THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
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COMMENTS ‘Re ‘My man of the Year? Let subsidy fraud step forward’ (December 23). Your choice is incontrovertible. And I am satisfied with it. Since January 2, 2012 the issue and the problems of unresolved panels, probes, fuel scarcity and illegal fuel price hikes by some major and independent marketers, persist. Is this a country at all? Nothing other than corruption – oil issues dominated Nigeria in 2012. I fear for our own type of democracy. From Lanre’
• Okonjo-Iweala
For Segun Gbadegesin The late Most Revd. J. A. Adetiloye was the second Bishop of Ekiti Diocese and not the first. Rt. Revd. Bolanle Gbonigi served in Akure Diocese and not Ekiti. Anonymous Ajimobi has failed the people of Oyo State. He lacks ideas to carry along component units that make up the state. From Ismaila, Kaduna Good, if the state governor will think over the lecture and members of ThinkOyo will always tell the governor what he wants to hear except the truth. Anonymous Thank you, sir, for the historical essay on the late Primate Adetiloye. I am particularly excited reading about Sir Herbert Macaulay’s father who history has not been kind to. This has reinforced my plea to the Yoruba race to develop a hall of fame for our heroes. I am happy that the Yoruba Education Trust Fund I proposed some years back to Dr. Fredrick Faseun has taken off. Equally, sir, Yoruba or Oodua hall of fame for heroes is hereby proposed. I will be grateful if I could be invited for formal presentation. I used to be an active journalist. I am too eager to read your book. From Gboyega Amoboye, Owo Thank you, for the serial publication of the lecture delivered on the ‘Responsibility of citizenship: the youth in focus’. The lecture was well packaged. My comment is on the summary of the lecture that the destiny of the state or the nation is in the hands of the youth. I quite agree; are you talking of the youth who are not empowered for the challenges of tomorrow through enployment? Or who are not going through the proper channels of democracy and good governance? The only notable and unifying orientation and practice among Nigerian youths of today, inrrespective of ethnicity and class, are political thuggery, yahoo plus, kidnapping, exam malpractices, European football leagues and all sort of social vices. So, I wonder why our leaders should rely on tomorrow they have emptied and paralyse today. If we should put the nation’s destiny in the hands of the youth, they should always be carried along in all socio-economic and political activities in the country; change their orientation, empower them with jobs and make our educational institutions functional. From Fola Afolalu, Ado Ekiti Re: Responsibility of citizenship: the youth in focus-3. The final write-up on the above subject was encouraging for those who are development-minded. Both the leaders and citizens need to be up and doing. The cooperation between the government/leaders and citizens in Oyo State will, however, require the LED to see the leaders ‘shedding weight’. If I were the Governor, I would be transparent enough on the commissioners and legislators’ pay. Then, if I am taxed in a way, I would gladly accept and pay! Let us cooperate. From Lanre Oseni If the jobless population has reached 50 per cent of total Nigerian population, the govt will face Ajaokuta Steel Company quickly, the largest steel company was abadoned during IBB’s regime, when he wanted to change the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja. Ajaokuta is now a source of campaign for politicians, both state and federal. Ajaokuta is an albatross on the neck of the government. From John Onimisi, Kogi Central It was speculated that most of the cel-
ebrated figures that drafted the American Constitution had slaves who were Yoruba. Some of the slaves enlightened their masters on the old Oyo Empire’s system. Hence, the Kabiyesi became President, the Ogbonis, Senators and the Oyomesi, House of Reps. The Aare OnaKakanfo, the Balogun, the Bashorun and others are visible in the American system. The religion aspect is not missing. Please, take a closer look, America copied us. We can impeach the Kabiyesi with all his power, but the American President can watch his own impeachment on TV. From Cardinal Wole Arogundade of Sinners Redemption Assembly, Abuja Responsibility of citizenship: The youth in focus (2), back page of The Nation 28-12-2012. Whose speech, please? Anonymous For Dare Olatunji Oh Lord as we celebrate this year’s season of goodwill forgive us our trespasses and provide us a right course in our affairs. Amen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! From