Rewind:
It should not be presumptuous to assume that every
serious working man and woman is back to base from the short visit this past
December to hell, Nigeria. I gotta
therefore, cut through the chase and delve right into it by reminding those
with early optimism for Nigerians that the ship is still steered by the same
clueless hydrogen brain as such, they should mellow their expectations.
Americans would thus say it’s a new day
(for Nigeria, New Year) but same crap goes on in the same backpedaling,
accidental, repressive and surreal land. Delivering bad news has never been
easy. It does not pay to bear bad news, but hey, it’s part of the deal so take
it from me nothing new is going to happen in Nigeria as long as people with
sound minds and great visions are relegated to the background or even killed
for daring to ask why, folks.
Some well
meaning writers have through their early writings expressed optimism for
Nigerians in this coming year, but not this fella
here because doing so would mean raising foolish hopes for Nigerians. In order
for the citizens to enjoy a better outlook in 2005 and beyond, the mechanism
for it should have been set in place way before now. What is it you think the
wicked, temperamental “loudmouth” (apologies to Usman
Yerima) President would do differently from his past
primitive antics? See why the optimism will remain suspect until a tested civil
agenda that would bear the expected fruits are set in motion. And for those of
you that act more European than the rest, here is what German Socialist Helmut Kuhne called Harry the second son of Prince Charles of Britain, a “Royal Idiot.” This was after
he wore a nazi swastika armband to a costume party
so; next time you are tempted to tell us how not to call people that so deserve
to be insulted names, remember this and stop tickling yourselves. I know of no
better/civil way to address a conscienceless killer bandit.
Reflection:
If time
is important to all men it is reasonable then to assume that time is equally of
importance to all nations. A minute is precious. A wasted time cannot be
retrieved, or can it? Maybe the Nigeria hocus-pocus could make that
happen. Time must be well used productively, or nothing can be accomplished.
The man (Obasanjo) who wastes his own time and that
of another (Nigerians) squanders away something he cannot replace. He should be
reminded that the gavel, which is a universal instrument of power, is to be
exercised with great control. He must know that power without control reeks
with dangerous outcome. This is especially why Judges use this instrument in
their trade with restrain; they use it within the confines of the law as they
temper that authority with mercy. I am beginning to feel that the antics and
modus oparandi of this scurrilous man baffles the
angels too – ọgbara Igbo harịị.
In a
nation with serious agenda, the man presently at the helm of affairs would
perhaps be more suited in the Supply & Transport (S & T) division of
its army or as a mess hall server. Fate has been unkind
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to
the suffering masses of Nigeria going by the types of rejects
heaped upon them. Now, had this guy followed his real calling to head a canteen
Nigerians would have been spared from their agonized state for sure. The man acts as though he took a page from and in
competition to break the record of Ugandan Idi Amin open assault on civilization in the 70’s. Like Idi Amin Dada who abused his
powers after being promoted beyond his capabilities as a kitchen helper (potato
peeler), Obasanjo too should have been allowed after
one of the thieves cut him loose in 1999, to fade into obscurity back to his
Ota farm. There he would remain to bark orders to the mallams
that work the gates, the turkeys that roam the compound or he may even teach
the fishes how to swim properly in his farm as long as he remains far and away
from governance. Albeit, the unnecessary elevation of this man from obscurity
like his mentor, Amin caused him too to go berserk
with power without learning a lesson from history’s pages. Only in Africa would a potato peeler rise from
ashes to insult the sensibilities of the entire country. Many times I have
wondered what the hell Abacha was thinking when he
eliminated Shehu Musa Yar’Adua without addressing the real deal. Perhaps this
could be why most people alluded to Abacha as dumb
without a clue? I really get tweaked over the allusion to this man as a war
hero. For heaven’s sake, what war? Only in his imagination, he wishes! Abiodun Benjamin, son of the war criminal Benjamin Adekunle already stated in his book “The War Letters” that Aremu is rather another dirty old military schemer who
operates and in most instances is the exact replica of a scavenging and
opportunistic hyena who surfaces after the coast has been cleared by real
heroes to accept the reward.
