The immediate past governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who was recently acquitted of a 170-count corruption charges brought against him by Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is not home free, as the agency has launched a fresh round of investigations on the activities of the former governor.
In addition to the fact that the EFCC has, since December 2009, filed a notice of appeal against the December 17, 2009 judgement which absolved Mr. Ibori of all wrong doing, the commission has begun this new round of investigations on the former governor following a petition by members of the Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, which was made available to the public last week.
Last week, the chairman of the EFCC, Farida Waziri, held a meeting with the acting president, Goodluck Jonathan, during which Mr. Jonathan re-emphasised the determination of the federal government to wage a vibrant anti-corruption campaign.
The latest petition against Mr. Ibori, signed by 10 leading citizens of Delta State headed by a former minister of information, Edwin Clark, includes a demand for a probe of the former governor over alleged illegal disposal of 528 million shares belonging to Delta State, in Oceanic Bank. The shares were said to have been disposed of in 2007 by government officials.
In the petition, which was also published in some national dailies, the group asked the anti- corruption agency to hold Mr. Ibori liable for the disposal of the shares. Mr. Ibori was alleged to have unlawfully used the 528.01 million units as “a collateral for a loan from Intercontinental Bank for his private company, Ascot Offshore Nigeria Ltd.”
Officials of the EFCC, who declined to be named, confirmed over the weekend that the agency has launched fresh investigations into several allegations against Mr. Ibori made by Mr. Clark, a delta chief and head of the Elders Committee of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The EFCC has initiated investigations into some other allegations, including the ones made by Clark and co,” an operative of the agency told NEXT over the weekend.
However, the spokesman of the EFCC, Femi Babafemi, declined to speak on ongoing investigations against the former governor. “We are looking into the petition,” he said.
Mr. Babafemi however confirmed that the commission was eager to go on with the earlier case, but that the appeal court was yet to fix a date for hearing on the matter.
“After the December 17th judgement, the EFCC on December 23rd filled a notice of appeal at the appeal court in Benin. We are just waiting for the appeal court to fix a date for the hearing,” Mr. Babafemi said.
The EFCC had slammed a 170-count charge of corruption on Mr. Ibori in 2007. After two years, a trial judge, Marcel Awokulehin, ruled the case in favour of the former governor in a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State.
Mr. Ibori, however, still faces money laundering charges brought against him and some of his associates by the Metropolitan Police in London. The case is being heard at the Southwark County Court, London.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Soyinka, Falana want EFCC boss removed – Waku
Senator Joseph Waku has alleged that some individuals behind the SNG are canvassing the removal of EFCC boss, Mrs Farida Waziri.
Some national dailies had carried reports of moves to prevail on the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, to remove Mrs Waziri as the head of the anti-corruption agency.
Addressing journalists in Abuja recently, Senator Waku alleged that Professor Wole Soyinka and Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, were behind the move to remove Farida from the EFCC.
Waku alleged that Soyinka had met with Jonathan and presented the agenda of the SNG. He said part of the agenda presented to the acting president was the removal of Mrs Waziri as the EFCC boss and her replacement with former Kaduna State Governor, Colonel Abubakar Umar [rtd].
Waku advised the acting president to be cautious with ideas coming from some prominent Nigerians and be focused on moving Nigeria forward.
“He should be cautious with ideas coming from certain Nigerians. He should focus on moving Nigeria forward. He shouldn't allow himself to be dragged into nepotism. They shouldn't take advantage of his proximity to them and blackmail Nigerians that they don't have access to,” Waku cautioned.
Speaking further, Senator Waku disclosed that the achievements of the EFCC boss since she mounted the saddle does not warrant the desperation to get her out of the anti corruption agency.
“Is it not heart-warming that she inherited about 10 high profile cases from her predecessor in June 2008 and today, she has filed about 50 additional ones? From the interview I read that in just 18 months she has recovered funds and assets in excess of three billion dollars ($3 billion) within the same period. I also counted 23 cardinal achievements she had recorded within the same period. If this is the record of her performance, which surpasses that of her predecessor, who is then afraid of her? Who wants her distracted? For what purpose?”
Waku, however pleaded that his defence of the EFCC boss should not be taken as informed by primordial sentiment since the EFCC boss is a Tiv from Benue State like Waku.
“I am not defending her because we are from the same state. In fact, all hands must be on deck to check corruption. No Nigerian that stole money should be left untouched no matter who they are. But Nigerians should be ready to produce evidence that can not be faulted, so that these people can be prosecuted. No nation can survive with this magnitude of corruption,” Waku submitted.
Some national dailies had carried reports of moves to prevail on the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, to remove Mrs Waziri as the head of the anti-corruption agency.
Addressing journalists in Abuja recently, Senator Waku alleged that Professor Wole Soyinka and Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, were behind the move to remove Farida from the EFCC.
Waku alleged that Soyinka had met with Jonathan and presented the agenda of the SNG. He said part of the agenda presented to the acting president was the removal of Mrs Waziri as the EFCC boss and her replacement with former Kaduna State Governor, Colonel Abubakar Umar [rtd].
Waku advised the acting president to be cautious with ideas coming from some prominent Nigerians and be focused on moving Nigeria forward.
“He should be cautious with ideas coming from certain Nigerians. He should focus on moving Nigeria forward. He shouldn't allow himself to be dragged into nepotism. They shouldn't take advantage of his proximity to them and blackmail Nigerians that they don't have access to,” Waku cautioned.
Speaking further, Senator Waku disclosed that the achievements of the EFCC boss since she mounted the saddle does not warrant the desperation to get her out of the anti corruption agency.
“Is it not heart-warming that she inherited about 10 high profile cases from her predecessor in June 2008 and today, she has filed about 50 additional ones? From the interview I read that in just 18 months she has recovered funds and assets in excess of three billion dollars ($3 billion) within the same period. I also counted 23 cardinal achievements she had recorded within the same period. If this is the record of her performance, which surpasses that of her predecessor, who is then afraid of her? Who wants her distracted? For what purpose?”
Waku, however pleaded that his defence of the EFCC boss should not be taken as informed by primordial sentiment since the EFCC boss is a Tiv from Benue State like Waku.
“I am not defending her because we are from the same state. In fact, all hands must be on deck to check corruption. No Nigerian that stole money should be left untouched no matter who they are. But Nigerians should be ready to produce evidence that can not be faulted, so that these people can be prosecuted. No nation can survive with this magnitude of corruption,” Waku submitted.
Official Confirms Warri Explosion
The Delta State commissioner for information, Oma Djebah, has confirmed that there was an explosion in Warri, near the venue of a ceremony to mark an amnesty for former rebel fighters.
Contrary to agency reports which indicated that the device went off near the main hall of the event, Mr. Djebah claimed that the explosion went off in a car parked away from the venue.
“Yes, there was an explosion about 200 meters away from the conference venue,” Mr. Djebah said in a telephone interview.
It remains unclear if there were any casualties or injuries as at the time of this report. The ceremony, a post-amnesty dialogue, organised by Vanguard Group of Newspapers, has however been put off until later in the day.
“The explosion happened while Sam Amuka-Pemu - the Vanguard Publisher - was giving his address after the chairman, Patrick Aziza, had given his opening remarks,” said a source who was at the conference.
However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in an e-mailed statement to journalists that it had planted three explosive devices in and around Delta State Government House in Warri to debunk the state governor's claim about MEND.
“After receiving the baton of ignorance from his Bayelsa State counterpart, the governor of Delta State declared in the Vanguard newspaper of February 22, 2010 that “the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is a media creation,” the statement said and promised that it would detonate the first bomb remotely at 11:30 hours Nigerian time which it did.
Contrary to agency reports which indicated that the device went off near the main hall of the event, Mr. Djebah claimed that the explosion went off in a car parked away from the venue.
“Yes, there was an explosion about 200 meters away from the conference venue,” Mr. Djebah said in a telephone interview.
It remains unclear if there were any casualties or injuries as at the time of this report. The ceremony, a post-amnesty dialogue, organised by Vanguard Group of Newspapers, has however been put off until later in the day.
“The explosion happened while Sam Amuka-Pemu - the Vanguard Publisher - was giving his address after the chairman, Patrick Aziza, had given his opening remarks,” said a source who was at the conference.
However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in an e-mailed statement to journalists that it had planted three explosive devices in and around Delta State Government House in Warri to debunk the state governor's claim about MEND.
“After receiving the baton of ignorance from his Bayelsa State counterpart, the governor of Delta State declared in the Vanguard newspaper of February 22, 2010 that “the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is a media creation,” the statement said and promised that it would detonate the first bomb remotely at 11:30 hours Nigerian time which it did.
Cabinet Dissolution: Yar'adua Ministers Begin 'clearing Their Tables' As Jonathan Meets Yar'adua's Mother
Federal ministers appointed by Yar'Adua have begun moving things out of their various offices as a cabinet dissolution fever hits Abuja. Saharareporters sources indicated that this week might prove decisive for the cabinet as Acting President Goodluck Jonathan gets ready to put his own team in place.
Only last week, Jonathan abandoned the weekly federal executive cabinet meeting at the Presidential Villa council chambers in favor of an international conference on Agriculture.