Mohammed Haruna It seems to me that our leadership suffers brain wave. They must be seen to be working even if to build mobile schools for the nomads while other things are left undone. The fact of the matter is that the think tanks of the government are Nigerians who are much distanced from the real Nigerian situation. They are bent on stuffing drugs down the throat of a man suffering from malnutrition instead of giving him good food. From Steve A. That was a good one on Benito Aderemi. I hope the government will take steps to fix the epileptic petroleum refineries. From Niyi Taiwo They will ban wheat because they cannot think of investing in generic research to get the strain of wheat that can thrive in Nigeria. Wheat grows well in the north of India with similar climate conditions. Are you aware that even if Nigeria is the largest cassava producer, it is the largest domestic (not industrial) consumer? Be kind, sir, to hint the minister that the success of his ministry is in the reduction of food prices and not in eliminating a fertilizer cartel. From Ade Please, help me tell Okonjo-Iweala not to go overseas for the borrowing. Tell her to call a meeting of all governors and ministers. I am sure only two or so of the governors and ministers have more than five times the amount she is looking for. From Sabia Esit Eket, Akwa Ibom May all the good things from God continue to hunt you until you are located where ever you may be in 2013, in Jesus name! Happy 2013. From Renner Tiebiri Good one, Uncle Dare. I think Nigerians should expect the best from Goodluck Jonathan; he will try his best but as he said Nigerians should play their role dilligently. From Lanre, Magboro Re: The year that was 2012. The year 2012 started on a bad note of deceit and ended on destruction of lives. 2012 was a wasted year economically, developmentally and industrially. The political assessment by Doyin Okupe is a ruse. The PDP-led Federal Government is a big failure in all sectors of the economy. See how much we are paying for petrol and electricity now. The government has said nothing on this. What a shame! The government is overdue for better replacement. No employment, roads, security, electricity and visible infrastructure! May God lead us aright and free us from this administration. Enough of unfulfilled promises! From Pastor Odunmbaku Re: The year that was 2012. Year 2012 was more catastrophic than of mixed feelings fuel-price increase, resistance achieved N97. Quick-wins by the government on price increase did not show; flood and other disasters, air-mishaps-DANA/Navy, Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings, sickness of government functionaries and rumoured deaths marred the year which ended with
petrol fuel scarcity with attendant arbitrary price increases of between N110 and N120, up to January 2013. With all the aforementioned ills and horrors, solutions to moving forward are: kill corruption and enforce our existing laws. It is quite unfortunate for Nigeria. From Lanre Oseni. For Gbenga Omotoso They are stone-hearted. They will not listen. Olorun a se idajo. Ride on. Anonymous The President can afford to be slow in decision making in as much as he is no longer shoe-less and his household is in affluence, while majority of us remain shoe-less and in abject poverty. He will always remain on top of the situation when no one close to him is hit by the bombers or touched by the kidnappers. From Daramola, Lagos Amen, my editor! The problem is that our rulers (not leaders) do not cherish solemn prayers. They prefer the shout of ‘HOLY GHOST FIRE!’ above their heads. Well, let us hope they will be able to handle the ‘fire’ when it comes. My prayer goes to a President who surrounds himself with free-loaders who ‘protect’ him from the true feelings of his people and make him believe that genuine critics of his actions are political opponents after his job. But, it is said that: history, like electricity current, has no feelings. Let us hope he remembers that. Compliments of the Season! From Olu. Your piece A prayer at Christmas was Godsent to Nigeria and the world. Merry Christmas! God bless. From Nnamdi Azubuike Compliments! I join you in praying not for a new dress or bicycle but for our corrupt leaders who loot the treasury and live in presidential mansions, receive treatments abroad, spend billions on food and refreshments amid Boko Haram attacks, kidnapping, corruption, exam malpractice. I further join you during this Christmas to pray for justice, truth and love for many who go to bed hungry; some feeding from dustbins, and the homeless, in Jesus Name. Amen. From Abang Joe Happy New Year, Mr. Omotoso. May we witness more years in peace. Terrorism, kidnapping will never stop until injustice is put to a halt. PDP National chairman said our leaders ignored him; Andrew Azazi, may his soul rest in perfect peace, said it was injustice that brought insecurity in the country. Our leaders scolded him. An honest person will find it difficult in this country because when you are saying the truth people will take you as their enemy. With injustice, corruption will go on forever; with justice, there will not be insecurity. With justice, terrorism will say bye to our land. Mr. Goodluck, you have been called upon to wake up in 2013, Mr. Goodluck, wake up now because whatever you do will speak against or in your favour in future. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Dockyard Lagos Re: A prayer at Christmas. The last two paragraphs of your write-up summed it all up. Once there is justice, the right people, rather than money bags, will win elections; Nigeria will be on the right path. May we help ourselves as Almighty God has helped us enough. From Lanre Oseni. Re:A prayer at Christmas. There has been no Tiv/Idoma clash in Benue in the last 10 years. What we have is Tiv farmers/Fulani herdsmen clashes. From John Tyav, Makurdi For Tunji Adegboyega Sir, you’ve made the point concerning Chief Stanley Okeke’s unnecessary worry over fuel subsidy in your article of January 6 titled: “Anti-subsidy suit: Another ABN show?” Nigerians like him do not want food on ordinary Nigerians’ tables. They loathe financial/economic equality;
•Jonathan
they develop hypertension once they see anyone outside their cabal making financial progress. There’ll soon be a government in Nigeria that’ll be most unfriendly to such Nigerians as Chief Okeke. If they think it is impossible, they should wait and see. From Kayode Sopein, Abeokuta. Re: I insist, Sambo must have his N13bn palace (your column of December 30 refers). It is not a joking matter if an allegation of N13-N14 billion to refurbish, remodel and furnish the VP’s official residence is true. Whether for religious or cultural taste necessity, the amount should be reduced to N6 billion. Such things should often not be told the public as, ordinarily, many would faint or die when they hear such information. People are suffering. In a decent nation, devoid of poor attitude and corrupt tendencies, N14billion, if well managed, would create small-scale industries that would employ about 15,000 Nigerians. I want to believe that Vice President Sambo did not make the request for the refurbishment and remodelling requiring the amount in question (N14bn). If he was not misquoted for the taste, the National Assembly should approve not more than N6billion for the whole project. I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. From Lanre Oseni. One measure of intellectual rigour is the ability to avoid the temptation to use men as mirror for truth. The title of your essay on Sunday, December 30, made me wonder whether you were aware of this principle. It would not be correct for anyone to say the misdeeds of Jonathan reflect his religion. I am a columnist like you, but I won’t do that. From Ola. Tunji, you no go kill people with laughter with your sarcastic caption I insist, Sambo must have his N13billion palace. His religion and culture must be reflected. I can’t agree less … I enjoy your column a lot. Thanks! From Barr. Felix Ogbadu, AIG (rtd). Thanks for your irony in I insist, Sambo must have his N13bn palace. Nigeria is in trouble since we have no leaders. From Dan. What a seriocomical piece you had on December 30. May God deliver us in this country. Anonymous. I am sorry you will be attacked with abusive responses because many Nigerians do not understand satire pieces. From Ayo Ojeniyi. My dear Tunji, thanks for your satire on our N13bn palace for our VP. You made me laugh in the New Year. I pity my country, Nigeria. Thanks. Anonymous. Honestly, Tunji, I think the problem we are having in this country is not corruption but ignorance; ignorance in the sense that they have no human feeling except their high taste in government. Anonymous. Re: My man of the Year? Let subsidy fraud step forward’ (December 23). Your choice is incontrovertible. And I am satisfied with it. Since January 2, 2012, the issue and the problems of unresolved panels, probes, fuel scarcity and illegal fuel price hikes by some major and independent marketers, have persisted. Is this a country at all? Nothing other than corruption – oil issues dominated Nigeria in 2012. I fear for our own type of democracy. From Lanre. With ‘Corruption’ as your ‘Person of the Year’, (Nation December 23) you have identified the worst sin Nigeria is saddled with. Have a swell time. From Bayo.