The
President of Nigeria should be informed that the strength of a political system
depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens. His attempt to
control the masses by seeking to dominate and intimidate certain group -
Eastern Regioners, the Tivs
and all who disagree with his tyranny gets him nowhere; no mileage is gained so
he might as well chill. Talking about Region, where did these wasted rogues get
the south-south bunkum from? What the hell is
south south? During my early years in school, what I
was made aware of as far as geography is concerned is the four or eight
cardinal points, the navigational aid/compasses; North (northeast, northwest),
South (southeast, southwest), East and West. Not east-east, west-west or
north-north, follow me? Or you could simply go, Up and Down, Top to Bottom
never south-south. “Nigeria they hail thee” alright but she
embarrasses the shit outta me. What is wrong by protecting and keeping our (Easterners) natural
property? Would it be better for the northerners and now the westerners to
weather the elements (rain, heat, distance, bad terrain etc) and travel all the
way down east to guzzle something that obviously is not theirs? I see the attempts to divide the Igbo
areas into meaningless sub-regions as a “sophisticate” means of stealing something
that in no way belong to these bandits in power and it will continue to present
a challenge to them. Why not north-north for the Hausa or west-west for the
Yoruba? South-south whatever or not, we know ourselves; Rivers, Balyesa, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and the like have been getting along pretty
fine and will continue to do so. We are indeed brothers and friends, we have
mutual understanding and respect for one another and if you disagree, you
should then tell us when was the first and last time we killed or destroyed
each others’ properties. We are one!
There is
no gain saying, as some nations possess more military and economic power than
others so also do some individuals have more luck and opportunities than most.
Upon the powerful rests responsibility to exercise the wealth and influence
with restraint. This is what we expect those around and within the corridors of
power to be saying to the government they are associated with. And if
necessary, tow the honorable way out if their counsel is flagrantly abused by
the power that be instead they sink with the corrupt
government out of their greedy self enrichment with public monies. The right
and duty of people of all nations (Igbo) to determine their own destiny are non-negotiable.
I urge the political parties to use their nonviolent (maybe, violent) power to
maximize the political, social and economic self-determination of other
ethnicities rather than to further their own selfish special interests. I urge
Christians in every nook and corner of that society to encourage the government
under which they live and the economic entities within their societies to aid
and work for the development of more just economic orders. I look forward to
the government that would develop efforts to which the unlimited resources of
that nation would be used to the maximum benefit of all her peoples and not
pocketed by Tafa Balogun
and his kinds.
You can’t
put a finger even if you try on anything that might closely be said to be good
about Nigeria yet the people responsible for
the abyss carryon as if the damn place needs no oiling. Even the U.S. with all
her technological and political advancements still look for ways to dilute
peoples’ pains not Nigeria where the government would rather inflict
unnecessary hardship on her citizens. The same citizens they are
constitutionally required to protect and provide for is who they rollover. A
period of less than ten years would have been more than enough to set the
mechanism right to spruce the system had Nigeria been blessed with men with
sound vision who are capable of taking her to new and respectable heights. Take
for instance, had every successive government embarked on a yearly project by
solving or tackling different stated projects, Nigerians would by now reaping the
full dividends from this novel idea. See how I did begin my presidential
apprenticeship if I were to be selected to lead her to the promised
land.
A good
start would be a cabinet that is full of men and women with impeccable
backgrounds a la character, followed by the inculcation of discipline from
top(me) to bottom(citizens) in all spheres of life. For any order to take place
the law most be respected this much anyone with functional brain cells should
understand. In the first year of say a five year term, concentration should be
on providing operational healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics,
dispensaries etc). In year two power generations should be tackled to the
ground while year three would be about roads (maintenance, construction,
repairs etc). Fourth year, education should receive full attention starting
with a real Minister for Education that is a tested academician not the type of
mediocre Nigeria has seen in the past. Last but
certainly not the least, solving the perennial housing or telecommunication
problems will be the government’s final goal. Mind you, this “A Year, A
Project” could come in any order for instance, one may address whichever,
project first of his/her choosing as long as there are itemized goals of what
that government wants to achieve at the end of a five year term. Subsequent
governments are then expected to continue this trend which should see all
aspects of decay fixed. Given the preceding scenario, how many years do you
think it would have taken to fix the decay Nigeria became? Not many!
