Rethinking the Clean-up Exercise in Nigeria
August 14, 2008 by 
Guest Writer · Leave a Comment
The practice of designating one day in a month as a general clean – up day has assumed the status of a culture in this country. It is the day we try to do all the cleaning we failed to do in the past one month. On such a day all the rubbish that was dumped inside the drains are scooped out to make room for the ones we plan to deposit there right after the clean-up exercise. All the obscure corners of markets and open places that have served as dump sites are emptied out. On such clean-up days, the roads and streets are blocked with refuse from all nooks and crannies of the city. The original concept is that pay-loaders and refuse trucks will be handy to cart away the refuse as they are being generated. What is on ground however, owing to the endemic corruption in the system is that adequate arrangement for the carting away of refuse is not made before announcing a clean-up day. The result is that the state of the city on clean-up days and many days and even weeks after is indeed a sorry sight.
The problem of rapid generation of refuse is one of the evils of urbanization. The rural communities manage their refuse much better than the urban areas. The reason is simply that the population in such places grows naturally, mainly through birth. They can afford to manage refuse in the same way their forebears managed theirs because the population is stable. Urbanization is characterized by the massive influx of people into an area that is already saturated with inhabitants. This astronomical and abnormal increase in the number of people living in a place affects every aspect of life. Advanced nations of the world are so called because they factor these evils of urbanization into their plans for their cities. They plan these cities to make them truly habitable.
Urbanization takes people out of their natural habitats and forces too many people to complete for too little space. Without adequate planning a lot of catastrophe could result from such an arrangement. This is why the so-called third world countries are grappling with all kinds of man-made catastrophes. Hardly anything is actually planned in these countries. There is no effort made to regulate the number of people that troop into the towns on a daily basis, and yet every public utility sector is in crisis. Power supply, water supply, accommodation, transport sector and road maintenance agencies are all problematic.
One of the worst effects of urbanization is environmental degradation, which directly affects the health status and life expectancy of urban dwellers. Poor management of solid waste, unhealthy disposal of human waste, improper disposal and channeling of liquid waste, misuse and abuse of drains that encourages the breeding of mosquitoes and harbouring of rodents and vermin, all contribute to make urban areas in the third work uninhabitable.
I am strongly of the opinion that governments that are not yet ready to tackle the solid waste problem should stop escalating the environmental degradation problem by conducting baseless, plan less and aimless clean-up exercises. It is obvious that the only people that benefit from the half-hearted fire-brigade approach we call sanitation exercises are those who use such shams to make money from the public treasury.
Nigeria has produced quite a substantial number of experts in the field of environmental health sciences and other related fields. We do not need to hire expatriates to help us manage our environment when we are sincerely ready to undertake this all-important task. In essence, any sincere administration within this nation has at its disposal all the human and material resources required to provide a lasting solution to the menace of solid, liquid and even gaseous waste. What is lacking is the will-power and the sincerity of purpose to do what ought to be done.
It is high time we rethink the way and manner this exercise is carried out. Rethinking it will help toward enthroning a culture of cleanliness rather that the routine exercise which it has become. What do you think?
Guest Writer: Perpetua Ihebom
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RESPONSE: Letter to a Nigerian Militant
July 27, 2008 by Guest Writer · 3 Comments
A concerned Citizen ( Ben Wuloo Ikari ) ’s Response to: Letter to a Nigerian Militant
Dear Mr “Guest Writer”, with no real name, If America and Britain, others of European extraction were/are happy to be called “hardman,” men and ” a criminal,” criminals for raping, raping and exploiting Niger Delta, and Africa in general, and also fighting an unjust war in Iraq and other regions killing innoncent children, men and women in the name of oil and so-called democracy, then MEND (if this is the group you meant) should be happy for fighting a just cause……for self determination. Not rants from people such as you would stop the revolution. Europe and America already had theirs; they weren’t called “terrorists,” but freedom fighters.
And, I hope you’re not disillusioned by what the West called “democracy” while they wish democrazy for others. America or Britain has no democracy based on equality that is key element to the vague idealogy. A government controlled by the people as supposed to be democracy is nowhere in America where live, not to mention Britain-the rogue nation that stole African treasures and left the mother continent impoverished, and clashes due to its deliberate and devilish forcing of people together for the expansion and growth of its empire.
Take America for instance, out of hundred Senators, there is only one “black man” so-called, and that man is Sen. Barack Obama. In about two hundred and fifty years “blacks” have only been allowed to produce less than six Senators. What about the gross inequalitycrimination, sexism, and palpable RACISM ect?
