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!!!!!