Technology has really transformed communication. with the download of Blogger on my android, blogging on the move has been made easier and the excuse of having to wait till I get to my system have been dealt with. This is still phlegvinyl with a great and loving heart for this nation. Thank you Techno , thank you Nigeria, thank you Emmanuel Stevens and thank you Duromisin Oluwatosin
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Saturday, 3 August 2013
COMING SOON
Are you ready to be a part of this?
A partaker of the coming bliss
When
there will be express manifestation of grace
And the people will once again value
excellence
The building process has begun
When the nation will rise like the sun
And the people will be united as one
With an excellent mindset as a gown
Are you ready to be part of this?
When excellence flows in a sweet bliss
And there is peace in the environment like
cool breeze
We are the ones to make this happen and no one
else
Nigeria will rise again and stronger
Hearts will become larger
And love will be in the air
This will happen because we believe
And we will be a part of the process.
GREAT NATION
With the beautiful voice of Timi Dakolo’s “Great
Nation” on replay, my ink stains the screen of my laptop as I paint a
picture of the richness of the lyrics of this song. The first time I heard this
song, was during the birthday of Archbishop of Church of God Mission
International Inc., Most Rev. Dr. Magareth E. Benson –Idahosa. And the passion with which he sang, struck
the patriotic chord within me, and even though I did not have the lyrics, I
just had to hum along. Also, just before then someone had reminded mama (Archbishop)
of the fact that she said that Nigeria will be one of the most sought after
nations by 2025 and the song was just icing on the cake for my mind.
I have always been
and will ever remain a believer in this nation. And when I see partners in the
ministry, it gives me great Joy and that was what I found in Timi Dakolo. I
never knew that the song (GREAT NATION) had been out for like
a year and that even a video was out; imagine such sweet delicacy out in the
open and I hadn’t tasted it. But since I got hold of it, irrespective of the “this
song is old now” from friends and classmates, I have not let the song go, it
has been on replay on my mobile
phone, music player... and for me, it has become a theme song that will never
leave me, though I might have new ones to add to it. Before I continue let me
share with you the lyrics of the song:
Here we stand as a
people
With one song: with one
voice
We're a nation:
undivided and poised
We will take our stand:
and build our land
With faith: to defend
what we love
Here we are as a people
With one heart: for one
cause
We're determined: to
rebuild and restore
Where freedom reigns:
and truth prevails
A land where there's
hope for us all (2x)
(Chorus)
We're all we have,
we'll defend our land
We believe in this
nation, and we know we'll get there
We're all we have,
we'll defend our land
We believe in Nigeria
and the promise she holds
And that one day we'll
shine like the sun
We're a great nation
Though we are many
people
Different tribes:
different tongues
We're united in our
strength and resolve
To uphold the honour of
our land
And for generations to
come
Can you feel the
richness in this lyrics and the kind of faith that emits from it; there is a
difference between the work of a believer and a person that is not of the
faith. I played this song, the day I downloaded it, and my spirit broke out in
unknown tongues in intercession for this nation, and the effectual fervent
prayer of the righteous availeth much. Hence, I know that things were sorted
out that day. With the present day situation, the environment leaves little or
nothing to believe and the headlines on the newspapers are not just palatable
at all.
Also, when you
visit the newspaper stands to hear comments of Nigerians, or you visit schools
to hear the reason why children and youths want to be leaders, questions abound
on where this nation is heading to. Every day, annoying decisions are made by
those in leadership positions, few continue to enjoy the wealth meant for the
majority and the leaders of tomorrow imagine maybe there will still be anything
left for them to eat out of the national cake. ASUU has been on strike, ASUP
was on strike for about two months, and the primary school teachers were on
strike for months, considering the importance of education to development, what
thought does this leave us with?
Boko Haram
continues to kill in the north and in the south, every little thing the
militant threaten to go back to arms; as we sit on a peace bought by settlement
(money). The church which is supposed to
be the backbone of the nation is becoming monetized and politicized and the
morals of the society is at the lowest ebb, is there still hope? We are the
largest exporter of crude oil in Africa and yet we import petroleum products,
divided into 3 by water, yet portable water is not for all citizens; a large
population of able bodied technocrats and democrats with little or no impact...
is there still hope?
