CHARITY: GOVERNOR RAJI FASHOLA AND MAIDEN ALEX IBRU EXAMPLES

George Eliot once wrote, “What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other?”

Though some people may attempt to live their life from a purely selfish, self-centred perspective, yet, others still derive joy in giving to others. That to me is where to find the greatest sense of meaning. And so, as we search for meaning one of the best places to look is outward-towards others-using the principle of charity.

Too often during yuletide period like this, Christmas and New Year, the meaning of charity is reduced to the act of giving alms or donating sums of money to those who are economically disadvantaged. But charity in its purest forms involves so much more. It includes the giving of our hearts, our minds, and our talents in ways that enrich the lives of all people-regardless of whether they are poor or rich. Charity is selflessness. A poignant example is found in the following true life stories.

Sometime in year 2009, about six months into my one year M.Sc degree programme at the Pan-African University, Lagos, I was frustrated out of work, by some big Ogas who right from the onset never wanted me to go for the programme. The arrangement before I decided in the first instance to undertake the course in question was that, I was going to be granted study leave with pay. Unfortunately I had to retire voluntarily from the public service in view of the intense intrigues that followed my admission. My so called Ogas at that time, unashamedly did all they could to ensure that I did not continue with that course. And I was determined to complete the course no matter the odds or pains. As soon as I was eventually forced out of the service, I became stranded and could neither pay my school fees nor cater for the needs of members of my immediate family.

Almost immediately after this incident, the school authorities began to press for the payment of my school fees or abandon the course; I therefore resolved to seek the assistance of some people I had thought were my friends in the course of my journalism practice without success. It was at this point, that I decided to send a text message to the performing Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, stating my predicament. Two weeks after, I got a call from Hakeem Bello, the Senior Special Adviser Media to the Governor, requesting me to come over to his office, to collect half of the school fees. Another quarter of the school fees were paid by now Senator Solomon Ewuga representing Nasarawa at the National Assembly and Kayode Komolafe of ThisDay Newspapers. That was how; I was able to write my final examination. The hardship I experienced during that period of my life coupled with my age at 57 years at that time, almost immediately took its toll on me, I became very ill and almost had a stroke, but for His Grace I am still alive. I must not fail to emphasise, that the Lagos State Governor decided to render me that assistance, in spite of the fact, that he was aware, that I was not a Lagos State indigene. I was also not a close associate to anyone close to him. The Governor extended his kind gesture, in a society where too many rich people even make some of their family members a disposable commodity. As I do this article, I am aware of so many other people including Lagosians studying in Nigeria and abroad who at one time or another had some problems but manage to reach Governor Raji Fashola and were also rescued. So many other governors, Ministers, top government functionaries and politicians in Nigeria would rather prefer to spend such money sending their mistress abroad for one or two week’s enjoyment. The Fashola’s example amplifies life as an exciting business and most exciting when it is lived for others.

The Dailai Lama once said that “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” This is exactly what the Publisher of the Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, is doing which must be commended. My good friend Akpo Esajere, who is the Group Political Editor of the Guardian would not like this, but in the interest of public good, I have no other option than to tell this story. Akpo for some years now, have been sick and down, one of the sad and painful aspect of journalism practice in Nigeria is that once you are out of site most people would forget about you. This is exactly the situation Akpo is facing now. He is hardly remembered by people who once sought after his service. The man is, however, not complaining as our Lord’s grace is sufficient for us. Just last week, as it has been my habit for some time now, I called Akpo on the phone to find out about his wellbeing. As usual, in spite of what the man has gone through over the years, a lively voice came across loud and clear “Gabriel, my brother how you dey oh?”He was full of life. As we got talking, Akpo was full of gratitude to the management of the Guardian Newspapers especially the late Alex Ibru and his lovely wife, Lady Maiden. Akpo wondered aloud asking me the following questions “what would I have done, if these wonderful people had long decided to stop my salary. How could I, have manage this very expensive ailment that has put me down now for some years?” Akpo was indeed full of gratitude. As I listened to Akpo on the phone, the words of Abraham Lincoln which says “to ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” came to my mind.

As we celebrate the forthcoming festive period, for those who are in a position to give and help others, “let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier”, that was Mother Teresa’s philosophy.

Charity to me does not require a large deed. It often takes little acts of kindness in the form of a warm smile or a kind word. To you all out there please have a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

Mr. Omonhinmin is a Lagos based Media Consultant

 

GENERAL DANJUMA: EPITOME OF INTEGRITY AND CARE GIVER AT 75.

On Sunday, December 9^th 2012, Retired Lieutenant-General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, From NigerianWiki

Jump to: navigation, searchNigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff from 1975 to 1979 and Defence Minister from 1999 to 2003 will turn 75 years old.

After traversing the murky waters of the Nigerian military, politics and business world, retired General Danjuma like every human being will certainly have touched so many lives by given them hope and succour.

As we celebrate T.Y. at 75, I feel blessed to have known such a man whose life style convince me that there is abundance of good among Nigerians in a world where turmoil dominates our daily news and words of discouragement often prevail.

In these days of corporate scandals and ethical breaches, I feel blessed to have also known a leader, heads of business, and a supervisor, T.Y, whose life is filled with integrity and moral fortitude.

