 years and the crisis is worsening by the day. The party lacks the political will to tackle the root cause of the Niger Delta crisis.
ओं पास्टर एनोच अदेबोये'स JET
MUCH ADO ABOUT ADEBOYE’S JET
As poor as a church rat is a common saying when someone wants to express the gravity of poverty. It is not a compliment rather it is insulting to identify the Church of Jesus Christ with poverty. After all, Jesus became poor that we may be rich, simply put, Jesus chose to be poor so that no Christian would suffer poverty. Anybody who believes that Jesus died on the cross to take away sins should also know that that same Jesus took away poverty so that that person would not suffer poverty. The Bible talks of “Blessed are the poor in spirit” and not the poor in material things or wealth. Material poverty is not the same as spiritual poverty. This is what is confusing many Christians today. One can be rich materially and be poor spiritually and vice versa.
Ask that girl standing by the street side at night and she is wont to tell you that she took to prostitution because her parents are poor so she is the family bread winner and pay her siblings school fees. Most suspects arrested by the police for robbery and NDLEA for drug trafficking have been blaming their woes on poverty. According to their tales, they got involved in these crimes to raise capital for one business or the other or to settle debt. Yes, the Bible talks about being easy for a camel to pass through a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. The rich man the Bible talks about is one who worships his wealth, that is, wealth has taken the place of God and God being a jealous God cannot share his glory with anything. There is nothing glorious or dignifying in poverty. In short, poverty is a curse.
The same Bible also tell us that we shall lend to nations (note the word nations) and not borrow. Can one give what he does not have? One must have enough to be able to give out of the abundance of his riches. Many are shocked by the sudden financial turn around in Christendom today. They are not happy that churches no longer go cap in hand begging for funds to execute one project or organize a programme. There is nothing wrong with a Christian being rich or wealthy. Our covenant father, Abraham, was rich in all things and he was God’s friend and confidant. According to the Bible, Job was a righteous man as well as the richest man in the East (of his time).
For some weeks now some persons have been on rage because the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has a jet. If I may ask: Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and his anointed,” (Psalms 2:1, 2). What is the big deal about a Pastor owning a jet? Have the G.O.’s critics bother to find out the purpose of the aircraft and what it would be used for?
Mathew’s gospel Chapter six verses 33 say “But Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” All these things referred to in the above passage include jets, mansions, choice property and other good things of life that give comfort to man. In the book of Genesis chapter eight and verse 22, the Bible says that as long as the earth remains seed time and harvest shall not cease, Adeboye has been sowing his seeds all these years, where were his critics and why should they shout now that he is harvesting? You cannot reap what and from where you did not sow.
Are the members of RCCG complaining? Did they say they were coerced, intimidated or sweet-talked into buying a jet for their Papa? Adeboye chose to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness, when Christianity was not glamorous, I am very sure some of his colleagues and mates then would have considered him a mad man to abandoned his job as a lecturer to become a mere pastor. And now that he is reaping they are murmuring. The jet is just one of those things that Jesus promised would be added unto whosoever seeks his kingdom and righteousness. Remember Jesus is the master of the universe and he owns everything and everybody in the world and is at liberty to give to whomsoever he chooses to bless with his wealth. A servant is worthy of his wage. God created the heaven and earth and Adeboye is his servant and cannot wallow in poverty. It is God that gives power to make wealth.
“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; my cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:17). Money is necessary for the expansion of the kingdom of God. One needs money to buy Bibles, build churches, organize crusade and retreats, and send relief material to the poor and needy. No amount of prayer and fasting can make these things to fall from heaven; God must use human agents to meet the need of Christians and the church. If you check the prayers of many Christians it is full of God give me this, give me that: this is a testimony to the desire of every Christian to come out of lack, want and poverty. No pretence. If the economic needs of many Christians are met, their prayer points would be reduced by 80 per cent and they would now have time to pray for the expansion of the kingdom of God. Many have talked about Christians who stole money and donate same to church. The church does not ask anybody to steal his employer’s money. And the church is not a security agency that investigates the activities of its members. Some persons stole and donate to church with the belief that God will accept their gifts but remember the story of Cain in Genesis, a pastor may receive your offerings and tithes but the God in heaven would not accept any stolen or ill gotten money. The church does not ask its members to steal or make money fraudulently.