The ministers, who were already seated, awaiting the start of the meeting, which had been postponed in the morning, were later dispersed by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed, who explained that Jonathan was fatigued from attending the conference. It was the second time Jonathan would call off the meeting of the FEC since the sneaky return of Yar'Adua some 17 days ago.
It is gathered that the cabinet would have been dissolved last week by Jonathan but for the intervention of the newly appointed National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau, who sought further verification of the health status of Yar'Adua.
A series of meetings over the last week has further strengthened Jonathan's hand as it was confirmed that, contrary to the propaganda of his cronies, Yar'Adua is not recovering significantly. Our sources say he is simply lying in the villa, unable to move without assistance, or speak. Also, as a mark of respect for the Yar'Adua family, Jonathan is believed to have conceded 5 ministerial positions and one Special adviser position to his wife, Turai. We could not confirm the portfolios allocated to her.
Meanwhile Jonathan secretly met with Yar'Adua's mother on Friday night in a highly secretive parley, following which she also met with the new NSA, Gusau.
The NSA is fast becoming the most influential figure in the Jonathan regime. So far, over 17 state governors have met with him to pledge their allegiance. Some of them, particularly Bukola Saraki, have met with him twice as the NSA had declared that he would like to strengthen the Anti-Corruption agencies.
That is being interpreted by Saraki to mean that the super-corrupt and incompetent head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Nzamber Waziri, may be fired soon. Our sources say, however, that Mrs. Waziri's removal may be slightly delayed as Jonathan and Gasau are more interested in the dissolution of the cabinet, and the removal of the INEC chairman, Maurice Iwu, as a center point of electoral reform.
It is also learnt that the Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo , will be sacked in the impending government and cabinet reorganization of the government of Jonathan.
Only last week, Jonathan abandoned the weekly federal executive cabinet meeting at the Presidential Villa council chambers in favor of an international conference on Agriculture.
The ministers, who were already seated, awaiting the start of the meeting, which had been postponed in the morning, were later dispersed by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed, who explained that Jonathan was fatigued from attending the conference. It was the second time Jonathan would call off the meeting of the FEC since the sneaky return of Yar'Adua some 17 days ago.
It is gathered that the cabinet would have been dissolved last week by Jonathan but for the intervention of the newly appointed National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau, who sought further verification of the health status of Yar'Adua.
A series of meetings over the last week has further strengthened Jonathan's hand as it was confirmed that, contrary to the propaganda of his cronies, Yar'Adua is not recovering significantly. Our sources say he is simply lying in the villa, unable to move without assistance, or speak. Also, as a mark of respect for the Yar'Adua family, Jonathan is believed to have conceded 5 ministerial positions and one Special adviser position to his wife, Turai. We could not confirm the portfolios allocated to her.
Meanwhile Jonathan secretly met with Yar'Adua's mother on Friday night in a highly secretive parley, following which she also met with the new NSA, Gusau.
The NSA is fast becoming the most influential figure in the Jonathan regime. So far, over 17 state governors have met with him to pledge their allegiance. Some of them, particularly Bukola Saraki, have met with him twice as the NSA had declared that he would like to strengthen the Anti-Corruption agencies.
That is being interpreted by Saraki to mean that the super-corrupt and incompetent head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Nzamber Waziri, may be fired soon. Our sources say, however, that Mrs. Waziri's removal may be slightly delayed as Jonathan and Gasau are more interested in the dissolution of the cabinet, and the removal of the INEC chairman, Maurice Iwu, as a center point of electoral reform.
It is also learnt that the Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo , will be sacked in the impending government and cabinet reorganization of the government of Jonathan.
Keys To Unlock Your Bible (Part 2)
Some may ask “Why does God lock the truth?” The answer is because it is very precious and not to be dishonoured and misused. This is exactly as you human would store and lock your precious valuables in safes and complicated lockers. Thank God! How to open it is in Isaiah 34:16, where one needs to search and seek in the word of God for those verses; for every verse has “its mate”. This refers to every verse of question having a corresponding or answering verse.
There is a great difference between Isaiah 28 verses 10 and 13. The last verse is concerned with getting caught in false doctrines and errors of untruth. Then how does one know what is truth? Jn. 17:17 answers “… thy word is truth”. Always examine the teachings to see whether they are according to the Scriptures in a well or properly laid out manner.
Ø GOLDEN KEY 2: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Among mankind written language has many forms poetical, dramatic, prose etc. So too, the Bible has been written by God in three forms of language:
i. Literal Language: Example as in Gen. 1:1 and Matt. 1:21. Here is directly understandable literal language. It poses no difficulty in understanding at all. But note the entire Bible is NOT written in this form.
ii. Parabolic language i.e. little stories which are not to be taken literally but spiritually, that is, they have a spiritual meaning or significance behind them e.g. in Lk. 15:3-7 the parable of the lost sheep. Many think that this verse in 7 refers to individual sinners and their repentance and turning to God. But if this refers to individual sinners then who are the “Ninety nine just persons that need no repentance”? Are there so many “Just Persons” in this world? The answer is in Rms. 3:10 “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one”. This is a parable, not referring to individual sinners at all.
Here, Jesus is speaking of a certain man having 100 sheep. Such a man is called a shepherd. This is a picture of God the owner and creator of all creation who is also referred to as the “SHEPHERD” in Ps. 23:1. The sheep symbolize the various obedient creations of God. Therefore, the 100 sheep refer to the various species of God's creations, including animals, birds, fish, insects, plants, angels, cherubim, man, etc. The number 100 signifies a round number of all creations; note the creations themselves far outnumbered 100!
Now, what is the implication of this one sheep missing? Of all God's creation, only one “sheep” or “specie” was lost, and that specie was mankind! They are completely as a race lost to sin and its wages death (Rms. 6:23). Then what did God do? He sent in his only begotten son, Jesus, to search for that “lost sheep” i.e. the lost race of mankind as in Jn. 3:16; so that at the end there will be great rejoicing in heaven when mankind is delivered from the condemnation of sin and death and given an ETERNAL LIFE.
iii. Symbolic language. This is where symbols are used to hide the meaning of great prophecies etc. The Book of Revelation is full of symbols as in chapter 1:1 “… And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John. This language is also found in many other books of the Bible like in Ezekiel, Daniel, etc. Symbols in nature like wind, water, hill, mountain, city, clouds, trees, grass, horns, fire, etc. are used; and each has its meaning as in the Bible itself.
Take an example in Matt. 16:6 “leaven”. The meaning is still in the same chapter v.12 “… the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. These where false doctrines and teachings; as in Acts 23:8 “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor Spirit.
Another example is in Eccl. 11:1 “Cast your bread upon the waters: for you will find it after many days.” If this is taken literally, the bread as soon as put in water dissolves almost immediately, leaving no residue. So, how can you find it “after many days'? This is symbolic. The three symbols used here are: i. Bread. ii. Water. iii. After many days. Bread means the word of God the “Spiritual bread (Jer. 15:16 and Matt. 4:4). Waters refer to the World of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues (Rev. 17:15). “After many days” refers to the period of the kingdom of God on Earth when “then will all the people repent and turn to God (Ps. 22:27&28). Thus, this verse speaks of witnessing the truth Now before the people without expecting any result Now but rather in the future. Thus, one must “rightly divide the word of truth” or correctly identify and understand the language form used in order to gain the truth.
Ø GOLDEN KEY 3. Topical Study: This involves the study of various subjects by searching for the verses on those subjects “here a little and there a little” in the Bible; e.g. are subjects of Soul, Salvation, Baptism, Church etc. This topical study is now made possible with Concordances, Young and Strong etc.
So, a mere reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, from Chapter to Chapter will not really help to discover the truth embedded, for it is “here a little and there a little”. BE BLESSED!
There is a great difference between Isaiah 28 verses 10 and 13. The last verse is concerned with getting caught in false doctrines and errors of untruth. Then how does one know what is truth? Jn. 17:17 answers “… thy word is truth”. Always examine the teachings to see whether they are according to the Scriptures in a well or properly laid out manner.
Ø GOLDEN KEY 2: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Among mankind written language has many forms poetical, dramatic, prose etc. So too, the Bible has been written by God in three forms of language:
i. Literal Language: Example as in Gen. 1:1 and Matt. 1:21. Here is directly understandable literal language. It poses no difficulty in understanding at all. But note the entire Bible is NOT written in this form.
ii. Parabolic language i.e. little stories which are not to be taken literally but spiritually, that is, they have a spiritual meaning or significance behind them e.g. in Lk. 15:3-7 the parable of the lost sheep. Many think that this verse in 7 refers to individual sinners and their repentance and turning to God. But if this refers to individual sinners then who are the “Ninety nine just persons that need no repentance”? Are there so many “Just Persons” in this world? The answer is in Rms. 3:10 “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one”. This is a parable, not referring to individual sinners at all.
Here, Jesus is speaking of a certain man having 100 sheep. Such a man is called a shepherd. This is a picture of God the owner and creator of all creation who is also referred to as the “SHEPHERD” in Ps. 23:1. The sheep symbolize the various obedient creations of God. Therefore, the 100 sheep refer to the various species of God's creations, including animals, birds, fish, insects, plants, angels, cherubim, man, etc. The number 100 signifies a round number of all creations; note the creations themselves far outnumbered 100!
