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.

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.

OKEY NWACHUKWU A SHINNING EXAMPLE, IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE

In traditional African setting, tributes are hardly done in honour of the living; this is because most people do not want to be seeing as being sycophantic. However, in very exceptional cases, it is nice to publicly honour whom honour is due, if for no other reason, to encourage other people to follow the part of honour, and to do good whenever they have the opportunity to do so.

The Holy book, Qur’an, tells us that “Good deed brings light both to the heart and to the face. Doing good deeds result in being blessed in one’s sustenance and the hearts of people are naturally attracted to the doer of good”.

On Thursday, 19^th July, 2012, Okey Nwachukwu, the Executive Director, News, Voice of Nigeria, attained the age of sixty years, the mandatory age of retirement in the Nigerian public service. Be that as it may, he therefore stepped aside from service. Ordinarily, there is nothing to celebrate about this, as thousands of other Nigerians daily disengage from the public service without any fanfare.

Okey’s noble deeds while in service and his outright dislike for evil is what marks him out for this honour.

In Nigeria today, employees in the Federal Public Service is put at over 1.1million and the country’s Public Sector Employees as at 2011, is said to be in the region of over 2.6million. As small as this sector is, to the country’s population, if properly directed and focused, it could be of tremendous assistance to Nigeria in the drive for economy and social political development. It is a known fact, that no nation develops beyond the capacity of its public service, and there is broad consensus amongst Nigerians today that our public service is broken and dysfunctional. The quality of public servants and the services they provide to our nation are both below expectations. From the glorious days at independence when the best and brightest graduates competed to join the administrative service up until 1970s, our public service is now seen as employer of the dull, the lazy and the venal. What has become most disheartening is the level of mischief and intrigue in our public service, this, no doubt, is forcing out the very few quality minds remaining in the service. We, therefore, need to retrieve our old public service to make it effective, well paid and largely meritocratic, attracting bright people imbibed with a spirit of promoting public good.

My personal experience in the service, shows, that as people approach the pinnacle of their career, vacant positions become very few and competition for these positions become stiffer. At this point, most people who are known to be lazy, dull and could hardly carry out their primary assignments but are well grounded in mischief and intrigue, who also want to be bosses, no matter what it takes, in-conjunction with some senior officers, who have already attained position of authority without merit, will begin to plot how to frustrate out of service anybody they perceive as enemy. Often times, these are people with brighter credentials whom they could hardly compete with under normal circumstances. At this point, all manner of manoeuvres become the order of the day. Heartless, unkind behaviour, intrigues and high level venality will begin to play up. Most often, the first card to be played are ethnicity not competency. The second is “loyalty”, in how much the up and coming officer is willing to co-operate with “management” in plundering the organisations resources. Thirdly, is how much return a junior officer who is posted to hold a lucrative position in spite of his or her deficiencies and incompetence is ready to give to the big “Oga”? Once an officer is not ready to play these games, it does not matter how competent such an officer may be, or how much has been spent by the organisation in the training of such an officer, the officer is forced out. The officer in question is marked for elimination, it does not matter how crudely this is done. The task must be accomplished by all means and whatsoever.

I saw this game being played first hand, to my utmost dismay sometimes between September and December 2009, when I applied for a study leave with pay to do an M.Sc degree programme in Media Enterprise, at the Pan-African University in Lagos. Long before then, it has become obvious even to a blind person, that “the power that be” were no longer in a position to tolerate me, as I was known to be the only senior officer, who could publicly and privately oppose their antics. My colleagues, who were going to benefit from my ouster, were as expected willing and ready to co-operate. But my boss, Okey Nwachukwu, refused to be part of the game plan and watched helplessly as events played out.

I re-called my last telephone conversation with Okey, before tendering my letter of voluntary retirement from the public service. In a clam voice, Mr. Nwachukwu, expressed his disappointment at the turn of events, saying “as far as he was concerned I remained one of his brightest officers”. He continued, “Your case is like the case of a man who had a mental disorder and extreme anxiety problem who sought an advice from a physician dealing with depressions and anxieties. The doctor advised the patient, ‘Know that the world is created as ordained by the Creator. Whatever happens here, even the slightest movement of anything and anywhere, happens by the permission of God Almighty.’ So, why the anxiety and the depression? I know for sure, that whatever, you set out to do after this place; you will do very well and prove yourself”. About three years after my retirement from the service, very many of my former colleagues made up mostly of people from other directorates have called to tell me on phone, “how much they regret my forceful exit from the service, saying “management has at least achieved their aims as no staff has the guts now, to oppose them anymore”. I was shocked beyond words, when a former colleague called me on phone, confessing that he was one of those people who plotted my exit, requesting that I forgive him and others he refused to name, saying that peace has eluded him since he took part in the plot. He stressed that it was God that sent him to me. A wise man says, “Fear the one who finds no helper against you (in your wrongdoing) except God”.