Is it not shameful that lots of Niger Deltans and other Nigerian/Africans are in America and other Western nations languishing in the name of brighter future or greener pasture while we’re rich in oil and gas , uranium, gold, diamond, etc. at home, but siphoned by these same rapers of Africa and takers of all in collaboration with most disfunctional African rulers/leaders?
Did you ever bother to tell those who fought for American independence from colonial Britain and others who led Western/European nations struggle for survival what you’ve told the Niger Delta freedom fighters? Or can’t see how lopsided you are in your judgment?
I abhor violence and seriously against the rampant hostage taking and extortion in the region, however, the struggle the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) for resource and environmental control is just, and not in any manner different from the struggle of America independence and those of others-though, we aren’t demanding a separate country but a fair share of our wealth.
The so-called West knows this. The British imperialists and the slave machinary of America are aware of their impact on Africa. Therefore their claim of glorified ignorance is mischievous and hypocritical. Remember, Nigerian irresponsible government, $hell and the West collaboratively killed Abiola who won overwhelming Nigeria’s presidential election on June 12, 1993, and Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others etc. (who demanded equity from oil production and environmental conservation, preservation or protection), for peacefully and nonviolently standing in front of shipment of oil to the West and America in particular. What education or family what are you talking about? I hope you haven’t lost your mind writing behind a ghost name.
Notwithstanding the facts above the West have more of a better government for their people but wish hell for others. Any president who wouldn’t act as stooge would be worked against, overthrown by American CIA and others or killed, like Abiola. Mr. “guest writer,” are you one of them?
Don’t get me wrong, there are numerous “whites” around the world that are wonderful with beautiful spirits, though most are racists and would remain so.
Ben Wuloo Ikari, is a Human and Environmental Rights Activist, Writer, Poet and Author of Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP-The Story And Revelation.
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Letter to a Nigerian Militant
July 16, 2008 by Guest Writer · 3 Comments
My Dear Militant, the major security problem that is shaking Nigerian Nation today,is the series of Nigerians and foreign oil workers that you kidnap daily as well as the series of attacks on oil facilities by you, Militant of the Niger Delta.
I guess that you must be feeling quite happy these days with so many people all over the world trying to find out why you took to Arms struggle. The World is asking why you chose to be Militant. Is it poor family background, is it economic hardship or political motivation or you just want to be called ‘Hardman’.
Some say you are fighting for a greater share of our region’s oil wealth which may have largely bypass you and ended up in the pockets of Corrupt Politicians. However, we can see that what may have been a political motivated protest has degenerated into extortion and crime.
You wield automatic riffles, overrun Navy, kill Police and Army, and hold Nigerians and foreigners’ hostage. Of course, there ought to be reasons for anything, but I feel so sorry for you because I know that one day you will be caught.
Do you think that you are great because you are able to take away life which you can never create? Sniffing- off promising lives, engaging yourself in dubious activities, bending the law to suit your appetite, kidnapping people, bombing and looting.
And you feel good to exist on that dark plane? You feel good to be called a criminal. I pity you so much because I know for sure that it would have been better if you were not born because someday, your burden of crime will so weigh you down that you will seek death and not find it.
It is true that Oil Companies have ravage the Niger Delta extracting oils for the global north while leaving a legacy of pollution, dispossession of land .Many Oil Companies have become very rich as a result of there exploitation of oil in Nigeria and yet the Nigerian people remain poverty stricken, ill and abused as a result of the oil activities. The introduction of Democracy in Nigeria has so far not brought an end to the abuse of the Nigerian people or their land by Oil Companies.
But you know you will achieve little if you chose to fight for your right through violence. The pen is mightier than the sword, you seems to forget. The world have been calling on you to lay down your guns and embrace dialogue as a means of solving the Niger Delta issue.
Why don’t you want to lay down your guns and dialogue with the Government of Nigeria? What is making you not to renounce crime? You are not the only person from a broken home, you are not the only person who is bored from too much wealth, you are not the only person living in the Niger Delta under hard condition and you are not the only person with a destructive tendency. Heaven knows ,I can pull a trigger too .But I, like so many persons out there have refused to bend to that kind of life of destruction.
Don’t you want to be like the Mike Okiro’s, the Tele Ikuru’s, the Donald Duke’s,the Ikedi Ohakim’s, the Goodluck Jonathan’s and the Alabo Graham Douglas? Go back to School, take Education serious. Shun violence, shun crime. I don’t need to be a seer to know that you are damaging your life. Your life can be sniffed out at any time. You operate on that frequency, ‘Ogbu Mma ga ala na Mma’ This is a divine law. O yes, he who kills by the sword will die by the sword. And your dreams in life will automatically end.