In a time when echoes of crime, war, natural disasters, and disease are common in our country, Nigeria, I feel blessed to have known a man, who is a law enforcer, a military strategist, and a man who sacrificed much and whose intentions are honourable.

General Danjuma’s true spirit of leadership is what has marked him out for this piece. There are so many people in Nigeria today, who confuse the position of leadership with the disposition of true leadership. My experience in life has shown me that no matter what position one may be given; status in an organisation does not automatically create leadership. Genuine leadership is one’s internal disposition, which relates to a sense of purpose, self-worth, and self-concept.

The remarkable difference between General Danjuma, and his former military contemporaries still alive, is simple and clear. While his former military colleagues believe that the title makes the leader, thus using such a position to manipulate the emotions of others, play on their fears and needs. T.Y. believes that true leadership is a product of inspiration, not manipulations.

General Danjuma would always say, “what you believe about yourself creates your world. No human can live beyond the limits of his or her beliefs. In essence, you are what you believe. Your beliefs are a product of your thoughts, your thoughts create your beliefs, your beliefs create your convictions, your convictions create your attitude, your attitude controls your perception and your perception dictates your behaviour. The result is that your life is what you think it should be.”

Before the general election which brought ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to office on May 29, 1999, General Danjuma led the business community in the country in mobilising huge financial, material and human resources for the former president to prosecute the election, this hope he has long realised was misplaced.

When it became clear that Chief Obasanjo in 2006 wanted a tenure elongation, T.Y. was one of the very few Nigerians who kicked against the project, even at the risk of being crippled economically.

The history of the Nigeria army would not be complete without the active role played by General Danjuma. This played out during the Nigerian Civil War when as one of the field commanders in Enugu, then an army officer, he held the view that a properly trained and fairly treated Nigerian army could be the finest in the world.

Danjuma's career in the military between 1966-1979, saw him play major roles in the military rise to power but also witnessing a discordant tone in the army and within the nation especially during events preceding the civil war in 1967. Danjuma saw himself after the Nigerian civil war in the middle of a national debate about the role of the military in governance and the return to civil rule.

On July 29, 1966, Danjuma led a band of soldiers from the 4th battalion in Mokola area of Ibadan to carry out the house arrest of both General Aguiyi Ironsi and the then Western Regional Military Governor, Adekunle Fajuyi, while the former was visiting the region. Danjuma's grouse with Ironsi was the concern that the army dissidents or the January 1966 rebels being held in prison were not facing trial and his perceived view that Ironsi was part of the January, 1966 coup.

Prior to the commencement of the civil war when Igbos led by Ojukwu declared Nigeria unsafe for them, Danjuma was on course in Britain along with then Major Emmanuel Abisoye. He was immediately recalled and posted to Enugu. During the Nigerian Civil War, he was a General Staff Officer in the First Division and was involved in the capture of Enugu where fighting started from Nsukka.

In 1970, Danjuma attended the International Court Martial in Trinidad and Tobago as Nigeria's representative, when he was appointed President of the Tribunal in a case brought against members of a failed coup attempt in Trinidad and Tobago. Following his promotion to Colonel in 1971 he spent two years with responsibility for court-martialling Army officers proven guilty of corruption and indiscipline. In 1975, he was promoted to Brigadier and the position of General Officer Commanding (GOC) and in the following year he became the Chief of Army Staff to the Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo. He played a prominent role in supporting Obasanjo’s resistance of the Colonel Buka Suka Dimka’s Coup in 1976.

After the end of the Nigerian civil war, there were growing debates among the army ranks about the role and nature of military governance in the county. While some military governors were interested in seeing an elongation of military government, others were reluctant to suggest a prolongation of military rule or civilian rule under a retired general Yakubu Gowon. By 1974, Danjuma professed a desire to see the military return to the barracks as a way to protect the reputation of the institution.

In 1975, he became the Chief of Staff (army) and later that year; his support would prove crucial to the removal of General Gowon in a coup plot led by middle ranking soldiers and divisional commanders such as Joseph Navil Garba, Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Abdullahi Mohammed and Ibrahim Taiwo. The new regime led by Murtala Mohammed introduced a right to veto government programs by the then Supreme Military Council and gave the council decision making powers on broad government programmes.

The new council included new entrants like the aforementioned plotters and other officers such as Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Alfred Aduloju. Danjuma along with Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo became the key decision makers of the military government with Danjuma largely in control of the army. Although the new government had made steps to acquiesce themselves with the people, the old regime was already witnessing eroding support from the people. General T.Y. Danjuma retired from the Nigerian army in 1979.

Army reorganization

On return to civil rule in October, 1979, the new administration carried out some far reaching decisions to gain support from the populace. Such measures include administrative and military purges and the re-organisation of the army. The re-organization of the army led to a proposed demobilisation exercise affecting soldiers, many of whom were recruited during the civil war without adequate training but had field and combat experience. The re-structuring also emphasized the need to have all soldiers in the barracks by 1979 and to retrain army personnel.

Early life

Retired General T.Y. Danjuma was born in Takum, Wukari Division in present day Taraba State, North-Eastern Nigeria. His place of birth is close to the Cameroonian border. His father was known as Kuru Danjuma who witnessed the spill over of World War 1 into his Jukun town, at the time, Cameroon was still controlled by Germany. Danjuma's mother was known as Rufkatu Asibi.

