THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012
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EDITORIAL/OPINION
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IR: Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida made a precise assessment of late Chief Awolowo when the latter visited Dodan Barrack in 1986. Said he “ It can truly be said that Awo has been the main issue in Nigeria’s politics during the last 35 years; the great political question is whether one is for Awo or against him”. Nothing can be done against the truth but for the truth. Awo was resolute and had his ideological framework on four cardinal programmes which he pursued with apostolic zeal in the five states controlled by his party in 1979. Today, our present day politicians leave leprosy only to grumble on how to treat ring-worms. Instead of sound educational policy, what we see are palliative measures such as payment for G.C.E forms for students and disbursing bursary allowance. Awo’s discipline, commitment and high sense of purpose ranked him above any politician past and
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Leadership lessons from Awo present. you can not fault him when it came facts and figures. The life of this sage was coloured with virtues and principles that if emulated today will translate our economy and political systems from its backwardness to take lead among the comity of nations. Awo was a good reader. Thoughtful reading enhances analytical thinking. The following blue prints featured in his bulletin to his associates: Do not enjoy in government what you cannot provide for yourself in your private life. Never receive gratification from anyone that will make you unable to look straight at the givers face
when you meet thereafter. Do not collude with Civil servants to defraud government for in doing so you desecrate the office you hold. These principles brought his exhilarating performance fueled by efficiency as he boldly funded free education, constructed good roads and built projects that one can still vividly see around today. Now that we have oil, we suffer the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty and scarcity in the midst of abundance. People that govern live in affluence and enjoy pleasures that bring pressures on the masses, their priorities become our ruins. Education sector has been bastardized. Let it be stated that money can
speak but cannot think; hence we need disciplined leaders, great thinkers to direct aright. Selfish people are useless people. In an interview with the New Nigerian in 1979, Awo declared bluntly that if elected as president that year, “To finance free education, we are going to block wastage like the N350 million allocated to be spent on chocolate in the third national development plan. For the four years of my administration, there will be no dinner, no banquet, no luncheon. Nobody will drink anything but water in the office, including my office if I am elected president. Nigeria needs a shock treatment” .
EFCC and Kogi politics
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IR: I read with suppressed disgust the public petition brought against the EFCC by the International Centre for Advancement of Justice and Peace in Emerging Democracies, ICJAPED on the Kogi gubernatorial imbroglio. Indeed, were it not for the failure of our law enforcement agencies, there exist many people that would be doing time and making acquaintances with other prisoners of like minds in our already overcrowded jails. Specifically, those that should be behind the bars for illegality, wastage of tax payers’ money and impunity are those who committed crimes against the state by disobeying with impunity the Supreme Court judgment of January 27, as well as the instruction of the Attorney General of the Federation. As in the words of then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher (rtd) “In Kogi State, it was widely reported that the President of the Customary Court of Appeal had to swear in a governor
when the Chief Judge who was constitutionally charged with the role, had refused to do so, until he had ascertained the true import of the decision of the Supreme Court. This is clearly wrong”. Sadly, all these were greeted with a conspiracy of silence by both law enforcement agents and the leadership echelon in the country. I have often asked if the Nigerian leadership enjoys abdicating duties and responsibilities, yet disregarding the sacrosanctity of the provisions in the constitution. In as much as I would have loved to join the crowd in protesting vigorously against the allegations on EFCC, I am cautioned by the very fact that the EFCC is a small distraction in Kogi politics because many things that have been allowed to take place are beyond belief in both our legal and democratic society of today. The people of Kogi have lost their liberties in Nigeria’s fledgling democracy long ago and this has nothing to do with hierarchy of the EFCC. However, I must not fail to advise the EFCC to becareful so as
not to be dragged into the already messy situation in Kogi State. The reason being that the politicians that are encouraging EFCC’s involvement are only desirous to use it to sustain their plot to impose totalitarian controls in order to tighten their grip on power for selfish ends especially at this critical stage of our existence.
I therefore encourage President Goodluck Jonathan not to confine the investigation on Kogi politics to the allegations against the EFCC but expand it to cover all other areas that will yield progress for the Kogi people. • Yahaya Etila Aneibo Quarters, Lokoja-Kogi State
This is a reminder to our leaders that spend wastefully using public fund for selfish ends. A leader’s mistake is a leading mistake. To be the head, there is need to conquer the body. The best way to sanitize all arms of government is to make the offices financially unattractive. Responding to how he came about his enlarged heart and sound economic skills, Awo said and I quote “ I have no monopoly of wisdom, but when other leaders are carousing with ladies of shady characters, I am always at my table working hard at the country’s economic problems. Only the deep can call to the deep.” He that lives in illegitimate pleasures is dead while still living. If immorality is not punished there can be no incentive for morality. Many politicians deceptively opine that they can ignore their ignorance but ignorance cannot ignore them. The would-be office holder must be ready for spiritual and political education. Reading is the best way to extend the frontiers of knowledge. One should be well equipped to apply the principles. One can reap the rich reward of mental abilities that is capable of making one to become problemsolvers and solution providers because knowledge without ability to present it, is useless. • Ezekiel Kolawole Custom Road, Ikotun, Lagos
Please reconsider this church project
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IR: I read in the Property page,The Guardian Monday July 16,a report titled, Parishioners pick contractor for Lekki N1.5 BillionChurch. Its actually an Anglican Church complex. I would like to makesome comments. Religion has helped to promote family, friendship and community. Its has also produced great art, great architecture and great music. Also it has helped to promote literacy but I just do not understand the 21st century justification of building this church with 1.5 billion naira perhaps with imported building mate-
rials. Then there is an imported church organ, imported this, imported that? Can Africans not worship God with their own resources and resoucesfulness? Duro Ladipo was expelled from the Baptist Church for playing the Bata drum. They thought he was trying to introduce other gods into the church.The church can do with local building materials. Besides 1.5 billion would feed 140,000 starving West African children for a while.1.5 billion naira can also go to upgrading the Ajayi Crowther University owned by the Anglican Comunion
where a student recently died due to an alleged lack of acess to a generator at the health centre. 1.5 billion could as well go into a hospital project. Lastly the birthplace of Ajayi Crothwer, African father of Anglicanism in Osoogun has beeen neglected. The residents have cried out. It could be transformed into a Tourist Haven. I do not want to be seen as a spoilt sport. I might be wrong in these views. Please stop this church project. • Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, London,England.