Equally
of importance is the usefulness of railways, which is necessary for high volume
movement of goods and people for the smooth continuation of commerce. The
safety of this mode of transportation cannot be overemphasized. Yet it never
occurred to the present government to look into all variable and remote causes
attributable to the demise of this medium of movement with a view to fixing all
the fixable in order to have it up and running again. The present leaders of
that country should avail themselves by going back to the drawing room to
swiftly figure how to reinvigorate our inter-railroad connections since it is
an integral part of development. I submit to you that no developed world that
does not boast of some serious rail right-of-ways. Howsoever, the
self-acclaimed VIPS of Nigeria - Vagabonds In Power
refused to appreciate the necessity of moving both people and goods from one
distant locale to another. Had this brute in power surrounded himself with
clear headed people who has sound mind they would have rang the usefulness
associated with railroads in the growth of any nation in his head. A legit and
world class statesman would definitely realize that and put a cap on this and
other crisis that stubbornly refused to go away in that banana republic.
As such,
an urgent unalloyed redesign of the outdated plan is therefore proposed to this
illegitimate government to gain any semblance of integrity by embarking on real
nation building. There is a critical need to look into the dilapidated state of
NRC – Nigeria Railway Corporation if it still exists to do the right thing and
not let tribalism and cronyism continue to be their guide. Talking about “ism,”
is he suffering from Rheumatism? The total reinvigoration of rail right-of-ways
is hereby called for while the construction of new ones are immediately set
upon in the most traveled areas like, Port Harcourt - Aba
- Enugu - Onitsha - Benin - Ibadan - Lagos - Abuja
and northern cities eche taram eche taram. Check this; during my secondary school days
it was easy for me to catch the train for a quick visit to my parents to
“reload” my pocket (lol). This transportation mode
should be sorely missed by all who like me benefited from it. With eyes closed
I could see the Mallam that used to be onboard headed
to Kafanchan on my way from Aba
to Enugu each time singing a nice tune as he bellows with his samba, “I never see where pillow dey carry bed, na bed dey carry pillow; water don pass garri!”
I guess he meant the Nigeria abracadabra, lol,
never did I miss dropping some coins in his calabash.
Growth
has never been part of the official policy of past and present governments
otherwise “ọ gini
ji nwa nkita
ọwụ” – what is delaying the dog’s euthanasia? To me, all Nigerian
politicians, so-called, Aremu in particular are
confirmed nuisances that simply refused to go away thanks to the maximum
dictator; Abacha, who had a super golden chance to
swat away this menace, instead snoozed. Intelligent people know how energy
zapping it is to even mention Nigeria. It takes a lot of vitality to
engage in this adventure let alone live there, so, forget I said it. Any
discussion about her brings one a step closer to heart attack. What could
possibly be the excuse for a country that wants the world to believe that we
are “One” to turn a blind eye to a calamity in
waiting?
Recently, the Onitsha bridge has
been in the headlines; it is on the brink of collapse due to the type of heavy
traffic it endures after years of wear and tear without maintenance. Let the
world through this medium hear how mean spirited Nigeria is towards the Eastern
Regioners, the only land link to the rest of the
freaked out land is about to kpamfuka – collapse yet the captain remains asleep at the
rudder. No attention is being given to it. They are like, yeah right, let it
crash after all we (Yoruba/Hausa) do not share the bridge with them. Albeit,
the jokers failed to see the ever present hand of God to easily shield his
children from the imminent danger by putting the stealing players through
substitution on the bridge the day the damn thing will give way so that they,
not us may perish with it. I don’t’ wish this to happen to anyone but if it
should, better them than us. So, let the responsible party wake up to the
urgent duties at hand.