As I reflect on the plea for forgiveness by my former colleague, the words of Al-Mutanabbi readily come to mind: He said “Small things are greatly magnified in the eyes of the small one, and great things are diminished in size in the eyes of the great one.”

Ar-Rashid wrote in his book ‘Al-Masaar’ The Sweet Taste of Freedom, he says “Whoever possesses three hundred and sixty loaves, a canister of oil, and one thousand six hundred dates, then none can enslave him.” And one of our pious predecessors once said: “The one who is satisfied with dry bread and water will be free from slavery except the slavery to Allah, the All-High.” Today, by His special grace, I am totally free from the tyranny of the past, and I am living a peaceful life in retirement. Why should I therefore, not forgive? To err is human and to forgive is divine.

Okey Nwachukwu contributed to the peace I now enjoy today. He indeed gave a good account of himself while in service. Even though, I am sure, he made no money because he served with integrity. He will one day be remembered by other persons for his meritorious service to our country, Nigeria.

Mr. Omonhinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos.

IN MEMORY OF DAFE ONOJOVWO

The announcement of Dafe’s death on facebook by Mr. Mobolaji Adebiyi took me by surprise and hit me beyond words. For about thirty minutes or more after reading Bolaji’s tribute on him, I kept looking at Dafe’s portrait posted on the internet not believing my eyes that he was really gone. Before I could re-gain my thought, the laptop on my lap was drenched with tears. I murmured to myself “what a painful departure”.

Dafe and I were professional colleagues and good friends; we, no doubt, had respect for each other. While Dafe was a very patient, calm and calculated person and could withstand all manner of intrigues in the course of his assignments, I had no patience at all for any form of intrigues. This, he knew and will always advice, “Gabby, you need to learn how to live with these things. This is the way we are, most people do not think they can survive in any system, no matter how competent or incompetent they might be, without running or bringing down another person for them to climb. It gives them joy. He would continue, but what do we do! We will not just abandon the system to them, even though; we are not going to join them in their evil ways. You must learn to be patient. He would stress”. Any time Dafe came up with his advice, I always bellow at him, “I am not cut out for that! It is patience that killed the cow. You imagine the foolish patience of a cow for example; he was captured and tied up from Maiduguri, and on tortured journey to Lagos without any form of protest. At the point of being slaughtered at the abattoir the cow will begin to struggle, when it hasn’t the slightest chance of survival. I will tell him, I am not that foolish. You dare not try those antics on a lion, whoever does will surely pay dearly for it” I will shout at him. Dafe never picked offence, instead, he will smile. Because of Dafe’s simplicity, he never made money or held any spectacular position in our society, in spite of his enormous intelligence. He was always himself.

Now that Dafe is gone, I am constrained to once again look at the Journalist's Creed that was written by the first dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, Walter Williams. One century after his excellent job, his declaration remains one of the clearest statements of the principles, values and standards of journalists throughout the world. The plaque bearing the creed is located on the main stairway to the second floor of Neff Hall. I wonder how many of our very ambitious and daring journalists in Nigeria, have bordered to read this creed. More importantly, how many of them are bordered about what people will say about them tomorrow, dead or alive.

The last part of the creed reads, “I believe that the journalism which succeeds best -- and best deserves success -- fears God and honours Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamour of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world”.

We do all manners of evil in the name of journalism practice in this part of the world. How many of our so called publishers, editors and colleague, we have these words said about them dead or alive. The outpouring of tributes on Dafe’s departure is quite instructive and makes an interesting reading:-

Prince Bayo. “This is sad, so very sad indeed. He was indeed a perfect gentleman and always willing to assuage you in troubled times. I worked with him on Business Desk of The Punch and I was also privileged to be on the panel that interviewed him for the job and that really strengthened our relationship. He was a great talent combining his wealth of experience as a former lecturer and sound mind with robust understanding of issues. He was a very disciplined man with Spartan lifestyle. He will be truly missed.
I have no doubt in mind that all who crossed his path in his life time will truly miss him. Always very passionate on the well being of his colleagues. He was indeed a good man. How sad to describe him in the past tense.
RIP”.

Ibanga Isine “On my first meeting September 13, 2002, he held my hands, looked straight into my eyes and told me things that later defined my career not only in the Punch but wherever the services of my pen will be required. However, in the course of working with the Punch, Dafe was just one of the very few senior staff who practiced what he preached. Gentle, kind, unassuming, super intelligent with a distinctive sense of humour. May God be kind to you in death and may your passion for excellence find expression in your children and those you loved and left behind. Go DAFE. Go Great MAN!”