However, in the midst of this dry land the lord is raising
an army of believers, who will transform the fortunes of this nation. People
who will make sure, spring of waters spring forth to water the plan for
freshness to abound again; people who will not only preach but be a partaker of
the process of development. Hearts who are founded in unity and not soiled by
the stains of ethnicity, religious barriers and partisan politics, will manage
resources to make sure the beauty is sustained. Now the question remains, will
you be a part of this army or be an onlooker?
Furthermore,
Brethren let us stop the complaining and begin the faith that is accompanied
with works. The Lord has spoken upon this nation through the mouths of
different prophets, Ministers, small children like me also and his word does
not go to the ground without being fulfilled. Will you be part of that nation
that stands to take her stand to rebuild and restore the land? We will do it
with you or not, but it will be lovely for you to be part of this history
making process. For the time cometh and it is not far, where Nigeria will be a
nation where the truth prevails and freedom reigns... with God on our side,
nothing will stop us.
In addition, we cry today that our fathers have failed
us, would we wait for our children to say the same of us? I refuse to be a part
of the complainers Football club, but I
accept my responsibility to be a major stakeholder in the team of responsible
builders... these two teams are laid before you today, choose on which side you
will be a part of? It pains me most time, when I am around places where things
are going on wrong and I hear comments like: “how e go take beta for this
country?”, “Nigeria no fit good again ooh”... sometimes ago, an old man called
me to ask maybe there was hope for us as the future of this nation, I smiled
and told him that I am still alive and that is a sign that there is hope.
Christians! If you cannot join those praying,
please don’t allow your mouth be an accessory for the devil in decreeing the
wrong things. Where is your faith, is it still determined by environmental
situations? Are those your comments spirit led? Join the sons, for the
creations earnestly await the manifestations of the sons of God... Nigeria
awaits your manifestation oh O OoooO.
You should not carry God and your lights not shine to those around you. Wake
up from slumber, O ye Watchmen of this nation; friends of the king of Glory,
hear what the father has to tell you concerning the role you have to play and
stop the cursing and “complaint without
positive action”. The king of Isreal had issues, when the letter
was sent to him to heal Naaman, but the prophet got to know from where he is
and solved the problem. Military tactics where delivered to the government by
the prophet, are there no more prophets in Nigeria? Holyghost filled, tongue
speaking, Evangelism doing without impact is almost like noise making..., we
need Christian manufacturers and business men, multi millionaires with clean
naira, dollar and pound- sterling, inventors etc.
I am not religious bias; I relate with you cordially
despite your religion but will not forget my identity as a son of God and an
ambassador for Christ. Nigeria needs you, we are all we have...to defend this
land, it is not the resources that make us who we are, but who we are gives the
resources more prestige.
God
bless Benson and Kay Akhigbe Jnr, Timi Dakolo, fela Durotoye , Mama Archbishop
Magareth Idahosa, pastor Chris Delvans ,
Pastor Bankie, Prophet Bill Hammon, Dr. Steve Adeyemi, Pastor Omadeli Boyo
etc... These people have helped in confirming my strong believe in God’s word
of a better Nigeria and May God see them through and make them more successful
to take this country to greater heights. I
drop my pen, by re- echoing the chorus of this great second national
anthem:
(Chorus)
We're all we have,
we'll defend our land
We believe in this
nation, and we know we'll get there
We're all we have,
we'll defend our land
We believe in Nigeria
and the promise she holds
And that one day we'll
shine like the sun
We're a great nation
Every morning, as you wake up; say the national prayer (second
stanza of the national anthem) with great faith in your heart. And put your
faith into action, by doing excellent things that will bring glory and honour
to God and the betterment of this country. Be hard working in all you do, because
do you see a man who is diligent in his works, he will stand before kings and
not obscure men. There are breakthroughs that God wants to release unto the
world, are you that ready man?
Friday, 5 July 2013
PROPOSED UK VISA POLICY AND THE LESSONS FOR NIGERIA
So
many reactions have plagued the recent proposal by the British government to
force citizens from Nigeria and four other countries to pay a £3,000(N 750,000)
bond to be allowed to enter Britain. In view of this proposal, they will only
get their money back once they leave the country, in a bid to end abuse of the
Visa system. The other countries affected by this proposition include India, Ghana,Pakistan,
Bangladesh and India. In the proposal by
the Home Secretary, Theresa May, the proposal is targeted at nationals of the
countries tagged as “High Risks”. I will be approaching this issue from a
perspective, which might not be so obvious. But before then, let me bring some
other reactions to the same plan. The intention is to make the immigration
system more selective and deter people from overstaying once their visitor’s
visa has expired. There are plans that the Australian style- bond scheme to
also include foreign workers and students.