The young Danjuma had his early education at Takum Elementary School, Katsina-Ala Provincial School before entering the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology. At Zaria, he joined the Cadet Corps and was enthralled by the army mufti and atmosphere. Though, his original intention was to pursue an academic and teaching career before finally choosing to take the cadet officers' course in 1959 and joined the army in 1960 as an officer cadet. He subsequently enrolled in the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna and received his commission into the Nigerian army in March 1961; he was later commissioned as a commanding officer of a platoon in Congo.

Military career

In the early to mid 1960s, Danjuma attended various military courses including stays at Wales, Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, and Fort Bragg. He was also involved in the Congo conflict as a company leader and on duty in Tanzania. He became a Captain in 1963.

Business career

Since retiring from the Nigerian Army, General Danjuma has shown interest in a number of businesses and has made huge success of them. He was a former Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum and formed the Nigerian America Line in 1979.

General Danjuma owns various interests in the shipping sector where he founded Comet Shipping and the Nigerian American line. He has also chaired the board of Chagoury and Chagoury Construction, former Universal Trust Bank and was a former board member of S.C.O.A. Nigeria. General Danjuma was at various times on the board in the following firms: MED Africa Group, First Universal, Nigerian American Ltd, Sahel Publishing Company, Tati Hotels, Jos, Continental Re-Insurance, Guinness Nigeria, Elf Oil, Nigeria Eagle Flour Mills, Eastern Bulchem, Ideal Flour Mills, Pan Ocean oil and Michelin Motor Tyre Services.

Politics

Since 1999, Danjuma has played active roles in Nigerian politics, some of his key appointments include: Minister of Defence in 1999; Chairperson for investigative committee on the Warri conflict in 2003; Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council in 2010.

T.Y. Danjuma Foundation:

In December 2008, the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation was created in Nigeria with the principal aims among other things to provide durable advantages through the implementation of development programs. The Foundation today operates more as a philanthropic organisation. This has enabled the foundation to seek out other deserving causes and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to partner with and make grants available.

The TY Danjuma Foundation is also doing its best in the area of alleviating poverty in communities by providing basic amenities, education for children and young adults while also providing free medical care for indigent people. Presently about 500,000 United States dollars have been given out as grants to NGOs working to relieve people suffering in Danjuma’s home state of Taraba. The State is historically one of Nigeria's most impoverished states, compounded by the absence of a health service which catered for the masses. Furthermore, the state has the highest cases of river blindness and other illnesses in the country.

One of the many NGOs which is being supported by the Foundation is CASVI working in Takum, Wukari and Donga. CASVI's main area of expertise is the provision of free eye care services such as the treatment of river blindness in Wukari, Ibi and Donga.

As you celebrate yet another year of productive service to humanity, let me join your brother and friend, Alabo Tonye Graham-Dogulas in wishing you a happy birthday. The people’s General!!!

Mr. Omonhinmin is a Lagos based Media Consultant.

IN MEMORY OF A PEOPLES GOVERNOR: PROFESSOR AMBROSE ALI.

Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Ali was a former Executive Governor of the defunct Bendel State, from 1979 to 1983 under the then Unity Party of Nigeria (U.P.N.) that performed exceptionally well but had all along been unsung as a true hero of our time. He would have been 83 years old had he been alive. Twenty- three years ago, on September 22nd 1989, the day he would have turned 60 years of age, Professor Ali died as a very poor man. He was so broke that he could hardly afford anything for himself and members of his immediate family. This is unthinkable in modern day Nigeria, where the philosophy of this generation is founded in the belief that one’s value, self-worth, self-esteem and self-concepts is derived not from who they are but from what they possess. Up till present times, questions are still being asked, why a man, who had the rear opportunity of governing the former Bendel state, now made up of two States, Edo and Delta for four years, could not make any provision for the raining day of his life. That was the truth about Ali’s life; he was selfless in his service to the people of old Bendel State, he kept nothing and had nothing materially after his death.
When Ambrose Alli left office in 1983, he retired to his family house. After the military government of Major-General Mohammadu Buhari took power, he was sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating N983,000 in funds for a road project. He was later freed when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid the fine on his behalf to the government.
Professor Alli did not survive his ordeal in the hands of the military; he took ill immediately he was released from the prisons and later died on his birthday on the 22 September 1989, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Although the man left no tangible wealth for his children, he had goodwill. His legacy and monumental achievements in the area of education, health, agriculture and Internally Generated Revenue and tax rebate for the people of old Bendel state will forever endear him to the heart of the masses in present day Edo and Delta States.
Just recently, I had cause to pass through Ekpoma, the then rural community, Ali cited a University in 1982. That rural setting of old has now become a big city bubbling with life. What a great legacy I murmured to self.
Also recently in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, the man who the then National Party of Nigeria (N.P.N.) used to upstage Professor Ali as governor of old Bendel State, made a true confession while comparing the incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomole to Professor Ali. He was quoted as saying “while Ali was a silent worker who achieved a lot, Oshiomole was also working very hard, but his works were accompanied with lot of media blizzard”.
Now a cursory look at the monumental jobs done by Professor Ali, with very minimal budget, compared to what States and Local Government Councils today received from the Federation’s Account. In the area of education, which was his government priority, Professor Ali within a period of two years established 116 Primary Schools with 1,247 classrooms, with a total enrolment of 138,340 pupils and 7,743 teachers, on assumption of office on October 1, 1979. He therefore, achieved an incredible increase in all facets of the state primary school educational system in two years from 1979 to 1981 in the following range of 7.2%, 7.1%, 17.4% and 34.8% respectively.
In the area of post-primary institutions, Ali established 493 Post-primary institutions, with 4,779 classrooms, 166,989 students and 5,981 Teachers. Percentage increase in the period in question stood at 258%, 159.3%, 136.2% and 128% respectively.
He established five new Colleges of Education at Benin City, Warri, Agbor, Igueben and Afuze, and upgraded the College of Education, Abraka to a University College of Education, with effect from October 1, 1979. The combined Student in-take in the six Colleges of Education within the period under review rose to over 12,000.
The former Bendel State University now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma took off on January 4, 1982 with 300 students. The Ali government within the period of 1979 to 1981 disbursed a total sum of 26,616,784.50 million naira as bursaries to 15,261 students in Nigerian institutions of higher learning. The sum of 12,024,810 million naira was paid out as bursaries to Bendel State students in institutions of higher learning abroad.
In the same vein, a total sum of 12,045,513.41 million naira was spent on the purchase of books and writing materials for distribution free of charge to 1,220,872 pupils in primary and post-primary schools.
While the sum of N5.671 million was spent on the renovation, rehabilitation and repairs of existing primary schools.
N23.52 million was also spent on the construction of new classrooms for existing secondary schools. The sum of N1.311 million was utilized for the provision of classroom furniture made up of 8,071 three-seaters, 5,407 single-seaters, 363 tables and chairs.
His government made sure that 24,021 teachers were sent on training from 501 classrooms across the state, while another 786 teachers were trained in 13 teacher training colleges as at October 1, 1981. Corresponding percentage increase are 99.8% and 52.03% respectively.
Ambrose Ali’s government disbursed the sum of N1.617 million on the construction of 231 new classrooms for teacher training colleges across the old Bendel State.
His government also made sure that the sum of N.445 million was spent on the purchase of furniture for teacher training colleges.
The sum of N7.574 million was approved by his government for the construction of seven new teachers’ colleges located at Ibillo, Isiokolo, Abavo, Obiaruku, Sapele and Usugbenu-Irrua.
The Ali government made sure that 37 new workshops valued at N11.464 million were constructed in five technical colleges in the old Bendel State.
His government spent N2.8 million then on the provision of science equipment for post primary institutions.
Late Professor Ambrose Ali established 2 new Polytechnics at Ozoro and Ogwashi-Uku and 3 new institutes of Industrial Technology at Igarra, Kwale and Patani. From the above picture, it was no surprise to anybody that the old Bendel State years after Professor Ali left office became exporter of manpower to other states of the Federation.
In the area of rural development, Professor Ali’s government made sure that the sum of N36 million debts incurred by the military regime that handed over power to him, on road development projects were settled by February, 1981.
He now went on to build 30 Kilometres of roads inherited from the preceding government, and completed 2,060 Kilometres of roads constructed at a cost of N761 million naira.
A total of 352 Kilometres of roads were built in Benin City, the State Capital and 18 other Local Government Headquarters at a cost of N83.8 million naira.
A breakdown of these roads were as follows, 150 Kilometres in Benin City, 40 Kilometres in Warri, 6 Kilometres in each of the other 17 Local government Headquarters in the old Bendel State.
His government completed the Phase One of Benin Drainage Scheme, 60% of Phase Two of Benin Drainage Scheme also completed as at the time he was removed from office.
The Auchi and Agbor drainage schemes were also nearing completion as at that time. In the same vein, the designs for Effurun, Warri and Asaba drainage schemes were already completed.
The Ali government left nothing to chance as it ensured that sewage scheme design for Benin City was completed, while the sum of N.4 million dredging and cutting of Odube Creek – Forcados River Canal was completed.
Health
In the area of health, his government ensured that 41 General Hospitals in the old Bendel State were functional. 11 more hospitals were nearing completion, while 300 Health Centres were in operational.
The then Bendel State government under Ali provided 17 Mobile Hospitals for the rural areas in the state. While 4 Mobile Boat Clinics were constructed in Western Germany for the Riverine Local Government Areas of Warri, Bomadi, Burutu, Isoko and Ughelli.
Within the same period, N2.1 million naira was spent on the construction of two new 500-bed Specialist Hospitals at Warri and Benin City.
The sum of N1 million was also spent on expansion of existing Specialist Hospital in Benin City, while the sum of N1.1 million was also spent on the expansion of the Specialist Hospital in Warri.
I have only taken time to dwell on three areas of Ali’s administration under the Unity Party of Nigeria in the former Bendel State.
As far as I must commend the incumbent governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, for doing an excellent job in the area of infrastructural provision in the state since on assumption into office, I am, however, worried about his administration’s approach to Edo state indigenes, who are studying in and outside the country. None that I know of presently, is enjoying any form of bursary award or scholarship. There is need for qualified teachers to man the ultra modern schools the Comrade Governor are presently constructing all over Edo State. We will also require the services of professionals to man other specialized areas in the state now and in the future.
Presently, states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Osun and Lagos just to mention a few, are laying lot of emphasis on skill acquisitions, these states are busy awarding bursary and scholarship and sponsoring their brightest students for PhD programmes in specialized areas in and out of the country. There is no evidence on ground to show, that Edo State government is planning for the future manpower of the state.
One only hopes that the Comrade Governor during the commencement of his second term of four years, will look at this area and address it.
The late Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Ali, will forever remain my hero, because of his pragmatic approach to the development of education and other areas in the former Bendel Sate. May his soul find peace with God.
Mr. Omohinmin is a Lagos based Media Consultant.