Don’t kid yourself, divine law does not indulge in excuses. ‘I be small Pickin no dey for this one’. Small Pickin, yet you pull triggers at people, throw bombs at houses and properties. Small Pickin, yet you kill, kidnap, rape, steal and loot.
Why don’t you think? Make a U-turn now before it will be too late. Crime no dey pay.
Embrace peace, embrace dialogue. Join hands to make Nigeria a better place.
Kenneth Uwadi,
Publisher/Editor in Chief
Famous People News Magazine
P.O.Box 320,
Uniport P.O,
Choba,
Port Harcourt
Rivers State
Nigeria
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Supporting Mubarak Abdullahi’s Local Helicopter Project
July 14, 2008 by Guest Writer · Leave a Comment
Written by: ADEKUNLE THEOPHILIUS
With the current millennium and scientific breakthroughs, the essence of technological development as a veritable stratagem for socio-economic advancement is indubitable. Worldwide, most countries are strengthening their research and development efforts and pumping millions to their universities, private and public research institutes all in a bid to attain a strong technological platform that will translate into socio-political, military and economic advantages. Thus, the imperative for Nigeria is to intensify its efforts towards technological development, a global phenomenon which is the top priority of serious, visionary and ambitious countries.
But Nigeria presents an atypical situation; we are lagging behind seriously in terms of Research and Development despite our array of manpower, natural and financial resources. About a decade ago, I highlighted the achievements of two Nigerians, Ifeanyi Eze who invented a static generating set that uses electromagnetic induction, protective scud missile that can travel up to 5km, barometric computer that can preserve agricultural produce etc and Sale Zubairu who in 1989 designed the first astronomical telescope in Nigeria. I wrote about the need for government or private sector intervention for these inventions which if properly nurtured could put us on the highway to scientific progress. Sadly, nothing came out and only God knows where these two potentially great Nigerians are now and what happened to all their works. Probably in the archives like the great Ayodele Awojobi’s autonov!.
I am astonished that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, its relevant agencies and the private sector always pay lip service to Research and Development issues, especially when most of these inventions could have really enhanced our prospects for technological development. Sadly, we have lost a generation of inventors and limitless opportunities to become a technological power. One look at Autonov in UNILAG is just enough to elicit tears from any conscientious Nigerian!. But just what is wrong with us as a people individually and collectively?, what in the world could have prevented any reasonable nation from assisting citizens that are on the verge of great scientific discoveries no matter how infinitesimal?. The contemptuous manner we have treated indigenous inventors, various research centres and their products is a national calamity and an explicit vote of no confidence on all of us!.
We just forget that only a technological power will record sustainable progress and prosperity which invariably translates to economic clout. It is only when we are self sufficient to a certain extent that we can earn the respect of the developed nations and tell bretton woods institutions to go to hell (where they rightly belong). We have the potentials to compete favorably in this regard, so just what is happening? A country that imports used brassieres and pants will continue to be disgraced not only by western nations, but also by it’s minnow neighbors!. That small countries like Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea can ridicule us is because we have never exploited our technological potentials, which would have led to economic development and occupying our appropriate position in the world.
Would Nigerians be treated with such disdain and derision at the airports of the world, were Nigeria an industrial or science oriented powerhouse? Inarguably, we can only restore the nation to the path of socio-economic progress by harnessing and developing our technological potentials to a level that will enable us interact or flex on the stratum with the developed world where we should be and rightly belong. We can only move Nigeria forward by having a holistic and sustainable science development plan to identify, train and support young scientists via assisting them to develop themselves and their inventions. At this stage, we should be able to boast of a special programme for young inventors that will aid the development of their skills for specific inventions all in a bid to propel Nigeria to the comity of technologically self sufficient nations.
The government should accord science and technology top priority by revitalizing and adequately funding all science oriented research centres and indigenous inventors and ensuring the patronage and development of the products of our research centres and indigenous inventors. Governments should also put in place schemes like attractive emoluments, research grants, conditions of employment, work tools, training and development etc. Infact, Government can devote a certain percentage of our oil revenue to fund scientific development. But can we ever get our acts right in this country? a country where treasury looters, film stars, 419 practitioners and other frivolous figures are role models, a nation where ephemeral issues are elevated to the stratos of national prominence, a nation where football bonuses for two matches far outstrip yearly wages for top scientists Read more
Nigeria, A Paradox?
July 11, 2008 by Guest Writer · Leave a Comment
Written by: ADEKUNLE THEOPHILIUS
At times, i just stare at space in particular, as i ponder over life in Nigeria. I always find it difficult to fathom the Nigerian clime and stereotype. Most inexplicable is the fact that things that are anomalous in decent climes are passed off as acceptable and the norm in Nigeria. To be plain, Nigeria is a country where aberration thrives, where the ludicrous reigns supreme and the absurd stumps over the terrain like a colossus.