In a report by Adekunle Adekoya in Vanguard, he observed that the UK visa policy has in reality always
been discriminatory to Nigerians and if you like, nationals of other countries
included. According to him, it started in September 1986 when the Margret
Thatcher administration decided, at the end of a cabinet meeting that in future,
travellers in Nigeria, India, Ghana and Bangladesh and Pakistan will need to
obtain Visa from their own countries before travelling. Before the 1986
decision, nationals of all common wealth nations except Sri lanka did not need
visas to travel to the UK.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives committee
on foreign Affairs slammed the move as “discriminatory and unacceptable”.
Nnenna Elendu – Ukeje, chairman of the committee in a statement said such a
policy was not in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. She said that they will take a ‘critical look
at the policy’ as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward. The
Minister of foreign affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, said Nigeria “will
do everything within its means to protect its citizens from any harsh policy by
any country.” In a statement issued by the Ministry if Foreign Affairs
on Tuesday, 25th of June, 2013, it was said that the Minister had
already summoned the UK commissioner, Mr Andrew pockock, to formally register
federal governments’ displeasure to the policy. The statement quoted the
minister as describing the policy as “not only discriminatory but also capable
of undermining the commonwealth family”. It added that the proposed policy
would negate the joint commitment signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and
President Goodluck Jonathan, to double the volume of trade of both countries by
2014.
However,
as the twist in the issue continues to develop, the British High commissioner
to Nigeria, Mr Andrew pockock said it was regrettable that the yet- to – be
announced policy was leaked to the media as the modality for implementation had
yet to be worked out, while also assuring the Minister that the views and
concerns of Nigerians would be conveyed to his home government.
While there have been some reverse reactions towards the
plans, the idea has been welcome by backbench Tony MPs, who have been urging
the government to take a tougher line on immigration. The policy also has the backing Lib Dem
Leader, Nick Clegg, who suggested the introduction of bonds in March, though
was proposing the level should be fixed as £1000. Although, Keith Vaz, chairman
of the Home Affairs select committee, said the idea was ‘unworkable’ and ‘impractical’.
Mr Vaz, an ex- foreign Office Minister, claimed it would not deter people from
trying to stay on after their visas
ended and said the targeted countries would be “likely to retaliate”.
It is important to note that a similar plan of £1,000
bond in 2008 amid an outcry from migrant right groups. . Unarguably, this policy if implemented is
going to be a double edged sword. “In perspective, the policy if implemented
will have repercussions on both sides. If dealing with the illegal immigration
is the sole object of the policy, then Nigerians who see the UK as an escape
destination will be affected. On the contrary, Nigeria is a business
destination for many United Kingdom Nations, including those of Nigerian
descent. If Nigeria reciprocates, as government may be required to, business on
both sides will suffer irreparably...” (Adekunle Adekoya,Vanguard).
However, my
heart cry is not even about the effect of this proposal on students, parents,
immigrants etc, but on a lesson that the citizens and government of this nation
are supposed to learn. Not that the things mentioned above are not important,
but just that they are not my main focus. One can hardly blame them, if we want
to be sincere, because no country wants an uncontrolled influx of people, as it
has its own effect on them. My heart cry is that is that this nation should be
made liveable in all ramifications and I want the government of and people of
Nigeria to learn from this insult and do everything possible in their power to
bring back respect to this nation. On various occasions, I have been opportuned
to be around discussions of young people, who just talk about looking for ways
of leaving this country to find greener pastures in various European countries.
Majority of them, always end with statements like “I no go just come back
again, this country too hard...” hence the struggle by many Nigerian future
leaders to find their way out of this country, to go and do menial jobs; going
through different hardships and issues just to get papers.
A
home office official in Britain said the six countries highlighted were those
with “the most significant risk of Abuse”.
“ Last year 296,000 people granted six month visas were from
India, 101,000 from Nigeria, 53,000 from
Pakistan and 14,000 each were from Sri Lanka and Bangledesh”( AFP).