Now, what is the implication of this one sheep missing? Of all God's creation, only one “sheep” or “specie” was lost, and that specie was mankind! They are completely as a race lost to sin and its wages death (Rms. 6:23). Then what did God do? He sent in his only begotten son, Jesus, to search for that “lost sheep” i.e. the lost race of mankind as in Jn. 3:16; so that at the end there will be great rejoicing in heaven when mankind is delivered from the condemnation of sin and death and given an ETERNAL LIFE.
iii. Symbolic language. This is where symbols are used to hide the meaning of great prophecies etc. The Book of Revelation is full of symbols as in chapter 1:1 “… And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John. This language is also found in many other books of the Bible like in Ezekiel, Daniel, etc. Symbols in nature like wind, water, hill, mountain, city, clouds, trees, grass, horns, fire, etc. are used; and each has its meaning as in the Bible itself.
Take an example in Matt. 16:6 “leaven”. The meaning is still in the same chapter v.12 “… the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. These where false doctrines and teachings; as in Acts 23:8 “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor Spirit.
Another example is in Eccl. 11:1 “Cast your bread upon the waters: for you will find it after many days.” If this is taken literally, the bread as soon as put in water dissolves almost immediately, leaving no residue. So, how can you find it “after many days'? This is symbolic. The three symbols used here are: i. Bread. ii. Water. iii. After many days. Bread means the word of God the “Spiritual bread (Jer. 15:16 and Matt. 4:4). Waters refer to the World of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues (Rev. 17:15). “After many days” refers to the period of the kingdom of God on Earth when “then will all the people repent and turn to God (Ps. 22:27&28). Thus, this verse speaks of witnessing the truth Now before the people without expecting any result Now but rather in the future. Thus, one must “rightly divide the word of truth” or correctly identify and understand the language form used in order to gain the truth.
Ø GOLDEN KEY 3. Topical Study: This involves the study of various subjects by searching for the verses on those subjects “here a little and there a little” in the Bible; e.g. are subjects of Soul, Salvation, Baptism, Church etc. This topical study is now made possible with Concordances, Young and Strong etc.
So, a mere reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, from Chapter to Chapter will not really help to discover the truth embedded, for it is “here a little and there a little”. BE BLESSED!
Praised Like A Bee, Swatted Like A Mosquito
Aniefiokuduakabasiisrael is the name I got from my late father, Pa Edayt Essah Ogborgbor of Nung Abia Abinyoho Uta-ekpe in Obong Itam Village, Itu L.G.A. As I metamorphosed, so many things have happened to me that always made me feel like changing that name. My mother, because of these ugly happenings, renamed me Nkut-utit, meaning “let me see the end”. Right now I am thinking of whether to change my name to that of the luckful Jonathan or Nsennammfon. No, I still opt for the original name while waiting on God for its meaning to come to positive manifestation.
Dear reader, I have gotten a couple of tales to tell you, even if not in detail, from personal experiences anyway. You may learn a lesson or two: This columnist, I have a journal and a pen, but I am not a journalist. No, I am not, that is why I warn myself against violating the ethics of the profession. I only write to satisfy a passion. I am not paid, yet I bother not. The joy of a writer is in being read. At First Bank Plc I work and receive emolument. I am a security guard there. Few days ago one of our drivers saw my old scripts, looked twice at me, and with a hiss, said “money miss road”. I searched deep into his action and utterance and discovered that he wasn't referring to my too-much money, the lack of it or the misuse of it. He was baffled as to why a “ mere or common security man” should write in a tabloid or, if so talented, why he should be “Ette Watchie”. Maybe he expected only scribal elites or celebrated professors to write. Dear Mr. Monday, doing a menial job does not mean that I am mean or less in value. All the same, receive my unreserved thanks for your observation, comments or corrective criticism. You have made me remember appreciatively all the people who in diverse ways have contributed to my being what I am today. Today, I can even be visited or read at the World Wide Web. Thanks, Monty. Thanks Mr. Martins Effiong, without you I wouldn't know Monty.
For doing my security job, I have been mocked to scorn, I have been genuinely congratulated too, the former triumphing. Hear what an old girlfriend said when she surprisingly saw me in my security outfit: “Ani, na you be dis? You see as life dey turn?” A pigeon speaking pigeon English. She snubbed me, dropped her phone number and left. I kept deaf mute because she was with her mother. This text message accompanied her. “ Carol, my snobbish damsel, this is my final year in the faculty of Wear and Tear, University of Life. In our institution, we know that it is not everybody to whom it is well. We don't boast or brag. We don't write people off nor even criticize because we are not yet out of the woods and God is not done with us yet. However, it was a thrill seeing you after all those juvenile-prone years gone by. Please, pick up this PIN (………….) for a recharge. Endear me to your family. Till I. C. U again”.
There's another episode of shame that involved a man from my mother's villages, Edet by name. The guy wanted to buy an okrika shirt beside our bank. Immediately he set his eyes on me he left the seller, came to me and asked a double-barreled question: what are you are doing here, why are you wearing this type of clothes?” Imagine my fine uniform which I wore and took salute to the amusement of my wife and boys. Abruptly Edet left me without waiting for his answers. I didn't see him again except a female colleague he came to seek love from. The girl asked me “bro, what happened between you and that man? He said you have two brothers overseas and he sees no reason you should come and do this kind of job”. “ The mentality of some men”, I reasoned. Finally I let go all I wanted to tell him any time I see him. Edet was in India, a poverty-stricken overseas, for a purpose I know not. That overseas might have taken some senses out of him.
There is this other cocky young man who told me he worked as an aero contractor or something. With his clean-and-neat-as-a-pin suit on, he can't first greet me any time he comes to see our BDM. A young boy I left behind in secondary school and everything. I dunno how he regarded him self each time I greeted him “welcome, sir” or “bye, sir”. His own wasn't much of talking but a case of foolish pride. Egotism so debased.
“ If you ain't got something good to say about somebody, just shut up”. Maybe if Luky Dube had sung the above lyrics earlier, a lot less would had been said about this soul. They would have bridled their tongues. Talks of the streets! Dear Sir/Madam, I have more trouble with Aniefiokessah than with any other man I ever meet on the face of this earth, please allow me to think of Aniefiokessah.
Do not seek to be in my shoes. You wouldn't take what I have been through and still be and accepted folk in your neighborhood. If at all I am a handicap, I am the handicap I must face; I am the one who must choose my place; I am the one who knows what is wrong or right for me; I am the one to say where I want to go or what I want I want to do. I should be allowed to grow or develop at my own pace and speed. This honorable gentleman I am, take away from me anything love and there remains no me. But the people say I am the worst thing that ever happened to the human race, they lock me out of respect. Names-calling, derogatory remarks, pull-him-down (PhD) utterances, mention them. But why? The say I am excellent only when asleep but terrible ones awakened (na wa-o! But even if I am, and so what?). They say I speak evil of everyone except God whom I do not know (whereas their tongues are dripping of poison). They say because of my dirty ways of life, I have lost the affection of my people and the regard of others (yet I am not an outcast). They said I am a small man made for small thing (well, that's my trouble which they should leave for me). They say I am fit for a spade because I call a spade a spade (forgetting that I am fit for even garden forks and other tools, as a farmer). They say I am not a man to be tossed aside lightly, that I should be thrown with great force (I am happy I have weight and occupy space).
Some say my behavior can make the world a pandemonium (whereas I am a harmless dove looking for the kind of peace the United Nations cannot offer the world). They say I am the basest, meanest creature that ever disgraced the image of God (my supplications before God, not these spotless men). The say I am as ambitious as Lucifer, they say I am cold-blooded in behaviour, they say I am a bore (you don't need to go to school to know who I am, do you?). They say I am a wolf in a sheep's clothing, whereas you know too well that I am a sheep in a sheep's clothing genuine ( I don't play the ostrich). They say I drink like a fish whereas their “liquid contents only” can float a war ship. They say “woman” is my trademark whereas I am married to Marie (Satan leave me alone). They say instead of embracing my wife I have some dirty principles I always embrace (maybe they had forgotten to adjectify me as scissors, pliers, magnet or vice).
They say I am one small insignificant homosapien who make much ado about everything to impress myself on people. They say I write wise and otherwise to show up that I am wise or knowledgeable (point of correction: I write on random subjects. I write this wise, that wise and otherwise. I write zigs and zags). Typically these people are impressed with and remember what they call their own sense and my own nonsense. They say my life is full of crevices and gullies. They write all my good deeds on water and the bad ones on marble. Blind to their faults they sing their own praises and say every unprintable thing about me. Of course, they are not Pilate to say “I find no fault in this man”. I am grateful gossiping doesn't killed but gossips could. God must really love the common man because He made so many of them and gave them the ability to LIVE despite whatever is talked about or done to them. I hope you are not “common”.