Why are we so misanthropic in this country for God’s sakes?, it’s so hard to decipher!, is it a natural or a mentality thing?, How can a society in the 21st century deride people for espousing honesty, how can people be condemned for decent works?, how can corruption be so brazenly condoned and promoted by a state.
No issue is most poignant than the events after the death of Abraham Adesanya. I am sure the man must be weeping and gnashing his teeth in his grave with the way he was messed up and things he would never have subscribed to while alive was made the norm on his demise. This is a modest and frugal man shunned ostentation, flippancy, mediocrity,opulence and equivocation. He was a practical man who lived a life devoid of self aggrandizement and watched his circle of friends. But his demise showed that death is not a deterrent to grandiose looting by Nigerians.
I was shocked that the south western states budgeted a whooping sum of N150 Million Naira!, for what? a clear assault on the moderate lifestyle of one of the last icons of the golden era and all he stood for all his life. Not to talk of all the needless renovations and vain window dressing embarked upon in ijebu igbo. To cap it again, we witnessed the squandering of millions( mostly state funds) on messages by an array of political prostitutes and unprincipled harlots. Then came the AC people and i almost puked in disgust!, these are the same people together with the AD governors who created the problems of his health in the first place, the same people who utilized the Afenifere platform to actualize their political desires and now turned around to undermine and denigrate the simple old man.
The worst was yet to come, it becomes mordant when thieves, confirmed treasury looters, murderers, questionable characters and criminals stormed the house with so much aura and air and where well received, given prominence and even great media attention. I just thought that if alive,would Abraham Adesanya wanted to have any thing to do with the likes of Alamieseigha or Ibori?. where was Tinubu, all the AC people and ex AD governors when the old man was incapacitated? couldn’t all those that contributed 150M spend a fraction on him?None of those wolves in sheep’s clothing bothered about the man when he was down? Would adesanya be happy with the millions of naira in state funds flittered on newspaper messages on him when most of the constituents of these state and local government officials do not have access to the basic necesities of life?
We can go on and on, but the issue is that cant the man and his ideals be respected in all these events? do they think the man was happy when he died? don’t you think that he must have weeped heavily at the current state of Nigeria?, don’t you think the man must have been overwhelmed with grief noticing that all the things they fought for over the past 50 or so years had gone down the drain?, don’t you think he must have shook his head in regret at the uncertain future of the country and it’s people?. Undeniably, if he had his way to speak after death, he must have begged Nigerians to celebrate him, but such day should be a day of sober reflection at the parlous state of the nation.But no we squandered all that,some people just capitalized on the icon’s death to loot their respective treasuries. The man deserved to be celebrated, he deserved a state burial, but he did not deserve the wasting and looting of funds by governments, the predominance and crocodile tears of the very people responsible for his demise and the presence of shady and questionable characters at his home and funeral.
MR ADEKUNLE THEOPHILIUS WROTE FROM ABUJA
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PETER OBI; a pinhole peep
June 18, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · 2 Comments
The journey to Agulu Anambra State began with a distress call from Mrs. Anulika Obienyem. I have known her from my hay days in Abuja and she has been a faithful friend. The message from the call was simple, “my father-in-law is dead. We had to bury him immediately according to his wish.” I was dumbfounded that the Igbo man could bury his deceased relation in record time. To confirm this sad story, I got a call from Valentine Obienyem, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.
I have known Val. for over ten years, as far back as in our undergraduate days in Lagos State University and a fraternal friendship is still blossoming over since. I cancelled all my engagements to make sure that I attend the final burial rites of his father, Ozo Bonaventure Obienyem, who died at the age of 78. Apart from Val. being a reliable friend in the university, my first child was actually conceived in his house at Lugbe, Abuja.
Having put my relationship with Val in perspective; let me regale you with the journey to his father’s burial that ended up in an unforgettable encounter with the democratic phenomenon of Nigeria’s democratic experience, Mr. Peter Obi.
I took off from Abuja my economic exiled base to Biafra (South East Nigeria) and anchored in Owerri. The conversation in the bus was centred on the marginalization of the Igbos in Nigeria, despite the”no victor no vanquished” declaration by the Gowon administration at the end of the 30- month civil war.
As an afterthought, the passengers zoomed in on the non-performance of the South-East governors. While these arguments raged, all the passengers were in agreement that the Amanbra State governor is in a class of his own and a trail blazer in the enforcement of rule of law, firm belief in the due process and integrated approach to development. Why won’t he, I belched, after all it was the judiciary that restored his stolen mandate. It should be remembered that Governor Peter Obi ran through the judiciary gauntlet to reclaim his mandate stolen by Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP, after the former had spent 3 years in office.