Imagine the figures! Let us learn from this “Insult” (that is what it is to
me), and make this nation an envy for people outside. We can make this country
beautiful enough for people to want to come in and our youths ready to stay and
work. We have very wonderful professional Nigerians working in different places
in European countries, who have refused to come back home, because of better
quality of job terms; we have read in the News of Nigerians making giant
strides in their various endeavours. All this would have been things enjoyed in
this country if things were as good as they ought to be.
This
is my plea! Government, please you can continue your complaints on the
discriminatory policy, but please also focus on making this nation a golden
street that people will want to walk on. For the supposed giant of Africa to be
put to this kind of treatment speaks volumes in few lines. Please Sirs and
Madams, OGAs at the Top, think deeply on this situation, and pick up lessons,
that will kick start a developmental revolutions that will affect all aspect of
this nation. Please! For the government officials that embezzle or that have
embezzled, I want to say that you are part of the reason for this insult. Money
meant for development, were pocketed and used for selfish gains, anyway some
people are at the corner praying for you and God is listening.
Mr. Government and her officials, Nigeria needs steady
power supply, we need good roads, we need employment for our youths, we need
uninterrupted terms in our schools (No strikes), well secured neighbourhoods
and properly equipped security agents. We the citizens of Nigeria need
comfortable houses at affordable rates and policies that will greatly improve
the comfort of the general public. Sincerely sir, if all these things are
provided, we will be the ones making this kind of policy, to control the influx
and nobody will insult us by calling us high risk for contributing illegal
immigrants. I sincerely know that with the way things have gone bad, it will
not take just one day to solve the years of decay, but the process should begin
and the heart of restoration should be in every of the government officials.
The government of South Africa has to make comments regularly regarding the
conditions of a citizen not in government, churches hold prayers for him to
remain alive even though he is more than 90, even death respects his
achievements and have refused to take him...this tells you that being a good
government official pays. Thumbs up Mandela “Madiba”, may you live long for us.
To my fellow citizens, you have every right to want to
leave the country oh, things are not well and we watch in the Television of the
beautiful things happening in the European countries (thanks to the information
flow imbalance). The reasons not to stay are pretty obvious, but again hard
work and integrity pays. I just want to encourage us to stay with one another
and develop this nation, the America, Britain we run to today were built by the
sweats of people. For some, the inputs of some of our forefathers via slave
trade forms the foundation of their development, hence we should stick together
in Unity and develop this nation. I strongly believe that we can make it. I
call on all the children, Youths, aged, Mothers, fathers etc to join the train
of those with the heart to make this nation great, the train is gradually
gaining pace; so please do not left behind. Let us break the barrier of
corruption by first of all not being corrupt, kill ethnicity and tribalism from
the roots, join with adequate information in the electoral processes. The good
people should contest and continue to contest so that this nation enjoys the
beauty that comes when a righteous man rules. Fight corruption with all sense
of sincerity and love for this nation, not a fight tainted with selfish
reasons.
Please let us not wait for the government, if they are
not working let us kick them to the work by taking up their functions to make
sure the citizens are comfortable. You live in a street as a Millionaire and
the street are very bad, why wait for the government, when you can begin the
process. The well to-do could create scholarship platforms for the bright minds
in the society and provide the right environment for their talents to be
horned. Parents should stop encouraging their children that the grasses are
always greener on the other side of the lawn. That is not how it is Oh. Get to
ask questions from those that made it back, some have had to do very obscene
things just to make ends meet, so many of them are even ashamed to say the true
stories of their experiences. Some of those that tried to go through the desert
have lost their lives.
The Richest man in
Africa started and survived the environmental hurdles, Jim Ovia started in the
Delta state environments, Michael Adenuga began Globacom in Nigeria, and the
list continues. Mentioning people that
have survived the stress in this great nation, who have also made it and
respected all over the world will take too much space, hence I still wish to
assert that making it is possible in this nation. I know of the CEO of a
leading communication firm in Victoria Island, who started in school not having
slippers to go to class with but today runs a multi Million naira company in
the communication sector. The good
people still make it, because it’s on their shoulders that the greatness of
this nation that the greatness of this nation lies. It is not a mistake that
the theme for our image transformation agenda is “Nigeria, good people, great
nation”. Our greatness as a nation is hinged on the availability of good people
who have gone beyond any barrier available, from poverty to religion, ethnic
backgrounds etc. Be the great person and not a source of insult to this
country. Greatness even when you are born into it, does not just fall on
someone, it is nurtured.
This matter of £3000, Slammed on visitors from the giant
of African should bring reflections and not only reactions. Let the world just
continue to wait, we are coming! They will not wait for too long, people like
me that love this country sincerely are many.
ASUU STRIKES AND THE SUFFERING GRASSES
For
some time now, I have been counting my graduation time in months, weeks and
even into days but if the present reality is not sorted out, there is a
likelihood of an extension of the time frame. At a time, the news filtered in
that ASUU (Academic staff Union of Universities) was planning on going on
strike, but we just allowed the news pass as a rumour. But the saying that “within
every rumour there is a truth embedded “came to pass, as on the entrance
into the month of July was greeted by flashing headlines in the media of the
announcement of an indefinite strike by
ASUU.
The ASUU national president, Isa Fagge informed
journalists of the development at a news conference via telephone at the
University of Lagos (Premium Times).
The decision to have the strike was reached at the National Executive Committee
(NEC) meeting of ASUU held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. The reason for the strike according to him
was as a result of the inability of the federal government to implement some of
the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU.
Let me r- emphasise the contribution I stumbled upon on
the internet “in the opinion of many Nigerian parents, guardians (especially those
not rich enough to send their children abroad for tertiary education) and most
importantly patient helpless Nigerian University students, the word “strike”
has become synonymous with ASUU in recent times...the strikes on 2007, 2008,
and 2009 are still very fresh in the minds of Nigerian students) – zahraddin Abdullahi , Director,
standing committee of Human rights and
Peace(SCORP), Nigerian Medical students Association. Hence, though as troubling as it may sound, it is almost an
“when is it going to happen” issue.
As I read the words of Isa Fagge that the strike will be “Comprehensive,
total, and indefinite” what came to my mind was the plight of fellow
students like me who were going to be bearing the brunt of the whole saga. This
means no supervision of project for final year students, no classes for
students of any level, post graduate students will have their programmes put on
hold, students would be left idle, plans have changed etc, with so many
consequences that will come with this decision. One question continues to
linger in my heart: is strike the only option? To ASUU what is the strike supposed
to do, turn the hands of government officials that have most of their children
studying outside Nigeria? To the government; must these teachers down their
tools before they get your attention? Students what can we do in this situation
because we are tired of always suffering the inefficiencies of the two
elephants? All these questions are ones that if properly answered; matters will
be put into proper perspective and solutions proffered.
I logged on into my Facebook
account this morning and this was the post of my friend: “Arsenal need to sing ASUU and
Thunder in their striking force, that they are very good at striking”. Smiles
of sadness and amusement filled my face as I read and digested that article
garnished with the thought of how these strike actions have affected Nigerian
leaders of tomorrow. The privileged few have chosen institutions in Ghana and
recently Benin republic as escape routes to the strike prone government
tertiary institutions, also private schools like Redeemers, covenant, Babcock,
Afe Babalola University etc have enjoyed the patronage of those that want
uninterrupted and quality education, with the capacity to provide it. But
again, to what extent can a nation, whose educational system is beleaguered
with strike, develop? Although the strike is one of the smallest problems
affecting this sector, but its own consequences are obvious.
The Academic and non – academic staff have gone on strike
when their so called “rights” but
who goes on strike when students are intimidated by their lecturers, who goes
on strike when results are manipulated selfishly or as an act of wickedness,
who goes on strike when students are made to learn under harsh conditions of
learning (that even the people in authority now did not go through. Sometimes
our lecturers tell us they had access to chicken, quality teachers, and
comfortable hostels etc, have these things suddenly disappeared?), who downs
tools when students are extorted of the little money they bring from home? The
answers to the questions are left in your minds to answer. If we refuse to
learn, we will suffer the consequences and even protests have a limit so that
you can graduate well, who defends the right of a Nigerian student?
Even with the sometimes, not favourable and low quality
environment of learning, that we are managing, trying as much as possible as we
can to survive, we still have to suffer strike also. Is this fair? I do not
want to stand on the side of any of the elephant, because we are just the
innocent grasses that suffer, hence supporting any will do us no good. But I
will appeal to both sides to put the future of this nation at the back of their
minds before we make decisions. Do you love this country, or you are just
fighting to get your own share of the national cake. ASUU and the FG, God is
looking at both of you oh, if these students decide to table the matter before
God, every side will be affected, because God always brings Justice (sounding
religious? Yes OH).