Honestly,
it has been more than twenty plus years since I celebrated Nigeria’s Independence. No gain saying the confusion
that went through me the last time I saw a couple of smoky vehicles driven by
people from the western area of Nigeria at different locations with dirty
Nigeria flags, literally speaking, hoisted on their vehicles. I practically
froze. A quick call cleared my anxieties with an explanation to why they were
in such a merry mood, Independence anniversary of Nigeria that’s why! The sight of that
flag hoisted by uninformed folks who displayed it without stopping to wonder
what their answer would be if a nosy American had asked them about their
country frankly elevated my somber mood. A question like thus, whose flag is
that? Nigeria, a quick answer would come. Isn’t
that the same country that broke the corruption record for consecutive years
according to Amnesty International? Now the answer is no longer quick, but a
drawl would follow as thus, em, em,
eh never mind them; Indonesia nko? And who knows other blah blah blah that would follow if
indeed they had encountered such questions. It is for a reason that this
embarrassing encounter was shared to remove any appearance of insincerity on my
part and to reinforce my disappointment with how that country turned out. Don’t
expect this essayist to be a blind patriot. Naaaaaay!
Here is for those folks who flew this dirty flag, maybe you could justify your
action by telling us one, just one
thing so good about Nigeria, your
beloved.
Nothing
constructive can ever be gained by the thuggish regime of Emperor Aremu hence the earlier someone in his junta anonymously
tucks this info under his pillow the better for him. Violence destroys; it
never builds. Obasanjo should know that it is much
easier to be a wrecker than to be a builder. A couple of novices could bring
down an edifice but could they put it together? Many times the enemy, Obj, will try to wreck freedom of speech and this can prove
a deadly blow. When a man’s throat is masticated it is hard to efficaciously
carry his routines. A strike to the head or brain is the worst a man can
endure. It obliterates freedom of thought. The result of this thought
destruction is ignorance, which is man’s (replace man with Obasanjo)
greatest enemy. Where ignorance exists, there you would find oppression. A few
wicked idiots control the hapless many. These few use the majority as wagers in
their search for power and more recognition. Blows are not literally and
necessarily needed to destroy a man. Half or no truths, straight bow faced lies
and dangerous gossips can damage a victim’s heart or his good name. This is
exactly what Obasanjo and that Igbo boy Tobechukwu,
the junior SSS security charlatan did to Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. They used Yoruba maga maga to breach his peace and tranquility
few months ago when the uninvited rogues invaded his home.
“It is a vile and
reprehensible act for any government that condemns or smolders alternative
views or criticism.” - Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President of
past.
Not long
ago it was suggested to me by someone dear to me that it might benefit me to
write favorably in behalf of this barbaric regime. He opined that this could
draw me nearer to the government. I was reminded that my fortified quest to
shine the light on is to my disadvantage but do I care a rat ass shit? Nope!
This advice somewhat disappointed me, but I nonetheless appreciated the fact
that my wish to be left alone was respected. What type of lure would tilt me
towards this wicked devilish putative leader of Nigeria? I will tell you this much, money
definitely would not do it hence this option is automatically closed. Given the
amount of wickedness embedded into the Nigerian political ground against the
Igbo it behooves the man who took this craft to alarming heights to let common
wisdom reign. Let him do away with the dangerous status quo or let us amiably
part ways and go our peaceful paths. We are not together! We are hardly one! We
are strangers therefore as strangers; this option to part ways is the only
viable alternative. Our friends from the west who at the present failed to see
the urgent need to split would be the first to scream holy cow (unfairness)
when the tides turn after 2007. There are reasons to believe that once this
chance to stop the same destroyers from smelling power anytime soon is allowed
to get away, it would never be recovered again, not soon.
According
to the narration by Archytas, a Greek philosopher of
400B.C. or so, Pythagoras an early teacher said; “The true chief[president] must not only
possess the science and power of commanding well, but he must also love
men[people]; for it is absurd that a shepherd should hate his flock, and fell
hostile disposition towards those he is educating. We must first know that the
good man is not thereby necessarily happy, but that the happy man is necessarily
good; for the happy man is he who deserves praise and congratulations; the good
man deserves only praise.”