If you are, please delete it from your dictionary in order not to be swatted like me. Well, I have learnt my lesson that the most amicable guy on earth can live at peace with his neighbor only as long as his choose. With a pair of rubber slippers under your feet and a raffia rope on your waist, people must talk; with a pair of Lords' brogues shoes and a no mean man's leather belt, they still talk. It is they who say “hosanna to the son of David”, it is the same they who say “crucify him”. Amo unam kpa amo kea tang awot.
Well, before ever there was world's history there was Aniefiok's history. They can keep on vilifying me so far it is good for them. They can continue using their low level language (LLL) to reduce me to the lowest common man (LCM), a status they don't cherish for themselves nor any of their loved ones. But if I were any of them, it would have been better I bite my tongue than have biting tongue. Thirsty, none of these people gave me water to drink; hungry, none of them gave me food to eat; hospitalized, none of them visited me on my sick bed. But sometimes I doubt whether there is a divine justice. All parts of the body get tired eventually except the tongue. I know that the mouth always talks about things that fill the heart, but it shouldn't be falsely as in my own case. Anyway, the hyenas are getting ready for the kill, but cowards that they are, they are stalking behind patiently, waiting for the prey to fall asleep. I am the prey. I am saying to the hyenas: go ahead and ravage. I honestly do not give a hoot, you humbugs. I don't tell the snoopers of my history or the invaders of my past to stop maliciously doing so, but they may find themselves stuck with more than they bargained for. Their lies, varnished untruths, half truths or any story telling cannot take a skin off my nose. I am happy I am such a good sport who can accept even defeats graciously. I simply leave everything in status quo and allow their farrago of statements and deeds to grow together until harvest time when the chaffs shall be separated from the grains. “Let it be … there will be an answer”, I always like those songful words wisdom from Mother Mary.
Everyone everyday says I am not the correct Aniefiok, everyone is wrong. Although they keep discounting me daily, in God's eye I am priceless. I am pious, but it is even they (you) who had sinned and gone short of the glory of this His Royal Aniefiokness. Mr. Leo Sayer, I have heard all you said, start saying something else. Can't I be anything else? Don't you have other names? Oh! Aniefiokmkpong! Imagine people who are not afraid of God being foolishly afraid of me! It makes me feel ten feet taller. It makes me proud of the me in me that makes them the me they fear. I reason with Shakespeare who said “what the greats do the less always prattle of”. At all times, I pray, may God's love fill people's mind, rule their hearts and guide their bla- bla-bla tongues, Amen. To God, His Son and His Spirit the trinity in perfect unity be all honor, power and glory.
To everyone who has caused this column to see the light of day, thanks all the way. From first publisher to the present, from first editor to the present; to Aniefiok Nkereuwem exceptionally who linked me to my first media outing; to you, you and you (unnamed but not unknown). Dr. Prince Bassey, I am not an ingrate to deny you your own share of credit. To all non dyslexics. To my late two fisted, no-nonsense he-man, my father. To my phenomenal mother. You both sent me to school, thankyou. To Marie, the one to whom I am married. My two bundles of joy, my cheerleaders (Mankind and Mystery) I love you all and dedicate this column to you. Dear reader, you and I successfully did this job together. Please, praise, don't swat, not only Aniefiok but the government of the day. Blessed is the tongue that doeth so.
Dear reader, I have gotten a couple of tales to tell you, even if not in detail, from personal experiences anyway. You may learn a lesson or two: This columnist, I have a journal and a pen, but I am not a journalist. No, I am not, that is why I warn myself against violating the ethics of the profession. I only write to satisfy a passion. I am not paid, yet I bother not. The joy of a writer is in being read. At First Bank Plc I work and receive emolument. I am a security guard there. Few days ago one of our drivers saw my old scripts, looked twice at me, and with a hiss, said “money miss road”. I searched deep into his action and utterance and discovered that he wasn't referring to my too-much money, the lack of it or the misuse of it. He was baffled as to why a “ mere or common security man” should write in a tabloid or, if so talented, why he should be “Ette Watchie”. Maybe he expected only scribal elites or celebrated professors to write. Dear Mr. Monday, doing a menial job does not mean that I am mean or less in value. All the same, receive my unreserved thanks for your observation, comments or corrective criticism. You have made me remember appreciatively all the people who in diverse ways have contributed to my being what I am today. Today, I can even be visited or read at the World Wide Web. Thanks, Monty. Thanks Mr. Martins Effiong, without you I wouldn't know Monty.
For doing my security job, I have been mocked to scorn, I have been genuinely congratulated too, the former triumphing. Hear what an old girlfriend said when she surprisingly saw me in my security outfit: “Ani, na you be dis? You see as life dey turn?” A pigeon speaking pigeon English. She snubbed me, dropped her phone number and left. I kept deaf mute because she was with her mother. This text message accompanied her. “ Carol, my snobbish damsel, this is my final year in the faculty of Wear and Tear, University of Life. In our institution, we know that it is not everybody to whom it is well. We don't boast or brag. We don't write people off nor even criticize because we are not yet out of the woods and God is not done with us yet. However, it was a thrill seeing you after all those juvenile-prone years gone by. Please, pick up this PIN (………….) for a recharge. Endear me to your family. Till I. C. U again”.
There's another episode of shame that involved a man from my mother's villages, Edet by name. The guy wanted to buy an okrika shirt beside our bank. Immediately he set his eyes on me he left the seller, came to me and asked a double-barreled question: what are you are doing here, why are you wearing this type of clothes?” Imagine my fine uniform which I wore and took salute to the amusement of my wife and boys. Abruptly Edet left me without waiting for his answers. I didn't see him again except a female colleague he came to seek love from. The girl asked me “bro, what happened between you and that man? He said you have two brothers overseas and he sees no reason you should come and do this kind of job”. “ The mentality of some men”, I reasoned. Finally I let go all I wanted to tell him any time I see him. Edet was in India, a poverty-stricken overseas, for a purpose I know not. That overseas might have taken some senses out of him.
There is this other cocky young man who told me he worked as an aero contractor or something. With his clean-and-neat-as-a-pin suit on, he can't first greet me any time he comes to see our BDM. A young boy I left behind in secondary school and everything. I dunno how he regarded him self each time I greeted him “welcome, sir” or “bye, sir”. His own wasn't much of talking but a case of foolish pride. Egotism so debased.
“ If you ain't got something good to say about somebody, just shut up”. Maybe if Luky Dube had sung the above lyrics earlier, a lot less would had been said about this soul. They would have bridled their tongues. Talks of the streets! Dear Sir/Madam, I have more trouble with Aniefiokessah than with any other man I ever meet on the face of this earth, please allow me to think of Aniefiokessah.
Do not seek to be in my shoes. You wouldn't take what I have been through and still be and accepted folk in your neighborhood. If at all I am a handicap, I am the handicap I must face; I am the one who must choose my place; I am the one who knows what is wrong or right for me; I am the one to say where I want to go or what I want I want to do. I should be allowed to grow or develop at my own pace and speed. This honorable gentleman I am, take away from me anything love and there remains no me. But the people say I am the worst thing that ever happened to the human race, they lock me out of respect. Names-calling, derogatory remarks, pull-him-down (PhD) utterances, mention them. But why? The say I am excellent only when asleep but terrible ones awakened (na wa-o! But even if I am, and so what?). They say I speak evil of everyone except God whom I do not know (whereas their tongues are dripping of poison). They say because of my dirty ways of life, I have lost the affection of my people and the regard of others (yet I am not an outcast). They said I am a small man made for small thing (well, that's my trouble which they should leave for me). They say I am fit for a spade because I call a spade a spade (forgetting that I am fit for even garden forks and other tools, as a farmer). They say I am not a man to be tossed aside lightly, that I should be thrown with great force (I am happy I have weight and occupy space).
Some say my behavior can make the world a pandemonium (whereas I am a harmless dove looking for the kind of peace the United Nations cannot offer the world). They say I am the basest, meanest creature that ever disgraced the image of God (my supplications before God, not these spotless men). The say I am as ambitious as Lucifer, they say I am cold-blooded in behaviour, they say I am a bore (you don't need to go to school to know who I am, do you?). They say I am a wolf in a sheep's clothing, whereas you know too well that I am a sheep in a sheep's clothing genuine ( I don't play the ostrich). They say I drink like a fish whereas their “liquid contents only” can float a war ship. They say “woman” is my trademark whereas I am married to Marie (Satan leave me alone). They say instead of embracing my wife I have some dirty principles I always embrace (maybe they had forgotten to adjectify me as scissors, pliers, magnet or vice).
They say I am one small insignificant homosapien who make much ado about everything to impress myself on people. They say I write wise and otherwise to show up that I am wise or knowledgeable (point of correction: I write on random subjects. I write this wise, that wise and otherwise. I write zigs and zags). Typically these people are impressed with and remember what they call their own sense and my own nonsense. They say my life is full of crevices and gullies. They write all my good deeds on water and the bad ones on marble. Blind to their faults they sing their own praises and say every unprintable thing about me. Of course, they are not Pilate to say “I find no fault in this man”. I am grateful gossiping doesn't killed but gossips could. God must really love the common man because He made so many of them and gave them the ability to LIVE despite whatever is talked about or done to them. I hope you are not “common”.