Ever since Peter Obi regained his mandate, he has stuck to the rule of law and due process, with little regards to whose ox is gored. Despite these pass mark given to Peter Obi in the bus, I still remained a doubting Thomas. My pinch-of-salt faith in the accolades showered on Peter Obi, sprang from the numerous newspaper advertorials by governors, brandishing what they have done during the past one year. Yet in their states, there is nothing to show for it. The dividends of democracy and good governance to their people are on the pages of newspapers and the crafty imagination of their image makers.
As though one passenger read my mind, I was reminded that the ongoing stalemate with the PDP dominated state House of Assembly is nothing but the governor’s stubbornness that the interest of the Anambra people must prevail against party and selfish interest. With great skepticism about reports from bush telegrams and Nigerian arm chair investigative journalists, over the super performances of the governors, I proceeded to Agulu via Ideato North.
To my greatest shock, the road from Urualla is as smooth as the Abuja-Keffi road. When I passed my Alma Mater, St. John Chrysostom Seminary Osina, pride swelled up to a bursting point in me. It was in this school, under steady hands of Rev. Sam Ilo that my faith was shaped. It was also there that my first baptism of rebellion was born. I protested the forceful banning of vernacular by Mazi C.C. our form master in Class 2B. I still have fresh memories of my brief stay in that school.
Akokwa to Ekwulobia was a pleasure to travel on and once in a long time, I was proud of the South East roads. Another interesting observation was the absence of bill boards advertising the governor. A trip round other South-East states, in fact the whole federation, you will have the faces of their governors welcoming you to squalor, unemployment and insecurity.
But that was not the case in Anambra. As we cruised across the border of Imo and Anambra, no nuisance bill board was welcoming me to Anambra. I started feeling there is something different about the state. But my pride knew no bound when I got to Obe Village, Agulu, the venue and Val’s village. There was electricity, which I understand has been there since the seventies. One could feel the fresh air exhuming from the green trees and virgin vegetation.
I was minding my beer, discussing Barack Obama’s half chance in November, reinterpretation of Andy Uba’s empty mandate and the failure of the opposition parties to challenge the foisting of Rotimi Amaechi at the Rivers State Election Tribunal with Barrister Emeka Ikedigwe that I paid no attention when the Governor’s presence was announced by the master of ceremony. But when Peter Obi appeared, with little fanfare, my pride did a somersault and at once I longed to be a governor in the shoes of Peter Obi.
Peter Obi came with the most skeletal security out-fit I have seen in modern times. Coming from Abuja, where a common minister intimidates road users, it was a cultural shock for me to see a governor at close range and his security details were not over -zealous, not wearing Abacha-like goggles and scaring electorates. I cannot remember the last time I was this at ease in the presence of security men.
To crown it all, Peter Obi ate in public glare. No special venue was arranged for him to eat. This simplicity touched me that I could not help but think, how better Nigeria will be if all governors will borrow a leaf from Peter Obi, make themselves accessible and not build wall of Jericho with Policemen around the governor. You may also wish to know that the convoy used by Peter Obi had about four cars; there was no dispatch rider or a lorry load of Mobile Policemen.
The siren was not at full blast. The governor mixed well with the people and was accessible to all who wanted to chip a word into his ever listening ears. With a wide smile and gentle voice the governor nodded to the praise singers and cheerfully made himself available to all and sundry. Read more
Nigeria Heads Back To Slavery
June 16, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The Federal Government at the tail of last week announced that she has approved the sourcing of a loan of Forty Billion Naira (40 bln) to enable her rehabilitate some dilapidated federal high ways across the country.
This journey to slavery of the international lending agencies was announced by the minister of information at the end of the federal executive meeting.
One of the moves by ex-president Obasanjo that endeared him to Nigerians was the payment of the debts Nigeria has owed the World Bank, IMF, Paris Club and other agents of non-development in Africa.
Nigerians are worried that despite the unprecedented increment in the global price of crude oil, the Yar’Adua administration is asking for loan to rehabilitate roads. Nigerians want to know what happened to the excess accruing since crude hit $118 per barrel, estimated at $18bn in the Excess Crude Oil Revenue.
The Obasanjo regime regaled us that the missing Abacha loots were used for debt buy back, liquidation and out right redemption of Nigeria from the strangle hold of the international money lenders.
Meanwhile President Yar’Adua has rounded off a state visit to France where he made pledges of corporation between France and Nigeria.
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