Where in
your individual opinions does your president, Obasanjo
belong based on the above forethought? None! These are established and tested
parameters of how leaders are judged yet we have men who readily append “Ph.D.”
to the jargon they write in support of common criminals as if that alone should
qualify their opinions. To me, the moment a supposedly educated person
compromises principles to betray his education, the treatment he gets should be
commensurate that received by an errant tout/pickpocket. Period! There
shouldn’t be any difference because they are both community nuisances therefore
deserve to be so treated. Ok, there are those who may argue in favor of the
tout by establishing a relationship between his limited education, upbringing
and position in society. A little consideration should be allowed for the
tout’s unimpressive and painful background since basic education may have
eluded him unlike our Ph.Ds. who reached educational
pinnacle therefore should know better. The tout could be driven into street thuggery by a biting hunger. On the contrary, most of the
lying elites that engage in the disgraceful arts of embezzling stealing simply
display greedy aggression to acquire or steal something that does not belong to
them. Theirs is not about hunger. Suffice theirs with wicked greed to get the
picture. These elites, so-called are as offensive as they are full of shit. Cow
shit at that!
At last,
the Obasanjo led killer squad, SSS
stood down their offensive provocation towards the Great One, Ikemba and let freedom reign for now. Given the Nigerian
antics and their knack to concoct strife, it is only a matter of time before
another trouble is fermented by them. It is no longer a secret that the only
times the Igbophobes appear to be united is when the situation calls for come
one, come all kicking jamboree of Ndiigbo in the
groin. Even the ones with wobbly legs still find enough strength to kick hard
just to inflict as much damage as they could then turn around and go to the
Church/Mosque the next minute. Our Iroko, Honorable Chinua Achebe, long proffered
that the provocateurs are only united in their wicked hate for the Igbo. The only
satisfaction they get from the false “One Nigeria” slogan is the high level of
hate they display towards us. They continue to miss the mark with their support
for evil policies that make zero sense to even a toddler. The crass majority
see Nigeria from one distorted dimension
only. When the Igbo are right, we remain wrong. When we remain indoors and not
go anywhere to show our dissatisfaction, heck no, to them wrong is the word
because this is the only way they get their daily high. This writer does not get
it.
We have
been told or read that whatever is worth doing better be done right. The
recycled garbage, thieves, killers, embezzlers, mediocres
in Nigeria goes against this belief. Forget
the shout about a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, although I believe
that we are better suited to clamp down on the system abuse, it remains
nonsensical due to infringement into Igbo enclaves by outsiders with ulterior
motives. When we talk of real Igbo leaders, Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu, Ikemba
come to mind; in the same vain are scions with impeccable portfolios, Ebittu Ukaiwe, Joe Achuzie, Ndubuisi Kalu so on. Let the thieves maintain transparency by
allowing us choose for ourselves who to present. Who are these Igbos that the
north and west want to impose on the nation anyway? No, we in Igboland do not
believe in mediocrity as seen by the opening paragraph. The quality they prefer
will not pass the muster since those they adore are the dangerous types. The
northern and western writers who splash lies against the chosen people know the
preceding statements are true so, it’s on them. Dumb butt! Unless a Sovereign National
Conference is convoked evil and mayhem shall continue to blaze the territorial
entity you call Nigeria.
Nigerians
should not be subjected to yet another EFULEFU, state or region of origin
notwithstanding an efulefu is simply that. The palmy
country will continue to be a disgruntled, disgraced, disowned and disserted
until men/women with good heart take over. The hate filled policies towards the
Eastern Regioners as seen by the way Obasanjo, like “King Kong” destroyed everything in his path
is not hearsay anymore. I first saw that movie in the early sixties and thought
it - KK was indestructible yet at the end his violent
and inglorious life was violently terminated. After eliminating all the fabric
of democracy, Obasanjo now turns his attention to his
co-traveler in sin, his VP. Lately he’s been playing a dangerous game that
would consume one or both of them. We are watching! He’s been making a not so
subtle attempt to embarrass a man although, a crook too, but still loyal to his
Oga. Atiku is being pitted against his northern brothers who
will in a flash join together after 2007 to wreak the most vicious mayhem on
those who are their friends today as supported by history.