Most of the so-called church leaders criticizing Adeboye are doing so out of envy and jealousy and not because of care for the poor. No man, no economic policy or programme can wipe away poverty from the face of the earth because the scripture cannot be broken. The book of Deuteronomy Chapter 15 Verse 11 says “The poor shall never cease out of the land:” So are people saying that Adeboye should not enjoy the harvest of his labour because they are poor people around him and in his church. Our master Jesus Christ when he was around did not heal everybody, in fact, when blind Bartimeus cried to him to have mercy on him, Jesus asked him what do you want me to do for you? When, it was obvious that the man was blind.
Adeboye deserved the best money can buy. He has paid the price. He is greater than the president or head of state of any country and if a president can have a jet attached to his office it is not out of place for Adeboye to have one. There is a difference between living in comfort and living a flamboyant lifestyle. And Papa Adeboye is not such a person and would not start at this age. The Bible says it is an anathema for slaves to be riding horses and princes are trekking. It is time Christians stopped glorifying poverty and opens up their minds to receive wealth from above. Malachi Chapter three verse 10 says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouses, that there maybe meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall be no room enough to receive it.” Is God a liar? Will he say it and would not be able to perform it? I strongly believe that true riches, like wisdom, come from God.
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As poor as a church rat is a common saying when someone wants to express the gravity of poverty. It is not a compliment rather it is insulting to identify the Church of Jesus Christ with poverty. After all, Jesus became poor that we may be rich, simply put, Jesus chose to be poor so that no Christian would suffer poverty. Anybody who believes that Jesus died on the cross to take away sins should also know that that same Jesus took away poverty so that that person would not suffer poverty. The Bible talks of “Blessed are the poor in spirit” and not the poor in material things or wealth. Material poverty is not the same as spiritual poverty. This is what is confusing many Christians today. One can be rich materially and be poor spiritually and vice versa.
Ask that girl standing by the street side at night and she is wont to tell you that she took to prostitution because her parents are poor so she is the family bread winner and pay her siblings school fees. Most suspects arrested by the police for robbery and NDLEA for drug trafficking have been blaming their woes on poverty. According to their tales, they got involved in these crimes to raise capital for one business or the other or to settle debt. Yes, the Bible talks about being easy for a camel to pass through a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. The rich man the Bible talks about is one who worships his wealth, that is, wealth has taken the place of God and God being a jealous God cannot share his glory with anything. There is nothing glorious or dignifying in poverty. In short, poverty is a curse.
The same Bible also tell us that we shall lend to nations (note the word nations) and not borrow. Can one give what he does not have? One must have enough to be able to give out of the abundance of his riches. Many are shocked by the sudden financial turn around in Christendom today. They are not happy that churches no longer go cap in hand begging for funds to execute one project or organize a programme. There is nothing wrong with a Christian being rich or wealthy. Our covenant father, Abraham, was rich in all things and he was God’s friend and confidant. According to the Bible, Job was a righteous man as well as the richest man in the East (of his time).
For some weeks now some persons have been on rage because the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has a jet. If I may ask: Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and his anointed,” (Psalms 2:1, 2). What is the big deal about a Pastor owning a jet? Have the G.O.’s critics bother to find out the purpose of the aircraft and what it would be used for?
Mathew’s gospel Chapter six verses 33 say “But Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” All these things referred to in the above passage include jets, mansions, choice property and other good things of life that give comfort to man. In the book of Genesis chapter eight and verse 22, the Bible says that as long as the earth remains seed time and harvest shall not cease, Adeboye has been sowing his seeds all these years, where were his critics and why should they shout now that he is harvesting? You cannot reap what and from where you did not sow.
Are the members of RCCG complaining? Did they say they were coerced, intimidated or sweet-talked into buying a jet for their Papa? Adeboye chose to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness, when Christianity was not glamorous, I am very sure some of his colleagues and mates then would have considered him a mad man to abandoned his job as a lecturer to become a mere pastor. And now that he is reaping they are murmuring. The jet is just one of those things that Jesus promised would be added unto whosoever seeks his kingdom and righteousness. Remember Jesus is the master of the universe and he owns everything and everybody in the world and is at liberty to give to whomsoever he chooses to bless with his wealth. A servant is worthy of his wage. God created the heaven and earth and Adeboye is his servant and cannot wallow in poverty. It is God that gives power to make wealth.
