MADAM SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPS IS NOT A MOTHER

The achievements of the women that dotted the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasango left one impression in the psyche of many Nigerians-Women can do it better. What with the Akunyilis, Okonjo-Iwualas, Oby Onyekwelus among many others. In conservative terms, Nigerians welcomed the election of Mrs. P. Etteh as the Speaker of the lower house of the National Assembly. Many people, especially the PDP guys wanted us to believe that it was not just a gender issue but because of the ability of Madam Speaker. The first step can be so costly. Beyond the endless thanksgivings organized in honour of the first Nigerian female Speaker, so little has been heard or seen about the speaker.

Today however, that enthusiasm has suffered a heavy blow. Suddenly, Madam speaker's house, newly refurbished in 2003 together with that of his deputy is due for renovation at the whooping sum of 628 million naira. Well, part of the money they have cleverly argued is for the acquisition of 12 choice cars for the Speaker and her deputy. Whatever your level of mathematical formation is, I am sure you have heard the unofficial population figure of 150 million. Out of these, more than 70% by current UNDP figures live below $1 a day. One dollar is approximately 128 naira depending on your choice of market-black or 'white'. I leave you to work out the details of the alternative use this money could be put into to uplift the living standard of the most vulnerable of our population. The intriguing question is, how can a mother with children do a thing like this? The guardian editorial today categorically questions if Madam Speaker would approve of such renovation if the houses were hers and to be renovated from her pocket. Your guess is as good as mine. Madam Speaker, if you ever meet a man whose monthly salary from the same government is 6,000 naira with what face are you going to walk into your palace? Her Majesty the Queen Speaker, I am sure by now those of your family that have conscience would have started denouncing you just as I disown you as a Nigerian. Does this Madam Speaker know the infant mortality rate in Nigeria, does she know the number of out of school children of school age, does she have the figures of Under 5 mortality rate? Where do we possibly console ourselves? These politicians have not learnt anything. My advice to the Dishonourable speaker is to resign her position and apologise to the Nigerian women for betraying the compassion of motherhood and then to entire Nigerians for misplacing her mandate. You are not a mother!!!!!

Re: Thinking the Unthinkable

The author of this article starts with a bold premises, framing up a good line of theoretical frameworks and building on the workability and justification for his conviction that the Nigerian state is irredeemable. Wait a moment for that is not the end of the story, he has a caveat 'let us go back to old skool', 'let us call back the colonial masters' ; 'let us admit that we don't have the capacity' or worse still, that there exists a deprivation of capabilities that he considers pathological. THE BLACK MAN IS INCAPABLE OF SELF-ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE. One line of argument interest me, not for its sophistication but for its implications. If the famous Newtonian law of gravitation is used as a benchmark and an example of the unthinkable, may be the author is wishing Nigeria an irrevocable colonial dominance. It is either that he is short of historical trends that lend to the evolution of the so called developed countries or he is yet to appreciate the impact of that type of rule, years after the end of apartheid in South Africa. Most African scholars agree that there is a strong correlation between the state of African Nations and their colonial past. While this cannot be waved aside, I am of the strong believe that we can do better and more strongly yet, that there will be a third day for the resurrection. After rain they say, comes sunshine.

Yes,it is difficult to resist the argument that failed leadership is the main factor that has stalled national development. It is even more difficult to sustain that we have been anything close to an upward movement. Ours is a sad story of a consistent drift on a downward slop often told by those who are as guilty as the system. Nigerians have grown weired like their leaders. But this is not our contention neither is it our end. The global system, the way it is configured now, makes both corruption and dictatorship less fashionable. If not any other thing, Nigerians are becoming more aware of things and at the long run we shall get things right. God bless Nigeria and Nigerians. Make it a personal commitment to do good at all times and in time Nigeria will be good.

EFCC: SHALL WE HAIL THE PRESIDENT???

A good number of us have started recanting our positions, taking new positions and consolidating on others. EFCC's credibility was questioned when at the expiration of the OBJ years of disaster the anti-corruption czar took a back seat to the surprise of many Nigerians. It was a veiled confirmation, many columnists claimed, of its identity as OBJ's witch-hunting machinery. The events of the last one month have however jilted many Nigerians, critics and admirers 'are these guys really out for business?' or are they continuing with the suppression of the old enemies of the Egba-tin god? My guess is yes and no. Before we hail Mr. President, let us respire for a longer time and see how far the EFCC goes. It is only time and Mr. Yar'Adua, whom God has placed the destiny of this nation into his hands, that can tell. With OBJ still lurking around the corner, we must wait while he coughs to know what next we get from the new deal. If EFCC goes all the way, then OBJ beware of Malam Yar'Adua!!! It is a long time for the waiting game.