At this
point, it looks like a miracle is all it will take for the possibility of
uncovering why our neighbors in the west display so much unending high level of
animosity towards the Igbo. Their hate for Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu particularly, is heart throbbing. I don’t
see how anyone could restore the credibility of people who abhor someone who
has done nothing but extend friendship, love and respect to them. A lasting
friendship would have been cultivated if the provocateurs had presented for
debate the litany of things he did to deserve such wicked antics. This is my
challenge to the rest of Nigerians or forever sharrrrrap - shut up. In order
for those of us still confused to get a grip, maybe we need a psychoanalyst to
explain the phenomenon of needlessly hating someone who does not bear any atom
of acrimony against them. This is how he viewed the Yoruba, "I do not
need to remind you (Banjo) that Biafra
regards all Yoruba as friends.” Let me repeat that Odumegwu-Ojukwu
also had the utmost respect even in death for a man the Yoruba worshipped, Pa Awolowo. I will ignore Baba’s injection of racial politics
into the Nigerian political system. How can one justify such display of hate
towards someone, Odumegwu-Ojukwu who released, not
announced but ordered the sage’s release from prison? Despite Pa Awolowo’s idea to use hunger as instrument of war against
the innocent children, women and the elderly of Igbo, Ikemba
never once displayed hostility on the sage.
At the
cessation of open hostilities in 1970, again, Pa Awo’s
mean policy of disbursing the pittance amount of twenty pounds to any Igbo with
bank account regardless of the amount on deposit helped to seal the Igbo fate.
What was that about though? To inflict more pain on a people that released him
from prison? Again, in spite of Pa Awo’s
double-crossing shenanigan towards the Aburi, Ghana
PEACE accord, Odumegwu-Ojukwu still had nice words to
say about him in death “here lies the best President, Nigeria never had.” This display of class went unnoticed by great many from
the west who display tackiness towards Ikemba. Is
your hate for the man and the Igbo out of conviction or simply because that’s
what the Fulani Arabs expects of you? You retain the lies they infused into you
some thirty-eight years ago. Even now that you too are experiencing their
anti-democratic and brash behavior you still throw blind weight in support by
continuing to descend on Ojukwu as if he killed Chief Awolowo.
I don’t get it and I refuse to! I totally give affirmation to the sentiments
expressed by our big brother, Ikemba about the sage.
Had it not been for the tribal infestation he introduced into Nigerian
political apparatus, he would undoubted been a super democratic president of
any country. The truth is that despite all he did to my people, I still miss
him. I loved his campaign style, he had savvy and flair. I really wanted to see
him win maybe his innate tribalism would have pushed him to demarcate the yeye country
hence this writer will never forgive Obasanjo for
handing over to clueless Shehu Shagari
something the sage would have won.
"All is fair in
war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should
feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder." Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Minister of
Finance)
But the
sage just like Lateef Jakande
in a piece titled “Lateef
Kayode Jakande (L.K.J.) May Well be the Enemy of the Common Man in our
Country” - Mr. Wunmi Akintide, did
not leave the stage when the ovation was highest. I happened upon this very
interesting piece as I was putting together something else so I had to squeeze
it in. It is interesting to see this author being objective for the first time
and I commend him for that. My gratitude for that piece is again expressed. In
that article we were told how Lateef Jakande went from grace to grass. A man that was so
respected then made a wrong turn when he took appointment with the Abacha junta against the popular wishes of his folks. His
political career as far as his people are concerned was stamped doomed. And I
have no problems with their feelings towards him or any other person like him,
but what I don’t get is how come they don’t see Obasanjo
as the worst of its kind? No doubt in my mind, none that Abacha
was very bad but whatever ugliness one experienced under him pales when
compared to Obasanjo’s wicked, murderous, stealing
junta under a supposedly democratic rule. What leader lends support by
destroying his subjects by directly backing a motor-park tout, Chris Uba? Who does not know that it is the height of
irresponsibility and an impeachable act for a sitting President to sponsor a
coup in any part of the federating unit? Oh, I know who, the National Assembly!