“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; my cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:17). Money is necessary for the expansion of the kingdom of God. One needs money to buy Bibles, build churches, organize crusade and retreats, and send relief material to the poor and needy. No amount of prayer and fasting can make these things to fall from heaven; God must use human agents to meet the need of Christians and the church. If you check the prayers of many Christians it is full of God give me this, give me that: this is a testimony to the desire of every Christian to come out of lack, want and poverty. No pretence. If the economic needs of many Christians are met, their prayer points would be reduced by 80 per cent and they would now have time to pray for the expansion of the kingdom of God. Many have talked about Christians who stole money and donate same to church. The church does not ask anybody to steal his employer’s money. And the church is not a security agency that investigates the activities of its members. Some persons stole and donate to church with the belief that God will accept their gifts but remember the story of Cain in Genesis, a pastor may receive your offerings and tithes but the God in heaven would not accept any stolen or ill gotten money. The church does not ask its members to steal or make money fraudulently.
Most of the so-called church leaders criticizing Adeboye are doing so out of envy and jealousy and not because of care for the poor. No man, no economic policy or programme can wipe away poverty from the face of the earth because the scripture cannot be broken. The book of Deuteronomy Chapter 15 Verse 11 says “The poor shall never cease out of the land:” So are people saying that Adeboye should not enjoy the harvest of his labour because they are poor people around him and in his church. Our master Jesus Christ when he was around did not heal everybody, in fact, when blind Bartimeus cried to him to have mercy on him, Jesus asked him what do you want me to do for you? When, it was obvious that the man was blind.
Adeboye deserved the best money can buy. He has paid the price. He is greater than the president or head of state of any country and if a president can have a jet attached to his office it is not out of place for Adeboye to have one. There is a difference between living in comfort and living a flamboyant lifestyle. And Papa Adeboye is not such a person and would not start at this age. The Bible says it is an anathema for slaves to be riding horses and princes are trekking. It is time Christians stopped glorifying poverty and opens up their minds to receive wealth from above. Malachi Chapter three verse 10 says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouses, that there maybe meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall be no room enough to receive it.” Is God a liar? Will he say it and would not be able to perform it? I strongly believe that true riches, like wisdom, come from God.
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वहत अरे वे रेब्रन्डिंग?
WHAT ARE WE REBRANDING?
Rebranding Nigeria is like a repainting an old grave. Does the fresh paint on the outside of a grave change the content of the grave: old bones and maybe stinking and decomposing flesh? Jesus Christ admonishes us that we should not wash the outside of a vessel and leave the inside dirty. Rather we should clean the inside before attempting to wash the outside; always clean both.
What are we really rebranding? Are we rebranding our educational or health sectors that are now in coma? Are we rebranding the Niger Delta people and its environment, which though the heart beat of the nation’s economic well being is polluted, pauperized, neglectd and deprived? Are we rebranding the widespread poverty in the nation in the midst of plenty? Are we rebranding our nation’s economy where people became millionaires and billions without involvement in any productive venture except that they are holding or once held public office?
Are we rebranding a country that give national honours to notorious criminals and public enemies and those who have not make any sacrifice to the nation except for the fact that they hold one political appointment or elective position? Are we rebranding a country where electoral malpractices and violence are seen as national virtues? A country where political thuggery and agents of violence are celebrated as political leaders and stalwarts? We are rebranding a country that two years after general elections, elections results are still being contested in courts and those who rigged their ways into office are enjoying the spoils of office.
Are we rebranding the poor power supply in the country? Or we are rebranding the poor state of roads in our country? Are we rebranding religious violence, ethnicity or tribalism? Are we rebranding federal character and quota system? Are we rebranding the high child mortality in our country?
What is the product we are rebranding? How many of our national leaders believe in the product Nigeria? If they do why do they and their families hold dual citizenship? Is this a testimony of faith in a product? How many of our leaders are passionate about the product they are talking about rebranding? When you see a salesman presenting his product to a prospective customer you would see the passion he talks about the product, can this be say of our leaders and apostles of rebranding? Many of our public and elective office holders do not believe in the Nigerian brand they only do public show because of the offices they hold and what they are getting or expect to get from the system.
At a recent launching of the logo and slogan of rebranding Nigeria, President Umaru Yar’dua talks about the need for institutional and structural frameworks for national orientation. MAMSER, NOA and all those social mobilization and sensitization hypes like rebranding Nigeria would always fail as long has the ordinary man on the street do not feel the direct impact of government. If one may ask what has his administration done to put in place these institutional and structural frameworks that we need to move Nigeria forward?
The product we are branding, how good and useful is the product? How do we the owner and producers of this product or owners of brand believe in this brand? How would non-Nigerians buy or accept our brand if we the owner do not believe in the product through our language, actions and in actions as a people and a nation? Who are we really rebranding Nigeria for: Nigerians or foreigners?