Oke Epia “unbelievably sad....spoke with him just the day before the sad event. May God rest his soul”. Amen

Kote Onungwe Obe-Eleme “A perfect gentleman indeed. This is really shocking 'cos Uncle Dafe with his ever present comforting smiles and great command of the language cannot die. Everyone whose path he crossed especially at The Punch will miss him. No!”

Semiu Okanlawon “A man of elegant prose. Even when he dealt with critical issues bordering on national survival, he did with a soothing style that made you forget the pains inflicted on us by national issues. Here was a writer!”

Joke Kujenya “I'm loss for words to accept 'Dafe's demise. What happened to him? We spoke barely a month ago and I could still recall his ever gentle voice and picture his registered smile... 'Dafe was a true definition of a gentleman. I love the way he would always share knowledge with anyone. A superb writer in every sense. But now, he's taken his exit. What can I say? Another star fallen... It's so painful but all the same, I can only bid you Goodbye!!! May GOD strengthen the heart of your lovely wife and wonderful children”.

Alex Okumo “I am still in shock. He was great soul! He touched my life in very many ways. He taught me English Language at the extra-mural classes of the College of Education Warri when I was preparing for JAMB. The notebook from that class remains one of my prized possessions; I have found it difficult to let it go because of the wealth of information in it and the simple way most of the topics are explained. He was also there for me in my professional career always ready with a word of encouragement/advice. He was a decent and gentle man, one who had the courage to live what he preached. My heart bleeds at the circumstances of his death. It is my prayer that God will have mercy on his soul and give his family the fortitude to bear this huge loss”.

Bisi Olaniyi “SO SAD! EXCEPTIONALLY BRILLIANT GENTLEMAN, WHO HATED SLOPPY GRAMMAR. GOD ALMIGHTY WILL GIVE THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY OF OGA DAFE ONOJOVWO, THE GREAT PUNCHER. THE FORTITUDE TO BEAR THE LOSS RIP. ICON OF JOURNALISM”.

Michael Awe “I saw him last the day he paid me a visit at home on his way to work. That was when I knew he had been battling his health challenges. Dafe was a very good friend, humble and diligent at work. Ever smiling and firm, Dafe's death came to me as a rude shock. May God give all of us his colleagues, particularly his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss. Adieu Dafe!”

Augustine Avwode “I can still hear that voice, even now, "Oshare na" with a gentle reassuring smile playing on his face. That was Oga Dafe whenever he saw me. I join others to say Rest In Perfect Peace now that you are free from all earthly labour”.

Frederick Apeji “Am very sad to hear this. We were colleagues while I served at Punch as Advert Manager/Corporate Affairs Manager (1998-2000). A dedicated man and a jolly good fellow. And most of all, he was my "Big Brother" while I was there, and even after I left. May the Lord accept his soul. And may He comfort his loved ones”.

Prince Taiwo Fowowe “Goodnight to a gentle soul - though I was in Admin while in Punch but our paths crossed several times in the course of work. RIP”.

Churchill Umoren “Anyone who passed through Punch's editorial dept must have had a very touchy personal encounter with Dafe....i did...may his soul RIPP”.

Ofonime Umanah “Can someone wake me from this sleep? No, no, no, Dafe is not dead. He can’t go just like that. I have been opportuned to work under him during my days in The Punch. He was not just a teacher but a friend. IN Daily Independent, till when I left,I was happy that I also met him there. His smiles were usually infectious. You wouldnt know who was the boss because of the way he related with his subordinates. Kai, my oga, death why?”

Adeola Yusuf “Indeed he lived life with utmost simplicity. Good night Oga Dafe. U surely deserves a rest in the bosom of the LORD!”

Dan Akpovwa “ A sad end indeed....”

Raheem Adedoyin “A truly sad loss.”

Adeniji Stephen Olayiwola “He was such a very strong voice. He was always a delightful read. RIP.”

Segun Dele Dipe. “I agree with you that Edafe was a perfect gentleman. But his passing on has sent a wrong signal to a lot of people. It's weird”.

Abiodun Adelaja. “Dafe, definitely was a nice man. We were colleagues at The Punch”.

Austeen Elewodalu “Let someone tell me what killed Dafe”.

Adesina Wahab “It is good night to a gentleman, Oga Dafe, may God be with his family and grant him eternal rest amen”.

Oluyinka Oladoyinbo “It is painful to learn that our erudite language teacher while i sojourned in Punch is gone, Dafe was just a gentle and nice man, all we can pray for is the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss, good night Dafe”.

Olayinka Oyegbile “This is a shock. I only just stumbled on this now. As everyone above has attested to he was a nice man. Soft spoken and candid. It's a debt we all owe and must repay. May his soul rest in peace”.

Chido Nwakanma “So sad to learn of his passing. RIP Dafe”.

Dafe with your life style, you have shown that greed and avarice is not the best example to show as a journalist. Rest until we meet to part no more.

Mr. Omohinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos