The death of the hero of Igbo cosmopolitan society and pilot of the modern Igbo project appears a raining storm that threatens an end laden in intricate controversies. Early indicators gleaned from the immediate family members and associated political personalities following the public announcement of the death of Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu Ezeigbo Gburugburu in London exposes an unadulterated glimpse into the complexities hidden neatly beneath the surface away from the public reach.
On the first level, 247ureports.com has gathered through an authoritative source that the burial date for Ezeigbo has yet to be finalized – that the publicly stated date of February 2nd 2012 was not entirely correct. The announced date of February 2nd 2012 was the date that the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan selected out of three dates given to him by the burial planning committee – as the most suitable for him to attend. It was further gathered that Ezeigbo may be buried before or after the 2nd of February 2012. The burial arraignments are still on the planning stages.
The announcement of the burial date by the chairman of the south east governor’s forum and governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi may have been premature. This is according to the titled personalities in Nnewi. 247ureports.com learnt that the appropriate personalities in Nnewi whom the corpse of Ojukwu belongs to have yet to be informed officially according to the customs of Nnewi of the death of Ezeigbo. Ezeigbo was a titled man.
In talking with the image maker of the Anambra State government, Hon. Maja Umeh, he clarified that the Governor had made wide consultations with many concerned groups before he make the public announcement. The Information Commissioner [Hon. Maja Umeh] continued to add that the burial of Ezeigbo is one that is large and mistakes of oversights are bound to happen. He extended the governor’s apologies to any group that may have been passed over during the consultations.
Nonetheless, the nuclei family of Ezeigbo, his children and siblings, has opted to take control of the burial arraignments away from the politicians. The family has set up an alternate burial arraignment committee headed by Ezeigbo’s elder brother, Dr. Joe Ojukwu. The family committee which is still to seat will be the body to set the program for the burial activities and the respective dates. It is anticipated that the family committee will seat over the Christmas period as all the family members return home for Christmas festivities.
Meanwhile there appears a possible nuisance and an imposter to the burial preparations – claiming the rights to the corpse of Ezeigbo. One Sylvester Ojukwu who claims to be the rightful first son of Ezeigbo has threatened lawsuit [court injunction] to halt the burial of Ezeigbo. Sylvester had filed a suit against the family in July of 2011 when it was rumored that Ezeigbo had passed. The lawsuit sought control of some of the belongings of Ezeigbo. But cursory investigation by 247ureports.com indicates Sylvester maybe onto mischief. It was gathered that Ezeigbo while alive made it clear that he was not the biological father to Sylvester – to the extent that Ezeigbo said it to Sylvester in public. Adding muster, during the burial of one of Ezeigbo’s wives, Sylvester arrived and proceeded to seat with the family of mourners [as a member of the family] but he was rebuffed by the entire family and told to go sit with the guests. And he did. But Sylvester has continued his effort to import his person into the Ezeigbo family and it remains a perplexing ordeal.
It was gathered that with the announcement of Ezeigbo’s death that Sylvester jetted off to London in attempts to secure Ezeigbo’s corpse only to discover that Ezeigbo [Jnr] and Gov Peter Obi had already secured his father’s corpse at a safe location unbeknownst to Sylvester.
On the political front, not all is well. The south east governor’s forum that is chaired by the governor of Anambra state that commandeered the control over all burial arrangements may have discovered it started off on a greasy foot –and may have found difficulty finding a credible standing. Following their first meeting held over the burial of Ezeigbo in Enugu, the south east governors elected to form a burial planning committee of which the chairman will be drawn from Imo State, a deputy chairman from Enugu State and a secretary from Anambra State. And the respective state governors will do the selecting.
But the selected choices by the governors have raised bitter concerns with groups involved in the burial arrangements.
The governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime selected Jim Nwobodo, the former governor of the old Anambra State as the nominee for the deputy chairman while the governor of Imo State selected Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu as the nominee for the chairman. Gov Peter Obi selected Senator Ben Obi as the nominee for the secretary.
Insiders involved in the burial arraignment express displeasure particularly over the selections presented by the Enugu State governor and the Imo State governor. They pointed to Chief Iwuanyawu’s historic antecedents as being heavily anti-Igbo oriented. A source amongst the south east governors whispered to 247ureports.com that Chief Iwuanyawu was responsible for a significant number of uncompleted federal projects in the south east – and is not worthy to chair the burial of Ezeigbo. This same sentiment is espoused over the selection of Jim Nwobodo because of his reported public lampooning of Ezeigbo on his return from exile. The then governor of the old Anambra [Jim Nwobodo] was said to have made it impossible for Ezeigbo’s senatorial bid to succeed.
The Ezeigbo family is expected to make public their own burial arrangements soon.
Tuesday, November, 15, 2011 at about 7:00am, Delta state government under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan gave an order to demolish a popular drinking spot, GIDDY’S PLACE in the heart of Asaba, owned by the former state chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mr. Gideon Nwaomu. Our Correspondent, takes a look at the motives behind the demolition.
For the owner of Giddy’s place, Mr. Gideon Nwaomu, Tuesday, November, 15, 2011 will forever remain a black Tuesday not to be forgotten like every other day as his only means of livelihood known as GIDDY’S PLACE, established some decades ago was brought down under his nose by the state Task Force on Flood Control and Removal of Illegal Structures following an instruction said to have been given by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
On that fateful day as early as 7:00am, the task force led by its chairman and commissioner of Environment, Mr. Frank Omare in company of his Land and Survey counterpart, Mr. Patrick Ferife, commissioner for Bureau for special duties, Mr. Tony Nwaka and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah had barricade the Giddys road and drafted two bulldozers to the premises and to the shocker of sympathizers, passersby and friends of GIDDYS PLACE who besieged the environment, the structures were brought down amidst stern-looking soldiers and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF).
As the property worth millions of naira along Anwai road were been brought down, in spite of the global recognition as a climate change agent by the state, trees were felled as the exercise turned a feast of crying, wailing and raining of curses on the Delta state government by sympathizers. In what looks like victimization, Journalists including our Correspondent were banned from covering the demolition. The owner of Giddys Place was not speared as he was severely manhandled by the security as well as confiscating his digital camera even as his valuables thrown out under the instructions of the Environment commissioner, Omare.
In tears, Nwaomu who witnessed his business of over twelve years brought down like pack of cards, told reporters that the drinking and relaxation spot used to be the home for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori and the incumbent governor, Uduaghan who used to patronize the place until recently the proprietor pitched his tent with the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.
While Nwaomu told journalists he had the necessary documents as the legal occupant of the land, Commissioner for Environment, who led the demolition squad through one of his aides, said the exercise was not a press issue, fuelling speculations that the action was meant to politically victimize Mr. Nwaomu. Unconfirmed reports have said, that Uduaghan personally told his commissioners to ensure that the Giddy’s place was brought down or face sack.
Nwaomu, a well known businessman and show business promoter was before now a political associate of Governor Uduaghan before pitching his tent with Ogboru, arch rival of Uduaghan in controlling political soul of Delta state. Nwaomu is known to be a very reputable, hard working and upright businessman in the state who made a lot of friends in the business circle hospitality.
Continuing with his ordeal, Nwaomu stated that “It’s a long story, it started sometime in 2010 before the annulment of the 2007 governorship election. When we saw that things were not going well in our state, we started a group called Action for Democratic Change. We started campaigning about seeing infrastructures on ground and not on television screen, pages of newspapers and billboards. We started reaching out to people to tell them about their rights in politics. In between this time, I got involved in a pragramme in Minaj Broadcast International (MBI) called Political Diary and I was able to air my view which attracted more people into our group because of our objectives. After the election was annulled I was invited back to MBI and I told the world that our election was inconclusive because people were still on queue to vote when results were announced. At the end of the day, Chief Ogboru came to see the traditional rulers in Asaba at the Asagba palace and got to know about our campaign for good governance. He came here and the moment he got here, Dr. Uduaghan called to say that I was hosting Ogboru at GIDDY’S. I told him that the place was a public place and that anybody could come and unwind. I told him that Ogboru came to see my group which I tried to introduce to him but he did not take us seriously. That is how I incurred his wrath and since then he has been after me. GIDDY’S has been asked to pay a tax of N7.2 million and I asked who audited my account.”
According to Nwaomu “They came here and demanded for my Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, named Mr. Felix Izeh, number DTSR 1034, Ref No LA/ A /1738/11, dated October 7, 1997, signed by P. E. Ebitomno (Mrs.) originated from the Military Administrator’s Office, Director of Lands and Survey. Similarly, the Deed of Re-assignment between Izeh (assigner) and Mr. Gideon Nwaomu (assignee), prepared by D. O. Nwanokwai, a legal practitioner, is here with me and after perusing it, they said I was using the place meant for residential as commercial. I responded immediately by getting an architect to draw what is here and I went o apply for change of use which has not been granted. I notice that they were bent on pulling down this place, so I called my lawyer and we went to court. We were in court on September 18 and the government was represented. In fact they asked for adjournment and the case was adjourned to November 18. But yesterday, the commissioners for Lands, Environment, Special Duties and Information came to tell me to remove my valuables that they had directive to bring the place down. They would have done it by 4am but they could not get bulldozers. This morning they came and started the demolition. I tried to take photographs but they ordered the police to beat me up and seize my camera. I want to say that the government in the last six years have been putting GIDDY’S PLACE on the internet as a tourism resort. I want to state here that this government that is telling us about green revolution, climate change, look how many trees they have brought down. A governor that is campaigning about climate change is putting generator everywhere, this is the only project that is going on in the state. I will go back to court to seek redress. This is political victimization.”
On his part Nwaomu’s counsel, Mr. Cyprian Ashibogwu, described the action of government as “arbitrariness of the highest order” stressing that the government has flouted due process as the matter was pending before a competent court of law.
In separate reactions, the state Government through the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah informed journalists that the exercise was done in accordance with the law. They defended their action, stressing that the demolished building was not meant for business but residential saying that, they have issued many letters and notice to the owner of Giddy’s place but he refused to comply, which necessitated the demolishing exercise.
According to Ogeah “And apparently, security reports that have been reaching the government suggest that that place is a meeting place for criminals and all sorts of nefarious activities take place there. That is number one. I think when that place was approved for any kind of building, it was supposed to be for some form of residential and now it has been converted to commercial use. Secondly which is also very important is that you notice that because of this big television screen we put out, you see our people sit in the middle of the roundabout watching television and that is very dangerous to them, we have situations of lots of accidents, people have been killed there. That is why government also looked at that space there and realizes that we could convert it into a park. The big deep gulley that was there, a lot of money was pumped into san filling it to reclaim the gulley. The idea is to make into a park and that television screen would be turned around and people can sit down and view it. And like we said when we go ahead to get the kind of interactive software we need to get in there, then we can do that and government can use that to reach the people. And off course, this falls under the clause of what government calls overriding public interest. So by the time you look at all these issues you will understand why it has to be done.”
Also reacting, the commissioner of power and energy, Mr. Charles Emetulu stated that “In this country, people easily cross the line of privilege and convert it to right, it is not proper. When el-Rufai came and started demolishing structures in Abuja, people said it’s not proper but when got there after about 12 months, they exclaimed that the place was now looking good. It was for residential building and he has been told severally, ultimatum was issued and it has since elapsed. Let us not be emotional about this, if it is right, it is right, if it is not right, it is not. This is not political as people would think. It has nothing to do with politics or where Ogboru drinks when he comes to Asaba. GIDDY’S had enough time to relocate but he chose not to.”
Reacting to the demolition, state chairman of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Chief Tony Ezeagwu condemned in strong term the government action adding that “The Delta state government action after the perceived “Victory” at the election tribunal has suddenly become an albatross to the good people of Delta state and political opponents, an action capable of polarizing the state further. Let the government tell the World why it demolished Giddy’s Place, a highly referenced natural relaxation centre and a beacon of tourism in Asaba Delta state, well located within the parameters of the laws of the state, known to have hosted high profile events such as the famous Star trek of Nigerian Breweries Plc among others. We join all progressives the World over in condemning the reprehensible destruction of Giddy’s place which has served even the perpetrators directly or indirectly in the past since commencement of business in 1996. Why would any right thinking government destroy a tourism spot listed as one of the tourism attractions of the state or a case of political vendetta against DDP and Mr. Gideon Nwaomu, DPP stalwart and CEO of Giddy’s place who has been vocal in the demand for accountability and good governance in Delta state. The world would want to know.”
Lamenting what she called mere political victimization and wickedness, one Rosemary Mordi, Coordinator, Friends of Giddy’s, who said that the relaxation place has brought peaceful co-existence, promotes interaction and community development, insisted that “The area provides a great opportunity of convergence to get information and discuss business in the state as well as providing employment to the unemployed youths in Asaba and its environs.”
A former Commissioner for Economic Planning under Ibori, Clement Ofuani, had described Giddy’s place as a place where people come back to their root, ambiance, design, freedom and preserves reservation and natural environment no matter how flamboyant the person is, the diversity is essential.
Some Government officials who pleaded anonymity told this reporter that “It’s a big pity that Uduaghan is doing this because of political differences. This GIDDYS PLACE was the place in 2007 where a political forum for Uduaghan’s governorship ambition called ‘UGSM’ was given birth to. So since all this time the giddys place was not illegal. It is a known fact that the Udughan doesn’t forgive easily. If you doubt me just go and do your own investigations and you will be shocked what you will find out I bet you.” While cross section of Deltans spoken to condemn the Uduaghan’s action even as they rained curses on government.
A member of the PDP who pleaded not to have his name on print reacted this way “Uduaghan has no respect for rule of law; He is good at flouting court orders. The governor had some time early this year flouted a judgment delivered by Justice G.B. Briki-Okolosi of the state high court in a case between the state PDP chairman, Peter Nwoboshi, Innocent Ezewezie and Peoples Democracy Party (Claimants) & Christopher Okafor, Accord Party, Oshimili North Local Government Council and Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (Defendants). The case which has suit No. A/9/2011 and judgment was delivered in favour of Uduaghan’s party (PDP) but he flouted the judgment to favour the Accord Party against his party. Delta state government strives in what we called Executive lawlessness.” the source noted.
Some businessmen and politicians in Delta accused the governor of not respecting the sanctity of business community as his action of political persecution may drive away investors from Delta, because nobody can invest his hard earned money where there are no security and respect for the rule of law. According to all available information, the people in Delta state put the demolishing exercise carried by the state government as political victimization and persecution of known opponents of Governor Uduaghan as Nwaomu is believed to be one of the deciding factors of political popularity of Ogboru in the area.
While some pundits are accusing the Police and Government of connivance to persecute political opponents, it is in the mind of other oppositions that they are tired with the present situation in the state where the opposition are persecuted.
It was further revealed that several Ogboru’s supporters and political associates have suffered similar fate across the state in recent times where their property have suffered one demolition or the demolition.
Hundreds of sympathizers are visiting Nwaomu for sympathy; among them include some Uduaghan’s government officials that are not happy with the exercise and some supporters, politicians, traditional title holders, business associates and some organizations.
It would be recalled that a similar political victimization incident almost took place sometime in June, 2011 as the state government marked for demolition the multi-Million naira TIVO-Super market belonging to strong supporter of Ogboru and former Commissioner for Finance in Delta State, Love Ojakovo, under James Onanefe Ibori. But the early intervention of a Warri based lawyer and frontline activist, Mr. Omemiroro Ogedegbe who vowed to use all his legal contacts to stop this open political radicalism being shown against a fellow Deltan for no just cause prevented the exercise.
In what looks like relief, Just on Tuesday, November, 22, 2011 the legal battle between the Delta state government and Mr. Gideon Nwaomu, proprietor Giddy’s Place got an injunction order from the state High Court, IV, the order issued by Justice G.B. Briki-Okolosi restrained the government and commissioner of police from carrying out any further action on the said land pending the determination of the suit filed by Nwaomu.
Nwaomu, through his counsels, Mr. Luke. O. Aghanenu, Mr. E.A. Ogana, Mr. C.M. Ashibuogwu had in a suit NO A/204/2011 dragged the state government, Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Commissioner of Police and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice (Defendants/Respondents) to court, praying it for an order of interim injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their privies, agents, servants, workers, and whoever deriving powers from them from carrying out any act that will be detrimental to the property where the claimant/applicant resides and carries on business known as GIDDY’S PLACE pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
Addressing Journalists shortly after the ruling, counsels to the clamant, Mr. Luke. O. Aghanenu and Mr. E.A. Ogana described the ruling as inspiring, courageous and interest of justice adding that the action of the state government when the matter was already pending in court was Executive recklessness of the highest order.
As His Lordship, Justice Okolosi adjourned the celebrated matter to January, 12, 2012, Deltans and indeed the whole world are watching with keen interest and praying for justice to take its course since the court remain the last hope of the oppressed.
With the recent injection of the sacked Federal Sports Minister into the ongoing tussle for the gubernatorial ticket for the Sokoto Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] against the upcoming gubernatorial election, the already complex electoral tussle found a new level of complexity. This is as 247ureports.com has gathered that the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has turned his attention to the Sokoto State gubernatorial tussle with the intention of denying the incumbent governor chance at winning the PDP gubernatorial ticket.
As gathered, President Jonathan had been less than happy with the activities of the Sokoto State governor stemming from his anti-party practices that saw to halt the emergence of the then Acting President Jonathan into a presidential candidate under the PDP banner. Particularly, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko was reported to have openly supported President Jonathan’s political opponent [Abubakar Atiku] during the presidential PDP primaries. The governor was also reported to have actively worked against the PDP during the general presidential elections. Through the Governor’s help, the Congress for Peoples Change [CPC] won the State. Sources indicate that the Governor provided significant financial assistance to the CPC in the State.
One of President Jonathan’s close associates who briefed 247ureports.com concerning the President’s mindset on the Sokoto tussle indicated that the Sokoto State governor has shown that he is not a PDP member – and so should not be allowed to be given another chance to misuse the party platform. The Presidential aide noted also that the Presidency has received reports from major PDP stalwarts of the governor’s activities in Zamfara and Kebbi States.
In Kebbi State, the governor was reported to have worked actively against the PDP in favour of the CPC. The Governor was alleged to have contributed financially to the CPC. In Zamfara State, the governor was also alleged to have contributed majorly to the surprising PDP loss to the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] during the April 2011 gubernatorial election. And the Governor’s disposition is alleged to be of CPC rather than PDP.
But the Governor’s aides in talking to 247ureports.com denied that the Governor had involved himself in anti-party activities nor had the President turned away from supporting him for the PDP primaries. The aide indicated that the President had assured the governor of his support over the telephone last week.
Informed social commentators in Abuja who are close to the activities in Sokoto discount the governor’s claim as untrue – stating that the Presidency has concluded its plans on the Sokoto situation. They indicate that the national PDP leadership has reached a decision to punish the Sokoto governor for his anti-party activities. “They want to set example of him“, said one of the commentators.
It is feared and/or expected for the presidency to repeat the Bayelsa-type PDP primaries – that may linger to become a process to be decided in the law courts. Stay tuned.
Six weeks to the governorship election in Adamawa State, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin, has been impeached by a unanimous decision of 24 out of the 25 members of the assembly.
Moving the motion for his impeachment, the member representing Gombi constituency, Mr Jerry Kumdisi, of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said the assembly required a change of leadership with immediate effect so as to have a clear direction of how the state was being governed, since the governorship election was for approaching.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the members, led to the removal of the speaker, while the deputy Speaker, Mrs Wale Fwah, was said to have tactically stepped aside for fear of being impeached.
Alhaji Ahmed Umaru Fintiri from Madagali constituency was, thereafter elected as the new speaker and Mr Kwamoti, Laori from Numan constituency, as deputy speaker.
The letter of admission I received to read Law at Oxford University in 1983 was one I was determined not to trash or merely file for record purposes, even when the reality of my financial circumstances suggested that that could very well have been the reasonable thing to do. I wrote `furiously’ to a number of prominent Nigerians – Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo, Arthur Nzeribe, Moshood Abiola and Lawrence Omole – seeking financial assistance. Both Chiefs Nzeribe and Omole duly acknowledged receipt of my letter, explaining to my admiration and appreciation, why they were not able to help. Others might not have received my letter; however, I managed to find my way to Oxford where I enjoyed a memorable relationship with Nigerians of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Of course, I also wrote to Dim Chuckwuemeka Odumegwu – Ojukwu, even though he had just returned from exile and could be broke. The main reason I chose to write to him was to make a political statement that the Igbo and Yoruba were not enemies, regardless of misgivings about the role of leadership in the Civil War of 1967-70. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dim Ojukwu never got my letter.
I was mature and politically aware when the war broke out in 1967. I was born into a family that had sentiments for the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). That political party was led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo. The members of the Igbo community in my hometown of Ikere – Ekiti,, venerated my late father as the local leader of the party they all supported. It was therefore all sadness in our political community when those Igbo citizens we had come to accept as our own had to flee to their region of origin at the beginning of hostilities in 1967.
In fact, this was the case in those areas of the Yoruba-dominated Western Region where the Azikiwe-led NCNC was widely supported. There were rumours in those days that Federal authorities had warned soldiers against eating food at Ilesha, fearing that they could be poisoned. Ilesha was one of the strongholds of the NCNC where the war ,rightly or wrongly, was perceived as an extension of partisan politics.. There were also rumours that former NCNC supporters in that political enclave contributed food and clothing materials for their Igbo political affiliates in the East. To whoever had witnessed the politics of the First Republic and the almost fanatical support many Yorubas gave Zik, any thought or assumption of hatred of the Igbo would be repulsive.
The Civil War of 1967-70 was an inevitable event in the history of Nigeria. The imbalance in our political structure suggested it was always on the cards. We were also all culpable by virtue of our utterances and political behaviour. . I have always held the view that we could still have fought a war at a later stage of our history if we had not experienced an earlier one. The most important lesson from the civil war which, sadly, we seemed not to have fully imbibed, is about how to manage unity in a nation of divided sentiments and interests.
Dim Odumegwu- Ojukwu might have been a rebel at a point in time; he was, however, not in any way less patriotic than General Yakubu Gowon or any soldier who fought on the federal side. Ojukwu did not enrol in the Army with a premonition of an attempted break-up of Nigeria; he enrolled in the military in order to fight the enemies of Nigeria. His return from exile to play a part in nation-building suggests to all and sundry that he indeed believed in Nigeria. Of course, he was leader of a political party until his death on 26th November 2011.
The spirit of Ojukwu will be fighting for the unity of Nigeria in the great beyond. In a society where political leaders are gifted in the art of managing unity, Ojukwu’s demise provides an opportunity. Some key leaders, particularly surviving soldiers on the federal side of our historical conflict, should have visited him in the hospital where he was receiving treatment for his terminal ailment. Assuming they did not do that, his funeral provides another great opportunity to make a statement about unity and the ultimate reconciliation of our peoples. President Goodluck Jonathan should honour Ojukwu’s funeral with federal presence.
Historically and demographically the Igbo have been significant in the quest for Nigerian integration. The great Zik played a unifying and conciliatory role in the politics of independence. More than any other group, the Igbo are to be found in other regions of the Nigerian federation. Both Zik and Ojukwu, the two legendary Igbo sons,were born in the North of Nigeria. All considered, Biafra was a product of genuine anger and not what the true spirit of the Igbo wished for. What we must now strive to actualise is the sovereign state of Nigeria that is truly great and united. May the soul of Dim Odumegwu- Ojukwu rest in peace.
A major problem with Christianity in Nigeria is that the Christian pastors abdicate a major responsibility of the men of God. Generally, they limit their responsibilities to instructing us on how to pay our tithes and sow our seeds, and then, prosper, and on how to be born again and inherit eternal life. While it is important that we inherit eternal life in the hereafter, our material wellbeing in this present life is still of importance to God. Did He not ask us to take domain of the earth and subdue it?
Therefore, pastors should be deeply concerned about the material wellbeing of believers in this present life and the moral climate of the society they inhabit. After all, our present behavior, which is an important determinant of our state in the hereafter, is very susceptible to our moral environment.
It is leadership that shapes a country. It is its political and economic policies that determine the people’s quality of life. And it is its moral standards and ethical ideals that inform and shape the moral climate. As children subconsciously behave like their parents, the masses unwittingly behave like their leaders. The leaders by their behaviors dictate the behaviors of the masses. They influence the people’s mindsets and their attitudes towards virtually everything: money, work, honesty, etc. Their influence permeates the homes, work places, schools, etc. As Nigerian leaders are cultist, liars, electoral fraudsters, thieves of public funds, etc, the Nigerian society, not surprisingly, is honeycombed with ritual killers, armed robbers, drug peddlers, fraudsters, etc.
Therefore, no true man of God can be shepherding us towards eternal life while remaining indifferent to the public policies and moral character of the political class – that is – politics. So, as the consecrated amalgam of the pulpit, the Word and the anointed pastor remains a powerful instrument for winning souls for Christ, it cannot escape being a hallowed tool for making Nigeria a just, equitable and law-abiding country. It must be used for advancing benign, judicious and enlightened exercise of power by the leaders, and in denouncing errant leaders and their abuse of power and contempt for the people.
To criticize bad leaders and their wicked policies is a sacred obligation because it curbs in them that tendency among those in power to bask in delusion of grandeur. It cuts them to size, and reminds them of their limitations, and makes it clear to them that, in spite of the loftiness of their positions and vastness of their powers, they remain as fallible, as even, an utterly powerless destitute. No wonder, Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher, enjoined his followers to “criticize an erring ruler fearlessly in behalf of the common good”.
The Rhapsody of Reality first came to my notice in October 2010, during the Nigerian independence anniversary. I was less inspired by its content than by that matchless effort made by the leader of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and his followers to distribute astounding numbers of this pamphlet to even the most secluded and far-flung parts of Nigerians. It was a laudable endeavor that evinced organizational structure, spirit of volunteerism, crusading zeal and selfless dedication to a cause. I was profoundly impressed by these praiseworthy qualities demonstrated in that enterprise. These are qualities desperately needed in, but conspicuously absent from, the Nigeria society where greed, selfishness, civic indolence and disregard for the common good are relentlessly renting the social fabric of the society.
I imagined what such transformational traits can do for Nigeria, if they are nurtured by pastors amongst their members and channeled to, not just distributing religious pamphlets, but also, societal reformation, civic enlightenment, respecting the rule of law, respect and consideration for others, helping the weak and the poor, etc. I also imaged what these enlivening qualities can do for Nigeria, if they are galvanized and directed against the arrogance of power, culture of impunity, theft of public funds, lawlessness and the other excesses of the power elite. Undoubtedly, Nigeria will be so much transformed, if the men of God can employ their monumental powers (pulpit, word of God, unction of God and a disciplined and loyal followership) in making Nigeria a more livable, decent, and just society.
Why are the Nigerian pastors not directing their powers and resources towards political and social reformation of Nigerian? After all, examples abound where pastors, in addition to shepherding their flock to heaven, rose to the social and political challenges of the time. For example, in the mid twenty century America, racism was entrenched and seemingly impregnable. Astonishingly, a little more than fifty years later, a Black man is the president of the United States of America, a racist and predominantly White country where the Supreme Court once ruled that a Black man has no right “which any white man was bound to respect”.
The credit for changing race relations in the United States of America goes mostly to men of God. Those who led the movements for racial equality: Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, etc were all pastors and Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, etc were all Moslem clergymen.
During the era of Apartheid in South Africa, Desmond Tutu and Allen Boesak among other clergy men mobilized believers against the Apartheid government. Their roles were pivotal in dismantling Apartheid, that atrocious racist system that perfected the systematic degradation of a Black majority by a White minority.
There is Apartheid in Nigeria. In South Africa, Apartheid was based on race but in Nigeria, it is based on social class. And in South Africa, it was coded into the law books but in Nigeria, it is informal. However, there is no evidence that the Nigerian rendition of Apartheid is in anyway less inhumane, degrading and exploitative than the South African version of it.
Lamentably, unlike the men of God in South Africa, the Nigerian men of God, ensconced in their enormous wealth and luxurious lifestyle, are waltzing with morally bankrupt power elite. They are shamelessly pandering to bad leadership in all its manifestations. That is why, instead of rallying their followers against an evil oligarchy, unrivalled in its lawlessness, thievery, corruption, profligacy and contempt for the legitimate aspirations of the people, they are preaching docility and servility to their followers.
OPPONENTS of fuel subsidy may have lost the battle, going by the government’s plan to handle the combustible issue.
President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet have opted for Executive Fiat to remove the subsidy, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The government will not depend on any legislative instrument to back its action, a source said.
The withdrawn subsidy will be part of the 2012 budget being worked upon by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The cash from this souce is to be ploughed into reviving the country’s decaying infrastructure. But the popular belief is that such an action will raise fuel prices and further impoverish the poor.
Dr Jonathan may have been emboldened to take the decision by the legal advice on the constitutional clauses which empower the Executive to withdraw the subsidy.
A cabinet member, who pleaded not to be named because of what he called the sensitivity of the situation, said the government will not go back on its decision to remove the subsidy.
The source said: “The government has decided to make the withdrawal of fuel subsidy a purely Executive matter; we will resolve this debate over the subsidy in the next few weeks with the 2012 Budget.
“There is no way we can manage 2012 Budget without removing fuel subsidy. It is central to the economic growth we are trying to accelerate.
“We felt it is better to take a painful but a necessary decision in the interest of the nation’s development and its future.
“This government will eventually be vindicated when Nigerians start feeling the effects of the removal of subsidy on education, roads, health, water and other infrastructure.”
Responding to a question, the cabinet source said: “Whatever is the decision of the Senate and House of Representatives on the withdrawal of fuel subsidy is advisory.
“Go through the 1999 Constitution, you will discover that the government is constitutionally empowered to take such a decision.
“Section 16(2) of the Constitution gives the government the backing to withdraw fuel subsidy because it is purely economic matter.
“The section says in part: ‘The state shall direct its policy towards ensuring (a) the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development; (b) that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.
“That the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group …”
The source explained that the government has demonstrated faith by publishing the list of the beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy.
“The publication of the list has shown our commitment to unmasking the subsidy cartel and utilising the funds realised from the removal of subsidy.”
The Federal Government is proposing a N4.8trillion budget for 2012, with a $70 to $75 benchmark price for oil.
Apart from the take-off of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the government is also proposing savings of about N1.2trillion from the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
But most Senators and House members have asked their leaders to prevail on the President to meet four conditions.
The conditions are:
•a publication of the list of the beneficiaries of past fuel subsidy;
•presentation of facts and figures or statistics on the true picture of the amount of fuel subsidy;
•a comprehensive release of palliative measures Nigerians will enjoy, if the subsidy is removed, and Action Plan to make the measures work; and
•concrete work plan on how to make all refineries function at optimal level.
DETAINED Senator Ali Ndume’s bank accounts have been frozen, The Nation learnt last night.
Also frozen are the accounts of members of Boko Haram (Western education is a sin) arrested by security agencies.
Ndume, who is alleged to be one of the sponsors of Boko Haram, is standing trial with Ali Sanda Konduga, the sect’s spokesman whose father says is insance, before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja for criminal intimidation.
Also, it was learnt that the State Security Service (SSS) may be compelled to release alleged “damaging text messages” between Ndume and Konduga to prove the depth of its investigation.
It was gathered also that the United Nations House was not the original target of the August 26 suicide bomber.
It was learnt that the bomber made a detour from the original target based on the instruction of one of the sponsors being investigated.
The government froze Ndume’s accounts, pending the conclusion of his trial, in line with a Gazette of Regulations recently released by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).
A source, who pleaded for anonymity because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said: “It is true that Ndume’s accounts have been frozen, until the conclusion of his trial. This is in line with a gazette of the government which was recently published to fight against terrorists and their sponsors.
“Besides Ndume, all the accounts of all suspects arrested for terrorism will remain embargoed till the determination of the allegations against them.
“Even MEND leader Henry Okah and others arrested for collaborating with him cannot have access to their accounts.”
The source said the Gazette of Regulations are in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, the Charter of the United Nations and UN Resolutions 1267(1999), 1333(2000), 1373(2001), 1390(2002), 1452(2002), 1455(2003), 1526(2004), 1617(2005), 1735(2006), 1822(2008), 1904(2009) and 1988(2011).
The Gazette states: “The funds or other economic resources owned, held or controlled, directly or indirectly by a designated person whose name and other details are on the Lists shall be frozen.
“Freezing of funds shall be without prejudice to the rights of third parties acting in good faith.
“For the purpose of sub-regulation(1) of this Regulation, in determining whether funds are controlled by a designated person, the fact that such funds are held in the name of an associate or relation is immaterial.
“Where the name of a person or of an entity is confirmed to be on the Lists, the Institution shall block the funds or any other economic resources identified as belonging to or connected with the person or entity on the lists and shall ensure that the account is not operated and thereafter forward to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“All funds and other economic resources frozen under this Regulation shall be recorded against the names of the owners and beneficial owners for proper management.”
Another source said the SSS may be “compelled to release some indicting text messages between Ndume and Ali Konduga.”
The source added: “At the appropriate time, Nigerians will know who is telling the truth or who is sane or insane.
“We have conducted meticulous investigations which cannot be rubbished by any flimsy excuse of insanity.”
Latest clues by a suspect arrested in connection with the UN House bombing have confirmed that the building was not the original target.
But the suspect, who is yet to disclose the original target, told security agencies that one of Boko Haram’s sponsors directed the suicide bomber to the UN House to draw global attention.
Another source said: “When we interrogated the suspect, he said: ‘the original intention was not to hit the UN, but we were advised to go there by one of our sponsors to get international attention. We never knew the building before; we were taken there a day before we struck.”
“This latest confession explained why we have not closed investigation into the bombing of the UN House.”
An attack on Police facilities and three banks in Azare, headquarters of Kategum Local Government Area of Bauchi State yesterday led to the death of six people.
Among the dead is a soldier, a policeman and four civilians.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, the pattern of the attack is similar to Boko Haram’s.
Bauchi State Police Commissioner Ayo Aduba who confirmed the casualty figure, declined to reveal their identities.
He said: “The attackers came with 20 rocket launchers and locally made bombs. They launched the attack from outside the Police Area Command’s headquarters and completely destroyed the building that houses the Azare Police Divisional Headquarters and the Area Commander’s office.
The Police Commissioner added: “But for the prompt spirited response and resistance by the over 30 policemen on duty and those in the police barracks, the number of casualties would have been far more than what we have seen.”
Aduba said the “exchange of gun fire power between the police and the hoodlums lasted for four hours compelled the attackers to retreat without trace,but the clot of blood and blood stained spattered outside the Police perimeter fence of the Area Commander’s office showed our men gained an upper hand’’.
He did not give the names of the bank and the amount of money looted by the invaders.
The attack was simultaneously launched on the home of Alhaji Mohammad Ali (a.k.a. Ali Kwara), an Azare based famous local hunter and a crime buster.
“Bauchi State remains a flash point with seven border outlets. Our intelligence source clearly indicates that the invaders are from one of these neighboring states. We appeal to traditional rulers to assist the police with information that could help security agents track criminals,” the police chief said.
The police boss advocated the formation of vigilance outfits in various communities across the state to reduce the crime rate.
Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has stated that his
recent triumph at the Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Owerri is
a clear indication that God has liberated the state from the grip of
corrupt leaders.
Speaking at the Imo Day cultural Carnival organized by Imo State Towns
Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL) held at National Stadium,
Lagos, Gov. Okorocha reiterated that his victory was divine as such
designed to rescue the state.
He reaffirmed that his administration will be corruption-free, even as
he disclosed that all the leakages through which the state funds were
drained by the past administration had been closed up to pave way for
meaningful development in the state.
The governor, who seized the opportunity to give account of his
stewardship, added that his administration will always thrive to
ensure that dividends of democracy spread to all nook and cranny of
the state.
He commended Imo indigenes in Lagos for displaying the rich cultural
heritage of the state and Igbo nation and further enjoined them to be
part of the forthcoming Imo Cultural Carnival.
Earlier in his address, the President General, Imo State Towns
Development Association (ISTDAL) said time up to embrace the public
private partnership to give opportunities for indigenes to participate
in the development of the state.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Capt. Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his victory in yesterday’s governorship elections in Kogi State.
As Capt. Wada and his running mate, Architect Yomi Awoniyi prepare to assume the mantle of leadership in Kogi, President Jonathan assures them of the full support and cooperation of the Federal Government in their quest to build on the efforts of their predecessors to develop the state.
The President also commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ad-hoc staff recruited for the elections, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the police and other security agencies for working very hard to ensure that the trend of notably improved elections in the country was continued in Kogi State yesterday.