If you are, please delete it from your dictionary in order not to be swatted like me. Well, I have learnt my lesson that the most amicable guy on earth can live at peace with his neighbor only as long as his choose. With a pair of rubber slippers under your feet and a raffia rope on your waist, people must talk; with a pair of Lords' brogues shoes and a no mean man's leather belt, they still talk. It is they who say “hosanna to the son of David”, it is the same they who say “crucify him”. Amo unam kpa amo kea tang awot.
Well, before ever there was world's history there was Aniefiok's history. They can keep on vilifying me so far it is good for them. They can continue using their low level language (LLL) to reduce me to the lowest common man (LCM), a status they don't cherish for themselves nor any of their loved ones. But if I were any of them, it would have been better I bite my tongue than have biting tongue. Thirsty, none of these people gave me water to drink; hungry, none of them gave me food to eat; hospitalized, none of them visited me on my sick bed. But sometimes I doubt whether there is a divine justice. All parts of the body get tired eventually except the tongue. I know that the mouth always talks about things that fill the heart, but it shouldn't be falsely as in my own case. Anyway, the hyenas are getting ready for the kill, but cowards that they are, they are stalking behind patiently, waiting for the prey to fall asleep. I am the prey. I am saying to the hyenas: go ahead and ravage. I honestly do not give a hoot, you humbugs. I don't tell the snoopers of my history or the invaders of my past to stop maliciously doing so, but they may find themselves stuck with more than they bargained for. Their lies, varnished untruths, half truths or any story telling cannot take a skin off my nose. I am happy I am such a good sport who can accept even defeats graciously. I simply leave everything in status quo and allow their farrago of statements and deeds to grow together until harvest time when the chaffs shall be separated from the grains. “Let it be … there will be an answer”, I always like those songful words wisdom from Mother Mary.
Everyone everyday says I am not the correct Aniefiok, everyone is wrong. Although they keep discounting me daily, in God's eye I am priceless. I am pious, but it is even they (you) who had sinned and gone short of the glory of this His Royal Aniefiokness. Mr. Leo Sayer, I have heard all you said, start saying something else. Can't I be anything else? Don't you have other names? Oh! Aniefiokmkpong! Imagine people who are not afraid of God being foolishly afraid of me! It makes me feel ten feet taller. It makes me proud of the me in me that makes them the me they fear. I reason with Shakespeare who said “what the greats do the less always prattle of”. At all times, I pray, may God's love fill people's mind, rule their hearts and guide their bla- bla-bla tongues, Amen. To God, His Son and His Spirit the trinity in perfect unity be all honor, power and glory.
To everyone who has caused this column to see the light of day, thanks all the way. From first publisher to the present, from first editor to the present; to Aniefiok Nkereuwem exceptionally who linked me to my first media outing; to you, you and you (unnamed but not unknown). Dr. Prince Bassey, I am not an ingrate to deny you your own share of credit. To all non dyslexics. To my late two fisted, no-nonsense he-man, my father. To my phenomenal mother. You both sent me to school, thankyou. To Marie, the one to whom I am married. My two bundles of joy, my cheerleaders (Mankind and Mystery) I love you all and dedicate this column to you. Dear reader, you and I successfully did this job together. Please, praise, don't swat, not only Aniefiok but the government of the day. Blessed is the tongue that doeth so.
Groups Predict Udoedehe’s Success Hold Prayer Summit
Not fewer than thirty (39) groups and their village, ward, and chapter co-ordinators led churches in the state last week Friday to an interdenominational prayer session for the success of Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe in the forthcoming guber race in the state.
The groups, led by the leader of Senator Udoedeghe Vanguard, Akuku Edidiong Philips include, Akwa Ibom Youths Alliance for Senator Udoedeghe, Movement for Sen. John Udoedeghe, Ibom Redemption Alliance, IRA, Campaign for Democratic Change, CDC, Akwa Ibom Movement, and All People Solidarity Network, APSONET. Others who joined the summit were, Friends of Senator John James Udoedeghe, Akwa Ibom Action Group, Akwa Ibom Women in Action, among others.
In attendance at the event which caused another traffic Jam along the campaign office of the guber contender at Udotung Ubo, Venue of the spiritual Cum Political exercise were the chairman of Positive Change 2011, a campaign outfit of Senator J. J. Udoedeghe, Emmanuel Udoh, Chairman, Publicity Committee of the Campaign outfit, Obong T.O. Akpan among other members of the campaign team.
Exhorting with the theme: “Getting Set for a Change over, Be not Afraid”, the leading clergy, Rev. Isuaemem Nkanta told the crowd that God was preparing a way for a change over to offer peace, security, prosperity, development and internal democracy in the state.
The clergy who read several scriptural passages including Ezekiel 8, while narrating the story of the Israelites in the days of their exile in Egypt told delegates selected among an estimated five hundred churches in the state to pray for God's intervention in the guber and Presidential Election 2011 in the state and the country to bring leaders who will have the interest of the people at heart and work for poverty reduction and other social vices. The man of God described the situation in Akwa Ibom State as “a sad irony of what the people should have as there is so much complains, so much brutality and bloodshed, so much verbal wars and accusation as if we don't have enough resources to supply our needs”.
Reverend Isuaemem Nkanta who was flanked by other men of God said with so much prayer offered to God in Akwa Ibom that his will shall be done. “I'm so sure that God will not fail to grant Senator Udoedehe success in the forth coming election. For I know the thought that I have for you, not of evil, to give you future … If we continue with this insecurity, this complains of capital flight, and accusation, then the future is not guaranteed.
It is not by might said the Lord, thus mountain must be removed as Israel has fought this sort of battle, be not frightened, be not discouraged, as far as the project is concerned, God shall see us through. He will drop us at the promise land”; he said.
Rev. Nkanta told the groups and their coordinators that many men of God in the state at several meetings have received inspiration that Senator John James Udoedeghe's governorship ambition was God's project which according to him cannot be abandoned. He noted that those who were going round with speculation that the governorship hopeful was flying kite for some other person or intended to be compensated later were using “cheap means to campaign against a channel of change for the betterment of people in the state, adding that those who are foreseeing the senator's failure, “are judging by sight because they are intimidated”.
The man of God warned those he described as “Paid fault finders to desist from attempting to tarnish the image of the governorship hopeful as they, according to him, “will incur divine wrath”.
Earlier in his opening remark, leader of the Senator Udoedeghe Vanguard, Akuku Edidiong Philips said they decided to start in prayer because of the belief that, “Except the Lord keeps the city, they that tarry in watch does so in vain”. He said: “These groups are formed to mobilize support for the liberation of Akwa Ibom people from these atrocities and enthrone Senator John James Udoedehe as the next governor in 2011. We want the Lord to go with us in this assignment to complement our mortal strength and strategies”. Akuku Philip thanked the ministers for leading the fasting which lasted 6am to 6pm and members of Positive Change 2011, Central Working Committee for attending the summit.
Akuku Philip said with the support of the majority of Akwa Ibom people to the guber ambition of Senator Udoedehe, there is, “indication that God is out to grant our prayers even before we asked”. He used the occasion to call for mass public support to bring the prayer to reality.
Responding on behalf of the campaign team of the guber hopeful, Elder Emmanuel Udoh thanked God for protection given to members of the team and all supporters of the aspiration of Senator J. J. Udoedehe. He told the group that, they were representing, “a tip of the general public who have risen in support of your governor in 2011 because they want to be liberated from this unprecedented breach of social contract that has resulted in these ills”. He continued: “you have done well to pray for God's help, but I can assure you God already is a member of this camp though we don't see him. From what we see daily in this campaign for change, I can boldly tell you that God wants a change over in Akwa Ibom State.
When you see respectable men condescending so low to accepting trash in the name of governance, blackmailing very few national and international icons that we have in the state, you can belief with me that there must be a messiah that God wants to introduce into the state governance. We urge you to continue to support Senator Udoedehe, don't be intimidated to lie or accept lies, and tell others to do same. God will see us through”.
The session featured prayer storms led by Evangelist Victor Iteh and special choral rendition and praises.
The groups, led by the leader of Senator Udoedeghe Vanguard, Akuku Edidiong Philips include, Akwa Ibom Youths Alliance for Senator Udoedeghe, Movement for Sen. John Udoedeghe, Ibom Redemption Alliance, IRA, Campaign for Democratic Change, CDC, Akwa Ibom Movement, and All People Solidarity Network, APSONET. Others who joined the summit were, Friends of Senator John James Udoedeghe, Akwa Ibom Action Group, Akwa Ibom Women in Action, among others.
In attendance at the event which caused another traffic Jam along the campaign office of the guber contender at Udotung Ubo, Venue of the spiritual Cum Political exercise were the chairman of Positive Change 2011, a campaign outfit of Senator J. J. Udoedeghe, Emmanuel Udoh, Chairman, Publicity Committee of the Campaign outfit, Obong T.O. Akpan among other members of the campaign team.
Exhorting with the theme: “Getting Set for a Change over, Be not Afraid”, the leading clergy, Rev. Isuaemem Nkanta told the crowd that God was preparing a way for a change over to offer peace, security, prosperity, development and internal democracy in the state.
The clergy who read several scriptural passages including Ezekiel 8, while narrating the story of the Israelites in the days of their exile in Egypt told delegates selected among an estimated five hundred churches in the state to pray for God's intervention in the guber and Presidential Election 2011 in the state and the country to bring leaders who will have the interest of the people at heart and work for poverty reduction and other social vices. The man of God described the situation in Akwa Ibom State as “a sad irony of what the people should have as there is so much complains, so much brutality and bloodshed, so much verbal wars and accusation as if we don't have enough resources to supply our needs”.
Reverend Isuaemem Nkanta who was flanked by other men of God said with so much prayer offered to God in Akwa Ibom that his will shall be done. “I'm so sure that God will not fail to grant Senator Udoedehe success in the forth coming election. For I know the thought that I have for you, not of evil, to give you future … If we continue with this insecurity, this complains of capital flight, and accusation, then the future is not guaranteed.
It is not by might said the Lord, thus mountain must be removed as Israel has fought this sort of battle, be not frightened, be not discouraged, as far as the project is concerned, God shall see us through. He will drop us at the promise land”; he said.
Rev. Nkanta told the groups and their coordinators that many men of God in the state at several meetings have received inspiration that Senator John James Udoedeghe's governorship ambition was God's project which according to him cannot be abandoned. He noted that those who were going round with speculation that the governorship hopeful was flying kite for some other person or intended to be compensated later were using “cheap means to campaign against a channel of change for the betterment of people in the state, adding that those who are foreseeing the senator's failure, “are judging by sight because they are intimidated”.
The man of God warned those he described as “Paid fault finders to desist from attempting to tarnish the image of the governorship hopeful as they, according to him, “will incur divine wrath”.
Earlier in his opening remark, leader of the Senator Udoedeghe Vanguard, Akuku Edidiong Philips said they decided to start in prayer because of the belief that, “Except the Lord keeps the city, they that tarry in watch does so in vain”. He said: “These groups are formed to mobilize support for the liberation of Akwa Ibom people from these atrocities and enthrone Senator John James Udoedehe as the next governor in 2011. We want the Lord to go with us in this assignment to complement our mortal strength and strategies”. Akuku Philip thanked the ministers for leading the fasting which lasted 6am to 6pm and members of Positive Change 2011, Central Working Committee for attending the summit.
Akuku Philip said with the support of the majority of Akwa Ibom people to the guber ambition of Senator Udoedehe, there is, “indication that God is out to grant our prayers even before we asked”. He used the occasion to call for mass public support to bring the prayer to reality.
Responding on behalf of the campaign team of the guber hopeful, Elder Emmanuel Udoh thanked God for protection given to members of the team and all supporters of the aspiration of Senator J. J. Udoedehe. He told the group that, they were representing, “a tip of the general public who have risen in support of your governor in 2011 because they want to be liberated from this unprecedented breach of social contract that has resulted in these ills”. He continued: “you have done well to pray for God's help, but I can assure you God already is a member of this camp though we don't see him. From what we see daily in this campaign for change, I can boldly tell you that God wants a change over in Akwa Ibom State.
When you see respectable men condescending so low to accepting trash in the name of governance, blackmailing very few national and international icons that we have in the state, you can belief with me that there must be a messiah that God wants to introduce into the state governance. We urge you to continue to support Senator Udoedehe, don't be intimidated to lie or accept lies, and tell others to do same. God will see us through”.
The session featured prayer storms led by Evangelist Victor Iteh and special choral rendition and praises.
In Memory Of The Social Contract Theory
When an eighteen century French political philosopher, Jean Jack Resouseau propounded the theory of social contract, he meant that a general will be formed; as such individualism comes to an end. Every individual becomes a part of the general will and therefore cannot claim right over the state.
The concept of general will, according to Resouseau will bridge the gap between the government and the people; both should be bound together by common interest. He maintained that the government was only the agent of the sovereign people and not the master.
Going by this political philosophy, the government is a product of a contract among the people, and derives its powers from them. “Government should exist for the benefit of the people who have the right to change it when it proves no longer satisfactory.
Ironically, in developing and under-developed economy like Nigeria, the music is different from a soothing musing of a minstrel, to a war song, orchestrated by marshal drum beats. The story is different. The concept of general will has gradually given way to a class interests. Some governments do not exist for the benefit of the people, except for the political supporters, party members, sycophants etc. The sovereign people have lost their rights to change the government when it is no longer satisfactory.
Today, colonialism in Africa is a story, but the scars remain in our political system. Africans were separated from the government by the colonial masters and now, great Nigerians are separated from the activities of government. They are denied access to contribute to the process of governance. For instance, in the budgeting system. The contributions of the people, for whom the budget is prepared, are not needed. The budget is kept very secret from the people. Request for it is viewed with suspicion. The budget is a document that belongs to the people. They should be shown in the (website) net. A recent investigation by Niger Delta Citizens Platform on Budget (NDCDB) shows that Bayelsa alone displays its budget on the internet for public debate and analyses among the Niger Delta States.
Taking the local government administration as a case study, one would surely notice that at the ward level, who becomes the councilor, is the exclusive preserve of the powerful power-brokers. The local government chairman, law makers, the commissioners, others are the exclusive preserve of the highly political class. The government is no more created by social contract between the people, but by and for the political capitalists. Our local government politics has become an arena for the rich, a play ground for the powerful and a grave side for the weak, the meek and perhaps, those with sincere decision to serve the people.
Today, Akwa Ibom people are singing the song of 2nd term for their public office holders. Even the Royal fathers who should be criticizing the government when necessary, and who should be seen as sacred entities, are all in the same choir, singing weird songs.
The government was supposed to be the agent of the people; the officers are supposed to be servants of the people. But the reverse is the case. Because of persistent poverty and acute lack of integrity, the government becomes the master, “the honourables, the distinguished senators, the excellencies”, even when some of them are not distinguished or excellent.
Let us remember that the social contract demands us to end individual wills and to imbibe the general will approach. Our public office holders should see themselves as servants of the people and not their masters, by so doing, the much needed socio-economic development, built on a solid foundation of political acceptability w`ill find its way into our Socio-political system.
Paulinus Nta wrote in from Ikot Abasi
The concept of general will, according to Resouseau will bridge the gap between the government and the people; both should be bound together by common interest. He maintained that the government was only the agent of the sovereign people and not the master.
Going by this political philosophy, the government is a product of a contract among the people, and derives its powers from them. “Government should exist for the benefit of the people who have the right to change it when it proves no longer satisfactory.
Ironically, in developing and under-developed economy like Nigeria, the music is different from a soothing musing of a minstrel, to a war song, orchestrated by marshal drum beats. The story is different. The concept of general will has gradually given way to a class interests. Some governments do not exist for the benefit of the people, except for the political supporters, party members, sycophants etc. The sovereign people have lost their rights to change the government when it is no longer satisfactory.
Today, colonialism in Africa is a story, but the scars remain in our political system. Africans were separated from the government by the colonial masters and now, great Nigerians are separated from the activities of government. They are denied access to contribute to the process of governance. For instance, in the budgeting system. The contributions of the people, for whom the budget is prepared, are not needed. The budget is kept very secret from the people. Request for it is viewed with suspicion. The budget is a document that belongs to the people. They should be shown in the (website) net. A recent investigation by Niger Delta Citizens Platform on Budget (NDCDB) shows that Bayelsa alone displays its budget on the internet for public debate and analyses among the Niger Delta States.
Taking the local government administration as a case study, one would surely notice that at the ward level, who becomes the councilor, is the exclusive preserve of the powerful power-brokers. The local government chairman, law makers, the commissioners, others are the exclusive preserve of the highly political class. The government is no more created by social contract between the people, but by and for the political capitalists. Our local government politics has become an arena for the rich, a play ground for the powerful and a grave side for the weak, the meek and perhaps, those with sincere decision to serve the people.
Today, Akwa Ibom people are singing the song of 2nd term for their public office holders. Even the Royal fathers who should be criticizing the government when necessary, and who should be seen as sacred entities, are all in the same choir, singing weird songs.
The government was supposed to be the agent of the people; the officers are supposed to be servants of the people. But the reverse is the case. Because of persistent poverty and acute lack of integrity, the government becomes the master, “the honourables, the distinguished senators, the excellencies”, even when some of them are not distinguished or excellent.
Let us remember that the social contract demands us to end individual wills and to imbibe the general will approach. Our public office holders should see themselves as servants of the people and not their masters, by so doing, the much needed socio-economic development, built on a solid foundation of political acceptability w`ill find its way into our Socio-political system.
Paulinus Nta wrote in from Ikot Abasi
Jos Crisis: What A Mess!
History is replete with cases of sectarian clashes in the North. Sometimes, it is religious one sect against another. Islamic sect or Moslems against Christians. At other times, it is ethnic. In Southern Kaduna and Plateau (particularly Jos and its environs) it has always been ethno-religious; some people choose to call it indigene-settler crisis because they are ashamed of admitting the religious undertone. Riots in these areas have always been prosecuted with consuming passion. The words of Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician and philosopher, that “men never do evil so completely and cheerfully when they do it from religious conviction” may be instructive here. (Never mind if the conviction is informed by slavish fanaticism).
The reason is easy to see. Fighting across the Moslem-Christian divide, you have the settlers on one side and the indigenes on the other. And they are almost equally matched in numerical strength. One group must strongly resist the other. Remember Zangonka taf? The native Kataf against the Hausa-Fulani settlers, ostensibly over grazing on both sides. Some person of no mean position or economic means must have supplied those arms. That is history.
Every body who matters in Plateau State publicly maintains the latest Jose riot was not ethnic-motivated or religious or political nor was it a result of indigene-settler disappointment. Not that I believe them. What then could have started the mayhem? Perhaps, some pent-up fury suddenly imploded. Late last year, there was riot in Jos on a smaller scale and nobody truthfully told us what led to it or who the sponsors were. May be, it was spontaneous. Now, this latest one on a grand scale. And the who is who in the Benue-Plateau axis is attending a peace conference holding in Jos. Mere rhetoric and honorarium!
Could the spate of riots be aimed at discrediting the government of Jonah David Jang and undermining his aspiration for 2011? I doubt that a former military man could be rubbished twice in quick succession. Afterall, he has said that the military had acted promptly on security report; the latest hostilities would have been averted. Sabotage suspected? For this, the military is now calling names. I believe the riot borders on some very sensitive areas they would rather prefer hushed up at this point in time the ethno-religious angle is most likely.
What really bothers me is why the Northerners have a penchant for mass murder, for whatever reasons, real or imagined. The pogrom of 1966 could conveniently be compared to the ethnic cleansing in Rwanda in 1994. In 1981, Maitatsine took the stage in a sectarian war that got to such a frightening dimension. And unfortunately hundreds of innocent Christians were caught in the crossfire. In 2009, the mayhem that started in Boko Haram nearly engulfed the entire north taking its toll on Moslems and Christians alike. In between these, we have had at least half a dozen more in various parts of the north that spared nothing-lives, houses and properties.
I do not know of any culture in modern civilization that preaches savagery. But I do know that the world's greatest religions like Christianity, Islam (except the Isma'ilis), Judaism, etc, preach peace. Let me digress a little and talk about the Isma'ilis.
It is a sect if Islam, and is a part of the extreme wing of the Shi'ites. They are eclectic in character. Their Imams (leaders) are believed to be divine and infallible and therefore their commands are unquestionable and must be obeyed. Unfortunately, this is a sect that has a lot of influence on the intellectual life of Islam. It has revolutionary tendencies with its idealism and propaganda on social justice. Its structure is secretive and almost Masonic, its followers are fanatical and its doctrines appeal to every discontented element in the Islamic world.
This description is absolutely correct and can be attested to by any honest Islamic scholars. To continue the digression, we have a lot of northerners in the extreme wing of the Shi'ite sect. And if you look at the description of the sect a second time, you may be tempted to conclude that it is the mother of most terrorists and mass murderers. I hope no Nigerian fit exactly into the mould of the extremist Shi'ite. But it is a forlorn hope!
Back to the main issue. Since most Moslems and Christians embrace peace, why do we allow the minority to hold us to ransom? There is only one logical reason. Some persons among the majority connive with the perpetrators of violence for reasons we do not know.
After the first Jos crisis, the problem was not resolved and no key player was brought to book. Mind you, there are two opposing forces in this madness. One started it, and the other, perhaps, out of a duty of self-preservation, fought back. Since the problem was not settled after the hostilities, it was merely suspended to resume some day, and that day happened to be Sunday, 7th of March 2010 in Jos South Local Government Area.
No group is prepared to turn the other check. Both take to the an-eye-for-an-eye approach. There is something inherently faulty about both approaches, and something to be gained, too. An-eye-for-an-eye approach has the tendency to perpetuate hostilities and for ever fan the embers of hatred. On the other hand, it may be a warning to the aggressor that it does not have monopoly of violence. That the fact that it does not see aggression as wrong does not make it right, and that if it suffers aggression or counter-aggression, what violence means may be driven home to it. This could make the difference
The turning of the other check is a rather noble principle, but in some circumstances patently ominous. For a people to collectively adopt this principle in the face of brazen carnage means a willingness, in fact, a desire to be driven to extinction.
But must we continue to fight like a people who have chosen not to be affected by modern ways of thinking, or who have made fanaticism their culture or a people who feel their very existence threatened by the presence of persons of a different religion or tribe? No.
If the government sincerely wants to resolve the intermittent crisis, there must be no sacred cows. Question everything however long it has existed that is deleterious to harmonious co-existence. No person should be seen as untouchable. Get to the root of the crises. Apportion blame and mete out punishments. Where necessary, apply expediency for sustainable peace.
We are supposed to be of one stock which God created. Why should there be so much intolerance? In view of the fact that we have something to offer one another and considering that in our everyday life, at least, we interact, we need to pay attention more on what we have in common and what could promote peace and unity and less on what differentiates us and could bring anarchy and disunity.
In secular life, the problems that confront man is the same irrespective of his religious beliefs. In the religious sphere, we have the freedom to look forward to our different religions for solutions to the mysteries of our existence; true Moslems and Christians are in agreement on this. All religions to the best of my knowledge, set to improve humanity by enforcing on their respective members rich doctrines, moral precepts and sacred rites. What matters is not the extent to which these differ but the extent to which they go to make a more sane humanity. Strictly speaking, it is a question of ends and means.
Commonsense should tell us that there is no justification for discrimination between peoples. We must preserve human dignity and see hatred and persecution as deplorable.
The reason is easy to see. Fighting across the Moslem-Christian divide, you have the settlers on one side and the indigenes on the other. And they are almost equally matched in numerical strength. One group must strongly resist the other. Remember Zangonka taf? The native Kataf against the Hausa-Fulani settlers, ostensibly over grazing on both sides. Some person of no mean position or economic means must have supplied those arms. That is history.
Every body who matters in Plateau State publicly maintains the latest Jose riot was not ethnic-motivated or religious or political nor was it a result of indigene-settler disappointment. Not that I believe them. What then could have started the mayhem? Perhaps, some pent-up fury suddenly imploded. Late last year, there was riot in Jos on a smaller scale and nobody truthfully told us what led to it or who the sponsors were. May be, it was spontaneous. Now, this latest one on a grand scale. And the who is who in the Benue-Plateau axis is attending a peace conference holding in Jos. Mere rhetoric and honorarium!
Could the spate of riots be aimed at discrediting the government of Jonah David Jang and undermining his aspiration for 2011? I doubt that a former military man could be rubbished twice in quick succession. Afterall, he has said that the military had acted promptly on security report; the latest hostilities would have been averted. Sabotage suspected? For this, the military is now calling names. I believe the riot borders on some very sensitive areas they would rather prefer hushed up at this point in time the ethno-religious angle is most likely.
What really bothers me is why the Northerners have a penchant for mass murder, for whatever reasons, real or imagined. The pogrom of 1966 could conveniently be compared to the ethnic cleansing in Rwanda in 1994. In 1981, Maitatsine took the stage in a sectarian war that got to such a frightening dimension. And unfortunately hundreds of innocent Christians were caught in the crossfire. In 2009, the mayhem that started in Boko Haram nearly engulfed the entire north taking its toll on Moslems and Christians alike. In between these, we have had at least half a dozen more in various parts of the north that spared nothing-lives, houses and properties.
I do not know of any culture in modern civilization that preaches savagery. But I do know that the world's greatest religions like Christianity, Islam (except the Isma'ilis), Judaism, etc, preach peace. Let me digress a little and talk about the Isma'ilis.
It is a sect if Islam, and is a part of the extreme wing of the Shi'ites. They are eclectic in character. Their Imams (leaders) are believed to be divine and infallible and therefore their commands are unquestionable and must be obeyed. Unfortunately, this is a sect that has a lot of influence on the intellectual life of Islam. It has revolutionary tendencies with its idealism and propaganda on social justice. Its structure is secretive and almost Masonic, its followers are fanatical and its doctrines appeal to every discontented element in the Islamic world.
This description is absolutely correct and can be attested to by any honest Islamic scholars. To continue the digression, we have a lot of northerners in the extreme wing of the Shi'ite sect. And if you look at the description of the sect a second time, you may be tempted to conclude that it is the mother of most terrorists and mass murderers. I hope no Nigerian fit exactly into the mould of the extremist Shi'ite. But it is a forlorn hope!
Back to the main issue. Since most Moslems and Christians embrace peace, why do we allow the minority to hold us to ransom? There is only one logical reason. Some persons among the majority connive with the perpetrators of violence for reasons we do not know.
After the first Jos crisis, the problem was not resolved and no key player was brought to book. Mind you, there are two opposing forces in this madness. One started it, and the other, perhaps, out of a duty of self-preservation, fought back. Since the problem was not settled after the hostilities, it was merely suspended to resume some day, and that day happened to be Sunday, 7th of March 2010 in Jos South Local Government Area.