Apart from the civil and public servants and a few politicians who get salaries and patronage from government many Nigerians do not see the need for government because they provide for themselves and families those basic things government should give them. Many Nigerians provide their water through boreholes, generate their own electricity, pay for private security and vigilante groups, send their children to high fee paying schools because the public school system as collapse, they employed themselves and still pay tax to government. In all honesty, how has the local, state and federal government impact on the lives of the common man, they ordinary Nigerian is like an orphan only God is his last hope? How do you change the attitude and mindset of these people toward the product or brand Nigeria without first of all changing their environment and condition of living? How do you convince them that government is of the people, by the people and for the people? This is one of the reason we see voters’ apathy during elections because whether they vote or not their conditions would not change for good except by divine intervention and their votes do not count as to who emerge their leader or representative.
How can the president asked Nigerians to embrace attitudinal changes and make personal sacrifice when our leaders are not showing personal examples. We want to see our president and his family patronizes the National Hospital Abuja for their health needs. We want to see the children of ministers, governors and national assembly members attend public primary, secondary schools and universities. It is only caring and responsible father that can expect his children to be responsible, obedient and respectful and well behaved. Can Nigeria go to war over one of its citizens? We often quote J. F. Kennedy that we should ask what to do for our country and not what our country should do for us. It is time Nigerian leaders ask themselves what to do for the masses and the people in turn would ask for what to do for the country. There must be an enabling environment for patriotism and national pride to grow. One cannot expect patriotism from citizens who are hungry, angry, abused and deprived.
Nigeria has all the potentials of being great but this rebranding would not take us there. There is nothing wrong with our country but the problem lies with us. We may rebrand and present a great container (Nigeria) but what about the content (the people)? How good is the content of the brand Nigeria? I think if the content is good and of the best quality we may have little need to rebrand the container as the content would speak for itself. Let improve on the content before we talk about the packaging of the product. Like they say we preach a lot but we are not ready to walk our talks. Before rebranding there should be an overhaul of how thing are done in the political, economic, education, health sector, inter and intra ethnic relationship. We cannot build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation of a bungalow, for the Bible says that if the foundation is destroy what can the righteous do. We need to go back to the basics and enthrone the rule of law, justice, fairness, equity and abhors insincerity, corruption, hypocrisy, double speak and all forms of discrimination and marginalization.
Whatever name you call the country and whatever image laundry campaign you embark on except the foundation is set aright it would amount to a waste of public fund to embark on this rebranding jamboree. Nigeria is a bad product and brand (if you doubt ask the a man from Niger Delta, he is not a Nigerian he is either Ijaw or Urhobo; and if you see Uwazurike he will tell you that that he is from Biafra).
To rebrand a bad product to be fit for public consumption and presentation the Research and Development need to work hard to produce a refine product that would meet international standard and certification and our citizens would be proud to say “I am Nigerian.” Our environment has a way of impacting on us for good or bad as well as influences our attitude to and perception of life. In the last two years what has the Yar’dua government actually do to embark on the rebranding of Nigeria? If we treat our citizen well they would not stowaway on foreign vessels to get out of the country? If things were all right no Nigerian youth would go through the risky journey of crossing the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea just to escape to Europe through Spain?
Rebranding Nigeria is like a repainting an old grave. Does the fresh paint on the outside of a grave change the content of the grave: old bones and maybe stinking and decomposing flesh? Jesus Christ admonishes us that we should not wash the outside of a vessel and leave the inside dirty. Rather we should clean the inside before attempting to wash the outside; always clean both.
What are we really rebranding? Are we rebranding our educational or health sectors that are now in coma? Are we rebranding the Niger Delta people and its environment, which though the heart beat of the nation’s economic well being is polluted, pauperized, neglectd and deprived? Are we rebranding the widespread poverty in the nation in the midst of plenty? Are we rebranding our nation’s economy where people became millionaires and billions without involvement in any productive venture except that they are holding or once held public office?
Are we rebranding a country that give national honours to notorious criminals and public enemies and those who have not make any sacrifice to the nation except for the fact that they hold one political appointment or elective position? Are we rebranding a country where electoral malpractices and violence are seen as national virtues? A country where political thuggery and agents of violence are celebrated as political leaders and stalwarts? We are rebranding a country that two years after general elections, elections results are still being contested in courts and those who rigged their ways into office are enjoying the spoils of office.
Are we rebranding the poor power supply in the country? Or we are rebranding the poor state of roads in our country? Are we rebranding religious violence, ethnicity or tribalism? Are we rebranding federal character and quota system? Are we rebranding the high child mortality in our country?
What is the product we are rebranding? How many of our national leaders believe in the product Nigeria? If they do why do they and their families hold dual citizenship? Is this a testimony of faith in a product? How many of our leaders are passionate about the product they are talking about rebranding? When you see a salesman presenting his product to a prospective customer you would see the passion he talks about the product, can this be say of our leaders and apostles of rebranding? Many of our public and elective office holders do not believe in the Nigerian brand they only do public show because of the offices they hold and what they are getting or expect to get from the system.
At a recent launching of the logo and slogan of rebranding Nigeria, President Umaru Yar’dua talks about the need for institutional and structural frameworks for national orientation. MAMSER, NOA and all those social mobilization and sensitization hypes like rebranding Nigeria would always fail as long has the ordinary man on the street do not feel the direct impact of government. If one may ask what has his administration done to put in place these institutional and structural frameworks that we need to move Nigeria forward?
The product we are branding, how good and useful is the product? How do we the owner and producers of this product or owners of brand believe in this brand? How would non-Nigerians buy or accept our brand if we the owner do not believe in the product through our language, actions and in actions as a people and a nation? Who are we really rebranding Nigeria for: Nigerians or foreigners?
Apart from the civil and public servants and a few politicians who get salaries and patronage from government many Nigerians do not see the need for government because they provide for themselves and families those basic things government should give them. Many Nigerians provide their water through boreholes, generate their own electricity, pay for private security and vigilante groups, send their children to high fee paying schools because the public school system as collapse, they employed themselves and still pay tax to government. In all honesty, how has the local, state and federal government impact on the lives of the common man, they ordinary Nigerian is like an orphan only God is his last hope? How do you change the attitude and mindset of these people toward the product or brand Nigeria without first of all changing their environment and condition of living? How do you convince them that government is of the people, by the people and for the people? This is one of the reason we see voters’ apathy during elections because whether they vote or not their conditions would not change for good except by divine intervention and their votes do not count as to who emerge their leader or representative.
How can the president asked Nigerians to embrace attitudinal changes and make personal sacrifice when our leaders are not showing personal examples. We want to see our president and his family patronizes the National Hospital Abuja for their health needs. We want to see the children of ministers, governors and national assembly members attend public primary, secondary schools and universities. It is only caring and responsible father that can expect his children to be responsible, obedient and respectful and well behaved. Can Nigeria go to war over one of its citizens? We often quote J. F. Kennedy that we should ask what to do for our country and not what our country should do for us. It is time Nigerian leaders ask themselves what to do for the masses and the people in turn would ask for what to do for the country. There must be an enabling environment for patriotism and national pride to grow. One cannot expect patriotism from citizens who are hungry, angry, abused and deprived.
Nigeria has all the potentials of being great but this rebranding would not take us there. There is nothing wrong with our country but the problem lies with us. We may rebrand and present a great container (Nigeria) but what about the content (the people)? How good is the content of the brand Nigeria? I think if the content is good and of the best quality we may have little need to rebrand the container as the content would speak for itself. Let improve on the content before we talk about the packaging of the product. Like they say we preach a lot but we are not ready to walk our talks. Before rebranding there should be an overhaul of how thing are done in the political, economic, education, health sector, inter and intra ethnic relationship. We cannot build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation of a bungalow, for the Bible says that if the foundation is destroy what can the righteous do. We need to go back to the basics and enthrone the rule of law, justice, fairness, equity and abhors insincerity, corruption, hypocrisy, double speak and all forms of discrimination and marginalization.
Whatever name you call the country and whatever image laundry campaign you embark on except the foundation is set aright it would amount to a waste of public fund to embark on this rebranding jamboree. Nigeria is a bad product and brand (if you doubt ask the a man from Niger Delta, he is not a Nigerian he is either Ijaw or Urhobo; and if you see Uwazurike he will tell you that that he is from Biafra).
To rebrand a bad product to be fit for public consumption and presentation the Research and Development need to work hard to produce a refine product that would meet international standard and certification and our citizens would be proud to say “I am Nigerian.” Our environment has a way of impacting on us for good or bad as well as influences our attitude to and perception of life. In the last two years what has the Yar’dua government actually do to embark on the rebranding of Nigeria? If we treat our citizen well they would not stowaway on foreign vessels to get out of the country? If things were all right no Nigerian youth would go through the risky journey of crossing the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea just to escape to Europe through Spain?
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