REASONS WHY RETIRED GENERAL AIRHIAVBERE’S SHOULD TOE PARTY LINE ON EDO GUBER POLLS.

The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in an address delivered at the National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (P.D.P) on Saturday, 24^thMarch, 2012, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, appealed to his party members in this manner, “As Nigeria’s foremost political party, the PDP should continue to lead by example with an utmost sense of responsibility in order to set the pace in the march to consolidate and stabilize our democracy. I urge all our members to remain committed, and to be prepared to continue to work for the interest of our party and the country.”

President Jonathan in that same speech urged all members of the P.D.P. to remain united and place the party’s interest above personal ambition.

From what we have seen so far in the case of Edo State, since the conclusion of Governorship election on July 14, 2012, retired General Charles Airhiavbere and some of his supporters in the state chapter of P.D.P, seem not to take the advice of the President and the entire P.D.P. leadership into consideration. The President from the body language of the General and his supporters in Edo State is seen and regarded as any other party member whose admonition could be ignored. This is not good for the P.D.P. as a party and it is also not good for the country. Hence, my humble intervention.

To drive my point home, I am constrained to refer to Arizona Senator John McCain’s concession speech entitled “American People Have Spoken” delivered in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 4, 2008. The day Barack Obama was declared the 44^thPresident of the United States and the first African American to hold that office.

What is however instructive in Senator McCain speech, was his desire above any other consideration to have an American where the votes of the people count and their wish respected. Senator McCain went on to say in the opening of that speech, “My friends, we have – we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly”.

“A little while ago, I had the honour of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him”. For me as a journalist, this is the spirit in any decent political set up. In all honesty, it was this type of spirit that every true son and daughter of Edo State expected to see after the results of the July 14 Governorship election was announced by INEC. Disappointingly, however, this was not the case. Retired General Charles Airhiavbere and his few supporters have since opted to continue with his case at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, even though the party under whose ticket he contested the election had since washed its hands from the petition. The P.D.P. deputy governorship candidate in that same election, Mr. Johnson Abolagba, has equally abandoned the petition. Saying “My loyalty to my party, the P.D.P. has never been in doubt... I am convinced, as a party man, that the Edo P.D.P. and the position it has taken regarding the election is superior to my individual ambition or the ambition of any member of the party”.

Now, the questions that readily come to mind, is, why is retired General Airhiavbere holding on to his personal decision in this matter. Is the General’s individual ambition in any way superior to the overall interest of the P.D.P. in Edo State? What leadership example is he trying to portray by ignoring his party’s decision and directive? I am particularly worried, because General Airhiavbere, just retired from a regimented set up- the Nigerian Army, permits me to assume that he chose the military because of the character and nature of the profession. I know the military to be an honourable and disciplined profession. His recent behaviour is not at all a good testimony to the Nigerian Armed Forces where discipline is supposed to be supreme. I am therefore at a loss, as to the reason(s) why the General has refused to obey his party’s decision. However, my personal experience in life shows that discipline does not invite supervision by an external force but is imposed by the individual from within. Indeed discipline is either self-discipline or it is nothing at all.

What General Airhiavbere has so far failed to realise, is that, whatever invariably become the outcome of the Edo State Electoral Petition Tribunal, will not in any way diminish Adams Oshiomole’s popularity in Edo State today. He has earned this via hard work and purposeful leadership which has been lacking in Edo State for some time now. To be simply put, he has performed as a governor. Evidence on ground in Edo State has showed that after Dr. Samuel Osagbovo Ogbemudia’s regime as Military Governor of defunct Mid-Western Nigeria, no other governor has been able to do the works Oshiomole had done in his first term in office. He has been able to prove once again, that it is possible to run a government with available resources in a classy, efficient and considerate manner, in Edo State. Why for God sake should such a man be distracted from delivering the basic dividends of democracy to the people?

I presume these were the entire factors that the P.D.P. leadership considered both at the state and the national level in arriving at their decision to withdrawal the petition from the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal. For the information of the General and his likes, I am forced to divulge this little secret, if this will make him and those pushing him, come to their senses, and learn to be true party people. Sometimes in May 2012, I was privilege to join some highly respected Nigerians in the dinner table of the P.D.P. National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in his private residence in Abuja. Alhaji Tukur as a true democrat decided to know the level of preparation for the Edo State Governorship election and sought to know the exact feelings of the people of Edo State with regard to that election, not from party sycophants but from people who are ready to give an untainted account of the political situation in the state. I listened with rapt attention in that informal meeting as an indigene of Edo State, as the National Chairman was told the home truth that it will be extremely difficult for his party to re-claim the governorship position from Mr. Oshiomole for now, I must confess that the ACN as a party was not the issue in this matter. The P.D.P. National Chairman was told that the Edo State people would do all they could to ensure that Oshiomole was re-elected because he had truly performed, and that the people of Edo State were not only in love with him but solidly behind him like an Iroko tree, so as to consolidate the gains already made in the state. In spite of this fact, Alhaji Tukur as a true leader insisted that everything should be done to support the candidature of the General and the P.D.P. He said after all it was up to the people of Edo State to decide who they want as governor comes July 14^th. Although, Alhaji Tukur, made no other comment, it was obvious that he was ready to accept whatever the outcome of that election would be, so long as it was free and fair. As far as he was concerned, himself and his party were ready to respect the wishes of the Edo State people. The Edo State P.D.P. and national leadership of the party will forever earn my respect at the way and manner they conducted themselves after the Edo people have spoken.