No group is prepared to turn the other check. Both take to the an-eye-for-an-eye approach. There is something inherently faulty about both approaches, and something to be gained, too. An-eye-for-an-eye approach has the tendency to perpetuate hostilities and for ever fan the embers of hatred. On the other hand, it may be a warning to the aggressor that it does not have monopoly of violence. That the fact that it does not see aggression as wrong does not make it right, and that if it suffers aggression or counter-aggression, what violence means may be driven home to it. This could make the difference
The turning of the other check is a rather noble principle, but in some circumstances patently ominous. For a people to collectively adopt this principle in the face of brazen carnage means a willingness, in fact, a desire to be driven to extinction.
But must we continue to fight like a people who have chosen not to be affected by modern ways of thinking, or who have made fanaticism their culture or a people who feel their very existence threatened by the presence of persons of a different religion or tribe? No.
If the government sincerely wants to resolve the intermittent crisis, there must be no sacred cows. Question everything however long it has existed that is deleterious to harmonious co-existence. No person should be seen as untouchable. Get to the root of the crises. Apportion blame and mete out punishments. Where necessary, apply expediency for sustainable peace.
We are supposed to be of one stock which God created. Why should there be so much intolerance? In view of the fact that we have something to offer one another and considering that in our everyday life, at least, we interact, we need to pay attention more on what we have in common and what could promote peace and unity and less on what differentiates us and could bring anarchy and disunity.
In secular life, the problems that confront man is the same irrespective of his religious beliefs. In the religious sphere, we have the freedom to look forward to our different religions for solutions to the mysteries of our existence; true Moslems and Christians are in agreement on this. All religions to the best of my knowledge, set to improve humanity by enforcing on their respective members rich doctrines, moral precepts and sacred rites. What matters is not the extent to which these differ but the extent to which they go to make a more sane humanity. Strictly speaking, it is a question of ends and means.
Commonsense should tell us that there is no justification for discrimination between peoples. We must preserve human dignity and see hatred and persecution as deplorable.
Governors' Forum And The Politics Of Yar'Adua
The body of state chief executives known as the Governors' Forum recently took a position that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan should continue to function as acting president while ailing Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua should remain the president. To ensure that the status quo is maintained, the governors decided that Yar'Adua should not be declared incapacitated, regardless of his state of health.
They also would not want impeachment or resignation considered as options. Their stand is that until another president is elected, Yar' Adua should remain in office. This is the governors' formula for ensuring that political power resides in the North for eight unbroken years so that there can be stability in the polity. Their reasoning is that the North will be shortchanged if Yar' Adua's tenure is terminated and Jonathan is made the substantive president.
The position of the governors has further complicated Nigeria's lingering political crisis. It is an obvious disservice to the Nigerian state. The governor's stand is not based on any fresh insight into Nigeria's constitution, their stance is squarely predicated on purely political considerations and their demands are totally at variance with the preferences of the discerning and well-meaning public. The 1999 Constitution that regulates Nigeria's presidential democracy does not assign any role whatsoever to a pressure group like the Governors' Forum. That forum is indeed unknown to the constitution.
It therefore lacks the power to determine how and when a president should be removed from or retained in office.
PRESIDENT Yar' Adua was perceived as a breath of fresh air when he assumed office because he made a clean break with his predecessor's dictatorial democracy. The style, if not the substance, of his leadership endeared him to the people.
When in position to determine his now course of action, he demonstrated, to an appreciable extent, that he embraced openness. It was when his health problem began to take a toll on his capacity to manage both national and personal affairs the people's perception of him began to change.
NIGERIANS have sympathy for Yar'Adua. They have been praying for his recovery. It is a clique which surrounds him and holds him captive for selfish reasons that has brought about the change in perception and the widespread demand for his removal from office. His departure from Nigeria for medical treatment in other lands has always been stealthy as if it is an offence to take ill.
Throughout the 93 days he spent on his sick bed in Saudi Arabia, Nigerians were not informed about his health condition. None of the various delegations that travelled to that country to see him succeeded in setting their eyes on him.
Yar'Adua who constantly harped on the rule of law as the cardinal principles of his administration failed to comply with the constitution, which says he should cede power to his deputy whenever he goes on vacation. And since his secretive return, he has remained not only invisible but also incommunicado.
YAR'ADUA left the country rudderless when he took off for Saudi Arabia on November 23, 2009. the vacuum at the apex of political authority in Nigeria became a serious source of worry not only within the country but also in the international community. But for the ingenuity of the National Assembly which deftly invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to empower Jonathan to function as acting president, the situation would probably have gone out of control and the governors would not have been as comfortable as they are today to dictate terms.
In spite of the desperation of the clique around Yar'Adua to conceal the truth about his health from Nigerians, it has become an open secret that the likelihood of his functioning again as president is low. This is why there have been underground moves to find a suitable person who will for now serve as vice president and later emerge as the ruling party's presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.
What then is the rationale behind the governors' decision? Can they maintain this stance if a vice president is appointed tomorrow? What do they stand to lose from a substantive Jonathan presidency and what do they stand to gain from an incapacitated Yar'Adua presidency?
This position of the governors constitutes' a breach of their oath of allegiance. They have expressed in clear language that their loyalty is first and foremost to Yar'Adua and not to Nigeria. Yar'Adua violated the constitution by failing to cede power to his deputy when going on medical vacation, yet the governors insist that he cannot be impeached. The man is widely known to be incapable of performing the functions of the office of the President, but the governors' stand is that he should not be declared incapacitated.
Whose interests are these governors serving? Why did these same governors push for the emergence of Jonathan as acting president? Is the Jonathan presidency getting too hot for them to handle? Can Yar'Adua, in his present condition be held responsible for anything that goes wrong in the management of state affairs? Can the governors not draw the simple inference from the prevailing situation that the Yar'Adua presidency is in abeyance? Are they saying that Nigeria can have two presidents at the same time?
They also would not want impeachment or resignation considered as options. Their stand is that until another president is elected, Yar' Adua should remain in office. This is the governors' formula for ensuring that political power resides in the North for eight unbroken years so that there can be stability in the polity. Their reasoning is that the North will be shortchanged if Yar' Adua's tenure is terminated and Jonathan is made the substantive president.
The position of the governors has further complicated Nigeria's lingering political crisis. It is an obvious disservice to the Nigerian state. The governor's stand is not based on any fresh insight into Nigeria's constitution, their stance is squarely predicated on purely political considerations and their demands are totally at variance with the preferences of the discerning and well-meaning public. The 1999 Constitution that regulates Nigeria's presidential democracy does not assign any role whatsoever to a pressure group like the Governors' Forum. That forum is indeed unknown to the constitution.
It therefore lacks the power to determine how and when a president should be removed from or retained in office.
PRESIDENT Yar' Adua was perceived as a breath of fresh air when he assumed office because he made a clean break with his predecessor's dictatorial democracy. The style, if not the substance, of his leadership endeared him to the people.
When in position to determine his now course of action, he demonstrated, to an appreciable extent, that he embraced openness. It was when his health problem began to take a toll on his capacity to manage both national and personal affairs the people's perception of him began to change.
NIGERIANS have sympathy for Yar'Adua. They have been praying for his recovery. It is a clique which surrounds him and holds him captive for selfish reasons that has brought about the change in perception and the widespread demand for his removal from office. His departure from Nigeria for medical treatment in other lands has always been stealthy as if it is an offence to take ill.
Throughout the 93 days he spent on his sick bed in Saudi Arabia, Nigerians were not informed about his health condition. None of the various delegations that travelled to that country to see him succeeded in setting their eyes on him.
Yar'Adua who constantly harped on the rule of law as the cardinal principles of his administration failed to comply with the constitution, which says he should cede power to his deputy whenever he goes on vacation. And since his secretive return, he has remained not only invisible but also incommunicado.
YAR'ADUA left the country rudderless when he took off for Saudi Arabia on November 23, 2009. the vacuum at the apex of political authority in Nigeria became a serious source of worry not only within the country but also in the international community. But for the ingenuity of the National Assembly which deftly invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to empower Jonathan to function as acting president, the situation would probably have gone out of control and the governors would not have been as comfortable as they are today to dictate terms.
In spite of the desperation of the clique around Yar'Adua to conceal the truth about his health from Nigerians, it has become an open secret that the likelihood of his functioning again as president is low. This is why there have been underground moves to find a suitable person who will for now serve as vice president and later emerge as the ruling party's presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.
What then is the rationale behind the governors' decision? Can they maintain this stance if a vice president is appointed tomorrow? What do they stand to lose from a substantive Jonathan presidency and what do they stand to gain from an incapacitated Yar'Adua presidency?
This position of the governors constitutes' a breach of their oath of allegiance. They have expressed in clear language that their loyalty is first and foremost to Yar'Adua and not to Nigeria. Yar'Adua violated the constitution by failing to cede power to his deputy when going on medical vacation, yet the governors insist that he cannot be impeached. The man is widely known to be incapable of performing the functions of the office of the President, but the governors' stand is that he should not be declared incapacitated.
Whose interests are these governors serving? Why did these same governors push for the emergence of Jonathan as acting president? Is the Jonathan presidency getting too hot for them to handle? Can Yar'Adua, in his present condition be held responsible for anything that goes wrong in the management of state affairs? Can the governors not draw the simple inference from the prevailing situation that the Yar'Adua presidency is in abeyance? Are they saying that Nigeria can have two presidents at the same time?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