In my bid to present the matters of the University
student, let me also emphasise the fact that polytechnic students have been at
home for two months because ASUP( Academic staff Union of Polytechnics ) has
been on strike. Can you imagine two months of your life as a student out of
school? Is this fair for God sake? And
from what I have observed, what forms a bulk of poly students, are people that
tried getting into Universities and they couldn’t make it and now you put them again into further
mental and psychological stress. Again I ask who is fighting for the rights of
the students. What is our gain in this strike? The good lecturers have always
been good (allowance or no allowance), the bad lecturers remain bad (allowance
or no allowance), so what is our gain apart from the suffering?
To my fellow students let us continue to pray for this
nation, things are going worse but it is only “Us” that can make it
better. Our generation is a generation
of promise, with the mandate to turn things around for the better. If our
fathers have failed us and are still failing us, let us take the bull by the
horn to make things better. Let us survive this hardship with the best of
mindsets, coming out to make things right so that the future generation does
not go through the same predicament. The excuse has been that the thorns will
always try to inhibit the growth of the crops, but not if the crops work
together in unity and learn how to survive and blossom in the midst of the
thorns. Can we make sure our children do not suffer the same fate? YES WE
CAN. Please let us shun examination
malpractices, irrespective of the shortcomings of the system, let us do the
right thing always, let us shun vices and conduct ourselves as worthy leaders
in the making. For the time comes that as a city set on the hill, nobody will
be able to hide you. Continue. Try as much as possible as you can to make good
use of the strike period for personal development in all areas of your discipline,
if the lecturers have down their tools , pick up the tools and let the work
continue.
To ASUU happy striking oh, it is our prayer that the
government responds to your requests, so that my fellow students can go back to
class. We have enjoyed a strike free period for some time and thought that
matters like that no more existed, but since according to you, it is a painful
but necessary decision, more grease to your elbow. I believe, if government
does not answer you for months, the students too will not receive lectures for
months and that is fair? Okay! Come to think of it, do they pay you people for
the period you are on strike? If they do, God is still in heaven O and he is
looking very well. Anyway some of the requests made sense, only one sounded very
odd to me, some of you still want to lecture till 70? 65 years is not enough?
Haba, why don’t you just retire at 65 and if you are agile to continue and you
are contributing immensely to the University, you are given a contract. If all
lecturers have to get to 70 before they retire, when the young will bloods
begin to be injected to the system (it’s just a suggestion). Things are
changing and the internet is transforming the world, Experience is essential
and very important, but innovation and new imports drives any development. We
don’t want to be attending our teachers burial while still in school, please we
need you to serve and go and rest; we love you. And please if government did
not answer you quick, please come back to the class because the investment you
make by imparting Knowledge in class can pay you allowances that the government
cannot afford. Hence think on the beautiful proceeds of your honourable
profession and the innocent student and help us out. God bless you.
To the government! “Our Ogas at the top”, I
pay homage to your honourable offices and I bring you greetings from the
student environment, especially those who are going to be staying at home till
you and ASUU resolve your problems. We appreciate the free time, probably the
thought was that the students have been too stressed, let us just give them
some time. Thank you sirs and Ma, but this is detrimental to our education. We
need to graduate and start working so that we can join in taking this nation to
this level, and strikes will not help the issue. If it is on the matter of Unemployment
(probably if we graduate fast we will increase unemployment rate), do not
worry, we are learning to be self sufficient now, with the heart to make this
country better. Please see to the continuation of our academic calendar. I know
that some of your people have their children in private schools or outside
Nigeria, but please the bulk of Nigerians have their children in Federal
institutions and it will not be fair to put us through this situation. Please
help us so that we can help you back. I do not want some of my classmates or
fellow students to start “Yahoo Yahoo”
or get involved in some other vices during this free time and also, you people
are trying, but please try more to help improve the conditions of learning.
Please make our lecturers comfortable too, so that they can teach us well and
also our parents so that they can send us pocket money and allowance. We will
really appreciate more allocations to the educational sector; at least reduction
in the cost of governance will provide enough money for this. I do not want to
remember the amount I was hearing that some government officials were earning
during the fuel subsidy protests, but we can just cut costs and divert the
funds to several other important areas. If you people properly fund our
schools, some of the things you pay for expertise abroad, we will be doing it.