But to be candid, I am worried about the way and manner General Airhiavbere and his supporters have been carrying on, it has become clear, that there is indeed no better place to observe the thrusting indiscipline in Nigerian behaviour than in politics: frenetic energy, rudeness, noisiness – they are all there in abundance, held in place, as it were, by that vulgar piousness (which we always mistake for piety). My question is what point is the general trying to make? Will his recalcitrant behaviour make him now and in the future a better politician? Is this not a case of rampaging selfishness which is another name for indiscipline?

I am worried because I know, that leaders are, in the language of psychologists, role models. People look up to them and copy their actions, behaviour and even mannerisms. Therefore, if a leader lacks discipline, the effect is apt to spread automatically down to his followers. The less discerning among these (for example the vast majority) will accept his action quite simply as “the done thing,” while the more critical may worry about it for a while and then settle the matter by telling themselves that the normal rules of social behaviour need not apply to those in power. Or those who seek to acquire power.

Recently also, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, cried out that the party was losing its members to opposition political parties.

He attributed the exodus to crises bedeviling the party across the country, just as he inaugurated an eight-member committee to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party.

The Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas committee might not be able to do much, if party members are not ready to obey the instruction of the leadership of their party. This is the kernel of the matter. Alabo, that I know very well is straight, sincere and rock solid and can hardly stomach any form of indiscipline. It is either some party members shape in or shape out, that I know his committee would advice.

The PDP National Chairman rightly put his finger on the reasons why P.D.P. has long stop making any political head way in Edo State when he said, “for instance, the PDP lost the recent governorship election as a result of infighting in the party”. He stressed:“See Edo, why did we lose the election? It was because of factions arising from misunderstanding. It is like big dogs fighting and the lean one came to take the bone away. It is important for me to reconcile our people, to rebuild our party and you cannot rebuild the party unless you reconcile.”

Mr. Chairman Sir, for all this to make any meaning, retired General Charles Airhiavbere and his supporters must be prevailed upon to withdrawal their petition at the Edo State Electoral Petition Tribunal and learn to toe the party line. Reconciliation without obeying party instruction and order will not in any way help the P.D.P as a party.

Mr. Omonhinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos.

 

PENSION COMMISSION: AS NIGERIAN PENSIONIER’S ALBATROSS

On the 25^th Day of June, 2004, the Nigerian Pension Reform Act 2004 was signed into law, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The objective of the law, is to among other things, ensure that every person who worked in either the Public Service of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory or Private Sector receives his or her retirement benefits as and when due.

Sub-section (h), of section 2 of the Pension Reform Law specifically stated that the scheme is to “assist improvident individuals by ensuring that they save in order to cater for their livelihood during old age”. “Improvident individuals” in my own interpretation, are people who refuse to plunder state resources kept under their supervision or use their offices to aggrandise wealth. Exactly eight years after this scheme came into effect; there is hardly any evident to show that the scheme is leading Nigeria towards the right direction. The numerous scandals that have trailed the pension scheme, in recent times, is an attestation to the fact, that a lot still need to be desired, with regard to the effective management of the country’s pension scheme.

The first evident, that indicates that all is not well with the Nigerian Pension Law, is noticed, in the embarrassing and avoidable errors, that litter the entire Pension Reform Law 2004. For example, in the second schedule supplementary provisions relating to the commission, which is just three pages of the law, there are seventeen mistakes. The name of the former President, Olusegen is misspelt as (Owesun) Obasanjo, one therefore wonder how Ibrahim Salim, the former Clerk to the National Assembly who was a co-signatory to this law, could sign and forward such a document to the former president for his assent, without first noticing these mistakes. Sadly, for Nigeria, this is the document presently on the internet. However, this is a matter for another time.   

As a pensioner who falls under the present scheme, it being  exactly two years and eight months after I voluntary retirement from the public service of the Federation, I am yet to be paid whatever is due me as a pension. My personal experience to date, has been most discomforting. Hence, my resolve now to go public on this matter. In my neighbourhood in Baragia a suburb of  Lagos, I have watched with heavy heart and helplessness as people who retired from both the state and Federal Service die daily; in a miserably circumstances due to minor and preventable illnesses without earn their pension.  Most of the pensioners remaining are living under extreme hardship. As they daily look forward to relatives and friends for handout. Some have been ejected from their accommodation to go on the street of Lagos with their family and die. Very many can no longer afford three sequel meals and their medication at old age; this is not a good testimony for our dear country Nigeria. This hardship is occasioned by the unkind verification procedure and the unnecessary lent of time it takes for PenCom to complete work on a pensioner entitlement. This act of wickedness must no longer be allowed to continue, if for no other reason, but for the survival of our country.