Pardon me
as I can’t seem to get over the pervasive insults towards Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu, what gave rise to this unending putdown on
a man that has never been accused of stealing public or private monies? I’m
talking of a man that never committed any military mutiny. Back on the Jakande’s piece, he was exposed as a Yoruba efulefu by Mr. Akintide whom I’m guessing is beginning to see the benefits
of objective reporting. He hit real hard on how Jakande
transmuted from a statesman to a charlatan even though they share the same
tribe. In the past I have recommended that attention be given to all
shenanigans no matter whence they cometh. We should endeavor to make public any
such persons in one’s area as we delve into others. His article did just that
and I say thank you one more time. I do however, have a serious issue with the
inclusion of the author in the “poor Nigerian” category. He even admitted to
putting down N40, 000, as deposit to secure one of the public houses for the poor.
“Lateef Kayode Jakande
as Minister of Works and Housing under Sani Abacha had launched a national housing program that he
himself had claimed was going to provide affordable housing to all poor
Nigerians across the nation, and in every state of the Federation.”
Here is
the problem I have though. The author by any stretch or definition worldwide
could not claim to be “poor” so why did he too apply for housing that Jakande made clear was for ordinary and poor Nigerians? A
poor Nigerian does not get invite to a “who’s who party.” A poor Nigerian does
not sit a couple of rows behind Ministers and the “cream” of society. Even Mr. Wunmi will admit this much. How do I know that he is not a
“poor” Nigerian? Easy, anyone who could be invited in Nigeria to Pa Adekunle
Ajasin’s birthday bash can never claim poverty.
Anyone that could seat a row or two behind the “movers and shakers” of that
country has no business to lay claim to poverty. Now, someone who was
“Assistant Secretary (Army) in those days,” January 1968 to August of the same
year can never, ever, ever be said to be lacking, much more be poor in Nigeria.
So ladies and gentlemen here you saw the abuse of the system to deny the real
poor folks roofs over their heads by one of the societal elites, Mr. Wunmi. The issue becomes whether this man was involved in
the abuse of the process knowing full well he is neither poor nor ordinary for
that matter. People like him are the reason why that country can never, ever
see the light. Their abuse of the system is so out of control that even when Jakande had noble intentions, the rich and super rich
commandeered the program, which I am sure contributed to its abortion. With
hindsight being 20-20 he should regret any role he might have played that
scuttled that housing scheme.
Repeat:
In my
Islamic reviews, it has been made abundantly clear that the Quran
is the law as such democracy is hard to accomplish in Islamic nations. It was
succinctly put in “Umar Bello too failed to clear
the Quranic anxieties and Headline: Gamji Capitulates!” that the Quran is the law. This is
for all the doubting Thomases out there as evidenced
in the speech by the recently [s]elected Afghan President Hamid
Karzai in his oath of office swore, "to protect the holy religion of islam."
Here is a man that was yanked from the jaws of his Islamic brethren by a
Christian President, George Bush proclaiming to protect the same document that
was used to justify his oppression by those before him. I don’t see much
difference between the islamist
warlords and Karzai, do you? Sir, people that value
human lives swear to protect civil liberties by upholding democracy. Duh!
Another
repetitious bunkum is the comment credited to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, their Finance Minister. I cringe each time
another inexperienced government officio drops their usual vicious insulting
attack on Nigerians whose sufferings surpassed the biblical Job’s. Hear her, "I am
surprised that Nigerians seem not to appreciate what we have been able to do.
We have put structures where there were no structures and we are carrying out
proper reforms in the economic system.” -
Thisday, Thursday, November 25, 2004.
My undiplomatic
reaction to this, is what the piggy crap is this clueless novice yapping? No,
madam minister we expect immediate end to the chronic and calamitous abuse of
Nigerians shekina.
Over the years they have been subjugated to all sorts of abuses, stemming from
mental to physical and for anyone to be so insensitive as to make reckless
utterances that further demeans Nigerians calls for trash talking that person
down by all who feel the pain of our loved ones. If these stealing government
officials do not know what to say, they are better off quiet than ooze some
deadly bacteria upon the people. Nigerians have been more than tolerant if you
ask me.
How could
she in Jesus name insinuate that Nigerians are ungrateful yet she can not claim
to be ignorant of what they expect from her government, basic necessities like
Housing, Healthcare, Food, Transportation, Telecommunications, Power,
Education, Safety and Security? All these will bring general happiness not only
on Ms. Okonjo-Iweala and her cronies in government,
but to all, stupid! And if
she feels strongly that the citizens who have been raped are “ungrateful,” what
the hell is keeping her from getting the hell outta
there? This woman should do us a big favor and simply fade, sorry I mean
RESIGN! What is ironic about the utterances of these mediocres
is that while they suck the country dry with their overpayments and stealing,
they blame the same oppressed for their inactions. If they are unable to simply
shut up and enjoy their loot without insulting the sensibilities of the poor
then what stops them from quitting? Maybe this woman and her gang should be
told again that a good number of Nigerians are under forty, all they ever saw
is corruption and more bad news. Thought I tell her. So how are they expected
to be grateful, to what? When people are lifted from obscurity to a much better
life, they should be humble enough to know that Nigeria
belongs not only to them. I bet you before her elevation to this position; she
was one of the Nigerians that saw everything wrong with the government but not
anymore.
Still repeating, recently the
governor of Cross-Rivers state came under the light for bogus law diploma. He
refused to make available the original document showing he indeed has what he claimed.
Were it to be me, I will not hesitate for a microsecond if an irritant
questions my education to willingly and gladly present the originals of my
diplomas with direct information to the school for further verification by
them. As I write, I still have my student ID imbedded in the long term
retention of my brain. To the young readers in the house, please do not take
these essays lightly; do as I did by keeping your degree pristine. Mine are
still in the certified envelopes they were mailed in.
The school that I attended never
awards any degree to anyone on convocation/graduation day, no, no, no. You only
receive a folder with information on the next steps, which are to thoroughly
verify that the student met all his academic works and no fees are owed only
then they mail your diploma. Now tell me what would a plumber, Mantu, the leader of the House of Assembly, a man with
hydro-brain discuss when it comes to pricking the intellectual conscience of
his peers to float ideas that would advance that nation? The leader of Nigeria
House of Assembly is a street plumber without the basic elementary education as
revealed in one of Chidi Eze’s
piece. My goodness!
That’s
right, go ahead and hand over to your boy IBB but our
neighbors from the west should remember that their guide comes from one thing, Quran. Never know down the stretch when a sympathetic Imam
or Saduana would arise to bark orders that are
capable of destroying you, there would be no going back then. No “perhaps” this
time. To them, friendship takes the back and last seat when push turns to Kwaking – shoving
they would follow the command to annihilate non-moslems.
Finally, those that act as if the physical destruction of Biafra should remove it from our hearts, ought to be informed that it is virtually impossible
for Biafra to be taken out of our spirits.
For all that can be said about Biafra, we (Eastern Regioners) simply
call it home. I hope my essays impacted you in a
positive way. I hope my essays gave you something to think about as we continue
to search for a way out of the British concocted dilemma. To the readers whom
might have taken offence to my writings, please go back and review them with a
clearer mind. And those it touched in a most profound way, allow me to announce
my leave of absence. I needa break! My email address
will remain active, feel free to send any questions you might harbor and I
promise you my answer/reply will come quickly. No attachments though, it won’t
be opened. Auto-delete still activated. You are also free to use my advice in
your articles as long as I’m quoted verbatim without debasement. Remember to
keep your space and allow the Igbo theirs. We’re not asking much. He who wears
the shoes should know where it hurts. We do!