So please encourage research and every other aspect of our educations.
Still to my “ Ogas at the TOP”, students
in the Arts and Humanities need scholarship too, almost all scholarship are for
the sciences and Engineering and it has been discouraging quite a number of
students, so as you look into the ASUU
matter. Look into this too. Please sirs
and Madams do not allow this strike stay for too long, we need to go back to
class. Even though they are not so comfortable, but for the glory ahead we have
decided to endure them.
On the general, let all hands be on
the deck for developmental issues as it affects this country. Let the strike
stop and let the rights of the students be more protected. Nigeria, Good
People, Great Nation.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
WHO YOU KNOW” SYDROME
The sound of my country as the most populous black nation
in the world, largest producer of Crude Oil in Africa, second largest deposit
of Bitumen in the world, 2nd largest exporter of Cocoa, largest
exporter of Cassava and some many other encouraging pedigrees, paints the
picture of a very economically and politically stable country. Also as at when
Nigeria gained independence, we were foreseen to be one of the greatest
countries amongst the former British colonies, but with the prevailing
realities on ground, that projection is still a future to look up to. Growing
cases of corruption in diverse forms, bad leadership, increase level of poverty,
high mortality rates, and increased insecurity has bedevilled this nation,
leaving the developmental pedal on a standstill or, to be a bit generous, a
“snail speed”.
The level of corruption in the nation is alarming as the
canker has eaten deep into almost every facet of the nation’s fabric. Every day
we hear different types of manipulation, embezzling and doctoring of accounts.
Ethnicity and nepotism have beclouded the sense of reasoning, of choosing of
leaders and different people for different positions. Nigeria is ranked 139 out
of 176 countries in Transparency International 2012 perception index, tied with
Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nepal and Pakistan. The problems affecting this nation are
numerous, ranging from corruption to bad leadership, ethnicity, to nepotism e.t.c.,
but the focus of this piece is on the “who
you know” syndrome which can be tied to majority of the other problems
facing this great nation.
This issue of “who you know,” which could be expanded to
include nepotism, tribalism, ethnicity and favouritism, is one of the major
problems affecting this nation. And my
fear is that the younger generation are gradually being oriented to think that
it is the way the society is meant to be. From top government officials giving
appointments based on those with the longest leg (who know people),
defrauding merit and character, to teachers giving better grades to students
that are ‘closer’ to them instead of grading based on efforts, to elections,
even, into religious offices, to universities not adhering to the set rules for
admitting students, employing ethnic and religious bias in the process-some
schools quickly come to mind). The matters arising from this concept or, should
we term it practice, are so much, so numerous, that it is gradually becoming
the norm; the right way looking like the wrong way; because when you do not
participate, you are thought of as a fool. Hence, the ‘if you can’t beat them,
you join them’ formula is running rent-free in our public lives.
I
beg to emphasise that a country that runs on this concept will never develop
because, it, most times, will result in cases of round pegs in square holes in
the corridors of power. The right people for the Job will not get it and the wrong
people will not do it well; the consequence of it not done well spreads and
that is the beginning of a damning end. To be very realistic, the prevailing
situation in this nation fully supports the “who you know” syndrome but I will
like to inform that the best way for things to be done is working and making
decisions based on merit. Citizens of this nation should begin to work hard to
get results and not always try to want to cut corners; students should read to
pass and not know someone to pass; employment should be given to those that
seek jobs based on merit and not bias; government should employ the right
people for the right jobs; citizens of this nation should be ready to vote in
the right person to do a job and not look at political aspirants from the eye
of tribalism. The “who you know” syndrome has done more harm than good to this
nation and its citizens and should be highly discouraged.
However, it is one of those concepts that, when fuelled
with positive energy, can be used to enhance growth, but it must go along with
merit and equity. Dear Nigerians, let us strive to be the best we can be in
every ramification of our endeavours and not rely on ‘Long leg’. Let us come
together and make this nation great again; let the noise of our merits and
abilities wake up the sleeping giant, teach the young ones to work hard and not
look for short cuts....KICK “WHO
KNOW WHO SYNDROME” OUT OF NIGERIA
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