 The Nigeria Senate, sometime early this year, alluded to this fact, when it condemned the subjection of the nation’s pensioners to harsh verification exercises before the collection of their entitlements.
The Senate also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to direct relevant government agencies to desist from the subjection of pensioners to limitless verifications.
The upper legislative house mandated its committee on Establishment and Public Services and States and Local Governments to conduct a public hearing into the management and administration of pension funds.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on the plight of pensioners in the country and the need for the Senate to investigate the payment of pensioners.
Lokpobiri said it took some pensioners as many as three years after retirement to process their papers while they were often owed arrears of payment for several years.
He argued that the dexterity in the administration of pensions and gratuities would add impetus to the fight against sharp practices in the country.
The lawmaker said the plight of the nation’s senior citizens after serving the country meritoriously was not only worrisome but unacceptable.
He stressed ``the pensioners are often made to loiter and sleep in public places for several days for the purported verification exercises that have become endless and persistent,’’.
Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba described the undue subjection of pensioners to harsh verification procedures as `` institutionalized wickedness. ’’

 As earlier stated, I voluntary retired from the service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 18^th of December 2009. Granted that I could not immediately do my verification exercise that year, because I was in school for a Master degree programme at old age, I finally had the opportunity to participate in the verification exercise on the 14^th June, 2011 in Lagos, for me to complete that exercise, it took me three days. A year and some months after the so-called verification, I am still been told by Pension Commission Officials in Abuja, that work has not yet been completed on my pension. What is most disappointing is the arrogance and unpleasant behaviour of some of the commission’s officials. Most of PenCom officials both junior and senior operate as people who have sworn to an oath of secrecy, never to allow a pensioner know what the exact position is, with regard to their pension.

A critical look at the pension reform act 2004 shows, that there is no time frame stipulated for PenCom to complete work and ensure that a pensioner is paid. This open clause, I presume the commission’s officials are taken as a license to carry out institutional wickedness; this must stop for God sake. I also heard from a reliable source, that the officials in the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, who are expected to issue pensioner bonds, are not helping matters either, as bonds are kept for months unattended to in their offices on flimsy excuses. One therefore wonders, if these people will one day get to retire from the service. Presently, staff from PenCom and the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation of Nigeria, are behaving in a manner most unacceptable, not knowing that the pleasure of life are short-lived, and that more often than not, life itself is full of ups and down. Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are many.

One is however, worried if the Federal Government ever get to realise the adverse effect and security challenges that could result from the shabby treatments of it pensioners. Already the country has it handful of crimes.

 According to the National Bureau of Statistics NBS, in 2010 65% of Nigeria's wealth is owned by just 20% of the population. This effectively means that 80% of the population share between them only about one third of the nation's wealth. This income inequality manifests itself in conspicuous consumption by a few side by side with abject poverty experienced by the many.

Income inequality, refusal to pay pensioner their entitlements as at when due, unemployment and poverty have been shown to correlate strongly with increases in violent crimes in societies. This cocktail is what US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson referred to when he stated that Nigeria's Boko Haram was capitalizing on popular discontent with bad governance in Nigeria in general and the North in particular. The fact that virtually all indices of development and progress have been deteriorating from 2007 in spite of being a period of high oil prices and production should make every thoughtful person to question what is happening.

Among the Public Sector Employee retirees in Nigeria, we have a large concentrate of well trained personnel that could further compound the nation’s security challenges, one only hope, those in authority are reasonable enough, to know how best to manage these group of people, so as not to forced them to deploy their vast experience and training to negative use, at the detriment of the country, if the present maltreatment of pensioners is not stopped. Also the Nigerian government has a lot to benefit, if they henceforth chose to dignify their retirees. I, like most retirees, wants our pension paid before death come calling. PenCom as a matter of urgency most improve on it service to the Nigeria Public, and most be open to all inquiries if it want to be taken seriously.

As the saying goes “the labourer deserves it wages”. I honestly can no longer wait; I am looking forward to the prompt payment of my entitlements without any further excuse from PenCom.

 Mr. Omonhinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos.

IN DEFENCE OF MY FAITH AND CHURCH.

The tragic news that gunmen believed to be adherents of the Boko Haram Islamist sect attacked a Deeper Life Bible Church in a town in Kogi State, in North central Nigeria, I must say break my heart immensely.

The attack, already widely reported, was said to have been carried out at about 8:30 p.m on Monday, August 6^th 201 2. So far, the gentle souls of about twenty innocent people are said to have been dead, while several others injured, in the dastardly act.

The attackers we were told, laid siege on the church while a vigil was on, bombarding it with a barrage of gun shots.

Considering that this is an attack that was masterminded in the wee hours of the night, no security or health officials were available to give a helping hand to these unarmed people.

Painful as this ugly incident is, and as we all grieve over what has happened, it is important to note, that this act of barbarism is not done in the propagation of Islam. Islam is no doubt, a religion of peace and not violence. People, who are in a position to know what Islam is, such as Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, the Saudi Arabian-based Nigerian Islamic scholar, has been quick to point out, that there is no compulsion on non-Muslims to convert to Islam. Sheikh Gumi made the assertion in his ongoing Ramadan sermon at the historic Sultan Muhammadu Bello Mosque in Kaduna.

“Mallam [Teacher] as the Sheikh is popularly called made it clear that there is no compulsion and forceful conversion of anybody to Islamic religion. He explained that enemies of Islam and some misguided Muslims are responsible for creating confusion and division among the Muslim Ummah.”

In concluding his talk, Sheikh Gumi implored Muslims to seek knowledge in order to know what they are doing and to follow Allah accordingly.

My conviction therefore, is that people that attack churches and kill innocent Nigerians in their thousands in pretext of propagating Islam, first and foremost lack knowledge and are not doing what they claimed to be doing, in pursuit of Allah’s will. A pointer to this fact is based on Sheikh Gumi’s submission when he said "In the Holy Scriptures, both Christians and Muslims are taught that God is the Source of peace and the bestowal of security. And since the doctrine of peace and security are His will, the establishment of that peace and maintenance of security must, therefore, be the constant objective of all Muslims and Christians alike. Those who choose to entrench a campaign of violence and threats against others who have done nothing to provoke them must take a break, reevaluate Allah’s message of peace and harmony and understand that only through conformity to the spirit of peace, patience, conscience and the promotion of human welfare can we achieve a society where all can co-exist".

This position is further re-enforced by the fact that I grew up in Auchi town in Estako-West in Edo State, where you have a large percentage of Muslims co-habiting with Christians.

Anyone, who is familiar with Auchi, Agbede and neighbouring environs in Edo State, will observe that Islam is taken very seriously and practiced to the letters. Although, Muslims are in the majority in these towns, adequate room is made for other religion to flourish. In view of the forgoing, I grew up admixed religious tolerance and harmony. My late father, Dominic Anekhorme Omonhinmin, had a liberal nature, which I would say contributed to my unique upbringing. While he was a practicing Christian, he granted my mum, Aminat, her right to remain a Muslim and we the children the freedom to choose which God we want to serve.

Although, I have always been a practicing Christian myself right from inception, my first contact with western education was in the Auchi Muslim Primary School, where it was compulsory then, to study the Holy Qur’an. My late grandmother, Awuta Elamah, whom I lived with as a child in Auchi, was quite fanatic about Islam. She made sure that I had what could be regarded as the elementary knowledge of the Holy Qur’an. As far as she was concerned, I had no choice in the matter and for us to live in peace I needed to do her bidding. It was after this, that I had the opportunity to attend a Christian Missionary Secondary School. This unique upbringing gave me adequate insight into the two dominants religion in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity. My fair knowledge of both books has no doubt helped me in my adult life.

No religion as far as I know, preaches or support violence or the killing of innocent souls.

My bible teaches me, that in the beginning when God created heaven and earth, on page one of Genesis, God started the creation process without any pre-existing things. He began with nothing. With the presence of His Holy Spirit and the entrance of His Word, creation happened. He brought order, light, life, and beauty out of chaos and darkness. Every time He said, “Let there be...” it happened.

My bible says, not only can God create something from nothing, but everything He creates is good. Seven times in the story of creation, God said that what He had made was good. If everything God makes is good, doesn’t that mean we are too? God created us for good, and He is redeeming our life to that end. He is all about redemption. And He never makes an error. Even if something appears to ruin or pervert what God had made. He provides us a way back to complete restoration.

Anybody familiar with the Deeper Life Bible Ministry and its doctrine, will very well say, that salvation of mankind, righteousness’ and holiness without which no man can see God, is centre to its teaching. From the head of the church to the ordinary member, deliberate efforts are made to practice what is preached. One therefore, wonders what is the rationale behind the attack on members of the church, who were barely carrying out a night vigil in their church, in accordance with the Christian doctrines.

As if having a premonition of the event to come, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Ministry, on Wednesday 16^th April, 2012, expressed his concern over the worrisome development in the country. He said in a press statement that “It has become imperative for all Nigerians to join hands quickly in moving the nation away from the precarious knife-edge on which she is now seemingly placed and rein-in dispositions that are dysfunctional to our well-being. The endless debates and energy-sapping controversies over restructuring, resource control, revenue allocation formula, and ethnic nationalities and so on must not be allowed to imperil the posterity of this great nation”.

As if Pastor Kumuyi saw the present savagery coming, he stressed in the same statement that “Every society seeks to resolve crises and conflicts usually through dialogue. And wherever this fails, or where contesting parties refuse this option, the portents have always been very dire. It led to wars and bloodshed, which have merely served to expose the savagery of the depraved human nature. I have always been intrigued by the action of combatants who eventually revert to the negotiating table, after a needless and clearly avoidable bloodletting”. The Deeper Life Bible Ministry ministers are all in league with the church General Overseer in the effort to make our society a better place.

For example, in the Bariga Province where I worship, Pastor Felix Ojebisi, the Group Co-ordinator of that arm of the church, is known to have organised various health programmes that have benefited and brought lot of succour to the Muslim members of that community and their families. Bariga, has a large population of Muslim in Lagos. It is therefore amazing, why a church like this, could be targeted for any form of an attack.

Well, Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Make sure the hull of your convictions can withstand the stress of collisions. Builders of the Titanic should have been so wise. The luxury liner sank because contractors settled for cheap rivets. Rivets are the glue that holds the steel plates together. Facing a shortage of quality bolts, the builders used substandard ones that popped their heads on impact with the iceberg.

How sturdy are the bolts of your belief? Reinforce them with daily Bible readings, regular worship, and earnest communion with God.

All things, big and small, flow out of the purpose of God and serve His good will. When the world appears out of control, it isn’t. We can trust God and Him alone!

Mr. Omonhinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos.